NOD nucleic acids and polypeptides

Abstract

The present invention relates to the NOD proteins and nucleic acids encoding the NOD proteins. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of NOD polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states, as well as methods of screening for ligands and modulators of NOD proteins.

1 . A composition comprising an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 12-21.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said sequence is operably linked to a heterologous promoter.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said sequence is contained within a vector.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said vector is within a host cell.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-10 nd variants thereof that are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 1-10.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said protein is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 12- 21 .  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said protein is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 12-21.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-10.  
     
     
         9 - 17 . (canceled)