C12N9/127

SYNTHETIC, PERSISTENT RNA CONSTRUCTS WITH ON/OFF MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLED EXPRESSION AND METHODS OF USE
20230046606 · 2023-02-16 ·

Synthetic, persistent RNA vectors for controlled expression of one or more heterologous polynucleotide sequences, each of the one or more heterologous polynucleotide sequences encoding for a reprogramming factor, are described. The vectors comprise a mechanism for silencing (off) and initiation or resumption (on) control of expression of the one or more reprogramming factors in the cell, tissue, or organ. Methods of using the vectors are also described, for example, to treat the age-related disease or condition, where the methods provide for treatment of the disease or condition, and in some embodiments, with retention of cellular identity.

SYNTHETIC, PERSISTENT RNA CONSTRUCTS AND METHODS OF USE FOR CELL REJUVENATION AND FOR TREATMENT
20230044997 · 2023-02-09 ·

Methods for treating a cell, tissue, or organ and for treating an age-related disease or condition are provided, where the cell, tissue or organ is contacted with a synthetic, persistent RNA vector comprising one or more heterologous polynucleotide sequences, each of the one or more heterologous polynucleotide sequences encoding for a reprogramming factor. Contacting achieves expression of the one or more reprogramming factors in the cell, tissue, or organ to treat the age-related disease or condition. In an embodiment, the method is used to obtain a rejuvenated cell, tissue, or organ with retention of cellular identity.

POLYPEPTIDE FRAGMENTS COMPRISING ENDONUCLEASE ACTIVITY AND THEIR USE

The present invention relates to polypeptide fragments comprising an amino-terminal fragment of the PA subunit of a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase or variants thereof possessing endonuclease activity, wherein said PA subunit is from a virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. This invention also relates to (i) crystals of the polypeptide fragments which are suitable for structure determination of said polypeptide fragments using X-ray crystallography and (ii) computational methods using the structural coordinates of said polypeptide to screen for and design compounds that modulate, preferably inhibit the endonucleolytically active site within the polypeptide fragment. In addition, this invention relates to methods identifying compounds that bind to the PA polypeptide fragments possessing endonuclease activity and preferably inhibit said endonucleolytic activity, preferably in a high throughput setting. This invention also relates to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the identified compounds for the treatment of disease conditions due to viral infections caused by viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family.

Nucleic acid-based membrane constructs for RNA polymerase detection
20230220460 · 2023-07-13 ·

Provided is a kit for virus detection including a nucleic acid membrane containing a gold component and reacting with RNA polymerase to transcribe RNA, a biosensor for RNA polymerase detection based thereon, and RNA polymerase.

Novel Replicase Cycling Reaction (RCR)
20220411848 · 2022-12-29 ·

This invention generally relates to a novel RNA/mRNA production and amplification method using viral RNA replicase and/or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzymes as well as the associated mRNAs thereof. The present invention can be used for manufacturing and amplifying all varieties of RNA/mRNA sequences carrying at least an RdRp-binding site in the 5′- or 3′-end, or both. The RNA/mRNA so obtained is useful for not only producing mRNA vaccines and/or RNA-based medicines but also for generating the mRNA-associated proteins, peptides, and/or antibodies under an in-vitro as well as in-cell translation condition. Principally, the present invention is a novel RNA replicase-mediated RNA/mRNA amplification method, namely Replicase Cycling Reaction (RCR). The RNA replicases involved in RCR include but not limited to viral and/or bacteriophage RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp), particularly coronaviral and hepatitis C viral (HCV) RdRp enzymes.

Novel RNA Composition and Production Method for Use in iPS Cell Generation
20220396778 · 2022-12-15 ·

This invention generally relates to a novel RNA composition and its production method useful for generating and expanding induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells; iPSC) as well as adult stem cells (ASC). The RNA composition so defined can be used for producing not only non-transgenic but also tumor-free iPS cells. The defined RNA composition contans at least two types of different RNA constructs; one is “miR-302 precursor RNA (pre-miR-302)” and the other is “RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)” mRNA. Both of pre-miR-302 and RdRp mRNA contain highly structured RNA comformations, such as hairpin and stem-loop structures. To produce highly structured RNAs, a novel PCR-IVT methodology has been developed and used with a specially designed RNA polymerase-helicase mixture activity.

NOVEL REPLICASE CYCLING REACTION (RCR)
20230099592 · 2023-03-30 ·

This invention relates to a novel composition and method for RNA/mRNA production as well as amplification using viral RNA replicase and/or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzymes and the use of associated RNA/mRNA products thereof. The present invention can be used for manufacturing and amplifying all varieties of RNA/mRNA sequences carrying at least a replicase/RdRp-binding site in the 5′- or 3′-end, or both. The RNA/mRNA so obtained is useful for not only producing mRNA vaccines and/or RNA-based medicines but for generating the mRNA-associated proteins, peptides, and/or antibodies under an in-vitro as well as in-cell translation condition. Principally, the present invention is a novel RNA replicase/RdRp-mediated RNA/mRNA amplification method, namely Replicase Cycling Reaction (RCR). The RNA replicases involved in RCR include but not limited to viral and/or bacteriophage RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) in either modified or non-modified mRNA and/or protein compositions, particularly coronaviral (e.g. COVID-19) and hepatitis C viral (HCV) RdRp enzymes.

Use of ANP32 protein in maintaining the polymerase activity of influenza virus in hosts

The present invention provides a recombinant sequence information of a key host factor ANP32A/B which is necessary for the replication of influenza virus in a host. More specifically, the present invention relates to a 129-130 motif and a 149 site of the host factor ANP32A/B protein, which are key active sites for exerting its ability to promote the replication of influenza virus, and are also potential targeting sites of anti-influenza drugs.

CORONAVIRUS VACCINES COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD OF USING SAME

The present disclosure provides compositions, for example vaccine compositions comprising live, attenuated coronavirus. The disclosure also provides methods of using coronavirus vaccines, including methods of treating and/or preventing coronavirus infections, and provides methods of preparing coronavirus vaccines.

GENE EXPRESSION SYSTEM USING STEALTHY RNA, AND GENE INTRODUCTION/EXPRESSION VECTOR INCLUDING SAID RNA

Simultaneous expression of a plurality of foreign genes by using a stealthy RNA gene expression system that is a complex that does not activate the innate immune mechanism and is formed from an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a single-strand RNA binding protein, and negative-sense single-strand RNAs including the following (1) to (8): (1) a target RNA sequence that codes for any protein or functional RNA; (2) an RNA sequence forming a noncoding region and derived from mRNA; (3) a transcription initiation signal sequence recognized by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; (4) a transcription termination signal sequence recognized by the polymerase; (5) an RNA sequence containing a replication origin recognized by the polymerase; (6) an RNA sequence that codes for the polymerase; (7) an RNA sequence that codes for a protein for regulating the activity of the polymerase; and (8) an RNA sequence that codes for the single-strand RNA binding protein.