Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated

University of Washington

Ribogene, Inc.

Mcgill University

Illumigen Biosciences, Inc.

Michael G Katze

Michael B Mathews

Julia C Watson

Gary Witherell

Vincent Miles

Michael J Gale

Vincent J Miles

Nahum Sonenberg

Gary Rosenberg

Roger Bumgarner

Mariya Smit

Glen H Barber

Antonis E Koromilas

Sophie Roy

Methods for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are set forth. Improved assay methods and scanning methods are included that employ non-cell-associated and cell-associated HCC related proteins. Such methods are based upon the discovery of genes that were up-regulated in diseased versus normal tissue as well as in HCC tissue when compared to the tissue of patients with other ailments.

Methods and compositions for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma

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 relates to novel methods for identifying antiviral agents which selectively interfere with viral proteins that override the interferon(IFN)-induced cellular defense mechanisms against viral infection. In particular, the present invention relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between viral proteins containing an interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The present invention more particularly relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural 5A protein (NS5A), which contains an ISDR, and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The interaction between the viral ISDR and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase results in the override of IFN-induced cellular defense mechanisms to combat viral infection. Therefore the agents identified using the assays of the invention may have utility as antiviral agents.

Screening methods to identify agents that selectively inhibit hepatitis C virus replication

Screening methods to identify agents that selectively inhibit hepatitis

A method of screening human tissue for the presence of neoplastic cells, by determining the activity of PKR, P58 of anti-P58 in test cells being screened, and identifying candidate neoplastic cells on the basis of subnormal PKR, P58, or anti-P58 activity. The activities may be determined directly by measuring protein kinase activity or its equivalent, or measured indirectly, by detecting functional mutations in the various proteins. Also disclosed are assay kits for carrying out the screening method.

Anti-tumor agent assay using PKR

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Michael G Katze