Use and Targeting of CD98 Light-Chain Proteins in Therapies for Thyroid Hormone Disorders
Description of Invention:
Thyroid hormone disorders are among the most common problems in the Western world. These include hypo- and hyper-thyroidism (including goiter), as well as obesity and developmental abnormalities caused by excess or deficient levels of thyroid hormones during pregnancy.
The NIH announces the discovery of a protein, which is a member of the CD98 light-chain permease family, which acts as a thyroid hormone transporter across vertebrate cell membranes. This protein provides a missing link in the chain by which thyroid hormones in the blood reach the cell nucleus. By utilizing the cDNA of this protein, genomic libraries can be screened for sequences capable of being used as primers for use in diagnostics. Also, by targeting this protein through drug discovery, new treatments for thyroid disorders may be found and developed.
Inventors:
Yun-Bo Shi (NICHD)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-054-2000/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/215,414 filed 30 Jun 2000
PCT Application No. PCT/US01/20843 filed 28 Jun 2001
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/307,063 filed 27 Nov 2002
Portfolios: Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine-Diagnostics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Tara L. Kirby Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4426
Email: tarak@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
