AU1097500A - Human gene expressed in cancers of prostate, bladder, pancreas and colon, 36p1a6 - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 HUMAN GENE EXPRESSED IN CANCERS OF PROSTATE, BLADDER, PANCREAS AND COLON, 36P1A6 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein relates to a novel gene and its encoded protein, 5 termed 36P1A6, and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers which express 36P1A6, particularly including prostate, bladder, pancreatic, colon, cervical and ovarian cancers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Cancer is the second leading cause of human death next to coronary disease. Worldwide, millions of people die from cancer every year. In the United States alone, cancer causes the death of well over a half-million people annually, with some 1.4 million new cases diagnosed per year. While deaths from heart disease have been declining significantly, those resulting from cancer generally are on the rise. In the 15 early part of the next century, cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of death. Worldwide, several cancers stand out as the leading killers. In particular, carcinomas of the lung, prostate, breast, colon, pancreas, and ovary represent the primary causes 20 of cancer death. These and virtually all other carcinomas share a common lethal feature. With very few exceptions, metastatic disease from a carcinoma is fatal. Moreover, even for those cancer patients who initially survive their primary cancers, common experience has shown that their lives are dramatically altered. Many cancer patients experience strong anxieties driven by the awareness of the potential for 25 recurrence or treatment failure. Many cancer patients experience physical debilitations following treatment. Many cancer patients experience a recurrence. Generally speaking, the fundamental problem in the management of the deadliest cancers is the lack of effective and non-toxic systemic therapies. Molecular medicine 30 promises to redefine the ways in which these cancers are managed. Unquestionably, there is an intensive worldwide effort aimed at the development of novel molecular approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment. For example, there is a great interest in identifying truly tumor-specific genes and proteins that could be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets or agents. Research efforts in 35 these areas are encouraging, and the increasing availability of useful molecular technologies has accelerated the acquisition of meaningful knowledge about cancer. Nevertheless, progress is slow and generally uneven.

WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 As discussed below, the management of prostate cancer serves as a good example of the limited extent to which molecular biology has translated into real progress in the clinic. With limited exceptions, the situation is more or less the same for the other major carcinomas mentioned above. 5 Worldwide, prostate cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in men. In North America and Northern Europe, it is by far the most common male cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. In the United States alone, well over 40,000 men die annually of this disease - second only to lung cancer. Despite the 10 magnitude of these figures, there is still no effective treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Surgical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone ablation therapy, and chemotherapy continue to be the main treatment modalities. Unfortunately, these treatments are ineffective for many and are often associated with undesirable consequences. 15 On the diagnostic front, the lack of a prostate tumor marker that can accurately detect early-stage, localized tumors remains a significant limitation in the management of this disease. Although the serum PSA assay has been a very useful tool, its specificity and general utility is widely regarded as lacking in several important respects. 20 Most prostate cancers initially occur in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland, away from the urethra. Tumors within this zone may not produce any symptoms and, as a result, most men with early-stage prostate cancer will not present clinical symptoms of the disease until significant progression has occurred. Tumor progression into the 25 transition zone of the prostate may lead to urethral obstruction, thus producing the first symptoms of the disease. However, these clinical symptoms are indistinguishable from the common non-malignant condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer currently relies on digital rectal examinations (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements, transrectal 30 ultrasonography (TRUS), and transrectal needle biopsy (TRNB). At present, serum PSA measurement in combination with DRE represent the leading tool used to detect and diagnose prostate cancer. Both have major limitations which have fueled intensive research into finding better diagnostic markers of this disease. 35 Similarly, there is no available marker that can predict the emergence of the typically fatal metastatic stage of prostate cancer. Diagnosis of metastatic stage is presently achieved by open surgical or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, whole body radionuclide scans, skeletal radiography, and/or bone lesion biopsy analysis. Clearly, 2 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 better imaging and other less invasive diagnostic methods offer the promise of easing the difficulty those procedures place on a patient, as well as improving diagnostic accuracy and opening therapeutic options. A similar problem is the lack of an effective prognostic marker for determining which cancers are indolent and which 5 ones are or will be aggressive. PSA, for example, fails to discriminate accurately between indolent and aggressive cancers. Until there are prostate tumor markers capable of reliably identifying early-stage disease, predicting susceptibility to metastasis, and precisely imaging tumors, the management of prostate cancer will continue to be extremely difficult. 10 PSA is the most widely used tumor marker for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring prostate cancer today. In particular, several immunoassays for the detection of serum PSA are in widespread clinical use. Recently, a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for PSA mRNA in serum has been developed. 15 However, PSA is not a disease-specific marker, as elevated levels of PSA are detectable in a large percentage of patients with BPH and prostatitis (25-86%)(Gao et al., 1997, Prostate 31: 264-281), as well as in other nonmalignant disorders and in some normal men, a factor which significantly limits the diagnostic specificity of this marker. For example, elevations in serum PSA of between 4 to 10 ng/ml are observed 20 in BPH, and even higher values are observed in prostatitis, particularly acute prostatitis. BPH is an extremely common condition in men. Further confusing the situation is the fact that serum PSA elevations may be observed without any indication of disease from DRE, and visa-versa. Moreover, it is now recognized that PSA is not prostate-specific (Gao et al., supra, for review). 25 Various methods designed to improve the specificity of PSA-based detection have been described, such as measuring PSA density and the ratio of free vs. complexed PSA. However, none of these methodologies have been able to reproducibly distinguish benign from malignant prostate disease. In addition, PSA diagnostics have 30 sensitivities of between 57-79% (Cupp & Osterling, 1993, Mayo Clin Proc 68:297-306), and thus miss identifying prostate cancer in a significant population of men with the disease. There are some known markers which are expressed predominantly in prostate, such 35 as prostate specific membrane antigen (PSM), a hydrolase with 85% identity to a rat neuropeptidase (Carter et al., 1996, Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 749; Bzdega et al., 1997, J. Neurochem. 69: 2270). However, the expression of PSM in small intestine and brain (Israeli et al., 1994, Cancer Res. 54: 1807), as well its potential role in 3 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 neuropeptide catabolism in brain, raises concern of potential neurotoxicity with anti PSM therapies. Preliminary results using an Indium-111 labeled, anti-PSM monoclonal antibody to image recurrent prostate cancer show some promise (Sodee et al., 1996, Clin Nuc Med 21: 759-766). More recently identified prostate cancer markers include 5 PCTA-1 (Su et al., 1996, Proc. NatI. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 7252) and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) (Reiter et al., 1998, Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 1735). PCTA-1, a novel galectin, is largely secreted into the media of expressing cells and may hold promise as a diagnostic serum marker for prostate cancer (Su et al., 1996). PSCA, a GPI-linked cell surface molecule, was cloned from LAPC-4 cDNA and is unique in that 10 it is expressed primarily in basal cells of normal prostate tissue and in cancer epithelia (Reiter et al., 1998). Vaccines for prostate cancer are also being actively explored with a variety of antigens, including PSM and PSA. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 The present invention relates to a novel gene, designated 36P1A6, which is expressed or over-expressed in a number of human cancers. This gene appears to be expressed in several normal tissues, including particularly, prostate and colon, with lower levels detected in pancreas, kidney, lung and small intestine. Expression or overexpression of the 36P1A6 gene occurs in cancers of the prostate, bladder, pancreas, colon, cervix 20 and ovary, and perhaps in other cancers. More specifically, high level expression of this gene is detected in a number of prostate cancer xenograft tumors as well as in several pancreatic, colon, ovary and bladder carcinoma cells. Expression is also detected in other tumor cell lines. 25 Based on amino acid sequence comparisons, 36P1A6 may encode the human homolog of the murine EHF gene (Bochert et al., 1998, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 246(1):176-81), a member of the ETS family of transcription factors. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the full length 36P1A6 cDNA are shown in FIG. 1A. The isolated 36P1A6 gene contains an ETS homology region (which corresponds 30 to its DNA binding domain), and a pointed domain (which probably functions as a protein-protein interaction domain). The human protein with the greatest degree of homology to the 36P1A6 protein is ESX, an epithelial specific ETS family member that is up-regulated in breast cancer (Chang et al., 1997,Oncogene 14(13):1617-22). The highest homology to ESX lies in the ETS homology region. 35 Aberrant expression of 36P1A6 in cancer may result in modulated transcription of genes involved in the development and/or progression of cancers expressing 36P1A6. A number of potential approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers 4 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22 57 6 expressing 36P1A6 involving the inhibition of 36P1A6 function are therefore possible. The 36P1A6 transcript, protein and/or factors which bind to or modulate the expression or function of this gene or its encoded protein may represent a useful diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target for a number of different cancers. 5 The invention provides polynucleotides corresponding or complementary to all or part of the 36P1A6 genes, mRNAs, and/or coding sequences, preferably in isolated form, including polynucleotides encoding 36P1A6 proteins and fragments thereof, DNA, RNA, DNA/RNA hybrid, and related molecules, polynucleotides or oligonucleotides 10 complementary to the 36P1A6 genes or mRNA sequences or parts thereof, and polynucleotides or oligonucleotides which hybridize to the 36P1A6 genes, mRNAs, or to 36P1A6-encoding polynucleotides. Also provided are means for isolating cDNAs and the genes encoding 36P1A6. Recombinant DNA molecules containing 36P1A6 polynucleotides, cells transformed or transduced with such molecules, and host-vector 15 systems for the expression of 36P1A6 gene products are also provided. The invention further provides 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptide fragments thereof. The invention further provides antibodies that bind to 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptide fragments thereof, including polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, murine and other mammalian antibodies, chimeric antibodies, humanized and fully human antibodies, antibodies 20 labeled with a detectable marker. The invention further provides methods for detecting the presence of 36P1A6 polynucleotides and proteins in various biological samples, as well as methods for identifying cells that express 36P1A6. The invention further provides various therapeutic compositions and strategies for treating cancers which express 36P1A6 such as prostate, bladder, colon, pancreatic, cervical and 25 ovarian cancers, including therapies aimed at inhibiting the transcription, translation, processing or function of 36P1A6 and cancer vaccines. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1A. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of a full length cDNA 30 encoding the 36P1A6 gene. The start methionine and putative Kozak sequence is indicated in bold, the ETS homology region is boxed, and the pointed domain is underlined. FIG. 1B. Nucleotide sequence of SSH-isolated 36P1A6 cDNA fragment. FIG. 2. RT-PCR analysis of 36P1A6 gene expression in prostate cancer xenografts, 35 normal prostate, and other tissues and cell lines, showing expression in prostate cancer xenografts and normal prostate at approximately equal levels (Panel A); and showing expression in prostate, lung and pancreas in normal tissues at 30 cycles of 5 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22 5 7 6 PCR amplification, and lower level expression in several other tissues at 35 cycles (Panels B and C). FIG. 3. Northern blot analyses of 36P1A6 expression in various normal human tissues 5 and prostate cancer xenografts, showing predominant expression of 36P1A6 in prostate and colon, with lower levels detected in pancreas, kidney, lung and small intestine, and showing upregulated expression of 36P1A6 in the LAPC-9 and LAPC-4 xenografts (AD, Al, grown subcutaneously and intra-tibially), when compared to normal prostate. 10 FIG. 4. Expression of 36P1A6 in prostate and multiple cancer cell lines and prostate cancer xenografts. Xenograft and cell line filters were prepared with 10 pg of total RNA per lane. The blots were analyzed using the full length 36P1A6 cDNA as probe. All RNA samples were normalized by ethidium bromide staining and subsequent 15 analysis with a p-actin probe. Lanes are as indicated on the figure. FIG. 5. Amino acid sequence alignments of the 36P1A6 ORF with murine EHF (A) and the human ESX pointed domain (B) and ETS homology domain (C). 36P1A6 shows 93.7% identity with murine EHF across a 300 residue overlap (Score: 1556.0; Gap 20 frequency: 0.0%) and shows 81.8% identity to the hESX ETS homology domain across a 99 residue overlap (Score: 453.0; Gap frequency: 0.0%). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel gene and protein, designated 36P1A6. The 25 invention is based, in part, on the identification of the 36P1A6 gene and on the characterization of the 36P1A6 gene expression patterns in various cancers. A full length cDNA encoding the 36P1A6 gene has been isolated. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of this 36P1A6 cDNA are shown in FIG. 1A. The 30 nucleotide sequence of the initially isolated cDNA fragment corresponding to and identifying the 36P1A6 gene is provided in FIG. 1B. Expression analysis by RT-PCR shows that 36P1A6 is expressed in androgen-dependent and androgen-independent LAPC prostate cancer xenografts and in normal prostate at 35 approximately equal levels (FIG. 2). In normal tissues, expression of the 36P1A6 gene appears somewhat restricted, with the highest levels of expression observed in prostate, lung and pancreas tissues (FIG 2). Northern blot analysis indicates highest expression 6 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/225 76 of a 6 kb transcript in prostate and colon, with lower levels detected in pancreas, kidney, lung and small intestine (FIG. 3). Expression of 36P1A6 is up-regulated in the LAPC-9 and LAPC-4 xenografts (AD, Al, grown subcutaneously and intra-tibially), when compared to normal prostate (FIG. 3). Additional Northern blot analysis showed 5 high expression levels in several cancer cell lines including prostate (LNCaP), bladder (SCaBER, 5637), pancreatic (BxPC-3, HPAC, Capan-1), colon (LoVo, T84, Colo-205), cervical (A431), and ovarian (SW626, and CAOV-3) cancer cells (FIG. 4). Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terminology 10 used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. The techniques 15 and procedures described or referenced herein are generally well understood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled in the art, such as, for example, the widely utilized molecular cloning methodologies described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd. edition (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. As appropriate, 20 procedures involving the use of commercially available kits and reagents are generally carried out in accordance with manufacturer defined protocols and/or parameters unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the terms "advanced prostate cancer", "locally advanced prostate 25 cancer", "advanced disease" and "locally advanced disease" mean prostate cancers which have extended through the prostate capsule, and are meant to include stage C disease under the American Urological Association (AUA) system, stage C1 - C2 disease under the Whitmore-Jewett system, and stage T3 - T4 and N+ disease under the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system. In general, surgery is not recommended 30 for patients with locally advanced disease, and these patients have substantially less favorable outcomes compared to patients having clinically localized (organ-confined) prostate cancer. Locally advanced disease is clinically identified by palpable evidence of induration beyond the lateral border of the prostate, or asymmetry or induration above the prostate base. Locally advanced prostate cancer is presently diagnosed 35 pathologically following radical prostatectomy if the tumor invades or penetrates the prostatic capsule, extends into the surgical margin, or invades the seminal vesicles. 