WO2004009623A1 - Regulation de la serine-threonine kinase interagissant avec des recepteurs humains - Google Patents

Regulation de la serine-threonine kinase interagissant avec des recepteurs humains Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004009623A1
WO2004009623A1 PCT/EP2003/007959 EP0307959W WO2004009623A1 WO 2004009623 A1 WO2004009623 A1 WO 2004009623A1 EP 0307959 W EP0307959 W EP 0307959W WO 2004009623 A1 WO2004009623 A1 WO 2004009623A1
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receptor
threonine kinase
interacting serine
polynucleotide
activity
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PCT/EP2003/007959
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English (en)
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Jiing-Ren Liou
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Bayer Healthcare Ag
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
    • C12N9/10—Transferases (2.)
    • C12N9/12—Transferases (2.) transferring phosphorus containing groups, e.g. kinases (2.7)
    • C12N9/1205—Phosphotransferases with an alcohol group as acceptor (2.7.1), e.g. protein kinases

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the regulation of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • TGF- ⁇ transforming growth factor type beta
  • p78 78-kDa protein serine/threonine kinase
  • Fig. 1 shows the DNA-sequence encoding a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase Polypeptide (SEQ TD NO: 1).
  • Fig. 2 shows the amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA-sequence of Fig.1
  • FIG. 3 shows the DNA-sequence encoding a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase Polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3).
  • the invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide from the group consisting of:
  • a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes a Receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • a novel human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is a discovery of the present invention.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • a coding sequence for human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. This sequence is contained within the longer sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • BG253717 prostate adenocarcinoma
  • BI838468 pooled pancreas and spleen
  • BI770357 pooled lung and spleen
  • BM922117 pooled brain, lung, testis
  • BI823411 pooled brain, lung, testis
  • SEQ LD NO: 2 is a novel splice variant of the human receptor-interacting serine/- threonine protein kinase 3 (swissnew
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase of the invention is expected to be useful for the same purposes as previously identified receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase enzymes. Furthermore, human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is believed to be useful in therapeutic methods to treat disorders such as cancer, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine and hormonal disorders, inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, hematological disorders, respiratory disorders, reproductive disorders, and genitourinary disorders. Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase also can be used to screen for human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activators and inhibitors.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is an expression vector containing any polynucleotide of the present invention.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a host cell containing any expression vector of the present invention.
  • Still another embodiment of the present invention is a substantially purified Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of the present invention.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method of producing a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide of the present invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. culturing the host cells of the present invention under conditions suitable for the expression of the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide; and b. recovering the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide from the host cell culture.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method for detecting a polynucleotide encoding a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide in a biological sample comprising the following steps: a. hybridizing any polynucleotide of the present invention to a nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and b. detecting said hybridization complex.
  • Still another embodiment of the present invention is a method for detecting a polynucleotide of the present invention or a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide of the present invention comprising the steps of: a. contacting a biological sample with a reagent which specifically interacts with the polynucleotide or the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide and b. detecting the interaction
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a diagnostic kit for conducting any method of the present invention.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase, comprising the steps of: a. contacting a test compound with a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of the present invention; b. detecting binding of the test compound to the Receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • Still another embodiment of the present invention is a method of screening for agents which regulate the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase, comprising the steps of: a. contacting a test compound with a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of the present invention; and b.
  • a test compound which increases the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing the activity of the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase
  • a test compound which decreases the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of the Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • Even another embodiment of the present invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase, comprising the step of: contacting a test compound with any polynucleotide of the present invention and detecting binding of the test compound to the polynucleotide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polynucleotide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method of reducing the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with a reagent which specifically binds to any polynucleotide of the present invention or any Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide of the present invention, whereby the activity of Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is reduced.
  • Still another embodiment of the present invention is a reagent that modulates the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide or a polynucleotide wherein said reagent is identified by any methods of the present invention.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition, comprising: an expression vector of the present invention or a reagent of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is the use of an expression vector of the present invention or a reagent of the present invention for modulating the activity of a Receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase in a disease, preferably cancer, diabetes and an other metabolic disorder, a neurological disorder, a cardiovascular disorder, an endocrine and a hormonal disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a gastrointestinal and a liver disorder, a hematological disorder, a respiratory disorder, a reproductive disorder or a genitourinary disorder.
  • a disease preferably cancer, diabetes and an other metabolic disorder, a neurological disorder, a cardiovascular disorder, an endocrine and a hormonal disorder, an inflammatory disorder, a gastrointestinal and a liver disorder, a hematological disorder, a respiratory disorder, a reproductive disorder or a genitourinary disorder.
  • the invention thus provides a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase that can be used to identify test compounds that may act, for example, as activators or inhibitors at the enzyme's active site.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase and fragments thereof also are useful in raising specific antibodies that can block the enzyme and effectively reduce its activity.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides comprise at least 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 > 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 400, 500, or 582 contiguous amino acids selected from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ LD NO: 2 or a biologically active variant thereof, as defined below.
  • a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide of the invention therefore can be a portion of a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein, a full-length receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein, or a fusion protein comprising all or a portion of a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide variants which are biologically active, e.g., retain a kinase activity, also are human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides.
  • naturally or non-naturally occurring human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide variants have amino acid sequences which are at least about 99% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in iSEQ ID NO: 2 or a fragment thereof. Percent identity between a putative human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide variant and an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 is determined by conventional methods. See, for example, Altschul et al, Bull.
  • the "FASTA" similarity .search algorithm of Pearson & Lipman is a suitable protein alignment method for examining the level of identity shared by an amino acid sequence disclosed herein and the amino acid sequence of a putative variant.
  • the FASTA algorithm is described by Pearson & Lipman, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 55:2444(1988), and by Pearson, Meth. Enzymol. 183:63 (1990).
  • the ten regions with the highest density of identities are then rescored by comparing the similarity of all paired amino acids using an amino acid substitution matrix, and the ends of the regions are "trimmed" to include only those residues that contribute to the highest score.
  • the trimmed initial regions are examined to determine whether the regions can be joined to form an approximate alignment with gaps. Finally, the highest scoring regions of the two amino acid sequences are aligned using a modification of the
  • Needleman-Wunsch- Sellers algorithm (Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol.48:444 (1970); Sellers, SIAMJ. Appl. Math.26:l%l (1974)), which allows for amino acid insertions and deletions.
  • FASTA can also be used to determine the sequence identity of nucleic acid molecules using a ratio as disclosed above.
  • the ktup value can range between one to six, preferably from three to six, most preferably three, with other parameters set as default.
  • Variations in percent identity can be due, for example, to amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions.
  • Amino acid substitutions are defined as one for one amino acid replacements. They are conservative in nature when the substituted amino acid has similar structural and/or chemical properties. Examples of conservative replacements are substitution of a leucine with an isoleucine or valine, an aspartate with a glutamate, or a threonine with a serine.
  • Amino acid insertions or deletions are changes to or within an amino acid sequence. They typically fall in the range of about 1 to 5 amino acids. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues can be substituted, inserted, or deleted without abolishing biological or immuno logical activity of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be found using computer programs well known in the art, such as DNASTAR software.
  • the invention additionally, encompasses receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides that are differentially modified during or after translation, e.g., by glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to an antibody molecule or other cellular ligand, etc. Any of numerous chemical modifications can be carried out by known techniques including, but not limited, to specific chemical cleavage by cyanogen bromide, trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, V8 protease, NaBH , acetylation, formylation, oxidation, reduction, metabolic synthesis in the presence of tunicamycin, etc.
  • Additional post-translational modifications encompassed by the invention include, for example, e.g., N-linked or O-linked carbohydrate chains, processing of N- terminal or C-terminal ends), attachment of chemical moieties to the amino acid backbone, chemical modifications of N-linked or O-linked carbohydrate chains, and addition or deletion of an N-terminal methionine residue as a result of prokaryotic host cell expression.
  • the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides may also be modified with a detectable label, such as an enzymatic, fluorescent, isotopic or affinity label to allow for detection and isolation of the protein.
  • the invention also provides chemically modified derivatives of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides that may provide additional advantages such as increased solubility, stability and circulating- time of the polypeptide, or decreased immunogenicity (see U.S. Patent No. 4,179,337).
  • the chemical moieties for derivitization can be selected from water soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol/propylene glycol copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, and the like.
  • the polypeptides can be modified at random or predetermined positions within the molecule and can include one, two, three, or more attached chemical moieties.
  • Fusion proteins are useful for generating antibodies against receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide amino acid sequences and for use in various assay systems. For example, fusion proteins can be used to identify proteins that interact with portions of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide. Protein affinity chromatography or library-based assays for protein- protein interactions, such as the yeast two-hybrid or phage display systems, can be used for this purpose. Such methods are well known in the art and also can be used as drug screens.
  • a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide fusion protein comprises two polypeptide segments fused together by means of a peptide bond.
  • the first polypeptide segment comprises a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, such as those described above.
  • the first polypeptide segment also can comprise full-length receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein.
  • the second polypeptide segment can be a full-length protein or a protein fragment.
  • Proteins commonly used in fusion protein construction include ⁇ -galactosidase, ⁇ - glucuronidase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), autofiuorescent proteins, including blue fluorescent protein (BFP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), luciferase, horse- radish peroxidase (HRP), and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT).
  • epitope tags are used in fusion protein constructions, including histidine (His) tags, FLAG tags, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tags, Myc tags, VSV-G tags, and thioredoxin (Trx) tags.
  • Other fusion constructions can include maltose binding protein (MBP), S-tag, Lex a DNA binding domain (DBD) fusions, GAL4 DNA binding domain fusions, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) BP16 protein fusions.
  • a fusion protein also can be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide-encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.
  • a fusion protein can be synthesized chemically, as is known in the art.
  • a fusion protein is produced by covalently linking two polypeptide segments or by standard procedures in the art of molecular biology.
  • Recombinant DNA methods can be used to prepare fusion proteins, for example, by making a DNA construct which comprises coding sequences selected from SEQ LD NO: 1 in proper reading frame with nucleotides encoding the second polypeptide segment and expressing the DNA construct in a host cell, as is known in the art.
  • kits for constructing fusion proteins are available from companies such as Promega Corporation (Madison, WI), Stratagene (La Jolla, CA), CLONTECH (Mountain View, CA), Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA), MBL International Corporation (MIC; Watertown, MA), and Quantum Biotechnologies (Montreal, Canada; 1-888-DNA-
  • Species homologs of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be obtained using receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide polynucleotides (described below) to make suitable probes or primers for screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast, identifying cDNAs which encode homologs of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, and expressing the cDNAs as is known in the art.
  • a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide can be single- or double-stranded and comprises a coding sequence or the complement of a coding sequence for a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • a coding sequence for human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • nucleotide sequences encoding human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptides, as well as homologous nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, preferably about 75, 90, 96, 98, or 99% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ TD NO: 1 or its complement also are receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides. Percent sequence identity between the sequences of two polynucleotides is determined using computer programs such as ALIGN which employ the FASTA algorithm, using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of -12 and a gap extension penalty of -2.
  • cDNA Complementary DNA
  • species homologs, and variants of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides that encode biologically active receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides also are receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • Polynucleotide fragments comprising at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, or 25 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or its complement also are receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides. These fragments can be used, for example, as hybridization probes or as antisense oligonucleotides.
  • Variants and homologs of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides described above also are receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • homologous receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide sequences can be identified by hybridization of candidate polynucleotides to known receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides under stringent conditions, as is known in the art.
  • homologous sequences can be identified which contain at . most about 25-30% basepair mismatches. More preferably, homologous nucleic acid strands contain 15-25% base- pair mismatches, even more preferably 5-15% basepair mismatches.
  • Species homologs of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides disclosed herein also can be identified. by making suitable probes or primers and screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast. Human variants of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleo- tides can be identified, for example, by screening human cDNA expression libraries.
  • T m of a double-stranded DNA decreases by 1-1.5°C with every 1%> decrease in homology (Bonner et ah, J. Mol. Biol. 81, 123 (1973).
  • Variants of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides or receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides of other species can therefore be identified by hybridizing a putative homologous receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide with a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the complement thereof to form a test hybrid.
  • the melting temperature of the test hybrid is compared with the melting temperature of a hybrid comprising polynucleotides having perfectly complementary nucleotide sequences, and the number or percent of basepair mismatches within the test hybrid is calculated.
  • Nucleotide sequences which hybridize to receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides or their complements following stringent hybridization and/or wash conditions also are receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • Stringent wash conditions are well known and understood in the art and are disclosed, for example, in Sambrook et al, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2d ed., 1989, at pages 9.50-9.51.
  • T m of a hybrid between a receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide • having a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:l or the complement thereof and a polynucleotide sequence which is at least about 50, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to one of those nucleotide sequences can be calculated, for example, using the equation of
  • Stringent wash conditions include, for example, 4X SSC at 65°C, or 50% formamide, 4X SSC at 42 °C, or 0.5X SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65°C.
  • Highly stringent wash conditions include, for example, 0.2X SSC at 65°C.
  • a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide can be isolated free of other cellular components such as membrane components, proteins, and lipids.
  • Polynucleotides can be made by a cell and isolated using standard nucleic acid purification techniques, or synthesized using an amplification technique, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or by using an automatic synthesizer. Methods for isolating polynucleotides are routine and are known in the art. Any such technique for obtaining a polynucleotide can be used to obtain isolated receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • restriction enzymes and probes can be used to isolate polynucleotide fragments, which comprise receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase nucleotide sequences.
  • Isolated polynucleotides are in preparations that are free or at least 70, 80, or 90% free of other molecules.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase cDNA molecules can be made with standard molecular biology techniques, using receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase mRNA as a template. Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase cDNA molecules can thereafter be replicated using molecular biology techniques known in the art and disclosed in manuals such as Sambrook et al. (1989). An amplification technique, such as PCR, can be used to obtain additional copies of polynucleotides of the invention, using either human genomic DNA or cDNA as a template.
  • synthetic chemistry techniques can be used to synthesize receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • the degeneracy of the genetic code allows alternate nucleotide sequences to be synthesized which will encode a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide having, for example, an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a biologically active variant thereof.
  • PCR-based methods can be used to extend the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements.
  • restriction-site PCR uses universal primers to retrieve unknown sequence adjacent to a known locus. Sarkar, PCR Methods Applic. 2,
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides can be purified from any human cell which expresses the receptor, including host cells which have been transfected with receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotides.
  • a purified receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide is separated from other compounds that normally associate with the receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide in the cell, such as certain proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids, using methods well-known in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, size exclusion chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis.
  • a preparation of purified receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides is at least 80% pure; preferably, the preparations are 90%, 95%, or 99% pure. Purity of the preparations can be assessed by any means known in the art, such as SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
  • the polynucleotide can be inserted into an expression vector which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence.
  • Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. Such techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al (1989) and in Ausubel et al, CURRENT
  • a variety of expression vector/host systems can be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase poly- peptide.
  • microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors, insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus), plant cell systems transformed with virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g., Ti or pBR322 plasmids), or animal cell systems. See WO 01/98340.
  • Host cells such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors
  • yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus), plant cell systems transformed with virus expression
  • a host cell strain can be chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide in the desired fashion.
  • modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation.
  • Post-translational processing which cleaves a "prepro" form of the polypeptide also can be used to facilitate correct insertion, folding and/or function.
  • Different host cells that have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e.g., CHO,
  • HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and WD 8 are available from the American Type Culture
  • host cells which contain a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide and which express a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide can be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
  • Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides include oligo labeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide.
  • sequences encoding a human receptor-interacting serme-threonine kinase polypeptide can be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe.
  • RNA probes are known in the art, are commercially available, and can be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of labeled nucleotides and an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6. These procedures can be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits (Amersham Pharmacia
  • reporter molecules or labels which can be used for ease of detection include radionuclides, enzymes, and fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.
  • Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding a human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture.
  • the polypeptide produced by a transformed cell can be secreted or contained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used.
  • expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides can be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of soluble receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane or which direct the membrane insertion of membrane-bound receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide. See WO 01/98340.
  • Sequences encoding a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art (see Carathers et al, Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223, 1980; Horn et al. Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 225-232, 1980).
  • a human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide itself can be produced using chemical methods to synthesize its amino acid sequence, such as by direct peptide synthesis using solid-phase techniques (Merrifield, J Am. Chem. Soc.
  • Protein synthesis can be performed using manual techniques or by automation. Automated synthesis can be achieved, for example, using Applied Biosystems 431 A Peptide Synthesizer (Perkin Elmer).
