Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/70503—Immunoglobulin superfamily
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/775—Apolipopeptides
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

• compositions of the present invention include novel isolated polypeptides, novel isolated polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, especially naturally occurring variants such as allelic variants, antisense polynucleotide molecules, and antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes present on such polypeptides, as well as hybridomas producing such antibodies.
• compositions of the present invention additionally include vectors, including expression vectors, containing the polynucleotides of the invention, cells genetically engineered to contain such polynucleotides and cells genetically engineered to express such polynucleotides.
• the present invention relates to a collection or library of at least one novel nucleic acid sequence assembled from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) isolated mainly by sequencing by hybridization (SBH), and in some cases, sequences obtained from one or more public databases.
• ESTs expressed sequence tags isolated mainly by sequencing by hybridization
• the invention relates also to the proteins encoded by such polynucleotides, along with therapeutic, diagnostic and research utilities for these polynucleotides and proteins. These nucleic acid sequences are designated as SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708.
• nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also include, nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to the complement of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 under stringent hybridization conditions; nucleic acid sequences which are allelic variants or species homologues of any of the nucleic acid sequences recited above, or nucleic acid sequences that encode a peptide comprising a specific domain or truncation of the peptides encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708.
• a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 90% identity to an identifying sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 or a degenerate variant or fragment thereof.
• the identifying sequence can be 100 base pairs in length.
• the polynucleotides of the present invention also include, but are not limited to, a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to (a) the complement of any one of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in the Sequence Listing; (c) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of any polynucleotides recited above; (d) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homolog (e.g.
• polypeptides of the invention may be wholly or partially chemically synthesized but are preferably produced by recombinant means using the genetically engineered cells (e.g. host cells) of the invention.
• the invention also provides compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention.
• Polypeptide compositions of the invention may further comprise an acceptable carrier, such as a hydrophilic, e.g., pharmaceutically acceptable, carrier.
• the invention also relates to methods for producing a polypeptide of the invention comprising growing a culture of the host cells of the invention in a suitable culture medium under conditions permitting expression of the desired polypeptide, and purifying the polypeptide from the culture or from the host cells.
• Preferred embodiments include those in which the protein produced by such process is a mature form of the protein.
• Polynucleotides according to the invention have numerous applications in a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art of molecular biology. These techniques include use as hybridization probes, use as oligomers, or primers, for PCR, use for chromosome and gene mapping, use in the recombinant production of protein, and use in generation of anti-sense DNA or RNA, their chemical analogs and the like. For example, when the expression of an mRNA is largely restricted to a particular cell or tissue type, polynucleotides of the invention can be used as hybridization probes to detect the presence of the particular cell or tissue mRNA in a sample using, e.g., in situ hybridization.
• polypeptides according to the invention can be used in a variety of conventional procedures and methods that are currently applied to other proteins.
• a polypeptide of the invention can be used to generate an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide.
• Such antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, are useful for detecting or quantitating the polypeptide in tissue.
• the polypeptides of the invention can also be used as molecular weight markers, and as a food supplement.
• Methods are also provided for preventing, treating, or ameliorating a medical condition which comprises the step of administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a polypeptide of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
• polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention can be utilized, for example, in methods for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders involving aberrant protein expression or biological activity.
• the present invention further relates to methods for detecting the presence of the polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention in a sample. Such methods can, for example, be utilized as part of prognostic and diagnostic evaluation of disorders as recited herein and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.
• the invention provides a method for detecting the polynucleotides of the invention in a sample, comprising contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polynucleotide of interest for a period sufficient to form the complex and under conditions sufficient to form a complex and detecting the complex such that if a complex is detected, the polynucleotide of interest is detected.
• the invention also provides a method for detecting the polypeptides of the invention in a sample comprising contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polypeptide under conditions and for a period sufficient to form the complex and detecting the formation of the complex such that if a complex is formed, the polypeptide is detected.
• the invention also provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) the expression or activity of the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of the invention. Such methods can be utilized, for example, for the identification of compounds that can ameliorate symptoms of disorders as recited herein. Such methods can include, but are not limited to, assays for identifying compounds and other substances that interact with (e.g., bind to) the polypeptides of the invention.
• the invention provides a method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptides of the invention comprising contacting the compound with a polypeptide of the invention in a cell for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, wherein the complex drives expression of a reporter gene sequence in the cell; and detecting the complex by detecting the reporter gene sequence expression such that if expression of the reporter gene is detected the compound the binds to a polypeptide of the invention is identified.
• complementarity refers to the natural binding of polynucleotides by base pairing.
• sequence 5'-AGT-3' binds to the complementary sequence 3' -TCA-5'.
• Complementarity between two single-stranded molecules may be "partial” such that only some of the nucleic acids bind or it may be "complete” such that total complementarity exists between the single stranded molecules.
• the degree of complementarity between the nucleic acid strands has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of the hybridization between the nucleic acid strands.
• Probes may, for example, be used to determine whether specific mRNA molecules are present in a cell or tissue or to isolate similar nucleic acid sequences from chromosomal DNA as described by Walsh et al. (Walsh, P.S. et al., 1992, PCR Methods Appl 1 :241-250). They may be labeled by nick translation, Klenow fill-in reaction, PCR, or other methods well known in the art. Probes of the present invention, their preparation and/or labeling are elaborated in Sambrook, J. et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY; or Ausubel, F.M. et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York NY, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• the nucleic acid sequences of the present invention also include the sequence information from the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708.
• the sequence information can be a segment of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 that uniquely identifies or represents the sequence information of that sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473- 708.
• One such segment can be a twenty-mer nucleic acid sequence because the probability that a twenty-mer is fully matched in the human genome is 1 in 300. In the human genome, there are three billion base pairs in one set of chromosomes. Because 4 possible twenty-mers exist, there are 300 times more twenty-mers than there are base pairs in a set of human chromosomes.
• a segment when using sequence information for detecting a single mismatch, a segment can be a twenty-five mer.
• the probability that the twenty-five mer would appear in a human genome with a single mismatch is calculated by multiplying the probability for a full match (1 ⁇ 4 ) times the increased probability for mismatch at each nucleotide position (3 x 25).
• the probability that an eighteen mer with a single mismatch can be detected in an array for expression studies is approximately one in five.
• the probability that a twenty-mer with a single mismatch can be detected in a human genome is approximately one in five.
• the term "open reading frame," ORF means a series of nucleotide triplets coding for amino acids without any termination codons and is a sequence translatable into protein.
• operably linked refers to functionally related nucleic acid sequences.
• a promoter is operably associated or operably linked with a coding sequence if the promoter controls the transcription of the coding sequence.
• operably linked nucleic acid sequences can be contiguous and in the same reading frame, certain genetic elements e.g. repressor genes are not contiguously linked to the coding sequence but still control transcription/translation of the coding sequence.
• pluripotent refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into a number of differentiated cell types that are present in an adult organism.
• a pluripotent cell is restricted in its differentiation capability in comparison to a totipotent cell.
• polypeptide or “peptide” or “amino acid sequence” refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide or protein sequence or fragment thereof and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules.
• a polypeptide "fragment,” “portion,” or “segment” is a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about 5 amino acids, preferably at least about 7 amino acids, more preferably at least about 9 amino acids and most preferably at least about 17 or more amino acids.
• the peptide preferably is not greater than about 500 amino acids, more preferably less than 200 amino acids more preferably less than 150 amino acids and most preferably less than 100 amino acids.
• the peptide is from about 5 to about 200 amino acids.
• any polypeptide must have sufficient length to display biological and/or immunological activity.
• naturally occurring polypeptide refers to polypeptides produced by cells that have not been genetically engineered and specifically contemplates various polypeptides arising from post-translational modifications of the polypeptide including, but not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation and acylation.
• transcriptional modification means a sequence which encodes for the full
• derivative refers to polypeptides chemically modified by such techniques as ubiquitination, labeling (e.g., with radionuclides or various enzymes), covalent polymer attachment such as pegylation (derivatization with polyethylene glycol) and insertion or substitution by chemical synthesis of amino acids such as ornithine, which do not normally occur in human proteins.
• recombinant variants encoding these same or similar polypeptides may be synthesized or selected by making use of the "redundancy" in the genetic code.
• Various codon substitutions such as the silent changes which produce various restriction sites, may be introduced to optimize cloning into a plasmid or viral vector or expression in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic system.
• Mutations in the polynucleotide sequence may be reflected in the polypeptide or domains of other peptides added to the polypeptide to modify the properties of any part of the polypeptide, to change characteristics such as ligand-binding affinities, interchain affinities, or degradation/turnover rate.
• nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.
• “Insertions” or “deletions” are preferably in the range of about 1 to 20 amino acids, more preferably 1 to 10 amino acids. The variation allowed may be experimentally determined by systematically making insertions, deletions, or substitutions of amino acids in a polypeptide molecule using recombinant DNA techniques and assaying the resulting recombinant variants for activity.
• insertions, deletions or non-conservative alterations can be engineered to produce altered polypeptides.
• Such alterations can, for example, alter one or more of the biological functions or biochemical characteristics of the polypeptides of the invention.
• such alterations may change polypeptide characteristics such as ligand-binding affinities, interchain affinities, or degradation/turnover rate.
• such alterations can be selected so as to generate polypeptides that are better suited for expression, scale up and the like in the host cells chosen for expression.
• cysteine residues can be deleted or substituted with another amino acid residue in order to eliminate disulfide bridges.
• purified or “substantially purified” as used herein denotes that the indicated nucleic acid or polypeptide is present in the substantial absence of other biological macromolecules, e.g., polynucleotides, proteins, and the like.
• the polynucleotide or polypeptide is purified such that it constitutes at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, of the indicated biological macromolecules present (but water, buffers, and other small molecules, especially molecules having a molecular weight of less than 1000 daltons, can be present).
• isolated refers to a nucleic acid or polypeptide separated from at least one other component (e.g., nucleic acid or polypeptide) present with the nucleic acid or polypeptide in its natural source.
• the nucleic acid or polypeptide is found in the presence of (if anything) only a solvent, buffer, ion, or other component normally present in a solution of the same.
• isolated and purified do not encompass nucleic acids or polypeptides present in their natural source.
• recombinant when used herein to refer to a polypeptide or protein, means that a polypeptide or protein is derived from recombinant (e.g., microbial, insect, or mammalian) expression systems.
• Microbial refers to recombinant polypeptides or proteins made in bacterial or fungal (e.g., yeast) expression systems.
• recombinant microbial defines a polypeptide or protein essentially free of native endogenous substances and unaccompanied by associated native glycosylation. Polypeptides or proteins expressed in most bacterial cultures, e.g., E.
• recombinant expression system means host cells which have stably integrated a recombinant transcriptional unit into chromosomal DNA or carry the recombinant transcriptional unit extrachromosomally.
• Recombinant expression systems as defined herein will express heterologous polypeptides or proteins upon induction of the regulatory elements linked to the DNA segment or synthetic gene to be expressed.
• This term also means host cells which have stably integrated a recombinant genetic element or elements having a regulatory role in gene expression, for example, promoters or enhancers.
• Recombinant expression systems as defined herein will express polypeptides or proteins endogenous to the cell upon induction of the regulatory elements linked to the endogenous DNA segment or gene to be expressed.
• the cells can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
• Stringent conditions can include highly stringent conditions (i.e., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO 4 , 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65°C, and washing in 0.1X SSC/0.1% SDS at 68°C), and moderately stringent conditions (i.e., washing in 0.2X SSC/0.1% SDS at 42°C).
• highly stringent conditions i.e., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO 4 , 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65°C, and washing in 0.1X SSC/0.1% SDS at 68°C
• moderately stringent conditions i.e., washing in 0.2X SSC/0.1% SDS at 42°C.
