In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide comprising a chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-targeting signal domain; a protein-binding domain that selectively binds to a target cytosolic protein; and a cell membrane penetrating domain (CMPD). In another aspect, the invention provides methods for reducing the intracellular expression level of an endogenous target protein in vitro and in an animal, wherein the method involves administration of the peptide. Methods are also provided for treating a pathological condition in an animal, the methods comprising administering the peptide to the animal. In one embodiment, the pathological condition is a neurodegenerative disease. In another embodiment of the invention, the target cytosolic protein is death associated protein kinase 1 and the CMPD is protein transduction domain of the HIV-1 Tat protein.

The present invention relates to the dual, independent cistron expression system in a single vector for the production of protein of interest proteins and peptides expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies formed in the bacteria E. coli. The present invention also provides the process for the expression of protein of interest using said bicistronic vector.

This disclosure relates to a method of generating conditionally active biologic proteins from wild type proteins, in particular therapeutic proteins, which are reversibly or irreversibly inactivated at the wild type normal physiological conditions. For example, evolved proteins are virtually inactive at body temperature, but are active at lower temperatures.

In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide comprising a chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-targeting signal domain; a protein-binding domain that selectively binds to a target cytosolic protein; and a cell membrane penetrating domain (CMPD). In another aspect, the invention provides methods for reducing the intracellular expression level of an endogenous target protein in vitro and in an animal, wherein the method involves administration of the peptide. Methods are also provided for treating a pathological condition in an animal, the methods comprising administering the peptide to the animal. In one embodiment, the pathological condition is a neurodegenerative disease. In another embodiment of the invention, the target cytosolic protein is death associated protein kinase I and the CMPD is protein transduction domain of the HIV-1 Tat protein.

This disclosure relates to a method of generating conditionally active biologic proteins from wild type proteins, in particular therapeutic proteins, which are reversibly or irreversibly inactivated at the wild type normal physiological conditions. For example, evolved proteins are virtually inactive at body temperature, but are active at lower temperatures.

Disclosed herein is a protein purification system and methods of using the system. In particular, disclosed is a split intein comprising an N-terminal intein segment, which can be immobilized, and a C-terminal intent segment, which has the property of being self-cleaving, and which can be attached to a protein of interest. Through the self-cleaving mechanism of the intein, the protein of interest can be purified.

Disclosed herein is a protein purification system and methods of using the system. In particular, disclosed is a split intein comprising an N-terminal intein segment, which can be immobilized, and a C-terminal intein segment, which has the property of being self-cleaving, and which can be attached to a protein of interest. Through the self-cleaving mechanism of the intein, the protein of interest can be purified.

In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide comprising a chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-targeting signal domain; a protein-binding domain that selectively binds to a target cytosolic protein; and a cell membrane penetrating domain (CMPD). In another aspect, the invention provides methods for reducing the intracellular expression level of an endogenous target protein in vitro and in an animal, wherein the method involves administration of the peptide. Methods are also provided for treating a pathological condition in an animal, the methods comprising administering the peptide to the animal. In one embodiment, the pathological condition is a neurodegenerative disease. In another embodiment of the invention, the target cytosolic protein is death associated protein kinase 1 and the CMPD is protein transduction domain of the HIV-1 Tat protein.

A method of reducing an effect of stroke in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits VEGF-B signaling.

The present invention relates to the dual, independent cistron expression system in a single vector for the production of protein of interest proteins and peptides expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies formed in the bacteria E. coli. The present invention also provides the process for the expression of protein of interest using said bicistronic vector.