Profiling of hMPV F-specific antibodies isolated from human memory B cells.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) belongs to the Pneumoviridae family and is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The surface fusion (F) glycoprotein mediates viral fusion and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies against hMPV. Here we report 113 hMPV-F specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from memory B cells of human donors.

Structural insights into the fungi-nematodes interaction mediated by fucose-specific lectin AofleA from Arthrobotrys oligospora.

Fungal lectin can bind specific carbohydrate structures of the host and work in recognition and adhesion or as a toxic factor. AofleA, as a fucose-specific lectin from widely studied nematode predatory fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora, possibly plays a key role in the event of capturing nematodes, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here we report the crystal structure of AofleA, which exists as a homodimer with each subunit folds as a six-bladed β-propeller.

Nanobody-derived nanobiotechnology tool kits for diverse biomedical and biotechnology applications.

Owing to peculiar properties of nanobody, including nanoscale size, robust structure, stable and soluble behaviors in aqueous solution, reversible refolding, high affinity and specificity for only one cognate target, superior cryptic cleft accessibility, and deep tissue penetration, as well as a sustainable source, it has been an ideal research tool for the development of sophisticated nanobiotechnologies. Currently, the nanobody has been evolved into versatile research and application tool kits for diverse biomedical and biotechnology applications. Various nanobody-derived formats, including the nanobody itself, the radionuclide or fluorescent-labeled nanobodies, nanobody homo- or heteromultimers, nanobody-coated nanoparticles, and nanobody-displayed bacteriophages, have been successfully demonstrated as powerful nanobiotechnological tool kits for basic biomedical research, targeting drug delivery and therapy, disease diagnosis, bioimaging, and agricultural and plant protection.