Inventors:
James S. Malter - Madison WI
Assignee:
Wisconsin Ulumni Research Foundation - Madison WI
International Classification:
C12P 2100, C12P 2102, C12N 1500, C12N 1506
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method to increase the production of a regulatory molecule, i. e. , a molecule that regulates cell behavior, such as a cytokine or a protooncogene, in a population of transfected cells, whether normal (resting or activated) or tumor cells. The method involves mutating a native or "wild type" cDNA sequence that encodes an mRNA sequence for a regulatory molecule to form a mutant cDNA sequence capable of producing a more stable mRNA sequence. Specifically, the method involves mutating a wild type cDNA sequence that encodes an unstable mRNA sequence for the regulatory molecule, wherein the mRNA includes a 3' untranslated region having a destabilizing element comprising an AUUUA sequence, to form a mutant cDNA sequence capable of producing a more stable mRNA sequence, wherein the AUUUA sequence is replaced by AUGUA, AUAUA, GUGUG, AGGGA, GAGAG, or a combination thereof; and transfecting a cell population with the mutant cDNA sequence so that the production of the regulatory molecule is enhanced by the cells.