BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to nucleic acids and polypeptides encoded therefrom.

More specifically, the invention relates to nucleic acids encoding cytoplasmic, nuclear, membrane bound, and secreted polypeptides, as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing these nucleic acids and polypeptides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based in part upon the discovery of nucleic acid sequences encoding novel polypeptides. The novel nucleic acids and polypeptides are referred to herein as NOVX, or NOV1, NOV2, NOV3, NOV4, NOV5, NOV6, NOV7, NOV8, NOV9, and NOV10 nucleic acids and polypeptides. These nucleic acids and polypeptides, as well as derivatives, homologs, analogs and fragments thereof, will hereinafter be collectively designated as "NOVX"nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences.

In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated NOVX nucleic acid molecule encoding a NOVX polypeptide that includes a nucleic acid sequence that has identity to the nucleic acids disclosed in SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28. In some embodiments, the NOVX nucleic acid molecule will hybridize under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid sequence complementary to a nucleic acid molecule that includes a protein-coding sequence of a NOVX nucleic acid sequence. The invention also includes an isolated nucleic acid that encodes a NOVX polypeptide, or a fragment, homolog, analog or derivative thereof. For example, the nucleic acid can encode a polypeptide at least 80% identical to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10, 12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, and 29. The nucleic acid can be, for example, a genomic DNA fragment or a cDNA molecule that includes the nucleic acid sequence of any oFSEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28.

Also included in the invention is an oligonucleotide, e. g., an oligonucleotide which includes at least 6 contiguous nucleotides of a NOVX nucleic acid (e. g., SEQ ID NOS :], 3,5, 7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28) or a complement of said oligonucleotide.

Also included in the invention are substantially purified NOVX polypeptides (SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18, 20, 22, 24, 27, and 29). In certain embodiments, the NOVX <BR> <BR> polypeptides inolude an amillo acid sequellce that is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence oSa human NOVX polypeptide.

The invention also features antibodies that immunoselectively bind to NOVX polypeptides, or fragments, homologs, analogs or derivatives thereof.

In another aspect, the invention includes pharmaceutical compositions that include therapeutically-or prophylactically-effective amounts of a therapeutic and a pharmaceutically- acceptable carrier. The therapeutic can be, e. g., a NOVX nucleic acid, a NOVX polypeptide, or an antibody specific for a NOVX polypeptide. In a further aspect, the invention includes, in one or more containers, a therapeutically-or prophylactically-effective amount of this pharmaceutical composition.

In a further aspect, the invention includes a method of producing a polypeptide by culturing a cell that includes a NOVX nucleic acid, under conditions allowing for expression of the NOVX polypeptide encoded by the DNA. If desired, the NOVX polypeptide can then be recovered.

In another aspect, the invention includes a method of detecting the presence of a NOVX polypeptide in a sample. In the method, a sample is contacted with a compound that selectively binds to the polypeptide under conditions allowing for formation of a complex between the polypeptide and the compound. The complex is detected, if present, thereby identifying the NOVX polypeptide within the sample, The invention also includes methods to identify specific cell or tissue types based on their expression of a NOVX.

Also included in the invention is a method of detecting the presence of a NOVX nucleic acid molecule in a sample by contacting the sample with a NOVX nucleic acid probe or primer, and detecting whether the nucleic acid probe or primer bound to a NOVX nucleic acid molecule in the sample.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for modulating the activity of a NOVX polypeptide by contacting a cell sample that includes the NOVX polypeptide with a compound that binds to the NOVX polypeptide in an amount sufficient to modulate the activity of said polypeptide. The compound can be, e. g., a small molecule, such as a nucleic acid, peptide, polypeptide, peptidomimetic, carbohydrate, lipid or other organic (carbon containing) or inorganic molecule, as further described herein.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of a therapeutic in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing disorders or syndromes including, e. g., adrenolcukodystrophy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, leukodystrophies, breast cancer, Small- cell cancer of lung, squamous cell carcinomas, Colorectal cancer, Malignant melanoma, cutaneous, Neuroblastoma, Prostate cancer-brain cancer susceptibility, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Huntington's disease, anxiety, ataxia-telangiectasia, behavioral disorders, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, Parkinson's disease, pain, stroke, Stroke, Aneurysm, Embolism, autoimmune disease, allergies, addiction, asthma, ARDS, allergy, endometriosis, endocrine dysfunctions, graft versus host disease, graft versus host disease (GVHD), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, IgA nephropathy, lymphaedema, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, transplantation, psoriasis, crohn's disease, HIV infection, Muscle-eye-brain disease, Neuropathy, paraneoplastic sensory, Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy-2A, SCID due to LCK deficiency, bone marrow transplantation, Kostmann neutropenia, immunodeficiency, thrombocytopenia, eczema, lymphoid malignancy, impaired monocyte motility, Lymphaedema, atherosclerosis, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular (A- V) canal defect, ductus arteriosus, cerebral palsy, cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, hypertension, hemophilia, hypercoagulation, pulmonary stenosis, subaortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, bacterial and viral infections, cerebral vascular disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Heart block, nonprogressive, Heart block, progressive, 2, Ventricular fibrillation, idiopathic, entricular tachycardia, idiopathic, Thrombocytopenia, congenital amegakaryocytic, Bypass surgery, Bleeding disorders, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, hypercoagulation, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders such as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, hyperkinetic diseases, Galactose epimerase deficiency, Glucose transport defect, blood-brain barrier, diverticular disease, emphysema, glomerulonephritis, hypercalceimia, interstitial nephritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, pancreatitis, renal artery stenosis, renal tubular acidosis, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, ulcers, neonatal apnea, eagle's syndrome, renal Hbrogenesis, Meckel syndrome, skin disorders, connective tissue disorders such as type VHC. Ehlers-Danros syndrome, Primary bile acid malabsorption (PBAM, an idiopathic intestinal disorder), congenital diarrhea, steatomllea, refractory infantile diarrhea, interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, reduced plasma cholesterol levels, Hirschsprung's disease, Cirrhosis, growth failure, Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome 1, Brugada syndrome. Deafness, autosomal recessive 6, Ichthyosiforme

erythroderma, congenital, nonbullous, Long QT syndrome-3, Night blindness, congenital stationary, Pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma, EIliptocytosis-1, Fucosidosis, Hypophosphatasia (adult, childhood, infantile), Porphyria cutanea tarda, Porphyria, hepatoerytluropoietic, Schwartz-Jampet syndrome, Myopathy due to succinate dehydrogenase deficiency, Bartter syndrome, type 3, Comeal dystrophy, crystalline, Schnyder, Hyperprolinemia, type 11, erythrokeratodennia variabilis, palmoplantar keratoderma, diseases and disorders involving intercellular metabolic and electrical communication, diseases and disorders involving coordination, proliferation and differentiation, diseases and disorders involving maintainance of tissue homeostasis, growth control, development, and synchronized response of cells to stimuli, Wislcott-Aldrich syndrome, cytoskeletal abnormalities, trauma, tissue regeneration (in vitro and in vivo), respiratory disease, gastro-intestinal diseases, muscle, bone, joint and skeletal disorders, hematopoietic disorders, urinary system disorders, Tissue and organ transplantation, Fibromuscular dysplasia, Hyperparathyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism, SIDS, Xerostomia, Tonsilitis, Osteoporosis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Scoliosis, Tendinitis, Dental disease and infection, growth and reproductive disorders, hypogonadism, fertility, and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like.

The therapeutic can be, e. g., a NOVX nucleic acid, a NOVX polypeptide, or a NOVX- specific antibody, or biologically-active derivatives or fragments thereof.

For example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like. The polypeptides can be used as immunogens to produce antibodies specific for the invention, and as vaccines. They can also be used to screen for potential agonist and antagonist compounds. For example, a cDNA encoding NOVX may be useful in gene therapy, and NOVX may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof. By way of non-limiting example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like.

The invention further includes a method for screening for a modulator of disorders or syndromes including, e. g., the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like. The method includes contacting a test compound with a NOVX polypeptide and determining if the test compound binds to said NOVX polypeptide. Binding of the test compound to the NOVX polypeptide indicates the test compound is a modulator of activity, or of latency or predisposition to the aforementioned disorders or syndromes.

Also within the scope of the invention is a method for screening for a modulator of activity, or of latency or predisposition to disorders or syndromes including, e. g., the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like by administering a test compound to a test animal at increased risk for the aforementioned disorders or syndromes. The test animal expresses a recombinant polypeptide encoded by a NOVX nucleic acid. Expression or activity of NOVX polypeptide is then measured in the test animal, as is expression or activity of the protein in a control animal which recombinantly- expresses NOVX polypeptide and is not at increased risk for the disorder or syndrome. Next, the expression of NOVX polypeptide in both the test animal and the control animal is compared. A change in the activity of NOVX polypeptide in the test animal relative to the control animal indicates the test compound is a modulator of latency of the disorder or syndrome.

In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method for determining the presence of or predisposition to a disease associated with altered levels of a NOVX polypeptide, a NOVX nucleic acid, or both, in a subject (e g,, a human subject). The method includes measuring the amount of the NOVX polypeptide in a test sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the polypeptide in the test sample to the amount of the NOVX polypeptide present in a control sample. An alteration in the level of the NOVX polypeptide in the test sample as compared to the control sample indicates the presence of or predisposition to a disease in the subject. Preferably, the predisposition includes, e. g., the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like. Also, the expression levels of the new polypeptides of the invention can be used in a method to screen for various cancers as well as to determine the stage of cancers.

In a further aspect, the invention includes a method of treating or preventing a pathological condition associated with a disorder in a mammal by administering to the subject a NOVX polypeptide, a NOVX nucleic acid, or a NOVX-specific antibody to a subject (ag-., a human subject), in an amount sufficient to alleviate or prevent the pathological condition. In preferred embodiments, the disorder, includes, e. g., the diseases and disorders disclosed above and/or other pathologies and disorders of the like.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be used in a method to identity the cellular receptors and downstream effectors of the invention by any one of a number of techniques commonly employed in the art. These include but are not limited to the two-hybrid system, affinity purification, co-precipitation with antibodies or other specific-interacting molecules.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel nucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby.

Included in the invention are the novel nucleic acid sequences and their encoded polypeptides.

The sequences are collectively referred to herein as"NOVX nucleic acids"or"NOVX polynucleotides"and the corresponding encoded polypeptides are referred to as"NOVX polypeptides"or"NOVX proteins."Unless indicated otherwise,"NOVX"is meant to refer to any of the novel sequences disclosed herein. Table A provides a summary of the NOVX nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides.

TABLE A. Sequences and Corresponding SEQ ID Numbers SEQID NOVX NO SEQ ID NO Internal Identification Homology Assignment (nucleic (polypeptide) acid) 1a SC138213196 A 1 2 Zinc Metalloprotease-like 1b 137043926_EXT_1 3 4 zinc metalloprotease-1-like ic CG52952-03 5 6 ADAM-TS ?-like 1d CG52952-04 7 8 ADAM-TS 7-like 2 SC 78316254 A 9 10 Alpha-2-macrogloLulin precursor-like GMAC079237_A 11 12 Ileal Sodiu/Bile Acid Cotransporter-like 4 AL161453_A 13 14 Prohibitin-like 5 dj1182a14_da1 15 16 Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like 6 GM382a20_A 17 18 Fatty Acid-Binding Protein- like 7 sggc_draft_dj895c5_2 19 20 Gap junction beta-5 000819 protein-like 8 56072181_dal 21 22 Metallothionein-like 9 2855519 0 19 dal 23 24 CIP4-like 10a 129297354 EXT 25 27 hepsin/plasma transmembrane

serine protease-like 10b CG106783-02 28 29 Spinesin-like NOVX nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides are useful in a variety of applications and contexts. The various NOVX nucleic acids and polypeptides according to the invention are useful as novel members of the protein families according to the presence of domains and sequence relatedness to previously described proteins. Additionally, NOVX nucleic acids and polypeptides can also be used to identify proteins that are members of the family to which the NOVX polypeptides belong.

NOV1 is homologous to a Zinc Metalloprotease/ADAM-TS 7-like family of proteins.

Thus, the NOV1 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example; adrenoleukodystrophy, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disease, allergies, addiction, anxiety, ataxia-telangiectasia, asthma, ARDS, atherosclerosis, behavioral disorders, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, ductus arteriosus, allergy, cerebral palsy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, diabetes, diverticular disease, epilepsy, emphysema, endometriosis, endocrine dysfunctions, graft versus host disease, glomerulonephritis, graft versus host disease (GVHD), growth and reproductive disorders, hemophilia, hypercoagulation, hypercalceimia, Huntington's disease, hypertension, hypogonadism, fertility, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, interstitial nephritis, IgA nephropathy, lymphacdema, inflammatory bowel disease, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, leukodystrophies, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, obesity, Parkinson's disease, pain, polycystic kidney disease, pulmonary stenosis, pancreatitis, renal artery stenosis, renal tubular acidosis, stroke, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, subaortic stenosis, transplantation, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, ulcers, bacterial and viral infections, neonatal apnea, eagle's syndrome, atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders such as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, hyperkinetic diseases, muscular dystrophy, cerebral vascular disease, hypertension, cardiovascular diseseases, renal Cibrogenesis, inflammatory bowel disease, Meckel syndrome, colorectal cancer, papi ! lomavirus infection and cervical carcinoma, liver malignancies, skin disorders, connective tissue disorders such as type VIIC Ehlers-Danros syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other pathologie or conditions.

NOV2 is homologous to the Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like family of proteins.

Thus NOV2 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example ; asthma, allergy and psoriasis, Alzheimer disease, Emphysema, pulmonary disease, immune disorders and Cancer and/or other pathologies and disorders.

NOV3 is homologous to a family oiTIleal Sodium/Bile Acid Cotransporter-lilce proteins. Thus, the NOV3 nucleic acids and polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example: Primary bile acid malabsorption (PBAM, an idiopathic intestinal disorder), congenital diarrhea, steatorrhea, refractory infantile diarrhea, interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, reduced plasma cholesterol levels, crohn's disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Cirrhosis, Transplantation, Hypercalceimia, Ulcers, growth failure and/or other pathologies.

NOV4 is homologous to the Prohibitin-like family of proteins. Thus, NOV4 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example : breast cancer (In a sporadic breast cancer, Sato et al. (1992) found a missense mutation from valine (GTC) to alanine (GCC) at codon 88 of the PHB gene), and/or other pathologies.

NOV5 is homologous to the Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like family of proteins. Thus NOV5 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example: Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome 1, Brugada syndrome, Deafness, autosomal recessive 6, Heart block, nonprogressive, Heart block, progressive, 2, Ichthyosifome erythrodenna, congenital, nonbullous, Long QT syndrome-3, Night blindness, congenital stationary, Pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma, Small-cell cancer of lung, Ventricular fibrillation, idiopathic, entricular tachycardia, idiopathic, HIV infection, susceptibility/resistance to, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Cirrhosis, Transplantation, and/or other pathologies/disorders.

NOV6 is homologous to the Fatty Acid-Binding Protein-like family of proteins. Thus NOV6 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example : Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis,Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosis, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Tuberous

sclerosis, Scleroderma, Transplantation, Endometriosis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Crohn's Disease, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, Osteoporosis, Hypercalceimia, Arthritis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Asthma, allergy, ARDS, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Multiple sclerosis, Leukodystrophies, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection Fertility, psoriasis, cancer including but not limited to basal and squamous cell carcinomas, obesity, diabetis, and/or other pathologies and disorders involving fatty acid transport of skin, oral mucosa as well as other organs, and/or other pathologies/disorders.

NOV7 is homologous to members of the Gap junction beta-5 protein-like family of proteins. Thus, the NOV7 nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example; Deafness, autosomal dominant 2, Elliptocytosis-1, Fucosidosis, Hypophosphatasia (adult, childhood, infantile), Muscle-eye-brain disease, Neuropathy, paraneoplastic sensory, Porphyria cutanea tarda, Porphyria, hepatoerythropoietic, Schwartz- Jampel syndrome, Thrombocytopenia, congenital amegakaryoo, vtic, Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy-2A, Galactose epimerase deficiency, Glucose transport defect, blood-brain barrier, Kostmann neutropenia, Muscular dystrophy, congenital, with early spine rigidity, Myopathy due to succinate dehydrogenase deficiency, SCID due to LCK deficiency, Colorectal cancer, resistance to, Bartter syndrome, type 3, Breast cancer, ductal, Corneal dystrophy, crystalline, Schnyder, Hyperprolinemia, type 11, Inflammatory bowel disease 7, Malignant melanoma, cutaneous, Neuroblastoma, Prostate cancer-brain cancer susceptibility, erythrokeratodermia variabilis, palmoplantar keratoderma, diseases and disorders involving intercellular metabolic and electrical communication, diseases and disorders involving coordination, proliferation and differentiation, diseases and disorders involving maintainance of tissue homeostasis, growth control, development, and synchronized response of cells to stimuli, diseases and disorders involving the the immune system, diseases and disorders involving regulation of bone cell differentiation, and/or other pathologies/disorders.

NOV8 is homologous to the Metallothionein-lilce family of proteins. Thus, NOV8 nucleic acids and polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example ; Gitelman syndrome, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica, myelomonocytic

leukemia, eosinophil disorders, hepatic disorders such as hepatic copper toxicity, and/or other pathologiesZdisorders.

NOV9 is homologous to the CDC-42 interacting protein 4-like family of proteins.

Thus, NOV9 nucleic acids and polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, immunodeficiency, thrombocytopenia, eczema, lymphoid malignancy cytoskeletal abnormalities, impaired monocyte motility, Muscular dystrophy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Leukodystrophies, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection, Fertility, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosis, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Tuberous sclerosis, Scleroderma, Obesity, Transplantation, Diabetes, Pancreatitis, Obesity, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune disease, Asthma, Emphysema, Scleroderma, allergy, ARDS, Cirrhosis, Transplantation, Diabetes, Autoimmune disease, Renal artery stenosis, Interstitial nephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease, Renal tubular acidosis, IgA nephropathy, Hypercalceimia, and/or other pathologies/disorders.

NOVIO is homologous to the hepsin/plasma transmembrane serine proteaselspinesin- like family of proteins. Thus, NOV10 nucleic acids and polypeptides, antibodies and related compounds according to the invention will be useful in therapeutic and diagnostic applications implicated in, for example; cancer, trauma, tissue regeneration (in vitro and in vivo), viral/bacterial/parasitic infections, immunological disease, respiratory disease, gastro-intestinal diseases, reproductive health, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, bone marrow transplantation, metabolic and endocrine diseases, allergy and inflammation, nephrological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, muscle, bone, joint and skeletal disorders, hematopoietic disorders, urinary system disorders, Tissue and organ transplantation, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosls, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Scleroderma, Obesity, Hypertension, Fibromuscular dysplasia, Stroke, Aneurysm, Myocardial infarction, Embolism, Bypass surgery, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Diabetes, Von Hippel-Lilldau (VHL) syndrome, Pancreatitis,

Hyperparathyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism, SIDS, Endometriosis, infertility, Xerostomia, Hypercalceimia, Ulcers, Cirrhosis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Crohn's Disease, Appendicitis, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, autoimmume disease, allergies, immunodeficiencies, transplantation, Graft vesus host disease (GVHD), Ataxia-telangiectasia, Autoimmume disease, Hemophilia, Hypercoagulation, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic purpura, Immunodeficiencies, Lymphedema, Allergies, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Lymphaedema, Tonsilitis, Osteoporosis, Hypercalceimia, Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Scoliosis, Tendinitis, Muscular dystrophy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Dental disease and infection, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Multiple sclerosis, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection, Endocrine dysfunctions, Growth and reproductive disorders, Myasthenia gravis, Leukodystrophies, Pain, Neuroprotection, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune disease, Emphysema, Scleroderma, ARDS, Pharyngitis, Laryngitis, Asthma, Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Psoriasis, Actinic keratosis, Tuberous sclerosis, Acne, Hair growth, allopecia, pigmentation disorders, endocrine disorders, cystitis, incontinence, Autoimmune disease, Renal artery stenosis, Interstitial nephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Renal tubular acidosis, IgA nephropathy, Hypercalceimia, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Vesicoureteral reflux, and/or other pathologiesZdisorders.

The NOVX nucleic acids and polypeptides can also be used to screen for molecules, which inhibit or enhance NOVX activity or function. Specifically, the nucleic acids and polypeptides according to the invention may be used as targets for the identification of small molecules that modulate or inhibit, e. g., neurogenesis, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, hematopoiesis, wound healing and angiogenesis.

Additional utilities for the NOVX nucleic acids and polypeptides according to the invention are disclosed herein, NOV1 NOV I includes three novel zinc iiietalloprotease/ADAM,-TS 7-e proteins disclosed below. The disclosed sequences have been named NOVI a, NOVI b, NOVI c, and NOV ld.

NOVla

A disclosed NOV] a nucleic acid of 2997 nuc) eotides (also referred to as SC138213196 A) encoding a novel Zinc Metalloprolease-lilce protein is shown in Table 1 A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 10-12 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 2968-2970. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table ! A. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 1A. NOVla nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO : 1). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>CGCTCCTGGATGAAGCCCCGCGCGCGCGGATGGCGGGGCTTGGCGGCGCTG TGGATGCTGTTGGCGCAGGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCGAGCAGGTGAGTCCCGGGCGCTCCCACCAGCGCGGAAACCGCGGGTCCGGACAGCTG GAGGCGAGTCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGCGGCTCCTCTCCCGCGGACCCCGCCGTCTCACCGCGATGTCGCCGCTGTTTTCCGCA GGCACCTGCGTG CGCCATGGGACCCGCAGCGGCAGCGCCTGGGAGCCCGAGCGTCCCGCGTCCTCCTCCACC CGCGGAGCGGCC GGGCTGGATGGAAAAGGGCGGGACATGGATGAAGCTGGAAACCATCGTTCTCAGCAAACT AACACAGGAACA <BR> <BR> <BR> GAAAACCAAACACTGCATGTTCTCACTCAATATGACCTGGTCTCTGCCTACGAGGTTGAC CACAGGGGCGAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TACGTGTCCCATGAAATCATGCACCATCAGCGGCGGAGAAGAGCAGTGGCCGTGTCCGAG GTTGAGTCTCTT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CACCTTCGGCTGAAAGGCCCCAGGCACGACTTCCACATGGATCTGAGGACTTCCAGCAGC CTAGTGGCTCCT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGCTTTATTGTGCAGACGTTGGGAAAGACAGGCACTAAGTCTGTGCAGACTTTACCGCCA GAGGACTTCTGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCTATCAAGGCTCTTTGCGATCACACAGAAACTCGCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGT GAGGGCTCCACT CGCACTCTGAAGCTCTGCAACAGTCAGAAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCT GCTCAGTGTGCC <BR> <BR> <BR> GAGCACAACAGCAGACGATTCAGAGGGCGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTTACACTCAAGTA GAAGNNGACTTA TGCAAACTCTACTGTATCGCAGAAGGATTTGATTTCTTCTTTTCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTC AAAGATGGGACT <BR> <BR> <BR> CCATGCTCGGAGGATAGCCGTAATGTTTGTATAGATGGGATATGTGAGCTCAGTGTGGTG TCCACATCTGCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CACATGCCCCAGCCTCCCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTTGCCAGATGAGTATAAGTCTTGC TTACGGCATAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGCTCTCTTCTGAGGTCCCATAGAAATGAAGAACTGAACGTGGAGACCTTGGTGGTGGTC GACAAAAAGATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGCAAAACCATGGCCATGAAAATATCACCACCTACGTGCTCACGATACTCAACATGGTA TCTGCTTTATTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAAGATGGAACAATAGGAGGAAACATCAACATTGCAATTGTAGGTCTGATTCTTCTAGAA GATGAACAGCCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGACTGGTGATAAGTCACCACGCAGACCACACCTTAAGTAGCTTCTGCCAGTGGCAGTCT GGATTGATGGGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAAGATGGGACTCGTCATGACCACGCCATCTTACTGACTGGTCTGGATATATGTTCCTGG AAGAATGAGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGTGACACTTTGGGATTTGCACCCATAAGTGGAATGTGTAGTAAATATCGCAGCTGCACG ATTAATGAAGAT ACAGGTCTTGGACTGGCCTTCACCATTGCCCATGAGTCTGGACACAACTTTGGCATGATT CATGATGGAGAA <BR> <BR> <BR> GGGAACATGTGTAAAAAGTCCGAGGGCAACATCATGTCCCCTACATTGGCAGGACGCAAT GGAGTCTTCTCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGTCACCCTGCAGCCGCCAGTATCTACACAAATTTCTAAGCACCGCTCAAGCTATCTGC CTTGCTGATCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCAAAGCCTGTGAAGGAATACAAGTATCCTGAGAAATTGCCAGGAGAATTATATGATGCA AACACACAGTGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGTGGCAGTTCGGAGAGAAAGCCAAGCTCTGCATGCTGGACTTTAAAAAGGACATCTGT AAAGCCCTGTGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCCATCGTATTGGAAGGAAATGTGAGACTAAATTTATGCCAGCAGCAGAAGGCACAATT TGTGGGCATGAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGTGGTGCCGGGGAGGACAGTGTGTGAAATATGGTGATGAAGGCCCCAAGCCCACCCAT GGCCACTGGTCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACTGGTCTTCTTGGTCCCCATGCTCCAGGACCTGCGGAGGGGGAGTATCTCATAGGAGT CGCCTCTGCACC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AACCCCAATCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGTGAGGGCTCCACTCGCACTCTGAAGCTC TGCAACAGTCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCTGCTCAGTGTGCCGAGCACAACAGCAGA CGATTCAGAGGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTCAGGACTTATGCAAACTCTACTGTATCGCAGAAGGATTT GATTTCTTCTTT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTCAAAGATGGGACTCCATGCTCGGAGGATAGCCGTAATGTTTGT ATAGATGGGATA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGTGAGNTTGGATGTGACAATGTCCTTGGATCTGATGCTGTTGAAGACGTCTGTGGGGTG TGTAACGGGAAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AACTCAGCCTGCACGATTCACAGGGGTCTCTACACCAAGCACCACCACACCAACCATTAT CACATGGTCACC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATTCCTTCTGGAGCCCGGAGTATCCGCATCTATGAAATGAACGTCTCTACCTCCTACATT TCTGTGCGCAAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCCTCAGAAGGTACTACCTGAATGGGCACTGGACCGTGGACTGGCCCGGCCGGTACAAA TTTTCGGGCACT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACTTTCGACTACAGACGGTCCTATAATGAGCCCGAGAACTTAATCGCTACTGGACCAACC AACGAGACACTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATTGTGGAGCTGCTGTTTCAGGGAAGGAACCCGGGTGTTGCCTGGGAATACTCCATGCCT CGCTTGGGGACC GAGAAGCAGCCCCCTGCCCAGCCCAGCTACACTTGGGCCATCGTGCGCTCTGAGTGCTCC GTGTCCTGCGGA <BR> <BR> GGGGGTAGGTGCCTTCCAGTGCTGCTCCTGGAGGCAGCATGTCAGCCTTCAGCCACTGCG TACATTGCACTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCTTTCTTGAATCCTAATGAGCAGCCCGGNGCTTCTCCCTGCCA

In a search ofpubtic sequence databases, the NOVla nucleic acid sequence, located on chromosome 5 has 25Q of 375 bases (66%) identical to a zinc metalloprotease ADAPTS6 (ADAMTS6) mRNA from Homo sapiens (GENBANK-ID: AF140674). Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

In all BLAST alignments herein, the"E-value"or"Expect"value is a numeric indication of the probability that the aligned sequences could have achieved their similarity to the BLAST query sequence by chance alone, within the database that was searched. For example, the probability that the subject ("Sbjct") retrieved from the NOV ! BLAST analysis, e. g,, thioredoxin mRNA from Ouis cri-ies, matched the Query NOVI sequence purely by chance is 9. 4e-25. The Expect value (E) is a parameter that describes the number of hits one can"expect"to see just by chance when searching a database of a particular size. It decreases exponentially with the Score (S) that is assigned to a match between two sequences.

Essentially, the E value describes the random background noise that exists for matches between sequences.

The Expect value is used as a convenient way to create a significance threshold for reporting results. The default value used for blasting is typically set to 0.0001. In BLAST 2. 0, the Expect value is also used instead of the P value (probability) to report the significance of matches. For example, an E value of one assigned to a hit can be interpreted as meaning that in a database of the current size one might expect to see one match with a similar score simply by chance. An E value of zero means that one would not expect to see any matches with a similar score simply by chance. See, e. g., http ://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/Education/BLASTinfo/, Occasionally, a string of X's or N's will result from a BLAST search. This is a result of automatic filtering of the query. for low- complexity sequence that is performed to prevent artifactua ! hits. The filter substitutes any low-complexity sequence that it finds with the letter"N"in nucleotide sequence (e. g., "NNNNNNNNNNNNNN") or the letter"X"in protein sequences (e. g.,"XXXX").

