Polypeptide of human-origin hyaluronate synthetase and DNA encoding the same

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin and a DNA encoding the same.
BACKGROUND ART
Hyaluronan is one of high molecular weight glycosaminoglycans and is constituted by repeated .beta.-1,4 linked disaccharide units, each of the unit being composed of glucuronic acid linked to N-acetylglucosamine by a .beta.-1,3 bond (GlcUA.beta.1-3GlcNAc; GlcUA and GlcNAc represent glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, respectively). Hyaluronan is a characteristic constituent of the extracellular matrix at the early stage of morphogenesis of animals. Its synthesis is regulated spatially and temporally (Toole, B. P. (1981) Cell Biology of the Extracellular Matrix (Hey, E. D., ed.) pp. 259-294, Plenum, New York). Accumulation of hyaluronan on the cell surface is correlated with regulation of behavior of cells, particularly migration, adhesion, cure of wounds, infiltration of tumors, and the like (Turley, E. A. (1989) The Biology of Hyaluronan, Ciba Foundation Symposium 143, pp. 121-137; Wiley, Chichester, England; Knudson, W., Biswas, C., Li, X.-Q., Nemec, R. E., and Tool, B. P. (1989) The Biology of Hyaluronan, Ciba Foundation Symposium 143, pp. 150-169, Wiley, Chichester, England; Laurent, T. C., and Fraser, J. R. E. (1992) FASEB J. 6, 2397-2404; Kimata, K., Honma, Y., Okayama, M., Oguri, K., Hozumi, M., and Suzuki, S. (1983) Cancer Res. 43, 1347-1354).
Biosysthesis of hyaluronan has been widely studied using a procaryote, Streptococci. A recent report revealed that a structural gene of hyaluronan synthase derived from Streptococcus pyogenes which is a procaryote was isolated (DeAngelis, P. L., Papaconstantinou, J., and Weigel, P. H. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 19181-19184). In contrast, little is known about the biosynthesis mechanism of hyaluronan in eucaryotes. Attempts have been made to purify eucaryotic hyaluronan synthase. However, some reports showed that the obtained enzyme lost its activity (Mian, N. (1986) Biochem. J. 237, 343-357; Ng, K. F., and Schwartz, N. B. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 11776-11783; Klewes, L., Turley, E. A., and Prehm, P. (1993) Biochem. J. 290, 791-795). Any DNA encoding a polypeptide of eucaryotic hyaluronan synthase is not known.
If a polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase derived from eucaryotes, particularly human, and a DNA encoding it are obtained, they would be useful for treatments, including gene therapy, of diseases caused by decreased expression of hyaluronan in humans. In addition, these substances would also be useful for gene therapy for suppressing metastasis of cancer using an antisense DNA, RNA, or the like as well as development of hyaluronan synthase-specific inhibitors.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin and a DNA encoding the polypeptide.
The present inventors intensively investigated to achieve the above object and, as a result, succeeded in cloning a cDNA encoding a polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase, which has hyaluronan synthase activity, from cells of an organism except human and, by using a fragment derived from the cDNA, cloning a cDNA encoding a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin. Thus, the present invention was completed.
The present invention provides a DNA encoding the following polypeptide (a) or (b):
(a) a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin; and
(b) a partial polypeptide of the polypeptide (a).
Further, the present invention also provides a DNA encoding any one of the following polypeptides (a) to (c):
(a) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4;
(b) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4, which has a substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acid residues that does not substantially lower an activity of synthesizing hyaluronan; and
(c) a partial polypeptide of the polypeptide (a) or (b).
The above-described DNA preferably encodes the whole or the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4. It also preferably has at least a part of the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1, more preferably has a nucleotide sequence of from position 149 to position 1777 of the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. In the present invention, the DNA of the present invention includes a DNA or an RNA complementary to the DNA.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin or a part thereof (hereinafter referred to "the polypeptide of the present invention") encoded by the above-described DNA of the present invention.
The term "part of the polypeptide" used herein means a part having an activity or function such as hyaluronan synthase activity and immunogenicity, or a part, the nucleotide sequence of which is specific to the hyaluronan synthase and can be used as a primer or a probe.
Further, the term "at least part of the nucleotide sequence" used herein means a part encoding a part of the polypeptide having an activity or function such as hyaluronan synthase activity and immunogenicity, or the part which is specific to the hyaluronan synthase and can be used as a primer or a probe.
The following explains the embodiments of the present invention in detail.
I. THE DNA OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The DNA of the present invention is the one encoding at least part of a polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin, specifically one encoding at least part of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4. The polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of human origin or the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4, which is encoded by the DNA of the present invention, may have a substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acid residues that does not substantially lower the activity of synthesizing hyaluronan. The DNA of the present invention is preferably a DNA encoding at least part of the polypeptide of a hyaluronan synthase of human origin, and encoding the whole or a part of the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4, or a DNA encoding at least part of the polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of human origin, which has the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4, in which a substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acid residues that does not substantially lower the activity of synthesizing hyaluronan may be present. More preferably, the DNA of the present invention is a DNA encoding the whole of the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 4. The DNA of the present invention is still more preferably a DNA having at least part of the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. A specific example of the DNA is one having the nucleotide sequence of from position 149 to position 1777 of the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. The DNA of the present invention may have a substitution, deletion, or insertion of one or more nucleotides as long as it has substantially the same nucleotide sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO: 1 and does not substantially lower the hyaluronan-synthesizing activity of the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase encoded by the above nucleotide sequence. In other words, the DNA of the present invention includes DNA encoding a polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase having the above-described substitution, deletion, or insertion of nucleotide(s).
A specific example of the DNA of the present invention is a DNA having the nucleotide sequence of from position 149 to position 1777 of the nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that the DNA of the present invention include DNAs having the nucleotide sequences different from that as described above due to degeneracy of the genetic codes.
Also, the DNA of the present invention may be either a coding single strand encoding only the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase or a double-stranded chain composed of the above single strand and a DNA strand having complementary sequence thereto.
Since the nucleotide sequence of the DNA of the present invention was revealed by the present invention, the DNA can be synthesized based on the sequence. The DNA is also obtained by amplifying the DNA of the present invention from human chromosomal DNA or mRNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using oligonucleotide primers prepared based on the sequence. The DNA of the present invention was obtained for the first time by the cDNA cloning comprising the following steps as also described in the example below.
