Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for generating novel nucleic acid molecules through RNA trans-splicing that target a highly expressed pre-mRNA and contain the coding sequence for antibody polypeptide(s). The compositions of the invention include pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with the target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) that is abundantly expressed or tumor specific and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA) capable of encoding an antibody polypeptide. The invention provides for the in vivo production of chimeric RNA molecules that encode and result in the production of an antibody polypeptide that is therapeutically effective against, for example, infectious agents, cancer cells, transplantation antigens, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for generating novel nucleic acid molecules through targeted spliceosome mediated RNA trans -splicing that result in expression of an apoA-1 variant, the preferred embodiment referred to herein as the apoA-1 Milano variant. The compositions of the invention include pre- trans -splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans- splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA) capable of encoding the apoA-1 Milano variant. The expression of this variant protein results in protection against vascular disorders resulting from plaque build up, i.e., strokes and heart attacks. In particular, the PTMs of the presént invention include those genetically engineered to interact with the apoA-1 target premRNA so as to result in expression of the apoA-1 Milano variant. In addition, the PTMs of the invention include those genetically engineered to interact with the apoB or albumin or other specific target pre-mRNAs so as to result in expression of an apoB/apoA-1 and/or alb/apoA-1 wild type or Milano fusion protein thereby reducing apoB expression and simultaneously produce ApoA-1 function.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for delivery of synthetic pre- trans -splicing molecules (synthetic PTMs) into a target cell. The compositions of the invention include synthetic pre- trans -splicing molecules (PTMs) with enhanced stability against chemical and enzymatic degradation. The synthetic PTMs are designed to interact with a natural target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans- splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA).
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for generating novel nucleic acid molecules through RNA trans-splicing that target a highly expressed pre-mRNA and contain the coding sequence for antibody polypeptide(s). The compositions of the invention include pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with the target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) that is abundantly expressed or tumor specific and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA) capable of encoding an antibody polypeptide. The invention provides for the in vivo production of chimeric RNA molecules that encode and result in the production of an antibody polypeptide that is therapeutically effective against, for example, infectious agents, cancer cells, transplantation antigens, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Abstract:
The compositions of the invention include pre- trans -splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans -splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA). In particular, the PTMs of the present invention are genetically engineered to interact with factor VIII (FVIII) target pre-mRNA so as to result in correction of clotting FVIII genetic defects responsible for hemophilia A. The compositions of the invention further include recombinant vector systems capable of expressing the PTMs of the invention and cells expressing said PTMs. The methods of the invention encompass contacting the PTMs of the invention with a FVIII target pre-mRNA under conditions in which a portion of the PTM is trans -spliced to a portion of the target pre-mRNA to form a RNA molecule wherein the genetic defect in the FVIII gene has been corrected. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used in gene therapy for correction of FVIII disorders such as hemophilia A.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to development of an animal model system for in vivo testing of spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing reactions. The present invention provides transgenic animals, and methods for generating such animals, that have been genetically engineered to expresses a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) that serves as a substrate for a trans-splicing reaction. Specifically, the transgenic animals contain at least one transgene capable of expressing a target pre-mRNA molecule. The invention provides methods, based on utilization of the transgenic animals, for assessing the specificity and efficiency of a pre-trans-splicing molecule (PTM) designed to interact with a target pre-mRNA and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule. The present invention further relates to the transgenic expression of PTM molecules in animals to determine gene function, i.e, functional genetics. The present invention is based on the successful generation of a transgenic animal expressing a target pre-mRNA and, moreover, the use of that animal to detect accurate in vivo trans-splicing reactions in the presence of a PTM.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for imaging of gene expression in cells. The compositions of the invention include pre-transsplicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) expressed within a cell and mediate a transsplicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA) capable of encoding a reporter molecule. The PTMs of the invention are designed to interact with target pre-mRNAs thereby providing a method for detection of target pre-mRNA expression. The methods and compositions of the invention may be utilized to monitor the expression of specific genes within a cell. In instances where specific gene expression is associated with a disease, the present invention provides diagnostic methods and compositions. Such diseases include infectious diseases, proliferative disorders such as cancer, genetic, neurological and metabolic disorders, to name a few. Additionally, the present invention may be used in screening assays to identify compounds capable of modulating gene expression or in assays designed to identify protein/protein interactions. The invention is demonstrated by way of example in which papilloma virus gene expression within a cell was detected using a bioluminescence assay system.
Abstract:
The present invention describes the use of pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) to reprogram human normal and diseased somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells using spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing. More specifically, the present invention describes the use of the SMaRT technology to repair or reprogram the newly induced diseased pluripotent stem cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for rapid high capacity functional screening to identify optimal pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs). The compositions of the invention include PTM expression libraries capable of encoding candidate PTMs designed to interact with a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA). The candidate PTMs of the invention encode a portion of a first reporter molecule and may encode one or more other reporter molecules, which can be used to select for cells expressing optimal PTMs (efficient and specific). The compositions of the invention also include cells that express a target pre-mRNA encoding the remaining portion of the first reporter molecule. The screening methods of the invention encompass (i) contacting a PTM expression library with cells expressing a target pre-mRNA under conditions in which a trans-splicing reaction will occur in the presence of an optimal PTM (expressed by the library vector) resulting in the formation of a chimeric repaired RNA molecule capable of encoding at least one reporter molecule; (ii) selecting for cells expressing the repaired reporter molecule wherein expression of the reporter molecule indicates the presence of an optimal PTM in the selected cell; and (iii) identifying the optimal PTM expressed in the selected cell(s). The additional reporter molecule(s) can be used to assess both specific and non-specific trans-splicing, as well direct PTM expression.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to development of an animal model system for in vivo testing of spliceosome-mediated RNA trans -splicing reactions. The present invention provides transgenic animals, and methods for generating such animals, that have been genetically engineered to expresses a target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) that serves as a substrate for a trans -splicing reaction. Specifically, the transgenic animals contain at least one transgene capable of expressing a target pre-mRNA molecule. The invention provides methods, based on utilization of the transgenic animals, for assessing the specificity and efficiency of a pre- trans -splicing molecule (PTM) designed to interact with a target pre-mRNA and mediate a trans -splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule. The present invention further relates to the transgenic expression of PTM molecules in animals to determine gene function, i.e , functional genetics. The present invention is based on the successful generation of a transgenic animal expressing a target pre-mRNA and, moreover, the use of that animal to detect accurate in vivo trans -splicing reactions in the presence of a PTM.