Polynucleotides encoding human secreted protein, ZZP1

Abstract

The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules, and variants thereof, for Zzp1, a novel Zona Pellucida protein. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are fertility modulating and may be used for delivery and therapeutics. The present invention also includes antibodies to the Zzp1 polypeptides.

1 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide wherein the polypeptide comprises residues 26 to 546 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         2 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising residues 26 to 627 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         3 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising residues 1 to 627 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         4 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising residues 1 to 635 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         5 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide consisting of residues 26 to 546 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         6 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 76 to 1638 of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         7 . An expression vector comprising the following operably linked elements: 
 (a) a transcription promoter;    (b) a DNA segment according to  claim 1;  and    (c) a transcription terminator.    
     
     
         8 . The expression vector of  claim 7 , wherein the DNA segment further encodes an affinity tag.  
     
     
         9 . A cultured cell into which has been introduced the expression vector according to  claim 7 , wherein said cell expresses the polypeptide encoded by the DNA segment.  
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the cell according to  claim 9 , whereby said cell expresses the polypeptide encoded by the DNA segment, and recovering the polynucleotide.  
     
     
         11 . An isolated polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence that is complimentary to a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) nucleotide 76 to 1638 of SEQ ID NO:1;    (b) nucleotide 76 to 1881 of SEQ ID NO:1;    (c) nucleotide 1 to 1638 of SEQ ID NO:1;    (d) nucleotide 1 to 1881 of SEQ ID NO:1; and    (e) nucleotide 1 to 1908 of SEQ ID NO:1.    
     
     
         12 . A method of producing an antibody to a polypeptide comprising the following steps: 
 inoculating an animal with the polypeptide such that the polypeptide elicits an immune response in the animal to produce the antibody; and    isolating the antibody from the animal,    wherein the polypeptide comprises at least fifteen consecutive amino acids of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2,    and wherein the antibody produced by the method specifically binds to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         13 . The antibody produced by the method according to  claim 12 .  
     
     
         14 . The method of producing an antibody according to  claim 12 , wherein the polypeptide is chosen from, 
 a) a polypeptide comprising residues 26 to 546 of SEQ ID NO:2;    b) a polypeptide comprising residues 26 to 627 of SEQ ID NO:2;    c) a polypeptide comprising residues 1 to 627 of SEQ ID NO:2; and    d) a polypeptide comprising residues 1 to 635 of SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         15 . The antibody produced by the method according to  claim 14 .  
     
     
         16 . A method for inhibiting sperm-oocyte fusion comprising contacting the sperm and oocytes with an isolated polypeptide comprising residues 26 to 546 of SEQ ID NO:2, whereby the polypeptide or fragment inhibits the sperm and oocyte fusion.  
     
     
         17 . A method for inhibiting sperm-oocyte fusion comprising contacting the sperm and oocytes with the antibody according to  claim 14 , whereby the polypeptide or fragment inhibits the sperm and oocyte fusion.  
     
     
         18 . A method for inducing infertility in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an isolated polypeptide molecule comprising residues 26 to 546 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the polypeptide induces an immune response in the mammal, thereby inducing infertility in the mammal.  
     
     
         19 . A method for inducing infertility in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal the antibody according to  claim 14 , wherein the polypeptide induces an immune response in the mammal, thereby inducing infertility in the mammal.  
     
     
         20 . An isolated polypeptide molecule comprising residues 1 to 635 of SEQ ID NO:2.