(1) Cloning of a cDNA Encoding a Polypeptide of a Hyaluronan Synthase of Mouse Origin:
i) selection of mouse cells capable of high level production of hyaluronan and preparation of mouse mutant cells deficient in hyaluronan-synthesizing ability;
ii) isolation of a poly(A).sup.+ RNA containing an mRNA corresponding to the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase;
iii) construction of a mouse cDNA library;
iv) introduction of the cDNA library constructed in iii) into the mutant cells deficient in hyaluronan-synthesizing ability prepared in i) (transfection);
v) selection of cells capable of synthesizing hyaluronan from the cells transformed in iv);
vi) Recovery of a plasmid DNA from the cells selected in
v), transformation of Escherichia coli cells with the plasmid DNA, and recovery of the plasmid DNA from the E. coli cells; and
vii) isolation of a cDNA encoding the polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of mouse origin by repeating three more times the above steps iv) to vi) using the recovered plasmid DNA.
(2) Cloning of a cDNA Encoding a Polypeptide of the Hyaluronan Synthase of Human Origin:
i) preparation of a probe for screening a human cDNA library based on the result of sequencing of the cDNA isolated in vii) of (1) above;
ii) screening of cDNA clones of human hyaluronan synthase using the probe prepared in i); and
iii) nucleotide sequencing.
The method of producing the DNA of the present invention is not to be limited to the above method. The DNA of the present invention can be prepared by PCR method as described above or other known cDNA cloning methods.
An example of the method of producing the DNA of the present invention is described in detail below.
1. Cloning of a cDNA Encoding a Polypeptide of Hyaluronan Synthase Derived from an Organism Except Human
(1) Selection of Cell Lines Capable of High Level Production of Hyaluronan and Preparation of Mutant Cells Deficient in Hyaluronan-synthesizing Ability
(1-1) Selection of Cells Capable of High Level Production of Hyaluronan
Cells capable of high level production of hyaluronan (hereinafter also simply referred to as "high level hyaluronan-producing cells") are selected using cells of an organism except human having the hyaluronan synthase activity. Though the cells of an organism except human having the hyaluronan synthase activity are not particularly limited, eucaryotic cells are preferable, mammalian cells are more preferable, and mouse cells are particularly preferable. Established cultured cell lines (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cell line") are preferably used in view of availability, easiness to handle, and ability to proliferate. Mouse-derived cell lines are more preferable. Among the mouse-derived cell lines, FM3A, a mouse mammary carcinoma cell line (Health Science Research Resources Bank; cell number, JCRB0701, or RIKEN Cell Bank; cell number, RCB0086) is particularly preferable. Furthermore, among FM3A, FM3A P15A that is a cell line selected taking high metastatic ability to lung as an index (Honma, Y., Kasukabe, T., and Hozumi, M. (1981) Gann 72, 898-905; Kimata, K., Honma, Y., Okayama, M., Oguri, K., Hozumi, M., and Suzuki, S. (1983) Cancer Res. 43, 1347-1354) is most preferable because of its high hyaluronan synthase activity.
Culture media used for culturing the above-described cultured cells are not particularly limited as long as cells can grow therein. Any media known in the field of cell culture can be used. For example, Eagle's minimum essential medium or the like is preferable since it has been widely used in usual culturing, readily available, and allows the above-described cells to grow. The pH of the medium is adjusted preferably to the neutral region, particularly to pH 7.0. Heat-inactivated bovine serum is preferably added to the medium to about 10%. Furthermore, amino acids and vitamins are preferably added to the medium in the order of double with respect to the usual amounts. Substances such as penicillin and streptomycin can be added to prevent proliferation of contaminating microorganisms. The above-described cells can be maintained or proliferated with the above medium in a dish or a roller bottle by the usual culturing method. The culture can be preferably performed in a carbon dioxide incubator; the concentrations of carbon dioxide and air in the incubator are preferably adjusted to 3 to 7% and 97 to 93%, respectively. The temperature is preferably adjusted to about 37 to 38.degree. C.
The method of selecting the high level hyaluronan-producing cells is not particularly limited as long as it enables evaluation of the hyaluronan-producing ability of the cells. For example, a method utilizing fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay (Knudson, W. and Knudson, C. B. (1991) J. Cell. Sci. 99, 227-235) can be used. In the fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay, the degree of formation of extracellular hyaluronan matrix can be observed taking as an index the distance that fixed erythrocytes cannot come close to the cells. More specifically, the longer the distance that fixed erythrocytes cannot come close to the cells is, the thicker the hyaluronan matrix is formed. The hyaluronan-producing ability of the cells can be evaluated by observing the degree of formation of extracellular hyaluronan matrix using the fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay. The example as described below specifically demonstrates the fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay.
The high level hyaluronan-producing cells as selected in the above method are used in the preparation of a poly(A).sup.+ RNA.
(1-2) Preparation of Mutant Cells Deficient in the Hyaluronan-synthesizing Ability
Mutant cells deficient in the hyaluronan-synthesizing ability (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan") can be obtained by mutagenizing the high level hyaluronan-producing cells as selected in (1-1) above by exposing the cells to physical or chemical stimulation to some extent that the cells do not die. The physical stimulation includes, for example, treatment with radiation such as X-ray or .gamma.-ray. The chemical stimulation includes treatment with a mutagen such as an alkylating agent. Preferable alkylating agents include nitrosoguanidine and its derivatives, for example, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or the like. When N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine is used as a mutagen, its concentration is preferably about 0.5 .mu.g/ml. The cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan can be selected and recovered from the cells mutagenized by the above method, according to a method for evaluating the hyaluronan-producing ability, such as the fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay (described in detail in the following example).
(1-3) Preparation of Cells Incapable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan Used as a Host into which a Recombinant DNA is Transfected
When the cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan prepared in (1-2) above are used as a host into which a recombinant DNA is transfected as in (4) shown below, the cells have been preferably transformed so as to express polyoma large T antigen. For the transformation, the cells have been preferably transformed with a plasmid carrying the polyoma T antigen gene. An example of the plasmid carrying the polyoma T antigen gene is pdl3027 plasmid (Nagata, Y., Yamashiro, S. Yodoi, J., Lloyd, K. O, Shiku, H., and Furukawa, K. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 12082-12089). The thus-obtained cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan and expressing polyoma large T antigen (hereinafter also simply referred to as "T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan") can be used in (4) below as a host into which a recombinant DNA is transfected.
(2) Isolation of a Poly(A).sup.+ RNA Containing an mRNA Corresponding to the Polypeptide of Hyaluronan Synthase from the High Level Hyaluronan-producing Cells Prepared in (1-1) Above
(2-1) Preparation of the Total RNA
The total RNA can be obtained by the known method (Kingston, R. E. (1991) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Suppl. 14, Unit 4.2, Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, New York, etc.). Although a total RNA can be obtained from the high level hyaluronan-producing cells prepared in (1-1) above by the method usually used for preparing a total RNA, a preferable method includes the guanidine thiocyanate/CsCl method (Kingston, R. E. (1991) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Suppl. 14, Unit 4.2, Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, New York).
(2-2) Preparation of a Poly(A).sup.+ RNA
A poly(A).sup.+ RNA can be purified from the total RNA obtained in (2-1) above by oligo-(dT) cellulose column chromatography or the like.