  • fragments of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides can be separately synthesized and combined using chemical methods to produce a full-length molecule. See WO 01/98340.
  • codons preferred by a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host can be selected to increase the rate of protein expression or to produce an RNA transcript having desirable properties, such as a half-life which is longer than that of a transcript generated from the naturally occurring sequence.
  • nucleotide sequences disclosed herein can be engineered using methods generally known in the art to alter receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase poly- peptide-encoding sequences for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, alterations which modify the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the polypeptide or mRNA product.
  • -DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides can be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences.
  • site-directed mutagenesis can be used to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, introduce mutations, and so forth.
  • Antibody as used herein includes intact immunoglobulin molecules, as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab') 2 , and Fv, which are capable of binding an epitope of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • Fab fragment antigen binding protein
  • F(ab') 2 fragment antigen binding protein
  • Fv fragment antigen binding protein binding protein
  • An antibody which specifically binds to an epitope of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be used therapeutically, as well as in immunochemical assays, such as Western blots, ELISAs, radioimmunoassays, immunohistochemical assays, immunoprecipitations, or other immunochemical assays known in the art.
  • immunochemical assays such as Western blots, ELISAs, radioimmunoassays, immunohistochemical assays, immunoprecipitations, or other immunochemical assays known in the art.
  • Various immunoassays can be used to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or irnmuno- radiometric assays are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between an immun ⁇ gen and an antibody that specifically binds to the immunogen.
  • an antibody that specifically binds to a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide provides a detection signal at least 5-, 10-, or 20-fold higher than a detection signal provided with other proteins when used in an immunochemical assay.
  • antibodies that specifically bind to receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides do not detect other proteins in immunochemical assays and can immunoprecipitate a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide from solution. See WO 01/98340.
  • Antisense oligonucleotides are nucleotide sequences that are complementary to a specific DNA or RNA sequence. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with natural sequences produced by the cell to form complexes and block either transcription or translation.
  • an antisense oligonucleotide is at least 11 nucleotides in length, but can be at least 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 or more nucleotides long. Longer sequences also can be used.
  • Antisense oligonucleotide molecules can be provided in a DNA construct and introduced into a cell as described above to decrease the level of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene products in the cell.
  • Antisense oligonucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, or a combination of both. Oligonucleotides can be synthesized manually or by an automated synthesizer, by covalently linking the 5' end of one nucleotide with the 3' end of another nucleotide with n ⁇ n-phosphodiester intemucleotide linkages such alkylphosphonates, phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, alkylphosphonothioates, alkylphosphonates, phosphoramidates, phosphate esters, carbamates, acetamidate, carboxymethyl esters, carbonates, and phosphate triesters. See Brown, Meth. Mol. Biol. 20, 1-8, 1994; Sonveaux, Meth Mol. Biol. 26, 1-72, 1994; Uhlmann et al, Chem. Rev. 90, 543-583, 1990.
  • Modifications of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene expression can be obtained by designing antisense oligonucleotides that will form duplexes to the control, 5', or regulatory regions of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene. Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e.g., between positions -10 and +10 from the start site, are preferred. Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using "triple helix" base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or chaperons. Therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature (e.g., Gee et al, in
  • An antisense oligonucleotide also can be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes. See WO 01/98340. Ribozymes
  • Ribozymes are RNA molecules with catalytic activity. See, e.g., Cech, Science 236, 1532-1539; 1987-; Cech, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 59, 543-568; 1990, Cech, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 2, 605-609; 1992, Couture & Stinchcomb, Trends Genet. 12, 510-515,
  • Ribozymes can be used to inhibit gene function by cleaving an RNA sequence, as is known in the art (e.g., Haseloff et al, U.S. Patent 5,641,673).
  • the mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage. Examples include engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules that can specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of specific nucleotide sequences.
  • the coding sequence of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase poly- nucleotide can be used to generate ribozymes that will specifically bind to mRNA transcribed from the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide.
  • Methods of designing and constructing . ribozymes which can cleave other RNA molecules in trans in a highly sequence specific manner have been developed and described in the art (see Haseloff et al Nature 334, 585-591, 1988).
  • the cleavage activity of ribozymes can be targeted to specific RNAs by engineering a discrete "hybridization" region into the ribozyme.
  • the hybridization region contains a sequence complementary to the target RNA and thus specifically hybridizes with the target (see, for example, Gerlach et al, EP 321,201). See WO 01/98340.
  • genes whose products interact with human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase may represent genes that are differentially expressed in disorders including, but not limited to, cancer, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine and hormonal disorders, inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, hematological disorders, respiratory disorders, reproductive disorders, and genitourinary disorders. Further, such genes may represent genes that are differentially regulated in response to manipulations relevant to the progression or treatment of such diseases. Additionally, such genes may have a temporally modulated expression, increased or decreased at different stages of tissue or organism development. A differentially expressed gene may also have its expression modulated under control versus experimental conditions. In addition, the human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene or gene product may itself be tested for differential expression.
  • the degree to which expression differs in a normal versus a diseased state need only be large enough to be visualized via standard characterization techniques such as differential display techniques.
  • standard characterization techniques such as differential display techniques.
  • Other such standard characterization techniques by which expression differences may be visualized include but are not limited to, quantitative RT (reverse transcriptase), PCR, and Northern analysis.
  • RNA samples are obtained from tissues of experimental subjects and from corresponding tissues of control subjects. Any RNA isolation technique that does not select against the isolation of mRNA may be utilized for the purification of such RNA samples. See, for example, Ausubel et al, ed., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN ' MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 1987-1993. Large numbers of tissue samples may readily be processed using techniques well known to those of skill in the art, such as, for example, the single-step RNA isolation process of Chomczynski, U.S. Patent 4,843,155.
  • Transcripts within the collected RNA samples that represent RNA produced by differentially expressed genes are identified by methods well known to those of skill in the art. They include, for example, differential screening (Tedder et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 208-12, 1988), subtractive hybridization (Hedrick et al,
  • the differential expression information may itself suggest relevant methods for the treatment of disorders involving the human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • treatment may include a modulation of expression of. the differentially expressed genes and/or the gene encoding the human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • the differential expression information may indicate whether the expression or activity of the differentially expressed gene or gene product or the human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene or gene product are up-regulated or down-regulated.
  • the invention provides assays for screening test compounds that bind to or modulate the activity of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide or a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide.
  • a test compound preferably binds to a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide or polynucleotide. More preferably, a test compound decreases or increases enzymatic activity by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about
  • Test compounds can be pharmacologic agents already known in the art or can be compounds previously unknown to have any pharmacological activity.
  • test compounds can be obtained using any of the numerous combinatorial library methods known in the art, including but not limited to, biological libraries, spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries, synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution, the "one-bead one-compound” library method, and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection.
  • biological libraries include biological libraries, spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries, synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution, the "one-bead one-compound” library method, and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection.
  • the biological library approach is limited to polypeptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to polypeptide, non-peptide oligomer, or small molecule libraries of compounds. See Lam, Anticancer Drug Des. 12, 145, 1997.
  • Test compounds can be screened for the ability to bind to receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptides or polynucleotides or to affect receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity or receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene expression using high throughput screening.
  • high throughput screening many discrete compounds can be tested in parallel so that large numbers of test compounds can be quickly screened.
  • the most widely established techniques utilize 96-well microtiter plates. The wells of the microtiter plates typically require assay volumes that range from 50 to 500 ⁇ l.
  • many instruments, materials, pipettors, robotics, plate washers, and plate readers are commercially available to fit the 96-well format.
  • free format assays or assays that have no physical barrier between samples, can be used.
  • an assay using pigment cells (melanocytes) in a simple homogeneous assay for combinatorial peptide libraries is described by Jayawickreme et l, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 19,. 1614-18 (1994).
  • the cells are placed under agarose in petri dishes, then beads that carry combinatorial compounds are placed on the surface of the agarose.
  • the combinatorial compounds are partially released the compounds from the beads. Active compounds can be visualized as dark pigment areas because, as the compounds diffuse locally into the gel matrix, the active compounds cause the cells to change colors.
  • Chelsky ⁇ 'Strategies for Screening Combinatorial Libraries: Novel and Traditional Approaches
  • Chelsky placed a simple homogenous enzyme assay for carbonic anhydrase inside an agarose gel such that the enzyme in the gel would cause a color change throughout the gel.
  • beads carrying combinatorial compounds via a photolinker were placed inside the gel and the compounds, were partially released by UV-light. Compounds that inhibited the enzyme were observed as local zones of inhibition having less color change.
  • test samples are placed in a porous matrix.
  • One or more assay components are then placed within, on top of, or at the bottom of a matrix such as a gel, a plastic sheet, a filter, or other form of easily manipulated solid support.
  • a matrix such as a gel, a plastic sheet, a filter, or other form of easily manipulated solid support.
  • the test compound is preferably a small molecule that binds to and occupies, for example, the active site of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, such that normal biological activity is prevented.
  • small molecules include, but are not limited to, small peptides or peptide-like molecules.
  • either the test compound or the receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide can comprise a detectable label, such as a fluorescent, radioisotopic, chemiluminescent, or enzymatic label, such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase.
  • a detectable label such as a fluorescent, radioisotopic, chemiluminescent, or enzymatic label, such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase.
  • Detection of a test compound that is bound to the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can then be accomplished, for example, by direct counting of radioemmission, by scintillation counting, or by determining conversion of an appropriate substrate to a detectable product.
  • binding of a test compound to a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide can be determined without labeling either of the interactants.
  • a microphysiometer can be used to detect binding of a test compound with a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • a microphysiometer e.g., CytosensorTM
  • CytosensorTM is an analytical instrument that measures the rate at which a cell acidifies its environment using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS).
  • Determining the ability of a test compound to bind to a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide also can be accomplished using a technology such as real-time Bimolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA) (Sjolander & Urbaniczky, Anal. Chem. 63, 2338-2345, 1991, and Szabo et al, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5, ⁇ 699-705,. 1995); BIA is a technology for studying biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any of the interactants (e.g., BIAcoreTM). Changes in the optical phenomenon surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be used as an indication of real-time reactions between biological molecules.
  • SPR surface plasmon resonance
  • a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be used as a "bait protein" in a two-hybrid assay or three-hybrid assay (see, e.g., U.S. Patent 5,283,317; Zervos et al, Cell 72, 223-232,
  • the two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains.
  • the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs.
  • polynucleotide encoding a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be fused to a polynucleotide encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e.g., GAL-4).
  • a DNA sequence that encodes an unidentified protein (“prey” or "sample” can be fused to a polynucleotide that codes for the activation domain of the known transcription factor. If the "bait" and the "prey” proteins are able to interact in vivo to form an protein-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the
  • transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e.g., LacZ), which is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression of the reporter gene can be detected, and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the DNA sequence- encoding the protein that interacts with the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • a reporter gene e.g., LacZ
  • either the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or the test compound can be bound to a solid support.
  • Suitable solid supports include, but are not limited to, glass or plastic slides, tissue culture plates, microtiter wells, tubes, silicon chips, or particles such as beads (including, but not limited to, latex, polystyrene, or glass beads).
  • any method known in the art can be used to attach the polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound to a solid support, including use of covalent and non-covalent linkages, passive absorption, or pairs of binding moieties attached respectively to the polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound and the solid support.
  • Test compounds are preferably bound to the solid support in an array, so that the. location of individual test compounds can be tracked. Binding of a test compound to a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide (or polynucleotide) can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtiter plates, test tubes, and microcentrifuge tubes.
  • the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide is a fusion protein comprising a domain that allows the receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide to be bound to a solid support.
  • glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose • beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) or glutathione derivatized microtiter plates,
  • a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or a test compound can be immobilized utilizing conjugation of biotin and streptavidin.
  • Biotinylated receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptides (or poly- nucleotides) or test compounds can be prepared from biotin-NHS(N- hydroxy- succinimide) using techniques well known in the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, 111.) and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical).
  • antibodies which specifically bind to a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, polynucleotide, or a test compound, but which do not interfere with a desired binding site, such as the active site of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, can be derivatized to the wells of the plate. Unbound target or protein can be trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation.
  • GST-immobilized complexes include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies which specifically bind to the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide or test compound, enzyme-linked assays which rely on detecting an activity of the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, and SDS gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions.
  • Screening for test compounds which bind to a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptide or polynucleotide also can be carried out in an intact cell. Any cell which comprises a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase poly- peptide or polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system. A receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above. Binding of the test compound to a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide or polynucleotide is determined as described above.
  • Test compounds can be tested for the ability to increase or decrease the enzymatic activity of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide. Enzymatic activity can be measured, for example, as described in Example 4.
  • Enzyme assays can be carried out after contacting either a purified receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide; a cell membrane preparation, or an intact cell with a test compound.
  • a test compound that decreases enzymatic activity of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity
  • a test compound which increases enzymatic activity of a human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity.
  • test compounds that increase or decrease receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene expression are identified.
  • a receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polynucleotide is contacted with a test compound, and the expression of an RNA or polypeptide product of the receptor-interacting' serine- threonine kinase polynucleotide is determined.
  • the level of expression of appropriate mRNA or polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is compared to the level of expression of mRNA or polypeptide in the absence of the test compound.
  • the test compound can then be identified as a modulator of expression based on this comparison.
  • test compound when expression of mRNA or polypeptide is greater in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as a stimulator or enhancer of the mRNA or polypeptide expression.
  • test compound when expression of the mRNA or polypeptide is less in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of the mRNA or polypeptide expression.
  • the level of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase mRNA or polypeptide expression in the cells can be determined by methods well known in the art for detecting mRNA or polypeptide. Either qualitative or quantitative methods can be used.
  • the presence of polypeptide products of a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polynucleotide can be determined, for example, using a variety of techniques known in the art, including immunochemical methods such as radio- immunoassay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.
  • poly- peptide synthesis can be determined in vivo, in a cell culture, or in an in vitro translation system by detecting incorporation of labeled amino acids into a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • Such screening can be carried out either in a cell-free assay system or in an intact cell.
  • Any cell that expresses a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system.
  • the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above.
  • Either a primary culture or an established cell line, such as CHO or human embryonic kidney 293 cells, can be used.
  • compositions of the invention can comprise, for example, a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polynucleotide, ribozymes or antisense oligonucleotides, antibodies which specifically bind to a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, or. mimetics, activators, or inhibitors of a human receptor-interacting, serine-threonine kinase polypeptide activity.
  • compositions can be administered alone or in combination with at least one other agent, such as stabilizing compound, which can be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water.
  • agent such as stabilizing compound
  • the compositions can be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other agents, drugs or hormones.
  • compositions of the invention can be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, parenteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.
  • compositions for oral use can be obtained through combination of active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores.
  • Suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants; cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; gums including arabic and tragacanth; and proteins such as gelatin and collagen.
  • disintegrating or solubilizing agents can be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.
  • Dragee cores can be used in conjunction with suitable coatings, such as concentrated sugar solutions, which also can contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic, solvents or solvent mixtures.
  • suitable coatings such as concentrated sugar solutions, which also can contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic, solvents or solvent mixtures.
  • Dyestuffs or pigments can be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity of active compound, i.e., dosage.
  • compositions that can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a coating, such as glycerol or sorbitol.
  • Push-fit capsules can contain active ingredients mixed with a filler or binders, such as lactose or starches, lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers.
  • the active compounds can be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers.
  • compositions suitable for parenteral administration can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as
  • Aqueous injection suspensions can contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds can be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Non-lipid polycationic amino polymers also can be used for delivery. Optionally, the suspension also can contain suitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. For topical or nasal administration, penetrants appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.
  • compositions of the present invention can be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes.
  • the pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms.
  • the preferred preparation can be a lyophilized powder which can contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% mannitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, that is combined with buffer prior to use.
  • compositions After pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition. Such labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be regulated to treat cancer, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine and hormonal disorders, inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, hematological disorders, respiratory disorders,- reproductive disorders, and genitourinary disorders.
  • Cancer can be regulated to treat cancer, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine and hormonal disorders, inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, hematological disorders, respiratory disorders,- reproductive disorders, and genitourinary disorders.
  • Cancer is a disease fundamentally caused by oncogenic cellular transformation. There are several hallmarks of transformed cells that distinguish them from their normal counterparts and underlie the pathophysiology of cancer. These include uncontrolled cellular proliferation, unresponsiveness to normal death-inducing signals (immortalization), increased cellular motility and invasiveness, increased ability to recruit blood supply through induction of new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), genetic instability, and dysregulated gene expression. Various combinations of these aberrant physiologies, along with the acquisition of drug-resistance frequently lead to an intractable disease state in which organ failure and patient death ultimately ensue.
  • Genes or gene fragments identified through genomics can readily be expressed in one or more heterologous expression systems to produce functional recombinant proteins.
  • proteins are characterized in vitro for their biochemical properties and then used as tools in high-throughput molecular screening programs to identify chemical modulators of their biochemical activities.
  • Agonists and/or antagonists of target protein activity can be identified in this manner and subsequently tested in cellular and in vivo disease models for anti-cancer activity. Optimization of lead compounds with iterative testing in biological models and detailed pharmacokinetic and toxicological analyses form the basis for drug development and subsequent testing in humans.
  • Protein kinases are a large family of proteins that transfer the gamma-phosphate of ATP to a specific residue(s) of a protein substrate.
  • a protein kinase is classified as a tyrosine, a serine/threonine or a dual specific kinase based on the acceptor residue(s).
  • Protein kinases play an important role in signaling pathways regulating a number of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation , apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis which are the hallmarks of all cancers.
  • Several protein kinases have been identified as oncogenes and shown to be dysregulated in many cancer types, thereby making protein kinases as attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer. Drugs targeted against protein kinases responsible for the dysregulation of any of the aforementioned pathways have the potential for greater efficacy and lower toxicity.
  • Signaling pathways for cell growth and proliferation are initiated at the cell surface by binding of a growth factor ligand to its receptor. Ligand binding to its receptor leads to autophosphorylation and activation of its tyrosine kinase domain.
  • the growth factor signal is further transmitted within a cell through a series of protein kinases resulting in changes in DNA synthesis, cell cycle, cellular morphology, gene expression, protein translation and metabolic pathways.
  • receptor protein tyrosine kinases examples include EGF receptor, PDGF receptor,
  • VEGF receptor and FGF receptor.- Src, abl and lck constitute some of the cytosolic tyrosine kinases.
  • serine/threonine kinases include MAP kinases, Akt/PKB, and CDKs.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed- in the following metabolic disease related tissues: pancreas, pancreas liver cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis. Expression in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue pancreas liver cirrhosis and healthy tissue pancreas, between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose metabolic diseases. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat metabolic diseases.
  • Metabolic diseases are defined as conditions that result from an abnormality in any of the chemical or biochemical transformations and their regulating systems essential to producing energy, to regenerating cellular constituents, to eliminating unneeded products arising from these processes, and to regulate and maintain homeostasis in a mammal regardless of whether acquired or the result of a genetic transformation.
  • a single defective transformation or disturbance of its regulation may produce consequences that are narrow, involving a single body function, or broad, affecting many organs, organ systems, or the body as a whole.
  • Diseases resulting from abnormalities related to the fine and coarse mechanisms that affect each individual transformation, its rate and direction, or the availability of substrates like amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, minerals, cofactors, hormones, regardless whether they are inborn or acquired, are well within the scope of the definition of a metabolic disease according to this application.
  • Metabolic diseases often are caused by single defects in particular biochemical pathways, defects that are due to the deficient activity of individual enzymes or molecular receptors leading to the regulation of such enzymes. Hence, in a broader sense disturbances of the underlying genes, their products and their regulation lie well within the scope of this definition of a metabolic disease.
  • metabolic diseases may affect 1) biochemical processes and tissues ubiquitous all over the body, 2) the bone, 3) the nervous system, 4) the endocrine system, 5) the muscle including the heart, 6) the skin and nervous tissue, 7) the urogenital system, 8) the homeostasis of body systems like water and electrolytes.
  • Metabolic diseases according to 1) include, but are not limited to, obesity, amyloidosis, disturbances of the amino acid metabolism like branched chain disease, hyperaminoacidemia, hyperaminoaciduria, disturbances of the metabolism of urea, hyperammonemia, mucopolysaccharidoses (e.g., Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, storage diseases such as glycogen storage diseases and lipid storage diseases, glycogenosis diseases such as Cori's disease, malabsorption diseases such as intestinal carbohydrate malabsorption, oligosaccharidase deficiency like maltase-, lactase-, or sucrase-insufficiency, disorders of the metabolism of fructose, disorders of the metabolism of galactose, galactosemia, disturbances of carbohydrate utilization such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, disturbances of pyruvate metabolism, hypolipidemia, hypolipoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, carnitine or carni
  • Metabolic diseases according to 2) include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, osteomalacia-like osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteopetrosis, osteonecrosis, Paget's disease of bone, and hypophosphatemia.
  • Huntington's chorea Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, toxic encephalopathy, demyelinating neuropathies such as inflammatory neuropathy, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
  • Metabolic diseases include, but are not limited to, primary and secondary metabolic disorders associated with hormonal defects such as any disorder stemming from either a hyperfunction or hypofunction of some hormone-secreting endocrine gland and any combination thereof. They include Sipple's syndrome, pituitary gland dysfunction and its effects on other endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, and testes, acromegaly, hyper- and hypothyroidism, euthyroid goiter, euthyroid sick syndrome, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer, over- or underproduction of the adrenal steroid hormones, adrenogenital syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease of the adrenal cortex, Addison's pernicious anemia, primary and secondary aldosteronism, diabetes insipidus , carcinoid syndrome, disturbances caused by the dysfunction of the parathyroid glands, pancreatic islet cell dysfunction, 'diabetes, disturbances of the endocrine system
  • Metabolic diseases according to 5) include, but are not limited to, muscle weakness, myotonia, Duchenne's and other muscular dystrophies, dystrophia myotonica of Steinert, mitochondrial myopathies such as disturbances of the catabolic metabolism in the muscle, carbohydrate and lipid storage myopathies, glycogenoses, myoglobinuria. malignant hyperthermia, polymyalgia rheumatica, dermatomyositis, primary myocardial disease, cardiomyopathy.
  • Metabolic diseases according to 6) include, but are not limited to, disorders of the ectoderm, neurofibromatosis. scleroderma and polyarteritis, Louis-Bar syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Sturge-Weber syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, amyloidosis, porphyria.
  • Metabolic diseases according to 7) include, but are not limited to, sexual dysfunction of the male and female.
  • Metabolic diseases according to 8) include, but are not limited to, confused states and seizures due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone from the pituitary gland, Liddle r s syndrome, Bartter's syndrome, Fanconi's syndrome, renal electrolyte wasting, diabetes insipidus.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder characterized by an abnormal elevation in blood glucose, alterations in lipids and abnormalities (complications) in the cardiovascular system, eye, kidney and nervous system. Diabetes is divided into two separate diseases: type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset), which results from a loss of cells which make and secrete insulin, and type 2 diabetes (adult onset), which is caused by a defect in insulin secretion and a defect in insulin action.
  • type 1 diabetes juvenile onset
  • type 2 diabetes adult onset
  • Type I diabetes is initiated by an autoimmune reaction that attacks the insulin secreting cells (beta cells) in the pancreatic islets.
  • Agents that prevent this reaction from occurring or that stop the reaction before destruction of the beta cells has been accomplished are potential therapies for this disease.
  • Other agents that induce beta cell proliferation and regeneration also are potential therapies.
  • Type II diabetes is the most common of the two diabetic conditions (6% of the population).
  • the defect in insulin secretion is an important cause of the diabetic condition and results from an inability of the beta cell to properly detect and respond to rises in blood glucose levels with insulin release.
  • Therapies that increase the response by the beta cell to glucose would offer an important new treatment for this disease.
  • the defect in insulin action in Type II diabetic subjects is another target for therapeutic intervention.
  • Agents that increase the activity of the insulin receptor in muscle, liver, and fat will cause a decrease in blood glucose and a normalization of plasma lipids.
  • the receptor activity can be increased by agents that directly stimulate the receptor or that increase the intracellular signals from the receptor.
  • Other therapies can directly activate the cellular end process, i.e. glucose transport or various enzyme systems, to generate an insulin-like effect and therefore a produce beneficial outcome. Because overweight subjects have a greater susceptibility to
  • Type I and Type diabetes can be treated with agents that mimic insulin action or that treat diabetic complications by reducing blood glucose levels.
  • agents that reduces new blood vessel growth can be used to treat the eye complications that develop in both diseases.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following brain tissues: Alzheimer brain, cerebellum (right), cerebellum (left), frontal lobe, Alzheimer brain frontal lobe, pons, substantia nigra, cerebral meninges, corpus callosum, spinal cord, retina.
  • Expression in brain tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose nervous system diseases. Additionally, the activity of human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat nervous system diseases.
  • Central and peripheral nervous system disorders can be treated, such as primary and secondary disorders after brain injury, disorders of mood, anxiety disorders, disorders of thought and volition, disorders of sleep and wakefulness, diseases of the motor unit, such as neurogenic and myopafhic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and processes of peripheral and chronic pain. Pain that is associated with CNS disorders also can be treated by regulating the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase.
  • Pain which can be treated includes that associated with central nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, sciatica, failed back surgery syndrome, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke, and vascular lesions in the brain and spinal cord (e.g., infarct, hemorrhage, vascular malformation).
  • central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, sciatica, failed back surgery syndrome, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, post-stroke, and vascular lesions in the brain and spinal cord (e.g., infarct, hemorrhage, vascular malformation).
  • Non-central neuropathic pain includes that associated with post mastectomy pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), trigeminal neural- giaradioculopathy, post-surgical pain, HIV/ ADDS related pain, cancer pain, metabolic neuropathies (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, vasculitic neuropathy secondary to connective tissue disease), paraneoplastic polyneuropathy associated, for example, with carcinoma of lung, or leukemia, or lymphoma, or carcinoma of prostate, colon or stomach, trigeminal neuralgia, cranial neuralgias, and post-herpetic neuralgia. Pain associated with cancer and cancer treatment also can be treated, as can headache pain (for example, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and other migraine disorders), episodic and chronic tension-type headache, tension-type like headache, cluster headache, and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania.
  • headache pain for example, migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and other migraine disorders
  • episodic and chronic tension-type headache tension-type like headache, cluster headache,
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following cardiovascular related tissues: heart, heart atrium (right), heart atrium (left), heart ventricle (left), heart apex, Purkinje fibers, interventricular septum, aorta, coronary artery, coronary artery sclerotic,131monic valve.
  • cardiovascular related tissues heart, heart atrium (right), heart atrium (left), heart ventricle (left), heart apex, Purkinje fibers, interventricular septum, aorta, coronary artery, coronary artery sclerotic,131 valve.
  • Expression in the above- mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat cardiovascular diseases.
  • MI Myocardial infarction
  • Ischemic diseases are conditions in which the coronary flow is restricted resulting in a perfusion which is inadequate to meet the myocardial requirement for oxygen.
  • This group of diseases includes stable angina, unstable angina and asymptomatic ischemia.
  • Arrhythmias include all forms of atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrio-ventricular reentrant tachycardia, preexitation syndrome, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, as well as bradycardic forms of arrhythmias.
  • Hypertensive vascular diseases include primary as well as all kinds of secondary arterial hypertension, renal, endocrine, neurogenic, others.
  • the genes may be used as drug targets for the treatment of hypertension as well as for the prevention of all complications arising from cardiovascular diseases.
  • Peripheral vascular diseases are defined as vascular diseases in which arterial and/or venous flow is reduced resulting in an imbalance between blood supply and tissue oxygen demand. It includes chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), acute arterial thrombosis and embolism, inflammatory vascular disorders, Raynaud's phenomenon and venous disorders.
  • PAOD peripheral arterial occlusive disease
  • Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease in which the vessel wall is remodeled, compromising the lumen of the vessel.
  • the atherosclerotic remodeling process involves accumulation of cells, both smooth muscle cells and monocyte/macrophage inflammatory cells, in the intima of the vessel wall. These cells take up lipid, likely from the circulation, to form a mature atherosclerotic lesion.
  • the formation of the atherosclerotic lesion can be considered to occur in five overlapping stages such as migration, lipid accumulation, recruitment of inflammatory cells, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and extracellular matrix deposition.
  • Each of these processes can be shown to occur ' in man and in animal models of atherosclerosis, but the relative contribution of each to the pathology and clinical significance of the lesion is unclear.
  • Cardiovascular diseases include but are not limited to disorders of the heart and the vascular system, such as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, ischemic diseases of the heart, all kinds of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, hypertensive vascular diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, and atherosclerosis.
  • hyperlipidemia abnormally high levels of fats (cholesterol, triglycerides, or both) in the blood, may be caused by family history of hyperlipidemia, obesity, a high-fat diet, lack of exercise, moderate to high alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and an underactive thyroid gland), hereditary hyper- lipidemias (type I hyperlipoproteinemia (familial hyperchylomicronemia), type II hyperlipoprotememia (familial hypercholesterolemia), type III hyperlipoproteinemia, type IV hyperlipoproteinemia, or type V hyperlipoproteinemia), hypo- lipoproteinemia, lipidoses (caused by abnormalities in the enzymes that metabolize fats), Gaucher's disease, Niemann-Pick disease, Fabry's disease, Wolman's disease, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, sitosterolemia, Refsum's disease, or Tay-Sachs disease.
  • hyperlipidemia abnormally high levels of fats (cholesterol,
  • Kidney disorders may lead to hyper or hypotension. Examples for kidney problems possibly leading to hypertension are renal artery stenosis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, kidney tumors, polycistic kidney disease, injury to the kidney, or radiation therapy affecting the kidney. Excessive urination may lead to hypotension.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the endocrine system: adrenal gland, thyroid, pancreas, pancreas liver cirrhosis. Expression in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue pancreas liver cirrhosis and healthy tissue pancreas demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose endocrine disorders. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat endocrine disorders.
  • the endocrine system consists of a group of organs whose main function is to produce and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. The major organs of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the islets of the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the testes, and the ovaries.
  • the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas respond to glucose and fatty acids.
  • Parathyroid cells respond to calcium and phosphate.
  • the adrenal medulla (part of the adrenal gland) responds to direct stimulation by the parasympathetic nervous system
  • hormone in the blood can become abnormally high or low, disrupting body functions.
  • Many disorders are caused by malfunction of the endocrine system or hormones. Examples of such disorders are presented in the following.
  • Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which blood levels of glucose are abnormally high because the body doesn't release or use insulin adequately. People with type I diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes) produce little or no insulin at all. In type I diabetes more than 90 percent of the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) of the pancreas are permanently destroyed. The resulting insulin deficiency is severe, and to survive, a person with type I diabetes must regularly inject insulin. In type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) the body develops resistance to insulin effects, resulting in a relative insulin deficiency.
  • pancreas has two major functions: to secrete fluid containing digestive enzymes into the duodenum and to secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon.
  • Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas.
  • An insulinoma is a rare type of pancreatic tumor that secretes insulin.
  • the symptoms of an insulinoma result from low blood glucose levels.
  • a gastrinoma is a pancreatic tumor that produces excessive levels of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates the stomach ' to secrete acid and enzymes, causing peptic ulcers.
  • the excess gastrin secreted by the gastrinoma causes symptoms, called the Zollinger- Ellison syndrome.
  • a glucagonoma is a tumor that produces the hormone glucagon, which raises the level of glucose in the blood and produces a distinctive rash.
  • Diabetes insipidus is a disorder in which insufficient levels of antidiuretic hormone cause excessive thirst (polydipsia) and excessive production of very dilute urine (polyuria). Diabetes insipidus results from the decreased production of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin).
  • the body has two adrenal glands.
  • the medulla of the adrenal glands secretes hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) that affect blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, and other activities also regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
  • the cortex secretes many different hormones, including corticosteroids (cortisone-like hormones), androgens (male hormones), and mineralocorticoids, which control blood pressure and the levels of salt and potassium in the body
  • a disease characterized by underactive adrenal glands is Addison's disease (adreno- cortical insufficiency).
  • Adreno- cortical insufficiency Several disorders are characterized by overactive Adrenal Glands. The causes can be changes in the adrenal glands themselves or over- stimulation by the pituitary gland. Examples of these diseases are listed in the following.
  • Overproduction of androgenic steroids leads to virilization
  • overproduction of corticosteroids causes could be tumors of the pituitary or the adrenal gland, results in Cushing's syndrome
  • Nelson's syndrome developed by people who have both adrenal glands removed, characterized by an enlargement of the pituitary gland
  • overproduction of aldosterone hyperaldosteronism
  • Conn's syndrome hyperaldosterism caused by a tumor
  • pheochromocytoma a tumor that originating from the adrenal gland's chromaffm cells, causing overproduction of catecholamines.
