Patent ID: 6436693
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: A61K,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
Method for helper virus-free packaging of a gene vector DNA into the viral particles of a DNA herpes virus comprising the steps of:a) introducing a DNA helper herpes virus vector DNA on one or two DNA molecules comprising: (&agr;) a total size of &gE;100 kbp of said DNA helper herpes vector DNA; (&bgr;) at least one mutation which renders one or more of the cis-acting signal sequences for packaging of the DNA helper virus vector DNA non-functional; (&ggr;) a sequence for production of DNA virus particles of the DNA helper virus which do not contain a helper virus genome; (&dgr;) a sequence for a marker gene selectable in eukaryotic cells; into an eukaryotic cell; (b) establishing of a cell line containing the DNA herpes helper virus vector DNA in a stable manner; (c) introducing a gene vector DNA to be packaged comprising; (&agr;) a cis-acting signal sequence for packaging of the gene vector DNA into a viral particle of the DNA helper virus; (&bgr;) a gene of interest; into the eukaryotic cell; (d) inducing a lytic phase of the DNA helper virus and producing proteins important for packaging of the DNA helper virus; (e) packaging of the gene vector DNA into the viral particles of the DNA helper virus; optionally (f) releasing the viral particles containing the gene vector DNA; and/or (g) optionally purifying the viral particles.