U.S. patent application number 13/377888 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for treatment of collagen gene related diseases by inhibition of natural antisense transcript to a collagen gene.
This patent application is currently assigned to OPKO CuRNA, LLC. Invention is credited to Joseph Collard, Olga Khorkova Sherman.
Application Number | 20120171170 13/377888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43357022 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120171170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collard; Joseph ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
TREATMENT OF COLLAGEN GENE RELATED DISEASES BY INHIBITION OF
NATURAL ANTISENSE TRANSCRIPT TO A COLLAGEN GENE
Abstract
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that
modulate the expression of and/or function of a Collagen gene, in
particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of a
Collagen gene. The invention also relates to the identification of
these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases
and disorders associated with the expression of Collagen genes.
Inventors: |
Collard; Joseph; (Delray
Beach, FL) ; Khorkova Sherman; Olga; (Tequesta,
FL) |
Assignee: |
OPKO CuRNA, LLC
Miami
FL
|
Family ID: |
43357022 |
Appl. No.: |
13/377888 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
June 16, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2010/038761 |
371 Date: |
December 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61187384 |
Jun 16, 2009 |
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61286939 |
Dec 16, 2009 |
|
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61286965 |
Dec 16, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/93.7 ;
435/375; 436/501; 514/17.2; 514/44A; 530/322; 536/24.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 11/00 20180101;
A61P 3/00 20180101; C12N 2310/3181 20130101; A61P 25/16 20180101;
A61P 1/16 20180101; A61P 25/28 20180101; A61P 27/16 20180101; A61P
29/00 20180101; C12N 2310/11 20130101; C12N 2310/319 20130101; C12N
2310/3231 20130101; C12N 15/113 20130101; C12N 2310/31 20130101;
A61P 13/12 20180101; A61P 19/10 20180101; C12N 2310/315 20130101;
A61P 9/00 20180101; A61P 9/10 20180101; A61K 31/713 20130101; C12N
2310/14 20130101; C12N 2310/313 20130101; A61P 19/04 20180101; A61P
25/14 20180101; A61P 19/02 20180101; C12N 2310/113 20130101; C07K
14/78 20130101; A61L 27/3633 20130101; A61P 17/02 20180101; A61P
35/00 20180101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61P 37/06 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/93.7 ;
514/44.A; 514/17.2; 536/24.5; 530/322; 435/375; 436/501 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/7088 20060101
A61K031/7088; C07H 21/04 20060101 C07H021/04; C07K 2/00 20060101
C07K002/00; A61K 35/12 20060101 A61K035/12; A61P 19/10 20060101
A61P019/10; A61P 19/02 20060101 A61P019/02; A61P 35/00 20060101
A61P035/00; A61P 1/16 20060101 A61P001/16; A61P 13/12 20060101
A61P013/12; A61P 17/02 20060101 A61P017/02; A61P 29/00 20060101
A61P029/00; A61P 25/16 20060101 A61P025/16; A61P 25/28 20060101
A61P025/28; A61P 3/00 20060101 A61P003/00; C12N 5/071 20100101
C12N005/071; G01N 25/04 20060101 G01N025/04; A61K 38/02 20060101
A61K038/02 |
Claims
1. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least
one antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30 nucleotides in length wherein
said at least one oligonucleotide has at least 50% sequence
identity to a reverse complement of a polynucleotide comprising 5
to 30 consecutive nucleotides within nucleotides 1 to 387 of SEQ ID
SEQ ID NO: 4, 1 to 561 of SEQ ID NO: 5, 1 to 335 of SEQ ID SEQ ID
NO: 6, 1 to 613 of SEQ ID NO: 7, 1 to 177 of SEQ ID NO: 8, and 1 to
285 of SEQ ID NO: 9; thereby modulating a function of and/or the
expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or
tissues in vivo or in vitro.
2. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least
one antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30 nucleotides in length wherein
said at least one oligonucleotide has at least 50% sequence
identity to a reverse complement of a natural antisense of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide; thereby modulating a function of
and/or the expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in
patient cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro.
3. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least
one antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30 nucleotides in length wherein
said oligonucleotide has at least 50% sequence identity to an
antisense oligonucleotide to the Collagen gene polynucleotide;
thereby modulating a function of and/or the expression of the
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro.
4. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least
one antisense oligonucleotide that targets a region of a natural
antisense oligonucleotide of the Collagen gene polynucleotide;
thereby modulating a function of and/or the expression of the
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein a function of and/or the
expression of the Collagen gene is increased in vivo or in vitro
with respect to a control.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one antisense
oligonucleotide targets a natural antisense sequence of a Collagen
gene polynucleotide.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one antisense
oligonucleotide targets a nucleic acid sequence comprising coding
and/or non-coding nucleic acid sequences of a Collagen gene
polynucleotide.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one antisense
oligonucleotide targets overlapping and/or non-overlapping
sequences of a Collagen gene polynucleotide.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one antisense
oligonucleotide comprises one or more modifications selected from:
at least one modified sugar moiety, at least one modified
internucleoside linkage, at least one modified nucleotide, and
combinations thereof.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more modifications
comprise at least one modified sugar moiety selected from: a
2'-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar moiety, a 2'-methoxy modified
sugar moiety, a 2'-O-alkyl modified sugar moiety, a bicyclic sugar
moiety, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more modifications
comprise at least one modified internucleoside linkage selected
from: a phosphorothioate, 2'- Omethoxyethyl (MOE), 2'-fluoro,
alkylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonothioate,
phosphoramidate, carbamate, carbonate, phosphate triester,
acetamidate, carboxymethyl ester, and combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more modifications
comprise at least one modified nucleotide selected from: a peptide
nucleic acid (PNA), a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an arabino-nucleic
acid (FANA), an analogue, a derivative, and combinations
thereof.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one oligonucleotide
comprises at least one oligonucleotide sequences set forth as SEQ
ID NOS: 10 to 29.
14. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene in mammalian cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro
comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least one
short interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotide 5 to 30 nucleotides
in length, said at least one siRNA oligonucleotide being specific
for an antisense polynucleotide of a Collagen gene polynucleotide,
wherein said at least one siRNA oligonucleotide has at least 50%
sequence identity to a complementary sequence of at least about
five consecutive nucleic acids of the antisense and/or sense
nucleic acid molecule of the Collagen gene polynucleotide; and,
modulating a function of and/or the expression of a Collagen gene
in mammalian cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said oligonucleotide has at
least 80% sequence identity to a sequence of at least about five
consecutive nucleic acids that is complementary to the antisense
and/or sense nucleic acid molecule of the Collagen gene
polynucleotide.
16. A method of modulating a function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene in mammalian cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro
comprising: contacting said cells or tissues with at least one
antisense oligonucleotide of about 5 to 30 nucleotides in length
specific for noncoding and/or coding sequences of a sense and/or
natural antisense strand of a Collagen gene polynucleotide wherein
said at least one antisense oligonucleotide has at least 50%
sequence identity to at least one nucleic acid sequence set forth
as SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 9; and, modulating the function and/or
expression of the Collagen gene in mammalian cells or tissues in
vivo or in vitro.
17. A synthetic, modified oligonucleotide comprising at least one
modification wherein the at least one modification is selected
from: at least one modified sugar moiety; at least one modified
internucleotide linkage; at least one modified nucleotide, and
combinations thereof; wherein said oligonucleotide is an antisense
compound which hybridizes to and modulates the function and/or
expression of a Collagen gene in vivo or in vitro as compared to a
normal control.
18. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the at least one
modification comprises an internucleotide linkage selected from the
group consisting of: phosphorothioate, alkylphosphonate,
phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonothioate, phosphoramidate,
carbamate, carbonate, phosphate triester, acetamidate,
carboxymethyl ester, and combinations thereof.
19. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein said oligonucleotide
comprises at least one phosphorothioate internucleotide
linkage.
20. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein said oligonucleotide
comprises a backbone of phosphorothioate internucleotide
linkages.
21. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises at least one modified nucleotide, said modified
nucleotide selected from: a peptide nucleic acid, a locked nucleic
acid (LNA), analogue, derivative, and a combination thereof.
22. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises a plurality of modifications, wherein said modifications
comprise modified nucleotides selected from: phosphorothioate,
alkylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonothioate,
phosphoramidate, carbamate, carbonate, phosphate triester,
acetamidate, carboxymethyl ester, and a combination thereof.
23. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises a plurality of modifications, wherein said modifications
comprise modified nucleotides selected from: peptide nucleic acids,
locked nucleic acids (LNA), analogues, derivatives, and a
combination thereof.
24. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises at least one modified sugar moiety selected from: a
2'-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar moiety, a 2'-methoxy modified
sugar moiety, a 2'-O-alkyl modified sugar moiety, a bicyclic sugar
moiety, and a combination thereof.
25. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises a plurality of modifications, wherein said modifications
comprise modified sugar moieties selected from: a 2'-O-methoxyethyl
modified sugar moiety, a 2'-methoxy modified sugar moiety, a
2'-O-alkyl modified sugar moiety, a bicyclic sugar moiety, and a
combination thereof.
26. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide is
of at least about 5 to 30 nucleotides in length and hybridizes to
an antisense and/or sense strand of a Collagen gene polynucleotide
wherein said oligonucleotide has at least about 20% sequence
identity to a complementary sequence of at least about five
consecutive nucleic acids of the antisense and/or sense coding
and/or noncoding nucleic acid sequences of the Collagen gene
polynucleotide.
27. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
has at least about 80% sequence identity to a complementary
sequence of at least about five consecutive nucleic acids of the
antisense and/or sense coding and/or noncoding nucleic acid
sequence of the Collagen gene polynucleotide.
28. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein said oligonucleotide
hybridizes to and modulates expression and/or function of at least
one Collagen gene polynucleotide in vivo or in vitro, as compared
to a normal control.
29. The oligonucleotide of claim 17, wherein the oligonucleotide
comprises the sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29.
30. A composition comprising one or more oligonucleotides specific
for one or more Collagen gene polynucleotides, said polynucleotides
comprising antisense sequences, complementary sequences, alleles,
homologs, isoforms, variants, derivatives, mutants, fragments, or
combinations thereof.
31. The composition of claim 30, wherein the oligonucleotides have
at least about 40% sequence identity as compared to any one of the
nucleotide sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29.
32. The composition of claim 30, wherein the oligonucleotides
comprise nucleotide sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to
29.
33. The composition of claim 32, wherein the oligonucleotides set
forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29 comprise one or more modifications or
substitutions.
34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the one or more
modifications are selected from: phosphorothioate,
methylphosphonate, peptide nucleic acid, locked nucleic acid (LNA)
molecules, and combinations thereof.
35. A method of preventing or treating a disease associated with at
least one Collagen gene polynucleotide and/or at least one encoded
product thereof, comprising: administering to a patient a
therapeutically effective dose of at least one antisense
oligonucleotide that binds to a natural antisense sequence of said
at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide and modulates expression
of said at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide; thereby
preventing or treating the disease associated with the at least one
Collagen gene polynucleotide and/or at least one encoded product
thereof.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein a disease associated with the
at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide is selected from: a
collagen disorder, age related collagen degradation, Osteogenesis
imperfecta, Otosclerosis (OTSC), Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis,
Oesophageal squamous cell cancer, chondrodysplasia, atypical Marfan
syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Dystrophic epidermolysis
bullosa (DEB), Caffey disease, aneurysms (eg. intracranial
aneurysms), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, kidney
fibrosis, liver fibrosis, heart fibrosis, scleroderma, hypertrophic
scars, keloids, cancer, inflammation, a genetic disease (e.g.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy), a neurological disease or disorder
(e.g. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Gaucher disease), a
metabolic disease (e.g. type I diabetes), an autoimmune disease or
disorder, trauma (e.g. spinal cord injury, burns, etc), ischemia,
and other blood vessel, heart, a skin disease or disorder, skin
aging, a skin disease or disorder or condition requiring skin
engineering, a liver or kidney disease requiring transplantation;
tendon, bone or tissue regeneration; skeletal repair, cartilage and
bone repair.
37. A method of identifying and selecting at least one
oligonucleotide for in vivo administration comprising: selecting a
target polynucleotide associated with a disease state; identifying
at least one oligonucleotide comprising at least five consecutive
nucleotides which are complementary to the selected target
polynucleotide or to a polynucleotide that is antisense to the
selected target polynucleotide; measuring the thermal melting point
of a hybrid of an antisense oligonucleotide and the target
polynucleotide or the polynucleotide that is antisense to the
selected target polynucleotide under stringent hybridization
conditions; and selecting at least one oligonucleotide for in vivo
administration based on the information obtained.
38. A method of preventing or treating a skin condition associated
with at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide and/or at least one
encoded product thereof, comprising: administering to a patient
having a skin condition or at risk of developing a skin condition a
therapeutically effective dose of at least one antisense
oligonucleotide that binds to a natural antisense sequence of said
at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide and modulates expression
of said at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide; thereby
preventing or treating the disease skin condition associated with
the at least one Collagen gene polynucleotide and/or at least one
encoded product thereof.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the skin condition is caused by
caused by inflammation, light damage or aging.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the skin condition is the
development of wrinkles, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis,
actinic keratosis, keratinization disorders, an epidermolysis
bullosa disease, exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, an
erythema, discoid lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, skin
cancer, or an effect of natural aging.
41. A Collagen gene based matrix composition, said composition
comprising a three dimensional purified collagen matrix comprised
of Collagen fibrils, wherein function of and/or the expression of a
Collagen gene polynucleotide in the cells of collagen fibrils is
modulated in vivo or in vitro by contacting collagen fibril cells
or tissues with at least one antisense oligonucleotide that targets
a region of a natural antisense oligonucleotide of the Collagen
gene polynucleotide.
42. The composition of claim 41, wherein the oligonucleotides have
at least about 40% sequence identity as compared to any one of the
nucleotide sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29.
43. The composition of claim 41, wherein the oligonucleotides
comprise nucleotide sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to
29.
44. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition supports
stem cells.
45. A method of in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo wound healing or
tissue regeneration or tissue engineering which comprises
application of an extracellular matrix composition as defined in
claim 41 to a wound.
46. A method of preparing a Collagen gene based matrix composition,
comprising contacting collagen fibril cells or tissues with at
least one antisense oligonucleotide that targets a region of a
natural antisense oligonucleotide of the Collagen gene
polynucleotide; thereby modulating a function of and/or the
expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or
tissues in vivo or in vitro.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S.
provisional patent application 61/187,384 filed Jun. 16, 2009, No.
61/286,939 filed Dec. 16, 2009 and U.S. provisional patent
application No. 61/286,965 filed Dec. 16, 2009 which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0002] Embodiments of the invention comprise oligonucleotides
modulating expression and/or function of a Collagen gene and
associated molecules.
BACKGROUND
[0003] DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA hybridization are important to many
aspects of nucleic acid function including DNA replication,
transcription, and translation. Hybridization is also central to a
variety of technologies that either detect a particular nucleic
acid or alter its expression. Antisense nucleotides, for example,
disrupt gene expression by hybridizing to target RNA, thereby
interfering with RNA splicing, transcription, translation, and
replication. Antisense DNA has the added feature that DNA-RNA
hybrids serve as a substrate for digestion by ribonuclease H, an
activity that is present in most cell types. Antisense molecules
can be delivered into cells, as is the case for
oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), or they can be expressed from
endogenous genes as RNA molecules. The FDA recently approved an
antisense drug, VITRAVENETM (for treatment of cytomegalovirus
retinitis), reflecting that antisense has therapeutic utility.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for
inhibiting the action of a natural antisense transcript by using
antisense oligonucleotide(s) targeted to any region of the natural
antisense transcript resulting in up-regulation of the
corresponding sense gene. It is also contemplated herein that
inhibition of the natural antisense transcript can be achieved by
siRNA, ribozymes and small molecules, which are considered to be
within the scope of the present invention.
[0005] One embodiment provides a method of modulating function
and/or expression of a Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient
cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro comprising contacting said
cells or tissues with an antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30
nucleotides in length wherein said oligonucleotide has at least 50%
sequence identity to a reverse complement of a polynucleotide
comprising 5 to 30 consecutive nucleotides within nucleotides 1 to
387 of SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 4, 1 to 561 of SEQ ID NO: 5, 1 to 335 of
SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6, 1 to 613 of SEQ ID NO: 7, 1 to 177 of SEQ ID
NO: 8, and 1 to 285 of SEQ ID NO: 9 thereby modulating function
and/or expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient
cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro.
[0006] In another embodiment, an oligonucleotide targets a natural
antisense sequence of a Collagen gene polynucleotide, for example,
nucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 to 9, and any variants,
alleles, homologs, mutants, derivatives, fragments and
complementary sequences thereto. Examples of antisense
oligonucleotides are set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29.
[0007] Another embodiment provides a method of modulating function
and/or expression of a Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient
cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro comprising contacting said
cells or tissues with an antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30
nucleotides in length wherein said oligonucleotide has at least 50%
sequence identity to a reverse complement of the an antisense of
the Collagen gene polynucleotide; thereby modulating function
and/or expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient
cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro.
[0008] Another embodiment provides a method of modulating function
and/or expression of a Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient
cells or tissues in vivo or in vitro comprising contacting said
cells or tissues with an antisense oligonucleotide 5 to 30
nucleotides in length wherein said oligonucleotide has at least 50%
sequence identity to an antisense oligonucleotide to a Collagen
gene antisense polynucleotide; thereby modulating function and/or
expression of the Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or
tissues in vivo or in vitro.
[0009] In one embodiment, a composition comprises one or more
antisense oligonucleotides which bind to sense and/or antisense
Collagen gene polynucleotides.
[0010] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides comprise one or
more modified or substituted nucleotides.
[0011] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides comprise one or
more modified bonds.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the modified nucleotides comprise
modified bases comprising phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate,
peptide nucleic acids, 2'-O-methyl, fluoro- or carbon, methylene or
other locked nucleic acid (LNA) molecules. Preferably, the modified
nucleotides are locked nucleic acid molecules, including
a-L-LNA.
[0013] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides are administered
to a patient subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously or
intraperitoneally.
[0014] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides are administered
in a pharmaceutical composition. A treatment regimen comprises
administering the antisense compounds at least once to patient;
however, this treatment can be modified to include multiple doses
over a period of time. The treatment can be combined with one or
more other types of therapies.
[0015] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides are encapsulated
in a liposome or attached to a carrier molecule (e.g. cholesterol,
TAT peptide).
[0016] Other aspects are described infra.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a graph of real time PCR results showing the fold
change+standard deviation in Col1a1 mRNA after treatment of HepG2
cells with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides introduced using
Lipofectamine 2000, as compared to control. Real time PCR results
show that the levels of the Col1a1 mRNA in HepG2 cells are
significantly increased 48 h after treatment with one of the oligos
designed to Col1a1 antisense DW440457. Bars denoted as CUR-1361 to
CUR-1364 correspond to samples treated with SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 13
respectively.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a graph of real time PCR results showing the fold
change+standard deviation in Col1a2 mRNA after treatment of HUVEC
cells with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides introduced using
Lipofectamine 2000, as compared to control. Real time PCR results
show that the levels of the Col1a2 mRNA in HUVEC cells are
significantly increased 48 h after treatment with one of the oligos
designed to Col1a2 antisense Hs.571263. Bars denoted as CUR-0862,
CUR-0864, CUR-0863, CUR-0865, CUR-0866 and CUR- CUR-0867 correspond
to samples treated with SEQ ID NOS: 14 to 19 respectively.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a graph of real time PCR results showing the fold
change+standard deviation in Col7a1 mRNA after treatment of HUVEC
cells with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides introduced using
Lipofectamine 2000, as compared to control. Real time PCR results
show that the levels of Col7a1 mRNA in HUVEC cells are
significantly increased 48 h after treatment with one of the siRNAs
designed to Col7a1 as CV425857 (CV425857.1.sub.--1, CV425857.12,)
and one siRNA to BU615800.1 (BU615800.1.sub.--1). Bars denoted as
CUR-0356, CUR-0358, CUR-0360, and CUR-0362, correspond to samples
treated with SEQ ID NOS: 20 to 23 respectively.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a graph of real time PCR results showing the fold
change+standard deviation in Col7a1 mRNA after treatment of HepG2
cells with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides introduced using
Lipofectamine 2000, as compared to control. Real time PCR results
show that the levels of Col7a1 mRNA in HepG2 cells are
significantly increased 48 h after treatment with two of the oligos
designed to Col7a1 as be142537 and bg998538. Bars denoted as
CUR-0360 and CUR-0856 to CUR-0860 correspond to samples treated
with SEQ ID NO: 22 and SEQ ID NO: 24 to 28 respectively.
SEQUENCE LISTING DESCRIPTION
[0021] SEQ ID NO: 1: Homo sapiens collagen, type I, alpha 1
(COL1A1), mRNA (NCBI Accession No.: NM.sub.--000088.3). [0022] SEQ
ID NO: 2: Homo sapiens collagen, type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2), mRNA
(NCBI Accession No.: NM.sub.--000089.3). [0023] SEQ ID NO: 3:
NM.sub.--024013.11 Homo sapiens collagen, type VII, alpha 1
(COL7A1), mRNA (NCBI Accession No.: NM.sub.--000094.3). [0024] SEQ
ID NOs: 4 to 9: SEQ ID NO: 4: Natural COL1A1 antisense sequence
(DW440457); SEQ ID NO: 5: Natural COL1A2 antisense sequence
(Hs.571263); SEQ ID NO: 6: Natural COL7A1 antisense sequence
(CV425857.1); [0025] SEQ ID NO: 7: Natural COL7A1 antisense
sequence (BU615800.1); SEQ ID NO: 8: Natural COL7A1 antisense
sequence (BE142537) and SEQ ID NO: 9: Natural COL7A1 antisense
sequence (BG998538) [0026] SEQ ID NOs: 10 to 29 - Antisense
oligonucleotides. `r` indicates RNA and * indicates phosphothioate
bond. [0027] SEQ ID NO: 30 to 33 are the reverse complements of the
antisense oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO: 20 to 23 respectively. `r`
indicates RNA.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Several aspects of the invention are described below with
reference to example applications for illustration. It should be
understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and
methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the
invention. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however,
will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without
one or more of the specific details or with other methods. The
present invention is not limited by the ordering of acts or events,
as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with
other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or
events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with
the present invention.
[0029] All genes, gene names, and gene products disclosed herein
are intended to correspond to homologs from any species for which
the compositions and methods disclosed herein are applicable. Thus,
the terms include, but are not limited to genes and gene products
from humans and mice. It is understood that when a gene or gene
product from a particular species is disclosed, this disclosure is
intended to be exemplary only, and is not to be interpreted as a
limitation unless the context in which it appears clearly
indicates. Thus, for example, for the genes disclosed herein, which
in some embodiments relate to mammalian nucleic acid and amino acid
sequences are intended to encompass homologous and/or orthologous
genes and gene products from other animals including, but not
limited to other mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. In
embodiments, the genes or nucleic acid sequences are human.
Definitions
[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent
that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or
variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or
the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising."
[0031] The term "about" or "approximately" means within an
acceptable error range for the particular value as determined by
one of ordinary skill in the art, which will depend in part on how
the value is measured or determined, i.e., the limitations of the
measurement system. For example, "about" can mean within 1 or more
than 1 standard deviation, per the practice in the art.
Alternatively, "about" can mean a range of up to 20%, preferably up
to 10%, more preferably up to 5%, and more preferably still up to
1% of a given value. Alternatively, particularly with respect to
biological systems or processes, the term can mean within an order
of magnitude, preferably within 5-fold, and more preferably within
2-fold, of a value. Where particular values are described in the
application and claims, unless otherwise stated the term "about"
meaning within an acceptable error range for the particular value
should be assumed.
[0032] As used herein, the term "mRNA" means the presently known
mRNA transcript(s) of a targeted gene, and any further transcripts
which may be elucidated.
[0033] By "antisense oligonucleotides" or "antisense compound" is
meant an RNA or DNA molecule that binds to another RNA or DNA
(target RNA, DNA). For example, if it is an RNA oligonucleotide it
binds to another RNA target by means of RNA-RNA interactions and
alters the activity of the target RNA. An antisense oligonucleotide
can upregulate or downregulate expression and/or function of a
particular polynucleotide. The definition is meant to include any
foreign RNA or DNA molecule which is useful from a therapeutic,
diagnostic, or other viewpoint. Such molecules include, for
example, antisense RNA or DNA molecules, interference RNA (RNAi),
micro RNA, decoy RNA molecules, siRNA, enzymatic RNA, therapeutic
editing RNA and agonist and antagonist RNA, antisense oligomeric
compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, external guide sequence
(EGS) oligonucleotides, alternate splicers, primers, probes, and
other oligomeric compounds that hybridize to at least a portion of
the target nucleic acid. As such, these compounds may be introduced
in the form of single-stranded, double-stranded, partially
single-stranded, or circular oligomeric compounds.
[0034] In the context of this invention, the term "oligonucleotide"
refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mimetics thereof. The term
"oligonucleotide", also includes linear or circular oligomers of
natural and/or modified monomers or linkages, including
deoxyribonucleosides, ribonucleosides, substituted and
alpha-anomeric forms thereof, peptide nucleic acids (PNA), locked
nucleic acids (LNA), phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, and the
like. Oligonucleotides are capable of specifically binding to a
target polynucleotide by way of a regular pattern of
monomer-to-monomer interactions, such as Watson-Crick type of base
pairing, Hoogsteen or reverse Hoogsteen types of base pairing, or
the like.
[0035] The oligonucleotide may be "chimeric", that is, composed of
different regions. In the context of this invention "chimeric"
compounds are oligonucleotides, which contain two or more chemical
regions, for example, DNA region(s), RNA region(s), PNA region(s)
etc. Each chemical region is made up of at least one monomer unit,
i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotides compound.
These oligonucleotides typically comprise at least one region
wherein the oligonucleotide is modified in order to exhibit one or
more desired properties. The desired properties of the
oligonucleotide include, but are not limited, for example, to
increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular
uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic
acid. Different regions of the oligonucleotide may therefore have
different properties. The chimeric oligonucleotides of the present
invention can be formed as mixed structures of two or more
oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides
and/or oligonucleotide analogs as described above.
[0036] The oligonucleotide can be composed of regions that can be
linked in "register" that is, when the monomers are linked
consecutively, as in native DNA, or linked via spacers. The spacers
are intended to constitute a covalent "bridge" between the regions
and have in cases a length not exceeding about 100 carbon atoms.
The spacers may carry different functionalities, for example,
having positive or negative charge, carry special nucleic acid
binding properties (intercalators, groove binders, toxins,
fluorophors etc.), being lipophilic, inducing special secondary
structures like, for example, alanine containing peptides that
induce alpha-helices.
[0037] As used herein "Collagen genes" are inclusive of all family
members, mutants, alleles, fragments, species, coding and noncoding
sequences, sense and antisense polynucleotide strands, etc.
[0038] As used herein, the words Collagen, type I, alpha 1;
Collagen Alpha-1(I), COL1A1, Alpha-1 type I collagen, Collagen
alpha-1(I) chain, O14, are considered the same in the literature
and are used interchangeably in the present application.
[0039] As used herein, the words Collagen alpha-2(I), "collagen,
type I, alpha 2", collagen alpha2(I), Alpha-2 type I collagen,
Collagen alpha-2(I) chain and COL1A2 are considered the same in the
literature and are used interchangeably in the present
application.
[0040] As used herein, the words Collagen alpha-1(VII) chain,
COL7A1, EBD1, EBDCT, EBR1, LC collagen, Long-chain collagen are
considered the same in the literature and are used interchangeably
in the present application.
[0041] As used herein, the term "oligonucleotide specific for" or
"oligonucleotide which targets" refers to an oligonucleotide having
a sequence (i) capable of forming a stable complex with a portion
of the targeted gene, or (ii) capable of forming a stable duplex
with a portion of a mRNA transcript of the targeted gene. Stability
of the complexes and duplexes can be determined by theoretical
calculations and/or in vitro assays. Exemplary assays for
determining stability of hybridization complexes and duplexes are
described in the Examples below.
[0042] As used herein, the term "target nucleic acid" encompasses
DNA, RNA (comprising premRNA and mRNA) transcribed from such DNA,
and also cDNA derived from such RNA, coding, noncoding sequences,
sense or antisense polynucleotides. The specific hybridization of
an oligomeric compound with its target nucleic acid interferes with
the normal function of the nucleic acid. This modulation of
function of a target nucleic acid by compounds, which specifically
hybridize to it, is generally referred to as "antisense". The
functions of DNA to be interfered include, for example, replication
and transcription. The functions of RNA to be interfered, include
all vital functions such as, for example, translocation of the RNA
to the site of protein translation, translation of protein from the
RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and
catalytic activity which may be engaged in or facilitated by the
RNA. The overall effect of such interference with target nucleic
acid function is modulation of the expression of an encoded product
or oligonucleotides.
[0043] RNA interference "RNAi" is mediated by double stranded RNA
(dsRNA) molecules that have sequence-specific homology to their
"target" nucleic acid sequences. In certain embodiments of the
present invention, the mediators are 5-25 nucleotide "small
interfering" RNA duplexes (siRNAs). The siRNAs are derived from the
processing of dsRNA by an RNase enzyme known as Dicer. siRNA duplex
products are recruited into a multi-protein siRNA complex termed
RISC (RNA Induced Silencing Complex). Without wishing to be bound
by any particular theory, a RISC is then believed to be guided to a
target nucleic acid (suitably mRNA), where the siRNA duplex
interacts in a sequence-specific way to mediate cleavage in a
catalytic fashion. Small interfering RNAs that can be used in
accordance with the present invention can be synthesized and used
according to procedures that are well known in the art and that
will be familiar to the ordinarily skilled artisan. Small
interfering RNAs for use in the methods of the present invention
suitably comprise between about 1 to about 50 nucleotides (nt). In
examples of non limiting embodiments, siRNAs can comprise about 5
to about 40 nt, about 5 to about 30 nt, about 10 to about 30 nt,
about 15 to about 25 nt, or about 20-25 nucleotides.
[0044] Selection of appropriate oligonucleotides is facilitated by
using computer programs that automatically align nucleic acid
sequences and indicate regions of identity or homology. Such
programs are used to compare nucleic acid sequences obtained, for
example, by searching databases such as GenBank or by sequencing
PCR products. Comparison of nucleic acid sequences from a range of
species allows the selection of nucleic acid sequences that display
an appropriate degree of identity between species. In the case of
genes that have not been sequenced, Southern blots are performed to
allow a determination of the degree of identity between genes in
target species and other species. By performing Southern blots at
varying degrees of stringency, as is well known in the art, it is
possible to obtain an approximate measure of identity. These
procedures allow the selection of oligonucleotides that exhibit a
high degree of complementarity to target nucleic acid sequences in
a subject to be controlled and a lower degree of complementarity to
corresponding nucleic acid sequences in other species. One skilled
in the art will realize that there is considerable latitude in
selecting appropriate regions of genes for use in the present
invention.
[0045] By "enzymatic RNA" is meant an RNA molecule with enzymatic
activity. Enzymatic nucleic acids (ribozymes) act by first binding
to a target RNA. Such binding occurs through the target binding
portion of an enzymatic nucleic acid which is held in close
proximity to an enzymatic portion of the molecule that acts to
cleave the target RNA. Thus, the enzymatic nucleic acid first
recognizes and then binds a target RNA through base pairing, and
once bound to the correct site, acts enzymatically to cut the
target RNA.
