Abstract:
A method is disclosed for releasing the transcriptional regulation caused by a repeated sequence in a gene, a kit therefor and so on to thereby establish a system capable of producing a protein in a large amount. At least one embodiment of the method can be achieved by any one or more of the following methods: (a) in the amplification of a gene encoding a target protein, co-amplifying a polynucleotide of 10 kbp or more such as a λ-phage DNA or an insulator sequence; (b) selecting by culturing cells having undergone gene amplification in media containing a drug with a gradual increase in concentration; (c) elevating the promoter activity of inducing the expression of a gene encoding a target protein; (d) excising an amplified gene region from a chromosome with the use of Cre-LoxP System; (e) treating cells having undergone gene amplification with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine to thereby lower the methylation degree of DNA; and (f) selecting the mammalian cells having undergone gene amplification on double minute chromosomes.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a method for delivering pharmaceutical and/or imaging agents within and/or through the dermal, mucosal and other cellular membranes, and across the blood-brain barrier, utilizing a fusogenic protein. The fusogenic protein is associated with a phospholipid membrane, such as a liposome. The liposome may include dioleoylphosphatidylserine, a negatively charged long-chain lipid. Alternatively, the liposome is comprised of a mixture of negatively charged long-chain lipids, neutral long-chain lipids, and neutral short-chain lipids. Preferred fusogenic proteins include saposin C and other proteins, polypeptides and peptide analogs derived from saposin C. The active agent contained within the liposome may comprise biomolecules and/or organic molecules. This technology can be used for both cosmetic and medicinal applications in which the objective is delivery of the active agent within and/or beneath biological membranes or across the blood-brain barrier and neuronal membranes.
Abstract:
A modified Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which has a portion of gD (glycoprotein D) of the glycoproteic envelope deleted and a heterologous single chain antibody inserted in place of such deleted portion; the modified HSV is capable of infecting cells through receptor HER2/ErbB2 but not through receptors HVEM/HveA and nectin1/HveC; uses of the modified HSV and a process of the preparation thereof are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Multiple sequential screening tests have been performed on phage display libraries, and polypeptide sequences have been identified that potently drive both: (i) intake into mucosal immune cells, including NALT cells in the nose and throat; and, (ii) phagocytic intake and processing by antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages. Such polypeptide sequences can be used as potent “target and deliver” components in vaccines that can be administered nasally, or to other mucous membranes. Such vaccines can be made very rapidly and in huge quantities, from bacteriophages that will also carry antigenic sequences in their coat proteins, or other immunoactive components. Alternately, such “target and deliver” polypeptides can be incorporated into vaccines derived from eukaryotic viruses or cellular pathogens. Enhancements also are disclosed, such as agents that can activate one or more types of toll-like receptors, to increase immunes responses and guide them in desired directions.
Abstract:
Isolated peptides comprising nuclear targeting activity or being capable of preventing endogenous nuclear targeting activity are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, as well as uses thereof are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Provided herein are a variety of methods and compositions for regulating angiogenesis, such methods and compositions being useful in a variety of applications where modulation of vascular formation is useful, including, but not limited to, treatments for ischemia and wound healing. Certain of the methods and compositions accomplish this by using various zinc finger proteins that bind to particular target sites in one or more VEGF genes. Nucleic acids encoding the zinc finger proteins are also disclosed. Methods for modulating the expression of one or more VEGF genes with the zinc finger proteins and nucleic acids are also disclosed. Such methods can also be utilized in a variety of therapeutic applications that involve the regulation of endothelial cell growth. Pharmaceutical compositions including the zinc finger proteins or nucleic acids encoding them are also provided.
Abstract:
Nucleic acid-immunoliposome compositions useful as therapeutic agents are disclosed. These compositions preferably comprise (i) cationic liposomes, (ii) a single chain antibody fragment which binds to a transferrin receptor, and (iii) a nucleic acid encoding a wild type p53. These compositions target cells which express transferrin receptors, e.g., cancer cells. These compositions can be used therapeutically to treat persons or animals who have cancer, e.g., head and neck cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer.
Abstract:
To provide a new technique by which efficient transfection is ensured in delivering a target gene into a cell, disclosed is a nucleic acid construct for nuclear import, which comprises a ternary complex consisting of a nucleic acid substance containing a gene to be delivered into the nucleus of a cell, an importin protein (for example, importin-β) capable of passing through the nuclear pore and involved in the nuclear transport, and a binding substance (for example, polyethyleneimine) bound to both of the nucleic acid substance and the importin protein. Nucleic acid transport from outside of a cell into the cell nucleus can be particularly promoted by administering the nucleic acid construct bound to a cell membrane receptor binding factor and/or a membrane fusing substance, or administering the nucleic acid construct encapsulated in a non-viral vector (for example, Sendai virus envelope) having cell membrane permeability and membrane fusing properties.
Abstract:
Provided herein are a variety of methods and compositions for regulating angiogenesis, such methods and compositions being useful in a variety of applications where modulation of vascular formation is useful, including, but not limited to, treatments for ischemia and wound healing. Certain of the methods and compositions accomplish this by using various zinc finger proteins that bind to particular target sites in one or more VEGF genes. Nucleic acids encoding the zinc finger proteins are also disclosed. Methods for modulating the expression of one or more VEGF genes with the zinc finger proteins and nucleic acids are also disclosed. Such methods can also be utilized in a variety of therapeutic applications that involve the regulation of endothelial cell growth. Pharmaceutical compositions including the zinc finger proteins or nucleic acids encoding them are also provided.
Abstract:
The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.