
Conformational flexibility plays an essential role in antibodies’ functional and structural stability. They facilitate and determine the strength of antigen–antibody interactions. Camelidae express an interesting subtype of single-chain antibody, named Heavy Chain only Antibody. They have only one N-terminal Variable domain (VHH) per chain, composed of Frameworks (FRs) and Complementarity Determining regions (CDRs) like their VH and VL counterparts in IgG. Even when expressed independently, VHH domains display excellent solubility and (thermo)stability, which helps them to retain their impressive interaction capabilities. Sequence and structural features of VHH domains contributing to these abilities have already been studied compared to classical antibodies. To have the broadest view and understand the changes in dynamics of these macromolecules, large-scale molecular dynamics simulations for a large number of non-redundant VHH structures have been performed for the first time. This analysis reveals the most prevalent movements in these domains. It reveals the four main classes of VHHs dynamics. Diverse local changes were observed in CDRs with various intensities. Similarly, different types of constraints were observed in CDRs, while FRs close to CDRs were sometimes primarily impacted. This study sheds light on the changes in flexibility in different regions of VHH that may impact their in silico design.
Immunoglobulin Variable Region, molecular dynamics simulation flexibility mobility disorder structural alphabet Protein Blocks nanobody single-chain antibody sybody antibody, disorder, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Complementarity Determining Regions, mobility, Article, [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio], flexibility, nanobody, molecular dynamics simulation, single-chain antibody, antibody, Protein Blocks, Animals, structural alphabet, sybody, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains, Camelidae
Immunoglobulin Variable Region, molecular dynamics simulation flexibility mobility disorder structural alphabet Protein Blocks nanobody single-chain antibody sybody antibody, disorder, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Complementarity Determining Regions, mobility, Article, [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio], flexibility, nanobody, molecular dynamics simulation, single-chain antibody, antibody, Protein Blocks, Animals, structural alphabet, sybody, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains, Camelidae
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 5 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
