WO1996040910A1 - Human growth factors, nucleotide sequence encoding growth factors, and methods of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides novel human growth factor polypeptides, nucleotides encoding the growth factor polypeptides, and uses for the growth factor polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Description

HUMAN GROWTH FACTORS, NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ENCODING GROWTH FACTORS, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

This invention relates to growth factors. More specifically, it relates to the polynucleotides encoding a novel human gene (Wnt-lOb) and the polypeptides encoded by Wnt-lOb.

Intercellular signalling proteins are ubiquitous in multicellular organisms. They are involved in the regulation of a number of fundamental biological processes, such as mitosis, protein synthesis, secretion, proliferation, development, metabolism and differentiation. Examples of these signalling proteins include hormones, such as insulin, oncogene products, and growth factors.

Growth factors are also involved in developmental and homeostatic processes. For example, he atopoiesis is the dynamic, complex process of proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and progenitor cells into mature blood cells and some specialized tissue cells. Production of functional blood cells is regulated by specific signalling proteins, generically termed hemopoietic growth factors. The range and activities of growth factors vary. Some growth factors control maturation of a specific maturation lineage. Others stimulate proliferation and differentiation of progenitors along multiple pathways. Other growth factors selectively inhibit differentiation. Examples of these signalling molecules are GM-CSF, the interleukins, and interferons. Often growth factors have pleiotropic effects whereby a single growth factor will have vastly different effects on different cell types, e.g. on mature cells versus primitive, less differentiated cells, or will differ in expression or effect at -different developmental stages. Many of these growth factors have limited activity alone, and act synergistically with other regulatory molecules to effect essential biological activities. Moreover, many of the genes encoding these growth factors are proto-oncogenes whose inappropriate activation leads to tumorigenesis. In order to understand the roles and possible therapeutic applications of growth factors, it is crucial to identify and characterize these factors.

The ability to initiate and regulate hematopoiesis, and the ability to obtain and sustain hematopoietic cells, especially stem cells, is of increasing and vital importance in medicine. A number of serious diseases, including some malignancies, are caused by a malfunctioning of the hematopoietic system. Because growth factors modulate fundamental cellular processes, they have also found an important use in therapy. For example, cancer therapies can seriously diminish the hematopoietic population, exposing the patient to the danger of opportunistic infection. This danger in turn limits the dose of therapy. By introducing bone marrow cells into the patient, the supply of hematopoietic cells is increased, thus protecting the patient and allowing higher, more effective doses of therapy.

Obtaining viable populations of hematopoietic cells useful in various therapeutic applications requires an ability to maintain and expand stem cell populations. Stem cells constitute only a small percentage of the total number of hematopoietic cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all blood cell types, including all classes of cells in the lymphoid, myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. Stem cells are characterized by their self-regenerative capacity and their ability to differentiate into cells of all hematopoietic lineages. Stem cells find use in: (1) regenerating the hematopoietic system of a host deficient in any class of hematopoietic cells; (2) a host that is diseased and can be treated by removal of bone marrow, isolation of stem cells and treatment with drugs or -irradiation prior to re-engraftment of stem cells; (3) producing various hematopoietic cells; (4) detecting and evaluating growth factors relevant to stem cell self-regeneration; and (5) the development of hematopoietic cell lineages and assaying for factors associated with hematopoietic development. Stem cells are important targets for gene therapy, where the inserted genes promote the health of the individual into whom the stem cells are transplanted.

A number of growth factors have been isolated that act on hematopoietic stem cells. The c-kit ligand has been characterized as a stem cell factor. Ksebo et al. (1990) Cell 63: 195-201 (stem cell factor; SCF) ; Williams et al. (1990) Cell 63: 167-174 (mast cell growth factor; MGF) ; Huang et al. (1990) Cell 63: 225-233 (c-kit ligand). c-kit ligand is believed to be important in maintaining viability of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro, and synergizes with a number of other growth factors to promote proliferation. Nucleic acids encoding flk-2, a tyrosine kinase receptor expressed in primitive hematopoietic cells, but not mature cells, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,458. Mouse stem cells have been reported to express receptors for a number of growth factors, including IL-3 and c-mpl ligand.

Stem cells grow in close contact with bone marrow stromal cells in vivo and in vitro. While not completely understood, stromal cells appear to produce a number of factors regulating stem cell growth and/or differentiation and/or homing. In addition, the role of cell-cell interaction with stromal cells in stem cell regulation is not well understood, although some reports suggest cell adhesion may be required for stem cell self-renewal.

Wnt genes are a group of highly conserved genes central in pattern formation in development and differentiation (for review, see Nusse and Varmus (1992) Cell 69: 1073-1087). Wnt genes have been found in a wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates, including human (Van't Veer et al. Mol. Cell. Biol. (1984) 4: 2532-2534); mouse (Nusse and Varmus (1982) Cell 31: 99-109); Drosophila (Rijsewijk et al. (1987) Cell 50: 649-657); and Xenopus (Noordermeer et al. (1989) Nucl. Acids Res. 17: 11-18). The Wnt gene family encodes highly conserved cysteine-rich glycoproteins. They appear to be secreted but adhere tightly to the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix components, particularly heparin sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) . Smolich et al. (1993) Mol. Cell. Biol. 4: 1267-1275.

After the discovery of the role of Wnt in Drosophila development, in which a lack of expression was associated with the wingless mutation, much of the interest in Wnt genes has centered on their regulatory role in development. However, Wnt genes have since been found to be expressed in a variety of adult tissues.

Products of Wnt genes are multipotent factors, associated with fundamental developmental phenomena and oncogenic events. As such, they are often associated with extensive cellular proliferation. Patterns of Wnt expression are complex and vary depending on cellular and developmental context.

Because they are ubiquitous and are highly conserved, Wnt gene products probably also modulate a number of other fundamental processes. Recent studies of Wnt-1 indicate that this protein induces mitosis in the developing mammalian central nervous system (CNS) . Dickinson et al. (1994) Development 120: 1453-1471. Members of the Wnt family are expressed in a variety of cell types other than the CNS, indicating that Wnt proteins modulate a variety of fundamental processes in vertebrate embryos. Factors important in pattern formation in development are known to possess pleiotropic activities including regulation of cell growth, survival, and differentiation. Burrus (1994) BioEssays 16(3): 155-157. Like the FGF and TGF-β family, the Wnt family of molecules is involved both in embryogenesis and oncogenesis.

There remains a need for identification of growth factors involved in regulating hematopoietic cell development. This invention has identified and characterized such proteins.

The present invention provides polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides for human Wnt-lOb and human Wnt-lObΔ .

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is a non- naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding a human Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ.

Another aspect of the invention is an isolated naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding a human Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ.

In another aspect, the invention includes recombinant polynucleotides having the nucleotide sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes recombinant polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence complementary to the sequence(s) depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof.

In another aspect, the invention includes recombinant polynucleotides having a nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to the nucleic acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or its complement.

In another aspect, the invention includes recombinant polynucleotides comprising at least about 100 bases of the sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3, provided that these polynucleotides do not consist of a nucleotide sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb.

In another aspect, the invention includes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof. Another aspect of the invention are vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention. Also included are host cells comprising the polynucleotides of the invention.

In another aspect, the invention includes a substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide having the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4.

Another aspect of the invention is a non-naturally occurring polypeptide having the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is an antibody capable of specifically binding to any of the polypeptides of this invention. Figure 1 compares amino acid sequences of human Wnt-lOb (DV12) (Seq. I.D. No. 2) with mouse Wnt-lOb (Seq. I.D. No. 6). The consensus sequence is shown at the top of the figure (Seq. I.D. No. 5) . Non-identical amino acids are designated by asterisks.

The growth factor(s) of this invention, designated human Wnt-lOb and human Wnt-lObΔ, can be purified from human fetal bone marrow stroma.

The present invention encompasses polynucleotide sequences encoding the human Wnt-lOb growth factors, Wnt-lOb growth factor polypeptides, and methods of use thereof. The invention further includes vectors having the polynucleotide sequences and recombinant host cells containing polynucleotides that express the growth factor.

As used herein, "human Wnt-lOb", "human Wnt-lObΔ" and "human Wnt-lOb(lOb-Δ) polypeptides" refer to proteins or polypeptides encoded by nucleic acid molecules described herein, which in one embodiment can be purified from fetal bone marrow stroma and act on primitive bone marrow cells. A "fragment" of the human Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ polypeptide is a portion of the growth factor and as used herein excludes those fragments which consist of amino acid sequences identical to mouse Wnt-lOb protein, as derived from the nucleotide sequence in Genebank (Figure 1) .

