Hyperactive Stat molecules and their use in assays employing gene activation

摘要

The invention relates to Stat molecule occurring in the nucleus of a cutaneous T cell lymphoma cell line which are characterized in that at least one conserved hydrophobic amino acid on the surface of the N-domain of the Stat wild type is mutated. The mutated phenotype bears a dephosphorylation and tetramerization defect, thereby prolonging Stat accumulation in the nucleus and affecting transcription in a promoter-specific manner. The invention also relates to the use of the mutated Stat molecules in the activation of gene expression, in the screening of inhibitors or activators of transcription factors, the identification of binding proteins, the production of a drug for diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases associated with the activation of gene expression as well as in the targeting of active substances.