Human nerve growth factor exon 1 and exon 3 promoters

Abstract

Novel human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter, fragments thereof, and modified forms thereof are described. The invention is also directed to vectors containing such promoters, cells transformed with the same, including animal models and transgenic animals containing such sequence and assay methods using these promoters.

Description

[0001] Several lines of evidence point to the potential therapeutic utility of nerve growth factor in neurodegenerative diseases. NGF has been shown to prevent neurons from dying after experimentally induced injuries including ischemia (Shigeno T, et al., J Neurosci 11:2914-2919, 1991; Yamamoto S, et. al, Neurosci Lett 141:161-165, 1992; Pechan P A, et al., NeuroReport 6:669-672, 1995; Holtzman D M, et al., Ann Neurol 39:114-122, 1996), concussion (Hayes R L, et al., J Neurotrauma 12:933-41, 1995; Sinson G, et al., J Neurochem 65:2209-2216, 1995), and axotomy (Williams M and Braunwalder A., J Neurochem 47:88-97, 1986; Kromer, L. F. Science 235:214-216, 1987). NGF can also help to sustain function in aged or damaged neurons by maintaining neuronal phenotype and inducing neurite outgrowth (Fischer W, et al., Nature 329:65-68, 1987; Fischer W, et al, J Neurosci 11:1889-1906, 1991; Rylett, R. J., et al., J Neurosci 13:3956-3963, 1993; Chen K S, et al., Neuroscience 68(1): 19-27, 1995; Tuszynski M H and Gage F H, Mol Neurobiol 10:151-167, 1995).

[0002] Systemic administration of NGF is an inefficient method to achieve brain exposure due to the limited ability of NGF to cross the blood-brain barrier (Poduslo J F and Curran G L, Molec Brain Res 36:280-286, 1996). Several alternative routes of administration have proven effective, including direct intracerebroventricular administration, implantation of producer cell lines (Rosenberg M B, et al., Science 242:1575-1578, 1988), conjugation to actively transported molecules (Friden P M, et al., Science 259:373-377, 1993; Kordower J H, et al., PNAS USA September 13; 91(19): 9077-80, 1994) and transcriptional upregulation by low molecular weight compounds.

[0003] A number of small molecules have been identified that increase NGF mRNA transcription (Mocchetti I, Ann Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 32:303-328, 1991; Carswell S, Exp Neurol 124:36-42, 1993) and some of these compounds have been demonstrated to mimic the pharmacological action of exogenous NGF in vivo (Lee, T. -H., et al., Stroke 25:1425-1432, 1994; Kaechi K, et al., JPET 264(1): 321-6, 1993; Kaechi K, et al., JPET 272:1300-1304, 1995). The majority of NGF-inducing compounds have been shown to upregulate NGF mRNA transcription via the two promoter regions which have been identified in the mouse NGF gene (Selby M J, et al., Molec Cell Biol 7:3057-3064, 1987; Nitta A., et al., Eur J Pharmacol 250:23-30, 1993). Recently, a third promoter has been suggested in the rat NGF gene (Timmusk T, et al., Soc Neurosci Absts 21:33, 1995).

[0004] The mouse promoter at exon 1 has been well studied and a functional AP-1 regulatory element has been described 35 bases 3′ of the start of exon 1 (D'Mello S R, and Heinrich G. J Neurochem 57:1570-1576, 1991; D'Mello S R, and Heinrich G., Molec Cell Neurosci 2:157-167, 1991; Cowie A, et al., Mol Brain Res 27:58-62, 1994). An identical element exists in the human gene at the same location (Cartwright M, et al., Mol Brain Res 15:67-75, 1992). However, the regulation of the human and mouse NGF promoters is not identical. For example, functional analyses of the human gene revealed a 5′ consensus AP-1 site at −74 in the human gene that is not present in the mouse gene (Cartwright M, et al., Mol Brain Res 15:67-75, 1992).

[0005] The importance of 5′ sequence of exon 1 in basal expression also depends on the nature of the reporter vector. Large differences in basal transcription were reported in cells containing various 5′ ends when using human growth hormone as a reporter system (D'Mello S R, and Heinrich G., Molec Cell Neurosci 2:157-167, 1991; Cowie A, et al., Mol Brain Res 27:58-62, 1994). However, Cowie et al. (Cowie A, et al., Mol Brain Res 27:58-62, 1994) present evidence that the length of the 5′ end has a minimal effect when using a different reporter system.

[0006] The 3′ intron 1 AP-1 site is present in humans and rodents and is also thought to be involved in basal expression, lesion induced increases in NGF mRNA and phorbol ester responsiveness (D'Mello S R, and Heinrich G., Molec Cell Neurosci 2:157-167, 1991; Cowie A, et al., Mol Brain Res 27:58-62, 1994; Hengerer B, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:3899-3903 (1990).

[0007] The pharmacological regulation of NGF gene expression is also sensitive to the transcriptional environment. For example, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) enhances the synthesis of NGF in mouse L929 fibroblasts and in primary glial cells (D'Mello S R, and Heinrich G. J Neurochem 55:718-721, 1990; Wion D, et al., FEBS Lett 262:42-44, 1990; Neveu I, et al., Brain Res 570:316-322, 1992) but suppresses expression in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells (Jehan F, et al., Molec and Cell Endocrinol 116:149-156, 1996). Several recent reports have identified astrocytes as a source of NGF in vivo, particularly after a traumatic insult. (Lee T H, et al., Brain Res 713:199-210, 1996; Kossmann T, et al., Brain Res 713:143-152, 1996; DeKosky S T, et al., Ann Neurol 39:123-7, 1996) and it has been recognized that glial derived cell lines can synthesize and secrete nerve growth factor (Carman-Krzan M, et al, J-Neurochem 56(2): 636-43, 1991; Lu B, et al., J-Neurosci 11(2): 15 318-26, 1991).

[0008] The majority of pharmacological studies on the NGF promoter have been conducted with the rodent gene which is homologous but not identical to the human gene. The human gene structure is not yet completely known. The human regions corresponding to exons 3 and 4 of the mouse gene have been described (Ullrich A, et al., Nature 303:821-825, 1983), as well as a cDNA including exon 1b which corresponds to transcript (B) in the mouse (Selby M J, et al., Molec Cell Biol 7:3057-3064, 1987; Borsani G, et al., Nuc. Acids Res 18:4020, 1990).

[0009] A number of physiologic changes are known to induce NGF in vivo. A sciatic nerve lesion induces NGF in nonneuronal cells of the sciatic nerve (Lincholm, D. R., et al, Nature 350:658-659 (1987). Transection of fimbria fornix induces NGF in the hippocampus and basal forebrain. (Gasser, U. E., et al., Brain Res. 376:351-356, 1986, Weskamp, G., et al., Neurosci. Lett. 70:121-126, 1986). Electrolytic lesion of the septohippocampal pathway induces NGF in the hippocampus and basal forebrain astrocytes. (Oderfeld-Nowak, G., et al., Neurochem. Int.21:455-461, 1992). Needle injection into rat hippocampus induces NGF in the cortex and hippocampus. (Ballarin, M., et al., Exp. Neurol., 114:35-43, 1991). Denervation of niagral dopaminergic cells induces NGF in the cortex and hippocampus. (Nitta, A., et al., Neurosci. Lett. 144:152-156, 1992). Limbic seizures induce NGF in hippocampal, cortical and olfactory neurons. (Gall, C. M and Issackson, P. J., Science, 245:758-761, 1986). Transection of the optic nerve induces NGF in the glia cells of the optic nerve. (Lu, B., et al., J. Neurosci., 11:318-326, 1991). Excitotoxic destruction of hippocampal neurons induces NGF in hippocampal glia. (Bakhit, C., et al., Brain Res. 560:76-83, 1991). Bilateral decortation induces NGF in the glia cells in the basal forebrain and neostriatum. (Lorex, H. P., et al, Brain Res. 454:355-360, 1988). Finally, evoking aggressive behavior in adult males is shown to induce NGF in male mouse hypothalamus. (Psillantini, M. G., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8555-8559, 1989).

[0010] Seizure activity has been shown to transiently increase mRNA levels of NGF and other neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, in cortical and hippocampal neurons. These changes are observed after limbic seizures have been induced by a wide variety of insults, such as dentate hilar lesion, kainic acid, or kindling, as well as after injections of bicuculline or pentylenetratrazol. (Lindvall, O., et al., TINS 17(11) 1994:490-496).

[0011] Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is partially characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function. Biological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease include formation of amyloid-rich neutic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in areas associated with learning and memory—the hippocampus and neocortex. Acetylcholine-containing (cholinergic) neurons found in the basal forebrain decrease, and the severity of the cognitive deficit observed in Alzheimer's patients closely correlates with the loss of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain.

[0012] High levels of NGF protein and mRNA encoding NGF are localized in the hippocampus and neocortex, the major cholinergic target areas of the basal forebrain neurons. These cholinergic neurons have been shown to shrink and die following damage and with age, possibly due to a loss of target contact with the hippocampus and cortex.

[0013] Exogenous administration of NGF into the CNS increases the survival, function and potentially the regeneration of damaged and aged hippocampal and cortical neurons in rodents and nonhuman primates. These studies support the role of administering NGF or increasing local NGF levels, to prevent the cholinergic degeneration observed in Alzheimer's patients and potentially induce neurite outgrowth in surviving neurons.

[0014] Delivery of exogenous NGF presents some particular challenges. If administered intravenously, NGF is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier and hence is not able to get to the target neurons of the hippocampus or cortex. Administration directly into the brain, via a ventricular reservoir or pump, is costly, difficult and exposes the central nervous system to potential infections, as well as being uncomfortable for the patient.

[0015] A possible solution to delivery problems may be bioactive fragments of NGF, which may have a higher degree of biological activity than NGF and more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Smaller fragments may also be more cost effective, as they are smaller and easier to prepare recombinantly. However, to date, truncated NGF fragments have not been successfully administered and appear to lose activity.

[0016] Another possible solution is implantation of NGF-producing cell lines directly into the site of needed activity. However, this approach requires genetic manipulation of a cell, which may present significant regulatory approval problems. Many of the host cell lines used, e.g., fibroblasts, are possibly tumorgenic and may continue to proliferate after transplantation into the CNS. In addition, cell surface markers on the cell line may provoke rejection by the immune system. It is not currently possible to control the level of NGF secretion into the adjacent tissue.

[0017] Another potential therapeutic approach is upregulation of endogenous NGF production by administration of a small molecule which directly activates transcription of NGF and hence leads to greater NGF mRNA and ultimately increased NGF protein production. Generally, small molecules are capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier, and may easily be formulated for either intravenous or oral administration.

[0018] The present invention is directed to the novel human genomic DNA sequences adjacent to, or within, the NGF gene which contain promoters for NGF transcription. Using the present sequences, reporter constructs comprising all or part of the DNA sequence provided herein attached to a reporter gene, for example, the luciferase gene, β-galactosidase or green fluorescent protein (GFP), may be prepared. These novel reporter constructs may be then used to screen compounds for their ability to affect transcription of NGF. The present invention is also directed to a method for assaying a compound for its ability to affect transcription of the NGF promoter. Preferred embodiments of nucleic acid of the invention are as follows:

[0019] 1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0020] 2. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0021] 3. The nucleic acid according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0022] 4. The nucleic acid according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter to 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0023] 5. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0024] 6. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, or modified form thereof.

[0025] 7. The nucleic acid according to 6, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif.

[0026] 8. The nucleic acid according to 7, wherein the consensus binding motif comprises a CAAT box or TATA box.

[0027] 9. The nucleic acid according to 6, wherein the consensus binding motif is binding site for a ribosome.

[0028] 10. The nucleic acid according to 7, wherein the consensus binding motif is selected from the group consisting of NF-Ytk, NF-Y MCHII, AABS, ATF, Ad2MLP, EGR-1, ELP RS, GCN4 HIS3.1, GCN4 HIS4.3, GCN4 HIS4.4, GCRE, OBF H2B1, OBF histone, NF E1.3, NF E1.6 and NF E1.5.

[0029] 11. The nucleic acid according to claim 6, wherein the consensus binding motif is selected from the group consisting of AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, AP5, E4TF1, CTF/NF-1, NF-KB, TFIID, TFIIIA, p53, GM-CSF or NF IL-6.

[0030] 12. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in an inflammatory pathway.

