AU2003204051B2 - OB Protein compositions and method - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors Address for service is: Amgen Inc.

Mary Ann Pelleymounter, Michael Benjamin Mann and Randy Ira Hecht WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "OB Protein Compositions and Method" This application is a Divisional of Application 48667/00 filed 18 July 2000 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1/2- OB PROTEIN COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD Field of the Invention The present invention relates to OB protein compositions and methods for preparation and use thereof.

Back-around Although the molecular basis for obesity is largely unknown, the identification of the "OB gene" and protein encoded by ("OB protein") has shed some light on mechanisms the body uses to regulate body fat deposition.

Zhang et al., Nature 312: 425-432 (1994); -e Alo, the Correction at Nature l37: 479 (1995). The OB protein has been demonstrated to be active in vivo in both ob/ob mutant mice (mice obese due to a defect in the production of the OB gene product) as well as in normal, wild type mice. The biological activity manifests itself in, among other things, weight loss. To date, however, optimum conditions for obtaining the rapid weight loss in normal animals has not been ascertained. In fact, some studies have shown that, when administered by injection, rather large dosages mg of rec in p .nurine protein/kg body weight/day) are necessary for normal mice to lose 2.6% of their body weight (at the end of a 32 day period). While presently uncertain, one explanation for the necessity of such large dosages is that the optimum weight loss effects are seen predominantly when the protein is in constant circulation, a condition that may not be efficiently achieved by injecting the protein.

2 Summary of the Tnventin The present invention stems from the observation that, as compared to administering OB protein by injection administering OB protein by continuous pump infusion results in equivalent (or better) weight loss, in a shorter time, and with substantially lower dosages. The working example below demonstrates that a,dose of 0.5 mg protein/kg body weight/day, administered via implantable osmotic pump, results in a weight loss of over 4% (as compared to baseline weight). This is in substantial contrast to other studies where similar, or less weight loss t a comparable time point) was observed with intraperitoneal injection at the relatively high dosage of 10 m_ of protein/kg body weight/day.

Thus, one aspect of the present invention is a method of treating excess weight by administering

OB

protein in a form for constant supply, at a dosage of less than or equal to about 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day.

The dosage of less than or equal to about 1 mg protein/kg/day refers to dosages sufficient to result in observable weight loss. This is apparent from the present studies where a dosage of 0.5 mg/k/day was Sufficient to result in observable weight loss when continuously administered. In studies where injection had been the mode of administration, far higher dosages were required for weight loss. At injection dosages of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg/day, substantially no weight loss was observed in wild type (normal)- .mice. For example, in one study, at a comparable time point (6th day), there was a loss at the 1 mg/kg dose (data not shown). Minimal weight loss was observed at S the relatively high 10 mg/kg/day dose. weight loss at day 6, data not shown). Thus, the present invention 3 provides for dosages of 1 mg/kg/day or less when administered so that the supply of protein is continuous.

Connected with the present studies are the compositions and methods used for production of recombinant murine and human OB protein. The first example below discloses the preparation of recombinant murine protein, and the second example below discloses the preparation of recombinant human protein.

Additional aspects of the present invention, therefore, include the below compositions and methods for preparing recombinant murine methionyl OB protein and recombinant human methionyl OB protein, including DNA sequences, vectors, host cells, methods of fermentation, and methods of purification.

Detailed Description The present invention stems from the observation that continuous administration of OB protein results in the need for much lower dosages for weight loss than those dosages required by acute daily injection. As set forth above, a dosage of 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day or less, continuously administered, resulted in rapid weight loss.

When the underivatized protein was administered by acute injection at the 1 mg/kg/day dose, almost no weight loss in wild type (normal) mice.

The OB protein may be selected from the recombinant murine and human methionyl proteins set forth below (SEQ. ID Nos. L and 6) or those lacking a glutaminyl residue at position 28. (e-a Zhang et al, Nature, supra, sat page 428.) The recombinant human OB gene product is, as Sa mature protein, 146 amino acids; some of the DNAs obtained were observed to encode a protein lacking a glutamine residue at position 28. Zhang et al., Nature 372 4 at 428. The murine protein is substantially homologous to the human protein, particularly as a mature protein, and, further, particularly at the N-terminus. One may prepare an analog of the recombinant human protein by altering (such as substituting amino acid residues), in the recombinant human sequence, the amino acids which diverge from the murine sequence. Because the recombinant human protein has biological activity in mice, such analog would likely be active. Proteins lacking an N-terminal methionyl residue, such as those produced by eukaryotic expression, are also available for use.

In addition, although the present working example involved continuous administration via implantable pump, it is contemplated that other modes of continuous administration may be practiced. For example, chemical derivatization may result in sustained release forms of the protein which have the effect of continuous presence in the blood stream, in predictable amounts. Thus, one may derivatize the above proteins to effectuate such continuous administration. The dosage of 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day or less herein refers to the mass of protein, exclusive of other chemical moieties used to derivatize the protein.

