Prion-like form of CPEB and related compositions and methods

摘要

The present invention provides methods for determining whether an agent facilitates the conversion of a cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein from its non-prion form to its prion form. This invention also provides methods for determining the presence and amount of the prion form of CPEB protein in a cell. This invention also provides methods for facilitating the conversion of a non-prion CPEB protein to its prion form. This invention also provides an isolated prion form cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein and compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that facilitates the conversion of CPEB protein from its non-prion form to its prion form, and methods of making such compositions.

主权项

1. A method for determining whether an agent facilitates conversion of a neuron-specific isoform of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein from a non-prion form to a prion form comprising the steps of:
(a) determining the amount of prion form in a population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein; (b) contacting the population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein with the agent; (c) after a suitable period of time, determining whether the amount of prion form in the contacted population of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein is greater in the presence of the agent than in the absence of the agent; and (d) determining, when a greater amount of the prion form of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein is present after step (c), that the agent facilitates the conversion of the neuron-specific isoform of CPEB protein from a non-prion form to a prion form.