Minicell based delivery of biologically active compounds

Abstract

Minicells are used to deliver biologically active compounds including radioisotopes, polypeptides, nucleic acids, small molecules, drug molecules, and chemotherapeutic agents. In some cases, the minicell displays ligands or binding moieties that target the minicell to a desired host cell.

1 . A fully intact eubacterial minicell derived from a eubacterial parent cell, wherein the minicell comprises a biologically active compound and displays Invasin, wherein the biologically active compound is exogenous to the parent cell and distinct from Invasin. 
     
     
         2 . The minicell of  claim 1 , wherein the Invasin comprises a  Yersinia  invasin or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The minicell of  claim 1 , wherein the Invasin comprises the invasin protein from  Yersinia pseudotuberculosis  or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The minicell of  claim 1 , wherein the biologically active compound is selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide, a small molecule, and a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The minicell of  claim 4 , wherein the biologically active compound is a polypeptide. 
     
     
         6 . The minicell of  claim 5 , wherein the polypeptide is a therapeutic polypeptide. 
     
     
         7 . The minicell of  claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic polypeptide is a soluble polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . The minicell of  claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic polypeptide is a fusion protein. 
     
     
         9 . The minicell of  claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic polypeptide is a protein toxin. 
     
     
         10 . The minicell of  claim 4 , wherein the biologically active compound is a small molecule. 
     
     
         11 . The minicell of  claim 10 , wherein the small molecule is a drug molecule. 
     
     
         12 . The minicell of  claim 4 , wherein the biologically active compound is a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The minicell of  claim 12 , wherein the nucleic acid is a therapeutic nucleic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The minicell of  claim 13 , wherein the therapeutic nucleic acid comprises an antisense nucleic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The minicell of  claim 13 , wherein the therapeutic nucleic acid is comprises a ribozyme. 
     
     
         16 . The minicell of  claim 13 , wherein the therapeutic nucleic acid is comprises an aptamer.