[0046] By "decoy RNA" is meant an RNA molecule that mimics the
natural binding domain for a ligand. The decoy RNA therefore
competes with natural binding target for the binding of a specific
ligand. For example, it has been shown that over-expression of HIV
trans-activation response (TAR) RNA can act as a "decoy" and
efficiently binds HIV tat protein, thereby preventing it from
binding to TAR sequences encoded in the HIV RNA. This is meant to
be a specific example. Those in the art will recognize that this is
but one example, and other embodiments can be readily generated
using techniques generally known in the art.
[0047] As used herein, the term "monomers" typically indicates
monomers linked by phosphodiester bonds or analogs thereof to form
oligonucleotides ranging in size from a few monomeric units, e.g.,
from about 3-4, to about several hundreds of monomeric units.
Analogs of phosphodiester linkages include: phosphorothioate,
phosphorodithioate, methylphosphornates, phosphoroselenoate,
phosphoramidate, and the like, as more fully described below.
[0048] The term "nucleotide" covers naturally occurring nucleotides
as well as nonnaturally occurring nucleotides. It should be clear
to the person skilled in the art that various nucleotides which
previously have been considered "non-naturally occurring" have
subsequently been found in nature. Thus, "nucleotides" includes not
only the known purine and pyrimidine heterocycles-containing
molecules, but also heterocyclic analogues and tautomers thereof.
Illustrative examples of other types of nucleotides are molecules
containing adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, uracil, purine,
xanthine, diaminopurine, 8-oxo- N6-methyladenine, 7-deazaxanthine,
7-deazaguanine, N4,N4-ethanocytosin,
N6,N6-ethano-2,6-diaminopurine, 5-methylcytosine,
5-(C3-C6)-alkynylcytosine, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil,
pseudoisocytosine, 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-triazolopyridin,
isocytosine, isoguanin, inosine and the "non-naturally occurring"
nucleotides described in U.S. Pat No. 5,432,272. The term
"nucleotide" is intended to cover every and all of these examples
as well as analogues and tautomers thereof. Especially interesting
nucleotides are those containing adenine, guanine, thymine,
cytosine, and uracil, which are considered as the naturally
occurring nucleotides in relation to therapeutic and diagnostic
application in humans. Nucleotides include the natural 2'-deoxy and
2'-hydroxyl sugars, e.g., as described in Kornberg and Baker, DNA
Replication, 2nd Ed. (Freeman, San Francisco, 1992) as well as
their analogs.
[0049] "Analogs" in reference to nucleotides includes synthetic
nucleotides having modified base moieties and/or modified sugar
moieties. Such analogs include synthetic nucleotides designed to
enhance binding properties, e.g., duplex or triplex stability,
specificity, or the like.
[0050] As used herein, "hybridization" means the pairing of
substantially complementary strands of oligomeric compounds. One
mechanism of pairing involves hydrogen bonding, which may be
Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding,
between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases (nucleotides)
of the strands of oligomeric compounds. For example, adenine and
thymine are complementary nucleotides which pair through the
formation of hydrogen bonds. Hybridization can occur under varying
circumstances.
[0051] An antisense compound is "specifically hybridizable" when
binding of the compound to the target nucleic acid interferes with
the normal function of the target nucleic acid to cause a
modulation of function and/or activity, and there is a sufficient
degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the
antisense compound to non-target nucleic acid sequences under
conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under
physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or
therapeutic treatment, and under conditions in which assays are
performed in the case of in vitro assays.
[0052] As used herein, the phrase "stringent hybridization
conditions" or "stringent conditions" refers to conditions under
which a compound of the invention will hybridize to its target
sequence, but to a minimal number of other sequences. Stringent
conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in
different circumstances and in the context of this invention,
"stringent conditions" under which oligomeric compounds hybridize
to a target sequence are determined by the nature and composition
of the oligomeric compounds and the assays in which they are being
investigated. In general, stringent hybridization conditions
comprise low concentrations (<0.15M) of salts with inorganic
cations such as Na++ or K++ (i.e., low ionic strength), temperature
higher than 20.degree. C.-25.degree. C. below the Tm of the
oligomeric compound:target sequence complex, and the presence of
denaturants such as formamide, dimethylformamide, dimethyl
sulfoxide, or the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). For
example, the hybridization rate decreases 1.1% for each 1%
formamide. An example of a high stringency hybridization condition
is 0.1X sodium chloride-sodium citrate buffer (SSC)/0.1% (w/v) SDS
at 60.degree. C. for 30 minutes.
[0053] "Complementary," as used herein, refers to the capacity for
precise pairing between two nucleotides on one or two oligomeric
strands. For example, if a nucleobase at a certain position of an
antisense compound is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase
at a certain position of a target nucleic acid, said target nucleic
acid being a DNA, RNA, or oligonucleotide molecule, then the
position of hydrogen bonding between the oligonucleotide and the
target nucleic acid is considered to be a complementary position.
The oligomeric compound and the further DNA, RNA, or
oligonucleotide molecule are complementary to each other when a
sufficient number of complementary positions in each molecule are
occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen bond with each other.
Thus, "specifically hybridizable" and "complementary" are terms
which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of precise pairing
or complementarity over a sufficient number of nucleotides such
that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligomeric
compound and a target nucleic acid.
[0054] It is understood in the art that the sequence of an
oligomeric compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its
target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. Moreover, an
oligonucleotide may hybridize over one or more segments such that
intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the
hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure, mismatch or hairpin
structure). The oligomeric compounds of the present invention
comprise at least about 70%, or at least about 75%, or at least
about 80%, or at least about 85%, or at least about 90%, or at
least about 95%, or at least about 99% sequence complementarity to
a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which
they are targeted. For example, an antisense compound in which 18
of 20 nucleotides of the antisense compound are complementary to a
target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would
represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the
remaining noncomplementary nucleotides may be clustered or
interspersed with complementary nucleotides and need not be
contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleotides. As such,
an antisense compound which is 18 nucleotides in length having 4
(four) noncomplementary nucleotides which are flanked by two
regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid
would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic
acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present invention.
Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a region of a
target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST
programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST
programs known in the art. Percent homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program
(Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics
Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using
default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman
(Adv. Appl. Math., (1981) 2, 482-489).
[0055] As used herein, the term "Thermal Melting Point (Tm)" refers
to the temperature, under defined ionic strength, pH, and nucleic
acid concentration, at which 50% of the oligonucleotides
complementary to the target sequence hybridize to the target
sequence at equilibrium. Typically, stringent conditions will be
those in which the salt concentration is at least about 0.01 to 1.0
M Na ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the
temperature is at least about 30.degree. C. for short
oligonucleotides (e.g., 10 to 50 nucleotide). Stringent conditions
may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such
as formamide.
[0056] As used herein, "modulation" means either an increase
(stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a
gene.
[0057] The term "variant," when used in the context of a
polynucleotide sequence, may encompass a polynucleotide sequence
related to a wild type gene. This definition may also include, for
example, "allelic," "splice," "species," or "polymorphic" variants.
A splice variant may have significant identity to a reference
molecule, but will generally have a greater or lesser number of
polynucleotides due to alternate splicing of exons during mRNA
processing. The corresponding polypeptide may possess additional
functional domains or an absence of domains. Species variants are
polynucleotide sequences that vary from one species to another. Of
particular utility in the invention are variants of wild type gene
products. Variants may result from at least one mutation in the
nucleic acid sequence and may result in altered mRNAs or in
polypeptides whose structure or function may or may not be altered.
Any given natural or recombinant gene may have none, one, or many
allelic forms. Common mutational changes that give rise to variants
are generally ascribed to natural deletions, additions, or
substitutions of nucleotides. Each of these types of changes may
occur alone, or in combination with the others, one or more times
in a given sequence.
[0058] The resulting polypeptides generally will have significant
amino acid identity relative to each other. A polymorphic variant
is a variation in the polynucleotide sequence of a particular gene
between individuals of a given species. Polymorphic variants also
may encompass "single nucleotide polymorphisms" (SNPs,) or single
base mutations in which the polynucleotide sequence varies by one
base. The presence of SNPs may be indicative of, for example, a
certain population with a propensity for a disease state, that is
susceptibility versus resistance.
[0059] Derivative polynucleotides include nucleic acids subjected
to chemical modification, for example, replacement of hydrogen by
an alkyl, acyl, or amino group. Derivatives, e.g., derivative
oligonucleotides, may comprise non-naturally-occurring portions,
such as altered sugar moieties or inter-sugar linkages. Exemplary
among these are phosphorothioate and other sulfur containing
species which are known in the art. Derivative nucleic acids may
also contain labels, including radionucleotides, enzymes,
fluorescent agents, chemiluminescent agents, chromogenic agents,
substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the
like.
[0060] A "derivative" polypeptide or peptide is one that is
modified, for example, by glycosylation, pegylation,
phosphorylation, sulfation, reduction/alkylation, acylation,
chemical coupling, or mild formalin treatment. A derivative may
also be modified to contain a detectable label, either directly or
indirectly, including, but not limited to, a radioisotope,
fluorescent, and enzyme label.
[0061] As used herein, the term "animal" or "patient" is meant to
include, for example, humans, sheep, elks, deer, mule deer, minks,
mammals, monkeys, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, rats,
mice, birds, chicken, reptiles, fish, insects and arachnids.
[0062] "Mammal" covers warm blooded mammals that are typically
under medical care (e.g., humans and domesticated animals).
Examples include feline, canine, equine, bovine, and human, as well
as just human.
[0063] "Treating" or "treatment" covers the treatment of a
disease-state in a mammal, and includes: (a) preventing the
disease-state from occurring in a mammal, in particular, when such
mammal is predisposed to the disease-state but has not yet been
diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease-state, e.g.,
arresting it development; and/or (c) relieving the disease-state,
e.g., causing regression of the disease state until a desired
endpoint is reached. Treating also includes the amelioration of a
symptom of a disease (e.g., lessen the pain or discomfort), wherein
such amelioration may or may not be directly affecting the disease
(e.g., cause, transmission, expression, etc.).
[0064] As used herein, "cancer" refers to all types of cancer or
neoplasm or malignant tumors found in mammals, including, but not
limited to: leukemias, lymphomas, melanomas, carcinomas and
sarcomas. The cancer manifests itself as a "tumor" or tissue
comprising malignant cells of the cancer. Examples of tumors
include sarcomas and carcinomas such as, but not limited to:
fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteogenic
sarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endotheliosarcoma,
lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, synovioma,
mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma,
colon carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer,
prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma,
adenocarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma,
papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinomas, cystadenocarcinoma,
medullary carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma,
hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonal
carcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervical cancer, testicular tumor, lung
carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, epithelial
carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma,
ependymoma, pinealoma, hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma,
oligodendroglioma, meningioma, melanoma, neuroblastoma, and
retinoblastoma. Additional cancers which can be treated by the
disclosed composition according to the invention include but not
limited to, for example, Hodgkin's Disease, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma,
multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer,
lung cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, primary thrombocytosis, primary
macroglobulinemia, small-cell lung tumors, primary brain tumors,
stomach cancer, colon cancer, malignant pancreatic insulanoma,
malignant carcinoid, urinary bladder cancer, premalignant skin
lesions, testicular cancer, lymphomas, thyroid cancer,
neuroblastoma, esophageal cancer, genitourinary tract cancer,
malignant hypercalcemia, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer,
adrenal cortical cancer, and prostate cancer.
[0065] "Neurological disease or disorder" refers to any disease or
disorder of the nervous system and/or visual system. "Neurological
disease or disorder" include disease or disorders that involve the
central nervous system (brain, brainstem and cerebellum), the
peripheral nervous system (including cranial nerves), and the
autonomic nervous system (parts of which are located in both
central and peripheral nervous system). Examples of neurological
disorders include but are not limited to, headache, stupor and
coma, dementia, seizure, sleep disorders, trauma, infections,
neoplasms, neuroopthalmology, movement disorders, demyelinating
diseases, spinal cord disorders, and disorders of peripheral
nerves, muscle and neuromuscular junctions. Addiction and mental
illness, include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia, are also included in the definition of neurological
disorder. The following is a list of several neurological
disorders, symptoms, signs and syndromes that can be treated using
compositions and methods according to the present invention:
acquired epileptiform aphasia; acute disseminated
encephalomyelitis; adrenoleukodystrophy; age-related macular
degeneration; agenesis of the corpus callosum; agnosia; Aicardi
syndrome; Alexander disease; Alpers' disease; alternating
hemiplegia; Vascular dementia; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
anencephaly; Angelman syndrome; angiomatosis; anoxia; aphasia;
apraxia; arachnoid cysts; arachnoiditis; Anronl-Chiari
malformation; arteriovenous malformation; Asperger syndrome; ataxia
telegiectasia; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; autism;
autonomic dysfunction; back pain; Batten disease; Behcet's disease;
Bell's palsy; benign essential blepharospasm; benign focal;
amyotrophy; benign intracranial hypertension; Binswanger's disease;
blepharospasm; Bloch Sulzberger syndrome; brachial plexus injury;
brain abscess; brain injury; brain tumors (including glioblastoma
multiforme); spinal tumor; Brown-Sequard syndrome; Canavan disease;
carpal tunnel syndrome; causalgia; central pain syndrome; central
pontine myelinolysis; cephalic disorder; cerebral aneurysm;
cerebral arteriosclerosis; cerebral atrophy; cerebral gigantism;
cerebral palsy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; chemotherapy-induced
neuropathy and neuropathic pain; Chiari malformation; chorea;
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; chronic pain;
chronic regional pain syndrome; Coffin Lowry syndrome; coma,
including persistent vegetative state; congenital facial diplegia;
corticobasal degeneration; cranial arteritis; craniosynostosis;
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; cumulative trauma disorders; Cushing's
syndrome; cytomegalic inclusion body disease; cytomegalovirus
infection; dancing eyes-dancing feet syndrome; DandyWalker
syndrome; Dawson disease; De Morsier's syndrome; Dejerine-Klumke
palsy; dementia; dermatomyositis; diabetic neuropathy; diffuse
sclerosis; dysautonomia; dysgraphia; dyslexia; dystonias; early
infantile epileptic encephalopathy; empty sella syndrome;
encephalitis; encephaloceles; encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis;
epilepsy; Erb's palsy; essential tremor; Fabry's disease; Fahr's
syndrome; fainting; familial spastic paralysis; febrile seizures;
Fisher syndrome; Friedreich's ataxia; fronto-temporal dementia and
other "tauopathies"; Gaucher's disease; Gerstmann's syndrome; giant
cell arteritis; giant cell inclusion disease; globoid cell
leukodystrophy; Guillain-Barre syndrome; HTLV-1-associated
myelopathy; Hallervorden-Spatz disease; head injury; headache;
hemifacial spasm; hereditary spastic paraplegia; heredopathia
atactic a polyneuritiformis; herpes zoster oticus; herpes zoster;
Hirayama syndrome; HlVassociated dementia and neuropathy (also
neurological manifestations of AIDS); holoprosencephaly;
Huntington's disease and other polyglutamine repeat diseases;
hydranencephaly; hydrocephalus; hypercortisolism; hypoxia;
immune-mediated encephalomyelitis; inclusion body myositis;
incontinentia pigmenti; infantile phytanic acid storage disease;
infantile refsum disease; infantile spasms; inflammatory myopathy;
intracranial cyst; intracranial hypertension; Joubert syndrome;
Keams-Sayre syndrome; Kennedy disease Kinsboume syndrome; Klippel
Feil syndrome; Krabbe disease; Kugelberg-Welander disease; kuru;
Lafora disease; Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome; Landau-Kleffner
syndrome; lateral medullary (Wallenberg) syndrome; learning
disabilities; Leigh's disease; Lennox-Gustaut syndrome; Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome; leukodystrophy; Lewy body dementia; Lissencephaly;
locked-in syndrome; Lou Gehrig's disease (i.e., motor neuron
disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis); lumbar disc disease;
Lyme disease--neurological sequelae; Machado-Joseph disease;
macrencephaly; megalencephaly; Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome;
Menieres disease; meningitis; Menkes disease; metachromatic
leukodystrophy; microcephaly; migraine; Miller Fisher syndrome;
mini-strokes; mitochondrial myopathies; Mobius syndrome; monomelic
amyotrophy; motor neuron disease; Moyamoya disease;
mucopolysaccharidoses; milti-infarct dementia; multifocal motor
neuropathy; multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating disorders;
multiple system atrophy with postural hypotension; p muscular
dystrophy; myasthenia gravis; myelinoclastic diffuse sclerosis;
myoclonic encephalopathy of infants; myoclonus; myopathy; myotonia
congenital; narcolepsy; neurofibromatosis; neuroleptic malignant
syndrome; neurological manifestations of AIDS; neurological
sequelae oflupus; neuromyotonia; neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis;
neuronal migration disorders; Niemann-Pick disease;
O'Sullivan-McLeod syndrome; occipital neuralgia; occult spinal
dysraphism sequence; Ohtahara syndrome; olivopontocerebellar
atrophy; opsoclonus myoclonus; optic neuritis; orthostatic
hypotension; overuse syndrome; paresthesia; Neurodegenerative
disease or disorder (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia,
multiple sclerosis and other diseases and disorders associated with
neuronal cell death); paramyotonia congenital; paraneoplastic
diseases; paroxysmal attacks; Parry Romberg syndrome;
Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease; periodic paralyses; peripheral
neuropathy; painful neuropathy and neuropathic pain; persistent
vegetative state; pervasive developmental disorders; photic sneeze
reflex; phytanic acid storage disease; Pick's disease; pinched
nerve; pituitary tumors; polymyositis; porencephaly; post-polio
syndrome; postherpetic neuralgia; postinfectious encephalomyelitis;
postural hypotension; Prader- Willi syndrome; primary lateral
sclerosis; prion diseases; progressive hemifacial atrophy;
progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy; progressive sclerosing
poliodystrophy; progressive supranuclear palsy; pseudotumor
cerebri; Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (types 1 and 11); Rasmussen's
encephalitis; reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome; Refsum
disease; repetitive motion disorders; repetitive stress injuries;
restless legs syndrome; retrovirus-associated myelopathy; Rett
syndrome; Reye's syndrome; Saint Vitus dance; Sandhoff disease;
Schilder's disease; schizencephaly; septo-optic dysplasia; shaken
baby syndrome; shingles; Shy-Drager syndrome; Sjogren's syndrome;
sleep apnea; Soto's syndrome; spasticity; spina bifida; spinal cord
injury; spinal cord tumors; spinal muscular atrophy; Stiff-Person
syndrome; stroke; Sturge-Weber syndrome; subacute sclerosing
panencephalitis; subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy;
Sydenham chorea; syncope; syringomyelia; tardive dyskinesia;
Tay-Sachs disease; temporal arteritis; tethered spinal cord
syndrome; Thomsen disease; thoracic outlet syndrome; Tic
Douloureux; Todd's paralysis; Tourette syndrome; transient ischemic
attack; transmissible spongiform encephalopathies; transverse
myelitis; traumatic brain injury; tremor; trigeminal neuralgia;
tropical spastic paraparesis; tuberous sclerosis; vascular dementia
(multi-infarct dementia); vasculitis including temporal arteritis;
Von Hippel-Lindau disease; Wallenberg's syndrome; Werdnig-Hoffman
disease; West syndrome; whiplash; Williams syndrome; Wildon's
disease; and Zellweger syndrome.
[0066] An "Inflammation" refers to systemic inflammatory conditions
and conditions associated locally with migration and attraction of
monocytes, leukocytes and/or neutrophils. Examples of inflammation
include, but are not limited to, Inflammation resulting from
infection with pathogenic organisms (including gram-positive
bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
such as protozoa and helminths), transplant rejection (including
rejection of solid organs such as kidney, liver, heart, lung or
cornea, as well as rejection of bone marrow transplants including
graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)), or from localized chronic or
acute autoimmune or allergic reactions. Autoimmune diseases include
acute glomerulonephritis; rheumatoid or reactive arthritis; chronic
glomerulonephritis; inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis and necrotizing enterocolitis;
granulocyte transfusion associated syndromes; inflammatory
dermatoses such as contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis,
psoriasis; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), autoimmune
thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, and some forms of diabetes, or any
other autoimmune state where attack by the subject's own immune
system results in pathologic tissue destruction. Allergic reactions
include allergic asthma, chronic bronchitis, acute and delayed
hypersensitivity. Systemic inflammatory disease states include
inflammation associated with trauma, burns, reperfusion following
ischemic events (e.g. thrombotic events in heart, brain, intestines
or peripheral vasculature, including myocardial infarction and
stroke), sepsis, ARDS or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
Inflammatory cell recruitment also occurs in atherosclerotic
plaques. Inflammation includes, but is not limited to,
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Wegener's granulomatosis, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, hepatocellular carcinoma, thymus atrophy, chronic
pancreatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia,
osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, papillary carcinoma, Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, acute cholecystitis, chronic
cholecystitis, cirrhosis, chronic sialadenitis, peritonitis, acute
pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, chronic Gastritis, adenomyosis,
endometriosis, acute cervicitis, chronic cervicitis, lymphoid
hyperplasia, multiple sclerosis, hypertrophy secondary to
idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, primary IgA nephropathy,
systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, pulmonary emphysema,
chronic pyelonephritis, and chronic cystitis.
Polynucleotide and Oligonucleotide Compositions and Molecules
Targets
[0067] In one embodiment, the targets comprise nucleic acid
sequences of a Collagen gene, including without limitation sense
and/or antisense noncoding and/or coding sequences associated with
a Collagen gene.
[0068] In one embodiment, the targets comprise nucleic acid
sequences of COL1A1, including without limitation sense and/or
antisense noncoding and/or coding sequences associated with COL1A1
gene.
[0069] In one embodiment, the targets comprise nucleic acid
sequences of COL1A2, including without limitation sense and/or
antisense noncoding and/or coding sequences associated with COL1A2
gene.
[0070] In one embodiment, the targets comprise nucleic acid
sequences of COL7A1, including without limitation sense and/or
antisense noncoding and/or coding sequences associated with COL7A1
gene.
[0071] Collagen type I is the most enriched ECM component in the
vasculature and is found in abundance in the plaque, the levels of
which affect the vulnerability of the plaque and correlate with the
mortality and morbidity of atherosclerosis (Libby P., et al (2000)
J. Intern. Med. 247:349-358; Rekhter Md., (1993) Am. J. Pathol.
143:1634-1648). It consists of two al (I) chains and one
.alpha.2(I) chain that are produced by two fairly large genes that
reside on different chromosomes in both the human and the mouse
genome (Myllyharju, J., et al (2001) Ann. Med. 33, 7-21). Type I
collagen is a member of a family of fibrillar collagens and
accounts for 80 to 90% of the protein found in bone. It is also
found in large amounts in tissues such as skin, ligaments and
tendons. The COL1A1 gene is located on the long (q) arm of
chromosome 17 between positions 21.3 and 22.1, from base pair
45,616,455 to base pair 45,633,991.
[0072] Collagen type I is the most enriched ECM component in the
vasculature and is found in abundance in the plaque, the levels of
which affect the vulnerability of the plaque and correlate with the
mortality and morbidity of atherosclerosis (Libby P., et al (2000)
J. Intern. Med. 247:349-358; Rekhter Md., (1993) Am. J. Pathol.
143:1634-1648). It consists of two a 1 (I) chains and one
.alpha.2(I) chain that are produced by two fairly large genes that
reside on different chromosomes in both the human and the mouse
genome (Myllyharju, J., et al (2001) Ann. Med. 33, 7-21. The
collagen alpha2(I) gene (COL1A2) is located on chromosome
7q22.1.
[0073] Collagen, type VII, alpha 1 (epidermolysis bullosa,
dystrophic, dominant and recessive), also known as
[0074] COL7AI, is a human gene. This gene encodes the alpha chain
of type VII collagen. The type VII collagen fibril, composed of
three identical alpha collagen chains, is restricted to the
basement zone beneath stratified squamous epithelia. It functions
as an anchoring fibril between the external epithelia and the
underlying stroma. Mutations in this gene are associated with all
forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. In the absence of
mutations, however, an autoimmune response against type VII
collagen can result in an acquired form of this disease called
epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
[0075] Type VII collagen is also found in the retina; its function
in this organ is unknown.
[0076] COL7A1 is located on the short arm of human chromosome 3, in
the chromosomal region denoted 3p21.31. The gene is approximately
31,000 base pairs in size and is remarkable for the extreme
fragmentation of its coding sequence into 118 exons. COL7A1 is
transcribed into an mRNA of 9,287 base pairs. In the skin, the type
VII collagen protein is synthesized by keratinocytes and dermal
fibroblasts.
[0077] Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a clinically
heterogeneous heritable skin disorder, characterized by blistering
of the skin and mucous membranes following minor trauma, and with a
broad range of clinical severity. All forms are caused by mutations
in COL7AI, the gene coding for collagen VII. This collagen, the
major component of the anchoring fibrils, is reduced or missing in
DEB skin, and the anchoring fibrils are morphologically altered or
absent and functionally defective. Notably, the full spectrum of
gene mutations and the molecular mechanisms leading to these visual
and functional alterations still remain elusive, despite
significant scientific efforts.
[0078] Worldwide, DEB affects thousands of families. Therefore,
efficient COL7A1 mutation detection is urgently needed for precise
diagnosis, prognostication, genetic counseling and reliable
prenatal diagnosis, and, importantly, for identification of
suitable candidates for future gene therapy trials. COL7A1 is
located within the 3p21 region and spans over 30.5 kb. It shares
structural features with other collagen genes and consists of 118
small exons and small introns. To date, more than 200 different
mutations have been reported, but very few recurrent mutations or
hot spots are known.
[0079] In some embodiments, antisense oligonucleotides are used to
prevent or treat diseases or disorders associated with Collagen
gene family members. Exemplary Collagen gene mediated diseases and
disorders which can be treated with cell/tissues regenerated from
stem cells obtained using the antisense compounds comprise: a
collagen disorder, age related collagen degradation, Osteogenesis
imperfecta, Otosclerosis (OTSC), Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis,
Oesophageal squamous cell cancer, chondrodysplasia, atypical Marfan
syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Dystrophic epidermolysis
bullosa (DEB), Caffey disease, aneurysms (eg. intracranial
aneurysms), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, kidney
fibrosis, liver fibrosis, heart fibrosis, scleroderma, hypertrophic
scars, keloids, cancer, inflammation, a genetic disease (e.g.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy), a neurological disease or disorder
(e.g. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Gaucher disease), a
metabolic disease (e.g. type I diabetes), an autoimmune disease or
disorder, trauma (e.g. spinal cord injury, burns, etc), ischemia,
and other blood vessel, heart, a skin disease or disorder, skin
aging, a skin disease or disorder or condition requiring skin
engineering, a liver or kidney disease requiring transplantation;
tendon, bone or tissue regeneration; skeletal repair, cartilage and
bone repair.
[0080] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides
modulate the normal expression and/or normal function of a Collagen
gene in patients suffering from or at risk of developing diseases
or disorders associated with Collagen gene.
[0081] An embodiment of the present invention provides Collagen
gene based matrix composition, said composition comprising a three
dimensional purified collagen matrix comprised of Collagen fibrils,
wherein function of and/or the expression of a Collagen gene
polynucleotide in the cells of collagen fibrils is modulated in
vivo or in vitro by contacting collagen fibril cells or tissues
with at least one antisense oligonucleotide that targets a region
of a natural antisense oligonucleotide of the Collagen gene
polynucleotide.
[0082] An embodiment of the present invention provides method of in
vitro, ex vivo or in vivo wound healing or tissue regeneration or
tissue engineering which comprises application of an extracellular
matrix composition of the present invention to a wound.
[0083] An embodiment of the present invention provides method of
preparing a Collagen gene based matrix composition, comprising
contacting collagen fibril cells or tissues with at least one
antisense oligonucleotide that targets a region of a natural
antisense oligonucleotide of the Collagen gene polynucleotide;
thereby modulating a function of and/or the expression of the
Collagen gene polynucleotide in patient cells or tissues in vivo or
in vitro.
[0084] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
composition for supporting stem cells, the composition comprising
an engineered, purified Collagen gene-based matrix comprising
Collagen fibrils, and a population of stem cells. The engineered
purified collagen based matrix compositions of the present
invention can be used alone or in combination with cells as a
tissue graft construct to enhance the repair of damaged or diseased
tissues.
[0085] In accordance with one embodiment an improved method for
culturing stem cells is provided. The method comprises preparing a
solubilized Collagen gene composition with desired characteristics
as provided in the present invention, adding cells to the
solubilized Collagen gene composition and polymerizing the collagen
composition under controlled conditions to provide a matrix formed
from collagen fibrils and having the desired microstructure. In one
embodiment cells are added to the Collagen gene based matrix, and
the cells are cultured under conditions suitable for proliferation
of the cells.
[0086] In embodiments, Collagen gene -based matrix composition is
used to prevent or treat diseases or disorders associated with loss
of a particular cell type or tissue that can be replaced by new
cells/tissues regenerated from the pluripotent stem cells.
[0087] In embodiments, the Collagen gene -based matrix composition
is used in conjunction with at least one of the transcription
factor selected from: OCT4, c-myc, KLF4 and/or Sox2, NANOG, LIN28
and other transcription factors required to induce pluripotent stem
cells from a given adult tissue. These cells can be further
introduced into a lesion and allowed to differentiate into a
required cell type in vitro or in vivo.
[0088] Examples of diseases which can be treated with cells/tissues
regenerated from Collagen gene-based matrix composition using the
stem cells and the antisense compounds comprise cancer, genetic
diseases (e.g. Duchenne muscular dystrophy), neurodegenerative
diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Gaucher
disease), metabolic diseases (e.g. type I diabetes), trauma (e.g.
spinal cord injury, burns, etc), ischemia, and other blood vessel,
heart, liver or kidney diseases requiring transplantation.
[0089] In embodiments, the Collagen gene-based matrix composition
may also be utilized in tendon, bone or tissue regeneration;
skeletal repair, cartilage, bone repair processes, osteoporosis,
prostheses for arthroplaties, etc. that can be injected in situ in
small non-joining fractures or in cartilaginous lesions, in the
systemic circulation of osteoporotic individuals or can be
implanted adsorbed in the appropriate biomaterial (collagen,
hydroxyapatite, etc.) to promote cartilage or bone formation in
lesions. Furthermore, the composition can be adsorbed in the
hydroxyapatite (periapatite) coating the prostheses for hip, knee
arthroplasties to enhance biological integration of these
prostheses in the host, prolonging their life. The composition can
be also used in spinal arthrodesis for promoting spinal fusion and
improve the efficiency of these procedures performed by the
standard procedures with autologous graft or bone bank.
[0090] In embodiments of the present invention, therapeutic and/or
cosmetic regimes and related tailored treatments are provided to
subjects requiring skin treatments or at risk of developing
conditions for which they would require skin treatments. Diagnosis
can be made, e.g., based on the subject's Collagen gene status. A
patient's Collagen gene expression levels in a given tissue such as
skin can be determined by methods known to those of skill in the
art and described elsewhere herein, e.g., by analyzing tissue using
PCR or antibody-based detection methods.
