Affilin

Affilin

Structure of an Affilin molecule

Another view of an Affilin molecule

Affilin is a type of protein that is engineered to bind to specific target molecules. These proteins are derived from ubiquitin, a small regulatory protein that is found in almost all tissues of eukaryotic organisms. Affilins are part of a class of proteins known as scaffold proteins, which are used in biotechnology and therapeutics for their ability to bind to specific targets with high affinity and specificity.

Structure

Affilins are based on the structure of ubiquitin, which is a small, stable protein consisting of 76 amino acids. The structure of ubiquitin is highly conserved and consists of a compact, globular fold. This fold is characterized by a beta-grasp topology, which is a common structural motif in proteins. The stability and solubility of ubiquitin make it an ideal scaffold for engineering new binding proteins.

Engineering

The engineering of Affilins involves the introduction of mutations into the ubiquitin scaffold to create new binding surfaces. This is typically done using techniques such as directed evolution or rational design. The goal is to create a protein that can bind to a specific target molecule, such as a receptor, enzyme, or antigen.

Applications

Affilins have a wide range of applications in both research and medicine. In research, they are used as tools for studying protein-protein interactions, signal transduction, and other cellular processes. In medicine, Affilins are being developed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Their small size and stability make them attractive candidates for drug development.

Advantages

Affilins offer several advantages over traditional antibody-based therapies. They are smaller and more stable, which allows for better tissue penetration and longer shelf life. Additionally, they can be produced in bacteria or yeast, which makes them more cost-effective to manufacture. Their ability to be engineered to bind to virtually any target makes them highly versatile.

Related pages

• Ubiquitin
• Scaffold protein
• Directed evolution
• Protein engineering

Gallery

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  Structure of ubiquitin, the scaffold for Affilins

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