Human aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase

Abstract

The invention provides a human aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase (AFB1-hAR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode AFB1-hAR. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of AFB1-hAR.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1,    b) a naturally-occurring amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1,    c) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 having aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase activity, and    d) an immunogenic fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.    
     
     
         2 . An isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polynucleotide of  claim 4 , comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         6 . A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         7 . A cell transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . A method for producing a polypeptide of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide, and said recombin ant polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of  claim 1 , and    b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed.    
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         10 . An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2,    b) a polynucleotide sequence complementary to a), and    c) a ribonucleotide equivalent of a) or b).    
     
     
         12 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising at least 60 contiguous nucleic acids of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide of  claim 11 , the method comprising: 
 a) hybridizing the sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides comprising a sequence complementary to said target polynucleotide in the sample, and which probe specifically hybridizes to said target polynucleotide, under conditions whereby a hybridization complex is formed between said probe and said target polynucleotide or fragments thereof, and    b) detecting the presence or absence of said hybridization complex, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.    
     
     
         14 . A method of  claim 13 , wherein the probe comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides.  
     
     
         15 . A method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide of  claim 11 , the method comprising: 
 a) amplifying said target polynucleotide or fragment thereof using polymerase chain reaction amplification, and    b) detecting the presence or absence of said amplified target polynucleotide or fragment thereof, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.    
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a polypeptide of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.  
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical composition of  claim 16 , wherein the polypeptide has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         18 . A method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an agonist of a polypeptide of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of  claim 1  to a compound, and    b) detecting agonist activity in the sample.    
     
     
         19 . A method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist of a polypeptide of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of  claim 1  to a compound, and    b) detecting antagonist activity in the sample.    
     
     
         20 . A method for screening a compound for effectiveness in altering expression of a target polynucleotide, wherein said target polynucleotide comprises a sequence of  claim 4 , the method comprising: 
 a) exposing a sample comprising the target polynucleotide to a compound, and    b) detecting altered expression of the target polynucleotide.