Patent ID: 6274309
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: A01K,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
A method for identifying a compound which increases a cell's sensitivity to acid sphingomyelinase-related apoptosis, comprising:(a) contacting an acid sphingomyelinase-deficient cell with a test compound;(b) exposing the cell to a radiation stress stimulus for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis in a cell exhibiting normal acid sphingomyelinase activity;(c) exposing an acid sphingomyelinase-deficient cell, in the absence of the test compound, to the radiation stress stimulus for a time sufficient to induce apoptosis in a cell exhibiting normal acid sphingomyelinase activity; and(d) monitoring the exposed cells of steps (b) and (c) for the presence of an apoptotic morphology,such that if the cell from step (b) exhibits a more severe apoptotic morphology, than that of the cell from step (c) the test compound represents a compound which increases a cell's sensitivity to acid sphingomyelinase-related apoptosis.