Isopeptide Bonds

Virus-like particles are self-assembling multiprotein structures that mimic viruses. They actually could be useful as “modular vaccines” if it were possible to reliably attach antigens for various diseases to the VLP’s surfaces. Researchers at Oxford University believe they have come up with a means to that end with two proteins called “Spy Catcher” and “Spy Tag,” derived from Streptococcus pyogenes. When Spy Catcher is engineered into the VLP’s and Spy Tag is attached to, say, a cancer cell antigen, the two form strong isoprotein bonds which can generate an immune response. MORE

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