Novel G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) variants and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention describes human G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their encoding polynucleotides. Also described are expression vectors, host cells, antisense molecules, and antibodies associated with the GPCR polynucleotides and/or polypeptides of this invention. In addition, methods for treating, diagnosing, preventing, and screening for disorders or diseases associated with abnormal biological activity of GPCR are described, as are methods for screening for modulators, e.g., agonists or antagonists, of GPCR activity and/or function.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to new G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) nucleic acid or polynucleotide sequences which encode GPCRs. Specifically, the novel GPCR nucleic acid sequences encode newly-identified variant proteins of previously reported GPCRs. The novel GPCR nucleic acid sequences may be splice variants of GPCR genes. This invention further relates to fragments of newly-discovered GPCR variant nucleic acid sequences and their encoded amino acid sequences. Additionally, the invention relates to methods of using the GPCR polynucleotide sequences and encoded GPCR proteins for genetic screening and for the treatment of diseases, disorders, conditions, or syndromes associated with GPCRs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many medically significant biological processes that are mediated by proteins participating in signal transduction pathways involving G-proteins and/or second messengers, e.g., cAMP, have been established (Lefkowitz, Nature, 351:353-354 (1991)). These proteins are referred to herein as proteins participating in pathways with G-proteins or PPG proteins. Some examples of these proteins include the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), such as those for adrenergic agents and dopamine (Kobilka, B. K., et al., PNAS, 84:46-50 (1987); Kobilka, B. K., et al., Science, 238:650-656 (1987); Bunzow, J. R., et al., Nature, 336:783-787 (1988)), G-proteins themselves, effector proteins, e.g., phospholipase C, adenylate cyclase, and phosphodiesterase, and actuator proteins, e.g., protein kinase A and protein kinase C (Simon, M. I., et al., Science, 252:802-8 (1991)).

[0004] For example, in one form of signal transduction, the effect of hormone binding results in activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase inside the cell. Enzyme activation by hormones is dependent on the presence of the nucleotide GTP, as GTP influences hormone binding. A G-protein binds the hormone receptors to adenylate cyclase. The G-protein has further been shown to exchange GTP for bound GDP when activated by hormone receptors. The GTP-carrying form then binds to an activated adenylate cyclase. Hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, catalyzed by the G-protein itself, returns the G-protein to its basal, inactive form. Thus, the G-protein serves a dual role—as an intermediate that relays the signal from receptor to effector, and as a “clock” that controls the duration of the signal.

[0005] The membrane protein gene superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been characterized as having seven putative transmembrane domains. The domains are believed to represent transmembrane α-helices connected by extracellular or cytoplasmic loops. GPCRs include a wide range of biologically active receptors, such as hormone, viral, growth factor, and neuronal receptors.

[0006] GPCRs are further characterized as having seven conserved hydrophobic stretches of about 20 to 30 amino acids, connecting at least eight divergent hydrophilic loops. The G-protein family of coupled receptors includes dopamine receptors, which bind to neuroleptic drugs, used for treating psychotic and neurological disorders. Other examples of members of this family of receptors include calcitonin, adrenergic, endothelin, cAMP, adenosine, muscarinic, acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine, thrombin, kinin, follicle stimulating hormone, opsins, endothelial differentiation gene-1 receptor, rhodopsins, odorant and cytomegalovirus receptors, etc.

[0007] Most GPCRs have single conserved cysteine residues in each of the first two extracellular loops which form disulfide bonds that are believed to stabilize functional protein structure. The 7 transmembrane regions are designated as TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4, TM5, TM6, and TM7. TM3 has been implicated in signal transduction.

[0008] Phosphorylation and lipidation (palmitylation or farnesylation) of cysteine residues can influence signal transduction of some GPCRs. Most GPCRs contain potential phosphorylation sites within the third cytoplasmic loop and/or the carboxyl terminus. For several GPCRs, such as the β-adrenoreceptor, phosphorylation by protein kinase A and/or specific receptor kinases mediates receptor desensitization.

[0009] For some receptors, the ligand binding sites of GPCRs are believed to comprise a hydrophilic socket formed by the transmembrane domains of several GPCRs. This socket is surrounded by hydrophobic residues of the GPCRs. The hydrophilic side of each GPCR transmembrane helix is postulated to face inward and form the polar ligand-binding site. TM3 has been implicated in several GPCRs as having a ligand-binding site, which includes the TM3 aspartate residue. Additionally, TM5 serines, a TM6 asparagine and TM6 or TM7 phenylalanines or tyrosines are also implicated in ligand binding.

[0010] GPCRs can be intracellularly coupled by heterotrimeric G-proteins to various intracellular enzymes, ion channels and transporters (see, Johnson et al., Endoc., Rev., 10:317-331(1989)). Different G-protein β-subunits preferentially stimulate particular effectors to modulate various biological functions in a cell. Phosphorylation of cytoplasmic residues of GPCRs have been identified as an important mechanism for the regulation of G-protein coupling of some GPCRs. GPCRs are found in numerous sites within a mammalian host.

[0011] GPCRs are one of the largest receptor superfamilies known. These receptors are biologically important and malfunction of these receptors results in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson, diabetes, dwarfism, color blindness, retinal pigmentosa and asthma. GPCRs are also involved in depression, schizophrenia, sleeplessness, hypertension, anxiety, stress, renal failure and in several other cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, oncology and immune disorders (F. Horn and G. Vriend, J. Mol. Med., 76: 464-468 (1998)). They have also been shown to play a role in HIV infection (Y. Feng et al., Science, 272: 872-877 (1996)).

[0012] The structure of GPCRs consists of seven transmembrane helices that are connected by loops. The N-terminus is always extracellular and C-terminus is intracellular. GPCRs are involved in signal transduction. The signal is received at the extracellular N-terminus side. The signal can be an endogenous ligand, a chemical moiety or light. This signal is then transduced through the membrane to the cytosolic side where a heterotrimeric protein G-protein is activated which in turn elicits a response (F. Horn et al., Recept. and Chann., 5: 305-314 (1998)). Ligands, agonists and antagonists, for these GPCRs are used for therapeutic purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides new GPCR polynucleotides, and their encoded polypeptides. The GPCR polynucleotides encode newly-described polypeptides that are variants of previously reported GPCRs. Thus, the polynucleotides encoding the novel polypeptide variants may be newly-discovered splice variants. These polynucleotides and encoded polypeptides may be involved in a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions associated with GPCR activity. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with the modulation of these GPCR polynucleotides and encoded products, particularly in providing treatments and therapies for relevant diseases. Antagonizing or inhibiting the action of the GPCR polynucleotides and polypeptides is especially encompassed by the present invention.

[0014] It is an object of this invention to provide isolated GPCR polynucleotides as depicted in SEQ ID NOS:1-11. Another object of this invention is to provide GPCR polypeptides, encoded by the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NOS:1-11 and having the encoded amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:12-22, or a functional or biologically active portion of these sequences.

[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide compositions comprising the GPCR polynucleotide sequences, or fragments thereof, or the encoded GPCR polypeptides, or fragments or portions thereof. In addition, this invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one GPCR polypeptide, or functional portion thereof, wherein the compositions further comprise a pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is to provide compositions comprising N-terminal, C-terminal or internal deletion polypeptides of the encoded polypeptides. Polynucleotides encoding these deletion polypeptides are also provided. The present invention also provides the use of these polypeptides as an immunogenic and/or antigenic epitope as described elsewhere herein.

[0017] A further embodiment of this invention presents polynucleotide sequences comprising the complement of SEQ ID NOS:1-11, or variants thereof. In addition, an object of the invention encompasses variations or modifications of the GPCR sequences which are a result of degeneracy of the genetic code, where the polynucleotide sequences can hybridize under moderate or high stringency conditions to the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1-11.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 11 lacking the initiating codon as well as the resulting encoded polypeptides. Specifically, the present invention provides the polynucleotides corresponding to: nucleotides 4 through 1242 of SEQ f) NO:3, nucleotides 20 through 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, nucleotides 4 through 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, nucleotides 4 through 2226 of SEQ ID NO:8, nucleotides 556 through 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, and nucleotides 594 through 759 of SEQ ID NO:11. The present invention provides the resulting encoded polypeptides corresponding to amino acids 2 through 414 of SEQ ID NO:14, amino acids 2 through 578 of SEQ ID NO:15, amino acids 2 through 309 of SEQ ID NO:18, amino acids 2 through 742 of SEQ ID NO:19, amino acids 2 through 422 of SEQ ID NO:20, and amino acids 2 through 63 of SEQ ID NO:22. Also provided by the present invention are recombinant vectors comprising said encoding sequences, and host cells comprising said vectors.

[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide antisense sequences of the GPCR nucleic acid sequences of this invention, as well as oligonucleotides, fragments, or portions of the nucleic acid molecules or antisense molecules. Also provided are expression vectors and host cells comprising polynucleotides that encode the GPCR polypeptides.

[0020] In yet another object, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the GPCR polynucleotide sequences, or fragments thereof, or the encoded GPCR polypeptide sequences, or fragments or portions thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising GPCR polypeptide sequences, homologues, or one or more functional portions thereof, wherein the compositions further comprise a pharmaceutically- and/or physiologically-acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent. All fragments or portions of the GPCR polynucleotides and polypeptides are preferably functional or active.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide methods for producing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:12-22, or a fragment thereof, preferably, a functional fragment or portion thereof, comprising the steps of a) cultivating a host cell containing an expression vector containing at least a functional fragment of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the GPCR proteins according to this invention under conditions suitable for the expression of the polypeptide; and b) recovering the polypeptide from the host cell.

[0022] Another object of this invention is to provide a substantially purified modulator, preferably an antagonist or inhibitor, of one or more of the GPCR polypeptides having SEQ ID NOS:12-22. In this regard, and by way of example, a purified antibody, or antigenic epitope thereof that binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS:12-22, or homologue encoded by a polynucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence, or degenerate thereof, as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-11 is provided.

[0023] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide GPCR nucleic acid sequences, polypeptides, peptides and antibodies for use in the diagnosis and/or screening of disorders or diseases associated with expression of one or more of the GPCR polynucleotides and their encoded polypeptide products as described herein.

[0024] Another object of this invention is to provide diagnostic probes or primers for detecting GPCR-related diseases and/or for monitoring a patient's response to therapy. The probe or primer sequences comprise nucleic acid or amino acid sequences of the GPCRs described herein.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for detecting a polynucleotide that encodes a described GPCR polypeptide in a biological sample comprising the steps of: a) hybridizing the complement of the polynucleotide sequence encoding SEQ ID NOS:1-11 to the nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and b) detecting the hybridization complex, wherein the presence of the complex correlates with the presence of a polynucleotide encoding a GPCR polypeptide in the biological sample. The nucleic acid material may be further amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) prior to hybridization.

[0026] Another object of this invention is to provide methods for screening for agents which modulate the GPCR polypeptides, e.g., agonists (or enhancers or activators) and antagonists (or blockers or inhibitors), particularly those that are obtained from the screening methods as described.

[0027] As yet a further object, the invention provides methods for detecting genetic predisposition, susceptibility and response to therapy of various GPCR-related diseases, disorders, or conditions.

[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the treatment or prevention of several GPCR-associated diseases or disorders including, but not limited to, cancers, and/or cardiovascular, immune, or neurological diseases or disorders. The methods involve administering to an individual in need of such treatment or prevention an effective amount of a purified antagonist of one or more GPCR polypeptide.

[0029] It is yet another object of this invention to provide diagnostic kits for the determination of the nucleotide sequences of human GPCR alleles. The kits can comprise reagents and instructions for amplification-based assays, nucleic acid probe assays, protein nucleic acid probe assays, antibody assays or any combination thereof. Such kits are suitable for screening and the diagnosis of disorders associated with aberrant or uncontrolled cellular development and with the expression of one or more GPCR polynucleotide and encoded GPCR polypeptide as described herein.

[0030] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood upon a reading of the detailed description of the invention when considered in connection with the accompanying figures or drawings.

[0031] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide.

[0032] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells.

[0033] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT response elements.

[0034] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT response elements, wherein said cells further comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of G alpha 15 under conditions wherein G alpha 15 is expressed.

[0035] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of CRE response elements.

[0036] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are HEK cells.

[0037] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are HEK cells wherein said cells comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of CRE response elements.

[0038] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT response elements, wherein said cells further comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of G alpha 15 under conditions wherein G alpha 15 is expressed, and futher wherein said cells express the polypeptide at either low, moderate, or high levels.

[0039] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT response elements, wherein said cells further comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of G alpha 15 under conditions wherein G alpha 15 is expressed, wherein said candidate compound is a small molecule, a peptide, or an antisense molecule.

[0040] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT response elements, wherein said cells further comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of G alpha 15 under conditions wherein G alpha 15 is expressed, wherein said candidate compound is a small molecule, a peptide, or an antisense molecule, wherein said candidate compound is an agonist or antagonist.

[0041] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are HEK cells wherein said cells comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of CRE response elements, wherein said candidate compound is a small molecule, a peptide, or an antisense molecule.

[0042] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are HEK cells wherein said cells comprise a vector comprising the coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of CRE response elements, wherein said candidate compound is a small molecule, a peptide, or an antisense molecule, wherein said candidate compound is an agonist or antagonist.

[0043] The invention further relates to a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions in which said polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide, wherein said cells are CHO cells that comprise a vector comprisir csequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of NFAT respcerrwherein said cells further comprise a vector comprising the coding scealpha 15 under conditions wherein G alpha 15 is expressed, wherein saicexbeta lactamase at low, moderate, or high levels.

[0044] The invention further relates to a method of screening compounds capable of modulating the activity of a G-protein cotrec polypeptide, comprising: (i) contacting a test compound with a comprising an expression vector capable of expressing a polypeptide amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and/or 22, or encoded by ATCC deposit ______, under conditions polypeptide is expressed; and (ii) selecting as candidate modulating test compounds that modulate activity of the G-protein coupled receptopewherein said cells are HEK cells wherein said cells comprise a vector coding sequence of the beta lactamase gene under the control of (elements, wherein said cells express beta lactamase at low, moderate,

[0045] The statement, “wherein said cells express beta lactamase at lowerahigh levels” is a reference to cells that either express beta lactamase at lodor high levels relative to the expression levels of a reference mRNA, gepor a reference to the actual percentage of cells that express beta lacta Ilatter example, high levels of expression would be achieved if the maofwere expressing beta lactamase, while low levels of expression would lieonly a subset of cells were expressing beta lactamase. Such cells marexother proteins, such as the proteins of the present invention at low, modorlevels as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] FIG. 1 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:Dopamine Receptor variant, called Gene 1 herein. The underlined sequidia region of variation in comparison to Dopamine Receptor D4.

[0047] FIG. 2 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NOs:12-22) of a novel HE6 variant, called Gene 2 herein. The underlined sequence indicates a region of variation in comparison to HE6 Receptor.

[0048] FIG. 3 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of a novel Prostaglandin Receptor variant, called Gene 3 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate a region of variation in comparison to Prostaglandin Receptor.

[0049] FIG. 4 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) of a novel Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) receptor variant, called Gene 4 herein. In comparison to FSH receptor, the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 4 indicate a 3′ region of variation; and there is also a skipped region between nucleotides 685 and 686 of SEQ ID NO:4.

[0050] FIG. 5 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:5) of a novel Chemokine (C-C motif) Receptor-like 2 variant, called Gene 5 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate a region of variation in comparison to Chemokine Receptor-like 2.

[0051] FIG. 6 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:6) of a novel Neuropeptide Receptor (GPCR HLWAR77) variant, called Gene 6 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate a region of variation in comparison to Neuropeptide Receptor.

[0052] FIG. 7 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:7) of a novel Retinal-RPE Receptor variant, called Gene 7 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate the region of variation in comparison to Retinal-RPE Receptor.

[0053] FIG. 8 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:8) of a novel Nicastrin variant, called Gene 8 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate the region of variation in comparison to Nicastrin.

[0054] FIG. 9 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:9) of a novel Twin-Pore Channel protein (potassium channel, subfamily K, member 2) variant, called Gene 9 herein. The underlined nucleotides indicate the region of variation in comparison to Twin-Pore Channel.

[0055] FIG. 10 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:10) of a novel Peroxisome Proliferative Activated Receptor (PPAR) variant, called Gene 10 herein. In comparison to the human PPAR, there is a skipped region between nucleotides 325 and 326 of SEQ ID NO:10.

[0056] FIG. 11 presents the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:11) of a novel RAR-related orphan receptor C variant, called Gene 11 herein. The underlined sequence indicates the region of variation in comparison to RAR-related orphan receptor.

[0057] FIG. 12 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:12) partially encoded by the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) of Gene 1. Nucleotides 1 through 513 of SEQ ID NO:1 encode for amino acids 1 through 171 of SEQ ID NO:12. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 1.

[0058] FIG. 13 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:13) encoded by nucleotides 2-277 of SEQ ID NO:2. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 2.

[0059] FIG. 14 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:14) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of Gene 3. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 3.

[0060] FIG. 15 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:15) encoded by nucleotides 17-1750 of SEQ ID NO:4. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides 1538-1750 in FIG. 4

[0061] FIG. 16 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:16) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:5) of Gene 5. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 5.

[0062] FIG. 17 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:17) encoded by nucleotides 52-1092 of SEQ ID NO:6. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 6.

[0063] FIG. 18 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:18) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:7) of Gene 7. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 7.

[0064] FIG. 19 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:19) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:8) of Gene 8. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 8.

[0065] FIG. 20 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:20) encoded by nucleotides 553-1818 of SEQ ID NO:9. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 9.

[0066] FIG. 21 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:21) encoded by nucleotides 2-529 of SEQ ID NO:10.

[0067] FIG. 22 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:22) encoded by nucleotides 591-779 of SEQ ID NO:11. The underlined amino acids are encoded by the underlined nucleotides in FIG. 11.

[0068] FIG. 23 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:23) of the homo sapiens Dopamine Receptor D4 (Accession No:XP—006145).

[0069] FIG. 24 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:24) of the homo sapiens HE6 protein (GPCR 64, epididymis-specific), (Accession No:NP—005747).

[0070] FIG. 25 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:25) of the homo sapiens Prostacyclin Receptor (Prostanoid IP Receptor, PGI Receptor) (Accession No:P43119).

[0071] FIG. 26 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:26) of the homo sapiens Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Precursor (FSH—R, Follitropin Receptor), (Accession No:P23945).

[0072] FIG. 27 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:27) of the homo sapiens Chemokine (C—C motif) receptor-like 2 (Accession No:XP—002926).

[0073] FIG. 28 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:28) of the homo sapiens Neuropeptide FF Receptor 2 (Neuropeptide GPCR, GPCR HLWAR77), (Accession No:Q9Y5×5).

[0074] FIG. 29 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:29) of the homo sapiens Retinal GPCR (Accession No:XP—043593).

[0075] FIG. 30 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:30) of the homo sapiens Nicastrin protein (Accession No:AAG 11412).

[0076] FIG. 31 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:31) of the homo sapiens Potassium Channel, subfamily K, member 2 (potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily K, member 2; two-pore potassium channel 1; TWIK-related potassium channel 1), (Accession No:NP—055032).

[0077] FIG. 32 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:32) of the homo sapiens Peroxisome Proliferative Activated Receptor (PPAR), alpha, (Accession No:XP—027065).

[0078] FIG. 33 presents the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:33) encoded by the homo sapiens RAR-related Orphan Receptor C (Accession No:XP—001378).

[0079] FIG. 34 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:12 with the top hit protein, Dopamine Receptor D4 (SEQ ID NO:23), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 34 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 is highly identical to Dopamine Receptor D4, except that SEQ ID NO:12 has an insertion of additional amino acids (corresponding to an insertion after the third transmembrane domain of SEQ ID NO:23). This indicates that the protein partially encoded by Gene 1 is a variant of the Dopamine Receptor D4. The additional amino acids correspond to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 12. In FIG. 34, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 1, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:23) having the highest percent identity (68%) to that of Gene 1.

[0080] FIG. 35 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:13 with the top hit protein, HE6 (SEQ ID NO:24), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 35 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 is highly identical to a region within HE6. However, after this region of identity, SEQ ID NO:13 has a stretch of additional amino acids not shared by HE6 (this stretch of amino acids corresponds to the underlined region in FIG. 13, and it also corresponds to an insertion between the first and second transmembrane domains of HE6). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 2 is a variant of HE6. In FIG. 34, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 2, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:24) having the highest percent identity (100%) to that of Gene 2.

[0081] FIG. 36 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:14 with the top hit protein, Prostacyclin or Prostaglandin Receptor (SEQ ID NO:25), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. However, after this region of identity, SEQ ID NO:14 has a stretch of additional amino acids not shared by the Prostaglandin Receptor (this stretch of amino acids corresponds to the underlined region in FIG. 14, and it also corresponds to skipping the amino acids encoded by exon 2 of the Prostaglandin Receptor and thus extending Gene 3 into a novel 3′ variant). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 3 is a variant of the Prostaglandin Receptor. In FIG. 36, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 3, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:25) having the highest percent identity (98%) to that of Gene 3.

[0082] FIG. 37 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:15 with the top hit protein, FSH Receptor (SEQ ID NO:26), using the protein sequence database and the GAP alignment program as known and as described herein. FIG. 37 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15 is highly identical to the FSH Receptor, except that SEQ ID NO:15 skips amino acids 224 to 285 of SEQ ID NO:26. This skipped region corresponds to a skipped exon in LRR domain 5. In addition, SEQ ID NO:15 has an alternate C-terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 15). These results indicate that the protein encoded by Gene 4 is a variant of the FSH Receptor. In FIG. 37, the top sequence is that of Gene 4, and the bottom sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:26) having the highest percent identity (88.9%) to that of Gene 4. The vertical dashes between the top and bottom sequences indicate that the residues are identical, the vertical two dots between the top and bottom sequences indicate that the residues are similar, and single dots in either the top or bottom sequence lines indicate areas of non-alignment (gaps).

[0083] FIG. 38 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:16 with the top hit protein, Chemokine Recptor-like 2 (SEQ ID NO:27), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 38 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16 is highly identical to Chemokine Receptor-like 2, except that SEQ ID NO:16 has a variant 5′ terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 16). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 5 is a variant of the Chemokine Receptor-like 2. In FIG. 38, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 5, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:27) having the highest percent identity (99%) to that of Gene 5.

[0084] FIG. 39 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:17 with the top hit protein, Neuropeptide Receptor (SEQ ID NO:28), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 39 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:17 is highly identical to the Neuropeptide Receptor, except that SEQ ID NO:17 has a variant 5′ terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 17; and corresponding to an insertion within the 5′ region of SEQ ID NO:28). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 6 is a variant of the Neuropeptide Receptor. In FIG. 39, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 6, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:28) having the highest percent identity (99%) to that of Gene 6.

[0085] FIG. 40 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:18 with the top hit protein, Retinal RPE Receptor (SEQ ID NO:29), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 40 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 is highly identical to Chemokine Receptor-like 2, except that SEQ ID NO:18 has a variant 5′ terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 18). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 5 is a variant of the Chemokine Receptor-like 2. In FIG. 40, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 7, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:29) having the highest percent identity (99%) to that of Gene 7.

[0086] FIG. 41A-41B illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:19 with the top hit protein, Nicastrin (SEQ ID NO:30), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 41A-41B shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 is highly identical to Nicastrin, except that SEQ ID NO:19 has an insertion of amino acids within the 5′ region (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 19; and corresponding to an insertion in the extracellular domain of Nicastrin). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 8 is a variant of Nicastrin. In FIG. 41A-41B, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 8, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:30) having the highest percent identity (95%) to that of Gene 8.

[0087] FIG. 42 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:20 with the top hit protein, Twin Pore Channel, (SEQ ID NO:31), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 42 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20 is highly identical to Twin Pore Channel, except that SEQ ID NO:20 has a variant 5′ terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 20). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 9 is a variant of Twin Pore Channel. In FIG. 42, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 9, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:31) having the highest percent identity (99%) to that of Gene 9.

[0088] FIG. 43 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:21 with the top hit protein, PPAR, (SEQ ID NO:31), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 43 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 is highly identical to PPAR, except that SEQ ID NO:21 skips amino acids 223 to 237 of SEQ ID NO:31. This skipped region corresponds to a exon encoding a region between the zinc finger and ligand binding domains of PPAR. This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 10 is a variant of PPAR. In FIG. 43, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 10, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:32) having the highest percent identity (92%) to that of Gene 10.

[0089] FIG. 44 illustrates an alignment of SEQ ID NO:22 with the top hit protein, RAR-related orphan receptor C, (SEQ ID NO:33), using the protein sequence database and BLAST analysis as known and as described herein. FIG. 43 shows that the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:22 is highly identical RAR-related orphan receptor C, except that SEQ ID NO:22 has a variant 5′ terminus (corresponding to the underlined amino acids in FIG. 22). This indicates that the protein encoded by Gene 11 is a variant of RAR-related orphan receptor C. In FIG. 44, the query (or “Q”) sequence is that of Gene 11, and the subject (“sbjct”) sequence is the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:33) having the highest percent identity (100%) to that of Gene 9.

[0090] Table I provides a summary of various conservative substitutions encompassed by the present invention.

[0091] Table II provides a summary of the novel polypeptides and their encoding polynucleotides of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0092] The present invention provides new human GPCR polynucleotide (nucleic acid) sequences which encode GPCR proteins (polypeptides). The invention further relates to fragments and portions of the novel GPCR nucleic acid sequences and their encoded amino acid sequences (peptides). Preferably, the fragments and portions of the GPCR polypeptides are functional or active. The invention also provides methods of using the novel GPCR polynucleotide sequences and the encoded GPCR polypeptides for genetic screening and for the treatment of diseases, disorders, conditions, or syndromes associated with GPCRs and GPCR activity and function.

Definitions

[0093] The following definitions are provided to more fully describe the present invention in its various aspects. The definitions are intended to be useful for guidance and elucidation, and are not intended to limit the disclosed invention or its embodiments.

[0094] As used herein, the term “about,” when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration or percentage is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±7%, ±5%, ±4%, ±3%, ±2%, ±1%, and ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate.

[0095] “Amino acid sequence” as used herein can refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence, and fragments or portions thereof, as well as to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules, preferably isolated polypeptides of the GPCR. Amino acid sequence fragments are typically from about 4 to about 30, preferably from about 5 to about 15, more preferably from about 5 to about 15 amino acids in length and preferably retain the biological activity or function of a GPCR polypeptide. GPCR amino acid sequences of this invention are set forth in SEQ ID NOS:12-22 and as illustrated in FIGS. 12-22. The terms GPCR polypeptide and GPCR protein are used interchangeably herein to refer to the encoded products of the GPCR nucleic acid sequences according to the present invention.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the functional activity displayed by a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide fragment of the invention may be one or more biological activities typically associated with the full-length polypeptide of the invention. Illustrative of these biological activities includes the fragments ability to bind to at least one of the same antibodies which bind to the full-length protein, the fragments ability to interact with at lease one of the same proteins which bind to the full-length, the fragments ability to elicit at least one of the same immune responses as the full-length protein (i.e., to cause the immune system to create antibodies specific to the same epitope, etc.), the fragments ability to bind to at least one of the same polynucleotides as the full-length protein, the fragments ability to bind to a receptor of the full-length protein, the fragments ability to bind to a ligand of the full-length protein, and the fragments ability to multimerize with the full-length protein. However, the skilled artisan would appreciate that some fragments may have biological activities which are desirable and directly inapposite to the biological activity of the full-length protein. The functional activity of polypeptides of the invention, including fragments, variants, derivatives, and analogs thereof can be determined by numerous methods available to the skilled artisan, some of which are described elsewhere herein.

[0097] As will be appreciated by the skilled practitioner, should the amino acid fragment comprise an antigenic epitope, for example, biological function per se need not be maintained. The terms Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide and Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 protein are used interchangeably herein to refer to the encoded product of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 nucleic acid sequence according to the present invention.

[0098] Isolated GPCR polypeptide refers to the amino acid sequence of substantially purified GPCR, which may be obtained from any species, preferably mammalian, and more preferably, human, and from a variety of sources, including natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, or recombinant. More particularly, the GPCR polypeptides of this invention are identified in SEQ ID NOS:12-22. Functional fragments of the GPCR polypeptides are also embraced by the present invention.

[0099] “Similar” amino acids are those which have the same or similar physical properties and in many cases, the function is conserved with similar residues. For example, amino acids lysine and arginine are similar; while residues such as proline and cysteine do not share any physical property and are not considered to be similar.

[0100] The term “consensus” refers to a sequence that reflects the most common choice of base or amino acid at each position among a series of related DNA, RNA or protein sequences. Areas of particularly good agreement often represent conserved functional domains.

[0101] A “variant” of a GPCR polypeptide refers to an amino acid sequence that is altered by one or more amino acids. The variant may have “conservative” changes, in which a substituted amino acid has similar structural or chemical properties, e.g., replacement of leucine with isoleucine. More rarely, a variant may have “non-conservative” changes, for example, replacement of a glycine with a tryptophan. The encoded protein may also contain deletions, insertions, or substitutions of amino acid residues, which produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent GPCR protein. Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues, as long as the biological activity of GPCR protein is retained. For example, negatively charged amino acids may include aspartic acid and glutamic acid; positively charged amino acids may include lysine and arginine; and amino acids with uncharged polar head groups having similar hydrophilicity values may include leucine, isoleucine, and valine; glycine and alanine; asparagine and glutamine; serine and threonine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues may be substituted, inserted, or deleted without abolishing functional biological or immunological activity may be found using computer programs well known in the art, for example, DNASTAR, Inc. software (Madison, Wis.).

[0102] Specifically, the invention encompasses polypeptides having a lower degree of identity but having sufficient similarity so as to perform one or more of the same functions performed by the polypeptide of the present invention. Similarity is determined by conserved amino acid substitution. Such substitutions are those that substitute a given amino acid in a polypeptide by another amino acid of like characteristics (e.g., chemical properties). According to Cunningham et al above, such conservative substitutions are likely to be phenotypically silent. Additional guidance concerning which amino acid changes are likely to be phenotypically silent are found in Bowie et al., Science 247:1306-1310 (1990).

[0103] Tolerated conservative amino acid substitutions of the present invention involve replacement of the aliphatic or hydrophobic amino acids Ala, Val, Leu and Ile; replacement of the hydroxyl residues Ser and Thr; replacement of the acidic residues Asp and Glu; replacement of the amide residues Asn and Gln, replacement of the basic residues Lys, Arg, and His; replacement of the aromatic residues Phe, Tyr, and Trp, and replacement of the small-sized amino acids Ala, Ser, Thr, Met, and Gly.

[0104] In addition, the present invention also encompasses the conservative substitutions provided in Table I below.

TABLE I
For Amino Acid	Code	Replace with any of:
Alanine	A	D-Ala, Gly, beta-Ala, L-Cys, D-Cys
Arginine	R	D-Arg, Lys, D-Lys, homo-Arg, D-homo-Arg,
		Met, Ile, D-Met, D-Ile, Orn, D-Orn
Asparagine	N	D-Asn, Asp, D-Asp, Glu, D-Glu, Gln, D-Gln
Aspartic Acid	D	D-Asp, D-Asn, Asn, Glu, D-Glu, Gln, D-Gln
Cysteine	C	D-Cys, S-Me-Cys, Met, D-Met, Thr, D-Thr
Glutamine	Q	D-Gln, Asn, D-Asn, Glu, D-Glu, Asp, D-Asp
Glutamic Acid	E	D-Glu, D-Asp, Asp, Asn, D-Asn, Gln, D-Gln
Glycine	G	Ala, D-Ala, Pro, D-Pro, β-Ala, Acp
Isoleucine	I	D-Ile, Val, D-Val, Leu, D-Leu, Met, D-Met
Leucine	L	D-Leu, Val, D-Val, Met, D-Met
Lysine	K	D-Lys, Arg, D-Arg, homo-Arg, D-homo-Arg,
		Met, D-Met, Ile, D-Ile, Orn, D-Orn
Methionine	M	D-Met, S-Me-Cys, Ile, D-Ile, Leu, D-Leu, Val,
		D-Val
Phenylalanine	F	D-Phe, Tyr, D-Thr, L-Dopa, His, D-His, Trp,
		D-Trp, Trans-3,4, or 5-phenylproline, cis-3,4,
		or 5-phenylproline
Proline	P	D-Pro, L-1-thioazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, D-
		or L-1-oxazolidine-4-carboxylic acid
Serine	S	D-Ser, Thr, D-Thr, allo-Thr, Met, D-Met,
		Met(O), D-Met(O), L-Cys, D-Cys
Threonine	T	D-Thr, Ser, D-Ser, allo-Thr, Met, D-Met,
		Met(O), D-Met(O), Val, D-Val
Tyrosine	Y	D-Tyr, Phe, D-Phe, L-Dopa, His, D-His
Valine	V	D-Val, Leu, D-Leu, Ile, D-Ile, Met, D-Met

[0105] Aside from the uses described above, such amino acid substitutions may also increase protein or peptide stability. The invention encompasses amino acid substitutions that contain, for example, one or more non-peptide bonds (which replace the peptide bonds) in the protein or peptide sequence. Also included are substitutions that include amino acid residues other than naturally occurring L-amino acids, e.g., D-amino acids or non-naturally occurring or synthetic amino acids, e.g., β or γ amino acids.

[0106] Both identity and similarity can be readily calculated by reference to the following publications: Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993; Informatics Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part 1, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press,New Jersey, 1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., Academic Press, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991.

[0107] In addition, the present invention also encompasses substitution of amino acids based upon the probability of an amino acid substitution resulting in conservation of function. Such probabilities are determined by aligning multiple genes with related function and assessing the relative penalty of each substitution to proper gene function. Such probabilities are often described in a matrix and are used by some algorithms (e.g., BLAST, CLUSTALW, GAP, etc.) in calculating percent similarity wherein similarity refers to the degree by which one amino acid may substitute for another amino acid without lose of function. An example of such a matrix is the PAM250 or BLOSUM62 matrix.

[0108] Aside from the canonical chemically conservative substitutions referenced above, the invention also encompasses substitutions which are typically not classified as conservative, but that may be chemically conservative under certain circumstances. Analysis of enzymatic catalysis for proteases, for example, has shown that certain amino acids within the active site of some enzymes may have highly perturbed pka's due to the unique microenvironment of the active site. Such perturbed pka's could enable some amino acids to substitute for other amino acids while conserving enzymatic structure and function. Examples of amino acids that are known to have amino acids with perturbed pka's are the Glu-35 residue of Lysozyme, the Ile-16 residue of Chymotrypsin, the His-159 residue of Papain, etc. The conservation of function relates to either anomalous protonation or anomalous deprotonation of such amino acids, relative to their canonical, non-perturbed pKa. The pKa perturbation may enable these amino acids to actively participate in general acid-base catalysis due to the unique ionization environment within the enzyme active site. Thus, substituting an amino acid capable of serving as either a general acid or general base within the microenvironment of an enzyme active site or cavity, as may be the case, in the same or similar capacity as the wild-type amino acid, would effectively serve as a conservative amino substitution.

[0109] The term “mimetic”, as used herein, refers to a molecule, having a structure which is developed from knowledge of the structure of a GPCR protein, or portions thereof, and as such, is able to affect some or all of the actions of the GPCR protein. A mimetic may comprise of a synthetic peptide or an organic molecule.

[0110] “Nucleic acid or polynucleotide sequence”, as used herein, refers to an isolated oligonucleotide (“oligo”), nucleotide, or polynucleotide, and fragments thereof, and to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be single- or double-stranded, and represent the sense or anti-sense strand, preferably of the GPCR. By way of non-limiting examples, fragments include nucleic acid sequences that are greater than 20-60 nucleotides in length, and preferably include fragments that are at least 70-100 nucleotides, or which are at least 1000 nucleotides or greater in length. GPCR nucleic acid sequences of this invention are specifically identified in SEQ ID NOS:1-11, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1-11.

[0111] An “allele” or “allelic sequence” is an alternative form of a GPCR nucleic acid sequence. Alleles may result from at least one mutation in a GPCR nucleic acid sequence and may yield altered mRNAs or polypeptides whose structure or function may or may not be altered. Any given gene, whether natural or recombinant, may have none, one, or many allelic forms. Common mutational changes, which give rise to alleles, are generally ascribed to natural deletions, additions, or substitutions of nucleotides. Each of these types of changes may occur alone, or in combination with the others, one or more times in a given sequence.

[0112] “Peptide nucleic acid” (PNA) refers to an antisense molecule or anti-gene agent which comprises an oligonucleotide (“oligo”) linked via an amide bond, similar to the peptide backbone of amino acid residues. PNAs typically comprise oligos of at least 5 nucleotides linked via amide bonds. PNAs may or may not terminate in positively charged amino acid residues to enhance binding affinities to DNA. Such amino acids include, for example, lysine and arginine, among others. These small molecules stop transcript elongation by binding to their complementary strand of nucleic acid (P. E. Nielsen et al., 1993, Anticancer Drug Des., 8:53-63). PNA may be pegylated to extend their lifespan in the cell where they preferentially bind to complementary single stranded DNA and RNA.

[0113] “Oligonucleotides” or “oligomers”, as defined herein, refer to a GPCR nucleic acid sequence comprising contiguous nucleotides, of at least about 5 nucleotides to about 60 nucleotides, preferably at least about 8 to 10 nucleotides in length, more preferably at least about 12 nucleotides in length, for example, about 15 to 35 nucleotides, or about 15 to 25 nucleotides, or about 20 to 35 nucleotides, which can be typically used in PCR amplification assays, hybridization assays, or in microarrays. It will be understood that the term oligonucleotide is substantially equivalent to the terms primer, probe, or amplimer, as commonly defined in the art.

[0114] The term “antisense” refers to nucleotide sequences, and compositions containing nucleic acid sequences, which are complementary to a specific DNA or RNA sequence. The term “antisense strand” is used in reference to a nucleic acid strand that is complementary to the “sense” strand. Antisense (i.e., complementary) nucleic acid molecules include PNAs and may be produced by any method, including synthesis or transcription. Antisense oligonucleotides may be single or double stranded. Double stranded RNA's may be designed based upon the teachings of Paddison et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 99:1443-1448 (2002); and International Publication Nos. WO 01/29058, and WO 99/32619; which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with natural sequences produced by the cell to form duplexes, which block either transcription or translation. The designation “negative” is sometimes used in reference to the antisense strand, and “positive” is sometimes used in reference to the sense strand.

[0115] “Altered” nucleic acid sequences encoding a GPCR polypeptide include nucleic acid sequences containing deletions, insertions and/or substitutions of different nucleotides resulting in a polynucleotide that encodes the same or a functionally equivalent GPCR polypeptide. Altered nucleic acid sequences may further include polymorphisms of the polynucleotide encoding a GPCR polypeptide; such polymorphisms may or may not be readily detectable using a particular oligonucleotide probe.

[0116] The terms “Expressed Sequence Tag” or “EST” refers to the partial sequence of a cDNA insert which has been made by reverse transcription of mRNA extracted from a tissue, followed by insertion into a vector as known in the art (Adams, M. D., et al. Science (1991) 252:1651-1656; Adams, M. D. et al., Nature, (1992) 355:632-634; Adams, M. D., et al., Nature (1995) 377 Supp:3-174).

[0117] The term “biologically active”, i.e., functional, refers to a protein or polypeptide or fragment thereof, having structural, regulatory, or biochemical functions of a naturally occurring molecule. Likewise, “immunologically active” refers to the capability of a natural, recombinant, or synthetic GPCR, or an oligopeptide thereof, to induce a specific immune response in appropriate animals or cells, for example, to generate antibodies, to bind with specific antibodies, and/or to elicit a cellular immune response.

[0118] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide modulators of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 protein and Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 peptide targets which can affect the function or activity of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 in a cell in which Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 function or activity is to be modulated or affected. In addition, modulators of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 can affect downstream systems and molecules that are regulated by, or which interact with, Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 in the cell. Modulators of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 include compounds, materials, agents, drugs, and the like, that antagonize, inhibit, reduce, block, suppress, diminish, decrease, or eliminate Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 function and/or activity. Such compounds, materials, agents, drugs and the like can be collectively termed “antagonists”. Alternatively, modulators of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 include compounds, materials, agents, drugs, and the like, that agonize, enhance, increase, augment, or amplify Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 function in a cell. Such compounds, materials, agents, drugs and the like can be collectively termed “agonists”.

