Defensin Proteins

Abstract

This invention relates to the novel proteins, termed INSP108 and INSP109, herein identified as members of the defensin family of proteins and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

1 . A method of treating cell proliferative disorders selected from neoplasms, melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 16, or a polypeptide having beta defensin activity and at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 16 to an individual having a cell proliferative disorder selected from neoplasms, melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 and having beta defensin activity. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16 and having beta defensin activity. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 16, or a polypeptide having beta defensin activity and at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         7 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 14. 
     
     
         8 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 16. 
     
     
         9 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 and having beta defensin activity. 
     
     
         10 . The isolated polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16 and having beta defensin activity. 
     
     
         11 . A vector comprising a polynucleotide according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         12 . An isolated host cell comprising a polynucleotide according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a polypeptide comprising culturing a cell according to  claim 12  under conditions that allow for the expression of said polypeptide. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating cell proliferative disorders selected from neoplasms, melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a polynucleotide according to  claim 6  to an individual having a cell proliferative disorder selected from neoplasms, melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said polynucleotide is administered to said individual in a vector or a transformed cell.