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 protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein is a fusion protein. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated protein of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion protein comprises an immunoglobulin domain. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated protein of  claim 1 , wherein the immunoglobulin domain is an Fc region.