WO1999055721A1

WO1999055721A1 - Secreted proteins and polynucleotides encoding them

Info

Publication number: WO1999055721A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/008504
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dario Valenzuela; Olive Yuan; Heidi Hoffman; Jeff Hall; Peter Rapiejko
Original assignee: Alphagene, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-04-24
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 1999-11-04
Also published as: AU3965299A; CA2327551A1; EP1075487A4; EP1075487A1

Abstract

Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Description

SECRETED PROTEINS AND POLYNUCLEOTIDES ENCODING THEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel polynucleotides and proteins encoded by such polynucleotides, along with therapeutic, diagnostic and research utilities for these polynucleotides and proteins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technology aimed at the discovery of protein factors (including e.g., cytokines, such as lymphokines, interferons, CSFs and interleukins) has matured rapidly over the past decade. The now routine hybridization cloning and expression cloning techniques clone novel polynucleotides "directly" in the sense that they rely on information directly related to the discovered protein (i.e., partial DNA/amino acid sequence of the protein in the case of hybridization cloning; activity of the protein in the case of expression cloning). More recent "indirect" cloning techniques such as signal sequence cloning, which isolates DNA sequences based on the presence of a now well-recognized secretory leader sequence motif, as well as various PCR-based or low stringency hybridization cloning techniques, have advanced the state of the art by making available large numbers of DNA/amino acid sequences for proteins that are known to have biological activity by virtue of their secreted nature in the case of leader sequence cloning, or by virtue of the cell or tissue source in the case of PCR-based techniques. It is to these proteins and the polynucleotides encoding them that the present invention is directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485; (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(k) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (h) or (i) above ;

(1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i); and

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes tinder stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:l. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited imder accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 55 to amino acid 64 of SEQ ID NO:2.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:l.

Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:l, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:l; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and (iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of: (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:l, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:l; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:l to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:l , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:l. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; and (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:2 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 55 to amino acid 64 of SEQ ID NO:2.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number

ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC

98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4; (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(k) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (h) or (i) above ; (1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i); and

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:3. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 354 to amino acid 363 of

SEQ ID NO:4. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:3.

Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of: (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:3, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:3; and (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and (iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:3, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:3; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:3, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:3 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:3 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:3. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 354 to amino acid 363 of SEQ ID NO:4.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

8 (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:6;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above; (k) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (h) or (i) above ;

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:5.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited tmder accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:6, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 53 to amino acid 62 of SEQ

ID NO:6.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5. Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:5, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:5; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (ba) SEQ ID NO:5, but excluding the poly( A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:5; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:5 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:5 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:5. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522, and extending

10 contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:6; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:6, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 53 to amino acid 62 of SEQ ID NO:6.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502;

11 (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:8;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:7. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited imder accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 having biological activity, the fragment

12 preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:8, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 59 to amino acid 68 of SEQ ID NO:8.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:7, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:7; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:7, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:7; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii).

13 Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:7 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:7 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:7. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:8; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:8, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 59 to amino acid 68 of SEQ ID NO:8.

14 (a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of (a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:9.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the

15 nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 46 to amino acid 55 of SEQ ID NO:10.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:9.

Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:9, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:9; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:9, but excluding the ρoly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:9; and

16 (bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:9, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:9 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:9 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:9. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:10; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 having biological activity, the fragment preferably

17 comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:10, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 46 to amino acid 55 of SEQ ID NO:10. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 12;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of (a)-(g) above; (k) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (h) or (i) above ;

18 (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:ll.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:12, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 180 to amino acid 189 of

SEQ ID NO:12.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:ll, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:ll; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s);

19 and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:ll, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:ll; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:ll to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:ll , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:ll. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID

NO:ll from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12;

20 (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 12; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 12, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 180 to amino acid 189 of SEQ ID NO:12.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:13;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number

ATCC 98804;

(d) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC

98804;

(f) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:14;

21 (i) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(f) above;

(j) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (g) or (h) above ; (k) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(h); and

(1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(h) and that has a length that is at least

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:13. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:14, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 37 to amino acid 46 of SEQ ID NO:14.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:13.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:13, but excluding the ρoly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:13; and

22 (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and (iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:13, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:13; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:13 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:13 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:13. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14;

23 (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 14; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 14, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 37 to amino acid 46 of SEQ ID NO:14.

NO:15;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 148 to nucleotide 1470;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16;

24 (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:16;

(1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i); and (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:15.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 148 to nucleotide 1470; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 16, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 215 to amino acid 224 of SEQ ID NO:16.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:15. Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of:

25 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:15, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:15; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:15, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:15; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(ϋi). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:15 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:15 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:15. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 148 to nucleotide 1470, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 148 to nucleotide 1470, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide

26 148 to nucleotide 1470. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 16; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:16, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO: 16 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 215 to amino acid 224 of SEQ ID NO:16.

NO:17;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

27 (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3 _1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:18;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:17.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:18, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 having biological activity, the

28 fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 46 to amino acid 55 of SEQ ID NO:18.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17. Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:17, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:17; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and (b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:17, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:17; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

29 ID NO:17 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:17 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:17. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 18; and (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:18, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 46 to amino acid 55 of SEQ ID NO:18. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19;

30 (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide 840;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840; (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20; (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:19. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide 840; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide

31 encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 107 to amino acid 116 of SEQ ID NO:20. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:19.

(a) a process comprising the steps of: (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:19, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:19; and (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:19, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:19; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

32 (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:19, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

ID NO:19 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:19 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:19. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide

840, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide 840, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide 840. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID

NO: 19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20; (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

33 ID NO:20 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 107 to amino acid 116 of SEQ ID NO:20.

NO:21;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:21.

34 Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 69 to amino acid 78 of SEQ ID NO:22.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:21.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:21, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:21; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

35 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:21, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:21; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:21, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:21 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:21 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:21. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22; and

36 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:22 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 69 to amino acid 78 of SEQ ID NO:22.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (d) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (f) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:24;

(i) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of (a)-(f) above;

37 (j) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (g) or (h) above ;

(k) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(h); and (1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(h) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:23.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:24, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 56 to amino acid 65 of SEQ ID NO:24.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:23, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:23; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

38 (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (ba) SEQ ID NO:23, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:23; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:23, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:23 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:23 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:23. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:24; and

39 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:24, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:24 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 56 to amino acid 65 of SEQ ID NO:24.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number

ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC

98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26;

40 (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:25. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 57 to amino acid 66 of SEQ

ID NO:26. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:25.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:25, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:25; and

41 (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and (iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:25, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:25; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:25 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:25 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:25. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from

42 nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 57 to amino acid 66 of SEQ ID NO:26.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:27;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(d) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (e) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

43 (g) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:28;

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:27. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:28, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 111 to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO:28.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:27.

44 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:27, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:27; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vclO_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:27, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:27; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:27, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:27 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:27 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:27. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871, to a nucleotide

45 sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:28; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:28, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 111 to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO:28.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide 657; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

46 (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:30;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:29.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide 657; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:30, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 78 to amino acid 87 of SEQ

ID NO:30.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:29.

47 Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:29, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:29; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (ba) SEQ ID NO:29, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:29; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

ID NO:29 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:29 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:29. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide

48 657, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide 657, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide 657. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:30; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:30, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 78 to amino acid 87 of SEQ ID NO:30.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662;

49 (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:31. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 having biological activity, the fragment

50 preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 67 to amino acid 76 of SEQ ID NO:32.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:31.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:31, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:31; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:31, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:31; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

51 Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:31, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:31 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:31 , but excluding the poly (A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:31. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 67 to amino acid 76 of SEQ ID NO:32.

52 (a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:34;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:33.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the

53 nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:34, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 89 to amino acid 98 of SEQ ID NO:34.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:33.

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:33, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:33; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:33, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:33; and

54 (bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:33, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:33 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:33 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:33. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:34; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 having biological activity, the fragment preferably

55 comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:34, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 89 to amino acid 98 of SEQ ID NO:34. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

56 (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:35.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 53 to amino acid 62 of SEQ

ID NO:36.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:35.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:35, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:35; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s);

57 and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:35, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:35; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:35, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:35 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:35 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:35. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID

NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36;

58 (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 53 to amino acid 62 of SEQ ID NO:36.

NO:37;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1031 to nucleotide 1252;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38;

59 (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:38;

(1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i); and (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:37.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1031 to nucleotide 1252; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc21 __1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98785. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785. In yet other preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 from amino acid 29 to amino acid 74. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:38, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 32 to amino acid 41 of SEQ ID NO:38. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:37.

60 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:37, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:37; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:37, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:37; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:37 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:37 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:37. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1031 to nucleotide 1252, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1031 to nucleotide 1252, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide

61 1031 to nucleotide 1252. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38;

(b) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 from amino acid 29 to amino acid 74;

(c) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:38; and (d) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 from amino acid 29 to amino acid 74. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID

NO:38, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 32 to amino acid 41 of SEQ ID NO:38.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482;

62 (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:40;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:39. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 having biological activity, the fragment

63 preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:40, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 226 to amino acid 235 of SEQ ID NO:40.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:39, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:39; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:39, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:39; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

64 Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:39, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:39 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:39 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:39. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:40; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:40, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:40 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 226 to amino acid 235 of SEQ ID NO:40.

65 (a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:41.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the

66 nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 38 to amino acid 47 of SEQ ID NO:42.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:41.

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:41, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:41; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:41, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:41; and

67 (bb) the nucleotide sequence of t e cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:41, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:41 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:41 , but excluding the poly (A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:41. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42 having biological activity, the fragment preferably

68 comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 38 to amino acid 47 of SEQ ID NO:42. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

69 (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:43.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 215 to amino acid 224 of

SEQ ID NO:44.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:43.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:43, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:43; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s);

70 and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:43, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:43; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:43, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:43 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:43 , but excluding the ρoly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:43. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44;

71 (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 215 to amino acid 224 of SEQ ID NO:44.

NO:45;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773;

(e) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46;

72 (j) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46;

(k) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of (a)-(h) above;

(1) a polynucleotide which encodes a species homologue of the protein of (i) or (j) above ;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(j); and (n) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(j) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:45.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In yet other preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 from amino acid 1 to amino acid 97. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 56 to amino acid 65 of SEQ ID NO:46.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:45.

73 (a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:45, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:45; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:45, but excluding the ρoly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:45; and (bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii).

Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:45, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:45 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:45 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:45. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428, to a nucleotide

74 sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46;

(b) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 from amino acid 1 to amino acid 97; (c) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46; and

(d) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 from amino acid 1 to amino acid 97. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 56 to amino acid 65 of SEQ ID NO:46.

75 (a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:48;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:47.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the

76 nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:48, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 290 to amino acid 299 of SEQ ID NO:48.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:47.

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (aa) SEQ ID NO:47, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:47; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:47, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:47; and

77 (bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:47, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:47 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:47 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:47. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:48; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 having biological activity, the fragment preferably

78 comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:48, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 290 to amino acid 299 of SEQ ID NO:48. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

79 (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:49.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 57 to amino acid 66 of SEQ

ID NO:50.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:49.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:49, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:49; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s);

80 and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:49, but excluding the ρoly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:49; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:49, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:49 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:49 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:49. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50;

81 (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 57 to amino acid 66 of SEQ ID NO:50.

NO:51;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 1249;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vd3__l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52;

82 (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52;

(1) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i); and (m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:51.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 1249; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 174 to amino acid 183 of SEQ ID NO:52.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:51. Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of:

83 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide probes that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:51, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:51; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:51, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:51; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:51 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:51 , but excluding the poly (A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:51. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 1249, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 1249, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide

84 176 to nucleotide 1249. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:52 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 174 to amino acid 183 of SEQ ID NO:52.

NO:53;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

85 (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4 _1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:53.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 having biological activity, the

86 fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 234 to amino acid 243 of SEQ ID NO:54.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:53. Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of: (a) a process comprising the steps of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:53, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:53; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(ba) SEQ ID NO:53, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:53; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:53, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

87 ID NO:53 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:53 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:53. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54; and (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 234 to amino acid 243 of SEQ ID NO:54. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55;

88 (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide 1300;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300; (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the fuU-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56; (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:55. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide 1300; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide

89 encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 200 to amino acid 209 of SEQ ID NO:56. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:55.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:55, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:55; and (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:55, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:55; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

90 (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:55, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

ID NO:55 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:55 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:55. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide

1300, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide 1300, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide 1300. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID

NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56; (b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

91 ID NO:56 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 200 to amino acid 209 of SEQ ID NO:56.

NO:57;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:58;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:57.

92 Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:58, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 116 to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO:58.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:57.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:57, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:57; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

93 (i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:57, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:57; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(iii). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:57, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:57 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:57 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:57. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:58; and

94 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:58, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:58 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 116 to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO:58.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number

ATCC 98784;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vfl_l deposited under accession number ATCC

98784;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:60;

95 (j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

(a)-(g) above;

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:59. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vfl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the full-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vfl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:60, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 151 to amino acid 160 of

SEQ ID NO:60. Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ

ID NO:59.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:59, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:59; and

96 (ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; (ii) hybridizing said probe(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; and (iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:59, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:59; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vfl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C; (iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(ϋi). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:59, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:59 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:59 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:59. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from

97 nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002.

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:60; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:60, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 151 to amino acid 160 of SEQ ID NO:60.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61;

(b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide 995; (c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995;

(d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

98 (g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62; (i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62;

(j) a polynucleotide which is an allelic variant of a polynucleotide of

25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:61.

Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide 995; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the fuU-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 63 to amino acid 72 of SEQ

ID NO:62.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:61.

99 Further embodiments of the invention provide isolated polynucleotides produced according to a process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a process comprising the steps of:

(aa) SEQ ID NO:61, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:61; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(iii) isolating the DNA polynucleotides detected with the probe(s); and

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing one or more polynucleotide primers that hybridize in 6X SSC at 65 degrees C to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (ba) SEQ ID NO:61, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the

3' end of SEQ ID NO:61; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; (ii) hybridizing said primer(s) to human genomic DNA in conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C;

(iii) amplifying human DNA sequences; and (iv) isolating the polynucleotide products of step (b)(ϋi). Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:61, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ

ID NO:61 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:61 , but excluding the poly (A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:61. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide

100 995, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide 995, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide 995. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 63 to amino acid 72 of SEQ ID NO:62.

(a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63; (b) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369;

(c) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369;

101 (d) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of the full- length protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a polynucleotide encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a polynucleotide encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64;

(i) a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 having biological activity, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:64;

(m) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(i) and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:63. Preferably, such polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369; the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369; the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; or the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes the fuU-length or a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 having biological activity, the fragment

102 preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:64, or a polynucleotide encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 218 to amino acid 227 of SEQ ID NO:64.

Other embodiments provide the gene corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:63.

(aa) SEQ ID NO:63, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:63; and

(ab) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(b) a process comprising the steps of:

(ba) SEQ ID NO:63, but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:63; and

(bb) the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

103 Preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:63, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of SEQ ID NO:63 to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:63 , but excluding the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:63. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369. Also preferably the polynucleotide isolated according to the above process comprises a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369, and extending contiguously from a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 5' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369, to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the 3' end of said sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising a protein, wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:64; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins. Preferably such protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64. In further preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 having biological activity, the fragment preferably comprising eight (more preferably twenty, most preferably thirty) contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:64, or a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ

ID NO:64 having biological activity, the fragment comprising the amino acid sequence from amino acid 218 to amino acid 227 of SEQ ID NO:64.

In certain preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide is operably linked to an expression control sequence. The invention also provides a host cell, including bacterial,

104 yeast, insect and mammalian cells, transformed with such polynucleotide compositions. Also provided by the present invention are organisms that have enhanced, reduced, or modified expression of the gene(s) corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein. Processes are also provided for producing a protein, which comprise:

(a) growing a culture of the host cell transformed with such polynucleotide compositions in a suitable culture medium; and

(b) purifying the protein from the culture.

