The present invention solves these problems by means of the High Temperature Requirement A1 (HTRA1) protein, which is a serine protease that is initially secreted. Secreted HTRA1 is also taken up by cells. It has been shown that HTRA1 serves as a carrier to deliver cargo into cells without using transfection reagents. Moreover, due to its C-terminal PDZ domain, HTRA1 has various intracellular localizations such as the cytoplasm, microtubules or in the nucleus, and may thus serve in the distinct subcellular delivery of proteins.

Commercial Opportunities

HTRA1 or variants with an altered or different PDZ domain or designed hybrid proteins composed of carrier and cargo allows delivery of different cargo proteins and potentially distinct compartmental distribution within the target cells. Therefore, HTRA1 provides a new, improved tool for reagent-free transfection.

Competitive Advantages

• Transfection reagent-free manipulation of cells
• High efficacy of a tuneable and homogeneous transfection
• Low death rate of target cells

Current Status                                                                                                       

On behalf of the University of Duisburg-Essen, PROvendis offers the invention for licensing and research collaboration to interested companies. In case of interest we will be pleased to inform you about the patent status.

Relevant Publication

Campioni M, et al. (2010) The serine protease HtrA1 specifically interacts and degrades the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 protein. Mol. Cancer Res. 8: 1248-60.

Pöpsel, S, et al. (2015) Determinants of amyloid fibril degradation by the PDZ protease HTRA1. Nat. Chem. Biol. 11: 862-69.