Scratching the (cell) surface: cytokine engineering for improved ligand/receptor trafficking dynamics.
Cytokines can be engineered for greater potency in stimulating cellular functions. An obvious test criterion for an improved cytokine is receptor-binding affinity, but this does not always correlate with improved biological response. By combining protein-engineering techniques with studies of receptor trafficking and signaling, it might be possible to identify the ligand receptor-binding properties that should be sought.
Lauffenburger
D A
DA
Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA. lauffen@mit.edu
Fallon
E M
EM
Haugh
J M
JM
D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D011485:Protein Binding; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008024:Ligands; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor