Human DNA Ligase III

Abstract

A human DNA Ligase III polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide via gene therapy for the treatment of disorders associated with a defect in DNA Ligase III. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to destroy unwanted cells are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays to detect mutant DNA Ligase III genes are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 comprising: 
 (a) introducing a polypeptide comprising at least 50 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 into an animal; and    (b) recovering said antibody.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the antibody binds a polypeptide consisting of amino acids 2 to 922 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  that also comprises the step of generating a hybridoma prior to recovering said antibody.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         6 . A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds the full-length polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052 comprising: 
 (a) introducing a polypeptide comprising at least 50 contiguous amino acids encoded by ATCC Deposit No. 97052 into an animal; and    (b) recovering said antibody.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the antibody binds a polypeptide consisting of the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA contained in ATCC Deposit No. 97052, excepting the N-terminal methionine.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  that also comprises the step of generating a hybridoma prior to recovering said antibody.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         11 . A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 comprising: 
 (a) screening a single chain or Fab expression library to identify an antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; and    (b) recovering said antibody from said library.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the antibody is a single chain antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the antibody is an Fab fragment.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 consists of amino acid residues 2 to 922 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 consists of amino acid residues 1 to 922 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         16 . A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052 comprising: 
 (a) screening a single chain or Fab expression library to identify an antibody that binds a polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052; and    (b) recovering said antibody from said library.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antibody is a single chain antibody.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antibody is an Fab fragment.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of the polypeptide encoded by the human cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052 consists of the full-length polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052, excepting the N-terminal methionine.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the polypeptide comprising at least 50 amino acids of the polypeptide encoded by the human cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052 consists of the full-length polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 97052.