The present invention relates to a disintegrin and metalloproteinase containing thrombospondin 1-like domains (ADAMTS) and in particular to a novel ADAMTS13 protease and to nucleic acids encoding ADAMTS13 proteases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of ADAMTS13, as well as mutant and variant forms including fragments, some of which posses altered characteristics relative to the wild-type ADAMTS13. The present invention also relates to methods of using ADAMTS13, including for treatment of TTP. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for the presence of TTP. The present invention further relates to methods for developing anticoagulant drugs based upon ADAMTS13.
1. A composition comprising recombinant ADAMTS13 polypeptide that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid position 75 to amino acid position 1427 having von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease activity wherein said composition is free of proteins found in human plasma other than said recombinant ADAMTS13 polypeptide.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said recombinant ADAMTS 13 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid position 75 to amino acid position 1427.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said recombinant ADAMTS 13 is purified from a recombinant cell culture.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein said recombinant ADAMTS 13 is purified using chromatography.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the chromatography is selected from the group consisting of anion exchange chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and lectin chromatography.
6. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the recombinant ADAMTS 13 is purified using a precipitation and extraction procedure.
7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising recombinant ADAMTS 13 polypeptide that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid position 75 to amino acid position 1427 having yon Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease activity, wherein said composition is free of proteins found in human plasma other than said recombinant ADAMTS 13 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7 , wherein the isolated, recombinant ADAMTS13 has an amino acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid position 75 to amino acid position 1427.
9. The pharmaceutical composition comprising according to claim 7 , wherein the composition is formulated in an aqueous solution.
10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7 , further comprising a drug or a hormone.
11. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7 , wherein the composition is formulated for systemic administration to a subject.