Cellular kinases involved in Cytomegalovirus infection and their inhibition

• US 6,849,409 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axxima Pharmaceuticals AG (Agennix AG)
• Original Assignee: Axxima Pharmaceuticals AG (Agennix AG)
• Inventors: Habenberger, Peter, Stein-Gerlach, Matthias, Schubart, Daniel, Bevec, Dorian
• Primary Examiner(s): SALIMI, ALI REZA
• Application Number:
  US09/981,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20030082519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/335.1, 435/325, 435/91.33, 530/350
• US Class Current: 435/6.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/352 condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. methantheline cannabinoids A61K31/658
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/404 Indoles, e.g. pindolol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/437 the heterocyclic ring system containing a five-membered ring having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. indolizine, beta-carboline
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4439 containing a five-membered ring with nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. omeprazole nicotine A61K31/465
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4709 Non-condensed quinolines and containing further heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/517 ortho- or peri-condensed with carbocyclic ring systems, e.g. quinazoline, perimidine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/519 ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/5377 not condensed and containing further heterocyclic rings, e.g. timolol
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/18 Testing for antimicrobial activity of a material
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/485 involving kinase
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56994 Herpetoviridae, e.g. cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract

The role of certain cellular kinases active during Human Cytomegalovirus infection is disclosed. These cellular kinases are useful to detect HCMV infection, and can be used to screen for cellular kinase inhibitors. Cellular kinases inhibitors, which effectively downregulate these key cellular components, serve as effective therapeutics against HCMV infection.

Claims

1. Method for identifying compounds useful for treating and/or preventing Cytomegalovirus infection comprising:

a) contacting a test compound with cellular kinase RIP (SEQ ID NO;

     16); and

b) detecting a decrease in activity of said cellular kinase, wherein said decrease in activity of said cellular kinase indicates said test compound would be useful for treating and/or preventing CMV infection.