Journal: ACS Appl Bio Mater / Year: 2026 Title: Tailoring Avidity through Morphology: Structure-Avidity Relationship in CD38-Binding Nanofiber Radiotracers. Authors: Jacqueline M Godbe / Hongwei Zhang / Amit K Sharma / Katelyn N Ernst / Zhenghan Jing / Michael R Dyer / Julie L Prior / Erin Teubner / Brad Manion / Rui Tang / Yang Yang / Monica Shokeen / Abstract: The lack of targeted molecular imaging agents for multiple myeloma (MM) hinders precise disease characterization and theranostic development. We address this by engineering a tunable platform of self- ...The lack of targeted molecular imaging agents for multiple myeloma (MM) hinders precise disease characterization and theranostic development. We address this by engineering a tunable platform of self-assembled peptide nanofibers that target CD38, a key antigen in MM. Simple variation of a conjugated lipid tail length (C4-C12) dictates the supramolecular architecture, as revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM. This structural control directly modulates biological function: avidity for CD38 increases monotonically with tail length, culminating in T12 nanofibers with sub-nanomolar affinity. This optimized morphology also enables unique pH-responsive di-tyrosine cross-linking and, critically, facilitates polyvalent cell-surface engagement that outcompetes high-affinity monomers in vitro. The nanofibers are efficiently radiolabeled with Cu, exhibit exceptional serum stability, and show no toxicity at doses 20-fold above projected imaging use. By establishing lipid tail length as a simple, powerful handle for controlling nanofiber structure, avidity, and function, we present a robust, translatable platform for advancing targeted imaging and therapy in CD38-positive malignancies.
History
Deposition
Feb 5, 2026
Deposition site: RCSB / Processing site: RCSB
Revision 1.0
Jun 17, 2026
Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
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Jun 17, 2026
Data content type: EM metadata / Data content type: EM metadata / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
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Jun 17, 2026
Data content type: FSC / Data content type: FSC / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
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Jun 17, 2026
Data content type: Half map / Part number: 1 / Data content type: Half map / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
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Data content type: Half map / Part number: 2 / Data content type: Half map / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
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Jun 17, 2026
Data content type: Image / Data content type: Image / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
Revision 1.0
Jun 17, 2026
Data content type: Primary map / Data content type: Primary map / Provider: repository / Type: Initial release
Resolution: 2.97 Å / Resolution method: FSC 0.143 CUT-OFF / Num. of particles: 35 / Symmetry type: HELICAL
Refinement
Resolution: 2.97→2.97 Å / Cor.coef. Fo:Fc: 0.891 / SU B: 14.262 / SU ML: 0.267 / ESU R: 0.172 Stereochemistry target values: MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD WITH PHASES Details: HYDROGENS HAVE BEEN USED IF PRESENT IN THE INPUT