Low-complexity regions can result in high scores that reflect compositional bias rather than significant position-by-position alignment. (Wootton and Federhen, Methods Enzymol 266 : 554-571, 1996).

The disclosed NOVI a polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 2) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 1 has 986 amino acid residues and is presented in Table 1B using the one-letter amino acid code. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVla has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in extracellularly with a certainty of 0. 5469. In other embodiments, NOV la may also be localized to the lysosome (lumen) with acertainty of 0. 1900, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 1297 or in the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of U 1000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOVla peptide is between amino acids 26 and 27, at: VAE-QV.

Table 1B. Encoded NOVla protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 2). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQLEASPPRLLSR GPRRLTAMSPLFSAGTCVRHG<BR> <BR> <BR> TRSGSAWEPERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQTLHVLTQYDLVS AYEVDHRGDYVS<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> HEIMHHQRRRRAVAVSEVESLHLRLKGPRHDFHMDLRTSSSLVAPGFIVQTLGKTGTKSV QTLPPEDFCFYQ<BR> <BR> <BR> GSLRSHRNSPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKWK PYTQVEXDLCKL<BR> <BR> <BR> YCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGTPCSEDSRNVCIDGICELSWSTSAHMPQPPKEDLFILPDE YKSCLRHKRSL<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> LRSHRNEELNVETLVVVDKKMMQNHGHENITTYVLTILNMVSALFKDGTIGGNINIAIVG LILLEDEQPGLV<BR> <BR> <BR> ISHHADHTLSSFCQWQSGLMGKDGTRHDHAILLTGLDICSWKNEPCDTLGFAPISGMCSK YRSCTINEDTGL GLAFTIAHESGHNFGMIHDGEGNMCKKSEGNIMSPTLAGRNGVFSWSPCSRQYLHKFLST AQAICLADQPKP <BR> <BR> VKEYKYPEKLPGELYDANTQCKWQFGEKAKLCMLDFKKDICKALWCHRIGRKCETKFMPA AEGTICGHDMNC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> RGGQCVKYBDEGPKPTHGHMSDNSSWSPCSRTCGGGVSHRSRLCTNPNPSHGGKFCEGST RTLKLCNSQKCP<BR> <BR> <BR> RDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKWKPQDLCKLYCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGTPCSED SRNVCIDGICEX<BR> <BR> <BR> GCDNVLGSDAVEDVCGVCNGNNSACTIHRGLYTKHHHTNHYHMVTIPSGARSIRIYEMNV STSYISVRNALR<BR> <BR> <BR> RYYLNGHWTVDWPGRYKFSGTTFDYRRSYNEPENLIATGPTNETLIVELLFQGRNPGVAW EYSMPRLGTEKQ<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> PPAQPSYTWAIVRSECSVSCGGGRCLPVLLLEAACQPSATAYIALAFLES

A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOVI a amino acid sequence has 257 of 579 amino acid residues (44%) identical to, and 356 of 579 amino acid residues (61%) similar to, the 997 amino acid residue Zinc Metalloprotease Adamts7 protein from Homo sapieiis (Human) (Q9UKP4) (E = 6.1e-149). Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PIR.

NOVI a is expressed in the lung.

NOVlb A disclosed NOVlb nucleic acid of 2433 nucleotides (also referred to as 137043926_EXT_1) encoding a novel zinc metalloprotease-1-like protein is shown in Table 1 C. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 31-33 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 2404-2406. A putative untranslated regions upstream from the initiation codon and downstream of the termination codon are underlined in Table 1 C. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 1C. NOV1b nucleotie sequence (SEQ ID NO:3).

GTGGCCCCTAGCCCCTCGGAGCGCTCCTGGATGAAGCCCCGCGCGCGCGGATGGCGG GGCTTGGCGGCGCTG TGGATGCTGCTGGCGCAGGTGGCCGAGCAGGTGAGTCCCGGGCGCTCCCACCAGCGCGGA AACCGCGGGTCC<BR> GGACAGCTGGAGGCGAGTCCCCCGCGGCTCCTCTCCCGCGGACCCCGCCGTCTCACCGCG ATGTCGCCGCTG<BR> TTTTCCGCAGGCACCTGCGTGCGCCATGGGACCCGCAGCGGCAGCGCCTGGGAGCCCGAG CGTCCCGCGTCC<BR> TCCTCCACCCGCGGAGCGGCCGGGCTGGATGGAAAAGGGCGGGACATGGATGAAGCTGGA AACCATCGTTCT<BR> CAGCAAACTAACACAGGAACAGAAAACCAAACACTGCATGTTCTCACTCGTGAATATGAC CTGGTCTCTGCC<BR> TACGAGGTTGACCACAGGGGCGATTACGTGTCCCATGAAATCATGCACCATCAGCGGCGG AGAAGAGCAGTG<BR> GCCGTGTCCGAGGTTGAGTCTCTTCACCTTCGGCTGAAAGGCCCCAGGCACGACTTCCAC ATGGATCTGAGG<BR> ACTTCCAGCAGCCTAGTGGCTCCTGGCTTTATTGTGCAGACGTTGGGAAAGACAGGCACT AAGTCTGTGCAG<BR> ACTTTACCGCCAGAGGACTTCTGTTTCTATCAAGGCTCTTTGCGATCACACAGAAACTCC CCATCGCATGGA GGGAAGTTCTGTGAGGGCTCCACTCGCACTCTGAAGCTCTGCAACAGTCAGAAATGTCCC CGGGACAGTGTT GACTTCCGTGCTGCTCAGTGTGCCGAGCACAACAGCAGACGATTCAGAGGGCGGCACTAC AAGTGGAAGCCT<BR> TACACTCAAGTAGAACAGGACTTATGCAAACTCTACTGTATCGCAGAAGGATTTGATTTC TTCTTTTCTTTG<BR> TCAAATAAAGTCAAAGATGGGACTCCATGCTCGGAGGATAGCCGTAATGTTTGTATAGAT GGGATATGTGAG<BR> ATGCCCCAGCCTCCCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTTGCCAGATGAGTATAAGTCTTGCTTA CGGCATAAGCGC<BR> T CT CTTC TGAGGTCCCATAGAAATGAAGAACTGAACGTGGAGACCTTGGTGGTGGTCGACAAAAAGA TGATG<BR> CAAAACCATGGCCATGAAAATATCACCACCTACGTGCTCACGATACTCAACATGGTATCT GCTTTATTCAAA GATGGAACAATAGGAGGAAACATCAACATTGCAATTGTAGGTCTGATTCTTCTAGAAGAT GAACAGGACATC TGTAAAGCCCTGTGGTGCCATCGTATTGGAAGGAAATGTGAGACTAAATTTATGCCAGCA GCAGAAGGCACA<BR> <BR> <BR> ATTTGTGGGCATGACATGTGGTGCCGGGGAGGACAGTGTGTGAAATATGGTGATGAAGGC CCCAAGCCCACC<BR> <BR> CATGGCCACTGGTCGGACTGGTCTTCTTGGTCCCCATGCTCCAGGACCTGCGGAGGGGGA GTATCTCATAGG<BR> <BR> <BR> AGTCGCCTCTGCACCAACCCCAGGCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGTGAGGGCTCCACT CGCACTCTGAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> CTCTGCAACAGTCAGAAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCTGCTCAGTGTGCC GAGCACAACAGC<BR> <BR> AGACGATTCAGAGGGCGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTCAGGACTTATGCAAACTCTACTGT ATCGCAGAAGGA TTTGATTTCTTCTTTTCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTCAAAGATGGGACTCCATGCTCGGAGGAT AGCCGTAATGTT <BR> <BR> TGTATAGATGGGATATGTGAGGGATGTGACAATGTCCTTGGATCTGATGCTGTTGAAGAC GTCTGTGGGGTG<BR> <BR> TGTAACGGGAATAACTCAGCCTGCACGATTCACAGGGGTCTCTACACCAAGCACCACCAC ACCAACTATTAT<BR> <BR> <BR> CACATGGTCACCATTCCTTCTGGAGCCCGGAGTATCCGCATCTATGAAATGAACGTCTCT ACCTCCTACATT<BR> <BR> <BR> TCTGTGCGCAATGCCCTCAGAAGGTACTACCTGAATGGGCACTGGACCGTGGACTGGCCC GGCCGGTACAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> TTTTCGGGCACTACTTTCGACTACAGACGGTCCTATAATGAGCCCGAGAACTTAATCGCT ACTGGACCAACC AACGAGACACTGATTGTGGAGCTGCTGTTTCAGGGAAGGAACCCGGGTGTTGCCTGGGAA TACTCCATGCCT <BR> <BR> CGCTTGGGGACCGAGAAGCAGCCCCCTGCCCAGCCCAGCTACACTTGGGCCATCGTGCGC TCTGAGTGCTCC<BR> <BR> <BR> GTGTCCTGCGGAGGGGGTAGGTGCCTTCCAGTGCTGCTCCTGGAGGCAGCATGTCAGCCT TCAGCCACTGCG<BR> <BR> TACATTGCACTGGCCTTTCTTGAATCCTAATGAGCAGCCCGGGGCTTCTCCCTGCCA

In a search of public sequence databases, the NOV1b nucleic acid sequence, located on chromsome 5 has 101 of 126 bases (80%) identical to agb: GENBANK- ID : HSA400877#acc : AJ400877.1 mRNA from Homo sapiens (Homo sapiens ASCL3 gene, CEGP1 gene, Cl lorfl4 gene, Gllorfl5 gene, Cllorfl6 gene and Cl lorfl7 gene) (E = 2.3e-7).

Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

The disclosed NOVlb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 4) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 3 has 791 amino acid residues and is presented in Table ID using the one-letter amino acid code. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVlb has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in extracellularlye with a certainty of 0, 5469. In other embodiments, NOVlb may also be localized to the lysosome (lumen) with acertainty of 0.1900, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 1144 or in the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0.1000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOVlb peptide is between amino acids 23 and 24, at: VAE-QV.

Table 1 D. Encoded NOVIb protein sequence (SEQ ID N0 : 4).

MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQLEASPPRLLSRGPRRLT AMSPLFSAGTCVRHG <BR> <BR> TRSGSAWEPERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQTLHVLTREYDLV SAYEVDHRGDYV<BR> <BR> SHEIMHHQRRRRAVAVSEVESLHLRLKGPRHDFHMDLRTSSSLVAPGFIVQTLGKTGTKS VQTLPPEDFCFY<BR> <BR> <BR> QGSLRSHRNSPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKW KPYTQVEQDLCK LYCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGTPCSEDSRVNCIDGICEMPQPPKEDLFILPDEYKSCLRH KRSLLRSHRNEE LNVETLVVVDKKMMQNHGHENITTYVLTILNMVSALFKDGTIGGNINIAIVGLILLEDEQ DICKALWCHRIG <BR> <BR> RKCETKFMPAAEGTICGHDMWCRGGQCVKYGDEGPKPTHGHWSDWSSWSPCSRTCGGGVS HRSRLCTNPRPS<BR> <BR> <BR> HGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKWKPQDLCKLYCIA EGFDFFFSLSNK<BR> <BR> <BR> VKDGTPCSEDSRNVCIDGICEGCDNVLGSDAVEDVCGVCNGNNSACTIHRGLYTKHHHTN YYHMVTIPSGAR<BR> <BR> SIRIYEMNVSTSYISVRNALRRYYLNGHWTVDWPGRYKFSGTTFDYRRSYNEPENLIATG PTNETLIVELLF QGRNPGAWEYSMPRLGTEKQPPAQPSYTWAIVRSECSVSCGGGRCLPVLLLEAACQPSAT AYTALAFLES A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOVlb amino acid sequence has 152 oF357 amino acid residues (42%) identical to, and 216 of357 amino acid residues (60%) similar to, the 860 amino acid residue plnr SWISSNEW-ACC Q9UKP5 protein from-lollzo sapiens (Human) (ADAM-TS 6 precursor (EC 3.4.24.-) (A Dtsmtsgrin And Metalloproteinase

With Thrombospondin Motifs 6) (ADAMTS-6) (ADAM-TS6) (E = 4.8e''°'). Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PIR.

NOVlb is expressed in at least the following tissues: brain, liver, spleen, uterus, colon, tonsil, lung, germ cells. This information was derived by determining the tissue sources of the sequences that were included in the invention including but not limited to SeqCalling sources, Public EST sources, Genomic Clone sources, Literature sources, and/or RACE sources.

NOVlc In the present invention, the target sequence identified previously, NOV 1 a, was subjected to the exon linking process to confirm the sequence. PCR primers were designed by starting at the most upstream sequence available, for the forward primer, and at the most downstream sequence available for the reverse primer. In each case, the sequence was examined, walking inward from the respective termini toward the coding sequence, until a suitable sequence that is either unique or highly selective was encountered, or, in the case of the reverse primer, until the stop codon was reached. Such primers were designed based on in silico predictions for the full length cDNA, part (one or more exons) of the DNA or protein sequence of the target sequence, or by translated homology of the predicted exons to closely related human sequences sequences from other species. These primers were then employed in PCR amplification based on the following pool of human cDNAs : adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain-amygdala, brain-cerebellum, brain-hippocampus, brain-substantia nigra, brain-thalamus, brain-whole, fetal brain, fetal kidney, fetal liver, fetal lung, heart, kidney, lymphoma-Raji, mammary gland, pancreas, pituitary gland, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spinal cord, spleen, stomach, testis, thyroid, trachea, uterus. Usually the resulting amplicons were gel purified, cloned and sequenced to high redundancy. The resulting sequences from all clones were assembled with themselves, with other fragments in CuraGen Corporation's database and with public ESTs. Fragments and ESTs were included as components for an assembly when the extent of their identity with another component of the assembly was at least 95% over 50 bp. In addition, sequence traces were evaluated manually and edited for corrections if appropriate. These procedures provide the sequence reported below, which is designated NOVlc. This differs from the previously identified sequence NOVla in having a different N-terminus A disclosed NOVlc nucleic acid of 2902 nucleotides (also referred to as GG52952-03) encoding a novel ADAM-TS 7-like protein is shown in Table I E. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 182-184 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 2750-2752 A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table lE. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> Table lE. NOVIc nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO : 5).<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> TTGGCGGCGCTGTGGATGCTGCTGGCGCAGGTGGCCGAGCAGGTGAGTCCCGGGCGCTCC CACCAGCGCGGA<BR> <BR> <BR> AACCGCGGGTCCGGACAGCTGGAGGCGAGTCCCCCGCGGCTCCTCTCCCGCGGACCCCGC CGTCTCACCGCG<BR> <BR> <BR> ATGTCGCCGCTGTTTTCCGCAGGCACCTGCGTGCGCCATGGGACCCGCAGCGGCAGCGCC TGGGAGCCCGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> CGTCCCGCGTCCTCCTCCAGACCTGGTCTCTGCCTACGAGGTTGACCACAGGGGCGATTA CGTGTCCCATGA<BR> <BR> <BR> AATCATGCACCATCAGCGGCGGAGAAGAGCAGTGGCCGTGTCCGAGGTTGAGCCAGCCTT TCTCCAGGTATG<BR> <BR> <BR> CAGAGCCAGAGAGCTCAGACTGTGTGTGGAGGCCTTTCCCATTGCTAATTCTCAGCCGGG GTTTTTGAACCT<BR> <BR> <BR> TTCCAATGTTCGCTCTCACTGGAGGGAACAGCATGCTTCCAAGAGAATAATAACAAATGC AATGCTTGGAGA<BR> <BR> <BR> ATCGGCCCTGGCTTCAACCAGAAAGTCTAATTGTGTTTTCTTTCTTTCCTTTTATTTTTT CCAGTCAGGCAT<BR> <BR> <BR> GATACGAACAGAAGAGGCAGATTACTTCCTAAGGCCACTTCCTTCACACCTCTCATGGAA ACTCGGCAGAGC<BR> <BR> TGCCCAAGGCAGCTCGCCATCCCACGTACTGTACAAGAGAGAGGTCCTGGTGACCTCAAG GACATGGGASCT<BR> GGCACATCAACCCCTGCACAGCAGCGACCTTCGCCTGGGACTGCCACAAAAGCAGCATTT CTGTGGAAGACG<BR> CAAGAAATACATGCCCCAGCCTCCCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTTGCCAGATGAGTATAA GTCTTGCTTACG<BR> GCATAAGCGCTCTCTTCTGAGGTCCCATAGAAATGAAGAACTGAACGTGGAGACCTTGGT GGTGGTCGACAA<BR> AAAGATGATGCAAAACCATGGCCATGAAAATATCACCACCTACGTGCTCACGATACTCAA CATGGTATCTGC<BR> TTTATTCAAAGATGGAACAATAGGAGGAAACATCAACATTGCAATTGTAGGTCTGATTCT TCTAGAAGATGA<BR> ACAGCCAGGACTGGTGATAAGTCACCACGCAGACCACACCTTAAGTAGTTTCTGCCAGTG GCAGTCTGGATT<BR> GATGGGGAAAGATGGGACTCGTCATGACCACGCCATCTTACTGACTGGTCTGGATATATG TTCCTGGAAGAA<BR> TGAGCCCTGTGACACTTTGGGATTTGCACCCATAAGTGGAATGTGTAGTAAATATCGCAG CTGCACGATTAA<BR> TGAAGATACAGGTCTTGGACTGGCCTTCACCATTGCCCATGAGTCTGGACACAACTTTGG CATGATTCATGA<BR> TGGAGAAGGGAACATGTGCAAAAAGTCCGAGGGCAACATCATGTCCCCTACATTGGCAGG ACGCAATGGAGT<BR> CTTCTCCTGGTCACCCTGCAGCCGCCAGTATCTACACAAATTTCTAAGCACCGCTCAAGC TATCTGCCTTGC<BR> TGATCAGCCAAAGCCTGTGAAGGAATACAAGTATCCTGAGAAATTGCCAGGAGAATTATA TGGTGCAAACAC<BR> ACAGTGCAAGTGGCAGTTCGGAGAGAAAGCCAAGCTCTGCATGCTGGACTTTAAAAAGGA CATCTGTAAAGC<BR> CCTCTCCTCCCATCCTATTCCAACCAAATCTCACACTAAATTTATCCCACCACCACAACC CACAATTTCTCC<BR> CCTGTGGTGCCATCGTATTGGAAGGAAATGTGAGACTAAATTTATGCCAGCAGCAGAAGG CACAATTTGTGG<BR> GCATGAACATGGTGCCGGAGGACAGTGTGTGAAATATGGTGATGAAGGCCCCAAGCCCAC CCATGGCCACTG<BR> GTCGGACTGGTCTTCTTGGTCCCCATGCTCCAGGACCTGCGGAGGGGGAGTATCTCATAG GAGTCGCTCTCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAATACACATTCCAGGCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGTGAGGGCTCCACTCGCACTCT GAAGCTCTGCAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CAGTCAGAAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCTGCTCAGTGTGCCGAGCACAA CAGCAGACGATT<BR> <BR> CAGAGGGCGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTGATCAGGACTTATGCAAACTCTACTGTATCGC AGAAGGATTTGA<BR> <BR> <BR> TTTCTTCTTTTCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTCAAAGATGGGACTCCATGCTCGGAGGATAGCCG TAATGTTTGTAT<BR> <BR> <BR> AGATGGGATATGTGAGAGAGTTGGATGTGACAATGTCCTTGGATCTGATGCTGTTGAAGA CGTCTGTGGGGT<BR> <BR> <BR> GTGTAACGGGAATAACTCAGCCTGCACGATTCACAGGGGTCTCTACCTAGAGTATTATCA CATGGTCACCAT<BR> <BR> <BR> TCCTTCTGGAGCCCGGAGTATCCGCATCTATGAAATGAACGTCTCTACCTCCTACATTTC TGTGCGCAATGC<BR> <BR> <BR> CCTCAGAAGGTACTACCTGAATGGGCACTGGACCGTGGACTGGCCCGGCCGGTACAAATT TTCGGGCACTAC<BR> <BR> TTTCGACTACAGACGGTCCTATAATGAGCCCGAGAACTTAATCGCTACTGGACCAACCAA CGAGACACTGAT<BR> <BR> <BR> TGTGGAGCTGCTGTTTCAGGGAAGGAACCCGGGTGTTGCCTGGGAATACTCCATGCCTCG CTTGGGGACCGA<BR> <BR> <BR> GAAGCAGCCCCCTGCCCAGCCCAGCTACACTTGGGCCATCGTGCGCTCTGAGTGCTCCGT GTCCTGCGGAGG<BR> <BR> <BR> GGGTAGGTGCCTTCCAGTGCTGCTCCTGGAGGCAGCATGTCAGCCTTTAGCCACTGCGTA CATTGCACTGGC<BR> <BR> <BR> CTTTCTTGAATCCTAATGAGCAGCCCGGGGCTTCTCCCTGCCAGTAGCAGTGACATTCCC AAGGTGGGGAGT<BR> <BR> <BR> GGTGGTCCTGAGTGTCACTTGTCGGCCCGAGCTGCCTTCTCCAGTCTATCTGCTTCAGTG TGTGACTCTGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> GAAGTCAGTAGATGCATTGCTT fn a search of public sequence databases, the NOV 1 c nucleic acid sequence, located on chromsome 5 has 646 of 1089 bases (59%) identical to a gb: GENBANK- ID : AFl40675) acc : AF140675.1 mRNA from Homo sapiens (Homo sapiens zinc metalloprotease ADAMTS7 (ADAMTS7) mRNA, complete cds) (E = 1.0e-23). Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

The disclosed NOVI c polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 6) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 5 has 856 amino acid residues and is presented in Table IF using the one-letter amino acid code. Signal

P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVI c has no signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the nucleus with a certainty of 0. 7000. In other embodiments, NOV1c may also be localized to the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 3813, the mitochondrial matrix space with a certainty of 0.1000, or in the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty oF0. 1000.

Table IF. Encoded NO Vie protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 6).

MGPAAAAPGSPSVPRPPDLVSAYEVDHRGDYVSHEIMHHQRRRRAVAVSEVEPAFLQ VCRARELRLCVEAF PIANSQPGFLNLSNVRSHWREQHASKRIITNAMLGESALASTRKSNCVFFLSFYFFQSGM IRTEEADYFLRP LPSHLSWKLGRAAQGSSPSHVLYKREVLVTSRTWELAHQPLHSSDLRLGLPQKQHFCGRR KKYMPQPPKEDL FILPDEYKSCLRHKRSLLRSHRNEELNVETLVVVDKKMMQNHGHENITTYVLTILNMVSA LFKDGTIGGNIN IAIVGLILLEDEQPGLVISHHADHTLSSFCQWQSGLMGKDGTRHDHAILLTGLDICSWKN EPCDTLGFAPIS<BR> GMCSKYRSCTINEDTGLGLAFTIAHESGHNFGMIHDGEGNMCKKSEGNIMSPTLAGRNGV FSWSPCSRQYDH<BR> KFLSTAQAICLADQPKPVKEYKYPEKL. PGELYGANTQCKWQFGEKAKLCM. LDFKKDICKALNCHRIGRKCET<BR> KFMPAAEGTICGHEHGAGGQCVKYGDEGPKPTHGHWSDWSSWSPCSRTCGGGVSHRSRSQ NTHSRPSHGGKF<BR> CEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKWKPDQDLCKLYCIAEGFD FFFSLSNKVKDG<BR> TPCSEDSRNVCIDGICERVGCDNVLGSDAVEDVCGVCNGNNSACTIHRGLYLEYYHMVTI PSGARSIRIYEM<BR> NVSTSYISVRNALRRYYLNGHWTVDWPGRYKFSGTTFDYRRSYNEPENLIATGPTNETLI VELLFQGRNPGV<BR> AWEYSMPRLGTEKQPPAQPSYTWATVRSECSVSCGGGRCLPVLLLEAACQPLATAYIALA FLES A search of public sequence databases reveals that the NOVIc amino acid sequence has 256 of 579 amino acid residues (44%) identical to, and 352 of 579 amino acid residues (60%) similar to, the 997 amino acid residue ptnr : SWISSNEW-ACC : Q9UKP4 protein from Homo sapiens (Humans) (ADAM-TS 7 precursor (EC 3.4.24.-) (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 7) (ADAMTS-7) (ADAM-TS7) (E = 1.9e 144). Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PER.

NOV1c is expressed in at least the following tissues: adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain-amygdala, brain-cerebellum, brain-hippocampus, brain-substantia nigra, brain- thalamus, brain-whole, fetal brain, fetal kidney, fetal liver, fetal lung, heart, kidney, lymphoma-Raji, mammary gland, pancreas, pituitary gland, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spinal cord, spleen, stomach, testis, thyroid, trachea and uterus. Expression information was derived from the tissue sources of the sequences that were included in the derivation of the sequence ofNOVlc.

NOV1 d A disclosed NOVI d nucleic acid oF2895 nucleotides (also referred to as CG52952-04) encoding a novel ADAM-TS 7-like protein is shown in Table 1G. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 10-12 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 2866-2868. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table IG. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 1G. NOV1d nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:7). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>CGCTCCTGGATGAAGCCCCGCGCGCGCGGATGGCGGGGCTTGGCGGCGCTG TGGATGCTGTTGGCGCAGGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCGAGCAGGTGAGTCCCGGGCGCTCCCACCAGCGCGGAAACCGCGGGTCCGGACAGCTG GAGGCGAGTCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGCGGCTCCTCTCCCGCGGACCCCGCCGTCTCACCGCGATGTCGCCGCTGTTTTCCGCA GGCACCTGCGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGCCATGGGACCCGCAGCGGCAGCGCCTGGGAGCCCGAGCGTCCCGCGTCCTCCTCCACC CGCGGAGCGGCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGGCTGGATGGAAAAGGGCGGGACATGGATGAAGCTGGAAACCATCGTTCTCAGCAAACT AACACAGGAACA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAAAACCAAACACTGCATGTTCTCACTCAATATGACCTGGTCTCTGCCTACGAGGTTGAC CACAGGGGCGAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TACGTGTCCCATGAAATCATGCACCATCAGCGGCGGAGAAGAGCAGTGGCCGTGTCCGAG GTTGAGTCTCTT<BR> <BR> <BR> CACCTTCGGCTGAAAGGCCCCAGGCACGACTTCCACATGGATCTGAGGACTTCCAGCAGC CTAGTGGCTCCT GGCTTTATTGTGCAGACGTTGGGAAAGACAGGCACTAAGTCTGTGCAGACTTTACCGCCA GAGGACTTCTGT TTCTATCAAGGCTCTTTGCGATCACACAGAAACTCGCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGT GAGGGCTCCACT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGCACTCTGAAGCTCTGCAACAGTCAGAAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCT GCTCAGTGTGCC<BR> <BR> <BR> GAGCACAACAGCAGACGATTCAGAGGGCGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTTACACTCAAGTA GAAGCCGACTTA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCAAACTCTACTGTATCGCAGAAGGATTTGATTTCTTCTTTTCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTC AAAGATGGGACT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCATGCTCGGAGGATAGCCGTAATGTTTGTATAGATGGGATATGTGAGCTCAGTGTGGTG TCCACATCTGCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CACATGCCCCAGCCTCCCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTTGCCAGATGAGTATAAGTCTTGC TTACGGCATAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGCTCTCTTCTGAGGTCCCATAGAAATGAAGAACTGAACGTGGAGACCTTGGTGGTGGTC GACAAAAAGATG<BR> <BR> <BR> ATGCAAAACCATGGCCATGAAAATATCACCACCTACGTGCTCACGATACTCAACATGGTA TCTGCTTTATTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAAGATGGATTGATGGGGAAAGATGGGACTCGTCATGACCACGCCATCTTACTGACTGGT CTGGATATATGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCCTGGAAGAATGAGCCCTGTGACACTTTGGGATTTGCACCCATAAGTGGAATGTGTAGT AAATATCGCAGC TGCACGATTAATGAAGATACAGGTCTTGGACTGGCCTTCACCATTGCCCATGAGTCTGGA CACAACTTTGGC <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGATTCATGATGGAGAAGGGAACATGTGTAAAAAGTCCGAGGGCAACATCATGTCCCCT ACATTGGCAGGA CGCAATGGAGTCTTCTCCTGGTCACCCTGCAGCCGCCAGTATCTACACAAATTTCTAAGC ACCGCTCAAGCT <BR> <BR> <BR> ATCTGCCTTGCTGATCAGCCAAAGCCTGTGAAGGAATACAAGTATCCTGAGAAATTGCCA GGAGAATTATAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GATGCAAACACACAGTGCAAGTGGCAGTTCGGAGAGAAAGCCAAGCTCTGCATGCTGGAC TTTAAAAAGGAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATCTGTAAAGCCCTGTGGTGCCATCGTATTGGAAGGAAATGTGAGACTAAATTTATGCCA GCAGCAGAAGGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACAATTTGTGGGCATGACATGTGGTGCCGGGGAGGACAGTGTGTGAAATATGGTGATGAA GGCCCCAAGCCC ACCCATGGCCACTGGTCGGACTGGTCTTCTTGGTCCCCATGCTCCAGGACCTGCGGAGGG GGAGTATCTCAT <BR> <BR> <BR> AGGAGTCGCCTCTGCACCAACCCCAAGCCATCGCATGGAGGGAAGTTCTGTGAGGGCTCC ACTCGCACTCTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGCTCTGCAACAGTCAGAAATGTCCCCGGGACAGTGTTGACTTCCGTGCTGCTCAGTGT GCCGAGCACAAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGCAGACGATTCAGAGGGCGGCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTTACACTCAAGTAGAAGATCAG GACTTATGCAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTCTACTGTATCGCAGAAGGATTTGATTTCTTCTTTTCTTTGTCAAATAAAGTCAAAGAT GGGACTCCATGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCGGAGGATAGCCGTAATGTTTGTATAGATGGGATATGTGAGAGAGTTGGATGTGACAAT GTCCTTGGATCT GATGCTGTTGAAGACGTCTGTGGGGTGTGTAACGGGAATAACTCAGCCTGCACGATTCAC AGGGGTCTCTAC <BR> <BR> <BR> ACCAAGCACCACCACACCAACCAGTATTATCACATGGTCACCATTCCTTCTGGAGCCCGG AGTATCCGCATC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TATGAAATGAACGTCTCTACCTCCTACATTTCTGTGCGCAATGCCCTCAGAAGGTACTAC CTGAATGGGCAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGACCGTGGACTGGCCCGGCCGGTACAAATTTTCGGGCACTACTTTCGACTACAGACGG TCCTATAATGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCCGAGAACTTAATCGCTACTGGACCAACCAACGAGACACTGATTGTGGAGCTGCTGTTT CAGGGAAGGAAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGGGTGTTGCCTGGGAATACTCCATGCCTCGCTTGGGGACCGAGAAGCAGCCCCCTGCC CAGCCCAGCTAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACTTGGGCCATCGTGCGCTCTGAGTGCTCCGTGTCCTGCGGAGGGGGTAGGTGCCTTCCA GTGCTGCTCCTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAGGCAGCATGTCAGCCTTCAGCCACTGCGTACATTGCACTGGCCTTTCTTGAATCCTAA TGAGCAGCCCGG GGCTTCTCCCTGCCA

In a search of public sequence databases, the NOVId nucleic acid sequence, located on chromsome 5 has 380 of 614 bases (61%) identical to a gb: GENBANK- ID : AF ! 40675 (acc : AF140075.1 mRNA from Homo sapiens (Homo sapiens zinc metalloprotease ADAMTS7 (ADAMTS7) mRNA, complete cds) (E = 7.0e-16). Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

The disclosed NOVld polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 8) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 7 has 952 amino acid residues and is presented in Table 1 H using the one-letter amino acid code. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVId has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized extracellualrly with a certainty of 0.3700. In other embodiments, NOVI d may also be localized to the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 1900, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 1270, or in the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0k 1000. tHE MOST LIKELY cleavage site For a NOV1 a peptide is between amino acids 23 and 24, AT:VAE-QV.

