Lipoparticles comprising ion channels, methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of lipoparticles, virus-like particles, and viruses. The present invention also relates to testing ion channel function and modulators of ion channels.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A composition comprising a purified virus particle, the particle comprising an external lipid bilayer, a viral core protein, a selected ion conductor, and a membrane potential sensitive dye 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , further comprising a test compound. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the selected ion conductor is an ion channel polypeptide or an ionophore. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the selected ion conductor is an activated selected ion conductor. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 35 , further comprising a ligand that binds to the ion conductor. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 35 , further comprising a salt solution, wherein the solution is at an effective concentration to activate the selected ion conductor. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the membrane potential sensitive dye is di-4-ANEPPS, di-8-ANEPPS, rhodamine 421, oxonol VI, JC-1, DiSC3(5), CC2-DMPE, DiSBAC2(3), and DiSBAC4(3), DiSBAC(1)3, FMP-Blue, FMP-Red, VABSC-1, HLB 021-152, HLB 021-155, HLB 007-054, HLB 021-149, HLB 004-111, HLB 007-052, HLB 028-008, HLB 004-078, HLB 004-183, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the selected ion conductor is hERG, SCN5a, KCNQ1+minK, hERG+M1RP1, M2, 5HT3a, Shaker, KCNQ2+KCNQ3 or KCNQ1. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the viral core protein is an influenza core protein, HIV core protein, SIV core protein, MLV core protein, EIAV core protein, RSV core protein, VSV core protein, ALV core protein, or baculovirus core protein. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the ion channel polypeptide is a viral ion channel polypeptide or a non-viral ion channel polypeptide. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 44 , wherein the non-viral ion channel polypeptide is a eukaryotic ion channel polypeptide. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the ionophore is a protonophore. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the ionophore is valinomycin, SQiRP, FCCP, or ionomycin. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the virus particle is a virus-like particle. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 37 , wherein the virus particle is a virus-like particle. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the test compound known is amantadine or rimantadine. 
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the purified virus particle is purified from a cell.