Methods and compositions for reducing amyloid beta levels

US7951367B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES · US

Inventors

• Li Gan · Ebikon, CH
• Lennart Mucke · San Francisco, US
• Erik Roberson · Vestavia Hills, US
• Sarah Mueller-Steiner · Schlieren, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2007
• Grant date: May 31, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2799/06
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of increasing cathepsin B-induced cleavage of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in a cell or tissue, the method generally involving contacting the cell or tissue with an agent that increases the level of cathepsin B in the cell or tissue. The present invention further provides variant cathepsin B polypeptides that are resistant to inhibition by a cysteine protease inhibitor; as well as nucleic acids encoding the variants, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids.