Fusion protein delivery system and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition of matter, comprising: DNA encoding a viral Vpx protein fused to DNA encoding a protein. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a composition of matter, comprising: DNA encoding a viral Vpr protein fused to DNA encoding a protein. The present invention further provides DNA, vectors and methods for expressing a lentiviral pol gene in trans, independent of the lentiviral gag-pol. A gene transduction element is optionally delivered to a lentiviral vector according to the present invention. Also provided are various methods of delivering a virus inhibitory molecule to a target in an animal. Further provided is a pharmaceutical composition.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A fusion protein comprising: 
 a first polypeptide sequence corresponding to a portion of a protein functioning in replication of a virus; and    a second polypeptide sequence corresponding to a virus inhibitory protein fragment, said fragment being sufficient to inhibit replication of said virus.    
     
     
         2 . A fusion protein comprising: 
 a first polypeptide sequence corresponding to a fragment of a viral protein; and    a second polypeptide sequence differing from said first sequence and corresponding to a protein fragment, said fragment coupled to said first sequence.    
     
     
         3 . The fusion protein of  claim 2 , wherein said protein is delivered to a virus.  
     
     
         4 . The fusion protein of  claim 2 , wherein said protein is a Vpr.  
     
     
         5 . The fusion protein of  claim 2 , wherein said portion is a full length amino acid sequence of said protein.  
     
     
         6 . The fusion protein of  claim 2 , wherein said protein is Vpx.  
     
     
         7 . The fusion protein of  claim 3 , wherein said virus is selected from the group consisting of virions and virus-like particles, particles containing at least one viral protein, retrovirus, lentivirus, HIV, and SIV.  
     
     
         8 . The fusion protein of  claim 2 , wherein said second polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of a staphylococcal nuclease, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, protease, integrase, reverse transcriptase, Vif, Nef and Gag.