US 11,733,236 B2
Flattop (fltp) is a novel biomarker for beta cell maturation
Heiko Lickert, Munich (DE); Adriana Migliorini, Munich (DE); Moritz Gegg, Munich (DE); and Erik Bader, Munich (DE)
Assigned to Helmholtz Zentrum München—Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt (GMBH), Neuherberg (DE)
Filed by Helmholtz Zentrum München—Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg (DE)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/683,994.
Application 16/683,994 is a continuation of application No. 15/126,623, granted, now 10,520,494, previously published as PCT/EP2015/056664, filed on Mar. 26, 2015.
Claims priority of application No. 14161818 (EP), filed on Mar. 26, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2020/0141922 A1, May 7, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 33/50 (2006.01); C12Q 1/6881 (2018.01); G01N 33/569 (2006.01); G01N 33/68 (2006.01); A61K 38/17 (2006.01); C12N 5/071 (2010.01)
CPC G01N 33/507 (2013.01) [A61K 38/1709 (2013.01); C12N 5/0676 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6881 (2013.01); G01N 33/56966 (2013.01); G01N 33/6893 (2013.01); C12N 2501/00 (2013.01); C12N 2501/415 (2013.01); C12N 2501/727 (2013.01); C12Q 2600/158 (2013.01); G01N 2800/042 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
 
1. A method of identifying a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor β cells into mature β cells, the method comprising:
(a) contacting a cell population comprising immature progenitor β cells with a test compound; and
(b) subsequently determining the presence or expression level of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) in the β cells comprised in the cell population;
wherein the presence of Fltp, or an increased expression level of Fltp, in the β cells comprised in the cell population after the contacting with the test compound is indicative of a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor β cells into mature β cells, and wherein
(i) an Fltp fusion protein comprising a detectable moiety is used for determining the presence, absence, or expression level of Fltp, and wherein the expression of Fltp leads to concomitant expression of the detectable moiety; or
(ii) a detectable Fltp reporter protein is used for determining the presence, absence, or expression level of Fltp, and wherein the expression of the detectable reporter protein is under the control of the Fltp promoter.