Affibody
Affibody — A small engineered protein scaffold that mimics antibody binding, used as an alternative to antibodies in peptide detection and targeting applications.
What Is an Affibody?
An affibody is a small (6 kDa, 58 residues) engineered scaffold protein derived from the Z domain of staphylococcal Protein A. Through randomization of 13 surface residues and selection by phage display, affibodies are engineered to bind virtually any target with nanomolar affinity. Their small size, high stability, and rapid tissue penetration make them attractive alternatives to antibodies for imaging and targeted delivery.
Advantages Over Antibodies
- Size: 6 kDa vs. 150 kDa. Faster tissue penetration and renal clearance
- Stability: Refold after boiling. No disulfide bonds required for structure
- Production: Efficiently produced in E. coli or by chemical synthesis
- Imaging: Rapid blood clearance produces high-contrast tumor images within hours (vs. days for antibodies)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Affibody?
A small engineered protein scaffold that mimics antibody binding, used as an alternative to antibodies in peptide detection and targeting applications.
Why is Affibody important in peptide research?
Affibody is a fundamental concept in technology as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.