Modulation of PTEN expression via oligomeric compounds

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/878,582 filed Jun. 11, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/577,902 filed May 24, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT application PCT/US99/29594, filed Dec. 14, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/358,381, filed Jul. 21, 1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,199, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. This application also claims priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/411,780, filed Sep. 19, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the expression of PTEN. In particular, this invention relates to oligomeric compounds, particularly double stranded oligomeric compounds, hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding human PTEN. Such particularly double stranded oligomeric compounds have been shown to modulate the expression of PTEN.

[0003] One of the principal mechanisms by which cellular regulation is effected is through the transduction of extracellular signals across the membrane that in turn modulate biochemical pathways within the cell. Protein phosphorylation represents one course by which intracellular signals are propagated from molecule to molecule resulting finally in a cellular response. These signal transduction cascades are tightly regulated and often overlap as evidenced by the existence of multiple protein kinase and phosphatase families and isoforms.

[0004] Because phosphorylation is such a ubiquitous process within cells and because cellular phenotypes are largely influenced by the activity of these pathways, it is currently believed that a number of disease states and/or disorders are a result of either aberrant activation or functional mutations in the molecular components of these cascades. Consequently, considerable attention has been devoted to the characterization of proteins exhibiting either kinase or phosphatase enzymatic activity.

[0005] PTEN (also known as MMAC1 and TEP1) is a dual-specificity protein phosphatase recently implicated as a phosphoinositide phosphatase in the insulin-signaling pathway. In studies of human 293 cells, PTEN was shown to dephosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3), an acidic lipid that is involved in cellular growth signaling (Maehama and Dixon, J. Biol. Chem., 1998, 273, 13375-13378). In Drosophila, studies of PTEN activation and overexpression demonstrated that PTEN affects both cell size and cell cycle progression during eye development. In addition, the authors demonstrated that PTEN acts in the insulin signaling pathway and that all signals from the insulin receptor can be antagonized by PTEN. These data suggest that modulation of PTEN may represent a means for modulating altered insulin signaling (Huang et al., Development, 1999, 126, 5365-5372).

[0006] PIP3 is an important second messenger generated specifically by the actions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) following insulin binding (Stephens et al., Science, 1998, 279, 710-714). Overexpression of PTEN was shown to reduce the levels of PIP3 in insulin treated cells without affecting the activity of PI3-kinase (Maehama and Dixon, J. Biol. Chem., 1998, 273, 13375-13378). These results establish a role for PTEN as a regulator of the downstream pathways,initiated by insulin binding. In the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the PTEN homolog, daf-18, has been cloned and shown to antagonize signaling cascades associated with P13-kinase (Gil et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1999, 96, 2925-2930). The authors suggest that this may indicate that PTEN may play a role in mammalian glucose homeostasis, and that PTEN may be a rational pharmacological target for Type II diabetes.

[0007] The PTEN protein also contains an amino terminal domain homologous to tensin and auxilin, proteins that interact with actin filaments and are involved in synaptic vesicle transport, respectively (Li and Sun, Cancer Res., 1997, 57, 2124-2129; Li et al., Science, 1997, 275, 1943-1947; Steck et al., Nat. Genet., 1997, 15, 356-362). In addition, PTEN is also downregulated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-), a cytokine involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and motility (Li and Sun, Cancer Res., 1997, 57, 2124-2129). Taken together these data suggest that PTEN plays a dual role within the cell by mediating the activity of protein kinases while regulating cell motility (Tamura et al., Science, 1998, 280, 1614-1617).

[0008] Finally, a large number of naturally occurring point and germ-line mutations have been identified in PTEN. These mutations have been isolated from several cancerous solid tumors and cell lines including brain, breast, prostate, ovary, skin, thyroid, lung, bladder and colon (Teng et al., Cancer Res., 1997, 57, 5221-5225) and have led to the classification of PTEN as a tumor suppressor gene. Disclosed in the PCT publication WO 99/02704 are PTEN proteins and altered PTEN proteins and the nucleic acids encoding them. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosis and treatment utilizing compositions comprising PTEN or altered PTEN proteins or nucleic acid molecules.

[0009] The most common mutations found in tumor specimens were frameshift mutations (1 in 17 breast carcinomas), missense variants (1 in 10 melanomas), nonsense mutations and splice variants (2 in 5 pediatric glioblastomas). In tumor cell lines exhibiting loss of heterozygosity (LOH), 11 homozygous deletions affecting the coding region were detected. Two cell lines had lost all 9 exons and nine cell lines had homozygous deletions of portions of the coding regions. The remaining 65 cell lines contained 3 frameshift, one nonsense and 8 nonconservative missense mutations (Teng et al., Cancer Res., 1997, 57, 5221-5225).

[0010] The known germ-line mutations in PTEN give rise to three distinct autosomal dominant disorders known as Cowden disease (CD) (Liaw et al., Nat. Genet., 1997, 16, 64-67; Nelen et al., Hum. Mol. Genet., 1997, 6, 1383-1387; Tsou et al., Hum. Genet., 1998, 102, 467-473), Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) (Liaw et al., Nat. Genet., 1997, 16, 64-67) and Bannayan-Zonana syndrome (BZS, also known as Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, Ruvalcaba-Myhre-Smith syndrome and Riley-Smith syndrome) (Arch et al., Am. J. Med. Genet., 1997, 71, 489-493; Marsh et al., Nat. Genet., 1997, 16, 333-334). All of these conditions are characterized by the presence of gastrointestinal polyps, increased tumor susceptibility and developmental defects.

[0011] Currently, there are no known therapeutic agents which effectively inhibit the synthesis of PTEN, and strategies aimed at inhibiting and/or investigating PTEN function have involved the use of gene knock-outs in mice and ribozyme- and vector-based antisense-mediated regulation of PTEN expression.

[0012] Di Cristofano et al. demonstrated that the complete disruption of the mouse PTEN gene by homologous recombination resulted in embryonic lethality (Di Cristofano et al., Nat. Genet., 1998, 19, 348-355). By contrast, PTEN chimeric mice were phenotypically identical to their wild-type littermates. However, post-mortem analysis revealed abnormal pathological conditions similar to those observed in human diseases.

[0013] Other studies involving the targeted disruption of exons 3 and 5 in mice demonstrated that homozygous mice died by day 9.5 of development and that immortalized cells from these embryos showed decreased sensitivity to various apoptotic stimuli (Stambolic et al., Cell, 1998, 95, 29-39). These cells also displayed constitutively elevated activity of the PKB/Akt kinases. Taken together these results suggest that PTEN acts by negatively regulating the PI3-kinase/PKB/Akt pathway.

[0014] Devlin and Clawson identified ribozyme-accessible sites on full-length PTEN cDNA and, using these results, designed a ribozyme construct for the purpose of regulating PTEN transcripts. (Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res., 1999, 40, 438.)

[0015] Tamura et al. established stable transfectant lines of mouse 3T3 cells in which the expression of PTEN was up- or down-regulated using expression plasmids containing full-length sense PTEN or full-length antisense PTEN. The antisense construct enhanced cell migration. (Science, 1998, 280, 1614-1617.)

[0016] There remains a long felt need for agents capable of effectively inhibiting PTEN function and antisense technology is emerging as an effective means for reducing the expression of specific gene products. This technology may therefore prove to be uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications for the modulation of PTEN expression.

[0017] The present invention is directed to compounds, particularly double stranded oligomeric compounds, which are targeted to a nucleic acid encoding PTEN, and which modulate the expression of PTEN. Pharmaceutical and other compositions comprising the double stranded oligomeric compounds of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of modulating the expression of PTEN in cells or tissues comprising contacting said cells or tissues with one or more of the compounds or compositions of the invention. Further provided are methods of treating an animal, particularly a human, suspected of having or being prone to a disease or condition associated with expression of PTEN by administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of one or more of the compounds or compositions of the invention. Such conditions include diabetes and hyperproliferative conditions. Methods for decreasing blood glucose levels, inhibiting PEPCK expression, decreasing blood insulin levels, decreasing insulin resistance, increasing insulin sensitivity, decreasing blood triglyceride levels or decreasing blood cholesterol levels in an animal using the compounds of the invention are also provided. The animal is preferably a human; also preferably the animal is a diabetic animal.

[0018] The present invention employs oligomeric compounds, particularly double stranded oligomeric compounds, for use in modulating the function of nucleic acid molecules encoding PTEN, ultimately modulating the amount of PTEN protein produced. This is accomplished by providing double stranded oligomeric compounds which specifically hybridize with one or more nucleic acids encoding PTEN. As used herein, the terms target nucleic acid and nucleic acid encoding PTEN encompass DNA encoding PTEN, RNA (including pre-mRNA and mRNA) transcribed from such DNA, and also cDNA derived from such RNA. The specific hybridization of an oligomeric compound with its target nucleic acid interferes with the normal function of the nucleic acid. This modulation of function of a target nucleic acid by compounds which specifically hybridize to it is generally referred to as antisense. The functions of DNA to be interfered with include replication and transcription. The functions of RNA to be interfered with include all vital functions such as, for example, translocation of the RNA to the site of protein translation, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and catalytic activity which may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. The overall effect of such interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the expression of PTEN.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, modulation means either an increase (stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a gene. In the context of the present invention, inhibition is the preferred form of modulation of gene expression and mRNA is a preferred target.

[0020] In some embodiments it is preferred to target specific nucleic acids for modulation. Targeting a compound to a particular nucleic acid, in the context of this invention, is a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target is a nucleic acid molecule encoding PTEN. The targeting process also includes determination of a site or sites within this gene for the modulating interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., detection or modulation of expression of the protein, will result. Within the context of the present invention, a preferred intragenic site is the region encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Since, as is known in the art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the AUG codon, the start codon or the AUG start codon. A minority of genes have a translation initiation codon having the RNA sequence 5-GUG, 5-UUG or 5-CUG, and 5-AUA, 5-ACG and 5-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms translation initiation codon and start codon can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (in prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions. In the context of the invention, start codon and translation initiation codon refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA molecule transcribed from a gene encoding PTEN, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons.

[0021] It is also known in the art that a translation termination codon (or stop codon) of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5-UAA, 5-UAG and 5-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5-TAA, 5-TAG and 5-TGA, respectively). The terms start codon region and translation initiation codon region refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5 or 3) from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms stop codon region and translation termination codon region refer to a portion of such a mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5 or 3) from a translation termination codon.

[0022] The open reading frame (ORF) or coding region, which is known in the art to refer to the region between the translation initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a region which may be targeted effectively. Other target regions include the 5 untranslated region (5UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 5 direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides between the 5 cap site and the translation initiation codon of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene, and the 3 untranslated region (3UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 3 direction from the translation termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the translation termination codon and 3 end of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene. The 5 cap of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5-most residue of the mRNA via a 5-5 triphosphate linkage. The 5 cap region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5 cap structure itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap. The 5 cap region may also be a preferred target region.

[0023] Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as introns, which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as exons and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. mRNA splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions, may also be preferred target regions, and are particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular mRNA splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also preferred targets. It has also been found that introns can also be effective, and therefore preferred, target regions for oligomeric compounds targeted, for example, to DNA or pre-mRNA.

[0024] Once one or more target sites have been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity, to give the desired effect.

[0025] In the context of this invention, hybridization means hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds.

[0026] Complementary, as used herein, refers to the capacity for precise pairing between two nucleotides. For example, if a nucleotide at a certain position of an oligonucleotide is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide at the same position of a DNA or RNA molecule, then the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are considered to be complementary to each other at that position. The oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of corresponding positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, specifically hybridizable and complementary are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity or precise pairing such that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA target. It is understood in the art that the sequence of an oligomeric compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable.

[0027] An oligomeric compound is specifically hybridizable when binding of the compound to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal function of the target DNA or RNA any may cause a loss of function, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligomeric compound to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are performed.

[0028] For example, typical high stringency hybridization conditions are as follows: hybridization at 42 C. in a solution comprising 50% formamide, 1% SDS, 1 M NaCl, 10% Dextran sulfate and washing twice for 30 minutes each wash at 60 C. in a wash solution comprising 0.1SSC and 1% SDS. Those skilled in the art understand that conditions of equivalent stringency can also be achieved through varying temperature and buffer, or salt concentration as described by Ausubel et al. (Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1994), pp. 6.0.3 to 6.4.10). Modifications in hybridization conditions can be empirically determined or precisely calculated based on the length and the percentage of guanosine/cytosine (GC) base pairing of the oligomeric compound. Hybridization conditions can be calculated as described in, for example, Sambrook et al., (Eds.), Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), pp. 9.47 to 9.51.

[0029] As used herein, moderate stringency hybridization conditions means hybridization at 55 C. with 6SSC containing 0.5% SDS; followed by two washes at 37 C. with 1SSC.

[0030] As used herein, the term percent homology and its variants are used interchangeably with percent identity and percent similarity.

[0031] Percent homology can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482-489). In some preferred embodiments, homology between the oligomeric and target is between about 50% to about 60%. In some embodiments, homology is between about 60% to about 70%. In preferred embodiments, homology is between about 70% and about 80%. In more preferred embodiments, homology is between about 80% and about 90%. In some preferred embodiments, homology is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99%.

[0032] Oligomeric compounds of the invention which hybridize to the target and inhibit expression of the target are identified through experimentation, and the sequences of these compounds are hereinbelow identified as preferred embodiments of the invention. The target sites to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as active sites and are therefore preferred sites for targeting. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the active sites so identified are particularly suitable for ligand binding, due to accessibility or other reasons. Therefore another embodiment of the invention encompasses compounds which hybridize to these active sites.

[0033] Oligomeric compounds are commonly used as research reagents and diagnostics. For example, oligomeric compounds, especially antisense oligonucleotides, are often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of particular genes. Oligomeric compounds are also used, for example, to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway. Modulation of expression has, therefore, been harnessed for research use.

[0034] Oligomeric compounds have also been used by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses. Oligomeric compounds have been employed as therapeutic moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and man. Oligomeric compounds have been safely and effectively administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently underway. It is thus understood that oligomeric compounds can be useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues and animals, especially humans.

[0035] In the context of this invention, the term oligonucleotide refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mimetics thereof. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

[0036] As used herein, the term oligomeric compound refers to a compound comprising a plurality of linked nucleases. In some embodiments, oligomeric compounds comprise from about 5 to 100 nucleases. In some embodiments, oligomeric compounds comprise from about 8 to about 50 nucleobases (i.e. from about 8 to about 50 linked nucleosides), and even more preferably from about 12 to about 30 nucleobases. The present invention is also intended to comprehend other oligomeric compounds from about 8 to about 50 nucleobases in length which hybridize to the nucleic acid target and which modulate expression of the target. Such compounds include ribozymes, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides (oligozymes), and other short catalytic RNAs or catalytic oligonucleotides.

[0037] In some embodiments, oligomeric compounds are single or double stranded. In some embodiments, oligomeric compounds of the present invention possess a hairpin structure. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides double stranded oligomeric compounds comprising two complementary oligonucleotides, each oligonucleotide comprising from about 8 to about 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, such oligomeric compounds serve as substrates for double stranded RNases. In other embodiments, the compounds or oligonucleotides serve as substrates for single stranded RNases.

[0038] As used herein, the term antisense compound or antisense oligonucleotide refers to compounds or oligonucleotides that modulate RNA expression, typically through single stranded oligomeric compounds.

[0039] The present invention provides oligomeric compounds, including but not limited to oligonucleotide mimetics such as are described below. The compounds in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 8 to about 50 nucleobases (i.e. from about 8 to about 50 linked nucleosides), and more preferably from about 12 to about 30 nucleobases, more preferably from about 18 to about 25 nucleobases, and even more preferably 18 to 21 nucleobases. The present invention is also intended to comprehend other oligomeric compounds from about 8 to about 50 nucleobases in length which hybridize to the nucleic acid target and which inhibit expression of the target. Such compounds include ribozymes, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides (oligozymes), and other short catalytic RNAs or catalytic oligonucleotides.

[0040] As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to either the 2, 3 or 5 hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. In turn the respective ends of this linear polymeric structure can be further joined to form a circular structure, however, open linear structures are generally preferred. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3 to 5 phosphodiester linkage.

[0041] Specific examples of preferred compounds useful in this invention include oligomeric compounds containing modified backbones or non-natural internucleoside linkages. As defined in this specification, oligonucleotides having modified backbones include those that retain a phosphorus atom in the backbone and those that do not have a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of this specification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified oligonucleotides that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

[0042] Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, and boranophosphates having normal 3-5 linkages, 2-5 linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent pairs of nucleoside units are linked 3-5 to 5-3 or 2-5 to 5-2. Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

[0043] Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; and 5,625,050, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0044] Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.

[0045] Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; and 5,677,439, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0046] In other preferred oligonucleotide mimetics, both the sugar and the internucleoside linkage, i.e., the backbone, of the nucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The base units are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target compound. One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

[0047] Some preferred embodiments of the invention are oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatom backbones, and in particular CH₂NHOCH₂, CH₂N(CH₃)OCH₂ known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone, CH₂ON(CH₃)CH₂, CH₂N(CH₃)N(CH₃)CH₂ and ON(CH₃)CH₂CH₂ wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as OPOCH₂ of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also preferred are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

[0048] In some embodiments, the oligomeric compounds of the present invention comprise alternating linkages. In some embodiments, the oligomeric compounds have alternating phosphorous and non-phosphorous linkages. In some embodiments, the oligomeric compounds have alternating phosphorous linkages (e.g. phosphodiester-phosphorothioate-phosphodiester-phosphorothioate). In some embodiments, the oligomeric compounds have alternating non-phosphorous linkages. In some embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compounds possess one type or pattern of linkages in a sense strand and a different type or pattern of linkage in the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the type or pattern of linkage in the sense strand is the same as the type or pattern of linkage in the antisense strand.

