Abstract: A novel adenovirus E1/E4 expressing packaging cell line is provided, which permits the generation of recombinant adenoviruses deleted in both gene regions. The E1/E4 deleted recombinant adenovirus is capable of expressing a selected transgene product in cells in vivo or in vitro. This recombinant virus is useful in the treatment of genetic disorders.

Abstract: A novel adenovirus E1/E4 expressing packaging cell line is provided, which permits the generation of recombinant adenoviruses deleted in both gene regions. The E1/E4 deleted recombinant adenovirus is capable of expressing a selected transgene product in cells in vivo or in vitro. This recombinant virus is useful in the treatment of genetic disorders.

Abstract: An adenovirus E1/E4 expressing packaging cell line is provided, which permits the generation of recombinant adenoviruses deleted in both gene regions. A method for enhancing the efficiency of transduction of a recombinant AAV into a target cell is provided by infecting a target cell with a recombinant AAV comprising a selected transgene under the control of regulatory sequences. The infected cell is contacted with an agent which facilitates the conversion of single stranded recombinant virus to its double stranded form.

Abstract: An adenovirus E1/E4 expressing packaging cell line is provided, which permits the generation of recombinant adenoviruses deleted in both gene regions. A method for enhancing the efficiency of transduction of a recombinant AAV into a target cell is provided by infecting a target cell with a recombinant AAV comprising a selected transgene under the control of regulatory sequences. The infected cell is contacted with an agent which facilitates the conversion of single stranded recombinant virus to its double stranded form.

Abstract: A method for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus in the absence of contaminating helper virus or wild-type virus involves culturing a mammalian host cell containing an rAd/AAV hybrid virus, an AAV rep sequence and an AAV cap sequence under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof. The rAd/AAV hybrid virus contains a rAAV construct to be packaged into an AAV virion in a backbone containing the adenoviral sequences necessary to express E1a and E1b gene products and to permit replication of the hybrid virus. The method of the invention permits replication of the hybrid virus and production of rAAV virion in this host cell in the absence of a helper virus and obviates a subsequent purification step to purify rAAV from contaminating virus.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of transduction of a recombinant AAV into a target cell is provided. The target cell is infected with a recombinant adeno-associated virus comprising a selected transgene under the control of regulatory sequences. The infected cell is contacted with an agent which facilitates the conversion of single stranded recombinant virus to its double stranded form. When this conversion occurs in the target cell, enhanced transduction of the recombinant virus into said target cell results. The agent can be a helper virus providing a gene which facilitates the conversion, or an agent to which the infected cell is exposed, which facilitates the conversion. In a similar manner, a novel recombinant AAV is provided which contains the facilitating gene and the transgene. The methods may be performed ex vivo or in vivo.

Abstract: Canavan disease, an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy, is caused by deficiency of aspartoacylase and accumulation of N-acetylaspartic acid in brain. Human aspartoacylase (ASP) cDNA spanning 1,435 bp has been cloned and expressed in E. coli. A base change, a854>c, has been found in 85% of the 34 Canavan alleles tested so far, which results in a missense glu285>ala mutation that is predicted to be part of the catalytic domain of aspartoacylase. Several additional mutations have also been identified. The invention therefore provides nucleic acid sequences, genes, polypeptides, antibodies, vectors containing the gene, host cells transformed with vectors containing the gene, animal models for the disease, methods for expressing the polypeptide, genetic screening methods and kits, diagnostic methods and kits, methods of treating Canavan disease and methods of genetic therapy for the disease.