EP1045900A2 - Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha - Google Patents

Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha

Info

Publication number
EP1045900A2
EP1045900A2 EP98963845A EP98963845A EP1045900A2 EP 1045900 A2 EP1045900 A2 EP 1045900A2 EP 98963845 A EP98963845 A EP 98963845A EP 98963845 A EP98963845 A EP 98963845A EP 1045900 A2 EP1045900 A2 EP 1045900A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seq
polypeptide
zalphal
dna
polypeptides
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Withdrawn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
EP98963845A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Si Lok
Darrell C. Conklin
Julia Parrish
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.)
Zymogenetics Inc
Original Assignee
Zymogenetics 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 Zymogenetics Inc filed Critical Zymogenetics Inc
Publication of EP1045900A2 publication Critical patent/EP1045900A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/52—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide

Definitions

  • hormones and polypeptide growth factors are controlled by hormones and polypeptide growth factors. These diffusable molecules allow cells to communicate with each other and act in concert to form cells and organs, and to repair and regenerate damaged tissue.
  • hormones and growth factors include the steroid hormones (e.g. estrogen, testosterone), parathyroid hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, the interleukins, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) , epidermal growth factor (EGF) , granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) , erythropoietin (EPO) and calcitonin.
  • Proteins may be integral membrane proteins that are linked to signaling pathways within the cell, such as second messenger systems. Other classes of proteins are soluble molecules, such as the transcription factors.
  • cytokines molecules that promote the proliferation, maintenance, survival or differentiation of cells.
  • examples of cytokines include erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the development .of red blood cells; thrombopoietin (TPO) , which stimulates development of cells of the megakaryocyte lineage; and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) , which stimulates development of neutrophils.
  • EPO erythropoietin
  • TPO thrombopoietin
  • G-CSF granulocyte-colony stimulating factor
  • the present invention addresses this need by providing a novel polypeptide and related compositions and methods.
  • the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a mammalian protein termed "Alpha helical protein-1" or Zalphal .
  • the human Zalphal polypeptide is comprised of a sequence of amino acids 146 amino acids long with the initial Met as shown in SEQ ID NO:l and SEQ ID NO: 2. It is believed that amino residues 1-20 are signal sequence, and the mature Zalphal polypeptide is represented by the amino acid sequence comprised residues 21, an isoleucine, through amino acid residue 146, a tyrosine.
  • the mature Zalphal polypeptide is also defined by SEQ ID NO: 45.
  • the polypeptide further comprises an affinity tag.
  • the polynucleotide is DNA.
  • polypeptides which are at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO : 2 or SEQ ID NO: 45 and polynucleotides which encode the polypeptides.
  • an expression vector comprising (a) a transcription promoter; (b) a DNA segment encoding a Zalphal polypeptide, and (c) a transcription terminator, wherein the promoter, DNA segment, and terminator are operably linked.
  • a cultured eukaryotic or bacterial cell into which has been introduced an expression vector as disclosed above, wherein said cell expresses a Zalphal polypeptide encoded by the DNA segment.
  • a chimeric polypeptide consisting essentially of a first portion and a second portion joined by a peptide bond.
  • the first portion of the chimeric polypeptide is either (a) a Zalphal polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 45 or (b) protein polypeptides that are at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 45
  • the second portion of the chimeric polypeptide consists essentially of another polypeptide such as an affinity tag.
  • the affinity tag is an immunoglobulin F c polypeptide.
  • the invention also provides expression vectors encoding the chimeric polypeptides and host cells transfected to produce the chimeric polypeptides.
  • An additional embodiment of the present invention relates to a peptide or polypeptide which has the amino acid sequence of an epitope-bearing portion of a Zalphal polypeptide having an amino acid sequence described above.
  • Peptides or polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of an epitope-bearing portion of a Zalphal polypeptide of the present invention include portions of such polypeptides with at least nine, preferably at least 15 and more preferably at least 30 to 50 amino acids, although epitope-bearing polypeptides of any length up to and including the entire amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the present invention described above are also included in the present invention. Also claimed are any of these polypeptides that are fused to another polypeptide or carrier molecule.
  • any of these polypeptides that are fused to another polypeptide or carrier molecule.
  • Antibodies produced from these epitope-bearing portions of Zalphal can be used in purifying Zalphal from cell culture medium. Examples of such epitope-bearing polypeptides are the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs : 46 - 56. Also claimed are proteins or polypeptide which contain -a sequence which is at least 90% identical to an epitope- bearing polypeptide described above.
  • an antibody that specifically binds to a Zalphal polypeptide as disclosed above, and also an anti-idiotypic antibody which neutralizes the antibody to a Zalphal polypeptide.
  • allelic variant is used herein to denote any of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same chromosomal locus. Allelic variation arises naturally through mutation, and may result in phenotypic polymorphism within populations . Gene mutations can be silent (no change in the encoded polypeptide) or may encode polypeptides having altered amino acid sequence.
  • allelic variant is also used herein to denote a protein encoded by an allelic variant of a gene .
  • expression vector is used to denote a DNA molecule, linear or circular, that comprises a segment encoding a polypeptide of interest operably linked to additional segments that provide for its transcription.
  • additional segments include promoter and terminator sequences, and may also include one or more origins of replication, one or more selectable markers, an enhancer, a polyadenylation signal, etc.
  • Expression vectors are generally derived from plasmid or viral DNA, or may contain elements of both.
  • isolated when applied to a polynucleotide, denotes that the polynucleotide has been removed from its natural genetic milieu and is thus free of other extraneous or unwanted coding sequences, and is in a form suitable for use within genetically engineered protein production systems.
  • “Operably linked”, when referring to DNA segments, indicates that the segments are arranged so that they function in concert for their intended purposes, e.g. transcription initiates in the promoter and proceeds through the coding segment to the terminator.
  • polynucleotide is a single- or double- stranded polymer of deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases read from the 5' to the 3' end.
  • Polynucleotides include RNA and DNA, and may be isolated from natural sources, synthesized in vi tro, or prepared from a combination of natural and synthetic molecules.
  • promoter is used herein for its art- recognized meaning to denote a portion of a gene containing DNA sequences that provide for the binding of RNA polymerase and initiation of transcription. Promoter sequences are commonly, but not always, found in the 5' non-coding regions of genes.
  • a "soluble protein” is a protein polypeptide that is not bound to a cell membrane.
  • the isolated polynucleotides will hybridize to similar sized regions of SEQ ID NO : 1 , or a sequence complementary thereto, under stringent conditions.
  • stringent conditions are selected to be about 5°C lower than the thermal melting point (T m ) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH.
  • T m is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe.
  • Typical stringent conditions are those in which the salt concentration is about 0.02 M or less at pH 7 and the temperature is at least about 60°C.
  • the isolated polynucleotides of the present invention include DNA and RNA.
  • RNA can be prepared using guanidine HCl extraction followed by isolation by centrifugation in a CsCl gradient [Chirgwin et al . , Biochemistry 18:52-94 (1979)].
  • Poly (A) + RNA is prepared from total RNA using the method of Aviv and Leder [Proc . Na tl . Acad . Sci . USA 69 : 1408- 1412 (1972)].
  • Complementary DNA (cDNA) is prepared from poly (A) + RNA using known methods. Polynucleotides encoding Zalphal polypeptides are then identified and isolated by, for example, hybridization or PCR.
  • the polynucleotides of the present invention can be synthesized using a DNA synthesizer.
  • a DNA synthesizer Currently the method of choice is the phosphoramidite method. If chemically synthesized double stranded DNA is required for an application such as the synthesis of a gene or a gene fragment, then each complementary strand is made separately.
  • the production of short genes 60 to 80 bp is technically straightforward and can be accomplished by synthesizing the complementary strands and then annealing them.
  • special strategies must be invoked, because the coupling efficiency of each cycle during chemical DNA synthesis is seldom 100%.
  • sequences disclosed in SEQ ID N0S:1, and 2 represent a single allele of the human. Allelic variants of these sequences can be cloned by probing cDNA or genomic libraries from different individuals according to standard procedures .
