β-Lactamase Inhibitors Derived from Single-Domain Antibody Fragments Elicited in the Camelidae

KE Conrath, M Lauwereys, M Galleni… - Antimicrobial agents …, 2001 - Am Soc Microbiol
KE Conrath, M Lauwereys, M Galleni, A Matagne, JM Frère, J Kinne, L Wyns…
Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 2001Am Soc Microbiol
Small, soluble single-domain fragments derived from the unique variable region of
dromedary heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs) against enzymes are known to be potent
inhibitors. The immunization of dromedaries with the TEM-1 and BcII β-lactamases has lead
to the isolation of such single-domain antibody fragments specifically recognizing and
inhibiting those β-lactamases. Two VHHs were isolated that inhibit TEM-1 and one BcII
inhibiting VHH was identified. All inhibitory VHHs were tight-binding inhibitors. The 50 …
Abstract
Small, soluble single-domain fragments derived from the unique variable region of dromedary heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs) against enzymes are known to be potent inhibitors. The immunization of dromedaries with the TEM-1 and BcII β-lactamases has lead to the isolation of such single-domain antibody fragments specifically recognizing and inhibiting those β-lactamases. Two VHHs were isolated that inhibit TEM-1 and one BcII inhibiting VHH was identified. All inhibitory VHHs were tight-binding inhibitors. The 50% inhibitory concentrations were determined for all inhibitors and they were all in the same range as the enzyme concentration used in the assay. Addition of the VHHs to the TEM-1 β-lactamase, expressed on the surface of bacteria, leads to a higher ampicillin sensitivity of the bacteria. This innovative strategy could generate multiple potent inhibitors for all types of β-lactamases.
American Society for Microbiology