Generally, the present protein (herein the term "protein" is used to include "peptide", unless otherwise indicated) may be derivatized by the attachment of one or more chemical moieties to the protein moiety. The chemically modified derivatives may be further formulated for intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular subcutaneous, intravenous, oral, nasal, pulmonary, topical or other routes of administration. Chemical modification of biologically active proteins has been found to provide additional advantages under certain circumstances, such as 5 increasing the stability and circulation time of the therapeutic protein and decreasing immunogenicity. e U.S. Patent No. 4,179,337, Davis et al., issued December 18, 1979. For a review, See Abuchowski et al., in Enzymes as Drugs., Holcerberg and J. Roberts, eds: pp. 367- 383 (1981)). A review article describing protein modification and fusion proteins is Francis, Focus on Growth Factors a: 4-10 (May 1992) (published by Mediscript Mountview Court, Friern Barnet Lane, London N20, OLD,

UK)

For the present continuous administration, it is preferred that the chemical modification allow for an increase in circulation time of the protein, so that a dosage of about 1 mg protein (exclusive of chemical moiety)/kg body weight of a mammal/day or less will result in weight loss of a mammal. The present continuous administration will provide for weight loss of approximately 5% of body mass in a period of 7 or fewer days.

The chemical moieties suitable for derivatization may be selected from among water soluble polymers. The polymer selected should be water soluble so that the protein to which it is attached does not precipitate in an aqueous environment, such as a physiological environment. Preferably, for therapeutic use of the end-product preparation, the polymer will be pharmaceutically acceptable. One skilled in the art will be able to select the desired polymer based on such considerations as whether the polymer/protein conjugate will be used therapeutically, and if so, the desired dosage, circulation time, resistance to proteolysis, and other considerations. For the present proteins and peptides, the effectiveness of the derivatization may be ascertained by administering the derivative,- in the desired form by osmotic pump, or, more preferably, by 6 injection or infusion, or, further formulated for oral, pulmonary or nasal delivery, for example), and measuring weight loss.

The water soluble polymer may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, polyethylene glycol, copolymers of ethylene glycol/propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly-1, 3 -dioxolane, poly-1,3, 6 -trioxane, ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer, polyaminoacids (either homopolymers or random copolymers) and dextran or poly(n-vinyl pyrrolidone)polyethylene glycol, propropylene glycol homopolymers, prolypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymers, polyoxyethylated polyols and polyvinyl alcohol. Polyethylene glycol propionaldenhyde may have advantages in manufacturing due to its stability in water.

The polymer may be of any molecular weight, and may be branched or unbranched. For polyethylene glycol, the preferred molecular weight is between about 2kDa and about 100kDa (the term "about" indicating that in preparations of polyethylene glycol, some molecules will weigh more, some less, than the stated molecular weight) for ease in handling and manufacturing. Other sizes may be used, depending on the desired therapeutic profile the duration of sustained release desired, the effects, if any on biological activity, the ease in handling, the degree or lack of antigenicity and other known effects of the polyethylene glycol to a therapeutic protein or analog).

The number of polymer molecules so attached may vary, and one skilled in the art will be able to ascertain the effect'on function. One may mono-derivatize, or may provide for a di-, tri-, tetra- or some combination of 7 derivatization, with the same or different chemical moieties polymers, such as different weights of polyethylene glycols). The proportion of polymer molecules to protein (or peptide) molecules will vary, as will their concentrations in the reaction mixture. In general, the optimum ratio (in terms of efficiency of reaction in.that there is no excess unreacted protein or polymer) will be determined by factors such as the desired degree of derivatization mono, di-, tri-, etc.), the molecular weight of the polymer selected, whether the polymer is branched or unbranched, and the reaction conditions.

The polyethylene glycol molecules (or other chemical moieties) should be attached to the protein with consideration of effects on functional or antigenic domains of the protein. There are a number of attachment methods available to those skilled in the art. EP 0 401 384 herein incorporated by reference (coupling PEG to G-CSF), 2 a A~ Z a Malik et al., Exp. Hematol. 2Z: 1028-1035 (1992) (reporting pegylation of GM-CSF using tresyl chloride).

For example, polyethylene glycol may be covalently bound through amino acid residues via a reactive group, such as, a free amino or carboxyl group. Reactive groups are those to which an activated polyethylene glycol molecule may be bound. The amino acid residues having a free amino group may include lysine residues and the N-terminal amino acid residue. Those having a free carboxyl group may include aspartic acid residues, glutamic acid residues, and the C-terminal amino acid residue. Sulfhydrl groups may also be used as a reactive group for attaching the polyethylene glycol molecule(s). Preferred for therapeutic purposes is attachment at an amino group, such as attachment at the N-terminus or lysine group. Attachment at residues 8 important for receptor binding should be avoided if receptor binding is desired.

One may specifically desire N-terminally chemically modified protein. Using polyethylene glycol as an illustration of the present compositions, one may select from a variety of polyethylene glycol molecules (by molecular weight, branching, etc.), the proportion of Spolyethylene glycol molecules to protein (or peptide) molecules in the reaction mix, the type of pegylation reaction to be performed, and the method of obtaining the selected N-terminally pegylated protein. The method of obtaining the N-terminally pegylated preparation separating this moiety from other monopegylated moieties if necessary) may be by purification of the N-terminally pegylated material from a population of pegylated protein molecules. Selective N-terminal chemical modification may be accomplished by reductive alkylation which exploits differential reactivity of different types of primary amino groups (lysine versus the N-terminal) available for derivatization in a particular protein. Under the appropriate reaction conditions, substantially selective derivatization of the protein at the N-terminus with a carbonyl group containing polymer is achieved. For example, one may selectively N-terminally pegylate the protein by performing the reaction at a pH which allows one to take advantage of the pKa differences between the E-amino group of the lysine residues and that of the a-amino group of the N-terminal residue of the protein. By such selective derivatization, attachment of a water soluble polymer to a protein is controlled: the conjugation with the polymer takes place predominantly at the SN-terminus of the protein and no significant modification of other reactive groups, such as the lysine side chain 9 amino groups, occurs. Using reductive alkylation, the water soluble polymer may be of the type described above, and should have a single reactive aldehyde for coupling to the protein. Polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde, containing a single reactive aldehyde, may be used.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, provided are methods of using pharmaceutical compositions of the proteins and derivatives. Such pharmaceutical compositions may be for administration for injection, or for oral, pulmonary, nasal or other forms of administration which allow for the desired circulating dose of about 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day or less. In general, comprehended by the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of protein or derivative products of the invention together with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, preservatives, solubilizers, emulsifiers, adjuvants and/or carriers. Such compositions include diluents of various buffer content Tris-HCl, acetate, phosphate), pH and ionic strength; additives such as detergents and solubilizing agents Tween 80, Polysorbate 80), anti-oxidants ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite), preservatives Thimersol, benzyl alcohol) and bulking substances lactose, mannitol); incorporation of the material into particulate preparations of polymeric compounds such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, etc. or into liposomes. Hylauronic acid may also be used, and this may have the effect of promoting sustained duration in the circulation. Such compositions may influence the physical state, stability, rate of in vivo release, and rate of in 'iYQ clearance of the present proteins and derivatives.

