Genes and genetic elements associated with control of neoplastic transformation in mammalian cells

Abstract

The invention provides genetic suppressor elements that confer the transformed phenotype of malignant mammalian cells upon untransformed cells, methods for identifying and obtaining such elements, methods for isolating and identifying genes corresponding to such elements, and methods of using such elements. The invention also provides genes corresponding to the GSEs of the invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting malignant growth in cancer cells in an animal, the method comprising the step of expressing in the cancer cell a complete gene homologous to a nucleotide sequence of a genetic suppressor element, or its complement, that establishes or maintains a transformed phenotype in a mammalian cell, wherein the genetic suppressor element is prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) synthesizing randomly fragmented cDNA prepared from the total mRNA of a cell to yield DNA fragments;    (b) transferring the DNA fragments to an expression vector to yield a genetic suppressor element library, wherein the expression vector expresses the DNA fragments in a living cell that expresses a transformed phenotype;    (c) genetically modifying the living cells by introducing the genetic suppressor element library into the cells;    (d) isolating or enriching for genetically modified living cells containing genetic suppressor elements conferring the transformed phenotype on the cells by selecting the cells under conditions wherein the transformed cells are identifiable;    (e) obtaining the genetic suppressor element conferring the transformed phenotype from the surviving genetically modified cells.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the genetic suppressor element is selected from the group consisting of SAHH, P120, and the genes homologous to the GSEs Tr6, Tr19 and Tr22.