NF-AT-interacting protein NIP45 and methods of use therefor

A method for identifying a compound that modulates the activity of NIP45 comprising:

• a) providing an indicator cell, wherein said indicator cell contains:
• i) an expression vector encoding NIP45;
• and
• ii) a vector comprising regulatory sequences of a Th2-associated cytokine gene operatively linked a reporter gene;
• b) contacting the indicator cell with a test compound;
• c) determining the level of expression of the reporter gene in the indicator cell in the presence of the test compound;
• and
• d) comparing the level of expression of the reporter gene in the indicator cell in the presence of the test compound with the level of expression of the reporter gene in the indicator cell in the absence of the test compound to thereby identify a compound that modulates the activity of NIP45.

A method for identifying a protein that interacts with NIP45 comprising:

• a) providing a two hybrid assay including host cells that contain:
• i) a reporter gene operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory sequence;
• ii) a first chimeric gene that encodes a first fusion protein, said first fusion protein including NIP45;
• iii) a library of second chimeric genes that encodes second fusion proteins;
• wherein expression of the reporter gene is sensitive to interactions between the first fusion protein, the second fusion protein and the transcriptional regulatory sequence;
• b) determining the level of expression of the reporter gene in the host cells;
• and
• c) identifying a member of the library of second chimeric genes that stimulates expression of the reporter gene to thereby identify a protein that interacts with NIP45.