(3) Preparation of a cDNA Library
(3-1) Synthesis of cDNA
cDNA can be synthesized by the reverse transcriptase reaction using the poly(A).sup.- RNA prepared in (2) above as a template. Specifically, the methods usually used in the field of gene engineering may be used. Alternatively, a commercially available cDNA synthesizing kit may be used. Though oligo(dT), which is usually used as a primer, can be used as a primer in the reverse transcriptase reaction, a random oligo nucleotide primer is preferably used.
(3-2) Preparation of a cDNA Library
A cDNA library can be obtained by ligating the cDNA obtained in (3-1) above to a cloning vector.
Although the cloning vector to which the cDNA is ligated is not particularly limited, an expression vector functioning in mammalian cells is preferably used. In order to make the subsequent procedure readily operable, it is preferable to use a shuttle vector having a replication origin functioning in cells such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). A preferable vector may be pcDNAI (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.). The cDNA obtained in (3-1) above is ligated to the above-described cloning vector to give a recombinant DNA (cDNA library).
(4) Transfection of the Recombinant DNA Prepared in (3) Above into the Cells Incapable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan
The recombinant DNA (cDNA library) obtained by ligating the cDNA to the cloning vector is transfected into host cells. The host cells to be used should be selected depending on the cloning vector used. For example, when an expression vector functioning in mammalian cells is used as a cloning vector, host cells should be mammalian cells. Alternatively, the cDNA library may be prepared by selecting host cells first and then selecting a cloning vector suitable for the host cells.
When cloning is performed using the presence of hyaluronan-synthesizing ability as an index, it is preferable to use as host cells the cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan as prepared in (1) above. The T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan prepared in (1-3) above are most preferably used.
The DNA can be transfected into the host cells by the method usually used in the field of gene engineering. A commercially available reagent for transformation can also be used. As such a reagent, Lipofectoamine.TM. reagent (Life Technologies, Inc) is suitably used. The transformed T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan are cultured using the medium and the method as described in (1-1) above. Though the culturing period is not particularly limited, about 64 hours are preferable.
(5) Selection of Cells Capable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan from Transformants Obtained in (4) Above
(5-1) Preparation of Labeled Hyaluronan-binding Protein Used for Detecting Hyaluronan
Among the host cells into which the cDNA library has been transfected, the T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan, into which the recombinant DNA containing the cDNA encoding the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase has been transfected, express the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase by culturing the cells by the method as described in (4) above so that hyaluronan can be synthesized and accumulated extracellularly. The T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan, into which the recombinant DNA containing cDNA encoding the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase has been transfected, can be selected by detecting cells in which hyaluronan is accumulated extracellularly. Though the method of detecting extracellularly accumulated hyaluronan is not particularly limited, the detection is preferably performed by using a protein capable of binding to hyaluronan (herein also referred to as "hyaluronan-binding protein") that is labeled (herein also referred to as "labeled hyaluronan-binding protein"). The hyaluronan-binding protein is not particularly limited. Examples thereof include aggrecan, neurocan, versican, link protein, hyaluronectin, hyaluronan-binding protein derived from human synovial fluid, brain hyaluronan-binding protein, and CD44. Among these, aggrecan is preferably used. Particularly, the hyaluronan-binding region of aggrecan (herein also abbreviated as "HABR") is preferably used.
A substance used to label the hyaluronan-binding protein is not particularly limited. Examples thereof include biotin, avidin (including streptoavidin), fluorescent substances, enzymes, and radioisotopes. Biotin is preferably used. The method of labeling the hyaluronan-binding protein using the above labels is not particularly limited. A known labeling method can be used.
When biotin is used to label the hyaluronan-binding protein, for example, avidin labeled with a fluorescent substance is used to detect the biotin. A commercially available labeled avidin can also be used. Further, biotinated HABR, which is an example of the labeled hyaluronan-binding protein, will be described in the following example for its specific preparation method.
(5-2) Selection of Cells Capable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan
The T antigen-expressing cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan transformed in (4) above are contacted with the labeled hyaluronan-binding protein obtained in (5-1) above and the mixture is incubated. The cells capable of synthesizing hyaluronan can be selected by detecting and selecting cells in which hyaluronan is accumulated extracellularly. Further, when the hyaluronan-binding protein is labeled with biotin, the cells need to be incubated with labeled avidin to contact together after incubation with the biotin-labeled hyaluronan-binding protein. The cells are preferably washed after every incubation. The incubation conditions are not particularly limited as long as binding of hyaluronan to the hyaluronan-binding protein is not inhibited. Preferably, the incubation is performed at a neutral pH and on ice (0.degree. C.). Though the incubation period is not also particularly limited, it is preferably about 1 hour.
After the incubation, a known detection method for the label is suitably selected depending upon the type of the label used, thereby detecting cells (positively stained cells) on which the label is found extracellularly (on the cell surface). Thus, the cells capable of synthesizing hyaluronan can be selected. When a fluorescent substance is used as a label, detection of the label and selection of the cells can be concurrently done by means of flow cytometry.
(6) Recovery of a Plasmid DNA from the Cells Selected in (5) Above, Transformation of E. coli with the Recovered Plasmid DNA, and Recovery of the Plasmid DNA from the Transformed E. coli
A plasmid DNA (a recombinant DNA) is recovered from the cells capable of synthesizing hyaluronan selected in (5) above and the resulting recombinant DNA is used to transform Escherichia coli (E. coli). The method of recovering plasmid DNA is performed with the commonly used technique in the field of gene engineering. It is not particularly limited thereto, but the method of Hirt (Hirt, B. (1967) J. Mol. Biol. 26, 365-369) is preferably used.
E. coli is transformed with the recovered DNA and cultured by the usual method for culturing E. coli. The plasmid DNA (recombinant DNA) is then recovered from the resulting E. coli.
(7) Isolation of the cDNA
As described above, the cDNA encoding the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase can be isolated. In order to confirm that the cDNA obtained actually encodes the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase, the above steps (4) to (6) are preferably repeated about three more times.
The cDNA thus obtained is subjected to sequencing as it is or after subcloned into an appropriate plasmid. 2. Cloning of the cDNA encoding the polypeptide of human hyaluronan synthase
(1) Preparation of Probes for Screening of the cDNA Library
The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA corresponding to the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase derived from an organism except human determined as described above is compared with that of the cDNA of hyaluronan synthase derived from a microorganism, preferably Streptococcus to determine the regions that are conserved (herein also simply referred to as "conserved regions"), which can be used as a 5' primer and a 3' primer in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thereafter, each conserved region is synthesized.
Labeled DNA probes used for screening the cDNA library can be prepared by the DNA labeling method usually used in the field of gene engineering using the primers prepared based on the conserved regions (the 5' primer and the 3' primer) from the hyaluronan synthase gene derived from an organism except human as obtained in the item 1 above. In present invention, a radioisotope and a fluorescent substance can be used as a label. A fluorescent substance is preferably used. The labeled DNA probe can be efficiently prepared in a large quantity by PCR.
(2) Screening of Clones of cDNA of Human Hyaluronan Synthase Using the Probes Prepared in (1) Above
(2-1) Preparation of a cDNA Library
A total RNA is prepared from cells derived from human and a poly(A).sup.+ RNA is prepared from the total RNA. A cDNA can be synthesized by the reverse transcriptase reaction using the poly(A).sup.+ RNA as a template. These procedures are all performed by the methods usually used in the field of gene engineering. Specifically, the methods as described in (2) and (3) in item 1 above may be used.
The cDNA is ligated to a cloning vector. Though the cloning vector is not particularly limited, for example, .lambda.gt11 digested with EcoRI is preferably used. Alternatively, a commercially available human cDNA-ligated cloning vector may be used.
During the process for achieving the present invention, cDNA clones of human hyaluronan synthase were selected, as demonstrated in the example, from a human cDNA library using probes prepared based on the mouse cDNA sequence. The cDNA can be ligated to an expression vector functioning in mammalian cells and selected using the expression product as an index.
(2-2) Screening of the cDNA Clones of Human Hyaluronan Synthase
From the cDNA library obtained as described above, phage clones having the full-length of the cDNA of hyaluronan synthase can be selected by hybridization using the probe prepared in (1) above. The hybridization can be performed by the method usually used in the field of gene engineering, for example, plaque hybridization or the like. Plaques that hybridize with the probe can be isolated and identified by detecting the label bound to the probe. One of ordinary skill in the art can appropriately detect the label depending on the label used.
(3) Sequencing
A phage DNA is prepared from positive .lambda.gt11 clones selected in (2) above and digested with an appropriate restriction enzyme to cleave out the cDNA of hyaluronan synthase. The enzyme used for cloning the cDNA is used as the restriction enzyme. For example, when .lambda.gt11 digested with EcoRI is used as the vector, EcoRI is preferably used. The thus-obtained cDNA is subjected to sequencing as it is or after subcloned into an appropriate plasmid. When the cDNA is subcloned, pcDNA3 plasmid vector (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.) is preferably used.
The DNA as obtained above may have a substitution, deletion, or insertion of nucleotide(s) or the combination thereof, which result in substitution, deletion, or insertion of one or two or more amino acid residues of the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase encoded by the DNA as long as the hyaluronan-synthesizing activity of the polypeptide is not substantially lowered. The substitution, deletion, or insertion of the nucleotides can be introduced in the DNA sequence by synthesizing a sequence having restriction enzyme cleavage sites at the both ends and containing the both sides of the mutated site and replacing it with the corresponding non-mutated DNA sequence. The site-directed mutation method (Kramer, W. and Frits, H. J. (1987) Meth. in Enzymol. 154, 350; Kunkel, T. A. et al. (1987) Meth. in Enzymol. 154, 367) or the like can also be used for introducing the substitution, deletion, or insertion, or the combination thereof into the DNA sequence.
The method of measuring the hyaluronan-synthesizing activity is well known in the art. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily determine the substitution, deletion, or insertion, or the combination thereof that does not substantially lower the hyaluronan-synthesizing activity.
II. THE POLYPEPTIDE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The polypeptide of the present invention is a polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase of human origin or a part thereof, which is encoded by the DNA of the present invention. It is preferably a polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase having the amino acid sequence (amino acid numbers 1 to 543) shown by SEQ ID NO: 4.
Since the amino acid sequence is revealed by the present invention, the polypeptide of the present invention can be synthesized based on the amino acid sequence. It is possible and preferable, however, to obtain the polypeptide by expressing the DNA of the present invention.
For example, the DNA of the present invention is ligated to an appropriate expression vector functioning in mammalian cells and cells carrying this vector are cultured in an appropriate medium to produce and accumulate the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase in the culture (in the cells and/or the medium). The polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase is then extracted from the culture. In this way, the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase can be produced. In this procedure, the usually used methods for extracting and purifying enzymes can be used.
Specifically, examples of the extraction method include cell disruption due to, for example, ultrasonication, homogenization, osmotic shock procedure, freezing and thawing method, treatment with a surfactant, and the combined process thereof. Further, specific examples of the purification methods include salting out with ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate, centrifugation, dialysis, ultrafiltration, adsorption chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, reverse phase chromatography, gel filtration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography, electrophoresis, and the combined process thereof.
The DNA of the present invention can be expressed using a host-vector system usually used for producing proteins. The host-vector system is preferably an animal cell system, particularly, a mammalian cell system. The DNA of the present invention may be expressed alone or as a fusion protein together with another protein. The full-length of the DNA may be expressed. Alternatively, part of the DNA may be expressed to produce a partial peptide.
The polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase as produced above or its partial peptide, or a fusion protein thereof with another protein can be used to produce antibodies that bind to the hyaluronan synthase. The antibodies can be prepared by the usual methods for producing antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies that bind to the hyaluronan synthase can also be produced by the usual methods.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following example.
First, the methods commonly used throughout the example are described.
1. Fixed Erythrocyte Exclusion Assay
Cells were inoculated on a 35-mm tissue culture dish and cultured at 37.degree. C. for 3 days. The culture medium was replaced with 750 .mu.l of a suspension of fixed sheep erythrocytes (manufactured by Inter-Cell Technologies, Inc.) (10.sup.8 cells/ml). After the dish was allowed to stand for 10 minutes, extracellular hyaluronan matrix were observed as the region that the erythrocytes could not come close to. The observation was performed using a phase-contrast microscope (OLYMPUS IMT-2; manufactured by Olympus Optical Co.) with 200-fold magnification.
2. Preparation of Biotinated Hyaluronan-binding Region (b-HABR)
Aggrecan was extracted from bovine nasal cartilage with a guanidine solution and purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation under association and dissociation conditions. The hyaluronan-binding region of the purified aggrecan (2 mg) was protected by hyaluronan and the protected aggrecan was reacted with 0.57 mg of NHS-LC-biotin (manufactured by Pierce) at room temperature for 2 hours for biotination. The biotinated aggrecan was partially digested with trypsin and the digested product was subjected to gel filtration using a Sephacryl S-300 column (manufactured by Pharmacia) and then hyaluronan affinity chromatography (Tengblad, A. (1979) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 578, 281-289). Thus, b-HABR was purified.
A production example of the DNA of the present invention is described below.