[0119] An “agonist” refers to a molecule which, when bound to, or associated with, a GPCR polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof, increases or prolongs the duration of the effect of the GPCR polypeptide. Agonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or any other molecules that bind to and modulate the effect of GPCR polypeptide. Agonists typically enhance, increase, or augment the function or activity of a GPCR molecule.

[0120] An “antagonist” refers to a molecule which, when bound to, or associated with, a GPCR polypeptide, or a functional fragment thereof, decreases the amount or duration of the biological or immunological activity of GPCR polypeptide. Antagonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, antibodies, or any other molecules that decrease or reduce the effect of a GPCR polypeptide. Antagonists typically, diminish, inhibit, or reduce the function or activity of a GPCR molecule.

[0121] As used herein the terms “modulate” or “modulates” refer to an increase or decrease in the amount, quality or effect of a particular activity, DNA, RNA, or protein. The definition of “modulate” or “modulates” as used herein is meant to encompass agonists and/or antagonists of a particular activity, DNA, RNA, or protein.

[0122] The terms “complementary” or “complementarity” refer to the natural binding of polynucleotides under permissive salt and temperature conditions by base pairing. For example, the sequence “A-G-T” binds to the complementary sequence “T-C-A”. Complementarity between two single-stranded molecules may be “partial”, in which only some of the nucleic acids bind, or it may be “complete” when total complementarity exists between single stranded molecules. The degree of complementarity between nucleic acid strands has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of hybridization between nucleic acid strands. This is of particular importance in amplification reactions, which depend upon binding between nucleic acids strands, as well as in the design and use of PNA molecules.

[0123] The term “homology” refers to a degree of complementarity. There may be partial homology or complete homology, wherein complete homology is equivalent to identity. A partially complementary sequence that at least partially inhibits an identical sequence from hybridizing to a target nucleic acid is referred to as the functional term “substantially homologous”. The inhibition of hybridization of the completely complementary sequence to the target sequence may be examined using a hybridization assay (for example, Southern or Northern blot, solution hybridization, and the like) under conditions of low stringency. A substantially homologous sequence or probe will compete for and inhibit the binding (i.e., the hybridization) of a completely homologous sequence or probe to the target sequence under conditions of low stringency. Nonetheless, conditions of low stringency do not permit non-specific binding; low stringency conditions require that the binding of two sequences to one another be a specific (i.e., selective) interaction. The absence of non-specific binding may be tested by the use of a second target sequence which lacks even a partial degree of complementarity (for example, less than about 30% identity). In the absence of non-specific binding, the probe will not hybridize to the second non-complementary target sequence.

[0124] Those having skill in the art will know how to determine percent identity between/among sequences using, for example, algorithms such as those used in the GAP computer program (S. B. Needleman and C. D. Wunsch. A general method applicable to the search for similarities in the amino acid sequence of two proteins. J. Mol. Biol. 48(3):443-53, 1970) or based on the CLUSTALW computer program (J. D. Thompson et al., 1994, Nucleic Acids Research, 2(22):4673-4680), or FASTDB, (Brutlag et al., 1990, Comp. App. Biosci., 6:237-245), as known in the art. Although the FASTDB algorithm typically does not consider internal non-matching deletions or additions in sequences, i.e., gaps, in its calculation, this can be corrected manually to avoid an overestimation of the % identity. GAP and CLUSTALW, however, do take sequence gaps into account in their identity calculations.

[0125] Also available to those having skill in this art are the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms (Altschul et al., 1977, Nuc. Acids Res., 25:3389-3402 and Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410). The BLASTN program for nucleic acid sequences uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=4, and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 3, and an expectation (E) of 10. The BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (Henikoff & Henikoff, 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 89:10915) uses alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=4, and a comparison of both strands.

[0126] The present invention is also directed to polynucleotide sequences which comprise, or alternatively consist of, a polynucleotide sequence which is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to, for example, any of the nucleotide sequences in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h), above. Polynucleotides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules are also encompassed by the invention. In another embodiment, the invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules which comprise, or alternatively, consist of a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions, or alternatively, under lower stringency conditions, to a polynucleotide in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h), above. Polynucleotides which hybridize to the complement of these nucleic acid molecules under stringent hybridization conditions or alternatively, under lower stringency conditions, are also encompassed by the invention, as are polypeptides encoded by these polypeptides.

[0127] Another aspect of the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising, or alternatively, consisting of, a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as shown in the sequence listing and described herein; (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as shown in the sequence listing and described herein; (c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a biologically active fragment of a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as shown in the sequence listing and described herein; (d) a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic fragment of a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as shown in the sequence listing and described herein; (e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide comprising the complete amino acid sequence encoded by a human cDNA in a cDNA plasmid contained in the ATCC Deposit and described herein; (f) a nucleotide sequence encoding a mature Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by a human cDNA in a cDNA plasmid contained in the ATCC Deposit and described herein: (g) a nucleotide sequence encoding a biologically active fragment of a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by a human cDNA in a cDNA plasmid contained in the ATCC Deposit and described herein; (h) a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic fragment of a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 related polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by a human cDNA in a cDNA plasmid contained in the ATCC deposit and described herein; (i) a nucleotide sequence complimentary to any of the nucleotide sequences in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) above.

[0128] The present invention is also directed to nucleic acid molecules which comprise, or alternatively, consist of, a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to, for example, any of the nucleotide sequences in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h), above.

[0129] The present invention encompasses polypeptide sequences which comprise, or alternatively consist of, an amino acid sequence which is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to, the following non-limited examples, the polypeptide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:2, the polypeptide sequence encoded by a cDNA provided in the deposited clone, and/or polypeptide fragments of any of the polypeptides provided herein. Polynucleotides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules are also encompassed by the invention. In another embodiment, the invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules which comprise, or alternatively, consist of a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions, or alternatively, under lower stringency conditions, to a polynucleotide in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h), above. Polynucleotides which hybridize to the complement of these nucleic acid molecules under stringent hybridization conditions or alternatively, under lower stringency conditions, are also encompassed by the invention, as are polypeptides encoded by these polypeptides.

[0130] The present invention is also directed to polypeptides which comprise, or alternatively consist of, an amino acid sequence which is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to, for example, the polypeptide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, a polypeptide sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1, a polypeptide sequence encoded by the cDNA in cDNA plasmid:Z, and/or polypeptide fragments of any of these polypeptides (e.g., those fragments described herein). Polynucleotides which hybridize to the complement of the nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides under stringent hybridization conditions or alternatively, under lower stringency conditions, are also encompasses by the present invention, as are the polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotides.

[0131] By a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence at least, for example, 95% “identical” to a reference nucleotide sequence of the present invention, it is intended that the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid is identical to the reference sequence except that the nucleotide sequence may include up to five point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide. In other words, to obtain a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to a reference nucleotide sequence, up to 5% of the nucleotides in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another nucleotide, or a number of nucleotides up to 5% of the total nucleotides in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. The query sequence may be an entire sequence referenced herein, the ORF (open reading frame), or any fragment specified as described herein.

[0132] As a practical matter, whether any particular nucleic acid molecule or polypeptide is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to a nucleotide sequence of the present invention can be determined conventionally using known computer programs. A preferred method for determining the best overall match between a query sequence (a sequence of the present invention) and a subject sequence, also referred to as a global sequence alignment, can be determined using the CLUSTALW computer program (Thompson, J. D., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2(22):4673-4680, (1994)), which is based on the algorithm of Higgins, D. G., et al., Computer Applications in the Biosciences (CABIOS), 8(2):189-191, (1992). In a sequence alignment the query and subject sequences are both DNA sequences. An RNA sequence can be compared by converting U's to T's. However, the CLUSTALW algorithm automatically converts U's to T's when comparing RNA sequences to DNA sequences. The result of said global sequence alignment is in percent identity. Preferred parameters used in a CLUSTALW alignment of DNA sequences to calculate percent identity via pairwise alignments are: Matrix=IUB, k-tuple=1, Number of Top Diagonals=5, Gap Penalty=3, Gap Open Penalty 10, Gap Extension Penalty=0.1, Scoring Method=Percent, Window Size=5 or the length of the subject nucleotide sequence, whichever is shorter. For multiple alignments, the following CLUSTALW parameters are preferred: Gap Opening Penalty=10; Gap Extension Parameter=0.05; Gap Separation Penalty Range=8; End Gap Separation Penalty=Off; % Identity for Alignment Delay=40%; Residue Specific Gaps:Off; Hydrophilic Residue Gap=Off; and Transition Weighting=0. The pairwise and multple alignment parameters provided for CLUSTALW above represent the default parameters as provided with the AlignX software program (Vector NTI suite of programs, version 6.0).

[0133] The present invention encompasses the application of a manual correction to the percent identity results, in the instance where the subject sequence is shorter than the query sequence because of 5′ or 3′ deletions, not because of internal deletions. If only the local pairwise percent identity is required, no manual correction is needed. However, a manual correction may be applied to determine the global percent identity from a global polynucleotide alignment. Percent identity calculations based upon global polynucleotide alignments are often preferred since they reflect the percent identity between the polynucleotide molecules as a whole (i.e., including any polynucleotide overhangs, not just overlapping regions), as opposed to, only local matching polynucleotides. Manual corrections for global percent identity determinations are required since the CLUSTALW program does not account for 5′ and 3′ truncations of the subject sequence when calculating percent identity. For subject sequences truncated at the 5′ or 3′ ends, relative to the query sequence, the percent identity is corrected by calculating the number of bases of the query sequence that are 5′ and 3′ of the subject sequence, which are not matched/aligned, as a percent of the total bases of the query sequence. Whether a nucleotide is matched/aligned is determined by results of the CLUSTALW sequence alignment. This percentage is then subtracted from the percent identity, calculated by the above CLUSTALW program using the specified parameters, to arrive at a final percent identity score. This corrected score may be used for the purposes of the present invention. Only bases outside the 5′ and 3′ bases of the subject sequence, as displayed by the CLUSTALW alignment, which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence, are calculated for the purposes of manually adjusting the percent identity score.

[0134] For example, a 90 base subject sequence is aligned to a 100 base query sequence to determine percent identity. The deletions occur at the 5′ end of the subject sequence and therefore, the CLUSTALW alignment does not show a matched/alignment of the first 10 bases at 5′ end. The 10 unpaired bases represent 10% of the sequence (number of bases at the 5′ and 3′ ends not matched/total number of bases in the query sequence) so 10% is subtracted from the percent identity score calculated by the CLUSTALW program. If the remaining 90 bases were perfectly matched the final percent identity would be 90%. In another example, a 90 base subject sequence is compared with a 100 base query sequence. This time the deletions are internal deletions so that there are no bases on the 5′ or 3′ of the subject sequence which are not matched/aligned with the query. In this case the percent identity calculated by CLUSTALW is not manually corrected. Once again, only bases 5′ and 3′ of the subject sequence which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence are manually corrected for. No other manual corrections are required for the purposes of the present invention.

[0135] By a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least, for example, 95% “identical” to a query amino acid sequence of the present invention, it is intended that the amino acid sequence of the subject polypeptide is identical to the query sequence except that the subject polypeptide sequence may include up to five amino acid alterations per each 100 amino acids of the query amino acid sequence. In other words, to obtain a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a query amino acid sequence, up to 5% of the amino acid residues in the subject sequence may be inserted, deleted, or substituted with another amino acid. These alterations of the reference sequence may occur at the amino- or carboxy-terminal positions of the reference amino acid sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among residues in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence.

[0136] As a practical matter, whether any particular polypeptide is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9% identical to, for instance, an amino acid sequence referenced herein (SEQ ID NOs:12-22) or to the amino acid sequence encoded by cDNA contained in a deposited clone, can be determined conventionally using known computer programs. A preferred method for determining the best overall match between a query sequence (a sequence of the present invention) and a subject sequence, also referred to as a global sequence alignment, can be determined using the CLUSTALW computer program (Thompson, J. D., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2(22):4673-4680, (1994)), which is based on the algorithm of Higgins, D. G., et al., Computer Applications in the Biosciences (CABIOS), 8(2):189-191, (1992). In a sequence alignment the query and subject sequences are both amino acid sequences. The result of said global sequence alignment is in percent identity. Preferred parameters used in a CLUSTALW alignment of polypeptide sequences to calculate percent identity via pairwise alignments are: Matrix=BLOSUM, k-tuple=1, Number of Top Diagonals=5, Gap Penalty=3, Gap Open Penalty 10, Gap Extension Penalty=0.1, Scoring Method=Percent, Window Size=5 or the length of the subject nucleotide sequence, whichever is shorter. For multiple alignments, the following CLUSTALW parameters are preferred: Gap Opening Penalty=10; Gap Extension Parameter=0.05; Gap Separation Penalty Range=8; End Gap Separation Penalty=Off; % Identity for Alignment Delay=40%; Residue Specific Gaps:Off; Hydrophilic Residue Gap=Off; and Transition Weighting=0. The pairwise and multple alignment parameters provided for CLUSTALW above represent the default parameters as provided with the AlignX software program (Vector NTI suite of programs, version 6.0).

[0137] The present invention encompasses the application of a manual correction to the percent identity results, in the instance where the subject sequence is shorter than the query sequence because of N- or C-terminal deletions, not because of internal deletions. If only the local pairwise percent identity is required, no manual correction is needed. However, a manual correction may be applied to determine the global percent identity from a global polypeptide alignment. Percent identity calculations based upon global polypeptide alignments are often preferred since they reflect the percent identity between the polypeptide molecules as a whole (i.e., including any polypeptide overhangs, not just overlapping regions), as opposed to, only local matching polypeptides. Manual corrections for global percent identity determinations are required since the CLUSTALW program does not account for N- and C-terminal truncations of the subject sequence when calculating percent identity. For subject sequences truncated at the N- and C-termini, relative to the query sequence, the percent identity is corrected by calculating the number of residues of the query sequence that are N- and C-terminal of the subject sequence, which are not matched/aligned with a corresponding subject residue, as a percent of the total bases of the query sequence. Whether a residue is matched/aligned is determined by results of the CLUSTALW sequence alignment. This percentage is then subtracted from the percent identity, calculated by the above CLUSTALW program using the specified parameters, to arrive at a final percent identity score. This final percent identity score is what may be used for the purposes of the present invention. Only residues to the N- and C-termini of the subject sequence, which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence, are considered for the purposes of manually adjusting the percent identity score. That is, only query residue positions outside the farthest N- and C-terminal residues of the subject sequence.

[0138] For example, a 90 amino acid residue subject sequence is aligned with a 100 residue query sequence to determine percent identity. The deletion occurs at the N-terminus of the subject sequence and therefore, the CLUSTALW alignment does not show a matching/alignment of the first 10 residues at the N-terminus. The 10 unpaired residues represent 10% of the sequence (number of residues at the N- and C-termini not matched/total number of residues in the query sequence) so 10% is subtracted from the percent identity score calculated by the CLUSTALW program. If the remaining 90 residues were perfectly matched the final percent identity would be 90%. In another example, a 90 residue subject sequence is compared with a 100 residue query sequence. This time the deletions are internal deletions so there are no residues at the N- or C-termini of the subject sequence, which are not matched/aligned with the query. In this case the percent identity calculated by CLUSTALW is not manually corrected. Once again, only residue positions outside the N- and C-terminal ends of the subject sequence, as displayed in the CLUSTALW alignment, which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence are manually corrected for. No other manual corrections are required for the purposes of the present invention.

[0139] In addition to the above method of aligning two or more polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences to arrive at a percent identity value for the aligned sequences, it may be desirable in some circumstances to use a modified version of the CLUSTALW algorithm which takes into account known structural features of the sequences to be aligned, such as for example, the SWISS-PROT designations for each sequence. The result of such a modifed CLUSTALW algorithm may provide a more accurate value of the percent identity for two polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences. Support for such a modified version of CLUSTALW is provided within the CLUSTALW algorithm and would be readily appreciated to one of skill in the art of bioinformatics.

[0140] The term “hybridization” refers to any process by which a strand of nucleic acids binds with a complementary strand through base pairing. The term “hybridization complex” refers to a complex formed between two nucleic acid sequences by virtue of the formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary G and C bases and between complementary A and T bases. The hydrogen bonds may be further stabilized by base stacking interactions. The two complementary nucleic acid sequences hydrogen bond in an anti-parallel configuration. A hybridization complex may be formed in solution (for example, Cot or Rot analysis), or between one nucleic acid sequence present in solution and another nucleic acid sequence immobilized on a solid phase or support (for example, membranes, filters, chips, pins, or glass slides, or any other appropriate substrate to which cells or their nucleic acids have been affixed).

[0141] The terms “stringency” or “stringent conditions” refer to the conditions for hybridization as defined by nucleic acid composition, salt, and temperature. These conditions are well known in the art and may be altered to identify and/or detect identical or related polynucleotide sequences in a sample. A variety of equivalent conditions comprising either low, moderate, or high stringency depend on factors such as the length and nature of the sequence (DNA, RNA, base composition), reaction milieu (in solution or immobilized on a solid substrate), nature of the target nucleic acid (DNA, RNA, base composition), concentration of salts and the presence or absence of other reaction components (for example, formamide, dextran sulfate and/or polyethylene glycol) and reaction temperature (within a range of from about 5° C. below the melting temperature of the probe to about 20° C. to 25° C. below the melting temperature). One or more factors may be varied to generate conditions, either low or high stringency that is different from but equivalent to the aforementioned conditions.

[0142] As will be understood by those of skill in the art, the stringency of hybridization may be altered in order to identify or detect identical or related polynucleotide sequences. As will be further appreciated by the skilled practitioner, the melting temperature, Tm, can be approximated by the formulas as well known in the art, depending on a number of parameters, such as the length of the hybrid or probe in number of nucleotides, or hybridization buffer ingredients and conditions (see, for example, T. Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1982 and J. Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Eds. F. M. Ausubel et al., Vol. 1, “Preparation and Analysis of DNA”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1994-1995, Suppls. 26, 29, 35 and 42; pp. 2.10.7-2.10.16; G. M. Wahl and S. L. Berger (1987; Methods Enzymol. 152:399-407); and A. R. Kimmel, 1987; Methods of Enzymol. 152:507-511).

[0143] As a general guide, Tm decreases approximately 1° C.-1.5° C. with every 1% decrease in sequence homology. Also, in general, the stability of a hybrid is a function of sodium ion concentration and temperature. Typically, the hybridization reaction is initially performed under conditions of low stringency, followed by washes of varying, but higher stringency. Reference to hybridization stringency, for example, high, moderate, or low stringency, typically relates to such washing conditions. It is to be understood that the low, moderate and high stringency hybridization or washing conditions can be varied using a variety of ingredients, buffers and temperatures well known to and practiced by the skilled artisan.

[0144] A “composition”, as defined herein, refers broadly to any composition containing a GPCR polynucleotide, polypeptide, derivative, or mimetic thereof, or antibodies thereto. The composition may comprise a dry formulation or an aqueous solution. Compositions comprising GPCR polynucleotide sequences (SEQ ID NOS:1-11) encoding GPCR polypeptides (SEQ ID NOS:12-22), or fragments thereof, may be employed as hybridization probes. The probes may be stored in a freeze-dried form and may be in association with a stabilizing agent such as a carbohydrate. In hybridizations, the probe may be employed in an aqueous solution containing salts (for example, NaCl), detergents or surfactants (for example, SDS) and other components (for example, Denhardt's solution, dry milk, salmon sperm DNA, and the like).

[0145] The term “substantially purified” refers to nucleic acid sequences or amino acid sequences that are removed from their natural environment, isolated or separated, and are at least 60% free, preferably 75% to 85% free, and most preferably 90% to 95%, or greater, free from other components with which they are naturally associated.

[0146] The term “sample”, or “biological sample”, is meant to be interpreted in its broadest sense. A non-limiting example of a biological sample suspected of containing a GPCR nucleic acid encoding GPCR protein, or fragments thereof, or a GPCR protein itself, may comprise, but is not limited to, a body fluid, an extract from cells or tissue, chromosomes isolated from a cell (for example, a spread of metaphase chromosomes), organelle, or membrane isolated from a cell, a cell, nucleic acid such as genomic GPCR DNA (in solution or bound to a solid support such as, for example, for Southern analysis), GPCR RNA (in solution or bound to a solid support such as for Northern analysis), GPCR cDNA (in solution or bound to a solid support), a tissue, a tissue print, and the like.

[0147] “Transformation” or transfection refers to a process by which exogenous DNA, preferably GPCR, enters and changes a recipient cell. It may occur under natural or artificial conditions using various methods well known in the art. Transformation may rely on any known method for the insertion of foreign nucleic acid sequences into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The method is selected based on the type of host cell being transformed and may include, but is not limited to, viral infection, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, and partial bombardment. Such “transformed” cells include stably transformed cells in which the inserted DNA is capable of replication either as an autonomously replicating plasmid or as part of the host chromosome. Transformed cells also include those cells, which transiently express the inserted DNA or RNA for limited periods of time.

[0148] The term “correlates with expression of a polynucleotide” indicates that the detection of the presence of ribonucleic acid that is similar to the nucleic acid sequence of GPCRs by Northern analysis is indicative of the presence of mRNA encoding GPCR polypeptides (SEQ ID NOS:12-22) in a sample and thereby correlates with expression of the transcript from the polynucleotide encoding the protein.

[0149] An alteration in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOS:1-11 comprises any alteration in the sequence of the polynucleotides encoding GPCR polypeptides, including deletions, insertions, and point mutations that may be detected using hybridization assays. Included within this definition is the detection of alterations to the genomic DNA sequence which encodes GPCR polypeptides (e.g., by alterations in the pattern of restriction fragment length polymorphisms capable of hybridizing to nucleic acid sequences SEQ ID NOS:1-11), the inability of a selected fragment of SEQ ID NOS:1-ll to hybridize to a sample of genomic DNA (e.g., using allele-specific oligonucleotide probes), and improper or unexpected hybridization, such as hybridization to a locus other than the normal chromosomal locus for the polynucleotide sequence encoding GPCR polypeptide (e.g., using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to metaphase chromosome spreads).

[0150] The term “antibody” refers to intact molecules as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab′)2, Fv, which are capable of binding an epitopic or antigenic determinant. Antibodies that bind to GPCR polypeptides can be prepared using intact polypeptides or fragments containing small peptides of interest or prepared recombinantly for use as the immunizing antigen. The polypeptide or oligopeptide used to immunize an animal can be derived from the transition of RNA or synthesized chemically, and can be conjugated to a carrier protein, if desired. Commonly used carriers that are chemically coupled to peptides include, but are not limited to, bovine serum albumin (BSA), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and thyroglobulin. The coupled peptide is then used to immunize the animal (for example, a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit).

[0151] The term “humanized” antibody refers to antibody molecules in which amino acids have been replaced in the non-antigen binding regions (i.e., framework regions) of the immunoglobulin in order to more closely resemble a human antibody, while still retaining the original binding capability, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089 to C. L. Queen et al. In the present instance, humanized antibodies are preferably anti-GPCR specific antibodies.

[0152] The term “antigenic determinant” refers to that portion of a molecule that makes contact with a particular antibody (i.e., an epitope). When a protein or fragment of a protein, preferably a GPCR protein, is used to immunize a host animal, numerous regions of the protein may induce the production of antibodies which bind specifically to a given region or three-dimensional structure on the protein; these regions or structures are referred to an antigenic determinants. An antigenic determinant may compete with the intact antigen (i.e., the immunogen used to elicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody.

[0153] The terms “specific binding” or “specifically binding” refer to the interaction between a protein or peptide, preferably a GPCR protein, and a binding molecule, such as an agonist, an antagonist, or an antibody. The interaction is dependent upon the presence of a particular structure (i.e., an antigenic determinant or epitope) of the protein that is recognized by the binding molecule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0154] The present invention provides new GPCR polynucleotides and encoded GPCR polypeptides. The GPCRs according to the invention are variants of previously-identified GPCRs.

[0155] One embodiment of the present invention encompasses novel GPCR polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:12-22 as shown in FIGS. 12-22 respectively. More specifically, SEQ ID NO:12 is an insertion variant of the human dopamine receptor D4 (SEQ ID NO:23; Accession No:DYHUD4). The Dopamine Receptor D4 variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:12 is 243 amino acids in length and has 68% local amino acid sequence identity (FIG. 34) with the human Dopamine Receptor D4 (SEQ ID NO:23). SEQ ID NO:13 is an insertion variant of HE6, an epididymis-specific GPCR, (SEQ ID NO:24; Accession No:NP—0054747). The HE6 variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:13 comprises 92 amino acids and has 100% local sequence identity (FIG. 35) with human HE6 (SEQ ID NO:24). SEQ ID NO:14 is a 3′ variant of human prostaglandin receptor (SEQ ID NO:25; Accession No:D29634). The Prostaglandin Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 comprises 414 amino acids and has 98% local sequence identity (FIG. 36) with human Prostaglandin Receptor (SEQ ID NO:25). SEQ ID NO:15 is a deletion and 3′ variant of a human follicle stimulating hormone receptor (SEQ ID NO:26; Accession No:P23945). The FSH Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 comprises 578 amino acids and has global 88.9% sequence identity (FIG. 37) with human Prostaglandin Receptor (SEQ ID NO:26). SEQ ID NO:16 is a 5′ variant of a human chemokine receptor-like protein (SEQ ID NO:27; Accession No:XP—002926). The Chemokine Receptor-like 2 variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:16 comprises 417 amino acids and has 99% local sequence identity (FIG. 38) with human Chemokine Receptor-like 2 (SEQ ID NO:27). SEQ ID NO:17 is an insertion variant of a human neuropeptide receptor (SEQ ID NO:28; Accession No:Q9Y5×5). The Neuropeptide Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:17 comprises 347 amino acids and has 99% local sequence identity (FIG. 39) with human Neuropeptide Receptor (SEQ ID NO:28). SEQ ID NO:18 is a 5′ variant of a human retinal GPCR (SEQ ID NO:29; Accession No:XP—043593). The RPE-Retinal Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18 comprises 309 amino acids and has 99% local sequence identity (FIG. 40) with human RPE-Retinal Receptor (SEQ ID NO:29). SEQ ID NO:19 is an insertion variant of human nicastrin protein (SEQ ID NO:30; Accession No:AAG11412). The Nicastrin variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 comprises 742 amino acids and has 95% local sequence identity (FIG. 41A-41B) with human Nicastrin (SEQ ID NO:30). SEQ ID NO:20 is a 5′ variant of a human two-pore potassium channel protein (SEQ ID NO:31; Accession No:NP—055032). The Twin-pore Channel variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20 comprises 422 amino acids and has 99% local sequence identity (FIG. 42) with human Twin-pore Channel (SEQ ID NO:31). SEQ ID NO:21 is a deletion variant of a human peroxisome proliferative activated receptor (SEQ ID NO:32; Accession No:XP—027065). The PPAR variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:21 comprises 176 amino acids and has 92% local sequence identity (FIG. 43) with humanh PPAR (SEQ ID NO:32). SEQ ID NO:22 is a 5′ variant of a human RAR-related orphan receptor C protein (SEQ ID NO:33; Accession No:XP—001378). The RAR-related orphan receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:22 comprises 63 amino acids and has 100% local sequence identity (FIG. 44) with human RAR-related orphan receptor (SEQ ID NO:33). Global percent identity was determined using the GAP algorithm using default parameters (Genetics Computer Group suite of programs; Needleman and Wunsch. J. Mol. Biol. 48; 443-453, 1970). Local percent indentity was detemined using the BLAST algorithm.

[0156] The human prostaglandin receptor (SEQ ID NO:25; Accession No:D29634) is a G-protein coupled receptor that is expressed predominately in cardiovascular tissues. It serves as a receptor for prostacyclin, which is know to elicit potent vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation upon binding to its membrane receptor. Impairment of prostacyclin receptor activity is implicated in various human cardiovascular diseases (see Circulation 90 (4), 1643-1647 (1994), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference).

[0157] The Prostaglandin Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 is likely to share significant biological activity with the human prostaglandin receptor (SEQ ID NO:25; Accession No:D29634). Specifically, polynucleotides and polypeptides, inlcuding modulators thereof, may be useful in treating, diagnosing, prognosing, and/or preventing cardiovascular diseases and/or disorders, which include, but are not limited to: myocardio infarction, congestive heart failure, arrthymias, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, arterialsclerosis, microvascular disease, embolism, thromobosis, pulmonary edema, palpitation, dyspnea, angina, hypotension, syncope, heart murmer, aberrant ECG, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the Marfan syndrome, sudden death, prolonged QT syndrome, congenital defects, cardiac viral infections, valvular heart disease, and hypertension.

[0158] Similarly, Prostaglandin Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 polynucleotides and polypeptides, including modulators thereof, may be useful for ameliorating cardiovascular diseases and symptoms which result indirectly from various non-cardiavascular effects, which include, but are not limited to, the following, obesity, smoking, Down syndrome (associated with endocardial cushion defect); bony abnormalities of the upper extremities (associated with atrial septal defect in the Holt-Oram syndrome); muscular dystrophies (associated with cardiomyopathy); hemochromatosis and glycogen storage disease (associated with myocardial infiltration and restrictive cardiomyopathy); congenital deafness (associated with prolonged QT interval and serious cardiac arrhythmias); Raynaud's disease (associated with primary pulmonary hypertension and coronary vasospasm); connective tissue disorders, i.e., the Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos and Hurler syndromes, and related disorders of mucopolysaccharide metabolism (aortic dilatation, prolapsed mitral valve, a variety of arterial abnormalities); acromegaly (hypertension, accelerated coronary atherosclerosis, conduction defects, cardiomyopathy); hyperthyroidism (heart failure, atrial fibrillation); hypothyroidism (pericardial effusion, coronary artery disease); rheumatoid arthritis (pericarditis, aortic valve disease); scleroderma (cor pulmonale, myocardial fibrosis, pericarditis); systemic lupus erythematosus (valvulitis, myocarditis, pericarditis); sarcoidosis (arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy); postmenopausal effects, Chlamydial infections, polycystic ovary disease, thyroid disease, alcoholism, diet, and exfoliative dermatitis (high-output heart failure), for example.

[0159] Moreover, polynucleotides and polypeptides, including fragments and/or modulators thereof, have uses which include, directly or indirectly, treating, preventing, diagnosing, and/or prognosing the following, non-limiting, cardiovascular infections: blood stream invasion, bacteremia, sepsis, Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, group a streptococci infection, group b streptococci infection, Enterococcus infection, nonenterococcal group D streptococci infection, nonenterococcal group C streptococci infection, nonenterococcal group G streptococci infection, Streptoccus viridans infection, Staphylococcus aureus infection, coagulase-negative staphylococci infection, gram-negative Bacilli infection, Enterobacteriaceae infection, Psudomonas spp. Infection, Acinobacter spp. Infection, Flavobacterium meningosepticum infection, Aeromonas spp. Infection, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection, gram-negative coccobacilli infection, Haemophilus influenza infection, Branhamella catarrhalis infection, anaerobe infection, Bacteriodes fragilis infection, Clostridium infection, fungal infection, Candida spp. Infection, non-albicans Candida spp. Infection, Hansenula anomala infection, Malassezia furfur infection, nontuberculous Mycobacteria infection, Mycobacterium avium infection, Mycobacterium chelonae infection, Mycobacterium fortuitum infection, spirochetal infection, Borrelia burgdorferi infection, in addition to any other cardiovascular disease and/or disorder (e.g., non-sepsis) implicated by the causative agents listed above or elsewhere herein.

[0160] The present invention encompass polynucleotides having at least about 73% sequence identity to the coding region of the polynucleotide provided in SEQ ID NO:3, in addition to polypeptides having at least about 58% sequence identity to the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:14. Other polynucleotides and polypeptides related to SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:14, respectively, are described elsewhere herein.

[0161] The human follicle stimulating hormone receptor (SEQ ID NO:26; Accession No:P23945) is a G-protein couped receptor expressed predominately in sertoli cells and ovarian granulosa cells. It serves as a receptor for follicle stimulating hormone. the activity of this receptor is mediated by G-proteins which activate adenylate cyclase (see Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 175 (3), 1125-1130 (1991); Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 89 (1-2), 141-151 (1992; Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 188 (3), 1077-1083 (1992); Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 102 (1-2), 93-102 (1994); Structure 3 (12), 1341-1353 (1995); Nat. Genet. 22 (3), 231-238 (1999); Nat. Genet. 23, 373-373 (1999); and Andrologia 34 (3), 172-176 (2002); which are hereby incorporated by reference herein).

[0162] The FSH Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 is likely to share significant biological activity with the human follicle stimulating hormone receptor (SEQ ID NO:26; Accession No:P23945). Specifically, polynucleotides and polypeptides, including modulators thereof, are useful for treating, detecting, and/or ameliorating female reproductive disorders, particularly ovarian disorders, ovarian cancer, polycystic ovarian diseases, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, placental aromatase deficiency, premature menopause, and placental dysfunction.

[0163] The present invention encompass polynucleotides having at least about 90% sequence identity to the coding region of the polynucleotide provided in SEQ ID NO:4, in addition to polypeptides having at least about 74% sequence identity to the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:15. Other polynucleotides and polypeptides related to SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:15, respectively, are described elsewhere herein.

[0164] The human retinal GPCR (SEQ ID NO:29; Accession No:XP—043593) is a G-protein coupled receptor expressed specifically in the retina, particularly in Muller cells and the retinal pigment epithelium (see Biochemistry 33 (44), 13117-13125 (1994); and Hum. Genet. 97 (6), 720-722 (1996); which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). The putative retinal G protein coupled receptor (RGR) covalently binds both all-trans- and 11-cis-retinal after reduction by sodium borohydride and represents the earliest independent branch of the vertebrate opsin gene family. This receptor binds all-trans-retinal preferrentially and binds all-trans-retinal and may function to catalyze isomerization of the chromophore by a retinochrome-like mechanism.

[0165] The RPE-Retinal Receptor variant polypeptide of SEQ iD NO:18 is likely to share significant biological activity with the human retinal GPCR (SEQ ID NO:29; Accession No:XP—043593). Specifically, polynucleotides and polypeptides, including modulators thereof, are useful for treating, detecting, and/or ameliorating eye disorders, macular degeneration, vision loss, retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, eye infections, retinitis, color blindness, retinal arteriole sclerosis, retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, epiretinal membrane, double vision, and mono vision, among others.

[0166] The present invention encompass polynucleotides having at least about 88% sequence identity to the coding region of the polynucleotide provided in SEQ ID NO:7, in addition to polypeptides having at least about 84% sequence identity to the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:18. Other polynucleotides and polypeptides related to SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:18, respectively, are described elsewhere herein.

[0167] The human nicastrin protein (SEQ ID NO:30; Accession No:AAG11412) is a a transmembrane glycoprotein that forms high molecular weight complexes with presenilin 1 and presenilin 2. Suppression of nicastrin expression in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos induces a subset of notch/glp-1 phenotypes similar to those induced by simultaneous null mutations in both presenilin homologues of C. elegans (sel-12 and hop-1). Nicastrin also binds carboxy-terminal derivatives of beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP), and modulates the production of the amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) from these derivatives. Missense mutations in a conserved hydrophilic domain of nicastrin increase A beta42 and A beta40 peptide secretion. Deletions in this domain inhibit A beta production. Nicastrin and presenilins are therefore likely to be functional components of a multimeric complex necessary for the intramembranous proteolysis of proteins such as Notch/GLP-1 and betaAPP (see Nature 407 (6800), 48-54 (2000); which is hereby incorporated by reference herein).

[0168] The Nicastrin variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 is likely to share significant biological activity with the human nicastrin protein (SEQ ID NO:30; Accession No:AAG11412). Specifically, polynucleotides and polypeptides, including modulators thereof, are useful for treating, detecting, and/or ameliorating brain disorders, including, but not limited to Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, and altered behaviors, including disorders in feeding, sleep patterns, balance, and perception. In addition, elevated expression of this gene product in regions of the brain indicates it plays a role in normal neural function. Potentially, this gene product is involved in synapse formation, neurotransmission, learning, cognition, homeostasis, or neuronal differentiation or survival.

[0169] The present invention encompass polynucleotides having at least about 96% sequence identity to the coding region of the polynucleotide provided in SEQ ID NO:8, in addition to polypeptides having at least about 96% sequence identity to the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:19. Other polynucleotides and polypeptides related to SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:19, respectively, are described elsewhere herein.

[0170] The Twin-pore Channel variant polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20 is likely to share significant biological activity with the human two-pore potassium channel protein (SEQ ID NO:31; Accession No:NP—055032). Specifically, polynucleotides and polypeptides, including modulators thereof, are useful for treating, detecting, and/or ameliorating brain disorders, including, but not limited to Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, and altered behaviors, including disorders in feeding, sleep patterns, balance, and perception. In addition, elevated expression of this gene product in regions of the brain indicates it plays a role in normal neural function. Potentially, this gene product is involved in synapse formation, neurotransmission, learning, cognition, homeostasis, or neuronal differentiation or survival.

[0171] The present invention encompass polynucleotides having at least about 97.1% sequence identity to the coding region of the polynucleotide provided in SEQ ID NO:9, in addition to polypeptides having at least about 97% sequence identity to the polypeptide provided in SEQ ID NO:20. Other polynucleotides and polypeptides related to SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:20, respectively, are described elsewhere herein.

[0172] The human two-pore potassium channel protein (SEQ ID NO:31; Accession No:NP—055032) is a potassium inwardly-rectifying channel expressed predominately in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebellum. This channel is also thought to represent a receptor for several volatile anesthetics including chloroform, diethyl ether, halothane and isoflurane. (see EMBO J. 15 (24), 6854-6862 (1996); Genomics 51 (3), 478-479 (1998); Nat. Neurosci. 2 (5), 422-426 (1999); Pflugers Arch. 439 (6), 714-722 (2000); Nat Rev Neurosci 2 (3), 175-184 (2001); Nat. Neurosci. 4 (5), 457-458 (2001); and Nat. Neurosci. 4 (5), 486-491 (2001)).

[0173] GPCRs can also include dopamine receptors, rhodopsin receptors, kinin receptors, N-formyl peptide receptors, opioid receptors, calcitonin receptors, adrenergic receptors, endothelin receptors, cAMP receptors, adenosine receptors, muscarinic receptors, acetylcholine receptors, serotonin receptors, histamine receptors, thrombin receptors, opsin receptors, endothelial differentiation gene-1 receptors, odorant receptors, or cytomegalovirus receptors.

[0174] Another embodiment of the invention encompasses the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 11 lacking the initiating codon as well as the resulting encoded polypeptides. Specifically, the present invention includes the polynucleotides corresponding to: nucleotides 4 through 1242 of SEQ ID NO:3, nucleotides 20 through 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, nucleotides 4 through 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, nucleotides 4 through 2226 of SEQ ID NO:8, nucleotides 556 through 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, and nucleotides 594 through 759 of SEQ ID NO:11. The present invention also includes the resulting encoded polypeptides corresponding to amino acids 2 through 414 of SEQ ID NO:14, amino acids 2 through 578 of SEQ ID NO:15, amino acids 2 through 309 of SEQ ID NO:18, amino acids 2 through 742 of SEQ ID NO:19, amino acids 2 through 422 of SEQ ID NO:20, and amino acids 2 through 63 of SEQ ID NO:22. Also embraced by the present invention are recombinant vectors comprising said encoding sequences, and host cells comprising said vectors.

[0175] GPCR polynucleotides and/or polypeptides are useful for diagnosing diseases related to over- or under-expression of GPCR proteins. For example, such GPCR-associated diseases can be assessed by identifying mutations in a GPCR gene using GPCR probes or primers, or by determining GPCR protein or mRNA expression levels. GPCR polypeptides are also useful for screening compounds which affect activity of the protein. The invention further encompasses the polynucleotides encoding the GPCR polypeptides and the use of the GPCR polynucleotides or polypeptides, or compositions thereof, in the screening, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disorders associated with aberrant or uncontrolled cellular growth and/or function, such as neoplastic diseases (for example, cancers and tumors). GPCR probes or primers can be used, for example, to screen for diseases associated with GPCRs.

