| PATENT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT GRANT DATE | April 2, 2002 |
| PATENT TITLE |
Calcium binding protein |
| PATENT ABSTRACT |
The invention provides a human calcium binding protein (hCBP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode hCBP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with expression of hCBP. |
| PATENT INVENTORS | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT ASSIGNEE | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT FILE DATE | December 22, 1999 |
| PATENT REFERENCES CITED |
Celio, M.R. et al., Guidebook to the Calcium-Binding Proteins, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. pp. 15-20 (1996). Nozaki, M. et al., "Molecular Characterization of the Drosophila Mo25 Gene, Which is Conserved among Drosophila, Mouse, and Yeast", DNA and Cell Biology 15(6): 505-509 (1996). Miyamoto, H. et al., "Molecular Cloning of a Novel mRNA Sequence Expressed in Cleavage Stage Mouse Embryos", Mol. Reprod. Dev. 34: 1-7 (1993). Kissinger, C.R. et al., "Crystal structures of human calcineurin and the human FKBP12-FK506-calcineurin complex", Nature 378 (6557): 641-644 (1995). Wang, M.G. et al., "Calcineurin A alpha (PPP3CA), calcineurin A beta (PPP3CB) and calcineurin B (PPP3R1) are located on human chromosomes 4, 10q21.fwdarw.q22 and 2p16.fwdarw.p15 respectively", Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 72: 236-241 (1996). Rasmussen, C.D. and Means, A.R., "Calmodulin, cell growth and gene expression", Trends in Neuroscience 12: 433-438 (1989). National Cancer Institute, Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (CGAP): "Homo sapiens cDNA cone similar MO25 protein" Emest Database Entry HS1182722, Accession No. AA278473, Apr. 3, 1997, XP002133736. National Cancer Institute, Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (CGAP): "Homo sapiens cDNA cone similar to MO25 protein" Emest Database Entry HS1183536, Accession No. AA279145, Apr. 3, 1997, XP002133737. |
| PATENT PARENT CASE TEXT | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT CLAIMS |
What is claimed is: 1. A purified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and b) a naturally-occurring amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said naturally-occurring amino acid sequence has calcium-binding activity. 2. An isolated polypeptide of claim 1, having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 3. A method for producing a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide, and said recombinant polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of claim 1, and b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed. 4. A composition comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 5. A composition of claim 4, wherein the polypeptide has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 6. A method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an agonist of a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 to a compound, and b) identifying a compound that increases calcium binding activity. 7. A method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist of a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 to a compound, and b) identifying a compound that decreases calcium binding activity. |
| PATENT DESCRIPTION |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of a calcium binding protein and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer, reproductive disorders, immune disorders, and developmental disorders. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In nearly all eukaryotic cells, calcium (Ca.sup.2+) functions as an intracellular signaling molecule in diverse cellular processes including cell proliferation, neurotransmitter secretion, glycogen metabolism, and skeletal muscle contraction. Within a resting cell, the concentration of Ca.sup.2+ in the cytosol is extremely low, <10.sup.-7 M. However, when the cell is stimulated by an external signal, such as a neural impulse or a growth factor, the cytosolic concentration of Ca.sup.2+ increases by about 50-fold. This influx of Ca.sup.2+ is caused by the opening of plasma membrane Ca.sup.2+ channels and the release of Ca.sup.2+ from intracellular stores such as the endoplasmic reticulum. Ca.sup.2+ directly activates regulatory enzymes, such as protein kinase C, which trigger signal transduction pathways. Ca.sup.2+ also binds to specific Ca.sup.2+ -binding proteins (CBPs) such as calmodulin (CaM) which then activate multiple target proteins including enzymes, membrane transport pumps, and ion channels. CaM is the most widely distributed and the most common mediator of calcium effects and appears to be the primary sensor of Ca.sup.2+ changes in eukaryotic cells. The binding of Ca.sup.2+ to CaM induces marked conformational changes in the protein permitting interaction with, and regulation of over 100 different proteins. CaM interactions are involved in a multitude of cellular processes including but not limited to, gene regulation, DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression, mitosis, cytokinesis, cytoskeletal organization, muscle contraction, signal transduction, ion homeostasis, exocytosis, and metabolic regulation (Celio, M. R. et al. (1996) Guidebook to Calcium-binding Protein, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, pp. 15-20). A novel mouse gene named MO25, expressed during early stages of development, has recently been identified and is believed to encode a CBP. The Drosophila equivalent of MO25, DMO25, encodes a polypeptide of 339 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 39.3 kDa. The novel CBP was found to be conserved among