Universal method for detecting interactions between RNA molecules and RNA binding proteins

摘要

It has been discovered that a single set of conditions can be used to detect nearly every interaction of RNA binding proteins and RNA molecules. Prior to this discovery it was thought that each specific interaction required separate optimized conditions in order to be detected. Assays employing the disclosed universal conditions are useful for identifying RNA binding proteins that interact with specific RNA molecules of interest, detecting RNA molecules that interact with specific RNA binding proteins of interest, identifying RNA binding proteins active in certain cell types and under certain physiological conditions, identifying specific regions of an RNA molecule that interact with RNA binding proteins. Such assays are useful as a research tool for identifying targets for drug discovery, identifying altered or defective RNA/RBP interactions associated with disease conditions, and in screening assays to identify compounds that modulate RNA/RBP interactions of interest.