The growth factors of this invention are signalling polypeptides that effect various biological activities. These activities include proliferation, differentiation and/or inhibition of differentiation, as well as trophic effects. The human Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ polypeptides of this invention are involved in developmental regulation and act upon bone marrow cells such as stromal cells, hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells, and mature cells. Because proteins of the Wnt gene family modulate fundamental cellular functions, the polypeptides of this invention probably act upon other cell types, such as neural cells, primitive, undifferentiated stem cells, and mammary cells.

The term "polynucleotide" refers to a polymeric form of nucleotide of any length, either ribonucleotides, or deoxyribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. This term refers only to the primary structure of the molecule. Thus, this term includes double- and single- stranded DNA and RNA. Polynucleotides encompass RNA, cDNA, genome-derived DNA, synthetic and semi-synthetic forms, mixed polymers, both sense and antisense strands. It also includes known types of modifications, for example labels that are known in the art (e.g.. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed.. Vol. 1-3, eds. Sambrook et al. Cold Spring Harbor laboratory Press (1989)), methylation, "caps", substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotide with an analog, internucleotide modifications such as, for example, those with uncharged linkages (e.g., methyl carbamate, etc.), those containing pendant moieties, such as for example, proteins (including, e.g., nuclease, toxins, antibodies, signal peptides, poly-_L lysine, etc.), those with intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc.), those containing chelators (e.g., metals, radioactive metals, boron, oxidative metals, etc.), those containing alkylators, those with modified linkages (e.g., alpha anomeric nucleic acids, etc.), as well as unmodified forms of the polynucleotide. The polynucleotide may be chemically or biochemically modified or contain non- natural or derived nucleotide bases. The nucleotide may be complementary to the mRNA encoding the polypeptides. These complementary nucleotides include, but are not limited to, nucleotides capable of forming triple helices and antisense nucleotides. Recombinant polynucleotides comprising sequences otherwise not naturally occurring are also provided by this invention, as are alterations of wild type polypeptide sequences, including but not limited to, those due to deletion, insertion, substitution of one or more nucleotide or by fusion to other polynucleotide sequences. This definition does not include polynucleotides that consist of a nucleotide sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb. As used herein, a "fragment" of a nucleic acid sequence or polynucleotide is a portion of that sequence and has at least 10 nucleotides. Preferably, the fragment is characteristic or distinctive of the sequence, and would include, for example, an oligonucleotide sequence for use as a primer or probe. "Fragment" does not include .polynucleotides consisting of a nucleic acid sequence identical to that of mouse Wnt-lOb.

A polynucleotide is said to "encode" a polypeptide if, in its native state or when manipulated by methods well known to those skilled in the art, it can be transcribed and/or translated to produce the polypeptide or mature protein. Thus, the term polynucleotide shall include, in addition to coding sequences, processing sequences and other non-coding sequences which do not code for amino acids of the mature protein. The anti-sense strand of such a polynucleotide is also said to encode the sequence.

The term "recombinant" polynucleotide or DNA refers to a polynucleotide which is made by the combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence accomplished by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of DNA by genetic engineering techniques or by chemical synthesis. In so doing one can join together DNA segments of desired functions to generate a desired combination of functions.

As used herein, "naturally occurring," "native," or "wild type" refers to the endogenous human Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ nucleic acids and the Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) protein(s) expressed thereby, including alleles and allelic forms of the protein(s). These terms include full-length and processed polynucleotides and polypeptides. Processing can occur in one or more steps, and these terms encompass all stages of processing. For instance, polypeptides having or lacking a signal sequence are encompassed by the invention. "Non- naturally occurring", "non-native", or "non-wild type" refer to all other human Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) polynucleotides and polypeptides.

A "signal sequence" is a short amino acid sequence that directs newly synthesized secretory or membrane proteins to and through cellular membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulim. Signal sequences are typically in the N-terminal portion of a polypeptide and are cleaved after the polypeptide has crossed the membrane.

An "isolated" or "substantially pure" polynucleotide is substantially separated from other polynucleotides which naturally accompany a native polynucleotide sequence. The term particularly refers to genomic DNA isolated from other, native DNA sequences. The term embraces a polynucleotide sequence which has been removed from its naturally occurring environment, and includes recombinant or cloned DNA isolates and chemically synthesized analogues or analogues biologically synthesized by heterologous systems. The terms "substantially pure" or "isolated" are not intended to exclude mixtures of polynucleotides or polypeptides with substances that are not associated with the polynucleotides or polypeptides in nature.

A polynucleotide or fragment thereof is "substantially homologous" (or "substantially similar") to another if, when optimally aligned (with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions) with another polynucleotide (or its complementary strand) , there is nucleotide sequence identity in at least about 70% of the nucleotide bases, usually at least about 80%, preferably at least about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95 to 98% of the nucleotide bases. Excluded from the definition of "substantially homologous" or "substantially similar" are polynucleotides consisting of a nucleotide sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb.

A "vector" is a self-replicating nucleic acid molecule that transfers an inserted nucleic acid molecule into and/or between host cells. The term includes vectors that function primarily for insertion of a nucleic acid molecule into a cell, replication vectors that function primarily for the replication of nucleic acid, and expression vectors that function for transcription and/or translation of the DNA or RNA. Also included are vectors that provide more than one of the above functions.

A "host cell" includes an individual cell or cell culture which can be or has been a recipient for vector(s) or for incorporation of nucleic acid molecules and/or proteins. Host cells include progeny of a single host cell, and the progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in genomic or total DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation. "Host cell" indicates that the nucleic acid molecule of interest is exogenous, and the definition does not include those cells which contain the Wnt-lOb and/or Wnt-lObΔ gene(s) endogenously.

"Expression systems" are defined as polynucleotides which, when introduced into an appropriate host cell, can be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide(s) .

As used herein, the term "polypeptide" refers to a polymer of amino acids and does not refer to a specific length of the product; thus, peptides, oligopeptides, and proteins are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term includes post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations, post- translation cleavage(s) and the like. Included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), polypeptides with substituted linkages, as well as other modifications known in the art, such as fusions, both naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring.

A "fragment" of a polypeptide is a portion of any of the above polypeptides, and excludes fragments which consist of an amino acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb protein. A "functional fragment" of the human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ growth factor is a portion of the growth factor that exhibits at least one biological activity of naturally-occurring growth factor, and excludes those fragments which consist of an amino acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb protein. As used herein, a "fragment" or .a "functional fragment" of a polypeptide is at least five amino acids in length.

The term "purified" or "substantially purified" polypeptide or "isolated" polypeptide refers to a polypeptide or fragment thereof which is essentially free of cellular components with which the polypeptide is naturally associated. Techniques for purifying polypeptides are known in the art.

As used herein, an "antibody" means a protein that is produced in response to exposure to an antigen and that reacts with the antigen with an effective specificity and affinity for its intended purpose. Exposure to an antigen includes immunization. The term "antibody" includes fragments of these antibodies, e.g.. Fab, Fab', F(ab')₂, F_v, single-chain mutants, fusion proteins, humanized proteins, and modifications that comprise an antigen recognition site. Antibodies include, but are not limited to, mouse, rat, rabbit or human antibodies. "Antibody" also generically includes polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies. The term "monoclonal antibody" means an immunoglobulin derived from a single clone of cells.

An antibody "specifically binds" to a polypeptide if it binds with greater affinity or avidity than it binds to other polypeptides or substances.

The present invention encompasses polynucleotide sequences encoding human Wnt-lOb, human Wnt-lObΔ, and fragments thereof. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "polynucleotides", "Wnt-lOb polynucleotide(s) ", "Wnt- lObΔ polynucleotide(s) ", or "Wnt-lOb(Δ) polynucleotides" shall include all embodiments of the polynucleotides of this invention. In all instances, the polynucleotides include human sequences as well as allelic forms of the Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ gene(s) .

The Wnt-lOb growth factors of this invention regulate growth and differentiation of embryonic and bone marrow cells, and are expressed in fetal bone marrow stroma. They are likely expressed in other tissue types, e.g., the central nervous system.

In one embodiment of this invention, the polynucleotide is a non-naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ. In another embodiment, the polynucleotide is an isolated naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ.

In another embodiment of this invention, the polynucleotide is a cDNA encoding either of the growth factors shown in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof. Seq. I.D. No. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of human Wnt-lOb (DV12) . A Wnt-lOb variant, Wnt-lObΔ, is shown in Seq. I.D. No. 4 (DV12/17) . The nucleotide sequences of the Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ cDNAs have been compared with the nucleotide sequences recorded in Genebank. These sequences exhibit homology to mouse Wnt-lOb, a member of the Wnt gene family. (See Sidow, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA (1992) 89: 5098-5102, for amino acid sequences of various Wnt family members.) In a separate embodiment, the polynucleotide is a nucleic acid molecule coding for the amino acid sequence of the native human Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ growth factor(s) or either of the amino acid sequences shown in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4.

