A mathematical approach to cross-linked structures in viral capsids: Predicting the architecture of novel containers for drug delivery

Thomas Keef

A mathematical approach to cross-linked structures in viral capsids: Predicting the architecture of novel containers for drug delivery

Mathematics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Understanding the structure of viruses is an important first step in terms of many applications in virology, including the protein engineering of containers to enable more effective drug delivery. In particular, the viral capsids, i.e. the protective shells on the exterior of viruses containing the important genetic code, play an important role in the context of gene therapy, where small amounts of therapeutic DNA is packaged into a capsid which then penetrates the cell membrane and delivers its payload. Cross-linking structures are particular additional covalent bonds that can occur in addition to the already present hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between the proteins. Their importance lies in the fact that they render the capsid particularly stable. Here we shall introduce a mathematical method to predict possible locations for these additional bonds of cross-linking. We will give examples of failed cases as well as of cases where cross-linking structures are possible. These results serve as a pointer for experimentalists as to which types of cross-linking structures may possibly be engineered and exploited in the framework of drug delivery.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	DNA Computing
Editors	C Mao, T Yokomori
Place of Publication	BERLIN
Publisher	Springer
Pages	239-249
Number of pages	11
ISBN (Print)	978-3-540-49024-1
Publication status	Published - 2006
Event	12th International Meeting on DNA Computing - Seoul Duration: 5 Jun 2006 → 9 Jun 2006

Conference

Conference	12th International Meeting on DNA Computing
City	Seoul
Period	5/06/06 → 9/06/06

Keywords

VIRUS
RESOLUTION

Cite this

@inproceedings{934a288cf37847cba7e1ab05ab33d872,

title = "A mathematical approach to cross-linked structures in viral capsids: Predicting the architecture of novel containers for drug delivery",

abstract = "Understanding the structure of viruses is an important first step in terms of many applications in virology, including the protein engineering of containers to enable more effective drug delivery. In particular, the viral capsids, i.e. the protective shells on the exterior of viruses containing the important genetic code, play an important role in the context of gene therapy, where small amounts of therapeutic DNA is packaged into a capsid which then penetrates the cell membrane and delivers its payload. Cross-linking structures are particular additional covalent bonds that can occur in addition to the already present hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between the proteins. Their importance lies in the fact that they render the capsid particularly stable. Here we shall introduce a mathematical method to predict possible locations for these additional bonds of cross-linking. We will give examples of failed cases as well as of cases where cross-linking structures are possible. These results serve as a pointer for experimentalists as to which types of cross-linking structures may possibly be engineered and exploited in the framework of drug delivery.",

keywords = "VIRUS, RESOLUTION",

author = "Thomas Keef",

year = "2006",

language = "English",

isbn = "978-3-540-49024-1",

pages = "239--249",

editor = "C Mao and T Yokomori",

booktitle = "DNA Computing",

publisher = "Springer",

address = "Germany",

note = "12th International Meeting on DNA Computing ; Conference date: 05-06-2006 Through 09-06-2006",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - A mathematical approach to cross-linked structures in viral capsids: Predicting the architecture of novel containers for drug delivery

AU - Keef, Thomas

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - Understanding the structure of viruses is an important first step in terms of many applications in virology, including the protein engineering of containers to enable more effective drug delivery. In particular, the viral capsids, i.e. the protective shells on the exterior of viruses containing the important genetic code, play an important role in the context of gene therapy, where small amounts of therapeutic DNA is packaged into a capsid which then penetrates the cell membrane and delivers its payload. Cross-linking structures are particular additional covalent bonds that can occur in addition to the already present hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between the proteins. Their importance lies in the fact that they render the capsid particularly stable. Here we shall introduce a mathematical method to predict possible locations for these additional bonds of cross-linking. We will give examples of failed cases as well as of cases where cross-linking structures are possible. These results serve as a pointer for experimentalists as to which types of cross-linking structures may possibly be engineered and exploited in the framework of drug delivery.

AB - Understanding the structure of viruses is an important first step in terms of many applications in virology, including the protein engineering of containers to enable more effective drug delivery. In particular, the viral capsids, i.e. the protective shells on the exterior of viruses containing the important genetic code, play an important role in the context of gene therapy, where small amounts of therapeutic DNA is packaged into a capsid which then penetrates the cell membrane and delivers its payload. Cross-linking structures are particular additional covalent bonds that can occur in addition to the already present hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds between the proteins. Their importance lies in the fact that they render the capsid particularly stable. Here we shall introduce a mathematical method to predict possible locations for these additional bonds of cross-linking. We will give examples of failed cases as well as of cases where cross-linking structures are possible. These results serve as a pointer for experimentalists as to which types of cross-linking structures may possibly be engineered and exploited in the framework of drug delivery.

KW - VIRUS

KW - RESOLUTION

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 978-3-540-49024-1

SP - 239

EP - 249

BT - DNA Computing

A2 - Mao, C

A2 - Yokomori, T

PB - Springer

CY - BERLIN

T2 - 12th International Meeting on DNA Computing

Y2 - 5 June 2006 through 9 June 2006

ER -