Abstract:
The present invention relates to fusion proteins which are capable of binding to phosphatidylserine comprising a phosphatidylserine binding ligand and a modified O6 -alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase which is capable of autoconjugation to an O6 -benzylguanine-modified label, the fusion proteins being capable of binding to phosphatidylserine on the surface of a cell undergoing apoptosis. The invention also relates to recombinant polypeptide precursors of the fusion proteins which comprise a secretion leader sequence, purification tag, protease cleavage site and the fusion protein. Also included in the scope of the invention are nucleic acids encoding the recombinant polypeptide precursor, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, host cells comprising the vectors, methods of production of the fusion proteins, kits and assays for detecting apoptosis.
Abstract:
A method of identifying inhibitors of the anti-apoptotic survival pathway in cancer cells is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) exposing cultured wild-type cells to a candidate inhibitor at a predetermined concentration for a predetermined period of time and determining cell viability after the exposure to the candidate inhibitor; (b) exposing two or more cell lines of specifically MCL-1 or BCL-2 or BCL-X L addicted cells to the candidate inhibitor at the predetermined concentration for the predetermined period of time and determining cell viability after the exposure to the candidate inhibitor; and (c) identifying the candidate inhibitor as a MCL-1 or BCL-2 or BCL-X L inhibitor if the cell viability in step (a) is significantly higher than the cell viability in step (b). The disclosed method provides a way to identify inhibitors which selectively inhibit specific members of the BCL-2 family ( e.g ., MCL-1) by screening two or more cell lines with addictions to different and specific members of the BCL-2 family of proteins.
Abstract:
Synthetic fragment antigen-binding (Fab) antibodies are disclosed that bind to an N- terminal activation site of BCL-2-associated X-protein (BAX) and inhibit BAX activation. Also disclosed are methods of using the Fabs for measuring inactive monomeric BAX levels, screening for small molecules that bind to an N-terminal activation site of BAX, inhibiting apoptotic cell death, and predicting the ability of a cancer therapy to promote apoptotic cell death.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising naltrexone or an analogue thereof for use in the treatment of a subject having a tumour/cancer; wherein the naltrexone or the analogue thereof is to be administered to the subject in a first treatment phase, followed by a recovery phase; wherein, following the recovery phase, a small molecule signalling inhibitor selected from the group consisting of PI3-kinase inhibitors, AKT inhibitors, taxanes, antimetabolites, alkylating agents and cell cycle inhibitors is to be administered to the subject in a second treatment phase; the recovery phase being characterised by the absence of administration of the naltrexone or the analogue thereof and the small molecule signalling inhibitor. Also envisaged are a diagnostic test to assess the response of a subject to the first treatment phase, an in vitro method of testing the efficacy of a small molecule signalling inhibitor when for use in combination with naltrexone, and the use of naltrexone in such a method when in vivo.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are antibodies having binding specificity to the amino acid sequences Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Val Asp (SEQ ID NO:1 ) and Thr Val Glu Val Asp (SEQ ID NO:14), and methods of detecting cell death in a sample, comprising contacting the sample with a first antibody specific for a C-terminal amino acid sequence Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Val Asp (SEQ ID NO:1 ) or Thr Val Glu Val Asp (SEQ ID NO:14) of a CK18 protein fragment having a C-terminal amino acid sequence of Val Glu Val Asp (SEQ ID NO:2) and a second antibody that specifically binds an epitope that is present in both full-length CK18 and the CK18 protein fragment, and that does not overlap with SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:14, under conditions such that the CK1 8 protein fragment present in the sample specifically binds to the first antibody and the second antibody, wherein one of the antibodies is bound to a solid support and the other antibody is bound to a detection moiety capable of producing a signal; optionally removing any unbound or excess material; and detecting the signal from the detection moiety, wherein the signal is positively correlated with the presence of the CK18 protein fragment in the sample.
Abstract translation:本文公开了对氨基酸序列Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Val Asp(SEQ ID NO:1)和Thr Val Glu Val Asp(SEQ ID NO:14)具有结合特异性的抗体,以及检测细胞死亡的方法 包括使样品与C末端氨基酸序列Ala Ser Ser Gly Leu Thr Val Glu Val Asp(SEQ ID NO:1)或Thr Val Glu Val Asp(SEQ ID NO:14)特异的第一抗体接触, 的具有Val Glu Val Asp(SEQ ID NO:2)的C末端氨基酸序列的CK18蛋白片段和特异性结合存在于全长CK18和CK18蛋白片段中的表位的第二抗体,以及 其不与SEQ ID NO:1或SEQ ID NO:14重叠,使得样品中存在的CK1 8蛋白片段特异性结合第一抗体和第二抗体,其中一种抗体结合于 固体支持物和另一抗体结合到能产生信号的检测部分; 任选地去除任何未结合或多余的材料; 并检测来自检测部分的信号,其中该信号与样品中CK18蛋白片段的存在呈正相关。
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for the characterization of cellular pathways in cells containing genetic alterations.
Abstract:
The present invention provides novel biomarkers for apoptosis. The apoptosis biomarkers comprise a polypeptide with a caspase cleaved terminus and also a phosphotylaCed amino acid residue located close to the terminus (e.g., within about 15 residues). The invention also provides methods of using such biomarkers to monitor apoptotic activities and methods for identifying apoptosis biomarkers in various cellular systems.
Abstract:
This application provides devices for modeling ischemic stroke conditions. The devices can be used to culture neurons and to subject a first population of the neurons to low-oxygen conditions and a second population of neurons to normoxic conditions. The neurons are cultured on a porous barrier, and on the other side of the barrier run one or more fluid-filled channels. By flowing fluid with different oxygen levels through the channels, one can deliver desired oxygen concentrations to the cells nearest those channels.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of anastasis, i.e., the process of reversal of apoptosis. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for studying anastasis. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an in vivo biosensor comprising (a) a transcription factor complex comprising the Gal4 transcription factor linked to an enzyme cleavable linker, wherein the transcription factor complex is tethered to the plasma membrane via a transmembrane domain; and (b) a reporter system comprising (1) a first nucleic acid encoding flippase operably linked to the upstream activating sequence that binds Gal4; and (2) a second nucleic acid comprising an FRT-flanked stop codon cassette separating a constitutive promoter and a fluorescent protein open reading frame.