Cysteine variants of alpha interferon-2
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.
Claims19
An isolated cysteine variant of alpha interferon-2 of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein a cysteine residue is substituted for an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D2, L3, Q5, S8, N45, Q101, G104, T106, E107, S163, K164, and E165, wherein said variant has alpha interferon activity in vitro comparable to alpha interferon wild-type activity in vitro as measured using an alpha interferon-dependent cell assay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.