Antibodies to motilin homologs

Abstract

The present invention is directed to polynucleotides, polypeptides and peptide fragments thereof, and uses thereof for a novel cDNA sequence which has homology to motilin. Tissue distribution of the mRNA for the novel polypeptide is specific to the stomach, small intestine and pancreas. The present invention further includes agonists, antagonists, antibodies, host cells expressing the cDNA encoding the novel motilin homologs and methods for increasing gastric motility using the novel molecules.

1 . An antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid 24 to amino acid 37.  
     
     
         2 . An antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid 24 to amino acid 41.  
     
     
         3 . An antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid 24 to amino acid 117, wherein the epitope comprises at least 10 contiguous residues of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid 24 to amino acid 117.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody of any one of claims  1 - 3 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         5 . An antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide produced recombinantly by a host cell comprising the polynucleotide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         6 . An antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide produced recombinantly by a host cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody of claims  5  or  6 , wherein the host cell is a mammalian cell.  
     
     
         8 . A method of producing an antibody comprising: 
 (a) inoculating an animal with a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the polypeptide elicits an immune response in the animal to produce the antibody; and    (b) isolating the antibody from the animal.    
     
     
         9 . An antibody produced by the method of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . An antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) sequences having at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 from residue 24 to residue 41;    (b) sequences having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 from residue 24 to residue 41;    (c) sequences having at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 from residue 24 to residue 41;    wherein the polypeptide has at least one activity selected from the group consisting of (i) an ability to stimulate gastrointestinal cell contractility; (ii) an ability to enhance post prandial absorption; and (iii) combinations of (i) and (ii).    
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing the activity of a polypeptide comprising administering an antibody that specifically binds to the polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 from amino acid 24 to amino acid 37.