Protein engineering

Abstract

A method of protein engineering is provided wherein a searchable computer database is created comprising entries in the form of descriptions of a location and orientation in 3D space of side chains of the constituent amino acid residues of a framework protein. A query is created which corresponds to a description of a location and orientation in 3D space of respective side chains of amino acid residues of a sample protein. The location and orientation in 3D space of constituent side-chains is preferably described as a Cα Cβ vector. The query is used to search the database and thereby identify a hit which corresponds to a framework protein having structural similarity with said sample protein. Framework protein “hits” so identified may be suitable candidates for further modification. A particular advantage of the present invention is that a modified framework protein may display one or more desired characteristics, such as a function similar to or inhibitory of the sample protein.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . An engineered protein comprising an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and at least two amino acid residues of another protein which are non-contiguous in primary sequence and represent at least a portion of a functional region of said another protein.  
     
     
         30 . The engineered protein of  claim 29 , wherein said another protein is a cytokine.  
     
     
         31 . The engineered protein of  claim 29 , wherein said another protein is a cytokine receptor.  
     
     
         32 . The engineered protein of  claim 31 , wherein the functional region of said cytokine receptor is a cytokine binding region.  
     
     
         33 . The engineered protein of  claim 30 , wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of GH, IL-4, IL-6 and G-CSF.  
     
     
         34 . The engineered protein of  claim 33 , said engineered protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:2-5.  
     
     
         35 . The engineered protein of  claim 29 , which protein has greater stability than said another protein.  
     
     
         36 . The engineered protein of  claim 35 , which protein exhibits a function either similar to, or inhibitory of, said another protein.  
     
     
         37 . The engineered protein of  claim 36 , which engineered protein is a cytokine mimetic.