Compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human protein phosphatase

Abstract

This invention provides compositions, organisms and methodologies employing a novel human gene encoding a protein that has sequence homology to a consensus sequence of calcineurin-like phosphoesterase family are disclosed. The novel protein is encoded by a human gene comprising 4 exons. The human gene is localized in the 10p15 locus of human chromosome 10. The sequence similarities between the novel human protein and the consensus sequence of calcineurin-like phosphoesterases indicate that the novel human protein may function as a calcineurin-like protein phosphatase.

1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and having a calcineurin-like phosphoesterase function. 
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) the nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1;   (b) the complement of (a); and   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that differs from (a) or (b) due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.   
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) the nucleic acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:3;   (b) the complement of (a); and   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that differs from (a) or (b) due to the degeneracy of the genetic code.   
     
     
         4 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a variant of a nucleic acid sequence, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein the variant and said nucleic acid sequence have at least 90% sequence identity. 
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide according to  claim 4 , wherein the variant and said nucleic acid sequence have at least 95% sequence identity. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated polynucleotide that is capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or the complement thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 6 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes a calcineurin-like phosphoesterase. 
     
     
         8 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A host cell containing the polynucleotide of  claim 1  or a variant thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A transgenic non-human animal comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 1  or a variant thereof. 
     
     
         16 .- 23 . (canceled)