Mammalian glycoprotein hormone-1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone are tropic hormones synthesized, stored, and secreted by endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary gland or adenohypophysis. LH and FSH are glycoproteins whose function is to regulate the development, growth, pubertal maturation, reproductive processes and sex steroid hormone secretion of the gonads of either sex.

[0003] LH, with a molecular weight of 28,000 D, and FSH, with a molecular weight of 33,000 D, have similar structures. Each is composed of the common pituitary hormone alpha subunit (SEQ ID NO: 8) (molecular weight, 14,000 D; 92 amino acids) and a unique beta subunit. The alpha and beta subunits are held together by noncovalent forces. Disulfide bonds create tertiary structures. The carbohydrate moieties are 15% (LH) and 25% (FSH) by weight and contain oligosaccharides composed of mannose, galactose, acetylglucosamine, and sialic acid. The carbohydrate groups function in receptor binding and postreceptor responses, whereas the sialic acid residues decrease the rate of hormone degradation. Neither the beta subunit of LH nor that of FSH is biologically active by itself. The alpha subunit is believed to be required for binding of gonadotropins to their receptors.

[0004] Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a glycoprotein whose function is to regulate the growth and metabolism of the thyroid gland and the secretion of its hormone, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The TSH-producing cells normally form 3% to 5% of the adult human anterior pituitary population, and they are found predominantly in the anteromedial area of the gland. TSH has a molecular weight of 28,000 D and contains 15% carbohydrate bound covalently to the peptide chains. Like LH and FSH, TSH is made of two subunits tightly associated by noncovalent forces. The mature alpha subunit of 92 amino acids is nonspecific, being a component of FSH, LH as well as human chorionic gonadotropin. The alpha subunit of 110 amino acids confers the specific biological activity of TSH. However, both the alpha and beta subunits are required for receptor binding and subsequent hormone action.

[0005] Another glycoprotein hormone related to LH and FSH is the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is the first key hormone of pregnancy and is produced by the syncytiocytotrophoblast cells of the placenta. HCG is a glycoprotein of 39,000 molecular weight with two subunits. The alpha subunit is identical to that of LH, FSH and TSH, whereas the beta subunit is 80% identical to the beta subunit of LH. HCG acts to maintain the function of the corpus luteum. HCG stimulates ovarian secretion of progesterone and estrogens by mechanisms similar to LH. HCH has an inhibitory effect on maternal pituitary LH secretion. Because of its structural overlap with TSH, the plasma concentration of HCG in pregnancy is high enough to stimulate an increase in maternal thyroid gland activity. If pathologically expressed, HCG can induce hyperthyroidism. HCG can stimulate dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) production by the fetal zone of the adrenal gland and testosterone by the Leydig cells of the testis.

[0006] Hyperthyroidism is a clinical condition encompassing several specific diseases, characterized by hypermetabolism and elevated serum levels of free thyroid hormones. Traditional therapy includes iodine treatment, antithyroid drugs propylthiouracil and methimazole, β-blockers, radioactive sodium iodine and surgical removal of giant nodular goiters. However, there are a number of side effects related to these treatments.

[0007] Thus there is a need to develop new drugs that may limit these side-effects.

[0008] There is also a need to discover new polynucleotides and proteins that can be used as aids in teaching molecular biology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention fills this need by providing for a novel mammalian glycoprotein hormone (hereinafter referred to as a Zlut1 polypeptide). Human Zlut1 is represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1 & 2. This protein can be administered to treat hyperthyroidism in female mammals. The signal sequence of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 is comprised of amino acid residue 1, a methionine, to and including amino acid residue 24, a glycine. Thus, the mature sequence is comprised of the polypeptide extending from amino acid residue 25, an alanine, to and including amino acid residue 130, an isoleucine, also represented by SEQ ID NO: 9. SEQ ID NO: 3 is a human genomic sequence that encodes Zlut1.

[0010] Within one aspect of the invention there is provided an isolated polypeptide. The polypeptide being comprised of a sequence of amino acids of SEQ ID NOs: 2or9.

[0011] Within another aspect of the invention there is provided an isolated polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide comprised of a sequence of amino acids containing the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9.

[0012] Within an additional aspect of the invention there is provided a polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions to either SEQ ID NO: 1 or to a complementary sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0013] Within an additional aspect of the invention there is provided a polynucleotide sequence which is at least 90% or 95% homologous to a polynucleotide sequence which encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0014] Within another aspect of the invention there is provided an expression vector comprising (a) a transcription promoter; (b) a DNA segment encoding a Zlut1 polypeptide, containing an amino acid sequence as described above.

[0015] Within another aspect of the invention there is provided a cultured eukaryotic, bacterial, fungal or other cell into which has been introduced an expression vector as disclosed above, wherein said cell expresses a mammalian Zlut1 polypeptide encoded by the DNA segment.

[0016] Within another aspect of the invention there is provided a chimeric polypeptide consisting essentially of a first portion and a second portion joined by a peptide bond. The first portion of the chimeric polypeptide consists essentially of a Zlut1 polypeptide as described above. The invention also provides expression vectors encoding the chimeric polypeptides and host cells transfected to produce the chimeric polypeptides.

[0017] Within an additional aspect of the invention there is provided an antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide as disclosed above and an anti-idiotypic antibody of an antibody that specifically binds to a Zlut1 antibody.

[0018] The present invention also provides vectors and expression vectors comprising such nucleic acid molecules, recombinant host cells comprising such vectors and expression vectors, and recombinant viruses comprising such expression vectors. These expression vectors and recombinant host cells can be used to prepare Zlut1 polypeptides. In addition, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one of such an expression vector or recombinant virus. Preferably, such pharmaceutical compositions comprise a human Zlut1 gene, or a variant thereof.

[0019] The present invention further contemplates antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind with Zlut1 polypeptides. Such antibodies include polyclonal antibodies, murine monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies derived from murine monoclonal antibodies, and human monoclonal antibodies. Examples of antibody fragments include F(ab′)2, F(ab)2, Fab′, Fab, Fv, scFv, and minimal recognition units.

[0020] The present invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of Zlut1 RNA in a biological sample, comprising the steps of:

[0021] (a) contacting a Zlut1 nucleic acid probe under hybridizing conditions with either (i) test RNA molecules isolated from the biological sample, or (ii) nucleic acid molecules synthesized from the isolated RNA molecules, wherein the probe has a nucleotide sequence comprising a portion of the nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, or the complement of SEQ ID NO: 1, and

[0022] (b) detecting the formation of hybrids of the nucleic acid probe and either the test RNA molecules or the synthesized nucleic acid molecules,

[0023] wherein the presence of the hybrids indicates the presence of Zlut1 RNA in the biological sample.

[0024] In addition, the presence of Zlut1 polypeptide in a biological sample can be detected by methods that comprise the steps of (a) contacting the biological sample with an antibody, or an antibody fragment, that specifically binds with a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9 wherein the contacting is performed under conditions that allow the binding of the antibody or antibody fragment to the biological sample, and (b) detecting any of the bound antibody or bound antibody fragment.

[0025] The present invention also provides kits for detecting Zlut1 nucleic acid molecules or Zlut1 polypeptides. For example, a kit for detection of Zlut1 nucleic acid molecules may comprise a container that comprises a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of nucleotides 73-390 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, (c) a nucleic acid molecule that is a fragment of (a) consisting of at least eight nucleotides, (d) a nucleic acid molecule that is a fragment of (b) consisting of at least eight nucleotides, (e) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of nucleotides 1-390 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Such kits may further comprise a second container that comprises one or more reagents capable of indicating the presence of the nucleic acid molecule. A kit for detection of Zlut1 polypeptide may comprise a container that comprises an antibody, or an antibody fragment, that specifically binds with a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of either SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9.

[0026] The present invention also contemplates isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an Zlut1 secretion signal sequence and a nucleotide sequence that encodes a biologically active polypeptide, wherein the Zlut1 secretion signal sequence comprises an amino acid sequence of residues 1 to 24 of SEQ ID NO: 2. Illustrative biologically active polypeptides include Factor VIIa, proinsulin, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, tissue type plasminogen activator, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin, colony stimulating factor, interferon, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin. Moreover, the present invention provides fusion proteins comprising an Zlut1 secretion signal sequence and a polypeptide, wherein the Zlut1 secretion signal sequence comprises an amino acid sequence of residues 1 to 24 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0027] Also claimed is a genomic sequence that encodes a Zlut1 polypeptide. An example of such a genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0028] The present invention also contemplates anti-idiotype antibodies, or anti-idiotype antibody fragments, that specifically bind with an anti-Zlut1 antibody or antibody fragment.

[0029] The present invention is further comprised of a method for treating hyperthyroidism in female mammals comprising administering a Zlut1 polyepeptide to a female mammal afflicted with hyperthyroidism.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will become evident upon reference to the following detailed description and the attached drawings.

[0031] The teachings of all of the references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

[0032] 1. Overview

[0033] SEQ ID NO 1 is the coding region for Zlut1. SEQ ID NO: 3 is a genomic sequence that contains exons encoding Zlut1. A first exon extends from nucleotide 1 to and including nucleotide 204 followed by an intron from nucleotide 205-4734, followed by a second exon from nucleotide 4735 to downstream of nucleotide 5560 of SEQ ID NO: 3 with coding sequence contained in nucleotides 4735-4920, a translation termination codon from nucleotides 4921-4923 and a 3′ untranslated region (UTR) from nucleotides 4924 downstream of nucleotide 5560. SEQ ID NO: 1 is a cDNA sequence that encodes the Zlut1 protein of SEQ ID NO: 2. SEQ ID NO: 9 is the mature Zlut1 protein. In a PCR-based survey of 94 different pools of human cDNAs or cDNA libraries, 2 testis samples and an esophageal tumor sample were positive for the presence of Zlut1.

[0034] Preferably Zlut1 is co-expressed with the alpha subunit.

[0035] a 2. Definitions

[0036] In the description that follows, a number of terms are used extensively. The following definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0037] As used herein, “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid molecule” refers to polynucleotides, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), oligonucleotides, fragments generated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and fragments generated by any of ligation, scission, endonuclease action, and exonuclease action. Nucleic acid molecules can be composed of monomers that are naturally occurring nucleotides (such as DNA and RNA), or analogs of naturally occurring nucleotides (e.g., α-enantiomeric forms of naturally-occurring nucleotides), or a combination of both. Modified nucleotides can have alterations in sugar moieties and/or in pyrimidine or purine base moieties. Sugar modifications include, for example, replacement of one or more hydroxyl groups with halogens, alkyl groups, amines, and azido groups, or sugars can be functionalized as ethers or esters. Moreover, the entire sugar moiety can be replaced with sterically and electronically similar structures, such as aza-sugars and carbocyclic sugar analogs. Examples of modifications in a base moiety include alkylated purines and pyrimidines, acylated purines or pyrimidines, or other well-known heterocyclic substitutes. Nucleic acid monomers can be linked by phosphodiester bonds or analogs of such linkages. Analogs of phosphodiester linkages include phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoranilidate, phosphoramidate, and the like. The term “nucleic acid molecule” also includes so-called “peptide nucleic acids,” which comprise naturally occurring or modified nucleic acid bases attached to a polyamide backbone. Nucleic acids can be either single stranded or double stranded.

[0038] The term “complement of a nucleic acid molecule” refers to a nucleic acid molecule having a complementary nucleotide sequence and reverse orientation as compared to a reference nucleotide sequence.

[0039] The term “contig” denotes a nucleic acid molecule that has a contiguous stretch of identical or complementary sequence to another nucleic acid molecule. Contiguous sequences are said to “overlap” a given stretch of a nucleic acid molecule either in their entirety or along a partial stretch of the nucleic acid molecule.

[0040] The term “degenerate nucleotide sequence” denotes a sequence of nucleotides that includes one or more degenerate codons as compared to a reference nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide. Degenerate codons contain different triplets of nucleotides, but encode the same amino acid residue (i.e., GAU and GAC triplets each encode Asp).

[0041] The term “structural gene” refers to a nucleic acid molecule that is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), which is then translated into a sequence of amino acids characteristic of a specific polypeptide.

[0042] An “isolated nucleic acid molecule” is a nucleic acid molecule that is not integrated in the genomic DNA of an organism. For example, a DNA molecule that encodes a growth factor that has been separated from the genomic DNA of a cell is an isolated DNA molecule. Another example of an isolated nucleic acid molecule is a chemically synthesized nucleic acid molecule that is not integrated in the genome of an organism. A nucleic acid molecule that has been isolated from a particular species is smaller than the complete DNA molecule of a chromosome from that species.

[0043] A “nucleic acid molecule construct” is a nucleic acid molecule, either single- or double-stranded, that has been modified through human intervention to contain segments of nucleic acid combined and juxtaposed in an arrangement not existing in nature.

[0044] “Linear DNA” denotes non-circular DNA molecules having free 5′ and 3′ ends. Linear DNA can be prepared from closed circular DNA molecules, such as plasmids, by enzymatic digestion or physical disruption.

[0045] “Complementary DNA (cDNA)” is a single-stranded DNA molecule that is formed from an mRNA template by the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Typically, a primer complementary to portions of mRNA is employed for the initiation of reverse transcription. Those skilled in the art also use the term “cDNA” to refer to a double-stranded DNA molecule consisting of such a single-stranded DNA molecule and its complementary DNA strand. The term “cDNA” also refers to a clone of a cDNA molecule synthesized from an RNA template.

[0046] A “promoter” is a nucleotide sequence that directs the transcription of a structural gene. Typically, a promoter is located in the 5′ non-coding region of a gene, proximal to the transcriptional start site of a structural gene. Sequence elements within promoters that function in the initiation of transcription are often characterized by consensus nucleotide sequences. These promoter elements include RNA polymerase binding sites, TATA sequences, CAAT sequences, differentiation-specific elements [DSEs; McGehee et al., Mol. Endocrinol 7:551 (1993)], cyclic AMP response elements (CREs), serum response elements [SREs; Treisman, Seminars in Cancer Biol. 1:47 (1990)], glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), and binding sites for other transcription factors, such as CRE/ATF [O'Reilly et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:19938 (1992)], AP2 [Ye et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269:25728 (1994)], SP1, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB; Loeken, Gene Expr. 3:253 (1993)) and octamer factors [see, in general, Watson et al., eds., Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4th ed. (The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. 1987), and Lemaigre and Rousseau, Biochem. J. 303:1 (1994)]. If a promoter is an inducible promoter, then the rate of transcription increases in response to an inducing agent. In contrast, the rate of transcription is not regulated by an inducing agent if the promoter is a constitutive promoter. Repressible promoters are also known.

[0047] A “core promoter” contains essential nucleotide sequences for promoter function, including the TATA box and start of transcription. By this definition, a core promoter may or may not have detectable activity in the absence of specific sequences that may enhance the activity or confer tissue specific activity.

[0048] A “regulatory element” is a nucleotide sequence that modulates the activity of a core promoter. For example, a regulatory element may contain a nucleotide sequence that binds with cellular factors enabling transcription exclusively or preferentially in particular cells, tissues, or organelles. These types of regulatory elements are normally associated with genes that are expressed in a “cell-specific,” “tissue-specific,” or “organelle-specific” manner. For example, the Zlut1 regulatory element preferentially induces gene expression in testis.

[0049] An “enhancer” is a type of regulatory element that can increase the efficiency of transcription, regardless of the distance or orientation of the enhancer relative to the start site of transcription.

[0050] “Heterologous DNA” refers to a DNA molecule, or a population of DNA molecules, that does not exist naturally within a given host cell. DNA molecules heterologous to a particular host cell may contain DNA derived from the host cell species (i.e., endogenous DNA) so long as that host DNA is combined with non-host DNA (i.e., exogenous DNA). For example, a DNA molecule containing a non-host DNA segment encoding a polypeptide operably linked to a host DNA segment comprising a transcription promoter is considered to be a heterologous DNA molecule. Conversely, a heterologous DNA molecule can comprise an endogenous gene operably linked with an exogenous promoter. As another illustration, a DNA molecule comprising a gene derived from a wild-type cell is considered to be heterologous DNA if that DNA molecule is introduced into a mutant cell that lacks the wild-type gene.

[0051] A “polypeptide” is a polymer of amino acid residues joined by peptide bonds, whether produced naturally or synthetically. Polypeptides of less than about 10 amino acid residues are commonly referred to as “peptides.”

[0052] A “protein” is a macromolecule comprising one or more polypeptide chains. A protein may also comprise non-peptidic components, such as carbohydrate groups. Carbohydrates and other non-peptidic substituents may be added to a protein by the cell in which the protein is produced, and will vary with the type of cell. Proteins are defined herein in terms of their amino acid backbone structures; substituents such as carbohydrate groups are generally not specified, but may be present nonetheless.

[0053] A peptide or polypeptide encoded by a non-host DNA molecule is a “heterologous” peptide or polypeptide.

[0054] An “integrated genetic element” is a segment of DNA that has been incorporated into a chromosome of a host cell after that element is introduced into the cell through human manipulation. Within the present invention, integrated genetic elements are most commonly derived from linearized plasmids that are introduced into the cells by electroporation or other techniques. Integrated genetic elements are passed from the original host cell to its progeny.

[0055] A “cloning vector” is a nucleic acid molecule, such as a plasmid, cosmid, or bacteriophage that has the capability of replicating autonomously in a host cell. Cloning vectors typically contain one or a small number of restriction endonuclease recognition sites that allow insertion of a nucleic acid molecule in a determinable fashion without loss of an essential biological function of the vector, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding a marker gene that is suitable for use in the identification and selection of cells transformed with the cloning vector. Marker genes typically include genes that provide tetracycline resistance or ampicillin resistance.

[0056] An “expression vector” is a nucleic acid molecule encoding a gene that is expressed in a host cell. Typically, an expression vector comprises a transcription promoter, a gene, and a transcription terminator. Gene expression is usually placed under the control of a promoter, and such a gene is said to be “operably linked to” the promoter. Similarly, a regulatory element and a core promoter are operably linked if the regulatory element modulates the activity of the core promoter.

[0057] A “recombinant host” is a cell that contains a heterologous nucleic acid molecule, such as a cloning vector or expression vector. In the present context, an example of a recombinant host is a cell that produces Zlut1 from an expression vector. In contrast, Zlut1 can be produced by a cell that is a “natural source” of Zlut1, and that lacks an expression vector.

[0058] “Integrative transformants” are recombinant host cells, in which heterologous DNA has become integrated into the genomic DNA of the cells.

[0059] A “fusion protein” is a hybrid protein expressed by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotide sequences of at least two genes. For example, a fusion protein can comprise at least part of a Zlut1 polypeptide fused with a polypeptide that binds an affinity matrix. Such a fusion protein provides a means to isolate large quantities of Zlut1 using affinity chromatography.

[0060] The term “receptor” denotes a cell-associated protein that binds to a bioactive molecule termed a “ligand.” This interaction mediates the effect of the ligand on the cell. Receptors can be membrane bound, cytosolic or nuclear, monomeric (e.g., thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, beta-adrenergic receptor) or multimeric (e.g., PDGF receptor, growth hormone receptor, IL-3 receptor, GM-CSF receptor, G-CSF receptor, erythropoietin receptor and IL-6 receptor). Membrane-bound receptors are characterized by a multi-domain structure comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and an intracellular effector domain that is typically involved in signal transduction. In certain membrane-bound receptors, the extracellular ligand-binding domain and the intracellular effector domain are located in separate polypeptides that comprise the complete functional receptor.

[0061] In general, the binding of ligand to receptor results in a conformational change in the receptor that causes an interaction between the effector domain and other molecule(s) in the cell, which in turn leads to an alteration in the metabolism of the cell. Metabolic events that are often linked to receptor-ligand interactions include gene transcription, phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, increases in cyclic AMP production, mobilization of cellular calcium, mobilization of membrane lipids, cell adhesion, hydrolysis of inositol lipids and hydrolysis of phospholipids.

[0062] The term “secretory signal sequence” denotes a DNA sequence that encodes a peptide (a “secretory peptide”) that, as a component of a larger polypeptide, directs the larger polypeptide through a secretory pathway of a cell in which it is synthesized. The larger polypeptide is commonly cleaved to remove the secretory peptide during transit through the secretory pathway.

[0063] An “isolated polypeptide” is a polypeptide that is essentially free from contaminating cellular components, such as carbohydrate, lipid, or other proteinaceous impurities associated with the polypeptide in nature. Typically, a preparation of isolated polypeptide contains the polypeptide in a highly purified form, i.e., at least about 80% pure, at least about 90% pure, at least about 95% pure, greater than 95% pure, or greater than 99% pure. One way to show that a particular protein preparation contains an isolated polypeptide is by the appearance of a single band following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the protein preparation and Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining of the gel. However, the term “isolated” does not exclude the presence of the same polypeptide in alternative physical forms, such as dimers or alternatively glycosylated or derivatized forms.

[0064] The terms “amino-terminal or N-terminal” and “carboxyl-terminal or C-terminal” are used herein to denote positions within polypeptides. Where the context allows, these terms are used with reference to a particular sequence or portion of a polypeptide to denote proximity or relative position. For example, a certain sequence positioned carboxyl-terminal to a reference sequence within a polypeptide is located proximal to the carboxyl terminus of the reference sequence, but is not necessarily at the carboxyl terminus of the complete polypeptide.

[0065] The term “expression” refers to the biosynthesis of a gene product. For example, in the case of a structural gene, expression involves transcription of the structural gene into mRNA and the translation of mRNA into one or more polypeptides.

[0066] The term “splice variant” is used herein to denote alternative forms of RNA transcribed from a gene. Splice variation arises naturally through use of alternative splicing sites within a transcribed RNA molecule, or less commonly between separately transcribed RNA molecules, and may result in several mRNAs transcribed from the same gene. Splice variants may encode polypeptides having altered amino acid sequence. The term splice variant is also used herein to denote a polypeptide encoded by a splice variant of an mRNA transcribed from a gene.

[0067] As used herein, the term “immunomodulator” includes cytokines, stem cell growth factors, lymphotoxins, co-stimulatory molecules, hematopoietic factors, and synthetic analogs of these molecules.

[0068] The term “complement/anti-complement pair” denotes non-identical moieties that form a non-covalently associated, stable pair under appropriate conditions. For instance, biotin and avidin (or streptavidin) are prototypical members of a complement/anti-complement pair. Other exemplary complement/anti-complement pairs include receptor/ligand pairs, antibody/antigen (or hapten or epitope) pairs, sense/antisense polynucleotide pairs, and the like. Where subsequent dissociation of the complement/anti-complement pair is desirable, the complement/anti-complement pair preferably has a binding affinity of less than 109 M−1.

[0069] An “anti-idiotype antibody” is an antibody that binds with the variable region domain of an immunoglobulin. In the present context, an anti-idiotype antibody binds with the variable region of an anti-Zlut1 antibody, and thus, an anti-idiotype antibody mimics an epitope of Zlut1.

[0070] An “antibody fragment” is a portion of an antibody such as F(ab′)2, F(ab)2, Fab′, Fab, and the like. Regardless of structure, an antibody fragment binds with the same antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody. For example, an anti-Zlut1 monoclonal antibody fragment binds with an epitope of Zlut1.

[0071] The term “antibody fragment” also includes a synthetic or a genetically engineered polypeptide that binds to a specific antigen, such as polypeptides consisting of the light chain variable region, “Fv” fragments consisting of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains, recombinant single chain polypeptide molecules in which light and heavy variable regions are connected by a peptide linker (“scFv proteins”), and minimal recognition units consisting of the amino acid residues that mimic the hypervariable region.

[0072] A “chimeric antibody” is a recombinant protein that contains the variable domains and complementary determining regions derived from a rodent antibody, while the remainder of the antibody molecule is derived from a human antibody.

[0073] “Humanized antibodies” are recombinant proteins in which murine complementarity determining regions of a monoclonal antibody have been transferred from heavy and light variable chains of the murine immunoglobulin into a human variable domain.

[0074] As used herein, a “therapeutic agent” is a molecule or atom that is conjugated to an antibody moiety to produce a conjugate that is useful for therapy. Examples of therapeutic agents include drugs, toxins, immunomodulators, chelators, boron compounds, photoactive agents or dyes, and radioisotopes.

[0075] A “detectable label” is a molecule or atom that can be conjugated to an antibody moiety to produce a molecule useful for diagnosis. Examples of detectable labels include chelators, photoactive agents, radioisotopes, fluorescent agents, paramagnetic ions, or other marker moieties.