7 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/2257 6 As used herein, the terms "metastatic prostate cancer" and "metastatic disease" mean prostate cancers which have spread to regional lymph nodes or to distant sites, and are meant to include stage D disease under the AUA system and stage TxNxM+ under the TNM system. As is the case with locally advanced prostate cancer, surgery 5 is generally not indicated for patients with metastatic disease, and hormonal (androgen ablation) therapy is the preferred treatment modality. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer eventually develop an androgen-refractory state within 12 to 18 months of treatment initiation, and approximately half of these patients die within 6 months thereafter. The most common site for prostate cancer metastasis is bone. 10 Prostate cancer bone metastases are, on balance, characteristically osteoblastic rather than osteolytic (i.e., resulting in net bone formation). Bone metastases are found most frequently in the spine, followed by the femur, pelvis, rib cage, skull and humerus. Other common sites for metastasis include lymph nodes, lung, liver and brain. Metastatic prostate cancer is typically diagnosed by open or laparoscopic 15 pelvic lymphadenectomy, whole body radionuclide scans, skeletal radiography, and/or bone lesion biopsy. As used herein, the term "polynucleotide" means a polymeric form of nucleotides of at least 10 bases or base pairs in length, either ribonucleotides or deoxynucleotides or a 20 modified form of either type of nucleotide, and is meant to include single and double stranded forms of DNA. As used herein, the term "polypeptide" means a polymer of at least 10 amino acids. Throughout the specification, standard three letter or single letter designations for 25 amino acids are used. As used herein, the terms "hybridize", "hybridizing", "hybridizes" and the like, used in the context of polynucleotides, are meant to refer to conventional hybridization conditions, preferably such as hybridization in 50% formamide/6XSSC/0.1% SDS/100 30 ptg/ml ssDNA, in which temperatures for hybridization are above 37 degrees C and temperatures for washing in 0.1XSSC/0.1% SDS are above 55 degrees C, and most preferably to stringent hybridization conditions. In the context of amino acid sequence comparisons, the term "identity" is used to 35 express the percentage of amino acid residues at the same relative position which are the same. Also in this context, the term "homology" is used to express the percentage of amino acid residues at the same relative positions which are either identical or are 8 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 similar, using the conserved amino acid criteria of BLAST analysis, as is generally understood in the art. Further details regarding amino acid substitutions, which are considered conservative under such criteria, are provided below. 5 Additional definitions are provided throughout the subsections which follow. 36P1A6 POLYNUCLEOTIDES One aspect of the invention provides polynucleotides corresponding or complementary to all or part of a 36P1A6 gene, mRNA, and/or coding sequence, 10 preferably in isolated form, including polynucleotides encoding a 36P1A6 protein and fragments thereof, DNA, RNA, DNA/RNA hybrid, and related molecules, polynucleotides or oligonucleotides complementary to a 36P1A6 gene or mRNA sequence or a part thereof, and polynucleotides or oligonucleotides which hybridize to a 36P1A6 gene, mRNA, or to a 36P1A6-encoding polynucleotide (collectively, "36P1A6 15 polynucleotides"). As used herein, the 36P1A6 gene and protein is meant to include the 36P1A6 gene and protein specifically described herein and the genes and proteins corresponding to other 36P1A6 proteins and structurally similar variants of the foregoing. Such other 36P1A6 proteins and variants will generally have coding sequences which are highly homologous to the 36P1A6 coding sequence. 20 A 36P1A6 polynucleotide may comprise a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of human 36P1A6 as shown in FIG. 1A, wherein T can also be U; a polynucleotide which encodes all or part of the 36P1A6 protein show in FIG. IA; a sequence complementary to the foregoing; or a polynucleotide fragment of any of the 25 foregoing. Another embodiment comprises a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 1A, from nucleotide residue number 113 through nucleotide residue number 1012, wherein T can also be U. Another embodiment comprises a polynucleotide encoding a 36P1A6 polypeptide whose sequence is encoded by the cDNA contained in the plasmid as deposited with American Type Culture Collection as 30 Accession No. 207198. Another embodiment comprises a polynucleotide which is capable of hybridizing under stringent hybridization conditions to the human 36P1A6 cDNA shown in FIG. 1A or to a polynucleotide fragment thereof. Specifically contemplated are genomic DNA, cDNAs, ribozymes, and antisense 35 molecules, as well as nucleic acid molecules based on an alternative backbone or including alternative bases, whether derived from natural sources or synthesized. For example, antisense molecules can be RNAs or other molecules, including peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) or non-nucleic acid molecules such as phosphorothioate 9 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 derivatives, that specifically bind DNA or RNA in a base pair-dependent manner. A skilled artisan can readily obtain these classes of nucleic acid molecules using the 36P1A6 polynucleotides and polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein. 5 Further specific embodiments of this aspect of the invention include primers and primer pairs, which allow the specific amplification of the polynucleotides of the invention or of any specific parts thereof, and probes that selectively or specifically hybridize to nucleic acid molecules of the invention or to any part thereof. Probes may be labeled with a detectable marker, such as, for example, a radioisotope, fluorescent 10 compound, bioluminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, metal chelator or enzyme. Such probes and primers can be used to detect the presence of a 36P1A6 polynucleotide in a sample and as a means for detecting a cell expressing a 36P1A6 protein. Examples of such probes include polypeptides comprising all or part of the human 36P1A6 cDNA sequence shown in FIG. IA. Examples of primer pairs capable of 15 specifically amplifying 36P1A6 mRNAs are also described in the Examples which follow. As will be understood by the skilled artisan, a great many different primers and probes may be prepared based on the sequences provided in herein and used effectively to amplify and/or detect a 36P1 A6 mRNA. 20 As used herein, a polynucleotide is said to be "isolated" when it is substantially separated from contaminant polynucleotides which correspond or are complementary to genes other than the 36P1A6 gene or which encode polypeptides other than 36P1A6 gene product or fragments thereof. A skilled artisan can readily employ nucleic acid isolation procedures to obtain an isolated 36P1A6 polynucleotide. 25 The 36P1A6 polynucleotides of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to their use as probes and primers for the amplification and/or detection of the 36P1A6 gene(s), mRNA(s), or fragments thereof; as reagents for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of prostate cancer and other cancers; as coding 30 sequences capable of directing the expression of 36P1A6 polypeptides; as tools for modulating or inhibiting the expression of the 36P1A6 gene(s) and/or translation of the 36P1A6 transcript(s); and as therapeutic agents. METHODS FOR ISOLATING 36P1A6-ENCODING NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULES 35 The 36P1A6 cDNA sequences described herein enable the isolation of other polynucleotides encoding 36P1A6 gene product(s), as well as the isolation of polynucleotides encoding 36P1A6 gene product homologues, alternatively spliced isoforms, allelic variants, and mutant forms of the 36P1A6 gene product. Various 10 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/225 7 6 molecular cloning methods that can be employed to isolate full length cDNAs encoding a 36P1A6 gene are well known (See, for example, Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d edition., Cold Spring Harbor Press, New York, 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Ausubel et al., Eds., Wiley and Sons, 1995). For 5 example, lambda phage cloning methodologies may be conveniently employed, using commercially available cloning systems (e.g., Lambda ZAP Express, Stratagene). Phage clones containing 36P1A6 gene cDNAs may be identified by probing with a labeled 36P1A6 cDNA or a fragment thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the 36P1A6 cDNA (FIG. IA, FIG. 1B) or a portion thereof can be synthesized and used as a probe to 10 retrieve overlapping and full length cDNAs corresponding to a 36P1A6 gene. The 36P1A6 gene itself may be isolated by screening genomic DNA libraries, bacterial artificial chromosome libraries (BACs), yeast artificial chromosome libraries (YACs), and the like, with 36P1A6 DNA probes or primers. 15 RECOMBINANT DNA MOLECULES AND HOST-VECTOR SYSTEMS The invention also provides recombinant DNA or RNA molecules containing a 36P1A6 polynucleotide, including but not limited to phages, plasmids, phagemids, cosmids, YACs, BACs, as well as various viral and non-viral vectors well known in the art, and cells transformed or transfected with such recombinant DNA or RNA molecules. As used 20 herein, a recombinant DNA or RNA molecule is a DNA or RNA molecule that has been subjected to molecular manipulation in vitro. Methods for generating such molecules are well known (see, for example, Sambrook et al, 1989, supra). The invention further provides a host-vector system comprising a recombinant DNA 25 molecule containing a 36P1A6 polynucleotide within a suitable prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. Examples of suitable eukaryotic host cells include a yeast cell, a plant cell, or an animal cell, such as a mammalian cell or an insect cell (e.g., a baculovirus-infectible cell such as an Sf9 or HighFive cell). Examples of suitable mammalian cells include various prostate cancer cell lines such LnCaP, PC-3, DU145, 30 LAPC-4, TsuPrl, other transfectable or transducible prostate cancer cell lines, as well as a number of mammalian cells routinely used for the expression of recombinant proteins (e.g., COS, CHO, 293, 293T cells). More particularly, a polynucleotide comprising the coding sequence of a 36P1A6 may be used to generate 36P1A6 proteins or fragments thereof using any number of host-vector systems routinely used and widely 35 known in the art. A wide range of host-vector systems suitable for the expression of 36P1A6 proteins or fragments thereof are available, see for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Current 11 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1995, supra). Preferred vectors for mammalian expression include but are not limited to pcDNA 3.1 myc-His-tag (Invitrogen) and the retroviral vector pSRatkneo (Muller et al., 1991, MCB 11:1785). Using these expression vectors, 36P1A6 may be preferably expressed in several prostate cancer 5 and non-prostate cell lines, including for example 293, 293T, rat-1, 3T3, PC-3, LNCaP and TsuPr1. The host-vector systems of the invention are useful for the production of a 36P1 A6 protein or fragment thereof. Such host-vector systems may be employed to study the functional properties of 36P1A6 and 36P1A6 mutations. 10 Recombinant human 36P1A6 protein may be produced by mammalian cells transfected with a construct encoding 36P1A6. In a particular embodiment described in the Examples, 293T cells are transfected with an expression plasmid encoding 36P1A6, the 36P1A6 protein is expressed in the 293T cells, and the recombinant 36P1A6 protein is isolated using standard purification methods (e.g., affinity 15 purification using anti-36P1A6 antibodies). In another embodiment, also described in the Examples herein, the 36P1A6 coding sequence is subcloned into the retroviral vector pSRaMSVtkneo and used to infect various mammalian cell lines, including 3T3CL7, PC3 and LnCaP in order to establish 36P1A6 expressing cell lines. Various other expression systems well known in the art may also be employed. Expression 20 constructs encoding a leader peptide joined in frame to the 36P1 A6 coding sequence may be used for the generation of a secreted form of recombinant 36P1 A6 protein. Proteins encoded by the 36P1A6 genes, or by fragments thereof, will have a variety of uses, including but not limited to generating antibodies and in methods for identifying 25 ligands and other agents (i.e., other ETS family members) and cellular constituents that bind to a 36P1A6 gene product. Antibodies raised against a 36P1A6 protein or fragment thereof may be useful in diagnostic and prognostic assays, and imaging methodologies in the management of human cancers characterized by expression of 36P1A6 protein, including but not limited to cancers of the prostate, bladder, ovary, 30 cervix, pancreas and colon. Such antibodies may be expressed intracellularly and used in methods of treating patients with such cancers. Various immunological assays useful for the detection of 36P1A6 proteins are contemplated, including but not limited to various types of radioimmunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assays (ELIFA), immunocytochemical methods, and 35 the like. Such antibodies may be labeled and used as immunological imaging reagents capable of detecting 36P1A6 expressing cells (e.g., in radioscintigraphic imaging 12 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 methods). 36P1A6 proteins may also be particularly useful in generating cancer vaccines, as further described below. 36P1A6 PROTEINS 5 Another aspect of the present invention provides 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptide fragments thereof. The 36P1A6 proteins of the invention include those specifically identified herein, as well as allelic variants, conservative substitution variants and homologs that can be isolated/generated and characterized without undue experimentation following the methods outlined below. Fusion proteins which combine 10 parts of different 36P1A6 proteins or fragments thereof, as well as fusion proteins of a 36P1A6 protein and a heterologous polypeptide are also included. Such 36P1A6 proteins will be collectively referred to as the 36P1A6 proteins, the proteins of the invention, or 36P1A6. As used herein, the term "36P1A6 polypeptide" refers to a polypeptide fragment or a 36P1A6 protein of at least 10 amino acids, preferably at least 15 15 amino acids. A specific embodiment of a 36P1A6 protein comprises a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of human 36P1A6 as shown in FIG. IA. In general, naturally occurring allelic variants of human 36P1A6 will share a high degree of structural identity and homology (e.g., 90% or more identity). Typically, allelic variants 20 of the 36P1A6 proteins will contain conservative amino acid substitutions within the 36P1A6 sequences described herein or will contain a substitution of an amino acid from a corresponding position in a 36P1A6 homologue. One class of 36P1A6 allelic variants will be proteins that share a high degree of homology with at least a small region of a particular 36P1 A6 amino acid sequence, but will further contain a radical departure form 25 the sequence, such as a non-conservative substitution, truncation, insertion or frame shift. Conservative amino acid substitutions can frequently be made in a protein without altering either the conformation or the function of the protein. Such changes include 30 substituting any of isoleucine (I), valine (V), and leucine (L) for any other of these hydrophobic amino acids; aspartic acid (D) for glutamic acid (E) and vice versa; glutamine (Q) for asparagine (N) and vice versa; and serine (S) for threonine (T) and vice versa. Other substitutions can also be considered conservative, depending on the environment of the particular amino acid and its role in the three-dimensional structure 35 of the protein. For example, glycine (G) and alanine (A) can frequently be interchangeable, as can alanine (A) and valine (V). Methionine (M), which is relatively hydrophobic, can frequently be interchanged with leucine and isoleucine, and sometimes with valine. Lysine (K) and arginine (R) are frequently interchangeable in 13 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 locations in which the significant feature of the amino acid residue is its charge and the differing pK's of these two amino acid residues are not significant. Still other changes can be considered "conservative" in particular environments. 