XAF genes and polypeptides: methods and reagents for modulating apoptosis

Abstract

The invention provides novel XAF nucleic acid sequences. Also provided are XAF polypeptides, anti-XAF antibodies, and methods for modulating apoptosis and detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

1 . A method of diagnosing a mammal for the presence of disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis, said method comprising isolating a sample of nucleic acid from said mammal and determining whether said nucleic acid comprises a XAF mutation, said mutation being an indication that said mammal has an apoptosis disease or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving apoptosis.  
     
     
         2 . A method of diagnosing a mammal for the presence of a disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis, said method comprising measuring XAF gene expression in a sample from said mammal, an alteration in said expression relative to a sample from an unaffected mammal being an indication that said mammal has an apoptosis disease or increased likelihood of developing an apoptosis disease.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said gene expression is measured by assaying the amount of XAF polypeptide or XAF biological activity in said sample.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said XAF polypeptide is measured by immunological methods or by assaying the amount of XAF RNA in said sample.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said XAF is selected from a group consisting of XAF-1, XAF-2 N-terminus, XAF-2L, and XAF-2S.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         7 . A kit for diagnosing a mammal for the presence of a disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis, said kit comprising a substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide.  
     
     
         8 . A kit for diagnosing a mammal for the presence of a disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis, said kit comprising a material for measuring XAF RNA.  
     
     
         9 . A kit for diagnosing a mammal for the presence of a disease involving altered apoptosis or an increased likelihood of developing a disease involving altered apoptosis, said kit comprising: 
 (a) a substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide; and    (b) a material for measuring XAF RNA.    
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein said kit further comprises a means for detecting said binding of said antibody to said XAF polypeptide.  
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 8  or 9, wherein said material is a nucleic acid probe.  
     
     
         12 . A substantially pure antibody that specifically binds a XAF polypeptide, or a fragment or a mutant thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said XAF polypeptide is selected from a group consisting of XAF-1, XAF-2 N terminus XAF-2S, and XAF-2L.  
     
     
         14 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said XAF polypeptide is from a mammal.  
     
     
         15 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said mammal is selected from a group consisting of a human and a rodent.  
     
     
         16 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         17 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         18 . The antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said antibody is a neutralizing antibody.