Patent ID: 6140058
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
A method of activating a mutant p53 protein for specific DNA binding, said method comprising contacting said mutant p53 protein with a ligand which binds within the C-terminal 30 amino acids of said mutant p53 protein within an amino acid motif bound by monoclonal antibody PAb421 or an amino acid motif bound by bacterial heat shock protein DnaK, wherein said mutant p53 protein:(i) occurs at elevated levels in tumors,(ii) does not substantially suppress tumor growth,(iii) is not substantially activated by CasKII mediated phosphorylation, and(iv) is a mutant which is latent for specific DNA binding,wherein said ligand binds within the C-terminal 30 amino acids of said mutant p53 protein, thereby activating said mutant p53 protein for specific DNA binding.