Antibodies to growth factor homolog zvegf4

Abstract

Polypeptide growth factors, methods of making them, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies to them, and methods of using them are disclosed. The polypeptides comprise an amino acid segment that is at least 70% identical to residues 52-179 of SEQ ID NO:2 or residues 258-370 of SEQ ID NO:2. Multimers of the polypeptides are also disclosed. The polypeptides, multimeric proteins, and polynucleotides can be used in the study and regulation of cell and tissue development, as components of cell culture media, and as diagnostic agents.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds to a protein comprising a first polypeptide disulfide-bonded to a second polypeptide, wherein each of said polypeptides is a polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid residue X to amino acid residue 370, wherein X is 19, 246, 250, or 258.  
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein X is 19.  
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein X is 246.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein X is 250.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein X is 258.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 6  wherein X is 19.  
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 6  wherein X is 246.  
     
     
         9 . The antibody of  claim 6  wherein X is 250.  
     
     
         10 . The antibody of  claim 6  wherein X is 258.  
     
     
         11 . The antibody of  claim 6  which is operably linked to a reporter molecule.  
     
     
         12 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a single-chain antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is operably linked to a reporter molecule.