• Other exemplary hybridization conditions are described herein in the examples.
• additional exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include washing in 6X SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37°C (for 14-base oligonucleotides), 48°C (for 17-base oligos), 55°C (for 20-base oligonucleotides), and 60°C (for 23-base oligonucleotides).
• substantially equivalent can refer both to nucleotide and amino acid sequences, for example a mutant sequence, that varies from a reference sequence by one or more substitutions, deletions, or additions, the net effect of which does not result in an adverse functional dissimilarity between the reference and subject sequences.
• such a substantially equivalent sequence varies from one of those listed herein by no more than about 35% (i.e., the number of individual residue substitutions, additions, and/or deletions in a substantially equivalent sequence, as compared to the corresponding reference sequence, divided by the total number of residues in the substantially equivalent sequence is about 0.35 or less).
• Such a sequence is said to have 65% sequence identity to the listed sequence.
• a substantially equivalent, e.g., mutant, sequence of the invention varies from a listed sequence by no more than 30% (70%> sequence identity); in a variation of this embodiment, by no more than 25% (75% sequence identity); and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more than 20%> (80%> sequence identity) and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more than 10% (90% sequence identity) and in a further variation of this embodiment, by no more that 5% (95% sequence identity).
• Substantially equivalent, e.g., mutant, amino acid sequences according to the invention preferably have at least 80% sequence identity with a listed amino acid sequence, more preferably at least 90% sequence identity.
• nucleotide sequences of the invention can have lower percent sequence identities, taking into account, for example, the redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code.
• nucleotide sequence has at least about 65% identity, more preferably at least about 75%o identity, and most preferably at least about 95% identity.
• sequences having substantially equivalent biological activity and substantially equivalent expression characteristics are considered substantially equivalent.
• sequence identity may be determined, e.g., using the Jotun Hein method (Hein, J. (1990) Methods Enzymol. 183:626-645). Identity between sequences can also be determined by other methods known in the art, e.g. by varying hybridization conditions.
• totipotent refers to the capability of a cell to differentiate into all of the cell types of an adult organism.
• transformation means introducing DNA into a suitable host cell so that the DNA is replicable, either as an extrachromosomal element, or by chromosomal integration.
• transfection refers to the taking up of an expression vector by a suitable host cell, whether or not any coding sequences are in fact expressed.
• infection refers to the introduction of nucleic acids into a suitable host cell by use of a virus or viral vector.
• the isolated polynucleotides of the invention include a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 ; a polynucleotide encoding any one of the peptide sequences of SEQ ID NO:237-472 and 709-944; and a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding the mature protein coding sequence of the polypeptides of any one of SEQ ID NO:237-472 and 709-944.
• Domains of interest may depend on the nature of the encoded polypeptide; e.g., domains in receptor-like polypeptides include ligand-binding, extracellular, transmembrane, or cytoplasmic domains, or combinations thereof; domains in immunoglobulin-like proteins include the variable immunoglobulin-like domains; domains in enzyme-like polypeptides include catalytic and substrate binding domains; and domains in ligand polypeptides include receptor-binding domains.
• the polynucleotides of the invention include naturally occurring or wholly or partially synthetic DNA, e.g., cDNA and genomic DNA, and RNA, e.g., mRNA.
• the polynucleotides may include all of the coding region of the cDNA or may represent a portion of the coding region of the cDNA.
• the present invention also provides genes corresponding to the cDNA sequences disclosed herein.
• the corresponding genes can be isolated in accordance with known methods using the sequence information disclosed herein. Such methods include the preparation of probes or primers from the disclosed sequence information for identification and/or amplification of genes in appropriate genomic libraries or other sources of genomic materials. Further 5' and 3' sequence can be obtained using methods known in the art.
• full length cDNA or genomic DNA that corresponds to any of the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 can be obtained by screening appropriate cDNA or genomic DNA libraries under suitable hybridization conditions using any of the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 or a portion thereof as a probe.
• the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 may be used as the basis for suitable primer(s) that allow identification and/or amplification of genes in appropriate genomic DNA or cDNA libraries.
• the nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be assembled from ESTs and sequences (including cDNA and genomic sequences) obtained from one or more public databases, such as dbEST, gbpri, and UniGene.
• the EST sequences can provide identifying sequence information, representative fragment or segment information, or novel segment information for the full-length gene.
• polynucleotides of the invention also provide polynucleotides including nucleotide sequences that are substantially equivalent to the polynucleotides recited above.
• Polynucleotides according to the invention can have, e.g., at least about 65%>, at least about 70%>, at least about 75%, at least about 80%>, more typically at least about 90%>, and even more typically at least about 95%), sequence identity to a polynucleotide recited above.
• nucleic acid sequence fragments that hybridize under stringent conditions to any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708, or complements thereof, which fragment is greater than about 5 nucleotides, preferably 7 nucleotides, more preferably greater than 9 nucleotides and most preferably greater than 17 nucleotides. Fragments of, e.g. 15, 17, or 20 nucleotides or more that are selective for (i.e. specifically hybridize to any one of the polynucleotides of the invention) are contemplated.
• Probes capable of specifically hybridizing to a polynucleotide can differentiate polynucleotide sequences of the invention from other polynucleotide sequences in the same family of genes or can differentiate human genes from genes of other species, and are preferably based on unique nucleotide sequences.
• sequences falling within the scope of the present invention are not limited to these specific sequences, but also include allelic and species variations thereof. Allelic and species variations can be routinely determined by comparing the sequence provided SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708, a representative fragment thereof, or a nucleotide sequence at least 90% identical, preferably 95% identical, to SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 with a sequence from another isolate of the same species. Furthermore, to accommodate codon variability, the invention includes nucleic acid molecules coding for the same amino acid sequences as do the specific ORFs disclosed herein. In other words, in the coding region of an ORF, substitution of one codon for another codon that encodes the same amino acid is expressly contemplated.
• the nearest neighbor or homology result for the nucleic acids of the present invention can be obtained by searching a database using an algorithm or a program.
• a BLAST which stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool is used to search for local sequence alignments (Altshul, S.F. J Mol. Evol. 36290-300 (1993) and Altschul S.F. et al. J. Mol. Biol. 21:403-410 (1990)).
• a FASTA version 3 search against Genpept using Fastxy algorithm.
• Species homologs (or orthologs) of the disclosed polynucleotides and proteins are also provided by the present invention. Species homologs may be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source from the desired species.
• the invention also encompasses allelic variants of the disclosed polynucleotides or proteins; that is, naturally-occurring alternative forms of the isolated polynucleotide which also encode proteins which are identical, homologous or related to that encoded by the polynucleotides.
• nucleic acid sequences of the invention are further directed to sequences which encode variants of the described nucleic acids.
• These amino acid sequence variants may be prepared by methods known in the art by introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into a native or variant polynucleotide. There are two variables in the construction of amino acid sequence variants: the location of the mutation and the nature of the mutation. Nucleic acids encoding the amino acid sequence variants are preferably constructed by mutating the polynucleotide to encode an amino acid sequence that does not occur in nature. These nucleic acid alterations can be made at sites that differ in the nucleic acids from different species (variable positions) or in highly conserved regions (constant regions).
• polynucleotides encoding the novel amino acid sequences are changed via site-directed mutagenesis.
• This method uses oligonucleotide sequences to alter a polynucleotide to encode the desired amino acid variant, as well as sufficient adjacent nucleotides on both sides of the changed amino acid to form a stable duplex on either side of the site of being changed.
• site-directed mutagenesis is well known to those of skill in the art and this technique is exemplified by publications such as, Edelman et al., DNA 2:183 (1983).
• a versatile and efficient method for producing site-specific changes in a polynucleotide sequence was published by Zoller and Smith, Nucleic Acids Res.
• PCR may also be used to create amino acid sequence variants of the novel nucleic acids.
• primer(s) that differs slightly in sequence from the corresponding region in the template DNA can generate the desired amino acid variant.
• PCR amplification results in a population of product DNA fragments that differ from the polynucleotide template encoding the polypeptide at the position specified by the primer. The product DNA fragments replace the corresponding region in the plasmid and this gives a polynucleotide encoding the desired amino acid variant.
• a further technique for generating amino acid variants is the cassette mutagenesis technique described in Wells et al., Gene 34:315 (1985); and other mutagenesis techniques well known in the art, such as, for example, the techniques in Sambrook et al., supra, and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al. Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence may be used in the practice of the invention for the cloning and expression of these novel nucleic acids. Such DNA sequences include those which are capable of hybridizing to the appropriate novel nucleic acid sequence under stringent conditions. Polynucleotides encoding preferred polypeptide truncations of the invention can be used to generate polynucleotides encoding chimeric or fusion proteins comprising one or more domains of the invention and heterologous protein sequences.
• the polynucleotides of the invention additionally include the complement of any of the polynucleotides recited above.
• the polynucleotide can be DNA (genomic, cDNA, amplified, or synthetic) or RNA. Methods and algorithms for obtaining such polynucleotides are well known to those of skill in the art and can include, for example, methods for determining hybridization conditions that can routinely isolate polynucleotides of the desired sequence identities.
• polynucleotide sequences comprising the mature protein coding sequences corresponding to any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708, or functional equivalents thereof, may be used to generate recombinant DNA molecules that direct the expression of that nucleic acid, or a functional equivalent thereof, in appropriate host cells. Also included are the cDNA inserts of any of the clones identified herein.
• a polynucleotide according to the invention can be joined to any of a variety of other nucleotide sequences by well-established recombinant DNA techniques (see Sambrook J et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY).
• Useful nucleotide sequences for joining to polynucleotides include an assortment of vectors, e.g., plasmids, cosmids, lambda phage derivatives, phagemids, and the like, that are well known in the art. Accordingly, the invention also provides a vector including a polynucleotide of the invention and a host cell containing the polynucleotide.
• the vector contains an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, convenient restriction endonuclease sites, and a selectable marker for the host cell.
• Vectors according to the invention include expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors, and sequencing vectors.
• a host cell according to the invention can be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell and can be a unicellular organism or part of a multicellular organism.
• the present invention further provides recombinant constructs comprising a nucleic acid having any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 or a fragment thereof or any other polynucleotides of the invention.
• the recombinant constructs of the present invention comprise a vector, such as a plasmid or viral vector, into which a nucleic acid having any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 -236 and 473-708 or a fragment thereof is inserted, in a forward or reverse orientation.
• the vector may further comprise regulatory sequences, including for example, a promoter, operably linked to the ORF.
• regulatory sequences including for example, a promoter, operably linked to the ORF.
• suitable vectors and promoters are known to those of skill in the art and are commercially available for generating the recombinant constructs of the present invention.
• the following vectors are provided by way of example.
• Bacterial pBs, phagescript, PsiX174, pBluescript SK, pBs KS, pNH8a, pNH16a, pNH18a, pNH46a (Stratagene); pTrc99A, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, pDR540, pRIT5 (Pharmacia).
• Eukaryotic pWLneo, pSV2cat, pOG44, PXTI, pSG (Stratagene) pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG, pSVL (Pharmacia).
• the isolated polynucleotide of the invention may be operably linked to an expression control sequence such as the pMT2 or pED expression vectors disclosed in Kaufman et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 4485-4490 (1991), in order to produce the protein recombinantly.
• an expression control sequence such as the pMT2 or pED expression vectors disclosed in Kaufman et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 4485-4490 (1991)
• Many suitable expression control sequences are known in the art. General methods of expressing recombinant proteins are also known and are exemplified in R. Kaufman, Methods in Enzymology 185, 537-566 (1990).
• operably linked means that the isolated polynucleotide of the invention and an expression control sequence are situated within a vector or cell in such a way that the protein is expressed by a host cell which has been transformed (transfected) with the ligated polynucleotide/expression control sequence.
• Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using CAT (chloramphenicol transferase) vectors or other vectors with selectable markers.