[0076] The term “affinity tag” is used herein to denote a polypeptide segment that can be attached to a second polypeptide to provide for purification or detection of the second polypeptide or provide sites for attachment of the second polypeptide to a substrate. In principal, any peptide or protein for which an antibody or other specific binding agent is available can be used as an affinity tag. Affinity tags include a poly-histidine tract, protein A [Nilsson et al., EMBO J. 4:1075 (1985); Nilsson et al., Methods Enzymol. 198:3 (1991)], glutathione S transferase [Smith and Johnson, Gene 67:31 (1988)], Glu-Glu affinity tag [Grussenmeyer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7952 (1985)], substance P, FLAG peptide [Hopp et al., Biotechnology 6:1204 (1988)], streptavidin binding peptide, or other antigenic epitope or binding domain. See, in general, Ford et al., Protein Expression and Purification 2:95 (1991). DNAs encoding affinity tags are available from commercial suppliers (e.g., Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.).

[0077] A “naked antibody” is an entire antibody, as opposed to an antibody fragment, which is not conjugated with a therapeutic agent. Naked antibodies include both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, as well as certain recombinant antibodies, such as chimeric and humanized antibodies.

[0078] As used herein, the term “antibody component” includes both an entire antibody and an antibody fragment.

[0079] An “immunoconjugate” is a conjugate of an antibody component with a therapeutic agent or a detectable label.

[0080] As used herein, the term “antibody fusion protein” refers to a recombinant molecule that comprises an antibody component and a therapeutic agent. Examples of therapeutic agents suitable for such fusion proteins include immunomodulators (“antibody-immunomodulator fusion protein”) and toxins (“antibody-toxin fusion protein”).

[0081] As used herein, an “infectious agent” denotes both microbes and parasites. A “microbe” includes viruses, bacteria, rickettsia, mycoplasma, protozoa, fungi and like microorganisms. A “parasite” denotes infectious, generally microscopic or very small multicellular invertebrates, or ova or juvenile forms thereof, which are susceptible to immune-mediated clearance or lytic or phagocytic destruction, such as malarial parasites, spirochetes, and the like.

[0082] An “infectious agent antigen” is an antigen associated with an infectious agent.

[0083] A “target polypeptide” or a “target peptide” is an amino acid sequence that comprises at least one epitope, and that is expressed on a target cell, such as a tumor cell, or a cell that carries an infectious agent antigen. T cells recognize peptide epitopes presented by a major histocompatibility complex molecule to a target polypeptide or target peptide and typically lyse the target cell or recruit other immune cells to the site of the target cell, thereby killing the target cell.

[0084] An “antigenic peptide” is a peptide that will bind a major histocompatibility complex molecule to form an MHC-peptide complex, which is recognized by a T cell, thereby inducing a cytotoxic lymphocyte response upon presentation to the T cell. Thus, antigenic peptides are capable of binding to an appropriate major histocompatibility complex molecule and inducing a cytotoxic T cells response, such as cell lysis or specific cytokine release against the target cell that binds or expresses the antigen. The antigenic peptide can be bound in the context of a class I or class II major histocompatibility complex molecule, on an antigen presenting cell or on a target cell.

[0085] In eukaryotes, RNA polymerase II catalyzes the transcription of a structural gene to produce mRNA. A nucleic acid molecule can be designed to contain an RNA polymerase II template in which the RNA transcript has a sequence that is complementary to that of a specific mRNA. The RNA transcript is termed an “anti-sense RNA” and a nucleic acid molecule that encodes the anti-sense RNA is termed an “anti-sense gene.” Anti-sense RNA molecules are capable of binding to mRNA molecules, resulting in an inhibition of mRNA translation.

[0086] An “anti-sense oligonucleotide specific for Zlut1” or a “Zlut1 anti-sense oligonucleotide” is an oligonucleotide having a sequence (a) capable of forming a stable triplex with a portion of the Zlut1 gene, or (b) capable of forming a stable duplex with a portion of an mRNA transcript of the Zlut1 gene.

[0087] A “ribozyme” is a nucleic acid molecule that contains a catalytic center. The term includes RNA enzymes, self-splicing RNAs, self-cleaving RNAs, and nucleic acid molecules that perform these catalytic functions. A nucleic acid molecule that encodes a ribozyme is termed a “ribozyme gene.”

[0088] An “external guide sequence” is a nucleic acid molecule that directs the endogenous ribozyme, RNase P, to a particular species of intracellular mRNA, resulting in the cleavage of the mRNA by RNase P. A nucleic acid molecule that encodes an external guide sequence is termed an “external guide sequence gene.”

[0089] The term “variant human Zlut1 gene” refers to nucleic acid molecules that encode a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that is a modification of SEQ ID NO: 2. Such variants include naturally-occurring polymorphisms of Zlut1 genes, as well as synthetic genes that contain conservative amino acid substitutions of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 3. Additional variant forms of Zlut1 genes are nucleic acid molecules that contain insertions or deletions of the nucleotide sequences described herein. A variant Zlut1 gene can be identified by determining whether the gene hybridizes with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ED NO: 1, or its complement, under stringent conditions.

[0090] Alternatively, variant Zlut1 genes can be identified by sequence comparison. Two amino acid sequences have “100% amino acid sequence identity” if the amino acid residues of the two amino acid sequences are the same when aligned for maximal correspondence. Similarly, two nucleotide sequences have “100% nucleotide sequence identity” if the nucleotide residues of the two nucleotide sequences are the same when aligned for maximal correspondence. Sequence comparisons can be performed using standard software programs such as those included in the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite, which is produced by DNASTAR (Madison, Wis.). Other methods for comparing two nucleotide or amino acid sequences by determining optimal alignment are well-known to those of skill in the art [see, for example, Peruski and Peruski, The Internet and the New Biology: Tools for Genomic and Molecular Research (ASM Press, Inc. 1997), Wu et al. (eds.), “Information Superhighway and Computer Databases of Nucleic Acids and Proteins,” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 123-151 (CRC Press, Inc. 1997), and Bishop (ed.), Guide to Human Genome Computing, 2nd Edition (Academic Press, Inc. 1998)]. Particular methods for determining sequence identity are described below.

[0091] Regardless of the particular method used to identify a variant Zlut1 gene or variant Zlut1 polypeptide, a variant gene or polypeptide encoded by a variant gene is functionally characterized by either its ability to bind specifically to an anti-Zlut1 antibody.

[0092] The present invention includes functional fragments of Zlut1 genes. Within the context of this invention, a “functional fragment” of a Zlut1 gene refers to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a portion of a Zlut1 polypeptide which either (1) possesses an anti-viral or anti-proliferative activity, or (2) specifically binds with an anti-Zlut1 antibody. For example, a functional fragment of a human Zlut1 gene described herein comprises a portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 6. Due to the imprecision of standard analytical methods, molecular weights and lengths of polymers are understood to be approximate values. When such a value is expressed as “about” X or “approximately” X, the stated value of X will be understood to be accurate to ±10%.

[0093] 3. Production of the Human Zlut1 Gene

[0094] Nucleic acid molecules encoding a human Zlut1 gene can be obtained by screening a human cDNA or genomic library using polynucleotide probes based upon SEQ ID NO: 1. These techniques are standard and well established.

[0095] As an illustration, a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a human Zlut1 gene can be isolated from a human cDNA library. Appropriate cDNA libraries are those made from the testis or esophageal tumor. In general, RNA isolation techniques must provide a method for breaking cells, a means of inhibiting RNase-directed degradation of RNA, and a method of separating RNA from DNA, protein, and polysaccharide contaminants. For example, total RNA can be isolated by freezing tissue in liquid nitrogen, grinding the frozen tissue with a mortar and pestle to lyse the cells, extracting the ground tissue with a solution of phenol/chloroform to remove proteins, and separating RNA from the remaining impurities by selective precipitation with lithium chloride (see, for example, Ausubel et al. (eds.), Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, 3rd Edition, pages 4-1 to 4-6 (John Wiley & Sons 1995) [“Ausubel (1995)”]; Wu et al., Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 33-41 (CRC Press, Inc. 1997) [“Wu (1997)”].

[0096] Alternatively, total RNA can be isolated by extracting ground tissue with guanidinium isothiocyanate, extracting with organic solvents, and separating RNA from contaminants using differential centrifugation (see, for example, Chirgwin et al., Biochemistry 18:52 (1979); Ausubel (1995) at pages 4-1 to 4-6; Wu (1997) at pages 33-41).

[0097] In order to construct a cDNA library, poly(A)+ RNA must be isolated from a total RNA preparation. Poly(A)+ RNA can be isolated from total RNA using the standard technique of oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography (see, for example, Aviv and Leder, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 69:1408 (1972); Ausubel (1995) at pages 4-11 to 4-12).

[0098] Double-stranded cDNA molecules are synthesized from poly(A)+ RNA using techniques well-known to those in the art. (See, for example, Wu (1997) at pages 41-46). Moreover, commercially available kits can be used to synthesize double-stranded cDNA molecules. For example, such kits are available from Life Technologies, Inc. (Gaithersburg, Md.), CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), Promega Corporation (Madison, Wis.) and STRATAGENE (La Jolla, Calif.).

[0099] Various cloning vectors are appropriate for the construction of a cDNA library. For example, a cDNA library can be prepared in a vector derived from bacteriophage, such as a λgt10 vector. See, for example, Huynh et al., “Constructing and Screening cDNA Libraries in λgt10 and λgt11,” in DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach Vol. I, Glover (ed.), page 49 (IRL Press, 1985); Wu (1997) at pages 47-52.

[0100] Alternatively, double-stranded cDNA molecules can be inserted into a plasmid vector, such as a PBLUESCRIPT vector (STRATAGENE; La Jolla, Calif.), a LAMDAGEM-4 (Promega Corp.) or other commercially available vectors. Suitable cloning vectors also can be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.).

[0101] To amplify the cloned cDNA molecules, the cDNA library is inserted into a prokaryotic host, using standard techniques. For example, a cDNA library can be introduced into competent E. coli DH5 cells, which can be obtained, for example, from Life Technologies, Inc. (Gaithersburg, Md.).

[0102] A human genomic library can be prepared by means well known in the art (see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 5-1 to 5-6; Wu (1997) at pages 307-327). Genomic DNA can be isolated by lysing tissue with the detergent Sarkosyl, digesting the lysate with proteinase K, clearing insoluble debris from the lysate by centrifugation, precipitating nucleic acid from the lysate using isopropanol, and purifying resuspended DNA on a cesium chloride density gradient.

[0103] DNA fragments that are suitable for the production of a genomic library can be obtained by the random shearing of genomic DNA or by the partial digestion of genomic DNA with restriction endonucleases. Genomic DNA fragments can be inserted into a vector, such as a bacteriophage or cosmid vector, in accordance with conventional techniques, such as the use of restriction enzyme digestion to provide appropriate termini, the use of alkaline phosphatase treatment to avoid undesirable joining of DNA molecules, and ligation with appropriate ligases. Techniques for such manipulation are well known in the art (see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 5-1 to 5-6; Wu (1997) at pages 307-327).

[0104] Nucleic acid molecules that encode a human Zlut1 gene can also be obtained using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligonucleotide primers having nucleotide sequences that are based upon the nucleotide sequences of the human Zlut1 gene, as described herein. General methods for screening libraries with PCR are provided by, for example, Yu et al., “Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Screen Phage Libraries,” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 15: PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications, White (ed.), pages 211-215 (Humana Press, Inc. 1993). Moreover, techniques for using PCR to isolate related genes are described by, for example, Preston, “Use of Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primers and the Polymerase Chain Reaction to Clone Gene Family Members,” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 15: PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications, White (ed.), pages 317-337 (Humana Press, Inc. 1993).

[0105] Alternatively, human genomic libraries can be obtained from commercial sources such as Research Genetics (Huntsville, Ala.) and the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.).

[0106] A library containing cDNA or genomic clones can be screened with one or more polynucleotide probes based upon SEQ ID NO: 1, using standard methods (see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 6-1 to 6-11).

[0107] Anti-Zlut1 antibodies, produced as described below, can also be used to detect Zlut1 polypeptides expressed from clones. For example, the antibodies can be used to screen λgt 11 expression libraries, or the antibodies can be used for immunoscreening following hybrid selection and translation [see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 6-12 to 6-16; Margolis et al., “Screening λ expression libraries with antibody and protein probes,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 1-14 (Oxford University Press 1995)].

[0108] As an alternative, a Zlut1 gene can be obtained by synthesizing nucleic acid molecules using mutually priming long oligonucleotides and the nucleotide sequences described herein (see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 8-8 to 8-9). Established techniques using the polymerase chain reaction provide the ability to synthesize DNA molecules at least two kilobases in length [Adang et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:1131 (1993), Bambot et al., PCR Methods and Applications 2:266 (1993), Dillon et al., “Use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Rapid Construction of Synthetic Genes,” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 15: PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications, White (ed.), pages 263-268, (Humana Press, Inc. 1993), and Holowachuk et al., PCR Methods Appl. 4:299 (1995)].

[0109] The sequence of a Zlut1 cDNA or Zlut1 genomic fragment can be determined using standard methods. Moreover, the identification of genomic fragments containing a Zlut1 promoter or regulatory element can be achieved using well-established techniques, such as deletion analysis [see, generally, Ausubel (1995)].

[0110] Cloning of 5′ flanking sequences also facilitates production of Zlut1 proteins by “gene activation,” following the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,670. Briefly, expression of an endogenous Zlut1 gene in a cell is altered by introducing into the Zlut1 locus a DNA construct comprising at least a targeting sequence, a regulatory sequence, an exon, and an unpaired splice donor site. The targeting sequence is a Zlut1 5′ non-coding sequence that permits homologous recombination of the construct with the endogenous Zlut1 locus, whereby the sequences within the construct become operably linked with the endogenous Zlut1 coding sequence. In this way, an endogenous Zlut1 promoter can be replaced or supplemented with other regulatory sequences to provide enhanced, tissue-specific, or otherwise regulated expression.

[0111] A cDNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide of the present invention is comprised of a series of codons, each amino acid residue of the polypeptide being encoded by a codon and each codon being comprised of three nucleotides. The amino acid residues are encoded by their respective codons as follows.

[0112] Alanine (Ala) is encoded by GCA, GCC, GCG or GCT;

[0113] Cysteine (Cys) is encoded by TGC or TGT;

[0114] Aspartic acid (Asp) is encoded by GAC or GAT;

[0115] Glutamic acid (Glu) is encoded by GAA or GAG;

[0116] Phenylalanine (Phe) is encoded by TTC or TTT;

[0117] Glycine (Gly) is encoded by GGA, GGC, GGG or GGT;

[0118] Histidine (His) is encoded by CAC or CAT;

[0119] Isoleucine (Ile) is encoded by ATA, ATC or ATT;

[0120] Lysine (Lys) is encoded by AAA, or AAG;

[0121] Leucine (Leu) is encoded by TTA, TTG, CTA, CTC, CTG or CTT;

[0122] Methionine (Met) is encoded by ATG;

[0123] Asparagine (Asn) is encoded by AAC or AAT;

[0124] Proline (Pro) is encoded by CCA, CCC, CCG or CCT;

[0125] Glutamine (Gln) is encoded by CAA or CAG;

[0126] Arginine (Arg) is encoded by AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG or CGT;

[0127] Serine (Ser) is encoded by AGC, AGT, TCA, TCC, TCG or TCT;

[0128] Threonine (Thr) is encoded by ACA, ACC, ACG or ACT;

[0129] Valine (Val) is encoded by GTA, GTC, GTG or GTT;

[0130] Tryptophan (Trp) is encoded by TGG; and

[0131] Tyrosine (Tyr) is encoded by TAC or TAT.

[0132] It is to be recognized that according to the present invention, when a polynucleotide is claimed as described herein, it is understood that what is claimed are both the sense strand, the anti-sense strand, and the DNA as double-stranded having both the sense and anti-sense strand annealed together by their respective hydrogen bonds. Also claimed is the messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes the polypeptides of the president invention, and which mRNA is encoded by the cDNA described herein. Messenger RNA (mRNA) will encode a polypeptide using the same codons as those defined herein, with the exception that each thymine nucleotide (T) is replaced by a uracil nucleotide (U).

[0133] 4. Production of Zlut1 Gene Variants

[0134] The present invention provides a variety of nucleic acid molecules, including DNA and RNA molecules that encode the Zlut1 polypeptides disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, in view of the degeneracy of the genetic code, considerable sequence variation is possible among these polynucleotide molecules.

[0135] Different species can exhibit “preferential codon usage.” In general, see, Grantham et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 8:1893 (1980), Haas et al. Curr. Biol. 6:315 (1996), Wain-Hobson et al., Gene 13:355(1981), Grosjean and Fiers, Gene 18:199(1982), Holm, Nuc. Acids Res. 14:3075 (1986), Ikemura, J. Mol. Biol. 158:573 (1982), Sharp and Matassi, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 4:851 (1994), Kane, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 6:494 (1995), and Makrides, Microbiol. Rev. 60:512 (1996). As used herein, the term “preferential codon usage” or “preferential codons” is a term of art referring to protein translation codons that are most frequently used in cells of a certain species, thus favoring one or a few representatives of the possible codons encoding each amino acid. For example, the amino acid Threonine (Thr) may be encoded by ACA, ACC, ACG, or ACT, but in mammalian cells ACC is the most commonly used codon; in other species, for example, insect cells, yeast, viruses or bacteria, different Thr codons may be preferential. Preferential codons for a particular species can be introduced into the polynucleotides of the present invention by a variety of methods known in the art. Introduction of preferential codon sequences into recombinant DNA can, for example, enhance production of the protein by making protein translation more efficient within a particular cell type or species. Therefore, a degenerate codon sequences can serve as templates for optimizing expression of polynucleotides in various cell types and species commonly used in the art and disclosed herein. Sequences containing preferential codons can be tested and optimized for expression in various species, and tested for functionality as disclosed herein.

[0136] The present invention further provides variant polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules that represent counterparts from other species (orthologs). These species include, but are not limited to mammalian, avian, amphibian, reptile, fish, insect and other vertebrate and invertebrate species. Of particular interest are Zlut1 polypeptides from other mammalian species, including murine, porcine, ovine, bovine, canine, feline, equine, and other primate polypeptides. Orthologs of human Zlut1 can be cloned using information and compositions provided by the present invention in combination with conventional cloning techniques. For example, a cDNA can be cloned using mRNA obtained from a tissue or cell type that expresses Zlut1 as disclosed herein. Suitable sources of mRNA can be identified by probing northern blots with probes designed from the sequences disclosed herein. A library is then prepared from mRNA of a positive tissue or cell line.

[0137] A Zlut1-encoding cDNA can then be isolated by a variety of methods, such as by probing with a complete or partial human cDNA or with one or more sets of degenerate probes based on the disclosed sequences. A cDNA can also be cloned using the polymerase chain reaction with primers designed from the representative human Zlut1 sequences disclosed herein. Within an additional method, the cDNA library can be used to transform or transfect host cells, and expression of the cDNA of interest can be detected with an antibody to Zlut1 polypeptide. Similar techniques can also be applied to the isolation of genomic clones, and to the isolation of nucleic molecules that encode murine Zlut1.

[0138] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sequence disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1 represents a single allele of human Zlut1 , and that allelic variation and alternative splicing are expected to occur. Allelic variants of this sequence can be cloned by probing cDNA or genomic libraries from different individuals according to standard procedures. Allelic variants of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, including those containing silent mutations and those in which mutations result in amino acid sequence changes, are within the scope of the present invention, as are proteins which are allelic variants of SEQ ID NOs: 2 and 9. cDNA molecules generated from alternatively spliced mRNAs, which retain the properties of the Zlut1 polypeptide are included within the scope of the present invention, as are polypeptides encoded by such cDNAs and mRNAs. Allelic variants and splice variants of these sequences can be cloned by probing cDNA or genomic libraries from different individuals or tissues according to standard procedures known in the art.

[0139] Within preferred embodiments of the invention, isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode human Zlut1 can hybridize to nucleic acid molecules having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a sequence complementary thereto, under “stringent conditions.” In general, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe.

[0140] As an illustration, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a variant Zlut1 polypeptide can be hybridized with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (or its complement) at 42° C. overnight in a solution comprising 50% formamide, 5×SSC (1×SSC: 0.15 M sodium chloride and 15 mM sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution (100× Denhardt's solution: 2% (w/v) Ficoll 400, 2% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 2% (w/v) bovine serum albumin), 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 μg/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA. One of skill in the art can devise variations of these hybridization conditions. For example, the hybridization mixture can be incubated at a higher temperature, such as about 65° C., in a solution that does not contain formamide. Moreover, premixed hybridization solutions are available (e.g., EXPRESSHYB Hybridization Solution from CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc.), and hybridization can be performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0141] Following hybridization, the nucleic acid molecules can be washed to remove non-hybridized nucleic acid molecules under stringent conditions, or under highly stringent conditions. Typical stringent washing conditions include washing in a solution of 0.5×-2×SSC with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 55-65° C. That is, nucleic acid molecules encoding a variant Zlut1 polypeptide hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (or its complement) under stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.5×-2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 55-65° C., including 0.5×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 55° C., or 2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 65° C. One of skill in the art can readily devise equivalent conditions, for example, by substituting SSPE for SSC in the wash solution.

[0142] Typical highly stringent washing conditions include washing in a solution of 0.1×-0.2×SSC with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 50-65° C. In other words, nucleic acid molecules encoding a variant Zlut1 polypeptide hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (or its complement) under highly stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.1×-0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 50-65° C., including 0.1×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 50° C., or 0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0143] The present invention also provides isolated Zlut1 polypeptides that have a substantially similar sequence identity to the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 3, or their orthologs. The term “substantially similar sequence identity” is used herein to denote polypeptides having at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or greater than 95% sequence identity to the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 3 or their orthologs.

[0144] The present invention also contemplates Zlut1 variant nucleic acid molecules that can be identified using two criteria: a determination of the similarity between the encoded polypeptide with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9, and a hybridization assay, as described above. Such Zlut1 variants include nucleic acid molecules (1) that hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (or its complement) under stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.5×-2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 55-65° C., and (2) that encode a polypeptide having at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or greater than 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 3. Alternatively, Zlut1 variants can be characterized as nucleic acid molecules (1) that hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 (or its complement) under highly stringent washing conditions, in which the wash stringency is equivalent to 0.1×-0.2×SSC with 0.1% SDS at 50-65° C., and (2) that encode a polypeptide having at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or greater than 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9.

[0145] Percent sequence identity is determined by conventional methods. See, for example, Altschul et al., Bull. Math. Bio. 48:603 (1986), and Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1992). Briefly, two amino acid sequences are aligned to optimize the alignment scores using a gap opening penalty of 10, a gap extension penalty of 1, and the “BLOSUM 62” scoring matrix of Henikoff and Henikoff (ibid.) as shown in Table 1 (amino acids are indicated by the standard one-letter codes). The percent identity is then calculated as: ([Total number of identical matches]/[length of the longer sequence plus the number of gaps introduced into the longer sequence in order to align the two sequences])(100).

1TABLE 1ARNDCQEGHILKMFPSTWYVA4R−15N−206D−2−216C0−3−3−39Q−1100−35E−1002−425G0−20−1−3−2−26H−201−1−300−28I−1−3−3−3−1−3−3−4−34L−1−2−3−4−1−2−3−4−324K−120−1−311−2−1−3−25M−1−1−2−3−10−2−3−212−15F−2−3−3−3−2−3−3−3−100−306P−1−2−2−1−3−1−1−2−2−3−3−1−2−47S1−110−1000−1−2−20−1−2−14T0−10−1−1−1−1−2−2−1−1−1−1−2−115W−3−3−4−4−2−2−3−2−2−3−2−3−11−4−3−211Y−2−2−2−3−2−1−2−32−1−1−2−13−3−2−227V0−3−3−3−1−2−2−3−331−21−1−2−20−3−14

[0146] Those skilled in the art appreciate that there are many established algorithms available to align two amino acid sequences. The “FASTA” similarity search algorithm of Pearson and Lipman is a suitable protein alignment method for examining the level of identity shared by an amino acid sequence disclosed herein and the amino acid sequence of a putative Zlut1 variant. The FASTA algorithm is described by Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 (1988), and by Pearson, Meth. Enzymol. 183:63 (1990). Briefly, FASTA first characterizes sequence similarity by identifying regions shared by the query sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 2) and a test sequence that have either the highest density of identities (if the ktup variable is 1) or pairs of identities (if ktup=2), without considering conservative amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions. The ten regions with the highest density of identities are then re-scored by comparing the similarity of all paired amino acids using an amino acid substitution matrix, and the ends of the regions are “trimmed” to include only those residues that contribute to the highest score. If there are several regions with scores greater than the “cutoff” value (calculated by a predetermined formula based upon the length of the sequence and the ktup value), then the trimmed initial regions are examined to determine whether the regions can be joined to form an approximate alignment with gaps. Finally, the highest scoring regions of the two amino acid sequences are aligned using a modification of the Needleman-Wunsch-Sellers algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48:444 (1970); Sellers, SIAM J. Appl. Math. 26:787 (1974)), which allows for amino acid insertions and deletions. Illustrative parameters for FASTA analysis are: ktup=1, gap opening penalty=10, gap extension penalty=1, and substitution matrix=BLOSUM62. These parameters can be introduced into a FASTA program by modifying the scoring matrix file (“SMATRIX”), as explained in Appendix 2 of Pearson, Meth. Enzymol. 183:63 (1990).

