Screening and treatment methods using IGS5 enzymes of the metalloprotease family

An in vitro screening method to identify potential agents for the treatment of a CNS disorder or disease in a mammal, wherein the method screens for potential agents, which inhibit or decrease a biological activity of an IGS5 polypeptide having a zinc metallopeptidase activity and comprising an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of at least 80% when compared to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a test compound;
• b) contacting the test compound with a preparation comprising said IGS5 polypeptide;
• c) assaying the biological activity of said IGS5 polypeptide in presence and absence and/or at different concentrations of said test compound,
• d) optionally assaying said biological activity in the presence of a compound known to be a inhibitor of said IGS5 polypeptide,
• wherein a test compound which decreases or inhibits said biological activity is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of a CNS disorder or disease.

An in vitro screening method to identify potential agents for the treatment of a CNS disorder or disease in a mammal, wherein the method screens for potential agents, which inhibit or decrease a biological activity of an IGS5 polypeptide having a zinc metallopeptidase activity and comprising an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity of at least 80% when compared to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a test compound;
• b) contacting the test compound with said IGS5 polypeptide in the presence of PACAP(1-27),
• c) measuring the degree of PACAP(1-27) degradation, and
• d) comparing the degree of PACAP(1-27) degradation by said IGS5 polypeptide in presence and absence and/or at different concentrations of said test compound,
• e) optionally assaying the degree of PACAP(1-27) degradation in the presence of a compound known to be a inhibitor of said IGS5 polypeptide,
• wherein a test compound which induces a lower degree of PACAP(1-27) degradation is identified as a potential agent for the treatment of a CNS disorder or disease.