Inducible Promoter Sequences for Dynamic Gene Expression Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gene therapy approaches for neurodegenerative diseases lack the ability to regulate and dose the expression of therapeutic genes after delivery, specifically turning on and shutting off gene expression, and fail to utilize disease-related molecular events for modulation.

Innovation Solution

Development of isolated promoter sequences with specific nucleic acid lengths and identities, integrated into expression cassettes and vectors, which are functional in transformed cells to activate, enhance, or repress gene expression based on neurodegenerative disease progression, using adeno-associated virus vectors for delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current gene therapy approaches are used, then therapeutic genes can be delivered to target cells, but the expression of therapeutic genes cannot be regulated or dosed after delivery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression regulationVSAvoidtherapeutic efficacy control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inducible promoter systems that allow dynamic control of therapeutic gene expression. The promoter can be switched between active and inactive states in response to specific inducers (e.g., tetracycline, doxycycline, or other small molecules), enabling the expression level to be adjusted according to therapeutic needs and disease progression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes promoter sequences whose activity can be modulated by changing chemical parameters - specifically, the presence or absence of small molecule inducers, changes in inducer concentration, or environmental conditions. This allows precise dosing of therapeutic gene expression by varying these chemical parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If constitutive promoters are used for therapeutic gene expression, then continuous expression is achieved, but the ability to turn on and shut off expression is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression durationVSAvoidgene expression control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or pulsatile gene expression control through inducible promoters. Expression can be activated periodically by administering inducers at specific intervals, allowing the therapeutic effect to be delivered in controlled bursts rather than continuously, which can be adjusted based on disease stage and patient response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent describes systems where gene expression can be monitored and fed back into the control mechanism. By measuring therapeutic protein levels or disease markers, the inducer dosage and timing can be adjusted to maintain optimal expression levels, creating a feedback-controlled therapeutic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If disease-specific promoter sequences are developed, then gene expression can be modulated according to disease progression, but the complexity of promoter selection and validation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease-responsive expressionVSAvoidpromoter system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and characterizes promoter sequences that are upregulated in multiple neurodegenerative disease states (e.g., promoters responsive to Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease). These universal disease-responsive promoters can be applied across different neurodegenerative conditions, reducing the need for disease-specific promoter development while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent involves cloning and replicating promoter sequences that exhibit disease-responsive behavior. Once a functional disease-responsive promoter is identified, it can be copied and inserted into multiple therapeutic vector constructs, standardizing the complex element and simplifying subsequent applications across different therapeutic genes and delivery systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2970969B1Promoter compositions
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH
  • EP2970969B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2970969B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP2970969B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An isolated promoter sequence comprising a nucleic acid of between 600 and 1700 nucleotides in length having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID NO:7.