  • the thyroid is a small gland located under the Adam's apple. It secretes thyroid hormones, which control the metabolic rate. The thyroid gland traps iodine and processes it into thyroid hormones. The euthyroid sick syndrome is characterized by lack of conversion of the T4 form of thyroid hormone to the T3 form. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland, production of too much hormone) may have several causes. Thyroiditis (an inflammation of the thyroid gland), typically leads to a phase of hyperthyroidism. The inflammation may damage the thyroid gland, so that in later stages the disease is characterized by transient or permanent underactivity (hypothyroidism). Toxic thyroid nodules (adenomas) often produce thyroid hormone in large quantities.
  • Toxic multinodular goiter is a disorder in which there are many nodules. Graves' disease (toxic diffuse goiter) is believed to be caused by an antibody that stimulates the thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone. In toxic nodular goiter, one or more nodules in the thyroid produce too much thyroid hormone and aren't under the control of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Secondary hyperthyroidism may (rarely) be caused by a pituitary tumor that secretes too much thyroid-stimulating hormone, by resistance of the pituitary to thyroid hormone, which results in the pituitary gland secreting too much thyroid-stimulating hormone, or by a hydatidiform mole in women. Thyroid storm is a sudden extreme overactivity of the thyroid gland is a life-threatening emergency requiring prompt treatment.
  • hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and produces too little thyroid hormone. Very severe hypothyroidism is called myxedema. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroiditis) the thyroid gland is often enlarged, and hypothyroidism results because the gland's functioning areas are gradually destroyed. Rarer causes of hypothyroidism include some inherited disorders that are caused by abnormalities of the enzymes in thyroid cells. In other rare disorders, either the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland fails to secrete enough of the hormone needed to stimulate normal thyroid function. Other examples of thyroiditis are silent lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or subacute granulomatous thyroiditis. Thyroid cancer is any one of four main types of malignancy of the thyroid: papillary, follicular, anaplastic, or medullary.
  • the pituitary is a pea-sized gland that sits in a bony structure (sella turcica) at the base of the brain.
  • the sella turcica protects the pituitary but allows very little room for expansion. If the pituitary enlarges, it tends to push upward, often pressing on the . areas of the brain that carry signals from the eyes, possibly resulting in headaches or impaired vision.
  • the pituitary gland has two distinct parts: the anterior (front) and the posterior (back) lobes.
  • the anterior lobe produces (secretes) hormones that ultimately control the function of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and reproductive organs (ovaries and testes); milk production (lactation) in the breasts; and overall body growth. It also produces hormones that cause the skin to darken and that inhibit pain sensations.
  • the posterior lobe produces hormones that regulate water balance, stimulate the let-down of milk from the breasts in lactating women, and stimulate contractions of the uterus.
  • Examples for disorders of the pituitary gland are Empty Sella Syndrome; hypo- pituitarism (an underactive pituitary gland); acromegaly, which is excessive growth caused by oversecretion of growth hormone, which is almost always caused by a benign pituitary tumor (adenoma); galactorrhea, which is the production of breast milk in men or in women who aren't breastfeeding, in both sexes, the most common cause of galactorrhea is a prolactin-producing tumor (prolactinoma) in the pituitary gland.
  • prolactin-producing tumor prolactinoma
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the immune system and tissues responsive to components of the immune system as well as in the following tissues responsive to mediators of inflammation: pancreas liver cirrhosis, ileum chronic inflammation, liver cirrhosis, leukocytes (peripheral blood), bone marrow, bone marrow CD 15+ cells, spleen liver cirrhosis, lung COPD.
  • Expression in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose inflammatory diseases. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat inflammatory diseases.
  • Inflammatory diseases include diseases triggered by cellular or non-cellular mediators of the immune system or tissues causing the inflammation of body tissues and subsequently producing an acute or chronic inflammatory condition.
  • hypersensitivity reactions of type I - IV e.g., hypersensitivity diseases of the lung including asthma, atopic diseases, allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, angioedema of the lids, hereditary angioedema, antireceptor hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Goodpasture's syndrome, pemphigus, myasthenia gravis, Grave's and Raynaud's disease, type B insulin-resistant diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, glomerulonephritis, acute or chronic host versus
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the gastroenterological system: ileum, ileum tumor, ileum chronic inflammation, liver, liver cirrhosis. Expression in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose gastroenterological disorders. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat gastroenterological disorders.
  • Gastrointestinal diseases include primary or secondary, acute or chronic diseases of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract which may be acquired or inherited, benign or malignant or metaplastic, and which may affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract or the body as a whole. They include but are not limited to 1) disorders of the esophagus such as achalasia, vigoruos achalasia, dysphagia, cricopharyngeal incoordination, pre-esophageal dysphagia, diffuse esophageal spasm, globus sensation, Barrett's metaplasia, gastroesophageal reflux, 2) disorders of the stomach and duodenum such as functional dyspepsia, inflammation of the gastric mucosa- gastritis, stress gastritis, chronic erosive gastritis, atrophy of gastric glands, metaplasia of gastric tissues, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, neoplasms of the stomach, 3) disorders of the pancreas
  • pancreatitis insufficiency of the exocrinic or endocrinic tissues of the pancreas such as steatorrhea, diabetes, neoplasms of the exocrine or endocrine pancreas such as 3.1) multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, ductal adenocarcinoma, cystadeno- carcinoma, islet cell tumors, insulinoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid .
  • tumors glucagonoma, Zollinger-EUison syndrome, Vipoma syndrome, malabsorption syndrome, 4) disorders of the bowel such as chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel, Crohn's disease, ileus, diarrhea and constipation, colonic inertia, megacolon, malabsorption syndrome, ulcerative colitis, 4.1) functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, 4.2) neoplasms of the bowel such as familial polyposis, adenocarcinoma, primary malignant lymphoma , carcinoid tumors, Kaposi's sarcoma, polyps, cancer of the colon and rectum.
  • disorders of the bowel such as chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel, Crohn's disease, ileus, diarrhea and constipation, colonic inertia, megacolon, malabsorption syndrome, ulcerative colitis, 4.1) functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, 4.2) neoplasms of the bowel
  • Liver diseases include primary or secondary, acute or chronic diseases or injury of the liver which may be acquired or inherited, benign or malignant, and which may affect the liver or the body as a whole. They comprise but are not limited to disorders of the bilirubin metabolism, jaundice, syndromes of Gilbert,. Crigler-Najjar,
  • Dubin-Johnson, and Rotor intrahepatic cholestasis, hepatomegaly, portal hyper- tension, ascites, Budd-Chiari syndrome, portal-systemic encephalopathy, fatty liver, steatosis, Reye's syndrome, liver diseases due to alcohol, alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver due to inborn errors of metabolism or exogenous substances, storage diseases, syndromes of Gaucher and Zellweger, Wilson's disease, acute or chronic hepatitis, viral hepatitis and its variants, inflammatory conditions of the liver due to viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths; drug induced disorders of the liver, chronic liver diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, alphal-antitrypsin-deficiency, primary biliary cirrhosis, postoperative liver disorders such as postoperative intrahepati
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the hematological system: leukocytes (peripheral blood), bone marrow, lymph node, bone marrow CD33+ cells, bone marrow CD34+ cells, bone marrow CD 15+ cells, cord blood CD34+ cells, neutrophils cord blood, spleen, spleen liver cirrhosis.
  • leukocytes peripheral blood
  • bone marrow lymph node
  • bone marrow CD33+ cells bone marrow CD34+ cells
  • bone marrow CD 15+ cells bone marrow CD 15+ cells
  • cord blood CD34+ cells neutrophils cord blood
  • spleen spleen liver cirrhosis
  • cirrhosis neutrophils cord blood
  • spleen spleen liver cirrhosis
  • Hemoglobin in red blood cells is the key component for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues.
  • the level of hemoglobin has fallen below 12 g/L. Therefore the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is reduced.
  • Common reasons for anemia include acute or chronic blood loss, insufficient levels of erythropoietin synthesis in the kidneys (e.g. in dialysis patients) or insufficient output of red blood cells from bone marrow after chemotherapy or HIV infection etc..
  • Current therapy of anemia is aimed at increasing the hematocrit either by transfusion or by stimulating erythropoiesis with agents such as erythropoietin. The treatment goal is to restore hemoglobin levels above 12 g/L.
  • Neutropenia is an abnormally low white blood cell count which causes an increased incidence of infections.
  • causes of neutropenia include: drug-induced (e.g., following cancer chemotherapy), increased destruction of neutrophils (e.g., immune-mediated) or decreased bone marrow function (e.g., familial neutropenia).
  • neutropenia following cancer chemotherapy is currently treated with growth factors such as G-CSF or GM- CSF that stimulate granulopoiesis. The treatment goal is to raise the neutrophil count in order to reduce the susceptibility to infection.
  • platelets play an essential role in thrombus formation to limit blood loss following vessel injury, insufficient platelet levels may lead to abnormal bleeding.
  • thrombocytopenia including drug-induced thrombocytopenia (e.g., following cancer chemotherapy) and immune thromboytopenia (due to increased degradation of platelets).
  • Platelet transfusions or IL-11 can be used to restore platelet levels in order to reduce the bleeding risk.
  • Aplastic anemia (Pancyteponia)
  • Aplastic anemia is a life-threatening hematologic disorder characterized by absent or markedly diminished hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow and resulting in neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia.
  • a large number of agents can cause aplastic anemia (drugs, chemicals and toxins) radiation and certain infections can also induce aplastic anemia. More frequently, aplastic anemia occurs as an unpredictable idiosyncratic reaction to drugs such as anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and antiepileptic drugs.
  • Aplastic anemia typically develops weeks or month during drug administration or delayed after drug administration has been discontinued.
  • aplastic anemia Several congenital and familiar forms of aplastic anemia have been described, including Fanconi's anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, familiar aplastic anemia, and . aplasia associated with dyskeratosis congenita or amegakaryocytic thrompocytopenia.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the respiratory system: leukocytes (peripheral blood), bone marrow CD 15+ cells, neutrophils cord blood, fetal lung, lung, lung right upper lobe, lung right mid lobe, lung right lower lobe, lung tumor, lung COPD, trachea.
  • leukocytes peripheral blood
  • bone marrow CD 15+ cells neutrophils cord blood
  • fetal lung lung
  • lung right upper lobe lung right mid lobe
  • lung right lower lobe lung tumor
  • lung COPD trachea.
  • trachea trachea.
  • human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose respiratory diseases.
  • the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat those diseases.
  • allergens typically elicit a specific IgE response and, although in most cases the allergens themselves have little or no intrinsic toxicity, they induce pathology when the IgE response in turn elicits an IgE-dependent or T cell-dependent hypersensitivity reaction.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions can be local or systemic and typically occur within minutes of allergen exposure in individuals who have previously been sensitized to an allergen.
  • the hypersensitivity reaction of allergy develops when the allergen is recognized by IgE antibodies bound to specific receptors on the surface of effector cells, such as mast cells, basophils, or eosinophils, which causes the activation of the effector cells and the release of mediators that produce the acute signs and symptoms of the reactions.
  • effector cells such as mast cells, basophils, or eosinophils
  • Allergic diseases include asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis, and anaphylaxis.
  • Asthma is thought to arise as a result of interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors and is characterized by three major features: 1) intermittent and reversible airway obstruction caused by bronchoconstriction, increased mucus production, and thickening of the walls of the airways that leads to a narrowing of the airways, 2) airway hyperresponsiveness caused by a decreased control of airway caliber, and 3) airway inflammation.
  • Certain cells are critical to the inflammatory reaction of asthma and they include T cells and antigen presenting cells, B cells that produce IgE, and mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, and other cells that bind IgE.
  • effector cells accumulate at the site of allergic reaction in the airways and release toxic products that contribute to the acute pathology and eventually to the tissue destruction related to the disorder.
  • Other resident cells such as smooth muscle cells, lung- epithelial cells, mucus-producing cells, and nerve cells may also be abnormal in individuals with asthma and may contribute to the pathology. While the airway obstruction of asthma, presenting clinically as an intermittent wheeze and shortness of breath, is generally the most pressing symptom of the- disease requiring immediate treatment, the inflammation and tissue destruction associated with the disease can lead to irreversible changes that eventually make asthma a chronic disabling disorder requiring long-term management.
  • Glycophorin A Cho and Sharom, Cell. Immunol. 145, 223-39, 1992
  • cyelosporin Alexander et al, Lancet 339, 324-28, 1992
  • a nonapeptide fragment of IL-2 Zav'yalov et al, Immunol. Lett. 31, 285-88, 1992
  • cyelosporin. is used as a immuno- suppressant after organ transplantation.
  • COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary (or airways) disease
  • COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary (or airways) disease
  • Emphysema is characterized ' by destruction of alveolar walls leading to abnormal enlargement of the air spaces of the lung.
  • Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as the presence of chronic productive cough for three months in each of two successive years.
  • airflow obstruction is usually progressive and is only partially reversible. By far the most important risk factor for development of COPD is cigarette smoking, although the disease does occur in non-smokers.
  • the inflammatory cell population comprises increased numbers of macrophages, neutrophils, and CD8 + lymphocytes.
  • Inhaled irritants such as cigarette smoke, activate macrophages ' that are resident in the respiratory tract, as well as epithelial cells leading to release of chemokines (e.g., interleukin-8) and other chemotactic factors.
  • chemokines e.g., interleukin-8
  • chemotactic factors act to increase the neutrophil/mono- cyte trafficking from the blood into the lung tissue and airways.
  • Neutrophils and monocytes recruited into the airways can release a variety of potentially damaging mediators such as proteolytic enzymes and reactive oxygen species.
  • Matrix degradation and emphysema along with airway wall thickening, surfactant dysfunction, and mucus hypersecretion, all are potential sequelae of this inflammatory response that lead to impaired airflow and gas exchange.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following tissues of the reproduction system: placenta, uterus, uterus tumor, ovary tumor, breast, breast tumor, in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that 0 human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose reproduction disorders.. Additionally, the activity of human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat reproduction disorders.
  • disorders of the male reproductive system include but are not limited to 5 balanoposthitis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, phimosis, paraphimosis, erythroplasia of Queyrat, skin cancer of the penis, Bowen's and Paget's diseases, syphilis, herpes simplex infections, genital warts, molluscum contagiosum, priapism, peyronie's disease, benign prostatic hype ⁇ lasia (BPH), prostate cancer, prostatitis, testicular cancer, testicular torsion, inguinal hernia, epididymo-orchitis, mumps, hydroceles, 0 spermatoceles, or varicoceles.
  • Impotence erectile dysfunction
  • disorders of the female reproductive include premature menopause, 5 pelvic pain, vaginitis, vulvitis, vulvovaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, menstrual disorders (premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, primary amenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, menorrhagia, hypomenorrhea, poly- menorrhea, oligomenorrhea, metrorrhagia, menometrorrhagia, Postmenopausal bleeding), bleeding caused by a physical disorder, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, 30 .
  • PMS menstrual syndrome
  • dysmenorrhea amenorrhea
  • primary amenorrhea primary amenorrhea
  • secondary amenorrhea menorrhagia
  • hypomenorrhea hypomenorrhea
  • poly- menorrhea poly- menorrhea
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome), endometriosis, cancer of the uterus, cancer of the cervix, cancer of the ovaries, cancer of the vulva, cancer of the vagina, cancer of the fallopian tubes, and hydatidiform mole.
  • Infertility may be caused by problems with sperm, ovulation, the fallopian tubes, and the cervix as well as unidentified factors.
  • Complications of pregnancy include miscarriage and stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, anemia, Rh incompatibility, problems with the placenta, excessive vomiting, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and skin rashes (e.g. herpes gestationis, urticaria of pregnancy) as well as preterm labor and premature rupture of the membranes.
  • Breast disorders may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Examples of breast disorders are but are not limited to breast pain, cysts, fibrocystic breast disease, fibrous lumps, nipple discharge, breast infection, breast cancer (ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, and inflammatory breast cancer), Paget's disease of the nipple or Cystosarcoma phyllodes.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is highly expressed in the following uro logical tissues: prostate, prostate BPH, bladder, ureter, corpus caverno- sum, fetal kidney, kidney, kidney tumor. Expression in the above-mentioned tissues and in particular the differential expression between diseased tissue and healthy tissue demonstrates that human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase protein or mRNA can be utilized to diagnose urological disorders. Additionally, the activity of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase can be modulated to treat urological disorders.
  • Genitourological disorders comprise benign and malign disorders of the organs constituting the genitourological system of female and male, renal diseases like acute or chronic renal failure, immunologically mediated renal diseases like renal transplant rejection, lupus nephritis, immune complex renal diseases, glomeralopathies, nephritis, toxic nephropathy, obstractive uropathies like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), neurogenic bladder syndrome, urinary incontinence like urge-, stress-, or overflow incontinence, pelvic pain, and erectile dysfunction.
