Food additives which affect conformationally altered proteins

US6331296A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Stanley B. Prusiner · San Francisco, US
• Surachai Supattapone · San Francisco, US
• Michael R. Scott · Kama'oa Homesteads, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 22, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 18, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L2202/11
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An assay comprises contacting cells containing a conformationally altered protein with test compound and determining if the altered protein is cleared. The cells may be scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. Another assay comprises contacting organ or tissue homogenate (at pH 5.0 or less) with test compound to determine if altered protein in the homogenate is cleared. The homogenate may be brain homogenate from a transgenic mouse infected with human prions. Compounds which are found to clear the altered protein are useful in preventing, arresting and/or reversing (i.e. treating) a disease associated with the conformationally altered protein.