Programmed cell death genes and proteins

Abstract

This invention relates to genes involved in regulating programmed cell death, the proteins encoded by such genes and methods for controlling programmed cell death by regulating the activity of the cell death gene products.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of preventing programmed cell death in vertebrates comprising the step of inhibiting the enzymatic activity of interleukin-1β converting enzyme.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzymatic activity is inhibited by an interleukin-1β converting enzyme-specific antiprotease.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said antiprotease is encoded by the crmA gene.  
     
     
         4 . A method of promoting programmed death in vertebrate cells by increasing the enzymatic activity of interleukin-1β converting enzyme in said cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said vertebrate cells are cancer cells.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said cancer cells overexpress the oncogene bcl-2.  
     
     
         7 . A substantially pure gene which is preferentially expressed in thymus and placental cells and which encodes a protein causing programmed cell death.  
     
     
         8 . The gene of  claim 7 , herein said protein has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6.  
     
     
         9 . The gene of  claim 8 , wherein said gene has the cDNA sequence shown in FIG. 6.  
     
     
         10 . An expression vector having the gene of either  claim 8  or  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A host cell transformed with the vector of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         12 . A substantially pure protein wherein said protein is preferentially expressed in thymus or placental cells and which causes the death of said cells.  
     
     
         13 . The protein of  claim 12 , wherein said protein has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6.  
     
     
         14 . A functional derivative of the protein of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         15 . A method of promoting programmed cell death in thymus or placental cells comprising the step of increasing the activity of the protein of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         16 . A substantially pure DNA molecule comprising a cDNA sequence selected from the group consisting of the cDNA sequence shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.  
     
     
         17 . An expression vector having the DNA of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         18 . A host cell transformed with the vector of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         19 . A substantially pure protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.  
     
     
         20 . A functional derivative of the protein of  claim 19 .  
     
     
         21 . A substantially pure DNA molecule comprising the cDNA sequence shown in FIG. 14.  
     
     
         22 . An expression vector having the DNA of  claim 21 .  
     
     
         23 . A host cell transformed with the vector of  claim 22 .  
     
     
         24 . A substantially pure protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 14.  
     
     
         25 . A functional derivative of the protein of  claim 24 .  
     
     
         26 . A method of regulating interleukin-1β converting enzyme by regulating the levels or activity of tumor necrosis factor.