Growth differentiation factor-14

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor-14 (GDF-14) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-14 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of detecting the presence of GDF-14 protein in a sample comprising contacting an antibody that binds to GDF-14 with the sample and detecting binding of the antibody, wherein binding of the antibody to the GDF-14 protein indicates the presence of the GDF-14 protein in the sample.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting is in situ.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound and a chemiluminescent compound.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detection is in vitro.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, a chemolumine-scent compound and an enzyme.  
     
     
         8 . A method of determining the amount of GDF-14 protein in a sample, comprising contacting an antibody that binds GDF-14 protein with the sample and detecting the amount of the antibody bound to the GDF-14 protein in the sample, wherein the amount quantifies GDF-14 protein in the sample.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the contacting is in situ.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound and a chemiluminescent compound.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the contacting is in vitro.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, a chemoluminescent compound and an enzyme.  
     
     
         15 . Substantially pure growth differentiation factor-14 (GDF-14).  
     
     
         16 . An isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding the GDF-14 polypeptide of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         17 . The polynucleotide of  claim 16 , wherein the GDF-14 nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) FIG. 1, wherein T can also be U;    b) nucleic acid sequences complementary to FIG. 1;    c) fragments of a. or b. that are at least 15 bases in length and that will selectively hybridize to DNA which encodes the GDF-14 polypeptide of FIG. 1.    
     
     
         18 . The polynucleotide sequence of  claim 16 , wherein the polynucleotide is isolated from a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         19 . The polynucleotide of  claim 17 , wherein the mammalian cell is selected from the group consisting of mouse, rat, and human cell.  
     
     
         20 . An expression vector including the polynucleotide of  claim 16 .  
     
     
         21 . The vector of  claim 20 , wherein the vector is a plasmid.  
     
     
         22 . The vector of  claim 20 , wherein the vector is a virus.  
     
     
         23 . A host cell stably transformed with the vector of  claim 20 .  
     
     
         24 . The host cell of  claim 23 , wherein the cell is prokaryotic.  
     
     
         25 . The host cell of  claim 23 , wherein the cell is eukaryotic.  
     
     
         26 . Antibodies that bind to the polypeptide of  claim 15  or fragments thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The antibodies of  claim 27 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal.  
     
     
         28 . The antibodies of  claim 27 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal.  
     
     
         29 . A method of treating a cell proliferative disorder or immunologic disorder associated with expression of GDF-14, comprising contacting the cells with a reagent which suppresses the GDF-14 activity.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the reagent is an anti-GDF-14 antibody.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the reagent is a GDF-14 antisense sequence.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the reagent which suppresses GDF-14 activity is introduced to a cell using a vector.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the vector is a colloidal dispersion system.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the colloidal dispersion system is a liposome.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the liposome is essentially target specific.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the liposome is anatomically targeted.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the liposome is mechanistically targeted.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the mechanistic targeting is passive.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the mechanistic targeting is active.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the liposome is actively targeted by coupling with a moiety selected from the group consisting of a sugar, a glycolipid, and a protein.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the protein moiety is an antibody.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the vector is a virus.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the virus is an RNA virus.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the RNA virus is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the retrovirus is essentially target specific.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein a moiety for target specificity is encoded by a polynucleotide inserted into the retroviral genome.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein a moiety for target specificity is selected from the group consisting of a sugar, a glycolipid, and a protein.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the protein is an antibody.