Patent Evaluation: A method for screening for partners of heterodimeric proteins

Summary

Novelty: A rapid, simple and inexpensive method to screen and classify proteins as partners of heterodimeric proteins is described. The method uses fusion protein constructs containing a DNA binding domain and a dimerization domain from a different protein. Inhibitors of oncoproteins are potentially very important in the therapeutic treatment of many forms of cancer; a simple assay system will be useful in identifying agents which alter oncogene expression.

Biology: According to the method, heterodimer formation is detected by the ability of the protein partner to displace homodimer formation, and thus reveal a phenotypic change in a bacterial host which is dependent upon maintenance of the homodimer configuration. This method may be used to identify compounds of interest which inhibit such heterodimer formation, and especially to identify compounds which prevent heterodimer formation and activation of oncogenic transcriptional regulatory proteins.