Patents by Inventor Jing-Ke Weng
Jing-Ke Weng 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: 12241072Abstract: Lyciumin cyclic peptides and methods of producing lyciumin cyclic peptides are described. A host cell can include a transgene encoding a lyciumin precursor peptide, or a biologically-active fragment thereof. The lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof, can include one or more core lyciumin peptide domains. The transgene can be expressed in the host cell to thereby produce a lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof. The lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof, can be converted to one or more lyciumin cyclic peptides in the host cell. A library of nucleic acids encoding lyciumin precursor peptides, or biologically-active fragments thereof, can be generated.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Roland D. Kersten, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20250019715Abstract: An alternative route to moroidin-type bicyclic peptide biosynthesis is presented. Also included herein, it is reported that such moroidin-type bicyclic peptides are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) in plants. Whereas D. moroides and C. argentea entail a previously uncharacterized DUF2775 family protein as candidate precursor peptides for moroidin biosynthesis, Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) employs a BURP-domain protein as a precursor peptide similar to that of the recently reported lyciumin biosyntheti system. Disclosed herein are compositions and methods related to the biosynthesis of moroidin. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the moroidin peptides are synthetic. In other embodiments, the moroidin peptides are heterogenous. A skilled artisan will readily appreciate that based on the data disclosed herein that the present disclosure provides for the production of moroidins in transgenic host cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Roland D. Kersten, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20240294957Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: September 5, 2024Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 11746364Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 11739354Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20230193336Abstract: Enasidenib glycosides and methods of making enasidenib glycosides are disclosed. Glycosyl transferases catalyze addition of one or more monosaccharides to enasidenib to yield enasidenib glycosides. Suitable monosaccharides can be in the L- or D-configuration and typically have 5, 6, or 7 carbons. Suitable monosaccharides include allose, apiose, arabinose, fructose, fucitol, fucose, galactose, galacturonate, glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, rhamnose, or xylose. Uridine diphosphate glycosyl transferases can catalyze formation of either an alpha or beta glycosidic bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Sheng Ding, Yasmin-Pei Kamal Chau, Jacob Donald Stanley Wirth, Tian Xu, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20230192748Abstract: Etoposide glycosides and methods of making etoposide glycosides are disclosed. Glycosyl transferases catalyze addition of one or more monosaccharides to etoposide to yield etoposide glycosides. Suitable monosaccharides can be in the L- or D-configuration and typically have 5, 6, or 7 carbons. Suitable monosaccharides include allose, apiose, arabinose, fructose, fucitol, fucose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, A-acetylglucosamine, rhamnose, or xylose. Uridine diphosphate glycosyl transferases can catalyze formation of either an alpha or beta glycosidic bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Sheng Ding, Yasmin-Pei Chau, Jacob Donald Stanley Wirth, Tian Xu, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20230124589Abstract: Ivacaftor glycosides and methods of making ivacaftor glycosides are disclosed. Glycosyl transferases catalyze addition of one or more monosaccharides to ivacaftor to yield ivacaftor glycosides. Suitable monosaccharides can be in the L- or D-configuration and typically have 5, 6, or 7 carbons. Suitable monosaccharides include allose, apiose, arabinose, fructose, fucitol, fucose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, A-acetylglucosamine, rhamnose, or xylose. Uridine diphosphate glycosyl transferases can catalyze formation of either an alpha or beta glycosidic bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Sheng Ding, Yasmin-Pei Kamal Chau, Jacob Donald Stanley Wirth, Tian Xu, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20230058465Abstract: Transgenic host cells, vectors useful for making transgenic host cells, and kits useful for making transgenic host cells are described. Also described are transgenic plants. In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase (4HPAAS). In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a tyrosol:UDP-glucose 8-O-glucosyltransferase (T8GT). The transgenic host cells are useful for biosynthesis of one or more of salidroside, icariside D2, tyrosol, and 4-hydroxypenylacetaldehyde.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Michael Torrens-Spence, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 11492636Abstract: Provided herein are engineered bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variants having a modified acetyltransferase activity against tryptophan or aminoadipate, or both, as compared to a wildtype bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase (e.g., BAR or PAT). Also provided are transgenic plants comprising a bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variant as well as methods of making such transgenic plants.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Bastien Christ, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 11408009Abstract: Transgenic host cells, vectors useful for making transgenic host cells, and kits useful for making transgenic host cells are described. Also described are transgenic plants. In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase (4HPAAS). In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a tyrosol:UDP-glucose 8-O-glucosyltransferase (T8GT). The transgenic host cells are useful for biosynthesis of one or more of salidroside, icariside D2, tyrosol, and 4-hydroxypenylacetaldehyde.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Michael Torrens-Spence, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 11377466Abstract: Provided herein are analogs of the natural product icariin represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The analogs can be used to modulate (e.g., inhibit, such as by competitive inhibition) PDE5 and thereby treat a wide range of PDE5-mediated diseases, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, neurological and reproductive diseases. Also provided herein are compositions and methods including compounds of Structural Formula (I).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Yasmin Chau, Fu-Shuang Li, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20220002768Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20220002769Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20210309684Abstract: Provided herein are analogs of the natural product icariin represented by Structural Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The analogs can be used to modulate (e.g., inhibit, such as by competitive inhibition) PDE5 and thereby treat a wide range of PDE5-mediated diseases, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, neurological and reproductive diseases. Also provided herein are compositions and methods including compounds of Structural Formula (I).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Yasmin Chau, Fu-Shuang Li, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Patent number: 10941429Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20200347396Abstract: Lyciumin cyclic peptides and methods of producing lyciumin cyclic peptides are described. A host cell can include a transgene encoding a lyciumin precursor peptide, or a biologically-active fragment thereof. The lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof, can include one or more core lyciumin peptide domains. The transgene can be expressed in the host cell to thereby produce a lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof. The lyciumin precursor peptide, or biologically-active fragment thereof, can be converted to one or more lyciumin cyclic peptides in the host cell. A library of nucleic acids encoding lyciumin precursor peptides, or biologically-active fragments thereof, can be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Roland D. Kersten, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20190271015Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, vectors, compounds, reagents, and systems for the preparation of kavalactones, flavokavains, and kavalactone and flavokavain biosynthetic intermediates using enzymes expressed in heterologous host cells, such as microorganisms or plants, or using in vitro enzymatic reactions. This invention also provides for the expression of the enzymes by recombinant cell lines and vectors. Furthermore, the enzymes can be components of constructs such as fusion proteins. The kavalactones produced can be utilized to treat anxiety disorder, insomnia, and other psychological and neurological disorders. The flavokavains produced can be utilized to treat various cancers including colon, bladder, and breast cancers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Tomás Pluskal, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20190264221Abstract: Transgenic host cells, vectors useful for making transgenic host cells, and kits useful for making transgenic host cells are described. Also described are transgenic plants. In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a 4-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde synthase (4HPAAS). In some embodiments, transgenic host cells express a tyrosol:UDP-glucose 8-O-glucosyltransferase (T8GT). The transgenic host cells are useful for biosynthesis of one or more of salidroside, icariside D2, tyrosol, and 4-hydroxypenylacetaldehyde.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Michael Torrens-Spence, Jing-Ke Weng
-
Publication number: 20190249188Abstract: Provided herein are engineered bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variants having a modified acetyltransferase activity against tryptophan or aminoadipate, or both, as compared to a wildtype bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase (e.g., BAR or PAT). Also provided are transgenic plants comprising a bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variant as well as methods of making such transgenic plants.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Bastien CHRIST, Jing-Ke WENG