Robert L Lester

US Patent:

58693041, Feb 9, 1999

Filed:

Oct 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/321670

Inventors:

Robert C. Dickson - Lexington KY
Robert L. Lester - Lexington KY
M. Marek Nagiec - Lexington KY

Assignee:

University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

C12N 1563
C07H 2104

US Classification:

4351723

Abstract:

A method for specifying a fatty acid at the sn2 position of acylglycerol lipids including (a) transfecting a vector including the SLC1 gene or a variant thereof into embryonic biological material, and (b) allowing the SLC1 gene to specify the type of fatty acid at the sn2 position of acylglycerol lipids. Also provided for is an isolated SLC1 gene and a probe for its detection.

US Patent:

60226846, Feb 8, 2000

Filed:

Oct 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/944594

Inventors:

Jeffrey Radding - Carmel IN
Robert C. Dickson - Lexington KY
Robert L. Lester - Lexington KY

Assignee:

University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY
Eli Lilly and Company - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

C12Q 100
C12Q 102

US Classification:

435 4

Abstract:

The presently-disclosed IPC synthase-inhibitor assays comprise the steps of: (1) expression of the IPC1 gene in a cell; (2) introducing labeled starting substrates for ceramide conversion as well as potential inhibitor(s) of such conversion to the expressed gene product in an environment which allows time and conditions for conversion, and (3) identifying those potential inhibitors which actually inhibit conversion. The present invention also provides methods to determine the ability of a test compound to inhibit fungal growth, comprising the steps of (1) presenting active inositolphosophotidylceramide synthase in a manner such that synthesis of inositolphosphotidylceramide can occur; (2) introducing ceramide and phosphotylinositol, said ceramide or phosphatidylinositol carrying label for identification; (3) subjecting said active inositolphosophotidylceramide synthase, ceramide and phosphotylinositol to ordinary conditions necessary for ceramide conversion to phosphoinositol ceramide; and (4) identifying those test compounds which inhibit ceramide conversion to phosphoinositol ceramide.

US Patent:

55830307, Dec 10, 1996

Filed:

Dec 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/365981

Inventors:

Robert C. Dickson - Lexington KY
Robert L. Lester - Lexington KY

Assignee:

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation - Lexington KY

International Classification:

C12N 115
C12N 119
C12N 121
C12N 510
C12N 1554
C12N 1563

US Classification:

4352401

Abstract:

The invention provides the LCB1 and LCB2 genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that encode subunits of the enzyme serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), the first enzyme leading to synthesis of the long-base component of the sphingolipids. The present specification describes the isolation of the LCB1 and LCB2 genes. The invention further relates to methods of using these genes to either inhibit SPT activity or to inhibit synthesis of the enzyme. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for constructing strains of S. cerevisiae or other organisms that can be used to select and to test for compounds that either inhibit SPT activity or to inhibit synthesis of the enzyme.