Glycopegylated erythropoietin
The present invention provides conjugates between erythropoietin and PEG moieties. The conjugates are linked via an intact glycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently attached to the peptide and the modifying group. The conjugates are formed from glycosylated peptides by the action of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase ligates a modified sugar moiety onto a glycosyl residue on the peptide. Also provided are methods for preparing the conjugates, methods for treating various disease conditions with the conjugates, and pharmaceutical formulations including the conjugates.
1. An erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide, said glycosyl linking group comprising a modified sialyl residue having the formula:
wherein
R 2 is H, CH 2 OR 7 , COOR 7 , COO − , or OR 7 ,
wherein
R 7 represents H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;
R 3 and R 4 are members independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, OR 8 , and NHC(O)R 9
wherein
R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, and sialic acid;
L a is a linker selected from C(O)NH and (CH 2 ) j C(O)NH(CH 2 ) h (CONH), wherein h and j are integers independently selected from 0 to 10;
R 16 and R 17 are polymeric moieties independently selected from poly(amino) acids and PEG;
X 2 and X 4 are linkage fragments independently selected from S, SC(O)NH, HNC(O)S, SC(O)O, O, NH, NHC(O), (O)CNH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NH, CH 2 S, CH 2 O, CH 2 CH 2 O, and CH 2 CH 2 S; and
X 5 is a member selected from H, unsubstituted alkyl, and unsubstituted heteroalkyl.
2. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein said glycosyl linking group comprises a glycosyl group having the formula:
wherein
R 2 is H, CH 2 OR 7 , COOR 7 , COO − , or OR 7 ,
wherein
R 7 represents H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;
R 3 and R 4 are members independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, OR 8 , and NHC(O)R 9
wherein
R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, and sialic acid;
R 16 and R 17 are polymeric moieties independently selected from poly(amino) acids and PEG;
X 2 and X 4 are linkage fragments independently selected from S, SC(O)NH, HNC(O)S, SC(O)O, O, NH, NHC(O), (O)CNH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NH, CH 2 S, CH 2 O, CH 2 CH 2 O, and CH 2 CH 2 S; and
X 5 is a member selected from H, unsubstituted alkyl and unsubstituted heteroalkyl.
3. The peptide according to claim 2 , wherein said glycosyl group has the formula:
in which t is 0 or 1
wherein
R 2 is H, CH 2 OR 7 , COOR 7 , COO − , or OR 7 ,
wherein
R 7 represents H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;
R 3 and R 4 are members independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, OR 8 , and NHC(O)R 9
wherein
R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl and sialic acid;
R 16 and R 17 are polymeric moieties independently selected from poly(amino) acids and PEG;
X 2 and X 4 are linkage fragments independently selected from S, SC(O)NH, HNC(O)S, SC(O)O, O, NH, NHC(O), (O)CNH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NH, CH 2 S, CH 2 O, CH 2 CH 2 O, and CH 2 CH 2 S; and
X 5 is a member selected from H, unsubstituted alkyl, and unsubstituted heteroalkyl.
4. The peptide according to claim 3 , wherein said glycosyl linking group attached to said amino acid residue has the formula:
wherein
AA is an amino acid residue of said peptide.
5. The peptide according to claim 4 , wherein said amino acid residue is a member selected from serine and threonine.
6. The peptide according to claim 5 , wherein said peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
7. The peptide according to claim 6 , wherein said amino acid residue is a serine at position 126 of SEQ ID NO:1.
8. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide comprises at least one said glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue, said glycosyl linking group comprising a glycosyl group having a formula selected from:
wherein
R 15 is said modified sialyl residue; and
p is an integer from 1 to 10.
9. The peptide according to claim 8 , wherein said at least one glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide has a formula selected from:
and combinations thereof
wherein
AA is an amino acid residue of said peptide;
t is an integer equal to 0 or 1;
p is an integer from 1 to 10; and
each R 15′ is a member independently selected from H, OH, sialic acid, said modified sialyl residue and Sia-Sia p
wherein
Sia p is said modified sialyl residue;
wherein at least one R 15′ is a member selected from said modified sialyl residue and Sia-Sia p .
