# Patent

## Title
Nutritional composition

## Abstract

A modified maxadilan protein exhibits higher biological activity than native maxadilan from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. A modified maxadilan fusion protein contains a thrombin cleavage site. This enables the production of the modified maxadilan as a fusion protein and recovery of the modified maxadilan after digestion with thrombin. The modified maxadilan is a potent vasodilator.

## Background
A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modified maxadilan protein, a potent vasodilator peptide, and to a modified maxadilan fusion protein. This invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding modified maxadilan and modified maxadilan fusion proteins and vectors comprising these DNA sequences. The present invention further relates to a method of producing modified maxadilan having increased specific activity and to a method for increasing the yield of maxadilan protein produced using recombinant methods.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Maxadilan is a potent vasodilator peptide, which is present in the saliva of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. This sand fly spreads the disease leishmaniasis by secreting the protozoan parasite, Leishmania, into its victim when the sand fly probes for a blood meal. It is believed that the potent vasodilating effects of maxadilan enhance the infectivity of the parasite. Maxadilan is useful as a therapeutic agent, which can increase blood flow to defined areas in a patient's body.

In order to fully characterize the biological activity of maxadilan and to thoroughly investigate the therapeutic uses for this important protein, an adequate supply of maxadilan protein is essential. At present, maxadilan can be obtained by purification of salivary maxadilan from sand fly salivary glands or by recombinant DNA methods. Lerner et al. and Shoemaker have cloned and expressed the gene for maxadilan as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST), a bacterial protein. Lerner et al., "Maxadilan: Cloning And Functional Expression Of A Gene Encoding This Potent Vasodilator Peptide," Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 267, No. 2, pp. 1062-66, 1992.

The GST fusion protein is cleaved by Factor Xa to release maxadilan protein. Factor Xa is an expensive cleavage enzyme and does not cleave the maxadilan GST fusion protein as efficiently as desired. Because of the high cost and lower than desired cleavage efficiency of Factor Xa, there exists a need in the art for large quantities of recombinant maxadilan that can be produced less expensively and more efficiently.

Accordingly, this invention aids in fulfilling these needs in the art by providing a modified maxadilan protein, wherein the peptide G-S-I-L is SEQ ID NO: 1 fused to the N-terminus of native maxadilan protein. In one embodiment of the invention, the modified maxadilan protein has the residue G-S-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 2 as the first eight amino acids at the N-terminus of the protein.

This invention also provides a DNA sequence encoding a modified maxadilan protein of the invention. The DNA sequence is useful for producing the modified maxadilan protein.

In addition, this invention provides a vector containing the DNA sequence of the invention. The vector can be one that is suitable for replication or expression in a prokaryotic or eucaryotic host. A host cell microorganism comprising the vector of the invention is also provided.

Further, this invention provides a fusion protein comprising a bacterial protein fused at its C-terminus to the N-terminus of the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3, and further comprising maxadilan native protein fused at its N-terminus to the C-terminus of said peptide. The bacterial protein is glutathione S-transferase in a typical fusion protein of the invention.

Moreover, this invention provides a method of producing a fusion protein of the invention by culturing host cells of the invention under suitable growth conditions so that recombinant modified maxadilan fusion protein is produced.

In another method of producing a modified maxadilan protein of the invention, host cells of the invention are cultured under suitable growth conditions so that recombinant maxadilan fusion protein is produced, and the recombinant fusion protein is cleaved with thrombin to yield modified maxadilan. The modified maxadilan proteins produced by the methods of the invention are also provided.

This invention further provides a vasodilation composition comprising, as an effective component, a modified maxadilan protein of the invention. The modified maxadilan exhibits vasodilation activity in mammals. The composition of this invention provides excellent effects by topical application and subcutaneous injection.

Moreover, this invention provides a method for inducing, maintaining or increasing vasodilation in a mammal. The method comprises administering a vasodilation inducing, maintaining, or increasing amount of modified maxadilan protein of the invention.

This invention also provides a composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin. The composition comprises modified maxadilan protein in a vasodilation inducing, maintaining or increasing amount in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

It has been discovered that the modified maxadilan of the invention has a specific activity that is at least 10 times that of native maxadilan or maxadilan cleaved from the GST fusion protein heretofore employed. It has been further discovered that the process of producing recombinant modified maxadilan, comprising cleavage of the fusion protein with thrombin, more than doubles the amount of modified maxadilan than was produced using Factor Xa to cleave the GST fusion protein.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts the cDNA sequence of the BamHI/EcoRI a fragment from plasmid pUC19-Mas (60K, 61A)-GK SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO. 5;

FIG. 2 depicts the structure of plasmid pGST-GSIL-Max (60K, 61A)-GK (SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 7);

FIG. 3 depicts an amino acid and DNA sequence of a GST-modified maxadilan fusion protein of the invention (SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 9);

FIG. 4 is the amino acid and DNA sequence of a GST-GIL maxadilan fusion protein (SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ ID NO: 11);

FIG. 5 (a-b) is the reverse phase HPLC elution profile for GSIL-maxadilan and GIL-maxadilan;

FIG. 6 depicts an amino acid sequence of a modified a maxadilan protein of the invention SEQ ID NO: 2; and

FIG. 7 depicts an amino acid and DNA sequence of a modified maxadilan protein of the invention (SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO: 13); and

The present invention relates to modified maxadilan proteins having the N-terminal sequence G-S-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 2 and processes for producing those proteins. The process of the invention allows production of modified maxadilan at levels more than double the level produced by prior art methods. The modified maxadilan proteins of the invention have high biological activity. The biological activity using a skin erythema assay is at least 10 times the activity of native maxadilan or of maxadilan cleaved from the recombinant maxadilan fusion protein heretofore employed.

1. Definitions

In order that the invention can be more fully understood, following are definitions of terms employed herein.

a. Amino Acid Definitions

The following standard abbreviations and symbols are used herein to identify amino acid residues. Three-Letter One-Letter Amino Acid      Abbreviation Symbol ______________________________________ Alanine         Ala        A Arginine        Arg        R Asparagine      Asn        N Aspartic acid   Asp        D Asparagine or aspartic Asx        B acid Cysteine        Cys        C Glutamine       Gln        Q Glutamic acid   Glu        E Glutamine or glutamic Glx        Z acid Glycine         Gly        G Histidine       His        H Isoleucine      Ile        I Leucine         Leu        L Lysine          Lys        K Methionine      Met        M Phenylalanine   Phe        F Proline         Pro        P Serine          Ser        S Threonine       Thr        T Tryptophan      Trp        W Tyrosine        Tyr        Y Valine          Val        V ______________________________________

b. G-S-I-L Peptide

A peptide having the sequence Glycine-Serine-Isoleucine-Leucine is identified herein as "G-S-I-L" SEQ ID NO: 1 peptide. The N-terminus of the amino acid sequence is the first amino acid, going from left to right. The last amino acid is the C-terminus. Thus, G-S-I-L peptide has the amino acid residue glycine (G) as its N-terminus and the amino acid residue leucine (L) as its C-terminus.

c. G-I-L Peptide

A peptide having the sequence Glycine-Isoleucine-Leucine is identified herein as "G-I-L" peptide. Using the same convention, G-I-L peptide has a glycine residue (G) as its N-terminus and the amino acid residue leucine (L) as its C-terminus.

d. Native Maxadilan Protein

The term "native maxadilan protein" is used herein to identify maxadilan protein, which the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis can produce, wherein the protein exhibits vasodilation activity in a mammal. The terms "native maxadilan protein" and "native maxadilan" are used interchangeably herein.

