Producing telomerase activators and inhibitors by screening with purified telomerase
AssigneeGeron Corporation
InventorsScott L. Weinrich, Edward M. Atkinson, III, Serge P. Lichtsteiner, Alain P. Vasserot, Ronald A. Pruzan
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Abstract
This invention provides purified telomerase and methods of purifying it. The methods involve the use of several sequential steps, including the use of matrices that bind molecules bearing negative charges, matrices that bind molecules bearing positive charges, intermediate-selectivity matrices, methods that separate molecules based on their size, shape, or buoyant density, and by affinity purification.
Claims25
A method for producing a compound that regulates telomerase activity, comprising:
- a) obtaining a preparation of mammalian telomerase enzyme that is at least ˜2000-fold more pure than an extract of cells from adenovirus-transformed kidney cell line (293 cells), wherein the telomerase enzyme contains telomerase RNA component, and has a molecular weight of 200–2000 kDa;
- b) combining the preparation with a test compound;
- c) determining telomerase activity of the enzyme in the presence of the test compound;
- d) identifying the compound as being a regulator of telomerase if the telomerase activity measured in step c) is affected by the presence of the compound;
- and then
- e) producing the compound if it is identified as being a regulator of telomerase in step d).
A method for producing a compound that regulates telomerase activity, comprising:
- a) identifying the compound as being a regulator of telomerase;
- and then
- b) producing the compound if it is identified as being a regulator of telomerase in step a);
- wherein the compound has been identified as a regulator of telomerase by a process comprising:
- i) obtaining a preparation of mammalian telomerase enzyme that is at least ˜2000-fold more pure than an extract of cells from adenovirus-transformed kidney cell line (293 cells), wherein the telomerase enzyme contains telomerase RNA component, and has a molecular weight of 200–2000 kDa;
- ii) combining the preparation with a test compound;
- iii) determining telomerase activity of the enzyme in the presence of the test compound;
- iv) identifying the compound as being a regulator of telomerase if the telomerase activity measured in step iii) is affected by the presence of the compound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.