Methods for the identification of inhibitors of asparagine synthase as antibiotics

US6852484B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Icoria, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Sze-Chung Lo · Durham, US
• 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 Tarper · Apex, US
• Jeffrey Shuster · Davis, US
• Matthew Tanzer · Durham, US
• Lisbeth Hamer · Durham, US
• Kiichi Adachi · Osaka, JP
• Todd DeZwaan · Apex, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 8, 2005
• Expiry date: Jan 9, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/18
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present inventors have discovered that Asparagine Synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of Asparagine Synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, Asparagine 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 Asparagine Synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.