Methods and compositions for modulating telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for modulating, and generally upregulating, the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) by blocking repression of TERT transcription, e.g., by inhibiting binding of repressor factor to a Site C repressor binding site located in the TERT minimal promoter. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including the immortalization of cells, the production of reagents for use in life science research, therapeutic applications; therapeutic agent screening applications; and the like. In further describing the subject invention, the methods and compositions of the invention are described first in greater detail, followed by a review of the various applications in which the subject invention finds use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for enhancing telomerase expression in a cell comprising a telomerase gene, said method comprising: 
 administering to said cell an effective amount of an agent that inhibits Site C TERT transcription repression.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said administering is ex vivo.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said administering is in vivo.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method is a method for increasing the proliferative capacity of said cell.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method is a method for delaying senescence of said cell.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said mammalian cell is a non-human mammalian cell.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said mammalian cell is a cat cell.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said mammalian cell is a dog cell.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said mammalian cell is a horse cell.  
     
     
         11 . A method for enhancing telomerase expression in a mammal, said method comprising: 
 administering to said mammal an effective amount of an agent that inhibits Site C repression of TERT transcription.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said agent is an agent that at least decreases the transcription repression activity of said Site C repressor binding site.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said method extends the lifespan of said mammal.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said mammal is a non-human mammal.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said mammal is a dog.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said mammal is a cat.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said mammal is a horse.  
     
     
         18 . A method for extending the lifetime of a non-human mammal, said method comprising: 
 administering to said mammal an effective amount of an agent that inhibits Site C repression of TERT transcription.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said mammal is a dog.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said mammal is a cat.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said mammal is a horse.  
     
     
         22 . A method for treating a disease condition by enhancing telomerase expression in a mammal, said method comprising: 
 administering to said mammal an effective amount of an agent that inhibits Site C repression of TERT transcription.    
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said agent is an agent that at least decreases the transcription repression activity of said Site C repressor binding site.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said mammal is a non-human mammal.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said mammal is a dog.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said mammal is a cat.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said mammal is a horse.