SP16 protein

Abstract

The invention provides cDNAs which encodes a signal peptide-containing proteins. It also provides for the use of a cDNA, protein, and antibody in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and evaluation of therapies for cancer. The invention further provides vectors and host cells for the production of the protein and transgenic model systems.

1 . An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:
 a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, and   b) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and having g-protein coupled receptor activity.   
     
     
         2 . The isolated antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and having g-protein coupled receptor activity. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         6 . A method of using a protein to prepare and purify a polyclonal antibody comprising:
 a) immunizing a animal with a protein under conditions to elicit an antibody response, wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from (i) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, and (ii) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and having g-protein coupled receptor activity;   b) isolating animal antibodies;   c) attaching the protein to a substrate;   d) contacting the substrate with isolated antibodies under conditions to allow specific binding to the protein;   e) dissociating the antibodies from the protein, thereby obtaining purified polyclonal antibodies.   
     
     
         7 . A method of using a protein to prepare a monoclonal antibody comprising:
 a) immunizing a animal with a protein under conditions to elicit an antibody response, wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from (i) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, and (ii) an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 and having g-protein coupled receptor activity;   b) isolating antibody producing cells from the animal;   c) fusing the antibody producing cells with immortalized cells in culture to form monoclonal antibody producing hybridoma cells;   d) culturing the hybridoma cells; and   e) isolating from culture monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind the protein.   
     
     
         8 . A polyclonal antibody produced by the method of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         9 . A monoclonal antibody produced by the method of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         10 . A method for using an antibody to detect expression of a protein in a sample, the method comprising:
 a) combining the antibody of  claim 1  with a sample under conditions which allow the formation of antibody:protein complexes; and   b) detecting complex formation, wherein complex formation indicates expression of the protein in the sample.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein complex formation is compared with standards and is diagnostic of cancer. 
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising an antibody of  claim 1  and a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         13 . An array containing the antibody of  claim 1 .