Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
  • C07K2319/01—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif
  • C07K2319/02—Fusion polypeptide containing a localisation/targetting motif containing a signal sequence
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N2799/00—Uses of viruses
  • C12N2799/02—Uses of viruses as vector
  • C12N2799/021—Uses of viruses as vector for the expression of a heterologous nucleic acid
  • C12N2799/027—Uses of viruses as vector for the expression of a heterologous nucleic acid where the vector is derived from a retrovirus

Definitions

• Cellular apoptosis or programmed cell death, is a mechanism by which distinct subsets of cells are deleted during embryonic development and in normal cell turnover in tissues. Apoptosis is also initiated following various forms of cellular injury including viral infection, exposure to toxic agents, and irradiation. The balance between cell proliferation and/or survival, and cell death is an important component of normal physiology as well as the pathogenesis of diseases characterized by deregulated growth control, such as cancer.
• Osteopontin is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix phosphoprotein that functions in cell adhesion and migration. Osteopontin may also initiate intracellular signal transduction pathways via two types of receptors, the ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrins and the proteoglycan CD44. Osteopontin has been shown to be an important mediator of the cellular response to oxidative stress, where it exerts antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Moreover, osteopontin is capable of inhibiting apoptosis in several cell types that, recognize osteopontin (Weber, G.f . et al. (1997) Proc. Assoc. Am. Phys., 109:1-9). The expression of osteopontin is also associated with pathological states including atherosclerosis and tumorigenesis and metastasis (Oates, AJ. et al. (1997) Invasion Metast., 17:1-15).
• osteopontin Inhibition of apoptosis by osteopontin requires the coordinated ligation of (and signaling through) both CD44 and ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrin.
• the present invention is based, at least in part, on the surprising discovery that misligation of v ⁇ 3 integrin and CD44 results in apoptosis.
• induction of apoptosis results from engagement of v ⁇ 3 integrin and CD44 by an N-terminal osteopontin which is sufficient to engage but not activate ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrin and which both engages and activates CD44.
• Engagement of ⁇ v ⁇ 3 blocks any signaling (e.g., MAPK signaling) through that receptor.
• Engagement of CD44 activates JNK signaling, which in the absence of MAPK signaling, results in activation of apoptosis.
• the present invention provides biosynthetic molecules which mimic distinct functions of osteopontin for use in a variety of therapeutic applications, in particular, in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
• the biosynthetic molecules of the present invention are useful in the elimination of abnormal or unwanted cells that express at least an integrin receptor and/or that co-express both an integrin and a CD44 receptor.
• Figure I A depicts the amino acid sequences of human osteopontin-B (OPN-b)
• FIG. 1B-C depicts the amino acid sequences of OPN-a/nt (SEQ ID NO:2) and OPN-b/nt (SEQ ID NO:3), which represent truncated derivatives of human osteopontin-A and osteopontin- B, respectively, that induce apoptosis.
• Figure ID depicts a first generation biosynthetic oncolytic molecule termed "oncolysin N" (SEQ ID NO:4).
• Figure 2 A depicts the amino acid sequences of two second generation biosynthetic oncolytic molecules oncolysin 1 (SEQ ID NO:5) and oncolysin 2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) derived from oncolysin N.
• Figure 2B depicts the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the second generation biosynthetic oncolytic molecule, oncolysin 3 (SEQ ID NOs:7 and 8, respectively).
• Figure 3 depicts an alteration in the signal transduction pathway in cells infected with oncolysin 1/Sophin C as compared to control cells.
• the bar graph quantitates the decreased SHP-1 protein expression and increased PI-3 kinase expression.
• Figure 4 depicts the effect of oncolysin 1 -infection on tumor volume in an experimental animal tumor model.
• Figure 5 depicts the effect of oncolysin 1 administration in different tumor models and at different doses.
• the present invention is based, at least in part, on the elucidation of a new function for osteopontin as a modulator of cellular apoptosis.
• osteopontin comprises a domain which when isolated from osteopontin has the capacity to induce cellular apoptosis. Binding of this apoptosis fragment mis-ligates osteopontin receptors resulting in cellular apoptosis. In particular this fragment binds CD44v and ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrin when co-expressed on cells. As the co-expression is extremely rare under normal circumstances, proteins which include this apoptotic fragment can be exploited to destroy abnormal cells which do co-express these receptors, including several metastatic cells and hyperactivated macrophages such as those involved in arthritis.
• the present invention Based on the discovery of an oncolytic function of osteopontin, and in particular, the discovery of an apoptotic domain, the present invention features biosynthetic molecules which are modeled after the osteopontin derived apoptotic fragment.
• the biosynthetic molecules are useful in regulating cellular growth processes, as well as in promoting apoptosis.
• the present invention features biosynthetic oncolytic molecules which include an apoptotic component and a biomodular component, forming a molecule which promotes apoptosis.
• biosynthetic molecule includes molecules which are built or synthesized by a combination or union of components or elements that are simpler than the elements of the naturally occurring protein and accordingly, have only selected activities of the naturally occurring molecule.