[0091] A embodiment of the present invention provides a composition
for skin treatment and/or a cosmetic application comprising
Collagen gene antisense oligonucleotides, e.g., to upregulate
expression of Collagen gene in the skin. Examples of antisense
oligonucleotides are set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 4 to 29. In
embodiments, cells are treated in vivo with the oligonucleotides of
the present invention, to increase cell lifespan or prevent
apoptosis. For example, skin can be protected from aging, e.g.,
developing wrinkles, by treating skin, e.g., epithelial cells, as
described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, skin is contacted
with a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition comprising a Collagen
gene antisense compound as described herein. Exemplary skin
afflictions or skin conditions include disorders or diseases
associated with or caused by inflammation, sun damage or natural
aging. For example, the compositions find utility in the prevention
or treatment of contact dermatitis (including irritant contact
dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis), atopic dermatitis
(also known as allergic eczema), actinic keratosis, keratinization
disorders (including eczema), epidermolysis bullosa diseases
(including penfigus), exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic
dermatitis, erythemas (including erythema multiforme and erythema
nodosum), damage caused by the sun or other light sources, discoid
lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, skin cancer and the effects
of natural aging.
[0092] In embodiments of the present invention, a composition
comprising Collagen gene antisense oligonucleotides, e.g., to
upregulate expression of Collagen gene in the scalp and inhibit
androgen receptor signaling, thereby preventing androgenetic
alopecia (hair loss). In embodiments, a patient suffering from
alopecia is administered either a topical or systemic
formulation.
[0093] In an embodiment, an antisense oligonucleotide described
herein is incorporated into a topical formulation containing a
topical carrier that is generally suited to topical drug
administration and comprising any such material known in the art.
The topical carrier may be selected so as to provide the
composition in the desired form, e.g., as an ointment, lotion,
cream, microemulsion, gel, oil, solution, or the like, and may be
comprised of a material of either naturally occurring or synthetic
origin. It is preferable that the selected carrier not adversely
affect the active agent or other components of the topical
formulation. Examples of suitable topical carriers for use herein
include water, alcohols and other nontoxic organic solvents,
glycerin, mineral oil, silicone, petroleum jelly, lanolin, fatty
acids, vegetable oils, parabens, waxes, and the like. Formulations
may be colorless, odorless ointments, lotions, creams,
microemulsions and gels.
[0094] Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be
incorporated into ointments, which generally are semisolid
preparations which are typically based on petrolatum or other
petroleum derivatives. The specific ointment base to be used, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, is one that will
provide for optimum drug delivery, and, preferably, will provide
for other desired characteristics as well, e.g., emolliency or the
like. As with other carriers or vehicles, an ointment base should
be inert, stable, nonirritating and nonsensitizing. As explained in
Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Pub. Co.), ointment bases
may be grouped into four classes: oleaginous bases; emulsifiable
bases; emulsion bases; and water-soluble bases. Oleaginous ointment
bases include, for example, vegetable oils, fats obtained from
animals, and semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum.
Emulsifiable ointment bases, also known as absorbent ointment
bases, contain little or no water and include, for example,
hydroxystearin sulfate, anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic
petrolatum. Emulsion ointment bases are either water-in-oil (W/O)
emulsions or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, and include, for
example, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin and stearic
acid. Exemplary water-soluble ointment bases are prepared from
polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of varying molecular weight (see, e.g.,
Remington's, supra).
[0095] Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be
incorporated into lotions, which generally are preparations to be
applied to the skin surface without friction, and are typically
liquid or semiliquid preparations in which solid particles,
including the active agent, are present in a water or alcohol base.
Lotions are usually suspensions of solids, and may comprise a
liquid oily emulsion of the oil-in-water type. Lotions are
preferred formulations for treating large body areas, because of
the ease of applying a more fluid composition. It is generally
necessary that the insoluble matter in a lotion be finely divided.
Lotions will typically contain suspending agents to produce better
dispersions as well as compounds useful for localizing and holding
the active agent in contact with the skin, e.g., methylcellulose,
sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or the like. An exemplary lotion
formulation for use in conjunction with the present method contains
propylene glycol mixed with a hydrophilic petrolatum such as that
which may be obtained under the trademark Aquaphor.sup.RTM from
Beiersdorf, Inc. (Norwalk, Conn.).
[0096] Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be
incorporated into creams, which generally are viscous liquid or
semisolid emulsions, either oil-in-water or water-in-oil. Cream
bases are water-washable, and contain an oil phase, an emulsifier
and an aqueous phase. The oil phase is generally comprised of
petrolatum and a fatty alcohol such as cetyl or stearyl alcohol;
the aqueous phase usually, although not necessarily, exceeds the
oil phase in volume, and generally contains a humectant. The
emulsifier in a cream formulation, as explained in Remington's,
supra, is generally a nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric
surfactant.
[0097] Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be
incorporated into microemulsions, which generally are
thermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of two
immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, stabilized by an
interfacial film of surfactant molecules (Encyclopedia of
Pharmaceutical Technology (New York: Marcel Dekker, 1992), volume
9). For the preparation of microemulsions, surfactant (emulsifier),
co-surfactant (co-emulsifier), an oil phase and a water phase are
necessary. Suitable surfactants include any surfactants that are
useful in the preparation of emulsions, e.g., emulsifiers that are
typically used in the preparation of creams. The co-surfactant (or
"co-emulsifer") is generally selected from the group of
polyglycerol derivatives, glycerol derivatives and fatty alcohols.
Preferred emulsifier/co-emulsifier combinations are generally
although not necessarily selected from the group consisting of:
glyceryl monostearate and polyoxyethylene stearate; polyethylene
glycol and ethylene glycol palmitostearate; and caprilic and capric
triglycerides and oleoyl macrogolglycerides. The water phase
includes not only water but also, typically, buffers, glucose,
propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, preferably lower molecular
weight polyethylene glycols (e.g., PEG 300 and PEG 400), and/or
glycerol, and the like, while the oil phase will generally
comprise, for example, fatty acid esters, modified vegetable oils,
silicone oils, mixtures of mono-di- and triglycerides, mono- and
di-esters of PEG (e.g., oleoyl macrogol glycerides), etc.
[0098] Antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be
incorporated into gel formulations, which generally are semisolid
systems consisting of either suspensions made up of small inorganic
particles (two-phase systems) or large organic molecules
distributed substantially uniformly throughout a carrier liquid
(single phase gels). Single phase gels can be made, for example, by
combining the active agent, a carrier liquid and a suitable gelling
agent such as tragacanth (at 2 to 5%), sodium alginate (at 2-10%),
gelatin (at 2-15%), methylcellulose (at 3-5%), sodium
carboxymethylcellulose (at 2-5%), carbomer (at 0.3-5%) or polyvinyl
alcohol (at 10-20%) together and mixing until a characteristic
semisolid product is produced. Other suitable gelling agents
include methylhydroxycellulose, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene,
hydroxyethylcellulose and gelatin. Although gels commonly employ
aqueous carrier liquid, alcohols and oils can be used as the
carrier liquid as well.
[0099] Various additives, known to those skilled in the art, may be
included in formulations, e.g., topical formulations. Examples of
additives include, but are not limited to, solubilizers, skin
permeation enhancers, opacifiers, preservatives (e.g.,
anti-oxidants), gelling agents, buffering agents, surfactants
(particularly nonionic and amphoteric surfactants), emulsifiers,
emollients, thickening agents, stabilizers, humectants, colorants,
fragrance, and the like. Inclusion of solubilizers and/or skin
permeation enhancers is particularly preferred, along with
emulsifiers, emollients and preservatives. An optimum topical
formulation comprises approximately: 2 wt. % to 60 wt. %,
preferably 2 wt. % to 50 wt. %, solubilizer and/or skin permeation
enhancer; 2 wt. % to 50 wt. %, preferably 2 wt. % to 20 wt. %,
emulsifiers; 2 wt. % to 20 wt. % emollient; and 0.01 to 0.2 wt. %
preservative, with the active agent and carrier (e.g., water)
making of the remainder of the formulation.
[0100] A skin permeation enhancer serves to facilitate passage of
therapeutic levels of active agent to pass through a reasonably
sized area of unbroken skin. Suitable enhancers are well known in
the art and include, for example: lower alkanols such as methanol
ethanol and 2-propanol; alkyl methyl sulfoxides such as
dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), decylmethylsulfoxide (C.sub.10 MSO) and
tetradecylmethyl sulfboxide; pyrrolidones such as 2-pyrrolidone,
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and N-(-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidone; urea;
N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; C.sub.2-C.sub.6 alkanediols; miscellaneous
solvents such as dimethyl formamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide
(DMA) and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol; and the 1-substituted
azacycloheptan-2-ones, particularly
1-n-dodecylcyclazacycloheptan-2-one (laurocapram; available under
the trademark Azone.sup.RTM from Whitby Research Incorporated,
Richmond, Va.).
[0101] Examples of solubilizers include, but are not limited to,
the following: hydrophilic ethers such as diethylene glycol
monoethyl ether (ethoxydiglycol, available commercially as
Transcutol.sup.RTM) and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether oleate
(available commercially as Soficutol.sup.RTM); polyethylene castor
oil derivatives such as polyoxy 35 castor oil, polyoxy 40
hydrogenated castor oil, etc.; polyethylene glycol, particularly
lower molecular weight polyethylene glycols such as PEG 300 and PEG
400, and polyethylene glycol derivatives such as PEG-8
caprylic/capric glycerides (available commercially as
Labrasol.sup.RTM); alkyl methyl sulfoxides such as DMSO;
pyrrolidones such as 2-pyrrolidone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; and
DMA. Many solubilizers can also act as absorption enhancers. A
single solubilizer may be incorporated into the formulation, or a
mixture of solubilizers may be incorporated therein.
[0102] Suitable emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers include, without
limitation, those emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers described with
respect to microemulsion formulations. Emollients include, for
example, propylene glycol, glycerol, isopropyl myristate,
polypropylene glycol-2 (PPG-2) myristyl ether propionate, and the
like.
[0103] Other active agents may also be included in formulations,
e.g., other anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, antimicrobial
agents, antifungal agents, antibiotics, vitamins, antioxidants, and
sunblock agents commonly found in sunscreen formulations including,
but not limited to, anthranilates, benzophenones (particularly
benzophenone-3), camphor derivatives, cinnamates (e.g., octyl
methoxycinnamate), dibenzoyl methanes (e.g, butyl methoxydibenzoyl
methane), p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and derivatives thereof, and
salicylates (e.g., octyl salicylate).
[0104] In one embodiment, the oligonucleotides are specific for
polynucleotides of a Collagen gene, which includes, without
limitation noncoding regions. The Collagen gene targets comprise
variants of a Collagen gene; mutants of a Collagen gene, including
SNPs; noncoding sequences of a Collagen gene; alleles, fragments
and the like. Preferably the oligonucleotide is an antisense RNA
molecule.
[0105] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the target
nucleic acid molecule is not limited to a Collagen gene
polynucleotides alone but extends to any of the isoforms,
receptors, homologs, non-coding regions and the like of a Collagen
gene.
[0106] In another embodiment, an oligonucleotide targets a natural
antisense sequence (natural antisense to the coding and non-coding
regions) of a Collagen gene targets, including, without limitation,
variants, alleles, homologs, mutants, derivatives, fragments and
complementary sequences thereto. Preferably the oligonucleotide is
an antisense RNA or DNA molecule.
[0107] In another embodiment, the oligomeric compounds of the
present invention also include variants in which a different base
is present at one or more of the nucleotide positions in the
compound. For example, if the first nucleotide is an adenine,
variants may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine,
cytidine or other natural or unnatural nucleotides at this
position. This may be done at any of the positions of the antisense
compound.
[0108] In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, between the antisense compound and target is from
about 50% to about 60%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence
identity or complementarity, is from about 60% to about 70%. In
some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity,
is from about 70% to about 80%. In some embodiments, homology,
sequence identity or complementarity, is from about 80% to about
90%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 95%,
about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or about 100%.
[0109] An antisense compound is specifically hybridizable when
binding of the compound to the target nucleic acid interferes with
the normal function of the target nucleic acid to cause a loss of
activity, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to
avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target
nucleic acid sequences under conditions in which specific binding
is desired. Such conditions include, i.e., physiological conditions
in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and
conditions in which assays are performed in the case of in vitro
assays.
[0110] An antisense compound, whether DNA, RNA, chimeric,
substituted etc, is specifically hybridizable when binding of the
compound to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the
normal function of the target DNA or RNA to cause a loss of
utility, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarily to
avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target
sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired,
i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays
or therapeutic treatment, and in the case of in vitro assays, under
conditions in which the assays are performed.
[0111] In another embodiment, targeting of a Collagen gene
including without limitation, antisense sequences which are
identified and expanded, using for example, PCR, hybridization
etc., one or more of the sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO: 4 to 9,
and the like, modulate the expression or function of a Collagen
gene. In one embodiment, expression or function is up-regulated as
compared to a control. In another embodiment, expression or
function is down-regulated as compared to a control.
[0112] In another embodiment, oligonucleotides comprise nucleic
acid sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29 including
antisense sequences which are identified and expanded, using for
example, PCR, hybridization etc. These oligonucleotides can
comprise one or more modified nucleotides, shorter or longer
fragments, modified bonds and the like. Examples of modified bonds
or internucleotide linkages comprise phosphorothioate,
phosphorodithioate or the like. In another embodiment, the
nucleotides comprise a phosphorus derivative. The phosphorus
derivative (or modified phosphate group) which may be attached to
the sugar or sugar analog moiety in the modified oligonucleotides
of the present invention may be a monophosphate, diphosphate,
triphosphate, alkylphosphate, alkanephosphate, phosphorothioate and
the like. The preparation of the above-noted phosphate analogs, and
their incorporation into nucleotides, modified nucleotides and
oligonucleotides, per se, is also known and need not be described
here.
[0113] The specificity and sensitivity of antisense is also
harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses.
Antisense oligonucleotides have been employed as therapeutic
moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and man.
Antisense oligonucleotides have been safely and effectively
administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently
underway. It is thus established that oligonucleotides can be
useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful
in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues and animals,
especially humans.
[0114] In embodiments of the present invention oligomeric antisense
compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, bind to target nucleic
acid molecules and modulate the expression and/or function of
molecules encoded by a target gene. The functions of DNA to be
interfered comprise, for example, replication and transcription.
The functions of RNA to be interfered comprise all vital functions
such as, for example, translocation of the RNA to the site of
protein translation, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing
of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and catalytic
activity which may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. The
functions may be up-regulated or inhibited depending on the
functions desired.
[0115] The antisense compounds, include, antisense oligomeric
compounds, antisense oligonucleotides, external guide sequence
(EGS) oligonucleotides, alternate splicers, primers, probes, and
other oligomeric compounds that hybridize to at least a portion of
the target nucleic acid. As such, these compounds may be introduced
in the form of single-stranded, double-stranded, partially
single-stranded, or circular oligomeric compounds.
[0116] Targeting an antisense compound to a particular nucleic acid
molecule, in the context of this invention, can be a multistep
process. The process usually begins with the identification of a
target nucleic acid whose function is to be modulated. This target
nucleic acid may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA
transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a
particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule
from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target
nucleic acid encodes a Collagen gene.
[0117] The targeting process usually also includes determination of
at least one target region, segment, or site within the target
nucleic acid for the antisense interaction to occur such that the
desired effect, e.g., modulation of expression, will result. Within
the context of the present invention, the term "region" is defined
as a portion of the target nucleic acid having at least one
identifiable structure, function, or characteristic. Within regions
of target nucleic acids are segments. "Segments" are defined as
smaller or sub-portions of regions within a target nucleic acid.
"Sites," as used in the present invention, are defined as positions
within a target nucleic acid.
[0118] In one embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides bind to
the natural antisense sequences of a Collagen gene and modulate the
expression and/or function of a Collagen gene (SEQ ID NO: 1 to 3).
Examples of antisense sequences include SEQ ID NOS: 4 to 29.
[0119] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides bind
to one or more segments of a Collagen gene polynucleotide and
modulate the expression and/or function of a Collagen gene. The
segments comprise at least five consecutive nucleotides of a
Collagen gene sense or antisense polynucleotides.
[0120] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides are
specific for natural antisense sequences of a Collagen gene wherein
binding of the oligonucleotides to the natural antisense sequences
of a Collagen gene modulate expression and/or function of a
Collagen gene.
[0121] In another embodiment, oligonucleotide compounds comprise
sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29, antisense sequences
which are identified and expanded, using for example, PCR,
hybridization etc These oligonucleotides can comprise one or more
modified nucleotides, shorter or longer fragments, modified bonds
and the like. Examples of modified bonds or internucleotide
linkages comprise phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate or the like.
In another embodiment, the nucleotides comprise a phosphorus
derivative. The phosphorus derivative (or modified phosphate group)
which may be attached to the sugar or sugar analog moiety in the
modified oligonucleotides of the present invention may be a
monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, alkylphosphate,
alkanephosphate, phosphorothioate and the like. The preparation of
the above-noted phosphate analogs, and their incorporation into
nucleotides, modified nucleotides and oligonucleotides, per se, is
also known and need not be described here.
[0122] Since, as is known in the art, the translation initiation
codon is typically 5'-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5'-ATG in
the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon
is also referred to as the "AUG codon," the "start codon" or the
"AUG start codon". A minority of genes has a translation initiation
codon having the RNA sequence 5'-GUG, 5'-UUG or 5'-CUG; and 5'-AUA,
5'-ACG and 5'-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the
terms "translation initiation codon" and "start codon" can
encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino
acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or
formylmethionine (in prokaryotes). Eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes
may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may
be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a
particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of
conditions. In the context of the invention, "start codon" and
"translation initiation codon" refer to the codon or codons that
are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA transcribed
from a gene encoding a Collagen gene, regardless of the sequence(s)
of such codons. A translation termination codon (or "stop codon")
of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5'-UAA, 5'-UAG and
5'-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5'-TAA, 5'- TAG and
5'-TGA, respectively).
[0123] The terms "start codon region" and "translation initiation
codon region" refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that
encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in
either direction (i.e., 5' or 3') from a translation initiation
codon. Similarly, the terms "stop codon region" and "translation
termination codon region" refer to a portion of such an mRNA or
gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous
nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5' or 3') from a translation
termination codon. Consequently, the "start codon region" (or
"translation initiation codon region") and the "stop codon region"
(or "translation termination codon region") are all regions that
may be targeted effectively with the antisense compounds of the
present invention.
[0124] The open reading frame (ORF) or "coding region," which is
known in the art to refer to the region between the translation
initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a
region which may be targeted effectively. Within the context of the
present invention, a targeted region is the intragenic region
encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the
open reading frame (ORF) of a gene.
[0125] Another target region includes the 5' untranslated region
(5'UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the
5' direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus
including nucleotides between the 5' cap site and the translation
initiation codon of an mRNA (or corresponding nucleotides on the
gene). Still another target region includes the 3' untranslated
region (3'UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA
in the 3' direction from the translation termination codon, and
thus including nucleotides between the translation termination
codon and 3' end of an mRNA (or corresponding nucleotides on the
gene). The 5' cap site of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated
guanosine residue joined to the 5'-most residue of the mRNA via a
5'-5' triphosphate linkage. The 5' cap region of an mRNA is
considered to include the 5' cap structure itself as well as the
first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap site. Another target
region for this invention is the 5' cap region.
[0126] Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly
translated, many contain one or more regions, known as "introns,"
which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The
remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as "exons"
and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. In one
embodiment, targeting splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions or
exon-intron junctions, is particularly useful in situations where
aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an
overproduction of a particular splice product is implicated in
disease. An aberrant fusion junction due to rearrangement or
deletion is another embodiment of a target site. mRNA transcripts
produced via the process of splicing of two (or more) mRNAs from
different gene sources are known as "fusion transcripts". Introns
can be effectively targeted using antisense compounds targeted to,
for example, DNA or pre-mRNA.
[0127] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides bind
to coding and/or non-coding regions of a target polynucleotide and
modulate the expression and/or function of the target molecule.
[0128] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides bind
to natural antisense polynucleotides and modulate the expression
and/or function of the target molecule.
[0129] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides bind
to sense polynucleotides and modulate the expression and/or
function of the target molecule.
[0130] Alternative RNA transcripts can be produced from the same
genomic region of DNA. These alternative transcripts are generally
known as "variants". More specifically, "pre-mRNA variants" are
transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA that differ from
other transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA in either
their start or stop position and contain both intronic and exonic
sequence.
[0131] Upon excision of one or more exon or intron regions, or
portions thereof during splicing, pre-mRNA variants produce smaller
"mRNA variants". Consequently, mRNA variants are processed pre-mRNA
variants and each unique pre-mRNA variant must always produce a
unique mRNA variant as a result of splicing. These mRNA variants
are also known as "alternative splice variants". If no splicing of
the pre-mRNA variant occurs then the pre-mRNA variant is identical
to the mRNA variant.
[0132] Variants can be produced through the use of alternative
signals to start or stop transcription. Pre-mRNAs and mRNAs can
possess more than one start codon or stop codon. Variants that
originate from a pre-mRNA or mRNA that use alternative start codons
are known as "alternative start variants" of that pre-mRNA or mRNA.
Those transcripts that use an alternative stop codon are known as
"alternative stop variants" of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. One specific
type of alternative stop variant is the "polyA variant" in which
the multiple transcripts produced result from the alternative
selection of one of the "polyA stop signals" by the transcription
machinery, thereby producing transcripts that terminate at unique
polyA sites. Within the context of the invention, the types of
variants described herein are also embodiments of target nucleic
acids.
[0133] The locations on the target nucleic acid to which the
antisense compounds hybridize are defined as at least a
5-nucleotide long portion of a target region to which an active
antisense compound is targeted.
[0134] While the specific sequences of certain exemplary target
segments are set forth herein, one of skill in the art will
recognize that these serve to illustrate and describe particular
embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Additional
target segments are readily identifiable by one having ordinary
skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
[0135] Target segments 5-100 nucleotides in length comprising a
stretch of at least five (5) consecutive nucleotides selected from
within the illustrative target segments are considered to be
suitable for targeting as well.
[0136] Target segments can include DNA or RNA sequences that
comprise at least the 5 consecutive nucleotides from the
5'-terminus of one of the illustrative target segments (the
remaining nucleotides being a consecutive stretch of the same DNA
or RNA beginning immediately upstream of the 5'-terminus of the
target segment and continuing until the DNA or RNA contains about 5
to about 100 nucleotides). Similarly target segments are
represented by DNA or RNA sequences that comprise at least the 5
consecutive nucleotides from the 3'-terminus of one of the
illustrative target segments (the remaining nucleotides being a
consecutive stretch of the same DNA or RNA beginning immediately
downstream of the 3'-terminus of the target segment and continuing
until the DNA or RNA contains about 5 to about 100 nucleotides).
One having skill in the art armed with the target segments
illustrated herein will be able, without undue experimentation, to
identify further target segments.
[0137] Once one or more target regions, segments or sites have been
identified, antisense compounds are chosen which are sufficiently
complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and
with sufficient specificity, to give the desired effect.
[0138] In embodiments of the invention the oligonucleotides bind to
an antisense strand of a particular target. The oligonucleotides
are at least 5 nucleotides in length and can be synthesized so each
oligonucleotide targets overlapping sequences such that
oligonucleotides are synthesized to cover the entire length of the
target polynucleotide. The targets also include coding as well as
non coding regions.
[0139] In one embodiment, specific nucleic acids are targeted by
antisense oligonucleotides. Targeting an antisense compound to a
particular nucleic acid, is a multistep process. The process
usually begins with the identification of a nucleic acid sequence
whose function is to be modulated. This may be, for example, a
cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression
is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a non
coding polynucleotide such as for example, non coding RNA
(ncRNA).
[0140] RNAs can be classified into (1) messenger RNAs (mRNAs),
which are translated into proteins, and (2) non-protein-coding RNAs
(ncRNAs). ncRNAs comprise microRNAs, antisense transcripts and
other Transcriptional Units (TU) containing a high density of stop
codons and lacking any extensive "Open Reading Frame". Many ncRNAs
appear to start from initiation sites in 3' untranslated regions
(3'UTRs) of protein-coding loci. ncRNAs are often rare and at least
half of the ncRNAs that have been sequenced by the FANTOM
consortium seem not to be polyadenylated. Most researchers have for
obvious reasons focused on polyadenylated mRNAs that are processed
and exported to the cytoplasm. Recently, it was shown that the set
of non-polyadenylated nuclear RNAs may be very large, and that many
such transcripts arise from intergenic regions. The mechanism by
which ncRNAs may regulate gene expression is by base pairing with
target transcripts. The RNAs that function by base pairing can be
grouped into (1) cis encoded RNAs that are encoded at the same
genetic location, but on the opposite strand to the RNAs they act
upon and therefore display perfect complementarity to their target,
and (2) trans-encoded RNAs that are encoded at a chromosomal
location distinct from the RNAs they act upon and generally do not
exhibit perfect base-pairing potential with their targets.
[0141] Without wishing to be bound by theory, perturbation of an
antisense polynucleotide by the antisense oligonucleotides
described herein can alter the expression of the corresponding
sense messenger RNAs. However, this regulation can either be
discordant (antisense knockdown results in messenger RNA elevation)
or concordant (antisense knockdown results in concomitant messenger
RNA reduction). In these cases, antisense oligonucleotides can be
targeted to overlapping or non-overlapping parts of the antisense
transcript resulting in its knockdown or sequestration. Coding as
well as non-coding antisense can be targeted in an identical manner
and that either category is capable of regulating the corresponding
sense transcripts--either in a concordant or disconcordant manner.
The strategies that are employed in identifying new
oligonucleotides for use against a target can be based on the
knockdown of antisense RNA transcripts by antisense
oligonucleotides or any other means of modulating the desired
target.
[0142] Strategy 1: In the case of discordant regulation, knocking
down the antisense transcript elevates the expression of the
conventional (sense) gene. Should that latter gene encode for a
known or putative drug target, then knockdown of its antisense
counterpart could conceivably mimic the action of a receptor
agonist or an enzyme stimulant.
[0143] Strategy 2: In the case of concordant regulation, one could
concomitantly knock down both antisense and sense transcripts and
thereby achieve synergistic reduction of the conventional (sense)
gene expression. If, for example, an antisense oligonucleotide is
used to achieve knockdown, then this strategy can be used to apply
one antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the sense transcript and
another antisense oligonucleotide to the corresponding antisense
transcript, or a single energetically symmetric antisense
oligonucleotide that simultaneously targets overlapping sense and
antisense transcripts.
[0144] According to the present invention, antisense compounds
include antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, external guide
sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides, siRNA compounds, single- or
double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) compounds such as siRNA
compounds, and other oligomeric compounds which hybridize to at
least a portion of the target nucleic acid and modulate its
function. As such, they may be DNA, RNA, DNA-like, RNA-like, or
mixtures thereof, or may be mimetics of one or more of these. These
compounds may be single-stranded, doublestranded, circular or
hairpin oligomeric compounds and may contain structural elements
such as internal or terminal bulges, mismatches or loops. Antisense
compounds are routinely prepared linearly but can be joined or
otherwise prepared to be circular and/or branched. Antisense
compounds can include constructs such as, for example, two strands
hybridized to form a wholly or partially double-stranded compound
or a single strand with sufficient self-complementarity to allow
for hybridization and formation of a fully or partially
double-stranded compound. The two strands can be linked internally
leaving free 3' or 5' termini or can be linked to form a continuous
hairpin structure or loop. The hairpin structure may contain an
overhang on either the 5' or 3' terminus producing an extension of
single stranded character. The double stranded compounds optionally
can include overhangs on the ends. Further modifications can
include conjugate groups attached to one of the termini, selected
nucleotide positions, sugar positions or to one of the
internucleoside linkages. Alternatively, the two strands can be
linked via a non-nucleic acid moiety or linker group. When formed
from only one strand, dsRNA can take the form of a
self-complementary hairpin-type molecule that doubles back on
itself to form a duplex. Thus, the dsRNAs can be fully or partially
double stranded. Specific modulation of gene expression can be
achieved by stable expression of dsRNA hairpins in transgenic cell
lines, however, in some embodiments, the gene expression or
function is up regulated. When formed from two strands, or a single
strand that takes the form of a self-complementary hairpin-type
molecule doubled back on itself to form a duplex, the two strands
(or duplex-forming regions of a single strand) are complementary
RNA strands that base pair in Watson-Crick fashion.
[0145] Once introduced to a system, the compounds of the invention
may elicit the action of one or more enzymes or structural proteins
to effect cleavage or other modification of the target nucleic acid
or may work via occupancy-based mechanisms. In general, nucleic
acids (including oligonucleotides) may be described as "DNA-like"
(i.e., generally having one or more 2'-deoxy sugars and, generally,
T rather than U bases) or "RNA-like" (i.e., generally having one or
more 2'-hydroxyl or 2'-modified sugars and, generally U rather than
T bases). Nucleic acid helices can adopt more than one type of
structure, most commonly the A- and B-forms. It is believed that,
in general, oligonucleotides which have B-form-like structure are
"DNA-like" and those which have A-formlike structure are
"RNA-like." In some (chimeric) embodiments, an antisense compound
may contain both A- and B-form regions.
[0146] In another embodiment, the desired oligonucleotides or
antisense compounds, comprise at least one of: antisense RNA,
antisense DNA, chimeric antisense oligonucleotides, antisense
oligonucleotides comprising modified linkages, interference RNA
(RNAi), short interfering RNA (siRNA); a micro, interfering RNA
(miRNA); a small, temporal RNA (stRNA); or a short, hairpin RNA
(shRNA); small RNA-induced gene activation (RNAa); small activating
RNAs (saRNAs), or combinations thereof.
[0147] dsRNA can also activate gene expression, a mechanism that
has been termed "small RNA-induced gene activation" or RNAa. dsRNAs
targeting gene promoters induce potent transcriptional activation
of associated genes. RNAa was demonstrated in human cells using
synthetic dsRNAs, termed "small activating RNAs" (saRNAs).
[0148] Small double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), such as small interfering
RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), have been found to be the trigger
of an evolutionary conserved mechanism known as RNA interference
(RNAi). RNAi invariably leads to gene silencing. However, in
instances described in detail in the examples section which
follows, oligonucleotides are shown to increase the expression
and/or function of the Collagen gene polynucleotides and encoded
products thereof. dsRNAs may also act as small activating RNAs
(saRNA). Without wishing to be bound by theory, by targeting
sequences in gene promoters, saRNAs would induce target gene
expression in a phenomenon referred to as dsRNA-induced
transcriptional activation (RNAa).
[0149] In a further embodiment, the "target segments" identified
herein may be employed in a screen for additional compounds that
modulate the expression of a Collagen gene polynucleotide.
"Modulators" are those compounds that decrease or increase the
expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Collagen gene and
which comprise at least a 5-nucleotide portion that is
complementary to a target segment. The screening method comprises
the steps of contacting a target segment of a nucleic acid molecule
encoding sense or natural antisense polynucleotides of a Collagen
gene with one or more candidate modulators, and selecting for one
or more candidate modulators which decrease or increase the
expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Collagen gene
polynucleotide, e.g. SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29. Once it is shown that
the candidate modulator or modulators are capable of modulating
(e.g. either decreasing or increasing) the expression of a nucleic
acid molecule encoding a Collagen gene polynucleotide, the
modulator may then be employed in further investigative studies of
the function of a Collagen gene polynucleotide, or for use as a
research, diagnostic, or therapeutic agent in accordance with the
present invention.
