Assays for detecting modulators of cytoskeletal function

US7252950B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of California · US
• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Ronald D. Vale · San Francisco, US
• Daniel W. Pierce · Belmont, US
• James Spudich · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 3, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2007
• Expiry date: Sep 3, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2500/02
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Described herein are methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of the cytoskeletal system. The methods are rapid, convenient and sensitive. Preferably, the method is used to identify lead compounds that can be used as therapeutics, diagnostics and agricultural agents. Generally, test compounds are added to two cytoskeletal components which bind to one another, to determine whether the binding is affected by the test compound. Wherein the binding is affected, a compound which modulates the cytoskeletal system is identified.