| WARF: P05401US |  |
| HERG CDNA with Native PolyA Tail |
| INVENTORS | • | Gail Robertson, Eugenia Jones, Blake Anson |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing the full-length cDNA of HERG1a.
OVERVIEW
The human ERG gene encodes a potassium channel that is expressed in the heart. Mutations in the HERG channel are a common cause of long QT syndrome, a disorder associated with delayed cardiac repolarization, prolonged electrocardiographic QT intervals, and the development of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Because unintended block of HERG channel activity by drugs can also lead to potentially fatal arrhythmias, HERG expression systems are a useful early screen in drug development.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have developed the full-length cDNA of HERG1a. This cDNA has been cloned and expressed in Xenopus oocytes, human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and Chinese hamster ovary cells. It is similar to a previously cloned cDNA, except that a polyadenylation signal has been removed from its vector sequence. The removal of this sequence does not affect HERG expression levels in heterologous systems.
APPLICATIONS
- Testing lead compounds and drugs for their potential to block activity of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel
KEY BENEFITS
- May be used to develop methods for genetic screening of individuals carrying mutations in HERG genes
- May enable development of gene therapies for individuals with certain cardiac arrhythmias associated with dysfunctional HERG proteins
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Intellectual Property Status
Assigned to WARF as biological material.
Tech Fields
Research Tools - Cell lines
Drug Discovery - Pre-clinical testing
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
