| abstract |
The keratin K1 vector for expression of a nucleic acid cassette in the epidermis. The vector has a 5' flanking region of the keratin K1 gene including a 5' flanking sequence, a keratin K1 promoter, 5' transcribed but untranslated region and a first intron and an intron/exon boundary, all in sequential and positional relationship for expression of a nucleic acid cassette. A 3' flanking region in the K1 keratin gene containing regulatory sequences including a 3' transcribed but untranslated region and contiguous noncoding DNA containing the transcriptional termination region. The 3' flanking region and a 5' flanking region are linked by a polylinker having a plurality of restriction endonuclease sites for the insertion of a nucleic acid cassette. The nucleic acid cassette encodes a sequence which can be used to express any protein, polypeptide or antisense RNA. The vector can be inserted both in vivo and ex vivo into epidermal cells. Further, it can be used for making transgenic animals or bioreactors of epidermal cells. The vector has been found useful for gene therapy in treatment of a variety of diseases including skin ulcers, wound healing, surgical incisions, psoriasis and cancer. |