Assembly and Functional Analysis of Complexes Based on SPR Technology

Biological complexes are complexes of biological macromolecules, formed by the binding of two or more biological macromolecules in non-covalent interactions, such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, lipoproteins, ribosomes, multi-enzyme complexes, immune complexes, etc. These non-covalent interactions include hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, ligand interactions, hydrophobic interactions, etc. The chemistry of complexes is not a simple summation of the properties of the single components, but often exhibits properties very different from those of the single components. It is often after the formation of a complex that individual biomolecules play a real role in the regulation of life activities. The most broadly functional biomacromolecular complexes are protein complexes, and the hottest area of complex research today is immune complexes.

• Immune complexes

Immune complexes are complexes obtained by the binding of antibodies and antigens, which are formed by the combined death of various immune cells, phagocytic bacteria, viruses and allergic substances, also known as antigen-antibody complexes. Under normal conditions, small soluble immune complexes are excreted through glomerular filtration, while large insoluble immune complexes are eliminated through phagocytosis by macrophages as part of the body's defence mechanism. Abnormal clearance of immune complexes in the organism can cause serum sickness, immune complex glomerulonephritis and rheumatic immune diseases. In the case of rheumatological diseases, for example, when immune complexes circulate with the blood, those that are not cleared in time can be deposited on the periosteum of the joints causing rheumatoid arthritis. The removal of excess immune complexes is a key point in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases.

• Protein complexes

Protein complexes are a form of four-level structure. The proteins in a protein complex are linked together by noncovalent protein-protein interactions, and different protein complexes have varying degrees of stability over time. These complexes are the building blocks of many biological processes, and together they form various types of molecular machines that perform a wide range of biological functions. Individual proteins can be involved in the formation of a variety of different protein complexes, and different complexes perform different functions.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for assembly and functional analysis of complexes

Biological macromolecules are often required to participate in normal life activities in the form of complexes. The various types of complexes in living organisms all play different roles and carry out their own important functions. When the function is abnormal, it can lead to related diseases. In terms of structural biology, the two or more biomolecules that make up a complex are bound together by intermolecular interactions and function together. The study of the mechanisms of binding and action of complexes is important for breakthroughs in related diseases. If your project has a research need in this area, please consider our SPR technology platform. As shown in the diagram below, the SPR technology platform can provide high-throughput analysis of interactions between biomolecules, including analysis of complex composition, analysis of complex function, analysis of the mechanism of disease caused by complexes, and development of relevant drugs.

Fig.1 BIAchip™ in the process of assembly and functional analysis of complexes

As you can see in the diagram above, our high throughput and high accuracy technology platform offers the following complex analysis services.

• Component analysis service of complexes

The first step in the analysis of complexes is the analysis of the complex composition. On the one hand, SPR technology provides high-throughput thermodynamic analysis of the participants, synergists and the sequence of assembly of the complexes. On the other hand, the high-throughput kinetic analysis of SPR technology can be used to verify the speed of binding and the stability of the complexes.

• Functional analysis service of complexes

After the composition and structure of the complex has been determined, it is often necessary to study the functional mechanisms of the complex. SPR is capable of performing hundreds or thousands of analyses of data in a single run, and is able to perform analyses under different conditions simultaneously and in parallel. SPR technology guarantees the accuracy of the data results for your downstream experimental studies.

• Complex-related disease mechanism analysis service

After studying the function and mechanism of the complex with the help of our technological platform, it is possible to continue to analyse the associated diseases due to abnormalities in the function of the complex. The functional analysis of complexes provides ideas for disease mechanisms.

• Complex-related drug discovery and development

Complexes can provide potential targets for the screening of new drugs. The SPR technology platform can play a role in the screening phase of the drug development process through high-throughput intermolecular interaction analysis, saving time and advancing the drug development process.

Choosing SPR technology platform of Creative Proteomics, you will greatly save time and money costs owing to high-throughput intermolecular interaction detection. All services are available on a 24/7/365 basis. If you have any questions or suggestions about SPR, please feel free to contact us right now.

For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.