In one embodiment, the polynucleotide(s) is recombinant and has the nucleotide sequence depicted in either Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the polynucleotide(s) is recombinant and is complementary to the nucleotide sequence depicted in either Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof. Seq. I.D. No. 1 depicts the nucleotide sequence and derived amino acid sequence of a human Wnt-lOb growth factor. The polynucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 1 is 2122 base pairs and was derived from clone DV12, as described in Example 1. The nucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 1 contains a 5' noncoding sequence of 193 base pairs and a 3" noncoding sequence of 762 base pairs. The nucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 1 encodes a Wnt-lOb polypeptide of 389 amino acids, which is also shown in Seq. I.D. No. 2. Seq. I.D. No. 3 is the polynucleotide sequence and derived amino acid sequence of another human Wnt-lOb growth factor, Wnt-lObΔ. The nucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 3 is 1748 base pairs and was derived from clone DV12/17, which is described in Example 1. The nucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 3 contains a 5' noncoding sequence of 193 base pairs and a 3' noncoding sequence of 1170 base pairs. The nucleotide sequence of Seq. I.D. No. 3 encodes a human Wnt-lObΔ growth factor of 115 amino acids, which are also shown in Seq. I.D. No. 4. The amino acid sequence of Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ are identical except that Wnt-lObΔ lacks the amino acid sequence from amino acid 114 to amino acid 389 of Wnt-lOb. The difference appears to arise from a deletion that changes the reading frame, causing termination of the Wnt-lObΔ protein within three amino acids after the deletion.

The DV12 and DV12/17 plasmids having the Wnt-lOb and Wnt- lObΔ cDNAs, respectively, have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) , 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A. 20852 under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. The plasmid comprising Wnt-lOb cDNA was accorded ATCC Designation No. 97208 and the plasmid comprising Wnt-lObΔ cDNA was accorded ATCC Designation No. 97207.

The invention includes modifications to the growth factor polynucleotides described above such as deletions, substitutions and additions, particularly in the non-coding regions of genomic DNA. A "modification" is any difference in nucleotide sequence, as compared to a polynucleotide of this invention such as the native polynucleotide sequences. Such changes are useful to facilitate cloning and modifying gene expression. It should be understood, although not always expressed herein, that these modifications do not include nucleotide sequences that consist of nucleotide sequences identical to mouse Wnt-lOb gene.

The invention encompasses growth factor polynucleotides including full-length (unprocessed) , processed, coding, non- coding or portions thereof. The polynucleotides also are complementary to the mRNA for at least a fragment of the Wnt- lOb(Δ) growth factor gene(s) and other polynucleotides which can bind to either the DNA or mRNA encoding the growth factor.

The invention encompasses polynucleotides coding for functionally equivalent variants and derivatives of Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ which may enhance, decrease or not significantly affect properties of the polypeptides encoded thereby. For instance, changes in the DNA sequence that do not change the encoded amino acid sequence, as well as those that result in conservative substitutions of amino acid residues, one or a few amino acid deletions or additions, and substitution of amino acid residues by amino acid analogs are those which will not significantly affect its properties. All above-described polynucleotides encoding functionally equivalent variants are included in this invention except for polynucleotides consisting of a sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb protein.

For example, various substitutions can be made within the coding region that either do not alter the amino acid residues encoded or result in conservatively substituted amino acid residues. Nucleotide substitutions that do not alter the amino acid residues encoded are useful for optimizing gene expression in different systems. Suitable substitutions are known to those of skill in the art and are made, for instance, to reflect preferred codon usage in the particular expression systems. These substitutions can be readily obtained by one skilled in the art.

The invention also includes polynucleotide sequences encoding Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ variants including, e.g., other alternatively processed sequences or sequences encoding fusion and deletion proteins. Alternatively processed polynucleotide sequence variants are defined as polynucleotide sequences corresponding to mRNAs that differ in sequence from one another but are derived from the same genomic region, for example, mRNAs that result from: 1) the use of alternative promoters; 2) the use of alternative polyadenylation sites; or 3) the use of alternative splice sites.

The invention further encompasses recombinant polynucleotide sequences which encode the amino acid sequence(s) depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof. The polynucleotide sequence may be similar to those depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 with minor changes designed to optimize codon usage or stability or may vary significantly, as long as the polynucleotide does not consist of a nucleic acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb. It is within the skill of one in the art, given the amino acid sequence in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 to design such polynucleotides.

The invention also includes polynucleotide sequences which encode fragments of the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4, provided that these polynucleotides do not consist of a nucleic acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb or do not encode for an amino acid sequence identical to the mouse Wnt-lOb protein.

The invention also encompasses polynucleotides substantially homologous to the nucleotide sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3, complementary sequences thereto, or a fragment thereof. One indication of substantial homology (or similarity) is if a polynucleotide or fragment thereof will hybridize to another polynucleotide (or a complementary strand thereof) under selective hybridization conditions. Selectivity of hybridization exists under hybridization conditions which allow one to distinguish the target polynucleotide of interest from other polynucleotides. Typically, selective hybridization will occur when there is at least about 55% similarity over a stretch of at least about 14 nucleotides, preferably at least about 65%, more preferably at least about 75%, and most preferably at least about 90%. Kanehisa (1984) Nuc. Acids Res. 12:203-213. The length of homology comparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certain embodiments will often be over a stretch of at least 17 to 20 nucleotides, and preferably at least about 36 or more nucleotides. The hybridization of polynucleotides is affected by such conditions as salt concentration, temperature, or organic solvents, in addition to the base composition, length of the complementary strands, and the number of nucleotide base mismatches between the hybridizing polynucleotides, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Stringent temperature conditions will generally include temperatures in excess of 30°C, typically in excess of 37°C, and preferably in excess of 45°C. Stringent salt conditions will ordinarily be less than 1 M, typically less than 500 mM, and preferably less than 200 mM. However, the combination of parameters is much more important than the measure of any single parameter. Wetmur and Davidson (1968) J. Mol. Biol. 31:349-370.

Also provided by this invention are polynucleotides covalently linked with a detectable label. Such polynucleotides are useful, for example, as probes for detection of related nucleotide sequences.

Techniques for nucleic acid manipulation useful for the practice of the present invention are described in a variety of references, including but not limited to. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed.. Vol. 1-3, eds. Sambrook et al. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, eds. Ausubel et al., Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience: New York (1987) and periodic updates.

The polynucleotides of this invention are useful in expression systems for the recombinant production of human Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ polypeptides and proteins. They are also useful as hybridization probes to assay for expression of the gene(s) in a sample using methods well known to those of skill in the art.

The polynucleotides of this invention can be obtained using recombinant methods, chemical synthesis, or PCR. Recombinant methods employ the vectors and expression systems described below and are described in Example 1. Methods of chemical polynucleotide synthesis are well known in the art and need not be described in detail herein. One of skill in the art can use the sequences provided herein and a commercial DNA synthesizer to replicate the DNA. Alternatively, one of skill in the art can insert the nucleic acid into a suitable vector and insert the vector into a suitable host cell for replication and amplification. The DNA so amplified can be isolated from the cell by methods well known to those of skill in the art.

Alternatively, PCR allows reproduction of DNA sequences. PCR technology is the subject matter of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195, 4,800,159, 4,754,065 and 4,683,202 and is described in PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction Mullis et al. eds. Birkauser Press, Boston (1994) .

RNA can be obtained by using the isolated DNA in an appropriate vector and inserting it into a suitable host cell. When the cell replicates and the DNA is transcribed into RNA, the RNA can then be isolated using methods well known to those of skill in the art, for example, as set forth in Sambrook et al. (1989) supra.

The polynucleotides of the invention include polynucleotides encoding fragments of the growth factor, except for polynucleotides which consist of nucleotide sequences identical to mouse Wnt-lOb. The polynucleotide fragments that are useful, for example, as probes, substrate, therapeutic agents, and as a template for encoding various functional and/or binding domains of the growth factor. In one embodiment, the polynucleotide fragments comprise at least about 45 bases of the sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3, provided that the polynucleotide does not consist of a nucleotide sequence identical to mouse WntlO-b. A fragment of this approximate size could encode for a functional domain, or a binding site for an antibody. Alternatively, these fragments can serve as probes. Suitable fragments are those which hybridize specifically to growth factor DNA or RNA such that they are effective as primers or probes. The primers are particularly useful in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) .

Polynucleotides encoding functional (bioactive) fragments of a human Wnt-lOb (Wnt-lObΔ) growth factor can be obtained by generating polynucleotide fragments and testing the resultant polypeptides for the bioactivity of interest. For example, polypeptides can be tested for their ability to promote cell proliferation (or other suitable biological activity) by contacting the cells with the polypeptide to be tested.