The protein produced according to such methods is also provided by the present invention.

Protein compositions of the present invention may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Compositions comprising an antibody which specifically reacts with such protein are also provided by the present invention.

Methods are also provided for preventing, treating or ameliorating a medical condition which comprises administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a protein of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 A and IB are schematic representations of the pED6 and pNOTs vectors, respectively, used for deposit of clones disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ISOLATED PROTEINS AND POLYNUCLEOTIDES Nucleotide and amino acid sequences, as presently determined, are reported below for each clone and protein disclosed in the present application. The nucleotide sequence of each clone can readily be determined by sequencing of the deposited clone in accordance with known methods. The predicted amino acid sequence (both full-length and mature forms) can then be determined from such nucleotide sequence. The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by a particular clone can also be determined by expression of the clone in a suitable host cell, collecting the protein and determining its sequence. For each disclosed protein applicants have identified what they have determined to be the reading frame best identifiable with sequence information available at the time of filing.

105 As used herein a "secreted" protein is one which, when expressed in a suitable host cell, is transported across or through a membrane, including transport as a result of signal sequences in its amino acid sequence. "Secreted" proteins include without limitation proteins secreted wholly (e.g., soluble proteins) or partially (e.g. , receptors) from the cell in which they are expressed. "Secreted" proteins also include without limitation proteins which are transported across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Clone "vb2 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb2_l". vb2_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb2_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb2_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vb2_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:l, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb2_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:2. Amino acids 15 to 27 of SEQ ID NO:2 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 28. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb2_l protein.

If a frameshift were introduced into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l by deleting one of the adenine residues at positions 315 and 316, another potential vb2_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence could be encoded by basepairs 126 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:l and is reported in SEQ ID NO:97. Amino acids 15 to 27 of SEQID

NO:97 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 28 of SEQ ID NO:97, or are a transmembrane domain. The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb2_l should be approximately 2342 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb2_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb2_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA308563 (EST179381 HCC cell line (matastasis to liver in mouse) LI Homo

106 sapiens cDNA 5' end, mRNA sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vb2_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vb3 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb3_l". vb3_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb3_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb3_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vb3_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:3, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb3_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:4. Amino acids 16 to 28 of SEQ ID NO:4 are a predicted leader /signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 29. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/ signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb3_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb3_l should be approximately 2498 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb3_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb3_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA098874 (zn45f 11.si Stratagene HeLa cell s3 937216 Homo sapiens cDNA clone 550413 3', mRNA sequence) and T26482 (Human gene signature HUMGS08724). Based upon sequence similarity, vb3_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vb4 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb4_l". vb4_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb4_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb4_l protein").

107 The nucleotide sequence of vb4_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:5, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb4_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:6. Amino acids 2 to 14 of SEQ ID NO:6 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 15. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb4_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb4_l should be approximately 2161 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb4_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb4_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as D88035 (Rat mRNA for glycoprotein specific UDP-glucuronyltransferase, complete cds), N49234 (yy83bl0.sl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 280123 3'), and Q59845 (Human brain Expressed Sequence Tag EST00765). Based upon sequence similarity, vb4_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts two additional potential transmembrane domains within the vb4_l protein sequence, one centered around amino acid 40 and another around amino acid 80 of SEQ ID NO:6.

Clone "vb5 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb5_l". vb5_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb5_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb5_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vb5_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:7, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb5_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:8. Amino acids 7 to 19 of SEQ ID NO:8 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 20. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted

108 leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/ signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb5_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb5_l should be approximately 724 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb5_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb5_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA835218 (ak65a05.sl Barstead pancreas HPLRB1 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE: 1412720 3', mRNA sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vb5_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vb6 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb6_l". vb6_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb6_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb6_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vb6_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:9, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb6_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:10. Amino acids 13 to 25 of SEQ ID NO:10 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 26. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb6_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb6_l should be approximately 2685 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb6_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vb6_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA478801 (zv20f05.sl Soares NhHMPu SI Homo sapiens cDNA clone

109 754209 3', mRNA sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vb6 _1 proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vb7 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb7_l". vb7_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb7_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb7_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vb7_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:ll, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb7_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:12. Amino acids 35 to 47 of SEQ ID NO:12 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 48. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb7_l protein.

Another potential vb7_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence that could be encoded by basepairs 1093 to 1577 of SEQ ID NO:ll is reported in SEQ ID NO:98. Amino acids 11 to 23 of SEQ ID NO:98 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 24 of SEQ ID NO:98, or are a transmembrane domain. The TopPredll computer program predicts another potential transmembrane domain within the protein sequence of SEQ ID NO:98 centered around amino acid 86 of SEQ ID NO:98. If a frameshift were introduced into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll approximately between position 1090 and position 1253, the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO:12 could be joined to the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO:98.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb7_l should be approximately 1730 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb7_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb7_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as D 13748 (human eukaryotic initiation factor 4AI), M22873 (Mus musculus

110 protein synthesis initiation factor 4A (elF-4A) gene, exon 1), and N36589 (yx86f08.rl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 268647 5'). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vb7_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vb7_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to the sequence identified as AL021839 (hypothetical protein [Schizosaccharomyces pombe]). Based upon sequence similarity, vb7_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vb7_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 45 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vb8 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb8_l". vb8_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb8_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb8_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vb8_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:13, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb8_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:14.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb8_l should be approximately 1363 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb8_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb8_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as N57252 (yw93dll.rl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 2597975'). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vb8_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vb8_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to sequences identified as

AF51239 (probable ubiquitin activating enzyme 2 [Picea mariana]). Based upon sequence similarity, vb8_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain

111 within the vb8_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 30 of SEQ ID NO:14. Both the CodonPreference and Testcode computer programs indicate that frameshifts in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13, resulting in the joining of the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO: 14 with open reading frames that are more 5' to that of SEQ ID NO: 14, are likely. vb8_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 23 kDa was detected in conditioned medium using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vb9 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vb9_l". vb9_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vb9_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vb9_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vb9_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO: 15, and includes a poly (A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vb9_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:16. Amino acids 3 to 15 of SEQ ID NO:16 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 16. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader /signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vb9_l protein. The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vb9_l should be approximately 2996 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vb9_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vb9_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA446380 (zw58b09.rl Soares total fetus Nb2HF8 9w Homo sapiens cDNA clone 774233 5', mRNA sequence) and L48440 (Rattus norvegicus collagen type LI mRNA, complete cds). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vb9_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the

112 BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vb9_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to the sequence identified as Z78279 (Collagen alphal [Rattus norvegicus]). Based upon sequence similarity, vb9_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vb9_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 58 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc3 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc3_l". vc3_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc3_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc3_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vc3_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:17, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc3_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:18. Amino acids 24 to 36 of SEQ ID NO: 18 are a predicted leader /signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 37. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc3_l protein.

Another potential vc3_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence is encoded by basepairs 227 to 703 of SEQ ID NO:17 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:99.

Amino acids 83 to 95 of SEQ ID NO:99 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 96, or are a transmembrane domain, and the TopPredll computer program predicts two additional transmembrane domains within the SEQ ID NO:99 amino acid sequence. A frameshift in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 between about nucleotide 109 to about nucleotide 417 could join together portions of the overlapping reading frames of SEQ ID NO:18 and SEQ ID NO:99.

113 The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc3_l should be approximately 950 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc3_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc3_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA669665 (acl8hl2.sl Stratagene ovary (#937217) Homo sapiens cDNA clone 856871 3'). Based upon sequence similarity, vc3_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vc3_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 19 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc4 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc4_l". vc4_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc4_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc4_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc4_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:19, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc4_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:20. Amino acids 2 to 14 of SEQ ID NO:20 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 15. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc4_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc4_l should be approximately 1200 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc4_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc4_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as Q40970 (Human skeletal muscle ADP-ribosyltransferase gene), U60881 (Mus musculus Yac-2 NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase mRNA, complete cds), and

114 W12489 (ma57bll.rl Soares mouse p3NMF19.5 Mus musculus cDNA clone 314781 5' similar to SW RT61_RAT P17982 ALLOANTIGEN RT6.1 PRECURSOR). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vc4_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vc4_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to sequences identified as R37572 (Rabbit skeletal muscle ADP-ribosyltransferase) and U60881 (Yac-2 NAD arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase [Mus musculus]). ADP-ribosyltransf erases are localized to the plasma membrane and are involved in "post-translational modification of proteins in which the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD is transferred to proteins", which is "responsible for the toxicity of some bacterial toxins (e.g. cholera toxin and pertussis toxin)". Based upon sequence similarity, vc4_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vc4_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 26 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc5 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc5_l". vc5_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc5_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc5_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc5_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:21, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc5_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:22. Amino acids 63 to 75 of SEQ ID NO:22 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 76. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc5_l protein.

Another potential vc5_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence is encoded by basepairs 215-376 of SEQ ID NO:21 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:100. Amino

115 acids 4 to 16 of SEQ ID NO:100 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 17 of SEQ ID NO:100.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc5_l should be approximately 1650 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc5_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc5_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA002211 (zh81h07.sl Soares fetal liver spleen 1NFLS SI Homo sapiens cDNA clone 427741 3'). Based upon sequence similarity, vc5_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vc5_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 28 kDa was detected in conditioned medium using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc7 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc7_l". vc7_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc7_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc7_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc7_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:23, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc7_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:24. Amino acids 11 to 23 of SEQ ID NO:24 are a possible leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 24.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc7_l should be approximately 2600 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc7_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. No hits were found in the database.

116 Clone "vc9 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc9_l". vc9_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc9_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc9_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc9_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:25, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc9_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:26. Amino acids 10 to 22 of SEQ ID NO:26 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 23. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc9_l protein.

Another potential vc9_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence is encoded by basepairs 1981 to 2619 of SEQ ID NO:25 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:101.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc9_l should be approximately 4500 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc9_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vc9_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as N66453 (yz41a08.sl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 285590 3') and Z75407

(Human DNA sequence from cosmid N128A12 on chromosome 22ql2-qter contains ESTs, CpG island). Based upon sequence similarity, vc9_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain within the vc9_l protein sequence at the extreme C- terminus of SEQ ID NO:26.

Clone "vclO 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vcl0_l". vcl0_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the

117 amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vcl0_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vclO _1 protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vclO_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:27, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vclO_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:28. Amino acids 21 to 33 of SEQ ID NO:28 are a possible leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 34.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vclO_l should be approximately 2600 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vcl0_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vcl0_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA398711 (zt75a05.sl Soares testis NHT Homo sapiens cDNA clone 728144 3') and T24621 (Human gene signature HUMGS06681). Based upon sequence similarity, vcl0_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain within the vcl0_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 74 of SEQ ID NO:28. Nuclotides 1103 to 1191 of SEQ ID NO:27 represent a possible intron in the predicted 3' untranslated region of the vcl0_l mRNA molecule.

Clone "veil 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vcll_l". vcll_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vcll_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vcll_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vcll_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:29, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vcl 1_1 protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:30. Amino acids 6 to 18 of SEQ ID NO:30 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 19. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should

118 the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vcll_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vcll_l should be approximately 2600 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vcll_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vcll_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA193348 (zr41c08.rl Soares NhHMPu SI Homo sapiens cDNA clone 665966 5') and T23590 (Human gene signature HUMGS05443). Based upon sequence similarity, vcll_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain within the vcll_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 32 of SEQ ID NO:30.

Clone "vc!4 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vcl4_l". vcl4_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vcl4_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vcl4_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vcl4_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:31, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vcl4_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:32. Amino acids 21 to 33 of SEQ ID NO:32 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 34. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vcl4_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vcl4_l should be approximately 1300 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vcl4_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vcl4_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA258182 (zs35f09.sl NCI_CGAP_GCB1 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE

119 687209 3'). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vcl4_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vcl4_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to sequences identified as AC002339 (BAC T11A7 [Arabidopsis thaliana]) and Z71266 (R06C7.6 [Caenorhabditis elegans]). Based upon sequence similarity, vcl4_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vcl4_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 22 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vcl 6 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vcl6_l". vcl6_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vcl6_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vcl6_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vcl6_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:33, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vcl6_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:34. Amino acids 15 to 27 of SEQ ID NO:34 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 28. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader /signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vcl6_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vcl6_l should be approximately 1256 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vcl6_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vcl6_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA776882 (ac40a09.sl Stratagene hNT neuron (#937233) Homo sapiens cDNA clone 858904 3' similar to SW XB3_XENLA Q09004 STATHMIN-LIKE PROTEIN XB3, mRNA sequence), AF026528 (Rattus norvegicus stathmin-like-protein

120 RB3 mRNA, complete cds), and AF026529 (Rattus norvegicus stathmin-like-protein splice variant RB3' mRNA, complete cds). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vcl6_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vcl6_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to sequences identified as AF026528 (stathmin-like-protein RB3 [Rattus norvegicus]). While stathmin itself is intracellular, stathmin-related protein RB3 (as well as related proteins SCG10 in rat and XB3 in Xenopus) is membrane-associated and has been isolated in the membrane fraction from cell cultures. RB3 is expressed in neural tissue and may be involved in the expression of differentiated neuronal function. Based upon sequence similarity, vcl6_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. vcl 6 _1 protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 89 kDa was detected in conditioned medium using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vcl7 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vcl7_l". vcl7_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vcl7_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vcl7_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vcl7_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:35, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vcl7_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:36. Amino acids 30 to 42 of SEQ ID NO:36 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 43. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vcl7_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vcl7_l should be approximately 1783 bp.

121 The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vcl7_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vcl7_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as N73805 (yz80g02.sl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 289394 3'), and T24437 (Human gene signature HUMGS06471). Based upon sequence similarity, vcl7_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts an additional potential transmembrane domain within the vcl7_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 60 of SEQ ID NO:36.

Clone "vc21 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc21_l". vc21_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc21_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc21_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc21_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:37, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc21_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:38. Amino acids 11 to 23 of SEQ ID NO:38 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 24. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc21_l protein. Another potential vc21_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence is encoded by basepairs 796 to 1014 of SEQ ID NO:37 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:102.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc21_l should be approximately 1773 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc21_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vc21_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as W85910 (zh52bl0.sl Soares fetal liver spleen 1NFLS SI Homo sapiens cDNA clone 415675 3', mRNA sequence) and T24609 (Human gene signature

122 HUMGS06668). Based upon sequence similarity, vc21_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vc23 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc23_l". vc23_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc23_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc23_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vc23_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:39, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc23_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:40. Amino acids 28 to 40 of SEQ ID NO:40 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 41. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/ signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc23_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc23_l should be approximately 1998 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc23_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc23_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA580484 (nn22a05.sl NCI_CGAP_Col2 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE:1084592 similar to TR:G1209718 G1209718 HYPOTHETICAL 50.1 KD PROTEIN, mRNA sequence), T25530 (Human gene signature HUMGS07700), U41293 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae putative serine/threonine protein kinase gene, putative ribosomal protein L25 gene, and malate dehydrogenase (MDH2) gene, complete cds), and Z74866 (S.cerevisiae chromosome XV reading frame ORF YOL124c). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vc23_l was searched against the GenPept and

GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vc23_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to sequences identified as U41293 (unknown [Saccharomyces cerevisiae]) and Z74866 (ORF YOL124c [Saccharo-

123 myces cerevisiae]). Based upon sequence similarity, vc23_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The vc23_l protein contains a "N-6 adenine-specific DNA methylases signature" motif. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain within the vc23_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 232 of SEQ ID NO:40. vc23_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 51 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc25 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc25_l". vc25_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc25_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc25_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc25_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:41, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc25_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:42. Amino acids 25 to 37 of SEQ ID NO:42 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 38. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc25_l protein. The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc25_l should be approximately 1653 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc25_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc25_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as N21690 (yx63h08.sl Soares melanocyte 2NbHM Homo sapiens cDNA clone

266463 3', mRNA sequence) and T25257 (Human gene signature HUMGS07418). Based upon sequence similarity, vc25_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

124 vc25_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 15 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vc26 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc26_l". vc26_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc26_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc26_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc26_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:43, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc26_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:44. Amino acids 11 to 23 of SEQ ID NO:44 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 24. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader /signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc26_l protein. If the "G" residue at position 669 of SEQ ID NO:43 were deleted to create a frameshft, another potential vc26_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence could be encoded by what would then be basepairs 87 to 992 of the deletion-containing version of SEQ ID NO:43. This potential vc26_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:103. Amino acids 11 to 23 of both SEQ ID NO:44 and SEQ ID NO:103 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 24, or are a transmembrane domain.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc26_l should be approximately 1982 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc26_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vc26_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA877534 (nr01g08.sl NCI_CGAP_Col0 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE: 1160606 3', mRNA sequence) and T25645 (Human gene signature HUMGS07835). The predicted vc26_l protein of SEQ ID NO:10 contains an immuno-

125 globulins and major histocompatibility complex proteins signature at amino acid 131. Based upon sequence similarity, vc26_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts seven additional potential transmembrane domains within the vc26_l protein sequence, centered around amino acids 60, 100, 120, 160, 210, 250, and 290 of SEQ ID NO:44, respectively.

