METHODS AND COMPOSITION RELATED TO IN VIVO IMAGING OF GENE EXPRESSION

摘要

Disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding a recombinant seven transmembrane G-protein associated receptor (GPCR) amino acid sequence operatively coupled to a tissue-selective promoter sequence. Also disclosed are methods of imaging or treating cells in a subject that involve introducing a nucleic acid encoding a reporter detectable in vivo using non-invasive methods operatively coupled to a tissue-selective promoter or amplified tissue specific promoter to the subject, and subjecting the subject to a non-invasive imaging technique or a therapeutic that selectively interacts with the reporter or gene of interest. For example, the subject may be a subject with cancer, and the therapeutic may be an anti-cancer agent. In particular, the hTERT promoter or amplified hTERT promoter drives expression of a reporter such hSSTR2 and/or hSSTR2 derivative) and these may be linked to a gene of interest. Imaging may be performed by a variety of methods including nuclear medicine.