Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features

The Observed Antibody Space provides the most abundant collection of annotated paired antibody variable domain sequences, thus offering a unique platform for the systematic investigation of the factors governing the pairing of antibody heavy and light chains. By examining a range of characteristics,...

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Main Authors: Clarissa A. Seidler, Vera A. Spanke, Jakob Gamper, Alexander Bujotzek, Guy Georges, Klaus R. Liedl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:mAbs
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420862.2025.2507950
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author Clarissa A. Seidler
Vera A. Spanke
Jakob Gamper
Alexander Bujotzek
Guy Georges
Klaus R. Liedl
author_facet Clarissa A. Seidler
Vera A. Spanke
Jakob Gamper
Alexander Bujotzek
Guy Georges
Klaus R. Liedl
author_sort Clarissa A. Seidler
collection DOAJ
description The Observed Antibody Space provides the most abundant collection of annotated paired antibody variable domain sequences, thus offering a unique platform for the systematic investigation of the factors governing the pairing of antibody heavy and light chains. By examining a range of characteristics, including amino acid conservation, structural features, charge distribution, and interface residue identity, we challenge the prevailing assumption that pairing is random. Our findings indicate that specific physicochemical properties of single amino acid residues may influence the compatibility and affinity of heavy and light chain combinations. Further structural analyses based on antibody Fv fragments deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) provide insights into the underlying structural features driving these pairing preferences, including a novel definition for the residues constituting the VH-VL interface, based on a collection of over 3500 structures. These results have significant implications for understanding antibody assembly and may guide the rational design of therapeutic antibodies with desired properties. Moreover, we provide a complete description and reference characterizing the various human germlines.
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1942-0870
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series mAbs
spelling doaj-art-0162f6377d3b4bc8ae12b19e74f8e7c72025-08-20T02:34:09ZengTaylor & Francis GroupmAbs1942-08621942-08702025-12-0117110.1080/19420862.2025.2507950Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural featuresClarissa A. Seidler0Vera A. Spanke1Jakob Gamper2Alexander Bujotzek3Guy Georges4Klaus R. Liedl5Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaRoche Pharma Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, GermanyRoche Pharma Research and Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, GermanyDepartment of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaThe Observed Antibody Space provides the most abundant collection of annotated paired antibody variable domain sequences, thus offering a unique platform for the systematic investigation of the factors governing the pairing of antibody heavy and light chains. By examining a range of characteristics, including amino acid conservation, structural features, charge distribution, and interface residue identity, we challenge the prevailing assumption that pairing is random. Our findings indicate that specific physicochemical properties of single amino acid residues may influence the compatibility and affinity of heavy and light chain combinations. Further structural analyses based on antibody Fv fragments deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) provide insights into the underlying structural features driving these pairing preferences, including a novel definition for the residues constituting the VH-VL interface, based on a collection of over 3500 structures. These results have significant implications for understanding antibody assembly and may guide the rational design of therapeutic antibodies with desired properties. Moreover, we provide a complete description and reference characterizing the various human germlines.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420862.2025.2507950Antibody pairinggermline V-geneVH-VL interfaceantibody assemblydatabase analysis
spellingShingle Clarissa A. Seidler
Vera A. Spanke
Jakob Gamper
Alexander Bujotzek
Guy Georges
Klaus R. Liedl
Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
mAbs
Antibody pairing
germline V-gene
VH-VL interface
antibody assembly
database analysis
title Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
title_full Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
title_fullStr Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
title_full_unstemmed Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
title_short Data-driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines: pairings, sequences and structural features
title_sort data driven analyses of human antibody variable domain germlines pairings sequences and structural features
topic Antibody pairing
germline V-gene
VH-VL interface
antibody assembly
database analysis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420862.2025.2507950
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