The present invention provides a mechanism for the rapid identification of genes (e.g., cDNAs) encoding virtually any WW domain. By screening cDNA libraries or other sources of polypeptides for recognition unit binding rather than sequence similarity, the present invention circumvents the limitations of conventional DNA-based screening methods and allows for the identification of highly disparate protein sequences possessing equivalent functional activities. The ability to isolate entire repertoires of proteins containing particular modular WW domains will prove invaluable both in molecular biological investigations of the genome and in bringing new targets into drug discovery programs.
Source:
United States Patent 6,011,137
Pirozzi , et al. January 4, 2000
Identification and isolation of novel polypeptides having WW domains and methods of using same
Abstract
Novel polypeptides having WW domains of interest are described, along with DNA sequences that encode the same. A method of identifying these polypeptides by means of a sequence-independent (that is, independent of the primary sequence of the polypeptide sought), recognition unit-based functional screen is also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the polypeptides identified are described, including their use in assay kits for drug discovery, modification, and refinement.
Inventors: Pirozzi; Gregorio (East Windsor, NJ); Kay; Brian K. (Chapel Hill, NC); Fowlkes; Dana M. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC); Cytogen Corp. (Princeton, NJ)
Appl. No.: 630916
Filed: April 3, 1996
U.S. Class: 530/324; 530/350; 435/810; 435/975; 435/69.7; 435/7.1
Intern'l Class: A61K 038/00; C07K 001/00; G01N 033/53; C12P 021/04
Field of Search: 530/350,324,358 536/23.5 435/7.23,7.1,810,975,69.7 436/63,64
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
5096815 Mar., 1992 Ladner et al. 435/69.
5198346 Mar., 1993 Ladner et al. 435/69.
5223409 Jun., 1993 Ladner et al. 435/69.
While the details of this patent are beyond my knowledge base, it appears, IMHO, that in general Beck on Biotech is right -- CYTO is ahead of the protemics pack.
Jim |