• a biosynthetic molecule of the present invention is made or built by the hand of man (including automated processes) and accordingly, is distinguishable from a naturally-occurring molecule which is results from a naturally-occurring biological process.
• an organism can be used to produce a biosynthetic molecule of the present invention, provided that at least at one step in the synthesis, there is the intervention of man.
• oncolytic or "oncolytic molecule” includes molecules which have a modulatory or regulatory activity which is normally associated with an apoptotic response in an organism, for example, higher animals and humans.
• An activity e.g., a biological or functional activity
• An activity associated with an apoptotic response can be any activity associated with the induction of programmed cell death in response to developmental signals, adverse growth conditions, viral infection, cellular injury, or disease.
• activity biological activity
• functional activity refers to an activity exerted by a molecule of the invention (e.g., a biosynthetic molecule or a protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule) as determined in vivo, or in vitro, according to standard techniques.
• apoptotic response includes any response associated with the induction of programmed cell death including, but not limited to chromatin condensation and fragmentation, decreased cell viability, and cell lysis.
• modulates an apoptotic response or “modulator of an apoptotic response” includes upregulation, enhancing or increasing an apoptotic response, as defined herein.
• modulates an apoptotic response or “modulator of an apoptotic response” also includes downregulation, inhibition or decreasing an apoptotic response as defined herein.
• the present invention further features biosynthetic oncolytic molecules which include an apoptotic component.
• apoptotic component (also referred to herein as an "apoptotic domain” or “pro-apoptotic domain”) includes a piece or constituent of a molecule which is smaller than the molecule of which it is a part, which functions to promote apoptosis of a cell.
• an apoptotic component includes a component which is capable at ligating an integrin (e.g., v ⁇ 3) and CD44 (e.g. , CD44V) expressed on a cell surface, resulting in signaling through CD44 (e.g.
• a molecule which includes an apoptotic component for example, is capable of causing a viable cell to undergo apoptosis in the presence of the apoptotic component as compared to the same cell in the absence of the apoptotic component.
• a preferred apoptotic component or pro-apoptotic domain comprises amino acids 147-170 of the human osteopontin sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ .
• an apoptotic component or pro- apoptotic domain contains 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 or 15-20 consecutive amino acid residues N terminal or C terminal to amino acids 147-170 of SEQ ID NOJ and retains at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably 90-95% of the apoptotic activity of the domain consisting of amino acids 147-170 of SEQ ID NOJ (e.g., as determined in any art recognized in vitro apoptosis assay, either when assayed alone or in the context of a biosynthetic molecule as defined herein.)
• the apoptotic component or pro-apoptotic domain contains fewer that the 24 amino acid residues from 147-170 of SEQ ID NOJ (e.g., contains only 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 consecutive amino acid residues of the sequence from 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NO : 1 yet retains at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably
• the apoptotic component or pro-apoptotic domain has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 amino acid residues substituted yet retains at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably 90-95% of the apoptotic activity of the domain consisting of amino acids 147-170 of SEQ ID NOJ.
• biosynthetic molecules of the present invention can include a biomodular component.
• biomodular component includes a piece or constituent of a molecule which is smaller than the molecule of which it is a part, which has either a biological function which is distinct from that of the apoptotic component or has a biological structure which is distinct from that of the apoptotic component.
• a biomodular component is a piece or constituent that either is not found in a naturally-occurring molecule which includes an apoptotic component or is not found in the same proximal relation to an apoptotic component as it exists within a naturally-occurring molecule.
• a biomodular component is a polypeptide.
• Polypeptide biomodular components of the present invention include, but are not limited to signal peptides, a linker domain, and a golgi processing domain.
• signal peptide or “signal sequence” refers to a peptide containing about 20 amino acids which occurs at the N-terminus of secretory and integral membrane proteins and which contains a large number of hydrophobic amino acid residues.
• a signal sequence contains at least about 14-28 amino acid residues, preferably about 16-26 amino acid residues, more preferably about 18-24 amino acid residues, and more preferably about 20-22 amino acid residues, and has at least about 40-70%, preferably about 50-65%, and more preferably about 55-60% hydrophobic amino acid residues (e.g. , Alanine, Naline, Leucine, Isoleucine,
• a preferred signal sequence is derived from human osteopontin (e.g., comprises amino acids 1-16 of the human osteopontin sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ .
• linker includes a domain which, when included within a protein, polypeptide, or biosynthetic molecule of the present invention, functions to minimize globular folding, separate modular proteins into distinct functional domains, and maintain functionality of the protein, peptide, or biosynthetic molecule.
• golgi processing domain includes a domain which, when included within a protein, polypeptide, or biosynthetic molecule of the present invention, functions to confer upon the molecule the ability to be secreted from the cell via transport through the endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus, and/or modified within the endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus, e.g., via the addition of carbohydrate residues.
• a preferred golgi processing domain is derived from human osteopontin (e.g., includes amino acids 17-30 of the sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ). Additional exemplary biomodular components include, for example, heparin binding domains and or collagen binding domains.