.e Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed.

(1990, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA 18042) pages 10 1435-1712 which are herein incorporated by reference. The compositions may be prepared in liquid form, or may be in dried powder, such as lyophilized form. The effective amounts are those herein described.

The OB proteins and derivatives described are useful for modulation of the rate or quantity of fat'cell deposition in a mammal. This is thought to be accomplished, in part, by a reduction in appetite, a reduction in food intake. Thus, one observable result is weight loss, or, put another way, a method of treating excess weight (via weight loss). Thus, the present compositions are useful for the manufacture of a medicament for treating excess weight in a mammal. Another aspect is a method for reducing appetite. Either of these aspects, modulation of fat deposition or modulation of appetite, are particularly important treatments for humans (or other mammals) who desire to lose weight.

One skilled in the art will be able to ascertain other effective dosages by administration and observing weight loss. Here, the dosage of 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day or less was seen to be particularly effective, when administered on a continuous basis. More particularly, the dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day was seen to be particularly effective on normal mice. Excess weight refers to body mass for which removal is desired.

It is contemplated that the present compositions and methods will be used to treat cases where removal of such excess weight (as a result of the present invention) will benefit other health concerns, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiac problems, high cholesterol levels, low locomotion levels and other manifestations of excess weight. As such, the present compositions and methods may be used in conjunction with other medicaments, such as 11 those useful for the treatment of diabetes insulin, and possibly amylin), cholesterol and blood pressure lowering medicaments, and locomotion increasing medicaments amphetamines). Such administration may be simultaneous or may be in serriatim.

In addition, the present compositions and methods may be used in conjunction with surgical procedures, such as cosmetic surgeries designed to alter the overall appearance of a body liposuction or laser surgeries designed to reduce body mass). The health benefits of cardiac surgeries may be increased with concomitant use of the present compositions and methods.

Therefore, the present invention encompasses a method of treating excess weight in a mammal by continuous administration of 1 mg protein/kg body weight/day or less of an OB protein selected from the group consisting of: recombinant methionyl murine OB protein (SEQ. ID. No. 3); recombinant methionyl human OB protein (SEQ ID No. b); the protein of or lacking the methionyl residue at position -1; the protein of or lacking a glutamine at position 28; and a chemically modified derivative of or wherein the chemical modification allows for an increase in circulation time.

SPreferably, the domDosition of subpart is a pegylated derivative, and, more preferably, an N-terminally pegylated derivative.

The derivative of subpart allows for continuous administration of the protein by increasing the circulation time of the (unmodified) protein. The present 12 invention also encompasses a method of treating excess weight where the method of continuous administration is by implantable pump, such as an osmotic pump.

In other aspects, the present invention relates to recombinant murine and recombinant human OB DNAs and proteins, such as those of SEQ. ID NOs. 1, 3, L, and b, below. The recombinant proteins below are bacterially expressed, and contain N-terminal methionyl residues.

Vectors and host cells useful for producing such proteins are also provided. The vectors include pCFM1656 containing SEQ ID No. 1 or 4, and host cells containing such vectors.

Methods for preparation of the recombinant proteins are also provided, including methods for fermentation and methods for purification.

In particular, the use of sarcosine for refolding of OB protein in solution, obtained from bacterial inclusion bodies, provided for extremely efficient refolding. When proteins are expressed in bacteria, they may not be in the proper three-dimensional configuration, or, as referred to herein, properly refolded. The three dimensional configuration may be critical for biological activity, and storage stability.

Although Sarckosyl has been used in processes for purification of another protein (G-CSF, ea., WO 89/10932), surprisingly, the use of sarcosine for the OB protein has resulted in a refolding efficiency of over Contemplated herein is the use of N-lauroylsarcosine in a range of 2.0 weight per volume of OB protein in solution (obtained from inclusion bodies). With the use of 1% sodium sarcosine, the refolding efficiency, as determined by SDS PAGE and reverse phase.HPLC, was 95% or greater. While one skilled in the art will recognize that other compositions may be used for refolding, the use of 13 N-lauroyl sarcosine, as illustrated in the examples below, is particularly advantageous for providing extremely efficient refolding. The removal of sarcosine was accomplished using Dowex®.

Therefore, the present invention also includes a method of refolding partially purified OB protein in a sQlution obtained from inclusion bodies,' said partially purified OB protein selected from the group consisting of: recombinant methionyl murine OB protein (SEQ. ID. No. 3); recombinant methionyl human OB protein (SEQ ID No. 6); the protein of or lacking the methionyl residue at position -1; wherein said refolding is accomplished using sarcosine.

