Patents by Inventor Eva J. Helmerhorst

Eva J. Helmerhorst has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11124785
    Abstract: There are gluten-degrading enzymes found in Rothia species bacteria that are subtilisins that belonging to the S8A family of serine protease family. The Rothia sp. derived subtilisin-like enzymes have the conserved catalytic triad composed of a Ser, His, and Asp residues that is characteristic of the serine protease family. The Rothia subtilisin enzymes are potent at cleaving proline-containing proteins, cleaving the second peptide bond after proline in the XPX1 motif, where X is any amino acid, P is proline and X1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, e.g. the XPQ motif, where Q is glutamine. Embodiments herein provide isolated enzyme compositions and formulations comprising subtilisins gluten-degrading enzyme from a Rothia species bacteria. Also provided herein are methods of treatment of celiac disease or a related disorder, treatment of gluten-containing foodstuff, degrading and/or detoxifying gluten comprising the subtilisins gluten-degrading enzyme and/or compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eva J. Helmerhorst, Guoxian Wei, Na Tian, Detlef Schuppan
  • Publication number: 20190040375
    Abstract: There are gluten-degrading enzymes found in Rothia species bacteria that are subtilisins that belonging to the S8A family of serine protease family. The Rothia sp. derived subtilisin-like enzymes have the conserved catalytic triad composed of a Ser, His, and Asp residues that is characteristic of the serine protease family. The Rothia subtilisin enzymes are potent at cleaving proline-containing proteins, cleaving the second peptide bond after proline in the XPX1 motif, where X is any amino acid, P is proline and X1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, e.g. the XPQ motif, where Q is glutamine. Embodiments herein provide isolated enzyme compositions and formulations comprising subtilisins gluten-degrading enzyme from a Rothia species bacteria. Also provided herein are methods of treatment of celiac disease or a related disorder, treatment of gluten-containing foodstuff, degrading and/or detoxifying gluten comprising the subtilisins gluten-degrading enzyme and/or compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eva J. HELMERHORST, Guoxian WEI, Na TIAN, Detlef SCHUPPAN
  • Patent number: 9598684
    Abstract: There are gluten-degrading enzymes found in Rothia species bacteria that are capable of breaking peptide bonds in -XPQ-, -QQP-, -PPF-, -LYP- and/or -PFP-containing peptides. These enzymes are acidic enzymes; they retain protease activity at acidic pH, eg., at 3.0, and have isoelectric points in a pH range of 2.0-7.0. Embodiments herein provide isolated enzyme compositions and probiotic compositions comprising at least one acidic gluten-degrading enzyme or a Rothia species bacteria. Also provided herein are methods of treatment of celiac disease or a related disorder, treatment of gluten-containing foodstuff, degrading and/or detoxifying gluten comprising the acidic gluten-degrading enzyme and/or compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eva J. Helmerhorst, Frank G. Oppenheim
  • Patent number: 8685392
    Abstract: The invention relates to glutamine endopeptidase enzymes from Rothia spp. bacteria that are naturally associated with the oral cavity, formulations comprising the glutamine endopeptidase enzymes and the use thereof for the treatment, prevention of allergic reaction and diagnosis of gluten allergy related diseases such as Celiac Sprue, gluten allergy and/or dermatitis herpetiformis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Eva J. Helmerhorst, Frank G. Oppenheim
  • Publication number: 20130171109
    Abstract: There are gluten-degrading enzymes found in Rothia species bacteria that are capable of breaking peptide bonds in -XPQ-, -QQP-, -PPF-, -LYP- and/or -PFP-containing peptides. These enzymes are acidic enzymes; they retain protease activity at acidic pH, eg., at 3.0, and have isoelectric points in a pH range of 2.0-7.0. Embodiments herein provide isolated enzyme compositions and probiotic compositions comprising at least one acidic gluten-degrading enzyme or a Rothia species bacteria. Also provided herein are methods of treatment of celiac disease or a related disorder, treatment of gluten-containing foodstuff, degrading and/or detoxifying gluten comprising the acidic gluten-degrading enzyme and/or compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eva J. Helmerhorst, Frank G. Oppenheim
  • Publication number: 20120230976
    Abstract: Disclosed are glutamine endopeptidase enzymes from Rothia sp. bacteria that are naturally associated with the oral cavity, formulations comprising the glutamine endopeptidase enzymes and the use thereof for the treatment, prevention of allergic reaction and diagnosis of gluten allergy related diseases such as Celiac Sprue, gluten allergy and/or dermatitis herpetiformis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eva J. Helmerhorst, Frank G. Oppenheim