Preprint / Version 1

Development of bioluminescent Switchbody, antigen-triggered enzyme switch and elucidation of its principle

##article.authors##

  • Takanobu Yasuda Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo
  • Yoshiyuki Ueno Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo
  • Masahiko Taguchi Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
  • Naoya Tochio RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Laboratory for Cellular Structural Biology
  • Hiromasa Yagi RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Laboratory for Cellular Structural Biology
  • Shuma Yazaki Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University
  • Ryoichi Arai Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University
  • Bo Zhu Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo
  • Takanori Kigawa RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Laboratory for Cellular Structural Biology
  • Hiroshi Ueda Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo
  • Tetsuya Kitaguchi Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51094/jxiv.1096

Keywords:

protein switch, homogeneous immunoassay, X-ray structural analysis, solution NMR, MD simulation

Abstract

We developed an enzyme switch, Switchbody, by integrating an antibody with a fragment of a split enzyme for precise enzyme activity regulation in response to an antigen. Using NanoLuc luciferase as the split enzyme, we engineered a luciferase-based Switchbody by fusing its fragment, HiBiT, to the N-terminus of antibody, and the Switchbody detected antigens in a dose-dependent manner with the complementary fragment, LgBiT, and its substrate. ELISA showed that interaction between HiBiT and LgBiT was enhanced by antigen binding. Moreover, X-ray crystallography and NMR revealed the heterogeneous trapped state of the HiBiT region and increased motility upon antigen binding, respectively. MD simulations and luminescence measurements showed that antigen disrupted the trapping of HiBiT in the antibody, enabling its release. By applying this "Trap & Release" principle to Protein M, an antibody binding protein, we successfully converted label-free IgG antibodies into bioluminescent immunosensors, demonstrating its versatility. The principle in Switchbody has the potential to expand switching technology beyond luciferase to other various enzymes in the future.

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure

T.Y., B.Z., H.U., and T.K. received honoraria from HikariQ Health, Inc. for another unrelated project.

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Submitted: 2025-02-19 08:01:14 UTC

Published: 2025-02-25 01:11:21 UTC
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Biology, Life Sciences & Basic Medicine