Prostate cancer-related nucleic acids

PROSTATE CANCER-RELATED NUCLEIC ACIDS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates in general to microRNA molecules as well as various nucleic acid molecules relating thereto or derived therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA oligonucleotides of approximately 22 nucleotides that are involved in gene regulation. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. Although miRNAs are present in a wide range of species including C. elegans, Drosophila and humans, they have only recently been identified. More importantly, the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of disease has only recently become appreciated. Deregulated miRNA expression is implicated in onset and progression of different diseases including, but not limited to embryonic malformations and cancers.

[0003] As a result of their small size, miRNAs have been difficult to identify using standard methodologies. A limited number of miRNAs have been identified by extracting large quantities of RNA. MiRNAs have also been identified that contribute to the presentation of visibly discernable phenotypes. Expression array data shows that miRNAs are expressed in different developmental stages or in different tissues. The restriction of miRNAs to certain tissues or at limited developmental stages indicates that the miRNAs identified to date are likely only a small fraction of the total miRNAs.

[0004] Computational approaches have recently been developed to identify the remainder of miRNAs in the genome. Tools such as MiRscan and MiRseeker have identified miRNAs that were later experimentally confirmed. Based on these computational tools, it has been estimated that the human genome contains 200-255 miRNA genes. These estimates are based on an assumption, however, that the miRNAs remaining to be identified will have the same properties as those miRNAs already identified. Based on the fundamental importance of miRNAs in mammalian biology and disease, the art needs to identify unknown miRNAs. The present invention satisfies this need and provides a significant number of miRNAs and uses thereof.

[0005] Moreover, because of their potential broad use in treating and diagnosing different diseases, there is a need in the art (yet unmet) to develop methods of identification, isolation and also quatitation of miRNAs. The present invention addresses the need by disclosing efficient and sensitive methods and compositions for isolating and quantitating miRNAs from different samples, including those wherein there is only minimum amount of a starting material available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An isolated nucleic acid is provided. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-3751, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 81% identical to 21 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may be from about 51 to about 250 nucleotides in length. The nucleic acid many comprise a modified base.

[0007] A probe comprising the nucleic acid is also provided. A composition comprising the probe is also provided. A biochip comprising the probe is also provided.

[0008] A method for detecting a disease-associated nucleic acid is also provided. A biological sample may be provided from which the level of a nucleic acid may be measured. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-3751. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-3751. A level of the nucleic acid higher than that of a control may be indicative of a disease.

[0009] A method for identifying compound that modulates expression of a disease-associated miRNA is also provided. A cell is provided that is capable of expressing a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20. A cell may also be provided that is capable of expressing a nucleic acid comprising a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1 -20. The cell may be contacted with a candidate modulator. The level of expression of the nucleic acid may then be measured. A difference in the level of the nucleic acid compared to a control identifies the compound as a modulator of expression of the miRNA.

[0010] A method of inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell is also provided. A nucleic acid may be introduced into the cell in an amount sufficient to inhibit expression of the target gene. The target gene may comprise a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any of SEQ ID NOS: 21-3751. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 or a variant thereof. Expression of the target gene may be inhibited in vitro or in vivo.

[0011] A method of increasing expression of a target gene in a cell is also provided. A nucleic acid may be introduced into the cell in an amount sufficient to increase expression of the target gene. The target gene may comprise a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any of SEQ ID NOS: 21-3751. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence substantially complementary to any SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence substantially complementary to a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20 or a variant thereof. Expression of the target gene may be increased in vitro or in vivo.

[0012] A method of treating a patient is also provided. The patient may suffer from a disorder set forth in Table 7. The patient may be administered a composition comprising a nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 81% identical to 21 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise the sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-20, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 63% identical to 81 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may be from about 51 to about 250 nucleotides in length. The nucleic acid many comprise a modified base.

[0013] Also provided is a method of detecting a target nucleic acid. The targeted nucleic acid may be any nucleic acid, such as a miRNA. A nucleic acid comprising a short RNA sequence and a DNA sequence including a T7 RNA promoter sequence, may be ligated to the miRNA molecule. Another oligonucleotide may be annealed to the T7 promoter region to enable RNA polymerase binding to the double strand. Repeated cycles of initiation and product release may then be performed. As a result a linear amplification of the transcript that includes a complementary sequence to the original natural miRNA is achieved.

