Ohio University

Oncolix, Inc.

Wen Y Chen

John J Kopchick

The present invention relates to DNA molecules which encode antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of at least the amino acid corresponding to Glu-119 in bovine growth hormone. The DNA molecules may be used to express the antagonists, either in cell culture, or in the cells of the patient of interest. The antagonist so expressed may be used to inhibit GH activity in a subject.

DNA encoding growth hormone antagonists

The present invention relates to antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of the third alpha helix of such proteins (especially bovine or human GHs). These mutants-have growth-inhibitory or other GH-antagonizing effects. These novel hormones may be administered exogenously to animals, or transgenic animals may be made that express the antagonist. Animals have been made which exhibited a reduced growth phenotype. The invention also describes methods of treating acromegaly, gigantism, cancer, diabetes, vascular eye diseases (diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of sickle-cell anemia, etc.) as well as nephropathy and other diseases, by administering an effective amount of a growth hormone antagonist. The invention also provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more growth hormone antagonists.

Methods for treating acromegaly and giantism with growth hormone antagonists

The present invention relates to antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of the third alpha helix of such proteins (especially bovine or human GHs). These mutants have growth-inhibitory or other GH-antagonizing effects. These novel hormones may be administered exogenously to mammals. The antagonists may be used to reduce the activity of growth hormone in a mammal, especially one suffering from diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, a growth hormone secreting tumor, acromegaly, or gigantism.

Growth hormone receptor antagonists and methods of reducing growth

The present invention relates to antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of the third alpha helix of such proteins (especially bovine or human GHs). These mutants have growth inhibitory or other GH-antagonizing effects. These novel hormones may be administered exogenously to animals, or transgenic animals may be made that express the antagonist. Animals have been made which exhibited a reduced growth phenotype.

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Athens, OH, United States of America

Wen Y Chen