Diet controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein

Abstract

A nucleic acid for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein in an individual, including: a regulatory polynucleotide including a minimal promoter and at least one AARE (amino acid response element) nucleic acid, the regulatory polynucleotide being activated in an individual upon consumption of a diet deficient in at least one essential amino acid; and a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, which is placed under the control of the regulatory polynucleotide.

1 . A nucleic acid for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein in an individual, comprising:
 a regulatory polynucleotide comprising a minimal promoter and at least one AARE (amino acid response element) nucleic acid, said regulatory polynucleotide being activated in an individual upon consumption of a diet deficient in at least one essential amino acid; and   a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, which is placed under the control of the said regulatory polynucleotide.   
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid response element (AARE) nucleic acid is selected in a group comprising a nucleic acid of sequence SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 4 and SEQ ID No: 5. 
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulatory polynucleotide comprises at least two AARE nucleic acids. 
     
     
         4 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein the pro-apoptotic protein is TRAIL. 
     
     
         5 . A nucleic acid vector for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A delivery particle comprising a nucleic acid or a nucleic acid vector for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The delivery particle according to  claim 6 , which comprises at its surface one or more ligands suitable for binding to a target receptor exposed at the membrane of a targeted cell. 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a nucleic acid according  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid or a nucleic acid vector for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for inducing apoptosis into at least one target cell comprising at least the step of administering to an individual in need thereof of the nucleic acid or the nucleic acid vector for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating and/or preventing a tumor comprising at least the step of administering to an individual in need thereof of the nucleic acid or the nucleic acid vector for the controlled expression of a nucleic acid encoding a pro-apoptotic protein comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A kit for treating and/or preventing a tumor comprising:
 a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , and   an anti-tumor compound.