e. Modified Maxadilan Protein

"Modified maxadilan protein" is a protein comprising native maxadilan protein having an N-terminus, wherein the first four amino acids of the N-terminus are G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 1. The terms "modified maxadilan protein," "modified maxadilan," and "G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 1 maxadilan" are used interchangeably herein.

f. Modified Maxadilan Fusion Protein

"Modified maxadilan fusion protein" is a modified maxadilan protein to which additional amino acids have been added.

g. G-I-L Maxadilan

A native maxadilan protein having the N-terminus of G-I-L is referred to herein as "G-I-L maxadilan".

h. Nucleotide Definitions

The following standard abbreviations are used to identify nucleotides by the chemical names of their bases: Adenine A Thymine T Guanine G Cytosine C Uracil U ______________________________________

2. Native Maxadilan Proteins

Peptides from salivary gland lysates of the sand fly were previously identified and shown to be capable of vasodilation and of temporary immune suppression in mammals. See, International Patent Publication No. WO91/00293 of Lerner et al.; and Ribeiro et al., Science, Vol. 243, pp. 212-214 (1989). The term Lutzomyia protein as used herein refers to all such peptides, active analogs, and active fragments. Maxadilan or active fragments thereof are examples of suitable Lutzomyia proteins for use in the present invention. Maxadilan has a molecular weight of about 6800 daltons and will be used as a representative peptide in the following description of the invention.

At least two variants of Lutzomyia protein have been reported in the literature. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA and the deduced amino acid sequence of one form of mature Lutzomyia protein are as follows: TGT GAT GCA ACA TGC CAA TTT CGC AAG KCC     ATA GAT GAC TGC 42 Cys Asp Ala Thr Cys Gln Phe Arg Lys Ala     Ile Asp Asp Cys CAG AAG CAG GCG CAT CAT AGC AAT GTT TTG CAG ACT TCT GTA CAA 87 Gln Lys Gln Ala His His Ser Asn Val Leu Gln Thr Ser Val Gln ACA ACT GCA ACA TTC ACA TCA ATG GAT ACC TCC CAA CTA CCT GGA 132 Thr Thr Ala Thr Phe Thr Ser Met Asp Thr Ser Gln Leu Pro Gly AAT AGT GTC TTC AAA GAA TGT ATG AAG CAG AAG AAA AAG GAA TTT 177 Asn Ser Val Phe Lys Glu Cys Met Lys Gln Lys Lys Lys Glu Phe AAG GCA GGA AAG TAA AAT GAT TGA AGA AAA TTG TAG CCG AGG AGA 222 Lys Ala Gly Lys SEQ ID NO: 15 GAAAGAAAGA AAGTCCCATA CCATATTTTG TTTGTTAATT GTAACGAATTIC    272 TTCCGAAAAA ATAAAATATT ATGCACTCAA TTTAAAAAAA A SEQ ID NO: __________________________________________________________________________ 14 313 2

The genomic Lutzomyia protein DNA sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence are as follows: ATG AAA TAT TCT TTA AAT AAT CTC CAT TTT CTT GTA GAC GTT GCT 45 Met Lys Tyr Ser Leu Asn Asn Leu His Phe Leu Val Asp Val Ala GAG GGC TGT GAT GCA ACA TGT CAA TTT CGC AAG GCC ATA GAA GAC 90 Glu Gly Cys Asp Ala Thr Cys Gln Phe Arg Lys Ala Ile Glu Asp TGC AGG AAG AAG GCG CAT CAT AGC GAT GTT TTG CAG ACT TCT GTA 135 Cys Arg Lys Lys Ala His His Ser Asp Val Leu Gln Thr Ser Val CAA ACA ACT GCA ACA TTT ACA TCA ATG GAT ACC TCC CAA CTA CCT 180 Gln Thr Thr Ala Thr Phe Thr Ser Met Asp Thr Ser Gln Leu Pro GGA AGT GGT GTT TTC AAA GAA TGC ATG AAG GAG AAA GCT AAG GAA 225 Gly Ser Gly Val Phe Lys Glu Cys Met Lys Gln Lys Ala Lys Glu TTT AAG GCA GGA AAG TAG SEQ ID NO: 16 243 Phe Lys Ala Gly Lys SEQ ID NO: 17 __________________________________________________________________________

The genomic native Lutzomyia protein DNA sequence varies somewhat from the native Lutzomyia protein cDNA sequence and is believed to represent a variant native maxadilan protein gene. The genomic Lutzomyia protein DNA sequence includes the DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of a 17 amino acid leader peptide. The signal sequence of Lutzomyia protein is also given in the genomic DNA sequence (nucleotides 1-51).

Native maxadilan can be obtained by conventional purification chromatography from surgically excised salivary glands of Lutzomyia longipalpis. One pair of salivary glands contains about 10-15 ng native maxadilan. The native maxadilan constitutes about 1% of the total protein in the salivary glands of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis.

Knowledge of the native maxadilan protein sequence enables the skilled artisan to produce large quantities of the protein for therapeutic use. The native maxadilan protein can also be synthesized using conventional chemical solid or solution phase peptide synthesis techniques.

The following is a nucleotide sequence and amino acid translation of the PCR-amplified cDNA fragment generated with the 3-13 primer (overlined) and the oligo (dT) primer (binding site underlined). A Y in the 3-13 primer sequence indicates both C and T at those positions. This sequence was reported in Lerner et al. at page 1064. 3-13 primer GCYACCGAYCAGTTCCGYAAGGCYATYGAYGAC   TGC CAG AAG CAG GCG CAT 51 Cys Gln Lys Gln Ala His CAT AGC AAT GTT TTG CAG ACT TCT GTA CAA ACA ACT GCA ACA TTC 96 His Ser Asn Val Leu Gln Thr Ser Val Gln Thr Thr Ala Thr Phe ACA TCA ATG GAT ACC TCC CAA CTA CCT GGA AAT AGT GTC TTC AAA 141 SEQ ID NO: 19 Thr Ser Met Asp Thr Ser Gln Leu Pro Gly Asn Ser Val Phe Lys GAA TGT ATG AAG CAG AAG AAA AAG GAA TTT AGT TCA GGA AAG TAA 186 Glu Cys Met Lys Gln Lys Lys Lys Glu Phe Ser Ser Gly Lys--- AAGATTGAAG AAAATTGTAG CCGAGGAGAG AAAGAAAGAA AGTCCCATAC      236 CATATTTTGT TTGTTAATTG TAACGAATTT TCCGAAAAAA TAAAATATTA      286 TGCACTCAAT TTA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGCCTCCC SEQ ID NO: 18       325 oligo dT primer __________________________________________________________________________

