Targeted therapeutic proteins

Abstract

Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 287,531, filed Apr. 30, 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 304,609, filed Jul. 10, 2001; U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 329,461, filed Oct. 15, 2001, U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 351,276, filed Jan. 23, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 136,841, filed Apr. 30, 3002; U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 384,452, filed May 29, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 386,019, filed Jun. 5, 2002; and U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 408,816, filed Sep. 6, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.[0002]This invention provides a means for specifically delivering proteins to a targeted subcellular compartment of a mammalian cell. The ability to target proteins to a subcellular compartment is of great utility in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases, a class of over 40 inherited disorders in which particular lysosomal enzymes are absent or deficient.BACKGROUND[0003]Enzyme deficiencies in cellular compartments such as the golgi, the endoplasmic reti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention facilitates the treatment of metabolic diseases by providing targeted protein therapeutics that localize to a subcellular compartment of a cell where the therapeutic is needed. The invention simplifies preparation of targeted protein therapeutics by reducing requirements for posttranslational or postsynthesis processing of the protein. For example, a targeted therapeutic of the present invention can be synthesized as a fusion protein including a therapeutic domain and a domain that targets the fusion protein to a correct subcellular compartment. (“Fusion protein,” as used herein, refers to a single polypeptide having at least two domains that are not normally present in the same polypeptide. Thus, naturally occurring proteins are not “fusion proteins” as used herein.) Synthesis as a fusion protein permits targeting of the therapeutic domain to a desired subcellular compartment without complications associated with chemical crosslinking of separate therapeutic and targeting domains, for example.

[0007]The invention also permits targeting of a therapeutic to a lysosome in an M6P-independent manner. Accordingly, the targeted therapeutic need not be synthesized in a mammalian cell, but can be synthesized chemically or in a bacterium, yeast, protozoan, or other organism regardless of glycosylation pattern, facilitating production of the targeted therapeutic with high yield and comparatively low cost. The targeted therapeutic can be synthesized as a fusion protein, further simplifying production, or can be generated by associating independently-synthesized therapeutic agents and targeting moieties.

[0018]In one embodiment, the therapeutic protein includes a peptide targeting moiety (e.g. IGF-I, IGF-II, or a portion thereof effective to bind a target receptor) that is produced in a host (e.g. bacteria or yeast) that does not glycosylate proteins as conventional mammalian cells (e.g. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells) do. For example, proteins produced by the host cell may lack terminal mannose, fucose, and / or N-acetylglucosamine residues, which are recognized by the mannose receptor, or may be completely unglycosylated. In another embodiment, the therapeutic protein, which may be produced in mammalian cells or in other hosts, is treated chemically or enzymatically to remove one or more carbohydrate residues (e.g. one or more mannose, fucose, and / or N-acetylglucosamine residues) or to modify or mask one or more carbohydrate residues. Such a modification or masking may reduce binding of the therapeutic protein to the hepatic mannose and / or asialoglycoprotein receptors. In another embodiment, one or more potential glycosylation sites are removed by mutation of the nucleic acid encoding the targeted therapeutic protein, thereby reducing glycosylation of the protein when synthesized in a mammalian cell or other cell that glycosylates proteins.

Problems solved by technology

GnT II, normally found in the golgi, is required for normal glycosylation of proteins; absence of GnT II causes leads to defects in brain development.

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