The present invention also includes methods of wherein said N-lauroyl sarcosine is used at a concentration of 0.5% 2.0% weight per volume of solution, and, more particularly, the use of 1% N-lauroyl sarcosine. An oxidizing agent, such as copper sulfate, is also used in the refolding process.

The following examples are offered to more fully illustrate the invention, but are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1: Use of Murine 0B Protein in a Continuous Pum Infusion System This example demonstrates that continuous infusion of OB protein results in weight loss in normal mice. Normal (non-obese) mice were administered murin OB protein via osmotic pump infusion. A dosage of 0.5 mg 14 protein/kg body weight/day resulted in a 4.62% 1.34%) loss from baseline weight by the 6th day of infusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals: Wild type C57B16 mice were used for this experiment. The age of the mice at the initial time point was 8 weeks, and the animals were weight stabilized mice were used for each cohort (vehicle vs. protein) Animal Handling.

Feeding and weiQht measurement. Mice were given ground rodent chow (PMI Feeds, Inc.) in powdered food feeders (Allentown Caging and Equipment) which allowed a more accurate and sensitive measurement than use of regular block chow. Weight was measured at the same time each day (2:00 for a period of 6 days. Body weight on the day prior to the infusion was defined as baseline weight.

The mice used weighed 18-22 grams.

ulsin g. Mice were single-housed, and maintained under humane conditions.

Administration of Protein or Vehicle. Protein (as described below) or vehicle (phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4) were administered by osmotic pump infusion. Alzet osmotic minipumps (Alza, Palo Alto, CA, model no. 1007D) were surgically placed in each mice in a subcutaneous pocket in the subscapular area The pumps were calibrated to administer 0.5 gl protein in solution per hour for a dosage of 0.5 mg protein/kg body weight/day.

15 ZCntrols: Control animals were those who had a Alzet osmotic minipump infusing phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4).

Protein: Recombinant murine OB protein was used for the present experiments, generally at a concentration of about 0.9 mg/ml phosphate bUffered saline, pH 7.4. The amino acid sequence (and DNA sequence) used was the following: 16 Zecomhb nnt m1jrjne me-t O2B (double s;rapnded) DNA andi amino acid s erniencp (Seq. TD. NOS. 12,tAS TCTAGATTTGAGTTTTAACTTTTAGAGGAGGAT-CATATGGTACCGATCCAG

-AGT

6 AGATCTAAACTCAkAAATTGAAAATCTTCCTCCTTATTGTATACCATGGCTAGGTCTTTCA M V P I1 Q K V- TCAGGACGACCCAAACCTTAATTAA-zAC GAT CGT TACGCGTAT CACGACAT CAGTCA 69 128

AGTCCTGCTGTGGTTTTGATTA.TTTTGCTAGCATGCGTAGTTGCTGTAGTCAGT

Q DD T K T L I K T I V T R I N D I S H-

CACCCAGTCGGTCTCCGCT-CAGCGTGTTACCGGTCTGACTTCATCCCGGTCTGCA

129 188

GTGGGTCAGCCAGAGGCGATTTGTCGCACATGGCCAGACCTGA-GTAGGGCCCAGACGT

T Q S V S A K Q R V T G L D F I P G L H- CCCGATCCTA GCTTGTCCAAz ATGGACCAGACCCTGGCTGTATACCAGCAGGTGTTAAC 189 248

GGGCTAGGATTCGAACAGGTTTTACCTGGTCTGGGACCGACATATGGTCGTCCACATTG

P i L S L S K M D Q T L A V Y Q Q V L T- CTCCCTGCCGTCCCAG-CGTTCTTCAGATCGCTAACGACCTCGAG-kCCTTCGCGACCT 249 308 GAGGGACGGCAGGGTCTTGC-

LGAAGTCTAGCGATTGCTGGAGCTCTTGGA-GCGCTGGA

S L P S Q N V L Q I AN DL -E N L R D L-

GCTGCA.CCTGCTGGCATTCTCCAATCCTGCTCCCTGCCGCAGACCTCAGGTCTTCAGA-

309 368

CGACGTGGACGACCGTAAGAGGTTTAGGACGAGGGACGGCGTCTGGAGTCCAGCAGTCTT

L H L L A F S K S C S L P Q T' S G L Q K ACCGGAATCC CT GGAC GGGGT CC TGGA AGC ATCC CTG TACAGC ACCGAAGTTGTT GCTCT 369 428 TGGCCTTAGGGACCT GCCCCAGGACCT TC GTAGGG AC ATG TCG TGGCT T C? kCACGAC A P E S L D G V L EA S LY S T EV V A L GT CC CGTC TGCAGGG TTCCC TTCAGGACATCC TT CAGCAGC TGG ACGTT TOTCC GG ATG 429 488 CAGGGCAGACGTCCCAAGGGAGTCCTGTA ,GG~kGTCGTCGACCTGCA-kGAGGCCTTAC S R L Q G S L Q D I L Q Q L D V S P E C-

TTAATGGATCC

-489

AATTACCTAGG

17 Herein, the first amino acid of the amino acid sequence for recombinant protein is referred to as and is valine, and the amino acid at position -1 is methionine.

The C-terminal amino acid is number 146 (cysteine).

