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BAU:
Novel Protein That Suppresses Malignant
Cell Transformation
Inventor:
George C. Prendergast
Tech ID:
PG-96001
Description:
There is a great need for diagnostics and therapeutics to fight
carcinoma. Bin1 (also known as amphiphysin II; amphiphysin-like
protein, AMLP; and ALP) is a novel tumor suppressor protein implicated
in breast, prostate, and liver carcinoma that likely promotes cell
differentiation and/or apoptosis. A region of Bin1 termed U1 was
defined to be important for its growth inhibitory activity. U1 mediates
interaction with Bau, a novel gene product which may also be involved
in cell cycle and apoptosis control. Detecting or manipulating Bau
function in cells may have applications for treating carcinoma or
other cancers.
Wistar researchers have characterized
a murine Bau cDNA and identified the region that is involved in
Bin1 interaction. The Bau message is expressed widely in murine
and human cells but at very low levels. Certain tumor cells lack
Bau expression, although it is not yet known whether this is related
to tumorigenesis or differentiation. The requirements for Bin1-Bau
interaction have been identified; this interaction appears to be
regulated by RNA splicing, an event that usually proceeds a cell
fate change.
The Bau protein and a polypeptide
derivative efficiently suppressed transformation of rodent embryo
fibroblasts (REFs) by an adenovirus oncoprotein and partially suppressed
Myc transformation and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cell growth. Thus,
Bau sequences can suppress some types of malignant cell growth,
like Bin1.
Key Words:
Diagnostic, therapeutic, research tool, immunoassay, marker,
target, cancer, prostate cancer
Applications
and Advantages: Bau and Bin1 sequences may be useful for
a variety of research and clinical applications. Bau sequences may
be useful as research reagents or could be expressed from gene vectors
for cancer therapy or prevention. Antibodies to Bau may be useful
for research, diagnostic, or therapeutic applications. A Bau derived
peptide might be a useful target for drug design, with the goal
of generating peptidomimetic or small molecule compounds for cancer
therapy.
Intellectual
Property Status: U.S. and International patent applications
have been filed.
Licensing
Opportunity: Wistar is seeking
sponsored research support and/or a licensee
for the therapeutic and diagnostic applications
of Bau.
Contact:
Meryle
J. Melnicoff
Director, Business Development
The Wistar Institute
3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 898-0049
Fax: (215) 573-2456
melnicoff@wistar.org
Last updated: Nov.
99
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