Invention:
This invention operates by utilizing equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) proteins for the study of cellular processes and other varieties of pharmacological research. Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed ENT1 and ENT2 functional knockout cell lines that lack the ability to transport nucleosides normally, which can be useful for studying the role of these transporters in cellular processes or for testing the effects of drugs that interact with them.
Background:
Equilibrium nucleoside transporter proteins reside in the cellular membrane of a variety of tissue and cell types. There are four known human ENTs, designated ENT1, ENT2, ENT3, and ENT4. These proteins aid in regulation of transportation of critical nucleosides along with other therapeutic analogs (drugs). The use of these ENT1 and ENT2 functional knockout cell lines allows for a deeper understanding of a critical cellular process within the human body, allowing for cellular testing experiments or drug-focused pharmacological research where protein interaction can be studied in a more functional manner.
Applications:
- Pharmacological research
- Cellular process research
- Research on protein functions and drug interaction
Advantages:
- Allows for deeper understanding of protein functions
- Method of testing drug interaction with human proteins
- Natural research opportunities