The cloning of the murine OB DNA for expression in coli was done as follows. The DNA sequence was deduced from the published peptide sequence that appeared in Z1ang et al., Nature 322:425-432 (1994). It was reverse translated using F. .coli optimal codons. The terminal cloning sites were XbaI to BamHI. A ribosomal binding enhancer and a strong ribosomal binding site were included in front of the coding region. The duplex DNA sequence was synthesized using standard techniques. Correct clones were confirmed by demonstrating expression of the recombinant protein and presence of the correct OB DNA sequence in the resident plasmid.

Expression Vector and Host Strain The plasmid expression vector used was pCFM1656, ATCC Accession No. 69576. The above DNA was ligated into the expression vector pCFM1656 which had been linearized with XbaI and BamHI and transformed into the Z. coli host strain, FM5. F. coli FM5 cells were derived at Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA from Z. coli K-12 strain (Bachmann, et al., Bacteriol. Rev. A4: 116-167 (1976)) and contain the integrated lambda phage repressor gene, ci857 (Sussman et al., C.R. Acad. Sci. 25A: 1517-1579 (1962)). Vector production, cell transformation, and colony selection were performed by standard methods. E.g Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY., Host cells were grown in LB media.

18 Fermentation Process A three-phase fermentation protocol was used known as a fed-batch process. Media compositions are set forth below.

Batch: A nitrogen and phosphate source were sterilized (by raising to 122 OC for 35 minutes, 18-20 psi) in the fermentation vessel (Biolafitte, 12 liter capacity).

Upon cooling, carbon, magnesium, vitamin, and trace metal sources were added aseptically. An overnight culture of the above recombinant murine protein-producing bacteria (16 hours or more) of 500 mL (grown in LB broth) was added to the fermentor.

Feed I: Upon reaching between 4.0-6.0

OD

600 cultures were fed with Feed I. The glucose was fed at a limiting rate in order to control the growth rate An automated system (called the Distributive Control System) was instructed to control the growth rate to 0.15 generations per hour.

Feed II: When the OD60 0 had reached 30, culture temperature was slowly increased to 42 0 C and the feed was changed to Feed II, below. The fermentation was then allowed to continue for 10 hours with sampling every 2 hours. After 10 hours, the contents of the fermentor was chilled to below 20 0 C and harvested by centrifugation.

19 Media Composition: Batch: 10 g/L 5.25 g/L g/L g/L g/L g/L mL/L mL/L mL/L Feed I: 50 g/L g/L 450 g/L 8.75 g/L mL/L mL/L Feed II: 200 g/L 100 g/L 110 g/L Yeast extract

(NH

4 2 S0 4

K

2

HPO

4

KH

2 P04 Glucose MgSO 4 -7H 2 0 Vitamin Solution Trace Metal Solution P2000 Antifoam Bacto-tryptone Yeast extract Glucose MgSO 4 -7H 2 0 Vitamin Solution Trace Metal Solution Bacto-tryptone Yeast extract Glucose Vitamin Solution (Batch and Feed I): g Biotin, 0.4 g Folic acid, and 4.2 g riboflavin, were dissolved in 450 mls H20 and 3 mis 10 N NaOH, and brought to 500 mis in H20. 14 g pyridoxine-HCl and 61 g niacin were dissolved 150 ml H20 and 50 ml 10 N NaOH, and brought to 250 ml in H20. 54 g pantothenic acid was dissolved in 200 ml H20, and brought to 250 ml. The three solutions were combined and brought to 10 liters total volume.

20 Trace Metal Solution (Batch and Feed I): Ferric Chloride (FeC13.6H20): 27 g/L Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2*4H 2 2 g/L Cobalt Chloride (CoCl2-6H20): 2 g/L Sodium Molybdate (NaMoO 4 -2H 2 2 g/L Calcium Chloride (CaC12-2H 2 1 g/L Cupric Sulfate (CuSO 4 *5H 2 1.9 g/L Aoric Acid (H3B03): 0.5 g/L Manganese Chloride (MnCl2.4H 2 1.6 g/L Sodium Citrate dihydrate: 73.5 g/L Purification Process for Murine OB Protein Purification was accomplished by the following steps (unless otherwise noted, the following steps were performed at 4°C): 1. Cell paste. L. coli cell paste was suspended in times volume of 7 mM of EDTA, pH 7.0. The cells in the EDTA were further broken by two passes through a microfluidizer. The broken cells were centrifuged at 4.2 K rpm for 1 hour in a Beckman J6-B centrifuge with a JS-4.2 rotor.

2. Inclusion body wash The supernatant from above was removed, and the pellet was resuspended with times volume of 7 mM EDTA, pH 7.0, and homogenized. This mixture was centrifuged as in step 1.

3. Inclusion body wash The supernatant from above was removed, and the pellet was resuspended in ten times volume of 20 mM tris, pH 8.5, 10 mM DTT, and 1% deoxycholate, and homogenized. This mixture was centrifuged as in step 1.

4. Inclusion body wash The supernatant from above was removed and the pellet was resuspended in ten 21 times volume of distilled water, and homogenized. This mixture was centrifuged as in step 1.

Refolding. The pellet was refolded with volumes of 10 mM HEPES, pH 8.5, 1% sodium sarcosine (N-lauroyl sarcosine), at room temperature. After minutes, the solution is made to be 60 4M copper sulfate, and then stirred overnight.

6. Removal of sarcosine. The refolding mixture was diluted with 5 volumes of 10 mM tris buffer, pH 7.5, and centrifuged as in step 1. The supernatant was collected, and mixed with agitation for one hour with Dowex® 1-X4 resin (Dow Chemical Co., Midland MI), 20-50 mesh, chloride form, at 0.066% total volume of diluted refolding mix. See WO 89/10932 at page 26 for more information on Dowex®.

