CpG-free HSV1-tk

Synthetic cytotoxic viral TK gene in expression plasmid

Suicide genes code for enzymes, such as thymidine kinases (TKs), that convert non-toxic compounds (prodrugs) into toxic products.

Invivogen provides the thymidine kinase gene from Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) that codes for TKs, an enzyme able to convert nucleoside analogs such as ganciclovir (GCV) into cytotoxic molecules.

The DNA sequence of this viral gene was modified by humanizing the codon usage and eliminating all the CpGs.

The synthetic HSV1-tk gene is provided in the expression plasmid pSelect-zeo which is selectable with Zeocin™ in both mammalian and E.coli cells.