[0150] Targeting the natural antisense sequence modulates the
function of the target gene. For example, the Collagen gene (e.g.
accession numbers NM.sub.--000088, NM.sub.--000089,
NM.sub.--000094). In a embodiment, the target is an antisense
polynucleotide of the Collagen gene. In a embodiment, an antisense
oligonucleotide targets sense and/or natural antisense sequences of
a Collagen gene polynucleotide (e.g. accession numbers
NM.sub.--000088, NM.sub.--000089, NM.sub.--000094), variants,
alleles, isoforms, homologs, mutants, derivatives, fragments and
complementary sequences thereto. Preferably the oligonucleotide is
an antisense molecule and the targets include coding and noncoding
regions of antisense and/or sense Collagen gene
polynucleotides.
[0151] The target segments of the present invention may be also be
combined with their respective complementary antisense compounds of
the present invention to form stabilized double-stranded (duplexed)
oligonucleotides.
[0152] Such double stranded oligonucleotide moieties have been
shown in the art to modulate target expression and regulate
translation as well as RNA processing via an antisense mechanism.
Moreover, the double-stranded moieties may be subject to chemical
modifications. For example, such double-stranded moieties have been
shown to inhibit the target by the classical hybridization of
antisense strand of the duplex to the target, thereby triggering
enzymatic degradation of the target.
[0153] In a embodiment, an antisense oligonucleotide targets
Collagen gene polynucleotides (e.g. accession numbers
NM.sub.--000088, NM.sub.--000089, NM.sub.--000094), variants,
alleles, isoforms, homologs, mutants, derivatives, fragments and
complementary sequences thereto. Preferably the oligonucleotide is
an antisense molecule.
[0154] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the target
nucleic acid molecule is not limited to Collagen gene alone but
extends to any of the isoforms, receptors, homologs and the like of
a Collagen gene molecule.
[0155] In another embodiment, an oligonucleotide targets a natural
antisense sequence of a Collagen gene polynucleotide, for example,
polynucleotides set forth as SEQ ID NO: 4 to 9, and any variants,
alleles, homologs, mutants, derivatives, fragments and
complementary sequences thereto. Examples of antisense
oligonucleotides are set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29.
[0156] In one embodiment, the oligonucleotides are complementary to
or bind to nucleic acid sequences of a Collagen gene antisense,
including without limitation noncoding sense and/or antisense
sequences associated with a Collagen gene polynucleotide and
modulate expression and/or function of a Collagen gene
molecule.
[0157] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides are
complementary to or bind to nucleic acid sequences of a Collagen
gene natural antisense, set forth as SEQ ID NO: 4 to 9 and modulate
expression and/or function of a Collagen gene molecule.
[0158] In a embodiment, oligonucleotides comprise sequences of at
least 5 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29 and
modulate expression and/or function of a Collagen gene
molecule.
[0159] The polynucleotide targets comprise Collagen gene, including
family members thereof, variants of a Collagen gene; mutants of a
Collagen gene, including SNPs; noncoding sequences of a Collagen
gene; alleles of a Collagen gene; species variants, fragments and
the like. Preferably the oligonucleotide is an antisense
molecule.
[0160] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotide targeting
Collagen gene polynucleotides, comprise: antisense RNA,
interference RNA (RNAi), short interfering RNA (siRNA); micro
interfering RNA (miRNA); a small, temporal RNA (stRNA); or a short,
hairpin RNA (shRNA); small RNA-induced gene activation (RNAa); or,
small activating RNA (saRNA).
[0161] In another embodiment, targeting of a Collagen gene
polynucleotide, e.g. SEQ ID NO: 4 to 9 modulate the expression or
function of these targets. In one embodiment, expression or
function is up-regulated as compared to a control. In another
embodiment, expression or function is down-regulated as compared to
a control.
[0162] In another embodiment, antisense compounds comprise
sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29. These oligonucleotides
can comprise one or more modified nucleotides, shorter or longer
fragments, modified bonds and the like.
[0163] In another embodiment, SEQ ID NOS: 10 to 29 comprise one or
more LNA nucleotides.
[0164] The modulation of a desired target nucleic acid can be
carried out in several ways known in the art. For example,
antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA etc. Enzymatic nucleic acid
molecules (e.g., ribozymes) are nucleic acid molecules capable of
catalyzing one or more of a variety of reactions, including the
ability to repeatedly cleave other separate nucleic acid molecules
in a nucleotide base sequence-specific manner. Such enzymatic
nucleic acid molecules can be used, for example, to target
virtually any RNA transcript.
[0165] Because of their sequence-specificity, trans-cleaving
enzymatic nucleic acid molecules show promise as therapeutic agents
for human disease. Enzymatic nucleic acid molecules can be designed
to cleave specific RNA targets within the background of cellular
RNA. Such a cleavage event renders the mRNA non-functional and
abrogates protein expression from that RNA. In this manner,
synthesis of a protein associated with a disease state can be
selectively inhibited.
[0166] In general, enzymatic nucleic acids with RNA cleaving
activity act by first binding to a target RNA. Such binding occurs
through the target binding portion of a enzymatic nucleic acid
which is held in close proximity to an enzymatic portion of the
molecule that acts to cleave the target RNA. Thus, the enzymatic
nucleic acid first recognizes and then binds a target RNA through
complementary base pairing, and once bound to the correct site,
acts enzymatically to cut the target RNA. Strategic cleavage of
such a target RNA will destroy its ability to direct synthesis of
an encoded protein. After an enzymatic nucleic acid has bound and
cleaved its RNA target, it is released from that RNA to search for
another target and can repeatedly bind and cleave new targets.
[0167] Several approaches such as in vitro selection (evolution)
strategies have been used to evolve new nucleic acid catalysts
capable of catalyzing a variety of reactions, such as cleavage and
ligation of phosphodiester linkages and amide linkages.
[0168] The development of ribozymes that are optimal for catalytic
activity would contribute significantly to any strategy that
employs RNA-cleaving ribozymes for the purpose of regulating gene
expression. The hammerhead ribozyme, for example, functions with a
catalytic rate (kcat) of about 1 min-1 in the presence of
saturating (10 mM) concentrations of Mg2+ cofactor. An artificial
"RNA ligase" ribozyme has been shown to catalyze the corresponding
self-modification reaction with a rate of about 100 min-1 In
addition, it is known that certain modified hammerhead ribozymes
that have substrate binding arms made of DNA catalyze RNA cleavage
with multiple turn-over rates that approach 100 min-1 Finally,
replacement of a specific residue within the catalytic core of the
hammerhead with certain nucleotide analogues gives modified
ribozymes that show as much as a 10-fold improvement in catalytic
rate. These findings demonstrate that ribozymes can promote
chemical transformations with catalytic rates that are
significantly greater than those displayed in vitro by most natural
self-cleaving ribozymes. It is then possible that the structures of
certain selfcleaving ribozymes may be optimized to give maximal
catalytic activity, or that entirely new RNA motifs can be made
that display significantly faster rates for
[0169] RNA phosphodiester cleavage.
[0170] Intermolecular cleavage of an RNA substrate by an RNA
catalyst that fits the "hammerhead" model was first shown in 1987.
The RNA catalyst was recovered and reacted with multiple RNA
molecules, demonstrating that it was truly catalytic.
[0171] Catalytic RNAs designed based on the "hammerhead" motif have
been used to cleave specific target sequences by making appropriate
base changes in the catalytic RNA to maintain necessary base
pairing with the target sequences. This has allowed use of the
catalytic RNA to cleave specific target sequences and indicates
that catalytic RNAs designed according to the "hammerhead" model
may possibly cleave specific substrate RNAs in vivo.
[0172] RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful tool for
modulating gene expression in mammals and mammalian cells. This
approach requires the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA)
either as RNA itself or as DNA, using an expression plasmid or
virus and the coding sequence for small hairpin RNAs that are
processed to siRNAs. This system enables efficient transport of the
pre-siRNAs to the cytoplasm where they are active and permit the
use of regulated and tissue specific promoters for gene
expression.
[0173] In one embodiment, an oligonucleotide or antisense compound
comprises an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and/or
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), or a mimetic, chimera, analog or
homolog thereof. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of
naturally occurring nucleotides, sugars and covalent
internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides
having non-naturally occurring portions which function similarly.
Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often desired
over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for
example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for a target
nucleic acid and increased stability in the presence of
nucleases.
[0174] According to the present invention, the oligonucleotides or
"antisense compounds" include antisense oligonucleotides (e.g. RNA,
DNA, mimetic, chimera, analog or homolog thereof), ribozymes,
external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides, siRNA compounds,
single- or double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) compounds such
as siRNA compounds, saRNA, aRNA, and other oligomeric compounds
which hybridize to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid
and modulate its function. As such, they may be DNA, RNA, DNA-like,
RNA-like, or mixtures thereof, or may be mimetics of one or more of
these. These compounds may be single-stranded, double-stranded,
circular or hairpin oligomeric compounds and may contain structural
elements such as internal or terminal bulges, mismatches or loops.
Antisense compounds are routinely prepared linearly but can be
joined or otherwise prepared to be circular and/or branched.
Antisense compounds can include constructs such as, for example,
two strands hybridized to form a wholly or partially
double-stranded compound or a single strand with sufficient
self-complementarity to allow for hybridization and formation of a
fully or partially double-stranded compound. The two strands can be
linked internally leaving free 3' or 5' termini or can be linked to
form a continuous hairpin structure or loop. The hairpin structure
may contain an overhang on either the 5' or 3' terminus producing
an extension of single stranded character. The double stranded
compounds optionally can include overhangs on the ends. Further
modifications can include conjugate groups attached to one of the
termini, selected nucleotide positions, sugar positions or to one
of the internucleoside linkages. Alternatively, the two strands can
be linked via a non-nucleic acid moiety or linker group. When
formed from only one strand, dsRNA can take the form of a
self-complementary hairpin-type molecule that doubles back on
itself to form a duplex. Thus, the dsRNAs can be fully or partially
double stranded. Specific modulation of gene expression can be
achieved by stable expression of dsRNA hairpins in transgenic cell
lines. When formed from two strands, or a single strand that takes
the form of a self-complementary hairpin-type molecule doubled back
on itself to form a duplex, the two strands (or duplex-forming
regions of a single strand) are complementary RNA strands that base
pair in Watson-Crick fashion.
[0175] Once introduced to a system, the compounds of the invention
may elicit the action of one or more enzymes or structural proteins
to effect cleavage or other modification of the target nucleic acid
or may work via occupancy-based mechanisms. In general, nucleic
acids (including oligonucleotides) may be described as "DNA-like"
(i.e., generally having one or more 2'-deoxy sugars and, generally,
T rather than U bases) or "RNA-like" (i.e., generally having one or
more 2'-hydroxyl or 2'-modified sugars and, generally U rather than
T bases). Nucleic acid helices can adopt more than one type of
structure, most commonly the A- and B-forms. It is believed that,
in general, oligonucleotides which have B-form-like structure are
"DNA-like" and those which have A-formlike structure are
"RNA-like." In some (chimeric) embodiments, an antisense compound
may contain both A- and B-form regions.
[0176] The antisense compounds in accordance with this invention
can comprise an antisense portion from about 5 to about 80
nucleotides (i.e. from about 5 to about 80 linked nucleosides) in
length. This refers to the length of the antisense strand or
portion of the antisense compound. In other words, a
single-stranded antisense compound of the invention comprises from
5 to about 80 nucleotides, and a double-stranded antisense compound
of the invention (such as a dsRNA, for example) comprises a sense
and an antisense strand or portion of 5 to about 80 nucleotides in
length. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this
comprehends antisense portions of 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,
66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80
nucleotides in length, or any range therewithin.
[0177] In one embodiment, the antisense compounds of the invention
have antisense portions of 10 to 50 nucleotides in length. One
having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies
oligonucleotides having antisense portions of 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, or 50 nucleotides in length, or any range therewithin. In some
embodiments, the oligonucleotides are 15 nucleotides in length.
[0178] In one embodiment, the antisense or oligonucleotide
compounds of the invention have antisense portions of 12 or 13 to
30 nucleotides in length. One having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds having antisense
portions of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 nucleotides in length, or any range
therewithin.
[0179] In another embodiment, the oligomeric compounds of the
present invention also include variants in which a different base
is present at one or more of the nucleotide positions in the
compound. For example, if the first nucleotide is an adenosine,
variants may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine or
cytidine at this position. This may be done at any of the positions
of the antisense or dsRNA compounds. These compounds are then
tested using the methods described herein to determine their
ability to inhibit expression of a target nucleic acid.
[0180] In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, between the antisense compound and target is from
about 40% to about 60%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence
identity or complementarity, is from about 60% to about 70%. In
some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or complementarity,
is from about 70% to about 80%. In some embodiments, homology,
sequence identity or complementarity, is from about 80% to about
90%. In some embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 95%,
about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or about 100%.
[0181] In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides, such
as for example, nucleic acid molecules set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 4
to 29 comprise one or more substitutions or modifications. In one
embodiment, the nucleotides are substituted with locked nucleic
acids (LNA).
[0182] In another embodiment, the oligonucleotides target one or
more regions of the nucleic acid molecules sense and/or antisense
of coding and/or non-coding sequences associated with Collagen gene
and the sequences set forth as SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 9. The
oligonucleotides are also targeted to overlapping regions of SEQ ID
NOS: 1 to 9.
[0183] Certain oligonucleotides of this invention are chimeric
oligonucleotides. "Chimeric oligonucleotides" or "chimeras," in the
context of this invention, are oligonucleotides which contain two
or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one
nucleotide. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one
region of modified nucleotides that confers one or more beneficial
properties (such as, for example, increased nuclease resistance,
increased uptake into cells, increased binding affinity for the
target) and a region that is a substrate for enzymes capable of
cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is
a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA
duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of
the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of
antisense modulation of gene expression. Consequently, comparable
results can often be obtained with shorter oligonucleotides when
chimeric oligonucleotides are used, compared to phosphorothioate
deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region.
Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel
electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid
hybridization techniques known in the art. In one embodiment, a
chimeric oligonucleotide comprises at least one region modified to
increase target binding affinity, and, usually, a region that acts
as a substrate for RNAse H Affinity of an oligonucleotide for its
target (in this case, a nucleic acid encoding ras) is routinely
determined by measuring the Tm of an oligonucleotide/target pair,
which is the temperature at which the oligonucleotide and target
dissociate; dissociation is detected spectrophotometrically. The
higher the Tm, the greater is the affinity of the oligonucleotide
for the target.
[0184] Chimeric antisense compounds of the invention may be formed
as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified
oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotides mimetics
as described above. Such; compounds have also been referred to in
the art as hybrids or gapmers. Representative United States patents
that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures comprise, but
are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,
220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350;
5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922, each of which is
herein incorporated by reference.
[0185] In another embodiment, the region of the oligonucleotide
which is modified comprises at least one nucleotide modified at the
2' position of the sugar, most preferably a 2LOalkyl,
2'-O-alkyl-O-alkyl or 2'-fluoro-modified nucleotide. In other
embodiments, RNA modifications include 2'-fluoro, 2'-amino and 2'
O-methyl modifications on the ribose of pyrimidines, abasic
residues or an inverted base at the 3' end of the RNA. Such
modifications are routinely incorporated into oligonucleotides and
these oligonucleotides have been shown to have a higher Tm (i.e.,
higher target binding affinity) than; 2'-deoxyoligonucleotides
against a given target. The effect of such increased affinity is to
greatly enhance RNAi oligonucleotide inhibition of gene expression.
RNAse H is a cellular endonuclease that cleaves the RNA strand of
RNA:DNA duplexes; activation of this enzyme therefore results in
cleavage of the RNA target, and thus can greatly enhance the
efficiency of RNAi inhibition. Cleavage of the RNA target can be
routinely demonstrated by gel electrophoresis. In another
embodiment, the chimeric oligonucleotide is also modified to
enhance nuclease resistance. Cells contain a variety of exo- and
endo-nucleases which can degrade nucleic acids. A number of
nucleotide and nucleoside modifications have been shown to make the
oligonucleotide into which they are incorporated more resistant to
nuclease digestion than the native oligodeoxynucleotide. Nuclease
resistance is routinely measured by incubating oligonucleotides
with cellular extracts or isolated nuclease solutions and measuring
the extent of intact oligonucleotide remaining over time, usually
by gel electrophoresis. Oligonucleotides which have been modified
to enhance their nuclease resistance survive intact for a longer
time than unmodified oligonucleotides. A variety of oligonucleotide
modifications have been demonstrated to enhance or confer nuclease
resistance. Oligonucleotides which contain at least one
phosphorothioate modification are presently more preferred. In some
cases, oligonucleotide modifications which enhance target binding
affinity are also, independently, able to enhance nuclease
resistance. Some desirable modifications can be found in De
Mesmaeker et al. (1995) Acc. Chem. Res., 28:366-374.
[0186] Specific examples of some oligonucleotides envisioned for
this invention include those comprising modified backbones, for
example, phosphorothioates, phosphotriesters, methyl phosphonates,
short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl intersugar linkages or short chain
heteroatomic or heterocyclic intersugar linkages. Most are
oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones and those with
heteroatom backbones, particularly CH2 --NH--O--CH2,
CH,--N(CH3)--O--CH2 [known as a methylene(methylimino) or MMI
backbone], CH2--O--N (CH3)--CH2, CH2--N(CH3)--N(CH3)--CH2 and
O--N(CH3)--CH2--CH2 backbones, wherein the native phosphodiester
backbone is represented as O--P--O--CH,). The amide backbones
disclosed by De Mesmaeker et al. (1995) Acc. Chem. Res. 28:366-374
are also preferred. Also are oligonucleotides having morpholino
backbone structures (Summerton and Weller, U.S. Pat. No.
5,034,506). In other embodiments, such as the peptide nucleic acid
(PNA) backbone, the phosphodiester backbone of the oligonucleotide
is replaced with a polyamide backbone, the nucleotides being bound
directly or indirectly to the aza nitrogen atoms of the polyamide
backbone. Oligonucleotides may also comprise one or more
substituted sugar moieties. oligonucleotides comprise one of the
following at the 2' position: OH, SH, SCH3, F, OCN, OCH3 OCH3, OCH3
O(CH2)n CH3, O(CH2)n NH2 or O(CH2)n CH3 where n is from 1 to about
10; C1 to C10 lower alkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, substituted lower alkyl,
alkaryl or aralkyl; Cl; Br; CN; CF3; OCF3; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-,
S-, or N-alkenyl; SOCH3; SO2 CH3; SO2 CH3; ONO2; NO2; N3; NH2;
heterocycloalkyl; heterocycloalkaryl; aminoalkylamino;
polyalkylamino; substituted silyl; an RNA cleaving group; a
reporter group; an intercalator; a group for improving the
pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide; or a group for
improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide and
other substituents having similar properties. A modification
includes 2'-methoxyethoxy [2'-O-CH2 CH2 OCH3, known as
2'-O-(2-methoxyethyl)]. Other modifications include 2'-methoxy
(2'-O--CH3), 2'-propoxy (2'-OCH2 CH2CH3) and 2'-fluoro (2'-F).
Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the
oligonucleotide particularly the 3' position of the sugar on the 3'
terminal nucleotide and the 5' position of 5' terminal nucleotide.
Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyls
in place of the pentofuranosyl group.
[0187] Oligonucleotides may also include, additionally or
alternatively, nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as
"base") modifications or substitutions. As used herein,
"unmodified" or "natural" nucleotides include adenine (A), guanine
(G), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleotides
include nucleotides found only infrequently or transiently in
natural nucleic acids, e.g., hypoxanthine, 6-methyladenine, 5-Me
pyrimidines, particularly 5-methylcytosine (also referred to as
5-methyl-2' deoxycytosine and often referred to in the art as
5-Me--C), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (HMC), glycosyl HMC and
gentobiosyl HMC, as well as synthetic nucleotides, e.g.,
2-aminoadenine, 2-(methylamino)adenine, 2-(imidazolylalkyl)adenine,
2-(aminoalklyamino)adenine or other heterosubstituted
alkyladenines, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine, 5-bromouracil,
5-hydroxymethyluracil, 8-azaguanine 7-deazaguanine, N6
(6-aminohexyl)adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine. A "universal" base
known in the art, e.g., inosine, may be included. 5-Me-C
substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex
stability by 0.6-1.2.degree. C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., in Crooke, S. T.
and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC
Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278) and are presently base
substitutions.
[0188] Another modification of the oligonucleotides of the
invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or
more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity or cellular
uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include but are not
limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, a
cholesteryl moiety, a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol, a
thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl
residues, a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or
triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate, a
polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid
. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and methods for
preparing such oligonucleotides are known in the art, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,138,045, 5,218,105 and 5,459,255.
[0189] It is not necessary for all positions in a given
oligonucleotide to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one
of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single
oligonucleotide or even at within a single nucleoside within an
oligonucleotide. The present invention also includes
oligonucleotides which are chimeric oligonucleotides as
hereinbefore defined.
[0190] In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the
present invention is conjugated with another moiety including but
not limited to abasic nucleotides, polyether, polyamine,
polyamides, peptides, carbohydrates, lipid, or polyhydrocarbon
compounds. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these
molecules can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides
comprising the nucleic acid molecule at several positions on the
sugar, base or phosphate group.
[0191] The oligonucleotides used in accordance with this invention
may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known
technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is
sold by several vendors including Applied Biosystems. Any other
means for such synthesis may also be employed; the actual synthesis
of the oligonucleotides is well within the talents of one of
ordinary skill in the art. It is also well known to use similar
techniques to prepare other oligonucleotides such as the
phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives. It is also well known
to use similar techniques and commercially available modified
amidites and controlled-pore glass (CPG) products such as biotin,
fluorescein, acridine or psoralen-modified amidites and/or CPG
(available from Glen Research, Sterling Va.) to synthesize
fluorescently labeled, biotinylated or other modified
oligonucleotides such as cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides.
[0192] In accordance with the invention, use of modifications such
as the use of LNA monomers to enhance the potency, specificity and
duration of action and broaden the routes of administration of
oligonucleotides comprised of current chemistries such as MOE, ANA,
FANA, PS etc. This can be achieved by substituting some of the
monomers in the current oligonucleotides by LNA monomers. The LNA
modified oligonucleotide may have a size similar to the parent
compound or may be larger or preferably smaller. It is that such
LNA-modified oligonucleotides contain less than about 70%, more
preferably less than about 60%, most preferably less than about 50%
LNA monomers and that their sizes are between about 5 and 25
nucleotides, more preferably between about 12 and 20
nucleotides.
[0193] Modified oligonucleotide backbones comprise, but are not
limited to, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates,
phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotriesters,
methyl and other alkyl phosphonates comprising 3'alkylene
phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates,
phosphoramidates comprising 3'-amino phosphoramidate and
aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates,
thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, and
boranophosphates having normal 3-5' linkages, 2'-5' linked analogs
of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent
pairs of nucleoside units are linked 3'-5' to 5'-3' or 2'-5' to
5'-2'. Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also
included.
[0194] Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of the above phosphorus containing linkages comprise,
but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863;
4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5, 177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019;
5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939;
5,453,496;5,455, 233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821;
5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563, 253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; and
5,625,050, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0195] Modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a
phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short
chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed
heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one
or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside
linkages. These comprise those having morpholino linkages (formed
in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane
backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and
thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl
backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones;
methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and
sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N,
O, S and CH2 component parts.
[0196] Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of the above oligonucleosides comprise, but are not
limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444;
5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264, 562; 5, 264,564; 5,405,938;
5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225;
5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289;
5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; and
5,677,439, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0197] In other oligonucleotide mimetics, both the sugar and the
internucleoside linkage, i.e., the backbone, of the nucleotide
units are replaced with novel groups. The base units are maintained
for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target compound.
One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has
been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred
to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the
sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide
containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone.
The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly
to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone.
Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of
PNA compounds comprise, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein
incorporated by reference . Further teaching of PNA compounds can
be found in Nielsen, et al. (1991) Science 254, 1497-1500.
[0198] In another embodiment of the invention the oligonucleotides
with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with
heteroatom backbones, and in particular --CH2-NH--O--CH2-,
--CH2-N(CH3)--O--CH2-- known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI
backbone, --CH2-O--N(CH3)-CH2-, --CH2N(CH3)-N(CH3)CH2--
and--O--N(CH3)--CH2--CH2-- wherein the native phosphodiester
backbone is represented as --O--P--O--CH2-- of the above referenced
U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above
referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also are oligonucleotides
having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S.
Pat. No. 5,034,506.
[0199] Modified oligonucleotides may also contain one or more
substituted sugar moieties. oligonucleotides comprise one of the
following at the 2' position: OH; F; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or
N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; or O alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the
alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C to
CO alkyl or C2 to CO alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly are O(CH2)n
OmCH3, O(CH2)n, OCH3, O(CH2)nNH2, O(CH2)nCH3, O(CH2)nONH2, and
O(CH2nON(CH2)nCH3)2 where n and m can be from 1 to about 10. Other
oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2' position:
C to CO, (lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl,
O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH3, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF3, OCF3,
SOCH3, SO2CH3, ONO2, NO2, N3, NH2, heterocycloalkyl,
heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted
silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a
group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an
oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic
properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having
similar properties. A modification comprises 2'-methoxyethoxy
(2'-O-CH2CH2OCH3, also known as 2'-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2'-MOE)
i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further modification comprises
2'-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e. , a O(CH2)2ON(CH3)2 group, also
known as 2'-DMAOE, as described in examples herein below, and
2'-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as
2'-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl or 2'-DMAEOE), i.e.,
2'-O--CH2-O--CH2-N(CH2)2.
[0200] Other modifications comprise 2'-methoxy (2'-OCH3),
2'-aminopropoxy (2'-OCH2CH2CH2NH2) and 2'-fluoro (2'-F). Similar
modifications may also be made at other positions on the
oligonucleotide, particularly the 3' position of the sugar on the
3' terminal nucleotide or in 2'-5' linked oligonucleotides and the
5' terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar
mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl
sugar. Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of such modified sugar structures comprise, but are not
limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080;
5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514, 785; 5,519,134;
5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053;
5,639,873; 5,646, 265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; and 5,700,920, each of
which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0201] Oligonucleotides may also comprise nucleobase (often
referred to in the art simply as "base") modifications or
substitutions. As used herein, "unmodified" or "natural"
nucleotides comprise the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G),
and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U).
Modified nucleotides comprise other synthetic and natural
nucleotides such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl
cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and
other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other
alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil,
2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine,
5-propynyl uracil and cytosine, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine,
5-uracil (pseudo-uracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol,
8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and
guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other
5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylquanine and
7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and
7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine.
[0202] Further, nucleotides comprise those disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in `The Concise Encyclopedia of
Polymer Science And Engineering`, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I.,
ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et
al., `Angewandle Chemie, International Edition`, 1991, 30, page
613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, `Antisense
Research and Applications`, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and
Lebleu, B. ea., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleotides are
particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the
oligomeric compounds of the invention. These comprise 5-substituted
pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and 0-6 substituted
purines, comprising 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and
5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown
to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2.degree. C.
(Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds, `Antisense
Research and Applications`, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp.
276-278) and are presently base substitutions, even more
particularly when combined with 2'-Omethoxyethyl sugar
modifications.
[0203] Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of the above noted modified nucleotides as well as
other modified nucleotides comprise, but are not limited to, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302;
5,134,066; 5,175, 273; 5, 367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255;
5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,596,091;
5,614,617; 5,750,692, and 5,681,941, each of which is herein
incorporated by reference.
[0204] Another modification of the oligonucleotides of the
invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or
more moieties or conjugates, which enhance the activity, cellular
distribution, or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide.
[0205] Such moieties comprise but are not limited to, lipid
moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether,
e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol, a thiocholesterol , an aliphatic chain,
e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues , a phospholipid, e.g.,
di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium
1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate, a polyamine or a
polyethylene glycol chain , or adamantane acetic acid , a palmityl
moiety , or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-t
oxycholesterol moiety .
[0206] Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of such oligonucleotides conjugates comprise, but are
not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105;
5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552, 538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731;
5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077;
5,486, 603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735;
4,667,025; 4,762, 779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335;
4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082, 830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830;
5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5, 245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536;
5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391, 723; 5,416,203,
5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5, 565,552; 5,567,810;
5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923;
5,599, 928 and 5,688,941, each of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0207] Drug discovery: The compounds of the present invention can
also be applied in the areas of drug discovery and target
validation. The present invention comprehends the use of the
compounds and target segments identified herein in drug discovery
efforts to elucidate relationships that exist between a Collagen
gene polynucleotide and a disease state, phenotype, or condition.
These methods include detecting or modulating a Collagen gene
polynucleotide comprising contacting a sample, tissue, cell, or
organism with the compounds of the present invention, measuring the
nucleic acid or protein level of a Collagen gene polynucleotide
and/or a related phenotypic or chemical endpoint at some time after
treatment, and optionally comparing the measured value to a
non-treated sample or sample treated with a further compound of the
invention. These methods can also be performed in parallel or in
combination with other experiments to determine the function of
unknown genes for the process of target validation or to determine
the validity of a particular gene product as a target for treatment
or prevention of a particular disease, condition, or phenotype.
Assessing Up-Regulation or Inhibition of Gene Expression.
[0208] Transfer of an exogenous nucleic acid into a host cell or
organism can be assessed by directly detecting the presence of the
nucleic acid in the cell or organism. Such detection can be
achieved by several methods well known in the art. For example, the
presence of the exogenous nucleic acid can be detected by Southern
blot or by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using
primers that specifically amplify nucleotide sequences associated
with the nucleic acid. Expression of the exogenous nucleic acids
can also be measured using conventional methods including gene
expression analysis. For instance, mRNA produced from an exogenous
nucleic acid can be detected and quantified using a Northern blot
and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR).
[0209] Expression of RNA from the exogenous nucleic acid can also
be detected by measuring an enzymatic activity or a reporter
protein activity. For example, antisense modulatory activity can be
measured indirectly as a decrease or increase in target nucleic
acid expression as an indication that the exogenous nucleic acid is
producing the effector RNA. Based on sequence conservation, primers
can be designed and used to amplify coding regions of the target
genes. Initially, the most highly expressed coding region from each
gene can be used to build a model control gene, although any coding
or non coding region can be used. Each control gene is assembled by
inserting each coding region between a reporter coding region and
its poly(A) signal. These plasmids would produce an mRNA with a
reporter gene in the upstream portion of the gene and a potential
RNAi target in the 3' non-coding region. The effectiveness of
individual antisense oligonucleotides would be assayed by
modulation of the reporter gene. Reporter genes useful in the
methods of the present invention include acetohydroxyacid synthase
(AHAS), alkaline phosphatase (AP), beta galactosidase (LacZ), beta
glucoronidase (GUS), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), green
fluorescent protein (GFP), red fluorescent protein (RFP), yellow
fluorescent protein (YFP), cyan fluorescent protein (CFP),
horseradish peroxidase (HRP), luciferase (Luc), nopaline synthase
(NOS), octopine synthase (OCS), and derivatives thereof. Multiple
selectable markers are available that confer resistance to
ampicillin, bleomycin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, hygromycin,
kanamycin, lincomycin, methotrexate, phosphinothricin, puromycin,
and tetracycline. Methods to determine modulation of a reporter
gene are well known in the art, and include, but are not limited
to, fluorometric methods (e.g. fluorescence spectroscopy,
Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), fluorescence
microscopy), antibiotic resistance determination.
