Human Ste20-like stress activated serine/threonine kinase

Abstract

A novel human signal-transduction kinase polypeptide is described which is expressed at a particularly high level in human leukocytes. A full length cDNA which encodes the novel stress-activated serine/threonine kinase polypeptide is disclosed as well as the interior structural region and the amino acid residue sequence of the native biological molecule. Methods are provided to identify compounds that modulate the biological activity of the human Ste20-like stress-activated serine/threonine signal transduction kinase.

1 . A purified polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of a sequence at least 90% similar to SEQ ID NO: 3 and a sequence at least 90% identical to residues 24-295 of SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising the sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         3 . An expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide at least 90% similar to SEQ ID NO: 3 according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . A host cell transformed with the expression vector of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A method for producing cells which express a polypeptide at least 90% similar to SEQ ID NO: 3, said method comprising culturing a host cell according to  claim 4  in culture medium under conditions suitable for growth of said host cell.  
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a polypeptide at least 90% similar to SEQ ID NO: 3, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) culturing said host cell according to  claim 4  in culture medium under conditions suitable for the expression of said polypeptide; and,    b) recovering said polypeptide from cultured host cells or said culture medium.    
     
     
         7 . An expression vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence which encodes a polypeptide at least 90% identical to residues 24-295 of SEQ ID NO: 3 according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . A host cell transformed with the expression vector of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . A method for producing cells which express a polypeptide at least 90% identical to residues 24-295 of SEQ ID NO: 3, said method comprising culturing a host cell according to  claim 8  in culture medium under conditions suitable for growth of said host cell.  
     
     
         10 . A method for producing a polypeptide at least 90% identical to residues 24-295 of SEQ ID NO: 3, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) culturing said host cell according to  claim 8  in culture medium under conditions suitable for the expression of said polypeptide; and,    b) recovering said polypeptide from cultured host cells or said culture medium.    
     
     
         11 . A purified polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide comprising a sequence at least 90% similar to SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         12 . A purified polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide comprising a sequence at least 90% identical residues 24-295 of SEQ ID NO: 3.