Mammalian proteases; related reagents

Abstract

Nucleic acids encoding various proteases, from a mammal, reagents related thereto, including specific antibodies, and purified proteins are described. Methods of using said reagents and related diagnostic kits are also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A substantially pure polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the fragment is at least 30 amino acids.  
     
     
         23 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , where in the polypeptide comprises residues 20 to 391 of SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         24 . The polypeptide of  claim 21  fused to a second heterologous polypeptide.  
     
     
         25 . The polypeptide of  claim 24 , wherein the second heterologous polypeptide is a reporter polypeptide.  
     
     
         26 . The polypeptide of  claim 25 , wherein the reporter polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of luceferase, β-galactosidase, trpE, Protein A, β-lactamase, α-amlyase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and yeast α mating factor.  
     
     
         27 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the polypeptide is a soluble polypeptide.  
     
     
         28 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the polypeptide is recombinantly produced.  
     
     
         29 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the polypeptide is a naturally occurring polypeptide.  
     
     
         30 . The polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the fragment comprises a proteolytically active portion of SEQ ID NO: 6.