| 摘要 |
The invention provides a nanoscale particle comprising a lipid binding polypeptide, lipids and a hydrophobic agent, wherein the hydrophobic agent is different from the lipids, and wherein the lipid binding polypeptide is a saposin-like protein or a derivative or truncated form thereof. The invention further provides a process for preparing a particle comprising a saposin-like protein or a derivative or truncated form thereof and lipids comprising the step of (a) contacting the saposin-like protein or a derivative or truncated form thereof with solubilized lipids in a liquid environment and (b) allowing for the self-assembly of the particle at a pH of from 5.0 to 10.0. In addition, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the particle of the invention for delivering a hydrophobic agent to an individual in need thereof and includes the use of the particle of the invention in preventing, treating or lessening the severity of a disease or its use in a diagnostic method, a cosmetic treatment, as hydrophobic agent delivery particle, as a tool for drug development, drug screening, membrane protein research or as vaccination formulation. |
| 主权项 |
1. Disc-shaped particle comprising
a lipid binding polypeptide, lipids and a hydrophobic agent, wherein the particle does not comprise a hydrophilic or aqueous core, wherein the hydrophobic agent is neither a lipid nor a detergent, and wherein the lipid binding polypeptide is a (a) “saposin-like protein” (SAPLIP) belonging to the SAPLIP family of lipid interacting proteins or (b) a derivative form thereof, wherein the derivative is
(i) a protein having at least 80% sequence identity to the full length sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;(ii) a protein having at least 40% sequence identity to the full length sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said protein is amphipathic, forms at least one alpha helix, and is capable of self-assembling together with solubilized lipids into lipoprotein particles when employed in the method of claim 10; or(iii) a protein comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in which 1 to 40 amino acids have been deleted, added, inserted and/or substituted. |
