PAK 2: modulators of lymphocyte activation

Abstract

The present invention relates to regulation of lymphocyte activation. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding PAK2, which is involved in modulation of lymphocyte activation. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and using agents, including small organic molecules, peptides, circular peptides, antibodies, lipids, antisense nucleic acids, and ribozymes, that modulate lymphocyte activation via modulation of PAK2; as well as to the use of expression profiles and compositions in diagnosis and therapy related to lymphocyte activation and suppression.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A method for identifying a compound that modulates T lymphocyte activation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (i) contacting the compound with a PAK2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof, the PAK2 polypeptide or fragment thereof comprising a polypeptide having at least 90% identity to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;    (ii) determining the effect of the compound upon the PAK2 polypeptide or fragment thereof in vitro using a kinase assay, thereby identifying a compound that modulates T lymphocyte activation.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the PAK2 polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the PAK2 polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the polypeptide is recombinant.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the PAK2 polypeptide is attached to a sold phase substrate.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the compound is an antibody.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the compound is an antisense molecule.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the compound is a small organic molecule.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the compound is a peptide  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the peptide is circular.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the peptide is a fragment of the PAK2 kinase domain.