Uses of transgenic animals containing a type X collagen mutant

Abstract

This invention provides an isolated DNA comprising the sequence which codes for a mutated collagen X or a portion thereof wherein the expression of said DNA regulates bone growth. This invention provides a polypeptide encoded by the isolated DNA comprising the sequence which codes for a mutated collagen X or a portion thereof wherein the expression of said DNA regulates bone growth. This invention also provides a polypeptide which comprise the portion of the mutated collagen X capable of regulating bone growth. This invention further provides a transgenic animal comprising an isolated DNA comprising the sequence which codes for a mutated collagen X or a portion thereof wherein the expression of said DNA regulates bone growth.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated DNA comprising the sequence which codes for a mutated collagen X or a portion thereof wherein the expression of said DNA regulates bone growth.  
     
     
         2 . The isolated DNA of    claim 1   , wherein the DNA comprises the sequence of Col10-13del as set forth in FIG. 2.  
     
     
         3 . A vector which comprises the DNA of    claim 1   .  
     
     
         4 . A method for production of the a polypeptide which regulates bone growth comprising a host-vector system which comprise the vector of    claim 3    and an appropriate host.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the host is either a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell.  
     
     
         6 . The polypeptide encoded by    claim 1   .  
     
     
         7 . A polypeptide comprising a portion of a mutated collagen X capable of regulating bone growth.  
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising the polypeptide of    claim 7    and a suitable carrier.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition for increasing bone growth comprising the polypeptide of    claim 7    and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         10 . A method of treating a subject afflicted with dwarfism comprising administering to the subject an amount of the polypeptide of    claim 7    or the DNA of    claim 1    effective to reverse the dwarfism.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a subject afflicted with low bone mass comprising administering to the subject an amount of the polypeptide of claim or DNA comprising the DNA of    claim 1    effective to treat low bone mass in the subject.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , wherein the low bone mass causes osteoporosis.  
     
     
         13 . A method of improving the quality and speed of bone union after fracture in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of the polypeptide of    claim 7    or DNA comprising the DNA of    claim 1    effective to improve the quality and speed of bone union.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 9   ,    10   , or  11  wherein the DNA is operatively linked to inducible regulatory element.  
     
     
         15 . A transgenic animal comprising an the DNA of    claim 1   .  
     
     
         16 . The transgenic animal of    claim 15   , wherein the animal is a mouse.  
     
     
         17 . A transgenic animal comprising an DNA designated Col10-13del as set forth in FIG. 2.  
     
     
         18 . A method for identifying whether an agent which stimulates bone growth comprising steps of: 
 a) administering the agent to the transgenic animal of    claim 15   ; and    b) examining the transgenic animal after the administration of the agent to determine whether bone growth has been stimulated.    
     
     
         19 . A method for assessing the effect of surgery on increasing bone length comprising steps of: 
 a) performing surgery on the transgenic animal of    claim 15   ; and    b) assessing the increase in bone length of the animal to determine the effect of surgery on said animal.    
     
     
         20 . A method for assessing the effect of bone growth stimulating agents on fracture repair comprising steps of: 
 a) creating a fracture repair in the transgenic animal of    claim 15   ;    b) administering the agent to the transgenic animal; and    c) examining the transgenic animal after the administration of the agent to determine whether bone growth has been stimulated.