Signal peptide-containing proteins

Abstract

The invention provides cDNAs which encodes a signal peptide-containing proteins. It also provides for the use of a cDNA, protein, and antibody in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and evaluation of therapies for cancer. The invention further provides vectors and host cells for the production of the protein and transgenic model systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A purified protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from:
 a) a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16,   b) a naturally occurring protein having an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16,   c) a biologically active fragment of a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, and   d) an epitope of a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16.   
     
     
         2 . A purified protein of  claim 1 , consisting of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         3 . A composition comprising a protein of  claim 1 , and a labeling moiety or a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         4 . A method for using a protein to screen a plurality of molecules or compounds to identify at least one ligand, the method comprising:
 a) combining a protein of  claim 1 , with the molecules or compounds under conditions to allow specific binding; and   b) detecting specific binding, thereby identifying a ligand which specifically binds the protein.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the molecules or compounds are selected from DNA molecules, RNA molecules, peptide nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, mimetics, agonists, antagonists, antibodies, immunoglobulins, inhibitors, and drugs. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a protein of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method of using a protein to prepare and purify a polyclonal antibody comprising:
 a) immunizing a animal with a protein of  claim 1 , under conditions to elicit an antibody response;   b) isolating animal antibodies;   c) attaching the protein to a substrate;   d) contacting the substrate with isolated antibodies under conditions to allow specific binding to the protein;   e) dissociating the antibodies from the protein, thereby obtaining purified polyclonal antibodies.   
     
     
         8 . A method of using a protein to prepare a monoclonal antibody comprising:
 a) immunizing a animal with a protein of  claim 1 , under conditions to elicit an antibody response;   b) isolating antibody producing cells from the animal;   c) fusing the antibody producing cells with immortalized cells in culture to form monoclonal antibody producing hybridoma cells;   d) culturing the hybridoma cells; and   e) isolating from culture monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind the protein.   
     
     
         9 . A polyclonal antibody produced by the method of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         10 . A monoclonal antibody produced by the method of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for using an antibody to detect expression of a protein in a sample, the method comprising:
 a) combining the antibody of  claim 6 , with a sample under conditions which allow the formation of antibody:protein complexes; and   b) detecting complex formation, wherein complex formation indicates expression of the protein in the sample.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein complex formation is compared with standards and is diagnostic of cancer. 
     
     
         13 . A composition comprising an antibody of  claim 6 , and a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         14 . A method for testing a compound for effectiveness as an agonist, the method comprising:
 a) exposing a sample comprising a protein of  claim 1 , to a compound, and   b) detecting agonist activity in the sample.   
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising an agonist identified by the method of  claim 13 , and a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         16 . A method for testing a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist, the method comprising:
 a) exposing a sample comprising a protein of  claim 1 , to a compound, and   b) detecting antagonist activity in the sample.   
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising an antagonist identified by the method of  claim 16 , and a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a disorder associated with decreased expression of a signal peptide-containing protein comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment the composition of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating a disorder associated with increased expression of a signal peptide-containing protein comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment the composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         20 . An array containing the antibody of  claim 6 .