Multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, their manufacture and use

• US 5,837,242 A
• Filed: 05/14/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Research Council (Government of United Kingdom)
• Original Assignee: Medical Research Council (Government of United Kingdom), Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malmqvist, Magnus, Marks, James David, Griffiths, Andrew David, Winter, Gregory Paul, Pope, Anthony Richard, McGuinness, Brian Timothy, Hoogenboom, Hendricus Renerus Jacobus Matheus, Holliger, Kaspar-Philipp, Prospero, Terence Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, KAREN
• Application Number:
  US08/448,418
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 435/7.1, 435/69.1, 435/69.7, 435/69.8, 435/172.3, 435/235.1, 435/320.1, 435/328, 514/2, 530/387.1, 530/387.3, 530/412, 530/413, 536/23.4, 536/23.53, 536/24.1, 424/136.1
• US Class Current: 424/136.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/00 Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies antibodies with enzymatic activity, e.g. abzymes C12N9/0002
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/005 constructed by phage libraries
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/40 against enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/44 against material not provided for elsewhere , e.g. haptens, metals, DNA, RNA, amino acids
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/468 Immunoglobulins having two or more different antigen binding sites, e.g. multifunctional antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/34 Identification of a linear epitope shorter than 20 amino acid residues or of a conformational epitope defined by amino acid residues
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/622 Single chain antibody (scFv)
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/626 Diabody or triabody
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/00 Fusion polypeptide
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/02 containing a signal sequence
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/41 containing a Myc-tag
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2319/735 containing a domain for self-assembly, e.g. a viral coat protein (includes phage display)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1037 Screening libraries presented on the surface of microorganisms, e.g. phage display, E. coli display
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/113 Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing when used in plants C12N15/8218
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/111 spanning the whole gene, or a large part of it
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/1241 Tetrahymena
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/127 DNAzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/02 Libraries contained in or displayed by microorganisms, e.g. bacteria or animal cells; Libraries contained in or displayed by vectors, e.g. plasmids; Libraries containing only microorganisms or vectors

Abstract

Polypeptides comprising a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains being linked but incapable of associating with each other to form an antigen binding site, associate to form antigen binding multimers, such as dimers, which may be multivalent or have multispecificity. The domains may be linked by a short peptide linker or may be joined directly together. Bispecific dimers may have longer linkers. Methods of preparation of the polypeptides and multimers and diverse repertoires thereof, and their display on the surface of bacteriophage for easy selection of binders of interest, are disclosed, along with many utilities.

Claims

1. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked directly to each other by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked directly to each other by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

2. A dimer according to claim 1 wherein the first and second domains of the first polypeptide are linked without any intervening amino acid residues.

3. A dimer according to claim 1 wherein the first and second domains of the polypeptide are linked by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids.

4. A dimer according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first polypeptide is fused to additional amino acid residues at its N- or C-terminus.

5. A dimer according to claim 4 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a peptide tag.

6. A dimer according to claim 4 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a signal sequence.

7. A dimer according to claim 4 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a polypeptide domain.

8. A dimer according to claim 7 wherein the polypeptide domain is a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage.

9. A dimer according to claim 8 wherein the surface component is GIII.

10. A population of dimers according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said population has a diverse repertoire of antigen binding specificities.

11. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, wherein the first encoded polypeptide and the second encoded polypeptide associate to form a dimer according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3.

12. A nucleic acid molecule according to claim 11 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises an RNA splice site between the nucleotide sequence which encodes the first domain and the nucleotide sequence which encodes the second domain of each of the first and second encoded polypeptides.

13. A nucleic acid according to claim 11 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprise a site for recombination, wherein said site is between the nucleotide sequence encoding the first domain and the nucleotide sequence encoding the second domain of each of the first and second encoded polypeptides.

14. A vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule according to claim 11.

15. A vector according to claim 14 comprising a nucleotide sequence necessary for expression of the first and second polypeptides.

16. A vector according to claim 15 comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for secretion of the first and second polypeptides.

17. A vector according to claim 11 wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises a site for recombination, wherein said site is between the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide and the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide.

