METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING MODULATORS OF MDA-7 MEDIATED APOPTOSIS

摘要

The present invention relates to the discoveries that apoptotic effects of the melanoma differentiation associated gene mda-7 (also known as interleukin-24, "IL-24") on malignant cells occur via the p38 MAPK pathway and members of the Growth Arrest and DNA Damage ("GADD") gene family but are substantially independent of the JAK/STAT pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for methods for identifying apoptosis-modulating agents using assay methods which determine the ability of a test agent to increase or decrease expression of constituents of the mda-7 apoptosis pathway, preferably in a JAK/STAT substantially independent manner. Such agents may be small molecules or may be fragments, variants and/or derivatives of native MDA-7.