  • the present invention further provides counterpart proteins and polynucleotides from other species ("species orthologs"). Of particular interest are Zalphal polypeptides from other mammalian species, including murine, porcine, ovine, bovine, canine, feline, equine, and other primates. Species orthologs of the human Zalphal protein can be cloned using information and compositions provided by the present invention in combination with conventional cloning techniques.
  • a cDNA can be cloned using mRNA obtained from a tissue or cell type that expresses the protein. Suitable sources of mRNA can be identified by probing Northern blots with probes designed from the sequences disclosed herein. A library is then prepared from mRNA of a positive tissue or cell line. A protein-encoding cDNA can then be isolated by a variety of methods, such as by probing with a complete or partial human or mouse cDNA or with one or more sets of degenerate probes based on the disclosed sequences . A cDNA can also be cloned using the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR (Mullis, U.S. Patent
  • an isolated polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide includes all allelic variants and species orthologs of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO : 2.
  • the present invention also provides isolated protein polypeptides that are substantially identical to the protein polypeptides of SEQ ID NO : 2 and its species orthologs.
  • isolated is meant a protein or polypeptide that is found in a condition other than its native environment, such as apart from blood and animal tissue.
  • the isolated polypeptide is substantially free of other polypeptides, particularly other polypeptides of animal origin. It is preferred to provide the polypeptides in a highly purified form, i.e. greater than 95% pure, more preferably greater than 99% pure.
  • substantially identical is used herein to denote polypeptides having 50%, preferably 60%, more preferably at least 80%, sequence identity to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO : 2 or SEQ ID NO: 45, or their species orthologs. Such polypeptides will more preferably be at least 90% identical, and most preferably 95% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 45, or their species orthologs. Percent sequence identity is determined by conventional methods. See, for example, Altschul et al . , Bull . Math. Bio . 48 : 603-616, 1986 and Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . USA 89:10915-10919, 1992.
  • Sequence identity of polynucleotide molecules is determined by similar methods using a ratio as disclosed above.
  • Substantially homologous proteins and polypeptides are characterized as having one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions or additions. These changes are preferably of a minor nature, that is conservative amino acid substitutions (see Table 2) and other substitutions that do not significantly affect the folding or activity of the protein or polypeptide; small deletions, typically of one to about 30 amino acids; and small amino- or carboxyl-terminal extensions, such as an amino-terminal methionine residue, a small linker peptide of up to about 20-25 residues, or a small extension that facilitates purification (an affinity tag) , such as a poly-histidine tract, protein A [Nilsson et al . , EMBO .
  • Essential amino acids in the polypeptides of the present invention can be identified according to procedures known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis [Cunningham and Wells, Science 244 , 1081-1085 (1989); Bass et al . , Proc . Natl . Acad. Sci . USA 88:4498-4502 (1991)].
  • site-directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis [Cunningham and Wells, Science 244 , 1081-1085 (1989); Bass et al . , Proc . Natl . Acad. Sci . USA 88:4498-4502 (1991)].
  • single alanine mutations are introduced at every residue in the molecule, and the resultant mutant molecules are tested for biological activity (e.g., ligand binding and signal transduction) to identify amino acid residues that are critical to the activity of the molecule.
  • Sites of ligand-protein interaction can also be determined by analysis of crystal structure as determined by such techniques as nuclear magnetic resonance, crystallography or photoaffinity labeling. See, for example, de Vos et al . , Science 255:306-312 (1992); Smi th et al . , J. Mol . Biol . 224 : 899 - 904 (1992); Wlodaver et al . , FEBS Lett . 309:59-64 (1992). The identities of essential amino acids can also be inferred from analysis of homologies with related proteins .
  • Mutagenesis methods as disclosed above can be combined with high-throughput screening methods to detect activity of cloned, mutagenized proteins in host cells.
  • Preferred assays in this regard include cell proliferation assays and biosensor-based ligand-binding assays, which are described below.
  • Mutagenized DNA molecules that encode active proteins or portions thereof e.g., ligand-binding fragments
  • polypeptides that are substantially homologous to SEQ ID NO: 2 or allelic variants thereof and retain the properties of the wild-type protein.
  • a polypeptide as defined -by SEQ ID NO: 2 includes all allelic variants and species orthologs of the polypeptide.
  • Polynucleotides generally a cDNA sequence, of the present invention encode the above-described polypeptides.
  • a cDNA sequence which encodes a polypeptide of the present invention is comprised of a series of codons, each amino acid residue of the polypeptide being encoded by a codon and each codon being comprised of three nucleotides. The amino acid residues are encoded by their respective codons as follows.
  • Alanine (Ala) is encoded by GCA, GCC, GCG or GCT; Cysteine (Cys) is encoded by TGC or TGT;
  • Aspartic acid is encoded by GAC or GAT;
  • Glutamic acid (Glu) is encoded by GAA or GAG;
  • Phenylalanine (Phe) is encoded by TTC or TTT;
  • Glycine is encoded by GGA, GGC, GGG or GGT;
  • Histidine is encoded by CAC or CAT;
  • Isoleucine (lie) is encoded by ATA, ATC or ATT;
  • Lysine is encoded by AAA, or AAG;
  • Leucine (Leu) is encoded by TTA, TTG, CTA, CTC, CTG or CTT;
  • Methionine (Met) is encoded by ATG;
  • Asparagine is encoded by AAC or AAT;
  • Proline is encoded by CCA, CCC, CCG or CCT;
  • Glutamine is encoded by CAA or CAG;
  • Arginine (Arg) is encoded by AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG or CGT;
  • Serine is encoded by AGC, AGT, TCA, TCC, TCG or TCT; Threonine (Thr) is encoded by ACA, ACC, ACG or
  • Valine (Val) is encoded by GTA, GTC, GTG or GTT;
  • Trp Tryptophan
  • Tyrosine TAC or TAT.
  • mRNA messenger RNA
  • a messenger RNA (mRNA) will encode a polypeptide using the same codons as those defined above, with the exception that each thymine nucleotide (T) is replaced by a uracil nucleotide (U) .
  • protein polypeptides of the present invention including full-length proteins, protein fragments (e.g. ligand-binding fragments), and fusion polypeptides can be produced in genetically engineered host cells according to conventional techniques.
  • Suitable host cells are those cell types that can be transformed or transfected with exogenous DNA and grown in culture, and include bacteria, fungal cells, and cultured higher eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells, particularly cultured cells of multicellular organisms, are preferred. Techniques for manipulating cloned DNA molecules and introducing exogenous DNA into a variety of host cells are disclosed by Sambrook et al . , Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual , 2nd ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1989) , and Ausubel et al . , ibid.
  • a DNA sequence encoding a Zalphal polypeptide is operably linked to other genetic elements required for its expression, generally including a transcription promoter and terminator, within an expression vector.
  • the vector will also commonly contain one or more selectable markers and one or more origins of replication, although those skilled in the art will recognize that within certain systems selectable markers may be provided on separate vectors, and replication of the exogenous DNA may be provided by integration into the host cell genome. Selection of promoters, terminators, selectable markers, vectors and other elements is a matter of routine design within the level of ordinary skill in the art . Many such elements are described in the literature and are available through commercial suppliers .
  • a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence, prepro sequence or pre sequence) is provided in the expression vector.
  • the secretory signal sequence may be that of the protein, or may be derived from another secreted protein (e.g., t-PA) or synthesized de novo .
  • the secretory signal sequence is joined to the Zalphal DNA sequence in the correct reading frame.
  • Secretory signal sequences are commonly positioned 5' to the DNA sequence encoding the polypeptide of interest, although certain signal sequences may be positioned elsewhere in the DNA sequence of interest (see, e . g. , Welch et al . , U.S. Patent No. 5,037,743; Holland et al . , U.S. Patent No. 5,143,830).
  • Cultured mammalian cells are preferred hosts within the present invention.
  • Methods for introducing exogenous DNA into mammalian host cells include calcium phosphate-mediated transfection [Wigler et al . , Cell 14 : 125 (1978); Corsaro and Pearson, Somatic Cell Genetics 7:603, (1981) : Graham and Van der Eb, Virology 52:456, (1973)], electroporation [Neumann et al . , EMBO J. 1:841- 845, (1982)], DEAE-dextran mediated transfection [Ausubel et al . , eds .
  • Suitable cultured mammalian cells include the COS-1 (ATCC No. CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC No. CRL 1651), BHK (ATCC No. CRL 1632) , BHK 570 (ATCC No. CRL 10314) , 293 [ATCC No. CRL 1573; Graham et al . , J. Gen . Virol . 36 : 59 - 12 (1977)] and Chinese hamster ovary (e.g. CHO-K1; ATCC No. CCL 61) cell lines. Additional suitable cell lines are known in the art and available from public depositories such as ' the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville,
