IP Library Granted Patent US 12662517
Granted Patent B2
US 12662517 · App. 17/927,337 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Methods and compositions to spread protein cargoes across multi-nucleated cells

Inventors: Eric Tzy-shi Wang (Gainesville, FL); Keril K. Poukalov (Gainesville, FL); Zane Zeier (Miami, FL)
Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated; University of Miami
C07K14/4707A61K48/0058C12N15/86C07K2319/09C07K2319/095C12N2750/14122C12N2750/14143
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12662517
App. No.
17/927,337
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and compositions useful for delivering a protein to a plurality of nuclei in a cell. Fusion proteins comprising one or more signals useful for promoting delivery of the proteins to a plurality of nuclei in a multinucleate cell. Methods comprising administering isolated nucleic acids to a multinucleate cell, wherein the isolated nucleic acid comprises a sequence encoding a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising, a protein of interest fused to at least the following migration signals: (a) at least one nuclear export signal (NFS); and (b) at least one nuclear localization signal (NLS) and/or at least one nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). Fusion proteins comprising: (a) a protein of interest; and (b) at least the following migration signals: (i) a nuclear export signal (NFS); (ii) a nuclear localization signal (NLS); and (iii) a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). Methods of making and using the same. Methods of delivering recombinant genes and/or fusion proteins to multinucleate cells.

Claims (18)

1 . A method comprising administering an isolated nucleic acid to a multinucleate cell, wherein the isolated nucleic acid comprises a sequence encoding a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising, a protein of interest fused to at least the following migration signals:

(a) at least one nuclear export signal (NES); and

(b) at least one nuclear localization signal (NLS) and/or at least one nucleolar localization signal (NoLS),

wherein the protein of interest comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 13.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fusion protein further comprises at least one additional migration signal, wherein the additional migration signal may be identical or distinct from the migration signals used in claim 1 , or wherein the fusion protein further comprises at least two additional migration signals, wherein the additional migration signals may be identical or distinct from the migration signals used in claim 1 .

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid encodes a fusion protein wherein at least one of the migration signals is positioned at the C-terminus of the protein of interest or at the N-terminus of the protein of interest.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protein of interest carries RNA.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the protein of interest is used to treat Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the isolated nucleic acid is flanked by adeno-associated virus (AAV) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs).

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multinucleate cell is a skeletal muscle cell.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multinucleate cell is a liver cell.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is administered to a subject, optionally wherein the subject is mammalian.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has a disorder, optionally wherein the disorder is Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the migration signals is linked to the protein of interest via a linker.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the migration signals comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 95% identity to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-6 or 14-570.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the migration signals comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 3.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the migration signals comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the migration signals comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.