Novel megakaryocytic protein tyrosine kinase 1

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases isolated from megakaryocytes (megakaryocyte kinases or MKKs) which are involved in cellular signal transduction pathways and to the use of these novel proteins in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The present invention further relates to specific megakaryocyte kinases, designated MKK1, MKK2 and MKK3, and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

1 . An isolated antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a megakaryocytic kinase (MKK) protein selected from the group consisting of MKK1, MKK2 and MKK3.  
     
     
         2 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said MKK protein is MKK1.  
     
     
         3 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 2 , wherein said MKK1 comprises the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said MKK protein is MKK2.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 4 , wherein said MKK2 comprises the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said MKK protein is MKK3.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 6 , wherein said MKK1 comprises the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         8 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or antibody fragment is monoclonal.  
     
     
         9 . The antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or antibody fragment is chimeric.  
     
     
         10 . A hybridoma that produces the antibody or antibody fragment of  claim 1.