Secreted epithelial stromal-1 molecules and uses thereof   

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel Secreted Epithelial Colon Stromal-1 (Secs-1) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also relates to selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing Secs-1 polypeptides. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with Secs-1 polypeptides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical advances, in the identification, cloning, expression, and manipulation of nucleic acid molecules and the deciphering of the human genome have greatly accelerated the discovery of novel therapeutics. Rapid nucleic acid sequencing techniques can now generate sequence information at unprecedented rates and, coupled with computational analyses, allow the assembly of overlapping sequences into partial and entire genomes and the identification of polypeptide-encoding regions. A comparison of a predicted amino acid sequence against a database compilation of known amino acid sequences allows one to determine the extent of homology to previously identified sequences and/or structural landmarks. The cloning and expression of a polypeptide-encoding region of a nucleic acid molecule provides a polypeptide product for structural and functional analyses. The manipulation of nucleic acid molecules and encoded polypeptides may confer advantageous properties on a product for use as a therapeutic.

In spite of the significant technical advances in genome research over the past decade, the potential for the development of novel therapeutics based on the human genome is still largely unrealized. Many genes encoding potentially beneficial polypeptide therapeutics or those encoding polypeptides, which may act as “targets” for therapeutic molecules, have still not been identified.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to identify novel polypeptides, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, which have diagnostic or therapeutic benefit.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to novel Secs-1 nucleic acid molecules and encoded polypeptides.

The invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755;

(c) a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(d) a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under moderately or highly stringent conditions to the complement of any of (a)-(c); and

(e) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of (a)-(c).

The invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which is at least about 70 percent identical to the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(b) a nucleotide sequence encoding an allelic variant or splice variant of the nucleotide sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755, or (a);

(c) a region of the nucleotide sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755, (a), or (b) encoding a polypeptide fragment of at least about 25 amino acid residues, wherein the polypeptide fragment has an activity of the encoded polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or is antigenic;

(d) a region of the nucleotide sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755, or any of (a)-(c) comprising a fragment of at least about 16 nucleotides;

(e) a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under moderately or highly stringent conditions to the complement of any of (a)-(d); and

(f) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of (a)-(d).

The invention further provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one conservative amino acid substitution, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one amino acid insertion, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one amino acid deletion, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(d) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 which has a C- and/or N-terminal truncation, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one modification selected from the group consisting of amino acid substitutions, amino acid insertions, amino acid deletions, C-terminal truncation, and N-terminal truncation, wherein the encoded polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(f) a nucleotide sequence of any of (a)-(e) comprising a fragment of at least about 16 nucleotides;

(g) a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under moderately or highly stringent conditions to the complement of any of (a)-(f); and

(h) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any of (a)-(e).

The present invention provides for an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5; and

(b) the amino acid, sequence encoded by the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755.

The invention also provides for an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 6, optionally further comprising an amino-terminal methionine;

(b) an amino acid sequence for an ortholog of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(c) an amino acid sequence which is at least about 70 percent identical to the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(d) a fragment of the amino acid sequence set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 comprising at least about 25 amino acid residues, wherein the fragment has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or is antigenic; and

(e) an amino acid sequence for an allelic variant or splice variant of the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755, or any of (a)-(c).

The invention further provides for an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one conservative amino acid substitution, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(b) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one amino acid insertion, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(c) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one amino acid deletion, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5;

(d) the amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 which has a C- and/or N-terminal truncation, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5; and

(e) the amino acid, sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 with at least one modification selected from the group consisting of amino acid substitutions, amino acid insertions, amino acid deletions, C-terminal truncation, and N-terminal truncation, wherein the polypeptide has an activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

Also provided are fusion polypeptides comprising Secs-1 amino acid sequences.

The present invention also provides for an expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules as set forth herein, recombinant host cells comprising the recombinant nucleic acid molecules as set forth herein, and a method of producing a Secs-1 polypeptide comprising culturing the host cells and optionally isolating the polypeptide so produced.

A transgenic non-human animal comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Secs-1 polypeptide is also encompassed by the invention. The Secs-1 nucleic acid molecules are introduced into the animal in a manner that allows expression and increased levels of a Secs-1 polypeptide, which may include increased circulating levels. Alternatively, the Secs-1 nucleic acid molecules are introduced into the animal in a manner that prevents expression of endogenous Secs-1 polypeptide (i.e., generates a transgenic animal possessing a Secs-1 polypeptide gene knockout). The transgenic non-human animal is preferably a mammal, and more preferably a rodent, such as a rat or, a mouse.

Also provided are derivatives of the Secs-1 polypeptides of the present invention.

Additionally provided are selective binding agents such as antibodies and peptides capable of specifically binding the Secs-1 polypeptides of the invention. Such antibodies and peptides may be agonistic or antagonistic.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleotides, polypeptides, or selective binding agents of the invention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable formulation agents are also encompassed by the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions are used to provide therapeutically effective amounts of the nucleotides or polypeptides of the present invention. The invention is also directed to methods of using the polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, and selective binding agents.

The Secs-1 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be used to treat, prevent, ameliorate, and/or detect diseases and disorders, including those recited herein.

The present invention also provides a method of assaying test molecules to identify a test molecule that binds to a Secs-1 polypeptide. The method comprises contacting a Secs-1 polypeptide with a test molecule to determine the extent of binding of the test molecule to the polypeptide. The method further comprises determining whether such test molecules are agonists or antagonists of a Secs-1 polypeptide. The present invention further provides a method of testing the impact of molecules on the expression of Secs-1 polypeptide or on the activity of Secs-1 polypeptide.

Methods of regulating expression and modulating (i.e., increasing or decreasing) levels of a Secs-1 polypeptide are also encompassed by the invention. One method comprises administering to an animal a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Secs-1 polypeptide. In another method, a nucleic acid molecule comprising elements that regulate or modulate the expression of a Secs-1 polypeptide may be administered. Examples of these methods include gene therapy, cell therapy, and anti-sense therapy as further described herein.

In another aspect of the present invention, the Secs-1 polypeptides may be used for identifying receptors thereof (“Secs-1 polypeptide receptors”). Various forms of “expression cloning” have been extensively used to clone receptors for protein ligands. See, e.g., Simonsen and Lodish, 1994, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 15:437-41 and Tartaglia et al., 1995, Cell 83:1263-71. The isolation of a Secs-1 polypeptide receptor is useful for identifying or developing novel agonists and antagonists of the Secs-1 polypeptide signaling pathway. Such agonists and antagonists include soluble Secs-1 polypeptide receptors, anti-Secs-1 polypeptide receptor-selective binding agents (such as antibodies and derivatives thereof), small molecules, and antisense oligonucleotides, any of which can be used for treating one or more disease or disorder, including those disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates the nucleotide sequence of the murine Secs-1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the deduced amino acid sequence of murine Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2). The predicted signal peptide is indicated (underlined);

FIG. 2 illustrates the nucleotide sequence of the human Secs-1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 4) and the deduced amino acid sequence of human Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). The predicted signal peptide is indicated (underlined);

FIG. 3 illustrates the amino acid sequence alignment of rat Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7), murine Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2), and human Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5);

FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate the genomic nucleotide sequence for human Secs-1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8). The location and deduced amino acid sequence of the exons (SEQ ID NOS: 9-11) are indicated;

FIG. 5 illustrates the expression of human Secs-1 (huSecs1) mRNA and murine Secs-1 (muSmac2) mRNA as detected by in situ hybridization in a human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) xenograft;

FIG. 6 illustrates the expression of human Secs-1 (huSecs1) mRNA and murine Secs-1 (muSmac2) mRNA as detected by in situ hybridization in human prostate carcinoma (PC-3) and human colon carcinoma (HT-29) cell lines;

FIG. 7 illustrates the expression of murine Secs-1 (muSmac2) mRNA as detected by in situ hybridization at different time points in wound healing and psoriasis (flaky) skin models.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. All references cited in this application are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The terms “Secs-1 gene” or “Secs-1 nucleic acid molecule” or “Secs-1 polynucleotide” refer to a nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, a nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert in ATCC Deposit Nos. PTA-1753 or PTA-1755, and nucleic acid molecules as defined herein.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide allelic variant” refers, to one of several possible naturally occurring alternate forms of a gene occupying a given locus on a chromosome of an organism or a population of organisms.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide splice variant” refers to a nucleic acid molecule, usually RNA, which is generated by alternative processing of intron sequences in an RNA transcript of Secs-1 polypeptide amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

The term “isolated nucleic acid molecule” refers to a nucleic acid molecule of the invention that (1) has been separated from at least about 50 percent of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, or other materials with which it is naturally found when total nucleic acid is isolated from the source cells, (2) is not linked to all or a portion of a polynucleotide to which the “isolated nucleic acid molecule” is linked in nature, (3) is operably linked to a polynucleotide which it is not linked to in nature, or (4) does not occur in nature as part of a larger polynucleotide sequence. Preferably, the isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is substantially free from any other contaminating nucleic acid molecule(s) or other contaminants that are found in its natural environment that would interfere with its use in polypeptide production or its therapeutic, diagnostic, prophylactic or research use.

