Pharmacological targeting of mRNA cap formation
US6232070A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N15/81
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention provides methods for the discovery of molecules that target an essential aspect of eukaryotic gene expression--the formation of the mRNA 5' cap m7GpppN. An underlying principle of this invention is the use of a different strains of a test organism that differ only in the composition or source of the essential cap-forming enzymes. The invention provides isogenic yeast strains that derive all their capping activities from fungal sources versus mammalian sources. These strains form the basis of a differential growth inhibition assay to identify molecules that specifically target the fungal capping apparatus. This invention also provides a method to screen in vitro for molecules that inhibit fungal RNA triphosphatase, an essential enzyme that catalyzes the first of three steps in cap synthesis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.