• heparin binding domain includes a component which facilitates binding of a biosynthetic molecule to extracellular matrix components, e.g., with heparin in the extracellular matrix surrounding a target cell, to stabilize the interaction of the biosynthetic molecule with the target cell.
• a "heparin binding domain” includes at least one, preferably two, more preferably three, four, five or six "heparin binding motifs" having the formula arg-xaa- basic residue-basic residue, preferably, arg-xaa-(arg or lys)-(arg or lys).
• Exemplary heparin binding motifs include RXRR, RXKK, RXRK and RXKR.
• Consecutive heparin binding motifs are preferably separated by any two amino acids, i.e., are separated by xaa- xaa.
• a particularly preferred heparin binding domain has the amino acid sequence
• RSK AARGRR amino acids 62 to 71 of SEQ ID NO:6
• Another particularly preferred heparin binding domain has the amino acid sequence RSKKAARGRRAARGRR (amino acids 62 to 77 of SEQ ID NO:8)
• collagen binding domain includes a component which facilitates binding of a biosynthetic molecule to extracellular matrix components, e.g., with collagen in the extracellular matrix surrounding a target cell, to stabilize the interaction of the biosynthetic molecule with the target cell.
• a particularly preferred collagen binding domain has the amino acid sequence PAGAAGGPAGPAGPAGPAGPAGP (amino acids 65 to 87 of SEQ ID NO:6).
• a biosynthetic molecule of the present invention is formed by the combination of at least an apoptotic domain and a biomodular component.
• the term “formed” or “forming” includes the bringing together of at least two components into a structural and/or functional association.
• a recombinant nucleic acid molecule can be formed by the bringing together of at least two nucleic acid components.
• a recombinant protein can be formed by the bringing together of at least two protein components.
• a composition can be formed by the bringing together of at least two compositions.
• the present invention features biosynthetic molecules which include an apoptotic component which is derived from osteopontin.
• a component "derived from”, for example, osteopontin includes a component which has certain features which originate from osteopontin and are recognizable as such, but which is not identical to osteopontin.
• an apoptotic component has sufficient sequence information to bind integrin (e.g., ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrin) but lacks sufficient sequence information to signal via integrin (e.g., via ⁇ v ⁇ 3 integrin).
• an apoptotic component is a polypeptide which is derived from osteopontin.
• the apoptotic component has features of osteopontin (e.g. , functions to promote apoptosis) but is not identical to osteopontin.
• an apoptotic component includes a polypeptide which has at least 50% identity to an apoptotic domain of osteopontin.
• an apoptotic component is at least 55%, 65%>, 70%, 75%o, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or more identical to an apoptotic domain of osteopontin.
• an apoptotic component includes an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 147-170 of human osteopontin-B (SEQ ID NOJ).
• an apoptotic component includes a polypeptide which is at least 55%), 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or more identical to about amino acids 147-170 of human osteopontin-B (SEQ ID NOJ).
• an apoptotic component includes a polypeptide which is at least 5-50 amino acids in length.
• an apoptotic component includes a polypeptide which is between 10-45, 15-40, or 20-30, or 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 amino acids in length.
• an apoptotic component includes a polypeptide which is greater than 50 amino acids in length.
• biosynthetic molecules which include an apoptotic component having an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the apoptotic domain of human osteopontin (e.g., amino acids 147-170 of SEQ ID NOJ).
• the term "sufficiently homologous" includes a first amino acid or nucleotide sequence which contains a sufficient or minimum number of identical or equivalent (e.g., an amino acid residue which has a similar side chain) amino acid residues or nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleotide sequence such that the first and second amino acid or nucleotide sequences share common structural domains and/or a common functional activity.
• amino acid or nucleotide sequences which share at least 40%, preferably 50%, more preferably 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% identity and share a common functional activity are defined herein as sufficiently homologous.
• an apoptotic component retains an apoptotic activity, preferably an apoptotic activity of osteopontin.
• a molecule retains an oncolytic activity.
• the present invention further features isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode the biosynthetic oncolytic molecules of the present invention.
• an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention includes a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an apoptotic domain.
• an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention includes a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a biomodulatory domain.
• nucleic acid molecules that encode biosynthetic molecules or portions thereof (e.g. , a portion encoding a biomodular domain, for example, an apoptotic domain).
• nucleic acid molecule includes DNA molecules (e.g., cD A or genomic DNA) and RNA molecules (e.g., mRNA) and analogs of the DNA or RNA generated using nucleotide analogs.
• the nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA.
• an “isolated” nucleic acid molecule is one which is separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid.
• an “isolated” nucleic acid is free of sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5' and 3' ends of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived.
• the isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain less than about 5 kb, 4kb, 3kb, 2kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb or 0J kb of nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived.
• an "isolated" nucleic acid molecule such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.
• an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleic acid molecule encodes at least an apoptotic domain of osteopontin (e.g., amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NOJ).
• an isolated nucleic acid molecules encodes the biosynthetic molecules of any of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:8.
