Combined Multiplexed Phage Display, High-Throughput Sequencing, and Functional Assays as a Platform for Identifying Modulatory VHHs Targeting the FSHR.

Developing modulatory antibodies against G protein-coupled receptors is challenging. In this study, we targeted the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), a significant regulator of reproduction, with variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies (VHHs). We built two immune VHH libraries and submitted them to multiplexed phage display approaches. We used next-generation sequencing to identify 34 clusters of specifically enriched sequences that were functionally assessed in a primary screen based on a cAMP response element (CRE)-dependent reporter gene assay. In this assay, 23 VHHs displayed negative or positive modulation of FSH-induced responses, suggesting a high success rate of the multiplexed strategy. We then focused on the largest cluster identified (i.e., PRC1) that displayed positive modulation of FSH action. We demonstrated that PRC1 specifically binds to the human FSHR and human FSHR/FSH complex while potentiating FSH-induced cAMP production and Gs recruitment. We conclude that the improved selection strategy reported here is effective for rapidly identifying functionally active VHHs and could be adapted to target other challenging membrane receptors. This study also led to the identification of PRC1, the first potential positive modulator VHH reported for the human FSHR.

Differential thermal stability of human, bovine and ovine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) quaternary structures.

Quaternary structure of human, bovine and ovine Follicle-Stimulating Hormones (hFSH, bFSH and oFSH) and Luteinizing Hormone was assessed in sandwich ELISAs using monoclonal anti-oFSHß or anti-oLHß antibodies, respectively, for capture and a biotinylated anti-hFSHα (α4 epitope) for detection. Neither free subunit gave any signal in this assay so that it was possible to measure the residual heterodimeric fraction after thermal treatment of the gonadotropins under study. The hormones were subjected to 5-min heating between 37 and 90 °C before rapid cooling in melting ice before ELISA. The data show half-dissociation of natural and recombinant human and ovine FSH preparations between 68 and 74 °C whereas bovine FSH preparations exhibited lower stability in these conditions with half-dissociation between 61 and 64 °C. Moreover, whereas all human and bovine as well as most ovine FSH preparations were fully dissociated at temperatures above 80 °C, one natural oFSH and one recombinant hLH preparations contained an important fraction that resisted dissociation even at 93 °C and retained in vitro bioactivity. This suggests the existence of gonadotropin αß heterodimer with covalently linked subunits. Similarly, about 20% of the recombinant hLH preparation was also found withstand heat denaturation and also probably to have cross-linked subunits. The origin and chemical nature of these inter-subunit bonds remain to be determined.

Straightforward isolation of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine-binding protein-1 (PEBP-1) and ubiquitin from bovine testis by hydrophobic-interaction chromatography (HIC).

Isolation of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine-binding protein-1 (PEBP-1) from bovine brain was described almost three decades ago but it required a large number of steps to reach high purity. After the fractionation of bovine testis proteins by ammonium sulfate precipitation we found that PEBP-1, detected by Western blotting, was among the very few proteins still soluble at 80% ammonium sulfate saturation (3.2M). This soluble fraction (S80) was directly loaded onto a phenyl sepharose column equilibrated at the same ammonium sulfate concentration (3.2M). A stepwise elution of the retained material at 1.0, 0.5, 0.2, 0.1M ammonium sulfate in ammonium hydrogen carbonate was performed and then with ammonium hydrogen carbonate alone and finally with 50% ethylene glycol. All fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting and the fractions containing PEBP-1 was further fractionated by size exclusion chromatography on a HR75 Superdex column permitting the isolation of ubiquitin in addition to PEBP-1 as demonstrated by Western blotting and mass spectrometry. This study shows the feasibility of hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) on phenyl sepharose at a very high ammonium sulfate concentration (3.2M; 80% saturation) to efficiently purify the proteins that are still soluble in these extreme conditions.