Clone "vc30 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vc30_l". vc30_l was isolated from a human fetal brain cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vc30_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vc30_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vc30_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:45, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vc30_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:46. Amino acids 19 to 31 of SEQ ID NO:46 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 32. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vc30_l protein.

If a frameshift were introduced in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 by deleting the cytosine residue at position 1393, another potential vc30_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence could be encoded by what would then be basepairs 1317 to 1659 of SEQ ID NO:45 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:104.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vc30_l should be approximately 1887 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vc30_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vc30_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA496421 (zv37c04.rl Soares ovary tumor NbHOT Homo sapiens cDNA clone 755814 5', mRNA sequence). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vc30_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vc30_l protein demonstrated at least

126 some similarity to sequences identified as AF047760 (phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase type 2c [Homo sapiens]). Based upon sequence similarity, vc30_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts an additional potential transmembrane domain within the vc30_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 55 of SEQ ID NO:46.

Clone "vdl 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vdl_l". vdl_l was isolated from a human adult skin cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vdl_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vdl_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vdl_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:47, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vdl_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:48. Amino acids 8 to 20 of SEQ ID NO:48 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 21. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader /signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vdl_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vdl_l should be approximately 2000 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vdl_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vdl_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA582963 (nn72e02.sl NCI_CGAP_Larl Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE 1089434) and AC002389 (Human DNA from chromosome 19 specific cosmid R28461, genomic sequence, complete sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vdl_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. There is an 18- residue amino acid stretch (with an approximate consensus sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:105 (HHAAGQAGNEAGRFGQGV)) that is almost tandemly repeated 15 times in the vdl_l protein. Nucleotides 406-1668 of SEQ ID NO:47, which encode a region of SEQ ID

127 NO:48 that includes the 18-residue amino acid repeats, may represent an alternatively spliced region in mRNA molecules transcribed from the vdl_l gene. vdl_protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 55 kDa was detected in conditioned medium using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vd2 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vd2_l". vd2_l was isolated from a human adult skin cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vd2_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vd2_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vd2_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:49, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vd2_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:50. Amino acids 2 to 14 of SEQ ID NO:50 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 15. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vd2_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vd2_l should be approximately 900 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vd2_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. vd2_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as H03945 (yj44c02.sl Homo sapiens cDNA clone 151586 3'). Based upon sequence similarity, vd2_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts a potential transmembrane domain within the vd2_l protein sequence centered around amino acid 115 of SEQ ID

NO:50.

128 Clone "vd3 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vd3_ l". vd3_l was isolated from a human adult skin cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vd3_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vd3_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vd3_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:51, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vd3_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:52. Amino acids 5 to 17 of SEQ ID NO:52 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 18. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vd3_l protein.

If a frameshift were introduced into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 by inserting an adenine or thymine residue at position 1132 or 1133, another potential vd3_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence could be encoded by basepairs 176 to 1281 of SEQ ID NO:51 and is reported in SEQ ID NO:106. Amino acids 5 to 17 of SEQID NO:106 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 18 of SEQ ID NO:106, or are a transmembrane domain. The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vd3_l should be approximately 1537 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vd3_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vd3_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA873028 (obl le05.sl NCI_CGAP_Kid3 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE 1323392 3', mRNA sequence), AC002389 (Human DNA from chromosome 19 specific cosmid R28461, genomic sequence, complete sequence), and AD001502 (Homo sapiens DNA from chromosome 19-cosmid f21246, genomic sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vd3_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts an additional possible transmembrane domain within the vd3_l protein sequence centered around amino acid

129 290 of SEQ ID NO:52. The vd3_l protein is apparently a splice variant of the vd4_l protein described below. vd3_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 42 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vd4 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vd4_l". vd4_l was isolated from a human adult skin cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vd4_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vd4_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vd4_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:53, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vd4_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:54. Amino acids 5 to 17 of SEQ ID NO:54 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 18. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vd4_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vd4_l should be approximately 1897 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vd4_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vd4_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA706316 (ah28el l.sl Soares parathyroid tumor NbHPA Homo sapiens cDNA clone 1240172 3', mRNA sequence), AC002389 (Human DNA from chromosome 19 specific cosmid R28461, genomic sequence, complete sequence), and AD001502 (Homo sapiens DNA from chromosome 19-cosmid f21246, genomic sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vd4_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts an additional possible transmembrane domain within the vd4_l protein sequence centered around amino acid

130 290 of SEQ ID NO:54. The vd4_l protein is apparently a splice variant of the vd3_l protein described above. vd4_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 54 kDa was detected in conditioned medium using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "ve4 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "ve4_l". ve4_l was isolated from a human adult brain (Alzheimer's hippocampus level 7) cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. ve4_l is a full- length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "ve4_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of ve4_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:55, and includes a poly (A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the ve4_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:56. Amino acids 25 to 37 of SEQ ID NO:56 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 38. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader /signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the ve4_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone ve4_l should be approximately 1578 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for ve4_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. ve4_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA707153 (zj33fl0.sl Soares fetal liver spleen 1NFLS SI Homo sapiens cDNA clone 452107 3^* similar to TR P70295 P70295 AUPl PRECURSOR, mRNA sequence) and U41736 (Mus musculus ancient ubiquitous 46 kDa protein AUPl precursor

(Aupl) mRNA, complete cds). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for ve4_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted ve4_l protein demonstrated at least

131 some similarity to the sequence identified as U41736 (ancient ubiquitous 46 kDa protein AUP46 precursor [Mus musculus]). Based upon sequence similarity, ve4_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts two additional potential transmembrane domains within the ve4 _1 protein sequence, one centered around amino acid 110 and another around amino acid 210 of SEQ ID NO:56. ve4_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 41 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "ve8 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "ve8_l". ve8_l was isolated from a human adult brain (Alzheimer's hippocampus level 7) cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. ve8_l is a full- length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "ve8_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of ve8_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID NO:57, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the ve8_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:58. Amino acids 18 to 30 of SEQ ID NO:58 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 31. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the ve8_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone ve8_l should be approximately 2093 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for ve8_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and

FASTA search protocols. ve8_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AC004126 (Homo sapiens Chromosome 1 lql2 pac pDJ606g6; HTGS phase 1, 17 unordered pieces). Based upon sequence similarity, ve8_l proteins and each similar

132 protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts four additional potential transmembrane domains within the ve8_l protein sequence, centered around amino acids 94, 147, 150, and 193 of SEQ ID NO:58, respectively.

Clone "vfl 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vfl_l". vfl_l was isolated from a human adult heart cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein, vf 1_1 is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vfl_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vf 1_1 as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:59, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vf 1_1 protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:60. Amino acids 13 to 25 of SEQ ID NO:60 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 26. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vfl_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vfl_l should be approximately 1382 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vfl_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vfl_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA349531 (EST56314 Infant brain Homo sapiens cDNA 5' end, mRNA sequence) and AA532642 (nj l7c07.sl NCI_CGAP_Pr22 Homo sapiens cDNA clone IMAGE 986604, mRNA sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vfl_l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts an additional potential transmembrane domain within the vf 1_1 protein sequence centered around amino acid 138 of SEQ ID NO:60.

133 vfl_l protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 40 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Clone "vhl 1"

A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vhl_l". vhl_l was isolated from a human adult thymus cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vhl_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vhl_l protein").

The nucleotide sequence of vhl_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:61, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vhl_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:62. Amino acids 42 to 54 of SEQ ID NO:62 are a predicted leader /signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 55. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/ signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vhl_l protein. Another potential vhl_l reading frame and predicted amino acid sequence that could be encoded by basepairs 833 to 1054 of SEQ ID NO:61 is reported in SEQ ID NO:107. Amino acids 22 to 34 of SEQ ID NO:107 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 35 of SEQ ID NO:107, or are a transmembrane domain. If a frameshift were introduced into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 approximately between position 830 and position

998, the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO:62 could be joined to the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO:107.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vhl_l should be approximately 1529 bp. The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vhl_l was searched against the

GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vhl_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA927736 (om72hl0.sl NCI_CGAP_GC4 Homo sapiens cDNA clone

134 IMAGE: 1552771 3', mRNA sequence). Based upon sequence similarity, vhl l proteins and each similar protein or peptide may share at least some activity.

Clone "vil 1" A polynucleotide of the present invention has been identified as clone "vil_l". vil_l was isolated from a human adult aorta cDNA library and was identified as encoding a secreted or transmembrane protein on the basis of computer analysis of the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. vil_l is a full-length clone, including the entire coding sequence of a secreted protein (also referred to herein as "vil_l protein"). The nucleotide sequence of vil_l as presently determined is reported in SEQ ID

NO:63, and includes a poly(A) tail. What applicants presently believe to be the proper reading frame and the predicted amino acid sequence of the vil_l protein corresponding to the foregoing nucleotide sequence is reported in SEQ ID NO:64. Amino acids 13 to 25 of SEQ ID NO:64 are a predicted leader/signal sequence, with the predicted mature amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid 26. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the predicted leader/signal sequence, it is likely to act as a transmembrane domain should the predicted leader/signal sequence not be separated from the remainder of the vil_l protein.

The EcoRI/NotI restriction fragment obtainable from the deposit containing clone vil_l should be approximately 2348 bp.

The nucleotide sequence disclosed herein for vil_l was searched against the GenBank and GeneSeq nucleotide sequence databases using BLASTN/BLASTX and FASTA search protocols. vil_l demonstrated at least some similarity with sequences identified as AA411541 (zv30a03.rl Soares ovary tumor NbHOT Homo sapiens cDNA clone 755116 5' similar to WP:F07H5.11 CE03160) and T21484 (Human gene signature HUMGS02856). The predicted amino acid sequence disclosed herein for vil_l was searched against the GenPept and GeneSeq amino acid sequence databases using the BLASTX search protocol. The predicted vil_l protein demonstrated at least some similarity to the sequence identified as Z68314 (F46C5.9 [Caenorhabditis elegans]). The amino acid sequence of the predicted vil_l protein indicates that it may contain a beta- transducin family Trp- Asp repeat signature (WD-40) motif centered around residue 300 of SEQ ID NO:28. The WD-40 motif is thought to be a widely distributed protein-protein interaction domain. Based upon sequence similarity, vil_l proteins and each similar

135 protein or peptide may share at least some activity. The TopPredll computer program predicts two additional possible transmembrane domains within the vil l protein sequence, one centered around amino acid 200 and another around amino acid 340 of SEQ ID NO:64. vi 1_1 protein was expressed in a COS cell expression system, and an expressed protein band of approximately 45 kDa was detected in membrane fractions using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Deposit of Clones Clones vc3_l, vc4_l, vc5_l, vc7_l, vc9_l, vcl0_l, vcll_l, vcl4_l, vdl_l, and vd2_l were deposited on April 24, 1998 with the American Type Culture Collection (10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209 U.S.A.) as an original deposit under the Budapest Treaty and were given the accession number ATCC 98748, from which each clone comprising a particular polynucleotide is obtainable. Clone vc21_l was deposited on June 10, 1998 with the American Type Culture

Collection (10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209 U.S.A.) as an original deposit under the Budapest Treaty and was given the accession number ATCC 98785, from which each clone comprising a particular polynucleotide is obtainable.

Clones vcl6_l, vcl7_l, vc23_l, vc25_l, vc26_l, ve4_l, and vfl_l were deposited on June 10, 1998 with the American Type Culture Collection (10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209 U.S.A.) as an original deposit under the Budapest Treaty and were given the accession number ATCC 98784, from which each clone comprising a particular polynucleotide is obtainable.

Clones vb2_l, vb3_l, vb4_l, vb5_l, vb6_l, vb7_l, vb8_l, vb9_l, vc30_l, vd3_l, vd4_l, ve8_l, vhl_l, and vil_l were deposited on July 1, 1998 with the American Type

Culture Collection (10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia 20110-2209 U.S.A.) as an original deposit under the Budapest Treaty and were given the accession number

ATCC 98804, from which each clone comprising a particular polynucleotide is obtainable.

All restrictions on the availability to the public of the deposited material will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of the patent, except for the requirements specified in 37 C.F.R. § 1.808(b), and the term of the deposit will comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.806.

136 Each clone has been transfected into separate bacterial cells (E. coli) in these composite deposits. Each clone can be removed from the vector in which it was deposited by performing an EcoRI/NotI digestion (5' site, EcoRI; 3' site, Notl) to produce the appropriate fragment for such clone. Each clone was deposited in either the pED6 or pNOTs vector depicted in Figures 1A and IB, respectively. The pED6dpc2 vector

("pED6") was derived from pEDόdpcl by insertion of a new polylinker to facilitate cDNA cloning (Kaufman et al, 1991, Nucleic Acids Res. 19: 4485-4490); the pNOTs vector was derived from pMT2 (Kaufman et fl/., 1989, Mol. Cell. Biol. 9: 946-958) by deletion of the DHFR sequences, insertion of a new polylinker, and insertion of the M13 origin of replication in the Clal site. In some instances, the deposited clone can become "flipped"

(i.e., in the reverse orientation) in the deposited isolate. In such instances, the cDNA insert can still be isolated by digestion with EcoRI and Notl. However, Notl will then produce the 5' site and EcoRI will produce the 3' site for placement of the cDNA in proper orientation for expression in a suitable vector. The cDNA may also be expressed from the vectors in which they were deposited.

Bacterial cells containing a particular clone can be obtained from the composite deposit as follows:

An oligonucleotide probe or probes should be designed to the sequence that is known for that particular clone. This sequence can be derived from the sequences provided herein, or from a combination of those sequences. The sequence of an oligonucleotide probe that was used to isolate or to sequence each full-length clone is identified below, and should be most reliable in isolating the clone of interest.

Clone Probe Sequence vb2_l SEQ ID NO:65 vb3_l SEQ ID NO:66 vb4_l SEQ ID NO:67 vb5_l SEQ ID NO:68 vb6_l SEQ ID NO:69 vb7_l SEQ ID NO:70 vb8_l SEQ ID NO:71 vb9_l SEQ ID NO:72 vc3_l SEQ ID NO:73 vc4 _1 SEQ ID NO:74

137 vc5_l SEQ ID NO:75 vc7 _1 SEQ ID NO:76 vc9_l SEQ ID NO:77 vclO_l SEQ ID NO:78 vcll_l SEQ ID NO:79 vcl4_l SEQ ID NO:80 vcl6_l SEQ ID NO:81 vcl7_l SEQ ID NO:82 vc21_l SEQ ID NO:83 vc23_l SEQ ID NO:84 vc25_l SEQ ID NO:85 vc26 _1 SEQ ID NO:86 vc30_l SEQ ID NO:87 vdl _1 SEQ ID NO:88 vd2_l SEQ ID NO:89 vd3_l SEQ ID NO:90 vd4_l SEQ ID NO:91 ve4_l SEQ ID NO:92 ve8_l SEQ ID NO:93 vf 1_1 SEQ ID NO:94 vhl_l SEQ ID NO:95 vil_l SEQ ID NO:96

In the sequences listed above which include an N at position 2, that position is occupied in preferred probes/primers by a biotinylated phosphoaramidite residue rather than a nucleotide (such as, for example, that produced by use of biotin phosphoramidite (1- dimethoxytrityloxy-2-(N-biotinyl-4-aminobutyl)-propyl-3-O-(2-cyanoethyl)-(N,N- diisopropyl)-phosphoramadite) (Glen Research, cat. no. 10-1953)).

