Genetically fused globin-like polypeptides having hemoglobin-like activity

US5844089A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Somatogen, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Stephen J. Hoffman · Denver, US
• Douglas L. Looker · Lafayette, US
• Mary S. Rosendahl · Broomfield, US
• Gary L. Stetler · Denver, US
• Michael Wagenbach · Osaka, JP
• David C. Anderson · San Bruno, US
• Antony J. Mathews · Louisville, US
• Kiyoshi Nagai · Kawagoe, JP

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 1995
• Grant date: Dec 1, 1998
• Expiry date: May 25, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K2319/92
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The alpha subunits of hemoglobin, which in nature are formed as separate polypeptide chains which bind noncovalently to the beta subunits, are here provided in the form of the novel molecule di-alpha globin, a single polypeptide chain defined by connecting the two alpha subunits either directly via peptide bond or indirectly by a flexible amino acid or peptide linker. Di-alpha globin may be combined in vivo or in vitro with beta globin and heme to form hemoglobin. Di-alpha globin is expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. Di-beta globin may be similarly obtained.