[0049] In some embodiments the present invention provides oligomeric compound comprising PTEN target regions. In some more preferred embodiments the present invention provides oligomeric compounds comprising target regions identified using the methods described herein. In some embodiments the present invention provides oligomeric compounds which hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions to one or more PTEN target regions.

[0050] In some embodiments the present invention provides oligomeric compounds, 8-50 nucleobases in length targeted to a PTEN RNA, wherein the oligomeric compound specifically hybridizes with PTEN RNA and wherein said compound modulates PTEN RNA expression in both single stranded and double stranded forms.

[0051] Modified oligonucleotides may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. Preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2 position: OH; F; O, S, or N-alkyl; O, S, or N-alkenyl; O, S or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₁₀ alkyl or C₂ to C₁₀ alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O(CH₂)_nO_mCH₃, O(CH2)_nOCH₃, O(CH₂)_nNH₂, O(CH₂)_nCH₃, O(CH₂)_nONH₂, and O(CH₂)nON(CH₂)_nCH₃)₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2 position: C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH₃, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, SOCH₃, SO₂CH₃, ONO₂, NO₂, N₃, NH₂, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2-methoxyethoxy (2-OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, also known as 2-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., an O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂ group, also known as 2-DMAOE, as described in examples hereinbelow, and 2-dimethylamino-ethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2-O-dimethylamino-ethoxyethyl or 2-DMAEOE), i.e., 2-OCH₂OCH₂N(CH₂)₂, also described in examples hereinbelow.

[0052] Other preferred modifications include 2-methoxy (2-OCH₃), 2-aminopropoxy (2-OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂) and 2-fluoro (2-F). Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3 position of the sugar on the 3 terminal nucleotide or in 2-5 linked oligonucleotides and the 5 position of 5 terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; and 5,700,920, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0053] Oligonucleotides may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as base) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, unmodified or natural nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl uracil and cytosine, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I., ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., ed., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2 C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278) and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

[0054] Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of certain of the above noted modified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobases include, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,750,692; and 5,681,941, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0055] Another modification of the oligomeric compounds of the invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86, 6553-6556), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994, 4, 1053-1060), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660, 306-309; Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3, 2765-2770), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20, 533-538), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J., 1991, 10, 1111-1118; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259, 327-330; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75, 49-54), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18, 3777-3783), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14, 969-973), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264, 229-237), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277, 923-937.

[0056] Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such oligonucleotide conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203, 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0057] It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at a single nucleoside within an oligonucleotide. The present invention also includes oligomeric compounds which are chimeric compounds. Chimeric compounds or chimeras, in the context of this invention, are oligomeric compounds, particularly double stranded oligomeric compounds comprising oligonucleotides, which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one region wherein the oligonucleotide is modified so as to confer upon the oligonucleotide increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the oligonucleotide may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of oligonucleotide inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter oligonucleotides when chimeric oligonucleotides are used, compared to phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

[0058] Chimeric compounds of the invention may be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotide mimetics as described above. Such compounds have also been referred to in the art as hybrids or gapmers. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350; 5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0059] The compounds in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.

[0060] The oligomeric compounds of the invention are synthesized in vitro and do not include oligomeric compositions of biological origin, or genetic vector constructs designed to direct the in vivo synthesis of oligomeric molecules.

[0061] Methods of generating double stranded oligomeric compounds are well known to those of skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, double stranded oligomeric compounds may formed by combining each oligonucleotide in annealing buffer followed by heating for 1 minute at 90 C., then 1 hour at 37 C.

[0062] The oligomeric compounds of the invention may also be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, as for example, liposomes, receptor targeted molecules, oral, rectal, topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake, distribution and/or absorption. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such uptake, distribution and/or absorption assisting formulations include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,108,921; 5,354,844; 5,416,016; 5,459,127; 5,521,291; 5,543,158; 5,547,932; 5,583,020; 5,591,721; 4,426,330; 4,534,899; 5,013,556; 5,108,921; 5,213,804; 5,227,170; 5,264,221; 5,356,633; 5,395,619; 5,416,016; 5,417,978; 5,462,854; 5,469,854; 5,512,295; 5,527,528; 5,534,259; 5,543,152; 5,556,948; 5,580,575; and 5,595,756, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0063] The oligomeric compounds of the invention encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other compound which, upon administration to an animal including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents.

[0064] The term prodrug indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive form that is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes or other chemicals and/or conditions. In particular, prodrug versions of the oligonucleotides of the invention are prepared as SATE (S-acetyl-2-thioethyl) phosphate derivatives according to the methods disclosed in WO 93/24510 to Gosselin et al., published Dec. 9, 1993 or in WO 94/26764 to Imbach et al.

[0065] The term pharmaceutically acceptable salts refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto.

[0066] Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts are formed with metals or amines, such as alkali and alkaline earth metals or organic amines. Examples of metals used as cations are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and the like. Examples of suitable amines are N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, and procaine (see, for example, Berge et al., Pharmaceutical Salts, J. of Pharma Sci., 1977, 66, 1-19). The base addition salts of said acidic compounds are prepared by contacting the free acid form with a sufficient amount of the desired base to produce the salt in the conventional manner. The free acid form may be regenerated by contacting the salt form with an acid and isolating the free acid in the conventional manner. The free acid forms differ from their respective salt forms somewhat in certain physical properties such as solubility in polar solvents, but otherwise the salts are equivalent to their respective free acid for purposes of the present invention. As used herein, a pharmaceutical addition salt includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an acid form of one of the components of the compositions of the invention. These include organic or inorganic acid salts of the amines. Preferred acid salts are the hydrochlorides, acetates, salicylates, nitrates and phosphates. Other suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art and include basic salts of a variety of inorganic and organic acids, such as, for example, with inorganic acids, such as for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid; with organic carboxylic, sulfonic, sulfo or phospho acids or N-substituted sulfamic acids, for example acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, methylmaleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, glucuronic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, embonic acid, nicotinic acid or isonicotinic acid; and with amino acids, such as the 20 alpha-amino acids involved in the synthesis of proteins in nature, for example glutamic acid or aspartic acid, and also with phenylacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbenzenesulfoic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, 2- or 3-phosphoglycerate, glucose-6-phosphate, N-cyclohexylsulfamic acid (with the formation of cyclamates), or with other acid organic compounds, such as ascorbic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds may also be prepared with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable cations are well known to those skilled in the art and include alkaline, alkaline earth, ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations. Carbonates or hydrogen carbonates are also possible.

[0067] For oligonucleotides, preferred examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include but are not limited to (a) salts formed with cations such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, polyamines such as spermine and spermidine, etc.; (b) acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids, for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like; (c) salts formed with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, tannic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, and the like; and (d) salts formed from elemental anions such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

[0068] The oligomeric compounds of the present invention can be utilized for diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis and as research reagents and kits. For therapeutics, an animal, preferably a human, suspected of having a disease or disorder which can be treated by modulating the expression of PTEN is treated by administering oligomeric compounds in accordance with this invention.

[0069] Therapeutic and Diagnostic Methods

[0070] The present invention also provides methods of modulating the expression of PTEN in cells or tissues comprising contacting said cells or tissues with the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention. In some embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises a hairpin structure. In some embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound has an IC₅₀ no greater than 100 M, preferably no greater than 50 M, preferably no greater than 30 M, preferably no greater than 10 M, more preferably no greater than 3 M, more preferably no greater than 1 M, more preferably no greater than 300 nM, more preferably no greater than 100 nM, more preferably no greater than 30 nM, more preferably no greater than 10 nM, more preferably no greater than 3 nM, and most preferably no greater than 1 nM.

[0071] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of treating an animal having a disease or condition associated with PTEN comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention. In some embodiments the animal is a human. In some embodiments the disease or condition is a metabolic disease or condition, preferably diabetes, and more preferably Type 2 diabetes. In some embodiments the disease or condition is a hyperproliferative condition. In some embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises at least a portion of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 55, 57, 59-71, 73, and 75-88.

[0072] The present invention also provides methods of decreasing blood glucose levels in an animal comprising administering to said a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention. In some embodiments the blood glucose levels are plasma glucose levels or serum glucose levels. In some preferred embodiments, the animal is a diabetic animal.

[0073] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of modulating expression of PEPCK in cells or tissues comprising contacting the cells or tissues with a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0074] In further embodiments, the present invention provides methods of decreasing blood insulin levels in an animal comprising administering to the animal a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0075] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of decreasing insulin resistance in an animal comprising administering to said animal the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0076] In some further embodiments, the present invention provides methods of increasing insulin sensitivity in an animal comprising administering to the animal the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0077] The present invention also provides methods of decreasing blood triglyceride levels in an animal comprising administering to the animal the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0078] The present invention provides methods of decreasing blood cholesterol levels in an animal comprising administering to said animal the double stranded oligomeric compound of the present invention.

[0079] The present invention also provides methods of selecting a single stranded oligomeric compound comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA with one or more double stranded oligomeric compounds, identifying the double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate the expression of the PTEN RNA; and selecting the strand of the double stranded oligomeric compound hybridizes to the PTEN RNA as the selected single stranded oligomeric compound. In some preferred embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound has a modification at the 2 position of at least one sugar. In some embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises at least four consecutive 2-hydroxyl ribonucleosides and at least one modified nucleoside.

[0080] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of selecting a double stranded oligomeric compound comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA with one or more single stranded oligomeric compounds, identifying the single stranded oligomeric compound which modulates the expression of the PTEN RNA, and synthesizing a second single stranded oligomeric compound which is complementary to the single stranded oligomeric compound to yield a double stranded oligomeric compound as the selected double stranded oligomeric compound.

[0081] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of identifying one or more target regions on a target RNA comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA with one or more single stranded oligomeric compounds, identifying the single stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate the expression of the target RNA, synthesizing a second single stranded oligomeric compound which is complementary to the single stranded modulating oligomeric compound and hybridizing the two strands to produce a double stranded oligomeric compound, contacting PTEN RNA with one or more of the double stranded oligomeric compounds, and identifying the double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate the expression of the target RNA. In some preferred embodiments the method further comprises the steps of comparing the efficacy of the single stranded oligomeric compounds to the efficacy of the double stranded oligomeric compounds, and selecting the regions in the PTEN RNA that are complementary to both the efficacious single stranded oligomeric compounds and at least one strand of the efficacious double stranded oligomeric compounds as the selected PTEN target regions. In some more preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a PTEN target region so identified.

[0082] In some embodiments the present invention provides methods of identifying double stranded oligomeric compounds, the method comprising the steps of cloning one or more target regions from a PTEN RNA into a vector/plasmid construct, transfecting the vector/plasmid into a cell, contacting the cell with one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds, the compounds having one strand hybridizable to said target region, and identifying the double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate the expression of the PTEN RNA. In some preferred embodiments the target region is identified by a single stranded oligomeric gene walk across the PTEN RNA or by secondary structure analysis of the PTEN RNA. In some preferred embodiments the target region is localized to the 3UTR, to the 5UTR, to an intronic portion of a gene, to an exon, or to an intron/exon boundary. In some embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound has at least one modification of the base, sugar or internucleoside linkage. In some preferred embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound is from about 8 to about 50 nucleotides in length, and more preferably from about 18 to about 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises at least four consecutive 2-hydroxyl ribonucleosides and at least one modified nucleoside; said modified nucleoside adapted to modulate at least one of; binding affinity or binding specificity of said oligomeric compound. In some embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound is RNA. In some preferred embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound is a siRNA. In some embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound is a gapmer or a hemimer. In some embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises at least one phosphorothioate linkage. In some preferred embodiments the double stranded oligomeric compound comprises one or more chimeric regions.

[0083] The present invention also provides methods for identifying an optimized expression modulator of PTEN RNA comprising the steps of, contacting one or more candidate single stranded oligomeric compounds with one or more target regions of a PTEN RNA and identifying single stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate PTEN RNA expression, generating one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds comprising the single stranded modulating oligomeric compounds, contacting the candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds with the PTEN RNA, identifying double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate PTEN RNA expression as an optimized modulator of PTEN RNA expression. In some preferred embodiments, the double stranded oligomeric compound modulates expression of the PTEN RNA by at least 10%, preferably about 20%, more preferably about 25%, more preferably about 30%, more preferably about 40%, more preferably about 50%, more preferably about 60%, more preferably about 70%, more preferably about 75%, more preferably about 80%, more preferably about 85%, more preferably about 90%, more preferably about 95%, more preferably about 98%, more preferably about 99%, and most preferably about 100%.

[0084] In some embodiments the present invention provides method of selecting a double stranded oligomeric compound comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA with one or more single stranded oligomeric compounds, identifying the single stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate the expression of the target RNA; and synthesizing a second single stranded oligomeric compound which hybridizes to said single stranded oligomeric compound yielding a double stranded oligomeric compound as the selected double stranded oligomeric compound.

[0085] The present invention also provides methods of selecting a multifunctional oligomeric compound to modulate expression of PTEN RNA comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA with one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds and identifying double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate RNA expression at least 50%, contacting a sense or an antisense strand of the modulating double stranded oligomeric compound with PTEN RNA and identifying strands of the modulating double stranded oligomeric compound which modulate RNA expression at least 50%; and identifying the modulating sense strand, modulating antisense strand, or modulating double stranded oligomeric compound as a multifunctional oligomeric compound. In some preferred embodiments the present invention provides multifunctional oligomeric compounds identified using such methods. In some embodiments, the present invention provides such multifunctional oligomeric compounds which inhibit PTEN RNA expression by at least 75%. In some embodiments, the modulating sense strand or modulating antisense strand inhibits RNA expression by at least 75%. In some preferred embodiments, the modulating sense strand and the modulating antisense strand each inhibits RNA expression by at least 75%.

[0086] The present invention also provides methods of optimizing PTEN target region selection for modulation of PTEN RNA expression comprising the steps of contacting one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds with one or more target regions of a PTEN RNA and identifying PTEN target regions modulated at least 50% by said double stranded oligomeric compounds, contacting one or more candidate single stranded oligomeric compounds with said PTEN target regions and identifying PTEN target regions modulated at least 50% by said single stranded oligomeric compounds, identifying a PTEN target region modulated by both a double stranded oligomeric compound and a single stranded oligomeric compound as an optimized PTEN target region.

[0087] The present invention also provides methods of optimizing target region selection for modulation of RNA expression comprising the steps of contacting one or more candidate single stranded oligomeric compounds with one or more target regions of a PTEN RNA and identifying target regions modulated at least 50% by said single stranded oligomeric compounds, contacting one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds said target regions of a PTEN RNA and identifying target regions modulated at least 50% by said double stranded oligomeric compounds, and identifying a target region modulated by both a double stranded oligomeric compound and a single stranded oligomeric compound as an optimized target region. In some preferred embodiments, PTEN RNA expression is modulated at least 75% by said single stranded oligomeric compounds. In some more preferred embodiments, PTEN RNA expression is modulated at least 75% by said double stranded oligomeric compounds. In some even more preferred embodiments, PTEN RNA expression is modulated at least 75% by both said single stranded oligomeric compounds and said double stranded oligomeric compounds.

[0088] The present invention also provides methods of optimizing expression modulation of RNA comprising the steps of contacting a PTEN RNA comprising a target region with a first oligomeric compound hybridizable with said target region and identifying target regions modulated at least 50% by said first oligomeric compound, contacting a PTEN RNA comprising a target region with a second oligomeric compound hybridizable with said target region and identifying target regions modulated at least 50% by said second oligomeric compound, and identifying the target region as optimized where both said first and said second oligomeric compounds modulate expression of said PTEN RNA by at least 50%. In some embodiments, the first oligomeric compound is single stranded. In some more preferred embodiments, the first oligomeric compound is double stranded. In some embodiments the second oligomeric compound is single stranded. In some more preferred embodiments, the second oligomeric compound is double stranded.

[0089] The present invention also provides methods of identifying RNA targets as not amenable to multi-modal modulation comprising the steps of contacting one or more candidate single stranded oligomeric compounds with one or more target regions of a PTEN RNA and measuring modulation of RNA expression by said single stranded oligomeric compounds, contacting one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds with said target regions of a PTEN RNA and measuring modulation of RNA expression by said double stranded oligomeric compounds, and identifying a target region not modulated by both a double stranded oligomeric compound and a single stranded oligomeric compound as not amenable to multi-modal modulation.

[0090] As used herein, the term multi-modal refers to PTEN RNA targets that are amenable to modulation via more than one mechanism. For example, a PTEN RNA that is modulated by both single stranded and double stranded oligomeric compounds is said to be amenable to multi-modal modulation.

[0091] The present invention also provides methods of optimizing modulating expression of RNA comprising the steps of contacting one or more candidate single stranded oligomeric compounds with one or more target regions of a PTEN RNA and identifying single stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate RNA expression, generating one or more candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds comprising single stranded oligomeric compounds identified in step above and contacting said candidate double stranded oligomeric compounds with target RNA, and identifying double stranded oligomeric compounds which modulate RNA expression. In some preferred embodiments the method further comprises the step of contacting the PTEN RNA with the single stranded oligomeric compounds identified above and with the double stranded oligomeric compounds. In some preferred embodiments, the oligomeric compounds modulate PTEN RNA expression at least 50%.

