Human FGF-21 gene and gene expression products

Abstract

This invention relates to human fibroblast growth factor (hF-GF-21), and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding FGF-21. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to the polynucleotides and proteins, including probes and antibodies, and to methods of treating liver disease such as cirrhosis and cancer, methods of treating conditions related to thymic function, and methods of treating conditions of the testis. The invention also relates to mouse fibroblast growth factor (mFGF-21), and to variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding mFGF-21.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to an isolated polypeptide comprising amino acids at least 95% identical to amino acids selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) amino acids from about 1 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4:   (b) amino acids from about 2 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (c) amino acids from about 1 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (d) amino acids from about 40 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4; and   (e) amino acids from about 40 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4.   
     
     
         20 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to an isolated polypeptide wherein, except for at least one conservative amino acid substitution, said polypeptide has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) amino acids from about 1 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (b) amino acids from about 2 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (c) amino acids from about 1 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (d) amino acids from about 40 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4; and   (e) amino acids from about 40 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4.   
     
     
         21 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to an isolated polypeptide comprising amino acids selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) amino acids from about 1 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (b) amino acids from about 2 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4:   (c) amino acids from about 1 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4;   (d) amino acids from about 40 to about 209 of SEQ ID NO:4; and   (e) amino acids from about 40 to about 177 of SEQ ID NO:4.   
     
     
         22 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A kit for detecting the presence of FGF-21 polypeptide in a sample from a patient, said kit comprising an antibody according to  claim 19 , packaged in a container. 
     
     
         41 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A kit for detecting the presence of FGF-21 polypeptide in a sample from a patient, said kit comprising an antibody according to  claim 20 , packaged in a container. 
     
     
         61 . A kit for detecting the presence of FGF-21 polypeptide in a sample from a patient, said kit comprising an antibody according to  claim 21 , packaged in a container.