ISOLATED DNA FRAGMENT OF THE SPARC HUMAN PROMOTER AND ITS USE FOR DRIVING THE EXPRESSION OF AN HETEROLOGOUS GENE IN TUMOR CELLS

摘要

An isolated DNA sequence corresponding to a region of the SPARC gene human promoter from base pair -513 to base pair +3 5 capable of driving the expression of a heterologous gene of interest, that can be associated to any other promoter sequence, such as radiation responsive sequence, hypoxia responsive sequence and free-radical responsive sequence. The invention also provides constructs and DNA recombinant expression viral vectors, comprising said isolated sequence of the SPARC gene human promoter and at least one heterologous gene operably linked thereto, wherein said promoter sequence drives the expression of the at least one heterologous gene in tumor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and a method for treating tumors are also provided.