摘要:
Materials and methods are disclosed for regulation of biological events such as target gene transcription and growth, proliferation or differentiation of engineered cells.
摘要:
Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta. chain of the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex thereby leading to signaling and transcription of a reporter gene, (2) the homodimerization of the cytoplasmic tail of the Fas receptor thereby leading to cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) and (3) the heterodimerization of a DNA-binding domain (Gal4) and a transcription-activation domain (VP16) thereby leading to direct transcription of a reporter gene. Regulated intracellular protein association with our cell permeable, synthetic ligands offers new capabilities in biological research and medicine, in particular, in gene therapy. Using gene transfer techniques to introduce our artificial receptors, one can turn on or off the signaling pathways that lead to the overexpression of therapeutic proteins by administering orally active "dimerizers" or "de-dimerizers", respectively. Since cells from different recipients can be configured to have the pathway overexpress different therapeutic proteins for use in a variety of disorders, the dimerizers have the potential to serve as "universal drugs". They can also be viewed as cell permeable, organic replacements for therapeutic antisense agents or for proteins that would otherwise require intravenous injection or intracellular expression (e.g., the LDL receptor or the CFTR protein).
摘要:
We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.
摘要:
Bifunctional molecules and methods for their use are provided. The subject bifunctional molecules are conjugates of a drug moiety and a pharmacokinetic modulating moiety, where these two moieties are optionally joined by a linking group. The bifunctional molecules are further characterized in that they exhibit at least one modulated pharmacokinetic property upon administration to a host as compared to a free drug control. The subject bifunctional molecules find use in a variety of therapeutic applications.
摘要:
Methods and compositions are provided for reducing aggregation of neurodegenerative proteins associated with neurotoxicity or other proteins. The compounds comprise a first domain or targeting element for binding to the target proteins linked to a second domain or recruiting element that binds to an aggregation inhibiting protein, e.g. a prolyl isomerase. By associating the aggregating forming proteins or neuronal cells under conditions where aggregating proteins are produced with the compound and the aggregation inhibiting protein, aggregation is reduced. The subject agents can be used in assays, investigating the etiology of the neuronal diseases and for prophylaxis and therapy.
摘要:
Bifunctional inhibitor molecules and methods for their use in the inhibition of protein—protein interactions are provided. The subject bifunctional inhibitor molecules are conjugates of a target protein ligand and a blocking protein ligand, where these two moieties are optionally joined by a linking group. In the subject methods, an effective amount of the bifunctional inhibitor molecule is administered to a host in which the inhibition of a protein—protein interaction is desired. The bifunctional inhibitor molecule simultaneously binds to its corresponding target and blocking proteins to produce a tripartite complex that inhibits the target protein—protein interaction. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including therapeutic applications.
摘要:
We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.
摘要:
Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta. chain of the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex thereby leading to signaling and transcription of a reporter gene, (2) the homodimerization of the cytoplasmic tail of the Fas receptor thereby leading to cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) and (3) the heterodimerization of a DNA-binding domain (Gal4) and a transcription-activation domain (VP16) thereby leading to direct transcription of a reporter gene.
摘要:
We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.
摘要:
Methods and compositions are provided for reducing aggregation of neurodegenerative proteins associated with neurotoxicity or other proteins. The compounds comprise a first domain or targeting element for binding to the target proteins linked to a second domain or recruiting element that binds to an aggregation inhibiting protein, e.g. a prolyl isomerase. By associating the aggregating forming proteins or neuronal cells under conditions where aggregating proteins are produced with the compound and the aggregation inhibiting protein, aggregation is reduced. The subject agents can be used in assays, investigating the etiology of the neuronal diseases and for prophylaxis and therapy.