Loading patent…
AssigneesDarren Wolfe, Joseph C. Glorioso, The Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsDarren P. Wolfe, Joseph C. Glorioso, David J. Fink
Estimating the term…
The invention provides an expression cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding amino acids 1-99 of human preproenkephalin, a DNA sequence encoding a precursor of a carboxy-amidated peptide flanked by dibasic cleavage sites and optionally a DNA sequence encoding a marker protein (such as Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) all in operable linkage and under control of a promoter. Where the encoded precursor of a carboxy-amidated peptide is an agonist for an opioid receptor, the invention further provides a method of treating neuropathic pain by administering the gene transfer vector comprising such an expression cassette to a patient. The invention also provides a method for detecting a peptide having a desired effect comprising introducing a library of DNA sequences encoding one or more precursors of carboxy-amidated peptides into host cells; expressing the carboxy-amidated peptides encoded in the library to provide expression products; and screening from the polypeptide expression products for the desired effect.
A method of treating pain in a patient suffering from pain, the method comprising administering an expression cassette to a patient in an amount and at a location sufficient to diminish the sensation of pain with the patient, wherein the expression cassette comprises a first DNA sequence encoding amino acids 1-99 of human preproenkephalin and a second DNA sequence encoding a precursor of a peptide flanked by cleavage sites;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.