[0031] 13. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in a cell-death pathway.

[0032] 14. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in a tumorgenic pathway.

[0033] 15. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an enhancer sequence, repressor sequence or consensus binding motif for a transcription activating factor.

[0034] 16. The nucleic acid according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a natural or a modified derivative of deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid.

[0035] 17. The nucleic acid according to 12, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a phosphodiester, methylphosphonate, phosphoramidate, isopropyl phosphate triester, phosphorothioate, phosphothionate, phosphotriester or boranophosphate.

[0036] The present invention is also directed to manipulation of the human NGF exon 1 promoter, exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof, plasmids resulting from such manipulation and cells transformed or transfected with such plasmids and transgenic animals containing such plasmids. The invention includes manipulation where exogenous promoters are inserted into human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter by, e.g., homologous recombination. The invention also includes manipulation where all or part of a human exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter is replaced by a nonnaturally-occurring exogenous or otherwise endogenous DNA, which may be DNA from another gene, e.g., intron or exon of a gene other than NGF, from another chromosome, or a naturally-occurring variant of the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter. An example of an endogenous modification of human NGF exon 3 promoter would be e.g., part or all of human NGF exon 1 promoter replacing part or all of human NGF exon 3 promoter. Similarly, this manipulation includes where a nonnaturally occurring exogenous or otherwise endogenous DNA encoding consensus binding motif replaces, is inserted or is deleted from the naturally occurring consensus binding motif, e.g., where the consensus binding motif of AP3, which is the consensus binding motif for protein kinase C responsive element in human NGF exon 3, e.g., starting at +116, −1608 or +2472, is replaced with, for example, PRL, the prolactin gene regulatory control element at −159 of human NGF exon 3, deletion or alteration of a CAAT box or TATA box located, for example, in human NGF exon 3 promoter or a regulatory control element from another gene, or may even be a synthetically-derived control element based on a consensus sequence. Alternatively, the invention is directed to insertion of regulatory elements, such as insertion of a CAAT box or TATA box in a non-naturally occurring site within human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter. Such manipulation may be accomplished by, for example, homologous recombination or site directed mutagenesis.

[0037] The present invention is also directed to modifications of human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter which modify transcription of human NGF. An example of such modification includes alteration of one or more lariat site in the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter. A lariat site is a loosely palindromic sequence which permits the DNA to loop back on itself. Alteration of a lariat site may influence binding of transcription factors, even if the underlying consensus binding motif the transcription factor normally binds to is not altered. Another example of such modification is alteration of a splice donor site or splice acceptor site.

[0038] The present invention is also directed to constructs resulting from such above manipulation, plasmids and vectors containing such constructs, and cells containing such constructs. Specifically included within the present invention are genetically altered cells suitable for autologous transplantation, whereby human cells are manipulated to alter the naturally occurring NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter to alter one, or more, naturally occurring consensus binding motif, add one, or more, non-naturally occurring consensus binding motif or delete, one or more, naturally occurring consensus binding motif, or other modifications of human NGF exon 1 promoter and/or exon 3 promoter.

[0039] The present invention is also directed to vectors comprising human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modifications thereof. The present vectors include expression vectors, such as a vector comprising the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof or modification thereof, and a marker gene, such as a gene encoding a detectable protein or conferring an altered, or detectable, phenotype or genotype. Especially preferred detectable proteins are reporter genes, and include luciferase, β-galactosidase, placental alkaline phosphatase and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The present invention is also directed to reporter vectors, which comprise an insertional site for a gene of interest and the gene encoding neomycin resistance under control of a thymidine kinase promoter. The present invention includes transformation vectors, such as a vector comprising the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof or modification thereof, and suitable for transfecting or transforming a suitable host cell. Examples of suitable transformation vectors include plasmids pGL, pGEM and phages, such as gt 10 and gt 11.

[0040] Especially preferred vectors are defective viral vectors, including amplicons. Defective viral vectors may result from one or more defective subgenomic viral particle(s) which contain an essential portion of the genome and require complementation of homologous “helper” virus for replication. Such defective viruses occur naturally and are also called defective interfering viruses (or D1 particles). D1 particles occur as RNA or DNA viruses, and have been identified in herpes viruses, including HSV, human cytomegalovirus, equine herpes virus. Especially preferred defective viral vectors of the present invention include amplicons comprising the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof or modification thereof. Preferred embodiments of vectors of the invention are as follows:

[0041] 1. A vector comprising a nucleic acid human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0042] 2. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0043] 3. The vector according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0044] 4. The vector according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter to 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0045] 5. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0046] 6. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0047] 7. The vector according to 6, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif is selected from the group consisting of AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, AP5, E4TF1, CTF/NF-1, NF-KB, TFIID, TFIIIA, p53, GM-CSF or NF IL-6.

[0048] 8. The vector according to 6, wherein the consensus binding motif comprises a CAAT box or TATA box.

[0049] 9. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an enhancer sequence, repressor sequence or consensus binding motif for a transcription factor.

[0050] 10. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in an inflammatory pathway .

[0051] 11. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in a cell-death pathway.

[0052] 12. The vector according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif of a transcription factor in a tumorgenic pathway.

[0053] 13. The vector according to 1, wherein the vector is an amplicon, transcription vector, expression vector, reporter vector, insertion vector, replacement vector, or mutagenesis vector.

[0054] 14. The vector according to 13, wherein the vector is pGL2 enhancer, pGL3 Basic or pGL3 neo.

[0055] 15. The vector according to 13, wherein the amplicon provides a viral packaging system for cellular expression.

[0056] 16. The vector according to 13, wherein the vector comprises a viral packaging system.

[0057] 17. The vector according to 16, wherein the viral packaging system is a retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, or herpes virus system.

[0058] The present invention is also direct to a novel vector designed to incorporate the human NGF exon 1 promoter, exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modification thereof. The vector comprises both a reporter gene and gene encoding antimetabolite resistance. The present invention is also directed to cells comprising such vectors, methods of assaying compounds using the same, and methods for identifying a compound capable of modifying transcription of a nucleic acid. Specific embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0059] 1. A vector comprising pGL3-neo.

[0060] 2. The vector according to 1, comprising a promoter sequence greater than 2 kilobases.

[0061] 3. The vector according to 2, wherein the promoter is greater than 3 kilobases.

[0062] 4. The vector according to 3, wherein the promoter is greater than 4 kilobases.

[0063] 5. The vector according to 1, comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1 -1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0064] 6. The vector according to claim 5, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0065] 7. The vector according to 5, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0066] 8. The vector according to claim 5, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0067] 9. The vector according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0068] 10. A cell comprising a vector according to 1.

[0069] 11. A cell according to 10, wherein the cell is an animal cell.

[0070] 12. A cell according to 11, wherein the cell is a human or primate cell.

[0071] 13. A cell according to 12, wherein the cell is a human cell.

[0072] 14. A cell according to 10, wherein the cell is a yeast or bacterial cell.

[0073] 15. An assay comprising a cell according to 10.

[0074] 16. The assay according to 15, wherein the cell is human.

[0075] 17. The assay according to 15, wherein the assay is suitable for high throughput screening.

[0076] 18. The assay according to 15, wherein the assay permits simultaneous evaluation of multiple compounds.

[0077] 19. The assay according to 15, wherein the assay is partially or fully automated.

[0078] 20. A method for identifying a compound capable of modifying transcription of a nucleic acid, comprising contacting a compound with a cell according to 1.

[0079] The present invention may also be used in recombinant technology to produce proteins. Therefore, the present invention is directed to vectors wherein the human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof, is operably linked to a gene encoding a protein and cells containing such vectors. The invention is also directed to methods of producing protein using the human NGF exon 1 promoter, or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the following:

[0080] 1. A method of producing a protein comprising expressing a vector comprising a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof operably linked to a gene encoding a protein.

[0081] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0082] 3. The method according to 2, wherein the promoter comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0083] 4. The method according to 2, wherein the promoter comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0084] 5. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0085] 6. The method according to 1, wherein the vector comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0086] 7. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter is operably linked to a gene encoding a selectable protein.

[0087] 8. The method according to 7, wherein the selectable protein confers antimicrobial resistance.

[0088] 9. The method according to 8, wherein the antimicrobial resistance is to neomycin, sulfonamide, penicillin, cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, tetracyclin, or modified forms thereof.

[0089] 10. The method according to 1, wherein the protein is a naturally occurring mammalian neurotrophic factor or a modified naturally occurring mammalian neurotrophic factor.

[0090] 11. The method according to 10, wherein the protein is a naturally occurring mammalian neurotrophic factor.

[0091] 12. The method according to 11, wherein the protein is nerve growth factor.

[0092] 13. The method according to 12, wherein the nerve growth factor is human.

[0093] 14. The method according to 10, wherein the protein is a modified naturally occurring mammalian neurotrophic factor.

[0094] 15. The method according to 14, wherein the protein is nerve growth factor.

[0095] 16. The method according to 15, wherein the nerve growth factor is human.

[0096] The present invention also includes oligonucleotides encoding human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof. Preferred oligonucleotides are antisense oligonucleotides to a fragment of either human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter. More preferred antisense oligonucleotides are to all or part of a consensus binding motif within either human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter.

[0097] Preferred oligonucleotides are about six to about one hundred bases long. Preferred antisense oligonucleotides are six to one hundred bases long, more preferred antisense oligonucleotides are about six to about fifty bases long, and even more preferred antisense oligonucleotides are about ten to about twenty five bases long. Especially preferred antisense oligonucleotides are about fifteen bases long.

[0098] Nucleic acid of the present invention may contain naturally occurring nucleotides or analogs thereof. Preferred naturally-occurring nucleotides are either deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid. Preferred analogs of naturally-occurring nucleotides are modified phosphotriesters, bases or sugars. Especially preferred are phosphodiesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidates, isopropyl phosphate triesters, phosphorothioates, phosphothionates, phosphotriesters or boranophosphates.

[0099] The present invention includes methods of modifying regulation of human nerve growth factor by administration of an oligonucleotide encoding human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof. A preferred method is by administration of an antisense oligonucleotide of human NGF promoter of exon 1 or 3. An especially preferred method is by administration of an antisense oligonucleotide to a consensus binding motif of human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter.

[0100] The present invention is also directed to methods for gene therapy involving altering naturally occurring transcriptional control of human NGF.

[0101] The present invention includes methods of transfecting cells and the transformed cells. Preferred embodiments of methods for transfecting cells are as follows:

[0102] 1. A method of transferring a nucleic acid to a cell comprising administering to the cell a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0103] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the administration is by electroporation, liposomal transfection, direct injection, vector delivery or naked deoxyribonucleic acid.

[0104] 3. The method according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0105] 4. The method according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, or modified form thereof.

[0106] 5. The method according to 4, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a modified form of nucleic acid.

[0107] 6. The method according to 5, wherein the modified form of nucleic acid comprises a phosphodiester, methylphosphonate, phosphoramidate, isopropyl phosphate triester, phosphorothioate, phosphothionate, phosphotriester or boranophosphate.

[0108] 7. The method according to 1, wherein the vector delivery is by a viral vector or a modification thereof.

[0109] 8. The method according to 1, wherein the vector is adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retrovirus, herpes virus, or modifications thereof.

[0110] 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vector is an amplicon.

[0111] Embodiments of transformed cells are as followed:

[0112] 1. A transformed cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0113] 2. The cell according to 1, wherein the cell comprises an animal cell.

[0114] 3. The cell according to 2, wherein the cell derived from a mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, pig, primate or human.

[0115] 4. The cell according to 3, wherein the cell is derived from a mouse, rat, or guinea pig.

[0116] 5. The cell according to 3, wherein the cell is derived from a primate or human.

[0117] 6. The cell according to 5, wherein the primate is a chimpanzee, monkey or ape.

[0118] 7. The cell according to 5, wherein the cell is derived from a human.

[0119] 8. The cell according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises nerve growth factor exon 1promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0120] 9. The cell according to 8, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0121] 10. The cell according to 8, wherein the nucleic acid comprises human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter to 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0122] 11. The cell according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0123] 12. The cell according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0124] 13. The cell according to 1, wherein the cell is a yeast or bacterial cell.

[0125] 14. The cell according to 12, wherein the cell is a bacterial cell.

[0126] 15. The cell according to 12, wherein the cell is a yeast cell.

