Fusion proteins comprising DP-178 and other viral fusion inhibitor peptides useful for treating aids
The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-retroviral activity. The peptides of the invention comprise DP178 (SEQ ID:1) peptide corresponding to amino acids 638 to 673 of the HIV-1 LAI gp41 protein, and fragments, analogs and homologs of DP178. The invention further relates to the uses of such peptides as inhibitory of human and non-human retroviral, especially HIV, transmission to uninfected cells.
1. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group; and
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
2. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:210 having from 1 to 22 contiguous amino acids truncated from its amino terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
3. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:210 having from 1 to 22 contiguous amino acids truncated from its carboxy terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
4. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:210 having from 1 to 22 contiguous amino acids truncated from its amino terminus and from 1 to 22 contiguous amino acids truncated from its carboxy terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
5. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 160 having from 1 to 7 contiguous amino acids truncated from its amino terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
6. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:160 having from 1 to 13 contiguous amino acids truncated from its carboxy terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
7. A fusion protein comprising a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived peptide, wherein:
(a) the macromolecular carrier group comprises a peptide group;
(b) the gp41-derived peptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 160 having from 1 to 7 contiguous amino acids truncated from its amino terminus and from 1 to 13 contiguous amino acids truncated from its carboxy terminus,
wherein the fusion protein exhibits anti-HIV activity.
8. The fusion protein of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 or 7 , wherein the peptide group comprises a polypeptide.
9. A recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 or 7 .