Diagnostic and therapeutic use of vault polynucleotides and proteins for neurodegenerative diseases

摘要

The present invention discloses the differential expression of the minor vault protein ADPRTL1 gene in specific brain regions of Alzheimer's disease patients. Based on this finding, this invention provides a method for diagnosing or prognosticating Alzheimer's disease in a subject, or for determining whether a subject is at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, this invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic methods for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders using a gene coding for a vault protein, in particular the gene coding for the minor vault protein ADPRTL1. A method of screening for modulating agents of neurodegenerative diseases is also disclosed.