[0127] The present invention is also directed to methods of making animal models useful to study NGF regulation and to the resulting animals. Embodiments of such methods and resulting animals are as follows:

[0128] 1. A method of transferring a nucleic acid into an animal, comprising administering to the animal a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0129] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the administration is by electroporation, liposomal transfection, direct injection, vector delivery or naked deoxyribonucleic acid.

[0130] 3. The method according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0131] 4. The method according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, or modified forms thereof.

[0132] 5. The method according to 4, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a modified form of nucleic acid.

[0133] 6. The method according to 5, wherein the modified form of nucleic acid comprises a phosphodiester, methylphosphonate, phosphoramidate, isopropyl phosphate triester, phosphorothioate, phosphothionate, phosphotriester or boranophosphate.

[0134] 7. The method according to 1, wherein the vector delivery is by a viral vector or a modification thereof.

[0135] 8. The method according to 1, wherein the vector is adenovirus, adenoassociated virus, retrovirus, herpes virus, or modifications thereof.

[0136] 9. The method according to 1, wherein the vector is an amplicon.

[0137] 10. The method according to 1, wherein the animal is a mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, pig or primate.

[0138] 11. The method according to 10, wherein the animal is a mouse, rat, or guinea pig.

[0139] 12. The method according to 10, wherein the primate is a chimpanzee, monkey or ape.

[0140] The present invention includes animal models with human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modification thereof. Such modifications may be deletion, alteration, or inclusion of one or more consensus binding motif(s) of the endogenous NGF promoter in exon 1 and/or exon 3 of that animal which correspond to a consensus binding motif in the human NGF promoter exon 1 or exon 3. Included are animal models which are transgenic animals containing human NGF promoter of exon 1 or 3, or both exons 1 and 3, or hybrids thereof. Especially preferred animal models include animal models comprising amplicon-based NGF promoter of either exon 1 or exon 3, or both, or modifications thereof. Amplicons of the present invention differ slightly from previous examples of amplicons, where the amplicon is used to express a gene of interest. As used herein, an amplicon is a vector where the endogenous viral promoter is substituted with all or part of either human NGF promoter of exon 1 or 3, or both exons 1 and 3, or hybrids thereof, and optionally include all or part of NGF gene exons. Embodiments of the animal models of the present invention are as follows:

[0141] 1. A nonhuman animal comprising human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0142] 2. The animal according to 1, comprising a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0143] 3. The animal according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0144] 4. The animal according to 2, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter to 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0145] 5. The animal according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0146] 6. The animal according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846 or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, or modified therefrom.

[0147] 7. The animal according to 6, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a consensus binding motif is selected from the group consisting of AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, AP5, E4TF1, CTF/NF-1, NF-KB, TFIID, TFIIIRA, p53, GM-CSF or NF IL-6.

[0148] 8. The animal according to 6, wherein the consensus binding motif comprises a CAAT box or TATA box.

[0149] 9. The animal according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an enhancer sequence, repressor sequence or consensus binding motif for a transcription activating factor.

[0150] 10. The animal according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a natural or a modified derivative of deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid.

[0151] 11. The animal according to 1, wherein the animal is transgenic.

[0152] The invention includes methods and assays for a compound capable of modifying human nerve growth factor regulation. A preferred embodiment of a method is contacting a compound with human NGF exon 1 promoter, exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modification thereof. A more preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a vector comprising a modified form of human NGF exon 1 promoter or exon 3 promoter, fragment thereof, or modification thereof, such as one comprising a deletion of one or more consensus binding motif or other modification, such as a modified lariat site, altered splice donor site or splice acceptor site, or combinations thereof, cells containing such vectors comprising such vectors and assays using such cells. Embodiments of assay methods are as follows:

[0153] 1. A method of identifying a compound capable of modifying human nerve growth factor regulation, comprising administering a compound to a cell, wherein the cell comprises a vector which comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0154] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the vector comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0155] 3. The method according to 2, wherein the vector comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0156] 4. The method according to 2, wherein the vector comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

[0157] 5. The method according to 1, wherein the vector comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof , or modified form thereof.

[0158] 6. The method according to 1, wherein the vector comprises a consensus binding motif from human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof , or modified form thereof.

[0159] 7. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter is operably linked to a gene encoding a selectable protein.

[0160] 8. The method according to 7, wherein the selectable protein confers antimicrobial resistance.

[0161] 9. The method according to 8, wherein the antimicrobial resistance is to neomycin, sulfonamide, penicillin, cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, tetracyclin, or modified forms thereof

[0162] 10. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter is operably linked to a gene conferring a phenotypic or genotypic modification.

[0163] 11. The method according to 1, wherein the modification alters a biological pathway.

[0164] 12. The method according to 10, wherein the modification confers resistance to a cytotoxin.

[0165] 13. The method according to 12, wherein the cytotoxin is an exogenous compound,

[0166] 14. The method according to 13, wherein the exogenous compound is an antibiotic, inorganic compound or organic compound.

[0167] 15. The method according to 1, wherein the promoter is operably linked to a reporter gene.

[0168] 16. The method according to 15, wherein the expression of the reporter gene is detected.

[0169] 17. The method according to 16, wherein the expression is detected by fluorescence, immunological assay, enzymological assay, or modifications thereof.

[0170] 18. The method according to 16, wherein the reporter gene confers detectable or selectable phenotypic change.

[0171] 19. The method according to 10, wherein the reporter gene is a protein which is capable of fluorescence.

[0172] 20. The method according to 19, wherein the gene is a luciferase or green fluorescent protein or modified form thereof.

[0173] 21. The method according to 17, wherein the expression is detected by an immunological assay, or modification thereof.

[0174] 22. The method according to 17, wherein the expression is detected by an enzymological assay, or modification thereof.

[0175] 23. The method according to 22, wherein the enzymological assay is a enzyme based reporter system, or modification thereof.

[0176] 24. The method according to 23, wherein the enzymological assay is based on luciferase placental alkaline phosphatase or β-galactosidase, or modifications thereof.

[0177] The present invention is also directed to a method for identifying compounds capable of modifying transcription of human NGF. Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of characterizing a compound capable of modifying initiation of transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter. More preferred embodiments of the invention are as follows:

[0178] 1. A method for identifying a compound capable of modifying transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter, comprising contacting a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof, with a compound and detecting modification of initiation of transcription.

[0179] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the cell is suitable for high throughput screening.

[0180] 3. The method according to 1, wherein the high throughput screening permits simultaneous evaluation of multiple compounds.

[0181] 4. The method according to 1, wherein administration or detection is partially or fully automated.

[0182] 5. The method according to 4, wherein administration of compound is automated.

[0183] 6. The method according to 4, wherein detection is automated.

[0184] 7. The method according to 1, wherein detection is based on expression of a reporter gene.

[0185] 8. The method according to 7, wherein the reporter gene is luciferace, green fluorescent protein, modified form thereof, β-galactosidase, or placental alkaline phosphatase.

[0186] 9. The method according to 8, wherein the reporter gene is luciferase.

[0187] 10. The method according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is in pGL3neo.

[0188] The present invention is also directed to a method for characterizing compounds capable of modifying transcription of human NGF. Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of characterizing a compound capable of modifying initiation of transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter. More preferred embodiments of the invention are as follows:

[0189] 1. A method of characterizing a compound capable of modifying transcription of human nerve growth factor, comprising contacting a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof, with a compound and detecting modification of transcription.

[0190] 2. The method according to 1, wherein the cell is suitable for high throughput screening.

[0191] 3. The method according to 1, wherein the high throughput screening permits simultaneous evaluation of multiple compounds.

[0192] 4. The method according to 1, wherein administration or detection is partially or fully automated.

[0193] 5. The method according to 4, wherein administration of compound is automated.

[0194] 6. The method according to 4, wherein detection is automated.

[0195] 7. The method according to 1, wherein detection is based on expression of a reporter gene.

[0196] 8. The method according to 7, wherein the reporter gene is luciferace, green fluorescent protein, modified form thereof, β-galactosidase, or placental alkaline phosphatase.

[0197] 9. The method according to 8, wherein the reporter gene is luciferase.

[0198] 10. The method according to 1, wherein the nucleic acid is in pGL3neo.

[0199] 11. The method according to 1, wherein a mechanism of action of the compound is determined.

[0200] 12. The method according to 1, wherein a dose response relationship is determined.

[0201] The present invention is also directed to a compound capable of modifying transcription of human NGF. Preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a compound capable of modifying initiation of transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter. More preferred embodiments of the invention are as follows:

[0202] 1. A compound capable of binding to a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.

[0203] 2. The compound according to 1, wherein the compound is capable of binding to human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.

[0204] 3. The compound according to 2, wherein the compound is capable of binding to human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.

[0205] 4. The compound according to claim 2, wherein the compound is capable of binding to human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 2274-2846, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.

[0206] 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is capable of binding to human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.

[0207] 6. A compound capable of modifying human nerve growth f actor expression by directly or indirectly interacting with nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof or modification thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

Summary of Strategy to Identify Human Nerve Growth Factor Exon 1 and Exon 3 Promoters

[0208] A brief description of the cloning strategies used to develop the cell lines described in Table 1 is provided.

[0209] DNA for the human nerve growth factor exon 3 clones was originally identified by PCR screening a human P1 genomic library (clone 0095-B8, Genome Systems). A ˜6600 bp fragment containing exon 3 was cloned into a pBS SK+ vector to yield the plasmid identified as pBSEx3. A 4329 bp fragment was isolated from the insert in pBSEx3 and subcloned into a pGL2 enhancer vector (Promega) and a pGL3 basic vector (Promega) to yield clones identified as pGL2Ex3 and pGL3Ex3, respectively. The pGL2Ex3 was transfected into mouse L929 cells and the pGL3Ex3 vector was transfected into human UC11 cells to generate the data in Table 1.

[0210] DNA for the human nerve growth factor exon 1 clones was originally identified by PCR screening a human P1 genomic library (clone 1226-G9, Genome Systems). A ˜14,000 bp fragment containing exon 1 was cloned into a pBS SK+ vector to yield the plasmid identified as pBSEx1. Two overlapping fragments were isolated from the insert in pBSEx1 and subcloned into a pGL3neo vector. The largest construct containing human nerve growth factor exon 1 is 2846 bp and is identified as pNE1KS. The second subclone from pBSEx1, identified as pNE1KE, contains the same 5′ end as pNE1KS and is truncated on the 3′ end in exon 1, resulting in an insert that is 2234 bp. pNE1KS and pNE1KE were transfected into mouse L929 cells and human UC 11 cells to generate the data in Table 1.

TABLE 1
PLASMID & CELL LINE CHARACTERIZATION
	L929 Mouse
		Exon 1		UC11 Human
	Exon 34	KE5	Exon 1 KS5	Exon 34	Exon 1 KE6	Exon 1 KS6
INSERT SIZE	4329 bp	2234 bp	2846 bp	4329 bp	2234 bp	2846 bp
TRANSTECTING	pGL2 Ex3	pNE1 KE	pNE1 KS	pGL3Ex3	pNE1 KE	pNE1 KS
PLASMID
CLONING VECTOR	pGL2	pGL3 neo	pGL3 neo	pGL3	pGL3 neo	pGL3 neo
	Enhancer			basic
HUMAN P1 CLONE	0095-B8	1226-G9	1226-G9	0095-B8	1226-G9	1226-G9
COTRANSFECTION	pCDNA3	NONE	NONE	pCDNA3	NONE	NONE
VECTOR
NOVEL	1-1877	1-1786	1-1786	1-1877	1-1786	1-1786
SEQUENCE			2274-2846			2274-2846
SERUM1	3.75 ±	1.30 ±	0.72 ± 0.08	2.48 ±	1.61 ± 0.13	1.06 ± 0.09
	0.34*	0.21		0.18*
PMA2	1.13 ± 0.11	1.28 ±	0.57 ± 0.05	3.48 ±	2.09 ±	0.55 ± 0.07**
		0.11		0.18**	0.23**
CALCITRIOL3	0.73 ±	0.71 ±	0.67 ±	0.98 ±	1.01 ± 0.23	0.86 ± 0.03**
	0.07**	0.05*	0.05**	0.05
Remarks:
Fold induction over vehicle controls without serum, after serum deprivation for 48-56 hours Analyzed used Student's t test for paired samples with p < 0.05 considered significantly different from control (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01)
1Serum - 10% horse serum, 18 hr
2PMA - 1 μM, 18 hr
3Calcitriol - 10 nM, 18 hr
4Fold induction mean ± SEM from 1 cell line n = 11-17
5Fold induction mean ± SEM from 6 cell lines in duplicate
6Fold induction mean ± SEM from 6 cell lines in triplicate

[0211] Oligonucleotides and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

[0212] Oligonucleotides used to screen a genomic P1 library (Genome Systems, St. Louis, Mo.) for clones containing the area of interest as well as internal oligonucleotides used in restriction digestion analysis to locate appropriately sized regions to subclone are provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2
Oligonucleotides Used in Cloning Human NGF Promoter Regions
ID #	Species1	Sequence (5′-3′)	SEQUENCE	Location
1	Mouse	CTTCCTGGGCTCTAATGATGC	ID NO. 1	exon 3A
2	Mouse	ATAGAAAGCTGCGTCCTTGGC	ID NO. 2	exon 3B
3	Human	GGTAAAACTGTTATTGGGTCCG	ID NO. 3	exon 3B
4	Human	CCAGTGGGTTTCCCTTTGACC	ID NO. 4	exon 1
5	Human	TCTCTGCTGTGCCGGAGC	ID NO. 5	exon 1
1Species indicates the species to which the sequence is homologous. Mouse oligonucleotides were found to be cross reactive to human DNA.