  • promoters from SV-40 or cytomegalovirus See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,956,288.
  • suitable promoters include those from metallothionein genes (U.S. Patent Nos. 4,579,821 and 4,601,978) and the adenovirus major late promoter.
  • Drug selection is generally used to select for cultured mammalian cells into which foreign DNA has been inserted. Such cells are commonly referred to as
  • transfectants Cells that have been cultured in the presence of the selective agent and are able to pass the gene of interest to their progeny are referred to as “stable transfectants . " A preferred selectable marker is a gene encoding resistance to the antibiotic neomycin. Selection is carried out in the presence of a neomycin- type drug, such as G-418 or the like. Selection systems may also be used to increase the expression level of the gene of interest, a process referred to as "amplification.” Amplification is carried out by culturing transfectants in the presence of a low level of the selective agent and then increasing the amount of selective agent to select for cells that produce high levels of the products of the introduced genes.
  • a preferred amplifiable selectable marker is dihydrofolate reductase, which confers resistance to methotrexate .
  • Other drug resistance genes e.g. hygromycin resistance, multi-drug resistance, puromycin acetyltransferase
  • hygromycin resistance e.g. hygromycin resistance, multi-drug resistance, puromycin acetyltransferase
  • eukaryotic cells can also be used as hosts, including insect cells, plant cells and avian cells. Transformation of insect cells and production of foreign polypeptides therein is disclosed by Guarino et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,162,222; Bang et al . , U.S. Patent No. 4,775,624; and WIPO publication WO 94/06463.
  • Agrobacterium rhizogenes as a vector for expressing genes in plant cells has been reviewed by Sinkar et al . , J. Biosci . (Bangalore) 11:47-58, (1987).
  • Fungal cells including yeast cells, and particularly cells of the genus Saccharomyces , can also be used within the present invention, such as for producing protein fragments or polypeptide fusions.
  • Methods for transforming yeast cells with exogenous DNA and producing recombinant polypeptides therefrom are disclosed by, for example, Kawasaki, U.S. Patent No.
  • Transformed cells are selected by phenotype determined by the selectable marker, commonly drug resistance or the ability to grow in the absence of a particular nutrient (e.g., leucine) .
  • a preferred vector system for use in yeast is the POT1 vector system disclosed by Kawasaki et al . , U.S. Patent No.
  • Suitable promoters and terminators for use in yeast include those from glycolytic enzyme genes (see, e . g. , Kawasaki, U.S. Patent No. 4,599,311; Kingsman et al . , U.S. Patent No. 4,615,974; and Bitter, U.S. Patent No. 4,977,092) and alcohol dehydrogenase genes. See also U.S. Patents Nos. 4,990,446; 5,063,154; 5,139,936 and 4,661,454.
  • Transformation systems for other yeasts including Hansenula polymorpha , Schizosaccharomyces po be, Kluyveromyces lactis , Kl uyveromyces fragilis , Ustilago maydis , Pichia pastoris , Pichia methanolica , Pichia guillermondii and Candida mal tosa are known in the art. See, for example, Gleeson et al . , J. Gen . Microbiol . 132:3459-3465 (1986) and Cregg, U.S. Patent No. 4,882,279. Aspergillus cells may be utilized according to the methods of McKnight et al . , U.S. Patent No. 4,935,349.
  • Transformed or transfected host cells are cultured according to conventional procedures in a culture medium containing nutrients and other components required for the growth of the chosen host cells.
  • suitable media including defined media and complex media, are known in the art and generally include a carbon source, a nitrogen source, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Media may also contain such components as growth factors or serum, as required.
  • the growth medium will generally select for cells containing the exogenously added DNA by, for example, drug selection or deficiency in an essential nutrient which is complemented by the selectable marker carried on the expression vector or co-transfected into the host cell.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a peptide or polypeptide comprising an epitope-bearing portion of a Zalphal polypeptide of the invention.
  • the epitope of the this polypeptide portion is an immunogenic or antigenic epitope of a polypeptide of the invention.
  • a region of a protein to which an antibody can bind is defined as an "antigenic epitope” . See for instance, Geysen, H.M. e t al . , Proc . Na tl . Acad Sci . USA 81:3998-4002 (1984) .
  • Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the invention are therefore useful to raise antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to a polypeptide of the invention.
  • Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the present invention contain a sequence of at least nine, preferably between 15 to about 30 amino acids contained within the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the invention.
  • peptides or polypeptides comprising a larger portion of an amino acid sequence of the invention, containing from 30 to 50 amino acids, or any length up to and including the entire amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the invention, also are useful for inducing antibodies that react with the protein.
  • the amino acid sequence of the epitope-bearing peptide is selected to provide substantial solubility in aqueous solvents (i.e., the • sequence includes relatively hydrophilic residues and hydrophobic residues are preferably avoided) ; and sequences containing proline residues are particularly preferred.
  • All of the polypeptides shown in the sequence listing contain antigenic epitopes to be used according to the present invention, however, specifically designed antigenic epitopes include the peptides defined by SEQ ID NOs : .
  • the present invention also provides polypeptide fragments or peptides comprising an epitope-bearing portion of a Zalphal polypeptide described herein.
  • Such fragments or peptides may comprise an "immunogenic epitope," which is a part of a protein that elicits an ' antibody response when the entire protein is used as an immunogen.
  • Immunogenic epitope-bearing peptides can be identified using standard methods [see, for example, Geysen et al . , supra . See also U.S. Patent No. 4,708,781 (1987) further describes how to identify a peptide bearing an immunogenic epitope of a desired protein.
  • Specific examples of epitope-bearing polypeptides are those polypeptide which contain SEQ ID NOs: 46 - 56, especially polypeptides which contain a polypeptide defined by SEQ ID NOs : 50-56.
  • SEQ ID NO: 50 is a polypeptide comprised of Helices A and B;
  • SEQ ID NO: 51 is a polypeptide comprised of helices A, B and C;
  • SEQ ID NO: 52 is a polypeptide comprised of helices A, B, C and D;
  • SEQ ID NO: 53 is a polypeptide comprised of helices B and C;
  • SEQ ID NO: 54 is a polypeptide comprised of helices B, C and D;
  • SEQ ID NO: 55 is a polypeptide comprised of helices C and D;
  • SEQ ID NO: 56 is comprised of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO : 2 extending from the beginning of helix C to the end of the polypeptide.
  • Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the present invention are useful to raise antibodies that bind with the polypeptides described herein which then can be used to purify the protein in either a native or denatured form or to detect the Zalpal polypeptide in a western blot.
  • Expressed recombinant polypeptides can be purified using fractionation and/or conventional purification methods and media. See, for example, “Affini ty Chroma tography : Principles & Methods " (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Uppsala, Sweden, 1988) , Methods in Enzymol . , Vol. 182, “Guide to Protein Purification", M. Deutscher, (ed.), pp.529-39 (Acad. Press, San Diego (1990)] and " Protein Purification, Principles and Practice " 3 rd Edi tion, Scopes, Robert
  • Zalphal is predicted to be a four-helical polypeptide similar to the family of helical cytokines represented by growth hormone, erythropoietin, leptin and interleukin-10.
  • Helix A of Zalphal is predicted to include the amino acid residue 23 of SEQ ID NO: 2, an asparagine, through amino acid residue 37, an arginine .
  • Helix A is also defined by SEQ ID N046.
  • Helix B of Zalphal is predicted to include amino acid 53 of SEQ ID NO: 2, a phenylalanine, through amino acid residue 67, a phenylalanine .
  • Helix B is also defined by SEQ ID NO: 47.
  • Helix C of Zalphal is predicted to include amino acid 82 of SEQ ID NO: 2, a phenylalanine, through amino acid residue 96, a leucine residue. Helix C is also defined -by SEQ ID NO: 48.
  • Helix D of Zalphal is predicted to include amino acid 118 of SEQ ID NO: 2, a tyrosine, through amino acid residue 132, an aspartate residue. Helix D is also defined by SEQ ID NO: 49.
  • FMR1 is an evolutionarily conserved gene that is transcribed at relatively high levels in brain, testis, heart, lung, kidney and placenta with low to negligible levels in liver, pancreas and skeletal muscle [Hinds et al . , Nature Genet . 3 : 36-43 (1993)] .
  • the function of the FMR1 protein is not known. Studies have shown that FMR1 can bind mRNA and have a nuclear translocation consensus sequence suggesting that it may be a nuclear protein [Ashley et al . Science 262 : 563-566 (1993); Siomi et al . , Cell 14 : 291-298 (1993)].
  • the molecular basis for Fragile-X syndrome is due to an unstable, inherited multi-step expansion of a polymorphic triplet repeat sequence (CGG)n within the 5' untranslated region of FMR1 .
  • CGG polymorphic triplet repeat sequence
  • Carriers of the disease show repeat length of 43-200 units and are termed as having premutations .