The design of the oligonucleotide probe should preferably follow these parameters:

(a) It should be designed to an area of the sequence which has the fewest ambiguous bases ("N's"), if any;

(b) It should be designed to have a T_m of approx. 80 ° C (assuming 2° for each A or T and 4 degrees for each G or C).

138 The oligonucleotide should preferably be labeled with γ-³²P ATP (specific activity 6000 Ci/mmole) and T4 polynucleotide kinase using commonly employed techniques for labeling oligonucleotides. Other labeling techniques can also be used. Unincorporated label should preferably be removed by gel filtration chromatography or other established methods. The amount of radioactivity incorporated into the probe should be quantitated by measurement in a scintillation counter. Preferably, specific activity of the resulting probe should be approximately 4e+6 dpm/pmole.

The bacterial culture containing the pool of full-length clones should preferably be thawed and 100 μl of the stock used to inoculate a sterile culture flask containing 25 ml of sterile L-broth containing ampicillin at 100 μg/ml. The culture should preferably be grown to saturation at 37°C, and the saturated culture should preferably be diluted in fresh L-broth. Aliquots of these dilutions should preferably be plated to determine the dilution and volume which will yield approximately 5000 distinct and well-separated colonies on solid bacteriological media containing L-broth containing ampicillin at 100 μg/ml and agar at 1.5% in a 150 mm petri dish when grown overnight at 37°C. Other known methods of obtaining distinct, well-separated colonies can also be employed.

Standard colony hybridization procedures should then be used to transfer the colonies to nitrocellulose filters and lyse, denature and bake them.

The filter is then preferably incubated at 65°C for 1 hour with gentle agitation in 6X SSC (20X stock is 175.3 g NaCl/liter, 88.2 g Na citrate /liter, adjusted to pH 7.0 with NaOH) containing 0.5% SDS, 100 μg/ml of yeast RNA, and 10 mM EDTA (approximately 10 mL per 150 mm filter). Preferably, the probe is then added to the hybridization mix at a concentration greater than or equal to le+6 dpm/mL. The filter is then preferably incubated at 65°C with gentle agitation overnight. The filter is then preferably washed in 500 mL of 2X SSC/0.5% SDS at room temperature without agitation, preferably followed by 500 mL of 2X SSC/0.1% SDS at room temperature with gentle shaking for 15 minutes. A third wash with 0.1X SSC/0.5% SDS at 65°C for 30 minutes to 1 hour is optional. The filter is then preferably dried and subjected to autoradiography for sufficient time to visualize the positives on the X-ray film. Other known hybridization methods can also be employed.

The positive colonies are picked, grown in culture, and plasmid DNA isolated using standard procedures. The clones can then be verified by restriction analysis, hybridization analysis, or DNA sequencing.

139 Fragments of the proteins of the present invention which are capable of exhibiting biological activity are also encompassed by the present invention. Fragments of the protein may be in linear form or they may be cyclized using known methods, for example, as described in H.U. Saragovi, et al, Bio /Technology 10, 773-778 (1992) and in R.S. McDowell, et al, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 114, 9245-9253 (1992), both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such fragments may be fused to carrier molecules such as immunoglobulins for many purposes, including increasing the valency of protein binding sites. For example, fragments of the protein may be fused through "linker" sequences to the Fc portion of an immunoglobulin. For a bivalent form of the protein, such a fusion could be to the Fc portion of an IgG molecule. Other immunoglobulin isotypes may also be used to generate such fusions. For example, a protein - IgM fusion would generate a decavalent form of the protein of the invention.

The present invention also provides both full-length and mature forms of the disclosed proteins. The full-length form of the such proteins is identified in the sequence listing by translation of the nucleotide sequence of each disclosed clone. The mature form(s) of such protein may be obtained by expression of the disclosed full-length polynucleotide (preferably those deposited with ATCC) in a suitable mammalian cell or other host cell. The sequence(s) of the mature form(s) of the protein may also be determinable from the amino acid sequence of the full-length form. The present invention also provides genes corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein. "Corresponding genes" are the regions of the genome that are transcribed to produce the mRNAs from which cDNA polynucleotide sequences are derived and may include contiguous regions of the genome necessary for the regulated expression of such genes. Corresponding genes may therefore include but are not limited to coding sequences, 5' and 3' untranslated regions, alternatively spliced exons, introns, promoters, enhancers, and silencer or suppressor elements. The corresponding genes can be isolated in accordance with known methods using the sequence information disclosed herein. Such methods include the preparation of probes or primers from the disclosed sequence information for identification and /or amplification of genes in appropriate genomic libraries or other sources of genomic materials. An "isolated gene" is a gene that has been separated from the adjacent coding sequences, if any, present in the genome of the organism from which the gene was isolated.

The chromosomal location corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein may also be determined, for example by hybridizing appropriately

140 labeled polynucleotides of the present invention to chromosomes in situ. It may also be possible to determine the corresponding chromosomal location for a disclosed polynucleotide by identifying significantly similar nucleotide sequences in public databases, such as expressed sequence tags (ESTs), that have already been mapped to particular chromosomal locations. For at least some of the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein, public database sequences having at least some similarity to the polynucleotide of the present invention have been listed by database accession number. Searches using the GenBank accession numbers of these public database sequences can then be performed at an Internet site provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information having the address http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/UniGene/, in order to identify "UniGene clusters" of overlapping sequences. Many of the "UniGene clusters" so identified will already have been mapped to particular chromosomal sites.

Organisms that have enhanced, reduced, or modified expression of the gene(s) corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein are provided. The desired change in gene expression can be achieved through the use of antisense polynucleotides or ribozymes that bind and /or cleave the mRNA transcribed from the gene (Albert and Morris, 1994, Trends Pharmacol Sci. 15(7): 250-254; Lavarosky et al, 1997, Biochem. Mol. Med. 62(1): 11-22; and Hampel, 1998, Prog. Nucleic Acid Res. Mol. Biol. 58: 1- 39; all of which are incorporated by reference herein). Transgenic animals that have multiple copies of the gene(s) corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein, preferably produced by transformation of cells with genetic constructs that are stably maintained within the transformed cells and their progeny, are provided. Transgenic animals that have modified genetic control regions that increase or reduce gene expression levels, or that change temporal or spatial patterns of gene expression, are also provided (see European Patent No. 0 649464 Bl, incorporated by reference herein).

In addition, organisms are provided in which the gene(s) corresponding to the polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein have been partially or completely inactivated, through insertion of extraneous sequences into the corresponding gene(s) or through deletion of all or part of the corresponding gene(s). Partial or complete gene inactivation can be accomplished through insertion, preferably followed by imprecise excision, of transposable elements (Plasterk, 1992, Bioessays 14(9): 629-633; Zwaal et al, 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90(16): 7431-7435; Clark et al, 1994, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91(2): 719-722; all of which are incorporated by reference herein), or through homologous recombination, preferably detected by positive/negative genetic selection strategies (Mansour et al, 1988,

141 Nature 336: 348-352; U.S. Patent Nos. 5,464,764; 5,487,992; 5,627,059; 5,631,153; 5,614, 396; 5,616,491; and 5,679,523; all of which are incorporated by reference herein). These organisms with altered gene expression are preferably eukaryotes and more preferably are mammals. Such organisms are useful for the development of non-human models for the study of disorders involving the corresponding gene(s), and for the development of assay systems for the identification of molecules that interact with the protein product(s) of the corresponding gene(s).

Where the protein of the present invention is membrane-bound (e.g., is a receptor), the present invention also provides for soluble forms of such protein. In such forms, part or all of the intracellular and transmembrane domains of the protein are deleted such that the protein is fully secreted from the cell in which it is expressed. The intracellular and transmembrane domains of proteins of the invention can be identified in accordance with known techniques for determination of such domains from sequence information. For example, the TopPredll computer program can be used to predict the location of transmembrane domains in an amino acid sequence, domains which are described by the location of the center of the transmsmbrane domain, with at least ten transmembrane amino acids on each side of the reported central residue(s).

Proteins and protein fragments of the present invention include proteins with amino acid sequence lengths that are at least 25%(more preferably at least 50%, and most preferably at least 75%) of the length of a disclosed protein and have at least 60% sequence identity (more preferably, at least 75% identity; most preferably at least 90% or 95% identity) with that disclosed protein, where sequence identity is determined by comparing the amino acid sequences of the proteins when aligned so as to maximize overlap and identity while minimizing sequence gaps. Also included in the present invention are proteins and protein fragments that contain a segment preferably comprising 8 or more

(more preferably 20 or more, most preferably 30 or more) contiguous amino acids that shares at least 75% sequence identity (more preferably, at least 85% identity; most preferably at least 95% identity) with any such segment of any of the disclosed proteins.

In particular, sequence identity may be determined using WU-BLAST (Washington University BLAST) version 2.0 software, which builds upon WU-BLAST version 1.4, which in turn is based on the public domain NCBI-BLAST version 1.4 (Altschul and Gish, 1996, Local alignment statistics, Doolittle ed., Methods in Enzymology 266: 460-480; Altschul et al, 1990, Basic local alignment search tool, Journal of

142 Molecular Biology 215: 403-410; Gish and States, 1993, Identification of protein coding regions by database similarity search, Nature Genetics 3: 266-272; Karlin and Altschul, 1993, Applications and statistics for multiple high-scoring segments in molecular sequences, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 5873-5877; all of which are incorporated by reference herein). WU-BLAST version 2.0 executable programs for several UNIX platforms can be downloaded from ftp://blast.wustl.edu/blast/executables. The complete suite of search programs (BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX, TBLASTN, and TBLASTX) is provided at that site, in addition to several support programs. WU-BLAST 2.0 is copyrighted and may not be sold or redistributed in any form or manner without the express written consent of the author; but the posted executables may otherwise be freely used for commercial, nonprofit, or academic purposes. In all search programs in the suite - BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX, TBLASTN and TBLASTX - the gapped alignment routines are integral to the database search itself, and thus yield much better sensitivity and selectivity while producing the more easily interpreted output. Gapping can optionally be turned off in all of these programs, if desired. The default penalty (Q) for a gap of length one is Q=9 for proteins and BLASTP, and Q=10 for BLASTN, but may be changed to any integer value including zero, one through eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve through twenty, twenty-one through fifty, fifty-one through one hundred, etc. The default per-residue penalty for extending a gap (R) is R=2 for proteins and BLASTP, and R=10 for BLASTN, but may be changed to any integer value including zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve through twenty, twenty-one through fifty, fifty-one through one hundred, etc. Any combination of values for Q and R can be used in order to align sequences so as to maximize overlap and identity while minimizing sequence gaps. The default amino acid comparison matrix is BLOSUM62, but other amino acid comparison matrices such as PAM can be utilized.

Species homologues of the disclosed polynucleotides and proteins are also provided by the present invention. As used herein, a "species homologue" is a protein or polynucleotide with a different species of origin from that of a given protein or polynucleotide, but with significant sequence similarity to the given protein or polynucleotide. Preferably, polynucleotide species homologues have at least 60% sequence identity (more preferably, at least 75% identity; most preferably at least 90% identity) with the given polynucleotide, and protein species homologues have at least 30% sequence

143 identity (more preferably, at least 45% identity; most preferably at least 60% identity) with the given protein, where sequence identity is determined by comparing the nucleotide sequences of the polynucleotides or the amino acid sequences of the proteins when aligned so as to maximize overlap and identity while minimizing sequence gaps. Species homologues may be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source from the desired species. Preferably, species homologues are those isolated from mammalian species. Most preferably, species homologues are those isolated from certain mammalian species such as, for example, Pan troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Hylobates concolor, Macaca mulatta, Papio papio, Papio hamadryas, Cercopithecus aethiops, Cebus capucinus, Aotus trivirgatus, Sanguinus oedipus, Microcebus murinus, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Cricetulus griseus, Felis catus, Mustela vison, Canisfamiliaris, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Bos taurus, Ovis aries, Sus scrofa, and Equus caballus, for which genetic maps have been created allowing the identification of syntenic relationships between the genomic organization of genes in one species and the genomic organization of the related genes in another species (O'Brien and Seuanez, 1988, Ann. Rev. Genet. 22: 323-351; O'Brien et al, 1993, Nature Genetics 3:103-112; Johansson et al, 1995, Genomics 25: 682-690; Lyons et al, 1997, Nature Genetics 15: 47-56; O'Brien et al, 1997, Trends in Genetics 13(10): 393-399; Carver and Stubbs, 1997, Genome Research 7:1123-1137; all of which are incorporated by reference herein). The invention also encompasses allelic variants of the disclosed polynucleotides or proteins; that is, naturally-occurring alternative forms of the isolated polynucleotides which also encode proteins which are identical or have significantly similar sequences to those encoded by the disclosed polynucleotides. Preferably, allelic variants have at least 60% sequence identity (more preferably, at least 75% identity; most preferably at least 90% identity) with the given polynucleotide, where sequence identity is determined by comparing the nucleotide sequences of the polynucleotides when aligned so as to maximize overlap and identity while minimizing sequence gaps. Allelic variants may be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source from individuals of the appropriate species. The invention also includes polynucleotides with sequences complementary to those of the polynucleotides disclosed herein.

The present invention also includes polynucleotides that hybridize under reduced stringency conditions, more preferably stringent conditions, and most preferably highly

144 stringent conditions, to polynucleotides described herein. Examples of stringency conditions are shown in the table below: highly stringent conditions are those that are at least as stringent as, for example, conditions A-F; stringent conditions are at least as stringent as, for example, conditions G-L; and reduced stringency conditions are at least as stringent as, for example, conditions M-R.

Stringency Polynucleotide Hybrid Hybridization Temperature and Wash Condition Hybrid Length Buffer* Temperature (bp)* and Buffer*

A DNA:DNA ≥ 50 65°C; lxSSC -or- 65°C; 0.3xSSC

42°C; lxSSC, 50% for amide

B DNA:DNA <50 T_B*; lxSSC ; lxSSC

C DNA:RNA ≥ 50 67°C; lxSSC -or- 67°C; 0.3xSSC

45°C; lxSSC, 50% formamide

D DNA:RNA <50 V; lxSSC T_D ^»; lxSSC

E RNA:RNA ≥ 50 70°C; lxSSC -or- 70°C; 0.3xSSC

50°C; lxSSC, 50% formamide

F RNA:RNA <50 T_F*; lxSSC V; lxSSC

G DNA:DNA ≥ 50 65°C; 4xSSC -or- 65°C; lxSSC

42°C; 4xSSC, 50% formamide

H DNA:DNA <50 T_H*; 4xSSC T_H*; 4xSSC

I DNA:RNA ≥ 50 67°C; 4xSSC -or- 67°C; lxSSC

45°C; 4xSSC, 50% formamide

I DNA:RNA <50 T,*; 4xSSC T,*; 4xSSC

K RNA:RNA ≥ 50 70°C; 4xSSC -or- 67°C; lxSSC

50°C; 4xSSC, 50% formamide

L RNA:RNA <50 T_L ^»; 2xSSC T_L*; 2xSSC

DNA:DNA ≥ 50 50°C; 4xSSC -or- 50°C; 2xSSC

40 °C; 6xSSC, 50% formamide

N DNA:DNA <50 V; 6xSSC T_N*; 6xSSC

O DNA:RNA ≥ 50 55°C; 4xSSC -or- 55°C; 2xSSC

42°C; 6xSSC, 50% formamide

P DNA:RNA <50 T_P ^»; 6xSSC T_P*; 6xSSC

Q RNA:RNA ≥ 50 60°C; 4xSSC -or- 60°C; 2xSSC

45 °C; 6xSSC, 50% formamide

R RNA:RNA <50 V; 4xSSC T_R*; 4xSSC

*: The hybrid length is that anticipated for the hybridized region(s) of the hybridizing polynucleotides. When hybridizing a polynucleotide to a target polynucleotide of unknown sequence, the hybrid length is assumed to be that of the hybridizing polynucleotide. When polynucleotides of known sequence are hybridized, the hybrid length can be determined by aligning the sequences of the polynucleotides and identifying the region or regions of optimal sequence complementarity.

