STABLE ENVELOPE PROTEINS FOR RETROVIRAL, VIRAL AND LIPOSOME VECTORS AND USE IN GENE AND DRUG THERAPY

摘要

This invention includes retrovirus envelope mutants into which heterologous peptide or glycopeptide sequences can be linked for expression and stable presentation on retroviral vectors. The envelope mutants are characterized by the ability to restore the target penetration capability that is lost or greatly diminished upon fusion of heterologous sequences to the wild type envelope protein and the ability to increase the fusion envelope protein stability and decrease envelope shedding from virus particles. The envelope mutants are created by rotating residues in at least one of 7 motifs. The disclosed envelope proteins also can be used in liposome or pseudotype-virus compositions for delivery of agents including nucleic acid molecules. Methods of preparing and utilizing these envelope mutants in gene therapy are also described.