Nucleic acid molecule encoding a novel estrogen receptor beta variant

Abstract

This invention relates to an isolated nucleotide fragment of a novel estrogen receptor, in particular, a novel ERβ variant protein and isolated nucleic acid fragment comprising the coding regions of the genes encoding such variant proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, and methods for producing the novel ERβ variant protein. The invention further relates to method of obtaining such nucleotide fragment and the method of determining the presence of such ERβ variant protein in a sample.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A polypeptide encoded by an isolated nucleic acid fragment selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding SEQ ID NO:1;   (b) an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with the SEQ ID NO:1;   (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes with the isolated nucleic acid fragment of (a) under hybridization conditions of 6×SSC (1M NaCl), 45 to 50% formamide, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.5× to 1×SSC at 55 to 60° C.; and   (d) an isolated nucleic acid fragment that is complementary to (a), (b) or (c).   
     
     
         8 . The polypeptide of  claim 7  as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         9 . The polypeptide of  claim 7  further characterized by estrogen receptor dominant negative activity. 
     
     
         10 . The polypeptide of  claim 7  further characterized by ERβ dominant negative activity. 
     
     
         11 . The polypeptide of  claim 7  wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         12 . A polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3 further characterized by estrogen receptor dominant negative activity. 
     
     
         13 . A polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3 further characterized by ERβ dominant negative activity. 
     
     
         14 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding the polypeptide of  claim 7 , the method comprising:
 (a) probing a genomic library with all or a portion of a nucleic acid fragment as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2;   (b) identifying a DNA clone that hybridizes with the nucleic acid fragment of step (a); and   (c) determining the sequence of the nucleic acid fragment that comprises the DNA clone identified in step (b).   
     
     
         29 . (canceled)