145 ⁺. SSPE (lxSSPE is 0.15M NaCl, lOmM NaH₂PO„, and 1 25mM EDTA, pH 74) can be substituted for SSC (lxSSC is 0 15 NaCl and 15mM sodium citrate) in the hybridization and wash buffers, washes are performed for 15 minutes after hybridization is complete

*T_B - T_R The hybridization temperature for hybrids anticipated to be less than 50 base pairs in length should be 5-10^cC less than the melting temperature (T_m) of the hybrid, where T_m is determined according to the following equations. For hybrids less than 18 base pairs in length, T_m(°C) = 2(# of A + T bases) + 4(# of G + C bases) For hybnds between 18 and 49 base pairs in length, T_m(°C) = 81 5 + 166(log₁₀[Na⁺]) + 041(%G+C) - (600/N), where N is the number of bases in the hybrid, and [Na⁺] is the concentration of sodium ions in the hybridization buffer ([Na⁺] for lxSSC = 0.165 M)

Additional examples of stringency conditions for polynucleotide hybridization are provided in Sambrook, J., E.F. Fritsch, and T. Maniatis, 1989, Molecular Cloning: A

Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, chapters 9 and 11, and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1995, F.M. Ausubel et al., eds., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., sections 2.10 and 6.3-6.4, incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, each such hybridizing polynucleotide has a length that is at least 25%(more preferably at least 50%, and most preferably at least 75%) of the length of the polynucleotide of the present invention to which it hybridizes, and has at least 60% sequence identity (more preferably, at least 75% identity; most preferably at least 90% or 95% identity) with the polynucleotide of the present invention to which it hybridizes, where sequence identity is determined by comparing the sequences of the hybridizing polynucleotides when aligned so as to maximize overlap and identity while minimizing sequence gaps.

The isolated polynucleotide of the invention may be operably linked to an expression control sequence such as the pMT2 or pED expression vectors disclosed in

Kaufman et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 4485-4490 (1991), in order to produce the protein recombinantly. Many suitable expression control sequences are known in the art. General methods of expressing recombinant proteins are also known and are exemplified in R. Kaufman, Methods in Enzymology 185, 537-566 (1990). As defined herein "operably linked" means that the isolated polynucleotide of the invention and an expression control sequence are situated within a vector or cell in such a way that the protein is expressed by a host cell which has been transformed (transfected) with the ligated polynucleotide/expression control sequence.

A number of types of cells may act as suitable host cells for expression of the protein. Mammalian host cells include, for example, monkey COS cells, Chinese Hamster

Ovary (CHO) cells, human kidney 293 cells, human epidermal A431 cells, human Colo205 cells, 3T3 cells, CV-1 cells, other transformed primate cell lines, normal diploid cells, cell

146 strains derived from in vitro culture of primary tissue, primary explants, HeLa cells, mouse L cells, BHK, HL-60, U937, HaK or Jurkat cells.

Alternatively, it may be possible to produce the protein in lower eukaryotes such as yeast or in prokaryotes such as bacteria. Potentially suitable yeast strains include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces strains, Candida, or any yeast strain capable of expressing heterologous proteins. Potentially suitable bacterial strains include Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, or any bacterial strain capable of expressing heterologous proteins. If the protein is made in yeast or bacteria, it may be necessary to modify the protein produced therein, for example by phosphorylation or glycosylation of the appropriate sites, in order to obtain the functional protein. Such covalent attachments may be accomplished using known chemical or enzymatic methods.

The protein may also be produced by operably linking the isolated polynucleotide of the invention to suitable control sequences in one or more insect expression vectors, and employing an insect expression system. Materials and methods for baculovirus/insect cell expression systems are commercially available in kit form from, e.g., Invitrogen, San Diego, California, U.S.A. (the MaxBac® kit), and such methods are well known in the art, as described in Summers and Smith, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 1555 (1987), incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, an insect cell capable of expressing a polynucleotide of the present invention is "transformed."

The protein of the invention may be prepared by culturing transformed host cells under culture conditions suitable to express the recombinant protein. The resulting expressed protein may then be purified from such culture (i.e., from culture medium or cell extracts) using known purification processes, such as gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The purification of the protein may also include an affinity column containing agents which will bind to the protein; one or more column steps over such affinity resins as concanavalin A-agarose, heparin-toyopearl® or Cibacrom blue 3GA Sepharose®; one or more steps involving hydrophobic interaction chromatography using such resins as phenyl ether, butyl ether, or propyl ether; or immunoaffinity chromatography.

Alternatively, the protein of the invention may also be expressed in a form which will facilitate purification. For example, it may be expressed as a fusion protein, such as those of maltose binding protein (MBP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or thioredoxin

147 (TRX). Kits for expression and purification of such fusion proteins are commercially available from New England BioLabs (Beverly, MA), Pharmacia (Piscataway, NJ) and Invitrogen Corporation (Carlsbad, CA), respectively. The protein can also be tagged with an epitope and subsequently purified by using a specific antibody directed to such epitope. One such epitope ("Flag") is commercially available from the Eastman Kodak Company (New Haven, CT).

Finally, one or more reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP- HPLC) steps employing hydrophobic RP-HPLC media, e.g., silica gel having pendant methyl or other aliphatic groups, can be employed to further purify the protein. Some or all of the foregoing purification steps, in various combinations, can also be employed to provide a substantially homogeneous isolated recombinant protein. The protein thus purified is substantially free of other mammalian proteins and is defined in accordance with the present invention as an "isolated protein."

The protein of the invention may also be expressed as a product of transgenic animals, e.g., as a component of the milk of transgenic cows, goats, pigs, or sheep which are characterized by somatic or germ cells containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the protein.

The protein may also be produced by known conventional chemical synthesis. Methods for constructing the proteins of the present invention by synthetic means are known to those skilled in the art. The synthetically-constructed protein sequences, by virtue of sharing primary, secondary or tertiary structural and /or conformational characteristics with proteins may possess biological properties in common therewith, including protein activity. Thus, they may be employed as biologically active or immunological substitutes for natural, purified proteins in screening of therapeutic compounds and in immunological processes for the development of antibodies.

The proteins provided herein also include proteins characterized by amino acid sequences similar to those of purified proteins but into which modification are naturally provided or deliberately engineered. For example, modifications in the peptide or DNA sequences can be made by those skilled in the art using known techniques. Modifications of interest in the protein sequences may include the alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion of a selected amino acid residue in the coding sequence. For example, one or more of the cysteine residues may be deleted or replaced with another amino acid to alter the conformation of the molecule. Techniques for such alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion are well known to those skilled in the art

148 (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No.4,518,584). Preferably, such alteration, substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion retains the desired activity of the protein.

Other fragments and derivatives of the sequences of proteins which would be expected to retain protein activity in whole or in part and may thus be useful for screening or other immunological methodologies may also be easily made by those skilled in the art given the disclosures herein. Such modifications are believed to be encompassed by the present invention.

USES AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY The polynucleotides and proteins of the present invention are expected to exhibit one or more of the uses or biological activities (including those associated with assays cited herein) identified below. Uses or activities described for proteins of the present invention may be provided by administration or use of such proteins or by administration or use of polynucleotides encoding such proteins (such as, for example, in gene therapies or vectors suitable for introduction of DNA).

Research Uses and Utilities

The polynucleotides provided by the present invention can be used by the research community for various purposes. The polynucleotides can be used to express recombinant protein for analysis, characterization or therapeutic use; as markers for tissues in which the corresponding protein is preferentially expressed (either constitutively or at a particular stage of tissue differentiation or development or in disease states); as molecular weight markers on Southern gels; as chromosome markers or tags (when labeled) to identify chromosomes or to map related gene positions; to compare with endogenous DNA sequences in patients to identify potential genetic disorders; as probes to hybridize and thus discover novel, related DNA sequences; as a source of information to derive PCR primers for genetic fingerprinting; as a probe to "subtract-out" known sequences in the process of discovering other novel polynucleotides; for selecting and making oligomers for attachment to a "gene chip" or other support, including for examination of expression patterns; to raise anti-protein antibodies using DNA immunization techniques; and as an antigen to raise anti-DNA antibodies or elicit another immune response. Where the polynucleotide encodes a protein which binds or potentially binds to another protein (such as, for example, in a receptor-ligand interaction), the polynucleotide can also be used in interaction trap assays (such as, for example, those

149 described in Gyuris et al, 1993, Cell 75: 791-803 and in Rossi et al, 1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 8405-8410, all of which are incorporated by reference herein) to identify polynucleotides encoding the other protein with which binding occurs or to identify inhibitors of the binding interaction. The proteins provided by the present invention can similarly be used in assay to determine biological activity, including in a panel of multiple proteins for high- throughput screening; to raise antibodies or to elicit another immune response; as a reagent (including the labeled reagent) in assays designed to quantitatively determine levels of the protein (or its receptor) in biological fluids; as markers for tissues in which the corresponding protein is preferentially expressed (either constitutively or at a particular stage of tissue differentiation or development or in a disease state); and, of course, to isolate correlative receptors or ligands. Where the protein binds or potentially binds to another protein (such as, for example, in a receptor-ligand interaction), the protein can be used to identify the other protein with which binding occurs or to identify inhibitors of the binding interaction. Proteins involved in these binding interactions can also be used to screen for peptide or small molecule inhibitors or agonists of the binding interaction.

Any or all of these research utilities are capable of being developed into reagent grade or kit format for commercialization as research products. Methods for performing the uses listed above are well known to those skilled in the art. References disclosing such methods include without limitation "Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual", 2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Sambrook, J., E.F. Fritsch and T. Maniatis eds., 1989, and "Methods in Enzymology: Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques", Academic Press, Berger, S.L. and A.R. Kimmel eds., 1987.

Nutritional Uses

Polynucleotides and proteins of the present invention can also be used as nutritional sources or supplements. Such uses include without limitation use as a protein or amino acid supplement, use as a carbon source, use as a nitrogen source and use as a source of carbohydrate. In such cases the protein or polynucleotide of the invention can be added to the feed of a particular organism or can be administered as a separate solid or liquid preparation, such as in the form of powder, pills, solutions, suspensions or capsules. In the case of microorganisms, the protein or polynucleotide of the invention can be added to the medium in or on which the microorganism is cultured.

150 Cytokine and Cell Proliferation /Differentiation Activity

A protein of the present invention may exhibit cytokine, cell proliferation (either inducing or inhibiting) or cell differentiation (either inducing or inhibiting) activity or may induce production of other cytokines in certain cell populations. Many protein factors discovered to date, including all known cytokines, have exhibited activity in one or more factor-dependent cell proliferation assays, and hence the assays serve as a convenient confirmation of cytokine activity. The activity of a protein of the present invention is evidenced by any one of a number of routine factor dependent cell proliferation assays for cell lines including, without limitation, 32D, DA2, DA1G, T10, B9, B9/11, BaF3, MC9/G, M+ (preB M+), 2E8, RB5, DAI, 123, T1165, HT2, CTLL2, TF-1, Mo7e and CMK.

The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods:

Assays for T-cell or thymocyte proliferation include without limitation those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley- Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Takai et al., J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500, 1986; Bertagnolli et al., J. Immunol. 145:1706-1712, 1990; Bertagnolli et al., Cellular Immunology 133:327-341, 1991; Bertagnolli, et al., J. Immunol. 149:3778-3783, 1992; Bowman et al., J. Immunol. 152: 1756-1761, 1994.

Assays for cytokine production and /or proliferation of spleen cells, lymph node cells or thymocytes include, without limitation, those described in: Polyclonal T cell stimulation, Kruisbeek, A.M. and Shevach, E.M. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 3.12.1-3.12.14, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1994; and Measurement of mouse and human Interferon γ, Schreiber, R.D. In Current Protocols in

Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 6.8.1-6.8.8, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1994.

Assays for proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic and lymphopoietic cells include, without limitation, those described in: Measurement of Human and Murine

Interleukin 2 and Interleukin 4, Bottomry, K., Davis, L.S. and Lipsky, P.E. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 6.3.1-6.3.12, John Wiley and Sons,

Toronto. 1991; deVries et al., J. Exp. Med. 173:1205-1211, 1991; Moreau et al., Nature 336:690-692, 1988; Greenberger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:2931-2938, 1983; Measurement of mouse and human interleukin 6 - Nordan, R. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 6.6.1-6.6.5, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1991;

151 Smith et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:1857-1861, 1986; Measurement of human Interleukin 11 - Bennett, F., Giannotti, J., Clark, S.C. and Turner, K. J. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 6.15.1 John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1991; Measurement of mouse and human Interleukin 9 - Ciarletta, A., Giannotti, J., Clark, S.C. and Turner, K.J. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 6.13.1, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1991.

Assays for T-cell clone responses to antigens (which will identify, among others, proteins that affect APC-T cell interactions as well as direct T-cell effects by measuring proliferation and cytokine production) include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function; Chapter 6, Cytokines and their cellular receptors; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Weinberger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:6091-6095, 1980; Weinberger et al, Eur. J. Immun. 11:405-411, 1981; Takai et al, J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500, 1986; Takai et al., J. Immunol. 140:508-512, 1988.

Immune Stimulating or Suppressing Activity

A protein of the present invention may also exhibit immune stimulating or immune suppressing activity, including without limitation the activities for which assays are described herein. A protein may be useful in the treatment of various immune deficiencies and disorders (including severe combined immunodeficiency (SOD)), e.g., in regulating (up or down) growth and proliferation of T and /or B lymphocytes, as well as effecting the cytolytic activity of NK cells and other cell populations. These immune deficiencies may be genetic or be caused by viral (e.g., HIV) as well as bacterial or fungal infections, or may result from autoimmune disorders. More specifically, infectious diseases causes by viral, bacterial, fungal or other infection may be treatable using a protein of the present invention, including infections by HIV, hepatitis viruses, herpesviruses, mycobacteria, Leishmania spp., malaria spp. and various fungal infections such as candidiasis. Of course, in this regard, a protein of the present invention may also be useful where a boost to the immune system generally may be desirable, i.e., in the treatment of cancer.

Autoimmune disorders which may be treated using a protein of the present invention include, for example, connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic

152 lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pulmonary inflammation, Guillain-Barre syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitis, myasthenia gravis, graft-versus-host disease and autoimrnune inflammatory eye disease. Such a protein of the present invention may also to be useful in the treatment of allergic reactions and conditions, such as asthma (particularly allergic asthma) or other respiratory problems. Other conditions, in which immune suppression is desired (including, for example, organ transplantation), may also be treatable using a protein of the present invention.

Using the proteins of the invention it may also be possible to regulate immune responses in a number of ways. Down regulation may be in the form of inhibiting or blocking an immune response already in progress or may involve preventing the induction of an immune response. The functions of activated T cells may be inhibited by suppressing T cell responses or by inducing specific tolerance in T cells, or both. Immunosuppression of T cell responses is generally an active, non-antigen-specific, process which requires continuous exposure of the T cells to the suppressive agent. Tolerance, which involves inducing non-responsiveness or anergy in T cells, is distinguishable from immunosuppression in that it is generally antigen-specific and persists after exposure to the tolerizing agent has ceased. Operationally, tolerance can be demonstrated by the lack of a T cell response upon reexposure to specific antigen in the absence of the tolerizing agent.

