Available Technology
High efficency di-nucleotide cyclase
Technology:
New class of enzyme - potential use as a vaccine adjuvant
Markets Addressed
Cyclic-di nucleotides play important roles in several aspects of biology. They are currently being investigated extensively around the world for their role in immune signaling and adjuvant qualities.
In bacteria cyclic di-GMP (cdiGMP) is a ubiquitous intracellular signaling molecule controlling biofilm formation, virulence gene expression and motility. Cyclic di-AMP (cdiAMP) concentrations are used to monitor DNA integrity on bacteria and are sensed by the eukaryotic immune system to control bacterial infections. cdiAMP has also recently been shown to be a powerful adjuvant for vaccine therapies. The use of these molecules continues to increase in biomedical research; however the current chemical synthesis methods are long, inefficient and costly.
This technology can be used as a vaccine adjuvant, as well as facilitate mass production of cyclic Di- nucleotides.
Innovations and Advantages
Scientists at the Mekalanos have identified and biochemically characterized a new class of enzyme that rapidly and efficiently synthesizes large amounts of the cyclic di-nucleotides: cdiGMP, cdiAMP as well as a previously undiscovered hybrid cyclic AMP-GMP molecule from ATP and/or GTP. Each product can be produced to ~95% homogeneity. The enzyme is easily purified and its products can be easily purified by HPLC. They have also confirmed the synthesis of all products by HPLC and LC-MSMS.
Additional Information
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Inventor(s):
Bogard, Ryan
Davies, Bryan
Mekalanos, John J.
Young, Travis
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Michal Preminger, Director of Business Development
(617) 432-0920
Reference Harvard Case #4342