22196, a novel human aminopeptidase

Abstract

The present invention relates to a newly identified human aminopeptidase. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the aminopeptidase. The invention further relates to methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in aminopeptidase-related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the aminopeptidase polypeptides and polynucleotides.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a human nucleotide sequence having at least about 80% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the human nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity;    (b) a nucleotide sequence exactly complementary to a nucleotide sequence in (a).    
     
     
         2 . A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A host cell containing the vector of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . The host cell of  claim 3 , wherein said host cell is a mammalian host cell.  
     
     
         5 . A non-human host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a human nucleotide sequence having at least about 90% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the human nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity;    (b) a nucleotide sequence exactly complementary to a nucleotide sequence in (a).    
     
     
         7 . A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . A host cell containing the vector of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . The host cell of  claim 8 , wherein said host cell is a mammalian host cell.  
     
     
         10 . A non-human host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         11 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a human nucleotide sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the human nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity;    (b) a nucleotide sequence exactly complementary to a nucleotide sequence in (a).    
     
     
         12 . A nucleic acid vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A host cell containing the vector of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         14 . The host cell of  claim 13 , wherein said host cell is a mammalian host cell.  
     
     
         15 . A non-human host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         16 . A method for producing a polypeptide encoded by a human nucleic acid molecule having at least about 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity; said method comprising introducing the human nucleic acid molecule into a host cell and culturing the host cell under conditions in which the polypeptide is expressed from the nucleic acid molecule.  
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a polypeptide encoded by a human nucleic acid molecule having at least about 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity; said method comprising introducing the human nucleic acid molecule into a host cell and culturing the host cell under conditions in which the polypeptide is expressed from the nucleic acid molecule.  
     
     
         18 . A method for producing a polypeptide encoded by a human nucleic acid molecule having at least about 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide having endopeptidase activity; said method comprising introducing the human nucleic acid molecule into a host cell and culturing the host cell under conditions in which the polypeptide is expressed from the nucleic acid molecule.  
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising reagents for use in a method for detecting the presence of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a human nucleotide sequence having at least about 80% sequence identity with the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and    (b) a nucleotide sequence exactly complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (a);    in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence under stringent conditions and determining whether the nucleic acid probe binds to the nucleotide sequence in the sample, wherein said stringent conditions comprise hybridization in 6×SSC at about 45° C. followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 65° C. and the reagents comprise the nucleic acid probe wherein said probe consists of at least 12 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said kit comprises reagents for use in a method for detecting the presence of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a human nucleotide sequence having at least about 90% sequence identity with the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and    (b) a nucleotide sequence exactly complementary to the nucleotide sequence of (a);    in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to the nucleotide sequence under stringent conditions and determining whether the nucleic acid probe binds to the nucleotide sequence in the sample, wherein said stringent conditions comprise hybridization in 6×SSC at about 45° C. followed by one or more washes in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 65° C. and the reagents comprise the nucleic acid probe wherein said probe consists of at least 12 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:2.