Heterologous Expression of Nanobodies: a Recent Progress / 中国生物工程杂志

ABSTRACT

Heavy chain antibodies (HcAb) without light chains are naturally produced by camelids.The single domain antigen-binding fragment of HcAb is referred to as VHH or nanobody (Nb),which is the smallest antigen-binding entity at present.Several characteristics such as low molecular weight,high stability,and low immunogenicity make the use of nanobodies superior to the conventional antibodies.Currently,nanobodies are highly valuable antibodies for various applications,including fundamental research,diagnostics,and therapeutics.A variety of nanobodies are investigated in clinical researches.The recent progresses of heterologous expression of nanobodies in seven expression systems,including Gram-negative and positive bacteria,yeasts,filamentous fungi,insect cells,mammalian cells and plant cells were focused on,and the expression systems,hosts,characteristics of vectors,construction of vectors and yield of nanobodies were summarized.The strategies to increase the yield of nanobodies are discussed from molecular level,expression level and rational design.