Protein and gene involved in myocyte differentiation

Abstract

The invention relates to antibodies that bind to novel polypeptides expressed in immortalized cells, skeletal muscles and undifferentiated cells. In addition, the polypeptides inhibit the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         35 . The isolated antibody of  claim 34 , which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         36 . The isolated antibody of  claim 34 , which is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         37 . The isolated antibody of  claim 34 , which is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         38 . The isolated antibody of  claim 34 , which is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         39 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which consists of residues 76 through 149 of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         40 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which consists of residues 1 through 75 of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         41 . An isolated Fab fragment that specifically binds to a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         42 . An isolated antibody, or portion thereof, produced by immunizing an animal with a polypeptide comprising at least 30 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said antibody or portion thereof specifically binds to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         43 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the polypeptide comprises at least 50 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         44 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of residues 1 through 7 of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         45 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of residues 76 through 149 of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         46 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         47 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the animal is a rabbit.  
     
     
         48 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the animal is a mouse.  
     
     
         49 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the antibody is polyclonal.  
     
     
         50 . The isolated antibody, or portion thereof, of  claim 42 , wherein the antibody is monoclonal.  
     
     
         51 . A hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody that binds to a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         52 . A method for detecting a striamin polypeptide in a sample, the method comprising: 
 a) contacting the sample with the antibody of  claim 34;  and    b) detecting binding of the antibody to a component of the sample, wherein said binding is indicative of the presence of striamin polypeptide in the sample.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the antibody is detectably labeled.