TISSUE-SPECIFIC AND TARGET RNA-SPECIFIC RIBOZYMES

摘要

The present invention relates to multi-ribozymes and their use to target RNA in a tissue-specific, target RNA-specific, or pathogen-specific manner for t he treatment of cancers, proliferative disease, and bacterial, parasitic and viral infections. More specifically, the present invention relates to the us e of virions and viral vectors to package and deliver DNA encoding the multi- ribozymes to a host. The present invention relates to the use of liposomes a nd lipid-DNA complexes to deliver DNA encoding ribozymes to a host. Most specifically, the invention relates to the use of target specific virions to package and deliver DNA comprising a target specific promoter and encoding a ribozyme(s) directed to the target organism nucleic acids. The present invention further relates to a novel vectors encoding a multi-ribozyme structure with enhanced 5' and/or 3' autocatalytically cleaving ribozymes. T he invention further relates to nucleotides encoding a multi-ribozyme comprisin g one or more ribozyme cassettes which contain one or more trans-acting ribozymes and one or more autocatalytically cleaving ribozyme sequences.