Methods, systems, and compositions for inhibiting virulance of a/e family pathogens
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsVirinchipuram K. VISWANATHAN, Gayatri VEDANTAM
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Abstract
The present invention features methods, systems, and compositions for inhibiting function of EspZ or an EspZ equivalent, and for inhibiting or reducing virulence of pathogens that utilize EspZ or EspZ equivalent, such as those pathogens that belong to the attaching-effacing (A/E) family. The methods may feature the use of an inhibitor peptide that targets at least a portion of EspZ, such as one of the transmembrane domains. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor peptide disrupts proper dimerization or oligomerization of EspZ.
Claims18
An inhibitor peptide for inactivation of EspZ, said inhibitor peptide comprising:
- a. a targeting peptide, the targeting peptide binds to or interacts with at least a portion of EspZ;
- and
- b. a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) linked directly or indirectly to the targeting peptide, the CPP is for enhancing penetration of the targeting peptide into a cell;
- wherein the inhibitor peptide disrupts EspZ activity.
A method of inhibiting or reducing virulence of a pathogen of the attaching-effacing (A/E) family, said method comprising introducing to the pathogen an inhibitor peptide for disrupting EspZ comprising:
- a targeting peptide, the targeting peptide binds to or interacts with at least a portion of EspZ;
- and a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) linked directly or indirectly to the targeting peptide, the CPP is for enhancing penetration of the targeting peptide into a cell;
- wherein the inhibitor peptide disrupts EspZ function to inhibit or reduce virulence of the pathogen.
A method of inhibiting or reducing colonization of a pathogen of the attaching-effacing (A/E) family, said method comprising introducing to the pathogen an inhibitor peptide for disrupting EspZ comprising:
- a targeting peptide, the targeting peptide binds to or interacts with at least a portion of EspZ;
- and a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) linked directly or indirectly to the targeting peptide, the CPP is for enhancing penetration of the targeting peptide into a cell;
- wherein the inhibitor peptide disrupts EspZ function to inhibit or reduce colonization of the pathogen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.