Pharmaceuticals and methods for treating hypoxia and screening methods therefor

Abstract

Light-generating fusion proteins having a ligand binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety and their use as diagnostics, in drug screening and discovery, and as therapeutics, are disclosed. The light-generating fusion protein has a feature where the bioluminescence of the polypeptide moiety changes upon binding of a ligand at the ligand binding site. The ligand may be, for example, an enzyme present in an environment only under certain conditions, e.g., ubiquitin ligase in a hypoxic state, such that the light-generating fusion protein is “turned on” only under such conditions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of identifying prolyl hydroxylase modulators, comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting a prolyl hydroxylase, a putative prolyl hydroxylase modulator and a light-generating fusion protein comprising an HIFα polypeptide moiety having binding character for prolyl hydroxylase and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating polypeptide moiety changes upon binding of a prolyl hydroxylase to said HIFα polypeptide moiety, under conditions favorable for binding of a prolyl hydroxylase to a HIFα to form a test sample; and    b) determining the ability of said putative prolyl hydroxylase modulator to modulate prolyl hydroxylase by measuring the light generated in said test sample.    
     
     
         2 . An assay for a modulator of prolyl hydroxylase, comprising a) bringing into contact a prolyl hydroxylase, a HIF1α polypeptide moiety and a putative modulator compound under conditions where prolyl hydroxylase, in the absence of modulator, is capable of acting on said HIF1α polypeptide moiety; and 
 b) measuring the degree of prolyl hydroxylase inhibition caused by said modulator compound.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said test sample further comprises pVHL.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises the amino acid sequence Y-X 1 -Leu-X 2 -Pro h -X 3 -X 4 -X 5 -X 6 -Y′, wherein 
 a) Pro h  is hydroxylated proline;  
 b) X 1,  X 2,  X 4,  X 5,  and X 6  are independently Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Met, Phe, or Trp;  
 c) X 3  is Ser, Thr, or Tyr; and  
 d) Y and Y′ are independently present or absent and, if present, independently comprise a peptide having from 1 to 600 amino acids.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 402 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein either or both of residues 402 and 564 are hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises a 4 to 12 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises a 12 to 14 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises a 20 to 30 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises a 80 to 120 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , whereupon ligand binding to said ligand binding site alters the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein without altering the phosphorylational state of said light-generating fusion protein.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said HIF1α polypeptide moiety comprises amino acids 555-575 of wild type HIFα, numbered in accordance with wild type HIFα.  
     
     
         14 . HIFα polypeptide comprising amino acids 555-575 of wild type HIFα, numbered in accordance with wild type HIFα.  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating or preventing a hypoxic or ischemic related disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound identified by the method of  claim 1  which decreases prolyl hydroxylase expression or activity, such that said hypoxic or ischemic related disorder is treated.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said compound is a prolyl hydroxylase antibody, or a nucleic acid that decreases the expression of a nucleic acid that encodes a prolyl hydroxylase polypeptide.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nucleic acid is a prolyl hydroxylase anti-sense nucleic acid.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hypoxic or ischemic related disorder is an acute event selected from the consisting of myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hypoxic or ischemic related disorder is a chronic event not caused by tissue scarring.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hypoxic or ischemic related disorder is a chronic event selected from the group consisting of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, and renal failure.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the half life of HIF in said subject is increased compared to a subject not exposed to said compound.  
     
     
         22 . A method of increasing angiogenesis or vascularization in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound identified by the method of  claim 1  which decreases prolyl hydroxylase expression or activity.  
     
     
         23 . A method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound identified by the method of  claim 1  which increases prolyl hydroxylase expression or activity.  
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a cell-proliferating disorder by administering to a subject an effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a HIFα polypeptide moiety having a binding character for prolyl hydroxylase, and a suicide polypeptide moiety, such that said cell-proliferating disorder is treated.  
     
     
         25 . A method of treating a hypoxic or ischemic disorder by administering to a subject an effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a HIFα polypeptide moiety having a binding character for prolyl hydroxylase, and a suicide polypeptide moiety, such that said hypoxic or ischemic disorder is treated.  
     
     
         26 . A method of killing hypoxic tumor cells, comprising administration of an effective amount of a fusion protein to a subject, said fusion protein comprising a HIFα polypeptide moiety having a binding character for prolyl hydroxylase, and a suicide polypeptide moiety, such that said hypoxic tumor cells are killed.  
     
     
         27 . A method of monitoring the treatment of a cell-proliferating disorder by 
 a) administering to a subject an effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a HIFα polypeptide moiety having a binding character for prolyl hydroxylase, a suicide polypeptide moiety, and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of prolyl hydroxylase to said HIFα polypeptide moiety, such that said cell-proliferating disorder is treated, and    b) monitoring the ability of said fusion protein to inhibit cell proliferation by measuring the light generated by said light-generating fusion protein.    
     
     
         28 . A method of treating a cell-proliferating disorder by administering to a subject an effective amount of a fusion protein comprising a cyclin/cdk binding site and a suicide protein polypeptide moiety, such that said cell-proliferating disorder is treated.  
     