1. Cloning of a cDNA Encoding a Polypeptide of a Hyaluronan Synthase of Mouse Origin
(1) Selection of High Level Hyaluronan-producing Cells and Preparation of Cells Incapable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan
(1-1) Selection of High Level Hyaluronan-producing Cells
FM3A P-15A having high metastatic ability to lung was selected and established as a cell line derived from mouse mammary carcinoma cell line FM3A (Health Science Research Resources Bank; cell number, JCRB0701), which is one of mouse-derived established cell lines. FM3A P-15A cells were cultured in Eagle's minimum essential medium (manufactured by Nissui Pharmaceutical) containing 10% heat-inactivated bovine serum, doubled concentrations of amino acids and vitamins, penicillin, and streptomycin in a 100-mm petri dish (manufactured by Falcon. No. 1005). Culture was performed under the condition of 37.degree. C. in 5% CO.sub.2.
The degree of formation of extracellular hyaluronan matrix in the FM3A P-15A culture was examined by the fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay. Cells that extracellularly formed hyaluronan matrix in a larger amount compared with the other cells were collected and pooled. The resulting cells (high level hyaluronan-producing cells) were designated as FM3A HA1.
(1-2) Preparation of Cells Incapable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan
The high level hyaluronan-producing cells selected in (1-1) above were treated with 0.5 .mu.g/ml of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (manufactured by Nacalai Tesque Co.) and examined for the degree of formation of extracellular hyaluronan matrix by fixed erythrocyte exclusion assay. Cells that did not extracellularly form hyaluronan matrix were collected and pooled. The thus-obtained cells incapable of synthesizing hyaluronan were designated as HAS.sup.- cells.
(1-3) Preparation of HAS.sup.- Cells that Express Polyoma Large T Antigen
Plasmid pdl3027 containing the polyoma T antigen gene (given by Dr. K. Furukawa (Nagasaki University) and Dr. C. Basilico (New York University)) and plasmid pSV2neo (manufactured by CLONTECH Co.) were transfected into HAS.sup.- cells as obtained above. The cells were selected through treatment with 500 .mu.g/ml G-418 (manufactured by Gibco Co.). Thus, HAS.sup.- cells that constantly express polyoma large T antigen (herein also referred to as "HAS-P cells") were prepared.
(2) Isolation of a Poly(A).sup.+ RNA from FM3A HA1
(2-1) Preparation of a Total RNA
A total RNA was prepared from FM3A HA1 by the guanidine thiocyanate/CsCl method (Kingston, R. E. (1991) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Suppl. 14, Unit 4.2, Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, New York).
(2-2) Preparation of a Poly(A).sup.+ RNA
A poly(A).sup.+ RNA was purified from the total RNA obtained in (2-1) above by oligo-(dT) cellulose column chromatography.
(3) Preparation of a cDNA Library
(3-1) Synthesis of cDNA
cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcriptase reaction using the poly(A).sup.- RNA obtained in (2-2) above as a template, and random oligonucleotide primers as primers.
(3-2) Preparation of a cDNA Library
The cDNA obtained in (3-1) above was ligated to pcDNAI (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.), an expression vector functioning in mammalian cells, to prepare a cDNA library.
(4) Transformation by the cDNA Library
The cDNA library prepared in (3-2) above was transfected into HAS-P cells prepared in (1-3) above using Lipofectoamine.TM. reagent, manufactured by Life Technologies, Inc. The transformed HAS-P cells were cultured in the medium under the conditions as described in (1-1) above for 64 hours.
(5) Selection of Cells Capable of Synthesizing Hyaluronan from Transformants
After 64-hour culturing as described in (4) above, the transformants were washed with a cooled medium (Cosmedium001 (manufactured by Cosmo Bio)) and then suspended in the same medium but containing 50 .mu.g/ml of b-HABR. After 1 hour, the cells were washed with cooled Cosmedium001 and suspended in the same medium but containing avidin labeled with fluorescein (fluorescein avidin DCS, manufactured by Vector Laboratories, Inc.). After 1 hour, the cells were washed with cooled phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing 5% fetal calf serum and suspended in the same solution. Positively stained cells were selected using a flow cytometer (EPICS Elite Flow Cytometer, manufactured by Coulter Electronics, Inc.).
(6) Recovery of a Plasmid DNA from the Cells Selected in (5) Above, Transformation of E. coli with the Recovered Plasmid DNA, and Recovery of the Plasmid DNA from E. coli Transformants
A plasmid DNA was recovered from the cells selected in (5) above by the method of Hirt (Hirt, B. (1967) J. Mol. Biol. 26, 365-369). Specifically, this procedure was performed in the following manner. The cells selected in (5) above were dissolved in 100 .mu.l of 0.6% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/10 mM ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution and the mixture was allowed to stand at the room temperature for 20 minutes. Twenty-five ml of 5M NaCl was then added thereto and the mixture was allowed to stand overnight on ice. The solution was treated with phenol and chloroform and then precipitated with ethanol to recover a plasmid DNA. The recovered plasmid DNA was used to transform E. coli MC1061/P3 (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.) by electroporation. The resulting transformants were cultured and the plasmid DNA was then recovered therefrom.
(7) Isolation of the cDNA Encoding the Polypeptide of Hyaluronan Synthase
The above steps (4) to (6) (steps of transformation and selection) were repeated three more times using the plasmid DNA recovered from the transformed E. coli MC1061/P3 obtained in (6) above to isolate cDNA encoding the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase. The thus-isolated cDNA encoding the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase was designated as pcDNAI-HAS.
(8) Determination and Analysis of the cDNA Sequence Encoding the Polypeptide of Hyaluronan Synthase
The cDNA clone isolated in (7) above was subcloned into a plasmid vector, pcDNA3 (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.). The thus-obtained recombinant plasmid was designated as pcDNA3-HAS. pcDNA3-HAS was denatured with alkali and its nucleotide sequence of both sense and antisense directions was determined using [.sup.35 S]dCTP and deazaGTP kit (manufactured by U.S. Biochemical Co.) and DNA polymerase (Sequenase ver 2.0, manufactured by U.S. Biochemical Co.).
DNA synthesis for sequencing was performed using primers synthesized based on T7, SP6, and the nucleotide sequence existing at about 250 bp intervals in pcDNA3. The thus-obtained DNA sequence was analyzed by GENETYX-MAC computer program (manufactured by Software Development Co.). The nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence therefrom were analyzed utilizing a database for analyzing nucleic acids and proteins (EMBL-GDB, Release44, and NBRF-PDB, Release 45). The amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase originating from Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) was compared with that of the polypeptide of the hyaluronan synthase originating from mouse. Two regions that conserved in both of the polypeptides of hyaluronan synthase were found and designated as HAS-1 and HAS-2, respectively. The nucleotide sequences corresponding to these regions are shown by SEQ ID NO: 2 (HAS-1) and SEQ ID NO: 3 (HAS-2).
2. Production of the DNA of the Present Invention
(1) Preparation of Probes for Screening a Human cDNA Library
An oligonucleotide having the sequence of HAS-1 and that having the sequence of HAS-2 were synthesized.