  • a full mutation is characterized by expansion of the repeats to greater than 200 units.
  • the CGG repeats and the FMR1 promoter sequences become hypermethylated, leading to the inactivation of the transcription of FMR1 and perhaps nearby genes.
  • Premutations are associated with premature ovarian failure, early menopause or precocious puberty in affected individuals.
  • the severity of these and other conditions varies in different individuals and may reflect an underlying dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Nearly all males with a full mutation have mild to severe mental retardation. [Rousseau et al . Am . J. Hu . Genet . 55 : 225- 237 (1994)] .
  • Full mutation males also exhibit macroorchidism, distinct facies, velvety skins and hyperextensible joints.
  • Female symptoms are more variable which may be due to differential X-inactivation.
  • Fragile-X locus is decreased in Fragile-X patients.
  • Zalphal has been placed between two fragile sites, FRAXA and FRAXE, in Xq27.3 using a radiation hybrid panel. Due to the close proximity to the FMR1 locus, expression of Zalphal may be inhibited by the expansion of the CGG repeats and the ensuing hypermethylation resulting in the extinction of FMR1 . The variable phenotypic traits associated with the Fragile-X syndrome may therefore be due at least in part to the absence of Zalphal expression.
  • the administration of Zalphal polypeptide, its agonists or antagonists may provide a clinical treatment for these conditions
  • the precise physical distance of Zalphal to FMR1 can be refined using a number of existing mapping reagents, including somatic cell hybrids, yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones.
  • the existing somatic cell hybrid mapping panels provide relevant breakpoints at the FRAXA CGG triplet repeat associated with Fragile-X syndrome [Warren et al . , Proc . Na t . Acad . Sci . , 81 : 3856 (1990)], and at the IDS (Hunter syndrome) locus [Suthers et. al . Am . J. Hum . Genet . , 47:187 (1990)], distal to FRAXE.
  • Physical mapping of Zalphal can easily be accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) , using gene specific primers and the mapping reagents as template. Analysis using the somatic cell hybrid panels will be done initially; confirmation of the regional localization will be followed by higher resolution mapping using the YAC and BAC clones . Mapping of Zalphal to one or more BAC clones will provide a precise localization to within 100 kb, and the relative distance to the fragile site can then be easily determined.
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • Zalphal transcripts are present in detectable levels in peripheral blood leukocytes, Zalphal expression can also be assessed in widely available lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from Fragile-X patients with a range of CGG repeat expansions. Analysis of Zalphal transcript levels in these cell lines by Northern blot analysis or by RT/PCR would provide confirmation that Zalphal transcription levels are reduced or are absent in Fragile-X patients.
  • Zalphl transcription in Fragile-X patients can be determined directly by Northern blot analysis or by RT/PCR analysis on pituitary, aortic or other RNA samples isolated from Fragile-X patients.
  • Zalphal transcripts of the present invention were found at high levels in the pituitary and in aorta. Lower levels were found in brain, kidney, pancreas, prostate, testis, ovary, thyroid, spinal cord, trachea, adrenal gland. Trace levels were found in placenta, lung, liver, bone marrow and peripheral blood lymphocytes . Expression in the brain and pituitary suggests that Zalphal plays a regulatory role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis .
  • Elastin fibers in these affected tissues were reported to be reduced, abnormal in appearance, fragmented and not orientated. These fibers may fail to provide the appropriate mesh-work for joint stability, skin tensile strength, normal aortic growth and development and proper cardiac valve configuration and function.
  • locus present at or near Xq27.3 is responsible for the structural integrity of elastin or modulation of its production
  • Zalphal might be that proposed locus.
  • Zalphal polypeptides, agonists or antagonists thereof may be therapeutically useful for the growth, differentiation, maintenance or survival of connective tissues.
  • connective tissues In particular, that of the cardiovascular and epidermis systems.
  • Clinical indications would include the treatment of blood vessel diseases, macroorchidism, skin disorders, joint instability and other clinical connective tissue dysfunctions.
  • Other applications include cosmetic improvements to normal connective tissues such as enhancement of skin tone and elasticity.
  • Zalphal polypeptide, fragments thereof, fusion proteins containing Zalphal, such as Zalphal-Fc constructs, antibodies, agonists or antagonists for activity in the growth, differentiation, maintenance or survival of connective tissues can be carried out using cell cultures or animal systems. Expression of elastin, collagen, and other phenotypic markers can be used to monitor efficacy in vi tro .
  • proteins of the present invention are formulated for parental, particularly intravenous or subcutaneous delivery according to standard methods. Delivery to animals would also include the use of viral systems such as the adenovirus, adeno- associated virus and retrovirus systems . Dosing regimen is determined empirically taking into account protein stability and other pharmacokinetic parameters known in the art.
  • the effects of the present invention on growth, differentiation, maintenance or survival of connective and other tissues or organs can be assessed by the examination of histological sections taken from the recipient animals. Particular attention will be paid to tissues or organs in which Zalphal is expressed at high levels. Evaluations would include abnormal cell proliferation or cell death. Masson trichrome stain for collagen; orcein and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains for elastin and collagen; and Hale colloidal iron stain for acid mucopolysaccharide.
  • the direct effect of the present invention on skin elasticity and other effects on skin may be assessed by the use of transdermal delivery systems known in the art .
  • the role of the present invention on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can be assessed by measurements in changes to the circulating levels of gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and other hormones in the recipient animals.
  • the present invention also provides reagents with significant therapeutic value.
  • the Zalphal polypeptide naturally occurring or recombinant
  • fragments thereof, antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies thereto, along with compounds identified as having binding affinity to the Zalphal polypeptide, should be useful in the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal physiology or development, including abnormal proliferation, e . g. , cancerous conditions, or degenerative conditions.
  • a ' disease or disorder associated with abnormal expression or abnormal signaling by a Zalphal polypeptide should be a likely target for an agonist or antagonist of the Zalphal polypeptide.
  • Antibodies to the Zalphal polypeptide can be purified and then administered to a patient. These reagents can be combined for therapeutic use with additional active or inert ingredients, e . g. , in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents along with physiologically innocuous stabilizers and excipients. These combinations can be sterile filtered and placed into dosage forms as by lyophilization in dosage vials or storage in stabilized aqueous preparations. This invention also contemplates use of antibodies, binding fragments thereof or single-chain antibodies of the antibodies including forms which are not complement binding.
  • the quantities of reagents necessary for effective therapy will depend upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, and other medications administered. Thus, treatment dosages should be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. Typically, dosages used in vitro may provide useful guidance in the amounts useful for in vivo administration of these reagents. Animal testing of effective doses for treatment of particular disorders will provide further predictive indication of human dosage. Methods for administration include oral, intravenous, peritoneal, intramuscular, or transdermal administration. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers will include water, saline, buffers to name just a few. Dosage ranges would ordinarily be expected from l ⁇ g to lOOO ⁇ g per kilogram of body weight per day.
  • a mammal has a mutated or lacks a Zalphal gene
  • the Zalphal gene can be introduced into the cells of the mammal.
  • a gene encoding a Zalphal polypeptide is introduced in vivo in a viral vector.
  • viral vectors include an attenuated or defective DNA virus, such as but not limited to herpes simplex virus (HSV) , papillomavirus , Epstein Barr virus (EBV) , adenovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), and the like.
  • HSV herpes simplex virus
  • EBV Epstein Barr virus
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • Defective viruses which entirely or almost entirely lack viral genes, are preferred. A defective virus is not infective after introduction into a cell.
  • defective viral vectors allows for administration to cells in a specific, localized area, without concern that the vector can infect other cells.
  • examples of particular vectors include, but are not limited to, a defective herpes virus 1 (HSV1) vector [Kaplitt et al . , Molec . Cell . Neurosci . , 2 : 320-330 (1991)], an attenuated adenovirus vector, such as the vector described by HSV1 (HSV1) vector [Kaplitt et al . , Molec . Cell . Neurosci . , 2 : 320-330 (1991)], an attenuated adenovirus vector, such as the vector described by HSV1 (HSV1) vector [Kaplitt et al . , Molec . Cell . Neurosci . , 2 : 320-330 (1991)], an attenuated adenovirus vector, such as the vector described by