• An exemplary nucleic acid is set forth as SEQ ID NO:7.
• the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence).
• the amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared.
• a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are homologous at that position (i.e., as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid "homology” is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid "identity").
• the determination of percent homology between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm.
• a preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of two sequences is the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-68, modified as in Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol.
• Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Research 25(17):3389- 3402.
• XBLAST and NBLAST can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
• Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the GCG sequence alignment software package.
• ALIGN program version 2.0
• a nucleic acid of the invention, or portion thereof, can be amplified using cDNA, mRNA or alternatively, genomic DNA, as a template and appropriate oligonucleotide primers according to standard PCR amplification techniques.
• the nucleic acid so amplified can be cloned into an appropriate vector and characterized by DNA sequence analysis.
• oligonucleotides can be prepared by standard synthetic techniques, e.g., using an automated DNA synthesizer.
• Probes/primers for use in the present invention typically comprises substantially purified oligonucleotide.
• the oligonucleotide typically comprises a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to at least about 12, preferably about 25, more preferably about 40, 50 or 75 consecutive nucleotides of a sense sequence encoding SEQ ID NOJ.
• a nucleic acid fragment encoding a "biologically active" portion of a biosynthetic molecule of the present invention can be prepared by isolating a portion of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide having a biological activity of the naturally-occurring protein from which the portion was derived, expressing the encoded portion of the naturally-occurring protein (e.g., by recombinant expression in vitro) and assessing the activity of the encoded portion of the naturally-occurring protein.
• a "naturally-occurring" nucleic acid molecule refers to an RNA or DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that occurs in nature (e.g., encodes a natural protein).
• the invention further encompasses nucleic acid molecules that differ due to degeneracy of the genetic code but encode the same biosynthetic molecules (e.g., encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:8).
• nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be altered by mutation into the nucleotide sequences encoding such amino acid sequences thereby leading to changes in the amino acid sequence of the encoded biosynthetic molecule without altering function.
• nucleotide substitutions leading to amino acid substitutions (particularly conservative amino acid substitutions) at "non-essential" amino acid residues can be made in the encoding nucleic acid sequence.
• a "non- essential" amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the sequence (e.g., amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NOJ) without altering the biological activity, whereas an "essential" amino acid residue is required for biological activity.
• an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein which is at least about 60% homologous to amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NO:2.
• the protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule is at least about 65-70%) homologous to amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NOJ, more preferably at least about 75-80%) homologous to amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NOJ, even more preferably at least about 85-90% homologous to amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID NOJ, and most preferably at least about 95% homologous to amino acids 147 to 170 of SEQ ID OJ.
• conservative amino acid substitutions are made at one or more predicted non-essential amino acid residues.
• a "conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art.
• amino acids with basic side chains e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine
• acidic side chains e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid
• uncharged polar side chains e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine
• nonpolar side chains e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan
• beta-branched side chains e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine
• aromatic side chains e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine
• a predicted nonessential amino acid residue is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family.
• mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of a coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for biological activity to identify mutants that retain activity. Following mutagenesis of a nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NOJ, the newly-encoded protein can be expressed recombinantly and the activity of the protein can be determined.
• biosynthetic molecules of the present invention are produced by recombinant DNA techniques.
• a biosynthetic molecule can be synthesized chemically using standard peptide synthesis techniques.
• an “isolated” or “purified” biosynthetic molecule is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the molecule is derived, or substantially free from chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.
• the language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations in which the recombinant molecule is separated from cellular components of the cells from which it is isolated or recombinantly produced.
• the language "substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of non-biosynthetic molecule (also referred to herein as a "contaminating material”), more preferably less than about 20% of contaminating material, still more preferably less than about 10% of contaminating material, and most preferably less than about 5% contaminating material.
• non-biosynthetic molecule also referred to herein as a "contaminating material”
• the biosynthetic molecules of the present invention are recombinantly produced, it is also preferably substantially free of culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about 20%), more preferably less than about 10%, and most preferably less than about 5% of the volume of the preparation.
• the language “substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals” includes preparations in which the biosynthetic molecule is separated from chemical precursors or other chemicals which are involved in the synthesis of the molecule.
• the language “substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals” includes preparations having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of chemical precursors or contaminating chemicals, more preferably less than about 20% chemical precursors or contaminating chemicals, still more preferably less than about 10% chemical precursors or contaminating chemicals, and most preferably less than about 5% chemical precursors or contaminating chemicals.
• Biosynthetic portions of a biosynthetic molecule of the present invention include molecules sufficiently homologous to or derived from the biosynthetic molecules of the present invention, e.g., the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOJ, which include less amino acids than the full length polypeptide, and exhibit at least one activity of the full-length polypeptide.
• biologically active portions comprise a domain or motif with at least one activity of the full-length polypeptide.
• a biologically active portion can be a polypeptide which is, for example, 10, 25, 50, 100 or more amino acids in length.
• the invention also provides chimeric or fusion proteins.