[0176] Variants of the GPCR polypeptides of this invention (which are themselves GPCR variants) are also encompassed by the present invention. Preferably, a GPCR variant has at least about 75 to about 80%, more preferably at least about 85 to about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 90% amino acid sequence identity to a GPCR amino acid sequence disclosed herein, and more preferably, retains at least one biological, immunological, or other functional characteristic or activity of the non-variant GPCR polypeptide. Most preferred are GPCR variants or substantially purified fragments thereof having at least about 95% amino acid sequence identity to those of SEQ ID NOS:12-22. Variants of GPCR polypeptides or substantially purified fragments of the polypeptides can also include amino acid sequences that differ from any one of the SEQ ID NOS:12-22 amino acid sequences only by conservative substitutions. The invention also encompasses polypeptide homologues of any one of amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:12-22.

[0177] In another embodiment, the present invention encompasses polynucleotides which encode GPCR polypeptides. Accordingly, any nucleic acid sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of a GPCR polypeptide of the invention can be used to produce recombinant molecules that express a GPCR protein. More particularly, the invention encompasses the GPCR polynucleotides comprising the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1-11. The present invention also provides GPCR cDNA clones, deposited at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 on ______ and under ATCC Accession No(s). ______ according to the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

TABLE II
					5′ NT			Total
	ATCC		NT SEQ	Total NT	of Start		AA	AA
Gene	Deposit No.		ID. No.	Seq of	Codon	3′ NT	Seq ID	of
No.	Z and Date	Vector	X	Clone	of ORF	of ORF	No. Y	ORF
3.	XXXXXXx/	pSport1	3	1242	1	1242	14	414
	Xx/Xx
4.	XXXXXXx/	PSport1	4	1922	17	1750	15	578
	Xx/Xx
7.	XXXXXXx/	PSport1	7	927	1	927	18	309
	Xx/Xx
8.	XXXXXXx/	PSport1	8	2229	1	2226	19	742
	Xx/Xx
9.	XXXXXXx/	pSport1	9	2391	553	1818	20	422
	Xx/Xx

[0178] Table II summarizes the information corresponding to each “Gene No.” described above. The nucleotide sequence identified as “NT SEQ ID NO:X” was assembled from partially homologous (“overlapping”) sequences obtained from the “cDNA clone ID” identified in Table II and, in some cases, from additional related DNA clones. The overlapping sequences were assembled into a single contiguous sequence of high redundancy (usually several overlapping sequences at each nucleotide position), resulting in a final sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:X.

[0179] The cDNA Clone ID was deposited on the date and given the corresponding deposit number listed in “ATCC Deposit No:Z and Date.” “Vector” refers to the type of vector contained in the cDNA Clone ID.

[0180] “Total NT Seq. Of Clone” refers to the total number of nucleotides in the clone contig identified by “Gene No.” The deposited clone may contain all or most of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:X. The nucleotide position of SEQ ID NO:X of the putative start codon (methionine) is identified as “5′ NT of Start Codon of ORF.”

[0181] The translated amino acid sequence, beginning with the methionine, is identified as “AA SEQ ID NO:Y” although other reading frames can also be easily translated using known molecular biology techniques. The polypeptides produced by these alternative open reading frames are specifically contemplated by the present invention.

[0182] The total number of amino acids within the open reading frame of SEQ ID NO:Y is identified as “Total AA of ORF”.

[0183] SEQ ID NO:X (where X may be any of the polynucleotide sequences disclosed in the sequence listing) and the translated SEQ ID NO:Y (where Y may be any of the polypeptide sequences disclosed in the sequence listing) are sufficiently accurate and otherwise suitable for a variety of uses well known in the art and described further herein. For instance, SEQ ID NO:X is useful for designing nucleic acid hybridization probes that will detect nucleic acid sequences contained in SEQ ID NO:X or the cDNA contained in the deposited clone. These probes will also hybridize to nucleic acid molecules in biological samples, thereby enabling a variety of forensic and diagnostic methods of the invention. Similarly, polypeptides identified from SEQ ID NO:Y may be used, for example, to generate antibodies which bind specifically to proteins containing the polypeptides and the proteins encoded by the cDNA clones identified in Table II.

[0184] Nevertheless, DNA sequences generated by sequencing reactions can contain sequencing errors. The errors exist as misidentified nucleotides, or as insertions or deletions of nucleotides in the generated DNA sequence. The erroneously inserted or deleted nucleotides may cause frame shifts in the reading frames of the predicted amino acid sequence. In these cases, the predicted amino acid sequence diverges from the actual amino acid sequence, even though the generated DNA sequence may be greater than 99.9% identical to the actual DNA sequence (for example, one base insertion or deletion in an open reading frame of over 1000 bases).

[0185] As will be appreciated by the skilled practitioner in the art, the degeneracy of the genetic code results in many nucleotide sequences that can encode the described GPCR polypeptides. Some of the sequences bear minimal or no homology to the nucleotide sequences of any known and naturally occurring gene. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates each and every possible variation of nucleotide sequence that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices. These combinations are made in accordance with the standard triplet genetic code as applied to the nucleotide sequence of naturally occurring GPCR, and all such variations are to be considered as being specifically disclosed and able to be understood by the skilled practitioner.

[0186] Although nucleic acid sequences which encode the GPCR polypeptides and variants thereof are preferably capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequence of the naturally occurring GPCR polypeptide under appropriately selected conditions of stringency, it may be advantageous to produce nucleotide sequences encoding GPCR polypeptides, or derivatives thereof, which possess a substantially different codon usage. For example, codons may be selected to increase the rate at which expression of the peptide/polypeptide occurs in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host in accordance with the frequency with which particular codons are utilized by the host. Another reason for substantially altering the nucleotide sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide, or its derivatives, without altering the encoded amino acid sequences, includes the production of RNA transcripts having more desirable properties, such as a greater half-life, than transcripts produced from the naturally occurring sequence.

[0187] The present invention also encompasses production of DNA sequences, or portions thereof, which encode the GPCR polypeptides, or derivatives thereof, entirely by synthetic chemistry. After production, the synthetic sequence may be inserted into any of the many available expression vectors and cell systems using reagents that are well known and practiced by those in the art. Moreover, synthetic chemistry may be used to introduce mutations into a sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide, or any fragment thereof.

[0188] In an embodiment of the present invention, a gene delivery vector containing the polynucleotide, or functional fragment thereof is provided. Preferably, the gene delivery vector contains the polynucleotide, or functional fragment thereof comprising an isolated and purified polynucleotide encoding a human GPCR having the sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-11.

[0189] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art that in addition to the primers, a longer oligonucleotide probe, or mixtures of probes, for example, degenerate probes, can be used to detect longer, or more complex, nucleic acid sequences, such as, for example, genomic or full length DNA. In such cases, the probe may comprise at least 20-300 nucleotides, preferably, at least 30-100 nucleotides, and more preferably, 50-100 nucleotides.

[0190] The present invention also provides methods of obtaining the full length sequence of the GPCR polypeptides as described herein. In one instance, the method of multiplex cloning was devised as a means of extending large numbers of bioinformatic gene predictions into full length sequences by multiplexing probes and cDNA libraries in an effort to minimize the overall effort typically required for cDNA cloning. The method relies on the conversion of plasmid-based, directionally cloned cDNA libraries into a population of pure, covalently-closed, circular, single-stranded molecules and long biotinylated DNA oligonucleotide probes designed from predicted gene sequences.

[0191] For such a multiplex cloning method, (see, for example, Example 3 herein), probes and libraries are subjected to solution hybridization in a formamide buffer which has been found to be superior to aqueous buffers typically used in other biotin/streptavidin cDNA capture methods (e.g., GeneTrapper). The hybridization is performed without prior knowledge of the clones represented in the libraries. Hybridization is performed two times. After the first selection, the isolated sequences are screened with PCR primers specific for the targeted clones. The second hybridization is carried out with only those oligo probes whose gene-specific PCR assays give positive results.

[0192] The secondary hybridization serves to ‘normalize’ the selected library, thereby decreasing the amount of screening needed to identify particular clones. The method is robust and sensitive. Typically, dozens of cDNAs are isolated for any one particular gene, thereby increasing the chances of obtaining a full length cDNA. The entire complexity of any cDNA library is screened in the solution hybridization process, which is advantageous for finding rare sequences. The procedure is scalable, with 50 oligonucleotide probes per experiment currently being used, although this is not to be considered a limiting number.

[0193] Using bioinformatic predicted gene sequence, the following types of PCR primers and cloning oligos can be designed: A) PCR primer pairs that reside within a single predicted exon; B) PCR primer pairs that cross putative exon/intron boundaries; and C) 80 mer antisense and sense oligos containing a biotin moiety on the 5′ end. The primer pairs of the A type above are optimized on human genomic DNA; the B type primer pairs are optimized on a mixture of first strand cDNAs made with and without reverse transcriptase. Primers are optimized using mRNA derived from appropriate tissues sources, for example, brain, lung, uterus, cartilage, and testis poly A+ RNA.

[0194] The information obtained with the B type primers is used to assess those putative expressed sequences which can be experimentally observed to have reverse transcriptase-dependent expression. The primer pairs of the A type are less stringent in terms of identifying expressed sequences. However, because they amplify genomic DNA as well as cDNA, their ability to amplify genomic DNA provides for the necessary positive control for the primer pair. Negative results with the B type are subject to the caveat that the sequence(s) may not be expressed in the tissue first strand that is under examination.

[0195] The biotinylated 80-mer oligonucleotides are added en mass to pools of single strand cDNA libraries. Up to 50 probes have been successfully used on pools for 15 different libraries. After the primary selection is performed, all of the captured DNA is repaired to double strand form using the T7 primer for the commercial libraries in pCMVSPORT, and the Sp6 primer for other constructed libraries in pSPORT. The resulting DNA is electroporated into E. coli DH12S and plated onto 150 mm plates with nylon filters. The cells are scraped and a frozen stock is made, thereby comprising the primary selected library.

[0196] One-fifth of the library is generally converted into single strand form and the DNA is assayed with gene specific primer pairs (GSPs). The next round of solution hybridization capture is carried out with 80 mer oligos for only those sequences that are positive with the gene-specific-primers. After the second round, the captured single strand DNAs are repaired with a pool of GSPs, where only the primer complementary to polarity of the single-stranded circular DNA is used (i.e., the antisense primer for pCMVSPORT and pSPORT1 and the sense primer for pSPORT2).

[0197] The resulting colonies are screened by PCR using the GSPs. Typically, greater than 80% of the clones are positive for any given GSP. The entire 96 well block of clones is subjected to “mini-prep”, as known in the art, and each of clones is sized by either PCR or restriction enzyme digestion. A selection of different sized clones for each targeted sequence is chosen for transposon-hopping and DNA sequencing.

[0198] Preferably, as for established cDNA cloning methods used by the skilled practitioner, the libraries employed are of high quality. High complexity and large average insert size are optimal. High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) may be employed as a means of fractionating cDNA for the purpose of constructing libraries.

[0199] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of identifying full-length genes encoding the disclosed polypeptide. The GPCR polynucleotides of the present invention, the polynucleotides encoding the GPCR polypeptides of the present invention, or the polypeptides encoded by the deposited clone(s) preferably represent the complete coding region (i.e., full-length gene).

[0200] Several methods are known in the art for the identification of the 5′ or 3′ non-coding and/or coding portions of a given gene. The methods described herein are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. These methods include, but are not limited to, filter probing, clone enrichment using specific probes, and protocols similar or identical to 5′ and 3′ “RACE” protocols that are well known in the art. For instance, a method similar to 5′ RACE is available for generating the missing 5′ end of a desired full-length transcript. (Fromont-Racine et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 21(7):1683-1684 (1993)).

[0201] Briefly, in the RACE method, a specific RNA oligonucleotide is ligated to the 5′ ends of a population of RNA presumably containing full-length gene RNA transcripts. A primer set containing a primer specific to the ligated RNA oligonucleotide and a primer specific to a known sequence of the gene of interest is used to PCR amplify the 5′ portion of the desired full-length gene. This amplified product may then be sequenced and used to generate the full-length gene.

[0202] The above method utilizes total RNA isolated from the desired source, although poly-A+ RNA can be used. The RNA preparation is treated with phosphatase, if necessary, to eliminate 5′ phosphate groups on degraded or damaged RNA that may interfere with the later RNA ligase step. The phosphatase is preferably inactivated and the RNA is treated with tobacco acid pyrophosphatase in order to remove the cap structure present at the 5′ ends of messenger RNAs. This reaction leaves a 5′ phosphate group at the 5′ end of the cap cleaved RNA which can then be ligated to an RNA oligonucleotide using T4 RNA ligase.

[0203] The above-described modified RNA preparation is used as a template for first strand cDNA synthesis employing a gene specific oligonucleotide. The first strand synthesis reaction is used as a template for PCR amplification of the desired 5′ end using a primer specific to the ligated RNA oligonucleotide and a primer specific to the known sequence of the gene of interest. The resultant product is then sequenced and analyzed to confirm that the 5′ end sequence belongs to the desired gene. It may also be advantageous to optimize the RACE protocol to increase the probability of isolating additional 5′ or 3′ coding or non-coding sequences. Various methods of optimizing a RACE protocol are known in the art; for example, a detailed description summarizing these methods can be found in B. C. Schaefer, Anal. Biochem., 227:255-273, (1995).

[0204] An alternative method for carrying out 5′ or 3′ RACE for the identification of coding or non-coding nucleic acid sequences is provided by Frohman, M. A., et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:8998-9002 (1988). Briefly, a cDNA clone missing either the 5′ or 3′ end can be reconstructed to include the absent base pairs extending to the translational start or stop codon, respectively. In some cases, cDNAs are missing the start of translation for an encoded product. A brief description of a modification of the original 5′ RACE procedure is as follows. Poly A+ or total RNA is reverse transcribed with Superscript II (Gibco/BRL) and an antisense or an I complementary primer specific to any one of the cDNA sequences provided as SEQ ID NOS:1-13. The primer is removed from the reaction with a Microcon Concentrator (Amicon). The first-strand cDNA is then tailed with dATP and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase (Gibco/BRL). Thus, an anchor sequence is produced which is needed for PCR amplification. The second strand is synthesized from the dA-tail in PCR buffer, Taq DNA polymerase (Perkin-Elmer Cetus), an oligo-dT primer containing three adjacent restriction sites (XhoIJ Sail and ClaI) at the 5′ end and a primer containing just these restriction sites. This double-stranded cDNA is PCR amplified for 40 cycles with the same primers, as well as a nested cDNA-specific antisense primer. The PCR products are size-separated on an ethidium bromide-agarose gel and the region of gel containing cDNA products having the predicted size of missing protein-coding DNA is removed.

[0205] cDNA is purified from the agarose with the Magic PCR Prep kit (Promega), restriction digested with XhoI or SalI, and ligated to a plasmid such as pBluescript SKII (Stratagene) at XhoI and EcORV sites. This DNA is transformed into bacteria and the plasmid clones sequenced to identify the correct protein-coding inserts. Correct 5′ ends are confirmed by comparing this sequence with the putatively identified homologue and overlap with the partial cDNA clone. Similar methods known in the art and/or commercial kits are used to amplify and recover 3′ ends.

[0206] Several quality-controlled kits are commercially available for purchase. Similar reagents and methods to those above are supplied in kit form from Gibco/BRL for both 5′ and 3′ RACE for recovery of full length genes. A second kit is available from Clontech which is a modification of a related technique, called single-stranded ligation to single-stranded cDNA, (SLIC), developed by Dumas et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 19:5227-32(1991). The major difference in the latter procedure is that the RNA is alkaline hydrolyzed after reverse transcription and RNA ligase is used to join a restriction site-containing anchor primer to the first-strand cDNA. This obviates the necessity for the dA-tailing reaction which results in a polyT stretch that can impede sequencing.

[0207] An alternative to generating 5′ or 3′ cDNA from RNA is to use cDNA library double-stranded DNA. An asymmetric PCR-amplified antisense cDNA strand is synthesized with an antisense cDNA-specific primer and a plasmid-anchored primer. These primers are removed and a symmetric PCR reaction is performed with a nested cDNA-specific antisense primer and the plasmid-anchored primer.

[0208] Also encompassed by the present invention are polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the novel GPCR nucleic acid sequences, as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-11, under various conditions of stringency. Hybridization conditions are typically based on the melting temperature (Tm) of the nucleic acid binding complex or probe (see, G. M. Wahl and S. L. Berger, 1987; Methods Enzymol., 152:399-407 and A. R. Kimmel, 1987; Methods of Enzymol., 152:507-511), and may be used at a defined stringency. For example, included in the present invention are sequences capable of hybridizing under moderately stringent conditions to the GPCR sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1-11 and other sequences which are degenerate to those which encode the novel GPCR polypeptides. For example, a non-limiting example of moderate stringency conditions include prewashing solution of 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 1.0 mM EDTA, pH 8.0, and hybridization conditions of 50° C., 5×SSC, overnight.

[0209] The nucleic acid sequence encoding the GPCR proteins of the present invention may be extended by utilizing a partial nucleotide sequence and employing various methods known in the art to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements. For example, one method that can be employed is restriction-site PCR, which utilizes universal primers to retrieve unknown sequence adjacent to a known locus (See, e.g., G. Sarkar, 1993, PCR Methods Applic., 2:318-322). In particular, genomic DNA is first amplified in the presence of a primer to a linker sequence and a primer specific to the known region. The amplified sequences are then subjected to a second round of PCR with the same linker primer and another specific primer internal to the first one. Products of each round of PCR are transcribed with an appropriate RNA polymerase and sequenced using reverse transcriptase.

[0210] Inverse PCR may also be used to amplify or extend sequences using divergent primers based on a known region or sequence (T. Triglia et al., 1988, Nucleic Acids Res., 16:8186). The primers may be designed using OLIGO 4.06 Primer Analysis software (National Biosciences, Inc., Plymouth, Minn.), or another appropriate program, to be 22-30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures about 68° C.-72° C. The method uses several restriction enzymes to generate a suitable fragment in the known region of a gene. The fragment is then circularized by intramolecular ligation and used as a PCR template.

[0211] Another method which may be used to amplify or extend sequences is capture PCR which involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to a known sequence in human and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) DNA (M. Lagerstrom et al., 1991, PCR Methods Applic., 1:111-119). In this method, multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations may also be used to place an engineered double-stranded sequence into an unknown portion of the DNA molecule before performing PCR. J. D. Parker et al. (1991; Nucleic Acids Res., 19:3055-3060) provide another method which may be used to retrieve unknown sequences. Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) are also used for such applications. In addition, PCR, nested primers, and PROMOTERFINDER libraries can be used to “walk” genomic DNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). This process avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions.

[0212] When screening for full-length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. Also, random-primed libraries are also preferable, since such libraries will contain more sequences that comprise the 5′ regions of genes. The use of a randomly primed library may be especially preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries may be useful for extension of sequence into the 5′ and 3′ non-transcribed regulatory regions.

[0213] The embodiments of the present invention can be practiced using methods for DNA sequencing which are well known and generally available in the art. The methods may employ such enzymes as the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, SEQUENASE (US Biochemical Corp. Cleveland, Ohio), Taq polymerase (PE Biosystems), thermostable T7 polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.), or combinations of recombinant polymerases and proofreading exonucleases such as the ELONGASE Amplification System marketed by Life Technologies (Gaithersburg, Md.). Preferably, the process is automated with machines such as the Hamilton Micro Lab 2200 (Hamilton, Reno, Nev.), Peltier Thermal Cycler (PTC200; MJ Research, Watertown, Mass.) and the ABI Catalyst and 373 and 377 DNA sequencers (PE Biosystems). Commercially available capillary electrophoresis systems may be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of sequencing or PCR products. Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for the sequencing of small pieces of DNA, which might be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.

[0214] In another embodiment of the present invention, polynucleotide sequences or portions thereof which encode GPCR polypeptides or peptides can comprise recombinant DNA molecules to direct the expression of GPCR polypeptide products, peptide fragments, or functional equivalents thereof, in appropriate host cells. Because of the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences, which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence, may be produced and these sequences may be used to clone and express the GPCR proteins as described.

[0215] As will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, it may be advantageous to produce GPCR polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons. For example, codons preferred by a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host can be selected to increase the rate of protein expression or to produce a recombinant RNA transcript having desirable properties, such as a half-life which is longer than that of a transcript generated from the naturally occurring sequence.

[0216] The nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be engineered using methods generally known in the art in order to alter the GPCR polypeptide-encoding sequences for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, alterations which modify the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the gene product. DNA shuffling by random fragmentation, PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides may be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences. For example, site-directed mutagenesis may be used to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, or introduce mutations, and the like.

[0217] In another embodiment of the present invention, natural, modified, or recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptides may be ligated to a heterologous sequence to encode a fusion (or chimeric or hybrid) protein. For example, a fusion protein can comprise any one of the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:12-22 and an amino acid sequence of an Fc portion (or constant region) of a human immunoglobulin protein. The fusion protein may further comprise an amino acid sequence that differs from any one of SEQ ID NOS:12-22 only by conservative substitutions. As another example, to screen peptide libraries for inhibitors of GPCR activity, it may be useful to encode a chimeric GPCR protein that can be recognized by a commercially available antibody. A fusion protein may also be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the GPCR protein-encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that the GPCR protein may be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.

[0218] In a further embodiment, sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptides may be synthesized in whole, or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art (see, for example, M. H. Caruthers et al., 1980, Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser., 215-223 and T. Horn et al., 1980, Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser., 225-232). Alternatively, the GPCR protein itself, or a fragment or portion thereof, may be produced using chemical methods to synthesize the amino acid sequence of the GPCR polypeptide, or a fragment or portion thereof. For example, peptide synthesis can be performed using various solid-phase techniques (J. Y. Roberge et al., 1995, Science, 269:202-204) and automated synthesis can be achieved, for example, using the ABI 431A Peptide Synthesizer (PE Biosystems).

[0219] The newly synthesized GPCR polypeptide or peptide can be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (e.g., T. Creighton, 1983, Proteins, Structures and Molecular Principles, W.H. Freeman and Co., New York, N.Y.), by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or other purification methods as known and practiced in the art. The composition of the synthetic peptides may be confirmed by amino acid analysis or sequencing (e.g., the Edman degradation procedure; Creighton, supra). In addition, the amino acid sequence of a GPCR polypeptide, or any portion thereof, can be altered during direct synthesis and/or combined using chemical methods with sequences from other proteins, or any part thereof, to produce a variant polypeptide.

[0220] To express a biologically active GPCR polypeptide or peptide, the nucleotide sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptide, or functional equivalents, may be inserted into an appropriate expression vector, i.e., a vector, which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence.

[0221] In one embodiment of the present invention, an expression vector contains an isolated and purified polynucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-11, encoding a human GPCR, or a functional fragment thereof, in which the human GPCR comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:12-22. Alternatively, an expression vector can contain the complement of the aforementioned GPCR nucleic acid sequences.

[0222] Expression vectors derived from retroviruses, adenovirus, herpes or vaccinia viruses, or from various bacterial plasmids can be used for the delivery of nucleotide sequences to a target organ, tissue or cell population. Methods, which are well known to those skilled in the art, may be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding one or more GPCR polypeptide along with appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. Such techniques are described in J. Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview, N.Y. and in F. M. Ausubel et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y.

[0223] A variety of expression vector/host systems may be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptides or peptides. Such expression vector/host systems include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors; insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus); plant cell systems transformed with virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)), or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g., Ti or pBR322 plasmids); or animal cell systems, including mammalian cell systems. The host cell employed is not limiting to the present invention. Preferably, the host cell of the invention contains an expression vector comprising an isolated and purified polynucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-11 and encoding a human GPCR of this invention, or a functional fragment thereof, comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS:12-22.

[0224] Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) may be used to deliver larger fragments of DNA than can be contained and expressed in a plasmid vector. BACs are vectors used to clone DNA sequences of 100-300 kb, on average 150 kb, in size in E. coli cells. BACs are constructed and delivered via conventional delivery methods (e.g., liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles) for therapeutic purposes.

[0225] “Control elements” or “regulatory sequences” are those non-translated regions of the vector, e.g., enhancers, promoters, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation. Such elements may vary in their strength and specificity. Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, may be used. Specific initiation signals may also be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding a GPCR polypeptide. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where sequences encoding a GPCR polypeptide, its initiation codon, and upstream sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only a GPCR coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals, including the ATG initiation codon, are optimally provided. Furthermore, the initiation codon should be in the correct reading frame to insure translation of the entire insert. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons can be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression can be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers which are appropriate for the particular cell system that is used, such as those described in the literature (see, e.g., D. Scharf et al., 1994, Results Probl. Cell Differ., 20:125-162).

[0226] In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be selected, depending upon the use intended for the expressed GPCR product. For example, when large quantities of expressed protein are needed for the generation of antibodies, vectors that direct high level expression of fusion proteins that can be readily purified may be used. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, the multifunctional E. coli cloning and expression vectors such as BLUESCRIPT (Stratagene), in which the sequence encoding the GPCR polypeptide can be ligated into the vector in-frame with sequences for the amino-terminal Met and the subsequent 7 residues of β-galactosidase, so that a hybrid protein is produced; pIN vectors (see, G. Van Heeke and S. M. Schuster, 1989, J. Biol. Chem., 264:5503-5509); and the like. pGEX vectors (Promega, Madison, Wis.) can also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can be easily purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. Proteins made in such systems can be designed to include heparin, thrombin, or factor XA protease cleavage sites so that the cloned polypeptide of interest can be released from the GST moiety at will.

[0227] In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems can be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptide may be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex containing the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion into a non-essential E1 or E3 region of the viral genome may be used to obtain a viable virus which is capable of expressing GPCR polypeptide in infected host cells (J. Logan and T. Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 81:3655-3659). In addition, transcription enhancers, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, may be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells. Other expression systems can also be used, such as, but not limited to yeast, plant, and insect vectors.

[0228] Moreover, a host cell strain may be chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed protein in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation. Post-translational processing which cleaves a “prepro” form of the protein may also be used to facilitate correct insertion, folding and/or function. Different host cells having specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for such post-translational activities (e.g., CHO, HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and W138) are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and may be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein.

[0229] Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding a GPCR protein, or fragments thereof, may be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture. The protein produced by a recombinant cell may be secreted or contained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used. As will be understood by those having skill in the art, expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode a GPCR protein can be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of the GPCR protein through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane. Other constructions can be used to join nucleic acid sequences encoding a GPCR protein to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide domain, which will facilitate purification of soluble proteins. Such purification facilitating domains include, but are not limited to, metal chelating peptides such as histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals; protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin; and the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp., Seattle, Wash.). The inclusion of cleavable linker sequences such as those specific for Factor XA or enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) between the purification domain and GPCR protein may be used to facilitate purification. One such expression vector provides for expression of a fusion protein containing GPCR and a nucleic acid encoding 6 histidine residues preceding a thioredoxin or an enterokinase cleavage site. The histidine residues facilitate purification on IMAC (immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography) as described by J. Porath et al., 1992, Prot. Exp. Purif., 3:263-281, while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means for purifying from the fusion protein. For a discussion of suitable vectors for fusion protein production, see D. J. Kroll et al., 1993; DNA Cell Biol., 12:441-453.

[0230] Any number of selection systems may be used to recover transformed cell lines. These include, but are not limited to, the Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSV TK), (M. Wigler et al., 1977, Cell, 11:223-32) and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (I. Lowy et al., 1980, Cell, 22:817-23) genes which can be employed in tk− or aprt− cells, respectively. Also, anti-metabolite, antibiotic or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection; for example, dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (M. Wigler et al., 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 77:3567-70); npt, which confers resistance to the aminoglycosides neomycin and G-418 (F. Colbere-Garapin et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol., 150:1-14); and als or pat, which confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and phosphinotricin acetyltransferase, respectively (Murry, supra). Additional selectable genes have been described, for example, trpB, which allows cells to utilize indole in place of tryptophan, or hisD, which allows cells to utilize histinol in place of histidine (S. C. Hartman and R. C. Mulligan, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 85:8047-51). Recently, the use of visible markers has gained popularity with such markers as the anthocyanins, β-glucuronidase and its substrate GUS, and luciferase and its substrate luciferin, which are widely used not only to identify transformants, but also to quantify the amount of transient or stable protein expression that is attributable to a specific vector system (C. A. Rhodes et al., 1995, Methods Mol. Biol., 55:121-131).

[0231] Although the presence or absence of marker gene expression suggests that the gene of interest is also present, the presence and expression of the desired gene of interest may need to be confirmed. For example, if the nucleic acid sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide is inserted within a marker gene sequence, recombinant cells containing polynucleotide sequence encoding the GPCR polypeptide can be identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection typically indicates co-expression of the tandem gene.

[0232] A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known and employed by those skilled in the art and may be used in various nucleic acid and amino acid assays. Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding a GPCR polypeptide include oligo-labeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide. Alternatively, the sequences encoding a GPCR polypeptide of this invention, or any portion or fragment thereof, can be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of an appropriate RNA polymerase, such as T7, T3, or SP(6) and labeled nucleotides. These procedures may be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits (e.g., Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Promega and U.S. Biochemical Corp.). Suitable reporter molecules or labels which can be used include radionucleotides, enzymes, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.

[0233] Alternatively, host cells which contain the nucleic acid sequence coding for a GPCR polypeptide of the invention and which express the GPCR polypeptide product may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those having skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques, including membrane, solution, or chip based technologies, for the detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid or protein.

[0234] The presence of polynucleotide sequences encoding GPCR polypeptides can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization, or by amplification using probes, portions, or fragments of polynucleotides encoding a GPCR polypeptide. Nucleic acid amplification based assays involve the use of oligonucleotides or oligomers based on the nucleic acid sequences encoding a GPCR polypeptide to detect transformants containing DNA or RNA encoding GPCR polypeptide.

[0235] In addition to recombinant production, fragments of GPCR polypeptides may be produced by direct peptide synthesis using solid phase techniques (J. Merrifield, 1963, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149-2154). Protein synthesis may be performed using manual techniques or by automation. Automated synthesis may be achieved, for example, using ABI 431A Peptide Synthesizer (PE Biosystems). Various fragments of the GPCR polypeptides can be chemically synthesized separately and then combined using chemical methods to produce the full length molecule.

Diagnostic Assays

[0236] In another embodiment of the present invention, antibodies which specifically bind to a GPCR polypeptide may be used for the diagnosis of conditions or diseases characterized by expression (or overexpression) of the GPCR polynucleotide or polypeptide, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with one or more of the GPCR polypeptides, or agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of the novel GPCRs. The antibodies useful for diagnostic purposes can be prepared in the same manner as those described herein for use in therapeutic methods. Diagnostic assays for the GPCR polypeptides include methods which utilize the antibody and a label to detect the protein in human body fluids or extracts of cells or tissues. The antibodies may be used with or without modification, and may be labeled by joining them, either covalently or non-covalently, with a reporter molecule. A wide variety of reporter molecules known to those in the art may be used, several of which are described herein.

[0237] Another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a method of detecting a GPCR homologue, or an antibody-reactive fragment thereof, in a sample. The method comprises a) contacting the sample with an antibody specific for a GPCR polypeptide of the present invention, or an antigenic fragment thereof, under conditions in which an antigen-antibody complex can form between the antibody and the polypeptide or antigenic fragment thereof in the sample; and b) detecting the antigen-antibody complex formed in step a), wherein detection of the complex indicates the presence of the GPCR polypeptide, or an antigenic fragment thereof, in the sample.

[0238] Several assay protocols including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) for measuring GPCR polypeptide are known in the art and provide a basis for diagnosing altered or abnormal levels of GPCR polypeptide expression. Normal or standard values for GPCR polypeptide expression are established by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal mammalian subjects, preferably human, with antibody to the GPCR polypeptide under conditions suitable for complex formation. The amount of standard complex formation may be quantified by various methods; photometric means are preferred. Quantities of GPCR polypeptide expressed in a subject or test sample, control sample, and disease samples from biopsied tissues are compared with the standard values. Deviation between standard and subject values establishes the parameters for diagnosing disease.

[0239] A variety of protocols for detecting and measuring the expression of GPCR polypeptide using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for the polypeptide, or epitopic portions thereof, are known and practiced in the art. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive with two non-interfering epitopes on a GPCR polypeptide is preferred, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed. These and other assays are described in the art as represented by the publication of R. Hampton et al., 1990; Serological Methods, a Laboratory Manual, APS Press, St Paul, Minn. and D. E. Maddox et al., 1983; J. Exp. Med., 158:1211-1216).

[0240] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide sequence to purify a molecule or compound in a sample, wherein the molecule or compound specifically binds to the polynucleotide, is contemplated. The method comprises: a) combining a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide of the invention with a sample undergoing testing to determine if the sample contains the molecule or compound, under conditions to allow specific binding; b) detecting specific binding between the GPCR-encoding polynucleotide and the molecule or compound, if present; c) recovering the bound polynucleotide; and d) separating the polynucleotide from the molecule or compound, thereby obtaining a purified molecule or compound.

[0241] This invention also relates to a method of using GPCR polynucleotides as diagnostic reagents. For example, the detection of a mutated form of the GPCR gene associated with a dysfunction can provide a diagnostic tool that can add to or define diagnosis of a disease or susceptibility to a disease which results from under-expression, over-expression, or altered expression of GPCRs. Individuals carrying mutations in the GPCR gene may be detected at the DNA level by a variety of techniques.

[0242] Nucleic acids for diagnosis may be obtained from various sources of a subject, for example, from cells, tissue, blood, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy or autopsy material. Genomic DNA may be used directly for detection or may be amplified by using PCR or other amplification techniques prior to analysis. RNA or cDNA may also be used in similar fashion. Deletions and insertions in GPCR-encoding polynucleotide can be detected by a change in size of the amplified product compared with that of the normal genotype. Hybridizing amplified DNA to labeled GPCR polynucleotide sequences can identify point mutations. Perfectly matched sequences can be distinguished from mismatched duplexes by RNase digestion or by differences in melting temperatures. DNA sequence differences may also be detected by alterations in electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels, with or without denaturing agents, or by direct DNA sequencing. See, for example, Myers et al., Science (1985) 230:1242. Sequence changes at specific locations may also be revealed by nuclease protection assays, such as RNase and SI protection or the chemical cleavage method. (See Cotton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA (1985) 85:43297-4401).

[0243] In another embodiment, an array of oligonucleotide probes comprising GPCR nucleotide sequence or fragments thereof can be constructed to conduct efficient screening of, for example, genetic mutations. Array technology methods are well known, have general applicability and can be used to address a variety of questions in molecular genetics, including gene expression, genetic linkage, and genetic variability (see for example: M. Chee et al., Science, 274:610-613, 1996).

[0244] Yet another aspect of the present invention involves a method of screening a library of molecules or compounds with a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide to identify at least one molecule or compound therein which specifically binds to the GPCR polynucleotide sequence. Such a method includes a) combining a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide of the present invention with a library of molecules or compounds under conditions to allow specific binding; and b) detecting specific binding, thereby identifying a molecule or compound, which specifically binds to a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide sequence, wherein the library is selected from DNA molecules, RNA molecules, artificial chromosome constructions, PNAs, peptides and proteins.

[0245] The present invention provides diagnostic assays for determining or monitoring through detection of a mutation in a GPCR gene (polynucleotide) described herein susceptibility to the following conditions, diseases, or disorders: cancers; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, headache, migraine, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, severe mental retardation and dyskinesias, such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome.

[0246] In addition, such diseases, disorder, or conditions, can be diagnosed by methods of determining from a sample derived from a subject having an abnormally decreased or increased level of GPCR polypeptide or GPCR mRNA. Decreased or increased expression can be measured at the RNA level using any of the methods well known in the art for the quantification of polynucleotides, such as, for example, PCR, RT-PCR, RNase protection, Northern blotting and other hybridization methods. Assay techniques that can be used to determine levels of a protein, such as a GPCR in a sample derived from a host are well known to those of skill in the art. Such assay methods include, without limitation, radioimmunoassays, competitive-binding assays, Western Blot analysis and ELISA assays.

[0247] In another of its aspects, this invention relates to a kit for detecting and diagnosing a GPCR-associated disease or susceptibility to such a disease, which comprises a GPCR polynucleotide, preferably the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS:1-11, or a fragment thereof; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to the GPCR polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOS:1-11; or a GPCR polypeptide, preferably the polypeptide of SEQ ID NOS:12-22, or a fragment thereof; or an antibody to the GPCR polypeptide, preferably to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NOS:12-22, an epitope-containing portion thereof, or combinations of the foregoing. It will be appreciated that in any such kit, any of the previously mentioned components may comprise a substantial component. Also preferably included are instructions for use.

[0248] The GPCR polynucleotides which may be used in the diagnostic assays according to the present invention include oligonucleotide sequences, complementary RNA and DNA molecules, and PNAs. The polynucleotides may be used to detect and quantify GPCR-encoding nucleic acid expression in biopsied tissues in which expression (or under- or over-expression) of the GPCR polynucleotide may be determined, as well as correlated with disease. The diagnostic assays may be used to distinguish between the absence of GPCR, the presence of GPCR, or the excess expression of GPCR, and to monitor the regulation of GPCR polynucleotide levels during therapeutic treatment or intervention.

[0249] In a related aspect, hybridization with PCR probes which are capable of detecting polynucleotide sequences, including genomic sequences, encoding a GPCR polypeptide according to the present invention, or closely related molecules, may be used to identify nucleic acid sequences which encode a GPCR polypeptide. The specificity of the probe, whether it is made from a highly specific region, for example, about 8 to 10 contiguous nucleotides in the 5′ regulatory region, or a less specific region, for example, especially in the 3′ coding region, and the stringency of the hybridization or amplification (maximal, high, intermediate, or low) will determine whether the probe identifies only naturally occurring sequences encoding GPCR polypeptide, alleles thereof, or related sequences.

[0250] Probes may also be used for the detection of related sequences, and should preferably contain at least about 50% of the nucleotides encoding the GPCR polypeptide. The hybridization probes or primers of this invention may be DNA or RNA and may be derived from the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1-11, or may be derived from genomic sequence, including promoter, enhancer elements, and introns of the naturally occurring GPCR protein, wherein the probes or primers comprise a polynucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOS:1-11, under low, moderate, or high stringency conditions.

[0251] Methods for producing specific hybridization probes for DNA encoding the GPCR polypeptides include the cloning of a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the GPCR polypeptide, or GPCR derivatives, into vectors for the production of mRNA probes. Such vectors are known in the art, or are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by means of the addition of the appropriate RNA polymerases and the appropriate labeled nucleotides. Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety of detector/reporter groups, including, but not limited to, radionucleotides such as 32P or 35S, or enzymatic labels, such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidin/biotin coupling systems, and the like.

[0252] The polynucleotide sequences encoding the GPCR polypeptides of this invention, or fragments thereof, may be used for the diagnosis of disorders associated with expression of GPCRs. The polynucleotide sequence encoding the GPCR polypeptide may be used in Southern or Northern analysis, dot blot, or other membrane-based technologies; in PCR technologies; or in dipstick, pin, ELISA or chip assays utilizing fluids or tissues from patient biopsies to detect the status of, for example, levels of, or overexpression of, a GPCR, or to detect altered GPCR expression or levels. Such qualitative or quantitative methods are commonly practiced in the art.

[0253] In a particular aspect, a nucleotide sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide as described herein may be useful in assays that detect activation or induction of various neoplasms, cancers, or other GPCR-related diseases, disorders, or conditions. The nucleotide sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide may be labeled by standard methods, and added to a fluid or tissue sample from a patient, under conditions suitable for the formation of hybridization complexes. After a suitable incubation period, the sample is washed and the signal is quantified and compared with a standard value. If the amount of signal in the biopsied or extracted sample is significantly altered from that of a comparable control sample, the nucleotide sequence has hybridized with nucleotide sequence present in the sample, and the presence of altered levels of nucleotide sequence encoding the GPCR polypeptide in the sample indicates the presence of the associated disease. Such assays may also be used to evaluate the efficacy of a particular therapeutic treatment regimen in animal studies, in clinical trials, or in monitoring the treatment or responsiveness of an individual patient.