The nucleotide sequence and translation of the PCR-amplified maxadilan gene fragment generated with an upstream primer (not shown) and the 3'-UT primer (binding site underlined) are as follows. The positions of the A, B, C, and D primers are overlined. AAT CAA TTG CTA AAA AAA AAT TAC AAA TAG AAC TAC TAC AGA TGT 45 TCT GAA TTT TTT CTT GAT ATT CTT TCT CAA TTG GATG            81 ##STR1##                                                   139 ATG AAG CAA ATC CTT ##STR2##                CTT GCC GTG TTT 187 Met Lys Gln Ile Leu LeuIleSerLeuValValVal   Leu Ala Val Phe GCC TTC AGT AAG TTC TTC CTT TAG GCC TTT CCT TCT CAA AAC TTA 232 Ala Phe A   . . . intron . . . AAG TAA TTT AAT GAA ATA TTC TTT AAA TAA TCT CCA TTT TCT TGT 277 . . . AGACGTTGCT  GAG GGC TGT GAT GCA ACA TGC CAA TTT CGC AAG GCC 323 . . . snValAla Glu Gly Cys Asp Ala Thr Cys Gln Phe Arg Lys Ala ATA GAT GAC TGC CAG AAG CAG GCG CAT CAT AGC AAT GTT TTG CAG 368 Ile Asp Asp Cys Gln Lys Gln Ala His His Ser Asn Val Leu Gln ACT TCT GTA CAA ACA ACT GCA ACA TTC ACA TCA ATG GAT ACC TCC 413 Thr Ser Val Gln Thr Thr Ala Thr Phe Thr Ser Met Asp Thr Ser CAA CTA CCT GGA AAT AGT GTC TTC AAA GAA TGT ATG AAG CAG AAG 458 Gln Leu Pro Gly Asn Ser Val Phe Lys Glu Cys Met Lys Gln Lys AAA AAG GAA TTT AGT TCA GGA AAG TAA AAG ATT GAA GAA AAT TGT 503 Lys SEQ ID NO: 21 Glu Phe Ser Ser Gly Lys--- AGC CGA GGA GAG AAA GAA AGA AAG TCC CAT ACC ATA TTT TGT TTG 548 TTA ATT GTAACGAATTTTCCGAAA SEQ ID NO: 20                       573 3'UT primer __________________________________________________________________________

The COOH-terminal PCR primer used by Lerner et al. was designed based on a different sand fly isolate than the isolate used to generate the DNA libraries. Thus, the COOH terminus of recombinant maxadilan has Lys-Ala at positions 60-61 rather than the Ser-Ser encoded by the cDNA and gene sequences shown above. Lerner et al. at page 1063.

Instead of its primary amino acid structure, native maxadilan protein suitable for use in this invention can be characterized by its chemical and biological properties. Specifically, the native maxadilan protein suitable for use in this invention is capable of inducing vasodilation or temporary immune suppression in a mammal. The vasodilatory activity of the native maxadilan protein is shown by relaxation of at least about 100% of a constricted rabbit aortic ring as described in International Patent Publication No. WO91/00293. Temporary immune suppression is demonstrated by the assay of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 production by macrophages as a marker of immune stimulation as described in International Patent Publication No. WO91/00293, such that H.sub.2 O.sub.2 production is depressed by at least about 75% in the assay.

In one embodiment of the invention, the native maxadilan protein has a molecular weight of about 6839 daltons as determined by mass spectrometry. In another embodiment, the native maxadilan protein employed in this invention is characterized by reference to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). That is, the native maxadilan protein is characterized by elution prior to CGRP in an acetonitrile-H.sub.2 O-trifluoroacetic acid elution in a reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography column. See, International Patent Publication No. WO91/00293. The native maxadilan protein can also be characterized as having vasodilation activity as measured by erythema induction in animal skin of at least about 80-100 times that of CGRP as measured by the assay described in International Patent Publication No. WO91/00293.

Native maxadilan protein or its active analogs and fragments can be used in carrying out this invention. The active analogs and fragments of native maxadilan protein are typically proteins comprising an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the sequence of the active portion of the native maxadilan protein such that the proteins are capable of inducing, maintaining or increasing the biological effects of native maxadilan in a mammal. The proteins of the present invention need not be identical to those disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 91/00293 or to those disclosed in this specification. Variations can be attributable to local mutations, which do not substantially detract from the biological properties associated with native maxadilan protein. Such variations can be found in proteins isolated from lysates as well as chemically or recombinantly constructed proteins.

3. The Modified Maxadilan Proteins Of The Invention

Native maxadilan protein has the N-terminal sequence C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 22. This invention provides modified maxadilan protein, which is native maxadilan protein having the N-terminal sequence G-S-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 2.

The modified maxadilan protein of the invention has a higher biological activity than native maxadilan protein. More particularly, the biological activity of the modified maxadilan is at least 10 times the activity of native maxadilan in a skin erythema assay.

4. The Modified Maxadilan Fusion Proteins Of This Invention

In another embodiment of this invention, the modified maxadilan protein has an N-terminus, and proximate to the N-terminus of the protein there is engineered a cleavage site for the protease thrombin so that cleavage of a fusion protein will yield a polypeptide comprising modified maxadilan protein having vasodilator activity in a mammal. The thrombin cleavage site is engineered by providing upstream of the N-terminus of the modified maxadilan protein suitable amino acids for which thrombin is specific.

Thrombin is a protease that cleaves polypeptide substrates at Arg/Lys-Xaa bonds. These amino acid residues are fused to the modified maxadilan proximate to the N-terminus of the protein. For efficient cleavage by thrombin, Arg or Lys should be provided adjacent to the thrombin cleavage site of the modified maxadilan substrate. For example, suitable cleavage sites for thrombin have the structures of (a) P4-P3-Pro-Arg-P1'-P2', where P3 and P4 are hydrophobic amino acids and P1'and P2' are nonacidic amino acids; and (b) P2-Arg-P1', where P2 or P1' are Gly. See Eur. J. Biochem., 151, 217-224 (1985). In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cleavage site for thrombin has the structure P2-Arg-P1', wherein P2 is Val and P1' is Gly, and P1' coincides with the N-terminus of the modified maxadilan protein.

The thrombin cleavage site is provided within four amino acids upstream of the N-terminus of the modified maxadilan protein. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the amino acids comprising the thrombin cleavage site are fused directly to the N-terminus of modified maxadilan.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a modified maxadilan fusion protein comprises a modified maxadilan protein fused at its N-terminus to the C-terminus of the peptide L-V-P-R SEQ ID NO . It has surprisingly been found that alteration of native maxadilan by fusion of the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L to the N-terminus of native maxadilan provides a site where thrombin can cleave to yield modified maxadilan of the invention in high yield, high purity, and high biological activity.

The modified maxadilan fusion protein comprising modified maxadilan fused to a thrombin recognition sequence can be further fused at its N-terminus to the C-terminus of a heterologous polypeptide to facilitate production, processing, and recovery of the protein. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a modified maxadilan fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) is provided with a thrombin recognition sequence between GST and the modified maxadilan protein. The use of GST in the fusion protein is advantageous because it facilitates purification by means of a glutathione-agarose affinity column prior to digestion with the thrombin. It will be understood that fusion proteins of modified maxadilan with other polypeptides can be employed in this invention. Examples of other fusion proteins are those based on .beta.-galactosidase, thymidine kinase, chloroamphenicol acetyl transferase, protein A and secretable proteins.

5. Expression Of The Proteins Of This Invention

While the modified maxadilan protein of the invention can be synthesized by chemical techniques, preparation of modified maxadilan by recombinant techniques provides a good source of the protein with a higher level of purity and at lower cost than heretofore attainable. More particularly, modified maxadilan protein can be prepared by expression of a DNA sequence encoding the protein in a suitable microorganism. This invention thus includes a DNA sequence that encodes the modified maxadilan protein or fusion proteins of the invention.

DNA encoding native maxadilan protein can be prepared by conventional techniques. For example, RNA can be extracted from dissected salivary glands of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. The RNA can be reverse transcribed to form cDNA, and the cDNA can be amplified by polymerase chain reaction using appropriate primers. As the complete native maxadilan coding sequence is known, the native maxadilan gene can be amplified by PCR. This technique is described by Lerner et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267:1062-1066 (1992). Substitution of codons preferred by the host cell utilized in the production of the proteins of the invention may further increase the yield of recombinant maxadilan.

The DNA encoding the native maxadilan protein is modified by ligation of a DNA fragment encoding G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 1 peptide or the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3 if a thrombin recognition site is desired. The DNA fragment can be in single-stranded or double-stranded form. If the fragment is in single-stranded form, it can be converted to double-stranded form using DNA polymerase according to conventional techniques.

The nucleic acid fragment to be ligated to the DNA encoding native maxadilan protein can have cohesive ends compatible with any combination of sites. Alternatively, the nucleic acid fragment can have one or more blunt ends that can be ligated to corresponding blunt ends of the DNA encoding the protein. The nucleic acid fragment to be ligated can be further processed, if desired, by successive exonuclease digestion. In the event the nucleic acid fragment to be ligated does not contain a desired combination of cohesive ends, the fragment can be modified by adding a linker or an adaptor.

A wide variety of host cells and expression vectors can be employed in producing the modified maxadilan proteins of the invention. The selection of the appropriate host and expression vector is controlled by a number of variables that are well known in the art. These variables include, but are not limited to, the toxicity and ease of purification of the protein fused to maxadilan, ease of expression of the fusion protein, and cost.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, modified maxadilan protein is prepared from a DNA sequence encoding native maxadilan, wherein the DNA sequence encoding the native maxadilan has a 5' end to which is linked a DNA sequence encoding the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 23. The maxadilan precursor polypeptide encoded by the resulting DNA sequence has a cleavage site for the enzyme thrombin. It has been unpredictably discovered that the cleavage site is accessible to the enzyme thrombin and that thrombin does not adversely affect the biological activity of the modified maxadilan protein. Cleavage of this precursor polypeptide with thrombin yields modified maxadilan protein without the use of Factor Xa. Moreover, it has been unexpectedly discovered that thrombin cleaves more efficiently than Factor Xa cleaves the maxadilan precursor polypeptide used heretofore.

In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the modified maxadilan protein is prepared by expression of a DNA sequence encoding native maxadilan protein, wherein the native maxadilan protein has a 5' end to which is linked a first DNA sequence encoding the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3 and a second DNA sequence linked to the first DNA sequence upstream of the first DNA sequence. The second DNA sequence encodes the heterologous peptide previously described. An example of a heterologous peptide is glutathione S-transferase. The DNA sequence for this peptide is well-known in the art. See Smith et al., Gene (Amst.) 67:31-40 (1988).

The bacterial subcloning vectors M13 mp10 and M13 mp11 were used for subcloning cDNA in the present invention. Other suitable subcloning vectors include pUC18 and pUC19. The present invention has been carried out using a bacterial fusion protein, bacterial expression vectors, and bacterial host cells. Other expression systems can be employed to express modified maxadilan fusion proteins that can be cleaved by thrombin. For example, yeast and mammalian expression vectors can be employed. Typical vectors are pMC1871, pEZZ18, pMSG-CAT, pCH110, and pBPV. The preferred expression vector of the invention is pGEX-2T because it contains a DNA sequence encoding a thrombin cleavage site.

Many different cells are suitable for producing the proteins of the instant invention. These include well-known host cells, such as bacteria (B. subtilus, E. coli), yeast cells and mammalian cells. The preferred host cells for expression of the proteins of this invention include E coli containing lac I.sup.q for example, E. coli JM105 and M15.

As previously noted, cleavage of the modified maxadilan fusion protein of the invention with thrombin provides modified maxadilan. Thrombin concentrations of about 1 .mu.g/ml to about 100 mg/ml can be employed to cleave about 1 .mu.g/ml to about 10 g/ml of the modified maxadilan fusion protein. Thrombin digestion can be carried out for about 5 minutes to about 30 hours at temperatures of about 15.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. at a pH of about 6 to about 9 and in the presence of a buffer Examples of suitable buffers are HEPES-HCl, TRIS-HCl, sodium phosphate or potassium acetate buffer. The preferred buffer is TRIS-HCl. Cleavage of the fusion proteins of the invention with 10 .mu.g/ml thrombin for 1 hour at 37.degree. C. and a pH of 7.4 in the presence of 50 mM TRIS-HCl as buffer has been found to produce modified maxadilan protein having high purity and high biological activity following purification by reverse phase HPLC.

The proteins of the invention are recovered from the cleavage digest and then purified. Preferably, the proteins are purified by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), although other purification methods known in the art can be employed. Typical of these other purification methods are ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration.

An example of expression of the native maxadilan protein by recombinant techniques can be found in the article entitled "Expression of Recombinant Maxadilan, Maxadilan, Cloning and Functional Expression of the Gene Encoding This Potent Vasodilator Peptide," Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 267, No. 2, Issue of January 15, pp. 1063, Ethan Lerner and Charles Shoemaker, authors.

6. Compositions And Methods Of Using The Modified Maxadilan Protein Of This Invention

The modified maxadilan protein of the invention is useful for inducing, maintaining or increasing vasodilation in mammals by administering an effective amount of the protein to the mammal. It is preferable that the subject is a human, although the compositions and methods of the invention can be employed with other primates and other animals, such as sheep, rabbits, mice, rats and other mammalia. The protein can be applied to the desired site by topical application or by subcutaneous injection.

(a) Composition for Topical Application

The composition of the invention can be formulated into a form suitable for topical application by incorporating the modified maxadilan protein in a suitable vehicle. The vehicle for topical application is a substance that acts as a diluent, dispersant, or solvent for the modified maxadilan protein and other reagents in the composition so that the composition can be applied to and distributed substantially evenly over the skin at an appropriate concentration. The vehicle is preferably one that aids penetration of the modified maxadilan protein into the skin to reach the immediate environment where vasodilation is desired.

The vehicle can be a solid, semi-solid or liquid vehicle that is cosmetically acceptable, pharmaceutically acceptable, or physiologically acceptable, and which enables the modified maxadilan protein to be conveyed to the skin at an appropriate dilution. The nature of the vehicle will depend upon the method chosen for administration of the composition. The vehicle can itself be inert or it can impart physiological or pharmaceutical benefits to the composition. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles are water, squalene, liquid paraffin, a fatty acid, a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, or propylene glycol.

The vehicle for topical application of the composition of this invention can be based on water or at least one cosmetically acceptable vehicle other than water. It will be understood that nonaqueous cosmetically acceptable vehicles can also be combined with water to provide a composition suitable for topical application. Vehicles that can be employed in the composition of the invention include solids or liquids, such as emollients, solvents, humectants, thickeners, and powders. Examples of cosmetically acceptable vehicles are polyoxyethylene adduct of hardened castor oil, glycerol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, cetylisooctanate, squalene, vaseline, propylparaben, water, liquid paraffin, cetosterearyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, and ethylene oxide alkyl ether.

Modified maxadilan protein can be utilized in the methods and compositions of the present invention either alone, or in combination with other known treatment agents. For example, the modified maxadilan can be used in combination with one or more of the following agents: vasodilators, amino acids, skin-hyperactive agents, anti-inflammatories, refrigerants such as menthol, oils, higher fatty acids and higher alcohols, and polyhydric alcohols. Surfactants, perfumes, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, pigments, ethanol, water, humectants, propellants, and thickeners, can optionally be employed in the methods and compositions of this invention to the extent that they do not detract from the effects of the invention.

Although the modified maxadilan protein of the invention can be employed at an extremely low level of the protein in the composition of the invention, generally, the modified maxadilan protein is employed in the amount of about 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about 5% by weight per total weight of the composition, and preferably in an amount of about 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about 3% by weight per total weight of the composition, in topical application.