[0014] During the process of transcription, nucleotides that are labeled (e.g., biotinylated) may be incorporated to the transcript, which may be useful in the later detection of the transcript by a variety of assays. In the case of target nucleic acids expressed at low level, such as miRNAs, this method may provide detection of such target nucleic acids in methods such as Luminex. Using LNA (locked nucleic acid) in the probes that are bound to the Luminex microspheres may allow even more specific hybridization and increased signal strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENCE LISTING
AND TABLES

[0015] Reference is made to the appendix submitted on the two copies of the one compact disc submitted herewith. The

compact disc contains the following: SEQ Ol.txt (823 KB,

May 08, 2006), which is the Sequence Listing, and the following tables: Table_01.txt (1 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_02.txt (2 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_03.txt (1 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_04.txt (83 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_05.txt (65 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_06.txt (5 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_07.txt (1 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_ 08.txt (233 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_09.txt (163 KB, May 07, 2006), Table_10.txt (2 KB, May 07, 2006), and Table_ ll.txt (9 KB, May 07, 2006), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 demonstrates a model of maturation for miRNAs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Nucleic acids are provided related to miRNAs, precursors thereto, and targets thereof. Such nucleic acids may be useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, and also for modifying target gene expression. Also provided are methods and compositions that may be useful, among other things, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan by the following description of the invention.

1. Definitions

[0018] Before the present compounds, products and compositions and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a,""an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] a. Animal

[0020] "Animal" as used herein may mean fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, such as mice, rats, rabbits, goats, cats, dogs, cows, apes and humans.

[0021] b. Attached

[0022] "Attached" or "immobilized" as used herein to refer to a probe and a solid support may mean that the binding between the probe and the solid support is sufficient to be stable under conditions of binding, washing, analysis, and removal. The binding may be covalent or non-covalent. Covalent bonds may be formed directly between the probe and the solid support or may be formed by a cross linker or by inclusion of a specific reactive group on either the solid support or the probe or both molecules. Non-covalent binding may be one or more of electrostatic, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic interactions. Included in non-covalent binding is the covalent attachment of a molecule, such as streptavidin, to the support and the non-covalent binding of a biotinylated probe to the streptavidin. Immobilization may also involve a combination of covalent and non-covalent interactions.

[0023] c. Biological Sample

[0024] "Biological sample" as used herein may mean a sample of biological tissue or fluid that comprises nucleic acids. Such samples include, but are not limited to, tissue or fluid isolated from animals. Biological samples may also include sections of tissues such as biopsy and autopsy samples, frozen sections taken for histologic purposes, blood, plasma, serum, sputum, stool, tears, mucus, hair, and skin. Biological samples also include explants and primary and/or transformed cell cultures derived from animal or patient tissues. A biological sample may be provided by removing a sample of cells from an animal, but can also be accomplished by using previously isolated cells (e.g., isolated by another person, at another time, and/or for another purpose), or by performing the methods described herein in vivo. Archival tissues, such as those having treatment or outcome history, may also be used.

[0025] d. Complement

[0026] "Complement" or "complementary" as used herein to refer to a nucleic acid may mean Watson-Crick (e.g., A-T/U and C-G) or Hoogsteen base pairing between nucleotides or nucleotide analogs of nucleic acid molecules.

[0027] e. Differential Expression

[0028] "Differential expression" may mean qualitative or quantitative differences in the temporal and/or cellular gene expression patterns within and among cells and tissue. Thus, a differentially expressed gene may qualitatively have its expression altered, including an activation or inactivation, in, e.g., normal versus disease tissue. Genes may be turned on or turned off in a particular state, relative to another state thus permitting comparison of two or more states. A qualitatively regulated gene may exhibit an expression pattern within a state or cell type which may be detectable by standard techniques. Some genes may be expressed in one state or cell type, but not in both. Alternatively, the difference in expression may be quantitative, e.g., in that expression is modulated, either up-regulated, resulting in an increased amount of transcript, or down-regulated, resulting in a decreased amount of transcript. The degree to which expression differs need only be large enough to quantify via standard characterization techniques such as expression arrays, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, northern analysis, and RNase protection.