Methods and materials relating to cd84-like polypeptides and polynucleotides

Abstract

The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human secreted CD84-like polypeptide. These polynucleotides comprise nucleic acid sequences isolated from cDNA library from human spleen (Hyseq clone identification numbers 2938352 (SEQ ID NO: 1)). Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing processes for producing novel human secreted CD84-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.

1 . A method for detecting an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 4, or the mature protein portion thereof, in a sample comprising:
 a) contacting the sample with a compound that binds to and forms a complex with the polypeptide under conditions and for a period of time sufficient to form the complex; and   b) detecting formation of the complex, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, said polypeptide is detected.   
     
     
         2 . A method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) contacting the compound with the polypeptide of  claim 1  under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex; and   b) detecting the complex, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to the polypeptide of  claim 1  is identified.   
     
     
         3 . A method for identifying a compound that binds to the polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) contacting the compound with the polypeptide of  claim 1  in a cell, for a time sufficient to form a polypeptide/compound complex, wherein the complex drives expression of a reporter gene sequence in the cell; and   b) detecting the complex by detecting reporter gene sequence expression, so that if the polypeptide/compound complex is detected, a compound that binds to the polypeptide of  claim 1  is identified.   
     
     
         4 . A method of producing the polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) culturing a host cell genetically engineered to express said polypeptide under conditions sufficient to express the polypeptide in said cell; and   b) isolating the polypeptide from the cell culture or the cells of step (a).   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treatment of a subject in need of enhanced activity or expression of the polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising administering to the subject a composition selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a therapeutic amount of an agonist of said polypeptide;   b) a therapeutic amount of said polypeptide; and   c) a therapeutic amount of a polynucleotide encoding said polypeptide in a form and under conditions such that the polypeptide is produced, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         7 . A method of treatment of a subject in need of reduced activity or expression of the polypeptide of  claim 1 , comprising administering to the subject a composition selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a therapeutic amount of an antagonist of said polypeptide;   b) a therapeutic amount of a polynucleotide that inhibits the expression of the nucleotide sequence encoding said polypeptide; and   c) a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide that competes with said polypeptide for its ligand, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.