[0213] Primers #4 and #5 (in Table 2) were used to amplify sequence from human NGF exon 1 and primers #1 and #2 were used for exon 3 identification. Each oligonucleotide (400 nM) was used in separate reactions for exon 1 and exon 3. Template for these reactions was {fraction (1/40)} the DNA from each P1 mini-prep described below. The reaction also contained 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.3, 50 mM KCl, 3 mM MgCl2, 250 μM each dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP, and 2.5 U Taq DNA polymerase (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, Conn.) in 100 μl final volume with a drop of mineral oil to reduce condensation. Amplification was carried out using a Perkin Elmer 460 thermocycler programmed to 95° C. for 5 min and then cycled through 95° C., 30 s; 60° C., 30 s; 72° C., 1 min for 35 cycles. Control reactions were set up containing 500 ng of human genomic DNA as a positive template for the PCR reaction. The oligonucleotide #4 to human NGF exon 1, and #3 to exon 3B were end labeled to locate fragments containing exon 1 or 3 in blots of restriction digests and subcloned DNA.

[0214] Exon 1 Promoter Isolation

[0215] Two primers, #4 and #5 (Table 2), designed to amplify human NGF exon 1, identified three genomic clones, all of which contained exon 1. One of these clones, Clone #1226-G9, was digested with Kpn I to yield a 14 kb band which was ligated into the Kpn I site of pBS II SK+. This clone was digested with either KpnI/Eco47 III or KpnI/SmaI, and ligated into pGL3 neo to create plasmids referred to as pNE1KE, which is a truncated portion of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1 to 2234 bp insert, of the following sequence and pNE1KS which contains a 2846 bp insert of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter of 1 to 2846 SEQUENCE ID NO. 6 of the following sequence in Table 3.

TABLE 3
DNA SEQUENCE OF HUMAN NERVE GROWTH FACTOR EXON 1 PROMOTER
GGTACCACTG CCAGCACACA GTGCCTGGCA TATGGTAGGC TCTCAATCAA 50
TAATCTTTGG AGTATTTTTG TGTTTGTTGT TTACATGTTC TTATTTACTC 100
AAGATCCTTG AAGTCCAGGG ACAGAAATAG AGGTAGTTAG GGGCAGAAAG 150
GAGCTCTTAT TAAATCAACA TGTGCAAGAA GAATATGACC AACAATTTAG 200
GGGGTGAGGA TGGAGCATAT AAGCAAACTT ATAATCTGCT TACATCACTT 250
AAAGTTTCCC CCTTACATAC CACATGGAAA AGAACCACAA GTGTCCCAAA 300
TCCTTTTGTC CTTCTGAATG ATGCCACAAG AACACATACA AATGCTCTGC 350
ATTCAACAAC CAAATTCTCT GTTATTCTAA AAGTTTAATT TCATACCCAA 400
ATTCTCAGGC AGCTATTATG TAAGGCTTGG GGCTAGTGCT TTCCAAACAA 450
GTTTATACAT GACATGATTG ATGGATGAAT TCATCCTGTT ATCTGGAAAT 500
TCTTTTGTTT AATTGACGAT GATAAATTTC CTAATGGATC ACCTCGACTA 550
TGATACTACT TTTGTAGAAA GGGCCATTCA CGGTGTTCCC TGGCCTCTTG 600
CCCTCACTTC CAAAGTGTGT TCATACACCA GCCTGTATCT GAACAAGTCA 650
GAAGTGGACA AGCCTAAGGC TGGGAAACAA CAAGGTCACA CCAAAGCTAA 700
GGCTGACTTC CAATTCCAGG GCTTTTTGCC TATTTCATCC TTCTCAGAGC 750
ATGTGTAAAT GGAATGAACT TTCTTATGGG AGCAAACGTG AAAATAGAAA 800
GAAGTAAGAC CTCAAGACTA ATCTGAATCA AGGGAGTTGG AAATGCCTAG 850
TCAGGGCTTC ATCTTGCTCA AGTGCCATCC ATTAAGGGTA AATGACCACC 900
CCCAGACTTA GGACAGGAAT CATCTGCTTC ACTAAATCCC AGTTCCCTGG 950
AGGGTGCCCT TCTGCTAAGT TGCACTGGCT GGTGTTACCA GCAATAGGGA 1000
GATTCTGTGC CCCACCTTCC CTCCCTGTTA CTCTCCTCAC ACCTACTTCT 1050
CCTCTGTGGC ATCCATACAG GGTAGGGGTC CAACCCACCT TTGCTATAGG 1100
AAGAAGCGAA GGCACAGACA AGCTCAACAC GGGAGGGAGT GGGGCTGTAA 1150
ATTTCCAAAG AGCTACGAAT CCCCTGGAAT GCTACAATTA ATGATGCACA 1200
TTTGGTGACA AATTTGACTT CAGGGGTATT TCTCCCTTGC TCATTTTATG 1250
CTGGGGTGGG AACAGCCCTG GCAGAGGGGC AGGGGAAAGT CAGGCAAGCT 1300
CTCCTGTCAG GCTGAATCGA GGGAACTCAA GAAATTTTGA AGGGTCAGGA 1350
AGAATTTGTG TGGGGCCTGG AGTGTGGAGA GGGGGGCATG GGGGCCTAGG 1400
GTTTGCTGGC TATATCAGTC TGGGGTCACA GACCCCTTGC AAAACTGATG 1450
AAAGCTGCGG ACCTTCAGCT CAGAAAAGAA TATTAGCATT GCACACAGTC 1500
GCGCAAATCA GCCTACAGTT TCAGAGGGGC CAAGGACTCC GGGAAGTTCC 1550
TGGAACCCAG GGCCTTAAGT TAAGGTCCCG GCTCTAGCTC CTGACTCCTG 1600
AAGTCCTCTG CCCCTTGTCC CCATGCTGGA CTTGCCGGGC CTGGGGGCCT 1650
TCTAGCTGGT TCTGCAGCCG CCTTCCCTTG TCAGAGGAGC TTGGGCACCT 1700
GCCCCTCGCG GAGCTCCCCC TGGGTGCTCA CCTATCCTGG GATAAGGAAA 1750
GGCGCCCCGA AGAAAAGGAG CAGCCGATGC CTGGGGCACC GAGGGCGACG 1800
CCGGGCAGAC CAGGGAGGCA CTGGCGAAGG GCAACGCGCG GGGGCAGGGC 1850
GGAGAGGTGA GGGAAGCTGC GAGCAACTCC GCCCAGCCCC AGCCAGTCGG 1900
CCCAACGACC CCTGCCGGTG CCCCAGAAAC TCCCCCTCCC GGCTTTGCGC 1950
GCGCGGCCCC TCAGACCCCA GTGGGTTTCC CTTTGACCTC TGAAGGTTTA 2000
AAGTCCTTCT CTGGCTGGGT CTGGCCAGCC CTCCAGGAGC GATCCGTCTG 2050
TAGTCCCCAG GACCCCCTCC AGCCGGGCAC CACAGCCCAG CCACAGCAGG 2100
TGCGGGGCTG GTGGTGGGGA GGGGAGGGAT GGGGGCCAGG ATTTGGAGCG 2150
TGTGACTCAG GAGTACGGGA GGAGGGGCTA AGAATTCAAG AAGCCTGTGT 2200
GAGAGCAGCT CGGCGCTCCG GCACAGCAGAGAGCGCTGGGAGCCGGAGGG 2250
GAGCGCAGCG GTGAGTCAGG CTGCCCCGAG CCGATCCCGA GAGGGGCGCA 2300
GCGCGGGCGC GGGCAGGGGT GGCTGGGCTT CGCGGGAGAG TTTGCAAGGA 2350
TACCGGTCTG GCGAGCTCTC TGGTTACCCC CGAGGCTCCC GCAGGCCGAA 2400
GAGCAGCCCG GAGAAATGTC CCGAGTGGGT GTGGGGGCGC GGGACCCTCG 2450
CGGGAGGACG AGTCGGACCG AGGGAACAGC GTTAGTTCTG GTCGTGGAGT 2500
CCCTAGTCCC AGGATGGCCT GCAGTCCAGG GAGCAGCCCT GGCGCCTGCA 2550
GAAGCCCACG GCCATGCCAG GGTCTAGCTC GAGGGCTAGA AGTGGATAAC 2600
GCGCAAGTGA GGGAGAGCGA ATGGGCGCGG AGAGGGATGC GCCGGCAGCT 2650
GGCGCGCCAG GGCGGGAGGA GTGGCGGCCA GCACCGCGGG GGGAGCGCAG 2700
AGCGCGCTGG CTGAGGTGAG CGCCGAGTAG GGAAAGTGCT GCGCGGCCCC 2750
CAGGTAGGGG GAGGAGCGGA ACGGGGCGCG CTAGACCTGG GGCAGTTCCC 2800
TCAGCGCGTC TCGGAAGGGC TGGGAGTCGT GACTGAGGGC CCCGGG 2846

[0216] Sequence of human NGF insert in pGL3neo (KS). Exon 1 sequence is underlined. KE sequence ends at base 2234.

[0217] These clones were verified by restriction mapping and contain a 1787-2273 SEQUENCE ID NO. 7 sequence previously described in Cartwright M, et al., Mol Brain Res15:67-75, 1992 and novel sequence of bases 1-1786 and 2274-2846. Novel sequence 5′ of exon 1 consists of bases 1-1786 SEQUENCE ID NO. 8, novel sequence 3′ of exon 1 consists of bases 2274-2846 SEQUENCE ID NO. 9. Exon 1 is underlined and encompasses bases 2227-2260 SEQUENCE ID NO. 10.

[0218] These clones incorporated both neomycin resistance and luciferase activity into a single vector assuring that virtually all of the transfected clones surviving in G418 media contained the exon 1 promoter region. Six cell lines from each transfection were chosen for further characterization.

[0219] Exon 3 Promoter

[0220] Exon 3 Promoter Isolation

[0221] The human P1 library was screened with cross-reactive mouse exon 3 primers, #1 and #2 (Table 2). Two clones, DMPC-HFF#1-0095-B8 and DMPC-HFF#1-0166-C12, contained exon 3. An Asp718/Pvu 1 digestion of clone #0095-B8 yielded an 6600 bp band containing exon 3. This fragment was subcloned into the Asp718 site of pBS SK+, and the resulting plasmid was referred to as pBSEx3. This clone was verified by restriction mapping and was used to generate sufficient DNA for subcloning into the luciferase expression vectors pGL2 enhancer and pGL3 basic.

[0222] Then 6600 bp from pBSEx3 DNA was digested with Hind III, which yielded a 4329 bp sequence of the NGF gene containing exon 3 and was subcloned into the pGL2 enhancer vector to create a plasmid referred to as pGL2Ex3 used for the L929 stable cell line. This clone was verified by restriction mapping and sequenced to provide the data in Table 4.

