Atherosclerosis-associated genes

Abstract

The invention provides novel atherosclerosis-associated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by those genes. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, and antibodies. The invention also provides methods for screening or purifying ligands and diagnosing, treating or preventing atherosclerosis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A substantially purified polynucleotide comprising a gene that is coexpressed with one or more known atherosclerosis-associated genes in a plurality of samples.  
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from 
 (a) a polynucleotide encoding a peptide selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-34;    (b) a polynucleotide sequence complementary to the polynucleotide sequence of (a) or (b);    (c) a probe comprising at least 18 sequential nucleotides of the polynucleotide sequence of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         3 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising one of the polynucleotides of  claim 2  and a pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         4 . A method of using a polynucleotide to screen a library of molecules or compounds to identify at least one ligand which specifically binds the polynucleotide, the method comprising: 
 (a) combining the polynucleotide of  claim 1  with a library of molecules or compounds under conditions to allow specific binding, and    (b) detecting specific binding, thereby identifying a ligand which specifically binds the polynucleotide.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the library is selected from DNA molecules, RNA molecules, PNAs, mimetics, and proteins.  
     
     
         6 . A ligand identified by the method of  claim 4  which modulates the activity of the polynucleotide.  
     
     
         7 . A method of using a polynucleotide of to purify a ligand which specifically binds the polynucleotide, the method comprising: 
 (a) combining the polynucleotide of  claim 1  with a sample under conditions to allow specific binding,    (b) detecting specific binding between the polynucleotide and a ligand,    (c) recovering the bound polynucleotide, and    (d) separating the polynucleotide from the ligand, thereby obtaining purified ligand.    
     
     
         8 . A method for diagnosing a disease or condition associated with the altered expression of a gene that is coexpressed with one or more known atherosclerosis-associated genes in a plurality of biological samples, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) hybridizing a polynucleotide of  claim 2  to a sample under conditions effective to form one or more hybridization complexes;    (b) detecting the hybridization complexes; and    (c) comparing the levels of the hybridization complexes with the level of hybridization complexes in a non-diseased sample, wherein the altered level of hybridization complexes compared with the level of hybridization complexes of a non-diseased sample indicates the presence of the disease or condition.    
     
     
         9 . An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         10 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A method for producing the polypeptide, the method comprising: 
 (a) culturing the host cell of  claim 10  under conditions for expression of the polypeptide,    (b) recovering the polypeptide from cell culture.    
     
     
         12 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the product of a gene that is coexpressed with one or more known atherosclerosis-associated genes in a plurality of samples.  
     
     
         13 . The polypeptide of  claim 12 , comprising a polypeptide sequence selected from 
 (a) the polypeptides encoded by SEQ ID NOs: 1-34; and    (b) an oligopeptide sequence comprising at least 6 sequential amino acids of the polypeptide sequence of a).    
     
     
         14 . The polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35.  
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide of  claim 12  and a pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         16 . A method for using a polypeptide to screen a library of molecules or compounds to identify at least one ligand which specifically binds the polypeptide, the method comprising: 
 (a) combining the polypeptide of  claim 12  with the library of molecules or compounds under conditions to allow specific binding, and    (b) detecting specific binding between the polypeptide and ligand, thereby identifying a ligand which specifically binds the polypeptide.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the library is selected from DNA molecules, RNA molecules, PNAs, mimetics, proteins, agonists, antagonists, and antibodies.  
     
     
         18 . A ligand identified by the method of  claim 16  which modulates the activity of the polypeptide.  
     
     
         19 . A method of using the polypeptide to purify a ligand from a sample, the method comprising: 
 (a) combining the polypeptide of  claim 12  with a sample under conditions to allow specific binding,    (b) detecting specific binding between the polypeptide and a ligand,    (c) recovering the bound polypeptide, and    (d) separating the polypeptide from the ligand, thereby obtaining purified ligand.    
     
     
         20 . A method for treating or preventing a disease associated with the altered expression of a gene that is coexpressed with one or more known atherosclerosis-associated genes in a subject in need, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject in need the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15  in an amount effective for treating or preventing the disease.