[0254] Once disease is established and a treatment protocol is initiated, hybridization assays may be repeated on a regular basis to evaluate whether the level of expression in the patient begins to approximate that which is observed in a normal individual. The results obtained from successive assays may be used to show the efficacy of treatment over a period ranging from several days to months.

[0255] With respect to tumors or cancer, the presence of an abnormal amount or level of a GPCR transcript in biopsied tissue from an individual may indicate a predisposition for the development of the disease, or may provide a means for detecting the disease prior to the appearance of actual clinical symptoms. A more definitive diagnosis of this type may allow health practitioners to employ preventative measures or aggressive treatment earlier, thereby preventing the development or further progression of the tumor or cancer.

[0256] Additional diagnostic uses for oligonucleotides designed from the nucleic acid sequences encoding the novel GPCR polypeptides of this invention can involve the use of PCR. Such oligomers may be chemically synthesized, generated enzymatically, or produced from a recombinant source. Oligomers will preferably comprise two nucleotide sequences: one with sense orientation (5′→3′) and another with antisense orientation (3′→5′), employed under optimized conditions for identification of a specific gene or condition. The same two oligomers, nested sets of oligomers, or even a degenerate pool of oligomers may be employed under less stringent conditions for detection and/or quantification of closely related DNA or RNA sequences.

[0257] Methods suitable for quantifying the expression of GPCR include radiolabeling or biotinylating nucleotides, co-amplification of a control nucleic acid, and standard curves onto which the experimental results are interpolated (P. C. Melby et al., 1993, J. Immunol. Methods, 159:235-244; and C. Duplaa et al., 1993, Anal. Biochem., 229-236). The speed of quantifying multiple samples may be accelerated by running the assay in an ELISA format where the oligomer of interest is presented in various dilutions and a spectrophotometric or colorimetric response gives rapid quantification.

[0258] In one embodiment of the invention, a compound to be tested can be radioactively, calorimetrically or fluorimetrically labeled using methods well known in the art and incubated with the GPCR for testing. After incubation, it is determined whether the test compound is bound to the GPCR polypeptide. If so, the compound is to be considered a potential agonist or antagonist. Functional assays are performed to determine whether the receptor activity is activated (or enhanced or increased) or inhibited (or decreased or reduced). These assays include, but are not limited to, cell cycle analysis and in vivo tumor formation assays. Responses can also be measured in cells expressing the receptor using signal transduction systems including, but not limited to, protein phosphorylation, adenylate cyclase activity, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, guanylate cyclase activity, ion fluxes (i.e. calcium) and pH changes. These types of responses can either be present in the host cell or introduced into the host cell along with the receptor.

[0259] The present invention further embraces a method of screening for candidate compounds capable of modulating the activity of a GPCR-encoding polypeptide. Such a method comprises a) contacting a test compound with a cell or tissue expressing a GPCR polypeptide of the invention (e.g., recombinant expression); and b) selecting as candidate modulating compounds those test compounds that modulate activity of the GPCR polypeptide. Those candidate compounds which modulate GPCR activity are preferably agonists or antagonists, more preferably antagonists of GPCR activity.

Therapeutic Assays

[0260] The GPCR proteins according to this invention may play a role in cell signaling, in cell cycle regulation, and/or in neurological disorders. The GPCR proteins may further be involved in neoplastic, cardiovascular, and immunological disorders.

[0261] In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the novel GPCR protein may play a role in neoplastic disorders. An antagonist or inhibitor of the GPCR protein may be administered to an individual to prevent or treat a neoplastic disorder. Such disorders may include, but are not limited to, adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, and teratocarcinoma, and particularly, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, and uterus. In a related aspect, an antibody which specifically binds to GPCR may be used directly as an antagonist or indirectly as a targeting or delivery mechanism for bringing a pharmaceutical agent to cells or tissue which express the GPCR polypeptide.

[0262] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an antagonist or inhibitory agent of the GPCR polypeptide may be administered therapeutically to an individual to prevent or treat an immunological disorder. Such disorders may include, but are not limited to, AIDS, HIV infection, Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, bronchitis, cholecystitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, erythema nodosum, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, gout, Graves' disease, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, and autoimmune thyroiditis; complications of cancer, hemodialysis, extracorporeal circulation; viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal, and helminthic infections, trauma, and neurological disorders including, but not limited to, akathesia, Alzheimer's disease, amnesia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, bipolar disorder, catatonia, cerebral neoplasms, dementia, depression, Down's syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, dystonias, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, paranoid psychoses, schizophrenia, and Tourette's disorder.

[0263] A preferred method of treating a GPCR associated disease, disorder, syndrome, or condition in a mammal comprises administration of a modulator, preferably an inhibitor or antagonist, of a GPCR polypeptide or homologue of the invention, in an amount effective to treat, reduce, and/or ameliorate the symptoms incurred by the GPCR-associated disease, disorder, syndrome, or condition. In some instances, an agonist or enhancer of a GPCR polypeptide or homologue of the invention is administered in an amount effective to treat and/or ameliorate the symptoms incurred by a GPCR-related disease, disorder, syndrome, or condition. In other instances, the administration of a novel GPCR polypeptide or homologue thereof pursuant to the present invention is envisioned for administration to treat a GPCR associated disease.

[0264] A polypeptide of the invention may also exhibit one or more of the following additional activities or effects: inhibiting the growth, infection or function of, or killing, infectious agents, including, without limitation, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites; effecting (suppressing or enhancing) bodily characteristics, including, without limitation, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin, fat to lean ratio or other tissue pigmentation, or organ or body part size or shape (such as, for example, breast augmentation or diminution, change in bone form or shape); effecting biorhythms or circadian cycles or rhythms; effecting the fertility of male or female subjects; effecting the metabolism, catabolism, anabolism, processing, utilization, storage or elimination of dietary fat, lipid, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, cofactors or other nutritional factors or component(s); effecting behavioral characteristics, including, without limitation, appetite, libido, stress, cognition (including cognitive disorders), depression (including depressive disorders) and violent behaviors, analgesic effects or other pain reducing effects; promoting differentiation and growth of embryonic stem cells in lineages other than hernatopoletic lineages; hormonal or endocrine activity; in the case of enzymes, correcting deficiencies of the enzyme and treating deficiencv-related diseases; treatment of hyperproliferative disorders (such as, for example, psoriasis); immunoglobulin-like activity (such as, for example, the ability to bind antigens or complement); and the ability to act as an antigen in a vaccine composition to raise an immune response against such protein or another material or entity which is cross-reactive with such protein.

[0265] Polypeptide or polynucleotides and/or agonist or antagonists of the present invention may also be used to prepare individuals for extraterrestrial travel, low gravity environments, prolonged exposure to extraterrestrial radiation levels, low oxygen levels, reduction of metabolic activity, exposure to extraterrestrial pathogens, etc. Such a use may be administered either prior to an extraterrestrial event, during an extraterrestrial event, or both. Moreover, such a use may result in a number of beneficial changes in the recipient, such as, for example, any one of the following, non-limiting, effects: an increased level of hematopoietic cells, particularly red blood cells which would aid the recipient in coping with low oxygen levels; an increased level of B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, and/or macrophages, which would aid the recipient in coping with exposure to extraterrestrial pathogens, for example; a temporary (i.e., reversible) inhibition of hematopoietic cell production which would aid the recipient in coping with exposure to extraterrestrial radiation levels; increase and/or stability of bone mass which would aid the recipient in coping with low gravity environments; and/or decreased metabolism which would effectively facilitate the recipients ability to prolong their extraterrestrial travel by any one of the following, non-limiting means: (i) aid the recipient by decreasing their basal daily energy requirements; (ii) effectively lower the level of oxidative and/or metabolic stress in recipient (i.e., to enable recipient to cope with increased extraterrestial radiation levels by decreasing the level of internal oxidative/metabolic damage acquired during normal basal energy requirements; and/or (iii) enabling recipient to subsist at a lower metabolic temperature (i.e., cryogenic, and/or sub-cryogenic environment).

[0266] Polypeptide or polynucleotides and/or agonist or antagonists of the present invention may also be used to increase the efficacy of a pharmaceutical composition, either directly or indirectly. Such a use may be administered in simultaneous conjunction with said pharmaceutical, or separately through either the same or different route of administration (e.g., intravenous for the polynucleotide or polypeptide of the present invention, and orally for the pharmaceutical, among others described herein.).

[0267] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an expression vector containing the complement of the polynucleotide encoding a GPCR polypeptide is administered to an individual to treat or prevent any one of the types of diseases, disorders, or conditions previously described, in an antisense therapy method.

[0268] The GPCR proteins; modulators, including antagonists, antibodies, and agonists; complementary sequences; or vectors of the present invention can also be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents as necessary or desired. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy may be made by the skilled practitioner in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical and clinical principles. The combination of therapeutic agents may act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects or adverse events.

[0269] Antagonists or inhibitors of the GPCR polypeptide of this invention can be produced using methods which are generally known in the art. In particular, purified GPCR protein, or fragments thereof, can be used to produce antibodies, or to screen libraries of pharmaceutical agents, to identify those which specifically bind to the novel GPCR polypeptides as described herein.

[0270] Antibodies specific for GPCR polypeptide, or immunogenic peptide fragments thereof, can be generated using methods that have long been known and conventionally practiced in the art. Such antibodies may include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, neutralizing antibodies, (i.e., those which inhibit dimer formation), chimeric, single chain, Fab fragments, and fragments produced by an Fab expression library. Non-limiting examples of GPCR polypeptides or immunogenic fragments thereof that may be used to generate antibodies are provided in SEQ ID NOS:12-22.

[0271] For the production of antibodies, various hosts, including goats, rabbits, sheep, rats, mice, humans, and others, can be immunized by injection with one or more of the GPCR polypeptides, or any immunogenic and/or epitope-containing fragment or oligopeptide thereof, which have immunogenic properties. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response. Non-limiting examples of suitable adjuvants include Freund's (incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide or silica, and surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, KLH, and dinitrophenol. Adjuvants typically used in humans include BCG (bacilli Calmette Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum.

[0272] Preferably, the GPCR polypeptides, peptides, fragments, or oligopeptides used to induce antibodies to the GPCR polypeptide immunogens have an amino acid sequence of at least five amino acids in length, and more preferably, at least 7-10, or more, amino acids. It is also preferable that the immunogens are identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence of the natural protein; they may also contain the entire amino acid sequence of a small, naturally occurring molecule. The peptides, fragments or oligopeptides may comprise a single epitope or antigenic determinant or multiple epitopes. Short stretches of GPCR amino acids may be fused with another protein as carrier, such as KLH, such that antibodies are produced against the chimeric molecule.

[0273] Monoclonal antibodies to the GPCR polypeptides, or immunogenic fragments thereof, may be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. Such techniques are conventionally used in the art. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique, and the EBV-hybridoma technique (G. Kohler et al., 1975, Nature, 256:495-497; D. Kozbor et al., 1985, J. Immunol. Methods, 81:31-42; R. J. Cote et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 80:2026-2030; and S. P. Cole et al., 1984, Mol. Cell Biol., 62:109-120). The production of monoclonal antibodies to immunogenic proteins and peptides is well known and routinely used in the art.

[0274] In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies,” the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibody genes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity and biological activity can be used (S. L. Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855; M. S. Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature, 312:604-608; and S. Takeda et al., 1985, Nature, 314:452-454). Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies may be adapted, using methods known in the art, to produce GPCR polypeptide-specific single chain antibodies. Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypic composition, may be generated by chain shuffling from random combinatorial immunoglobulin libraries (D. R. Burton, 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:11120-3). Antibodies may also be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening recombinant immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature (R. Orlandi et al., 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86:3833-3837 and G. Winter et al., 1991, Nature, 349:293-299).

[0275] Antibody fragments, which contain specific binding sites for a GPCR polypeptide, may also be generated. For example, such fragments include, but are not limited to, F(ab′)2 fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)2 fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity (e.g., W. D. Huse et al., 1989, Science, 254.1275-1281).

[0276] Various immunoassays can be used for screening to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with established specificities are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve measuring the formation of complexes between a GPCR polypeptide and its specific antibody. A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive with two non-interfering GPCR polypeptide epitopes is suitable, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed (Maddox, supra).

[0277] To induce an immunological response in a mammal, a host animal is inoculated with a GPCR polypeptide, or a fragment thereof, of this invention in an amount adequate to produce an antibody and/or a T cell immune response to protect the animal from a disease or disorder associated with the expression or production of a GPCR polypeptide. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of inducing immunological response in a mammal, if applicable or required. Such a method comprises delivering GPCR polypeptide via a vector directing expression of GPCR polynucleotide in vivo in order to induce such an immunological response to produce antibody to protect said animal from GPCR-related diseases.

[0278] A further aspect of the invention relates to an immunological vaccine or immunogen formulation or composition which, when introduced into a mammalian host, induces an immunological response in that mammal to a GPCR polypeptide wherein the composition comprises a GPCR polypeptide or GPCR gene. The vaccine or immunogen formulation may further comprise a suitable carrier. Since the GPCR polypeptide may be broken down in the stomach, it is preferably administered parenterally (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal, etc., injection). Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents or thickening agents.

[0279] The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier immediately prior to use. A vaccine formulation may also include adjuvant systems for enhancing the immunogenicity of the formulation, such as oil-in-water systems and other systems known in the art. The dosage will depend on the specific activity of the vaccine and can be readily determined by routine experimentation.

[0280] In an aspect of the present invention, the polynucleotide encoding a GPCR polypeptide, or any fragment or complement thereof, as described herein may be used for therapeutic purposes. For instance, antisense to a GPCR polynucleotide encoding a GPCR polypeptide, may be used in situations in which it would be desirable to block the transcription of GPCR mRNA. In particular, cells may be transformed, transfected, or injected with sequences complementary to polynucleotides encoding GPCR polypeptide. Thus, complementary molecules may be used to modulate GPCR, polynucleotide and polypeptide activity, or to achieve regulation of gene function. Such technology is well known in the art, and sense or antisense oligomers or oligonucleotides, or larger fragments, can be designed from various locations along the coding or control regions of the GPCR polynucleotide sequences encoding the novel GPCR polypeptides.

[0281] Polypeptides used in treatment can also be generated endogenously in the subject, in treatment modalities often referred to as “gene therapy”. Thus for example, cells from a subject may be engineered with a polynucleotide, such as DNA or RNA, to encode a polypeptide ex vivo, for example, by the use of a retroviral plasmid vector. The cells can then be introduced into the subject's body in which the desired polypeptide is expressed.

[0282] A gene encoding a GPCR polypeptide can be turned off by transforming a cell or tissue with an expression vector that expresses high levels of a GPCR polypeptide-encoding polynucleotide, or a fragment thereof. Such constructs may be used to introduce untranslatable sense or antisense sequences into a cell. Even in the absence of integration into the DNA, such vectors may continue to transcribe RNA molecules until they are disabled by endogenous nucleases. Transient expression may last for a month or more with a non-replicating vector, and even longer if appropriate replication elements are designed to be part of the vector system.

[0283] Modifications of gene expression can be obtained by designing antisense molecules or complementary nucleic acid sequences (DNA, RNA, or PNA), to the control, 5′, or regulatory regions of a GPCR polynucleotide sequence encoding a GPCR polypeptide, (e.g., a signal sequence, promoters, enhancers, and introns). Oligonucleotides may be derived from the transcription initiation site, for example, between positions −10 and +10 from the start site.

[0284] Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using “triple helix” base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or regulatory molecules. Recent therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described (see, for example, J. E. Gee et al., 1994, In: B. E. Huber and B. I. Carr, Molecular and Immunologic Approaches, Futura Publishing Co., Mt. Kisco, N.Y.). The antisense molecule or complementary sequence may also be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes.

[0285] Many methods for introducing vectors into cells or tissues are available and are equally suitable for use in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo. For ex vivo therapy, vectors may be introduced into stem cells or bone marrow cells obtained from the patient and clonally propagated for autologous transplant back into that same patient. Delivery by transfection, direct injection (e.g., microparticle bombardment) and by liposome injections may be achieved using methods which are well known in the art.

[0286] Any of the therapeutic methods described above can be applied to any individual in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, monkeys, and most preferably, humans.

Administration

[0287] A further embodiment of the present invention embraces the administration of a pharmaceutical composition, in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient, to achieve any of the above-described therapeutic uses and effects. Such pharmaceutical compositions can comprise GPCR nucleic acid, polypeptide, or peptides, antibodies to GPCR polypeptide, mimetics, GPCR modulators, such as agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of a GPCR polypeptide or polynucleotide. The compositions can be administered alone, or in combination with at least one other agent or reagent, such as a stabilizing compound, which may be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water. The compositions may be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other agents, drugs, hormones, or biological response modifiers.

[0288] The pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present invention can be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, enteral, topical, sublingual, vaginal, or rectal means.

[0289] In addition to the active ingredients (e.g., GPCR nucleic acid or polypeptide, or functional fragments thereof, or a GPCR agonist or antagonist), the pharmaceutical compositions may contain pharmaceutically acceptable/physiologically suitable carriers or excipients comprising auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations that can be used pharmaceutically. Further details on techniques for formulation and administration are provided in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.).

[0290] Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.

[0291] In addition, pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by the combination of active compounds with a solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants; cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; gums, including arabic and tragacanth, and proteins such as gelatin and collagen. If desired, disintegrating or solubilizing agents may be added, such as cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.

[0292] Dragee cores may be used in conjunction with physiologically suitable coatings, such as concentrated sugar solutions, which may also contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification, or to characterize the quantity of active compound, i.e., dosage.

[0293] Pharmaceutical preparations, which can be used orally, further include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, scaled capsules made of gelatin and a coating, such as glycerol or sorbitol. Push-fit capsules can contain active ingredients mixed with fillers or binders, such as lactose or starches, lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers.

[0294] Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for parenteral administration may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiologically buffered saline. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. In addition, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyloleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

[0295] For topical or nasal administration, penetrants or permeation agents (enhancers) that are appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

[0296] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes.

[0297] A pharmaceutical composition may be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, and the like. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous solvents, or other protonic solvents, than are the corresponding free base forms. In other cases, the preferred preparation may be a lyophilized powder which may contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% mannitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, combined with a buffer prior to use. After the pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition. For administration of a GPCR product, such labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.

[0298] Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve the intended purpose. The determination of an effective dose or amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art. For any compound, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays, for example, using neoplastic cells, or in animal models, usually mice, rabbits, dogs, or pigs. The animal model may also be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used and extrapolated to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.

[0299] A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, for example, GPCR polynucleotide, GPCR polypeptide, or fragments thereof, antibodies to GPCR polypeptide, agonists, antagonists or inhibitors of GPCR polypeptide, which ameliorates, reduces, diminishes, or eliminates the symptoms or condition. Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or in experimental animals, e.g., ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) and LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population). The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, which can be expressed as the ratio, LD50/ED50. Pharmaceutical compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies are used in determining a range of dosages for human use. Preferred dosage contained in a pharmaceutical composition is within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, the sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration.

[0300] The practitioner, who will consider the factors related to an individual requiring treatment, will determine the exact dosage. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active component, or to maintain the desired effect. Factors which may be taken into account include the severity of the individual's disease state; the general health of the patient; the age, weight, and gender of the patient; diet; time and frequency of administration; drug combination(s); reaction sensitivities; and tolerance/response to therapy. As a general guide, long-acting pharmaceutical compositions may be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or once every two weeks, depending on half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation. Variations in these dosage levels can be adjusted using standard empirical routines for optimization, as is well understood in the art.

[0301] As a guide, normal dosage amounts may vary from 0.1 to 100,000 micrograms (μg), up to a total dose of about 1 gram (g), depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and is generally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors or activators. Similarly, the delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, and the like.

Microarrays and Screening Assays

[0302] In another embodiment of the present invention, oligonucleotides, or longer fragments derived from the GPCR polynucleotide sequences described herein can be used as targets in a microarray. The microarray can be used to monitor the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously (to produce a transcript image), and to identify genetic variants, mutations and polymorphisms. This information may be used to determine gene function, to understand the genetic basis of a disease, to diagnose disease, and to develop and monitor the activities of therapeutic agents. In a particular aspect, the microarray is prepared and used according to the methods described in WO 95/11995 (Chee et al.); D. J. Lockhart et al., 1996, Nature Biotechnology, 14:1675-1680; and M. Schena et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:10614-10619). Microarrays are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,702 to P. Lal et al.

[0303] In another embodiment of this invention, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a novel GPCR polypeptide, may also be used to generate hybridization probes, which are useful for mapping the naturally occurring genomic sequence. The sequences may be mapped to a particular chromosome, to a specific region of a chromosome, or to artificial chromosome constructions (HACs), yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), bacterial PI constructions, or single chromosome cDNA libraries, as reviewed by C. M. Price, 1993, Blood Rev., 7:127-134 and by B. J. Trask, 1991, Trends Genet., 7:149-154.

[0304] In another embodiment of the present invention, a GPCR polypeptide of this invention, its catalytic or immunogenic fragments, or oligopeptides thereof, can be used for screening libraries of compounds in any of a variety of drug screening techniques. The fragment employed in such screening may be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface, or located intracellularly. The formation of binding complexes, between the GPCR polypeptide, or a portion thereof, and the agent being tested, may be measured utilizing techniques commonly practiced in the art.

[0305] Another technique for drug screening, which may be employed, provides for high throughput screening of compounds having suitable binding affinity to the protein of interest as described in WO 84/03564 (Venton, et al.). In this method, as applied to the GPCR protein, large numbers of different small test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate, such as plastic pins or some other surface. The test compounds are reacted with the GPCR polypeptide, or fragments thereof, and washed. Bound GPCR polypeptide is then detected by methods well known in the art. Purified GPCR polypeptide can also be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques. Alternatively, non-neutralizing antibodies can be used to capture the peptide and immobilize it on a solid support.

[0306] In a further embodiment, competitive drug screening assays can be used in which neutralizing antibodies, capable of binding a GPCR polypeptide according to this invention, specifically compete with a test compound for binding to the GPCR polypeptide. In this manner, the antibodies can be used to detect the presence of any peptide that shares one or more antigenic determinants with the GPCR polypeptide.

[0307] In a specific embodiment, formulations of the present invention may further comprise antagonists of P-glycoprotein (also referred to as the multiresistence protein, or PGP), including antagonists of its encoding polynucleotides (e.g., antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, zinc-finger proteins, etc.). P-glycoprotein is well known for decreasing the efficacy of various drug administrations due to its ability to export intracellular levels of absorbed drug to the cell exterior. While this activity has been particularly pronounced in cancer cells in response to the administration of chemotherapy regimens, a variety of other cell types and the administration of other drug classes have been noted (e.g., T-cells and anti-HIV drugs). In fact, certain mutations in the PGP gene significantly reduces PGP function, making it less able to force drugs out of cells. People who have two versions of the mutated gene—one inherited from each parent—have more than four times less PGP than those with two normal versions of the gene. People may also have one normal gene and one mutated one. Certain ethnic populations have increased incidence of such PGP mutations. Among individuals from Ghana, Kenya, the Sudan, as well as African Americans, frequency of the normal gene ranged from 73% to 84%. In contrast, the frequency was 34% to 59% among British whites, Portuguese, Southwest Asian, Chinese, Filipino and Saudi populations. As a result, certain ethnic populations may require increased administration of PGP antagonist in the formulation of the present invention to arrive at the an efficacious dose of the therapeutic (e.g., those from African descent). Conversely, certain ethnic populations, particularly those having increased frequency of the mutated PGP (e.g., of Caucasian descent, or non-African descent) may require less pharmaceutical compositions in the formulation due to an effective increase in efficacy of such compositions as a result of the increased effective absorption (e.g., less PGP activity) of said composition.

[0308] Moreover, in another specific embodiment, formulations of the present invention may further comprise antagonists of OATP2 (also referred to as the multiresistance protein, or MRP2), including antagonists of its encoding polynucleotides (e.g., anti sense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, zinc-finger proteins, etc.). The invention also further comprises any additional antagonists known to inhibit proteins thought to be attributable to a multidrug resistant phenotype in proliferating cells.

[0309] Preferred antagonists that formulations of the present may comprise include the potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor elacridar, and/or LY-335979. Other P-glycoprotein inhibitors known in the art are also encompassed by the present invention.

Antibodies

[0310] Further polypeptides of the invention relate to antibodies and T-cell antigen receptors (TCR) which immunospecifically bind a polypeptide, polypeptide fragment, or variant of SEQ ID NOs:12-22, and/or an epitope, of the present invention (as determined by immunoassays well known in the art for assaying specific antibody-antigen binding). Antibodies of the invention include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, monovalent, bispecific, heteroconjugate, multispecific, human, humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′) fragments, fragments produced by a Fab expression library, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies (including, e.g., anti-Id antibodies to antibodies of the invention), and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above. The term “antibody,” as used herein, refers to immunoglobulin molecules and immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules, i.e., molecules that contain an antigen binding site that immunospecifically binds an antigen. The immunoglobulin molecules of the invention can be of any type (e.g., IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA and IgY), class (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2) or subclass of immunoglobulin molecule. Moreover, the term “antibody” (Ab) or “monoclonal antibody” (Mab) is meant to include intact molecules, as well as, antibody fragments (such as, for example, Fab and F(ab′)2 fragments) which are capable of specifically binding to protein. Fab and F(ab′)2 fragments lack the Fc fragment of intact antibody, clear more rapidly from the circulation of the animal or plant, and may have less non-specific tissue binding than an intact antibody (Wahl et al., J. Nucl. Med. 24:316-325 (1983)). Thus, these fragments are preferred, as well as the products of a FAB or other immunoglobulin expression library. Moreover, antibodies of the present invention include chimeric, single chain, and humanized antibodies.

[0311] Most preferably the antibodies are human antigen-binding antibody fragments of the present invention and include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab′ and F(ab′)2, Fd, single-chain Fvs (scFv), single-chain antibodies, disulfide-linked Fvs (sdFv) and fragments comprising either a VL or VH domain. Antigen-binding antibody fragments, including single-chain antibodies, may comprise the variable region(s) alone or in combination with the entirety or a portion of the following: hinge region, CH1, CH2, and CH3 domains. Also included in the invention are antigen-binding fragments also comprising any combination of variable region(s) with a hinge region, CH1, CH2, and CH3 domains. The antibodies of the invention may be from any animal origin including birds and mammals. Preferably, the antibodies are human, murine (e.g., mouse and rat), donkey, ship rabbit, goat, guinea pig, camel, horse, or chicken. As used herein, “human” antibodies include antibodies having the amino acid sequence of a human immunoglobulin and include antibodies isolated from human immunoglobulin libraries or from animals transgenic for one or more human immunoglobulin and that do not express endogenous immunoglobulins, as described infra and, for example in, U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,598 by Kucherlapati et al.

[0312] The antibodies of the present invention may be monospecific, bispecific, trispecific or of greater multispecificity. Multispecific antibodies may be specific for different epitopes of a polypeptide of the present invention or may be specific for both a polypeptide of the present invention as well as for a heterologous epitope, such as a heterologous polypeptide or solid support material. See, e.g., PCT publications WO 93/17715; WO 92/08802; WO 91/00360; WO 92/05793; Tutt, et al., J. Immunol. 147:60-69 (1991); U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,893; 4,714,681; 4,925,648; 5,573,920; 5,601,819; Kostelny et al., J. Immunol. 148:1547-1553 (1992).

[0313] Antibodies of the present invention may be described or specified in terms of the epitope(s) or portion(s) of a polypeptide of the present invention which they recognize or specifically bind. The epitope(s) or polypeptide portion(s) may be specified as described herein, e.g., by N-terminal and C-terminal positions, by size in contiguous amino acid residues, or listed in the Tables and Figures. Antibodies which specifically bind any epitope or polypeptide of the present invention may also be excluded. Therefore, the present invention includes antibodies that specifically bind polypeptides of the present invention, and allows for the exclusion of the same.

[0314] Antibodies of the present invention may also be described or specified in terms of their cross-reactivity. Antibodies that do not bind any other analog, ortholog, or homologue of a polypeptide of the present invention are included. Antibodies that bind polypeptides with at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 65%, at least 60%, at least 55%, and at least 50% identity (as calculated using methods known in the art and described herein) to a polypeptide of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In specific embodiments, antibodies of the present invention cross-react with murine, rat and/or rabbit homologues of human proteins and the corresponding epitopes thereof. Antibodies that do not bind polypeptides with less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, and less than 50% identity (as calculated using methods known in the art and described herein) to a polypeptide of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In a specific embodiment, the above-described cross-reactivity is with respect to any single specific antigenic or immunogenic polypeptide, or combination(s) of 2, 3, 4, 5, or more of the specific antigenic and/or immunogenic polypeptides disclosed herein. Further included in the present invention are antibodies which bind polypeptides encoded by polynucleotides which hybridize to a polynucleotide of the present invention under stringent hybridization conditions (as described herein). Antibodies of the present invention may also be described or specified in terms of their binding affinity to a polypeptide of the invention. Preferred binding affinities include those with a dissociation constant or Kd less than 5×10-2 M, 10-2 M, 5×10-3 M, 10-3 M, 5×10-4 M, 10-4 M, 5×10-5 M, 10-5 M, 5×10-6 M, 10-6M, 5×10-7 M, 107 M, 5×10-8 M, 10-8 M, 5×10-9 M, 10-9 M, 5×10−10 M, 10-10M, 5×10-11 M, 10-11 M, 5×10-12 M, 10-12 M, 5×10-13 M, 10-13 M, 5×10-14 M, 10-14 M, 5×10-15 M, or 10-15 M.

[0315] The invention also provides antibodies that competitively inhibit binding of an antibody to an epitope of the invention as determined by any method known in the art for determining competitive binding, for example, the immunoassays described herein. In preferred embodiments, the antibody competitively inhibits binding to the epitope by at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 60%, or at least 50%.

[0316] Antibodies of the present invention may act as agonists or antagonists of the polypeptides of the present invention. For example, the present invention includes antibodies which disrupt the receptor/ligand interactions with the polypeptides of the invention either partially or fully. Preferably, antibodies of the present invention bind an antigenic epitope disclosed herein, or a portion thereof. The invention features both receptor-specific antibodies and ligand-specific antibodies. The invention also features receptor-specific antibodies which do not prevent ligand binding but prevent receptor activation. Receptor activation (i.e., signaling) may be determined by techniques described herein or otherwise known in the art. For example, receptor activation can be determined by detecting the phosphorylation (e.g., tyrosine or serine/threonine) of the receptor or its substrate by immunoprecipitation followed by western blot analysis (for example, as described supra). In specific embodiments, antibodies are provided that inhibit ligand activity or receptor activity by at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 60%, or at least 50% of the activity in absence of the antibody.

[0317] The invention also features receptor-specific antibodies which both prevent ligand binding and receptor activation as well as antibodies that recognize the receptor-ligand complex, and, preferably, do not specifically recognize the unbound receptor or the unbound ligand. Likewise, included in the invention are neutralizing antibodies which bind the ligand and prevent binding of the ligand to the receptor, as well as antibodies which bind the ligand, thereby preventing receptor activation, but do not prevent the ligand from binding the receptor. Further included in the invention are antibodies which activate the receptor. These antibodies may act as receptor agonists, i.e., potentiate or activate either all or a subset of the biological activities of the ligand-mediated receptor activation, for example, by inducing dimerization of the receptor. The antibodies may be specified as agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for biological activities comprising the specific biological activities of the peptides of the invention disclosed herein. The above antibody agonists can be made using methods known in the art. See, e.g., PCT publication WO 96/40281; U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,097; Deng et al., Blood 92(6):1981-1988 (1998); Chen et al., Cancer Res. 58(16):3668-3678 (1998); Harrop et al., J. Immunol. 161(4):1786-1794 (1998); Zhu et al., Cancer Res. 58(15):3209-3214 (1998); Yoon et al., J. Immunol. 160(7):3170-3179 (1998); Prat et al., J. Cell. Sci. 111 (Pt2):237-247 (1998); Pitard et al., J. Immunol. Methods 205(2):177-190 (1997); Liautard et al., Cytokine 9(4):233-241 (1997); Carlson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272(17):11295-11301 (1997); Taryman et al., Neuron 14(4):755-762 (1995); Muller et al., Structure 6(9):1153-1167 (1998); Bartunek et al., Cytokine 8(1):14-20 (1996) (which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entireties).

[0318] Antibodies of the present invention may be used, for example, but not limited to, to purify, detect, and target the polypeptides of the present invention, including both in vitro and in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic methods. For example, the antibodies have use in immunoassays for qualitatively and quantitatively measuring levels of the polypeptides of the present invention in biological samples. See, e.g., Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed. 1988) (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

[0319] As discussed in more detail below, the antibodies of the present invention may be used either alone or in combination with other compositions. The antibodies may further be recombinantly fused to a heterologous polypeptide at the N- or C-terminus or chemically conjugated (including covalently and non-covalently conjugations) to polypeptides or other compositions. For example, antibodies of the present invention may be recombinantly fused or conjugated to molecules useful as labels in detection assays and effector molecules such as heterologous polypeptides, drugs, radionucleotides, or toxins. See, e.g., PCT publications WO 92/08495; WO 91/14438; WO 89/12624; U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,995; and EP 396,387.

[0320] The antibodies of the invention include derivatives that are modified, i.e., by the covalent attachment of any type of molecule to the antibody such that covalent attachment does not prevent the antibody from generating an anti-idiotypic response. For example, but not by way of limitation, the antibody derivatives include antibodies that have been modified, e.g., by glycosylation, acetylation, pegylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to a cellular ligand or other protein, etc. Any of numerous chemical modifications may be carried out by known techniques, including, but not limited to specific chemical cleavage, acetylation, formylation, metabolic synthesis of tunicamycin, etc. Additionally, the derivative may contain one or more non-classical amino acids.

[0321] The antibodies of the present invention may be generated by any suitable method known in the art.

[0322] The antibodies of the present invention may comprise polyclonal antibodies. Methods of preparing polyclonal antibodies are known to the skilled artisan (Harlow, et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, (Cold spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed. (1988); and Current Protocols, Chapter 2; which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In a preferred method, a preparation of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 protein is prepared and purified to render it substantially free of natural contaminants. Such a preparation is then introduced into an animal in order to produce polyclonal antisera of greater specific activity. For example, a polypeptide of the invention can be administered to various host animals including, but not limited to, rabbits, mice, rats, etc. to induce the production of sera containing polyclonal antibodies specific for the antigen. The administration of the polypeptides of the present invention may entail one or more injections of an immunizing agent and, if desired, an adjuvant. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, and include but are not limited to, Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanins, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and corynebacterium parvum. Such adjuvants are also well known in the art. For the purposes of the invention, “immunizing agent” may be defined as a polypeptide of the invention, including fragments, variants, and/or derivatives thereof, in addition to fusions with heterologous polypeptides and other forms of the polypeptides described herein.

[0323] Typically, the immunizing agent and/or adjuvant will be injected in the mammal by multiple subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections, though they may also be given intramuscularly, and/or through IV). The immunizing agent may include polypeptides of the present invention or a fusion protein or variants thereof. Depending upon the nature of the polypeptides (i.e., percent hydrophobicity, percent hydrophilicity, stability, net charge, isoelectric point etc.), it may be useful to conjugate the immunizing agent to a protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized. Such conjugation includes either chemical conjugation by derivitizing active chemical functional groups to both the polypeptide of the present invention and the immunogenic protein such that a covalent bond is formed, or through fusion-protein based methodology, or other methods known to the skilled artisan. Examples of such immunogenic proteins include, but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, including but not limited to Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum. Additional examples of adjuvants which may be employed includes the MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate). The immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation.

[0324] The antibodies of the present invention may comprise monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495 (1975) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110, by Harlow, et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, (Cold spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed. (1988), by Hammerling, et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas (Elsevier, N.Y., pp. 563-681 (1981); Köhler et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 6:511 (1976); Köhler et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 6:292 (1976), or other methods known to the artisan. Other examples of methods which may be employed for producing monoclonal antibodies includes, but are not limited to, the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026-2030), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Such antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class including IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridoma producing the mAb of this invention may be cultivated in vitro or in vivo. Production of high titers of mAbs in vivo makes this the presently preferred method of production.

[0325] In a hybridoma method, a mouse, a humanized mouse, a mouse with a human immune system, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, the lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.

[0326] The immunizing agent will typically include polypeptides of the present invention or a fusion protein thereof. Preferably, the immunizing agent consists of an Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide or, more preferably, with a Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide-expressing cell. Such cells may be cultured in any suitable tissue culture medium; however, it is preferable to culture cells in Earle's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (inactivated at about 56 degrees C.), and supplemented with about 10 g/l of nonessential amino acids, about 1,000 U/ml of penicillin, and about 100 ug/ml of streptomycin. Generally, either peripheral blood lymphocytes (“PBLs”) are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press, (1986), pp. 59-103). Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The hybridoma cells may be cultured in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells. For example, if the parental cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (“HAT medium”), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

[0327] Preferred immortalized cell lines are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high level expression of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. More preferred immortalized cell lines are murine myeloma lines, which can be obtained, for instance, from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif. and the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va. More preferred are the parent myeloma cell line (SP2O) as provided by the ATCC. As inferred throughout the specification, human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, (1987) pp. 51-63).

[0328] The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can then be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against the polypeptides of the present invention. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). Such techniques are known in the art and within the skill of the artisan. The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson and Pollart, Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).

[0329] After the desired hybridoma cells are identified, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods (Goding, supra, and/or according to Wands et al. (Gastroenterology 80:225-232 (1981)). Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and RPMI-1640. Alternatively, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites in a mammal.

[0330] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones may be isolated or purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-sepharose, hydroxyapatite chromatography, gel exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

[0331] The skilled artisan would acknowledge that a variety of methods exist in the art for the production of monoclonal antibodies and thus, the invention is not limited to their sole production in hydridomas. For example, the monoclonal antibodies may be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. In this context, the term “monoclonal antibody” refers to an antibody derived from a single eukaryotic, phage, or prokaryotic clone. The DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies, or such chains from human, humanized, or other sources). The hydridoma cells of the invention serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transformed into host cells such as Simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. The DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy and light chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al, supra) or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Such a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide can be substituted for the constant domains of an antibody of the invention, or can be substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody of the invention to create a chimeric bivalent antibody.

[0332] The antibodies may be monovalent antibodies. Methods for preparing monovalent antibodies are well known in the art. For example, one method involves recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light chain and modified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncated generally at any point in the Fe region so as to prevent heavy chain crosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues are substituted with another amino acid residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking.

[0333] In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies. Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly, Fab fragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in the art. Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using a wide variety of techniques known in the art including the use of hybridoma, recombinant, and phage display technologies, or a combination thereof. For example, monoclonal antibodies can be produced using hybridoma techniques including those known in the art and taught, for example, in Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd ed. 1988); Hammerling, et al., in: Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas 563-681 (Elsevier, N.Y., 1981) (said references incorporated by reference in their entireties). The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein is not limited to antibodies produced through hybridoma technology. The term “monoclonal antibody” refers to an antibody that is derived from a single clone, including any eukaryotic, prokaryotic, or phage clone, and not the method by which it is produced.

[0334] Methods for producing and screening for specific antibodies using hybridoma technology are routine and well known in the art and are discussed in detail in the Examples described herein. In a non-limiting example, mice can be immunized with a polypeptide of the invention or a cell expressing such peptide. Once an immune response is detected, e.g., antibodies specific for the antigen are detected in the mouse serum, the mouse spleen is harvested and splenocytes isolated. The splenocytes are then fused by well known techniques to any suitable myeloma cells, for example cells from cell line SP20 available from the ATCC. Hybridomas are selected and cloned by limited dilution. The hybridoma clones are then assayed by methods known in the art for cells that secrete antibodies capable of binding a polypeptide of the invention. Ascites fluid, which generally contains high levels of antibodies, can be generated by immunizing mice with positive hybridoma clones.

