Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap

The constant fragment (Fc) of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) subtype is increasingly recognized as a crucial scaffold in the development of advanced therapeutics due to its enhanced specificity, efficacy, and extended half‐life. A prime example is VEGF‐Trap (Aflibercept), a recombinant fusion protein...

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Main Authors: Ebru Destan, Engin Turkut, Alper Aldeniz, Jungmin Kang, Takehiko Tosha, Makina Yabashi, Baris Yilmaz, Ahmet Can Timucin, Hiroaki Matsuura, Yoshiaki Kawano, Irfan Cinkaya, Hasan DeMirci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-08-01
Series:Small Structures
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202400680
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author Ebru Destan
Engin Turkut
Alper Aldeniz
Jungmin Kang
Takehiko Tosha
Makina Yabashi
Baris Yilmaz
Ahmet Can Timucin
Hiroaki Matsuura
Yoshiaki Kawano
Irfan Cinkaya
Hasan DeMirci
author_facet Ebru Destan
Engin Turkut
Alper Aldeniz
Jungmin Kang
Takehiko Tosha
Makina Yabashi
Baris Yilmaz
Ahmet Can Timucin
Hiroaki Matsuura
Yoshiaki Kawano
Irfan Cinkaya
Hasan DeMirci
author_sort Ebru Destan
collection DOAJ
description The constant fragment (Fc) of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) subtype is increasingly recognized as a crucial scaffold in the development of advanced therapeutics due to its enhanced specificity, efficacy, and extended half‐life. A prime example is VEGF‐Trap (Aflibercept), a recombinant fusion protein that merges the Fc region of the IgG1 subtype with the binding domains of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)‐1 and VEGFR‐2. The Fc region's role in N‐glycosylation is particularly important, as it significantly influences protein stability. Herein, the first near‐physiological temperature structures of the N‐glycan‐bound Fc fragment of IgG1 subtype from a biosimilar VEGF‐Trap are presented, determined using the SPring‐8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) and the Turkish Light Source (Turkish DeLight). Comparative analysis with cryogenic structures, including existing data, reveals alternate conformations within the glycan‐binding pocket. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations indicate the presence of a high degree of structural plasticity, explaining how the protein adapts its structure through conformational changes. The observed structural fluctuations/conformational changes demonstrate the effect of N‐glycans on protein stability. These findings offer new insights into the molecular basis of Fc‐mediated functions and provide valuable information for the design of next‐generation therapeutics.
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spelling doaj-art-a67d82ab3a7b4a9dba9adac820af80342025-08-20T02:57:08ZengWiley-VCHSmall Structures2688-40622025-08-0168n/an/a10.1002/sstr.202400680Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐TrapEbru Destan0Engin Turkut1Alper Aldeniz2Jungmin Kang3Takehiko Tosha4Makina Yabashi5Baris Yilmaz6Ahmet Can Timucin7Hiroaki Matsuura8Yoshiaki Kawano9Irfan Cinkaya10Hasan DeMirci11Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Koc University 34450 Istanbul TürkiyeBiotechnology DEVA Holding AS 59510 Tekirdag TürkiyeBiotechnology DEVA Holding AS 59510 Tekirdag TürkiyeRIKEN SPring‐8 Center 1‐1‐1 Kouto Sayo‐cho, Sayo‐gun Hyogo 679‐5148 JapanRIKEN SPring‐8 Center 1‐1‐1 Kouto Sayo‐cho, Sayo‐gun Hyogo 679‐5148 JapanRIKEN SPring‐8 Center 1‐1‐1 Kouto Sayo‐cho, Sayo‐gun Hyogo 679‐5148 JapanBiotechnology DEVA Holding AS 59510 Tekirdag TürkiyeDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics Acibadem University 34752 Istanbul TürkiyeRIKEN SPring‐8 Center 1‐1‐1 Kouto Sayo‐cho, Sayo‐gun Hyogo 679‐5148 JapanRIKEN SPring‐8 Center 1‐1‐1 Kouto Sayo‐cho, Sayo‐gun Hyogo 679‐5148 JapanBiotechnology DEVA Holding AS 59510 Tekirdag TürkiyeDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics Koc University 34450 Istanbul TürkiyeThe constant fragment (Fc) of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) subtype is increasingly recognized as a crucial scaffold in the development of advanced therapeutics due to its enhanced specificity, efficacy, and extended half‐life. A prime example is VEGF‐Trap (Aflibercept), a recombinant fusion protein that merges the Fc region of the IgG1 subtype with the binding domains of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)‐1 and VEGFR‐2. The Fc region's role in N‐glycosylation is particularly important, as it significantly influences protein stability. Herein, the first near‐physiological temperature structures of the N‐glycan‐bound Fc fragment of IgG1 subtype from a biosimilar VEGF‐Trap are presented, determined using the SPring‐8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) and the Turkish Light Source (Turkish DeLight). Comparative analysis with cryogenic structures, including existing data, reveals alternate conformations within the glycan‐binding pocket. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations indicate the presence of a high degree of structural plasticity, explaining how the protein adapts its structure through conformational changes. The observed structural fluctuations/conformational changes demonstrate the effect of N‐glycans on protein stability. These findings offer new insights into the molecular basis of Fc‐mediated functions and provide valuable information for the design of next‐generation therapeutics.https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202400680immunoglobulinN‐glycosylationprotein dynamicsstructural biology
spellingShingle Ebru Destan
Engin Turkut
Alper Aldeniz
Jungmin Kang
Takehiko Tosha
Makina Yabashi
Baris Yilmaz
Ahmet Can Timucin
Hiroaki Matsuura
Yoshiaki Kawano
Irfan Cinkaya
Hasan DeMirci
Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
Small Structures
immunoglobulin
N‐glycosylation
protein dynamics
structural biology
title Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
title_full Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
title_fullStr Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
title_full_unstemmed Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
title_short Experimental and Computational Insights into the Structural Dynamics of the Fc Fragment of IgG1 Subtype from Biosimilar VEGF‐Trap
title_sort experimental and computational insights into the structural dynamics of the fc fragment of igg1 subtype from biosimilar vegf trap
topic immunoglobulin
N‐glycosylation
protein dynamics
structural biology
url https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202400680
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