Clk-2 nucleic acids, polypeptides and uses thereof

A method for identifying a compound that specifically binds a clk-2 polypeptide comprising:

• a) contacting the polypeptide with a compound under conditions and for a sufficient period of time that allows binding between the polypeptide and the compound;
• and
• b) detecting binding of the compound to the polypeptide.

A method of identifying a compound that modulates the expression of a clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide comprising:

• a) contacting a cell with a compound, and
• b) determining the level of expression of the clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide in said contacted recombinant cell,
• wherein a difference in the expression level of the clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide in said contacted recombinant cell as compared to the expression level of the clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide in said recombinant cell not contacted with the compound indicates that the compound modulates clk-2 expression.

A method for identifying an agent that modulates the phosphorylation level of a clk-2 polypeptide comprising:

• a) contacting a reaction mixture with a compound, said mixture comprising clk-2 and at least one polypeptide capable of phosphorylating or dephosphorylating clk-2;
• and
• b) determining the phosphorylation level of clk-2 in said mixture, wherein a difference in the phosphorylation level of clk-2 as compared to the phosphorylation level of clk-2 in a mixture not contacted with said compound indicates that the compound modulates the phosphorylation level of a clk-2 polypeptide.

A transgenic non-human animal comprising cells that contain a transgenic regulatory sequence such that a progeny of said transgenic non-human animal inherits said transgene wherein said regulatory sequence controls the expression of a clk-2 protein.

A non-human transgenic animal, wherein the animal carries a disruption in an endogenous clk-2 gene such that said animal exhibits an altered phenotype relative to a wild type animal.

A method of treating or preventing a disorder associated with excess clk-2 polypeptide activity in a subject comprising administering to a subject in which such treatment or prevention is desired an effective amount of a compound that decreases clk-2 polypeptide activity or clk-2 gene expression.

A method of treating or preventing a disorder associated with deficient clk-2 polypeptide activity in a subject comprising administering to a subject in which such treatment or prevention is desired an effective amount of a compound that increases clk-2 polypeptide activity or clk-2 gene expression.

A method for extending the life of a cell comprising (i) increasing expression of a clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide, (ii) introducing into the cell and expressing a clk-2 nucleic acid, (iii) introducing into the cell a clk-2 polypeptide, or (iv) contacting the cell with a compound that increases clk-2 expression or activity.

A method for extending the life of a multicellular animal or plant comprising (i) increasing expression of a clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide, (ii) introducing into the animal or plant and expressing a clk-2 nucleic acid, (iii) introducing into the animal or plant a clk-2 polypeptide, or (iv) contacting the animal or plant with a compound that increases clk-2 expression or activity.

A method of accelerating the growth of a multicellular animal or plant comprising (i) increasing expression of a clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide (ii) introducing into the animal or plant and expressing a clk-2 nucleic acid, (iii) introducing into the animal or plant a clk-2 polypeptide, or (iv) contacting the animal or plant with a compound that increases clk-2 expression or activity.

A method of decreasing the growth of a tissue or organ comprising (i) decreasing expression of a clk-2 nucleic acid or polypeptide (ii) introducing into the tissue or organ and expressing a clk-2 double stranded interfering RNA, (iii) introducing into the tissue or organ a compound that interferes with the activity of the clk-2 polypeptide, or (iv) contacting the tissue or organ with a compound that decreases clk-2 expression or activity.