OLIGONUCLEOTIDE MODULATION OF PROTEIN KINASE C

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases associated with protein kinase C. Oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding PKC. Oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5'-untranslated region or 3'- untranslated region are provided. Oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes are also provided. Methods of treating animals suffering from disease amenable to therapeutic intervention by modulating protein kinase C expression with an oligonucleotide specifically hybridizable with RNA or DNA corresponding to PKC are disclosed.

Description: OLIGONUCLEOTIDE MODULATION OF PROTEIN KINASE C FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to therapies, diagnostics, an research reagents for disease states which respond t modulation of the expression of protein kinase C. I particular, this invention relates to antisens oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with nucleic acid relating to protein kinase C. These oligonucleotides have bee found to modulate the expression of protein kinase C. Palliation and therapeutic effect result. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The phosphorylation of proteins plays a key role in th transduction of extracellular signals into the cell. Th enzymes, called kinases, which effect such phosphorylations ar targets for the action of growth factors, hormones, and othe agents involved in cellular metabolism, proliferation an differentiation. One of the major signal transduction pathway involves the enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) , which is known t have a critical influence on cell proliferation an differentiation. PKC is activated by diacylglycerols (DAGs) which are metabolites released in signal transduction. Interest in PKC was stimulated by the finding that PK is the major, and perhaps only, cellular receptor through whic a class of tumor-promoting agents called phorbol esters exer their pleiotropic effects on cells. Gescher et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 1989, 4, 93-105. Phorbols capable of tumo production can mimic the effect of DAG in activating PKC suggesting that these tumor promotors act through PKC and that activation of this enzyme is at least partially responsible for the resulting tumorigenesis. Parker et al. , Science 1986, 233, 853-866. Experimental evidence indicates that PKC plays a role in growth control in colon cancer. It is believed that specific bacteria in the intestinal tract convert lipids to DAG, thus activating PKC and altering cell proliferation. This may explain the correlation between high dietary fat and colon cancer. Weinstein, Cancer Res . (Suppl .) 1991, 51, 5080s-5085s. It has also been demonstrated that a greater proportion of the PKC in the colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer is in an activated state compared to that of patients without cancer. Sakanoue et al. , Int. J. Cancer 1991, 48, 803-806. Increased tumorigenicity is also correlated with overexpression of PKC in cultured cells inoculated into nude mice. A mutant form of PKC induces highly malignant tumor cells with increased metastatic potential. Sphingosine and related inhibitors of PKC activity have been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth and radiation-induced transformation in vivo . Endo et al., Cancer Research 1991, 51, 1613-1618; Borek et al., Proc. Natl . Acad. Sci . 1991, 88, 1953-1957. A number of experimental - or clinically useful anti-cancer drugs show modulatory effects on PKC. Therefore, inhibitors of PKC may be important cancer-preventive or therapeutic agents. PKC has been suggested as a plausible target for more rational design of conventional anti-cancer drugs. Gescher, A. and Dale, I.L., Anti-Cancer Drug Design 1989, 4, 93-105. Experiments also indicate that PKC plays an important role in the pathophysiology of hyperproliferative skin disorders such as psoriasis and skin cancer. Psoriasis is characterized by inflammation, hyperproliferation of the epidermis and decreased differentiation of cells. Various studies indicate a role for PKC in causing these symptoms. PKC stimulation in cultured keratinocytes can be shown to cause hyperproliferation. Inflammation can be induced by phorbol esters and is regulated by PKC. DAG is implicated in the involvement of PKC in dermatological diseases, and is formed t an increased extent in psoriatic lesions. Inhibitors of PKC have been shown to have bot antiproliferative and antiinflammatory effects in vitro. Som antipsoriasis drugs, such as cyclosporine A and anthralin, hav been shown to inhibit PKC. Inhibition of PKC has bee suggested as a therapeutic approach to the treatment o psoriasis. Hegemann, L. and G. Mahrle, Pharmacology of th Skin, H. Mukhtar, Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1992, p. 357-368. PKC is not a single enzyme, but a family of enzymes. At the present time at least seven isoforms (isozymes) of PK have been identified: isoforms α, β, and y have been purifie to homogeneity, and isoforms S , e, ξ and η have been identifie by molecular cloning. These isozymes have distinct patterns o tissue and organ localization (see Nishizuka, Nature 1988, 334, 661-665 for review) and may serve different physiologica functions. For example, PKC-γ seems to be expressed only i the central nervous system. PKC-α and -β are expressed in mos tissues, but have different patterns of expression in differen cell types. For example, both PKC-α and PKC-β are expresse in, and have been purified from, human epidermis. While PKC- has been detected mainly in keratinocytes of the basal layer of the epidermis, PKC-β is found mainly in the middle layers o the epidermis and Langerhans cells. PKC-η has been foun predominantly in the skin and lungs, with levels of expressio much higher in these tissues than in the brain. This is i contrast to other members of the PKC family which tend to b most abundantly expressed in the brain. Osada et al. , J. Biol . Chem . 1990, 265, 22434-22440. While the PKC isozymes liste here are preferred for targeting by the present invention, other isozymes of PKC are also comprehended by the presen invention. It is presently believed that different PKC isozymes ma be involved in various disease processes depending on the orga or tissue in which they are expressed. For example, i psoriatic lesions there is an alteration in the ratio betwee PKC-α and PKC-β, with preferential loss of PKC-β compared to normal skin (Hegemann, L. and G. Mahrle, Pharmacology of the Skin. H. Mukhtar, Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1992, p. 357- 368. Although numerous compounds have been identified as PKC inhibitors (see Hidaka and Hagiwara, Trends in Pharm. Sci . 1987, 8, 162-164 for review), none has been found which inhibits PKC specifically. While the quinoline sulfonamide derivatives such as l-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2- methylpiperazine (H-7) inhibit PKC at micromolar concentrations, they exhibit similar enzyme inhibition kinetics for PKC and the cAMP-dependent and cGMP-dependent protein kinaseε. Staurosporine, an alkaloid product of Streptomyces sp., and its analogs, are the most potent in vitro inhibitors of PKC identified to date. However, they exhibit only limited selectivity among different protein kinases. Gescher, Anti- Cancer Drug Design 1989, 4, 93-105. Thus there has been a failure of others to inhibit PKC specifically. There is also a desire to inhibit specific PKC isozymes, both as a research tool and as treatment for diseases which may be associated with particular isozymes. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the invention to provide therapies for neoplastic, hyperproliferative, inflammatory and other disease states associated with protein kinase C. Another object of the invention is to provide selective therapies for diseases associated with particular isozymes of protein kinase C. It is a further object of the invention to provide antisense oligonucleotides which are capable of modulating the expression of protein kinase C. Another object of the invention is to provide antisense oligonucleotides which are capable of selectively modulating the expression of particular isozymes of protein kinase C. Yet another object is to provide means for diagnosis of diseases associated with protein kinase C. A further object of the invention is to provide means fo differential diagnosis of diseases associated with particula isozymes of protein kinase C. A still further object of the invention is to provid research tools for the study of the effects of protein kinas C expression and diseases associated therewith. An additional object of the invention is to provid research tools for the study of the effects of expression o particular isozymes of protein kinase C and diseases associate therewith. These and other objects of this invention will becom apparent from a review of the instant specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1(a) and 1(b) are graphical depictions of th effects on PKC expression of antisense oligonucleotide hybridizable with PKC-α. Oligonucleotides are arranged by PK target region, 5' to 3'. Figure 2 is a line graph showing dose-dependent antisens oligonucleotide inhibition of PKC-α protein synthesis expressed as percent of control (no oligonucleotide) . T = ISI 3520; ■ = ISIS 3522; ▲ = ISIS 3527; v = ISIS 4985. Figure 3 is a line graph showing the dose-dependen inhibition of PKC-α protein synthesis by ISIS 4649, the 2'-0 methyl version of ISIS 3522 (both are phosphorothioates) . T ISIS 4632; • = ISIS 4636; ■ = ISIS 4649; ▲ = ISIS 4648. Figure 4 is a bar graph showing decrease in levels o PKC-α mRNA transcripts after antisense oligonucleotid treatment. The hatched bars represent the 8.5 kb transcrip and the white bars represent the 4.0 kb transcript. Figure 5 is a line graph showing antisens oligonucleotide inhibition of A549 cell proliferation. ■ 4559; = 4985;# = 3521; ▲ = 3527. Figure 6 is a series of line graphs showing inhibitio of PKCα mRNA levels by 2 / -0-methyl phosphorothioat oligonucleotides having 8-deoxy gaps compared to full-deox phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having the same sequence Figure 6A shows data for SEQ ID NO: 2 (5357 is gapped oligonucleotide, 3521 is full deoxy) . Figure 6B shows data for SEQ ID NO: 3 (5352 is gapped oligonucleotide, 3522 is full deoxy) . Figure 6C shows data for SEQ ID NO: 5 (5240 is gapped oligonucleotide, 3527 is full deoxy) . Figure 7 is a line graph showing the relationship between deoxy gap length (in a 2'-0-methyl oligonucleotide) and reduction of PKCα mRNA levels by antisense oligonucleotides having SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 5. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, oligonucleotides are provided that are specifically hybridizable with DNA or RNA deriving from the gene that encodes PKC. The oligonucleotide comprises nucleotide units sufficient in identity and number to effect such specific hybridization. This relationship is commonly denominated as "antisense". In one preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with the translation initiation codon of the gene, and preferably comprise a sequence CAT. In another preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with the 5'-untranslated or 3 r - untranslated regions of the gene. In yet another preferred embodiment, oligonucleotides are provided that are specifically hybridizable with DNA or mRNA encoding a particular PKC isozyme or a particular set of PKC isozymes. Such oligonucleotides are conveniently and desirably presented in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In accordance with other preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides are formulated such that at least one of the linking groups between nucleotide units of the oligonucleotide comprises a sulfur-containing species such as a phosphorothioate moiety. In still other preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides are formulated such that at least one of the nucleotides is modified at the 2 ' position of the sugar. Some examples of such preferred modifications are 2'-0-alkyl and 2'-fluoro modifications. Other aspects of the invention are directed to method for modulating the expression of PKC or of a particular PK isozyme or set of isozymes in cells or tissues. Additiona aspects of the invention are directed to methods of detectio in cells or tissues of the DNA or RNA that encodes PKC an specific detection in cells or tissues of RNA or DNA tha encodes particular PKC isozymes. Such methods compris contacting cells or tissues suspected of containing said gen with oligonucleotides in accordance with the invention in orde to interfere with the effect of or to detect said RNA or DNA. Other aspects of the invention are directed to method for diagnostics and therapeutics of animals suspected of havin a disease associated with PKC or one of its isozymes. Suc methods comprise contacting the animal or cells or tissues o a bodily fluid from the animal with oligonucleotides i accordance with the invention in order to modulate th expression of PKC, to treat conditions associated with PKC, o to effect a diagnosis thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Antisense oligonucleotides hold great promise a therapeutic agents for the treatment of many human diseases. Oligonucleotides specifically bind (hybridize) to th complementary sequence of DNA, pre-mRNA or mature mRNA, a defined by Watson-Crick base pairing, interfering with the flo of genetic information from DNA to protein. The properties o antisense oligonucleotides which make them specific for thei target sequence also make them extraordinarily versatile. Because antisense oligonucleotides are long chains of monomeri units, they may be readily synthesized for any target RN sequence. Numerous recent studies have documented the utilit of antisense oligonucleotides as biochemical tools for studyin target proteins. Rothenberg et al., J. Natl . Cancer Inst 1989, 81, 1539-1544; Zon, G. , Pharmaceutical Res . 