Compound containing a labile disulfide bond

Abstract

A labile disulfide-containing compound under physiological conditions containing a labile disulfide bond and a transduction signal.

1 . A process for delivering a compound having a labile disulfide bond into a mammal, comprising: 
 a) forming the compound having a disulfide bond selected from the group consisting of (i) a disulfide bond that is cleaved more rapidly than oxidized glutathione, and (ii) a disulfide bond constructed from thiols in which one of the constituent thiols has a lower pKa than glutathione, and (iii) a disulfide bond that is activated by intramolecular attack from a free thiol;    b) attaching a transduction signal to the compound;    c) inserting the compound into the mammal; and,    d) releasing the bond between the sulfur atoms in the disulfide.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the transduction signal consists essentially of SEQ ID 1.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the transduction signal consists of VP22.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the transduction signal consists of ANTP.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the transduction signal consists of a peptide containing a cationic residues.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the transduction signal consists of a polymer containing a plurality of guanidinium groups.