University of Pittsburgh

Raymond Frizzell

Paul David Robbins

Zhibao Mi

Joseph C Glorioso

Andrea Gambotto

Fei Sun

The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing channel activity to the mutant cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR). The compositions of the invention comprise polypeptides containing CFTR sub-domains that are designed to mimic the folding defect of the full length mutant CFTR proteins, resulting in competitive binding to cytoplasmic chaperones such as Hsc/Hsp70 and Hdj2. The methods of the invention comprise transduction, or recombinant expression, of CFTR polypeptides in a cell expressing mutant CFTR. The presence of the CFTR polypeptide results in a dominant effect whereby the CFTR polypeptide competes with the endogenously expressed mutant CFTR for binding to cytoplasmic chaperones such as Hsc/Hsp70 and Hdj2. Mutant CFTR proteins include, but are not limited to, &#x394;F508 CFTR. The present invention is based on the discovery that reduced binding of cytoplasmic chaperones to the endogenous &#x394;F508 CFTR, mediated by the presence of CFTR polypeptides, results in restoration of plasma membrane localization and channel activity. The methods and compositions of the invention can be used to restore channel activity in cystic fibrosis subjects carrying genetic defects in the CFTR gene, such as for example, &#x394;F508 CFTR.

Polypeptides for increasing mutant CFTR channel activity

The present invention relates to internalizing peptides which facilitate the uptake and transport of cargo into the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells as well as methods for the identification of the peptides, and methods of use for the peptides. The internalizing peptides of the present invention are selected for their ability to efficiently internalize cargo into a wide variety of cell types both in vivo and in vitro.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Raymond Frizzell