Sirna Therapeutics, Inc.

Leland Stanford Junior University

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

William Michael Flanagan

Denise M Kenski

Matthew G Stanton

Gerald R Crabtree

Aarron T Willingham

James J Cunningham

Steven M Stirdivant

Mark Cancilla

Henry J Haringsma

Gabor Butora

Ian W Davies

Steffan Nicholas Ho

Ning Qi

Jeffrey P Northrop

Wenlang Fu

Kenneth Jay Barr

Wenjin Yang

Brian C Cunningham

Brian Raimundo

Jiang Zhu

Wanli Lu

Nathan D Waal

Jennifer Wilkinson

The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of gene expression and/or activity, and/or modulate a gene expression pathway. Specifically, the invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acid molecules including small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules that are capable of mediating or that mediate RNA interference (RNAi) against target gene expression.

RNA interference mediated inhibition of gene expression using short interfering nucleic acids (siNA)

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a method for the rapid evaluation of novel sugar modifications to be used in siRNA synthesis including the rapid evaluation of chemical modification patterns within the siRNA to effectuate increased stability and ultimately increased efficacy of a siRNA therapeutic. It is a further object of the instant invention to provide novel nucleosides useful for siRNA therapy.

Method for rapidly evaluating performance of short interfering RNA with novel chemical modifications

The invention provides novel polypeptides which are associated with the transcription complex NF-AT, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies which are reactive with such polypeptides, polynucleotide hybridization probes and PCR amplification probes for detecting polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, transgenes which encode such polypeptides, homologous targeting constructs that encode such polypeptides and/or homologously integrate in or near endogenous genes encoding such polypeptides, nonhuman transgenic animals which comprise functionally disrupted endogenous genes that normally encode such polypeptides, and transgenic nonhuman animals which comprise transgenes encoding such polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for detecting T cells (including activated T cells) in a cellular sample, methods for treating hyperactive or hypoactive T cell conditions, methods for screening for immunomodulatory agents, methods for diagnostic staging of lymphocyte differentiation, methods for producing NF-AT proteins for use as research or diagnostic reagents, methods for producing antibodies reactive with the novel polypeptides, and methods for producing transgenic nonhuman animals. Also included are methods and agents for activation of NF-AT dependent transcription, including agents which interfere with the production, modification of nuclear or cytoplasmic subunits, or the nuclear import of the cytoplasmic subunits. In particular, screening tests for novel immunosuppressants are provided based upon the ability of NF-AT to activate transcription.

NF-AT polypeptides and polynucleotides and screening methods for immunosuppressive agents

Triphenyl compounds as interleukin-4 antagonists

Activation of NF-AT-dependent transcription, including agents which interfere with the production, modification of the nuclear or cytoplasmic subunits, or the nuclear import of the cytoplasmic subunits. In particular, screening tests for novel immunosuppressants are provided based upon the ability of NF-AT to activate transcription.

Screening methods for immunosuppressive agents

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

William Michael Flanagan