Methods for Identifying Functionally Related Genes and Drug Targets

Abstract

The identification and evaluation of mRNA and protein targets associated with mRNP complexes and implicated in the expression of proteins involved in common physiological pathways is described. Effective targets are useful for treating a disease, condition or disorder associated with the physiological pathway.

1 . A method of evaluating an effect of a test compound on a cell, the method comprising:
 a) contacting the cell with the test compound;   b) lysing the cell to produce a lysate;   c) isolating an mRNA-protein (mRNP) complexes from the lysate;   d) identifying RNAs en masse from the mRNP complexes;   f) comparing amounts of the RNAs identified in d) to those in a control, thereby evaluating the effect of the test compound on the cell.