Production of biologically active proteins

Abstract

A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.

1 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for inducing an immune response in a host animal against an immunogenic polypeptide which comprises administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising recombinant protein body-like assemblies (RPBLAs), wherein the RPBLAs comprise a recombinant fusion protein, and wherein said recombinant fusion protein comprises two sequences linked together in which one sequence is a protein body-inducing sequence (PBIS) and the other is an immunogenic polypeptide. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said fusion protein further includes a linker sequence between the protein body-inducing sequence and the sequence of the immunogenic polypeptide. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the PBIS comprises a prolamin sequence. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the prolamin sequence is gamma-zein, alpha-zein, gamma-gliadin, or rice prolamin. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the prolamin sequence is the gamma-zein RX3 sequence. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said RPBLAs improve antigen delivery to antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said RPBLAs improve antigen processing and presentation to antigen presenting cells. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered parenterally.