LANA viral protein binding sites

Abstract

This invention relates to novel reagents and methods for the screening of compounds that may be agonistic or antagonistic to the binding of viral DNA binding proteins to viral DNA. The invention also relates to methods that may be used in gene therapy and that may be used to treat tumor viruses.

1 . A composition comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from a group consisting of SEQ ID NOS.: 8-21.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence is tethered to a nucleic acid binding protein.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said tethering is nonreversible.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said nucleic acid binding protein is LANA.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid is virally derived.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said virally derived nucleic is selected from KSHV, EBV, HBV, HCV, HPV, SV40 and HIV viruses.  
     
     
         7 . A method for screening compounds that are agonistic or antagonistic for the tethering of viral proteins to a nucleic acid sequence selected form a group consisting of SEQ ID NOS.: 8, 11, 12 and 13., said method comprising: 
 a) providing; i) a viral DNA binding protein, ii) said nucleic acid; and, iii) a compound suspected of modulating the interaction of said viral DNA binding protein with said nucleic acid;    b) exposing said viral DNA binding protein and said nucleic acid with said compound suspected of being agonistic or antagonistic to the tethering of said viral DNA binding protein with said nucleic acid;    c) assaying for the presence of said binding.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said DNA binding protein is LANA.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence is bound to a nucleic acid binding protein.