[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1086234A1 - Neue menschliche carboxypeptidase inhibitor - Google Patents

Neue menschliche carboxypeptidase inhibitor

Info

Publication number
EP1086234A1
EP1086234A1 EP98926512A EP98926512A EP1086234A1 EP 1086234 A1 EP1086234 A1 EP 1086234A1 EP 98926512 A EP98926512 A EP 98926512A EP 98926512 A EP98926512 A EP 98926512A EP 1086234 A1 EP1086234 A1 EP 1086234A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
carln
sequence
sequences
seq
polynucleotide sequence
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98926512A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jennifer L. Hillman
Preeti Lal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Incyte Corp
Original Assignee
Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc filed Critical Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc
Priority claimed from PCT/US1998/012020 external-priority patent/WO1999064609A1/en
Publication of EP1086234A1 publication Critical patent/EP1086234A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Definitions

  • This invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of a new human carboxypeptidase inhibitor and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of inflammation and disorders associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis
  • Carboxypeptidases are proteases that function in many physiological processes These proteases remove a wide range of carboxyl-terminal amino acids, and in doing so are able to activate, inactivate, and modulate enzyme and peptide hormone activity Many active forms of mammalian carboxypeptidases are located in lysosomes where they regulate intracellular protein processing, degradation and turnover In plants and insects carboxypeptidases play a role in posttranslational protein modifications including mobilization of storage proteins and hormone activation
  • Carboxypeptidase activities are regulated either bv endogenous protein inhibitors or by enzymatic cleavage of a segment of a propeptide to release the active carboxypeptidase
  • Carboxypeptidases A and B are pancreatic zinc-containing proteolytic enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of the carboxyl-terminal peptide bond in polypeptide chains When transcribed in rat brain and other nonpancreatic tissues.
  • CPA is unable to function as a protease (Normant E et al ( 1995) J Biol Chem 270 20543-20549) This inability to function as a protease has been attributed to the presence of tissue-specific endogenous protein inhibitors such as tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor (TCI) or latexin (Normant. E et al ( 1995) Proc Natl Acad Sci 92 12225- 12229, Hatanaka, Y et al ( 1994) Eur J Neurosci 6 973-982)
  • TCI tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor
  • latexin Normal. E et al ( 1995) Proc Natl Acad Sci 92 12225- 12229, Hatanaka, Y et al ( 1994) Eur J Neurosci 6 973-982
  • Latexin and TCI are 222 and 223 amino acids in length, respectively They contain several potential phosphorylation sites, but they do not show a membrane-specific signal peptide sequence (Normant et al , supra, Hatanaka et al , supra) TCI is a non-competitive, nearly irreversible, and potent inhibitor of CPA, it is less potent against CPB and does not act on various other proteases TCI and latexin are both expressed and localized in the cytosol of a number of tissues including brain, lung, or digestive tract It has been suggested that TCI or latexin may function in regulating tissue-specific, cytosohc protein degradation (Normant et al , supra)
  • TCI or latexin may function in regulating tissue-specific, cytosohc protein degradation (Normant et al , supra)
  • the invention features a substantially purified polypeptide, human carboxypeptidase inhibitor (CARLN), having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO 1, or fragments thereof
  • the invention further provides an isolated and substantially purified polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide comprising the ammo acid sequence of SEQ LD NO 1 or fragments thereof and a composition comprising said polynucleotide sequence
  • the invention also provides a polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1, or fragments of said polynucleotide sequence
  • the invention further provides a polynucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ LD NO 1, or fragments or variants of said polynucleotide sequence
  • the invention also provides an isolated and purified sequence comprising SEQ ID NO 2 or variants thereof.
  • the invention provides a polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 2
  • the invention provides a composition comp ⁇ sing an isolated and purified polynucleotide sequence comprising the complement of SEQ ID NO 2, or fragments or ariants thereof
  • the invention also provides a polynucleotide sequence comprising the complement of SEQ LD NO 2
  • the present invention further provides an expression vector containing at least a fragment of any of the claimed polynucleotide sequences
  • the expression vector containing the polynucleotide sequence is contained within a host cell
  • the invention also provides a method for producing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ LD NO 1 or a fragment thereof, the method comprising the steps of a) culturing the host cell containing an expression vector containing at least a fragment of the polynucleotide sequence encoding CARLN 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
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a substantially purified CARLN having the amino acid sequence of SEQ LD NO: 1 in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.
  • the invention also provides a purified antagonist which decreases the effect of the polypeptide of SEQ LD NO: 1.
  • the invention provides a purified antibody which binds to a polypeptide comprising at least a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ LD NO: l.
  • the invention provides a purified agonist which modulates the activity of the polypeptide of SEQ LD NO: 1.
  • the invention also provides a method for stimulating cell proliferation comprising administering to a cell an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising purified CARLN.
  • the invention also provides a method for treating a disorder associated with excessive apoptosis comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprising purified CARLN.
  • the invention also provides a method for treating a disorder associated with cancer comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of the antagonist of CARLN.
  • the invention also provides a method for treating inflammation comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of the antagonist of CARLN.
  • the invention also provides a method for detecting a polynucleotide which encodes
  • CARLN in a biological sample comprising the steps of: a) hybridizing a polynucleotide sequence complementary to CARLN (SEQ ID NO: 1) to nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and b) detecting the hybridization complex, wherein the presence of the complex correlates with the presence of a polynucleotide encoding CARLN in the biological sample.
  • the nucleic acid material of the biological sample is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction.
  • Figures 1 A, IB, and 1C show the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) and nucleic acid sequence (SEQ LD NO:2) of CARLN.
  • the alignment was produced using MacDNASIS PROTM software (Hitachi Software Engineering Co. Ltd. San Bruno, CA).
  • Figure 2 shows the amino acid sequence alignments among CARLN (SEQ ID NO: 1), a mouse latexin (GI 1669621; SEQ LD NO:3), and a rat tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor, TCI (GI 1101780; SEQ ID NO:4), produced using the multisequence alignment program of DNASTARTM software (DNASTAR Inc, Madison WI).
  • Figures 3A and 3B show the hydrophobicity plots for CARLN, SEQ LD NO: 1 and TCI (SEQ LD NO:3), respectively.
  • the positive X axis reflects amino acid position, and the negative Y axis, hydrophobicity (MacDNASIS PRO software).
  • CARLN refers to the amino acid sequences of substantially purified
  • CARLN obtained from any species, particularly mammalian, including bovine, ovine, porcine, murine, equine, and preferably human, from any source whether natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, or recombinant.
  • the term "agonist”, as used herein, refers to a molecule which, when bound to CARLN, increases or prolongs the duration of the effect of CARLN Agonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or any other molecules which bind to and modulate the effect of CARLN
  • An "allele” or “allelic sequence”, as used herein, is an alternative form of the gene encoding CARLN Alleles may result from at least one mutation in the nucleic acid sequence and may result in altered mRNAs or polypeptides whose structure or function may or may not be altered Any given natural or recombinant gene may have none, one, or many allelic forms Common mutational changes which give rise to alleles are generally ascribed to natural deletions, additions, or substitutions of
  • altered nucleic acid sequences encoding CARIN as used herein include those with deletions, insertions, or substitutions of different nucleotides resulting in a polynucleotide that encodes the same or a functionally equivalent CARIN Included within this definition are polymorphisms which may or may not be readily detectable using a particular oligonucleotide probe of the polynucleotide encoding CARLN, and improper or unexpected hybridization to alleles, with a locus other than the normal chromosomal locus tor the polynucleotide sequence encoding CARLN
  • the encoded protein may also be altered and contain deletions, insertions, or substitutions of amino acid residues which produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent CARLN Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophihcity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues as long as
  • amino acid sequence refers to an o gopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence, and fragment thereof, and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules Fragments of CARIN are preferably about 5 to about 15 amino acids in length and retain the biological activity or the immunological activity of CARLN
  • amino acid sequence is recited herein to refer to an amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring protein molecule, amino acid sequence, and like terms, are not meant to limit the amino acid sequence to the complete, native amino acid sequence associated with the recited protein molecule
  • Amplification refers to the production of additional copies of a nucleic acid sequence and is generally carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies well known in the art (Dieffenbach, C W and G S Dveksler ( 1995) PCR Primer, a Laboratory Manual.
  • Antagonist refers to a molecule which, when bound to CARLN, decreases the amount or the duration of the effect of the biological or immunological activity of CARLN Antagonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or any other molecules which and decrease the effect of CARLN
  • antibody refers to intact molecules as well as fragments thereof, such as Fa, F(ab') 2 , and Fv, which are capable of binding the epitopic determinant
  • Antibodies that bind CARLN polypeptides can be prepared using intact polypeptides or fragments containing small peptides of interest as the immunizing antigen
  • the polypeptide or ohgopeptide used to immunize an animal can be derived from the translation of RNA or synthesized chemically and can be conjugated to a carrier protein if desired Commonly used carriers that are chemically coupled to peptides include bovine serum albumin and thyroglobulin, keyhole limpet hemocyanm The coupled peptide is then used to immunize the animal (e g , a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit)
  • antigenic determinant refers to that fragment of a molecule (I e , an epitope) that makes contact with a particular antibody
  • I e an epitope
  • numerous regions of the protein may induce the production of antibodies which bind specifically to a given region or three-dimensional structure on the protein, these regions or structures are referred to as antigenic determinants
  • An antigenic determinant may compete with the intact antigen (I e , the immunogen used to elicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody
  • antisense refers to any composition containing nucleotide sequences which are complementary to a specific DNA or RNA sequence
  • antisense strand is used in reference to a nucleic acid strand that is complementary to the "sense” strand
  • Antisense molecules include peptide nucleic acids and may be produced by any method including synthesis or transcription Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with natural
  • biologically active refers to a protein having structural, regulatory, or biochemical functions of a naturally occurring molecule.
  • immunologically active refers to the capability of the natural, recombinant, or synthetic CARLN, or any ohgopeptide thereof, to induce a specific immune response in appropriate animals or cells and to bind with specific antibodies.
  • complementary or “complementarity”, as used herein, refer to the natural binding of polynucleotides under permissive salt and temperature conditions by base-pairing. For example, the sequence "A-G-T” binds to the complementary sequence "T-C-A”.
