VECTOR WITH MULTIPLE TAT ACTIVATION RESPONSE ELEMENTS AFFECTING GENE EXPRESSION

摘要

2074188 9110453 PCTABS00006 The present invention relates to viral inhibition, particularly HIV inhibition, by DNA sequences including multiple target response elements. This is the first time that a construct, proposed for gene therapy use, is under the control of a biological regulation. The protective gene product will only be expressed, if the cell becomes infected and a viral protein is made. The DNA construct of the present invention comprises a vector and a promoter operably linked to at least one target response element so that the elements are transcribed in tandem. The DNA construct can be used in the treatment of viral infections, in particular HIV associated diseases, by obtaining cells from an HIV-infected patient, transforming the cells with the construct and administering the transformed cell to the patient.