Read on Twitter
What do sharks and camels have in common, besides sometimes trying to eat children?
Camelids like llamas, alpacas, camels can produce a type of antibody consisting of only the heavy chain (hcAB or VHH Abs). So can sharks (& some other cartilaginous fish).
So what?
Camelids like llamas, alpacas, camels can produce a type of antibody consisting of only the heavy chain (hcAB or VHH Abs). So can sharks (& some other cartilaginous fish).
So what?
These fully functional antibodies are smaller/more flexible (see image for comparison) and capable of reaching 'parts' of pathogens that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Llama and shark antibodies are highly prized in antibody therapies for infectious agents.
Llama and shark antibodies are highly prized in antibody therapies for infectious agents.
SARS-CoV-2 might be an ideal test case for llama "nanobodies", if neutralizing or inhibitory, and the work has been ongoing since March.
This 4 yr old Belgian llama, named Winter, generated nanobodies against a key part of the virus. https://news.utexas.edu/2020/04/29/antibodies-from-llamas-could-help-in-fight-against-covid-19/
This 4 yr old Belgian llama, named Winter, generated nanobodies against a key part of the virus. https://news.utexas.edu/2020/04/29/antibodies-from-llamas-could-help-in-fight-against-covid-19/
I don't know the evolutionary significance of why the ability to produce these small antibodies persists in camelids and sharks. There's evidence they work well for early disease response against a range of pathogens, was it chance or selection maintaining that ability?
Anyway, that's the basis for my "Aquatic Camel Hypothesis".
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
