APOPTOSIS METHODS, GENES AND PROTEINS

摘要

A W303a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell which contains a polynucleotide that encodes a functional Bax polypeptide under the control of a galactose-inducible promoter that is integrated at the LEU2 chromosomal locus. A kit of parts comprising the yeast cells and a yeast plasmid vector suitable for transforming a cDNA library into the yeast cells. Use of the yeast cell for screening a cDNA library for a polynucleotide that is or encodes an inhibitor of Bax-mediated apoptosis. Genes and polypeptides that inhibit Bax-mediated apoptosis and which were identified from a human hippocampus cDNA library screened in the yeast cells. A method of combating Bax-mediated apoptosis in a cell using an inhibitor of Bax-mediated apoptosis which was identified from a human hippocampus cDNA library screened in the yeast cells. A method of promoting Bax-mediated apoptosis in a cell using an inhibitor or antagonist of the anti-apoptotic polypeptides identified from a human hippocampus cDNA library screened in the yeast cells.