Novel Inhibitor of Programmed Cell Death
Apoptosis is the fundamental cellular process for the self-destruction of cells. Modulation of cell survival is essential to tissue development and homeostasis with aberrations of this process accounting for many pathological conditions such as cancer. Apoptosis is a complex, multi-step event involving proteins that both inhibit and initiate cell death. Inhibition of apoptosis primarily has been attributed to proteins of the Bcl-2 family; however, the exact mechanisms by which these proteins inhibit cell death remain unknown. Recently, a new class of anti-apoptotic factors has been identified. The prototype protein, Aven, binds to both Bcl-xl and the caspase regulator Apaf-1, suggesting that Aven impairs the Apaf-1 mediated activation of caspases. Aven thus represents a novel target for therapies designed to modulate cell survival. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) This technology provides a novel protein that acts to inhibit mammalian cell apoptosis. This technology may be used to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of pathological conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. Further, this technology may be used to modulate the commercial production of biomolecules. Patent (Set) 6,570,002; WO 00/50453; 760466Patents:
US 6,570,002
Inventor(s): Hardwick, Marie
Type of Offer: Licensing
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