Melanoma differentiation associated gene - 5 and promoter and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid encoding Mda-5 (melanoma differentiation associated gene-5) and an isolated Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid encoding Mda-5, as well as a host cell comprising the vector. The invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to an Mda-5 polypeptide. The invention further provides a method for determining whether a compound is an inducer of Mda-5 gene expression and assays to determine whether a compound modifies the enzymatic activity of the Mda-5 polypeptide.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
     
     
         36 . A melanoma differentiation associated gene-5 protein having SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         37 . A cell containing a nucleic acid sequence comprising a MDA-5 promoter linked to a heterologous reporter gene.  
     
     
         38 . A method for identifying compounds that effect regulation of MDA-5 expression, comprising testing for the ability of a compound to activate reporter gene expression in a reporter cell containing a nucleic acid sequence comprising a MDA-5 promoter linked to a heterologous reporter gene, wherein an increased level of expression of reporter gene indicates that the compound is an interferon agonist.