title: [Progress in single-domain antibody derived from heavy-chain antibody].
abstract: Functional heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) lacking light chains occur naturally in camels. The variable domain of heavy chain of heavy-chain antibody is referred to VHH. The VHH gene family is homologous to human VH subgroup III. The single-domain VHH antibodies are constructed by cloning the variable domains of HCAbs. Compared to human VHs, VHH germ-line sequences contain some hallmark substitutions in framework region 2, including V37F(Y), G44 E, L45 R, W47G. The substitutions at positions 44, 45, 47 are often used to camelise the human VHs. Being a small binders, VHH antibodies are well expressed, extremely stable and very soluble. Camelised human VHs are proved to exhibit the same qualities as those of VHH antibodies. The single-domain VHH antibodies will be useful in the drug development and basic research.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China.
authors.forename: Hua-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Qing-Ming
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002162:Camelus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011994:Recombinant Proteins