  • Complementarity between two single-stranded molecules may be "partial", in which only some of the nucleic acids bind, or it may be complete when total complementarity exists between the single stranded molecules.
  • the degree of complementarity between nucleic acid strands has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of hybridization between nucleic acid strands. This is of particular importance in amplification reactions, which depend upon binding between nucleic acids strands and in the design and use of PNA molecules.
  • composition comprising a given polynucleotide sequence refers broadly to any composition containing the given polynucleotide sequence.
  • the composition may comprise a dry formulation or an aqueous solution.
  • Compositions comprising polynucleotide sequences encoding CARLN (SEQ ID NO: l) or fragments thereof (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2 and fragments thereof) may be employed as hybridization probes.
  • the probes may be stored in freeze-dried form and may be associated with a stabilizing agent such as a carbohydrate.
  • the probe may be deployed in an aqueous solution containing salts (e.g., NaCl), detergents (e.g., SDS) and other components (e.g., Denhardt's solution, dry milk, salmon sperm DNA, etc.).
  • salts e.g., NaCl
  • detergents e.g., SDS
  • other components e.g., Denhardt's solution, dry milk, salmon sperm DNA, etc.
  • Consensus refers to a nucleic acid sequence which has been resequenced to resolve uncalled bases, has been extended using XL-PCRTM (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, CT) in the 5' and/or the 3' direction and resequenced, or has been assembled from the overlapping sequences of more than one Lncyte Clone using a computer program for fragment assembly (e.g., GELVLEWTM Fragment Assembly system, GCG, Madison, WI). Some sequences have been both extended and assembled to produce the consensus sequence .
  • correlates with expression of a polynucleotide indicates that the detection of the presence of ribonucleic acid that is similar to SEQ LD NO:2 by northern analysis is indicative of the presence of mRNA encoding CARLN in a sample and thereby correlates with expression of the transcript from the polynucleotide encoding the protein.
  • a “deletion”, as used herein, refers to a change in the amino acid or nucleotide sequence and results in the absence of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides.
  • a nucleic acid derivative refers to the chemical modification of a nucleic acid encoding or complementary to CARLN or the encoded CARLN. Such modifications include, for example, replacement of hydrogen by an alkyl, acyl, or amino group.
  • a nucleic acid derivative encodes a polypeptide which retains the biological or immunological function of the natural molecule.
  • a derivative polypeptide is one which is modified by glycosylation, pegylation, or any similar process which retains the biological or immunological function of the polypeptide from which it was derived.
  • low stringency conditions are such that non-specific binding is permitted; low stringency conditions require that the binding of two sequences to one another be a specific (i.e., selective) interaction.
  • the absence of non-specific binding may be tested by the use of a second target sequence which lacks even a partial degree of complementarity (e.g., less than about 30% identity). In the absence of non-specific binding, the probe will not hybridize to the second non-complementary target sequence.
  • Human artificial chromosomes are linear microchromosomes which may contain DNA sequences of 10K to 10M in size and contain all of the elements required for stable mitotic chromosome segregation and maintenance (Harrington, J.J. et al. (1997) Nat Genet. 15:345-355).
  • the term "humanized antibody”, as used herein, refers to antibody molecules in which amino acids have been replaced in the non-antigen binding regions in order to more closely resemble a human antibody, while still retaining the original binding ability.
  • hybridization refers to any process by which a strand of nucleic acid binds with a complementary strand through base pairing.
  • hybridization complex refers to a complex formed between two nucleic acid sequences by virtue of the formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary G and C bases and between complementary A and T bases: these hydrogen bonds may be further stabilized by base stacking interactions The two complementary nucleic acid sequences hydrogen bond in an antiparallel configuration.
  • a hybridization complex may be formed in solution (e g , C 0 t or rj t analysis) or between one nucleic acid sequence present in solution and another nucleic acid sequence immobilized on a solid support (e g , paper, membranes, filters, chips, pins or glass slides, or any other appropriate substrate to which cells or their nucleic acids have been fixed)
  • insertion refers to a change in an ammo acid or nucleotide sequence resulting in the addition of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides, respectively, as compared to the naturally occurring molecule
  • “Microarray” refers to a high-density array of distinct polynucleotides or oligonucleotides synthesized on a substrate, such as paper, nylon or other type of membrane, filter, chip, glass slide, or any other suitable solid support
  • modulate refers to a change in the activity of CARLN
  • modulation may cause an increase or a decrease in protein activity, binding characteristics, or any other biological, functional or immunological properties of CARLN
  • Nucleic acid sequence as used herein refeis to an oligonucleotide, nucleotide, or polynucleotide, and fragments thereof, and to DNA or RNA ot genomic or synthetic origin which may be single- or double-stranded, and represent the sense or antisense strand
  • “Fragments” are those nucleic acid sequences which are greater than 60 nucleotides than in length, and most preferably includes fragments that are at least 100 nucleotides or at least 1000 nucleotides, and at least 10,000 nucleotides in length
  • oligonucleotide refers to a nucleic acid sequence of at least about 6 nucleotides to about 60 nucleotides, preferably about 15 to 30 nucleotides, and more preferably about 20 to 25 nucleotides, which can be used in PCR amplification or hybridization assays As used herein, oligonucleotide is substantially equivalent to the terms “amphmers”, “primers”, “oligomers”, and “probes”, as commonly defined in the art
  • PNA protein nucleic acid
  • PNA refers to an antisense molecule or anti-gene agent which comprises an oligonucleotide of at least five nucleotides in length linked to a peptide backbone of amino acid residues which ends in lysine The terminal lysine confers solubility to the composition PNAs may be pegylated to extend their hfespan in the cell where they preferentially bind complementary single stranded DNA and RNA and stop transcript elongation (Nielsen, P.E et al (1993) Anticancer Drug Des 8 53-63)
  • portion refers to fragments of that protein.
  • the fragments may range in size from five amino acid residues to the entire amino acid sequence minus one amino acid.
  • a protein "comprising at least a portion of the amino acid sequence of SEQ LD NO: 1" encompasses the full-length CARLN and fragments thereof.
  • sample as used herein, is used in its broadest sense.
  • a biological sample suspected of containing nucleic acid encoding CARLN, or fragments thereof, or CARLN itself may comprise a bodily fluid, extract from a cell, chromosome, organelle, or membrane isolated from a cell, a cell, genomic DNA, RNA, or cDNA(in solution or bound to a solid support, a tissue, a tissue print, and the like.
  • an antibody is specific for epitope "A”
  • the presence of a protein containing epitope A (or free, unlabeled A) in a reaction containing labeled "A” and the antibody will reduce the amount of labeled A bound to the antibody.
  • stringent conditions refer to the conditions for hybridization as defined by the nucleic acid, salt, and temperature. These conditions are well known in the art and may be altered in order to identify or detect identical or related polynucleotide sequences.
  • Numerous equivalent conditions comprising either low or high stringency depend on factors such as the length and nature of the sequence (DNA, RNA, base composition), nature of the target (DNA, RNA, base composition), milieu (in solution or immobilized on a solid substrate), concentration of salts and other components (e.g., formamide, dextran sulfate and/or polyethylene glycol), and temperature of the reactions (within a range from about 5°C below the melting temperature of the probe to about 20°C to 25°C below the melting temperature).
  • concentration of salts and other components e.g., formamide, dextran sulfate and/or polyethylene glycol
  • temperature of the reactions within a range from about 5°C below the melting temperature of the probe to about 20°C to 25°C below the melting temperature.
  • One or more factors be may be varied to generate conditions of either low or high stringency different from, but equivalent to, the above listed conditions.
  • substantially purified refers to nucleic or amino acid sequences that are removed from their natural environment, isolated or separated, and are at least 60% free, preferably 75% free, and most preferably 90% free from other components with which they are naturally associated.
  • substitution refers to the replacement of one or more amino acids or nucleotides by different amino acids or nucleotides, respectively.
  • Transformation describes a process by which exogenous DNA enters and changes a recipient cell. It may occur under natural or artificial conditions using various methods well known in the art. Transformation may rely on any known method for the insertion of foreign nucleic acid sequences into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The method is selected based on the type of host cell being transformed and may include, but is not limited to, viral infection, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, and particle bombardment.
  • Such “transformed” cells include stably transformed cells in which the inserted DNA is capable of replication either as an autonomously replicating plasmid or as part of the host chromosome. They also include cells which transiently express the inserted DNA or RNA for limited periods of time.
  • a “variant" of CARLN refers to an amino acid sequence that is altered by one or more amino acids.
  • the variant may have "conservative" changes, wherein a substituted amino acid has similar structural or chemical properties, e.g., replacement of leucine with isoleucine. More rarely, a variant may have "nonconservative" changes, e.g., replacement of a glycine with a tryptophan.
  • CARLN human ribonuclease
  • the invention encompasses a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as shown in Figures lA-C.
  • CARLN is 222 amino acids in length.
  • CARLN has three potential N-glycosylation sites at N69, N88, and N151, five casein kinase LI phosphorylation sites encompassing residues S41-D44, T79-E82, T83-E86, SI 12-E115, and S152-D155, and three protein kinase C phosphorylation sites encompassing residues T95-K97, SI 12-K114, and T165-K167.
  • CARLN has chemical and structural homology with a mouse latexin (GI 1669621; SEQ LD NO:3) and a rat tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor, TCI (GI 1101780; SEQ JD NO:4).
  • TCI a rat tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor
  • CARLN shares 85% and 84% identity with latexin and TCI, respectively.
  • CARIN and latexin have rather similar hydrophobicity plots.
  • Northern analysis shows the expression of this sequence in various libraries, at least 25% of which are immortalized or cancerous, at least 21% of which involve immune response, and at least 21% of which involve infant/fetal tissues or organs.
  • the invention also encompasses CARLN variants.
  • a preferred CARLN variant is one having at least 80%, and more preferably 90%, amino acid sequence identity to the CARLN amino acid sequence (SEQ LD NO: 1) and which retain the biological, immunological or other functional characteristics of the activity of CARLN.
  • a most preferred CARLN variant is one having at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the invention also encompasses polynucleotides which encode CARLN. Accordingly, any nucleic acid sequence which encodes the amino acid sequence of CARLN can be used to produce recombinant molecules which express CARLN. In a particular embodiment, the invention encompasses the polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 as shown in Figures 1A-C.
  • nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN may be produced.
  • the invention contemplates each and every possible variation of nucleotide sequence that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices. These combinations are made in accordance with the standard triplet genetic code as applied to the nucleotide sequence of naturally occurring CARLN, and all such variations are to be considered as being specifically disclosed.
  • nucleotide sequences which encode CARLN and its variants are preferably capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequence of the naturally occurring CARLN under appropriately selected conditions of stringency, it may be advantageous to produce nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN or its derivatives possessing a substantially different codon usage.
  • Codons may be selected to increase the rate at which expression of the peptide occurs in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host in accordance with the frequency with which particular codons are utilized by the host.