[0147] FASTA can also be used to determine the sequence identity of nucleic acid molecules using a ratio as disclosed above. For nucleotide sequence comparisons, the ktup value can range between one to six, preferably from three to six, most preferably three, with other parameters set as described above.

[0148] The present invention includes nucleic acid molecules that encode a polypeptide having a conservative amino acid change, compared with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 9. That is, variants can be obtained that contain one or more amino acid substitutions of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 9, in which an alkyl amino acid is substituted for an alkyl amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, an aromatic amino acid is substituted for an aromatic amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, a sulfur-containing amino acid is substituted for a sulfur-containing amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, a hydroxy-containing amino acid is substituted for a hydroxy-containing amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, an acidic amino acid is substituted for an acidic amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, a basic amino acid is substituted for a basic amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence, or a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid is substituted for a dibasic monocarboxylic amino acid in an Zlut1 amino acid sequence.

[0149] Among the common amino acids, for example, a “conservative amino acid substitution” is illustrated by a substitution among amino acids within each of the following groups: (1) glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, (2) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, (3) serine and threonine, (4) aspartate and glutamate, (5) glutamine and asparagine, and (6) lysine, arginine and histidine. For example, variant Zlut1 polypeptides that have an amino acid sequence that differs from either SEQ ID NO: 2 can be obtained by substituting a threonine residue for Ser27, by substituting a valine residue for Ile77, by substituting an aspartate residue for Glu88, or by substituting a valine residue for Ile113. Additional variants can be obtained by producing polypeptides having two or more of these amino acid substitutions.

[0150] The BLOSUM62 table is an amino acid substitution matrix derived from about 2,000 local multiple alignments of protein sequence segments, representing highly conserved regions of more than 500 groups of related proteins (Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1992)). Accordingly, the BLOSUM62 substitution frequencies can be used to define conservative amino acid substitutions that may be introduced into the amino acid sequences of the present invention. Although it is possible to design amino acid substitutions based solely upon chemical properties (as discussed above), the language “conservative amino acid substitution” preferably refers to a substitution represented by a BLOSUM62 value of greater than −1. For example, an amino acid substitution is conservative if the substitution is characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of 0, 1, 2, or 3. According to this system, preferred conservative amino acid substitutions are characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of at least 1 (e.g., 1, 2 or 3), while more preferred conservative amino acid substitutions are characterized by a BLOSUM62 value of at least 2 (e.g., 2 or 3).

[0151] Conservative amino acid changes in an Zlut1 gene can be introduced by substituting nucleotides for the nucleotides recited in SEQ ID NO: 1. Such “conservative amino acid” variants can be obtained, for example, by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, linker-scanning mutagenesis, mutagenesis using the polymerase chain reaction, and the like (see Ausubel (1995) at pages 8-10 to 8-22; and McPherson (ed.), Directed Mutagenesis: A Practical Approach (IRL Press 1991)). The ability of such variants to promote anti-viral or anti-proliferative activity can be determined using a standard method, such as the assay described herein. Alternatively, a variant Zlut1 polypeptide can be identified by the ability to specifically bind anti-Zlut1 antibodies.

[0152] The proteins of the present invention can also comprise non-naturally occurring amino acid residues. Non-naturally occurring amino acids include, without limitation, trans-3-methylproline, 2,4-methanoproline, cis-4-hydroxyproline, trans-4-hydroxyproline, N-methylglycine, allo-threonine, methylthreonine, hydroxyethylcysteine, hydroxyethylhomocysteine, nitroglutamine, homoglutamine, pipecolic acid, thiazolidine carboxylic acid, dehydroproline, 3- and 4-methylproline, 3,3-dimethylproline, tert-leucine, norvaline, 2-azaphenylalanine, 3-azaphenylalanine, 4-azaphenylalanine, and 4-fluorophenylalanine. Several methods are known in the art for incorporating non-naturally occurring amino acid residues into proteins. For example, an in vitro system can be employed wherein nonsense mutations are suppressed using chemically aminoacylated suppressor tRNAs. Methods for synthesizing amino acids and aminoacylating tRNA are known in the art. Transcription and translation of plasmids containing nonsense mutations is typically carried out in a cell-free system comprising an E. coli S30 extract and commercially available enzymes and other reagents. Proteins are purified by chromatography. See, for example, Robertson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113:2722 (1991), Ellman et al., Methods Enzymol. 202:301 (1991), Chung et al., Science 259:806 (1993), and Chung et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:10145 (1993).

[0153] In a second method, translation is carried out in Xenopus oocytes by microinjection of mutated mRNA and chemically aminoacylated suppressor tRNAs (Turcatti et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:19991 (1996)). Within a third method, E. coli cells are cultured in the absence of a natural amino acid that is to be replaced (e.g., phenylalanine) and in the presence of the desired non-naturally occurring amino acid(s) (e.g., 2-azaphenylalanine, 3-azaphenylalanine, 4-azaphenylalanine, or 4-fluorophenylalanine). The non-naturally occurring amino acid is incorporated into the protein in place of its natural counterpart. See, Koide et al., Biochem. 33:7470 (1994). Naturally occurring amino acid residues can be converted to non-naturally occurring species by in vitro chemical modification. Chemical modification can be combined with site-directed mutagenesis to further expand the range of substitutions [Wynn and Richards, Protein Sci. 2:395 (1993)].

[0154] A limited number of non-conservative amino acids, amino acids that are not encoded by the genetic code, non-naturally occurring amino acids, and unnatural amino acids may be substituted for Zlut1 amino acid residues.

[0155] Essential amino acids in the polypeptides of the present invention can be identified according to procedures known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis [Cunningham and Wells, Science 244:1081 (1989), Bass et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 88:4498 (1991), Coombs and Corey, “Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Protein Engineering,” in Proteins: Analysis and Design, Angeletti (ed.), pages 259-311 (Academic Press, Inc. 1998)]. In the latter technique, single alanine mutations are introduced at every residue in the molecule, and the resultant mutant molecules are tested for biological activity as disclosed below to identify amino acid residues that are critical to the activity of the molecule. See also, Hilton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:4699 (1996) Although sequence analysis can be used to identify Zlut1 receptor binding sites, the location of Zlut1 receptor binding domains can also be determined by physical analysis of structure, as determined by such techniques as nuclear magnetic resonance, crystallography, electron diffraction or photoaffinity labeling, in conjunction with mutation of putative contact site amino acids. See, for example, de Vos et al., Science 255:306 (1992), Smith et al., J. Mol. Biol. 224:899 (1992), and Wlodaver et al., FEBS Lett. 309:59 (1992). Moreover, Zlut1 labeled with biotin or FITC can be used for expression cloning of Zlut1 receptors.

[0156] Multiple amino acid substitutions can be made and tested using known methods of mutagenesis and screening, such as those disclosed by Reidhaar-Olson and Sauer [Science 241:53 (1988)] or Bowie and Sauer [Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:2152 (1989)]. Briefly, these authors disclose methods for simultaneously randomizing two or more positions in a polypeptide, selecting for functional polypeptide, and then sequencing the mutagenized polypeptides to determine the spectrum of allowable substitutions at each position. Other methods that can be used include phage display [e.g., Lowman et al., Biochem. 30:10832 (1991), Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409, Huse, international publication No. WO 92/06204, and region-directed mutagenesis [Derbyshire et al., Gene 46:145(1986), and Ner et al., DNA 7:127, (1988)].

[0157] Variants of the disclosed Zlut1 nucleotide and polypeptide sequences can also be generated through DNA shuffling as disclosed by Stemmer, Nature 370:389 (1994), Stemmer, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 91:10747 (1994), and international publication No. WO 97/20078. Briefly, variant DNAs are generated by in vitro homologous recombination by random fragmentation of a parent DNA followed by reassembly using PCR, resulting in randomly introduced point mutations. This technique can be modified by using a family of parent DNAs, such as allelic variants or DNAs from different species, to introduce additional variability into the process. Selection or screening for the desired activity, followed by additional iterations of mutagenesis and assay provides for rapid “evolution” of sequences by selecting for desirable mutations while simultaneously selecting against detrimental changes.

[0158] Mutagenesis methods as disclosed herein can be combined with high-throughput, automated screening methods to detect activity of cloned, mutagenized polypeptides in host cells. Mutagenized DNA molecules that encode biologically active polypeptides, or polypeptides that bind with anti-Zlut1 antibodies, can be recovered from the host cells and rapidly sequenced using modern equipment. These methods allow the rapid determination of the importance of individual amino acid residues in a polypeptide of interest, and can be applied to polypeptides of unknown structure.

[0159] The present invention also includes “functional fragments” of Zlut1 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding such functional fragments. Routine deletion analyses of nucleic acid molecules can be performed to obtain functional fragments of a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a Zlut1 polypeptide. As an illustration, DNA molecules having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 can be digested with a nuclease to obtain a series of nested deletions. The fragments are then inserted into expression vectors in proper reading frame, and the expressed polypeptides are isolated and tested for the ability to bind anti-Zlut1 antibodies. One alternative to exonuclease digestion is to use oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to introduce deletions or stop codons to specify production of a desired fragment. Alternatively, particular fragments of a Zlut1 gene can be synthesized using the polymerase chain reaction.

[0160] The present invention also contemplates functional fragments of an Zlut1 gene that has amino acid changes, compared with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or3. An alternative approach to identifying a variant gene on the basis of structure is to determine whether a nucleic acid molecule encoding a potential variant Zlut1 gene can hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 as discussed above.

[0161] The present invention also provides polypeptide fragments or peptides comprising an epitope-bearing portion of a Zlut1 polypeptide described herein. Such fragments or peptides may comprise an “immunogenic epitope,” which is a part of a protein that elicits an antibody response when the entire protein is used as an immunogen. Immunogenic epitope-bearing peptides can be identified using standard methods (see, for example, Geysen et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 81:3998 (1983)).

[0162] In contrast, polypeptide fragments or peptides may comprise an “antigenic epitope,” which is a region of a protein molecule to which an antibody can specifically bind. Certain epitopes consist of a linear or contiguous stretch of amino acids, and the antigenicity of such an epitope is not disrupted by denaturing agents. It is known in the art that relatively short synthetic peptides that can mimic epitopes of a protein can be used to stimulate the production of antibodies against the protein [see, for example, Sutcliffe et al., Science 219:660 (1983)]. Accordingly, antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the present invention are useful to raise antibodies that bind with the polypeptides described herein.

[0163] Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides preferably contain at least four to ten amino acids, at least ten to fifteen amino acids, or about 15 to about 30 or more amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 3. Such epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides can be produced by fragmenting a Zlut1 polypeptide, or by chemical peptide synthesis, as described herein. Moreover, epitopes can be selected by phage display of random peptide libraries [see, for example, Lane and Stephen, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 5:268 (1993), and Cortese et al., Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 7:616 (1996)]. Standard methods for identifying epitopes and producing antibodies from small peptides that comprise an epitope are described, for example, by Mole, “Epitope Mapping,” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 10, Manson (ed.), pages 105-116 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1992), Price, “Production and Characterization of Synthetic Peptide-Derived Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Production, Engineering, and Clinical Application, Ritter and Ladyman (eds.), pages 60-84 (Cambridge University Press 1995), and Coligan et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Immunology, pages 9.3.1-9.3.5 and pages 9.4.1-9.4.11 (John Wiley & Sons 1997).

[0164] Regardless of the particular nucleotide sequence of a variant Zlut1 gene, the gene encodes a polypeptide that is characterized by its ability to bind specifically to an anti-Zlut1 antibody. More specifically, variant human Zlut1 genes encode polypeptides that exhibit at least 50%, and preferably, greater than 70, 80, or 90%, of the activity of polypeptide encoded by the human Zlut1 gene described herein.

[0165] For any Zlut1 polypeptide, including variants and fusion proteins, one of ordinary skill in the art can readily generate a fully degenerate polynucleotide sequence encoding that variant using the information set forth in Tables 1 and 2 above. Moreover, those of skill in the art can use standard software to devise Zlut1 variants based upon the nucleotide and amino acid sequences described herein. Accordingly, the present invention includes a computer-readable medium encoded with a data structure that provides at least one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NOs: 1-14. For example, a computer-readable medium can be encoded with a data structure that provides at least one of the following sequences: SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NOs: 9-14 and SEQ ID NO: 8. Suitable forms of computer-readable media include magnetic media and optically readable media. Examples of magnetic media include a hard or fixed drive, a random access memory (RAM) chip, a floppy disk, digital linear tape (DLT), a disk cache, and a ZIP disk. Optically readable media are exemplified by compact discs (e.g., CD-read only memory (ROM), CD-re-writable (RW), and CD-recordable), and digital versatile/video discs (DVD) (e.g., DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and DVD+RW).

[0166] 5. Production of Zlut1 Fusion Proteins and Conjugates

[0167] Fusion proteins of Zlut1 can be used to express Zlut1 in a recombinant host, and to isolate expressed Zlut1. As described below, particular Zlut1 fusion proteins also have uses in diagnosis and therapy.

[0168] One type of fusion protein comprises a peptide that guides a Zlut1 polypeptide from a recombinant host cell. To direct a Zlut1 polypeptide into the secretory pathway of a eukaryotic host cell, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a signal peptide, a leader sequence, prepro sequence or pre sequence) is provided in the Zlut1 expression vector. While the secretory signal sequence may be derived from Zlut1 , a suitable signal sequence may also be derived from another secreted protein or synthesized de novo. The secretory signal sequence is operably linked to a Zlut1-encoding sequence such that the two sequences are joined in the correct reading frame and positioned to direct the newly synthesized polypeptide into the secretory pathway of the host cell. Secretory signal sequences are commonly positioned 5′ to the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of interest, although certain secretory signal sequences may be positioned elsewhere in the nucleotide sequence of interest (see, e.g., Welch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,743; Holland et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,830).

[0169] Although the secretory signal sequence of Zlut1 or another protein produced by mammalian cells (e.g., tissue-type plasminogen activator signal sequence, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,655) is useful for expression of Zlut1 in recombinant mammalian hosts, a yeast signal sequence is preferred for expression in yeast cells. Examples of suitable yeast signal sequences are those derived from yeast mating phermone (α-factor (encoded by the MFα1 gene), invertase (encoded by the SUC2 gene), or acid phosphatase (encoded by the PHO5 gene). See, for example, Romanos et al., “Expression of Cloned Genes in Yeast,” in DNA Cloning 2: A Practical Approach, 2nd Edition, Glover and Hames (eds.), pages 123-167 (Oxford University Press 1995).

[0170] In bacterial cells, it is often desirable to express a heterologous protein as a fusion protein to decrease toxicity, increase stability, and to enhance recovery of the expressed protein. For example, Zlut1 can be expressed as a fusion protein comprising a glutathione S-transferase polypeptide. Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins are typically soluble, and easily purifiable from E. coli lysates on immobilized glutathione columns. In similar approaches, a Zlut1 fusion protein comprising a maltose binding protein polypeptide can be isolated with an amylose resin column, while a fusion protein comprising the C-terminal end of a truncated Protein A gene can be purified using IgG-Sepharose. Established techniques for expressing a heterologous polypeptide as a fusion protein in a bacterial cell are described, for example, by Williams et al., “Expression of Foreign Proteins in E. coli Using Plasmid Vectors and Purification of Specific Polyclonal Antibodies,” in DNA Cloning 2: A Practical Approach, 2nd Edition, Glover and Hiames (Eds.), pages 15-58 (Oxford University Press 1995). In addition, commercially available expression systems are available. For example, the PINPOINT Xa protein purification system (Promega Corporation; Madison, Wis.) provides a method for isolating a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide that becomes biotinylated during expression with a resin that comprises avidin.

[0171] Peptide tags that are useful for isolating heterologous polypeptides expressed by either prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells include polyHistidine tags (which have an affinity for nickel-chelating resin), c-myc tags, calmodulin binding protein (isolated with calmodulin affinity chromatography), substance P, the RYIRS tag (which binds with anti-RYIRS antibodies), the Glu-Glu tag, and the FLAG tag (which binds with anti-FLAG antibodies). See, for example, Luo et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 329:215 (1996), Morganti et al., Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 23:67 (1996), and Zheng et al., Gene 186:55(1997). Nucleic acid molecules encoding such peptide tags are available, for example, from Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (St. Louis, Mo.).

[0172] The present invention also contemplates that the use of the secretory signal sequence contained in the Zlut1 polypeptides of the present invention to direct other polypeptides into the secretory pathway. A signal fusion polypeptide can be made wherein a secretory signal sequence derived from amino acid residues 1 to 24 of SEQ ID NO: 2 is operably linked to another polypeptide using methods known in the art and disclosed herein. The secretory signal sequence contained in the fusion polypeptides of the present invention is preferably fused amino-terminally to an additional peptide to direct the additional peptide into the secretory pathway. Such constructs have numerous applications known in the art. For example, these novel secretory signal sequence fusion constructs can direct the secretion of an active component of a normally non-secreted protein, such as a receptor. Such fusions may be used in a transgenic animal or in a cultured recombinant host to direct peptides through the secretory pathway. With regard to the latter, exemplary polypeptides include pharmaceutically active molecules such as Factor VIIa, proinsulin, insulin, follicle stimulating hormone, tissue type plasminogen activator, tumor necrosis factor, interleukins [e.g., interleukin-1 (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, and IL-15), colony stimulating factors (e.g., granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)], interferons (e.g., interferons-α, -β, -γ, -ω, -δ, and -τ), the stem cell growth factor designated “S1 factor,” erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin. The Zlut1 secretory signal sequence contained in the fusion polypeptides of the present invention is preferably fused amino-terminally to an additional peptide to direct the additional peptide into the secretory pathway. Fusion proteins comprising a Zlut1 secretory signal sequence can be constructed using standard techniques.

[0173] Another form of fusion protein comprises a Zlut1 polypeptide and an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region, typically an Fc fragment, which contains two or three constant region domains and a hinge region but lacks the variable region. As an illustration, Chang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,125, describe a fusion protein comprising a human interferon and a human immunoglobulin Fc fragment. The C-terminal of the interferon is linked to the N-terminal of the Fc fragment by a peptide linker moiety. An example of a peptide linker is a peptide comprising primarily a T cell inert sequence, which is immunologically inert. An exemplary peptide linker has the amino acid sequence: GGSGG SGGGG SGGGG S (SEQ ID NO: 15). In this fusion protein, a preferred Fc moiety is a human γ4 chain, which is stable in solution and has little or no complement activating activity. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a Zlut1 fusion protein that comprises a Zlut1 moiety and a human Fc fragment, wherein the C-terminus of the Zlut1 moiety is attached to the N-terminus of the Fc fragment via a peptide linker. The Zlut1 moiety can be a Zlut1 molecule or a fragment thereof.

[0174] In another variation, an Zlut1 fusion protein comprises an IgG sequence, an Zlut1 moiety covalently joined to the aminoterminal end of the IgG sequence, and a signal peptide that is covalently joined to the aminoterminal of the Zlut1 moiety, wherein the IgG sequence consists of the following elements in the following order: a hinge region, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain. Accordingly, the IgG sequence lacks a CH1 domain. The Zlut1 moiety displays a Zlut1 activity, as described herein, such as the ability to bind with a Zlut1 receptor. This general approach to producing fusion proteins that comprise both antibody and nonantibody portions has been described by LaRochelle et al., EP 742830 (WO 95/21258).

[0175] Fusion proteins comprising a Zlut1 moiety and an Fc moiety can be used, for example, as an in vitro assay tool. For example, the presence of a Zlut1 receptor in a biological sample can be detected using a Zlut1-immunoglobulin fusion protein, in which the Zlut1 moiety is used to target the cognate receptor, and a macromolecule, such as Protein A or anti-Fc antibody, is used to detect the bound fusion protein-receptor complex. Moreover, such fusion proteins can be used to identify agonists and antagonists that interfere with the binding of Zlut1 to its receptor.

[0176] Similarly, fusion proteins can be constructed that comprise a murine Zlut1 polypeptide and an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region.

[0177] In addition, antibody-Zlut1 fusion proteins, comprising antibody variable domains, are useful as therapeutic proteins, in which the antibody moiety binds with a target antigen, such as a tumor associated antigen. Methods of making antibody-cytokine fusion proteins are known to those of skill in the art. For example, antibody fusion proteins comprising an interleukin-2 moiety are described by Boleti et al., Ann. Oncol. 6:945 (1995), Nicolet et al., Cancer Gene Ther. 2:161 (1995), Becker et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 93:7826 (1996), Hank et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 2:1951 (1996), and Hu et al., Cancer Res. 56:4998 (1996). Moreover, Yang et al., Hum. Antibodies Hybridomas 6:129 (1995), and Xiang et al., J. Biotechnol. 53:3 (1997), describe fusion proteins that include an F(ab′)2 fragment and a tumor necrosis factor alpha moiety. Additional cytokine-antibody fusion proteins include IL-8, IL-12, or Zlut1 as the cytokine moiety [Holzer et al., Cytokine 8:214 (1996); Gillies et al., J. Immunol. 160:6195 (1998); Xiang et al., Hum. Antibodies Hybridomas 7:2 (1996)]. Also see, Gillies, U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,150.

[0178] Moreover, using methods described in the art, hybrid Zlut1 proteins can be constructed using regions or domains of the inventive [see, for example, Picard, Cur. Opin. Biology 5:511 (1994)]. These methods allow the determination of the biological importance of larger domains or regions in a polypeptide of interest. Such hybrids may alter reaction kinetics, binding, constrict or expand the substrate specificity, or alter tissue and cellular localization of a polypeptide, and can be applied to polypeptides of unknown structure. Fusion proteins can be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art by preparing each component of the fusion protein and chemically conjugating them. Alternatively, a polynucleotide encoding both components of the fusion protein in the proper reading frame can be generated using known techniques and expressed by the methods described herein. Moreover, such fusion proteins may exhibit other properties as disclosed herein. General methods for enzymatic and chemical cleavage of fusion proteins are described, for example, by Ausubel (1995) at pages 16-19 to 16-25.

[0179] The present invention also contemplates chemically modified Zlut1 compositions, in which a Zlut1 polypeptide is linked with a polymer. Typically, the polymer is water-soluble so that the Zlut1 conjugate does not precipitate in an aqueous environment, such as a physiological environment. An example of a suitable polymer is one that has been modified to have a single reactive group, such as an active ester for acylation, or an aldehyde for alkylation. In this way, the degree of polymerization can be controlled. An example of a reactive aldehyde is polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde, or mono-(C1-C10) alkoxy, or aryloxy derivatives thereof (see, for example, Harris, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,714). The polymer may be branched or unbranched. Moreover, a mixture of polymers can be used to produce Zlut1 conjugates.

[0180] Zlut1 conjugates used for therapy should preferably comprise pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer moieties. Conjugation of interferons with water-soluble polymers has been shown to enhance the circulating half-life of the interferon, and to reduce the immunogenicity of the polypeptide [see, for example, Nieforth et al., Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 59:636 (1996), and Monkarsh et al., Anal. Biochem. 247:434 (1997)].

[0181] Suitable water-soluble polymers include polyethylene glycol (PEG), monomethoxy-PEG, mono-(C1-C10)alkoxy-PEG, aryloxy-PEG, poly-(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)PEG, tresyl monomethoxy PEG, PEG propionaldehyde, bis-succinimidyl carbonate PEG, propylene glycol homopolymers, a polypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymer, polyoxyethylated polyols (e.g., glycerol), polyvinyl alcohol, dextran, cellulose, or other carbohydrate-based polymers. Suitable PEG may have a molecular weight from about 600 to about 60,000, including, for example, 5,000, 12,000, 20,000 and 25,000. A Zlut1 conjugate can also comprise a mixture of such water-soluble polymers.

[0182] One example of a Zlut1 conjugate comprises a Zlut1 moiety and a polyalkyl oxide moiety attached to the N-terminus of the Zlut1 moiety. PEG is one suitable polyalkyl oxide. As an illustration, Zlut1 can be modified with PEG, a process known as “PEGylation.” PEGylation of Zlut1 can be carried out by any of the PEGylation reactions known in the art (see, for example, EP 0 154 316, Delgado et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 9:249 (1992), Duncan and Spreafico, Clin. Pharmacokinet. 27:290 (1994), and Francis et al., Int J Hematol 68:1 (1998)). For example, PEGylation can be performed by an acylation reaction or by an alkylation reaction with a reactive polyethylene glycol molecule. In an alternative approach, Zlut1 conjugates are formed by condensing activated PEG, in which a terminal hydroxy or amino group of PEG has been replaced by an activated linker (see, for example, Karasiewicz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,657).

