Gene expression

Abstract

Polynucleotides and vectors comprising an expressible nucleic acid flanked by a 5′ extended methylation-free CpG island and a 3′ selectable marker element are disclosed. Such polynucleotides and vectors provide a means for obtaining high levels of expression of the flanked expressible nucleic acid. Preferred embodiments include combinations of 5′ extended methylation-free CpG islands and 3′ antibiotic resistance genes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a ubiquitous chromatin-opening element (UCOE) together with a selectable marker element. When operably linked to, and flanking, an expressible nucleic acid sequence, the combination of elements provides high and reproducible levels of gene expression. The present invention also relates to a vector comprising the polynucleotide sequence, a host cell comprising the vector and use of the polynucleotide, vector or host cell in therapy, or for applications involving protein expression in cell culture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The current model of chromatin structure in higher eukaryotes postulates that genes are organised in “domains” (Dillon, N. & Grosveld, F. Chromatin domains as potential units of eukaryotic gene function. Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 4, 260-264 (1994); Higgs, D. R. Do LCRs open chromatin domains? Cell 95, 299-302 (1998), each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Chromatin domains are envisaged to exist in either a condensed, “closed”, transcriptionally silent state, or in a de-condensed, “open” and transcriptionally competent configuration. The establishment of an open chromatin structure characterized by increased DNaseI sensitivity, DNA hypomethylation and histone hyperacetylation, is considered a pre-requisite to the commencement of gene expression.

[0004] The open and closed nature of chromatin regions is reflected in the behaviour of transgenes that are randomly integrated into the host cell genome. Identical constructs give different patterns of tissue-specific and development stage-specific expression when integrated at different locations in the mouse genome (Palmiter, R. D. & Brinster, R. L. Ann. Ref: Genet. 20, 465-499 (1986); Allen, N. D. et al. Nature 333, 852-855 (1988); Bonnerot, C., Grimber, G., Briand, P. & Nicolas, J. F. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:6331-6335 (1990), each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0005] A variegated expression pattern within a given transgenic mouse tissue, known as position effect variegation (PEV), is also frequently observed (Kioussis, D. & Festenstein, R. Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 7, 614-619 (1997), which is incorporated herein by reference). When exogenous genes are integrated into the chromosome of mammalian cells cultures in vitro, many of the integration events result in rapid silencing of the transgene and the remainder give large variability in expression levels (Pikaart, M. J., Recillas-Targa, F. & Felsenfield, G. Genes Dev. 12, 2852-2862 (1998); Fussenegger, M., Bailey, J. E., Hauser, H. & Mueller, P. P Trends Biotech. 17, 35-42 (1999), each of which is incorporated herein by reference). These position effects render transgene expression inefficient, with implication for both basic research and biotechnology applications.

[0006] The chromatin domain model of gene organization suggests that genetic control elements that are able to establish and maintain a transcriptionally competent open chromatin structure should be associated with active regions of the genome.

[0007] Locus Control Regions (LCRs) are a class of transcriptional regulatory elements with long-range chromatin remodelling capability. LCRs are functionally defined in transgenic mice by their ability to confer site-of-integration independent, transgene copy number-dependent, physiological levels of expression on a gene linked in cis, especially single copy transgenes (Fraser, P. & Grosveld, F., Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 10, 361-365 (1998); Li, Q., Harju, S. & Peterson, K. R., Trends Genet. 15: 403-408 (1999), each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Crucially, such expression is tissue-specific. LCRs are able to obstruct the spread of heterochromatin, prevent PEV (Kioussis, D. & Festenstein, R. Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 7, 614-619 (1997), which is incorporated herein by reference) and consist of a series of DNase I hypersensitive (HS) sites which can be located either 5′ or 3′ of the genes that they regulate (Li, Q., Harju, S. & Peterson, K. R. Trends Genet. 15: 403-408 (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0008] LCRs appear to be comprised of two separate, although not necessarily independent components. First, the establishment of an ‘open chromatin domain’, and second a dominant transcriptional activation capacity to confer transgene copy number dependent expression (Fraser, P. & Grosveld, F. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 10, 361-365 (1998), which is incorporated herein by reference). The molecular mechanisms by which LCRs exert their function remain a point of contention (Higgs, D. R. Cell 95, 299-302 (1998); Bulger, M. & Groudine, M. Genes Dev. 13, 2465-2477 (1999); Grosveld, F. Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 9 152-157 (1999); Bender, M. A., Bulger, M., Close, J. & Groudine, M., Mol. Cell 5, 387-393 (2000), each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0009] The generation of cultured mammalian cell lines producing high levels of a therapeutic protein product is a major developing industry. Chromatin position effects make it a difficult, time consuming and expensive process. The most commonly used approach to the production of such mammalian “cell factories” relies on gene amplification induced by a combination of a drug resistance gene (e.g., DHFR, glutamine synthetase (Kaufman R J. Methods Enzymol 185, 537-566 (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference), and the maintenance of stringent selective pressure. The use of vectors containing LCRs from highly expressed gene domains, using cells derived from the appropriate tissue, greatly simplifies the procedure, giving a large proportion of clonal cell lines showing stable high levels of expression (Needham M, Gooding C, Hudson K, Antoniou M, Grosfeld F and Hollis M. Nucleic Acids Res 20, 997-1003 (1992); Needham M, Egerton M, Millest A, Evans S, Popplewell M, Cerillo G, McPheat J, Monk A, Jack A, Johnstone D & Hollis M. Protein Expr Purif 6,124-131 (1995), each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0010] However, the tissue-specificity of LCRs, although useful in some circumstances, is also a major limitation for many applications, for instance where no LCR is known for the tissue in which expression is required, or where expression in many, or all, tissues is required.

[0011] Our co-pending patent applications PCT/GB99/02357 (WO 00/05393), U.S. Pat. No. 09/358082, GB 0022995.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 60/252,048, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, describe elements that are responsible, in their natural chromosomal context, for establishing an open chromatin structure across a locus that consists exclusively of ubiquitously expressed, housekeeping genes. These elements are not derived from an LCR and comprise extended methylation-free CpG islands. We have used the term Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element (UCOE) to describe such elements.