  • Other reasons for substantially altering the nucleotide sequence encoding CARLN and its derivatives without altering the encoded amino acid sequences include the production of RNA transcripts having more desirable properties, such as a greater half-life, than transcripts produced from the naturally occurring sequence
  • the invention also encompasses production of DNA sequences, or fragments thereof, which encode CARLN and its derivatives, entirely by synthetic chemistry After production, the synthetic sequence may be inserted into any of the many available expression vectors and cell systems using reagents that are well known in the art Moreover, synthetic chemistry may be used to introduce mutations into a sequence encoding CARIN or any fragment thereof Also encompassed by the invention are polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the claimed nucleotide sequences, and in particular, those shown in
  • the methods may employ such enzymes as the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I Sequenase® (US Biochemical Corp, Cleveland, OH), Taq polymerase (Perkin Elmer), thermostable T7 polymerase (Amersham, Chicago, LL), or combinations of polymerases and proofreading exonucleases such as those found in the ELONGASE Amplification System marketed by Gibco BRL (Gaithersburg, MD)
  • Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I Sequenase® US Biochemical Corp, Cleveland, OH
  • Taq polymerase Perkin Elmer
  • thermostable T7 polymerase Amersham, Chicago, LL
  • combinations of polymerases and proofreading exonucleases such as those found in the ELONGASE Amplification System marketed by Gibco BRL (Gaithersburg, MD)
  • the process is automated with machines such as the Hamilton Micro Lab 2200
  • the nucleic acid sequences encoding CARLN may be extended utilizing a partial nucleotide sequence and employing various methods known in the art to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements
  • various methods known in the art to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements
  • genomic DNA is first amplified in the presence of primer to a linker sequence and a primer specific to the known region The amplified sequences are then subjected to a second round of PCR with the same linker primer and another specific primer internal to the first one Products of each round of PCR are transcribed with an appropriate RNA polymerase and sequenced using reverse transc ⁇ ptase
  • Inverse PCR may also be used to amplify or extend sequences using divergent primers based on a known region (Triglia, T. et al. (1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16:8186).
  • the primers may be designed using commercially available software such as OLIGO 4.06 Primer Analysis software (National Biosciences Inc., Madison, MN), or another appropriate program, to be 22-30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures about 68°-72° C.
  • the method uses several restriction enzymes to generate a suitable fragment in the known region of a gene. The fragment is then circularized by intramolecular ligation and used as a PCR template.
  • Another method which may be used is capture PCR which involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to a known sequence in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA (Lagerstrom, M. et al. (1991) PCR Methods Applic. 1 : 1 1 1- 1 19).
  • capture PCR involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to a known sequence in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA (Lagerstrom, M. et al. (1991) PCR Methods Applic. 1 : 1 1 1- 1 19).
  • multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations may also be used to place an engineered double-stranded sequence into an unknown fragment of the DNA molecule before performing PCR.
  • Another method which may be used to retrieve unknown sequences is that of Parker, J.D. et al. (1991; Nucleic Acids Res. 19:3055-3060). Additionally, one may use PCR, nested primers, and PromoterFinderTM libraries to walk genomic DNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, CA). This process avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions. When screening for full-length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. Also, random-primed libraries are preferable, in that they will contain more sequences which contain the 5' regions of genes. Use of a randomly primed library may be especially preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries may be useful for extension of sequence into 5' non-transcribed regulatory regions.
  • Capillary electrophoresis systems which are commercially available may be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of sequencing or PCR products.
  • capillary sequencing may employ flowable polymers for electrophoretic separation, four different fluorescent dyes (one for each nucleotide) which are laser activated, and detection of the emitted wavelengths by a charge coupled devise camera.
  • Output/light intensity may be converted to electrical signal using appropriate software (e.g. GenotyperTM and Sequence NavigatorTM, Perkin Elmer) and the entire process from loading of samples to computer analysis and electronic data display may be computer controlled.
  • Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for the sequencing of small pieces of DNA which might be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.
  • polynucleotide sequences or fragments thereof which encode CARLN may be used in recombinant DNA molecules to direct expression of CARLN, fragments or functional equivalents thereof, in appropriate host cells. Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence may be produced, and these sequences may be used to clone and express CARLN.
  • CARLN-encoding nucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons may be advantageous to produce CARLN-encoding nucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons.
  • codons preferred by a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host can be selected to increase the rate of protein expression or to produce an RNA transcript having desirable properties, such as a half-life which is longer than that of a transcript generated from the naturally occurring sequence.
  • nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be engineered using methods generally known in the art in order to alter CARLN encoding sequences for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, alterations which modify the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the gene product.
  • DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides may be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences.
  • site-directed mutagenesis may be used to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, introduce mutations, and so forth.
  • natural, modified, or recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding CARLN may be ligated to a heterologous sequence to encode a fusion protein.
  • a heterologous sequence to encode a fusion protein.
  • a fusion protein may also be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the CARLN encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that CARLN may be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.
  • sequences encoding CARLN may be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art (see Caruthers, M.H. et al. (1980) Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223, Horn, T. et al. (1980) Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 225-232).
  • the protein itself may be produced using chemical methods to synthesize the amino acid sequence of CARLN, or a fragment thereof.
  • peptide synthesis can be performed using various solid-phase techniques (Roberge, J.Y. et al.
  • the newly synthesized peptide may be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (e g . Creighton, T (1983) Proteins. Structures and Molecular Principles. WH Freeman and Co , New York, NY)
  • the composition of the synthetic peptides may be confirmed by amino acid analysis or sequencing (e g , the Edman degradation procedure, Creighton, supra)
  • the amino acid sequence of CARLN, or any part thereof may be altered du ⁇ ng direct synthesis and/or combined using chemical methods with sequences from other proteins, or any part thereof, to produce a variant polypeptide
  • nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN or functional equivalents may be inserted into appropriate expression vector, I e , a vector which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence
  • a variety of expression vector/host systems may be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding CARLN These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacte ⁇ ophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors, yeast transformed with yeast expression vectois, insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e g , baculovirus), plant cell systems transformed with virus expression vectors (e g , cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV, tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e g , Ti or pBR322 plasmids), or animal cell systems
  • the invention is not limited by the host cell employed
  • control elements are those non-translated regions of the vector— enhancers, promoters, 5' and 3' untranslated regions— which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation Such elements may vary in their strength and specificity Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, may be used For example, when cloning in bacterial systems, inducible promoters such as the hybrid lacZ promoter of the Bluesc ⁇ pt® phagemid (Stratagene, LaJolla, CA) or pSportlTM plasmid (Gibco BRL) and the like may be used.
  • the baculovirus polyhed ⁇ n promoter may be used in insect cells Promoters or enhancers derived from the genomes of plant cells (e g , heat shock, RUBISCO, and storage protein genes) or from plant viruses (e g , viral promoters or leader sequences) may be cloned
  • a number of expression vectors may be selected depending upon the use intended for CARLN
  • vectors which direct high level expression of fusion proteins that are readily purified may be used
  • Such vectors include, but are not limited to, the multifunctional E coh cloning and expression vectors such as Bluesc ⁇ pt® (Stratagene), in which the sequence encoding CARIN may be ligated into the vector in frame with sequences for the amino-terminal Met and the subsequent 7 residues of ⁇ -galactosidase so that a hybrid protein is produced, pLN vectors (Van Heeke, G and S M Schuster (1989) J Biol Chem 264 5503-5509), and the like pGEX vectors (Promega, Madison, WI) may also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST) In general such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae a number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH may be used
  • constitutive or inducible promoters such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH
  • CARLN may be driven by any of a number of promoters
  • viral promoters such as the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV may be used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu, N (1987) EMBO J 6 307-31 1)
  • plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO or heat shock promoters may be used (Coruzzi, G et al (1984) EMBO J 3 1671-1680, Broghe, R et al (1984) Science 224 838-843, and Winter, J et al (1991) Results Probl Cell Differ 17 85-105)
  • These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or pathogen-mediated transfection Such techniques are described in a number of generally available reviews (see, for example, Hobbs, S. or Murry, L.E. in McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology (1992) McGraw Hill, New York, NY; pp. 191-196.
  • An insect system may also be used to express CARLN.
  • CARLN Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes in Spodoptera frugiperda cells or in Trichoplusia larvae.
  • the sequences encoding CARLN may be cloned into a non-essential region of the virus, such as the polyhedrin gene, and placed under control of the polyhedrin promoter. Successful insertion of CARLN will render the polyhedrin gene inactive and produce recombinant virus lacking coat protein.
  • the recombinant viruses may then be used to infect, for example, S. frugiperda cells or Trichoplusia larvae in which CARIN may be expressed (Engelhard, E.K. et al. (1994) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 91:3224-3227).
  • Ln mammalian host cells a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized.
  • sequences encoding CARLN may be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex consisting of the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a non-essential El or E3 region of the viral genome may be used to obtain a viable virus which is capable of expressing CARLN in infected host cells (Logan, J. and Shenk, T. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81 :3655-3659).
  • transcription enhancers such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer
  • RSV Rous sarcoma virus
  • HACs Human artificial chromosomes
  • 6 to 10M are constructed and delivered via conventional delivery methods (liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles) for therapeutic purposes.
  • Specific initiation signals may also be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding CARLN. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where sequences encoding CARLN, its initiation codon, and upstream sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals including the ATG initiation codon should be provided. Furthermore, the initiation codon should be in the correct reading frame to ensure translation of the entire insert. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons may be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers which are appropriate for the particular cell system which is used, such as those described in the literature (Scharf, D et al (1994) Results Probl Cell Differ 20 125-162)
  • a host cell strain may be chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed protein in the desired fashion
  • modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, pidation, and acylation
  • Post-translational processing which cleaves a "prepro" form of the protein may also be used to facilitate correct insertion, folding and/or function
  • Different host cells which have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e g , CHO, HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and WI38), are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Bethesda, MD) and may be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein
  • cell lines which stably express CARIN may be transformed using expression vectors which may contain viral origins of replication and/or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene on the same or on a separate vector Following the introduction of the vector, cells may be allowed to grow foi 1-2 days in an enriched media before they are switched to selective media
  • the purpose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to selection, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells which successfully express the introduced sequences
  • Resistant clones of stably transformed cells may be proliferated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type
  • any number of selection systems may be used to recover transformed cell lines
  • These include, but are not limited to, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler, M et al (1977) Cell 11 223-32) and adenine phospho ⁇ bosyltransferase (Lowy, I et al (1980) Cell 22 817-23) genes which can be employed in tk or aprt cells, respectively
  • antimetabo te, antibiotic or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection, for example, dhfr which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler, M et al (1980) Proc Natl Acad Sci 77 3567-70), npt, which confers resistance to the aminoglycosides neomycm and G-418 (Colbere-Garapin, F et al (1981) J Mol Biol 150 1-14) and als or pat, which confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and pho
  • marker gene expression suggests that the gene of interest is also present, its presence and expression may need to be confirmed
  • sequence encoding CARLN is inserted within a marker gene sequence
  • transformed cells containing sequences encoding CARLN can be identified by the absence of marker gene function
  • a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding CARLN under the control of a single promoter Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the tandem gene as well
  • host cells which contain the nucleic acid sequence encoding CARLN and express CARLN may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane, solution, or chip based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid or protein
  • polynucleotide sequences encoding CARLN can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization or amplification using probes or fragments or fragments of polynucleotides encoding CARLN Nucleic acid amplification based assays involve the use of oligonucleotides or oligomers based on the sequences encoding CARLN to detect transformants containing DNA or RNA encoding CARLN
  • Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding CARLN include oligolabelmg, nick translation, end-labeling or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide Alternatively, the sequences encoding CARLN, or any fragments thereof may be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6 and labeled nucleotides These procedures may be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits (Pharmacia & Upjohn, (Kalamazoo, MI), Promega (Madison WI), and U S Biochemical Corp , Cleveland, OH)
  • Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN may be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture
  • the protein produced by a transformed cell may be secreted or contained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used
  • expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode CARIN may be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of CARLN through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane
  • Other constructions may be used to join sequences encoding CARLN to nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide domain which will facilitate purification oi soluble proteins
  • Such purification facilitating domains include, but are not limited to metal chelating peptides such as histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals, protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin and the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp Seattle, WA)
  • CARLN Chemical and structural homology exists among CARLN, a mouse latexin (GI 1669621), and a rat tissue carboxypeptidase inhibitor, TCI (GI 1101780).
  • CARLN or a fragment or derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to prevent or treat a disorder associated with an increase in apoptosis.
  • Such disorders include, but are not limited to, AIDS and other infectious or genetic immunodeficiencies, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, and cerebellar degeneration, myelodysplastic syndromes such as aplastic anemia, ischemic injuries such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and reperfusion injury, toxin-induced diseases such as alcohol-induced liver damage, cirrhosis, and lathyrism, wasting diseases such as cachexia, viral infections such as those caused by hepatitis B and C, and osteoporosis.
  • neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, and cerebellar degeneration
  • myelodysplastic syndromes such as aplastic anemia
  • ischemic injuries such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and reperfusion injury
  • an agonist which is specific for CARLN may be used to prevent or treat a disorder associated with increased apoptosis including, but not limited to, those listed above
  • a vector capable of expressing CARLN, or a fragment or a derivative thereof may be used to prevent or treat a disorder associated with increased apoptosis including, but not limited to, those listed above.
  • CARIN or a fragment or derivative thereof may be added to cells to stimulate cell proliferation.
  • CARIN may be added to a cell or cells in vivo using delivery mechanisms such as liposomes, viral based vectors, or electroinjection for the pu ⁇ ose of promoting regeneration or cell differentiation of the cell or cells.
  • CARIN may be added to a cell, cell line, tissue or organ culture in vitro or ex vivo to stimulate cell proliferation for use in heterologous or autologous transplantation.
  • the cell will have been selected for its ability to fight an infection or a cancer or to correct a genetic defect in a disease such as sickle cell anemia, ⁇ thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, or Huntington's chorea.
  • an agonist which is specific for CARLN may be administered to a cell to stimulate cell proliferation, as described above.
  • a vector capable of expressing CARLN, or a fragment or a derivative thereof may be administered to a cell or cells in vivo using delivery mechanisms, or to a cell to stimulate cell proliferation, as described above.
  • an antagonist of CARLN may be administered to a subject to prevent or treat a disorder associated with cell proliferation.
  • disorders include various types of cancer including, but not limited to, adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, and teratocarcinoma, and particularly, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus.
  • an antibody specific for CARLN may be used directly as an antagonist, or indirectly as a targeting or delivery mechanism for bringing a pharmaceutical agent to cells or tissue which express CARLN.
  • a vector expressing the complementary sequence or antisense of the polynucleotide encoding CARLN, or a fragment or a derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to prevent or treat a disorder associated with cell proliferation including, but not limited to, the types of cancer listed above.
  • an antagonist of CARLN or a fragment or a derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to prevent or treat inflammation of any type and, in particular, that which results from a particular disorder.
  • disorders associated with inflammation include, but are not limited to,Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, bronchitis, cholecystitus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, gout, Graves' disease, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation,osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, rhe
  • a vector expressing the complementary sequence or antisense of the polynucleotide encoding CARLN, or a fragment or a derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to prevent or treat inflammation of any type including, but not limited to, those listed above.
  • any of the therapeutic proteins, antagonists, antibodies, agonists, complementary sequences or vectors of the invention may be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles.
  • the combination of therapeutic agents may act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.
  • Antagonists or inhibitors of CARLN may be produced using methods which are generally known in the art.
  • purified CARLN may be used to produce antibodies or to screen libraries of pharmaceutical agents to identify those which specifically bind CARLN.
  • Antibodies to CARLN may be generated using methods that are well known in the art. Such antibodies may include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, single chain, Fab fragments, and fragments produced by a Fab expression library. Neutralizing antibodies, (i.e., those which inhibit dimer formation) are especially preferred for therapeutic use.
  • various hosts including goats, rabbits, rats, mice, humans, and others, may be immunized by injection with CARLN or any fragment or ohgopeptide thereof which has immunogenic properties.
  • various adjuvants may be used to increase immunological response.
  • adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, and surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and dinitrophenol.
  • BCG Bacilli Calmette-Guerin
  • Corynebacterium parvum are especially preferable.
  • the oligopeptides, peptides, or fragments used to induce antibodies to CARLN have an amino acid sequence consisting of at least five amino acids and more preferably at least 10 amino acids. It is also preferable that they are identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence of the natural protein, and they may contain the entire amino acid sequence of a small, naturally occurring molecule. Short stretches of CARLN amino acids may be fused with those of another protein such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin and antibody produced against the chimeric molecule
  • Monoclonal antibodies to CARLN may be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture These include, but are not limited to, the hyb ⁇ doma technique, the human B-cell hyb ⁇ doma technique, and the
  • Antibodies may also be produced by inducing m vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature (Orlandi, R et al (1989) Proc Natl Acad Sci 86 3833-3837, Winter, G et al (1991) Nature 349 293 299)
  • Antibody fragments which contain specific binding sites for CARLN may also be generated
  • fragments include, but are not limited to, the F(ab')2 fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab')2 fragments
  • Fab expression libraries may be constructed to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity (Huse, W D et al (1989) Science 254 1275-1281)
  • immunoassays may be used for screening to identify antibodies having the desired specificity
  • Numerous protocols for competitive binding or lmmunoradiomet ⁇ c assays using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with established specificities are well known in the art Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between CARLN and its specific antibody
  • a two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering CARLN epitopes is preferred, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed (Maddox, supra)
  • the polynucleotides encoding CARLN may be used for therapeutic pu ⁇ oses
  • the complement of the polynucleotide encoding CARLN may be used in situations in which it would be desirable to block the transcription of the mRNA
  • cells may be transformed with sequences complementary to polynucleotides encoding CARLN
  • complementary molecules or fragments may be used to modulate CARLN activity, or to achieve regulation of gene function
  • sense or antisense oligonucleotides or larger fragments can be designed from various locations along the coding or control regions of sequences encoding CARLN
  • Expression vectors derived from retro viruses, adenovirus, he ⁇ es or vaccinia viruses, or from various bacterial plasmids may be used for delivery of nucleotide sequences to the targeted organ, tissue or cell population Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct vectors which will express nucleic acid sequence which is complementary to the polynucleotides of the gene encoding CARLN These techniques are described both in Sambrook et al (supra) and in Ausubel et al (supra)
