Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Efficacy in Retinal Degenerative Diseases of Lens Epithelium-derived Growth Factor Fragment (LEDGF1–326), a Novel Therapeutic Protein

For vision-threatening retinitis pigmentosa and dry age-related macular degeneration, there are no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments. We identified, biosynthesized, purified, and characterized lens epithelium-derived growth factor fragment (LEDGF1-326) as a novel protein therapeutic. LEDGF1-326 was produced at about 20 mg/liter of culture when expressed in the Escherichia coli system, with about 95% purity and...