Dorsalin-1 polypeptide and uses thereof

Abstract

This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule which encodes dorsalin-1. This invention also provides a nucleic acid probe capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a dorsalin-1. The invention also provides a vector and host vector system for the production of a polypeptide having the biological activity of dorsalin-1 which comprises the above-described vector in a suitable host. This invention also provides a purified vertebrate dorsalin-1. This invention provides a method for stimulating neural crest cell differentiation, a method for regenerating nerve cells, a method for promoting bone growth, a method for promoting wound healing and a method for treating neural tumor using purified dorsalin-1. This invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising purified dorsalin-1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Finally, this invention provides an antibody capable of binding to dorsalin-1.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A method for stimulating neural crest cell differentiation comprising contacting a neural crest cell with a composition, which composition comprises an amount of an isolated dorsalin-1 polypeptide effective to stimulate neural crest cell differentiation, so as to thereby stimulate neural crest cell differentiation.  
     
     
         21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A method for regenerating nerve cells in a subject comprising administering to the subject a composition, which composition comprises an amount of an isolated dorsalin-1 polypeptide effective to regenerate nerve cells, so as to thereby regenerate nerve cells in the subject.  
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A method for treating a neural tumor in a subject comprising administering to the subject a composition, which composition comprises an amount of an isolated dorsalin-1 polypeptide effective to inhibit tumor cell growth, so as to thereby treat the neural tumor in the subject.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the neural tumor is a neurofibroma.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the neural tumor is a Schwann cell tumor.  
     
     
         28 - 40 . (canceled)