18. A method of making a dimer according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 1, the method comprising culturing a host cell transfected with a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, each of the first and second polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of the same polypeptide directly by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids, under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide from the host cell.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the dimer is recovered from the host cell medium.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the dimer is recovered from the host cell.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the dimer is refolded from denaturing conditions.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein the dimer is recovered from the host cell periplasm.

23. A method according to claim 18 wherein said dimer of said first and said second polypeptides is selected by binding with antigen.

24. A method of making the dimer of claim 1, which method comprises culturing a host cell transfected with a vector comprising:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide, said first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, wherein the domains of the first polypeptide are linked directly by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

(b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, said second polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains of the second polypeptide are linked directly to an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

wherein the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a first antigen binding site, and wherein the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site; and

(c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage;

wherein

expression of nucleotide sequence (a) produces a polypeptide ("A") comprising the first and second domains of said first polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) produces a polypeptide ("B") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) together with nucleotide sequence (c) produces a polypeptide ("C") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide fused to a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the polypeptide (C) on the surface of bacteriophage particles;

nucleotide sequence (b) being linked to nucleotide sequence (c) by a nucleic acid linkage, said linkage being selected from a nucleotide sequence including an intervening suppressible stop codon and a nucleotide sequence lacking an intervening suppressible stop codon and wherein said transfected host cells are cultured under conditions suitable for co-expression of the polypeptides A, B, and C from the host cell.

25. A method of making the dimer of claim 1 which method comprises culturing a host cell transfected with a vector comprising:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide, said first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, wherein the domains of the first polypeptide are linked directly by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

(b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, said second polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains of the second polypeptide are linked directly to an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

wherein the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a first antigen binding site, and wherein the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site; and

(c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage;

wherein

expression of nucleotide sequence (a) produces a polypeptide ("A") comprising the first and second domains of said first polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) produces a polypeptide ("B") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) together with nucleotide sequence (c) produces a polypeptide ("C") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide fused to a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the polypeptide (C) on the surface of bacteriophage particles;

nucleotide sequence (b) being linked to nucleotide sequence (c) by a nucleic acid linkage, wherein the linkage of nucleotide sequence (b) to nucleotide sequence (c) does not include a suppressible stop codon and wherein said transfected host cells are cultured under conditions suitable for co-expression of the polypeptides A and C from the host cell.

26. A method according to claims 24 or 25 wherein the dimer is selected by binding with antigen.

27. A dimer according to claim 1 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a cell surface protein;

a Fc receptor;

a tumor specific marker; and

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

28. A dimer according to claim 1 wherein the binding of an antigen to one antigen binding site of the dimer affects the binding of an antigen to the other binding site of the dimer.

29. An assay for an antigen using a dimer according to claim 1 comprising the steps:

(a) incubating the dimer and an antigen, wherein said antigen binds to either or both the first or second antigen binding site of the dimer, under conditions which permit binding of the dimer to the antigen, and

(b) detecting the antigen-dimer binding.

30. An assay according to claim 29 which is a diagnostic assay.

31. An assay according to claim 29 comprising the crosslinking of two antigens.

32. An assay according to claim 31 comprising agglutination of two cells.

33. An assay according to claim 32 comprising detection using surface plasmon resonance.

34. An assay according to claim 31 wherein one antigen is on a surface and the other antigen is in solution.

35. A dimer according to claim 1 which binds to antigens on two different cell surfaces.

36. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising, as its active ingredient, a dimer according to claim 1.

37. A dimer according to claim 1 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a virus;

human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV

     1);

a hormone;

a cytokine;

tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα

);

an antibody; and

the idiotope of an antibody.

38. A dimer according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first domains of the first and second polypeptides are located N-terminal to the second domains of said first and second polypeptides.

39. A dimer according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first domains of the first and second polypeptides are located C-terminal to the second domains of said first and second polypeptides.