[0092] Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0093] The compounds of the invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of an oligomeric compound to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. Use of the oligomeric compounds and methods of the invention may also be useful prophylactically, e.g., to prevent or delay infection, inflammation or tumor formation, for example.

[0094] The oligomeric compounds of the invention are useful for research and diagnostics, because these compounds hybridize to nucleic acids encoding PTEN, enabling sandwich and other assays to easily be constructed to exploit this fact. Hybridization of the oligomeric oligonucleotides of the invention with a nucleic acid encoding PTEN can be detected by means known in the art. Such means may include conjugation of an enzyme to the oligonucleotide, radiolabelling of the oligonucleotide or any other suitable detection means. Kits using such detection means for detecting the level of PTEN in a sample may also be prepared.

[0095] The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations that include the oligomeric compounds of the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic and to mucous membranes including vaginal and rectal delivery), pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal, epidermal and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral administration.

[0096] Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.

[0097] Compositions and formulations for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets or tablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable.

[0098] Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

[0099] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containing formulations. These compositions may be generated from a variety of components that include, but are not limited to, preformed liquids, self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying semisolids.

[0100] The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

[0101] The compositions of the present invention may be formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated and used as foams. Pharmaceutical foams include formulations such as, but not limited to, emulsions, microemulsions, creams, jellies and liposomes. While basically similar in nature these formulations vary in the components and the consistency of the final product. The preparation of such compositions and formulations is generally known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical and formulation arts and may be applied to the formulation of the compositions of the present invention.

[0103] Emulsions

[0104] The compositions of the present invention may be prepared and formulated as emulsions. Emulsions are typically heterogenous systems of one liquid dispersed in another in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1 m in diameter. (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Volume 1, p. 245; Block in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 2, p. 335; Higuchi et al., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 301). Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising of two immiscible liquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other. In general, emulsions may be either water-in-oil (w/o) or of the oil-in-water (o/w) variety. When an aqueous phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk oily phase the resulting composition is called a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. Alternatively, when an oily phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk aqueous phase the resulting composition is called an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. Emulsions may contain additional components in addition to the dispersed phases and the active drug which may be present as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or itself as a separate phase. Pharmaceutical excipients such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, dyes, and anti-oxidants may also be present in emulsions as needed. Pharmaceutical emulsions may also be multiple emulsions that are comprised of more than two phases such as, for example, in the case of oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions. Such complex formulations often provide certain advantages that simple binary emulsions do not. Multiple emulsions in which individual oil droplets of an o/w emulsion enclose small water droplets constitute a w/o/w emulsion. Likewise a system of oil droplets enclosed in globules of water stabilized in an oily continuous provides an o/w/o emulsion.

[0105] Emulsions are characterized by little or no thermodynamic stability. Often, the dispersed or discontinuous phase of the emulsion is well dispersed into the external or continuous phase and maintained in this form through the means of emulsifiers or the viscosity of the formulation. Either of the phases of the emulsion may be a semisolid or a solid, as is the case of emulsion-style ointment bases and creams. Other means of stabilizing emulsions entail the use of emulsifiers that may be incorporated into either phase of the emulsion. Emulsifiers may broadly be classified into four categories: synthetic surfactants, naturally occurring emulsifiers, absorption bases, and finely dispersed solids (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

[0106] Synthetic surfactants, also known as surface active agents, have found wide applicability in the formulation of emulsions and have been reviewed in the literature (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, volume 1, p. 199). Surfactants are typically amphiphilic and comprise a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic portion. The ratio of the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic nature of the surfactant has been termed the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) and is a valuable tool in categorizing and selecting surfactants in the preparation of formulations. Surfactants may be classified into different classes based on the nature of the hydrophilic group: nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285).

[0107] Naturally occurring emulsifiers used in emulsion formulations include lanolin, beeswax, phosphatides, lecithin and acacia. Absorption bases possess hydrophilic properties such that they can soak up water to form w/o emulsions yet retain their semisolid consistencies, such as anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Finely divided solids have also been used as good emulsifiers especially in combination with surfactants and in viscous preparations. These include polar inorganic solids, such as heavy metal hydroxides, nonswelling clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, hectorite, kaolin, montmorillonite, colloidal aluminum silicate and colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, pigments and nonpolar solids such as carbon or glyceryl tristearate.

[0108] A large variety of non-emulsifying materials are also included in emulsion formulations and contribute to the properties of emulsions. These include fats, oils, waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, humectants, hydrophilic colloids, preservatives and antioxidants (Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

[0109] Hydrophilic colloids or hydrocolloids include naturally occurring gums and synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (for example, acacia, agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, guar gum, karaya gum, and tragacanth), cellulose derivatives (for example, carboxymethylcellulose and carboxypropylcellulose), and synthetic polymers (for example, carbomers, cellulose ethers, and carboxyvinyl polymers). These disperse or swell in water to form colloidal solutions that stabilize emulsions by forming strong interfacial films around the dispersed-phase droplets and by increasing the viscosity of the external phase.

[0110] Since emulsions often contain a number of ingredients such as carbohydrates, proteins, sterols and phosphatides that may readily support the growth of microbes, these formulations often incorporate preservatives. Commonly used preservatives included in emulsion formulations include methyl paraben, propyl paraben, quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium chloride, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and boric acid. Antioxidants are also commonly added to emulsion formulations to prevent deterioration of the formulation. Antioxidants used may be free radical scavengers such as tocopherols, alkyl gallates, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, or reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite, and antioxidant synergists such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and lecithin.

[0111] The application of emulsion formulations via dermatological, oral and parenteral routes and methods for their manufacture have been reviewed in the literature (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Emulsion formulations for oral delivery have been very widely used because of reasons of ease of formulation, efficacy from an absorption and bioavailability standpoint. (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Mineral-oil base laxatives, oil-soluble vitamins and high fat nutritive preparations are among the materials that have commonly been administered orally as o/w emulsions.

[0112] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids are formulated as microemulsions. A microemulsion may be defined as a system of water, oil and amphiphile which is a single optically isotropic and thermodynamically stable liquid solution (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Typically microemulsions are systems that are prepared by first dispersing an oil in an aqueous surfactant solution and then adding a sufficient amount of a fourth component, generally an intermediate chain-length alcohol to form a transparent system. Therefore, microemulsions have also been described as thermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of two immiscible liquids that are stabilized by interfacial films of surface-active molecules (Leung and Shah, in: Controlled Release of Drugs: Polymers and Aggregate Systems, Rosoff, M., Ed., 1989, VCH Publishers, New York, pages 185-215). Microemulsions commonly are prepared via a combination of three to five components that include oil, water, surfactant, cosurfactant and electrolyte. Whether the microemulsion is of the water-in-oil (w/o) or an oil-in-water (o/w) type is dependent on the properties of the oil and surfactant used and on the structure and geometric packing of the polar heads and hydrocarbon tails of the surfactant molecules (Schott, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 271).

[0113] The phenomenological approach utilizing phase diagrams has been extensively studied and has yielded a comprehensive knowledge, to one skilled in the art, of how to formulate microemulsions (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335). Compared to conventional emulsions, microemulsions offer the advantage of solubilizing water-insoluble drugs in a formulation of thermodynamically stable droplets that are formed spontaneously.

[0114] Surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions include, but are not limited to, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, Brij 96, polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, tetraglycerol monolaurate (ML310), tetraglycerol monooleate (MO310), hexaglycerol monooleate (PO310), hexaglycerol pentaoleate (PO500), decaglycerol monocaprate (MCA750), decaglycerol monooleate (MO750), decaglycerol sequioleate (SO750), decaglycerol decaoleate (DAO750), alone or in combination with cosurfactants. The cosurfactant, usually a short-chain alcohol such as ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol, serves to increase the interfacial fluidity by penetrating into the surfactant film and consequently creating a disordered film because of the void space generated among surfactant molecules. Microemulsions may, however, be prepared without the use of cosurfactants and alcohol-free self-emulsifying microemulsion systems are known in the art. The aqueous phase may typically be, but is not limited to, water, an aqueous solution of the drug, glycerol, PEG300, PEG400, polyglycerols, propylene glycols, and derivatives of ethylene glycol. The oil phase may include, but is not limited to, materials such as Captex 300, Captex 355, Capmul MCM, fatty acid esters, medium chain (C8-C12) mono, di, and tri-glycerides, polyoxyethylated glyceryl fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, polyglycolized glycerides, saturated polyglycolized C8-C10 glycerides, vegetable oils and silicone oil.

[0115] Microemulsions are particularly of interest from the standpoint of drug solubilization and the enhanced absorption of drugs. Lipid based microemulsions (both o/w and w/o) have been proposed to enhance the oral bioavailability of drugs, including peptides (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385-1390; Ritschel, Meth. Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol., 1993, 13, 205). Microemulsions afford advantages of improved drug solubilization, protection of drug from enzymatic hydrolysis, possible enhancement of drug absorption due to surfactant-induced alterations in membrane fluidity and permeability, ease of preparation, ease of oral administration over solid dosage forms, improved clinical potency, and decreased toxicity (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385; Ho et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1996, 85, 138-143). Often microemulsions may form spontaneously when their components are brought together at ambient temperature. This may be particularly advantageous when formulating thermolabile drugs, peptides or oligonucleotides. Microemulsions have also been effective in the transdermal delivery of active components in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. It is expected that the microemulsion compositions and formulations of the present invention will facilitate the increased systemic absorption of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the local cellular uptake of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids within the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, buccal cavity and other areas of administration.

[0116] Microemulsions of the present invention may also contain additional components and additives such as sorbitan monostearate (Grill 3), Labrasol, and penetration enhancers to improve the properties of the formulation and to enhance the absorption of the oligonucleotides and nucleic acids of the present invention. Penetration enhancers used in the microemulsions of the present invention may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categoriessurfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of these classes has been discussed above.

[0117] Liposomes

[0118] There are many organized surfactant structures besides microemulsions that have been studied and used for the formulation of drugs. These include monolayers, micelles, bilayers and vesicles. Vesicles, such as liposomes, have attracted great interest because of their specificity and the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drug delivery. As used in the present invention, the term liposome means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers.

[0119] Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior. The aqueous portion contains the composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes possess the advantage of being able to fuse to the cell wall. Non-cationic liposomes, although not able to fuse as efficiently with the cell wall, are taken up by macrophages in vivo.

[0120] In order to cross intact mammalian skin, lipid vesicles must pass through a series of fine pores, each with a diameter less than 50 nm, under the influence of a suitable transdermal gradient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a liposome that is highly deformable and able to pass through such fine pores.

[0121] Further advantages of liposomes include; liposomes obtained from natural phospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; liposomes can incorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; liposomes can protect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments from metabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in the preparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge, vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes.

[0122] Liposomes are useful for the transfer and delivery of active ingredients to the site of action. Because the liposomal membrane is structurally similar to biological membranes, when liposomes are applied to a tissue, the liposomes start to merge with the cellular membranes. As the merging of the liposome and cell progresses, the liposomal contents are emptied into the cell where the active agent may act.

[0123] Liposomal formulations have been the focus of extensive investigation as the mode of delivery for many drugs. There is growing evidence that for topical administration, liposomes present several advantages over other formulations. Such advantages include reduced side-effects related to high systemic absorption of the administered drug, increased accumulation of the administered drug at the desired target, and the ability to administer a wide variety of drugs, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, into the skin.

[0124] Several reports have detailed the ability of liposomes to deliver agents including high-molecular weight DNA into the skin. Compounds including analgesics, antibodies, hormones and high-molecular weight DNAs have been administered to the skin. The majority of applications resulted in the targeting of the upper epidermis.

[0125] Liposomes fall into two broad classes. Cationic liposomes are positively charged liposomes which interact with the negatively charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex. The positively charged DNA/liposome complex binds to the negatively charged cell surface and is internalized in an endosome. Due to the acidic pH within the endosome, the liposomes are ruptured, releasing their contents into the cell cytoplasm (Wang et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 1987, 147, 980-985).

[0126] Liposomes that are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged, entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Since both the DNA and the lipid are similarly charged, repulsion rather than complex formation occurs. Nevertheless, some DNA is entrapped within the aqueous interior of these liposomes. pH-sensitive liposomes have been used to deliver DNA encoding the thymidine kinase gene to cell monolayers in culture. Expression of the exogenous gene was detected in the target cells (Zhou et al., Journal of Controlled Release, 1992, 19, 269-274).

[0127] One major type of liposomal composition includes phospholipids other than naturally-derived phosphatidylcholine. Neutral liposome compositions, for example, can be formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Anionic liposome compositions generally are formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, while anionic fusogenic liposomes are formed primarily from dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Another type of liposomal composition is formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) such as, for example, soybean PC, and egg PC. Another type is formed from mixtures of phospholipid and/or phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol.

[0128] Several studies have assessed the topical delivery of liposomal drug formulations to the skin. Application of liposomes containing interferon to guinea pig skin resulted in a reduction of skin herpes sores while delivery of interferon via other means (e.g. as a solution or as an emulsion) were ineffective (Weiner et al., Journal of Drug Targeting, 1992, 2, 405-410). Further, an additional study tested the efficacy of interferon administered as part of a liposomal formulation to the administration of interferon using an aqueous system, and concluded that the liposomal formulation was superior to aqueous administration (du Plessis et al., Antiviral Research, 1992, 18, 259-265).

[0129] Non-ionic liposomal systems have also been examined to determine their utility in the delivery of drugs to the skin, in particular systems comprising non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Non-ionic liposomal formulations comprising Novasome I (glyceryl dilaurate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) and Novasome II (glyceryl distearate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) were used to deliver cyclosporin-A into the dermis of mouse skin. Results indicated that such non-ionic liposomal systems were effective in facilitating the deposition of cyclosporin-A into different layers of the skin (Hu et al. S.T.P.Pharma. Sci., 1994, 4, 6, 466).

[0130] Liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, a term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhanced circulation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specialized lipids. Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in which part of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome (A) comprises one or more glycolipids, such as monosialoganglioside GM1, or (B) is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is thought in the art that, at least for sterically stabilized liposomes containing gangliosides, sphingomyelin, or PEG-derivatized lipids, the enhanced circulation half-life of these sterically stabilized liposomes derives from a reduced uptake into cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (Allen et al., FEBS Letters, 1987, 223, 42; Wu et al., Cancer Research, 1993, 53, 3765). Various liposomes comprising one or more glycolipids are known in the art. Papahadjopoulos et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 507, 64) reported the ability of monosialoganglioside GM1, galactocerebroside sulfate and phosphatidylinositol to improve blood half-lives of liposomes. These findings were expounded upon by Gabizon et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1988, 85, 6949). U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028 and WO 88/04924, both to Allen et al., disclose liposomes comprising (1) sphingomyelin and (2) the ganglioside GM1 or a galactocerebroside sulfate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,152 (Webb et al.) discloses liposomes comprising sphingomyelin. Liposomes comprising 1,2-sn-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine are disclosed in WO 97/13499 (Lim et al.).

[0131] Many liposomes comprising lipids derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, and methods of preparation thereof, are known in the art. Sunamoto et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 2778) described liposomes comprising a nonionic detergent, 2C1215G, that contains a PEG moiety. Illum et al. (FEBS Lett., 1984, 167, 79) noted that hydrophilic coating of polystyrene particles with polymeric glycols results in significantly enhanced blood half-lives. Synthetic phospholipids modified by the attachment of carboxylic groups of polyalkylene glycols (e.g., PEG) are described by Sears (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,330 and 4,534,899). Klibanov et al. (FEBS Lett., 1990, 268, 235) described experiments demonstrating that liposomes comprising phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatized with PEG or PEG stearate have significant increases in blood circulation half-lives. Blume et al. (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1990, 1029, 91) extended such observations to other PEG-derivatized phospholipids, e.g., DSPE-PEG, formed from the combination of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) and PEG. Liposomes having covalently bound PEG moieties on their external surface are described in European Patent No. EP 0 445 131 B1 and WO 90/04384 to Fisher. Liposome compositions containing 1-20 mole percent of PE derivatized with PEG, and methods of use thereof, are described by Woodle et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,556 and 5,356,633) and Martin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,804 and European Patent No. EP 0 496 813 B1). Liposomes comprising a number of other lipid-polymer conjugates are disclosed in WO 91/05545 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,212 (both to Martin et al.) and in WO 94/20073 (Zalipsky et al.) Liposomes comprising PEG-modified ceramide lipids are described in WO 96/10391 (Choi et al.). U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,540,935 (Miyazaki et al.) and 5,556,948 (Tagawa et al.) describe PEG-containing liposomes that can be further derivatized with functional moieties on their surfaces.

[0132] A limited number of liposomes comprising nucleic acids are known in the art. WO 96/40062 to Thierry et al. discloses methods for encapsulating high molecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,221 to Tagawa et al. discloses protein-bonded liposomes and asserts that the contents of such liposomes may include an antisense RNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710 to Rahman et al. describes certain methods of encapsulating oligodeoxynucleotides in liposomes. WO 97/04787 to Love et al. discloses liposomes comprising antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the raf gene.

