Available Technology
Selectively degrading specific cellular proteins
Technology:
Novel method to control the level of expression of proteins
Markets Addressed
Applications of this technology:
-Research tool
-Protein knockout technology
Innovations and Advantages
In order to study the role of specific proteins in cellular processes, researchers use a variety of techniques, including gene knockout, antisense, and RNA interference technologies. These technologies are limited in their all or nothing nature - they do not permit a low level of expression.
Harvard Medical School researchers have developed a novel method to control the level of expression of proteins. This method uses the SCF ubiquitin-protolytic machinery within a cell to target the degradation of specific intracellular proteins. The target proteins are modified by the insertion of domains that are recognized by the cell's endogenous ubiquitin proteolytic proteins. This method allows researchers to selectively degrade proteins that would otherwise be physiologically stable.
Advantages of this technology:
-Allows limited level of expression
-Potential to fine tune the steady state level of a specific protein
Additional Information
Intellectual Property Status: Issued U.S. patent nos.: 7,223,556
Tweet
Inventor(s):
Howley, Peter M.
Zhou, Pengbo
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Michal Preminger, Director of Business Development
(617) 432-0920
Reference Harvard Case #1534