Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

The Upjohn Co.

Teresa Compton

Adam Lloyd Feire

Mary T Huber

Leonard Edwin Post

Erik Aivars Petrovskis

Jack H Nunberg

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting the entry of viruses, such as herpesviruses into a host cell. A conserved viral integrin-binding gB disintegrin-like domain has been identified that engages integrins and facilitates viral internalization into the host cell. Therefore, methods and compositions, such as antiviral agents encompassing the conserved gB disintegrin-like domain and antibodies thereto are described. These active agents interfere with the interaction between virions and cellular integrins, thereby inhibiting viral infection of a host cell.

Cytomegalovirus disintegrin-like peptides

A method of designing a new anti-CMV drug is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises (a) analyzing the binding of glycoprotein O to a glycoprotein O receptor and (b) designing a candidate drug that would competitively interfere with glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor and (c) showing that the candidate drug competitively inhibits glycoprotein O binding to glycoprotein O receptor. A method of screening anti-CMV drugs, a vaccine effective to diminish CMV infection, and a method of diminishing CMV infection are also disclosed.

Human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein O as a new drug target and subunit vaccine candidate

Methods for isolating thymidine kinase-encoding DNA of a herpes virus are described. These methods utilize degenerate primers based on regions of relatively conserved amino acid sequence in herpes virus thymidine kinase proteins to initiate a polymerase chain reaction which yields large amounts of the thymidine kinase-encoding DNA. The methods are illustrated in the isolation of the thymidine kinase gene of feline herpes virus, which can be used to construct recombinant thymidine kinase-negative feline herpes viruses for purposes of constructing live vaccines and expression vectors. In addition, the regulatory elements of the feline herpes virus thymidine kinase gene are useful in the construction of recombinant DNA vectors.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Teresa Compton