[0012] In mammalian DNA, the dinucleotide CpG is recognised by a DNA methyltransferase enzyme that methylates cytosine to 5-methylcytosine. However, 5-methylcytosine is unstable and is converted to thymine. As a result, CpG dinucleotides occur far less frequently than one would expect by chance. Some sections of genomic DNA nevertheless do have a frequency of CpG that is closer to that expected, and these sequences are known as “CpG islands”. As used herein a “CpG island” is defined as a sequence of DNA, of at least 200 bp, that has a GC content of at least 50% and an observed/expected CpG content ratio of at least 0.6 (i.e., a CpG dinucleotide content of at least 60% of that which would be expected by chance) (Gardiner-Green M and Frommer M. J Mol Biol 196, 261-282 (1987); Rice P, Longden I and Bleasby A Trends Genet 16, 276-277 (2000), each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0013] Methylation-free CpG islands are well-known in the art (Bird et al. (1985) Cell 40: 91-99; Tazi & Bird (1990) Cell 60: 909-920, each of which is incorporated herein by reference) and may be defined as CpG islands where a substantial proportion of the cytosine residues are not methylated and which usually extend over the 5′ ends of two closely spaced (0.1-3 kb) divergently transcribed genes. These regions of DNA are reported to remain hypomethylated in all tissues throughout development (Wise and Pravtcheva (1999) Genomics 60: 258-271, which is incorporated herein by reference). They are often associated with the 5′ ends of ubiquitously expressed genes, as well as an estimated 40% of genes showing a tissue-restricted expression profile (Antequera, F. & Bird, A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 1195-11999 (1993); Cross, S. H. & Bird, A. P. Curr. Opin, Genet. Dev. 5, 309-314 (1995), each of which is incorporated herein by reference), and are known to be localized regions of active chromatin (Tazi, J. & Bird, A. Cell 60, 909-920 (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0014] An ‘extended’ methylation-free CpG island is a methylation-free CpG island that extends across a region encompassing more than one transcriptional start site and/or extends for more than 300 bp and preferably more than 500 bp. The borders of the extended methylation-free CpG island are functionally defined through the use of PCR over the region in combination with restriction endonuclease enzymes whose ability to digest (cut) DNA at their recognition sequence is sensitive to the methylation status of any CpG residues that are present. One such enzyme is HpaII, which recognises and digests at the site CCGG, which is commonly found within CpG islands, but only if the central CG residues are not methylated. Therefore, PCR conducted with HpaII-digested DNA and over a region harboring HpaII sites, does not give an amplification product due to HpaII digestion if the DNA is unmethylated. The PCR will only give an amplified product if the DNA is methylated. Therefore, beyond the methylation-free region HpaII will not digest the DNA a PCR amplified product will be observed thereby defining the boundaries of the “extended methylation-free CpG island”.

[0015] We have demonstrated (WO 00/05393, which is incorporated herein by reference) that regions spanning methylation-free CpG islands encompassing dual, divergently transcribed promoters from the human TATA binding protein (TBP)/proteosome component-B1 (PSMBI) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2)/heterochromatin protein 1Hsγ (HP1Hsγ) gene loci give reproducible, physiological levels of gene expression and that they are able to prevent a variegated expression pattern and silencing that normally occurs with transgene integration within centromeric heterochromatin.

[0016] As used herein, the term “reproducible expression” means that the polynucleotide of the invention will direct expression of the expressible gene at substantially the same level of expression irrespective of its chromatin environment and preferably irrespective of the cell type or tissue type in which the polynucleotide of the invention may be. Those of skill in the art will recognize that substantially the same level of expression of the operably-linked expressible gene is achieved, irrespective of the chromatin environment of the claimed polynucleotide, and preferably irrespective of the cell type, assuming that the cell is capable of active gene expression.

[0017] We have shown (WO 00/05393, incorporated herein by reference) that methylation-free CpG islands associated with actively transcribing promoters possess the ability to remodel chromatin and are thus thought to be a prime determinant in establishing and maintaining an open domain at housekeeping gene loci.

[0018] UCOEs confer an increased proportion of productive gene delivery events with improvements in the level and stability of transgene expression. This has important research and biotechnological applications including the generation of transgenic animals and recombinant protein products in cultured cells. We have shown (WO 00/05393, incorporated herein by reference) beneficial effects of UCOEs on expression of the CMV-EGFP reporter construct and with the secreted, pharmaceutically valuable protein erythropoietin. The properties of UCOEs also suggest utility in gene therapy, the effectiveness of which is often limited by a low frequency of productive gene delivery events and an inadequate level and duration of expression (Verma, I. M. & Somia, N. Nature 389: 239-242 (1997), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0019] Given these significant implications and wide ranging applications, there is a desire to further optimize transgene expression levels. There is a need to further increase the levels of expression obtainable by the use of a UCOE alone, particularly in the fields of in vivo gene therapy and for in vitro production of recombinant proteins.

[0020] The expression of a nucleic acid operably linked to a 5′ UCOE may surprisingly be further increased by the presence of a selectable element 3′ to the expressed nucleic acid, so that the expressible nucleic acid sequence is flanked by a 5′ UCOE and a 3′ selectable marker.

[0021] A selectable element that performs more than one function in a vector, such as providing a selectable marker as well as increasing expression of an operably linked gene, allows construction of more compact and efficient expression vectors.

[0022] Mei, Kothary and Wall (Mei, Q, Kothary, R. & Wall, L. Exp Cell Research 260, 304-312 (2000), which is incorporated herein by reference) disclose constructs comprising an expressible gene (β-globin) operably linked to an LCR and a pgk/puromycin resistance element. However, this work teaches that it is the combination of an expressible gene, and LCR and a tk/neomycin resistance element that is important in imposing position effects on gene expression, with the pgk/puromycin resistance element being used as a negative control. This paper teaches away from any beneficial effect being gained from the use of a pgk/puromycin resistance element. The paper does not disclose constructs comprising an extended umnethylated CpG island (or UCOE), an expressible gene and a pgk/puromycin resistance element, since the constructs comprise LCRs. Similarly, the paper does not disclose an expressible gene operably linked to a promoter with which it is not naturally linked, also operably linked to a pgk/puromycin resistance element, since in each case the β-globin gene is expressed under control of its endogenous promoter.

[0023] Artelt et al. compare the influence of neomycin and puromycin resistance genes on cis-linked genes in eukaryotic expression vectors (Artelt P, Grannemann R, Stocking C, Friel J, Bartsch J and Hauser H Gene 99, 249-254 (1991), which is incorporated herein by reference). They conclude that neomycin resistance genes may have a silencing effect on linked genes, but that “the gene conferring resistance to puromycin from Streptomyces alboniger does not influence adjacent promoters.” Accordingly, there is nothing in Artelt et al. that discloses or suggests the importance of the position or spacing use of resistance genes as disclosed in the present application.

[0024] Our co-pending patent applications PCT/GB99/02357 (WO 00/05393), U.S. Pat. No. 09/358082, GB 0022995.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 60/252,048 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference) disclose polynucleotides and vectors comprising extended, methylation-free CpG islands operably linked to expressible nucleic acids with antibiotic resistance genes. However, in the examples disclosed, the antibiotic gene is not adjacent and 3′ to the expressible nucleic acid. The surprising contribution of such an adjacent selectable marker is likewise not disclosed or implied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker. The selectable marker can be an antibiotic resistance gene.