5 36P1A6 proteins may be embodied in many forms, preferably in isolated form. As used herein, a protein is said to be "isolated" when physical, mechanical or chemical methods are employed to remove the 36P1 A6 protein from cellular constituents that are normally associated with the protein. A skilled artisan can readily employ standard purification methods to obtain an isolated 36P1A6 protein. A purified 36P1A6 protein molecule will 10 be substantially free of other proteins or molecules which impair the binding of 36P1 A6 to antibody or other ligand. The nature and degree of isolation and purification will depend on the intended use. Embodiments of a 36P1A6 protein include a purified 36P1A6 protein and a functional, soluble 36P1A6 protein. In one form, such functional, soluble 36P1A6 proteins or fragments thereof retain the ability to bind antibody or 15 other ligand. The invention also provides 36P1A6 polypeptides comprising biologically active fragments of the 36P1A6 amino acid sequence, such as a polypeptide corresponding to part of the amino acid sequence of 36P1A6 as shown in FIG. 1A. Such polypeptides 20 of the invention exhibit properties of the 36P1A6 protein, such as the ability to elicit the generation of antibodies which specifically bind an epitope associated with the 36P1A6 protein. 36P1A6 polypeptides can be generated using standard peptide synthesis technology or 25 using chemical cleavage methods well known in the art based on the amino acid sequences of the human 36P1A6 proteins disclosed herein. Alternatively, recombinant methods can be used to generate nucleic acid molecules that encode a polypeptide fragment of a 36P1A6 protein. In this regard, the 36P1A6-encoding nucleic acid molecules described herein provide means for generating defined fragments of 36P1A6 30 proteins. 36P1A6 polypeptides are particularly useful in generating and characterizing domain specific antibodies (e.g., antibodies recognizing an extracellular or intracellular epitope of a 36P1 A6 protein), in identifying agents or cellular factors that bind to 36P1 A6 or a particular structural domain thereof, and in various therapeutic contexts, including but not limited to cancer vaccines. 35 36P1A6 polypeptides containing particularly interesting structures can be predicted and/or identified using various analytical techniques well known in the art, including, for example, the methods of Chou-Fasman, Garnier-Robson, Kyte-Doolittle, Eisenberg, 14 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 Karplus-Schultz or Jameson-Wolf analysis, or on the basis of immunogenicity. Fragments containing such structures are particularly useful in generating subunit specific anti-36P1 A6 antibodies or in identifying cellular factors that bind to 36P1 A6. 5 36P1A6 ANTIBODIES Another aspect of the invention provides antibodies that bind to 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptides. The most preferred antibodies will specifically bind to a 36P1A6 protein and will not bind (or will bind weakly) to non-36P1A6 proteins and polypeptides. Anti 36P1A6 antibodies that are particularly contemplated include monoclonal and polyclonal 10 antibodies as well as fragments containing the antigen binding domain and/or one or more complementarity determining regions of these antibodies. As used herein, an antibody fragment is defined as at least a portion of the variable region of the immunoglobulin molecule which binds to its target, i.e., the antigen binding region. 15 36P1A6 antibodies of the invention may be particularly useful in cancer diagnostic and prognostic assays, and imaging methodologies. Intracellularly expressed antibodies (e.g., single chain antibodies) may be therapeutically useful in treating cancers in which the expression of 36P1A6 is involved, such as prostate, bladder, pancreatic, colon, cervical and ovarian cancers. Similarly, such antibodies may be useful in 20 diagnosis and/or prognosis of prostate, bladder, pancreatic, colon, cervical and ovarian cancers. The invention also provides various immunological assays useful for the detection and quantification of 36P1A6 and mutant 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptides. Such assays 25 generally comprise one or more 36P1A6 antibodies capable of recognizing and binding a 36P1A6 protein and may be performed within various immunological assay formats well known in the art, including but not limited to various types of radioimmunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assays (ELIFA), and the like. In addition, immunological imaging methods capable of 30 detecting cancers expressing 36P1A6 (e.g., cancers of the prostate, bladder, ovary, cervix, pancreas, colon) are also provided by the invention, including but limited to radioscintigraphic imaging methods using labeled 36P1A6 antibodies. Such assays may be clinically useful in the detection, monitoring, and prognosis of 36P1A6 expressing cancers. 35 36P1A6 antibodies may also be used in methods for purifying 36P1A6 and mutant 36P1A6 proteins and polypeptides and for isolating 36P1A6 homologues and related molecules. For example, in one embodiment, the method of purifying a 36P1A6 protein 15 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 comprises incubating a 36P1A6 antibody, which has been coupled to a solid matrix, with a lysate or other solution containing 36P1A6 under conditions which permit the 36P1A6 antibody to bind to 36P1A6; washing the solid matrix to eliminate impurities; and eluting the 36P1A6 from the coupled antibody. Other uses of the 36P1A6 antibodies of the 5 invention include generating anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic the 36P1 A6 protein. Various methods for the preparation of antibodies are well known in the art. For example, antibodies may be prepared by immunizing a suitable mammalian host using a 36P1A6 protein, peptide, or fragment, in isolated or immunoconjugated form 10 (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, Eds., Harlow, and Lane (1988); Harlow, Antibodies, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY (1989)). In addition, fusion proteins of 36P1A6 may also be used, such as a 36P1A6 GST-fusion protein. In a particular embodiment, a GST fusion protein comprising all or most of the open reading frame amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A may be produced and used as an immunogen to generate 15 appropriate antibodies. In another embodiment, a 36P1A6 peptide may be synthesized and used as an immunogen. In addition, naked DNA immunization techniques known in the art may be used (with or without purified 36P1A6 protein or 36P1A6 expressing cells) to generate an immune 20 response to the encoded immunogen (for review, see Donnelly et al., 1997, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15: 617-648). The amino acid sequence of 36P1A6 as shown in FIG. IA may be used to select specific regions of the 36P1A6 protein for generating antibodies. For example, hydrophobicity 25 and hydrophilicity analyses of the 36P1A6 amino acid sequence may be used to identify hydrophilic regions in the 36P1A6 structure. Regions of the 36P1A6 protein that show immunogenic structure, as well as other regions and domains, can readily be identified using various other methods known in the art, such as Chou-Fasman, Garnier-Robson, Kyte-Doolittle, Eisenberg, Karplus-Schultz or Jameson-Wolf analysis. Methods for the 30 generation of 36P1A6 antibodies are further illustrated by way of the examples provided herein. Methods for preparing a protein or polypeptide for use as an immunogen and for preparing immunogenic conjugates of a protein with a carrier such as BSA, KLH, or 35 other carrier proteins are well known in the art. In some circumstances, direct conjugation using, for example, carbodiimide reagents may be used; in other instances linking reagents such as those supplied by Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, IL, may be effective. Administration of a 36P1A6 immunogen is conducted generally by injection 16 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 over a suitable time period and with use of a suitable adjuvant, as is generally understood in the art. During the immunization schedule, titers of antibodies can be taken to determine adequacy of antibody formation. 5 36P1A6 monoclonal antibodies are preferred and may be produced by various means well known in the art. For example, immortalized cell lines which secrete a desired monoclonal antibody may be prepared using the standard hybridoma technology of Kohler and Milstein or modifications which immortalize producing B cells, as is generally known. The immortalized cell lines secreting the desired antibodies are screened by 10 immunoassay in which the antigen is the 36P1A6 protein or a 36P1A6 fragment. When the appropriate immortalized cell culture secreting the desired antibody is identified, the cells may be expanded and antibodies produced either from in vitro cultures or from ascites fluid. 15 The antibodies or fragments may also be produced, using current technology, by recombinant means. Regions that bind specifically to the desired regions of the 36P1A6 protein can also be produced in the context of chimeric or CDR grafted antibodies of multiple species origin. Humanized or human 36P1A6 antibodies may also be produced and are preferred for use in therapeutic contexts. Methods for humanizing murine and 20 other non-human antibodies by substituting one or more of the non-human antibody CDRs for corresponding human antibody sequences are well known (see for example, Jones et al., 1986, Nature 321: 522-525; Riechmnan et al., 1988, Nature 332: 323-327; Verhoeyen et al., 1988, Science 239: 1534-1536). See also, Carter et al., 1993, Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 4285 and Sims et al., 1993, J. Immunol. 151: 2296. Methods for 25 producing fully human monoclonal antibodies include phage display and transgenic methods (for review, see Vaughan et al., 1998, Nature Biotechnology 16: 535-539). Fully human 36P1A6 monoclonal antibodies may be generated using cloning technologies employing large human Ig gene combinatorial libraries (i.e., phage display) 30 (Griffiths and Hoogenboom, Building an in vitro immune system: human antibodies from phage display libraries. In: Protein Engineering of Antibody Molecules for Prophylactic and Therapeutic Applications in Man. Clark, M. (Ed.), Nottingham Academic, pp 45-64 (1993); Burton and Barbas, Human Antibodies from combinatorial libraries. Id., pp 65 82). Fully human 36P1A6 monoclonal antibodies may also be produced using transgenic 35 mice engineered to contain human immunoglobulin gene loci as described in PCT Patent Application W098/24893, Kucherlapati and Jakobovits et al., published December 3, 1997 (see also, Jakobovits, 1998, Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 7(4): 607-614). This method 17 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 avoids the in vitro manipulation required with phage display technology and efficiently produces high affinity authentic human antibodies. Reactivity of 36P1A6 antibodies with a 36P1A6 protein may be established by a 5 number of well known means, including Western blot, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, and FACS analyses using, as appropriate, 36P1A6 proteins, peptides, 36P1A6 expressing cells or extracts thereof. A 36P1A6 antibody or fragment thereof of the invention may be labeled with a 10 detectable marker or conjugated to a second molecule. Suitable detectable markers include, but are not limited to, a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, chemiluminescent compound, a metal chelator or an enzyme. Further, bi-specific antibodies specific for two or more 36P1A6 epitopes may be generated using methods generally known in the art. Homodimeric antibodies may 15 also be generated by cross-linking techniques known in the art (e.g., Wolff et al., Cancer Res. 53: 2560-2565). METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF 36P1A6 Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods for detecting 36P1A6 20 polynucleotides and 36P1A6 proteins, as well as methods for identifying a cell which expresses 36P1A6. More particularly, the invention provides assays for the detection of 36P1A6 polynucleotides in a biological sample, such as serum, bone, prostate, colon, ovary, 25 cervix, bladder, pancreas, and other tissues, urine, semen, cell preparations, and the like. Detectable 36P1A6 polynucleotides include, for example, a 36P1A6 gene or fragments thereof, 36P1A6 mRNA, alternative splice variant 36P1A6 mRNAs, and recombinant DNA or RNA molecules containing a 36P1A6 polynucleotide. A number of methods for amplifying and/or detecting the presence of 36P1A6 polynucleotides are 30 well known in the art and may be employed in the practice of this aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, a method for detecting a 36P1A6 mRNA in a biological sample comprises producing cDNA from the sample by reverse transcription using at least one primer; amplifying the cDNA so produced using a 36P1A6 polynucleotides as 35 sense and antisense primers to amplify 36P1A6 cDNAs therein; and detecting the presence of the amplified 36P1A6 cDNA. In another embodiment, a method of detecting a 36P1A6 gene in a biological sample comprises first isolating genomic DNA from the sample; amplifying the isolated genomic DNA using 36P1A6 polynucleotides 18 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 as sense and antisense primers to amplify the 36P1A6 gene therein; and detecting the presence of the amplified 36P1A6 gene. Any number of appropriate sense and antisense probe combinations may be designed from the nucleotide sequence provided for 36P1A6 (FIG. IA) and used for this purpose. 5 The invention also provides assays for detecting the presence of a 36P1A6 protein in a tissue of other biological sample such as serum, bone, prostate, colon, ovary, cervix, bladder, pancreas, and other tissues, urine, cell preparations, and the like. Methods for detecting a 36P1A6 protein are also well known and include, for example, 10 immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemical analysis, Western Blot analysis, molecular binding assays, ELISA, ELIFA and the like. For example, in one embodiment, a method of detecting the presence of a 36P1A6 protein in a biological sample comprises first contacting the sample with a 36P1A6 antibody, a 36P1A6-reactive fragment thereof, or a recombinant protein containing an antigen binding region of a 36P1A6 antibody; and 15 then detecting the binding of 36P1A6 protein in the sample thereto. Methods for identifying a cell which expresses 36P1A6 are also provided. In one embodiment, an assay for identifying a cell which expresses a 36P1A6 gene comprises detecting the presence of 36P1A6 mRNA in the cell. Methods for the detection of 20 particular mRNAs in cells are well known and include, for example, hybridization assays using complementary DNA probes (such as in situ hybridization using labeled 36P1A6 riboprobes, Northern blot and related techniques) and various nucleic acid amplification assays (such as RT-PCR using complementary primers specific for 36P1A6, and other amplification type detection methods, such as, for example, branched DNA, SISBA, TMA 25 and the like). Alternatively, an assay for identifying a cell which expresses a 36P1A6 gene comprises detecting the presence of 36P1A6 protein in the cell or secreted by the cell. Various methods for the detection of proteins are well known in the art and may be employed for the detection of 36P1 A6 proteins and 36P1 A6 expressing cells. 