LIPID KINASE

摘要

The invention relates to a novel lipid kinase which is part of the PI3 Kinase family. PI3 Kinases catalyse the addition of phosphate to inositol generating inositol mono, di and triphosphate. Inositol phosphates have been implicated in regulating intracellular signalling cascades resulting in alternations in gene expression which, amongst other effects, can result in cytoskeletal remodelling and modulation of cellular motility. More particularly the invention relates to a novel human PI3 Kinase, p110 delta which interacts with p85, has a broad phosphoinositide specificity and is sensitive to the same kinase inhibitors as PI3 Kinase p110 alpha . However in contrast to previously identified PI3 Kinases which show a ubiquitous pattern of expression, p110 delta is selectively expressed in leucocytes. Importantly, p110 delta shows enchanced expression in most melanomas tested and therefore may play a crucial role in regulating the metastatic property exhibited by melanomas. The identification of agents that enhance or reduce p110 delta activity may therefore prevent cancer metastasis.