Patent ID: 6451592
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
An alphavirus vector construct, comprising:(a) a 5â€² promoter which directs synthesis of viral RNA in vitro from cDNA, (b) a 5â€² sequence which directs transcription of alphavirus RNA, (c) a nucleic acid molecule which operably encodes all four alphaviral nonstructural proteins, (d) an alphavirus RNA polymerase recognition sequence, and (e) a 3â€² polyadenylate tract; wherein a sequence which encodes nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) is altered such that, when it is operably incorporated into an RNA vector replicon, the time required to reach 50% inhibition of host cell directed macromolecular synthesis following expression in mammalian cells is increased, as compared to RNA vector replicons having a wild-type alphavirus nsP2.