Table 1H. Encoded NOVId protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 8). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQLEASPPRLLSRGPRRLTAMS PLFSAGTCVRHG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TRSGSAWEPERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQTLHVLTQYDLVS AYEVDHRGDYVS HEIMHHQRRRRAVAVSEVESLHLRLKGPRHDFHMDLRTSSSLVAPGFIVQTLGKTGTKSV QTLPPEDFCFYQ GSLRSHRNSPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHMSRRFRGRHYKWK PYTQVEADLCKL)<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> YCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGTPCSEDSRNVCIDGICELSWSTSAHMPQPPKEDDFILPsE YKSCLRHKRSL LRSHRNEELNVETLVVVDKMMQNHGHENITTYVLTILNMVSALFKDGLMGKDGTRHDHAI LLTGLDICSWK NEPCDTLGFAPISGMCSKYRSCTINEDTGLGLAFTIAHESGHNFGMIHDGEGNMCKKSEG NIMSPTLAGRNG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> VFSNSPCSRQYLHKFLSTAQAICLADQPKPVKEYKYPEKLPGELYDANTQCKNQFGEKAK LCMLDFKKDICK :<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ALWCHRIGRKCETKFMPAAEGTICGHDMMCRGGQCVKYGDEGPKPTHGHNSDMSSNSPCS RTCGGGVSHESR<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> LCTNPKPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVDFRAAQCAEHNSRRFRGRHYKWKPYT QVEDQDLCKLYC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> IAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGTPCSEDSRNVCIDGICERVGCDNVLGSDAVEDVCGVCNGNNS ACTIHRGLYTKH HHTNQYYHMTIPSGARSIRIYEMNVSTSYISVRNALRRYYLNGHWTVDWPGRYKFSGTTF DYRRSYNEPEN <BR> <BR> LIATGPTNETLIVELLFQGRNPGVAWEYSMPRLGTEKQPPAQPSYTWAIVRSECSVSCGG GRCLPVLLLEAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CQPSATAYIALAFLES

A search of public sequence databases reveals that the NOV1d amino acid sequence has 207 of 483 amino acid residues (42%) identical to, and 287 of 483 amino acid residues (59%) similar to, the 997 amino acid residue ptnr: SWISSNEW-ACC : Q9UKP4 protein from Gonzo snpells (Human) (ADAM-TS 7 precursor (EC 3. 4.24.-) (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 7) (ADAMTS-7) (ADAM-TS7)) (E = 7. 0e@ Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PIR.

NOVId is expressed in at least the following tissues: adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain-amygdala, brain-cerebellum, brain-hippocampus, brain-substantia nigra, brain- thalamus, brain-whole, fetal brain, fetal kidney, fetal liver, fetal lung, heart, kidney, lymphoma-Raji, mammary gland, pancreas, pituitary gland, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spinal cord, spleen, stomach, testis, thyroid, trachea and uterus. Expression information was derived from the tissue sources of the sequences that were included in the derivation of the sequence of NOVId and the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID: gb: GENBANK-ID : AF140675|acc : AF140675. 1) a closely related Homo sapiens zinc metalloprotease ADAMTS7 (ADAMTS7) mRNA, complete cds homolog in species Homo sapiens.

The proteins encoded by the NOVI a, lb, le, and ld nucleotides are very closely homologous as is shown in the alignment in Table 1 I. TaqMan data for NOV1 can be found below in Example 2. SNP data for NOV1 a can be found below in Example 3.

Table 1I Alignment of NOV1a, 1b, 1c, and 1 d. 10 20 30 40 50 foul a | sv nova

NoVb i I..,. av v s NOV), B NOVid 60 70 80 90 100 . . 3aka NOVX ovid NOVID 60 70 80 90 100 NOVIA NOVla W ee v NOVldv S14 s = NOVId w v NOVic------------------.------- osv Rpp--------------- 160 120 180 190 150 NOVid 0 lirl, pill 160 170 180 190 200 NOVia Novid.-j MEEE!! 3S!!! !!! SShSB! Ea NOV1c PAFIQVCR4ELRLCVEAFPTAN'O 210 220 230 240 250 I9Vla , s e a a NOVlb s s c LVQVld v v NOV1c HWREQHASKRIITNAMLGESS F gl sK---NCV EFLS----FYFFQ GM 260 270 280 290 300 . NQV7 : a v v v v N b NOVxd m n v v s NOVic IRTEEYFLRPIjpSLKIjGMGS 310 320 330 340 350 v m NOVlb 2 NOVld DS W STSAa ht3q1 NOVId se v-ae v v LSWSTS NOVIB--------- 360 370 380 390 400 w w 1 J, s NOVla , NtJV b fii v v ^ a NOVlb Novic ! S't ! !. 5ns : ! i ! :' ! SE ! sE, BEsN sESS ! 410 420 430 440 450 wr v r N (VIA NOV)-C 0 NOVld 420 430 440 450 NOVICENZNIAlVGL EDEQPGLVISHHADHTLSSFCQW 460 470 480 490 500 .. NOVIa QSGLMG -e v a i NOVlb--------------------.----------------------------- NOV12 QSGLMG = iPVlc QSGLM s 7 v v 510 520 53a S40 55a NOVIA QSGLMG 110 Li n A It k) 10 1 ! as) *I 19 rA mli

NOVlb-----------------------------_------_ fovid 9 1 11 NOVlc = SS0 S70 580 590 600 NOVla D i NOVlb-----------------ivG---.-.------,------. ----- 610 620 630 640 650 NOVlc 610 620 630 640 6S0 NOVla iUa2ta s t HtJc|i3bl 5 iil i3i Nova. EDE ine EN 2 ! ! - NOVlc E {tM2ßa ! 3 w = l N, s = 5 K C 660 670 680 690 700 NOVia I30V2c e te HG 660 670 6$0 690 700 ! NOVka'e "; r y n n y_ i i NOVIb s R Nt3Vld 'K 710 720 730 740 750 710 720 730 740 750 NOVla--- NOVlb--- NOVId v a a NOVlc m D = 2 = = bn Y : lStie = Movie! S! BHaasB [f'!') < S Ss s'E a! EEtaHas aS! 760 770 780 790 800 1FC3Va--____-s ie-W 7 m v r r NOVIb ___a_m v v v ° NOVld'YTQVEDA e e e m l. a v 1 NQVlc Z-----r 810 820 830 840 850 NOVla g-=- v.. A-s SR DFV117 s Nova 7GO 770 780 790 800 860 870 880 890 900 Not NflVJ. b i o NOVla tf 1 0 NOVlb 97. 0 920 930 940 950 NOVla v A.. 1OV. b n o i IVId NOVlb ! j, ji ! ! ! H ! : i ! t ! iiS : ii 910 970 980 940 950 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 NOVla NOV :} b N d3N NOVIa w v (SEQ xD N0 : 2) NOVlc b : tSs44ltsslln « ws t ; NOV1a S 4 y : jdi XtRi « « d : @ n$ : fw iB (SEQ ID NO : 2) NOVlb MEdSa'4i29~U : S2* B « « e « t2t-wSS « ! li2 : M. ç ii (SEQ ID NO. 4) NOVld E 44ir : aiQ : St *atS7 « eer8SMxi-0wv-S SEQ ID NQ : 6) NOVid Ae I (SEQ ID NO, 6) lovic.. (SEQ ID NQ : B)

Homologies to any of the above NOV1 proteins will be shared by the other two NOV1 proteins insofar as they are homologous to each other as shown above. Any reference to NOVI is assumed to refer to all three of the NOV1 proteins in general, unless otherwise noted.

The disclosed NOV1 a polypeptide has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 1J.

Table 1J. BLAST results for NOVla Gene Index/ Protein/ Organism Length Identity Po Expect Identifier (aa) (%) sitives (%) gi#13569928#ref#NP_ a disintegrin- 1593 269/616 e-135 112217.1 like and (43%) (59%) metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 12 [Homo sapiens] gi|11493589|gb|AAG3 zinc 1077 253/624 359/624 e-128 5563. 1#AF163762_1 metalloendopeptid (40%) (56%) (AF163762) ase [Homo sapiens] gi#10645199#ref#NP_ a disintegrin and 997 247/571 344/571 e-127 055087.1# metalloprotease (43%) (59%) with thrombospondin motifs-7 preproprotein ; a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysintype) with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 7 [Homo sapiens] gi#15309931#ref#XP_ a disintegrin- 854 245/604 348/604 e-124 054419.1# like and (40%) (57%) metalloprotease domain with thrombospondin type I repeats 10 [Homo sapiens] @gi#7656869#ref#NP_0 a disintegrin and # 860 # 244/630 # 345/630 # e-115 55088.1 metalloprctease (38%) (54%) with thrombospondin motifs-6 preproprotein ; a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 6 [Homo sapiens] The homology between these and other sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 1K. In the ClustalW alignment of the NOV1 proteins, as

well as all other ClustalW analyses herein, the black outlined amino acid residues indicate regions of conserved sequence (i e., regions that may be required to preserve structural or functional properties), whereas non-highlighted amino acid residues are less conserved and can potentially be altered to a much broader extent without altering protein structure or function.

Table 1K. ClustalW Analysis of NOVl 1) Novel NOV1a (SEQ ID NO : 2) 2) Novel NOV1b (SEQ ID NO : 4) 3) Novel NOVIc (SEQ ID NO:6) 4) Novel NOVId (SEQ ID NO:8) 4) gi#13569928#ref#NP_112217.1# a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 12 [Homo sapiens) (SEQ ID NO : 30) 5) gi#11493589#gb#AAG35563.1#AF163762_1 (AF163762) zinc metalloendopeptidase [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 31) 6) gi#10645199#ref#NP_055087.1# a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs-7 preproprotein ; a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 2 motif, 7 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 32) 7) gi#15309931#ref#XP_054419.1# a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease domain with thrombospondin type I repeats 10 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 33) 8) gi#7656869#ref#NP_055088.1# a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs-6 preproprotein ; a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease (reprolysin type) with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 6 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 34) 0 0 30 40 10 20 30 go NOVla MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQ NOVlb MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQ NOVIc---------------------------------------- NOVId MKPRARGWRGLAALWMLLAQVAEQVSPGRSHQRGNRGSGQ gilt13569928l---------------_---__---__-______ ____ gil11493589l----_----------_---_______________ _____ giW10645199@-------------------__-___________ ____ gi&15309931&------------------------___ ______ ___ gij7656869)---------------------------------------- 50 6'0 70 80 so go 70 80 . NOVla LEASPPRLLSRGPRRLTAMSPLFSAGTCVRHGTRSGSAWE NOVlb LEASPPRLLSRGPRRLTAMSPLFSAGTCVRHGTRSGSAWE NOVlc----------MGP---AAAAP--------------GSPSV NOVId LEASPPRLLSRGPRRLTAMSPLFSAGTCVRHGTRSGSAWE gi13S69928---MPCAQRSWLANLS WAQLLNFGALCYGRQPQPGPVRF gif114935896----_-_______ __________ _ _ giI, Z0645199---MPGGPSPRSPAPLLRPLLLLLCALAPG-APGPAPGRA gij15309931)---------------------------------------- giN76568694-------------MEILWKTLTWILSLIMASSEFHSDHRL 90 loo. 110 120 NOVla PERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQ NOVlb PERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQ NOVIc PRPPP----------------------------------- NOVId PERPASSSTRGAAGLDGKGRDMDEAGNHRSQQTNTGTENQ gi|13569928 ? PDRRQEHFIKGL-----_______________________ gh11493589--RSQDEFLSSL----------_--_______________ gij'10645199 TEGR----------------____ _____ __ _____ gillS309931l------------------______ _______________ gi|7656869| SYSSQEEFLTYL------_____ ______________

130 140 150 160 1 NOVla TLHVLT-Q3, =SAYE HR D EIMHHQ'-R"VA NOVlb TLHVLT-QRDTSAYE HR D-RIMHHQ--R A 'Y NOVlb SAYE E HF 3Dri | HEIMHHQ-R EAVA NOVld TLHVLT-Q L SAYE HF DDYs. HEÍMHHQ]-R zAVA ru gi|13569928p------PE HV GPVR A 3HFI. YGLHYPITSS KRD gi114935891------ES51AFPT LLAFSPPPP-RQ GTG gill0645199------AALD : CZHPVR SPLMYELWP---AL"KRD gi15309931---------------------------------------- gil76568691------BEUQLTIPIRE-QEEAFLMFTVKND-KHSE'RRS 170 180 190 200 NOVla V ; -----EVS-LHLRLKGPRHDFHMD RTSSSLVAPG I NOVlb Vg-----EVES-1HLRLKGPRHDF RTSSSLVAPG I NOVlc V-----EV$P-AFLQ'V''CRARELRLCVEAFPTANSQPG NOVld VS-----EV1SS-IiHLRLKGPRHDFHMD ? RTSSSLV&PGi giJ135G99281 EI)----GSEDW-VYYRISIIEEKDLFFNETVNQGFLSNSYI giN11493589Y AT------AESRLFYKVASPSTHFLL TRSSRLLAGIiVS gi10645199u VS----VRRDAPAFYELQYRGRELRF TANQHLLIPGV' gij15309931---------------------------------------- gi t 7 656869 t MDPIDPQQAVSKItFFKDSAYGKHFHLNgTLNTDFVSKHgT 22ß 220 230 240 NOVla VÇTLGET TKSVQTLP--P-EDF FY 3s l RSHRNSPSHG NOVlb VQT LGET TKSVQTLP--P-EDF FY 3S 6 RSHRNSPSHG NOVIc NLSNVRSHWREQHASKRII-TNAMLGES STRKS---N NOVld VQTLGKTpTKSVQTLP--P-EDFdFYQ SR, SHRNSPSHG gi113569928, MEKR-YGNLSHVKMMAS--SAPL HLS TVLQQGTRVGTA gi|11493589t VEYWTRE LAWQRAARP-----H tLYI HIQGQASSS-HV gi|10645199| SETRRRG LGRAHIRAH---TPA ßHLL EVQDPELEGGLA gijl530993lj---------------------------------------- giS7656869| VEYWGRDIPQWKHDFLD-----NsHYTIY2QDQRSTT-RV 250 260 270 280 NOVla GKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSVS PRAAQCAEHNSRRFR NOVlb GKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSV ; FRAAQCAEHNSRRFR NOVIc CVFFL-S---FYFFQSGMIRTEES YFLRPLPSHLSWKLG NOVId GKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCPRDSX FRAAQCAEHNSRRFR gi|13569928| ALSACHG-------LTGFFQLPH FFIEPVKKHPLVEG- girll493s89l AISTCGG-------LHGLIVADEEEYLIEPLHGGPKGS-- gi|l0645l99| AISACDG-------LKGVFQLSNE > FIEPLDSAPARPG- gil15309931l-----__ __ ______ ______ _ ____ gi J7656869 ALSNCVG-------LHGVIATBDEE'XFIEPLtKNTTEDSKH 290 300 320 320 NOVla GRHYKWKYTQVEXDLCKLYCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGT NOVlb GRHYK TQVEQDLCKLYCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGT NOVIc RAAQGSS'SHVLYKREVLVTSRTWELAHQPLHSSDLRLGL Novld GRHYKWK'XTQVEADLCKLYCIAEGFDFFFSLSNKVKDGT gi|13569928|----GYH, HIVYRRQKVP--------ETKEP-TCGLEDSV gi114935891 RSPEESG'HVVYKRSSLRHPHLDTACGV-RDEKPWKGRPW gi10645999 ----HAQ'HWYKRQAPER--LAQRGDSSAPSTCGVQVYP gii153099311-----------------------_ ___ ____ __ _ gi 7656869) FSYENGH§HVIYKKSAJjQQRHLYDHSHCGVSDFTRSGKPW 330 340 350 360 .,.. C. NOVla PCSEDSRNVCIDGICELSWSTSAHMPQPPKEDLFTLPDE NOVlb PCSEDSRNVCIDGICE---------MPQPPKEDLFILPDE NOVIc PQKQHFCGRRKK------------YMPQPPKEDLFILPDE NOVId PCSEDSRNVCIDGICELSSWSTSAHMPQPPKEDLFILPDE gi|13569928| NISQ----------------------------KQELWREK gi|11493589| WLRT----------------------------LXPPPARp gi10645199 ELES----------------------------RRERWEQR gill5309931---------------------________ __ _

gi) 7656869 WLN-----------------------------DTSTVSYS 370 380 390 400 NOVla YISCLRH S LRSHRN L., Q NOVlb YKSCLRH S LRSHRNE LN Q HEN NOVIC YKSCLRH S LRSHR L EN NOVID YKSCLRH S LRSHRN LN gi113569928 WERHNLPS S SRRSIS Ti IXB S-rx gi11493589i LGNFTERGQPGLKRSVS RY A RRD gilIC645199 QC) WRRPRLMRRHQRSVSK K E QPQ gi|153099311---------------~--N IVAY RRD gi7656369 LPINNTHIHHRQKRSV912RF G RKD 410 420 430 440 .. NOVla ITT GTI G-----NI IVG NOVlb IT GL KDOTRRDH LLTG NOVlc Tt'L S mGTI G-----N IVG NOVld ITT L S _GL KnGTRHDH LLTG IC gi , 13569928 yE5 I TG HDIPSS----AT,,, PI-VR gi I11493589 I VEQ . QmSB S-----T L'VTR , MN 1 : VA gil76568 I S, I SOL IVA 450 460 470 480 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NOVla ED 4 PG H S = DH q S-SGLMGKDG-------- NOVlb EDE------------------------------------ NOVlc EDEEPG S = DH q S K SGEMGKDG-------- NOVld SWKN------------------------------------ giI13569928 EEQG EK S A SNPKS-------DL gi114935891 TEI) EPT E T GKS SIVNHSGHGNAIPEN gi10645199 E'DREE TDN SNMYG-------DA gì | 15309931 | TEDIPT2EgTmGKS2Dm2KSIVNHSGHGNAIPEN giN7656869h TEDP E DKS mRS2LSHQSDGNTIPEN 490 500 510 520 NOVla-TR&3Hei giGLMjSWK3 DzF2PIS&SKY@ NOVlb---------------------------------------- NOVlc--TREQT2t C-LMSW D pnp"l§ SK NOVld-------------------EiMiDIXiFX PIS ASKYESt g11135699281 NP L RK GFuRaE LFiT ; QP- vy r gi11493539 GV $oT-R IY G LNIPV ERE gi | 10645199 HPLfHiaT2IW RKs R3iSLSHVwiQPHS gi153099311 GV DT, IR IY G LM ! PVG ERE giI76568691 GTA r , I R TY'G'LSV dEPE' 530 540 550 560 .... NOV1 a gjT3T2GL=¢S=IaENKK S EG NOVlb------------------------------------- NOVIC IT GL s I F, KKSEG NC) Vld IT 9 s 1 8 KKSEG g11135699281-sS PL L S IQ e I (, $i D EPVGR gilll493589 s *I PQ I SGARGQ gi) s DT PL L 9 s EPVGK S PL. gil7656869 s IGs I I S*GRK-- 57p 580 590 600 NOVla N---TSPTLAGRNGVFSPQLHKSTAQAIA NOVlb ________________________________________ NOVIC N ITSPTLAGRNGVFS HK STAQA NOVld N---ISPTLAGRNGVFS m P = QgLHK mjSTAQAI m A gi J13569928) HP-YIESRQLQYDPTPLTgjKEEITRDRGMGFD gih1149358911 DPAKLT

gi|15309931 DPAKL WAXITMRTNPFV S = DNITS ffi DSGLGI ; N gi|7656869|----------VMKQQNYG-HYCEfiQSF _ _ _ l 3Q 610 620 630 640 ... H.. NOVla DQPKPVKEYKYEKLELyANTWFGEKAKLCMLD NOVlb----------------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOVlc DQPKPVKEYK-19EX E ANTO FGEKAKLCMLD NOVId jQPKPVKEYK < EKL E t ANT gW FGEKAKLCMLD gill35699281 PIPKK-KGLKSKVI I QL YG--PNATFCQ gi|11493589| ERPPR-QDFV TVA Q] ADE, N H---GVKSRQC gi106451991 PPAK----Dl'rTSVVP s G--AYSAYCE g1530993111 NRPPR-, DF TV Q E F---aVKSRQC git7656869} SRX--------_ _ _ _-------HHQ 650 660 670 680 ............ I......... NOVla FKYt) 3 : RIGR, 2 F,----HD NOVlb---Dl HRIGRK E F3 I---HD r- NOVlc FKKDS HR=GRR E F I---HEHG NOVId FKKDX HRIGR E F I----HDMGJ gi113569928 EVE'SVKG-F RS LD EKKIP, vu S gi11493589 KYG S wLSKS T SIw L'QTHTIDKG giI106451991 Dbff7 SVGT-S LD R----ENK gi153099311 KYG V SE LSKS 1'I ST QTHTIDKG gi|76568690 LFREN WE = LSKSNF » SI = LSQTGNIEKG 690 700 710 720 .. r ; r r NOVla K"DE IPT SD SMP H r r NOVlb 1RG Q K DEG'PT HSD'S P H NOVlc A-G K DEC PT SD sp H NOVId RG K"DEG PT SD SP gi1l35699281111 T KK-ESIP G GR P s gilll4935891 YKR P SR-EGVD GP TP G s gi [106451991 LSE 2 FR-'r,, A G SG I s gil7656869 YQ P, TW-'QSIE G aptl G s 730 740 750 760 ... NOVla Rr L Tr S.. E STTLTC"SQKr RD E NOVlb R'-L T"-R E S TL O. Q RD p NOVIc R'SQNTHSRW E ST-TL $Q RD NOVld R--T s S TL SQ RD o gill3569928 AE--L KF T ERKR P SEAPT gi114935891 S--DIS TI L ERMRHRS D PGEQI- giII06451991 AE'-Q TQ T KYK R ERKRF, L AGPPS git 153099310 S-HIDSUR TI D 4 LXER2RHR @ DD E PG|Q ffi giI7656869 SL'-& S'SG LERKRYR, S DP °LGRm 77Q 780 790 800 . 0 NOVla. v RRv R.-----gDL0., sW HN N N _ NOV11 e RR'-----QDL -. PH NOVld HNRR'R'YTQVEDQDL gill35699281 QS FDTVPYRNEL F'IFN--PAHP RPID giII1493589 Es F lp* Fv TYRGG-GVK S TSLM a v r gy 110645199 SIiFDAMLYK QLT3T --DVNPd RPAN gill5309931 FDMIP F TYRGG-GVK gi176568691 FI) NMP'YTGG-GVYP azo azo a. o so 8-10 820 830 840 NOVla FFSLSNK S--En.-, p wg, g_, 1' NOVIb FESLSNK S--Eu NOVIc FFSLSNKKm S--Em-D ER NOVld FFSLSNK 'S--E'ER

giJ135699281 GQ SEKii I FEGG'YE v gi111493589111 TER"'R--ph, I S Rl ''S gi106451991 E"KKit ; R b) QVR-'L FE g i | 7656869 | : T E RAPZ I l _ gN--Al b CjLDI ME Sg e N wj NI 850 8fDQ 870 88i 11, Q 850 86Q 87D 88 NOVla m TIHR'TKHHHTN-TY v mv NOVlb TIHR ''TKHHHTL3-Y V V V V1V' NOVlc TIHR Y---LE---Y NOVld TI TKHHHTN Y gi113569928 I'D RL QTVRKMFKQKE-GSG 3 : G gi111493589 ILxG ETIJ ASPGAG EDl 911106451991 ID G, R TVS rF AE-GL V (3 giII5309931 OLRG ETT E Ir ASPGA ED'VIT, gi76568691 RRG 6G DAI 5, D SLPRG E 890 900 910 920 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NOV1 a TESST>S-ALRw NOVlb T'S w S T S'-ALR NOVlc s YIS-ALRR NOVld T'S''S'T YI.'-ATRR gil23569928 (L IIE, GA. G SEDPEK GFI ; Q gi [11493S891 I LMHt, iLZ (3DQ-ESLL E LPGTP gi 20645199 A L v E QV'AEAANFL.'SEDPEIC GIQ gill53099311 P QJ) LTWL LA GDQ-ESLL E LPGTP gi7656869 Q-R EVRVAhKNx'IALKEG-DD xD g30 940 950 960 NOVIA FD.. Syxzp i NOVla FS D w SYT$P IjIT, . .'F 1 h r NOVlb FS D '-SYFP IT t'J,'E F v r r NOVIc FS w SYNP IT T ET. F NOVId F D''S YiJ; EP-IT xT EL F gi113569928-L', QKGP-L T SVWIQL F gi|11493589| 0g LPL = QL > GPDQVQS2E2L EIg AS-A giII06451991 Da T-RGii-'TSP K 3PVW3 : Q--- gi|15309931| QS x LPLS QL ; QGPDQVQSiE2LB AS- gi|7656869| z RKFDV « « PTDEPXS2EnL L 970 980 990 1000 . 1.. 1. 1 1 1 r NOVla G RgvAWEY'S---------------------------- NOVlb oGR ApQgyg-___________________________ NOVlc tGR Z AWRYS---------------------------- NOVld EGRi > WESh,----- gi) 13569928) ! VT gIKYEYTIQKDGLDNDVEOMYFWQYGHWTECSVTC gi) 11493589) RTEIM. RXRFN---------------------------- gi _--____ _____ ____ gi|15309931| RTEL > tRYRFN---------------------------- I YKFN---------------------------- 1010 1020 1030 1040 ,.. =I « NOVla _-_ _ _ _ _____ __ _ _____ _ NOVlb-__-------------------------------------- NOVlc-----___ _ ___ ________ _____ __ NOVld _ __ _ __________________ _ ___ __ __ gitl3569928| GTGIRRQTAHCIKKGRGMVKATFCDPETQPNGRQKKCHEK gi) 11493589 (-APIAR--------------------------------DS gill0645199l---VP----------------_____ __ ___ _ gi|15309931-APIAR--------------------------------DS gi|76S6869|-VPITRTGSG----------------------------DN 1050 J. 06'0 1070 IOSD NOVla--------------MPR t TE-------------__-- NOVlb--------------MPRLITE------___ ____ _