10. The peptide according to claim 9 , wherein said amino acid residue is an asparagine residue.
11. The peptide according to claim 10 , wherein said peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein said amino acid residue is an asparagine residue which is a member selected from N24, N38, N83, and combinations thereof.
12. The peptide according to claim 11 , wherein said glycosyl linking group is attached to N24.
13. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide is erythropoietically active.
14. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide is essentially non-erythropoietically active.
15. The peptide according to claim 14 , wherein said peptide is tissue protective.
16. A method of preparing an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 1 , said method comprising:
(a) contacting a substrate erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl group selected from:
with a PEG-sialic acid donor having the formula:
wherein R 16 and R 17 are independently selected poly(ethylene glycol) moieties,
and an enzyme that transfers PEG-sialic acid from said donor onto a member selected from the Gal and the Sia of said glycosyl group, under conditions appropriate for said transfer.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising, prior to step (a): (b) expressing said substrate erythropoietin peptide in a suitable host.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said host is selected from an insect cell and a mammalian cell.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said insect cell is a Spodoptera frugiperda cell.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein said mammalian cell is a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell.
21. A method of enhancing red blood cell production in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal a peptide according to claim 1 .
22. A method of treating a tissue injury in a subject in need thereof, said injury resulting from ischemia, trauma, inflammation or contact with toxic substances, said method comprising the step of administering to the subject an amount of an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 1 , effective to ameliorate the damage associated with the tissue injury in said subject.
23. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the erythropoietin peptide according to claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
24. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein said modified sialyl residue has a formula, which is a member selected from:
wherein
Q is selected from H and substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl; and
e and f are integers independently selected from 1 to 2500.
25. The peptide according to claim 1 , wherein R 16 and R 17 are independently selected poly(ethylene glycol) moieties.
26. An erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide, said glycosyl linking group comprising a modified sialyl residue having the formula:
wherein
R 2 is a member selected from H, CH 2 OR 7 , COOR 7 , COO − , and OR 7
wherein
R 7 is a member selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;
R 3 and R 4 are members independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, OR 8 , and NHC(O)R 9
wherein
R 8 and R 9 are members independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, and sialic acid;
L a is a linker selected from C(O)NH and (CH 2 ) j C(O)NH(CH 2 ) h (CONH), wherein h and j are integers independently selected from 0 to 10;
R 16 and R 17 are polymeric moieties independently selected from PEG, dextran, amylose, hyalouronic acid, poly(sialic acid), heparans, heparins, and poly(amino acids);
X 2 and X 4 are linkage fragments independently selected from S, SC(O)NH, HNC(O)S, SC(O)O, O, NH, NHC(O), (O)CNH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NH, CH 2 S, CH 2 O, CH 2 CH 2 O, and CH 2 CH 2 S; and
X 5 is a member selected from H, unsubstituted alkyl and unsubstituted heteroalkyl.
27. The peptide according to claim 26 , wherein said polymeric moieties are members independently selected from dextran, amylose, hyalouronic acid, poly(sialic acid), heparans, heparins, poly(aspartic acid) and poly(glutamic acid).
28. The peptide according to claim 26 , wherein said glycosyl linking group comprises a glycosyl group having the formula:
29. The peptide according to claim 28 , wherein said glycosyl group has the formula:
in which t is 0 or 1.
30. The peptide according to claim 29 , wherein said glycosyl linking group attached to said amino acid residue has the formula:
wherein
AA is an amino acid residue of said peptide.
31. The peptide according to claim 30 , wherein said amino acid residue is a member selected from serine and threonine.
32. The peptide according to claim 31 , wherein said peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
33. The peptide according to claim 32 , wherein said amino acid residue is a serine at position 126 of SEQ ID NO:1.
34. The peptide according to claim 26 , wherein said peptide comprises at least one said glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue, said glycosyl linking group comprising a glycosyl group having a formula selected from:
wherein
R 15 is said modified sialyl residue; and
p is an integer from 1 to 10.
