Novel cell regulation factor TTO 20

Abstract

The invention relates to the cell regulation factor TTO 20, DNA coding therefor, its preparation and use, antibodies binding to TTO 20 and the use of DNA coding for TTO 20 and an antibody binding to TTO 20 for use in a diagnostic kit for the detection of inflammatory disorders, in particular rheumatoid arthritis.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A substantially purified TTO 20 polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 10 or conservative variants thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A substantially purified TTO 20 polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 9 or degenerate variants thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A substantially purified TTO 20 polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is encoded by a polynucleotide that is at least 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 9 or degenerate variants thereof.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 9.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 9 from base pair 1 to base pair 1305.  
     
     
         6 . A polynucleotide having a nucleic acid that is at least 80% identical to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 9 or degenerate variants thereof.  
     
     
         7 . An antibody that recognizes the polypeptide claimed in  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 .  
     
     
         8 . An expression vector construct comprising the polynucleotide claimed in  claim 4 ,  5 , or  6 .  
     
     
         9 . A host cell transfected or transformed with the expression vector construct claimed in  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . A process for the preparation of the TTO 20 polypeptide as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: 
 (a) culturing a host cell under conditions that result in the expression of said TTO 020 polypeptide; and    (b) isolation of said TTO 20 polypeptide from said host cell or culture medium.    
     
     
         11 . The TTO 20 polypeptide obtained by the process as claimed in  claim 10 .  
     
     
         12 . A process for the identification of cell lines, cells, or tissues that express the TTO 20 polypeptide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a nucleic acid probe is used to hybridize an RNA fragment derived from SEQ ID NO 9 in a biological sample.  
     
     
         13 . A method for determining the complete polynucleotide sequence of the TTO20 polypeptide as claimed in  claim 4  comprising the use of hybridization and/or PCR processes.  
     
     
         14 . A method comprising the determination of the three-dimensional structure of the TTO 20 polypeptide as claimed in  claim 1  and using said three-dimensional structure to design inhibitors or activators of said TTO 20 polypeptide.  
     
     
         15 . A method for determining substances that influence the activity of TTO20 comprising an assay that measures the amount of TTO 20 polypeptide as claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A diagnostic kit for the diagnosis of inflammatory disorders comprising an antibody as claimed in  claim 7 .  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein the disorder is rheumatoid arthritis.  
     
     
         18 . A diagnostic kit for the diagnosis of inflammatory disorders comprising a polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 4 .  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the disorder is rheumatoid arthritis.