Directed Evolution with Fast and Efficient Selection Technologies

Authors

  • Ekkehard Mössner
  • Andreas Plückthun Biochemisches Institut der Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2001.325

Keywords:

Antibody library, In vitro selection, In vivo selection, Protein fragment complementation assay, Ribosome display

Abstract

Directed molecular evolution has proven to be a very powerful concept for the generation of proteins with improved properties, such as increased activity, binding affinity, folding efficiency or enhanced chemical and/or thermodynamic stability. We review here advances in the selection of proteins carrying desired mutations from pools of proteins that mostly carry unfavourable alterations. A short overview of the concept of directed evolution with a discussion of randomisation strategies is given first. Two technologies for the selection of proteins, each with its own advantages, are then discussed: In Ribosome Display, all steps are carried out in a cell-free system, which allows one to create very large libraries (diversity > 1011), rapidly introduce mutations and thus obtain an iterative evolution. Examples with antibodies evolved for affinity or stability are discussed. In the Protein Fragment Complementation Assay, a library-versus-library selection is possible, that is, a simultaneous selection of binders against many targets. Examples with peptide and antibody libraries are discussed.

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Published

2001-04-25