The term “nucleic acid sequence” or “nucleic acid molecule” refers to a DNA or RNA sequence. The term encompasses molecules formed from any of the known base analogs of DNA and RNA such as, but not limited to 4-acetylcytosine, 8-hydroxy-N-6-methyladenosine, aziridinyl-cytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl)uracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-carboxy-methylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, inosine, N6-iso-pentenyladenine, 1-methyladenine, 1-methylpseudouracil, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethyl-guanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyamino-methyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarbonyl-methyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, oxybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, N-uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, and 2,6-diaminopurine.

The term “vector” is used to refer to any molecule (e.g., nucleic acid, plasmid, or virus) used to transfer coding information to a host cell.

The term “expression vector” refers to a vector that is suitable for transformation of a host cell and contains nucleic acid sequences that direct and/or control the expression of inserted heterologous nucleic acid sequences. Expression includes, but is not limited to, processes such as transcription, translation, and RNA splicing, if introns are present.

The term “operably linked” is used herein to refer to an arrangement of flanking sequences wherein the flanking sequences so described are configured or assembled so as to perform their usual function. Thus, a flanking sequence operably linked to a coding sequence may be capable of effecting the replication, transcription and/or translation of the coding sequence. For example, a coding sequence is operably linked to a promoter when the promoter is capable of directing transcription of that coding sequence. A flanking sequence need not be contiguous with the coding sequence, so long as it functions correctly. Thus, for example, intervening untranslated yet transcribed sequences can be present between a promoter sequence and the coding sequence and the promoter sequence can still be considered “operably linked” to the coding sequence.

The term “host cell” is used to refer to a cell which has been transformed, or is capable of being transformed with a nucleic acid sequence and then of expressing a selected gene of interest. The term includes the progeny of the parent cell, whether or not the progeny is identical in morphology or in genetic make-up to the original parent, so long as the selected gene is present.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 and related polypeptides. Related polypeptides include Secs-1 polypeptide fragments, Secs-1 polypeptide orthologs, Secs-1 polypeptide variants, and Secs-1 polypeptide derivatives, which possess at least one activity of the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. Secs-1 polypeptides may be mature polypeptides, as defined herein, and may or may not have an amino-terminal methionine residue, depending on the method by which they are prepared.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide fragment” refers to a polypeptide that comprises a truncation at the amino-terminus (with or without a leader sequence) and/or a truncation at the carboxyl-terminus of the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. The term “Secs-1 polypeptide fragment” also refers to amino-terminal and/or carboxyl-terminal truncations of Secs-1 polypeptide orthologs, Secs-1 polypeptide derivatives, or Secs-1 polypeptide variants, or to amino-terminal and/or carboxyl-terminal truncations of the polypeptides encoded by Secs-1 polypeptide allelic variants or Secs-1 polypeptide splice variants. Secs-1 polypeptide fragments may result from alternative RNA splicing or from in vivo protease activity. Membrane-bound forms of a Secs-1 polypeptide are also contemplated by the present invention. In preferred embodiments, truncations and/or deletions comprise about 10 amino acids, or about 20 amino acids, or about 30 amino acids, or about 40 amino acids, or about 50 amino acids, or about 60 amino acids, or about 70 amino acids. The polypeptide fragments so produced will comprise about 25 contiguous amino acids, or about 50 amino acids, or about 75 amino acids, or about 100 amino acids, or about 150 amino acids, or about 200 amino acids. Such Secs-1 polypeptide fragments may optionally comprise an amino-terminal methionine residue. It will be appreciated that such fragments can be used, for example, to generate antibodies to Secs-1 polypeptides.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide ortholog” refers to a polypeptide from another species that corresponds to Secs-1 polypeptide amino acid sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. For example, mouse and human Secs-1 polypeptides are considered orthologs of each other.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide variants” refers to Secs-1 polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences having one or more amino acid sequence substitutions, deletions (such, as internal deletions and/or Secs-1 polypeptide fragments), and/or additions (such as internal additions and/or Secs-1 fusion polypeptides) as compared to the Secs-1 polypeptide amino acid sequence set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 (with or without a leader sequence). Variants may be naturally occurring (e.g., Secs-1 polypeptide allelic variants, Secs-1 polypeptide orthologs, and Secs-1 polypeptide splice variants) or artificially constructed. Such Secs-1 polypeptide variants may be prepared from the corresponding nucleic acid molecules having a DNA sequence that varies accordingly from the DNA sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4. In preferred embodiments, the variants have from 1 to 3, or from 1 to 5, or from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 15, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 25, or from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 40, or from 1 to 50, or more than 50 amino acid substitutions, insertions, additions and/or deletions, wherein the substitutions may be conservative, or non-conservative, or any combination thereof.

