Patent ID: 7368257
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: A61K,C07K,C12N,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of screening for a bioactive agent capable of modulating lymphocyte activation, said method comprising: i) providing a lymphocyte comprising a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a recombinant protein which is expressed in said lymphocyte to produce the protein, wherein said protein comprises a Mkk3b polypeptide having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 and having kinase activity; ii) contacting said lymphocyte with a candidate bioactive agent; ii) inducing activation of said lymphocyte; and iv) determining the activation of said lymphocyte in the presence of said candidate bioactive agent, wherein said activation is determined by measuring the surface expression of CD69, CD80, or CD25, or by measuring p38 phosphorylation, or by measuring NFAT activity; wherein a change in the activation of said lymphocyte in the presence of said candidate bioactive agent indicates that said candidate bioactive agent is capable of modulating lymphocyte activation.