Cysteine variants of interleukin-11
AssigneeBolder Biotechnology, Inc.
InventorGeorge N. Cox III
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Abstract
The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.
Claims23
A cysteine variant of a member of the GH supergene family comprising a cysteine residue substituted for an amino acid selected from the group consisting of an amino acid in the loop regions, an amino acid near the ends of the alpha helices, an amino acid proximal to the first amphipathic helix, and an amino acid distal to the final amphipathic helix or wherein the cysteine residue is added at the N-terminus or C-terminus of the proteins.
A cysteine variant of a member of the GH supergene family comprising a cysteine residue introduced between two amino acids in the loop regions, the ends of the alpha helices, proximal to the first amphipathic helix, or distal to the final amphipathic helix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.