  • renal diseases like acute or chronic renal failure
  • immunologically mediated renal diseases like renal transplant rejection, lupus nephritis, immune complex renal diseases, glomeralopathies, nephritis, toxic nephropathy, obstractive uropathies like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), neurogenic bladder syndrome, urinary incontinence like urge-, stress-, or overflow incontinence, pelvi
  • This invention further pertains to the use of novel agents identified by the screening assays described above. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to use a test compound identified as described herein in an appropriate animal model.
  • an agent identified as described herein e.g., a modulating agent, an antisense nucleic acid molecule, a specific antibody, ribozyme, or a human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide binding molecule
  • an agent identified as described herein can be used in an animal model to determine the mechanism of action of such an agent.
  • this invention pertains to uses of novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays for treatments as described herein.
  • a reagent which affects receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity can be administered to a human cell, either in vitro or in vivo, to reduce receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity.
  • the reagent preferably binds to an expression product of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene. If the expression product is a protein, the reagent is preferably an antibody.
  • an antibody can be added to a preparation of stem cells that have been removed from the body. The cells can then be replaced in the same or another human body, with or without clonal propagation, as is known in the art.
  • the reagent is delivered using a liposome.
  • the liposome is stable in the animal into which it has been administered for at least about 30 minutes, more preferably for at least about 1 hour, and even more preferably for at least about 24 hours.
  • a liposome comprises a lipid composition that is capable of targeting a reagent, particularly a polynucleotide, to a particular site in an animal, such as a human.
  • the lipid composition of the liposome is capable of targeting to a specific organ of an animal, such as the lung, liver, spleen, heart brain, lymph nodes, .and skin.
  • a liposome useful in the present invention comprises a lipid composition that is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane of the targeted cell to deliver its contents to the cell.
  • the transfection efficiency of a liposome is about 0.5 ⁇ g of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10 6 cells, more preferably about 1.0 ⁇ g of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10 6 cells, and even more preferably about 2.0 ⁇ g of DNA per 16 nmol of liposome delivered to about 10° cells.
  • a liposome is between about 100 and 500 nm, more preferably between about 150 and 450 nm, and even more preferably between about 200 and 400 nm in diameter.
  • Suitable liposomes for use in the present invention include those liposomes standardly used in, for example, gene delivery methods known to those of skill in the art. More preferred liposomes include liposomes having a polycationic lipid composition and/or liposomes having a cholesterol backbone conjugated to poly- ethylene glycol.
  • a liposome comprises a compound capable of targeting the liposome to a particular cell type, such as a cell-specific ligand exposed on the outer surface of the liposome.
  • a liposome with a reagent such as an antisense oligonucleotide or ribo- zyme can be achieved using methods that are standard in the art (see, for example,
  • U.S. Patent 5,705,151 Preferably, from about 0.1 ⁇ g to about 10 ⁇ g of polynucleotide is combined with about 8 nmol of liposomes, more preferably from about 0.5 ⁇ g to about 5 ⁇ g of polynucleotides are combined with about 8 nmol liposomes, and even more preferably about 1.0 ⁇ g of polynucleotides is combined with about 8 nmol liposomes.
  • antibodies can be delivered to specific tissues in vivo using receptor-mediated targeted delivery. Receptor-mediated DNA delivery techniques are taught in, for example, Findeis et al. Trends in Biotechnol.
  • a therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient which increases or decreases enzymatic activity relative to the enzymatic activity which occurs in the absence of the therapeutically effective dose.
  • the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays or in animal models, usually mice, rabbits, dogs, or pigs.
  • the animal model also ' can be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.
  • compositions that exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred.
  • the data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies is used in formulating a range of dosage for human use.
  • the dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity.
  • the dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed,, sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration.
  • the exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject that requires treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active ingredient or to maintain the desired effect. Factors that can be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, general health of the subject, age, weight, and gender of the subject, diet, time and frequency of administration, drag combination(s), reaction sensitivities, and tolerance/response to therapy. Long-acting pharmaceutical compositions can be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or once every two weeks depending on the half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation.
  • polynucleotides encoding the antibody can be constructed and introduced into a cell either ex vivo or in vivo using well- established techniques including, but not limited to, transferrin-polycation-mediated DNA transfer, transfection with naked or encapsulated nucleic acids, lip . osome- mediated cellular fusion, intracellular transportation of DNA-coated latex beads, protoplast fusion, viral infection, electroporation, "gene gun,” and DEAE- or calcium phosphate-mediated transfection.
  • Effective in vivo dosages of an antibody are in the range of about 5 ⁇ g to about
  • effective in vivo dosages are in the range of about 100 ng to about 200 ng, 500 ng to. about 50 mg, about 1 ⁇ g to about 2 mg, about 5 ⁇ g to about 500 ⁇ g, and about 20 ⁇ g to about 100 ⁇ g of DNA.
  • the reagent is preferably an antisense oligonucleotide or a ribozyme.
  • Polynucleotides that express antisense oligonucleotides or ribozymes can be introduced into cells by a variety of methods, as described above.
  • a reagent reduces expression of a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase gene or the activity of a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100%) relative to the absence of the reagent.
  • the effectiveness of the mechanism chosen to decrease the level of expression of a human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase gene or the activity of a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide can be assessed using methods well known in the art, such as hybridization of nucleotide probes to receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase- specific mRNA, quantitative RT-PCR, immunologic detection of a human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide, or measurement of enzymatic activity.
  • any of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered in combination with other appropriate thera-plastic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles.
  • the combination of therapeutic agents can act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.
  • Any of the therapeutic methods described above can be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, monkeys, and most preferably, humans.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase also can be used in diagnostic assays for detecting diseases and abnormalities or susceptibility to diseases and abnormalities related to the presence of mutations in the nucleic acid sequences that encode the enzyme. For example, differences can be determined between the cDNA or genomic sequence encoding receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase in individuals afflicted with a disease and in normal individuals. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the afflicted individuals but not in normal individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the disease.
  • Sequence differences between a reference gene and a gene having mutations can be revealed by the direct DNA sequencing method.
  • cloned DNA segments can be employed as probes to detect specific DNA segments.
  • the sensitivity of this method is greatly enhanced when combined with PCR.
  • a sequencing primer can be used with a double-stranded PCR product or a single-stranded template molecule generated by a modified PCR.
  • the sequence determination is performed by conventional procedures using radiolabeled nucleotides or by automatic sequencing procedures using fluorescent tags.
  • DNA sequence differences can be carried out by detection of alteration in electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels with or without denaturing agents. Small sequence deletions and insertions can be visualized, for example, by high resolution gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments of different sequences can be distinguished on denaturing formamide gradient gels in which the mobilities of different DNA fragments are retarded in the gel at different positions according to their specific melting or partial melting temperatures (see, e.g., Myers et al, Science 230, 1242, 1985). Sequence changes at specific locations can also be revealed by nuclease protection assays, such as RNase and S 1 protection or the chemical cleavage method (e.g., Cotton et al, Proc.
  • the detection of a specific DNA sequence can be performed by methods such as hybridization, RNase protection, chemical cleavage, direct DNA sequencing or the use of restriction enzymes and Southern blotting of genomic DNA.
  • direct methods such as gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing, mutations can also be detected by in situ analysis.
  • Altered levels of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase also can be detected in various tissues.
  • Assays used to detect levels of the receptor polypeptides in a body sample, such as blood or a tissue biopsy, derived from a host are well known to those of skill in the art and include radioimmunoassays, competitive binding assays, Western blot analysis, and ELISA assays.
  • COS-1 cells are transfected with the expression vector pC- receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase polypeptide (expressing the DNA-sequence of LD NO: 1) using the calcium phosphate method. After 5h, the cells are infected with recombinant vaccinia virus vTF7-3 (10 plaque-forming units/cell). The cells are harvested 20h after infection and lysed in 50 mM Tris, pH
  • Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase polypeptide is immunoprecipitated from the lysate using anti-FLAG antibodies.
  • In vitro kinase assay and phosphoamino acid analysis are performed in a volume of 40 ⁇ l with immunoprecipitated FLAG receptor-interacting serine/- threonine protem kinase polypeptide in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8,0, 50 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgC12, 1 mM dithiothreitol.
  • the reaction is started by the addition of 4 ⁇ l of 1 mM ATP supplemented with 5 ⁇ Ci of (-32P)ATP and incubated for 30 min at 37°C. Afterward, the samples are subjected to SDS-PAGE and phosphorylated proteins are detected by autoradiography.
  • Histone type III-S, casein, bovine serum albumin, or myelin basic proteins are used as substrates. Furthermore, the FLAG receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase polypeptide is incubated with cell membranes and the binding of this polypeptide is determined in a conventional assay. It is shown that the polypeptide with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 2 has receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase activity.
  • the Pichia pasto ⁇ s expression vector pPICZB (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA) is used to produce large quantities of recombinant human receptor-interacting serine- threonine kinase polypeptides in yeast.
  • the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase-encoding DNA sequence is derived from SEQ LO NO: 1.
  • the DNA sequence is modified by well known methods in such a way that it contains at its 5 '-end an initiation codon and at its 3 '-end an enterokinase cleavage site, a His6 reporter tag and a termination codon.
  • the yeast is cultivated under usual conditions in 5 liter shake flasks and the recombinantly produced protein isolated from the culture by affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA-Resin) in the presence of 8 M urea.
  • the bound polypeptide is eluted with buffer, pH 3.5, and neutralized. Separation of the polypeptide from the His6 reporter tag is accomplished by site-specific proteolysis using enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA) according to manufacturer's instructions. Purified human receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide is obtained.
  • the buffer solution containing the test compounds is washed from the wells. Binding of a test compound to a human receptor-interacting serme-trireonine kinase polypeptide is detected by fluorescence measurements of the contents of the wells.
  • a test compound that increases the fluorescence in a well by at least 15% relative to fluorescence of a well, in which a test compound is not incubated is identified as a compound which binds to. a human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase polypeptide.
  • test compound is administered to a culture of human cells transfected with a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase expression construct and incubated at 37°C for 10 to 45 minutes.
  • a culture of the same type of cells that have not been transfected is incubated for the same time without the test compound to provide a negative control.
  • RNA is isolated from the two cultures as described in Chirgwih et al, Biochem. 18, 5294-99, 1979).
  • Northern blots are prepared using 20 to 30 ⁇ g total RNA and hybridized with a 32 P-labeled receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase-specific probe at 65°C in Express-hyb (CLONTECH).
  • the probe comprises at least 11 contiguous nucleotides selected from the complement of SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • a test compound that decreases the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase-specific signal relative to the signal obtained in the absence of the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase gene expression.
  • a test compound is administered to a culture of human cells transfected with a receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase expression construct and incubated at 37°C for 10 to 45 minutes.
  • a culture of the same type of cells that have not been transfected is. incubated for the same time without the test compound to provide a negative control.
  • Kinase activity may be measured by phosphorylation of a protein substrate using gamma-labeled P-ATP and quantitation of the incorporated radioactivity using a gamma radioisotope counter.
  • Human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is incubated with the protein substrate, 32 P-ATP, and a kinase buffer.
  • the 32 P incorporated into the substrate is then separated from free 32 P-ATP by electrophoresis, and the incorporated 32 P is counted.
  • a determination of the specific amino acid residues phosphorylated is made by phosphoamino acid analysis of the hydrolyzed protein as described by Boyle et al, Meth. Enzymol 20, 110-148, 1991.
  • a test compound which decreases the enzymatic activity of the receptor- interacting serine-threonine kinase relative to the enzymatic activity in the absence of the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase activity.
  • RT-PCR Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase is involved in cancer, expression is determined in the following tissues: adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain, cerebellum, colon, fetal brain, fetal liver, heart, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, pancreas, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spinal cord, spleen, stomach, testis, thymus, thyroid, trachea, uterus, and peripheral blood lymphocytes.
  • MD-231 (breast), LS174T (colon), ZF-75 (breast), MDA-MN-435 (breast), HT-1080, MCF-7 (breast), and U87. Matched pairs of malignant and normal tissue from the same patient also are tested.
  • the following whole body panel is screened to show predominant or relatively high expression: subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissue, adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain, colon, fetal brain, heart, hypothalamus, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, pancreas, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spleen, stomach, testis, thymus, thyroid, trachea, and uterus. Human islet cells and an islet cell library also are tested. As a final step, the expression of receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase in cells derived from normal individuals with the expression of cells derived from diabetic individuals is compared.
  • fetal and adult brain muscle, heart, lung, kidney, liver, thymus, testis, colon, placenta, trachea, pancreas, kidney, gastric mucosa, colon, liver, cerebellum, skin, cortex (Alzheimer's and normal), hypo- thalamus, cortex, amygdala, cerebellum, hippocampus, choroid, plexus, thalamus, and spinal cord.
  • Quantitative expression profiling is performed by the form of quantitative PCR analysis called "kinetic analysis” firstly described in Higuchi et al, BioTechnology 10, 413-17, 1992, and Higuchi et al, BioTechnology 11, 1026-30, 1993.
  • the principle is that at any given cycle within the exponential phase of PCR, the amount of product is proportional to the initial number of template copies.
  • the probe is cleaved by the 5 '-3' endonuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase and a fluorescent dye released in the medium (Holland et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 7276-80, 1991). Because the fluorescence emission will increase in direct proportion to the amount of the specific amplified product, the exponential growth phase of PCR product can be detected and used to determine the initial template concentration (Heid et al, Genome Res. 6, 986-94, 1996, and Gibson et al, Genome
  • the amplification of an endogenous control can be performed to standardize the amount of sample RNA added to a reaction.
  • the control of choice is the 18S ribosomal RNA. Because reporter dyes with differing emission spectra are available, the target and the endogenous control can be independently quantified in the same tube if probes labeled with different dyes are used. All "real time PCR" measurements of fluorescence are made in the ABI Prism 7700.
  • RNA extraction and cDNA preparation Total RNA from the tissues listed above are used for expression quantification. RNAs labeled "from autopsy” were extracted from autoptic tissues with the TRIzol reagent (Life Technologies, MD) according to the manufacturer's protocol.
  • RNA Fifty ⁇ g of each RNA were treated with DNase I for 1 hour at 37°C in the following reaction mix: 0.2 U/ ⁇ l RNase-free DNase I (Roche Diagnostics, Germany); 0.4 U/ ⁇ l RNase inhibitor (PE Applied Biosystems, CA); 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.9; lOmM MgCl 2 ; 50 mM NaCl; and 1 mM DTT.
  • RNA is extracted once with 1 volume of phenolxhloro- fornr.isoamyl alcohol (24:24:1) and once with chloroform, and precipitated with 1/10 volume of 3 M sodium acetate, pH5.2, and 2 volumes of ethanol.
  • RNA from the autoptic tissues Fifty ⁇ g of each RNA from the autoptic tissues are DNase treated with the DNA-free kit purchased from Ambion (Ambion, TX). After resuspension and spectrophoto- metric quantification, each sample is reverse transcribed with the TaqMan Reverse
  • RNA in the reaction mix is 200 ng/ ⁇ L. Reverse transcription is carried out with 2.5 ⁇ M of random hexamer primers.
  • TaqMan quantitative analysis Specific primers and probe are designed according to the recommendations of PE Applied Biosystems; the probe can be labeled at the 5' end FAM (6-carboxy-fluorescein) and at the 3' end with TAMRA (6-carboxy- tetramethyl-rhodamine). Quantification experiments are performed on 10 ng of reverse transcribed RNA from each sample. Each determination is done in triplicate.
  • FAM 6-carboxy-fluorescein
  • TAMRA 6-carboxy- tetramethyl-rhodamine
  • Total cDNA content is normalized with the simultaneous quantification (multiplex PCR) of the 18S ribosomal RNA using the Pre-Developed TaqMan Assay Reagents (PDAR) Control Kit (PE Applied Biosystems, CA).
  • PDAR Pre-Developed TaqMan Assay Reagents
  • the assay reaction mix is as follows: IX final TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix (from 2X stock) (PE Applied Biosystems, CA); IX PDAR control - 18S RNA (from 20X stock); 300 nM forward primer; 900 nM reverse primer; 200 nM probe; 10 ng cDNA; and water to 25 ⁇ l.
  • IX final TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix from 2X stock
  • PE Applied Biosystems, CA PE Applied Biosystems, CA
  • IX PDAR control - 18S RNA from 20X stock
  • 300 nM forward primer from 900 nM reverse primer
  • 200 nM probe 10 ng cDNA
  • water water to 25 ⁇ l.
