US 6,982,151 B1
Design of novel assays based on the newly found role of dystroglycan and alpha-dystroglycan proteolysis in tumor cell growth
Mina J. Bissell, Berkeley, Calif. (US); and John L. Muschler, Berkeley, Calif. (US)
Assigned to The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, Calif. (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/652,493.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/151766, filed on Aug. 31, 1999.
Int. Cl. G01N 33/577 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—7.23 13 Claims
 
1. A method for assaying mammalian cells to determine if tumor cells are present, comprising:
a. providing a sample of medium surrounding said mammalian cells, and
b. detecting the presence of a 120-130 kD fragment of α-dystroglycan in the medium, whereby the presence of the fragment indicates that tumor cells are present.