  • Genes encoding CARIN can be turned off by transforming a cell or tissue with expression vectors which express high levels of a polynucleotide or fragment thereof which encodes CARLN Such constructs may be used to introduce untranslatable sense or antisense sequences into a cell Even in the absence of integration into the DNA, such vectors may continue to transcribe RNA molecules until they are disabled by endogenous nucleases Transient expression may last for a month or more with a non-replicating vector and even longer if appropriate replication elements are part of the vector system
  • modifications of gene expression can be obtained by designing complementary sequences or antisense molecules (DNA, RNA, or PNA) to the control, 5' or regulatory regions of the gene encoding CARLN (signal sequence, promoters, enhancers, and introns) Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e g , between positions -10 and +10 from the start site, are preferred Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using "triple helix" base-pairing methodology Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or regulatory molecules Recent therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature (Gee, J E et al (1994) In Huber, B E and B I Carr, Molecular and Immunologic Approaches. Futura Publishing Co , Mt Kisco NY)
  • the complementary sequence or antisense molecule may also be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ⁇ bosomes
  • Ribozymes enzymatic RNA molecules, may also be used to catalyze the specific cleavage of RNA
  • the mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage
  • Examples which may be used include engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules that can specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of sequences encoding CARLN
  • RNA molecules may be generated by in vitro and m vivo transcription of DNA sequences encoding CARLN Such
  • RNA molecules may be modified to increase intracellular stability and half-life Possible modifications include, but are not limited to, the addition of flanking sequences at the 5' and/or 3' ends of the molecule or the use of phosphorothioate or O-methyl rather than phosphodiesterase linkages within the backbone of the molecule
  • This concept is inherent in the production of PNAs and can be extended in all of these molecules by the inclusion of nontraditional bases such as inosine, queosine, and wybutosine, as well as acetyl-, methyl-, thio-, and similarly modified forms of adenine, cytidine, guanine, thymine, and undine which are not as easily recognized by endogenous endonucleases
  • vectors may be introduced into stem cells taken from the patient and clonally propagated for autologous transplant back into that same patient Delivery by transfection, by hposome injections or polycatiomc amino polymers (Goldman, C K et al (1997) Nature Biotechnology 15 462-66, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference) may be achieved using methods which are well known in the art
  • any of the therapeutic methods described above may be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, monkeys, and most preferably, humans
  • compositions may consist of CARLN, antibodies to CARLN, mimetics, agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of CARLN
  • compositions may be administered alone or in combination with at least one other agent, such as stabilizing compound, which may be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water
  • agent such as stabilizing compound
  • the compositions may be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other agents, drugs or hormones
  • compositions utilized in this invention may be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, mtra-arte ⁇ al, intramedullary, intrathecal, mtravent ⁇ culai, transdermal, subcutaneous, mtiape ⁇ toneal, intranasal, enteral, topical, subhngual, or rectal means
  • these pharmaceutical compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically Further details on techniques for formulation and administration may be found in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing Co , Easton, PA)
  • compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient
  • compositions for oral use can be obtained through combination of active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores
  • suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, manmtol, or sorbitol, starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants, cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose, gums including arabic and tragacanth, and proteins such as gelatin and collagen
  • disintegrating or solubihzing agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrohdone, agar, alginic acid, or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate
  • Dragee cores may be used in conjunction with suitable coatings, such as concentrated sugar solutions, which may also contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrohdone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity of active compound, l e , dosage
  • suitable coatings such as concentrated sugar solutions, which may also contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrohdone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures
  • Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity of active compound, l e , dosage
  • Push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a coating, such as glycerol or sorbitol
  • Push-fit capsules can contain active ingredients mixed with a filler or binders, such as lactose or starches, lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers
  • the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers
  • compositions suitable for pendederal administration may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffeis such as Hanks 's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiologically buffered saline
  • Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran
  • suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions
  • Suitable hpophihc solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or t ⁇ glyce ⁇ des, or liposomes
  • Non- pid polycatiomc ammo polymers may also be used for delivery.
  • the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions
  • penetrants appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation
  • penetrants are generally known in the art
  • the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e g , by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophi zing processes
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms.
  • the preferred preparation may be a lyophilized powder which may contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% mannitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, that is combined with buffer prior to use.
  • compositions After pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition.
  • labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.
  • compositions suitable for use in the invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve the intended pu ⁇ ose.
  • the determination of an effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art.
  • the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays, e.g., of neoplastic cells, or in animal models, usually mice, rabbits, dogs, or pigs.
  • the animal model may also be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.
  • a therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, for example CARLN or fragments thereof, antibodies of CARLN, agonists, antagonists or inhibitors of CARLN, which ameliorates the symptoms or condition.
  • Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity may be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) and LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population).
  • the dose ratio between therapeutic and toxic effects is the therapeutic index, and it can be expressed as the ratio, LD50/ED50.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies is used in formulating a range of dosage for human use.
  • the dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity.
  • the dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration. The exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject that requires treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active moiety or to maintain the desired effect.
  • Factors which may be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, general health of the subject, age, weight, and gender of the subject, diet, time and frequency of administration, drug comb ⁇ nat ⁇ on(s), reaction sensitivities, and tolerance/response to therapy
  • Long-acting pharmaceutical compositions may be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or once every two weeks depending on half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation
  • Normal dosage amounts may vary from 0 1 to 100,000 micrograms, up to a total dose of about 1 g, depending upon the route of administration
  • Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and generally available to practitioners in the art Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors Similarly, delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, etc
  • antibodies which specifically bind CARLN may be used for the diagnosis of conditions or diseases characterized by expression of CARLN, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with CARLN, agonists, antagonists or inhibitors
  • the antibodies useful for diagnostic pu ⁇ oses may be prepared in the same manner as those described above for therapeutics Diagnostic assays for CARLN include methods which utilize the antibody and a label to detect CARLN in human body fluids or extracts of cells or tissues
  • the antibodies may be used with or without modification, and may be labeled by joining them, either covalently or non covalently, with a reporter molecule
  • a wide variety of reporter molecules which are known in the art may be used, several of which are described above
  • a variety of protocols including ELISA, RIA, and FACS for measuring CARLN are known in the art and provide a basis for diagnosing altered or abnormal levels of CARIN expression
  • Normal or standard values for CARIN expression are established by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal mammalian subjects, preferably human, with antibody to CARLN under conditions suitable for complex formation
  • the amount of standard complex formation may be quantified by various methods, but preferably by photometric, means Quantities of CARLN expressed in subject, control and disease, samples from biopsied tissues are compared with the standard values Deviation between standard and subject values establishes the parameters for diagnosing disease
  • the polynucleotides encoding CARLN may be used for diagnostic pu ⁇ oses
  • the polynucleotides which may be used include oligonucleotide sequences, complementary RNA and DNA molecules, and PNAs
  • the polynucleotides may be used to detect and quantitate gene expression in biopsied tissues in which expression of CARLN may be correlated with disease
  • the diagnostic assay may be used to distinguish between absence, presence, and excess expression of CARLN, and to monitor regulation of CARLN levels during therapeutic intervention
  • hybridization with PCR probes which are capable of detecting polynucleotide sequences, including genomic sequences, encoding CARIN or closely related molecules, may be used to identify nucleic acid sequences which encode CARLN
  • the specificity of the probe whether it is made from a highly specific region, e g , 10 unique nucleotides in the 5' regulatory region, or a less specific region, e g , especially in the 3' coding region, and the stringency of the hybridization or amplification (maximal, high, intermediate, or low) will determine whether the probe identifies only naturally occurring sequences encoding CARLN, alleles, or related sequences
  • Probes may also be used for the detection of related sequences, and should preferably contain at least 50% of the nucleotides from any of the CARLN encoding sequences
  • the hybridization probes of the subject invention may be DNA or RNA and derived from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 2 or from genomic sequence including promoter, enhancer elements, and mtrons of the naturally occurring CARIN
  • Means for producing specific hybridization probes for DNAs encoding CARLN include the cloning of nucleic acid sequences encoding CARLN or CARLN derivatives into vectors for the production of mRNA probes Such vectors are known in the art, commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by means of the addition of the appropriate RNA polymerases and the appropriate labeled nucleotides
  • Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety of reporter groups, for example, radionuchdes such as 32P or 35S, or enzymatic labels, such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidm/biotm coupling systems, and the like
  • Polynucleotide sequences encoding CARLN may be used for the diagnosis of conditions, disorders, or diseases which are associated with expression of CARIN Examples of such disorders include various types of cancer such as adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, my
  • the nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN may be useful in assays that detect activation or induction of various cancers, particularly those mentioned above
