170 results about "Ligand binding domain" patented technology

Methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers are disclosed. The methods for producing secreted receptor analogs and biologically active peptide dimers utilize a DNA sequence encoding a receptor analog or a peptide requiring dimerization for biological activity joined to a dimerizing protein. The receptor analog includes a ligand-binding domain. Polypeptides comprising essentially the extracellular domain of a human PDGF receptor fused to dimerizing proteins, the portion being capable of binding human PDGF or an isoform thereof, are also disclosed. The polypeptides may be used within methods for determining the presence of and for purifying human PDGF or isoforms thereof.

Disclosed herein are chimeric receptors comprising an extracellular domain with affinity and specific for the Fc portion of an immunoglobulin molecule (Ig) (e.g., an extracellular ligand-binding domain of F158 FCGR3A or V158 FCGR3A variant); a transmembrane domain (e.g., a transmembrane domain of CD8α); at least one co-stimulatory signaling domain (e.g., a co-stimulatory signaling domain of 4-1BB); and a cytoplasmic signaling domain comprising an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) (e.g., a cytoplasmic signaling domain of CD3ζ). Also provided herein are nucleic acids encoding such chimeric receptors and immune cells expressing the chimeric receptors. Such immune cells can be used to enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and/or to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy, such as cancer immunotherapy.

The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.

Compositions and methods for the inducible expression of genes in eukaryotic cells are provided. Expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest encoding a protein of interest is controlled by a regulatory fusion protein that consists of a transcription blocking domain and a ligand-binding domain. When a cognate ligand for the ligand-binding domain is present, transcription of the nucleotide sequence of interest is blocked. Upon removal of the cognate ligand, the nucleotide sequence of interest is transcribed. The method is useful for large scale bioreactor production of a desired protein of interest in eukaryotic cells.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating abnormal cell proliferation and for regulating angiogenesis. In particular, multivalent protein conjugates (MVPs) are constructed to include multiple ligand-binding domains of different receptors and utilized to target multiple, different ligands that are involved in regulation of cell growth and neovascularization. The MVPs of the present invention can be used to treat various conditions associated with abnormal cell proliferation and angiogenesis such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders, as well as to promote wound healing.

The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.

Heparinase enzymes can be used as a medical treatment to reduce localized inflammatory responses. Treatment of activated endothelium with heparinase inhibits leukocyte rolling, adhesion and extravasation. Most of the heparin and heparan sulfate on endothelial cell surfaces and in basement membranes is degraded by exposure to heparinase. In addition, immobilized chemokines, which are attached to heparin/heparan sulfate on activated endothelium are solubilized by heparinase digestion. Heparinase can be infused into the vascular system to inhibit accumulation of leukocytes in inflamed tissue and decrease damage resulting from localized inflammations. Targeting of heparinase to activated endothelium can be accomplished through localized administration and/or use of genetically engineered heparinase containing endothelium ligand-binding domains.

A novel nucleic acid construct for down-regulating angiogenesis in a tissue of a subject is provided. The nucleic acid construct includes: (a) a first polynucleotide region encoding a chimeric polypeptide including a ligand binding domain fused to an effector domain of an apoptosis signaling molecule; and (b) a second polynucleotide region encoding a cis acting regulatory element being for directing expression of the chimeric polypeptide in a specific tissue or cell; wherein the ligand binding domain is selected such that it is capable of binding a ligand present in the specific tissue or cell, whereas binding of the ligand to the ligand binding domain activates the effector domain of the apoptosis signaling molecule. Also provided are methods of utilizing this nucleic acid construct for treating diseases characterized by excessive or aberrant neo-vascularization or cell growth.

The present invention relates to a method to engineer immune cell for immunotherapy. In particular said immune cells are engineered with chimeric antigen receptors, which be activated by the combination of hypoxia and ligand extracellular binding as input signals. The invention also relates to new designed chimeric antigen receptors which are able to redirect immune cell specificity and reactivity toward a selected target exploiting the ligand-binding domain properties and the hypoxia condition. The present invention also relates to cells obtained by the present method, in particular T-cells, comprising said chimeric antigen receptors for use in cancer treatments.

The present invention relates to methods and antagonist compounds for modulating androgen receptor activity. The invention includes a method for identifying molecules that bind to a coactivator binding site of a receptor in the androgen receptor family. Also included is a cocrystal of an androgen receptor ligand binding domain complexed with a ligand and a coactivator. The invention further includes a method for inhibiting androgen receptor activity in a mammal, thereby facilitating treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer.

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel receptor proteins characterized by having the following domains, reading from the N-terminal end of said protein: an extracellular, ligand-binding domain, a hydrophobic, trans-membrane domain, and an intracellular, receptor domain having serine kinase-like activity. The invention receptors optionally further comprise a second hydrophobic domain at the amino terminus thereof. The invention receptor proteins are further characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for at least one member of the activin/TGF-β superfamily of polypeptide growth factors such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of said polypeptide growth factor occupy ≦50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. A presently preferred member of the invention superfamily of receptors binds specifically to activins, in preference to inhibins, transforming growth factor-β, and other non-activin-like proteins. DNA sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed.

The inventions provide compositions and methods for nucleic acid delivery comprising IIPMA conjugated to a polyamine. These compositions have the benefit of the steric hindrance of HPMA and the nucleic acid binding capability of a polyamine. Useful polyamines for this purpose include spermine, spermidine and their analogues, and DFMO. These polyamines have the ability not only to bind nucleic acids, but also have anti-cancer effects themselves. The compounds provided can also include ligand binding domains, such as vascular endothelial growth factors, somatostatin and somatostatin analogs, transferring, melanotropin, ApoE and ApoE peptides, von Willebrand's factor and von Willebrand's factor peptides, adenoviral fiber protein and adenoviral fiber protein peptides, PD 1 and PD 1 peptides, EGF and EGF peptides, RGD peptides, CCK peptides, antibody and antibody fragments, folate, pyridoxyl and sialyl-LewisX and chemical analogs. Methods for using these compositions to achieve a therapeutic effect, including for vaccination, are also provided.

A solved three-dimensional crystal structure of a glucocorticord receptor (GR) α ligand binding domain polypeptide is disclosed, in the form of a crystalline glucocorticord receptor α ligand binding domain polypeptide in complex with the ligand fluticasone propionate (FP) and a peptide derived from the co-activator TIF2. The GR/FP/TIF2 structure includes an expanded binding pocket not seen in other GR structures. Methods of designing steroid and non-steroid modulators of the biological activity of GR and other nuclear receptors (NRs) are also disclosed. In another aspect of the present invention homology models of androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR) and mineralcorticoid receptor (MR) are disclosed, as well as methods of forming homology models for other NRs. Methods of forming a soluble GR/FP/TIF2 complex are also disclosed.

Adoptive immunotherapy using T cells genetically redirected via expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a promising approach for cancer treatment. However, this immunotherapy is dependent in part on the optimal molecular design of the CAR, which involves an extracellular ligand-binding domain connected to an intracellular signaling domain by spacer and/or transmembrane sequences.

The present invention provides novel materials and screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of cell receptors. Methods are disclosed for identifying agonists and antagonists using chimeric receptors comprising the extracellular ligand-binding domain of a first receptor fused with the transmembrane and intracellular domains of a second receptor containing an intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM).