Active modified hedgehog proteins
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A protein in isolated form wherein said protein comprises a human hedgehog protein which is esterified at the N-terminal domain with a fatty acid having from 14 to 20 carbon atoms, said protein having a molecular weight of from about 19 to about 26 kD.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides isolated highly active hedgehog proteins esterified with a fatty acid having from 14 to 20 carbon atoms at the N-terminal domain of the protein. The highly active hh proteins are particularly useful therapeutic agents for treating bone disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods for obtaining the highly active modified hedgehog proteins are also provided.
38 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A protein in isolated form wherein said protein comprises a human hedgehog protein which is esterified at the N-terminal domain with a fatty acid having from 14 to 20 carbon atoms, said protein having a molecular weight of from about 19 to about 26 kD.
-
6. A method for producing a hedgehog protein esterified with a fatty acid having from 14 to 20 carbon atoms comprising:
-
a) providing an insect cell in a medium, said medium and said insect cell being capable upon fermentation of producing a fatty acid having from 14 to 20 carbon atoms, said insect cell containing a baculovirus vector having a gene inserted therein capable of expressing a hedgehog protein;
b) fermenting said insect cell in said medium for a period of about 30 hours or less to produce the fatty acid and-express the hedgehog protein esterified with said fatty acid; and
c) isolating said esterified hedgehog protein from the protein produced during said fermentation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. Post-translationally processed hedgehog protein mutant which is obtainable by expressing a gene which codes for a hedgehog protein in a baculovirus expression system in a fermentation for a period of up to 30 hours, purifying the cell supernatant in the presence of a protease inhibitor and a non-ionic detergent and isolating the hh mutant which binds to heparin-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite and is characterized in that this hh mutant
exhibits a molecular weight of 22± - 2 kDa under alkylating conditions,
exhibits a molecular weight of 24±
2 kD under reducing conditions,is stabilized with respect to its activity by suramin is inactivated when 8 or more amino acids are cleaved N-terminally is inactivated by 90% or more when incubated with 10 mmol/l DTE for 2.5 hours at 37°
C.,induces an activity for alkaline phosphatase of ca. 90 nmol pNP/min/mg at a concentration of 5 nmol/l in the presence of suramin, is not modified by cholesterol and has an at least 50-fold activity compared to the recombinant hh protein isolated from the cytoplasm of E. coli. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
- 2 kDa under alkylating conditions,
-
11. Process for the production of a post-translationally processed hedgehog protein mutant by expressing a gene which codes for a hedgehog protein in a baculovirus expression system in a fermentation for a period of 24 to 27 hours, purifying the cell supernatant in the presence of a protease inhibitor and a non-ionic detergent and isolating the hh mutant which binds to heparin-Sepharose and hydroxylapatite and characterized in that this hh mutant
exhibits a molecular weight of 22± - 2 kDa under alkylating conditions,
exhibits a molecular weight of 24±
2 kD under reducing conditions,is stabilized with respect to its activity by suramin is inactivated when 8 or more amino acids are cleaved N-terminally is inactivated by 90% or more when incubated with 10 mmol/l DTE for 2.5 hours at 37°
C.,induces an activity for alkaline phosphatase of ca. 90 nmol pNP/min/mg at a concentration of 5 nmol/l in the presence of suramin, is not modified by cholesterol and has an at least 50-fold activity compared to the recombinant hh protein isolated from the cytoplasm of E. coli. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
- 2 kDa under alkylating conditions,
- 18. Post-translationally processed hedgehog protein with an at least 50-fold higher activity than the hedgehog protein expressed cytoplasmically in E. coli.
Specification