[0133] Transfersomes are yet another type of liposomes, and are highly deformable lipid aggregates which are attractive candidates for drug delivery vehicles. Transfersomes may be described as lipid droplets which are so highly deformable that they are easily able to penetrate through pores which are smaller than the droplet. Transfersomes are adaptable to the environment in which they are used, e.g. they are self-optimizing (adaptive to the shape of pores in the skin), self-repairing, frequently reach their targets without fragmenting, and often self-loading. To make transfersomes it is possible to add surface edge-activators, usually surfactants, to a standard liposomal composition. Transfersomes have been used to deliver serum albumin to the skin. The transfersome-mediated delivery of serum albumin has been shown to be as effective as subcutaneous injection of a solution containing serum albumin.

[0134] Surfactants find wide application in formulations such as emulsions (including microemulsions) and liposomes. The most common way of classifying and ranking the properties of the many different types of surfactants, both natural and synthetic, is by the use of the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB). The nature of the hydrophilic group (also known as the head) provides the most useful means for categorizing the different surfactants used in formulations (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

[0135] If the surfactant molecule is not ionized, it is classified as a nonionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants find wide application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and are usable over a wide range of pH values. In general their HLB values range from 2 to about 18 depending on their structure. Nonionic surfactants include nonionic esters such as ethylene glycol esters, propylene glycol esters, glyceryl esters, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters, sucrose esters, and ethoxylated esters. Nonionic alkanolamides and ethers such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, propoxylated alcohols, and ethoxylated/propoxylated block polymers are also included in this class. The polyoxyethylene surfactants are the most popular members of the nonionic surfactant class.

[0136] If the surfactant molecule carries a negative charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as anionic. Anionic surfactants include carboxylates such as soaps, acyl lactylates, acyl amides of amino acids, esters of sulfuric acid such as alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonates, acyl isethionates, acyl taurates and sulfosuccinates, and phosphates. The most important members of the anionic surfactant class are the alkyl sulfates and the soaps.

[0137] If the surfactant molecule carries a positive charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as cationic. Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts and ethoxylated amines. The quaternary ammonium salts are the most used members of this class.

[0138] If the surfactant molecule has the ability to carry either a positive or negative charge, the surfactant is classified as amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants include acrylic acid derivatives, substituted alkylamides, N-alkylbetaines and phosphatides.

[0139] The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions has been reviewed (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

[0140] Penetration Enhancers

[0141] In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetration enhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids, particularly oligonucleotides, to the skin of animals. Most drugs are present in solution in both ionized and nonionized forms. However, usually only lipid soluble or lipophilic drugs readily cross cell membranes. It has been discovered that even non-lipophilic drugs may cross cell membranes if the membrane to be crossed is treated with a penetration enhancer. In addition to aiding the diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes, penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability of lipophilic drugs.

[0142] Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories, i.e., surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p.92). Each of the above mentioned classes of penetration enhancers are described below in greater detail.

[0143] Surfactants

[0144] In connection with the present invention, surfactants (or surface-active agents) are chemical entities which, when dissolved in an aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of the solution or the interfacial tension between the aqueous solution and another liquid, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the mucosa is enhanced. In addition to bile salts and fatty acids, these penetration enhancers include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p.92); and perfluorochemical emulsions, such as FC-43. Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1988, 40, 252).

[0145] Fatty Acids

[0146] Various fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetration enhancers include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid (n-decanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein (1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid, glycerol 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines, acylcholines, C1-10 alkyl esters thereof (e.g., methyl, isopropyl and t-butyl), and mono- and di-glycerides thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p.92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; El Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1992, 44, 651-654).

[0147] Bile Salts

[0148] The physiological role of bile includes the facilitation of dispersion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (Brunton, Chapter 38 in: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al. Eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, pp. 934-935). Various natural bile salts, and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus the term bile salts includes any of the naturally occurring components of bile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives. The bile salts of the invention include, for example, cholic acid (or its pharmaceutically acceptable sodium salt, sodium cholate), dehydrocholic acid (sodium dehydrocholate), deoxycholic acid (sodium deoxycholate), glucholic acid (sodium glucholate), glycholic acid (sodium glycocholate), glycodeoxycholic acid (sodium glycodeoxycholate), taurocholic acid (sodium taurocholate), taurodeoxycholic acid (sodium taurodeoxycholate), chenodeoxycholic acid (sodium chenodeoxycholate), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate (STDHF), sodium glycodihydrofusidate and polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (POE) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Swinyard, Chapter 39 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 782-783; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Yamamoto et al., J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1992, 263, 25; Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1990, 79, 579-583).

[0149] Chelating Agents

[0150] Chelating agents, as used in connection with the present invention, can be defined as compounds that remove metallic ions from solution by forming complexes therewith, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the mucosa is enhanced. With regards to their use as penetration enhancers in the present invention, chelating agents have the added advantage of also serving as DNase inhibitors, as most characterized DNA nucleases require a divalent metal ion for catalysis and are thus inhibited by chelating agents (Jarrett, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 618, 315-339). Chelating agents of the invention include but are not limited to disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates (e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acyl derivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives of beta-diketones (enamines)(Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Buur et al., J. Control Rel., 1990, 14, 43-51).

[0151] Non-Chelating Non-Surfactants

[0152] As used herein, non-chelating non-surfactant penetration enhancing compounds can be defined as compounds that demonstrate insignificant activity as chelating agents or as surfactants but that nonetheless enhance absorption of oligonucleotides through the alimentary mucosa (Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33). This class of penetration enhancers include, for example, unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanone derivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1987, 39, 621-626).

[0153] Agents that enhance uptake of oligonucleotides at the cellular level may also be added to the pharmaceutical and other compositions of the present invention. For example, cationic lipids, such as lipofectin (Junichi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,188), cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules, such as polylysine (Lollo et al., PCT Application WO 97/30731), are also known to enhance the cellular uptake of oligonucleotides.

[0154] Other agents may be utilized to enhance the penetration of the administered nucleic acids, including glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, pyrrols such as 2-pyrrol, azones, and terpenes such as limonene and menthone.

[0155] Carriers

[0156] Certain compositions of the present invention also incorporate carrier compounds in the formulation. As used herein, carrier compound or carrier can refer to a nucleic acid, or analog thereof, which is inert (i.e., does not possess biological activity per se) but is recognized as a nucleic acid by in vivo processes that reduce the bioavailability of a nucleic acid having biological activity by, for example, degrading the biologically active nucleic acid or promoting its removal from circulation. The coadministration of a nucleic acid and a carrier compound, typically with an excess of the latter substance, can result in a substantial reduction of the amount of nucleic acid recovered in the liver, kidney or other extracirculatory reservoirs, presumably due to competition between the carrier compound and the nucleic acid for a common receptor. For example, the recovery of a partially phosphorothioate oligonucleotide in hepatic tissue can be reduced when it is coadministered with polyinosinic acid, dextran sulfate, polycytidic acid or 4-acetamido-4isothiocyano-stilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (Miyao et al., Antisense Res. Dev., 1995, 5, 115-121; Takakura et al., Antisense & Nucl. Acid Drug Dev., 1996, 6, 177-183).

[0157] Excipients

[0158] In contrast to a carrier compound, a pharmaceutical carrier or excipient is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutical carriers include, but are not limited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calcium hydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrants (e.g., starch, sodium starch glycolate, etc.); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, etc.).

[0159] Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipient suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can also be used to formulate the compositions of the present invention. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohols, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

[0160] Formulations for topical administration of nucleic acids may include sterile and non-sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions in common solvents such as alcohols, or solutions of the nucleic acids in liquid or solid oil bases. The solutions may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipients suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can be used.

[0161] Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohol, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

[0162] Other Components

[0163] The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously interact with the nucleic acid(s) of the formulation.

[0164] Aqueous suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

[0165] Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing (a) one or more oligomeric compounds and (b) one or more other chemotherapeutic agents which function by a non-antisense mechanism. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, anticancer drugs such as daunorubicin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, bleomycin, mitomycin, nitrogen mustard, chlorambucil, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine (CA), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), floxuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, teniposide, cisplatin and diethylstilbestrol (DES). See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed., Berkow et al., eds., 1987, Rahway, N.J., pages 1206-1228). Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be combined in compositions of the invention. See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed., Berkow et al., eds., 1987, Rahway, N.J., pages 2499-2506 and 46-49, respectively). Other non-antisense chemotherapeutic agents are also within the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

[0166] In another related embodiment, compositions of the invention may contain one or more oligomeric compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional oligomeric compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. Numerous examples of oligomeric compounds are known in the art. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

[0167] The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC50s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 g to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20 years. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily estimate repetition rates for dosing based on measured residence times and concentrations of the drug in bodily fluids or tissues. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 2g to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years.

[0168] While the present invention has been described with specificity in accordance with certain of its preferred embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the same.

[0169] Nucleoside Phosphoramidites for Oligonucleotide Synthesis

[0170] Deoxy and 2-alkoxy amidites

[0171] 2-Deoxy and 2-methoxy beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites were purchased from commercial sources (e.g. Chemgenes, Needham Mass. or Glen Research, Inc. Sterling Va.). Other 2-O-alkoxy substituted nucleoside amidites are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,351, herein incorporated by reference. For oligonucleotides synthesized using 2-alkoxy amidites, the standard cycle for unmodified oligonucleotides was utilized, except the wait step after pulse delivery of tetrazole and base was increased to 360 seconds.

[0172] Oligonucleotides containing 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine (5-Me-C) nucleotides were synthesized according to published methods Sanghvi, et. al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1993, 21, 3197-3203 using commercially available phosphoramidites (Glen Research, Sterling Va. or ChemGenes, Needham Mass.).

[0173] 2-Fluoro amidites

[0174] 2-Fluorodeoxyadenosine amidites

[0175] 2-fluoro oligonucleotides were synthesized as described previously Kawasaki, et. al., J. Med. Chem., 1993, 36, 831-841 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,633, herein incorporated by reference. Briefly, the protected nucleoside N6-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoroadenosine was synthesized utilizing commercially available 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine as starting material and by modifying literature procedures whereby the 2-alpha-fluoro atom is introduced by a SN2-displacement of a 2-beta-trityl group. Thus N6-benzoyl-9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine was selectively protected in moderate yield as the 3,5-ditetrahydropyranyl (THP) intermediate. Deprotection of the THP and N6-benzoyl groups was accomplished using standard methodologies and standard methods were used to obtain the 5-dimethoxytrityl-(DMT) and 5,-DMT-3-phosphoramidite intermediates.

[0176] 2-Fluorodeoxyguanosine

[0177] The synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-fluoroguanosine was accomplished using tetraisopropyldisiloxanyl (TPDS) protected 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine as starting material, and conversion to the intermediate diisobutyryl-arabinofuranosylguanosine. Deprotection of the TPDS group was followed by protection of the hydroxyl group with THP to give diisobutyryl di-THP protected arabinofuranosylguanine. Selective O-deacylation and triflation was followed by treatment of the crude product with fluoride, then deprotection of the THP groups. Standard methodologies were used to obtain the 5-DMT- and 5-DMT-3-phosphoramidites.

[0178] 2-Fluorouridine

[0179] Synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-fluorouridine was accomplished by the modification of a literature procedure in which 2,2-anhydro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil was treated with 70% hydrogen fluoride-pyridine. Standard procedures were used to obtain the 5-DMT and 5-DMT-3phosphoramidites.

[0180] 2-Fluorodeoxycytidine

[0181] 2-deoxy-2-fluorocytidine was synthesized via amination of 2-deoxy-2-fluorouridine, followed by selective protection to give N4-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluorocytidine. Standard procedures were used to obtain the 5-DMT and 5-DMT-3phosphoramidites.

[0182] 2-O-(2-Methoxyethyl) modified amidites

[0183] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-substituted nucleoside amidites are prepared as follows, or alternatively, as per the methods of Martin, P., Helvetica Chimica Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504.

[0184] 2,2-Anhydro1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluridine

[0185] 5-Methyluridine (ribosylthymine, commercially available through Yamasa, Choshi, Japan) (72.0 g, 0.279 M), diphenylcarbonate (90.0 g, 0.420 M) and sodium bicarbonate (2.0 g, 0.024 M) were added to DMF (300 mL). The mixture was heated to reflux, with stirring, allowing the evolved carbon dioxide gas to be released in a controlled manner. After 1 hour, the slightly darkened solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting syrup was poured into diethylether (2.5 L), with stirring. The product formed a gum. The ether was decanted and the residue was dissolved in a minimum amount of methanol (ca. 400 mL). The solution was poured into fresh ether (2.5 L) to yield a stiff gum. The ether was decanted and the gum was dried in a vacuum oven (60 C. at 1 mm Hg for 24 h) to give a solid that was crushed to a light tan powder (57 g, 85% crude yield). The NMR spectrum was consistent with the structure, contaminated with phenol as its sodium salt (ca. 5%). The material was used as is for further reactions (or it can be purified further by column chromatography using a gradient of methanol in ethyl acetate (10-25%) to give a white solid, mp 222-4 C.).

[0186] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine

[0187] 2,2-Anhydro-5-methyluridine (195 g, 0.81 M), tris(2-methoxyethyl)borate (231 g, 0.98 M) and 2-methoxyethanol (1.2 L) were added to a 2 L stainless steel pressure vessel and placed in a pre-heated oil bath at 160 C. After heating for 48 hours at 155-160 C., the vessel was opened and the solution evaporated to dryness and triturated with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was suspended in hot acetone (1 L). The insoluble salts were filtered, washed with acetone (150 mL) and the filtrate evaporated. The residue (280 g) was dissolved in CH3CN (600 mL) and evaporated. A silica gel column (3 kg) was packed in CH2Cl2/acetone/MeOH (20:5:3) containing 0.5% Et3NH. The residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (250 mL) and adsorbed onto silica (150 g) prior to loading onto the column. The product was eluted with the packing solvent to give 160 g (63%) of product. Additional material was obtained by reworking impure fractions.

[0188] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

[0189] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine (160 g, 0.506 M) was co-evaporated with pyridine (250 mL) and the dried residue dissolved in pyridine (1.3 L). A first aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for one hour. A second aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the reaction stirred for an additional one hour. Methanol (170 mL) was then added to stop the reaction. HPLC showed the presence of approximately 70% product. The solvent was evaporated and triturated with CH3CN (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (1.5 L) and extracted with 2500 mL of saturated NaHCO3 and 2500 mL of saturated NaCl. The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated. 275 g of residue was obtained. The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column, packed and eluted with EtOAc/hexane/acetone (5:5:1) containing 0.5% Et3NH. The pure fractions were evaporated to give 164 g of product. Approximately 20 g additional was obtained from the impure fractions to give a total yield of 183 g (57%).

[0190] 3-O-Acetyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

[0191] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (106 g, 0.167 M), DMF/pyridine (750 mL of a 3:1 mixture prepared from 562 mL of DMF and 188 mL of pyridine) and acetic anhydride (24.38 mL, 0.258 M) were combined and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was monitored by TLC by first quenching the TLC sample with the addition of MeOH. Upon completion of the reaction, as judged by TLC, MeOH (50 mL) was added and the mixture evaporated at 35 C. The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (800 mL) and extracted with 2200 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate and 2200 mL of saturated NaCl. The water layers were back extracted with 200 mL of CHCl3. The combined organics were dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 122 g of residue (approx. 90% product). The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column and eluted using EtOAc/hexane(4:1). Pure product fractions were evaporated to yield 96 g (84%). An additional 1.5 g was recovered from later fractions.

[0192] 3-O-Acetyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine

[0193] A first solution was prepared by dissolving 3-O-acetyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (96 g, 0.144 M) in CH₃CN (700 mL) and set aside. Triethylamine (189 mL, 1.44 M) was added to a solution of triazole (90 g, 1.3 M) in CH₃CN (1 L), cooled to 5 C. and stirred for 0.5 h using an overhead stirrer. POCl₃ was added dropwise, over a 30 minute period, to the stirred solution maintained at 0-10 C., and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 2 hours. The first solution was added dropwise, over a 45 minute period, to the latter solution. The resulting reaction mixture was stored overnight in a cold room. Salts were filtered from the reaction mixture and the solution was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (1 L) and the insoluble solids were removed by filtration. The filtrate was washed with 1300 mL of NaHCO₃ and 2300 mL of saturated NaCl, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was triturated with EtOAc to give the title compound.

[0194] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine

[0195] A solution of 3-O-acetyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine (103 g, 0.141 M) in dioxane (500 mL) and NH₄OH (30 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The dioxane solution was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (2200 mL). The residue was dissolved in MeOH (300 mL) and transferred to a 2 liter stainless steel pressure vessel. MeOH (400 mL) saturated with NH₃ gas was added and the vessel heated to 100 C. for 2 hours (TLC showed complete conversion). The vessel contents were evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (500 mL) and washed once with saturated NaCl (200 mL). The organics were dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated to give 85 g (95%) of the title compound.

[0196] N4-Benzoyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine

[0197] 2-O-Methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-cytidine (85 g, 0.134 M) was dissolved in DMF (800 mL) and benzoic anhydride (37.2 g, 0.165 M) was added with stirring. After stirring for 3 hours, TLC showed the reaction to be approximately 95% complete. The solvent was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (700 mL) and extracted with saturated NaHCO3 (2300 mL) and saturated NaCl (2300 mL), dried over MgSO4 and evaporated to give a residue (96 g). The residue was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc/hexane (1:1) containing 0.5% Et3NH as the eluting solvent. The pure product fractions were evaporated to give 90 g (90%) of the title compound.

