Long terminal repeat, enhancer, and insulator sequences for use in recombinant vectors

• Main Authors: Tuan, Dorothy, Long, Qiaoming, Bengra, Chikh
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.05.2002

The human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) were inserted into the germ cells of primates millions of years ago and have remained as an integral part of the primate genomes during evolution. In addition to the proviruses, solo LTRs are also dispersed throughout the human genome (Wilkinson et al, 1994; Lower et al, 1996). The solo LTRs contain the U3, R and U5 regions (Temin, 1982) but no internal gag, pol and env genes. Together, the HERVs and the solo LTRs comprise approximately 5% of the human genome and belong to the category of middle repetitive DNAs characterized as retrotransposons (A.F. Smit, 1996; Henikoff et al, 1997). Disclosed are an enhancer, insulator, and promoter from the HS5 region in the 5′ boundary area of the locus control region of human -like globin genes. These transcription control sequences can be used to control expression of any desired gene of interest and can be used in any vector for this purpose. The control sequences are derived from the area in and around the U3 region of a solitary endogenous retrovirus (ERV) 9 long terminal repeat (LTR). Also disclosed are methods of expressing any gene of interest. For this purpose, the control sequences can be operably linked to the gene of interest (and operably linked to each other). The disclosed enhancers, insulators, and promoters can also be used with any other control sequences. Preferably, the control sequences are used in vectors to obtain expression of a gene of interest in a cell, including cells in animals.