TABLE 4
DNA OF HUMAN NERVE GROWTH FACTOR EXON 3 PROMOTER
AAGCTTCCCA GAAGATTCCA AGCTACAACC AAAGTTGAGA ACCACTGCTA 50
CAGAGGATTC AGGGACAGTA GAAAGGGGGA GCCAGTGAGG TAGACAGAAT 100
GTCCCACAAA TTCTGAGTGT GGAGGGATTA GGGGGATGGT GATTGACAGA 150
GTTATCAGGT TTCAATAGCT GTGGCTAAGG CCCATTAGTC CTTGAAAAAC 200
GATCAGCAGA GGCACAGTTT CCTTAAACTA TGCATTGATT GAATTTTGAA 250
CAGTTCGCCA TTAATCAAGT TTCATGGCTG AAATTGATCA AAATATTATT 300
GATTAACCTC AGGGGTCTTA AAAAGAACCC TCTCTCCTCT AGCTCTACCA 350
GGCTCGGGGT TGGTTGGACA TGGGTTCTGA GATGATAAGT CCTAGGAGTT 400
TGGTCCAGAA GAGGGAAGAA GCCCACAACA TAACTTTGGC TGTTATATGG 450
AAAGTTACAT TCAAGCAGGT GGTCTACAGC AGTGGACTGG CTCTGGGTTG 500
GCGCTTTGTC TTTGCACTGG ATACTTCACC CCATGAGGAG GAACAAGGTG 550
GAAGCCCTAA AGCAATGGTT CTTAAACTTA TGTGACTATC AGAATCACCT 600
GCAGAGCTGG TTAAACCGCA GATTGTTGTG TTTCATTCCC AGTTTCTGAT 650
TCAGTAGGTT TGTGGTAAAA CCCAAGAATT TGCATTTCTA ACATGTTCTA 700
AGATATTACT ACAATACTAC TATGGAATCA CACTTAGAGA ACCACTGCTT 750
TAAAGCATGA AACCCAGGAC AGGGCAAGCT CTAGAAGAAG TACATCAGAC 800
TTTATTAGGA TTCCTTTGTG CCCTGTAAGA AAGAATAGAA CATGATCCTT 850
AAATGAGCTG GGATTTATTT CCATGCATTT ATCAAAAGTG TGAGAGCTGA 900
TTTCTGTTTA AGTGATTACC CTATGAAAAC AGACAGGGTT TTAAAAATAG 950
ATATGCATTT GGGTTGTTTG TCCCAATGCC TTTGCATTAG AAATTTGTAA 1000
TATTTAAATT GGATTTAATT TTAGAGCCTC AACCTTCATC AGCATGAGAC 1050
TAAAAACAAT GACAACAATA TCTATAAAAA TCATTTAGAG TTTCATTATT 1100
GTGGACAGAG AATTTCTCTC TGCAGTAGTA AACTGCTTAT ATCAACACAG 1150
AATAAGACAA GGCCAAAGGC ATAGGAAATG CTGGACAGAG TTTCAAATAT 1200
AGCAATCAGA CATCCAGATG AGATTGGCAG GAGACCCTGG CCCTGGCATG 1250
CACCAAGGTG ACTTGGTCCA GAAATTGCAG ATACAGAGCC AGGGAATCTA 1300
TTGTGGTTGG CTTATAGTAG ACACCCGAAG AATGCAGATC TTCCTAGGAA 1350
TTGTGGAATT TTTTATTTAA ACCAAACTTC CCTCTTCTTC TAGTCATCCA 1400
AATTGGAGGC CATCCTAGCT TGTAGTGGAA TATCCAGAAT ATTTCCTGAG 1450
AAAGTCACTA TTACTTCTCT GGTTGCTCCA CTGATTAAAA GCGGAGGCTT 1500
TTTGTGTCCT ATAGGAAGAC GTTCAGTGGG CAGGCCCCAG AAGTGGGTAC 1550
TGCAAGTCTA TTAGCACCTC CTGATGTGTA AGGCCCATTC TATACTCCTC 1600
TCCCCTCCCC TACTCCTCTT GCAATGCATG GTGGACCTCC ACCCAGTTCT 1650
TGAACTCTGG GGCCTTTCCT TCCCTTCTTC CCTAATGAGC TCCTATTCAT 1700
CCTTAAGAAC CCTGCTCAGA TGTTACCTCC TCTATGAACA TGTCTCTAAC 1750
TAGTCTGGCC AGATAAAACC AATTTCTCCT TCCACTGTGT TTTCATATCA 1800
TGTCACATAT ACATCATACT TATCACACTG TACTTTAAAT GTTTATTTAT 1850
ATGCATGCCT TTTCCTATCT CTAGATTACT TGCTTTAGGA AGTTAAGTAT 1900
TATGTCTTAT TCTCCTTTGT GTCCCTAGCA CCTAACACTT AAAACAGTGG 1950
CCAGCACAGG ACCTGCAAGT TTAAGTGTTT AATTAATGAA ATAAATGAAT 2000
CCCAATTTTG GGATGAGAGA AAGCACTACT TAAGCATCTA GTAGCAATGC 2050
AGCCTGGAAA ACATTCAAAG TCACGGAATC TCAGATGATC AGAGCCAAAG 2100
GGGACCTTAG CTGTCATCTG TGCCAGCTTC TTATCCTATA GAGGAGAAAG 2150
CTCAAAGATG AAATGAATCT CCTTCTATAC AGGAGAAGCT CAGAGTGAAC 2200
TGAATCAGAA TGCGGGTGTG TGGGTTCCAG CCTGCAACCT TTCAGGTTTA 2250
GCCAAACACC CAGATGAAGG GTTTATGGAC TAGACGAAAC CATCTTCCCA 2300
TGAGTAATGG GACCAGATAA TGCCCACCTC TTACCCTGGG GACACGCCAT 2350
TCTCCCTCTC CCATGCTAAC TCCAACCCTG GGAGAGCATG AAAATGTTCT 2400
TTGTCACAGA ATGTAACCTT TTAAAGAGTG TCTGAGTATG CATTTTCATC 2450
ACTAGCCTTC AACCCCAATT GAGTATTGAA AGGTTTTTCT GGTACTTTCT 2500
GGAGCAAGAA GACTATTTTG AGCAAGATGG GAAAGGAAGA AGAATGGAGA 2550
CATCCCAGGG CTTAATTTCA TGATTTCTAG TAACTTGAAG ATCACTTTAG 2600
AGGTCCTTGC TACCTCCCCA TTCTCCAACT CCTCTTCGTG GTTGGAATTT 2650
GGGGAGCGAT GGTGGCTTTT CTGACATTTG CTTTCATAGC ACAAGCTGAG 2700
AGGGAGTTGG ATGAAGATAT GTGGTGGGGA TCCACGCTGG AAAAAGATAT 2750
CACAGGGAGA AGATTTTTTT GAAGTTGAAG AGAGAATACG GACAGGAAAG 2800
TTAAGATGTC ATTCTAGAAC TTTATTGGGA GGGCATCTCC ACCCTACAAC 2850
AAATTCTGTG ATGGACATAA TCATTCATTC ATTTATCCGT AAATATCACC 2900
CTCTTGTTCA AAGCCCTCCA CTGCCTTCCT AATATCCTGA GGATAAAACC 2950
ATAGCTCCTT GCTGTGTCTC TGTAGACCTG GCTCTTCCTG GCTCTCCAGC 3000
TCATTTTCTA GGTCTCGTTA CTTCATGCTC AGAACCTTTG TCTTGTTTCT 3050
AGCTCAGGGC CTTTGCACTT GTTCTTGCTG CCTAGAATGT TCTCTCCCTC 3100
ATTCCTTCTC ATCCTCCAGA TCTCAACTTG AAGGCCATCT CCTCAGAGCT 3150
CCTCGCTGAG CGTCCTGTCT ACAGTGGCCC CTCGATACAT CCTGCAGTTG 3200
CTCTCTATCA TCAGACCCTG TAATTGCCTT CATGGCATAT AAAGAATCTG 3250
GAGATATCTT GCTTATTTAC ACAACACTGT AAGCTCCATG AGAGCAGAGG 3300
CCTTGTTTGT CTTGTTTACT GCTGCTCAGC ACCAAAAACA GTGCCTGGCA 3350
CATAGTCGGT GCCCAGAAAA TATTGTGAAT GAATGAAGTG CCTACATAGA 3400
TTACATTATA GAAGTGAGAG GAGAATAGAA AACTTCCATT GTTTCTAGAA 3450
ACTACAGCCT AAAATTGATT TTTTAAAATT GTATCAGCTC CATAGCTTCC 3500
AATCCTAAAA TCTGCCTTTC AGTGTGGTAC TCTGAGATTC CTGTCTGATT 3550
CTGTGAGAGC TCCACATTCT CTCTCAAATG GTCAGTCTGT CTTATTTGTC 3600
ACCATTACTC ATCTGCATTT TTATCAAAGC ACCAACTTGC TCTGAATTGT 3650
CAGGGATTTT GCGTCTGTAT AAGGTATTTT AGGCTGGTTC AGAGTTGGAT 3700
CTGTTATGTC TGCATGTGTA ATGTACTGAA CAATTTCTAT TTTGATGCCA 3750
GATTAGGGAT CTGCTGGGGC AAGACTTTGG CATGTGTCTA GAAACACCTG 3800
CACTAGGTGC AAGATCAGCC ATGGACTGTG TCCAGGCTGA AACCAAAAGG 3850
TATGGCGCAA GAGTGAGAGG CAGGTGCCAC CACAGGACCA TGAGAGGCCA 3900
AGCTCCGGTA AATTTTGGTA GACCAAATTC TAGCTCCTTC CTGGGCCTTG 3950
ATGCTGGTAA AATCCCAGAA CTCAAGGAAA TGGAATTTGT CCTATTGGCA 4000
CATGCCTCCC CACTGTGTAG GGCACAGGGA ATGTGGTGAG GTACAGTCTA 4050
ATGCCAGCTC TCCCCCTCCA CAGAGTTTTG GCCAGTGGTC GTGCAGTCCA 4100
AGGGGCTGGA TGGCATGCTG GACCCAAGCT CAGCTCAGCG TCCGGACCCA 4150
ATAACAGTTT TACCAAGGGA GCAGCTTTCT ATCCTGGCCA CACTGAGGTA 4200
AGTGCCTAAG GGACCTTGGC CTTGCCAAGG TCCTCCCTCT GCAGCTGCCA 4250
GAAGCAGGAG TCCCAAGTGA CAGGACCTGA GAGGGCAAGT CAGAACCAAC 4300
TGCTGAGCAG CAGGGGCCTA GAGAAGCTT 4329

[0223] Sequence of human NGF gene insert in Hind III site of pG2 enhancer. Exon 3 sequence is underlined.

[0224] Entire sequence of the pGL2Ex3 plasmid insert is shown above SEQUENCE ID NO. 11 with the novel sequence comprised of bases 1-1877 SEQUENCE ID NO. 12. Base 1877 is equivalent to base number 1 as previously reported by Ullrich et al (accession number VO1511). Exon 3B sequence is underlined and encompasses bases 4074-4197 SEQUENCE ID NO. 13. The pGL2Ex3 plasmid was digested with Hind III and the same insert subcloned into the Hind III site of pGL3 basic vector to yield the plasmid referred to as pGL3Ex3 used for the UC11 stable cell line.

[0225] Stable transfectants of UC11 or L929 cells containing the pGL3Ex3 plasmid or the pGL2Ex3 plasmid and the G418 resistant plasmid pCDNA3, were selected on the basis of their ability to survive in media containing 600 μg/ml G418 and express luciferase activity. From these co-transfections, 34% and 36% of clones screened showed luciferase activity in L929 and UC11 cells, respectively, indicating incorporation of the exon 3 promoter region. One cell line from each transfection was selected for further evaluation and a number of assays were conducted to characterize the cell lines and test functionality of the NGF promoter region in these cells.