The term “Secs-1 polypeptide derivatives” refers to the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, Secs-1 polypeptide fragments, Secs-1 polypeptide orthologs, or Secs-1 polypeptide variants, as defined herein, that have been chemically modified. The term “Secs-1 polypeptide derivatives” also refers to the polypeptides encoded by Secs-1 polypeptide allelic variants or Secs-1 polypeptide splice variants, as defined herein, that have been chemically modified.

The term “mature Secs-1 polypeptide” refers to a Secs-1 polypeptide lacking a leader sequence. A mature Secs-1 polypeptide may also include other modifications such as proteolytic processing of the amino-terminus (with or without a leader sequence) and/or the carboxyl-terminus, cleavage of a smaller polypeptide from a larger precursor, N-linked and/or O-linked glycosylation, and the like. Exemplary mature Secs-1 polypeptides are depicted by the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 6.

The term “Secs-1 fusion polypeptide” refers to a fusion of one or more amino acids (such as a heterologous protein or peptide) at the amino- or carboxyl-terminus of the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, Secs-1 polypeptide fragments, Secs-1 polypeptide orthologs, Secs-1 polypeptide variants, or Secs-1 derivatives, as defined herein. The term “Secs-1 fusion polypeptide” also refers to a fusion of one or more amino acids at the amino- or carboxyl-terminus of the polypeptide encoded by Secs-1 polypeptide allelic variants or Secs-1 polypeptide splice variants, as defined herein.

The term “biologically active Secs-1 polypeptides” refers to Secs-1 polypeptides having at least one activity characteristic of the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. In addition, a Secs-1 polypeptide may be active as an immunogen; that is, the Secs-1 polypeptide contains at least one epitope to which antibodies may be raised.

The term “isolated polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide of the present invention that (1) has been separated from at least about 50 percent of polynucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, or other materials with which it is naturally found when isolated from the source cell, (2) is not linked (by covalent or noncovalent interaction) to all or a portion of a polypeptide to which the “isolated polypeptide” is linked in nature, (3) is operably linked (by covalent or noncovalent interaction) to a polypeptide with which it is not linked in nature, or (4) does not occur in nature. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide is substantially free from any other contaminating polypeptides or other contaminants that are found in its natural environment that would interfere with its therapeutic, diagnostic, prophylactic or research use.

The term “identity,” as known in the art, refers to a relationship between the sequences of two or more polypeptide molecules or two or more nucleic acid molecules, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, “identity” also means the degree of sequence relatedness between nucleic acid molecules or polypeptides, as the case may be, as determined by the match between strings of two or more nucleotide or two or more amino acid sequences. “Identity” measures the percent of identical matches between the smaller of two or more sequences with gap alignments (if any) addressed by a particular mathematical model or computer program (i.e., “algorithms”).

The term “similarity” is a related concept, but in contrast to “identity,” “similarity” refers to a measure of relatedness which includes both identical matches and conservative substitution matches. If two polypeptide sequences have, for example, 10/20 identical amino acids, and the remainder are all non-conservative substitutions, then the percent identity and similarity would both be 50%. If in the same example, there are five more positions where there are conservative substitutions, then the percent identity remains 50%, but the percent similarity would be 75% (15/20). Therefore, in cases where there are conservative substitutions, the percent similarity between two polypeptides will be higher than the percent identity between those two polypeptides.