     
         29 . A method of monitoring the treatment of a cell-proliferating disorder by 
 a) administering to a subject an effective amount of a light-generating fusion protein comprising a cyclin/cdk binding site, a suicide protein polypeptide moiety, and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of a cyclin to said cyclin/cdk binding site, such that said cell-proliferating disorder is treated; and    b) monitoring the ability of said fusion protein to inhibit cell proliferation by measuring the light generated by said light-generating fusion protein.    
     
     
         30 . A method of screening candidate compounds that inhibit cell proliferation, comprising the steps of: 
 a) contacting cells with a candidate compound and a light-generating fusion protein comprising a cyclin/cdk binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of a cyclin at said cyclin binding site, said cyclin binding indicative of cancerous tissue; and    b) determining the ability of said candidate compound to inhibit cell proliferation by measuring the luminescence of said cells.    
     
     
         31 . A cell proliferation-inhibiting compound identified by the method of  claim 30 .  
     
     
         32 . A method for screening for a modulator of activity or latency of, or predisposition to a disorder, said method comprising: 
 a) administering a test compound to a test animal at increased risk for a disorder, wherein said test animal recombinantly expresses a light-generating fusion protein comprising a ligand binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of a ligand at said ligand binding site, said ligand binding site recognizing a ligand on an entity associated with a disorder, or a product of said disorder;    b) allowing for localization of said light-generating fusion protein and an entity, wherein contact between said ligand binding site and a ligand associated with said disorder causes a modification of a colinear effector site which alters the light generation of said light-generating polypeptide moiety;    c) detecting the luminescence of said light-generating polypeptide moiety in said test animal after administering the compound of step (a); and    d) comparing the luminescence of said light-generating polypeptide moiety in said test animal with the luminescence of said light-generating polypeptide moiety in a control animal not administered said compound, wherein a change in the activity of said light-generating polypeptide moiety in said test animal relative to said control animal indicates the test compound is a modulator of latency of or predisposition to, a disorder.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the disorder is a hypoxia-related disorder.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.  
     
     
         35 . A non-invasive method for determining the effects of an anti-hypoxic compound in vivo, comprising: 
 a) administering to a subject a light-generating fusion protein, or a cell expressing said light-generating fusion protein, comprising an ubiquitin ligase binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of a ubiquitin ligase at said ubiquitin ligase binding site, said ubiquitin ligase binding site recognizing a ubiquitin ligase present in hypoxic conditions in hypoxic tissue;    b) allowing for localization of said light-generating fusion protein or cell in hypoxic tissue in said subject, wherein contact between said ubiquitin ligase binding site and a ubiquitin ligase causes a modification of a colinear effector site which alters the light generation of said light-generating polypeptide moiety; and;    c) determining the ability of said candidate compound to inhibit hypoxia by measuring the luminescence of said localized light-generating fusion protein.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises the amino acid sequence Y-X 1 -Leu-X 2 -Pro h -X 3 -X 4 -X 5 -X 6 -Y′, wherein 
 a) Pro h  is hydroxylated proline;  
 b) X 1,  X 2,  X 4,  X 5,  and X 6  are independently Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Met, Phe, or Trp;  
 c) X 3  is Ser, Thr, or Tyr; and  
 d) Y and Y′ are independently present or absent and, if present, independently comprise a peptide having from 1 to 600 amino acids.  
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 402 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal residues 1-600 of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein either or both of residues 402 and 564 are hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises a 4 to 12 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises a 12 to 14 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises a 20 to 30 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said ligand binding site comprises a 80 to 120 amino acid sequence corresponding to the residues adjacent to and/or surrounding residue 564, inclusive, of HIF1α, numbered in accordance with wild-type HIF1α, wherein residue 564 is hydroxylated proline.  
     
     
         44 . A noninvasive method for detecting the effects of an anti-cell proliferation compound under study in a mammalian subject, comprising: 
 a) administering to a subject a light-generating fusion protein, or a cell expressing said light-generating fusion protein, comprising a cyclin/cdk binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety, wherein the light generation of said light-generating fusion protein changes upon binding of a cyclin at said cyclin binding site, said cyclin binding indicative of cell-proliferating tissue;    b) allowing for localization of said light-generating fusion protein or cell in cell-proliferating tissue in said subject, wherein contact between said cyclin binding site and a cyclin causes a modification of a colinear effector site which alters the light generation of said light-generating polypeptide moiety; and    c) determining the ability of said candidate compound to inhibit cell proliferation by measuring the luminescence from said localized light-generating fusion protein.    
     
     
         45 . A method of treating or preventing a hypoxic or ischemic related disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound which modulates prolyl hydroxylation of HIF, such that said hypoxic or ischemic related disorder is treated.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said compound decreases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said compound increases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         48 . A method of regulating HIF turnover in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound which modulates prolyl hydroxylation of HIF, such that HIF turnover is regulated.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said compound increases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said compound decreases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         51 . A method of treating or preventing a HIF-related disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound which modulates prolyl hydroxylation of HIF, such that said HIF-related disorder is prevented, reversed or stabilized.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said compound increases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said compound decreases prolyl hydroxylation of HIF.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said HIF-related disorder is selected from the group consisting of myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.