[0198] N4-Benzoyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine-3-amidite

[0199] N4-Benzoyl-2-O-methoxyethyl-5-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine (74 g, 0.10 M) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (1 L). Tetrazole diisopropylamine (7.1 g) and 2-cyanoethoxy-tetra(isopropyl)phosphite (40.5 mL, 0.123 M) were added with stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature (TLC showed the reaction to be 95% complete). The reaction mixture was extracted with saturated NaHCO3 (1300 mL) and saturated NaCl (3300 mL). The aqueous washes were back-extracted with CH2Cl2 (300 mL), and the extracts were combined, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The residue obtained was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc/hexane (3:1) as the eluting solvent. The pure fractions were combined to give 90.6 g (87%) of the title compound.

[0200] 2-O-(Aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites and 2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites

[0201] 2-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites

[0202] 2-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites also known in the art as 2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites are prepared as described in the following paragraphs. Adenosine, cytidine and guanosine nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly to the thymidine (5-methyluridine) except the exocyclic amines are protected with a benzoyl moiety in the case of adenosine and cytidine and with isobutyryl in the case of guanosine.

[0203] 5-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O2-2-anhydro-5-methyluridine

[0204] O2-2-anhydro-5-methyluridine (Pro. Bio. Sint., Varese, Italy, 100.0 g, 0.416 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.66 g, 0.013 eq, 0.0054 mmol) were dissolved in dry pyridine (500 ml) at ambient temperature under an argon atmosphere and with mechanical stirring. tert-Butyldiphenylchlorosilane (125.8 g, 119.0 mL, 1.1 eq, 0.458 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction was stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. TLC (Rf 0.22, ethyl acetate) indicated a complete reaction. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. This was partitioned between dichloromethane (1 L) and saturated sodium bicarbonate (21 L) and brine (1 L). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. The oil was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and ethyl ether (600 mL) and the solution was cooled to 10 C. The resulting crystalline product was collected by filtration, washed with ethyl ether (3200 mL) and dried (40 C., 1 mm Hg, 24 h) to 149 g (74.8%) of white solid. TLC and NMR were consistent with pure product.

[0205] 5-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

[0206] In a 2 L stainless steel, unstirred pressure reactor was added borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.0 M, 2.0 eq, 622 mL). In the fume hood and with manual stirring, ethylene glycol (350 mL, excess) was added cautiously at first until the evolution of hydrogen gas subsided. 5-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O2-2-anhydro-5-methyluridine (149 g, 0.311 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.074 g, 0.003 eq) were added with manual stirring. The reactor was sealed and heated in an oil bath until an internal temperature of 160 C. was reached and then maintained for 16 h (pressure<100 psig). The reaction vessel was cooled to ambient and opened. TLC (Rf 0.67 for desired product and Rf 0.82 for ara-T side product, ethyl acetate) indicated about 70% conversion to the product. In order to avoid additional side product formation, the reaction was stopped, concentrated under reduced pressure (10 to 1 mm Hg) in a warm water bath (40-100 C.) with the more extreme conditions used to remove the ethylene glycol. Alternatively, once the low boiling solvent is gone, the remaining solution can be partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The product will be in the organic phase. The residue was purified by column chromatography (2 kg silica gel, ethyl acetate-hexanes gradient 1:1 to 4:1). The appropriate fractions were combined, stripped and dried to product as a white crisp foam (84 g, 50%), contaminated starting material (17.4 g) and pure reusable starting material 20 g. The yield based on starting material less pure recovered starting material was 58%. TLC and NMR were consistent with 99% pure product.

[0207] 2-O-(2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl-5-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine

[0208] 5-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (20 g, 36.98 mmol) was mixed with triphenylphosphine (11.63 g, 44.36 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (7.24 g, 44.36 mmol). It was then dried over P2O5 under high vacuum for two days at 40 C. The reaction mixture was flushed with argon and dry THF (369.8 mL, Aldrich, sure seal bottle) was added to get a clear solution. Diethyl-azodicarboxylate (6.98 mL, 44.36 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The rate of addition is maintained such that resulting deep red coloration is just discharged before adding the next drop. After the addition was complete, the reaction was stirred for 4 hrs. By that time TLC showed the completion of the reaction (ethylacetate:hexane, 60:40). The solvent was evaporated in vacuum. Residue obtained was placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate:hexane (60:40), to get 2-O-(2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl-5-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine as white foam (21.819 g, 86%).

[0209] 5-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl-5-methyluridine

[0210] 2-O-(2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl-5-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine (3.1 g, 4.5 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH2Cl2 (4.5 mL) and methylhydrazine (300 mL, 4.64 mmol) was added dropwise at 10 C. to 0 C. After 1 h the mixture was filtered, the filtrate was washed with ice cold CH2Cl2 and the combined organic phase was washed with water, brine and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The solution was concentrated to get 2-O-(aminooxyethyl)thymidine, which was then dissolved in MeOH (67.5 mL). To this formaldehyde (20% aqueous solution, w/w, 1.1 eq.) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h. Solvent was removed under vacuum; residue chromatographed to get 5-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl-5-methyluridine as white foam (1.95 g, 78%).

[0211] 5-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl-5-methyluridine

[0212] 5-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl-5-methyluridine (1.77 g, 3.12 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (PPTS) in dry MeOH (30.6 mL). Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added to this solution at 10 C. under inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 10 C. After that the reaction vessel was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH2Cl2). Aqueous NaHCO3 solution (5%, 10 mL) was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (220 mL). Ethyl acetate phase was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, evaporated to dryness. Residue was dissolved in a solution of 1M PPTS in MeOH (30.6 mL). Formaldehyde (20% w/w, 30 mL, 3.37 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Reaction mixture cooled to 10 C. in an ice bath, sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirred at 10 C. for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. To the reaction mixture 5% NaHCO3 (25 mL) solution was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (225 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by flash column chromatography and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH2Cl2 to get 5-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl-5-methyluridine as a white foam (14.6 g, 80%).

[0213] 2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

[0214] Triethylamine trihydrofluoride (3.91 mL, 24.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF and triethylamine (1.67 mL, 12 mmol, dry, kept over KOH). This mixture of triethylamine-2HF was then added to 5-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2-O-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl-5-methyluridine (1.40 g, 2.4 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH2Cl2). Solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH2Cl2 to get 2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (766 mg, 92.5%).

[0215] 5-O-DMT-2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

[0216] 2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (750 mg, 2.17 mmol) was dried over P2O5 under high vacuum overnight at 40 C. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (20 mL). The residue obtained was dissolved in pyridine (11 mL) under argon atmosphere. 4-dimethylaminopyridine (26.5 mg, 2.60 mmol), 4,4-dimethoxytrityl chloride (880 mg, 2.60 mmol) was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until all of the starting material disappeared. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the residue chromatographed and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH2Cl2 (containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 5-O-DMT-2-O-(dimethylamino-oxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.13 g, 80%).

[0217] 5-O-DMT-2-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite

[0218] 5-O-DMT-2-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.08 g, 1.67 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (20 mL). To the residue N,N-diisopropylamine tetrazonide (0.29 g, 1.67 mmol) was added and dried over P2O5 under high vacuum overnight at 40 C. Then the reaction mixture was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (8.4 mL) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N1,N1-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite (2.12 mL, 6.08 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hrs under inert atmosphere. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (hexane:ethyl acetate 1:1). The solvent was evaporated, then the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (70 mL) and washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (40 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Residue obtained was chromatographed (ethyl acetate as eluent) to get 5-O-DMT-2-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite as a foam (1.04 g, 74.9%).

[0219] 2-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites

[0220] 2-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites also known in the art as 2-O-(aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites are prepared as described in the following paragraphs. Adenosine, cytidine and thymidine nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly.

[0221] N2-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite

[0222] The 2-O-aminooxyethyl guanosine analog may be obtained by selective 2-O-alkylation of diaminopurine riboside. Multigram quantities of diaminopurine riboside may be purchased from Schering A G (Berlin) to provide 2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)diaminopurine riboside along with a minor amount of the 3-O-isomer. 2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)diaminopurine riboside may be resolved and converted to 2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)guanosine by treatment with adenosine deaminase. (McGee, D. P. C., Cook, P. D., Guinosso, C. J., WO 94/02501 A1 940203.) Standard protection procedures should afford 2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine and 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine which may be reduced to provide 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine. As before the hydroxyl group may be displaced by N-hydroxyphthalimide via a Mitsunobu reaction, and the protected nucleoside may phosphitylated as usual to yield 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite.

[0223] 2-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (2-DMAEOE) nucleoside amidites

[0224] 2-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy nucleoside amidites (also known in the art as 2-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl, i.e., 2-OCH2-OCH2-N(CH2)2, or 2-DMAEOE nucleoside amidites) are prepared as follows. Other nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly.

[0225] 2-O-2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl-5-methyl uridine

[0226] 22-(Dimethylamino)ethoxyethanol (Aldrich, 6.66 g, 50 mmol) is slowly added to a solution of borane in tetrahydrofuran (1 M, 10 mL, 10 mmol) with stirring in a 100 mL bomb. Hydrogen gas evolves as the solid dissolves. O2-,2-anhydro-5-methyluridine (1.2 g, 5 mmol), and sodium bicarbonate (2.5 mg) are added and the bomb is sealed, placed in an oil bath and heated to 15 C. for 26 hours. The bomb is cooled to room temperature and opened. The crude solution is concentrated and the residue partitioned between water (200 mL) and hexanes (200 mL). The excess phenol is extracted into the hexane layer. The aqueous layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (3200 mL) and the combined organic layers are washed once with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue is columned on silica gel using methanol/methylene chloride 1:20 (which has 2% triethylamine) as the eluent. As the column fractions are concentrated a colorless solid forms which is collected to give the title compound as a white solid.

[0227] 5-O-dimethoxytrityl-2-O-2(2-N,N-dimethyl-aminoethoxy)ethyl)-5-methyl uridine

[0228] To 0.5 g (1.3 mmol) of 2-O-2(2-N,N-dimethyl-aminoethoxy)ethyl)-5-methyl uridine in anhydrous pyridine (8 mL), triethylamine (0.36 mL) and dimethoxytrityl chloride (DMT-Cl, 0.87 g, 2 eq.) are added and stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is poured into water (200 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 (2200 mL). The combined CH2Cl2 layers are washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, followed by saturated NaCl solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent followed by silica gel chromatography using MeOH:CH2Cl2:Et3N (20:1, v/v, with 1% triethylamine) gives the title compound.

[0229] 5-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2-O-2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl)-5-methyl uridine-3-O-(cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite

[0230] Diisopropylaminotetrazolide (0.6 g) and 2-cyanoethoxy-N,N-diisopropyl phosphoramidite (1.1 mL, 2 eq.) are added to a solution of 5-O-dimethoxytrityl-2-O-2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl)-5-methyluridine (2.17 g, 3 mmol) dissolved in CH2Cl2 (20 mL) under an atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight and the solvent evaporated. The resulting residue is purified by silica gel flash column chromatography with ethyl acetate as the eluent to give the title compound.

[0231] Oligonucleotide Synthesis

[0232] Unsubstituted and substituted phosphodiester (PO) oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine.

[0233] Phosphorothioates (PS) are synthesized as for the phosphodiester oligonucleotides except the standard oxidation bottle was replaced by 0.2 M solution of 3H-1,2-benzodithiole-3-one 1,1-dioxide in acetonitrile for the stepwise thiation of the phosphite linkages. The thiation wait step was increased to 68 sec and was followed by the capping step. After cleavage from the CPG column and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55 C. (18 h), the oligonucleotides were purified by precipitating twice with 2.5 volumes of ethanol from a 0.5 M NaCl solution. Phosphinate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,270, herein incorporated by reference.

[0234] Alkyl phosphonate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,863, herein incorporated by reference.

[0235] 3-Deoxy-3-methylene phosphonate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,610,289 or 5,625,050, herein incorporated by reference.

[0236] Phosphoramidite oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No., 5,256,775 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,878, herein incorporated by reference.

[0237] Alkylphosphonothioate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in published PCT applications PCT/US94/00902 and PCT/US93/06976 (published as WO 94/17093 and WO 94/02499, respectively), herein incorporated by reference.

[0238] 3-Deoxy-3-amino phosphoramidate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,925, herein incorporated by reference.

[0239] Phosphotriester oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,243, herein incorporated by reference.

[0240] Borano phosphate oligonucleotides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,130,302 and 5,177,198, both herein incorporated by reference.

[0241] Oligonucleoside Synthesis

[0242] Methylenemethylimino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MMI linked oligonucleosides, methylenedimethylhydrazo linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MDH linked oligonucleosides, and methylenecarbonylamino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-3 linked oligonucleosides, and methyleneaminocarbonyl linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-4 linked oligonucleosides, as well as mixed backbone compounds having, for instance, alternating MMI and PO or PS linkages are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,825, 5,386,023, 5,489,677, 5,602,240 and 5,610,289, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0243] Formacetal and thioformacetal linked oligonucleosides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,264,562 and 5,264,564, herein incorporated by reference.

[0244] Ethylene oxide linked oligonucleosides are prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,618, herein incorporated by reference.

[0245] PNA Synthesis

[0246] Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are prepared in accordance with any of the various procedures referred to in Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA): Synthesis, Properties and Potential Applications, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 1996, 4, 5-23. They may also be prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082, 5,700,922, and 5,719,262, herein incorporated by reference.

[0247] Synthesis of Chimeric Oligonucleotides

[0248] Chimeric oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides or mixed oligonucleotides/oligonucleosides of the invention can be of several different types. These include a first type wherein the gap segment of linked nucleosides is positioned between 5 and 3 wing segments of linked nucleosides and a second open end type wherein the gap segment is located at either the 3 or the 5 terminus of the oligomeric compound. Oligonucleotides of the first type are also known in the art as gapmers or gapped oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides of the second type are also known in the art as hemimers or wingmers.

[0249] 2-O-Me2-deoxy2-O-Me Chimeric Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides

[0250] Chimeric oligonucleotides having 2-O-alkyl phosphorothioate and 2-deoxy phosphorothioate oligonucleotide segments are synthesized using an Applied Biosystems automated DNA synthesizer Model 380B, as above. Oligonucleotides are synthesized using the automated synthesizer and 2-deoxy-5-dimethoxytrityl-3-O-phosphoramidite for the DNA portion and 5-dimethoxytrityl-2-O-methyl-3-O-phosphoramidite for 5 and 3 wings. The standard synthesis cycle is modified by increasing the wait step after the delivery of tetrazole and base to 600 s repeated four times for RNA and twice for 2-O-methyl. The fully protected oligonucleotide is cleaved from the support and the phosphate group is deprotected in 3:1 ammonia/ethanol at room temperature overnight then lyophilized to dryness. Treatment in methanolic ammonia for 24 hrs at room temperature is then done to deprotect all bases and sample was again lyophilized to dryness. The pellet is resuspended in 1M TBAF in THF for 24 hrs at room temperature to deprotect the 2 positions. The reaction is then quenched with 1M TEAA and the sample is then reduced to volume by rotovac before being desalted on a G25 size exclusion column. The oligo recovered is then analyzed spectrophotometrically for yield and for purity by capillary electrophoresis and by mass spectrometry.

[0251] 2-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)2-deoxy2-O-(Methoxyethyl) Chimeric Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides

[0252] 2-O-(2-methoxyethyl)2-deoxy-2-O-(methoxyethyl) chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were prepared as per the procedure above for the 2-O-methyl chimeric oligonucleotide, with the substitution of 2-O-(methoxyethyl) amidites for the 2-O-methyl amidites.

[0253] 2-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)Phosphodiester2-deoxy Phosphorothioate2-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)Phosphodiester Chimeric Oligonucleotides

[0254] 2-O-(2-methoxyethyl phosphodiester2-deoxy phosphorothioate2-O-(methoxyethyl)phosphodiester chimeric oligonucleotides are prepared as per the above procedure for the 2-O-methyl chimeric oligonucleotide with the substitution of 2-O-(methoxyethyl) amidites for the 2-O-methyl amidites, oxidization with iodine to generate the phosphodiester internucleotide linkages within the wing portions of the chimeric structures and sulfurization utilizing 3,H-1,2 benzodithiole-3-one 1,1 dioxide (Beaucage Reagent) to generate the phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages for the center gap.

[0255] Other chimeric oligonucleotides, chimeric oligonucleosides and mixed chimeric oligonucleotides/oligonucleosides are synthesized according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,065, herein incorporated by reference.

[0256] Oligonucleotide Isolation

[0257] After cleavage from the controlled pore glass column (Applied Biosystems) and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55 C. for 18 hours, the oligonucleotides or oligonucleosides are purified by precipitation twice out of 0.5 M NaCl with 2.5 volumes ethanol. Synthesized oligonucleotides were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on denaturing gels and judged to be at least 85% full length.material. The relative amounts of phosphorothioate and phosphodiester linkages obtained in synthesis were periodically checked by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and for some studies oligonucleotides were purified by HPLC, as described by Chiang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 18162-18171. Results obtained with HPLC-purified material were similar to those obtained with non-HPLC purified material.

[0258] oligonucleotide Synthesis96 Well Plate Format

[0259] Oligonucleotides were synthesized via solid phase P(III) phosphoramidite chemistry on an automated synthesizer capable of assembling 96 sequences simultaneously in a standard 96 well format. Phosphodiester internucleotide linkages were afforded by oxidation with aqueous iodine. Phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages were generated by sulfurization utilizing 3,H-1,2 benzodithiole-3-one 1,1 dioxide (Beaucage Reagent) in anhydrous acetonitrile. Standard base-protected beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites were purchased from commercial vendors (e.g. PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., or Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). Non-standard nucleosides are synthesized as per known literature or patented methods. They are utilized as base protected beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites.