• chimeric protein or “fusion protein” includes a first polypeptide (e.g., an osteopontin-derived polypeptide) operatively linked to a second polypeptide (e.g., a non-osteopontin-derived polypeptide).
• An "osteopontin-derived polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence derived from osteopontin
• a “non-osteopontin-derived polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a protein which is not substantially homologous to osteopontin.
• the first polypeptide can correspond to all or a portion of osteopontin.
• a fusion protein comprises at least one biologically active portion of osteopontin.
• a fusion protein comprises at least two biologically active portions of osteopontin.
• the term "operatively linked" is intended to indicate that the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are fused in-frame to each other.
• the first polypeptide can be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the second polypeptide.
• the fusion protein is a GST-fusion protein in which the polypeptide sequences of interest (e.g., apoptotic domain sequences) are fused to the C-terminus of the GST sequences.
• the fusion protein contains a heterologous signal sequence at its N-terminus.
• the native osteopontin signal sequence i.e., about amino acids 1 to 16 of SEQ ID NOJ
• expression and/or secretion of fusion proteins can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence.
• the fusion protein is an immunoglobulin fusion protein in which the sequences of interest (e.g., apoptotic domain sequences) are fused to sequences derived from a member of the immunoglobulin protein family.
• Soluble derivatives have also been made of cell surface glycoproteins in the immunoglobulin gene superfamily consisting of an extracellular domain of the cell surface glycoprotein fused to an immunoglobulin constant (Fc) region (see e.g., Capon et al. (1989) Nature 337:525-531 and Capon U.S. Patents 5,116,964 and 5,428,130 [CD4-IgGl constructs]; Linsley et al. (1991) J. Exp. Med.
• Fc immunoglobulin constant
• the immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a subject and may be useful therapeutically for the modulation of cellular apoptosis. Moreover, the immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be used as immunogens to produce antibodies in a subject, to purify ligands and in screening assays.
• a chimeric or fusion protein of the invention is produced by standard recombinant DNA techniques.
• DNA fragments coding for the different polypeptide sequences are ligated together in-frame in accordance with conventional techniques, for example by employing blunt-ended or stagger-ended termini for ligation, restriction enzyme digestion to provide for appropriate termini, filling-in of cohesive ends as appropriate, alkaline phosphatase treatment to avoid undesirable joining, and enzymatic ligation.
• the fusion gene can be synthesized by conventional techniques including automated DNA synthesizers.
• PCR amplification of gene fragments can be carried out using anchor primers which give rise to complementary overhangs between two consecutive gene fragments which can subsequently be annealed and reamplified to generate a chimeric gene sequence (see, for example, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, eds. Ausubel et al. John Wiley & Sons: 1992).
• many expression vectors are commercially available that already encode a fusion moiety (e.g., a GST polypeptide).
• a nucleic acid encoding a domain of interest e.g., apoptotic domain sequences
• vectors preferably expression vectors, containing a nucleic acid encoding a domain of interest (e.g., apoptotic domain sequences).
• vector refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked.
• plasmid refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be ligated.
• viral vector is another type of vector, wherein additional DNA segments can be ligated into the viral genome.
• Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g.
• bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors are integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome.
• certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as "expression vectors".
• expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids.
• plasmid and vector can be used interchangeably as the plasmid is the most commonly used form of vector.
• the invention is intended to include such other forms of expression vectors, such as viral vectors (e.g. , replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses), which serve equivalent functions.
• the recombinant expression vectors of the invention comprise a nucleic acid of the invention in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell, which means that the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory sequences, selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, which is operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed.
• "operably linked" means that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory sequence(s) in a manner which allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e.g., in an in vitro transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell).
• regulatory sequence includes promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel; Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, CA (1990). Regulatory sequences include those which direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cell and those which direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells (e.g. , tissue-specific regulatory sequences). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, etc.
• the expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce proteins or peptides, including fusion proteins or peptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein.
• the recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells.
• recombinant proteins can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells (using baculovirus expression vectors) yeast cells or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, CA (1990).
• the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.
• Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, usually to the amino tenninus of the recombinant protein.
• Such fusion vectors typically serve three purposes: 1) to increase expression of recombinant protein; 2) to increase the solubility of the recombinant protein; and 3) to aid in the purification of the recombinant protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification.
• aproteolytic cleavage site is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein.
• enzymes, and their cognate recognition sequences include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase.
• Typical fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc; Smith, D.B. and Johnson, K.S.
• GST glutathione S-transferase
• Suitable inducible non-fusion E. coli expression vectors include pTrc (Amann et al., (1988) Gene 69:301-315) and pET l id (Studier et al, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, California (1990) 60-89).
• Target gene expression from the pTrc vector relies on host RNA polymerase transcription from a hybrid trp-lac fusion promoter.
• Target gene expression from the pET l id vector relies on transcription from a T7 gnlO-lac fusion promoter mediated by a co-expressed viral RNA polymerase (T7 gnl). This viral polymerase is supplied by host strains BL21(DE3) or HMS174(DE3) from a resident ⁇ prophage harboring a T7 gnl gene under the transcriptional control of the lacUN 5 promoter.