[0210] COL1A1, COL1A2, COL7A1 proteins and mRNA expression can be
assayed using methods known to those of skill in the art and
described elsewhere herein. For example, immunoassays such as the
ELISA can be used to measure protein levels. Collagen gene
antibodies for ELISAs are available commercially, e.g., from
R&D Systems (Minneapolis, Minn.), Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.
[0211] In embodiments, COL1A1, COL1A2, COL7A1 expression (e.g.,
mRNA or protein) in a sample (e.g., cells or tissues in vivo or in
vitro) treated using an antisense oligonucleotide of the invention
is evaluated by comparison with Collagen gene expression in a
control sample. For example, expression of the protein or nucleic
acid can be compared using methods known to those of skill in the
art with that in a mock-treated or untreated sample. Alternatively,
comparison with a sample treated with a control antisense
oligonucleotide (e.g., one having an altered or different sequence)
can be made depending on the information desired. In another
embodiment, a difference in the expression of the Collagen gene
protein or nucleic acid in a treated vs. an untreated sample can be
compared with the difference in expression of a different nucleic
acid (including any standard deemed appropriate by the researcher,
e.g., a housekeeping gene) in a treated sample vs. an untreated
sample.
[0212] Observed differences can be expressed as desired, e.g., in
the form of a ratio or fraction, for use in a comparison with
control. In embodiments, the level of a Collagen gene mRNA or
protein, in a sample treated with an antisense oligonucleotide of
the present invention, is increased or decreased by about 1.25-fold
to about 10-fold or more relative to an untreated sample or a
sample treated with a control nucleic acid. In embodiments, the
level of a Collagen gene mRNA or protein is increased or decreased
by at least about 1.25-fold, at least about 1.3-fold, at least
about 1.4-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 1.6-fold,
at least about 1.7-fold, at least about 1.8-fold, at least about
2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least
about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 4.5-fold, at
least about 5-fold, at least about 5.5-fold, at least about 6-fold,
at least about 6.5-fold, at least about 7-fold, at least about
7.5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 8.5-fold, at least
about 9-fold, at least about 9.5-fold, or at least about 10-fold or
more.
Kits, Research Reagents, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics
[0213] The compounds of the present invention can be utilized for
diagnostics, therapeutics, and prophylaxis, and as research
reagents and components of kits. Furthermore, antisense
oligonucleotides, which are able to inhibit gene expression with
exquisite specificity, are often used by those of ordinary skill to
elucidate the function of particular genes or to distinguish
between functions of various members of a biological pathway.
[0214] For use in kits and diagnostics and in various biological
systems, the compounds of the present invention, either alone or in
combination with other compounds or therapeutics, are useful as
tools in differential and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate
expression patterns of a portion or the entire complement of genes
expressed within cells and tissues.
[0215] As used herein the term "biological system" or "system" is
defined as any organism, cell, cell culture or tissue that
expresses, or is made competent to express products of the Collagen
genes. These include, but are not limited to, humans, transgenic
animals, cells, cell cultures, tissues, xenografts, transplants and
combinations thereof.
[0216] As one non limiting example, expression patterns within
cells or tissues treated with one or more antisense compounds are
compared to control cells or tissues not treated with antisense
compounds and the patterns produced are analyzed for differential
levels of gene expression as they pertain, for example, to disease
association, signaling pathway, cellular localization, expression
level, size, structure or function of the genes examined. These
analyses can be performed on stimulated or unstimulated cells and
in the presence or absence of other compounds that affect
expression patterns.
[0217] Examples of methods of gene expression analysis known in the
art include DNA arrays or microarrays (Brazma and Vilo, (2000) FEBS
Lett., 480, 17-24; Celis, et al., (2000) FEBS Lett., 480, 2-16),
SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) (Madden, et al., (2000)
Drug Discov. Today, 5, 415- 425), READS (restriction enzyme
amplification of digested cDNAs) (Prashar and Weissman, (1999)
Methods Enzymol., 303, 258-72), TOGA (total gene expression
analysis) (Sutcliffe, et al., (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.,
97, 1976-81), protein arrays and proteomics (Celis, et al., (2000)
FEBS Lett., 480, 2-16; Jungblut, et al., Electrophoresis, 1999, 20,
2100-10), expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing (Celis, et al.,
FEBS Left., 2000, 480, 2-16; Larsson, et al., J. Biotechnol., 2000,
80, 143-57), subtractive RNA fingerprinting (SuRF) (Fuchs, et al.,
(2000) Anal. Biochem. 286, 91-98; Larson, et al., (2000) Cytometry
41, 203-208), subtractive cloning, differential display (DD)
(Jurecic and Belmont, (2000) Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 3, 316-21),
comparative genomic hybridization (Carulli, et al., (1998) J. Cell
Biochem. Suppl., 31, 286-96), FISH (fluorescent in situ
hybridization) techniques (Going and Gusterson, (1999) Eur. J.
Cancer, 35, 1895-904) and mass spectrometry methods (To, Comb.
(2000) Chem. High Throughput Screen, 3, 235-41).
[0218] The compounds of the invention are useful for research and
diagnostics, because these compounds hybridize to nucleic acids
encoding a Collagen gene. For example, oligonucleotides that
hybridize with such efficiency and under such conditions as
disclosed herein as to be effective Collagen gene modulators are
effective primers or probes under conditions favoring gene
amplification or detection, respectively. These primers and probes
are useful in methods requiring the specific detection of nucleic
acid molecules encoding a Collagen gene and in the amplification of
said nucleic acid molecules for detection or for use in further
studies of a Collagen gene. Hybridization of the antisense
oligonucleotides, particularly the primers and probes, of the
invention with a nucleic acid encoding a Collagen gene can be
detected by means known in the art. Such means may include
conjugation of an enzyme to the oligonucleotide, radiolabeling of
the oligonucleotide, or any other suitable detection means. Kits
using such detection means for detecting the level of a Collagen
gene in a sample may also be prepared.
[0219] The specificity and sensitivity of antisense are also
harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses.
Antisense compounds have been employed as therapeutic moieties in
the treatment of disease states in animals, including humans.
Antisense oligonucleotide drugs have been safely and effectively
administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently
underway. It is thus established that antisense compounds can be
useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful
in treatment regimes for the treatment of cells, tissues and
animals, especially humans.
[0220] For therapeutics, an animal, preferably a human, suspected
of having a disease or disorder which can be treated by modulating
the expression of a Collagen gene polynucleotide is treated by
administering antisense compounds in accordance with this
invention. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the methods
comprise the step of administering to the animal in need of
treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a Collagen gene
modulator. The Collagen gene modulators of the present invention
effectively modulate the activity of a Collagen gene or modulate
the expression of a Collagen gene protein. In one embodiment, the
activity or expression of a Collagen gene in an animal is inhibited
by about 10% as compared to a control. Preferably, the activity or
expression of a Collagen gene in an animal is inhibited by about
30%. More preferably, the activity or expression of a Collagen gene
in an animal is inhibited by 50% or more. Thus, the oligomeric
compounds modulate expression of a Collagen gene mRNA by at least
10%, by at least 50%, by at least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least
40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least
75%, by at least 80%, by at least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least
95%, by at least 98%, by at least 99%, or by 100% as compared to a
control.
[0221] In one embodiment, the activity or expression of a Collagen
gene and/or in an animal is increased by about 10% as compared to a
control. Preferably, the activity or expression of a Collagen gene
in an animal is increased by about 30%. More preferably, the
activity or expression of a Collagen gene in an animal is increased
by 50% or more. Thus, the oligomeric compounds modulate expression
of a Collagen gene mRNA by at least 10%, by at least 50%, by at
least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at
least 60%, by at least 10%, by at least 75%, by at least 80%, by at
least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 98%, by at
least 99%, or by 100% as compared to a control.
[0222] For example, the reduction of the expression of a Collagen
gene may be measured in serum, blood, adipose tissue, liver or any
other body fluid, tissue or organ of the animal. Preferably, the
cells contained within said fluids, tissues or organs being
analyzed contain a nucleic acid molecule encoding Collagen gene
peptides and/or the Collagen gene protein itself.
[0223] The compounds of the invention can be utilized in
pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of a
compound to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or
carrier. Use of the compounds and methods of the invention may also
be useful prophylactically.
[0224] Conjugates: Another modification of the oligonucleotides of
the invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide
one or more moieties or conjugates that enhance the activity,
cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide.
These moieties or conjugates can include conjugate groups
covalently bound to functional groups such as primary or secondary
hydroxyl groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include
intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides,
polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the
pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance
the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typicalconjugate
groups include cholesterols, lipids, phospholipids, biotin,
phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine,
fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance
the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention,
include groups that improve uptake, enhance resistance to
degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with
the target nucleic acid. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic
properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that
improve uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion of the
compounds of the present invention. Representative conjugate groups
are disclosed in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860,
which are incorporated herein by reference. Conjugate moieties
include, but are not limited to, lipid moieties such as a
cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether, e.g.,
hexyl-5-tritylthiol, a thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, e.g.,
dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a phospholipid, e.g.,
di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium
1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-Hphosphonate, a polyamine or a
polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid, a palmityl
moiety, or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol
moiety. Oligonucleotides of the invention may also be conjugated to
active drug substances, for example, aspirin, warfarin,
phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, suprofen, fenbufen, ketoprofen,
(S)-(+)-pranoprofen, carprofen, dansylsarcosine,
2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, flufenamic acid, folinic acid, a
benzothiadiazide, chlorothiazide, a diazepine, indomethicin, a
barbiturate, a cephalosporin, a sulfa drug, an antidiabetic, an
antibacterial or an antibiotic.
[0225] Representative United States patents that teach the
preparation of such oligonucleotides conjugates include, but are
not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105;
5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731;
5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077;
5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735;
4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335;
4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830;
5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536;
5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203,
5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810;
5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923;
5,599,928 and 5,688,941.
[0226] Formulations: The compounds of the invention may also be
admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with
other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, as
forexample, liposomes, receptor-targeted molecules, oral, rectal,
topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake,
distribution and/or absorption. Representative United States
patents that teach the preparation of such uptake, distribution
and/or absorption-assisting formulations include, but are not
limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,108,921; 5,354,844; 5,416,016;
5,459,127; 5,521,291; 5,543,165; 5,547,932; 5,583,020; 5,591,721;
4,426,330; 4,534,899; 5,013,556; 5,108,921; 5,213,804; 5,227,170;
5,264,221; 5,356,633; 5,395,619; 5,416,016; 5,417,978; 5,462,854;
5,469,854; 5,512,295; 5,527,528; 5,534,259; 5,543,152; 5,556,948;
5,580,575; and 5,595,756, each of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0227] Although, the antisense oligonucleotides do not need to be
administered in the context of a vector in order to modulate a
target expression and/or function, embodiments of the invention
relates to expression vector constructs for the expression of
antisense oligonucleotides, comprising promoters, hybrid promoter
gene sequences and possess a strong constitutive promoter activity,
or a promoter activity which can be induced in the desired
case.
[0228] In an embodiment, invention practice involves administering
at least one of the foregoing antisense oligonucleotides with a
suitable nucleic acid delivery system. In one embodiment, that
system includes a non-viral vector operably linked to the
polynucleotide. Examples of such nonviral vectors include the
oligonucleotide alone (e.g. any one or more of SEQ ID NOS: 10 to
29) or in combination with a suitable protein, polysaccharide or
lipid formulation.
[0229] Additionally suitable nucleic acid delivery systems include
viral vector, typically sequence from at least one of an
adenovirus, adenovirus-associated virus (AAV), helper-dependent
adenovirus, retrovirus, or hemagglutinatin virus of Japan-liposome
(HVJ) complex. Preferably, the viral vector comprises a strong
eukaryotic promoter operably linked to the polynucleotide e.g., a
cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter.
[0230] Additionally vectors include viral vectors, fusion proteins
and chemical conjugates. Retroviral vectors include Moloney murine
leukemia viruses and HIV-based viruses. One HIV-based viral vector
comprises at least two vectors wherein the gag and pol genes are
from an HIV genome and the env gene is from another virus. DNA
viral vectors are preferred. These vectors include pox vectors such
as orthopox or avipox vectors, herpesvirus vectors such as a herpes
simplex I virus (HSV) vector, Adenovirus Vectors and
Adeno-associated Virus Vectors).
[0231] The antisense compounds of the invention encompass any
pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters,
or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal,
including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly)
the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof.
[0232] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to
physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the
compounds of the invention: i.e., salts that retain the desired
biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart
undesired toxicological effects thereto. For oligonucleotides,
examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their uses are
further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0233] The present invention also includes pharmaceutical
compositions and formulations that include the antisense compounds
of the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present
invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon
whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to
be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic and
to mucous membranes including vaginal and rectal delivery),
pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or
aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal,
epidermal and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral
administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous,
intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or
intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular,
administration.
[0234] For treating tissues in the central nervous system,
administration can be made by, e.g., injection or infusion into the
cerebrospinal fluid. Administration of antisense RNA into
cerebrospinal fluid is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2007/0117772, "Methods for slowing familial ALS disease
progression," incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0235] When it is intended that the antisense oligonucleotide of
the present invention be administered to cells in the central
nervous system, administration can be with one or more agents
capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense
oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier. Injection can be
made, e.g., in the entorhinal cortex or hippocampus. Delivery of
neurotrophic factors by administration of an adenovirus vector to
motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
6,632,427, "Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary
motor neurons," incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of
vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus,
the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is known in the art and
described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, "Adenovirus vectors
for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous
system particularly in brain," incorporated herein by reference.
Administration can be rapid as by injection or made over a period
of time as by slow infusion or administration of slow release
formulations.
[0236] The subject antisense oligonucleotides can also be linked or
conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or
pharmacodynamic properties. For example, the antisense
oligonucleotide can be coupled to any substance, known in the art
to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier,
such as an antibody to the transferrin receptor, and administered
by intravenous injection. The antisense compound can be linked with
a viral vector, for example, that makes the antisense compound more
effective and/or increases the transport of the antisense compound
across the blood-brain barrier. Osmotic blood brain barrier
disruption can also be accomplished by, e.g., infusion of sugars
including, but not limited to, meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+)
galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(-)
fructose, D(-) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(-)
arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose,
D(+) melibiose, D(-) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(-)
arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(-) fucose, D(-) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and
L(-) lyxose, or amino acids including, but not limited to,
glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine,
glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine,
phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and
taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier
penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042,
"Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain
barrier," 6,294,520, "Material for passage through the blood-brain
barrier," and 6,936,589, "Parenteral delivery systems," all
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0237] The subject antisense compounds may be admixed,
encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other
molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, for
example, liposomes, receptor-targeted molecules, oral, rectal,
topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake,
distribution and/or absorption. For example, cationic lipids may be
included in the formulation to facilitate oligonucleotide uptake.
One such composition shown to facilitate uptake is LIPOFECTIN
(available from GIBCO-BRL, Bethesda, Md.).
[0238] Oligonucleotides with at least one 2'-O-methoxyethyl
modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral
administration. Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for
topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments,
lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and
powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or
oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable.
Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.
[0239] The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention,
which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be
prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the
pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of
bringing into association the active ingredients with the
pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the
formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into
association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely
divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the
product.
[0240] The compositions of the present invention may be formulated
into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to,
tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels,
suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present
invention may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous,
non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain
substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including,
for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or
dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.
[0241] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention
include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, foams and
liposome-containing formulations. The pharmaceutical compositions
and formulations of the present invention may comprise one or more
penetration enhancers, carriers, excipients or other active or
inactive ingredients.
[0242] Emulsions are typically heterogeneous systems of one liquid
dispersed in another in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1
um in diameter. Emulsions may contain additional components in
addition to the dispersed phases, and the active drug that may be
present as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or
itself as a separate phase. Microemulsions are included as an
embodiment of the present invention. Emulsions and their uses are
well known in the art and are further described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,287,860.
[0243] Formulations of the present invention include liposomal
formulations. As used in the present invention, the term "liposome"
means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a
spherical bilayer or bilayers. Liposomes are unilamellar or
multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a
lipophilic material and an aqueous interior that contains the
composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes are positively
charged liposomes that are believed to interact with negatively
charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex.
[0244] Liposomes that are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged are
believed to entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Both cationic
and noncationic liposomes have been used to deliver DNA to
cells.
[0245] Liposomes also include "sterically stabilized" liposomes, a
term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or
more specialized lipids. When incorporated into liposomes, these
specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation
lifetimes relative to liposomeslacking such specialized lipids.
[0246] Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in
which part of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome
comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or
more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG)
moiety. Liposomes and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,287,860.
[0247] The pharmaceutical formulations and compositions of the
present invention may also include surfactants. The use of
surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions is well
known in the art. Surfactants and their uses are further described
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0248] In one embodiment, the present invention employs various
penetration enhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic
acids, particularly oligonucleotides. In addition to aiding the
diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes,
penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability of lipophilic
drugs. Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one
of five broad categories, i.e., surfactants, fatty acids, bile
salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating nonsurfactants.
Penetration enhancers and their uses are further described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0249] One of skill in the art will recognize that formulations are
routinely designed according to their intended use, i.e. route of
administration.
[0250] formulations for topical administration include those in
which the oligonucleotides of the invention are in admixture with a
topical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids,
fatty acid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants.
lipids and liposomes include neutral (e.g. dioleoyl-phosphatidyl
DOPE ethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC,
distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g.
dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g.
dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAP and dioleoyl-phosphatidyl
ethanolamine DOTMA).
[0251] For topical or other administration, oligonucleotides of the
invention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form
complexes thereto, in particular to cationic liposomes.
Alternatively, oligonucleotides may be complexed to lipids, in
particular to cationic lipids. fatty acids and esters,
pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and their uses are
further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860.
[0252] Compositions and formulations for oral administration
include powders or granules, microparticulates, nanoparticulates,
suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules,
gel capsules, sachets, tablets or minitablets. Thickeners,
flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders
may be desirable. oral formulations are those in which
oligonucleotides of the invention are administered in conjunction
with one or more penetration enhancers surfactants and chelators.
surfactants include fatty acids and/or esters or salts thereof,
bile acids and/or salts thereof. bile acids/salts and fatty acids
and their uses are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860,
which is incorporated herein by reference. Also are combinations of
penetration enhancers, for example, fatty acids/salts in
combination with bile acids/salts. A particularly combination is
the sodium salt of lauric acid, capric acid and UDCA. Further
penetration enhancers include polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether,
polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether. Oligonucleotides of the invention
may be delivered orally, in granular form including sprayed dried
particles, or complexed to form micro or nanoparticles.
Oligonucleotide complexing agents and their uses are further
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,860, which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0253] Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or
intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous
solutions that may also contain buffers, diluents and other
suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration
enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable
carriers or excipients.
[0254] Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical
compositions containing one or more oligomeric compounds and one or
more other chemotherapeutic agents that function by a non-antisense
mechanism. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include but are
not limited to cancer chemotherapeutic drugs such as daunorubicin,
daunomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin,
esorubicin, bleomycin, mafosfamide, ifosfamide, cytosine
arabinoside, bischloroethyl-nitrosurea, busulfan, mitomycin C,
actinomycin D, mithramycin, prednisone, hydroxyprogesterone,
testosterone, tamoxifen, dacarbazine, procarbazine,
hexamethylmelamine, pentamethylmelamine, mitoxantrone, amsacrine,
chlorambucil, methylcyclohexylnitrosurea, nitrogen mustards,
melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine,
cytarabine, 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, deoxycoformycin,
4-hydroxyperoxycyclo-phosphoramide, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU),
5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine,
taxol, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide (VP-16), trimetrexate,
irinotecan, topotecan, gemcitabine, teniposide, cisplatin and
diethylstilbestrol (DES). When used with the compounds of the
invention, such chemotherapeutic agents may be used individually
(e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide), sequentially (e.g., 5-FU and
oligonucleotide for a period of time followed by MTX and
oligonucleotide), or in combination with one or more other such
chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., 5-FU, MTX and oligonucleotide, or
5-FU, radiotherapy and oligonucleotide). Anti-inflammatory drugs,
including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited
to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be
combined in compositions of the invention. Combinations of
antisense compounds and other non-antisense drugs are also within
the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be
used together or sequentially.
[0255] In another related embodiment, compositions of the invention
may contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly
oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more
additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid
target. For example, the first target may be a particular antisense
sequence of a Collagen gene, and the second target may be a region
from another nucleotide sequence. Alternatively, compositions of
the invention may contain two or more antisense compounds targeted
to different regions of the same Collagen gene nucleic acid target.
Numerous examples of antisense compounds are illustrated herein and
others may be selected from among suitable compounds known in the
art. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or
sequentially.
Dosing.
[0256] The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their
subsequent administration (dosing) is believed to be within the
skill of those in the art. Dosing is dependent on severity and
responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course
of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until
a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is
achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from
measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient.
Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages,
dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary
depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides,
and can generally be estimated based on EC50s found to be effective
in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from
0.01 .mu.g to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or
more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20
years. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily estimate
repetition rates for dosing based on measured residence times and
concentrations of the drug in bodily fluids or tissues. Following
successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient
undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the
disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in
maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 .mu.g to 100 g per kg of body
weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years.
[0257] In embodiments, a patient is treated with a dosage of drug
that is at least about 1, at least about 2, at least about 3, at
least about 4, at least about 5, at least about 6, at least about
7, at least about 8, at least about 9, at least about 10, at least
about 15, at least about 20, at least about 25, at least about 30,
at least about 35, at least about 40, at least about 45, at least
about 50, at least about 60, at least about 70, at least about 80,
at least about 90, or at least about 100 mg/kg body weight. Certain
injected dosages of antisense oligonucleotides are described, e.g.,
in U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,884, "Antisense modulation of PTP1B
expression," incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0258] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous
changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with
the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above described
embodiments.
[0259] All documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by
reference. All publications and patent documents cited in this
application are incorporated by reference for all purposes to the
same extent as if each individual publication or patent document
were so individually denoted. By their citation of various
references in this document, Applicants do not admit any particular
reference is "prior art" to their invention. Embodiments of
inventive compositions and methods are illustrated in the following
examples.
EXAMPLES
[0260] The following non-limiting Examples serve to illustrate
selected embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that
variations in proportions and alternatives in elements of the
components shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art and
are within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.
Example 1
Design of Antisense Oligonucleotides Specific for a Nucleic Acid
Molecule Antisense to a Collagen Gene and/or a Sense Strand of a
Collagen Gene Polynucleotide
[0261] As indicated above the term "oligonucleotide specific for"
or "oligonucleotide targets" refers to an oligonucleotide having a
sequence (i) capable of forming a stable complex with a portion of
the targeted gene, or (ii) capable of forming a stable duplex with
a portion of an mRNA transcript of the targeted gene.
[0262] Selection of appropriate oligonucleotides is facilitated by
using computer programs that automatically align nucleic acid
sequences and indicate regions of identity or homology. Such
programs are used to compare nucleic acid sequences obtained, for
example, by searching databases such as GenBank or by sequencing
PCR products. Comparison of nucleic acid sequences from a range of
species allows the selection of nucleic acid sequences that display
an appropriate degree of identity between species. In the case of
genes that have not been sequenced, Southern blots are performed to
allow a determination of the degree of identity between genes in
target species and other species. By performing Southern blots at
varying degrees of stringency, as is well known in the art, it is
possible to obtain an approximate measure of identity. These
procedures allow the selection of oligonucleotides that exhibit a
high degree of complementarity to target nucleic acid sequences in
a subject to be controlled and a lower degree of complementarity to
corresponding nucleic acid sequences in other species. One skilled
in the art will realize that there is considerable latitude in
selecting appropriate regions of genes for use in the present
invention.
[0263] An antisense compound is "specifically hybridizable" when
binding of the compound to the target nucleic acid interferes with
the normal function of the target nucleic acid to cause a
modulation of function and/or activity, and there is a sufficient
degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the
antisense compound to non-target nucleic acid sequences under
conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under
physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or
therapeutic treatment, and under conditions in which assays are
performed in the case of in vitro assays
[0264] The hybridization properties of the oligonucleotides
described herein can be determined by one or more in vitro assays
as known in the art. For example, the properties of the
oligonucleotides described herein can be obtained by determination
of binding strength between the target natural antisense and a
potential drug molecules using melting curve assay.
[0265] The binding strength between the target natural antisense
and a potential drug molecule (Molecule) can be estimated using any
of the established methods of measuring the strength of
intermolecular interactions, for example, a melting curve
assay.
[0266] Melting curve assay determines the temperature at which a
rapid transition from double-stranded to single-stranded
conformation occurs for the natural antisense/Molecule complex.
This temperature is widely accepted as a reliable measure of the
interaction strength between the two molecules.
[0267] A melting curve assay can be performed using a cDNA copy of
the actual natural antisense RNA molecule or a synthetic DNA or RNA
nucleotide corresponding to the binding site of the Molecule.
Multiple kits containing all necessary reagents to perform this
assay are available (e.g. Applied Biosystems Inc. MeltDoctor
kit).
[0268] These kits include a suitable buffer solution containing one
of the double strand DNA (dsDNA) binding dyes (such as ABI HRM
dyes, SYBR Green, SYTO, etc.). The properties of the dsDNA dyes are
such that they emit almost no fluorescence in free form, but are
highly fluorescent when bound to dsDNA.
[0269] To perform the assay the cDNA or a corresponding
oligonucleotide are mixed with Molecule in concentrations defined
by the particular manufacturer's protocols. The mixture is heated
to 95 .degree. C. to dissociate all pre-formed dsDNA complexes,
then slowly cooled to room temperature or other lower temperature
defined by the kit manufacturer to allow the DNA molecules to
anneal. The newly formed complexes are then slowly heated to
95.degree. C. with simultaneous continuous collection of data on
the amount of fluorescence that is produced by the reaction. The
fluorescence intensity is inversely proportional to the amounts of
dsDNA present in the reaction. The data can be collected using a
real time PCR instrument compatible with the kit (e.g.ABI's StepOne
Plus Real Time PCR System or LightTyper instrument, Roche
Diagnostics, Lewes, UK).
[0270] Melting peaks are constructed by plotting the negative
derivative of fluorescence with respect to temperature
(-d(Fluorescence)/dT) on the y-axis) against temperature (x-axis)
using appropriate software (for example LightTyper (Roche) or SDS
Dissociation Curve, ABI). The data is analyzed to identify the
temperature of the rapid transition from dsDNA complex to single
strand molecules. This temperature is called Tm and is directly
proportional to the strength of interaction between the two
molecules. Typically, Tm will exceed 40 .degree. C.
Example 2
Modulation of a Collagen Gene Polynucleotide Treatment of HepG2
Cells with Antisense Oligonucleotides
[0271] HepG2 cells from ATCC (cat# HB-8065) were grown in growth
media (MEM/EBSS (Hyclone cat #SH30024, or Mediatech cat #
MT-10-010-CV) +10% FBS (Mediatech cat#
MT35-011-CV)+penicillin/streptomycin (Mediatech cat# MT30-002-CI))
at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO2. One day before the experiment the
cells were replated at the density of 1.5.times.105/ml into 6 well
plates and incubated at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO2. On the day of the
experiment the media in the 6 well plates was changed to fresh
growth media. All antisense oligonucleotides were diluted to the
concentration of 20 .mu.M. Two .mu.l of this solution was incubated
with 400 .mu.l of Opti-MEM media (Gibco cat#31985-070) and 4 .mu.l
of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen cat# 11668019) at room
temperature for 20 min and applied to each well of the 6 well
plates with HepG2 cells. A Similar mixture including 2 .mu.l of
water instead of the oligonucleotide solution was used for the
mock-transfected controls. After 3-18 h of incubation at 37.degree.
C. and 5% CO2 the media was changed to fresh growth media. 48 h
after addition of antisense oligonucleotides the media was removed
and RNA was extracted from the cells using SV Total RNA Isolation
System from Promega (cat # Z3105) or RNeasy Total RNA Isolation kit
from Qiagen (cat# 74181) following the manufacturers' instructions.
600 ng of RNA was added to the reverse transcription reaction
performed using Verso cDNA kit from Thermo Scientific (cat#AB1453B)
or High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit (cat# 4368813) as
described in the manufacturer's protocol. The cDNA from this
reverse transcription reaction was used to monitor gene expression
by real time PCR using ABI Taqman Gene Expression Mix (cat#4369510)
and primers/probes designed by ABI (Applied Biosystems Taqman Gene
Expression Assay: Hs00164004_ml, Hs00164310 ml, by Applied
Biosystems Inc., Foster City Calif.). The following PCR cycle was
used: 50.degree. C. for 2 min, 95.degree. C. for 10 min, 40 cycles
of (95.degree. C. for 15 seconds, 60.degree. C. for 1 min) using
Mx4000 thermal cycler (Stratagene).
[0272] Fold change in gene expression after treatment with
antisense oligonucleotides was calculated based on the difference
in 18S-normalized dCt values between treated and mock-transfected
samples.
Results
[0273] Real time PCR results show that the levels of the Colla1
mRNA in HepG2 cells are significantly increased 48 h after
treatment with one of the oligos designed to Colla1 antisense
DW440457 (FIG. 1).
[0274] Real time PCR results show that the levels of Col7a1 mRNA in
HepG2 cells are significantly increased 48 h after treatment with
two of the oligos designed to Col7a1 as be142537 and bg998538 (FIG.
4).
[0275] Treatment of HUVEC cells with antisense oligonucleotides
[0276] HUVEC cells from ATCC (Promo Cell cat# C-12253) were grown
in Epithelial Growth Media (Promo Cell cat #C-22010) at 37oC and 5%
CO2. One day before the experiment the cells were replated using
Promo Cell Detach Kit (cat#C-41200) at the density of 1.5.times.10
5/ml into 6 well plates and incubated at 27oC and 5% CO2. On the
day of the experiment the media in the 6 well plates was changed to
fresh Epithelial Growth Media. All antisense oligonucleotides were
diluted to the concentration of 20 .mu.M. Two .mu.l of this
solution was incubated with 400 .mu.l of Opti-MEM media (Gibco
cat#31985-070) and 4 .mu.l of Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen cat#
1168019) at room temperature for 20 min and applied to each well of
the 6 well plates with HUVEC cells. Similar mixture including 2
.mu.l of water instead of the oligonucleotide solution was used for
the mock-transfected controls. After 3-18 h of incubation at
37.degree. C. and 5% CO2 the media was changed to fresh growth
media. 48 h after addition of antisense oligonucleotides the media
was removed and RNA was extracted from the cells using SV Total RNA
Isolation System from Promega (cat # Z3105) or RNeasy Total RNA
Isolation kit from Qiagen (cat# 74181) following the manufacturers'
instructions. 600 ng of RNA was added to the reverse transcription
reaction performed using Verso cDNA kit from Thermo Scientific
(cat#AB1453B) as described in the manufacturer's protocol. The cDNA
from this reverse transcription reaction was used to monitor gene
expression by real time PCR using ABI Taqman gene Expression Mix
(cat#4369510) and primers/probes designed by ABI (Applied
Biosystems Taqman Gene Expression Assays: Hs01028970_ml and
Hs00164310_ml by Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City Calif.). The
following PCR cycle was used: 50.degree. C. for 2 min, 95.degree.
