Exelixis Patent Grants

Drosophila homologues of genes and proteins implicated in cancer and methods of use

Granted: June 17, 2003
Patent Number: 6579701
Novel nucleic acids that are homologs of genes implicated in cancer are described that have been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. These novel nucleic acids can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects and worms, or cultured cells, resulting in novel gene expression or mis-expression. The genetically modified organisms or cells can be used in screening assays to identify candidate compounds which are potential pesticidal agents or therapeutics…

Development of resistance to raspberry bushy dwarf virus

Granted: April 15, 2003
Patent Number: 6548742
The present invention relates to isolated Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV) nucleic acid sequences which encode RBDV coat and movement proteins or polypeptides and mutant or modified forms thereof. The invention further relates to heterologous nucleic acid constructs, vectors, transformation methods, plant cells and plants comprising such RBDV-encoding nucleic acids and methods for inducing resistance to RBDV by transforming plants with a nucleic acid construct comprising RBDV protein…

Methods for identifying anti-cancer drug targets

Granted: March 11, 2003
Patent Number: 6531644
Methods, transformation constructs, and transgenic animals for identifying anti-tumor agents and anti-tumor drug targets are described. The transformation constructs are used to generate transgenic animals that have altered expression of an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in a target tissue that is dispensable for viability and reproduction. In some embodiments, the altered expression results in abnormal proliferation of the target tissue and normal proliferation in all other tissues.…

Universal markers of transgenesis

Granted: February 11, 2003
Patent Number: 6518481
The invention relates to methods, cells and nucleic acids for making transgenic animals. The methods generally comprise introducing into a genome of an animal a genetic construct comprising a transcriptional regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous marker gene encoding a marker, wherein the element drives expression of the marker across genera transgenic in the construct sufficient to visually detect the marker in photoreceptive cells or organs, and selecting for transgenesis…

Human ECT2 polypeptide

Granted: February 4, 2003
Patent Number: 6515109
Human Ect2 polypeptide, fragments and derivatives, along with vectors and host cells for expression and production of Ect2 polypeptide are provided. Various methods of screening for agents that modulate interaction of Ect2 with an Ect2 binding agent, including high throughput methods, are also provided.

Nucleic acids and polypeptides of invertebrate TWIK channels and methods of use

Granted: January 28, 2003
Patent Number: 6511824
Tandem pore domain weak inward rectifying K+ (TWIK) channel nucleic acids and proteins that have been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster and Leptinotarsa are described. The TWIK channel nucleic acids and proteins can be used to genetically modify metazoan invertebrate organisms, such as insects, coelomates, and pseudocoelomates, or cultured cells, resulting in TWIK channel expression or mis-expression. The genetically modified organisms or cells can be used in screening assays to…

Methods for identifying anti-cancer drug targets

Granted: December 3, 2002
Patent Number: 6489127
Methods, transformation constructs, and transgenic animals for identifying anti-tumor agents and anti-tumor drug targets are described. The transformation constructs are used to generate transgenic animals that have altered expression of an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in a target tissue that is dispensable for viability and reproduction. In some embodiments, the altered expression results in abnormal proliferation of the target tissue and normal proliferation in all other tissues.…

Nucleic acids and proteins of D. melanogaster insulin-like genes and uses thereof

Granted: October 22, 2002
Patent Number: 6468770
The present invention relates to D. melangaster insulin-like genes and methods for identifying insulin-like genes. The methods provide nucleotide sequences of D. melangaster insulin-like genes, amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, and derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of insulin-like proteins which comprise one or more domains of an insulin-like protein. Antibodies to an…

Brassinosteroid analogs useful as plant growth regulators

Granted: May 29, 2001
Patent Number: 6239073
Disclosed are compositions and methods for promoting plant growth. The compounds are cyclopropyl-, cyclobutyl-, and cyclopentyl-substituted brassinosteroids having high growth promoting ability. They may be used alone or in combination with other plant growth regulating agents.

Semaphorin K1

Granted: May 1, 2001
Patent Number: 6225285
The invention provides methods and compositions relating to semaphorin K1 (sema K1) polypeptides which regulate cellular guidance and physiology, and related nucleic acids. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed sema K1 encoding nucleic acids or purified from human cells. The invention provides isolated sema K1 hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed sema K1 genes, sema K1-specific…

Polynucleotide encoding human netrin-1

Granted: April 17, 2001
Patent Number: 6218526
Specific netrin proteins, nucleic acids which encode netrin proteins and hybridization reagents, probes and primers capable of hybridizing with netrin genes and methods for screening chemical libraries for lead compounds for pharmacological agents useful in the diagnosis or treatment of disease associated undesirable cell growth are provided. An exemplary screen involves forming a mixture comprising a recombinant netrin protein, a natural intracellular netrin protein binding target, and…