Novel core 2 beta-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase gene

Abstract

Novel core 2 β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids, and uses of the nucleic acids and polypeptides.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An isolated core 2 β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase-like nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having substantial sequence identity with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 2, 8, or 11.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises: 
 (i) a nucleic acid sequence having substantial sequence identity with a nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 or 7;    (ii) a nucleic acid sequence complementary to (i), preferably complementary to a full nucleic acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 or 7;    (iii) a nucleic acid sequence differing from any of the nucleic acid sequences of (i) to (ii) in codon sequences due to the degeneracy of the genetic code; or    (iv) a fragment, or allelic or species variation of (i), (ii) or (iii).    
     
     
         3 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in  claim 2  which comprises a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 7.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises: 
 (i) a nucleic acid sequence having substantial sequence identity or sequence similarity with a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 9;    (ii) a nucleic acid sequence complementary to (i), preferably complementary to a full nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 9;    (iii) a nucleic acid sequence differing from any of the nucleic acid sequences of (i) and (ii) in codon sequences due to the degeneracy of the genetic code; or    (iv) a fragment, or allelic or species variation of (i), (ii), or (iii).    
     
     
         5 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in  claim 4  comprising or consisting essentially of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 9.  
     
     
         6 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in  claim 4  fused to a nucleic acid which encodes a heterologous protein.  
     
     
         7 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         8 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         9 . An isolated β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 2, or 8.  
     
     
         10 . A method for preparing a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase as claimed in  claim 9  comprising: 
 (a) transferring a vector as claimed in  claim 7  into a host cell;  
 (b) selecting transformed host cells from untransformed host cells;  
 (c) culturing a selected transformed host cell under conditions which allow expression of the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase; and  
 (d) isolating the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase.  
 
     
     
         11 . A protein prepared in accordance with the method of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         12 . An antibody having specificity against an epitope of a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase as claimed in  claim 9 .  
     
     
         13 . An antibody as claimed in  claim 12  labeled with a detectable substance and used to detect a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase in biological samples, tissues, and cells.  
     
     
         14 . A method of diagnosing and monitoring conditions mediated by a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase by determining the presence of a nucleic acid molecule as claimed in  claim 2 .  
     
     
         15 . A method of diagnosing and monitoring conditions mediated by a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase by determining the presence of a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase as claimed in  claim 9 .  
     
     
         16 . A method for identifying a substance which associates with a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase as claimed in  claim 9  comprising (a) reacting the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase with at least one substance which potentially can associate with the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase, under conditions which permit the association between the substance and β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase, and (b) removing or detecting β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase associated with the substance, wherein detection of associated β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase and substance indicates the substance associates with the protein.  
     
     
         17 . A method for evaluating a compound for its ability to modulate the biological activity of a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase as claimed in  claim 9  comprising providing a known concentration of the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase with a substance which associates with the β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase and a test compound under conditions which permit the formation of complexes between the substance and β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase, and removing and/or detecting complexes.  
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a condition mediated by a β-1,6-N-acetylglycosaminyltransferase comprising administering an effective amount of an antibody as claimed in  claim 12 .  
     
     
         19 . A composition comprising one or more of a compound identified using a method as claimed in  claim 17 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.  
     
     
         20 . A gene-based therapy directed at the placenta, kidney, liver or thymus comprising a polynucleotide comprising all or a portion of a nucleic acid molecule as claimed in  claim 3.