Ret ligand (RetL) for stimulating neural and renal growth

Abstract

Nucleotide and amino acid sequences are provided for compounds which promote tissue growth, as well as methods for modulating tissue growth, for imaging tissues and organs, and for treating patients.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No:17 and SEQ ID No:21, wherein said polypeptide interacts with a receptor protein Ret to trigger dimerization of the receptor protein Ret or autophosphorylation of a tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor protein Ret.  
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence is at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:17 and SEQ ID NO:21.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 17 and SEQ ID No: 21.  
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 3 , wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is SEQ ID NO:21.