US Patent:
20130149785, Jun 13, 2013
Inventors:
The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD, US
Gurkan Guntas - Carrboro NC, US
Assignee:
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY - Baltimore MD
International Classification:
C12N 15/62
C12N 15/65
US Classification:
435455, 435 9141, 435485, 435488, 435476, 435483, 435468, 435375
Abstract:
The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.