Andrew Christopher Sparks

US Patent:

6703482, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Aug 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/938315

Inventors:

Brian K. Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC
Judith M. Thorn - Carrboro NC
Lawrence A. Quilliam - Chapel Hill NC
Channing J. Der - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C07K 708

US Classification:

530324, 530325, 530300, 514 15, 514 14, 514 13, 514 12

Abstract:

Peptides having general and specific binding affinities for the Src homology region (SH3) domains of proteins are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, SH3 binding peptides have been isolated from three phage-displayed random peptide libraries which had been screened for isolates that bind to bacterial fusion proteins of SH3 domains and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Preferred peptides are disclosed having a core 7-mer sequence (preferably, a consensus motif) and two or more, preferably at least six, additional amino acid residues flanking the core sequence, for a total length of 9, preferably at least 13, amino acid residues and no more than about 45 amino acid residues. Such peptides manifest preferential binding affinities for certain SH3 domains. The preferred peptides exhibit specific binding affinities for the Src-family of proteins. In vitro and in vivo results are presented which demonstrate the biochemical activity of such peptides.

US Patent:

57473340, May 5, 1998

Filed:

Jan 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/189331

Inventors:

Brian K Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Dana M. Fowlkes - Chapel Hill NC
Nils B. Adey - Carrboro NC
Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC

Assignee:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C12N 1509
C12N 510
C12N 1562

US Classification:

4353201

Abstract:

A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6303574, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Jul 22, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/278865

Inventors:

Brian K. Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC
Judith M. Thorn - Carrboro NC
Lawrence A. Quilliam - Chapel Hill NC
Channing J. Der - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

A61K 3810
C07K 708

US Classification:

514 14

Abstract:

Peptides having general and specific binding affinities for the Src homology region 3 (SH3) domains of proteins are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, SH3 binding peptides have been isolated from three phage-displayed random peptide libraries which had been screened for isolates that bind to bacterial fusion proteins of SH3 domains and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Preferred peptides are disclosed having a core 7-mer sequence (preferably, a consensus motif) and two or more, preferably at least six, additional amino acid residues flanking the core sequence, for a total length of 9, preferably at least 13, amino acid residues and no more than about 45 amino acid residues. Such peptides manifest preferential binding affinities for certain SH3 domains. The preferred peptides exhibit specific binding affinities for the Src-family of proteins.

US Patent:

59486350, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/471068

Inventors:

Brian K Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Dana M. Fowlkes - Chapel Hill NC
Nils B. Adey - Carrboro NC
Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C12N 1509
C12N 1562

US Classification:

435 691

Abstract:

A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

US Patent:

61842052, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

Feb 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/602999

Inventors:

Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC
Brian K. Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Judith M. Thorn - Carrboro NC
Lawrence A. Quilliam - Indianapolis IN
Channing J. Der - Chapel Hill NC
Dana M. Fowlkes - Chapel Hill NC
James E. Rider - Carrboro NC

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC
Cytogen Corp. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

A61K 3810
C07K 708

US Classification:

514 13

Abstract:

Peptides having general and specific binding affinities for the Src homology region 3 (SH3) domains of proteins are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, SH3 binding peptides have been isolated from phage-displayed random peptide libraries which had been screened for isolates that bind to bacterial fusion proteins having an SH3 domain and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Preferred peptides are disclosed which comprise a core 7-mer sequence (preferably, a consensus motif) and two or more, preferably at least six, additional amino acid residues flanking the core sequence, for a total length of 9, preferably at least 13, amino acid residues and no more than about 45 amino acid residues. Such peptides manifest preferential binding affinities for certain SH3 domains. The preferred peptides exhibit specific binding affinities for the Src-family of proteins.

US Patent:

63098202, Oct 30, 2001

Filed:

Apr 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/630915

Inventors:

Andrew B. Sparks - Carrboro NC
Noah Hoffman - Greensboro NC
Brian K. Kay - Chapel Hill NC
Dana M. Fowlkes - Chapel Hill NC
Stephen J. McConnell - San Diego CA

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC
Cytogen Corp. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12Q 168
G01N 3353
A61K 3800
C12N 700

US Classification:

435 6

Abstract:

Novel polypeptides having functional domains of interest are described, along with DNA sequences that encode the same. A method of identifying these polypeptides by means of a sequence-independent (that is, independent of the primary sequence of the polypeptide sought), recognition unit-based functional screen is also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the polypeptides identified are described, including their use in assay kits for drug discovery, modification, and refinement.