Patent ID: 7884260
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
1. An in vitro method of developing a biologically active agent that reduces neuronal demyelination comprising: (a) contacting a candidate biologically active agent with an oligodendrocyte; (b) detecting an altered expression of a GADD34 gene or GADD34 gene product of said oligodendrocyte relative to a control cell, wherein said GADD34 gene or GADD34 gene product mediates its biological effect through the pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase gene (PERK) pathway; and (c) selecting said candidate biologically active agent as a candidate that reduces neuronal demyelination, if the level of expression of said GADD34 gene or GADD34 gene product of said oligodendrocyte is decreased relative to said control cell, wherein said level of said GADD34 gene or GADD34 gene product of said oligodendrocyte is measured by a level of eIF-2α phosphorylation of said oligodendrocyte, wherein an increased level of eIF-2α phosphorylation of said oligodendrocyte is indicative of said candidate biologically active agent reducing neuronal demyelination.