Novel gene having reverse transcriptas motif

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a novel gene having a reverse transcriptase motif. The invention isolates a novel gene having a reverse transcriptase motif, and gives its complete base sequence determined. The invention also provides a protein encoded by the gene, and an antibody against the protein. The use of them is useful in developing a method for detecting telomerase activity, a method for detecting a cancer cell, a telomerase activity inhibitor, and a method for screening a telomerase activity inhibitor.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . An antibody against a protein selected from the group consisting of: 
 a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;    a protein comprising an amino acid sequence containing one amino acid substitution, deletion or addition as compared to SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the protein has reverse transcriptase activity;    a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10;    a protein comprising an amino acid sequence containing one amino acid substitution, deletion or addition as compared to SEQ ID NO: 10, wherein the protein has reverse transcriptase activity;    a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and    a protein comprising an amino acid sequence containing one amino acid substitution, deletion or addition as compared to SEQ ID NO: 12, wherein the protein has reverse transcriptase activity.    
     
     
         17 . A cancer diagnostic agent comprising the antibody of  claim 16.