NOVIc-----------.--MPRLBTE------------------- NOVId-----------.-MPRDNTE------------------- 9-i1135699281 ACPPRWWAGEWBACSAiIPHGEKKRTVLCIQTMVSDEQA g1I111493589i LPPYSWHYAPWTKCSAQCAGGSQV-QAVECRNQL--DSSA gi10645199---------------ASRPGGGS-R------------GG gi j15309931j LPPYSWHYAPWTKCSAQCAGGSQV-QAVECRNQL--DSSA gi7656869 EVGFTWNHQPWSECSATCAGG------------------- 109G 2100 1110 1120 NOVIa.------Q. pA pS-------------.--------- NOVlb----------14 p s---------------------- NOVIc------SQ. pApg---------------------- NOVId..------gQ, pA §. p---------------------- gi (13569928) LPPTDCQ-HLLKjKTLLSCNRDILCPSDWTVSNWSECSVS giII14935891 VAPHYCSAHS4ML KREORACNTEP-CPPDWVVGNWSLCSRS gi'10645199 VP--------STLHGRSR---------------P--- gi1i15309931, VAPHYCSAHSLKRRACNTEP-CPPDWWGNWSLCSRS gi 7656869.-.------MTRg-----P---------------TQR 1130 1140 1150 1160 NOVla.---.-YTW&lER---------------------------- NOVlb-----YTWAIR---------------------------- NOVIC-----yWA R---------------------------- NOVId-----YWMgR---------------------------- gill35699281 CGGGVRIRgVTCAKNHDEPCDVTRKPNSRALCGLQQCPSS gi'11493589 | CDAGVRSR « j, CQR---------------------- gzI, 106451991--GGVSPGSVT------------E-PGS------------ gi 15309931) CDAGVRSRSVSCQR-------------------------- gi l7656869'--ARWRTKHILSY--------------------------- 1170 1180 1190 1200 NOVla ________________________________________ NOVla....--------. ----------------.------ NOVlc --_-------_----------------------------- Zu gi) 13569928 RRVLKPNKGTISNGKNPPTLKPVPPPTSRPRMLTTPTGPE giI11493S89u--------------RVSAAEEKALDDSACPQ--------- gi J10645199 t--------------------EPGPPAAAS----------- gi , 15309931N--------------RVSAAEEKALDDSACPQ--------- gi'7656869 |---------------ALCLLKKLIGNISCR---------- . 1210 1220 1230 1240 NOVla ___________________________ S G RC NOVlb----------------------------, St, G RC NOVlc----------------------------s G RC NOVld-__---------------------_--_- GVRC gill3569928 SMSTSTPAISSPSPTTASKEGDLGGKQWQDS--PELS gi'114935891---PRPPVLEACHGPTCPPEW--AALD. aTP PLR giI10645199-T-SVSPSLKWPNLVAAVHRG-----GWGQA--PL4LGW gi153099311---PRPPVLEACHOPTCPPEW--AALDWOMTP Pig6LR gi | 7656869 | ___ _____ ___ __----------FAS---2 7--LA 1250 1260 1270 1280 NOVla LP. L CQPSATAYI FLES--------------- NOVlb LP LICQPSATAYI FLES--------------- NOVlb LPjx 3 L aCQPSATAYI. AFLES--------------- NOVlc LP L CQPLATAYI FLES--------------- NOVId LP L CQPSATAYI FLES--------------- gi 135699281 SR STGSTSQPILTSQS SIQPSEENVSSSDTGPTSEG gilll4935891 HR CKSMIDHRATLPPAHCSPAAKP-------------- gi 10 645199) RR ! VLMG----PRLPTQIjgFQE--------------SMP gil530993lj. HRvScKSSDHRATLPPAHCSPAAKP-------------- gi | 7656869 | KETg2------~----------------_ _ 1290 1300 lSlQ 1320

gi#7656869# ------------------------------------- The presence of identifiable domains in NOV I, as well as all other NOVX proteins, was determined by searches using software algorithms such as PROSITE, DOMAIN, Blocks, Pfam, ProDomain, and Prints, and then determining the Interpro number by crossing the domain match (or numbers) using the Interpro website (http : www. ebi. ac. uk/ interpro).

DOMAIN results for NOVI as disclosed in Tables L-IO, were collected from the Conserved Domain Database (CDD) with Reverse Position Specific BLAST analyses. This BLAST analysis software samples domains found in the Smart and Pfam collections. For Table 1 E and all successive DOMAIN sequence alignments, fully conserved single residues are indicated by black shading or by the sign () and"strong"semi-conserved residues are indicated by grey shading or by the sign (+). The"strong"group of conserved amino acid residues may be any one of the following groups of amino acids: STA, NEQK, NHQK, NDEQ, QHRK, MILV, MILF, HY, FYW.

Tables 1 L-10 lists the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV I. This indicates that the NOV1 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 1L. Domain Analysis NOV1 gn1#Pfam#pfma01421, Reprolysin, Reprolysin (M12B) family zinc metalloprotease. The members of this family are enzymes that cleave peptides. These proteases require zinc for catalysis. Members of this family are also known as adamalysins. Most members of this family are snake venom endopeptidases, but there are also some mammalian proteins, and fertilin. Fertilin and closely related proteins appear to not have some active site residues and may not be active enzymes.

(SEQ ID NO : 76) CD-Length = 199 residues, 95. 0% aligned Score = 122 bits (307), Expect = 7e-29

Query : 378 DKKMMQNHG--HENITTYVLTILNMVSALFKDGTIGGNINIAIVGLILLEDEQPGLVISH 435 + 1+14 ++ +1 1 1 + SbjctA 10 DHGMFTKYGSDLNKIRQRVHQIVNLVMEIYRPL----NIR W LVGLEIWSDGDK-ITVQG 64 Query: 436 HADHTLSSFCQWQSGLMGKDGTRHDHAILLTGLDICSWKNEPCDTLGFAPISGMCSKYRS 495 1+ U1 1-11-1--1 1, 1 llll+i ++1 I + lil l Sbjct : 65 DANDTLHRFLEWRETDLLKR-KSHDNAQLLTGIDF------DGNTIGAAYVGGMCSPKRS 117 Query : 496 CTINED---TGLGLAFTIAHESGHNFGMIHDGEGN-MCKKSEGNIMSPTLAGRNGVFSWS 5S1 + +)) + !)-N !) ! [ ! ! t ! ) !) + ! ! ) Stjct 118 VGVVQDHS2TVLLVAVTMAHELGHNLGMTHDDINKCTCEGGGGCIMNPVASSSPGKK-PS 176 Query : 552 PCSRQYLHKFLSTAQAICLADQ 573 U ) )) Sbjct ! 177 NCSMDDYQQFLTKGKPQCLLNK 198

Table 1M. Domain Analysis of NOVI nl#Smart#smart00209, TSP1, Thrombospondin type 1 repeats ; Type 1 repeats in thrombospondin-1 bind and activate TGF-beta.

(SEQ ID NO : 77) CD-Length = 51 residues, 100. 0W aligned Score = 63.5 bits (153), Expect = 5e-11 Query : 668 WSDWSSWSPCSRTCGGGVSHRSRLCTNPNPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKCP 720 + + I I -, I I I Sbjct : 1 WGEWSEWSPCSVTCGGGVQTRTRCCNPPPN--GGGPCTGPDTETRACNEQPCP 51 Table IN. Domain Analysis of NOV1 gn1#Pfam#pfam00090, tsp_1, Thrombospondin type 1 domain. (SEQ ID NO : 78) CD-Length = 48 residues, 100.0% aligned Score = 54. 7 bits (130), Expect = 2e-08 Query : 669 SDWSSWSPCSRTCGGGVSHRSRLCTNPNPSHGGKFCEGSTRTLKLCNSQKC 719 1 11 11161 111 1+ U W I +1 111 U I + + I Sbjct : 1 SPWSEWSPCSVTCGKGIRTRQRTCNSP---AGGKPCTGDAQETEACMMDPC 48 Table 10. Domain Analysis of NOVI gn1#Pfam#pfam01562, Pep_M12B_propep, reprolysin family propeptide.

This region is the propeptide for members of peptidase family M12B.

The propeptide contains a sequence motif similar to the"cysteine switch"of the matrixins. This motif is found at the C terminus of the alignment but is not well aligned. repeats, (SEQ ID NO : 79) CD-Length = 117 residues, only 39. 3% aligned Score = 38. 5 bits (88), Expect = 0. 002 Query : 180 LRTSSSLVAPGFIVQTLGKTGTKSVQTLPPEDFCFYQGSLRSHRNS 225 I + llAll t t I ft + +1 t+tU + H Sbjct : 2 LEKNRSLLAPDFTVTTYDDDGTLVTEHPLIQDHCYYQGYVEGYPNS 47 Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) associates with the extracellular matrix and inhibits angiogenesis in vivo. In vitro, THBS1 blocks capillary-like tube fonnation and endothelial cell proliferation. The antiangiogenic activity is mediated by a region that contains 3 type 1 (properdin or thrombospondin) repeats. By searching an EST database for sequences containing the antiangiogenic motif of THBS1, Vazquez et au (1999) identified heart and lung cDNAs encoding ADAMTS1 and ADAMTS8, which they called METH1 and METH2, respectively, Sequence analysis predicted that the 890-amino acid ADAMTS8 protein shares 52% amino acid identity with ADAMTS1. ADAMTS8 is a secreted protein that has an N- terminal signal peptide, a zinc metalloprotease domain containing a zinc-binding site, and a

cysteine-rich region containing 2 putative disintegrin loops. The C terminus of ADAMTS8 has 2 heparin-binding thrombospondin repeats with 6 cys and 3 trp residues. Southern blot analysis showed that ADAMTS8 is a single-copy gene distinct from that encoding ADAMTS 1. Northern blot analysis detected highest expression of a 3.7-kb ADAMTS8 transcript in adult and fetal lung, with lower expression in brain, placenta, heart, and stomach, as well as fetal brain and kidney. Expression was also detected in a colon carcinoma cell line.

SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that ADAMTS8 is expressed as a 98-kD protein, a 79-kD protein after cleavage at the subtilisin site, or as a 64-lad protein, which is most abundant, generated by an additional processing event. Functional analysis determined that ADAMTS8 disrupts angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro more efficiently than THBS1 or endostatin but somewhat less efficiently than ADAMTS1.

By interspecific backoross analysis, Georgiadis et al. (1999) mapped the mouse Adamts8 gene to chromosome 9 in a region showing homology ofsynteny with human I l q23- qter. They mapped the human ADAMTS8 gene to I l q25 by PCR analysis of a radiation hybrid mapping panel. The authors noted that a number of disorders have been mapped in the vicinity of the ADAMTS8 gene in mice and humans, most notably, given the expression and functional analyses, lung neoplasms.

The novel protein described here contains thrombospondin type I domains and Reprolysin domain. It is homologous to ADAM genes. Thrombospondin type I domain [IPR000884 ; (TSP 1)] was found in the thrombospondin protein where it is repeated 3 times.

Now a number of proteins involved in the complement pathway (properdin, C6, C7, C8A, C8B, C9) as well as extracellular matrix protein like mindin, F-spondin, SCO-spondin and even the circumsporozoite surface protein 2 and TRAP proteins of Plasmodium contain one or more instance of this repeat. It has been involved in cell-cell interraction, inhibition of angiogenesis, apoptosis. The intron-exon organisation of the properdin gene confirms the hypothesis that the repeat might have evolved by a process involving exon shuffling. A study of properdin structure provides some information about the structure of the thrombospondin type 1 repeat.

Reprolysin family propeptide [IPR002870 ; (Pep_MI 2B_propep)] domain is contained in the propeptide for members of peptidase family M 12B. The propeptide contains a sequence motif similar to the'cysteine switch'of the matrixins. This motif is found at the C terminus of the alignment but is not well aligned.

Through a subtractive hybridization approach to identify genes specifically expressed in the caput epididymidis, the mouse homologue of a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and

metalloprotease) family of proteins was identified. This rapidly growing gene family encodes cell surface proteins that possess putative adhesion and protease domains. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that the mouse ADAM gene, termed ADAM7, is expressed in the caput region of the epididymis and in the anterior pituitary gonadotropes with no detectable expression in the twenty-six other tissues examined. Furthermore, in situ hybridization experiments revealed that the ADAM7 messenger RNA (mRNA) exhibited an apical localization within the proximal caput epididymal epithelium that may correlate with an unusual sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum uniquely present in the proximal region of the epididymidis and to which no known function has been ascribed. Hormonal, surgical, and genetic strategies demonstrated that ADAM7 gene expression requires, in a region-dependent manner, androgens as well as testicular factors for expression. Interestingly, the apical localization of ADAM7 mRNA is dependent upon an intact testis, because in situ hybridization analyses of the proximal caput epididymidis from a testosterone maintained castrate mouse did not show the apical localization of ADAM7 mRNA. Finally, chromosomal mapping demonstrated that the ADAM7 gene maps to the central region of mouse Chromosome 14, approximately 4-5 cM distal from the fertilin beta locus, which encodes another reproductive-specific ADAM protein (1).

Because of the presence of the domain and the homology to the, we anticipate that the novel sequence described here will have useful properties and functions similar to these genes.

The disclosed NOV1 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a ADAM-TS 7-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 1A, 1C, l. E, and 1G or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 1A, 1C, IE and 1G while still encoding a protein that maintains its ADAM-TS 7-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid, The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 33% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOVI protein of the invention includes the ADAM-TS 7-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table IB, ID, IF, or 1H. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 1 B, I D, I F, or I H while still encoding a protein that maintains its ADAM-TS 7-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 62% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The invention further encompasses antibodies and antibody fragments, such as Fab or (Fab) 2, that bind immunospecifically to any of the proteins of the invention.

The above defined information for this invention suggests that this ADAM-TS 7-like protein (NOV !) may function as a member of a"ADAM-TS 7 family". Therefore, the NOVAI nucleic acids and proteins identified here may be useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in (but not limited to) various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. The potential therapeutic applications for this invention include, but are not limited to: protein therapeutic, small molecule drug target, antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, gene therapy (gene delivery/gene ablation), research tools, tissue regeneration in vivo and in vilro of all tissues and cell types composing (but not limited to) those defined here.

The NOV1 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in cancer including but not limited to various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. For example, a cDNA encoding the ADAM-TS 7-like protein (NOV1) may be useful in gene therapy, and the ADAM-TS 7-like protein (NOV1) may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof. By way of nonlimiting example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from adrenoleukodystrophy, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disease, allergies, addiction, anxiety, ataxia-telangiectasia, asthma, ARDS, atherosclerosis, behavioral disorders, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, ductus arteriosus, allergy, cerebral palsy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, diabetes, diverticular disease, epilepsy, emphysema, endometriosis, endocrine dysfunctions, graft versus host disease, glomerulonephritis, graft versus host disease (GVHD), growth and reproductive disorders, hemophilia, hypercoagulation, hypercalceimia, Huntington's disease, hypertension, hypogonadism, fertility, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, interstitial nephritis, IgA nephropathy, lymphaedema, inflammatory bowel disease, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, leukodystrophies, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, obesity,

Parkinson's disease, pain, polycystic kidney disease, pulmonary stenosis, pancreatitis, renal artery stenosis, renal tubular acidosis, stroke, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, subaortic stenosis, transplantation, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, ulcers, bacterial and viral infections, neonatal apnea, eagle's syndrome, atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders such as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, hyperkinetic diseases, muscular dystrophy, cerebral vascular disease, hypertension, cardiovascular diseseases, renal fibrogenesis, inflammatory bowel disease, Meckel syndrome, colorectal cancer, papillomavirus infection and cervical carcinoma, liver malignancies, skin disorders, connective tissue disorders such as type VIIC Ehlers-Danros syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other pathologie or conditions. The NOV1 nucleic acid encoding the ADAM-TS 7-like protein of the invention, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV 1 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immuno-specifically to the novel NOV1 substances for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. The disclosed NOVI a and b proteins have multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOVIa and b epitope is from about amino acids 20 to 70. In another embodiment, a NOVla and b epitope is from about amino acids 80 to 180. In additional embodiments, NOVla and b epitopes are from about amino acids 200 to 280, from about amino acids 300 to 360, from about amino acid 400 to 530, from about amino acid 540 to 550, from about amino acid 580 to 610, from about amino acid 630 to 680, and from about amino acids 710 to 750. Also, the disclosed NOV lc protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen.

In one embodiment, a contemplated NOV 1 a epitope is from about amino acids 1 to 50. In another embodiment, a NOVIc epitope is from about amino acids 80 to 100. In additional embodiments, NOV1 c epitopes are from about amino acids 110 to 260, from about amino acids 280 to 320, from about amino acid 350 to 400, from about amino acid 420 to 470, from about amino acid 480 to 620, from about amino acid 700 to 750, and from about amino acids 770 to 81 C) Also, the disclosed NOV I d protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen, In one embodiment, a contemplated NOVld epitope is from about amino acids 20 to 180. In another embodiment, a NOVId epitope is from about

amino acids 190 to 280. In additional embodiments, NOVld epitopes sre from about amino acids 300 to 360, from about amino acids 400 to 530, from about amino acid 540 to 550, from about amino acid 580 to 610, from about amino acid 630 to 680, and from about amino acids 710 to 750. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV2 A disclosed NOV2 nucleic acid of 4488 nucleotides (also referred to as SC78316254A) encoding a novel alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like protein is shown in Table 2A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 1-3 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 4477-4479. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 2A, and the start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 2A. NOV2 nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID N0 : 9).

ATGTGGGCTCAGCTCCTTCTAGGAATGTTGGCCCTATCACCAGCCATTSCAGAAGAA CTTCCAAACTACCTG <BR> <BR> GTGACATTACCAGCCCGGCTAAATTTCCCCTCCGTTCAGAAGGTTTGTTTGGACCTGAGC CCTGGGTACAGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GATGTTAAATTCACGBTTACTCTBGAGACCAAGGACAAGACCCAGAAGTTGCTAGAATAC TCTGGACTGAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGAGGCACTTACATTGTATCTCCTTTCTTGTACCACCTCCTGCTGGTGGCACAGAAGAA GTGGCCACAATC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGGGTGTCGGGAGTTGBAAATAACATCAGCTTTGAGGAGAAGAAAAAGSTTCTAATTCAG AGGCAGGGGAAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGCACCTTTGTACAGACTGACAAACCTCTCTACACCCCAGGGCAGCAAGTGTATTTCCGC ATTGTCACCATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GATAGCAACTTCGTTCCAGTGAATGACAAGTACTCCATGGTGGAACTACAGGATCCAAAT AGCAACAGGATT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCACAGTGGCTGGAAGTGGTACCTGAGCAAGGCATTGTAGACCTGTCCTTCCAACTGGCA CCAGAGGCAATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTGGGCACCTACACTGTGGCAGTGGCTGAGGGCAAGACCTTTGGTACTTTCAGTGTGGAG GAATATGTGCTT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCTCCATTTCTCCTTTTACTCTCTTCAGTGCTGCCGAAGTTTAAGGTGGAAGTGGTGGAA CCCAAGGAGTTA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCAACGGTGCAGGAATCTTTCTTAGTAAAAATTTGTTGTAGGTACACCTATGGAAAGCCC ATGCTAGGGGCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTGCAGGTATCTGTGTGTCAGAAGGCAAATACTTACTGGTATCGAGAGGTGGAACGGGAA CAGCTTCCTGAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAATGCAGGAACCTCTCTGGACAGACTGACAAAACAGGATGTTTCTCAGCACCTGTGGAC ATGGCCACCTTT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACCTCATTGGATATGCGTACAGCCATCAAATCAATATTGTGGCTACTGTTGTGGAGGAA GGGACAGGTGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAGGCCAATGCCACTCAGAATATCTACATTTCTCCACAAATGGGATCAATGACCTTTGAA GACACCAGCAAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTTTACCATCCAAATTTCCCCTTCAGTGGGAAGATGCTGCTCAAGTTTCCGCAAGGCGGT GTGCTCCCTTGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGAACCATCTAGTGTTTCTGGTGATTTATGGCACAAATGGAACCTTCAACCAGACCCTG GTTACTGATAAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AATGGCCTAGCTCCCTTTACCTTGGAGACATCCGGTTGGAATGGGACAGACGTTTCTCTG GAGGGAAAGTTT<BR> <BR> CAAATGGAAGACTTAGTATATAATCCGGAACAAGTGCCACGTTACTACCAAAATGCCTAC CTGCACCTGCGA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCCTTCTACAGCACAACCCGCAGCTTCCTTGGCATCCACCGGCTAAACGGCCCCTTGAAA TGTGGCCAGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> CAGGAAGTGCTGGTGGATTATTACATCGACCCGGCCGATGCAAGCCCTGACCAAGAGATC AGCTTCTCCTAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TATTTAATAGGGAAAGGAAGTTTGGTGATGGAGGGGCAGAAACACCTGAACTCTAAGAAG AAAGGACTGAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCTCCTTCTCTCTCTCACTGACCTTCACTTCGAGACTGGCCCCTGATCCTTCCCTGGTG ATCTATGCCATT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTTCCCAGTGGAGGTGTTGTAGCTGACAAAATTCAGTTCTCAGTCGAGATGTGCTTTGAC AATCAGCAGCTT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCAGGAGCAGAAGTGGAGCTGCAGCTGCAGGCAGCTCCCGGATCCCTGTGTGCGCTCCGG GCGGTGGATGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGTGTCTTACTGCTTAGGCCAGACAGAGAGCTGAGCAACCGCTCTGTCTATGGGATGTTT CCATTCTGGTAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGTCACTACCCCTATCAAGTGGCTGAGTATGATCAGTGTCCAGTGTCTGGCCCATGGGAC TTTCCTCAGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTCATTGACCCAATGCCCCAAGGGCATTCGAGCCAGCGTTCCATTATCTGGAGGCCCTCG TTCTCTGAAGGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACGGACCTTTTCAGCTTTTTCCGGGACGTGGGCCTGAAAATACTGTCCAATGCCAAAATC AAGAAGCCAGTA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GATTGCAGTCACAGATCTCCAGAATACAGCACTGCTATGGGTGGCGGTGGTCATCCAGAG GCTTTTGAGTCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCAACTCCTTTACATCAAGCAGAGGATTCTCAGGTCCGCCAGTACTTCCCAGAGACCTGG CTCTGGGATCTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTTCCTATTGGTAACTCGGGGAAGGAGGCGGTCCACGTCACAGTTCCTGACGCCATCACC GAGTGGAAGGCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGAGTTTCTGCACTTCCCAGTCAAGAGGCTTCGGGCTTTCACCCACTGTTGGACTAACT GCTTTCAAGCCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCTTTGTTGACCTGACTCTCCCTTACTCAGTAGTCCGTGGGGAATCCTTTCGTCTTACT GCCACCATCTTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AATTACCTAAAGGATTGCATCAGGGTTCAGACTGACCTGGCTAAATCGCATGAGTACCAG CTAGAATCATGG GCAGATTCTCAGACCTCCAGTTGTCTCTGTGCTGATGACGCAAAAACCCACCACTGGAAC ATCACAGCTGTC <BR> <BR> AAATTGGGTCACATTAACTTTACTATTAGTACAAAGATTCTGGACAGCAATGAACCATGT GGGGGCCAGAAG GGGTTTGTTCCCCAAAAGGGCCGAAGTGACACGCTCATCAAGCCAGTTCTCGTCAAACCT GAGGGAGTCCTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTGGAGAAGACACACAGCTCATTGCTGTGCCCAAAAGGAGGAAAGGTGGCATCTGAATCT GTCTCCCTGGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTCCCAGTGGACATTGTTCCTGACTCGACCAAGGCTTATGTTACGGTTCTGGGAGACATT ATGGGCACAGCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTGCAGAACCTGGATGGTCTGGTGCAGATGCCCAGTGGCTGTGGCGAGCAGAACATGGTC TTGTTTGCTCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATCATCTATGTCTTGCAGTACCTGGAGAAGGCAGGGCTGCTGACGGAGGAGATCAGGTCT CGGGCAGTGGGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCCTGGAAATAGGGTACCAGAAGGAGCTGATGTACAAACACAGCAATGGCTCATACAGT GCCTTTGGGGAG CGAGATGGAAATGGAAACACATGGCTGACAGCGTTTGTCACAAAATGCTTTGGCCAAGCT CAGAAATTCATC <BR> <BR> TTCATTGATCCCAAGAACATCCAGGATGCTCTCAAGTGGATGGCAGGAAACCAGCTCCCC AGTGGCTGCTAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCAACGTGGGAAATCTCCTTCACACAGCTATGAAGGGTGGTGTTGATGATGAGGTCTCC TTGACTGCGTAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTCACAGCTGCATTGCTGGAGATGGGAAAGGATGTAGATGACCCAATGGTGAGTCAGGGT CTACGGTGTCTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGAATTCGGCCACCTCCACGACCAACCTCTACACACAGGCCCTGTTGGCTTACATTTTC TCCCTGGCTGGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAAATGGACATCAGAAACATTCTCCTTAAACAGTTAGATCAACAGGCTATCATCTCAGGA GAATCCATTTAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGAGCCAGAAACCTACTCCATCATCGAACGCCAGCCCTTGGTCTGAGCCTGCGGCTGTA GATGTGGAACTC ACAGCATATGCATTGTTGGCCCAGCTTACCAAGCCCAGCCTGACTCAAAAGGAGATAGCG AAGGCCACTAGC <BR> <BR> ATAGTGGCTTGGTTGGCCAAGCAACACAATGCATATGGGGGCTTCTCTTCTACTCAGGAT ACTGTAGTTGCT CTCCAAGCTCTTGCCAAATATGCCACTACCGCCTACATGCCATCTGAGGAGATCAACCTG GTTGTAAAATCC <BR> <BR> ACTGAGAATTTCCAGCGCACATTCAACATACAGTCAGTTAACAGATTGGTATTTCAGCAG GATACCCTGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AATGTCCCTGGAATGTACACGTTGGAGGCCTCAGGCCAGGGCTGTGTCTATGTGCAGACG GTGTTGAGATAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AATATTCTCCCTCCCACAAATATGAAGACCTTTAGTCTTAGTGTGGAAATAGGAAAAGCT AGATGTGAGCAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGACTTCACCTCGATCCTTGACTCTCACTATTCACACCAGTTATGTGGGGAGCCGTAGC TCTTCCAATATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCTATTGTGGAAGTGAAGATGCTATCTGGGTTCAGTCCCATGGAGGGCACCAATCAGTTA CTTCTCCAGCAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCCCTGGTGAAGAAGGTTGAATTTGGAACTGACACACTTAACATTTACTTGGATGAGCTC ATTAAGAACACT CAGACTTACACCTTCACCATCAGCCAAAGTGTGCTGGTCACCAACTTGAAACCAGCAACC ATCAAGGTCTAT <BR> <BR> GACTACTACCTACCAGGTTCTTTTAAATTATCTCAGTACACAATTGTGTGGTCCATGAAC AATGACAGCATA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTGGACTCTGTGGCACGGCACCCAGAACCACCCCCTTTCAAGACAGAAGCATTTATTCCT TCACTTCCTGGG AGTGTTAACAACTGATAGCTACCA

The disclosed NOV2 nucleic acid sequence, localized to chromsome 12, has 840 of 1324 bases (63%) identical to a Rattus norvegicus Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Precursor mRNA (GENBANK-ID : RATA2M) (E = 1.3e-119).

A NOV2 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 10) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 9 has 1492 amino acid residues and is presented using the one-letter code in Table 2B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV2 does contain a signal peptide and is likely to be localized extracellularly with a certainty of 0.3703. In other embodiments, NOV2 may also be localized to the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0.1900, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0.1585, or the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0.1000.

