Abstract:
The present invention provides methods, kits and compositions for the detection of an analyte. The invention is particularly suited for the detection and quantification of analytes in solution. In the methods of the invention a complex is formed between two or more analyte specific probes (ASP) and an analyte. The reactive moieties of the probes interact upon the binding of the analyte specific probes to the analyte. The reactive moieties generate a nucleic acid cleavage product which is detected and indicative of the presence of the analyte.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for identifying molecular interactions (e.g., protein/protein, protein/DNA, protein/RNA, or RNA/RNA interactions). All of the methods within the invention employ counterselection and at least two hybrid molecules. Molecules which interact reconstitute a transcription factor and direct expression of a reporter gene, the expression of which is then assayed. Also disclosed are genetic constructs which are useful in practicing the methods of the invention.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods and compositions for interaction trap assays for detecting protein-protein, protein-DNA, or protein-RNA interactions. The methods and compositions of the invention may also be used to identify agents which may agonize or antagonize a protein-protein, protein-DNA, or protein-RNA interaction. In certain embodiments, the interaction trap system of the invention is useful for screening libraries with greater than 107 members. In other embodiments, the interaction trap system of the invention is used in conjunction with flow cytometry. The invention further provides a means for simultaneously screening a target protein or nucleic acid sequence for the ability to interact with two or more test proteins or nucleic acids.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods of determining the presence of a nuclear localization signal and/or the presence of a nuclear export signal in a protein of interest. The invention further provides chimeric nucleic acids and recombinant host cells for use in such methods. Additionally provided is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a modified LexA protein, wherein the modified LexA protein has no nuclear localization signal, as well as the modified LexA protein itself. In the nuclear import assay, if a protein of interest fused to a mLexA-Gal4AD hybrid contains a functional NLS, the fusion product will enter the yeast cell nucleus and activate the expression of reporter genes. In the nuclear export assay, if a protein of interest fused to a mLexA-SV40 NLS-Gal4AD hybrid contains a functional NES, the fusion product localized to the cell nucleus will exit into the cytoplasm, decreasing the reporter gene expression levels.
Abstract:
This invention provides methods for cytoplasmic detection of protein—protein interactions, nuclear export/localization sequences, and galactose-independent inducible Gal4p-mediated gene expression through the utilization of GAL regulatory factor, Gal80p, and the yeast galactose regulon.
Abstract:
This invention utilizes a two-hybrid system to screen for agents that modulate the ability of a cell to degrade or to accumulate a metabolic product or to selective kill a cell or to selectively express a gene or cDNA in a cell that has a defect in its ability to degrade or to accumulate a metabolic product. One embodiment provides a mammalian cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a peptide binding domain and an effector gene; a first chimeric protein comprising a nucleic acid binding domain that binds the peptide binding domain attached to the metabolic product or to a ligand that binds to the metabolic product; and a second chimeric protein comprising an expression control protein attached to the metabolic product or to the ligand that binds to the metabolic product such that when the first chimeric protein comprises the metabolic product, the second chimeric protein comprises the ligand and when the first chimeric protein comprises the ligand, the second chimeric protein comprises the metabolic product. The cell is contacted with a test agent and an alteration of expression of the effector gene is detected (if present) where a change in expression of the effector gene in response to the test agent indicates that the test agent modulates the ability of the cell to accumulate or degrade the metabolic product.
Abstract:
The invention relates to biochips for documenting of specific molecule-molecule interactions or cell-molecule interactions, more particularly unknown singular protein interactions. The invention also relates to corresponding methods for selecting and characterizing molecules, especially polypeptides and the complementary binding molecules.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the discovery of protein—protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.
Abstract:
Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for efficiently generating and screening a library of highly diverse protein complexes for their ability to bind to other proteins or oligonucleotide sequences. In one aspect of the invention, a library of expression vectors is provided for expressing the library of protein complexes. The library comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide subunit; and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide subunit. The first and second nucleotide sequences each independently varies within the library of expression vectors. In addition, the first and second polypeptide subunit are expressed as separate proteins which self-assemble to form a protein complex, such as a double-chain antibody fragment (dcFv or Fab) and a fully assembled antibody, in cells into which the library of expression vectors are introduced. The library of expression vectors can be efficiently generated in yeast cells through homologous recombination; and the encoded proteins complexes with high binding affinity to their target molecule can be selected by high throughput screening in vivo or in vitro.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the discovery of protein-protein interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the present invention is directed to complexes of these proteins and/or their fragments, antibodies to the complexes, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (including diagnosis of a predisposition to and diagnosis of the existence of the disorder), drug screening for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins described herein, and identification of additional proteins in the pathway common to the proteins described herein.