30 36P1A6 expression analysis may also be useful as a tool for identifying and evaluating agents which modulate 36P1A6 gene expression. For example, 36P1A6-1 expression is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer and other cancers. Identification of a molecule or biological agent that could inhibit 36P1A6-1 over-expression may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of such cancers. Such an agent may be identified 35 by using a screen that quantifies 36P1A6 expression by RT-PCR, nucleic acid hybridization or antibody binding. 19 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 ASSAYS FOR DETERMINING 36P1A6 EXPRESSION STATUS Determining the status of 36P1A6 expression patterns in an individual may be used to diagnose cancer and may provide prognostic information useful in defining appropriate therapeutic options. Similarly, the expression status of 36P1A6 may provide information 5 useful for predicting susceptibility to particular disease stages, progression, and/or tumor aggressiveness. The invention provides methods and assays for determining 36P1A6 expression status and diagnosing cancers which express 36P1A6, such as cancers of the prostate, bladder, ovary, colon, cervix and pancreas. 36P1A6 expression status in patient samples may be analyzed by a number of means well known in the art, 10 including without limitation, immunohistochemical analysis, in situ hybridization, RT-PCR analysis on laser capture micro-dissected samples, western blot analysis of clinical samples and cell lines, and tissue array analysis. In one aspect, the invention provides assays useful in determining the presence of 15 cancer in an individual, comprising detecting a significant increase in 36P1A6 mRNA or protein expression in a test cell or tissue sample relative to expression levels in the corresponding normal cell or tissue. The presence of 36P1A6 mRNA may, for example, be evaluated in tissue samples including but not limited to colon, lung, prostate, pancreas, bladder, breast, ovary, cervix, testis, head and neck, brain, 20 stomach, etc. The presence of significant 36P1A6 expression in any of these tissues may be useful to indicate the emergence, presence and/or severity of these cancers, since the corresponding normal tissues do not express 36P1A6 mRNA or express it at lower levels. 25 In a related embodiment, 36P1A6 expression status may be determined at the protein level rather than at the nucleic acid level. For example, such a method or assay would comprise determining the level of 36P1A6 protein expressed by cells in a test tissue sample and comparing the level so determined to the level of 36P1A6 expressed in a corresponding normal sample. In one embodiment, the presence of 36P1A6 protein is 30 evaluated, for example, using immunohistochemical methods. 36P1A6 antibodies or binding partners capable of detecting 36P1A6 protein expression may be used in a variety of assay formats well known in the art for this purpose. In addition, peripheral blood may be conveniently assayed for the presence of cancer 35 cells, including but not limited to prostate, bladder, colon, pancreatic, cervical and ovarian cancers, using RT-PCR to detect 36P1A6 expression. The presence of RT-PCR amplifiable 36P1A6 mRNA provides an indication of the presence of the cancer. RT-PCR detection assays for tumor cells in peripheral blood are currently being evaluated for use 20 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 in the diagnosis and management of a number of human solid tumors. In the prostate cancer field, these include RT-PCR assays for the detection of cells expressing PSA and PSM (Verkaik etal., 1997, Urol. Res. 25: 373-384; Ghossein et al., 1995, J. Clin. Oncol. 13: 1195-2000; Heston et al., 1995, Clin. Chem. 41: 1687-1688). RT-PCR assays are well 5 known in the art. A related aspect of the invention is directed to predicting susceptibility to developing cancer in an individual. In one embodiment, a method for predicting susceptibility to cancer comprises detecting above normal levels of 36P1A6 mRNA or 36P1A6 protein in 10 a tissue sample, its presence indicating susceptibility to cancer, wherein the degree of 36P1A6 mRNA expression present is proportional to the degree of susceptibility. For example, the presence of elevated levels of 36P1A6 in prostate tissue may provide an indication of prostate cancer susceptibility (or the emergence or existence of a prostate tumor). Similarly, the presence of elevated levels of 36P1A6 in ovary tissue may provide 15 an indication of ovarian cancer susceptibility (or the emergence or existence of an ovarian tumor). Yet another related aspect of the invention is directed to methods for gauging tumor aggressiveness. In one embodiment, a method for gauging aggressiveness of a tumor 20 comprises determining the level of 36P1A6 mRNA or 36P1A6 protein expressed by cells in a sample of the tumor, comparing the level so determined to the level of 36P1 A6 mRNA or 36P1A6 protein expressed in a corresponding normal tissue taken from the same individual or a normal tissue reference sample, wherein the degree of 36P1A6 mRNA or 36P1A6 protein expression in the tumor sample relative to the normal sample indicates 25 the degree of aggressiveness. In a specific embodiment, aggressiveness of prostate, bladder, ovarian, pancreatic or colon tumors is evaluated by determining the extent to which 36P1A6 is expressed in the tumor cells, with higher expression levels relative to corresponding normal samples indicating more aggressive tumors. 30 Methods for detecting and quantifying the expression of 36P1A6 mRNA or protein are described herein and use standard nucleic acid and protein detection and quantification technologies well known in the art. Standard methods for the detection and quantification of 36P1A6 mRNA include in situ hybridization using labeled 36P1A6 riboprobes, Northern blot and related techniques using 36P1A6 polynucleotide probes, 35 RT-PCR analysis using primers specific for 36P1A6, and other amplification type detection methods, such as, for example, branched DNA, SISBA, TMA and the like. In a specific embodiment, semi-quantitative RT-PCR may be used to detect and quantify 36P1A6 mRNA expression as described in the Examples which follow. Any number of 21 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 primers capable of amplifying 36P1A6 may be used for this purpose, including but not limited to the various primer sets specifically described herein. Standard methods for the detection and quantification of protein may be used for this purpose. In a specific embodiment, polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specifically reactive with the wild-type 5 36P1A6 protein may be used in an immunohistochemical assay of biopsied tissue. THERAPEUTIC METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS The identification of 36P1A6 as a putative transcription factor which is expressed in a number of human cancers (e.g., cancers of the prostate, colon, bladder, pancreas, 10 cervix, and ovary), opens a number of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of these cancers. Therapeutic approaches aimed at inhibiting the activity of the 36P1A6 protein may be useful for patients suffering from cancers which express this protein. It is possible that 36P1A6 is involved in activating tumor-promoting genes or repressing genes that block tumorigenesis. 15 Accordingly, therapeutic approaches aimed at inhibiting the activity of the 36P1A6 protein are expected to be useful for patients suffering from cancers expressing 36P1A6. These therapeutic approaches generally fall into two classes. One class comprises various methods for inhibiting the binding or association of the 36P1A6 20 protein with DNA or with other proteins. Another class comprises a variety of methods for inhibiting the transcription of the 36P1 A6 gene or translation of 36P1 A6 mRNA. A. THERAPEUTIC INHIBITION OF 36P1A6 WITH INTRACELLULAR ANTIBODIES 25 Recombinant vectors encoding single chain antibodies which specifically bind to 36P1A6 may be introduced into 36P1A6 expressing cells via gene transfer technologies, wherein the encoded single chain anti-36P1A6 antibody is expressed intracellularly, binds to 36P1A6 protein, and thereby inhibits its function. Methods for engineering such intracellular single chain antibodies are well known. Such 30 intracellular antibodies, also known as "intrabodies", may be specifically targeted to a particular compartment within the cell, providing control over where the inhibitory activity of the treatment will be focused. This technology has been successfully applied in the art (for review, see Richardson and Marasco, 1995, TIBTECH vol. 13). Intrabodies have been shown to virtually eliminate the expression of otherwise 35 abundant cell surface receptors. See, for example, Richardson et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 3137-3141; Beerli et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 289: 23931-23936; Deshane et al., 1994, Gene Ther. 1: 332-337. 22 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 Single chain antibodies comprise the variable domains of the heavy and light chain joined by a flexible linker polypeptide, and are expressed as a single polypeptide. Optionally, single chain antibodies may be expressed as a single chain variable region fragment joined to the light chain constant region. Well known intracellular trafficking 5 signals may be engineered into recombinant polynucleotide vectors encoding such single chain antibodies in order to precisely target the expressed intrabody to the desired intracellular compartment. For example, intrabodies targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may be engineered to incorporate a leader peptide and, optionally, a C-terminal ER retention signal, such as the KDEL amino acid motif. 10 Intrabodies intended to exert activity in the nucleus may be engineered to include a nuclear localization signal. Lipid moieties may be joined to intrabodies in order to tether the intrabody to the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane. Intrabodies may also be targeted to exert function in the cytosol. For example, cytosolic intrabodies may be used to sequester factors within the cytosol, thereby preventing them from 15 being transported to their natural cellular destination. In one embodiment, intrabodies may be used to capture 36P1A6 in the nucleus, thereby preventing its activity within the nucleus. Nuclear targeting signals may be engineered into such 36P1A6 intrabodies in order to achieve the desired targeting. 20 Such 36P1A6 intrabodies may be designed to bind specifically to a particular 36P1A6 domain, such as, for example, the ETS homology region or the pointed domain of the 36P1A6 protein. In another embodiment, cytosolic intrabodies which specifically bind to the 36P1A6 protein may be used to prevent 36P1A6 from gaining access to the nucleus, thereby preventing it from exerting any biological activity within the nucleus 25 (e.g., preventing 36P1A6 from forming transcription complexes with other factors). In order to specifically direct the expression of such intrabodies to particular tumor cells, the transcription of the intrabody may be placed under the regulatory control of an appropriate tumor-specific promoter and/or enhancer. In order to target intrabody 30 expression specifically to prostate, for example, the PSA promoter and/or promoter/enhancer may be utilized (See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,919,652). B. THERAPEUTIC INHIBITION OF 36P1A6 TRANSCRIPTION OR TRANSLATION 35 Various methods and compositions for inhibiting the transcription of the 36P1A6 gene are available and may be used in the treatment of cancers expressing 36P1A6. Similarly, methods and compositions for inhibiting the translation of 36P1A6 mRNA into protein may be employed for cancer therapy. 23 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/22576 In one approach, a method of inhibiting the transcription of the 36P1A6 gene comprises contacting the 36P1A6 gene with a 36P1A6 antisense polynucleotide. In another approach, a method of inhibiting 36P1A6 mRNA translation comprises 5 contacting the 36P1A6 mRNA with an antisense polynucleotide. In another approach, a 36P1A6 specific ribozyme may be used to cleave the 36P1A6 message, thereby inhibiting translation. Such antisense and ribozyme based methods may also be directed to the regulatory regions of the 36P1A6 gene, such as the 36P1A6 promoter and/or enhancer elements. Similarly, proteins capable of inhibiting a 36P1A6 gene 10 transcription factor may be used to inhibit 36P1A6 mRNA transcription. The various polynucleotides and compositions useful in the aforementioned methods have been described above. The use of antisense and ribozyme molecules to inhibit transcription and translation is well known in the art. 15 Other factors which inhibit the transcription of 36P1A6 through interfering with 36P1A6 transcriptional activation may also be useful for the treatment of cancers expressing 36P1A6. Similarly, factors which are capable of interfering with 36P1A6 processing may be useful for the treatment of cancers expressing 36P1A6. Cancer treatment methods utilizing such factors are also within the scope of the invention. 20 C. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Gene transfer and gene therapy technologies may be used for delivering therapeutic polynucleotide molecules to tumor cells synthesizing 36P1A6 (i.e., antisense, ribozyme, polynucleotides encoding intrabodies and other 36P1A6 inhibitory molecules). A 25 number of gene therapy approaches are known in the art. Recombinant vectors encoding 36P1A6 antisense polynucleotides, ribozymes, factors capable of interfering with 36P1A6 transcription, and so forth, may be delivered to target tumor cells using such gene therapy approaches. 30 The above therapeutic approaches may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy regimens. These therapeutic approaches may also enable the use of reduced dosages of chemotherapy and/or less frequent administration, particularly in patients that do not tolerate the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent well. 35 The anti-tumor activity of a particular composition (e.g., antisense, ribozyme, intrabody), or a combination of such compositions, may be evaluated using various in vitro and in vivo assay systems. In vitro assays for evaluating therapeutic potential include cell growth assays, soft agar assays and other assays indicative of tumor promoting activity, 24 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 binding assays capable of determining the extent to which a therapeutic composition will inhibit the binding of 36P1A6 to a binding partner, etc. In vivo, the effect of a 36P1A6 therapeutic composition may be evaluated in a suitable 5 animal model. For example, xenogenic prostate cancer models wherein human prostate cancer explants or passaged xenograft tissues are introduced into immune compromised animals, such as nude or SCID mice, are appropriate in relation to prostate cancer and have been described (Klein et al., 1997, Nature Medicine 3: 402 408). For Example, PCT Patent Application W098/16628, Sawyers et al., published April 10 23, 1998, describes various xenograft models of human prostate cancer capable of recapitulating the development of primary tumors, micrometastasis, and the formation of osteoblastic metastases characteristic of late stage disease. Various bladder carcinoma models are known (see, for example, Russell et al., 1986, Cancer Res. 46: 2035-2040; Raghavan et al., 1992, Semin. Surg. Oncol. 8: 279-284; Rieger et al., 1995, 15 Br. J. Cancer 72: 683-690; Oshinsky et al., 1995, J. Urol. 154: 1925-1929). Efficacy may be predicted using assays which measure inhibition of tumor formation, tumor regression or metastasis, and the like. See, also, the Examples below. In vivo assays which qualify the promotion of apoptosis may also be useful in 20 evaluating potential therapeutic compositions. In one embodiment, xenografts from bearing mice treated with the therapeutic composition may be examined for the presence of apoptotic foci and compared to un-treated control xenograft-bearing mice. The extent to which apoptotic foci are found in the tumors of the treated mice provides an indication of the therapeutic efficacy of the composition. 25 The therapeutic compositions used in the practice of the foregoing methods may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions comprising a carrier suitable for the desired delivery method. Suitable carriers include any material which when combined with the therapeutic composition retains the anti-tumor function of the therapeutic 30 composition and is non-reactive with the patient's immune system. Examples include, but are not limited to, any of a number of standard pharmaceutical carriers such as sterile phosphate buffered saline solutions, bacteriostatic water, and the like (see, generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th Edition, A. Osal., Ed., 1980). 35 Therapeutic formulations may be solubilized and administered via any route capable of delivering the therapeutic composition to the tumor site. Potentially effective routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intravenous, parenteral, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intratumor, intradermal, intraorgan, orthotopic, and the like. A 25 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 preferred formulation for intravenous injection comprises the therapeutic composition in a solution of preserved bacteriostatic water, sterile unpreserved water, and/or diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% sterile Sodium Chloride for Injection, USP. Therapeutic protein preparations may be lyophilized and 5 stored as sterile powders, preferably under vacuum, and then reconstituted in bacteriostatic water containing, for example, benzyl alcohol preservative, or in sterile water prior to injection. Dosages and administration protocols for the treatment of cancers using the foregoing 10 methods will vary with the method and the target cancer and will generally depend on a number of other factors appreciated in the art. CANCER VACCINES The invention further provides prostate cancer vaccines comprising a 36P1A6 protein or 15 fragment thereof, as well as DNA based vaccines. The use of a tumor antigen in a vaccine for generating humoral and cell-mediated immunity for use in anti-cancer therapy is well known in the art and has been employed in prostate cancer using human PSMA and rodent PAP immunogens (Hodge et al., 1995, Int. J. Cancer 63: 231-237; Fong et al., 1997, J. Immunol. 159: 3113-3117). Such methods can be readily practiced by 20 employing a 36P1A6 protein, or fragment thereof, or a 36P1A6-encoding nucleic acid molecule and recombinant vectors capable of expressing and appropriately presenting the 36P1A6 immunogen. For example, viral gene delivery systems may be used to deliver a 36P1A6-encoding 25 nucleic acid molecule. Various viral gene delivery systems which can be used in the practice of this aspect of the invention include, but are not limited to, vaccinia, fowlpox, canarypox, adenovirus, influenza, poliovirus, adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, and sindbus virus (Restifo, 1996, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 8: 658-663). Non-viral delivery systems may also be employed by using naked DNA encoding a 36P1A6 protein or 30 fragment thereof introduced into the patient (e.g., intramuscularly) to induce an anti tumor response. In one embodiment, the full-length human 36P1A6 cDNA may be employed. In another embodiment, 36P1A6 nucleic acid molecules encoding specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes may be employed. CTL epitopes can be determined using specific algorithms (e.g., Epimer, Brown University) to identify 35 peptides within a 36P1A6 protein which are capable of optimally binding to specified HLA alleles. 26 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/22576 Various ex vivo strategies may also be employed. One approach involves the use of dendritic cells to present 36P1A6 antigen to a patient's immune system. Dendritic cells express MHC class I and II, B7 costimulator, and IL-12, and are thus highly specialized antigen presenting cells. In prostate cancer, autologous dendritic cells pulsed with 5 peptides of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are being used in a Phase I clinical trial to stimulate prostate cancer patients' immune systems (Tjoa et al., 1996, Prostate 28: 65-69; Murphy et al., 1996, Prostate 29: 371-380). Dendritic cells can be used to present 36P1A6 peptides to T cells in the context of MHC class I and i molecules. In one embodiment, autologous dendritic cells are pulsed with 36P1A6 10 peptides capable of binding to MHC molecules. In another embodiment, dendritic cells are pulsed with the complete 36P1A6 protein. Yet another embodiment involves engineering the overexpression of the 36P1A6 gene in dendritic cells using various implementing vectors known in the art, such as adenovirus (Arthur et al., 1997, Cancer Gene Ther. 4: 17-25), retrovirus (Henderson et al., 1996, Cancer Res. 56: 3763-3770), 15 lentivirus, adeno-associated virus, DNA transfection (Ribas et al., 1997, Cancer Res. 57: 2865-2869), and tumor-derived RNA transfection (Ashley et al., 1997, J. Exp. Med. 186: 1177-1182). Cells expressing 36P1A6 may also be engineered to express immune modulators, such as GM-CSF, and used as immunizing agents. 20 Anti-idiotypic anti-36P1A6 antibodies can also be used in anti-cancer therapy as a vaccine for inducing an immune response to cells expressing a 36P1A6 protein. Specifically, the generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies is well known in the art and can readily be adapted to generate anti-idiotypic anti-36P1A6 antibodies that mimic an epitope on a 36P1A6 protein (see, for example, Wagner et al., 1997, Hybridoma 16: 33 25 40; Foon et al., 1995, J Clin Invest 96: 334-342; Herlyn et al., 1996, Cancer Immunol Immunother 43: 65-76). Such an anti-idiotypic antibody can be used in cancer vaccine strategies. Genetic immunization methods may be employed to generate prophylactic or 30 therapeutic humoral and cellular immune responses directed against cancer cells expressing 36P1A6. Constructs comprising DNA encoding a 36P1A6 protein/immunogen and appropriate regulatory sequences may be injected directly into muscle or skin of an individual, such that the cells of the muscle or skin take-up the construct and express the encoded 36P1A6 protein/immunogen. Expression of the 36P1A6 protein immunogen 35 results in the generation of prophylactic or therapeutic humoral and cellular immunity against prostate cancer. Various prophylactic and therapeutic genetic immunization techniques known in the art may be used (for review, see information and references published at Internet address www.genweb.com). 27 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 KITS For use in the diagnostic and therapeutic applications described or suggested above, kits are also provided by the invention. Such kits may comprise a carrier means being 5 compartmentalized to receive in close confinement one or more container means such as vials, tubes, and the like, each of the container means comprising one of the separate elements to be used in the method. For example, one of the container means may comprise a probe which is or can be detectably labeled. Such probe may be an antibody or polynucleotide specific for a 36P1A6 protein or a 36P1A6 gene or 10 message, respectively. Where the kit utilizes nucleic acid hybridization to detect the target nucleic acid, the kit may also have containers containing nucleotide(s) for amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence and/or a container comprising a reporter-means, such as a biotin-binding protein, such as avidin or streptavidin, bound to a reporter molecule, such as an enzymatic, florescent, or radioisotope label. 15 EXAMPLES Various aspects of the invention are further described and illustrated by way of the several examples which follow, none of which are intended to limit the scope of the 20 invention. EXAMPLE 1: SSH-GENERATED ISOLATION OF cDNA FRAGMENT OF THE 36P1A6 GENE 25 MATERIALS AND METHODS LAPC Xenografts: LAPC xenografts were obtained from Dr. Charles Sawyers (UCLA) and generated as described (Klein et al, 1997, Nature Med. 3: 402-408). Androgen dependent and 30 independent LAPC-4 xenografts LAPC-4 AD and Al, respectively) and LAPC-9 AD xenografts were grown in male SCID mice and were passaged as small tissue chunks in recipient males. LAPC-4 Al xenografts were derived from LAPC-4 AD tumors. Male mice bearing LAPC-4 AD tumors were castrated and maintained for 2-3 months. After the LAPC-4 tumors re-grew, the tumors were harvested and passaged in castrated 35 males or in female SCID mice. LAPC-4 AD xenografts were grown intratibially as follows. LAPC-4 AD xenograft tumor tissue grown subcutaneously was minced into 1-2 mm 3 sections while the tissue was 28 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 bathed in IX Iscoves medium, minced tissue was then centrifuged at 1.3K rpm for 4 minutes, the supernatant was resuspended in 10 ml ice cold IX Iscoves medium and centrifuged at 1.3K rpm for 4 minutes. The pellet was then resuspended in 1X Iscoves with 1% pronase E and incubated for 20 minutes at room temperature with mild 5 rocking agitation followed by incubation on ice for 2-4 minutes. Filtrate was centrifuged at 1.3K rmp for 4 minutes, and the pronase was removed from the aspirated pellet by resuspending in 10 ml Iscoves and re-centrifuging. Clumps of cells were then plated in PrEGM medium and grown overnight. The cells were then harvested, filtered, washed 2X RPMI, and counted. Approximately 50,000 cells were 10 mixed with and equal volume of ice-cold Matrigel on ice, and surgically injected into the proximal tibial metaphyses of SCID mice via a 27 gauge needle. After 10-12 weeks, LAPC-4 tumors growing in bone marrow were recovered. Cell Lines: 15 Human cell lines (e.g., HeLa) were obtained from the ATCC and were maintained in DMEM with 5% fetal calf serum. RNA Isolation: Tumor tissue and cell lines were homogenized in Trizol reagent (Life Technologies, 20 Gibco BRL) using 10 ml/ g tissue or 10 ml/ 108 cells to isolate total RNA. Poly A RNA was purified from total RNA using Qiagen's Oligotex mRNA Mini and Midi kits. Total and mRNA were quantified by spectrophotometric analysis (O.D. 260/280 nm) and analyzed by gel electrophoresis. 25 Oligonucleotides: The following HPLC purified oligonucleotides were used. DPNCDN (cDNA synthesis primer): 5'TTTTGATCAAGCTTQ3' 30 Adaptor 1: 5'CTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGCTCGAGCGGCCGCCCGGGCAG3' 3'GGCCCGTCCTAG5' Adaptor 2: 35 5'GTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGCAGCGTGGTCGCGGCCGAG3' 3'CGGCTCCTAG5' PCR primer 1: 5'CTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGC3' 29 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 Nested primer (NP)1: 5'TCGAGCGGCCGCCCGGGCAGGA3' 5 Nested primer (NP)2: 5'AGCGTGGTCGCGGCCGAGGA3' Suppression Subtractive Hybridization: Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) was used to identify cDNAs 10 corresponding to genes which may be differentially expressed in prostate cancer. The SSH reaction utilized cDNA from LAPC-4 AD xenografts growing in two different environments, namely the subcutaneous ("LAPC-4 AD SQ") and intratibial ("LAPC-4 AD IT") growth environments, wherein the LAPC-4 AD IT xenograft was used as the source of the "tester" cDNA, while the LAPC-4 AD SQ xenograft was used as the source of the 15 "driver" cDNA. Double stranded cDNAs corresponding to tester and driver cDNAs were synthesized from 2 ptg of poly(A)* RNA isolated from the relevant xenograft tissue, as described above, using CLONTECH's PCR-Select cDNA Subtraction Kit and I ng of 20 oligonucleotide DPNCDN as primer. First- and second-strand synthesis were carried out as described in the Kit's user manual protocol (CLONTECH Protocol No. PTI 117-1, Catalog No. K1804-1). The resulting cDNA was digested with Dpn || for 3 hrs. at 370C. Digested cDNA was extracted with phenol/chloroform (1:1) and ethanol precipitated. 25 Driver cDNA was generated by combining in a 1:1 ratio Dpn II digested cDNA from the relevant xenograft source (see above) with a mix of digested cDNAs derived from human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the human cell lines HeLa, 293, A431, Colo205, and mouse liver. 30 Tester cDNA was generated by diluting I pl of Dpn 11 digested cDNA from the relevant xenograft source (see above) (400 ng) in 5 pl of water. The diluted cDNA (2 pil, 160 ng) was then ligated to 2 pl of Adaptor I and Adaptor 2 (10 gM), in separate ligation reactions, in a total volume of 10 pl at 160C overnight, using 400 u of T4 DNA ligase (CLONTECH). Ligation was terminated with 1 p1 of 0.2 M EDTA and heating at 72'C for 35 5 min. 30 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 The first hybridization was performed by adding 1.5 pl (600 ng) of driver cDNA to each of two tubes containing 1.5 pl (20 ng) Adaptor 1- and Adaptor 2- ligated tester cDNA. In a final volume of 4 pl, the samples were overlaid with mineral oil, denatured in an MJ Research thermal cycler at 980C for 1.5 minutes, and then were allowed to hybridize 5 for 8 hrs at 680C. The two hybridizations were then mixed together with an additional 1 l of fresh denatured driver cDNA and were allowed to hybridize overnight at 680C. The second hybridization was then diluted in 200 VLI of 20 mM Hepes, pH 8.3, 50 mM NaCl, 0.2 mM EDTA, heated at 70*C for 7 min. and stored at -200C. 10 PCR Amplification, Cloning and Sequencing of Gene Fragments Generated from SSH: To amplify gene fragments resulting from SSH reactions, two PCR amplifications were performed. In the primary PCR reaction I il of the diluted final hybridization mix was added to 1 pl of PCR primer 1 (10 pIM), 0.5 il dNTP mix (10 pM), 2.5 p1 10 x reaction buffer (CLONTECH) and 0.5 pl 50 x Advantage cDNA polymerase Mix (CLONTECH) in a 15 final volume of 25 p1. PCR 1 was conducted using the following conditions: 750C for 5 min., 940C for 25 sec., then 27 cycles of 940C for 10 sec, 660C for 30 sec, 720C for 1.5 min. Five separate primary PCR reactions were performed for each experiment. The products were pooled and diluted 1:10 with water. For the secondary PCR reaction, I pl from the pooled and diluted primary PCR reaction was added to the same reaction 20 mix as used for PCR 1, except that primers NPI and NP2 (10 pM) were used instead of PCR primer 1. PCR 2 was performed using 10-12 cycles of 940C for 10 sec, 680C for 30 sec, 72*C for 1.5 minutes. The PCR products were analyzed using 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. 25 The PCR products were inserted into pCR2.1 using the T/A vector cloning kit (Invitrogen). Transformed E. coli were subjected to blue/white and ampicillin selection. White colonies were picked and arrayed into 96 well plates and were grown in liquid culture overnight. To identify inserts, PCR amplification was performed on I ml of bacterial culture using the conditions of PCR1 and NPI and NP2 as primers. PCR 30 products were analyzed using 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Bacterial clones were stored in 20% glycerol in a 96 well format. Plasmid DNA was prepared, sequenced, and subjected to nucleic acid homology searches of the GenBank, dBest, and NCI-CGAP databases. 