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03/17/2020 09:35

Blocking sugar structures on viruses and tumor cells

Dr. Ulrich Marsch Corporate Communications Center
Technische Universität München

    During a viral infection, viruses enter the body and multiply in its cells. Viruses often specifically attach themselves to the sugar structures of the host cells, or present characteristic sugar structures on their surface themselves. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new type of protein reagent for identifying biological sugar structures, which may block the spread of an illness in the body if used for blocking the sugar structures of a cell or a pathogen.

    The laboratory directed by Arne Skerra, Professor of Biological Chemistry, has its focus on designing artificial binding proteins for therapeutic applications. The laboratory’s current research findings are paving the way for the development of new types of binding proteins for biological sugar structures, which play a significant role in cancer as well as infectious diseases.

    Recognizing biological sugar structures

    “The recognition of specific sugar molecules, or so-called carbohydrates, is of vital importance in many biological processes,” Prof. Skerra explains. Most cells carry a marker consisting of sugar chains which are attached to the outside of the cell membrane or to the membrane proteins, thus enabling the body to identify where these cells belong or whether certain cells are alien. Pathogens also have sugar structures of their own, or they can bind to these.

    Proteins, which perform a wide range of functions within cells, generally have only low affinity to sugars. Thus, their molecular recognition poses a challenge. The reason: water molecules look similar to the sugar molecules, meaning that they are basically hidden in the aqueous environment of the cells. Prof. Skerra’s research group therefore set out to design an artificial binding protein with a peculiar chemical composition which makes it easier to bind to biological sugar structures.

    A boric acid group implemented into a protein as amino acid

    Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. As a rule, nature only uses 20 amino acids in all living organisms. “Using the possibilities opened up by synthetic biology, we have employed an additional artificial amino acid,” reports researcher Carina A. Sommer.

    “We have succeeded in incorporating a boric acid group, which exerts intrinsic affinity to sugar molecules, into the amino acid chain of a protein. In doing this, we have created an entirely new class of binding protein for sugar molecules,” Sommer explains. This artificial sugar-binding function is superior to natural binding proteins (so-called lectins) both in strength and with regard to possible sugar specificities.

    “The sugar-binding activity of boric acid and its derivatives has been known for nearly a century,” says Prof. Skerra. “The chemical element boron is common on earth and has low toxicity, but so far has largely remained unexplored by organisms.”

    “By using X-ray crystallography, we have succeeded in unraveling the crystal structure of a model complex of this artificial protein, which allowed us to validate our biomolecular concept,” explains scientist Dr. Andreas Eichinger.

    The next step: towards medical application

    Following approximately five years of fundamental scientific research, the findings from Prof. Skerra’s laboratory can now be applied to practical medical needs. Prof. Skerra points out: “Our results should not only be used to support the future development of new carbohydrate ligands in biological chemistry, but should also pave the way for creating high-affinity agents for controlling or blocking medically-relevant sugar structures on cell surfaces.”

    Such a “blocking agent” could be used for conditions in which strong cell growth is evident or when pathogens are attaching themselves to cells, for example in oncology and virology. If we are successful in blocking the sugar-binding function and in slowing down the progress of a disease, this would give the patient’s immune system sufficient time to mobilize the body's natural defense.


    Contact for scientific information:

    Prof. Dr. Arne Skerra
    Technical University of Munich
    Chair of Biological Chemistry
    Tel.: +49 (0)8161 71-4351
    skerra@tum.de
    www.tum.de


    Original publication:

    Carina A. Sommer, Andreas Eichinger, and Arne Skerra (2020): A Tetrahedral Boronic Acid Diester Formed by an Unnatural Amino Acid in the Ligand Pocket of an Engineered Lipocalin. ChemBioChem 21:469-472. DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900405


    More information:

    http://www.wzw.tum.de/bc/ProfSkerra/Skerra.html (Prof. Skerra's Homepage)
    http://www.professoren.tum.de/en/skerra-arne (Profile Prof. Skerra)
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cbic.201900405 (Publication)
    https://www.tum.de/nc/en/about-tum/news/press-releases/details/35948/ (Press Release)
    https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/1540812 (Pictures)


    Images

    Prof. Arne Skerra (right) and his team Dr. Andreas Eichinger and Carina A. Sommer in their laboratory.
    Prof. Arne Skerra (right) and his team Dr. Andreas Eichinger and Carina A. Sommer in their laborator ...
    TUM-Chair of Biological Chemistry
    None


    Attachment
    attachment icon A model sugar ligand (yellow) binds to the boric acid group (green) in the pocket of a binding protein (pink).

    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists, Scientists and scholars, all interested persons
    Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
    transregional, national
    Research results, Transfer of Science or Research
    English


     

    Prof. Arne Skerra (right) and his team Dr. Andreas Eichinger and Carina A. Sommer in their laboratory.


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