Patent ID: 6693074
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A modified form of a glycoprotein hormone selected from the group consisting of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of the formula:(&bgr;)âˆ’(linker)nâˆ’&agr;wherein &bgr; represents the &bgr; subunit of said FSH, LH, CG or TSH or a variant thereof; &agr; represents the &agr; subunit common to said glycoprotein hormones or a variant thereof; â€œlinkerâ€  represents an amino acid sequence providing a fusion protein between the C-terminus of &bgr; and the N-terminus of &agr; and n is 0 or 1; wherein one cystine bridge contained in said &agr; or &bgr; subunit is deleted wherein said bridge is selected from the group consisting of: the 7-31 cystine link in the &agr; chain; the 10-60 cystine link in the &agr; chain; the 28-82 cystine link in the &agr; chain; the 32-84 cystine link in the &agr; chain; the 34-88 cystine link in the &bgr; chain; the 38-90 cystine link in the &bgr; chain; the 9-57 cystine link in the &bgr; chain; the 23-72 cystine link in the &bgr; chain; the 93-100 cystine link in the &bgr; chain; and the 26-110 cystine link in the &bgr; chain, wherein positions shown in &bgr; chain denote positions in the &bgr; chain of human CG or the analogous positions in LH&bgr;, TSH&bgr; or FSH&bgr;; and wherein said modified form is an agonist of said glycoprotein hormone.