A DNA microarray that becomes a protein microarray on demand and provides an efficient systematic approach to the study of protein interactions and drug target identification and validation.

Protein microarrays are becoming an indispensable biomedical tool to facilitate rapid high-throughput detection of protein-protein, protein-drug and protein-DNA interactions for large groups of proteins. The novel Protein Microarray of this invention is essentially a DNA microarray that becomes a protein microarray on demand and provides an efficient systematic approach to the study of protein interactions and drug target identification and validation, thereby speeding up the discovery process. The technology allows a large number of proteins to be synthesized and immobilized at their individual site of expression on an ordered array without the need for protein purification. As a result, proteins are ready for subsequent use in binding studies and other analysis. The Protein Microarray is based on high affinity and high specificity of the protein-nucleic acid interaction of the Tus protein and the Ter site of E. coli. The DNA templates are arrayed on the microarray to perform dual function: (1) synthesizing the protein in situ (cell-free protein synthesis) in the array and (2) at the same time capturing the protein it synthesizes by DNA-protein interaction. This method utilizes an expression vector containing a DNA sequence which serves a dual purpose: (a) encoding proteins of interest fused to the Tus protein for in vitro synthesis of the protein and (b) encoding the Ter sequence, which captures the fusion protein through the high affinity interaction with the Tus protein. Applications: (1) Simultaneous analysis of interactions of many proteins with other proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, lipids, drugs, etc, in a single experiment; (2) Efficient discovery of novel drugs and drug targets

Early Stage

U.S. Patent Application No. 11/252,735 filed 19 Oct 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-244-2005/0-US-01) Inventors: Deb K. Chatterjee, Kalavathy Sitaraman, James L. Hartley, David J. Munroe, Cassio Baptista (NCI)

Licensees sought: Available for non-exclusive or exclusive licensing. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute Protein Expression Laboratory is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize in vitro assembly of protein microarrays. Please contact Betty Tong at +1 301 594 4263 or tongb@mail.nih.gov for more information.