Human interferon-epsilon: a type I interferon

Abstract

The invention concerns a novel human interferon-ε, originally designated PRO655, and its variants and derivatives. The novel interferon is related to but distinct from members of the IFN-α family and from IFNs-β and -γ. Nucleic acid encoding the novel polypeptide, and methods and means for their recombinant production and use are also included.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence of at least 80% sequence identity to (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human interferon-ε polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids from about 22 to 189 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1), or (b) the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of (a), wherein said isolated nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide that has the ability to activate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.  
     
     
         2 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1  comprising a sequence of at least 80% sequence identity to (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human interferon-ε polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids from about 22 to 208 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1), or (b) the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of (a).  
     
     
         3 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1  comprising a sequence of at least 80% sequence identity to (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human interferon-ε polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids from about 1 to 208 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1), or (b) the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of (a).  
     
     
         4 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1  comprising the sequence from about nucleotide 621 to about nucleotide 1244 of SEQ ID NO:2, or the complement of the sequence from about nucleotide 621 to about nucleotide 1247 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         5 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1  comprising the sequence from about nucleotide 684 to about nucleotide 1187 of SEQ ID NO:2, or the complement of the sequence from about nucleotide 684 to about nucleotide 1187 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         6 . The isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1  comprising the sequence from about nucleotide 684 to about nucleotide 1244 of SEQ ID NO:2, or the complement of the sequence from about nucleotide 684 to about nucleotide 1244 of SEQ ID NO:2  
     
     
         7 . The isolated nucleic acid of any of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid comprises a sequence of at least 95% sequence identity to (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human interferon-ε polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids from about 22 to 189 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1), or (b) the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of (a).  
     
     
         8 . The isolated nucleic acid of any of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid comprises a sequence of at least 98% sequence identity to (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human interferon-ε polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids from about 22 to 189 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1), or (b) the complement of the nucleic acid sequence of (a).  
     
     
         9 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence comprising at least about 80% sequence identity to (a) a polynucleotide encoding the mature polypeptide encoded by the human interferon cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 209509 (DNA50960-1224), or (b) the complement of the polynucleotide of (a), wherein said isolated nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide having the ability to activate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.  
     
     
         10 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . The vector of  claim 10  operably linked to control sequences recognized by a host cell transformed with the vector.  
     
     
         12 . A host cell comprising the vector of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . The host cell of  claim 12  wherein said cell is selected from the group consisting of a CHO cell, an  E. coli  and a yeast cell.  
     
     
         14 . A process for producing a polypeptide having the ability to activate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway comprising culturing the cell of  claim 12  and recovering said polypeptide from the cell culture.  
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a tumor or cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject the vector of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         16 . A method of inhibiting proliferation of a cell comprising introducing the vector of  claim 10  into the cell.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said cell is a tumor cell.