[0183] PEGylation by acylation typically requires reacting an active ester derivative of PEG with a Zlut1 polypeptide. An example of an activated PEG ester is PEG esterified to N-hydroxysuccinimide. As used herein, the term “acylation” includes the following types of linkages between Zlut1 and a water-soluble polymer: amide, carbamate, urethane, and the like. Methods for preparing PEGylated Zlut1 by acylation will typically comprise the steps of (a) reacting an Zlut1 polypeptide with PEG (such as a reactive ester of an aldehyde derivative of PEG) under conditions whereby one or more PEG groups attach to Zlut1 , and (b) obtaining the reaction product(s). Generally, the optimal reaction conditions for acylation reactions will be determined based upon known parameters and desired results. For example, the larger the ratio of PEG: Zlut1 , the greater the percentage of polyPEGylated Zlut1 product.

[0184] The product of PEGylation by acylation is typically a polyPEGylated Zlut1 product, wherein the lysine ε-amino groups are PEGylated via an acyl linking group. An example of a connecting linkage is an amide. Typically, the resulting Zlut1 will be at least 95% mono-, di-, or tri-pegylated, although some species with higher degrees of PEGylation may be formed depending upon the reaction conditions. PEGylated species can be separated from unconjugated Zlut1 polypeptides using standard purification methods, such as dialysis, ultrafiltration, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and the like.

[0185] PEGylation by alkylation generally involves reacting a terminal aldehyde derivative of PEG with Zlut1 in the presence of a reducing agent. PEG groups are preferably attached to the polypeptide via a —CH2—NH group.

[0186] Derivatization via reductive alkylation to produce a monoPEGylated product takes advantage of the differential reactivity of different types of primary amino groups available for derivatization. Typically, the reaction is performed at a pH that allows one to take advantage of the pKa differences between the ε-amino groups of the lysine residues and the α-amino group of the N-terminal residue of the protein. By such selective derivatization, attachment of a water-soluble polymer that contains a reactive group such as an aldehyde, to a protein is controlled. The conjugation with the polymer occurs predominantly at the N-terminus of the protein without significant modification of other reactive groups such as the lysine side chain amino groups. The present invention provides a substantially homogenous preparation of Zlut1 monopolymer conjugates.

[0187] Reductive alkylation to produce a substantially homogenous population of monopolymer Zlut1 conjugate molecule can comprise the steps of: (a) reacting an Zlut1 polypeptide with a reactive PEG under reductive alkylation conditions at a pH suitable to permit selective modification of the α-amino group at the amino terminus of the Zlut1 , and (b) obtaining the reaction product(s). The reducing agent used for reductive alkylation should be stable in aqueous solution and preferably be able to reduce only the Schiff base formed in the initial process of reductive alkylation. Preferred reducing agents include sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, dimethylamine borane, trimethylamine borane, and pyridine borane.

[0188] For a substantially homogenous population of monopolymer Zlut1 conjugates, the reductive alkylation reaction conditions are those that permit the selective attachment of the water-soluble polymer moiety to the N-terminus of Zlut1. Such reaction conditions generally provide for pKa differences between the lysine amino groups and the α-amino group at the N-terminus. The pH also affects the ratio of polymer to protein to be used. In general, if the pH is lower, a larger excess of polymer to protein will be desired because the less reactive the N-terminal αgroup, the more polymer is needed to achieve optimal conditions. If the pH is higher, the polymer: Zlut1 need not be as large because more reactive groups are available. Typically, the pH will fall within the range of 3-9, or 3-6.

[0189] Another factor to consider is the molecular weight of the water-soluble polymer. Generally, the higher the molecular weight of the polymer, the fewer number of polymer molecules which may be attached to the protein. For PEGylation reactions, the typical molecular weight is about 2 kDa to about 100 kDa, about 5 kDa to about 50 kDa, or about 12 kDa to about 25 kDa. The molar ratio of water-soluble polymer to Zlut1 will generally be in the range of 1:1 to 100:1. Typically, the molar ratio of water-soluble polymer to Zlut1 will be 1:1 to 20:1 for polyPEGylation, and 1:1 to 5:1 for monoPEGylation.

[0190] General methods for producing conjugates comprising interferon and water-soluble polymer moieties are known in the art. See, for example, Karasiewicz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,657, Greenwald et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,738, 846, Nieforth et al., Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 59:636 (1996), Monkarsh et al., Anal. Biochem. 247:434 (1997).

[0191] 6. Production of Zlut1 Polypeptides in Cultured Cells

[0192] The polypeptides of the present invention, including full-length polypeptides, functional fragments, and fusion proteins, can be produced in recombinant host cells following conventional techniques. To express a Zlut1 gene, a nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide must be operably linked to regulatory sequences that control transcriptional expression in an expression vector and then, introduced into a host cell. In addition to transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as promoters and enhancers, expression vectors can include translational regulatory sequences and a marker gene that is suitable for selection of cells that carry the expression vector.

[0193] Expression vectors that are suitable for production of a foreign protein in eukaryotic cells typically contain (1) prokaryotic DNA elements coding for a bacterial replication origin and an antibiotic resistance marker to provide for the growth and selection of the expression vector in a bacterial host; (2) eukaryotic DNA elements that control initiation of transcription, such as a promoter; and (3) DNA elements that control the processing of transcripts, such as a transcription termination/polyadenylation sequence. As discussed above, expression vectors can also include nucleotide sequences encoding a secretory sequence that directs the heterologous polypeptide into the secretory pathway of a host cell. For example, a Zlut1 expression vector may comprise a Zlut1 gene and a secretory sequence derived from a Zlut1 gene or another secreted gene.

[0194] Zlut1 proteins of the present invention may be expressed in mammalian cells. Examples of suitable mammalian host cells include African green monkey kidney cells (Vero; ATCC CRL 1587), human embryonic kidney cells (293-HEK; ATCC CRL 1573), baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21, BHK-570; ATCC CRL 8544, ATCC CRL 10314), canine kidney cells (MDCK; ATCC CCL 34), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1; ATCC CCL61; CHO DG44 [Chasin et al., Som. Cell. Molec. Genet. 12:555 (1986)]], rat pituitary cells (GH1; ATCC CCL82), HeLa S3 cells (ATCC CCL2.2), rat hepatoma cells (H-4-II-E; ATCC CRL 1548) SV40-transformed monkey kidney cells (COS-1; ATCC CRL 1650) and murine embryonic cells (NIH-3T3; ATCC CRL 1658).

[0195] For a mammalian host, the transcriptional and translational regulatory signals may be derived from viral sources, such as adenovirus, bovine papilloma virus, simian virus, or the like, in which the regulatory signals are associated with a particular gene which has a high level of expression. Suitable transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences also can be obtained from mammalian genes, such as actin, collagen, myosin, and metallothionein genes.

[0196] Transcriptional regulatory sequences include a promoter region sufficient to direct the initiation of RNA synthesis. Suitable eukaryotic promoters include the promoter of the mouse metallothionein I gene [Hamer et al., J. Molec. Appl. Genet. 1:273 (1982)], the TK promoter of Herpes virus [McKnight, Cell 31:355 (1982)], the SV40 early promoter [Benoist et al., Nature 290:304 (1981)], the Rous sarcoma virus promoter (Gorman et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 79:6777 (1982)], the cytomegalovirus promoter [Foecking et al., Gene 45:101(1980)], and the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter [see, generally, Etcheverry, “Expression of Engineered Proteins in Mammalian Cell Culture,” in Protein Engineering: Principles and Practice, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 163-181 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996)].

[0197] Alternatively, a prokaryotic promoter, such as the bacteriophage T3 RNA polymerase promoter, can be used to control Zlut1 gene expression in mammalian cells if the prokaryotic promoter is regulated by a eukaryotic promoter [Zhou et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:4529 (1990), and Kaufman et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 19:4485 (1991)].

[0198] An expression vector can be introduced into host cells using a variety of standard techniques including calcium phosphate transfection, liposome-mediated transfection, microprojectile-mediated delivery, electroporation, and the like. Preferably, the transfected cells are selected and propagated to provide recombinant host cells that comprise the expression vector stably integrated in the host cell genome. Techniques for introducing vectors into eukaryotic cells and techniques for selecting such stable transformants using a dominant selectable marker are described, for example, by Ausubel (1995) and by Murray (ed.), Gene Transfer and Expression Protocols (Humana Press 1991).

[0199] For example, one suitable selectable marker is a gene that provides resistance to the antibiotic neomycin. In this case, selection is carried out in the presence of a neomycin-type drug, such as G-418 or the like. Selection systems can also be used to increase the expression level of the gene of interest, a process referred to as “amplification.” Amplification is carried out by culturing transfectants in the presence of a low level of the selective agent and then increasing the amount of selective agent to select for cells that produce high levels of the products of the introduced genes. A preferred amplifiable selectable marker is dihydrofolate reductase, which confers resistance to methotrexate. Other drug resistance genes (e.g., hygromycin resistance, multi-drug resistance, puromycin acetyltransferase) can also be used. Alternatively, markers that introduce an altered phenotype, such as green fluorescent protein, or cell surface proteins such as CD4, CD8, Class I MHC, placental alkaline phosphatase may be used to sort transfected cells from untransfected cells by such means as FACS sorting or magnetic bead separation technology.

[0200] Zlut1 polypeptides can also be produced by cultured mammalian cells using a viral delivery system. Exemplary viruses for this purpose include adenovirus, herpesvirus, vaccinia virus and adeno-associated virus (AAV). Adenovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus, is currently the best studied gene transfer vector for delivery of heterologous nucleic acid [for a review, see Becker et al., Meth. Cell Biol. 43:161 (1994), and Douglas and Curiel, Science & Medicine 4:44 (1997)]. Advantages of the adenovirus system include the accommodation of relatively large DNA inserts, the ability to grow to high-titer, the ability to infect a broad range of mammalian cell types, and flexibility that allows use with a large number of available vectors containing different promoters.

[0201] By deleting portions of the adenovirus genome, larger inserts (up to 7 kb) of heterologous DNA can be accommodated. These inserts can be incorporated into the viral DNA by direct ligation or by homologous recombination with a co-transfected plasmid. An option is to delete the essential E1 gene from the viral vector, which results in the inability to replicate unless the E1 gene is provided by the host cell. Adenovirus vector-infected human 293 cells (ATCC Nos. CRL-1573, 45504, 45505), for example, can be grown as adherent cells or in suspension culture at relatively high cell density to produce significant amounts of protein [see Gamier et al., Cytotechnol. 15:145 (1994)].

[0202] Zlut1 genes may also be expressed in other higher eukaryotic cells, such as avian, fungal, insect, yeast, or plant cells. The baculovirus system provides an efficient means to introduce cloned Zlut1 genes into insect cells. Suitable expression vectors are based upon the Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), and contain well-known promoters such as Drosophila heat shock protein (hsp) 70 promoter, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus immediate-early gene promoter (ie-1) and the delayed early 39K promoter, baculovirus p10 promoter, and the Drosophila metallothionein promoter. A second method of making recombinant baculovirus utilizes a transposon-based system described by Luckow [Luckow, et al., J. Virol. 67:4566 (1993)]. This system, which utilizes transfer vectors, is sold in the BAC-to-BAC kit (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). This system utilizes a transfer vector, PFASTBAC (Life Technologies) containing a Tn7 transposon to move the DNA encoding the Zlut1ε polypeptide into a baculovirus genome maintained in E. coli as a large plasmid called a “bacmid.” See, Hill-Perkins and Possee, J. Gen. Virol. 71:971 (1990), Bonning, et al., J. Gen. Virol. 75:1551 (1994), and Chazenbalk, and Rapoport, J. Biol. Chem. 270:1543 (1995). In addition, transfer vectors can include an in-frame fusion with DNA encoding an epitope tag at the C- or N-terminus of the expressed Zlut1 polypeptide, for example, a Glu-Glu epitope tag [Grussenmeyer et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 82:7952 (1985)]. Using a technique known in the art, a transfer vector containing a Zlut1 gene is transformed into E. coli, and screened for bacmids that contain an interrupted lacZ gene indicative of recombinant baculovirus. The bacmid DNA containing the recombinant baculovirus genome is then isolated using common techniques.

[0203] The illustrative PFASTBAC vector can be modified to a considerable degree. For example, the polyhedrin promoter can be removed and substituted with the baculovirus basic protein promoter (also known as Pcor, p6.9 or MP promoter) which is expressed earlier in the baculovirus infection, and has been shown to be advantageous for expressing secreted proteins (see, for example, Hill-Perkins and Possee, J. Gen. Virol. 71:971 (1990), Bonning, et al., J. Gen. Virol. 75:1551 (1994), and Chazenbalk and Rapoport, J. Biol. Chem. 270:1543 (1995). In such transfer vector constructs, a short or long version of the basic protein promoter can be used. Moreover, transfer vectors can be constructed that replace the native Zlut1 secretory signal sequences with secretory signal sequences derived from insect proteins. For example, a secretory signal sequence from Ecdysteroid Glucosyltransferase (EGT), honeybee Melittin (Invitrogen Corporation; Carlsbad, Calif.), or baculovirus gp67 (PharMingen: San Diego, Calif.) can be used in constructs to replace the native Zlut1 secretory signal sequence.

[0204] The recombinant virus or bacmid is used to transfect host cells. Suitable insect host cells include cell lines derived from IPLB-Sf-21, a Spodoptera frugiperda pupal ovarian cell line, such as Sf9 (ATCC CRL 1711), Sf21AE, and SF21 (Invitrogen Corporation; San Diego, Calif.), as well as Drosophila Schneider-2 cells, and the HIGH FIVEO cell line (Invitrogen) derived from Trichoplusia ni (U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,435). Commercially available serum-free media can be used to grow and to maintain the cells. Suitable media are Sf900 II™ (Life Technologies) or ESF 921™ (Expression Systems) for the Sf9 cells; and Ex-cellO405™ (JRH Biosciences, Lenexa, Kans.) or Express FiveO™ (Life Technologies) for the T. ni cells. When recombinant virus is used, the cells are typically grown up from an inoculation density of approximately 2-5×105 cells to a density of 1-2×106 cells at which time a recombinant viral stock is added at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 to 10, more typically near 3.

[0205] Established techniques for producing recombinant proteins in baculovirus systems are provided by Bailey et al., “Manipulation of Baculovirus Vectors,” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 7: Gene Transfer and Expression Protocols, Murray (ed.), pages 147-168 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1991), by Patel et al., “The baculovirus expression system,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 205-244 (Oxford University Press 1995), by Ausubel (1995) at pages 16-37 to 16-57, by Richardson (ed.), Baculovirus Expression Protocols (The Humana Press, Inc. 1995), and by Lucknow, “Insect Cell Expression Technology,” in Protein Engineering: Principles and Practice, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 183-218 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996).

[0206] Fungal cells, including yeast cells, can also be used to express the genes described herein. Yeast species of particular interest in this regard include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Pichia methanolica. Suitable promoters for expression in yeast include promoters from GAL1(galactose), PGK (phosphoglycerate kinase), ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase), AOX1 (alcohol oxidase), HIS4 (histidinol dehydrogenase), and the like. Many yeast cloning vectors have been designed and are readily available. These vectors include YIp-based vectors, such as YIp5, YRp vectors, such as YRp17, YEp vectors such as YEp13 and YCp vectors, such as YCp19. Methods for transforming S. cerevisiae cells with exogenous DNA and producing recombinant polypeptides therefrom are disclosed by, for example, Kawasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311, Kawasaki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,373, Brake, U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,008, Welch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,743, and Murray et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,075. Transformed cells are selected by phenotype determined by the selectable marker, commonly drug resistance or the ability to grow in the absence of a particular nutrient (e.g., leucine). A preferred vector system for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the POT1 vector system disclosed by Kawasaki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,373), which allows transformed cells to be selected by growth in glucose-containing media. Additional suitable promoters and terminators for use in yeast include those from glycolytic enzyme genes (see, e.g., Kawasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311, Kingsman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,974, and Bitter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,092) and alcohol dehydrogenase genes. See also U.S. Patents Nos. 4,990,446, 5,063,154, 5,139,936, and 4,661,454.

[0207] Transformation systems for other yeasts, including Hansenula polymorpha, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Ustilago maydis, Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, Pichia guillermondii and Candida maltosa are known in the art. See, for example, Gleeson et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 132:3459 (1986), and Cregg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,279. Aspergillus cells may be utilized according to the methods of McKnight et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,349. Methods for transforming Acremonium chrysogenum are disclosed by Sumino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,228. Methods for transforming Neurospora are disclosed by Lambowitz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,533.

[0208] For example, the use of Pichia methanolica as host for the production of recombinant proteins is disclosed by Raymond, U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,808, Raymond, U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,383, Raymond et al., Yeast 14:11-23 (1998), and in international publication Nos. WO 97/17450, WO 97/17451, WO 98/02536, and WO 98/02565. DNA molecules for use in transforming P. methanolica will commonly be prepared as double-stranded, circular plasmids, which are preferably linearized prior to transformation. For polypeptide production in P. methanolica, it is preferred that the promoter and terminator in the plasmid be that of a P. methanolica gene, such as a P. methanolica alcohol utilization gene (AUG1 or AUG2). Other useful promoters include those of the dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS), formate dehydrogenase (FAD.), and catalase (CAT) genes. To facilitate integration of the DNA into the host chromosome, it is preferred to have the entire expression segment of the plasmid flanked at both ends by host DNA sequences. A preferred selectable marker for use in Pichia methanolica is a P. methanolica ADE2 gene, which encodes phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole carboxylase (AIRC; EC 4.1.1.21), and which allows ade2 host cells to grow in the absence of adenine. For large-scale, industrial processes where it is desirable to minimize the use of methanol, it is preferred to use host cells in which both methanol utilization genes (AUG1 and AUG2) are deleted. For production of secreted proteins, host cells deficient in vacuolar protease genes (PEP4 and PRB1) are preferred. Electroporation is used to facilitate the introduction of a plasmid containing DNA encoding a polypeptide of interest into P. methanolica cells. P. methanolica cells can be transformed by electroporation using an exponentially decaying, pulsed electric field having a field strength of from 2.5 to 4.5 kV/cm, preferably about 3.75 kV/cm, and a time constant (t) of from 1 to 40 milliseconds, most preferably about 20 milliseconds.

[0209] Expression vectors can also be introduced into plant protoplasts, intact plant tissues, or isolated plant cells. Methods for introducing expression vectors into plant tissue include the direct infection or co-cultivation of plant tissue with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, microprojectile-mediated delivery, DNA injection, electroporation, and the like. See, for example, Horsch et al., Science 227:1229 (1985), Klein et al., Biotechnology 10:268 (1992), and Miki et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants,” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick et al. (eds.), pages 67-88 (CRC Press, 1993).

[0210] Alternatively, Zlut1 genes can be expressed in prokaryotic host cells. Suitable promoters that can be used to express Zlut1 polypeptides in a prokaryotic host are well-known to those of skill in the art and include promoters capable of recognizing the T4, T3, Sp6 and T7 polymerases, the PR and PL promoters of bacteriophage lambda, the trp, recA, heat shock, lacUV5, tac, lpp-lacSpr, phoA, and lacZ promoters of E. coli, promoters of B. subtilis, the promoters of the bacteriophages of Bacillus, Streptomyces promoters, the int promoter of bacteriophage lambda, the bla promoter of pBR322, and the CAT promoter of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene. Prokaryotic promoters have been reviewed by Glick, J. Ind. Microbiol. 1:277 (1987), Watson et al., Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4th Ed. (Benjamin Cummins 1987), and by Ausubel et al. (1995).

[0211] Preferred prokaryotic hosts include E. coli and Bacillus subtilus. Suitable strains of E. coli include BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)pLysS, BL21(DE3)pLysE, DH1, DH4I, DH5, DH5I, DH5IF′, DH5IMCR, DH10B, DH10B/p3, DH11S, C600, HB101, JM101, JM105, JM109, JM110, K38, RR1, Y1088, Y1089, CSH18, ER1451, and ER1647 [see, for example, Brown (ed.), Molecular Biology Labfax (Academic Press 1991)]. Suitable strains of Bacillus subtilus include BR151, YB886, MI119, MI120, and B170 [see, for example, Hardy, “Bacillus Cloning Methods,” in DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Glover (ed.) (IRL Press 1985)].

[0212] When expressing a Zlut1 polypeptide in bacteria such as E. coli, the polypeptide may be retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules, or may be directed to the periplasmic space by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the former case, the cells are lysed, and the granules are recovered and denatured using, for example, guanidine isothiocyanate or urea. The denatured polypeptide can then be refolded and dimerized by diluting the denaturant, such as by dialysis against a solution of urea and a combination of reduced and oxidized glutathione, followed by dialysis against a buffered saline solution. In the latter case, the polypeptide can be recovered from the periplasmic space in a soluble and functional form by disrupting the cells (by, for example, sonication or osmotic shock) to release the contents of the periplasmic space and recovering the protein, thereby obviating the need for denaturation and refolding.

[0213] Methods for expressing proteins in prokaryotic hosts are well-known to those of skill in the art [see, for example, Williams et al., “Expression of foreign proteins in E. coli using plasmid vectors and purification of specific polyclonal antibodies,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), page 15 (Oxford University Press 1995), Ward et al., “Genetic Manipulation and Expression of Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Applications, page 137 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995), and Georgiou, “Expression of Proteins in Bacteria,” in Protein Engineering: Principles and Practice, Cleland et al. (eds.), page 101 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996)].

[0214] Standard methods for introducing expression vectors into bacterial, yeast, insect, and plant cells are provided, for example, by Ausubel (1995).

[0215] General methods for expressing and recovering foreign protein produced by a mammalian cell system are provided by, for example, Etcheverry, “Expression of Engineered Proteins in Mammalian Cell Culture,” in Protein Engineering: Principles and Practice, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 163 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1996). Standard techniques for recovering protein produced by a bacterial system is provided by, for example, Grisshammer et al., “Purification of over-produced proteins from E. coli cells,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), pages 59-92 (Oxford University Press 1995). Established methods for isolating recombinant proteins from a baculovirus system are described by Richardson (ed.), Baculovirus Expression Protocols (The Humana Press, Inc. 1995).

[0216] 7. Isolation of Zlut1 Polypeptides

[0217] It is preferred to purify the polypeptides of the present invention to at least about 80% purity, more preferably to at least about 90% purity, even more preferably to at least about 95% purity, or even greater than 95% purity with respect to contaminating macromolecules, particularly other proteins and nucleic acids, and free of infectious and pyrogenic agents. The polypeptides of the present invention may also be purified to a pharmaceutically pure state, which is greater than 99.9% pure. Preferably, a purified polypeptide is substantially free of other polypeptides, particularly other polypeptides of animal origin.

[0218] Fractionation and/or conventional purification methods can be used to obtain preparations of Zlut1 purified from natural sources (e.g., uterine tissue), and recombinant Zlut1 polypeptides and fusion Zlut1 polypeptides purified from recombinant host cells. In general, ammonium sulfate precipitation and acid or chaotrope extraction may be used for fractionation of samples. Exemplary purification steps may include hydroxyapatite, size exclusion, FPLC and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Suitable chromatographic media include derivatized dextrans, agarose, cellulose, polyacrylamide, specialty silicas, and the like. PEI, DEAE, QAE and Q derivatives are preferred. Exemplary chromatographic media include those media derivatized with phenyl, butyl, or octyl groups, such as Phenyl-Sepharose FF (Pharmacia), Toyopearl butyl 650 (Toso Haas, Montgomeryville, Pa.), Octyl-Sepharose (Pharmacia) and the like; or polyacrylic resins, such as Amberchrom CG 71 (Toso Haas) and the like. Suitable solid supports include glass beads, silica-based resins, cellulosic resins, agarose beads, cross-linked agarose beads, polystyrene beads, cross-linked polyacrylamide resins and the like that are insoluble under the conditions in which they are to be used. These supports may be modified with reactive groups that allow attachment of proteins by amino groups, carboxyl groups, sulfhydryl groups, hydroxyl groups and/or carbohydrate moieties.

[0219] Examples of coupling chemistries include cyanogen bromide activation, N-hydroxysuccinimide activation, epoxide activation, sulfhydryl activation, hydrazide activation, and carboxyl and amino derivatives for carbodiimide coupling chemistries. These and other solid media are well known and widely used in the art, and are available from commercial suppliers. Selection of a particular method for polypeptide isolation and purification is a matter of routine design and is determined in part by the properties of the chosen support. See, for example, Affinity Chromatography: Principles & Methods (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology 1988), and Doonan, Protein Purification Protocols (The Humana Press 1996).

