Chimeric molecules containing a module able to target specific cells and a module regulating the apoptogenic function of the permeability transition pore complex (PTPC)

摘要

A chimeric polypeptide has the formula: pTox-pTarg, wherein pTox is a viral apoptotic peptide, such as the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 or a fragment of the Vpr peptide of HIV-1 containing the amino acid motif H(F/S)RIG that interacts with mitochondrial inner membrane, adenine nucleotide translocation (ANT) protein of a cell. pTarg is an antibody or an antibody fragment that binds to the outer membrane of the cell. Binding of the chimeric polypeptide to the cell is followed by apoptosis of the cell. A vector encoding a chimeric polypeptide and a recombinant host cell comprising the vector are provided. The chimeric polypeptide is useful for targeting pTox to cells, such as cancer cells.