Uses of thioredoxin

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of thioredoxin as, inter alia, a cell growth stimulator, as well as a screen for agents that are useful in reducing or preventing thioredoxin-associated apoptosis inhibition and agents that are useful in inhibiting thioredoxin stimulated cell growth.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting tumor cell growth in a tumor cell that over-expresses thioredoxin comprising contacting said tumor cell with a cell growth inhibiting effective amount of an inhibitor of thioredoxin expression.  
     
     
         2 . A method of reducing inhibition of apoptosis in tumor cells that over-express thioredoxin comprising contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of an agent that inhibits thioredoxin.  
     
     
         3 . A method of identifying an agent that inhibits tumor cell growth in cells that over-express thioredoxin comprising 
 measuring thioredoxin expression in a first sample of said cells;    contacting a second sample of said cells with an agent to be tested;    measuring expression of thioredoxin in said second sample;    comparing expression of thioredoxin in said first sample and said second sample;    whereby a decrease in expression of thioredoxin in said second sample is indicative of an agent that inhibits tumor cell growth.    
     
     
         4 . A method of identifying an agent that reduces inhibition of apoptosis in a tumor cell that over-expresses thioredoxin comprising 
 measuring thioredoxin expression in a first sample of said cells;    contacting a second sample of said cells with an agent to be tested;    measuring expression of thioredoxin in said second sample;    comparing expression of thioredoxin in said first sample and said second sample;    whereby a decrease in expression of thioredoxin in said second sample is indicative of an agent that reduces inhibition of apoptosis.    
     
     
         5 . A method of identifying an agent that reduces inhibition of apoptosis in a tumor cell growth.  
     
     
         6 . A method of stimulating cell growth comprising introducing a nucleic acid encoding a human thioredoxin having Ser at amino acid reside 73 under conditions whereby said nucleic acid is expressed.  
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising an agent that is useful in reducing or eliminating thioredoxin-associated apoptosis inhibition and an acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising an agent that is useful in inhibiting thioredoxin stimulated cell growth and an acceptable carrier.