Identifying neuronal stem cells, useful e.g. for transplantation to regenerate nerves, using a sequence that encodes intracellular hyaluronic acid-binding protein

摘要

Use of a nucleotide sequence (I) containing a coding region for an intracellular hyaluronic acid-binding protein (IHABP), or its allelic variants or isoforms, and/or its associated, optionally regulatory, 5' and/or 3' regions, or essentially equivalent natural, chemically synthesized, modified or artificial sequences, and/or homologous or heterologous sequences, for identification of neuronal stem cells (NSC), is new. Detecting neuronal stem cells comprising: (a) introducing a gene construct (GC) comprising at least one promoterless reporter gene (RG) flanked by segments, i.e. IHABP coding sequences with regulatory elements or equivalents as above, or a vector containing GC and additional sequences for transfer or genomic integration into mammalian cells; (b) inactivating the IHABP by homologous recombination with GC, so that RG is placed under control of the IHABP promoter; (c) culturing the modified cells allowing the heterologous gene product to be expressed; and (d) detecting the gene product so that cells within the population are identified, is new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) vector for the process; (2) NSC identified this way, and their progeny; and (3) kit for the process.