NK-2 homeobox transcription factor

Patent Number: 7,183,397

The NK-2 homeobox transcription factor family are responsible for tissue specification and are found in a variety of stem cells. The ability to modulate such transcription factors has numerous applications in the area of stem cells since such modulation could be used to guide differentiation into specific tissues.

The current patent claims the composition of matter for one such family member called “Novel NK-2 homeobox transcription factor (Nkx2-C4)”. The patent covers various peptides, as well as the use of the whole protein or peptides for screening purposes. No data is provided in terms of stem cell differentiation but this is implied.

View this patent on the USPTO website.