The most likely cleavage site for a NOV2 peptide is between amino acids 17 and 18, at: AIA- ES Table 2B. Encoded NOV2 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 10). <BR> <BR> <P>MWAQLLLGMLALSPAIAEELPNYLVTLPARLNFPSVQKVCLDLSPGYSDVK FTVTLETKDKTQKLLEYSGLK<BR> KRHLHCISFLVPPPAGGTEEVATIRVSGVGNNISFEEKKKVMQRQGNGTFVQTDKPLYTP GQQVYFRIVTM<BR> DSNFVPVNDKYSMVELQDPNSNRIAQWLEWFEQGIVDLSFQLAPEAMLGTYTVAVAEGKT FGTFSVEEYVL SPFLLLLSSVLPKFKVEVVEPKELSTVQESFLVKICCRYTYGKPMLGAVQVSVCQKANTY WYREVEREQLPD KCRNLSGQTDKTGCFSAPVDMATFDLIGYAYSHQINIVATWEEGTGVEANATQNIYISPQ MGSMTFEDTSN FYHPNFPFSGKMLLKFPQGGVLPCKNHLVFLVIYGTNGTFNQTLVTDNNGLAPFTLETSG WNGTDVSLEGKF QMEDLVYNPEQVPRYYQNAYLHLRPFYSTTRSFLGIHRLNGPbKCGQPQEVLVDYYID FADASPDQEISFSY YLIGKGSLVMEGQKHLNSKKKGLKASFSLSLTFTSRLAPDPSLVIYAIFPSGGVVADKIQ FSVEMCFDNQQL PGAEVELQLQAAPGSLCALRAVDESVDLLRPDRELSNRSVYGMFPFWYGHYPYOVAEYDQ CPVSGPWDFPQP<BR> LIDPMPQGHSSQRSIIWRPSFSEGTDLFSFFRDVGLKTFLSNAKIKKPVDCSHRSPEYST AMGGGGHPEAFES<BR> STPLHQAEDSQVRQYFPETWLWT ? LFPIGNSGKEAVHVTVPDAITEWKAMSFCTSQSRGFGLSPTVGLTAFKP<BR> FFVDLTLPYSWRGESFRLTATIFNYLKDCIRVQTDLAKSHEYQLESWADSQTSSCLCADD AKTHHWNITAV KLGHINFTISTKILDSNEPCGGQKGFVPQKGRSDTLIKPVLVKPEGVLVEKTHSSLLCPK GGKVASESVSLE LPVDIVPDSTKAYVTVLGDIMGTALQNLDGLVQMPSGCGEQNMVLFAPTIYVLQYLEKAG LLTEEIRSRAVG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> FLEIGYQKELMYKHSNGSYSAFGERDGNGNTWLTAFVTKCFGQAQKFIFIDPKNIQDALK WMAGNQLPSGCY<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ANVGNLLHTAMKGGVDDEVSLTAYVTAALLEMGKDVDDPMVSQGLRCLKNSATSTTNLYT QALLAYIFSLAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> EMDIRNILLKQLDQQAIISGESIYWSQKPTPSSNASPWSEPAAVDVE-LTAYALLAQLTK PSLTQKEIAKATS IVAWLAKQHNAYGGFSSTQDTVVALQALAKYATTAYMPSEEINLVVKSTENFQRTFNIQS VNRLVFQQDTLP <BR> <BR> NVPGMYTLEASGQGCVYVQTVLRYNILPPTNMKTFSbSVEIGKARCEQPTSPRSLTLTIH TSYVGSRSSSNM AIVEVKMLSGFSPMEGTNQLLLQQPLVKKVEFGTDTLNIYLDELIKNTQTYTFTISQSVL VTNLKPATIKVY DYYLPGSFKLSQYTIVWSMNNDSIVDSVARHPEPPPFKTEAFIPSLPGSVNN

The disclosed NOV2 amino acid sequence has 595 of 1450 amino acid residues (41%) identical to, and 873 of 1450 residues (60 %) positive with, the 1474 amino acid residue Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Precursor protein from Homo sapiens (ptnr : SPTREMBL- ACC : P01023) (E = 2.0e-279).

NOV2 is expressed in at least the following tissues: Hematopoietic tissues, blood plasma, fetal lung, and the coronary artery.

NOV2 also has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 2C.

Table 2C. BLAST results for NOV2 Gene Index/Protein/Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier Organism (aa) (%) (%) gi#14765710#ref#XP_ alpha 2 1474 593/1486 870/1486 0.0 006925. 4j macroglobuli (39%) (57%) n precursor {Homo sapiens] gi#4557225#ref#NP_0 alpha 2 1474 591/1486 869/1486 0.0 00005.1 macroglobuli (39%) (57%) n precursor [Homo sapiens] gi#224053#prf#1009#macroglobulin 1450 585/1471 861/1471 0.0 174A n alpha2 (39%) (57%) [Homo sapiens) @gi#6978425#ref#NP_0 alpha-2- 1472 578/1483 867/1483 0.0 36620. 1 macroglobuli (38%) (57%) n [Rattus norvegicus} gi#2144118#pir#JC5 alpha- 1476 570/1495 858/1495 0.0 143 macroglobuli (38%) (57%) n precursor -guinea pig

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis show in Table 2D.

Table 2D. ClustalW Analysis of NOV2 1) NOV2 (SEQ ID NO, 1 0) 2) gi#14765710#ref#XP_006925.4 alpha 2 macroglobulin precursor [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO:35)

2) 4557225#ref#NP_000005.1#alpha 2 macroglobulin precursor Homo sapiens) (SEQ ID NO :36) 3) gi#224053#prf##1009174A macroglobulin alpha2 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 37) 4) gi#6978425#ref#NP_036620.1#alpha-2-macroglobulin [Rattus norvegicus] (SEQ ID NO : 38) gi#2144118#pir##JC5143 alpha-macroglobulin precursor - guinea pig (SEQ ID NO: 39) 570 580 590 600 .....,..).... ...... j.. . !....).. 610 620 630 640 gi14557225 T D e o gi J224053) j Hi j iYS ij Ei St! i'i S gll2240S31 g ! ! 610 620 630 640 610 620 63 640 , NOV2 GAEVE 1 Ql, Q, G L., ;. gi 147657101 . v_ v giI45572251 o ss nr- giI12240531. .. ... °,, e t gi169784251, T oyL S 5' L G'e ET L2 gi21441181 KT vS° L s R F', Ay 650 660 670 680 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ^1 NOV2 TGMF-FWYGH YQVAEYQCPVSGPWDFPQPLIDPMPQ gi1147657101-----------INR gi145572251 E-----------INR gi224053V E e-p ogu_____________ Z gil69784251'QGA : 6QREEDTNG------------I gi2144116i. EGQEEENZGE-----------L 690 700 710 720 Ii NOV2 GISSQRS'IWR SF EG-T ,, F..'FI Rip.' [. =LSZ"'I gi14765710 T s I BID .. gi 4557225 li Tp. gT S D n gi I, 224053 l I TT'S e gio V gi 6978425 IQDT TpB Q,'E9m G gi21441181 IT p N I G 730 740 750 760 r NOV2 SHRSPEYST----AM GGHPEAFESSTP------- gi | 14765710 | EiPQBQtHGPEGlRaFy » MGRgHAw-~ gi4557225 aPQ GPEGLR F a GR Ii-- gil2240531 p GPEGLR GR'VH gi6978425 E DNKGIPAAYRL SQS o FLE---------- gi | 2144118 ì sQLEAHtF>P---TMAYSYSSSFRSIPR>P4GI 770 780 790 800 . f. e r gi45572251 E gi12240531----E giN4S5722S ____E-.,' g2240531----E e-G gi6978425 S---S p s gi23. 441181 AATYS P D 810 820 830 840 b'L N V I t NOV2 S T QSRF L P G T D I S . m.. gi4557225 Is gi 1224053 t ==E=I ; SD gi69784251 L gi2144118 T Lp g i u 214 4118 I'o'i'L P'e''

850 860 870 880 I a U NOV2 D QTD HEYQLESW gi1i14765710i K = V' V gi224053 K vv gi224053 K a- g1159784251i' 'T ''D'E gi121441181 W D I'K EK 890 900 910 920 .... [.... ....)....).... ;....).... !.... ; NOV2 ADSETSS VK M3 : MTKI gi 14765710} AP=G_ z ,,, o, IA IS gi N 224053 olP G a gi224053 gi12144118 eES GE' 930 940 9S0 960 NOV2-P GQKGF QK-Sn L S , 'Y Y V I r gi14765710 Q T s T gi45572251 Q s T gil2240531 Q s T gi6978425 Q gi1i2144118 S : TV T T'T : E dT 970 980 990 1000 NOV2 K s S"P, T 'Vl ? Y' .. giN147657101 P o giI45572251 Pi gi 224053 I P gi y 2144118 A IR DT-S 1010 1020 1030 1040 , V., . r EXUAG gi 1 14765710 1 WQ > gi455722-91 a gi224053 gl 1 6978425 0 Qw g i | 214 4118 l uQ I N 1050 1060 1070 1080 .... I.... .... .... f.... ........ N.. rvyr i r__N. NOV2"R F ET A E S gl l l47657l0 1 atg gi 4557225) gi2240531 gi69784251 9-9 IR) KP gi21441181 Ole I GGO 1090 1100 1110 1080 NOV2 T C 9, QKF oPK QD-. G LP iv iv r gi 14765710 | o gi45572251 T e v gi224C) 531 a0 0 2 2 4 o 5 3 | gi 1 2l44ll8 í offl 1130 1140 1150 1160 .. I.... ,.".... ,.... .... I.... il.... NOV2 EhtA9T<Df 5SGKDzDD gz, h147657104 a ZP i gi224D53 IPIT git240S3 P T 'a IPT t

gi69784251 I I t a t six' gi ! 2144118 ! 1170 1180 1190 1200 . r NOV2 mM iSQG ME tSATST------TNL iQ ! mI Sm r r r gi I 14765710 TF1Q D r r giI45572251 Q D r- r giI'2240531 1-1-1 1 1 1 1 gi 2144i18 l S Ti 1210 1220 1230 1240 NOV2 1220 1230 1240 su , rx. gi4557225 E p RP v gi 14557225 I i e e E"'P HF' gi2240531 - E- P HF gi69784251 i aTIU I. D E : t1 Tw'SVS L Q gl|2144118| I E SE FLFK 1250 1260 1270 1280 . v. gi | 14765710 t iSfflI gi 114765710 S. v gil2240531 Q s 1, giI2240531-".., Q., giI697842541.,.. r. Z. ,,... Qe L L 1290 1300 1310 1320 . N... ,.,. r r NOV2 e, Q . ATTA. MPS-EE2N,, v . 9zI, 147657101' oe g os (, a v !. 5 1 gi2144118 v r gi'6978425^ ea$ oa .. giI2144118h oo S w E,. s 1330 1340 1350 1360 -... ........)....)....).... !.... t.... ; T ils gi114765710 S.-. l C) g1 I 147 65710 'S e s EI, ^-g, S, fi 1 1 1 1 11 r r gi 6978425J. i!! i S!! j i 6 i S § gi ì 14765710 | =$=EL4S r gl1169784251 n s a ' gi214411811"S : ET 1370 1380 1390 1400 NOV2 EIGKAR E *TSP gi t14765710 | FBU r - gi 1 4557225 l gGE3E gi i 224053 l, G gi 1 6978425 b gi) 224053), j :!! j io: S SSt! j! JtE gi) 6978425) s< i't: gv'g RE E"-i G BED gi21441181 a PS GT EA a nG 1410 1420 1430 1440 NOV2 R. LTITZHT $ EiT S'EG QL v , g14765710 S o 'i gyN4557225t a S -A e 1450 1460 1470 1480 gil69784251 I E gy214411811 e I-p c 1450 1460 1470 14BO -y-I--ì--b-ì--ì ^-ì > Nov2 RLQQ P LEK<F GTDTLELI K4QTYTSI SR S gi 1 147 6 5710 | wS nFga

1490 1500 1510 1520 AN gil2240531 gi1i2144118 Ex' a S F IE 1490 1500 1520 1520 , [' a;, l' K V W 1V L NOV2 gTk T LPGS LSQ TI SIVDSV L g1I, 4557225i s mL ___ gi4557225 L---- V' g6978425 I' x g. ___ gil2l441181 p---- 1530 1540 NOV2 ARHPEPPPFKTEAFIPSLPGSVNN gi14765710------------------------ gif4557225)------------------------ gi (4557225 1-------- gif6978425------------------------ gi), 2144118)------------------------ Tables 2E-F list the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV2.

This indicates that the NOV2 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 2E Domain Analysis of NOV2 gnl#Pfam#pfam00207, A2M, Alpha-2-macroglobulin family. This family includes the C-terminal region of the alpha-2-macroglobulin family.

(SEQ ID NO : 80) CD-Length = 751 residues, 98. 5% aligned Score = 563 bits (1451), Expect = 2e-161 Query: 728 EDSQVRQYFPETWLWDLFPIGNSGKEAVHVTVPDAITEWKAMSFCTSQSRGFGLSPTVGL 787 r fi ++ + + | | U} ++ |}} U +} Sbjct : 4 DDITIRSYFPESWLWEVEEVDRSPVLTVNITLPDSITTWEILAVSLSNTKGLCVADPVEL 63 Query : 788 TAFKPFFVDITLPYSWRGESFRLTATIFNYL-KDCIRVQTDLAKSHEYQLESWADSQTS 846 ( 11) fHHtNt t ! ! H f) ! N ! SbDctt 64 TVFQDFFLEbRhPYS W RGEQVELRAVLYNYLPSQDIKV-----W QLEVEPLCQAG 115 Query: 847 SCLCADDAKTHHWNITAVKLGHINFTISTKILDSNEPCGGQKGFVPQKGRSDTLIKPVLV 9D6 f | ++ f} b} ; Sbjct : 116 FCSLATQRTRSSQSVRPKSLSSVSFPWWPLASGLSLVEWASVPEFFVKDAWKKTLKV 175 Query : 907 KPEGVLVEKTHSSLLCP---KGGKVASESVSLELPVDIVPD-STKAYVTVLGDIMGTALQ 962 - I I i I I I I 1 11-I ll - ++ I + -l Sbjctr 176 EPEGARKEETVSSLLLppEHLGGGLEVSEVpALKLpDDVPDTEAEAVISVQGDPVAQAIQ 235 Query : N------LDGLVQMpSGCGEQNMVbFAPIIYVLQYLEKAGLLTE---EIRSRAVGFLEIG 1013 1 - 4 4 4 1-- SbDct : 236 NTiSGEGLNNSLRLPsGCGEQNXIYMAPTVYVLHYLDETWQWEKPGTKKKQKAIDLINKG 295 Query : 1014 YQKELMYKHSNGSYSAFGERDGNGNT'WLTAFVTKCFGQAQKFIFIDPKNIQDALKW-MA G 1072 f 1} 4 1 1} ++ t + 1 1 1 ++ ff} 1 1 + Sbjct : 296 YQRQLNYRKADGSYAAFLHRA--SSTWLTAFVbKVFSQARNYVFIDEEHICGAVKWLILN 353 Query 1073 NQLPSGCYENvGNBLHTNGGvDDt EVSLTAYvTAALTlEMGMVDDPMVSQGHRSb 1128 t ! ) !))) ! ! t ! tn. ) t) !) ;)

Sbjct : 354 QQKDDGVFRESGVIHNEMKGGVGDDAEVEVTLTAFSTILEAKLVCISPWANALSIL 413 Query 1129 KNSATSTTN------LYTQALLAYIFSLAGEMDIRNILLKQLDQQAIISGESIYWS--QK 1180 I I v *11 U1 11 *111 + +t + + *1 11 Sbjct : 41 KASDYLLENYANGQRVYTLALTAYALALAGVLHKLKEILKSLKEELYKALVKGHWERPQK 473 Query : 1181 PTPSSNASPWSEPAAVDVELTAYALLAQLTKPSLTQKEIAKATSIVAWLAKQHNAYGGFS 1240 I -, ! ! tttt ! ! t t H ! + ! ! ! ! Sbjct : 474 PKDAPGHPYSPQPQAAAVEMTSYALLALLT--LLPFPKVEMAPKWKWLTEQQYYGGGFG 531 Query : 1241 STQDTWALQALAKYATTAYMPSE-EINLV17KSTEN-FQRTFNIQSVNRLVFQQDTLP-N 1297 I ++--++ I 4-1 1 4-1 + 4-l I Sbjct : 532 STQDTVMALQALSKYGIATPTHKEKNLSVTIQSPSGSFKSHFQILNNNAFLLRPVELPLN 591 Query : 1298 VPGMYTLEASGQGCVYVQTVLRYNILPPTNMKTFSLSVEIGKARCEQPTSPR-SLTLTIH 1356 + F | 8 | * + | | | * t + L | * t} I Sbjct : 592 EGFTVTAKVTGQGTLTLVTTYRYKVLDKKNTFCFDLKIETVpDTCVEPKGAKNSDYLSIC 651 Query: 1357 TSYVGSRSSSNMAIVEVKMLSGFSPMEGT--NQTLLQQPLVKKVEFGTDTLNIYLDELIK 1414 11 ++ ll+ll t++ I I X +++lfl+* Sbjct : 652 TRYAGSRSDSGMAIADISMLTGFIPLKPDLKKLENGVDRYVSKYEIDGNHVLLYLDKVSH 711 Query : 1415-NTQTYTFTISQSVLVTNDKPATIKVYDYYLP 1445 1+ I Sbjct : 712 SETECVGFKIHQDFEVGLLQPASVKVYDYYEP 743 Table 2F Domain Analysis of NOV2 <BR> <BR> gnl#Pfam#pfam01835, A2M_N, Alpha-2-macroglobulin family N-terminal region. This family includes the N-terminal region of the alpha-2- macroglobulin family. (SEQ ID NO : 81) CD-Length = 620 residues, 98.4% aligned Score = 236 bits (603), Expect = 5e-63 Query : 5 LLLGMLALSPAIAEEL--PNYLVTLPARLNFPSVQKVCLDLSPGYSDVKFTVTLETKDKT 62 I t ! ! i +) + N !)) +) + Sbjct : 2 LLWLLLLLLFFDSSLQKPRYMVIVPSILRTETPEKVCVQLHDLNETVTVTVSLHSFPGK 61 Query 63 QKLLEYSGLK---KRHLHCISFLVPPPA---GGTEEVATIRVSGVGNNISFEEKKKVLIQ 116 + I + 1 #1*E I + * I & *#+18 Sbjct : 62 RNLSSLFTVLLSSKDLFHCVSFTVPQPGLFKSSKGEESFVVVQVKGPTHTFKEKVTVLVS 121 Query : 117 RQGNGTFVQTDKPLYTPGQQVYFRIVTMDSNFVPVNDKYSMVELQDPNSNRIAQWLEWP 176 HUkUUt ! + t ! t-t +t tt n+ H SbDct 122 SRRGLVFIQTDKPIYTPGQTVRYRVFSVDENLRPLNELI-LVYIEDPEGNRVDQWEVNKL 180 Query : 177 EQGIVDLSFQLAPEAMLGTYTVAV---AEGKTFGT--FSVEEYVLSPFLDLLSSVLPKFK 231 V 11 111 4 I + i1+ + + i* I I 141 {+ Sbjcti l8I EGGIFQLSFPIPSEPIQGTWKIVARYESGPESNYTHYFEVKEY---VDPSFEVS 231 Query : 232 VEWEPKELSTVQESFLVKICCRYTYGKPMLGAVQVSVCQKANTYWYREVEREQLPDKCR 291 + +1 I I 1 1} 11+ V I I I +s+1 Sbjct : 232 ITPPKPFIYYDNFKEFEVTICARYTYGKPVPGVAYVRFGVK------DEDGKKELLAGLE 285 Query : 292 NLSGQTDKTG--CFSAPVDMATFDLIGYAY-SHQINIVATVVEEGTGVEANA-TQNIYIS 347 + I I I b I 4 I + + b+r Sbjct : 286 ERAKLLDGNGEICLSQEVLLKELQLKNEDLEGKSLYVAVAVIESEGGDMEEAELGGIKIV 345 Query : 348 PQMGSMTFEDTSNFYHPNFPFSGKMLLKFPQGGVLPCKNHLVFLVIYGTNGTFNQTLVTD 407 ! ! (n n+ n ! t ! +- H Sbjct ; 346 RSPYKLKFVKTPSHFKPGIPFFLKVLVVDPDGS--PAPNVPVK--VSAQDASYYSNGTTD 401 Query 408 NNGLAPFTLETSGWNGTDVSLEGKFQMEDLVYNPEQVPRYYQNAYLHLRPFYSTTRSFLG 467 4 + U + ++ 1 + 1 1 + Sbjct 402 EDGLAQFSINTS--GISSLSITVRTNHKELPEEVQAHAEAQATAYSTVSL--SKSYIHLS 457

Query : 468 THRDNGPLKCGQPQEVLVDYYIDPADASPDQEISFSYYLTGKGSLVMEGQKHLNSKKKGL 527 I 10 +++ +*1 ll+* 1z*S 1+* +* Sbj. cti 458 IER---ThPCGPGVGEQANFILRGKSLGEhKIhHFYYLlMSKGKIVKTGRE----PRRPS 510 Query 528 KASFSXSSTFTSRLAPDPSLVIYAIFUSGGWADKIQFSVEMCFDN--e--QQL 576 + llil [I l l l + f + 1 Sbj, ct : 511 QGLFSLSIPVTPDLAPSFRIjVAYYUjPQGEWADSVNIDVEDCCANKLDLSFSPSKDYRL 570 Query : 577 PGAEVELQLQAAPGSLCALRAVDESVLLLRPDRELSNRSVY 617 ) ; ; n Hnnt tt H H Sbjctt 571 PAQQVKLRVEADPQSLVALRAVDQAVYLLKPKAKLSMSKVY 611 The proteinase-binding alpha-macroglobulins (A2M) [1] are large glycoproteins found in the plasma of vertebrates, in the hemolymph of some invertebrates and in reptilian and avian egg white. A2M-like proteins are able to inhibit all four classes of proteinases by a 'trapping'mechanism. They have a peptide stretch, called the'bait region', which contains specific cleavage sites for different proteinases. When a proteinase cleaves the bait region, a conformational change is induced in the protein, thus trapping the proteinase. The entrapped enzyme remains active against low molecular weight substrates, whilst its activity toward larger substrates is greatly reduced, due to steric hindrance. Following cleavage in the bait region, a thiol ester bond, formed between the side chains of a cysteine and a glutamine, is cleaved and mediates the covalent binding of the A2M-like protein to the proteinase.

Alpha2-Macroglobulin (A2M) is a proteinase inhibitor found in association with senile plaques (SP) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A2M has been implicated biochemically in binding and degradation of the amyloid beta (Abeta) protein which accumulates in SP. We studied the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and a common A2M polymorphism, Va11000 (GTC) lIlelO00 (ATC), which occurs near the thiolester active site of the molecule. In an initial exploratory data set (90 controls and 171 Alzheimer's disease) we noted an increased frequency of the G/G genotype from 0.07 to 0.12. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the G/G genotype is over-represented in Alzheimer's disease in an additional independent data set: a group of 359 controls and 566 Alzheimer's disease patients. In the hypothesis testing cohort, the G/G genotype increased from 0.07 in controls to 0.12 in Alzheimer's disease (P < 0. 05, Fisher's exact test). The odds ratio for Alzheimer's disease associated with the G/G genotype was 1. 77 (1. 16-2. 70, P < 0.01) and in combination with APOE4 was 9.68 (95% Cl 3.91-24.0, P < 0. 001). The presence of the G allele was associated with an increase in Abeta burden in a small series. The A2M receptor, A2M-r/LRP, is a multifunctional receptor whose ligands include apolipoprotein E and the amyloid precursor protein. These four proteins have each been genetically linked to Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that they may participate in a common disease pathway.

Six alpha 2-macroglobulin cDNA clones were isolated from two liver cDNA libraries produced from rats undergoing acute inflammation. The coding sequence for rat alpha 2- macroglobulin including its 27-residue signal peptide and the 3'-and part of the 5' nontranslated regions were determined. The mature protein consisting of 1445 amino acids is coded for by a 4790 +/-40 nucleotide messenger RNA. It contains a typical internal thiol ester region and 25 cysteine residues which are conserved between rat and human alpha 2- macroglobulin. Although the amino acid sequences of rat and human alpha 2-macroglobulin share 73% identity, two small divergent areas of 17 and 38 residues were found, corresponding to 29 and 11% identity, respectively. These areas are located in the bait region and, therefore, may confer specific proteinase recognition capabilities on rat alpha 2- macroglobulin. Following an inflammatory stimulation, rat alpha 2-macroglobulin mRNA levels increased 214-fold over control values and reached a maximum at 18 h. By 24 h the levels had decreased to less than 30% of the maximum value. Transcription rates from the alpha 2-macroglobulin gene as measured in nuclear run-on experiments showed a less than 3- fold increase in nuclei from acutely inflamed rats as compared to controls. These results suggest that the accummulation of alpha 2M mRNA is due to the combined effects of increased transcription rates and post-transcriptional processing.

The alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) receptor complex as purified by affinity chromatography contains three polypeptides: a 515-kDa heavy chain, an 85-kDa light chain, and a 39-kDa associated protein. Previous studies have established that the 515/85-ka components are derived from a 600-kDa precursor whose complete sequence has been determined by cDNA cloning (Herz, J., Hamann, U., Rogne, S., Myklebost, 0., Gassepohl, H., and Stanley, K. (1988) EMBO J. 7, 4119-4127). We have now determined the primary structure of the human 39-kDa polypeptide, termed alpha 2M receptor-associated protein, by cDNA cloning. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal sequence that precedes the 323-residue mature protein. Comparative sequence analysis revealed that alpha 2M receptor-associated protein has 73% identity with a rat protein reported to be a pathogenic domain ofHeymann nephritis antigen gp 330 and 770X0 identity to a mouse heparin-binding protein termed HBP-44. The high overall identity suggests that these molecules are interspecies homologues and indicates that the pathogenic domain, previously thought to be a portion ofgp 330, is in fact a distinct protein. Further, the 120-residue carboxyl-terminal region of alpha 2M receptor-associated protein has 26% identity with a region of apolipoprotein E containing the low density lipoprotein receptor binding domain. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the newly formed alpha 2M receptor-associated protein remains

cell-associated, while surface labeling experiments followed by immunoprecipitation suggest that this protein is present on the cell surface forming a complex with the alpha 2M receptor heavy and light chains.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a serum pan-protease inhibitor. A possible correlation to this gene is the following reference on Rhinovirus infections causing exacerbations of eosinopllilic airway disease. The acute effects of allergen-challenge on nasal interleukin-8 (IL- 8), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and alpha2-macroglobulin were examined in atopic subjects with common cold symptoms. Twenty-three patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were inoculated with human rhinovirus 16 outside the pollen season. Diluent and allergen challenges, followed by nasal lavages, were carried out about 3 months before and 4 days after virus inoculation. Seventeen patients developed significant common cold symptoms with increased nasal lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin, IL-8, and ECP at baseline (p<0. 001-0. 05 versus before inoculation), and were further increased by allergen challenge (p< 0, 001-0. 05) ; IL-8 and ECP levels were correlated. See Ellr Respir J 1999 Jan ; 13 (1) : 41-7.

Allergen challenge-induced acute exudation of IL-8, ECP and alpha2-macroglobulin in human rhinovirus-induced common colds. GreiffL, Andersson M, Svensson C, Linden M, Myint S, Persson CG Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

In the CNS areaAlpha-2-macroglobulin has been implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD) based on its ability to mediate the clearance and degradation of A-beta, the major component of amyloid beta deposits. Blacker et al. (1998) analyzed a deletion in the A2M gene at the 5-prime splice site of'exon II'of the bait region (exon 18) and found that inheritance of the deletion, designated A2M-2, conferred increased risk for AD.

The disclosed NOV2 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 2A or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 2A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or

derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 40% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV2 protein of the invention includes the Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 2B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 2B while still encoding a protein that maintains its Alpha-2- macroglobulin precursor-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 62% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The NOV2 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in asthma, allergy and psoriasis, Alzheimer disease, Emphysema, pulmonary disease, immune disorders and Cancer and/or other pathologies and disorders. The NOV2 nucleic acid encoding Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like protein, and the Alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor-like protein of the invention, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV2 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. The disclosed NOV2 protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOV2 epitope is from about amino acids 80 to 100. In another embodiment, a NOV2 epitope is from about amino acids 110 to 200. In additional embodiments, NOV2 epitopes are from about amino acids 290 to 340, from about 380 to 400, from about amino acids 410 to 580, from about amino acids 620 to 730, from about amino acids 810 to 900, from about amino acids 990 to 1100, from about amino acids 1 190 to 2 ! 0, from about amino acids 1240 to 1320, and from about amino acids 1400 to 1450. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which are useful in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV3 A disclosed NOV3 nucleic acid of 987 nucleotides (also referred to as GMAC079237 A) encoding a novel Ileal SodiumlBile Acid Cotransporter-like protein is shown in Table 3A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with a ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 1-3 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 979-981. The start and stop codons are in bold letters, and the 3'untranslated region is underlined.