1988, 5, 539 549. Because of recent advances in oligonucleotide chemistr and synthesis of nuclease resistant oligonucleotides whic exhibit enhanced cell uptake, it is now possible to conside the use of antisense oligonucleotides as a novel form of therapeutics. Antisense oligonucleotides offer an ideal solution to the problems encountered in prior art approaches. They can be designed to selectively inhibit a given isozyme or particular set of isozymes, or to inhibit all members of a given family of isozymes. They avoid non-specific mechanisms such as free radical scavenging. A complete understanding of enzyme mechanism is not needed to design specific inhibitors. Current agents which modulate the activity or metabolism of protein kinase C exhibit many unacceptable side effects due to their lack of specificity, or they exhibit only limited effectiveness in inhibiting the enzyme. The instant invention circumvents problems encountered by prior workers by modulating the production of the enzyme, rather than inhibiting the enzyme directly, to achieve the therapeutic effect. In the instant invention, the oligonucleotide is designed to bind directly to mRNA or to a gene, ultimately modulating the amount of PKC protein made from the gene. In the context of this invention, the term "oligonucleotide" refers to a polynucleotide formed from naturally occurring bases and pentofuranosyl groups joined by native phosphodiester bonds. This term effectively refers to naturally occurring species or synthetic species formed from naturally occurring subunits or their close homologs. The term "oligonucleotide" may also refer to moieties which function similarly to naturally occurring oligonucleotides but which have non-naturally occurring portions. Thus, oligonucleotides may have altered sugar moieties or inter-sugar linkages. Exemplary among these are the phosphorothioates and other sulfur-containing species such as phosphorodithioates which are known for use in the art. In accordance with some preferred embodiments, at least one of the phosphodiester bonds of the oligonucleotide have been substituted with a structure which functions to enhance the ability of the compositions to penetrate into the region of cells where the RNA or DNA whose activity to be modulated is located. It is preferred that such substitutions comprise phosphorothioate bonds, methy phosphonate bonds, short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl structures, or heteroatom-substituted short chain alkyl structures. Mos preferred are those with CH 2 -NH-0-CH 2 , CH 2 -N(CH 3 )-0-CH 2 , CH 2 -0 N(CH 3 )-CH 2 , CH 2 -N(CH 3 )-N(CH 3 )-CH 2 and 0-N(CH 3 )-CH 2 -CH 2 backbone (where phosphodiester is 0-P-0-CH 2 ) . Also preferred ar oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures. Sum erton, J.E. and Weller, D.D., U.S. Patent No: 5,034,506. In other preferred embodiments, such as the protein-nuclei acid (PNA) backbone, the phosphodiester backbone of th oligonucleotide may be replaced with a polyamide backbone, th bases being bound directly or indirectly to the aza nitroge atoms of the polyamide backbone. P.E. Nielsen, M. Egholm, R.H. Berg, O. Buchardt, Science 1991, 254, 1497. In accordance wit other preferred embodiments, the phosphodiester bonds ar substituted with other structures which are, at once, substantially non-ionic and non-chiral, or with structure which are chiral and enantiomerically specific. Persons o ordinary skill in the art will be able to select other linkage for use in practice of the invention. Oligonucleotides may also include species which includ at least one modified base form. Thus, purines and pyrimidine other than those normally found in nature may be so employed. Similarly, modifications on the pentofuranosyl portion of th nucleotide subunits may also be effected, as long as th essential tenets of this invention are adhered to. Examples o such modifications are 2'-0-alkyl- and 2'-halogen-substitute nucleotides. Some specific examples of modifications at the 2' position of sugar moieties which are useful in the presen invention are OH, SH, SCH 3 , F, 0CH 3 , OCN, 0(CH 2 ) n NH 2 or 0(CH 2 ) n CH where n is from 1 to about 10, and other substituents havin similar properties. Sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyls o other carbocycles may also be used in place of th pentofuranosyl group. Chimeric oligonucleotides having two o more chemically distinct regions are also useful in the presen invention. Specific examples of such chimeric oligonucleotide are those which are modified at the 2 ' position except for "deoxy gap" of one or more deoxynucleotides. The "deoxy gap" may be centered in the molecule or may be located at or near either end. Oligonucleotides with regions of distinct backbone chemistries are also examples of chimeric oligonucleotides. Such oligonucleotides are best described as being functionally interchangeable with natural oligonucleotides (or synthesized oligonucleotides along natural lines) , but having one or more differences from natural structure. All such oligonucleotides are comprehended by this invention so long as they function effectively to hybridize with the PKC RNA. The oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 5 to about 50 nucleotide units. It is more preferred that such oligonucleotides comprise from about 8 to 30 nucleotide units, and still more preferred to have from about 12 to 25 nucleotide units. As will be appreciated, a nucleotide unit is a base-sugar combination suitably bound to an adjacent nucleotide unit through phosphodiester or other bonds. The oligonucleotides used in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including Applied Biosystems. Any other means for such synthesis may also be employed; the actual synthesis of the oligonucleotides is well within the talents of the routineer. It is also well known to use similar techniques to prepare other oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives. In accordance with this invention, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that messenger RNA includes not only the information to encode a protein using the three letter genetic code, but also associated ribonucleotides which form a region known to such persons as the 5'-untranslated region, the 3'-untranslated region, the 5' cap region and intron/exon junction ribonucleotides. Thus, oligonucleotides may be formulated in accordance with this invention which are targeted wholly or in part to these associated ribonucleotides as well as to the informational ribonucleotides. In preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizabl with a transcription initiation site, a translation initiatio site, a 5' cap region, an intron/exon junction, codin sequences or sequences in the 5'- or 3'-untranslated region. The oligonucleotides of this invention are designed t be hybridizable with messenger RNA derived from the PKC gene Such hybridization, when accomplished, interferes with th normal roles of the messenger RNA to cause a modulation of it function in the cell. The functions of messenger RNA to b interfered with include all vital functions such a transcription of the RNA from DNA, translocation of the RNA t the site for protein translation, actual translation of protei from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRN species, and possibly even independent catalytic activity whic may be engaged in by the RNA. The overall effect of suc interference with the RNA function is to modulate expression o the PKC gene. The oligonucleotides of this invention can be used i diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis, and as researc reagents and kits. Since the oligonucleotides of thi invention hybridize to the PKC gene and its mRNA, sandwich an other assays can easily be constructed to exploit this fact Furthermore, since the oligonucleotides of this inventio hybridize specifically to particular isozymes of the PKC mRNA such assays can be devised for screening of cells and tissue for particular PKC isozymes. Such assays can be utilized fo diagnosis of diseases associated with various PKC forms Provision of means for detecting hybridization o oligonucleotide with the PKC gene can routinely b accomplished. Such provision may include enzyme conjugation radiolabelling or any other suitable detection systems. Kit for detecting the presence or absence of PKC may also b prepared. For therapeutic or prophylactic treatment oligonucleotides are administered in accordance with thi invention. Oligonucleotides may be formulated in pharmaceutical composition, which may include carriers thickeners, diluents, buffers, preservatives, surface active agents and the like in addition to the oligonucleotide. Pharmaceutical compositions may also include one or more active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents, antiinflammatory agents, anesthetics, and the like in addition to oligonucleotides. