Rhomboid Related Proteins (RRPs), involved in the EGFR signaling pathway,
are provided. Transgenic, nonhuman mammals containing a transgene encoding an RRP
polypeptide or a gene effecting the expression of an RRP polypeptide, along with
methods of modulating the interaction of RRP proteins with their pathway members,
and methods of screening for agents that modulate the interaction of an RRP polypeptide
with an RRP binding target, such as RRP-specific antibodies and small molecules
identified in high throughput screens, are also provided. Modulating agents identified
using the methods of the invention can be used to specifically inhibit growth of
tumor cells that overexpress an RRP protein.