The composition according to the invention can be either directly applied on the skin or applied by percutaneous injection. The dosage of the composition according to the invention varies depending on age, individual differences, symptoms, etc., but in the case of an adult, it is generally in the range of 500 fg to 500 mg, and preferably in the range of 100  pg to 100 mg, modified maxadilan protein per kg of body weight per day.

Vasodilation effects in an adult human can be achieved by administering the composition in an effective amount of about 100 fg to about 100 mg, preferably about 100 pg to about 100 mg, of modified maxadilan protein per kg of host body weight per day. In one embodiment, maxadilan can be applied to humans in an amount ranging from 100 fg to 100 mg, and preferably in the range from 100 pg to 100 mg, per square cm of surface area. Maxadilan is present in the topical composition in an amount of about 5.0.times.10.sup.-10 to about 5.0.times.10.sup.-1 percent by weight, preferably about 5.0.times.10.sup.-8 to about 5.0.times.10.sup.-3 percent by weight.

The exact regime used will depend on several factors such as the condition of the individual, but are readily determinable by the treating physician. Treatment should be continued at least until the desired effect is achieved.

(b) Composition for Subcutaneous Injection

In addition to topically applying the composition of this invention to the subject, the composition of the invention can also be administered to the subject by subcutaneous injection to induce, maintain or increase vasodilation. Modified maxadilan protein has an extremely good vasodilation effect so that it has an efficacy dose in animals of at least 1 pg per kg of host body weight per day by subcutaneous injection.

Native maxadilan proteins, as well as the modified maxadilan protein of this invention, are also useful in the methods and compositions described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 017,061, filed Feb. 12, 1993, (Attorney Docket No. 05136.0002) the entire disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated by reference herein.

Maxadilan cDNA was obtained from the expression plasmid pGEX-3X-Max, which was provided by Lerner et al. This plasmid was cleaved with the restriction enzymes BamHI and EcoRI. 0.2 Kb fragments of DNA were isolated using phenol extraction from low temperature melted agarose. These fragments were subcloned into the subcloning vector M13mp10 and M13mp11. M13 mp10 and mp11 DNA were digested with the restriction enzymes BamHI and EcoRI and then BamHI and EcoRI-cleaved cDNA was inserted into these vectors using T4 DNA ligase.

Several different subclones were selected and the subcloned maxadilan cDNA was excised from the subcloning vectors by cleaving with the restriction enzymes BamHI and EcoRI or HindIII. Fragments having a size range of 0.2 kb were analyzed by restriction mapping and direct DNA sequencing. The DNA sequence of the fragments was determined by the Sequenase dideoxy chain termination method (United States Biochemical Corporation) using a DNA sequencer (Hitachi WS-10A).

a. Construction Of Expression Vectors

A plasmid, pUC19-Max (60K, 61A)-GK, having the maxadilan cDNA sequence as shown in FIG. 1, was used to generate the maxadilan fusion protein expression plasmid pGST-GSIL-Max(60K, 61A)-GK. A commercial expression vector which encodes the amino acid residues L-V-D-R SEQ ID NO: 23, pGEX-2T (Pharmacia) was cleaved with BamHI and EcoRI.

Plasmid pUC19-Max (60K, 61A)-GK was cleaved with BamHI and EcoRI to release the maxadilan cDNA sequence shown in FIG. 1. This cDNA sequence was inserted into BamHI and EcoRI-cleaved pGEX2T. Following this, the maxadilan cDNA-containing pGEX2T plasmid was cleaved with BamHI. The sticky ends were filled in with T4 DNA polymerase and then ligated. The final structure of vector pGST-GSIL-Max (60K, 61A)-GK is shown in FIG. 2. It contains GST coding sequence followed by DNA encoding L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3, which is followed by maxadilan coding sequence. The sequence L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3 encodes a thrombin cleavage site. The amino acid and DNA sequence of the GST-LVPR-GSIL-maxadilan fusion protein is shown in FIG. 3.

For comparison purposes, another expression plasmid, pGIL-Max(60K, 61A)-GK, was constructed using the method of Lerner et al., described on page 1063. This plasmid encodes a fusion protein comprising GST fused to the peptide E-G-R-G-I-L SEQ ID NO: 24, which is fused to maxadilan. The sequence E-G-R-G-I-L SEQ ID NO: 24 encodes a Factor Xa cleavage site. The amino acid and DNA sequence of the GST-EGRGIL-maxadilan fusion protein is shown in FIG. 4. When this fusion protein is cleaved with Factor Xa, the modified maxadilan produced has the N-terminal amino acid sequence G-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 25. See J. Biol. Chem. 267, 1062-1066 (1992).

b. Transfection And Expression

The expression vector pGST-GSIL-Max(60K, 61A)-GK was transfected into E. coli HA101 using Mandell and Higa's method for transfection. Mandel, M., and Higa, A., 1970, Calcium dependent bacteriophage DNA Infection. J. Mol. Biol. 53, 154.

The transformed E. coli harboring the GST plasmid were grown in LB media at 37.degree. C. for 3 hours. These cells were also induced with isopropyl-.beta.-D-thio-galactopyranoside (IPTG) at a concentration of 2 millimoles for every 10.sup.9 cells. After five hours, the level of protein in the supernatant was 10% of the total cell protein. The bacteria were separated from the supernatant by centrifugation.

c. Fusion Protein Cleavage And Purification

The GSIL-maxadilan GST fusion protein in the supernatant was cleaved using 10 .mu.g/ml thrombin (Mochida). Digestion proceeded for one hour at 37.degree. C.

The GIL-maxadilan fusion protein was cleaved with Factor Xa at a concentration of 100 .mu.g/ml for 5 hours at 37.degree. C.

Following cleavage, GIL maxadilan protein and GSIL maxadilan protein were purified using RP-HPLC. A CAPCELL PAK C-8 SG 300 (Shiseido Co., Ltd.) column was used on a Shimadzu LC6A system from Shimazu Co. Ltd. Proteins were eluted using an acetonitrile gradient (0.1% TFA/water solution (pH 2.0) and 0.1% TFA/acetonitrile solution). The RP HPLC column was run for 20 minutes at a pressure of 50-100 kg-f/cm.sup.2.

The results of the RP HPLC purification of the GSIL and GIL maxadilan proteins are shown in FIG. 5. Material with a retention time of approximately 7.1 minutes was determined to be maxadilan using N-terminal peptide sequence analysis using an ABI 471A peptide sequencer. The protein migrating in this peak also had the size expected for a dimer of maxadilan which was determined from the SDS-PAGE data. The amino acid sequence of modified maxadilan protein is shown in FIG. 6. The amino acid and cDNA sequence of modified maxadilan protein is shown in FIG. 7.

The purity of the GSIL and GIL maxadilan proteins purified using RP HPLC were determined to be over 95% pure using RP-HPLC analysis data.

d. Comparison Of Protein Yield And Cleavage Enzyme Efficiency Of Fusion Proteins Cleaved With Thrombin Or Factor Xa

A one-liter culture of E. coli transfected with the plasmid pGST-GSIL-Max(60K, 61A)-GK yielded 0.7 mg of GSIL-maxadilan protein following purification and cleavage of the fusion protein with thrombin. In contrast, a one-liter culture of E. coli transfected with pGIL yielded only 0.3 mg of GIL-maxadilan following purification and cleavage of the fusion protein with Factor Xa.