Down regulating or preventing one or more antigen functions (including without limitation B lymphocyte antigen functions (such as , for example, B7)), e.g., preventing high level lymphokine synthesis by activated T cells, will be useful in situations of tissue, skin and organ transplantation and in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). For example, blockage of T cell function should result in reduced tissue destruction in tissue transplantation. Typically, in tissue transplants, rejection of the transplant is initiated through its recognition as foreign by T cells, followed by an immune reaction that destroys the transplant. The administration of a molecule which inhibits or blocks interaction of a B7 lymphocyte antigen with its natural ligand(s) on immune cells (such as a soluble, monomeric form of a peptide having B7-2 activity alone or in conjunction with a monomeric form of a peptide having an activity of another B lymphocyte antigen (e.g., B7- 1, B7-3) or blocking antibody), prior to transplantation can lead to the binding of the molecule to the natural ligand(s) on the immune cells without transmitting the corresponding costimulatory signal. Blocking B lymphocyte antigen function in this

153 matter prevents cytokine synthesis by immune cells, such as T cells, and thus acts as an immunosuppressant. Moreover, the lack of costimulation may also be sufficient to anergize the T cells, thereby inducing tolerance in a subject. Induction of long-term tolerance by B lymphocyte antigen-blocking reagents may avoid the necessity of repeated administration of these blocking reagents. To achieve sufficient immunosuppression or tolerance in a subject, it may also be necessary to block the function of a combination of B lymphocyte antigens.

The efficacy of particular blocking reagents in preventing organ transplant rejection or GVHD can be assessed using animal models that are predictive of efficacy in humans. Examples of appropriate systems which can be used include allogeneic cardiac grafts in rats and xenogeneic pancreatic islet cell grafts in mice, both of which have been used to examine the immunosuppressive effects of CTLA4Ig fusion proteins in vivo as described in Lenschow et al, Science 257:789-792 (1992) and Turka et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 89:11102-11105 (1992). In addition, murine models of GVHD (see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 846-847) can be used to determine the effect of blocking B lymphocyte antigen function in vivo on the development of that disease.

Blocking antigen function may also be therapeutically useful for treating autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune disorders are the result of inappropriate activation of T cells that are reactive against self tissue and which promote the production of cytokines and autoantibodies involved in the pathology of the diseases. Preventing the activation of autoreactive T cells may reduce or eliminate disease symptoms. Administration of reagents which block costimulation of T cells by disrupting receptor:ligand interactions of B lymphocyte antigens can be used to inhibit T cell activation and prevent production of autoantibodies or T cell-derived cytokines which may be involved in the disease process. Additionally, blocking reagents may induce antigen-specific tolerance of autoreactive T cells which could lead to long-term relief from the disease. The efficacy of blocking reagents in preventing or alleviating autoimmune disorders can be determined using a number of well-characterized animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Examples include murine experimental autoimmune encephalitis, systemic lupus erythmatosis in MRL /Ipr/lpr mice or NZB hybrid mice, murine autoimmune collagen arthritis, diabetes mellitus in NOD mice and BB rats, and murine experimental my asthenia gravis (see Paul ed., Fundamental Immunology, Raven Press, New York, 1989, pp. 840-856).

154 Upregulation of an antigen function (preferably a B lymphocyte antigen function), as a means of up regulating immune responses, may also be useful in therapy. Upregulation of immune responses may be in the form of enhancing an existing immune response or eliciting an initial immune response. For example, enhancing an immune response through stimulating B lymphocyte antigen function may be useful in cases of viral infection. In addition, systemic viral diseases such as influenza, the common cold, and encephalitis might be alleviated by the administration of stimulatory forms of B lymphocyte antigens systemically.

Alternatively, anti-viral immune responses may be enhanced in an infected patient by removing T cells from the patient, costimulating the T cells in vitro with viral antigen- pulsed APCs either expressing a peptide of the present invention or together with a stimulatory form of a soluble peptide of the present invention and reintroducing the in vitro activated T cells into the patient. Another method of enhancing anti-viral immune responses would be to isolate infected cells from a patient, transfect them with a nucleic acid encoding a protein of the present invention as described herein such that the cells express all or a portion of the protein on their surface, and reintroduce the transfected cells into the patient. The infected cells would now be capable of delivering a costimulatory signal to, and thereby activate, T cells in vivo.

In another application, up regulation or enhancement of antigen function (preferably B lymphocyte antigen function) may be useful in the induction of tumor immunity. Tumor cells (e.g., sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, carcinoma) transfected with a nucleic acid encoding at least one peptide of the present invention can be administered to a subject to overcome tumor-specific tolerance in the subject. If desired, the tumor cell can be transfected to express a combination of peptides. For example, tumor cells obtained from a patient can be transfected ex vivo with an expression vector directing the expression of a peptide having B7-2-like activity alone, or in conjunction with a peptide having B7-l-like activity and/or B7-3-like activity. The transfected tumor cells are returned to the patient to result in expression of the peptides on the surface of the transfected cell. Alternatively, gene therapy techniques can be used to target a tumor cell for transfection in vivo.

The presence of the peptide of the present invention having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen(s) on the surface of the tumor cell provides the necessary costimulation signal to T cells to induce a T cell mediated immune response against the transfected tumor cells. In addition, tumor cells which lack MHC class I or MHC class II

155 molecules, or which fail to reexpress sufficient amounts of MHC class I or MHC class II molecules, can be transfected with nucleic acid encoding all or a portion of (e.g., a cytoplasmic-domain truncated portion) of an MHC class I chain protein and β₂ microglobulin protein or an MHC class II a chain protein and an MHC class II β chain protein to thereby express MHC class I or MHC class II proteins on the cell surface. Expression of the appropriate class I or class II MHC in conjunction with a peptide having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen (e.g., B7-1, B7-2, B7-3) induces a T cell mediated immune response against the transfected tumor cell. Optionally, a gene encoding an antisense construct which blocks expression of an MHC class II associated protein, such as the invariant chain, can also be cofransfected with a DNA encoding a peptide having the activity of a B lymphocyte antigen to promote presentation of tumor associated antigens and induce tumor specific immunity. Thus, the induction of a T cell mediated immune response in a human subject may be sufficient to overcome tumor-specific tolerance in the subject. The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods:

Suitable assays for thymocyte or splenocyte cytotoxicity include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-

3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Herrmann et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2488-2492, 1981; Herrmann et al., J. Immunol. 128:1968-1974, 1982; Handa et al., J. Immunol. 135:1564-1572, 1985; Takai et al., J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500, 1986; Takai et al., J. Immunol. 140:508-512, 1988; Herrmann et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2488-2492, 1981; Herrmann et al., J. Immunol. 128:1968-1974, 1982; Handa et al., J. Immunol. 135:1564-1572, 1985; Takai et al, J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500, 1986; Bowmanet al, J. Virology 61:1992-1998; Takai et al., J. Immunol. 140:508-512, 1988; Bertagnolli et al., Cellular Immunology 133:327-341, 1991; Brown et al., J. Immunol. 153:3079-3092, 1994. Assays for T-cell-dependent immunoglobulin responses and isotype switching (which will identify, among others, proteins that modulate T-cell dependent antibody responses and that affect Thl/Th2 profiles) include, without limitation, those described in: Maliszewski, J. Immunol. 144:3028-3033, 1990; and Assays for B cell function: In vitro antibody production, Mond, J.J. and Brunswick, M. In Current Protocols in Immunology. J.E.e.a. Coligan eds. Vol 1 pp. 3.8.1-3.8.16, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto. 1994.

156 Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays (which will identify, among others, proteins that generate predominantly Thl and CTL responses) include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J. E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley- Interscience (Chapter 3, In Vitro assays for Mouse Lymphocyte Function 3.1-3.19; Chapter 7, Immunologic studies in Humans); Takai et al., J. Immunol. 137:3494-3500, 1986; Takai et al, J. Immunol. 140:508-512, 1988; Bertagnolli et al., J. Immunol. 149:3778-3783, 1992.

Dendritic cell-dependent assays (which will identify, among others, proteins expressed by dendritic cells that activate naive T-cells) include, without limitation, those described in: Guery et al., J. Immunol. 134:536-544, 1995; Inaba et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 173:549-559, 1991; Macatonia et al., Journal of Immunology 154:5071-5079, 1995; Porgador et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 182:255-260, 1995; Nair et al., Journal of Virology 67:4062-4069, 1993; Huang et al., Science 264:961-965, 1994; Macatonia et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 169:1255-1264, 1989; Bhardwaj et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation 94:797-807, 1994; and Inaba et al., Journal of Experimental Medicine 172:631-640, 1990.

Assays for lymphocyte survival/apoptosis (which will identify, among others, proteins that prevent apoptosis after superantigen induction and proteins that regulate lymphocyte homeostasis) include, without limitation, those described in: Darzynkiewicz et al., Cytometry 13:795-808, 1992; Gorczyca et al., Leukemia 7:659-670, 1993; Gorczyca et al., Cancer Research 53:1945-1951, 1993; Itoh et al., Cell 66:233-243, 1991; Zacharchuk, Journal of Immunology 145:4037-4045, 1990; Zamai et al., Cytometry 14:891-897, 1993; Gorczyca et al., International Journal of Oncology 1:639-648, 1992.

Assays for proteins that influence early steps of T-cell commitment and development include, without limitation, those described in: Antica et al., Blood 84:111-117, 1994; Fine et al., Cellular Immunology 155:111-122, 1994; Galy et al., Blood 85:2770-2778, 1995; Toki et al., Proc. Nat. Acad Sci. USA 88:7548-7551, 1991.

Hematopoiesis Regulating Activity A protein of the present invention may be useful in regulation of hematopoiesis and, consequently, in the treatment of myeloid or lymphoid cell deficiencies. Even marginal biological activity in support of colony forming cells or of factor-dependent cell lines indicates involvement in regulating hematopoiesis, e.g. in supporting the growth and proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells alone or in combination with other cytokines,

157 thereby indicating utility, for example, in treating various anemias or for use in conjunction with irradiation/chemotherapy to stimulate the production of erythroid precursors and/or erythroid cells; in supporting the growth and proliferation of myeloid cells such as granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages (i.e., traditional CSF activity) useful, for example, in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent or treat consequent myelo-suppression; in supporting the growth and proliferation of megakaryocytes and consequently of platelets thereby allowing prevention or treatment of various platelet disorders such as thrombocytopenia, and generally for use in place of or complimentary to platelet transfusions; and /or in supporting the growth and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells which are capable of maturing to any and all of the above- mentioned hematopoietic cells and therefore find therapeutic utility in various stem cell disorders (such as those usually treated with transplantation, including, without limitation, aplastic anemia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), as well as in repopulating the stem cell compartment post irradiation/ chemotherapy, either in-vivo or ex-vivo (i.e., in conjunction with bone marrow transplantation or with peripheral progenitor cell transplantation (homologous or heterologous)) as normal cells or genetically manipulated for gene therapy.

The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods: Suitable assays for proliferation and differentiation of various hematopoietic lines are cited above.

Assays for embryonic stem cell differentiation (which will identify, among others, proteins that influence embryonic differentiation hematopoiesis) include, without limitation, those described in: Johansson et al. Cellular Biology 15:141-151, 1995; Keller et al, Molecular and Cellular Biology 13:473-486, 1993; McClanahan et al., Blood

81:2903-2915, 1993.

Assays for stem cell survival and differentiation (which will identify, among others, proteins that regulate lympho-hematopoiesis) include, without limitation, those described in: Methylcellulose colony forming assays, Freshney, M.G. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R.I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 265-268, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York,

NY. 1994; Hirayama et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5907-5911, 1992; Primitive hematopoietic colony forming cells with high proliferative potential, McNiece, I.K. and Briddell, R.A. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R.I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 23-39, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, NY. 1994; Neben et al, Experimental Hematology 22:353-359,

158 1994; Cobblestone area forming cell assay, Ploemacher, R.E. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R.I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 1-21, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, NY. 1994; Long term bone marrow cultures in the presence of stromal cells, Spooncer, E., Dexter, M. and Allen, T. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R.I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 163-179, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, NY. 1994; Long term culture initiating cell assay, Sutherland, H.J. In Culture of Hematopoietic Cells. R.I. Freshney, et al. eds. Vol pp. 139-162, Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, NY. 1994.

Tissue Growth Activity A protein of the present invention also may have utility in compositions used for bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament and /or nerve tissue growth or regeneration, as well as for wound healing and tissue repair and replacement, and in the treatment of burns, incisions and ulcers.

A protein of the present invention, which induces cartilage and /or bone growth in circumstances where bone is not normally formed, has application in the healing of bone fractures and cartilage damage or defects in humans and other animals. Such a preparation employing a protein of the invention may have prophylactic use in closed as well as open fracture reduction and also in the improved fixation of artificial joints. De novo bone formation induced by an osteogenic agent contributes to the repair of congenital, trauma induced, or oncologic resection induced craniofacial defects, and also is useful in cosmetic plastic surgery.

A protein of this invention may also be used in the treatment of periodontal disease, and in other tooth repair processes. Such agents may provide an environment to attract bone-forming cells, stimulate growth of bone-forming cells or induce differentiation of progenitors of bone-forming cells. A protein of the invention may also be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, such as through stimulation of bone and /or cartilage repair or by blocking inflammation or processes of tissue destruction (collagenase activity, osteoclast activity, etc.) mediated by inflammatory processes. Another category of tissue regeneration activity that may be attributable to the protein of the present invention is tendon /ligament formation. A protein of the present invention, which induces tendon/ligament-like tissue or other tissue formation in circumstances where such tissue is not normally formed, has application in the healing of tendon or ligament tears, deformities and other tendon or ligament defects in humans and

159 other animals. Such a preparation employing a tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing protein may have prophylactic use in preventing damage to tendon or ligament tissue, as well as use in the improved fixation of tendon or ligament to bone or other tissues, and in repairing defects to tendon or ligament tissue. De novo tendon/ligament-like tissue formation induced by a composition of the present invention contributes to the repair of congenital, trauma induced, or other tendon or ligament defects of other origin, and is also useful in cosmetic plastic surgery for attachment or repair of tendons or ligaments. The compositions of the present invention may provide an environment to attract tendon- or ligament-forming cells, stimulate growth of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, induce differentiation of progenitors of tendon- or ligament-forming cells, or induce growth of tendon/ligament cells or progenitors ex vivo for return in vivo to effect tissue repair. The compositions of the invention may also be useful in the treatment of tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other tendon or ligament defects. The compositions may also include an appropriate matrix and /or sequestering agent as a carrier as is well known in the art.

The protein of the present invention may also be useful for proliferation of neural cells and for regeneration of nerve and brain tissue, i.e. for the treatment of central and peripheral nervous system diseases and neuropathies, as well as mechanical and traumatic disorders, which involve degeneration, death or trauma to neural cells or nerve tissue. More specifically, a protein may be used in the treatment of diseases of the peripheral nervous system, such as peripheral nerve injuries, peripheral neuropathy and localized neuropathies, and central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Shy-Drager syndrome. Further conditions which may be treated in accordance with the present invention include mechanical and traumatic disorders, such as spinal cord disorders, head trauma and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Peripheral neuropathies resulting from chemotherapy or other medical therapies may also be treatable using a protein of the invention.

Proteins of the invention may also be useful to promote better or faster closure of non-healing wounds, including without limitation pressure ulcers, ulcers associated with vascular insufficiency, surgical and traumatic wounds, and the like.

It is expected that a protein of the present invention may also exhibit activity for generation or regeneration of other tissues, such as organs (including, for example, pancreas, liver, intestine, kidney, skin, endothelium), muscle (smooth, skeletal or cardiac)

160 and vascular (including vascular endothelium) tissue, or for promoting the growth of cells comprising such tissues. Part of the desired effects may be by inhibition or modulation of fibrotic scarring to allow normal tissue to regenerate. A protein of the invention may also exhibit angiogenic activity. A protein of the present invention may also be useful for gut protection or regeneration and treatment of lung or liver fibrosis, reperfusion injury in various tissues, and conditions resulting from systemic cytokine damage.

