Expression system incorporating a capsid promoter sequence as an enhancer

Abstract

The invention provides a method for enhancing expression of a transgene in a host cell, which includes the steps of inserting a capsid promoter element (Pcap), or a sequence comprising the reverse complement of the capsid promoter element (PcapR), into a mammalian expression cassette upstream (5′) of a cytomegalovirus immediate/early enhancer/promoter region (Pcmv); inserting the transgene into the expression cassette downstream (3′) of the cytomegalovirus immediate/early enhancer/promoter region; inserting a vector containing the expression cassette into the host organism; and causing expression of the transgene. The capsid promoter element (Pcap) is typically from a circovirus, parvovirus or anellovirus. The transgene is typically expressed at a higher level than when expressed by a vector containing the expression cassette without the transcriptional control element. An expression cassette, vector, DNA vaccine, pharmaceutical composition and method of treatment are also claimed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.