• Two appropriate vectors are pKK232-8 and pCM7.
• Particular named bacterial promoters include lad, lacZ, T3, T7, gpt, lambda PR, and trc.
• Eukaryotic promoters include CMV immediate early, HSV thymidine kinase, early and late SV40, LTRs from retrovims, and mouse metallothionein-I. Selection of the appropriate vector and promoter is well within the level of ordinary skill in the art.
• recombinant expression vectors will include origins of replication and selectable markers permitting transformation of the host cell, e.g., the ampicillin resistance gene of E. coli and S. cerevisiae TRP1 gene, and a promoter derived from a highly-expressed gene to direct transcription of a downstream structural sequence.
• promoters can be derived from operons encoding glycolytic enzymes such as 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), a-factor, acid phosphatase, or heat shock proteins, among others.
• PGK 3-phosphoglycerate kinase
• the heterologous structural sequence is assembled in appropriate phase with translation initiation and termination sequences, and preferably, a leader sequence capable of directing secretion of translated protein into the periplasmic space or extracellular medium.
• the heterologous sequence can encode a fusion protein including an amino terminal identification peptide imparting desired characteristics, e.g., stabilization or simplified purification of expressed recombinant product.
• Useful expression vectors for bacterial use are constructed by inserting a structural DNA sequence encoding a desired protein together with suitable translation initiation and termination signals in operable reading phase with a functional promoter.
• the vector will comprise one or more phenotypic selectable markers and an origin of replication to ensure maintenance of the vector and to, if desirable, provide amplification within the host.
• Suitable prokaryotic hosts for transformation include E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus, although others may also be employed as a matter of choice.
• useful expression vectors for bacterial use can comprise a selectable marker and bacterial origin of replication derived from commercially available plasmids comprising genetic elements of the well known cloning vector pBR322 (ATCC 37017).
• cloning vector pBR322 ATCC 37017
• Such commercial vectors include, for example, pKK223-3 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden) and GEM 1 (Promega Biotech, Madison, WI, USA). These pBR322 "backbone" sections are combined with an appropriate promoter and the structural sequence to be expressed.
• the selected promoter is induced or derepressed by appropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) and cells are cultured for an additional period.
• Cells are typically harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract retained for further purification.
• Polynucleotides of the invention can also be used to induce immune responses. For example, as described in Fan et al., Nat. Biotech.
• nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide may be used to generate antibodies against the encoded polypeptide following topical administration of naked plasmid DNA or following injection, and preferably intramuscular injection of the DNA.
• the nucleic acid sequences are preferably inserted in a recombinant expression vector and may be in the form of naked DNA.
• Another aspect of the invention pertains to isolated antisense nucleic acid molecules that are hybridizable to or complementary to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof.
• An "antisense" nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a "sense" nucleic acid encoding a protein, e.g., complementary to the coding strand of a double-stranded cDNA molecule or complementary to an mRNA sequence.
• antisense nucleic acid molecules comprise a sequence complementary to at least about 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 or 500 nucleotides or an entire coding strand, or to only a portion thereof.
• Nucleic acid molecules encoding fragments, homologs, derivatives and analogs of a protein of any of SEQ ID NO:237-472 and 709-944 or antisense nucleic acids complementary to a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 are additionally provided.
• an antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a "coding region" of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence of the invention.
• coding region refers to the region of the nucleotide sequence comprising codons which are translated into amino acid residues.
• the antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a "noncoding region" of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence of the invention.
• noncoding region refers to 5' and 3' sequences which flank the coding region that are not translated into amino acids (i.e., also referred to as 5' and 3' untranslated regions).
• antisense nucleic acids of the invention can be designed according to the rules of Watson and Crick or Hoogsteen base pairing.
• the antisense nucleic acid molecule can be complementary to the entire coding region of a mRNA, but more preferably is an oligonucleotide that is antisense to only a portion of the coding or noncoding region of a mRNA.
• the antisense oligonucleotide can be complementary to the region surrounding the translation start site of a mRNA.
• An antisense oligonucleotide can be, for example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 nucleotides in length.
• An antisense nucleic acid of the invention can be constructed using chemical synthesis or enzymatic ligation reactions using procedures known in the art.
• an antisense nucleic acid e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide
• an antisense nucleic acid e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide
• the antisense nucleic acid can be produced biologically using an expression vector into which a nucleic acid has been subcloned in an antisense orientation (i.e., RNA transcribed from the inserted nucleic acid will be of an antisense orientation to a target nucleic acid of interest, described further in the following subsection).
• the antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention are typically administered to a subject or generated in situ such that they hybridize with or bind to cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA encoding a protein according to the invention to thereby inhibit expression of the protein, e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation.
• the hybridization can be by conventional nucleotide complementarity to form a stable duplex, or, for example, in the case of an antisense nucleic acid molecule that binds to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix.
• An example of a route of administration of antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention includes direct injection at a tissue site.
• antisense nucleic acid molecules can be modified to target selected cells and then administered systemically.
• antisense molecules can be modified such that they specifically bind to receptors or antigens expressed on a selected cell surface, e.g., by linking the antisense nucleic acid molecules to peptides or antibodies that bind to cell surface receptors or antigens.
• the antisense nucleic acid molecules can also be delivered to cells using the vectors described herein. To achieve sufficient intracellular concentrations of antisense molecules, vector constructs in which the antisense nucleic acid molecule is placed under the control of a strong pol II or pol III promoter are preferred.
• the antisense nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an ⁇ -anomeric nucleic acid molecule.
• An ⁇ -anomeric nucleic acid molecule forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual ⁇ -units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gaultier et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res 15: 6625-6641).
• the antisense nucleic acid molecule can also comprise a 2'-o-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res 15: 6131-6148) or a chimeric RNA -DNA analogue (Inoue et al. (1987) FEBS Lett 215: 327-330).
• an antisense nucleic acid of the invention is a ribozyme.
• Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules with ribonuclease activity that are capable of cleaving a single-stranded nucleic acid, such as a mRNA, to which they have a complementary region.
• ribozymes e.g., hammerhead ribozymes (described in Haselhoff and Gerlach (1988) Nature 334:585-591)) can be used to catalytically cleave a mRNA transcripts to thereby inhibit translation of a mRNA.
• a ribozyme having specificity for a nucleic acid of the invention can be designed based upon the nucleotide sequence of a DNA disclosed herein (i.e., SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708).
• a derivative of a Tetrahymena L-19 IVS RNA can be constructed in which the nucleotide sequence of the active site is complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be cleaved in a SECX-encoding mRNA. See, e.g., Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071 ; and Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,742.
• SECX mRNA can be used to select a catalytic RNA having a specific ribonuclease activity from a pool of RNA molecules. See, e.g., Bartel et al., (1993) Science 261 :1411-1418.
• gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region (e.g., promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the gene in target cells.
• the regulatory region e.g., promoter and/or enhancers
• gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region (e.g., promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the gene in target cells.
• the regulatory region e.g., promoter and/or enhancers
• PNAs The neutral backbone of PNAs has been shown to allow for specific hybridization to DNA and RNA under conditions of low ionic strength.
• the synthesis of PNA oligomers can be performed using standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocols as described in Hyrup et al. (1996) above; Perry-O'Keefe et al. (1996) PNAS 93: 14670-675.
• PNAs of the invention can be used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
• PNAs can be used as antisense or antigene agents for sequence-specific modulation of gene expression by, e.g., inducing transcription or translation arrest or inhibiting replication.
• PNAs of the invention can also be used, e.g., in the analysis of single base pair mutations in a gene by, e.g., PNA directed PCR clamping; as artificial restriction enzymes when used in combination with other enzymes, e.g., SI nucleases (Hyrup B. (1996) above); or as probes or primers for DNA sequence and hybridization (Hyrup et al. (1996), above; Perry-O'Keefe (1996), above).
• PNAs of the invention can be modified, e.g., to enhance their stability or cellular uptake, by attaching lipophilic or other helper groups to PNA, by the formation of PNA-DNA chimeras, or by the use of liposomes or other techniques of drug delivery known in the art.
• PNA-DNA chimeras can be generated that may combine the advantageous properties of PNA and DNA.
• Such chimeras allow DNA recognition enzymes, e.g., RNase H and DNA polymerases, to interact with the DNA portion while the PNA portion would provide high binding affinity and specificity.
• PNA-DNA chimeras can be linked using linkers of appropriate lengths selected in terms of base stacking, number of bonds between the nucleobases, and orientation (Hyrup (1996) above).
• the synthesis of PNA-DNA chimeras can be performed as described in Hyrup (1996) above and Finn et al. (1996) Nucl Acids Res 24: 3357-63.
• a DNA chain can be synthesized on a solid support using standard phosphoramidite coupling chemistry, and modified nucleoside analogs, e.g., 5'-(4-methoxytrityl)amino-5'-deoxy-thymidine phosphoramidite, can be used between the PNA and the 5' end of DNA (Mag et al.
• PNA monomers are then coupled in a stepwise manner to produce a chimeric molecule with a 5' PNA segment and a 3' DNA segment (Finn et al. (1996) above).
• chimeric molecules can be synthesized with a 5' DNA segment and a 3' PNA segment. See, Petersen et al. (1975) Bioorg Med Chem Lett 5: 1 119-11124.
• the oligonucleotide may include other appended groups such as peptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e.g., Letsinger et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6553-6556; Lemaitre et al, 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 84:648-652; PCT Publication No. W088/09810) or the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., PCT Publication No. W089/10134).
• peptides e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo
• agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane see, e.g., Letsinger et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6553-6556; Lemaitre et al, 1987, Pro
• oligonucleotides can be modified with hybridization triggered cleavage agents (See, e.g., Krol et al., 1988, BioTechniques 6:958-976) or intercalating agents. (See, e.g., Zon, 1988, Pharm. Res. 5: 539-549).
• the oligonucleotide may be conjugated to another molecule, e.g., a peptide, a hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, a transport agent, a hybridization-triggered cleavage agent, etc.
• a fusion protein comprises a polypeptide according to the invention operably linked to the extracellular domain of a second protein.
• compositions of the present invention is evidenced by any one of a number of routine factor dependent cell proliferation assays for cell lines including, without limitation, 32D, DA2, DA1G, T10, B9, B9/1 1, BaF3, MC9/G, M+(preB M+), 2E8, RB5, DAI, 123, Tl 165, HT2, CTLL2, TF-1, Mo7e, CMK, HUVEC, and Caco.
• Therapeutic compositions of the invention can be used in the following: Assays for T-cell or thymocyte proliferation include without limitation those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Margulies, E. M.
• a broadly applicable method of obtaining pure populations of a specific differentiated cell type from undifferentiated stem cell populations involves the use of a cell-type specific promoter driving a selectable marker.
• the selectable marker allows only cells of the desired type to survive.
• stem cells can be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes (Wobus et al., Differentiation, 48: 173-182, (1991); Klug et al., J. Clin. Invest., 98(1): 216-224, (1998)) or skeletal muscle cells (Browder, L. W. In: Principles of Tissue Engineering eds.
• erythroid progenitor cells alone or in combination with other cytokines, thereby indicating utility, for example, in treating various anemias or for use in conjunction with irradiation/chemotherapy to stimulate the production of erythroid precursors and/or erythroid cells; in supporting the growth and proliferation of myeloid cells such as granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages (i.e., traditional CSF activity) useful, for example, in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent or treat consequent myelo-suppression; in supporting the growth and proliferation of megakaryocytes and consequently of platelets thereby allowing prevention or treatment of various platelet disorders such as thrombocytopenia, and generally for use in place of or complimentary to platelet transfusions; and/or in supporting the growth and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of maturing to any and all of the above-mentioned hematopoietic cells and therefore find therapeutic utility in various stem cell disorders (such as those usually treated with
• Assays for embryonic stem cell differentiation include, without limitation, those described in: Johansson et al. Cellular Biology 15:141-151, 1995; Keller et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology 13:473-486, 1993; McClanahan et al., Blood 81 :2903-2915, 1993.
• Assays for stem cell survival and differentiation include, without limitation, those described in: Methylcellulose colony forming assays, Freshney, M. G. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R. I. Freshney, et al. eds.
• a polypeptide of this invention may also be involved in attracting bone-forming cells, stimulating growth of bone-forming cells, or inducing differentiation of progenitors of bone-forming cells.
• Treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bone degenerative disorders, or periodontal disease, such as through stimulation of bone and/or cartilage repair or by blocking inflammation or processes of tissue destmction (collagenase activity, osteoclast activity, etc.) mediated by inflammatory processes may also be possible using the composition of the invention.
• tissue destmction collagenase activity, osteoclast activity, etc.
• Another category of tissue regeneration activity that may involve the polypeptide of the present invention is tendon/ligament formation.
• tendon/ligament-like tissue or other tissue formation in circumstances where such tissue is not normally formed, has application in the healing of tendon or ligament tears, deformities and other tendon or ligament defects in humans and other animals.
• a preparation employing a tendon ligament-like tissue inducing protein may have prophylactic use in preventing damage to tendon or ligament tissue, as well as use in the improved fixation of tendon or ligament to bone or other tissues, and in repairing defects to tendon or ligament tissue.
• De novo tendon/ligament-like tissue formation induced by a composition of the present invention contributes to the repair of congenital, trauma induced, or other tendon or ligament defects of other origin, and is also useful in cosmetic plastic surgery for attachment or repair of tendons or ligaments.
• compositions of the present invention may provide environment to attract tendon- or ligament-forming cells, stimulate growth of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, induce differentiation of progenitors of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, or induce growth of tendon/ligament cells or progenitors ex vivo for return in vivo to effect tissue repair.
• the compositions of the invention may also be useful in the treatment of tendinitis, ca ⁇ al tunnel syndrome and other tendon or ligament defects.
• the compositions may also include an appropriate matrix and/or sequestering agent as a carrier as is well known in the art.
• compositions of the invention can be used in the following: Assays for tissue generation activity include, without limitation, those described in: International Patent Publication No. WO95/16035 (bone, cartilage, tendon); International Patent Publication No. WO95/05846 (nerve, neuronal); International Patent Publication No. WO91/07491 (skin, endothelium).
• a polypeptide of the present invention may also exhibit immune stimulating or immune suppressing activity, including without limitation the activities for which assays are described herein.
• a polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such activities.
• a protein may be useful in the treatment of various immune deficiencies and disorders (including severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)), e.g., in regulating (up or down) growth and proliferation of T and/or B lymphocytes, as well as effecting the cytolytic activity of NK cells and other cell populations.
• SCID severe combined immunodeficiency
• These immune deficiencies may be genetic or be caused by viral (e.g., HIV) as well as bacterial or fungal infections, or may result from autoimmune disorders.
• Autoimmune disorders which may be treated using a protein of the present invention include, for example, connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pulmonary inflammation, Guillain-Barre syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitis, myasthenia gravis, graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune inflammatory eye disease.
• Such a protein (or antagonists thereof, including antibodies) of the present invention may also to be useful in the treatment of allergic reactions and conditions (e.g., anaphylaxis, semm sickness, dmg reactions, food allergies, insect venom allergies, mastocytosis, allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, urticaria, angioedema, eczema, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens- Johnson syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, venereal keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis and contact allergies), such as asthma (particularly allergic asthma) or other respiratory problems.
• allergic reactions and conditions e.g., anaphylaxis, semm sickness, dmg reactions, food allergies, insect venom allergies, mastocytosis, allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, urticaria
• Down regulating or preventing one or more antigen functions (including without limitation B lymphocyte antigen functions (such as, for example, B7)), e.g., preventing high level lymphokine synthesis by activated T cells, will be useful in situations of tissue, skin and organ transplantation and in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
• B lymphocyte antigen functions such as, for example, B7
• GVHD graft-versus-host disease
• blockage of T cell function should result in reduced tissue destruction in tissue transplantation.
• rejection of the transplant is initiated through its recognition as foreign by T cells, followed by an immune reaction that destroys the transplant.
• the administration of a therapeutic composition of the invention may prevent cytokine synthesis by immune cells, such as T cells, and thus acts as an immunosuppressant.
• a lack of costimulation may also be sufficient to anergize the T cells, thereby inducing tolerance in a subject.
• Induction of long-term tolerance by B lymphocyte antigen-blocking reagents may avoid the necessity of repeated administration of these blocking reagents.
• To achieve sufficient immunosuppression or tolerance in a subject it may also be necessary to block the function of a combination of B lymphocyte antigens.
• the efficacy of particular therapeutic compositions in preventing organ transplant rejection or GVHD can be assessed using animal models that are predictive of efficacy in humans.
• Examples of appropriate systems which can be used include allogeneic cardiac grafts in rats and xenogeneic pancreatic islet cell grafts in mice, both of which have been used to examine the immunosuppressive effects of CTLA4Ig fusion proteins in vivo as described in Lenschow et al., Science 257:789-792 (1992) and Turka et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 89:11102-1 1105 (1992).
• murine models of GVHD see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 846-847) can be used to determine the effect of therapeutic compositions of the invention on the development of that disease.
• Blocking antigen function may also be therapeutically useful for treating autoimmune diseases.
• Many autoimmune disorders are the result of inappropriate activation of T cells that are reactive against self tissue and which promote the production of cytokines and autoantibodies involved in the pathology of the diseases.
• Preventing the activation of autoreactive T cells may reduce or eliminate disease symptoms.
• Administration of reagents which block stimulation of T cells can be used to inhibit T cell activation and prevent production of autoantibodies or T cell-derived cytokines which may be involved in the disease process.
• blocking reagents may induce antigen-specific tolerance of autoreactive T cells which could lead to long-term relief from the disease.
• the efficacy of blocking reagents in preventing or alleviating autoimmune disorders can be determined using a number of well-characterized animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Examples include murine experimental autoimmune encephalitis, systemic lupus erythmatosis in MRL/lpr/lpr mice or NZB hybrid mice, murine autoimmune collagen arthritis, diabetes mellitus in NOD mice and BB rats, and murine experimental myasthenia gravis (see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 840-856).
• Upregulation of an antigen function may also be useful in therapy. Upregulation of immune responses may be in the form of enhancing an existing immune response or eliciting an initial immune response. For example, enhancing an immune response may be useful in cases of viral infection, including systemic viral diseases such as influenza, the common cold, and encephalitis.
• a gene encoding an antisense constmct which blocks expression of an MHC class II associated protein, such as the invariant chain can also be cotransfected with a DNA encoding a peptide having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen to promote presentation of tumor associated antigens and induce tumor specific immunity.
• a T cell mediated immune response in a human subject may be sufficient to overcome tumor-specific tolerance in the subject.
• Assays for proteins that influence early steps of T-cell commitment and development include, without limitation, those described in: Antica et al., Blood 84:1 11-117, 1994; Fine et al., Cellular Immunology 155:111-122, 1994; Galy et al., Blood 85:2770-2778, 1995; Toki et al., Proc. Nat. Acad Sci. USA 88:7548-7551, 1991. 4.10.8 ACTIVIN/INHIBIN ACTIVITY
• polypeptide of the invention may be useful as a fertility inducing therapeutic, based upon the ability of activin molecules in stimulating FSH release from cells of the anterior pituitary. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,885.
• a polypeptide of the invention may also be useful for advancement of the onset of fertility in sexually immature mammals, so as to increase the lifetime reproductive performance of domestic animals such as, but not limited to, cows, sheep and pigs.
• the activity of a polypeptide of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods.
• Assays for activin/inhibin activity include, without limitation, those described in: Vale et al., Endocrinology 91 :562-572, 1972; Ling et al., Nature 321 :779-782, 1986; Vale et al., Nature 321 :776-779, 1986; Mason et al., Nature 318:659-663, 1985; Forage et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:3091-3095, 1986.
• a polypeptide of the present invention may be involved in chemotactic or chemokinetic activity for mammalian cells, including, for example, monocytes, fibroblasts, neutrophils, T-cells, mast cells, eosinophils, epithelial and/or endothelial cells.
• a polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such attributes.
• Chemotactic and chemokinetic receptor activation can be used to mobilize or attract a desired cell population to a desired site of action.
• Chemotactic or chemokinetic compositions e.g. proteins, antibodies, binding partners, or modulators of the invention) provide particular advantages in treatment of wounds and other trauma to tissues, as well as in treatment of localized infections.
• a protein or peptide has chemotactic activity for a particular cell population if it can stimulate, directly or indirectly, the directed orientation or movement of such cell population.
• the protein or peptide has the ability to directly stimulate directed movement of cells. Whether a particular protein has chemotactic activity for a population of cells can be readily determined by employing such protein or peptide in any known assay for cell chemotaxis.
• compositions of the invention can be used in the following: Assays for chemotactic activity (which will identify proteins that induce or prevent chemotaxis) consist of assays that measure the ability of a protein to induce the migration of cells across a membrane as well as the ability of a protein to induce the adhesion of one cell population to another cell population. Suitable assays for movement and adhesion include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H. Marguiles, E. M. Shevach, W. Strober, Pub.
• a polypeptide of the invention may also be involved in hemostatis or thrombolysis or thrombosis.
• a polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such attributes.
• Compositions may be useful in treatment of various coagulation disorders (including hereditary disorders, such as hemophilias) or to enhance coagulation and other hemostatic events in treating wounds resulting from trauma, surgery or other causes.
• a composition of the invention may also be useful for dissolving or inhibiting formation of thromboses and for treatment and prevention of conditions resulting therefrom (such as, for example, infarction of cardiac and central nervous system vessels (e.g., stroke).
• compositions of the invention can be used in the following: Assay for hemostatic and thrombolytic activity include, without limitation, those described in: Linet et al., J. Clin. Pharmacol. 26:131-140, 1986; Burdick et al., Thrombosis Res. 45:413-419, 1987; Humphrey et al., Fibrinolysis 5:71-79 (1991); Schaub, Prostaglandins 35:467-474, 1988.
• Polypeptides of the invention may be involved in cancer cell generation, proliferation or metastasis. Detection of the presence or amount of polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention may be useful for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of one or more types of cancer. For example, the presence or increased expression of a polynucleotide/polypeptide of the invention may indicate a hereditary risk of cancer, a precancerous condition, or an ongoing malignancy. Conversely, a defect in the gene or absence of the polypeptide may be associated with a cancer condition. Identification of single nucleotide polymo ⁇ hisms associated with cancer or a predisposition to cancer may also be useful for diagnosis or prognosis.
• compositions of the invention may be effective in adult and pediatric oncology including in solid phase tumors/malignancies, locally advanced tumors, human soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic cancer, including lymphatic metastases, blood cell malignancies including multiple myeloma, acute and chronic leukemias, and lymphomas, head and neck cancers including mouth cancer, larynx cancer and thyroid cancer, lung cancers including small cell carcinoma and non-small cell cancers, breast cancers including small cell carcinoma and ductal carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancers including esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer and polyps associated with colorectal neoplasia, pancreatic cancers, liver cancer, urologic cancers including bladder cancer and prostate cancer, malignancies of the female genital tract including ovarian
• Polypeptides, polynucleotides, or modulators of polypeptides of the invention may be administered to treat cancer.
• Therapeutic compositions can be administered in therapeutically effective dosages alone or in combination with adjuvant cancer therapy such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, thermotherapy, and laser therapy, and may provide a beneficial effect, e.g. reducing tumor size, slowing rate of tumor growth, inhibiting metastasis, or otherwise improving overall clinical condition, without necessarily eradicating the cancer.
