Abstract: Surprisingly, the present inventors have discovered that expression of TAT-030 protein in human patients is associated with cancer, and that the overexpressed protein is present in plasma membrane fractions. Thus, the present inventors have discovered that TAT-030 is associated with abnormal development and growth, and may be useful as a target for the identification of anti-cancer compounds, including antibodies for use in immunotherapy. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit TAT-030 expression or activity, comprising: contacting a candidate compound with a TAT-030 and detecting the presence or absence of binding between said compound and said TAT-030, or detecting a change in TAT-030 expression or activity. Methods are also included for the identification of compounds that modulate TAT-030 expression or activity, comprising: administering a compound to a cell or cell population, and detecting a change in TAT-030 expression or activity.

Abstract: Surprisingly, the present inventors have discovered that expression of TAT-031 protein in human patients is associated with cancer, and that the overexpressed protein is present in plasma membrane fractions. Thus, the present inventors have discovered that TAT-031 is associated with abnormal development and growth, and may be useful as a target for the identification of anti-cancer compounds, including antibodies for use in immunotherapy. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit TAT-031 expression or activity, comprising: contacting a candidate compound with a TAT-031 and detecting the presence or absence of binding between said compound and said TAT-031, or detecting a change in TAT-031 expression or activity. Methods are also included for the identification of compounds that modulate TAT-031 expression or activity, comprising: administering a compound to a cell or cell population, and detecting a change in TAT-031 expression or activity.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for identifying peptides that selectively bind to PrPSc or fragments thereof. The invention also features the use of such peptides in screening methods for the identification of candidate agents useful for the treatment of a prion disease.

Abstract: In general, the invention features antibodies specific for PrPSc and diagnostic, therapeutic, and decontamination uses thereof. The invention also features synthetic peptides useful as immunogens for generating antibodies specific for PrPSc and therapeutic for the treatment of prion diseases.

Abstract: Peptides are disclosed which specifically bind to PrPSc. Methods of identifying these peptides by sequence-independent and/or sequence-dependent screening assays are also disclosed. Various applications of the method and of the peptides identified are described, including their use for identifying drugs for treating prion diseases.