Promoter sequences for urocortin II and the use thereof

Abstract

Various human urocortin II promoter sequences are disclosed. Nucleic acids and host cells that contain the promoter sequences are also disclosed. Further disclosed are various methods involving the use of these sequences. Also disclosed are methods of modulating the activity of a human urocortin II promoter sequence and methods of modulating urocortin II expression in a cell.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 438,803 filed on May 15, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 381,121, filed on May 16, 2002, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 423,642, filed on Nov. 1, 2002, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] This invention was made with United States government support awarded by the following agency: NIH MH40855. The United States has certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In modern society stress and its consequences are prevalent and result in considerable distress and alterations in physical health and social and occupational functioning. At its extreme, stress can lead to disabling neuropsychiatric problems which include depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses (Mitchell, 1998;...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a specific part of the human genome called the UCN II promoter region, which controls the expression of a protein called UCN II. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids containing this promoter region and a method for controlling its activity using different agents. The invention also provides a way to identify which parts of the promoter region are important for specific tissues and development stages, which can help in targeting treatment for stress-related problems. The invention also describes a method for modulating the activity of the UCN II promoter region by targeting the activity of specific elements within it. Overall, the invention provides a way to develop new treatments for depression, anxiety, and other stress-related illnesses.

Problems solved by technology

In modern society stress and its consequences are prevalent and result in considerable distress and alterations in physical health and social and occupational functioning.

In addition, stress can negatively impact cardiovascular function, immune function and gastrointestinal physiology (Tache et al., 2001; Beglinger and Degen, 2002; Coste et al., 2002; Gasparotto et al., 2002; Vanitallie, 2002).

This high incidence of stress-related problems is reflected by the fact that approximately 50% of visits to primary care doctors are stress and / or psychologically related.

However, these treatments still suffer from lack of efficacy in approximately 30% of the individuals treated.

In addition, these treatments have bothersome side-effects (50% have marked sexual dysfunction) which make treatment with these drugs unacceptable for many individuals.

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