Drg11-responsive (dragon) gene and uses thereof

Abstract

This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diseases caused by a dysregulation of the BMP/GDF branch of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds useful for such therapy.

1 - 41 . (canclled) 
     
     
         42 . A method of treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of DRAGON activity thereby treating cancer in said subject. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the inhibitor of DRAGON activity is a soluble DRAGON protein. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the soluble DRAGON protein is DRAGON.Fc. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said Fc is human Fc. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the inhibitor of DRAGON activity is a DRAGON-specific antibody or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the antibody or fragment thereof inhibits interaction of DRAGON with a TGF-β ligand. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the TGF-β ligand is selected from the group consisting of BMP-2, BMP-4, and GDF-5. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the antibody inhibits interaction of DRAGON with a BMP type I receptor. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the BMP type I receptor is selected from the group consisting of ALK2, ALK4 and ALK6. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the antibody inhibits interaction of DRAGON with a BMP type II receptor. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the BMP type II receptor is selected from the group consisting of BMPRII, ActRIIA, and ActRIIB 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the inhibitor of DRAGON activity is a nucleic acid encoding an antisense DRAGON nucleic acid. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the inhibitor of DRAGON activity is an RNAi molecule designed to inhibit DRAGON expression in vivo. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the cancer is selected from a group consisting of breast cancer, colon cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, neuronal cancer of the nervous system, and non-neuronal cancer of the nervous system. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the cancer is colon cancer. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         59 . A method of inhibiting metastasis of a cancer in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of DRAGON activity thereby inhibiting metastasis of cancer in said subject. 
     
     
         60 . A method of preventing development of a cancer in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of DRAGON activity thereby preventing development of cancer in said subject. 
     
     
         61 . A method of treating a cancer in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a DRAGON protein. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the cancer is pancreatic or prostate cancer. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the DRAGON protein is administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or salt. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the DRAGON protein is administered using gene therapy.