35. The peptide according to claim 34 , wherein said at least one glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide has a formula selected from:
and combinations thereof
wherein
AA is an amino acid residue of said peptide;
t is an integer equal to 0 or 1;
p is an integer from 1 to 10; and
each R 15′ is a member independently selected from H, OH, sialic acid, said modified sialyl residue and Sia-Sia p
wherein
Sia p is said modified sialyl residue;
wherein at least one R 15′ is a member selected from said modified sialyl residue and Sia-Sia p .
36. The peptide according to claim 35 , wherein said amino acid residue is an asparagine residue.
37. The peptide according to claim 36 , wherein said peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein said amino acid residue is an asparagine residue which is a member selected from N24, N38, N83, and combinations thereof.
38. The peptide according to claim 37 , wherein said glycosyl linking group is attached to N24.
39. The peptide according to claim 26 , wherein said peptide is erythropoietically active.
40. The peptide according to claim 26 , wherein said peptide is essentially non-erythropoietically active.
41. The peptide according to claim 40 , wherein said peptide is tissue protective.
42. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
43. A method of enhancing red blood cell production in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 .
44. A method of treating a tissue injury in a subject in need thereof, said injury resulting from ischemia, trauma, inflammation or contact with toxic substances, said method comprising the step of administering to the subject an amount of an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 , effective to ameliorate the damage associated with the tissue injury in said subject.
45. A method of treating anemia, comprising administering an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.
46. The method according to claim 45 , wherein said anemia is age related anemia, early anemia of prematurity or anemia associated with a member selected from chronic renal failure, cancer chemotherapy treatment, anti-HIV drug treatment, sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, pregnancy, menstrual disorders, spinal cord injury, space flight and acute blood loss.
47. A method of treating anemia, comprising administering an erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 to a subject in need thereof.
48. The method according to claim 47 , wherein said anemia is age related anemia, early anemia of prematurity or anemia associated with a member selected from chronic renal failure, cancer chemotherapy treatment, anti-HIV drug treatment, sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, pregnancy, menstrual disorders, spinal cord injury, space flight and acute blood loss.
49. An erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide, said glycosyl linking group comprising a sialyl residue covalently linked to the moiety:
wherein
L a is a linker selected from C(O)NH and (CH 2 ) j C(O)NH(CH 2 ) h (CONH), wherein h and j are integers independently selected from 0 to 10;
R 16 and R 17 are polymeric moieties independently selected from poly(amino) acids and PEG;
X 2 and X 4 are linkage fragments independently selected from S, SC(O)NH, HNC(O)S, SC(O)O, O, NH, NHC(O), (O)CNH, NHC(O)O, OC(O)NH, CH 2 S, CH 2 O, CH 2 CH 2 O, and CH 2 CH 2 ; and
X 5 is a member selected from H, unsubstituted alkyh and unsubstituted heteroalkyl.
50. An erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide, said glycosyl linking group comprising a sialyl residue covalently linked to a member selected from:
wherein
L a is a linker selected from C(O)NH and (CH 2 ) j C(O)NH(CH 2 ) h (CONH), wherein h and j are integers independently selected from 0 to 10;
Q is selected from H and substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl;
e and f are integers independently selected from 1 to 2500; and
q is an integer from 0 to 20.
51. An erythropoietin peptide comprising a glycosyl linking group attached to an amino acid residue of said peptide, said glycosyl linking group comprising a sialyl residue covalently linked to a member selected from:
wherein
L a is a linker selected from C(O)NH and (CH 2 ) j C(O)NH(CH 2 ) h (CONH), wherein h and j are integers independently selected from 0 to 10;
Q is selected from H and substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl;
e, f and f′ are integers independently selected from 1 to 2500; and
q and q′ are integers independently selected from 1 to 20.
52. The erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 , wherein each of said polymeric moieties is a poly(amino acid).
53. The erythropoietin peptide according to claim 26 , wherein each of said polymeric moieties is a member selected from polyaspartic acid, polyglutamic acid, and polylysine.