  • Each of the following steps are carried out once: pre PCR, 2 minutes at 50°C, and 10 minutes at 95°C.
  • the following steps are carried out 40 times: denaturation, 15 seconds at 95°C, annealing/extension, 1 minute at 60°C.
  • the experiment is performed on an ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detector (PE Applied Biosystems, CA).
  • fluorescence data acquired during PCR are processed as described in the ABI Prism 7700 user's manual in order to achieve better background subtraction as well as signal linearity with the starting target quantity.
  • the cell line used for testing is the human colon cancer cell line HCT116.
  • Cells are cultured in RPMI-1640 with 10-15% fetal calf serum at a concentration of 10,000 cells per milliliter in a volume of 0.5 ml and kept at 37°C in a 95% air/5%CO 2 atmosphere.
  • Phosphorothioate oligoribonucleotides are synthesized on an Applied Biosystems Model 380B DNA synthesizer using phosphoroamidite chemistry. A sequence of 24 bases complementary to the nucleotides at position 1 to 24 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is used as the test oligonucleotide. As a control, another (random) sequence is used: 5'-TCA ACT GAC TAG ATG TAC ATG GAC-3'. Following assembly and deprotection, oligonucleotides are ethanol-precipitated twice, dried, and suspended in phosphate buffered saline at the desired concentration.
  • oligonucleotides Purity of the oligonucleotides is tested by capillary gel electrophoresis and ion exchange HPLC.
  • the purified oligonucleotides are added to the culture medium at a concentration of 10 ⁇ M once per day for seven days.
  • the addition of the test oligonucleotide for seven days results in significantly reduced expression of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase as determined by Western blotting. This effect is not observed with the control oligonucleotide.
  • the number of cells in the cultures is counted using an automatic cell counter.
  • the number of cells in cultures treated with the test oligonucleotide (expressed as 100%) is compared with the number of cells in cultures treated with the control oligonucleotide.
  • the number of cells in cultures treated with the test oligonucleotide is not more than 30% of control, indicating that the inhibition of human receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase has an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells.
  • This non-tumor assay measures the ability of a compound to reduce either the endogenous level of a circulating hormone or the level of hormone produced in response to a biologic stimulus.
  • Rodents are administered test compound (p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c).
  • test compound p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c
  • Plasma is assayed for levels of the hormone of interest. If the normal circulating levels of the hormone are too low and/or variable to provide consistent results, the level of the hormone may be elevated by a pre-treatment with a biologic stimulus (i.e., LHRH may be injected i.m. into mice at a dosage of a biologic stimulus (i.e., LHRH may be injected i.m. into mice at a dosage of a biologic stimulus (i.e., LHRH may be injected i.m. into mice at a dosage of
  • Hollow fibers are prepared with desired cell line(s) and implanted intraperitoneally and/or subcutaneously in rodents. Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. Fibers are harvested in accordance with specific readout assay protocol, these may include assays for gene expression (bDNA, PCR, or Taqman), or a specific biochemical activity (i.e., cAMP levels. Results are analyzed by Student's t-test or Rank Sum test after the variance between groups is compared by an F-test, with significance at p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the vehicle control group.
  • specific readout assay protocol these may include assays for gene expression (bDNA, PCR, or Taqman), or a specific biochemical activity (i.e., cAMP levels. Results are analyzed by Student's t-test or Rank Sum test after the variance between groups is compared by an F-test, with significance at p ⁇
  • Rodents are administered test compound (p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c.) according to a predetermined schedule and for a predetermined duration (i.e., 1 week).
  • animals are weighed, the target organ is excised, any fluid is expressed, and the weight of the organ is recorded.
  • Blood plasma may also be collected. Plasma may be assayed for levels of a hormone of interest or for levels of test agent..
  • Organ weights may be directly compared or they may be normalized for the body weight of the animal. Compound effects are compared to a vehicle-treated control group. An F-test is preformed to determine if the variance is equal or unequal followed by a Student's t-test. Significance is p value ⁇ 0.05 compared to the vehicle control group.
  • Hollow fibers are prepared with desired cell line(s) and implanted intraperitoneally and/or subcutaneously in rodents. Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. Fibers are harvested in accordance with specific readout assay protocol.
  • Cell proliferation is determined by measuring, a marker of cell number (i.e., MTT or LDH). The cell number and change in cell number from the starting inoculum are analyzed by Student's t-test or Rank Sum test after the variance between groups is compared by an F-test, with significance at p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the vehicle control group.
  • Hydron pellets with or without growth factors or cells are implanted into a micropocket surgically created in the rodent cornea.
  • Compound administration may be systemic or local (compound mixed with growth factors in the hydron pellet).
  • Corneas are harvested at 7 days post implantation immediately following intracardiac infusion of colloidal carbon and are fixed in 10% formalin. Readout is qualitative scoring and/or image analysis. Qualitative scores are compared by Rank Sum test.
  • Image analysis data is evaluated by measuring the area of neovascularization (in pixels) and group- averages are compared by Student's t-test (2 tail). Significance is p
  • ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the growth factor or cells only group.
  • Matrigel containing cells or growth factors, is injected subcutaneously. Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. Matrigel plugs are harvested at predeter- mined time point(s) and prepared for readout. Readout is an ELISA-based assay for hemoglobin concentration and/or histological examination (i.e. vessel count, special staining for endothelial surface markers: CD31, factor- 8). Readouts are analyzed by Student's t-test, after the variance between groups is compared by an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the vehicle control group.
  • Tumor cells or fragments are implanted subcutaneously on Day 0. Vehicle and or compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule starting at a time, usually on Day 1, prior to the ability to measure the tumor burden. Body weights and tumor measurements are recorded 2-3 times weekly. Mean net body and tumor weights are calculated for each data collection day. Anti- tumor efficacy may be initially determined by comparing the size of treated (T) and control (C) tumors on a given day by a Student's t-test, after the variance between groups is compared by an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05.
  • Tumor growth delays are expressed as the difference in the median time for the treated and control groups to attain a predetermined size divided by the median time for the control group to attain that size. Growth delays are compared by generating Kaplan- Meier curves from the times for individual tumors to attain the evaluation size. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05.
  • Tumor cells are injected intraperitoneally or intracranially on Day 0.
  • Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to. a predetermined schedule starting on Day 1. Observations of morbidity and/or mortality are recorded twice daily. Body weights are measured and recorded twice weekly. Morbidity/mortality data is expressed in terms of the median time of survival and the number of long- term survivors is indicated separately. Survival times are used to generate Kaplan- Meier curves. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 by a log-rank test compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Established Disease Model is p ⁇ 0.05 by a log-rank test compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Tumor cells or fragments are implanted subcutaneously and grown to the desired size for treatment to begin. Once at the predetermined size range, mice are randomized into treatment groups. Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule. Tumor and body weights are measured and recorded 2-3 times weekly. Mean tumor weights of all groups over days post inoculation are graphed for comparison. An F-test is preformed to determine if the variance is equal or unequal followed by a Student's t-test to compare tumor sizes in the treated and control groups at the end of treatment. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the control group.
  • Tumor measurements may be recorded after dosing has stopped to monitor tumor growth delay.
  • Tumor growth delays are expressed as the difference in the median time for the treated and control groups to attain a predetermined size divided by the median time for the control group to attain that size. Growth delays are compared by generating Kaplan-Meier curves from the times for individual tumors to attain the evaluation size. Significance is p value ⁇ 0.05 compared to the vehicle control group.
  • Tumor cells or fragments, of mammary adenocarcinoma origin are implanted directly into a surgically exposed and reflected mammary fat pad in rodents.
  • the fat pad is placed back in its original position and the surgical site is closed.
  • Hormones may also be administered to the rodents to support the growth of the tumors.
  • Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule. Tumor and body weights are measured and recorded 2-3 times weekly. Mean tumor weights of all groups over days post inoculation are graphed for comparison. An F-test is preformed to determine if the variance is equal or unequal followed by a Student's t-test to compare tumor sizes in the treated and control groups at the end of treatment. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the control group.
  • Tumor measurements may be recorded after dosing has stopped to monitor tumor growth delay.
  • Tumor growth delays are expressed as the difference in the median time for the treated and control groups to attain a predetermined size divided by the median time for the control group to attain that size. Growth delays are compared by generating Kaplan-Meier curves from the times for individual tumors to attain the evaluation size. Significance is p value ⁇ 0.05 compared to the vehicle control group. In addition, this model provides an opportunity to increase the rate of spontaneous metastasis of this type of tumor.
  • Metastasis can be assessed at termination of the study by counting the number of visible foci per target organ, or measuring the target organ weight: The means of these endpoints are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Tumor cells or fragments, of prostatic adenocarcinoma origin are implanted directly into a surgically exposed dorsal lobe of the prostate in rodents.
  • the prostate is externalized through an abdominal incision so that the tumor can be implanted specifically in the dorsal lobe while verifying that the implant does not enter the seminal vesicles.
  • the successfully inoculated pr state is replaced in the abdomen and the incisions through the abdomen and skin are closed.
  • Hormones may also be administered to the rodents to support the growth of the tumors.
  • Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule.
  • Body weights are measured and recorded 2-3 times weekly. At a predetermined time, the experiment is terminated and the animal is dissected.
  • the size of the primary tumor is measured in three dimensions using either a caliper or an ocular micrometer attached to a dissecting scope.
  • An F-test is preformed to determine if the variance is equal or unequal followed by a Student's t-test to compare tumor sizes in the treated and control groups at the end of treatment. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the control group. This model provides an opportunity to increase the rate of spontaneous metastasis of this type of tumor.
  • Metastasis can be assessed at termination of the study by counting the number of visible foci per target organ (i.e., the lungs), or measuring the target organ weight (i.e., the regional lymph nodes). The means of these endpoints are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Tumor cells of pulmonary origin may be implanted intrabronchially by making an incision through the skin and exposing the trachea.
  • the trachea is pierced with the beveled end of a 25 gauge needle and the tumor cells are inoculated into the main bronchus using a flat-ended 27 gauge needle with a 90° bend.
  • Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule. Body weights are measured and recorded 2-3 times weekly. At a predetermined time, the experiment is terminated and the animal is dissected.
  • the size of the primary tumor is measured in three dimensions using either a caliper or an ocular micrometer attached to a dissecting scope.
  • An F-test is preformed to determine if the variance is equal or unequal followed by a Student's t-test to compare tumor sizes in the treated and control groups at the end of treatment. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 as compared to the control group.
  • This model provides an opportunity to increase the rate of spontaneous metastasis of this type of tumor. Metastasis can be assessed at termination of the study by counting the number of visible foci per target organ (i.e., the contralateral lung), or measuring the target organ weight. The means of these endpoints are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Intracecal Assay Intracecal Assay
  • Tumor cells of gastrointestinal origin may be implanted infracecally by making an abdominal incision through the skin and externalizing the intestine. Tumor cells are inoculated into the cecal wall without penetrating the lumen of the intestine using a
  • Metastasis can be assessed at termination of the study by counting the number of visible foci per target organ (i.e., the liver), or measuring the target organ weight. The means of these endpoints are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • Tumor cells are inoculated s.c. and the tumors allowed to grow to a predetermined range for spontaneous metastasis studies to the lung or liver. These primary tumors are then excised. Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule which may include the period leading up to the excision of the primary tumor to evaluate therapies directed at inhibiting the early stages of tumor metastasis. Observations of morbidity and/or mortality are recorded daily. Body weights are measured and recorded twice weekly. Potential endpoints include survival time, numbers of visible foci per target organ, or target organ weight. When survival time is used as the endpoint the other values are not determined.
  • Survival data is used to generate Kaplan-Meier curves. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 by a log-rank test compared to the control group in the experiment. The mean number of visible tumor foci, as determined under a dissecting microscope, and the mean target organ weights are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance determined at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the control group in the experiment for both of these endpoints.
  • Tumor cells are injected into the tail vein, portal vein, or the left ventricle of the heart in experimental (forced) lung, liver, and bone metastasis studies, respectively.
  • Compounds are administered p.o., i.p., i.v., i.m., or s.c. according to a predetermined schedule. Observations of morbidity and/or mortality are recorded daily. Body weights are measured and recorded twice weekly. Potential endpoints include survival time, numbers of visible foci per target organ, or target organ weight. When survival time is used as the endpoint the other values are not determined. Survival data is used to generate Kaplan-Meier curves. Significance is p ⁇ 0.05 by a log-rank test compared to the control group in the experiment.
  • the mean number of visible tumor foci, as determined under a dissecting microscope, and the mean target organ weights are compared by Student's t-test after conducting an F-test, with significance at p ⁇ 0.05 compared to the vehicle control group in the experiment for both endpoints.
  • Overnight fasted normal rats or mice have elevated rates of gluconeogenesis as do streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats or mice fed ad libitum.
  • Rats are made diabetic with a single intravenous injection of 40. g/kg of streptozotocin while C57BL/KsJ mice are given 40- 60 mg/kg i.p. for 5 consecutive days.
  • Blood glucose is measured from tail tip blood and then compounds are administered via different routes (p.o., i.p., i.v., s.c). Blood is collected at various times thereafter and glucose measured. Alternatively, compounds are administered for several days, then the animals are fasted overnight, blood is collected and plasma glucose measured. Compounds that inhibit glucose production will decrease plasma glucose levels compared to the vehicle-treated control group.
  • Both ob/ob and db/db mice as well .as diabetic Zucker rats are hyperglycemic, hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant. The animals are pre-bled, their glucose levels measured, and then they are grouped so that the mean glucose level is the same for each group. Compounds are administered daily either q.d. or b.i.d. by different routes (p.o., i.p., s.c.) for 7-28 days. Blood is collected at various times and plasma glucose and insulin levels determined. Compounds that improve insulin sensitivity in these models will decrease both plasma glucose and insulin levels -when compared to the vehicle-treated control group.
  • test compounds which regulate receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase are administered by different routes (p.o., i.p., s.c, or i.v.) to overnight fasted normal rats or mice. At the appropriate time an intravenous glucose load (0.4 g/kg) is given, blood is collected one minute later. Plasma insulin levels are determined. Test compounds that enhance insulin secretion will increase plasma insulin levels compared to animals given only glucose.
  • mice When measuring glucose disappearance, animals are bled at the appropriate time after compound administration, then given either an oral or intraperitoneal glucose load (1 g/kg), bled again after 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes and plasma glucose levels determined. Test compounds that increase insulin levels will decrease glucose levels and the area-under-the glucose curve when compared to the vehicle-treated group given only glucose.
  • Acute pain is measured on a hot plate mainly in rats.
  • Two variants of hot plate testing are used: In the classical variant animals are put on a hot surface (52 to
  • the other variant is an increasing temperature hot plate where the experimental animals are put on a surface of neutral temperature. Subsequently this surface is slowly but constantly heated until the animals begin to lick a hind paw. The temperature which is reached when hind paw licking begins is a measure for pain threshold.
  • Compounds are tested against a vehicle treated control group. Substance application is performed at different time points via different application routes (i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t, i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal) prior to pain testing.
  • application routes i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t, i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal
  • Persistent pain is measured with the formalin or capsaicin test, mainly in rats. A solution of 1 to 5% formalin or 10 to 100 ⁇ g capsaicin is injected into one hind paw of the experimental animal. After formalin or capsaicin application the animals show nocifensive reactions like flinching, licking and biting of the affected paw. The number of nocifensive reactions within a time frame of up to 90 minutes is a measure for intensity of pain.
  • Compounds are tested against a vehicle treated control group. Substance application is performed at different time points via different application routes (i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal) prior to formalin or capsaicin administration.
  • application routes i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal
  • Neuropathic pain is induced by different variants of unilateral sciatic nerve injury mainly in rats. The operation is performed under anesthesia.
  • the first variant of sciatic nerve injury is produced by placing loosely constrictive ligatures around the common sciatic . nerve.
  • the second variant is the tight ligation of about the half of the diameter of the common sciatic nerve.
  • a group of models is used in which tight ligations or transections are made of either the L5 and L6 spinal nerves, or the L% spinal nerve only.
  • the fourth variant involves an axotomy of two of the three terminal branches of the sciatic nerve (tibial and common peroneal nerves) leaving the remaining sural nerve intact whereas, the last variant comprises the axotomy of only the tibial branch leaving the sural and common nerves uninjured. Control animals are treated with a sham operation.
  • Inflammatory Pain Inflammatory Pain is induced mainly in rats by injection of 0.75 mg carrageenan or complete Freund's adjuvant into one hind paw. The animals develop an edema with mechanical allodynia as well as thermal hyperalgesia.
  • Compounds are tested against uninflamed as well as vehicle treated control groups. Substance application is performed at different time points via different application routes (i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal) prior, to pain testing.
