Patent ID: 7129036

Claim:
A method for identifying a test agent that redistributes a membrane anchor and/or a reporter molecule comprising: A) providing a reporter molecule comprising: a) at least one detection domain capable of emitting a fluorescent, luminescent, or chromatic signal or capable of absorbing a resonant frequency; b) at least one membrane anchoring domain comprising an amino acid sequence capable of promoting lipidation, wherein the at least one membrane anchoring domain comprises signals for myristoylation wherein the reporter molecule is provided by a nucleic acid vector; B) providing a cell to be tested, wherein said cell contains a lipidating enzyme wherein the reporter molecule enters the cell; C) providing a lipid source for lipidation; D) providing conditions which permit the reporter molecule to associate with cellular membranes of the cell to be tested; E) providing conditions which permit the emission of the signal from the detection domain; F) observing or measuring the signal emitted by the detection domain; G) duplicating steps A) through E) in the presence of the agent to be tested; and H) comparing the signals emitted in the presence and absence of the agent tested, wherein the redistribution of the membrane anchor, and/or reporter molecule is assessed.