Pharmacological targeting of mRNA cap formation
US6420163B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2020 |
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.