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered in a number of ways depending on whether local or systemic treatment is desired, and on the area to be treated. Administration may be done topically (including ophthalmically, vaginally, rectally, intranasally) , orally, by inhalation, or parenterally, for example by intravenous drip or subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection. Formulations for topical administration may include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms may also be useful. Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets, or tablets. Thickeners, flavorings, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. Formulations for parenteral administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the condition to be treated, but will normally be one or more doses per day, with course of treatment lasting from several days to several months or until a cure is effected or a diminution of disease state is achieved. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. The following examples illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the same. EXAMPLES Example 1 Oligonucleotide synthesis Unmodified DNA oligonucleotides are synthesized on a automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B) usin standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine. β-Cyanoethyldiisopropyl-phosphoramidites are purchased fro Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA) . For phosphorothioat oligonucleotides, the standard oxidation bottle is replaced b a 0.2 M solution of 3H-l,2-benzodithiole-3-one 1,1-dioxide i acetonitrile for the stepwise thiation of the phosphit linkages. The thiation cycle wait step is increased to 68 seconds and is followed by the capping step. After cleavage from the controlled pore glass colum (Applied Biosystems) and deblocking in concentrated ammoniu hydroxide at 55°C for 18 hours, the oligonucleotides ar purified by precipitation twice out of 0.5 M NaCl with 2.5 volumes ethanol. Analytical gel electrophoresis i accomplished in 20% acrylamide, 8 M urea, 45 mM Tris-borat buffer, pH 7.0. Example 2 Cell culture and treatment with phorbol esters an oligonucleotides targeted to PKC-α PKC protein half-lives have been reported to vary fro 6.7 hours to over 24 hours. Young et al. , Biochem . J. 1987, 244, 775-779; Ballester et al., J. Biol . Chem . 1985, 260, 15194-15199. These long half-lives make inhibiting steady state levels of PKC-α an unwieldy approach when screenin antisense oligonucleotides, due to the long incubation time which would be required. The ability of phorbol esters t reversibly lower intracellular levels of PKC has therefore bee exploited. Treatment of cells with phorbol esters causes a initial activation of kinase activity, followed by a down regulation of PKC. For PKC-α this down-regulation has bee shown to be a direct consequence of an increased rate o proteolysis of the kinase with no apparent change in syntheti rate. It was initially determined that in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells, treatment with the phorbol ester 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) , using a modification of the method of Krug et al., J. Biol . Chem . 1987, 262, 11852-11856, did indeed lower cellular levels of PKC-α, without affecting PKC-α mRNA levels, and that this effect was reversible. The basis of the assay to screen for potency of oligonucleotides targeting PKC-α is to initially lower PKC-α protein levels by chronic treatment with PDBu, remove PDBu by extensively washing the cells (hence allowing the cells to synthesize fresh PKC-α protein) , and incubate the cells with oligonucleotides intended to inhibit the resynthesis of new PKC-α protein. A549 cells (obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, Bethesda MD) were grown to confluence in 6-well plates (Falcon Labware, Lincoln Park, NJ) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DME) containing 1 g glucose/liter and 10% fetal calf serum (FCS, Irvine Scientific, Santa Ana, CA) . Cells were treated with 500 nM PDBu (Sigma Chem. Co. , St. Louis, MO) for 12-16 hours (overnight) . Cells were then washed three times in DME at 37°, and 1 ml DMA containing 20 μl DOTMA (Lipofectin reagent, BRL, Bethesda, MD) was added. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were added to a concentration of 1 μM and the cells were incubated for a further 4 hours at 37°C. Cells were washed once in 3 ml DME containing 0.1 mg/ml BSA and a further 2 ml DME containing 0.1 mg/ml BSA was added. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (1 μM) were added and the cells were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Cells were washed three times in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and cellular proteins were extracted in 120 μl sample buffer (60 mM Tris pH 6.8, 2% SDS, 10% glycerol, 10 mM dithiothreitol) and boiled for 5 minutes. Intracellular levels of PKC-α protein were determined by immunoblotting. The oligonucleotides tested in this assay are presented in Table 1. Sequence data are from the cDNA sequence published by Finkenzeller et al., Nucl . Acids Res . 