Galectin 9 and 10SV polynucleotides

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV proteins. Galectin 8, 9, 10 and 10SV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of galectin 8, 9, 10 or 10SV activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 1 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 1 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 1 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 2 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 2 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 2 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 2 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. 97732, 97733 or 97734;    (d) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a), (b), or (c).    
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence identical to a nucleotide sequence in (a), (b), (c), or (d) of  claim 1  wherein said polynucleotide which hybridizes does not hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions to a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence consisting of only A residues or of only T residues.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated nucleic acid fragment of the polynucleotide of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment is selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 520 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1;    (b) a nucleotide sequence comprising at least 460 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:3; and    (c) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a) or (b).    
     
     
         4 . A method for making a recombinant vector comprising inserting an isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  into a vector.  
     
     
         5 . A recombinant vector produced by the method of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         6 . A method of making a recombinant host cell comprising introducing the recombinant vector of  claim 5  into a host cell.  
     
     
         7 . A recombinant host cell produced by the method of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . A recombinant method for producing a galectin 8, 9, 10 or 10SV polypeptide, comprising culturing the recombinant host cell of  claim 7  under conditions such that said polypeptide is expressed and recovering said polypeptide.  
     
     
         9 . An isolated galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) amino acids from about 1 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 1 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 1 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 1 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (b) amino acids from about 2 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 2 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 2 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 2 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (c) the amino acid sequence of the galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. 97732, 97733 or 97734; and    (d) the amino acid sequence of an epitope-bearing portion of any one of the polypeptides of (a), (b), or (c).    
     
     
         10 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to a galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding a galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide wherein, except for at least one conservative amino acid substitution, said polypeptide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 1 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 1 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 1 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 2 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 2 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 2 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 2 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. 97732, 97733 or 97734;    (d) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a), (b), or (c).    
     
     
         12 . An isolated galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide wherein, except for at least one conservative amino acid substitution, said polypeptide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) amino acids from about 1 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 1 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 1 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 1 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (b) amino acids from about 2 to about 323 in SEQ ID NO:2, from about 2 to about 311 in SEQ ID NO:4, from about 2 to about 317 in SEQ ID NO:6, or from about 2 to about 200 in SEQ ID NO:8;    (c) the amino acid sequence of the galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide having the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. 97732, 97733 or 97734; and    (d) the amino acid sequence of an epitope-bearing portion of any one of the polypeptides of (a), (b), or (c).    
     
     
         13 . A method of detecting a galectin 8, 9, 10, or 10SV polypeptide in a sample, comprising: 
 a) contacting said sample with an antibody according to  claim 10 , under conditions such that immunocomplexes form, and    b) detecting the presence of said antibody bound to said polypeptide.    
     
     
         15 . A method of treatment of a cell growth disorder in a mammal, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 9  to said mammal.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said disorder is selected from the group consisting of cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, asthma, and allergic diseases.