• composition can also be administered in therapeutically effective amounts as a portion of an anti-cancer cocktail.
• An anti-cancer cocktail is a mixture of the polypeptide or modulator of the invention with one or more anti-cancer drugs in addition to a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for delivery. The use of anti-cancer cocktails as a cancer treatment is routine.
• therapeutic compositions of the invention may be used for prophylactic treatment of cancer.
• hereditary conditions and/or environmental situations e.g. exposure to carcinogens
• In vitro models can be used to determine the effective doses of the polypeptide of the invention as a potential cancer treatment.
• These in vitro models include proliferation assays of cultured tumor cells, growth of cultured tumor cells in soft agar (see Freshney, (1987) Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, Wily-Liss, New York, NY Ch 18 and Ch 21), tumor systems in nude mice as described in Giovanella et al., J. Natl. Can.
• Suitable tumor cells lines are available, e.g. from American Type Tissue Culture Collection catalogs.
• a polypeptide of the present invention may also demonstrate activity as receptor, receptor ligand or inhibitor or agonist of receptor/ligand interactions.
• a polynucleotide of the invention can encode a polypeptide exhibiting such characteristics.
• receptors and ligands include, without limitation, cytokine receptors and their ligands, receptor kinases and their ligands, receptor phosphatases and their ligands, receptors involved in cell-cell interactions and their ligands (including without limitation, cellular adhesion molecules (such as selectins, integrins and their ligands) and receptor/ligand pairs involved in antigen presentation, antigen recognition and development of cellular and humoral immune responses.
• Receptors and ligands are also useful for screening of potential peptide or small molecule inhibitors of the relevant receptor/ligand interaction.
• a protein of the present invention (including, without limitation, fragments of receptors and ligands) may themselves be useful as inhibitors of receptor/ligand interactions.
• Suitable assays for receptor-ligand activity include without limitation those described in:
• polypeptides of the invention may be used as a receptor for a ligand(s) thereby transmitting the biological activity of that ligand(s).
• Ligands may be identified through binding assays, affinity chromatography, dihybrid screening assays, BIAcore assays, gel overlay assays, or other methods known in the art.
• This invention is particularly useful for screening chemical compounds by using the novel polypeptides or binding fragments thereof in any of a variety of drug screening techniques.
• the polypeptides or fragments employed in such a test may either be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface or located intracellularly.
• One method of dmg screening utilizes eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells which are stably transformed with recombinant nucleic acids expressing the polypeptide or a fragment thereof. Drugs are screened against such transformed cells in competitive binding assays. Such cells, either in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding assays.
• One may measure, for example, the formation of complexes between polypeptides of the invention or fragments and the agent being tested or examine the diminution in complex formation between the novel polypeptides and an appropriate cell line, which are well known in the art.
• Sources for test compounds that may be screened for ability to bind to or modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) the activity of polypeptides of the invention include (1) inorganic and organic chemical libraries, (2) natural product libraries, and (3) combinatorial libraries comprised of either random or mimetic peptides, oligonucleotides or organic molecules.
• Chemical libraries may be readily synthesized or purchased from a number of commercial sources, and may include structural analogs of known compounds or compounds that are identified as “hits” or “leads” via natural product screening.
• the sources of natural product libraries are microorganisms (including bacteria and fungi), animals, plants or other vegetation, or marine organisms, and libraries of mixtures for screening may be created by: (1) fermentation and extraction of broths from soil, plant or marine microorganisms or (2) extraction of the organisms themselves.
• Natural product libraries include polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, and (non-naturally occurring) variants thereof. For a review, see Science 282:63-6% (1998).
• Combinatorial libraries are composed of large numbers of peptides, oligonucleotides or organic compounds and can be readily prepared by traditional automated synthesis methods, PCR, cloning or proprietary synthetic methods.
• peptide and oligonucleotide combinatorial libraries are peptide and oligonucleotide combinatorial libraries.
• Still other libraries of interest include peptide, protein, peptidomimetic, multiparallel synthetic collection, recombinatorial, and polypeptide libraries.
• combinatorial chemistry and libraries created therefrom see Myers, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8:701-707 (1997).
• peptidomimetic libraries see Al-Obeidi et al., Mol.
• the molecules are titrated into a plurality of cell cultures or animals and then tested for either cell/animal death or prolonged survival of the animal/cells.
• the binding molecules thus identified may be complexed with toxins, e.g., ricin or cholera, or with other compounds that are toxic to cells such as radioisotopes.
• the toxin-binding molecule complex is then targeted to a tumor or other cell by the specificity of the binding molecule for a polypeptide of the invention.
• the binding molecules may be complexed with imaging agents for targeting and imaging pu ⁇ oses.
• the invention also provides methods to detect specific binding of a polypeptide e.g. a ligand or a receptor.
• a polypeptide e.g. a ligand or a receptor.
• the art provides numerous assays particularly useful for identifying previously unknown binding partners for receptor polypeptides of the invention. For example, expression cloning using mammalian or bacterial cells, or dihybrid screening assays can be used to identify polynucleotides encoding binding partners. As another example, affinity chromatography with the appropriate immobilized polypeptide of the invention can be used to isolate polypeptides that recognize and bind polypeptides of the invention. There are a number of different libraries used for the identification of compounds, and in particular small molecules, that modulate (i.e., increase or decrease) biological activity of a polypeptide of the invention.
• Ligands for receptor polypeptides of the invention can also be identified by adding exogenous ligands, or cocktails of ligands to two cells populations that are genetically identical except for the expression of the receptor of the invention: one cell population expresses the receptor of the invention whereas the other does not. The response of the two cell populations to the addition of ligands(s) are then compared.
• an expression library can be co-expressed with the polypeptide of the invention in cells and assayed for an autocrine response to identify potential ligand(s).
• BIAcore assays can be used to identify binding partner polypeptides, including, (1) organic and inorganic chemical libraries, (2) natural product libraries, and (3) combinatorial libraries comprised of random peptides, oligonucleotides or organic molecules.
• downstream intracellular signaling molecules in the signaling cascade of the polypeptide of the invention can be determined.
• a chimeric protein in which the cytoplasmic domain of the polypeptide of the invention is fused to the extracellular portion of a protein, whose ligand has been identified is produced in a host cell.
• the cell is then incubated with the ligand specific for the extracellular portion of the chimeric protein, thereby activating the chimeric receptor.
• Known downstream proteins involved in intracellular signaling can then be assayed for expected modifications i.e. phosphorylation.
• Other methods known to those in the art can also be used to identify signaling molecules involved in receptor activity. 4.10.15 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
• compositions of the present invention may also exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.
• the anti-inflammatory activity may be achieved by providing a stimulus to cells involved in the inflammatory response, by inhibiting or promoting cell-cell interactions (such as, for example, cell adhesion), by inhibiting or promoting chemotaxis of cells involved in the inflammatory process, inhibiting or promoting cell extravasation, or by stimulating or suppressing production of other factors which more directly inhibit or promote an inflammatory response.
• compositions with such activities can be used to treat inflammatory conditions including chronic or acute conditions), including without limitation intimation associated with infection (such as septic shock, sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)), ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxin lethality, arthritis, complement-mediated hyperacute rejection, nephritis, cytokine or chemokine-induced lung injury, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or resulting from over production of cytokines such as TNF or IL-1.
• Compositions of the invention may also be useful to treat anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity to an antigenic substance or material.
• compositions of this invention may be utilized to prevent or treat conditions such as, but not limited to, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, endotoxin shock, cytokine induced shock, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory arthritis, pancreatic cell damage from diabetes mellitus type 1 , graft versus host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflamation associated with pulmonary disease, other autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease, an antiproliferative agent such as for acute or chronic mylegenous leukemia or in the prevention of premature labor secondary to intrauterine infections.
• conditions such as, but not limited to, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, endotoxin shock, cytokine induced shock, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammatory arthritis, pancreatic cell damage from diabetes mellitus type 1 , graft versus host disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflamation associated with pulmonary disease, other autoimmune disease or inflammatory disease, an antiproliferative agent such as for acute
• Leukemias and related disorders may be treated or prevented by administration of a therapeutic that promotes or inhibits function of the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of the invention.
• leukemias and related disorders include but are not limited to acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, myeloblastic, promyelocytic, myelomonocytic, monocytic, erythroleukemia, chronic leukemia, chronic myelocytic (granulocytic) leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (for a review of such disorders, see Fishman et al., 1985, Medicine, 2d Ed., J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia).
• degenerative lesions in which a portion of the nervous system is destroyed or injured as a result of a degenerative process including but not limited to degeneration associated with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's chorea, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
• neurological lesions associated with systemic diseases including but not limited to diabetes (diabetic neuropathy, Bell's palsy), systemic lupus erythematosus, carcinoma, or sarcoidosis;
• a neuron-associated molecule in culture or in vivo, e.g. , choline acetyltransferase or acetylcholinesterase with respect to motor neurons; or
• motor neuron disorders that may be treated according to the invention include but are not limited to disorders such as infarction, infection, exposure to toxin, trauma, surgical damage, degenerative disease or malignancy that may affect motor neurons as well as other components of the nervous system, as well as disorders that selectively affect neurons such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and including but not limited to progressive spinal muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar palsy, primary lateral sclerosis, infantile and juvenile muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar paralysis of childhood (Fazio-Londe syndrome), poliomyelitis and the post polio syndrome, and Hereditary Motorsensory Neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease).
• disorders such as infarction, infection, exposure to toxin, trauma, surgical damage, degenerative disease or malignancy that may affect motor neurons as well as other components of the nervous system, as well as disorders that selectively affect neurons such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and including but not limited to progressive spinal muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar palsy, primary
• a polypeptide of the invention may also exhibit one or more of the following additional activities or effects: inhibiting the growth, infection or function of, or killing, infectious agents, including, without limitation, bacteria, vimses, fungi and other parasites; effecting (suppressing or enhancing) bodily characteristics, including, without limitation, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin, fat to lean ratio or other tissue pigmentation, or organ or body part size or shape (such as, for example, breast augmentation or diminution, change in bone form or shape); effecting biorhythms or circadian cycles or rhythms; effecting the fertility of male or female subjects; effecting the metabolism, catabolism, anabolism, processing, utilization, storage or elimination of dietary fat, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, co-factors or other nutritional factors or component(s); effecting behavioral characteristics, including, without limitation, appetite, libido, stress, cognition (including cognitive disorders), depression
• depressive disorders including depressive disorders and violent behaviors; providing analgesic effects or other pain reducing effects; promoting differentiation and growth of embryonic stem cells in lineages other than hematopoietic lineages; hormonal or endocrine activity; in the case of enzymes, correcting deficiencies of the enzyme and treating deficiency-related diseases; treatment of hype ⁇ roliferative disorders (such as, for example, psoriasis); immunoglobulin-like activity (such as, for example, the ability to bind antigens or complement); and the ability to act as an antigen in a vaccine composition to raise an immune response against such protein or another material or entity which is cross-reactive with such protein.
• the DNA may be subjected to allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization (in which appropriate oligonucleotides are hybridized to the DNA under conditions permitting detection of a single base mismatch) or to a single nucleotide extension assay (in which an oligonucleotide that hybridizes immediately adjacent to the position of the polymo ⁇ hism is extended with one or more labeled nucleotides).
• allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization in which appropriate oligonucleotides are hybridized to the DNA under conditions permitting detection of a single base mismatch
• a single nucleotide extension assay in which an oligonucleotide that hybridizes immediately adjacent to the position of the polymo ⁇ hism is extended with one or more labeled nucleotides.
