Albumin Production and Cell Proliferation

Abstract

The present invention provides short activating RNA molecules which up-regulate albumin production. The present invention also provides methods of up-regulating albumin production, such methods involving the use of short activating RNA molecules capable of increasing the expression of albumin. The present invention also provides the use of the short activating RNA molecules in therapy, such as treating or preventing a hyperproliferative disorder and/or a disorder characterised by hypoalbuminemia.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A synthetic short activating RNA (saRNA) which up-regulates the expression of a target gene,
 wherein the target gene is CEBPA, albumin or HNF4a,   wherein the saRNA comprises an antisense stand that is 13 nucleotides to 30 nucleotides in length, and   wherein the antisense stand comprises a sequence that overlaps the promoter region of the target gene and a number of unpaired nucleotides at the 3′ end forming 3′ overhangs.   
     
     
         23 . The saRNA of  claim 22 , wherein the saRNA is double stranded and comprises an anti-sense strand having a sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 6, 8, 10, 12, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 or 36. 
     
     
         24 . The saRNA of  claim 23 , wherein the saRNA comprises a sense strand having a sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 5, 7, 9, 11, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 or 35. 
     
     
         25 . The saRNA of  claim 24 , wherein each strand of the saRNA comprises a 3′ overhang of 1-5 nucleotides. 
     
     
         26 . The saRNA of  claim 25 , wherein said 3′ overhang is UU or UUU. 
     
     
         27 . A method of up-regulating the expression of a target gene in a cell, wherein the target gene is CEBPA, albumin or HNF4a, comprising transfecting said cell with the saRNA of  claim 22 . 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the cell is a liver cell. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the cell is a liver cancer cell. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a hyperproliferative disorder and/or a disorder characterized by hypoalbuminemia in a subject, comprising administering the saRNA of  claim 22  to the subject. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the subject has liver cancer. 
     
     
         33 . A method of treating liver cirrhosis in a subject, comprising administering the saRNA of  claim 22  to the subject.