Diagnosis and treatment of alk-7 related disorders

Abstract

The present invention relates to ALK-7 polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, cells, tissues and animals containing such nucleic acids, antibodies to such polypeptides, assays utilizing such polypeptides, and methods relating to all of the foregoing. Methods for treatment, diagnosis, and screening are provided for ALK-7 related diseases or conditions characterized by an abnormal interaction between an ALK-7 polypeptide and an ALK-7 binding partner.

1 - 14 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A method for identifying a substance capable of modulating ALK-7 activity comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting an ALK-7 polypeptide with a test substance, and    (b) determining whether said substance alters the activity of said polypeptide.    
     
     
         16 . A method for identifying a substance capable of modulating ALK-7 activity in a cell comprising the steps of: 
 (a) expressing an ALK-7 polypeptide in a cell,    (b) adding a test substance to said cells, and    (c) monitoring a change in cell phenotype, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, ALK-7 catalytic activity, or the interaction between an ALK-7 polypeptide and a natural binding partner.    
     
     
         17 - 22 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said test substance is a small molecular weight organic compound.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said test substance is an indolinone, tyrphostin, quinazoline, quinoxoline, quinoline, oxindoline, thiazole or naphthopyrone.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (b) is achieved by determining a change in phosphorylation of a receptor complex, or a change in phosphorylation of an ALK-7 substrate.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said substrate is a histone, myelin basic protein, gamma tubulin or centrosomal protein.