| Nucleic sequence and deduced protein sequence family with human endogenous retroviral motifs, and their uses -> Monitor Keywords |
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Nucleic sequence and deduced protein sequence family with human endogenous retroviral motifs, and their usesNucleic sequence and deduced protein sequence family with human endogenous retroviral motifs, and their uses description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090263783, Nucleic sequence and deduced protein sequence family with human endogenous retroviral motifs, and their uses. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
The present invention relates to a novel nucleic sequence and deduced protein sequence family with complete or partial human endogenous retroviral motifs, and sequences flanking or adjacent to said sequences, and controlled by the latter; modification of the expression or impairment of the structure (polyadenylation, alternative splicing and the like) of said flanking sequences. The invention also relates to the detection and/or use of said nucleic sequences and of said corresponding protein sequences in the context of diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic applications, in particular for neuropathological conditions with an autoimmune component such as multiple sclerosis. The invention also relates to the production of antisense double-stranded and single-stranded nucleic probes, of ribozymes, capable of modulating viral replication (T. R. Cech, Science, 1987, 236, 1532-1539; R. H. Symons, Trends Biochem. Sci., 1989, 14, 445-450) of the corresponding recombinant molecules, and associated antibodies. Retroviruses are viruses which replicate solely by using the opposite route to the conventional processing of genetic information. This process, called reverse transcription, is mediated by an RNA dependent DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase, encoded by the pol gene. Retroviruses also encode at least two additional genes. The gag gene encodes the proteins of the skeleton, matrix, nucleocapsid and capsid. The env gene encodes the envelope glycoproteins. Retroviral transcription is regulated by promoter regions or “enhancers” situated in highly repeated regions or LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) and which are present at both ends of the retroviral genome. During the infection of a cell, polymerase makes a DNA copy of the RNA genome; this copy may then integrate into the human genome. Retroviruses do not kill the cells which they infect, but on the contrary often enhance their rate of growth. Retroviruses can infect germ cells or embryos at an early stage; they can, under these conditions, integrate the germ line and be transmitted by vertical Mendelian transmission, which constitutes the closest relationship between a host and its parasite. These endogenous viruses can degenerate during generations of the host organism and lose their initial properties. However, some of them may conserve all or part of their properties or of the properties of their constituent motifs, or acquire novel functional properties having an advantage for the host organism, which would explain the preservation of their sequence. The existence of endogenous motifs having long open reading frames and/or subjected to a strong selection pressure can therefore be an indication of a preserved or acquired biological function, which may correspond to a benefit for the host organism. These retroviral sequences can also undergo, over the generations, discrete modifications which will be able to trigger some of their potentials and generate or promote pathological processes. It has recently appeared necessary to carry out a review and to identify these sequences so as to be able to evaluate their functional impact. Human endogenous retroviral sequences or HERVs represent a substantial part of the human genome. These retroviral regions exist in several forms:
Up until now, the study of these regions of the genome has been neglected in humans for essentially two reasons:
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