BECLIN, A NOVEL BCL-2 INTERACTING GENE NEAR BRCA1 ON CHROMOSOME 17Q21 AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

This invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a wildtype human Beclin and a mutant human Beclin. This invention also provides a vector containing the isolated nucleic acid which encodes a wildtype human Beclin. This invention also provides for a method of producing a wildtype human Beclin. This invention also provides for a purified, wildtype human Beclin. This invention also provides for a method for determining whether a subject has a predisposition for cancer. This invention also provides for a method for determining whether a subject has cancer. This invention also provides for a method for inhibiting cell proliferation in cells unable to regulate themselves. This invention also provides for a method for treating a subject who has cancer. This invention also provides for a pharmaceutical composition composed of the wildtype human Beclin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition composed of the wildtype human Beclin. This invention also provides a method for detecting a mutant human Beclin in a subject. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject unable to control apoptosis in the cells of the subject.