Melanoma antigens and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention provides for isolated DNA and protein corresponding to novel melanoma tumor-associated antigens, antibodies directed towards the novel antigens of the present invention as well as methods of using the antigens for inhibiting the growth of a melanoma tumor and methods of screening compounds that inhibit the novel antigens of the present invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated DNA encoding a melanoma tumor-associated antigen selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) isolated DNA comprises of sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-12;    (b) isolated DNA which is complementary to the isolated DNA of (a) above; and    (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.    
     
     
         2 . A vector comprising the DNA of  claim 1  and regulatory elements necessary for expression of said DNA in a cell.  
     
     
         3 . The vector of  claim 2 , wherein said DNA encodes a melanoma tumor-associated antigen.  
     
     
         4 . The vector of  claim 2 , wherein said DNA is positioned in reverse orientation relative to said regulatory elements such that a melanoma tumor-associated antigen antisense mRNA is produced.  
     
     
         5 . A host cell transfected with the vector of  claim 2 , said vector expressing a melanoma tumor-associated antigen.  
     
     
         6 . The host cell of  claim 5 , wherein said cell is selected from group consisting of bacterial cells, mammalian cells, plant cells and insect cells.  
     
     
         7 . The host cell of  claim 6 , wherein said bacterial cell is  E. coli.    
     
     
         8 . Isolated and purified melanoma tumor-associated antigen encoded for by the DNA of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . A method for detecting mRNA coding for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen in a sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting a sample with an oligonucleotide probe specific for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, wherein said probe comprises of sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-12; and    (b) detecting binding of said probe to said mRNA coding for said melanoma tumor-associated antigen in said sample.    
     
     
         10 . A kit for detecting mRNA coding for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, comprising: 
 an oligonucleotide probe specific for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, wherein said probe comprises of sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-12.    
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a label with which to label said probe; and    means for detecting said label.    
     
     
         12 . A method of detecting a melanoma tumor-associated antigen in a sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting a sample with an antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen or a fragment thereof encoded by the DNA of  claim 1;  and    (b) detecting binding of said antibody to said melanoma tumor-associated antigen in said sample.    
     
     
         13 . A kit for detecting a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, comprising: 
 an antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen or a fragment thereof encoded by the DNA of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 means to detect said antibody.    
     
     
         15 . An antibody, wherein said antibody is specific for a melanoma tumor-associated antigen or a fragment thereof encoded by the DNA of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A method of screening for compounds that inhibit the activity of a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting a sample with a compound, wherein said sample comprises a melanoma tumor-associated antigen encoded by the DNA of  claim 1;  and    (b) assaying for activity of said melanoma tumor-associated antigen, wherein a decrease in said melanoma tumor-associated antigen activity in the presence of said compound relative to said melanoma tumor-associated antigen activity in the absence of said compound is indicative of a compound that inhibits the activity of said melanoma tumor-associated antigen.    
     
     
         17 . A method of inhibiting the growth of a melanoma tumor in an individual, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) administering to an individual a therapeutic compound, wherein said therapeutic compound comprises a thereapeutic moiety and a targeting moiety, wherein said targeting moiety recognizes a melanoma tumor-associated antigen encoded by the DNA of  claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic compound inhibits the growth of said melanoma tumor in said individual.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said targeting moiety is selected from the group consisting of an antibody or fragment thereof and a ligand.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said therapeutic moiety is selected from the group consisting of a therapeutic gene or protein, a toxin, a radiolabel and a virus.  
     
     
         20 . A cancer vaccine composition, comprising a vector capable of expressing a DNA molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-12, and an appropriate adjuvant.  
     
     
         21 . A method of vaccinating an individual against cancer, comprising the steps of: 
 administering to said individual a vector capable of expressing a DNA molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1-12, wherein said expression elicits an immune response specific towards a melonoma-specific antigen, thereby inducing immune-mediated destruction of melanoma cells.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said individual is at risk of getting cancer, suspected of having cancer or has cancer.  
     
     
         23 . A method of inhibiting the growth of a melanoma tumor, comprising the steps of: 
 administering the cancer vaccine of  claim 20  to an individual, wherein administration of said vaccine induces an immune response, thereby inhibiting the growth of a melanoma tumor.