[0226] A luciferase-based reporter plasmid was used to investigate the nerve growth factor exon 1 and exon 3 promoters. The thymidine kinase promoter and neomycin resistance gene, excised from pMC1neo (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) using Xho I, were cloned into the Sal I cut plasmid pGL3-basic (Promega, Madison, Wis.). The resulting vector was designated “pGL3-neo” and is 5960 bp. One advantage of this vector is the dual incorporation of a selectable marker, here, neomycin resistance, and a reporter gene, here the luciferase gene. This vector avoids the necessity of co-transfection, and is stable over multiple passages and the transfected cell line maintains a high level of desired protein expression, here luciferase. Thus, this vector is particularly desirable for high-throughput assays. Another advantage is the small size, which permits relatively large insertions of the promoter or other control elements of interest. Still another advantage of this vector is that incorporation of the selectable gene and promoter, here tm-neo, affects only one of the otherwise unique restriction sites, Mlu 1, in the pGL3-basic vector. Thus, the remaining unique restriction endonuclease sites, Kpn 1, Sac I, Nhe I, Sma I, Xho I, Bgl II, and Hind III, are unaffected. Other vectors, using SV40 promoter or RSV promoter, instead of the thymidine kinase promoter, were tested. The complete sequence of pGL3-neo SEQUENCE ID NO. 14 is provided in Table 5:

TABLE 5
Sequence of pGL3-neo
GGTACCGAGCTCTTACGCGTGCTAGCCCGGGCTCGAGATCTGCGATCTAAGTAAGCTTGGCATTCCG
GTACTGTTGGTAAAGCCACCATGGAAGACGCCAAAAACATAAAGAAAGGCCCGGCGCCATTCTATC
CGCTGGAAGATGGAACCGCTGGAGAGCAACTGCATAAGGCTATGAAGAGATACGCCCTGGTTCCTG
GAACAATTGCTTTTACAGATGCAGATATCGAGGTGGACATCACTTACGCTGAGTACTTCGAATGTC
CGTTCGGTTGGCAGAAGCTATGAAACGATATGGGCTGAATACAAATCACAGAATCGTCGTATGCAG
TGAAAACTCTCTTCAATTCTTTATGCCGGTGTTGGGCGCGTTATTTATCGGAGTTGCAGTTGCGCCC
GCGAACGACATTTATAATGAACGTGAATTGCTCAACAGTATGGGCATTTCGCAGCCTACCGTGGTGT
TCGTTTCCAAAAAGGGGTTGCAAAAAATTTTGAACGTGCAAAAAAAGCTCCCAATCATCCAAAAAA
TTATTATCATGGATTCTAAAACGGATTACCAGGGATTTCAGTCGATGTACACGTTCGTCACATCTCA
TCTACCTCCCGGTTTTAATGAATACGATTTTGTGCCAGAGTCCTTCGATAGGGACAAGACAATTGCA
CTGATCATGAACTCCTCTGGATCTACTGGTCTGCCTAAAGGTGTCGCTCTGCCTCATAGAACTGCCT
GCGTGAGATTCTCGCATGCCAGAGATCCTATTTTTGGCAATCAAATCATTCCGGATACTGCGATTTT
AAGTGTTGTTCCATTCCATCACGGTTTTGGAATGTTTACTACACTCGGATATTTGATATGTGGATTTC
GAGTCGTCTTAATGTATAGATTTGAAGAAGAGCTGTTTCTGAGGAGCCTTCAGGATTACAAGATTCA
AAGTGCGCTGCTGGTGCCAACCCTATTCTCCTTCTTCGCCAAGCACTCTGATTGACAAATACGAT
TTATCTAATTTACACGAAATTGCTTCTGGTGGCGCTCCCCTCTCTAAGGAAGTCGGGGAAGCGGTTG
CCAAGAGGTTCCATCTGCCAGGTATCAGGCAAGGATATGGGCTCACTGAGACTACATCAGCTATTCT
GATTACACCCGAGGGGGATGATAACCGGGCGCGGTCGGTAAAGTTGTTCCATTTTTTGAAGCGAA
GGTTGTGGATCTGGATACCGGGAAAACGCTGGGCGTTAATCAAAGAGGCGAACTGTGTGTGAGAGG
TCCTATGATTATGTCCGGTTATGTAAACAATCCGGAAGCGACCAACGCCTTGATTGACAAGGATGG
ATGGCTACATTCTGGAGACATAGCTTACTGGGACGAAGACGAACACTTCTTCATCGTTGACCGCCTG
AAGTCTCTGATTAAGTACAAAGGCTATCAGGTGGCTCCCGCTGAATTGGAATCCATCTTGCTCCAAC
ACCCCAACATCTTCGACGCAGGTGTCGCAGGTCTTCCCGACGATGACGCCGGTGAACTTCCCGCCGC
CGTTGTTGTTTTGGAGCACGGAAAGACGATGACGGAAAAAGAGATCGTGGATTACGTCGCCAGTCA
AGTAACAACCGCGAAAGTTGCGCGGAGGAGTTGTGTTTGTGGACGAAGTACCGAAAGGTCTTAC
CGGAAAACTCGACGCAAGAAAAATCAGAGAGATCCTCATAAAGGCCAAGAAGGGCGGAAAGATCG
CCGTGTAATTCTAGAGTCGGGGCGGCCGGCCGCTTCGAGCAGACATGATAAGATACATTGATGAGT
TTGGACAAACCACAACTAGAATGCAGTGAAAAAAATGCTTTATTTGTGAAATTTGTGATGCTATTGC
TTTATTTGTAACCATTATAAGCTGCAATAAACAAGTTAACAACAACAATTGCATTCATTTTATGTTTC
AGGTTCAGGGGGAGGTGTGGGAGGTTTTTTAAAGCAAGTAAAACCTCTACAAATGTGGTAATCG
ATAAGGATCCGGCAGTGTGGTTTTGCAAGAGGAAGCAAAAAGCCTCTCCACCCAGGCCTGGAATGT
TTCCACCCAATGTCGAGCAGTGTGGTTTTGCAAGAGGAAGCAAAAAGCCTCTCCACCCAGGCCTGG
AATGTTTCCACCCAATGTCGAGCAAACCCCGCCCAGCGTCTTGTCATTGGCGAATTCGAACACGCAG
ATGCAGTCGGGGCGGCGCGGTCCCAGGTCCACTTCGCATATTAAGGTGACGCGTGTGGCCTCGAAC
ACCGAGCGACCCTGCAGCCAATATGGGATCGGCCATTGAACAAGATGGATTGCACGCAGGTTCTCC
GGCCGCTTGGGTGGAGAGGCTATTCGGCTATGACTGGGCACAACAGACAATCGGCTGCTCTGATGC
CGCCGTGTTCCGGCTGTCAGCGCAGGGGCGCCCGGTTCTTTTTGTCAAGACCGACCTGTCCGGTGCC
CTGAATGAACTGCAGGACGAGGCAGCGCGGCTATCGTGGCTGGCCACGACGGGCGTTCCTTGCGCA
GCTGTGCTCGACGTTGTCACTGAAGCGGGAAGGGACTGGCTGCTATTGGGCGAAGTGCCGGGGCAG
GATCTCCTGTCATCTCACCTTGCTCCTGCCGAGAAAGTATCCATCATGGCTGATGCAATGCGGCGGC
TGCATACGCTTGATCCGGCTACCTGCCCATTCGACCACCAAGCGAAACATCGCATCGAGCGAGCAC
GTACTCGGATGGAAGCCGGTCTTGTCGATCAGGATGATCTGGACGAAGAGCATCAGGGGCTCGCGC
CAGCCGAACTGTTCGCCAGGCTCAAGGCGCGCATGCCCGACGGCGAGGATCTCGTCGTGACCCATG
GCGATGCCTGCTTGCCGAATATCATGGTGGAAAATGGCCGCTTTTCTGGATTCATCGACTGTGGCCG
GCTGGGTGTGGCGGACCGCTATCAGGACATAGCGTTGGCTACCCGTGATATTGCTGAAGAGCTTGG
CGGCGAATGGGCTGACCGCTTCCTCGTGCTTTACGGTATCGCCGCTCCCGATTCGCAGCGCATCGCC
TTCTATCGCCTTCTTGACGAGTTCTTCTGAGGGGATCGGCAATAAAAAGACAGAATAAAACGCACG
GGTGTTGGGTCGTTTGTTCGGATCCGTCGACCGATGCCCTTGAGAGCCTTCAACCCAGTCAGCTCCT
TCCGGTGGGCGCGGGGCATGACTATCGTCGCCGCACTTATGACTGTCTTCTTTATCATGCAACTCGT
AGGACAGGTGCCGGCAGCGCTCTTCCGCTTCCTCGCTCACTGACTCGCTGCGCTCGGTCGTTCGGCT
GCGGCGAGCGGTATCAGCTCACTCAAAGGCGGTAATACGGTTATCCACAGAATCAGGGGATAACGC
AGGAAAGAACATGTGAGCAAAAGGCCAGCAAAAGGCCAGGAACCGTAAAAAGGCCGCGTTGCTGG
CGTTTTTCCATAGGCTCCGCCCCCCTGACGAGCATCACAAAAATCGACGCTCAAGTCAGAGGTGGCG
AAACCCGACAGGACTATAAAGATACCAGGCGTTTCCCCCTGGAAGCTCCCTCGTGCGCTCTCCTGTT
CCGACCCTGCCGCTTACCGGATACCTGTCCGCCTTTCTCCCTTCGGGAAGCGTGGCGCTTTCTCAAT
GCTCACGCTGTAGGTATCTCAGTTCGGTGTAGGTCGTTCGCTCCAAGCTGGGCTGTGTGCACGAACC
CCCCGTTCAGCCCGACCGCTGCGCCTTATCCGGTAACTATCGTCTTGAGTCCAACCCGGTAAGACAC
GACTTATCGCCACTGGCAGCAGCCACTGGTAACAGGATTAGCAGAGCGAGGTATGTAGGCGGTGCT
ACAGAGTTCTTGAAGTGGTGGCCTAACTACGGCTACACTAGAAGGACAGTATTTGGTATCTGCGCTC
TGCTGAAGCCAGTTACCTTCGGAAAAAGAGTTGGTAGCTCTTGATCCGGCAAACAAACCACCGCTG
GTAGCGGTGGTTTTTTTGTTTGCAAGCAGCAGATTACGCGCAGAAAAAAAGGATCTCAAGAAGATC
CTTTGATCTTTTCTACGGGGTCTGACGCTCAGTGGAACGAAAACTCACGTTAAGGGATTTTGGTCAT
GAGATTATCAAAAAGGATCTTCACCTAGATCCTTTTAAATTAAAAATGAAGTTTTAAATCAATCTAA
AGTATATATGAGTAAACTTGGTCTGACAGTTACCAATGCTTAATCAGTGAGGCACCTATCTCAGCGA
TCTGTCTATTTCGTTCATCCATAGTTGCCTGACTCCCCGTCGTGTAGATAACTACGATACGGGAGGG
CTTACCATCTGGCCCCAGTGCTGCAATGATACCGCGAGACCCACGCTCACCGGCTCCAGATTTATCA
GCAATAAACCAGCCAGCCGGAAGGGCCGAGCGCAGAAGTGGTCCTGCAACTTTATCCGCCTCCATC
CAGTCTATTAATTGTTGCCGGGAAGCTAGAGTAAGTAGTTCGCCAGTTAATAGTTTGCGCAACGTTG
TTGCCATTGCTACAGGCATCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTCGTTTGGTATGGCTTCATTCAGCTCCGGTTC
CCAACGATCAAGGCGAGTTACATGATCCCCCATGTTGTGCAAAAAAGCGGTTAGCTCCTTCGGTCCT
CCGATCGTTGTCAGAAGTAAGTTGGCCGCAGTGTTATCACTCATGGTTATGGCAGCACTGCATAATT
CTCTTACTGTCATGCCATCCGTAAGATGCTTTTCTGTGACTGGTGAGTACTCAACCAAGTCATTCTG
AGAATAGTGTATGCGGCGACCGAGTTGCTCTTGCCCGGCGTCAATACGGGATAATACCGCGCCACA
TAGCAGAACTTTAAAAGTGCTCATCATTGGAAAACGTTCTTCGGGGCGAAAAACTCTCAAGGATCTTA
CCGCTGTTGAGATCCAGTTCGATGTAACCCACTCGTGCACCCAACTGATCTTCAGCATCTTTTACTTT
CACCAGCGTTTCTGGGTGAGCAAAAACAGGAAGGCAAAATGCCGCAAAAAAGGGAATAAGGGCGA
CACGGAAATGTTGAATACTCATACTCTTCCTTTTTCAATATTATTGAAGCATTTATCAGGGTTATTGT
CTCATGAGCGGATACATATTTGAATGTATTTAGAAAAATAAACAAATAGGGGTTCCGCGCACATTTC
CCCGAAAAGTGCCACCTGACGCGCCCTGTAGCGGCGCATTAAGCGCGGCGGGTGTGGTGGTTACGC
GCAGCGTGACCGCTACACTTGCCAGCGCCCTAGCGCCCGCTCCTTTCGCTTTCTTCCCTTCCTTTCTC
GCCACGTTCGCCGGCTTTCCCCGTCAAGCTCTAAATCGGGGGCTCCCTTTAGGGTTCCGATTTAGTG
CTTTACGGCACCTCGACCCCAAAAAACTTGATTAGGGTGATGGTTCACGTAGTGGGCCATCGCCCTG
ATAGACGGTTTTTCGCCCTTTGACGTTGGAGTCCACGTTCTTTAATAGTGGACTCTTGTTCCAACTG
GAACAACACTCAACCCTATCTCGGTCTATTCTTTTGATTTATAAGGGATTTTGCCGATTTCGGCCTAT
TGGTTAAAAAATGAGCTGATTTAACAAAATTTAACGCGAATTTTAACAAAATATTAACGTTTACAA
TTTCCCATTCGCCATTCAGGCTGCGCAACTGTTGGGAAGGGCGATCGGTGCGGGCCTCTTCGCTATT
ACGCCAGCCCAAGCTACCATGATAAGTAAGTAATATTAAGGTACGGGAGGTACTTGGAGCGGCCGC
AATAAAATATCTTTATTTTCATTACATCTGTGTGTTGGTTTTTTGTGTGAATCGATAGTACTAACATA
CGCTCTCCATCAAAACAAAACGAAACAAAACAAACTAGCAAAATAGGCTGTCCCCAGTGCAAGTGC
AGGTGCCAGAACATTTCTCTATCGATA

