TSG-like gene

Abstract

A gene encoding a novel protein that is homologous to Drosophila TSG was isolated from a cDNA library derived from the AGM region of mouse embryos by using an originally developed cloning method specific to a gene encoding a membrane secretory protein. This gene is useful in developing drugs that regulate hematopoietic stem cell generation, immune and hematopoietic functions, etc.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         23 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide further comprises an initiator methionine or a signal peptide.  
     
     
         24 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide consists of residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2 plus an initiator methionine or a signal peptide.  
     
     
         25 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         26 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         27 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 fused to a second amino acid sequence.  
     
     
         28 . The polypeptide of  claim 22 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2 fused to a second amino acid sequence.  
     
     
         29 . The polypeptide of  claim 28 , wherein the second amino acid sequence is a peptide selected from the group consisting of glutathione S-transferase, FLAG, six histidine residues, influenza agglutinin (HA), human c-myc fragment, VSV-GP fragment, p18HIV fragment, T7-tag, HSV-tag, E-tag, SV40T antigen fragment, lck tag, α-tubulin fragment, B-tag, Protein C fragment, immunoglobulin constant region, β-galactosidase, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), and maltose binding protein.  
     
     
         30 . The polypeptide of  claim 28 , wherein the fusion protein comprises an initiator methionine.  
     
     
         31 . The polypeptide of  claim 28 , wherein the fusion protein further comprises residues 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         32 . The polypeptide of  claim 28 , wherein the fusion protein comprises a signal sequence.  
     
     
         33 . A substantially purified polypeptide that (a) has at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, and (b) binds to BMP2/4.  
     
     
         34 . The polypeptide of  claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide has at least 98% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         35 . The polypeptide of  claim 33 , wherein the polypeptide has at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         36 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof, wherein the fragment is at least 40% of the length of the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:2, and the fragment binds to BMP2/4.  
     
     
         37 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in which 5 or fewer amino acids are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted, and the polypeptide binds to BMP2/4.