Table 3A. NOV3 Nucleotide Sequence (SEQ ID NO: l1) <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGAGAGCCAATTGTTCCAGCAGCTCAGCCTGCCCTGCCAACAGTTCAGAGGAGGAGCTG CCAGTGGGACT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGAGGTGCATGGAAACCTGGAGCTCGTTTTCACAGTGGTGTCCACTATCATGATGGGGCT GCTCATGTTCT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTTTGGGATGTTCCGTGGAGATCCGGAAGCTGTGGTCGCACATCAGGAGACCCTGGGGCA TTGCTGTGGGA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTGCTCTGCCAGTTTGGGCTCATGCCTTTTACAGCTTATCTCCTGGCCATTAGCTTTTCT CTGAAGCCAGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCAAGCTATTGCTGTTCTCATCATGGGCTGCTGCCGGGGGGCACCATCTCTAACATTTTC ACCTTCTGGGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGATGGAGATATGGATCTCAGGTGCCCTGGGAATGATGCCACTCTGCATTTATCTCTACA CCTGGTCCTGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGTCTTCAGCAGAATCTCACCATTCCTTATCAGAACATAGGTCTGTCTTTAGGAATTACC CTTGTGTGCCT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACCATTCCTGTGGCCTTTGGTGTCTATGTGAATTACAGATGGCCAAAACAATCCAAAAT CATTCTCAAGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGTTGTTGGTGGGGTCCTCCTTCTGGTGGTCGCAGTTGCTGGTGTGGTCCTGGCGAAAG GATCTTGGAAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCAGACATCACCCTTCTGACCATCAGTTTCATCTTTCCTTTGATTGGCCATGTCACGGGT TTTCTGCTGGC ACTTTTTACCCACCAGTCTTGGCAAAGGACCTTGCCTATCTTTTTAGGTTTAGCTTTCAA GACACCCTGTG <BR> <BR> <BR> ATACCCTACTCGCAATGACTTCGTGTCCTGAATGTTCCAGGCTCATCTATGCCTTCATTC CTCTGCTATAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGACTCTTCCAGCTGATAGATGGATTTCTTATTGTTGAAGAGAGAACAGAAGATACAGAC TGCGATGGTTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACCTTTACCTGAGTATTTTACTGAGGTAACAATAATACCTAAACAACCTAGGATATGACA GCTT

The disclosed NOV3 nucleic acid sequence maps to the q33 region of chromosome 13 and has 257 of 382 bases (67%) identical to a O. cunicztlus ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter mRNA from O cuniculus (GENBANK-ID : Z54357) (E = 4. 9e-34).

A disclosed NOV3 protein (SEQ ID NO : 12) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 11 has 326 amino acid residues, and is presented using the one-letter code in Table 3B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV3 does not have a signal peptide, and is likely to be localized to the plasma membrane with a certainty of 0.6000. In other embodiments NOV3 is also likely to be localized to Golgi body with a certainty of 0. 4000, to the mitochondrial inner membrane with a certainty of 0. 3815, or to the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0. 3000.

Table 3B. Encoded NOV3 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 12). i<BR> <BR> MRANCSSSSACPANSSEEELPVGLEVHGNLELVFTWSTIMMGLLMFSLGCSVEIRKLWSH IRRPWGIAVG LLCQFGLMPFTAYLLAISFSLKPVQAIAVLIMGCCRGAPSLTFSPSGLMEIWISGALGMM PLCIYLYTWSW SLQQNLTIPYQNIGLSLGITLVCLTIPVAFGVYVNYRWPKQSKIILKAVVGGVLLLVVAV AGVVLAKGSWN SDITLLTISFIFPLIGHVTGFLLALFTHQSWQRTLPILGLAFKTPCDTLLAMTSCPECSR LIYAFIPLLY GLFQLIDGFLIVEERTEDTDCDGSPLPEYFTEVTIIPKQPRI

The disclosed NOV3 amino acid has 129 of 331 amino acid residues (38%) identical to, and 198 of 331 amino acid residues (59%) similar to, the 348 amino acid residue ileal sodium/bile acid cotransporter protein from Cricetulus griseus (Chinese hamster) (Q60414) (E= 1.6e-56).

The NOV3 sequence is predicted to be expressed in ileum because of the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID : NTCI_HUMAN) a closely related ILEAL SODIUM/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTER homolog in species Homo sapien.

TaqMan data for NOV3 can be found below in Example 2. NOV3 also has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 3E.

Table 3E. BLAST results for NOV3 Gene Index/Protein/Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier Organism (aa) (%) (%) gi#12858115#dbj#BAB putative 373 187/310 226/310 6e-87 31203.1| (AK018423)#[Mus##(60%)#(72%) musculusj i gi#3024224#sp#Q2872 ILEAL 347 116/279 173/279 1e-52 7#NTCI_RABIT SODIUM/BILE (41%) (61%) ACID COTRANSPORTE R (ILEAL NA(+)/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTE R) (NA+ DEPENDENT ILEAL BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ILEAL SODIUM- DEPENDENT BILEACID TRANSPORTER) (ISBT) (SODIUM/TAUR OCHOLATE COTRANSPORTI NG POLYPEPTIDE, ILEAL) gi#8394281#ref#NP_0 solute 348 130/344 195/344 2e-52 58918.1# carrier (37%) (55%) family 10, member 2 [Rattus norvegicus] gi#6755530#ref#NP_0 solute 348 125/313 191/313 4e-52 35518. ij carrier (39%) (60%) family 10, member2 tMus musculus) #gi#6755530#ref#NP_0#solute 348 125/313 191/313 4e-52 35518.1# carrier ##(39%)#(60%) family 10, member 2 EMus musculusl gi#2842631#sp#Q6041#ILEAL#348#121/306#185/306 4e-52 4#NTCI_CRIGR#SODIUM/BILE##(39%)#(59%)# ACID COTRANSPORTE R (ILEAL NA(+)/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTE R) (NA+ DEPENDENT ILEAL BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ILEAL SODIUM- DEPENDENT BILEACID TRANSPORTER) (ISBT) (SODIUM/TAUR OCHOLATE COTRANSPORTI NG POLYPEPTIDE, ILEAL)

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 3F.

Table 3F. ClustalW Analysis of NOV3 1) NOV3 (SEQ ID NO : 12) 3) gi#12858115#dbj#BAB31203.1#(AK018423) putative [Mus musculus] (SEQ ID NO : 40) 4) gi#3024224#sp#Q28727#NTCI_RABIT ILEAL SODIUM/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTER (ILEAL NA (+)/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTER) (NA+ DEPENDENT IDEAL BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ILEAL SODIUM-DEPENDENT BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ISBT) (SODIUM/TAUROCHOLATE COTRANSPORTING POLYPEPTIDE, ILEAL) (SEQ ID NO: 41) 5) gi#8394281#ref#NP_058918.1# solute carrier family 10, member 2 [Rattus norvegicus] (SEQ ID N0 : 42) 6@ gi#6755530#ref#NP_035518.1#solute carrier family 10, member 2 [Mus musculus) (SEQ ID NO : 43) 7) gi#6755530#ref#NP_035518.1# solute carrier family 10, member 2 [Mus musculus] (SEQ ID N0 : 44) 8) gi#2842631#sp#Q60414#NTCI_CRIGR ILEAL SODIUM/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTER (ILEAL NA (+)/BILE ACID COTRANSPORTER) (NA+ DEPENDENT ILEAL BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ILEAL SODIUM-DEPENDENT BILE ACID TRANSPORTER) (ISBT) (SODIUM/TAUROCHOLATE COTRANSPORTING POLYPEPTIDE, IDEAL) (SEQ ID NO : 45) 10 20 30 40 NOV3 RANCS-SSSACPANSSBEELPVGLEVHGNELFTvgsg ISTDCA-GNSTCPVNSTRE GMEGff-KLLFTVLSA 9y li 3024224 I SLTVGrL AP S v. r v gi83942E31 OD, ssv LVT 9il67555-o ssv-P'p T gi284263i. IDWOS S I-ow XAP s 50 60 70 Bo

NOV3 dMG L L S SRi LWS L 'T. T, , gl a3 s42al g | | E | | j i fi | i g gil30242241 IK, Pi Nu gi18394281 T F gi67555301 F a gi2842631 L i-e 90 100 110 120 NOV3 IS SLK--, I OR p gi|12858115|. kYI W KIC, K F =< x 2 X « X I > gi1128581151 L G LK'F--l s I "y giu3029224 gi83942811 I s s L'a'I gi67555301 I S S L G I gi j 2 842 631 jSi! S' ; t'! ES! <SS: !! S 130 140 150 160 130 140 iso 1GO U 1 1 1 1 U gi p 12858115 | sawu gi1285811 I RS TLTQNL g1 128581151 s H ia Z A't I RSPiTLr.'QNL gi 1 3024224 1 gw gi s 8394281 i =m gi8394281 D m -Fx o g-I, 6755530 gi I2842631 m 1I o 170 180 190 200 NOV3'. QNIGL T C T'F l''FCQB gi F3024224 4--IuF3 Y i'' S 7'T gi83942811 I F gi6755530V ---- Z10 220 230 240 d 210 220 230 240 SODIT LT SF gi11285811511 G TD. VT L SC"L Y \" y V gi83942811 I gil67555301 I gi18394281 I s 250 260 270 280 gl 2843631 í sI 250 260 270 280 T L LFTGS, ;. Q AFKTPGDELLA gi12358 : ILISJ T L F os is 290 300 310 320 gi83942811 s gì|8394281| X S giI67555301 S w e e m ; gi2842631 G 290 300 310 320 1-1 NOV3 31Y Ip G-LIDGFLRVEE------- giil2B581151 QLLIA-G HGLL RR W LAL A'V *QA 330 340 350 360 gi ^ 6755530 N. ai,-TTT'RI gi28426311 . IvI II. 30 310 3S0 360 NOV3-----RTJDTDC-----CGS,--LPEYFT-----EVuIIP gi f 12858115 f QKs3cRRQHPDCPVCYEKQ, RETS&3LDKGDEAAvSljGP 9il3024224-N-FPDI T-lT--ES HQ-------Gi gi839428111-D-FLEKT--DMD--MP QE-------JK gI67555301i Y AFLEKTn _-EMDS--RP DE-----_ gi2842631iii-TN. LQEKT--Empa--PS QE-------K

370 380 NOV3 S XRI--------------- gif12858115jVEQHHRAAELTSmPSCE git 3024224) jB---------------- gi (839428l (DEK-------------- gi6755530tjDEK-------------- gi (284263ljDEK-------------- Table 3G list the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV3.

This indicates that the NOV3 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 3G Domain Analysis of NOV3 gnl#Pfam#pfam01758, SBF, Sodium Bile acid symporter family. This family consists of Na+/bile acid co-transporters. These transmembrane proteins function in the liver in the uptake of bile acids from portal blood plasma a process mediated by the co-transport of Na+. Also in the family is ARC3 from S. cerevisiae this is a putative transmembrane protein involved in resistance to arsenic compounds. (SEQ ID NO : 82) CD-Length = 186 residues, 80.1% aligned Score = 75.9 bits (185), Expect = 3e-15 Query : 39 TIMMGLLMFSLGCSVEIRKLWSHIRRPWGZAVGLLCQFGLMPFTAYLLAIS-FSLKPVQA 97 + + 1+111+1 U I +|1 ; + +ll} 1+ +} 1 ++ Sbjct : 1 ALGLFLMMFSMGLKVRFEDLKEALRRPKALILGLLLQWIIMPLLMFILAWLLLRLPPELA 60 Query : 98 AVLIMGCCRG---APSLTFSPSGLMEIWIS-------GALGMMPLCIYLYTWSWSLQQN 147 ++++11 1 + + -)-) +-)- j 4- 4-j Sbjct : 61 TGLILVGCAPGGAMSNVWTYLAKGDVELSWMVALSTLLAPLVTPLLSFLLAGLL-----l 15 Query : 148 LTIPYQNIGLSLGITLVCLTIPVAFGVYVNYRWP 181 + + + + 11 + ll+ [+ Sbjcf : 116 VHVDAVSPWSLIKSVLVYVIIPLIAGMLTRYFLP 14 9 Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and secreted into the small intestine, where they facilitate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and cholesterol. Wong et al.

(1996) noted that, rather than being excreted, the majority of bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestine and returned to the liver via the portal circulation. In the liver, bile acids are quantitatively extracted and secreted into bile, thereby eliminating the need for substantial de novo hepatic bile acid synthesis. The ileum is the major site of active uptake ofbiie acids from the intestine, where the sodium-gradient-driven transporter has been identified in the ileal enterocyte. Mutations in the transporter or other ileal genes that participate in the transepithelial transport of bile acids are predicted to affect bile acid and cholesterol metabolism significantly. For example, Heubi et al. (l987) described an apparent familial defect in active ileal bile acid transport.

Using homologous sequences from hamster and rat, Wong et al. (1995) cloned a cDNA encoding an ileal sodium/bile acid cotransporter gene (designated ISBT by them). They also isolated a genomic clone for human ISBT. The gene encodes a 348-amino acid polypeptide with 7 predicted transmembrane domains and a predicted molecular mass of 38 kD. The native human protein has a relative molecular mass of 40 kD on SDS gel electrophoresis due to N- linked glycosylation. Wong et al. (1995) demonstrated a dysfunctional mutation (P290S) in the ileal sodium-bile acid cotransporter gene in the course of cloning the human cDNA.

Wong et al. (1996) mapped the SLC1OA2 gene to chromosome 13 by study of a human/rodent cell hybrid mapping panel and refined the localization to 13q33 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The ileal sodium-bile acid cotransporter gene is clearly distinct from the hepatic sodium-bile acid cotransporter gene (SLC10A1 ; 182396) which maps to chromosome 14. Lammert et al. (1998) mapped the SlolOa2 gene to mouse chromosome 8 in a region homologous to chromosome 13q33.

Primary bile acid malabsorption (PBAM) is an idiopathic intestinal disorder associated with congenital diarrhea, steatorrhea, interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, and reduced plasma cholesterol levels. Oelkers et al. (1997) screened the SLC10A2 gene for PBAM-associated mutations using SSCP analysis. Four polymorphisms were identified and sequenced in a family with congenital PBAM. One allele encoded an A171S missense mutation and a mutated donor splice site for exon 3 (601295.0002). The other allele encoded 2 missense mutations at conserved amino acid positions, L243P and T262M (601295.0001). In transfected COS cells, the L243P, T262M, and double mutant (L243P/T262M) did not affect transporter protein expression or trafficking to the plasma membrane; however, transport of taurocholate and other bile acids was abolished. In contrast, the A171S mutation had no effect on taurocholate uptake. The dysfunctional mutations were not detected in 104 unaffected control subjects, whereas the A171S was present in 28% of that population. The findings of Oelkers et al. (1997) established that SLCI OA2 mutations can cause PBAM and underscored the ileal Na (+)/bile acid cotransporter's role in intestinal reclamation of bile acids. Autosomal recessive inheritance had been suggested by earlier studies of PBAM patients and was supported by the findings that the proband's son, who inherited an SLC10A2 allele encoding the L243P and T262M missense mutations, was free of clinical symptoms. The authors stated this was the second reported defect ofa Ia (+)/solute cotransporter, the first having been SLC5AI (182380), the cotransporter defective in glucose/galactose malabsorption.

As reviewed by Small (1997), the enterohepatic circulation (EHC) is an in vivo ecologic system Ior the conservation of bile salts, allowing them to be used over and over for

the absorption of fat. The EHC confines the bile salt pool to the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, small intestine, and portal vein. There is a virtual absence of bile salts in the systemic circulation. A minimum of 6 (known or postulated) molecules (3 in the ileal mucosal cells and 3 analogous molecules in the hepatocytes) constitutes the active players in the EHC (Dawson and Oelkers, 1995). The polar ileal enterocytes and the hepatocytes each have 3 unique molecules : a receptor that binds bile salts on one surface and translocates them into the cell, a cellular bile salt binding protein that moves them across the cell, and an exit molecule that moves bile salts out of the other side of the cell. In the intestine, ileal sodium/bile salt transporter (ISBT) is present on the brush boarders of the ileum but not the jejunum. It binds bile salts in the gut lumen and transports them across the brush boarder membrane and hands them to the ileal lipid-binding protein (ILBP ; 600422) which binds bile acid in the cytoplasm of the cell. ILBP allows the bile salts to move through the cytoplasm to the basolateral membrane of the ileal intestinal epithelial cell, where a sodium-independent organic ion exchange system secretes bile salts into portal capillaries. Bile salts in portal capillaries bind to albumin and flow to the liver. There they are recognized by a transporter with high homology to ISBT, the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (SLCIOAI). Small et al. (1972) suggested that a genetic defect in the predicted bile acid receptor in the ileum would lead to diarrhea and/or steatorrhea and suggested that bile acid turnover and fecal bile acid excretion be studied in patients with unexplained diarrhea. Hess Thaysen and Pedersen (1976) described several patients who had diarrhea and excessive bile acid loss, without other ileal pathology.

Heubi et al. (1979,1982) reported a case study of a boy who presented 48 hours after birth with severe diarrhea, steatorrhea, and malabsorption. Intestinal absorption of bile acid was nearly absent and resulted in a small pool size, a low interluminal bile acid concentration, and severe malabsorption of water and fat. Ileal biopsies had no active bile acid transport.

Parenteral nutrition was necessary to sustain the child. At the other extreme, a child with marked bile acid malabsorption but with almost normal development, nearly normal fat absorption, and a moderately well-maintained bile acid pool, was described by Jonas et al.

(1986). This patient had a 15-fold increase in bile acid synthesis that was adequate to maintain pool size, interluminal bile acids, and fat absorption, Thus, the clinical phenotype apparently can vary from severe diarrhea, fat malabsorption, and malnutrition, to modest diarrhea without significant fat malabsorption. Small (1997) suggested that the bile acid malabsorption and the variable severity could represent mutations in any of the 3 main players in the ileal transport.

The disclosed NOV3 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Heal Sodium/Bile Acid Cotransporter-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 3A

or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 3A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Ileal SodiumlBile Acid Cotransporter-like activities and physiological Functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 33% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV3 protein of the invention includes the Ileal Sodium/Bile Acid Cotransporter-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 3B or 3D. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 3B or 3D while still encoding a protein that maintains its Ileal SodiumlBile Acid Cotransporter-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 61% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The protein similarity information, expression pattern, and map location for the Ileal SodiumlBile Acid Cotransporter-like protein and nucleic acid (NOV3) disclosed herein suggest that NOV3 may have important structural and/or physiological functions characteristic of the citron kinase-like family. Therefore, the NOV3 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These include serving as a specific or selective nucleic acid or protein diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed, as well as potential therapeutic applications such as the following : (i) a protein therapeutic, (ii) a small molecule drug target, (iii) an antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), (iv) a nucleic acid useful in gene therapy (gene delivery/gene ablation), and (v) a composition promoting tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo.

The NOV3 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications implicated in various diseases and disorders described below. For

example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from Primary bile acid malabsorption (PBAM, an idiopathic intestinal disorder), congenital diarrhea, steatorrhea, refractory infantile diarrhea, interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, reduced plasma cholesterol levels, crohn's disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Cirrhosis, Transplantation, Hypercalceimia, Ulcers, growth failure and/or other pathologies. The NOV3 nucleic acid, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV3 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. For example the disclosed NOV3 protein have multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, contemplated NOV3 epitope is from about amino acids 5 to 30. In another embodiment, a NOV3 epitope is from about amino acids 55 to 60. In additional embodiments, NOV3 epitopes are from about amino acids 140 to 150, from about amino acids 180 to 190, and from about amino acids 280 to 330.

This novel protein also has value in development of powerful assay system for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV4 A disclosed NOV4 nucleic acid of 850 nucleotides (designated CuraGen Acc. No.

AL1 61453_A) encoding a novel Prohibitin-like protein is shown in Table 4A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 6-8 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 822-824. A putative untranslated regions upstream of the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon are underlined in Table 4A, and the start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 4A. NOV4 Nucleotide Sequence (SEQ ID NO : 13) AAAACATGGCTGCCAAAATGTTTGAGTTCATCGGCAAGTTTGGCCTGGCCTTAGTTGTTG CAG <BR> <BR> <BR> GAGGCGTGGTGAACTCTGCCTTATATAGTGTGGATGCTGGGCACAGAGCTGTCGTCTTTG ACC<BR> <BR> <BR> GATTCCGTGGAGTGCAGGACATTGTGGTAGGCAAAGGGACTCACTGTCTCATCCCATGGT TAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGAAATCAATAATCTTTGACTGCCGTTCTCAGCCACGTAATGTGCCAGTCATCACCGGTA GCA<BR> <BR> <BR> AAGATTTACAGAATGTCAACCTCACACTGCGCATCATCTTCCGGCCCGTAGCTAGCCAGC TTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTCACATCTTCACCAGCAGCGGAGAGGACCATGATGAGCGTGTGCCGCCGTCCATCACGA ACAAGA<BR> <BR> <BR> TCCTCAAGTCAGTGGTGGCTCGCTTTGAAGCTGGAGAACTAATCACCCAGAGAGAGCAGA TCTCCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCAGGTGAGCGATGACCTTACGGAGCCAGCAGCCACCTTTGGGCTCATTCTGGACGACGT GTC<BR> <BR> <BR> CTTGACATATCTGACCTTCGGGAAGGAGTTCATAGAAGCGGTGGAAGCCAAACAGATAGC TCA<BR> <BR> <BR> GCAGGAAGCAGAGAGGGCCAGATTTGTGGTGGAAAAGGCTGAGCAGCAGAAAAAGGCGGC CAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CATTTCTGCTGAGGGCGACTCCAAGGTGGCCGAGCTGATCACCAACTCACTGGCCACAGC AGG<BR> <BR> <BR> GGACGCCCTGATCGAGCTGCGCAAGCTGGAAGCTGTGGAGGACATCACCTACCAGCTTTT ACG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTCTCGGAACATCACCTACCTGCGGGCAGGGCAGTCCATGCCCCTGCAGCTGCGCTGGTG AGG<BR> <BR> <BR> GCCCACCCTGCCTGCACCTCCGAG

The nucleic acid sequence oENOV4, localized on chromosome 9, has 782 of 849 bases (92%) identical to a Prohibitin mRNA from Gonzo sapiens (GENBANK-ID: S85655) (E = 7.2-l5g) A NOV4 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 14) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 13 is 272 amino acid residues and is presented using the one letter code in Table 4B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV4 has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized at the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0. 5500. In other embodiments, NOV4 may also be localized to the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 2631, the endoplasmic reticulum (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 1000, or extracellularly with a certainty of 0.1000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOV4 peptide is between amino acids 25 and 26, at: VNS-AL.

Table 4B. NOV4 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 14) MAAKMFEFIGKFGLALVVAGGVVNSALYSVDAGHRAVVFDRFRGVQDIVVGKGTHCLIPW LQKSIIF DCRSQPRNVPVITGSKDLQNVNLTLRIIFRPVASQLPHIFTSSGEDHDERVPPSITNKIL KSVVARF EAGELITQREQISRQVSDDLTEPAATFGLI7TDVSLTYLTFGKEFIEAVEAKQIAQQEAE RARFWE KAEQQKKAAIISAEGDSKVAELITNSLATAGDALIELRKLEAVEDITYQLLRSRNITYLR AGQSMPL QLRW The full amino acid sequence of the protein of the invention was Found to have 236 of 270 amino acid residues (87%) identical to, and 251 of 270 amino acid residues (92%) similar to, the 272 amino acid residue Prohibitin protein from Homo sapiens ACC : P35232) (E = 3. 0e-117).

The disclosed NOV4 protein is widely expressed in a variety of tissues.

TaqMan data for NOV4 can be Found below in Example 2. NOV4 also has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 4C.

Table 4C. BLAST results for NOV4 GeneIndex/ Protein/ Organism Length Identity Positives Expiect Identifier (aa) (%) (t) gi#4505773#ref#NP_0 prohibitin [Homo 272 236/270 251/270 e-123 02625.1# sapiens) (87%) (92%) gi#92643#pir#A3968 prohibitin - rat 272 235/270 251/270 e-123 2 (87%) (92%) gi#7298546#gb#AAF53 1(2) 37Cc gene 276 178/270 220/270 8e-96 765.1 (AE003661) product (65%) (80%) CDrosophila melanogaster) gi#2055454#gb#AAB53 prohibitin-like 274 153/264 209/264 9e-80 231.1#(U97204) molecule TC-PRO-1 (57%) (78%) [Toxocaracanis] gi#13491275#gb#AAK2 Hypothetical 275 154/270 210/270 6e-79 7865. 11 (AC087079) protein Y37E3. 9 (57%) (77%) [Caenorhabditis elegans]

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 4D.

Table 4D ClustalW Analysis of NOV4 1) NOV4 (SEQ ID Not4) 2) gi#4505773#ref#NP_002625.1#prohibitin [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID N0 :46) 3N#92643#pir##A39682 prohibitin - rat (SEQ ID NO:47) 4) gi#7298546#gb#AAF53765.1#(AE003661) 1(2) 37Cc gene product [Drosophila melanogaster] (SEQ ID NO : 48) 5) gi#2055454#gb#AAB53231.1# (U97204) prohibitin-like molecule TC-PRO-1 oxocara canis] (SEQ ID NO : 49) 6) gi#13491275#gb#AAK27865. 1# (AC087079) Hypothetical protein Y37E3. 9 [Caenorhabditis elegans] (SEQ ID NO : 50) 10 20 30 40 . r. . , y. , , NOV4---i EF F 8 d ., . vv.., 9i1i4505773 ___,. ES F, gi u 6679299 --- ES F gii7298546---iQF R L EG gi 1 2 o 5 5454 |-MAG QLLGR Q gill34912751 MAAS-QLLLOR T G Sl IAQ G Ql- 50 60 70 80 N ? V4 QDI rm."m R 914505773 QDI ... 90 100 110 120 T I irai r., gi12O554541 T KPD I T"L6 gi20554541 w T IPD a dS-Tw S giu134912751 w S KNE e oT Tw ZUT 90 100 110 120 NOV4 L IF", Fss gi|l3491275| TSPDRL gi45057731 a o F"'F S En 91 I6679299 C P e '.. o R 8 Ei gi7298546 g o 2PD K rT QIr s gi134912751 T o e g -, gP L g1 13491275 II T v SPDR'L L, ts 130 140 250 160 . .... I.... .... .... .." .... '... =II NO V$ ; P'I S EFc. u e QIg ( DD P TE 9 I , I S a.- u i o LR DD

gi6679299 gi72985461 gil20S54S4l gi U 13 4 912 7 5 | dL s3N b =g i ! v S t F XQS VP tRL 2 t70 180 190 200 170 180 190 200 NOV4 180 l90 200 NOV4 gil4505773 T y V ' K NOV4 =K=SKSEzIT4L2Xz gil72985461 Q m2T o me 210 220 230 240 'ER NOV4 0 K SKVa,'T L', e wrr uv gi 4 5 0 5 7 7 3 [LX gi66792991 I-LITT 9 gi72985461 sv L-$ F8'tG K FGE gil2055454 I LAQAFKD gi113491275 I'ma ii IFRS 250 260 270 , gi45057731-Q---- gy 4505773I, a v e Q Q____ gi66792991 Q---- . v gi7298546u-.-T o a.. . S, T STIAQ gi2055454 I ER T I gi13491275 I R G QT QS---- Tables 4E-F list the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV4.

