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Recent
Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences
ISSN: 1872-2156
Recent Patents on DNA &
Gene Sequences
Volume 2, Number 1, January 2008
Contents
Implications of Small Nucleolar RNA-Protein Complexes
Discoveries Pp. 1-5
Concepcion J. Puerta
[Abstract]
Recent Patents on Molecular Cytogenetics
Pp. 6-15
Ivan Y. Iourov, Svetlana G. Vorsanova and Yuri B. Yurov
[Abstract]
cDNA Cloning and Sequences Analysis of RPS15
from the Giant Panda Pp. 16-19
Wan-ru Hou, Xiao-yan Luo, Yu-jie Du and Mao-jie Tian
[Abstract]
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection Methods
Pp. 20-26
Douglas F. Whitman and Sherry A. Dunbar
[Abstract]
ErbB4 and its Isoforms: Patentable Drug Targets?
Pp. 27-33
Ilkka Paatero and Klaus Elenius
[Abstract]
Modulation of DNA Damage Checkpoint; Patenting and
Possible Application for Cancer Medicine Pp. 34-39
Kazuhiro Ishikawa1, Hideshi Ishii and Keiichi Ichimura
[Abstract]
Recent Patents Relating to siRNAs and Therapeutic
Strategies for Genetic Diseases Pp. 40-43
Daniel Grinberg
[Abstract]
Patents on Non-Viral Mediated Gene Delivery
Pp. 44-60
Amit K. Goyal, Kapil Khatri and Suresh P. Vyas
[Abstract]
Identification of Candidate Biomarker of Acute Aortic
Disssection Pp. 61-65
Salah A. Mohamed, Martin Misfeld, Doreen Richardt and
Hans H. Sievers
[Abstract]
Patent Selections Pp. 66-68
Abstracts
[Back to top]
Implications of Small Nucleolar RNA-Protein
Complexes Discoveries
Concepcion J. Puerta
Small nucleolar RNA molecules (snoRNA) comprise a special
kind of non-coding RNAs involved in the maturation process
of rRNAs, snRNAs, tRNAs and mRNAs. Traditionally, these molecules
have been divided into two families depending on the type
of conserved boxes that they harbour: box C/D and H/ACA snoRNAs.
Both types of snoRNAs are found associated with proteins forming
a complex called snoRNP. Although some of the snoRNPs of each
family mediate endonucleolytic cleavages of pre-rRNA, most
of them participate in nucleotide modification: 2´-O-
methylated nucleotides in the case of C/D snoRNPs and pseudouridine
in the case of H/ACA snoRNPs. Based on published patents,
the purpose of this review is to show the biotechnological
impact of these molecules, which rely on their special features:
participation in the functionality of ribosome, specific location
on cell, and abnormal expression in some diseases like cancer.
[Back to top]
Recent Patents on Molecular Cytogenetics
Ivan Y. Iourov, Svetlana G. Vorsanova and Yuri B. Yurov
The questions surrounding patenting of DNA sequences
encoding specific proteins are relatively well reviewed in
the available literature. However, neither applications nor
molecular cytogenetic techniques, which use these sequences
as a probe, have been reviewed in the light of the patenting.
Furthermore, the patenting of the use of numerous probes,
which are produced on different types of repetitive genome
elements (i.e. satellite DNA or telomeric DNA sequences) and
those generated by chromosome microdissection has not been
reviewed. Molecular cytogenetic techniques are one of the
most applied in current bioscience (as to June 2007, over
40,000 papers in browseable scientific databases mention one
or several molecular cytogenetic techniques). Therefore, reviewing
recent patents in this field is of general interest for numerous
researchers in different areas of biology and medicine. Here,
we address world-wide patents on DNA sequences used as molecular
cytogenetic probes and molecular cytogenetic techniques to
define current state and perspectives of this biomedical direction.
[Back to top]
cDNA Cloning and Sequences Analysis of RPS15 from
the Giant Panda
Wan-ru Hou, Xiao-yan Luo, Yu-jie Du and Mao-jie Tian
The cDNA of RPS15 was cloned successfully for
the first time from the Giant Panda using RT-PCR technology,
which was also sequenced and analyzed preliminarily. The cDNA
fragment is 442bp in size, containing an open reading frame
(ORF) of 438bp encoding 145 amino acids. Alignment analysis
indicates that the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino
acid sequence show a high homology to those of human and other
mammalian species reported. Topology prediction shows there
are two cAMP and cGMP-dependent kinase phosphorylation sites,
one Ribosomal Protein S19 signature site, four N- myristoylation
sites and five Casein kinase C phosphorylation sites in the
RPS15 protein. Further analysis indicates that the expression
sequence of RPS15 and the protein encoded are highly homologous
to those of human and other mammals reported.
The study is of significance to provide truthful and scientific
data for studying the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
at molecular level, especially for cloning and further researching
the complete sequence of RPS15.
