Purified active HCV NS2/3 protease
US7264811B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2500/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for producing a refolded, inactive form of recombinantly produced NS2/3 protease which comprises the steps of: a) purifying the protease from inclusion bodies in the presence of a chaotropic agent; and b) refolding the purified protease by contacting it with a reducing agent and lauryldiethylamine oxide (LDAO) in the presence of reduced concentration of chaotropic agent or polar additive. The invention further comprises a method for activating this refolded inactive NS2/3 protease by adding an activation detergent. This method produces large amounts of the active NS2/3 protease to allow small molecules and ligands to be screened as potential inhibitors of NS2/3 protease, which may be useful as therapeutic agents against HCV.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.