Muc1 and galectin-3

Abstract

The invention provides methods of identifying and making compounds that inhibit the interaction between MUC1 and galectin-3. Also embraced by the invention are in vivo and in vitro methods of inhibiting such an interaction and of inhibiting the expression of galectin-3 by a cell.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of inhibiting the association of MUC1 with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a cancer cell that expresses MUC1, the method comprising:
 contacting the cancer cell with a compound that inhibits binding of galectin-3 to the extracellular domain of MUC1-C.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the compound comprises a peptide fragment of MUC1-C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the compound comprises a peptide fragment of the extracellular domain of MUC1-C. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the compound is a polypeptide comprising a peptide fragment of the extracellular domain of MUC1-C fused to an immunoglobulin Fc region. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the compound is an antibody, or an antibody fragment, that binds to or the extracellular domain of MUC1-C. 
     
     
         22 . A method of inhibiting activation of galectin-3 expression in a cancer cell that expresses MUC1, the method comprising:
 contacting the cancer cell with a compound that inhibits activation of galectin-3 expression by MUC1.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the compound comprises a nucleic acid having the sequence of miR-322. 
     
     
         24 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of claim  31 , wherein the small molecule comprises a nucleic acid aptamer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of claim  31 , wherein the small molecule consists of a nucleic acid aptamer. 
     
     
         34 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A method of inhibiting expression of galectin-3 in a cancer cell that expresses MUC1, the method comprising:
 (a) identifying a subject as having a cancer comprising a cancer cell that expresses MUC1; and   (b) introducing into the cell a nucleic acid that inhibits the expression of MUC1.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the nucleic acid is an antisense nucleic acid, a small interfering RNA (siRNA), or a nucleic acid that directs the expression of an antisense nucleic acid or siRNA. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the introducing step comprises administration of the nucleic acid to the cancer cell and uptake of the nucleic acid by the cancer cell. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the introducing step comprises administering to a subject mammalian subject, and uptake by the cancer cell of, a nucleic acid: (i) from which sense and anti-sense strands of the siRNA can be transcribed under the direction of separate IREs; or (ii) from which both sense and anti-sense strands of the siRNA can be transcribed under the direction of a single TRE. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the subject is a human patient. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the cancer cell is a breast cancer cell. 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method of promoting apoptosis of a cell, the method comprising:
 determining whether the cell expresses MUC1; and   if the cell expresses MUC1, contacting the cell with a compound that inhibits phosphorylation of galectin-3 by casein kinase 1.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell.