Novel Neurotrophic Factors

Abstract

The invention relates to neublastin neurotrophic factor polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding neublastin polypeptides, and antibodies that bind specifically to neublastin polypeptides, as well as methods of making and methods of using the same.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A method for treating neuropathy by administering to an individual in need thereof a sufficient amount of a neublastin polypeptide. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neublastin polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to AA 1 -AA 105  of SEQ ID NO. 2. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neublastin polypeptide comprises seven conserved cysteine residues corresponding to positions 8, 35, 39, 72, 73, 101, and 103 when numbered in accordance with SEQ ID NO. 2; 
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neublastin polypeptide comprises amino acid residues as follows: C at position 8, L at position 10, V at position 17, L at position 20, G at position 21, L at position 22, G at position 23, E at position 28, F at position 32, R at position 33, F at position 34, C at position 35, G at position 37, C at position 39, C at position 72, C at position 73, R at position 74, P at position 75, F at position 83, D at position 85, S at position 97, A at position 98, C at position 101 and C at position 103, each when numbered in accordance with SEQ ID NO. 2. 
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neublastin polypeptide comprises an LGLG repeat, an FRFC motif, a QPCCRP motif, and a SATACGC motif. 
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. 
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the neublastin polypeptide, when in a Cluster W alignment with the mature part of GDNF, Neurturin, and Persephin comprises the fully conserved residues as the mature part of SEQ ID NO. 2.