• One strategy to maximize recombinant protein expression in E. coli is to express the protein in a host bacteria with an impaired capacity to proteolytically cleave the recombinant protein (Gottesman, S., Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, California (1990) 119-128).
• Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in E. coli (Wada et al., (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20:2111-2118).
• Such alteration of nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be carried out by standard D ⁇ A synthesis techniques.
• the expression vector is a yeast expression vector.
• yeast expression vectors for expression in yeast S. cerivisae include pYepSecl (Baldari, et al., (1987) Embo J. 6:229-234), pMFa (Kurjan and Herskowitz, (1982) Cell 30:933- 943), pJRY88 (Schultz et al., (1987) Gene 54:113-123), pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San Diego, CA), and picZ (InNitrogen Corp, San Diego, CA).
• recombinant proteins can be expressed in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors.
• Baculovirus vectors available for expression of proteins in cultured insect cells include the pAc series (Smith et al. (1983) Mol. Cell Biol. 3:2156-2165) and the pVL series (Lucklow and Summers (1989) Virology 170:31-39).
• a nucleic acid of the invention is expressed in mammalian cells using a mammalian expression vector.
• mammalian expression vectors include pCDM8 (Seed, B. (1987) Nature 329:840) andpMT2PC (Kaufman et al. (1987) EMBOJ. 6:187-195).
• the expression vector's control functions are often provided by viral regulatory elements.
• commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, Adenovirus 2, cytomegalovirus and Simian Virus 40.
• suitable expression systems for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells see chapters 16 and 17 of Sambrook, J., Fritsh, E.
• the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e.g. , tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid).
• tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art.
• suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific; Pinkert et al. (1987) Genes Dev. 1 :268-277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton (1988) Adv.
• T cell receptors Winoto and Baltimore (1989) EMBO J. 8:729-733
• immunoglobulins Bonerji et al. (1983) Cell 33:729-740; Queen and Baltimore (1983) Cell 33:741-748
• neuron-specific promoters e.g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle (1989) ENJS 86:5473-5477
• pancreas-specific promoters ⁇ dlund et al. (1985) Science 230:912-916)
• mammary gland-specific promoters e.g., milk whey promoter; U.S. Patent No.
• promoters are also encompassed, for example the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss (1990) Science 249:374-379) and the ⁇ -fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman (1989) Genes Dev. 3:537-546).
• the invention further provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA molecule of the invention cloned into the expression vector in an antisense orientation. That is, the DNA molecule is operatively linked to a regulatory sequence in a manner which allows for expression (by transcription of the DNA molecule) of an RNA molecule which is antisense to oncostatin mRNA.
• Regulatory sequences operatively linked to a nucleic acid cloned in the antisense orientation can be chosen which direct the continuous expression of the antisense RNA molecule in a variety of cell types, for instance viral promoters and/or enhancers, or regulatory sequences can be chosen which direct constitutive, tissue specific or cell type specific expression of antisense RNA.
• the antisense expression vector can be in the form of a recombinant plasmid, phagem ⁇ d or attenuated virus in which antisense nucleic acids are produced under the control of a high efficiency regulatory region, the activity of which can be determined by the cell type into which the vector is introduced.
• a high efficiency regulatory region the activity of which can be determined by the cell type into which the vector is introduced.
• a host cell can be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell.
• oncostatin protein can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells).
• bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells).
• mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells.
• Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art.
• Vector DNA can be introduced into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells via conventional transformation or transfection techniques.
• transformation and “transfection” are intended to refer to a variety of art-recognized techniques for introducing foreign nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) into a host cell, including calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, D ⁇ A ⁇ -dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Suitable methods for transforming or transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook, et al. (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1989), and other laboratory manuals.
• a gene that encodes a selectable marker (e.g., resistance to antibiotics) is generally introduced into the host cells along with the gene of interest.
• selectable markers include those which confer resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin and methotrexate.
• Nucleic acid encoding a selectable marker can be introduced into a host cell on the same vector as that encoding recombinant proteins or can be introduced on a separate vector.
• Cells stably transfected with the introduced nucleic acid can be identified by drug selection (e.g., cells that have incorporated the selectable marker gene will survive, while the other cells die).
• a host cell of the invention such as a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell in culture, can be used to produce (i.e., express) recombinant protein.
• the invention further provides methods for producing recombinant protein using the host cells of the invention.
• the method comprises culturing the host cell of invention (into which a recombinant expression vector encoding recombinant protein has been introduced) in a suitable medium such that the recombinant protein is produced.
• the method further comprises isolating the recombinant protein from the medium or the host cell.
• compositions suitable for administration typically comprise the nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the compositions is contemplated.
• a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration.
• routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration.
• Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.
• a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents
• antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens
• antioxidants
• compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion.
• suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor ELTM (BASF, Parsippany, NJ) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists.
• the carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyetheylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof.
