Novel traf family proteins

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel TRAF-Protein-Binding-Domain polypeptides (TPBDs). The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding TPBDs, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides antibodies that can specifically bind to invention TPBDs. Such TPBDs and/or anti-TPBD antibodies are useful for discovery of drugs that suppress autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, allograph rejection, sepsis, and other diseases.

1 . A TRAF-Protein-Binding-Domain (TPBD) polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:19, provided said polypeptide is no longer than 213 amino acids. 
     
     
         2 . The TPBD polypeptide of  claim 1 , further comprising SEQ ID NO:20. 
     
     
         3 . The TPBD polypeptide of  claim 1 , further comprising SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
         4 . The TPBD of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence of said protein comprises substantially the same sequence as any of SEQ ID NOS:8, 10, 12, 23, 24 or 25. 
     
     
         5 . The TPBD of  claim 1 , comprising the same amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOS:8, 10, 12, 23, 24 or 25. 
     
     
         6 . A TPBD according to  claim 4 , wherein said polypeptide is encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the same nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs:7, 9 or 11. 
     
     
         7 . A TPBD according to  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide is encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising the same sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs:7, 9 or 11. 
     
     
         8 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . Isolated nucleic acid encoding a TRAF protein binding domain (TPBD), or functional fragments thereof, selected from:
 (a) DNA encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS:8, 10 or 12, 23, 24 or 25, or   (b) DNA that hybridizes to the DNA of (a) under moderately stringent conditions, wherein said DNA encodes biologically active TPBD, or   (c) DNA degenerate with (b), wherein said DNA encodes biologically active TPBD.   
     
     
         13 . A nucleic acid according to  claim 12 , wherein said nucleic acid hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the TPBD coding portion of any of SEQ ID NOs:7, 9 and 11. 
     
     
         14 . A nucleic acid according to  claim 12 , wherein the nucleotide sequence of said nucleic acid is substantially the same as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO:7, 9 and 11. 
     
     
         15 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A chimeric protein comprising the TPBD of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         52 . A chimeric TPBD-containing protein, comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO:19, provided said chimeric protein is not naturally occurring. 
     
     
         53 . The chimeric TPBD-containing protein of  claim 52 , comprising:
 (a) the sequence SEQ ID NO:19; and   (b) a sequence from a heterologous protein.   
     
     
         54 . The chimeric TPBD-containing protein of  claim 53 , further comprising SEQ ID NO:20. 
     
     
         55 . The chimeric TPBD-containing protein of  claim 53 , further comprising SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
         56 . The chimeric protein of  claim 53  further comprising a RING finger domain. 
     
     
         57 . An isolated TPBD-containing TRAF protein, or fragment thereof, comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO:19, provided said TRAF domain containing protein does not consist of the sequence SEQ ID NOs:2, 4 or 6. 
     
     
         58 . The TPBD-containing TRAF protein of  claim 57 , further comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO:20. 
     
     
         59 . The TPBD-containing TRAF protein of  claim 57 , further comprising the sequence SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
         60 - 73 . (canceled)