Abstract: A mammalian protein, like the human serum transferrin (HST), is modified with an inserted peptide sequence flanked at both ends by cleavage sites. The peptide insert contains a motif known to induce apoptosis in cells and the cleavage sites are specific for the viral protease of HIV-1. The delivery of such recombinant transferrin into an HIV-1 infected cell results in the release of the peptide which then induces apoptosis. The peptide is inserted into surface exposed loops of the N-terminal lobe of the HST containing the RGD motif flanked by two modified p17/p24 HIV-1 protease cleavage sites. When delivered to the infected cell the cleavage of the loop inserted sequences by the HIV-1 protease results in the release of the central RGD-containing peptide sequences. Peptides containing the RGD motif (arginine, glycine, aspartic acid) have been shown to induce cell apoptosis even in small concentrations.

Abstract: A mammalian protein, like the human serum transferrin (HST), is modified with an inserted peptide sequence flanked at both ends by cleavage sites. The peptide insert contains a motif known to induce apoptosis in cells and the cleavage sites are specific for the viral protease of HIV-1. The delivery of such recombinant transferrin into an HIV-1 infected cell results in the release of the peptide which then induces apoptosis. The peptide is inserted into surface exposed loops of the N-terminal lobe of the HST containing the RGD motif flanked by two modified p17/p24 HIV-1 protease cleavage sites. When delivered to the infected cell the cleavage of the loop inserted sequences by the HIV-1 protease results in the release of the central RGD-containing peptide sequences. Peptides containing the RGD motif (arginine, glycine, aspartic acid) have been shown to induce cell apoptosis even in small concentrations.