Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Jetton

Thomas L. Jetton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Characterized BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins and screening and therapeutic methods based on characterized BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins
    Patent number: 6149903
    Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignees: Vanderbilt University, University of Washington
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Holt, Roy A. Jensen, Mary-Claire King, David L. Page, Csilla I. Szabo, Thomas L. Jetton, Cheryl L. Robinson-Benion, Marilyn E. Thompson
  • Characterized BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins and screening and therapeutic methods based on characterized BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins
    Patent number: 5891857
    Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignees: Vanderbilt University, University of Washington
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Holt, Roy A. Jensen, Mary-Claire King, David L. Page, Csilla I. Szabo, Thomas L. Jetton, Cheryl L. Robinson-Benion, Marilyn E. Thompson