Patent ID: 6071709
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A61K,C07K,G01N

Abstract:
A method of detecting a neurotrophic factor with reference to a control, comprising the steps of:a) bringing cells that express a trkB-proto-oncogene receptor protein into contact with a putative neurotrophic factor, wherein the contact is effected under conditions such that binding of the neurotrophic factor to and subsequent activation of the receptor protein can occur;b) determining an amount of tyrosine phosphorylation of trkB-proto-oncogene receptor protein effected by step (a); andc) comparing the amount of phosphorylation determined by step (b) with that of a control trkB-proto-oncogene receptor protein which is not contacted with the putative neurotrophic factor, whereby an increase in the amount of phosphorylation relative to that of the control detects a neurotrophic factor.