U.S. patent application number 17/176613 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-24 for pharmaceutical composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION. The applicant listed for this patent is KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION. Invention is credited to Taisuke ENDO, Takehiko ISHII, Kazunori KATAOKA, Mitsuru NAITO, Naoto YOSHINAGA.
Application Number | 20210187005 17/176613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005436624 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210187005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KATAOKA; Kazunori ; et
al. |
June 24, 2021 |
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION
Abstract
A pharmaceutical composition includes polymer units .alpha. and
.beta., each having a hydrophilic polymer chain bound to a cationic
polymer chain, and a drug. The polymer units .alpha. and .beta. are
radially arranged such that the cationic polymer chains are
directed inward and the hydrophilic polymer chains are directed
outward, thereby forming a micelle with the drug encapsulated in
the micelle. The cationic polymer chain of the polymer unit .alpha.
has a phenylboronic acid group in a side chain, and the cationic
polymer chain of the polymer unit .beta. has a phenylboronic acid
binding site in a side chain. The phenylboronic acid group and the
phenylboronic acid binding site form a cross-linked structure that
can dissociate in an acidic environment and/or in the presence of a
substance capable of competitive binding.
Inventors: |
KATAOKA; Kazunori;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; ISHII; Takehiko; (Tokyo,
JP) ; NAITO; Mitsuru; (Tokyo, JP) ; YOSHINAGA;
Naoto; (Tokyo, JP) ; ENDO; Taisuke; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION |
Kawasaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KAWASAKI INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL
PROMOTION
Kawasaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005436624 |
Appl. No.: |
17/176613 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15309310 |
Jun 5, 2017 |
10993960 |
|
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PCT/JP2015/063363 |
May 8, 2015 |
|
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17176613 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/711 20130101;
A61K 48/00 20130101; A61K 47/34 20130101; A61K 31/7105 20130101;
A61K 9/107 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/711 20060101
A61K031/711; A61K 31/7105 20060101 A61K031/7105; A61K 9/107
20060101 A61K009/107; A61K 47/34 20060101 A61K047/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 8, 2014 |
JP |
2014097219 |
Claims
1.-5. (canceled)
6. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a polymer unit .alpha.
having a hydrophilic polymer chain segment and a cationic polymer
chain segment; a polymer unit .beta. having a hydrophilic polymer
chain segment and a cationic polymer chain segment; and a drug;
wherein: (a) the polymer unit .alpha. and the polymer unit .beta.
are arranged such that the cationic polymer chain segments are
directed radially inward and the hydrophilic polymer chain segments
are directed radially outward, and form a micelle, and the drug is
encapsulated in the micelle, (b) the cationic polymer chain segment
of the polymer unit .alpha. contains at least one cationic amino
acid residue having an amino group in a side chain and at least one
substituted phenylboronic acid (PBA) group-containing amino acid
residue having a substituted PBA group represented by the following
formula (I) in a side chain: ##STR00016## F('s) is (are) present
independently; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and when n is 1, the attachment
positions of F and B(OH).sub.2 may be at any one of ortho, meta,
and para, (c) a ratio of the number of the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue with respect to the total
number of the cationic amino acid residue in the polymer unit
.alpha. is 10-80%, (d) the cationic polymer chain segment of the
polymer unit .beta. contains a cationic amino acid residue having
an amino group in a side chain and a PBA binding site-containing
amino acid residue having a cis-diol structure in a side chain, and
(e) a ratio of the number of the PBA binding site-containing amino
acid residue with respect to the total number of the cationic amino
acid residue in the polymer unit is 5-80%.
7. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein the
drug is a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of pDNA
or mRNA.
8. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein the
substituted PBA group has a pKa of approximately physiological
pH.
9. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein the
cis-diol structure of the PBA binding site-containing amino acid
residue is derived from a gluconic acid derivative.
10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein:
at least some of the substituted PBA groups of polymer unit .alpha.
form ester bonds with at least some of the cis-diol structure of
polymer unit .beta. when the micelle is disposed in an environment
of pH 7 or higher, and the ester bonds are prone to dissociate when
the micelle is disposed in an environment of pH 4-6.
11. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein
the hydrophilic polymer chain segment of both the polymer unit
.alpha. and the polymer unit .beta. comprises poly(ethylene
glycol).
12. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .alpha. are derived from an amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with a group selected
from the following formulae (i) to (iv):
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--[NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q1--].sub.r1NH.sub- .2
(i);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--NH.sub.2].sub.2
(ii);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--N{[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q3--NH.sub.2][--(CH.s-
ub.2).sub.q4--NH--].sub.r2H} (iii); and
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p4--N{--(CH.sub.2).sub.q5--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q6--NH-
.sub.2].sub.2}.sub.2 (iv); in the formulae (i) to (iv): p1 to p4,
q1 to q6, and r and r2 are each independently an integer of from 1
to 5.
13. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .alpha. are derived from the amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with the group of
formula (i).
14. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .beta. are derived from an amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with a group selected
from the following formulae (i) to (iv):
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--[NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q1--].sub.r1NH.sub- .2
(i);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--NH.sub.2].sub.2
(ii);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--N{[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q3--NH.sub.2][--(CH.s-
ub.2).sub.q4--NH--].sub.r2H} (iii); and
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p4--N{--(CH.sub.2).sub.q5--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q6--NH-
.sub.2].sub.2}.sub.2 (iv); in the formulae (i) to (iv): p1 to p4,
q1 to q6, and r and r2 are independently an integer of from 1 to
5.
15. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .beta. are derived from the amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with the group of
formula (i).
16. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 7, wherein
the cis-diol structure of the PBA binding site-containing amino
acid residue is derived from a gluconic acid derivative.
17. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein:
at least some of the substituted PBA groups of polymer unit .alpha.
form ester bonds with at least some of the cis-diol structure of
polymer unit .beta. when the micelle is disposed in an environment
of pH 7 or higher, and the ester bonds are prone to dissociate when
the micelle is disposed in an environment of pH 4-6.
18. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, wherein
the hydrophilic polymer chain segment of both the polymer unit
.alpha. and the polymer unit .beta. comprises poly(ethylene
glycol).
19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18, wherein
the substituted PBA group has a pKa of approximately physiological
pH.
20. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .alpha. are derived from an amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with a group selected
from the following formulae (i) to (iv):
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--[NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q1--].sub.r1NH.sub- .2
(i);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--NH.sub.2].sub.2
(ii);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--N{[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q3--NH.sub.2][--(CH.s-
ub.2).sub.q4--NH--].sub.r2H} (iii); and
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p4--N{--(CH.sub.2).sub.q5--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q6--NH-
.sub.2].sub.2}.sub.2 (iv); in the formulae (i) to (iv): p1 to p4,
q1 to q6, and r1 and r2 are each independently an integer of from 1
to 5.
21. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 20, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .alpha. are derived from the amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with the group of
formula (i).
22. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .beta. are derived from an amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with a group selected
from the following formulae (i) to (iv):
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--[NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q1--].sub.r1NH.sub- .2
(i);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--NH.sub.2].sub.2
(ii);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--N{[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q3--NH.sub.2][--(CH.s-
ub.2).sub.q4--NH--].sub.r2H} (iii); and
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p4--N{--(CH.sub.2).sub.q5--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q6--NH-
.sub.2].sub.2}.sub.2 (iv); in the formulae (i) to (iv): p1 to p4,
q1 to q6, and r1 and r2 are independently an integer of from 1 to
5.
23. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 22, wherein
the cationic amino acid residues in the cationic polymer chain
segment of the polymer unit .beta. are derived from the amino acid
derivative obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl
group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with the group of
formula (i).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 15/309,310, which was a US national stage of
International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2015/063363 filed on May
8, 2015, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.
2014-097219 filed on May 8, 2014.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING FILED VIA EFS-WEB
[0002] The present application contains a Sequence Listing that has
been electronically submitted in ASCII text format via EFS-Web and
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The sequence
listing is identified on the electronically-filed text file as
follows:
TABLE-US-00001 File Name Date of Creation Size (KB)
TOD002_Seq_List_20170602.txt Jun. 2, 2017 26
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical
composition. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
pharmaceutical composition having a micelle form that encapsulates
a drug.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Biological pharmaceuticals that utilize a biopolymer, such
as a protein or a nucleic acid, are easily degraded by enzymes or
eliminated by the immune system as compared to conventional
pharmaceuticals that utilize low-molecular-weight compounds. In
order to improve the delivery of such biological drugs to an
affected area, drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed that
use polyamino acid-based block copolymers. An aim of this prior
work has been to provide a carrier that achieves both stability in
blood (retention properties of the biological drugs) and
drug-releasing properties in a target cell, and further
improvements are required in order to achieve excellent
compatibility thereof.
CITATION LIST
[0005] Patent Literature 1: JP 2011-140537 A [0006] Patent
Literature 2: JP 2002-179683 A
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present teachings is to provide a carrier
and a pharmaceutical composition that can achieve both stability of
a biological drug in blood and releasing properties in a target
cell.
[0008] A pharmaceutical composition according to one embodiment of
the present teachings includes:
[0009] a polymer unit a having a hydrophilic polymer chain segment
and a cationic polymer chain segment;
[0010] a polymer unit B having a hydrophilic polymer chain segment
and a cationic polymer chain segment; and
[0011] a drug,
[0012] in which the polymer unit a and the polymer unit B are
radially arranged, such that the cationic polymer chain segments
are directed inward and the hydrophilic polymer chain segments are
directed outward, and form a micelle, and the drug is encapsulated
in the micelle. The cationic polymer chain segment of the polymer
unit .alpha. has a phenylboronic acid group in a side chain, the
cationic polymer chain segment of the polymer unit B has a
phenylboronic acid binding site in a side chain, and the
phenylboronic acid group and the phenylboronic acid binding site
form a cross-linked structure that can dissociate in an acidic
environment or in the presence of a substance capable of
competitive binding.
[0013] In one embodiment thereof, at least one hydrogen of the
phenyl ring of the phenylboronic acid group is substituted so as to
have a pKa of approximately physiological pH.
[0014] In addition or in the alternative, the phenylboronic acid
binding site contains a cis-diol structure.
[0015] In addition or in the alternative, the drug is a nucleic
acid.
[0016] In addition or in the alternative, the nucleic acid is pDNA
or mRNA.
[0017] According to the present invention, a carrier and a
pharmaceutical composition are provided that simultaneously
achieves stability of a biological drug in blood and releasing
properties in a target cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is an electrophoresis result that compares and shows
replacement resistances of a polymer micelle to polyanion for A/P=6
in cases in which the introduction number of polyol structures was
fixed at 40 while the introduction number of FPBA groups was
varied.
[0019] FIG. 1B is an electrophoresis result that compares and shows
replacement resistances of a polymer micelle to polyanion for A/P=8
in cases in which the introduction number of polyol structures was
fixed at 40 while the introduction number of FPBA groups was
varied.
[0020] FIG. 1C is an electrophoresis result that compares and shows
replacement resistances of a polymer micelle to polyanion in cases
in which the introduction number of FPBA groups was fixed at 44
while the introduction number of polyol structures was varied.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an electrophoresis result that shows the ATP
concentration responsiveness of a polymer micelle of an
Example.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an electrophoresis result that shows the glucose
resistance of the polymer micelle of an Example.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a graph that compares and shows cellular uptake
evaluations for the polymer micelle of an Example and polymer
micelles of Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
[0024] FIG. 5A is a graph that shows gene expression evaluations
for the polymer micelle of an Example and the polymer micelles of
Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and FIG. 5B is a graph that shows
cytotoxicity evaluations of polymers constituting the polymer
micelles.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a graph that shows blood retentivity evaluations
for the polymer micelle of an Example and the polymer micelle of
Comparative Example 3.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a graph that shows gene expression evaluations for
the polymer micelle of an Example and the polymer micelle of a
Comparative Example.
[0027] FIG. 8 schematically shows a drug encapsulated in a polymer
micelle according to one aspect of the present teachings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described below.
However, the present invention is not limited to these
embodiments.
[0029] A. Synopsis of Pharmaceutical Composition
[0030] A pharmaceutical composition according to an embodiment of
the present invention includes: a polymer unit .alpha. having a
hydrophilic polymer chain segment and a cationic polymer chain
segment; a polymer unit .beta. having a hydrophilic polymer chain
segment and a cationic polymer chain segment; and a drug. The
polymer units .alpha. and .beta. are radially arranged such that
the cationic polymer chain segments are directed inward and the
hydrophilic polymer chain segments are directed outward, and form a
micelle, and the drug is encapsulated in the micelle. The cationic
polymer chain segment of the polymer unit .alpha. has a
phenylboronic acid group in a side chain, and the cationic polymer
chain segment of the polymer unit .beta. has a phenylboronic acid
binding site in a side chain. In the micelle, the phenylboronic
acid group and the phenylboronic acid binding site form a
cross-linked structure that can dissociate in an acidic environment
or in the presence of a substance capable of competitive binding.
Further details concerning the pharmaceutical composition will now
be described.
[0031] B. Polymer Unit .alpha.
[0032] The polymer unit .alpha. has a hydrophilic polymer chain
segment and a cationic polymer chain segment.
[0033] B-1. Hydrophilic Polymer Chain Segment
[0034] The hydrophilic polymer chain segment may be formed of any
appropriate hydrophilic polymer. Examples of the hydrophilic
polymer include poly(ethylene glycol), polysaccharide,
poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylamide),
poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylamide), poly(methacrylic acid),
poly(methacrylic acid ester), poly(acrylic acid ester), polyamino
acid, and poly(malic acid), and derivatives thereof. Specific
examples of the polysaccharide include starch, dextran, fructan,
and galactan. Of those, poly(ethylene glycol) may be preferably
used because: terminal-reactive polyethylene glycols having various
functional groups at terminals are commercially available; and
polyethylene glycols having various molecular weights are
commercially and readily available.
[0035] B-2. Cationic Polymer Chain Segment
[0036] The cationic polymer chain segment may be constituted of any
appropriate cationic polymer. A typical example of the cationic
polymer is polyamino acid. The cationic polymer chain segment
contains (a) phenylboronic acid (PBA) group(s) in a side chain. In
one embodiment, from the viewpoint of compatibility with an in vivo
environment typified by blood (less than pH 7.5), in the PBA group,
at least one hydrogen atom of the phenyl ring constituting the PBA
group is substituted with any substituent so that the phenylboronic
acid group has a pKa of approximately physiological pH. The pKa of
the substituted PBA group is preferably less than 8, more
preferably less than 7.5. When the pKa of the substituted PBA group
falls within such range, a cross-linked structure that can
dissociate in a desired pH range can be easily formed between the
substituted PBA group and the phenylboronic acid (PBA) binding site
of the polymer unit B, which will be described below. For example,
by controlling the pKa of the substituted PBA group, it is possible
to form a cross-linked structure that maintains its structure
extracellularly where the pH is about 7 and that easily dissociates
intracellularly in late endosomes where the pH is from 5 to 6. The
number of substituted hydrogen atoms is 1, 2, 3, or 4. When only
one hydrogen atom is substituted, the attachment positions of the
substituent and B(OH).sub.2 may be at any one of ortho, meta, and
para. Examples of the substituent(s) include: halogens, such as
fluorine, chlorine, or bromine; and a nitro group. Of those, from
the viewpoint of enhancing hydrophilicity of the block copolymer
and from the viewpoint of adjusting the pKa to less than 7.5, the
substituted PBA group is preferably a fluorinated phenylboronic
acid group represented by the following formula (I) (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as "FPBA group"). The pKa of the substituted
PBA group is specified from a substituted PBA group-containing
amino acid synthesized as a monomer. The lower limit of the pKa of
the substituted PBA group is not particularly limited, and for
example may be 2 or 3.
##STR00001##
In formula (I): F('s) is (are) present independently; n is 1, 2, 3,
or 4; and when n is 1, the attachment positions of F and
B(OH).sub.2 may be at any one of ortho, meta, and para.
[0037] Further, when the cationic polymer chain segment of the
polymer unit .alpha. has the substituted PBA group in a side chain
moiety, the following effect can be obtained: an extremely stable
polymer micelle can be formed in an aqueous medium (preferably a
near-neutral aqueous medium). Specifically, by binding the cationic
polymer chain segment having a positive charge with the drug
(typically a nucleic acid) having a negative charge via
electrostatic interactions, a polymer micelle forms in which the
cationic polymer chain segments of the polymer units .alpha. and
.beta. are inward. In the thus-formed polymer micelle, because the
cationic polymer chain segments of the polymer units .alpha. and p
are brought into proximity with each other, cross-linking between
the substituted PBA group(s) of the cationic polymer chain segment
of the polymer units .alpha. and the PBA binding site(s) of the
cationic polymer chain segment of the polymer units .beta. is
promoted. As a result, an extremely stable polymer micelle can be
formed in an aqueous medium. As described above, in the thus-formed
polymer micelle, the polymer unit .alpha. (and the polymer unit
.beta. that will be described later) is radially arranged with the
cationic polymer chain segment directed inward and the hydrophilic
polymer chain segment directed outward. Examples of the aqueous
medium include water, physiological saline, and aqueous buffers,
such as phosphate buffers, carbonate buffers, and Good's
buffers.
[0038] Now, cationic polymer chain segments (polyamino acid chain
segment) constituted of polyamino acids and having, as the PBA
group(s), (a) substituted PBA group(s) will be described as
representative examples.
[0039] The polyamino acid chain segment typically includes (a)
cationic group(s) in a side chain, in addition to the PBA group(s).
By having (a) cationic group(s) in a side chain moiety of the
polyamino acid chain segment, a cationic polymer chain segment
forms, and the cationic polymer chain segment can associate with a
biopolymer (e.g., a nucleic acid) to form a complex, such as a
polyion complex (PIC). Therefore, in one embodiment, the polyamino
acid chain segment contains (a) cationic amino acid residue(s)
having a cationic group in a side chain and (a) substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue(s) having a substituted PBA
group in a side chain. In this case, the cationic amino acid
residue(s) and the substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residue(s) may be different amino acid residues, or may be the same
amino acid residue. Specifically, the polyamino acid chain segment
may contain a cationic amino acid residue having no substituted PBA
group in a side chain and a substituted PBA group-containing amino
acid residue having no cationic group in a side chain, or may
contain, instead of one or both of, or in addition to, these
residues, an amino acid residue having both a cationic group and a
substituted PBA group in a side chain.
[0040] The cationic amino acid residue(s) is (are) preferably (a)
cationic amino acid residue(s) having an amino group in a side
chain. By having the amino group(s) in a side chain, the amino
group(s) can coordinate with boron(s) of the substituted PBA
group(s) in an aqueous medium. As a result, hydrophobization of the
polymer unit .alpha. due to introduction of the substituted PBA
group(s) can be avoided to maintain high hydrophilicity.
[0041] As amino acids from which the cationic amino acid residue
(s) having an amino group in a side chain is (are) derived, there
are given, for example, basic amino acids, such as lysine,
ornithine, arginine, homoarginine, or histidine; and amino acid
derivatives obtained by introducing any appropriate amine compound
into an acidic amino acid. Of those, preferred are lysine and amino
acid derivatives obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a
carboxyl group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with any one
of the groups of the following formulae (i) to (iv); more preferred
are lysine and amino acid derivatives obtained by substituting the
--OH moiety of a carboxyl group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) at the
.alpha.-position or .beta.-position of aspartic acid or at the
.alpha.-position or .gamma.-position of glutamic acid with any one
of the groups of the following formulae (i) to (iv); and still more
preferred are lysine and amino acid derivatives obtained by
substituting the --OH moiety of a carboxyl group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) at
the .alpha.-position or .beta.-position of aspartic acid or at the
.alpha.-position or .gamma.-position of glutamic acid with the
group of the following formula (i):
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--[NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.q1--].sub.r1NH.sub.2
(i);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--NH.sub.2].sub.2
(ii);
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--N{[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q3--NH.sub.2][--(CH.sub.2).-
sub.q4--NH--].sub.r2H} (iii); and
--NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.p4--N{--(CH.sub.2).sub.q5--N[--(CH.sub.2).sub.q6--N-
H.sub.2].sub.2}.sub.2 (iv);
in formulae (i) to (iv): p1 to p4, q1 to q6, and r1 and r2 each are
independently an integer of from 1 to 5.
[0042] In formulae (i) to (iv), p1 to p4 and q1 to q6 each are
independently preferably 2 or 3, more preferably 2. In addition, r1
and r2 are each independently an integer of from 1 to 3.
[0043] In case the cationic amino acid residue is (are) (a) lysine
residue(s), there are advantages in that the polyamino acid chain
is easily synthesized and the resultant block copolymer exceedingly
excels in biocompatibility. In addition, it has been demonstrated
that, in case the cationic amino acid residue(s) is (are) (an)
amino acid residue(s) obtained by substituting the --OH moiety of a
carboxyl group (--C(.dbd.O)OH) of an acidic amino acid with any one
of the groups of formulae (i) to (iv), because the residues have a
plurality of different amine functional groups, they exhibit a
plurality of stages of pKa's, a plurality of amine functional
groups are partially protonated under physiological conditions at
pH 7.4 and damage to cells is low. In addition, there is an
advantage in that interactions with nucleic acids or the like
enable suitable formation of a complex, such as a PIC. Further,
when the complex thus formed is internalized into an endosome (pH
5.5) and the pH decreases, the protonation of the polyamino acid
chain segment further proceeds, and endosomal escape may be
promoted based on a buffer effect (or a proton sponge effect) or
enhanced membrane-damaging activity. As a result, it is possible to
improve the efficiency of the drug delivery to the cytoplasm.
[0044] The substituted PBA group is typically introduced into the
side chain of the substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residue via a linking group. Examples of the linking group include
an amide bond, a carbamoyl bond, an alkyl bond, an ether bond, an
ester bond, a thioester bond, a thioether bond, a sulfonamide bond,
a urethane bond, a sulfonyl bond, a thymine bond, a urea bond, and
a thiourea bond, and combinations thereof. The linking group may
contain any appropriate spacer between those bonds. Examples of the
spacer include: a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 27
carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and a short-chain of
ethylene glycol (--OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2--).sub.n.
[0045] As amino acid residues into which the substituted PBA group
is introduced, any appropriate amino acid residue may be selected
as long as the substituted PBA group is introduced via the linking
group. From the viewpoint of ease of synthesis, the substituted PBA
group is preferably introduced into a cationic amino acid residue
having an amino group in a side chain. As a specific example, the
substituted PBA group may be introduced into the cationic amino
acid residue having an amino group in a side chain via an amide
bond formed by reaction of the amino group with
carboxyphenylboronic acid, in which at least one hydrogen atom of a
phenyl ring has been substituted, or an ester thereof. As another
specific example, the substituted PBA group may be introduced into
the amino group of a cationic amino acid residue having an amino
group in a side chain via a linking group formed of two amide bonds
and a propylene group included therebetween. In this context, only
one substituted PBA group or a plurality of substituted PBA groups
may be introduced into a cationic amino acid residue having a
plurality of amino groups in a side chain. In case only one
substituted PBA group is introduced, the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue obtained by the introduction
has both the amino group and the substituted PBA group in the side
chain, and hence is also a cationic amino acid residue. Therefore,
in the present invention, a polyamino acid chain segment containing
only such amino acid residues is also understood to include both
the cationic amino acid residue and the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue. However, in determining the
sum of the number of cationic amino acid residues and the number of
substituted PBA group-containing amino acid residues in the
polyamino acid chain segment containing such amino acid residue,
the amino acid residues are counted as any one of the cationic
amino acid residues and the substituted PBA group-containing amino
acid residues.
[0046] The polyamino acid chain segment may further include (an)
amino acid residue(s) having a hydrophobic group in a side chain
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as "hydrophobic amino acid
residue") as well as the cationic amino acid residue(s) and the
substituted PBA group-containing amino acid residue(s). By
including the hydrophobic amino acid residue(s), in an aqueous
medium, hydrophobic interactions among the polymer units .alpha.
increase. As a result, a more stable polymer micelle may be formed.
Further, the hydrophobic amino acid residue(s) stick(s) into
hydrophobic moieties on the cell membrane and can function as an
anchor for fixing the polymer micelle to the cell membrane.
Therefore, in case a biopolymer, such as a nucleic acid, is
encapsulated in the polymer micelle, the introduction rate of the
biopolymer into cells can be increased.
[0047] Amino acids from which the hydrophobic amino acid residue is
derived are preferably exemplified by amino acids having a
solubility of 5 g or less in 100 g of water at 25.degree. C., more
preferably 4 g or less. Examples of such amino acids include
non-polar natural amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine,
phenylalanine, methionine, or tryptophan, and hydrophobic
derivatives of amino acids that have a hydrophobic group introduced
into a side chain. As the hydrophobic derivative of the amino acid,
there is preferably given derivatives that have a hydrophobic group
introduced into a side chain of an acidic amino acid, e.g.,
aspartic acid or glutamic acid, a side chain of an acidic amino
acid having an amine compound introduced therein, or a side chain
of a basic amino acid, e.g., lysine, ornithine, arginine,
homoarginine, or histidine.
[0048] The hydrophobic group to be introduced preferably may be
exemplified by saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched,
aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 27 carbon atoms, aromatic
hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 27 carbon atoms, or steryl groups
(residues derived from a steroid).
[0049] Examples of saturated, linear or branched, aliphatic
hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 27 carbon atoms include a hexyl
group (e.g., a n-hexyl group), a heptyl group, an octyl group, a
nonyl group, a decyl group, an undecyl group, a dodecyl group, a
tridecyl group, a tetradecyl group, a pentadecyl group, a hexadecyl
group, a heptadecyl group, an octadecyl group, a nonadecyl group,
an icosyl group, an eicosyl group, a henicosyl group, a heneicosyl
group, a docosyl group, a tricosyl group, a tetracosyl group, a
pentacosyl group, a hexacosyl group, and a heptacosyl group.
Example of unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon
groups having 6 to 27 carbon atoms are groups in which 1 to 5
carbon-carbon single bonds in a chain of any of the alkyl groups
given above are replaced with carbon-carbon double bonds.
[0050] Examples of aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 27
carbon atoms include an aryl group and an aralkyl group. Preferred
specific examples of those groups include a phenyl group, a
naphthyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a benzyl group, and a
phenethyl group.
[0051] An example of the steroid from which the steryl group is
derived are sterols. Sterols mean natural, semisynthetic, or
synthetic compounds based on a cyclopentanone hydrophenanthrene
ring (C.sub.17H.sub.28) and derivatives thereof. For example,
natural sterols are exemplified by, but not limited to,
cholesterol, cholestanol, dihydrocholesterol, cholic acid,
campesterol, or sitosterol. Semisynthetic or synthetic compounds
thereof may be, for example, synthetic precursors of those natural
products (as necessary, encompassing compounds in which part or all
of, if present, certain functional groups, hydroxy groups have been
protected with a hydroxy protective group known in the art, or
compounds in which a carboxyl group has been protected with a
carboxyl protective group). In addition, sterol derivatives mean
that, for example, without adversely affecting the object of the
present invention, a C.sub.1-12 alkyl group or a halogen atom, such
as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine, may be introduced into the
cyclopentanone hydrophenanthrene ring, and the ring system may be
saturated or partially unsaturated. Sterols from which the steryl
group is derived are preferably a sterol originating from an animal
or vegetable oil, such as cholesterol, cholestanol,
dihydrocholesterol, cholic acid, campesterol, or sitosterol, more
preferably cholesterol, cholestanol, or dihydrocholesterol,
particularly preferably cholesterol.
[0052] The polyamino acid chain segment may include, as each of the
cationic amino acid residue(s), the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue(s), and the hydrophobic amino
acid residue(s), only one type of amino acid residue or two or more
types of amino acid residues. In addition, the binding order of the
cationic amino acid residue(s), the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue(s), and the hydrophobic amino
acid residue(s) in the polyamino acid chain segment is arbitrary,
and it may be a random structure or a block structure.
[0053] The number of the cationic amino acid residue(s), the
substituted PBA group-containing amino acid residue(s), and the
hydrophobic amino acid residue(s) contained in the polyamino acid
chain segment may be appropriately adjusted depending on the type
of each of the amino acid residues, or the like.
[0054] B-3. Specific Examples of Block Copolymers Capable of
Constituting Polymer Unit .alpha.
[0055] Specific examples of block copolymers capable of
constituting the polymer unit .alpha. are represented by formulae
(1) and (2). In the block copolymers of formulae (1) and (2), the
substituted PBA group(s) is (are) introduced into the side chain(s)
of the cationic amino acid residue(s). The substituted PBA group(s)
may be typically introduced through a reaction with a Q.sub.1
moiety, or with an R.sup.6a and/or R.sup.6b moiety of the block
copolymers of formulae (1) and (2):
##STR00002##
in formulae (1) and (2):
[0056] the R1 group is a hydrogen atom or an unsubstituted or
substituted, linear or branched, alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon
atoms;
[0057] the R.sup.2 group is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or
substituted, linear or branched, alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon
atoms, or an unsubstituted or substituted, linear or branched,
alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms;
[0058] the R.sup.3 group is a hydroxyl group, an unsubstituted or
substituted, linear or branched, alkyloxy group having 1 to 12
carbon atoms, an unsubstituted or substituted, linear or branched,
alkenyloxy group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted or
substituted, linear or branched, alkynyloxy group having 2 to 12
carbon atoms, or an unsubstituted or substituted, linear or
branched, alkyl-substituted imino group having 1 to 12 carbon
atoms;
[0059] the R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5a, and R.sup.5b groups are
each independently a methylene group or an ethylene group;
[0060] the R.sup.6a and R.sup.6b groups are each independently a
group selected from groups of the above-described formulae (i) to
(iv);
[0061] the R.sup.6c and R.sup.6d groups are each independently a
group obtained by introducing a saturated or unsaturated, linear or
branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 27 carbon atoms,
an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 27 carbon atoms, or a
steryl group into an amino group of a group selected from groups of
the above-described formulae (i) to (iv);
[0062] the R.sup.7a and R.sup.7b groups are each independently
--O-- or --NH--; the Rea and R.sup.8b groups are each independently
a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic
hydrocarbon group having 6 to 27 carbon atoms, an aromatic
hydrocarbon group having 6 to 27 carbon atoms, or a steryl
group;
[0063] the Q.sub.1 group is --NH.sub.2, --NHC(.dbd.NH)NH.sub.2, or
a group represented by the following formula (II),
##STR00003##
[0064] the Q.sub.2 group is a group, in which a saturated or
unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic hydrocarbon group having
6 to 27 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 27
carbon atoms, or a steryl group is introduced into an (the) amino
group of --NH.sub.2, --NHC(.dbd.NH)NH.sub.2, or the group
represented by the above-described formula (II);
[0065] the P group is a side chain of leucine, isoleucine,
phenylalanine, methionine, or tryptophan;
[0066] L.sup.1 and L.sup.3 are each independently --S--S-- or a
valence bond;
[0067] L.sup.2 is --NH--, --H--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.p1--NH--, or
-L.sup.2-(CH.sub.2).sub.g1-L.sup.2b-, where p1 and q1 are each
independently an integer of from 1 to 5, L.sup.2a is OCO, OCONH,
NHCO, NHCOO, NHCONH, CONH, or COO, and L.sup.2b is NH or O;
[0068] L.sup.4 is --OCO--(CH.sub.2).sub.p2--CO--,
--NHCO--(CH.sub.2).sub.p3--CO--, or
-L.sup.4a-(CH.sub.2).sub.q2--CO--, where p2, p3, and q2 are each
independently an integer of from 1 to 5, and L.sup.4a is OCONH,
--CH.sub.2NHCO--, NHCOO, NHCONH, CONH, or COO;
[0069] k is an integer of from 30 to 20,000;
[0070] s is an integer of from 1 to 6;
[0071] m is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0072] n is an integer of from 0 to m;
[0073] a is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0074] b is an integer of from 0 to a;
[0075] v is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0076] c is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0077] x is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0078] y is an integer of from 0 to x;
[0079] z is an integer of from 0 to 300;
[0080] with the proviso that,
[0081] when m is 0, z is an integer of 2 or more;
[0082] when z is 0, m is an integer of 1 or more; and when the sum
of the total number of primary amino groups and secondary amino
groups contained in z of the Q.sub.1 group and the total number of
primary amino groups and secondary amino groups contained in (m-n)
of the R.sup.6a group and n of the R.sup.6b group, is defined as w,
1 or more but less than w of the hydrogen atom(s) of the amino
group(s) is (are) each substituted with an organic group (e.g., an
acyl group) having a substituted PBA group (e.g., an FPBA group
represented by the formula (I)).
[0083] In formula (1) or (2), both of L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 and both
of L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 each need to be combined together so as to
form one linking group. For example, when L.sup.2 is --NH--,
L.sup.1 is not --S--S-- but rather is a valence bond.
[0084] In formula (1) or (2), k, which represents the number of
repetitions of ethylene glycol (or oxyethylene), is an integer of
from 30 to 20,000, preferably from 40 to 2,000, more preferably
from 50 to 1,500.
[0085] An alkyl moiety in the linear or branched alkyloxy group,
alkyl-substituted imino group, and alkyl group having 1 to 12
carbon atoms, which are defined by the R1 to R.sup.3 groups, may
be, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group,
an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a
tert-butyl group, a n-hexyl group, a decyl group, and an undecyl
group. An alkenyl or alkynyl moiety in the linear or branched
alkenyloxy group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms or the linear or
branched alkynyloxy group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms may be
exemplified by an alkenyl or alkynyl moiety containing a double
bond or a triple bond in the alkyl group having 2 or more carbon
atoms as exemplified above.
[0086] For such groups or moieties, substituents in a "substituted"
case may be exemplified by, but not limited to, a C.sub.1-6 alkoxy
group, an aryloxy group, an aryl C.sub.1-3 oxy group, a cyano
group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, a C.sub.1-6 alkoxycarbonyl
group, a C.sub.2-7 acylamide group, a tri-C.sub.1-6 alkyl siloxy
group, a siloxy group, or a silylamino group, or may be exemplified
by an acetalized formyl group, a formyl group, or a halogen atom,
such as chlorine or fluorine. In this context, for example, the
expression "C.sub.1-6" means 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is used with
the same meaning in the following description. Further, an
unsubstituted or substituted, linear or branched, alkyl moiety
having 1 to 12 carbon atoms in the unsubstituted or substituted,
linear or branched, alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms
may be selected with reference to the above-described examples, and
an alkyl moiety having 13 or more carbon atoms may be, for example,
a tridecyl group, a tetradecyl group, a pentadecyl group, a
nonadecyl group, a docosanyl group, or a tetracosyl group.
[0087] In another embodiment, a substituent for the R1 group may be
a group containing a target binding site. The introduction of the
target binding site into the terminus of a polymer can improve the
delivery of a drug (e.g., a nucleic acid) to a desired target site.
The group containing the target binding site may be any appropriate
group as long as the group has targeting properties or
functionality for a tissue to be targeted; for example, the group
may be a group originating from a physiologically active substance,
such as an antibody or a fragment thereof, or another protein or
peptide each having functionality or targeting properties, a
peptide, an aptamer, a sugar such as lactose, or folic acid, and
derivatives thereof.
[0088] An example of the R1 group substituted by a group including
the target binding site is represented by the following formula
(III):
##STR00004##
where v represents an integer of from 1 to 5, and D represents the
target binding site.
[0089] D is preferably a peptide having a weight average molecular
weight of from 50 to 20,000, more preferably a peptide having a
weight average molecular weight of from 100 to 10,000, still more
preferably a peptide having a weight average molecular weight of
from 150 to 3,000.
[0090] In addition, D is preferably a peptide having 1 to 200 amino
acid residues, more preferably a peptide having 1 to 100 amino acid
residues, still more preferably a peptide having 1 to 30 amino acid
residues.
[0091] Examples of the peptide include peptides capable of
specifically binding to integrin, which is involved in
angiogenesis, intimal thickening, and malignant tumor growth, and
specific examples thereof include RGD peptides. By using an RGD
peptide as the target binding site, particles, which are capable of
specifically recognizing a diseased portion, and pharmaceutical
compositions using the particles are obtainable. The RGD peptides
as used herein refer to peptides that include an
arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence. The RGD peptide is
preferably a cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptide. Specifically, D may be
represented by the following formula (IV).
##STR00005##
[0092] The groups of formulae (i) to (iv) and the hydrocarbon group
or steryl group defined in formula (1) or (2) are as mentioned
above. For the Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, R.sup.6c,
R.sup.6d, R.sup.8a, and R.sup.8b groups, the same group may be
selected for all of repeating units belonging thereto, or different
groups may be selected. In addition, s is, for example, 1, 3, or
4.
[0093] The hydrophobic group to be introduced into the Q.sub.2,
R.sup.6c, or R.sup.6d group may be introduced via any appropriate
linking group. Specific examples of the linking group include the
ones described above as the linking groups applicable to the
introduction of the substituted PBA group(s).
[0094] In formula (1) or (2), in case both of the R.sup.4a and
R.sup.4b groups represent an ethylene group, typically polyamino
acids are represented in which n and b each represent an integer of
0 or in which m-n and .alpha.-b each represent an integer of 0. The
former represents, for example, poly-.alpha.-glutamic acid, which
is obtained by the polymerization of an N-carboxylic anhydride of
glutamic acid .gamma.-benzyl ester, and the latter represents, for
example, poly-.gamma.-glutamic acid, which strains of the bacteria
genus Bacillus such as Bacillus natto produce. On the other hand,
in case both of the R.sup.4a and R.sup.4b groups represent a
methylene group, it is understood that the respective repeating
units having those groups may coexist with each other. The same
holds true for the R.sup.5a and R.sup.5b groups in formula (1) or
(2). From the viewpoint of manufacturing efficiency, it is
preferred that the R.sup.4a and R.sup.4b groups are methylene
groups and the R.sup.5a and R.sup.5b groups are ethylene
groups.
[0095] The total number of cationic amino acid residues and
substituted PBA group-containing amino acid residues contained in
the polyamino acid chain segment constituting the polymer unit
.alpha. is 1 or more. From the viewpoint of the stability of the
polymer micelle that will be formed, the total number of cationic
amino acid residues and substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residues is an integer of preferably 10 or more, more preferably 20
or more (for example, an integer of 30 or more, 40 or more, or 50
or more), and is an integer of preferably 300 or less, more
preferably 200 or less, still more preferably 150 or less, yet
still more preferably 100 or less. When the polyamino acid chain
segment contains a hydrophobic amino acid residue, the number of
cationic amino acid residues may be appropriately adjusted within
the above-mentioned suitable range depending on the number of
hydrophobic amino acid residues. When the polyamino acid chain
segment contains a hydrophobic amino acid residue, the micelle can
become more stabilized. Accordingly, the total number of cationic
amino acid residues, substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residues, and hydrophobic amino acid residues may be an integer of
preferably from 10 to 150, more preferably from 20 to 100.
[0096] In the polyamino acid chain segment constituting the polymer
unit a, the number of substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residues may be appropriately adjusted depending on, for example,
the type or number of cationic amino acid residue (s).
