Composition and methods for modulating the length of telomeres
AssigneeTelogene Inc.
InventorBenoit Chabot
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to the length of telomeres and the role of hnRNP A1, UP1 or derivatives thereon. More particularly, the present invention relates to hnRNP A1, UP1 or derivatives thereof to maintain or alter the length of telomeres in cells. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for increasing or decreasing the proliferative capacity of cells and to delay or precipitate the onset of senescence The invention further relates to hnRNP A1 or UP1 or derivatives thereof as pharmaceutical, therapeutic and diagnostic reagents.
Claims21
A method of modulating the length of telomeres, comprising the step of administering to a cell in vitro, an amount of a molecule sufficient to modulate telomere length, wherein said molecule is:
- a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding hnRNP A1;
- b) a nucleic acid sequence encoding UP1;
- c) a trypsin-like protease involved in the conversion of hnRNP A1 into UP1;
- d) a purified hnRNP A1 polypeptide;
- e) a purified UP1 polypeptide;
- f) an hnRNP A1 nucleic acid molecule that is in vitro mutagenized in the portion which is absent in UP1, or a deletion, insertion, or fusion of the nucleic acid molecule of a) or b);
- g) an hnRNP A1 polypeptide that is in vitro mutagenized in the portion which is absent in UP1, or a deletion, insertion, or fusion of the molecule of any of c)-e);
- or
- h) an agent which is specific for hnRNP A1 and/or UP1.
A method for extending the ability of a cell to replicate, comprising the step of introducing in said cell in vitro an amount, sufficient to extend replication of said cell, of at least one of the following molecules:
- a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding hnRNP A1 or UP1;
- b) a purified hnRNP A1 polypeptide, or a purified UP1 polypeptide;
- c) a trypsin-like protease involved in the conversion of hnRNP A1 into UP1,
- d) an hnRNP A1 nucleic acid molecule that is in vitro mutagenized in the portion which is absent in UP1, or a deletion, insertion, or fusion of the nucleic acid molecule of a);
- or
- e) an hnRNP A1 polypeptide that is in vitro mutagenized in the portion which is absent in UP1, or a deletion, insertion, or fusion of the molecule of b) or c).
A telomere length modulating composition comprising at least one molecule selected from the group consisting of a nucleic acid sequence encoding UP1, a trypsin-like protease involved in the conversion of hnRNP A1 into UP1, a purified hnRNP A1 polypeptide, a purified UP1 polypeptide, a deletion, insertion, or fusion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding UP1;
- a deletion, insertion, or fusion of a trypsin-like protease involved in the conversion of hnRNP A1 into UP1;
- and a deletion, insertion, or fusion of an hnRNP A1 or UP1 polypeptide, together with a suitable carrier.
A telomere length modulating composition comprising an agent specific for hnRNP A1 or UP1, which interferes with the activity of hnRNP A1 or UP1 in increasing the length of telomeres, and wherein said composition destabilizes or decreases said telomere length, together with a suitable carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.