[0260] Oligonucleotides were cleaved from support and deprotected with concentrated NH4OH at elevated temperature (55-60 C.) for 12-16 hours and the released product then dried in vacuo. The dried product was then re-suspended in sterile water to afford a master plate from which all analytical and test plate samples are then diluted utilizing robotic pipettors.

[0261] Oligonucleotide Analysis96 Well Plate Format

[0262] The concentration of oligonucleotide in each well was assessed by dilution of samples and UV absorption spectroscopy. The full-length integrity of the individual products was evaluated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in either the 96 well format (Beckman P/ACE MDQ) or, for individually prepared samples, on a commercial CE apparatus (e.g., Beckman P/ACE 5000, ABI 270). Base and backbone composition was confirmed by mass analysis of the compounds utilizing electrospray-mass spectroscopy. All assay test plates were diluted from the master plate using single and multi-channel robotic pipettors. Plates were judged to be acceptable if at least 85% of the compounds on the plate were at least 85% full length.

[0263] Cell Culture and Oligonucleotide Treatment

[0264] The effect of oligomeric compounds on target nucleic acid expression can be tested in any of a variety of cell types provided that the target nucleic acid is present at measurable levels. This can be routinely determined using, for example, PCR or Northern blot analysis. The following four cell types are provided for illustrative purposes, but other cell types can be routinely used.

[0265] T-24 Cells

[0266] The transitional cell bladder carcinoma cell line T-24 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). T-24 cells were routinely cultured in complete McCoy's 5A basal media (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.), penicillin 100 units per mL, and streptomycin 100 micrograms per mL (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (Falcon-Primaria 3872) at a density of 7000 cells/well for use in RT-PCR analysis.

[0267] For Northern blotting or other analysis, cells may be seeded onto 100 mm or other standard tissue culture plates and treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of medium and oligonucleotide.

[0268] A549 Cells

[0269] The human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.). A549 cells were routinely cultured in DMEM basal media (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.), penicillin 100 units per mL, and streptomycin 100 micrograms per mL (Gibco/Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, Md.). Cells were routinely passaged by trypsinization and dilution when they reached 90% confluence.

[0270] NHDF Cells

[0271] Human neonatal dermal fibroblast (NHDF) were obtained from the Clonetics Corporation (Walkersville Md.). NHDFs were routinely maintained in Fibroblast Growth Medium (Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville Md.) supplemented as recommended by the supplier. Cells were maintained for up to 10 passages as recommended by the supplier.

[0272] HEK Cells

[0273] Human embryonic keratinocytes (HEK) were obtained from the Clonetics Corporation (Walkersville Md.). HEKs were routinely maintained in Keratinocyte Growth Medium (Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville Md.) formulated as recommended by the supplier. Cells were routinely maintained for up to 10 passages as recommended by the supplier.

[0274] Treatment with Oligomeric Compounds

[0275] When cells reached 80% confluency, they were treated with oligonucleotide. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells were washed once with 200 L OPTI-MEM-1 reduced-serum medium (Gibco BRL) and then treated with 130 L of OPTI-MEM-1 containing 3.75 g/mL LIPOFECTIN (Gibco BRL) and the desired oligonucleotide at a final concentration of 150 nM. After 4 hours of treatment, the medium was replaced with fresh medium. Cells were harvested 16 hours after oligonucleotide treatment.

[0276] Analysis of Oligonucleotide Inhibition of PTEN Expression

[0277] Modulation of PTEN expression can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. For example, PTEN mRNA levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Real-time quantitative PCR is presently preferred. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A) mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.1.1-4.2.9 and 4.5.1-4.5.3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993. Northern blot analysis is routine in the art and is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.2.1-4.2.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996. Real-time quantitative (PCR) can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions. Other methods of PCR are also known in the art.

[0278] PTEN protein levels can be quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), ELISA or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to PTEN can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional antibody generation methods. Methods for preparation of polyclonal antisera are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.12.1-11.12.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.4.1-11.11.5, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.

[0279] Immunoprecipitation methods are standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.16.1-10.16.11, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis is standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.8.1-10.8.21, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.2.1-11.2.22, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1991.

[0280] Poly(A) mRNA Isolation

[0281] Poly(A) mRNA was isolated according to Miura et al., Clin. Chem., 1996, 42, 1758-1764. Other methods for poly(A) mRNA isolation are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.5.1-4.5.3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993. Briefly, for cells grown on 96-well plates, growth medium was removed from the cells and each well was washed with 200 L cold PBS. 60 L lysis buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5% NP-40, 20 mM vanadyl-ribonucleoside complex) was added to each well, the plate was gently agitated and then incubated at room temperature for five minutes. 55 L of lysate was transferred to Oligo d(T) coated 96-well plates (AGCT Inc., Irvine Calif.). Plates were incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, washed 3 times with 200 L of wash buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6, 1 mM EDTA, 0.3 M NaCl). After the final wash, the plate was blotted on paper towels to remove excess wash buffer and then air-dried for 5 minutes. 60 L of elution buffer (5 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.6), preheated to 70 C. was added to each well, the plate was incubated on a 90 C. hot plate for 5 minutes, and the eluate was then transferred to a fresh 96-well plate.

[0282] Cells grown on 100 mm or other standard plates may be treated similarly, using appropriate volumes of all solutions.

[0283] Total RNA Isolation

[0284] Total mRNA was isolated using an RNEASY 96 kit and buffers purchased from Qiagen Inc. (Valencia Calif.) following the manufacturer's recommended procedures. Briefly, for cells grown on 96-well plates, growth medium was removed from the cells and each well was washed with 200 L cold PBS. 100 L Buffer RLT was added to each well and the plate vigorously agitated for 20 seconds. 100 L of 70% ethanol was then added to each well and the contents mixed by pipetting three times up and down. The samples were then transferred to the RNEASY 96 well plate attached to a QIAVAC manifold fitted with a waste collection tray and attached to a vacuum source. Vacuum was applied for 15 seconds. 1 mL of Buffer RW1 was added to each well of the RNEASY 96 plate and the vacuum again applied for 15 seconds. 1 mL of Buffer RPE was then added to each well of the RNEASY 96 plate and the vacuum applied for a period of 15 seconds. The Buffer RPE wash was then repeated and the vacuum was applied for an additional 10 minutes. The plate was then removed from the QIAVAC manifold and blotted dry on paper towels. The plate was then re-attached to the QIAVAC manifold fitted with a collection tube rack containing 1.2 mL collection tubes. RNA was then eluted by pipetting 60 L water into each well, incubating 1 minute, and then applying the vacuum for 30 seconds. The elution step was repeated with an additional 60 L water.

[0285] The repetitive pipetting and elution steps may be automated using a QIAGEN Bio-Robot 9604 (Qiagen, Inc., Valencia Calif.). Essentially after lysing of the cells on the culture plate, the plate is transferred to the robot deck where the pipetting, DNase treatment and elution steps are carried out.

[0286] Real-Time Quantitative PCR Analysis of PTEN mRNA Levels

[0287] Quantitation of PTEN mRNA levels was determined by real-time quantitative PCR using the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions. This is a closed-tube, non-gel-based, fluorescence detection system which allows high-throughput quantitation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in real-time. As opposed to standard PCR, in which amplification products are quantitated after the PCR is completed, products in real-time quantitative PCR are quantitated as they accumulate. This is accomplished by including in the PCR reaction an oligonucleotide probe that anneals specifically between the forward and reverse PCR primers, and contains two fluorescent dyes. A reporter dye (e.g., JOE or FAM, obtained from either Operon Technologies Inc., Alameda, Calif. or PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is attached to the 5 end of the probe and a quencher dye (e.g., TAMRA, obtained from either Operon Technologies Inc., Alameda, Calif. or PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is attached to the 3 end of the probe. When the probe and dyes are intact, reporter dye emission is quenched by the proximity of the 3 quencher dye. During amplification, annealing of the probe to the target sequence creates a substrate that can be cleaved by the 5-exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase. During the extension phase of the PCR amplification,cycle, cleavage of the probe by Taq polymerase releases the reporter dye from the remainder of the probe (and hence from the quencher moiety) and a sequence-specific fluorescent signal is generated. With each cycle, additional reporter dye molecules are cleaved from their respective probes, and the fluorescence intensity is monitored at regular intervals by laser optics built into the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System. In each assay, a series of parallel reactions containing serial dilutions of mRNA from untreated control samples generates a standard curve that is used to quantitate the percent inhibition after oligonucleotide treatment of test samples.

[0288] PCR reagents were obtained from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. RT-PCR reactions were carried out by adding 25 L PCR cocktail (1 TAQMAN buffer A, 5.5 mM MgCl2, 300 M each of DATP, dCTP and dGTP, 600 M of dUTP, 100 nM each of forward primer, reverse primer, and probe, 20 Units RNAse inhibitor, 1.25 Units AMPLITAQ GOLD, and 12.5 Units MuLV reverse transcriptase) to 96 well plates containing 25 L poly(A) mRNA solution. The RT reaction was carried out by incubation for 30 minutes at 48 C. Following a 10 minute incubation at 95 C. to activate the AMPLITAQ GOLD, 40 cycles of a two-step PCR protocol were carried out: 95 C. for 15 seconds (denaturation) followed by 60 C. for 1.5 minutes (annealing/extension). PTEN probes and primers were designed to hybridize to the human PTEN sequence, using published sequence information (GenBank accession number U93051, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1).

[0289] For PTEN the PCR primers were:

[0290] forward primer: AATGGCTAAGTGAAGATGACAATCAT (SEQ ID NO: 2)

[0291] reverse primer: TGCACATATCATTACACCAGTTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 3) and the PCR probe was: FAM-TTGCAGCAATTCACTGTAAAGCTGGAAAGG-TAMRA (SEQ ID NO: 4) where FAM (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is the fluorescent reporter dye) and TAMRA (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is the quencher dye.

[0292] For GAPDH the PCR primers were:

[0293] forward primer: GAAGGTGAAGGTCGGAGTC (SEQ ID NO: 5)

[0294] reverse primer: GAAGATGGTGATGGGATTTC (SEQ ID NO: 6)and the PCR probe was: 5 JOE-CAAGCTTCCCGTTCTCAGCC-TAMRA 3 (SEQ ID NO: 7) where JOE (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is the fluorescent reporter dye) and TAMRA (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) is the quencher dye.

[0295] Northern Blot Analysis of PTEN mRNA Levels

[0296] Eighteen hours after treatment with oligomeric compounds, cell monolayers were washed twice with cold PBS and lysed in 1 mL RNAZOL (TEL-TEST B Inc., Friendswood, Tex.). Total RNA was prepared following manufacturer's recommended protocols. Twenty micrograms of total RNA was fractionated by electrophoresis through 1.2% agarose gels containing 1.1% formaldehyde using a MOPS buffer system (AMRESCO, Inc. Solon, Ohio). RNA was transferred from the gel to HYBOND-N nylon membranes (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.) by overnight capillary transfer using a Northern/Southern Transfer buffer system (TEL-TEST B Inc., Friendswood, Tex.). RNA transfer was confirmed by UV visualization. Membranes were fixed by UV cross-linking using a STRATALINKER UV Crosslinker 2400 (Stratagene, Inc, La Jolla, Calif.).

[0297] Membranes were probed using QUICKHYB hybridization solution (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using manufacturer's recommendations for stringent conditions with a PTEN specific probe prepared by PCR using the forward primer AATGGCTAAGTGAAGATGACAATCAT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and the reverse primer TGCACATATCATTACACCAGTTCGT (SEQ ID NO: 3). To normalize for variations in loading and transfer efficiency membranes were stripped and probed for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) RNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). Hybridized membranes were visualized and quantitated using a PHOSPHORIMAGER and IMAGEQUANT Software V3.3 (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Data was normalized to GAPDH levels in untreated controls.

[0298] Inhibition of PTEN Expression-phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides

[0299] In accordance with the present invention, a series of oligonucleotides were designed to target different regions of the human PTEN RNA, using published sequences (GenBank accession number U93051, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1). The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 1. Target sites are indicated by the first (5 most) nucleotide number, as given in the sequence source reference (Genbank accession no. U93051), to which the oligonucleotide binds. All compounds in Table 1 are oligodeoxynucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones (internucleoside linkages) throughout. The compounds were analyzed for effect on PTEN mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments. If present, N.D. indicates no data.

TABLE 1
Inhibition of PTEN mRNA levels by
phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides
				%
		TARGET		Inhi-	SEQ ID
ISIS	REGION	SITE	SEQUENCE	bition	NO.
29534	Coding	19	cgagaggcggacgggacc	0	8
29535	Coding	57	cgggcgcctcggaagacc	62	9
29536	Coding	197	tggctgcagcttccgaga	73	10
29537	Coding	314	cccgcggctgctcacagg	81	11
29538	Coding	421	caggagaagccgaggaag	51	12
29539	Coding	494	gggaggtgccgccgccgc	42	13
29540	Coding	581	atggtgacaggcgactca	75	14
29541	Coding	671	ccgggtccctggatgtgc	76	15
29542	Coding	757	cctccgaacggctgcctc	60	16
29543	Coding	817	tctcctcagcagccagag	34	17
29544	Coding	891	cgcttggctctggaccgc	84	18
29545	Coding	952	tcttctgcaggatggaaa	0	19
29546	Coding	1048	tgctaacgatctctttga	43	20
29547	Coding	1106	ggataaatataggtcaag	0	21
29548	Coding	1169	tcaatattgttcctgtat	0	22
29549	3 UTR	1262	ttaaatttggcggtgtca	0	23
29550	3 UTR	1342	caagatcttcacaaaagg	0	24
29551	3 UTR	1418	attacaccagttcgtccc	59	25
29552	3 UTR	1504	tgtctctggtccttactt	34	26
29553	3 UTR	1541	acatagcgcctctgactg	72	27
29554	3 UTR	1606	tgtgaaacaacagtgcca	75	28
29555	3 UTR	1694	gaatatatcttcaccttt	42	29
29556	3 UTR	1792	ggaagaactctactttga	38	30
29557	3 UTR	1855	tgaagaatgtatttaccc	44	31
29558	3 UTR	1916	atttcttgatcacataga	0	32
29559	3 UTR	2020	ggttggctttgtctttat	77	33
29560	3 UTR	2098	tgctagcctctggatttg	74	34
29561	3 UTR	2180	tctggatcagagtcagtg	44	35
29562	3 UTR	2268	tattttcatggtgtttta	76	36
29563	3 UTR	2347	tgttcctataactggtaa	58	37
29564	3 UTR	2403	gtgtcaaaaccctgtgga	72	38
29565	3 UTR	2523	actggaataaaacgggaa	15	39
29566	3 UTR	2598	acttcagttggtgacaga	69	40
29567	3 UTR	2703	tagcaaaacctttcggaa	51	41
29568	3 UTR	2765	aattatttcctttctgag	14	42
29569	3 UTR	2806	taaatagctggagatggt	55	43
29570	3 UTR	2844	cagattaataactgtagc	9	44
29571	3 UTR	2950	ccccaatacagattcact	52	45
29572	3 UTR	3037	attgttgctgtgtttctt	64	46
29573	3 UTR	3088	tgtttcaagcccattctt	65	47

[0300] As shown in Table 1, SEQ ID NOs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46 and 47 demonstrated at least 30% inhibition of PTEN expression in this assay and are therefore preferred. The target sites to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as active sites and are therefore preferred sites for targeting by compounds of the present invention.

[0301] Inhibition of PTEN Expression-phosphorothioate 2-MOE gapmer oligonucleotides

[0302] In accordance with the present invention, a second series of oligonucleotides targeted to human PTEN were synthesized. The oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 2. Target sites are indicated by the first (5 most) nucleotide number, as given in the sequence source reference (Genbank accession no. U93051), to which the oligonucleotide binds.

[0303] All compounds in Table 2 are chimeric oligonucleotides (gapmers) 18 nucleotides in length, composed of a central gap region consisting of ten 2-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5 and 3 directions) by four-nucleotide wings. The wings are composed of 2-methoxyethyl (2-MOE)nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (PS) throughout the oligonucleotide. Cytidine residues in the 2-MOE wings are 5-methylcytidines.

[0304] Data were obtained by real-time quantitative PCR as described in other examples herein and are averaged from two experiments. If present, N.D. indicates no data.

