The University of Queensland

Elizabeth Jane Coulson

Manuel Baca

Perry Francis Bartlett

Trevor Kilpatrick

Cheema Surindar

Katrina Fieldew

The present invention relates generally to a method for modulating cell survival. Modulation of cell survival includes inducing, enhancing or otherwise promoting cell survival such as the survival of neural cells as well as facilitating cell death such as the death of targeted cancer cells. The modulation of cell survival is mediated by a region identified on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) required for death signalling. The present invention further provides genetic molecules which encode the death signalling region of p75which are useful in antagonising death signal function as well as promoting cell death when expressed in targeted cells. The present invention also contemplates recombinant peptides, polypeptides and proteins as well as chemical equivalents, derivatives and homologues thereof which comprise the death signalling portion of p75. Particularly useful molecules of the present invention comprise peptides corresponding to soluble forms of the death signalling portion of p75. These molecules antagonise p75-mediated cell death.

Method of modulating cell survival and reagents useful for same

The present invention relates generally to a method for modulating cell survival. Modulation of cell survival includes inducing, enhancing or otherwise promoting cell survival such as the survival of neural cells as well as facilitating cell death such as the death of targeted cancer cells. The modulation of cell survival is mediated by a region identified on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) required for death signalling. The present invention further provides genetic molecules which encode the death signalling region of p75which are useful in antagonising death signal function as well as promoting cell death when expressed in targeted cells. The present invention also contemplates recombinant peptides, polypeptides and proteins s well as chemical equivalents, derivatives and homologues thereof which comprise the death signalling portion of p75. Particularly useful molecules of the present invention comprise peptides corresponding to soluble forms of the death signalling portion of p75. These molecules antagonise p75-mediated cell death.

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Clifton Hill, Australia

Elizabeth Jane Coulson