An amphiphilic fusion protein has a formula S/I—X—H.sub.1—H.sub.2, wherein S— is a solubilizing moiety, I— is an insolubilizing moiety, —X— is a peptide sequence comprising a proteolytic or chemical cleavage site, —H.sub.1— is a hydrophilic peptide, and —H.sub.2 is a hydrophobic peptide.

Disclosed herein are compositions, constructs, cassettes, vectors, cells, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods for reducing cholesterol and lipid buildup in mammalian subjects, via gene and/or cell therapeutic treatments. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods may help to reduce lipid levels in mammals. In one embodiment, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods are useful in reducing lipid build-up, especially cholesterol, in liver cells.

The disclosed compositions, methods, and systems are useful in treating and preventing various cancers associated with buildup of mitochondrial cholesterol. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, methods, and systems may improve the efficacy and cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic compounds, for example increasing cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy and/or reducing or preventing resistance. In many embodiments, the cancer may be early or late stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

The present invention relates to processes for the production of peptides, and the peptides produced accordingly. Peptides produced according to the invention may be produced more efficiently than peptides produced according to prior art processes. The production process of the invention may lead to advantages in yield, purity, and/or price. Methods of marketing peptides are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are compositions, constructs, cassettes, vectors, cells, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods for reducing cholesterol and lipid buildup in mammalian subjects, via gene and/or cell therapeutic treatments. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods may help to reduce lipid levels in mammals. In one embodiment, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods are useful in reducing lipid build-up, especially cholesterol, in liver cells.