Abstract: The invention provides, among other things, regulated polymerase III expression systems and related compositions. The invention provides, in part, expression systems in which the expression is inducible, and systems which express inhibitory RNA molecules, such as hairpin RNA molecules. The invention also provides related methods, such as methods of inhibiting expression of a gene.

Abstract: Host Cell Factor (HCF), a eukaryotic cellular protein involved in transcription, nucleic acids encoding HCF, and methods of using HCF and HCF-encoding nucleic acids are provided. HCF activity is disclosed to comprise a collection of polypeptides encoded by a structural gene encoding a parent protein of 2039 amino acids. HCF-specific binding compounds are disclosed including antibodies to HCF epitopes. Because HCF is required for the transcription of a number of viral genes such as the immediate early genes of Herpes Simplex Virus, the invention provides HCF-based pharmaceutical compositions and HCF-based methods for screening chemical libraries for regulators of viral transcription. Such compositions are used in the treatment of viral infections by modulating the transcription of certain viral genes.

Abstract: Host Cell Factor (HCF), a eukaryotic cellular protein involved in transcription, nucleic acids encoding HCF, and methods of using HCF and HCF-encoding nucleic acids are provided. HCF activity is disclosed to comprise a collection of polypeptides encoded by a structural gene encoding a parent protein of 2039 amino acids. HCF-specific binding compounds are disclose including antibodies to HCF epitopes. Because HCF is required for the transcription of a number of vital genes such as the immediate early genes of Herpes Simplex Virus, the invention provides HCF-based methods for screening chemical libraries for regulators of viral transcription. Such regulators are used in the treatment of viral infections by modulating the transcription of certain viral genes.