Tumor suppressor protein involved in death signaling, and diagnostics, therapeutics, and screening based on this protein
US7052834B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12Q2600/154
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to identification of tumor suppressor activity of a protein, caspase-8 (CASP8), and to related diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods. The discovery of this tumor suppressor activity provides screening targets as well, particularly screening for compounds that overcome gene inactivation that results from genomic methylation of the promoter. In particular, CASP8 is functionally inactivated in greater than 90% of all MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines analyzed. Inactivation of CASP8 was observed to occur by homozygous deletion, heterozygous deletion coupled with gene silencing by methylation, and homozygous gene silencing by methylation. A PCR methylation analysis for inactivation of CASP8 is described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.