Genomatix Now Offers mDECOY Kinase Kits.

ROANOKE, Va. -- Genomatix Corporation has announced the availability of mDECOY(TM) Kinase kits containing vector combinations that are "built-to-order" based on researcher specifications. Kinase targets, subcellular locations, and other mDECOY(TM) vector options can now be selected and ordered online at http://www.genomatix.com.

Each mDECOY(TM) vector drives expression of a kinase-specific, mutant substrate decoy that can be localized to a specific subcellular domain. Knockdown of kinase activity is caused by competitive inhibition between the mutant decoy protein and the wild-type substrate of the targeted kinase. Intracellular localization is accomplished through fusion of a localization signal that concentrates the knockdown within a selected subcellular domain.

"There is growing evidence that a kinase often resides in multiple subcellular locations, either concurrently or transiently, and that phenotypic effects often differ based upon the location of its activity," said Thomas Reed, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer for Genomatix. "It should not be surprising that nature has conserved these complex enzymes by using spatial distribution to separate their participation in different cell signaling pathways and processes." Reed continued, "Pre-translational interference tools, such as siRNA, deliver their knockdown across all of the subcellular locations to which the targeted kinase was destined, which may cause confusing results or toxic effects. Our mDECOY(TM) method minimizes interference with other location-dependent interactions by localizing a post-translational mutant substrate inhibitor to a specific subcellular domain."

Genomatix has chosen a "build-to-order" kit approach because of the large combinatorial spectrum associated with mapping and characterizing many different location-dependent kinase effects. According to Robert Beech, Genomatix CEO, "There are over 500 identified kinases and hundreds of unique subcellular locations across many different cell types. Given the large number of potential combinations and research applications, we determined it was best to use our modular production system to assemble vector combinations on a per-order basis. Our online ordering system has a starting set of mutant substrate decoys and subcellular locations that can be selected to create hundreds of different mDECOY(TM) vector combinations. Additional mutant substrates and localization signals are in product development and will be added to the online ordering system over time. If needed, our Custom Services group can handle special requirements that fall outside the available online options."

Genomatix specializes in the production of subcellular modulation vectors. Its modular UltraVector(TM) system and NucleoBank(TM) components enable rapid combinatorial production of mDECOY(TM) vectors. Additional information about Genomatix is located on the company's website at www.genomatix.com.