Specifically, as long as the polymer micelle can be stably formed,
the number or introduction ratio of substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residues may be set to any appropriate
value. For example, the introduction ratio of the substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residue (number of substituted PBA
group-containing amino acid residues with respect to the total
number of cationic amino acid residues in the polymer unit a) is
preferably 1% or more, more preferably 5% or more, still more
preferably 10% or more, and is preferably 90% or less, more
preferably 80% or less, still more preferably 70% or less (when the
polyamino acid chain segment contains no hydrophobic amino acid
residue, the introduction ratio may be, for example, from 30% to
90%, from 40% to 80%, or from 50% to 70%). When the introduction
ratio of the substituted PBA group-containing amino acid residue
falls within such range, cross-linked structures having a desired
cross-link density are formed, and as a result, a polymer micelle
that excels in stability and drug retention properties in blood,
and that excels in dissociation and drug releasing properties in
cells, can be achieved.
[0097] [B-4. Production Method for Polymer Unit .alpha.]
[0098] In one embodiment, the polymer unit .alpha. may be produced
by any appropriate synthesis method. An example of the synthesis
method for the polymer unit .alpha. in one embodiment is as
described below. The polymer unit .alpha. may be produced by:
forming a polyethylene glycol chain by anion living polymerization
using an initiator capable of providing R1; introducing an amino
group at the growing end side of the polyethylene glycol chain;
from the amino end, polymerizing a protected amino acid derivative,
such as NCA-Lys(TFA), to form a polyamino acid chain segment;
deprotecting the side chains of the polyamino acids to expose the
amino groups; and subjecting the exposed amino groups to a reaction
with the carboxyl group of a fluorinated carboxyphenylboronic acid
to introduce a desired number of FPBA groups into the side chain(s)
via amide bond(s).
[0099] In another embodiment, the polymer unit .alpha. may be
produced as described below, for example. The polymer unit .alpha.
may be produced by: forming a polyethylene glycol chain by anion
living polymerization using an initiator capable of providing R1;
introducing an amino group at the growing end side of the
polyethylene glycol chain; from the amino end, polymerizing an
N-carboxylic anhydride of a protected amino acid, such as
B-benzyl-L-aspartate or .gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate, to form a
polyamino acid chain segment; subsequently subjecting the polyamino
acid to a reaction with an amine compound, such as
diethylenetriamine (DET), to introduce (an) amine residue(s), such
as a DET group, into the amino acid side chain(s) by an ester-amide
exchange reaction; and subsequently subjecting amino groups of the
amine residues to a reaction with the carboxyl group of a
fluorinated carboxyphenylboronic acid to introduce a desired number
of FPBA groups into the side chain via (an) amide bond(s). In this
case, if the polyamino acid chain segment is formed by combining
B-benzyl-L-aspartate and .gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate, the subsequent
ester-amide exchange reaction occurs preferentially for
B-benzyl-L-aspartate. As a result, a block copolymer may be
obtained that includes (an) amino acid residue(s) originating from
.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamate as the hydrophobic amino acid
residue(s).
[0100] It should be noted that a portion of the amino acid ester
residues may undergo a structural change by nucleophilic attack of
an amine (for example, imide ring formation through the
dealcoholization of an amino acid ester residue) during the
synthesis process. The polyamino acid chain segment to be used in
the present invention may further include residues that have
undergone such structural change. In this case, the residues that
have undergone the structural change are excluded from the cationic
amino acid residue, the substituted PBA group-containing amino acid
residue, and the hydrophobic amino acid residue. In addition, a
portion of the NH groups and NH.sub.2 groups in the cationic amino
acid residues may be converted into (a) salt(s) (mainly
hydrochloride) by use of an acid (mainly hydrochloric acid) during
the synthesis process. In the present invention, the polyamino acid
chain segment may include such structure(s). In other words, a
portion of the NH groups and NH.sub.2 groups in the Q, R.sup.6a,
and R.sup.6b groups may be in the form of a salt (for example,
hydrochloride).
[0101] In addition, a block copolymer including a hydrophilic
polymer (polyethylene glycol) having a target binding site at the
end may be synthesized by: synthesizing a block copolymer as
mentioned above using polyethylene glycol having a target binding
site at the .alpha.-end or synthesizing a block copolymer as
mentioned above using polyethylene glycol having a functional group
capable of subsequently introducing a group including a target
binding site into the .alpha.-end; and then introducing the group
including the target binding site. A variety of methods may be used
as introduction methods for the group including the target binding
site; for example, by mixing in an acidic solution a block
copolymer, which has a polyethylene glycol chain acetalized at the
.alpha.-end, and a compound, which has a desired target binding
site and a cysteine terminus, the target binding site can be
provided at the terminus of the polyethylene glycol chain.
[0102] C. Polymer Unit .beta.
[0103] The polymer unit .beta. has a hydrophilic polymer chain
segment and a cationic polymer chain segment like the polymer unit
.alpha.. The hydrophilic polymer chain segment is as described in
section B-1 for the polymer unit .alpha.. Hereinafter, only the
characteristic portions of the polymer unit .beta. will be
described for the cationic polymer chain segment of the polymer
unit .beta.. With regard to the other portions, it is as described
in the section B-2 for the polymer unit .alpha..
[0104] The cationic polymer chain segment of the polymer unit
.beta. has a PBA binding site in a side chain. Any appropriate
chemical structure capable of binding to a PBA group to form a
cross-linked structure may be adopted as the PBA binding site.
Examples of chemical structures capable of constituting the PBA
binding site include a polyol (in particular, a cis-diol), a
diamine, hydroxyamine, a hydroxamic acid, and an
alkoxycarboxyamide. The reaction between the PBA binding site and
the PBA group is typically a dehydration reaction, and hence the
binding between the PBA binding site and the PBA group is typically
a covalent bond. As compounds having a chemical structure capable
of serving as the PBA binding site, for example, the following
compounds 1 to 43 and derivatives thereof can be mentioned.
##STR00006## ##STR00007## ##STR00008## ##STR00009##
##STR00010##
[0105] A functional group (e.g., a carboxyl group) capable of
reacting with an amino group may be introduced into any appropriate
position of any such compound as described above through the use of
any appropriate reaction. The introduction of such a functional
group facilitates a reaction with an amino group in a side chain of
the cationic polymer chain segment, and as a result, facilitates
the introduction of the PBA binding site.
[0106] In case the PBA binding site is a polyol structure, the
number of hydroxy groups contained in a polyol compound from which
the polyol structure is derived may be appropriately selected
according to the objective, etc. The polyol structure preferably
contains a cis-diol structure. Because the cis-diol structure
easily forms an ester bond between itself and a PBA group, an ester
bond is easily formed between the PBA group of the polymer unit
.alpha. and the polyol structure of the polymer unit .beta.. As a
result, a very stable polymer micelle can be formed. In addition,
as described above, for example, a carboxyl group may be introduced
into any appropriate position of the polyol compound through the
use of any appropriate reaction. The introduction of the carboxyl
group facilitates a reaction with a side chain of the cationic
polymer chain segment (substantially, an amino group in the side
chain), and as a result, facilitates the introduction of the polyol
structure. From such viewpoint, compound 1 (a gluconic acid
derivative) is preferred. In addition, polyol structures derived
from such a compound also excels in reactivity with the PBA group
of the polymer unit .alpha., and hence can form the desired
cross-linked structure.
[0107] Methods of introducing the PBA binding site (e.g., a polyol
structure) into the polymer unit .beta. are similar to the methods
of introducing the PBA group into the polymer unit .alpha.. For
example, an amino group in a side chain of a polyamino acid chain
segment in a block copolymer having a polyethylene glycol (PEG)
chain segment and a polyamino acid chain segment may be subjected
to a reaction with a carboxyl group of a compound having the PBA
binding site (e.g., a polyol compound, such the gluconic acid
derivative that is the compound 1) to introduce a polyol
structure(s) into the side chain. The structures of the main chain
and side chain of the block copolymer before the introduction of
the PBA binding site(s) are similar to the structures of the main
chain and side chain of the block copolymer before the introduction
of the PBA group(s), and hence reference may be made to the
description for the polymer unit .alpha. in sections B-2 to
B-4.
[0108] As described above, the block copolymer capable of
constituting the polymer unit .beta. is similar to the block
copolymer capable of constituting the polymer unit .alpha., and
specific examples thereof are the block copolymers represented by
the formulas (1) and (2) (with the proviso that when the sum of the
total number of primary amino groups and secondary amino groups
contained in z of group Q.sub.1 and the total number of primary
amino groups and secondary amino groups contained in (m-n) of
R.sup.6a group and n of R.sup.6b group is defined as w, 1 or more
but less than w of the hydrogen atoms of the amino groups are each
substituted with a residue having the PBA binding site). The total
number of cationic amino acid residues and PBA binding
site-containing amino acid residues contained in the polyamino acid
chain segment constituting the polymer unit .beta. is similar to
that in the case of the polymer unit .alpha.. Specifically, the
total number is an integer of 1 or more, preferably 10 or more,
more preferably 20 or more (for example, an integer of 30 or more,
40 or more, or 50 or more), and is an integer of preferably 300 or
less, more preferably 200 or less, still more preferably 150 or
less, yet still more preferably 100 or less. When the polyamino
acid chain segment contains a hydrophobic amino acid residue, the
number of cationic amino acid residues may be appropriately
adjusted within the above-mentioned suitable range depending on the
number of hydrophobic amino acid residues. When the polyamino acid
chain segment contains (a) hydrophobic amino acid residue(s), the
micelle can become more stabilized. Accordingly, the total number
of cationic amino acid residues, PBA binding site-containing amino
acid residues, and hydrophobic amino acid residues may be
preferably from 10 to 150, more preferably from 20 to 100.
[0109] In the polyamino acid chain segment constituting the polymer
unit .beta., the number of PBA binding site-containing amino acid
residues may be appropriately adjusted depending on, for example,
the type or number of cationic amino acid residues. Specifically,
as long as the polymer micelle can be stably formed, the number or
introduction ratio of PBA binding site-containing amino acid
residues may be set to any appropriate value. For example, the
introduction ratio of the PBA binding site-containing amino acid
residue (number of PBA group binding site-containing amino acid
residues with respect to the total number of cationic amino acid
residues in the polymer unit .beta.) is preferably 1% or more, more
preferably 5% or more, still more preferably 10% or more, and is
preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or less, still more
preferably 70% or less (when the polyamino acid chain segment
contains no hydrophobic amino acid residue, the introduction ratio
may be, for example, from 30% to 90%, from 40% to 80%, or from 50%
to 70%). When the introduction ratio of the PBA binding
site-containing amino acid residue falls within such range,
cross-linked structures having a desired cross-link density are
formed. As a result, a polymer micelle that excels in stability and
drug retention properties in blood, and that excels in dissociation
and drug releasing properties in cells can be achieved.
[0110] D. Polymer Micelle and Cross-linked Structure
D-1. Polymer Micelle
[0111] As described above, in the pharmaceutical composition
according to the embodiment of the present invention, the polymer
units .alpha. and .beta. form a polymer micelle by being radially
arranged so that the cationic polymer chain segments are directed
inward and the hydrophilic polymer chain segments are directed
outward. The average particle diameter of the polymer micelle is
preferably from 20 nm to 200 nm, more preferably from 30 nm to 150
nm, still more preferably from 30 nm to 120 nm.
[0112] The contents of the polymer units .alpha. and .beta. in the
polymer micelle only need to be such that the charge ratio of
cations of the polymer units .alpha. and .beta. to anions of the
drug is 1 or more. For example, in case the drug is a nucleic acid,
the polymer micelle may have a ratio [number of positive charges of
the cationic polymer chain segment]/[number of negative charges of
the nucleic acid] at a pH of 7.4 of, for example, from 1/1 to 20/1,
preferably from 1/1 to 10/1. The ratio between the contents of the
polymer unit .alpha. and the polymer unit .beta. in the polymer
micelle is preferably from 2:3 to 3:2, more preferably around
1:1.
D-2. Cross-Linked Structure
[0113] In the polymer micelle, the phenylboronic acid group(s) of
the polymer units .alpha. and the PBA binding site (s) of the
polymer units .beta. form cross-linked structures as shown in FIG.
8 and described below. It is noted that FIG. 8 schematically shows
the drug encapsulated in the polymer micelle as well as the
cross-linked structure.
[0114] The cross-linked structure shown in FIG. 8 can dissociate in
an acidic environment, preferably at a pH of 6 or less, more
preferably at a pH in the range of from 4 to 6. By forming such
cross-linked structure, a high drug (e.g., nucleic acid) delivery
capability to cells can be achieved. Specifically, in vivo, the
extracellular pH is about 7, whereas intracellularly the pH of late
endosomes is from 5 to 6. Therefore, the cross-linked structure
maintains the structure extracellularly, and easily dissociates
intracellularly in late endosomes. As a result, the pharmaceutical
composition (e.g., a polymer micelle) according to an embodiment of
the present invention can stably maintain a drug (e.g., nucleic
acid)-encapsulating form until reaching a target cell, and can
smoothly and efficiently release the drug into the target cell
after being taken up by the target cell. More specifically, the
release of the drug can be achieved as described below. The polymer
micelle taken up by the target cell undergoes dissociation of the
cross-linked structure in the acidic environment (typically having
a pH of from 5 to 6) in a late endosome. As a result, polymer units
having a relatively strong interaction with the drug associate. On
the other hand, polymer units having a relatively weak interaction
with the drug break away from the micelle, and the drug achieves
endosomal escape by exhibiting membrane-damaging activity on the
endosomal membrane. The electrostatic binding and hydrophobic
interaction of the drug (e.g., nucleic acid) aggregates within the
cytoplasm are weakened by the action of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) present at high concentration in cytoplasm; similarly, the
drug can be released into cells by a replacement reaction with
anionic substances, such as nucleic acids or proteins, present at
high concentration in cytoplasm as well. In some cases, the
cross-linked structure dissociates in the presence of a substance
capable of competitive binding. As used herein, the term "substance
capable of competitive binding" refers to substances having a
functional group that can form a bond between itself and the PBA
group or the PBA binding site more easily than that of the bond
(cross-linked structure) between the PBA group and the PBA binding
site. That is, in the presence of such a substance, the PBA group
or the PBA binding site preferentially binds to the functional
group of the substance, and thus the cross-linked structure can
dissociate. The mechanism of drug release after the dissociation of
the cross-linked structure is the same as above. Specific examples
of substances capable of competitive binding include
ribonucleotides or ribonucleosides, such as RNA and ATP, NADH,
NADP, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Each of the
ribonucleotides, the ribonucleosides, NADH, and NADP has a cis-diol
structure, and hence are also compounds having a PBA binding site.