1990, 18, 2183; the sequence numbers given under the oligonucleotides are relative to the first residue to be sequenced on the cDNA, which is 2 residues upstream of the ATG start codon. TABLE 1 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO HUMAN PKC-α (All are phosphorothioates) SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 1 CCC CAA CCA CCT CTT GCT CC 5' Untranslated 19 1 2 GTT CTC GCT GGT GAG TTT CA 3' Untranslated 2063 2044 3 AAA ACG TCA GCC ATG GTC CC Translation init. codon 41 22 4 GGA TTC ACT TCC ACT GCG GG 3' Untranslated 2109 2090 5 GAG ACC CTG AAC AGT TGA TC 3' Untranslated 2211 2192 6 CCC GGG AAA ACG TCA GCC AT Translation init. codon 47 28 7 CTG CCT CAG CGC CCC TTT GC Internal (Cl) domain 110 91 8 AGT CGG TGC AGT GGC TGG AG Internal (Cl) domain 193 174 9 GCA GAG GCT GGG GAC ATT GA Internal (Cl) domain 480 461 T.0 GGG CTG GGG AGG TGT TTG TT 3' Untranslated 2080 2061 11 CAC TGC GGG GAG GGC TGG GG 3' Untranslated 2098 2079 12 AGC CGT GGC CTT AAA ATT TT 3' Untranslated 2137 2118 13 ATT TTC AGG CCT CCA TAT GG 3' Untranslated 2168 2149 14 AAG AGA GAG ACC CTG AAC AG 3' Untranslated 2217 2198 15 GAT AAT GTT CTT GGT TGT AA 3' Untranslated 2235 2216 16 ATG GGG TGC ACA AAC TGG GG Internal (C3) domain 2027 2008 17 GTC AGC CAT GGT CCC CCC CC Translation init. codon 36 17 18 CGC CGT GGA GTC GTT GCC CG Internal (VI) domain 63 44 19 TCA AAT GGA GGC TGC CCG GC Internal (C3) domain 1643 1624 20 TGG AAT CAG ACA CAA GCC GT 3' Untranslated 2151 2132 Example 3 Immunoblot assay for PKC expression Cell extracts were electrophoresed on 10% SDS-PAGE mini- gels. The resolved proteins were transferred to Immobilon-P membrane (Millipore, Bedford MA) by electrophoretic transfer and the membrane was blocked for 60 minutes in TBS (Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl) containing 5% nonfat milk. The membrane was then incubated for 16 hours at 4°C with monoclonal antibodies raised against PKC-α (UBI, Lake Placid NY) diluted to 0.2 μg/ml in TBS containing 0.2% nonfat milk. This was followed by three washes in TBS plus 0.2% nonfat milk. The membrane was then incubated for one hour with 125I-labelled goat anti-mouse secondary antibody (ICN Radiochemicals, Irvine CA) . Membranes were then washed extensively in TBS plus 0.2% nonfat milk. Bands were visualized and quantitated using a Phosphorimager (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, CA) . PKC-α appears as a single band with a molecular weight of 80 kD. Each oligonucleotide was tested three times, in triplicate, and the results of the experiments were normalized against percentage of protein present as compared to cells which were not treated with oligonucleotide (Figure 1) . The five most effective oligonucleotides target the AUG start codon and regions slightly upstream and downstream from it (oligos 1, 3, 17, 7, 6). The next most effective oligonucleotides are targeted toward the 3' untranslated region of the RNA (oligos 2, 5, 14) . Example 4 Other isozymes of PKC It was found that the most effective sequences fo antisense targeting of human PKCα are those surrounding th translation initiation codon and the 3' untranslated region. It is believed that these sequences would also be effectiv targets for oligonucleotides directed against other isozymes o PKC. The other isozymes of human PKC for which sequence dat are available are PKC-β (types I and II) , PKC-γ (partial sequence) and PKC-η. Antisense oligonucleotides which ar likely to be effective inhibitors of PKC are identified below. These oligonucleotides are synthesized as in Example 1, and ca be screened as in Examples 2 and 3, using appropriat antibodies where available. Alternatively, a reporter gen assay system can be established, transiently co-expressing the desired isozyme of PKC with luciferase under the influence of the TPA-responsive enhancer or other suitable promoter. PK expression is then assayed by measuring luciferase activit using standard procedures: luciferase is extracted from cells by lysis with the detergent Triton X-100, as described b Greenberg, M.E., in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology r F.M. Ausubel, R. Brent, R.E. Kingston, D.D. Moore, J.A. Smith, J.G. Seidman and K. Strahl, Eds., John Wiley and Sons, N (1987) . A Dynatech ML1000 luminometer is used to measure pea luminescence upon addition of luciferin (Sigma) to 625 μM. PKC-β, types I and II Sequence data are from Kubo et al., FEBS Lett . 1987, 223, 138-142; sequences are numbered from the first 5' bas sequenced on the cDNA. PKC-β types I and II are the result o alternative mRNA splicing of a single gene product. This results in proteins with identical amino termini (5' end of th mRNA) ; however, there is sequence divergence in the carbox termini (3' end of the mRNA). The following oligonucleotides, targeted to the translation initiation codon, are expected t modulate expression of both PKC-β types I and II: TABLE 2 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO PKC-β TYPES I AND II SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 21 CAT CTT GCG CGC GGG GAG CC Translation init. codon 139 120 22 TGC GCG CGG GGA GCC GGA GC II II 134 115 23 CGA GAG GTG CCG GCC CCG GG •I II 113 94 24 CTC TCC TCG CCC TCG CTC GG It II 183 164 The following antisense oligonucleotides are targeted to the 3'-untranslated region of PKC-β type I only: TABLE 3 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO PKC-β TYPE I SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 25 TGG AGT TTG CAT TCA CCT AC 3' Untranslated 2168 2149 26 AAA GGC CTC TAA GAC AAG CT II II 2285 2266 27 GCC AGC ATG TGC ACC GTG AA II II 2250 2231 28 ACA CCC CAG GCT CAA CGA TG II II 2186 2167 29 CCG AAG CTT ACT CAC AAT TT II II 2569 2550 The following antisense oligonucleotides are targeted to the 3'-untranslated region of PKC-β Type II only: TABLE 4 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO PKC-β TYPE II SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 30 ACT TAG CTC TTG ACT TCG GG 3' Untranslated 2160 2141 31 ATG CTG CGG AAA ATA AAT TG II II 2420 2401 32 ATT TTA TTT TGA GCA TGT TC II II 2663 2644 33 TTT GGG GAT GAG GGT GAG CA II II 2843 2824 34 CCC ATT CCC ACA GGC CTG AG •I II 3137 3118 PKC-γ: Sequence data are from Coussens et al., Science 1986, 233, 859-866; sequences are numbered from the first 5' bas sequenced in the cDNA. The full sequence is not available: th extreme 3' end of the open reading frame and the 3' untranslated region are missing. Consequently these region are not presently available as antisense targets. TABLE 5 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO PKC-γ SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 35 CGG AGC GCG CCA GGC AGG GA 5' Untranslated 51 32 36 CCT TTT CCC AGA CCA GCC AT Translation init. codon 215 196 37 GGC CCC AGA AAC GTA GCA GG 5' of Start codon 195 176 38 GGA TCC TGC CTT TCT TGG GG 5' Untranslated 170 151 39 CAG CCA TGG CCC CAG AAA CG Translation init. codon 202 183 PKC-i; : Sequence data for PKC-ΪJ are from Bacher and colleagues [Bacher et al., Mol . Cell . Biol . 1991, 11, 126-133]. They assign their isozyme the name PKC-L; however the sequence is almost identical to that of mouse PKC-T7, so the latter nomenclature is used here for consistency. Sequences are numbered from the first 5' base sequenced in the cDNA. TABLE 6 OLIGONUCLEOTIDES TARGETED TO PKC-17 SEQ ID SEQUENCE TARGET 40 CGA CAT GCC GGC GCC GCT GC Translation init. codon 172 153 41 CAG ACG ACA TGC CGG CGC CG " " 176 157 42 GCC TGC TTC GCA GCG GGA GA " " 138 119 43 ACA GGT GCA GGA GTC GAG GC " " 86 67 44 GTC CCG TCT CAG GCC AGC CC " " 111 92 45 CCT CAC CGA TGC GGA CCC TC " " 221 _- 202 46 ATT GAA CTT CAT GGT GCC AG " " 193 174 47 TCT CAC TCC CCA TAA GGC TA 3' Untranslated 2046 2027 48 TTC CTT TGG GTT CTC GTG CC " " 2067 2048 49 TTC CAT CCT TCG ACA GAG TT " " 2353 2336 50 AGG CTG ATG CTG GGA AGG TC " " 2300 2281 51 GTT CTA AGG CTG ATG CTG GG " " 2306 2287 Example 5 Oligonucleotide inhibition of PKC is dose-dependen Four oligonucleotides shown in Figure 1 to be activ against PKC-α were characterized further. Dose respons studies Of ISIS 3520 (SEQ ID NO:l), 3521 (SEQ ID NO:2), 352 (SEQ ID NO:3) and 3527 (SEQ ID NO:5) using the immunoblottin assay described in Example 3 demonstrated that all had dose dependent activity against PKC-α protein expression. ISI 3521, 3522 and 3527 had IC 50 values of 100-200 nM, and al maximally inhibited PKC