• traditional restriction fragment length polymo ⁇ hism analysis using restriction enzymes that provide differential digestion of the genomic DNA depending on the presence or absence of the polymo ⁇ hism
• the array can comprise modified nucleotide sequences of the present invention in order to detect the nucleotide sequences of the present invention.
• any one of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be placed on the array to detect changes from those sequences.
• polymo ⁇ hism resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence could also be detected by detecting a corresponding change in amino acid sequence of the protein, e.g., by an antibody specific to the variant sequence.
• the immunosuppressive effects of the compositions of the invention against rheumatoid arthritis is determined in an experimental animal model system.
• the experimental model system is adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, and the protocol is described by J. Holoshitz, et at., 1983, Science, 219:56, or by B. Waksman et al., 1963, Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol., 23:129.
• Induction of the disease can be caused by a single injection, generally intradermally, of a suspension of killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).
• CFA complete Freund's adjuvant
• the route of injection can vary, but rats may be injected at the base of the tail with an adjuvant mixture.
• the polypeptide is administered in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) at a dose of about 1-5 mg/kg.
• PBS phosphate buffered solution
• the control consists of administering PBS only.
• the procedure for testing the effects of the test compound would consist of intradermally injecting killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in CFA followed by immediately administering the test compound and subsequent treatment every other day until day 24.
• an overall arthritis score may be obtained as described by J. Holoskitz above. An analysis of the data would reveal that the test compound would have a dramatic affect on the swelling of the joints as measured by a decrease of the arthritis score.
• compositions including polypeptide fragments, analogs, variants and antibodies or other binding partners or modulators including antisense polynucleotides
• therapeutic applications include, but are not limited to, those exemplified herein.
• One embodiment of the invention is the administration of an effective amount of the polypeptides or other composition of the invention to individuals affected by a disease or disorder that can be modulated by regulating the peptides of the invention. While the mode of administration is not particularly important, parenteral administration is preferred. An exemplary mode of administration is to deliver an intravenous bolus.
• the dosage of the polypeptides or other composition of the invention will normally be determined by the prescribing physician. It is to be expected that the dosage will vary according to the age, weight, condition and response of the individual patient.
• polypeptides of the invention will be formulated in an injectable form combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable parenteral vehicle.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable parenteral vehicle Such vehicles are well known in the art and examples include water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, and solutions consisting of small amounts of the human semm albumin.
• the vehicle may contain minor amounts of additives that maintain the isotonicity and stability of the polypeptide or other active ingredient. The preparation of such solutions is within the skill of the art.
• a protein or other composition of the present invention may be administered to a patient in need, by itself, or in pharmaceutical compositions where it is mixed with suitable carriers or excipient(s) at doses to treat or ameliorate a variety of disorders.
• a composition may optionally contain (in addition to protein or other active ingredient and a carrier) diluents, fillers, salts, buffers, stabilizers, solubilizers, and other materials well known in the art.
• pharmaceutically acceptable means a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active ingredient(s).
• the characteristics of the carrier will depend on the route of administration.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may also contain cytokines, lymphokines, or other hematopoietic factors such as
• proteins of the invention may be combined with other agents beneficial to the treatment of the disease or disorder in question.
• agents include various growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factors (TGF- ⁇ and TGF- ⁇ ), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), as well as cytokines described herein.
• compositions of the invention may comprise a protein of the invention in such multimeric or complexed form.
• a second protein or a therapeutic agent may be concurrently administered with the first protein (e.g., at the same time, or at differing times provided that therapeutic concentrations of the combination of agents is achieved at the treatment site).
• Protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered in accordance with the method of the invention either alone or in combination with other therapies such as treatments employing cytokines, lymphokines or other hematopoietic factors.
• protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered either simultaneously with the cytokine(s), lymphokine(s), other hematopoietic factor(s), thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factors, or sequentially.
• a suitable route of administration and an effective dosage for a particular indication is within the level of skill in the art.
• Suitable dosage ranges for the polypeptides of the invention can be extrapolated from these dosages or from similar studies in appropriate animal models. Dosages can then be adjusted as necessary by the clinician to provide maximal therapeutic benefit.
• compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus may be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically.
• These pharmaceutical compositions may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen.
• protein or other active ingredient of the present invention will be in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution or elixir.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may additionally contain a solid carrier such as a gelatin or an adjuvant.
• a solid carrier such as a gelatin or an adjuvant.
• the tablet, capsule, and powder contain from about 5 to 95%> protein or other active ingredient of the present invention, and preferably from about 25 to 90% protein or other active ingredient of the present invention.
• a liquid carrier such as water, petroleum, oils of animal or plant origin such as peanut oil, mineral oil, soybean oil, or sesame oil, or synthetic oils may be added.
• the liquid form of the pharmaceutical composition may further contain physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution, or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.
• a preferred pharmaceutical composition for intravenous, cutaneous, or subcutaneous injection should contain, in addition to protein or other active ingredient of the present invention, an isotonic vehicle such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection, or other vehicle as known in the art.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also contain stabilizers, preservatives, buffers, antioxidants, or other additives known to those of skill in the art.
• the agents of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer.
• penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation.
• penetrants are generally known in the art.
• the compounds can be formulated readily by combining the active compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art.
• Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated.
• Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained from a solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores.
• Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).
• disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.
• Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings.
• concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures.
• Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.
• compositions which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol.
• the push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers.
• the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols.
• stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for such administration.
• the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.
• the compounds may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion.
• Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative.
• the compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.
• compositions for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form.
• suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions.
• Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes.
• Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran.
• the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.
• the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.
• the compounds may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.
• the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation.
• Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection.
• the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.
• a pharmaceutical carrier for the hydrophobic compounds of the invention is a co-solvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase.
• the co-solvent system may be the VPD co-solvent system.
• VPD is a solution of 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8%> w/v of the nonpolar surfactant polysorbate 80, and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300, made up to volume in absolute ethanol.
• the VPD co-solvent system (VPD:5W) consists of VPD diluted 1 :1 with a 5% dextrose in water solution.
• This co-solvent system dissolves hydrophobic compounds well, and itself produces low toxicity upon systemic administration.
• the proportions of a co-solvent system may be varied considerably without destroying its solubility and toxicity characteristics.
• identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of polysorbate 80; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or polysaccharides may substitute for dextrose.
• other delivery systems for hydrophobic pharmaceutical compounds may be employed. Liposomes and emulsions are well known examples of delivery vehicles or carriers for hydrophobic drugs.
• Certain organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide also may be employed, although usually at the cost of greater toxicity.
• the compounds may be delivered using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent.
• sustained-release materials have been established and are well known by those skilled in the art.
• Sustained-release capsules may, depending on their chemical nature, release the compounds for a few weeks up to over 100 days.
• additional strategies for protein or other active ingredient stabilization may be employed.
• the pharmaceutical compositions also may comprise suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients.
• suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.
• Many of the active ingredients of the invention may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counter ions.
• Such pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts are those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free acids and which are obtained by reaction with inorganic or organic bases such as sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonia, trialkylamine, dialkylamine, monoalkylamine, dibasic amino acids, sodium acetate, potassium benzoate, triethanol amine and the like.
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a complex of the protein(s) or other active ingredient(s) of present invention along with protein or peptide antigens.
• the protein and/or peptide antigen will deliver a stimulatory signal to both B and T lymphocytes.
• B lymphocytes will respond to antigen through their surface immunoglobulin receptor.
• T lymphocytes will respond to antigen through the T cell receptor (TCR) following presentation of the antigen by MHC proteins.
• TCR T cell receptor
• MHC and structurally related proteins including those encoded by class I and class II MHC genes on host cells will serve to present the peptide antigen(s) to T lymphocytes.
• the antigen components could also be supplied as purified MHC-peptide complexes alone or with co-stimulatory molecules that can directly signal T cells.
• antibodies able to bind surface immunoglobulin and other molecules on B cells as well as antibodies able to bind the TCR and other molecules on T cells can be combined with the pharmaceutical composition of
• the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a liposome in which protein of the present invention is combined, in addition to other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, with amphipathic agents such as lipids which exist in aggregated form as micelles, insoluble monolayers, liquid crystals, or lamellar layers in aqueous solution.
• Suitable lipids for liposomal formulation include, without limitation, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sulfatides, lysolecithins, phospholipids, saponin, bile acids, and the like. Preparation of such liposomal formulations is within the level of skill in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,235,871 ; 4,501,728; 4,837,028; and 4,737,323, all of which are inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
• the amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will depend upon the nature and severity of the condition being treated, and on the nature of prior treatments which the patient has undergone. Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention with which to treat each individual patient. Initially, the attending physician will administer low doses of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention and observe the patient's response. Larger doses of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention may be administered until the optimal therapeutic effect is obtained for the patient, and at that point the dosage is not increased further.
• the various pharmaceutical compositions used to practice the method of the present invention should contain about 0.01 ⁇ g to about 100 mg (preferably about 0.1 ⁇ g to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.1 ⁇ g to about 1 mg) of protein or other active ingredient of the present invention per kg body weight.
• the therapeutic method includes administering the composition topically, systematically, or locally as an implant or device.
• the therapeutic composition for use in this invention is, of course, in a pyrogen-free, physiologically acceptable form.
• the composition may desirably be encapsulated or injected in a viscous form for delivery to the site of bone, cartilage or tissue damage.
• Topical administration may be suitable for wound healing and tissue repair.
• Therapeutically useful agents other than a protein or other active ingredient of the invention which may also optionally be included in the composition as described above, may alternatively or additionally, be administered simultaneously or sequentially with the composition in the methods of the invention.
• the composition would include a matrix capable of delivering the protein-containing or other active ingredient-containing composition to the site of bone and/or cartilage damage, providing a stmcture for the developing bone and cartilage and optimally capable of being resorbed into the body.
• Such matrices may be formed of materials presently in use for other implanted medical applications. The choice of matrix material is based on biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, cosmetic appearance and interface properties.
• Potential matrices for the compositions may be biodegradable and chemically defined calcium sulfate, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid, polyglycohc acid and poly anhydrides.
• Other potential materials are biodegradable and biologically well-defined, such as bone or dermal collagen.
• Further matrices are comprised of pure proteins or extracellular matrix components.
• Other potential matrices are nonbiodegradable and chemically defined, such as sintered hydroxyapatite, bioglass, aluminates, or other ceramics.
• Matrices may be comprised of combinations of any of the above mentioned types of material, such as polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite or collagen and tricalcium phosphate.
• the bioceramics may be altered in composition, such as in calcium-aluminate-phosphate and processing to alter pore size, particle size, particle shape, and biodegradability.
• a 50:50 (mole weight) copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid in the form of porous particles having diameters ranging from 150 to 800 microns.
• a sequestering agent such as carboxymethyl cellulose or autologous blood clot, to prevent the protein compositions from disassociating from the matrix.
• a preferred family of sequestering agents is cellulosic materials such as alkylcelluloses (including hydroxyalkylcelluloses), including methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose, the most preferred being cationic salts of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC).
• CMC carboxymethylcellulose
• Other preferred sequestering agents include hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyoxy ethylene oxide, carboxy vinyl polymer and poly(vinyl alcohol).
• the amount of sequestering agent useful herein is 0.5-20 wt %, preferably 1-10 wt %> based on total formulation weight, which represents the amount necessary to prevent deso ⁇ tion of the protein from the polymer matrix and to provide appropriate handling of the composition, yet not so much that the progenitor cells are prevented from infiltrating the matrix, thereby providing the protein the opportunity to assist the osteogenic activity of the progenitor cells.
• proteins or other active ingredients of the invention may be combined with other agents beneficial to the treatment of the bone and/or cartilage defect, wound, or tissue in question. These agents include various growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factors (TGF- ⁇ and TGF- ⁇ ), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF).
