Expression of anti-Z-DNA single chain antibody variable fragment on the filamentous phage surface

We describe the expression of an anti-Z-DNA single chain variable region an tibody fragment (scFv) on a filamentous phage surface. Four vectors for pha ge display were constructed. Two of them are able to display multiple copie s of the antibody fragment, and the others can be used to make monovalent l ibraries. The vectors use different promoter/leader sequences to direct the expression of the fused proteins. All were able to promote the assembly of fusion Virion particles. In this paper we also show the affinity selection (biopanning) of those phage-antibodies based on the capacity of their prod ucts to recognize the antigen. We used biotinylated Z-DNA and the selection was performed in a solution phase fashion. The data presented here indicat e that these Vectors can be further used to construct anti-nucleic acid ant ibody fragment libraries that can be used to study the basis of nucleic aci d-protein interaction and its role in autoimmunity mechanisms.