  • the gene can be introduced in a retroviral vector, e . g. , as described in /Anderson et al . , U.S. Patent No. 5,399,346; Mann et al . , Cell , 33:153 (1983); Temin et al . , U.S. Patent No. 4,650,764; Temin et al . , U.S. Patent No. 4,980,289;
  • the vector can be introduced by lipofection in vivo using liposomes.
  • Synthetic cationic lipids can be used to prepare liposomes for in vivo transfection of a gene encoding a marker [Feigner et al . , Proc . Na tl . Acad . Sci . USA, 84:7413-7417 (1987); see Mackey et al . , Proc . Na tl . Acad . Sci . USA, 85:8027-8031 (1988)] .
  • the use of lipofection to introduce exogenous genes into specific organs in vivo has certain practical advantages. Molecular targeting of liposomes to specific cells represents one area of benefit.
  • directing transfection to particular cells represents one area of benefit. It is clear that directing transfection to particular cell types would be particularly advantageous in a tissue with cellular heterogeneity, such as the pancreas, liver, kidney, and brain.
  • Lipids may be chemically coupled to other molecules for the purpose of targeting.
  • Targeted peptides, e . g. , hormones or neurotransmitters, and proteins such as antibodies, or non-peptide molecules could be coupled to liposomes chemically.
  • DNA vector for gene therapy can be introduced into the desired host cells by methods known in the art, e . g. , transfection, electroporation, microinjection, transduction, cell fusion, DEAE dextran, calcium phosphate precipitation, use of a gene gun or use of a DNA vector transporter [see, e . g. , Wu et al . , J. Biol . Chem . , 267:963-967 (1992); Wu et al . , J. Biol . Chem . , 263:14621-14624 (1988)].
  • Zalphal polypeptides can also be used to prepare antibodies that specifically bind to Zalphal polypeptides. These antibodies can then be used to manufacture anti-idiotypic antibodies.
  • antibodies includes polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof such as F(ab')2 an ⁇ Fab fragments, and the like, including genetically engineered antibodies.
  • polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are well known in the art (see for example, Sambrook et al . , Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual , Second Edi tion, (Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1989) ; and Hurrell, J. G. R. , Ed., Monoclonal Hybridoma Antibodies : Techniques and Applications (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, 1982) .
  • polyclonal antibodies can be generated from a variety of warm-blooded animals such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, dogs, chickens, rabbits, mice, and rats.
  • the immunogenicity of a Zalphal polypeptide may be increased through the use of an adjuvant such as Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant.
  • an adjuvant such as Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant.
  • assays known to those skilled in the art can be utilized to detect antibodies which specifically bind to Zalphal polypeptides. Exemplary assays are described in detail in Antibodies : A Laboratory Manual , Harlow and Lane (Eds.), (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988). Representative examples of such assays include: concurrent immunoelectrophoresis, radio-immunoassays, radio- immunoprecipitations, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) , dot blot assays, inhibition or competition assays, and sandwich assays.
  • Antibodies are determined to be specifically binding if: 1) they exhibit a threshold level of binding activity, and 2) they do not cross-react with prior art polypeptide molecules.
  • antibodies herein specifically bind if they bind to a Zalphal polypeptide, peptide or epitope with a binding affinity (K a ) of 10 M
  • binding affinity of an antibody can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example, by Scatchard analysis.
  • antibodies are determined to specifically bind if they do not cross-react with polypeptides of the prior art. Antibodies do not significantly cross-react with related polypeptide molecules, for example, if they detect Zalphal but not known related polypeptides using a standard Western blot analysis (Ausubel et al . , ibid. ) . Examples of known related polypeptides are orthologs, proteins from the same species that are members of a protein family (e.g. IL-16) , Zalphal polypeptides, and non-human Zalphal. Moreover, antibodies may be "screened against" known related polypeptides to isolate a population that specifically binds to the inventive polypeptides.
  • antibodies raised to Zalphal are adsorbed to related polypeptides adhered to insoluble matrix; antibodies specific to Zalphal will flow through the matrix under the proper buffer conditions .
  • Screening and isolation of specific antibodies is well known in the art. See, Fundamental Immunology, Paul (eds.) (Raven Press, 1993); Getzoff et al .
  • assays include: concurrent immunoelectrophoresis, radioim unoassay, radioimmuno-precipitation, enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) , dot blot or Western blot assay, inhibition or competition assay, and sandwich assay.
  • antibodies can be screened for binding to wild-type versus mutant Zalphal protein or polypeptide .
  • Antibodies to Zalphal may be used for tagging cells that express the protein, for affinity purification, within diagnostic assays for determining circulating levels of soluble protein polypeptides, and as antagonists to block ligand binding and signal transduction in vi tro and in vivo .
  • Anti-idiotypic antibodies can be used to discover a receptor of Zalphal.
  • Radiation hybrid mapping is a somatic cell genetic technique developed for constructing high- resolution, contiguous maps of mammalian chromosomes [Cox et al . , Science 250:245-250 (1990)]. Partial or full knowledge of a gene's sequence allows the designing of PCR primers suitable for use with chromosomal radiation hybrid mapping panels.
  • Commercially available radiation hybrid mapping panels which cover the entire human genome, such as the Stanford G3 RH Panel and the GeneBridge 4 RH Panel (Research Genetics, Inc., Huntsville, AL) , are available.
  • These panels enable rapid, PCR based, chromosomal localizations and ordering of genes, sequence-tagged sites (STSs) , and other nonpolymorphic- and polymorphic markers within a region of interest. This includes establishing directly proportional physical distances between newly discovered genes of interest and previously mapped markers .
  • the precise knowledge of a gene's position can be useful in a number of ways including: 1) determining if a sequence is part of an existing contig and obtaining additional surrounding genetic sequences in various forms such as YAC-, BAC- or cDNA clones, 2) providing a possible candidate gene for an inheritable disease which shows linkage to the same chromosomal region, and 3) for cross- referencing model organisms such as mouse which may be beneficial in helping to determine what function a particular gene might have.
  • the present invention also provides reagents which will find use in diagnostic applications.
  • the Zalphal gene has been mapped on chromosome
  • a Zalphal nucleic acid probe could to used to check for abnormalities on the X chromosome.
  • a probe comprising Zalphal DNA or RNA or a subsequence thereof can be used to determine if the Zalphal gene is present on chromosome Xq27.3 or if a mutation has occurred.
  • Detectable chromosomal aberrations at the Zalphal gene locus include but are not limited to aneuploidy, gene copy number changes, insertions, deletions, restriction site changes and rearrangements.
  • Such aberrations can be detected using polynucleotides of the present invention by employing molecular genetic techniques, such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis employing PCR techniques, and other genetic linkage analysis techniques known in the art [Sambrook et al . , ibid. ; Ausubel, et. al . , ibid. ; Marian, A.J., Chest,
  • molecular genetic techniques such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis employing PCR techniques, and other genetic linkage analysis techniques known in the art [Sambrook et al . , ibid. ; Ausubel, et. al . , ibid. ; Marian, A.J., Chest,
  • RNA extracted from cells of pituitary gland was purchased from Clontech, Palo Alto, CA and reversed transcribed in the following manner.
  • the first strand cDNA reaction contained 10 ⁇ l of human pituitary twice poly d(T) -selected poly (A) + mRNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, CA) at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml , and 2 ⁇ l of 20 pmole/ ⁇ l first strand primer ZC6191 SEQ ID NO: 4 (GTC TGG GTT CGC TAC TCG AGG CGG CCG CTA TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT) containing an Xho I restriction site.
  • the mixture was heated at 70°C for 2.0 minutes and cooled by chilling on ice.
  • First strand cDNA synthesis was initiated by the addition of 8 ⁇ l of first strand buffer (5x SUPERSCRIPTTM buffer; Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD) , 4 ⁇ l of 100 mM dithiothreitol, and 2 ⁇ l of a deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) solution containing 10 mM each of dTTP, dATP, dGTP and 5-methyl-dCTP (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Piscataway, NJ) to the RNA-primer mixture.
  • first strand buffer (5x SUPERSCRIPTTM buffer; Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD)
  • 4 ⁇ l of 100 mM dithiothreitol 4 ⁇ l of 100 mM dithiothreitol
  • dNTP deoxynucleotide triphosphate
  • the reaction mixture was incubated at 37° C for 2 minutes, followed by the addition of 10 ⁇ l of 200 U/ ⁇ l RNase H " reverse transcriptase (SUPERSCRIPT II®' " Life Technologies) .
  • the efficiency of the first strand synthesis was analyzed in a parallel reaction by the addition of 10 ⁇ Ci of 32 P- ⁇ dCTP to a 5 ⁇ l aliquot from one of the reaction mixtures to label the reaction for analysis.
