Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying inhibitors of mucin production, methods for inhibiting mucin production and methods for treating airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia and asthma. Compositions are provided for use in the method comprising reporter gene constructs which are inducible by mucomones.

Abstract: The invention provides a diagnostic method and kits for SCA III syndrome. The method comprises attaching a portion of SCA III gene containing copies of 73 trinucleotide(CAG) repeat units to a substrate; amplifying a DNA segment containing copies of the trinucleotide repeat units from the genomic DNA of a testee using two labeled primers under the suitable condition for carrying out polymerase chain reaction (PCR); hybridizing the gene with the PCR product by amplifying DNA segment; and analyzing the results of the hybridization. A SCA III patient can be effectively diagnosed by examining the increase extent of the number of the TNR characteristic of the disease-associated gene with the aid of reverse dot hybridization technique or PCR-MPH.