expression at 500 nM. This is shown i Figure 2. ISIS 4985 (SEQ ID NO: 52), a scrambled contro oligonucleotide having the same base composition as ISIS 3527 was without effect. Example 6 Synthesis of 2'-θ-methyl phosphorothioat oligonucleotides 2'-0-methyl phosphorothioate oligonucleotides wer synthesized using 2'-0-methyl β-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites (Chemgenes, Needham MA) and the standard cycl for unmodified oligonucleotides, except the wait step afte pulse delivery of tetrazole and base was increased to 36 seconds. The 3'-base used to start the synthesis was a 2' deoxyribonucleotide. Example 7 Effect of 2'-o-methylated version of ISIS 3522 o PKC-α protein synthesis A uniformly 2'-0-methyl modified phosphorothioat oligonucleotide, ISIS 4649, having the same sequence as th phosphorothioate oligonucleotide ISIS 3522 (SEQ ID NO:3), wa able to inhibit PKC protein synthesis (demonstrated b immunoblotting as described in Example 3) , with an IC 50 of les than 300 nM. This is shown in Figure 3. Example 8 Effect of oligonucleotides on PKC-α mRNA expressio To determine the effects of oligonucleotides on PKC- mRNA levels, A549 cells were treated with oligonucleotides a the indicated concentration in the presence of cationi liposomes for four hours. Total cellular RNA was isolated fro cells by lysis in 4M guanidinium isothiocyanate followed by a cesium chloride gradient. Total RNA (15-30 μg) was resolved on 1.2% agarose gels containing 1.1% formaldehyde and transferred to nylon membranes. The membranes were then hybridized with bovine PKC-α cDNA obtained from the ATCC (Bethesda, MD) . The cDNA was 3 P radiolabelled with [α- P]dCTP by random primer labelingusing a commercially available kit (Promega) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The filters were hybridized for 60 minutes in Quikhyb solution (Stratagene, San Diego, CA) at 68°C. This was followed by two low stringency washes (2x SSC/0.1% SDS) at room temperature and two high stringency washes (O.lx SSC/0.1% SDS at 60°C. Hybridizing bands were visualized and quantitated using a phosphorimager. The blots were then stripped of radioactivity by boiling and reprobed with a 32P-labeled glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) probe (Clontech) to confirm equal RNA loading. Northern analysis of total RNA from A549 cells using the PKC-α-specific cDNA probe revealed two major hybridizing transcripts approximately 8.5 kb and 4.0 kb in size. Typically these are expressed in a two-to-one ratio with the larger transcript predominating. When A549 cells were treated with antisense oligonucleotides at 500 nM for four hours in the presence of DOTMA and then incubated for an additional 20 hours, levels of both transcripts were decreased. This is shown in Figure 4. The greatest decrease was seen with oligonucleotides ISIS 3521 (SEQ ID NO:2) and 3527 (SEQ ID NO:5), both specifically hybridizable with 3'-untranslated sequences. These reduced amounts of PKC-α mRNA by 90-95%. ISIS 3522 (SEQ ID NO:3), targeted to the translation start codon, decreased PKC-α mRNA levels by 80%, and ISIS 3520 (SEQ ID NO: 1) decreased PKC mRNA by 40%. All oligonucleotides had IC 50 values of approximately 200 nM for PKC mRNA reduction. Scrambled control oligonucleotide showed no effect at this concentration. The kinetics of antisense oligonucleotide decrease in PKC mRNA levels were similar for the four oligonucleotides tested. Within four hours of oligonucleotide addition, 60-70% of maximal PKC RNA reduction occurred, and maximal reductio occurred 12-24 hours after oligonucleotide addition. Example 9 Specific inhibition of PKC-α by antisens oligonucleotides A549 cells were shown to normally express PKC-5, -e and f in addition to PKC-α. The specificity of inhibition of th PKC-α isozyme by antisense oligonucleotides targeted to thi isozyme was demonstrated in these cells by immunoblotting afte treatment with ISIS 3521 (SEQ ID NO:2, ISIS 3522 (SEQ ID NO:3) or their scrambled control oligonucleotides, ISIS 4559 (SEQ I NO: 53) and 4608 (SEQ ID NO: 54). A549 cells were treated fo four hours with oligonucleotide (either 400 nM or 300 nM) an DOTMA, washed, and allowed to recover for 48 hours. Cells wer then treated again with oligonucleotide (250 nM) and DOTMA, washed and allowed to recover for a further 20 hours. Cel extracts were electrophoresed, transferred to membrane an blocked as described in Example 3. The membrane was the treated overnight with either of the following antibodie diluted in 0.5% nonfat milk in TBS: anti-PKC-α, -β or - monoclonal (Upstate Biochemicals, Inc.), 1 μg/ml; anti-PKC-5 o -f polyclonal (Gibco BRL) , 1:2000 dilution; anti-PKC-e [Huwile et al., Biochem . J. 1991, 279, 441-445], 1:4000 dilution; o anti-PKC-rj, 1:4000 dilution. Antibody incubation was followe by three washes in TBS containing 0.1% nonfat milk and th membrane was then incubated with 5 μCi I-goat anti-rabbit o anti-mouse antibody (ICN Radiochemicals, Irvine CA) for on hour. Membranes were washed extensively and the labelle proteins were visualized and quantitated using a phosphorimage (Molecular Dynamics, CA) . Analysis of the PKC isozymes expressed afte oligonucleotide treatment revealed that levels of PKC-δ , -e an -f were unchanged by treatment with either of the antisens oligonucleotides or their scrambled controls. The antisens oligonucleotides decreased PKC-α expression by 70-80%, whil scrambled controls had no effect. Example 10 Effect of oligonucleotides on A549 cell proliferation A549 cells were plated in 6-well plates at a concentration of 4000 cells per well. After 24 hours cells were washed three times in DMEM and then oligonucleotides were added to the required concentration in the presence of 20 μg/ml DOTMA for four hours. Cells were then washed once in DMEM plus 5% FCS and allowed to grow in DMEM plus 5% FCS for a further 72 hours. At this time cells were washed twice in PBS, removed from the dishes with trypsin and counted with a hemocytometer. Inhibition of A549 cell proliferation by ISIS 3521 and 3527 was seen after a single oligonucleotide dose of 250-500 nM. This is shown in Figure 5. Example 11 Inhibition of PKCα by chimeric antisense oligonucleotides Chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having "deoxy gaps" of 4 to 8 deoxynucleotides in an otherwise 2'-0-methyl oligonucleotide were tested for ability to decrease PKCα mRNA levels as described in Example 8. Chimeric oligonucleotides were identical in sequence to ISIS 3521 (SEQ ID NO:2) ISIS 3522 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and ISIS 3527 (SEQ ID NO:5). Chimeric oligonucleotides are shown in Table 7: TABLE 7 PKCA GAPPED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES Bold indicates 2'-0-methyl nucleotides All oligonucleotide are phosphorothioates OLIGO SEQUENCE 3521 GTTCTCGCTGGTGAGTTTCA 5357 GTTCTCGCTGGTGAGTTTCA 5361 GTTCTCGCTGGTGAGTTTCA 5360 GTTCTCGCTGGTGAGTTTCA 3522 AAAACGTCAGCCATGGTCCC 5352 AAAACGTCAGCCATGGTCCC 5350 AAAACGTCAGCCATGGTCCC 5351 AAAACGTCAGCCATGGTCCC 3527 GAGACCCTGAACAGTTGATC 5240 GAGACCCTGAACAGTTGATC 5208 GAGACCCTGAACAGTTGATC 5038 GAGACCCTGAACAGTTGATC The 8-deoxy gapped oligonucleotides were able to lowe PKCα mRNA levels by at least 85%. Activity of 8-deoxy gappe oligonucleotides compared to ungapped oligonucleotides havin the same sequence is