DESCRIPTION:
DNA binding proteins are used in all cell
systems to regulate gene expression. If
this exquisitely controlled system is disrupted
say by mutation of the DNA binding protein,
disease likely is the result. One common
disease associated with the loss of DNA
binding protein activity is cancer. Present
DNA binding assays require extraction of
proteins from tissues and then incubation
with DNA (often radiolabeled or labeled
with another detectable modification) followed
by separation of bound and free DNA. These
assays are time consuming and many are not
quantitative. They also cannot be conducted
in a living cell or tissue.
The DNA binding assay described in this
disclosure would increase the sensitivity
of detection of a DNA binding protein and
also improve the speed with which the assay
could be completed. In addition, the components
to detect DNA binding in the assay are not
toxic for a cell and thus would allow the
detection and potential titration of DNA
binding proteins in living tissues and cells.
This invention should allow for fast and
easier detection of disease causing gene
mutations that require much more extensive
procedures at this point for their identification.
ADVANTAGES:
Present DNA binding assays require sometime
long procedures andlor radioactivity to
detect the action of these important proteins.
This assay is likely to allow the quantitative
measurement of DNA binding in a rapid manner
and without radioactivity. It is also a
dynamic assay while most other assays are
not. The fact that these gold nanoparticles
are non-toxic to cells should potentially
allow this assay to work in living cells
and tissues for an in vivo measurement of
DNA binding proteins. At present, to our
knowledge there is no rapid in vivo assay
for DNA binding proteins.
DISADVANTAGES:
At present, we have tested only parts of
this invention while other parts will be
tested in the coming weeks. Thus we have
not tested all of the components of the
system together at the time of this disclosure.
Present assays for DNA binding proteins
have been tested In a number of systems.
PATENT STATUS:
Patent application is being finalized
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