The term “naturally occurring” or “native” when used in connection with biological materials such as nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, host cells, and the like, refers to materials which are found in nature and are not manipulated by man. Similarly, “non-naturally occurring” or “non-native” as used herein refers to a material that is not found in nature or that has been structurally modified or synthesized by man.

The terms “effective amount” and “therapeutically effective amount” each refer to the amount of a Secs-1 polypeptide or Secs-1 nucleic acid molecule used to support an observable level of one or more biological activities of the Secs-1 polypeptides as set forth herein.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” or “physiologically acceptable carrier” as used herein refers to one or more formulation materials suitable for accomplishing or enhancing the delivery of the Secs-1 polypeptide, Secs-1 nucleic acid molecule, or Secs-1 selective binding agent as a pharmaceutical composition.

The term “antigen” refers to a molecule or a portion of a molecule capable of being bound by a selective binding agent, such as an antibody, and additionally capable of being used in an animal to produce antibodies capable of binding to an epitope of that antigen. An antigen may have one or more epitopes.

The term “selective binding agent” refers\' to a molecule or molecules having specificity for a Secs-1 polypeptide. As used herein, the terms, “specific” and “specificity” refer to the ability of the selective binding agents to bind to human Secs-1 polypeptides and not to bind to human non-Secs-1 polypeptides. It will be appreciated, however, that the selective binding agents may also bind orthologs of the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, that is, interspecies versions thereof, such as mouse and rat Secs-1 polypeptides.

The term “transduction” is used, to refer to the transfer of genes from one bacterium to another, usually by a phage. “Transduction” also refers to the acquisition and transfer of eukaryotic cellular sequences by retroviruses.

The term “transfection” is used to refer to the uptake of foreign or exogenous DNA by a cell, and a cell has been “transfected” when the exogenous DNA has been introduced inside the cell membrane. A number of transfection techniques are well known in the art and are disclosed herein. See, e.g., Graham et al., 1973, Virology 52:456; Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, 1989); Davis et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology (Elsevier, 1986); and Chu et al., 1981, Gene 13:197. Such techniques can be used to introduce one or more exogenous DNA moieties into suitable host cells.

The term “transformation” as used herein refers to a change in a cell\'s genetic characteristics, and a cell has been transformed when it has been modified to contain a new DNA. For example, a cell is transformed where it is genetically modified from its native state. Following transfection or transduction, the transforming DNA may recombine with that of the cell by physically integrating into a chromosome of the cell, may be maintained transiently as an episomal element without being replicated, or may replicate independently as a plasmid. A cell is considered to have been stably transformed when the DNA is replicated with the division of the cell.

Relatedness of Nucleic Acid Molecules and/or Polypeptides

It is understood that related nucleic acid molecules include allelic or splice variants of the nucleic acid molecule of either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, and include sequences which are complementary to any of the above nucleotide sequences. Related nucleic acid molecules also include a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising or consisting essentially of a substitution, modification, addition and/or deletion of one or more amino acid residues compared to the polypeptide in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. Such related Secs-1 polypeptides may comprise, for example, an addition and/or a deletion of one or more N-linked or O-linked glycosylation sites or an addition and/or a deletion of one or more cysteine residues.

Related nucleic acid molecules also include fragments of Secs-1 nucleic acid molecules which encode a polypeptide of at least about 25 contiguous amino acids, or about 30 amino acids, or about 40 amino acids, or about 50 amino acids, or about 60 amino acids, or about 70 amino acids, or more than 70 amino acid residues of the Secs-1 polypeptide of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

In addition, related Secs-1 nucleic acid molecules also include those molecules which comprise nucleotide sequences which hybridize under moderately or highly stringent conditions, as defined herein with the fully complementary sequence of the Secs-1 nucleic acid molecule of either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, or of a molecule encoding a polypeptide, which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or of a nucleic acid fragment as defined herein, or of a nucleic acid fragment encoding a polypeptide as defined herein. Hybridization probes may be prepared using the Secs-1 sequences provided herein to screen cDNA, genomic or synthetic DNA libraries for related sequences. Regions of the DNA and/or amino acid sequence of Secs-1 polypeptide that exhibit significant identity to known sequences are readily determined using sequence alignment algorithms as described herein and those regions may be used to design probes for screening.