• EGF epidermal growth factor
• PDGF platelet derived growth factor
• TGF- ⁇ and TGF- ⁇ transforming growth factors
• IGF insulin-like growth factor
• the therapeutic compositions are also presently valuable for veterinary applications. Particularly domestic animals and thoroughbred horses, in addition to humans, are desired patients for such treatment with proteins or other active ingredients of the present invention.
• the dosage regimen of a protein-containing pharmaceutical composition to be used in tissue regeneration will be determined by the attending physician considering various factors which modify the action of the proteins, e.g., amount of tissue weight desired to be formed, the site of damage, the condition of the damaged tissue, the size of a wound, type of damaged tissue (e.g., bone), the patient's age, sex, and diet, the severity of any infection, time of administration and other clinical factors.
• the dosage may vary with the type of matrix used in the reconstitution and with inclusion of other proteins in the pharmaceutical composition.
• IGF I insulin like growth factor I
• the addition of other known growth factors, such as IGF I may also effect the dosage.
• Progress can be monitored by periodic assessment of tissue/bone growth and/or repair, for example, X-rays, histomo ⁇ hometric determinations and tetracycline labeling.
• Polynucleotides of the present invention can also be used for gene therapy. Such polynucleotides can be introduced either in vivo or ex vivo into cells for expression in a mammalian subject. Polynucleotides of the invention may also be administered by other known methods for introduction of nucleic acid into a cell or organism (including, without limitation, in the form of viral vectors or naked DNA). Cells may also be cultured ex vivo in the presence of proteins of the present invention in order to proliferate or to produce a desired effect on or activity in such cells. Treated cells can then be introduced in vivo for therapeutic purposes.
• compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve its intended pu ⁇ ose. More specifically, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount effective to prevent development of or to alleviate the existing symptoms of the subject being treated. Determination of the effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.
• the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from appropriate in vitro assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans.
• compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient.
• the pack may, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack.
• the pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration.
• Compositions comprising a compound of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition.
• polyclonal antibodies For the production of polyclonal antibodies, various suitable host animals (e.g., rabbit, goat, mouse or other mammal) may be immunized by one or more injections with the native protein, a synthetic variant thereof, or a derivative of the foregoing.
• An appropriate immunogenic preparation can contain, for example, the naturally occurring immunogenic protein, a chemically synthesized polypeptide representing the immunogenic protein, or a recombinantly expressed immunogenic protein.
• the protein may be conjugated to a second protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized.
• immunogenic proteins include but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, semm albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor.
• the preparation can further include an adjuvant.
• adjuvants used to increase the immunological response include, but are not limited to, Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), surface active substances (e.g., lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, dinitrophenol, etc.), adjuvants usable in humans such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and Corynebacterium parvum, or similar immunostimulatory agents.
• adjuvants which can be employed include MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate).
• MPL-TDM adjuvant monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate
• the polyclonal antibody molecules directed against the immunogenic protein can be isolated from the mammal (e.g., from the blood) and further purified by well known techniques, such as affinity chromatography using protein A or protein G, which provide primarily the IgG fraction of immune serum. Subsequently, or alternatively, the specific antigen which is the target of the immunoglobulin sought, or an epitope thereof, may be immobilized on a column to purify the immune specific antibody by immunoaffinity chromatography. Purification of immunoglobulins is discussed, for example, by D. Wilkinson (The Engineer, published by The Engineer, Inc., Philadelphia PA, Vol. 14, No. 8 (April 17, 2000), pp. 25-28).
• MAb monoclonal antibody
• CDRs complementarity determining regions
• Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495 (1975).
• a hybridoma method a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent.
• the lymphocytes can be immunized in vitro.
• the immunizing agent will typically include the protein antigen, a fragment thereof or a fusion protein thereof.
• peripheral blood lymphocytes are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired.
• the lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press, (1986) pp. 59-103).
• Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed.
• the hybridoma cells can be cultured in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells.
• Human antibodies may additionally be produced using transgenic nonhuman animals which are modified so as to produce fully human antibodies rather than the animal's endogenous antibodies in response to challenge by an antigen.
• transgenic nonhuman animals which are modified so as to produce fully human antibodies rather than the animal's endogenous antibodies in response to challenge by an antigen.
• the endogenous genes encoding the heavy and light immunoglobulin chains in the nonhuman host have been incapacitated, and active loci encoding human heavy and light chain immunoglobulins are inserted into the host's genome.
• the human genes are inco ⁇ orated, for example, using yeast artificial chromosomes containing the requisite human DNA segments. An animal which provides all the desired modifications is then obtained as progeny by crossbreeding intermediate transgenic animals containing fewer than the full complement of the modifications.
• 5,939,598 It can be obtained by a method including deleting the J segment genes from at least one endogenous heavy chain locus in an embryonic stem cell to prevent rearrangement of the locus and to prevent formation of a transcript of a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, the deletion being effected by a targeting vector containing a gene encoding a selectable marker; and producing from the embryonic stem cell a transgenic mouse whose somatic and germ cells contain the gene encoding the selectable marker.
• a method for producing an antibody of interest such as a human antibody, is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,916,771. It includes introducing an expression vector that contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain into one mammalian host cell in culture, introducing an expression vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain into another mammalian host cell, and fusing the two cells to form a hybrid cell.
• the hybrid cell expresses an antibody containing the heavy chain and the light chain.
• Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities can be fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences.
• the fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CHI) containing the site necessary for light-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions.
• CHI first heavy-chain constant region
• the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant cell culture.
• the preferred interface comprises at least a part of the CH3 region of an antibody constant domain.
• one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan).
• Compensatory "cavities" of identical or similar size to the large side chain(s) are created on the interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as homodimers.
• One of the Fab'-TNB derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-thiol by reduction with mercaptoethylamine and is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab'-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody.
• the bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes.
• bispecific antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers.
• the leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion.
• the antibody homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. This method can also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers.
• Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated.
• trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al., J. Immunol. 147:60 (1991).
• Exemplary bispecific antibodies can bind to two different epitopes, at least one of which originates in the protein antigen of the invention.
• an anti-antigenic arm of an immunoglobulin molecule can be combined with an arm which binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g.
• bispecific antibodies can also be used to direct cytotoxic agents to cells which express a particular antigen. These antibodies possess an antigen-binding arm and an arm which binds a cytotoxic agent or a radionuclide chelator, such as EOTUBE, DPTA, DOTA, or TETA. Another bispecific antibody of interest binds the protein antigen described herein and further binds tissue factor (TF).
• Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (U.S. Patent No. 4,676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360; WO 92/200373; EP 03089). It is contemplated that the antibodies can be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins can be constmcted using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this pu ⁇ ose include iminothiolate and methyl-4- mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,676,980.
• the antibody of the invention can be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention with respect to effector function, so as to enhance, e.g., the effectiveness of the antibody in treating cancer.
• cysteine residue(s) can be introduced into the Fc region, thereby allowing interchain disulfide bond formation in this region.
• the homodimeric antibody thus generated can have improved internalization capability and/or increased complement-mediated cell killing and antibody- dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). See Caron et al., J. Exp Med., 176: 1191-1195 (1992) and Shopes, J. Immunol., 148: 2918-2922 (1992).
• Homodimeric antibodies with enhanced anti- tumor activity can also be prepared using heterobifunctional cross-linkers as described in Wolff et al.
• an antibody can be engineered that has dual Fc regions and can thereby have enhanced complement lysis and ADCC capabilities. See Stevenson et al., Anti-Cancer Drug Design, 3: 219-230 (1989).
• the invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as a chemotherapeutic agent, toxin (e.g., an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope (i.e., a radioconjugate).
• a cytotoxic agent such as a chemotherapeutic agent, toxin (e.g., an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope (i.e., a radioconjugate).
• Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof that can be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aemginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes.
• a variety of radionuclides are available for the production of radioconjugated antibodies. Examples include 212 Bi, ,3, 1, 131 In, 90 Y, and 186 Re.
• Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic agent are made using a variety of bifunctional protein-coupling agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as 1 ,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene).
• SPDP N-succinimidyl
• the antibody in another embodiment, can be conjugated to a "receptor" (such streptavidin) for utilization in tumor pretargeting wherein the antibody-receptor conjugate is administered to the patient, followed by removal of unbound conjugate from the circulation using a clearing agent and then administration of a "ligand” (e.g., avidin) that is in turn conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.
• a "receptor” such streptavidin
• a "ligand” e.g., avidin
• recorded refers to a process for storing information on computer readable medium.
• a skilled artisan can readily adopt any of the presently known methods for recording information on computer readable medium to generate manufactures comprising the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.
• a variety of data storage stmctures are available to a skilled artisan for creating a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a nucleotide sequence of the present invention.
• the choice of the data storage stmcture will generally be based on the means chosen to access the stored information.
• a variety of data processor programs and formats can be used to store the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention on computer readable medium.
• the sequence information can be represented in a word processing text file, formatted in commercially-available software such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word, or represented in the form of an ASCII file, stored in a database application, such as DB2, Sybase, Oracle, or the like.
• a skilled artisan can readily adapt any number of data processor structuring formats (e.g. text file or database) in order to obtain computer readable medium having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.
• nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 or a representative fragment thereof; or a nucleotide sequence at least 95%> identical to any of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708 in computer readable form a skilled artisan can routinely access the sequence information for a variety of pu ⁇ oses.
• Computer software is publicly available which allows a skilled artisan to access sequence information provided in a computer readable medium. The examples which follow demonstrate how software which implements the BLAST (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990)) and BLAZE (Brutlag et al., Comp. Chem.
• a computer-based system refers to the hardware means, software means, and data storage means used to analyze the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.
• the minimum hardware means of the computer-based systems of the present invention comprises a central processing unit (CPU), input means, output means, and data storage means.
• the computer-based systems of the present invention comprise a data storage means having stored therein a nucleotide sequence of the present invention and the necessary hardware means and software means for supporting and implementing a search means.
• data storage means refers to memory which can store nucleotide sequence information of the present invention, or a memory access means which can access manufactures having recorded thereon the nucleotide sequence information of the present invention.
• a "target sequence” can be any nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of six or more nucleotides or two or more amino acids.
• a skilled artisan can readily recognize that the longer a target sequence is, the less likely a target sequence will be present as a random occurrence in the database.
• the most preferred sequence length of a target sequence is from about 10 to 300 amino acids, more preferably from about 30 to 100 nucleotide residues.
• searches for commercially important fragments, such as sequence fragments involved in gene expression and protein processing may be of shorter length.
• a target structural motif refers to any rationally selected sequence or combination of sequences in which the sequence(s) are chosen based on a three-dimensional configuration which is formed upon the folding of the target motif.
• target motifs include, but are not limited to, enzyme active sites and signal sequences.
• Nucleic acid target motifs include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, hai ⁇ in stmctures and inducible expression elements (protein binding sequences).
• the present invention further provides methods to identify the presence or expression of one of the ORFs of the present invention, or homolog thereof, in a test sample, using a nucleic acid probe or antibodies of the present invention, optionally conjugated or otherwise associated with a suitable label.
• Conditions for incubating a nucleic acid probe or antibody with a test sample vary. Incubation conditions depend on the format employed in the assay, the detection methods employed, and the type and nature of the nucleic acid probe or antibody used in the assay.
• One skilled in the art will recognize that any one of the commonly available hybridization, amplification or immunological assay formats can readily be adapted to employ the nucleic acid probes or antibodies of the present invention. Examples of such assays can be found in Chard, T., An Introduction to Radioimmunoassay and Related Techniques, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1986); Bullock, G.R. et al., Techniques in Immunocytochemistry, Academic Press, Orlando, FL Vol. 1 (1982), Vol.
• test samples of the present invention include cells, protein or membrane extracts of cells, or biological fluids such as sputum, blood, semm, plasma, or urine.