[0220] Additional variations in Zlut1 isolation and purification can be devised by those of skill in the art. For example, anti-Zlut1 antibodies, obtained as described below, can be used to isolate large quantities of protein by immunoaffinity purification. The use of monoclonal antibody columns to purify interferons from recombinant cells and from natural sources has been described, for example, by Staehelin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 256:9750 (1981), and by Adolf et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:9290 (1990). Moreover, methods for binding ligands, such as Zlut1 , to receptor polypeptides bound to support media are well known in the art.

[0221] The polypeptides of the present invention can also be isolated by exploitation of particular properties. For example, immobilized metal ion adsorption (IMAC) chromatography can be used to purify histidine-rich proteins, including those comprising polyhistidine tags. Briefly, a gel is first charged with divalent metal ions to form a chelate [Sulkowski, Trends in Biochem. 3:1 (1985)]. Histidine-rich proteins will be adsorbed to this matrix with differing affinities, depending upon the metal ion used, and will be eluted by competitive elution, lowering the pH, or use of strong chelating agents. Other methods of purification include purification of glycosylated proteins by lectin affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography [M. Deutscher, (ed.), Meth. Enzymol. 182:529 (1990)]. For example, the isolation method of Rinderknecht et al., J. Biol. Chem. 259:6790 (1984), requires the binding of the interferon with concanavalin A-sepharose in one step. Within additional embodiments of the invention, a fusion of the polypeptide of interest and an affinity tag (e.g., maltose-binding protein, an immunoglobulin domain) may be constructed to facilitate purification.

[0222] Zlut1 polypeptides or fragments thereof may also be prepared through chemical synthesis, as described below. Zlut1 polypeptides may be monomers or multimers; glycosylated or non-glycosylated; PEGylated or non-PEGylated; and may or may not include an initial methionine amino acid residue.

[0223] Peptides and polypeptides of the present invention comprise at least at least 15, preferably at least 30 or 50 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 3. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such peptides and polypeptides are useful as polymerase chain reaction primers and probes.

[0224] 8. Chemical Synthesis of Zlut1 Polypeptides

[0225] Zlut1 polypeptides of the present invention can also be synthesized by exclusive solid phase synthesis, partial solid phase methods, fragment condensation or classical solution synthesis. The polypeptides are preferably prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis, for example as described by Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149 (1963). The synthesis is carried out with amino acids that are protected at the alpha-amino terminus. Trifunctional amino acids with labile side-chains are also protected with suitable groups to prevent undesired chemical reactions from occurring during the assembly of the polypeptides. The alpha-amino protecting group is selectively removed to allow subsequent reaction to take place at the amino-terminus. The conditions for the removal of the alpha-amino protecting group do not remove the side-chain protecting groups.

[0226] See Stewart et al., “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis” (2nd Edition), (Pierce Chemical Co. 1984), Bayer and Rapp, Chem. Pept. Prot. 3:3 (1986), Atherton et al., Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Practical Approach (IRL Press 1989), and by Lloyd-Williams et al., Chemical Approaches to the Synthesis of Peptides and Proteins (CRC Press, Inc. 1997), Kaiser et al., Anal. Biochem. 34:595 (1970). The coupling reactions can be performed automatically with commercially available instruments such as ABI model 430A, 431A and 433A peptide synthesizers.

[0227] The “native chemical ligation” approach to producing polypeptides is one variation of total chemical synthesis strategy [see, for example, Dawson et al., Science 266:776 (1994), Hackeng et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 94:7845 (1997), and Dawson, Methods Enzymol. 287: 34 (1997)]. According to this method, an N-terminal cysteine-containing peptide is chemically ligated to a peptide having a C-terminal thioester group to form a normal peptide bond at the ligation site.

[0228] The “expressed protein ligation” method is a semi-synthesis variation of the ligation approach (see, for example, Muir et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 95:6705 (1998); Severinov and Muir, J. Biol. Chem. 273:16205 (1998)). Here, synthetic peptides and protein cleavage fragments are linked to form the desired protein product. This method is particularly useful for the site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (e.g., amino acids comprising biophysical or biochemical probes) into proteins.

[0229] In an approach illustrated by Muir et al, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 95:6705 (1998), a gene or gene fragment is cloned into the PCYB2-IMPACT vector (New England Biolabs, Inc.; Beverly, Mass.) using the NdeI and SmaI restriction sites. As a result, the gene or gene fragment is expressed in frame fused with a chitin binding domain sequence, and a Pro-Gly is appended to the native C terminus of the protein of interest. The presence of a C-terminal glycine reduces the chance of side reactions, because the glycine residue accelerates native chemical ligation. Affinity chromatography with a chitin resin is used to purify the expressed fusion protein, and the chemical ligation step is initiated by incubating the resin-bound protein with thiophenol and synthetic peptide in buffer. This mixture produces the in situ generation of a highly reactive phenyl αthioester derivative of the protein that rapidly ligates with the synthetic peptide to produce the desired semi-synthetic protein.

[0230] 9. Assays for Zlut1, Its Analogs, and the Zlut1 Receptor

[0231] As described above, the disclosed polypeptides can be used to construct Zlut1 variants. These Zlut1 variants can be initially identified on the basis of hybridization analysis, sequence identity determination, or by the ability to specifically bind anti-Zlut1 antibody. Zlut1 , its agonists and antagonists are valuable in both in vivo and in vitro uses. As an illustration, cytokines can be used as components of defined cell culture media, alone or in combination with other cytokines and hormones, to replace serum that is commonly used in cell culture. Antagonists are also useful as research reagents for characterizing sites of interaction between Zlut1 and its receptor. In a therapeutic setting, pharmaceutical compositions comprising Zlut1 antagonists can be used to inhibit Zlut1 activity.

[0232] One general class of Zlut1 analogs are agonists or antagonists having an amino acid sequence that is a mutation of the amino acid sequences disclosed herein. Another general class of Zlut1 analogs is provided by anti-idiotype antibodies, and fragments thereof, as described below. Moreover, recombinant antibodies comprising anti-idiotype variable domains can be used as analogs [see, for example, Monfardini et al., Proc. Assoc. Am. Physicians 108:420 (1996)]. Since the variable domains of anti-idiotype Zlut1 antibodies mimic Zlut1 , these domains can provide either Zlut1 agonist or antagonist activity.

[0233] A third approach to identifying Zlut1 analogs is provided by the use of combinatorial libraries. Methods for constructing and screening phage display and other combinatorial libraries are provided, for example, by Kay et al., Phage Display of Peptides and Proteins (Academic Press 1996), Verdine, U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,384, Kay, et. al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,334, and Kauffman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,323.

[0234] As a receptor ligand, the activity of Zlut1 can be measured by a silicon-based biosensor microphysiometer which measures the extracellular acidification rate or proton excretion associated with receptor binding and subsequent cellular responses. An exemplary device is the CYTOSENSOR Microphysiometer manufactured by Molecular Devices Corp. (Sunnyvale, Calif.). A variety of cellular responses, such as cell proliferation, ion transport, energy production, inflammatory response, regulatory and receptor activation, and the like, can be measured by this method [see, for example, McConnell et al., Science 257:1906 (1992), Pitchford et al., Meth. Enzymol. 228:84 (1997), Arimilli et al., J. Immunol. Meth. 212:49 (1998), and Van Liefde et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 346:87 (1998)]. Moreover, the microphysiometer can be used for assaying adherent or non-adherent eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells.

[0235] Since energy metabolism is coupled with the use of cellular ATP, any event that alters cellular ATP levels, such as receptor activation and the initiation of signal transduction, will cause a change in cellular acid section. An early event in interferon signal transduction is protein phosphorylation, which requires ATP. By measuring extracellular acidification changes in cell media over time, therefore, the microphysiometer directly measures cellular responses to various stimuli, including Zlut1 , its agonists, or antagonists. Preferably, the microphysiometer is used to measure responses of a Zlut1 responsive eukaryotic cell, compared to a control eukaryotic cell that does not respond to Zlut1 polypeptide. Zlut1 responsive eukaryotic cells comprise cells into which a receptor for Zlut1 has been transfected to create a cell that is responsive to Zlut1 , or cells that are naturally responsive to Zlut1.

[0236] Accordingly, a microphysiometer can be used to identify cells, tissues, or cell lines which respond to an Zlut1 stimulated pathway, and which express a functional Zlut1 receptor. As an illustration, cells that express a functional Zlut1 receptor can be identified by (a) providing test cells, (b) incubating a first portion of the test cells in the absence of Zlut1 , (c) incubating a second portion of the test cells in the presence of Zlut1 , and (d) detecting a change (e.g., an increase or decrease in extracellular acidification rate, as measured by a microphysiometer) in a cellular response of the second portion of the test cells, as compared to the first portion of the test cells, wherein such a change in cellular response indicates that the test cells express a functional Zlut1 receptor. An additional negative control may be included in which a portion of the test cells is incubated with Zlut1 and an anti-Zlut1 antibody to inhibit the binding of Zlut1 with its cognate receptor.

[0237] The microphysiometer also provides one means to identify Zlut1 agonists. For example, agonists of Zlut1 can be identified by a method, comprising the steps of (a) providing cells responsive to Zlut1 , (b) incubating a first portion of the cells in the absence of a test compound, (c) incubating a second portion of the cells in the presence of a test compound, and (d) detecting a change, for example, an increase or diminution, in a cellular response of the second portion of the cells as compared to the first portion of the cells, wherein such a change in cellular response indicates that the test compound is an Zlut1 agonist. An illustrative change in cellular response is a measurable change in extracellular acidification rate, as measured by a microphysiometer. Moreover, incubating a third portion of the cells in the presence of Zlut1 and in the absence of a test compound can be used as a positive control for the Zlut1 responsive cells, and as a control to compare the agonist activity of a test compound with that of Zlut1. An additional control may be included in which a portion of the cells is incubated with a test compound (or Zlut1) and an anti-Zlut1 antibody to inhibit the binding of the test compound (or Zlut1) with the Zlut1 receptor.

[0238] The microphysiometer also provides a means to identify Zlut1 antagonists. For example, Zlut1 antagonists can be identified by a method, comprising the steps of (a) providing cells responsive to Zlut1 , (b) incubating a first portion of the cells in the presence of Zlut1 and in the absence of a test compound, (c) incubating a second portion of the cells in the presence of both Zlut1 and the test compound, and (d) comparing the cellular responses of the first and second cell portions, wherein a decreased response by the second portion, compared with the response of the first portion, indicates that the test compound is an Zlut1 antagonist. An illustrative change in cellular response is a measurable change extracellular acidification rate, as measured by a microphysiometer.

[0239] Zlut1 , its analogs, and anti-iodiotype Zlut1 antibodies can be used to identify and to isolate Zlut1 receptors. For example, proteins and peptides of the present invention can be immobilized on a column and used to bind receptor proteins from membrane preparations that are run over the column (Hermanson et al. (eds.), Immobilized Affinity Ligand Techniques, pages 195-202 (Academic Press 1992)). Radiolabeled or affinity labeled Zlut1 polypeptides can also be used to identify or to localize Zlut1 receptors in a biological sample [see, for example, Deutscher (ed.), Methods in Enzymol., vol. 182, pages 721-37 (Academic Press 1990); Brunner et al., Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:483 (1993); Fedan et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 33:1167 (1984)]. Also see, Varthakavi and Minocha, J. Gen. Virol. 77:1875 (1996), who describe the use of anti-idiotype antibodies for receptor identification.

[0240] In addition, a solid phase system can be used to identify a Zlut1 receptor, or an agonist or antagonist of a Zlut1 receptor. For example, a Zlut1 polypeptide or Zlut1 fusion protein can be immobilized onto the surface of a receptor chip of a commercially available biosensor instrument (BIACORE, Biacore AB; Uppsala, Sweden). The use of this instrument is disclosed, for example, by Karlsson, Immunol. Methods 145:229 (1991), and Cunningham and Wells, J. Mol. Biol. 234:554 (1993).

[0241] As an illustration, a Zlut1 polypeptide or fusion protein is covalently attached, using amine or sulfhydryl chemistry, to dextran fibers that are attached to gold film within a flow cell. A test sample is then passed through the cell. If a receptor is present in the sample, it will bind to the immobilized polypeptide or fusion protein, causing a change in the refractive index of the medium, which is detected as a change in surface plasmon resonance of the gold film. This system allows the determination of on- and off-rates, from which binding affinity can be calculated, and assessment of stoichiometry of binding. This system can also be used to examine antibody-antigen interactions, and the interactions of other complement/anti-complement pairs.

[0242] 10. Production of Antibodies to Zlut1 Proteins

[0243] Antibodies to Zlut1 can be obtained, for example, using the product of a Zlut1 expression vector or Zlut1 isolated from a natural source as an antigen. Particularly useful anti-Zlut1 antibodies “bind specifically” with Zlut1. Antibodies are considered to be specifically binding if the antibodies exhibit at least one of the following two properties: (1) antibodies bind to Zlut1 with a threshold level of binding activity, and (2) antibodies do not significantly cross-react with polypeptides related to Zlut1.

[0244] With regard to the first characteristic, antibodies specifically bind if they bind to a Zlut1 polypeptide, peptide or epitope with a binding affinity (Ka) of 106 M−1 or greater, preferably 107 M−1 or greater, more preferably 108 M−1 or greater, and most preferably 109 M−1 or greater. The binding affinity of an antibody can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example, by Scatchard analysis [Scatchard, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 51:660 (1949)]. With regard to the second characteristic, antibodies do not significantly cross-react with related polypeptide molecules, for example, if they detect Zlut1, but not known related polypeptides using a standard Western blot analysis. Examples of known related polypeptides are orthologs and proteins from the same species that are members of a protein family.

[0245] Anti-Zlut1 antibodies can be produced using antigenic Zlut1 epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides. Antigenic epitope-bearing peptides and polypeptides of the present invention contain a sequence of at least nine, preferably between 15 to about 30 amino acids contained within SEQ ID NOs: 2 or 3. However, peptides or polypeptides comprising a larger portion of an amino acid sequence of the invention, containing from 30 to 50 amino acids, or any length up to and including the entire amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the invention, also are useful for inducing antibodies that bind with Zlut1. It is desirable that the amino acid sequence of the epitope-bearing peptide is selected to provide substantial solubility in aqueous solvents (i.e., the sequence includes relatively hydrophilic residues, while hydrophobic residues are preferably avoided). Moreover, amino acid sequences containing proline residues may be also be desirable for antibody production.

[0246] As an illustration, potential antigenic sites in human Zlut1 were identified using the Jameson-Wolf method, Jameson and Wolf, CABIOS 4:181, (1988), as implemented by the PROTEAN program (version 3.14) of LASERGENE (DNASTAR; Madison, Wis.). Default parameters were used in this analysis.

[0247] The Jameson-Wolf method predicts potential antigenic determinants by combining six major subroutines for protein structural prediction. Briefly, the Hopp-Woods method, Hopp et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 78:3824 (1981), was first used to identify amino acid sequences representing areas of greatest local hydrophilicity (parameter: seven residues averaged). In the second step, Emini's method, Emini et al., J. Virology 55:836 (1985), was used to calculate surface probabilities (parameter: surface decision threshold (0.6)=1). Third, the Karplus-Schultz method, Karplus and Schultz, Naturwissenschaften 72:212 (1985), was used to predict backbone chain flexibility (parameter: flexibility threshold (0.2)=1). In the fourth and fifth steps of the analysis, secondary structure predictions were applied to the data using the methods of Chou-Fasman, Chou, “Prediction of Protein Structural Classes from Amino Acid Composition,” in Prediction of Protein Structure and the Principles of Protein Conformation, Fasman (ed.), pages 549-586 (Plenum Press 1990), and Garnier-Robson, Gamier et al., J. Mol. Biol. 120:97 (1978) (Chou-Fasman parameters: conformation table=64 proteins; ox region threshold=103; βregion threshold=105; Gamier-Robson parameters: α and β decision constants=0). In the sixth subroutine, flexibility parameters and hydropathy/solvent accessibility factors were combined to determine a surface contour value, designated as the “antigenic index.” Finally, a peak broadening function was applied to the antigenic index, which broadens major surface peaks by adding 20, 40, 60, or 80% of the respective peak value to account for additional free energy derived from the mobility of surface regions relative to interior regions. This calculation was not applied, however, to any major peak that resides in a helical region, since helical regions tend to be less flexible.

[0248] The results of this analysis indicated that the following amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2 would provide suitable antigenic peptides: amino acids 29 to 63 of SEQ ID NO: 2 (SEQ ID NO: 10), amino acids 46 to 78 (SEQ ID NO: 11), 65 to 116 (SEQ ID NO: 12), amino acids 87 to 126 (SEQ ID NO: 13) and amino acid residues 39 to 78 (SEQ ID NO: 14). The present invention contemplates the use of any one of antigenic peptides to generate antibodies to Zlut1. The present invention also contemplates polypeptides comprising at least one of the above-described antigenic peptides.

[0249] Polyclonal antibodies to recombinant Zlut1 protein or to Zlut1 isolated from natural sources can be prepared using methods well known to those of skill in the art. See, for example, Green et al., “Production of Polyclonal Antisera,” in Immunochemical Protocols (Manson, ed.), pages 1-5 (Humana Press 1992), and Williams et al., “Expression of foreign proteins in E. coli using plasmid vectors and purification of specific polyclonal antibodies,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), page 15 (Oxford University Press 1995). The immunogenicity of a Zlut1 polypeptide can be increased through the use of an adjuvant, such as alum (aluminum hydroxide) or Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant.

[0250] Polypeptides useful for immunization also include fusion polypeptides, such as fusions of Zlut1 or a portion thereof with an immunoglobulin polypeptide or with maltose binding protein. The polypeptide immunogen may be a full-length molecule or a portion thereof. If the polypeptide portion is “hapten-like,” such portion may be advantageously joined or linked to a macromolecular carrier (such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA) or tetanus toxoid) for immunization.

[0251] Although polyclonal antibodies are typically raised in animals such as horses, cows, dogs, chicken, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, or sheep, an anti-Zlut1 antibody of the present invention may also be derived from a subhuman primate antibody. General techniques for raising diagnostically and therapeutically useful antibodies in baboons may be found, for example, in Goldenberg et al., international patent publication No. WO 91/11465, and in Losman et al., Int. J. Cancer 46:310 (1990).

[0252] Alternatively, monoclonal anti-Zlut1 antibodies can be generated. Rodent monoclonal antibodies to specific antigens may be obtained by methods known to those skilled in the art [see, for example, Kohler et al., Nature 256:495 (1975), Coligan et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Immunology, Vol. 1, pages 2.5.1-2.6.7 (John Wiley & Sons 1991) [“Coligan”], Picksley et al., “Production of monoclonal antibodies against proteins expressed in E. coli,” in DNA Cloning 2: Expression Systems, 2nd Edition, Glover et al. (eds.), page 93 (Oxford University Press 1995)].

[0253] Briefly, monoclonal antibodies can be obtained by injecting mice with a composition comprising an Zlut1 gene product, verifying the presence of antibody production by removing a serum sample, removing the spleen to obtain B-lymphocytes, fusing the B-lymphocytes with myeloma cells to produce hybridomas, cloning the hybridomas, selecting positive clones which produce antibodies to the antigen, culturing the clones that produce antibodies to the antigen, and isolating the antibodies from the hybridoma cultures.

[0254] In addition, an anti-Zlut1 antibody of the present invention may be derived from a human monoclonal antibody. Human monoclonal antibodies are obtained from transgenic mice that have been engineered to produce specific human antibodies in response to antigenic challenge. In this technique, elements of the human heavy and light chain locus are introduced into strains of mice derived from embryonic stem cell lines that contain targeted disruptions of the endogenous heavy chain and light chain loci. The transgenic mice can synthesize human antibodies specific for human antigens, and the mice can be used to produce human antibody-secreting hybridomas. Methods for obtaining human antibodies from transgenic mice are described, for example, by Green et al., Nature Genet. 7:13 (1994), Lonberg et al., Nature 368:856 (1994), and Taylor et al., Int. Immun. 6:579 (1994).

[0255] Monoclonal antibodies can be isolated and purified from hybridoma cultures by a variety of well-established techniques. Such isolation techniques include affinity chromatography with Protein-A Sepharose, size-exclusion chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography [see, for example, Coligan at pages 2.7.1-2.7.12 and pages 2.9.1-2.9.3; Baines et al., “Purification of Immunoglobulin G (IgG),” in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 10, pages 79-104 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1992)].

[0256] For particular uses, it may be desirable to prepare fragments of anti-Zlut1 antibodies. Such antibody fragments can be obtained, for example, by proteolytic hydrolysis of the antibody. Antibody fragments can be obtained by pepsin or papain digestion of whole antibodies by conventional methods. As an illustration, antibody fragments can be produced by enzymatic cleavage of antibodies with pepsin to provide a 5S fragment denoted F(ab′)2. This fragment can be further cleaved using a thiol reducing agent to produce 3.5S Fab′ monovalent fragments. Optionally, the cleavage reaction can be performed using a blocking group for the sulfhydryl groups that result from cleavage of disulfide linkages. As an alternative, an enzymatic cleavage using pepsin produces two monovalent Fab fragments and Fc fragment directly. These methods are described, for example, by Goldenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,647, Nisonoff et al., Arch Biochem. Biophys. 89:230 (1960), Porter, Biochem. J. 73:119 (1959), Edelman et al., in Methods in Enzymology Vol. 1, page 422 (Academic Press 1967), and by Coligan at pages 2.8.1-2.8.10 and 2.10.-2.10.4.

[0257] Other methods of cleaving antibodies, such as separation of heavy chains to form monovalent light-heavy chain fragments, further cleavage of fragments, or other enzymatic, chemical or genetic techniques may also be used, so long as the fragments bind to the antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody.

[0258] For example, Fv fragments comprise an association of VH and VL chains.

[0259] This association can be noncovalent, as described by Inbar et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 69:2659 (1972). Alternatively, the variable chains can be linked by an intermolecular disulfide bond or cross-linked by chemicals such as glutaraldehyde [see, for example, Sandhu, Crit. Rev. Biotech. 12:437 (1992)].

[0260] The Fv fragments may comprise VH and VL chains that are connected by a peptide linker. These single-chain antigen binding proteins (scFv) are prepared by constructing a structural gene comprising DNA sequences encoding the VH and VL domains which are connected by an oligonucleotide. The structural gene is inserted into an expression vector, which is subsequently introduced into a host cell, such as E. coli. The recombinant host cells synthesize a single polypeptide chain with a linker peptide bridging the two V domains. Methods for producing scFvs are described, for example, by Whitlow et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:97 (1991) (also see, Bird et al., Science 242:423 (1988), Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778, Pack et al., Bio/Technology 11:1271 (1993), and Sandhu, supra).

[0261] As an illustration, an scFV can be obtained by exposing lymphocytes to Zlut1 polypeptide in vitro, and selecting antibody display libraries in phage or similar vectors (for instance, through use of immobilized or labeled Zlut1 protein or peptide). Genes encoding polypeptides having potential Zlut1 polypeptide-binding domains can be obtained by screening random peptide libraries displayed on phage (phage display) or on bacteria, such as E. coli. Nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides can be obtained in a number of ways, such as through random mutagenesis and random polynucleotide synthesis. These random peptide display libraries can be used to screen for peptides that interact with a known target that can be a protein or polypeptide, such as a ligand or receptor, a biological or synthetic macromolecule, or organic or inorganic substances. Techniques for creating and screening such random peptide display libraries are known in the art [Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409, Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778, Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,484, Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,698, and Kay et al., Phage Display of Peptides and Proteins (Academic Press, Inc. 1996)) and random peptide display libraries and kits for screening such libraries are available commercially, for instance from CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), Invitrogen Inc. (San Diego, Calif.), New England Biolabs, Inc. (Beverly, Mass.), and Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology Inc. (Piscataway, N.J.). Random peptide display libraries can be screened using the Zlut1 sequences disclosed herein to identify proteins that bind to Zlut1.

[0262] Another form of an antibody fragment is a peptide coding for a single complementarity-determining region (CDR). CDR peptides (“minimal recognition units”) can be obtained by constructing genes encoding the CDR of an antibody of interest. Such genes are prepared, for example, by using the polymerase chain reaction to synthesize the variable region from RNA of antibody-producing cells [see, for example, Larrick et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:106 (1991), Courtenay-Luck, “Genetic Manipulation of Monoclonal Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Production, Engineering and Clinical Application, Ritter et al. (eds.), page 166 (Cambridge University Press 1995), and Ward et al., “Genetic Manipulation and Expression of Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Applications, Birch et al., (eds.), page 137 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995)].

[0263] Alternatively, an anti-Zlut1 antibody may be derived from a “humanized” monoclonal antibody. Humanized monoclonal antibodies are produced by transferring mouse complementary determining regions from heavy and light variable chains of the mouse immunoglobulin into a human variable domain. Typical residues of human antibodies are then substituted in the framework regions of the murine counterparts. The use of antibody components derived from humanized monoclonal antibodies obviates potential problems associated with the immunogenicity of murine constant regions. General techniques for cloning murine immunoglobulin variable domains are described, for example, by Orlandi et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:3833 (1989). Techniques for producing humanized monoclonal antibodies are described, for example, by Jones et al., Nature 321:522 (1986), Carter et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:4285 (1992), Sandhu, Crit. Rev. Biotech. 12:437 (1992), Singer et al., J. Immun. 150:2844 (1993), Sudhir (ed.), Antibody Engineering Protocols (Humana Press, Inc. 1995), Kelley, “Engineering Therapeutic Antibodies,” in Protein Engineering: Principles and Practice, Cleland et al. (eds.), pages 399-434 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1996), and by Queen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762 (1997).

[0264] Polyclonal anti-idiotype antibodies can be prepared by immunizing animals with anti-Zlut1 antibodies or antibody fragments, using standard techniques.

[0265] See, for example, Green et al., “Production of Polyclonal Antisera,” in Methods In Molecular Biology: Immunochemical Protocols, Manson (ed.), pages 1-12 (Humana Press 1992). Also, see Coligan at pages 2.4.1-2.4.7. Alternatively, monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies can be prepared using anti-Zlut1 antibodies or antibody fragments as immunogens with the techniques, described above. As another alternative, humanized anti-idiotype antibodies or subhuman primate anti-idiotype antibodies can be prepared using the above-described techniques. Methods for producing anti-idiotype antibodies are described, for example, by Irie, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,146, Greene, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,677, and Varthakavi and Minocha, J. Gen. Virol. 77:1875 (1996).

[0266] 11. Diagnostic Application of Zlut1 Nucleotide Sequences

[0267] Nucleic acid molecules can be used to detect the expression of a Zlut1 gene in a biological sample. Although such probe molecules can include murine Zlut1 encoding sequences, preferred probe molecules include double-stranded nucleic acid molecules comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof, as well as single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof. Probe molecules may be DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, and the like.

[0268] In a basic assay, a single-stranded probe molecule is incubated with RNA, isolated from a biological sample, under conditions of temperature and ionic strength that promote base pairing between the probe and target Zlut1 RNA species. After separating unbound probe from hybridized molecules, the amount of hybrids is detected. Illustrative biological samples include blood, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy, and autopsy material.

[0269] Well-established hybridization methods of RNA detection include northern analysis and dot/slot blot hybridization [see, for example, Ausubel (1995) at pages 4-1 to 4-27, and Wu et al. (eds.), “Analysis of Gene Expression at the RNA Level,” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 225-239 (CRC Press, Inc. 1997)]. Nucleic acid probes can be detectably labeled with radioisotopes such as 32P or 35S. Alternatively, Zlut1 RNA can be detected with a nonradioactive hybridization method [see, for example, Isaac (ed.), Protocols for Nucleic Acid Analysis by Nonradioactive Probes (Humana Press, Inc. 1993)]. Typically, nonradioactive detection is achieved by enzymatic conversion of chromogenic or chemiluminescent substrates. Illustrative nonradioactive moieties include biotin, fluorescein, and digoxigenin.

[0270] Zlut1 oligonucleotide probes are also useful for in vivo diagnosis. As an by illustration, 18F-labeled oligonucleotides can be administered to a subject and visualized by positron emission tomography [Tavitian et al., Nature Medicine 4:467 (1998)].

[0271] Numerous diagnostic procedures take advantage of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to increase sensitivity of detection methods. Standard techniques for performing PCR are well-known [see, generally, Mathew (ed.), Protocols in Human Molecular Genetics (Humana Press, Inc. 1991), White (ed.), PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications (Humana Press, Inc. 1993), Cotter (ed.), Molecular Diagnosis of Cancer (Humana Press, Inc. 1996), Hanausek and Walaszek (eds.), Tumor Marker Protocols (Humana Press, Inc. 1998), Lo (ed.), Clinical Applications of PCR (Humana Press, Inc. 1998), and Meltzer (ed.), PCR in Bioanalysis (Humana Press, Inc. 1998)].

[0272] One variation of PCR for diagnostic assays is reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). In the RT-PCR technique, RNA is isolated from a biological sample, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and the cDNA is incubated with Zlut1 primers [see, for example, Wu et al. (eds.), “Rapid Isolation of Specific cDNAs or Genes by PCR,” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 15-28 (CRC Press, Inc. 1997)]. PCR is then performed and the products are analyzed using standard techniques.

[0273] As an illustration, RNA is isolated from biological sample using, for example, the gunadinium-thiocyanate cell lysis procedure described above. Alternatively, a solid-phase technique can be used to isolate mRNA from a cell lysate. A reverse transcription reaction can be primed with the isolated RNA using random oligonucleotides, short homopolymers of dT, or Zlut1 anti-sense oligomers. Oligo-dT primers offer the advantage that various mRNA nucleotide sequences are amplified that can provide control target sequences. Zlut1 sequences are amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using two flanking oligonucleotide primers that are typically 20 bases in length.

[0274] PCR amplification products can be detected using a variety of approaches. For example, PCR products can be fractionated by gel electrophoresis, and visualized by ethidium bromide staining. Alternatively, fractionated PCR products can be transferred to a membrane, hybridized with a detectably-labeled Zlut1 probe, and examined by autoradiography. Additional alternative approaches include the use of digoxigenin-labeled deoxyribonucleic acid triphosphates to provide chemiluminescence detection, and the C-TRAK colorimetric assay.

[0275] Another approach for detection of Zlut1 expression is cycling probe technology (CPT), in which a single-stranded DNA target binds with an excess of DNA-RNA-DNA chimeric probe to form a complex, the RNA portion is cleaved with RNAase H, and the presence of cleaved chimeric probe is detected [see, for example, Beggs et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 34:2985 (1996), Bekkaoui et al., Biotechniques 20:240 (1996)]. Alternative methods for detection of Zlut1 sequences can utilize approaches such as nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), cooperative amplification of templates by cross-hybridization (CATCH), and the ligase chain reaction (LCR) [see, for example, Marshall et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,272 (1997), Dyer et al., J. Virol. Methods 60:161 (1996), Ehricht et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 243:358 (1997), and Chadwick et al., J. Virol. Methods 70:59 (1998)]. Other standard methods are known to those of skill in the art.

[0276] Zlut1 probes and primers can also be used to detect and to localize Zlut1 gene expression in tissue samples. Methods for such in situ hybridization are well-known to those of skill in the art (see, for example, Choo (ed.), In Situ Hybridization Protocols (Humana Press, Inc. 1994), Wu et al. (eds.), “Analysis of Cellular DNA or Abundance of mRNA by Radioactive In Situ Hybridization (RISH),” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 259-278 [CRC Press, Inc. 1997), and Wu et al. (eds.), “Localization of DNA or Abundance of mRNA by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (RISH),” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 279-289 (CRC Press, Inc. 1997)]. Various additional diagnostic approaches are well known to those of skill in the art [see, for example, Mathew (ed.), Protocols in Human Molecular Genetics (Humana Press, Inc. 1991), Coleman and Tsongalis, Molecular Diagnostics (Humana Press, Inc. 1996), and Elles, Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases (Humana Press, Inc., 1996)].

[0277] Nucleic acid molecules comprising Zlut1 nucleotide sequences can also be used to determine whether a subject's chromosomes contain a mutation in the Zlut1 gene. Detectable chromosomal aberrations at the Zlut1 gene locus include, but are not limited to, aneuploidy, gene copy number changes, insertions, deletions, restriction site changes and rearrangements. Of particular interest are genetic alterations that inactivate the Zlut1 gene.

[0278] Aberrations associated with the Zlut1 locus can be detected using nucleic acid molecules of the present invention by employing molecular genetic techniques, such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis employing PCR techniques, amplification-refractory mutation system analysis (ARMS), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) detection, RNase cleavage methods, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, fluorescence-assisted mismatch analysis (FAMA), and other genetic analysis techniques known in the art [see, for example, Mathew (ed.), Protocols in Human Molecular Genetics (Humana Press, Inc. 1991), Marian, Chest 108:255 (1995), Coleman and Tsongalis, Molecular Diagnostics (Human Press, Inc. 1996), Elles (ed.) Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases (Humana Press, Inc. 1996), Landegren (ed.), Laboratory Protocols for Mutation Detection (Oxford University Press 1996), Birren et al. (eds.), Genome Analysis, Vol. 2: Detecting Genes (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 1998), Dracopoli et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Human Genetics (John Wiley & Sons 1998), and Richards and Ward, “Molecular Diagnostic Testing,” in Principles of Molecular Medicine, pages 83-88 (Humana Press, Inc. 1998)].

[0279] The protein truncation test is also useful for detecting the inactivation of a gene in which translation-terminating mutations produce only portions of the encoded protein [see, for example, Stoppa-Lyonnet et al., Blood 91:3920 (1998)]. According to this approach, RNA is isolated from a biological sample, and used to synthesize cDNA. PCR is then used to amplify the Zlut1 target sequence and to introduce an RNA polymerase promoter, a translation initiation sequence, and an in-frame ATG triplet. PCR products are transcribed using an RNA polymerase, and the transcripts are translated in vitro with a T7-coupled reticulocyte lysate system. The translation products are then fractionated by SDS-PAGE to determine the lengths of the translation products. The protein truncation test is described, for example, by Dracopoli et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Human Genetics, pages 9.11.1-9.11.18 (John Wiley & Sons 1998).

[0280] In a related approach, Zlut1 protein is isolated from a subject, the molecular weight of the isolated Zlut1 protein is determined, and then compared with the molecular weight a normal Zlut1 protein, such as a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. A substantially lower molecular weight for the isolated Zlut1 protein is indicative that the protein is truncated. In this context, “substantially lower molecular weight” refers to at least about 10 percent lower, and preferably, at least about 25 percent lower. The Zlut1 protein may be isolated by various procedures known in the art including immunoprecipitation, solid phase radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or Western blotting. The molecular weight of the isolated Zlut1 protein can be determined using standard techniques, such as SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

[0281] The present invention also contemplates kits for performing a diagnostic assay for Zlut1 gene expression or to detect mutations in the Zlut1 gene. Such kits comprise nucleic acid probes, such as double-stranded nucleic acid molecules comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof, as well as single-stranded nucleic acid molecules having the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof. Probe molecules may be DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, and the like. Kits may comprise nucleic acid primers for performing PCR.

[0282] Preferably, such a kit contains all the necessary elements to perform a nucleic acid diagnostic assay described above. A kit will comprise at least one container comprising a Zlut1 probe or primer. The kit may also comprise a second container comprising one or more reagents capable of indicating the presence of Zlut1 sequences. Examples of such indicator reagents include detectable labels such as radioactive labels, fluorochromes, chemiluminescent agents, and the like. A kit may also comprise a means for conveying to the user that the Zlut1 probes and primers are used to detect Zlut1 gene expression. For example, written instructions may state that the enclosed nucleic acid molecules can be used to detect either a nucleic acid molecule that encodes Zlut1 , or a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a Zlut1-encoding nucleotide sequence. The written material can be applied directly to a container, or the written material can be provided in the form of a packaging insert.

[0283] 12. Diagnostic Application of Anti-Zlut1 Antibodies

[0284] The present invention contemplates the use of anti-Zlut1 antibodies to screen biological samples in vitro for the presence of Zlut1. In one type of in vitro assay, anti-Zlut1 antibodies are used in liquid phase. For example, the presence of Zlut1 in a biological sample can be tested by mixing the biological sample with a trace amount of labeled Zlut1 and an anti-Zlut1 antibody under conditions that promote binding between Zlut1 and its antibody. Complexes of Zlut1 and anti-Zlut1 in the sample can be separated from the reaction mixture by contacting the complex with an immobilized protein which binds with the antibody, such as an Fc antibody or Staphylococcus protein A. The concentration of Zlut1 in the biological sample will be inversely proportional to the amount of labeled Zlut1 bound to the antibody and directly related to the amount of free-labeled Zlut1. Illustrative biological samples include blood, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy, and autopsy material.

[0285] Alternatively, in vitro assays can be performed in which anti-Zlut1 antibody is bound to a solid-phase carrier. For example, antibody can be attached to a polymer, such as aminodextran, in order to link the antibody to an insoluble support such as a polymer-coated bead, a plate or a tube. Other suitable in vitro assays will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.

[0286] In another approach, anti-Zlut1 antibodies can be used to detect Zlut1 in tissue sections prepared from a biopsy specimen. Such immunochemical detection can be used to determine the relative abundance of Zlut1 and to determine the distribution of Zlut1 in the examined tissue. General immunochemistry techniques are well established [see, for example, Ponder, “Cell Marking Techniques and Their Application,” in Mammalian Development: A Practical Approach, Monk (ed.), pages 115-38 (IRL Press 1987), Coligan at pages 5.8.1-5.8.8, Ausubel (1995) at pages 14.6.1 to 14.6.13 (Wiley Interscience 1990), and Manson (ed.), Methods In Molecular Biology, Vol 10: Immunochemical Protocols (The Humana Press, Inc. 1992)].

[0287] Immunochemical detection can be performed by contacting a biological sample with an anti-Zlut1 antibody, and then contacting the biological sample with a detectably labeled molecule that binds to the antibody. For example, the detectably labeled molecule can comprise an antibody moiety that binds to anti-Zlut1 antibody. Alternatively, the anti-Zlut1 antibody can be conjugated with avidin/streptavidin (or biotin) and the detectably labeled molecule can comprise biotin (or avidin/streptavidin). Numerous variations of this basic technique are well known to those of skill in the art.

[0288] Alternatively, an anti-Zlut1 antibody can be conjugated with a detectable label to form an anti-Zlut1 immunoconjugate. Suitable detectable labels include, for example, a radioisotope, a fluorescent label, a chemiluminescent label, an enzyme label, a bioluminescent label or colloidal gold. Methods of making and detecting such detectably labeled immunoconjugates are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are described in more detail below.

[0289] The detectable label can be a radioisotope that is detected by autoradiography. Isotopes that are particularly useful for the purpose of the present invention are 3H, 125I, 131I, 35S and 14C.

[0290] Anti-Zlut1 immunoconjugates can also be labeled with a fluorescent compound. The presence of a fluorescently labeled antibody is determined by exposing the immunoconjugate to light of the proper wavelength and detecting the resultant fluorescence. Fluorescent labeling compounds include fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerytherin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine.

[0291] Alternatively, anti-Zlut1 immunoconjugates can be detectably labeled by coupling an antibody component to a chemiluminescent compound. The presence of the chemiluminescent-tagged immunoconjugate is determined by detecting the presence of luminescence that arises during the course of a chemical reaction. Examples of chemiluminescent labeling compounds include luminol, isoluminol, an aromatic acridinium ester, an imidazole, an acridinium salt and an oxalate ester.

[0292] Similarly, a bioluminescent compound can be used to label anti-Zlut1 immunoconjugates of the present invention. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence found in biological systems in which a catalytic protein increases the efficiency of the chemiluminescent reaction. The presence of a bioluminescent protein is determined by detecting the presence of luminescence. Bioluminescent compounds that are useful for labeling include luciferin, luciferase and aequorin.

[0293] Alternatively, anti-Zlut1 immunoconjugates can be detectably labeled by linking an anti-Zlut1 antibody component to an enzyme. When the anti-Zlut1-enzyme conjugate is incubated in the presence of the appropriate substrate, the enzyme moiety reacts with the substrate to produce a chemical moiety that can be detected, for example, by spectrophotometric, fluorometric or visual means. Examples of enzymes that can be used to detectably label polyspecific immunoconjugates include P-galactosidase, glucose oxidase, peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase.

[0294] Those of skill in the art will know of other suitable labels that can be employed in accordance with the present invention. The binding of marker moieties to anti-Zlut1 antibodies can be accomplished using standard techniques known to the art.

[0295] Typical methodology in this regard is described by Kennedy et al., Clin. Chim. Acta 70:1 (1976), Schurs et al., Clin. Chim. Acta 81:1 (1977), Shih et al., Int'l J. Cancer 46:1101 (1990), Stein et al., Cancer Res. 50:1330 (1990), and Coligan, supra.

[0296] Moreover, the convenience and versatility of immunochemical detection can be enhanced by using anti-Zlut1 antibodies that have been conjugated with avidin, streptavidin, and biotin [see, for example, Wilchek et al. (eds.), “Avidin-Biotin Technology,” Methods In Enzymology, Vol. 184 (Academic Press 1990), and Bayer et al., “Immunochemical Applications of Avidin-Biotin Technology,” in Methods In Molecular Biology, Vol. 10, Manson (ed.), pages 149-162 (The Humana Press, Inc. 1992)].

[0297] Methods for performing immunoassays are well established. See, for example, Cook and Self, “Monoclonal Antibodies in Diagnostic Immunoassays,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Production, Engineering, and Clinical Application, Ritter and Ladyman (eds.), pages 180-208, (Cambridge University Press, 1995), Perry, “The Role of Monoclonal Antibodies in the Advancement of Immunoassay Technology,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Applications, Birch and Lennox (eds.), pages 107-120 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995), and Diamandis, Immunoassay (Academic Press, Inc. 1996).

[0298] In a related approach, biotin- or FITC-labeled Zlut1 can be used to identify cells that bind Zlut1. Such can binding can be detected, for example, using flow cytometry.

[0299] The present invention also contemplates kits for performing an immunological diagnostic assay for Zlut1 gene expression. Such kits comprise at least one container comprising an anti-Zlut1 antibody, or antibody fragment. A kit may also comprise a second container comprising one or more reagents capable of indicating the presence of Zlut1 antibody or antibody fragments. Examples of such indicator reagents include detectable labels such as a radioactive label, a fluorescent label, a chemiluminescent label, an enzyme label, a bioluminescent label, colloidal gold, and the like. A kit may also comprise a means for conveying to the user that Zlut1 antibodies or antibody fragments are used to detect Zlut1 protein. For example, written instructions may state that the enclosed antibody or antibody fragment can be used to detect Zlut1. The written material can be applied directly to a container, or the written material can be provided in the form of a packaging insert.

[0300] 13. Therapeutic Uses of Polypeptides Having Zlut1 Activity and Antagonistis Thereof

[0301] Zlut1 can be administered to women afflicted with hyperthyroidism as the data in example 11 clearly shows. (Anti-idiotypic antibodies can also be used.) The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is usually straightforward and depends on a detailed clinical history and physical examination, and routine thyroid hormone function. A serum TSH is the best first test, because TSH is always suppressed in hyperthyroid patients except when the etiology is a TSH-secreting pituitary tumor or pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone. Free T4 should then be measured, and if normal, serum T3 should be measured.

[0302] Antagonists to Zlut1 can be administered to treat hypthyroidism. Such antagonist include but are not limited to, antibodies that bind to Zlut1 , antsense polynucleotides and small molecues.

[0303] Generally, the dosage of administered Zlut1 (or Zlut1 analog or fusion protein) will vary depending upon such factors as the patient's age, weight, height, sex, general medical condition and previous medical history. Typically, it is desirable to provide the recipient with a dosage of Zlut1 that is in the range of from about 1 pg/kg to 10 mg/kg (amount of agent/body weight of patient), although a lower or higher dosage also may be administered as circumstances dictate.

[0304] Administration of a molecule having Zlut1 activity to a subject can be intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intrapleural, intrathecal, by perfusion through a regional catheter, or by direct intralesional injection. When administering therapeutic proteins by injection, the administration may be by continuous infusion or by single or multiple boluses. Alternatively, Zlut1 can be administered as a controlled release formulation. Additional routes of administration include oral, dermal, mucosal-membrane, pulmonary, and transcutaneous. Oral delivery is suitable for polyester microspheres, zein microspheres, proteinoid microspheres, polycyanoacrylate microspheres, and lipid-based systems [see, for example, DiBase and Morrel, “Oral Delivery of Microencapsulated Proteins,” in Protein Delivery: Physical Systems, Sanders and Hendren (eds.), pages 255-288 (Plenum Press 1997)]. The feasibility of an intranasal delivery is exemplified by such a mode of insulin administration [see, for example, Hinchcliffe and Illum, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 35:199 (1999)]. Dry or liquid particles comprising Zlut1 can be prepared and inhaled with the aid of dry-powder dispersers, liquid aerosol generators, or nebulizers [e.g., Pettit and Gombotz, TIBTECH 16:343 (1998); Patton et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 35:235 (1999)]. This approach is illustrated by the AERX diabetes management system, which is a hand-held electronic inhaler that delivers aerosolized insulin into the lungs. Studies have shown that proteins as large as 48,000 kDa have been delivered across skin at therapeutic concentrations with the aid of low-frequency ultrasound, which illustrates the feasibility of trascutaneous administration [Mitragotri et al., Science 269:850 (1995)]. Transdermal delivery using electroporation provides another means to administer Zlut1 [Potts et al., Pharm. Biotechnol. 10:213 (1997)].

[0305] A pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein, polypeptide, or peptide having Zlut1 activity can be formulated according to known methods to prepare pharmaceutically useful compositions, whereby the therapeutic proteins are combined in a mixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A composition is said to be a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” if its administration can be tolerated by a recipient patient. Sterile phosphate-buffered saline is one example of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other suitable carriers are well known to those in the art. See, for example, Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995).

[0306] For purposes of therapy, molecules having Zlut1 activity and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are administered to a patient in a therapeutically effective amount. A combination of a protein, polypeptide, or peptide having Zlut1 activity and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is said to be administered in a “therapeutically effective amount” if the amount administered is physiologically significant. An agent is physiologically significant if its presence results in a detectable change in the physiology of a recipient patient. An inhibition of tumor growth may be indicated, for example, by a decrease in the number of tumor cells, decreased metastasis, a decrease in the size of a solid tumor, or increased necrosis of a tumor. Indicators of viral infection inhibition include decreased viral titer, a decrease in detectable viral antigen, or an increase in anti-viral antibody titer.

[0307] A pharmaceutical composition comprising molecules having Zlut1 activity can be furnished in liquid form, in an aerosol, or in solid form. Proteins having Zlut1 activity, such as human or murine Zlut1 , can be administered as a conjugate with a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer moiety, as described above. Liquid forms, including liposome-encapsulated formulations, are illustrated by injectable solutions and oral suspensions. Exemplary solid forms include capsules, tablets, and controlled-release forms, such as a miniosmotic pump or an implant. Other dosage forms can be devised by those skilled in the art, as shown, for example, by Ansel and Popovich, Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 5th Edition (Lea & Febiger 1990), Gennaro (ed.), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition (Mack Publishing Company 1995), and by Ranade and Hollinger, Drug Delivery Systems (CRC Press 1996).

[0308] As an illustration, Zlut1 pharmaceutical compositions may be supplied as a kit comprising a container that comprises Zlut1 , a Zlut1 agonist, or an Zlut1 antagonist (e.g., an anti-Zlut1 antibody or antibody fragment). Zlut1 can be provided in the form of an injectable solution for single or multiple doses, or as a sterile powder that will be reconstituted before injection. Alternatively, such a kit can include a dry-powder disperser, liquid aerosol generator, or nebulizer for administration of a therapeutic polypeptide. Such a kit may further comprise written information on indications and usage of the pharmaceutical composition. Moreover, such information may include a statement that the Zlut1 composition is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Zlut1.

[0309] 14. Therapeutic Uses of Zlut1 Nucleotide Sequences

[0310] Immunomodulator genes can be introduced into a subject to enhance glycoprotein hormone acitivities. In addition, a therapeutic expression vector can be provided that inhibits Zlut1 gene expression, such as an anti-sense molecule, a ribozyme, or an external guide sequence molecule. Although murine Zlut1 nucleotide sequences can be used for these methods, compositions comprising human ZlutI nucleotide sequences are preferred for treatment of human subjects.

[0311] There are numerous approaches to introduce an Zlut1 gene to a subject, including the use of recombinant host cells that express Zlut1 , delivery of naked nucleic acid encoding Zlut 1, use of a cationic lipid carrier with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes Zlut1 , and the use of viruses that express Zlut1 , such as recombinant retroviruses, recombinant adeno-associated viruses, recombinant adenoviruses, and recombinant Herpes simplex viruses [HSV] [see, for example, Mulligan, Science 260:926 (1993), Rosenberg et al., Science 242:1575 (1988), LaSalle et al., Science 259:988 (1993), Wolff et al., Science 247:1465 (1990), Breakfield and Deluca, The New Biologist 3:203 (1991)]. In an ex vivo approach, for example, cells are isolated from a subject, transfected with a vector that expresses a Zlut1 gene, and then transplanted into the subject.

[0312] In order to effect expression of a Zlut1 gene, an expression vector is constructed in which a nucleotide sequence encoding a Zlut1 gene is operably linked to a core promoter, and optionally a regulatory element, to control gene transcription. The general requirements of an expression vector are described above.