The term “highly stringent conditions” refers to those conditions that are designed to permit hybridization of DNA strands whose sequences are highly complementary, and to exclude hybridization of significantly mismatched DNAs. Hybridization stringency is principally determined by temperature, ionic strength, and the concentration of denaturing agents such as formamide. Examples of “highly stringent conditions” for hybridization and washing are 0.015 M sodium chloride, 0.0015 M sodium citrate at 65-68° C. or 0.015 M sodium chloride, 0.0015 M sodium citrate, and 50% formamide at 42° C. See Sambrook, Fritsch & Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1989); Anderson et al., Nucleic Acid Hybridisation: A Practical Approach Ch. 4 (IRL Press Limited).

More stringent conditions (such as higher temperature, lower ionic strength, higher formamide, or other denaturing agent) may also be used—however, the rate of hybridization will be affected. Other agents may be included in the hybridization and washing buffers for the purpose of reducing non-specific and/or background hybridization. Examples are 0.1% bovine serum albumin, 0.1% polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate, 0.1% sodium dodecylsulfate, NaDodSO4, (SDS), ficoll, Denhardt\'s solution, sonicated salmon sperm DNA (or another non-complementary DNA), and dextran sulfate, although other suitable agents can also be used. The concentration and types of these additives can be changed without substantially affecting the stringency of the hybridization conditions. Hybridization experiments are usually carried out at pH 6.8-7.4; however, at typical ionic strength conditions, the rate of hybridization is nearly independent of pH. See Anderson et al., Nucleic Acid Hybridisation: A Practical Approach Ch. 4 (IRL Press Limited).

Factors affecting the stability of DNA duplex include base composition, length, and degree of base pair mismatch. Hybridization conditions can be adjusted by one skilled in the art in order to accommodate these variables and allow DNAs of different sequence relatedness to form hybrids. The melting temperature of a perfectly matched DNA duplex can be estimated by the following equation:

Tm(° C.)=81.5+16.6(log [Na+])+0.41(% G+C)−600/N−0.72(% formamide)

where N is the length of the duplex formed, [Na+] is the molar concentration of the sodium ion in the hybridization or washing solution, % G+C is the percentage of (guanine+cytosine) bases in the hybrid. For imperfectly matched hybrids, the melting temperature is reduced by approximately 1° C. for each 1% mismatch.

The term “moderately stringent conditions” refers to conditions under which a DNA duplex with a greater degree of base pair mismatching than could occur under “highly stringent conditions” is able to form. Examples of typical “moderately stringent conditions” are 0.015 M sodium chloride, 0.0015 M sodium citrate at 50-65° C. or 0.015M sodium chloride, 0.0015 M sodium citrate, and 20% formamide at 37-50° C. By way of example, “moderately stringent conditions” of 50° C. in 0.015 M sodium ion will allow about a 21% mismatch.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there is no absolute distinction between “highly stringent conditions” and “moderately stringent conditions.” For example, at 0.015 M sodium ion (no formamide), the melting temperature of perfectly matched long DNA is about 71° C. With a wash at 65° C. (at the same ionic strength), this would allow for approximately a 6% mismatch. To capture more distantly related sequences, one skilled in the art can simply lower the temperature or raise the ionic strength.

A good estimate of the melting temperature in 1M NaCl* for oligonucleotide probes up to about 20 nt is given by:

Tm=2° C. per A-T base pair+4° C. per G-C base pair

*The sodium ion concentration in 6× salt sodium citrate (SSC) is 1M. See Suggs et al., Developmental Biology Using Purified Genes 683 (Brown and Fox, eds., 1981).

High stringency washing conditions for oligonucleotides are usually at a temperature of 0-5° C. below the Tm of the oligonucleotide in 6×SSC, 0.1% SDS.

In another embodiment, related nucleic acid molecules comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to the nucleotide sequence as shown in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, or comprise or consist essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that is at least about 70 percent identical to the polypeptide as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. In preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequences are about 75 percent, or about 80 percent, or about 85 percent, or about 90 percent, or about 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent identical to the nucleotide sequence as shown in either SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 4, or the nucleotide sequences encode a polypeptide that is about 75 percent, or about 80 percent, or about 85 percent, or about 90 percent, or about 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 percent identical to the polypeptide sequence as set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5. Related nucleic acid molecules encode polypeptides possessing at least one activity of the polypeptide set forth in either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

Differences in the nucleic acid sequence may result in conservative and/or non-conservative modifications of the amino acid sequence relative to the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

Conservative modifications to the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 (and the corresponding modifications to the encoding nucleotides) will produce a polypeptide having functional and chemical, characteristics similar to those of Secs-1 polypeptides. In contrast, substantial modifications in the functional and/or chemical characteristics of Secs-1 polypeptides may be accomplished by selecting substitutions in the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 5 that differ significantly in their effect on maintaining (a) the structure of the molecular backbone in the area of the substitution, for example, as a sheet or helical conformation, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain.