C. for 10 min, 40 cycles of )95.degree. C. for 15 seconds,
60.degree. C. for 1 min) using StepOne Plus Real Time PCR Machine
(Applied Biosystems Inc.) or Mx4000 thermal cycler
(Stratagene).
[0277] Fold change in gene expression after treatment with
antisense oligonucleotides was calculated based on the difference
in 18S-normalized dCt values between treated and mock-transfected
samples.
Results.
[0278] Real time PCR results show that the levels of the Colla2
mRNA in HUVEC cells are significantly increased 48 h after
treatment with one of the oligos designed to Colla2 antisense
Hs.571263 (FIG. 2).
[0279] Real time PCR results show that the levels of Col7a1 mRNA in
HUVEC cells are significantly increased 48 h after treatment with
one of the siRNAs designed to Col7a1 as CV425857
(CV425857.1.sub.--1, CV425857.1.sub.--2,) and one siRNA to
BU615800.1 (BU615800.1.sub.--1) (FIG. 3).
[0280] Although the invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations
and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the
reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed
drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention
may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several
implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more
other features of the other implementations as may be desired and
advantageous for any given or particular application.
[0281] The Abstract of the disclosure will allow the reader to
quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is
submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the following claims.
Sequence CWU 1 SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID
NOS: 33 <210> SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 5927
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<300> PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION
NUMBER: NM_000088.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-06-06
<313> RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(5927) <400>
SEQUENCE: 1 tcgtcggagc agacgggagt ttctcctcgg ggtcggagca ggaggcacgc
ggagtgtgag 60 gccacgcatg agcggacgct aaccccctcc ccagccacaa
agagtctaca tgtctagggt 120 ctagacatgt tcagctttgt ggacctccgg
ctcctgctcc tcttagcggc caccgccctc 180 ctgacgcacg gccaagagga
aggccaagtc gagggccaag acgaagacat cccaccaatc 240 acctgcgtac
agaacggcct caggtaccat gaccgagacg tgtggaaacc cgagccctgc 300
cggatctgcg tctgcgacaa cggcaaggtg ttgtgcgatg acgtgatctg tgacgagacc
360 aagaactgcc ccggcgccga agtccccgag ggcgagtgct gtcccgtctg
ccccgacggc 420 tcagagtcac ccaccgacca agaaaccacc ggcgtcgagg
gacccaaggg agacactggc 480 ccccgaggcc caaggggacc cgcaggcccc
cctggccgag atggcatccc tggacagcct 540 ggacttcccg gaccccccgg
accccccgga cctcccggac cccctggcct cggaggaaac 600 tttgctcccc
agctgtctta tggctatgat gagaaatcaa ccggaggaat ttccgtgcct 660
ggccccatgg gtccctctgg tcctcgtggt ctccctggcc cccctggtgc acctggtccc
720 caaggcttcc aaggtccccc tggtgagcct ggcgagcctg gagcttcagg
tcccatgggt 780 ccccgaggtc ccccaggtcc ccctggaaag aatggagatg
atggggaagc tggaaaacct 840 ggtcgtcctg gtgagcgtgg gcctcctggg
cctcagggtg ctcgaggatt gcccggaaca 900 gctggcctcc ctggaatgaa
gggacacaga ggtttcagtg gtttggatgg tgccaaggga 960 gatgctggtc
ctgctggtcc taagggtgag cctggcagcc ctggtgaaaa tggagctcct 1020
ggtcagatgg gcccccgtgg cctgcctggt gagagaggtc gccctggagc ccctggccct
1080 gctggtgctc gtggaaatga tggtgctact ggtgctgccg ggccccctgg
tcccaccggc 1140 cccgctggtc ctcctggctt ccctggtgct gttggtgcta
agggtgaagc tggtccccaa 1200 gggccccgag gctctgaagg tccccagggt
gtgcgtggtg agcctggccc ccctggccct 1260 gctggtgctg ctggccctgc
tggaaaccct ggtgctgatg gacagcctgg tgctaaaggt 1320 gccaatggtg
ctcctggtat tgctggtgct cctggcttcc ctggtgcccg aggcccctct 1380
ggaccccagg gccccggcgg ccctcctggt cccaagggta acagcggtga acctggtgct
1440 cctggcagca aaggagacac tggtgctaag ggagagcctg gccctgttgg
tgttcaagga 1500 ccccctggcc ctgctggaga ggaaggaaag cgaggagctc
gaggtgaacc cggacccact 1560 ggcctgcccg gaccccctgg cgagcgtggt
ggacctggta gccgtggttt ccctggcgca 1620 gatggtgttg ctggtcccaa
gggtcccgct ggtgaacgtg gttctcctgg ccctgctggc 1680 cccaaaggat
ctcctggtga agctggtcgt cccggtgaag ctggtctgcc tggtgccaag 1740
ggtctgactg gaagccctgg cagccctggt cctgatggca aaactggccc ccctggtccc
1800 gccggtcaag atggtcgccc cggaccccca ggcccacctg gtgcccgtgg
tcaggctggt 1860 gtgatgggat tccctggacc taaaggtgct gctggagagc
ccggcaaggc tggagagcga 1920 ggtgttcccg gaccccctgg cgctgtcggt
cctgctggca aagatggaga ggctggagct 1980 cagggacccc ctggccctgc
tggtcccgct ggcgagagag gtgaacaagg ccctgctggc 2040 tcccccggat
tccagggtct ccctggtcct gctggtcctc caggtgaagc aggcaaacct 2100
ggtgaacagg gtgttcctgg agaccttggc gcccctggcc cctctggagc aagaggcgag
2160 agaggtttcc ctggcgagcg tggtgtgcaa ggtccccctg gtcctgctgg
tccccgaggg 2220 gccaacggtg ctcccggcaa cgatggtgct aagggtgatg
ctggtgcccc tggagctccc 2280 ggtagccagg gcgcccctgg ccttcaggga
atgcctggtg aacgtggtgc agctggtctt 2340 ccagggccta agggtgacag
aggtgatgct ggtcccaaag gtgctgatgg ctctcctggc 2400 aaagatggcg
tccgtggtct gactggcccc attggtcctc ctggccctgc tggtgcccct 2460
ggtgacaagg gtgaaagtgg tcccagcggc cctgctggtc ccactggagc tcgtggtgcc
2520 cccggagacc gtggtgagcc tggtcccccc ggccctgctg gctttgctgg
cccccctggt 2580 gctgacggcc aacctggtgc taaaggcgaa cctggtgatg
ctggtgctaa aggcgatgct 2640 ggtccccctg gccctgccgg acccgctgga
ccccctggcc ccattggtaa tgttggtgct 2700 cctggagcca aaggtgctcg
cggcagcgct ggtccccctg gtgctactgg tttccctggt 2760 gctgctggcc
gagtcggtcc tcctggcccc tctggaaatg ctggaccccc tggccctcct 2820
ggtcctgctg gcaaagaagg cggcaaaggt ccccgtggtg agactggccc tgctggacgt
2880 cctggtgaag ttggtccccc tggtccccct ggccctgctg gcgagaaagg
atcccctggt 2940 gctgatggtc ctgctggtgc tcctggtact cccgggcctc
aaggtattgc tggacagcgt 3000 ggtgtggtcg gcctgcctgg tcagagagga
gagagaggct tccctggtct tcctggcccc 3060 tctggtgaac ctggcaaaca
aggtccctct ggagcaagtg gtgaacgtgg tccccctggt 3120 cccatgggcc
cccctggatt ggctggaccc cctggtgaat ctggacgtga gggggctcct 3180
ggtgccgaag gttcccctgg acgagacggt tctcctggcg ccaagggtga ccgtggtgag
3240 accggccccg ctggaccccc tggtgctcct ggtgctcctg gtgcccctgg
ccccgttggc 3300 cctgctggca agagtggtga tcgtggtgag actggtcctg
ctggtcccgc cggtcctgtc 3360 ggccctgttg gcgcccgtgg ccccgccgga
ccccaaggcc cccgtggtga caagggtgag 3420 acaggcgaac agggcgacag
aggcataaag ggtcaccgtg gcttctctgg cctccagggt 3480 ccccctggcc
ctcctggctc tcctggtgaa caaggtccct ctggagcctc tggtcctgct 3540
ggtccccgag gtccccctgg ctctgctggt gctcctggca aagatggact caacggtctc
3600 cctggcccca ttgggccccc tggtcctcgc ggtcgcactg gtgatgctgg
tcctgttggt 3660 ccccccggcc ctcctggacc tcctggtccc cctggtcctc
ccagcgctgg tttcgacttc 3720 agcttcctgc cccagccacc tcaagagaag
gctcacgatg gtggccgcta ctaccgggct 3780 gatgatgcca atgtggttcg
tgaccgtgac ctcgaggtgg acaccaccct caagagcctg 3840 agccagcaga
tcgagaacat ccggagccca gagggcagcc gcaagaaccc cgcccgcacc 3900
tgccgtgacc tcaagatgtg ccactctgac tggaagagtg gagagtactg gattgacccc
3960 aaccaaggct gcaacctgga tgccatcaaa gtcttctgca acatggagac
tggtgagacc 4020 tgcgtgtacc ccactcagcc cagtgtggcc cagaagaact
ggtacatcag caagaacccc 4080 aaggacaaga ggcatgtctg gttcggcgag
agcatgaccg atggattcca gttcgagtat 4140 ggcggccagg gctccgaccc
tgccgatgtg gccatccagc tgaccttcct gcgcctgatg 4200 tccaccgagg
cctcccagaa catcacctac cactgcaaga acagcgtggc ctacatggac 4260
cagcagactg gcaacctcaa gaaggccctg ctcctccagg gctccaacga gatcgagatc
4320 cgcgccgagg gcaacagccg cttcacctac agcgtcactg tcgatggctg
cacgagtcac 4380 accggagcct ggggcaagac agtgattgaa tacaaaacca
ccaagacctc ccgcctgccc 4440 atcatcgatg tggccccctt ggacgttggt
gccccagacc aggaattcgg cttcgacgtt 4500 ggccctgtct gcttcctgta
aactccctcc atcccaacct ggctccctcc cacccaacca 4560 actttccccc
caacccggaa acagacaagc aacccaaact gaaccccctc aaaagccaaa 4620
aaatgggaga caatttcaca tggactttgg aaaatatttt tttcctttgc attcatctct
4680 caaacttagt ttttatcttt gaccaaccga acatgaccaa aaaccaaaag
tgcattcaac 4740 cttaccaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaagaata aataaataac
tttttaaaaa aggaagcttg 4800 gtccacttgc ttgaagaccc atgcgggggt
aagtcccttt ctgcccgttg ggcttatgaa 4860 accccaatgc tgccctttct
gctcctttct ccacaccccc cttggggcct cccctccact 4920 ccttcccaaa
tctgtctccc cagaagacac aggaaacaat gtattgtctg cccagcaatc 4980
aaaggcaatg ctcaaacacc caagtggccc ccaccctcag cccgctcctg cccgcccagc
5040 acccccaggc cctgggggac ctggggttct cagactgcca aagaagcctt
gccatctggc 5100 gctcccatgg ctcttgcaac atctcccctt cgtttttgag
ggggtcatgc cgggggagcc 5160 accagcccct cactgggttc ggaggagagt
caggaagggc cacgacaaag cagaaacatc 5220 ggatttgggg aacgcgtgtc
aatcccttgt gccgcagggc tgggcgggag agactgttct 5280 gttccttgtg
taactgtgtt gctgaaagac tacctcgttc ttgtcttgat gtgtcaccgg 5340
ggcaactgcc tgggggcggg gatgggggca gggtggaagc ggctccccat tttataccaa
5400 aggtgctaca tctatgtgat gggtggggtg gggagggaat cactggtgct
atagaaattg 5460 agatgccccc ccaggccagc aaatgttcct ttttgttcaa
agtctatttt tattccttga 5520 tatttttctt tttttttttt tttttttgtg
gatggggact tgtgaatttt tctaaaggtg 5580 ctatttaaca tgggaggaga
gcgtgtgcgg ctccagccca gcccgctgct cactttccac 5640 cctctctcca
cctgcctctg gcttctcagg cctctgctct ccgacctctc tcctctgaaa 5700
ccctcctcca cagctgcagc ccatcctccc ggctccctcc tagtctgtcc tgcgtcctct
5760 gtccccgggt ttcagagaca acttcccaaa gcacaaagca gtttttcccc
ctaggggtgg 5820 gaggaagcaa aagactctgt acctattttg tatgtgtata
ataatttgag atgtttttaa 5880 ttattttgat tgctggaata aagcatgtgg
aaatgaccca aacataa 5927 <210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGTH:
5411 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<300> PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION
NUMBER: NM_000089.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-05-23
<313> RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(5411) <400>
SEQUENCE: 2 gtgtcccata gtgtttccaa acttggaaag ggcgggggag ggcgggagga
tgcggagggc 60 ggaggtatgc agacaacgag tcagagtttc cccttgaaag
cctcaaaagt gtccacgtcc 120 tcaaaaagaa tggaaccaat ttaagaagcc
agccccgtgg ccacgtccct tcccccattc 180 gctccctcct ctgcgccccc
gcaggctcct cccagctgtg gctgcccggg cccccagccc 240 cagccctccc
attggtggag gcccttttgg aggcacccta gggccaggga aacttttgcc 300
gtataaatag ggcagatccg ggctttatta ttttagcacc acggcagcag gaggtttcgg
360 ctaagttgga ggtactggcc acgactgcat gcccgcgccc gccaggtgat
acctccgccg 420 gtgacccagg ggctctgcga cacaaggagt ctgcatgtct
aagtgctaga catgctcagc 480 tttgtggata cgcggacttt gttgctgctt
gcagtaacct tatgcctagc aacatgccaa 540 tctttacaag aggaaactgt
aagaaagggc ccagccggag atagaggacc acgtggagaa 600 aggggtccac
caggcccccc aggcagagat ggtgaagatg gtcccacagg ccctcctggt 660
ccacctggtc ctcctggccc ccctggtctc ggtgggaact ttgctgctca gtatgatgga
720 aaaggagttg gacttggccc tggaccaatg ggcttaatgg gacctagagg
cccacctggt 780 gcagctggag ccccaggccc tcaaggtttc caaggacctg
ctggtgagcc tggtgaacct 840 ggtcaaactg gtcctgcagg tgctcgtggt
ccagctggcc ctcctggcaa ggctggtgaa 900 gatggtcacc ctggaaaacc
cggacgacct ggtgagagag gagttgttgg accacagggt 960 gctcgtggtt
tccctggaac tcctggactt cctggcttca aaggcattag gggacacaat 1020
ggtctggatg gattgaaggg acagcccggt gctcctggtg tgaagggtga acctggtgcc
1080 cctggtgaaa atggaactcc aggtcaaaca ggagcccgtg ggcttcctgg
tgagagagga 1140 cgtgttggtg cccctggccc agctggtgcc cgtggcagtg
atggaagtgt gggtcccgtg 1200 ggtcctgctg gtcccattgg gtctgctggc
cctccaggct tcccaggtgc ccctggcccc 1260 aagggtgaaa ttggagctgt
tggtaacgct ggtcctgctg gtcccgccgg tccccgtggt 1320 gaagtgggtc
ttccaggcct ctccggcccc gttggacctc ctggtaatcc tggagcaaac 1380
ggccttactg gtgccaaggg tgctgctggc cttcccggcg ttgctggggc tcccggcctc
1440 cctggacccc gcggtattcc tggccctgtt ggtgctgccg gtgctactgg
tgccagagga 1500 cttgttggtg agcctggtcc agctggctcc aaaggagaga
gcggtaacaa gggtgagccc 1560 ggctctgctg ggccccaagg tcctcctggt
cccagtggtg aagaaggaaa gagaggccct 1620 aatggggaag ctggatctgc
cggccctcca ggacctcctg ggctgagagg tagtcctggt 1680 tctcgtggtc
ttcctggagc tgatggcaga gctggcgtca tgggccctcc tggtagtcgt 1740
ggtgcaagtg gccctgctgg agtccgagga cctaatggag atgctggtcg ccctggggag
1800 cctggtctca tgggacccag aggtcttcct ggttcccctg gaaatatcgg
ccccgctgga 1860 aaagaaggtc ctgtcggcct ccctggcatc gacggcaggc
ctggcccaat tggcccagct 1920 ggagcaagag gagagcctgg caacattgga
ttccctggac ccaaaggccc cactggtgat 1980 cctggcaaaa acggtgataa
aggtcatgct ggtcttgctg gtgctcgggg tgctccaggt 2040 cctgatggaa
acaatggtgc tcagggacct cctggaccac agggtgttca aggtggaaaa 2100
ggtgaacagg gtccccctgg tcctccaggc ttccagggtc tgcctggccc ctcaggtccc
2160 gctggtgaag ttggcaaacc aggagaaagg ggtctccatg gtgagtttgg
tctccctggt 2220 cctgctggtc caagagggga acgcggtccc ccaggtgaga
gtggtgctgc cggtcctact 2280 ggtcctattg gaagccgagg tccttctgga
cccccagggc ctgatggaaa caagggtgaa 2340 cctggtgtgg ttggtgctgt
gggcactgct ggtccatctg gtcctagtgg actcccagga 2400 gagaggggtg
ctgctggcat acctggaggc aagggagaaa agggtgaacc tggtctcaga 2460
ggtgaaattg gtaaccctgg cagagatggt gctcgtggtg ctcctggtgc tgtaggtgcc
2520 cctggtcctg ctggagccac aggtgaccgg ggcgaagctg gggctgctgg
tcctgctggt 2580 cctgctggtc ctcggggaag ccctggtgaa cgtggtgagg
tcggtcctgc tggccccaat 2640 ggatttgctg gtcctgctgg tgctgctggt
caacctggtg ctaaaggaga aagaggagcc 2700 aaagggccta agggtgaaaa
cggtgttgtt ggtcccacag gccccgttgg agctgctggc 2760 ccagctggtc
caaatggtcc ccccggtcct gctggaagtc gtggtgatgg aggcccccct 2820
ggtatgactg gtttccctgg tgctgctgga cggactggtc ccccaggacc ctctggtatt
2880 tctggccctc ctggtccccc tggtcctgct gggaaagaag ggcttcgtgg
tcctcgtggt 2940 gaccaaggtc cagttggccg aactggagaa gtaggtgcag
ttggtccccc tggcttcgct 3000 ggtgagaagg gtccctctgg agaggctggt
actgctggac ctcctggcac tccaggtcct 3060 cagggtcttc ttggtgctcc
tggtattctg ggtctccctg gctcgagagg tgaacgtggt 3120 ctaccaggtg
ttgctggtgc tgtgggtgaa cctggtcctc ttggcattgc cggccctcct 3180
ggggcccgtg gtcctcctgg tgctgtgggt agtcctggag tcaacggtgc tcctggtgaa
3240 gctggtcgtg atggcaaccc tgggaacgat ggtcccccag gtcgcgatgg
tcaacccgga 3300 cacaagggag agcgcggtta ccctggcaat attggtcccg
ttggtgctgc aggtgcacct 3360 ggtcctcatg gccccgtggg tcctgctggc
aaacatggaa accgtggtga aactggtcct 3420 tctggtcctg ttggtcctgc
tggtgctgtt ggcccaagag gtcctagtgg cccacaaggc 3480 attcgtggcg
ataagggaga gcccggtgaa aaggggccca gaggtcttcc tggcttaaag 3540
ggacacaatg gattgcaagg tctgcctggt atcgctggtc accatggtga tcaaggtgct
3600 cctggctccg tgggtcctgc tggtcctagg ggccctgctg gtccttctgg
ccctgctgga 3660 aaagatggtc gcactggaca tcctggtaca gttggacctg
ctggcattcg aggccctcag 3720 ggtcaccaag gccctgctgg cccccctggt
ccccctggcc ctcctggacc tccaggtgta 3780 agcggtggtg gttatgactt
tggttacgat ggagacttct acagggctga ccagcctcgc 3840 tcagcacctt
ctctcagacc caaggactat gaagttgatg ctactctgaa gtctctcaac 3900
aaccagattg agacccttct tactcctgaa ggctctagaa agaacccagc tcgcacatgc
3960 cgtgacttga gactcagcca cccagagtgg agcagtggtt actactggat
tgaccctaac 4020 caaggatgca ctatggatgc tatcaaagta tactgtgatt
tctctactgg cgaaacctgt 4080 atccgggccc aacctgaaaa catcccagcc
aagaactggt ataggagctc caaggacaag 4140 aaacacgtct ggctaggaga
aactatcaat gctggcagcc agtttgaata taatgtagaa 4200 ggagtgactt
ccaaggaaat ggctacccaa cttgccttca tgcgcctgct ggccaactat 4260
gcctctcaga acatcaccta ccactgcaag aacagcattg catacatgga tgaggagact
4320 ggcaacctga aaaaggctgt cattctacag ggctctaatg atgttgaact
tgttgctgag 4380 ggcaacagca ggttcactta cactgttctt gtagatggct
gctctaaaaa gacaaatgaa 4440 tggggaaaga caatcattga atacaaaaca
aataagccat cacgcctgcc cttccttgat 4500 attgcacctt tggacatcgg
tggtgctgac caggaattct ttgtggacat tggcccagtc 4560 tgtttcaaat
aaatgaactc aatctaaatt aaaaaagaaa gaaatttgaa aaaactttct 4620
ctttgccatt tcttcttctt cttttttaac tgaaagctga atccttccat ttcttctgca
4680 catctacttg cttaaattgt gggcaaaaga gaaaaagaag gattgatcag
agcattgtgc 4740 aatacagttt cattaactcc ttcccccgct cccccaaaaa
tttgaatttt tttttcaaca 4800 ctcttacacc tgttatggaa aatgtcaacc
tttgtaagaa aaccaaaata aaaattgaaa 4860 aataaaaacc ataaacattt
gcaccacttg tggcttttga atatcttcca cagagggaag 4920 tttaaaaccc
aaacttccaa aggtttaaac tacctcaaaa cactttccca tgagtgtgat 4980
ccacattgtt aggtgctgac ctagacagag atgaactgag gtccttgttt tgttttgttc
5040 ataatacaaa ggtgctaatt aatagtattt cagatacttg aagaatgttg
atggtgctag 5100 aagaatttga gaagaaatac tcctgtattg agttgtatcg
tgtggtgtat tttttaaaaa 5160 atttgattta gcattcatat tttccatctt
attcccaatt aaaagtatgc agattatttg 5220 cccaaatctt cttcagattc
agcatttgtt ctttgccagt ctcattttca tcttcttcca 5280 tggttccaca
gaagctttgt ttcttgggca agcagaaaaa ttaaattgta cctattttgt 5340
atatgtgaga tgtttaaata aattgtgaaa aaaatgaaat aaagcatgtt tggttttcca
5400 aaagaacata t 5411 <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH:
9169 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<300> PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION
NUMBER: NM_000094.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-03-23
<313> RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(9169) <300>
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION NUMBER:
NM_000094.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-03-21 <313>
RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(9169) <400> SEQUENCE: 3
gatgacgctg cggcttctgg tggccgcgct ctgcgccggg atcctggcag aggcgccccg
60 agtgcgagcc cagcacaggg agagagtgac ctgcacgcgc ctttacgccg
ctgacattgt 120 gttcttactg gatggctcct catccattgg ccgcagcaat
ttccgcgagg tccgcagctt 180 tctcgaaggg ctggtgctgc ctttctctgg
agcagccagt gcacagggtg tgcgctttgc 240 cacagtgcag tacagcgatg
acccacggac agagttcggc ctggatgcac ttggctctgg 300 gggtgatgtg
atccgcgcca tccgtgagct tagctacaag gggggcaaca ctcgcacagg 360
ggctgcaatt ctccatgtgg ctgaccatgt cttcctgccc cagctggccc gacctggtgt
420 ccccaaggtc tgcatcctga tcacagacgg gaagtcccag gacctggtgg
acacagctgc 480 ccaaaggctg aaggggcagg gggtcaagct atttgctgtg
gggatcaaga atgctgaccc 540 tgaggagctg aagcgagttg cctcacagcc
caccagtgac ttcttcttct tcgtcaatga 600 cttcagcatc ttgaggacac
tactgcccct cgtttcccgg agagtgtgca cgactgctgg 660 tggcgtgcct
gtgacccgac ctccggatga ctcgacctct gctccacgag acctggtgct 720
gtctgagcca agcagccaat ccttgagagt acagtggaca gcggccagtg gccctgtgac
780 tggctacaag gtccagtaca ctcctctgac ggggctggga cagccactgc
cgagtgagcg 840 gcaggaggtg aacgtcccag ctggtgagac cagtgtgcgg
ctgcggggtc tccggccact 900 gaccgagtac caagtgactg tgattgccct
ctacgccaac agcatcgggg aggctgtgag 960 cgggacagct cggaccactg
ccctagaagg gccggaactg accatccaga ataccacagc 1020 ccacagcctc
ctggtggcct ggcggagtgt gccaggtgcc actggctacc gtgtgacatg 1080
gcgggtcctc agtggtgggc ccacacagca gcaggagctg ggccctgggc agggttcagt
1140 gttgctgcgt gacttggagc ctggcacgga ctatgaggtg accgtgagca
ccctatttgg 1200 ccgcagtgtg gggcccgcca cttccctgat ggctcgcact
gacgcttctg ttgagcagac 1260 cctgcgcccg gtcatcctgg gccccacatc
catcctcctt tcctggaact tggtgcctga 1320 ggcccgtggc taccggttgg
aatggcggcg tgagactggc ttggagccac cgcagaaggt 1380 ggtactgccc
tctgatgtga cccgctacca gttggatggg ctgcagccgg gcactgagta 1440
ccgcctcaca ctctacactc tgctggaggg ccacgaggtg gccacccctg caaccgtggt
1500 tcccactgga ccagagctgc ctgtgagccc tgtaacagac ctgcaagcca
ccgagctgcc 1560 cgggcagcgg gtgcgagtgt cctggagccc agtccctggt
gccacccagt accgcatcat 1620 tgtgcgcagc acccaggggg ttgagcggac
cctggtgctt cctgggagtc agacagcatt 1680 cgacttggat gacgttcagg
ctgggcttag ctacactgtg cgggtgtctg ctcgagtggg 1740 tccccgtgag
ggcagtgcca gtgtcctcac tgtccgccgg gagccggaaa ctccacttgc 1800
tgttccaggg ctgcgggttg tggtgtcaga tgcaacgcga gtgagggtgg cctggggacc
1860 cgtccctgga gccagtggat ttcggattag ctggagcaca ggcagtggtc
cggagtccag 1920 ccagacactg cccccagact ctactgccac agacatcaca
gggctgcagc ctggaaccac 1980 ctaccaggtg gctgtgtcgg tactgcgagg
cagagaggag ggccctgctg cagtcatcgt 2040 ggctcgaacg gacccactgg
gcccagtgag gacggtccat gtgactcagg ccagcagctc 2100 atctgtcacc
attacctgga ccagggttcc tggcgccaca ggatacaggg tttcctggca 2160
ctcagcccac ggcccagaga aatcccagtt ggtttctggg gaggccacgg tggctgagct
2220 ggatggactg gagccagata ctgagtatac ggtgcatgtg agggcccatg
tggctggcgt 2280 ggatgggccc cctgcctctg tggttgtgag gactgcccct
gagcctgtgg gtcgtgtgtc 2340 gaggctgcag atcctcaatg cttccagcga
cgttctacgg atcacctggg taggggtcac 2400 tggagccaca gcttacagac
tggcctgggg ccggagtgaa ggcggcccca tgaggcacca 2460 gatactccca
ggaaacacag actctgcaga gatccggggt ctcgaaggtg gagtcagcta 2520
ctcagtgcga gtgactgcac ttgtcgggga ccgcgagggc acacctgtct ccattgttgt
2580 cactacgccg cctgaggctc cgccagccct ggggacgctt cacgtggtgc
agcgcgggga 2640 gcactcgctg aggctgcgct gggagccggt gcccagagcg
cagggcttcc ttctgcactg 2700 gcaacctgag ggtggccagg aacagtcccg
ggtcctgggg cccgagctca gcagctatca 2760 cctggacggg ctggagccag
cgacacagta ccgcgtgagg ctgagtgtcc tagggccagc 2820 tggagaaggg
ccctctgcag aggtgactgc gcgcactgag tcacctcgtg ttccaagcat 2880
tgaactacgt gtggtggaca cctcgatcga ctcggtgact ttggcctgga ctccagtgtc
2940 cagggcatcc agctacatcc tatcctggcg gccactcaga ggccctggcc
aggaagtgcc 3000 tgggtccccg cagacacttc cagggatctc aagctcccag
cgggtgacag ggctagagcc 3060 tggcgtctct tacatcttct ccctgacgcc
tgtcctggat ggtgtgcggg gtcctgaggc 3120 atctgtcaca cagacgccag
tgtgcccccg tggcctggcg gatgtggtgt tcctaccaca 3180 tgccactcaa
gacaatgctc accgtgcgga ggctacgagg agggtcctgg agcgtctggt 3240
gttggcactt gggcctcttg ggccacaggc agttcaggtt ggcctgctgt cttacagtca
3300 tcggccctcc ccactgttcc cactgaatgg ctcccatgac cttggcatta
tcttgcaaag 3360 gatccgtgac atgccctaca tggacccaag tgggaacaac
ctgggcacag ccgtggtcac 3420 agctcacaga tacatgttgg caccagatgc
tcctgggcgc cgccagcacg taccaggggt 3480 gatggttctg ctagtggatg
aacccttgag aggtgacata ttcagcccca tccgtgaggc 3540 ccaggcttct
gggcttaatg tggtgatgtt gggaatggct ggagcggacc cagagcagct 3600
gcgtcgcttg gcgccgggta tggactctgt ccagaccttc ttcgccgtgg atgatgggcc
3660 aagcctggac caggcagtca gtggtctggc cacagccctg tgtcaggcat
ccttcactac 3720 tcagccccgg ccagagccct gcccagtgta ttgtccaaag
ggccagaagg gggaacctgg 3780 agagatgggc ctgagaggac aagttgggcc
tcctggcgac cctggcctcc cgggcaggac 3840 cggtgctccc ggcccccagg
ggccccctgg aagtgccact gccaagggcg agaggggctt 3900 ccctggagca
gatgggcgtc caggcagccc tggccgcgcc gggaatcctg ggacccctgg 3960
agcccctggc ctaaagggct ctccagggtt gcctggccct cgtggggacc cgggagagcg
4020 aggacctcga ggcccaaagg gggagccggg ggctcccgga caagtcatcg
gaggtgaagg 4080 acctgggctt cctgggcgga aaggggaccc tggaccatcg
ggcccccctg gacctcgtgg 4140 accactgggg gacccaggac cccgtggccc
cccagggctt cctggaacag ccatgaaggg 4200 tgacaaaggc gatcgtgggg
agcggggtcc ccctggacca ggtgaaggtg gcattgctcc 4260 tggggagcct
gggctgccgg gtcttcccgg aagccctgga ccccaaggcc ccgttggccc 4320
ccctggaaag aaaggagaaa aaggtgactc tgaggatgga gctccaggcc tcccaggaca
4380 acctgggtct ccgggtgagc agggcccacg gggacctcct ggagctattg
gccccaaagg 4440 tgaccggggc tttccagggc ccctgggtga ggctggagag
aagggcgaac gtggaccccc 4500 aggcccagcg ggatcccggg ggctgccagg
ggttgctgga cgtcctggag ccaagggtcc 4560 tgaagggcca ccaggaccca
ctggccgcca aggagagaag ggggagcctg gtcgccctgg 4620 ggaccctgca
gtggtgggac ctgctgttgc tggacccaaa ggagaaaagg gagatgtggg 4680
gcccgctggg cccagaggag ctaccggagt ccaaggggaa cggggcccac ccggcttggt
4740 tcttcctgga gaccctggcc ccaagggaga ccctggagac cggggtccca
ttggccttac 4800 tggcagagca ggacccccag gtgactcagg gcctcctgga
gagaagggag accctgggcg 4860 gcctggcccc ccaggacctg ttggcccccg
aggacgagat ggtgaagttg gagagaaagg 4920 tgacgagggt cctccgggtg
acccgggttt gcctggaaaa gcaggcgagc gtggccttcg 4980 gggggcacct
ggagttcggg ggcctgtggg tgaaaaggga gaccagggag atcctggaga 5040
