A hybrid fusion protein transcription regulator to induce interferon target gene expression

摘要

New hybrid or chimeric fusion polypeptide transcription regulators which induce interferon target gene expression are provided for use in anti-viral and anti-proliferative applications. The hybrid fusion proteins comprise the p48 interferon regulatory factor protein, or a functional portion thereof, fused to a transcriptional activation domain (TAD), or a functional portion thereof. More specifically, the p48 interferon regulatory factor protein is fused to a STAT transcriptional activation do main (TAD) (p48-STAT TAD). A particular p48-STAT TAD is p48-S2C, in which S2C is the TAD of STAT2. Another p48- TAD is p48-VP16 TAD, in which p48 is fused to the transcriptional activation domain of the VP16 protein of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The p48- TAD nucleic acid sequences and encoded polypeptides can be employed for anti-viral treatment and for the treatment of cancers, tumors and neoplastic diseases.