Richard Voellmy
HSF Pharmaceuticals S.A.,
Avenue de Sully 67, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz
Switzerland
Review Article
Gene Switches for Deliberate Regulation of Transgene Expression: Recent Advances in System Development and Uses
Author(s): Nuria Vilaboa, Frank Boellmann and Richard VoellmyNuria Vilaboa, Frank Boellmann and Richard Voellmy
It will be desirable in genetic therapies to exert temporal and/or spatial control over the expression of therapeutic genes. Temporal regulation may be achieved by placing the gene of interest under the control of one of several wellknown gene switches. These gene switches comprise at least two elements, i.e., a ligand-dependent transactivator (or transinhibitor) and a transactivator responsive promoter that is functionally linked to the gene of interest. The systems respond to doxycycline, insect steroid hormones, steroid hormone antagonists, rapalogs, or various nonnatural ligands. Deliberate spatial regulation may be attained by the use of promoters that are activated by physical forces which can be directed to an area in need of therapy. Best known are heat shock promoters and radiationinduced promoters. More complex gene switches are capable of both spatially and temporally regulati.. View More»