The polynucleotide fragments described above can be generated chemically or enzymatically using techniques well known in the art, as discussed above.

The polynucleotides of this invention also are useful to obtain homologous DNA sequences encoding other closely related Wnt-lOb genes, such as alleles of the Wnt-lOb gene. Methods for constructing appropriate cDNA and genomic libraries, for screening libraries for sequences of interest, for preparing suitable probes or primers (e.g., PCR primers), for polynucleotide purification, amplification and subcloning, and for host cell transformation and other techniques of recombinant DNA technology appropriate to the practice of the present invention are provided, inter alia, in Sambrook, et al., (1989); Ausubel et al. (1987 and periodic updates); and PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, Innis et al., eds., Academic Press: San Diego (1990). Reagents useful in applying such techniques, such as restriction enzymes, expression vectors, labels, etc. are known in the art and commercially available from such vendors as New England BioLabs, Boehringer Mannheim, Amersham, Promega Biotec, U. S. Biochemicals, New England Nuclear, and a number of other commercial sources.

The invention further includes a variety of vectors having cloned therein the polynucleotide sequence(s) described above. These vectors can be used for expression of recombinant polypeptides, as well as a source of the polynucleotides. Suitable vectors include any known in the art, e.g., those for use in bacterial, mammalian, yeast and insect expression systems. Specific vectors and suitable host cells are known in the art and need not be described in detail herein. See, for example, Gacesa and Ramji, Vectors John Wiley & Sons (1994 ) .

Another embodiment of this invention are host cells transformed with vectors having the polynucleotide sequences described above. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells may be used. Prokaryotic hosts include E. coli . Among eukaryotic hosts are yeast, insect, and mammalian cells. Host systems are known in the art and need not be described in detail herein.

Expression systems prepared for introduction into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host will typically comprise a replication system recognized by the host, including the intended DNA fragment encoding the desired polypeptide(s) , and will preferably also include transcription and translational initiation regulatory sequences operably linked to the polypeptide encoding segment. Expression systems (expression vectors) may include, for example, an origin or replication or autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) and expression control sequence, a promoter, an enhancer and necessary processing information sites, such as ribosome-binding sites, RNA splice sites, polyadenylation sites, transcriptional terminator sequences, and mRNA stabilizing sequences. DNA encoding signal peptides may also be included which allow the polypeptide of the invention to cross and/or lodge in cell membranes or be secreted from the cell.

The selection of an appropriate promoter and other necessary vector sequences will be selected so as to be functional in the host. Examples of workable combinations of cell lines and expression vectors are described in Sambrook et al., 1989; Ausubel et al., 1987; and Metzger et al., Nature 334: 31, 1988. In addition, the construct may be joined to an amplifiable gene (e.g., DHFR) so that multiple copies of the gene may be made. For appropriate enhancer and other expression control sequences see also Enhancers and Eukaryotic Gene Expression, Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y. (1983) . While such expression vectors may replicate autonomously, they may less preferably replicate by being inserted into the genome of the host cell. Further, the invention encompasses cells transfected in vivo by the vectors. Suitable methods of in vivo transfection are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, that described by Zhu et al. (1993) Science 261: 209-211.

Expression and cloning vectors can contain a selectable marker, a gene encoding a protein necessary for the survival or growth of a host cell transformed with the vector, although such a selectable gene can be carried on another polynucleotide sequence co-introduced into the host cell. Only those host cells into which the selectable gene has been introduced will survive and/or grow under selective conditions. Typical selection genes encode protein(s) that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxic substances, e.g. ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate, etc.; (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c) supply critical nutrients not available from complex media. The choice of the proper selectable gene will depend on the host cell, and appropriate genes for different hosts are known in the art.

The vectors containing the polynucleotides of interest can be introduced into the host cell by any of a number of appropriate means, including electroporation, transfection employing calcium chloride, rubidium chloride, calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, or other substances; microprojectile bombardment; lipofection; infection (where the vector is an infectious agent, such as a retroviral genome) . The choice of such means will often depend on the host cell.

Also encompassed by this invention are plasmids comprising polynucleotides encoding Wnt-lOb as deposited under ATCC Designation Number 97208. The invention also includes plasmids comprising polynucleotides encoding Wnt-lObΔ as deposited in ATCC Designation No. 97207. Vector (plasmid) DV12 contains the nucleotide sequence encoding human Wnt-lOb. Vector (plasmid) DV12/17 contains the nucleotide sequence encoding Wnt-lObΔ. These polynucleotides (or fragments thereof) can be obtained by methods well known in the art. Host cells containing the vector(s) are grown under suitable conditions and the vector DNA is isolated using standard methods. Once isolated, the desired polynucleotide is obtained by an appropriate restriction enzyme digest of the isolated DNA to liberate the desired polynucleotide from the vector. A suitable separation technique such as gel electrophoresis can be used to isolate the polynucleotide from the other restriction fragments. Location of restriction sites is readily possible using sequence analysis.

Transgenic animals containing the recombinant polynucleotides or vectors are also encompassed by the invention. Methods of making transgenic animals are known in the art and need not be described in detail herein. See, e.g., PCT publication WO 93/04169. Preferably, such animals express a recombinant growth factor polynucleotide under control of a cell-specific promoter.

The invention also encompasses compositions having any of the polynucleotides described above and a suitable solid or liquid. These compositions include, but are not limited to, polynucleotide(s) in a hybridization mixture, polynucleotide(s) in a physiologically acceptable buffer, and polynucleotides attached to a solid or semi-solid substrate. These compositions may be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, hybridization, in vivo and ex vivo transfection and in vitro transfection.

The invention also provides a human Wnt-lOb and human Wnt-lObΔ growth factor polypeptide(s) and fragments thereof. The human Wnt-lOb (Wnt-lObΔ) polypeptides of the present invention have pleiotropic activities, including activities regulating embryonic development and regulating growth and/or differentiation of bone marrow cells. The Wnt-lOb (Wnt-lObΔ) polypeptides can also be used to identify its receptor from responsive cells and for the production of specific antibodies.

Unless specifically stated, the term "polypeptides" shall include all embodiments of the polypeptides of this invention.

In one embodiment, a polypeptide of this invention is an isolated polypeptide encoded by any of the polypeptides described above. These polypeptides can be obtained from a variety of expression systems. This in turn can result in polypeptides that differ in terms of processing, including, but not limited to, glycosylation differences or absence.

In another embodiment, a polypeptide of this invention has either of the amino acid sequences shown in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4. In one embodiment, a substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide has an amino acid sequence shown in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or has an amino acid sequence from about amino acid 22 to amino acid 389 depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2. In another embodiment, a substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide has an amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. 4 or has an amino acid sequence from about amino acid 22 to amino acid 115 depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 4. The sequences of amino acid about 22 to 389 in Seq. I.D. No. 2 and amino acid about 22 to 115 in Seq. I.D. No. 4 are meant to encompass Wnt-lOb and Wnt-lObΔ polypeptides that lack a signal sequence.

In another embodiment, the polypeptides of this invention are non-naturally occurring and have an amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof. Human Wnt-lOb and human Wnt-lObΔ growth factor polypeptides encompass fragments of the growth factor(s), as long as these fragments do not consist of an amino acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb. Such fragments can have at least one of the biological activities discussed above. However, useful polypeptide fragments of this invention need not have any of the above biological activities. For instance, a polypeptide fragment can be used to elicit an immune response. Alternatively, a growth factor polypeptide fragment can be used to assay for other growth factor antagonism or synergy.

The invention includes modifications to the polypeptide sequence including functionally equivalent variants of the polypeptides which do not significantly affect their properties and variants which retain the overall amino acid sequence but which have enhanced or decreased activity. These modifications exclude those polypeptides consisting of an amino acid sequence identical to mouse Wnt-lOb protein. Such polypeptides include polypeptides with conservative substitutions of amino acid residues, or one or a few deletions or additions of amino acids which do not change the functional activity. Amino acid residues which can be conservatively substituted for one another include but are not limited to: glycine/alanine; valine/isoleucine/leucine; asparagine/glutamine; aspartic acid/glutamic acid; serine/threonine; lysine/arginine; and phenylalanine/tyrosine. These polypeptides also include glycosylated and nonglycosylated polypeptides, as well as polypeptides with other post-translational changes, such as glycosylation with different sugars, acetylation, etc. Preferably, the amino acid substitutions would be conservative, i.e., the substituted amino acid would possess similar chemical properties as that of the original amino acid. Such conservative substitutions are known in the art.

Polypeptides thus obtained can be tested for their ability to promote cell proliferation (or other suitable biological activity) by contacting the cells with the polypeptide to be tested.

Representative polypeptides of this invention, include, but are not limited to, amino acids 7 to 14, amino acids 7 to 25, and amino acids 7 to 46 of the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4; and amino acids 169 to 189 and amino acids 169 to 187 of the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2.

The polypeptides of this invention can be made by procedures known in the art. The polypeptides can be produced by proteolytic or other degradation of a growth factor polypeptide, by recombinant methods (i.e., single or fusion polypeptides) as described above or by chemical synthesis. Preferably, the polypeptides are at least partially purified from other cellular constituents. Preferably, the proteins are at least 50% pure. More preferably, the proteins are 50- 75% pure. More highly purified polypeptides may also be obtained and are encompassed by the present invention. For clinical use, the polypeptides are preferably highly purified, at least about eighty percent pure, and free of pyrogens and other contaminants. Methods of protein purification are known in the art and are not described in detail herein. Techniques for expressing the polypeptides alone or as fusion proteins are also known in the art. Purification or isolation of the polypeptides expressed in host systems can be accomplished by any method known in the art.

Suitable methods of protein purification are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, affinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, HPLC and FPLC. Any purification scheme that does not result in substantial degradation of the polypeptide is suitable for use in the present invention.

The invention also includes substantially purified naturally occurring growth factor having the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No; 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4. The invention encompasses functionally equivalent variants of the growth factor which do not significantly affect its properties and variants which retain the same overall amino acid sequence but which have enhanced or decreased activity. For instance, conservative substitutions of amino acid residues, one or a few amino acid deletions or additions, and substitution of amino acid residues by amino acid analogs are within the scope of the invention. Conservative amino acid substitution has been discussed above.

The invention also encompasses compositions having any of the polypeptides described above and a suitable solid or liquid, e.g., culture media. These compositions are useful for, e.g., ex vivo manipulation of bone marrow cells and embryonic cells. These compositions include pharmaceutical compositions.

Also provided by this invention is an antibody capable of specifically binding with the human Wnt-lOb (lObΔ) polypeptide(s) and fragments thereof as described above. Laboratory methods for producing polyclonal antibodies are known in the art, such as Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1988) and Sambrook et al. (1989) supra. The monoclonal antibodies of this invention can be biologically produced by introducing the Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) polypeptide or a fragment thereof into an animal, e.g., a mouse or a rabbit. The antibody-producing cells in the animal are isolated and fused with myeloma cells or heteromyeloma cells to produce hybrid cells or hybridomas. Accordingly, the hybridoma cells producing the monoclonal antibodies of this invention also are provided. Using the Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) polypeptide(s) described herein, and well known methods, one of skill in the art can produce and screen the hybridoma cells and antibodies of this invention for antibodies having the ability to specifically bind the Wnt-lOb polypeptide.

The invention also encompasses uses of the human Wnt- lOb(lObΔ) polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the Wnt- lOb(lObΔ) polypeptides. For example, the polynucleotides of the present invention may be introduced and expressed in primary or cloned stromal cell lines. Such cell lines expressing the Wnt-lOb (lObΔ) protein(s) can then be used in the ex vivo culture of human hematopoietic stem cells to promote proliferation and/or differentiation. Alternatively, purified Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) polypeptides may be added to ex vivo cultures of bone marrow cells, alone or in combination with other growth factors, in amounts effective to act on stromal and/or hematopoietic cells to regulate cell growth. If purified Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) protein(s) is used in the ex vivo culture of hematopoietic cells in the absence of stromal cells, extracellular matrix components, particularly heparin sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) , should preferably be included in the culture to aid presentation of the ligand to the responsive cells.

As is apparent to those of skill in the art, any of the polynucleotides, polypeptides, proteins, vectors, host cells. antibodies, or antibody fragments can be used for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of pathologies associated with either over- expression or under-expression of Wnt-lOb(lObΔ) growth factor protein(s) .

The following examples are provided to illustrate but not limit the present invention.

Example 1 Cloning Human Wnt-lOb and Human Wnt-lObΔ cDNA

Unless otherwise specified, all cloning techniques were essentially as described by Sambrook et al. (1989) and all reagents were used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Fetal bone marrow stromal cells were isolated from a 20 week fetus obtained by informed consent by fragmenting quartered bones and culturing the bone chips in Whitlock/Witte media (1:1 IMDM:RPMI with 10% fetal calf serum, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, penicillin/streptomycin, and glutamine) . Media was changed every other day. After approximately 14 days, total RNA was isolated from the adherent cells using RNA STAT-60 (Tel-Test"B"; Austin, Texas) according to the manufacturer's instructions. 1 μg of the total RNA was reverse-transcribed using Moloney Murine Leukemia virus reverse transcriptase and a random oligomer for priming. l/20th of the cDNA was used in a PCR reaction containing consensus primers to conserved amino acid sequences within the Wnt gene family.

The product from the reaction having approximately the correct size was subcloned into a TA cloning vector pGEM-T (Promega) . Independent clones were sequenced, revealing the identification of DV12, having homology to the Wnt gene family, within the fetal bone marrow stromal cell RNA. cDNA clones were isolated as follows. Total RNA was isolated from a second fetal culture set up as described above (from cells cultured for approximately 18 days) using RNA STAT-60. Approximately 700 μg of total RNA was used to isolate mRNA by an oligo-dT cellulose column (Pharmacia) . Recovery of mRNA was estimated to be 10 μg. The isolated mRNA was divided in half and used to generate an oligo-dT primed and a random-primed cDNA library using a Lambda-ZAP Express cDNA kit (Stratagene) . cDNA was size-fractionated using Sephacryl S-500HR (Life Technologies) . Fractions containing the first peak and two subsequent fractions were collected for library construction.

A total of 1 X 10⁶ independent clones were isolated from the oligo-dT primed library and screened in pools of 50,000 by PCR using primers specific to each of the Wnt gene family. Positive phage pools were plated and plaque lifts from size plates containing approximately 120,000 clones were prepared for screening. The original PCR insert was labeled with ³P and used to probe the resulting filters. Duplicate signals indicated positive primary phage clones. The positives were picked and replated at low density to obtain single plaques. Filter lifts were prepared and hybridized with the corresponding probe. Three independent phage plaques were isolated and subjected to plasmid excision following a protocol by Stratagene. Plasmid DNA was prepared from each clone and subjected to DNA sequencing using T7 and T3 primers contained within the cDNA vector and specific primers identical to the PCR primers used to identify the positive phage pools. Full length cDNA sequence was obtained by primer walking on both strands of the cDNA. cDNA and derived amino acid sequence for Wnt-lOb is shown in Seq. I.D.No. 1. cDNA and derived amino acid sequence for Wnt-lObΔ is shown in Seq. I.D. No. 3.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications will be practiced. Therefore, the description and examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is delineated by the appended claims. SEQUENCE LISTING

(1) GENERAL INFORMATION:

(i) APPLICANT: VAN DEN BERG, DAVID

(ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: HEMATOPOIETIC GROWTH FACTORS, NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ENCODING GROWTH FACTORS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 7

(iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS:

(A) ADDRESSEE: MORRISON & FOERSTER

(B) STREET: 755 Page Mill Road

(C) CITY: Palo Alto

(D) STATE: California

(E) COUNTRY: USA

(F) ZIP: 94304-1018

(v) COMPUTER READABLE FORM:

(A) MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk

(B) COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible

(C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS

(D) SOFTWARE: Patentin Release #1.0, Version #1.30

(vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA:

(A) APPLICATION NUMBER: US

(B) FILING DATE:

(C) CLASSIFICATION:

(viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION:

(A) NAME: KONSKI, ANTOINETTE F.

