Ras-like protein

Abstract

The present invention provides a human Ras-like protein (RLP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode RLP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. In addition, the invention provides methods for producing RLP and for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of RLP.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A substantially purified human Ras-like protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or fragments thereof.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated and purified polynucleotide sequence encoding the human Ras-like protein of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the polynucleotide sequence of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising the polynucleotide sequence of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         5 . An isolated and purified polynucleotide sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:2 or variants thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A polynucleotide sequence which is complementary to the polynucleotide sequence of  claim 2  or variants thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising the polynucleotide sequence of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . An expression vector containing the polynucleotide sequence of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         9 . A host cell containing the vector of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . A method for producing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or fragments thereof, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) culturing the host cell of  claim 9  under conditions suitable for the expression of the polypeptide; and    b) recovering the polypeptide from the host cell culture.    
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified human Ras-like protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         12 . A purified antibody which binds specifically to the polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . A purified agonist which modulates the activity of the polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A purified antagonist which decreases the effect of the polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . A method for stimulating cell proliferation comprising adding to a cell an effective amount of the protein of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antagonist of  claim 14  in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         17 . A method for treating or preventing a cancer comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         18 . A method for treating or preventing inflammation comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         19 . A method for detecting a polynucleotide which encodes the human Ras-like protein in a biological sample comprising the steps of: 
 a) hybridizing the polynucleotide of  claim 6  to nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and    b) detecting said hybridization complex, wherein the presence of said complex correlates with the presence of a polynucleotide encoding the human Ras-like protein in said biological sample.