Novel death domain proteins

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel Death Domain (DD), Death Effector Domain (DED) and NB-ARC domain proteins. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding DD, DED and NB-ARC domain proteins, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides antibodies that can specifically bind to invention DDs, DEDs or NB-ARC domains. Such DDs, DEDs and NB-ARC domains and/or anti-DD, anti-DED or anti-NB-ARC domain antibodies are useful for discovery of drugs that suppress infection, autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, allograft rejection, sepsis, and other diseases.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising a domain comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, provided said polypeptide does not consist of the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 28. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , said domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, provided said polypeptide does not consist of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical to the amino acid sequence set forth in any of SEQ ID NOS: 16 or 26, provided said polypeptide does not consist of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 3 , said polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16 or 26. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide consists of a DD, DED, or NB-ARC domain of SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         6 . A chimeric protein comprising a DD, DED, or NB-ARC domain of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A chimeric protein comprising a DD, DED, or NB-ARC domain of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         8 . An isolated peptide, comprising between 10 and 100 contiguous amino acids of a DD, DED, or NB-ARC domain of  claim 5 .