The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding IκB kinase (IKK) catalytic subunit polypeptides, which are associated with an IKK serine protein kinase that phosphorylates a protein (IκB) that inhibits the activity of the NF-κB transcription factor, vectors comprising such nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing such vectors. In addition, the invention provides nucleotide sequences that can bind to a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, such nucleotide sequences being useful as probes or as antisense molecules. The invention also provides isolated IKK catalytic subunits, which can phosphorylate an IκB protein, and peptide portions of such IKK subunit. In addition, the invention provides anti-IKK antibodies, which specifically bind to an IKK complex or an IKK catalytic subunit, and IKK-binding fragments of such antibodies. The invention further provides methods of substantially purifying an IKK complex, methods of identifying an agent that can alter the association of an IKK complex or an IKK catalytic subunit with a second protein, and methods of identifying proteins that can interact with an IKK complex or an IKK catalytic subunit.

Ikb kinase, subunits thereof, and methods of using same

The present invention relates, in general, to a kinase which in its activated state is capable of site-specific phosphorylation of IλBα, IλBα kinase. In particular, the present invention relates to the purified kinase, purified polypeptide subunits of the kinase, nucleic acid molecules coding for the purified polypeptide subunits; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to the kinase or its polypeptide subunits; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of the nucleic acid encoding the kinase; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding the kinase or polypeptides of the kinase in a sample; and kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess, or prognose a mammal afflicted with an undesired activation of NF-λB. This invention also relates to ligands, agonists, and antagonists of the kinase, and diagnostic and therapeutic uses thereof. This invention also relates to bioassays using the kinase or polypeptides of the kinase of this invention to identify ligands, agonists, and antagonists. More specifically, this invention relates to selective inhibitors of the kinase and to structure-based design of ligands, agonists, and antagonists of the kinase. This invention further relates to gene therapy using the nucleic acids of the invention.

A KINASE CAPABLE OF SITE-SPECIFIC PHOSPHORYLATION OF I-kappa-B-alpha

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to an IκB kinase, IKK-α, and related nucleic acids. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed IKK-α encoding nucleic acids or purified from human cells. The invention provides isolated IKK-α hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed IKK-α genes, IKK-α-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.

IKK-alpha proteins, nucleic acids and methods

The invention provides methods for the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by increased phosphorylation, such as inflammation and cancer. The invention also provides methods for the inhibition of increased phosphorylation in cells, tissues and organs. The methods utilize a phosphate acceptor compound (PAC). The invention also provides products comprising a PAC.

Treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by increased phosphorylation

Compositions and methods are provided for treating NF-κB-related conditions. In particular, the invention provides a stimulus-inducible IKK signalsome, and components and variants thereof. An IKK signalsome or component thereof may be used, for example, to identify antibodies and other modulating agents that inhibit or activate signal transduction via the NF-κB cascade. IKK signalsome, components thereof and/or modulating agents may also be used for the treatment of diseases associated with NF-κB activation.

Stimulus-inducible protein kinase complex and methods of use therefor

The present invention provides a substantially purified nucleic acid molecule encoding a serine protein kinase (IκB kinase) that phosphorylates a protein (IκB) that inhibits the activity of the NF-κB transcription factor, vectors comprising such a nucleic acid molecule and host cells containing such vectors. In addition, the invention provides nucleotide sequences that can bind to a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, such nucleotide sequences being useful as probes or as antisense molecules. The invention also provides a substantially purified IκB kinase, which is a polypeptide that can phosphorylate an IκB protein, and peptide portions of the IκB kinase. In addition, the invention provides anti-IκB kinase antibodies, which specifically bind to an IκB kinase, and IκB kinase-binding fragments of such antibodies. The invention further provides methods of substantially purifying an IκB kinase, methods of identifying an agent that can alter the association of an IκB kinase with a second protein, and methods of identifying proteins that can interact with an IκB kinase.

Joseph A. DiDonato

Papers

IKB kinase and methods of using same

IκB Kinase-β (IKKβ) binding antibodies and methods of using same