IP Library › Patent Application 10956026
Patent Application
App. No. 10/956,026

Ceramidase gene

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
10/956,026
Abstract

A neutral/alkaline ceramidase derived from a mammal; an antibody specifically binding thereto; a probe and primer which are capable of specifically hybridizing thereto; a method for producing the ceramidase by a genetic engineering means; a method for detecting the ceramidase or the gene; and a method of controlling an amount of a ceramide in a cell and/or in a tissue. The present invention is useful as a reagent for lipid engineering for analyzing a structure, functions, and the like of a ceramide, and in its applications to diseases associated with the ceramide metabolism.

Claims (11)

1 . An isolated oligonucleotide probe or primer which hybridizes under stringent conditions of 6×SSC, containing 0.5% SDS, at a temperature of ((Tm of the oligonucleotide) −25° C.) to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14;

(b) a nucleotide sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 15; and

(c) a nucleotide sequence different from the nucleotide sequence of any one of the above (a) to (b) via degeneracy of the genetic code, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide possessing a ceramidase activity,

or a complementary stand thereof, wherein said oligonucleotide probe or primer has a strand length of 15 to 40 bases.

2 . An antibody or a fragment thereof, which specifically binds to an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, wherein said polypeptide possesses a ceramidase activity.

3 . A method for detecting a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide possessing a ceramidase activity, comprising using the oligonucleotide probe or primer of claim 1 .

4 . A kit for the use in detection of a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide possessing a ceramidase activity, comprising the oligonucleotide probe and/or primer of claim 1 .

5 . A method for detecting a polypeptide possessing a ceramidase activity, comprising using the antibody or a fragment thereof of claim 2 .

6 . A kit for the use in detection of a polypeptide possessing a ceramidase activity, comprising the antibody or a fragment thereof of claim 2 .

7 . The oligonucleotide probe or primer according to claim 1 , wherein said oligonucleotide probe or primer is derived from a region having a sequence characteristic of a ceramidase.