[Back to top]
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection Methods
Douglas F. Whitman and Sherry A. Dunbar
Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a quickly
developing technology that has built upon the classic end-point
PCR detection methods. In this article, we will review recent
patents related to various chemistries used for nucleic acid
detection during real-time PCR amplification. Real-time assay
chemistries are subdivided into several main categories including
DNA-binding agents, molecular beacons, hybridization probes,
hydrolysis probes, and dye-primer based systems. Specific
advantages and applications of each category are highlighted
herein.
[Back to top]
ErbB4 and its Isoforms: Patentable Drug Targets?
Ilkka Paatero and Klaus Elenius
Research on ErbB receptors has spearheaded the rational
cancer drug design, and ErbB1 (also known as EGFR) and ErbB2
are among the first clinically validated targeted therapies.
Despite the fact that applicability of ErbB4 as a drug target
is still uncertain, several patents involving utilization
of ErbB4 have recently been issued. Manipulation of functions
of ErbB4 may be therapeutically beneficial in cancer but also
in psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders. In addition,
analyzing expression or mutations of ErbB4 may provide prognostic
or predictive value. Contents of ErbB4-related patents, as
well as biology of ErbB4 and its alternatively spliced isoforms,
will be reviewed in this article.
[Back to top]
Modulation of DNA Damage Checkpoint; Patenting and Possible
Application for Cancer Medicine
Kazuhiro Ishikawa1, Hideshi Ishii and Keiichi Ichimura
Eukaryote cells survey genomic integrity for DNA damage
or incomplete replication. Aberrant structures being detected,
checkpoint mechanisms are activated to slow down or arrest
cell cycle progression, which allow the DNA damage to be repaired
and the replication to be completed. In cancer development,
precancerous cells overcome selective pressure to escape from
blocked cell cycle progression, induced by checkpoint responses
to DNA damage. Medical applications targeting the process
of DNA damage would lead to efficient repairs of DNA damage
or induction of cell death, which contributes to cancer detection,
diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. In this article, the
recent progress of our knowledge and patenting in modulation
of DNA damage checkpoint especially by Rad9-Chk1 pathway is
noted and possible application for cancer medicine is discussed.
[Back to top]
Recent Patents Relating to siRNAs and Therapeutic Strategies
for Genetic Diseases
Daniel Grinberg
RNA interference has been implicated in diverse biological
process. It is a powerful method for specific gene silencing
which may also lead to promising novel therapeutic strategies.
The success of early studies of therapeutic RNAi in rodent
models has generated considerable interest on the development
of RNAi as a potential therapy. A number of recent patents
have been published that deal with the use of siRNA as therapeutic
tools for human diseases. In this review, I will comment on
some of the patents issued on siRNA-based strategies for cancer,
ocular diseases, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease, bone healing, and monogenic
diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Marfan syndrome
or Huntingon’s disease. Progress in developing RNAi-based
drugs and potential obstacles will also be discussed.
[Back to top]
Patents on Non-Viral Mediated Gene Delivery
Amit K. Goyal, Kapil Khatri and Suresh P. Vyas
Gene therapy is a promising therapeutic modality for
the treatment of genetic disorders. Gene therapy has been
able to correct many of the genetic diseases at the root of
their cause by systematizing genetic information that encodes
for all functions of every cell in our body. Recent studies
have identified novel molecular targets for genetic disorders
that can be used to deliver gene to the specific site. Gene
therapy applications require safe and efficient method for
gene transfer. Over the last decade, non-viral and viral gene
therapy approaches have been tested in preclinical studies
and human clinical trials. Gene delivery via conventional
means by using viral vectors has several undesirable side
effects such as insertion of mutational viral gene into the
host genome and overwhelming immune and inflammatory responses.
As compared to viral vectors, non-viral vehicles has received
great attention due to their several favorable properties,
including low toxicity and immunogenicty, resistance to nuclease,
and their high affinity for DNA targets. Here, we describe
how non-viral gene-transfer vehicles have been used and can
be modified to target specific tissues for gene therapy. This
review focuses on existing and emerging patents on non-viral
based genetic engineering strategies for the delivery of therapeutic
molecules or several approaches for genetic disorder treatment.
[Back to top]
Identification of Candidate Biomarker of Acute Aortic Disssection
Salah A. Mohamed, Martin Misfeld, Doreen Richardt and
Hans H. Sievers
Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a common fatal disease
that affects the aorta and requires an urgent clinical intervention.
A clinical feature of AAD is the characteristic tearing retrosternal
pain often confused with that of myocardial infarction. In
type A after Stanford, the biluminal progression is in the
ascending aorta, the lethality of all untreated patients is
about 50% within the first 48 hours. Most of AAD patients
do not present a known connective tissue disorder. This makes
the diagnosis more difficult and often late established. Similar
as in myocardial infarction, a rapid test for the diagnosis
establishment would be vitally helpful.
This review summarizes, with examples taken from recent patents,
novel strategies maintaining the development and validation
of biomarkers of acute aortic dissection and compares them
to known biomarkers of myocardial infarction.
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