• the proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants.
• Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like.
• isotonic agents for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition.
• Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.
• Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (e.g., a oncostatin protein or anti-oncostatin antibody) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization.
• the active compound e.g., a oncostatin protein or anti-oncostatin antibody
• dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above.
• the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.
• Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They can be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally and swished and expectorated or swallowed. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition.
• the tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.
• a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin
• an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch
• a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes
• a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide
• the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.
• a suitable propellant e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.
• Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means.
• penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation.
• penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives..
• Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories.
• the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.
• the compounds can also be prepared in the form of suppositories (e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.
• suppositories e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides
• retention enemas for rectal delivery.
• the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems.
• a controlled release formulation including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems.
• Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation and Nova
• Liposomal suspensions can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,522,811. It is especially advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage.
• Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.
• the specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.
• Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population).
• the dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50.
• Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.
• the data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans.
• the dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity.
• the dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized.
• the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays.
• a dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture.
• IC50 i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms
• levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.
• the nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be inserted into vectors and used as gene therapy vectors.
• Gene therapy vectors can be delivered to a subject by, for example, intravenous injection, local administration (see U.S. Patent 5,328,470) or by stereotactic injection (see e.g., Chen et al. (1994) ENJS 91 :3054-3057).
• the pharmaceutical preparation of the gene therapy vector can include the gene therapy vector in an acceptable diluent, or can comprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded.
• the pharmaceutical preparation can include one or more cells which produce the gene delivery system.
• compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.
• the present invention provides for both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating subjects (e.g., human subjects).
• the invention provides a method for preventing in a subject prophylactically.
• Administration of a agent prophylactically can occur prior to the manifestation of symptoms of an undesired disease or disorder, such that the disease or disorder is prevented or, alternatively, delayed in its progression.
• the prophylactic methods of the present invention can be carried out in a similar manner to therapeutic methods described herein, although dosage and treatment regimes may differ.
• Another aspect of the invention pertains to methods for treating a subject therapeutically.
• the present invention includes methods of modulating an apoptotic response.
• modulation of an apoptotic response includes, but is not limited to, modulation of cellular chromatin structure, modulation of cell viability, or modulation of cell lysis.
• a preferred embodiment of the invention involves modulation of apoptosis, in particular, promotion of programmed cell death. Accordingly, the present method has therapeutic utility in eliminating abnormal or unwanted cells.
• Such a modulatory method is particularly useful in diseases such as cancer, and in inflammatory diseases characterized by the hyperactivation of macrophages, e.g. arthritis.
• the modulatory method of the invention involves contacting a cell with an agent that modulates one or more of the activities associated with an apoptotic response.
• a cell contacted with a biosynthetic oncolytic molecule of the present invention is present within a subject.
• Contacting cells within a subject can be accomplished by direct administration of the biosynthetic molecule or by retro viral delivery of the molecule as exemplified in Examples 3-5, or by any art-recognized means for introducing or expressing polypeptides within a subject.
• Example 1 A first generation osteopontin-derived biosynthetic molecule, oncolysin N, was engineered based on the isolation of a domain of osteopontin sufficient to impart pro- apoptotic activity when isolated away from the naturally-occurring osteopontin polypeptide.
• the oncolysin N molecule was designed to include the following domains: (1) a signal sequence (i.e., signal peptide), derived in this instance from the native osteopontin amino acid sequence (i.e., amino acids 1-16 of the human osteopontin-B amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ); (2) a golgi processing domain derived from the native osteopontin amino acid sequence (i.e., amino acids 17- 30 of the human osteopontin-B amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ); (3) a pro-apoptotic domain comprising contiguous amino acid residues of human osteopontin- B sufficient to induce apoptosis (i.e., amino acids 147-170 of the human osteopontin-B amino acid sequence set forth as SEQ ID NOJ) yet lacking additional osteopontin-B sequences which are unnecessary for apoptotic activity, or alternatively decrease pro- apoptotic activity, of the biosynthetic molecule; and (4) two link
• the signal sequence and golgi processing domain optimize synthesis, processing through the golgi and secretion of the biosynthetic oncolysin N molecule.
• the linker domains force independent folding of the functional domains.
• the signal sequence of oncolysin N is cleaved between gly 17 and gly 18 of SEQ ID NO :4 with the mature polypeptide having the N-terminal sequence GGPGIPVK (corresponding to amino acids 18-25 of SEQ ID NO:4).
• the oncolysin N molecule termed a "first generation" biosynthetic oncolytic molecule, has the ability to modulate apoptotic responses, in particular, the ability to promote cellular apoptosis.
• native osteopontin-B has no apoptotic activity
• certain N-terminal osteopontin bioactive fragments have the ability to at least partially induce apoptosis (i. e. , the N- terminal osteopontin a and osteopontin b sequences, OPN-a/nt and OPN-b/nt, set forth in Figure 1B-C and SEQ ID NOs:2-3, respectively).
