Protocadherin materials and methods

Abstract

Polynucleotide sequences encoding novel cadherin-like polypeptides, designated protocadherins, and variants thereof are provided by the invention as well as methods and materials for the recombinant production of the same. Antibody substances specific for protocadherins are also disclosed as useful for modulating the natural binding and/or regulatory activities of the protocadherins.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A purified and isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding human protocadherin pc3.  
     
     
         2 . A purified and isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding human protocadherin pc4.  
     
     
         3 . A purified and isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding rat protocadherin pc5.  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide sequence of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  which is a DNA sequence.  
     
     
         5 . The DNA sequence of  claim 4  which is a cDNA sequence.  
     
     
         6 . The DNA sequence of  claim 4  which is a genomic DNA sequence.  
     
     
         7 . The DNA sequence of  claim 4  which is wholly or partially chemically synthesized.  
     
     
         8 . A polynucleotide sequence according to  claim 1  comprising the human protocadherin pc3 encoding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 109.  
     
     
         9 . A polynucleotide sequence according to  claim 2  comprising the human protocadherin pc4 encoding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 111.  
     
     
         10 . A polynucleotide sequence according to  claim 3  comprising the rat protocadherin pc5 encoding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 114.  
     
     
         11 . A biologically functional DNA vector comprising a DNA sequence according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         12 . The vector of  claim 11  wherein said DNA sequence is operatively linked to an expression control DNA sequence.  
     
     
         13 . A host cell transformed or transfected with a DNA sequence according to  claim 4  in a manner allowing the expression in said host cell of a protocadherin polypeptide.  
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a protocadherin polypeptide comprising the steps of growing a host cell according to  claim 13  in a suitable nutrient medium and isolating protocadherin polypeptide from said cell or from the medium of its growth.  
     
     
         15 . Purified and isolated human protocadherin pc3 polypeptide.  
     
     
         16 . Purified and isolated human protocadherin pc4 polypeptide.  
     
     
         17 . Purified and isolated rat protocadherin pc5 polypeptide.  
     
     
         18 . An antibody substance specific for human protocadherin pc3.  
     
     
         19 . An antibody substance specific for human protocadherin pc4.  
     
     
         20 . An antibody substance specific for rat protocadherin pc5.  
     
     
         21 . The antibody substance of  claim 18 ,  19  or  20  which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         22 . A hybridoma cell line producing a monoclonal antibody according to  claim 21 .  
     
     
         23 . A method for modulating the binding activity of human protocadherin pc3 comprising contacting said protocadherin with an antibody substance according to  claim 18  specific for said protocadherin.  
     
     
         24 . A method for modulating the binding activity of human protocadherin pc3 comprising contacting said protocadherin with a peptide ligand of said protocadherin.  
     
     
         25 . A method for modulating the binding activity of human protocadherin pc4 comprising contacting said protocadherin with an antibody substance according to  claim 19  specific for said protocadherin.  
     
     
         26 . A method for modulating the binding activity of human protocadherin pc4 comprising contacting said protocadherin with a peptide ligand of said protocadherin.  
     
     
         27 . A method for modulating the binding activity of rat protocadherin pc5 comprising contacting said protocadherin with an antibody substance according to  claim 20  specific for said protocadherin.  
     
     
         28 . A method for modulating the binding activity of rat protocadherin pc5 comprising contacting said protocadherin with a peptide ligand of said protocadherin.