Rapid construction of fluorescence quenching-based immunosensor Q-bodies using α-helical coiled-coil peptides

Abstract

Here, we report a rapid and efficient method to fabricate Quenchbodies (Q-bodies) that can detect targets with antigen-dependent fluorescence augmentation using a stable coiled-coil peptide pair, E4 and K4 (coiled Q-body, CQ-body). The CQ-body allowed antigen detection not only in buffer but also in 50% plasma. Furthermore, we describe FRET-type CQ-bodies using a dual-coloured K4 peptide, which allowed a more precise antigen quantification. Lastly, successful fabrication of nanobody-based CQ-body shows its applicability to a range of antibody fragments.