EXAMPLE 2

[0227] Protocol to Amplify P1 Genomic DNA

[0228] Glycerol stocks of bacterial cells containing P1 genomic DNA (Genome Systems) were used to inoculate Luria Broth (LB) containing 25 μg/ml kanamycin. The cultures were grown overnight at 37° C. and mini preps prepared by a modified alkaline lysis method as recommended by the manufacturer. DNA was used within 24 hours for restriction analysis or stored in small aliquots at −20° C. to avoid repeated thawing and freezing. For DNA subcloning, 20 mls of overnight culture were processed as 1.5 ml aliquots, pooled, digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes and size fractionated on a gel.

EXAMPLE 3

[0229] Subcloning of P1 Fragments

[0230] To isolate DNA for restriction digestion analysis and locate an appropriately sized piece for subcloning, the P1 DNA was size fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the gel was soaked in 0.2 N HCl for 10 min, rinsed in distilled H2O, denatured in 0.5 N NaOH/1.5 M NaCl 2 times, 15 minutes each and neutralized in 1.5 M NaCl/1M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) 2 times, 15 minutes each. DNA was transferred onto Nytran membranes (Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, N.H.) by downward capillary action for 1-3 hours. When an appropriate fragment was identified by hybridization, a duplicate FIGE gel was run and the band excised from the agarose gel and purified for ligation using Geneclean (Bio 101, La Jolla, Calif.).

[0231] Labeling Oligonucleotides for Probes

[0232] End-labeling of oligonucleotides as probes for exon 3, was performed using γ[32P] ATP (Amersham, Arlington Heights, Ill.), specific activity>5000 Ci/mmol, in a 2:1 pmol ratio with oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide was denatured by placing in boiling water for 2 minutes, then mixed with the radioactive ATP and dried in a vacuum desiccator. The mix was resuspended in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.6), 10 mM MgCl2, 5 mM DTT, 10 units T4 polynucleotide kinase (PNK) (Gibco/BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) and the reaction incubated at 37° C. After 1 hour another 10 units T4 PNK was added and the reaction continued another hour. The unincorporated ATP was removed with a select-D, G-25 column (5 Prime-3 Prime, West Chester, Pa.) according to manufacturers instructions. Non-radioactive exon 1 oligonucleotide probes were labeled using ECL 3′ oligolabeling protocol recommended by the manufacturer (Amersham).

[0233] Hybridization Conditions

[0234] Hybridization of exon 3 blots was carried out by first pre-hybridizing blots in 6× SSC, 5× Denhart's, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 0.5% SDS, 0.2 M NaPO4 (pH 7.0), at 50° C. for 3-6 hours. Fresh hybridization solution identical to pre-hybridization solution but including 10% dextran sulfate and ˜10 ng/ml end labeled oligonucleotide was incubated with the blots at 50° C. for 15-18 hours. The blots were washed with 6× SSC/0.5% SDS at 52° C. 2 times quickly, then 2 times 15 min each. Wash solution was replaced with 2× SSC/0.5 % SDS, and blots washed for 15 min more at 52° C. Hybridization and washing of the exon 1 blots was done as recommended by the manufacturer with the more stringent wash being completed at 45° C. To detect the signal, radioactive blots were placed on a phosphorimager screen for 5-24 hours and scanned by a Molecular Dynamics SF phosphorimager using ImageQuant software analysis (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.). ECL screened blots were placed on film (Hyperfilm ECL, Amersham) for 10 to 30 minutes.

[0235] Ligation and Transformation Conditions

[0236] Vector DNA (5 μg, pBS SK+ (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.), pGL2 Enhancer, pGL3 basic (Promega, Madison, Wis.), or pGL3 neo) was digested with the appropriate restriction endonuclease and incubated with 25-50 units calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (Gibco/BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) to remove the 5′ phosphate group and reduce self-ligation. The reaction was carried out in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.5), 0.1 mM EDTA at 37° C. for 30 minutes. The DNA was run on a 1% agarose gel (Ultrapure agarose, Gibco/BRL) at 80-100 volts, and the linearized band excised and purified with Geneclean. Both insert and vector DNA were diluted to ˜50 ng/μl and ligated in a 3:1 ratio for 15-18 hours at 14° C. in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH7.6), 10 mM MgCl2, 1 mM ATP, 1 mM DTT, 5% polyethylene glycol-8000 with 0.5 units T4 ligase.

[0237] Transformation was carried out by mixing 50 μl of maximum efficiency DH5α cells (Gibco/BRL) with 2 μl of undiluted ligation reaction mix on ice for 30 minutes. The cells were heat shocked 40 sec at 42° C., returned to ice for 2 min and 950 μl SOC media was added to begin recovery. The cells were shaken at 225 rpm in SOC at 37° C. for 1 hour and 200 μl of this suspension was spread on an agar plate containing 50 μg/ml ampicillin. Agar plates were incubated at 37° C. overnight for growth of colonies. Clones containing the appropriate plasmid insert were identified by restriction analysis and confirmed by sequencing.

EXAMPLE 5

[0238] Cell Culture

[0239] (All cell culture reagents were from Gibco/BRL (Gaithersburg, Md.) unless otherwise noted.)

[0240] L929 mouse fibroblast cells (ATCC, Rockville, Md.) were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% horse serum, penicillin (50 μg/ml), streptomycin (50 μg/ml), neomycin (100 μg/ml), and glutamine (1 mM). Cells were maintained at 37° C. in 5% CO2, fed every 3-4 days and passaged once per week. When serum free media was used before luciferase assays, it contained DMEM:Ham's F12 (3:1), insulin (5 μg/ml), transferring (5 μg/ml), sodium selenite (5 ng/ml), penicillin (50 μg/ml), streptomycin (50 μg/ml), neomycin (100 μg/ml) and glutamine (1 mM).

[0241] UC11 human astrocytoma cells (Liwnicz, et. al. 1986) were grown in RPMI 1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 20 mM HEPES, penicillin (50 μg/ml), streptomycin (50 μg/ml), neomycin (100 μg/ml), and glutamine (1 mM). Cells were maintained at 37° C. in 5% CO2, fed every 3-4 days and passaged once per week. When serum free media was used before luciferase assays, it contained RPMI:Ham's F12 (3:1), 20 mM HEPES, insulin (5 μg/ml), transferring (5 μg/ml), sodium selenite (5 ng/ml), penicillin (50 μg/ml), streptomycin (50 μg/ml), neomycin (100 μg/ml) and glutamine (1 mM).

[0242] Since geneticin (G418) resistance would be used as a selection tool, a G418 concentration curve was done and it was determined that 600 μg/ml was the minimum concentration G418 necessary to kill all the wild type cells in 13 days.

EXAMPLE 6

[0243] Stable Transfections

[0244] Exon 1 clones were prepared by electroporation of 10 μg pNE1KE or pNE1KS DNA into 5×106 L929 or UC11 cells. The exon 3 clones required co-transfection with pCDNA3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) containing the neomycin resistance gene which confers G418 resistance allowing selection of transfectants. For exon 3 clones, L929 cells were electroporated with 10 μg pGL2Ex3 DNA and 1 μg pCDNA3 and UC11 cells were electroporated with 10 μg pGL3Ex3 DNA and 1 μg pCDNA3. All plasmids were linearized with Xho l prior to electroporation according to the procedure outlined below.

[0245] On day 1 electroporation was carried out by placing cells and DNA in 1 ml Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and pre-incubating on ice for 5 min. Current was applied at room temperature at 750 V for 9 msec. Cells remained in the chamber for a 2 minute recovery phase, were resuspended in normal L929 or UC11 media, and plated in a 100 mm dish.

[0246] On day 3, cells were split 1:10 with trypsin and replated into 100 mm dishes in media containing 400 μg/ml G418. The concentration of G418 was increased by feeding cells every other day with media containing 600 μg/ml G418, 800 μg/ml G418, and back to 600 μg/ml G418. Media containing 600 μg/ml G418 was then replaced every 3-4 days until individual colonies of cells could be seen and harvested. Cells were harvested by removing media from plate, and scraping the cells from the dish using a drop of trypsin and a pipette tip.

EXAMPLE 7

[0247] Luciferase Assay

[0248] Cells were plated at 5,000 cells/well in 96 well dishes in serum containing media described above. The next day cells were washed twice and incubated for an additional 48-56 hours in serum free media. Cells were treated with 1 μM PMA, 10 nM calcitriol or 10% horse serum and luciferase activity was determined 18 hours later using a Promega kit (catalog #E1500). Briefly, media was aspirated and cells were lysed in 200 μl cell lysis buffer (containing 25 mM Tris-phosphate, pH 7.8, 2 mM DTT, 2 mM 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′N′-tetraacetic acid, 10% glycerol, 1% triton X-100). 100 μl cell/buffer solution was transferred to a white Dynatech microlite 2, 96 well dish. Luciferase activity was detected in a MicroLumat LB 96 P luminometer (Wallac Inc, Gaithersburg, Md.) for 10 seconds following automatic injection of 100 μl 470 μM luciferin.

EXAMPLE 8

[0249] Consensus binding motifs in the sequences human nerve growth factor exon 1 and exon 3 promoters were determined using MacVector, Ver 4.0, (IBI, Inc, New Haven, Conn.) . Putative consensus sequences were scanned for relatively high fidelity to the consensus binding motif and are preferred consensus binding motifs in human nerve growth factor exon 1 and exon 3 promoters.

[0250] Table 6 provides a partial list of consensus binding motifs.