35 31 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 RT-PCR Expression Analysis: First strand cDNAs were generated from 1 ig of mRNA with oligo (dT)12-18 priming using the Gibco-BRL Superscript Preamplification system. The manufacturers protocol was used and included an incubation for 50 min at 420C with reverse 5 transcriptase followed by RNAse H treatment at 370C for 20 min. After completing the reaction, the volume was increased to 200 ptl with water prior to normalization. First strand cDNAs from 16 different normal human tissues were obtained from Clontech. Normalization of the first strand cDNAs from multiple tissues was performed by using 10 the primers 5'atatcgccgcgctcgtcgtcgacaa3' and 5'agccacacgcagctcattgtagaagg 3' to amplify p-actin. First strand cDNA (5 pl) was amplified in a total volume of 50 ptl containing 0.4 pM primers, 0.2 piM each dNTPs, 1XPCR buffer (Clontech, 10 mM Tris-HCL, 1.5 mM MgCl 2 , 50 mM KCl, pH8.3) and 1X Klentaq DNA polymerase (Clontech). Five ptl of the PCR reaction was removed at 18, 20, and 22 cycles and used 15 for agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR was performed using an MJ Research thermal cycler under the following conditions: initial denaturation was at 940C for 15 sec, followed by a 18, 20, and 22 cycles of 940C for 15, 65*C for 2 min, 72*C for 5 sec. A final extension at 720C was carried out for 2 min. After agarose gel electrophoresis, the band intensities of the 283 bp p-actin bands from multiple tissues were compared 20 by visual inspection. Dilution factors for the first strand cDNAs were calculated to result in equal p-actin band intensities in all tissues after 22 cycles of PCR. Three rounds of normalization were required to achieve equal band intensities in all tissues after 22 cycles of PCR. 25 To determine expression levels of the 36P1A6 gene, 5 pl of normalized first strand cDNA was analyzed by PCR using 25, 30, and 35 cycles of amplification using the following primer pairs, which were designed with the assistance of (MIT; for details, see, www.genome.wi.mit.edu): 30 5' - GTT GCT TTA CAA GAA GGC CAA AGA - 3' 5' - ATG AAC AGG CAA AGT CAG AGA AGG - 3' Semi quantitative expression analysis was achieved by comparing the PCR products at cycle numbers that give light band intensities. 35 RESULTS: The SSH experiment described in the Materials and Methods, supra, led to the isolation of numerous candidate gene fragment clones (SSH clones). All candidate clones were 32 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/22576 sequenced and subjected to homology analysis against all sequences in the major public gene and EST databases in order to provide information on the identity of the corresponding gene and to help guide the decision to analyze a particular gene for differential expression. In general, gene fragments which had no homology to any 5 known sequence in any of the searched databases, and thus considered to represent novel genes, as well as gene fragments showing homology to previously sequenced expressed sequence tags (ESTs), were subjected to differential expression analysis by RT-PCR and/or Northern analysis. 10 One of the SHH clones comprising about 269 bp, showed significant homology to an endometrial tumor library-derived EST (AA337475) but no homology to any known gene, and was designated 36P1A6. The nucleotide sequence of this SHH clone is shown in FIG. 1B. Differential expression analysis by RT-PCR showed expression in all LAPC xenografts and in normal prostate at approximately equal levels (FIG. 2, Panel 15 A). In addition, further RT-PCR expression analysis of first strand cDNAs from 16 normal tissues detected expression in prostate, lung and pancreas after 30 cycles of PCR amplification (FIG. 2, panels B and C). After 35 cycles of amplification this gene was detectable in several other tissues. 20 EXAMPLE 2 ISOLATION OF FULL LENGTH cDNA ENCODING THE 36P1A6 GENE The isolated 36P1A6 gene fragment of 269 bp was used as a probe to identify the full length cDNA for 36P1A6, resulting in the isolation of clone 13, which is approximately 25 5 kb in size. Sequencing of the 5' 3160 bp of clone 13 revealed an ORF of 300 amino acids with strong homology to murine EHF (Bochert et al., 1998, Biochem Biophys Res Commun 246(1):176-81), a member of the ETS family of transcription factors. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of this cDNA are shown in FIG. IA. The isolated 36P1A6 gene, which is likely to be human EHF, contains an ETS homology 30 region (which corresponds to its DNA binding domain) and a pointed domain (which probably functions as a protein-protein interaction domain). The nearest human homolog is ESX, an epithelial specific ETS family member that is up-regulated in breast cancer (Chang et al., 1997,Oncogene 14(13):1617-22). The highest homology to ESX lies in the ETS homology region. Various amino acid sequence alignments of the 35 36P1A6 protein with murine EHF and human ESX sequences are provided in FIG. 5. 33 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 EXAMPLE 3 NORTHERN BLOT ANALYSIS OF 36P1A6 GENE EXPRESSION Initial analysis of 36P1A6 mRNA expression in normal human tissues was conducted by Northern blotting two multiple tissue blots obtained from Clontech (Palo Alto, 5 California), comprising a total of 16 different normal human tissues, using labeled 36P1A6 cDNA as a probe. RNA samples were quantitatively normalized with a p-actin probe. The results are shown in FIG. 3. In addition, in order to analyze 36P1A6 expression in human cancer tissues and cell 10 lines, RNAs derived from human prostate cancer xenografts and an extensive panel of prostate and non-prostate cancer cell lines were analyzed by Northern blot using 36P1A6 cDNA as probe. All RNA samples were quantitatively normalized by ethiduim bromide staining and subsequent analysis with a labeled p-actin probe. 15 The results, presented in FIG. 4, show high level 36P1A6 expression in all the LAPC prostate cancer xenografts. More importantly, very high levels of overexpression were detected in most of these xenograft samples relative to normal prostate. In the various cancer cell lines tested, high level expression was detected in prostate (LNCaP), bladder (SCaBER, 5637), pancreatic (BxPC-3, HPAC, Capan-1), colon (LoVo, 20 T84, Colo-205), cervical (A431), and ovarian (SW626, and CAOV-3) cancer cells. Accordingly, 36P1A6/hEHF may be a marker and/or therapeutic target in prostate, bladder, colon, pancreatic, cervical and ovarian cancer, as well as potentially other cancers. 25 EXAMPLE 4: PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT 36P1A6 IN A MAMMALIAN SYSTEMS To express recombinant 36P1A6, the full length 36P1A6 cDNA coding region is cloned into an expression vector that provides a 6His tag at the carboxyl-terminus (pCDNA 3.1 myc-his, InVitrogen). The construct is transfected into 293T cells. Transfected 293T 30 cell lysates are probed with anti-36P1A6 serum or antibody in a Western blot as is generally known. Another method of expressing 36P1A6 utilizes the retroviral expression vector pSRaxMSVtkneo. The 36P1A6 coding sequence (from translation initiation ATG to the 35 termination codons) is amplified by PCR using ds cDNA template from 36P1A6 cDNA. The PCR product is subcloned into pSRaMSVtkneo via the EcoRl(blunt-ended) and Xba I restriction sites on the vector and transformed into DH5a. competent cells. 34 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/22576 Colonies are picked to screen for clones with unique internal restriction sites on the cDNA. The positive clone is confirmed by sequencing of the cDNA insert. Retroviruses are then made and used for infection and generation of the various cell lines expressing 36P1A6 (e.g., 3T3CL7, PC3, and LnCap). 5 EXAMPLE 5: PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT 36P1A6 IN A BACULOVIRUS SYSTEM To generate recombinant 36P1A6 protein in a baculovirus expression system, 36P1A6 cDNA is cloned into the baculovirus transfer vector pBlueBac 4.5 (Invitrogen) which 10 provides a His-tag at the N-terminus Specifically, pBlueBac-36P1A6 is co-transfected with helper plasmid pBac-N-Blue (Invitrogen) into SF9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) insect cells to generate recombinant baculovirus (see Invitrogen instruction manual for details). Baculovirus is then collected from cell supernatant and purified by plaque assay. 15 Recombinant 36P1A6 protein is then generated by infection of HighFive insect cells (InVitrogen) with the purified baculovirus. Recombinant 36P1A6 protein may be detected using 36P1A6-specific antibody. 36P1A6 protein may be purified and used in various cell based assays or as immunogen to generate polyclonal and monoclonal 20 antibodies specific for 36P1A6. EXAMPLE 6: GENERATION OF 36P1A6 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES In order to generate 36P1A6 monoclonal antibodies, a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) 25 fusion protein encompassing the 36P1A6 protein is synthesized and used as immunogen. Balb C mice are initially immunized intraperitoneally with 200 pg of the GST-36P1A6 fusion protein mixed in complete Freund's adjuvant. Mice are subsequently immunized every 2 weeks with 75 ptg of GST-36P1A6 protein mixed in Freund's incomplete adjuvant for a total of 3 immunizations. Reactivity of serum from 30 immunized mice to full length 36P1A6 protein is monitored by ELISA using a partially purified preparation of HIS-tagged 36P1A6 protein expressed from 293T cells (Example 6). Mice showing the strongest reactivity are rested for 3 weeks and given a final injection of fusion protein in PBS and then sacrificed 4 days later. The spleens of the sacrificed mice are then harvested and fused to SPO/2 myeloma cells using 35 standard procedures (Harlow and Lane, 1988). Supernatants from growth wells following HAT selection are screened by ELISA and Western blot to identify 36P1A6 specific antibody producing clones. 35 WO 00/20584 PCTIUS99/22576 The binding affinity of a 36P1A6 monoclonal antibody may be determined using standard technology. Affinity measurements quantify the strength of antibody to epitope binding and may be used to help define which 36P1A6 monoclonal antibodies 5 are preferred for diagnostic or therapeutic use. The BlAcore system (Uppsala, Sweden) is a preferred method for determining binding affinity. The BlAcore system uses surface plasmon resonance (SPR, Welford K. 1991, Opt. Quant. Elect. 23:1; Morton and Myszka, 1998, Methods in Enzymology 295: 268) to monitor biomolecular interactions in real time. BlAcore analysis conveniently generates association rate 10 constants, dissociation rate constants, equilibrium dissociation constants, and affinity constants. EXAMPLE 7: IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS 15 To determine whether 36P1A6 directly or indirectly activates known signal transduction pathways in cells, luciferase (luc) based transcriptional reporter assays are carried out in cells expressing 36P1A6. These transcriptional reporters contain consensus binding sites for known transcription factors which lie downstream of well characterized signal transduction pathways. The reporters and examples of there 20 associated transcription factors, signal transduction pathways, and activation stimuli are listed below. 1. NFkB-luc, NFkB/Rel; Ik-kinase/SAPK; growth/apoptosis/stress 2. SRE-luc, SRF/TCF/ELK1; MAPK/SAPK; growth/differentiation 25 3. AP-1-luc, FOS/JUN; MAPK/SAPK/PKC; growth/apoptosis/stress 4. ARE-luc, androgen receptor; steroids/MAPK; growth/differentiation/apoptosis 5. p53-luc, p53; SAPK; growth/differentiation/apoptosis 6. CRE-luc, CREB/ATF2; PKA/p38; growth/apoptosis/stress 30 36P1A6-mediated effects may be assayed in cells showing mRNA expression, such as the 36P1A6-expressing cancer cell lines shown in FIG. 4. Luciferase reporter plasmids may be introduced by lipid mediated transfection (TFX-50, Promega). Luciferase activity, an indicator of relative transcriptional activity, is measured by incubation of cells extracts with luciferin substrate and luminescence of the reaction is 35 monitored in a luminometer. 36 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 EXAMPLE 8: IN VITRO ASSAYS OF 36P1A6 FUNCTION The expression of 36P1A6 in prostate cancer and other cancers suggests a functional role in tumor progression. It is possible that 36P1A6 functions as a transcription 5 factor involved in activating genes involved in tumorigenesis or repressing genes that block tumorigenesis. 36P1A6 function can be assessed in mammalian cells using in vitro approaches. For mammalian expression, 36P1A6 can be cloned into a number of appropriate vectors, including pcDNA 3.1 myc-His-tag and the retroviral vector pSRotkneo (Muller etal., 1991, MCB 11:1785). Using such expression vectors, 36P1A6 10 can be expressed in several cell lines, including PC-3, NIH 3T3, LNCaP and 293T. Expression of 36P1A6 can be monitored using anti-36P1A6 antibodies. Mammalian cell lines expressing 36P1A6 can be tested in several in vitro and in vivo assays, including cell proliferation in tissue culture, activation of apoptotic signals, 15 tumor formation in SCID mice, and in vitro invasion using a membrane invasion culture system (MICS) (Welch et al. ,lnt. J. Cancer 43: 449-457). 36P1A6 cell phenotype is compared to the phenotype of cells that lack expression of 36P1 A6. Cell lines expressing 36P1A6 can also be assayed for alteration of invasive and 20 migratory properties by measuring passage of cells through a matrigel coated porous membrane chamber (Becton Dickinson). Passage of cells through the membrane to the opposite side is monitored using a fluorescent assay (Becton Dickinson Technical Bulletin #428) using calcein-Am (Molecular Probes) loaded indicator cells. Cell lines analyzed include parental and 36P1A6 overexpressing PC3, 3T3 and LNCaP cells. To 25 assay whether 36P1A6 has chemoattractant properties, parental indicator cells are monitored for passage through the porous membrane toward a gradient of 36P1A6 conditioned media compared to control media. This assay may also be used to qualify and quantify specific neutralization of the 36P1A6 induced effect by candidate cancer therapeutic compositions. 30 EXAMPLE 9: IN VIVO ASSAY FOR 36P1A6 TUMOR GROWTH PROMOTION The effect of the 36P1A6 protein on tumor cell growth may be evaluated in vivo by gene overexpression in tumor-bearing mice. For example, SCID mice can be injected 35 SQ on each flank with 1 x 106 of either PC3, TSUPRI, or DU145 cells containing tkNeo empty vector or 36P1A6. At least two strategies may be used: (1) Constitutive 36P1A6 expression under regulation of an LTR promoter, and (2) Regulated expression under 37 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576 control of an inducible vector system, such as ecdysone, tet, etc. Tumor volume is then monitored at the appearance of palpable tumors and followed over time to determine if 36P1A6 expressing cells grow at a faster rate. Additionally, mice may be implanted with 1 x 10' of the same cells orthotopically to determine if 36P1A6 has an 5 effect on local growth in the prostate or on the ability of the cells to metastasize, specifically to lungs, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. The assay is also useful to determine the 36P1A6 inhibitory effect of candidate therapeutic compositions, such as for example, 36P1A6 intrabodies, 36P1A6 antisense 10 molecules and ribozymes. 15 This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of United States Provisional Patent Applications 06/146,447 filed 29 July 1999 and 06/102,744 filed 02 October 1998 under the provisions of 37 USC 119(e), the contents of which are incorporated by 20 reference herein in their entireties. Throughout this application, various publications are referenced within parentheses. The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 25 The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the embodiments disclosed herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and any which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications to the models and methods of the invention, in addition to those 30 described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and teachings, and are similarly intended to fall within the scope of the invention. Such modifications or other embodiments can be practiced without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. 38

