The Scripps Research Institute

Leidos, Inc.

Vincent P Mauro

Gerald M Edelman

Wei Zhou

Stephen A Chappell

Frederick S Jones

Robyn Meech

John Dresios

Luke Burman

Geoffrey Owens

Bruce A Cunningham

Leslie Krushel

Jason K Pinkstaff

The present disclosure provides materials and methods for cell-free expression of epitopes for immunotherapy applications. In particular, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for expressing concatenated epitopes using a cell-free protein synthesis platform for high throughput, large scale, and unbiased epitope screening and the generation of multi-epitope vaccines.

Materials and methods for cell-free expression of vaccine epitope concatemers

Provided herein are methods for stable integration and/or expression of one or more recombinant polynucleotides in a host cell. The recombinant polynucleotides are typically integrated into the host genome at some native chromosomal integration sites. The integration can be mediated by homologous recombination or by using a hybrid recombinase targeting the specific chromosomal locations. The native chromosomal integration sites in the host cells, which support stable integration and strong transcription activities of foreign genes, are present within or adjacent to specific genes in the CHO genome, the ankyrin 2 gene (Ank2), cleavage and polydenylation specific factor 4 gene (Cpsf4), C-Mos gene, and Nephrocystin-1/Mal gene. Also provided are methods and nucleic acid molecules for inserting site-specific recombination sequences (chromosomal landing pads) into these specific chromosomal locations, engineered host cells containing chromosomal landing pads, methods and compositions (e.g., kits) therefore.

Chromosomal landing pads and related uses

A translation enhancer-driven positive feedback vector system is disclosed which is designed to facilitate identification of a Translational Enhancer Element (TEE) and to provide a means for overexpression of gene products. The system exploits both transcriptional and translational approaches to control the expression levels of genes and/or gene products. Methods are also disclosed for screening libraries of random nucleotide sequences to identify translational elements and for overproduction of proteins, which have uses in both research and industrial environments.

Translational enhancer-element dependent vector systems

Provided herein is a synthetic or isolated polynucleotide encoding a mammalian 18S rRNA that is resistant to pactamycin. The pactamycin-resistance is conferred by one or more single residue substitutions in the 18S rRNA sequence; a fragment thereof harboring said substitutions; a complementary sequence thereto; or a substantially identical sequence of the foregoing. Related systems, methods and kits are also described.

Ribosomal polynucleotides and related expression systems

Translation enhancer-element dependent vector systems

Described herein are rules to modify natural mRNAs or to engineer synthetic mRNAs to increase their translation efficiencies. These rules describe modifications to mRNA coding and 3' UTR sequences intended to enhance protein synthesis by: 1) decreasing ribosomal diversion via AUG or non-canonical initiation codons in coding sequences, and/or 2) by evading miRNA-mediated down-regulation by eliminating one or more miRNA binding sites in coding sequences.

Reengineering mRNA primary structure for enhanced protein production

Provided are mRNA translational enhancer elements (TEEs), e.g., SEQ ID NOs:1-35. Also provided are translational enhancer polynucleotides that comprise one or more of the specific TEEs exemplified herein or their variants, homologs or functional derivatives. Further provided are expression vectors comprising such TEEs or translational enhancer polynucleotides, as well as host cells and expression systems that harbor such vectors.

Compositions and methods related to mRNA translational enhancer elements

Synthetic and isolated translational regulatory elements, including oligonucleotides that have translational enhancing activity, internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity, or translational inhibitory activity, and multimers of such translational regulatory elements are provided. In addition, compositions that include such translational regulatory elements are provided, as are methods of using the translational regulatory elements.

Synthetic internal ribosome entry sites and methods of identifying same

Provided are methods of identifying oligonucleotides having transcriptional or translational activity by integrating ilie oligonucleotide into a eukaryotic cell genome such that the oligonucleotide is operatively linked to an expressible polynucleotide, and detecting a change in expression of the expressible polynucleotide due to the operatively linked oligonucleotide. Also provided are vectors useful for identifying an oligonucleotide having transcriptional or translational regulatory activity according to a method of the invention. In addition, isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory elements identified according to a method of the invention are provided, as are kits, which contain a vector useful for identifying a transcriptional or translational regulatory element, or an isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory element or plurality of such elements. Also provided are isolated transcriptional regulatory elements.

Methods of identifying synthetic transcriptional and translational regulatory elements, and compositions relating to same

Provided are methods of identifying oligonucleotides having transcriptional or translational activity by integrating the oligonucleotide into a eukaryotic cell genome such that the oligonucleotide is operatively linked to an expressible polynucleotide, and detecting a change in expression of the expressible polynucleotide due to the operatively linked oligonucleotide. Also provided are vectors useful for identifying an oligonucleotide having transcriptional or translational regulatory activity according to a method of the invention. In addition, isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory elements identified according to a method of the invention are provided, as are kits, which contain a vector useful for identifying a transcriptional or translational regulatory element, or an isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory element or plurality of such elements. Also provided are isolated transcriptional regulatory elements.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Vincent P Mauro