Antibodies that bind dkk-related proteins

Abstract

Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

1 . An isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof that specifically binds a polypeptide consisting of SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or immunologically active portion is a monoclonal antibody or an immunologically active portion of a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or immunologically active portion is a recombinant antibody or an immunologically active portion of a recombinant antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 3 , wherein the recombinant antibody or immunologically active portion of a recombinant antibody is a chimeric antibody, an immunologically active portion of a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody or an immunologically active portion of a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or immunologically active portion is a human antibody or an immunologically active portion of a human antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or immunologically active portion is an immunologically active portion selected from the group consisting of a Fab fragment and a F(ab′) 2  fragment. 
     
     
         7 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or immunologically active portion comprises a detectable label. 
     
     
         8 . The isolated antibody or immunologically active portion thereof of  claim 7 , wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a prosthetic group, a fluorescent material, a luminescent material, a bioluminescent material and a radioactive material.