[0313] Alternatively, a Zlut1 gene can be delivered using recombinant viral vectors, including for example, adenoviral vectors [e.g., Kass-Eisler et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:11498 (1993), Kolls et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 91:215 (1994), Li et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 4:403 (1993), Vincent et al., Nat. Genet. 5:130 (1993), and Zabner et al., Cell 75:207 (1993)], adenovirus-associated viral vectors (Flotte et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:10613 (1993)], alphaviruses such as Semliki Forest Virus and Sindbis Virus [Hertz and Huang, J. Vir. 66:857 (1992), Raju and Huang, J. Vir. 65:2501 (1991), and Xiong et al., Science 243:1188 (1989)], herpes viral vectors [e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,769,331, 4,859,587, 5,288,641 and 5,328,688), parvovirus vectors (Koering et al., Hum. Gene Therap. 5:457 (1994)], pox virus vectors [Ozaki et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 193:653 (1993), Panicali and Paoletti, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 79:4927 (1982)], pox viruses, such as canary pox virus or vaccinia virus [Fisher-Hoch et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 86:317 (1989), and Flexner et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 569:86 (1989)], and retroviruses [e.g., Baba et al., J. Neurosurg 79:729 (1993), Ram et al., Cancer Res. 53:83 (1993), Takamiya et al., J. Neurosci. Res 33:493 (1992), Vile and Hart, Cancer Res. 53:962 (1993), Vile and Hart, Cancer Res. 53:3860 (1993), and Anderson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,346]. Within various embodiments, either the viral vector itself, or a viral particle which contains the viral vector may be utilized in the methods and compositions described below.

[0314] As an illustration of one system, adenovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus, is a well-characterized gene transfer vector for delivery of a heterologous nucleic acid molecule [for a review, see Becker et al., Meth. Cell Biol. 43:161 (1994); Douglas and Curiel, Science & Medicine 4:44 (1997)]. The adenovirus system offers several advantages including: (i) the ability to accommodate relatively large DNA inserts, (ii) the ability to be grown to high-titer, (iii) the ability to infect a broad range of mammalian cell types, and (iv) the ability to be used with many different promoters including ubiquitous, tissue specific, and regulatable promoters. In addition, adenoviruses can be administered by intravenous injection, because the viruses are stable in the bloodstream.

[0315] Using adenovirus vectors where portions of the adenovirus genome are deleted, inserts are incorporated into the viral DNA by direct ligation or by homologous recombination with a co-transfected plasmid. In an exemplary system, the essential E1 gene is deleted from the viral vector, and the virus will not replicate unless the E1 gene is provided by the host cell. When intravenously administered to intact animals, adenovirus primarily targets the liver. Although an adenoviral delivery system with an E1 gene deletion cannot replicate in the host cells, the host's tissue will express and process an encoded heterologous protein. Host cells will also secrete the heterologous protein if the corresponding gene includes a secretory signal sequence. Secreted proteins will enter the circulation from tissue that expresses the heterologous gene (e.g., the highly vascularized liver).

[0316] Moreover, adenoviral vectors containing various deletions of viral genes can be used to reduce or eliminate immune responses to the vector. Such adenoviruses are E1-deleted, and in addition, contain deletions of E2A or E4 [Lusky et al., J. Virol. 72:2022 (1998); Raper et al., Human Gene Therapy 9:671 (1998)]. The deletion of E2b has also been reported to reduce immune responses [Amalfitano et al., J. Virol. 72:926 (1998)]. By deleting the entire adenovirus genome, very large inserts of heterologous DNA can be accommodated. Generation of so called “gutless” adenoviruses, where all viral genes are deleted, are particularly advantageous for insertion of large inserts of heterologous DNA [for a review, see Yeh. and Perricaudet, FASEB J. 11:615 (1997)].

[0317] High titer stocks of recombinant viruses capable of expressing a therapeutic gene can be obtained from infected mammalian cells using standard methods. For example, recombinant HSV can be prepared in Vero cells, as described by Brandt et al., J. Gen. Virol. 72:2043 (1991), Herold et al., J. Gen. Virol. 75:1211 (1994), Visalli and Brandt, Virology 185:419 (1991), Grau et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 30:2474 (1989), Brandt et al., J. Virol. Meth. 36:209 (1992), and by Brown and MacLean (eds.), HSV Virus Protocols (Humana Press 1997).

[0318] Alternatively, an expression vector comprising a Zlut1 gene can be introduced into a subject's cells by lipofection in vivo using liposomes. Synthetic cationic lipids can be used to prepare liposomes for in vivo transfection of a gene encoding a marker [Felgner et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 84:7413 (1987); Mackey et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:8027 (1988)]. The use of lipofection to introduce exogenous genes into specific organs in vivo has certain practical advantages. Liposomes can be used to direct transfection to particular cell types, which is particularly advantageous in a tissue with cellular heterogeneity, such as the pancreas, liver, kidney, and brain. Lipids may be chemically coupled to other molecules for the purpose of targeting. Targeted peptides (e.g., hormones or neurotransmitters), proteins such as antibodies, or non-peptide molecules can be coupled to liposomes chemically.

[0319] Electroporation is another alternative mode of administration. For example, Aihara and Miyazaki, Nature Biotechnology 16:867 (1998), have demonstrated the use of in vivo electroporation for gene transfer into muscle.

[0320] In an alternative approach to gene therapy, a therapeutic gene may encode a Zlut1 anti-sense RNA that inhibits the expression of Zlut1. Suitable sequences for anti-sense molecules can be derived from the nucleotide sequences of Zlut1 disclosed herein.

[0321] Alternatively, an expression vector can be constructed in which a regulatory element is operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes a ribozyme. Ribozymes can be designed to express endonuclease activity that is directed to a certain target sequence in a mRNA molecule (see, for example, Draper and Macejak, U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,698, McSwiggen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,468, Chowrira and McSwiggen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,359, and Robertson and Goldberg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,337). In the context of the present invention, ribozymes include nucleotide sequences that bind with Zlut1 mRNA.

[0322] In another approach, expression vectors can be constructed in which a regulatory element directs the production of RNA transcripts capable of promoting RNase P-mediated cleavage of mRNA molecules that encode an Zlut1 gene. According to this approach, an external guide sequence can be constructed for directing the endogenous ribozyme, RNase P, to a particular species of intracellular mRNA, which is subsequently cleaved by the cellular ribozyme (see, for example, Altman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,053, Yuan et al., Science 263:1269 (1994), Pace et al., international publication No. WO 96/18733, George et al., international publication No. WO 96/21731, and Werner et al., international publication No. WO 97/33991). Preferably, the external guide sequence comprises a ten to fifteen nucleotide sequence complementary to Zlut1 mRNA, and a 3′-NCCA nucleotide sequence, wherein N is preferably a purine. The external guide sequence transcripts bind to the targeted mRNA species by the formation of base pairs between the mRNA and the complementary external guide sequences, thus promoting cleavage of mRNA by RNase P at the nucleotide located at the 5′-side of the base-paired region.

[0323] In general, the dosage of a composition comprising a therapeutic vector having a Zlut1 nucleotide acid sequence, such as a recombinant virus, will vary depending upon such factors as the subject's age, weight, height, sex, general medical condition and previous medical history. Suitable routes of administration of therapeutic vectors include intravenous injection, intraarterial injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, intratumoral injection, and injection into a cavity that contains a tumor.

[0324] A composition comprising viral vectors, non-viral vectors, or a combination of viral and non-viral vectors of the present invention can be formulated according to known methods to prepare pharmaceutically useful compositions, whereby vectors or viruses are combined in a mixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As noted above, a composition, such as phosphate-buffered saline is said to be a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” if its administration can be tolerated by a recipient subject. Other suitable carriers are well-known to those in the art [see, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Ed. (Mack Publishing Co. 1995), and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th Ed. (MacMillan Publishing Co. 1985).

[0325] For purposes of therapy, a therapeutic gene expression vector, or a recombinant virus comprising such a vector, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are administered to a subject in a therapeutically effective amount. A combination of an expression vector (or virus) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is said to be administered in a “therapeutically effective amount” if the amount administered is physiologically significant. An agent is physiologically significant if its presence results in a detectable change in the physiology of a recipient subject.

[0326] When the subject treated with a therapeutic gene expression vector or a recombinant virus is a human, then the therapy is preferably somatic cell gene therapy. That is, the preferred treatment of a human with a therapeutic gene expression vector or a recombinant virus does not entail introducing into cells a nucleic acid molecule that can form part of a human germ line and be passed onto successive generations (i.e., human germ line gene therapy).

[0327] 15. Production of Transgenic Mice

[0328] Transgenic mice can be engineered to over-express the human or murine Zlut1 gene in all tissues or under the control of a tissue-specific or tissue-preferred regulatory element. These over-producers of Zlut1 can be used to characterize the phenotype that results from over-expression, and the transgenic animals can serve as models for human disease caused by excess Zlut1. Transgenic mice that over-express Zlut1 also provide model bioreactors for production of Zlut1 in the milk or blood of larger animals. Methods for producing transgenic mice are well-known to those of skill in the art [see, for example, Jacob, “Expression and Knockout of Interferons in Transgenic Mice,” in Overexpression and Knockout of Cytokines in Transgenic Mice, Jacob (ed.), pages 111-124 (Academic Press, Ltd. 1994), Monastersky and Robl (eds.), Strategies in Transgenic Animal Science (ASM Press 1995), and Abbud and Nilson, “Recombinant Protein Expression in Transgenic Mice,” in Gene Expression Systems: Using Nature for the Art of Expression, Fernandez and Hoeffler (eds.), pages 367-397 (Academic Press, Inc. 1999)].

[0329] For example, a method for producing a transgenic mouse that expresses a Zlut1 gene can begin with adult, fertile males (studs) [B6C3f1, 2-8 months of age (Taconic Farms, Germantown, N.Y.)), vasectomized males (duds) (B6D2f1, 2-8 months, (Taconic Farms)], prepubescent fertile females (donors) [B6C3f1, 4-5 weeks, (Taconic Farms)] and adult fertile females (recipients) [B6D2f1, 2-4 months, (Taconic Farms)]. The donors are acclimated for one week and then injected with approximately 8 IU/mouse of Pregnant Mare's Serum gonadotrophin (Sigma Chemical Company; St. Louis, Mo.) I.P., and 46-47 hours later, 8 IU/mouse of human Chorionic Gonadotropin [hCG (Sigma)] I.P. to induce superovulation. Donors are mated with studs subsequent to hormone injections. Ovulation generally occurs within 13 hours of hCG injection. Copulation is confirmed by the presence of a vaginal plug the morning following mating.

[0330] Fertilized eggs are collected under a surgical scope. The oviducts are collected and eggs are released into urinanalysis slides containing hyaluronidase (Sigma). Eggs are washed once in hyaluronidase, and twice in Whitten's W640 medium [described, for example, by Menino and O'Claray, Biol. Reprod. 77:159 (1986), and Dienhart and Downs, Zygote 4:129 (1996)] that has been incubated with 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 at 37° C. The eggs are then stored in a 37° C./5% CO2 incubator until microinjection.

[0331] Ten to twenty micrograms of plasmid DNA containing a Zlut1 encoding sequence is linearized, gel-purified, and resuspended in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 0.25 mM EDTA (pH 8.0), at a final concentration of 5-10 nanograms per microliter for microinjection

[0332] Plasmid DNA is microinjected into harvested eggs contained in a drop of W640 medium overlaid by warm, CO2-equilibrated mineral oil. The DNA is drawn into an injection needle (pulled from a 0.75mm ID, 1 mm OD borosilicate glass capillary), and injected into individual eggs. Each egg is penetrated with the injection needle, into one or both of the haploid pronuclei.

[0333] Picoliters of DNA are injected into the pronuclei, and the injection needle withdrawn without coming into contact with the nucleoli. The procedure is repeated until all the eggs are injected. Successfully microinjected eggs are transferred into an organ tissue-culture dish with pre-gassed W640 medium for storage overnight in a 37° C./5% CO incubator.

[0334] The following day, two-cell embryos are transferred into pseudopregnant recipients. The recipients are identified by the presence of copulation plugs, after copulating with vasectomized duds. Recipients are anesthetized and shaved on the dorsal left side and transferred to a surgical microscope. A small incision is made in the skin and through the muscle wall in the middle of the abdominal area outlined by the ribcage, the saddle, and the hind leg, midway between knee and spleen. The reproductive organs are exteriorized onto a small surgical drape. The fat pad is stretched out over the surgical drape, and a baby serrefine (Roboz, Rockville, Md.) is attached to the fat pad and left hanging over the back of the mouse, preventing the organs from sliding back in.

[0335] With a fine transfer pipette containing mineral oil followed by alternating W640 and air bubbles, 12-17 healthy two-cell embryos from the previous day's injection are transferred into the recipient. The swollen ampulla is located and holding the oviduct between the ampulla and the bursa, a nick in the oviduct is made with a 28 g needle close to the bursa, making sure not to tear the ampulla or the bursa.

[0336] The pipette is transferred into the nick in the oviduct, and the embryos are blown in, allowing the first air bubble to escape the pipette. The fat pad is gently pushed into the peritoneum, and the reproductive organs allowed to slide in. The peritoneal wall is closed with one suture and the skin closed with a wound clip. The mice recuperate on a 37° C. slide warmer for a minimum of four hours.

[0337] The recipients are returned to cages in pairs, and allowed 19-21 days gestation. After birth, 19-21 days postpartum is allowed before weaning. The weanlings are sexed and placed into separate sex cages, and a 0.5 cm biopsy (used for genotyping) is snipped off the tail with clean scissors.

[0338] Genomic DNA is prepared from the tail snips using, for example, a QIAGEN DNEASY kit following the manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNA is analyzed by PCR using primers designed to amplify a Zlut1 gene or a selectable marker gene that was introduced in the same plasmid. After animals are confirmed to be transgenic, they are backcrossed into an inbred strain by placing a transgenic female with a wild-type male, or a transgenic male with one or two wild-type female(s). As pups are born and weaned, the sexes are separated, and their tails snipped for genotyping.

[0339] To check for expression of a transgene in a live animal, a partial hepatectomy is performed. A surgical prep is made of the upper abdomen directly below the zyphoid process. Using sterile technique, a small 1.5-2 cm incision is made below the sternum and the left lateral lobe of the liver exteriorized. Using 4-0 silk, a tie is made around the lower lobe securing it outside the body cavity. An atraumatic clamp is used to hold the tie while a second loop of absorbable Dexon (American Cyanamid; Wayne, N.J.) is placed proximal to the first tie. A distal cut is made from the Dexon tie and approximately 100 mg of the excised liver tissue is placed in a sterile petri dish. The excised liver section is transferred to a 14 ml polypropylene round bottom tube and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and then stored on dry ice. The surgical site is closed with suture and wound clips, and the animal's cage placed on a 37° C. heating pad for 24 hours post operatively. The animal is checked daily post operatively and the wound clips removed 7-10 days after surgery. The expression level of Zlut1 mRNA is examined for each transgenic mouse using an RNA solution hybridization assay or polymerase chain reaction.

[0340] In addition to producing transgenic mice that over-express Zlut1 , it is useful to engineer transgenic mice with either abnormally low or no expression of the gene. Such transgenic mice provide useful models for diseases associated with a lack of Zlut1. As discussed above, Zlut1 gene expression can be inhibited using anti-sense genes, ribozyme genes, or external guide sequence genes. To produce transgenic mice that under-express the Zlut1 gene, such inhibitory sequences are targeted to murine Zlut1 mRNA. Methods for producing transgenic mice that have abnormally low expression of a particular gene are known to those in the art [see, for example, Wu et al., “Gene Underexpression in Cultured Cells and Animals by Antisense DNA and RNA Strategies,” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 205-224 (CRC Press 1997)].

[0341] An alternative approach to producing transgenic mice that have little or no Zlut1 gene expression is to generate mice having at least one normal Zlut1 allele replaced by a nonfunctional Zlut1 gene. One method of designing a nonfunctional Zlut1 gene is to insert another gene, such as a selectable marker gene, within a nucleic acid molecule that encodes murine Zlut1. Standard methods for producing these so-called “knockout mice” are known to those skilled in the art [see, for example, Jacob, “Expression and Knockout of Interferons in Transgenic Mice,” in Overexpression and Knockout of Cytokines in Transgenic Mice, Jacob (ed.), pages 111-124 (Academic Press, Ltd. 1994), and Wu et al., “New Strategies for Gene Knockout,” in Methods in Gene Biotechnology, pages 339-365 (CRC Press 1997)].

[0342] 16. Educational Kit Utility of Zlut1 Polypeptides, Polynucleotides and Antibodies.

[0343] Polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention will additionally find use as educational tools as a laboratory practicum kits for courses related to genetics and molecular biology, protein chemistry and antibody production and analysis. Due to its unique polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence molecules of Zlut1 can be used as standards or as “unknowns” for testing purposes. For example, Zlut1 polynucleotides can be used as an aid, such as, for example, to teach a student how to prepare expression constructs for bacterial, viral, and/or mammalian expression, including fusion constructs, wherein Zlut1 is the gene to be expressed; for determining the restriction endonuclease cleavage sites of the polynucleotides; determining mRNA and DNA localization of Zlut1 polynucleotides in tissues (i.e., by Northern and Southern blotting as well as polymerase chain reaction); and for identifying related polynucleotides and polypeptides by nucleic acid hybridization.

[0344] Zlut1 polypeptides can be used educationally as an aid to teach preparation of antibodies; identifying proteins by Western blotting; protein purification; determining the weight of expressed Zlut1 polypeptides as a ratio to total protein expressed; identifying peptide cleavage sites; coupling amino and carboxyl terminal tags; amino acid sequence analysis, as well as, but not limited to monitoring biological activities of both the native and tagged protein (i.e., receptor binding, signal transduction, proliferation, and differentiation) in vitro and in vivo. Zlut1 polypeptides can also be used to teach analytical skills such as mass spectrometry, circular dichroism to determine conformation, in particular the locations of the disulfide bonds, x-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structure in atomic detail, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to reveal the structure of proteins in solution. For example, a kit containing the Zlut1 can be given to the student to analyze. Since the amino acid sequence would be known by the professor, the protein can be given to the student as a test to determine the skills or develop the skills of the student, the teacher would then know whether or not the student has correctly analyzed the polypeptide. Since every polypeptide is unique, the educational utility of Zlut1 would be unique unto itself.

[0345] The antibodies which bind specifically to Zlut1 can be used as a teaching aid to instruct students how to prepare affinity chromatography columns to purify Zlut1 , cloning and sequencing the polynucleotide that encodes an antibody and thus as a practicum for teaching a student how to design humanized antibodies. The Zlut1 gene, polypeptide or antibody would then be packaged by reagent companies and sold to universities so that the students gain skill in art of molecular biology. Because each gene and protein is unique, each gene and protein creates unique challenges and learning experiences for students in a lab practicum. Such educational kits containing the Zlut1 gene, polypeptide or antibody are considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0346] 17. Chromosomal Localization of Zlut1

[0347] Zlut1 has been positioned on chromosome 14q23.3. This area is closely aligned to the gene associated with Leber congenital amaurosis at chromosome 14q24, which is an autosomal recessive cone-rod abiotrophy causing blindness or severely reduced vision at birth.

EXAMPLE 1

Tissue Expression of Zlut1

[0348] The cDNA panel was initially screened with primers SEQ ID NOs: 17 and 18 by means of PCR. There were three cDNA libraries that contained Zlut1 , namely, two testis libraries and one esophageal cDNA library. The two testis cDNA libraries and the esophageal cancer cDNA library were re-screened with SEQ ID NOs: 16 and 19 to verify that the clones contained the complete the open reading frame of Zlut1. The esophageal cancer sample was a squamous cell carcinoma.

EXAMPLE 2

Phenotypes of MTZlut1h Transgenic Mice

[0349] Fourteen independent transgenic mice expressing the human Zlut1 open reading frame under the MT-1 promoter (MTZlut1h mice) were generated. The phenotypes of these mice compared to their non-transgenic littermates included a variety of anomalies.

[0350] Many of the MTZlut1h mice weighed less than their non-transgenic littermates. Several of the transgenic mice did not thrive, and died at an early age. Over time, a number of the MTZlut1h mice developed protruding eyes. Some transgenic mice also developed “button” noses, in which the fur between the eyes is raised and the tip of the nose appears to point up. Several of the MTZlut1h mice had dental anomalies in which their teeth were unusually long, crossed or maloccluded. A number of the MTZlut1h mice appeared infertile. Several had abnormally elevated serum levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

[0351] Four adult MtZlut1h transgenics and three age-matched nontransgenic controls from the same cohort were necropsied and their tissues microscopically evaluated. In addition, the tissues of 3 neonates found dead within 1 day of birth (one transgenic and two non-transgenic) were examined. Following euthanasia, the mice were immediately necropsied and tissues collected into 10% neutral buffered formalin. After fixation, the following tissues were routinely processed, sectioned at 5 microns and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathology: brain, pituitary, liver, heart, kidney, lung, thymus, thyroid, spleen, mesenteric lymph node, salivary gland, pancreas, stomach, small and large intestine, uterus, ovary, vagina, urinary bladder, accessory sex glands, prostate, vas deferens, epididymis, testis, pituitary, adrenal, trachea, esophagus, skin, skeletal muscle, femur and bone marrow. Eyes were also collected from 2 of the transgenics and their control cohorts. Tissues were evaluated under a light microscope (Nikon Eclipse E600, Nikon Corporation, Tokyo) at various magnifications by veterinary pathologists.

[0352] Upon gross examination at necropsy, the adult transgenics had highly enlarged thyroids and smaller than normal sexual organs. In addition, the kidneys appeared enlarged and paler than normal.

[0353] All four of the adult transgenics displayed hyperplasia of the thyroid follicular epithelium. The thyroid epithelium of 2 of the mice contained varying numbers and sizes of PAS positive homogeneous eosinophilic globules. Similar structures were observed in peripheral cells of the pancreatic islets in 2 mice and in the renal tubular epithelium of 2 mice. One of the latter mice also had polycystic kidneys.

[0354] The anti-Zlut1 polyclonal antibody as well as an anti-thyroglobulin antibody (mouse anti-thyroglobulin Ab-3, NeoMarkers) was used in standard immunohistochemical experiments to attempt to identify the composition of the eosinophilic granules observed in the various tissues of the transgenic mice. The staining pattern yielded by neither antibody exactly fit the distribution of the granules, although Zlut1 cannot be ruled out as a component of the granules.

EXAMPLE 3

Immunoprecipitation of Zlut1/Zsig51 Heterodimers

[0355] To determine if Zlut1 and Zsig51 could form a complex, immunoprecipitation experiments were undertaken. Zsig51 is a cystine knot protein. The sequence Zsig51 is disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US99/03104, publication no. WO 99/41377. The immunoprecipitations were performed on two basic sample types: 1) purified protein preparations of Zsig51 and Zlut1 which had been mixed and incubated overnight at 37° C.; and 2) conditioned medium from cells which had been co-infected with adenoviruses expressing Zlut1 and Zsig51. In both types of experiment, control samples involving the individual proteins were also generated.

[0356] Immunoprecipitations were done using a standard protocol such as the following: 5 μL of polyclonal antibody are added to the sample in final volume of 500 μL of RIPA buffer (150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8) and incubated from 1 hr to overnight at 4° C. 50 μL of a 1:1 buffer/wet bead slurry of Protein A-sepharose are added and incubated with rocking for 1 hr at 4° C. After the incubation, the beads are spun down and the supernatant is discarded. The beads are washed twice in RIPA buffer supplemented with 1 mg/mL BSA, once in RIPA buffer without BSA, and once in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH. 8. After this final wash, standard protein sample buffer is added, the beads are boiled for 5 min, spun down, and the sample buffer is loaded onto a gel and assayed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Western blotting to identify the proteins which have immunoprecipitated.

[0357] The results of the immunoprecipitation experiments were the same regardless of the starting sample type (purified protein or conditioned medium from adenovirally infected cells). When a mixture of Zsig51 and Zlut1 was immunoprecipitated with anti-Zsig51 polyclonal antibodies, both Zsig51 and Zlut1 were retrieved. Similarly, when a mixture of Zsig51 and Zlut1 was immunoprecipitated with anti-Zlut1 polyclonal antibodies, both Zlut1 and Zsig51 were retrieved. When Zsig51 alone was immunoprecipitated with anti-Zlut1 antibodies, no protein was retrieved. Similarly, when Zlut1 alone was immunoprecipitated with anti-Zsig51 antibodies, no protein was retrieved. These results show that Zsig51 is interacting with Zlut1 to form a stable complex. The results support the hypothesis that Zsig51 and Zlut1 are heterodimeric partners, which combine to form an active protein.

