Compositions and assays utilizing adp or phosphate for detecting protein modulators

Abstract

Described herein are methods which identify candidate agents as binding to a protein or as a modulator of the binding characteristics or biological activity of a protein. Generally, the methods involve the use of ADP or phosphate. The assays can be used in a high throughput system to obviate the cumbersome steps of using gels or radioactive materials.

1 . A method of identifying a candidate agent as a modulator of the function of a target protein, said method comprises:
 a) adding a candidate agent to a mixture comprising the target protein that directly or indirectly produces ADP or phosphate under conditions that normally allow the production of ADP or phosphate;   b) subjecting the mixture to an enzymatic reaction that uses said ADP or phosphate as a substrate under conditions that normally allow the ADP or phosphate to be utilized; and   c) determining the level of activity of the enzymatic reaction wherein a change in said level between the presence and absence of said candidate agent indicates that said candidate agent is a modulator of said target protein function.   
   
   
       2 - 26 . (canceled)