Patent ID: 7300749

Claim:
A method for identifying a compound that binds to PYRIN-1, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting a polypeptide or a cell from the group consisting of: i) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the polypeptide binds a nucleotide; ii) a polypeptide comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the fragment comprises the pyrin domain (amino acid residues 1-87 of SEQ ID NO:5) of PYRIN-1 and interacts with ASC; iii) a polypeptide comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the fragment comprises the NBS domain (amino acid residues 263-357 of SEQ ID NO:5) of PYRIN-1 and binds a nucleotide; and iv) a cell expressing the polypeptide of i), ii), or iii), with a test compound; and b) determining whether the polypeptide binds to the test compound.