Table 1 summarizes the results of cleaving GST-maxadilan fusion proteins with either thrombin or Factor Xa: ______________________________________ GSIL-Maxadilan/ GIL-Maxadilan/ pGST-GSIL-Max pGST-GIL-Max Protein/Vector (60K 61A)GK  (60K, 61A) ______________________________________ Ratio (cleavage 1:15 (wt/wt) 1:1 (wt/wt) enzyme/fusion (thrombin)   (Factor Xa) protein) Concentration 0.06 mg/ml   1 mg/ml of thrombin or Factor Xa used Amount of modi- 0.7 mg       0.3 mg fied maxadilan produced from 1 liter culture Cleavage      Complete     Incomplete ______________________________________

Clearly, thrombin is more efficient at cleaving maxadilan fusion protein than Factor Xa. Thrombin is more efficient on a molar basis than Factor Xa. The molecular weights of thrombin and Factor Xa are 37 and 56 kDa, respectively.

The biological activities of GSIL-maxadilan, GIL-maxadilan, and native maxadilan were analyzed using a rabbit skin erythema assay according to the method of Lerner et al. at page 1063. Briefly, Japanese white rabbits were injected intradermally with GSIL-maxadilan, GIL-maxadilan or native maxadilan (Lerner et al.). Saline and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were used as controls. CGRP is a vasodilator peptide. Lerner et al. at page 1065. The maxadilan proteins (all approximately 96% pure) were suspended in 0.9% saline solution at a concentration of 2.times.10.sup.-5 .mu.g/ml. 50 .mu.l of protein or control solution was injected intradermally under the back skin of the rabbits. Photographs of the skin injected were taken at intervals between 15 minutes and 6 hours. The results of the erythema assay are shown in Table 2. Five separate determinations were made for each concentration of maxadilan or control substances tested. ______________________________________ Erythema activities on the rabbit skin Injection        (g)     15 min   1 hr 6 hr ______________________________________ GSIL-MAX(60K, 61A)-GK 10.sup.9 +        +    + 10.sup.-10 +        +    + 10.sup.-11 +        +    + 10.sup.-12 +        +    + Synthetic MAX (MAX-GK) 10.sup.-9 +        +    - 10.sup.-10 +        -    - 10.sup.-11 -        -    - 10.sup.-12 -        -    - GIL-MAX(60K, 61A)-GK 10.sup.-9 +        +    - 10.sup.-10 +        +    - 10.sup.-11 -        -    - 10.sup.-12 -        -    - CGRP             10.sup.-9 +        +    - 10.sup.-10 +        -    - 10.sup.-11 -        -    - 10.sup.-12 -        -    - Saline                   -        -    - ______________________________________

The GSIL-maxadilan is more biologically active than either GIL-maxadilan or native maxadilan. Even injection of 10.sup.-11 or 10.sup.-12 g of GSIL-maxadilan stimulated erythema after 15 minutes, whereas GIL-maxadilan and native maxadilan were not active at these concentrations. After 6 hours, GSIL-maxadilan was still active even at a level of 10.sup.-12 g, whereas GIL- and native maxadilan were not active.

In summary, this invention makes it possible to more efficiently and less expensively produce large quantities of maxadilan. The recombinant modified maxadilan protein of the invention has high biological activity. In order to achieve these goals, maxadilan DNA has been cloned and the cloned DNA expressed using recombinant DNA methods to produce a fusion protein comprising a modified maxadilan protein. The fusion protein comprises GST fused at its C-terminus to the peptide L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3 , which is fused at its C-terminus to the N-terminus of maxadilan protein. The amino acid sequence L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 3 encodes a thrombin cleavage site and eliminates the Factor Xa cleavage site heretofore employed.

Cleavage of the GST fusion protein taught by Lerner et al. with Factor Xa yields a modified maxadilan protein with the N-terminal sequence G-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 25, whereas the N-terminal sequence of native unmodified maxadilan is C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 22. When cleaved with thrombin, the fusion protein of the invention yields a modified maxadilan protein which has as its N-terminal sequence the amino acids G-S-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO: 2.

Following are examples of compositions of this invention containing a modified maxadilan protein.

An emulsion is prepared from phase A, phase B, phase C, phase D, and phase E having the following compositions: Phase A Modified maxadilan protein 1.0 Polyoxyethylene (60 mol) adduct hardened castor oil 2.0 Glycerol                   10.0 Dipropylene glycol         10.0 1,3-Butylene glycol        5.0 Polyethylene glycol 1500   5.0 Phase B Cetylisooctanate           10.0 Squalene                   5.0 Vaseline                   2.0 Propylparaben              2.0 Phase C Aqueous 1% solution of carboxyvinyl polymer 30.0 Sodium hexametaphosphate   0.03 Deionized water            8.35 Phase D Deionized water            4.5 Phase E Potassium hydroxide        0.12 Deionized water            5.0 ______________________________________

Phase A and phase B are separately and thermally melted at 60.degree. C. and then mixed with the homomixer to produce a gel. Phase D is gradually added thereto and dispersed by means of the homomixer.

Subsequently, the dispersed phase C is added thereto, and finally E phase is added followed by homomixer treatment to obtain an oil-in-water type emulsion.

A cream is prepared from phase A and phase B having the following compositions: Phase A Modified maxadilan protein 5.0 Liquid paraffin       5.0 Cetostearyl alcohol   5.5 Glyceryl monostearate 3.0 EO (20 mol)-2-octyldodecyl ether 3.0 Propylparaben         0.3 Perfume               0.1 Phase B Glycerol              8.0 Dipropylene glycol    20.0 Polyethylene glycol 4000 5.0 Sodium hexametaphosphate 0.005 Deionized water       49.095 ______________________________________

Phase A and phase B are each separately and thermally dissolved and were then mixed together. The mixture is emulsified by means of a homomixer to obtain a cream.

A gel is prepared by combining five phases having the following compositions: Phase A Modified maxadilan protein 3.0 Polyoxyethylene (60 mol) adduct hardened castor oil 2.0 Glycerol                   10.0 1,3-Butylene Glycol        5.0 Polyethylene glycol 1500   5.0 Phase B Cetylisooctanate           10.0 Vaseline                   8.0 Propylparaben              2.0 Phase C Aqueous 1% solution of carboxyvinyl polymer 30.0 Sodium hexametaphosphate   0.03 Deionized water            8.35 Phase D Deionized water            4.5 Phase E Potassium hydroxide        0.12 Deionized water            12.0 ______________________________________

