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Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences
ISSN: 1872-2156
Upcoming Articles
Polymorphism of the Prion Protein in Mammals:
A Phylogenetic Approach
Renaud Martin, Paul-François Gallet,
Dominique Rocha and Daniel Petit
[Abstract]
Patenting Drought Tolerance in Organisms
Vishal S. Somvanshi
[Abstract]
Recent Patents and Patent Applications Relating to
mTOR Pathway
Xiangyu Liu and Zhenyu Yue
[Abstract]
The Use of Genomics and Proteomics for the Recognition
of Transplan-tation Rejection of Solid Organs
Ryan N. Fiorini, Ian B. Nicoud and Jennifer H. Fiorini
[Abstract]
Current Patents Related to Bacillus thuringiensis
Insecticidal Crystal Proteins
Changlong Shu and Jie Zhang
[Abstract]
Abstracts
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Polymorphism of the Prion Protein in Mammals: A Phylogenetic
Approach
Renaud Martin, Paul-François Gallet,
Dominique Rocha and Daniel Petit
PrP, the principal factor modulating resistance/susceptibility
to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, is a well conserved
protein bearing strong phylogenetic information, in spite
of its relatively short sequence. The construction of the
PrP tree allows inferring the probable ancestral sequence
for Bovidae where variants were recorded. This ancestral PrP
sequence is constituted by a series of 5 octa-repeats, 3 α-helices
and 2 β-strands
which combines together to form an antiparallel β-sheet.
The appearance of a 6th octa-repeat
in the Bovinae ancestor during the evolution of Cetartiodactyla
is discussed. Additionally, the variation of the substitution
rates of amino acids along the sequence revealed that the
sites associated to resistance/susceptibility to TSE are mostly
located in conservative regions, including α-helices
and β-strands.
The composition of most variants very sensitive to TSE in
sheep and human corresponds to derived sequences compared
to the Eutherian ancestor. However, a homozygous resistant
variant in sheep differs from the ancestral state.
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Patenting Drought Tolerance in Organisms
Vishal S. Somvanshi
Dehydration is a major form of osmotic stress in
cells. Physiological and molecular basis of dehydration stress
responses in cells and organisms has been intensively researched
over past years. Almost all of the patented dehydration stress
tolerance genes from different organisms were used in engineering
drought tolerance in crop plants. In spite of the moral, religious
and ethical controversies surrounding use of foreign DNA sequences
in crop plants, the numbers of such patents has grown tremendously
in recent years. In future, we might witness another rise
in patents on use of dehydration stress related gene sequences
in creating environmental stress tolerant biological control
agents for plant disease and insect pest management in agriculture.
This review summarizes some of the recent published patents
related to drought tolerance genes and their use.
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Recent Patents and Patent Applications
Relating to mTOR Pathway
Xiangyu Liu and Zhenyu Yue
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an
important role in cell growth. Dysfunction of mTOR has been
linked to many human diseases, such as cancers, obesity, diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. Currently,
the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and its analogs have been vigorously
evaluated and developed as anticancer drugs. Here we will
review the most recent patents and patent applications relating
to mTOR pathway. Moreover, we will discuss the patents and
patent applications on the treatment of mTOR-associated metabolic
diseases and cancers.
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The Use of Genomics and Proteomics for the Recognition
of Transplan-tation Rejection of Solid Organs
Ryan N. Fiorini, Ian B. Nicoud and Jennifer H. Fiorini
Solid organ transplantation has saved many lives since
its first success in 1954. Prior to that landmark day, the
greatest obstacle to transplantation success was the recipients
rejection of the transplanted organ. Although much has been
learned about the immune response to transplant, organ rejection
remains a prevalent clinical problem. Recent advances in the
fields of genomics and proteomics have opened the door to
patented new technologies for detecting rejection episodes
in transplanted patients, and are even beginning to prospectively
diagnose the risk of rejection based on donor and recipient
biomarkers. This report briefly discusses transplant rejection,
with highlights of published manuscripts that incorporate
current assays utilizing genomic and or proteomic methods
to detect rejection, reviews patents that focus on detection
or therapy of transplant rejection, and concludes with a prospective
discussion of future developments in the field of transplant
rejection.
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Current Patents Related to Bacillus thuringiensis
Insecticidal Crystal Proteins
Changlong Shu and Jie Zhang
This work categorizes a number of patents related to
Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal proteins.
The patents are classified into groups according to the type
of toxins appearing in the claims. The purpose of the summary
is to promote the application of B. thuringiensis insecticidal
crystal proteins and the development of patentable technologies.
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