ASSAY FOR LIGANDS TO TYROSINE KINASE RECEPTORS

摘要

The present invention provides for use of a molecule capable of competing with collagen for binding to the extracellular domain of a Tyro-10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) receptor in the manufacture of a medicament for use in a therapeutic method which comprises modulating or blocking the binding of collagen to Tyro10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) extracellular domain-expressing cells. The invention also provides for a screen for a polypeptide ligand that can bind to the Tyro10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) receptor and that can promote a differential function and/or influence the phenotype, such as growth and/or proliferation, of cells that bear the receptor. The present invention also provides a method of screening for a molecule capable of competing with collagen for binding to the extracellular domain of a Tyro-10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) receptor comprising contacting a sample suspected of containing the molecule with the extracellular domain of a Tyro-10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) receptor in the presence of collagen under conditions in which the collagen is capable of binding to the extracellular domain and detecting binding of the molecule to the Tyro-10 (DDR-2) or NEP (DDR-1) receptor extracellular domain.