[0026] The present invention also provides vectors comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0027] The present invention also provides vectors constructed such that, when linearized and integrated into a chromosome, they will deliver a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0028] The present invention also provides vectors comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) a multiple cloning site, and (c) an antibiotic resistance gene from a Streptomyces species, wherein both the CpG island and the antibiotic resistance gene are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the following order, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, multiple cloning site, selectable marker, and wherein the multiple cloning site is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the antibiotic resistance gene.

[0029] The present invention also provides host cells transfected with a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0030] The present invention also provides methods for obtaining the expression of an expressible nucleic acid comprising expressing, in a host cell, a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0031] The present invention also provides methods for obtaining the expression of an expressible nucleic acid comprising expressing, in a host cell, a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0032] The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a desired gene product comprising expressing, in a host cell, a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker, and recovering the desired gene product.

[0033] The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a desired gene product comprising expressing, in a host cell, a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker, and recovering the desired gene product.

[0034] The present invention also provides methods of therapy or treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0035] The present invention also provides methods of therapy or treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0036] The present invention also provides a method of therapy or treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a host cell comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0037] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0038] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0039] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a host cell comprising a vector comprising a polynucleotide comprising (a) an extended methylation-free CpG island, (b) an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and (c) a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the components are positioned in the following order in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0040] The present invention also provides a non-human transgenic animal comprising an artificially introduced extended methylation-free CpG island element and an artificially introduced selectable marker, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the following order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and wherein the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 shows maps of ‘empty’ vectors CET200.1, CET210, CET710, and CET720. Insertion of the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene into the multi-cloning site (MCS) of CET200.1, CET210, CET710, and CET720 results in CET220, CET230, CET711, and CET721, respectively. All vectors contain a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter from which inserted genes are expressed. However, in the case of CET210 (and its EGFP-expressing derivative, CET230) although such an inserted gene would be flanked by a UCOE and a pgk/puromycin resistance element in the plasmid, the latter is not immediately adjacent. More importantly, it is separated by a PvuI site used to linearize the plasmid before transfection. After integration into the host cell chromosome, this results in the gene no longer being flanked, since both the UCOE and the pgk/puromycin resistance element will integrate in the same side of the gene. In the case of CET710 (and its EGFP-expressing derivative, CET711) and CET720 (and its EGFP-expressing derivative, CET721), PvuI linearization results in the integration of the gene closely flanked by the UCOE on one side and the pgk/puromycin resistance element on the other. CET210 (and CET230) and CET720 (and CET721) carry hnRNP-derived UCOEs, while CET710 (and CET711) carry an ‘artificial’ β-actin/PDCD2-derived UCOE.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows expression of EGFP from various vectors transfected into CHO-K1 cells as measured by median fluorescence by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis measured on the indicated days post-transfection. ‘EGFP’ depicts cells transfected with a control (pEGFP) non-UCOE containing plasmid. ‘CET220’ depicts cells transfected with a plasmid where the EGFP expression unit is operably linked to a hnRNP-derived UCOE but not to a pgk/puromycin resistance element. Instead a SV40/neomycin resistance element is used (see FIG. 1 for CET220 structure). The remaining cells are transfected with CET230, CET711, or CET721, the structures of which are also shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the proportion of the populations of cells shown in FIG. 2 judged to be positive for expression on the indicated days post-transfection.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows the expression of EGFP in CHO-K1 cells transfected with vectors CET220, CET230, CET721 and CET711 as measured by median fluorescence corrected to allow comparison without exceeding the detection capacity of the FACScan. This clearly shows the comparative effect of placing the selectable marker (puror) either 5′ (CET230) or 3′ (CET721) to the expressible transgene (EGFP).

[0045] FIG. 5 shows the expression of EGFP in CHO-K1 cells transfected with vectors CET701, CET721, CET704, CET741, CET705, CET751, CET706, CET761, CET708 and CET781 as measured by median fluorescence corrected to allow comparison without exceeding the detection capacity of the FACScan.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows the expression levels of EGFP in CHO-K1 cells transfected with vectors comparing 5′ human and murine hnRNP UCOEs with a 3′ puromycin resistance gene.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows the effect of position of the Streptomyces neomycin resistance gene on EGFP expression. CET741 has the selectable marker 3′ of the transgene, CET745 has the marker 5′ of the transgene and UCOE. The UCOE is the human RNP UCOE in both cases.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a map of plasmid CET700.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a map of plasmid CET710.

[0050] FIG. 10 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET710 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a map of plasmid CET720.

[0052] FIG. 12 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET720 (SEQ ID NO: 2).

[0053] FIG. 13 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the wild-type S. alboniger puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 5).

[0054] FIG. 14 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the modified S. alboniger puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 3).

[0055] FIG. 15 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the S. fradiae aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 4).

[0056] FIG. 16 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the S. hygroscopicus hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 6).

[0057] FIG. 17 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the E. coli aminocyclitol phosphotransferase (hygror) gene (SEQ ID NO: 7).

[0058] FIG. 18 shows the double stranded nucleotide sequence of the transposon Tn5 (Klebsiella pneumoniae) neomycin phosphotransferase gene (SEQ ID NO: 8).

[0059] FIG. 19 shows the nucleotide sequence of the mouse hnRNP A2 HindIII fragment (SEQ ID NO: 15).

[0060] FIG. 20 shows a map of plasmid CET1010.

[0061] FIG. 21 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET1010 (SEQ ID NO: 9).

[0062] FIG. 22 shows a map of plasmid CET1020.

[0063] FIG. 23 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET1020 (SEQ ID NO: 10).

[0064] FIG. 24 shows a map of plasmid CET1030.

[0065] FIG. 25 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of CET1030 (SEQ ID NO: 11).

[0066] FIG. 26 shows a map of plasmid CET1110.

[0067] FIG. 27 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET1110 (SEQ ID NO: 12).

[0068] FIG. 28 shows a map of plasmid CET1120.

[0069] FIG. 29 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET1120 (SEQ ID NO: 13).

[0070] FIG. 30 shows a map of plasmid CET1130.

[0071] FIG. 31 shows the entire double stranded nucleotide sequence of plasmid CET1130 (SEQ ID NO: 14).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] The present invention discloses that the influence of extended, unmethylated CpG islands (UCOEs) to upregulate expression of operably linked nucleic acid sequences may be further increased by the presence of a selectable element providing that said selectable marker is situated 3′ of the expressible nucleic acid sequence and adjacent to it.

[0073] The terms 5′ and 3′ are herein used with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid sequence. Hence the 5′ end of said sequence corresponds to the start of transcription, which proceeds in a 3′ direction.

