Methods and compositions for the preparation and use of a herpes protease
US5478727A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/815
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to the identification and purification of a herpes protease and a nucleic acid segment coding for two proteins. The first protein is the herpes protease which is able to cleave itself and also cleave the second protein. This protease is required for the assembly of the herpes virus capsid, therefore is essential for replication. The second protein has previously been designated as the family of proteins in viral infected cells, ICP35. The protease and its substrates are encoded by overlapping nucleic acid segments. This invention also relates to a promoter sequence for the second protein. Methods are presented of producing a viral protease, screening a protease inhibitor which may be used in a drug designed for the treatment of herpes disease, methods for treating herpes and other viral infections wherein the virus employs a protease substantially similar to the herpes protease, for capsid production. Methods for detecting herpes infections and other viral infections are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.