Fusion protein delivery system and uses thereof
AssigneeThe UAB Research Foundation
InventorsJohn C. Kappes, Xiaoyun Wu
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Abstract
The present invention provides a composition of matter, comprising: DNA encoding a viral Vpx protein fused to DNA encoding a protein. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a composition of matter, comprising: DNA encoding a viral Vpr protein fused to DNA encoding a protein. The present invention further provides DNA, vectors and methods for expressing a lentiviral pol gene in trans, independent of the lentiviral gag-pol. A gene transduction element is optionally delivered to a lentiviral vector according to the present invention. Also provided are various methods of delivering a virus inhibitory molecule to a target in an animal. Further provided is a pharmaceutical composition.
Claims35
A viral vector system comprising:
- a) at least a first nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a functional portion of a Gag polypeptide, and said first nucleic acid segment does not encode at least one of a functional Reverse Transcriptase polypeptide and a functional Integrase polypeptide;
- and,
- b) at least a second nucleic acid segment comprising at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
- i) a functional portion of a Reverse Transcriptase polypeptide;
- and,
- ii) a functional portion of an Integrase polypeptide;
- wherein said second nucleic acid segment does not encode a functional Gag polypeptide;
- and,
- c) at least a third nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional portion of an envelope polypeptide, wherein said third nucleic acid segment does not encode a functional Gag-Pol precursor polypeptide;
- wherein said viral vector system produces an infectious viral particle.
A viral vector system comprising:
- a) at least a first nucleic acid segment comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a functional portion of a Gag polypeptide, and said first nucleic acid segment does not encode at least one of a functional Reverse Transcriptase polypeptide and a functional Integrase polypeptide;
- and,
- b) at least a second nucleic acid segment comprising at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein selected from the group consisting of:
- i) a functional portion of a Vpr or a Vpx polypeptide and a functional portion of a Reverse Transcriptase polypeptide;
- and,
- ii) a functional portion of a Vpr or Vpx polypeptide and a functional portion of an Integrase polypeptide;
- wherein said functional portion of the Vpr or the Vpx polypeptide is capable of providing for the incorporation of said fusion protein into a viral particle and said second nucleic acid segment does not encode a functional Gag polypeptide;
- and,
- wherein said viral vector system produces an infectious viral particle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.