Leland Stanford Junior University

Jiamiao Lu

Mark A Kay

Andrew Fire

Lia E Gracey Maniar

Provided are nucleic acids and expression vectors having a non-silencing selectable marker gene, and methods of using the same. A subject expression vector includes an expression cassette and a non-silencing selectable marker gene. In some cases, the non-silencing selectable marker gene provides for drug resistance for prokaryotic cells, and includes a nucleotide sequence that (i) encodes a drug selectable marker protein; (ii) is operably linked to a promoter functional in prokaryotic cells, and (iii) includes an increased A/T content relative to a corresponding wild type nucleotide sequence. In some cases, the non-silencing selectable marker gene provides for drug resistance for prokaryotic cells, and includes a nucleotide sequence that (i) encodes a drug selectable marker protein; (ii) is operably linked to a promoter functional in prokaryotic cells, and (iii) has an A/T content in a range of from 52% to 70%.

Non-silencing selectable marker genes and methods of use

The silencing effect of a spacer sequence, for example a bacterial backbone sequence in a plasmid or other episomal vector, on transgene expression is reversed by engineering of the spacer to include nucleosome exclusion sequences.

Nucleosome-excluding sequences (NES) as a DNA spacer in vectors results in prolonged transgene expression in eukaryotic cells

Compositions and methods are provided for achieving persistent, high level expression of transgenes in vitro and in vivo. Aspects of the invention include vectors comprising an intronic cassette that comprises plasmid elements, and methods that rely on the use of vectors comprising an intronic cassette that comprises plasmid elements. These compositions and methods find use in many applications, including therapeutic applications such as in gene therapy; synthesis applications such as in the synthesis of peptides, proteins, and RNAs, e.g. for research or therapeutic purposes; and research applications, such as in the production of transgenic cells and animals. In addition, reagents, devices and kits thereof that find use in making the subject compositions and practicing the subject methods are provided.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Jiamiao Lu