  • the nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN may be labeled by standard methods, and added to a fluid or tissue sample from a patient under conditions suitable for the formation of hybridization complexes After a suitable incubation period, the sample is washed and the signal is quantitated and compared with a standard value If the amount ot signal in the biopsied or extracted sample is significantly altered from that of a comparable control sample, the nucleotide sequences have hybridized with nucleotide sequences in the sample, and the presence of altered levels of nucleotide sequences encoding CARLN in the sample indicates the presence of the associated disease.
  • Such assays may also be used to evaluate the efficacy of a particular therapeutic treatment regimen in animal studies, in clinical trials, or in monitoring the treatment of an individual patient In order to provide a basis for the diagnosis of disease associated with
  • CARLN a normal or standard profile for expression is established This may be accomplished by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal subjects, either animal or human, with a sequence, or a fragment thereof, which encodes CARIN, under conditions suitable for hybridization or amplification Standard hybridization may be quantified by comparing the values obtained from normal subjects with those from an experiment where a known amount of a substantially purified polynucleotide is used Standard values obtained from normal samples may be compared with values obtained from samples from patients who are symptomatic for disease Deviation between standard and subject values is used to establish the presence of disease
  • hybridization assays may be repeated on a regular basis to evaluate whether the level of expression in the patient begins to approximate that which is observed in the normal patient The results obtained from successive assays may be used to show the efficacy of treatment over a period ranging from several days to months
  • the presence of a relatively high amount of transcript in biopsied tissue from an individual may indicate a predisposition for the development of the disease, or may provide a means for detecting the disease prior to the appearance of actual clinical symptoms
  • a more definitive diagnosis of this type may allow health professionals to employ preventative measures or aggressive treatment earlier thereby preventing the development or further progression of the cancer
  • oligonucleotides designed from the sequences encoding CARLN may involve the use of PCR Such oligomers may be chemically synthesized, generated enzymatically, or pioduced m vitro Oligomers will pieterably consist of two nucleotide sequences, one with sense orientation (5'->3') and another with antisense (3' ⁇ -5'), employed under optimized conditions for identification of a specific gene or condition
  • the same two oligomers, nested sets of oligomers, or even a degenerate pool of oligomers may be employed under less stringent conditions foi detection and/or quantitation of closely related DNA or RNA sequences
  • Methods which may also be used to quantitate the expression of CARLN include radiolabehng or biotinylating nucleotides, coamp fication of a control nucleic acid, and standard curves onto which the experimental results are inte ⁇ olated (Melby P C et al (1993) J Immunol Methods
  • oligonucleotides derived from any of the polynucleotide sequences described herein may be used as probes in microarrays
  • the microarrays can be used to monitor the expression level of large numbers of genes simultaneously (to produce a transcript image), and to identify genetic variants, mutations and polymo ⁇ hisms This information will be useful in determining gene function, understanding the genetic basis of disease, diagnosing disease, and in developing and monitoring the activity of therapeutic agents
  • the microarray is prepared and used according to the methods described in PCT application WO95/1 1995 (Chee et al ), Lockhart, D J et al (1996, Nat Biotech 14 1675-1680) and Schena, M et l (1996, Proc Natl Acad Sci 93 10614-10619), all of which are inco ⁇ orated herein in their entirety by reference
  • the microarray is preferably composed of a large number of unique, smgle-stranded nucleic acid sequences, usually either synthetic antisense oligonucleotides or fragments of cDNAs fixed to a solid support
  • Microarrays may contain oligonucleotides which cover the known 5', or 3', sequence, or contain sequential oligonucleotides which cover the full length sequence, or unique oligonucleotides selected from particular areas along the length of the sequence
  • Polynucleotides used in the microarray may be oligonucleotides that are specific to a gene or genes of interest in which at least a fragment of the sequence is known or that are specific to one or more unidentified cDNAs which are common to a particular cell type, developmental or disease state
  • the gene of interest is examined using a computer algorithm which starts at the 5 ' or more pieferably at the 3' end of the nucleotide sequence
  • the algorithm identifies oligomers of defined length that are unique to the gene, have a GC content within a range suitable for hybridization, and lack predicted secondary structure that may interfere with hybridization
  • the oligomers are synthesized at designated areas on a substrate using a light-directed chemical process
  • the substrate may be paper, nylon or other type of membrane, filter, chip, glass slide or any other suitable solid support
  • the oligomers may be synthesized on the surface of the substrate by using a chemical coupling procedure and an ink jet application apparatus, as described in PCT application WO95/251116 (Baldeschweiler et al ) which is inco ⁇ orated herein in its entirety by reference
  • a "g ⁇ dded" array analogous to a dot (or slot) blot may be used to arrange and link cDNA fragments or oligonucleotides to the surface of a substrate using a vacuum system, thermal, UV, mechanical or chemical bonding procedures
  • An array may be produced by hand or using available devises (slot blot or dot blot apparatus) materials and machines (including lobotic instruments) and contain grids of 8 dots, 24 dots, 96 dots, 384 dots, 1536 dots or 6144 dots, or any other multiple which lends itself to the efficient use of commercially available instrumentation.
  • RNA or DNA from a biological sample is made into hybridization probes.
  • the mRNA is isolated, and cDNA is produced and used as a template to make antisense RNA (aRNA).
  • aRNA is amplified in the presence of fluorescent nucleotides, and labeled probes are incubated with the microarray so that the probe sequences hybridize to complementary oligonucleotides of the microarray. Incubation conditions are adjusted so that hybridization occurs with precise complementary matches or with various degrees of less complementarity. After removal of nonhybridized probes, a scanner is used to determine the levels and patterns of fluorescence.
  • the scanned images are examined to determine degree of complementarity and the relative abundance of each oligonucleotide sequence on the microarray.
  • the biological samples may be obtained from any bodily fluids (such as blood, urine, saliva, phlegm, gastric juices, etc.), cultured cells, biopsies, or other tissue preparations.
  • a detection system may be used to measure the absence, presence, and amount of hybridization for all of the distinct sequences simultaneously. This data may be used for large scale correlation studies on the sequences, mutations, variants, or polymo ⁇ hisms among samples.
  • the nucleic acid sequences which encode CARLN may also be used to generate hybridization probes which are useful for mapping the naturally occurring genomic sequence.
  • the sequences may be mapped to a particular chromosome, to a specific region of a chromosome or to artificial chromosome constructions, such as human artificial chromosomes (HACs), yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), bacterial PI constructions or single chromosome cDNA libraries as reviewed in Price, CM. (1993) Blood Rev. 7:127-134, and Trask, B.J. (1991) Trends Genet. 7: 149-154.
  • HACs human artificial chromosomes
  • YACs yeast artificial chromosomes
  • BACs bacterial artificial chromosomes
  • PI constructions or single chromosome cDNA libraries as reviewed in Price, CM. (1993) Blood Rev. 7:127-134, and Trask, B.J.
  • Fluorescent in situ hybridization FISH as described in Verma et al. (1988) Human Chromosomes: A Manual of Basic Techniques. Pergamon Press, New York, NY
  • FISH Fluorescent in situ hybridization
  • Examples of genetic map data can be found in various scientific journals or at Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMLM).
  • OMLM Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
  • Correlation between the location of the gene encoding CARLN on a physical chromosomal map and a specific disease , or predisposition to a specific disease may help delimit the region of DNA associated with that genetic disease.
  • the nucleotide sequences of the subject invention may be used to detect differences in gene sequences between normal, carrier, or affected individuals.
  • In situ hybridization of chromosomal preparations and physical mapping techniques such as linkage analysis using established chromosomal markers may be used for extending genetic maps. Often the placement of a gene on the chromosome of another mammalian species, such as mouse, may reveal associated markers even if the number or arm of a particular human chromosome is not known. New sequences can be assigned to chromosomal arms, or parts thereof, by physical mapping. This provides valuable information to investigators searching for disease genes using positional cloning or other gene discovery techniques. Once the disease or syndrome has been crudely localized by genetic linkage to a particular genomic region, for example, AT to 1 lq22-23 (Gatti, R.A. et al.
  • any sequences mapping to that area may represent associated or regulatory genes for further investigation.
  • the nucleotide sequence of the subject invention may also be used to detect differences in the chromosomal location due to translocation, inversion, etc. among normal, carrier, or affected individuals.
  • CARLN its catalytic or immunogenic fragments or oligopeptides thereof
  • the fragment employed in such screening may be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface, or located intracellularly. The formation of binding complexes, between CARLN and the agent being tested, may be measured.
  • Another technique for drug screening which may be used provides for high throughput screening of compounds having suitable binding affinity to the protein of interest as described in published PCT application WO84/03564.
  • This method as applied to CARLN large numbers of different small test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate, such as plastic pins or some other surface. The test compounds are reacted with CARLN, or fragments thereof, and washed. Bound CARLN is then detected by methods well known in the art. Purified CARLN can also be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques.
  • non-neutralizing antibodies can be used to capture the peptide and immobilize it on a solid support.
  • nucleotide sequences which encode CARLN may be used in any molecular biology techniques that have yet to be developed, provided the new techniques rely on properties of nucleotide sequences that are currently known, including, but not limited to, such properties as the triplet genetic code and specific base pair interactions.
  • the PROSTUT09 cDNA library was constructed from prostate tumor obtained from a 66- year-old Causcasian male. Surgery included a radical prostatectomy, a radical cystectomy, and a urinary diversion to the intestine.
  • the pathology report indicated an invasive grade 3 (of 3) transitional cell carcinoma located within the prostatic urethra, and extended to involve periprostatic glands and diffusely invade the prostatic parenchyma anteriorly and posteriorly. All final surgical margins including ureters (left and right, after multiple re-excisions) and prostatic urethra were negative for tumor.
  • the right prostate contained a microscopic focus of adenocarcinom, Gleason grade 3+2, which was confined to the prostate and showed no capsular penetration. Multiple right and left pelvic lymph nodes were negative for tumor. The patient was diagnosed with a malignant neosplasm of the prostate.
  • the frozen tissue was homogenized and lysed using a Brinkmann Homogenizer Polytron PT-3000 (Brinkmann Instruments, Westbury, NJ) in guanidinium isothiocyanate solution.
  • the lysate was centrifuged over a 5.7 M CsCl cushion using an Beckman SW28 rotor in a Beckman L8-70M Ultracentrifuge (Beckman Instruments) for 18 hours at 25,000 ⁇ m at ambient temperature.
  • the RNA was extracted with acid phenol pH 4.7, precipitated using 0.3 M sodium acetate and 2.5 volumes of ethanol, resuspended in RNAse-free water, and DNase treated at 37 °C. RNA extraction and precipitation were repeated as before.
  • the mRNA was then isolated using the Qiagen Oligotex kit (QLAGEN, Chatsworth, CA) and used to construct the cDNA library.
  • mRNA was handled according to the recommended protocols in the Superscript Plasmid System for cDNA Synthesis and Plasmid Cloning (Cat. #18248-013, Gibco/BRL).
  • cDNAs were fractionated on a Sepharose CL4B column (Cat. #275105-01, Pharmacia), and those cDNAs exceeding 400 bp were ligated into pLNCY I.
  • the plasmid pLNCY I was subsequently transformed into DH5aTM competent cells (Cat. #18258-012, Gibco/BRL). II Isolation and Sequencing of cDNA Clones
