Patent ID: 8871435
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: A61K,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of screening an agent for activity in modulating a neoplastic cellular phenotype associated with HCV infection, the method comprising: (i) contacting a candidate agent with a mammalian expressing a full length hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4B polypeptide, wherein the amino acid sequences of the A motif, G motif, PM2 motif and B motif of the nucleotide binding motif (NBM) of the NS4B polypeptide are G(S/G)(I/V/N)G(LI)G(K/R) of SEQ ID NO:16 or 18, phenylalanine (F), threonine (T), and (D/L)AAA of SEQ ID NO:17 or 20, respectively, wherein the NS4B NBM polypeptide can bind a nucleotide, and wherein expression of the NS4B NBM polypeptide in the absence of candidate agent promotes a neoplastic cellular phenotype of the cell, with the proviso that the mammalian cell does not express an exogenous Ha-ras oncogene; and (ii) detecting the presence or absence of an effect of said candidate agent on the neoplastic cellular phenotype mediated by the NS4B-NBM polypeptide, wherein said detecting indicates the activity of the candidate agent in modulating NS4B-mediated promotion of a neoplastic cellular phenotype.