Phase A and phase B are separately and thermally melted at 60.degree. C. and then mixed with homomixer to produce a gel. Phase D is gradually added thereto and dispersed by means of homomixer. Subsequently, the dispersed phase C is added thereto, and finally phase E is added followed by the homomixer treatment to obtain the gel composition.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 4 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: GlySerIl eLeu (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: GlySerIleLeuCysAspAlaThr 15 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: LeuValProArgGlySerIleLeu 15 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: (i ) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 207 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: GGATCCTGCTGTGTGATGCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGATGACTGCCAGAAGC60 AGGCGCATC ATAGCAATGTTTTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCAACATTCACATCAA120 TGGATACCTCCCAACTACCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATGAAGCAGAAGAAAA180 AGGAATTTAAGGCAGGAAAGTGAATTC 207 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 65 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5: IleLeuCysAspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleAspAsp Cys 151015 GlnLysGlnAlaHisHisSerAsnValLeuGlnThrSerValGlnThr 2025 30 ThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGlyAsnSer 354045 ValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheLysAl aGly 505560 Lys 65 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 24 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: CTGGTTCCGCGCGGATCGATCCTG24 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 18 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: TTAAAGTGAATTCATCGT18 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 897 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8: ATGTCCCCTATACTAGGTTATTGGAAAATTAAGGGCGTTGTGCAACCCACTCGACTTCTT60 TTGGAATATCTTGAAGAAAAATATGAAGAGCATTTGTATGAGCGCGATGAAGGTGATAAA120 TGGCT AAACAAAAAGTTTGAATTGGGTTTGGAGTTTCCCAATCTTCCTTATTATATTGAT180 GGTGATGTTAAATTAACACAGTCTATGGCCATCATAGGTTATATAGCTGACAAGCACAAC240 ATGTTGGGTGGTTGTCCAAAAGAGCGTGCAGAGATTTCAATGCTTGAAG GAGCGGTTTTG300 GATATTAGATACGGTGTTTCGAGAATTGCATATAGTAAAGACTTTGAAACTCTCAAAGTT360 GATTTTCTTAGCAAGCTACCTCAAATGCTGAAAATGTTCGAAGATCGTTTATGTCATAAA420 ACATATTTAAATGGTGATCATGT AACCCATCCTGACTTCATGTTGTATGACGCTCTTGAT480 GTTGTTTTATACATGGACCCAATGTGCCTGGATGCGTTCCCAAAATTAGTTTGTTTTAAA540 AAACGTATTGAAGCTATCCCACAAATTGATAAGTACTTGAAATCCAGCAAGTATATACCA600 TGGCCTTTGCAGGGCTGGCAAGCCACGTTTGGTGGTGGCGACCATCCTCCAAAATCGGAT660 CTGGTTCCGCGCGGATCGATCCTGTGTGATGCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGAT720 GACTGCCAGAAGCAGGCGCATCATAGCAATGTTTTGCAGAC TTCTGTACAAACAACTGCA780 ACATTCACATCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTACCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATG840 AAGCAGAAGAAAAAGGAATTTAAGGCAGGAAAGTGAATTCATCCTGACTGACTCACG897 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 291 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: MetSerProIleLeuGlyTyrTrpLysIleLysGlyLeuValGlnPro 15 1015 ThrArgLeuLeuLeuGluTyrLeuGluGluLysTyrGluGluHisLeu 202530 TyrGluArgAspGluGly AspLysTrpLeuAsnLysLysPheGluLeu 354045 GlyLeuGluPheProAsnLeuProTyrTyrIleAspGlyAspValLys 50 5560 LeuThrGlnSerMetAlaIleIleArgTyrIleAlaAspLysHisAsn 65707580 MetLeuGlyGlyCysProLy sGluArgAlaGluIleSerMetLeuGlu 859095 GlyAlaValLeuAspIleArgTyrGlyValSerArgIleAlaTyrSer 100 105110 LysAspPheGluThrLeuLysValAspPheLeuSerLysLeuProArg 115120125 MetLeuLysMetPheGl uAspArgLeuCysHisLysThrTyrLeuAsn 130135140 GlyAspHisValThrHisProAspPheMetLeuTyrAspAlaLeuAsp 145150 155160 ValValLeuTyrMetAspProMetCysLeuAspAlaPheProLysLeu 165170175 ValCysPheL ysLysArgIleGluAlaIleProGlnIleAspLysTyr 180185190 LeuLysSerSerLysTyrIleAlaTrpProLeuGlnGlyTrpGlnAla 195200205 ThrPheGlyGlyGlyAspHisProProLysSerAspLeuValProArg 210215220 GlySerIleLeuCys AspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleAsp 225230235240 AspCysGlnLysGlnAlaHisHisSerAsnValLeuGlnThrSerVal 245250255 GlnThrThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGly 260265270 Asn SerValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheLys 275280285 AlaGlyLys 290 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 897 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10: ATGTCCCCTATACTAGGTTATTGGAAAATTAAGGGCGTTGTGCAACCCACTCGACTTCTT60 TTGGAATATCTTGAAGAAAAATATGAAGA GCATTTGTATGAGCGCGATGAAGGTGATAAA120 TGGCTAAACAAAAAGTTTGAATTGGGTTTGGAGTTTCCCAATCTTCCTTATTATATTGAT180 GGTGATGTTAAATTAACACAGTCTATGGCCATCATAGGTTATATAGCTGACAAGCACAAC240 ATG TTGGGTGGTTGTCCAAAAGAGCGTGCAGAGATTTCAATGCTTCAAGCACCCCTTTTC300 GATATTAGATACGGTGTTTCGAGAATTGCATATAGTAAAGACTTTGAAACTCTCAAAGTT360 GATTTTCTTAGCAAGCTACCTGAAATGCTGAAAATGTTCGAAGATCG TTTATGTCATAAA420 ACATATTTAAATGGTGATCATGTAACCCATCCTGACTTCATGTTGTATGACGCTCTTGAT480 GTTGTTTTATACATGGACCCAATGTGCCTGGATGCGTTCCCAAAATTAGTTTGTTTTAAA540 AAACGTATTGAAGCTATCCCA CAAATTGATAAGTACTTGAAATCCAGCAAGTATATAGCA600 TGGCCTTTGCAGGGCTGGCAAGCCACGTTTGGTGGTGGCGACCATCCTCCAAAATCGGAT660 CTGATCGAAGGTCGTGGGATCCTGTGTGATGCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGAT72 0 GACTGCCAGAAGCAGGCGCATCATAGCAATGTTTTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCA780 ACATTCACATCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTACCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATG840 AAGCAGAAGAAAAAGGAATTTAAGGCAGGAAAGTGAATTC ATCGTGACTGACTCACG897 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 291 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11: MetSerProIleLeuGlyTyrTrpLysIleLysGl yLeuValGlnPro 151015 ThrArgLeuLeuLeuGluTyrLeuGluGluLysTyrGluGluHisLeu 2025 30 TyrGluArgAspGluGlyAspLysTrpLeuAsnLysLysPheGluLeu 354045 GlyLeuGluPheProAsnLeuProTyrTyrIle AspGlyAspValLys 505560 LeuThrGlnSerMetAlaIleIleArgTyrIleAlaAspLysHisAsn 657075 80 MetLeuGlyGlyCysProLysGluArgAlaGluIleSerMetLeuGlu 859095 GlyAlaValLeuAspIleArgTyrGlyVa lSerArgIleAlaTyrSer 100105110 LysAspPheGluThrLeuLysValAspPheLeuSerLysLeuProGlu 115120 125 MetLeuLysMetPheGluAspArgLeuCysHisLysThrTyrLeuAsn 130135140 GlyAspHisValThrHisProAspPheMetLeuT yrAspAlaLeuAsp 145150155160 ValValLeuTyrMetAspProMetCysLeuAspAlaPheProLysLeu 165 170175 ValCysPheLysLysArgIleGluAlaIleProGlnIleAspLysTyr 180185190 LeuLysSerSerLysTyrIle AlaTrpProLeuGlnGlyTrpGlnAla 195200205 ThrPheGlyGlyGlyAspHisProProLysSerAspLeuIleGluGly 21021 5220 ArgGlyIleLeuCysAspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleAsp 225230235240 AspCysGlnLysGlnAlaHis HisSerAsnValLeuGlnThrSerVal 245250255 GlnThrThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGly 260 265270 AsnSerValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheLys 275280285 AlaGlyLys 290 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 67 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12: GlySerIleLeuCysAspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleAsp 151015 AspCysGlnLysGlnAlaHisHisSerAsnValLeuGlnThrSerVal 202530 GlnThrThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGly 354045 AsnSerValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheLys 505560 AlaGlyLys 65 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 207 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13: GGATCGATCCTGCTGTGTGATGCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGATGACTGCCAG60 AAGCAGGCGCATCATAGCAATGTTTTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCAACATTCACA120 TCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTACCTGGAAA TAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATGAAGCAGAAG180 AAAAAGGAATTTAAGGCAGGAAAGTAA207 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 313 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14: TGTGATGCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGKCCATAGATGACTGCCAGAAGCAGGCGCATCAT60 AGCAATGTTTTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCAACATTCACATCAATGGATACCTCC 120 CAACTACCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATGAAGCAGAAGAAAAAGGAATTTAAG180 GCAGGAAAGTAAAATGATTGAAGAAAATTGTAGCCGAGGAGAGAAAGAAAGAAAGTCCCA240 TACCATATTTTGTTTGTTAATTGTAACGAATTTTCCG AAAAAATAAAATATTATGCACTC300 AATTTAAAAAAAA313 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 63 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15: CysAspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleAspAspCysGlnLys 151015 GlnAlaHisHisSerAsnVal LeuGlnThrSerValGlnThrThrAla 202530 ThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGlyAsnSerValPhe 35 4045 LysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheLysAlaGlyLys 505560 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 243 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16: ATGAAATATTCTTTAAATAATCTCCATTTTCTTGTAGACGTTGCTGAGGGCTGTGATGCA60 ACATGTCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGAAGACTGC AGGAAGAAGGCGCATCATAGCGATGTT120 TTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCAACATTTACATCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTACCT180 GGAAGTGGTGTTTTCAAAGAATGCATGAAGGAGAAAGCTAAGGAATTTAAGGCAGGAAAG240 TAG 243 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 80 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17: MetLysTyr SerLeuAsnAsnLeuHisPheLeuValAspValAlaGlu 151015 GlyCysAspAlaThrCysGlnPheArgLysAlaIleGluAspCysArg 202530 LysLysAlaHisHisSerAspValLeuGlnThrSerValGlnThrThr 354045 AlaThrP heThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGlySerGlyVal 505560 PheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysAlaLysGluPheLysAlaGlyLys 65 707580 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 325 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18: GCYACCGAYC AGTTCCGYAAGGCYATYGAYGACTGCCAGAAGCAGGCGCATCATAGCAAT60 GTTTTGCAGACTTCTGTACAAACAACTGCAACATTCACATCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTA120 CCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATGAAGCAGAAGAAAAAGGAATTTAGT TCAGGA180 AAGTAAAAGATTGAAGAAAATTGTAGCCGAGGAGAGAAAGAAAGAAAGTCCCATACCATA240 TTTTGTTTGTTAATTGTAACGAATTTTCCGAAAAAATAAAATATTATGCACTCAATTTAA300 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGCCTCCC 325 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 50 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19: CysGlnLysGlnAlaHisHisSerAs nValLeuGlnThrSerValGln 151015 ThrThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGlnLeuProGlyAsn 20 2530 SerValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLysGluPheSerSer 354045 GlyLys 50 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 573 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20: AATCAATTGCTAAAAAAAAATTACAAATAGAACTACTACAGATGTTCTGAATTTTTTCTT60 GATATTCTTTCTCAATTGGATGTATAAAAGAGGCTATTTTGTGCTGATTTTGTTAGTCAG120 TATTCTGATAAACTACAAAAATGAAGCAAATCCTTTTAATCTCTTTGGTGGTGGTTCTTG180 CCGTGTTTGCCTTCAGTAAGTTCTTCCTTTAGGCCTTTCC TTCTCAAAACTTAAAGTAAT240 TTAATGAAATATTCTTTAAATAATCTCCATTTTCTTGTAGACGTTGCTGAGGGCTGTGAT300 GCAACATGCCAATTTCGCAAGGCCATAGATGACTGCCAGAAGCAGGCGCATCATAGCAAT360 GTTTTGCAGACTTCT GTACAAACAACTGCAACATTCACATCAATGGATACCTCCCAACTA420 CCTGGAAATAGTGTCTTCAAAGAATGTATGAAGCAGAAGAAAAAGGAATTTAGTTCAGGA480 AAGTAAAAGATTGAAGAAAATTGTAGCCGAGGAGAGAAAGAAAGAAAGTCCCATACCAT A540 TTTTGTTTGTTAATTGTAACGAATTTTCCGAAA573 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 86 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21: MetLysGlnIleLeuLeuIleSerLeuValValValLeuAlaValPhe 151015 AlaPheAsnValAlaGluGlyCysAspAlaThrCysGlnP heArgLys 202530 AlaIleAspAspCysGlnLysGlnAlaHisHisSerAsnValLeuGln 3540 45 ThrSerValGlnThrThrAlaThrPheThrSerMetAspThrSerGln 505560 LeuProGlyAsnSerValPheLysGluCysMetLysGlnLysLysLys 65707580 GluPheSerSerGlyLys 85 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 4 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22: CysAspAlaThr 1 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:23: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 4 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:23: LeuValProArg 1 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:24: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 6 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:24: GluGlyArgGlyIleLeu 15 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:25: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 7 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:25: GlyIleLeuCysAspAlaThr 15

