Polynucleotides encoding proteins mediating switch recombination

Abstract

The present invention relates to the isolation, purification and characterization of proteins mediating switch recombination. It further relates to recombinant SRTA-70 proteins, DNA sequences encoding these proteins, vectors containing these DNA sequences and hosts containing these vectors. The use of these proteins for identifying agonists or antagonists and other proteins involved in class switch recombination is also provided.

1 . Isolated DNA sequences encoding SRTA-70 proteins or fragments thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A DNA sequence according to  claim 1  comprising the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No: 2 or a fragment thereof or a nucleotide sequence substantially homologous to the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No: 2 or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A vector comprising a DNA sequence as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 .  
     
     
         4 . A vector as claimed in  claim 3  capable of directing expression in prokaryotic, yeast, plant, mammalian and insect host cells.  
     
     
         5 . A host transformed with a vector as claimed in claims  3  and  4  selected from the group consisting of a prokaryote, a yeast, a plant, a mammal and an insect cell.  
     
     
         6 . The host of  claim 5  which is a prokaryote.  
     
     
         7 . Recombinant SRTA-70 proteins encoded by a DNA sequence as claimed in claims  1  and  2 .  
     
     
         8 . A recombinant protein according to  claim 7  comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No: 1 or an amino acid sequence substantially homologous to the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No: 1.  
     
     
         9 . A method for producing a protein as claimed in claims  7  and  8  comprising cultivating a host as claimed in claims  5  and  6  in a suitable medium and isolating said protein.  
     
     
         10 . Recombinant SRTA-70 protein as claimed in claims  7  and  8  as a therapeutically active agent in immune response modulation.  
     
     
         11 . The use of a recombinant SRTA-70 protein according to claims  7  and  8  for identifying SRTA-70 agonists or antagonists.  
     
     
         12 . The use of a recombinant SRTA-70 protein according to claims  7  and  8  for identifying proteins involved in class switch recombination and other B cell function.  
     
     
         13 . Poly- and/or monoclonal antibodies raised against a SRTA-70 protein as claimed in claims  7  and  8  or selected from antibody libraries.  
     
     
         14 . The use of an antibody according to  claim 13  for determining the presence of SRTA-70 protein.  
     
     
         15 . A method for the determination of SRTA-70 protein, wherein antibodies according to  claim 13  are used.  
     
     
         16 . A test kit for the determination of SRTA-70 protein comprising in a container antibodies according to  claim 13 .  
     
     
         17 . The use of an isolated DNA sequence according to claims  1  and  2  for preparing probes for assaying the status of the natural SRTA-70 protein.  
     
     
         18 . The use of an isolated DNA sequence according to claims  1  and  2  for preparing antisense RNA.  
     
     
         19 . The use of an isolated DNA sequence according to claims  1  and  2  to generate a knockout mouse.  
     
     
         20 . The use of protein PARP as a regulator of the recombinative functions of B23 and SRTA-70.  
     
     
         21 . The invention as hereinbefore described.