Patent · US Expired

Detection of molecular interactions by β-lactamase reporter fragment complementation

US8148110B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
37References
37Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateDec 26, 2002
Grant dateApr 3, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 5, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2333/986
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and compositions for detecting molecular interactions, particularly protein-protein interactions, using at least two inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments are provided. The invention allows detection of such interactions in eukaryotic and mammalian cells, in situ or in vitro. Detection of molecular interactions in mammalian cells is not limited to the nuclear compartment, but can be accomplished in the cytoplasm, cell surface, organelles, or between these entities. Methods provided utilize novel compositions comprising fusion proteins between molecules of interest and inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments. Association of the molecules of interest brings the corresponding complementary β-lactamase fragments into close enough proximity for complementation to occur and β-lactamase activity to be observed. The invention is useful in the study of protein-protein interactions, functional genomics, agonist and antagonist screening and drug discovery.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.