Inventors:
Michael E. Mendelsohn - Wellesley MA, US
Howard K. Surks - Newton MA, US
Assignee:
New England Medical Center Hospital, Inc. - Boston MA
International Classification:
A61K 38/16, C07H 21/04, C12N 9/16
US Classification:
536 235, 435 19, 435 691, 435 6, 4353201, 435325, 435196, 514 7, 514929, 514930, 536 232
Abstract:
The present invention relates to screening methods that make use of Myosin Phosphatase-Rho interacting Protein (M-RIP) for the identification of novel therapeutics for hypertension and hypertensive conditions. Also disclosed are methods for treating or preventing hypertension or hypertensive conditions by administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that reduces the level or activity of M-RIP. According to this invention, the agent decreases contractile and increases relaxant effects of smooth muscle cells, ultimately decreasing the systemic blood pressure of a mammal. For example, the agent may reduce binding of M-RIP to myosin phosphatase, RhoA, or both.