Family of genes encoding apoptosis-related peptides, peptides encoded thereby and methods of use thereof

Abstract

An isolated polynucleotide at least 60% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5 or 18 encoding a SARP polypeptide; vectors comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least 11 consecutive amino acids of αSARP polypeptide; a host cell transformed with an isolated polynucleotide or vector; antibodies specific for SARP and use of such polynucleotides and antibodies in diagnostic and therapeutic method. Therapeutic uses of antibodies and polynucleotides of sarp. Methods for treating diseases related to the regulation of SARP expression in tissue and bodily fluid samples, including cancers.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . A method of treating a disease or condition related to SARP 2 modulation comprising administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising an SARP 2 polypeptide to a patient in need of such therapy.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the SARP 2 polypeptide modifies Wnt pathway signaling.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO. 7.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said polypeptide comprises a fragment of SEQ ID NO:7, said fragment comprising at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:7.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said polypeptide comprises a fusion protein.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the polypeptide is encoded by: 
 a) a polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18;    b) a polynucleotide fragment of SEQ ID NO:18 consisting of at least 30 contiguous nucleotides of the coding region of SEQ ID NO: 18; or    c) a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleic acid sequence that is fully complementary to a nucleic acid sequence of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the patient is suffering from a condition related to cancer.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the condition related to cancer is cancer of the mammary tissue.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the condition related to cancer is cancer of the prostate.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said condition related to cancer is a cancer of the colon.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said condition related to cancer is a melanoma.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the composition further comprises a chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         57 . A method of treating an apoptosis related condition comprising administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising an SARP 2 polypeptide to a patient in need of such therapy.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the SARP 2 polypeptide modifies Wnt pathway signaling.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 7.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a fragment of SEQ ID NO:7, said fragment comprising at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ I) NO:7.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said apoptosis related condition is a cancer.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said cancer is cancer of the mammary tissue.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said cancer is cancer of the prostate.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said apoptosis related condition is a cancer of the colon.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said condition related to cancer is a melanoma  
     
     
         66 . A method of diagnosing a disease associated with the modulation of SARP 2, comprising: 
 a) obtaining a sample from a patient;    b) (b) assaying for the presence of SARP2 protein in said sample; and    c) (c) comparing the amount of SARP2 detected in said sample to the amount of SARP2 detected in a non-diseased sample of the same tissue type as the patient sample.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein assaying comprises contacting said sample with an antibody to said SARP2 protein under conditions that permit formation of a stable complex between said antibody and any of said SARP2 protein present in said sample.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said disease is a cancer of the prostate.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said disease is a cancer of the mammary tissue.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said condition related to cancer is a cancer of the colon.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said condition related to cancer is a melanoma.