Patent ID: 6605426
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
A method of screening for a compound that inhibits, diminishes, or modulates anti-apoptotic activity in an eukaryotic cell, said method comprising:(a) introducing into eukaryotic cells an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising residues 5-34 and 118-147 of human cytomegalovirus polypeptide pUL37S and having anti-apoptotic activity, (b) treating one fraction of said cells with a candidate compound and leaving a second fraction of said cells untreated as a control, (c) treating both fractions of cells with an agent that induces cell death, and (d) detecting an inhibition, diminution or modulation in anti-apoptotic activity in the fraction of cells treated with the candidate compound in comparison to the untreated control, thereby screening for a compound that inhibits, diminishes, or modulates anti-apoptotic activity in an eukaryotic cell.