## Claims

1. A modified maxadilan protein, wherein the peptide G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO: 1 is fused to the N-terminus of native maxadilan protein.

2. Modified maxadilan protein according to claim 1, wherein the first eight amino acids at the N-terminus of said modified maxadilan protein are G-S-I-L-C-D-A-T SEQ ID NO. 2.

3. Modified maxadilan protein according to claim 1, having the amino acid sequence in FIG. 6 SEQ ID NO: 12.

4. Modified maxadilan protein according to claim 3, wherein the administration of 2.times.10.sup.-7 g/l of said modified maxadilan protein stimulates skin erythema.

5. Modified maxadilan protein as claimed in claim 3, wherein said modified maxadilan protein is 10 times more active in stimulating skin erythema activity than native maxadilan protein.

6. A modified maxadilan fusion protein comprising the modified maxadilan protein as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modified maxadilan protein has an N-terminus and a peptide sequence containing Arg or Lys is fused proximate to the N-terminus of the modified maxadilan protein, wherein the peptide sequence contains a thrombin cleavage site, and wherein said modified maxadilan protein functions as a vasodilator following cleavage of said peptide sequence.

7. Modified maxadilan fusion protein as claimed in claim 6 comprising native maxadilan protein having the N-terminal sequence L-V-P-R-G-S-I-L SEQ ID NO. 3.

8. Modified maxadilan fusion protein as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bacterial protein glutathione S-transferase having a C-terminus is fused at the C-terminus to the N-terminus of the modified maxadilan protein.

9. Modified maxadilan fusion protein as claimed in claim 6 having the amino acid sequence in FIG. 3 SEQ ID NO: 9.

10. Modified maxadilan protein produced by a method comprising:. encoding the protein according to claim 6 under growth conditions such that modified maxadilan fusion protein is produced; and protein.

11. A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin, wherein the composition comprises modified maxadilan protein as claimed in claim 1, in a vasodilation inducing, maintaining or increasing amount in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

12. The composition as claimed in claim 11, wherein said composition comprises modified maxadilan protein in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle selected from the group consisting of squalene, liquid paraffin, a lipid, a liposome, a fatty acid, a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol, propylene glycol, or water.

13. The composition as claimed in claim 11, wherein said composition comprises modified maxadilan protein in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene adduct of hardened castor oil, glycerol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, cetylisooctanate, squalene, vaseline, propylparaben, water, liquid paraffin, cetosterearyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, and ethylene oxide alkyl ether.