Fluorescence-labeled DNA probes used for screening the cDNA library were prepared from the mouse-origin hyaluronan synthase gene obtained in the item 1 above by PCR method with ECL.TM. probe-amp reagents (manufactured by Amersham Co.) using primers produced based on the conserved regions (HAS-1 and HAS-2; using as a 5' primer an oligonucleotide having the sequence of HAS-1 and as a 3' primer an oligonucleotide having the sequence of HAS-2). PCR amplification was performed 30 cycles using GeneAmp PCR reagent kit (manufactured by Takara Shuzo) (Each cycle consisted of denaturation at 95.degree. C. for 1 minute, annealing at 50.degree. C. for 2 minutes, and extension at 72.degree. C. for 3 minutes.). The PCR products were analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.
(2) Screening of the cDNA Clones of Human Hyaluronan Synthase Using the Probes Prepared in (1)
For isolating a human homolog of the hyaluronan synthase gene, human fetal brain cDNA library constructed in .lambda.gt11 (manufactured by CLONTECH) was mixed with indicator bacteria and melted soft agar. The mixture was layered on an agar plate and cultured. As a result, 1.times.10.sup.6 plaques were formed.
The plaques derived from the .lambda.gt11 cDNA library as obtained above were screened. The plaques were transferred onto a commercially available nylon membrane (Hybond N.sup.+ .TM. nylon membrane, manufactured by Amersham) and the phage DNA was fixed on the nylon membrane by the alkaline fixation method recommended in the instructions appended to the product.
This filter was allowed to hybridize with the probes prepared in (1) above in 5.times.SSC containing 0.1% SDS, 5% (w/v) dextran sulfate, and 100 .mu.g/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA at 60.degree. C. for 12 hours. The filter was washed with 1.times.SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 60.degree. C. for 15 minutes, then 0.5.times.SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 60.degree. C. for 15 minutes. Positive clones were detected with ECL.TM. detection kit (manufactured by Amersham).
(3) Sequencing
The recombinant vector was purified from the .lambda.gt11 positive clones and digested with EcoRI to excise the cDNA insert as a single fragment. This fragment was subcloned into a plasmid vector, pcDNA3 (manufactured by Invitrogen Co.). The nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA was determined by repeatedly sequencing both strands of the alkali-denatured plasmid DNA using [.sup.35 S]dGTP and deazaGTP kit and DNA polymerase (Sequenase version 2.0, manufactured by U.S. Biochemical Co.). DNA synthesis for sequencing was started with primers synthesized based on T7, SP6, and the nucleotide sequence existing at about 250 intervals in pcDNA3. The DNA sequences obtained were compiled and analyzed using GENETYX-MAC computer program (manufactured by Software Development Co.). The nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence therefrom were analyzed using a database for analyzing nucleic acids and proteins (EMBL-GDB, Release44, and NBRF-PDB, Release45). The determined nucleotide sequence is shown by SEQ ID NO: 1. The amino acid sequence encoded by the open reading frame existing in this nucleotide sequence (from position 149 to position 1777) is shown by SEQ ID NO: 4.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The polypeptide of the present invention can be used for mass production of hyaluronan, which is used as an ingredient of medicines and cosmetics at present, in an industrial scale, and for medicines for diseases caused by decreased expression of hyaluronan. The polypeptide of the present invention can also be used for development of hyaluronan synthase-specific inhibitors. Furthermore, the polypeptide can be used as an antigen to produce antibodies specific to the hyaluronan synthase. The DNA of the present invention can be used for mass production of the polypeptide of hyaluronan synthase in an industrial scale, and for gene therapy for diseases caused by decreased expression of hyaluronan. Moreover, an antisense DNA and an antisense RNA of the DNA of present invention can be used for gene therapy for metastasis inhibitors.
The DNA of the present invention can also be used as a reagent for research purpose.
