The present invention relates to a DNA construct encoding one or more human IGF-1 isoforms that can be used for treatment of neuropathy. Further provided herein are a pharmaceutical composition including the DNA construct as an active ingredient and a method of administering the DNA construct for treatment of neuropathy. The present invention provides a safe and effective way of treating neuropathic patients.

Disclosed are isolated mutant erythropoietin (EPO) polypeptides, functional fragment thereof, nucleic acid encoding such peptides, vectors including such nucleic acids and compositions including such peptides and nucleic acids. The mutant EPO peptides are unique in that they include a substitution at amino acid position number 76, such as a glutamic acid for arginine substitution at position 76. This substitution inhibits erythropoietic activity while retaining their neuroprotection. Also disclosed are methods of treating or inhibiting neuronal degeneration, reducing or inhibiting one or more symptoms associated with neuronal degeneration and/or glaucoma in a subject. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a isolated mutant erythropoietin EPO polypeptide, an expression vector encoding such a mutant erythropoietin EPO polypeptide, a viral particle including an expression vector, or a composition, thereby treating or inhibiting neuronal degeneration in the subject.

A gene combination capable of high-efficiency expression of rhNGF is provided to optimize gene expression regulation components of a recombinant human nerve growth factor. The gene combination enhances expression of rhNGF. As shown by experiments, the gene combination is capable of high-efficiency expression of a recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) with natural activity in a eukaryotic expression system.

Expression vector systems are provided for increased production of a recombinant GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) protein. Also provided are transformed host cells that were engineered to produce and express high levels of rhGDF-5 protein. Methods for isolating recombinant GDF-5 protein from an inclusion body of a cell are disclosed herein. The methods as disclosed are cost-effective, time-saving and are of manufacturing quality.

Recombinant peroxidase enzymes are disclosed having mutations that increase yield when expressed in yeast cells as compared to their corresponding wild-type peroxidase enzyme. Methods of generating are also disclosed as well as uses thereof.