Modified microbial toxin receptor for delivering agents into cells

Abstract

We described a novel system of targeted cell therapy with a protein toxin, such as anthrax toxin, that has been modified to re-direct it to a desired cell target instead of its natural cell target. The system can be used for, e.g., targeted killing of undesired cells in a population of cells, such as cancer or overly active immune system cells.

1 . An altered binary toxin system for delivery of an active molecule to a target cell comprising:
 a fusion protein comprising a receptor-ablated pore-forming AB toxin unit fused to a non-toxin-associated receptor-binding ligand specific for a target cell, and   a complementary toxin unit capable of associating with the pore-forming toxin unit for delivery of a therapeutic protein to the cytosol of the target cell.   
     
     
         2 - 21 . (canceled)