PEPTIDES THAT BIND TO DNA AND INHIBIT DNA REPLICATION, AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Isolated peptides are provided that span the Simian Virus 40 DNA region of the T-ag (or the Bovine Papillomavirus E1 protein) centered on position Thr124 (or Thr102, respectively), which include regulatory motifs, such as the nuclear localization signal (NLS) and the consensus recognition site for cyclin-Cdk kinases. When unphosphorylated, peptides derived from this region bind to DNA and inhibit T-ag assembly. Upon phosphorylation at Thr124 (or Thr102), these peptides neither bind to DNA nor to inhibit T-ag assembly. These forms of regulation of DNA replication and T-ag assembly provide a novel target, and provide screens for anti-viral agents, and for gene therapy.