[0074] As used herein, the term “operably linked” refers to a relationship of operability between elements in the polynucleotides of the invention. “Operably linked” is a term, well known to those of skill in the art, that describes a functional relationship between cis-acting DNA sequences. The exact structural relationship may or may not be relevant and differs for different types of elements. For a promoter, it implies an essentially adjacent (usually within less than 100 bp) position 5′ to the open reading frame that it drives. In the case of extended methylation-free CpG islands, it appears that a regional effect on chromatin structure is responsible for increasing the level and consistency of gene expression. By way of example, the element comprising an extended methylation-free CpG-island is positioned immediately 5′ of the expressible gene. However, “operably-linked” embraces the possibility of being positioned elsewhere, as long as a clear functional effect can be demonstrated.

[0075] In particular, the flanking of an expressible gene with a UCOE at the 5′ end and a selectable element at the other results in an increase in expression of approximately two-fold. In some cases the increase is greater than five-fold over that obtained with a single UCOE alone.

[0076] According to the present invention, there is provided an isolated polynucleotide that enables increased levels of expression of an operably linked gene to be obtained as compared to those obtainable using an operably-linked UCOE or extended methylation-free CpG island alone.

[0077] The isolated polynucleotide comprises: an extended methylation-free CpG island, an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal and a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0078] As used herein, “proximal end” means the end of the selectable marker gene (including its promoter) that is closest to the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid, as marked by its polyadenylation signal. It is envisaged that the selectable marker might be in either orientation, so that the proximal end relative to the expressible nucleic acid might be at either the 5′ promoter end of the selectable marker or the 3′, termination of transcription end, taking 5′ and 3′ as being according to the sense strand of the selectable marker.

[0079] Preferably, the transcriptional start of the selectable marker is within 1500 bp of the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid sequence, as marked by its polyadenylation signal of the latter. More preferably, it is within 1000 bp. Most preferably it is within 500 bp.

[0080] In one aspect of the invention, the selectable element is an antibiotic resistance gene. Preferably it is an antibiotic resistance gene obtained from a Streptomyces species. More preferably, said antibiotic resistance gene is operably linked to a promoter of the phosphoglycerate kinase (pgk) gene. Most preferably, it is the promoter of the murine pgk gene (Adra, C N, Boer P H and McBurney, M W. Gene 60, 65-74 (1987). Alternatively, it may be another mammalian pgk promoter.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the antibiotic resistance gene is the puromycin resistance gene from a Streptomyces species. Most preferably, it is the puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene from Streptomyces alboniger (Vara J A, Portela A, Ortin J, Jimenez A. Nucleic Acids Res 14, 4617-4624 (1986), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0082] Alternatively, the antibiotic resistance gene is a modified form of the puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene from Streptomyces alboniger. Preferably this gene has been modified by manipulation of its codon usage, in a manner commonly done to adapt bacterial genes for expression in mammalian host cells. Such codon modification leaves the encoded amino acid sequence unchanged, with the result that the expressed enzyme is unchanged from the wild-type puromycin N-acetyl transferase. Most preferably, the modified gene has the sequence shown in FIG. 15.

[0083] Alternatively, the antibiotic resistance gene is a neomycin resistance gene derived from a Streptomyces species. Preferably it is the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene from Streptomyces fradiae (Thompson C J and Gray G S. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80, 51905194 (1983), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0084] In an alternative embodiment, the antibiotic resistance gene is a hygromycin resistance gene. Preferably, it is the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus.

[0085] In a further alternative embodiment, the antibiotic resistance gene is a bleomycin resistance gene. Preferably, it is the bleomycin binding protein from Streptomyces verticillus. Alternatively, it is the bleomycin N-acetyltransferase from Streptonzyces verticillus.

[0086] In another embodiment, the antibiotic resistance gene is a blasticidin resistance gene. Preferably, it is the blasticidin S-acetyltransferase gene from Streptomyces verticillum.

[0087] In another aspect of the invention, the antibiotic resistance gene is not obtained from a Streptomyces species. In one preferred embodiment it is the hygromycin resistance gene encoding aminocyclitol phosphotransferase from Escherichia coli.

[0088] In another preferred embodiment, it is the neomycin phosphotransferase gene from transposon Tn5, originally derived from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

[0089] In an alternative aspect of the invention, the selectable marker is not an antibiotic resistance gene. Alternative selection mechanisms involve using genes encoding thymidylate synthase, thymidine kinase or dihydrofolate reductase. Such selection mechanisms are well-known to those of appropriate skill in the art. In a medium lacking methionine, a gene encoding glutamine synthetase may be used as a means of selection either in cells lacking an endogenous glutamine synthetase, or where use of an inhibitor, such as methionine sulphoxamine, has rendered it inactive (Kaufman R J. Selection and coamplification of heterologous genes in mammalian cells. Methods Enzymol 185, 537-566 (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0090] In a further aspect, a screenable marker can be used. For instance, a gene encoding a fluorescent protein, such as the Aequoria victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP), or enhanced variants of it (EGFP), may be used as a selectable marker. Transfectants containing a polynucleotide according to the current invention, wherein the selectable marker encodes GFP, may be sorted by brightness of fluorescence on a FACS, by a process well-known in the art. Using the polynucleotide of the invention, and comparing with expressible constructs with the selectable marker situated either 5′ to the UCOE, or 3′ but remotely from the transgene (expressible nucleic acid), higher levels of expression of the transgene will be found for comparable levels of brightness. Selection of the brightest cells will, therefore, allow selection of cells with the highest level of transgene expression.

[0091] In one aspect of the invention, the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises a 16 kb DNA fragment spanning the human hnRNP A2 gene with 5 kb 5′ and 1.5 kb 3′ flanking sequence. Preferably, the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises an 8 kb DNA fragment spanning the human hnRNP A2 gene (WO 00/05393).

[0092] Alternatively, the extended methylation-free CpG island of the disclosed polynucleotide is an ‘artificial UCOE’ as disclosed in our co-pending applications GB 0022995.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 60/252,048, comprising the human β-actin CpG island/promoter region or a fragment thereof. Preferably this fragment is within the size range of 100 bp to 3.0 kb and spans the human β-actin CpG island/promoter region or a fragment thereof. Preferably the artificial UCOE also comprises the human PDCD2 CpG island/promoter region or a fragment thereof. More preferably the human PDCD2 CpG island/promoter region comprises a fragment within the size range of 100 bp to 3.0 kb. Further preferably, the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises a DNA fragment within the size range of 100 bp to 3.0 kb spanning the human β-actin CpG island/promoter region and a DNA fragment within the size range of 100 bp to 3.0 kb spanning the human PDCD2 CpG island/promoter region.

[0093] Most preferably the claimed polynucleotide of this embodiment of the invention comprises an artificial UCOE comprising a 2.0 kb DNA fragment spanning the human β-actin CpG island/promoter region and a 1.8 kb DNA fragment spanning the human PDCD2 CpG island/promoter region.

[0094] Also provided is a vector comprising the polynucleotide of any one of the previous embodiments. This vector may alternatively be either an episomal or an integrating vector. Depending on the intended use, episomal vectors may be desirable since they are self-replicating and so persist without the need for integration. Episomal vectors of this type are described in WO98/07876, which is incorporated herein by reference. Also preferred are non-replicating, non-integrating vectors.

