Nodal is a growth factor expressed during early embryonic development, but reactivated in several advanced-stage cancers. Targeting of Nodal signaling, which occurs via the binding to Cripto-1 co-receptor, results in inhibition of cell aggressiveness and reduced tumor growth. The Nodal binding region to Cripto-1 was identified and targeted with a high affinity monoclonal antibody (3D1).

By STD-NMR technique, we investigated the interaction of Nodal fragments with 3D1 with the aim to elucidate at atomic level the interaction surface.

Data indicate with high accuracy the antibody-antigen contact atoms and confirm the information previously obtained by immune-enzymatic methods. Main residues contacted by 3D1 are P46, V47, E49 and E50, which belong to the Nodal loop involved in the interaction with the co-receptor.

淋巴结是在早期胚胎发育过程中表达的一种生长因子，但在几种晚期癌症中会重新激活。通过与Cripto-1共受体结合而发生的Nodal信号传导靶向，可抑制细胞侵袭性并减少肿瘤的生长。确定了与Cripto-1的Nodal结合区，并用高亲和力单克隆抗体（3D1）进行了靶向。

通过STD-NMR技术，我们研究了Nodal片段与3D1的相互作用，目的是在原子水平上阐明相互作用表面。

数据高度准确地表明了抗体-抗原接触原子，并证实了先前通过免疫酶方法获得的信息。3D1接触的主要残基是P46，V47，E49和E50，它们属于与共受体相互作用涉及的Nodal环。