Cloning and Characterization of VIAF in Several Organisms
Description of Invention:
The process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, can be utilized to eliminate unwanted cells, and it can occur during embryogenesis, turnover of senescent cells or metamorphosis. It can also be part of a defense mechanism against pathogens, e.g., viruses, by allowing the host organism to eliminate infected cells. In an attempt to circumvent this defense mechanism, pathogens can produce gene products that block these apoptotic pathways. For example, O. pseudotsugata expresses a family of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAP), and experimental data suggests that these IAPs can play a role in the protection from cellular apoptosis. This application claims nucleic acid and amino acid sequences corresponding to a viral IAP-associated factor, or VIAF. The gene and its product may enhance the anti-apoptotic properties of IAPs although the exact mechanism of this interaction is not clear. This technology could be used to treat disease states where VIAF is under-expressed, e.g., breast adenocarcinomas, where there is an over-expression of VIAF, e.g., neurodegenerative diseases and where apoptosis is undesired, e.g., AIDS and autoimmune diseases.
Inventors:
Colin S. Duckett and Bettina M. Richter (NCI)