__________________________________________________________________________# SEQUENCE LISTING- <160> NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 4- <210> SEQ ID NO 1<211> LENGTH: 2117<212> TYPE: DNA<213> ORGANISM: HUMAN<220> FEATURE:<221> NAME/KEY: CDS<222> LOCATION: (149)...(1777)- <400> SEQUENCE: 1- gaattccggg cgcccgggac tcacgcccct tcctttcccc tctcgctccc ag - #caggacgc 60- gcccaagccc actcctgcag cccgccgctg ctccggcctg gcccggaggg tg - #ctgaccat 120#gcc gcc ggg 172c tggccctc atg acc tgg gcc tac#Ala Tyr Ala Ala Glyr Trp# 5 1- gtg ccg ctg gcc tcc gat cgc tac ggc ctc ct - #g gcc ttc ggc ctc tac 220Val Pro Leu Ala Ser Asp Arg Tyr Gly Leu Le - #u Ala Phe Gly Leu Tyr# 20- ggg gcc ttc ctt tca gcg cac ctg gtg gcg ca - #g agc ctc ttc gcg tac 268Gly Ala Phe Leu Ser Ala His Leu Val Ala Gl - #n Ser Leu Phe Ala Tyr# 40- ctg gag cac cgg cgg gtg gcg gcg gcg gcg cg - #g ggg ccg ctg gat gca 316Leu Glu His Arg Arg Val Ala Ala Ala Ala Ar - #g Gly Pro Leu Asp Ala# 55- gcc acc gcg cgc agt gtg gcg ctg acc atc tc - #c gcc tac cag gag gac 364Ala Thr Ala Arg Ser Val Ala Leu Thr Ile Se - #r Ala Tyr Gln Glu Asp# 70- ccc gcg tac ctg cgc cag tgc ctg gcg tcc gc - #c cgc gcc ctg ctg tac 412Pro Ala Tyr Leu Arg Gln Cys Leu Ala Ser Al - #a Arg Ala Leu Leu Tyr# 85- ccg cgc gcg cgc gtg cgc gtc ctc atg gtg gt - #g gat ggc aac cgc gcc 460Pro Arg Ala Arg Val Arg Val Leu Met Val Va - #l Asp Gly Asn Arg Ala# 100- gag gac ctc tac atg gtc gac atg ttc cgc ga - #g gtc ttc gct gac gag 508Glu Asp Leu Tyr Met Val Asp Met Phe Arg Gl - #u Val Phe Ala Asp Glu105 1 - #10 1 - #15 1 -#20- gac ccc gcc acg tac gtg tgg gac ggc aac ta - #c cac cag ccc tgg gaa 556Asp Pro Ala Thr Tyr Val Trp Asp Gly Asn Ty - #r His Gln Pro Trp Glu# 135- ccc gcg gcg gcg ggc gcg gtg ggc gcc gga gc - #c tat cgg gag gtg gag 604Pro Ala Ala Ala Gly Ala Val Gly Ala Gly Al - #a Tyr Arg Glu Val Glu# 150- gcg gag gat cct ggg cgg ctg gca gtg gag gc - #g ctg gtg agg act cgc 652Ala Glu Asp Pro Gly Arg Leu Ala Val Glu Al - #a Leu Val Arg Thr Arg# 165- agg tgc gtg tgc gtg gcg cag cgc tgg ggc gg - #c aag cgc gag gtc atg 700Arg Cys Val Cys Val Ala Gln Arg Trp Gly Gl - #y Lys Arg Glu Val Met# 180- tac aca gcc ttc aag gcg ctc gga gat tcg gt - #g gac tac gtg cag gtc 748Tyr Thr Ala Phe Lys Ala Leu Gly Asp Ser Va - #l Asp Tyr Val Gln Val185 1 - #90 1 - #95 2 -#00- tgt gac tcg gac aca agg ttg gac ccc atg gc - #a ctg ctg gag ctc gtg 796Cys Asp Ser Asp Thr Arg Leu Asp Pro Met Al - #a Leu Leu Glu Leu Val# 215- cgg gta ctg gac gag gac ccc cgg gta ggg gc - #t gtt ggt ggg gat gtg 844Arg Val Leu Asp Glu Asp Pro Arg Val Gly Al - #a Val Gly Gly Asp Val# 230- cgg atc ctt aac cct ctg gac tcc tgg gtc ag - #c ttc cta agc agc ctg 892Arg Ile Leu Asn Pro Leu Asp Ser Trp Val Se - #r Phe Leu Ser Ser Leu# 245- cga tac tgg gta gcc ttc aat gtg gag cgg gc - #t tgt cag agc tac ttc 940Arg Tyr Trp Val Ala Phe Asn Val Glu Arg Al - #a Cys Gln Ser Tyr Phe# 260- cac tgt gta tcc tgc atc agc ggt cct cta gg - #c cta tat agg aat aac 988His Cys Val Ser Cys Ile Ser Gly Pro Leu Gl - #y Leu Tyr Arg Asn Asn265 2 - #70 2 - #75 2 -#80- ctc ttg cag cag ttt ctt gag gcc tgg tac aa - #c cag aag ttc ctg ggt1036Leu Leu Gln Gln Phe Leu Glu Ala Trp Tyr As - #n Gln Lys Phe Leu Gly# 295- acc cac tgt act ttt ggg gat gac cgg cac ct - #c acc aac cgc atg ctc1084Thr His Cys Thr Phe Gly Asp Asp Arg His Le - #u Thr Asn Arg Met Leu# 310- agc atg ggt tat gct acc aag tac acc tcc ag - #g tcc cgc tgc tac tca1132Ser Met Gly Tyr Ala Thr Lys Tyr Thr Ser Ar - #g Ser Arg Cys Tyr Ser# 325- gag acg ccc tcg tcc ttc ctg cgg tgg ctg ag - #c cag cag aca cgc tgg1180Glu Thr Pro Ser Ser Phe Leu Arg Trp Leu Se - #r Gln Gln Thr Arg Trp# 340- tcc aag tcg tac ttc cgt gag tgg ctg tac aa - #c gcg ctc tgg tgg cac1228Ser Lys Ser Tyr Phe Arg Glu Trp Leu Tyr As - #n Ala Leu Trp Trp His345 3 - #50 3 - #55 3 -#60- cgg cac cat gcg tgg atg acc tac gag gcg gt - #g gtc tcc ggc ctg ttc1276Arg His His Ala Trp Met Thr Tyr Glu Ala Va - #l Val Ser Gly Leu Phe# 375- ccc ttc ttc gtg gcg gcc act gtg ctg cgt ct - #g ttc tac gcg ggc cgc1324Pro Phe Phe Val Ala Ala Thr Val Leu Arg Le - #u Phe Tyr Ala Gly Arg# 390- cct tgg gcg ctg ctg tgg gtg ctg ctg tgc gt - #g cag ggc gtg gca ctg1372Pro Trp Ala Leu Leu Trp Val Leu Leu Cys Va - #l Gln Gly Val Ala Leu# 405- gcc aag gcg gcc ttc gcg gcc tgg ctg cgg gg - #c tgc ctg cgc atg gtg1420Ala Lys Ala Ala Phe Ala Ala Trp Leu Arg Gl - #y Cys Leu Arg Met Val# 420- ctt ctg tcg ctc tac gcg ccc ctc tac atg tg - #t ggc ctc ctg cct gcc1468Leu Leu Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Leu Tyr Met Cy - #s Gly Leu Leu Pro Ala425 4 - #30 4 - #35 4 -#40- aag ttc ctg gcg cta gtc acc atg aac cag ag - #t ggc tgg ggc acc tcg1516Lys Phe Leu Ala Leu Val Thr Met Asn Gln Se - #r Gly Trp Gly Thr Ser# 455- ggc cgg cgg aag ctg gcc gct aac tac gtc cc - #t ctg ctg ccc ctg gcg1564Gly Arg Arg Lys Leu Ala Ala Asn Tyr Val Pr - #o Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala# 470- ctc tgg gcg ctg ctg ctg ctt ggg ggc ctg gt - #c cgc agc gta gca cac1612Leu Trp Ala Leu Leu Leu Leu Gly Gly Leu Va - #l Arg Ser Val Ala His# 485- gag gcc agg gcc gac tgg agc ggc cct tcc cg - #c gca gcc gag gcc tac1660Glu Ala Arg Ala Asp Trp Ser Gly Pro Ser Ar - #g Ala Ala Glu Ala Tyr# 500- cac ttg gcc gcg ggg gcc ggc gcc tac gtg gg - #c tac tgg gtg gcc atg1708His Leu Ala Ala Gly Ala Gly Ala Tyr Val Gl - #y Tyr Trp Val Ala Met505 5 - #10 5 - #15 5 -#20- ttg acg ctg tac tgg gtg ggc gtg cgg agg ct - #t tgc cgg cgg cgg acc1756Leu Thr Leu Tyr Trp Val Gly Val Arg Arg Le - #u Cys Arg Arg Arg Thr# 535- ggg ggc tac cgc gtc cag gtg tgagtccagc cacgcggat - #g ccgcctcaag1807Gly Gly Tyr Arg Val Gln Val 540- ggtcttcagg ggaggccaga ggagagctgc tgggccccga gccacgaact tg - #ctgggtgg1867- ttctctgggc ctcagtttcc ctcctctgcc aaacgagggg gtcagcccaa ga - #ttcttcag1927- tctggactat attgggactg ggacttctgg gtctccaggg agggtattta tt - #ggtcagga1987- tgtgggattt gaggagtgga ggggaagggg tcctgctttc tcctcgttct ta - #tttaatct2047- ccatttctac tgtgtgatca ggatgtaata aagaatttta tttattttca aa - #aaaaaaaa2107# 2117- <210> SEQ ID NO 2<211> LENGTH: 32<212> TYPE: DNA<213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence<220> FEATURE:<223> OTHER INFORMATION: HAS-1, a region of the - # hyaluronan synthasegene which is conserved between S. pyo - #genes and mouse.