A fusion protein is provided, comprising i) a biologically active polypeptide; and ii) a half-life extending polypeptide moiety comprising 2-80 units independently selected the amino acid sequences according to SEQ ID NO: 1: X1-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-D-X8-X9-X10-X11 (SEQ ID NO: 1) in which, independently: X1 is P or absent; X2 is V or absent; X3 is P or T; X4 is P or T; X5 is T or V; X6 is D, G or T; X8 is A, Q or S; X9 is E, G or K; X10 is A, E P or T; and X11 is A, P or T. The half-life extending polypeptide moiety has a generally unfolded conformation and provides a fusion protein with a large hydrodynamic radius that may avoid renal clearance. As a result, the biological half-life of the fusion protein is increased and the biological effect of the biologically active polypeptide may thus be prolonged.

The amino acid sequence of the present IL-15 analog includes the amino acid sequence of IL-15 and an amino acid sequence including at least one positively charged amino acid added to the C-terminal of the amino acid sequence of IL-15. The present IL-15 analog is highly expressed in Escherichia Coli, wherein the expression level is about 20-fold higher than that of the wild-type IL-15, and there is no significant difference in cell activity in vitro. In addition, a conjugate of the IL-15 analog improves the half-life and the long-term efficacy of the IL-15 analog by coupling with the fatty acid chain. These improvements lay a foundation for the industrialization of IL-15 protein drugs.

Described herein are peptide biopolymers that exhibit controlled phase separation based on their amino acid sequence, aromatic:aliphatic ratio, hydrophobicity, temperature, molecular weight, and concentration.

Described herein are proteins comprising an ankyrin repeat domain having an N-terminal capping module with improved properties, as well as corresponding protein libraries, pharmaceutical compositions and nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In other aspects, the disclosure relates to methods using such proteins, corresponding protein libraries or pharmaceutical compositions.

Polypeptides are disclosed herein having significantly improved secretion ability from eukaryotic cells, together with fusion proteins, nanoparticles, and uses thereof, and methods for designing such polypeptides.

Disclosed herein is iCP-mParkin. The iCP-mParkin exhibits biological features suitable for treating neuronal cell damage-related diseases. Thus, the iCP-mParkin provided herein can be used in a composition or method for treating, preventing, or alleviating Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. Furthermore, the iCP-mParkin is higher in stability than conventional iCP-Parkin and as such, is suitable for use as a protein medicine. In addition, the iCP-mParkin obtained by the preparation method provided herein is of high purity and the preparation method is suitable for mass production.

The disclosed method of treating a malignant solid tumor in a subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an immunomodulatory dose of a radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate, a radiohalogenated phospholipid ether, or other targeted radiotherapy (TRT) agent that is differentially retained within malignant solid tumor tissue, and either (a) performing in situ tumor vaccination in the subject by introducing into at least one of the malignant solid tumors one or more agents capable of stimulating specific immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, or (b) performing immunotherapy in the subject by systemically administering to the subject an immunostimulatory agent, such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor. In a non-limiting example, the radioactive phospholipid ether metal chelate or radiohalogenated phospholipid ether has the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 comprises a chelating agent that is chelated to a metal atom, wherein the metal atom is an alpha, beta or Auger emitting metal isotope with a half-life of greater than 6 hours and less than 30 days, or wherein R.sub.1 comprises a radioactive halogen isotope. In one such embodiment, a is 1, n is 18, m is 0, b is 1, and R.sub.2 is —N.sup.+(CH.sub.3).sub.3.

The present invention relates to a Corona antigen comprising a Corona nucleocapsid specific amino acid sequence, compositions, and reagent kits comprising the same and methods of producing it. Also encompassed are methods of detecting anti-Corona antibodies in samples using said Corona antigen, and methods of differential diagnosis of an immune response in a patient due to natural Corona infection or due to vaccination against Corona.

Provided herein are methods and culture systems for production of a biologically active Wnt polypeptide under a minimal serum condition. Also described herein include methods and culture systems for production of a biologically active Wnt polypeptide in a serum-free condition.

The present invention relates to methods and transformed host cells for the production of eriodictyol from naringenin via bioconversion.