Single-Chain Trail-Receptor Agonist Proteins

Abstract

Provided herein are specific TRAIL receptor agonist proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of treating a subject having a TRAIL-associated disease or disorder. The TRAIL receptor agonist proteins provided herein comprise three soluble TRAIL domains and an Fc fragment. The TRAIL receptor agonist proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the TRAIL receptor agonist protein of  claim 23  and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, excipients, and/or adjuvants. 
     
     
         25 . A nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide of  claim 23 . 
     
     
         26 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 25 . 
     
     
         27 . A cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         28 . The cell of  claim 27 , which is a eukaryotic cell. 
     
     
         29 . The cell of  claim 27 , wherein the cell is a mammalian cell. 
     
     
         30 . The cell of  claim 27 , wherein the cell is a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a subject having a TRAIL-associated disease or disorder, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the protein of  claim 23 .