APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY:
- Pharmaceutical to block cell division of rapidly growing cancer cells
- Pharmaceutical to block rapid spread of certain highly pathogenic bacteria and viruses
- Pharmaceutical to prevent metastasis
- Basic research tool to study the role of the actin cytoskeleton in various in vivo and in vitro processes
ADVANTAGES:
- Synthetic peptide
- Prevents cell division
- Prevents formation of “actin comet tails”
ABSTRACT:
Carolyn Larabell, Steven Huber and Heike Winter have synthesized a peptide that is capable, in a very specific manner, of changing the organization (‘bundling’) of filamentous actin (F-actin) in vitro and, importantly, also in situ. The synthetic peptide (SS2), derived from the sequence of a plant-specific enzyme, may prevent cell division by causing irreversible actin bundling in situ. The synthetic peptide has also been demonstrated to prevent the formation of “actin comet tails” in vitro the process that produces the motile actin tail utilized by certain pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Listeria monocytogenes) and viruses (Vaccinia) to travel from cell to cell in their host without encountering the immune system. These in vitro and in situ effects of the peptide suggest potential approaches as a pharmaceutical drug to block cell division of rapidly growing cells (i.e., cancer cells); to block the rapid spread of certain highly pathogenic bacteria that infect humans through contaminated foods; and to block the spread of certain viral infections. This peptide may, furthermore, be extremely useful in prevention of metastasis. Finally, the synthetic peptide can also be useful as a tool for basic research to study the role of the actin cytoskeleton in various processes in vivo and in vitro.
STATUS:
- Published Patent Application. Available for licensing or collaborative research
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE:
REFERENCE NUMBER: JIB-1571