Tumor suppressor gene
OwnerIrwin Gelmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel tumor suppressor gene, referred to herein as SSeCKS, its encoded protein, and methods of use thereof. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery of a SSeCKS gene which encodes a substrate of protein kinase C that functions as both a mitogenic regulator as well as a tumor suppressor.
Claims20
A monoclonal antibody which immunospecifically binds to an epitope of SSeCKS.
A method for identifying a compound capable of modulating cell proliferation comprising:
- (i) contacting a cell that comprises a reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a SSeCKS gene responsive element with a test compound and measuring the level of reporter gene expression in the cell;
- (ii) measuring the level of reporter gene expression in the absence of the test compound;
- and
- (iii) comparing the levels of reporter gene expression measured in (i) and (ii);
- wherein a difference in the levels of reporter gene expression measured in steps (i) and (ii) has a positive correlation with cell proliferation modulating activity of the test compound.
A method for identifying a compound capable of modulating cell proliferation comprising:
- (i) contacting a cell that comprises a reporter gene under the transcriptional control of a cyclin D gene responsive element with a test compound and measuring the level of reporter gene expression in the cell;
- (ii) measuring the level of reporter gene expression in the absence of the test compound;
- and
- (iii) comparing the levels of reporter gene expression measured in (i) and (ii);
- wherein a difference in the levels of reporter gene expression measured in steps (i) and (ii) has a positive correlation with cell proliferation modulating activity of the test compound.
A method for identifying a compound capable of modulating hair growth comprising:
- (i) contacting a cell that expresses cyclin D and SSeCKS, a in the presence of a stimulator of cell proliferation;
- (ii) determining the level of nuclear translocation of the cyclin D into the nucleus of the cell;
- (iii) determining the level of nuclear translocation in the absence of the test compound;
- and
- (iv) comparing the level of nuclear translocation measured in (ii) and
- wherein a difference in the level of nuclear translocation measured in steps (ii) and (iii) has a positive correlation with cell proliferation modulating activity of the test compound.
A method of inhibiting cell proliferation in a cell comprising introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a SSeCKS polypeptide that is capable of binding cyclin D and preventing translocation of cyclin D into the nucleus.
A method of inhibiting cell proliferation in a cell comprising introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a SSeCKS polypeptide that has an increased affinity for cyclin D.
A method for determining the metastatic potential of a cancer cell comprising:
- (a) detecting the expression of SSeCKS in the cell;
- and
- (b) comparing the level of SSeCKS expression in the cancer cell to the level of expression in a control sample;
- wherein a decrease in the level of SSeCKS expression detected in the cancer cell as compared to the normal cell is an indicator of increased metastatic potential.
A method for determining the metastatic potential of a cancer cell comprising detecting the presence of a SSeCKS encoding nucleic acid in the cell;
- wherein a decrease or absence of SSeCKS encoding nucleic acid within the cell is an indicator of increased metastatic potential.
A method for modulating cell proliferation in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a compound that prevents nuclear translocation of cyclin D.
A method for modulating hair growth in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a compound that increases the expression of SSeCKS.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.