Novel receptor that causes cell death

Abstract

Isolated apoptosis inducing receptors, DNAs encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response. The receptors are also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a DNA molecule selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) DNA encoding a protein consisting of amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2;    (b) DNA encoding a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence that is at least about 99% identical to amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of inducing apoptosis and identity is determined using the GAP computer program, and    (c) DNA consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1.    
     
     
         2 . A recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA sequence according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A host cell transformed or transfected with an expression vector according to  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . A process for preparing a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least about 99% identical to amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2, comprising culturing a host cell according to  claim 3  under conditions promoting expression of the protein.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2; and    (b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 99% identical to amino acids 1 through 417 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of inducing apoptosis and the percent identity is calculated using the GAP computer program.    
     
     
         6 . An isolated polypeptide having an extracellular domain comprising amino acid residues 1 through 199 of SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         7 . A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . An antibody immunoreactive with a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         9 . The antibody of  claim 8  which is a monoclonal antibody.