Novel human transporter proteins

Abstract

The present invention provides two novel families of novel human transporter proteins (NTPs). The invention additionally provides for agonists, antagonists, antibodies, antisense molecules that are specific for the NTPs, and further provides genetically engineered expression vectors for the NTPs and host comprising the same. The invention further provides for processes for identifying/producing molecules that effect NTP activity which comprise the use of the disclosed NTPs or genes encoding the same.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a novel transporter protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30 or SEQ ID NO:32.  
     
     
         2 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29 or SEQ ID NO:31.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a complement of the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 24 contiguous bases of the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 , or the complement thereof.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least fifty contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30 or SEQ ID NO:32.  
     
     
         6 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule as in one of claims  1 - 5  under highly stringent conditions.  
     
     
         7 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule as in one of claims  1 - 5  under moderately stringent conditions.  
     
     
         8 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         9 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6  operatively associated with a regulatory nucleic acid controlling the expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell.  
     
     
         10 . A host cell genetically engineered to express the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         11 . A host cell genetically engineered to express the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6  operatively associated with a regulatory nucleic acid controlling the expression of the nucleic acid in the host cell.  
     
     
         12 . A transgenic, non-human animal, which has been genetically engineered to contain a transgene comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         13 . An isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30 or SEQ ID NO:32.  
     
     
         14 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         15 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         16 . An antibody which binds to an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         17 . A method for identifying a compound which modulates expression of a novel transporter protein comprising (NTP): 
 (a) contacting a test compound to a cell that expresses an NTP;    (b) measuring a level of the NTP expression in the cell; and    (c) comparing the level of the NTP expression in the cell in the presence of the test compound to a level of the NTP expression in the cell in the absence of the test compound;    wherein, if the level of the NTP expression in the cell in the presence of the test compound differs from the level of expression of the NTP in the cell in the absence of the test compound, a compound that modulates expression of the NTP is identified.    
     
     
         18 . A method for transferring a novel transporter protein (NTP) in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a nucleic acid comprising an NTP such that the NTP is transferred into the cell.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the NTP is expressed in the cell.