Novel protein kinase molecules and uses therefor

Abstract

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated CSAPK nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel protein kinases. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing CSAPK nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a CSAPK gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated CSAPK proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-CSAPK antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

1 . An isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and    b) the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.    
     
     
         2 . The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is selected from the group consisting of: 
 i) a monoclonal antibody;    ii) a polyclonal antibody;    iii) a humanized antibody;    iv) a chimeric antibody; and    v) a murine antibody.    
     
     
         3 . The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein said an antigen binding fragment is a F(ab) fragment or a F(ab′) 2  fragment.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or said antigen binding fragment binds to amino acid residues 40-63 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or said antigen binding fragment is detectably labeled.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 5 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) enzymes;    b) prosthetic groups;    c) fluorescent materials;    d) luminescent materials;    e) bioluminescent materials; and    f) radioactive materials.    
     
     
         7 . A method for detecting the presence of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and    b) the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:1 or 3; in a sample comprising: 
 i) contacting the sample with an antibody or an antigen binding fragment of  claim 1  which specifically binds to the polypeptide; and  
 ii) determining whether the antibody or an antigen binding fragment binds to the polypeptide in the sample to thereby detect the presence of the polypeptide in the sample.