METHOD OF SCREENING THE ACTIVITY OF THE SMOOTHENED RECEPTOR TO IDENTIFY THERAPUTIC MODULATION AGENTS OR DIAGNOSE DISEASE

摘要

The invention relates to a screening method for the Smoothened receptor for testing compositions as potential Smoothened receptor ligands, either agonist or antagonist activity, by use of an arrestin-reporter molecule conjugate. It also relates to testing cells and individuals by administering a smoothened receptor ligand-reporter molecule conjugate and observing locations where the ligand binds and then using an increased number of surface Smoothened receptors compared to a pre- established criteria as an indication of a cancerous growth or tumor.