  • application routes i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal
  • Compounds are tested against diabetic and non-diabetic vehicle treated control groups. Substance application is performed at different time points via different application routes (i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal) prior to pain testing.
  • application routes i.v., i.p., p.o., i.t., i.c.v., s.c, intradermal, transdermal
  • 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) Lesion. Degeneration of the dopaminergic ni- grostriatal and striatopallidal pathways is the central pathological event in Parkinson's disease. This disorder has been mimicked experimentally in rats using single/sequential unilateral stereotaxic injections of 6-OH-DA into the medium forebrain bundle (MFB). .
  • MFB medium forebrain bundle
  • mice Male Wistar rats (Harlan Winkelmann, Germany), weighing 200 ⁇ 250 g at the beginning of the experiment, are used. The rats are maintained in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment under a 12 h light/dark cycle with free access to food and water when not in experimental sessions. The following in vivo protocols are approved by the governmental authorities. All efforts are made to minimize animal suffering, to reduce the number of animals used, and to utilize alternatives to in vivo techniques.
  • DA nigrostriatal pathway 4 ⁇ l of 0.01% ascorbic acid-saline containing 8 ⁇ g of 6-OHDA HBr (Sigma) are injected into the left medial fore-brain bundle at a rate of 1 ⁇ l/min (2.4 mm anterior, 1.49 mm lateral, -2.7 mm ventral to Bregma and the skull surface). The needle is left in place an additional 5 min to allow diffusion to occur.
  • Stepping Test Forelimb akinesia is assessed three weeks following lesion placement using a modified stepping test protocol.
  • the animals are held by the experimenter with one hand fixing the hindlimbs and slightly raising the hind part above the surface.
  • One paw is touching the table, and is then moved slowly sideways (5 s for 1 m), first in the forehand and then in the backhand direction.
  • the number of adjusting steps is counted for both paws in the backhand and forehand direction of movement.
  • the sequence of testing is right paw forehand and backhand adjusting stepping, followed by left paw forehand and backhand directions.
  • the test is repeated three times on three consecutive days, after an initial training period of three days • prior to the first testing.
  • Forehand adjusted stepping reveals no consistent differences between lesioned and healthy control animals. Analysis is therefore restricted to backhand adjusted stepping.
  • Balance Test Balance adjustments following postural challenge are also measured during the stepping test sessions.
  • the rats are held in the same position as described in the stepping test and, instead of being moved sideways, tilted by the experimenter towards the side of the paw touching the table. This maneuver results in loss of balance and the ability of the rats to regain balance by forelimb movements is scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 3. Score 0 is given for a normal forelimb placement. When the forelimb movement is delayed but recovery of postural balance detected, score 1 is given. Score 2 represents a clear, yet insufficient, forelimb reaction, as evidenced by muscle contraction, but lack of success in recovering balance, and score
  • Staircase Test (Paw Reaching). A modified version of the staircase test is used for evaluation of paw reaching behavior three weeks following primary and secondary lesion placement. Plexiglass test boxes with a central platform and a removable staircase on each side are used. The apparatus is designed such that only the paw on the same side at each staircase can be used, thus providing a measure of independent forelimb use. For each test the animals are left in the test boxes for 15 min. The double staircase is filled with 7 3 chow pellets (Precision food pellets, formula: P, purified rodent diet, size 45 mg; Sandown Scientific) on each side. After each test the number of pellets eaten (successfully retrieved pellets) and the number of pellets taken (touched but. dropped) for each paw and the success rate (pellets eaten/pellets taken) are counted separately. After three days of food deprivation (12 g per animal per day) the animals are tested for 11 days. Full analysis is conducted only for the last five days.
  • MPTP neurotoxin l-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • DAergic mesencephalic dopaminergic
  • MPTP leads to a marked decrease in the levels of dopamine and its metabolites, and in the number of dopaminergic terminals in the striatum as well as severe loss of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive cell bodies in. the substantia nigra, pars compacta.
  • TH tyrosine hydroxylase
  • mice are perfused transcardially with 0.01 M PBS (pH 7.4) for 2 min, followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (Merck) in PBS for 15 min.
  • the brains are removed and placed in 4%> paraformaldehyde for 24 h at 4°C. For dehydration they are then transferred to a 20%) sucrose (Merck) solution in 0.1 M PBS at 4°C until they sink.
  • the brains are frozen in methylbutan at -20°C for 2 min and stored at -70°C.
  • sledge microtome (mod. 3800-Frigocut, Leica) 25 ⁇ m sections are taken from the genu of the corpus callosum (AP 1.7 mm) to the hippocampus (AP 21.8 mm) and from AP 24.16 to AP 26.72. Forty-six sections are cut and stored in assorters in 0.25 M Tris buffer (pH 7.4) for immunohistochemistry.
  • TH free-floating tyrosine hydroxylase
  • DAB Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride
  • Rotarod Test We use a modification of the procedure described by Rozas and Labandeira-Garcia (1997), with a CR-1 Rotamex system (Columbus Instruments, Columbus, OH) comprising an IBM-compatible personal computer, a CIO-24 data acquisition card, a control unit, and a four-lane rotarod unit.
  • the rotarod unit consists of a rotating spindle (diameter 7.3 cm) and individual compartments for each mouse.
  • the object recognition task has been designed to assess the effects of experimental manipulations on the cognitive performance of rodents.
  • a rat is placed in an open field, in which two identical objects are present. The rats inspects both objects during the first trial of the object recognition task.
  • a second trial after a retention interval of for example 24 hours, one of the two objects used in the first trial, the 'familiar' object, and a novel object are placed in the open field.
  • the inspection time at each of the objects is registered.
  • the basic measures in the OR task is the time spent by a rat exploring the two object the second trial. Good retention is reflected by higher exploration times towards the novel than the 'familiar' object.
  • Administration of the putative cognition enhancer prior to the first trial predominantly allows assessment of the effects on acquisition, and eventually on consolidation processes.
  • Administration of the testing compound after the first trial allows to assess the effects on consolidation processes, whereas administration before the second trial allows to measure effects on retrieval processes.
  • the passive avoidance task assesses memory performance in rats and mice.
  • the inhibitory avoidance apparatus consists of a two-compartment box with a light compartment and a dark compartment. The two compartments are separated by a guillotine door that can be operated by the experimenter. A threshold of 2 cm separates the two compartments when the guillotine door is raised. When the door is open, the illumination in the dark compartment is about 2 lux. The light intensity is about 500 lux at the center of the floor of the light compartment.
  • Two habituation sessions, one shock session, and a retention session are given, separated by inter-session intervals of 24 hours.
  • the rat is allowed to explore the apparatus for 300 sec.
  • the rat is placed in the light compartment, facing the wall opposite to the guillotine door. After an accommodation period of 15 sec. the guillotine door is opened so that all parts of the apparatus can be visited freely. Rats normally avoid brightly lit areas and will enter the dark compartment within a few seconds.
  • 1 mA footshock is administered for 2 sec.
  • the rat is removed from the apparatus and put back into its home cage.
  • the procedure during the retention session is identical to that of the habituation sessions.
  • the step-through latency that is the first latency of entering the dark compartment
  • the Morris water escape task measures spatial orientation learning in rodents. It is a test system that has extensively been used to investigate the effects of putative therapeutic on the cognitive functions of rats and mice.
  • the performance of an animal is assessed in a circular water tank with an escape platform that is submerged about 1 cm below the surface of the water. The escape platform is not visible for an animal swimming in the water tank.
  • Abundant extra-maze cues are provided by the furniture in the room, including desks, computer equipment, a second water tank, the presence of the experimenter, and by a radio on a shelf that is playing softly.
  • the animals receive four trials during five daily acquisition sessions.
  • a trial is started by placing an animal into the pool, facing the wall of the tank. Each of four starting positions in the quadrants north, east, south, and west is used once in a series of four trials; their order is randomized.
  • the escape platform is always in the same position.
  • a trial is terminated as soon as the animal had climbs onto the escape platform or when 90 seconds have elapsed, whichever event occurs first. The animal is allowed to stay on the platform for 30 seconds. Then it is taken from the platform and the next trial is started. If an animal did not find the platform within 90 seconds it is put on the platform by the experimenter and is allowed to stay there for 30 seconds.
  • an additional trial is given as a probe trial " : the platform is removed, and the time the animal spends in the four quadrants is measured for 30 or 60 seconds.
  • the probe trial all animals start from the same start position, opposite to the quadrant where the escape platform had been positioned during acquisition.
  • Four different measures are taken to evaluate the performance of an animal during acquisition training: escape latency, traveled distance, distance to platform, and swimming speed.
  • the following measures are evaluated for the probe trial: time (s) in quadrants and traveled distance (cm) in the four quadrants.
  • the probe trial provides additional information about how well an animal learned the position of the escape platform. If an animal spends more time and swims a longer distance in the quadrant where the platform had been positioned during the acquisition sessions than in any other quadrant, one concludes that the platform position has been learned well.
  • rats or mice with specific brain lesions which impair cognitive functions, or animals treated with compounds such as scopolamine or MK-801, which interfere with normal learning, or aged animals which suffer from cognitive deficits, are used.
  • the T-maze spontaneous alternation task assesses the spatial memory performance in mice.
  • the start arm and the two goal arms of the T-maze are provided with guillotine doors which can be operated manually by the experimenter.
  • a mouse is put into the start arm at the beginning of training.
  • the guillotine door is closed.
  • the 'forced trial' either the left or right goal arm is blocked by lowering the guillotine door.
  • the mouse After the mouse has been released from the start arm, it will negotiate the maze, eventually enter the open goal arm, and return to the start position, where it will be confined for 5 seconds, by lowering the guillotine door.
  • the animal can choose freely between the left and right goal arm (all guillotine-doors opened) during 14 'free choice' trials. As soon a the mouse has entered one goal arm, the other one is closed. The mouse eventually returns to the. start arm and is free to visit whichever go alarm it wants after having been confined to the start arm for 5 seconds. After completion of 14 free choice trials in one session, the animal is removed from the maze. During training, the animal is never handled. The percent alternations out of 14 trials is calculated. This percentage and the total time needed to complete the first forced trial and the subsequent 14 free choice trials (in s) is analyzed. Cognitive deficits are usually induced by an injection of scopolamine, 30 min before the start of the training session. Scopolamine reduced the per-cent alternations to chance level, or below. A cognition enhancer, which is always administered before the training session, will at least partially, antagonize the scopolamine-induced reduction in the spontaneous alternation rate.
  • mice Effects on plasma cholesterol levels including HDL cholesterol are typically assessed in humanized apo-AI transgenic mice. Modulation of human target proteins can be determined in corresponding transgenic mice (e.g., CETP transgenic mice).
  • Triglyceride-lowering is usually evaluated in ob/ob mice or Zucker rats. Animals are fed with normal diets or modified diets (e.g., enriched by 0.5 % cholesterol 20% coconut oil). Standard protocols consist of oral applications once daily for 7 to 10 days at doses ranging from 0,1 to 100 mg/kg. The compounds are dissolved (e.g., in Solutol/Ethanol/saline mixtures) and applied by oral gavage or intravenous injection.
  • Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels are determined with standardized clinical diagnostic kits (e.g., INFINITYTM cholesterol reagent and INFINITYTM triglyceride reagent; Sigma, St. Louis).
  • HDL cholesterol is determined after phosphotungstic acid precipitation of non-HDL lipoproteins or FPLC gel filtration with post-column derivatization of cholesterol using the reagents mentioned above.
  • Plasma levels of human apolipoprotein-AI in relevant humanized transgenic mice are measured by immunoturbidimetry (Sigma).
  • Test compounds are administered orally or intravenously.
  • Female conscious SHR (Moellegaard/Denmark, 220 - 290 g) are equipped with implantable radiotelemetry, and a data aquisition system (Data Sciences, St. Paul, MN, USA), comprising a chronically implantable transducer/transmitter unit equipped with a fluid-filled catheter is used.
  • the transmitter is implanted into the peritoneal cavity, and the sensing catheter is inserted into the descending aorta.
  • the animals of control groups only receive the vehicle.
  • mean blood pressure and heart rate of treated and untreated control groups are measured. Hemodynamics in anesthetized dogs
  • a parasympathetic blockade is achieved by intermittent injections of atropine (0.1 mg per animal) (AtropinsulfatR, Eifelfango, Bad Neuenahr, Germany). After intubation the animals are artificially ventilated at constant volume (Engstr ⁇ mR 300, Engstrom, Sweden) with room air enriched with 30% oxygen to maintain an end-tidal CO2 concentration of about 5% (NormocapR, Datex, Finland).
  • a tip catheter for recording of left ventricular pressure is inserted into the ventricle via the carotid artery (PC350, Millar Instruments, Houston, TX, USA), a hollow catheter is inserted into the femoral artery and connected to a strain gauge (type 4-327-1, Telos Medical, Upland, CA, USA for recording of arterial blood pressure, two venous catheters are inserted into either femoral vein and one additional catheter into a forearm vein for application of the anesthetic and drugs, respectively, and an oxymetry catheter for recording of oxygen saturation is inserted into the coronary sinus via the jugular vein (Schwarzer IVH4, M ⁇ nchen, Germany).
  • LCX left coronary artery
  • LCX left coronary artery
  • an electromagnetic flow probe Gould Statham, Oxnard, CA, USA
  • Arterial blood pressure, electrocardiogram (lead II), left ventricular pressure, first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), heart rate, coronary blood flow, and oxygen saturation in the coronary sinus are continuously recorded on a pen recorder (Brash, Gould, Cleveland, OH, USA).
  • the maximum of dP/dt is used as measure of left ventricular contractility (dP/dtmax).
  • test compound is intravenously applied as bolus injections. Care is taken that all measured cardiovascular parameters have returned to control level before injection of the next dose.
  • Each dose of the test compound is tested at least three times in different animals. The order of injection of the different doses is randomized in each animal.
  • Mononuclear cells from fresh blood were separated by FicoU Paque® (1.077 density, Amersham-Pharmacia) density gradient centrifugation, and CD34+ cells were purified by immunomagnetic separation system (MiniMACS, Miltenyi Biotec), according to the manufacture's instructions (Direct CD34 Progenitor Cell Isolation Kit, Miltenyi Biotec). The percentage of CD34+ cells were generally from 90-95%.
  • l-2xl0 4 CD34 + cells were plated in triplicate in 24-well plates with 1ml Iscoves modified Dulbecco medium (LMDM) (Invitrogen) containing 10% fetal bovine serum
  • FCS Invitrogen
  • 1% Glutamine Invitrogen
  • SCF 25 ng/ml
  • Etythropoietin Erythropoietin
  • Erypo® FS 4000 Cilag
  • Control cells were incubated with 0.1- 0.2% DMSO instead of compounds. The cultures were incubated at 37°C in a fully humidified atmosphere with 5%> CO 2 . , After 9 to 14 days cells were harvested, counted and stained with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated mAb against Glycophorin A (Pharmingen) to analyze differentiation.
  • PE phycoerythrin
  • lxl 0 5 Cord Blood CD34 + cells/ml were cultured in LMDM containing 15% BIT- 9500 (Cell Systems®), supplemented with IL-3 (lOng/ml), IL-6 (lOng/ml) and SCF
  • CD34+ cells/ml were cultured in LMDM containing 15% BIT- 9500 supplemented with IL-3 (lOng/ml), IL-6 (lOng/ml) and SCF (25 ng/ml) and incubated at 37°C in a fully humidified atmosphere with 5% CO 2 . 3 and 5 days after initiation of culture an equal volume of fresh medium supplemented with 2X cytokines were added. On day 6 to 7 cells were stained with PE-conjugated mAb against CD36 (Pharmingen) and CD36+ cells were purified using anti-PE microbeads and Mini MACS system (Miltenyi Biotec) according to the manufacture's instructions.
  • CD36+ cells were plated in triplicate 24well plates with 1ml IMDM containing 10% FCS, 1% Glutamine supplemented with SCF (25ng/ml), different concentration of Erythropoietin (O.OlU/ml - lU/ml) with or without compounds.
  • Control cells were incubated with 0.1-0.2% DMSO instead of compounds.
  • the cultures were incubated at 37°C in a fully humidified atmosphere with 5% CO 2 . After 6 to 8 days cells were harvested and counted to analyze proliferation.
  • CD34+ cells isolated from peripheral blood, cord blood or from bone marrow were pre-incubated in quadruplicate in 24-well plates in 1ml medium (StemSpan) with 15% FCS, SCF (20 ng/ml) and GM-CSF (2,5 ng/ml) for 6 to 7 days at 37°C and 5.5% CO2. Then compounds (0.1.1 or 10 ⁇ M in DMSO) with or without G-CSF (0.25 ng/ml; Neupogen ®) were added and incubated for another 6 to 7 days.