  • the reactions were incubated at 37°C for 5 minutes, 45°C for 45 minutes, then incubated at 50°C for 10 minutes. Unincorporated 32 P- ⁇ dCTP in the labeled reaction was removed by chromatography on a 400 pore size gel filtration column (Clontech Laboratories) .
  • the unincorporated nucleotides and primers in the unlabeled first strand reactions were removed by chromatography on 400 pore size gel filtration column (Clontech Laboratories) .
  • the length of labeled first strand cDNA was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis .
  • the second strand reaction contained 100 ⁇ l of the unlabeled first strand cDNA, 30 ⁇ l of 5x polymerase I buffer (125 mM Tris : HC1 , pH 7.5, 500 mM KCl , 25 mM MgCl 2 , 50mM (NH 4 ) 2 S0 4 )), 2.0 ⁇ l of 100 mM dithiothreitol, 3.0 ⁇ l of a solution containing 10 mM of each deoxynucleotide triphosphate, 7 ⁇ l of 5 mM ⁇ -NAD, 2.0 ⁇ l of 10 U/ ⁇ l E.
  • 5x polymerase I buffer 125 mM Tris : HC1 , pH 7.5, 500 mM KCl , 25 mM MgCl 2 , 50mM (NH 4 ) 2 S0 4
  • 2.0 ⁇ l of 100 mM dithiothreitol 3.0 ⁇ l of a solution containing 10 m
  • the reactions were incubated at 16° C for two hours, followed by the addition of 1 ⁇ l of a 10 mM dNTP solution and 5.0 ⁇ l T4 DNA polymerase (10 U/ ⁇ l, Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) and incubated for an additional 10 minutes at 16°C. Unincorporated 32 p- ⁇ dCTP in the labeled reaction was removed by chromatography through a 400 pore size gel filtration column (Clontech Laboratories) before analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis.
  • the reaction was terminated by the addition of 10.0 ⁇ l 0.5 M EDTA and extraction with phenol/chloroform and chloroform followed by ethanol precipitation in the presence of 3.0 M Na acetate and 2 ⁇ l of Pellet Paint carrier (Novagen, Madison, WI) .
  • the yield of cDNA was estimated to be approximately 2 ⁇ g from starting mRNA template of 10 ⁇ g.
  • Eco RI adapters were ligated onto the 5' ends of the cDNA described above to enable cloning into an expression vector.
  • a 12.5 ⁇ l aliquot of cDNA ( ⁇ 2.0 ⁇ g) and 3 ⁇ l of 69 pmole/ ⁇ l of Eco RI adapter (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology Inc.) were mixed with 2.5 ⁇ l lOx ligase buffer (660 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 100 mM MgCl 2 ) , 2 -5 ⁇ l of 10 mM ATP, 3.5 ⁇ l 0.1 M DTT and 1 ⁇ l of 15 U/ ⁇ l T4 DNA ligase (Promega Corp., Madison, WI) .
  • the reaction was incubated 1 hour at 5°C, 2 hours at 7.5°C, 2 hours at 10°C, 2 hours at 12.5°C and 16 hours at 10°C.
  • the reaction was terminated by the addition of 65 ⁇ l H 2 0 and 10 ⁇ l 10X H buffer (Boehringer Mannheim) and incubation at 70°C for 20 minutes.
  • the cDNA was digested • with Xho I, resulting in a cDNA having a 5' Eco RI cohesive end and a 3' Xho I cohesive end.
  • the Xho I restriction site at the 3 ' end of the cDNA had been previously introduced.
  • Restriction enzyme digestion was carried out in a reaction mixture by the addition of 1.0 ⁇ l of 40 U/ ⁇ l Xho I (Boehringer Mannheim) . Digestion was carried out at 37°C for 45 minutes. The reaction was terminated by incubation at 70°C for 20 minutes and chromatography through a 400 pore size gel filtration column (Clontech Laboratories) .
  • the cDNA was ethanol precipitated, washed with
  • the electrodes were reversed, and the cDNA was electrophoresed until concentrated near the lane origin.
  • the area of the gel containing the concentrated cDNA was excised and placed in a microfuge tube, and the approximate volume of the gel slice was determined.
  • An aliquot of water approximately three times the volume of the gel slice (300 ⁇ l) and 35 ⁇ l lOx ⁇ -agarose I buffer (New England Biolabs) was added to the tube, and the agarose was melted by heating to 65°C for 15 minutes. Following equilibration of the sample to 45°C,
  • cDNA was cloned into the Eco RI and Xho I sites of pBLUESCRIPT SK+ vector (Gibco/BRL) and electroporated into DH10B cells. Bacterial colonies containing ESTs of known genes were identified and eliminated from sequence analysis by reiterative cycles of probe hybridization to hi-density colony filter arrays (Genome Systems) . cDNAs of known genes were pooled in groups of 50 - 100 inserts and were labeled with 32 P using a MEGAPRIME labeling kit
  • the cDNA clone which corresponded to the EST of SEQ ID NO: 3 was sequenced which resulted in the Zalphal DNA sequence and Zalphal amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2 respectively.
  • RNA dot blot showed high expression of Zalphal in pituitary and aorta.
  • the multiple tissue northern blots showed abundant expression in thyroid, spinal cord, brain, kidney and pancreas with lower expression in heart , spleen, prostate, testis, stomach, trachea and adrenal gland.
  • GeneBridge 4 Radiation Hybrid Panel contains PCRable DNAs from each of 93 radiation hybrid clones, plus two control DNAs (the HFL donor and the A23 recipient).
  • a publicly, available WWW server http://www-genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi- bin/contig/rhmapper .pi) allows mapping relative to the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research's radiation hybrid map of the human genome (the "WICGR" radiation hybrid map) which was constructed with the GeneBridge 4 Radiation Hybrid Panel.
  • KlenTaq PCR reaction buffer (CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, CA) , 1.6 ⁇ l dNTPs mix (2.5 mM each, PERKIN- ELMER, Foster City, CA) , 1 ⁇ l sense primer, (SEQ ID NO: 5) 15,869, 5' GCA GCA GTC CCA CAG ATG 3', 1 ⁇ l antisense primer, (SEQ ID NO: 6) ZC 15,868, 5' TGG GCT GAG TGC TTG TTT 3', 2 ⁇ l "RediLoad” (Research Genetics, Inc., Huntsville, AL) , 0.4 ⁇ l 50X Advantage KlenTaq Polymerase Mix (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), 25 ng of DNA from an individual hybrid clone or control and x ⁇ l ddH 2 0 for a total volume of 20 ⁇ l .
  • the reactions were overlaid with an equal amount of mineral oil and sealed.
  • the PCR cycler conditions were as follows : an initial 1 cycle 5 minute denaturation at 95°C, 35 cycles of a 1 minute denaturation at 95°C, 1 minute annealing at 64°C and 1.5 minute extension at 72°C, followed by a final 1 cycle extension of 7 minutes at 72°C.
  • the reactions were separated by electrophoresis on a 2% agarose gel (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD) .
  • Three mammalian vectors which express Zalphal are being constructed using a yeast recombination vector. Three different variations of the Zalphal polypeptide were generated; (i) untagged, (ii) amino terminal Glu-Glu tagged, and (iii) carboxy terminal Glu-Glu tagged.
  • the amino acid sequence of the Glu-Glu tag is Glu-Glu-Tyr- Met-Pro-Met-Glu (SEQ ID NO:25)
  • the vectors can be made as follows
  • the construction of the expression vector in which there is no Glu-Glu tag attached to the Zalphal can be done as follows. Both a 5' and 3' linkers can be constructed which do not encode a Glu-Glu tag and which ligate by means of homologous recombination with the digested plasmid and with the Zalphal gene so as to produce a plasmid containing the Zalphal gene. This is done by transfecting the two linker DNAs, Zalphal gene and the digested plasmid simultaneously into yeast. The plasmid number can be amplified in the yeast, isolated from the yeast, transfected to E . coli, amplified, isolated and then transfected into mammalian cells to produce Zalphal.
  • the amino acid carboxy terminal tagged versions are generated in the same manner except that the appropriately tagged recombination linkers are used.
  • the yeast plasmid pCZR199 was engineered from vector pRS31 ⁇ , [Sikorski and Hieter, Genetics 122 : 19-27 (1989). into which a two PVuII sites were engineered and a EcoRI, Xbz were engineered between the two PVUII sites .
  • the DNA linker which homologously recombines with the 3 ' end of the digested plasmid and the 5 ' end of the Zalphl gene and does not add a Glu-Glu tag to Zalphal can be made as follows.
  • a solution containing 4pmole each of the sense oligonucleotide ZC16,469 5' TCG CCC AGC CAG GAA ATC CAT GCC GAG TTC CAA CGC GGC CGT AGA 3' (SEQ ID NO : 8 ) and the antisense oligonucleotide ZC16,465, 5' CAG CAG CCG CAG CTG TTC CAT GAG CTG GCT GTT CTC GAT TCT ACG GCC GCG TTG GAA CTC GG3 ' (SEQ ID NO:9) are amplified together by PCR.
  • the amplified product of these two oligonucleotides was further extended in the same reaction tube, in the same PCR reaction using 400 picomoles of the sense primer ZC16,470 5' CTG CTG TGT GGC GCC GTC TTC GTT TCG CCC AGC CAG GAA ATC CAT 3' (SEQ ID NO:7) and 400 picomoles of the antisense primer ZC16,028 5' TAC CTG GCG CAG CAG GCT GGC CCT CTC GCA CAC CAG CAG CCG CAG CTG TTC CAT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 10) .
  • the PCR mixture for the reaction contained 40 ⁇ l of 10X PCR buffer, 8 ⁇ l EXTAG (both from Takara) , 8 ⁇ l of 2.5 mM nucleotide triphosphate mix Takara) and 300 ⁇ l of water.
  • the PCR reaction was incubated at 94°C for 1.5 minutes, and then run for 10 cycles each individual cycle being comprised of 30 seconds at 94°C, 1 minute at 50°C and 1 minutes at 72°C.
  • the reaction was ended with an incubation for 10 minutes at 72°C. This resulted in the recombination linker
  • the DNA linker which homologously recombines with the 5 ' end of the digested plasmid and the 3 ' end of the Zalphl gene and does not add a Glu-Glu tag to the carboxy terminus of Zalphal can be made as follows.
  • PCR mixture for the reaction further contained 40 ⁇ l of 10X PCR buffer, 8 ⁇ l EXTAG (both from Takara), 8 ⁇ l of 2.5 mM nucleotide triphosphate mix Takara) and 300 ⁇ l of water.
  • the PCR reaction was incubated at 94°C for 1.5 • minutes, and then run for 10 cycles each individual cycle being comprised of 30 seconds at 94°C, 1 minute at 50°C and 1 minutes at 72°C. The reaction was ended with an incubation for 10 minutes at 72°.
