Immunex Corporation

New York Blood Center, Inc.

Thomas P Hopp

Carl J March

Paul J Conlon, Iii

Shirley R Kronheim

Kathryn S Prickett

Susan L Bektesh

Douglas Pat Cerretti

David J Cosman

Kenneth H Grabstein

Virginia L Price

Alf D Larsen

Interleukin 1 has been purified by use of various techniques including ion exchange chromatography and dye-ligand affinity chromatography. By these techniques, interleukin 1 has been purified to homogeneity. The high purification of interleukin 1 has enabled the amino acid composition of this protein to be ascertained and its amino acid sequence to be partially determined.

Homogeneous interleukin 1

Double-stranded cDNA is prepared from polyadenylated RNA extracted from activated human peripheral blood adherent mononuclear cells. The cDNA is inserted within a plasmid vector and then the recombinant plasmid employed to transform an appropriate host. Transformed hosts are identified and grouped into pools. Plasmid DNA prepared from these pools is hybridized with a labeled, synthetic oligonucleotide probe corresponding to a portion of the amino acid sequence of the interleukin 1 protein. Pools of host cells that provide a positive signal to the probe are identified, plated out and then employed in direct bacterial colony hybridization with the same probe, thereby to isolate the particular positive colony. Plasmid DNA is prepared from this colony and characterized by restriction enzyme mapping and sequencing by chain-termination method. The coding region for the IL-1 gene is inserted into a shuttle vector for amplification of the vector followed by expression of functional IL-1.

Gene encoding biologically active human interleukin 1

A synthetic vaccine is contemplated comprising a peptide residue coupled to one or more alkyl or alkenyl groups of at least 12 carbon atoms or other lipophilic substance wherein said peptide residue contains a sequence of 6 amino acids corresponding to the sequence of such amino acids in a protein antigen or allergen where the greatest local average hydrophilicity of the antigen or allergen is found.

Fatty acid carriers for synthetic peptides

A particular calcium-dependent monoclonal antibody, 4E11, is produced from a murine hybridoma cell line and is useful for purifying a recombinant fusion protein having an N-terminal identification peptide DYKDDDDK to which the monoclonal antibody binds.

Hybridoma and monoclonal antibody for use in an immunoaffinity

A process is disclosed for purifying a recombinant fusion protein having an N-terminal identification sequence comprising multiple anionic amino acid residues, comprising forming a complex of the protein with a divalent cation dependent monoclonal antibody specific for the sequence, isolating the complex, and dissociating antibody and protein by selectively depleting the concentration of divalent cations in contact with the complex. A particular calcium-dependent monoclonal antibody, 4E11, is useful in an embodiment of the process which employs the identification peptide DYKDDDDK.

Immunoaffinity purification system

A hybrid polypeptide composed of an identification peptide and a desired functional protein are produced by recombinant DNA techniques. A DNA expression vector is constructed that includes segments of DNA coding for the identification peptide and the desired functional protein. The identification peptide consists of a highly antigenic N-terminal portion and a C-terminal linking portion that connects the identification peptide to the N-terminal of the functional protein. The linking portion of the identification peptide is cleavable at a specific amino acid residue adjacent the functional protein by use of a sequence specific proteolytic enzyme or chemical proteolytic agent. The hybrid polypeptide expressed by the host cells transformed by the cloning vector is removed therefrom and purfied by affinity chromatography techniques by use of an immobilized ligand specific to the antigenic portion of the identification peptide. The protein is then cleaved from the isolated hybrid polypeptide with an appropriate proteolic enzyme or chemical agent, thereby releasing the mature functional protein in highly purified, highly active state.

Synthesis of protein with an identification peptide, and hybrid

A hybrid polypeptide composed of an identification peptide and a desired functional protein are produced by recombinant DNA techniques. A DNA expression vector is constructed that includes segments of DNA coding for the identification peptide and the desired functional protein. The identification peptide consists of a highly antigenic N-terminal portion and a C-terminal linking portion that connects the identification peptide to the N-terminal of the functional protein. The linking portion of the identification peptide is cleavable at a specific amino acid residue adjacent the functional protein by use of a sequence specific proteolytic enzyme or chemical proteolytic agent. The hybrid polypeptide expressed by the host cells transformed by the cloning vector is removed therefrom and purified by affinity chromatography techniques by use of an immobilized ligand specific to the antigenic portion of the identification peptide. The protein is then cleaved from the isolated hybrid polypeptide with an appropriate proteolic enzyme or chemical agent, thereby releasing the mature functional protein in highly purified, highly active state.

Synthesis of protein with an identification peptide

An immunoglobulin is provided which consists essentially of a mono-specific, hetero-molecular antibody which is mono-specific to a single antigenic or allergenic determinant. The antibody is specific to the H-epitope of a protein antigen or allergen. The H-epitope is defined by a sequence of at least six amino acids corresponding to the sequence of such amino acids in the protein antigen or allergen where the greatest local average hydrophilicity of the protein antigen or allergen is found.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Thomas P Hopp