Stem cell growth factor-like ployeptides
The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human secreted stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides. In particular, the invention relates to novel stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, including novel proteins named SCGF3248Fk081_aa2, SCGF3248Fk081_aa1, SCGFFk081_aa3, and SCGF323401Fe131_aa1. Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing processes for producing novel human secreted stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.
1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12, or the mature protein coding portion thereof.
2 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide with biological activity, said polynucleotide having greater than about 99% sequence identity with the polynucleotide of claim 1 .
3 . The polynucleotide of claim 1 which is a DNA sequence.
4 . An isolated polynucleotide which comprises the complement of the polynucleotide of claim 1 .
5 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 15.
6 . A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide according to claim 5 .
7 . A nucleic acid array comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1 attached to a surface.
8 . A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1 .
9 . An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1 .
10 . A host cell genetically engineered to express the polynucleotide of claim 1 .
11 . The host cell of claim 10 wherein the polynucleotide is in operative association with a regulatory sequence that controls expression of the polynucleotide in the host cells.
12 . A composition comprising the polypeptide of claim 5 and a carrier.
13 . An antibody specific for the polypeptide according to claim 5 .
14 . A method for detecting the polynucleotide of claim 1 in a sample, comprising:
a) contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polynucleotide of claim 1 for a period sufficient to form the complex; and
b) b) detecting the complex, so that if a complex is detected, the polynucleotide of claim 1 is detected.
15 . A method for detecting the polynucleotide of claim 1 in a sample, comprsing:
a) contacting the sample under stringent hybridization conditions with nucleic acid primers that anneal to the polynucleotide of claim 1 under such conditions;
b) amplifying a product comprising at least a portion of the polynucleotide of claim 1; and
c) detecting said product and thereby the polynucleotide of claim 1 in the sample.
16 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises an RNA molecule and the method further comprises reverse transcribing an annealed RNA molecule into a cDNA polynucleotide.
17 . A method for detecting the polypeptide of claim 5 in a sample, comprising:
a) contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polypeptide under conditions and for a period of time sufficient to form the complex; and
b) detecting formation of the complex, so that if a complex formation is detected, the polypeptide of claim 5 is detected.
18 . A method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide of claim 5 , comprising:
a) contacting the compound with the polypeptide of claim 5 under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex; and
b) detecting the complex, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to the polypeptide of claim 5 is detected.
19 . A method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide of claim 5 comprising:
a) contacting the compound with the polypeptide of claim 5 , in a cell, for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, wherein the complex direves expression of a reporter gene sequence in the cell; and
b) detecting the complex by detecting reporter gene sequence expression, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to the polypeptide of claim 5 is identified.
20 . A method of producing the polypeptide of claim 5 , comprising:
a) culturing the host cell of claim 10 under conditions sufficient to express the polypeptide of claim 5 in said cell; and
b) isolating the polypeptide from the cell culture or cells of step (a).
21 . A kit comprising the polypeptide of claim 5 .
22 . A method of treatment of a subject in need of enhanced activity or expression of the polypeptide of claim 5 , comprising administering to the subject a composition selected from the group consiting of:
a) a therapeutic amount of an agonist of said polypeptide;
b) a therapeutic amount of said polypeptide; and
c) a therapeutic amount of a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide in a form and under conditions such that the polypeptide is produced,
and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
23 . A method of treatment of a subject having need to inhibit activity or expression of the polypeptide of claim 5 , comprising administering to the subject a composition selected from the group consisting of:
a) a therapeutic amount of an antagonist to said polypeptide;
b) a therapeutic amount of a nucleic acid molecule that inhibits the expression of the nucleotide sequence encoding said polypeptide; and
c) a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide that competes with the peptide of claim 5 ,
and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.