Methods for the identification of inhibitors of threonine synthase as antibiotics

US6806060B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Icoria, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Maria Montenegro-Chamorro · Morrisville, US
• Sheryl Frank · Durham, US
• Blaise Darveaux · Hillsborough, US
• Sanjoy Mahanty · Chapel Hill, US
• Ryan Heiniger · Raleigh, US
• Amy Skalchunes · Raleigh, US
• Huaqin Pan · Apex, US
• Rex Tarpey · Apex, US
• Jeffrey Shuster · Davis, US
• Matthew Tanzer · Durham, US
• Lisbeth Hamer · Durham, US
• Kiichi Adachi · Osaka, JP
• Todd DeZwaan · Apex, US
• Sze-Chung Lo · Durham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 19, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/527
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present inventors have discovered that Threonine synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Threonine synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, Threonine synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit Threonine synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.