In-cell intrabody selection from a diverse human library identifies C12orf4 protein as a new player in rodent mast cell degranulation

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 14;9(8):e104998. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104998. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The high specificity of antibodies for their antigen allows a fine discrimination of target conformations and post-translational modifications, making antibodies the first choice tool to interrogate the proteome. We describe here an approach based on a large-scale intracellular expression and selection of antibody fragments in eukaryotic cells, so-called intrabodies, and the subsequent identification of their natural target within living cell. Starting from a phenotypic trait, this integrated system allows the identification of new therapeutic targets together with their companion inhibitory intrabody. We applied this system in a model of allergy and inflammation. We first cloned a large and highly diverse intrabody library both in a plasmid and a retroviral eukaryotic expression vector. After transfection in the RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cell line, we performed seven rounds of selection to isolate cells displaying a defect in FcεRI-induced degranulation. We used high throughput sequencing to identify intrabody sequences enriched during the course of selection. Only one intrabody was common to both plasmid and retroviral selections, and was used to capture and identify its target from cell extracts. Mass spectrometry analysis identified protein RGD1311164 (C12orf4), with no previously described function. Our data demonstrate that RGD1311164 is a cytoplasmic protein implicated in the early signaling events following FcεRI-induced cell activation. This work illustrates the strength of the intrabody-based in-cell selection, which allowed the identification of a new player in mast cell activation together with its specific inhibitor intrabody.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Cell Degranulation / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Mast Cells / cytology
  • Mast Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • C12orf4 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Sanofi-Aventis collaboration agreement N° L07053, and Labex MabImprove. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.