Modulators of glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase proteins
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsShanthini Sockanathan, Sungjin Park
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDE) proteins. More specifically, the present invention relates to targeting GDE proteins to modulate its glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-cleaving activity. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a GDE modulator that modulates the surface GPI anchor cleavage activity of GDE.
Claims29
A method of screening for antagonists of a glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDE) protein comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting a test agent with a cell that expresses the GDE protein;
- and
- b. measuring the level of cleavage of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors in the cell, wherein a test agent that decreases the measure cleavage level as compared to cleavage activity in a cell not contacted with the test agent identifies the test agent as an antagonist of GDE protein.
A method of screening for agonists of a GDE protein comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting a test agent with a cell that expresses the GDE protein;
- and
- b. measuring the level of cleavage of GPI anchors in the cell, wherein a test agent that increases the measure cleavage level as compared to cleavage activity in a cell not contacted with the test agent identifies the test agent as an agonist of GDE protein.
A method for identifying a GDE protein modulator comprising the step of measuring GPI anchor cleavage activity of the GDE protein in the presence and absence of a test agent, wherein an agent that increases or decreases cleavage activity relative to cleavage activity in the absence of the test agent identifies the test agent as a GDE protein modulator.
A method of screening for GDE modulators comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting a cell that expresses GDE with a test agent;
- b. assaying GPI anchor cleavage by GDE;
- and
- c. comparing the assayed GDE activity to GDE activity in a cell that has not been contacted with the test agent, wherein a difference in the compared GDE activity identifies the test agent as a GDE modulator.
A method of screening for therapeutic agent useful in the treatment of GDE-mediated diseases comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting a test agent with a GDE polypeptide;
- and
- b. detecting the binding of the test agent to the GDE polypeptide.
A GDE modulator that modulates the GPI anchor cleavage activity of GDE.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.