For example, a “conservative amino acid substitution” may involve a substitution of a native amino acid residue with a normative residue such that there is little or no effect on the polarity or charge of the amino acid residue at that position. Furthermore, any native residue in the polypeptide may also be substituted with alanine, as has been previously described for “alanine scanning mutagenesis.”

Conservative amino acid substitutions also encompass non-naturally occurring amino acid residues that are typically incorporated by chemical peptide synthesis rather than by synthesis in biological systems. These include peptidomimetics, and other reversed or inverted forms of amino acid moieties.

Naturally occurring residues may be divided into classes based on common side chain properties:

1) hydrophobic: norleucine, Met, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile;

2) neutral hydrophilic: Cys, Ser, Thr;

3) acidic: Asp, Glu;

4) basic: Asn, Gln, His, Lys, Arg;

5) residues that influence chain orientation: Gly, Pro; and

6) aromatic: Trp, Tyr, Phe.

For example, non-conservative substitutions may involve the exchange of a member of one of these classes for a member from another class. Such substituted residues may be introduced into regions of the human Secs-1 polypeptide that are homologous with non-human Secs-1 polypeptides, or into the non-homologous regions of the molecule.

In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of its hydrophobicity and charge characteristics. The hydropathic indices are: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8); phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1.9); alanine (+1.8); glycine (−0.4); threonine (−0.7); serine (−0.8); tryptophan (−0.9); tyrosine (−1.3); proline (−1.6); histidine (−3.2); glutamate (−3.5); glutamine (−3.5); aspartate (−3.5); asparagine (−3.5); lysine (−3.9); and arginine (−4.5).

The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biological function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte et al., 1982, J. Mol. Biol. 157:105-31). It is known that certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still retain a similar biological activity. In making changes based upon the hydropathic index, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

It is also understood in the art that the substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity, particularly, where the biologically functionally equivalent protein or peptide thereby created is intended for use in immunological embodiments, as in the present case. The greatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as governed by the hydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with its immunogenicity and antigenicity, i.e., with a biological property of the protein.

The following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to these amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0±1); glutamate (+3.0±1); serine (+0.3); asparagine (+0.2); glutamine (+0.2); glycine (0); threonine (−0.4); proline (−0.5±1); alanine (−0.5); histidine (−0.5); cysteine (−1.0); methionine (−1.3); valine (−1.5); leucine (−1.8); isoleucine (−1.8); tyrosine (−2.3); phenylalanine (−2.5); and tryptophan (−3.4). In making changes based upon similar hydrophilicity values, the substitution of amino acids whose hydrophilicity values are within ±2 is preferred, those which are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred. One may also identify epitopes from primary amino acid sequences on the basis of hydrophilicity. These regions are also referred to as “epitopic core regions.”

Desired amino acid substitutions (whether conservative or non-conservative) can be determined by those skilled in the art at the time such substitutions are desired. For example, amino acid substitutions can be used to identify important residues of the Secs-1 polypeptide, or to increase or decrease the affinity of the Secs-1 polypeptides described herein. Exemplary amino acid substitutions are set forth in Table I.

TABLE I Amino Acid Substitutions Original Residues Exemplary Substitutions Preferred Substitutions Ala Val, Leu, Ile Val Arg Lys, Gln, Asn Lys Asn Gln Gln Asp Glu Glu Cys Ser, Ala Ser Gln Asn Asn Glu Asp Asp Gly Pro, Ala Ala His Asn, Gln, Lys, Arg Arg Ile Leu, Val, Met, Ala, Leu Phe, Norleucine Leu Norleucine, Ile, Ile Val, Met, Ala, Phe Lys Arg, 1,4 Diamino-butyric Arg Acid, Gln, Asn Met Leu, Phe, Ile Leu

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