Anti-tumor properties of Dickkopf 3b
The invention relates to novel therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment that exploits tumor suppressor functions of DKK3b by site-specific delivery of DKK3b. Novel therapeutics and methods for treating tumors and cancers utilizing DKK3b tumor suppressor functions are disclosed.
1. An isolated fusion protein comprising a membrane transduction domain (MTD) peptide fused to the N-terminus of the human intracellular Dickkopf (Dkk3) protein encoded by exons 3-8 of the human Dkk3 gene locus.
2. The fusion protein of claim 1 wherein the fusion protein in purified.
3. The fusion protein of claim 1 wherein the MTD comprises the amino acids 5-15 of SEQ ID NO: 7.
4. The fusion protein of claim 1 wherein the MTD comprises TAT.
5. An isolated nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein of claim 1 .
6. An isolated nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein of claim 3 .
7. A recombinant vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 5 or 6 .
8. An isolated host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of claim 7 .
9. The host cell of claim 8 wherein the host cell is a bacterial cell or a mammalian host.