Functional probe library and apparatus for identifying the previously unidentified biological function of target proteins

摘要

Described is a functional probe library comprising a multiplicity of discrete compounds such as vitamins, coenzymes, metal chelators, metal ions, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, enzymes, steroids, amine hormones, alkaloids, generic drug molecules and compounds having amino acid residue functional groups, for determining at least one previously unidentified biological function of a target protein. The library has a sufficient diversity of compounds to determine at least one previously unidentified biological function of the target protein. The compounds are tested for their ability to modify the stability of the target protein and are compared with a list of compounds known to modify the stability of a group of proteins which share biological function. Also described is an assay apparatus comprising a heating block in contact with a microtitre plate, in which the samples comprising the target protein and one or more of a multiplicity of discrete compounds are placed. Also attached is a light source, a fluorescent emission sensor and a means for processing the spectral emission signal generated. The apparatus has the ability to detect the shift in the thermal unfolding curve of the target protein and the results are compared with the results from a list of compounds that are known to modify the stability of a group of proteins which share biological function.