Nucleic acid encoding DS-CAM proteins and products related thereto

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel Down Syndrome-Cell Adhesion Molecule (DS-CAM) proteins. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such proteins and assays employing same are also disclosed. The invention DS-CAM proteins can be employed in a variety of ways, for example, for the production of anti-DS-CAM antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions and methods employing such proteins and/or antibodies. DS-CAM proteins are also useful in bioassays to identify agonists and antagonists thereto.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . An isolated protein comprising an animo acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 11.  
     
     
         14 . The protein according to  claim 13 , further characterized by being expressed in a significantly higher amount in brain versus lung, liver or kidney.  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . An isolated protein having an amino acid sequence which is encoded by a nucleotide sequence comprising substantially the same nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 10.  
     
     
         18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . The isolated protein according to  claim 17 , wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleotide sequence that comprises substantially the same nucleotide sequence as nucleotides 453-6185 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, or nucleotides 453-5168 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10.  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . An isolated antibody having specific reactivity with the protein according to  claim 13 .  
     
     
         22 . The antibody according to  claim 21 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         23 . The antibody according to  claim 21 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         24 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method for identifying nucleic acids encoding a mammalian DS-CAM protein, comprising: 
 contacting a sample containing nucleic acids with an oligonucleotide consisting of at least 50 contiguous nucleotides of (a) the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 10 or (b) the complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a), wherein said contacting is effected under high stringency hybridization conditions, and    identifying the presence of the nucleic acids which hybridize thereto.    
     
     
         29 . A method for detecting the presence of a mammalian DS-CAM protein in a sample, said method comprising contacting a test sample with an antibody according to  claim 21 , detecting the presence of an antibody-DS-CAM complex, and therefore detecting the presence of a mammalian DS-CAM in said test sample.  
     
     
         30 . (canceled)