Novel serine protease reagents and methods useful for detecting and treating diseases of the prostate

Abstract

A set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as PS133 and transcribed from prostate tissue is described. One polypeptide of the present invention is a member of the human serine protease family. These sequences are useful for the detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the prostate, such as prostate cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to PS133-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific PS133 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of prostate diseases, tumors or metastases.

1 - 4 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID NO: 24.  
     
     
         6 . The polypeptide of  claim 5 , wherein said polypeptide is produced by recombinant expression in a host cell transformed with a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide.  
     
     
         7 - 16 . (Canceled).