p53 as a regulator of cell differentiation
First Claim
1. A method of screening for agents that inhibit a block of p53-related embryonic cell differentiation comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing an isolated, undifferentiated embryonic cell;
(ii) blocking the function of p53 in said cell such that said cell fails to differentiate;
(iii) contacting said cell with a candidate agent; and
(iv) comparing the differentiation of said contacted cell after said contacting with the differentiation of said cell in the absence of said candidate agent;
whereby an increase in differentiation indicates that said candidate agent is an inhibitor of the block of p53-related differentiation.
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Abstract
The present invention involves the role of p53 in the differentiation of embryonic tissues. More particularly, the present invention provides methods of the blocking of p53 function in embryonic tissues, and the use of these tissues as screening tools for substances that are capable of overcoming the p53-related block in differentation, both in vitro and in vivo. The similarities between undifferentiated embryonic cells and tumor cells is evident, and thus these assays serve as a model for possible cancer therapeutics. In addition, methods for identifying additional cellular components that interact p53 or p53-related pathways are provided.
4 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of screening for agents that inhibit a block of p53-related embryonic cell differentiation comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing an isolated, undifferentiated embryonic cell;
(ii) blocking the function of p53 in said cell such that said cell fails to differentiate;
(iii) contacting said cell with a candidate agent; and
(iv) comparing the differentiation of said contacted cell after said contacting with the differentiation of said cell in the absence of said candidate agent;
whereby an increase in differentiation indicates that said candidate agent is an inhibitor of the block of p53-related differentiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification