Methods to inhibit or enhance the binding of viral DNA to genomic host DNA

Abstract

This invention relates to novel reagents and methods for the screening of compounds that may be agonistic or antagonistic to the binding of viral DNA to the chromosomes of host cells, that may be used in gene therapy and that may be used to treat tumor viruses.

1 . An expression vector, comprising a) coding sequences for i) the viral nucleic acid-binding protein LANA ii) at least one therapeutic gene of interest, and b) viral nucleic acid to which said viral nucleic acid-binding protein will bind.  
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising: 
 a) providing i) host cells, and ii) the expression vector of  claim 1;  and    b) transfecting said host cells with said expression vector under conditions such that said therapeutic gene of interest is expressed.    
     
     
         3 . A human host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . An expression vector capable of expressing a therapeutic gene of interest when introduced into a host cell, said vector chemically linked to a viral nucleic acid-binding protein.  
     
     
         5 . The vector of  claim 4 , wherein said viral nucleic acid-binding protein comprises LANA.  
     
     
         6 . The vector of  claim 4 , wherein said viral nucleic acid-binding protein comprises EBNA1 .  
     
     
         7 . A human host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising: 
 a) providing i) host cells, and ii) the expression vector of  claim 4;  and    b) transfecting said host cells with said expression vector under conditions such that said therapeutic gene of interest is expressed.