Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences

Rockefeller Institute

Hedva Gonen

Aaron J Ciechanover

Hermann Steller

Hyung Don Ryoo

Nava Blumenfeld

The present invention provides novel peptides, nucleic acids, compounds, compositions and methods for regulating apoptosis, and screening methods for identifying same. Regulation of apoptosis is mediated via IAPi-derived proteins, peptide fragments thereof, and nucleic acids encoding same, stimulating/accelerating or downmodulating/suppressing apoptosis. For stimulation/acceleration of apoptosis, the IAPi-derived proteins or peptide fragments thereof comprise RHG and Trp-box amino acid consensus sequences. Stimulation/acceleration results in self-ubiquitination and auto-degradation of an IAP. For downmodulation/suppression of apoptosis, IAPi-derived proteins or peptide fragments thereof comprising either RHG or Trp-box amino acid consensus sequences, or both, failing to stimulate or suppressing self-ubiquitination and auto-degradation of an IAP, result in suppression of apoptosis.

Peptides and methods for cell death regulation

A method for isolating and purifying novel species of E2 ubiquitin-carrier protein, designated E2-F1, is disclosed. A method for preparing enzymatically active fragments of E2-F1 enzyme is also disclosed. The use of purified E2-F1 to produce antibodies is also disclosed. The use of such E2-F1-specific antibodies to detect the presence of E2-F1 in a biological sample, and to inhibit protein degradation are also disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules which code for E2-F1, and recombinant hosts and vectors which contain E2-F1 coding sequences are also disclosed. The use of such recombinant hosts and vectors to produce E2-F1 protein is also disclosed. The use of purified E2-F1 to identify and to isolate E3 enzyme is also disclosed. Methods for screening substances for the ability to inhibit E2-F1 enzyme activity are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Zichron-Yakov, Israel

Hedva Gonen