The Search for Single-Domain Antibodies Interacting with the Receptor-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Surface Protein.

We performed a search for nanoantibodies that specifically interact with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein. The specificity of single-domain antibodies from the blood sera of a llama immunized with RBD of SARS-CoV-2 surface protein S (variant B.1.1.7 (Alpha)) was analyzed by ELISA. Recombinant trimers of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were used as antigens. In this work, a set of single-domain antibodies was obtained that specifically bind to the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Mink-mouse hybridomas that secrete mink immunoglobulin G.

Optimum conditions were established to obtain mink-mouse interspecific hybridomas secreting mink IgG in fusions of mouse myelomas with mink immune spleen cells. Minks were immunized with allogeneic IgG, and the spleen cells were fused with three mouse myeloma lines P3-X63-Ag8.653, NSO and Sp2/0-Ag14. Of these, P3-X63-Ag8.653 and NSO were found to be the best fusion partners giving the highest yield of hybrid clones and number of IgG secreting clones. Cloning of mink-mouse hybridomas was efficient when BALB/c nu/nu peritoneal and spleen cells were used as feeders. The ten clonal lines produced secreted intact mink IgG molecules as shown by SDS-PAGE and subsequent immunoblotting. The secretion level of IgG ranged from 5 to 200 ng/ml in the clonal lines.

Expression of immunoglobulin kappa and lambda chains in mink.

The ratio of kappa and lambda chains of immunoglobulins varies significantly from one species to another. It has previously been thought that lambda was only type expressed in mink. We tested mink immunoglobulin light chains using two monoclonal antibodies G80 and G88. It has been shown that G80 and G88 specifically recognize two antigenically different subpopulations of the light chains. Immunochemical analysis of these subpopulations separated by affinity chromatography suggested that they represent lambda and kappa types of light chains, respectively. Screening of a mink cDNA library with monoclonal antibody G88 resulted in the isolation of clone pIGK-1 containing kappa chain-encoding sequence. The cDNA insert of pIGK-1 included most of the V segment, as well as the J, C and 3' untranslated sequences. Mink V kappa sequence shown the highest homology with the human V kappa II subgroup genes (76-79%). Mink C kappa sequence was 53-63% homologous to C kappa of other species. The striking feature of mink C kappa chain is the presence of glutamine in the C-terminal position. Southern blot analysis suggested that mink haploid genome has one C kappa gene and multiple V kappa genes. The kappa:lambda chain ratio in the 12 minks studied was, on the average, 46:54. The same ratio was observed for the kappa- and lambda-producing cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. The five previously identified mink light chain allotypes were assigned to the lambda chains, thereby confirming that lambda chains in this species are additionally subdivided into several subtypes.

Chromosomal and regional localization of the loci for IGKC, IGGC, ALDB, HOXB, GPT, and PRNP in the American mink (Mustela vison): comparisons with human and mouse.

Chromosomal localization of the genes for gamma- and kappa-immunoglobulins (IGGC and IGKC, respectively), aldolase B (ALDB), prion protein (PRNP), homeo box B (HOXB), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were determined with the use of mink-rodent hybrid cells. Analysis of segregation of the mink markers and chromosomes in these hybrid cells allowed us to assign the gene for HOXB to Chromosome (Chr) 8, IGGC to Chr 10, PRNP and IGKC to Chr 11, ALDB to Chr 12, and GPT to Chr 14 in mink. Furthermore, using a set of mink-mouse hybrid cells carrying fragments of mink Chr 8 of different sizes, we assigned the gene for HOXB to the pter-p26 region of the short arm of Chr 8. Comparative mapping of the genes of mink, human, and mouse, as well as other mammalian species, demonstrated that the mink genes HOXB, PRNP, ALDB, and IGGC are members of a conserved region shared by many mammalian species in common; the IGKC gene is a member of a conserved region common to carnivores and primates, not rodents; the GPT gene is a member of a syntenic gene group probably unique to the Mustelidae family or carnivores.