A protein of the present invention may also be useful for promoting or inhibiting differentiation of tissues described above from precursor tissues or cells; or for inhibiting the growth of tissues described above.

Assays for tissue generation activity include, without limitation, those described in: International Patent Publication No. WO95/ 16035 (bone, cartilage, tendon); International Patent Publication No. WO95/05846 (nerve, neuronal); International Patent Publication No. WO91/07491 (skin, endothelium ).

Assays for wound healing activity include, without limitation, those described in: Winter, Epidermal Wound Healing, pps. 71-112 (Maibach, HI and Rovee, DT, eds.), Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc., Chicago, as modified by Eaglstein and Mertz, J. Invest. Dermatol 71:382-84 (1978).

Activin /Inhibin Activity

A protein of the present invention may also exhibit activin- or inhibin-related activities. Inhibins are characterized by their ability to inhibit the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), while activins and are characterized by their ability to stimulate the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Thus, a protein of the present invention, alone or in heterodimers with a member of the inhibin α family, may be useful as a contraceptive based on the ability of inhibins to decrease fertility in female mammals and decrease spermatogenesis in male mammals. Administration of sufficient amounts of other inhibins can induce infertility in these mammals. Alternatively, the protein of the invention, as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with other protein subunits of the inhibin- β group, may be useful as a fertility inducing therapeutic, based upon the ability of activin molecules in stimulating FSH release from cells of the anterior pituitary. See, for example, United States Patent 4,798,885. A protein of the invention may also be useful for

161 advancement of the onset of fertility in sexually immature mammals, so as to increase the lifetime reproductive performance of domestic animals such as cows, sheep and pigs.

The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods: Assays for activin/inhibin activity include, without limitation, those described in:

Vale et al., Endocrinology 91:562-572, 1972; Ling et al., Nature 321:779-782, 1986; Vale et al., Nature 321:776-779, 1986; Mason et al., Nature 318:659-663, 1985; Forage et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:3091-3095, 1986.

Chemotactic /Chemokinetic Activity

A protein of the present invention may have chemotactic or chemokinetic activity (e.g., act as a chemokine) for mammalian cells, including, for example, monocytes, fibroblasts, neutrophils, T-cells, mast cells, eosinophils, epithelial and/or endothelial cells. Chemotactic and chemokinetic proteins can be used to mobilize or attract a desired cell population to a desired site of action. Chemotactic or chemokinetic proteins provide particular advantages in treatment of wounds and other trauma to tissues, as well as in treatment of localized infections. For example, attraction of lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils to tumors or sites of infection may result in improved immune responses against the tumor or infecting agent. A protein or peptide has chemotactic activity for a particular cell population if it can stimulate, directly or indirectly, the directed orientation or movement of such cell population. Preferably, the protein or peptide has the ability to directly stimulate directed movement of cells. Whether a particular protein has chemotactic activity for a population of cells can be readily determined by employing such protein or peptide in any known assay for cell chemotaxis.

Assays for chemotactic activity (which will identify proteins that induce or prevent chemotaxis) consist of assays that measure the ability of a protein to induce the migration of cells across a membrane as well as the ability of a protein to induce the adhesion of one cell population to another cell population. Suitable assays for movement and adhesion include, without limitation, those described in: Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J.E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W.Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 6.12, Measurement of alpha and

162 beta Chemokines 6.12.1-6.12.28; Taub et al. J. Clin. Invest. 95:1370-1376, 1995; Lind et al. APMIS 103:140-146, 1995; Muller et al Eur. J. Immunol. 25: 1744-1748; Gruber et al. J. of Immunol. 152:5860-5867, 1994; Johnston et al. J. of Immunol. 153: 1762-1768, 1994.

Hemostatic and Thrombolytic Activity

A protein of the invention may also exhibit hemostatic or thrombolytic activity. As a result, such a protein is expected to be useful in treatment of various coagulation disorders (including hereditary disorders, such as hemophilias) or to enhance coagulation and other hemostatic events in treating wounds resulting from trauma, surgery or other causes. A protein of the invention may also be useful for dissolving or inhibiting formation of thromboses and for treatment and prevention of conditions resulting therefrom (such as, for example, infarction of cardiac and central nervous system vessels (e.g., stroke).

Assay for hemostatic and thrombolytic activity include, without limitation, those described in: Linet et al., J. Clin. Pharmacol. 26:131-140, 1986; Burdick et al., Thrombosis Res.45:413-419, 1987; Humphrey et al., Fibrinolysis 5:71-79 (1991); Schaub, Prostaglandins 35:467-474, 1988.

Receptor /Ligand Activity

A protein of the present invention may also demonstrate activity as receptors, receptor ligands or inhibitors or agonists of receptor/ligand interactions. Examples of such receptors and ligands include, without limitation, cytokine receptors and their ligands, receptor kinases and their ligands, receptor phosphatases and their ligands, receptors involved in cell-cell interactions and their ligands (including without limitation, cellular adhesion molecules (such as selectins, integrins and their ligands) and receptor/ligand pairs involved in antigen presentation, antigen recognition and development of cellular and humoral immune responses). Receptors and ligands are also useful for screening of potential peptide or small molecule inhibitors of the relevant receptor/ligand interaction. A protein of the present invention (including, without limitation, fragments of receptors and ligands) may themselves be useful as inhibitors of receptor/ligand interactions.

163 The activity of a protein of the invention may, among other means, be measured by the following methods:

Suitable assays for receptor-ligand activity include without limitation those described in:Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed by J.E. Coligan, A.M. Kruisbeek, D.H. Margulies, E.M. Shevach, W.Strober, Pub. Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (Chapter 7.28, Measurement of Cellular Adhesion under static conditions 7.28.1-7.28.22), Takai et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:6864-6868, 1987; Bierer et al., J. Exp. Med. 168:1145-1156, 1988; Rosenstein et al., J. Exp. Med. 169:149-160 1989; Stoltenborg et al., J. Immunol. Methods 175:59-68, 1994; Stitt et al., Cell 80:661-670, 1995.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Proteins of the present invention may also exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity may be achieved by providing a stimulus to cells involved in the inflammatory response, by inhibiting or promoting cell-cell interactions (such as, for example, cell adhesion), by inhibiting or promoting chemotaxis of cells involved in the inflammatory process, inhibiting or promoting cell extravasation, or by stimulating or suppressing production of other factors which more directly inhibit or promote an inflammatory response. Proteins exhibiting such activities can be used to treat inflammatory conditions including chronic or acute conditions), including without limitation inflammation associated with infection (such as septic shock, sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)), ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxin lethality, arthritis, complement-mediated hyperacute rejection, nephritis, cytokine or chemokine-induced lung injury, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or resulting from over production of cytokines such as TNF or IL-1. Proteins of the invention may also be useful to treat anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity to an antigenic substance or material.

Cadherin /Tumor Invasion Suppressor Activity

Cadherins are calcium-dependent adhesion molecules that appear to play major roles during development, particularly in defining specific cell types. Loss or alteration of normal cadherin expression can lead to changes in cell adhesion properties linked to tumor growth and metastasis. Cadherin malfunction is also implicated in other human diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus (auto-immune blistering skin diseases), Crohn's disease, and some developmental abnormalities.

164 The cadherin superfamily includes well over forty members, each with a distinct pattern of expression. All members of the superfamily have in common conserved extracellular repeats (cadherin domains), but structural differences are found in other parts of the molecule. The cadherin domains bind calcium to form their tertiary structure and thus calcium is required to mediate their adhesion. Only a few amino acids in the first cadherin domain provide the basis for homophilic adhesion; modification of this recognition site can change the specificity of a cadherin so that instead of recognizing only itself, the mutant molecule can now also bind to a different cadherin. In addition, some cadherins engage in heterophilic adhesion with other cadherins. E-cadherin, one member of the cadherin superfamily, is expressed in epithelial cell types. Pathologically, if E-cadherin expression is lost in a tumor, the malignant cells become invasive and the cancer metastasizes. Transfection of cancer cell lines with polynucleotides expressing E-cadherin has reversed cancer-associated changes by returning altered cell shapes to normal, restoring cells' adhesiveness to each other and to their substrate, decreasing the cell growth rate, and drastically reducing anchorage- independent cell growth. Thus, reintroducing E-cadherin expression reverts carcinomas to a less advanced stage. It is likely that other cadherins have the same invasion suppressor role in carcinomas derived from other tissue types. Therefore, proteins of the present invention with cadherin activity, and polynucleotides of the present invention encoding such proteins, can be used to treat cancer. Introducing such proteins or polynucleotides into cancer cells can reduce or eliminate the cancerous changes observed in these cells by providing normal cadherin expression.

Cancer cells have also been shown to express cadherins of a different tissue type than their origin, thus allowing these cells to invade and metastasize in a different tissue in the body. Proteins of the present invention with cadherin activity, and polynucleotides of the present invention encoding such proteins, can be substituted in these cells for the inappropriately expressed cadherins, restoring normal cell adhesive properties and reducing or eliminating the tendency of the cells to metastasize.

Additionally, proteins of the present invention with cadherin activity, and polynucleotides of the present invention encoding such proteins, can used to generate antibodies recognizing and binding to cadherins. Such antibodies can be used to block the adhesion of inappropriately expressed tumor-cell cadherins, preventing the cells from forming a tumor elsewhere. Such an anti-cadherin antibody can also be used as a marker for the grade, pathological type, and prognosis of a cancer, i.e. the more progressed the

165 cancer, the less cadherin expression there will be, and this decrease in cadherin expression can be detected by the use of a cadherin-binding antibody.

Fragments of proteins of the present invention with cadherin activity, preferably a polypeptide comprising a decapeptide of the cadherin recognition site, and poly- nucleotides of the present invention encoding such protein fragments, can also be used to block cadherin function by binding to cadherins and preventing them from binding in ways that produce undesirable effects. Additionally, fragments of proteins of the present invention with cadherin activity, preferably truncated soluble cadherin fragments which have been found to be stable in the circulation of cancer patients, and polynucleotides encoding such protein fragments, can be used to disturb proper cell-cell adhesion.

Assays for cadherin adhesive and invasive suppressor activity include, without limitation, those described in: Hortsch et al. J Biol Chem 270 (32): 18809-18817, 1995; Miyaki et al. Oncogene 11: 2547-2552, 1995; Ozawa et al. Cell 63: 1033-1038, 1990.

Tumor Inhibition Activity

In addition to the activities described above for immunological treatment or prevention of tumors, a protein of the invention may exhibit other anti-tumor activities. A protein may inhibit tumor growth directly or indirectly (such as, for example, via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)). A protein may exhibit its tumor inhibitory activity by acting on tumor tissue or tumor precursor tissue, by inhibiting formation of tissues necessary to support tumor growth (such as, for example, by inhibiting angiogenesis), by causing production of other factors, agents or cell types which inhibit tumor growth, or by suppressing, eliminating or inhibiting factors, agents or cell types which promote tumor growth.

Other Activities

A protein of the invention may also exhibit one or more of the following additional activities or effects: inhibiting the growth, infection or function of, or killing, infectious agents, including, without limitation, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites; effecting (suppressing or enhancing) bodily characteristics, including, without limitation, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin, fat to lean ratio or other tissue pigmentation, or organ or body part size or shape (such as, for example, breast augmentation or diminution, change in bone form or shape); effecting biorhythms or caricadic cycles or rhythms; effecting the fertility of male or female subjects; effecting the metabolism, catabolism,

166 anabolism, processing, utilization, storage or elimination of dietary fat, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, cofactors or other nutritional factors or component(s); effecting behavioral characteristics, including, without limitation, appetite, libido, stress, cognition (including cognitive disorders), depression (including depressive disorders) and violent behaviors; providing analgesic effects or other pain reducing effects; promoting differentiation and growth of embryonic stem cells in lineages other than hematopoietic lineages; hormonal or endocrine activity; in the case of enzymes, correcting deficiencies of the enzyme and treating deficiency-related diseases; treatment of hyperproliferative disorders (such as, for example, psoriasis); immunoglobulin-like activity (such as, for example, the ability to bind antigens or complement); and the ability to act as an antigen in a vaccine composition to raise an immune response against such protein or another material or entity which is cross-reactive with such protein.

ADMINISTRATION AND DOSING A protein of the present invention (from whatever source derived, including without limitation from recombinant and non-recombinant sources) may be used in a pharmaceutical composition when combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such a composition may also contain (in addition to protein and a carrier) diluents, fillers, salts, buffers, stabilizers, solubilizers, and other materials well known in the art. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable" means a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active ingredient(s). The characteristics of the carrier will depend on the route of administration. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may also contain cytokines, lymphokines, or other hematopoietic factors such as M-CSF, GM-CSF, TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-15, IFN, TNFO, TNFl, TNF2, G-CSF, Meg-CSF, thrombopoietin, stem cell factor, and erythropoietin. The pharmaceutical composition may further contain other agents which either enhance the activity of the protein or compliment its activity or use in treatment. Such additional factors and /or agents may be included in the pharmaceutical composition to produce a synergistic effect with protein of the invention, or to minimize side effects. Conversely, protein of the present invention may be included in formulations of the particular cytokine, lymphokine, other hematopoietic factor, thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factor, or anti-inflammatory agent to minimize side effects of the cytokine, lymphokine, other hematopoietic factor, thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factor, or anti-inflammatory agent.

167 A protein of the present invention may be active in multimers (e.g., heterodimers or homodimers) or complexes with itself or other proteins. As a result, pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise a protein of the invention in such multimeric or complexed form. The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a complex of the protein(s) of present invention along with protein or peptide antigens. The protein and/or peptide antigen will deliver a stimulatory signal to both B and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes will respond to antigen through their surface immunoglobulin receptor. T lymphocytes will respond to antigen through the T cell receptor (TCR) following presentation of the antigen by MHC proteins. MHC and structurally related proteins including those encoded by class I and class II MHC genes on host cells will serve to present the peptide antigen(s) to T lymphocytes. The antigen components could also be supplied as purified MHC-peptide complexes alone or with co-stimulatory molecules that can directly signal T cells. Alternatively antibodies able to bind surface immunolgobulin and other molecules on B cells as well as antibodies able to bind the TCR and other molecules on T cells can be combined with the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of a liposome in which protein of the present invention is combined, in addition to other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, with amphipathic agents such as lipids which exist in aggregated form as micelles, insoluble monolayers, liquid crystals, or lamellar layers in aqueous solution. Suitable lipids for liposomal formulation include, without limitation, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sulfatides, lysolecithin, phospholipids, saponin, bile acids, and the like. Preparation of such liposomal formulations is within the level of skill in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No.4,235,871; U.S. Patent No. 4,501,728; U.S.

Patent No.4,837,028; and U.S. Patent No. 4,737,323, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, the term "therapeutically effective amount" means the total amount of each active component of the pharmaceutical composition or method that is sufficient to show a meaningful patient benefit, i.e., treatment, healing, prevention or amelioration of the relevant medical condition, or an increase in rate of treatment, healing, prevention or amelioration of such conditions. When applied to an individual active ingredient, administered alone, the term refers to that ingredient alone. When applied to

168 a combination, the term refers to combined amounts of the active ingredients that result in the therapeutic effect, whether administered in combination, serially or simultaneously. In practicing the method of treatment or use of the present invention, a therapeutically effective amount of protein of the present invention is administered to a mammal having a condition to be treated. Protein of the present invention may be administered in accordance with the method of the invention either alone or in combination with other therapies such as treatments employing cytokines, lymphokines or other hematopoietic factors. When co-administered with one or more cytokines, lymphokines or other hematopoietic factors, protein of the present invention may be administered either simultaneously with the cytokine(s), lymphokine(s), other hematopoietic factor(s), thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factors, or sequentially. If administered sequentially, the attending physician will decide on the appropriate sequence of administering protein of the present invention in combination with cytokine(s), lymphokine(s), other hematopoietic factor(s), thrombolytic or anti-thrombotic factors.

