TEX14 compositions and modulators thereof to alter intercellular bridge development and function
AssigneeBaylor College of Medicine
InventorsMartin Matzuk, Michael Greenbaum, Aleksandar Rajkovic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is related to TEX14 and germ cell intercellular bridges and compositions thereof that can be used to inhibit and/or decrease the activity and/or expression of TEX14 and/or disrupt the formation, function, and/or integrity of the intercellular bridges, including localization of key components to the intercellular bridge, for example. In particular aspects, the methods and compositions are employed for fertility and infertility applications.
Claims31
A composition comprising a compound that disrupts intercellular bridges that interconnect germ cells, said composition admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier.
A method for identifying a substance that disrupts germ cell intercellular bridge formation, maintenance, and/or function comprising the steps of:
- administering the test substance to a mammalian subject or enriched intercellular bridge fraction;
- and
- determining the effects of the substance on germ cell intercellular bridge function, such that the substance reduces the production or function of sperm in said subject when compared to a control substance.
A method of making a TEX14 inhibitor, comprising:
- (a) providing a candidate substance suspected of decreasing TEX14 expression and/or activity;
- (b) selecting the TEX14 inhibitor by assessing the ability of the candidate substance to decrease TEX14 expression;
- and
- (c) making the selected TEX14 inhibitor.
A method of making a compound that inhibits germ cell intercellular bridge function and/or maintenance comprising:
- (a) providing a candidate substance suspected of inhibiting the intercellular bridge function and/or maintenance;
- (b) selecting the compound by assessing the ability of the candidate substance to inhibit the intercellular bridge function and/or maintenance;
- and
- (c) making the selected compound.
A method of diganosing fertility in a subject by measuring the activity and/or expression of TEX14.
A method of identifying an inhibitor of TEX14, comprising the steps of:
- providing part or all of a TEX14 polypeptide, wherein said part or all of the TEX14 polypeptide comprises at least one TEX14 binding partner domain;
- providing a TEX14 binding partner;
- providing a test compound;
- and
- assaying for absence of binding of TEX14 to its binding partner in the presence of the test compound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.