Cell-specific, multidrug delivery system using streptavidin-protein A fusion protein

Tissue-specific delivery of variety of molecules has been a valuable technique for biological and medical research and for the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. We have therefore examined the ability of streptavidin-protein A (ST-PA) fusion protein complexed with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to transfer biotinylated proteins into specific type of cells. ST-PA/mAbs complexes could efficiently deliver biotinylated beta-galactosidase into a variety of cancer cell lines through molecules expressed on their surface. In addition, ST-PA/mAb complexed with either biotinylated glucose oxidase or biotinylated ribonuclease A could be transferred to specific cell types and made to display cytotoxic activity against the transduced cell. The flexibility of the system was enhanced by the fact that the cell-targeting specificity could be altered by just changing the mAb used and the "payload" molecule could be replaced by substituting one biotinylated protein or enzyme with another. This flexibility was achieved without the need to generate a covalent chemical link or engineering new recombinant molecules. Results obtained to date suggest that the ST-PA fusion protein may be used as a nearly "universal carrier" to transfer a variety of effector molecules into target cells with a high degree of specificity. Essentially, the ST-PA fusion protein effectively serves as a high-efficiency, modular "molecular bridge" for the transfer into cells of a wide variety of effector molecules.