Mutants of human interleukin-3

摘要

Mutants of hIL-3 are provided having deletions covering virtually the complete coding region of hIL-3, while retaining their biological activity. Preferred mutants are those having one or more deletions at the N-terminus (amino acids 1-14) and/or the C-terminus (amino acids 116-133, 120-130 and/or 130-133). Another preferred group of mutants are substitution mutants. Some of these mutants have an antagonistic effect. Specific examples are Cys -> Ala mutants (Cys<1><6> -> Ala<1><6>, Cys<1><6>Cys<8><4> -> Ala<1><6>Ala<8><4>). Other mutants having an antagonistic effect are Glu<5><0> -> Lys<5><0> and Lys<7><9> -> Glu<7><9>. Finally antibodies are provided aimed at specific epitopes localized between amino acids 29 and 54.