• the biosynthetic oncolysin N molecule was likewise at least partially effective at inducing apoptosis. Induction of apoptotic activity can be performed according to any one of a number of art-recognized assays.
• An exemplary assay is set forth below, i.e., the induction of apoptosis by a osteopontin-derived biosynthetic molecule, oncolysin N, in a metastatic tumor cell line.
• Cells are grown in culture and treated with varying doses of exogenous oncolysin
• Apoptosis is determined by flow cytometric analysis according to the uptake of propidium iodide.
• Cells are harvested in phosphate buffered saline containing 5 mM EDTA and fixed in 50%> ethanol for 30 minutes.
• RNA is removed by treatment with 40 ⁇ M RNAse A for 30 minutes at room temperature, and cells are incubated with 100 ⁇ g/mL propidium iodide in phosphate buffered saline containing 5 mM EDTA.
• DNA cleavage in apoptotic cells is assessed by flow cytometric analysis, as cells containing hypodiploid nuclei bind less propidium iodide than intact nuclei.
• Cellular apoptosis can also be determined using standard criteria in the art such as nuclear condensation, chromatin fragmentation, and viability as assessed by Trypan blue exclusion.
• This example describes the engineering of two "second generation” biosynthetic oncolytic molecules based on the structure and activity of oncolysin N.
• two second generation biosynthetic oncolytic molecules were generated from oncolysin N, oncolysin 1 (also referred to herein as "Sophin C") and oncolysin 2.
• oncolysin 2 a synthetic collagen binding domain was engineered at the C terminus of oncolysin N.
• the amino acid sequence of oncolysin 2 is set forth as SEQ ID NO:6.
• Cellular apoptosis assays are as described in example 1. Oncolysin 2 was more effective at promoting apoptosis than oncolysin N.
• a synthetic heparin binding domain includes at least one, preferably two, more preferably three, four, five or six heparin binding motifs having the formula arg-xaa-basic residue-basic residue, preferably, arg-xaa-(arg or lys)-(arg or lys).
• Exemplary heparin binding motifs include RXRR, RXKK, RXRK and RXKR.
• Consecutive heparin binding motifs are preferably separated by any two amino acids, i.e., are separated by xaa-xaa.
• oncolysin 1 /Sophin C having the two heparin binding motifs, RSKK and RGRR
• SEQ ID NO:5 The amino acid sequence of oncolysin 1 /Sophin C (having the two heparin binding motifs, RSKK and RGRR) is set forth as SEQ ID NO:5.
• a second receptor for example, CD44 or a growth factor receptor (e.g. , a growth factor receptor such as an EGF-R or hbGF-R).
• An exemplary misligated receptor is her-2, which is expressed by breast cancer cells, making the hereindescribed biosynthetic oncolytic molecules effective against breast cancer cells.
• Example 3 This example demonstrates the production of a retroviral expression vector allowing for the stable induction of high levels of oncolysin 1 /Sophin C expression in mammalian hosts, both in vitro and in vivo.
• Oncolysin was cloned into a 9 kb retroviral Tet - On expression vector. These vectors are designed for high level stable expression in mammalian hosts.
• the retroviral Tet-inducible vector produces infectious, replication - incompetent retrovirus that can be used to introduce a gene of interest into a wide variety of mammalian cell types in vitro and in vivo.
• the highly efficient transduction machinery of retroviruses can stably integrate the cloned gene into the host genome of nearly all mitotically active cells.
• the tetracycline (Tc) controlled transactivator and the reverse Tc controlled tranactivator (rtTA) are expressed from the same integrated retroviral construct containing the gene of interest .
• RtTA binds the TRE and activates transcription in the presence of Doxycycline.
• the gene of interest e.g., the insert sequence set forth in Figure 2B
• MCS multiple cloning site
• the TRE consists of seven copies of the 42 - bp TeTO sequence, and is located just upstream of the minimal immediate early promoter of cytomegalovirus (PminCMV).
• mice were injected subcutaneously into the left flank of nude mice. After six weeks the resulting tumors was aseptically dissected out, minced and lmm-tumor pieces were transplanted into the right flank of nude mice using a trocar needle. One weeks later, when tumors measured approximately 10 mm, mice were assigned to different experimental groups. One set of 24 animals bearing MDA-MB-231 xenografts were divided into 3 groups that received the following treatments: A first group of 8 animals were injected with pRetro-oncolysin (lxl 0 6 viral particles).
• Body weight was measured on the day of the injection, 4 days later and weekly thereafter.
• blood samples were collected from the tail vein using the UnopetteTM micro-collection kit.
• Total leukocyte and platelet counts were determined manually using a hemocytometer.
• Blood smears stained with the Hema3TM kit were used for assessing absolute numbers of granulocytes and lymphocytes.
• Treatment-related toxicity was evaluated based on the differences in body weight, liver and kidney marker enzymes, and hematological parameters between treatment groups. 20 weeks after treatment, animals were killed by decapitation under anesthesia. Tumors were dissected, weighed and snap-frozen for caspase enzyme determination. In some cases, the tumors were fixed, and examined histologically.

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