This mixture was poured into a column and the eluant was collected. Removal of sarcosine was ascertained by reverse phase HPLC.

7. Acid precipitation. The eluant from the previous step was collected, and pH adjusted to pH 5.5, and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. This mixture was centrifuged as in step 1.

8. Cation exchange chromatography. The pH of the supernatant from the previous step was adjusted to pH 4.2, and loaded on CM Sepharose Fast Flow (at 7% volume). column volumes of salt gradient were done at 20 mM NaOAC, pH 4.2, 0 M to 1.0 M NaC1.

9. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The CM Sepharose pool of peak fractions (ascertained from ultraviolet absorbance) from the above step was made to be 0.2 M ammonium sulfate. A 20 column volume reverse salt gradient was done at 5 mM NaOAC, pH 4.2, with .4 M to 0 M ammonium sulfate. This material .was concentrated and diafiltered into PBS.

22 Results Presented below are the percent differences from baseline weight in C57B16J mice (8 weeks old) Table 1: Weight Loss Upon Continuous Infusion i a Vehicle (PBS) Recombinant

OB

protein Days 1-2 3.24 1.13 1.68 1.4 Days 3-4 4.3 .97 -2.12 .79 Days 5-6 4.64 .96 -4.62 1.3 As can be seen, at the end of a 6 day continuous infusion regime, animals receiving the OB protein lost over 4% of their body weight, as compared to baseline. This is a substantially more rapid weight loss than has been observed with intraperitoneal injection. Weight loss at the end of a 32-day injection period, in wild type (normal) mice, with daily i.p. injections of recombinant murine OB protein at a 10 mg/kg dose was and had not been more than 4% at any time during the dosing schedule (data not shown). The present data indicate that with continuous infusion, a 20-fold lower dosage (0.5 mg/kg vs.

10 mg/kg) achieves more weight loss in a shorter time period.

The results seen here are statistically significant, -4.62% with p <.0001.

23 EXAMPLE 2: Dons Rsponse Studies An additional study demonstrated that there was a dose response to continuous administration of OB protein.

In this study, non-obese, CD-1 mice, weighing 35-40 g were administered recombinant murine OB protein using methods similar to the above example. The results are set forth in Table 2, below, (with body weight lost as compared to baseline, measured as above): Table 2: Dose Response With Continuous Administration Dose Time Reduction in body weight 0.03 mq/kq/day Day 2 1 mq/kg/day Day 2 1 mg/kq/day Day 4 14 As can be seen, increasing the dose from 0.03 mg/kg/day to 1 mg/kg/day increased the weight lost from 3.5% to It is also noteworthy that at day 4, the 1 mg/kg/day dosage resulted in a 14% reduction in body weight.

EXAMPLE 3: Cloning and Expression of a Recombinant Human Methionvl OB Protein This example provides compositions and methods for preparation of a recombinant human version of the OB protein.

The human version of the OB DNA was constructed from the murine OB DNA, as in Example 1, above, by replacing the region between the MlI and BamHI sites with duplex DNA (made from synthetic oligonucleotides) in which 20 codon substitutions had been designed. The MluI site is shown 24 under the solid line in the sequence below. This DNA was put into the pCFM1656 vector (ATCC Accession No. 69576), in the same fashion as the recombinant murine protein, as described above. Herein, the first amino acid of the amino acid sequence for recombinant human protein below is referred to as and is valine, and the amino acid at position -1 is methionine. The C-terminal amino acid is number 146 (cysteine'.

25 Recornhinant hu~man met QB (phle, Stranded) DNA and amino aridi -,eauenc- (Seq. ID. CATATGGTACCGATCCAGAAAGTTCAGGACGACACCAAAACCTTAATTAkAAACGATCGTT 1

GTATACCATGGCTAGGTCTTTC-AGTCCTGCTGTGGTTTTGGA.ATTAATTTTGCTAGCAA

M V P I Q K V Q D D T K T L I K T I V-

ACGCGTATCAACGACATCAGTCACACCCAGTCGGTGAGCTCTAAA-CAGCGTGTTACAGGC

61 120 TGCGCATAGTTGCTGTAGTCAGTGTGGGTCAGCCACTCGAc-ATTTGTCGCACAATGTCCG T R I ND I S H T Q S V S S K Q R V T G- CTGGACTTCATCCCGGGTCTGCACCCGATCCTGACCTTGTCCAAAAkTGGACCAGACCCTG 121 180

GACCTGAAGTAGGGCCCAGACGTGGGCTAGGACTGGAACAGGTTTTACCTGGTCTGGGAC

L D FT 1 G L H P I L T L S KM D Q T L- GCTGTATACCAGCAGAkTCTTAACCTCCATGCCGTCCCGTAACGTTCTTCAGATCTCTAAC 181 240 CGACATATGGTCGTCTAkGAATTGGAGGTACGGCAGGGCATTGCAAGAAGTCTAc-AGATTG A V Y Q Q I L T S M P S R N V L Q I S N

