A NEMATODE DRUG SCREEN FOR MODULATORS OF MAMMALIAN DISORDERS

摘要

The invention provides rapid, versatile, and economic assay methods to screen for modulators of egg laying behavior in nematodes, by determining the activity of chitinase in the culture medium, thereby screening for candidate compounds that modulate a trait characteristic of mammalian disorders or diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Ras-inducible cancer, and cardiopulmonary disease characterized by aberrant potassium channel function, among others. Also provided are modulators identified using the methods of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions including the modulators, and methods of using the modulators or pharmaceutical compositions to modulate a mammalian disorder or disease.