Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated

Ribogene, Inc.

Julia C Watson

Michael G Katze

Michael B Mathews

Gary Witherell

Vincent Miles

Vincent J Miles

Charles M Moehle

Ritu Gina Bahador

Victor James Hernandez

Method for screening for an antiviral agent, by determining whether a potential agent interacts with a virus or cellular component which allows or prevents preferential translation of a virus RNA compared to a host RNA under virus infection conditions; and determining whether any interaction of the agent with the component reduces the level of translation of an RNA of the virus.

Method for selective inactivation of viral replication

The present invention provides methods for identification of antibiotic agents which cause the accumulation of ppGpp in bacterial organisms involving a relA-independent pathway. The methods comprise screening assays in which test compounds are brought into contact with relA.sup.- test cells and observing the effect such compounds have on ppGpp levels in the test cells. The invention also provides genetically manipulated relA.sup.- test cells which contain a reporter gene the expression of which is sensitive to the level of ppGpp. The invention also encompasses agents identified by the screening assays, and uses of these agents in the treatment of infectious diseases.

Methods for screening for antibiotics

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Julia C Watson