shown in Figure 6A, 6B and 6C. Two of th 6-deoxy gapped oligonucleotides (ISIS 5361, SEQ ID NO: 2 an ISIS 5350, SEQ ID NO:3 ) were able to lower PKCα mRNA b greater than 50%, and one of the 4-deoxy gappe oligonucleotides (ISIS 3522, SEQ ID NO: 3) was able to inhibi PKCα mRNA by approximately 85%. Activity vs. deoxy gap lengt for oligos having SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: is shown in Figure 7. Example 12 Oligonucleotide treatment of human tumor cells i nude mice Human lung carcinoma A549 cells were harvested and 5 10 cells were injected subcutaneously into the inside hind le of nude mice. Palpable tumors develop in approximately on month. Antisense oligonucleotides ISIS 3521 and 3527 ar administered to mice intraperitoneally at two doses, 1 and 1 mg/kg body weight, every other day for six weeks. Mice are monitored for tumor growth and after six weeks the tumors are excised and the expression of PKCα is determined by Northern blot and immunoblot. SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (i) APPLICANT: Nicholas Dean, C. Frank Bennett (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: Oligonucleotide Modulation of Protein Kinase C (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 51 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: (A) ADDRESSEE: Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris (B) STREET: One Liberty Place - 46th Floor (C) CITY: Philadelphia (D) STATE: PA (E) COUNTRY: USA (F) ZIP: 19103 (v) COMPUTER READABLE FORM: (A) MEDIUM TYPE: DISKETTE, 3.5 INCH, 1.44 Mb STORAGE (B) COMPUTER: IBM PS/2 (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS (D) SOFTWARE: WORDPERFECT 5.0 (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA: (A) . APPLICATION NUMBER: n/a (B) FILING DATE: herewith (C) CLASSIFICATION: (vii) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA: (A) APPLICATION NUMBER: (B) FILING DATE: (viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION: (A) NAME: Jane Massey Licata (B) REGISTRATION NUMBER: 32,257 SUBSTITUTESHEET (C) REFERENCE/DOCKET NUMBER: ISIS-0872 (ix) TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION: (A) TELEPHONE: (215) 568-3100 (B) TELEFAX: (215) 568-3439 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1: CCCCAACCAC CTCTTGCTCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2: GTTCTCGCTG GTGAGTTTCA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI -SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3: AAAACGTCAG CCATGGTCCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4: GGATTCACTT CCACTGCGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5: GAGACCCTGA ACAGTTGATC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR " SEQ ID NO: 6: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6: CCCGGGAAAA CGTCAGCCAT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7: CTGCCTCAGC GCCCCTTTGC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8: AGTCGGTGCA GTGGCTGGAG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9: GCAGAGGCTG GGGACATTGA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10: GGGCTGGGGA GGTGTTTGTT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 11: CACTGCGGGG AGGGCTGGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 12: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12: AGCCGTGGCC TTAAAATTTT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 13: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 13: ATTTTCAGGC CTCCATATGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 14: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 14: AAGAGAGAGA CCCTGAACAG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 15: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 15: GATAATGTTC TTGGTTGTAA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 16: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 16: ATGGGGTGCA CAAACTGGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 17: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 17: GTCAGCCATG GTCCCCCCCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 18: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 18: CGCCGTGGAG TCGTTGCCCG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 19: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 19: TCAAATGGAG GCTGCCCGGC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 20: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 20: TGGAATCAGA CACAAGCCGT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 21: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 21: CATCTTGCGC GCGGGGAGCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 22: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 22: TGCGCGCGGG GAGCCGGAGC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 23: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 23: CGAGAGGTGC CGGCCCCGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 24: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 24: CTCTCCTCGC CCTCCGTCGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 25: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 25: TGGAGTTTGC ATTCACCTAC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 26: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 26: AAAGGCCTCT AAGACAAGCT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 27: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 27: GCCAGCATGT GCACCGTGAA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 28: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 28: ACACCCCAGG CTCAACGATG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 29: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 29: CCGAAGCTTA CTCACAATTT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 30: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 30: ACTTAGCTCT TGACTTCGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 31: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 31: ATGCTGCGGA AAATAAATTG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 32: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 32: ATTTTATTTT GAGCATGTTC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 33: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) ' SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 33: TTTGGGGATG AGGGTGAGCA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 34: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 34: CCCATTCCCA CAGGCCTGAG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 35: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 35: CGGAGCGCGC CAGGCAGGGA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 36: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 36: CCTTTTCCCA GACCAGCCAT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 37: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 37: GGCCCCAGAA ACGTAGCAGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 38: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 38: GGATCCTGCC TTTCTTGGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 39: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 39: CAGCCATGGC CCCAGAAACG 20 (2) INFORMATIOH FOR SEQ ID NO: 40: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 40: CGACATGCCG GCGCCGCTGC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 41: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 41: CAGACGACAT GCCGGCGCCG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 