Method for the identification and use of substances that modulate POD function and/or structure
AssigneeThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies
InventorsVassilis Doucas, Ronald M. Evans
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Abstract
The invention disclosed herein comprises assay methods for identifying substances useful for treating pathogenic disorders. The assay methods disclosed herein are based on the discovery that POD function and structure are key elements in normal transcriptional processes. Disruption of POD function and/or structure contributes to the creation and/or maintenance of a variety of pathogenic disorders.
Claims25
An assay method for identifying a substance useful for modulating POD structure or function in a test cell, said method comprising:
- a) contacting a test cell with a test substance,
- wherein the test substance is a protein, peptide, small organic molecule, carbohydrate, lipid, fungal extract, or plant extract,
- wherein said test cell expresses one or more retroviral proteins, including at least Tax, in an amount sufficient to upregulate a promoter of a gene encoding a POD-localized protein, and
- wherein the POD-localized protein is PML, Sp-100, CBP, PIF13, PIF31, ND52, ND55, or DipA, and
- b) assaying for the ability of the test substance to modulate POD function and/or structure in the test cell.
An assay method for identifying a substance useful for modulating POD structure or function in a test cell, said method comprising:
- a) contacting a test cell with a test substance, wherein said test cell expresses one or more retroviral proteins, including at least Tax, and a reporter gene whose expression is modulated by a nuclear receptor expressed by the test cell and
- b) assaying for the ability of the test substance to modulate POD function and/or structure in the test cell.
The method of claim further comprising the step of causing the test cell to express a nuclear receptor and a reporter gene.
A method of claim wherein the substance is a modulator of nuclear receptor transcription.
A method of inhibiting adipocyte differentiation;
- said method comprising contacting the adipocyte with a substance that disrupts POD function and/or structure.
A method of inhibiting adipocyte differentiation;
- said method comprising contacting the adipocyte with a substance capable of disrupting POD function and/or structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.