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Stabilized Production of Ribozymes,
iRNA, mRNA and Other Gene Products
Inventor:
Nigel Fraser
Tech ID:
FN-97001
Description:
Wistar researchers have developed a novel method to stabilize introns
that offers the potential for stable production of ribozymes, iRNA,
mRNA and related gene products. Using the Wistar technology, stabilized
intron compositions are prepared with a sequence from the LAT intron
of the HSV-1 virus. Polynucleotide encoding sequences are then ligated
into a stabilized intron, resulting in a 105 -fold increase in stability.
Unlike typical introns that rapidly degrade within seconds after
excision, these stabilized introns have a half life of 24 hours
(Thomas et al. 2002. J. Virol., 76, 532-540). The increased stability
has been demonstrated in several models, indicating that the method
is neither cell type- nor species-specific and can be applied to
both eukaryotic and yeast expression systems.
These methods and compositions are useful for:
- Stabilizing a gene transcript to permit enhanced expression,
and increased production, of a recombinant gene product.
- Production of vectors and gene products for research reagents,
markers of gene production, and diagnostic and therapeutic compositions.
- Markers for determining whether a gene of interest is being
transcribed, particularly for identification of genes transcribed
only in a selected stage of the cell cycle.
Key Words: Research
tool (DNA/RNA synthesis, expression system, reagent or vector),
screening, therapeutic (gene expression, gene therapy, antisense),
RNA, ribozyme
Applications and Advantages:
Stabilized intron compositions can be used to enable and enhance
the production of ribozymes, iRNA, mRNA, and gene products with
unstable mRNA for research, diagnosis, gene therapy and recombinant
protein production.
Intellectual Property Status:
This technology is covered by and described in US Patent 6,159,710.
Licensing Opportunity:
Licenses are available
for research, diagnostic and therapeutic
use.
Contact:
Meryle
J. Melnicoff
Director, Business Development
The Wistar Institute
3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 898-0049
Fax: (215) 573-2456
melnicoff@wistar.org
Last Updated: Feb-03
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