42: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 42: GCCTGCTTCG CAGCGGGAGA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 43: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 43: ACAGGTGCAG GAGTCGAGGC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 44: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 44: GTCCCGTCTC AGGCCAGCCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 45: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 45: CCTCACCGAT GCGGACCCTC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 46: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 46: ATTGAACTTC ATGGTGCCAG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 47: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 47: TCTCACTCCC CATAAGGCTA 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 48: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 48: TTCCTTTGGG TTCTCGTGCC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 49: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 49: TTCCATCCTT CGACAGAGTT 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 50: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 50: AGGCTGATGC TGGGAAGGTC 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 51: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: yes (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 51: GTTCTAAGGC TGATGCTGGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 52: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: no (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 52 TAACATACAT CATGGGGCCG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 53 (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: no (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 53: GGTTTTACCA TCGGTTCTGG 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 54: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (iv) ANTI-SENSE: no (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 54: GTTACACAGG GACTCAACCC 20

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An oligonucleotide comprising from 5 to 50 nucleotide units specifically hybridizable with selected DNA or RNA deriving from the PKC gene. 2. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5' untranslated region or 3' untranslated region of the PKC gene. 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 4. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes. 5. The oligonucleotide of claim 4 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes one or more of the following: PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-η. 6. The oligonucleotide of claim 5 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises one of the sequences identified in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 7. A method of modulating the expression of PKC comprising contacting tissues or cells containing the gene with an oligonucleotide comprising from 5 to 50 nucleotide units specifically hybridizable with selected DNA or RNA deriving from the PKC gene. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5' untranslated region or 3' untranslated region of the PKC gene. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes one or more of the following: PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-?;. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises one of the sequences identified in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 12. The method of claim 7 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 13. A method of detecting the presence of DNA or RNA which encodes PKC in cells or tissues comprising contacting the cells or tissues with an oligonucleotide comprising from 5 to 50 nucleotide units specifically hybridizable with said DNA or RNA, and detecting if hybridization has occurred. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5' untranslated region or 3' untranslated region of the PKC gene. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes one or more of the following: PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-rj . 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises one of the sequences identified in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 19. A method of treating conditions associated with PKC comprising contacting an animal with an effective amount of an oligonucleotide comprising from 5 to 25 nucleotide units specifically hybridizable with selected DNA or RNA deriving from the PKC gene. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5' untranslated region or 3' untranslated region of the PKC gene. 21. The method of claim 19 wherein said oligonucleotide is administered in a pharmaceutical composition comprising the oligonucleotide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 22. The method of claim 19 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes one or more of the following: PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-1?. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises one of the sequences identified in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 25. The method of claim 19 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 26. A method of diagnosing conditions associated with PKC comprising contacting cells or tissues or bodily fluids from an animal suspected of having a condition associated with PKC with an oligonucleotide comprising from 8 to 50 nucleotide units specifically hybridizable with selected DNA or RNA deriving from the PKC gene, and determining if hybridization occurs. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable with a translation initiation site, 5' untranslated region or 3' untranslated region of the PKC gene. 28. The method of claim 26 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes a particular PKC isozyme or set of isozymes. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein said DNA or RNA encodes one or more of the following: PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-ij . 30. The method of claim 29 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises one of the sequences identified in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. 31. The method of claim 26 wherein said oligonucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:. 4. 32. An oligonucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1. 33. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide of claim 32 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 34. An oligonucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO: 2. 35. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide of claim 34 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 36. An oligonucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO: 3. 37. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide of claim 36 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 38. An oligonucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO: 5. 39. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide of claim 38 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Inventors: BENNETT FRANK C, DEAN NICHOLAS M, BENNETT, C., FRANK, DEAN, NICHOLAS
Applicants: ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC, ISIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61K48
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K38, A61K48, A61P29, A61P35, C07H21, C12N9, C12N15, C12Q1