Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound for inhibiting aggregation of proteins involved in diseases linked to protein aggregation and/or neurodegenerative diseases, comprising the steps of: (a) bringing into contact a labeled monomeric protein and a differently labeled aggregate of said protein in the (1) presence and (2) absence of a candidate inhibitor of aggregation, (b) determining the amount of co-localized labels, representing the extent of binding of the monomeric proteins to the aggregates of said protein; and (c) comparing the result obtained in the presence and absence of said compound, wherein a decrease of co-localized labels in the presence of said compound is indicative of the compound's ability to inhibit aggregation of said protein. Moreover, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing said inhibitor of aggregation as well as to a kit.

Abstract: A method of improving a phenotypic defect in a cell that contains a conformationally defective target protein wherein the conformational defect causes the phenotype defect, comprising contacting a first cell that expresses said conformationally defective target protein with an amount of a protein stabilizing agent that is effective to improve the conformational defect, thereby improving the phenotypic defect of the first cell in comparison with a second cell having the same conformationally defective target protein and phenotypic defect, wherein the second cell is not contacted with the protein stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A method of improving a phenotypic defect in a cell that contains a conformationally defective target protein wherein the conformational defect causes the phenotype defect, comprising contacting a first cell that expresses said conformationally defective target protein with an amount of a protein stabilizing agent that is effective to improve the conformational defect, thereby improving the phenotypic defect of the first cell in comparison with a second cell having the same conformationally defective target protein and phenotypic defect, wherein the second cell is not contacted with the protein stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A method of improving a phenotypic defect in a cell that contains a conformationally defective target protein wherein the conformational defect causes the phenotype defect, comprising contacting a first cell that expresses said confonnationally defective target protein with an amount of a protein stabilizing agent that is effective to improve the conformational defect, thereby improving the phenotypic defect of the first cell in comparison with a second cell having the same conformationally defective target protein and phenotypic defect, wherein the second cell is not contacted with the protein stabilizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving phenotypic defects that are caused by conformationally defective target proteins. The methods of the invention comprise exposing a cell that expresses a conformationally defective target protein with an amount of a protein stabilizing agent that is effective to improve the phenotypic defect. Nonlimiting examples of protein stabilizing agents include dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), deuterated water, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Nonlimiting examples of defective target proteins to be treated include the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein and prion proteins. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for detecting protein stabilizing agents. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for detecting cells and pathological conditions caused by improper folding and protein processing.