Molecular Switch for Regulating Mammalian Gene Expression.

摘要

Expression vectors are disclosed that are comprised of (1) one or more silencer elements and conditionally inducible elements to form silencer-inducible regions and (2) promoters in operative linkage upstream of at least one expressed region. The expression vector thereby regulates expression of at least one downstream region by conditional silencing in which an expressed DNA region of a gene is transcribed to produce RNA transcripts, which may or may not be translated to produce polypeptides. Genetically engineered mammalian cells and non-human mammals can be made using such expression vectors through transfection and transgenic techniques. Moreover, processes of making and using the aforementioned products are disclosed (e.g., the expression vector may be used diagnostically, therapeutically, or prophylactically).