Hybrid proteins which form heterodimers

摘要

A hybrid protein includes two coexpressed amino acid sequences forming a dimer. Each sequence contains the binding portion of a ligand, such as IL-6, IFN-² and TPO, linked to a subunit of a heterodimeric proteinaceous hormone, such as hCG. Each coexpressed sequence contains a corresponding hormone subunit so as to form a heterodimer upon expression. Corresponding DNA molecules, expression vectors and host cells are also disclosed as are pharmaceutical compositions and a method of producing such proteins.