37 results about "Tert promoter" patented technology

This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable. The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element (such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results in depletion of undifferentiated cells, or expression of a marker that can be used to remove them later. Suitable effector sequences encode a toxin, a protein that induces apoptosis; a cell-surface antigen, or an enzyme (such as thymidine kinase) that converts a prodrug into a substance that is lethal to the cell. The differentiated cell populations produced according to this disclosure are suitable for use in tissue regeneration, and non-therapeutic applications such as drug screening.

Methods that rapidly, sensitively, and specifically detect mutations in IDH1 / 2 and the TERT promoter employ amplification of particular portions of the genes that experience frequent and exquisitely localized mutations. The ability to distinguish between sequences that differ only by one nucleotide and which may be present in very low ratios is essential for such an assay.

The present invention relates to a transcriptional regulatory sequence with enhanced tumor-specificity and strength and a recombinant vector comprising the transcriptional regulatory sequence. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transcriptional regulatory sequence comprising a human telomere reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter linked to a nucleotide sequence that comprises one or more c-Myc binding sites and / or one or more Sp1 binding sites, and a recombinant vector comprising a certain gene that is operably linked to the above transcriptional regulatory sequence.

Methods and compositions for assaying an agent for TERT promoter modulatory activity are provided. In the subject methods, an agent is contacted with a cell comprising a mutant telomerase structural RNA component (TR) that results in a detectable phenotype in the presence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Also provided are compositions, systems and kits thereof, as well as devices, that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in assaying agents for TERT promoter modulatory activity, such as in a high throughput format.

A method of diagnosing cancer in a mammal is provided. The method includes the steps of determining in a nucleic acid-containing sample from the mammal the degree of DNA methylation of a target region within the hTERT promoter from the nucleotide at about position −157 to the nucleotide at about position −580, or a corresponding target region in a TERT promoter in a mammal other than a human, to yield a sample methylation signature, determining the baseline degree of DNA methylation of the target region in a control sample to yield a control methylation signature, comparing the sample methylation signature to the control methylation signature and rendering a diagnosis of cancer when there is at least 1.5 times more methylation in the sample methylation signature as compared to the control methylation signature. Methods of determining tumour grade and progression, predicting survival and determining whether or not a mammal is a candidate for telomerase-targeted or demethylation therapy are also provided.

The present invention relates to: a biomarker composition for diagnosing or predicting the prognosis of thyroid cancer, comprising a preparation capable of detecting a mutation in a PLEKHS1 promoter gene; and a use thereof. The biomarker composition for diagnosing or predicting the prognosis of thyroid cancer of the present invention confirms whether a mutation is present in a PLEKHS1 promoter gene, and thus can provide information needed for diagnosing metastatic (distant metastatic) differentiated thyroid cancer, and also confirms whether a mutation is present in BRAF, TERT promoter, three types of RAS and a TP53 gene in addition to the PLEKHS1 promoter gene, and thus, with respect to radioactive iodine therapy response and survival, can classify the prognosis of a metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer patient into one of three prognosis groups, and predict the same.

A method of diagnosing cancer in a mammal is provided. The method includes the steps of determining in a nucleic acid-containing sample from the mammal the degree of DNA methylation of a target region within the hTERT promoter from the nucleotide at about position −157 to the nucleotide at about position −580, or a corresponding target region in a TERT promoter in a mammal other than a human, to yield a sample methylation signature, determining the baseline degree of DNA methylation of the target region in a control sample to yield a control methylation signature, comparing the sample methylation signature to the control methylation signature and rendering a diagnosis of cancer when there is at least 1.5 times more methylation in the sample methylation signature as compared to the control methylation signature. Methods of determining tumor grade and progression, predicting survival and determining whether or not a mammal is a candidate for telomerase-targeted or demethylation therapy are also provided.

This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable. The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element (such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results in expression of a cell-surface antigen that can be used to deplete the undifferentiated cells. Model effector sequences encode glycosyl transferases that synthesize carbohydrate xenoantigen or alloantigen, which can be used for immunoseparation or as a target for complement-mediated lysis. The differentiated cell populations produced are suitable for use in tissue regeneration and non-therapeutic applications such as drug screening.

Methods and compositions for assaying an agent for TERT promoter modulatory activity are provided. In the subject methods, an agent is contacted with a normal cell under assay conditions that provide for a detectable phenotype, e.g., cell death, upon modulation of TERT promoter transcription control activity. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits thereof, as well as devices, that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in assaying agents for TERT promoter modulatory activity, such as in a high throughput format.

The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions related to certain promoter mutations in cancer. In one embodiment, a method for treating a subject having thyroid cancer comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a biological sample from the subject; (b) performing an assay on the sample obtained from the subject to identify a mutation at 1 295 228 C>T (C228T) and 1 295 250 C>T (C250T), corresponding to −124 C>T and −146 C>T from the translation start site in the promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene; (c) identifying the subject as having or likely to develop aggressive thyroid cancer if the C228T and / or C250T mutation is identified; and (d) treating the subject with one or more treatment modalities appropriate for a subject having or likely to develop aggressive thyroid cancer.

The invention discloses the application of MYDGF protein in the preparation of telomerase expression and cell senescence regulator. The research of the present invention finds that the MYDGF protein acts on the human telomerase catalytic subunit TERT promoter, activates the transcription and expression of TERT, and improves the activity of telomerase. In human mesenchymal stem cells cultured in vitro, adding MYDGF purified protein can activate telomerase, delay the decline of telomerase TERT expression during replicative aging, and delay cell senescence. Therefore, the protein MYDGF has an important regulatory function in the process of telomerase activation and aging, and effective regulatory agents for cell telomerase activation and anti-aging can be developed for MYDGF to delay the process of cell aging, which has important application prospects.

The present invention relates to the field of cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for the treatment of cancer characterized by TERT and BRAF mutations. In a specific embodiment, a method for treating a mutant telomerase reverse trancriptase (TERT) enzyme-associated cancer in a subject comprises the step of administering to the subject an anti-cancer agent that inhibits one or more of FOS, GABPB, the formation of the GABPA-GABPB complex or the binding of the GABPA-GABPB complex to a mutant TERT promoter.

Methods that rapidly, sensitively, and specifically detect mutations in IDH1 / 2 and the TERT promoter employ amplification of particular portions of the genes that experience frequent and exquisitely localized mutations. The ability to distinguish between sequences that differ only by one nucleotide and which may be present in very low ratios is essential for such an assay.