A METHOD OF IDENTIFYING CFTR-BINDING COMPOUNDS USEFUL FOR ACTIVATING CHLORIDE CONDUCTANCE IN ANIMAL CELLS

摘要

The present invention provides a method for identifying CFTR-binding compounds for treating cells with reduced Cl ⁻ mobility at the tip, such as cystic fibrosis cells. This identification method uses a polypeptide Ia that forms part of the CFTR protein. The present invention also provides a method of treating CF cells by contacting a cell with reduced Cl ⁻ mobility at the tip with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected by the method of the present invention. Preferred compounds for such treatment have little or no affinity for adenosine cell receptors. The present invention provides novel compounds useful for implementing the methods of the present invention, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds.