Diagnostic methods for conditions associated with elevated cellular levels of telomerase activity

US6551774B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US
• Geron Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael D. West · Arlington Heights, US
• Calvin B. Harley · Palo Alto, US
• Scott L. Weinrich · San Francisco, US
• Catherine M. Strahl · San Francisco, US
• Michael J. McEachern · San Francisco, US
• Jerry Shay · Dallas, US
• Woodring Wright · Arlington, US
• Elizabeth H. Blackburn · San Francisco, US
• Nam-woo Kim · Sunnyvale, US
• Homayoun Vaziri · Toronto, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 22, 2003
• Expiry date: Aug 20, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q2600/156
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.