Molecular conjugates containing cell membrane-blending agents
First Claim
1. A molecular conjugate, comprising a macromolecular drug linked to a substantially hydrophobic membrane blending agent which can blend with an insert into a cellular membrane, the agent being cleavably linked to a blocking agent which blocks the ability of the membrane blending agent to insert into a cellular membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Molecular conjugates which facilitate the attachment of macromolecular drugs onto cellular surfaces and their entry into cells are described. The molecular conjugates comprise a macromolecular drug linked to an "inactivated" membrane blending agent which inserts into the cellular plasma membrane. The membrane blending agent is inactivated by cleavable linkage to a blocking agent which, until released from the conjugate under appropriate conditions, blocks and ability of the membrane blending agent to insert into the cellular membrane. Upon release of the blocking agent, the membrane blending agent is "activated" and the conjugate can be inserted into a cellular plasma membrane. The membrane blending agents can be peptides such as fusogenic or ion channel forming peptides or long chain fatty acids. The blocking agents can be bulky or charged moieties which mask and prevent insertion of the membrane blending agent.
58 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A molecular conjugate, comprising a macromolecular drug linked to a substantially hydrophobic membrane blending agent which can blend with an insert into a cellular membrane, the agent being cleavably linked to a blocking agent which blocks the ability of the membrane blending agent to insert into a cellular membrane.
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8. A molecular conjugate comprising a fusogenic peptide having the amino acid sequence RERRAVGIGALFLGFLGAAGK cleavably linked to a blocking agent which blocks the ability of the fusogenic peptide to insert into a cellular membrane.
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9. A molecular conjugate comprising two inter-linked substantially hydrophobic membrane blending agents which can blend with and insert into a cellular membrane, in which the membrane blending agents are cleavably linked to blocking agents that block the ability of the interlinked membrane blending agent to insert into the cellular membrane.
Specification