University of California

Leland Stanford Junior University

Ronald D Vale

James Hartman

James A Spudich

Daniel W Pierce

Kurt S Thorn

Adam P Williamson

Roger Cooke

Meghan A Morrissey

Nariman Naber

Marija Matsuka

The present disclosure generally relate to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that bind an engulfment receptor expressed on the surface of a phagocytic cell and activate the endogenous phagocytic signaling pathway. Also disclosed are compositions and methods useful for producing such CARs, nucleic acids encoding same, phagocytic cells that have been modified to include a targeted effector activity directed towards a cell of interest such as, e.g., a cancer cell, as well as for modifying a cell and/or for the treatment of various health disorders such as cancer, including solid tumor and hematologic malignancy.

Chimeric antigen receptors for phagocytosis

Described herein are methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of the cytoskeletal system. The methods are rapid, convenient and sensitive. Preferably, the method is used to identify lead compounds that can be used as therapeutics, diagnostics and agricultural agents. Generally, test compounds are added to two cytoskeletal components which bind to one another, to determine whether the binding is affected by the test compound. Wherein the binding is affected, a compound which modulates the cytoskeletal system is identified.

Assays for detecting modulators of cytoskeletal function

This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and (ii) detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

Assays for the detection of microtubule depolymerization inhibitors

The present invention features methods for purifying polypeptides of interest using a modified Fluorescein arsenical helix binder (FlAsH) compound immobilized on a solid support. An exemplary FlAsH target sequence motif is also presented. Examples of modification of the FlAsH compound which allow immobilization to a solid support are also provided. The present invention also provides DNA constructs for producing a dual affinity tagged polypeptide and methods for purification thereof.

Method of affinity purifying proteins using modified bis-arsenical fluorescein

This invention provides assays for agents that modulate (e.g. upregulate, downregulate or completely inhibit) microtubule depolymerizing or microtubule severing proteins. Such agents will have profound effects on progression of the cell cycle and act as potent anti-mitotic agents. The microtubule severing protein or microtubule depolymerizing protein is preferably a katanin, a p60 subunit of a katanin, an XKCM 1, or an OP18 polypeptide.

This invention provides methods for the screening and identification of agents having potent effects on the progression of the cell cycle. In one embodiment, the methods involve contacting a polymerized microtubule with a microtubule severing protein or a microtubule depolymerizing protein in the presence of an ATP or a GTP and a test agent; and detecting the formation of tubulin monomers, dimers or oligomers. The p60 subunit of katanin provides a particularly preferred microtubule severing protein possessing both ATPase and microtubule severing activities.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Ronald D Vale