This indicates that the NOV4 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 4E. Domain Analysis of NOV4 gnl#Pfam#pfam01145, Band_7, SPFH domain/Band 7 family. This family also includes proteins with high blast scores to known Band 7 protein: HFIC from E. coli HflK from E. coli, and Prohibitin family members (SEQ ID NO : 83) CD-Length = 191 residues, 91.6% aligned Score = 157 bits (397), Expect = 7e-40 Query : 28 YSVDAGHRAWFDRFRBVQOIWGKGTHCLIPNLQKSIIFDCRSQPRNVPVITGSKDLQN 87 !) H ! ) H) t+h ! ! Sbj. Ct : ; 17 KIVKEYERGVIFRGRYVRQ-WGPSLHFIIPFIDTVKKVDRTWYDVPSQEIITKBrV 75 Query : 88 VNLTLRIIFR. PVASQLpHTFTSSGEDHDERVPPSITNKILKSWARFEAGELTTQREQIS 147 j + + + 11 & +14 ++1+11++ Sbjct. 76 WIVDAWYYRWDP] jKAVYEVEO---AERALPQLAQTTRNVIGQFTLDEILTERERIN 132 Query : 148 RQVSDDLTEPAATFGLILDDVSLTYLTFGKEFIEAVEAKQIAQQEAERARFWEKAEQQK 207 } + +)) + i + +-'-t + + + + II Y- V -I -+ I h'P I'. -y p + Sbjot : 133 SQhREILDEATDpWGIKvERvEIKDIRLpEEvQRAMAAQMEAEREA-RAKIDEAEGEQEA 191

Table 4F. Domain Analysis of NOV4 gnlj Smart) smart00244, PHB, prohibitin homologues ; prohibitin homologues (SEQ ID NO : 84) CD-Length = 160 residues, 98.8e aligned Score = 97.4 bits (241), Expect = 9e-22 Query : 28 YSVDAGHRAWFDRFRGVQDIWGKGTHCLIPWLQKSIIFDCRSQPRNVPVITG-SKDLQ 86 + I V f+II II I +IV++ I Sbjct : 3 FYVIGEGERGWERLGRVLK-VLGPGLHFVIPFIDDVKRVDLRAQTDDVPPQEVITKDNV 61 Query : 87 NVNLTLRIIFRPVASQLPHIFTSSGEDHDERVPPSITNKILKSWARFEAGELIT-QREQ 145 ++ +u ++ Sbjct : 62 TVSVDAWYYR-VLDPLKAVYGV--LDADYRALRQLAQTTLRSVIGKRTLDELLTDEREK 118 Query : 146 TSRQVSDDLTEPAATFGLILDDVSLTYLTFGKEFIEAVEAKQ 187 j + + + +1 ! t +) + ++ -t-+ +) ! t + ! + ! Sbjct : 119 ISENIREELNEAAEPWGIEVEDVEIKDIRLPEEIKEAMEAQQ 160 Genes that negatively regulate proliferation inside the cell are of considerable interest because of the implications in processes such as development and cancer. Prohibitin, a novel cytoplasmic anti-proliferative protein widely expressed in a variety of tissues, inhibits DNA synthesis. Studies have suggested that Prohibitin may be a suppressor gene and is associated with tumor development and/or progression of at least some breast cancers. Sequence comparisons suggest that the Prohibitin gene is an analogue of Cc, a Drosophila gene that is vital for normal development.

Prohibitin is a 30-kD intracellular, antiproliferative protein. White et al. (1991) mapped the gene to chromosome 17 by analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrid cell lines using a genomic fragment of human Prohibitin DNA isolated from a library using the rat Prohibitin cDNA clone. By a study of cell lines containing portions of human chromosome 17, they determined that the PHB gene was located in the 17all. 2-q23 region. By in situ hybridization, they localized the gene to 17q21. Sato et al. (1992) isolated the human homolog of the rat Prohibitin gene and mapped it to 17ql2-q21 by in situ hybridization. Sato et al. (1993) showed that the human Prohibitin gene family consists of 1 functional PHB gene on 17q21 and 4 processed pseudogenes, each on a different chromosome: PHBPI on 6q25, PHBP2 on 11pl 1.2, PHBP3 on lp31. 3, and PHBP4 on 2q21.

By DNA sequence analysis of 2 exons in the PHB gene in 23 sporadic breast cancers that showed loss of heterozygosity on 17q or developed in patients 35 years old or younger, they identified 4 cases of somatic mutation : 2 of these were missense mutations, I showed a 2- bp deletion resulting in truncation of the gene product due to frameshift, and the fourth had a

C-to-T transition in an intron adjacent to an intron-exon boundary. Sato et al. (1993) found no mutations in the PHB gene in other forms of tumors, namely, those of ovary, liver, and lung.

The disclosed NOV nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Prohibitin-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 4A or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 4A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Prohibitin-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid.

The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way ofnonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject.

In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 10% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV4 protein of the invention includes the Prohibitin-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 4B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 4B while still encoding a protein that maintains its Prohibitin-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 43% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The protein similarity information, expression pattern, and map location for the Prohibitin-like protein and nucleic acid (NOV4) disclosed herein suggest that this NOV4 protein may have important structural and/or physiological functions characteristic of the Prohibitin family. Therefore, the NOV4 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These include serving as a specific or selective nucleic acid or protein diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed, as well as potential therapeutic applications such as the following : (i) a protein therapeutic, (ii) a small molecule drug target, (iii) an antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), (iv) a nucleic acid useful in gene therapy (gene delivery/gene ablation), and (v) a composition promoting tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo.

The NOV4 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications implicated in various diseases and disorders described below. For example, the compositions oFthe present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from breast cancer (In a sporadic breast cancer, Sato et al. (1992) Found a missense mutation from valine (GTC) to alanine (GCC) at codon 88 of the PUB gene), and/or other pathologies. The NOV4 nucleic acids, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV4 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. For example, the disclosed NOV4 protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOV4 epitope is from about amino acids 40 to 45. In another embodiment, a NOV4 epitope is from about amino acids 60 to 75. In additional embodiments, NOV4 epitopes are from about amino acids 100 to 130, from about amino acids 140 to 160"from about amino acids 180 to 220, and from about amino acids 240 to 260. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV5 A disclosed NOV5 nucleic acid of 2011 nucleotides (also referred to as dj 1 182al 4_dal) encoding a novel Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like protein is shown in Table 5A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 1-3 and ending with a TAG codon at nucleotides 1999-2001. A putative untranslated region downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 5A, and the start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table SA. NOV5 Nucleotide Sequence (SEQ ID NO : 15) ATGGGGTGGCTCCCACTCCTGCTGCTTCTGACTCAATGCTTAGGGGTCCCTGGTCAGCGC TC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCATTGAATGACTTCCAAGTGCTCCGGGGCACAGAGCTACAGCACCTGCTACATGCGGT GG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCCCGGGCCTTGGCAGGAGGATGTGGCAGATGCTGAAGAGTGTGCTGGTCGCTGTGGGC CC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTAATGGACTGCCGGGCCTTCCACTACAACGTGAGCAGCCATGGTTGCCAACTGCTGCCA TG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACTCAACACTCGCCCCACACGAGGCTGCGGCGTTCTGGGCGCTGTGACCTCTTCCAGAA GA AAGACTACGTACGGACCTGCATCATGAACAATGGGGTTGGGTACCGGGGCACCATGGCCA CG <BR> <BR> <BR> ACCGTGGGTGGCCTGCCCTGCCAGGCTTGGAGCCACAAGTTCCCAAATGATCACAAGTAC AC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCCACTCTCCGGAATGGCCTGGAAGAGAACTTCTGCCGTAACCCTGATGGCGACCCCGG AG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTCCCTGGTGCTACACAACAGACCCTGCTGTGCGCTTCCAGAGCTGCGGCATCAAATCCT GC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGGGAGGCCGCGTGTGTCTGGTGCAATGGCGAGGAATACCGCGGCGCGGTAGACCGCACG GA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTCAGGGCGCGAGTGCCAGCGCTGGGATCTTCAGCACCCGCACCAGCACCCCTTCGAGCC GG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCAAGTTCCTCGACCAAGGTCTGGACGACAACTATTGCCGGAATCCTGACGGCTCCGAGC GG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCATGGTGCTACACTACGGATCCGCAGATCGAGCGAGAGTTCTGTGACCTCCCCCGCTGC GG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCCGAGGCACAGCCCCGCCAAGAGGCCACAACTGTCAGCTGCTTCCGCGGGAAGGGTGA GG GCTACCGGGGCACAGCCAATACCACCACCGCGGGCGTACCTTGCCAGCGTTGGGACGCGC AA <BR> <BR> <BR> ATCCCGCATCAGCACCGATTTACGCCAGAAAAATACGCGTGCAAGGACCTTCGGGAGAAC TT CTGCCGGAACCCCGACGGCTCAGAGGCGCCCTGGTGCTTCACACTGCGGCCCGGCATGCG CG <BR> <BR> <BR> CGGCCTTTTGCTACCAGATCCGGCGTTGTACAGACGACGTGCGGCCCCAGACTGCTACCA CG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCGCAGGGGAGCAGTACCGCGGCACGGTCAGCAAGACCCGCAAGGGTGTCCAGTGCCAGC GC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGTCCGCTGAGACGCCGCACAAGCCGCAGTTCACGTTTACCTCCGAACCGCATGCACAA CT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGAGGAGAACTTCTGCCGGAACCCAGATGGGGATAGCCATGGGCCCTGGTGCTACACGAT GG ACCCAAGGACCCCATTCGACTACTGTGCCCTGCGACGCTGCGCTGATGACCAGCCGCCAT CA <BR> <BR> <BR> ATCCTGGACCCCCCAGACCAGGTGCAGTTTGAGAAGTGTGGCAAGAGGGTGGATCGGCTG GA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCAGCGGCGTTCCAAGCTGCGCGTGGTTGGGGGCCATCCGGGCAACTCACCCTGGACAGT CA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCTTGCGGAATCGGTATGCTGCCTCTCACGGGCTATGAGGTATGGTTGGGCACCCTGTTC CA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAACCCACAGCATGGAGAGCCAAGCCTACAGCGGGTCCCAGTAGCCAAGATGGTGTGTGG GC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCTCAGGCTCCCAGCTTGTCCTGCTCAAGCTGGAGAGATCTGTGACCCTGAACCAGCGTG TG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCCTGATCTGCCTGCCCCCTGAATGGTATGTGGTGCCTCCAGGGACCAAGTGTGAGATT GC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGGCTGGGGTGAGACCAAAGGTACGGGTAATGACACAGTCCTAAATGTGGCCTTGCTGAA TG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCATCTCCAACCAGGAGTGTAACATCAAGCACCGAGGACGTGGTGACTACGGGGGCCCAC TT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCTGCTTTACCCACAACTGCTGGGTCCTGGAAGGAATTATAATCCCCAACCGAGTATGC GC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGGTCCTGCTGGCCAGCTGTCTTCACGCGTGTCTCTGTGTTTGTGGACTGGATTCACAA GG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCATGAGACTGGGTTAGGCCCAGCCTT

The NOV5 nucleic acid was identified on the q21 region of chromosome 3 and has 1508 of 1524 bases (98%) identical to a gb: GENBANK-ID : HUMMSTIAlacc : L11924 mRNA from Homo sapieis (Honao sapiens macrophage-stimulating protein (MST1) mRNA, complete cds (E=0.0).

A disclosed NOV5 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 16) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 15 is 666 amino acid residues and is presented using the one-letter code in Table 5B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV5 has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 5493. In other embodiments, NOV5 may also be localized to extracellularly with acertainty oC0. 3700, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 1588, or the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0.1000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOV5 peptide is between amino acids 18 and 19, at: VPG-QR.

Table 5B. Encoded NOV5 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 16) MGWLPLLLLLTQCLGVPGQRSPLNDFQVLRGTELQHLLHAVVPGPWQEDVADAEECAGRC GPLMDCRAFHYN VSSHGCQLLPWTQHSPHTRLRRSGRCDLFQKKDYVRTCIMNNGVGVYRGTMATTVGGLPC QAWSHKFPNDHKY TPTLRNGLEENFCRNPDGDPGBPWCYTTDPAVRFQSCGIKSCREAACVWCMGEEYRGAVD R. TESGRECQRND LQHPHQHPFEPGKFLDQGLDDNYCRNPDGSERPWCYTTDPQIEREFCDLPRCGSEAQPRQ EATTVSCFRGKG EGYRGTANTTTAGVPCQRWDAQIPHQHRFTPEKYACKDLRENFCRNPDGSEAPWCFTLRP GMRAAFCYQIRR<BR> CTDDVRPQTATTAQGSSTAARSARPARVSSASAGPLRRRTSRSSRLPPNRMHNWRRTSAG TQMGIAMGPGAT<BR> RWTQGPHSTTVPCDAALMTSRHQSWTPQTRCSLRSVARGWIGWISGVFSCAWLGAIRATH PGQSACGIGML p

LTGYEVWLGTLFQNPQHGEPSLQRVPVAKMVCGPSGSQLVLLKLERSVTLNQRVALICLP PEWYVVPPGTKC EIAGWGETKGTGNDTVLNVALLNVISNQECNIKHRGRGDYGGPLACFTHNCWVLEGIIIP NRVCARSCWPAV FTRVSVFVDWIHKVMRLG The disclosed NOV5 amino acid sequence has 368 of 368 amino acid residues (100%) identical to, and 368 of 368 amino acid residues (100%) similar to, the 711 amino acid residue ptnr: SPTREMBL-ACC : Q14870 protein from Holzlo sapiesls (Human) (Macrophage- Stimulating Protein Precursor (E=9.9e-310).

NOV5 is expressed in at least HepG2 (liver) In addition, the sequence is predicted to be expressed in the following tissues because of the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID : HUMMST1A#acc : Ll 1924) a closely related {Homo sapiens macrophage-stimulating protein (MSTI) mRNA, complete cds homolog in species Homo sapiens: HepG2, and liver.

TaqMan data for NOV5 can be found below in Example 2. NOV5 also has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 5C.

Table 5C. BLAST results for NOV5 Gene Index/ Protein/ Organism Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier (aa) (%) (%) gi#15294659#ref#XP_ macrophage 711 561/720 577/720 0.0 054070.1| stimulating 1 (77%) (79%) (hepatocyte growthfactor- like) [Homo sapiens) gi#10337615#ref#NP_ macrophage 711 560/720 576/720 0.0 066278.1) stimulating 1 (77%) (79%) (hepatocyte growth factor- like) [Homo sapiens] gi|123114|sp|P26927 HEPATOCYTE GROWTH 711 560/720 576/720 0.0 JHGFLHUMAN FACTOR-LIKE (77%) (79%) PROTEINPRECURSOR (MACROPHAGE STIMULATORY PROTEIN)(MSP) (MACROPHAGE STIMULATING PROTEIN) gi#15299258#ref#XP_ hypothetical 529 440/532 456/532 0.0 017811.2# protein XP_017811 (82%) (85%) [Homosapiens] gi#90615#pir##A4033 macrophage- 716 449/725 507/725 0.0 2 stimulating (61%) (69%) protein1 precursor-mouse

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 5D.

Table 5D Clustal W Sequence Alignment 1) NOV5 (SEQ ID NO : 16) 2) gi#15294659#ref#XP_054070.1# macrophage stimulating 1 (hepatocyte growth factor- like) [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 51) 3) gi#10337615#ref#NP_066278.1#macrophage stimulating 1 (hepatocyte growth factor- like) [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 52) gi#123114#sp#P26927#HGFL_HUMAN HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR-LIKE PROTEIN PRECURSOR (MACROPHAGE STIMULATORY PROTEIN) (MSP) (MACROPHAGE STIMULATING PROTEIN) (SEQ ID NO : 53) 5) gi#15299258#ref#XP_017811.2#hypothetical protein XP_017811 [Homo sapiens) (SEQ ID N0 ; 54) 6) gi#90615#pir##A40332 macrophage-stimulating protein 1 precursor-mouse (SEQ ID NOw 55) 10 20 30 40 NOV5 9 1152946591 e v. w.. g1I152946591 9 1103376151 9 11231141 g152992581 - gl 190615 | j=SRALE i mLFB2ET so60 70 80 noves r , c NOV5 m o °a' ie-o 50 60 70 80 gill5294659 I ! gelU N r gill2311ll 90 100 110 120 'Ri 90 100 110 120 90 100 110 120 N V5 y, v v'N gi 15294659 1 9 1103376151 gi j 12 3114 E t)' i j t < iS! ) *! 3 E S S E gi 1 123114 gi 1 15299258 L 130 140 150 160 130 140 150 160 . I... p.... NOV5 m giI1529465911'''' gillo3376lsU gi l 123 4 St m gz11152992581 S w gz II 9 0 615 II ayR RR' 'PIb 170 180 190 200 . _. y--y.. _-. 170 180 190 200 NOVS u, : Tr P"p.. o sa i | 15294659 | waw gill0337615 f gi J123114 tf'jtf't . <: te) t < e ' gi) l5299258)! StjSS! , jj ? 9 ° S! ! s SS!)'2 gi 1123114 1 gi 115299258 S giI906151 'R'RS"° T'L 210 220 230 240 yi 1 15294659 l gi 1 10337 615 | _ gi152946591 0-' e-no o o = c m n s gy1033761511 m '-o' 'o'w m gi 10337 615) gS,'gjS<! f!!! ! S gi 1123114 1 a gi 15299258 W X gi 1123114 L"% tA 0), *J 1) a I a

250 260 270 280 N 1---1-1 t NOV5, i a ee i '_______ il gi I : L23114 I--------- gi115299258--------- g1123114 vs _______ 51i15299258U w o e _______ gi 1 15294659 1 ; . 3 2 l g g. N 290 300 310 320 NOVS g'.. gi | 90615 | , e R a n. ffi « S PNLPPTVRG F 290 300 310 320 1 1 1 1 1-1-1 1 gi 15294659 T gi 1103376151 _ _ gi 112 3114 1 gill5299258 gi 190615 1 330 340 350 360 Nos5 Nov5 Ei! ! nE! !!!! S! S gi1152946591 gi103376151 gi 1123114 gi) l5299258t t SS!! *! ! gilIS2992581 gI90615 v e-. ' S.." 370 380 390 400 1 1 1 W NOV5 r =TATTAQpSSTAARSSPARVSSA gy 15294659II v-w m eo.. q.. v gi 1 10337615 1 Ww , H. ; "r r gi11231141 v e'oe'-w s . fa s gi 1 15299258 I V _ gi I1 90615 I'm P'EF''FG S 'S 410 420 430 440 NOV5 SAGPLRRRTSRSSRLPPNRMHNWRRTSAGTQI GA gill52946591 gil10337615l _ gi1112311411 0 o a - gi|15299258| g GA giil52 99 258 GA gil906l5l 0 s 450 460 470 480 .. I.... .... f'.... .... I.... .... I... NOV5 TRi ; QGmHSTTVPsDAALMTSRHQS--WTNQTRCSLRSVA gill52946591 ,-Rp Q giII103376151 n'R'.'P oo sr Q. gi1231141 D'RTP (2m gi {15299258| TRWHQGsHSTTVPiDAALMTSRHQS--WTNQTRCSLRSVA gi|90615| =a DIL = Q E D 490 500 510 520 NOV5 RGWIGWISGVPSCAW q AIRATHsGQSACGIG-------- gi|15294659| @RVDRLDQRRB = gi|10337615| XRVDRLDQRRS gi|123114| RVDRLDQRRS gi152992581 RGWIGWISVVPSCAW IRA GI gi; 90615 j E-'-RKsNEEEsEsESEEEE!:!!!.: giW90615| @----RVDKS = S30 540 550 560 10 NOV5------------------ gi15294659 gi103376151 gil123114l = aill52992581 gj.) 123114)!! , j,, S S, Si.!! S! 'i qi j 152 9 92 58 j; SEEX. i]; SE2i:;: ESS S S3E; Ei: ES.!

570 580 590 600 NOV5 r NOV5 s o g1152946S91i a' v o gifl0337615 S ! ? gi! l23114)! SS!!! S E ! E,! gitl5299258 ! ; g! gi) 90615) AN; tiSESEsSSi'E.! fSl SHH 610 620 630 640 g°iV515294659 | i i | E I i i i E B i s gi t10337615 t t 2 t » 2 | = = s s5| S glul2532919142581 | | E | | | | lll | | | |, gi15299258 gi906151-P IH 610 620 630 640 NOV5 r i giN1529g6591 0 v giC1033761541 0 F g1123114 o L gi 1 15299258 j _____________ ______ _ _ ____ _ __ gi 90615 1 650 660 670 680 NOV5 E1R-------------- gi l 15 2 9 4 6 5 9 | PBE ; tREiL gill03376151 gi. 123114 gi152992581 ________________________________________ gij90615| = T z HI s I i= 690 700 710 720 690 700 710 720 NOV5 NOVS i o gi1152946591 gil10337615l gi123114 gill52992581---------------------------------------- g i 9 0 615 N 6''.'L'P sx S3aaWIdyQ NOV5 °5 33 gil15294659l R gi103376151 gi1231141 gi152992581 gil906151 D Tables 5E-N list the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV5. This indicates that the NOV5 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 5E. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Pfam#pfam00051, kringle, Kringle domain. Kringle domains have been found in plasminogen, hepatocyte growth factors, prothrombin, and apolipoprohein A. Struchure is disulfide-rich, nearly all-beta. (SEQ ID NO:85) CD-Length = 79 residues, 100. 0% aligned Score = 117 bits (292), Expect = 3e-27 Query : 191 CVWCNGEEYRGAVDRTESGRECQRWDLQHPHQHPF-EPGKFLDQGLDDNYCRNPDGSERP 249 + ++ + +

Sbjct : 1 CYHGNGENYRGTASTTESGAPCQRWDSQTPHRHSKYTPERYPAKGLGENYCRNPDGDERP 60 Query ; 250 MCYTTDPQIEREFCDLPRC 268 itt)))) ) +) ! ! +H) Sbjct : 61 WCYTTDPRVRWEYCDIPRC 79 Table 5F. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Pfam#pfam00051, kringle, Kringle domain. Kringle domains have been found in plasminogen, hepatocyte growth factors, prothrombin, and apolipoprotein A. Structure is disulfide-rich, nearly all-beta. (SEQ ID NO : 85) CD-Length = 79 residues, 100.0% aligned Score = 212 bits (279), Expect = 9e-26 Query: 283 CFRGKGEGYRGTANTTTAGVPCQRWDAQIPHQHRF-TPEKYACKDLRENFCRNPDGSEAP 341 f t 11 U +v1 +l 1U +1 fU+1 [v1+1 1 1 ll+llllE Sbjct: 1 CYHGNGENYRGTASTTESGAPCQRWDSQTPHRHSKYTPERYPAKGLGENYCRNPDGDERP 60 Query : 342 WCFTLRPGMRAAFCYQIRRC 361 t ! +t t + ! + ! tt Sbjct : 61 WCYTTDPRVRWEYC-DIPRC 79 Table 5G. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Pfam#pfam00051, kringle, Kringle domain. Kringle domains have been found in plasminogen, hepatocyte growth factors, prothrombin, and apolipoprotein A. structure is disulfide-rich, nearly all-beta. (SEQ ID N0 : 85) CD-Length = 79 residues, 100.0% aligned Score = 104 bits (259), Expect = 2e-23 Query : 110 CIMNNGVGYRGTMATTVGGLPCQAWSHKFPNDH-KYTPT--RNGLEENFCRNPDGDPGG 166 PP IIIVII +V'll V UlU I + II+ IIIIII III I'I+IIII Sbjct : 1 CYHGNGENYRGTASTTESGAPCQRWDSQTPHRHSKYTPERYPAKGLGENYCRNPDGDE-R 59 Query : 167 PWCYTTDPAVRFQSCGIKSC 186 HtNNN ! H t Sbjct : 60 PWCYTTDPRVRWEYCDIPRC 79 Table 5H. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Smart#smart00130, KR, Kringle domain; Named after a Danish pastry. Found in several serine proteases and in ROR-like receptors. Can occur in up to 38 copies tin apolipoprotein (a)). Plasminogen-like kringles possess affinity for free lysine and lysine-containing peptides.

(SEQ ID NO : 86) CD-Length = 83 residues, 97. 6% aligned Score = 111 bits (278), Expect 1e-25 Query : 291 CVWCNGEEYRGAVDRTESGRECQRWDLQHPHQHPFEPGKFLDQGLDDNYCRNPDG-SERP 249 1-+ l 11 I +, l, I Sbjct : 3 CXAGNGESYRGTASTTKSGKPCQRWDSQTPHLHRFTPERFPELGLEHNYCRNPDGDSEGP 62 Query : 250 WCYTTDPQIEREFCDLFRCGS 270

+ + + + Sbjct : 63 WCYTTDPNVRWEYCDIPQCES 83 Table 51. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Smart#smart00130, KR, Kringle domain; Named after a Danish pastry.

Found in several serine proteases and in ROR-like receptors. Can occur in up to 38 copies (in apolipoprotein (a)). Plasminogen-like kringles possess affinity for free lysine and lysine-containing peptides.

(SEQ ID NO : 86) CD-Length = 83 residues, 97, 6% aligned Score = 106 bits (265), Expect = 4e-24 Query : 108 RTCIMNNGVGYRGTMATTVGGLPCQAWSHKFPNDHKYTPTLRN--GEENFCRNPDGDPG 165 t 1 + (+ 1++11 1E 1+1# Sbjct : 1 RDCYAGNGESYRGTASTTKSGKPCQRWDSQTPHLHRFTPERFPEDGLEHNYCRNPDGDSE 60 Query : 166 GPWCYTTDPAVRFQSCGIKSC 186 ( ! ! H HH ! ! t t Sbjct : 61 GPWCYTTDPNVRWEYCDIPQC 81 Table 5J. Domain Analysis of NOVS gnl|Smart|smartO0130, KR, Kringle domain; Named after a Danish pastry.

Found in several serine proteases and in ROR-like receptors. Can occur in up to 38 copies (in apolipoprotein ta)). Plasminogen-like kringles possess affinity for free lysine and lysine-containing peptides.

(SEQ ID NO : 86) CD-Length = 83 residues, 97.6% aligned Score = 104 bits (260), Expect = le-23 Query : 283 CFRGKGEGYRGTANTTTAGVPCQRWDAQIPHQHRFTPEKYACKDLRENFCRNPDG-SEAP 341 V U tHHH ! tHt ! ! ! f ! tt ! ft ! ! . ! ! fft h t Sbjct : 3 CYAGNGESYRGTASTTKSGKPCQRWDSQTPHLHRFTPERFPELGLEHNYCRNPDGDSEGP 62 Query: 342 NCFTLRPGMRAAFCYQIRRCTD 363 1v+1 1 +W +E SbjCt : 63 WCYTTDPNVRWEYCD-IPQCES 83 Table 5K. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Smart#smart00020, Tryp_SPc, Trypsin-like serine protease ; Many of these are synthesised as inactive precursor zymogens that are cleaved during limited proteolysis to generate their active forms. A few, however, are active as single chain molecules, and others are inactive due to substitutions of the catalytic triad residues. (SEQ ID NO : 87) CD-Length = 230 residues, 79, 1% aligned Score = 110 bits (274), Expect = 3e-25 Query : 504 PLTGYEVWLGTLFQNPQHGEPSLQRVPVAKMVCGPSGSQ_n----LVLLKLERSVTLNQR 557 ) ! )) ! + ! ) ! H f ! t Sbjct : 49 APSSIRVRLGSHDLSSGEET---QTVKVSKVIVHPNYNPSTYDNDIALLKLSEPVTLSDT 105

Query 5S8 VAVTCLPPEWYWPPGTKCEIAGWGETKGTG--NDTVLNVALLNVISNQECNIKHRGR--6 13 1h11 l 1E 11 | ++111 1 + I + +*11 1 + I Sbjct : 106 VRPICLPSSGYNVPAGTTCTVSGWGRTSESSGSLPDTLQEVNVPIVSNATCRRAYSGGPA 165 Query : 614-------------------GDYGGPLACFTHNCWVLEGIIIPNRV-CARSCWPAVFT RVS 653 11 ill I 111 11, 111 1 1+1111 Sbjct : 166 ITDNMLCAGGLEGGKDACQGDSGGPLVC-NDPRWVLVGIVSWGSYGCARPNKPGVYTRVS 224 Query : 654 VFVDWI 659 , +III Sbjct : 225 SYLDWI 230 Table 5L. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Pfam#pfam00089, trypsin, Trypsin. Proteins recognized include all proteins in families S1, S2A, S2B, S2C, and S5 in the classification of peptidases. Also included are proteins that are clearly members, but that lack peptidase activity, such as haptoglobin and protein Z (PRTZ*). (SEQ ID NO : 88) CD-Length = 217 residues, 77.9% aligned Score = 92.0 bits (227), Expect = 9e-20 Query : 508 YEVWLGTLFQNPQHGEPSLQRVPVAKMV----CGPSGSQLVLLKLERSVTLNQRVALICL 563 1 1 1 1 1 + 1+ l 1++ 1 + + 1 V Sbjct : 49 VRWLGE--HNLGTTEGTEQKFDVKKIIVHPNYNPDTNDIALLKLKSPVTLGDTVRPICL 106 Query : 564 PPEWYVVPPGTKCEIAGWGETKGTGNDTVLNVALLNVISNQECNIKHRG----------- 612 1 11 ++l11 11 1 1 ++ ++1 + I + I Sbjct 107 PSASSDLPVGTTCSVSGWGRTKNLGTSDTLQEVWPIVSRETCRSAYGGTVTDTMICAGA 166 Query : 613-------RGDYGGPLACFTHNCWVLEGIIIPNRVCARSCWPAVFTRVSVFVDWI 6E9 11 +1 #+1#l1 +4 Sbjct : 167 LGGKDACQGDSGGPLVCSDG---ELVGIVSWGYGCAVGNYPGVYTRVSRYLDWI 217 Table 5M. Domain Analysis of NOV5 gnl#Smart#smart00473, PAN AP, divergent subfamily of APPLE domains; Apple-like domains present in Plasminogen, C. elegans hypothetical ORFs and the extracellular portion of plant receptor-like protein kinases. Predicted to possess protein-and/or carbohydrate-binding functions. (SEQ ID NO : 89) CD-Length = 79 residues, 94.9% aligned<BR> <BR> Score = 52.0 bits (123), Expect = 1e-07 Query : 25 DFQVLRGTELQHLLHAWPGPWQEDVADAEECAGRC-GPLMDCRAFHYNVSSHGCQLLPW 83 II II+p I l 1111 +1 114-1 11-, I RIZ Sbjct : 5 CFVRLPNTKL------PDFSPIVISVASLEECAQKCLNSNCSCRSFTYNNDTKGCLLWSE 58 Query : 84 TQHSPHTRLRRSGRCDLFQKK 104 + ++dl Sbjct : 59 SSLGDARQLLPSGGVDYYEKI 79

Table 5N. Domain Analysis of NOV5 qnliPfamlpfam00024, PAN, PAN domain. The PAN domain contains a conserved core of three disulphide bridges. In some members of the family there is an additional fourth disulphide bridge the links the N and C termini of the domain. The domain is found in diverse proteins, in some they mediate protein-protein interactions, in others they mediate protein-carbohydrate interactions. (SEQ ID NO : 159) CD-Length = 78 residues, 76.9% aligned Score = 50.1 bits (118), Expect = 4e-07 Query : 45 PWQEDVADAEECAGRCGPLMD-CRAFHYNVSSHGCQLLPWTQHSPHTRLRRSGRCDLFQK 103 t ! H ! H H f f f f t ! t Sbjct : 17 ISWNVPSLEECAALCLEEPRVCRSFTYNNKSKQCLLKSESSGSLPRLKRPSQKVDYYEK Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) is an 80-kD serum protein with homology to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (Sakamoto O, et. al.; J Clin Invest 1997 Feb 15; 99 (4): 701-9).

