A Chimera (or chimeric protein) is a human-engineered or in vivo mutated protein that is encoded by a nucleotide sequence made by a splicing together of two or more complete or partial genes or cDNA. The pieces used may be from different species. One example is the Philadelphia chromosome mutation which leads to Chronic myelogenous leukemia in humans. In vivo (Latin for (with)in the living). ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... RNA codons. ... A nucleotide is a chemical compound that consists of a heterocyclic base, a sugar, and one or more phosphate groups. ... This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... In genetics, complementary DNA (cDNA) is single-stranded DNA synthesized from a mature mRNA template. ... Philadelphia chromosome or Philadelphia translocation is a specific genetic, chromosomal abnormality that is associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and involves an exchange of material between chromosomes 9 and 22. ... Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a form of chronic leukemia characterized by increased and unregulated clonal production of predominantly myeloid cells in the bone marrow. ...

Chimeric proteins can be manufactured with toxins or anti-bodies attached to them in order to study disease development. Mostly, these chimeras are generated by overlap extension PCR or by ligating two pieces of cDNA and are then cloned into a plasmid, that is able to express the chimeric gene in a cellular environment. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... In biochemistry, a ligase (from the Latin verb ligāre — to bind or to glue together) is an enzyme that can catalyse the joining of two large molecules by forming a new chemical bond, usually with accompanying hydrolysis of a small chemical group pendant to one of the larger molecules. ... In genetics, complementary DNA (cDNA) is single-stranded DNA synthesized from a mature mRNA template. ... Figure 1: Schematic drawing of a bacterium with plasmids enclosed. ...

Chimeric drugs

Although not so known, some chimeric drugs are available on the market. Most known chimeric proteins are TNFα blockers, such as Etanercept, Infliximab, and Adalimumab. In medicine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, cachexin or cachectin) is an important cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and the acute phase response. ... Etanercept (Enbrel®, co-marketed by Amgen and Wyeth) is a human recombinant, soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) receptor. ... It has been suggested that Infliximab (Remicade) be merged into this article or section. ... Adalimumab (Humira®) is the third TNF antagonist (after infliximab and etanercept) to be approved in the US. Like infliximab and etanercept, adalimumab binds to TNFα, preventing it from activating TNF receptors; adalimumab was constructed from a fully human monoclonal antibody, while infliximab is a mouse-human chimeric antibody and etanercept...

See also

• Genetic engineering
• Protein engineering