(B) REGISTRATION NUMBER: 34,202

(C) REFERENCE/DOCKET NUMBER: 20296-20035.00

(ix) TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION:

(A) TELEPHONE: (415) 813-5600

(B) TELEFAX: (415) 494-0792

(C) TELEX: 706141

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:l:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 2122 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 194..1360

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:l:

GAAGCGGTGA AGAGGAGTGG CCCGGCCCTG GAAGAATGCG GCTCTGACAA GGGGACAGAA 60

CCCAGCGCAG TCTCCCCACG GTTTAAGCAG CACTAGTGAA GCCCAGGCAA CCCAACCGTG 120

CCTGTCTCGG ACCCCGCACC CAAACCACTG GAGGTCCTGA TCGATCTGCC CACCGGAGCC 180

TCCGGGCTTC GAC ATG CTG GAG GAG CCC CGG TCG CGG TCT CCG CCC TCG 229 Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Ser Pro Pro Ser 1 5 10 GGC CTC GCG GGT CTC CTG TTC CTG GCG TTG TGC AGT CGG GCT CTA AGC 277 Gly Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Cys Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser 15 20 25

AAT GAG ATT CTG GGC CTG AAG TTG CCT GGC GAG CCG CCG CTG ACG GGC 325 Asn Glu lie Leu Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Gly 30 35 40

AAC ACC GTG TGC TTG ACG CTG TCC GGC CTG AGC AAG CGG CAG CTA GGC 373

Asn Thr Val Cys Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly

45 50 55 60

CTG TGC CTG CGC AAC CCC GAC GTG ACG GCG TCC GCG CTT CAG GGT CTG 421 Leu Cys Leu Arg Asn Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu 65 70 75

CAC ATC GCG GTC CAC GAG TGT CAG CAC CAG CTG CGC GAC CAG CGC TGG 469 His He Ala Val His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp 80 85 90

AAC TGC TCC GCG CTT GAG GGC GGC GGC CGC CTG CCG CAC CAC AGC GCC 517 Asn Cys Ser Ala Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala 95 100 105

ATC CTC AAG CGC GGT TTC CGA GAA AGT GCT TTT TCC TTC TCC ATG CTG 565 He Leu Lys Arg Gly Phe Arg Glu Ser Ala Phe Ser Phe Ser Met Leu 110 115 120

GCT GCT GGG GTC ATG CAC GCA GTA GCC ACG GCC TGC AGC CTG GGC AAG 613 Ala Ala Gly Val Met His Ala Val Ala Thr Ala Cys Ser Leu Gly Lys 125 130 135 140

CTG GTG AGC TGT GGC TGT GGC TGG AAG GGC AGT GGT GAG CAG GAT CGG 661 Leu Val Ser Cys Gly Cys Gly Trp Lys Gly Ser Gly Glu Gin Asp Arg 145 150 155

CTG AGG GCC AAA CTG CTG CAG CTG CAG GCA CTG TCC CGA GGC AAG AGT 709 Leu Arg Ala Lys Leu Leu Gin Leu Gin Ala Leu Ser Arg Gly Lys Ser 160 165 170

TTC CCC CAC TCT CTG CCC AGC CCT GGC CCT GGC TCA AGC CCC AGC CCT 757 Phe Pro His Ser Leu Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gly Ser Ser Pro Ser Pro 175 180 185

GGC CCC CAG GAC ACA TGG GAA TGG GGT GGC TGT AAC CAT GAC ATG GAC 805 Gly Pro Gin Asp Thr Trp Glu Trp Gly Gly Cys Asn His Asp Met Asp 190 195 200

TTT GGA GAG AAG TTC TCT CGG GAT TTC TTG GAT TCC AGG GAA GCT CCC 853 Phe Gly Glu Lys Phe Ser Arg Asp Phe Leu Asp Ser Arg Glu Ala Pro 205 210 215 220

CGG GAC ATC CAG GCA CGA ATG CGA ATC CAC AAC AAC AGG GTG GGG CGC 901 Arg Asp He Gin Ala Arg Met Arg He His Asn Asn Arg Val Gly Arg 225 230 235

CAG GTG GTA ACT GAA AAC CTG AAG CGG AAA TGC AAG TGT CAT GGC ACA 949 Gin Val Val Thr Glu Asn Leu Lys Arg Lys Cys Lys Cys His Gly Thr 240 245 250

TCA GGC AGC TGC CAG TTC AAG ACA TGC TGG AGG GCG GCC CCA GAG TTC 997 Ser Gly Ser Cys Gin Phe Lys Thr Cys Trp Arg Ala Ala Pro Glu Phe 255 260 265 CGG GCA GTG GGG GCG GCG TTG AGG GAA CGG CTG GGC CGG GCC ATC TTC 1045 Arg Ala Val Gly Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Arg Ala He Phe 270 275 280

ATT GAT ACC CAC AAC CGC AAT TCT GGA GCC TTC CAG CCC CGT CTG CGT 1093 He Asp Thr His Asn Arg Asn Ser Gly Ala Phe Gin Pro Arg Leu Arg 285 290 295 300

CCC CGT CGC CTC TCA GGA GAG CTG GTC TAC TTT GAG AAG TCT CCT GAC 1141 Pro Arg Arg Leu Ser Gly Glu Leu Val Tyr Phe Glu Lys Ser Pro Asp 305 310 315

TTC TGT GAG CGA GAC CCC ACT ATG GGC TCC CCA GGG ACA AGG GGC CGG 1189 Phe Cys Glu Arg Asp Pro Thr Met Gly Ser Pro Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg 320 325 330

GCC TGC AAC AAG ACC AGC CGC CTG TTG GAT GGC TGT GGC AGC TTG TGC 1237 Ala Cys Asn Lys Thr Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Leu Cys 335 340 345

TGT GGG CGT GGG CAC AAC GTG CTC CGG CAG ACA CGA GTT GAG CGC TGC 1285 Cys Gly Arg Gly His Asn Val Leu Arg Gin Thr Arg Val Glu Arg Cys 350 355 360

CAT TGC CGC TTC CAC TGG TGC TGC TAT GTG CTG TGT GAT GAG TGC AAG 1333 His Cys Arg Phe His Trp Cys Cys Tyr Val Leu Cys Asp Glu Cys Lys 365 370 375 380

GTT ACA GAG TGG GTG AAT GTG TGT AAG TGAGGGTCAG CCTTACCTTG 1380

Val Thr Glu Trp Val Asn Val Cys Lys 385

GGGCTGGGGA AGAGGACTGT GTGAGAGGGG CCCCTTTTCA AGCCCTTTGC TCTTGATTTC 1440

CTTCCCAAGG TCACTCTTGG TCCCTGGAAG CTTAAAGTAT CTACCTGGAA ACAAGCTTTA 1500

GGGGTGGTGG GGGTCAGGTG GACTCTGGGA TGTGTAGCCT TCTCCCCAAC AATTGGAGGG 1560

TCTTGAGGGG AAGCTGCCAC CCCTCTTCTG CTCCTTAGAC ACCTGAATGG ACTAAGATGA 1620

AATGCACTGT ATTGCTCCTC CCACTTCTCA ACTCCAGCGC CCCTTTAACC CTGATTCATA 1680

CTCCTTTTGG CTGGGGAGTC CCTATAGTTT CACCACTCCT CTCCCTTGAG GGATAACCCC 1740

AGGCACTGTT TGGAGCCATA AGATCTGTAT CTAGAAAGAG ATCACCCACT CCTATGTACT 1800

ATCCCCAAAC TCCTTTACTG CAGCCTGGGC TCCCTCTTGT GGGATAATGG GAGACAGTGG 1860

TAGAGAGGTT TTTCTTGGGA AAGAGACAGA GTTCTGAGGG GCACTCTCCC CTGAATCCTC 1920

AGAGAGTTGT CTGTCCAGGC CCTTAGGGAA GTTGTCTCCT TCCATTCAGA TGTTAATGGG 1980

GACCCTCCCA AGGAAGGGGT TTTCCCATGA CTCTTGGAGC CTCTTTTTCC TTCTTCAACA 2040

GGAAGGGTGG GAAGGGATAA TTTATCATAC TGAGACTTGT TCTTGGTTCC TGTTTGAAAC 2100

TAAAATAAAT TAAGTTACTG GG 2122

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 389 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:

Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Ser Pro Pro Ser Gly Leu Ala Gly 1 5 10 15

Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Cys Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Glu He Leu 20 25 30

Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Gly Asn Thr Val Cys 35 40 45

Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly Leu Cys Leu Arg 50 55 60

Asn Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu His He Ala Val 65 70 75 80

His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp Asn Cys Ser Ala 85 90 95

Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala He Leu Lys Arg 100 105 110

Gly Phe Arg Glu Ser Ala Phe Ser Phe Ser Met Leu Ala Ala Gly Val 115 120 125

Met His Ala Val Ala Thr Ala Cys Ser Leu Gly Lys Leu Val Ser Cys 130 135 140

Gly Cys Gly Trp Lys Gly Ser Gly Glu Gin Asp Arg Leu Arg Ala Lys 145 150 155 160

Leu Leu Gin Leu Gin Ala Leu Ser Arg Gly Lys Ser Phe Pro His Ser 165 170 175

Leu Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gly Ser Ser Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gin Asp 180 185 190

Thr Trp Glu Trp Gly Gly Cys Asn His Asp Met Asp Phe Gly Glu Lys 195 200 205

Phe Ser Arg Asp Phe Leu Asp Ser Arg Glu Ala Pro Arg Asp He Gin 210 215 220

Ala Arg Met Arg He His Asn Asn Arg Val Gly Arg Gin Val Val Thr 225 230 235 240

Glu Asn Leu Lys Arg Lys Cys Lys Cys His Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Cys 245 250 255

Gin Phe Lys Thr Cys Trp Arg Ala Ala Pro Glu Phe Arg Ala Val Gly 260 265 270

Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Arg Ala He Phe He Asp Thr His 275 280 285

Asn Arg Asn Ser Gly Ala Phe Gin Pro Arg Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Leu 290 295 300