- <400> SEQUENCE: 2# 32 aggt catgtacaca gc- <210> SEQ ID NO 3<211> LENGTH: 35<212> TYPE: DNA<213> ORGANISM: Artificial Sequence<220> FEATURE:<223> OTHER INFORMATION: HAS-2, a region of the - # hyaluronan synthasegene which is conserved between S. pyo - #genes and mouse.- <400> SEQUENCE: 3# 35 atag ccactctcgg aagta- <210> SEQ ID NO 4<211> LENGTH: 543<212> TYPE: PRT<213> ORGANISM: HUMAN- <400> SEQUENCE: 4- Met Thr Trp Ala Tyr Ala Ala Gly Val Pro Le - #u Ala Ser Asp Arg Tyr# 15- Gly Leu Leu Ala Phe Gly Leu Tyr Gly Ala Ph - #e Leu Ser Ala His Leu# 30- Val Ala Gln Ser Leu Phe Ala Tyr Leu Glu Hi - #s Arg Arg Val Ala Ala# 45- Ala Ala Arg Gly Pro Leu Asp Ala Ala Thr Al - #a Arg Ser Val Ala Leu# 60- Thr Ile Ser Ala Tyr Gln Glu Asp Pro Ala Ty - #r Leu Arg Gln Cys Leu#80- Ala Ser Ala Arg Ala Leu Leu Tyr Pro Arg Al - #a Arg Val Arg Val Leu# 95- Met Val Val Asp Gly Asn Arg Ala Glu Asp Le - #u Tyr Met Val Asp Met# 110- Phe Arg Glu Val Phe Ala Asp Glu Asp Pro Al - #a Thr Tyr Val Trp Asp# 125- Gly Asn Tyr His Gln Pro Trp Glu Pro Ala Al - #a Ala Gly Ala Val Gly# 140- Ala Gly Ala Tyr Arg Glu Val Glu Ala Glu As - #p Pro Gly Arg Leu Ala145 1 - #50 1 - #55 1 -#60- Val Glu Ala Leu Val Arg Thr Arg Arg Cys Va - #l Cys Val Ala Gln Arg# 175- Trp Gly Gly Lys Arg Glu Val Met Tyr Thr Al - #a Phe Lys Ala Leu Gly# 190- Asp Ser Val Asp Tyr Val Gln Val Cys Asp Se - #r Asp Thr Arg Leu Asp# 205- Pro Met Ala Leu Leu Glu Leu Val Arg Val Le - #u Asp Glu Asp Pro Arg# 220- Val Gly Ala Val Gly Gly Asp Val Arg Ile Le - #u Asn Pro Leu Asp Ser225 2 - #30 2 - #35 2 -#40- Trp Val Ser Phe Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Tyr Tr - #p Val Ala Phe Asn Val# 255- Glu Arg Ala Cys Gln Ser Tyr Phe His Cys Va - #l Ser Cys Ile Ser Gly# 270- Pro Leu Gly Leu Tyr Arg Asn Asn Leu Leu Gl - #n Gln Phe Leu Glu Ala# 285- Trp Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe Leu Gly Thr His Cy - #s Thr Phe Gly Asp Asp# 300- Arg His Leu Thr Asn Arg Met Leu Ser Met Gl - #y Tyr Ala Thr Lys Tyr305 3 - #10 3 - #15 3 -#20- Thr Ser Arg Ser Arg Cys Tyr Ser Glu Thr Pr - #o Ser Ser Phe Leu Arg# 335- Trp Leu Ser Gln Gln Thr Arg Trp Ser Lys Se - #r Tyr Phe Arg Glu Trp# 350- Leu Tyr Asn Ala Leu Trp Trp His Arg His Hi - #s Ala Trp Met Thr Tyr# 365- Glu Ala Val Val Ser Gly Leu Phe Pro Phe Ph - #e Val Ala Ala Thr Val# 380- Leu Arg Leu Phe Tyr Ala Gly Arg Pro Trp Al - #a Leu Leu Trp Val Leu385 3 - #90 3 - #95 4 -#00- Leu Cys Val Gln Gly Val Ala Leu Ala Lys Al - #a Ala Phe Ala Ala Trp# 415- Leu Arg Gly Cys Leu Arg Met Val Leu Leu Se - #r Leu Tyr Ala Pro Leu# 430- Tyr Met Cys Gly Leu Leu Pro Ala Lys Phe Le - #u Ala Leu Val Thr Met# 445- Asn Gln Ser Gly Trp Gly Thr Ser Gly Arg Ar - #g Lys Leu Ala Ala Asn# 460- Tyr Val Pro Leu Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Trp Al - #a Leu Leu Leu Leu Gly465 4 - #70 4 - #75 4 -#80- Gly Leu Val Arg Ser Val Ala His Glu Ala Ar - #g Ala Asp Trp Ser Gly# 495- Pro Ser Arg Ala Ala Glu Ala Tyr His Leu Al - #a Ala Gly Ala Gly Ala# 510- Tyr Val Gly Tyr Trp Val Ala Met Leu Thr Le - #u Tyr Trp Val Gly Val# 525- Arg Arg Leu Cys Arg Arg Arg Thr Gly Gly Ty - #r Arg Val Gln Val# 540__________________________________________________________________________

Number	Date	Country	Kind
8-084326	Apr 1996	JPX
8-109663	Apr 1996	JPX

Polypeptide of human-origin hyaluronate synthetase and DNA encoding the same

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Entry
Gibco BRL/Life Technologies Catalogue 1993-1994, p. 7--7, 1993.
Andrew P. Spicer, et al., Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Putative Mouse Hyaluronan Synthase, The Journal of biological Chemistry vol. 217, No. 38, pp. 23400-23406, Sep. 20, 1996.
Andrew P. Spicer, et al., Molecular cloning and Characterization of a cDNA Encoding the Third Putative Mammalian Hyaluronan Synthase, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 272, No. 14, pp. 8957-8961, Apr. 4, 1997.
Naoki Itano, et al., Expression Cloning and Molecular Characterization of HAS Protein, a Eukaryotic Hyaluronan Synthase, The Journal of Biological Chemistry vol., 271, No. 17, pp. 9875-9879, Apr. 26, 1998.
Naoki Itano, et al., Molecular Cloning of Human Hyaluronan Synthase, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, vol. 222, No, 3, pp. 816-821, May 24, 1996.
Ann M. Shyjan, et al., Functional Cloning of the CDNA for a Human Hyaluronan synthase, The Journal of Biological Chemistry Vo. 271, No. 38, pp. 23395-23399, Sep. 20, 1996.