TARGETED METHODS OF DRUG SCREENING USING CO-CULTURE METHODS

摘要

The present invention provides methods of screening for a molecule that inhibits the expression or activity of a protein encoded by a target gene which affects the fitness of a cell. The methods are based on a co-culture assay, and entail culturing together two cell populations, each of which is a population of identical cells, of the same species that differs substantiall y only in the expression or activity of the gene to be targeted or its encoded protein and the presence or absence of a reporter gene. The screen can be applied to cultured cells, unicellular and multicellular organisms. Manipulating the expression or activity of the target gene sensitizes the ho st to a molecule which inhibits the target gene or its encoded protein such tha t the cell or organism comprising the manipulated target gene grows at a different rate from the cell or organism comprising the unmanipulated gene i n response to exposure to the molecule. The methods of the invention can be us ed for identifying drugs, proteins or any other molecules that inhibit the function of proteins encoded by target genes.