Patent ID: 6444870
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A01K,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
A method of identifying an agent that reduces the phosphorylation of tau protein in the nervous system of a mammal, comprising the steps of:a) administering to a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a genetically engineered homozygous disruption of the endogenous calcineurin A &agr; isoform (CNA&agr;) gene, wherein no functional CNA&agr; is produced by said mouse, and wherein said mouse exhibits a phenotype of defects in &Ugr; cell immunity, ataxia, seizures, weight loss, reduced life expectancy and accumulation of endogenous phosphorylated tau protein an agent to be assessed for its ability to reduce phosphorylation of tau protein; b) determining the extent to which phosphorylation of tau protein occurs in the nervous system of the transgenic mouse to which the agent is administered; and c) comparing the extent determined in b) to the extent to which phosphorylation occurs in the nervous system of an appropriate control, wherein if phosphorylation occurs to a lesser extent in the nervous system of the transgenic mouse to which the agent is administered than in the nervous system of the control, the agent reduces phosphorylation of tau protein.