Novel igfr_like 2 receptor and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel IGFR-like receptor 2 and antagonists and agonists for targeting said receptor. Said antagonists and agonists are envisaged for use as a medicament, and in particular for treatment of cancer or diabetes.

1 . An isolated DNA sequence encoding an IGF receptor (IGFR)-like 2 receptor which is capable of reacting with antibodies raised against an IGFR-like receptor of SEQ ID No: 2, wherein said antibodies specifically bind to said IGFR-like 2 receptor of SEQ ID NO. 2. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated DNA sequence encoding an IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2 or comprising a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         3 . A vector comprising the DNA sequence of any one of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         4 . The vector of  claim 3 , further comprising a gene regulation element located upstream of the DNA sequence encoding said IGFR-like receptor 2. 
     
     
         5 . A host cell comprising the vector of  claim 3  or  4 . 
     
     
         6 . A diagnostic binding agent capable of specifically binding to an IGFR-like receptor 2, said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to sequence SEQ ID No 2, for use in a method of diagnosing cancer or diabetes, or the risk of developing cancer or diabetes. 
     
     
         7 . An antagonist or agonist of IGFR-like receptor 2, said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2, for use as a medicament. 
     
     
         8 . An antagonist or agonist of IGFR-like receptor 2, said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2, for use in a method of prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of cancer or diabetes. 
     
     
         9 . The antagonist or agonist of any one of  claims 7  to  8 , wherein the antagonist specifically binds to said IGFR-like receptor 2. 
     
     
         10 . The antagonist or agonist of any one of  claims 7  to  9 , wherein the antagonist or agonist is selected from an antibody, a siRNA, a nucleic acid, an aptamer, a peptide, a protein, or a small molecule organic compound. 
     
     
         11 . The antagonist or agonist of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody comprises antibodies, antibody variants and antibody fragments. 
     
     
         12 . The antagonist or agonist of  claim 10  or  11 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The antagonist or agonist of  claim 12 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to an epitope within the extracellular domain of said IGFR-like receptor 2. 
     
     
         14 . The antagonist or agonist of any one of the preceding claims, wherein diabetes comprises type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and/or impaired glucose tolerance. 
     
     
         15 . The antagonist or agonist of any one of the preceding claims, wherein cancer comprises endometrial cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and/or lung cancer. 
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonist or agonist of an IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2, wherein said antagonist is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to said IGFR-like receptor 2. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody specifically binds to an epitope of said IGFR-like receptor 2 within the extracellular domain of said IGFR-like receptor 2. 
     
     
         18 . An in vitro screening assay for antagonists or agonists of an IGFR-like receptor 2, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a stable cell line expressing said IGFR-like receptor 2;   (b) contacting said cell line of (i) a candidate antagonist or agonist; and   (c) measuring an IGFR-like receptor 2 downstream signalling event, wherein an antagonist is identified by suppressing said IGFR-like receptor 2 downstream signalling event, and an agonist is identified by promoting said IGFR-like receptor 2 downstream signalling event;   wherein said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprises a sequence corresponding to sequence SEQ ID No. 2.   
     
     
         19 . An IGFR-like receptor 2 antagonist or agonist obtainable by the method of  claim 18 , said IGFR-like receptor 2 antagonist being selected from an antibody, a siRNA, a nucleic acid, an aptamer, a peptide, a protein, or a small molecule organic compound. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating cancer or diabetes, comprising administering an IGFR-like receptor 2 antagonist to a subject, said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2. 
     
     
         21 . Use of an IGFR-like receptor 2 antagonist or agonist in a method of treating cancer or diabetes, said IGFR-like receptor 2 comprising a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2.