University of California

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The University of Texas System

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

Geron Corporation

Other

Homayoun Vaziri

Calvin B Harley

Michael D West

Jerry W Shay

Woodring E Wright

Elizabeth H Blackburn

Michael J McEachern

Catherine M Strahl

Scott L Weinrich

Nam Woo Kim

Leonard P Guarente

Shin-Ichiro Imai

Methods for screening a compound, by providing a test mixture comprising a transcription factor, Sir2, and a Sir2 cofactor with the compound, and evaluating an activity of a component of the test mixture in the presence of the compound are described.

Sir2 activity

This invention relates to methods of screening compounds that modulate cellular and organismal processes by modification of the activity of SIR2 and/or transcription factors, e.g., p53, particularly methods of screening for compounds that modify lifespan and/or metabolism of a cell or an organism by modulation of the activity of SIR2 and/or transcription factors, e.g., p53, and more particularly to methods of screening for compounds that modulate the activity of Sir2 and/or transcription factors, e.g., p53. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for screening a compound, by providing a test mixture comprising a transcription factor, Sir2, and a Sir2 cofactor with the compound, and evaluating an activity of a component of the test mixture in the presence of the compound. The invention further relates to therapeutic uses of said compounds. The invention further relates to a method of modifying the acetylation status of a transcription factor binding site on histone or DNA by raising local concentrations of Sir2.

SIR2 activity

Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.

Diagnostic methods for conditions associated with elevated cellular levels of telomerase activity

Methods of screening for compounds that derepress or increase telomerase

Therapy and diagnosis of conditions related to telomere length and/or

Growing community of inventors

Toronto, Canada

Homayoun Vaziri