Intracellular antibodies

[Richard Vernell]

You may have  heard about recombinant antibodies lacking secretory leaders
that can be expressed in cells.  These are single chain antibodies that
have a heavy and light chain in the same polypeptide... also known as
scFv (single chain Fragment variable).   The heavy and light chains are
connected by a flexible linker that allows them to associate.  These
antibodies reportedly can function inside the cell and be used to block
protein-protein interactions, etc.   

Rich


 Mr. G. Morley (gmorley at hgmp.mrc.ac.uk)
wrote: : Hello all, this question may seem a bit strange, but does anyone
: out there know or have heard of any ways of allowing antibodies to
: pass across the extracellular membrane and be active in the intracellular
: environment? Would miscelles or liposomes function as carriers 
: to do this? I heard rumours that someone managed to get an antibody 
: across the cell surface in vitro but I was thinking more in
: terms of in vivo (in a whole animal) without totaly destroying
: the cell in the process. Any ideas or speculation would be
: welcome
: 
: 	Regards,
: 			Gary Morley.
: gmorley at rpms.ac.uk