US 8,795,978 B2 · Modulating latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Methods for screening for agents that modulate the activation state, i.e., active growth or persistence, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), methods of treating an Mtb infection in a subject using agents identified by the screening methods, and methods for screening for a latent Mtb infection in a subject are disclosed. The screening methods involve contacting a Mtb sensor kinase with an agent to be tested, then detecting the response of the Mtb sensor kinase to modulating ligands or detecting changes in the oxidation state of the heme iron of the Mtb sensor kinase. The methods for treating an Mtb infection in a subject involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent identified by the screening methods. The methods for screening for a latent Mtb infection in a subject involve detecting carbon monoxide or nitric oxide binding to heme iron of Mtb sensor kinases.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of screening for an agent that modulates the activation state of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) comprising the steps of:

(a) contacting one or more Mtb sensor kinases with the agent to be tested;
and
(b) detecting binding of oxygen, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, or any combination thereof to one or more Mtb sensor kinases in the presence of the agent,
a change in binding as compared to a control level of binding indicating the agent modulates the activation state of Mtb.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modulating latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Life of this patent

Modulating latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17