BINDING AGENT
A binding agent of the Formula A-a′:a-S-b:b′-B:X(n), wherein A as well as B is a monovalent binder, a′:a as well as b:b′ is a binding pair wherein a′ and a do not interfere with the binding of b to b′ and vice versa, S is a spacer of at least 1 nm in length, :X denotes a functional moiety bound either covalently or via a binding pair to at least one of a′, a, b, b′ or S, (n) is an integer and at least 1, - represents a covalent bond, and the linker a-S-b has a length of 6 to 100 nm. Also disclosed are methods of producing such binding agent and certain uses thereof.
1 . A binding agent comprising Formula: A-a′:a-S-b:b′-B:X(n), wherein
A is a monovalent binder;
B is a monovalent binder;
S is a spacer of at least 1 nm in length;
(n) is an integer and at least 1;
- represents a covalent bond;
a′:a is a binding pair;
b:b′ is a binding pair, wherein a′ and a do not interfere with the binding of b to b′ and b′ and b do not interfere with the binding of a′ to a;
(: X) denotes a functional moiety bound either covalently or via a binding pair to at least one of a′, a, b, b′ or S; and
linker a-S-b has a length of 6 to 100 nm.
2 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the spacer S is 1 to 95 nm in length.
3 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are selected from the group consisting of leucine zipper domain dimers and hybridizing nucleic acid sequences.
4 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are hybridizing nucleic acid sequences and wherein the different hybridizing nucleic acid sequences of the a′:a binding pair does not hybridize with the b:b′ binding pair.
5 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the spacer S is a nucleic acid.
6 . The binding agent of claim 5 , wherein the a′:a binding pair and the b:b′ binding pair are nucleic acids.
7 . The binding agent of claim 6 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are nucleic acids.
8 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein X is a functional moiety selected from the group consisting of a labeling group, a binding group and an effector group.
9 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to a, b, or S.
10 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to the spacer S.
11 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is covalently bound to the spacer S.
12 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the functional moiety X is bound to the spacer S via a hybridizing nucleic acid.
13 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are polypeptides.
14 . The binding agent of claim 13 , wherein the monovalent binders A and B are Fab-fragments of monoclonal antibodies.
15 . The binding agent of claim 1 , wherein X is a functional moiety selected from the group consisting of a labeling group, a binding group and an effector group and the monovalent binders A and B are polypeptides.