Novel calcium-binding proteins

Abstract

A bovine- or human-derived calcium-binding protein with a prescribed amino acid sequence, a method for its production, and antibodies against the protein and uses thereof.

1 . A calcium-binding protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 12.  
     
     
         2 . The calcium-binding protein CAAF1 consisting of the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 12.  
     
     
         3 . A protein or peptide which is a portion of a protein according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . A fused protein comprising a protein or peptide according to  claim 1  and another protein or peptide.  
     
     
         5 . DNA encoding a protein according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . DNA capable of being hybridized with DNA having the nucleotide sequence listed in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 12, and encoding a protein with calcium-binding activity.  
     
     
         7 . A recombinant DNA molecule comprising DNA according to  claim 5  which is linked to a gene regulating factor.  
     
     
         8 . A recombinant DNA molecule according to  claim 7 , wherein said gene regulating factor is a prokaryotic promoter system or eukaryotic expression regulator system.  
     
     
         9 . An expression vector comprising a recombinant DNA molecule according to  claim 7 .  
     
     
         10 . Recombinant host cells which have been transformed with an expression vector according to  claim 9:   
     
     
         11 . Recombinant host cells according to  claim 10 , wherein the host cells are eukaryotic cells or prokaryotic cells.  
     
     
         12 . Recombinant host cells according to  claim 11 , wherein the prokaryotic cells are bacterial cells.  
     
     
         13 . Recombinant host cells according to  claim 12 , wherein said bacterial cells are of  Escherichia coli.    
     
     
         14 . Recombinant host cells according to  claim 11 , wherein said the eukaryotic cells are of yeast or filamentous fungus.  
     
     
         15 . Recombinant host cells according to  claim 11 , wherein said eukaryotic cells are plant cells or animal cells.  
     
     
         16 . A method for producing a calcium-binding protein according to  claim 2 , characterized by isolating said protein from bovine amniotic fluid or bovine tissue, or a human tissue.  
     
     
         17 . A method for producing a protein according to  claim 1 , characterized by culturing host cells transformed with an expression vector comprising DNA encoding said protein, and collecting said protein from the culture.  
     
     
         18 . An antibody with binding affinity to a protein according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         19 . An antibody according to  claim 18 , which is a polyclonal antibody or monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         20 . A hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody according to  claim 19 .  
     
     
         21 . A method for producing a monoclonal antibody with binding affinity to a calcium-binding protein, characterized by culturing a hybridoma producing said monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         22 . A diagnostic agent for inflammatory diseases, neoplastic diseases (especially squamous epithelial carcinoma), dermatosis or blood diseases, which comprises an antibody according to  claim 18 .  
     
     
         23 . A calcium-binding protein assay reagent comprising an antibody according to  claim 18 .  
     
     
         24 . An assay method for a calcium-binding protein, characterized by using a reagent according to  claim 23.