[0095] Also provided is a vector so constructed as to deliver, when linearized and integrated into a chromosome, a polynucleotide comprising an extended methylation-free CpG island, an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal and a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0096] Preferably the vector is a plasmid. Alternatively, the vector may be a virus, such as an adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, a herpesvirus, vaccinia virus, lentivirus or other retrovirus.

[0097] Preferably said vector is an expression vector adapted for eukaryotic gene expression. Typically said adaptation includes, by example and not by way of limitation, the provision of transcription control sequences (promoter sequences) that mediate cell/tissue specific expression. Promoter and enhancer are terms well-known in the art and include the following features which are provided by example only, and not by way of limitation. Promoters are 5′, cis-acting regulatory sequences directly linked to the initiation of transcription. Promoter elements include so-called TATA box and RNA polymerase initiation selection (RIS) sequences that function to select a site of transcription initiation. These sequences also bind polypeptides that function, inter alia, to facilitate transcription initiation selection by RNA polymerase.

[0098] Enhancer elements are cis acting nucleic acid sequences often found 5′ to the transcription initiation site of a gene (enhancers can also be found 3′ to a gene sequence or even located in intronic sequences and are therefore position independent). Enhancers function to increase the rate of transcription of the gene to which the enhancer is linked. Enhancer activity is responsive to trans acting transcription factors (polypeptides) that have been shown to bind specifically to enhancer elements. The binding/activity of transcription factors is responsive to a number of environmental cues which include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, intermediary metabolites (e.g., glucose), environmental effectors (e.g., heat) (see Eukaryotic Transcription Factors, by David S Latchman, Academic Press Ltd, San Diego, which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0099] Adaptations also include the provision of selectable markers and autonomous replication sequences which both facilitate the maintenance of said vector in either the eukaryotic cell or prokaryotic host. Vectors that are maintained autonomously in eukaryotic cells are referred to as episomal vectors. Other adaptations which facilitate the expression of vector encoded genes include the provision of transcription termination/polyadenylation sequences. This also includes the provision of internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) that function to maximize expression of vector encoded genes arranged in bicistronic or multi-cistronic expression cassettes. These adaptations are well-known in the art. There is a significant amount of published literature with respect to expression vector construction and recombinant DNA techniques in general. Please see, Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. and references therein; Marston, F (1987) DNA Cloning Techniques: A Practical Approach Vol. III IRL Press, Oxford UK; DNA Cloning: F M Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1994), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0100] In a preferred method of the invention said vector encodes, and thus said polypeptide is provided with, a secretion signal to facilitate purification of said polypeptide.

[0101] Alternatively, other preferred embodiments may include further refinements to facilitate purification of expressed recombinant protein, such as affinity tags or epitopes, or enzymatic cleavage sites.

[0102] Preferably the expressible nucleic acid is a therapeutic nucleic acid.

[0103] Alternatively, the expressible nucleic acid encodes a recombinant protein for expression in an in vitro cell culture system.

[0104] Alternatively, the expressible gene encodes a non-polypeptide product, such as RNA. Such RNA may be an antisense RNA capable of inhibiting expression of a particular gene at a post-transcriptional level, or may have an enzymatic (ribozyme) or other function, such as a ribosomal RNA.

[0105] One preferred embodiment is a vector comprising: an extended methylation-free CpG island, an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal and a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker. Preferably, the the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 1500 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker. More preferably it is within 1000 bp, most preferably, 500 bp.

[0106] A preferred embodiment is a vector comprising: an extended methylation-free CpG island, a multiple cloning site, an antibiotic resistance gene obtained from a Streptomyces species, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the multiple cloning site, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, multiple cloning site, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the multiple cloning site is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

[0107] More preferably, the multiple cloning site is further operably linked to a promoter. Further preferably the promoter is selected from CMV, EF-1α, RSV LTR or HIV2 LTR, or combinations of sequences derived therefrom. More preferably the promoter is a CMV immediate/early promoter. Most preferably it is the mouse CMV immediate/early promoter. In a preferred embodiment, the vector comprises a CMV promoter, a multiple cloning site, a polyadenylation sequence and genes encoding selectable markers under suitable control elements.

[0108] A preferred embodiment of the vector comprises nucleotides 1-10551 of the sequence of FIG. 9. A most preferred embodiment is vector CET710.

[0109] Alternatively, the vector comprises nucleotides 1-13545 of the sequence of FIG. 10, and is preferably vector CET720.

[0110] Further preferred embodiment of vectors are:

[0111] CET740 in which the puromycin resistance gene of CET720 is replaced with the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene from Streptomyces fradiae (as listed in FIG. 15) Also preferred are vectors having expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted into the multiple cloning site of CET740, such as CET741.

[0112] CET760 in which the puromycin resistance gene of CET720is replaced with the aminocyclitol phosphotransferase from Escherichia coli (as listed in FIG. 17). Also preferred are vectors having expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted into the multiple cloning site of CET760, such as CET761.

[0113] CET780 in which the puromycin resistance gene of CET720is replaced with the modified form of the puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene from Streptomyces alboniger (as listed in FIG. 14). Also preferred are-vectors having expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted into the multiple cloning site of CET780, such as CET781.

[0114] CET820 in which the human IE CMV promoter, operably linked to the multicloning site in order to drive expression of expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted there, has been replaced with the murine IE CMV promoter. Also preferred are vectors having expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted into the multiple cloning site of CET820, such as CET821.

[0115] CET823 in which the extended methylation-free CpG island comprising an 8 kb DNA fragment spanning the human hnRNP A2 gene is replaced with the extended methylation-free CpG island comprising an 8 kb fragment spanning the murine hnRNP A2 gene (as shown in the sequence of FIG. 19). Also preferred are vectors having expressible nucleic acid sequences inserted into the multiple cloning site of CET823, such as CET824.

[0116] Also provided is host cell transfected with any of the embodiments of the disclosed vectors.

[0117] Alternatively said polynucleotide, vector or the host cell may be used in a cell culture system to obtain expression of a desired gene product. Suitable cell culture systems are well known in the art and are fully described in the body of literature known to those skilled in the art. There is provided a method for the production of a polypeptide according to the invention comprising:

[0118] i) providing a cell transforned/transfected with a nucleic acid molecule according to the invention;

[0119] ii) growing said cell in conditions conducive to the manufacture of said polypeptide; and

[0120] iii) purifying said polypeptide from said cell, or its growth environment.

[0121] In a preferred embodiment of the invention said nucleic acid molecule is the vector according to the invention.

[0122] The present invention also provides the polynucleotide, vector or the host cell for use in therapy.

