Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series – Organic compounds – Carbohydrates or derivatives
Patent
1997-04-30
2000-02-01
Cunningham, Thomas M.
Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
Organic compounds
Carbohydrates or derivatives
435 691, 435 711, 4353201, 435455, C07H 2104, C12N 1563, C12N 1500
Patent
active
06020477&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a DNA sequence coding for a new human protein Tx related to the interleukin-1beta converting enzyme, the protein Tx, their production process, the pharmaceutical compositions containing it and their uses as medicaments.
Interleukin-1beta (IL-1.beta.) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of multiple acute or chronic inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory illnesses of the intestines or the septic shock (Dinarello et al., 1992, Immunological Reviews, 127, 119-146).
The human monocytes and macrophages synthesize IL-1.beta. in the form of an inactive precursor of 31 kDa (pIL-1.beta.). The pIL-1.beta. does not have the conventional signal sequence and can only be secreted efficiently by the cell after cleavage between the aspartic acid 116 and the alanine 117. This cleavage, which generates the active IL-1.beta. form of 17 kDa, is carried out by a specific enzyme called interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) (Thornberry et al., 1992, Nature, 356, 768-774; Cerretti et al., 1992, Science, 256, 97-100). This enzyme has been characterized and cloned in man and in mice (Nett et al., 1992, Journal of Immunology, 149, 3254-3259; Molineaux et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, 1809-1813). It is a unique cysteine protease which has no homology with other known thiol-proteases. It also possesses a particular specificity for certain Asp-X peptide bonds of pIL-1.beta..
The ICE enzyme is composed of two sub-units of 20 kDa (p20) and 10 kDa (p10) whose combination is necessary for enzymatic activity. These sub-units originate from the proteolytic cleavage of a pro-enzyme form of 45 kDa (p45). The ICE enzyme itself is capable of cleaving its precursor p45 or the p30 form of 30 kDa, which does not have the 119 amino acids of the N-terminal part of the pro-enzyme, in the p20 plus the p10 active form. The complete sequence of p45 has been characterized by its cDNA as well as the amino acid sequence (Thornberry et al. already quoted). The characterization of the gene of human ICE has been described (Cerretti et al., 1994, Genomics, 20, 468-473).
Recent work has revealed a possible role of ICE in the regulation of programmed cellular death or apoptosis (Yuan et al., 1993, Cell, 75, 641-652). In fact, ICE has a 28% homology with Ced-3, a protein of C. elegans involved in apoptosis and the superexpression of murine ICE in rat fibroblasts which triggers apoptosis (Miura et al., 1993, Cell, 75, 653-660). Moreover, the expression of the protein crmA, an inhibiting viral serpine of ICE, in ganglioneurons of transfected chickens protects these cells from death by apoptosis induced by the suppression of growth factor (nerve growth factor) (Gagliardini et al., 1994, Science, 263, 826-828). These observations suggest that ICE or homologues of this protein could be involved in the regulation of programmed cellular death observed in particular in degenerative neuronal illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease as well as in cerebral ischemia (Barinaga, M, Science, 259, 762, 1993).
The revelation of new proteins related to ICE playing a role either in the maturation of IL-1.beta. or in apoptosis may contribute to the development of new therapeutic or diagnostic agents in situations in which IL-1.beta. or apoptosis are involved.
The present invention relates to a new human protein Tx which has an approximately 52% homology with the human precursor p45 of ICE and which does not allow the maturation of the precursor of IL-1.beta. into active cytokine. The protein Tx has two unexpected functions: on the one hand, it is a protease and it is in particular capable of cleaving the precursor p30 of ICE into sub-units p10 and p20 and on the other hand, it is capable of inducing apoptosis in cells, for example in transfected Cos cells.
These biological properties allow the use of the protein Tx to be anticipated in the treatment of pathological situations which respond to IL-1.beta. or in which apoptosis occurs.
The present invention also relate
REFERENCES:
patent: 5552536 (1996-09-01), Nicholson et al.
Alnemii et al. Cell 87:171, 1996.
Watson et al Molecular Biology of the Gene Bensamin Cummings Pub. Co. Inc. Menlo Park California 1987 pp. 88-89.
Diu Anita
Faucheu Chi
Hercend Thierry
Lalanne Jean Louis
Livingston David J
Cunningham Thomas M.
Hoechst Marion Roussel
Lubet Martha T.
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