Top > Research results > Medical > Development of alpaca-derived antibody effective against all mutants of the new coronavirus including Omicron

2022/7/21

Development of alpaca-derived antibody effective against all mutants of the new coronavirus including Omicron

University Journal Online Editorial Department

　A collaborative research group consisting of Kyoto University, Osaka University, COGNANO Co., Ltd., Yokohama City University, Tokyo University, etc. has succeeded in establishing a Nanobody antibody effective against all mutant strains of the new coronavirus from the alpaca gene. ..It is said that it also shows neutralizing activity in the Omicron strain, which is currently the mainstream of pandemics.

　Nanobody antibodies are special antibodies possessed by camelids and sharks, including alpaca, and are smaller than human antibodies and easily genetically modified.

　The alpaca antibody created in this study is also one-tenth the size of a human antibody, and because of its small size, it can penetrate the deep groove of the spike protein on the new coronavirus that human antibodies cannot reach.In fact, researchers confirmed that the antibody binds to a deep groove in the peplomer (referred to as a "hidden crevice" in this study) by three-dimensional structural analysis using a cryo-electron microscope.

The "hidden crevice" is a region where viral mutations are rarely seen, and is a common structure even in the Omicron strain, which is said to have an overwhelming number of mutations compared to other mutant strains. Due to its ability to recognize "hidden crevices" and serve as binding sites, this antibody is more effective against all mutant strains, including the Omicron strain, than any therapeutic antibody formulation ever used. It is said to show.

　Furthermore, it is said that this antibody can be produced thousands of times cheaper than human antibodies, and researchers have created a modified Nanobody antibody with higher neutralizing activity, which will lead to clinical application, and will be infected with a new new type of coronavirus. Aim to develop a drug for treating illness.In addition, since this antibody is highly resistant to the environment and has a wider range of activity than normal antibodies, it can be used to concentrate viruses in the environment such as sewage by taking advantage of its ability to detect all mutant strains. It can also be applied to monitoring applications.

Paper information:[Communications Biology] A panel of nanobodies recognizing conserved hidden clefts of all SARS-CoV-2 spike variants including Omicron

Tokyo University

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The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 (Meiji 10) by integrating the Tokyo Kaisei School and the Tokyo Medical School.Since its establishment, it has developed education and research in a unique way in the world as a leading university in Japan and an academic center for the fusion of East and West cultures.As a result, many human resources have been produced in a wide range of fields, and many research achievements […]

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With the motto of self-study, we will continue to maintain a free academic style that is not bound by common sense, and develop human resources who have both creativity and practical ability.We provide an inclusive learning space that allows for diverse and hierarchical choices so that students themselves can choose a solid future through valuable trial and error. […]

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Osaka University

The "true value" of each person becomes the "evolution" of Osaka University.To a university that lives in the community and extends to the world

Osaka University is a research-based university with 11 faculties and 23 departments. Since its founding in 1931, with the motto of "living in the region and extending to the world," we have created an outstanding "foundation" and "power" that weaves advanced education and research capabilities, the harmony of faculty and staff, and the weight of tradition and the advantage of Osaka. I have.Taking advantage of these excellent potentials […]

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The open, international, and enterprising academic style that is suitable for the opening of the country and port of Yokohama is still inherited as a tradition of Yokohama City University, and has produced many excellent human resources with practical skills."Wings from Yokohama to the world […]" to disseminate the results of advanced research and advanced medical care as a place for human education that cultivates rich culture, humanity, and ethics.

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