Drosophila, mouse, and yeast. In particular, the carboxy-terminal region of the protein is highly conserved among these species. A homology search revealed that the amino acid sequence of MO25 and DMO25 is similar to a protein encoded in an open reading frame near the calcineurin B subunit gene on chromosome XI in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Calcineurin B is the small Ca.sup.2+ -binding regulatory subunit of calcineurin, a CaM-regulated protein phosphatase. The conservation of the MO25 and DMO25 gene structure among species and the wide tissue expression profile indicates that the function of the gene is likely to be fundamental in many cell types as well as during development (Nozaki, M. et al. (1996) DNA Cell Biol. 15:505-509; and Miyamoto, H. et al. (1993) Mol. Reprod. Dev. 34:1-7). CBPs are implicated in a variety of disorders. For example, calcineurin is found in the cells of all eukaryotes ranging from yeast to mammals. Calcineurin is a target for inhibition by the immunosuppressive agents cyclosporin A and FK506 emphasizing its importance in immune disorders (Kissinger, C. R. et al. (1995) Nature 378:641-644). Calcineurin also plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation and growth control in T-lymphocytes (Wang, M. G. et al. (1996) Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 72:236-241). Additionally, levels of CaM are increased several-fold in tumors and tumor-derived cell lines for various types of cancer (Rasmussen, C. D. and Means, A. R. (1989) Trends in Neuroscience 12:433-438). Calcium binding S100.beta. is another example of a CBP involved in a variety of disorders. S100.beta. contains an EF-hand motif and is abundantly expressed in the nervous system. S100.beta. levels are increased in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurological injury resulting from cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attacks, hemorrhagia, head trauma, and Down's syndrome. Furthermore, S100.beta. and other neural-specific CBPs may also protect against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. The discovery of a new calcium binding protein and the polynucleotides encoding it satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, reproductive disorders, immune disorders, and developmental disorders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the discovery of a new human calcium binding protein. (hCBP), the polynucleotides encoding hCBP, and the use of these compositions for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancer, reproductive disorders, immune disorders, and developmental disorders. The invention features a substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention further provides a substantially purified variant having at least 90% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention also provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention also includes an isolated and purified polynucleotide variant having at least 70% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention further provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, as well as an isolated and purified polynucleotide having a sequence which is complementary to the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention also provides an isolated and purified polynucleo comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2, and an isolated and purified polynucleotide variant having at least 70% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2. The invention also provides an isolated and purified polynucleotide having a sequence complementary to the polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2. The invention also provides a method for detecting a polynucleotide in a sample containing nucleic acids, the method comprising the steps of (a) hybridizing the complement of the polynucleotide sequence to at least one of the polynucleotides of the sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and (b) detecting the hybridization complex, wherein the presence of the hybridization complex correlates with the presence of a polynucleotide in the sample. In one aspect, the method further comprises amplifying the polynucleotide prior to hybridization. The invention further provides an expression vector containing at least a fragment of the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. In another aspect, the expression vector is contained within a host cell. The invention also provides a method for producing a polypeptide, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing the host cell containing an expression vector containing at least a fragment of a polynucleotide under conditions suitable for the expression of the polypeptide; and (b) recovering the polypeptide from the host cell culture. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1 in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The invention further includes a purified antibody which binds to a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, as well as a purified agonist and a purified antagonist of the polypeptide. The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of hCBP, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1, in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing a disorder associated with increased expression or activity of hCBP, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an antagonist of the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO:1. |
| PATENT EXAMPLES | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT PHOTOCOPY | Available on request |
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