[0335] Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of generating monoclonal antibodies as well as antibodies produced by the method comprising culturing a hybridoma cell secreting an antibody of the invention wherein, preferably, the hybridoma is generated by fusing splenocytes isolated from a mouse immunized with an antigen of the invention with myeloma cells and then screening the hybridomas resulting from the fusion for hybridoma clones that secrete an antibody able to bind a polypeptide of the invention.

[0336] Antibody fragments which recognize specific epitopes may be generated by known techniques. For example, Fab and F(ab′)2 fragments of the invention may be produced by proteolytic cleavage of immunoglobulin molecules, using enzymes such as papain (to produce Fab fragments) or pepsin (to produce F(ab′)2 fragments). F(ab′)2 fragments contain the variable region, the light chain constant region and the CH1 domain of the heavy chain.

[0337] For example, the antibodies of the present invention can also be generated using various phage display methods known in the art. In phage display methods, functional antibody domains are displayed on the surface of phage particles which carry the polynucleotide sequences encoding them. In a particular embodiment, such phage can be utilized to display antigen binding domains expressed from a repertoire or combinatorial antibody library (e.g., human or murine). Phage expressing an antigen binding domain that binds the antigen of interest can be selected or identified with antigen, e.g., using labeled antigen or antigen bound or captured to a solid surface or bead. Phage used in these methods are typically filamentous phage including fd and M13 binding domains expressed from phage with Fab, Fv or disulfide stabilized Fv antibody domains recombinantly fused to either the phage gene III or gene VIII protein. Examples of phage display methods that can be used to make the antibodies of the present invention include those disclosed in Brinkman et al., J. Immunol. Methods 182:41-50 (1995); Ames et al., J. Immunol. Methods 184:177-186 (1995); Kettleborough et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 24:952-958 (1994); Persic et al., Gene 187 9-18 (1997); Burton et al., Advances in Immunology 57:191-280 (1994); PCT application No. PCT/GB91/01134; PCT publications WO 90/02809; WO 91/10737; WO 92/01047; WO 92/18619; WO 93/11236; WO 95/15982; WO 95/20401; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,426; 5,223,409; 5,403,484; 5,580,717; 5,427,908; 5,750,753; 5,821,047; 5,571,698; 5,427,908; 5,516,637; 5,780,225; 5,658,727; 5,733,743 and 5,969,108; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0338] As described in the above references, after phage selection, the antibody coding regions from the phage can be isolated and used to generate whole antibodies, including human antibodies, or any other desired antigen binding fragment, and expressed in any desired host, including mammalian cells, insect cells, plant cells, yeast, and bacteria, e.g., as described in detail below. For example, techniques to recombinantly produce Fab, Fab′ and F(ab′)2 fragments can also be employed using methods known in the art such as those disclosed in PCT publication WO 92/22324; Mullinax et al., BioTechniques 12(6):864-869 (1992); and Sawai et al., AJR134:26-34 (1995); and Better et al., Science 240:1041-1043 (1988) (said references incorporated by reference in their entireties). Examples of techniques which can be used to produce single-chain Fvs and antibodies include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,946,778 and 5,258,498; Huston et al., Methods in Enzymology 203:46-88 (1991); Shu et al., PNAS 90:7995-7999 (1993); and Skerra et al., Science 240:1038-1040 (1988).

[0339] For some uses, including in vivo use of antibodies in humans and in vitro detection assays, it may be preferable to use chimeric, humanized, or human antibodies. A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions of the antibody are derived from different animal species, such as antibodies having a variable region derived from a murine monoclonal antibody and a human immunoglobulin constant region. Methods for producing chimeric antibodies are known in the art. See e.g., Morrison, Science 229:1202 (1985); Oi et al., BioTechniques 4:214 (1986); Gillies et al., (1989) J. Immunol. Methods 125:191-202; Cabilly et al., Taniguchi et al., EP 171496; Morrison et al., EP 173494; Neuberger et al., WO 8601533; Robinson et al., WO 8702671; Boulianne et al., Nature 312:643 (1984); Neuberger et al., Nature 314:268 (1985); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,807,715; 4,816,567; and 4,816,397, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Humanized antibodies are antibody molecules from non-human species antibody that binds the desired antigen having one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from the non-human species and a framework regions from a human immunoglobulin molecule. Often, framework residues in the human framework regions will be substituted with the corresponding residue from the CDR donor antibody to alter, preferably improve, antigen binding. These framework substitutions are identified by methods well known in the art, e.g., by modeling of the interactions of the CDR and framework residues to identify framework residues important for antigen binding and sequence comparison to identify unusual framework residues at particular positions. (See, e.g., Queen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089; Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323 (1988), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.) Antibodies can be humanized using a variety of techniques known in the art including, for example, CDR-grafting (EP 239,400; PCT publication WO 91/09967; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,539; 5,530,101; and 5,585,089), veneering or resurfacing (EP 592,106; EP 519,596; Padlan, Molecular Immunology 28(4/5):489-498 (1991); Studnicka et al., Protein Engineering 7(6):805-814 (1994); Roguska. et al., PNAS 91:969-973 (1994)), and chain shuffling (U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,332). Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source that is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as “import” residues, which are typically taken from an “import” variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the methods of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Reichmann et al., Nature, 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239:1534-1536 (1988), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such “humanized” antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possible some FR residues are substituted from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

[0340] In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin (Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988)1 and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol., 2:593-596 (1992).

[0341] Completely human antibodies are particularly desirable for therapeutic treatment of human patients. Human antibodies can be made by a variety of methods known in the art including phage display methods described above using antibody libraries derived from human immunoglobulin sequences. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,887 and 4,716,111; and PCT publications WO 98/46645, WO 98/50433, WO 98/24893, WO 98/16654, WO 96/34096, WO 96/33735, and WO 91/10741; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The techniques of cole et al., and Boerder et al., are also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Riss, (1985); and Boemer et al., J. Immunol., 147(1):86-95, (1991)).

[0342] Human antibodies can also be produced using transgenic mice which are incapable of expressing functional endogenous immunoglobulins, but which can express human immunoglobulin genes. For example, the human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin gene complexes may be introduced randomly or by homologous recombination into mouse embryonic stem cells. Alternatively, the human variable region, constant region, and diversity region may be introduced into mouse embryonic stem cells in addition to the human heavy and light chain genes. The mouse heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes may be rendered non-functional separately or simultaneously with the introduction of human immunoglobulin loci by homologous recombination. In particular, homozygous deletion of the JH region prevents endogenous antibody production. The modified embryonic stem cells are expanded and microinjected into blastocysts to produce chimeric mice. The chimeric mice are then bred to produce homozygous offspring which express human antibodies. The transgenic mice are immunized in the normal fashion with a selected antigen, e.g., all or a portion of a polypeptide of the invention. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen can be obtained from the immunized, transgenic mice using conventional hybridoma technology. The human immunoglobulin transgenes harbored by the transgenic mice rearrange during B cell differentiation, and subsequently undergo class switching and somatic mutation. Thus, using such a technique, it is possible to produce therapeutically useful IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE antibodies. For an overview of this technology for producing human antibodies, see Lonberg and Huszar, Int. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93 (1995). For a detailed discussion of this technology for producing human antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies and protocols for producing such antibodies, see, e.g., PCT publications WO 98/24893; WO 92/01047; WO 96/34096; WO 96/33735; European Patent No. 0 598 877; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,923; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,569,825; 5,661,016; 5,545,806; 5,814,318; 5,885,793; 5,916,771; and 5,939,598, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In addition, companies such as Abgenix, Inc. (Freemont, Calif.), Genpharm (San Jose, Calif.), and Medarex, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.) can be engaged to provide human antibodies directed against a selected antigen using technology similar to that described above.

[0343] Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introducing human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and creation of an antibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,661,106, and in the following scientific publications: Marks et al., Biotechnol., 10:779-783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368:856-859 (1994); Fishwild et al., Nature Biotechnol., 14:845-51 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnol., 14:826 (1996); Lonberg and Huszer, Intern. Rev. Immunol., 13:65-93 (1995).

[0344] Completely human antibodies which recognize a selected epitope can be generated using a technique referred to as “guided selection.” In this approach a selected non-human monoclonal antibody, e.g., a mouse antibody, is used to guide the selection of a completely human antibody recognizing the same epitope. (Jespers et al., Bio/technology 12:899-903 (1988)).

[0345] Further, antibodies to the polypeptides of the invention can, in turn, be utilized to generate anti-idiotype antibodies that “mimic” polypeptides of the invention using techniques well known to those skilled in the art. (See, e.g., Greenspan & Bona, FASEB J. 7(5):437-444; (1989) and Nissinoff, J. Immunol. 147(8):2429-2438 (1991)). For example, antibodies which bind to and competitively inhibit polypeptide multimerization and/or binding of a polypeptide of the invention to a ligand can be used to generate anti-idiotypes that “mimic” the polypeptide multimerization and/or binding domain and, as a consequence, bind to and neutralize polypeptide and/or its ligand. Such neutralizing anti-idiotypes or Fab fragments of such anti-idiotypes can be used in therapeutic regimens to neutralize polypeptide ligand. For example, such anti-idiotypic antibodies can be used to bind a polypeptide of the invention and/or to bind its ligands/receptors, and thereby block its biological activity.

[0346] Such anti-idiotypic antibodies capable of binding to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide can be produced in a two-step procedure. Such a method makes use of the fact that antibodies are themselves antigens, and therefore, it is possible to obtain an antibody that binds to a second antibody. In accordance with this method, protein specific antibodies are used to immunize an animal, preferably a mouse. The splenocytes of such an animal are then used to produce hybridoma cells, and the hybridoma cells are screened to identify clones that produce an antibody whose ability to bind to the protein-specific antibody can be blocked by the polypeptide. Such antibodies comprise anti-idiotypic antibodies to the protein-specific antibody and can be used to immunize an animal to induce formation of further protein-specific antibodies.

[0347] The antibodies of the present invention may be bispecific antibodies. Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, Preferably human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens. In the present invention, one of the binding specificities may be directed towards a polypeptide of the present invention, the other may be for any other antigen, and preferably for a cell-surface protein, receptor, receptor subunit, tissue-specific antigen, virally derived protein, virally encoded envelope protein, bacterially derived protein, or bacterial surface protein, etc.

[0348] Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy-chain/light-chain pairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities (Milstein and Cuello, Nature, 305:537-539 (1983). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of ten different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. The purification of the correct molecule is usually accomplished by affinity chromatography steps. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829, published 13 May 1993, and in Traunecker et al., EMBO J., 10:3655-3659 (1991).

[0349] Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) can be fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy-chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transformed into a suitable host organism. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example Suresh et al., Meth. In Enzym., 121:210 (1986).

[0350] Heteroconjugate antibodies are also contemplated by the present invention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980), and for the treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360; WO 92/20373; and EP03089). It is contemplated that the antibodies may be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may be constructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioester bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

Polynucleotides Encoding Antibodies

[0351] The invention further provides polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody of the invention and fragments thereof. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent or lower stringency hybridization conditions, e.g., as defined supra, to polynucleotides that encode an antibody, preferably, that specifically binds to a polypeptide of the invention, preferably, an antibody that binds to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:12-22.

[0352] The polynucleotides may be obtained, and the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotides determined, by any method known in the art. For example, if the nucleotide sequence of the antibody is known, a polynucleotide encoding the antibody may be assembled from chemically synthesized oligonucleotides (e.g., as described in Kutmeier et al., BioTechniques 17:242 (1994)), which, briefly, involves the synthesis of overlapping oligonucleotides containing portions of the sequence encoding the antibody, annealing and ligating of those oligonucleotides, and then amplification of the ligated oligonucleotides by PCR.

[0353] Alternatively, a polynucleotide encoding an antibody may be generated from nucleic acid from a suitable source. If a clone containing a nucleic acid encoding a particular antibody is not available, but the sequence of the antibody molecule is known, a nucleic acid encoding the immunoglobulin may be chemically synthesized or obtained from a suitable source (e.g., an antibody cDNA library, or a cDNA library generated from, or nucleic acid, preferably poly A+ RNA, isolated from, any tissue or cells expressing the antibody, such as hybridoma cells selected to express an antibody of the invention) by PCR amplification using synthetic primers hybridizable to the 3′ and 5′ ends of the sequence or by cloning using an oligonucleotide probe specific for the particular gene sequence to identify, e.g., a cDNA clone from a cDNA library that encodes the antibody. Amplified nucleic acids generated by PCR may then be cloned into replicable cloning vectors using any method well known in the art.

[0354] Once the nucleotide sequence and corresponding amino acid sequence of the antibody is determined, the nucleotide sequence of the antibody may be manipulated using methods well known in the art for the manipulation of nucleotide sequences, e.g., recombinant DNA techniques, site directed mutagenesis, PCR, etc. (see, for example, the techniques described in Sambrook et al., 1990, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2d Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. and Ausubel et al., eds., 1998, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties), to generate antibodies having a different amino acid sequence, for example to create amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions.

[0355] In a specific embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the heavy and/or light chain variable domains may be inspected to identify the sequences of the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) by methods that are well know in the art, e.g., by comparison to known amino acid sequences of other heavy and light chain variable regions to determine the regions of sequence hypervariability. Using routine recombinant DNA techniques, one or more of the CDRs may be inserted within framework regions, e.g., into human framework regions to humanize a non-human antibody, as described supra. The framework regions may be naturally occurring or consensus framework regions, and preferably human framework regions (see, e.g., Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol. 278: 457-479 (1998) for a listing of human framework regions). Preferably, the polynucleotide generated by the combination of the framework regions and CDRs encodes an antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide of the invention. Preferably, as discussed supra, one or more amino acid substitutions may be made within the framework regions, and, preferably, the amino acid substitutions improve binding of the antibody to its antigen. Additionally, such methods may be used to make amino acid substitutions or deletions of one or more variable region cysteine residues participating in an intrachain disulfide bond to generate antibody molecules lacking one or more intrachain disulfide bonds. Other alterations to the polynucleotide are encompassed by the present invention and within the skill of the art.

[0356] In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies” (Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:851-855 (1984); Neuberger et al., Nature 312:604-608 (1984); Takeda et al., Nature 314:452-454 (1985)) by splicing genes from a mouse antibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used. As described supra, a chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions are derived from different animal species, such as those having a variable region derived from a murine mAb and a human immunoglobulin constant region, e.g., humanized antibodies.

[0357] Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778; Bird, Science 242:423-42 (1988); Huston et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883 (1988); and Ward et al., Nature 334:544-54 (1989)) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies. Single chain antibodies are formed by linking the heavy and light chain fragments of the Fv region via an amino acid bridge, resulting in a single chain polypeptide. Techniques for the assembly of functional Fv fragments in E. coli may also be used (Skerra et al., Science 242:1038-1041 (1988)).

[0358] More preferably, a clone encoding an antibody of the present invention may be obtained according to the method described in the Example section herein.

Methods of Producing Antibodies

[0359] The antibodies of the invention can be produced by any method known in the art for the synthesis of antibodies, in particular, by chemical synthesis or preferably, by recombinant expression techniques.

[0360] Recombinant expression of an antibody of the invention, or fragment, derivative or analog thereof, (e.g., a heavy or light chain of an antibody of the invention or a single chain antibody of the invention), requires construction of an expression vector containing a polynucleotide that encodes the antibody. Once a polynucleotide encoding an antibody molecule or a heavy or light chain of an antibody, or portion thereof (preferably containing the heavy or light chain variable domain), of the invention has been obtained, the vector for the production of the antibody molecule may be produced by recombinant DNA technology using techniques well known in the art. Thus, methods for preparing a protein by expressing a polynucleotide containing an antibody encoding nucleotide sequence are described herein. Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing antibody coding sequences and appropriate transcriptional and translational control signals. These methods include, for example, in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. The invention, thus, provides replicable vectors comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody molecule of the invention, or a heavy or light chain thereof, or a heavy or light chain variable domain, operably linked to a promoter. Such vectors may include the nucleotide sequence encoding the constant region of the antibody molecule (see, e.g., PCT Publication WO 86/05807; PCT Publication WO 89/01036; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,464) and the variable domain of the antibody may be cloned into such a vector for expression of the entire heavy or light chain.

[0361] The expression vector is transferred to a host cell by conventional techniques and the transfected cells are then cultured by conventional techniques to produce an antibody of the invention. Thus, the invention includes host cells containing a polynucleotide encoding an antibody of the invention, or a heavy or light chain thereof, or a single chain antibody of the invention, operably linked to a heterologous promoter. In preferred embodiments for the expression of double-chained antibodies, vectors encoding both the heavy and light chains may be co-expressed in the host cell for expression of the entire immunoglobulin molecule, as detailed below.

[0362] A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to express the antibody molecules of the invention. Such host-expression systems represent vehicles by which the coding sequences of interest may be produced and subsequently purified, but also represent cells which may, when transformed or transfected with the appropriate nucleotide coding sequences, express an antibody molecule of the invention in situ. These include but are not limited to microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing antibody coding sequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing antibody coding sequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing antibody coding sequences; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing antibody coding sequences; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 3T3 cells) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter). Preferably, bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli, and more preferably, eukaryotic cells, especially for the expression of whole recombinant antibody molecule, are used for the expression of a recombinant antibody molecule. For example, mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO), in conjunction with a vector such as the major intermediate early gene promoter element from human cytomegalovirus is an effective expression system for antibodies (Foecking et al., Gene 45:101 (1986); Cockett et al., Bio/Technology 8:2 (1990)).

[0363] In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the antibody molecule being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such a protein is to be produced, for the generation of pharmaceutical compositions of an antibody molecule, vectors which direct the expression of high levels of fusion protein products that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectors include, but are not limited, to the E. coli expression vector pUR278 (Ruther et al., EMBO J. 2:1791 (1983)), in which the antibody coding sequence may be ligated individually into the vector in frame with the lac Z coding region so that a fusion protein is produced; pIN vectors (Inouye & Inouye, Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109 (1985); Van Heeke & Schuster, J. Biol. Chem. 24:5503-5509 (1989)); and the like. pGEX vectors may also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption and binding to matrix glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The pGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.

[0364] In an insect system, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes. The virus grows in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The antibody coding sequence may be cloned individually into non-essential regions (for example the polyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example the polyhedrin promoter).

[0365] In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, the antibody coding sequence of interest may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This chimeric gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing the antibody molecule in infected hosts. (e.g., see Logan & Shenk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:355-359 (1984)). Specific initiation signals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted antibody coding sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. Furthermore, the initiation codon must be in phase with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. These exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription terminators, etc. (see Bittner et al., Methods in Enzymol. 153:51-544 (1987)).

[0366] In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products may be important for the function of the protein. Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification of proteins and gene products. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian host cells include but are not limited to CHO, VERY, BHK, Hela, COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, WI38, and in particular, breast cancer cell lines such as, for example, BT483, Hs578T, HTB2, BT20 and T47D, and normal mammary gland cell line such as, for example, CRL7030 and Hs578Bst.

[0367] For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express the antibody molecule may be engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer, sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method may advantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the antibody molecule. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and evaluation of compounds that interact directly or indirectly with the antibody molecule.

[0368] A number of selection systems may be used, including but not limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et al., Cell 11:223 (1977)), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska & Szybalski, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:202 (1992)), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy et al., Cell 22:817 (1980)) genes can be employed in tk-, hgprt- or aprt-cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al., Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:357 (1980); O'Hare et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527 (1981)); gpt, which confers resistance to mycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2072 (1981)); neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418 Clinical Pharmacy 12:488-505; Wu and Wu, Biotherapy 3:87-95 (1991); Tolstoshev, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32:573-596 (1993); Mulligan, Science 260:926-932 (1993); and Morgan and Anderson, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:191-217 (1993); May, 1993, TIB TECH 11(5):155-215); and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre et al., Gene 30:147 (1984)). Methods commonly known in the art of recombinant DNA technology may be routinely applied to select the desired recombinant clone, and such methods are described, for example, in Ausubel et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY (1993); Kriegler, Gene Transfer and Expression, A Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY (1990); and in Chapters 12 and 13, Dracopoli et al. (eds), Current Protocols in Human Genetics, John Wiley & Sons, NY (1994); Colberre-Garapin et al., J. Mol. Biol. 150:1 (1981), which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0369] The expression levels of an antibody molecule can be increased by vector amplification (for a review, see Bebbington and Hentschel, The use of vectors based on gene amplification for the expression of cloned genes in mammalian cells in DNA cloning, Vol.3. (Academic Press, New York, 1987)). When a marker in the vector system expressing antibody is amplifiable, increase in the level of inhibitor present in culture of host cell will increase the number of copies of the marker gene. Since the amplified region is associated with the antibody gene, production of the antibody will also increase (Crouse et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:257 (1983)).

[0370] The host cell may be co-transfected with two expression vectors of the invention, the first vector encoding a heavy chain derived polypeptide and the second vector encoding a light chain derived polypeptide. The two vectors may contain identical selectable markers which enable equal expression of heavy and light chain polypeptides. Alternatively, a single vector may be used which encodes, and is capable of expressing, both heavy and light chain polypeptides. In such situations, the light chain should be placed before the heavy chain to avoid an excess of toxic free heavy chain (Proudfoot, Nature 322:52 (1986); Kohler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:2197 (1980)). The coding sequences for the heavy and light chains may comprise cDNA or genomic DNA.

[0371] Once an antibody molecule of the invention has been produced by an animal, chemically synthesized, or recombinantly expressed, it may be purified by any method known in the art for purification of an immunoglobulin molecule, for example, by chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, particularly by affinity for the specific antigen after Protein A, and sizing column chromatography), centrifugation, differential solubility, or by any other standard technique for the purification of proteins. In addition, the antibodies of the present invention or fragments thereof can be fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences described herein or otherwise known in the art, to facilitate purification.

[0372] The present invention encompasses antibodies recombinantly fused or chemically conjugated (including both covalently and non-covalently conjugations) to a polypeptide (or portion thereof, preferably at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 amino acids of the polypeptide) of the present invention to generate fusion proteins. The fusion does not necessarily need to be direct, but may occur through linker sequences. The antibodies may be specific for antigens other than polypeptides (or portion thereof, preferably at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 amino acids of the polypeptide) of the present invention. For example, antibodies may be used to target the polypeptides of the present invention to particular cell types, either in vitro or in vivo, by fusing or conjugating the polypeptides of the present invention to antibodies specific for particular cell surface receptors. Antibodies fused or conjugated to the polypeptides of the present invention may also be used in in vitro immunoassays and purification methods using methods known in the art. See e.g., Harbor et al., supra, and PCT publication WO 93/21232; EP 439,095; Naramura et al., Immunol. Lett. 39:91-99 (1994); U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,981; Gillies et al., PNAS 89:1428-1432 (1992); Fell et al., J. Immunol. 146:2446-2452(1991), which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0373] The present invention further includes compositions comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused or conjugated to antibody domains other than the variable regions. For example, the polypeptides of the present invention may be fused or conjugated to an antibody Fc region, or portion thereof. The antibody portion fused to a polypeptide of the present invention may comprise the constant region, hinge region, CH1 domain, CH2 domain, and CH3 domain or any combination of whole domains or portions thereof. The polypeptides may also be fused or conjugated to the above antibody portions to form multimers. For example, Fc portions fused to the polypeptides of the present invention can form dimers through disulfide bonding between the Fc portions. Higher multimeric forms can be made by fusing the polypeptides to portions of IgA and IgM. Methods for fusing or conjugating the polypeptides of the present invention to antibody portions are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,336,603; 5,622,929; 5,359,046; 5,349,053; 5,447,851; 5,112,946; EP 307,434; EP 367,166; PCT publications WO 96/04388; WO 91/06570; Ashkenazi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:10535-10539 (1991); Zheng et al., J. Immunol. 154:5590-5600 (1995); and Vil et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:11337-11341(1992) (said references incorporated by reference in their entireties).

[0374] As discussed, supra, the polypeptides corresponding to a polypeptide, polypeptide fragment, or a variant of SEQ ID NOs:12-22 may be fused or conjugated to the above antibody portions to increase the in vivo half life of the polypeptides or for use in immunoassays using methods known in the art. Further, the polypeptides corresponding to SEQ ID NOs:12-22 may be fused or conjugated to the above antibody portions to facilitate purification. One reported example describes chimeric proteins consisting of the first two domains of the human CD4-polypeptide and various domains of the constant regions of the heavy or light chains of mammalian immunoglobulins. (EP 394,827; Traunecker et al., Nature 331:84-86 (1988). The polypeptides of the present invention fused or conjugated to an antibody having disulfide-linked dimeric structures (due to the IgG) may also be more efficient in binding and neutralizing other molecules, than the monomeric secreted protein or protein fragment alone. (Fountoulakis et al., J. Biochem. 270:3958-3964 (1995)). In many cases, the Fc part in a fusion protein is beneficial in therapy and diagnosis, and thus can result in, for example, improved pharmacokinetic properties. (EP A 232,262). Alternatively, deleting the Fc part after the fusion protein has been expressed, detected, and purified, would be desired. For example, the Fc portion may hinder therapy and diagnosis if the fusion protein is used as an antigen for immunizations. In drug discovery, for example, human proteins, such as hIL-5, have been fused with Fc portions for the purpose of high-throughput screening assays to identify antagonists of hIL-5. (See, Bennett et al., J. Molecular Recognition 8:52-58 (1995); Johanson et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:9459-9471 (1995).

[0375] Moreover, the antibodies or fragments thereof of the present invention can be fused to marker sequences, such as a peptide to facilitate purification. In preferred embodiments, the marker amino acid sequence is a hexa-histidine peptide, such as the tag provided in a pQE vector (QIAGEN, Inc., 9259 Eton Avenue, Chatsworth, Calif., 91311), among others, many of which are commercially available. As described in Gentz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:821-824 (1989), for instance, hexa-histidine provides for convenient purification of the fusion protein. Other peptide tags useful for purification include, but are not limited to, the “HA” tag, which corresponds to an epitope derived from the influenza hemagglutinin protein (Wilson et al., Cell 37:767 (1984)) and the “flag” tag.

[0376] The present invention further encompasses antibodies or fragments thereof conjugated to a diagnostic or therapeutic agent. The antibodies can be used diagnostically to, for example, monitor the development or progression of a tumor as part of a clinical testing procedure to, e.g., determine the efficacy of a given treatment regimen. Detection can be facilitated by coupling the antibody to a detectable substance. Examples of detectable substances include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, positron emitting metals using various positron emission tomographies, and nonradioactive paramagnetic metal ions. The detectable substance may be coupled or conjugated either directly to the antibody (or fragment thereof) or indirectly, through an intermediate (such as, for example, a linker known in the art) using techniques known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,900 for metal ions which can be conjugated to antibodies for use as diagnostics according to the present invention. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material includes luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; and examples of suitable radioactive material include 125I, 131I, 111In or 99Tc.

[0377] Further, an antibody or fragment thereof may be conjugated to a therapeutic moiety such as a cytotoxin, e.g., a cytostatic or cytocidal agent, a therapeutic agent or a radioactive metal ion, e.g., alpha-emitters such as, for example, 213Bi. A cytotoxin or cytotoxic agent includes any agent that is detrimental to cells. Examples include paclitaxol, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, mitoxantrone, mithramycin, actinomycin D, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, and puromycin and analogs or homologues thereof. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, antimetabolites (e.g., methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine), alkylating agents (e.g., mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU) and lomustine (CCNU), cyclothosphamide, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, and cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin) and doxorubicin), antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (formerly actinomycin), bleomycin, mithramycin, and anthramycin (AMC)), and anti-mitotic agents (e.g., vincristine and vinblastine).

[0378] The conjugates of the invention can be used for modifying a given biological response, the therapeutic agent or drug moiety is not to be construed as limited to classical chemical therapeutic agents. For example, the drug moiety may be a protein or polypeptide possessing a desired biological activity. Such proteins may include, for example, a toxin such as abrin, ricin A, pseudomonas exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin; a protein such as tumor necrosis factor, a-interferon, β-interferon, nerve growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, tissue plasminogen activator, an apoptotic agent, e.g., TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, AIM I (See, International Publication No. WO 97/33899), AIM II (See, International Publication No. WO 97/34911), Fas Ligand (Takahashi et al., Int. Immunol., 6:1567-1574 (1994)), VEGI (See, International Publication No. WO 99/23105), a thrombotic agent or an anti-angiogenic agent, e.g., angiostatin or endostatin; or, biological response modifiers such as, for example, lymphokines, interleukin-1 (“IL-1”), interleukin-2 (“IL-2”), interleukin-6 (“IL-6”), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (“GM-CSF”), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (“G-CSF”), or other growth factors.

[0379] Antibodies may also be attached to solid supports, which are particularly useful for immunoassays or purification of the target antigen. Such solid supports include, but are not limited to, glass, cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene.

[0380] Techniques for conjugating such therapeutic moiety to antibodies are well known, see, e.g., Arnon et al., “Monoclonal Antibodies For Immunotargeting Of Drugs In Cancer Therapy”, in Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Reisfeld et al. (eds.), pp. 243-56 (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1985); Hellstrom et al., “Antibodies For Drug Delivery”, in Controlled Drug Delivery (2nd Ed.), Robinson et al. (eds.), pp. 623-53 (Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1987); Thorpe, “Antibody Carriers Of Cytotoxic Agents In Cancer Therapy: A Review”, in Monoclonal Antibodies 84: Biological And Clinical Applications, Pinchera et al. (eds.), pp. 475-506 (1985); “Analysis, Results, And Future Prospective Of The Therapeutic Use Of Radiolabeled Antibody In Cancer Therapy”, in Monoclonal Antibodies For Cancer Detection And Therapy, Baldwin et al. (eds.), pp. 303-16 (Academic Press 1985), and Thorpe et al., “The Preparation And Cytotoxic Properties Of Antibody-Toxin Conjugates”, Immunol. Rev. 62:119-58 (1982).

[0381] Alternatively, an antibody can be conjugated to a second antibody to form an antibody heteroconjugate as described by Segal in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0382] An antibody, with or without a therapeutic moiety conjugated to it, administered alone or in combination with cytotoxic factor(s) and/or cytokine(s) can be used as a therapeutic.

[0383] The present invention also encompasses the creation of synthetic antibodies directed against the polypeptides of the present invention. One example of synthetic antibodies is described in Radrizzani, M., et al., Medicina, (Aires), 59(6):753-8, (1999)). Recently, a new class of synthetic antibodies has been described and are referred to as molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) (Semorex, Inc.). Antibodies, peptides, and enzymes are often used as molecular recognition elements in chemical and biological sensors. However, their lack of stability and signal transduction mechanisms limits their use as sensing devices. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are capable of mimicking the function of biological receptors but with less stability constraints. Such polymers provide high sensitivity and selectivity while maintaining excellent thermal and mechanical stability. MIPs have the ability to bind to small molecules and to target molecules such as organics and proteins' with equal or greater potency than that of natural antibodies. These “super” MIPs have higher affinities for their target and thus require lower concentrations for efficacious binding.

[0384] During synthesis, the MIPs are imprinted so as to have complementary size, shape, charge and functional groups of the selected target by using the target molecule itself (such as a polypeptide, antibody, etc.), or a substance having a very similar structure, as its “print” or “template.” MIPs can be derivatized with the same reagents afforded to antibodies. For example, fluorescent ‘super’ MIPs can be coated onto beads or wells for use in highly sensitive separations or assays, or for use in high throughput screening of proteins.

[0385] Moreover, MIPs based upon the structure of the polypeptide(s) of the present invention may be useful in screening for compounds that bind to the polypeptide(s) of the invention. Such a MIP would serve the role of a synthetic “receptor” by minimicking the native architecture of the polypeptide. In fact, the ability of a MIP to serve the role of a synthetic receptor has already been demonstrated for the estrogen receptor (Ye, L., Yu, Y., Mosbach, K, Analyst., 126(6):760-5, (2001); Dickert, F, L., Hayden, O., Halikias, K, P, Analyst., 126(6):766-71, (2001)). A synthetic receptor may either be mimicked in its entirety (e.g., as the entire protein), or mimicked as a series of short peptides corresponding to the protein (Rachkov, A., Minoura, N, Biochim, Biophys, Acta., 1544(1-2):255-66, (2001)). Such a synthetic receptor MIPs may be employed in any one or more of the screening methods described elsewhere herein.

[0386] MIPs have also been shown to be useful in “sensing” the presence of its mimicked molecule (Cheng, Z., Wang, E., Yang, X, Biosens, Bioelectron., 16(3):179-85, (2001); Jenkins, A, L., Yin, R., Jensen, J. L, Analyst., 126(6):798-802, (2001); Jenkins, A, L., Yin, R., Jensen, J. L, Analyst., 126(6):798-802, (2001)). For example, a MIP designed using a polypeptide of the present invention may be used in assays designed to identify, and potentially quantitate, the level of said polypeptide in a sample. Such a MIP may be used as a substitute for any component described in the assays, or kits, provided herein (e.g., ELISA, etc.).

[0387] A number of methods may be employed to create MIPs to a specific receptor, ligand, polypeptide, peptide, organic molecule. Several preferred methods are described by Esteban et al in J. Anal, Chem., 370(7):795-802, (2001), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in addition to any references cited therein. Additional methods are known in the art and are encompassed by the present invention, such as for example, Hart, B, R., Shea, K, J. J. Am. Chem, Soc., 123(9):2072-3, (2001); and Quaglia, M., Chenon, K., Hall, A, J., De, Lorenzi, E., Sellergren, B, J. Am. Chem, Soc., 123(10):2146-54, (2001); which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

Uses for Antibodies Directed Against Polypeptides of the Invention

[0388] The antibodies of the present invention have various utilities. For example, such antibodies may be used in diagnostic assays to detect the presence or quantification of the polypeptides of the invention in a sample. Such a diagnostic assay may be comprised of at least two steps. The first, subjecting a sample with the antibody, wherein the sample is a tissue (e.g., human, animal, etc.), biological fluid (e.g., blood, urine, sputum, semen, amniotic fluid, saliva, etc.), biological extract (e.g., tissue or cellular homogenate, etc.), a protein microchip (e.g., See Arenkov P, et al., Anal Biochem., 278(2):123-131 (2000)), or a chromatography column, etc. And a second step involving the quantification of antibody bound to the substrate. Alternatively, the method may additionally involve a first step of attaching the antibody, either covalently, electrostatically, or reversibly, to a solid support, and a second step of subjecting the bound antibody to the sample, as defined above and elsewhere herein.

[0389] Various diagnostic assay techniques are known in the art, such as competitive binding assays, direct or indirect sandwich assays and immunoprecipitation assays conducted in either heterogeneous or homogenous phases (Zola, Monoclonal Antibodies: A Manual of Techniques, CRC Press, Inc., (1987), pp147-158). The antibodies used in the diagnostic assays can be labeled with a detectable moiety. The detectable moiety should be capable of producing, either directly or indirectly, a detectable signal. For example, the detectable moiety may be a radioisotope, such as 2H, 14C, 32P, or 125I, a florescent or chemiluminescent compound, such as fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, or luciferin, or an enzyme, such as alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, green fluorescent protein, or horseradish peroxidase. Any method known in the art for conjugating the antibody to the detectable moiety may be employed, including those methods described by Hunter et al., Nature, 144:945 (1962); Dafvid et al., Biochem., 13:1014 (1974); Pain et al., J. Immunol. Metho., 40:219(1981); and Nygren, J. Histochem. And Cytochem., 30:407 (1982).

[0390] Antibodies directed against the polypeptides of the present invention are useful for the affinity purification of such polypeptides from recombinant cell culture or natural sources. In this process, the antibodies against a particular polypeptide are immobilized on a suitable support, such as a Sephadex resin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibody then is contacted with a sample containing the polypeptides to be purified, and thereafter the support is washed with a suitable solvent that will remove substantially all the material in the sample except for the desired polypeptides, which are bound to the immobilized antibody. Finally, the support is washed with another suitable solvent that will release the desired polypeptide from the antibody.

Immunophenotyping

[0391] The antibodies of the invention may be utilized for immunophenotyping of cell lines and biological samples. The translation product of the gene of the present invention may be useful as a cell specific marker, or more specifically as a cellular marker that is differentially expressed at various stages of differentiation and/or maturation of particular cell types. Monoclonal antibodies directed against a specific epitope, or combination of epitopes, will allow for the screening of cellular populations expressing the marker. Various techniques can be utilized using monoclonal antibodies to screen for cellular populations expressing the marker(s), and include magnetic separation using antibody-coated magnetic beads, “panning” with antibody attached to a solid matrix (i.e., plate), and flow cytometry (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,660; and Morrison et al., Cell, 96:737-49 (1999)).

[0392] These techniques allow for the screening of particular populations of cells, such as might be found with hematological malignancies (i.e. minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute leukemic patients) and “non-self” cells in transplantations to prevent Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Alternatively, these techniques allow for the screening of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells capable of undergoing proliferation and/or differentiation, as might be found in human umbilical cord blood.

Assays for Antibody Binding

[0393] The antibodies of the invention may be assayed for immunospecific binding by any method known in the art. The immunoassays which can be used include but are not limited to competitive and non-competitive assay systems using techniques such as western blots, radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoprecipitation assays, precipitin reactions, gel diffusion precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion assays, agglutination assays, complement-fixation assays, immunoradiometric assays, fluorescent immunoassays, protein A immunoassays, to name but a few. Such assays are routine and well known in the art (see, e.g., Ausubel et al, eds, 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Exemplary immunoassays are described briefly below (but are not intended by way of limitation).

[0394] Immunoprecipitation protocols generally comprise lysing a population of cells in a lysis buffer such as RIPA buffer (1% NP-40 or Triton X-100, 1% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS, 0.15 M NaCl, 0.01 M sodium phosphate at pH 7.2, 1% Trasylol) supplemented with protein phosphatase and/or protease inhibitors (e.g., EDTA, PMSF, aprotinin, sodium vanadate), adding the antibody of interest to the cell lysate, incubating for a period of time (e.g., 1-4 hours) at 4° C., adding protein A and/or protein G sepharose beads to the cell lysate, incubating for about an hour or more at 4° C., washing the beads in lysis buffer and resuspending the beads in SDS/sample buffer. The ability of the antibody of interest to immunoprecipitate a particular antigen can be assessed by, e.g., western blot analysis. One of skill in the art would be knowledgeable as to the parameters that can be modified to increase the binding of the antibody to an antigen and decrease the background (e.g., pre-clearing the cell lysate with sepharose beads). For further discussion regarding immunoprecipitation protocols see, e.g., Ausubel et al, eds, 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York at 10.16.1.

[0395] Western blot analysis generally comprises preparing protein samples, electrophoresis of the protein samples in a polyacrylamide gel (e.g., 8%-20% SDS-PAGE depending on the molecular weight of the antigen), transferring the protein sample from the polyacrylamide gel to a membrane such as nitrocellulose, PVDF or nylon, blocking the membrane in blocking solution (e.g., PBS with 3% BSA or non-fat milk), washing the membrane in washing buffer (e.g., PBS-Tween 20), blocking the membrane with primary antibody (the antibody of interest) diluted in blocking buffer, washing the membrane in washing buffer, blocking the membrane with a secondary antibody (which recognizes the primary antibody, e.g., an anti-human antibody) conjugated to an enzymatic substrate (e.g., horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) or radioactive molecule (e.g., 32P or 125I) diluted in blocking buffer, washing the membrane in wash buffer, and detecting the presence of the antigen. One of skill in the art would be knowledgeable as to the parameters that can be modified to increase the signal detected and to reduce the background noise. For further discussion regarding western blot protocols see, e.g., Ausubel et al, eds, 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York at 10.8.1.

[0396] ELISAs comprise preparing antigen, coating the well of a 96 well microtiter plate with the antigen, adding the antibody of interest conjugated to a detectable compound such as an enzymatic substrate (e.g., horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) to the well and incubating for a period of time, and detecting the presence of the antigen. In ELISAs the antibody of interest does not have to be conjugated to a detectable compound; instead, a second antibody (which recognizes the antibody of interest) conjugated to a detectable compound may be added to the well. Further, instead of coating the well with the antigen, the antibody may be coated to the well. In this case, a second antibody conjugated to a detectable compound may be added following the addition of the antigen of interest to the coated well. One of skill in the art would be knowledgeable as to the parameters that can be modified to increase the signal detected as well as other variations of ELISAs known in the art. For further discussion regarding ELISAs see, e.g., Ausubel et al, eds, 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York at 11.2.1.

[0397] The binding affinity of an antibody to an antigen and the off-rate of an antibody-antigen interaction can be determined by competitive binding assays. One example of a competitive binding assay is a radioimmunoassay comprising the incubation of labeled antigen (e.g., 3H or 125I) with the antibody of interest in the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled antigen, and the detection of the antibody bound to the labeled antigen. The affinity of the antibody of interest for a particular antigen and the binding off-rates can be determined from the data by scatchard plot analysis. Competition with a second antibody can also be determined using radioimmunoassays. In this case, the antigen is incubated with antibody of interest conjugated to a labeled compound (e.g., 3H or 125I) in the presence of increasing amounts of an unlabeled second antibody.

Therapeutic Uses of Antibodies

[0398] The present invention is further directed to antibody-based therapies which involve administering antibodies of the invention to an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably a human, patient for treating one or more of the disclosed diseases, disorders, or conditions. Therapeutic compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to, antibodies of the invention (including fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof as described herein) and nucleic acids encoding antibodies of the invention (including fragments, analogs and derivatives thereof and anti-idiotypic antibodies as described herein). The antibodies of the invention can be used to treat, inhibit or prevent diseases, disorders or conditions associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of a polypeptide of the invention, including, but not limited to, any one or more of the diseases, disorders, or conditions described herein. The treatment and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of a polypeptide of the invention includes, but is not limited to, alleviating symptoms associated with those diseases, disorders or conditions. Antibodies of the invention may be provided in pharmaceutically acceptable compositions as known in the art or as described herein.

[0399] A summary of the ways in which the antibodies of the present invention may be used therapeutically includes binding polynucleotides or polypeptides of the present invention locally or systemically in the body or by direct cytotoxicity of the antibody, e.g. as mediated by complement (CDC) or by effector cells (ADCC). Some of these approaches are described in more detail below. Armed with the teachings provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will know how to use the antibodies of the present invention for diagnostic, monitoring or therapeutic purposes without undue experimentation.

[0400] The antibodies of this invention may be advantageously utilized in combination with other monoclonal or chimeric antibodies, or with lymphokines or hematopoietic growth factors (such as, e.g., IL-2, IL-3 and IL-7), for example, which serve to increase the number or activity of effector cells which interact with the antibodies.

[0401] The antibodies of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with other types of treatments (e.g., radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and anti-tumor agents). Generally, administration of products of a species origin or species reactivity (in the case of antibodies) that is the same species as that of the patient is preferred. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, human antibodies, fragments derivatives, analogs, or nucleic acids, are administered to a human patient for therapy or prophylaxis.

[0402] It is preferred to use high affinity and/or potent in vivo inhibiting and/or neutralizing antibodies against polypeptides or polynucleotides of the present invention, fragments or regions thereof, for both immunoassays directed to and therapy of disorders related to polynucleotides or polypeptides, including fragments thereof, of the present invention. Such antibodies, fragments, or regions, will preferably have an affinity for polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention, including fragments thereof. Preferred binding affinities include those with a dissociation constant or Kd less than 5×10-2 M, 10-2 M, 5×10-3 M, 10-3 M, 5×10-4 M, 10-4 M, 5×10-5 M, 10-5M, 5×10-6 M, 10-6 M, 5×10-7 M, 10-7 M, 5×10-8 M, 10-8 M, 5×10-9 M, 10-9 M, 5×10−10 M, 10−10 M, 5×10-11 M, 10-11 M, 5×10-12 M, 10-12 M, 5×10-13 M, 10-13 M, 5×10-14 M, 10-14 M, 5×10-15 M, and 10-15 M.

[0403] Antibodies directed against polypeptides of the present invention are useful for inhibiting allergic reactions in animals. For example, by administering a therapeutically acceptable dose of an antibody, or antibodies, of the present invention, or a cocktail of the present antibodies, or in combination with other antibodies of varying sources, the animal may not elicit an allergic response to antigens.

[0404] Likewise, one could envision cloning the gene encoding an antibody directed against a polypeptide of the present invention, said polypeptide having the potential to elicit an allergic and/or immune response in an organism, and transforming the organism with said antibody gene such that it is expressed (e.g., constitutively, inducibly, etc.) in the organism. Thus, the organism would effectively become resistant to an allergic response resulting from the ingestion or presence of such an immune/allergic reactive polypeptide. Moreover, such a use of the antibodies of the present invention may have particular utility in preventing and/or ameliorating autoimmune diseases and/or disorders, as such conditions are typically a result of antibodies being directed against endogenous proteins. For example, in the instance where the polypeptide of the present invention is responsible for modulating the immune response to auto-antigens, transforming the organism and/or individual with a construct comprising any of the promoters disclosed herein or otherwise known in the art, in addition, to a polynucleotide encoding the antibody directed against the polypeptide of the present invention could effective inhibit the organisms immune system from eliciting an immune response to the auto-antigen(s). Detailed descriptions of therapeutic and/or gene therapy applications of the present invention are provided elsewhere herein.

[0405] Alternatively, antibodies of the present invention could be produced in a plant (e.g., cloning the gene of the antibody directed against a polypeptide of the present invention, and transforming a plant with a suitable vector comprising said gene for constitutive expression of the antibody within the plant), and the plant subsequently ingested by an animal, thereby conferring temporary immunity to the animal for the specific antigen the antibody is directed towards (See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,914,123 and 6,034,298).

[0406] In another embodiment, antibodies of the present invention, preferably polyclonal antibodies, more preferably monoclonal antibodies, and most preferably single-chain antibodies, can be used as a means of inhibiting gene expression of a particular gene, or genes, in a human, mammal, and/or other organism. See, for example, International Publication Number WO 00/05391, published Feb. 3, 2000, to Dow Agrosciences LLC. The application of such methods for the antibodies of the present invention are known in the art, and are more particularly described elsewhere herein.

[0407] In yet another embodiment, antibodies of the present invention may be useful for multimerizing the polypeptides of the present invention. For example, certain proteins may confer enhanced biological activity when present in a multimeric state (i.e., such enhanced activity may be due to the increased effective concentration of such proteins whereby more protein is available in a localized location).

Antibody-Based Gene Therapy

[0408] In a specific embodiment, nucleic acids comprising sequences encoding antibodies or functional derivatives thereof, are administered to treat, inhibit or prevent a disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of a polypeptide of the invention, by way of gene therapy. Gene therapy refers to therapy performed by the administration to a subject of an expressed or expressible nucleic acid. In this embodiment of the invention, the nucleic acids produce their encoded protein that mediates a therapeutic effect.

[0409] Any of the methods for gene therapy available in the art can be used according to the present invention. Exemplary methods are described below.

[0410] For general reviews of the methods of gene therapy, see Goldspiel et al., Clinical Pharmacy 12:488-505 (1993); Wu and Wu, Biotherapy 3:87-95 (1991); Tolstoshev, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32:573-596 (1993); Mulligan, Science 260:926-932 (1993); and Morgan and Anderson, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:191-217 (1993); May, TIBTECH 11(5):155-215 (1993). Methods commonly known in the art of recombinant DNA technology which can be used are described in Ausubel et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, NY (1993); and Kriegler, Gene Transfer and Expression, A Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY (1990).

[0411] In a preferred aspect, the compound comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding an antibody, said nucleic acid sequences being part of expression vectors that express the antibody or fragments or chimeric proteins or heavy or light chains thereof in a suitable host. In particular, such nucleic acid sequences have promoters operably linked to the antibody coding region, said promoter being inducible or constitutive, and, optionally, tissue-specific. In another particular embodiment, nucleic acid molecules are used in which the antibody coding sequences and any other desired sequences are flanked by regions that promote homologous recombination at a desired site in the genome, thus providing for intrachromosomal expression of the antibody encoding nucleic acids (Koller and Smithies, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8932-8935 (1989); Zijlstra et al., Nature 342:435-438 (1989). In specific embodiments, the expressed antibody molecule is a single chain antibody; alternatively, the nucleic acid sequences include sequences encoding both the heavy and light chains, or fragments thereof, of the antibody.

[0412] Delivery of the nucleic acids into a patient may be either direct, in which case the patient is directly exposed to the nucleic acid or nucleic acid-carrying vectors, or indirect, in which case, cells are first transformed with the nucleic acids in vitro, then transplanted into the patient. These two approaches are known, respectively, as in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy.

[0413] In a specific embodiment, the nucleic acid sequences are directly administered in vivo, where it is expressed to produce the encoded product. This can be accomplished by any of numerous methods known in the art, e.g., by constructing them as part of an appropriate nucleic acid expression vector and administering it so that they become intracellular, e.g., by infection using defective or attenuated retrovirals or other viral vectors (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,286), or by direct injection of naked DNA, or by use of microparticle bombardment (e.g., a gene gun; Biolistic, Dupont), or coating with lipids or cell-surface receptors or transfecting agents, encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, or microcapsules, or by administering them in linkage to a peptide which is known to enter the nucleus, by administering it in linkage to a ligand subject to receptor-mediated endocytosis (see, e.g., Wu and Wu, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432 (1987)) (which can be used to target cell types specifically expressing the receptors), etc. In another embodiment, nucleic acid-ligand complexes can be formed in which the ligand comprises a fusogenic viral peptide to disrupt endosomes, allowing the nucleic acid to avoid lysosomal degradation. In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid can be targeted in vivo for cell specific uptake and expression, by targeting a specific receptor (see, e.g., PCT Publications WO 92/06180; WO 92/22635; WO92/20316; WO93/14188, WO 93/20221). Alternatively, the nucleic acid can be introduced intracellularly and incorporated within host cell DNA for expression, by homologous recombination (Koller and Smithies, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8932-8935 (1989); Zijlstra et al., Nature 342:435-438 (1989)).

[0414] In a specific embodiment, viral vectors that contains nucleic acid sequences encoding an antibody of the invention are used. For example, a retroviral vector can be used (see Miller et al., Meth. Enzymol. 217:581-599 (1993)). These retroviral vectors contain the components necessary for the correct packaging of the viral genome and integration into the host cell DNA. The nucleic acid sequences encoding the antibody to be used in gene therapy are cloned into one or more vectors, which facilitates delivery of the gene into a patient. More detail about retroviral vectors can be found in Boesen et al., Biotherapy 6:291-302 (1994), which describes the use of a retroviral vector to deliver the mdr1 gene to hematopoietic stem cells in order to make the stem cells more resistant to chemotherapy. Other references illustrating the use of retroviral vectors in gene therapy are: Clowes et al., J. Clin. Invest. 93:644-651 (1994); Kiem et al., Blood 83:1467-1473 (1994); Salmons and Gunzberg, Human Gene Therapy 4:129-141 (1993); and Grossman and Wilson, Curr. Opin. in Genetics and Devel. 3:110-114 (1993).

[0415] Adenoviruses are other viral vectors that can be used in gene therapy. Adenoviruses are especially attractive vehicles for delivering genes to respiratory epithelia. Adenoviruses naturally infect respiratory epithelia where they cause a mild disease. Other targets for adenovirus-based delivery systems are liver, the central nervous system, endothelial cells, and muscle. Adenoviruses have the advantage of being capable of infecting non-dividing cells. Kozarsky and Wilson, Current Opinion in Genetics and Development 3:499-503 (1993) present a review of adenovirus-based gene therapy. Bout et al., Human Gene Therapy 5:3-10 (1994) demonstrated the use of adenovirus vectors to transfer genes to the respiratory epithelia of rhesus monkeys. Other instances of the use of adenoviruses in gene therapy can be found in Rosenfeld et al., Science 252:431-434 (1991); Rosenfeld et al., Cell 68:143-155 (1992); Mastrangeli et al., J. Clin. Invest. 91:225-234 (1993); PCT Publication WO94/12649; and Wang, et al., Gene Therapy 2:775-783 (1995). In a preferred embodiment, adenovirus vectors are used.

[0416] Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has also been proposed for use in gene therapy (Walsh et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 204:289-300 (1993); U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,146).

[0417] Another approach to gene therapy involves transferring a gene to cells in tissue culture by such methods as electroporation, lipofection, calcium phosphate mediated transfection, or viral infection. Usually, the method of transfer includes the transfer of a selectable marker to the cells. The cells are then placed under selection to isolate those cells that have taken up and are expressing the transferred gene. Those cells are then delivered to a patient.

[0418] In this embodiment, the nucleic acid is introduced into a cell prior to administration in vivo of the resulting recombinant cell. Such introduction can be carried out by any method known in the art, including but not limited to transfection, electroporation, microinjection, infection with a viral or bacteriophage vector containing the nucleic acid sequences, cell fusion, chromosome-mediated gene transfer, microcell-mediated gene transfer, spheroplast fusion, etc. Numerous techniques are known in the art for the introduction of foreign genes into cells (see, e.g., Loeffler and Behr, Meth. Enzymol. 217:599-618 (1993); Cohen et al., Meth. Enzymol. 217:618-644 (1993); Cline, Pharmac. Ther. 29:69-92m (1985) and may be used in accordance with the present invention, provided that the necessary developmental and physiological functions of the recipient cells are not disrupted. The technique should provide for the stable transfer of the nucleic acid to the cell, so that the nucleic acid is expressible by the cell and preferably heritable and expressible by its cell progeny.

[0419] The resulting recombinant cells can be delivered to a patient by various methods known in the art. Recombinant blood cells (e.g., hematopoictic stem or progenitor cells) are preferably administered intravenously. The amount of cells envisioned for use depends on the desired effect, patient state, etc., and can be determined by one skilled in the art.

[0420] Cells into which a nucleic acid can be introduced for purposes of gene therapy encompass any desired, available cell type, and include but are not limited to epithelial cells, endothelial cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, muscle cells, hepatocytes; blood cells such as Tlymphocytes, Blymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, megakaryocytes, granulocytes; various stem or progenitor cells, in particular hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells, e.g., as obtained from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, fetal liver, etc.

[0421] In a preferred embodiment, the cell used for gene therapy is autologous to the patient.

[0422] In an embodiment in which recombinant cells are used in gene therapy, nucleic acid sequences encoding an antibody are introduced into the cells such that they are expressible by the cells or their progeny, and the recombinant cells are then administered in vivo for therapeutic effect. In a specific embodiment, stem or progenitor cells are used. Any stem and/or progenitor cells which can be isolated and maintained in vitro can potentially be used in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention (see e.g. PCT Publication WO 94/08598; Stemple and Anderson, Cell 71:973-985 (1992); Rheinwald, Meth. Cell Bio. 21A:229 (1980); and Pittelkow and Scott, Mayo Clinic Proc. 61:771 (1986)).

[0423] In a specific embodiment, the nucleic acid to be introduced for purposes of gene therapy comprises an inducible promoter operably linked to the coding region, such that expression of the nucleic acid is controllable by controlling the presence or absence of the appropriate inducer of transcription. Demonstration of Therapeutic or Prophylactic Activity

[0424] The compounds or pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are preferably tested in vitro, and then in vivo for the desired therapeutic or prophylactic activity, prior to use in humans. For example, in vitro assays to demonstrate the therapeutic or prophylactic utility of a compound or pharmaceutical composition include, the effect of a compound on a cell line or a patient tissue sample. The effect of the compound or composition on the cell line and/or tissue sample can be determined utilizing techniques known to those of skill in the art including, but not limited to, rosette formation assays and cell lysis assays. In accordance with the invention, in vitro assays which can be used to determine whether administration of a specific compound is indicated, include in vitro cell culture assays in which a patient tissue sample is grown in culture, and exposed to or otherwise administered a compound, and the effect of such compound upon the tissue sample is observed.

Therapeutic/Prophylactic Administration and Compositions

[0425] The invention provides methods of treatment, inhibition and prophylaxis by administration to a subject of an effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutical composition of the invention, preferably an antibody of the invention. In a preferred aspect, the compound is substantially purified (e.g., substantially free from substances that limit its effect or produce undesired side-effects). The subject is preferably an animal, including but not limited to animals such as cows, pigs, horses, chickens, cats, dogs, etc., and is preferably a mammal, and most preferably human.

[0426] Formulations and methods of administration that can be employed when the compound comprises a nucleic acid or an immunoglobulin are described above; additional appropriate formulations and routes of administration can be selected from among those described herein below.

[0427] Various delivery systems are known and can be used to administer a compound of the invention, e.g., encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, microcapsules, recombinant cells capable of expressing the compound, receptor-mediated endocytosis (see, e.g., Wu and Wu, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432 (1987)), construction of a nucleic acid as part of a retroviral or other vector, etc. Methods of introduction include but are not limited to intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, epidural, and oral routes. The compounds or compositions may be administered by any convenient route, for example by infusion or bolus injection, by absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings (e.g., oral mucosa, rectal and intestinal mucosa, etc.) and may be administered together with other biologically active agents. Administration can be systemic or local. In addition, it may be desirable to introduce the pharmaceutical compounds or compositions of the invention into the central nervous system by any suitable route, including intraventricular and intrathecal injection; intraventricular injection may be facilitated by an intraventricular catheter, for example, attached to a reservoir, such as an Ommaya reservoir. Pulmonary administration can also be employed, e.g., by use of an inhaler or nebulizer, and formulation with an aerosolizing agent.

[0428] In a specific embodiment, it may be desirable to administer the pharmaceutical compounds or compositions of the invention locally to the area in need of treatment; this may be achieved by, for example, and not by way of limitation, local infusion during surgery, topical application, e.g., in conjunction with a wound dressing after surgery, by injection, by means of a catheter, by means of a suppository, or by means of an implant, said implant being of a porous, non-porous, or gelatinous material, including membranes, such as sialastic membranes, or fibers. Preferably, when administering a protein, including an antibody, of the invention, care must be taken to use materials to which the protein does not absorb.

[0429] In another embodiment, the compound or composition can be delivered in a vesicle, in particular a liposome (see Langer, Science 249:1527-1533 (1990); Treat et al., in Liposomes in the Therapy of Infectious Disease and Cancer, Lopez-Berestein and Fidler (eds.), Liss, New York, pp. 353-365 (1989); Lopez-Berestein, ibid., pp. 317-327; see generally ibid.)

[0430] In yet another embodiment, the compound or composition can be delivered in a controlled release system. In one embodiment, a pump may be used (see Langer, supra; Sefton, CRC Crit. Ref. Biomed. Eng. 14:201 (1987); Buchwald et al., Surgery 88:507 (1980); Saudek et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 321:574 (1989)). In another embodiment, polymeric materials can be used (see Medical Applications of Controlled Release, Langer and Wise (eds.), CRC Pres., Boca Raton, Fla. (1974); Controlled Drug Bioavailability, Drug Product Design and Performance, Smolen and Ball (eds.), Wiley, New York (1984); Ranger and Peppas, J., Macromol. Sci. Rev. Macromol. Chem. 23:61 (1983); see also Levy et al., Science 228:190 (1985); During et al., Ann. Neurol. 25:351 (1989); Howard et al., J. Neurosurg. 71:105 (1989)). In yet another embodiment, a controlled release system can be placed in proximity of the therapeutic target, i.e., the brain, thus requiring only a fraction of the systemic dose (see, e.g., Goodson, in Medical Applications of Controlled Release, supra, vol. 2, pp. 115-138 (1984)).

[0431] Other controlled release systems are discussed in the review by Langer (Science 249:1527-1533 (1990)).

[0432] In a specific embodiment where the compound of the invention is a nucleic acid encoding a protein, the nucleic acid can be administered in vivo to promote expression of its encoded protein, by constructing it as part of an appropriate nucleic acid expression vector and administering it so that it becomes intracellular, e.g., by use of a retroviral vector (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,286), or by direct injection, or by use of microparticle bombardment (e.g., a gene gun; Biolistic, Dupont), or coating with lipids or cell-surface receptors or transfecting agents, or by administering it in linkage to a homeobox-like peptide which is known to enter the nucleus (see e.g., Joliot et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:1864-1868 (1991)), etc. Alternatively, a nucleic acid can be introduced intracellularly and incorporated within host cell DNA for expression, by homologous recombination.

[0433] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a specific embodiment, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly in humans. The term “carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water is a preferred carrier when the pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions can also be employed as liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like. The composition, if desired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents. These compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained-release formulations and the like. The composition can be formulated as a suppository, with traditional binders and carriers such as triglycerides. Oral formulation can include standard carriers such as pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin. Such compositions will contain a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, preferably in purified form, together with a suitable amount of carrier so as to provide the form for proper administration to the patient. The formulation should suit the mode of administration.

[0434] In a preferred embodiment, the composition is formulated in accordance with routine procedures as a pharmaceutical composition adapted for intravenous administration to human beings. Typically, compositions for intravenous administration are solutions in sterile isotonic aqueous buffer. Where necessary, the composition may also include a solubilizing agent and a local anesthetic such as lignocaine to ease pain at the site of the injection. Generally, the ingredients are supplied either separately or mixed together in unit dosage form, for example, as a dry lyophilized powder or water free concentrate in a hermetically sealed container such as an ampoule or sachette indicating the quantity of active agent. Where the composition is to be administered by infusion, it can be dispensed with an infusion bottle containing sterile pharmaceutical grade water or saline. Where the composition is administered by injection, an ampoule of sterile water for injection or saline can be provided so that the ingredients may be mixed prior to administration.

[0435] The compounds of the invention can be formulated as neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed with anions such as those derived from hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric acids, etc., and those formed with cations such as those derived from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides, isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, etc.

[0436] The amount of the compound of the invention which will be effective in the treatment, inhibition and prevention of a disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of a polypeptide of the invention can be determined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in vitro assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges. The precise dose to be employed in the formulation will also depend on the route of administration, and the seriousness of the disease or disorder, and should be decided according to the judgment of the practitioner and each patient's circumstances. Effective doses may be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.

[0437] For antibodies, the dosage administered to a patient is typically 0.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of the patient's body weight. Preferably, the dosage administered to a patient is between 0.1 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of the patient's body weight, more preferably 1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg of the patient's body weight. Generally, human antibodies have a longer half-life within the human body than antibodies from other species due to the immune response to the foreign polypeptides. Thus, lower dosages of human antibodies and less frequent administration is often possible. Further, the dosage and frequency of administration of antibodies of the invention may be reduced by enhancing uptake and tissue penetration (e.g., into the brain) of the antibodies by modifications such as, for example, lipidation.

[0438] The invention also provides a pharmaceutical pack or kit comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Optionally associated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use or sale for human administration.

Diagnosis and Imaging With Antibodies

[0439] Labeled antibodies, and derivatives and analogs thereof, which specifically bind to a polypeptide of interest can be used for diagnostic purposes to detect, diagnose, or monitor diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with the aberrant expression and/or activity of a polypeptide of the invention. The invention provides for the detection of aberrant expression of a polypeptide of interest, comprising (a) assaying the expression of the polypeptide of interest in cells or body fluid of an individual using one or more antibodies specific to the polypeptide interest and (b) comparing the level of gene expression with a standard gene expression level, whereby an increase or decrease in the assayed polypeptide gene expression level compared to the standard expression level is indicative of aberrant expression.

[0440] The invention provides a diagnostic assay for diagnosing a disorder, comprising (a) assaying the expression of the polypeptide of interest in cells or body fluid of an individual using one or more antibodies specific to the polypeptide interest and (b) comparing the level of gene expression with a standard gene expression level, whereby an increase or decrease in the assayed polypeptide gene expression level compared to the standard expression level is indicative of a particular disorder. With respect to cancer, the presence of a relatively high amount of transcript in biopsied tissue from an individual may indicate a predisposition for the development of the disease, or may provide a means for detecting the disease prior to the appearance of actual clinical symptoms. A more definitive diagnosis of this type may allow health professionals to employ preventative measures or aggressive treatment earlier thereby preventing the development or further progression of the cancer.

[0441] Antibodies of the invention can be used to assay protein levels in a biological sample using classical immunohistological methods known to those of skill in the art (e.g., see Jalkanen, et al., J. Cell. Biol. 101:976-985 (1985); Jalkanen, et al., J. Cell. Biol. 105:3087-3096 (1987)). Other antibody-based methods useful for detecting protein gene expression include immunoassays, such as the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Suitable antibody assay labels are known in the art and include enzyme labels, such as, glucose oxidase; radioisotopes, such as iodine (125I, 121I), carbon (14C), sulfur (35S), tritium (3H), indium (112In), and technetium (99Tc); luminescent labels, such as luminol; and fluorescent labels, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, and biotin.

[0442] One aspect of the invention is the detection and diagnosis of a disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression of a polypeptide of interest in an animal, preferably a mammal and most preferably a human. In one embodiment, diagnosis comprises: a) administering (for example, parenterally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally) to a subject an effective amount of a labeled molecule which specifically binds to the polypeptide of interest; b) waiting for a time interval following the administering for permitting the labeled molecule to preferentially concentrate at sites in the subject where the polypeptide is expressed (and for unbound labeled molecule to be cleared to background level); c) determining background level; and d) detecting the labeled molecule in the subject, such that detection of labeled molecule above the background level indicates that the subject has a particular disease or disorder associated with aberrant expression of the polypeptide of interest. Background level can be determined by various methods including, comparing the amount of labeled molecule detected to a standard value previously determined for a particular system.

[0443] It will be understood in the art that the size of the subject and the imaging system used will determine the quantity of imaging moiety needed to produce diagnostic images. In the case of a radioisotope moiety, for a human subject, the quantity of radioactivity injected will normally range from about 5 to 20 millicuries of 99 mTc. The labeled antibody or antibody fragment will then preferentially accumulate at the location of cells which contain the specific protein. In vivo tumor imaging is described in S. W. Burchiel et al., “Immunopharmacokinetics of Radiolabeled Antibodies and Their Fragments.” (Chapter 13 in Tumor Imaging: The Radiochemical Detection of Cancer, S. W. Burchiel and B. A. Rhodes, eds., Masson Publishing Inc. (1982).

[0444] Depending on several variables, including the type of label used and the mode of administration, the time interval following the administration for permitting the labeled molecule to preferentially concentrate at sites in the subject and for unbound labeled molecule to be cleared to background level is 6 to 48 hours or 6 to 24 hours or 6 to 12 hours. In another embodiment the time interval following administration is 5 to 20 days or 5 to 10 days.

[0445] In an embodiment, monitoring of the disease or disorder is carried out by repeating the method for diagnosing the disease or disease, for example, one month after initial diagnosis, six months after initial diagnosis, one year after initial diagnosis, etc.

[0446] Presence of the labeled molecule can be detected in the patient using methods known in the art for in vivo scanning. These methods depend upon the type of label used. Skilled artisans will be able to determine the appropriate method for detecting a particular label. Methods and devices that may be used in the diagnostic methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, computed tomography (CT), whole body scan such as position emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and sonography.

[0447] In a specific embodiment, the molecule is labeled with a radioisotope and is detected in the patient using a radiation responsive surgical instrument (Thurston et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,050). In another embodiment, the molecule is labeled with a fluorescent compound and is detected in the patient using a fluorescence responsive scanning instrument. In another embodiment, the molecule is labeled with a positron emitting metal and is detected in the patent using positron emission-tomography. In yet another embodiment, the molecule is labeled with a paramagnetic label and is detected in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Kits

[0448] The present invention provides kits that can be used in the above methods. In one embodiment, a kit comprises an antibody of the invention, preferably a purified antibody, in one or more containers. In a specific embodiment, the kits of the present invention contain a substantially isolated polypeptide comprising an epitope which is specifically immunoreactive with an antibody included in the kit. Preferably, the kits of the present invention further comprise a control antibody which does not react with the polypeptide of interest. In another specific embodiment, the kits of the present invention contain a means for detecting the binding of an antibody to a polypeptide of interest (e.g., the antibody may be conjugated to a detectable substrate such as a fluorescent compound, an enzymatic substrate, a radioactive compound or a luminescent compound, or a second antibody which recognizes the first antibody may be conjugated to a detectable substrate).

[0449] In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the kit is a diagnostic kit for use in screening serum containing antibodies specific against proliferative and/or cancerous polynucleotides and polypeptides. Such a kit may include a control antibody that does not react with the polypeptide of interest. Such a kit may include a substantially isolated polypeptide antigen comprising an epitope which is specifically immunoreactive with at least one anti-polypeptide antigen antibody. Further, such a kit includes means for detecting the binding of said antibody to the antigen (e.g., the antibody may be conjugated to a fluorescent compound such as fluorescein or rhodamine which can be detected by flow cytometry). In specific embodiments, the kit may include a recombinantly produced or chemically synthesized polypeptide antigen. The polypeptide antigen of the kit may also be attached to a solid support.

[0450] In a more specific embodiment the detecting means of the above-described kit includes a solid support to which said polypeptide antigen is attached. Such a kit may also include a non-attached reporter-labeled anti-human antibody. In this embodiment, binding of the antibody to the polypeptide antigen can be detected by binding of the said reporter-labeled antibody.

[0451] In an additional embodiment, the invention includes a diagnostic kit for use in screening serum containing antigens of the polypeptide of the invention. The diagnostic kit includes a substantially isolated antibody specifically immunoreactive with polypeptide or polynucleotide antigens, and means for detecting the binding of the polynucleotide or polypeptide antigen to the antibody. In one embodiment, the antibody is attached to a solid support. In a specific embodiment, the antibody may be a monoclonal antibody. The detecting means of the kit may include a second, labeled monoclonal antibody. Alternatively, or in addition, the detecting means may include a labeled, competing antigen.

[0452] In one diagnostic configuration, test serum is reacted with a solid phase reagent having a surface-bound antigen obtained by the methods of the present invention. After binding with specific antigen antibody to the reagent and removing unbound serum components by washing, the reagent is reacted with reporter-labeled anti-human antibody to bind reporter to the reagent in proportion to the amount of bound anti-antigen antibody on the solid support. The reagent is again washed to remove unbound labeled antibody, and the amount of reporter associated with the reagent is determined. Typically, the reporter is an enzyme which is detected by incubating the solid phase in the presence of a suitable fluorometric, luminescent or colorimetric substrate (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.).

[0453] The solid surface reagent in the above assay is prepared by known techniques for attaching protein material to solid support material, such as polymeric beads, dip sticks, 96-well plate or filter material. These attachment methods generally include non-specific adsorption of the protein to the support or covalent attachment of the protein, typically through a free amine group, to a chemically reactive group on the solid support, such as an activated carboxyl, hydroxyl, or aldehyde group. Alternatively, streptavidin coated plates can be used in conjunction with biotinylated antigen(s).

[0454] Thus, the invention provides an assay system or kit for carrying out this diagnostic method. The kit generally includes a support with surface-bound recombinant antigens, and a reporter-labeled anti-human antibody for detecting surface-bound anti-antigen antibody.

EXAMPLES

[0455] The Examples herein are meant to exemplify the various aspects of carrying out the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. The Examples do not include detailed descriptions for conventional methods employed, such as in the construction of vectors, the insertion of cDNA into such vectors, or the introduction of the resulting vectors into the appropriate host. Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art and are described in numerous publications, for example, Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, USA, (1989).

Example 1

Bioinformatics Analysis

[0456] Currently, one approach used for identifying and characterizing the genes distributed along the human genome includes utilizing large fragments of genomic DNA which are isolated, cloned, and sequenced. Potential open reading frames in these genomic sequences were identified using bioinformatics software.

[0457] GPCR sequences were obtained from the GPCR database at European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) (http://www.7tm.org/gpcr/). These sequences (more than 1300 protein sequences) were used as probes to search the human genomic, public and private EST databases. The search program used was BLAST2. The alignment was performed using the BLAST 2 algorithm according to the default parameters (S. F. Altschul, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, 1997), or the GAP global alignment program in GCG (S. B. Needleman, C. D. Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol. 48(3):443-53, 1970). The BLAST results were analyzed for potential novel GPCR candidates. The candidate sequences, from genomic or EST data, were then characterized. The characterization methods include sequence and profile-based analyses. The functional prediction is based on sequence identity and homology and/or domain information.

[0458] For BLAST-generated alignments, the “query” sequence represents the novel GPCR amino acid sequence of the invention; the subject (“sbjct”) sequence represents the local matching sequence of the protein found in the database. The amino acids between the query and target sequences represent matching identical amino acids between the two sequences. Plus signs (“+”) between the query and target sequences represent similar amino acids between the two sequences. Spaces between the query and the target sequences indicate regions of non-identity for the aligned polypeptides.

[0459] For GAP-generated alignments, the amino acid sequences on the top lines represent the novel GPCR amino acid sequences of the invention. The amino acid sequences on the bottom lines represent the local matching sequence of the protein found in the database. Vertical dashes between the top and bottom sequence lines represent identical amino acids between the two sequences. Two vertical dots between the top and bottom sequence lines represent similar amino acids between the two sequences. The GAP program generates percent identity/similarity using an alogrithm based on the following paper: Needleman, S. B., Wunsch, C. D. (1970) J. of Mol. Biol., 48(3):443-53.

[0460] FIG. 34 shows the regions of local identity (68%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 1 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:12, FIG. 12) of the present invention and the human Dopamine Receptor D4, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:23). The results suggest that the Gene 1 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of the human Dopamine Receptor D4. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 1 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human Dopamine Receptor D4, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0461] FIG. 35 shows the regions of local identity (100%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 2 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:13, FIG. 13) of the present invention and human HE6, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:24). The results suggest that the Gene 2 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human HE6. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 2 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human HE6, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0462] FIG. 36 shows the regions of local identity (98%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 3 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:14, FIG. 14) of the present invention and human Prostaglandin Receptor, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:25). The results suggest that the Gene 3 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Prostaglandin Receptor. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 3 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human Prostaglandin Receptor, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0463] FIG. 37 shows the regions of global identity (88.9%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 4 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:15, FIG. 15) of the present invention and human FSH Receptor, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:26). The results suggest that the Gene 4 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human FSH Receptor. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 4 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human FSH Receptor, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0464] FIG. 38 shows the regions of local identity (99%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 5 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:16, FIG. 16) of the present invention and human Chemokine Receptor, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:27). The results suggest that the Gene 5 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Chemokine Receptor. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 5 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human Chemokine Receptor, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0465] FIG. 39 shows the regions of local identity (99%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 6 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:17, FIG. 17) of the present invention and human Neuropeptide Receptor, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:28). The results suggest that the Gene 6 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Neuropeptide Receptor. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 6 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human Neuropeptide Receptor, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0466] FIG. 40 shows the regions of local identity (99%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 7 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:18, FIG. 18) of the present invention and human Retinal-RPE Receptor, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:29). The results suggest that the Gene 7 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Retinal-RPE Receptor. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 7 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human Retinal-RPE Receptor, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0467] FIG. 41A-41B shows the regions of local identity (95%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 8 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:19, FIG. 19) of the present invention and human Nicastrin, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:30). The results suggest that the Gene 8 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Nicastrin. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 8 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with Nicastrin, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0468] FIG. 42 shows the regions of local identity (99%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 9 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:20, FIG. 20) of the present invention and human Twin-pore channel, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:31). The results suggest that the Gene 9 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human Twin-pore channel. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 9 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with Twin-pore channel, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0469] FIG. 43 shows the regions of local identity (92%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 10 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:21, FIG. 21) of the present invention and human PPAR, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:32). The results suggest that the Gene 10 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human PPAR. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 10 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with PPAR, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0470] FIG. 44 shows the regions of local identity (92%) between the novel human GPCR Gene 11 encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:22, FIG. 22) of the present invention and human RAR-related orphan receptor C, i.e., the “sbjt” sequence (SEQ ID NO:33). The results suggest that the Gene 11 GPCR polypeptide of this invention represents a novel variant of human RAR-related orphan receptor C. Based upon this prediction, it is expected that the Gene 11 GPCR polypeptide may share at least some biological activity with human RAR-related orphan receptor C, in addition to specific members known in the art, or as otherwise described herein.

[0471] The sequence information from the novel gene candidates are used for full-length cloning and expression profiling. Primer sequences are obtained using the primer3 program (Steve Rozen, Helen J. Skaletsky (1996, 1997) Primer3. Code available at http://www-genome.wi.mit.edu/genome_software/other/primer3.html).

Example 2

Cloning of the Novel Human GPCRs

[0472] Using the polynucleotide sequences described herein, an antisense oligonucleotide with biotin on the 5′ end complementary to the putative coding region of each GPCR may be designed. This biotinylated oligo can be incubated with a mixture of single-stranded covalently closed circular cDNA libraries, which contain DNA corresponding to the sense strand. Hybrids between the biotinylated oligo and the circular cDNA are captured on streptavidin magnetic beads. Upon thermal release of the cDNA from the biotinylated oligo, the single stranded cDNA is converted into double strands using a primer homologous to a sequence on the cDNA cloning vector. The double stranded cDNA is introduced into E. coli by electroporation and the resulting colonies are screened by PCR, using a primer pair designed from the EST sequence to identify the proper cDNA. Oligos used to identify the cDNA of a GPCR gene of this invention by PCR can be selected from any one of GPCR sequences as represented in SEQ ID NOS:1-11.

Example 3

Multiplex Cloning

General Strategy

[0473] Using bioinformatic predicted gene sequence, the following types of gene-specific PCR primers and cloning oligos are designed: ‘A’ type PCR primer pairs that reside within a single predicted exon, ‘B’ type PCR primer pairs that cross putative exon/intron boundaries, and ‘C’ type, 80 mer antisense and sense oligos containing a biotin moiety on its 5′ end. The primer pairs from the A type are optimized on human genomic DNA, and the B type on a mixture of first strand cDNAs made with and without reverse transcriptase, from brain and testis poly A+ RNA. The information obtained with the B type primers is used to assess which putative expressed sequences can be experimentally observed to have reverse transcriptase dependent expression. The primer pairs from the A type are less stringent in terms of identifying expressed sequences, but because they amplify genomic DNA as well as cDNA, the ability to amplify genomic DNA provides for the necessary positive control for the primer pair. Negative results with the B type are subjected to the caveat that the first strand sequence may not be expressed in the tissue that is under examination, and without a positive control, a negative result is meaningless.

[0474] The biotinylated 80 mer oligos are added en mass to pools of single strand cDNA libraries. Up to 50 probes have been successfully used on pools for 15 different libraries. The orientation of the oligo depends on the orientation of the cDNA in its vector. Antisense 80 mer oligos are used for those libraries and cloned into pCMVSPORT and pSPORT whereas sense 80 mer oligos are used for cDNA libraries cloned into pSPORT2. After the primary selection is carried out, all of the captured DNA is repaired to double strand form using the T7 primer for the commercial libraries in pCMVSPORT, and the Sp6 primer for in-house constructed libraries in pSPORT. The resulting DNA is electroporated into E. coli DH12 S and plated onto 150 mm plates with nylon filters. The cells are scraped and a frozen stock is made. This is the primary selected library. One-fifth of the library is generally converted into single strand form and the DNA assayed with the gene specific primers pairs (GSPs). The next round of solution hybridization capture is carried out with 80 mer oligos for only those sequences that were positive with the genes-specific-primers. After the second round, the captured single strand DNAs are repaired with a pool of GSPs, where only the primer complementary to polarity of the single-stranded circular DNA is used (the antisense primer for pCMVSPORT and pSPORT1 and the sense primer for pSPORT2). The resulting colonies are screened by PCR using the GSPs. Typically, greater than 80% of the clones are positive for any given GSP. The entire 96 well block of clones are min-prep and each of clones sized by either PCR or restriction enzyme digestion. A selection of different size clones for each targeted sequence are chosen for transposon-hopping and DNA sequencing.

[0475] Success of the method, like any cDNA cloning method, depends on the quality of the libraries employed. High complexity and large average insert size are required. We have employed HPLC as a means of fractionating cDNA for the purpose of constructing libraries.

