Patent ID: 8017398

Claim:
A recombinant cell, said recombinant cell comprising a reporter gene and: (a) a first nucleic acid molecule which encodes a first fusion protein, said first nucleic acid molecule comprising: (i) a nucleotide sequence which encodes a first test protein, wherein said test protein is a transmembrane receptor, (ii) a nucleotide sequence which encodes a proteolytic cleavage site for a protease or a portion of a protease not expressed endogenously in said cell, and (iii) a nucleotide sequence which encodes a protein capable of activating said reporter gene in said cell, and (b) a second nucleic acid molecule which encodes a second fusion protein, said second nucleic acid molecule comprising: (i) a nucleotide sequence which encodes a second test protein whose interaction with said first test protein in the presence of a test compound is to be measured, and (ii) a nucleotide sequence which encodes said protease or said portion of a protease capable of specific proteolytic cleavage of said cleavage site.