Novel hemopoietin receptor protein, NR12

Abstract

A novel hemopoietin receptor gene (NR12) was successfully isolated by extracting motifs conserved among the amino acid sequences of known hemopoietin receptors and by using the predicted sequence. The NR12 gene encodes two forms of proteins, a transmembrane type and a soluble type. The expression of the NR12 gene was detected in tissues containing hematopoietic cells. NR12 is a novel hemopoietin receptor molecule involved in the regulation of immune system and hematopoiesis in vivo. Thus, NR12 is useful in the search for novel hematopoietic factors that functionally bind to the NR12 receptor, and in the development of therapeutic drugs for diseases associated with immunity or hematopoiesis.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising an immunogenic fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, the fragment comprising at least nine consecutive residues of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         12 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 of which 2 to 10 amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted, or added, wherein the polypeptide binds a hematopoietic factor.  
     
     
         20 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 of which 2 to 10 amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted, or added, wherein the polypeptide binds an antibody that binds a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         21 . A substantially purified polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes at wash conditions of 2×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 50° C. with a nucleic acid consisting of the complement of the coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the polypeptide binds an antibody that binds a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         22 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 60% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the polypeptide binds an antibody that binds a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         23 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         24 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         25 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.2.  
     
     
         26 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.2.  
     
     
         27 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 19 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         28 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 20 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         29 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 21 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         30 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         31 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 23 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         32 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 24 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         33 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 25 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.  
     
     
         34 . The substantially purified polypeptide of  claim 26 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a WS motif and a YR motif.