Method of identifying a gene product

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of identifying a gene product. The method comprises providing a multiplicity of cells comprising a first gene product. Preferably, the first gene product is produced in the multiplicity of cells by expressing a first exogenous nucleic acid sequence encoding the first gene product. A library of second nucleic acid sequences encoding second gene products is then introduced into the multiplicity of cells. The second nucleic acid sequences are expressed in the multiplicity of cells to produce the second gene products such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact. The method further comprises causing a complex to form between the first gene product, an affinity molecule that binds the first gene product, and at least one of the second gene products, and subsequently retrieving the complex. At least one second gene product of the complex then is identified.

1 . A method of identifying a gene product, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) providing a multiplicity of cells comprising a first gene product;    (b) introducing into the multiplicity of cells a library of second nucleic acid sequences encoding second gene products;    (c) expressing the second nucleic acid sequences to produce the second gene products such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact;    (d) causing at least one complex to form between the first gene product, an affinity molecule, and at least one of the second gene products;    (e) retrieving the complex; and    (f) identifying at least one second gene product of the complex.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gene product is produced in the multiplicity of cells via expression of a first exogenous nucleic acid sequence encoding the first gene product.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is present in a plasmid.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is present in a viral vector.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the viral vector is an adenoviral vector.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second nucleic acid sequence is present in a plasmid.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second nucleic acid sequence is present in a viral vector.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the viral vector is an adenoviral vector.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying at least one second gene product of the complex comprises dissociating the complex between the first gene product, the affinity molecule, and at least one of the second gene products such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products remain intact.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying at least one second gene product of the complex comprises: 
 (f1) producing charged fragments from at least a portion of the complex;    (f2) detecting the charged fragments by a detector which produces a signal corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of the charged fragments and comprising information characteristic of at least one of the second gene products; and    (f3) evaluating the signal to identify at least one of the second gene products.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the affinity molecule is fixed to a solid support.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solid support is a bead or an affinity column.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein identifying at least one second gene product of the complex comprises dissociating the complex between the first gene product, the affinity molecule, and at least one of the second gene products such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products remain intact.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein identifying at least one second gene product of the complex comprises: 
 (f1) producing charged fragments from at least a portion of the complex;    (f2) detecting the charged fragments by a detector which produces a signal corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of the charged fragments and comprising information characteristic of at least one of the second gene products; and    (f3) evaluating the signal to identify at least one of the second gene products.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising (g) identifying the second nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one of the second gene products.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact intracellularly.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gene product and/or at least one of the second gene products are secreted from the multiplicity of cells and the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact extracellularly.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gene product comprises a heterologous portion which associates with an affinity molecule.  
     
     
         19 . A method of identifying a gene product, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) providing a viral vector comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first gene product;    (b) providing a library of viral vectors, wherein each viral vector of the library comprises a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a second gene product;    (c) transducing a multiplicity of host cells with the viral vector comprising the first nucleic acid sequence and the library of viral vectors comprising second nucleic acid sequences, wherein the host cells are permissive for expression of the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequences and production of the first gene product and the second gene products;    (d) expressing the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequences such that the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact;    (e) causing at least one complex to form between the first gene product, an affinity molecule, and at least one of the second gene products;    (f) retrieving the formed complex; and    (g) identifying at least one second gene product of the complex.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact intracellularly.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first gene product and/or at least one of the second gene products are secreted from the multiplicity of cells and the first gene product and at least one of the second gene products contact extracellularly.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first gene product comprises a heterologous portion which associates with an affinity molecule.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the viral vectors are adenoviral vectors.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein identifying at least one second gene product of the complex comprises: 
 (g1) producing charged fragments from at least a portion of the complex;    (g2) detecting the charged fragments by a detector which produces a signal corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of the charged fragments and comprising information characteristic of at least one of the second gene products; and    (g3) evaluating the signal to identify at least one of the second gene products.