Measuring multivalent interactions: uncovering the secrets of virus binding strategies

Influenza A virus (IAV) utilizes a multivalent binding strategy to the host cell, binding its trimeric spike protein hemagglutinin (HA) to sialic acid present on the cellular membrane. For this reason, IAV has served as a model system to study multivalent ligand-receptor binding events, resulting in the discovery of potent bi-, tri-, and multivalent inhibitor compounds. To quantify the affinities between these compounds and their targets and obtain affinity constants, researchers often use technologies such as SPR, ITC, or NMR, which require high sample consumption. This is problematic since compounds that require a precise architecture, or an elaborate chemical synthesis can only be obtained at low scale. Additionally, the immobilization of one of the binding partners on solid surfaces, an environment far from native conditions, poses a challenge as viral proteins should be used in conditions that mimic the surface topology of the virus.

In this webinar, we will learn from Dr. Daniel Lauster, who, when faced with many of the challenges described above, utilized MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST) to measure the interaction between more than 100 novel non-toxic multivalent nanoparticle-conjugates and intact IAV in solution with as little as nanomoles of nanoparticles. Additionally, we will hear from Dr. Matthias Molnar how MST is becoming scientists’ first choice for the characterization of molecular interactions thanks to its flexible throughput, low sample consumption, and measurements in solution or in close to native conditions.

Publications discussed during the webinar:

Multivalent Peptide–Nanoparticle Conjugates for Influenza‐Virus Inhibition

Linear polysialoside outperforms dendritic analogs for inhibition of influenza virus infection in vitro and in vivo

Anti-Hemagglutinin Antibody Derived Lead Peptides for Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Binding

Spatial Screening of Hemagglutinin on Influenza A Virus Particles: Sialyl-LacNAc Displays on DNA and PEG Scaffolds Reveal the Requirements for Bivalency Enhanced Interactions with Weak Monovalent Binders

Sialyl‐LacNAc‐PNA⋅DNA Concatamers by Rolling‐Circle Amplification as Multivalent Inhibitors of Influenza A Virus Particles