Python Serum Proteins Induce Cancer Cell Apoptosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antitumor drugs often lack selective pro-apoptotic action on cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, and there is a need for compounds that can effectively target cancer stem cells.
Innovation Solution
Proteins P3, P4, P5, and P6, with specific amino acid sequences and structures, form non-covalent hetero-tetrameric and hexameric complexes exhibiting pro-apoptotic and anti-telomerase activity, specifically designed to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and cancer stem cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chemotherapeutics are used to inhibit cell cycle and block cell growth, then tumor growth is suppressed, but healthy cells are also affected and selective action on cancer cells is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing proteins with specific amino acid sequences (P3, P4, P5, P6) that confer selective recognition and binding to cancer cells. The proteins exhibit differential activity based on the local biochemical environment and cell type, enabling selective induction of apoptosis in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells through targeted molecular interactions
2Reliability
If proteins with pro-apoptotic activity are used to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, then tumor growth inhibition is achieved, but effective targeting of cancer stem cells is not sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a protein family (P3, P4, P5, P6) where each protein exhibits multi-functional activity. These proteins simultaneously induce apoptosis in differentiated cancer cells and target cancer stem cells, while also displaying anti-telomerase activity. This multi-functionality ensures broad-spectrum anti-tumor efficacy without requiring multiple different agents
3Reliability
If proteins P3 and P4 are isolated from python serum, then natural anti-tumor activity is obtained, but production quantity and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by determining the amino acid sequences of naturally occurring proteins P3 and P4 from python serum, then creating synthetic copies (P5 and P6) through molecular biology techniques. This allows replication of the natural proteins' anti-tumor activity while enabling scalable production through recombinant expression systems, overcoming the limitations of natural extraction
4Reliability
If proteins with significant sequence divergence of key amino acids are designed, then enhanced pro-apoptotic activity is achieved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying specific amino acid positions in the protein sequences (e.g., positions 94, 132, 134, 153 in P3 relative to P1). These targeted parameter changes in the primary structure result in enhanced pro-apoptotic and anti-telomerase activities while maintaining the fundamental hetero-tetrameric structural framework, thus improving function without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Proteins are described which exhibit pro-apoptotic and anti-telomerase activity on cancer cells and are useful for preparation of pharmaceutical formulations capable of inducing apoptosis of cancer cells and cancer stem cells selectively; furthermore the processes for their purification and/or synthesis are described.