TABLE 6
CONSENSUS BINDING MOTIFS IN HUMAN NERVE GROWTH FACTOR EXON 1 AND 3 PROMOTERS
			Beginning of
			Consensus binding
		Beginning of Consensus	motif in NGF exon 3
		binding motif in NGF	promoter
	Consensus binding motif	exon 1 promoter	Note: +/− indicates location
	Note: consensus sequence in	Note: +/− indicates location on	on positive or negative	Literature
Name	parentheses	positive or negative strand	strand	Reference
E2F	(TTTCGCGC)	+1945		EMBO J 6:2061,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 15			1987
AP1	(TKASTMA)	+95, −192, −821 , +824,	+185, +261 , −306, −589	Cell 49:741,
immediate early	SEQUENCE ID NO. 16	−830, 847, −1212, −1598,	+647, −653, −1053,	1987
gene response		+2153, −2159, +2262,	+1390, −1488, +2201,
element		−2268, 2836	−2207, −2307, +2400,
		+3595, +3605, +4328,
			−267, +300, −1396,
			+1482, +2301, −3611
AP2	(CCSCRGGC)	−1646, −1786, +2389		Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 17			20:3, 1992
AP3	(TGTGGWWW)	−274, +1370	+661, +1352, +116,	Nuc Acids Res
protein kinase C	SEQUENCE ID NO. 18		−1608, +2472	20:3, 1992;
responsive element				Nature 329:648,
				1987
AP4	(CAGCTGTGG)	−293, +649, −699,	−37, −50, +166, −171,	Genes Dev
protein kinase C	SEQUENCE ID NO. 19	+1051, +1263, +1452,	+204, +477, −482,	2:267, 1988
responsive element		−2088, −2099, +2097,	−609, −750, +1583,
	−2229, +2256, +2314,	−2113, +2115, −2957,
		+2534, +2646, −2651	−3948, +3761, +3816,
			−4247, −4305, +4308
AP5	(CTGTGGAATG)	−275, −359, +1054, +1172,	+480, +720, +1351,	EMBO J 8:1455,
immediate early	SEQUENCE ID NO. 20	−1496	−1787, +3714, +3775,	1989
gene response			−4073
element
APRT	(GCCCCACC)	+1009		Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 21			8:2536, 1988
ISRE	(GGGAAATAGAAAST)	+789, +1823, −1987	+3240, −3745, +3974	Genes Dev
interferon stimulated	SEQUENCE ID NO. 22			2:383, 1988
response element
E2aE	(TGGGAATT)	−407, +494, −941, −1157	−641, +859, +1345,	Nucleic-Acids-
adenovirus promoter	SEQUENCE ID NO. 23		−2326, +2642, −3967	Res. 1991 Dec
element				11; 19(23):
				6579-86
E4TF1	(GGAAGTG)	−12, −611, +650, −711, −717,	+1174, +1347, −1381,	EMBO-J. 1994
ets-related	SEQUENCE ID NO. 24	+839, −946, +1135,	+1539, −1571, +1888,	Mar 15; 13(6):
transcription factor		+1542, +2588, +2603,	−2925, −2988, +3384,	1396-402
binding site,		+2732, −2799, +2813	+3410, −3437,
possibly linked to			+3976, +4198
Down's syndrome
CTF/NF-1	(TTGGCT(N3)AGCCAA)	+275, −287, −603, +700,	+172, −184, −287, −449,
RNA polymerase II	SEQUENCE ID NO. 25	−1069, +1075, −1281,	−511, +662, −1237,
recognition domain	+1547, −1704, −1834,	−1256, −1320, +1362,
and initiation site		+2126, −2527, −2684	−1416, +2085, −2233,
for DNA replication			+2242, −2349, +2722,
			−2734, +3322, −3358,
			−3790, −4091
CRE	(CGTCA)	−518		Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 26			Sci USA
				85:6662, 1988
CRFEII 1at	(ATTGG)	−714	−977, +1008, +1223,	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 27		+1402, −1773	15:7761, 1987
NF-Y tk	(CCAAT)	+710	+973, −1012, −1227,	Cell 50:863,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 28		−1406, +1769	1987
NF-Y MCHII	(ATTGG)	−714	−977, +1008, +1223,	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 29		+1402, −1773	Sci USA
				84:6249, 1987
uteroglobin locus	(RYYWSGTG)	+1200	−1936, +3802, +4326	Nuc Acids Res
steroid hormone	SEQUENCE ID NO. 30			15:4535, 1987
receptor binding site
CAAT box	(GGYCAATCT)	+572, +816, −1531, −1696,	−1229, +3580, +3896	Nuc Acids Res
transcription	SEQUENCE ID NO. 31	−2519, +2571		14:10009, 1986
element associated
with RNA initiation
site
TATA box	(TATAWAW)	+218, −233, +454, −457,	−869, −883, +946,	Annu Rev
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 32	+521	+1073, −1076, −1141,	Biochem 50:349,
			−1367, +1808, −1824,	1981
			−1847, −1851, +1990,
			−2887, +3238, −3410,
			−3625, −3671
AABS	(GTGNNGYAA)	−248	−1481	Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 33			11:93, 1991
ATF	(WTCGTCA)	−520		Genetika 26:804,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 34			1990
Ad2MLP	(TATAAA)	−457	+1073	Cell 43:165,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 35			1985
Adh1 US2	(CCCCGG)	+2840		J Biol Chem
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 36			262, 7947, 1987
CuE2.1	(CAGCTGGC)	+2646		Science 227:134,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 37			1985
EGR-1	(CGCCCSCGC)	−2309		Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 38			20:3, 1992
ELP RS	(CAAGGTCA)	+681		Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 39			9:4670, 1989
GCN4 HIS3.1	(TGACGA)	+514		Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 40			Sci USA
				83:8516, 1986
GCN4 HIS4.3	(CAGTCA)	−2835		Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 41			Sci USA
				83:8516, 1986
GCN4 HIS4.4	(TGACTA)	−853	+583, −1396	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 42			Sci USA
				83:8516, 1986
GCRE	(TGACTC)	+1592, +2153, −2268		Cell 43:177,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 43			1985
HLA DQ beta	(ATTTGTAT)	−343		Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 44			15:8057, 1987
HNF5	(TRTTTGY)	+71	+965, +3304, +3593	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 45			19:131, 1991
HiNF Ahist	(AGAAATG)	+2412	+689	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 46			15:1679, 1987
KROX24	(GCGSGGGCG)	+2301		Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 47			Sci USA
				86:8737, 1989
NF-kB-consensus	(GGGRHTYYHC)	−2503, −1934	+2726, −3966	Cell 58:227,
sequence 1	SEQUENCE ID NO. 48			1989
pleiotrophic
mediator of
inducible and tissue
specific gene
expression
MBF I	(TGCRCRC)	+1490, +1946	−4337	Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 49			9:5315, 1989
TFIID	(TAYAAA)	+337, −457, −566	−999, +1073,	J Biol Chem
transcription factor	SEQUENCE ID NO. 50		−1851, +3238	263:12596, 1988
IID recognition
element
CBP MSV	(CCAAT)	+710	+973, −1012, −1227,	Cell 44:565,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 51		−1406, +1769, +2002,	1986
			+2465, −2828, +3499,
			−3998, +4148
CF1	(ANATGG)	+30, +272, +757	+368, +445, −2295,	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 52		+2525, −3140, +3576,	20:3, 1992
			+3978
TFIIIA	(CNGGNYNGAR)	+1845, −1886, −2076	+1181, −1646, −2234,	Genetika 26:804,
transcription factor	SEQUENCE ID NO. 53		4186	1990
IIIA consensus
binding site
SV40 T-Ag	(GAGGC)	−597, +1815+2382	+209, −1030, +1406,	J Virol 46:143,
tumor promoting	SEQUENCE ID NO. 54		+1494, +3297,	1983
viral antigen			+3867+3894, +4008
	(TAGGC)	+36, −666, −732, −849,	1659, 3766, 4102, 4313
		−1398, −1515
XRE	(CACGCW)	−2152	+2733	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 55			Sci USA
				85:5884, 1988
enhancer	(GTGGWWWG)	−273		Science
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 56			219:626, 1983
p53	(RRRCWWGYYY)	+445, −454, +656, −665,	+772, −781, +1736,	Nature Genetics
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 57	+1116, −1125, +1292,	−1745	1:45, 1992
		−1301
GM-CSF	(CATTW)	−344, −536, −761, −845,	+183, −855, +985,	Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 58	+880, −894, −1193,	−1180, +259, +876,	10:6084, 1990
		+1199, +1242, −2418	+1082, −1687, +683,
			+956, +1094, −1841,
			−1980, −2322, +2880,
			+3603, −1997, −2396,
			+3002, +3616, −2165,
			+2441, +3404, −3723,
			−2309, +2675, −3580,
			−3982, −4053
NF IL-6	((TKNNGNAAK)	−247, +416, −447, −534,	−713, +1351, −1685,	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 59	+563, −871, −1159, −1444,	+1884, +2500, +2518,	20:3, 1992
		+1446, +1858	+3765, +3853, +4194
alpha INF	(AARKGA)	+147, −250, −306, −609,	−817, +851, +910,	Cell 41:489,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 60	+830, +890, −1238, −1246,	−1086, −1676, −1918,	1985
		−1679, +1764, −1983,	+1993, +2161, +2532,
		+2605	−2597, −2884, −3006,
			+3412, +4165, +4208,
			+4265
Octamer	(ATTTGCAT)		+678	Nature 329:174,
immunoglogin	SEQUENCE ID NO. 61			1987
promoter element
PRL	(CCTGAWWA)		−159	PNAS 84:5211,
prolactin gene	SEQUENCE ID NO. 62			1987
regulatory control
element
topoisomerase II	(GTNNWAYATTNATNN		+228, −934, +1028,	Nuc Acids Res
alters DNA	R)		−1106, +1835, +1839,	13:1057, 1985
supercoiling to	SEQUENCE ID NO. 63	+1841 , +2867, +3908
facilitate DNA
folding and
replication
ApoE B1	(SCCCACCTC)		+2322	J Biol Chem
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 64			263:8300, 1988
CATT BP	(GTCACCATT)		+3598	Genetika 26:
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 65			804, 1990
CP1 MLP	(AACCAAT)		+1767	Cell 53:11, 1988
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 66
CuE5	(TGCAGGTGT)		−3802	Cell 56:777,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 67			1989
GAGA E74A.1	(CTCTCTT)		−2784	Genetics
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 68			127:535, 1991
GCN4 ILV1.2	(TGATGT)		+114	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 69			Sci USA
				83:8516, 1986
HSV IE	(TAATGARAT)		+1984	J Virol 50:708,
herpes virus	SEQUENCE ID NO. 70			1984
immediate early
recognition element
IG kappa2	(ATTTGCAT)		678	Nuc Acids Res
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 71			14:4837, 1986
IgNF A IgH,	(ATGCAAAT)		−685	Nature 319:154,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 72		+678	1986
	(ATTTGCAT)
MAT OCTA1	(ATGCAAT)	−685	Cell 55:135,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 73			1988
MAT OCTA2	(ATTTGCAT)		+678	Cell 55:135,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 74			1988
MLClf/MLC3f	(CTGAGGA)		−3197	Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 75			8:2581, 1988
MLTF HMGCoA	(CGTGAC)		−2075	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 76			Sci USA
				84:3614, 1987
MTVGRE	(AGGATGT)		−3193	Mol Cell Biol
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 77			8:3872, 1988
OBF H2B1	(ATTTGCAT)		+678	Cell 50:347,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 78			1987
OBF histone	(ATTTGCAT)		+678	Cell 50:347,
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 79			1987
OCTA 1, OCTA	(ATTTGCATNT)		+678	Nature 329:174,
mutant	SEQUENCE ID NO. 80			1987
OCTA 3	(ATGCAAAT)		−685	Proc Natl Acad
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 81			Sci USA
				81:2650, 1984
NF E1.3	(CTACTA)		+586, +3205	Genes Dev
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 82			2:1089, 1988
NF E1.6	(TATCTC)		+1866, −3256	Genes Dev
	SEQUENCE ID NO. 84		+3255	2:1089, 1988
The following abbreviations are used:
R = G or A
K = G or T
B = not A(C or G or T)
V = not T(A or C or G)
Y = C or T
S = G or C
D = not C(A or G or T)
N = A or C or G or T
M = A or C
W = A or T
H = not G(A or C or T)

[0251]

Claims

1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

2. A vector comprising a nucleic acid human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter selected from 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

3. A vector comprising pGL3-neo.

4. A nonhuman animal comprising human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

5. A method of transferring a nucleic acid to a cell comprising administering to the cell a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

6. A method of transferring a nucleic acid into an animal, comprising administering to the animal a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

7. A transformed cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

8. A method of producing a protein comprising expressing a vector comprising a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof operably linked to a gene encoding a protein.

9. A method of assaying a compound comprising administering a compound to a cell, wherein the cell comprises a vector which comprises a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

10. A nonhuman transgenic animal, comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, or 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modified form thereof.

11. A method for identifying a compound capable of modifying initiation of transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter, comprising contacting a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof, with a compound and detecting modification of initiation of transcription.

12. A method of characterizing a compound capable of modifying initiation of transcription of human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter or human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter, comprising contacting a cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof, with a compound and detecting modification of initiation of transcription.

13. A compound capable of binding to a human nerve growth factor exon 1 promoter 1-1786, 2274-2846, human nerve growth factor exon 3 promoter 1-1877, fragment thereof, or modification thereof.