SINGLE-CHAIN VARIABLE FRAGMENT ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR THE SYNAPTIC VARIANT OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE (ACHE-S), AND THEIR USE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROGRESSIVE NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS

摘要

The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence coding for single-chain variable fragment antibody that has specific affinity for synaptic variant of acetylcholinesterase (AChE-S). This single-chain variable fragment antibody consists essentially of a polypeptide comprising the binding portion of the heavy chain variable region of an antibody. The invention further relates to expression vehicle comprising said nucleic acid sequence coding for the anti AChE-S single-chain variable fragment antibody. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disorder in a mammal, preferably in humans and particularly Myasthenia gravis, by using the single-chain variable fragment antibody of the invention.