Novel c. elegans p21-activated kinase (pak) gene and associated loss-of-function phenotypes that facilitate screening for small molecule modulators of pak activity in the nematode, caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

The invention refers to a novel C. elegans p21-activated kinase gene, the pak-3 gene, and associated loss-of-function phenotypes. These phenotypes can be used to elucidate PAK signaling pathways in C. elegans and to screen compounds that modulate PAK signaling.

1 . An isolated protein which is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence comprising SEQ ID NO. 1. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated protein as claimed in  claim 1  which comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 7. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated protein as claimed in  claim 1  which exhibits the activity of a pak-3a protein. 
     
     
         4 . An assay for identifying a compound which binds to the pak-3a protein wherein
 a] a pak-3a protein is provided,   b] a compound is provided,   c] the pak-3a protein and the compound are brought in contact, and   d] the binding of the chemical compound to the pak-3a protein is determined and/or the activity of the pak-3a protein is determined.   
     
     
         5 . The assay as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein step a] consists of providing a host cell which is expressing a pak-3a protein and step c] consists of bringing in contact the host cell with the compound. 
     
     
         6 . The assay as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the compound is inactivating, or activating, or maintaining the activity of a pak-3a protein.