Novel polypeptide

Abstract

Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are described. The polypeptide sequences comprise one or more of: (a) a polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence translated from the polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; (b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; or (c) a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41067 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof.

1 . An isolated and/or purified polynucleotide comprising one or more of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2;    (b) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1;    (c) a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide expressed by the DNA contained in NCIMB 41067;    (d) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 70% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c);    (e) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which is capable of hybridising to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (d);    (f) a complement to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (e); or    (g) a polynucleotide fragment of the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (f).    
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 75% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c).  
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 80% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c).  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 85% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c).  
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 90% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c).  
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 95% identity to the polynucleotide of any one of (a) to (c).  
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide encodes a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR).  
     
     
         8 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , wherein said polynucleotide is a probe or primer comprising at least 15 contiguous nucleotides.  
     
     
         9 . A vector comprising a polynucleotide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . A host cell transformed or transfected with the vector of  claim 9 , wherein said host cell expresses the polynucleotide of  claim 1  under conditions sufficient for expression of the polynucleotide.  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a polypeptide or fragment thereof comprising culturing the transformed/transfected host cell of  claim 10  under conditions sufficient for the expression of said polypeptide or fragment.  
     
     
         12 . A membrane preparation of a cell of  claim 10 .  
     
     
         13 . A polypeptide comprising: 
 (a) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of  claim 1;     (b) a polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence translated from the polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof;    (c) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; or    (d) a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41067 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof.    
     
     
         14 . An antibody against the polypeptide of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         15 . A compound which modulates the polypeptide of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         16 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of  claim 14  and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, adjuvants or excipients.  
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of  claim 15  and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, adjuvants or excipients.  
     
     
         18 . A method for identifying a compound which binds to and modulates the polypeptide of  claim 13  comprising contacting said polypeptide with a candidate compound and determining whether modulation occurs.  
     
     
         19 . A method for the treatment of a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         20 . A method for the treatment of a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said compound is a polypeptide and a therapeutically effective amount of the compound is administered by providing to the patient a polynucleotide sequence encoding said compound, wherein said sequence is expressed in vivo.  
     
     
         22 . An animal cell genetically modified to increase expression of a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of  claim 13 , and/or comprising a functionally disrupted endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide of  claim 13.