Inventors:
Patricia M. Legler - Washington DC, US
Jaimee R. Compton - Fort Detrick MD, US
Charles B. Millard - Frederick MD, US
Mark A. Olson - Fort Detrick MD, US
International Classification:
C07K 14/415
C07K 16/16
US Classification:
4241391, 530300, 530350, 530405, 536 236, 5303879, 4241851
Abstract:
Disclosed herein ricin toxin A chain polypeptides having an engineered disulfide bond ((SS)RTA) and compositions thereof. The disclosed (SS)RTA polypeptides retain the immunological epitope of wild type RTA, lack detectable N-glycosidase activity or exhibit reduced N-glycosidase activity as compared to controls, and exhibit increased solubility, thermal stability and a lower tendency to self-aggregate as compared to RTA 198 and/or RTA 1-33/44-198. Also disclosed are immunogenic compositions that may be used to immunize a subject against ricin intoxication. Methods of immunizing against, treating, inhibiting, reducing and/and preventing ricin intoxication are disclosed.