Patent ID: 6680174
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of identifying an agent which alters activity of GDF-9 comprising the steps of:a) combining: i) granulosa cells; ii) GDF-9; and iii) an agent to be assessed; b) maintaining the combination produced in (a) under conditions appropriate for binding of GDF-9 to receptors on the granulosa cells wherein expression of a gene within the granulosa cells is modulated due to the binding of GDF-9 to the cells; and c) determining the extent to which expression of the gene regulated by binding of GDF-9 to the receptors occurs upon binding of GDF-9 to the receptors on the granulosa cells, wherein alteration of expression of the gene upon binding of GDF-9 to the receptors in the presence of the agent to be assessed indicates that the agent alters GDF-9 activity.