Accurate single domain scaffolding of three non-overlapping protein epitopes using deep learning
De novo protein design has seen major success in scaffolding single functional motifs, however, in nature most proteins present multiple functional sites. Here we describe an approach to simultaneously scaffold multiple functional sites in a single domain protein using deep learning. We designed small single domain immunogens, under 130 residues, that simultaneously present three distinct and irregular motifs from respiratory syncytial virus. These motifs together comprise nearly half of the designed proteins, and hence the overall folds are quite unusual with little global similarity to proteins in the PDB. Despite this, X-ray crystal structures confirm the accuracy of presentation of each of the motifs, and the multi-epitope design yields improved cross-reactive titers and neutralizing response compared to a single-epitope immunogen. The successful presentation of three distinct binding surfaces in a small single domain protein highlights the power of generative deep learning methods to solve complex protein design problems.