Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for detecting the interaction of CFTR proteins. In one embodiment, the method can be used to determine whether one CFTR polypeptide interacts with a second CFTR polypeptide. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for screening for drugs or compositions that can restore or enhance interaction of CFTR proteins containing mutation(s) that reduce or prevent dimerization of the proteins. The assay of the present invention can be used to screen a large number of compounds in a high throughput format. The subject invention also pertains to host cells useful in the methods of the invention. The subject invention also concerns compositions and methods for treating patients afflicted with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for detecting the interaction of CFTR proteins. In one embodiment, the method can be used to determine whether one CFTR polypeptide interacts with a second CFTR polypeptide. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for screening for drugs or compositions that can restore or enhance interaction of CFTR proteins containing mutation(s) that reduce or prevent dimerization of the proteins. The assay of the present invention can be used to screen a large number of compounds in a high throughput format. The subject invention also pertains to host cells useful in the methods of the invention. The subject invention also concerns compositions and methods for treating patients afflicted with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for detecting the interaction of CFTR proteins. In one embodiment, the method can be used to determine whether one CFTR polypeptide interacts with a second CFTR polypeptide. The subject invention also concerns materials and methods for screening for drugs or compositions that can restore or enhance interaction of CFTR proteins containing mutation(s) that reduce or prevent dimerization of the proteins. The assay of the present invention can be used to screen a large number of compounds in a high throughput format. The subject invention also pertains to host cells useful in the methods of the invention. The subject invention also concerns compositions and methods for treating patients afflicted with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to mutated CFTR genes encoding modified CFTR proteins that result in increased CFTR chloride channel functions in comparison to wildtype CFTR when the CFTR genes are expressed in vivo. Single and multiple amino acid substitutions in a CFTR protein are contemplated in the present invention. The subject invention also concerns modified CFTR proteins encoded by the mutated genes of the invention. The subject invention also concerns methods for increasing CFTR chloride channel activity of a cell by delivering and expressing in the cell a polynucleotide or protein of the invention. The subject invention further concerns methods for treating patients with deficiencies in CFTR function. In one embodiment, the modified CFTR genes of the present invention can be used as a therapeutic agent delivered to CF cells by gene therapy.