Antigenic structural peptide, antigenic and immunogenic compounds, and uses for detecting, preventing and treating an HCV infection
US6576240B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N2770/24222
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention concerns a structural peptide, identified by antibodies directed against a polypeptide, comprising the 2-45 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal end of the Core or nucleocapsid (p21) protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), excluding any protein or peptide compound comprising or consisting of the N-terminal end. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a tertiary structure consisting of at least a first peptide fragment having a secondary structure in &agr; helix, a second peptide fragment having secondary structure in &agr; helix and a third peptide bond fragment linking the two &agr; helices, these two &agr; helices being substantially perpendicular to each other in space. This peptide can be used for detecting antibodies directed against the p21 protein of HCV, for detecting all of part of the RNA of HCV and for preparing a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic composition for detecting, preventing or treating an HCV infection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.