MUTEINS OF A CHAIN OF A PROTEIN FROM THE SUPERFAMILY OF GROWTH FACTOR TGF- DOLLAR G(B)

摘要

The invention relates to muteins of a chain of a protein from the superfamily of growth factor TGF- beta having antagonistic and/or partially agonistic activity. The factors of the TGF- beta superfamily each perform their own specific function in the organism. An overexpression of these proteins can have serious consequences for the affected patient, e.g. ectopic bone formation or psoriasis. In order to be able to confront these pathophysiological effects, inhibitors for these factors should be developed. To this end, the invention provides muteins of a chain of a protein from the superfamily of growth factor TGF- beta , which exhibit antagonistic and/or partially agonistic activity after the formation of a homodimer, whereby the muteins are modified at one or more positions which, in an unaltered protein, are involved in a low-affinity binding of the protein to the receptor thereof. The inventive muteins are of interest for the prophylaxis and treatment of illnesses, which are caused by an overexpression of factors of the TGF- beta superfamily.