Novel molecular chimaeras produced by recombinant DNA techniques are described. They comprise a target-tissue specific transcriptional regulatory sequence (TRS) linked and controlling the expression of a heterologous enzyme, for example Varicella Zoster Virus Thymidine Kinase (VZV TK) or non-mammaliam Cytosine Deaminase (CD). A molecular chimaera is packaged into a synthetic retroviral particle that is capable of infecting mammalian tissue. This, in turn, may be administered to a host, and the TRS will be selectively transcriptionally activated in the target tissue (for example cancerous cells). Administration of compounds that are selectively metabolised by the enzyme produce cytotoxic or cytostatic metabolites in situ thereby selectively killing or arresting the growth of the target cells.
本文描述了通过 DNA
重组技术生产的新型分子嵌合体。它们包括一个目标组织特异性转录调控序列(TRS),该序列连接并控制着异源酶的表达,例如
水痘带状疱疹病毒
胸苷激酶(VZV TK)或非哺乳动物
胞嘧啶脱氨酶(CD)。分子嵌合体被包装成能够感染哺乳动物组织的合成逆转录病毒颗粒。反过来,可将其施用给宿主,TRS 将在靶组织(例如癌细胞)中选择性地转录激活。施用被酶选择性代谢的化合物会在原位产生细胞毒性或细胞抑制性代谢产物,从而选择性地杀死或抑制靶细胞的生长。