Ser Gly Glu Leu Val Tyr Phe Glu Lys Ser Pro Asp Phe Cys Glu Arg 305 310 315 320

Asp Pro Thr Met Gly Ser Pro Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg Ala Cys Asn Lys 325 330 335

Thr Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Leu Cys Cys Gly Arg Gly 340 345 350 His Asn Val Leu Arg Gin Thr Arg Val Glu Arg Cys His Cys Arg Phe 355 360 365

His Trp Cys Cys Tyr Val Leu Cys Asp Glu Cys Lys Val Thr Glu Trp 370 375 380

Val Asn Val Cys Lys 385

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 1748 base pairs

(B) TYPE: nucleic acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 194..538

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:

GAAGCGGTGA AGAGGAGTGG CCCGGCCCTG GAAGAATGCG GCTCTGACAA GGGGACAGAA 60

CCCAGCGCAG TCTCCCCACG GTTTAAGCAG CACTAGTGAA GCCCAGGCAA CCCAACCGTG 120

CCTGTCTCGG ACCCCGCACC CAAACCACTG GAGGTCCTGA TCGATCTGCC CACCGGAGCC 180

TCCGGGCTTC GAC ATG CTG GAG GAG CCC CGG TCG CGG TCT CCG CCC TCG 229 Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Ser Pro Pro Ser 1 5 10

GGC CTC GCG GGT CTC CTG TTC CTG GCG TTG TGC AGT CGG GCT CTA AGC 277 Gly Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Cys Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser 15 20 25

AAT GAG ATT CTG GGC CTG AAG TTG CCT GGC GAG CCG CCG CTG ACG GGC 325 Asn Glu He Leu Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Gly 30 35 40

AAC ACC GTG TGC TTG ACG CTG TCC GGC CTG AGC AAG CGG CAG CTA GGC 373 Asn Thr Val Cys Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly 45 50 55 60

CTG TGC CTG CGC AAC CCC GAC GTG ACG GCG TCC GCG CTT CAG GGT CTG 421 Leu Cys Leu Arg Asn Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu 65 70 75

CAC ATC GCG GTC CAC GAG TGT CAG CAC CAG CTG CGC GAC CAG CGC TGG 469 His He Ala Val His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp 80 85 90

AAC TGC TCC GCG CTT GAG GGC GGC GGC CGC CTG CCG CAC CAC AGC GCC 517 Asn Cys Ser Ala Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala 95 100 105

ATC CTC AAG CGC GGT GGT AAC TGAAAACCTG AAGCGGAAAT GCAAGTGTCA 568 He Leu Lys Arg Gly Gly Asn 110 115

TGGCACATCA GGCAGCTGCC AGTTCAAGAC ATGCTGGAGG GCGGCCCCAG AGTTCCGGGC 628

AGTGGGGGCG GCGTTGAGGG AACGGCTGGG CCGGGCCATC TTCATTGATA CCCACAACCG 688

CAATTCTGGA GCCTTCCAGC CCCGTCTGCG TCCCCGTCGC CTCTCAGGAG AGCTGGTCTA 748 CTTTGAGAAG TCTCCTGACT TCTGTGAGCG AGACCCCACT ATGGGCTCCC CAGGGACAAG 808

GGGCCGGGCC TGCAACAAGA CCAGCCGCCT GTTGGATGGC TGTGGCAGCT TGTGCTGTGG 868

GCGTGGGCAC AACGTGCTCC GGCAGACACG AGTTGAGCGC TGCCATTGCC GCTTCCACTG 928

GTGCTGCTAT GTGCTGTGTG ATGAGTGCAA GGTTACAGAG TGGGTGAATG TGTGTAAGTG 988

AGGGTCAGCC TTACCTTGGG GCTGGGGAAG AGGACTGTGT GAGAGGGGCC CCTTTTCAAG 1048

CCCTTTGCTC TTGATTTCCT TCCCAAGGTC ACTCTTGGTC CCTGGAAGCT TAAAGTATCT 1108

ACCTGGAAAC AAGCTTTAGG GGTGGTGGGG GTCAGGTGGA CTCTGGGATG TGTAGCCTTC 1168

TCCCCAACAA TTGGAGGGTC TTGAGGGGAA GCTGCCACCC CTCTTCTGCT CCTTAGACAC 1228

CTGAATGGAC TAAGATGAAA TGCACTGTAT TGCTCCTCCC ACTTCTCAAC TCCAGCGCCC 1288

CTTTAACCCT GATTCATACT CCTTTTGGCT GGGGAGTCCC TATAGTTTCA CCACTCCTCT 1348

CCCTTGAGGG ATAACCCCAG GCACTGTTTG GAGCCATAAG ATCTGTATCT AGAAAGAGAT 1408

CACCCACTCC TATGTACTAT CCCCAAACTC CTTTACTGCA GCCTGGGCTC CCTCTTGTGG 1468

GATAATGGGA GACAGTGGTA GAGAGGTTTT TCTTGGGAAA GAGACAGAGT TCTGAGGGGC 1528

ACTCTCCCCT GAATCCTCAG AGAGTTGTCT GTCCAGGCCC TTAGGGAAGT TGTCTCCTTC 1588

CATTCAGATG TTAATGGGGA CCCTCCCAAG GAAGGGGTTT TCCCATGACT CTTGGAGCCT 1648

CTTTTTCCTT CTTCAACAGG AAGGGTGGGA AGGGATAATT TATCATACTG AGACTTGTTC 1708

TTGGTTCCTG TTTGAAACTA AAATAAATTA AGTTACTGGG 17 8 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 115 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:

Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Ser Pro Pro Ser Gly Leu Ala Gly 1 5 10 15

Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Cys Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Glu He Leu 20 25 30

Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Gly Asn Thr Val Cys 35 40 45

Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly Leu Cys Leu Arg 50 55 60

Asn Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu His He Ala Val 65 70 75 80

His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp Asn Cys Ser Ala 85 90 95

Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala He Leu Lys Arg 100 105 110 Gly Gly Asn

115

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 376 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:

Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Pro Pro Gly Leu Ala Gly Leu Leu 1 5 10 15

Phe Leu Ala Leu Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Glu He Leu Gly Leu Lys 20 25 30

Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Asn Thr Val Cys Leu Thr Leu Ser 35 40 45

Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly Leu Cys Leu Arg Pro Asp Val Thr 50 55 60

Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu His He Ala Val His Glu Cys Gin His 65 70 75 80

Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp Asn Cys Ser Ala Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly 85 90 95

Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala He Leu Lys Arg Gly Phe Arg Glu Ser 100 105 110

Ala Phe Ser Phe Ser Met Leu Ala Ala Gly Val Met His Ala Val Ala 115 120 125

Thr Ala Cys Ser Leu Gly Lys Leu Val Ser Cys Gly Cys Gly Trp Lys 130 135 140

Gly Ser Gly Glu Gin Asp Arg Leu Arg Ala Lys Leu Leu Gin Leu Gin 145 150 155 160

Ala Leu Ser Arg Gly Lys Phe Pro Ser Pro Ser Pro Pro Gly Ser Pro 165 170 175

Ser Pro Gly Pro Gin Asp Thr Trp Glu Trp Gly Gly Cys Asn His Asp 180 185 190

Met Asp Phe Gly Glu Lys Phe Ser Arg Asp Phe Leu Asp Ser Arg Glu 195 200 205

Ala Pro Arg Asp He Gin Ala Arg Met Arg He His Asn Asn Arg Val 210 215 220

Gly Arg Gin Val Val Thr Glu Asn Leu Lys Arg Lys Cys Lys Cys His 225 230 235 240

Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Cys Gin Phe Lys Thr Cys Trp Arg Ala Ala Pro 245 250 255

Glu Phe Arg Ala Gly Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Arg Leu Arg Ala He Phe 260 265 270 Ile Asp Thr His Asn Arg Asn Ser Gly Ala Phe Gin Pro Arg Leu Arg 275 280 285

Pro Arg Arg Leu Ser Gly Glu Leu Val Tyr Phe Glu Lys Ser Pro Asp 290 295 300

Phe Cys Glu Arg Asp Pro Thr Gly Ser Pro Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg Ala 305 310 315 320

Cys Asn Lys Thr Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Leu Cys Cys 325 330 335

Gly Arg Gly His Asn Val Leu Arg Gin Thr Arg Val Glu Arg Cys His 340 345 350

Cys Arg Phe His Trp Cys Cys Tyr Val Leu Cys Asp Glu Cys Lys Val 355 360 365

Thr Glu Trp Val Asn Val Cys Lys 370 375

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 389 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:

Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Pro Pro Pro Leu Gly Leu Ala Gly 1 5 10 15

Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Phe Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Glu He Leu 20 25 30

Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Ala Asn Thr Val Cys 35 40 45

Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly Leu Cys Leu Arg 50 55 60

Ser Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu His He Ala Val 65 70 75 80

His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp Asn Cys Ser Ala 85 90 95

Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala He Leu Lys Arg 100 105 110

Gly Phe Arg Glu Ser Ala Phe Ser Phe Ser Met Leu Ala Ala Gly Val 115 120 125

Met His Ala Val Ala Thr Ala Cys Ser Leu Gly Lys Leu Val Ser Cys 130 135 140

Gly Cys Gly Trp Lys Gly Ser Gly Glu Gin Asp Arg Leu Arg Ala Lys 145 150 155 160

Leu Leu Gin Leu Gin Ala Leu Ser Arg Gly Lys He Phe Pro He Ser 165 170 175

Gin Pro Ser Pro Val Pro Gly Ser Val Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gin Asp 180 185 190 Thr Trp Glu Trp Gly Gly Cys Asn His Asp Met Asp Phe Gly Glu Lys 195 200 205

Phe Ser Arg Asp Phe Leu Asp Ser Arg Glu Ala Pro Arg Asp He Gin 210 215 220

Ala Arg Met Arg He His Asn Asn Arg Val Gly Arg Gin Val Val Thr 225 230 235 240

Glu Asn Leu Lys Arg Lys Cys Lys Cys His Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Cys 245 250 255

Gin Phe Lys Thr Cys Trp Arg Ala Ala Pro Glu Phe Arg Ala He Gly 260 265 270

Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Arg Leu Ser Arg Ala He Phe He Asp Thr His 275 280 285

Asn Arg Asn Ser Gly Ala Phe Gin Pro Arg Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Leu 290 295 300

Ser Gly Glu Leu Val Tyr Phe Glu Lys Ser Pro Asp Phe Cys Glu Arg 305 310 315 320

Asp Pro Thr Leu Gly Ser Pro Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg Ala Cys Asn Lys 325 330 335

Thr Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Leu Cys Cys Gly Arg Gly 340 345 350

His Asn Val Leu Arg Gin Thr Arg Val Glu Arg Cys His Cys Arg Phe 355 360 365

His Trp Cys Cys Tyr Val Leu Cys Asp Glu Cys Lys Val Thr Glu Trp 370 375 380

Val Asn Val Cys Lys 385

(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 389 amino acids

(B) TYPE: amino acid

(C) STRANDEDNESS: single

(D) TOPOLOGY: linear

(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:

Met Leu Glu Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg Ser Pro Pro Ser Gly Leu Ala Gly 1 5 10 15

Leu Leu Phe Leu Ala Leu Cys Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Glu He Leu 20 25 30

Gly Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Leu Thr Gly Asn Thr Val Cys 35 40 45

Leu Thr Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Lys Arg Gin Leu Gly Leu Cys Leu Arσ 50 55 60

Asn Pro Asp Val Thr Ala Ser Ala Leu Gin Gly Leu His He Ala Val 65 70 75 80

His Glu Cys Gin His Gin Leu Arg Asp Gin Arg Trp Asn Cys Ser Ala 85 90 95 Leu Glu Gly Gly Gly Arg Leu Pro His His Ser Ala He Leu Lys Arg 100 105 110

Gly Phe Arg Glu Ser Ala Phe Ser Phe Ser Met Leu Ala Ala Gly Val 115 120 125

Met His Ala Val Ala Thr Ala Cys Ser Leu Gly Lys Leu Val Ser Cys 130 135 140

Gly Cys Gly Trp Lys Gly Ser Gly Glu Gin Asp Arg Leu Arg Ala Lys 145 150 155 160

Leu Leu Gin Leu Gin Ala Leu Ser Arg Gly Lys Ser Phe Pro His Ser 165 170 175

Leu Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gly Ser Ser Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Gin Asp 180 185 190

Thr Trp Glu Trp Gly Gly Cys Asn His Asp Met Asp Phe Gly Glu Lys 195 200 205

Phe Ser Arg Asp Phe Leu Asp Ser Arg Glu Ala Pro Arg Asp He Gin 210 215 220

Ala Arg Met Arg He His Asn Asn Arg Val Gly Arg Gin Val Val Thr 225 230 235 240

Glu Asn Leu Lys Arg Lys Cys Lys Cys His Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Cys 245 250 255

Gin Phe Lys Thr Cys Trp Arg Ala Ala Pro Glu Phe Arg Ala Val Gly 260 265 270

Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Arg Leu Gly Arg Ala He Phe He Asp Thr His 275 280 285

Asn Arg Asn Ser Gly Ala Phe Gin Pro Arg Leu Arg Pro Arg Arg Leu 290 295 300

Ser Gly Glu Leu Val Tyr Phe Glu Lys Ser Pro Asp Phe Cys Glu Arg 305 310 315 320

Asp Pro Thr Met Gly Ser Pro Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg Ala Cys Asn Lys 325 330 335

Thr Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Leu Cys Cys Gly Arg Gly 340 345 350

His Asn Val Leu Arg Gin Thr Arg Val Glu Arg Cys His Cys Arg Phe 355 360 365

His Trp Cys Cys Tyr Val Leu Cys Asp Glu Cys Lys Val Thr Glu Trp 370 375 380

Val Asn Val Cys Lys 385

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A non-naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ.

2. An isolated naturally occurring polynucleotide encoding human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ.

3. A recombinant polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof.

4. A recombinant polynucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to the nucleotide sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof.

5. A recombinant polynucleotide complementary to the nucleic acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof.

6. A recombinant polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence substantially homologous and complementary to the nucleic acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3 or a fragment thereof.

7. A polynucleotide comprising at least about 45 bases of the sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 1 or Seq. I.D. No. 3, provided that the polynucleotide does not consist of a nucleotide sequence identical to mouse WntlO-b.

8. A recombinant polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof.

9. The polynucleotide of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the polynucleotide encodes a functional fragment of the human Wnt-10b or human Wnt-lObΔ.

10. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of any of claims 1 to 8.

11. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 9.

12. A host cell comprising the polynucleotide of any of claims 1 to 8.

13. A host cell comprising the polynucleotide of claim 9.

14. Isolated human Wnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ.

15. Human Mnt-lOb or human Wnt-lObΔ according to claim 14 when produced by recombinant means.

16. A isolated polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of any of claims 1 to 8.

17. An isolated polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of claim 9.

18. A substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide having an amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. 2 or Seq. I.D. 4.

19. The substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide of claim 18, wherein the polypeptide has an amino acid sequence from about amino acid 22 to amino acid 389 depicted in Seq. I.D. 2.

20. The substantially pure naturally occurring polypeptide of claim 18, wherein the polypeptide has an amino acid sequence from about amino acid 22 to amino acid 115 in Seq. I.D. No. 4. 21. A non-naturally occurring polypeptide having an amino acid sequence depicted in Seq. I.D. No. 2 or Seq. I.D. No. 4 or a fragment thereof.

22. An antibody capable of specifically binding to the polypeptide according to any of claims 14-21.

23. An antibody according to claim 22 which is a monoclonal antibody.

24. A hybridoma capable of producing an antibody according to claim 23.

25. A method of producing a monoclonal antibody according to claim 23 comprising culturing a hybridoma according to claim 24 in a suitable medium and recovering the antibody produced thereby.

26. A plasmid deposited under ATCC Designation No. 97208, said plasmid comprising a polynucleotide encoding human Wnt-lOb.

27. A plasmid deposited under ATCC Accession No. 97209, said plasmid comprising a polynucleotide encoding human Wnt- lObΔ.

28. A method for producing a polypeptide according to any of claims 14-21 comprising expressing a polynucleotide according to any of claims 1-9 in a host cell and recovering the polypeptide thus expressed.

29. A polypeptide according to any of claims 14-21 for diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic use.

30. A polynucleotide according to any of claims 1-9 for diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic use. 31. An antibody according to any of claims 22 or 23 for diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic use.

32. Use of a polypeptide according to any of claims 14- 21 in the manufacture of a medicament for prevention or treatment of a pathology associated with underexpression of Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ.

33. Use of an antibody according to any of claims 22 or 23 in the manufacture of a medicament for prevention or treatment of a pathology associated with undesired expression of Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ.

3 . Use of an polynucleotide, optionally in antisense form, according to any of claims 1-9 in the manufacture of a medicament or vector for treating or preventing a pathology associated with over-expression or under-expression of Wnt-lOb or Wnt-lObΔ.

35. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide according to any of claims 14-21 or an antibody according to claim 22 or 23, in combination or association with a suitable diluent or carrier.

35. A cell culture medium comprising a polypeptide according to any one of claims 14-21.

36. Use of a polypeptide according to any of claims 14- 21 for ex vivo cultivation of human hematopoietic cells.

37. The use according to claim 36 when the cells are human hematopoietic stem cells.