GACCTCGAGAACCTTCGCGACCTGCTGCACGTGCTGGCATTCTCCA-AATCCTGCCACCTG

241 300 CTGGAGCTCTTGGAAkGCGCTGGACGACGTGCACGACCGTAAGAGGTTTAGGACGGTGGAC D L EN L R D L L H V L A F S K S C H L CCATGGGCTTCAGGTCTTGAGACTCTGGACTCTCTGGGCGGGGTCCTGGAAl-GCATCCGGT 360 GGTACCCGAGTCCAGAACTCTGAGAkCCTGAGAGACCCGCCCCAGGACCTTCGTAGGCCA P W *S G L ET L D S L G GV L E A S G TACAGCACCGAAGTTGTTGCTCTGTCCCGTCTGCAGGGTTCCCTT CAGGACATGCTTTGG 361 420 ATGTCGTGGCTTCAACAACGAGACAGGGCAGACGTCCCA-AGGGAkAGTCCTGTACGA-AACC Y S T SV V A L S R L Q G S L Q D M L W CAGCTGGACCTGTCTCCGGGTTGTTAAkTGGATCC 421 454 GTCGACCTGGACAGAGGCCCAACAAkTTACCTAGG Q L- D L S P G C 26 Fermentation: Fermentation of the above host cells to produce recombinant human OB protein was accomplished using the conditions and compositions as described above for recombinant murine material. The results were analyzed for yield (grams ob DNA product/liter of fermentation broth), prior to purification of the recombinant human OB material.

(Minor amounts of bacterial protein were present.) Bacterial expression was also calculated.

Table 3: Analys Timepoint

OD

(@600 nm) Ind. 2 hours. 47 Ind. 4 hours. 79 Ind. 6 hours. 95 Ind. 8 hours. 94 Ind. hours. 98 ;is of Human OB Protein Expression Yield Expression (g/L) (mq/OD-L) 1.91 9.48 13.01 13.24 14.65 41 120 137 141 149 abbreviations: Ind. hours means the hours after induction of protein expression, as described in Example for the recombinant murine material using pCFM1656 OD: optical density, as measured by spectrophotometer milligrams per OD unit per liter mg/OD-L: expression in terms of milligrams of protein per OD unit .pr liter.

g/L: grams protein/liter fermentation broth -27- Purification of the recombinant human OB protein: Recombinant human protein may be purified using methods similar to those used for purification of recombinant murine protein, as in Example 1, above. For preparation of recombinant human OB protein, step 8 was performed by adjusting the pH of the supernatant from step 7 to pH 5.0, and loading this onto a CM Sepharose fast flow column. The 20 column volume salt gradient was performed at 20 mM NaOAC, pH 5.5, oM to 0.5M NaCI. Step 9 was performed by diluting the CM Sepharose pool four fold with water, and adjusting the pH to 7.5. This mixture was made to 0.7 M ammonium sulphated. Twenty column volume reverse salt gradient was done at 5 mM NaOAC, pH 5.5, 0.2 M to 0 M ammonium sulphate.

Otherwise, the above steps were identical.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, is it understood that variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations which come within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (6)

1. A method of refolding partially purified OB protein in a solution obtained from inclusion bodies, said partially purified OB protein selected from the group consisting of: recombinant methionyl murine OB protein (SEQ. ID. No. 3); recombinant methionyl human OB protein (SEQ. ID. No. 6); the protein of or lacking the methionyl residue at position -1; wherein said refolding is accomplished using N-lauroyl sarcosine.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein said sarcosine is used at a concentration of 2.0% weight per volume of solution.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said sarcosine is used at a concentration of weight per volume of solution.