[0123] The present invention also provides use of the polynucleotide, vector or host cell in the manufacture of a composition for use in gene therapy.

[0124] The present invention also provides a method of treatment, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of the polynucleotide, vector or host cell of the present invention. Preferably the patient is suffering from a disease treatable by gene therapy.

[0125] The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the polynucleotide and/or the vector and/or host cell, optionally in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, for therapy to treat a disease or provide the cells of a particular tissue with an advantageous protein or function.

[0126] The polynucleotide, vector or host cell of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition may be administered via a route which includes systemic intramuscular, intravenous, aerosol, oral (solid or liquid form), topical, ocular, rectal, intraperitoneal and/or intrathecal and local direct injection.

[0127] The exact dosage regime will, of course, need to be determined by individual clinicians for individual patients and this, in turn, will be controlled by the exact nature of the protein expressed by the gene of interest and the type of tissue that is being targeted for treatment.

[0128] The dosage also will depend upon the disease indication and the route of administration. The number of doses will depend upon the disease, and the efficacy data from clinical trials.

[0129] The amount of polynucleotide or vector DNA delivered for effective gene therapy according to the invention will preferably be in the range of between 50 ng-1000 μg of vector DNA/kg body weight; and more preferably in the range of between about 1-100 μg vector DNA/kg.

[0130] Although it is preferred according to the invention to administer the polynucleotide, vector or host cell to a mammal for in vivo cell uptake, an ex vivo approach may be utilised whereby cells are removed from an animal, transduced with the polynucleotide or vector, and then re-implanted into the animal. The liver, for example, can be accessed by an ex vivo approach by removing hepatocytes from an animal, transducing the hepatocytes in vitro and re-implanting the transduced hepatocytes into the animal (e.g., as described for rabbits by Chowdhury et al., Science 254:1802-1805, 1991, or in humans by Wilson, Hum. Gene Ther. 3:179-222 (1992), each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Such methods also may be effective for delivery to various populations of cells in the circulatory or lymphatic systems, such as erythrocytes, T cells, B cells and haematopoietic stem cells.

[0131] Another aspect of the invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a first promoter operably linked to an expressible gene to which it is not naturally operably linked and a selectable element, also operably linked and 3′ to the expressible gene, comprising a pgk promoter and a puromycin resistance gene. The use of such a polynucleotide to obtain reproducible expression of said expressible gene in at least two tissue or cell types is also provided.

[0132] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a non-human transgenic animal comprising an artificially introduced extended methylation-free CpG island element and an artificially introduced selectable marker element wherein both elements are operably-linked to an expressible gene situated between them and wherein reproducible expression of said expressible gene occurs in at least two tissue or cell types. Methods of making transgenic mice (Gordon et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:7380 (1980); Harbers et al., Nature 293:540 (1981); Wagner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:5016 (1981); and Wagner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:6376 (1981), each of which is incorporated herein by reference), sheep pigs, chickens (see Hammer et al., Nature 315:680 (1985), which is incorporated herein by reference), etc., are well-known in the art and are contemplated for use according to the invention.

[0133] Such transgenic animals containing the polynucleotide of the invention also may be used for long-term production of a protein of interest.

[0134] There is also provided a mammalian model for determining the efficacy of gene therapy using the polynucleotide, vector or host cell of the invention. The mammalian model comprises a transgenic animal whose cells contain the vector of the present invention. Such animals permit testing prior to clinical trials in humans.

[0135] The present invention also provides the use of the polynucleotide of the present invention in producing transgenic plants.

[0136] The generation of transgenic plants that have increased yield, or increased resistance to disease, pests, drought or salt are well known to those skilled in the art. The present invention also provides for transgenic plant containing cells that contain the polynucleotide of the present invention. Some or all of the cells comprising the artificial UCOE may originate from plants.

[0137] The present invention also relates to the use of polynucleotide of the present invention in functional genomics applications. Functional genomics relates principally to the identification of genes specifically expressed in particular cell types or disease states and now provides thousands of novel gene sequences of potential interest for drug discovery or gene therapy purposes. The major problem in using this information for the development of novel therapies lies in how to determine the functions of these genes. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a number of functional genomic applications in order to detennine the function of gene sequences. The functional genomic applications of the present invention include, but are not limited to:

[0138] (1) Using the polynucleotide of the present invention to achieve sustained expression of anti-sense versions of the gene sequences or ribozyme knockdown libraries, thereby determining the effects of inactivating the gene on cell phenotype.

[0139] (2) Using the polynucleotide of the present invention to prepare expression libraries for the gene sequences, such that delivery into cells will result in reliable, reproducible, sustained expression of the gene sequences. The resulting cells, expressing the gene sequences can be used in a variety of approaches to function determination and drug discovery. For example, raising neutralising antibodies to the gene product; rapid purification of the protein product of the gene itself for use in structural, functional or drug screening studies; or in cell-based drug screening.

[0140] (3) Using the polynucleotide of the present invention in approaches involving mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and transgenic mice. One of the most powerful functional genomics approaches involves random insertion into genes in mouse ES cells of constructs which only allow drug selection following insertion into expressed genes, and which can readily be rescued for sequencing (G. Hicks et al., 1997, Nature Genet., 16, 338-344, which is incorporated herein by reference). Transgenic mice with knockout mutations in genes with novel sequences can then readily be made to probe their function. At present this technology works well for the 10% of mouse genes which are well expressed in mouse ES cells. Incorporation of the polynucleotides of the present invention into the integrating constructs will enable this technique to be extended to identify all genes expressed in mice.

[0141] The invention is further illustrated by way of the following examples, which are intended to elaborate several embodiments of the invention. These examples are not intended, nor are they to be construed, as limiting the scope of the invention. It will be clear that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as particularly described herein. Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the teachings herein and, therefore, are within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Flanking of an Expressible Gene with UCOEs and Selectable Elements

[0142] Materials and Methods

[0143] Construction of PGK-Puro CET expression vectors

[0144] CET700: The CMV-MCS-SV40pA cassette was removed from CET31 (A CMV MCS pA SV40Neo based plasmid) as an AseI/AfII fragment, blunt end filled with T4 DNA polymerase and ligated into pPGK-Puro (mPGK promoter, Puromycin resistance gene, bGHpA in pBluescript®) that had been digested with EcoRV.

[0145] CET720: CET20 (8.3 kb hnRNPA2 fragment in pBluescript®) was digested with HindIII to obtain the 8 kb RNP UCOE and this was then ligated into CET700 that had also been cut with HindIII.

[0146] CET710: The Artificial UCOE was removed from CET21 (Artificial UCOE in pBluescript®) as an XbaI/ClaI fragment, blunt end filled with T4 DNA polymerase and ligated into CET700 that had been digested with HindIII and again blunt end filled with T4 DNA polymerase.

