Isolated hair keratin genes and their use in hair growth active identification assays

Abstract

The present invention relates to an isolated human hair specific keratin gene or fragment thereof, comprising a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:11; and a DNA sequence comprising DNA sequences SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10. The present invention also relates to a method for detecting the level of hair specific keratin in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to a method of identifying hair growth regulating compounds and compositions comprising: a) treating a subject with a compound or composition of interest; b) isolating a sample of hair from the subject; and c) using a DNA sequence, or fragment thereof, which encodes hair specific keratin as a marker in a biological assay to detect an increase in the production of hair specific keratin in the hair sample.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An isolated human hair specific keratin gene or fragment thereof having a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of a) SEQ ID NO:11; and   b) a DNA sequence comprising the following DNA sequences: i) SEQ ID NO:6   ii) SEQ ID NO:7   iii) SEQ ID NO:8   iv) SEQ ID NO:9, and   v) SEQ ID NO:10.     
     
     
       2. The human hair specific keratin gene, or fragment thereof, of claim 1 wherein the gene has the DNA sequence SEQ ID NO:11. 
     
     
       3. The human hair specific keratin gene, or fragment thereof, of claim 1 wherein the gene has the DNA sequence comprising the DNA sequences: a) SEQ ID NO:6   b) SEQ ID NO:7   c) SEQ ID NO:8   d) SEQ ID NO:9, and   e) SEQ ID NO:10.