TABLE 2
Inhibition of PTEN mRNA levels by chimeric
phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2-MOE wings
and a deoxy gap
				%
		TARGET		Inhi-	SEQ ID
ISIS	REGION	SITE	SEQUENCE	bition	NO.
29574	Coding	19	cgagaggcggacgggacc	71	8
29575	Coding	57	cgggcgcctcggaagacc	37	9
29576	Coding	197	tggctgcagcttccgaga	76	10
29577	Coding	314	cccgcggctgctcacagg	86	11
29578	Coding	421	caggagaagccgaggaag	71	12
29579	Coding	494	gggaggtgccgccgccgc	85	13
29580	Coding	581	atggtgacaggcgactca	0	14
29581	Coding	671	ccgggtccctggatgtgc	20	15
29582	Coding	757	cctccgaacggctgcctc	82	16
29583	Coding	817	tctcctcagcagccagag	85	17
29584	Coding	891	cgcttggctctggaccgc	92	18
29585	Coding	952	tcttctgcaggatggaaa	72	19
29586	Coding	1048	tgctaacgatctctttga	79	20
29587	Coding	1106	ggataaatataggtcaag	61	21
29588	Coding	1169	tcaatattgttcctgtat	52	22
29589	3 UTR	1262	ttaaatttggcggtgtca	82	23
29590	3 UTR	1342	caagatcttcacaaaagg	0	24
29591	3 UTR	1418	attacaccagttcgtccc	77	25
29592	3 UTR	1504	tgtctctggtccttactt	79	26
29593	3 UTR	1541	acatagcgcctctgactg	83	27
29594	3 UTR	1606	tgtgaaacaacagtgcca	73	28
29595	3 UTR	1694	gaatatatcttcaccttt	0	29
29596	3 UTR	1792	ggaagaactctactttga	0	30
29597	3 UTR	1855	tgaagaatgtatttaccc	84	31
29598	3 UTR	1916	atttcttgatcacataga	5	32
29599	3 UTR	2020	ggttggctttgtctttat	60	33
29600	3 UTR	2098	tgctagcctctggatttg	86	34
29601	3 UTR	2180	tctggatcagagtcagtg	82	35
29602	3 UTR	2268	tattttcatggtgtttta	58	36
29603	3 UTR	2347	tgttcctataactggtaa	49	37
29604	3 UTR	2403	gtgtcaaaaccctgtgga	62	38
29605	3 UTR	2523	actggaataaaacgggaa	22	39
29606	3 UTR	2598	acttcagttggtgacaga	79	40
29607	3 UTR	2703	tagcaaaacctttcggaa	52	41
29608	3 UTR	2765	aattatttcctttctgag	67	42
29609	3 UTR	2806	taaatagctggagatggt	37	43
29610	3 UTR	2844	cagattaataactgtagc	35	44
29611	3 UTR	2950	ccccaatacagattcact	0	45
29612	3 UTR	3037	attgttgctgtgtttctt	0	46
29613	3 UTR	3088	tgtttcaagcccattctt	43	47

[0305] As shown in Table 2, SEQ ID NOs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 47 demonstrated at least 30% inhibition of PTEN expression in this experiment and are therefore preferred. The target sites to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as active sites and are therefore preferred sites for targeting by compounds of the present invention.

[0306] Western Blot Analysis of PTEN Protein Levels

[0307] Western blot analysis (immunoblot analysis) is carried out using standard methods. Cells are harvested 16-20 h after oligonucleotide treatment, washed once with PBS, suspended in Laemmli buffer (100 l/well), boiled for 5 minutes and loaded on a 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Gels are run for 1.5 hours at 150 V, and transferred to membrane for western blotting. Appropriate primary antibody directed to PTEN is used, with a radiolabelled or fluorescently labeled secondary antibody directed against the primary antibody species. Bands are visualized using a PHOSPHORIMAGER (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale Calif.).

[0308] Inhibition of PTEN Expression-Dose Response in Human, Mouse and Rat Hepatocytes

[0309] In accordance with the present invention, two additional oligonucleotides targeted to human PTEN were designed and synthesized. ISIS 116847 (CTGCTAGCCTCTGGATTTGA, SEQ ID No: 48) and ISIS 116845 (ACATAGCGCCTCTGACTGGG, SEQ ID No: 49). The mismatch control for ISIS 116847 is ISIS 116848 (CTTCTGGCATCCGGTTTAGA, SEQ ID No: 50), a six base pair mismatch of ISIS 116847, while the universal control used is ISIS 29848 (NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN, SEQ ID No: 51) where N is a mixture of A, G, T and C. Both ISIS 116847 and ISIS 116845 target the coding region of Genbank accession no. U93051, with ISIS 116847 starting at position 1063 and ISIS 116845 starting at position 505.

[0310] These oligonucleotide sequences also target the mouse PTEN sequence with perfect complementarity, with ISIS 116845 targeting nucleotides 1453-1472 and ISIS 116847 targeting nucleotides 2012-2031 of GenBank accession no. U92437 (locus name MMU92437; Steck et al., Nature Genet., 1997, 15,356-362. Similarly, these oligonucleotide sequences target the rat PTEN sequence with perfect complementarity, with ISIS 116845 targeting nucleotides 505-524 and ISIS 116847 targeting nucleotides 1063-1082 of GenBank accession no. AF017185.

[0311] All compounds are chimeric oligonucleotides (gapmers) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central gap region consisting of ten 2-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5 and 3 directions) by five-nucleotide wings. The wings are composed of 2-methoxyethyl (2-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (PS) throughout the oligonucleotides. All cytidine residues are 5-methylcytidines.

[0312] Data were obtained by real-time quantitative PCR as described in other examples herein and are averaged from two experiments.

[0313] In a dose-response experiment, human hepatocyte cells (HEPG2; American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.), mouse primary hepatocytes, and rat primary hepatocytes were treated with ISIS 116847 and its mismatch control, ISIS 116848 at doses of 10, 50, 100 and 200 nM oligonucleotide normalized to untreated controls. In all three species, the dose response was linear compared to vehicle treated controls.

[0314] In human HEPG2 cells, ISIS 116847 reduced PTEN mRNA levels to 55% of control at a dose of 10 nM, and to 5% of control at 200 nM while the PTEN mRNA levels in cells treated with the mismatch control oligonucleotide remained at greater than 90% of control across the entire dosing range.

[0315] In mouse primary hepatocytes the trend was the same with ISIS 116847 reducing PTEN mRNA levels to 85% of control at the lower dose of 10 nM, and down to 2% of control at the 200 nM dose. Again, the control oligonucleotide, ISIS 116848 failed to reduce PTEN mRNA levels and remained at or above 85% of control.

[0316] In rat primary hepatocytes, ISIS 116847 reduced PTEN mRNA levels to 55% of control at the lower dose of 10 nM and to 10% of control at the highest dose of 200 nM. PTEN mRNA levels in cells treated with the control oligonucleotide, ISIS 116848, remained at or above 95% of control across the entire dosing range.

[0317] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on mRNA Expression in Fat and Liver

[0318] In the following examples, inhibitors of PTEN were tested in db/db mice (Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, Me.). These mice are hyperglycemic, obese, hyperlipidemic, and insulin resistant, and are used as a standard animal model of diabetes.

[0319] Male db/db mice (age 14 weeks) were divided into matched groups (n5) with the same average blood glucose levels and treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Wild type mice were similarly treated. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control), ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18) and the sense control of ISIS 116847. As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone, an oral antihyperglycemic agent which is used in the treatment of type II diabetes. It acts primarily to decrease insulin resistance, improve sensitivity to insulin in muscle and adipose tissue and inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and PTEN mRNA levels were measured.

[0320] Treatment of db/db mice with ISIS 116847 showed a dose-dependent decrease in PTEN mRNA levels in the liver to 10% of control at 50 mg/kg. ISIS 116845 showed a reduction in PTEN mRNA levels to 22% of control at a dose of 50 mg/kg.

[0321] In wild-type mice a level of 5% of control PTEN mRNA required a dose of 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847. Neither troglitazone nor any of the controls had an effect on PTEN mRNA levels over saline control.

[0322] Similar results were seen in fat. Treatment of db/db mice with ISIS 116847 showed a dose-dependent decrease in PTEN mRNA levels in fat to 20% of control at 50 mg/kg. ISIS 116845 showed a reduction in PTEN mRNA levels to 35% of control at a dose of 50 mg/kg.

[0323] In wild-type mice a level of 18% of control required a dose of 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847. Neither troglitazone nor any of the controls had an effect on PTEN mRNA levels over saline control.

[0324] In another experiment, male db/db mice (age 14 weeks) were divided into matched groups (n5) with the same average blood glucose levels and treated intraperitoneally with saline or ISIS 116847 every other day (q2d) or twice a week (q4d) at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The control for both protocols was the mismatch control, ISIS 116848. Mice were exsanguinated on day 14 and PTEN mRNA levels in liver and fat were measured.

[0325] ISIS 116847 successfully reduced PTEN mRNA levels in both liver and fat of db/db mice at both the q2d and q4d dosing schedules in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the mismatch control and saline treated animals showed no reduction in PTEN mRNA.

[0326] There was no reduction of PTEN mRNA in skeletal muscle with any of the oligonucleotides used. This lack of an effect in muscle indicates that reduction of expression of PTEN in liver and fat alone is sufficient to lower hyperglycemia.

[0327] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on mRNA Expression in Kidney

[0328] Male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control), ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18) and the sense control of ISIS 116847. As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and PTEN mRNA levels were measured.

[0329] Treatment with ISIS 116847 showed a dose-dependent decrease in PTEN mRNA levels in kidney, being reduced to 70% of control at a dose of 50 mg/kg. ISIS 116845 reduced PTEN mRNA levels to 85% of control at the same dose.

[0330] In wild-type mice a level of 75% of control required a dose of 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847. Neither troglitazone nor any of the controls had an effect on PTEN mRNA levels over saline control.

[0331] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on PTEN Protein Levels in Liver Extracts as a Function of Time and Dose

[0332] Male db/db and wild-type mice (age 14 weeks) were treated once a week for 4 weeks with saline, a control oligonucleotide, ISIS 29848 (50 mg/kg) or ISIS 116847 at 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg. Wild-type mice were treated with saline or ISIS 116847 at 100 mg/kg. Mice were sacrificed at day 28 and PTEN protein levels were measured by Western blotting as described in other examples herein.

[0333] In the db/db mice, treatment with ISIS 116847 caused a dose-dependent decrease in PTEN protein levels compared to saline controls or mismatch treated animals.

[0334] Protein levels in wild-type mice treated at 100 mg/kg were comparably reduced to the levels seen in db/db mice treated at the 50 mg/kg dose. There was no significant difference in the relative levels of PTEN protein in control lean versus db/db mice.

[0335] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on PTEN Protein Levels in Fat and Kidney as a Function of Time and Dose

[0336] Male db/db and wild-type mice (age 14 weeks) were treated once a week for 4 weeks with saline or ISIS 116847 at 50 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. Mice were sacrificed at day 28 and PTEN protein levels were measured by Western blotting described in other examples herein.

[0337] PTEN levels in fat were reduced in both db/db and wild-type mice by the PTEN oligomeric compounds as compared to control, and slight reduction of PTEN levels was seen in the kidney after treatment with oligomeric compounds.

[0338] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on Blood Glucose Levels

[0339] Male db/db and wild type mice (age 14 weeks) were divided into matched groups (n5) with the same average blood glucose levels and treated by intraperitoneal injection with saline or ISIS 116847 every other day (q2d) or twice a week (q4d) at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The control for both protocols was the mismatch control, ISIS 116848. Blood glucose levels were measured on day 7 and day 14.

[0340] By day 14 in db/db mice, blood glucose levels were reduced for both treatment schedules; from starting levels of 330 mg/dL to 175 mg/dL (q2d) and 170 mg/dL (q4d) which are levels within the range considered normal for wild-type mice. The mismatch control levels remained at 310 mg/dL throughout the study.

[0341] In wild-type mice, blood glucose levels remained constant throughout the study for all treatment groups (average 115 mg/dL).

[0342] In a similar experiment, male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control) and ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18). At day 28 mice were sacrificed and serum glucose levels were measured.

[0343] In db/db mice, treatment with either ISIS 116847 or ISIS 116845 reduced serum glucose levels relative to saline control (480 mg/dL) to 240 and 280 mg/dL, respectively. This reduction was statistically significant (p<0.005). Neither the mismatch nor universal control had any effect on serum glucose levels. In wild-type animals, ISIS 116847 failed to reduce serum glucose levels from that of control (200 mg/dL).

[0344] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on Blood Glucose Levels of db/db Mice as a Function of Time and Dose

[0345] Male db/db mice (age 14 weeks) were treated once a week for 4 weeks with saline or ISIS 116847 at 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Blood glucose levels were measured on day 7, 14, 21 and 28.

[0346] At the beginning of the study, all groups had blood glucose levels of 275 mg/dL which rose in the saline treated animals and those treated at the low dose of ISIS 116847 to 350 mg/dL and 320 mg/dL, respectively by day four. At the end of the first week, all three dosing schedules showed a reduction in blood glucose and continued to show linear dose response decreases throughout the study. At day 28, blood glucose levels in animals treated with oligomeric compounds were 275 mg/dL (10 mg/kg dose), 175 mg/dL (25 mg/kg dose) and 120 mg/dL (50 mg/kg dose) while saline treated levels remained at 350 mg/dL. The average glucose levels for oligonucleotide treated mice at the end of the four week study was 194 mg/dL as compared to 418 mg/dL for saline treated controls (p<0.0001).

[0347] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on Blood Glucose Levels of db/db Mice-Insulin Tolerance Test

[0348] Male db/db mice (age 14 weeks) were treated once with saline or ISIS 116847 50 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. The insulin tolerance test was performed after a four hour fast followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 1 U/kg human insulin (Lilly). On day 21, blood was withdrawn from the tail at 0, 30, 60 and 90 minutes and blood glucose levels were measured as a percentage of blood glucose at time zero. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA repeated measures followed by Bonferroni Dunn analysis, p<0.05.

[0349] Treatment with ISIS 116847 on day 21 resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose (p<0.006) at the 90 minute post-treatment time point to 45% of control (55% decrease). Saline treatment resulted in a 30% reduction. These studies indicate that the PTEN oligonucleotide is capable of increasing sensitivity to insulin (decreasing insulin resistance) and that treatment does not cause hypoglycemia. Glucose levels in PTEN treated mice (both db/db and wild-type) fasted for 16 hours remained normal.

[0350] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on Serum Triglyceride and Cholesterol Concentration

[0351] Male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control), ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18) and the sense control of ISIS 116847. As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and triglyceride and cholesterol levels were measured.

[0352] Treatment of db/db mice with ISIS 116847 resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of both triglycerides and cholesterol compared to saline controls (a reduction from 200 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL for triglycerides and from 130 mg/dL to 98 mg/dL for cholesterol). Treatment of db/db mice with ISIS 116845 at a dose of 50 mg/kg resulted in a decrease in both triglycerides and cholesterol levels to 130 mg/dL and 75 mg/dL, respectively. Troglitazone treatment of db/db mice reduced both triglyceride and cholesterol levels to 85 mg/dL each.

[0353] Wild-type animals did not respond to treatment with ISIS 116847 at a dose of 100 mg/kg as both triglyceride and cholesterol levels remained similar to control saline treated animals (between 85 and 105 mg/dL). The reductions seen in cholesterol and triglycerides were statistically significant at p<0.005.

[0354] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on Body Weight

[0355] Male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control), ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18) and the sense control of ISIS 116847. As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and final body weights were measured.

[0356] Treatment with ISIS 116847 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in body weight over the dose range with animals treated at the high dose gaining an average of 8.7 grams while saline treated controls gained 2.8 grams. Animals treated with the mismatch or universal control oligonucleotide gained between 2.5 and 3.5 grams of body weight and troglitazone treated animals gained 5.0 grams.

[0357] Wild-type animals treated with 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847 gained 2.0 grams of body weight compared to a gain of 1.3 grams for the wild-type saline or mismatch controls.

[0358] Weight gain in the PTEN oligomeric compound treated mice began to increase relative to that in saline or control groups at the same time that glucose levels began to drop.

[0359] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on Liver Weight-Anterior Lobe

[0360] Male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline, ISIS 116848 (a mismatch control), ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18) and the sense control of ISIS 116847. As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and the weights of the anterior lobe of the liver were measured.

[0361] db/db animals treated at the high dose had liver weights of 1.2 grams while saline treated controls weighed 0.75 grams. db/db animals treated with ISIS 116845 at a dose of 50 mg/kg had comparable liver size to those treated with ISIS 116847 at a dose of 25 mg/kg (1.0 grams). Animals treated with the mismatch control, universal control or troglitazone had livers weighing an average of 1.0 gram.

[0362] Wild-type mouse livers treated with 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847 weighed 0.7 grams compared to 0.5 grams for the wild-type saline treated controls.

[0363] BrdU (bromine deoxyuridine) staining of liver sections indicated that the increase in liver weight was not due to increased cell proliferation, and there was no increase in inflammatory infiltrates in the liver. Long-term studies show that the increases in liver weight are reversed.

[0364] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on PEPCK mRNA Expression in Liver of db/db Mice

[0365] PEPCK is the rate-limiting enzyme of gluconeogenesis and is expressed predominantly in liver where it acts in the gluconeogenic pathway (production of glucose from amino acids) and in kidney where it acts in the gluconeogenic pathway as well as being glyceroneogenic and ammoniagenic. In the liver, PEPCK is negatively regulated by insulin and has therefore been considered a potential contributing factor to hyperglycemia in diabetics (Sutherland et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. Biol. Sci., 1996, 351, 191-199).

[0366] Male db/db mice (age 14 weeks) with the same average blood glucose levels were divided into groups (n5) and treated intraperitoneally with saline, ISIS 116847 or the mismatch control, ISIS 116848, every other day (q2d). Mice were exsanguinated on day 14 and PEPCK mRNA levels in liver were measured.

[0367] Mice treated with ISIS 116847 showed a reduction of PEPCK mRNA to 65% of saline treated controls. The mismatch control group remained at 98% of saline treated control.

[0368] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN (ISIS 116847) on Serum Insulin Levels of db/db Mice

[0369] Male db/db and wild type mice (age 14 weeks) were divided into matched groups (n5) with the same average blood glucose levels and treated by intraperitoneal injection with saline or ISIS 116847 every other day (q2d) or twice a week (q4d) at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The control for both protocols was the mismatch control, ISIS 116848. Mice were exsanguinated on day 14 and serum insulin levels were measured.

