NU 2011-160
Inventors
Takeshi Shimi
Robert Goldman*
Stephen Adam
Short Description
Novel protein found in intermediate nuclear filaments as a biomarker for replicative senescence
Abstract
Northwestern researchers have identified a novel biomarker for replicative senescence, a state where cell division ceases. The novel biomarker, lamin B1 (LB1), is a nuclear protein critical for maintenance of cellular proliferation. Monitoring LB1 levels can be used to assess the replicative status of cells in culture or from patient samples as a diagnostic for age-related diseases. The assessment of cell viability is essential for routine experimentation in many fields of biology. Furthermore, aberrant replication of cells is the cause of several human diseases such as progeria and cancer. Identifying cells that enter senescence by monitoring LB1 levels is less laborious compared to currently available molecular biology techniques. Further, the method is applicable to a wide range of cell types. Prof. Goldman and colleagues have also developed highly specific antibodies to differentiate between all three nuclear lamin isoforms (A, B and C), which can be used to further study how the proteins modulate cell division in mammalian cells.
Applications
Advantages
Publications
Shimi T, Butin-Israeli V, Adam SA, Hamanaka RB, Goldman AE, Lucas CA, Shumaker DK, Kosak ST, Chandel NS, Goldman RD (2011) The Role of Nuclear Lamin B1 in Cell Proliferation and Senescence. Genes & Development. 24: 2579-93.
IP Status
Issued US Patent No. 9,383,357