  • a linker which would homologously recombine with the 3 ' end of the digested plasmid and the 5 ' end of the Zalphal gene and which when the Zalphal gene was expressed would attach a Glu-Glu tag onto the amino terminus of Zalphal was produced as follows. 4 picomoles of the sense oligonucleotide ZC14,397 5' CCG AGT TCC .
  • the PCR mixture for the reaction further contained 40 ⁇ l of 10X PCR buffer, 8 ⁇ l EXTAG (both from Takara), 8 ⁇ l of 2.5 mM nucleotide triphosphate mix Takara) and 300 ⁇ l of water.
  • the PCR reaction was incubated at 94°C for 1.5 minutes, and then run for 10 cycles each individual cycle being comprised of 30 seconds at 94°C, 1 minute at 50°C and 1 minutes at 72°C. The reaction was ended with an incubation for 10 • minutes at 72°
  • a linker which would homologously recombine with the 5 ' end of the digested plasmid and the 3 ' end of the Zalphal gene and which when the Zalphal gene was expressed would attach a Glu-Glu tag onto the carboxy terminus of Zalphal was produced as follows.
  • the PCR mixture for the reaction further contained 40 ⁇ l of 10X PCR buffer, 8 ⁇ l EXTAG (both from Takara), 8 ⁇ l of 2.5 mM nucleotide triphosphate mix Takara) and 300 ⁇ l of water.
  • the PCR reaction was incubated at 94°C for 1.5 minutes, and then run for 10 cycles each individual cycle being comprised of 30 seconds at 94°C, 1 minute at 50°C and 1 minutes at 72°C. The reaction was ended with an incubation for 10 minutes at 72°.
  • oligonucleotide linker 5' GAT GAG ATG AAA CAG TGC TTT GGC TGG GAT GAC GAC GAA GAC GAC GAC GAC GAA GAA GAG GAG GAT GAT TAT GAA GAA TAC ATG CCC ATG GAA TAA TCTAGAGGAT CTGGGGTGGC ATCCCTGTGA CCCCTCCCCA GTGCC 3' (SEQ ID NO: 24)
  • a mixture of 0.1 ⁇ g linear pCZR199, 1 mg full length Zalphal cDNA, and about 1 ⁇ g of each of the untagged amino terminus and untagged carboxy terminus recombination linkers are mixed in a total volume of 10 ml. This mixture is used to transform competent yeast cells ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae) . Plasmid DNA from the successful transformations are transferred to E. coli and the desired constructs were identified by DNA sequence analysis. The plasmids can then be transfected into mammalian cells such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.
  • mammalian cells such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.
  • Expression of Zalphal in Pichia methanolica utilizes the expression system described in co-assigned PCT WO.97/17450 /An expression plasmid containing all or part of a polynucleotide encoding Zalphal is constructed via homologous recombination.
  • the expression vector is built from pCZR204, which contains the AUG1 promoter, followed by the ⁇ Fpp leader sequence, followed by an amino-terminal peptide tag, a blunt-ended Smal restriction site, a carboxy-terminal peptide tag, a translational STOP codon, followed by the AUG1 terminator, the ADE2 selectable marker, and finally the AUG1 3' untranslated region.
  • the Zalphal sequence inserted into this vector begins at residue 27 (Ala) of the Zalphal amino acid sequence .
  • three expression plasmids were produced for expression of Zalphal in P. methanolica .
  • the plasmids are: one called the NEE- zalphal construct produced a Zalphal polypeptide in which the N- terminus was tagged with a Glu-Glu tag (SEQ ID NO: 25) , one called the CEE-zalphal construct produced a Zalphal polypeptide in which the C-terminus was tagged with a Glu-Glu tag (SEQ ID NO: 25) and one in which the Zalphal was untagged.
  • two linkers were made for producing each plasmid.
  • One linker homologously recombined with the 3 ' end of the digested plasmid and the 5 ' end of the Zalphal gene when transformed together with the digested plasmid and the Zalphal gene in P. methanolica ; the second linker would homologously recombine with the 3 ' end of the Zalphal gene and the 5 ' end of the digested plasmid when transformed together with the digested plasmid and the Zalphal gene in P. me thanol i ca .
  • the N-terminal -NEE- zalphal plasmid construct which produces Zalphal tagged with a Glu-Glu tag at the N-terminus was made by recombining 100 ng of the Smal digested pCZR204 acceptor vector, the 1 ⁇ g of the EcoRI- Xhol Zalphal cDNA donor fragment, the 1 ⁇ g of the N- terminal NEE-zalphal linker (SEQ ID NO: 35) and 1 ⁇ g of the C-terminal untagged linker (SEQ ID NO:36) in a P. methanolica transformation.
  • the NEE-zalphal linker was synthesized by a PCR reaction in which 4 picomoles of ZC13,497 (SEQ ID NO:28), 4 picomoles of ZC13,731 (SEQ ID NO: 29) 4 picomoles of ZC16,023 (SEQ ID NO: 30 and 4 picomoles of ZC16,028 (SEQ ID NO: 10) were placed in a PCR reaction mixture.
  • the PCR mixture for the reaction further contained 40 ⁇ l of 10X PCR buffer, 8 ⁇ l EXTAG (both from Takara), 8 ⁇ l of 2.5 mM nucleotide triphosphate mix Takara) and 300 ⁇ l of water.
  • the PCR reaction was incubated at 94°C for 1.5 minutes, and then run for 10 cycles each individual cycle being comprised of 30 seconds at 94°C, 1 minute at 50°C and 1 minutes at 72°C. The reaction was ended with an incubation for 10 minutes at 72°. This produced the oligonucleotide linker SEQ ID NO:35.
  • the C-terminal untagged Zalphal linker was made by placing 4 picomoles of ZC13,734 (SEQ ID NO:31) 4 picomoles of ZC15,633 (SEQ ID NO:32) 400 picomoles of ⁇ oligonucleotide ZC16,025 (SEQ ID NO:33) and 400 picomoles oligonucleotide ZC16,027 (SEQ ID NO:34)in a PCR mixture identical to the above-described mixture and the PCR reaction was run under the same conditions as above. This produced the linker SEQ ID NO: 36.
  • the N-terminal untagged Zalphal linker was made by mixing 4 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:37), 4 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:38), 400 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 39) and 400 picomoles of (SEQ ID NO: 10) together in a PCR mixture identical to the above-described PCR mixture and running the PCR reaction as it was run above. This produced the linker of SEQ ID NO:40.
  • the C-terminal Zalphal-CEE linker was made by mixing 4 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 41), 4 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:42), 400 picomoles of oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 3) 400 picomoles of (SEQ ID NO: 12) and 400 picomoles of (SEQ ID NO: 13 together in a PCR mixture identical to the above- described PCR mixture and running the PCR reaction as was done above. This produced the linker of SEQ ID NO: 44.
  • the C-terminal-CEE-Zalp al plasmid construct which expresses ZcytolO tagged with a Glu-Glu tag at the C-terminus was made by recombining 100 ng of the Smal digested pCZR204 acceptor vector, the l ⁇ g of the BcoRI- Xhol zalphal cDNA donor fragment, 1 ⁇ g of the N-terminal untagged zalphal linker (SEQ ID NO : 40) and 1 ⁇ g of the C-terminal CEE- zalphal tagged linker (SEQ ID NO: 44) in a P. methanolica transformation. Construction of the Untagged Zalphal Expressing Construct
  • the untagged Zalphal expressing construct was made by recombining lOOng of the Smal digested pCZR204 acceptor vector, 1 ⁇ g of the EcoRI -Xhol Zalphal cDNA donor fragment, and 1 ⁇ g of each of the two recombinatorial linkers N-terminal untagged Zalphal oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 40) and the C-terminal untagged Zalphal oligonucleotid (SEQ ID NO: 36) in a P . methanolica transformation.
  • Each N-terminal PCR-generated, double- stranded linker segment that spans 70 base pairs of the aFpp coding sequence on one end and joins it to the 70 base pairs of the amino-terminus coding sequence from the mature Zalphal sequence on the other. While each C- terminus linker contains about 70 base pairs of carboxy terminus coding sequence from Zalphal on one end with 70 base pairs of AUG1 terminator sequence.
  • Ura + colonies were selected, and DNA from the resulting yeast colonies was extracted and transformed into E. coli . Individual clones harboring the correct expression construct were identified by PCR screening followed by restriction digestion to verify the presence of the Zalphal insert and DNA sequencing to confirm the desired DNA sequences had been enjoined with one another.
  • Plasmid DNA is isolated for one of the correct clones, and the DNA is digested with Sfi I to liberate the Pichia-Zalphal expression cassette from the vector backbone.
  • the Sfi I- cut DNA is then transformed into a Pichia methanolica expression host, designated PMAD16, and plated on ADE D plates for selection.
  • PMAD16 Pichia methanolica expression host
  • a variety of clones are picked and screened via Western blot for high-level Zalphal expression. More specifically, for small-scale protein production (e.g., plate or shake flask production), P .
  • methanolica transformants that carry an expression cassette comprising a methanol-regulated promoter (such as the AUG1 promoter) are grown in the presence of methanol and the absence of interfering amounts of other carbon sources (e.g., glucose) .
  • transformants may be grown at 30°C on solid media containing, for example, 20 g/L Bacto-agar
  • methanol is a volatile carbon source it is readily lost on prolonged incubation.
  • a continuous supply of methanol can be provided by placing a solution of 50% methanol in water in the lids of inverted plates, whereby the methanol is transferred to the growing cells by evaporative transfer. In general, not more than 1 ml of methanol is used per 100- mm plate. Slightly larger scale experiments can be carried out using cultures grown in shake flasks.
  • cells are cultivated for two days on minimal methanol plates as disclosed above at 30°C, then colonies are used to inoculate a small volume of minimal methanol media (6.7 g/L yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 10 g/L methanol, 0.4 mg/L biotin) at a cell density of about 1 x 10 6 cells/ml.
  • minimal methanol media 6.7 g/L yeast nitrogen base without amino acids, 10 g/L methanol, 0.4 mg/L biotin
  • Cells are grown at 30°C.
  • Cells growing on methanol have a high oxygen requirement, necessitating vigorous shaking during cultivation.
  • Methanol is replenished daily (typically 1/100 volume of 50% methanol per day) .