ggatggacga aatggcagcc ctggatcatc tggacccaag ggtgaccgtg gggagccggg
5100 tcccccagga cccccgggac ggctggtaga cacaggacct ggagccagag
agaagggaga 5160 gcctggggac cgcggacaag agggtcctcg agggcccaag
ggtgatcctg gcctccctgg 5220 agcccctggg gaaaggggca ttgaagggtt
tcggggaccc ccaggcccac agggggaccc 5280 aggtgtccga ggcccagcag
gagaaaaggg tgaccggggt ccccctgggc tggatggccg 5340 gagcggactg
gatgggaaac caggagccgc tgggccctct gggccgaatg gtgctgcagg 5400
caaagctggg gacccaggga gagacgggct tccaggcctc cgtggagaac agggcctccc
5460 tggcccctct ggtccccctg gattaccggg aaagccaggc gaggatggca
aacctggcct 5520 gaatggaaaa aacggagaac ctggggaccc tggagaagac
gggaggaagg gagagaaagg 5580 agattcaggc gcctctggga gagaaggtcg
tgatggcccc aagggtgagc gtggagctcc 5640 tggtatcctt ggaccccagg
ggcctccagg cctcccaggg ccagtgggcc ctcctggcca 5700 gggttttcct
ggtgtcccag gaggcacggg ccccaagggt gaccgtgggg agactggatc 5760
caaaggggag cagggcctcc ctggagagcg tggcctgcga ggagagcctg gaagtgtgcc
5820 gaatgtggat cggttgctgg aaactgctgg catcaaggca tctgccctgc
gggagatcgt 5880 ggagacctgg gatgagagct ctggtagctt cctgcctgtg
cccgaacggc gtcgaggccc 5940 caagggggac tcaggcgaac agggcccccc
aggcaaggag ggccccatcg gctttcctgg 6000 agaacgcggg ctgaagggcg
accgtggaga ccctggccct caggggccac ctggtctggc 6060 ccttggggag
aggggccccc ccgggccttc cggccttgcc ggggagcctg gaaagcctgg 6120
tattcccggg ctcccaggca gggctggggg tgtgggagag gcaggaaggc caggagagag
6180 gggagaacgg ggagagaaag gagaacgtgg agaacagggc agagatggcc
ctcctggact 6240 ccctggaacc cctgggcccc ccggaccccc tggccccaag
gtgtctgtgg atgagccagg 6300 tcctggactc tctggagaac agggaccccc
tggactcaag ggtgctaagg gggagccggg 6360 cagcaatggt gaccaaggtc
ccaaaggaga caggggtgtg ccaggcatca aaggagaccg 6420 gggagagcct
ggaccgaggg gtcaggacgg caacccgggt ctaccaggag agcgtggtat 6480
ggctgggcct gaagggaagc cgggtctgca gggtccaaga ggcccccctg gcccagtggg
6540 tggtcatgga gaccctggac cacctggtgc cccgggtctt gctggccctg
caggacccca 6600 aggaccttct ggcctgaagg gggagcctgg agagacagga
cctccaggac ggggcctgac 6660 tggacctact ggagctgtgg gacttcctgg
accccccggc ccttcaggcc ttgtgggtcc 6720 acaggggtct ccaggtttgc
ctggacaagt gggggagaca gggaagccgg gagccccagg 6780 tcgagatggt
gccagtggaa aagatggaga cagagggagc cctggtgtgc cagggtcacc 6840
aggtctgcct ggccctgtcg gacctaaagg agaacctggc cccacggggg cccctggaca
6900 ggctgtggtc gggctccctg gagcaaaggg agagaaggga gcccctggag
gccttgctgg 6960 agacctggtg ggtgagccgg gagccaaagg tgaccgagga
ctgccagggc cgcgaggcga 7020 gaagggtgaa gctggccgtg caggggagcc
cggagaccct ggggaagatg gtcagaaagg 7080 ggctccagga cccaaaggtt
tcaagggtga cccaggagtc ggggtcccgg gctcccctgg 7140 gcctcctggc
cctccaggtg tgaagggaga tctgggcctc cctggcctgc ccggtgctcc 7200
tggtgttgtt gggttcccgg gtcagacagg ccctcgagga gagatgggtc agccaggccc
7260 tagtggagag cggggtctgg caggcccccc agggagagaa ggaatcccag
gacccctggg 7320 gccacctgga ccaccggggt cagtgggacc acctggggcc
tctggactca aaggagacaa 7380 gggagaccct ggagtagggc tgcctgggcc
ccgaggcgag cgtggggagc caggcatccg 7440 gggtgaagat ggccgccccg
gccaggaggg accccgagga ctcacggggc cccctggcag 7500 caggggagag
cgtggggaga agggtgatgt tgggagtgca ggactaaagg gtgacaaggg 7560
agactcagct gtgatcctgg ggcctccagg cccacggggt gccaaggggg acatgggtga
7620 acgagggcct cggggcttgg atggtgacaa aggacctcgg ggagacaatg
gggaccctgg 7680 tgacaagggc agcaagggag agcctggtga caagggctca
gccgggttgc caggactgcg 7740 tggactcctg ggaccccagg gtcaacctgg
tgcagcaggg atccctggtg acccgggatc 7800 cccaggaaag gatggagtgc
ctggtatccg aggagaaaaa ggagatgttg gcttcatggg 7860 tccccggggc
ctcaagggtg aacggggagt gaagggagcc tgtggccttg atggagagaa 7920
gggagacaag ggagaagctg gtcccccagg ccgccccggg ctggcaggac acaaaggaga
7980 gatgggggag cctggtgtgc cgggccagtc gggggcccct ggcaaggagg
gcctgatcgg 8040 tcccaagggt gaccgaggct ttgacgggca gccaggcccc
aagggtgacc agggcgagaa 8100 aggggagcgg ggaaccccag gaattggggg
cttcccaggc cccagtggaa atgatggctc 8160 tgctggtccc ccagggccac
ctggcagtgt tggtcccaga ggccccgaag gacttcaggg 8220 ccagaagggt
gagcgaggtc cccccggaga gagagtggtg ggggctcctg gggtccctgg 8280
agctcctggc gagagagggg agcaggggcg gccagggcct gccggtcctc gaggcgagaa
8340 gggagaagct gcactgacgg aggatgacat ccggggcttt gtgcgccaag
agatgagtca 8400 gcactgtgcc tgccagggcc agttcatcgc atctggatca
cgacccctcc ctagttatgc 8460 tgcagacact gccggctccc agctccatgc
tgtgcctgtg ctccgcgtct ctcatgcaga 8520 ggaggaagag cgggtacccc
ctgaggatga tgagtactct gaatactccg agtattctgt 8580 ggaggagtac
caggaccctg aagctccttg ggatagtgat gacccctgtt ccctgccact 8640
ggatgagggc tcctgcactg cctacaccct gcgctggtac catcgggctg tgacaggcag
8700 cacagaggcc tgtcaccctt ttgtctatgg tggctgtgga gggaatgcca
accgttttgg 8760 gacccgtgag gcctgcgagc gccgctgccc accccgggtg
gtccagagcc aggggacagg 8820 tactgcccag gactgaggcc cagataatga
gctgagattc agcatcccct ggaggagtcg 8880 gggtctcagc agaaccccac
tgtccctccc cttggtgcta gaggcttgtg tgcacgtgag 8940 cgtgcgtgtg
cacgtccgtt atttcagtga cttggtcccg tgggtctagc cttcccccct 9000
gtggacaaac ccccattgtg gctcctgcca ccctggcaga tgactcactg tgggggggtg
9060 gctgtgggca gtgagcggat gtgactggcg tctgacccgc cccttgaccc
aagcctgtga 9120 tgacatggtg ctgattctgg ggggcattaa agctgctgtt
ttaaaaggc 9169 <210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH: 387
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<400> SEQUENCE: 4 ggccattacg gccgggcagc caggccccag ctgagaataa
tgcactggat gggggtggtt 60 gttgtgttag gggaccccag ttctcactgc
tgctctctgg tagtcagaag tgaggggtca 120 gccccatctt tcctgctgga
gtgagctccc agctgggtag ctggcagcct ttctgtcata 180 tccctccctg
ctcctgatgt ctggaggcag tgtagttctt cttaaaagtt ggcttggcag 240
ggcgcggtgg ctcacacctg taatcccaac attttgggag gctgaggcag tcggatcacc
300 tgaggtcgag agtttgagac cccagcctat ccaacatggt gaaactccat
ctctactaaa 360 aatacaaaaa ttagcccggc atggtgg 387 <210> SEQ ID
NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 561 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 5 attttggtgg
gaggccctgg acctagaaac agaaaatgaa agtggagaaa accaaacaag 60
aatctttctt tcttaaagta aacatcggac tgacatctcc tttcaaacat tcattgagga
120 tctactctgt gagaagaagc aataccatgt tatctcattc tagttccagt
tctagttgac 180 ttgattgtca aacgactgct aagaagtaga gaggaggctt
caccatgttt gccaggctag 240 tctggaactc ttgacctcag gtgatccacc
cacctcggcc tcccaaagtg ctaggattac 300 aggcatgagc cacctcgccc
agctgtttct gtgtcacgtt ttgatacttg aataaaaatg 360 acactttgga
gccttgaaaa atggactttc cttctgaagt acccaggaga gtaggatgga 420
cttcttcctc tctccctaca ctatcccttg gagaaaacct tttatcaaga agataccgaa
480 tatcatcact gatataatgt cagaggaggt cactctctat agcccaacct
ccaggatttc 540 agcacttcgt ggacatggag g 561 <210> SEQ ID NO 6
<211> LENGTH: 335 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM:
Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 6 gggaccagag agctgcgata
tggctgaaaa aagtgagtgc aagacaagga cataggatga 60 aaggggccag
tgatggtcag ggacactgga ggacaggagt ctgtgggatc ttagcatgta 120
ggatgacagg agtcagtgga ctgcagtgag aactgatgag ccattgacag acactgatgt
180 gggatggcag aggtcagtgc tggatgggga catgcaatga gaggttggtg
tacagtggtc 240 accactaggg taacagaaag acaggtgatt gagcttgtgg
ctgtgcagag gtgaaagccg 300 aggatggtgt gtgggcagat aggagattgg ttgtt
335 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211> LENGTH: 613 <212>
TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE:
7 tttttttttt ttttttttaa gagaagatgt ctcgctccgt cgtccaggct ggagcgcagt
60 ggcgcaatca tggatcactg cagccttgac cttcccgggc tcaagcgatc
ctcccggctc 120 acccccagta gctggaacca caggcgcgct tccacaccgg
aaagcccatt ttctagaggc 180 ggaaaccgaa gcgcccagtg ggaaaggcga
cccgccgggg atgcggggtg ctcaacgcgc 240 tgccacctgg ggcccaacgc
gttgacctcg cggtcaggtt gcttccgcgg actacggttc 300 tggctcgcta
gctctggaac aggcaggaag gagtggggct atctgatagg ggaagatgat 360
gggagtctaa caggagacgg gaatttgata gaggagatgg tgaataggtc cagtggagga
420 gtggggaggt ggaggtttta ggaagcagtg agcaggtctg atggaggaga
aagtgtaaat 480 ctcagaggag atttgggtcc agcaaaaaag ggatggggta
gggtaggggc agacacaccc 540 tgttgacagt tcagggctca gtgccatctt
gggaagcaga tggataacga gacagggagg 600 agactatagg gac 613 <210>
SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH: 177 <212> TYPE: DNA
<213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 8
tcccaccggg tccaggtcag gcccaagggg accagctctg ctcccaccat catcccactc
60 cccacacagc caagctggac atctgagagc actgcatggc aatcctcatc
tgcctgtgtg 120 tctccctcca ctggggacac atgtcatgtg tcagtcctgc
agcacatgtg tccttct 177 <210> SEQ ID NO 9 <211> LENGTH:
285 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<400> SEQUENCE: 9 gaactcagac atgcgaccaa gaattggctc acaggagctc
agacatgacc atggcctatc 60 tcaggacagc acagacagag ggacgctcag
atactaccat agacaggtgg gagttcaggc 120 atggcacagg cacagggagc
ccacacgcga gtgcagacat ctggctccac agacgtgagt 180 gcggacacac
gggcgctcag aggggaaccc caacacgtcc actcccgggt agagcaggca 240
tggccacagg cttgaacgct gggagccaga ggcagggaca agcag 285 <210>
SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA
<213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 10 acatcaggag cagggaggga 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
11 ccctaactca acaacatccc 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 12 <211>
LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 12 tctcaaactc
tcgacctcag g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211> LENGTH: 21
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 13 gtttcaccat gttggctagg c 21
<210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 14 gcctcctctc tacttcttag 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
15 gggatagtgt agggagagag g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 16 <211>
LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 16 cctactctcc
tgggtacttc a 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211> LENGTH: 20
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 17 ggtgtctgtc ttccttaggg 20
<210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 18 aattagctgg gcgtggtggc 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
19 aatcccagct gctcaggagg 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 20 <211>
LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 20 rgrcrurcra
rarurcrarc rcrurgrurc rurururcru rgrururarc rcrc 54 <210> SEQ
ID NO 21 <211> LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
21 rcrurgrcrc rarurcrcrc rarcrarurc rargrurgru rcrurgrurc rara 54
<210> SEQ ID NO 22 <211> LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 22 rcrurcrcru rcrcrarurc rargrarcrc
rurgrcrurc rarcrurgrc ruru 54 <210> SEQ ID NO 23 <211>
LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 23 rgrurcrcrc
rurarurarg rurcrurcrc rurcrcrcru rgrurcrurc rgru 54 <210> SEQ
ID NO 24 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
24 ggagtgggat gatggtggga 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 25 <211>
LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 25 gcagtgctct
cagatgtcca g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 26 <211> LENGTH: 20
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 26 tggagggaga cacacaggca 20
<210> SEQ ID NO 27 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 27 tccctctgtc tgtgctgtcc t 21 <210> SEQ
ID NO 28 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
28 gcctgaactc ccacctgtct 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 29 <211>
LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 29 ctctggctcc
cagcgttcaa 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 30 <211> LENGTH: 48
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 20
<400> SEQUENCE: 30 rgrurararc rargrarara rgrarcrarg
rgrurgraru rurgragc 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 31 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 21
<400> SEQUENCE: 31 rgrarcrarg rarcrarcru rgrarurgru
rgrgrgraru rgrgrcag 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 32 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 22
<400> SEQUENCE: 32 rgrcrargru rgrargrcra rgrgrurcru
rgrarurgrg rargrgag 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 33 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 23
<400> SEQUENCE: 33 rgrargrarc rargrgrgra rgrgrargra
rcrurarura rgrgrgac 48
1 SEQUENCE LISTING <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 33 <210>
SEQ ID NO 1 <211> LENGTH: 5927 <212> TYPE: DNA
<213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <300> PUBLICATION
INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION NUMBER: NM_000088.3
<309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-06-06 <313> RELEVANT
RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(5927) <400> SEQUENCE: 1
tcgtcggagc agacgggagt ttctcctcgg ggtcggagca ggaggcacgc ggagtgtgag
60 gccacgcatg agcggacgct aaccccctcc ccagccacaa agagtctaca
tgtctagggt 120 ctagacatgt tcagctttgt ggacctccgg ctcctgctcc
tcttagcggc caccgccctc 180 ctgacgcacg gccaagagga aggccaagtc
gagggccaag acgaagacat cccaccaatc 240 acctgcgtac agaacggcct
caggtaccat gaccgagacg tgtggaaacc cgagccctgc 300 cggatctgcg
tctgcgacaa cggcaaggtg ttgtgcgatg acgtgatctg tgacgagacc 360
aagaactgcc ccggcgccga agtccccgag ggcgagtgct gtcccgtctg ccccgacggc
420 tcagagtcac ccaccgacca agaaaccacc ggcgtcgagg gacccaaggg
agacactggc 480 ccccgaggcc caaggggacc cgcaggcccc cctggccgag
atggcatccc tggacagcct 540 ggacttcccg gaccccccgg accccccgga
cctcccggac cccctggcct cggaggaaac 600 tttgctcccc agctgtctta
tggctatgat gagaaatcaa ccggaggaat ttccgtgcct 660 ggccccatgg
gtccctctgg tcctcgtggt ctccctggcc cccctggtgc acctggtccc 720
caaggcttcc aaggtccccc tggtgagcct ggcgagcctg gagcttcagg tcccatgggt
780 ccccgaggtc ccccaggtcc ccctggaaag aatggagatg atggggaagc
tggaaaacct 840 ggtcgtcctg gtgagcgtgg gcctcctggg cctcagggtg
ctcgaggatt gcccggaaca 900 gctggcctcc ctggaatgaa gggacacaga
ggtttcagtg gtttggatgg tgccaaggga 960 gatgctggtc ctgctggtcc
taagggtgag cctggcagcc ctggtgaaaa tggagctcct 1020 ggtcagatgg
gcccccgtgg cctgcctggt gagagaggtc gccctggagc ccctggccct 1080
gctggtgctc gtggaaatga tggtgctact ggtgctgccg ggccccctgg tcccaccggc
1140 cccgctggtc ctcctggctt ccctggtgct gttggtgcta agggtgaagc
tggtccccaa 1200 gggccccgag gctctgaagg tccccagggt gtgcgtggtg
agcctggccc ccctggccct 1260 gctggtgctg ctggccctgc tggaaaccct
ggtgctgatg gacagcctgg tgctaaaggt 1320 gccaatggtg ctcctggtat
tgctggtgct cctggcttcc ctggtgcccg aggcccctct 1380 ggaccccagg
gccccggcgg ccctcctggt cccaagggta acagcggtga acctggtgct 1440
cctggcagca aaggagacac tggtgctaag ggagagcctg gccctgttgg tgttcaagga
1500 ccccctggcc ctgctggaga ggaaggaaag cgaggagctc gaggtgaacc
cggacccact 1560 ggcctgcccg gaccccctgg cgagcgtggt ggacctggta
gccgtggttt ccctggcgca 1620 gatggtgttg ctggtcccaa gggtcccgct
ggtgaacgtg gttctcctgg ccctgctggc 1680 cccaaaggat ctcctggtga
agctggtcgt cccggtgaag ctggtctgcc tggtgccaag 1740 ggtctgactg
gaagccctgg cagccctggt cctgatggca aaactggccc ccctggtccc 1800
gccggtcaag atggtcgccc cggaccccca ggcccacctg gtgcccgtgg tcaggctggt
1860 gtgatgggat tccctggacc taaaggtgct gctggagagc ccggcaaggc
tggagagcga 1920 ggtgttcccg gaccccctgg cgctgtcggt cctgctggca
aagatggaga ggctggagct 1980 cagggacccc ctggccctgc tggtcccgct
ggcgagagag gtgaacaagg ccctgctggc 2040 tcccccggat tccagggtct
ccctggtcct gctggtcctc caggtgaagc aggcaaacct 2100 ggtgaacagg
gtgttcctgg agaccttggc gcccctggcc cctctggagc aagaggcgag 2160
agaggtttcc ctggcgagcg tggtgtgcaa ggtccccctg gtcctgctgg tccccgaggg
2220 gccaacggtg ctcccggcaa cgatggtgct aagggtgatg ctggtgcccc
tggagctccc 2280 ggtagccagg gcgcccctgg ccttcaggga atgcctggtg
aacgtggtgc agctggtctt 2340 ccagggccta agggtgacag aggtgatgct
ggtcccaaag gtgctgatgg ctctcctggc 2400 aaagatggcg tccgtggtct
gactggcccc attggtcctc ctggccctgc tggtgcccct 2460 ggtgacaagg
gtgaaagtgg tcccagcggc cctgctggtc ccactggagc tcgtggtgcc 2520
cccggagacc gtggtgagcc tggtcccccc ggccctgctg gctttgctgg cccccctggt
2580 gctgacggcc aacctggtgc taaaggcgaa cctggtgatg ctggtgctaa
aggcgatgct 2640 ggtccccctg gccctgccgg acccgctgga ccccctggcc
ccattggtaa tgttggtgct 2700 cctggagcca aaggtgctcg cggcagcgct
ggtccccctg gtgctactgg tttccctggt 2760 gctgctggcc gagtcggtcc
tcctggcccc tctggaaatg ctggaccccc tggccctcct 2820 ggtcctgctg
gcaaagaagg cggcaaaggt ccccgtggtg agactggccc tgctggacgt 2880
cctggtgaag ttggtccccc tggtccccct ggccctgctg gcgagaaagg atcccctggt
2940 gctgatggtc ctgctggtgc tcctggtact cccgggcctc aaggtattgc
tggacagcgt 3000 ggtgtggtcg gcctgcctgg tcagagagga gagagaggct
tccctggtct tcctggcccc 3060 tctggtgaac ctggcaaaca aggtccctct
ggagcaagtg gtgaacgtgg tccccctggt 3120 cccatgggcc cccctggatt
ggctggaccc cctggtgaat ctggacgtga gggggctcct 3180 ggtgccgaag
gttcccctgg acgagacggt tctcctggcg ccaagggtga ccgtggtgag 3240
accggccccg ctggaccccc tggtgctcct ggtgctcctg gtgcccctgg ccccgttggc
3300 cctgctggca agagtggtga tcgtggtgag actggtcctg ctggtcccgc
cggtcctgtc 3360 ggccctgttg gcgcccgtgg ccccgccgga ccccaaggcc
cccgtggtga caagggtgag 3420 acaggcgaac agggcgacag aggcataaag
ggtcaccgtg gcttctctgg cctccagggt 3480 ccccctggcc ctcctggctc
tcctggtgaa caaggtccct ctggagcctc tggtcctgct 3540 ggtccccgag
gtccccctgg ctctgctggt gctcctggca aagatggact caacggtctc 3600
cctggcccca ttgggccccc tggtcctcgc ggtcgcactg gtgatgctgg tcctgttggt
3660 ccccccggcc ctcctggacc tcctggtccc cctggtcctc ccagcgctgg
tttcgacttc 3720 agcttcctgc cccagccacc tcaagagaag gctcacgatg
gtggccgcta ctaccgggct 3780 gatgatgcca atgtggttcg tgaccgtgac
ctcgaggtgg acaccaccct caagagcctg 3840 agccagcaga tcgagaacat
ccggagccca gagggcagcc gcaagaaccc cgcccgcacc 3900 tgccgtgacc
tcaagatgtg ccactctgac tggaagagtg gagagtactg gattgacccc 3960
aaccaaggct gcaacctgga tgccatcaaa gtcttctgca acatggagac tggtgagacc
4020 tgcgtgtacc ccactcagcc cagtgtggcc cagaagaact ggtacatcag
caagaacccc 4080 aaggacaaga ggcatgtctg gttcggcgag agcatgaccg
atggattcca gttcgagtat 4140 ggcggccagg gctccgaccc tgccgatgtg
gccatccagc tgaccttcct gcgcctgatg 4200 tccaccgagg cctcccagaa
catcacctac cactgcaaga acagcgtggc ctacatggac 4260 cagcagactg
gcaacctcaa gaaggccctg ctcctccagg gctccaacga gatcgagatc 4320
cgcgccgagg gcaacagccg cttcacctac agcgtcactg tcgatggctg cacgagtcac
4380 accggagcct ggggcaagac agtgattgaa tacaaaacca ccaagacctc
ccgcctgccc 4440 atcatcgatg tggccccctt ggacgttggt gccccagacc
aggaattcgg cttcgacgtt 4500 ggccctgtct gcttcctgta aactccctcc
atcccaacct ggctccctcc cacccaacca 4560 actttccccc caacccggaa
acagacaagc aacccaaact gaaccccctc aaaagccaaa 4620 aaatgggaga
caatttcaca tggactttgg aaaatatttt tttcctttgc attcatctct 4680
caaacttagt ttttatcttt gaccaaccga acatgaccaa aaaccaaaag tgcattcaac
4740 cttaccaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaagaata aataaataac tttttaaaaa
aggaagcttg 4800 gtccacttgc ttgaagaccc atgcgggggt aagtcccttt
ctgcccgttg ggcttatgaa 4860 accccaatgc tgccctttct gctcctttct
ccacaccccc cttggggcct cccctccact 4920 ccttcccaaa tctgtctccc
cagaagacac aggaaacaat gtattgtctg cccagcaatc 4980 aaaggcaatg
ctcaaacacc caagtggccc ccaccctcag cccgctcctg cccgcccagc 5040
acccccaggc cctgggggac ctggggttct cagactgcca aagaagcctt gccatctggc
5100 gctcccatgg ctcttgcaac atctcccctt cgtttttgag ggggtcatgc
cgggggagcc 5160 accagcccct cactgggttc ggaggagagt caggaagggc
cacgacaaag cagaaacatc 5220 ggatttgggg aacgcgtgtc aatcccttgt
gccgcagggc tgggcgggag agactgttct 5280 gttccttgtg taactgtgtt
gctgaaagac tacctcgttc ttgtcttgat gtgtcaccgg 5340 ggcaactgcc
tgggggcggg gatgggggca gggtggaagc ggctccccat tttataccaa 5400
aggtgctaca tctatgtgat gggtggggtg gggagggaat cactggtgct atagaaattg
5460 agatgccccc ccaggccagc aaatgttcct ttttgttcaa agtctatttt
tattccttga 5520 tatttttctt tttttttttt tttttttgtg gatggggact
tgtgaatttt tctaaaggtg 5580 ctatttaaca tgggaggaga gcgtgtgcgg
ctccagccca gcccgctgct cactttccac 5640 cctctctcca cctgcctctg
gcttctcagg cctctgctct ccgacctctc tcctctgaaa 5700 ccctcctcca
cagctgcagc ccatcctccc ggctccctcc tagtctgtcc tgcgtcctct 5760
gtccccgggt ttcagagaca acttcccaaa gcacaaagca gtttttcccc ctaggggtgg
5820 gaggaagcaa aagactctgt acctattttg tatgtgtata ataatttgag
atgtttttaa 5880 ttattttgat tgctggaata aagcatgtgg aaatgaccca aacataa
5927 <210> SEQ ID NO 2 <211> LENGTH: 5411 <212>
TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <300>
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION NUMBER:
NM_000089.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-05-23 <313>
RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(5411) <400> SEQUENCE: 2
gtgtcccata gtgtttccaa acttggaaag ggcgggggag ggcgggagga tgcggagggc
60 ggaggtatgc agacaacgag tcagagtttc cccttgaaag cctcaaaagt
gtccacgtcc 120 tcaaaaagaa tggaaccaat ttaagaagcc agccccgtgg
ccacgtccct tcccccattc 180 gctccctcct ctgcgccccc gcaggctcct
cccagctgtg gctgcccggg cccccagccc 240 cagccctccc attggtggag
gcccttttgg aggcacccta gggccaggga aacttttgcc 300 gtataaatag
ggcagatccg ggctttatta ttttagcacc acggcagcag gaggtttcgg 360
ctaagttgga ggtactggcc acgactgcat gcccgcgccc gccaggtgat acctccgccg
420 gtgacccagg ggctctgcga cacaaggagt ctgcatgtct aagtgctaga
catgctcagc 480 tttgtggata cgcggacttt gttgctgctt gcagtaacct
tatgcctagc aacatgccaa 540 tctttacaag aggaaactgt aagaaagggc
ccagccggag atagaggacc acgtggagaa 600 aggggtccac caggcccccc
aggcagagat ggtgaagatg gtcccacagg ccctcctggt 660 ccacctggtc
ctcctggccc ccctggtctc ggtgggaact ttgctgctca gtatgatgga 720
aaaggagttg gacttggccc tggaccaatg ggcttaatgg gacctagagg cccacctggt
780 gcagctggag ccccaggccc tcaaggtttc caaggacctg ctggtgagcc
tggtgaacct 840 ggtcaaactg gtcctgcagg tgctcgtggt ccagctggcc
ctcctggcaa ggctggtgaa 900 gatggtcacc ctggaaaacc cggacgacct
ggtgagagag gagttgttgg accacagggt 960 gctcgtggtt tccctggaac
tcctggactt cctggcttca aaggcattag gggacacaat 1020 ggtctggatg
gattgaaggg acagcccggt gctcctggtg tgaagggtga acctggtgcc 1080
cctggtgaaa atggaactcc aggtcaaaca ggagcccgtg ggcttcctgg tgagagagga
1140 cgtgttggtg cccctggccc agctggtgcc cgtggcagtg atggaagtgt
gggtcccgtg 1200 ggtcctgctg gtcccattgg gtctgctggc cctccaggct
tcccaggtgc ccctggcccc 1260 aagggtgaaa ttggagctgt tggtaacgct
ggtcctgctg gtcccgccgg tccccgtggt 1320 gaagtgggtc ttccaggcct
ctccggcccc gttggacctc ctggtaatcc tggagcaaac 1380 ggccttactg
gtgccaaggg tgctgctggc cttcccggcg ttgctggggc tcccggcctc 1440
cctggacccc gcggtattcc tggccctgtt ggtgctgccg gtgctactgg tgccagagga
1500 cttgttggtg agcctggtcc agctggctcc aaaggagaga gcggtaacaa
gggtgagccc 1560 ggctctgctg ggccccaagg tcctcctggt cccagtggtg
aagaaggaaa gagaggccct 1620 aatggggaag ctggatctgc cggccctcca
ggacctcctg ggctgagagg tagtcctggt 1680 tctcgtggtc ttcctggagc
tgatggcaga gctggcgtca tgggccctcc tggtagtcgt 1740 ggtgcaagtg
gccctgctgg agtccgagga cctaatggag atgctggtcg ccctggggag 1800
cctggtctca tgggacccag aggtcttcct ggttcccctg gaaatatcgg ccccgctgga
1860 aaagaaggtc ctgtcggcct ccctggcatc gacggcaggc ctggcccaat
tggcccagct 1920 ggagcaagag gagagcctgg caacattgga ttccctggac
ccaaaggccc cactggtgat 1980 cctggcaaaa acggtgataa aggtcatgct
ggtcttgctg gtgctcgggg tgctccaggt 2040 cctgatggaa acaatggtgc
tcagggacct cctggaccac agggtgttca aggtggaaaa 2100 ggtgaacagg
gtccccctgg tcctccaggc ttccagggtc tgcctggccc ctcaggtccc 2160
gctggtgaag ttggcaaacc aggagaaagg ggtctccatg gtgagtttgg tctccctggt
2220 cctgctggtc caagagggga acgcggtccc ccaggtgaga gtggtgctgc
cggtcctact 2280 ggtcctattg gaagccgagg tccttctgga cccccagggc
ctgatggaaa caagggtgaa 2340 cctggtgtgg ttggtgctgt gggcactgct
