Testing methods are provided for determining whether given candidate compounds are effective for regulating NF-&kgr;B, JNK and apoptosis cell activities. The methods involve forming a mixture including a compound such as a proteinaceous specie containing two death effector domains (DEDs) or structural or functional homologs and analogs thereof, the candidate compound and a binding target capable of specifically binding to at least one of the DEDs. This mixture is incubated under conditions such that, but for the presence of the candidate compound, the cell activity takes place to a determinable extent. After incubation, the activity is determined and is compared with the determinable extent thereof in the absence of the candidate compound. The assays may be carried out intracellularly or in a cell- free assay. Methods for altering NF-&kgr;B, JNK and apoptosis activities in the cell are also provided, and comprise introducing into the cell an activity- regulating amount of a dual DEDs-containing proteinaceous specie.
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