Mct-1, a human oncogene

Abstract

A novel gene, designated MCT-1 (for Multiple Copies in T-cell malignancy), is provided. A protein encoded by MCT-1, designated MCT-1, is also provided. Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to or homologous with a portion of MCT-1, substantially purified MCT-1, and methods of determining whether a cell is a tumor cell are also provided. The invention also includes monoclonal and polyclonal antibody preparations which bind with specificity to MCT-1. The invention further includes methods of determining whether a compound or a gene product is a modulator of MCT-1 expression, a method of reducing MCT-1 expression in a cell, and a method of conferring a growth advantage on a cell.

1 . A method of determining whether a cell expresses MCT-1 protein comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, the method comprising:
 contacting the cell with a composition comprising isolated polyclonal antibodies which bind with specificity to the MCT-1 protein and detecting binding of the polyclonal antibodies to the protein, wherein the detecting the binding of the polyclonal antibodies is indicative that the cell expresses the MCT-1 protein.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell exhibits deregulated cell cycle progression. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell.