Novel Bone Mineralization Proteins, DNA, Vectors, Expression Systems

Abstract

The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode LIM mineralization protein, or LMP. The invention further provides vectors comprising nucleotide sequences that encode LMP, as well as host cells comprising those vectors. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of inducing bone formation by transfecting osteogenic precursor cells with an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding LIM mineralization protein. The transfection may occur ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked plasmid DNA. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides a method of fusing a spine by transfecting osteogenic precursor cells with an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence encoding LIM mineralization protein, admixing the transfected osteogenic precursor cells with a matrix and contacting the matrix with the spine. Finally, the invention relates to methods for inducing systemic bone formation by stable transfection of host cells with the vectors of the invention.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A human LMP protein encoded by an isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule hybridizes under standard conditions to a nucleic acid molecule complementary to the full length of SEQ ID NO: 25, and wherein the molecule hybridizes under highly stringent conditions to a nucleic acid molecule complementary to the full length of SEQ ID NO: 26. 
     
     
         50 . The human LMP protein according to  claim 49 , comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34. 
     
     
         51 . The human LMP protein according to  claim 49 , comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. 
     
     
         52 . The human LMP protein of  claim 49  comprising SEQ ID NO: 10 with at least one conservative substitution. 
     
     
         53 . The human LMP protein of  claim 49  comprising SEQ ID NO: 34 with at least one conservative substitution. 
     
     
         54 . A rat LMP protein encoded by an isolated nucleic acid molecule, wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule hybridizes under standard conditions to a nucleic acid molecule complementary to the full length of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         55 . The rat LMP protein of  claim 54 , comprising SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         56 . The rat LMP protein of  claim 54  comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 with at least one conservative substitution.