Means and methods for detecting activated MALT1

A method for the detection of activated Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) in a test sample comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting a test sample with a diagnostic inhibitor of MALT1 activity under conditions allowing the formation of a MALT1 complex of said diagnostic inhibitor and activated MALT1;
• and
• (b) detecting the MALT1 complex qualitatively and/or quantitatively by a first detection agent which binds to a first binding site on the MALT1 complex of (a),
• wherein said diagnostic inhibitor comprises the following covalently linked subunits:
• (i) a first subunit comprising at least one detectable label,
• (ii) a second subunit, wherein the second subunit is a tetrapeptide selected from the group consisting of LRSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 5), LVSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 7), FMSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 8), CLSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 9), GASR (SEQ ID NO:
• 10) or a pentapeptide comprising any of the tetrapeptides LRSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 5), LVSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 7), FMSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 8), CLSR (SEQ ID NO:
• 9) or GASR (SEQ ID NO:
• 10), capable of binding to the catalytic center of activated MALT1, and
• (iii) a third subunit comprising at least one moiety for linking the diagnostic inhibitor to activated MALT1,
• wherein the third subunit comprises AOMK wherein AOMK comprises a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group;
• wherein the first binding site is located on the diagnostic inhibitor;
• and
• wherein the method comprises qualitative and/or quantitative detection of activated MALT1 or the MALT1 complex by a second detection agent.