[0147] CET230: This vector was constructed by digesting pUC19 with NarI an EcoRI to remove approximately 160 bp, followed by blunting and religation. This removed one of the two PvuI and PvuII sites in the vector backbone. The CMV-EGFP-SV40pA cassette (with its MCS deleted) was excised from pEGFPN-1 (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.), as an AseI/AflII digest followed by blunt end filling, and then inserted into the pUC19 vector backbone that had been digested with NdeI and Eco109 I and again blunt end filled.

[0148] The PGK-Puro-bGpA cassette was then removed from pPGK-Puro as an EcoRI/XhoI blunt end filled fragment and inserted into the unique PvuII site of the above vector. Finally the 8.3 kb hnRNPA2 fragment was inserted into the unique HindIII site of this vector as a HindIII fragment derived from CET20.

[0149] For clarity:

[0150] CET230 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET210.

[0151] CET711 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET710.

[0152] CET721 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET720.

[0153] Vectors based on CET720 with different antibiotic resistant genes and with alternative promoters or UCOEs can be constructed in the following manner.

[0154] The PGK promoter (bp11384-11894) and the bghpA (bp 12567-12893) can be removed from CET720 by restriction digestion. These elements can be inserted into the pBluescript® backbone such that restriction sites are available for the insertion of any resistance gene sequences (derived by PCR or restriction digestion) between the PGK promoter and the bghpA in such a manner as to allow expression of that gene. The CMV-MCS-SV40pA expression cassette can also be removed from CET720 (bp 10533-11380) and inserted 5′ to the PGK promoter in the above vector; alternatively the mCMV-MCS-SV40pA expression cassette can be placed in the same position (CET801, CET821, CET824-EGFP expression versions). The hnRNPA2 UCOE can be removed from CET720 (bp 2240-10525) by restriction digestion and inserted 5′ to the CMV expression cassette in the above vectors, alternatively other UCOEs (e.g., murine hnRNPA2) can be inserted into the same position (CET824-EGFP expression version).

[0155] For clarity:

[0156] CET741 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET740 and comprises a 5′ human RNP UCOE and a 3′ S fradiae neor gene.

[0157] CET761 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET760 and comprises a 5′ human RNP UCOE and a 3′ E. coli aminocyclitol phosphotransferase (hygror ) gene.

[0158] CET781 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET780 and comprises a 5′ human RNP UCOE and a 3′ modified S. alboniger puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene.

[0159] CET821 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET820 and comprises a 5′ human RNP UCOE and a 3′ wild-type S. alboniger puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene. Expression of the EGFP transgene is driven by the munine (rather than human) CMV IE promoter.

[0160] CET824 is the EGFP-expressing version of the ‘empty’ vector CET823 and comprises a 5′ murine (rather than human) RNP UCOE and a 3′ wild-type S. alboniger puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene.

[0161] pCIA vectors

[0162] This is a series of vectors that easily allow the construction of UCOE expression vectors with the final optimal configuration (UCOE-expression cassette-resistance cassette) when integrated into the chromosome.

[0163] CET900 is an empty cloning vector in which pairs of rare restriction sites flank the MCS. CET901 and CET902 contain the hCMV and mCMV promoters respectively, an MCS and the SV40pA. The same pairs of rare restriction sites also flank these cassettes.

[0164] The CET1000 series of vectors contain various combinations of UCOEs and resistance expression cassettes. They also contain the same rare restriction sites as the CET900 series at a position 3′ to the UCOE and 5′ to the resistance cassette. The vectors also contain linearization sites 5′ to the UCOE and 3′ to the resistance cassette.

[0165] Expression cassettes for any transgene can therefore be constructed in the CET900 series and then easily be transferred into the CET1000 series such that the ultimate configuration when integrated into the chromosome is the desired UCOE-expression cassette-resistance cassette.

[0166] As described above the antibiotic gene can be exchanged within the CET1000 series by restriction digestion or PCR.

[0167] Transfection

[0168] CHO K1 cells were transfected and selected according to standard methods and as described in the co-pending applications incorporated by reference.

[0169] Results

[0170] With particular reference to FIG. 2, comparison of cells transfected with CET721 and CET230 shows a consistently higher level of expression obtained with CET721. These two vectors are similar in that both carry an 8 kb hnRNP-derived UCOE operably-linked to the CMV promoter driven EGFP gene and both carry the pgk/puromycin resistance gene element. However, following linearization with Pvu I, integration of CET230 into the host cell chromosome results in the elements being positioned in the order: pgk/Puro, hnRNP UCOE, EGFP gene. The same process with CET721 results in the EGFP gene being flanked by the UCOE and the pgk/Puro. The levels of expression obtained with CET230 are not significantly higher than those obtained with CET220, a vector carrying no pgk/Puro element but with the same UCOE and promoter driving EGFP expression.

[0171] All UCOE carrying vectors show greatly increased expression compared with the basic EGFP expression plasmid.

[0172] FIG. 3 shows that increased expression as expressed by median fluorescence is also reflected in an increased proportion of cells within the transfected population judged to be positive, in terms of expression, at all time points following transfection. This is a measure of the lack of position effects, since random integration of the construct would normally result in a range of expression levels within the (non-clonal) population of transfected cells. This is overcome by the combination of 5′ UCOE and 3′ selectable element, resulting in a homogenous, highly-expressing population.

[0173] The levels of expression in some of the pools of cells in FIG. 2 are so high that the fluorescence produced has exceeded the capacity of the detector.

[0174] In FIG. 4, measurements have been corrected to the linear region of the detector's response to allow comparison between constructs. This shows that the combination of UCOE and 3′ flanking selectable element used in CET721 has produced an approximately 7-fold increase in levels of expression of EGFP as compared with that obtained with the UCOE alone (CET220) or that obtained with the selectable element (puror) placed 5′ to the UCOE. It is clear that flanking the expressed transgene with the UCOE and selectable marker is required to obtain the boost in expression.

[0175] This effect is not restricted to a particular selectable marker. FIG. 7 compares expression of EGFP operable linked to a 5′ human RNP UCOE and either a 5′ (CET745) or 3′ (CET741) placed S. fradiae neomycin resistance gene. There is almost a doubling of the already high expression level.

Example 2

Effectiveness of Other 3′ Flanking Selectable Markers

[0176] Results

[0177] FIG. 5 shows the effect of flanking the EGFP transgene with a 5′ human RNP UCOE and various 3′ flanking antibiotic resistance genes. CET701 is a control containing no UCOE, but with the wild-type S alboniger puror. CET721 has both the 5′ UCOE and 3′ puror. CET704 contains the S fradiae neor but no UCOE, CET741 has both. CET705 contains the S hygroscopicus hygror but no UCOE, CET751 has both. CET706 has the E coli hygror but no UCOE, CET761 has both. CET708 has the codon-modified puror but no UCOE, CET781 has both. In all cases the boosting effect of the 3′ flanking resistance gene is evident.