As an example of a substance capable of competitive binding, ATP is
described. That is, extracellularly, the bonds between the PBA
groups of the polymer units .alpha. and the PBA binding sites of
the polymer units .beta. greatly contribute to the stabilization of
the polymer micelle, whereas intracellularly (where ATP, which is a
molecule capable of binding to the PBA group, is abundantly
present), the bonds between the PBA groups and the PBA binding
sites in the polymer micelle are replaced with bonds between the
PBA groups and ATP. As a result, the bonds between the PBA groups
and the PBA binding sites are cleaved, and hence the cross-linked
structures dissociate and the polymer micelle can collapse.
Substances capable of competitive binding preferably have a high
PBA binding ability. For example, glucose, which is abundant in
blood, has an ability to bind to the PBA group, but the binding
ability is very low, and hence the bonds between the PBA groups and
the PBA binding sites in the polymer micelle are maintained, and
the polymer micelle is also stably maintained in blood.
[0115] Further, the cross-linked structure has the following
effect: the cross-linked structure can be formed in a neutral
environment with extreme ease. That is, a polymer micelle having
formed therein the cross-linked structure can be easily formed by
simply mixing the polymer unit .alpha. and the polymer unit .beta.
in a neutral aqueous medium. Therefore, a drug-encapsulating
polymer micelle having excellent drug retention properties can be
easily formed by simply mixing the polymer unit .alpha., the
polymer unit .beta., and the drug in a neutral aqueous medium. As
specific examples, formation methods are mentioned that involve:
mixing the polymer unit .alpha. and the polymer unit .beta. in a
neutral solvent, and then adding the drug, followed by further
mixing; mixing the polymer unit .alpha., the polymer unit .beta.,
and the drug in a neutral solvent; mixing the polymer unit .alpha.
and the drug in a neutral solvent, and then adding the polymer unit
.beta., followed by further mixing; or mixing the polymer unit
.beta. and the drug in a neutral solvent, and then adding the
polymer unit .alpha., followed by further mixing.
[0116] E. Drug
[0117] As the drug, any appropriate drug may be used as long as the
drug can be encapsulated in the polymer micelle. An example of the
drug that can be suitably encapsulated in the polymer micelle as
described above is a nucleic acid. The nucleic acid is preferably a
long-chain (that is, high-molecular-weight) nucleic acid, more
preferably mRNA or pDNA. In the case of mRNA, binding to the PBA
group at its 3' end is difficult, and as a result, binding to the
polymer unit .alpha. is difficult. Accordingly, the encapsulation
and retention by the polymer micelle having the cross-linked
structure(s) are very useful. In the case of pDNA, binding to the
PBA group is substantially impossible, and hence as in the case of
the mRNA, the encapsulation and retention by the polymer micelle
having the cross-linked structure(s) are very useful. Each
nucleotide contained in the nucleic acid may be of a natural type
or a chemically modified non-natural type, and may have added
thereto an amino group, a thiol group, or a molecule such as
fluorescent compound.
[0118] The content of the drug in the polymer micelle may be
appropriately set according to the objectives and applications,
etc. In case the drug is a nucleic acid, the N/P ratio is
preferably from 1 to 100, more preferably from 1 to 50, still more
preferably from 1 to 10. When the N/P ratio falls within such
range, stability under physiological conditions is excellent and
toxicity can be suppressed. The N/P ratio means [amino groups of
polyamino acid side chains in polymer units contained in polymer
micelle]/[phosphate groups in nucleic acid].
EXAMPLES
[0119] Hereinafter, although the present invention will be
described concretely by way of Examples, the present invention is
not limited to Examples below. It should be noted that in the
Examples below, for example, the expression
"PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75" means that its polyamino acid
chain segment is one obtained by introducing 44 FPBA groups into a
polyaspartic acid derivative having a polymerization degree (number
of amino acid residues) of 75. In addition, the molecular weight of
the PEG in each polymer unit synthesized in the Examples is
12,000.
Manufacturing Example 1: Synthesis of Polymer Unit .alpha.
(1-i) Synthesis of PEG-PBLA
[0120] PEG-PBLA (poly(.beta.-benzyl-L-aspartic acid ester)) was
synthesized in accordance with the following scheme.
##STR00011##
[0121] 505 mg of Methoxy(MeO)-PEG-NH.sub.2 (manufactured by NOF
Corporation, Mw=12,000) that had been lyophilized from benzene
overnight was completely dissolved in 5.1 ml of a
DMF:dichloromethane (1:10) mixed solvent. Under an Ar atmosphere,
920 mg of N-carboxy acid anhydride of .beta.-benzyl-L-aspartic acid
ester (BLA) (BLA-NCA, manufactured by Chuo Kaseihin Co., Inc.) was
dissolved in 9.2 ml of the same mixed solvent as above. The BLA-NCA
solution was added to the PEG solution, and the mixture was stirred
in a water bath at 25.degree. C. for 72 hours. After confirmation
of the completion of the reaction by IR measurement, the reaction
liquid was added dropwise to 300 ml of a stirred ethyl
acetate:hexane (4:6) mixed solvent to provide a white precipitate
of PEG-PBLA. The solvent was removed by suction filtration,
followed by drying under reduced pressure. Thus, PEG-PBLA (1.11 g)
was obtained as white powder. The polymerization degree (number of
amino acid residues) of PBLA was 75.
[0122] (1-ii) Synthesis of PEG-PAsp(DET)
[0123] Next, PEG-PAsp(DET) was synthesized through an ester-amide
exchange reaction between the PEG-PBLA and diethylenetriamine
(DET). The synthesis scheme is as shown below.
##STR00012##
[0124] 600 mg of the PEG-PBLA was dissolved in a small amount of
dichloromethane, and benzene was added, followed by lyophilization
overnight. Under an Ar atmosphere, the lyophilized PEG-PBLA was
dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)
containing 0.5 M thiourea. 50 Equivalents of anhydrous DET (9 ml)
with respect to PBLA was taken in a separate flask, and dissolved
in anhydrous NMP (9 ml). The PEG-PBLA solution and the DET solution
were both cooled to 10.degree. C., and the PEG-PBLA solution was
slowly added dropwise to the DET solution. The mixture was allowed
to react for about 2 hours. After the reaction, the reaction
solution was added dropwise into a stirred 5 M aqueous solution of
hydrochloric acid under cooling with salted ice. During the
dropwise addition, the solution was prevented from exceeding
5.degree. C. Immediately after the completion of the dropwise
addition, dialysis was initiated at 4.degree. C. with a 0.01 M
aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The dialysis was performed
three times with the 0.01 M aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid,
and twice with pure water. After the dialysis, the resultant was
lyophilized overnight, redissolved in a small amount of pure water,
filtered with a 0.2 .mu.m syringe filter, and lyophilized again
overnight. Thus, PEG-PAsp(DET) (551 mg) was obtained.
[0125] (1-iii) Introduction of PBA Groups into PEG-PAsp(DET)
[0126] Next, PBA groups (in this Manufacturing Example, FPBA
groups) were introduced into side chains of PEG-PAsp(DET) through a
dehydration condensation reaction using a triazine-based condensing
agent DMT-MM. The reaction scheme is as shown below.
##STR00013##
[0127] 40 mg of PEG-PAsp(DET), 155 mg of DMT-MM (manufactured by
Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 102 mg of mannitol were
dissolved in 7.5 ml of a 20 mM NaHCO.sub.3 solution. Meanwhile,
FPBA (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in an
amount corresponding to a predetermined introduction ratio as shown
in Table 1 below was dissolved in methanol. The FPBA was dissolved
in 2 ml of methanol when having a mass of 10 mg or less, and the
FPBA was dissolved in 7.5 ml of methanol when having a mass of more
than 10 mg. The PEG-PAsp(DET) and the FPBA solution were mixed, and
while 155 mg of DMT-MM (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical
Industries, Ltd.) was added every 1 hour, the mixture was allowed
to react while being stirred at 4.degree. C. for 3 hours.
Immediately after the reaction, dialysis was initiated at 4.degree.
C. with a 0.01 M aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. The
dialysis was performed three times with the 0.01 M aqueous solution
of hydrochloric acid, and twice with pure water. After the
dialysis, the resultant was filtered with a 0.2 .mu.m syringe
filter and lyophilized to provide PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA). Analysis by
1H-NMR found that the actual introduction numbers of FPBA groups
were as shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Manufacturing Example 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F
Amount of 4.2 8.3 12.6 14.7 16.8 25.2 FPBA (mg) Theoretical 15 30
45 56 68 75 introduction number Actual 11 19 44 56 67 71
introduction number
Production Example 2: Synthesis of Polymer Unit .beta.
(2-i) Synthesis of PEG-PAsp(DET)
[0128] PEG-PAsp(DET) was synthesized in the same manner as in
Manufacturing Example 1.
(2-ii) Synthesis of Gluconic Acid Derivative (Polyol)
[0129] A gluconic acid derivative (polyol) was synthesized by
allowing gluconolactone to react with .gamma.-aminobutyric acid to
open its ring. The synthesis scheme is as shown below.
##STR00014##
[0130] 89 mg of gluconolactone (0.5 mmol, manufactured by Tokyo
Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and 52 mg of .gamma.-aminobutyric acid
(0.5 mmol, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were
mixed, and the mixture was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 14 ml of
methanol and 1.5 ml of triethylamine. The solution was subjected to
reaction by being left to stand overnight while being refluxed at
75.degree. C. After the completion of the reaction, the resultant
was recrystallized from an ethyl acetate:hexane (1:1) mixed
solvent, and dried under reduced pressure to provide a gluconic
acid derivative.
(2-iii) Introduction of Polyol Structure into PEG-PAsp(DET)
[0131] Next, polyol structures were introduced into side chains of
PEG-PAsp(DET) through a dehydration condensation reaction using a
triazine-based condensing agent DMT-MM between PEG-PAsp(DET) and
the gluconic acid derivative. A reaction scheme is as shown
below.
##STR00015##
[0132] 40 mg of PEG-PAsp(DET), 155 mg of DMT-MM (manufactured by
Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and the gluconic acid
derivative in an amount corresponding to a predetermined
introduction ratio as shown in Table 2 below were dissolved in a 10
mM NaHCO.sub.3 solution. The system for the intended introduction
number of 75 was frozen at -20.degree. C. and thawed to perform the
reaction (freeze-thaw method). In each of the other three systems,
the reaction was performed under stirring at 4.degree. C. for 3
hours. Immediately after the reaction, dialysis was initiated at
4.degree. C. with a 0.01 M aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid.
The dialysis was performed three times with the 0.01 M aqueous
solution of hydrochloric acid, and twice with pure water. After the
dialysis, the resultant was filtered with a 0.2 .mu.m syringe
filter and lyophilized to provide PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol). Analysis by
1H-NMR found that the actual introduction numbers of polyol
structures were as shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Manufacturing Example 2A 2B 2C 2D Amount of
gluconic acid 5.3 7.9 10.5 26.5 derivative (mg) Theoretical
introduction 15 22 30 75 number Actual introduction number 7 11 20
40
Example A: Preparation of pDNA-Encapsulating Polymer Micelle
[0133] The polymer units .alpha. obtained in Manufacturing Examples
1A to 1F above and the polymer units .beta. obtained in
Manufacturing Examples 2A to 2D above were used in combination to
prepare polymer micelle solutions. Specifically, the polymer
micelle solutions were each prepared by the following procedure.
The polymer units .alpha. and the polymer units .beta. were each
dissolved in a 10 mM HEPES solution (pH 7.4) at 1 mg/ml. The
concentrations of those solutions were adjusted corresponding to an
N/P ratio. 5 .mu.l of a solution of polymer unit .alpha. and 5
.mu.l of a solution of polymer unit .beta. were mixed, and then 20
.mu.l of 50 .mu.g/ml (1 OD) of pDNA was added to prepare a solution
of a pDNA-encapsulating polymer micelle. In the following
evaluations, the solutions of pDNA-encapsulating polymer micelles
were prepared using pCAG-Luc2 as the pDNA only in the blood
retentivity evaluation, and using pCAG-Luc as the pDNA in other
evaluations. Specifically, pCAG-Luc means an expression vector
obtained by incorporating a Luciferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 1)
downstream of the CAG promoter of a pCAGGS vector (Niwa et al.,
Gene 108, 193-200, 1991). pCAG-Luc2 means an expression vector
obtained by incorporating a Luciferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 3)
downstream of the CAG promoter of a pCAGGS vector (Niwa et al.,
Gene 108, 193-200, 1991).
