De novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase genes, polypeptides and uses thereof

Abstract

De novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase polynucleotides and polypeptides and methods for producing said polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase polynucleotides and polypeptides in diagnostic assays, for an in vitro DNA methylation application and therapeutic applications such as the treatment of neoplastic disorders.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for diagnosing or determining a susceptibility to neoplastic disorders, comprising:
 (a) assaying a de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level in mammalian cells or body fluid; and   (b) comparing said de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level with a standard de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level whereby an increase or decrease in said de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level over said standard is indicative of an increased or decreased susceptibility to a neoplastic disorder.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level is assayed by detecting de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase protein with an antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase expression level is assayed by detecting de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase mRNA. 
     
     
         17 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said mRNA is measured by RT-PCR, RNase protection or Northern blotting. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said mRNA is measured by RT-PCR. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said mRNA is measured by RNase protection. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said mRNA is measured by Northern blotting. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the expression level is detected by a radioimmunoassay. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the expression level is detected by Western blot analysis. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the expression level is detected by an ELISA assay. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the expression level is detected by a competitive-binding assay. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the de novo DNA cytosine methyltransferase is selected from the group consisting of:
 a. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 908 in SEQ ID NO:5;   b. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 859 in SEQ ID NO:6;   c. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 912 in SEQ ID NO:7;   d. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising amino acids from about 1 to about 853 in SEQ ID NO:8;   e. a polynucleotide sequence that is at least 90% identical to the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b), (c) or (d) encoding a polypeptide; and   f. a polynucleotide sequence fully complementary to the polynucleotide sequence of (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) encoding a polypeptide.