ggtccatctg gtcctagtgg actcccagga 2400 gagaggggtg ctgctggcat
acctggaggc aagggagaaa agggtgaacc tggtctcaga 2460 ggtgaaattg
gtaaccctgg cagagatggt gctcgtggtg ctcctggtgc tgtaggtgcc 2520
cctggtcctg ctggagccac aggtgaccgg ggcgaagctg gggctgctgg tcctgctggt
2580 cctgctggtc ctcggggaag ccctggtgaa cgtggtgagg tcggtcctgc
tggccccaat 2640 ggatttgctg gtcctgctgg tgctgctggt caacctggtg
ctaaaggaga aagaggagcc 2700 aaagggccta agggtgaaaa cggtgttgtt
ggtcccacag gccccgttgg agctgctggc 2760 ccagctggtc caaatggtcc
ccccggtcct gctggaagtc gtggtgatgg aggcccccct 2820 ggtatgactg
gtttccctgg tgctgctgga cggactggtc ccccaggacc ctctggtatt 2880
tctggccctc ctggtccccc tggtcctgct gggaaagaag ggcttcgtgg tcctcgtggt
2940 gaccaaggtc cagttggccg aactggagaa gtaggtgcag ttggtccccc
tggcttcgct 3000 ggtgagaagg gtccctctgg agaggctggt actgctggac
ctcctggcac tccaggtcct 3060 cagggtcttc ttggtgctcc tggtattctg
ggtctccctg gctcgagagg tgaacgtggt 3120 ctaccaggtg ttgctggtgc
tgtgggtgaa cctggtcctc ttggcattgc cggccctcct 3180 ggggcccgtg
gtcctcctgg tgctgtgggt agtcctggag tcaacggtgc tcctggtgaa 3240
gctggtcgtg atggcaaccc tgggaacgat ggtcccccag gtcgcgatgg tcaacccgga
3300 cacaagggag agcgcggtta ccctggcaat attggtcccg ttggtgctgc
aggtgcacct 3360 ggtcctcatg gccccgtggg tcctgctggc aaacatggaa
accgtggtga aactggtcct 3420 tctggtcctg ttggtcctgc tggtgctgtt
ggcccaagag gtcctagtgg cccacaaggc 3480 attcgtggcg ataagggaga
gcccggtgaa aaggggccca gaggtcttcc tggcttaaag 3540 ggacacaatg
gattgcaagg tctgcctggt atcgctggtc accatggtga tcaaggtgct 3600
cctggctccg tgggtcctgc tggtcctagg ggccctgctg gtccttctgg ccctgctgga
3660 aaagatggtc gcactggaca tcctggtaca gttggacctg ctggcattcg
aggccctcag 3720 ggtcaccaag gccctgctgg cccccctggt ccccctggcc
ctcctggacc tccaggtgta 3780 agcggtggtg gttatgactt tggttacgat
ggagacttct acagggctga ccagcctcgc 3840 tcagcacctt ctctcagacc
caaggactat gaagttgatg ctactctgaa gtctctcaac 3900 aaccagattg
agacccttct tactcctgaa ggctctagaa agaacccagc tcgcacatgc 3960
cgtgacttga gactcagcca cccagagtgg agcagtggtt actactggat tgaccctaac
4020 caaggatgca ctatggatgc tatcaaagta tactgtgatt tctctactgg
cgaaacctgt 4080 atccgggccc aacctgaaaa catcccagcc aagaactggt
ataggagctc caaggacaag 4140 aaacacgtct ggctaggaga aactatcaat
gctggcagcc agtttgaata taatgtagaa 4200 ggagtgactt ccaaggaaat
ggctacccaa cttgccttca tgcgcctgct ggccaactat 4260 gcctctcaga
acatcaccta ccactgcaag aacagcattg catacatgga tgaggagact 4320
ggcaacctga aaaaggctgt cattctacag ggctctaatg atgttgaact tgttgctgag
4380 ggcaacagca ggttcactta cactgttctt gtagatggct gctctaaaaa
gacaaatgaa 4440 tggggaaaga caatcattga atacaaaaca aataagccat
cacgcctgcc cttccttgat 4500 attgcacctt tggacatcgg tggtgctgac
caggaattct ttgtggacat tggcccagtc 4560 tgtttcaaat aaatgaactc
aatctaaatt aaaaaagaaa gaaatttgaa aaaactttct 4620 ctttgccatt
tcttcttctt cttttttaac tgaaagctga atccttccat ttcttctgca 4680
catctacttg cttaaattgt gggcaaaaga gaaaaagaag gattgatcag agcattgtgc
4740 aatacagttt cattaactcc ttcccccgct cccccaaaaa tttgaatttt
tttttcaaca 4800 ctcttacacc tgttatggaa aatgtcaacc tttgtaagaa
aaccaaaata aaaattgaaa 4860 aataaaaacc ataaacattt gcaccacttg
tggcttttga atatcttcca cagagggaag 4920 tttaaaaccc aaacttccaa
aggtttaaac tacctcaaaa cactttccca tgagtgtgat 4980 ccacattgtt
aggtgctgac ctagacagag atgaactgag gtccttgttt tgttttgttc 5040
ataatacaaa ggtgctaatt aatagtattt cagatacttg aagaatgttg atggtgctag
5100 aagaatttga gaagaaatac tcctgtattg agttgtatcg tgtggtgtat
tttttaaaaa 5160 atttgattta gcattcatat tttccatctt attcccaatt
aaaagtatgc agattatttg 5220 cccaaatctt cttcagattc agcatttgtt
ctttgccagt ctcattttca tcttcttcca 5280 tggttccaca gaagctttgt
ttcttgggca agcagaaaaa ttaaattgta cctattttgt 5340 atatgtgaga
tgtttaaata aattgtgaaa aaaatgaaat aaagcatgtt tggttttcca 5400
aaagaacata t 5411 <210> SEQ ID NO 3 <211> LENGTH: 9169
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<300> PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION
NUMBER: NM_000094.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-03-23
<313> RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(9169) <300>
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: <308> DATABASE ACCESSION NUMBER:
NM_000094.3 <309> DATABASE ENTRY DATE: 2010-03-21 <313>
RELEVANT RESIDUES IN SEQ ID NO: (1)..(9169) <400> SEQUENCE: 3
gatgacgctg cggcttctgg tggccgcgct ctgcgccggg atcctggcag aggcgccccg
60 agtgcgagcc cagcacaggg agagagtgac ctgcacgcgc ctttacgccg
ctgacattgt 120 gttcttactg gatggctcct catccattgg ccgcagcaat
ttccgcgagg tccgcagctt 180 tctcgaaggg ctggtgctgc ctttctctgg
agcagccagt gcacagggtg tgcgctttgc 240 cacagtgcag tacagcgatg
acccacggac agagttcggc ctggatgcac ttggctctgg 300 gggtgatgtg
atccgcgcca tccgtgagct tagctacaag gggggcaaca ctcgcacagg 360
ggctgcaatt ctccatgtgg ctgaccatgt cttcctgccc cagctggccc gacctggtgt
420 ccccaaggtc tgcatcctga tcacagacgg gaagtcccag gacctggtgg
acacagctgc 480 ccaaaggctg aaggggcagg gggtcaagct atttgctgtg
gggatcaaga atgctgaccc 540 tgaggagctg aagcgagttg cctcacagcc
caccagtgac ttcttcttct tcgtcaatga 600 cttcagcatc ttgaggacac
tactgcccct cgtttcccgg agagtgtgca cgactgctgg 660 tggcgtgcct
gtgacccgac ctccggatga ctcgacctct gctccacgag acctggtgct 720
gtctgagcca agcagccaat ccttgagagt acagtggaca gcggccagtg gccctgtgac
780 tggctacaag gtccagtaca ctcctctgac ggggctggga cagccactgc
cgagtgagcg 840 gcaggaggtg aacgtcccag ctggtgagac cagtgtgcgg
ctgcggggtc tccggccact 900 gaccgagtac caagtgactg tgattgccct
ctacgccaac agcatcgggg aggctgtgag 960 cgggacagct cggaccactg
ccctagaagg gccggaactg accatccaga ataccacagc 1020 ccacagcctc
ctggtggcct ggcggagtgt gccaggtgcc actggctacc gtgtgacatg 1080
gcgggtcctc agtggtgggc ccacacagca gcaggagctg ggccctgggc agggttcagt
1140 gttgctgcgt gacttggagc ctggcacgga ctatgaggtg accgtgagca
ccctatttgg 1200 ccgcagtgtg gggcccgcca cttccctgat ggctcgcact
gacgcttctg ttgagcagac 1260 cctgcgcccg gtcatcctgg gccccacatc
catcctcctt tcctggaact tggtgcctga 1320 ggcccgtggc taccggttgg
aatggcggcg tgagactggc ttggagccac cgcagaaggt 1380 ggtactgccc
tctgatgtga cccgctacca gttggatggg ctgcagccgg gcactgagta 1440
ccgcctcaca ctctacactc tgctggaggg ccacgaggtg gccacccctg caaccgtggt
1500 tcccactgga ccagagctgc ctgtgagccc tgtaacagac ctgcaagcca
ccgagctgcc 1560 cgggcagcgg gtgcgagtgt cctggagccc agtccctggt
gccacccagt accgcatcat 1620 tgtgcgcagc acccaggggg ttgagcggac
cctggtgctt cctgggagtc agacagcatt 1680 cgacttggat gacgttcagg
ctgggcttag ctacactgtg cgggtgtctg ctcgagtggg 1740 tccccgtgag
ggcagtgcca gtgtcctcac tgtccgccgg gagccggaaa ctccacttgc 1800
tgttccaggg ctgcgggttg tggtgtcaga tgcaacgcga gtgagggtgg cctggggacc
1860 cgtccctgga gccagtggat ttcggattag ctggagcaca ggcagtggtc
cggagtccag 1920 ccagacactg cccccagact ctactgccac agacatcaca
gggctgcagc ctggaaccac 1980 ctaccaggtg gctgtgtcgg tactgcgagg
cagagaggag ggccctgctg cagtcatcgt 2040 ggctcgaacg gacccactgg
gcccagtgag gacggtccat gtgactcagg ccagcagctc 2100 atctgtcacc
attacctgga ccagggttcc tggcgccaca ggatacaggg tttcctggca 2160
ctcagcccac ggcccagaga aatcccagtt ggtttctggg gaggccacgg tggctgagct
2220 ggatggactg gagccagata ctgagtatac ggtgcatgtg agggcccatg
tggctggcgt 2280
ggatgggccc cctgcctctg tggttgtgag gactgcccct gagcctgtgg gtcgtgtgtc
2340 gaggctgcag atcctcaatg cttccagcga cgttctacgg atcacctggg
taggggtcac 2400 tggagccaca gcttacagac tggcctgggg ccggagtgaa
ggcggcccca tgaggcacca 2460 gatactccca ggaaacacag actctgcaga
gatccggggt ctcgaaggtg gagtcagcta 2520 ctcagtgcga gtgactgcac
ttgtcgggga ccgcgagggc acacctgtct ccattgttgt 2580 cactacgccg
cctgaggctc cgccagccct ggggacgctt cacgtggtgc agcgcgggga 2640
gcactcgctg aggctgcgct gggagccggt gcccagagcg cagggcttcc ttctgcactg
2700 gcaacctgag ggtggccagg aacagtcccg ggtcctgggg cccgagctca
gcagctatca 2760 cctggacggg ctggagccag cgacacagta ccgcgtgagg
ctgagtgtcc tagggccagc 2820 tggagaaggg ccctctgcag aggtgactgc
gcgcactgag tcacctcgtg ttccaagcat 2880 tgaactacgt gtggtggaca
cctcgatcga ctcggtgact ttggcctgga ctccagtgtc 2940 cagggcatcc
agctacatcc tatcctggcg gccactcaga ggccctggcc aggaagtgcc 3000
tgggtccccg cagacacttc cagggatctc aagctcccag cgggtgacag ggctagagcc
3060 tggcgtctct tacatcttct ccctgacgcc tgtcctggat ggtgtgcggg
gtcctgaggc 3120 atctgtcaca cagacgccag tgtgcccccg tggcctggcg
gatgtggtgt tcctaccaca 3180 tgccactcaa gacaatgctc accgtgcgga
ggctacgagg agggtcctgg agcgtctggt 3240 gttggcactt gggcctcttg
ggccacaggc agttcaggtt ggcctgctgt cttacagtca 3300 tcggccctcc
ccactgttcc cactgaatgg ctcccatgac cttggcatta tcttgcaaag 3360
gatccgtgac atgccctaca tggacccaag tgggaacaac ctgggcacag ccgtggtcac
3420 agctcacaga tacatgttgg caccagatgc tcctgggcgc cgccagcacg
taccaggggt 3480 gatggttctg ctagtggatg aacccttgag aggtgacata
ttcagcccca tccgtgaggc 3540 ccaggcttct gggcttaatg tggtgatgtt
gggaatggct ggagcggacc cagagcagct 3600 gcgtcgcttg gcgccgggta
tggactctgt ccagaccttc ttcgccgtgg atgatgggcc 3660 aagcctggac
caggcagtca gtggtctggc cacagccctg tgtcaggcat ccttcactac 3720
tcagccccgg ccagagccct gcccagtgta ttgtccaaag ggccagaagg gggaacctgg
3780 agagatgggc ctgagaggac aagttgggcc tcctggcgac cctggcctcc
cgggcaggac 3840 cggtgctccc ggcccccagg ggccccctgg aagtgccact
gccaagggcg agaggggctt 3900 ccctggagca gatgggcgtc caggcagccc
tggccgcgcc gggaatcctg ggacccctgg 3960 agcccctggc ctaaagggct
ctccagggtt gcctggccct cgtggggacc cgggagagcg 4020 aggacctcga
ggcccaaagg gggagccggg ggctcccgga caagtcatcg gaggtgaagg 4080
acctgggctt cctgggcgga aaggggaccc tggaccatcg ggcccccctg gacctcgtgg
4140 accactgggg gacccaggac cccgtggccc cccagggctt cctggaacag
ccatgaaggg 4200 tgacaaaggc gatcgtgggg agcggggtcc ccctggacca
ggtgaaggtg gcattgctcc 4260 tggggagcct gggctgccgg gtcttcccgg
aagccctgga ccccaaggcc ccgttggccc 4320 ccctggaaag aaaggagaaa
aaggtgactc tgaggatgga gctccaggcc tcccaggaca 4380 acctgggtct
ccgggtgagc agggcccacg gggacctcct ggagctattg gccccaaagg 4440
tgaccggggc tttccagggc ccctgggtga ggctggagag aagggcgaac gtggaccccc
4500 aggcccagcg ggatcccggg ggctgccagg ggttgctgga cgtcctggag
ccaagggtcc 4560 tgaagggcca ccaggaccca ctggccgcca aggagagaag
ggggagcctg gtcgccctgg 4620 ggaccctgca gtggtgggac ctgctgttgc
tggacccaaa ggagaaaagg gagatgtggg 4680 gcccgctggg cccagaggag
ctaccggagt ccaaggggaa cggggcccac ccggcttggt 4740 tcttcctgga
gaccctggcc ccaagggaga ccctggagac cggggtccca ttggccttac 4800
tggcagagca ggacccccag gtgactcagg gcctcctgga gagaagggag accctgggcg
4860 gcctggcccc ccaggacctg ttggcccccg aggacgagat ggtgaagttg
gagagaaagg 4920 tgacgagggt cctccgggtg acccgggttt gcctggaaaa
gcaggcgagc gtggccttcg 4980 gggggcacct ggagttcggg ggcctgtggg
tgaaaaggga gaccagggag atcctggaga 5040 ggatggacga aatggcagcc
ctggatcatc tggacccaag ggtgaccgtg gggagccggg 5100 tcccccagga
cccccgggac ggctggtaga cacaggacct ggagccagag agaagggaga 5160
gcctggggac cgcggacaag agggtcctcg agggcccaag ggtgatcctg gcctccctgg
5220 agcccctggg gaaaggggca ttgaagggtt tcggggaccc ccaggcccac
agggggaccc 5280 aggtgtccga ggcccagcag gagaaaaggg tgaccggggt
ccccctgggc tggatggccg 5340 gagcggactg gatgggaaac caggagccgc
tgggccctct gggccgaatg gtgctgcagg 5400 caaagctggg gacccaggga
gagacgggct tccaggcctc cgtggagaac agggcctccc 5460 tggcccctct
ggtccccctg gattaccggg aaagccaggc gaggatggca aacctggcct 5520
gaatggaaaa aacggagaac ctggggaccc tggagaagac gggaggaagg gagagaaagg
5580 agattcaggc gcctctggga gagaaggtcg tgatggcccc aagggtgagc
gtggagctcc 5640 tggtatcctt ggaccccagg ggcctccagg cctcccaggg
ccagtgggcc ctcctggcca 5700 gggttttcct ggtgtcccag gaggcacggg
ccccaagggt gaccgtgggg agactggatc 5760 caaaggggag cagggcctcc
ctggagagcg tggcctgcga ggagagcctg gaagtgtgcc 5820 gaatgtggat
cggttgctgg aaactgctgg catcaaggca tctgccctgc gggagatcgt 5880
ggagacctgg gatgagagct ctggtagctt cctgcctgtg cccgaacggc gtcgaggccc
5940 caagggggac tcaggcgaac agggcccccc aggcaaggag ggccccatcg
gctttcctgg 6000 agaacgcggg ctgaagggcg accgtggaga ccctggccct
caggggccac ctggtctggc 6060 ccttggggag aggggccccc ccgggccttc
cggccttgcc ggggagcctg gaaagcctgg 6120 tattcccggg ctcccaggca
gggctggggg tgtgggagag gcaggaaggc caggagagag 6180 gggagaacgg
ggagagaaag gagaacgtgg agaacagggc agagatggcc ctcctggact 6240
ccctggaacc cctgggcccc ccggaccccc tggccccaag gtgtctgtgg atgagccagg
6300 tcctggactc tctggagaac agggaccccc tggactcaag ggtgctaagg
gggagccggg 6360 cagcaatggt gaccaaggtc ccaaaggaga caggggtgtg
ccaggcatca aaggagaccg 6420 gggagagcct ggaccgaggg gtcaggacgg
caacccgggt ctaccaggag agcgtggtat 6480 ggctgggcct gaagggaagc
cgggtctgca gggtccaaga ggcccccctg gcccagtggg 6540 tggtcatgga
gaccctggac cacctggtgc cccgggtctt gctggccctg caggacccca 6600
aggaccttct ggcctgaagg gggagcctgg agagacagga cctccaggac ggggcctgac
6660 tggacctact ggagctgtgg gacttcctgg accccccggc ccttcaggcc
ttgtgggtcc 6720 acaggggtct ccaggtttgc ctggacaagt gggggagaca
gggaagccgg gagccccagg 6780 tcgagatggt gccagtggaa aagatggaga
cagagggagc cctggtgtgc cagggtcacc 6840 aggtctgcct ggccctgtcg
gacctaaagg agaacctggc cccacggggg cccctggaca 6900 ggctgtggtc
gggctccctg gagcaaaggg agagaaggga gcccctggag gccttgctgg 6960
agacctggtg ggtgagccgg gagccaaagg tgaccgagga ctgccagggc cgcgaggcga
7020 gaagggtgaa gctggccgtg caggggagcc cggagaccct ggggaagatg
gtcagaaagg 7080 ggctccagga cccaaaggtt tcaagggtga cccaggagtc
ggggtcccgg gctcccctgg 7140 gcctcctggc cctccaggtg tgaagggaga
tctgggcctc cctggcctgc ccggtgctcc 7200 tggtgttgtt gggttcccgg
gtcagacagg ccctcgagga gagatgggtc agccaggccc 7260 tagtggagag
cggggtctgg caggcccccc agggagagaa ggaatcccag gacccctggg 7320
gccacctgga ccaccggggt cagtgggacc acctggggcc tctggactca aaggagacaa
7380 gggagaccct ggagtagggc tgcctgggcc ccgaggcgag cgtggggagc
caggcatccg 7440 gggtgaagat ggccgccccg gccaggaggg accccgagga
ctcacggggc cccctggcag 7500 caggggagag cgtggggaga agggtgatgt
tgggagtgca ggactaaagg gtgacaaggg 7560 agactcagct gtgatcctgg
ggcctccagg cccacggggt gccaaggggg acatgggtga 7620 acgagggcct
cggggcttgg atggtgacaa aggacctcgg ggagacaatg gggaccctgg 7680
tgacaagggc agcaagggag agcctggtga caagggctca gccgggttgc caggactgcg
7740 tggactcctg ggaccccagg gtcaacctgg tgcagcaggg atccctggtg
acccgggatc 7800 cccaggaaag gatggagtgc ctggtatccg aggagaaaaa
ggagatgttg gcttcatggg 7860 tccccggggc ctcaagggtg aacggggagt
gaagggagcc tgtggccttg atggagagaa 7920 gggagacaag ggagaagctg
gtcccccagg ccgccccggg ctggcaggac acaaaggaga 7980 gatgggggag
cctggtgtgc cgggccagtc gggggcccct ggcaaggagg gcctgatcgg 8040
tcccaagggt gaccgaggct ttgacgggca gccaggcccc aagggtgacc agggcgagaa
8100 aggggagcgg ggaaccccag gaattggggg cttcccaggc cccagtggaa
atgatggctc 8160 tgctggtccc ccagggccac ctggcagtgt tggtcccaga
ggccccgaag gacttcaggg 8220 ccagaagggt gagcgaggtc cccccggaga
gagagtggtg ggggctcctg gggtccctgg 8280 agctcctggc gagagagggg
agcaggggcg gccagggcct gccggtcctc gaggcgagaa 8340 gggagaagct
gcactgacgg aggatgacat ccggggcttt gtgcgccaag agatgagtca 8400
gcactgtgcc tgccagggcc agttcatcgc atctggatca cgacccctcc ctagttatgc
8460 tgcagacact gccggctccc agctccatgc tgtgcctgtg ctccgcgtct
ctcatgcaga 8520 ggaggaagag cgggtacccc ctgaggatga tgagtactct
gaatactccg agtattctgt 8580 ggaggagtac caggaccctg aagctccttg
ggatagtgat gacccctgtt ccctgccact 8640 ggatgagggc tcctgcactg
cctacaccct gcgctggtac catcgggctg tgacaggcag 8700 cacagaggcc
tgtcaccctt ttgtctatgg tggctgtgga gggaatgcca accgttttgg 8760
gacccgtgag gcctgcgagc gccgctgccc accccgggtg gtccagagcc aggggacagg
8820 tactgcccag gactgaggcc cagataatga gctgagattc agcatcccct
ggaggagtcg 8880 gggtctcagc agaaccccac tgtccctccc cttggtgcta
gaggcttgtg tgcacgtgag 8940 cgtgcgtgtg cacgtccgtt atttcagtga
cttggtcccg tgggtctagc cttcccccct 9000 gtggacaaac ccccattgtg
gctcctgcca ccctggcaga tgactcactg tgggggggtg 9060 gctgtgggca
gtgagcggat gtgactggcg tctgacccgc cccttgaccc aagcctgtga 9120
tgacatggtg ctgattctgg ggggcattaa agctgctgtt ttaaaaggc 9169
<210> SEQ ID NO 4 <211> LENGTH: 387 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 4
ggccattacg gccgggcagc caggccccag ctgagaataa tgcactggat gggggtggtt
60 gttgtgttag gggaccccag ttctcactgc tgctctctgg tagtcagaag
tgaggggtca 120 gccccatctt tcctgctgga gtgagctccc agctgggtag
ctggcagcct ttctgtcata 180 tccctccctg ctcctgatgt ctggaggcag
tgtagttctt cttaaaagtt ggcttggcag 240 ggcgcggtgg ctcacacctg
taatcccaac attttgggag gctgaggcag tcggatcacc 300 tgaggtcgag
agtttgagac cccagcctat ccaacatggt gaaactccat ctctactaaa 360
aatacaaaaa ttagcccggc atggtgg 387
<210> SEQ ID NO 5 <211> LENGTH: 561 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 5
attttggtgg gaggccctgg acctagaaac agaaaatgaa agtggagaaa accaaacaag
60 aatctttctt tcttaaagta aacatcggac tgacatctcc tttcaaacat
tcattgagga 120 tctactctgt gagaagaagc aataccatgt tatctcattc
tagttccagt tctagttgac 180 ttgattgtca aacgactgct aagaagtaga
gaggaggctt caccatgttt gccaggctag 240 tctggaactc ttgacctcag
gtgatccacc cacctcggcc tcccaaagtg ctaggattac 300 aggcatgagc
cacctcgccc agctgtttct gtgtcacgtt ttgatacttg aataaaaatg 360
acactttgga gccttgaaaa atggactttc cttctgaagt acccaggaga gtaggatgga
420 cttcttcctc tctccctaca ctatcccttg gagaaaacct tttatcaaga
agataccgaa 480 tatcatcact gatataatgt cagaggaggt cactctctat
agcccaacct ccaggatttc 540 agcacttcgt ggacatggag g 561 <210>
SEQ ID NO 6 <211> LENGTH: 335 <212> TYPE: DNA
<213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 6
gggaccagag agctgcgata tggctgaaaa aagtgagtgc aagacaagga cataggatga
60 aaggggccag tgatggtcag ggacactgga ggacaggagt ctgtgggatc
ttagcatgta 120 ggatgacagg agtcagtgga ctgcagtgag aactgatgag
ccattgacag acactgatgt 180 gggatggcag aggtcagtgc tggatgggga
catgcaatga gaggttggtg tacagtggtc 240 accactaggg taacagaaag
acaggtgatt gagcttgtgg ctgtgcagag gtgaaagccg 300 aggatggtgt
gtgggcagat aggagattgg ttgtt 335 <210> SEQ ID NO 7 <211>
LENGTH: 613 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo
sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 7 tttttttttt ttttttttaa gagaagatgt
ctcgctccgt cgtccaggct ggagcgcagt 60 ggcgcaatca tggatcactg
cagccttgac cttcccgggc tcaagcgatc ctcccggctc 120 acccccagta
gctggaacca caggcgcgct tccacaccgg aaagcccatt ttctagaggc 180
ggaaaccgaa gcgcccagtg ggaaaggcga cccgccgggg atgcggggtg ctcaacgcgc
240 tgccacctgg ggcccaacgc gttgacctcg cggtcaggtt gcttccgcgg
actacggttc 300 tggctcgcta gctctggaac aggcaggaag gagtggggct
atctgatagg ggaagatgat 360 gggagtctaa caggagacgg gaatttgata
gaggagatgg tgaataggtc cagtggagga 420 gtggggaggt ggaggtttta
ggaagcagtg agcaggtctg atggaggaga aagtgtaaat 480 ctcagaggag
atttgggtcc agcaaaaaag ggatggggta gggtaggggc agacacaccc 540
tgttgacagt tcagggctca gtgccatctt gggaagcaga tggataacga gacagggagg
600 agactatagg gac 613 <210> SEQ ID NO 8 <211> LENGTH:
177 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Homo sapiens
<400> SEQUENCE: 8 tcccaccggg tccaggtcag gcccaagggg accagctctg
ctcccaccat catcccactc 60 cccacacagc caagctggac atctgagagc
actgcatggc aatcctcatc tgcctgtgtg 120 tctccctcca ctggggacac
atgtcatgtg tcagtcctgc agcacatgtg tccttct 177 <210> SEQ ID NO
9 <211> LENGTH: 285 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Homo sapiens <400> SEQUENCE: 9 gaactcagac
atgcgaccaa gaattggctc acaggagctc agacatgacc atggcctatc 60
tcaggacagc acagacagag ggacgctcag atactaccat agacaggtgg gagttcaggc
120 atggcacagg cacagggagc ccacacgcga gtgcagacat ctggctccac
agacgtgagt 180 gcggacacac gggcgctcag aggggaaccc caacacgtcc
actcccgggt agagcaggca 240 tggccacagg cttgaacgct gggagccaga
ggcagggaca agcag 285 <210> SEQ ID NO 10 <211> LENGTH:
20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 10 acatcaggag cagggaggga 20
<210> SEQ ID NO 11 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 11 ccctaactca acaacatccc 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 12 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
12 tctcaaactc tcgacctcag g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 13 <211>
LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 13 gtttcaccat
gttggctagg c 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 14 <211> LENGTH: 20
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 14 gcctcctctc tacttcttag 20
<210> SEQ ID NO 15 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 15 gggatagtgt agggagagag g 21 <210> SEQ
ID NO 16 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
16 cctactctcc tgggtacttc a 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 17 <211>
LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 17 ggtgtctgtc
ttccttaggg 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 18 <211> LENGTH: 20
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 18 aattagctgg gcgtggtggc 20
<210> SEQ ID NO 19 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 19 aatcccagct gctcaggagg 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 20 <211> LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
20 rgrcrurcra rarurcrarc rcrurgrurc rurururcru rgrururarc rcrc 54
<210> SEQ ID NO 21 <211> LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 21 rcrurgrcrc rarurcrcrc rarcrarurc
rargrurgru rcrurgrurc rara 54 <210> SEQ ID NO 22 <211>
LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 22 rcrurcrcru
rcrcrarurc rargrarcrc rurgrcrurc rarcrurgrc ruru 54 <210> SEQ
ID NO 23 <211> LENGTH: 54 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
23 rgrurcrcrc rurarurarg rurcrurcrc rurcrcrcru rgrurcrurc rgru 54
<210> SEQ ID NO 24 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 24 ggagtgggat gatggtggga 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 25 <211> LENGTH: 21 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
25 gcagtgctct cagatgtcca g 21 <210> SEQ ID NO 26 <211>
LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 26 tggagggaga
cacacaggca 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 27 <211> LENGTH: 21
<212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense
oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE: 27 tccctctgtc tgtgctgtcc t 21
<210> SEQ ID NO 28 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE:
DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE:
<223> OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide
<400> SEQUENCE: 28 gcctgaactc ccacctgtct 20 <210> SEQ
ID NO 29 <211> LENGTH: 20 <212> TYPE: DNA <213>
ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223>
OTHER INFORMATION: Antisense oligonucleotide <400> SEQUENCE:
29 ctctggctcc cagcgttcaa 20 <210> SEQ ID NO 30 <211>
LENGTH: 48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial
Sequence <220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION:
Reverse complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 20
<400> SEQUENCE: 30 rgrurararc rargrarara rgrarcrarg
rgrurgraru rurgragc 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 31 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 21
<400> SEQUENCE: 31 rgrarcrarg rarcrarcru rgrarurgru
rgrgrgraru rgrgrcag 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 32 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 22
<400> SEQUENCE: 32 rgrcrargru rgrargrcra rgrgrurcru
rgrarurgrg rargrgag 48 <210> SEQ ID NO 33 <211> LENGTH:
48 <212> TYPE: DNA <213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence
<220> FEATURE: <223> OTHER INFORMATION: Reverse
complement of the antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO: 23
<400> SEQUENCE: 33 rgrargrarc rargrgrgra rgrgrargra
rcrurarura rgrgrgac 48
* * * * *