Comparative Example 1
[0134] A solution of a pDNA-encapsulating polymer micelle was
prepared in the same manner as in the Example except that the
polymer unit .alpha. (50%) and PEG-PAsp(DET) (50%) synthesized in
Manufacturing Example 1 were used.
Comparative Example 2
[0135] A solution of a pDNA-encapsulating polymer micelle was
prepared in the same manner as in the Example except that the
polymer unit .beta. (50%) synthesized in Manufacturing Example 2
and PEG-PAsp(DET) (50%) synthesized in Manufacturing Example 1 were
used.
Comparative Example 3
[0136] A solution of a pDNA-encapsulating polymer micelle was
prepared in the same manner as in the Example except that only
PEG-PAsp(DET) synthesized in Manufacturing Example 1 was used.
[0137] <Particle Diameter of Polymer Micelles>
[0138] Polymer micelles were prepared for all combinations of the
polymer units .alpha. obtained in Manufacturing Examples 1A to 1F
above and the polymer units .beta. obtained in Manufacturing
Examples 2A to 2D above. The resultant polymer micelle solutions
were left to stand at 4.degree. C. overnight, and then subjected to
DLS measurement with a Zetasizer Nano-ZS (Malvern) to measure the
particle diameters of the polymer micelles. As a result, the
formation of polymer micelles was confirmed for each of the
combinations. For example, the polymer micelle of the combination
of the polymer unit .alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of
Manufacturing Example 1C and the polymer unit .beta.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 2C
had an average particle diameter of 103.2 nm and a polydispersity
of 0.172.
[0139] <Polyanion Resistance Test>
[0140] First, using combinations of the polymer unit .beta.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.40).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 2D
with the polymer units .alpha. of Manufacturing Examples 1A to 1F,
replacement resistances to polyanion were compared in cases in
which the introduction number of polyol structures was fixed at 40
while the introduction number of FPBA groups was varied. The
procedure is as described below. A 1.times.TAE weak buffer was
prepared so as to contain Tris at 3.3 mM, sodium acetate at 1.7 mM,
and EDTA.2Na at 1 mM, and was used as an electrophoresis buffer.
The TAE buffer was added to 0.54 g of agarose to a total amount of
60 g, 15 g of pure water was added, and then the resultant was
heated in a microwave oven and cooled to produce 0.9 wt % agarose
gel. To each polymer micelle solution having its N/P ratio adjusted
to 3, 10 .mu.l of dextran sulfate corresponding to an A/P ratio
(molar ratio of anionic charges to phosphate groups of pDNA) and 10
.mu.l of a 750 mM NaCl solution were added, and then the mixtures
were incubated at 37.degree. C. for 1 hour. After the incubation, a
loading buffer was added and electrophoresis was performed at 100 V
for 60 minutes to confirm the presence or absence of the release of
pDNA. The results for A/P=6 and A/P=8 are shown in FIG. 1A and FIG.
1B, respectively. It is found from FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B that when
the introduction number of polyol structures is fixed to 40, the
polymer micelle having an introduction number of FPBA groups of 44
shows the highest stability (replacement resistance to
polyanion).
[0141] In view of the above-mentioned results, replacement
resistances to polyanion were compared in cases in which the
introduction number of FPBA groups was fixed at 44 while the
introduction number of polyol structures was varied. That is, the
polymer unit .alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of
Manufacturing Example 1C and the polymer units .beta. of
Manufacturing Examples 2A to 2D were used in combination. The
procedure is the same as above. The result is shown in FIG. 1C. It
is found from FIG. 1C that the polymer micelle obtained from the
polymer unit .alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of
Manufacturing Example 1C and the polymer unit .beta.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 2C
exhibits the highest stability (replacement resistance to
polyanion). Therefore, it is suggested that such a polymer micelle
does not easily collapse owing to, for example, electrostatic
interactions with anionic molecules abundantly present in vivo,
etc., and hence excels in stability and drug retention properties
in vivo.
[0142] <ATP Concentration Responsiveness>
[0143] The polymer micelle obtained from the polymer unit .alpha.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 1C and
the polymer unit .beta. [PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75] of
Manufacturing Example 2C, which exhibited the highest stability in
the "Polyanion Resistance Test", was used (but, the N/P ratio was
set to 3.5). Agarose gel was produced in the same manner as in the
"Polyanion Resistance Test". 5 .mu.l of ATP solutions prepared to
have concentrations of 0.3 mM, 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, 3.0 mM, or 5.0 mM
after mixing and 5 .mu.l of a 750 mM NaCl solution were added to 15
.mu.l of the polymer micelle solution, and the mixtures were
incubated at 37.degree. C. for 2 hours. After the incubation,
electrophoresis was performed at 100 V for 60 minutes to confirm
the presence or absence of the release of pDNA. The result is shown
in FIG. 2. It is found from FIG. 2 that pDNA is not released at an
ATP concentration of from 0.3 mM to 1.0 mM, and pDNA is released at
an ATP concentration of 3.0 mM or more. Because extracellular ATP
concentration is about 0.3 mM and intracellular ATP concentration
is about 3 mM, it is suggested that the polymer micelle has
responsiveness to the intracellular ATP concentration.
[0144] <Glucose Resistance>
[0145] The same polymer micelle as that in the "ATP Concentration
Responsiveness" was used, and the same agarose gel as that in the
"ATP Concentration Responsiveness" was produced. 5 .mu.l of glucose
solutions prepared with dextran sulfate of A/P ratio=3 so as to
have concentrations of 5.0 mM or 10 mM after mixing and 5 .mu.l of
a 750 mM NaCl solution were added to 15 .mu.l of the polymer
micelle solution, and the mixtures were incubated at 37.degree. C.
for 1 hour. After the incubation, electrophoresis was performed at
100 V for 60 minutes to confirm the presence or absence of the
release of pDNA. The result is shown in FIG. 3. Because the blood
glucose concentration is about 5.6 mM in a healthy subject and is
about 10 mM in a diabetic patient, it is suggested from FIG. 3 that
the collapse of the polymer micelle due to a replacement reaction
between the gluconic acid derivative moiety (polyol structure) in
the polymer micelle and glucose does not occur.
[0146] <Cellular Uptake Evaluation>
[0147] Human hepatoma cells (Huh-7) were seeded into a 6-well plate
at 50,000 cells/l ml/well and cultured at 37.degree. C. for 24
hours. After exchanging with fresh medium, a polymer micelle
prepared using pDNA labeled with Cy-5 so as to have a pDNA
concentration of 2/3 OD corresponding to the N/P ratio was added at
75 .mu.l/well, followed by culture at 37.degree. C. for 24 hours.
After the culture, the medium was removed, cell surfaces were
washed three times with D-PBS(-), and a 10-fold diluted
Trypsin-EDTA solution was added at 1 ml/well and allowed to spread
over the entire well, followed by the removal of the Trypsin-EDTA
solution and incubation at 37.degree. C. for 3 minutes. D-PBS(-)
was added at 1 ml/well to detach the cells, and the resultant cell
suspension was evaluated with a flow cytometer. The polymer unit
.alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example
1C and the polymer unit .beta. [PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75]
of Manufacturing Example 2C were used as the polymer units for
forming the polymer micelle. In the following in vitro and in vivo
evaluations, the polymer micelle formed of the polymer unit .alpha.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 1C and
the polymer unit .beta. [PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75] of
Manufacturing Example 2C is defined as the Example. As described
above, a polymer micelle formed of 50% of the corresponding polymer
unit .alpha. and 50% of PEG-PAsp(DET) was used as Comparative
Example 1, a polymer micelle formed of 50% of the corresponding
polymer unit .beta. and 50% of PEG-PAsp(DET) was used as
Comparative Example 2, and a polymer micelle formed only of
PEG-PAsp(DET) was used as Comparative Example 3.
[0148] The results of this evaluation are shown in FIG. 4. From
FIG. 4, high cellular uptake was observed only in the case of the
polymer micelle of the Example. Specifically, the polymer micelle
of the Example showed an uptake amount about 10 times as large as
those of the polymer micelles of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. This
is presumably due to the stabilization of the polymer micelle of
the Example by virtue of its internal cross-linked structure
(cross-linked structures between the PBA groups and the polyol
structures) unlike the polymer micelles of Comparative Examples 1
to 3.
[0149] <Gene Expression Test by Luciferase Assay>
[0150] Huh-7 cells were seeded into a 24-well plate at 20,000
cells/400 .mu.l/well and cultured at 37.degree. C. for 24 hours.
After exchange with fresh medium, a polymer micelle prepared using
pCAG-Luc so as to have a pCAG-Luc concentration of 2/3 OD
corresponding to the N/P ratio was added at 30 .mu.l/well, followed
by culture at 37.degree. C. for 24 hours. After that, the medium
was exchanged with a fresh one, followed again by culturing at
37.degree. C. for 24 hours. After that, the medium was removed,
cell surfaces were washed a few times with D-PBS(-), and 5-fold
diluted Cell Culture Lysis Buffer was added at 200 .mu.l/well,
followed by incubation at room temperature for 1 hour. After the
incubation, the resultant cell lysate was added to a 96-well plate
at 20 .mu.l/well, Luciferase Assay System Kit was added at 100
.mu.l/well, and then the luciferase luminescence amount was
evaluated with a luminometer.
[0151] In parallel, a cytotoxicity test was performed for each of
the polymer unit .alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75], the
polymer unit .beta. [PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75], and
PEG-PAsp(DET). Specifically, the cytotoxicity test was performed as
described below. Huh-7 cells were seeded into a 96-well plate at
5,000 cells/100 .mu.l/well and cultured at 37.degree. C. for 24
hours, and then the polymers dissolved in a 10 mM HEPES solution
(pH 7.4) were added, followed by culturing at 37.degree. C. for 48
hours. After that, Cell Counting Kit was added at 10 .mu.l/well,
followed by culturing at 37.degree. C. for 1.5 hours and
measurement of absorbance at 450 nm.
[0152] The cytotoxicity evaluations of the polymers and the gene
expression evaluation of the polymer micelles are shown in FIG. 5.
As is apparent from FIG. 5B, none of the polymer units constituting
the polymer micelles is found to have remarkable cytotoxicity,
suggesting that the polymer micelles do not have cytotoxicity. As
is apparent from FIG. 5A, in the gene expression test, the polymer
micelle of the Example exhibited an expression efficiency that was
about 8 or more times as high as that of the polymer micelles of
any of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and that was about 20 times as
high as that of the polymer micelle of Comparative Example 3. This
indicates that the polymer micelle that was taken up actually
released pDNA in cells. In addition, the difference in the cellular
uptake amount described above is about 10 times between the Example
and the Comparative Examples, whereas about 20-fold expression
efficiency is shown. This indicates that there is a difference
during the period from the intracellular uptake of the polymer
micelle to the expression, suggesting the possibility that the
polymer micelle of the Example responds to the intracellular ATP
concentration.
[0153] <Blood Retentivity Evaluation>
[0154] 200 .mu.l of a polymer micelle solution prepared so as to
have a pDNA concentration of 2.0 OD was administered to mice
through the tail veins (N=4). After 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20
minutes, and 40 minutes, 2 .mu.l of blood was collected from the
tail veins, and mixed with a mixed solution formed of
PBS/EDTA/Proteinase K. In addition, a micelle solution having its
pDNA concentration set to 1/5 OD was mixed with the mixed solution,
and the resultant was used as a control value at 0 minutes. pDNA
was extracted from the collected blood sample using DNeasy Blood
& Tissue Kit. 2 .mu.l of the extracted pDNA solution was mixed
with 18 .mu.l of a solution formed of SYBR Green, primers, and
ultrapure water, and PCR measurement was performed.
[0155] The results of this evaluation are shown in FIG. 6. As
apparent from FIG. 6, the polymer micelle of the Example is found
to be significantly improved in blood retentivity as compared to
the polymer micelle of Comparative Example 3. That is, it was found
that the polymer micelle of the Example had excellent stability
even in an in vivo environment. This indicates that the effect of
the cross-linking between the PBA groups and the polyol structures
is useful even in an in vivo environment.
Example B: Preparation of mRNA-Encapsulating Polymer Micelle
[0156] The polymer unit .alpha. [PEG-PAsp(DET/FPBA.sub.44).sub.75]
of Manufacturing Example 1C and the polymer unit .beta.
[PEG-PAsp(DET/polyol.sub.20).sub.75] of Manufacturing Example 2C
were used in combination to prepare a polymer micelle solution.
Specifically, the polymer micelle solution was prepared by the
following procedure. The polymer unit .alpha. and the polymer unit
.beta. were each dissolved in a 10 mM HEPES solution (pH 7.4) at 1
mg/ml. The concentrations of those solutions were adjusted
correspondingly to the N/P ratio. 5 .mu.l of the solution of the
polymer unit .alpha. and 5 .mu.l of the solution of the polymer
unit .beta. were mixed, and then 0.25 .mu.g of luciferase-encoding
mRNA was added to prepare a solution of a mRNA-encapsulating
polymer micelle of the Example (N/P ratio=3, mRNA concentration=2/3
OD). In addition, a solution of a mRNA-encapsulating polymer
micelle of the Comparative Example was prepared in the same manner
except that [PEG-PAsp(DET).sub.75] was used as the polymer unit
.alpha.. The luciferase-encoding mRNA was prepared using pCAG-Luc2
as the template and using an RNA synthesis kit (manufactured by
Life Technologies Japan Ltd., product name: "mMESSAGE
mMACHINE@Kit").
