MN Gene and Protein

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a novel oncogene named MN or alternatively MN/CA IX. Abnormal expression of the MN gene is shown to signify oncogenesis, and diagnostic/prognostic methods for pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease to detect or detect and quantitate such abnormal MN gene expression. Also disclosed are methods to treat pre-neoplastic/neoplastic disease involving the MN gene and protein, e.g., methods comprising the use of MN-specific antibodies, anti-idiotype antibodies thereto, and anti-anti-idiotype antibodies, and the use of MN antisense nucleic acids. Further disclosed are methods to identify and block MN binding site(s) and identify MN protein partners(s).

1 . A biologically active MN protein or MN polypeptide which mediates attachment of mammalian cells in a cell adhesion assay. 
     
     
         2 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide of  claim 1  which when added to media of mammalian cells prevents the formation of intercellular contacts and prevents the adhesion of cells to other cells. 
     
     
         3 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide of  claim 1  that comprises an amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO: 97, from SEQ ID NO: 50 or from SEQ ID NO: 51. 
     
     
         4 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide of  claim 1  that comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: and 97-106. 
     
     
         5 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide of  claim 1  that comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 10 and 98-103. 
     
     
         6 . The MN polypeptide of  claim 1  that is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 10 and 97-106. 
     
     
         7 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 1  that is specifically bound by the M75 monoclonal antibody that is secreted from the hybridoma VU-M75, which was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under ATCC No. HB 11128. 
     
     
         8 . The MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 1  that is specifically bound by the MN12 monoclonal antibody that is secreted from the hybridoma MN 12.2.2, which was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under ATCC No. HB 11647. 
     
     
         9 . An MN-specific antibody that specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . An MN-specific antibody that specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         11 . An MN-specific antibody that specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
         12 . A protein or polypeptide which specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A protein or polypeptide which specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         14 . A protein or polypeptide which specifically binds to the MN protein or MN polypeptide according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
         15 . The protein or polypeptide according to  claim 12  which comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 107-109. 
     
     
         16 . A method of identifying a site on an MN protein to which vertebrate cells adhere by testing a series of overlapping polypeptides from said MN protein in a cell adhesion assay with vertebrate cells, and determining that if cells adhere to a polypeptide from said series, that said polypeptide comprises a site on said MN protein to which vertebrate cells adhere. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said vertebrate cells are mammalian cells. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein said mammalian cells are human cells. 
     
     
         19 . A protein or polypeptide which binds specifically to the polypeptide of  claim 16 , which comprises a site on said MN protein to which vertebrate cells adhere. 
     
     
         20 - 29 . (canceled)