Methods for modulating telomerase activity

Abstract

Disclosed herein are engineered zinc finger proteins which bind to telomeric structures; methods for their design, synthesis and use; and cells comprising a telomere-binding zinc finger protein. Methods for modulating telomerase activity using telomere-binding zinc finger proteins are also provided.

1 . A method for affecting telomerase activity in a cell, the method comprising contacting the cell with an engineered Cys2-His2 zinc finger polypeptide, wherein the zinc finger polypeptide binds to a molecule selected from the group consisting of telomeric nucleic acid, G-quadruplex nucleic acid and G-quartet nucleic acid.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein telomerase activity is inhibited.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cell is a human cell.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is transfected with a vector encoding the zinc finger polypeptide.