[0157] <Gene Expression Test by Luciferase Assay>
[0158] Huh-7 cells were seeded into a 48-well plate at 10,000
cells/200 .mu.l/well and cultured at 37.degree. C. for 24 hours.
After exchanging with fresh medium, the polymer micelle of the
Example or the Comparative Example was added at 15 .mu.l/well,
followed by culturing at 37.degree. C. for 24 hours. After that,
the medium was removed, cell surfaces were washed a few times with
D-PBS(-), and 5-fold diluted Cell Culture Lysis Buffer was added at
200 .mu.l/well, followed by incubation at room temperature for 1
hour. After the incubation, the resultant cell lysate was added to
a 96-well plate at 20 .mu.l/well, Luciferase Assay System Kit was
added at 100 .mu.l/well, and then the luciferase luminescence
amount was evaluated with a luminometer (N=4). The results are
shown in FIG. 7.
[0159] As apparent from FIG. 7, in the gene expression test, the
polymer micelle of the Example exhibited an expression efficiency
about 10 times as high as that of the polymer micelle of the
Comparative Example. This indicates the polymer micelle that was
taken up actually released mRNA in cells.
[0160] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can
be suitably applied in the field of DDS.
Sequence CWU 1
1
411653DNAPhotinus pyralisCDS(1)..(1653) 1atg gaa gac gcc aaa aac
ata aag aaa ggc ccg gcg cca ttc tat ccg 48Met Glu Asp Ala Lys Asn
Ile Lys Lys Gly Pro Ala Pro Phe Tyr Pro1 5 10 15ctg gaa gat gga acc
gct gga gag caa ctg cat aag gct atg aag aga 96Leu Glu Asp Gly Thr
Ala Gly Glu Gln Leu His Lys Ala Met Lys Arg 20 25 30tac gcc ctg gtt
cct gga aca att gct ttt aca gat gca cat atc gag 144Tyr Ala Leu Val
Pro Gly Thr Ile Ala Phe Thr Asp Ala His Ile Glu 35 40 45gtg gac atc
act tac gct gag tac ttc gaa atg tcc gtt cgg ttg gca 192Val Asp Ile
Thr Tyr Ala Glu Tyr Phe Glu Met Ser Val Arg Leu Ala 50 55 60gaa gct
atg aaa cga tat ggg ctg aat aca aat cac aga atc gtc gta 240Glu Ala
Met Lys Arg Tyr Gly Leu Asn Thr Asn His Arg Ile Val Val65 70 75
80tgc agt gaa aac tct ctt caa ttc ttt atg ccg gtg ttg ggc gcg tta
288Cys Ser Glu Asn Ser Leu Gln Phe Phe Met Pro Val Leu Gly Ala Leu
85 90 95ttt atc gga gtt gca gtt gcg ccc gcg aac gac att tat aat gaa
cgt 336Phe Ile Gly Val Ala Val Ala Pro Ala Asn Asp Ile Tyr Asn Glu
Arg 100 105 110gaa ttg ctc aac agt atg ggc att tcg cag cct acc gtg
gtg ttc gtt 384Glu Leu Leu Asn Ser Met Gly Ile Ser Gln Pro Thr Val
Val Phe Val 115 120 125tcc aaa aag ggg ttg caa aaa att ttg aac gtg
caa aaa aag ctc cca 432Ser Lys Lys Gly Leu Gln Lys Ile Leu Asn Val
Gln Lys Lys Leu Pro 130 135 140atc atc caa aaa att att atc atg gat
tct aaa acg gat tac cag gga 480Ile Ile Gln Lys Ile Ile Ile Met Asp
Ser Lys Thr Asp Tyr Gln Gly145 150 155 160ttt cag tcg atg tac acg
ttc gtc aca tct cat cta cct ccc ggt ttt 528Phe Gln Ser Met Tyr Thr
Phe Val Thr Ser His Leu Pro Pro Gly Phe 165 170 175aat gaa tac gat
ttt gtg cca gag tcc ttc gat agg gac aag aca att 576Asn Glu Tyr Asp
Phe Val Pro Glu Ser Phe Asp Arg Asp Lys Thr Ile 180 185 190gca ctg
atc atg aac tcc tct gga tct act ggt ctg cct aaa ggt gtc 624Ala Leu
Ile Met Asn Ser Ser Gly Ser Thr Gly Leu Pro Lys Gly Val 195 200
205gct ctg cct cat aga act gcc tgc gtg aga ttc tcg cat gcc aga gat
672Ala Leu Pro His Arg Thr Ala Cys Val Arg Phe Ser His Ala Arg Asp
210 215 220cct att ttt ggc aat caa atc att ccg gat act gcg att tta
agt gtt 720Pro Ile Phe Gly Asn Gln Ile Ile Pro Asp Thr Ala Ile Leu
Ser Val225 230 235 240gtt cca ttc cat cac ggt ttt gga atg ttt act
aca ctc gga tat ttg 768Val Pro Phe His His Gly Phe Gly Met Phe Thr
Thr Leu Gly Tyr Leu 245 250 255ata tgt gga ttt cga gtc gtc tta atg
tat aga ttt gaa gaa gag ctg 816Ile Cys Gly Phe Arg Val Val Leu Met
Tyr Arg Phe Glu Glu Glu Leu 260 265 270ttt ctg agg agc ctt cag gat
tac aag att caa agt gcg ctg ctg gtg 864Phe Leu Arg Ser Leu Gln Asp
Tyr Lys Ile Gln Ser Ala Leu Leu Val 275 280 285cca acc cta ttc tcc
ttc ttc gcc aaa agc act ctg att gac aaa tac 912Pro Thr Leu Phe Ser
Phe Phe Ala Lys Ser Thr Leu Ile Asp Lys Tyr 290 295 300gat tta tct
aat tta cac gaa att gct tct ggt ggc gct ccc ctc tct 960Asp Leu Ser
Asn Leu His Glu Ile Ala Ser Gly Gly Ala Pro Leu Ser305 310 315
320aag gaa gtc ggg gaa gcg gtt gcc aag agg ttc cat ctg cca ggt atc
1008Lys Glu Val Gly Glu Ala Val Ala Lys Arg Phe His Leu Pro Gly Ile
325 330 335agg caa gga tat ggg ctc act gag act aca tca gct att ctg
att aca 1056Arg Gln Gly Tyr Gly Leu Thr Glu Thr Thr Ser Ala Ile Leu
Ile Thr 340 345 350ccc gag ggg gat gat aaa ccg ggc gcg gtc ggt aaa
gtt gtt cca ttt 1104Pro Glu Gly Asp Asp Lys Pro Gly Ala Val Gly Lys
Val Val Pro Phe 355 360 365ttt gaa gcg aag gtt gtg gat ctg gat acc
ggg aaa acg ctg ggc gtt 1152Phe Glu Ala Lys Val Val Asp Leu Asp Thr
Gly Lys Thr Leu Gly Val 370 375 380aat caa aga ggc gaa ctg tgt gtg
aga ggt cct atg att atg tcc ggt 1200Asn Gln Arg Gly Glu Leu Cys Val
Arg Gly Pro Met Ile Met Ser Gly385 390 395 400tat gta aac aat ccg
gaa gcg acc aac gcc ttg att gac aag gat gga 1248Tyr Val Asn Asn Pro
Glu Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu Ile Asp Lys Asp Gly 405 410 415tgg cta cat
tct gga gac ata gct tac tgg gac gaa gac gaa cac ttc 1296Trp Leu His
Ser Gly Asp Ile Ala Tyr Trp Asp Glu Asp Glu His Phe 420 425 430ttc
atc gtt gac cgc ctg aag tct ctg att aag tac aaa ggc tat cag 1344Phe
Ile Val Asp Arg Leu Lys Ser Leu Ile Lys Tyr Lys Gly Tyr Gln 435 440
445gtg gct ccc gct gaa ttg gaa tcc atc ttg ctc caa cac ccc aac atc
1392Val Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Glu Ser Ile Leu Leu Gln His Pro Asn Ile
450 455 460ttc gac gca ggt gtc gca ggt ctt ccc gac gat gac gcc ggt
gaa ctt 1440Phe Asp Ala Gly Val Ala Gly Leu Pro Asp Asp Asp Ala Gly
Glu Leu465 470 475 480ccc gcc gcc gtt gtt gtt ttg gag cac gga aag
acg atg acg gaa aaa 1488Pro Ala Ala Val Val Val Leu Glu His Gly Lys
Thr Met Thr Glu Lys 485 490 495gag atc gtg gat tac gtc gcc agt caa
gta aca acc gcg aaa aag ttg 1536Glu Ile Val Asp Tyr Val Ala Ser Gln
Val Thr Thr Ala Lys Lys Leu 500 505 510cgc gga gga gtt gtg ttt gtg
gac gaa gta ccg aaa ggt ctt acc gga 1584Arg Gly Gly Val Val Phe Val
Asp Glu Val Pro Lys Gly Leu Thr Gly 515 520 525aaa ctc gac gca aga
aaa atc aga gag atc ctc ata aag gcc aag aag 1632Lys Leu Asp Ala Arg
Lys Ile Arg Glu Ile Leu Ile Lys Ala Lys Lys 530 535 540ggc gga aag
atc gcc gtg taa 1653Gly Gly Lys Ile Ala Val545 5502550PRTPhotinus
pyralis 2Met Glu Asp Ala Lys Asn Ile Lys Lys Gly Pro Ala Pro Phe
Tyr Pro1 5 10 15Leu Glu Asp Gly Thr Ala Gly Glu Gln Leu His Lys Ala
Met Lys Arg 20 25 30Tyr Ala Leu Val Pro Gly Thr Ile Ala Phe Thr Asp
Ala His Ile Glu 35 40 45Val Asp Ile Thr Tyr Ala Glu Tyr Phe Glu Met
Ser Val Arg Leu Ala 50 55 60Glu Ala Met Lys Arg Tyr Gly Leu Asn Thr
Asn His Arg Ile Val Val65 70 75 80Cys Ser Glu Asn Ser Leu Gln Phe
Phe Met Pro Val Leu Gly Ala Leu 85 90 95Phe Ile Gly Val Ala Val Ala
Pro Ala Asn Asp Ile Tyr Asn Glu Arg 100 105 110Glu Leu Leu Asn Ser
Met Gly Ile Ser Gln Pro Thr Val Val Phe Val 115 120 125Ser Lys Lys
Gly Leu Gln Lys Ile Leu Asn Val Gln Lys Lys Leu Pro 130 135 140Ile
Ile Gln Lys Ile Ile Ile Met Asp Ser Lys Thr Asp Tyr Gln Gly145 150
155 160Phe Gln Ser Met Tyr Thr Phe Val Thr Ser His Leu Pro Pro Gly
Phe 165 170 175Asn Glu Tyr Asp Phe Val Pro Glu Ser Phe Asp Arg Asp
Lys Thr Ile 180 185 190Ala Leu Ile Met Asn Ser Ser Gly Ser Thr Gly
Leu Pro Lys Gly Val 195 200 205Ala Leu Pro His Arg Thr Ala Cys Val
Arg Phe Ser His Ala Arg Asp 210 215 220Pro Ile Phe Gly Asn Gln Ile
Ile Pro Asp Thr Ala Ile Leu Ser Val225 230 235 240Val Pro Phe His
His Gly Phe Gly Met Phe Thr Thr Leu Gly Tyr Leu 245 250 255Ile Cys
Gly Phe Arg Val Val Leu Met Tyr Arg Phe Glu Glu Glu Leu 260 265
270Phe Leu Arg Ser Leu Gln Asp Tyr Lys Ile Gln Ser Ala Leu Leu Val
275 280 285Pro Thr Leu Phe Ser Phe Phe Ala Lys Ser Thr Leu Ile Asp
Lys Tyr 290 295 300Asp Leu Ser Asn Leu His Glu Ile Ala Ser Gly Gly
Ala Pro Leu Ser305 310 315 320Lys Glu Val Gly Glu Ala Val Ala Lys
Arg Phe His Leu Pro Gly Ile 325 330 335Arg Gln Gly Tyr Gly Leu Thr
Glu Thr Thr Ser Ala Ile Leu Ile Thr 340 345 350Pro Glu Gly Asp Asp
Lys Pro Gly Ala Val Gly Lys Val Val Pro Phe 355 360 365Phe Glu Ala
Lys Val Val Asp Leu Asp Thr Gly Lys Thr Leu Gly Val 370 375 380Asn
Gln Arg Gly Glu Leu Cys Val Arg Gly Pro Met Ile Met Ser Gly385 390
395 400Tyr Val Asn Asn Pro Glu Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu Ile Asp Lys Asp
