Patent · US Expired

Epithelins: novel cysteine-rich growth modulating proteins

US5416192A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
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Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1991
Grant dateMay 16, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61K38/00
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A novel family of growth regulatory proteins termed "epithelins" are described. The epithelins comprise several distinct members sharing significant structural homology. Two members of the epithelin family, epithelin 1 and epithelin 2, have been purified from natural sources. In addition, cDNA and PCR clones encoding mature and precursor epithelins from various chordate sources have been obtained and sequenced, including the complete human, mouse and rat epithelin precursors. The recombinant expression of rat epithelin precursor and mature forms is described. Purified epithelin 1 is a bifunctional growth regulator, capable of stimulating the growth of some cell types while inhibiting the growth of others. Purified epithelin 2 is functionally similar to epithelin 1 with respect to growth inhibitory bioactivity. In contrast, however, epithelin 2 is apparently not capable of eliciting the growth stimulatory activity characteristic of epithelin 1 and, in fact, antagonizes this epithelin 1 activity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.