Engineering of Stable Cell Lines Expressing TRPV Cation Channel Proteins

Soricimed Biopharma, Inc.是一家位于新不伦瑞克萨克维尔/蒙克顿的公司，开发基于soricidin的生物制药化合物，soricidin是一种在北方短尾鼩唾液中发现的麻痹蛋白。该公司的先导化合物SOR-C13是一种合成的13聚肽，其治疗活性基于其与钙通道TRPV6的相互作用，其表达在某些细胞类型（如癌细胞）中升高。此外，SOR-C13的衍生物（c肽）可以作为载体，将其他药物直接输送到携带trpv6的细胞中。由于目前缺乏重要的内部工具，该药物输送平台的优化受到阻碍；一个稳定的过表达TRPV6通道的细胞系。在这项资助下，Weaver博士的实验室将开发这种细胞系，使Soricimed能够确定c肽衍生物的哪些特性可以改善它们与TRPV通道的相互作用，从而提高它们靶向并进入携带这些通道的细胞的能力。获得的知识反过来将导致公司产品线的扩展，包括新的和改进的治疗性c肽，以及针对特定细胞类型的新型c肽/药物偶联物。扩大和巩固该公司的这类产品管道将引领与大型生物制药公司的合作伙伴关系，并扩大Soricimed的药物市场。

Soricimed Biopharma, Inc. is a Sackville/Moncton, New Brunswick based company developingbiopharmaceutical compounds based on soricidin, a paralytic protein found in the saliva of the NorthernShort-tailed Shrew. SOR-C13, the company's lead compound, is a synthetic, 13-mer peptide whose therapeuticactivity is based on its interaction with a calcium channel, TRPV6, whose expression is elevated in certain celltypes (e.g. cancer cells). Also, derivatives of SOR-C13 (C-peptides) can be used as vehicles to deliver otherdrugs directly into TRPV6-bearing cells. Optimization of this drug delivery platform is hampered by thecurrent lack of a significant in-house tool; a stable cell line overexpressing the TRPV6 channel. Under thisEngage Grant, Dr. Weaver's lab will develop this cell line, allowing Soricimed to determine what properties ofthe C-peptide derivatives improve their interaction with TRPV channels and hence their ability to target andenter cells bearing these channels. This gained knowledge would in turn lead to expansion of the company'sproduct line with new and improved therapeutic C-peptides, and novel C-peptide/drug conjugates targetingspecific cell types. Broadening and solidifying the company's pipeline with such products will lead topartnerships with larger biopharma companies and expand Soricimed's drug marketability.