40. A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, each of the first and second encoded polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of that polypeptide directly to each other by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site;

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide being linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the first polypeptide from a host cell upon expression;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide being linked to

     1) a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the second polypeptide from a host cell upon expression and

     2) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the second polypeptide on the surface of a bacteriophage particle upon expression, the vector being capable of being packaged within a bacteriophage particle.

41. A host cell transfected with a vector according to claim 40.

42. A vector comprising:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide, said first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, wherein the domains of the first polypeptide are linked directly by an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

(b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide, said second polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the domains of the second polypeptide are linked directly to an amide bond or by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 5 amino acids;

wherein the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a first antigen binding site, and wherein the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associate to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site; and

(c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage;

wherein

expression of nucleotide sequence (a) produces a polypeptide ("A") comprising the first and second domains of said first polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) produces a polypeptide ("B") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide;

expression of nucleotide sequence (b) together with nucleotide sequence (c) produces a polypeptide ("C") comprising the first and second domains of said second polypeptide fused to a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the polypeptide (C) on the surface of bacteriophage particles;

nucleotide sequence (b) being linked to nucleotide sequence (c) by a nucleic acid linkage, said linkage being selected from a nucleotide sequence including an intervening suppressible stop codon and a nucleotide sequence lacking an intervening suppressible stop codon and wherein said transfected host cells are cultured under conditions suitable for co-expression of the polypeptides A, B, and C from the host cell.

43. A host cell transfected with a vector according to claim 42 wherein said linkage of nucleotide sequence (b) to nucleotide sequence (c) includes a suppressible stop codon and wherein said host cell is capable of co-expression of polypeptides A, B and C.

44. A host cell transfected with a vector according to claim 42 wherein said linkage of nucleotide sequence (b) to nucleotide sequence (c) does not include a suppressible stop codon and wherein said host cells are capable of being cultured under conditions suitable for co-expression of polypeptides A and C.

45. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked directly to each other by an amide bond; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked directly to each other by an amide bond;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

46. A dimer according to claim 45 wherein the first and second domains comprise intact variable regions.

47. A dimer according to claim 45 wherein the first and second domains of each polypeptide are linked by a -1 linkage, wherein said -1 linkage is a deletion of a single amino acid at either the terminus of the light chain variable region which abuts the first domain, or the terminus of the heavy chain variable region which abuts the second domain.

48. A dimer according to claim 45 wherein the first polypeptide is fused to additional amino acid residues at its N- or C-terminus.

49. A dimer according to claim 48 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a polypeptide domain.

50. A dimer according to claim 49 wherein the polypeptide domain is a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage.

51. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide according to claim 45.

52. A dimer according to claim 45 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a cell surface protein;

a Fc receptor;

a tumor specific marker; and

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

53. An assay for an antigen using a dimer according to claim 52 comprising the steps:

(a) incubating the dimer and an antigen, wherein said antigen binds to either or both the first or second antigen binding site of the dimer, under conditions which permit binding of the dimer to the antigen, and

(b) detecting the antigen-dimer binding.

54. An assay according to claim 53 comprising the cross-linking of two antigens.

80. A dimer according to any one of claims 45, 56, 65, 74, 78 or 76 wherein the first domains of the first and second polypeptides are located N-terminal to the second domains of said first and second polypeptides.

55. A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide each of the first and second encoded polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of that polypeptide directly to each other by an amide bond;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site;

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide being linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the first polypeptide from a host cell upon expression;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide being linked to

     1) a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the second polypeptide from a host cell upon expression and

     2) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the second polypeptide on the surface of a bacteriophage particle upon expression, the vector being capable of being packaged within a bacteriophage particle.

56. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 5 amino acids; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 5 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

57. A dimer according to claim 56 wherein the first polypeptide is fused to additional amino acid residues at its N- or C-terminus.

58. A dimer according to claim 57 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a polypeptide domain.

59. A dimer according to claim 58 wherein the polypeptide domain is a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage.

60. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide according to claim 56.

61. A dimer according to claim 56 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a cell surface protein;

a Fc receptor;

a tumor specific marker; and

carcinoembryonic antigen (CBA).

