Compositions and methods for enhancing differential expression
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsIzumi Horikawa, J. Carl Barrett
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Abstract
Artificial TERT promoters, which are useful for enhancing the differential expression of operably linked heterologous nucleic acid sequences, such as polypeptide cytotoxins, are disclosed herein. Methods for treating disease cells, such as cancer cells, while minimizing effects on normal, somatic cells by administering therapeutically effective amounts of heterologous nucleic acid sequences operably linked to artificial TERT promoters are provided. Kits containing artificial TERT promoters for enhancing differential expression are also provided.
Claims17
A regulatory control sequence comprising:
- a human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, wherein said promoter comprises at least the E-box set forth at residues 3937-3942 of SEQ ID NO:
- 1, wherein said E-box is located downstream of the transcription initiation site, and further comprising at least one exogenous E-box element linked in cis with and located following the 3′ end of the TERT promoter;
- wherein the TERT promoter directs differential expression of an operably linked heterologous nucleic acid sequence in cancer cells as compared to normal cells;
- and wherein the presence of the at least one exogenous E-box element decreases the expression of the heterologous nucleic acid sequence operably linked to the regulatory control sequence in the normal cells without substantially decreasing the expression of the heterologous nucleic acid sequence in the cancer cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.