[0476] A. Construction of Size Fractionated cDNA Libraries

[0477] PolyA+ RNA is purchased from Clontech, treated with DNase I to remove traces of genomic DNA contamination and converted into double stranded cDNA using the SuperScript™ Plasmid System for cDNA Synthesis and Plasmid Cloning (Life Technologies). No radioisotope is incorporated in either of the cDNA synthesis steps. The cDNA is then size fractionated on a TransGenomics HPLC system equipped with a size exclusion column (TosoHass) with dimensions of 7.8 mm×30 cm and a particle size of 10 μm. Tris buffered saline (TBS) is used as the mobile phase, and the column is run at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The system is calibrated by running a 1 kb ladder through the column and analyzing the fractions by agarose gel electrophoresis. Using these data, it could be determined which fractions are to be pooled to obtain the largest cDNA library. Generally, fractions that elute in the range of 12 to 15 minutes are used.

[0478] The cDNA is precipitated, concentrated and then ligated into the SalI/NotI sites in pSPORT. After electroporation into E. coli strain DH12S, colonies are subjected to a miniprep procedure and the resulting cDNA is digested using SalI/NotI restriction enzymes. Generally, the average insert size of libraries made in this fashion was greater the 3.5 Kb; the overall complexity of the library is optimally greater than 107 independent clones. The library is amplified in semi-solid agar for 2 days at 30° C. An aliquot (200 microliters) of the amplified library is inoculated into a 200 mL culture for single-stranded DNA isolation by super-infection with an f1 helper phage. The single stranded circular DNA is concentrated by ethanol precipitation, resuspended at a concentration of one microgram per microliter and used for the cDNA capture experiments.

[0479] B. Conversion of Double-Stranded cDNA Libraries into Single-Stranded Circular Form

[0480] To prepare cultures, 200 mL LB with 400 μL carbenicillin (100 mg/mL stock solution) are inoculated with from 200 μL to 1 mL of thawed cDNA library and incubated at 37° C. while shaking at 250 rpm for approximately 45 minutes, or until an OD600 of 0.025-0.040 is attained. M13K07 helper phage (1 mL) is added to the culture and grown for 2 hours, after which Kanamycin (500 μl; 30 mg/mL) is added and the culture is grown for an additional 15-18 hours.

[0481] The culture is then poured into 6 screw-cap tubes (50 mL autoclaved tubes) and cells subjected to centrifugation at 10K in an HB-6 rotor for 15 minutes at 4° C. to pellet the cells. The supernatant is filtered through a 0.2 μm filter and 12,000 units of Gibco DNase I was added. The mixture is incubated for 90 minutes at room temperature.

[0482] For PEG precipitation, 50 mL of ice-cold 40% PEG 8000, 2.5 M NaCl, and 10 mM MgSO4 are added to the supernatant, mixed, and aliquotted into 6 centrifuge tubes (covered with parafilm). The tubes and contents are incubated for 1 hour on wet ice or at 4° C. overnight. The tubes are then centrifuged at 10K in a HB-6 rotor for 20 minutes at 4° C. to pellet the helper phage.

[0483] Following centrifugation, the supernatant is discarded and the sides of the tubes are dried. Each pellet is resuspended in 1 mL TE, pH 8. The resuspended pellets are pooled into a 14 mL tube (Sarstadt), (6 mL total). SDS is added to 0.1% (60 μl of stock 10% SDS). Freshly made proteinase K (20 mg/mL) is added (60 μl ) and the suspension is incubated for 1 hour at 42° C.

[0484] For phenol/chloroform extractions, 1 mL of NaCl (5M) is added to the suspension in the tube. An equal volume of phenol/chloroform (6 mL) is added and the contents are vortexed or shaken. The suspension is then centrifuged at 5K in an HB-6 rotor for 5 minutes at 4° C. The aqueous (top) phase is transferred to a new tube (Sarstadt) and extractions are repeated until no interface is visible.

[0485] Ethanol precipitation is then performed on the aqueous phase whose volume is divided into 2 tubes (3 mL each). To each tube, 2 volumes of 100% ethanol are added and precipitation is carried out overnight at −20° C. The precipitated DNA is pelleted at 10K in an HB-6 rotor for 20 minutes at 4° C. The ethanol is discarded. Each pellet is resuspended in 700 μl of 70% ethanol. The contents of each tube are combined into one micro centrifuge tube and centrifuged in a micro centrifuge (Eppendorf) at 14K for 10 minutes at 4° C. After discarding the ethanol, the DNA pellet is dried in a speed vacuum. In order to remove oligosaccharides, the pellet is resuspended in 50 μl TE buffer, pH8. The resuspension is incubated on dry ice for 10 minutes and centrifuged at 14K in an Eppendorf microfuge for 15 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant is then transferred to a new tube and the final volume is recorded.

[0486] To check purity, DNA is diluted 1:100 and added to a micro quartz cuvette, where DNA is analyzed by spectrometry at an OD260/OD280. The preferred purity ratio is between 1.7 and 2.0. The DNA is diluted to 1 μg/μL in TE, pH8 and stored at 4° C. The concentration of DNA is calculated using the formula: (32 μg/mL*OD)(mL/1000 μL)(100)(OD260). The quality of single-stranded DNA is determined by first mixing 1 μL of 5 ng/μl ssDNA; 11 μL deionized water; 1.5 μL 10 μM T7 sport primer (fresh dilution of stock); 1.5 μl10× Precision-Taq buffer per reaction. In the repair mix, a cocktail of 4 μl of 5 mM dNTPs (1.25 mM each); 1.5 μL 10× Precision-Taq buffer; 9.25 μL deionized water; and 0.25 μL Precision-Taq polymerase is mixed per reaction and preheated at 70° C. until the middle of the thermal cycle.

[0487] The DNA mixes are aliquotted into PCR tubes and the thermal cycle is started. The PCR thermal cycle consists of 1 cycle at 95° C. for 20 sec.; 59° C. for 1 min. (15 μL repair mix added); and 73° C. for 23 minutes. For ethanol precipitation, 15 μg glycogen, 161 μl ammonium acetate (7.5M), and 125 μL 100% ethanol are added and the contents are centrifuged at 14K in an Eppendorf microfuge for 30 minutes at 4° C. The resulting pellet is washed 1 time with 125 μL 70% ethanol and then the ethanol is discarded. The pellet is dried in a speed vacuum and resuspended in 10 μL TE buffer, pH 8.

[0488] Single-stranded DNA is electroporated into E. coli DH10B or DH12S cells by pre-chilling the cuvettes and sliding holder, and thawing the cells on ice-water. DNA is aliquotted into micro centrifuge tubes (Eppendorf) as follows: 2 μL repaired library, (=1×10−3 μg); 1 μL unrepaired library (1 ng/μL), (=1×10−3 μg); and 1 μL pU positive control DNA (0.01 μg/μL), (=1×10−5 μg). The mixtures are stored on ice until use.

[0489] One at a time, 40 μL of cells are added to a DNA aliquot. The cell/DNA mixture is not pipetted up and down more than one time. The mixture is then transferred via pipette into a cuvette between the metal plates, and electroporation is performed at 1.8 kV. Immediately afterward, 1 mL SOC medium (i.e., SOB (bacto-tryptone; bacto-yeast extract; NaCl)+glucose (20 mM)+Mg2+) (See, J. Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., A.2, 1989) is added to the cuvette and the contents are transferred into 15 mL of media, as commonly known in the art. The cells are allowed to recover for 1 hour at 37° C. with shaking (225 rpm).

[0490] Serial dilutions of the culture are made in 1:10 increments (20 μL into 180 μL LB) for plating the electroporated cells. For the repaired library, dilutions of 1:100, 1:1000, 1:10,000 are made. For the unrepaired library, dilutions of 1:10 and 1:100 are made. Positive control dilutions of 1:10 and 1:100 are made. Each dilution (100 μL) is plated onto small plates containing LB+carbenicillin and incubated at 37° C. overnight. The titer and background are calculated by methods well known in the art. Specifically, the colonies on each plate are counted using the lowest dilution countable. The titer is calculated using the formula: (# of colonies)(dilution factor)(200 μL/100 μL)(1000 μL/20 μL)=CFUs, where CFUs/μg DNA used=CFU/μg. The % background=((unrepaired CFU/μg)/(repaired CFU/μg))×100%.

[0491] C. Solution Hybridization and DNA Capture

[0492] One microliter of anti-sense biotinylated oligonucleotides (or sense oligonucleotides when annealing to single-stranded DNA from pSPORT2 vector) containing 150 ng of up to 50 different 80-mer oligonucleotide probes is added to 6 μL (6 μg) of a mixture of up to 15 single-stranded, covalently-closed, circular cDNA libraries and 7 μL of 100% formamide in a 0.5 mL PCR tube.

[0493] The mixture is heated in a thermal cycler to 95° C. for 2 minutes. Fourteen microliters of 2× hybridization buffer (50% formamide, 1.5 M NaCl, 0.04 M NaPO4, pH 7.2, 5 mM EDTA, 0.2% SDS) are added to the heated probe/cDNA library mixture and incubated at 42° C. for 26 hours. Hybrids between the biotinylated oligo and the circular cDNA are isolated by diluting the hybridization mixture to 220 microliters in a solution containing 1 M NaCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0 and adding 125 microliters of streptavidin magnetic beads. This solution is incubated at 42° C. for 60 minutes, and mixed every 5 minutes to resuspend the beads. The beads are separated from the solution with a magnet and washed three times in 200 microliters of 0.1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at 45° C.

[0494] The single stranded cDNAs are released from the biotinylated oligo/streptavidin magnetic bead complex by adding 50 microliters of 0.1 N NaOH and incubating at room temperature for 10 minutes. Six microliters of 3 M sodium acetate are added along with 15 μg of glycogen and the solution is ethanol precipitated with 120 microliters of 100% ethanol. The precipitated DNA is re-suspend in 12 μL of TE (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0). The single stranded cDNA is converted into double strands in a thermal cycler by mixing 5 μL of the captured DNA with 1.5 μL of 10 μM of standard SP6 Sport primer: 5′-atttaggtgacactatag-3′ (SEQ ID NO:34) for libraries in pSPORT 1 and 2, and T7 Sport primer: 5′-taatacgactcactataggg-3′ (SEQ ID NO:35) for libraries in pCMVSPORT, and 1.5 μL of 10× PCR buffer. The mixture is heated to 95° C. for 20 seconds, and then ramped down to 59° C. At this time 15 μL of a repair mix, preheated to 70° C., is added to the DNA (Repair mix contains 4 μL of 5 mM dNTPs (1.25 mM each), 1.5 μL of 10×PCR buffer, 9.25 μL of water, and 0.25 μL of Taq polymerase). The solution is ramped back to 73° C. and incubated for 23 minutes.

[0495] The repaired DNA is ethanol precipitated and resuspended in 10 μL of TE. Two μL are electroporated per tube containing 40 μL of E. coli DH12S cells. Three hundred and thirty three μL (333 μL) are plated onto one 150 mm plate of LB agar plus 100 μg/mL of ampicillin. After overnight incubation at 37° C., the colonies from all plates are harvested by scraping into 10 mL of LB+50 μg/mL of ampicillin and 2 mL of sterile glycerol.

[0496] The second round of selection is initiated by making single-strand circular DNA from the primary selected library using the above-described method. The purified single-stranded circular DNA is then assayed with gene-specific primers (GSPs) for each of the targeted sequences using standard PCR conditions. The hybridization is performed including only those 80 mer biotinylated probes whose targeted sequences have a positive result with the GSPs. The resulting single-stranded circular DNA is converted into double strands using the antisense oligo for each target sequence as the repair primer (the sense primer was used for material captured from pSPORT2 libraries). The resulting double stranded DNA is electroporated into DH10B cells and the resulting colonies are inoculated into 96 deep well blocks. After overnight growth, DNA is prepared and sequentially screened for each of the targeted sequences using the GSPs. The DNA is also digested with SalI and NotI restriction enzymes and the inserts are sized by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Example 4

RNA Ligase Protocol for Generating the 5′ or 3′ End Sequences to Obtain Full-Length GPCR Genes

[0497] Once a GPCR gene/polynucleotide sequence of interest is identified, several methods are available for the identification of the 5′ or 3′ portions of the gene which may not be present in the original cDNA plasmid. These methods include, but are not limited to, filter probing, clone enrichment using specific probes and protocols similar and identical to 5′ and 3′RACE. While the full-length gene may be present in the library and can be identified by probing, a useful method for generating the 5′ or 3′ end is to use the existing sequence information from the original cDNA to generate the missing information. A method similar to 5′RACE is available for generating the missing 5′ end of a desired full-length gene. (This method was published by Fromont-Racine et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 21(7): 1683-1684 (1993)).

[0498] Briefly, a specific RNA oligonucleotide is ligated to the 5′ ends of a population of RNA, preferably 30, containing full-length gene RNA transcripts and a primer set containing a primer specific to the ligated RNA oligonucleotide and a primer specific to a known sequence of the gene of interest, and is used to PCR amplify the 5′ portion of the desired full length gene which may then be sequenced and used to generate the full-length gene. This method starts with total RNA isolated from the desired source. PolyA RNA may be used, but is not a prerequisite for this procedure. The RNA preparation is then be treated with phosphatase if necessary to eliminate 5′ phosphate groups on degraded or damaged RNA which may interfere with the later RNA ligase step. The phosphatase, if used, is then inactivated and the RNA is treated with tobacco acid pyrophosphatase in order to remove the cap structure present at the 5′ ends of messenger RNAs. This reaction leaves a 5′ phosphate group at the 5′ end of the cap cleaved RNA which can then be ligated to an RNA oligonucleotide using T4 RNA ligase. This modified RNA preparation can then be used as a template for first strand cDNA synthesis using a gene specific oligonucleotide. The first strand synthesis reaction can then be used as a template for PCR amplification of the desired 5′ end using a primer specific to the ligated RNA oligonucleotide and a primer specific to the known sequence of the apoptosis related of interest. The resultant product is then sequenced and analyzed to confirm that the 5′ end sequence belongs to the relevant sequence of interest.

Example 5

Signal Transduction Assays

[0499] The activity of GPCRs or homologues thereof, can be measured using any assay suitable for the measurement of the activity of a G protein-coupled receptor, as commonly known in the art. Signal transduction activity of a G protein-coupled receptor can be determined by monitoring intracellular Ca2+, cAMP, inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), or 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). Assays for the measurement of intracellular Ca2+ are described, for example, in Sakurai et al. (EP 480 381). Intracellular IP3 can be measured using a kit available from Amersham, Inc. (Arlington Heights, Ill.). A kit for measuring intracellular cAMP is available from Diagnostic Products, Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.).

[0500] Activation of a G protein-coupled receptor triggers the release of Ca2+ ions sequestered in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and other cytoplasmic vesicles into the cytoplasm. Fluorescent dyes, e.g., fura-2, can be used to measure the concentration of free cytoplasmic Ca2+. The ester of fura-2, which is lipophilic and can diffuse across the cell membrane, is added to the culture medium of the host cells which recombinantly express GPCRs. Once inside the cell, the fura-2 ester is hydrolyzed by cytosolic esterases to its non-lipophilic form, and then the dye cannot diffuse out of the cell. The non-lipophilic form of fura-2 fluoresces when it binds to free Ca2+. The fluorescence can be measured without lysing the cells at an excitation spectrum of 340 nm or 380 nm and at fluorescence spectrum of 500 nm (Sakurai et al., EP 480 381).

[0501] Upon activation of a GPCR, the rise of free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration is preceded by the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Hydrolysis of this phospholipid by the phospholipase, phospholipase C, yields 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), which remains in the membrane, and water-soluble inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). Binding of ligands or agonists will increase the concentration of DAG and IP3. Thus, signal transduction activity can be measured by monitoring the concentration of these hydrolysis products.

[0502] To measure IP3 concentration, radioactively-labeled ([3H])-inositol is added to the culture medium of host cells expressing GPCRs. The 3H-inositol is taken up by the cells and incorporated into IP3. The resulting inositol triphosphate is separated from the mono- and di-phosphate forms and measured (Sakurai et al., EP 480 381). Alternatively, an inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate assay system (Amersham) is commercially available for such use. With this system, the supplier (Amersham) provides tritium-labeled inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and a receptor capable of distinguishing the radioactive inositol from other inositol phosphates. With these reagents, an effective and accurate competition assay can be performed to determine the inositol triphosphate levels.

[0503] Cyclic AMP levels can be measured according to the methods described in Gilman et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, 67:305-312 (1970). In addition, a kit for assaying levels of cAMP is available from Diagnostic Products Corp. (Los Angeles, Calif.).

Example 6

Expression Profiling of Novel Human GPCR Polypeptides

[0504] The same PCR primer pairs used to identify GPCR cDNA clones can be used to measure the steady state levels of mRNA by quantitative PCR.

[0505] Briefly, first strand cDNA is made from commercially available mRNA (Clontech) and subjected to real time quantitative PCR using a PE 5700 instrument (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) which detects the amount of DNA amplified during each cycle by the fluorescent output of SYBR green, a DNA binding dye specific for double strands. The specificity of the primer pair for its target is verified by performing a thermal denaturation profile at the end of the run which provided an indication of the number of different DNA sequences present by determining melting Tm. The contribution of contaminating genomic DNA to the assessment of tissue abundance is controlled for by performing the PCR with first strand made with and without reverse transcriptase. In all cases, the contribution of material amplified in the no reverse transcriptase controls is expected to be negligible.

[0506] Small variations in the amount of cDNA used in each tube are determined by performing a parallel experiment using a primer pair for the cyclophilin gene, which is expressed in equal amounts in all tissues. These data are used to normalize the data obtained with the primer pairs. The PCR data are converted into a relative assessment of the differences in transcript abundance among the tissues tested.

Example 7

GPCR Activity

[0507] This example describes another method for screening compounds which are GPCR antagonists, and thus inhibit the activation or function of the GPCR polypeptides of the present invention. The method involves determining inhibition of binding of a labeled ligand, such as dATP, dAMP, or UTP, to cells expressing a novel GPCR on the cell surface, or to cell membranes containing the GPCR.

[0508] Such a method further involves transfecting a eukaryotic cell with DNA encoding a GPCR polypeptide such that the cell expresses the receptor on its surface. The cell is then contacted with a potential antagonist in the presence of a labeled form of a ligand, such as dATP, dAMP, or UTP. The ligand can be labeled, e.g., by radioactivity, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or any other suitable detectable label commonly known in the art. The amount of labeled ligand bound to the expressed GPCR receptors is measured, e.g., by measuring radioactivity associated with transfected cells, or membranes from these cells. If the compound binds to the expressed GPCR, the binding of labeled ligand to the receptor is inhibited, as determined by a reduction of labeled ligand which also binds to the GPCR. This method is called a binding assay. The above-described technique can also be used to determine binding of GPCR agonists.

[0509] In a further screening procedure, mammalian cells, for example, but not limited to, CHO, HEK 293, Xenopus oocytes, RBL-2H3, etc., which are transfected with nucleic acid encoding a novel GPCR, are used to express the receptor of interest. The cells are loaded with an indicator dye that produces a fluorescent signal when bound to calcium, and the cells are contacted with a test substance and a receptor agonist, such as DATP, DAMP, or UTP. Any change in fluorescent signal is measured over a defined period of time using, for example, a fluorescence spectrophotometer or a fluorescence imaging plate reader. A change in the fluorescence signal pattern generated by the ligand relative to control indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist or agonist for the receptor.

[0510] In yet another screening procedure, mammalian cells are transfected with a GPCR-encoding polynucleotide sequence so as to express the GPCR of interest. The same cells are also transfected with a reporter gene construct that is coupled to/associated with activation of the receptor. Nonlimiting examples of suitable reporter gene systems include luciferase or beta-galactosidase regulated by an appropriate promoter. The engineered cells are contacted with a test substance or compound and a receptor ligand, such as dATP, dAMP, or UTP, and the signal produced by the reporter gene is measured after a defined period of time. The signal can be measured using a luminometer, spectrophotometer, fluorimeter, or other such instrument appropriate for the specific reporter construct used. Inhibition of the signal generated by the ligand indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist for the receptor.

[0511] Another screening technique for determining GPCR antagonists or agonists involves introducing RNA encoding the GPCR polypeptide into cells (e.g., CHO, HEK 293, RBL-2H3 cells, and the like) in which the receptor is transiently or stably expressed. The receptor cells are then contacted with a ligand for the GPCR, such as dATP, dAMP, or UTP, and a compound to be screened. Inhibition or activation of the receptor is then determined by detection of a signal, such as, cAMP, calcium, proton, or other ions.

Example 8

Method of Creating N- and C-Terminal Deletion Mutants Corresponding to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 Polypeptide of the Present Invention

[0512] As described elsewhere herein, the present invention encompasses the creation of N- and C-terminal deletion mutants, in addition to any combination of N- and C-terminal deletions thereof, corresponding to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide of the present invention. A number of methods are available to one skilled in the art for creating such mutants. Such methods may include a combination of PCR amplification and gene cloning methodology. Although one of skill in the art of molecular biology, through the use of the teachings provided or referenced herein, and/or otherwise known in the art as standard methods, could readily create each deletion mutant of the present invention, exemplary methods are described below.

[0513] Briefly, using the isolated cDNA clone encoding the full-length Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide sequence (as described herein), appropriate primers of about 15-25 nucleotides derived from the desired 5′ and 3′ positions of SEQ ID NO:1-11 may be designed to PCR amplify, and subsequently clone, the intended N- and/or C-terminal deletion mutant. Such primers could comprise, for example, an inititation and stop codon for the 5′ and 3′ primer, respectively. Such primers may also comprise restriction sites to facilitate cloning of the deletion mutant post amplification. Moreover, the primers may comprise additional sequences, such as, for example, flag-tag sequences, kozac sequences, or other sequences discussed and/or referenced herein.

[0514] Representative PCR amplification conditions are provided below, although the skilled artisan would appreciate that other conditions may be required for efficient amplification. A 100 ul PCR reaction mixture may be prepared using long of the template DNA (cDNA clone of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11), 200 uM 4 dNTPs, 1 uM primers, 0.25 U Taq DNA polymerase (PE), and standard Taq DNA polymerase buffer. Typical PCR cycling condition are as follows:

20-25 cycles: 45 sec, 93 degrees
              2 min, 50 degrees
              2 min, 72 degrees
1 cycle:      10 min, 72 degrees

[0515] After the final extension step of PCR, 5 U Klenow Fragment may be added and incubated for 15 min at 30 degrees.

[0516] Upon digestion of the fragment with the NotI and SalI restriction enzymes, the fragment could be cloned into an appropriate expression and/or cloning vector which has been similarly digested (e.g., pSport1, among others). The skilled artisan would appreciate that other plasmids could be equally substituted, and may be desirable in certain circumstances. The digested fragment and vector are then ligated using a DNA ligase, and then used to transform competent E. coli cells using methods provided herein and/or otherwise known in the art.

[0517] The 5′ primer sequence for amplifying any additional N-terminal deletion mutants may be determined by reference to the following formula:

[0518] (S+(X*3)) to ((S+(X*3))+25), wherein ‘S’ is equal to the nucleotide position of the initiating start codon of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 gene (SEQ ID NO:1-11), and ‘X’ is equal to the most N-terminal amino acid of the intended N-terminal deletion mutant. The first term will provide the start 5′ nucleotide position of the 5′ primer, while the second term will provide the end 3′ nucleotide position of the 5′ primer corresponding to sense strand of SEQ ID NO:1-11. Once the corresponding nucleotide positions of the primer are determined, the final nucleotide sequence may be created by the addition of applicable restriction site sequences to the 5′ end of the sequence, for example. As referenced herein, the addition of other sequences to the 5′ primer may be desired in certain circumstances (e.g., kozac sequences, etc.).

[0519] The 3′ primer sequence for amplifying any additional N-terminal deletion mutants may be determined by reference to the following formula:

(S+(X*3)) to ((S+(X*3))−25)

[0520] wherein ‘S’ is equal to the nucleotide position of the initiating start codon of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 gene (SEQ ID NO:1-1), and ‘X’ is equal to the most C-terminal amino acid of the intended N-terminal deletion mutant. The first term will provide the start 5′ nucleotide position of the 3′ primer, while the second term will provide the end 3′ nucleotide position of the 3′ primer corresponding to the anti-sense strand of SEQ ID NO:1-11. Once the corresponding nucleotide positions of the primer are determined, the final nucleotide sequence may be created by the addition of applicable restriction site sequences to the 5′ end of the sequence, for example. As referenced herein, the addition of other sequences to the 3′ primer may be desired in certain circumstances (e.g., stop codon sequences, etc.). The skilled artisan would appreciate that modifications of the above nucleotide positions may be necessary for optimizing PCR amplification.

[0521] The same general formulas provided above may be used in identifying the 5′ and 3′ primer sequences for amplifying any C-terminal deletion mutant of the present invention. Moreover, the same general formulas provided above may be used in identifying the 5′ and 3′ primer sequences for amplifying any combination of N-terminal and C-terminal deletion mutant of the present invention. The skilled artisan would appreciate that modifications of the above nucleotide positions may be necessary for optimizing PCR amplification.

Example 13

Method of Screening, In Vitro, Compounds That Bind to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and/or 11 Polypeptide

[0522] In vitro systems can be designed to identify compounds capable of binding the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide of the invention. Compounds identified can be useful, for example, in modulating the activity of wild type and/or mutant Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide, preferably mutant Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide, can be useful in elaborating the biological function of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide, can be utilized in screens for identifying compounds that disrupt normal Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide interactions, or can in themselves disrupt such interactions.

[0523] The principle of the assays used to identify compounds that bind to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide involves preparing a reaction mixture of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide and the test compound under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two components to interact and bind, thus forming a complex which can be removed and/or detected in the reaction mixture. These assays can be conducted in a variety of ways. For example, one method to conduct such an assay would involve anchoring Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide or the test substance onto a solid phase and detecting Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide/test compound complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In one embodiment of such a method, the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide can be anchored onto a solid surface, and the test compound, which is not anchored, can be labeled, either directly or indirectly.

[0524] In practice, microtitre plates can conveniently be utilized as the solid phase. The anchored component can be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment can be accomplished by simply coating the solid surface with a solution of the protein and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody, specific for the protein to be immobilized can be used to anchor the protein to the solid surface. The surfaces can be prepared in advance and stored.

[0525] In order to conduct the assay, the nonimmobilized component is added to the coated surface containing the anchored component. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) under conditions such that any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the previously immobilized component is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the previously nonimmobilized component is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; e.g., using a labeled antibody specific for the immobilized component (the antibody, in turn, can be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with a labeled anti-Ig antibody).

[0526] Alternatively, a reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; e.g., using an immobilized antibody specific for Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide or the test compound to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific for the other component of the possible complex to detect anchored complexes.

[0527] Another example of a screening assay to identify compounds that bind to Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11, relates to the application of a cell membrane-based scintillation proximity assay (“SPA”). Such an assay would require the idenification of a ligand for Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide. Once identified, unlabeled ligand is added to assay-ready plates that would serve as a positive control. The SPA beads and membranes are added next, and then 125I-labeled ligand is added. After an equilibration period of 2-4 hours at room temperature, the plates can be counted in a scintillation counting machine, and the percent inhibition or stimulation calculated. Such an SPA assay may be based upon a manual, automated, or semi-automated platform, and encompass 96, 384, 1536-well plates or more. Any number of SPA beads may be used as applicable to each assay. Examples of SPA beads include, for example, Leadseeker WGA PS (Amersham cat # RPNQ 0260), and SPA Beads (PVT-PEI-WGA-TypeA; Amersham cat # RPNQOOO3). The utilized membranes may also be derived from a number of cell line and tissue sources depending upon the expression profile of the respective polypeptide and the adaptability of such a cell line or tissue source to the development of a SPA-based assay. Examples of membrane preparations include, for example, cell lines transformed to express the receptor to be assayed in CHO cells or HEK cells, for example. SPA-based assays are well known in the art and are encompassed by the present invention. One such assay is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,649, which is incorporated herein by reference. The skilled artisan would acknowledge that certain modifications of known SPA assays may be required to adapt such assays to each respective polypeptide.

[0528] One such screening procedure involves the use of melanophores which are transfected to express the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide of the present invention. Such a screening technique is described in PCT WO 92/01810, published Feb. 6, 1992. Such an assay may be employed to screen for a compound which inhibits activation of the receptor polypeptide of the present invention by contacting the melanophore cells which encode the receptor with both the receptor ligand, such as LPA, and a compound to be screened. Inhibition of the signal generated by the ligand indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist for the receptor, i.e., inhibits activation of the receptor.

[0529] The technique may also be employed for screening of compounds which activate the receptor by contacting such cells with compounds to be screened and determining whether such compound generates a signal, i.e., activates the receptor. Other screening techniques include the use of cells which express the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide (for example, transfected CHO cells) in a system which measures extracellular pH changes caused by receptor activation. In this technique, compounds may be contacted with cells expressing the receptor polypeptide of the present invention. A second messenger response, e.g., signal transduction or pH changes, is then measured to determine whether the potential compound activates or inhibits the receptor.

[0530] Another screening technique involves expressing the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide in which the receptor is linked to phospholipase C or D. Representative examples of such cells include, but are not limited to, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and embryonic kidney cells. The screening may be accomplished as hereinabove described by detecting activation of the receptor or inhibition of activation of the receptor from the phospholipase second signal.

[0531] Another method involves screening for compounds which are antagonists or agonists by determining inhibition of binding of labeled ligand, such as LPA, to cells which have the receptor on the surface thereof, or cell membranes containing the receptor. Such a method involves transfecting a cell (such as eukaryotic cell) with DNA encoding the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide such that the cell expresses the receptor on its surface. The cell is then contacted with a potential antagonist or agonist in the presence of a labeled form of a ligand, such as LPA. The ligand can be labeled, e.g., by radioactivity. The amount of labeled ligand bound to the receptors is measured, e.g., by measuring radioactivity associated with transfected cells or membrane from these cells. If the compound binds to the receptor, the binding of labeled ligand to the receptor is inhibited as determined by a reduction of labeled ligand which binds to the receptors. This method is called binding assay.

[0532] Another screening procedure involves the use of mammalian cells (CHO, HEK 293, Xenopus Oocytes, RBL-2H3, etc) which are transfected to express the receptor of interest. The cells are loaded with an indicator dye that produces a fluorescent signal when bound to calcium, and the cells are contacted with a test substance and a receptor agonist, such as LPA. Any change in fluorescent signal is measured over a defined period of time using, for example, a fluorescence spectrophotometer or a fluorescence imaging plate reader. A change in the fluorescence signal pattern generated by the ligand indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist or agonist for the receptor.

[0533] Another screening procedure involves use of mammalian cells (CHO, HEK293, Xenopus Oocytes, RBL-2H3, etc.) which are transfected to express the receptor of interest, and which are also transfected with a reporter gene construct that is coupled to activation of the receptor (for example, luciferase or beta-galactosidase behind an appropriate promoter). The cells are contacted with a test substance and the receptor agonist (ligand), such as LPA, and the signal produced by the reporter gene is measured after a defined period of time. The signal can be measured using a luminometer, spectrophotometer, fluorimeter, or other such instrument appropriate for the specific reporter construct used. Change of the signal generated by the ligand indicates that a compound is a potential antagonist or agonist for the receptor.

[0534] Another screening technique for antagonists or agonits involves introducing RNA encoding the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide into Xenopus oocytes (or CHO, HEK 293, RBL-2H3, etc.) to transiently or stably express the receptor. The receptor oocytes are then contacted with the receptor ligand, such as LPA, and a compound to be screened. Inhibition or activation of the receptor is then determined by detection of a signal, such as, cAMP, calcium, proton, or other ions.

[0535] Another method involves screening for Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide inhibitors by determining inhibition or stimulation of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide-mediated cAMP and/or adenylate cyclase accumulation or dimunition. Such a method involves transiently or stably transfecting a eukaryotic cell with Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide receptor to express the receptor on the cell surface.

[0536] The cell is then exposed to potential antagonists or agonists in the presence of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide ligand, such as LPA. The changes in levels of cAMP is then measured over a defined period of time, for example, by radio-immuno or protein binding assays (for example using Flashplates or a scintillation proximity assay). Changes in cAMP levels can also be determined by directly measuring the activity of the enzyme, adenylyl cyclase, in broken cell preparations. If the potential antagonist or agonist binds the receptor, and thus inhibits Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide-ligand binding, the levels of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide-mediated cAMP, or adenylate cyclase activity, will be reduced or increased.

[0537] One preferred screening method involves co-transfecting HEK-293 cells with a mammalian expression plasmid encoding a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), such as Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11, along with a mixture comprised of mammalian expression plasmids cDNAs encoding GU15 (Wilkie T. M. et al Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1991 88: 10049-10053), GU16 (Amatruda T. T. et al Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1991 8: 5587-5591, and three chimeric G-proteins refered to as Gqi5, Gqs5, and Gqo5 (Conklin BR et al Nature 1993 363: 274-276, Conklin B. R. et al Mol Pharmacol 1996 50: 885-890). Following a 24 h incubation the trasfected HEK-293 cells are plated into poly-D-lysine coated 96 well black/clear plates (Becton Dickinson, Bedford, Mass.).

[0538] The cells are assayed on FLIPR (Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) for a calcium mobilization response following addition of test ligands. Upon identification of a ligand which stimulates calcium mobilization in HEK-293 cells expressing a given GPCR and the G-protein mixtures, subsequent experiments are performed to determine which, if any, G-protein is required for the functional response. HEK-293 cells are then transfected with the test GPCR, or co-transfected with the test GPCR and G015, GD16, GqiS, Gqs5, or Gqo5. If the GPCR requires the presence of one of the G-proteins for functional expression in HEK-293 cells, all subsequent experiments are performed with HEK-293 cell cotransfected with the GPCR and the G-protein which gives the best response. Alternatively, the receptor can be expressed in a different cell line, for example RBL-2H3, without additional Gproteins.

[0539] Another screening method for agonists and antagonists relies on the endogenous pheromone response pathway in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Heterothallic strains of yeast can exist in two mitotically stable haploid mating types, MATa and MATa. Each cell type secretes a small peptide hormone that binds to a G-protein coupled receptor on opposite mating type cells which triggers a MAP kinase cascade leading to GI arrest as a prelude to cell fusion.

[0540] Genetic alteration of certain genes in the pheromone response pathway can alter the normal response to pheromone, and heterologous expression and coupling of human G-protein coupled receptors and humanized G-protein subunits in yeast cells devoid of endogenous pheromone receptors can be linked to downstream signaling pathways and reporter genes (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,154; 5,482,835; 5,691,188). Such genetic alterations include, but are not limited to, (i) deletion of the STE2 or STE3 gene encoding the endogenous G-protein coupled pheromone receptors; (ii) deletion of the FAR1 gene encoding a protein that normally associates with cyclindependent kinases leading to cell cycle arrest; and (iii) construction of reporter genes fused to the FUS 1 gene promoter (where FUS 1 encodes a membrane-anchored glycoprotein required for cell fusion). Downstream reporter genes can permit either a positive growth selection (e.g., histidine prototrophy using the FUS1-HIS3 reporter), or a calorimetric, fluorimetric or spectrophotometric readout, depending on the specific reporter construct used (e.g., b-galactosidase induction using a FUS1-LacZ reporter).

[0541] The yeast cells can be further engineered to express and secrete small peptides from random peptide libraries, some of which can permit autocrine activation of heterologously expressed human (or mammalian) G-protein coupled receptors (Broach, J. R. and Thorner, J., Nature 384: 14-16, 1996; Manfredi et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 16: 4700-4709,1996). This provides a rapid direct growth selection (e.g, using the FUS 1-HIS3 reporter) for surrogate peptide agonists that activate characterized or orphan receptors. Alternatively, yeast cells that functionally express human (or mammalian) G-protein coupled receptors linked to a reporter gene readout (e.g., FUS1-LacZ) can be used as a platform for high-throughput screening of known ligands, fractions of biological extracts and libraries of chemical compounds for either natural or surrogate ligands.

[0542] Functional agonists of sufficient potency (whether natural or surrogate) can be used as screening tools in yeast cell-based assays for identifying G-protein coupled receptor antagonists. For example, agonists will promote growth of a cell with FUS-HIS3 reporter or give positive readout for a cell with FUS1-LacZ. However, a candidate compound which inhibits growth or negates the positive readout induced by an agonist is an antagonist. For this purpose, the yeast system offers advantages over mammalian expression systems due to its ease of utility and null receptor background (lack of endogenous G-protein coupled receptors) which often interferes with the ability to identify agonists or antagonists.

Example 14

Functional Characterization of the Novel Human GPCR, Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11

[0543] The use of mammalian cell reporter assays to demonstrate functional coupling of known GPCRs (G Protein Coupled Receptors) has been well documented in the literature (Gilman, 1987, Boss et al., 1996; Alam & Cook, 1990; George et al., 1997; Selbie & Hill, 1998; Rees et al., 1999). In fact, reporter assays have been successfully used for identifying novel small molecule agonists or antagonists against GPCRs as a class of drug targets (Zlokarnik et al., 1998; George et al., 1997; Boss et al., 1996; Rees et al, 2001). In such reporter assays, a promoter is regulated as a direct consequence of activation of specific signal transduction cascades following agonist binding to a GPCR (Alam & Cook 1990; Selbie & Hill, 1998; Boss et al., 1996; George et al., 1997; Gilman, 1987).

[0544] A number of response element-based reporter systems have been developed that enable the study of GPCR function. These include cAMP response element (CRE)-based reporter genes for G alpha i/o, G alpha s-coupled GPCRs, Nuclear Factor Activator of Transcription (NFAT)-based reporters for G alpha q/11-coupled receptors and MAP kinase reporter genes for use in Galpha i/o coupled receptors (Selbie & Hill, 1998; Boss et al., 1996; George et al., 1997; Gilman, 1987; Rees et al., 2001). Transcriptional response elements that regulate the expression of Beta-Lactamase within a CHO KI cell line (Cho/NFAT-CRE: Aurora Biosciences™) (Zlokarnik et al., 1998) have been implemented to characterize the function of the orphan Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide of the present invention. The system enables demonstration of constitutive G-protein coupling to endogenous cellular signaling components upon intracellular overexpression of orphan receptors. Overexpression has been shown to represent a physiologically relevant event. For example, it has been shown that overexpression occurs in nature during metastatic carcinomas, wherein defective expression of the monocyte chemotactic protein 1 receptor, CCR2, in macrophages is associated with the incidence of human ovarian carcinoma (Sica, et al., 2000; Salcedo et al., 2000). Indeed, it has been shown that overproduction of the Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor in transgenic mice leads to constitutive activation of the receptor signaling pathway such that these mice exhibit increased cardiac output (Kypson et al., 1999; Dorn et al., 1999). These are only a few of the many examples demonstrating constitutive activation of GPCRs whereby many of these receptors are likely to be in the active, R*, conformation (J. Wess 1997).

Materials and Methods

DNA Constructs

[0545] The putative GPCR Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 cDNA may be PCR amplified using PFU™ (Stratagene). The primers used in the PCR reaction are specific to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polynucleotide, wherein the 5 prime primer contains a HindIII site at the 5′ end, and the 3 prime primer contains a BamHI site at the 5′ end and an optimal Kozak sequence. The following 3 prime primer may be used to add a Flag-tag epitope to the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide for immunocytochemistry, wherein the primer contains a BamHI site at the 5′ end, an optimal Kozak sequence, in addition to a sequence encoding the FLAG tag epitope. The product from the PCR reaction may be isolated from a 0.8% Agarose gel (Invitrogen) and purified using a Gel Extraction Kit™ from Qiagen.

[0546] The purified product may be then digested overnight along with the pcDNA3.1 Hygro™ mammalian expression vector from Invitrogen using the HindIII and BamHI restriction enzymes (New England Biolabs). These digested products are then purified using the Gel Extraction Kit™ from Qiagen and subsequently ligated to the pcDNA3.1 Hygro™ expression vector using a DNA molar ratio of 4 parts insert: 1 vector. All DNA modification enzymes are purchased from NEB. The ligation may be incubated overnight at 16 degrees Celsius, after which time, one microliter of the mix may be used to transform DH5 alpha cloning efficiency competent E. Coli™ (Gibco BRL). A detailed description of the pcDNA3.1 Hygro™ mammalian expression vector is available at the Invitrogen web site (www.Invitrogen.com). The plasmid DNA from the ampicillin resistant clones are isolated using the Wizard DNA Miniprep System™ from Promega. Positive clones are then confirmed and scaled up for purification using the Qiagen Maxiprep™ plasmid DNA purification kit.