Administration of protein of the present invention used in the pharmaceutical composition or to practice the method of the present invention can be carried out in a variety of conventional ways, such as oral ingestion, inhalation, topical application or cutaneous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, parenteral or intravenous injection. Intravenous administration to the patient is preferred.

When a therapeutically effective amount of protein of the present invention is administered orally, protein of the present invention will be in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution or elixir. When administered in tablet form, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may additionally contain a solid carrier such as a gelatin or an adjuvant. The tablet, capsule, and powder contain from about 5 to 95% protein of the present invention, and preferably from about 25 to 90% protein of the present invention. When administered in liquid form, a liquid carrier such as water, petroleum, oils of animal or plant origin such as peanut oil, mineral oil, soybean oil, or sesame oil, or synthetic oils may be added. The liquid form of the pharmaceutical composition may further contain physiological saline solution, dextrose or other saccharide solution, or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. When administered in liquid form, the pharmaceutical composition contains from about 0.5 to 90% by weight of protein of the present invention, and preferably from about 1 to 50% protein of the present invention.

169 When a therapeutically effective amount of protein of the present invention is administered by intravenous, cutaneous or subcutaneous injection, protein of the present invention will be in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution. The preparation of such parenterally acceptable protein solutions, having due regard to pH, isotonicity, stability, and the like, is within the skill in the art. A preferred pharmaceutical composition for intravenous, cutaneous, or subcutaneous injection should contain, in addition to protein of the present invention, an isotonic vehicle such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection, or other vehicle as known in the art. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also contain stabilizers, preservatives, buffers, antioxidants, or other additives known to those of skill in the art.

The amount of protein of the present invention in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will depend upon the nature and severity of the condition being treated, and on the nature of prior treatments which the patient has undergone. Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of protein of the present invention with which to treat each individual patient. Initially, the attending physician will administer low doses of protein of the present invention and observe the patient's response. Larger doses of protein of the present invention may be administered until the optimal therapeutic effect is obtained for the patient, and at that point the dosage is not increased further. It is contemplated that the various pharmaceutical compositions used to practice the method of the present invention should contain about 0.01 μg to about 100 mg (preferably about O.lng to about 10 mg, more preferably about 0.1 μg to about 1 mg) of protein of the present invention per kg body weight.

The duration of intravenous therapy using the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will vary, depending on the severity of the disease being treated and the condition and potential idiosyncratic response of each individual patient. It is contemplated that the duration of each application of the protein of the present invention will be in the range of 12 to 24 hours of continuous intravenous administration. Ultimately the attending physician will decide on the appropriate duration of intravenous therapy using the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

Protein of the invention may also be used to immunize animals to obtain polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which specifically react with the protein. As used herein, the term "antibody" includes without limitation a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a single-chain antibody, a CDR-grafted

170 antibody, a humanized antibody, or fragments thereof which bind to the indicated protein. Such term also includes any other species derived from an antibody or antibody sequence which is capable of binding the indicated protein.

Antibodies to a particular protein can be produced by methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, monoclonal antibodies can be produced by generation of antibody-producing hybridomas in accordance with known methods (see for example, Goding, 1983, Monoclonal antibodies: principles and practice, Academic Press Inc., New York; and Yokoyama, 1992, "Production of Monoclonal Antibodies" in Current Protocols in Immunology, Unit 2.5, Greene Publishing Assoc. and John Wiley & Sons). Polyclonal sera and antibodies can be produced by inoculation of a mammalian subject with the relevant protein or fragments thereof in accordance with known methods. Fragments of antibodies, receptors, or other reactive peptides can be produced from the corresponding antibodies by cleavage of and collection of the desired fragments in accordance with known methods (see for example, Goding, supra; and Andrew et al., 1992, "Fragmentation of Immunoglobulins" in Current Protocols in Immunology, Unit 2.8, Greene Publishing Assoc. and John Wiley & Sons). Chimeric antibodies and single chain antibodies can also be produced in accordance with known recombinant methods (see for example, 5,169,939, 5,194,594, and 5,576,184). Humanized antibodies can also be made from corresponding murine antibodies in accordance with well known methods (see for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,530,101, 5,585,089, and 5,693,762). Additionally, human antibodies may be produced in non-human animals such as mice that have been genetically altered to express human antibody molecules (see for example Fishwild et al, 1996, Nature Biotechnology 14: 845-851; Mendez et al, 1991, Nature Genetics 15: 146-156 (erratum Nature Genetics 16: 410); and U.S. Patents 5,877,397 and 5,625,126). Such antibodies may be obtained using either the entire protein or fragments thereof as an immunogen. The peptide immunogens additionally may contain a cysteine residue at the carboxyl terminus, and are conjugated to a hapten such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Methods for synthesizing such peptides are known in the art, for example, as in R.P. Merrifield, J. Amer.Chem.Soc. 85, 2149-2154 (1963); J.L. Krstenansky, et al, FEBS Lett. 211, 10 (1987). Monoclonal antibodies binding to the protein of the invention may be useful diagnostic agents for the immunodetection of the protein. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies binding to the protein may also be useful therapeutics for both conditions

171 associated with the protein and also in the treatment of some forms of cancer where abnormal expression of the protein is involved. In the case of cancerous cells or leukemic cells, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against the protein may be useful in detecting and preventing the metastatic spread of the cancerous cells, which may be mediated by the protein.

For compositions of the present invention which are useful for bone, cartilage, tendon or ligament regeneration, the therapeutic method includes administering the composition topically, systematically, or locally as an implant or device. When administered, the therapeutic composition for use in this invention is, of course, in a pyrogen-free, physiologically acceptable form. Further, the composition may desirably be encapsulated or injected in a viscous form for delivery to the site of bone, cartilage or tissue damage. Topical administration may be suitable for wound healing and tissue repair. Therapeutically useful agents other than a protein of the invention which may also optionally be included in the composition as described above, may alternatively or additionally, be administered simultaneously or sequentially with the composition in the methods of the invention. Preferably for bone and /or cartilage formation, the composition would include a matrix capable of delivering the protein-containing composition to the site of bone and/or cartilage damage, providing a structure for the developing bone and cartilage and optimally capable of being resorbed into the body. Such matrices may be formed of materials presently in use for other implanted medical applications.

The choice of matrix material is based on biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, cosmetic appearance and interface properties. The particular application of the compositions will define the appropriate formulation. Potential matrices for the compositions may be biodegradable and chemically defined calcium sulfate, tricalciumphosphate, hydroxyapatite, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and polyanhydrides. Other potential materials are biodegradable and biologically well- defined, such as bone or dermal collagen. Further matrices are comprised of pure proteins or extracellular matrix components. Other potential matrices are nonbiodegradable and chemically defined, such as sintered hydroxapatite, bioglass, aluminates, or other ceramics. Matrices may be comprised of combinations of any of the above mentioned types of material, such as polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite or collagen and tricalciumphosphate. The bioceramics may be altered in composition, such as in calcium-

172 aluminate-phosphate and processing to alter pore size, particle size, particle shape, and biodegradability.

Presently preferred is a 50:50 (mole weight) copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid in the form of porous particles having diameters ranging from 150 to 800 microns. In some applications, it will be useful to utilize a sequestering agent, such as carboxymethyl cellulose or autologous blood clot, to prevent the protein compositions from disassociating from the matrix.

A preferred family of sequestering agents is cellulosic materials such as alkylcelluloses (including hydroxyalkylcelluloses), including methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl- methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose, the most preferred being canonic salts of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Other preferred sequestering agents include hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate, poly(ethylene glycol), polyoxyethylene oxide, carboxyvinyl polymer and poly(vinyl alcohol). The amount of sequestering agent useful herein is 0.5-20 wt%, preferably 1-10 wt% based on total formulation weight, which represents the amount necessary to prevent desorbtion of the protein from the polymer matrix and to provide appropriate handling of the composition, yet not so much that the progenitor cells are prevented from infiltrating the matrix, thereby providing the protein the opportunity to assist the osteogenic activity of the progenitor cells. In further compositions, proteins of the invention may be combined with other agents beneficial to the treatment of the bone and/or cartilage defect, wound, or tissue in question. These agents include various growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factors (TGF-α and TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF). The therapeutic compositions are also presently valuable for veterinary applications. Particularly domestic animals and thoroughbred horses, in addition to humans, are desired patients for such treatment with proteins of the present invention. The dosage regimen of a protein-containing pharmaceutical composition to be used in tissue regeneration will be determined by the attending physician considering various factors which modify the action of the proteins, e.g., amount of tissue weight desired to be formed, the site of damage, the condition of the damaged tissue, the size of a wound, type of damaged tissue (e.g., bone), the patient's age, sex, and diet, the severity of any infection, time of administration and other clinical factors. The dosage may vary with the type of matrix used in the reconstitution and with inclusion of other proteins in

173 the pharmaceutical composition. For example, the addition of other known growth factors, such as IGF I (insulin like growth factor I), to the final composition, may also effect the dosage. Progress can be monitored by periodic assessment of tissue/bone growth and /or repair, for example, X-rays, histomorphometric determinations and tetracycline labeling.

Polynucleotides of the present invention can also be used for gene therapy. Such polynucleotides can be introduced either in vivo or ex vivo into cells for expression in a mammalian subject. Polynucleotides of the invention may also be administered by other known methods for introduction of nucleic acid into a cell or organism (including, without limitation, in the form of viral vectors or naked DNA).

Cells may also be cultured ex vivo in the presence of proteins of the present invention in order to proliferate or to produce a desired effect on or activity in such cells. Treated cells can then be introduced in vivo for therapeutic purposes.

Patent and literature references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

174

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 126 to nucleotide 485;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l from nucleotide 207 to nucleotide 485;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2;

(j) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g); and

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:l.

2. The polynucleotide of claim 1 wherein said polynucleotide is operably linked to at least one expression control sequence.

3. A host cell transformed with the polynucleotide of claim 2.

175

4. The host cell of claim 3, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.

5. A process for producing a protein encoded by the polynucleotide of claim 2, which process comprises:

(a) growing a culture of a host cell transformed with the polynucleotide of claim 2 in a suitable culture medium; and

(b) purifying said protein from the culture.

6. A protein produced according to the process of claim 5.

7. An isolated polynucleotide encoding the protein of claim 6.

8. The polynucleotide of claim 7, wherein the polynucleotide comprises the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804.

9. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

10. The protein of claim 9, wherein said protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

11. A composition comprising the protein of claim 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

12. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3;

176 (b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 130 to nucleotide 2286;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 2286;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:3.

13. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

177

14. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 172 to nucleotide 522;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 522;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:6;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:5.

15. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6;

178 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

16. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 119 to nucleotide 502;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 502;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:8;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:7.

17. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

179 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

18. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 128 to nucleotide 436;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 from nucleotide 203 to nucleotide 436;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:10;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:9.

180

19. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

20. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:ll from nucleotide 138 to nucleotide 1250;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 from nucleotide 279 to nucleotide 1250;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:12;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees

181 C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:ll.

21. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:12; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

22. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 from nucleotide 615 to nucleotide 869;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(d) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14;

(f) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:14, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:14;

(g) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(d); and

(h) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(d), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO: 13.

182

23. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 14; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

24. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 148 to nucleotide 1470;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 from nucleotide 193 to nucleotide 1470;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 16;

183 C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:15.

25. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 16; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vb9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

26. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 from nucleotide 109 to nucleotide 414;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 from nucleotide 217 to nucleotide 414;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:18;

184 (j) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g); and

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO: 17.

27. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 18; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

28. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 from nucleotide 169 to nucleotide 840;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19 from nucleotide 211 to nucleotide 840;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20;

185 (i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:19.

29. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:20; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

30. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 508 to nucleotide 951;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 from nucleotide 733 to nucleotide 951;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

186 (g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:21.

31. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc5_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

32. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 from nucleotide 125 to nucleotide 493;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(d) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

187 (e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24;

(f) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:24;

(h) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(d), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:23.

33. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

34. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 33 to nucleotide 407;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:25 from nucleotide 99 to nucleotide 407;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

188 (f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:26;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:25.

35. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:26;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc9_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

36. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:27;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:27 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 871;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

189 (d) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vclO_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28;

(f) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:28;

(h) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(d), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:27.

37. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl0_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

38. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 160 to nucleotide 657;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:29 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 657;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

190 (e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:30;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:29.

39. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:30;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcll_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

40. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 228 to nucleotide 662;

191 (c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 from nucleotide 327 to nucleotide 662;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:31.

41. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

42. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

192 (a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 101 to nucleotide 667;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 667;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:34;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:33.

43. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl6_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

193

44. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 8 to nucleotide 355;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 from nucleotide 134 to nucleotide 355;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:35.

45. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:36; and

194 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vcl7_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

46. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1031 to nucleotide 1252;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 from nucleotide 1100 to nucleotide 1252;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:38;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:37.

47. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

195 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38;

(c) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:38; and

(d) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc21_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98785; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

48. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1482;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 from nucleotide 214 to nucleotide 1482;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:40;

196 C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:39.

49. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc23_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

50. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 153 to nucleotide 413;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 from nucleotide 264 to nucleotide 413;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42;

197 (j) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g); and

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:41.

51. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:42;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc25_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

52. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 87 to nucleotide 1409;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 1409;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44;

198 (i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:43.

53. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:44, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:44; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc26_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

54. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 63 to nucleotide 428;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 156 to nucleotide 428;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 from nucleotide 356 to nucleotide 1773;

(e) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

199 (g) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46;

(j) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(h); and

(1) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(h), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:45.

55. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46;

(b) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 from amino acid 1 to amino acid 97;

(c) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:46; and

(d) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vc30_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

56. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 30 to nucleotide 1799;

200 (c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 from nucleotide 90 to nucleotide 1799;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:48;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:47.

57. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vdl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

58. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

201 (a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 69 to nucleotide 443;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 from nucleotide 111 to nucleotide 443;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as sfringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:49.

59. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:50, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:50; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd2_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98748; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

202

60. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 176 to nucleotide 1249;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:51 from nucleotide 227 to nucleotide 1249;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:51.

61. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52;

203 (c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd3_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

62. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 94 to nucleotide 1530;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 from nucleotide 145 to nucleotide 1530;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:53.

63. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

204 (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:54; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vd4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

64. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 71 to nucleotide 1300;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:55 from nucleotide 182 to nucleotide 1300;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:55.

205

65. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;

(b) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:56; and

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve4_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

66. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 57 to nucleotide 785;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:57 from nucleotide 147 to nucleotide 785;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:58;

206 C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:57.

67. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:58;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone ve8_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

68. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 64 to nucleotide 1002;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:59 from nucleotide 139 to nucleotide 1002;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-lengⁱh protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:60;

207 (j) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 65 degrees C, or 4X SSC at 42 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g); and

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:59.

69. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:60;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vf 1_1 deposited under accession number ATCC 98784; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

70. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 588 to nucleotide 995;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:61 from nucleotide 750 to nucleotide 995;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62;

208 (i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:61.

71. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:62;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vhl_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

72. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63;

(b) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 29 to nucleotide 1369;

(c) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:63 from nucleotide 104 to nucleotide 1369;

(d) the nucleotide sequence of the full-length protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(e) a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(f) the nucleotide sequence of a mature protein coding sequence of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

209 (g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature protein encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804;

(h) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64;

(i) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64, the fragment comprising eight contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:64;

(k) the nucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide that hybridizes under conditions at least as stringent as 4X SSC at 50 degrees C, or 6X SSC at 40 degrees C with 50% formamide, to any one of the polynucleotides specified by (a)-(g), and that has a length that is at least 25% of the length of SEQ ID NO:63.

73. A protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

(a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64;

(c) the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA insert of clone vil_l deposited under accession number ATCC 98804; the protein being substantially free from other mammalian proteins.

210