Methods and compositions for modulating apoptotic pathways

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, compositions and systems for modulating apoptotic pathways. In particular, the present invention relates to methods, compositions and systems for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. The present invention further relates to methods, compositions and systems for identifying drugs that modulate apoptotic pathways.

1 . A nucleic acid comprising an exogenous p53 gene operably linked to a gene encoding a mitochondrial targeting protein. 
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid of  claim 1 , wherein the exogenous p53 gene encodes wild-type p53. 
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid is contained within a vector. 
     
     
         4 . The nucleic acid of  claim 3 , wherein said vector is a viral vector. 
     
     
         5 . The nucleic acid of  claim 4 , wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector. 
     
     
         6 . The nucleic acid of  claim 5 , wherein said adenoviral vector comprises modified adenoviral nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The nucleic acid of  claim 6 , wherein said modified sequence comprises one or more deleted adenoviral genes. 
     
     
         8 . The nucleic acid of  claim 5 , wherein said adenoviral vector is inside a cell. 
     
     
         9 . An adenovirus gene transfer system comprising an adenoviral vector comprising an exogenous p53 gene operably linked to a gene encoding a mitochondrial targeting protein. 
     
     
         10 . A cell transfected with the adenoviral vector of  claim 9 , wherein said cell expresses a fusion protein comprising p53 linked to said mitochondrial targeting protein.