Patent ID: 7005275

Claim:
A DNA molecule which encodes an RNA molecule comprising: (a) at least one cis-acting sequence element, (b) a first open reading frame which encodes a non-cytopathic temperature-sensitive Sindbis virus replicase, wherein the non-cytopathicity is conferred by a substitution of proline at position 726 of the nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) of the replicase with another naturally occurring amino acid, and (c) at least one nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (i) a second open reading frame encoding a protein, or portion thereof, wherein said second open reading frame is in a translatable format after one or more RNA-dependent RNA replication events; (ii) a sequence complementary to all or part of the second open reading frame of (i); and (iii) a sequence encoding an untranslated RNA molecule, or complement thereof; wherein said at least one nucleotide sequence of (c) is operably linked to a promoter which is recognized by said non-cytopathic, temperature-sensitive Sindbis virus replicase.