  • Plasmid DNA was released from the cells and purified using the REAL Prep 96 Plasmid Kit (Catalog #26173, QIAGEN). This kit enabled the simultaneous purification of 96 samples in a 96-well block using multi-channel reagent dispensers.
  • the recommended protocol was employed except for the following changes: 1) the bacteria were cultured in 1 ml of sterile Terrific Broth (Catalog #22711, GLBCO/BRL) with carbenicillin at 25 mg/L and glycerol at 0.4%; 2) after inoculation, the cultures were incubated for 19 hours and at the end of incubation, the cells were lysed with 0.3 ml of lysis buffer; and 3) following isopropanol precipitation, the plasmid DNA pellet was resuspended in 0.1 ml of distilled water. After the last step in the protocol, samples were transferred to a 96-well block for storage at 4° C.
  • the cDNAs were sequenced by the method of Sanger et al. (1975, J. Mol. Biol. 94:441f), using a Hamilton Micro Lab 2200 (Hamilton, Reno, NV) in combination with Peltier Thermal Cyclers PTC200 (MJ Research, Watertown, MA) and Applied Biosystems 377 DNA Sequencing Systems; and the reading frame was determined.
  • nucleotide sequences of the Sequence Listing as well as the amino acid sequences deduced from them were used as query sequences against databases such as GenBank, SwissProt, BLOCKS, and Pima II. These databases, which contain previously identified and annotated sequences, were searched for regions of homology (similarity) using BLAST, which stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (Altschul, S. F (1993) J. Mol. Evol. 36: 290-300; Altschul, S. F. et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215: 403-410).
  • BLAST produced alignments of both nucleotide and amino acid sequences to determine sequence similarity. Because of the local nature of the alignments, BLAST was especially useful in determining exact matches or in identifying homologs which may be of prokaryotic (bacterial) or eukaryotic (animal, fungal, or plant) origin. Other algorithms such as the one described in Smith, T. et al. (1992, Protein Engineering 5:35-51), inco ⁇ orated herein by reference, could have been used when dealing with primary sequence patterns and secondary structure gap penalties. The sequences disclosed in this application have lengths of at least 49 nucleotides, and no more than 12% uncalled bases (where N is recorded rather than A, C, G, or T).
  • BLAST The BLAST approach, as detailed in Karlin, S. and Altschul, S. F. (1993 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90: 5873-5877) and inco ⁇ orated herein by reference, searched for matches between a query sequence and a database sequence. BLAST evaluated the statistical significance of any matches found, and reported only those matches that satisfy the user-selected threshold of significance. In this application, threshold was set at 10 "25 for nucleotides and 10 "14 for peptides.
  • Incyte nucleotide sequences were searched against the GenBank databases for primate (pri), rodent (rod), and other mammalian sequences (mam); and deduced amino acid sequences from the same clones were then searched against GenBank functional protein databases, mammalian (mamp), vertebrate (vrtp), and eukaryote (eukp) for homology.
  • GenBank functional protein databases mammalian (mamp), vertebrate (vrtp), and eukaryote (eukp) for homology.
  • Northern analysis is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of a transcript of a gene and involves the hybridization of a labeled nucleotide sequence to a membrane on which RNAs from a particular cell type or tissue have been bound (Sambrook et al., supra).
  • BLAST Altschul, S.F. 1993 and 1990, supra
  • BLAST Altschul, S.F. 1993 and 1990, supra
  • This analysis is much faster than multiple, membrane-based hybridizations.
  • the sensitivity of the computer search can be modified to determine whether any particular match is categorized as exact or homologous.
  • the basis of the search is the product score which is defined as: % sequence identity x % maximum BLAST score
  • the product score takes into account both the degree of similarity between two sequences and the length of the sequence match. For example, with a product score of 40, the match will be exact within a 1-2% error; and at 70, the match will be exact. Homologous molecules are usually identified by selecting those which show product scores between 15 and 40, although lower scores may identify related molecules.
  • the nucleic acid sequence of the Incyte Clone 1649584 was used to design oligonucleotide primers for extending a partial nucleotide sequence to full length
  • One primer was synthesized to initiate extension in the antisense direction, and the other was synthesized to extend sequence in the sense direction
  • Primers were used to facilitate the extension of the known sequence "outward" generating amplicons containing new, unknown nucleotide sequence for the region of interest
  • the initial primers were designed from the cDNA using OLIGO 4 06 (National Biosciences), or another appropriate program, to be about 22 to about 30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures of about 68° to about 72° C Any stretch of nucleotides which would result in hai ⁇ in structures and p ⁇ mer-p ⁇ mer dime ⁇ zations was avoided
  • High fidelity amplification was obtained by following the instructions for the XL-PCR kit (Perkin Elmer) and thoroughly mixing the enzyme and reaction mix Beginning with 40 pmol of each primer and the recommended concentrations of all other components of the kit, PCR was performed using the Peltier Thermal Cycler (PTC200 M J Research, Watertown, MA) and the following parameters
  • Step 1 94° C for 1 min (initial denaturation)
  • Step 2 65 ° C for 1 mm
  • Step 3 68 ° C for 6 mm
  • Step 4 94° C for 15 sec
  • Step 5 65 ° C for 1 min
  • Step 6 68° C for 7 mm
  • Step 7 Repeat step 4-6 for 15 additional cycles
  • Step 8 94° C for 15 sec
  • Step 9 65 ° C for 1 mm
  • Step 1 Repeat step 8-10 for 12 cycles Step 12 72° C for 8 mm
  • reaction mixture A 5-10 ⁇ l aliquot of the reaction mixture was analyzed by electrophoresis on a low concentration (about 0 6-0 8%) agarose mini-gel to determine which reactions were successful m extending the sequence Bands thought to contain the largest products were excised from the gel, purified using QLAQuickTM (QIAGEN Lnc , Chatsworth, CA), and trimmed of overhangs using Klenow enzyme to facilitate rehgation and cloning
  • Step 2 94° C for 20 sec
  • Step 5 Repeat steps 2-4 for an additional 29 cycles Step 6 72° C for 180 sec
  • nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 2 is used to obtain 5' regulatory sequences using the procedure above, oligonucleotides designed for 5' extension, and an appropriate genomic library
  • Hybridization probes derived from SEQ ID NO 2 are employed to screen cDNAs, genomic DNAs, or mRNAs
  • Oligonucleotides consisting of about 20 base-pairs, is specifically described, essentially the same procedure is used with larger nucleotide fragments
  • Oligonucleotides are designed using state-of-the-art software such as OLIGO 4 06 (National Biosciences), labeled by combining 50 pmol of each oligomer and 250 ⁇ Ci of [ ⁇ - 12 P] adenosine t ⁇ phosphate (Amersham) and T4 polynucleotide kinase (DuPont NEN°, Boston, MA)
  • the labeled oligonucleotides are substantially purified with Sephadex G-25 superfine resin column (Pharmacia & Upjohn).
  • a aliquot containing 10 7 counts per minute of the labeled probe is used in a typical membrane-based hybridization analysis of human genomic DNA digested with one of the following endonucleases (Ase I, Bgl II, Eco RI, Pst I, Xba 1 , or Pvu LI; DuPont NEN ® ).
  • the DNA from each digest is fractionated on a 0.7 percent agarose gel and transferred to nylon membranes (Nytran Plus, Schleicher & Schuell, Durham, NH). Hybridization is carried out for 16 hours at 40°C. To remove nonspecific signals, blots are sequentially washed at room temperature under increasingly stringent conditions up to 0.1 x saline sodium citrate and 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate. After XOMAT ARTM film (Kodak, Rochester, NY) is exposed to the blots in a Phosphoimager cassette (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, CA) for several hours, hybridization patterns are compared visually.
  • oligonucleotides for a microarray the nucleotide sequence described herein is examined using a computer algorithm which starts at the 3' end of the nucleotide sequence.
  • the algorithm identifies oligomers of defined length that are unique to the gene, have a GC content within a range suitable for hybridization, and lack predicted secondary structure that would interfere with hybridization.
  • the algorithm identifies 20 sequence-specific oligonucleotides of 20 nucleotides in length (20-mers). A matched set of oligonucleotides is created in which one nucleotide in the center of each sequence is altered.
  • a "gridded" array analogous to a dot (or slot) blot is used to arrange and link cDNA fragments or oligonucleotides to the surface of a substrate using a vacuum system, thermal, UV, mechanical or chemical bonding procedures.
  • An array may be produced by hand or using available materials and machines and contain grids of 8 dots, 24 dots, 96 dots, 384 dots, 1536 dots or 6144 dots.
  • the microarray is washed to remove nonhybridized probes, and a scanner is used to determine the levels and patterns of fluorescence. The scanned images are examined to determine degree of complementarity and the relative abundance of each oligonucleotide sequence on the micro-array.
  • oligonucleotides Sequence complementary to the CARLN-encoding sequence, or any part thereof, is used to decrease or inhibit expression of naturally occurring CARLN. Although use of oligonucleotides comprising from about 15 to about 30 base-pairs is described, essentially the same procedure is used with smaller or larger sequence fragments. Appropriate oligonucleotides are designed using Oligo 4.06 software and the coding sequence of CARLN, SEQ LD NO: 1. To inhibit transcription, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed from the most unique 5' sequence and used to prevent promoter binding to the coding sequence. To inhibit translation, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed to prevent ribosomal binding to the CARLN-encoding transcript.
  • CARLN expression of CARLN is accomplished by subcloning the cDNAs into appropriate vectors and transforming the vectors into host cells.
  • the cloning vector is also used to express CARIN in E. coli. Upstream of the cloning site, this vector contains a promoter for ⁇ -galactosidase, followed by sequence containing the amino-terminal Met, and the subsequent seven residues of ⁇ -galactosidase. Immediately following these eight residues is a bacteriophage promoter useful for transcription and a linker containing a number of unique restriction sites.
  • CARLN that is substantially purified using PAGE electrophoresis (Sambrook, supra), or other purification techniques, is used to immunize rabbits and to produce antibodies using standard protocols
  • the amino acid sequence deduced from SEQ LD NO 2 is analyzed using DNASTAR software (DNASTAR Inc) to determine regions ot high immunogenicity and a corresponding ohgopeptide is synthesized and used to raise antibodies by means known to those of skill in the art Selection of appropriate epitopes, such as those near the C-terminus or in hydrophihc regions, is described by Ausubel et al (supra), and others
  • the oligopeptides are 15 residues in length, synthesized using an Applied Biosystems Peptide Synthesizer Model 431 A using fmoc chemistry, and coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH, Sigma, St Louis, MO) by reaction with N-maleimidobenzoyl-N- hydroxysuccimmide ester (MBS, Ausubel et al , supra) Rabbits are immunized with the oligopeptide-KLH complex in complete Freund's adjuvant The resulting antisera are tested for antipeptide activity, for example, by binding the peptide to plastic, blocking with 1% BSA, reacting with rabbit antisera, washing, and reacting with radio lodinated, goat anti-rabbit IgG
  • Naturally occurring or recombinant CARLN is substantially purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific for CARLN
  • An immunoaffinity column is constructed by covalently coupling CARLN antibody to an activated chromatographic resin, such as CnBr-activated Sepharose (Pharmacia & Upjohn) After the coupling, the resin is blocked and washed according to the manufacturer's instructions Media containing CARLN is passed over the immunoaffinity column, and the column is washed under conditions that allow the preferential absorbance of CARLN (e g , high ionic strength buffers in the presence of detergent) The column is eluted under conditions that disrupt antibody/CARLN binding (eg, a buffer of pH 2-3 or a high concentration of a chaotrope, such as urea or thiocyanate ion), and CARLN is collected.
  • an activated chromatographic resin such as CnBr-activated Sepharose (Pharmacia & Upjohn)
  • CARIN or biologically active fragments thereof are labeled with 125 I Bolton-Hunter reagent (Bolton et al. (1973) Biochem. J. 133: 529).
  • Candidate molecules previously arrayed in the wells of a multi-well plate are incubated with the labeled CARLN, washed and any wells with labeled CARLN complex are assayed. Data obtained using different concentrations of CARLN are used to calculate values for the number, affinity, and association of CARLN with the candidate molecules.
  • TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION (A TELEPHONE: 650-855-0555 (B TELEFAX: 650-845-4166 (C TELEX:

Landscapes

  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
EP98926512A 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 Neue menschliche carboxypeptidase inhibitor Withdrawn EP1086234A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1998/012020 WO1999064609A1 (en) 1997-06-09 1998-06-10 New human carboxypeptidase inhibitor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1086234A1 true EP1086234A1 (de) 2001-03-28

Family

ID=22267283

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98926512A Withdrawn EP1086234A1 (de) 1998-06-10 1998-06-10 Neue menschliche carboxypeptidase inhibitor

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1086234A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2002511771A (de)
AU (1) AU7833298A (de)
CA (1) CA2293694A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK2970398T3 (da) 2013-03-13 2024-08-05 Us Health Præfusions-rsv-f-proteiner og anvendelse deraf

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE GENBANK NCBI; 18 April 1996 (1996-04-18), WILSON RK: "yz93d09.r1" *
DATABASE GENBANK NCBI; 2304, WILSON RK: "za75f11.r1" *
See also references of WO9964609A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2002511771A (ja) 2002-04-16
AU7833298A (en) 1999-12-30
CA2293694A1 (en) 1999-12-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5866119A (en) Human ribonuclease
US5932712A (en) Annexin binding protein
EP1023444A1 (de) Zellteilungregulatoren
WO1999023220A1 (en) Suppressor of cytokine signaling
EP1007695A2 (de) Rab proteine
CA2293998A1 (en) Irs-p53h, human insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate
US5869259A (en) Carboxypeptidase inhibitor
WO1999000507A1 (en) Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 5-phosphatase from human
US5858714A (en) Human metaxin protein
US5863766A (en) Human sigma receptor
US5965395A (en) Maternally transcribed protein
US7947804B1 (en) Vesicle trafficking proteins
WO1998056912A1 (en) Human formin binding protein
EP1002099A1 (de) Synaptojanin isoform
US5972653A (en) Polynucleotides encoding a protein of embryogenesis
WO1999011794A2 (en) New vrk1 kinase
US5932443A (en) Human antigens
US5972660A (en) Human hydroxypyruvate reductase
WO1999015554A2 (en) Ras-like protein
EP0990038A1 (de) Neues menschliches lysophospholipase
EP1086234A1 (de) Neue menschliche carboxypeptidase inhibitor
US6677126B2 (en) Antibody for human translational regulator
WO1998058064A1 (en) Kinesin-related protein
WO1998055616A2 (en) Brca2 locus-associated protein
WO1999037790A1 (en) Human calcineurin b-like protein

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IT NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19991227

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030319

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20030930

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Effective date: 20050712