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne de nouveaux polypeptides mammaliens à hélice alpha, des polynucléotides codant ces polypeptides, ainsi que des compositions et méthodes associées y compris des anticorps et des anticorps anti-idiotypes.
EP98963845A 1997-12-10 1998-12-10 Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha Withdrawn EP1045900A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US987926 1992-12-10
US98792697A 1997-12-10 1997-12-10
PCT/US1998/026273 WO1999029720A2 (fr) 1997-12-10 1998-12-10 Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1045900A2 true EP1045900A2 (fr) 2000-10-25

Family

ID=25533700

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98963845A Withdrawn EP1045900A2 (fr) 1997-12-10 1998-12-10 Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1045900A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001525195A (fr)
AU (1) AU1908599A (fr)
CA (1) CA2313464A1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ505037A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999029720A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002534964A (ja) * 1999-01-15 2002-10-22 ザイモジェネティクス，インコーポレイティド 哺乳類α−ヘリックスタンパク質
AU4004200A (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-09-14 Zymogenetics Inc. Mammalian alpha-helical protein, zsig83
AU7113400A (en) * 1999-09-07 2001-04-10 Zymogenetics Inc. Secreted polypeptide zalpha30
EP1228220A2 (fr) * 1999-10-29 2002-08-07 ZymoGenetics, Inc. Kits et procede didactiques comprenant une nouvelle proteine 34 d'helice alpha
AU2001243693A1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2001-10-03 Zymogenetics Inc. Helical protein zalpha51

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06510202A (ja) * 1991-08-30 1994-11-17 フレッド・ハッチンソン・キャンサー・リサーチ・センター ハイブリッドサイトカイン

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9929720A3 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999029720A2 (fr) 1999-06-17
WO1999029720A3 (fr) 1999-08-26
AU1908599A (en) 1999-06-28
NZ505037A (en) 2002-05-31
CA2313464A1 (fr) 1999-06-17
JP2001525195A (ja) 2001-12-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU736362B2 (en) Mammalian cytokine-like factor 7
JP2002502589A (ja) ４５個のヒト分泌タンパク質
AU737132B2 (en) Mammalian neuro-growth factor like protein
EP1045900A2 (fr) Proteine 1 mammalienne a helice alpha
WO1998046756A1 (fr) Compositions de proteines secretees ssp-1 et utilisations de ces compositions a des fins diagnostiques et therapeutiques
WO1998046756A9 (fr) Compositions de proteines secretees ssp-1 et utilisations de ces compositions a des fins diagnostiques et therapeutiques
US6303770B1 (en) Nucleic acids encoding mammalian alpha helical protein-1
AU1622200A (en) Mammalian chondromodulin-like protein
US20030166907A1 (en) Mammalian neuro-growth factor like protein
US7608426B2 (en) Polynucleotides encoding mammalian cytokine-like factor 7
AU741557B2 (en) Mammalian secretory peptide-9
JP2002502601A (ja) 樹状富化分泌リンパ球活性化分子
US20020077467A1 (en) Mammalian calcitonin-like polypeptide-1
EP1037914A2 (fr) Polypeptide 1 de type calcitonine de mammifere
CA2415095A1 (fr) Proteine-36 en helice alpha secretee
EP1007674A1 (fr) Facteur de transcription zgcl-1 specifique aux testicules
MXPA99009734A (en) Mammalian cytokine-like factor 7
WO2000071717A1 (fr) Proteine 32 alpha helicoidale secretee
MXPA01004743A (en) Mammalian chondromodulin-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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000614

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: NOVAK, JULIA (FORMERLY PARRISH)

Inventor name: CONKLIN, DARRELL, C.

Inventor name: LOK, SI

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20040701