Synthetic affinity reagent to cancer biomarker Growth Factor Receptor-Bound Protein 2 (Grb2) and applications

Arizona State University (AzTE)
posted on 01/16/2012

Growth Factor Receptor-Bound Protein 2 (Grb2) is a pivotal activator of cell-cycle control and motility pathways and is involved in oncogenic signaling in a wide variety of human tumors. Grb2 overexpression has been reported in human breast, bladder and prostate cancer cell lines. Antibodies to Grb2 are available from animal sources and hold promise as a cancer assay, but have the traditional issues of limited stability, high cost, suboptimal specificity, and animal care issues.

Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University have developed a synthetic antibody to Grb2 composed of chemical polymers that are extremely stable in most environments. Immobilization of the synthetic antibody will not disrupt its function, unlike a traditional antibody. This allowed the Biodesign researchers to design prototype ELISA and immunoprecipitation assays for Grb2.

Assays developed using this synthetic antibody have the potential to make an impact on cancer early detection, without the limitations and expense of assays using traditional antibodies.

Potential Applications

Early detection of cancers, potentially including breast, bladder and prostate

Benefits and Advantages

Greater stability than traditional antibodies
Specificity can be optimized for particular application/assay
No loss of function when the antibody is bound to a solid support
Lower cost than traditional antibodies, with no issues of animal care
Amenable to ELISA and immunoprecipitation assays
For ELISA, an anti-Grb2 antibody can be engineered and synthesized with a fluorescent tag, eliminating the complexity and cost of the second and third antibodies for traditional ELISA