Rank ligand polypeptides

Abstract

Described herein are kits for use in detecting RANKL polypeptides.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A kit for detecting RANKL protein, said kit comprising a RANKL polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1-317 of SEQ ID NO:13;   b) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 69-313 of SEQ ID NO:13;   c) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 162-313 of SEQ ID NO:13   d) a polypeptide comprising amino acids 138-317 of SEQ ID NO:13;   e) a polypeptide comprising amino acids x to y of SEQ ID NO:13, wherein x is an amino terminal amino acid between 69 and 162 of SEQ ID NO:13, and y is a carboxy terminal amino acid between 313 and 317 of SEQ ID NO:13; and   f) a polypeptide having an at least 90% amino acid sequence identity with a polypeptide comprising amino acids 162-317 of SEQ ID NO:13.   
     
     
         2 . A kit according to  claim 1 , said kit further comprising a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to a RANKL polypeptide consisting of amino acids 1-317 of SEQ ID NO:13. 
     
     
         3 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein said kit is used with an assay format selected from the group consisting of ELISA and a solid phase binding assay. 
     
     
         4 . A kit according to  claim 1 , wherein said detected RANKL protein is from a patient specimen. 
     
     
         5 . A kit for detecting the presence of human RANKL nucleic acid in an in vitro assay, said kit comprising at least one fragment of DNA that comprises at least 17 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:12 or that comprises at least 17 nucleotides complementary to SEQ ID NO:12. 
     
     
         6 . A kit according to  claim 5 , wherein the detection method is polymerase chain reaction and the kit comprises a first fragment of DNA comprising at least 17 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:12 and a second fragment of DNA comprising at least 17 nucleotides complementary to SEQ ID NO:12. 
     
     
         7 . A kit according to  claim 5 , wherein the detection method is Northern blot or Southern blot. 
     
     
         8 . A kit according to  claim 5 , wherein said detected human RANKL nucleic acid is from a patient specimen.