TSG-Like Gene

Abstract

A gene encoding a novel protein that is homologous to Drosophila TSG was isolated from a cDNA library derived from the AGM region of mouse embryos by using an originally developed cloning method specific to a gene encoding a membrane secretory protein. This gene is useful in developing drugs that regulate hematopoietic stem cell generation, immune and hematopoietic functions, etc.

1 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide further comprises an initiator methionine or a signal peptide. 
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide consists of residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2 plus an initiator methionine or a signal peptide. 
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         5 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         6 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 fused to a second amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of residues 25-222 of SEQ ID NO:2 fused to a second amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         8 . The polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the second amino acid sequence is a peptide selected from the group consisting of glutathione S-transferase, FLAG, six histidine residues, influenza agglutinin (HA), human c-myc fragment, VSV-GP fragment, p18HIV fragment, T7-tag, HSV-tag, E-tag, SV40T antigen fragment, lck tag, α-tubulin fragment, B-tag, Protein C fragment, immunoglobulin constant region, β-galactosidase, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), and maltose binding protein. 
     
     
         9 . The polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an initiator methionine. 
     
     
         10 . The polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide further comprises residues 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         11 . The polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a signal sequence. 
     
     
         12 . A substantially purified polypeptide that (a) has at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, and (b) binds to BMP2/4. 
     
     
         13 . The polypeptide of  claim 12 , wherein the polypeptide has at least 98% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         14 . The polypeptide of  claim 12 , wherein the polypeptide has at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         15 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof, wherein the fragment is at least 40% of the length of the sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:2, and the fragment binds to BMP2/4. 
     
     
         16 . A substantially purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in which 5 or fewer amino acids are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted, and the polypeptide binds to BMP2/4.