Neublastin variant polypeptide, fusion protein containing it and method of their production, and dimer, nucleic acid, vector, host cell, conjugate, pharmaceutical composition and use
A variant neublastin polypeptide suitable for formulation of a conjugate comprising the variant neublastin polypeptide coupled to a polymer containing a polymer containing a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The present conjugate has prolonged bioavailability and, in preferred embodiments, prolonged biological activity relative to non-modified or wild-type forms of neublastin. The conjugates of the invention are usefully employed in therapeutic as well as non-therapeutic, e.g., diagnostic, applications.