Millennium Pharmaceuticals Limited

Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Yigal Koltin

Victoria Gavrias

Vicky Gavrias

Perry Riggle

Chris Bulawa

Kenneth R Winter

Ken Winter

Disclosed are essential Aspergillus polypeptides and genes (AN97, AN17, AN80, and AN85), as well as homologs thereof, which can be used to identify antifungal agents for treating fungal infections such as aspergillosis.

Essential fungal genes and their use

Identification of eukaryotic growth-related genes and promoter isolation vector and method of use

Disclosed are essential Aspergillus polypeptides and genes (AN97, AN17, AN80, and AN85), as well as homologs of, which can be used to identify antifungal agents for treating fungal infections such as aspergillosis.

A polynucleotide encoding chitin synthase (CHS1), an enzyme essential for cell wall synthesis and yeast cell growth, is provided. A maltose responsive promoter (MRP) isolated using the promoter library of the invention is also described. The present invention also provides a vector for isolation of a eukaryotic regulatory polynucleotide, i.e., promoter. The vector is useful in the method of the invention which comprises identifying a eukaryotic regulatory polynucleotide, i.e., promoter region, by complementing the growth of an auxotrophic host cell containing the vector of the invention, which includes a promoter region operably linked to a promoterless auxotrophic gene. The vector is introduced into the host cell chromosome by targeted integration. Also provided is a library containing host cells having the vector of the invention integrated in the chromosome of the host cell.

Identification of eukaryotic growth-related genes and promoter isolation

Growing community of inventors

Newton, MA, United States of America

Yigal Koltin