Transmembrane serine protease overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a TADG-12 protein and a DNA fragment encoding such protein. Also provided is a vector/host cell capable of expressing the DNA. The present invention further provides various methods of early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and of interactive therapies for cancer treatment by utilizing the DNA and/or protein disclosed herein.

1 . An antibody directed against a Tumor Associated Differentially Expressed Gene-12 (TADG-12) protein, a variant Tumor Associated Differentially Expressed Gene-12 (TADG-12V) protein or a protein fragment therefrom. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12 protein sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 and is encoded by (a) isolated DNA comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or (b) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNA of (a) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12V protein sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 and is encoded by (a) isolated DNA comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or (b) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNA of (a) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12V protein fragment sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 8 and is encoded by (a) isolated DNA comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 or (b) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNA of (a) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12 protein amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12V protein amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the TADG-12V protein fragment amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         8 . A method of inhibiting expression of a Tumor Associated Differentially Expressed Gene-12 (TADG-12) protein or variant protein (TADG-12V) in a cell, comprising:
 introducing the antibody of  claim 1  into a cell, wherein binding of the antibody to the TADG-12 protein or TADG-12V variant protein or fragment thereof inhibits expression of the same.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody binds to the TADG-12 protein sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody binds to the TADG-12V protein sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody binds to the TADG-12V protein fragment sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         12 . A method of targeted therapy to an individual having a cancer, comprising:
 administering to the individual a compound comprising the antibody of  claim 1  and a therapeutic moiety.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic moiety is a radioisotope, a toxin, a chemotherapeutic agent, an immune stimulant and a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cancer is ovarian cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, or other cancer in which a TADG-12 protein is overexpressed. 
     
     
         15 . An antibody directed against a Tumor Associated Differentially Expressed Gene-12 (TADG-12) protein with a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         16 . An antibody directed against a variant Tumor Associated Differentially Expressed Gene-12 (TADG-12) protein with a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 8.