Protein having PDZ domain sequence

Abstract

While analyzing changes in gene expression by TNFα in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells, a gene showing enhanced expression due to stimulation with TNFα was isolated. After screening with this gene as a probe, a gene encoding a protein was isolated. Analysis of the protein encoded by this isolated gene revealed that this novel protein has never been reported and has a PDZ domain in its molecule that plays an important role in protein-protein interactions.

1 - 34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . A substantially pure polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:82.  
     
     
         36 . A method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to a polypeptide, the method comprising contacting a test compound with the polypeptide of  claim 35 , and comparing the extent to which the test compound binds to the polypeptide with the extent to which a reference compound binds to the polypeptide, wherein a test compound binding to the polypeptide to a greater extent than the reference compound indicates that the test compound specifically binds to the polypeptide.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the test compound is a test polypeptide.  
     
     
         38 . The polypeptide of  claim 35 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:82.  
     
     
         39 . A substantially pure polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83.  
     
     
         40 . A method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to a polypeptide, the method comprising contacting a test compound with the polypeptide of  claim 39 , and comparing the extent to which the test compound binds to the polypeptide with the extent to which a reference compound binds to the polypeptide, wherein a test compound binding to the polypeptide to a greater extent than the reference compound indicates that the test compound specifically binds to the polypeptide.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the test compound is a test polypeptide.  
     
     
         42 . The polypeptide of  claim 39 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:83.  
     
     
         43 . A substantially pure polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.  
     
     
         44 . A method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to a polypeptide, the method comprising contacting a test compound with the polypeptide of  claim 43 , and comparing the extent to which the test compound binds to the polypeptide with the extent to which a reference compound binds to the polypeptide, wherein a test compound binding to the polypeptide to a greater extent than the reference compound indicates that the test compound specifically binds to the polypeptide.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the test compound is a test polypeptide.  
     
     
         46 . The polypeptide of  claim 43 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:84.