SCREEN FOR NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE MODULATORS

摘要

A method for identifying a modulator of NOS activity comprises: (i) providing a polynucleotide construct which comprises: (a) a promoter operably linked to a coding sequence, wherein the promoter is responsive to ecdysone or an analog thereof and the coding sequence encodes a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or a functional variant thereof; or (b) a promoter operably linked to one or more tetracycline operator site sequences and a coding sequence in that order, wherein the coding sequence encodes a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or a functional variant thereof; (ii) contacting a test substance with the construct under conditions that would permit the expression and activity of the NOS encoded by the coding sequence in the absence of the test substance; and (iii) determining thereby whether the said substance modulates NOS activity. Modulators of nitric oxide synthase activity can be used in the treatment of conditions in which the abnormal metabolism of nitric oxide is implicated.