Genes and polypeptides relating to human colon cancers

Abstract

The present application provides novel human genes RNF43 whose expression is markedly elevated in colorectal cancers, as well as CXADRL1 and GCUD1 whose expression is markedly elevated in gastric cancers compared to corresponding non-cancerous tissues. The genes and polypeptides encoded by the genes can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of a cell proliferative disease, and as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease.

1 . A substantially pure polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4;   (b) a polypeptide that comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; in which one or more amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added and that has a biological activity equivalent to a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and   (c) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein the polypeptide has a biological activity equivalent to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 4.   
     
     
         2 . A substantially pure polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 or 177, or a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 or 177 in which at least one anchor residue is modified. 
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 2 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:164, 177, 197, and 198. 
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 3 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 164, 177, 197, and 198. 
     
     
         5 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a cancer, said composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of polypeptide selected from the group of (a)-(c), or a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide:
 (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or fragments thereof;   (b) a polypeptide that comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 in which one or more amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added and that has a biological activity equivalent to a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or fragments thereof; and   (c) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 wherein the polypeptide has a biological activity equivalent to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or fragments thereof;   as an active ingredient, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 5 , which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 or 177, or polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 164 or 177 in which at least one anchor residue is modified. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 6 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 164, 177, 197, and 198. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 164, 177, 197, and 198.