Claims (28)

1. An isolated 36P1A6 protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1A. 5

2. An isolated polypeptide of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of the protein of claim 1.

3. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of (a) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 1A, wherein T can also be 10 U; (b) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. IA, from nucleotide residue number 113 through nucleotide residue number 1012, wherein T can also be U; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a 36P1A6 polypeptide whose sequence is encoded by the cDNA contained in the plasmid as deposited with American Type Culture Collection as Accession No. 207198; and (d) a polynucleotide 15 encoding the 36P1A6 protein of claim 1.

4. An isolated polynucleotide which selectively hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide according to claim 3. 20

5. An isolated fragment of a polynucleotide according to claim 3 which is at least 20 nucleotide bases in length.

6. An isolated polynucleotide which is fully complementary to a polynucleotide according to claim 3. 25

7. A recombinant expression vector which contains a polynucleotide according to claim 3.

8. A host cell which contains an expression vector according to claim 7. 30

9. An isolated polynucleotide according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 which is labeled with a detectable marker.

10. A process for producing a 36P1A6 protein comprising culturing a host cell of 35 claim 8 under conditions sufficient for the production of the polypeptide and recovering the 36P1A6 protein from the culture.

11. An antibody which specifically binds to the 36P1A6 protein of claim 1. 39 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576

12. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 11.

13. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 12 which is labeled with a detectable 5 marker.

14. An assay for detecting the presence of a 36P1A6 protein in a biological sample comprising contacting the sample with an antibody of claim 11 and detecting the binding of 36P1A6 protein in the sample thereto. 10

15. An assay for detecting the presence of a 36P1A6 polynucleotide in a biological sample, comprising (a) contacting the sample with a polynucleotide probe which specifically 15 hybridizes to the 36P1A6 cDNA contained within the plasmid as deposited with American Type Culture Collection as Accession No. 207198, the polynucleotide as shown in FIG. IA, or the complements thereof; and (b) detecting the presence of a hybridization complex formed by the 20 hybridization of the probe with 36P1A6 polynucleotide in the sample, wherein the presence of the hybridization complex indicates the presence of 36P1A6 polynucleotide within the sample.

16. An assay for detecting the presence of 36P1A6 mRNA in a biological sample 25 comprising: (a) producing cDNA from the sample by reverse transcription using at least one primer; 30 (b) amplifying the cDNA so produced using 36P1A6 polynucleotides as sense and antisense primers to amplify 36P1A6 cDNAs therein; (c) detecting the presence of the amplified 36P1A6 cDNA, 35 wherein the 36P1A6 polynucleotides used as the sense and antisense probes are capable of amplifying the 36P1A6 cDNA contained within the plasmid as deposited with American Type Culture Collection as Accession No. 207198. 40 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576

17. A method of diagnosing the presence of cancer in an individual comprising: (a) obtaining a test sample of tissue from the individual; 5 (b) determining the level of 36P1A6 mRNA expressed in the test sample; (c) comparing the level so determined to the level of 36P1A6 mRNA expressed in a comparable known normal tissue sample, 10 the presence of elevated 36P1A6 mRNA expression in the test sample relative to the normal tissue sample providing an indication of the presence of cancer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, 15 pancreatic cancer and colon cancer.

19. A method of diagnosing the presence of cancer in an individual comprising: (a) obtaining a test sample of tissue from the individual; 20 (b) determining the level of 36P1 A6 protein expressed in the test sample; (c) comparing the level so determined to the level of 36P1A6 protein expressed in a comparable known normal tissue sample, 25 the presence of elevated 36P1A6 protein in the test sample relative to the normal tissue sample providing an indication of the presence of cancer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the cancer is selected from the group 30 consisting of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer.

21. A method of treating a patient with a cancer that expresses 36P1A6 which comprises inhibiting the transcription of 36P1A6 in the cells of said cancer. 35

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein 36P1A6 transcription is inhibited by contacting the 36P1A6 gene with an antisense polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of claim 3. 41 WO 00/20584 PCT/US99/22576

23. A method of treating a patient with a cancer that expresses 36P1A6 which comprises inhibiting the translation of 36P1A6 mRNA in the cells of said cancer. 5

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein 36P1A6 mRNA translation is inhibited by contacting the 36P1A6 mRNA with an antisense polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of claim 3.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein 36P1A6 mRNA translation is inhibited 10 by contacting the 36P1A6 mRNA with a ribozyme capable of cleaving said 36P1A6 mRNA.

26. A vaccine composition for the treatment of a cancer expressing 36P1A6 comprising a 36P1A6 protein according to claim I and a physiologically 15 acceptable carrier.

27. A vaccine composition for the treatment of a cancer expressing 36P1A6 comprising an immunogenic portion of a 36P1A6 protein according to claim 2 and a physiologically acceptable carrier. 20

28. A method of inhibiting the development of a cancer expressing 36P1A6 in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of the vaccine composition of claim 26 or 27. 42