[0370] On day 14 db/db mice treated on the q2d schedule had serum insulin levels of 7.8 ng/mL, compared to saline treated (9 ng/mL) and mismatch treated animals (12 ng/mL). In the q4d schedule there was a drop in the serum insulin levels of db/db mice treated with ISIS 116847 to 4 ng/mL while the mismatch control levels remained at 12 ng/mL. Wild-type mice had serum insulin levels of 1 ng/mL throughout the course of both treatment schedules.

[0371] Effects of Inhibition of PTEN on Liver Function-AST/ALT Levels

[0372] Male db/db and wild type mice (age 14 weeks) were divided into matched groups (n5) with the same average blood glucose levels and treated by intraperitoneal injection with saline, troglitazone, or ISIS 116847 every other day (q2d) or twice a week (q4d) at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The control for both protocols was the mismatch control, ISIS 116848. Mice were exsanguinated on day 14 and liver enzyme levels were measured.

[0373] In the q2d treatment schedule there was an increase in ALT levels over saline treated animals from 125 IU/L (saline control) to 300 IU/L (both PTEN oligonucleotide, ISIS 116847, and mismatch control), whereas AST levels remained between 220 IU/L and 240 IU/L among the three treatment groups.

[0374] In the q4d treatment schedule, ALT levels increased from 125 IU/L (saline control) to 160 IU/L in animals treated with ISIS 116847 and 200 IU/L for mismatch control. AST levels decreased from saline control levels of 220 IU/L to 160 IU/L for ISIS 116847 treated animals, as well as in animals treated with the mismatch control (200 IU/L). As a comparison, AST and ALT levels were measured after treatment with troglitazone. Levels of both enzymes were found to be 260 IU/L.

[0375] In a similar experiment, male db/db and wild-type mice were treated once a week for 4 weeks with ISIS 116847 at 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg or ISIS 116845 at 50 mg/kg. Controls included saline or ISIS 29848 (the universal control discussed in Example 18). As a comparison db/db mice were also treated with troglitazone. At day 28 mice were sacrificed and AST and ALT levels were measured.

[0376] Treatment of db/db mice with ISIS 116847 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in ALT levels over the dose range with animals treated at the high dose having ALT levels of 250 IU/L while AST levels remained constant at 165 IU/L. These levels represent an increase in ALT levels from saline treated controls of 110 IU/L and a decrease in AST levels from saline treated controls of 220 IU/L. db/db animals treated with ISIS 116845 at a dose of 50 mg/kg had comparable ALT and AST levels, 145 IU/L. Animals treated with the universal control had ALT and AST levels comparable to control levels and those treated with troglitazone showed an increase in ALT levels over control to 150 IU/L and a slight decrease in AST levels to 200 IU/L from control.

[0377] Wild-type mice treated with 100 mg/kg of ISIS 116847 had both increased ALT and AST levels (100 IU/L and 130 IU/L, respectively) compared to saline-treated control ALT and AST levels (50 IU/L and 95 IU/L, respectively).

[0378] Although ALT levels were slightly elevated in animals treated with PTEN oligomeric compounds, AST levels were reduced indicating that PTEN oligomeric compound effects on liver weight were not due to toxicity.

[0379] Design of Double Stranded Oligoneric Compounds Targeting PTEN

[0380] In accordance with the present invention, a series of 21 nucleotide oligomeric compounds, in this case duplex RNAs, were designed to target PTEN mRNA (Genbank accession no. U92436.1; SEQ ID NO: 52). The nucleobase sequence of the antisense strand of the duplex is identical to the 18 nucleobase oligonucleotides in Table 2 with one additional complementary base on the 3 end of the oligoribonucleotides followed by a two-nucleobase overhang of deoxythymidine (T), TT. The sequences of the antisense strands are listed in Table 3. The sense strand of the dsRNA was designed and synthesized as the complement of the antisense strand and also contained the two-nucleobase overhang on the 3 end making both strands of the dsRNA duplex complementary over the central 19 nucleobases and each having a two-base overhang on the 3 end.

[0381] For example, the dsRNA having ISIS 29574 (SEQ ID NO: 53) as the antisense strand is:

cgagaggcggacgggaccgTT	ISIS 29574
TTgctctccgcctgccctggc	Complement of ISIS 29574

[0382] Both strands of the dsRNAs were purchased from Dharmacon Research Inc. (Lafayette, Colo.), shipped lyophilized and annealed on-site using the manufacturer's protocol.

[0383] Briefly, each RNA oligonucleotide was aliquoted and diluted to a concentration of 50 M. Once diluted, 30 uL of each strand was combined with 15 L of a 5 solution of annealing buffer. The final concentration of said buffer was 100 mM potassium acetate, 30 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.4, and 2 mM magnesium acetate. The final volume was 75 L. This solution was incubated for 1 minute at 90 C. and then centrifuged for 15 seconds. The tube was allowed to sit for 1 hour at 37 C. at which time the dsRNA duplexes were used in experimentation. The final concentration of the dsRNA duplex was 20 M. This solution can be stored frozen (20 C.) and freeze-thawed up to 5 times.

[0384] Inhibition of PTEN Expression by Double Stranded RNA (dsRNA)

[0385] In accordance with the present invention, a series of double stranded oligomeric compounds targeted to PTEN were evaluated for their ability to modulate PTEN expression in T-24 cells compared to treatment with the single-stranded oligonucleotides of the present invention listed in Table 2.

[0386] When cells reached 80% confluency, they were treated with dsRNA or single stranded oligonucleotide. For cells grown in 96-well plates, wells were washed once with 200 L OPTI-MEM-1 reduced-serum medium (Gibco BRL) and then treated with 130 L of OPTI-MEM-1 containing 12 g/mL LIPOFECTIN (Gibco BRL) and the desired dsRNA at a final concentration of 200 nM. After 5 hours of treatment, the medium was replaced with fresh medium. Cells were harvested 16 hours after dsRNA or single-stranded oligonucleotide treatment, at which time RNA was isolated and target reduction measured by RT-PCR.

[0387] The oligonucleotide sequence of the antisense strands of the dsRNAs are shown in Table 3. Target sites are indicated by the first (5 most) nucleotide number, as given in the sequence source reference (Genbank accession no. U92436.1), to which the antisense strand of the dsRNA oligonucleotide binds.

[0388] All compounds in Table 3 are oligoribonucleotides, 21 nucleotides in length with the two nucleotides on the 3 and being oligodeoxyribonucleotides, TT with phosphodiester backbones (internucleoside linkages) throughout.

[0389] Data were obtained by real-time quantitative PCR as described in other examples herein and are averaged from two experiments in which T-24 cells were treated with the single or double stranded oligomeric compounds of the present invention. If present, N.D. indicates no data.

TABLE 3
Inhibition of PTEN mRNA levels by dsRNA
oligonucleotides
				%	SEQ
		TARGET		Inhi-	ID
ISIS	REGION	SITE	SEQUENCE	bition	NO.
29574	5 UTR	19	cgagaggcggacgggaccgTT	0	53
29575	5 UTR	57	cgggcgcctcggaagaccgTT	0	54
29576	5 UTR	197	tggctgcagcttccgagagTT	40	55
29577	5 UTR	314	cccgcggctgctcacaggcTT	15	56
29578	5 UTR	421	caggagaagccgaggaagaTT	55	57
29579	5 UTR	494	gggaggtgccgccgccgccTT	25	58
29581	5 UTR	671	ccgggtccctggatgtgccTT	35	59
29582	5 UTR	757	cctccgaacggctgcctccTT	60	60
29583	5 UTR	817	tctcctcagcagccagaggTT	35	61
29584	5 UTR	891	cgcttggctctggaccgcaTT	10	62
29585	5 UTR	952	tcttctgcaggatggaaatTT	40	63
29587	Coding	1106	ggataaatataggtcaagtTT	50	64
29588	Coding	1169	tcaatattgttcctgtataTT	60	65
29589	Coding	1262	ttaaatttggcggtgtcatTT	60	66
29590	Coding	1342	caagatcttcacaaaagggTT	70	67
29591	Coding	1418	attacaccagttcgtccctTT	75	68
29592	Coding	1504	tgtctctggtccttacttcTT	75	69
29593	Coding	1541	acatagcgcctctgactggTT	70	70
29595	Coding	1694	gaatatatcttcacctttaTT	25	71
29596	Coding	1792	ggaagaactctactttgatTT	0	72
29597	Coding	1855	tgaagaatgtatttacccaTT	60	73
29599	Coding	2020	ggttggctttgtctttattTT	0	74
29600	Coding	2098	tgctagcctctggatttgaTT	25	75
29601	Coding	2180	tctggatcagagtcagtggTT	5	76
29602	3 UTR	2268	tattttcatggtgttttacTT	60	77
29603	3 UTR	2347	tgttcctataactggtaatTT	40	78
29604	3 UTR	2403	gtgtcaaaaccctgtggatTT	40	79
29605	3 UTR	2523	actggaataaaacgggaaaTT	25	80
29606	3 UTR	2598	acttcagttggtgacagaaTT	10	81
29607	3 UTR	2703	tagcaaaacctttcggaaaTT	25	82
29608	3 UTR	2765	aattatttcctttctgagcTT	35	83
29609	3 UTR	2806	taaatagctggagatggtcTT	15	84
29610	3 UTR	2844	cagattaataactgtagcaTT	35	85
29611	3 UTR	2950	ccccaatacagattcacttTT	20	86
29612	3 UTR	3037	attgttgctgtgtttcttaTT	20	87
29613	3 UTR	3088	tgtttcaagcccattctttTT	35	88

[0390] A comparison of the inhibition of PTEN expression-by single stranded oligonucleotides vs. double stranded RNA (dsRNA) is shown in Table 4. The additional nucleobases found in the longer 21-mer strands of the dsRNA are shown in bold.

TABLE 4
Inhibition of PTEN mRNA levels by dsRNA
oligonucleotides
			Inhibition	Inhibition
	ISIS	SEQUENCE	dsRNA	ssASO
	29574	cgagaggcggacgggaccgTT	0	18
	29575	cgggcgcctcggaagaccgTT	0	25
	29576	tggctgcagcttccgagagTT	40	65
	29577	cccgcggctgctcacaggcTT	15	80
	29578	caggagaagccgaggaagaTT	55	50
	29579	gggaggtgccgccgccgccTT	25	70
	29581	ccgggtccctggatgtgccTT	35	90
	29582	cctccgaacggctgcctccTT	60	65
	29583	tctcctcagcagccagaggTT	35	75
	29584	cgcttggctctggaccgcaTT	10	80
	29585	tcttctgcaggatggaaatTT	40	60
	29587	ggataaatataggtcaagtTT	50	50
	29588	tcaatattgttcctgtataTT	60	35
	29589	ttaaatttggcggtgtcatTT	60	75
	29590	caagatcttcacaaaagggTT	70	60
	29591	attacaccagttcgtccctTT	75	55
	29592	tgtctctggtccttacttcTT	75	60
	29593	acatagcgcctctgactggTT	70	75
	29595	gaatatatcttcacctttaTT	25	30
	29596	ggaagaactctactttgatTT	0	60
	29597	tgaagaatgtatttacccaTT	60	30
	29599	ggttggctttgtctttattTT	0	55
	29600	tgctagcctctggatttgaTT	25	80
	29601	tctggatcagagtcagtggTT	5	60
	29602	tattttcatggtgttttacTT	60	35
	29603	tgttcctataactggtaatTT	40	60
	29604	gtgtcaaaaccctgtggatTT	40	35
	29605	actggaataaaacgggaaaTT	25	5
	29606	acttcagttggtgacagaaTT	10	40
	29607	tagcaaaacctttcggaaaTT	25	20
	29608	aattatttcctttctgagcTT	35	20
	29609	taaatagctggagatggtcTT	15	25
	29610	cagattaataactgtagcaTT	35	40
	29611	ccccaatacagattcacttTT	20	10
	29612	attgttgctgtgtttcttaTT	20	60
	29613	tgtttcaagcccattctttTT	35	55

[0391] RNA Synthesis

[0392] In general, RNA synthesis chemistry is based on the selective incorporation of various protecting groups at strategic intermediary reactions. Although one of ordinary skill in the art will understand the use of protecting groups in organic synthesis, a useful class of protecting groups includes silyl ethers. In particular bulky silyl ethers are used to protect the 5-hydroxyl in combination with an acid-labile orthoester protecting group on the 2-hydroxyl. This set of protecting groups is then used with standard solid-phase synthesis technology. It is, important to lastly remove the acid labile orthoester protecting group after all other synthetic steps. Moreover, the early use of the silyl protecting groups during synthesis ensures facile removal when desired, without undesired deprotection of 2 hydroxyl.

[0393] Following this procedure for the sequential protection of the 5-hydroxyl in combination with protection of the 2-hydroxyl by protecting groups that are differentially removed and are differentially chemically labile, RNA oligonucleotides were synthesized.

[0394] RNA oligonucleotides are synthesized in a stepwise fashion. Each nucleotide is added sequentially (3- to 5-direction) to a solid support-bound oligonucleotide. The first nucleoside at the 3-end of the chain is covalently attached to a solid support. The nucleotide precursor, a ribonucleoside phosphoramidite, and activator are added, coupling the second base onto the 5-end of the first nucleoside. The support is washed and any unreacted 5-hydroxyl groups are capped with acetic anhydride to yield 5-acetyl moieties. The linkage is then oxidized to the more stable and ultimately desired P(V) linkage. At the end of the nucleotide addition cycle, the 5-silyl group is cleaved with fluoride. The cycle is repeated for each subsequent nucleotide.

[0395] Following synthesis, the methyl protecting groups on the phosphates are cleaved in 30 minutes utilizing 1 M disodium-2-carbamoyl-2-cyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate trihydrate (S2Na2) in DMF. The deprotection solution is washed from the solid support-bound oligonucleotide using water. The support is then treated with 40% methylamine in water for 10 minutes at 55 C. This releases the RNA oligonucleotides into solution, deprotects the exocyclic amines, and modifies the 2-groups. The oligonucleotides can be analyzed by anion exchange HPLC at this stage.

[0396] The 2-orthoester groups are the last protecting groups to be removed. The ethylene glycol monoacetate orthoester protecting group developed by Dharmacon Research (Lafayette, Colo.), is one example of a useful orthoester protecting group which, has the following important properties. It is stable to the conditions of nucleoside phosphoramidite synthesis and oligonucleotide synthesis. However, after oligonucleotide synthesis the oligonucleotide is treated with methylamine which not only cleaves the oligonucleotide from the solid support but also removes the acetyl groups from the orthoesters. The resulting 2-ethyl-hydroxyl substituents on the orthoester are less electron withdrawing than the acetylated precursor. As a result, the modified orthoester becomes more labile to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis.

[0397] Specifically, the rate of cleavage is approximately 10 times faster after the acetyl groups are removed. Therefore, this orthoester possesses sufficient stability in order to be compatible with oligonucleotide synthesis and yet, when subsequently modified, permits deprotection to be carried out under relatively mild aqueous conditions compatible with the final RNA oligonucleotide product.

[0398] Additionally, methods of RNA synthesis are well known in the art (Scaringe, S. A. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Colorado, 1996; Scaringe, S. A., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 11820-11821; Matteucci, M. D. and Caruthers, M. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1981, 103, 3185-3191; Beaucage, S. L. and Caruthers, M. H. Tetrahedron Lett., 1981, 22, 1859-1862; Dahl, B. J., et al., Acta Chem. Scand,. 1990, 44, 639-641; Reddy, M. P., et al., Tetrahedrom Lett., 1994, 25, 4311-4314; Wincott, F. et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1995, 23, 2677-2684; Griffin, B. E., et al., Tetrahedron, 1967, 23, 2301-2313; Griffin, B. E., et al., Tetrahedron, 1967, 23, 2315-2331).

[0399] RNA compounds (RNA oligonucleotides) of the present invention can be synthesized by the methods herein or purchased from Dharmacon Research, Inc (Boulder, Colo.). Once synthesized, complementary RNA compounds can then be annealed by methods known in the art to form double stranded (duplexed) oligomeric compounds. For example, duplexes can be formed by combining 30 l of each of the complementary strands of RNA oligonucleotides (50 M RNA oligonucleotide solution) and 15 l of 5 annealing buffer (100 mM potassium acetate, 30 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.4, 2 mM magnesium acetate) followed by heating for 1 minute at 90 C., then 1 hour at 37 C. The resulting duplexed compounds can be used in kits, assays, screens, or other methods to investigate the role of a target nucleic acid.

[0400] PTEN Variants

[0401] It is advantageous to selectively inhibit the expression of one or more mutants of PTEN. Mutants of PTEN have been identified based on sequence alterations observed in tumors such as pediatric glioma, melanoma, breast, leukemia, glioblastoma, submaxillary gland, and testis. Consequently, in one embodiment of the present invention are oligonucleotides that target, hybridize to, and specifically inhibit the expression of mutants of PTEN. Examples of such mutants are shown in Table 5.

	Position on SEQ ID
Mutation	NO: 52	Codon	Predicted Effect
G to T	1033		Splicing Variant
CC to TT	1146, 1147	38	Pro to Phe
T to G	1357	108	Leu to Arg
T to C	1365	111	Trp to Arg
T to G	1369	112	Leu to Arg
C to T	1422	130	Arg to Stop
G to A	1441	136	Cys to Tyr
T to C	1489	152	Leu to Pro
C to T	1551	173	Arg to Cys
G to C	1552	173	Arg to Pro
C to T	1731	233	Arg to Stop
del A	1739	235	Protein Truncation
del G	1857	275	Protein Truncation

[0402]