Example 3

Combination of an Artificial UCOE and pgk/Puro Selectable Element

[0178] Results

[0179] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, expression from a comparable plasmid carrying an artificially constructed UCOE (CET711) was comparable to that obtained with the RNP UCOE both in terms of median fluorescence and proportion of positive cells. This demonstrates that the phenomenon of amplification of the effect of a UCOE by a second flanking CpG-rich element is a general one, not confined to a particular combination of the RNP UCOE and the pgk/Puro element. The comparison of CET711 and CET721 expression in FIG. 4 indicates a slightly lower level of expression was obtained with CET711, but this was still at least 6-fold higher than that obtained with a UCOE alone.

[0180] FIG. 6 shows the comparable effect obtained with either a human hnRNP UCOE using the murine CMV promoter to drive expression (CET821) and the murine equivalent (CET824). CET721 comprises the human hnRNP UCOE and uses the human CMV promoter.

[0181] The foregoing examples are meant to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed to limit the invention in any way. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising: a. an extended methylation-free CpG island, b. an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and c. a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

2. An isolated polynucleotide comprising: a. an extended methylation-free CpG island, b. an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and c. a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 1500 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

3. An isolated polynucleotide comprising: a. an extended methylation-free CpG island, b. an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and c. a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 1000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

4. An isolated polynucleotide comprising: a. an extended methylation-free CpG island, b. an expressible nucleic acid terminated by a polyadenylation signal, and c. a selectable marker operably linked to a promoter, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 500 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.

5. The isolated polynucleotide of claims 1-4, wherein the selectable marker is an antibiotic resistance gene.

6. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 5, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is from a Streptomyces species.

7. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is a puromycin resistance gene.

8. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 7, wherein the puromycin resistance gene is the puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene from Streptomyces alboniger.

9. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 8, wherein the puromycin resistance gene is a modified puromycin N-acetyl transferase gene from Streptomyces alboniger.

10. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 9 comprising SEQ ID NO: 3.

11. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is a neomycin resistance gene.

12. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 11, wherein the neomycin resistance gene is the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene from Streptomyces fradiae.

13. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is a hygromycin resistance gene.

14. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 13, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus.

15. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is a bleomycin resistance gene.

16. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the bleomycin resistance gene is the bleomycin binding protein from Streptomyces verticillus.

17. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 15, wherein the bleomycin resistance gene is the bleomycin N-acetyltransferase gene from Streptomyces verticillus.

18. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 6, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is a blasticidin resistance gene.

19. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 18, wherein the blasticidin resistance gene is the blasticidin S-acetyltransferase gene from Streptomyces verticillum.

20. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 5, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is the aminocyclitol phosphotransferase from Escherichia coli.

21. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 5, wherein the antibiotic resistance gene is the neomycin phosphotransferase gene from transposon Tn5.

22. The isolated polynucleotide of claims 1-4, wherein the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises an 8 kb DNA fragment spanning the human hnRNP A2 gene.

23. The isolated polynucleotide of claims 1-4, wherein the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises an 8 kb DNA fragment spanning the murine hnRNP A2 gene.

24. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 23, wherein the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises nucleotides 1-7898 of SEQ ID NO: 15.

25. The isolated polynucleotide of claims 1-4, wherein the extended methylation-free CpG island comprises a 2.0 kb DNA fragment spanning the human β-actin CpG island/promoter region and a 1.8 kb DNA fragment spanning the human PDCD2 CpG island/promoter region.

26. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claims 1-4.

27. A vector so constructed as to deliver, when linearized and integrated into a chromosome, the polynucleotide of claims 1-4.

28. The vector of claim 26, wherein the vector is an episomal vector.

29. The vector of claim 26, wherein the vector is an integrating vector.

30. The vector of claim 26, wherein the vector is a plasmid.

31. The vector of claims 26, wherein the expressible nucleic acid is a therapeutic nucleic acid.

32. The vector of claim 26, wherein the expressible nucleic acid encodes a recombinant protein for expression in an in vitro cell culture system.

33. A vector comprising: a. an extended methylation-free CpG island, b. a multiple cloning site, and c. an antibiotic resistance gene from a Streptomyces species, wherein both the CpG island and the antibiotic resistance gene are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, multiple cloning site, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the multiple cloning site is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the antibiotic resistance gene.

34. The vector of claim 33, wherein the multiple cloning site is further operably-linked to a promoter.

35. The vector of claim 34, wherein said promoter is a cytomegalovirus immediate/early promoter.

36. The vector of claim 26 comprising nucleotides 1-10551 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

37. The vector CET710.

38. The vector of claim 26 comprising nucleotides 1-13547 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

39. The vector CET720.

40. The vector CET740.

41. The vector CET760.

42. The vector CET780.

43. The vector CET820.

44. The vector CET823.

45. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-12041 of SEQ ID NO: 9.

46. The vector CET1010.

47. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-11646 of SEQ ID NO: 10.

48. The vector CET1020.

49. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-9027 of SEQ ID NO: 11.

50. The vector CET1030.

51. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-12221 of SEQ ID NO: 12.

52. The vector CET1110.

53. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-11828 of SEQ ID NO: 13.

54. The vector CET1120.

55. The vector comprising nucleotides 1-9209 of SEQ ID NO: 14.

56. The vector CET1130.

57. A host cell transfected with the vector of claim 26.

58. A method for obtaining expression of an expressible nucleic acid comprising expressing the polynucleotide of claims 1-4 in a host cell.

59. A method for obtaining expression of an expressible nucleic acid comprising expressing the vector of claim 26 in a host cell.

60. A method for obtaining a desired gene product comprising expressing the polynucleotide of 1-4 in a host cell and recovering the desired gene product.

61. A method for obtaining a desired gene product comprising expressing the vector of claim 26 in a host cell and recovering the desired gene product.

62. A method of therapy comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the polynucleotide of claims 1-4.

63. A method of therapy comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the vector of claim 26.

64. A method of therapy comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the host cell of claim 57.

65. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the polynucleotide of claims 1-4.

66. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the vector of claim 26.

67. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of the host cell of claim 57.

68. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of the polynucleotide of claims 1-4.

69. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of the vector of claim 26.

70. A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of the host cell of claim 57.

71. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1-4 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

72. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the vector of claim 26 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

73. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the host cell of claim 57 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

74. A non-human transgenic animal comprising an artificially introduced extended methylation-free CpG island element and an artificially introduced selectable marker, wherein both the CpG island and the selectable marker are operably-linked to the expressible nucleic acid, and the components are positioned in the order: extended methylation-free CpG island, expressible nucleic acid, selectable marker, in the 5′ to 3′ orientation with respect to the sense strand of the expressible nucleic acid, and the polyadenylation signal at the 3′ end of the expressible nucleic acid is within 2000 bp of the proximal end of the selectable marker.