20110183861 | METHODS TO STABILIZE PROTEINS AND POLYPEPTIDES - Methods of modifying and in particular stabilizing proteins and polypeptides by which a predetermined amino acid is introduced into selected positions of said protein or polypeptide to produce a small group of mutants. The methods are based on the premise that certain amino acids play a crucial role in the stability of proteins or polypeptides. Generated mutants can then be further analysed for stability and/or function, e.g. affinity. Furthermore, appropriate mutants may be combined to result in further optimized proteins or polypeptides. In addition, stabilized example polypeptides and suitable methods to identify and/or analyse de-stabilized or stabilized proteins or polypeptides are provided. The methods can be used to study the role of specific amino acids in protein structure and function and to develop new or improved, e.g. stabilized proteins and polypeptides such as antibodies and single variable domains. | 07-28-2011 |