EXAMPLE 4

Mouse Zlut1 Sequence—Genomic Structure and Creation of a Synthetic cDNA

[0358] PCR primers designed from the human Zlut1 sequence SEQ ID NO: 20 and SEQ ID NO: 21) were used on a mouse genomic DNA template. The resulting 114bp product was then used as a probe for a Southern blot of a BAC library of mouse strain 129SvJ. A positive clone from the library was sequenced and determined to contain the mouse Zlut1 homolog (SEQ ID NOs: 22 and 23). In a sequence alignment, the mouse and the human Zlut1 sequences are 85% similar and the intron/exon structure is conserved between the two clones.

[0359] As described below, a synthetic cDNA (SEQ ID NO: 22) was generated from the genomic template. In this cDNA, the splice junction is between bases 204 and 205. The mouse intron between the two coding exons is estimated by PCR to be 2.5 Kb.

[0360] The cDNA for mouse Zlut1 was amplified by PCR from genomic DNA. The coding region was synthesized in two steps using standard PCR conditions. The first step involved amplification of Exon 1 using oligo 38163 (SEQ ID NO: 24) and oligo 38162 (SEQ ID NO: 25) which generated a 151 bp fragment SEQ ID NO: 28. The second step involved amplification of Exon2 using oligo 38218 (SEQ ID NO: 26) and oligo 38164 (SEQ ID NO: 27) which generated a 247 bp fragment (SEQ ID NO: 29). Each exon was cloned separately into TopaTA cloning vector (Invitrogen) and double stranded sequence was obtained for both clones to verify the correct sequence was amplified. Exon 1 and Exon 2 were then ligated together by a common PstI site and the entire coding region was verified by sequencing.

EXAMPLE 5

Generation of Untagged Zlut1 Recombinant Adenovirus

[0361] The protein coding region of human Zlut1 was amplified by PCR using primers that added FseI and AscI restriction sties at the 5′ and 3′ termini respectively. PCR primers SEQ ID NO: 30 and SEQ ID NO: 31) were used with the template pZP9 containing the full-length Zlut1 cDNA in a PCR reaction as follows: one cycle at 95° C. for 5 minutes; followed by 15 cycles at 95° C. for 1 min., 61° C. for 1 min., and 72° C. for 1.5 min.; followed by 72° C. for 7 min.; followed by a 4° C. soak. The PCR reaction product was loaded onto a 1.2 % (low melt) SeaPlaque GTG (FMC, Rockland, Me.) gel in TAE buffer. The Zlut1 PCR product was excised from the gel and purified using the QIAquick®PCR Purification Kit gel cleanup kit as per kit instructions (Qiagen). The PCR product was then digested with FseI-AscI, phenol/chloroform extracted, EtOH precipitated, and rehydrated in 20 mL TE (Tris/EDTA pH 8). The 393 bp Zlut1 fragment was then ligated into the FseI-AscI sites of the transgenic vector pTG12-8 and transformed into DH10B competent cells by electroporation. Clones containing Zlut1 were identified by plasmid DNA miniprep followed by digestion with FseI-AscI. A positive clone was sent to the sequencing department to insure there are no deletions or other anomalies in the construct. The sequence of Zlut1 cDNA was confirmed. Qiagen Maxi Prep protocol (Qiagen) was used to generate DNA to continue our process described below.

[0362] Preparation of DNA construct for generation of Adenovirus

[0363] The 393 bp Zlut1 cDNA was released from the TG12-8 vector using FseI and AscI enzymes. The cDNA was isolated on a 1.2% low melt SeaPlaque GTG® (FMC, Rockland, Me.) gel and was then excised from the gel and the gel slice melted at 70° C., extracted twice with an equal volume of Tris buffered phenol, and EtOH precipitated. The DNA was resuspended in 10 μL H2O.

[0364] The Zlut1 cDNA was cloned into the FseI-AscI sites of a modified pAdTrack CMV (He, T-C. et al., PNAS 95:2509-2514, 1998). This construct contains the GFP marker gene. The CMV promoter driving GFP expression was replaced with the SV40 promoter and the SV40 polyadenylation signal was replaced with the human growth hormone polyadenylation signal. In addition, the native polylinker was replaced with FseI, EcoRV, and AscI sites. This modified form of pAdTrack CMV was named pZyTrack. Ligation was performed using the Fast-Link® DNA ligation and screening kit (Epicentre Technologies, Madison, Wis.). Clones containing Zlut1 were identified by digestion of mini prep DNA with FseI-AscI. In order to linearize the plasmid, approximately 5 μg of the pZyTrack Zlut1 plasmid was digested with PmeI. Approximately 1 μg of the linearized plasmid was cotransformed with 200 ng of supercoiled pAdEasy (He et al., supra.) into BJ5183 cells. The co-transformation was done using a Bio-Rad Gene Pulser at 2.5 kV, 200 ohms and 25 mFa. The entire co-transformation was plated on 4 LB plates containing 25 μg/ml kanamycin. The smallest colonies were picked and expanded in LB/kanamycin and recombinant adenovirus DNA identified by standard DNA miniprep procedures. Digestion of the recombinant adenovirus DNA with FseI-AscI confirmed the presence of Zlut1. The recombinant adenovirus miniprep DNA was transformed into DH10B competent cells and DNA prepared using a Qiagen maxi prep kit as per kit instructions.

[0365] Transfection of 293A Cells with Recombinant DNA

[0366] Approximately 5 μg of recombinant adenoviral DNA was digested with PacI enzyme (New England Biolabs) for 3 hours at 37° C. in a reaction volume of 100 μL containing 20-30 U of PacI. The digested DNA was extracted twice with an equal volume of phenol/chloroform and precipitated with ethanol. The DNA pellet was resuspended in 10 μL distilled water. A T25 flask of QBI-293A cells (Quantum Biotechnologies, Inc. Montreal, Qc. Canada), inoculated the day before and grown to 60-70% confluence, were transfected with the PacI digested DNA. The PacI-digested DNA was diluted up to a total volume of 50 μL with sterile HBS (150 mM NaCl, 20 mM HEPES). In a separate tube, 20 μL DOTAP (Boehringer Mannheim, 1 mg/ml) was diluted to a total volume of 100 μL with HBS. The DNA was added to the DOTAP, mixed gently by pipeting up and down, and left at room temperature for 15 minutes. The media was removed from the 293A cells and washed with 5 ml serum-free MEMalpha (Gibco BRL) containing 1 mM Sodium Pyruvate (GibcoBRL), 0.1 mM MEM non-essential amino acids (GibcoBRL) and 25 mM HEPES buffer (GibcoBRL). 5 mL of serum-free MEM was added to the 293A cells and held at 37° C. The DNA/lipid mixture was added drop-wise to the T25 flask of 293A cells, mixed gently and incubated at 37° C. for 4 hours. After 4 h the media containing the DNA/lipid mixture was aspirated off and replaced with 5 ml complete MEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum. The transfected cells were monitored for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expression and formation of foci, i.e., viral plaques.

[0367] Seven days after transfection of 293A cells with the recombinant adenoviral DNA, the cells expressed the GFP protein and started to form foci. These foci are viral “plaques” and the crude viral lysate was collected by using a cell scraper to collect all of the 293A cells. The lysate was transferred to a 5 mL conical tube. To release most of the virus particles from the cells, three freeze/thaw cycles were done in a dry ice/ethanol bath and a 37° waterbath.

[0368] Amplification of Recombinant Adenovirus (rAdV)

[0369] The crude lysate was amplified to obtain a working “stock” of Zlut1 rAdV lysate. Ten 10 cm plates of nearly confluent (80-90%) 293A cells were set up 20 hours previously, 200 μL of crude rAdV lysate added to each 10 cm plate and monitored for 48 to 72 hours looking for CPE under the white light microscope and expression of GFP under the fluorescent microscope. When all of the 293A cells showed CPE (Cytopathic Effect) this stock lysate was collected and freeze/thaw cycles performed as described under Crude rAdV Lysate.

[0370] Secondary (2°) Amplification of Zlut1 rAdV was obtained as follows: Twenty 15 cm tissue culture dishes of 293A cells were prepared so that the cells were 80-90% confluent. All but 20 mls of 5% MEM media was removed and each dish was inoculated with 300-500 μL amplified rAdv lysate. After 48 hours the 293A cells were lysed from virus production and this lysate was collected into 250 ml polypropylene centrifuge bottles and the rAdV purified.

[0371] Adenovirus Purification

[0372] NP-40 detergent was added to a final concentration of 0.5% to the bottles of crude lysate in order to lyse all cells. Bottles were placed on a rotating platform for 10 min. agitating as fast as possible without the bottles falling over. The debris was pelleted by centrifugation at 20,000×G for 15 minutes. The supernatant was transferred to 250 ml polycarbonate centrifuge bottles and 0.5 volumes of 20% PEG8000/2.5M NaCl solution added. The bottles were shaken overnight on ice. The bottles were centrifuged at 20,000×G for 15 minutes and supernatant discarded into a bleach solution. The white precipitate in two vertical lines along the wall of the bottle on either side of the spin mark is the precipitated virus/PEG. Using a sterile cell scraper, the precipitate from 2 bottles was resuspended in 2.5 ml PBS. The virus solution was placed in 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes and centrifuged at 14,000×G in the microfuge for 10 minutes to remove any additional cell debris. The supernatant from the 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes was transferred into a 15 mL polypropylene snapcap tube and adjusted to a density of 1.34 g/ml with cesium chloride (CsCl). The volume of the virus solution was estimated and 0.55 g/mL of CsCl added. The CsCl was dissolved and 1 mL of this solution weighed 1.34 g. The solution was transferred polycarbonate thick-walled centrifuge tubes 3.2 ml (Beckman #362305) and spin at 80,000 rpm (348,000×G) for 3-4 hours at 25° C. in a Beckman Optima TLX microultracentrifuge with the TLA-100.4 rotor. The virus formed a white band. Using wide-bore pipette tips, the virus band was collected.

[0373] The virus from the gradient has a large amount of CsCl, which must be removed before it can be used on cells. Pharmacia PD-10 columns prepacked with Sephadex G-25M (Pharmacia) were used to desalt the virus preparation. The column was equilibrated with 20 mL of PBS. The virus was loaded and allowed to run into the column. 5 mL of PBS was added to the column and fractions of 8-10 drops collected. The optical densities of 1:50 dilutions of each fraction was determined at 260 nm on a spectrophotometer. A clear absorbance peak was present between fractions 7-12. These fractions were pooled and the optical density (OD) of a 1:10 dilution determined. A formula is used to convert OD into virus concentration: (OD at 260 nm)(10)(1.1×1012)=virions/mL. The OD of a 1:10 dilution of the Zlut1 rAdV was 0.181, giving a virus concentration of 1.99×1012 virions/mL.

[0374] To store the virus, glycerol was added to the purified virus to a final concentration of 15% , mixed gently but effectively, and stored in aliquots at −80° C.

[0375] Tissue Culture Infectious Dose at 50% CPE (TCID 50) Viral Titration Assay

[0376] A protocol developed by Quantum Biotechnologies, Inc. (Montreal, Qc. Canada) was followed to measure recombinant virus infectivity. Briefly, two 96-well tissue culture plates were seeded with 1×104 293A cells per well in MEM containing 2% fetal bovine serum for each recombinant virus to be assayed. After 24 hours 10-fold dilutions of each virus from 1×10−2 to 1×−14 were made in MEM containing 2% fetal bovine serum. 100 μL of each dilution was placed in each of 20 wells. After 9 days at 37° C., wells were read either positive or negative for Cytopathic Effect (CPE) and a value for “Plaque Forming Units/ml” (PFU) is calculated.

[0377] TCID50 formulation used was as per Quantum Biotechnologies, Inc., above. The titer (T) is determined from a plate where virus used is diluted from 10−2 to 10−14, and read 5 days after the infection. At each dilution a ratio (R) of positive wells for CPE per the total number of wells is determined.

[0378] To Calculate titer of the undiluted virus sample: the factor, “F”=1+d(S-0.5); where “S” is the sum of the ratios (R); and “d” is Log10 of the dilution series, for example, “d” is equal to 1 for a ten-fold dilution series. The titer of the undiluted sample is T=10(1+F)=TCID50/mL. To convert TCID50/ml to pfu/mL, 0.7 is subtracted from the exponent in the calculation for titer (T). The Zlut1 adenovirus had a titer of 1.0×1011 pfu/mL.

EXAMPLE 6

Zlut1 Polyclonal Antibodies

[0379] Polyclonal antibodies were prepared by immunizing two female New Zealand white rabbits with the purified recombinant Baculovirus protein huZlut1. The protein was conjugated to the carrier protein gluteraldehyde-activated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) according to manufacturer's instructions (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). The rabbits were each given an initial intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 200 μg of conjugated protein in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) followed by booster IP injections of 100 μg conjugated protein in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant every three weeks. Seven to ten days after the administration of the third booster injection, the animals were bled and the serum was collected. The rabbits were then boosted and bled every three weeks.

[0380] The huZlut1-CEE-Bv-specific Rabbit sera were characterized by an ELISA titer check using lug/ml of the purified recombinant full-length Baculovirus protein huZlut1-CEE-Bv as an antibody target. The 2 Rabbit sera exhibited titer to the purified recombinant full-length Baculovirus protein huZlut1-CEE-Bv at a dilution of 1:5E6 (1:5,000,000).

[0381] The huZlut1-CEE-Bv-specific Rabbit sera was purified using a protein A Sepharose column (Pharmacia LKB) that was prepared using 5-7 mLs of Protein A Sepharose per 50 mL of immune sera, followed by dialysis in PBS overnight (total IgG cut). HuZlut1-CEE-Bv-specific antibodies within the total IgG cut were characterized by an ELISA titer check using 1 μg/mL of the purified recombinant Baculovirus protein huZlut1-CEE-Bv as an antibody target. The lower limit of detection (LLD) of the rabbit anti-huZlut1-CEE-B.v. antibody product was a dilution of 100 ng/ml.

[0382] The rabbit anti-huZlut1-CEE-Bv antibody product was also characterized by Western Blot, recognizing Adenovirus and CHO-produced recombinant huZlut1-CEE in conditioned media under reducing and non-reducing conditions.

EXAMPLE 7

Construct for Generating Human Zlut1 Transgenic Mice

[0383] Oligonucleotides were designed to generate a PCR fragment containing a consensus Kozak sequence and the exact human Zlut1 coding region. These oligonucleotides were designed with an FseI site at the 5′ end and an AscI site at the 3′ end to facilitate cloning into pTg12-8 MT.

[0384] PCR reactions were carried out using Advantages® cDNA polymerase (Clontech) to amplify a human Zlut1 cDNA fragment. About 200 ng of human Zlut1 polynucleotide template, and oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO: 43 and SEQ ID NO: 44 were used in the PCR reaction. PCR reaction conditions were as follows: 95° C. for 5 minutes; 15 cycles of 95° C. for 60 seconds, 60° C. for 60 seconds, and 72° C. for 90 seconds; and 72° C. for 7 minutes; followed by a 4° C. hold. PCR products were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and purified using a QiaQuick™ (Qiagen) gel extraction kit. The isolated, approximately 393bp, DNA fragment was digested with FseI and AscI (New England BioLabs), ethanol precipitated and ligated into pTg12-8 MT that was previously digested with FseI and AscI. The pTg12-8 MT plasmid, designed for expression of a gene of interest in transgenic mice, contains an expression cassette flanked by 10 kb of MT-1 5′ DNA and 7 kb of MT-1 3′ DNA. The expression cassette is comprised of the MT-1 promoter, the rat insulin II intron, a polylinker for the insertion of the desired clone, and the human growth hormone poly A sequence.

[0385] About one microliter of the ligation reaction was electroporated into DH10B ElectroMax® competent cells (GIBCO BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) according to manufacturer's direction and plated onto LB plates containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin, and incubated overnight. Colonies were picked and grown in LB media containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin. Miniprep DNA was prepared from the picked clones and screened for the Zlut1 insert by restriction digestion with EcoRI and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis and analysis. Maxipreps of the correct pTg12-8 MT Zlut1 construct, as verified by sequence analysis, were performed. A ClaI/SstI fragment containing the 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences, the MT promoter, the rat insulin II intron, Zlut1 cDNA and the human growth hormone poly A sequence was prepared and used for microinjection into fertilized murine oocytes.

EXAMPLE 8

Identification of Zlut1 and Zsig51 mRNA Expression in the Pituitary Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

[0386] The expression of Zlut1 mRNA in human pituitary was assessed by PCR. cDNAs made from two independent pools of human pituitary mRNA (Clontech) were assayed using oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO: 32 and zc38918 (SEQ ID NO: 33. This primer pair generates a 191 bp fragment of Zlut1 (SEQ ID NO: 34), which spans the intron between the first and second coding exons. In addition, the two samples were assayed using oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO: 35 and SEQ ID NO: 36, which generate a 196 bp fragment of the 3′UTR, SEQ ID NO: 37.

[0387] Standard PCR reactions were set up in 25 μL volumes, using approximately 1 ng of cDNA template, 10 pmol of each oligonucleotide primer, 0.2 mM dNTPs (Perkin Elmer), 2.5 ul of 10× PCR buffer (Clontech) and 0.5 μL of Advantage 2 Polymerase (Clontech). Reactions were heated to 94° C. for 1 minute, followed by 35 cycles of 94° C. for 30 seconds, 60° C. for 45 seconds and 68° C. for seconds. The final cycle was followed by incubation at 68° C. for 2 minutes and the reaction was then chilled to 4° C.

[0388] Reactions were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by ethidium bromide staining. Fragments of the expected size were generated in both samples with both sets of primers. The identity of the fragments was verified by sequencing.

[0389] Similar experiments were performed to assess the expression of Zsig51 in human pituitary, using oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO: 38 and SEQ ID NO: 39, which generate a 221 bp fragment SEQ ID NO: 40 of Zsig51.

[0390] These PCR experiments confirm the expression of Zlut1 and Zsig51 mRNAs in human pituitary.

EXAMPLE 9

Identification of Cells Expressing Zlut1 Using in situ Hybridization

[0391] Specific human tissues were isolated and screened for Zlut1 expression by in situ hybridization. The various human tissues prepared, sectioned and subjected to in situ hybridization included pituitary, testis, placenta, prostate, ovary and ovarian cancer. The tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin blocks using standard techniques application. Tissues were sectioned at 4 to 8 microns. Tissues were prepared using a standard protocol. Briefly, tissue sections were deparaffinized with HistoClear (National Diagnostics, Atlanta, Ga.) and then dehydrated with ethanol. Next they were digested with Proteinase K (50 μg/ml) (Boehringer Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Ind.) at 37° C. for 3 to 10 minutes. This step was followed by acetylation and re-hydration of the tissues.

[0392] One in situ probe was designed against the human Zlut1 sequence. The plasmid template used for probe synthesis included the entire coding domain and the 3′UTR. The T7 RNA polymerase was used to generate an antisense probe. The probe was labeled with digoxigenin (Boehringer) using an In Vitro Transcription System (Promega, Madison, Wis.) as per the manufacturer's instructions.

[0393] In situ hybridization was performed with the digoxigenin-labeled Zlut1 probe described above. The probe was added to the slides at a concentration of 1 to 5 pmol/ml for 12 to 16 hours at 60° C. Slides were subsequently washed in 2×XSSC and 0.1×XSSC at 55° C. The signals were amplified using tyramide signal amplification (TSA, in situ indirect kit; NEN) and visualized with Vector Red substrate kit (Vector Lab) as per the manufacturer's instructions. The slides were then counter-stained with hematoxylin (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, Calif.).

[0394] Signals indicating the presence of Zlut1 messenger RNA are observed in the following tissues:

[0395] In normal ovaries, there is signal in the endothelial cells of vessels. One of the normal ovary samples contains a large number of mononuclear cells, and a subset of these cells is positive. In the cancerous ovaries, occasional epithelial cells (carcinoma cells) are positive. The endothelium in these samples is also positive for the presence of Zlut1 message.

[0396] In the pituitary samples, a subgroup of scattered cells is positive. In comparative in situ hybridization experiments using nearly adjacent sections of the same pituitary sample, the mRNA expression pattern of Zlut1 is approximately identical to that of Zsig51, and significantly different from the expression pattern of both the common alpha subunit of the glycoprotein hormones and the beta subunit of thyroid stimulating hormone.

[0397] In testis samples, the spermatocytes are positive.

[0398] No signal is observed in either prostate or placenta samples.

EXAMPLE 10

Zlut1 Cloning Protocol

[0399] Two Positive cDNA sources were used in a PCR using Oligos SEQ ID NO: 41 and SEQ ID NO: 42, based on the predicted ORF from genomic sequence. The positive tissue-specific cDNAs were a testis cDNA library cloned into a vector, and an esophageal tumor Marathon cDNA library. Thermocycler conditions were as follows: 1 cycle at 94° C. for 2 minutes, 5 cycles of 94° C. for 15 seconds, 72° C. for 30 second 35 cycles of 94° C. for 15 seconds, 63° C. for 20 seconds and 72° C. for 30 seconds, followed by 1 cycle at 72° C. for 5 minutes. About 10 μl of the PCR reaction product was subjected to standard agarose gel electrophoresis using a 2% agarose gel. The correct predicted DNA fragment size was observed from both cDNA sources. The fragment from the testis library was gel purified for sequencing. This yielded the predicted sequence. Subsequently, the clone from this library was isolated using conventional techniques and sequenced. It contained the predicted sequence including 5′ UTR, 3′UTR, and a PolyA+tail.

EXAMPLE 11

Use of Zlut1 to Treat Hyperthyroidism

[0400] Zlut1 adenovirus was tested in a 4-group experiment, which also included an adenovirus expressing an unrelated gene, a control adenovirus and an untreated group. Each group contained both male (n=8) and female (n=8) mice. Adenovirus dosage was 1×10e11 for each of the groups, and the titers were approximately equal.

[0401] As in the previous study, female mice treated with AdZlut1 gained significantly more weight than untreated or virus control groups. Female mice treated with AdZlut1 ended the study (day 21) 17.5% above starting weight, compared to 10.5% average gain in untreated or virus control. Males were not significantly different in this comparison. Females also had about a 20% reduction in the levels of thyroxine in the blood at time of sacrifice (males were not different).

[0402] Also specifically in females, serum transaminase (ALT, AST) elevations resulting from virus injection were significantly lower for the Zlut1 treated mice, compared to all the virus treated groups in the day 11 blood sample. The male mice treated with Zlut1 had elevated ALT and AST relative to virus control mice at day 11. Cholesterol levels were extremely high in these mice (mean of 250 mg/dl) at day 11, but were normal at the time of sacrifice. Glucose levels were also significantly lower at day 11. In both males and females, blood urea nitrogen and globulin were reduced relative to other groups. Blood counts showed only one significant difference. Neutrophil counts were elevated in males at day 11. This is consistent with a greater (hepatic) inflammatory response in the male mice also suggested by the cholesterol and glucose changes at day 11.

EXAMPLE 12

Generation of Zlut1 KO Mice

[0403] The ability to generate a “designer” mouse with a targeted mutation in specific genes has been one of the most important advances in biomedical research. This is achieved by gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, followed by production of chimeras and germline transmission of desired mutations into offspring. The phenotypic consequences of the specific mutations are then accessed in the animal model system. This approach allows us to perform in vivo analysis of genes functions, and to evaluate genes′ physiological role in whole animal.

[0404] To understand biological functions of the Zlut1 gene, we are employing gene targeting technology. The genomic DNA clones spanning the Zlut1 genes have been isolated and sequenced. The coding sequence of the Zlut1 gene primarily consists of two exons. The first exon encodes 68 amino acids of the N-terminal part of the protein. The second exon encodes rest of the protein (from amino acid 69 to the C-terminal).

[0405] A gene targeting vector was designed to delete the majority of the second exon and the genomic DNA immediately following the second coding exon.

[0406] Specifically, an IRES-LacZ cassette was used to replace most of the second exons, and 7 nucleotides into the genomic DNA following the exon. This would create a deletion of C-terminal of the Zlut1, with all of the six cysteines near the C-terminal part of the protein deleted. These cysteines are considered essential for the formation of the disulfide bonds, thus tertiary structures of the protein. Therefore, deletion of the six cysteines is expected to render the Zlut1 protein non-functional.

[0407] In addition, replacing the second exon with the reporter LacZ gene is useful in detecting endogenous expression of Zlut1. It is expected that the transcriptional regulatory elements of the Zlut1 gene would be intact after targeting events. As a result, the expression pattern of the lacZ gene should faithful capitulate that of the Zlut1. This would help us to understand expression as well as function of the Zlut1 in mammals.

[0408] The Zlut1 targeting vector has been electroporated into ES cells. Over three hundred ES colonies have been isolated. Experiments are underway to detect homologous recombination events, and to generate Zlut1 KO mice for detailed analysis of its function in vivo.

[0409] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	09839706	Apr 2001	US
Child	09943388	Aug 2001	US

Mammalian glycoprotein hormone-1

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