POLYMORPHISMS IN THE HUMAN MDR-1 GENE AND THEIR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

摘要

Described are general means and methods of diagnosing and treating the phenotypic spectrum as well as the overlapping clinical characteristics with several forms of inherited abnormal expression and/or function of the Multi Drug Resistance-1 (MDR-1) gene. In particular, polynucleotides of molecular variant MDR-1 genes which, for example, are associated with unsufficient and/or altered uptake of drugs by a target cell, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides are provided. Furthermore, host cells comprising such polynucleotides or vectors and their use for the production of variant MDR-1 proteins are described. In addition, variant MDR-1 proteins and antibodies specifically recognizing such proteins as well as concerns transgenic non-human animals comprising the above-described polynucleotide or vectors are provided. Described are also methods for identifying and obtaining inhibitors for therapy of disorders related to the malfunction of the MDR-1 gene as well as methods of diagnosing the status of such disorders. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions comprising the above-described polynucleotides, vectors, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors by the above-described method are provided. Said compositions are particularly useful for diagnosing and treating various diseases with drugs that are substrates, inhibitors or modulators of the MDR-1 gene product.