  • the number of the early myelopoietic CD15+/CDllb- cells and the number of the late myelopoietic CD15+/CDllb+ cells were determined by cell count (proliferation) and FACS (fluorescent associated cell sorting) analysis (differentiation) at day 13-14.
  • FACS fluorescent associated cell sorting
  • mice were used for compound testing.
  • other species e.g. rats, hamsters or guinea pigs have been used in addition.
  • repeated dosage is required for detection of changes in peripheral blood parameters.
  • blood samples were drawn for analysis of red and white blood cell counts as well as platelet counts using an automated blood analyzer.
  • erythropoiesis was assessed by manual hematocrit and reticulocyte count determination. For specific analysis of leukocyte differentiation fluorescent associated cell sorting (FACS) was used.
  • FACS leukocyte differentiation fluorescent associated cell sorting
  • Immunocompetent Balb/c mice were treated with compounds at different doses (based on pharmacokinetic data) once/day or bid per-orally or parenterally for up to 4 days.
  • the WBC white blood cells count
  • the neutrophil count were monitored by FACS (CD1 lb+ ; scatter properties).
  • Immunocompromised Balb/c were generated by intravenous treatment with 5-FU (100 mg/kg ip). 24 hours later the mice were treated with the test compound at different doses (based on pharmacokinetic data) once/day or bid per-orally or parenterally for up to 7 to 13 days.
  • Peripheral blood counts (WBC, RBC, PLT) have been determined after retroorbital plexus puncture at days 5,7,11 and 14.
  • Thrombopoietic compounds at different doses were administered orally or parenterally following chemotherapy (Carboplatin, 100 mg/kg ip) immunocompromised mice. After repeated administration (once/day or bid for five to seven days) peripheral blood platelets (automated blood analyzer) have been determined after retroorbital plexus puncture at day 5, 7, 11, and 14.
  • mice are injected with a single intravenous injection of 10 ⁇ g of 145-2C11 (purified hamster anti-mouse CD3 ⁇ monoclonal antibodies, PHARMINGEN).
  • a test compound is administered intraperitoneally 60 min prior to the anti-CD3 mAb injection.
  • Blood is collected 90 minutes after the antibody injection.
  • Serum is obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for 10 min.
  • LL-2 and IL-4 levels in the serum are determined by an ELIS A.
  • mice are injected intravenously with 0.8 mg of purified goat anti-mouse IgD antibody or PBS (defined as day 0). Compound is administered intraperitoneally from day 0 to day 6. On day 7 blood is collected and serum is obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for 10 min. Serum total levels of IgE are determined by YAMASA's ELISA kit and their Ig subtypes are done by an Ig ELISA KIT (Rougier Biotech's, Montreal, Canada).
  • mice are injected intraperitoneally with LPS (200 ⁇ g/mouse). Compound is administered intraperitoneally 1 hr before the LPS injection. Blood is collected at 90 min post-LPS injection and plasma is obtained. TNF- ⁇ concentration in the sample is determined using an ELISA kit.
  • BALB/c mice are injected intraderr ⁇ ally with a 2.5 ml of air on days -6 and -3 to prepare airpouch.
  • On day 0 compound is administered intraperitoneally 60 min before eotaxin injection (3 ⁇ g/mouse, i.d.).
  • IL-5 300 ng/mouse
  • leukocytes in exudate is collected and the number of total cells is counted.
  • the differential cell counts in the exudate are performed by staining with May-Grunwald Gimsa solution.
  • D10.G4.1 cells (1 x 10 7 cells/mouse) containing 2 mg of conalbumin in saline is administered i.v. to AKR mice. After 6 hr blood is collected and serum is obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for lOmin. IL-4 and IL-5 level in serum are determined by ELISA kits. Compound is administered intraperitoneally at -4 and +1 hr after these cells injection.
  • PCA Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
  • the rats are killed, and the skin of the back is removed. Evans blue dye in the skin is extracted in formamide overnight at 63°C. Then an absorbance at 620 nm is measured to obtain the optical density of the leaked dye.
  • Percent inhibition of PCA with a compound is calculated as follows:
  • % inhibition ⁇ (mean vehicle value - sample value)/(mean vehicle value - mean control value) ⁇ x 100
  • mice are exposed to the smoke from 2 unfiltered cigarettes per day for 6 days per week for 14 weeks. Non-smoking, age-matched animals are used as controls. Animals are orally dosed with test compound or vehicle 1 hour before and 7 hours after smoke exposure. This twice-daily dosing regime is continued throughout the smoke exposure period. On day 7 of the weekly exposure, animals are given only 1 dose of test compound and are not exposed to cigarette smoke.
  • mice After the smoke exposure period, the mice are killed, their lungs inflated with phosphate-buffered formalin via their trachea, and then the lungs and heart are removed en bloc and fixed at 4°C for 48 hours. The lungs are then prepared for paraffin wax sectioning, and 4 mm sections are cut and mounted on glass slides. Sections are then stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Morphometric analysis of lung sections is done by calculation of the Linear Mean Intercept (LMI) parameter using a semi-automated computer image analysis system. Each slide (1 per mouse) contains several sections originating from multiple lobes. Twelve non-overlapping areas (each area covenng 1.53 x 10-3 cm ) are randomly selected for LMI analysis.
  • LMI Linear Mean Intercept
  • the 12 areas coyer a minimum of two lobes per slide. Non-parenchymal components (airways, blood vessels) are excluded from the analysis to prevent artifactual error. The mean intercept length is calculated for each mouse. Development of emphysema is seen as an increase in LMI.
  • the potency of a test compound is evaluated by comparison of the tobacco smoke induced increase in LMI in animals dosed with either the test compound or just the vehicle used for administration of the compound.
  • test compounds The potency of test compounds is evaluated by measuring the inhibition of elastolysis induced by human alveolar macrophages.
  • the cells are isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage samples taken from non-smokers, disease-free smokers, and smokers with COPD. Macrophage suspensions are added to test wells coated with tritiated elastin and incubated at 37°C for 3h to allow adherence of the cells. The wells are then carefully washed to remove non-adherent cells and fresh medium is ' added to each well. The cells are incubated at 37°C for up to 72 hours in the presence or absence of test compound. Every 24 hours the medium in each well is removed for analysis and replaced by fresh medium.
  • Radioactivity released into the medium is measured by liquid scintillation counting and the rate of elastin degradation is calculated.
  • the potency of a test compound is evaluated by comparing the rate of elastolysis measured with cells incubated in the presence or absence of the compound.
  • Wistar rats (200 ⁇ 25Q g / Charles River Japan) are anesthetized intraperitoneally with ketamine. The abdomen is opened through a midline incision and the bladder and the proximal urethra are exposed. A constant degree of urethral obstruction is produced by tying a ligature around the urethra and a catheter with an outer diameter of 1 mm.
  • the abdominal well is closed and the animals allowed to recover. After 6 weeks, the rats are anesthetized with ketamine, and the ligature around the urethra is carefully removed to normalize the outlet resistance and enable repetitive micturition. A polyethylene catheter is implanted in the bladder through the dome, and exteriorized at the scapular level. Animals are then allowed to recover for at least 48 hours.
  • Cytometric investigation is performed without anesthesia two days after bladder catheter implantation in control and obstracted animals.
  • the bladder catheter was connected via a T-tube to a strain gauge and a microinjection pump.
  • the conscious rats are held under partial restraint in a restraining device.
  • Warmed saline is infused into the bladder at a rate of 3 ml/hr for .control and obstracted animals.
  • the rate of infusion is increased from 3 to 10 ml/hr to obtain similar interval times between micturitions in obstructed and control rats.
  • Overactivity of the obstracted bladders is assessed by measuring the cystometric parameters such as basal pressure, peak micturition pressure, threshold pressure, micturition interval, amplitude and frequency of spontaneous activity and micturition slope. Lluel et al, J. Urol. 160, 2253-57, 1998..
  • test compound is dissolved in an appropriate vehicle, such as a mixture of ethanol,
  • Tween 80 (ICN Biomedicals Inc), and saline (1:1:8, v/v/v), is administered intravenously through the catheter.
  • An organ bath assay is employed to measure the agonist-induced contraction of prostate for assessing the biological activity of test compounds (i.e., drug candidates).
  • Male Wistar rats (200-250 g / Charles River Japan) are anesthetized with ether and sacrificed by dislocating the necks. The whole prostate is excised and placed in oxygenated Modified Krebs-Henseleit solution (pH 7.4) of the following composition (112mM NaCl, 5.9mM KC1, 1.2mM MgCl 2 , 1.2mM NaH 2 PO , 2mM - Ill -
  • Ventricle prostate lobes were dissected into several strips depending on the size of prostate. Prostate strips are equilibrated for 60 min in organ bath chambers before any stimulation.
  • Isometric tension is recorded under an appropriate load. Contractile response to adrenergic agonists or electric field stimulation is determined several times until reproducible responses are obtained. Test compounds are pre-incubated prior to the agonistic or electric stimulation. The ratio of each contraction to the negative control is calculated and the effect of the test compounds on the prostate contraction is evaluated.
  • An organ bath assay is employed to measure the agonist-induced contraction of urinary bladder for assessing the biological activity of test compounds (i.e., drag candidates).
  • Male Wistar rats (200-250 g / Charles River Japan) are anesthetized with ether and sacrificed by dislocating the necks. The whole urinary bladder is excised and placed in oxygenated Modified Krebs-Henseleit solution (pH 7.4) of the following composition (112mM NaCl, 5.9mM KC1, 1.2mM MgCl 2 , 1.2mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 2mM CaCl 2 , 2.5mM NaHCO 3 , 12mM glucose).
  • Isometric tension is recorded under an appropriate load using longitudinal strips of rat detrusor muscle. Bladder strips are equilibrated for 60 minutes before each stimulation. Contractile response to 80 mM KC1 is determined at 15 minute intervals until reproducible responses are obtained. The response to KC1 is used as an internal standard to evaluate the effect of test compounds.
  • Rats are anesthetized by intraperitoneal administration of urethane (Sigma) at 1.25 g/kg. The abdomen is opened through a midline incision, and . a polyethylene catheter (BECTON DICKINSON, PE50) is implanted into the bladder through the dome. In parallel, the inguinal region is incised, and a polyethylene catheter (BECTON DICKINSON, PE50) filled with saline (Otsuka) is inserted into a femoral vein.
  • urethane Sigma
  • Rats are anesthetized by intramuscular administration of ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (15 mg/kg).
  • the abdomen is opened through a midline incision, and a polyethylene catheter (BECTON DICKINSON, PE50) is implanted into the bladder through the dome.
  • the catheter is tunneled through subcutis of the animal by needle (14G) to neck.
  • the inguinal region is incised, and a polyethylene catheter (BECTON DICKINSON, PE50) filled with saline (Otsuka) is inserted into a femoral vein.
  • the catheter is tunneled through subcutis of the animal by needle to neck.
  • the bladder catheter is connected via T-tube to a pressure transducer (Viggo-Spectramed Pte Ltd, DT-XXAD) and a microinjection pump (TERUMO). Saline is infused at room temperature into the bladder at a rate of 10 ml/hr. Intravesicular pressure is recorded continuously on a chart pen recorder (Yokogawa). At least three reproducible micturition cycles are recorded before a test compound administration.
  • test compounds (4) Administration of test compounds.
  • a test compound dissolved in the mixture of ethanol, Tween 80 (ICN Biomedicals Inc.) and saline (1 : 1 : 8, v/v/v) is administered intravenously through the catheter.
  • Total cellular RNA was isolated from cells by one of two standard methods: 1) guanidine isothiocyanate/cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation [Kellogg et al. (1990)]; or with the Tri-Reagent protocol according to the manufacturer's specifications (Molecular Research Center, Inc., Cincinatti, Ohio). Total RNA prepared by the Tri-reagent protocol was treated with DNAse I to remove genomic DNA contamination. For relative quantitation of the mRNA distribution, total RNA from each cell or tissue source was first reverse transcribed.
  • RNA Eighty-five ⁇ g of total RNA was reverse transcribed using 1 ⁇ mole random hexamer primers, 0.5 mM each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and 3000 U RnaseQut (Invitrogen, Groningen, Netherlands) in a final volume of 680 ⁇ l.
  • the first strand synthesis buffer and Omniscript reverse transcriptase (2 u/ ⁇ l) were obtained from (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). The reaction was incubated at 37°C for 90 minutes and cooled on ice. The volume was adjusted to 6800 ⁇ l with water, yielding a final concentration of 12.5 ng/ ⁇ l of starting RNA.
  • the forward primer sequence was: Primerl ctgtatcttgggccacagc.
  • the reverse primer sequence was Primer2 tgtgctacttgcgtgctca.
  • Probe 1 cggactcacggcctgcactg, labeled with FAM (carboxy- fluorescein succinimidyl ester) as the reporter dye and TAMRA (carboxytetra- methylrhodamine) as the quencher, was used as a probe.
  • the following reagents were prepared in a total of 25 ⁇ l : lx TaqMan buffer A, 5.5 mM MgCl 2 , 200 nM of dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dUTP, 0.025 U/ ⁇ l AmpliTaq GoldTM, 0.01 U/ ⁇ l AmpErase, and Probe 1 cggactcacggcctgcactg, forward and reverse primers each at
  • the CT (threshold cycle) value is calculated as described in the "Quantitative determination of nucleic acids" section.
  • the CF-value (factor for threshold cycle correction) is calculated as follows:
  • PCR reactions were set up to quantitate the housekeeping genes (HKG) for each cDNA sample.
  • CT HKG -values were calculated as described in the "Quantitative determination of nucleic acids" section.
  • Alzheimer cerebral cortex frontal lobe, Alzheimer brain frontal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, precentral gyras, postcentral gyrus, tonsilla cerebelli, vermis cerebelli, pons, substantia nigra, cerebral meninges, cerebral peduncles, corpus callosum, hippocampus, thalamus, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells, neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, neuroblastoma
  • breast tumor mammary gland
  • prostate prostate BPH
  • bladder ureter
  • penis corpus cavernosum
  • corpus cavernosum fetal kidney, kidney, kidney tumor, and HEK 293 cells.
  • fetal heart 4 heart 1820 pericardium 48 heart atrium (right) 1808 heart atrium (left) 1296 heart ventricle (left) 512 heart ventricle (right) 5 heart apex 671
  • esophagus 152 esophagus tumor 370 stomach 1585 stomach tumor 1409 colon 917 colon tumor 23 small intestine 2288 ileum 576 ileum tumor 282 ileum chronic inflammation 1448 rectum 1314 salivary gland 45 fetal liver 231 liver 1541 liver cirrhosis 4182 liver tumor 750
  • HeLa cells (cervix tumor) 1 placenta 2369 uterus 2469 uterus tumor 1046 ovary 440 ovary tumor 1428 breast 2647. breast tumor 4270
  • MDAMB 231 cells (breast tumor) 27 mammary gland 1965
  • RTP2 is a Rafl -activated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. J Biol Chem 1999 Nov 19;274(47):33684-90

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Abstract

L'invention concerne des réactifs qui régulent la sérine-thréonine kinase interagissant avec des récepteurs humains et des réactifs qui se lient à des produits géniques de la sérine-thréonine kinase interagissant avec des récepteurs humains pouvant jouer un rôle dans la prévention, l'amélioration ou le traitement de dysfonctionnements ou de maladies, notamment, le cancer, le diabète et d'autres troubles métaboliques, et des troubles neurologiques, cardio-vasculaires, endocrinaux et hormonaux, inflammatoires, gastro-intestinaux et hépatiques, hématologiques, respiratoires, de la reproduction et génito-urinaires.
PCT/EP2003/007959 2002-07-23 2003-07-22 Regulation de la serine-threonine kinase interagissant avec des recepteurs humains WO2004009623A1 (fr)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014170892A1 (fr) * 2013-04-15 2014-10-23 Yeda Research And Development Co. Ltd. Inhibition de rip kinases pour triater des maladies lysosomales
WO2014179476A1 (fr) * 2013-05-01 2014-11-06 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Constructions tronquées de ripk3 et utilisations connexes

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000077200A1 (fr) * 1999-06-10 2000-12-21 Astrazeneca Ab Proteine rip3 interagissant sur des recepteurs

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000077200A1 (fr) * 1999-06-10 2000-12-21 Astrazeneca Ab Proteine rip3 interagissant sur des recepteurs

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014170892A1 (fr) * 2013-04-15 2014-10-23 Yeda Research And Development Co. Ltd. Inhibition de rip kinases pour triater des maladies lysosomales
WO2014179476A1 (fr) * 2013-05-01 2014-11-06 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Constructions tronquées de ripk3 et utilisations connexes

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