In accordance with the present invention, there are provided selection systems and methods for screening for agents that control splicing of inteins in their native
host protein (extein) or in homologous exteins. Specifically, there are provided positive
genetic selection systems for the screening of agents which inhibit or activate
protein splicing which comprise: a host
cell containing a chromosomal
gene encoding either a
drug-resistant form of a target
enzyme or a wild-type target
enzyme, and a
plasmid-borne
gene encoding either a
drug-sensitive form of the target
enzyme, which is dominantly cytotoxic upon interaction with the
drug, or a dominantly cytotoxic form of the target enzyme. In these systems the
plasmid-borne
gene contains an
intein, and the inhibition or activation of splicing of the dominant cytotoxic form of the target enzyme by a given
reagent results in the survival or death of the host
cell. More specifically, positive
genetic selection systems which utilize the M. xenopi GyrA
intein or M.
tuberculosis DnaB
helicase intein are provided. Similar reporter systems utilizing native or homologous exteins and systems utilizing controllable inteins are provided, as are methods of controlling
in vivo expression of proteins by modulating
protein splicing with inhibiting or activating agents, and methods of controlling the delivery of proteinaceous drugs
in vivo by modulating
protein splicing.