Method of screening

Abstract

A method of screening for a molecule which decreases apoptosis of a cell, comprising: i) combining the candidate molecule and an assay cell; and ii) determining the change in survival of the assay cell in the presence of the molecule relative to a control. In one embodiment, the assay cell is treated with an apoptosis inducing agent prior to or between steps i) and ii). In one example, the treating agent reduces the level or activity of a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 protein family, such as Bcl-xL or Mcl-1. In another embodiment, the level or activity of at least one pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 family is reduced in the cell of step i). In some embodiments, this is independent of any effect of the candidate molecule or apoptosis promoting agent. By reducing the level or activity of one or more pro-survival Bcl-2 protein family members in the assay cell, the cell will undergo apoptosis mediated inter alia by Bak or Bax or Bak and Bax unless it is rescued by the candidate molecule.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.