62. An assay for an antigen using a dimer according to claim 56 comprising the steps:

(a) incubating the dimer and an antigen, wherein said antigen binds to either or both the first or second antigen binding site of the dimer, under conditions which permit binding of the dimer to the antigen, and

(b) detecting the antigen-dimer binding.

63. An assay according to claim 62 comprising the cross-linking of two antigens.

64. A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide each of the first and second encoded polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of that polypeptide directly to each other by a polypeptide linker of 5 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site;

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide being linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the first polypeptide from a host cell upon expression;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide being linked to

     1) a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the second polypeptide from a host cell upon expression and

     2) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the second polypeptide on the surface of a bacteriophage particle upon expression, the vector being capable of being packaged within a bacteriophage particle.

65. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 4 amino acids; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 4 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

66. A dimer according to claim 65 wherein the first polypeptide is fused to additional amino acid residues at its N- or C-terminus.

67. A dimer according to claim 66 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a polypeptide domain.

68. A dimer according to claim 67 wherein the polypeptide domain is a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage.

69. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide according to claim 65.

70. An assay for an antigen using a dimer according to claim 65 comprising the steps:

(a) incubating the dimer and an antigen, wherein said antigen binds to either or both the first or second antigen binding site of the dimer, under conditions which permit binding of the dimer to the antigen, and

(b) detecting the antigen-dimer binding.

71. An assay according to claim 70 comprising the cross-linking of two antigens.

73. A dimer according to claim 65 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a cell surface protein;

a Fc receptor;

a tumor specific marker; and

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

72. A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide each of the first and second encoded polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of that polypeptide directly to each other by a polypeptide linker of 4 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site;

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide being linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the first polypeptide from a host cell upon expression;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide being linked to

     1) a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the second polypeptide from a host cell upon expression and

     2) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the second polypeptide on the surface of a bacteriophage particle upon expression, the vector being capable of being packaged within a bacteriophage particle.

74. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 3 amino acids; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 3 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

77. A dimer according to claim 74, 75 or 76 wherein the first polypeptide is fused to additional amino acid residues at its N- or C-terminus.

78. A dimer according to claim 77 wherein the additional amino acid residues comprise a polypeptide domain.

79. A dimer according to claim 78 wherein the polypeptide domain is a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage.

81. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide according to claim 74, 75 or 76.

82. A dimer according to claim 74, 75 or 76 having an antigen binding site which binds to an antigen selected from the group consisting of:

a cell surface protein;

a Fc receptor;

a tumor specific marker; and

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

83. An assay for an antigen using a dimer according to claim 74, 75 or 76 comprising the steps:

(a) incubating the dimer and an antigen, wherein said antigen binds to either or both the first or second antigen binding site of the dimer, under conditions which permit binding of the dimer to the antigen, and

(b) detecting the antigen-dimer binding.

84. An assay according to claim 83 comprising the cross-linking of two antigens.

75. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 2 amino acids; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of 2 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

76. A dimer comprising:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the first polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of one amino acid; and

(ii) a second polypeptide which has a first domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, a second domain, which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first and second domains of the second polypeptide being linked by a polypeptide linker of one amino acid;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site; and

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site.

85. A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide each of the first and second encoded polypeptides comprising a first domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region, and a second domain which comprises a binding region of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region, the first domain of each polypeptide being linked to the second domain of that polypeptide directly to each other by a polypeptide linker of from 1 to 3 amino acids;

the first domain of the first polypeptide and the second domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a first antigen binding site;

the second domain of the first polypeptide and the first domain of the second polypeptide associating to form a second antigen binding site;

said first antigen binding site being different from said second antigen binding site;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the first polypeptide being linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the first polypeptide from a host cell upon expression;

the nucleotide sequence encoding the second polypeptide being linked to

     1) a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence for export of the second polypeptide from a host cell upon expression and

     2) a nucleotide sequence encoding a surface component of a filamentous bacteriophage for display of the second polypeptide on the surface of a bacteriophage particle upon expression, the vector being capable of being packaged within a bacteriophage particle.