Patent · US Expired

Polynucleotide sequences encoding proteins involved in myogenesis

US5885797A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
1References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 1996
Grant dateMar 23, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC07K14/4702
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A novel gene, Inhibitor of MyoD Family (I-mf), is provided which encodes novel proteins, I-mfa, I-mfb and I-mfc, involved in regulation of myogenesis during vertebrate development. I-mf is highly expressed in the sclerotome of developing vertebrates and is postulated to play an important role in patterning of the somite and determination sclerotomal cell fate. A unique, C-terminal interactional domain of the I-mf protein mediates physical interactions between I-mfa and members of the MyoD family of transcriptional activators and functions to inhibit transactivation of muscle specific genes by MyoD family members, thereby repressing myogenesis. Further characterization of I-mf activity shows that I-mf associates with MyoD family member proteins and retains them in the cytoplasm by masking their nuclear localization signals. Based on the I-mf genes and proteins disclosed herein, a variety methods and compositions are provided for screening, isolating, and characterizing endogenous and exogenous factors, drugs and therapeutic agents useful to evaluate and/or control myogenesis normal and abnormal development and cell differentiation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.