Methods and reagents for inhibiting furin endoprotease
US6022855A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K38/00
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to method and reagents for inhibiting furin endoprotease activity and specifically for inhibiting furin endoprotease-mediated maturation of bioactive proteins in vivo and in vitro. The invention specifically provides proteins capable of inhibiting furin endoprotease activity. Particularly provided are .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin variants that specifically inhibit furin endoprotease activity. Methods for using furin endoprotease inhibition to attenuate or prevent viral protein maturation, and thereby alleviate viral infections, are provided. Also provided are methods for using furin endoprotease inhibition to attenuate or prevent proteolytic processing of bacterial toxins, thereby alleviating bacterial infections. Methods are also provided to inhibit proteolytic processing of biologically active proteins and peptides. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of therapeutically effective amounts of furin endoprotease inhibitors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.