A Method to Target the Degradation of Specific Cellular Proteins

Summary In order to study the role of specific proteins in cellular processes, researchers use a variety of techniques, including gene knockout, antisense, and RNA interference technologies. These technologies are limited in their all or nothing nature - they do not permit a low level of expression.


Harvard Medical School researchers have developed a novel method to control the level of expression of proteins. This method uses the SCF ubiquitin-protolytic machinery within a cell to target the degradation of specific intracellular proteins. The target proteins are modified by the insertion of domains that are recognized by the cell's endogenous ubiquitin proteolytic proteins. This method allows researchers to selectively degrade proteins that would otherwise be physiologically stable.

ADVANTAGES:

Allows limited level of expression.

Potential to fine tune the steady state level of a specific protein

Applications Research Tool Protein knockout technology Allows limited level of expression. Potential to fine tune the steady state level of a specific protein For Further Information Please Contact the Director of Business Development Michal Preminger Email: [email protected] Telephone: (617) 432-0920

Inventor(s): Howley, Peter M

Type of Offer: Licensing



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