Available Technology
Modular conditional knockout: Precise temporal control of protein degradation in living cells
Technology:
Methods for directed, conditional degradation of proteins, both in vitro and in vivo
Markets Addressed
Controlled drug delivery; research tool; protein manufacturing.
Innovations and Advantages
Polyubiquitinated proteins in eukaryotes are directed to the proteasome for degradation. It is generally accepted that proteasome-mediated proteolysis depends strictly upon ubiquitination, as disruption of that process has been observed to halt proteolytic activity of the proteasome. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made the striking observation that a non-ubiquitinated protein, if linked to the proteasome complex, will undergo efficient degradation. The invention provides methods for directed, conditional degradation of proteins, both in vitro and in vivo.
Additional Information
Intellectual Property Status: Useful in both research and therapeutic applications (e.g., timed inactivation of a therapeutic protein), the invention is available for field-exclusive or non-exclusive license. U.S. and foreign patent rights are available.
Publication:
Janse et al., 2004, "Localization to the Proteasome is Sufficient for Degradation", J. Biol. Chem. 279(20): 21415-20.
PDF of accepted manuscript available here.
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Inventor(s):
Church, George M.
Janse, Daniel M.
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Maryanne Fenerjian, Director of Business Development
(617) 432-0920
Reference Harvard Case #2261