Identification and Expression of a Novel Kinesin Motor Protein
Tech ID: 22222 / UC Case 1998-010-0
Background
The kinesin superfamily is an extended family of related microtubule motor proteins, encompasssing a number of families that exhibit a variety of microtubule motor functions, e.g., vesicle and organelle transport, mitotic spindle function, and meiotic spindle function. These proteins typically work as monomers, are ATP dependent, and have plus end-directed microtubule motor activity involved in fast anterograde organelle transport in neurons.Technology Description
Scientists at UC San Diego have identified TL-y (TL-gamma), an ATP-dependent, plus end-directed microtubule motor protein that is a member of the unc-104 family and the kinesin superfamily. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of TL-γ, antibodies to TL-γ, methods of screening for TL-γ modulators using biologically active TL-γ, and kits for screening for TL-γ modulators. The TL-y nucleic acid and protein are useful in a number of diagnostic, medicinal, veterinarial, bioagricultural, and research applications.Applications
- Since TL-γ is found in hyphal fungi, but not in non-hyphal fungi, this invention includes methods for discriminating between hyphal and non-hyphal fungi (e.g. means and compositions for diagnosing hyphal fungi infections).
- Drug screening for anti-fungal therapeutics or other applications where inhibition of fungal growth is important, e.g., agriculture.
- It is also possible that relatives of TL-gamma may be important for transport In the vertebrate nervous system and so may form useful neurodegenerative disease targets.
- The invention also provides methods of assaying for modulators of TL-γ and fragments thereof. Such modulators include inhibitors useful for treating diseases caused by hyphal fungi. Such modulators are also useful for treating diseases caused by mutated TL-γ, such as neurodegenerative diseases involving anterograde axonal transport.
Related Materials
Identification and Expression of a Novel Kinesin Motor Protein, U.S. Patent 6,815,169 issued on 09-Nov-2004. Further diagnostic, medicinal, veterinarial, bioagricultural, and research applications are described.Intellectual Property Info
This is a patented technology. Seeking commercialization partners.Patent Status
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 6,764,830 | 07/20/2004 | 1998-010 |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 6,723,840 | 04/20/2004 | 1998-010 |
Other Information
Related cases
1998-010-0
Contact
University of California, San Diego Technology Transfer Office / invent@ucsd.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #22222.