Genes involved in stroke response and/or regulated by FK506, proteins encoded thereby, and methods of use

• Main Authors: Feinstein, Elena, Mett, Igor, Kachalsky, Sylvia G, Gorodin, Svetlana
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.12.2004

The present invention relates to genes and the proteins encoded thereby which are involved in neurotoxicity and/or are regulated by FK506. Polynucleotides were discovered using in vivo or in vitro models by determining which genes were differentially upregulated or downregulated when subjected to various stresses, such as hypoxia, and/or upon treatment of the model with FK506. Polynucleotides were also found by a functional selection (assay) of cDNA fragments specifically selected for their ability to confer cell resistance to various stresses which can result in neurotoxicity, such as hypoxia, glutamate or dopamine treatment. The invention includes such polynucleotides, corresponding genes, and proteins encoded thereby, as well as naturally-occurring variants of such polynucleotides, analogs, salts and functional derivatives of such proteins, DNA encoding such analogs, antibodies, antisense molecules and methods of use. Such methods of use include methods for protecting cells from neurotoxicity and ameliorating the effects of stroke, hypoxia and/or ischemia by regulating such genes or proteins. Genes and the proteins encoded thereby that are involved in stroke response and/or are regulated by FK506 are disclosed. These genes were discovered using in vivo or in vitro stroke models by determining which genes were differentially upregulated or downregulated upon treatment of the model with FK506. They were also found by a functional assay of genes specifically selected for conferring to cells resistance to hypoxia, dopamine or glutamate treatment. The disclosure includes such genes and proteins as well as analogs, salts and functional derivatives of such proteins, and DNA encoding such analogs, and methods of use. Methods for treating the effects of stroke, hypoxia and/or ischemia by regulating such genes or proteins are disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds capable of regulating the genes and proteins of the invention are also disclosed.