Johns Hopkins University

Genzyme Corporation

Pharmagenics, Inc.

Michael I Sherman

Bert Vogelstein

Kenneth W Kinzler

Gary A Beaudry

Arthur H Bertelsen

Specific sequences in the human genome are the sites of strong binding of wild-type p53 protein, but not mutant forms of the protein. These sequences are used diagnostically to detect cells in which the amount of wild-type p53 is diminished. The sequences can also be used to screen for agents which correct for loss of wild-type p53 to DNA in cancer cells.

Sequence specific DNA binding by p53

Vectors and vector systems are embodied that include a gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein. In one embodiment, the vector includes a gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein and an inducible promoter controlling the gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein. The tumor suppressor protein may be p53 protein. In another embodiment, there is provided a vector system which comprises a first vector including a gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein, and a second vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antisense sequence complementary to all or a portion of the gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein. In yet another embodiment, there is provided a vector system which comprises a first vector including a gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein, and a second vector containing a gene which encodes a protein which binds to, and thereby inhibits, the tumor suppressor protein. Such vectors and vector systems enable cells transformed thereby to continue to proliferate such that adequate amounts of infectious viral particles, generated from viral vectors including a gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein, can be harvested for administration to patients.

Vectors and vector systems including genes encoding tumor suppressor

Growing community of inventors

Glen Ridge, NJ, United States of America

Michael I Sherman