Cell Line Generation

[0547] The pcDNA3.1 hygro vector containing the orphan Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 cDNA are used to transfect Cho/NFAT-CRE (Aurora Biosciences) cells using Lipofectamine 2000™ according to the manufacturers specifications (Gibco BRL). Two days later, the cells are split 1:3 into selective media (DMEM 11056, 600 ug/ml Hygromycin, 200 ug/ml Zeocin, 10% FBS). All cell culture reagents are purchased from Gibco BRL-Invitrogen.

[0548] The Cho/NFAT-CRE cell lines, transiently or stably transfected with the orphan Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 GPCR, are analyzed using the FACS Vantage SE™ (BD), fluorescence microscopy (Nikon), and the LJL Analyst™ (Molecular Devices). In this system, changes in real-time gene expression, as a consequence of constitutive G-protein coupling of the orphan Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 GPCR, is examined by analyzing the fluorescence emission of the transformed cells at 447 nm and 518 nm. The changes in gene expression can be visualized using Beta-Lactamase as a reporter, that, when induced by the appropriate signaling cascade, hydrolyzes an intracellularly loaded, membrane-permeant ester, Cephalosporin-Coumarin-Fluorescein-2/Acetoxymethyl™ (CCF2/AM™ Aurora Biosciences; Zlokarnik, et al., 1998). The CCF2/AM™ substrate is a 7-hydroxycoumarin cephalosporin with a fluorescein attached through a stable thioether linkage. Induced expression of the Beta-Lactamase enzyme is readily apparent since each enzyme molecule produced is capable of changing the fluorescence of many CCF2/AM™ substrate molecules. A schematic of this cell based system is shown below. 1

[0549] In summary, CCF2/AM™ is a membrane permeant, intracellularly-trapped, fluorescent substrate with a cephalosporin core that links a 7-hydroxycoumarin to a fluorescein. For the intact molecule, excitation of the coumarin at 409 nm results in Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to the fluorescein which emits green light at 518 nm. Production of active Beta-Lactamase results in cleavage of the Beta-Lactam ring, leading to disruption of FRET, and excitation of the coumarin only—thus giving rise to blue fluorescent emission at 447 nm.

[0550] Fluorescent emissions are detected using a Nikon-TE300 microscope equipped with an excitation filter (D405/10X-25), dichroic reflector (430DCLP), and a barrier filter for dual DAPI/FITC (510 nM) to visually capture changes in Beta-Lactamase expression. The FACS Vantage SE is equipped with a Coherent Enterprise II Argon Laser and a Coherent 302C Krypton laser. In flow cytometry, UV excitation at 351-364 nm from the Argon Laser or violet excitation at 407 nm from the Krypton laser are used. The optical filters on the FACS Vantage SE are HQ460/50m and HQ535/40m bandpass separated by a 490 dichroic mirror.

[0551] Prior to analyzing the fluorescent emissions from the cell lines as described above, the cells are loaded with the CCF2/AM substrate. A 6×CCF2/AM loading buffer may be prepared whereby 1 mM CCF2/AM (Aurora Biosciences) may be dissolved in 100% DMSO (Sigma). 12 ul of this stock solution may be added to 60 ul of 100 mg/ml Pluronic Fl 27 (Sigma) in DMSO containing 0.1% Acetic Acid (Sigma). This solution may be added while vortexing to 1 mL of Sort Buffer (PBS minus calcium and magnesium-Gibco-25 mM HEPES-Gibco-pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA). Cells are placed in serum-free media and the 6×CCF2/AM may be added to a final concentration of 1×. The cells are then loaded at room temperature for one to two hours, and then subjected to fluorescent emission analysis as described herein. Additional details relative to the cell loading methods and/or instrument settings may be found by reference to the following publications: see Zlokarnik, et al., 1998; Whitney et al., 1998; and BD Biosciences, 1999.

Immunocytochemistry

[0552] The cell lines transfected and selected for expression of Flag-epitope tagged orphan GPCRs are analyzed by immunocytochemistry. The cells are plated at 1×10{circumflex over ( )}3 in each well of a glass slide (VWR). The cells are rinsed with PBS followed by acid fixation for 30 minutes at room temperature using a mixture of 5% Glacial Acetic Acid/90% ETOH. The cells are then blocked in 2% BSA and 0.1% Triton in PBS, incubated for 2 h at room temperature or overnight at 4° C. A monoclonal anti-Flag FITC antibody may be diluted at 1:50 in blocking solution and incubated with the cells for 2 h at room temperature. Cells are then may behed three times with 0.1% Triton in PBS for five minutes. The slides are overlayed with mounting media dropwise with Biomedia-Gel Mount™ (Biomedia; Containing Anti-Quenching Agent). Cells are examined at 10× magnification using the Nikon TE300 equiped with FITC filter (535 nm).

Demonstration of Cell Surface Expression

[0553] Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 may be tagged at the C-terminus using the Flag epitope and inserted into the pcDNA3.1 hygro™ expression vector, as described herein. Immunocytochemistry of Cho Nfat-CRE cell lines transfected with the Flag-tagged Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 construct with FITC conjugated Anti Flag monoclonal antibody demonstrated that Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 is indeed a cell surface receptor. The immunocytochemistry also confirmed expression of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 in the Cho Nfat-CRE cell lines. Briefly, Cho Nfat-CRE cell lines are transfected with pcDNA3.1 hygro™/Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11-Flag vector, fixed with 70% methanol, and permeablized with 0.1% TritonX100. The cells are then blocked with 1% Serum and incubated with a FITC conjugated Anti Flag monoclonal antibody at 1:50 dilution in PBS-Triton. The cells are then may behed several times with PBS-Triton, overlayed with mounting solution, and fluorescent images are captured. The control cell line, non-transfected ChoNfat CRE cell line, exhibited no detectable background fluorescence. Plasma membrane localization would be consistent with Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 representing a 7 transmembrane domain containing GPCR.

Screening Paradigm

[0554] The Aurora Beta-Lactamase technology provides a clear path for identifying agonists and antagonists of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide. Cell lines that exhibit a range of constitutive coupling activity may be identified by sorting through Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 transfected cell lines using the FACS Vantage SE. For example, cell lines that exhibit an intermediate coupling response, using the LJL analyst, would provide the opportunity to screen, indirectly, for both agonists and antogonists of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 by looking for inhibitors that block the beta lactamase response, or agonists that increase the beta lactamase response. As described herein, modulating the expression level of beta lactamase directly correlates with the level of cleaved CCR2 substrate. For example, this screening paradigm has been shown to work for the identification of modulators of a known GPCR, 5HT6, that couples through Adenylate Cyclase, in addition to, the identification of modulators of the 5HT2c GPCR, that couples through changes in [Ca2+]i. Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 modulator screens may be carried out using a variety of high throughput methods known in the art, though preferably using the fully automated Aurora UHTSS system.

[0555] In preferred embodiments, the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 transfected Cho Nfat-CRE cell lines of the present invention are useful for the identification of agonists and antagonists of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide. Representative uses of these cell lines would be their inclusion in a method of identifying Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 agonists and antagonists. Preferably, the cell lines are useful in a method for identifying a compound that modulates the biological activity of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide, comprising the steps of (a) combining a candidate modulator compound with a host cell expressing the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide having the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and (b) measuring an effect of the candidate modulator compound on the activity of the expressed Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide. Representative vectors expressing the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide are referenced herein (e.g., pcDNA3.1 hygro™) or otherwise known in the art.

[0556] The cell lines are also useful in a method of screening for a compound that is capable of modulating the biological activity of Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the biological activity of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide in the absence of a modulator compound; (b) contacting a host cell expression the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide with the modulator compound; and (c) determining the biological activity of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide in the presence of the modulator compound; wherein a difference between the activity of the Gene 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and/or 11 polypeptide in the presence of the modulator compound and in the absence of the modulator compound indicates a modulating effect of the compound. Additional uses for these cell lines are described herein or otherwise known in the art

[0557] 1. Rees, S., Brown, S., Stables, J.: Reporter gene systems for the study of G Protein Coupled Receptor signalling in mammalian cells. In Milligan G. (ed.): Signal Transduction: A practical approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999: 171-221.

[0558] 2. Alam, J., Cook, J. L.: Reporter Genes: Application to the study of mammalian gene transcription. Anal. Biochem. 1990; 188: 245-254.

[0559] 3. Selbie, L. A. and Hill, S. J.: G protein-coupled receptor cross-talk: The fine-tuning of multiple receptor-signaling pathways. TiPs. 1998; 19: 87-93.

[0560] 4. Boss, V., Talpade, D. J., and Murphy, T. J.: Induction of NFAT mediated transcription by Gq-coupled Receptors in lympoid and non-lymphoid cells. JBC. 1996; 271: 10429-10432.

[0561] 5. George, S. E., Bungay, B. J., and Naylor, L. H.: Functional coupling of endogenous serotonin (5-HTIB) and calcitonin (C1a) receptors in Cho cells to a cyclic AMP-responsive luciferase reporter gene. J. Neurochem. 1997; 69: 1278-1285.

[0562] 6. Suto, C M, Igna D M: Selection of an optimal reporter for cell-based high throughput screening assays. J. Biomol. Screening. 1997; 2: 7-12.

[0563] 7. Zlokarnik, G., Negulescu, P. A., Knapp, T. E., More, L., Burres, N., Feng, L., Whitney, M., Roemer, K., and Tsien, R. Y. Quantitation of transcription and clonal selection of single living cells with a B-Lactamase Reporter. Science. 1998; 279: 84-88.

[0564] 8. S. Fiering et. al., Genes Dev. 4, 1823 (1990).

[0565] 9. J. Karttunen and N. Shastri, PNAS 88, 3972 (1991).

[0566] 10. Hawes, B. E., Luttrell. L. M., van Biesen, T., and Lefkowitz, R. J. (1996) JBC 271, 12133-12136.

[0567] 11. Gilman, A. G. (1987) Annul. Rev. Biochem. 56, 615-649. 12. Maniatis et al.,

[0568] 13. Salcedo, R., Ponce, M. L., Young, H. A., May beserman, K., Ward, J. M., Kleinman, H. K., Oppenheim, J. J., Murphy, W. J. Human endothelial cells express CCR2 and respond to MCP-1: direct role of MCP-1 in angiogenesis and tumor progression. Blood. 2000; 96 (1): 34-40.

[0569] 14. Sica, A., Saccani, A., Bottazzi, B., Bernasconi, S., Allavena, P., Gaetano, B., LaRossa, G., Scotton, C., Balkwill F., Mantovani, A. Defective expression of the monocyte chemotactic protein 1 receptor CCR2 in macrophages associated with human ovarian carcinoma. J. Immunology. 2000; 164: 733-8.

[0570] 15. Kypson, A., Hendrickson, S., Akhter, S., Wilson, K., McDonald, P., Lilly, R., Dolber, P., Glower, D., Lefkowitz, R., Koch, W. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the B2 AR to donor hearts enhances cardiac function. Gene Therapy. 1999; 6: 1298-304.

[0571] 16. Dorn, G. W., Tepe, N. M., Lorenz, J. N., Kock, W. J., Ligget, S. B. Low and high level transgenic expression of B2AR differentially affect cardiac hypertrophy and function in Galpha q-overexpressing mice. PNAS. 1999; 96: 6400-5.

[0572] 17. J. Wess. G protein coupled receptor: molecular mechanisms involved in receptor activation and selectivity of G-protein recognition.

[0573] 18. Whitney, M, Rockenstein, E, Cantin, G., Knapp, T., Zlokarnik, G., Sanders, P., Durick, K., Craig, F. F., and Negulescu, P. A. A genome-wide functional assay of signal transduction in living mammalian cells. 1998. Nature Biotech. 16: 1329-1333.

[0574] 19. BD Biosciences: FACS Vantage SE Training Manual. Part Number 11-11020-00 Rev. A. August 1999.

[0575] 20. Chen, G., Jaywickreme, C., Way, J., Armour S., Queen K., Watson., C., Ignar, D., Chen, W. J., Kenakin, T. Constitutive Receptor systems for drug discovery. J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Methods 1999; 42: 199-206.

Example 15

Method of Creating an Expression Vector for Expressing Gene 9 in Mammalian Cells and Assessing Electrophysiology of the Same

[0576] The complete open reading frame of Gene 9 cDNA may be cloned into an Invitrogen native expression Gateway entry vector (pDONR™ 201) by PCR amplifying out the coding region with the primer set listed below (SEQ ID NO:92 and 93), and carrying out the recombination reaction essential as described by the manufactures protocol (Invitrogen, Gateway™ Cloning Technology Manual, Publication No. 2501). The PCR primers included the necessary attB sites for recombination cloning. Individual clones are picked and sequence-verified for the absence of PCR induced mutations in the sequence that would either introduce premature stops or missense alterations.

[0577] Once the appropriate clone is found, the Gene 9 containing-entry vector may be used to transfer the intact coding region into the designation vector, pDEST12.2. This vector possesses the necessary sequences for expression in mammalian cells, namely the CMV promoter, SV40 polyadenylation signal and the SV40 ori and early promoter for DNA replication in the appropriate cell lines that supply T-antigen.

Electrophysiology of the Gene 9 Polypeptide Transfection

[0578] CHO cells are plated in growth medium at 10% (1.2×105 cells/dish) and 20% (2.4×105 cells/dish) confluence in poly-lysine coated 35 mm dishes. After 24 hours, the growth medium is removed, and cells are rinsed with Optimem (Invitrogen # 31985-070), then refed 0.8 ml Optimem. Cells are transiently co-transfected with 0.5 ug hEAG2 DNA in the pDEST vector, and 0.5 ug of GFP DNA using Lipofectamine Plus (Invitrogen # 10964-013). Three hours post transfection, the transfection mix is removed, and cells are refed with 2 ml growth medium. Twenty four hours post transfection, cells are again refed 2 ml fresh growth medium. Cells are used in experiments 24-72 hrs post transfection. Control experiments are performed in CHO cells transiently transfected with 1 μg of GFP DNA.

[0579] CHO growth medium is Iscove's medium (Invitrogen # 12440)+10% FBS, 1 X non-essential amino acids (Invitrogen # 12383-014) and 1×HT Supplement (Invitrogen # 11067-030).

Materials

[0580] All chemicals are purchased from Sigma Chemicals, St. Louis Mo. The internal solution contained (in mM): KCl 130, MgCl2 1, CaCl2 1, HEPES 10, EGTA 10, and may be titrated to a pH of 7.2. This gives a calculated free Ca++ concentration of 20 nM. The bath solution may contain (in mM) NaCl 140, KCl 4, MgCl2 1, CaCl2 1.8, HEPES 10, Glucose 10, and may be titrated to a pH of 7.4. For some experiments the bath solution may be modified by the addition of 1 or 5 mM BaCl2, by changing the concentration of MgCl2 to 0 or 10 mM or by reducing NaCl to 104 mM and increasing KCl to 40 nM. During data recording, cells are constantly superfused with bath solution delivered through a fused silica perfusion tip, internal diameter 100 μM. Solution changes are accomplished through the use of a Valvelink 16 multichannel perfusion system from AutoMate Scientific, San Francisco Calif. Currents are recorded on an EPC-9 amplifier (HEKA Electronik, Lambrecht/Pfalz, Germany), controlled through the Pulse software package. Currents are sampled at 10 kHz and filtered at 3.3 kHz. Pipettes are constructed from thin walled borosilicate capillary tubing (Warner Instruments Corp., Hamden Conn.), and pulled to a resistance of 1.5-3 MΩ on a P-97 micropipette puller (Sutter Instrument Co., Novato Calif.). All experiments are conducted at 20° C.

[0581] Following the establishment of a Gigaohm seal and whole cell access, cells are held at −80 mV. The voltage dependence of activation may be described by 1 sec steps to potentials from −100 to +40 mV in 10 mV intervals. The effect of holding potential on the rate of activation may be determined by applying a 1 sec conditioning pulse followed by a 1 sec depolarization to +40 mV. The conditioning pulse may be stepped from −100 to −40 mV in 10 mV intervals. Tail current reversal may be measured by depolarizing cells to +40 mV for 1 sec followed by repolarization to voltages from −30 to −100 mV in 10 mV intervals. For monitoring rundown and current stability, and for determining the effects of alterations in the bath solution on currents, cells are repeatedly depolarized to +40 mV for 1 sec. All stimulation protocols are applied at 0.1 Hz.

Example 16

Method of Enhancing the Biological Activity/Functional Characteristics of Invention Through Molecular Evolution

[0582] Although many of the most biologically active proteins known are highly effective for their specified function in an organism, they often possess characteristics that make them undesirable for transgenic, therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and/or industrial applications. Among these traits, a short physiological half-life is the most prominent problem, and is present either at the level of the protein, or the level of the proteins mRNA. The ability to extend the half-life, for example, would be particularly important for a proteins use in gene therapy, transgenic animal production, the bioprocess production and purification of the protein, and use of the protein as a chemical modulator among others. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel variants of isolated proteins possessing characteristics which enhance their application as a therapeutic for treating diseases of animal origin, in addition to the proteins applicability to common industrial and pharmaceutical applications.

[0583] Thus, one aspect of the present invention relates to the ability to enhance specific characteristics of invention through directed molecular evolution. Such an enhancement may, in a non-limiting example, benefit the inventions utility as an essential component in a kit, the inventions physical attributes such as its solubility, structure, or codon optimization, the inventions specific biological activity, including any associated enzymatic activity, the proteins enzyme kinetics, the proteins Ki, Kcat, Km, Vmax, Kd, protein-protein activity, protein-DNA binding activity, antagonist/inhibitory activity (including direct or indirect interaction), agonist activity (including direct or indirect interaction), the proteins antigenicity (e.g., where it would be desirable to either increase or decrease the antigenic potential of the protein), the immunogenicity of the protein, the ability of the protein to form dimers, trimers, or multimers with either itself or other proteins, the antigenic efficacy of the invention, including its subsequent use a preventative treatment for disease or disease states, or as an effector for targeting diseased genes. Moreover, the ability to enhance specific characteristics of a protein may also be applicable to changing the characterized activity of an enzyme to an activity completely unrelated to its initially characterized activity. Other desirable enhancements of the invention would be specific to each individual protein, and would thus be well known in the art and contemplated by the present invention.

[0584] For example, an engineered G-protein coupled receptor may be constitutively active upon binding of its cognate ligand. Alternatively, an engineered G-protein coupled receptor may be constitutively active in the absence of ligand binding. In yet another example, an engineered GPCR may be capable of being activated with less than all of the regulatory factors and/or conditions typically required for GPCR activation (e.g., ligand binding, phosphorylation, conformational changes, etc.). Such GPCRs would be useful in screens to identify GPCR modulators, among other uses described herein.

[0585] Directed evolution is comprised of several steps. The first step is to establish a library of variants for the gene or protein of interest. The most important step is to then select for those variants that entail the activity you wish to identify. The design of the screen is essential since your screen should be selective enough to eliminate non-useful variants, but not so stringent as to eliminate all variants. The last step is then to repeat the above steps using the best variant from the previous screen. Each successive cycle, can then be tailored as necessary, such as increasing the stringency of the screen, for example.

[0586] Over the years, there have been a number of methods developed to introduce mutations into macromolecules. Some of these methods include, random mutagenesis, “error-prone” PCR, chemical mutagenesis, site-directed mutagenesis, and other methods well known in the art (for a comprehensive listing of current mutagenesis methods, see Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring, N.Y. (1982)). Typically, such methods have been used, for example, as tools for identifying the core functional region(s) of a protein or the function of specific domains of a protein (if a multi-domain protein). However, such methods have more recently been applied to the identification of macromolecule variants with specific or enhanced characteristics.

[0587] Random mutagenesis has been the most widely recognized method to date. Typically, this has been carried out either through the use of “error-prone” PCR (as described in Moore, J., et al, Nature Biotechnology 14:458, (1996), or through the application of randomized synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to specific regions of interest (as descibed by Derbyshire, K. M. et al, Gene, 46:145-152, (1986), and Hill, Del., et al, Methods Enzymol., 55:559-568, (1987). Both approaches have limits to the level of mutagenesis that can be obtained. However, either approach enables the investigator to effectively control the rate of mutagenesis. This is particularly important considering the fact that mutations beneficial to the activity of the enzyme are fairly rare. In fact, using too high a level of mutagenesis may counter or inhibit the desired benefit of a useful mutation.

[0588] While both of the aforementioned methods are effective for creating randomized pools of macromolecule variants, a third method, termed “DNA Shuffling”, or “sexual PCR” (WPC, Stemmer, PNAS, 91:10747, (1994)) has recently been elucidated. DNA shuffling has also been referred to as “directed molecular evolution”, “exon-shuffling”, “directed enzyme evolution”, “in vitro evolution”, and “artificial evolution”. Such reference terms are known in the art and are encompassed by the invention. This new, preferred, method apparently overcomes the limitations of the previous methods in that it not only propagates positive traits, but simultaneously eliminates negative traits in the resulting progeny.

[0589] DNA shuffling accomplishes this task by combining the principal of in vitro recombination, along with the method of “error-prone” PCR. In effect, you begin with a randomly digested pool of small fragments of your gene, created by Dnase I digestion, and then introduce said random fragments into an “error-prone” PCR assembly reaction. During the PCR reaction, the randomly sized DNA fragments not only hybridize to their cognate strand, but also may hybridize to other DNA fragments corresponding to different regions of the polynucleotide of interest—regions not typically accessible via hybridization of the entire polynucleotide. Moreover, since the PCR assembly reaction utilizes “error-prone” PCR reaction conditions, random mutations are introduced during the DNA synthesis step of the PCR reaction for all of the fragments-further diversifying the potential hybridation sites during the annealing step of the reaction.

[0590] A variety of reaction conditions could be utilized to carry-out the DNA shuffling reaction. However, specific reaction conditions for DNA shuffling are provided, for example, in PNAS, 91:10747, (1994). Briefly:

[0591] Prepare the DNA substrate to be subjected to the DNA shuffling reaction. Preparation may be in the form of simply purifying the DNA from contaminating cellular material, chemicals, buffers, oligonucleotide primers, deoxynucleotides, RNAs, etc., and may entail the use of DNA purification kits as those provided by Qiagen, Inc., or by the Promega, Corp., for example.

[0592] Once the DNA substrate has been purified, it would be subjected to Dnase I digestion. About 2-4 ug of the DNA substrate(s) would be digested with 0.0015 units of Dnase I (Sigma) per ul in 100 ul of 50 mM Tris-HCL, pH 7.4/1 mM MgCl2 for 10-20 min. at room temperature. The resulting fragments of 10-50 bp could then be purified by running them through a 2% low-melting point agarose gel by electrophoresis onto DE81 ion-exchange paper (Whatman) or could be purified using Microcon concentrators (Amicon) of the appropriate molecular weight cuttoff, or could use oligonucleotide purification columns (Qiagen), in addition to other methods known in the art. If using DE81 ion-exchange paper, the 10-50 bp fragments could be eluted from said paper using 1M NaCL, followed by ethanol precipitation.

[0593] The resulting purified fragments would then be subjected to a PCR assembly reaction by re-suspension in a PCR mixture containing: 2 mM of each dNTP, 2.2 mM MgCl2, 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris.HCL, pH 9.0, and 0.1% Triton X-100, at a final fragment concentration of 10-30 ng/ul. No primers are added at this point. Taq DNA polymerase (Promega) would be used at 2.5 units per 100 ul of reaction mixture. A PCR program of 94 C for 60s; 94 C for 30s, 50-55 C for 30s, and 72 C for 30s using 30-45 cycles, followed by 72 C for Smin using an MJ Research (Cambridge, Mass.) PTC-150 thermocycler. After the assembly reaction is completed, a 1:40 dilution of the resulting primerless product would then be introduced into a PCR mixture (using the same buffer mixture used for the assembly reaction) containing 0.8 um of each primer and subjecting this mixture to 15 cycles of PCR (using 94 C for 30s, 50 C for 30s, and 72 C for 30s). The referred primers would be primers corresponding to the nucleic acid sequences of the polynucleotide(s) utilized in the shuffling reaction. Said primers could consist of modified nucleic acid base pairs using methods known in the art and referred to else where herein, or could contain additional sequences (i.e., for adding restriction sites, mutating specific base-pairs, etc.).

[0594] The resulting shuffled, assembled, and amplified product can be purified using methods well known in the art (e.g., Qiagen PCR purification kits) and then subsequently cloned using appropriate restriction enzymes.

[0595] Although a number of variations of DNA shuffling have been published to date, such variations would be obvious to the skilled artisan and are encompassed by the invention. The DNA shuffling method can also be tailered to the desired level of mutagenesis using the methods described by Zhao, et al. (Nucl Acid Res., 25(6):1307-1308, (1997).

[0596] As described above, once the randomized pool has been created, it can then be subjected to a specific screen to identify the variant possessing the desired characteristic(s). Once the variant has been identified, DNA corresponding to the variant could then be used as the DNA substrate for initiating another round of DNA shuffling. This cycle of shuffling, selecting the optimized variant of interest, and then re-shuffling, can be repeated until the ultimate variant is obtained. Examples of model screens applied to identify variants created using DNA shuffling technology may be found in the following publications: J. C., Moore, et al., J. Mol. Biol., 272:336-347, (1997), F. R., Cross, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 18:2923-2931, (1998), and A. Crameri., et al., Nat. Biotech., 15:436-438, (1997).

[0597] DNA shuffling has several advantages. First, it makes use of beneficial mutations. When combined with screening, DNA shuffling allows the discovery of the best mutational combinations and does not assume that the best combination contains all the mutations in a population. Secondly, recombination occurs simultaneously with point mutagenesis. An effect of forcing DNA polymerase to synthesize full-length genes from the small fragment DNA pool is a background mutagenesis rate. In combination with a stringent selection method, enzymatic activity has been evolved up to 16000 fold increase over the wild-type form of the enzyme. In essence, the background mutagenesis yielded the genetic variability on which recombination acted to enhance the activity.

[0598] A third feature of recombination is that it can be used to remove deleterious mutations. As discussed above, during the process of the randomization, for every one beneficial mutation, there may be at least one or more neutral or inhibitory mutations. Such mutations can be removed by including in the assembly reaction an excess of the wild-type random-size fragments, in addition to the random-size fragments of the selected mutant from the previous selection. During the next selection, some of the most active variants of the polynucleotide/polypeptide/enzyme, should have lost the inhibitory mutations.

[0599] Finally, recombination enables parallel processing. This represents a significant advantage since there are likely multiple characteristics that would make a protein more desirable (e.g. solubility, activity, etc.). Since it is increasingly difficult to screen for more than one desirable trait at a time, other methods of molecular evolution tend to be inhibitory. However, using recombination, it would be possible to combine the randomized fragments of the best representative variants for the various traits, and then select for multiple properties at once.

[0600] DNA shuffling can also be applied to the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention to decrease their immunogenicity in a specified host, particularly if the polynucleotides and polypeptides provide a therapeutic use. For example, a particular variant of the present invention may be created and isolated using DNA shuffling technology. Such a variant may have all of the desired characteristics, though may be highly immunogenic in a host due to its novel intrinsic structure. Specifically, the desired characteristic may cause the polypeptide to have a non-native structure which could no longer be recognized as a “self” molecule, but rather as a “foreign”, and thus activate a host immune response directed against the novel variant. Such a limitation can be overcome, for example, by including a copy of the gene sequence for a xenobiotic ortholog of the native protein in with the gene sequence of the novel variant gene in one or more cycles of DNA shuffling. The molar ratio of the ortholog and novel variant DNAs could be varied accordingly. Ideally, the resulting hybrid variant identified would contain at least some of the coding sequence which enabled the xenobiotic protein to evade the host immune system, and additionally, the coding sequence of the original novel varient that provided the desired characteristics.

[0601] Likewise, the invention encompasses the application of DNA shuffling technology to the evolution of polynucletotides and polypeptides of the invention, wherein one or more cycles of DNA shuffling include, in addition to the gene template DNA, oligonucleotides coding for known allelic sequences, optimizedcodon sequences, known variant sequences, known polynucleotide polymorphism sequences, known ortholog sequences, known homolog sequences, additional homologous sequences, additional non-homologous sequences, sequences from another species, and any number and combination of the above.

[0602] In addition to the described methods above, there are a number of related methods that may also be applicable, or desirable in certain cases. Representative among these are the methods discussed in PCT applications WO 98/31700, and WO 98/32845, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Furthermore, related methods can also be applied to the polynucleotide sequences of the present invention in order to evolve invention for creating ideal variants for use in gene therapy, protein engineering, evolution of whole cells containing the variant, or in the evolution of entire enzyme pathways containing polynucleotides of the invention as described in PCT applications WO 98/13485, WO 98/13487, WO 98/27230, WO 98/31837, and Crameri, A., et al., Nat. Biotech., 15:436-438, (1997), respectively.

[0603] Additional methods of applying “DNA Shuffling” technology to the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention, including their proposed applications, may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,793; PCT Application No. WO 95/22625; PCT Application No. WO 97/20078; PCT Application No. WO 97/35966; and PCT Application No. WO 98/42832; PCT Application No. The forgoing are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein for all purposes.

[0604] The contents of all patents, patent applications, published PCT applications and articles, books, references, reference manuals, abstracts and internet websites cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to more fully describe the state of the art to which the invention pertains.

[0605] As various changes can be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, or defined in the appended claims, be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative of the present invention. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:3 or a polynucleotide fragment of the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:3; (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:14 or a polypeptide fragment encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:3; (c) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:14 or a polypeptide domain encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:3; (d) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:14 or a polypeptide epitope encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:3; (e) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 or the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:3, having GPCR activity; (f) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 4 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14 minus the start codon; (g) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 1 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14 including the start codon; (h) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:3; (i) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:4 or a polynucleotide fragment of the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:4; (j) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:15 or a polypeptide fragment encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:4; (k) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:15 or a polypeptide domain encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:4; (l) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:15 or a polypeptide epitope encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:4; (m) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 or the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:4, having GPCR activity; (n) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 20 to 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15 minus the start codon; (o) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 17 to 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15 including the start codon; (p) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:4; (q) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:7 or a polynucleotide fragment of the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:7; (r) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:18 or a polypeptide fragment encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:7; (s) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:18 or a polypeptide domain encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:7; (t) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:18 or a polypeptide epitope encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:7; (u) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18 or the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:7, having GPCR activity; (v) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 4 to 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18 minus the start codon; (w) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 1 to 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18 including the start codon; (x) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:7; (y) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:8 or a polynucleotide fragment of the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:8; (z) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:19 or a polypeptide fragment encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:8; (aa) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:19 or a polypeptide domain encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:8; (bb) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:19 or a polypeptide epitope encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:8; (cc) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 or the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:8, having GPCR activity; (dd) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 4 to 2229 of SEQ ID NO:8, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19 minus the start codon; (ee) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 1 to 2229 of SEQ ID NO:8, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19 including the start codon; (ff) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:8; (gg) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:9 or a polynucleotide fragment of the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:9; (hh) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:20 or a polypeptide fragment encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:9; (ii) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:20 or a polypeptide domain encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:9; (jj) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:20 or a polypeptide epitope encoded by the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:9; (kk) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20 or the cDNA sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, which is hybridizable to SEQ ID NO:9, having ion channel activity; (ll) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 556 to 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20 minus the start codon; (mm) an isolated polynucleotide comprising nucleotides 553 to 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20 including the start codon; (nn) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:9; and (oo) a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to any one of the polynucleotides specified in (a)-(nn), wherein said polynucleotide does not hybridize under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence of only A residues or of only T residues.

2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide fragment consists of a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a human G-protein coupled receptor and a human ion channel.

3. A recombinant vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1.

4. A recombinant host cell comprising the vector sequences of claim 3.

5. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:14 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (b) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:14 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, having GPCR activity; (c) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:14 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (d) a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:14 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (e) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:14 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (f) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 2 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14, wherein said amino acids 2 to 414 comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 minus the start methionine; (g) apolypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14; (h) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO: 15 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (i) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:15 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, having GPCR activity; (j) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:15 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (k) a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:15 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (l) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:15 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (m) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 2 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15, wherein said amino acids 2 to 578 comprising a polypeptide of SEQ iD NO: 15 minus the start methionine; (n) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15; (o) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:18 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (p) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:18 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, having GPCR activity; (q) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:18 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (r) a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:18 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (s) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:18 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (t) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 2 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18, wherein said amino acids 2 to 309 comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18 minus the start methionine; (u) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18; (v) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:19 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (w) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:19 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, having GPCR activity; (x) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:19 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (y) a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:19 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (z) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:19 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (aa) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 2 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19, wherein said amino acids 2 to 742 comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 minus the start methionine; (bb) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19; (cc) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:20 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (dd) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:20 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______, having ion channel activity; (ee) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:20 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (ff) a polypeptide epitope of SEQ ID NO:20 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (gg) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:20 or the encoded sequence included in ATCC Deposit No: ______; (hh) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 2 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20, wherein said amino acids 2 to 414 comprising a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20 minus the start methionine; and (ii) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20.

6. The isolated polypeptide of claim 5, wherein the full length protein comprises sequential amino acid deletions from either the C-terminus or the N-terminus.

7. An isolated antibody that binds specifically to the isolated polypeptide of claim 5.

8. A recombinant host cell that expresses the isolated polypeptide of claim 5.

9. A method of making an isolated polypeptide comprising: (a) culturing the recombinant host cell of claim 8 under conditions such that said polypeptide is expressed; and (b) recovering said polypeptide.

10. The polypeptide produced by the method of claim 9.

11. A method for preventing, treating, or ameliorating a medical condition, comprising the step of administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of claim 5, or a modulator thereof.

12. A method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject comprising: (a) determining the presence or absence of a mutation in the polynucleotide of claim 1; and (b) diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition based on the presence or absence of said mutation.

13. A method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject comprising: (a) determining the presence or amount of expression of the polypeptide of claim 5 in a biological sample; and (b) diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition based on the presence or amount of expression of the polypeptide.

14. An isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14; (b) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 4 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14 minus the start codon; (c) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 1 to 1242 of SEQ ID NO:3, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14 including the start codon; (d) a polynucleotide encoding the GPCR variant polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. ______; (e) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:3; (f) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15; (g) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 20 to 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15 minus the start codon; (h) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 17 to 1750 of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15 including the start codon; (i) a polynucleotide encoding the GPCR variant polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. ______; (j) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:4; (k) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18; (l) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 4 to 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18 minus the start codon; (m) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 1 to 927 of SEQ ID NO:7, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18 including the start codon; (n) a polynucleotide encoding the GPCR variant polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. ______; (o) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:7; (p) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19; (q) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 4 to 2229 of SEQ ID NO:8, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19 minus the start codon; (r) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 1 to 2229 of SEQ ID NO:8, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19 including the start codon; (s) a polynucleotide encoding the GPCR variant polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. ______; (t) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:19; (u) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20; (v) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 556 to 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20 minus the start codon; (w) an isolated polynucleotide consisting of nucleotides 553 to 1818 of SEQ ID NO:9, wherein said nucleotides encode a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20 including the start codon; (x) a polynucleotide encoding the ion channel variant polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone contained in ATCC Deposit No. ______; and (y) a polynucleotide which represents the complimentary sequence (antisense) of SEQ ID NO:20.

15. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 14, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of GPCRs and ion channels.

16. A recombinant vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 15.

17. A recombinant host cell comprising the recombinant vector of claim 16.

18. An isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:14 having GPCR activity; (b) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:14 having GPCR activity; (c) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:14; (d) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14, wherein said amino acids 2 to 414 consisting of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14 minus the start methionine; (e) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO:14; (f) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:15 having GPCR activity; (g) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:15 having GPCR activity; (h) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:15; (i) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15, wherein said amino acids 2 to 578 consisting of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:15 minus the start methionine; (j) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 578 of SEQ ID NO:15; (k) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:18 having GPCR activity; (l) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:18 having GPCR activity; (m) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:18; (n) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18, wherein said amino acids 2 to 309 consisting of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:18 minus the start methionine; (o) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 309 of SEQ ID NO:18; (p) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:19 having GPCR activity; (q) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:19 having GPCR activity; (r) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:19; (s) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19, wherein said amino acids 2 to 742 consisting of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:19 minus the start methionine; (t) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 742 of SEQ ID NO:19; (u) a polypeptide fragment of SEQ ID NO:20 having ion channel activity; (v) a polypeptide domain of SEQ ID NO:20 having ion channel activity; (w) a full length protein of SEQ ID NO:20; (x) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 2 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20, wherein said amino acids 2 to 422 consisting of a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20 minus the start methionine; and (y) a polypeptide corresponding to amino acids 1 to 422 of SEQ ID NO:20.

19. The method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject of claim 12, wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, myocardio infarction, congestive heart failure, arrthymias, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, arterialsclerosis, microvascular disease, embolism, thromobosis, pulmonary edema, palpitation, dyspnea, angina, hypotension, syncope, heart murmer, aberrant ECG, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the Marfan syndrome, sudden death, prolonged QT syndrome, congenital defects, cardiac viral infections, valvular heart disease, and hypertension wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:3; (b) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, female reproductive disorders, particularly ovarian disorders, ovarian cancer, polycystic ovarian diseases, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, placental aromatase deficiency, premature menopause, and placental dysfunction wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:4; (c) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, eye disorders, macular degeneration, vision loss, retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, eye infections, retinitis, color blindness, retinal arteriole sclerosis, retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, epiretinal membrane, double vision, and mono vision wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:7; (d) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, feeding disorders, sleep pattern disorders, balance disorders, perception disorders synapse formation disorders, neurotransmission disorders, learning disorders, cognition disorders, homeostasis disorders, neuronal differentiation disorders and neuronal survival disorders wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:8; and (e) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, feeding disorders, sleep pattern disorders, balance disorders, perception disorders synapse formation disorders, neurotransmission disorders, learning disorders, cognition disorders, homeostasis disorders, neuronal differentiation disorders and neuronal survival disorders wherein the polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:9.

20. The method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject of claim 13, wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, myocardio infarction, congestive heart failure, arrthymias, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, arterialsclerosis, microvascular disease, embolism, thromobosis, pulmonary edema, palpitation, dyspnea, angina, hypotension, syncope, heart murmer, aberrant ECG, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the Marfan syndrome, sudden death, prolonged QT syndrome, congenital defects, cardiac viral infections, valvular heart disease, and hypertension wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:14; (b) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, female reproductive disorders, particularly ovarian disorders, ovarian cancer, polycystic ovarian diseases, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, placental aromatase deficiency, premature menopause, and placental dysfunction wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:15; (c) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, eye disorders, macular degeneration, vision loss, retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, eye infections, retinitis, color blindness, retinal arteriole sclerosis, retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, epiretinal membrane, double vision, and mono vision wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:18; (d) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, feeding disorders, sleep pattern disorders, balance disorders, perception disorders synapse formation disorders, neurotransmission disorders, learning disorders, cognition disorders, homeostasis disorders, neuronal differentiation disorders and neuronal survival disorders wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:19; and (e) a disorder related to aberrant G-protein coupled signaling; a disorder related to aberrant cell cycle regulation; neurological disorders; anxiety; headache; migraine; schizophrenia; manic depression; delirium; dementia; severe mental retardation and dyskinesias; such as Huntington's disease or Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome; Parkinson's disease; brain disorders; spinal cord disorders; affective disorders; neoplastic disorder; cardiovascular disorder; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; an immunological disorder; immune-related disorders; endocrinal diseases; growth disorders; neuropathic pain; obesity; anorexia; HIV infections; cancers; bulimia; asthma; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; psychosis; metabolic disorders; pituitary disorders; growth disorders; urinary retention; osteoporosis; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy, Alzheimers disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, peripheral neuropathies, neoplasia, trauma, congenital malformations, spinal cord injuries, ischemia and infarction, aneurysms, hemorrhages, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, learning disabilities, ALS, psychoses, autism, feeding disorders, sleep pattern disorders, balance disorders, perception disorders synapse formation disorders, neurotransmission disorders, learning disorders, cognition disorders, homeostasis disorders, neuronal differentiation disorders and neuronal survival disorders wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:20.