4. The method according to claim 1 substantially as herein before described with reference to the examples.

5. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of excess weight in a mammal. 28 SEQUENCE LISTING GENERAL INFORMATION: APPLICANT: Amgen Inc. (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: OB PROTEIN COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 6 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: ADDRESSEE: Amgen Inc. STREET: 1840 Dehavilland Drive CITY: Thousand Oaks STATE: California COUNTRY: U.S.A. ZIP: 91230-1789 COMPUTER READABLE FORM: MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release Version #1.30 (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA: APPLICATION NUMBER: US 08/474,833 FILING DATE: 07-JUN-1995 CLASSIFICATION: (viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION: NAME: Pessin, Karol M. REFERENCE/DOCKET NUMBER: A-345 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 491 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: double TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: TCTAGATTTG AGTTTTAACT TTTAGAAGGA GGAATAACAT ATGGTACCGA TCCAGAAAGT TCAGGACGAC ACCAAAACCT TAATTAAAAC GATCGTTACG CGTATCAACG ACATCAGTCA 120 CACCCAGTCG GTCTCCGCTA AACAGCGTGT TACCGGTCTG GACTTCATCC CGGGTCTGCA 29 CCCGATCCTA AGCTTGTCCA AAATGGACCA GACCCTGGCT GTATACCAGC AGGTGTTAAC CTCCCTGCCG TCCCAGAACG TTCTTCAGAT CGCTAACGAC CTCGAGAACC TTCGCGACCT GCTGCACCTG CTGGCATTCT CCAAATCCTG CTCCCTGCCG CAGACCTCAG GTCTTCAG. ACCGGAATCC CTGGACGGGG TCCTGGAGC ATCCCTGTAC AGCACCGAAG TTGTTGCTCT GTCCCGTCTG CAGGGTTCCC TTCAGGACAT CCTTCAGCAG CTGGACGTTT CTCCGGAATG TTAATGGATC C INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: Wi SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 491 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: double TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA 240 300 360 420 480 491 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: AGATCTA.AAC TCAAAATTGA AAATCTTCCT CCTTATTGTA TACCATGGCT AGGTCTTTCA AGTCCTGCTG TGGTTTTGGA ATTAATTTTG CTAGCAATGC GCATAGTTGC TGTAGTCAGT GTGGGTCAGC CAGAGGCGAT TTGTCGCACA ATGGCCAGAC CTGAAGTAGG GCCCAGACGT GGGCTAGGAT TCGAACAGGT TTTACCTGGT CTGGGACCGA CATATGGTCG TCCACAATTG GAGGGACGGC AGGGTCTTGC AAGAAGTCTA GCGATTGCTG GAGCTCTTGG AAGCGCTGGA CGACGTGGAC GACCGTAAGA GGTTTAGGAC GAGGGACGGC GTCTGGAGTC CAGAAGTCTT TGGCCTTAGG GACCTGCCCC AGGACCTTCG TAGGGACATG TCGTGGCTTC AACAACGAGA CAGGGCAGAC GTCCCAAGGG AAGTCCTGTA GGAAGTCGTC GACCTGCAAA GAGGCCTTAC AATTACCTAG G INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: Ci) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 147 amino acids TYPE: amino acid. STRANDEDNESS: single CD) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 491 30 (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: Met Val Pro Ile Gin Lys Val Gin Asp Asp Thr LysTrLe leLs 1 5 10 15 euIe y Thr Ile Vai Thr Arg Ile Asn Asp Ile Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser. 25 130 Aia Lys Gin Arg Val. Thr Gly Leu Asp Phe Ile Pro Gly Leu HisPr 40 45Pr Ile Leu Ser Leu Ser Lys Met Asp Gin Thr Leu Aia ValTyGi Gn 55 60 r lGn Val Leu Leu Giu Cys Ser Giy Val Thr Ser Leu Pro Ser Gin Asn Vai Leu Gin Ile Aia Asn .70 75 Asp Asn Leu Arg Asp Leu Leu His Leu Pro Gin Thr Ser Gly Leu 100 105 Leu Glu Ala Ser Leu Tyr Ser 115 120 Leu Leu Ala Phe Ser Lys 90 Gin Lys Pro Glu Ser Leu Asp 110 Thr Giu Vai Val Ala Leu Ser 125 Leu Gin Gin Leu Asp Val Ser 140 Arg Leu Gin Gly Ser Leu Gin Asp Ile 130 135 Pro Glu Cys 145 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 454 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: double TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (xi) -SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID N0:4: CATATGGTAC CGATCCAGAA AGTTCAGGAC GACACCAAAA CCTTAATTAA ACGCGTATCA ACGACATCAG TCACACCCAG TCGGTGAGCT CTAAACAGCG CTGGACTTCA TCCCGGGTCT GCACCCGATC CTGACCTTGT CCAAAATGGA GCTGTATACC AGCAGATCTT AACCTCCATG CCGTCCCGTA ACGTTCTTCA GACCTCGAGA ACCTTCGCGA CCTGCTGCAC GTGCTGGCAT TCTCCAAATC CCATGGGCTT CAGGTCTTGA GACTCTGGAC TCTCTGGGCG GGGTCCTGGA AACGATCGTT TGTTACAGGC CCAGACCCTG GATCTCTAAC CTGCCACCTG AGCATCCGGT 120 180 240 300 360 31 TACAGCACCG A.AGTTGTTGC TCTGTCCCGT CTGCAGGGTT CCCTTCAGGA CATGCTTTGG CAGCTGGACC TGTCTCCGGG TTGTTAATGG ATCC INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: Wi SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 454 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDWESS: double TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID GTATACCATG GCTAGGTCTT TCAAGTCCTG CTGTGGTTTT TGCGCATAGT TGCTGTAGTC AGTGTGGGTC AGCCACTCGA GACCTGAAGT AGGGCCCAGA CGTGGGCTAG GACTGGAACA CGACATATGG TCGTCTAGAA TTGGAGGTAC GGCAGGGCAT CTGGAGCTCT TGGAAGCGCT GGACGACGTG CACGACCGTA GGTACCCGALA GTCCAGAACT CTGAGACCTG AGAGACCCGC ATGTCGTGGC TTCAACAACG AGACAGGGCA GACGTCCCAA GTCGACCTGG ACAGAGGCCC AACAATTACC TAGG INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:

6: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 147 amino acids TYPE: amino acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein GGAATTAATT GATTTGTCGC GGTTTTACCT TGCAAGAAGT AGAGGTTTAG CCCAGGACCT GGGAAGTCCT TTGCTAGCA ACAATGTCCG GGTCTGGGAC CTAGAGATTG GACGGTGGAC TCGTAGGCCA GI'ACGAAACC 120 180 240 300 360 420 454 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: Met Val Pro Ile Gin Lys Val Gln Asp Asp Thr Lys Thr Leu Ile Lys 10 Thr Ile Val Thr Arg Ile Asn Asp Ile Ser His Thr Gin Ser Val Ser 25 Ser Lys Gin Ile Leu Thr so Ile Leu Thr Leu Glu Asn Cys His Leu Gly Val Leu 115 Arg Leu Gin 130 Pro Gly Cys 145 Arg Val Leu Ser Ser Met Leu Arg Pro Trp 100 Giu Ala Gly Ser Thr Lys Pro 70 Asp Ala Se r Le u *Gly Met 55 Se r Leu Ser Gly Gin 135 32 Leu Asp Phe 40 Asp Gin Thr Arg Asn Val Leu His Vai 90 Giy Leu Giu 105 Tyr Ser Thr 120 ASP Met Leu Ile Leu Leu 75 Leu Tb r Glu r rp Pro Ala Gin Ala Leu Val1 Gin 140 Gly Leu His Val Tyr Gin Ile Ser Asn Phe Ser Lys Asp Ser Leu 110 Val Ala Leu 125 Leu Asp Leu Pro Gin Asp Se r Giy Ser Ser