DNA cassette and transgenic organisms carrying lytic peptide-encoding genes

摘要

A DNA cassette containing sequences encoding a lytic peptide under the transcriptional control of an immune system regulating sequence is disclosed. The control sequences normally permit expression only when a defined indicator(s) reflective of a disease state is present, and tightly inhibit expression when such indicator(s) is absent. The invention further extends to transgenic unicellular and multicellular organisms having the cassette stably integrated in their genetic material. A preferred embodiment of the cassette has the Shiva-1 lytic peptide under the control of IL-2 (interleukin-2) regulating sequences. In a preferred embodiment of multicellular organisms, the cassette is incorporated into the genomes of the germ cells and the organisms are capable of transmitting it to their offspring.