Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as prodrugs and methods for making the same. The compositions include a fusion protein having a first delivery domain and a second protein precursor domain linked together via a linker sequence. The delivery domain is a protein capable of facilitating entry to target cells via the endocytotic pathway, such as transferrin. The protein precursor is a prohormone or a profactor, such as proinsulin. Methods of this invention include the steps of selecting a protein suitable as the delivery domain, constructing a vector to encode the fusion protein, and expressing the fusion protein in a suitable expression host. Also disclosed is a method for targeted delivery of prodrugs to livers and a method of reducing hepatic glucose production.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as prodrugs and methods for making the same. The compositions include a fusion protein having a first delivery domain and a second protein precursor domain linked together via a linker sequence. The delivery domain is a protein capable of facilitating entry to a target cells via the endocytotic pathway, such as transferrin. The protein precursor is a prohormone or a profactor, such as proinsulin. Methods of this invention include the steps of selecting a protein suitable as the delivery domain, constructing a vector to encode the fusion protein, and expressing the fusion protein in a suitable expression host. Also disclosed is a method for targeted-delivery of prodrugs to livers and a method of reducing hepatic glucose production.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a design for a molecular delivery vehicle capable of delivering a molecular payload to a target cell and its intracellular compartments. Also disclosed are highly pH-sensitive nanoconstruct that takes advantage of the requirement of cationic charge for internalization of CPPs to mask the non-specific internalization, compositions containing nanoconstruct, and methods for forming the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a design for a molecular delivery vehicle capable of delivering a molecular payload to a target cell and its intracellular compartments. Also disclosed are highly pH-sensitive nanoconstruct that takes advantage of the requirement of cationic charge for internalization of CPPs to mask the non-specific internalization, compositions containing nanoconstruct, and methods for forming the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as prodrugs and methods for making the same. The compositions include a fusion protein having a first delivery domain and a second protein precursor domain linked together via a linker sequence. The delivery domain is a protein capable of facilitating entry to a target cells via the endocytotic pathway, such as transferrin. The protein precursor is a prohormone or a profactor, such as proinsulin. Methods of this invention include the steps of selecting a protein suitable as the delivery domain, constructing a vector to encode the fusion protein, and expressing the fusion protein in a suitable expression host. Also disclosed is a method for targeted-delivery of prodrugs to livers and a method of reducing hepatic glucose production.