GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN-TARGETED FUSION PROTEINS, THEIR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND COMPOSITIONS

摘要

Methods are described for designing and constructing fusion proteins, i.e., proteins that comprise at least two distinct structural units each providing a desired functionality. In a preferred aspect of the invention, recombinant DNA molecules coding for proteins having fused glycosaminoglycans-binding and superoxide dismutase (SOD) polypeptides are designed and expressed. The resulting fusion protein retains the activities of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-binding polypeptide and the SOD enzymes. The lifetime of intracellular human SOD in the bloodstream can be prolonged due to attachment of the glycosaminoglycan-binding group, and this GAG-binding function also targets the enzyme to cell surfaces.