Gly 405 410 415Trp Leu His Ser Gly Asp Ile Ala Tyr Trp Asp Glu Asp
Glu His Phe 420 425 430Phe Ile Val Asp Arg Leu Lys Ser Leu Ile Lys
Tyr Lys Gly Tyr Gln 435 440 445Val Ala Pro Ala Glu Leu Glu Ser Ile
Leu Leu Gln His Pro Asn Ile 450 455 460Phe Asp Ala Gly Val Ala Gly
Leu Pro Asp Asp Asp Ala Gly Glu Leu465 470 475 480Pro Ala Ala Val
Val Val Leu Glu His Gly Lys Thr Met Thr Glu Lys 485 490 495Glu Ile
Val Asp Tyr Val Ala Ser Gln Val Thr Thr Ala Lys Lys Leu 500 505
510Arg Gly Gly Val Val Phe Val Asp Glu Val Pro Lys Gly Leu Thr Gly
515 520 525Lys Leu Asp Ala Arg Lys Ile Arg Glu Ile Leu Ile Lys Ala
Lys Lys 530 535 540Gly Gly Lys Ile Ala Val545 55031653DNAPhotinus
pyralisCDS(1)..(1653) 3atg gaa gat gcc aaa aac att aag aag ggc cca
gcg cca ttc tac cca 48Met Glu Asp Ala Lys Asn Ile Lys Lys Gly Pro
Ala Pro Phe Tyr Pro1 5 10 15ctc gaa gac ggg acc gcc ggc gag cag ctg
cac aaa gcc atg aag cgc 96Leu Glu Asp Gly Thr Ala Gly Glu Gln Leu
His Lys Ala Met Lys Arg 20 25 30tac gcc ctg gtg ccc ggc acc atc gcc
ttt acc gac gca cat atc gag 144Tyr Ala Leu Val Pro Gly Thr Ile Ala
Phe Thr Asp Ala His Ile Glu 35 40 45gtg gac att acc tac gcc gag tac
ttc gag atg agc gtt cgg ctg gca 192Val Asp Ile Thr Tyr Ala Glu Tyr
Phe Glu Met Ser Val Arg Leu Ala 50 55 60gaa gct atg aag cgc tat ggg
ctg aat aca aac cat cgg atc gtg gtg 240Glu Ala Met Lys Arg Tyr Gly
Leu Asn Thr Asn His Arg Ile Val Val65 70 75 80tgc agc gag aat agc
ttg cag ttc ttc atg ccc gtg ttg ggt gcc ctg 288Cys Ser Glu Asn Ser
Leu Gln Phe Phe Met Pro Val Leu Gly Ala Leu 85 90 95ttc atc ggt gtg
gct gtg gcc cca gct aac gac atc tac aac gag cgc 336Phe Ile Gly Val
Ala Val Ala Pro Ala Asn Asp Ile Tyr Asn Glu Arg 100 105 110gag ctg
ctg aac agc atg ggc atc agc cag ccc acc gtc gta ttc gtg 384Glu Leu
Leu Asn Ser Met Gly Ile Ser Gln Pro Thr Val Val Phe Val 115 120
125agc aag aaa ggg ctg caa aag atc ctc aac gtg caa aag aag cta ccg
432Ser Lys Lys Gly Leu Gln Lys Ile Leu Asn Val Gln Lys Lys Leu Pro
130 135 140atc ata caa aag atc atc atc atg gat agc aag acc gac tac
cag ggc 480Ile Ile Gln Lys Ile Ile Ile Met Asp Ser Lys Thr Asp Tyr
Gln Gly145 150 155 160ttc caa agc atg tac acc ttc gtg act tcc cat
ttg cca ccc ggc ttc 528Phe Gln Ser Met Tyr Thr Phe Val Thr Ser His
Leu Pro Pro Gly Phe 165 170 175aac gag tac gac ttc gtg ccc gag agc
ttc gac cgg gac aaa acc atc 576Asn Glu Tyr Asp Phe Val Pro Glu Ser
Phe Asp Arg Asp Lys Thr Ile 180 185 190gcc ctg atc atg aac agt agt
ggc agt acc gga ttg ccc aag ggc gta 624Ala Leu Ile Met Asn Ser Ser
Gly Ser Thr Gly Leu Pro Lys Gly Val 195 200 205gcc cta ccg cac cgc
acc gct tgt gtc cga ttc agt cat gcc cgc gac 672Ala Leu Pro His Arg
Thr Ala Cys Val Arg Phe Ser His Ala Arg Asp 210 215 220ccc atc ttc
ggc aac cag atc atc ccc gac acc gct atc ctc agc gtg 720Pro Ile Phe
Gly Asn Gln Ile Ile Pro Asp Thr Ala Ile Leu Ser Val225 230 235
240gtg cca ttt cac cac ggc ttc ggc atg ttc acc acg ctg ggc tac ttg
768Val Pro Phe His His Gly Phe Gly Met Phe Thr Thr Leu Gly Tyr Leu
245 250 255atc tgc ggc ttt cgg gtc gtg ctc atg tac cgc ttc gag gag
gag cta 816Ile Cys Gly Phe Arg Val Val Leu Met Tyr Arg Phe Glu Glu
Glu Leu 260 265 270ttc ttg cgc agc ttg caa gac tat aag att caa tct
gcc ctg ctg gtg 864Phe Leu Arg Ser Leu Gln Asp Tyr Lys Ile Gln Ser
Ala Leu Leu Val 275 280 285ccc aca cta ttt agc ttc ttc gct aag agc
act ctc atc gac aag tac 912Pro Thr Leu Phe Ser Phe Phe Ala Lys Ser
Thr Leu Ile Asp Lys Tyr 290 295 300gac cta agc aac ttg cac gag atc
gcc agc ggc ggg gcg ccg ctc agc 960Asp Leu Ser Asn Leu His Glu Ile
Ala Ser Gly Gly Ala Pro Leu Ser305 310 315 320aag gag gta ggt gag
gcc gtg gcc aaa cgc ttc cac cta cca ggc atc 1008Lys Glu Val Gly Glu
Ala Val Ala Lys Arg Phe His Leu Pro Gly Ile 325 330 335cgc cag ggc
tac ggc ctg aca gaa aca acc agc gcc att ctg atc acc 1056Arg Gln Gly
Tyr Gly Leu Thr Glu Thr Thr Ser Ala Ile Leu Ile Thr 340 345 350ccc
gaa ggg gac gac aag cct ggc gca gta ggc aag gtg gtg ccc ttc 1104Pro
Glu Gly Asp Asp Lys Pro Gly Ala Val Gly Lys Val Val Pro Phe 355 360
365ttc gag gct aag gtg gtg gac ttg gac acc ggt aag aca ctg ggt gtg
1152Phe Glu Ala Lys Val Val Asp Leu Asp Thr Gly Lys Thr Leu Gly Val
370 375 380aac cag cgc ggc gag ctg tgc gtc cgt ggc ccc atg atc atg
agc ggc 1200Asn Gln Arg Gly Glu Leu Cys Val Arg Gly Pro Met Ile Met
Ser Gly385 390 395 400tac gtt aac aac ccc gag gct aca aac gct ctc
atc gac aag gac ggc 1248Tyr Val Asn Asn Pro Glu Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu
Ile Asp Lys Asp Gly 405 410 415tgg ctg cac agc ggc gac atc gcc tac
tgg gac gag gac gag cac ttc 1296Trp Leu His Ser Gly Asp Ile Ala Tyr
Trp Asp Glu Asp Glu His Phe 420 425 430ttc atc gtg gac cgg ctg aag
agc ctg atc aaa tac aag ggc tac cag 1344Phe Ile Val Asp Arg Leu Lys
Ser Leu Ile Lys Tyr Lys Gly Tyr Gln 435 440 445gta gcc cca gcc gaa
ctg gag agc atc ctg ctg caa cac ccc aac atc 1392Val Ala Pro Ala Glu
Leu Glu Ser Ile Leu Leu Gln His Pro Asn Ile 450 455 460ttc gac gcc
ggg gtc gcc ggc ctg ccc gac gac gat gcc ggc gag ctg 1440Phe Asp Ala
Gly Val Ala Gly Leu Pro Asp Asp Asp Ala Gly Glu Leu465 470 475
480ccc gcc gca gtc gtc gtg ctg gaa cac ggt aaa acc atg acc gag aag
1488Pro Ala Ala Val Val Val Leu Glu His Gly Lys Thr Met Thr Glu Lys
485 490 495gag atc gtg gac tat gtg gcc agc cag gtt aca acc gcc aag
aag ctg 1536Glu Ile Val Asp Tyr Val Ala Ser Gln Val Thr Thr Ala Lys
Lys Leu 500 505 510cgc ggt ggt gtt gtg ttc gtg gac gag gtg cct aaa
gga ctg acc ggc 1584Arg Gly Gly Val Val Phe Val Asp Glu Val Pro Lys
Gly Leu Thr Gly 515 520 525aag ttg gac gcc cgc aag atc cgc gag att
ctc att aag gcc aag aag 1632Lys Leu Asp Ala Arg Lys Ile Arg Glu Ile
Leu Ile Lys Ala Lys Lys 530 535 540ggc ggc aag atc gcc gtg taa
1653Gly Gly Lys Ile Ala Val545 5504550PRTPhotinus pyralis 4Met Glu
Asp Ala Lys Asn Ile Lys Lys Gly Pro Ala Pro Phe Tyr Pro1 5 10 15Leu
Glu Asp Gly Thr Ala Gly Glu Gln Leu His Lys Ala Met Lys Arg 20 25
30Tyr Ala Leu Val Pro Gly Thr Ile Ala Phe Thr Asp Ala His Ile Glu
35 40 45Val Asp Ile Thr Tyr Ala Glu Tyr Phe Glu Met Ser Val Arg Leu
Ala 50 55 60Glu Ala Met Lys Arg Tyr Gly Leu Asn Thr Asn His Arg Ile
Val Val65 70 75 80Cys Ser Glu Asn Ser Leu Gln Phe Phe Met Pro Val
Leu Gly Ala Leu 85 90 95Phe Ile Gly Val Ala Val Ala Pro Ala Asn Asp
Ile Tyr Asn Glu Arg 100 105 110Glu Leu Leu Asn Ser Met Gly Ile Ser
Gln Pro Thr Val Val Phe Val 115 120
125Ser Lys Lys Gly Leu Gln Lys Ile Leu Asn Val Gln Lys Lys Leu Pro
130 135 140Ile Ile Gln Lys Ile Ile Ile Met Asp Ser Lys Thr Asp Tyr
Gln Gly145 150 155 160Phe Gln Ser Met Tyr Thr Phe Val Thr Ser His
Leu Pro Pro Gly Phe 165 170 175Asn Glu Tyr Asp Phe Val Pro Glu Ser
Phe Asp Arg Asp Lys Thr Ile 180 185 190Ala Leu Ile Met Asn Ser Ser
Gly Ser Thr Gly Leu Pro Lys Gly Val 195 200 205Ala Leu Pro His Arg
Thr Ala Cys Val Arg Phe Ser His Ala Arg Asp 210 215 220Pro Ile Phe
Gly Asn Gln Ile Ile Pro Asp Thr Ala Ile Leu Ser Val225 230 235
240Val Pro Phe His His Gly Phe Gly Met Phe Thr Thr Leu Gly Tyr Leu
245 250 255Ile Cys Gly Phe Arg Val Val Leu Met Tyr Arg Phe Glu Glu
Glu Leu 260 265 270Phe Leu Arg Ser Leu Gln Asp Tyr Lys Ile Gln Ser
Ala Leu Leu Val 275 280 285Pro Thr Leu Phe Ser Phe Phe Ala Lys Ser
Thr Leu Ile Asp Lys Tyr 290 295 300Asp Leu Ser Asn Leu His Glu Ile
Ala Ser Gly Gly Ala Pro Leu Ser305 310 315 320Lys Glu Val Gly Glu
Ala Val Ala Lys Arg Phe His Leu Pro Gly Ile 325 330 335Arg Gln Gly
Tyr Gly Leu Thr Glu Thr Thr Ser Ala Ile Leu Ile Thr 340 345 350Pro
Glu Gly Asp Asp Lys Pro Gly Ala Val Gly Lys Val Val Pro Phe 355 360
365Phe Glu Ala Lys Val Val Asp Leu Asp Thr Gly Lys Thr Leu Gly Val
370 375 380Asn Gln Arg Gly Glu Leu Cys Val Arg Gly Pro Met Ile Met
Ser Gly385 390 395 400Tyr Val Asn Asn Pro Glu Ala Thr Asn Ala Leu
Ile Asp Lys Asp Gly 405 410 415Trp Leu His Ser Gly Asp Ile Ala Tyr
Trp Asp Glu Asp Glu His Phe 420 425 430Phe Ile Val Asp Arg Leu Lys
Ser Leu Ile Lys Tyr Lys Gly Tyr Gln 435 440 445Val Ala Pro Ala Glu
Leu Glu Ser Ile Leu Leu Gln His Pro Asn Ile 450 455 460Phe Asp Ala
Gly Val Ala Gly Leu Pro Asp Asp Asp Ala Gly Glu Leu465 470 475
480Pro Ala Ala Val Val Val Leu Glu His Gly Lys Thr Met Thr Glu Lys
485 490 495Glu Ile Val Asp Tyr Val Ala Ser Gln Val Thr Thr Ala Lys
Lys Leu 500 505 510Arg Gly Gly Val Val Phe Val Asp Glu Val Pro Lys
Gly Leu Thr Gly 515 520 525Lys Leu Asp Ala Arg Lys Ile Arg Glu Ile
Leu Ile Lys Ala Lys Lys 530 535 540Gly Gly Lys Ile Ala Val545
550
* * * * *