METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING COMPOUNDS THAT INDUCE AN INCREASED LEVEL OF THE NERVE GROWTH FACTOR mRNA

摘要

The invention features an in vitro method for identifying a compound capable of increasing the level of NGF in a mammalian cell. The method involves (a) introducing a plasmid DNA containing the NGF promoter into a cell, wherein the promoter is functionally linked to a reporter gene; (b) exposing the cells to the compound; and (c) measuring the level of reporter gene product produced by exposure of the cells to the compound, an increase in the level of reporter gene product indicating an increase in the activity of the NGF promoter, and thereby indicating that the compound is capable of increasing the level of NGF in the mammal. The method is useful for the treatment of diseases associated with atrophy of cholinergic neurons, e.g., Alzheimer's Disease or for the treatment of sensory peripheral neuropathies.