Methods and compositions for identifying anti-HCV agents

US7582428B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

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

Inventors

• Jeffrey S. Glenn · Palo Alto, US
• Shirit Einav · Stanford, US
• Menashe Elazar · Mevaseret Tsiyon, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 18, 2004
• Grant date: Sep 1, 2009
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2500/04
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying agents for treating infection by viruses that encode a nucleotide-binding NS4B protein, or functional equivalent thereof, e.g., hepatitis C virus (HCV) or other members of the family Flaviviridae. In general, the methods involve contacting an NS4B nucleotide binding motif (NBM)-containing polypeptide with a candidate agent, and determining the effect of the candidate agent on nucleotide binding activity, a nucleotide hydrolyzing activity, or a nucleotide-dependent RNA binding activity of the polypeptide. A candidate agent that inhibits NS4B polypeptide binding to a nucleotide is an anti-viral agent, e.g., an anti-HCV agent. The invention also features a polynucleotide encoding a NS4B polypeptide having a modified NBM (e.g., which is impaired in NTP binding). The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of therapeutic and screening applications.