Assays for detecting modulators of cytoskeletal function
AssigneesThe Regents of the University of California, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsRonald Vale, Daniel Pierce, James Spudich
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Abstract
Described herein are methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of the cytoskeletal system. The methods are rapid, convenient and sensitive. Preferably, the method is used to identify lead compounds that can be used as therapeutics, diagnostics and agricultural agents. Generally, test compounds are added to two cytoskeletal components which bind to one another, to determine whether the binding is affected by the test compound. Wherein the binding is affected, a compound which modulates the cytoskeletal system is identified.
Claims7
A method of identifying a therapeutic lead compound that modulates activity of a cytoskeletal system, said method comprising:
- i) providing an assay mixture comprising a first component of said cytoskeletal system and a second component of said cytoskeletal system, wherein said cytoskeletal system is a microtubule system, and wherein said first component comprises a kinesin motor protein and said second component comprises a tubulin protein that specifically bind to each other;
- ii) contacting said assay mixture with a test compound to be screened for the ability to inhibit or enhance binding between said first component and said second component;
- iii) detecting a change in coupling between ATP hydrolysis and force generation;
- wherein said change indicates that said test compound modulates activity said cytoskeletal system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.