Cryogenic protection of phosphofructokinase using amino acids and zinc ions
US4897353A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/814
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of protecting soluble proteins such that their biological activity is preserved after freezing by exposing the protein to an amino acid or trimethylamine-N-oxide and transition metal ion prior to freezing. The protected protein can then be thawed without denaturation or impairment of the protein's biological activity. The protein is preferably exposed to the amino acid or trimethylamine-N-oxide by placing it in a 25-100 mM aqueous solution of organic solute and 1 mM Zn.sup.+2. This method is especially effective in preserving the biological activity of fragile proteins such as the enzyme phosphofructokinase. The present method can be used to preserve pharmaceutically useful proteins in a frozen form for storage and distribution. The treated protein can be thawed and administered directly to a user without removing the cryoprotectant since the amino acid or oxide and trace amounts of many transition metal ions are nontoxic.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.