Conductin - Diagnosis and Therapy of Tumour Diseases
Reference Number TO 03-00073
The Challenge
Wnt signalling has been described as a central pathway involved in the development of various tumours, in particular of colorectal and liver tumours. Within this pathway, beta-Catenin interacts in a complex manner with multiple protein partners, in particular with the LEF/TCF transcription factors, APC and Conductin. This interaction is a prerequisite for nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and the activation of gene expression of target genes otherwise silenced by LEF1/TCF-4.
One of the key modulator molecules of the Wnt signalling pathway is Conductin. This protein is known to balance the intracellular beta-catenin concentration by induction of its protein degradation, and thus regulates signal intensity and endurance of the beta-Catenin dependent signal transduction pathways.
In many tumours, Conductin expression is up-regulated reflecting the increased activity of the Wnt signalling pathway. Such phenomenon can also be observed in correlation with mutations within the Conductin protein, that lead to stabilization of beta-Catenin and its protein complexes with functional binding partners.
Deregulation of Conductin function appears to be an early event in the process of tumorigenesis. Thus, this protein represents an outstanding marker for the diagnosis of early tumour diseases and metastasis status of a tissue. Furthermore, modulators of the intracellular Conductin status might be interested targets for drug development.
The Technology
The technology provides the nucleic acid and protein sequences of Conductin. Those allow the identification and development of recognition molecules suitable for the diagnosis of tumour diseases. In particular, tools and methods for establishing expression profiling, as well as means for screening in the course of antibody or compound development are provided.
Commercial Opportunity
In-licensing opportunity for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutics in the field of cancer diseases.
Patent situation
Patent Applications based on the International Application WO 99/11780 are pending in the USA, Europe, and Canada.
Further Reading
Behrens et al., 198, Science, 280, 596 - 599
Lustig et al., 2002, Mol Cell Biol, 22(4), 1184 - 1193
