Inhibition of transglutaminase-mediated microbial interaction with a mammalian host

• US 6,388,056 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1998
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmounth College (Dartmouth College)
• Original Assignee: Paula Sundstrom
• Inventors: Bradway, Steven D., Sundstrom, Paula
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Marianne P.
• Application Number:
  US09/178,509
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 530/350, 530/371
• US Class Current: 530/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/00 Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies materials for immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/10 Antimycotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/40 from Candida

Abstract

The infection of a mammalian host by a microorganism can be prevented or treated through the administration of substrates for transglutaminases or antibodies against such substrates that inhibit the transglutaminase-mediated interaction of the microorganism with the mammalian host. These compounds may be used in the identification, prevention or treatment of microbial infection of mammalian hosts such as immunocompromised or immunosuppressed humans, for example, those having AIDS or undergoing transplantation or anti-cancer therapy.

Claims

1. A purified polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID NO. 1, wherein said polypeptide is capable of acting as a substrate for mammalian transglutaminases.