Patent ID: 8951734
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: C07K,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for determining whether an agent facilitates conversion of a neuron-specific isoform of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein from a non-prion form to a prion form comprising the steps of: (a) determining the amount of prion form in a population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein; (b) contacting the population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein with the agent; (c) after a suitable period of time, determining whether the amount of prion form in the contacted population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein is greater in the presence of the agent than in the absence of the agent; and (d) determining, when a greater amount of the prion form of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein is present after step (c), that the agent facilitates the conversion of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein from a non-prion form to a prion form.