Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series – Organic compounds – Carbohydrates or derivatives
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2004-11-23
Helms, Lrry R. (Department: 1642)
Organic compounds -- part of the class 532-570 series
Organic compounds
Carbohydrates or derivatives
C536S023100, C536S024330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06822083
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a gene, named TSA305, coding for a protein specifically expressed in the pancreas and, more particularly, to the above pancreas-specific gene having a high level of homology with nematode sel-1 and expected to show an anticancer activity. The invention also relates to a novel protein encoded by such gene and to a specific antibody thereto.
BACKGROUND ART
Pancreatic cancer holds the fourth and fifth place on the list of cancer-related deaths in Japan and western countries, respectively and has the worst prognosis among digestive system malignancies (Poston, J. G., et al., Gut, 32, 800-812 (1991)). The ultimate goal in cancer research is to discriminate early stage gene changes leading to malignant transformation. If such changes can be differentiated, genetic tools for early diagnosis may possibly be developed and novel therapeutic approaches for more effective treatment of this lethal disease will possibly be taken.
Meanwhile, the nematode sel-1 gene reportedly has an inhibitory action on Notch/lin-12 which suppresses the differentiation of ectoderm into neuroblast in neural development in nematodes (Genetics, 143 (1), 237-247 (1996); Development, 124 (3), 637-644 (1997)). Said Notch/lin-12, when forcedly expressed, causes breast cancer or leukemia and therefore is considered to be a cancer-related gene. The above sel-1 gene suppressively acting on said cancer-related gene is therefore considered to suppressively act on cancer as well. At present, however, the roles of these genes have not been fully elucidated.
Elucidation of the physiological roles of such genes and the information obtained therefrom are important in elucidating the mechanisms of onset of diseases such as malignant transformation and inflammation and are desired not only in the field of basic scientific studies but also in the pharmaceutical field in determining the causes of such diseases as cancer and inflammation and developing treatment methods for such diseases.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention has for its object to provide the above information desired in the relevant field of art, in particular a gene coding for a novel protein homolog and having homology with the sel-1 gene.
With that object in view, the present inventors made an arduous search among genes derived from various human tissues and, as a result, succeeded in newly isolating and identifying a gene coding for a protein specifically expressed in the pancreas and found that the above object can be realized with said gene. As a result, the present invention has now been completed.
Thus, the present invention provides a pancreas-specific gene, TSA305, comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a protein having the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1, in particular the TSA305 gene which is a human gene.
The invention also provides a pancreas-specific protein (TSA305 protein) comprising the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1 and an antibody capable of coupling therewith.
The invention further provides a pancreas-specific gene, TSA305, which is a polynucleotide defined below under (a) or (b) in particular to the TSA305 gene which is a human gene:
(a) A polynucleotide comprising the whole or part of the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:2.
(b) A polynucleotide capable of hybridizing with a DNA having the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:2 under stringent conditions.
In addition, the present invention provides the above gene in DNA fragment form which is useful as a specific probe or specific primer for gene detection.
In expressing amino acids, peptides, nucleotide sequences, nucleic acids and the like by abbreviations or symbols in the following, the nomenclature of the IUPAC-IUB [IUPAC-IUB Communication on Biological Nomenclature, Eur. J. Biochem., 138: 9 (1984)], the “Guideline for preparing specifications etc. containing nucleotide sequences or amino acid sequences” (edited by the Patent Office of Japan) and the conventional symbols in the relevant field are followed or used.
As a specific example of the gene of the invention, there may be mentioned the one deduced from the DNA sequence of a PCR product named “TSA305” which is to be shown later in the example section. The nucleotide sequence thereof is as shown under SEQ ID NO:3.
Said gene is a human cDNA containing a coding region having the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:2 and coding for a novel pancreas-specific protein (hereinafter referred to as TSA305 protein) composed of 794 amino acid residues as shown under SEQ ID NO:1 and is composed of a total length of 7,885 nucleotides.
As a result of searching in the GenBank/EMBL database utilizing the FASTA program (Person, W. R., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 2444-2448 (1988)), it was confirmed that the product of expression of the TSA305 gene of the invention, namely the TSA305 protein, has a very high level of homology with the nematode sel-1 gene (cf. the reference cited above). In view of this fact, it is considered that the gene of the invention, like the above-mentioned sel-1, act suppressively on Notch/lin-12 which is a cancer-related gene considered to be involved in embryogenesis in general.
The locus of the gene of the invention is q24.3-q31.1 of the 14th chromosome where a gene causative of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is considered to exist. In view of this fact, it is strongly suggested that the gene of the invention be related with diabetes.
It was further revealed that the product of expression of the gene of the invention is a protein containing a fibronectin type II collagen binding domain. Such collagen binding site close to the N terminal suggests involvement of the protein in fibrogenesis and, based on this, it is strongly suggested that the gene of the invention be involved in fibrosis.
In addition, since all of the pancreatic carcinoma preparations tested showed a failure of expression of the gene of the invention and the gene is expressed mainly in normal pancreases, it is suggested that the gene of the invention be potentially valuable in forecasting malignant transformation.
Thus, information and means very useful in elucidating, understanding, diagnosing, preventing and treating various diseases such as mammary cancer, leukemia, fibrosis, diabetes and pancreatic carcinoma, in particular pancreatic carcinoma, are given as a result of providing the TSA305 gene and the product of its expression according to the present invention. The gene of the invention can judiciously be used also in developing a novel drug inducing the expression of the gene of the invention which is utilizable in the treatment of various diseases such as mentioned above. Furthermore, detection of the expression of the gene of the invention or the product of its expression in an individual animal or a specific tissue or detection of a mutation (deletion or point mutation) of said gene or abnormal expression thereof, for instance, is considered to be utilizable adequately in elucidating or diagnosing the above diseases.
The gene of the invention is specifically represented by a gene containing a nucleotide sequence coding for a protein having the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1 or a gene which is a polynucleotide containing the nucleotide sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:2. However, the gene of the invention is not particularly limited to these but may be, for example, a gene leading to a certain modification in the above specific amino acid sequence or a gene having a certain level of homology with the above specific nucleotide sequence.
Thus, the gene of the invention also includes a gene containing a nucleotide sequence coding for a protein having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1 by deletion, substitution or addition of one or a plurality of amino acid residues and having the same activity as that of TSA305. The extent and site(s) of “deletion, substitution or addition of an amino acid residue or residues” are not particularly restricted if the modi
Harada Yosuke
Ozaki Kouichi
Helms Lrry R.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Yu Misook
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