• the test sample used in the above-described method will vary based on the assay format, nature of the detection method and the tissues, cells or extracts used as the sample to be assayed. Methods for preparing protein extracts or membrane extracts of cells are well known in the art and can be readily be adapted in order to obtain a sample which is compatible with the system utilized.
• Types of detection reagents include labeled nucleic acid probes, labeled secondary antibodies, or in the alternative, if the primary antibody is labeled, the enzymatic, or antibody binding reagents which are capable of reacting with the labeled antibody.
• detection reagents include labeled nucleic acid probes, labeled secondary antibodies, or in the alternative, if the primary antibody is labeled, the enzymatic, or antibody binding reagents which are capable of reacting with the labeled antibody.
• novel polypeptides and binding partners of the invention are useful in medical imaging of sites expressing the molecules of the invention (e.g., where the polypeptide of the invention is involved in the immune response, for imaging sites of inflammation or infection). See, e.g., Kunkel et al., U.S. Pat. NO. 5,413,778.
• Such methods involve chemical attachment of a labeling or imaging agent, administration of the labeled polypeptide to a subject in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and imaging the labeled polypeptide in vivo at the target site.
• the present invention further provides methods of obtaining and identifying agents which bind to a polypeptide encoded by an ORF corresponding to any of the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:l- 236 and 473-708, or bind to a specific domain of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid.
• said method comprises the steps of:
• Methods for identifying compounds that bind to a polypeptide of the invention can also comprise contacting a compound with a polypeptide of the invention in a cell for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, wherein the complex drives expression of a receptor gene sequence in the cell, and detecting the complex by detecting reporter gene sequence expression, so that if a polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds a polypeptide of the invention is identified.
• Compounds identified via such methods can include compounds which modulate the activity of a polypeptide of the invention (that is, increase or decrease its activity, relative to activity observed in the absence of the compound).
• agents such as peptides, carbohydrates, pharmaceutical agents and the like are selected at random and are assayed for their ability to bind to the protein encoded by the ORF of the present invention.
• agents may be rationally selected or designed.
• an agent is said to be "rationally selected or designed" when the agent is chosen based on the configuration of the particular protein.
• one skilled in the art can readily adapt currently available procedures to generate peptides, pharmaceutical agents and the like, capable of binding to a specific peptide sequence, in order to generate rationally designed antipeptide peptides, for example see Hurby et al., Application of Synthetic Peptides: Antisense Peptides," In Synthetic Peptides, A User's Guide, W.H. Freeman, NY (1992), pp. 289-307, and Kaspczak et al., Biochemistry 28:9230-8 (1989), or pharmaceutical agents, or the like.
• one class of agents of the present invention can be used to control gene expression through binding to one of the ORFs or EMFs of the present invention. As described above, such agents can be randomly screened or rationally designed/selected. Targeting the ORF or EMF allows a skilled artisan to design sequence specific or element specific agents, modulating the expression of either a single ORF or multiple ORFs which rely on the same EMF for expression control.
• One class of DNA binding agents are agents which contain base residues which hybridize or form a triple helix formation by binding to DNA or RNA. Such agents can be based on the classic phosphodiester, ribonucleic acid backbone, or can be a variety of sulfhydryl or polymeric derivatives which have base attachment capacity.
• Agents suitable for use in these methods preferably contain 20 to 40 bases and are designed to be complementary to a region of the gene involved in transcription (triple helix - see Lee et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 3:173 (1979); Cooney et al., Science 241 :456 (1988); and Dervan et al., Science 251 :1360 (1991)) or to the mRNA itself (antisense - Okano, J. Neurochem. 56:560 (1991); Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL (1988)).
• Triple helix-formation optimally results in a shut-off of RNA transcription from DNA, while antisense RNA hybridization blocks translation of an mRNA molecule into polypeptide. Both techniques have been demonstrated to be effective in model systems. Information contained in the sequences of the present invention is necessary for the design of an antisense or triple helix oligonucleotide and other DNA binding agents.
• Agents which bind to a protein encoded by one of the ORFs of the present invention can be used as a diagnostic agent. Agents which bind to a protein encoded by one of the ORFs of the present invention can be formulated using known techniques to generate a pharmaceutical composition.
• Another aspect of the subject invention is to provide for polypepti de-specific nucleic acid hybridization probes capable of hybridizing with naturally occurring nucleotide sequences.
• the hybridization probes of the subject invention may be derived from any of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 1-236 and 473-708. Because the corresponding gene is only expressed in a limited number of tissues, a hybridization probe derived from of any of the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO:l-236 and 473-708 can be used as an indicator of the presence of RNA of cell type of such a tissue in a sample. Any suitable hybridization technique can be employed, such as, for example, in situ hybridization. PCR as described in US Patents Nos.
• 4,683,195 and 4,965,188 provides additional uses for oligonucleotides based upon the nucleotide sequences.
• Such probes used in PCR may be of recombinant origin, may be chemically synthesized, or a mixture of both.
• the probe will comprise a discrete nucleotide sequence for the detection of identical sequences or a degenerate pool of possible sequences for identification of closely related genomic sequences.
• Other means for producing specific hybridization probes for nucleic acids include the cloning of nucleic acid sequences into vectors for the production of mRNA probes.
• RNA polymerase as T7 or SP6 RNA polymerase and the appropriate radioactively labeled nucleotides.
• the nucleotide sequences may be used to constmct hybridization probes for mapping their respective genomic sequences.
• the nucleotide sequence provided herein may be mapped to a chromosome or specific regions of a chromosome using well known genetic and/or chromosomal mapping techniques. These techniques include in situ hybridization, linkage analysis against known chromosomal markers, hybridization screening with libraries or flow-sorted chromosomal preparations specific to known chromosomes, and the like. The technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization of chromosome spreads has been described, among other places, in Verma et al (1988) Human Chromosomes: A Manual of Basic Techniques, Pergamon Press, New York NY.
• Fluorescent in situ hybridization of chromosomal preparations and other physical chromosome mapping techniques may be correlated with additional genetic map data. Examples of genetic map data can be found in the 1994 Genome Issue of Science (265: 198 If). Correlation between the location of a nucleic acid on a physical chromosomal map and a specific disease (or predisposition to a specific disease) may help delimit the region of DNA associated with that genetic disease.
• the nucleotide sequences of the subject invention may be used to detect differences in gene sequences between normal, carrier or affected individuals.
• Oligonucleotides i.e., small nucleic acid segments
• Oligonucleotides may be readily prepared by, for example, directly synthesizing the oligonucleotide by chemical means, as is commonly practiced using an automated oligonucleotide synthesizer.
• Support bound oligonucleotides may be prepared by any of the methods known to those of skill in the art using any suitable support such as glass, polystyrene or Teflon.
• One strategy is to precisely spot oligonucleotides synthesized by standard synthesizers. Immobilization can be achieved using passive adso ⁇ tion (Inouye & Hondo, (1990) J. Clin.
• Another strategy that may be employed is the use of the strong biotin-streptavidin interaction as a linker.
• biotinylated probes although these are duplex probes, that are immobilized on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads.
• Streptavidin-coated beads may be purchased from Dynal,
• Biotinylated probes may be purchased from various sources, such as, e.g., Operon Technologies (Alameda, CA).
• CovaLink NH is a polystyrene surface grafted with secondary amino groups (>NH) that serve as bridge-heads for further covalent coupling.
• CovaLink Modules may be purchased from Nunc Laboratories. DNA molecules may be bound to CovaLink exclusively at the 5'-end by a phosphoramidate bond, allowing immobilization of more than 1 pmol of DNA (Rasmussenet ⁇ /., (1991) Anal. Biochem. 198(1) 138-42).
• CovaLink NH strips for covalent binding of DNA molecules at the 5'-end has been described (Rasmussen et al., (1991). In this technology, a phosphoramidate bond is employed (Chu et al., (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 1 1(8) 6513-29). This is beneficial as immobilization using only a single covalent bond is preferred.
• the phosphoramidate bond joins the DNA to the CovaLink NH secondary amino groups that are positioned at the end of spacer arms covalently grafted onto the polystyrene surface through a 2 nm long spacer arm.
• the oligonucleotide terminus must have a 5'-end phosphate group. It is, perhaps, even possible for biotin to be covalently bound to CovaLink and then streptavidin used to bind the probes.
• the linkage method includes dissolving DNA in water (7.5 ng/ul) and denaturing for 10 min. at 95°C and cooling on ice for 10 min. Ice-cold 0.1 M 1-methylimidazole, pH 7.0 ( 1 -Melm ), is then added to a final concentration of 10 mM 1 -Melm 7 . A ss DNA solution is then dispensed into CovaLink NH strips (75 ul/well) standing on ice.
• a further suitable method for use with the present invention is that described in PCT Patent Application WO 90/03382 (Southern & Maskos), inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
• This method of preparing an oligonucleotide bound to a support involves attaching a nucleoside 3'-reagent through the phosphate group by a covalent phosphodiester link to aliphatic hydroxyl groups carried by the support.
• the oligonucleotide is then synthesized on the supported nucleoside and protecting groups removed from the synthetic oligonucleotide chain under standard conditions that do not cleave the oligonucleotide from the support.
• Suitable reagents include nucleoside phosphoramidite and nucleoside hydrogen phosphorate.
• An on-chip strategy for the preparation of DNA probe for the preparation of DNA probe arrays may be employed.
• addressable laser-activated photodeprotection may be employed in the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides directly on a glass surface, as described by Fodor et al. (1991) Science 251(4995) 767-73, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference.
• Probes may also be immobilized on nylon supports as described by Van Ness et al. ( 1991 ) Nucleic Acids Res. 19(12) 3345-50; or linked to Teflon using the method of Duncan & Cavalier (1988) Anal. Biochem. 169(1) 104-8; all references being specifically inco ⁇ orated herein.
• DNA DNA, chromosomal DNA, microdissected chromosome bands, cosmid or YAC inserts, and RNA, including mRNA without any amplification steps.
• Sambrook et al. 1989 describes three protocols for the isolation of high molecular weight DNA from mammalian cells (p.
• DNA fragments may be prepared as clones in Ml 3, plasmid or lambda vectors and or prepared directly from genomic DNA or cDNA by PCR or other amplification methods. Samples may be prepared or dispensed in multiwell plates. About 100-1000 ng of DNA samples may be prepared in 2-500 ml of final volume.
• nucleic acids would then be fragmented by any of the methods known to those of skill in the art including, for example, using restriction enzymes as described at 9.24-9.28 of Sambrook et al. (1989), shearing by ultrasound and NaOH treatment. Low pressure shearing is also appropriate, as described by Schriefer et al. (1990) Nucleic acids
• SEQ ID NOS: 1- 217 The full-length nucleotide, including splice variants resulting from these procedures are shown in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NOS: 1- 217.
• Table 1 shows the various tissue sources of SEQ ID NO: 1-217.
• the nearest neighbor results for SEQ ID NO: 1-217 were obtained by a BLASTP version 2.0al 19MP-WashU search against Genpept release 120 and Geneseq October 12, 2000 release 21 (Derwent), using BLAST algorithm.
• the nearest neighbor result showed the closest homologue for SEQ ID NO: 1-217 from Genpept .
• the translated amino acid sequences for which the nucleic acid sequence encodes are shown in the Sequence Listing.
• the homologs with identifiable functions for SEQ ID NO: 1-217 are shown in Table 2 below.
• results include in order: accession number subtype, raw score; p-value; position of signature in amino acid sequence.

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=27504341

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (62)

• 2001
  • 2001-01-25 WO PCT/US2001/002687 patent/WO2001054477A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2001-01-25 EP EP01905100A patent/EP1285084A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-01-25 AU AU2001233041A patent/AU2001233041A1/en not_active Abandoned

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events