Multivalent protein design for precise control of surface biomolecular valency

Abstract

Multivalent interaction, the clustered binding can achieve highly enhanced affinities with cooperation of many interaction pairs. While the binding of an individual pair remains reversible, the binding between multivalent biomolecules can become nearly irreversible. Multivalent interactions, especially on the interfaces, are easily found in diverse natural systems. Although concept of multivalent interaction has been widely applied to diverse fields, the underlying principles of the multivalent effect have yet to be revealed. Precise valency control on surface is crucial for a deeper understanding of the concept. In this study, surfaces with accurate surface ligand valency were fabricated to further understand and utilize multivalent interaction. I first fabricated 2D surface that can provide accurate surface ligand valency by modifying surface with avidin oligomer. With an orientation controlled and discrete valency of the surface ligand, this can be a platform to understand details of multivalent interaction. Gold nanoparticle with exact protein valency was also constructed using dynamicity and cooperativity of multivalent interaction. These gold nanoparticles with accurate valency are expected to be used as a probe for direct visualization of multivalent interaction in solution state.