Nucleic acid and protein sequences of asporins

Abstract

Mouse asporin protein and nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. The protein contains a unique aspartic acid region near the N-terminus. The central domain contains ten leucine rich repeats. Sequences consistent with other class I small leucine rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRP) are also observed. Methods of use for the protein include regulating the complement system, inhibiting fibrosis formation, regulating the growth of endothelial cells and angiogenesis, regulating or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and regulating the functions of neuromuscular junctions.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule segment comprising a structural nucleic acid sequence encoding SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:22. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule segment comprising a structural nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 or that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the reverse complement of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule segment of  claim 6 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         4 . A recombinant vector comprising operatively linked in the 5′ to 3′ orientation:
 a promoter that directs transcription of a structural nucleic acid sequence;   the structural nucleic acid sequence of  claim 2 ; and   a 3′ transcription terminator.   
     
     
         5 . A recombinant host cell comprising the structural nucleic acid sequence of  claim 2 ; wherein the copy number of the structural nucleic acid sequence in the recombinant host cell is higher than the copy number of the structural nucleic acid sequence in a wild type host cell of the same species. 
     
     
         6 . A method of preparing a recombinant host cell, the method comprising:
 selecting a host cell;   transforming the host cell with a recombinant vector; and   obtaining recombinant host cells; wherein the recombinant vector comprises the structural nucleic acid sequence of  claim 6 .   
     
     
         7 . An antibody prepared using SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:22 as an antigen, wherein the antibody is immunoreactive with SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:22. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating an abnormal condition of a tissue or cells thereof in an organism, comprising:
 administering an effective amount of asporin to the organism.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein asporin is effective for regulating the complement system of the organism. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein asporin is effective for inhibiting fibrosis formation in the organism. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cells are cancer cells and asporin is effective for inhibiting the growth thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cells are endothelial cells and asporin is effective for regulating angiogenesis and the growth thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein asporin is effective for regulating functions of neuromuscular junctions in the tissue.