Identification of novel melanocyte targeting peptides based on T lymphocytes

• Main Author: Kaur, Satpreet
• Other Authors: Lim Sierin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/75752
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Hyperpigmentation is a problem that still exists today despite the presence of numerous effective drugs available in the market. Even with such drug solutions available, the problem arises with the efficient delivery of these drugs to target melanocytes cells in order to control melanin production. Thus there is a need to design a delivery system that helps to effectively deliver formulated drugs to melanocytes. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes have been known to effectively bind to damaged melanocyte’s MART-1 protein and engulf them during the immunologic process. This paper explores the identification of potential melanocytes’ receptor binding ligands and their incorporation to an E2 protein cage. A103 antibodies were recognized as potential ligands binding to melanocyte trans-membrane receptor, MART-1, and experiments were conducted to conjugate them to the E2 protein cages using carbodiimide crosslinker chemistry using EDC/NHS linkers. The conjugation method was optimized. A potential successful conjugate was formed when the carboxyl ends of antibodies were activated in MES buffer pH 6.1 with EDC and NHS linkers and they were coupled with E2 protein in 1M PBS buffer pH 7.4. The search for other potential ligands to target melanocytes was explored using the concept of Phage Display technique.