Its receptor, RON tyrosine kinase, is a new member of the HGF receptor family. The MSP- RON signaling pathway has been implicated in the functional regulation of mononuclear phagocytes. However, the function of this pathway in other types of cells has not been elucidated. Here we show that in contrast to the HGF receptor, which was expressed at the basolateral surface, RON was localized at the apical surface of ciliated epithelia in the airways and oviduct. In addition, MSP was found in the bronchoalveolar space at biologically significant concentrations. MSP bound to RON on normal human bronchial epithelial cells with a high affinity (Kd = 0.5 nM) and induced autophosphorylation of RON. Activation of RON by MSP led to a significant increase in ciliary beat frequency of human nasal cilia. These findings indicate that the ciliated epithelium of the mucociliary transport apparatus is a novel target of MSP. Ciliary motility is critical for mucociliary transport. Our findings suggest that the MSP-RON signaling pathway is a novel regulatory system ofmucociliary function and might be involved in the host defense and fertilization.

Macrophage stimulating protein (MSP ; 142408), also known as hepatocyte growth factor-like protein (HGFL), is structurally related to hepatocyte growth factor. Gaudino et al.

(EIvlBO J. 13 : 3524-3532, 1994) showed that the RON gene is expressed at the cell surface of several epithelial cell types in addition to granulocytes and monocytes. The RON mRNA is translated into a glycosylated precursor that is cleaved into a 185-kD heterodimer of 35-kD (alpha) and 150-kD (beta) subunits joined by the predicted disulfide linkage. Gaudino et al.

(1994) further demonstrated that the beta chain undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation upon stimulation by MSP. By isotopic in situ hybridization, Ronsin et al. (Oncogene 8 : 1195-1202, 1993) mapped the RON gene to 3p21, with the most probable location being 3p21. 3. The gene

encoding MSP is also located on 3p21, a region of frequent deletion or mutation in small cell lung and renal carcinoma.

The genes encoding hepatocyte growth factor (HGF; 142409) and its MET receptor are located on 7q. The location of ligand and receptor on the same chromosome, and the structural similarities between MSP and HGF suggested that the ligand for RON might be MSP. Wang et al. (Science 266: 117-119,1994) showed that this is indeed the case. Their experiments established that the RON gene product is a specific cell surface receptor for MSP. A human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe for macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) to clone an MSP cDNA (Yoshimura T, et. al.; J Biol Chem 1993 Jul 25 ; 268 (21) 15461-8). Deduced sequences of isolated clones were compared with peptide fragment sequences of MSP. MSP9 cDNA encoded most of the known sequence of MSP except for a small segment of the 5'end of the open reading frame. Consequently, a hybrid 2300-base pair cDNA that encoded the complete MSP amino acid sequence was constructed from 2 clones. Culture fluid from COS-7 cells transfected with this full-length MSP cDNA had MSP biological activity, and the expressed MSP was detected by immunoprecipitation with antibody against native MSP, The deduced amino acid sequence of MSP includes 4 kringle domains, which have been found in hepatocyte growth factor and several proteins of the blood coagulation system. Among them, MSP has the highest sequence similarity to hepatocyte growth factor (45% identity). The MSP cDNA hybridized strongly to mRNA from liver, and to a lesser extent to mRNA from kidney and pancreas, suggesting that a cell type in the liver is the source of MSP. Several cloned and sequenced MSP cDNAs had insertions or deletions, suggesting that alternatively spliced MSP mRNAs may occur. This was reflected in Northern blots probed with an MSP cDNA, which showed more than one mRNA species. Furthermore, although the gene coding for MSP is on chromosome 3, the sequence of one of the cDNAs was identical with a unique sequence in chromosome 1, indicating that there may be a family of MSP genes, located on chromosomes 3 and 1.

Although the hepatocyte growth factor-like protein (HLP) shares a 50% homology with the hepatocyte growth factor, the biological function of HLP has remained unknown (Shimamoto A, et. al. ; FEBS Lett 1993 Oct 25 ; 333 (1-2) : 61-6). Addition of conditioned medium of COS-7 cells transfected with the expression plasmid for HLP cDNA to cultures of resident peritoneal macrophages induced specific activation ofmacrophages, and the factor which stimulates macrophages was purified from the conditioned medium. The purified protein showed M (r) of 85 kDa on SDS-PAGE, and this M (r) is in agreement with that of macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) previously purified from human serum, as well as with

the predicted M (r) of HLP. Amino acid composition of the purified protein coincided with the compositions of human HLP and MSP. Together with the finding that the partial amino acid sequences of MSP are highly homologous to that of HLP, we conclude that the biological function of HLP is to activate macrophages and that HLP and MSP are identical molecules.

The disclosed NOV5 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 5A or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 5A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 10% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV5 protein of the invention includes the Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 5B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 5B while still encoding a protein that maintains its Macrophage Stimulating Protein Precursor-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 39% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The NOV5 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome 1; Brugada syndrome; Deafness, autosomal recessive 6; Heart block, nonprogressive; Heart block, progressive, 2 ; Ichthyosiforme erythroderma, congenital, nonbullous ; Long QT syndrome-3 ; Night blindness ; congenital stationary; Pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma ; Small-cell cancer of lung ; Ventricular fibrillation, idiopathic ; entricular tachycardia, idiopathic ; HIV infection, susceptibilitylresistavce to ; Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome ; Cirrhosis ; Transplantation

as well as other diseases, disorders and conditions. The NOV5 nucleic acid, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV5 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. For example the disclosed NOV5 protein have multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, contemplated NOV5 epitope is from about amino acids 20 to 80. In other embodiments, NOV5 epitope is from about amino acids 90 to 120, from about amino acids 140 to 180, from about amino acids 190 to 340, from about amino acids 350 to 460, from about amino acids 500 to 530, from about amino acids 570 to 590, and from about amino acids 600 to 620, or from about amino acids 420 to 460. This novel protein also has value in development of powerful assay system for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV6 A disclosed NOV6 nucleic acid of 634 nucleotides (also referred to as GM382a20_A) encoding a novel Fatty Acid-Binding Protein-like protein is shown in Table 6A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 58-60 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 460-462. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 6A, and the start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 6A. NOV6 Nucleotide Sequence (SEQ ID NO:17) CAAGCTGCCCACGCCGACGGCAACCCTGCTCTGCATGCCCGCCCGCCCGTGCCCACCATG GCCACAGTTC AGCAGCTGGGAGGAAGATGGCGCCTGGTGGACAGCAAACGCTTTGATGAATACATGAAGG AGGGAGGAGT<BR> GGGAACTGCTTTGCGAAAAATGGACGCAATGGCCAAGCCAGATTGTATCATCACTTGTGA TGGCAAAAAC<BR> CTCACCATAAAAACCGAGAGCACTTTGAAAACACAGTTTTCTTGTACCCTGGGAGAGAAG TTTGAAGAAA<BR> CCACAGCTGATGGCAGAAAAACTCAGACTGTGTGCAGCTTTGCAGATGGTGCATTGGTTC AGCATCAGGA<BR> GTGGGATGGGAAGGAAAACACAATAACAAGAAAACTGAAAGATGGGAAATTAGTGGTGTA CTGTGTCATG<BR> AACAATGTCGCCTGTACTCGGATCTATGAAAAAGTAGAATAAAAATTCCATCATCACTTT GGACAGGAGT<BR> TAACTAATAGAATGATCAAGCTCAGTTCAATGAGCAAATCTCCATAGTGTTTTTTTTCAT TACTGTGTTC<BR> AATTATCTTTATCACAAACGTTTCACATGCAGCTATTTCAAAGTGTCTTGGATTAATTAG GATCATCCCT TTGG

The disclosed NOV6 nucleic acid sequence, located on chromosome 15, has 537 of 589 bases (91 %) identical to a Fatty Acid-Binding Protein mRNA from Homo sapiens (GENBANK-ID: HUMFABPHA) (E3. 7e~1°2).

A disclosed NOV6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 18) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 17 is 134 amino acid residues and is presented using the one-letter amino acid code in Table 6B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV6 contains no signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the cytoplasm with a certainty of 0.4500. In other embodiments, NOV6 is also likely to be localized to the mitochondrial matrix space with a certainty of 0.3600, or to the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 1000.

Table 6B. Encoded NOV6 protein sequence (SEQ ID N0 : 18). <BR> <BR> <P>MATVQQLGGRWRLVDSKRFDEYMKEGGVGTALRKMDAMAKPDCIITCDGKN LTIKTESTLKTQFSCTLGEKFEET<BR> TADGRKTQTVCSFADGALVQHQEWDGKENTITRKLKDGKLVVYCVMNNVACTRIYEKVE The disclosed NOV6 amino acid sequence has 124 of 135 amino acid residues (91 %) identical to, and 126 of 135 amino acid residues (93 %) similar to, the 135 amino acid residue Fatty Acid-Binding protein from Homo sapiens (Q01469) (E = 2. in 61).

NOV6 is expressed in Sensory System. Skin; Nervous System. Brain; Male Reproductive System. Testis; Respiratory System. Lung, Larynx; Female Reproductive System; . Placenta ; Whole Organism; Cardiovascular System. Heart ; Endocrine System. Parathyroid Gland ; Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System, Hematopoietic Tissues, Liver, Tonsils; Gastro- intestinal/Digestive System. Large Intestine, Colon, Stomach, Oesophagus; Urinary System. Kidney. In addition, the sequence is predicted to be expressed in the following tissues because of the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID : ACC : Q05816) a closely related Fatty Acid-Binding Protein homolog in species Mus musculus} : Sensory System. Skin; Nervous System. Brain; Male Reproductive System. Testis; Respiratory System. Lung, Larynx; Female Reproductive System ;. Placenta ; Whole Organism; Cardiovascular System. Heart; Endocrine System. Parathyroid Gland; Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System, Hematopoietic Tissues, Liver, Tonsils; Gastro-intestinallDigestive System. Large Intestine, Colon, Stomach, Oesophagus; Urinary System. Kidney.

TaqMan data for NOV6 can be found below in Example 2. NOV6 also has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 6C.

Table 6C. BLAST results for NOV6 Gene Index/protein/Organism Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier (aa) (%) (%) gi#13651468#ref#XP_ similar to 135 122/135 126/135 le-58 016351.1# GASTRIN/CHOLECYST (90%) (92%) OKININ TYPE B RECEPTOR(CCK-B RECEPTOR) (CCK- BR) (H. sapiens) [Homo sapiens] gi#4557581#ref#NP_0 fatty acid 135 124/135 126/135 1e-58 01435.1# binding protein 5 (91%) (92%) (psoriasis- associated) ; E- FABP [Homo sapiens] gi|13651882lreflXP fatty acid 135 ll9/135 124/135 6e-57 011655.5# binding protein 5 (88%) (91%) (psoriasis- associated) [Homo sapiens] gi#13651563#ref#XP_ similar to 135 118/135 125/135 5e-56 015760.1# GASTRIN/CHOLECYST (87%) (92%) OKININ TYPE B RECEPTOR(CCK-B RECEPTOR)(CCK- BR) (H. sapiens) [Homo sapiens] gi#6648071#sp#P5505 FATTY ACID- 135 117/135 124/135 1e-55 2#FABE_BOVIN BINDING PROTEIN, (86%) (91%) EPIDERMAL (E- FABP)

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 6D.

Table 6D Information for the ClustalW proteins 1) NOV6 (SEQ ID NO : 18) 2) gi#13651468#ref#XP_016351.1# similar to GASTRIN/CHOLECYSTOKININ TYPE B RECEPTOR (CCK-B RECEPTOR) (CCK-BR) (H. sapiens) [Homo sapiens) (SEQ ID N0 : 56) 3) gi#4557581#ref#NP_001435.1# fatty acid binding protein 5 (psoriasis-associated) E-FABP [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 57) gi#13651882#ref#XP_011655.5#fatty acid binding protein 5 (psoriasis-associated) [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 58) 5) gi#13651563#ref#XP_015760.1#similar to GASTRIN/CHOLECYSTOKININ TYPE B RECEPTOR (CCK-B RECEPTOR) (CCK-BR) (H. sapiens) [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO:59) 6) gi#6648071#sp#P55052#FABE_BOVIN FATTY ACID-BINDING PROTEIN, EPIDERMAL (E-FABP) (SEQ ID NO : 60) gi 1 45575811 i 3 k. l g § d | g g E l, 5 B | w E g1 | 13 6 518 8 2 | ; il 5 a} F S 9 3 21 W3 50 60 70 80 . ici gi|13651468| _ gil45575811 gi 1 45575811 miw c c giI13651882 n ee rc R r v iDTi g 13651563 I m o _ T, u v. ' " nove 50 60 70 SO r NOV6' o- s y136514681'e h i, a p 9I4S575811 ,. gi136518821 s sr v- gyI113651563 w o i"ri e , e gi U 6648071 I S S 90 100 110 120

non6 NOV6. s'S-Ay o o ye oe gi13651468N s V r ri i nc ggii $ 1 33 6 55 1 5 68 3 1 3 n | | | | i X, S. t | F | | t g11455758111 a n I v, A gi : 13651882 gi1136515631 gi664807 : ILII 130 NOV6 gill36514681 gil45575811 gill3651882 I t git136515631 « gil66480711 Table 6E lists the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV6.

This indicates that the NOV6 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 6E. Domain Analysis of NOV6 gnl#Pfam#pfam00061, lipocalin, Lipocalin/cytosolic fatty-acid binding protein family. Lipocalins are transporters for small hydrophobic molecules, such as lipids, steroid hormones, bilins, and retinoids. Alignment subsumes both the lipocalin and fatty acid binding protein signatures from PROSITE. This is supported on structural and functional grounds. Structure is an eight-stranded beta barrel. (SEQ ID N0 : 90) CD-Length = 145 residues, 76.6% aligned Score = 53. 1 bits (126), Expect = le-08 Query : 9 GRWRLVDSKRFDEYMK-EGGVGTALRKMDAMAK-PDCIITCDGKNLTIKTESTLKTQFSC 66 H H ! ! H ! t H ! ! f ! + t ! f ! Sbjct : 4 GKWYLVASANFDPELKEELGVLEATRKEITPLKEGNDEIVFDGDKNGICEETFGKLEKTK 63 Query : 67 TLGEKFEETTADGRKTQTVCSFADGALVQHQEWDGKENTITRKLKDGKLW 117 n ! + n ; ++ n) + jj j + Sbjct : 64 KLGV2FDYYTGDNRFVVLDTDYDNYLLVCVQKGDGNETSRTAELYGRTPEL 114 Fatty acid metabolism in mammalian cells depends on a flux of fatty acids, between the plasma membrane and mitochondria or peroxisomes for beta-oxidation, and between other cellular organelles for lipid synthesis. The fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) family consists of small, cytosolic proteins believed to be involved in the uptake, transport, and solubilization of their hydrophobic ligands. Members of this family have highly conserved sequences and tertiary structures. Fatty acid-binding proteins were first isolated in the intestine (FABP2 ; OMIM-134640) and later found in liver (FABP1 ; OMIM- 134650), striated muscle (FABP3; OMIM-134651), adipocytes (FABP4; OMIM-600434) and epidenna] tissues (E-FABP ; GDB ID : 136450) ¢

Epidermal fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) was cloned by as a novel keratinocyte protein by Madsen et al (1992, PMID : 1512466) from skin of psoriasis patients. Later using quantitative Western blot analysis, Kingma et al. (1998, PMID: 9521644) have shown that in addition to the skin, bovine E-FABP is expressed in retina, testis, and lens. Since E-FABP was originally identified from the skin of psoriasis patients, it is also known as psoriasis- associated fatty acid-binding protein (PA-FABP). PA-FABP is a cytoplasmic protein, and is expressed in keratinocytes. It is highly up-regulated in psoriatic skin. It shares similarity to other members of the fatty acid-binding proteins and belongs to the fabp/p2/crbp/crabp family of transporter. PA-FABP is believed to have a high specificity for fatty acids, with highest affinity for cl 8 chain length. Decreasing the chain length or introducing double bonds reduces the affinity. PA-FABP may be involved in keratinocyte differentiation.

Immunohistochemical localization of the expression of E-FABP in psoriasis, basal and squamous cell carcinomas has been carried out in order to obtain indirect information, at the cellular level, on the transport of the fatty acidss. (Masouye et al, 1996, PMID: 8726632). E- FABP was localized in the upper stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum in normal and non-lesional psoriatic skin. Ta1 contrast, lesional psoriatic epidermis strongly expressed E- FABP in all suprabasal layers, like nonkeratinized oral mucosa. The basal layer did not express E-FABP activity in any of these samples. Accordingly, basal cell carcinomas were E-FABP negative whereas only well-differentiated cells of squamous cell carcinomas expressed E-FABP. This suggests that E-FABP expression is related to the commitment of keratinocyte differentiation and that the putative role of E-FABP should not be restricted to the formation of the skin lipid barrier. Since the pattern of E-FABP expression mimics cellular FA transport, our results suggest that lesional psoriatic skin and oral mucosa have a higher metabolism/transport for FAs than normal and non-lesional psoriatic epidermis.

The disclosed NOV6 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Fatty acid binding protein-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 6A or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 6A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Fatty acid binding protein-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example,

modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 10% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV6 protein of the invention includes the Fatty acid binding protein- like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 6B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 6B while still encoding a protein that maintains its Fatty acid binding protein-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 14% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The above defined information for this invention suggests that these Fatty acid binding protein-like proteins (NOV6) may function as a member of a"Fatty acid binding proteinfamily". Therefore, the NOV6 nucleic acids and proteins identified here may be useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in (but not limited to) various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. The potential therapeutic applications for this invention include, but are not limited to : protein therapeutic, small molecule drug target, antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, gene therapy (gene deliverylgene ablation), research tools, tissue regeneration iri muo and in vitro of all tissues and cell types composing (but not limited to) those defined here.

The nucleic acids and proteins of NOV6 are useful in Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosis, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Tuberous sclerosis, Scleroderma, Transplantation, Endometriosis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Crohn's Disease, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, Osteoporosis, Hypercalceimia, Arthritis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Asthma, allergy, ARDS, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Multiple sclerosis, Leukodystrophies, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection Fertility, psoriasis, cancer including but not limited to basal and squamous cell carcinomas, obesity, diabetis, and/or other pathologies and disorders involving Fatty acid transport of skin, oral mucosa as well as other organs. The novel NOV6 nucleic acid encoding NOV6 protein,, or fragments thereof, may further be

useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed. These materials are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods.

NOV6 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. For example the disclosed NOV6 protein have multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, contemplated NOV6 epitope is from about amino acids 10 to 35. In other embodiments, NOV6 epitope is from about amino acids 40 to 45, from about amino acids 50 to 85, or from about amino acids 90 to 110. This novel protein also has value in development of powerful assay system for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV7 A disclosed NOV7 nucleic acid of 822 nucleotides (also referred to sggcdraftdj895c520000819) encoding a novel Gap junction beta-5 protein-like protein is shown in Table 7A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 1-3 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 800-802. In Table 7A, the 5'and 3'untranslated regions are underlined and the start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 7A. NOV7 Nucleotide Sequence (SEQ ID NO : 19) <BR> <BR> CATGAACTGGGCATTTCTGCAGGGCCTGCTGAGTGGCGTGAACAAGTACTCCACAGTGCT GAGCCGCATCT<BR> GGCTGTCTGTGGTGTTCATCTTTCGTGTGCTGGTGTACGTGGTGGCAGCGGAGGAGGTGT GGGACGATGAG<BR> CAGAAGGACTTTGTCTGCAACACCAAGCAGCCCGGCTGCCCCAACGTCTGCTATGACGAG TTCTTCCCCGT<BR> GTCCCACGTGCGCCTCTGGGCCCTACAGCTCATCCTGGTCACGTGCCCCTCACTGCTCGT GGTCATGCACG<BR> TGGCCTACCGCGAGGAACGCGAGCGCAAGCACCACCTGAAACACGGGCCCAATGCCCCGT CCCTGTACGAC<BR> AACCTGAGCAAGAAGCGGGGCGGACTGTGGTGGACGTACTTGCTGAGCCTCATCTTCAAG GCCGCCGTGGA<BR> TGCTGGCTTCCTCTATATCTTCCACCGCCTCTACAAGGATTATGACATGCCCCGCGTGGT GGCCTGCTCCG<BR> TGGAGCCTTGCCCCCACACTGTGGACTGTTACATCTCCCGGCCCACGGAGAAGAAGGTCT TCACCTACTTC<BR> ATGGTGACCACAGCTGCCATCTGCATCCTGCTCAACCTCAGTGAAGTCTTCTACCTGGTG GGCAAGAGGTG<BR> CATGGAGATCTTCGGCCCCAGGCACCGGCGGCCTCGGTGCCGGGAATGCCTACCCGATAC GTGCCCACCAT<BR> ATGTCCTCTCCCAGGGAGGGCACCCTGAGGATGGGAACTCTGTCCTAATGAAGGCTGGGT CGGCCCCAGTG<BR> GATGCAGGTGGGTATCCATAACCTGCGAGATCAGCAGATAA The disclosed NOV7 nucleic acid sequence, localized to the p34. 3-36. 11 region of chromosome 1, has 682 of 807 bases (84%) identical to a gb: GENBANK-

ID : RNCON3031acc : X76168 mRNA from Rattus norvegicus (R.norvegicus mRNA for connexin 30. 3) (E = 3.7e-125).

A disclosed NOV7 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 20) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 19 is 266 amino acid residues and is presented using the one-letter amino acid code in Table 7B. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV7 has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the plasma membrane with a certainty of 0. 6000. In other embodiments, NOV7 is also likely to be localized to the Golgi body with a certainty of 0.4000, to the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0. 3000, or the nucleus with a certainty of 0. 2400.

The most likely cleavage site for a NOV7 peptide is between amino acids 40 and 41, at: VAA- EE.

Table 7B. Encoded NOV7 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 20). <BR> <BR> <P>MNWAFLQGLLSGVNKYSTVLSRIWLSWFIFRVLVYWAAEEVWDDEQKDFVC NTKQPGCPNVCYDEFFPV<BR> SHVRLWALQLILVTCPSLLWMHVAYREERERKHHLKHGPNAPSLYDNLSKKRGGLWWTYL LSLIFKAAVD<BR> AGFLYIFHRLYKDYDMPRVVACSVEPCPHTVDCYISRPTEKKVFTYFMVTTAAICILLNL SEVFYLVGKRC<BR> MEIFGPRHRRPRCRECLPCTCPPYVLSQGGHPEDGNSVLMKAGSAPVDAGGYP The disclosed NOV7 amino acid sequence has 230 of 266 amino acid residues (86%) identical to, and 244 of 266 amino acid residues (91%) similar to, the 266 amino acid residue ptnr: SWISSPROT-ACC : Q02738 protein from Mus musculus (Mouse) (Gap Junction Beta-5 Protein (Connexin 30.3) (CX30. 3) (4.4e-'29).

NOV7 is expressed in at least kidney tissue. The sequence is predicted to be expressed in the following tissues because of the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID : RNCON303acc : X76168) a closely related {R norvegicus mRNA for connexin 30.3 homolog in species Rattus norvegicus : kidney and thymus.

SNP data for NOV7 can be found below in Example 3. NOV7 also has homology to the amino acid sequence shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 7C.

Table 7C. BLAST results for NOV7 Gene Index/Protein/Organism Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier (aa) (%) (%) gi#12229761#SP#Q9NTQ GAP JUNCTION 266 266/266 266/266 e-1S5 9#CXB4_HUMAN BETA-4 PROTEIN (100%) (100%) (CONNEXIN30.3) (CX30. 3) gij544118 sp) P36380) GAP JUNCTION 265 230/266 245/266 e-132 CXB5_RAT BETA-5 PROTEIN (86%) (91%) (CONNEXIN 30.3) (CX30.3) #gi#6680015#ref#NP_03 gap junction 266 230/266 244/266 e-131 2153. 11 membrane channel (86%) (91%) protein beta 4 ; connexin 30. 3 EMUS musculusJ #gi#10835079#ref#NP_0 gap junction 273 153/226 177/226 3e-88 05259.1 protein, beta 5 (67%) (77%) (connexin 31.1) [Homo sapiens] gi#4009522#gb#AAC954 connexin 31. 1 273 152/226 176/226 1e-87 72.1| (AF099731) [Homo sapiens] (67%) (77%)

The homology of these sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 7D.

Table 7D. Information for the ClustalW proteins 1) NOV7 (SEQ ID NO : 20) 2) gi#12229761#sp#Q9NTQ9#CXB4_HUMAN GAP JUNCTION BETA-4 PROTEIN (CONNEXIN 30.3) (CX30. 3) (SEQ ID NO : 61) 3) gi#544118#sp#P36380#CXB5_RAT GAP JUNCTION BETA-5 PROTEIN (CONNEXIN 30.3) (CX30.3) (SEQ ID NO : 62) 4) gi#6680015#ref#NP_032153. 1 gap junction membrane channel protein beta 4 ; connexin 30. 3 [Mus musculus] (SEQ ID NO : 63) 5) gi#10835079#ref#NP_005259.1# gap junction protein, beta 5 (connexin 31.1) [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID N0 : 64) 6) gi#4009522#gb#AA C95472. 1} (AF099731) connexin 31.1 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 65) 10 20 30 40 N ? V7 z 50 60 70 80 r V r r v gil66800151 C"a I gi5441181 m I gi6680015 i G° 2 giI10835079 m STFF F'i, L T., gil40095221 SIF F so 60 70 80 N ? V7 E NOV7 E.. E v V'v s a-i.,. r gi66800151 E V .,. giI5441181'E mW,' »' e e o, o., giI66800151 E= o s v x a e v glll08350791 mS gi 14009522 f E E 5GR r, P 90 100 110 120 NOV7 p 1 1 1i r.. gi) l222976l) S gi5441181 , S giII668001S1,... g, giII0835079 I-E E SGR L gi40095221-E E SGR L 130 140 a, 5 0 160 130 140 150 160 i J gil544118 IS ICI r 9i1544118 g-iCI. n gi u 6680015 f y yz giI1083507911 W e C S I iSFpPKIIr'P 170 180 190 200 170 180 190 200

non7 NOV o T v r . r w gil66800151 ..,. gil40095221 . v." g1II66800151,'T- ON giII40095221 (K HAIa'I a k''S, T L 210 220 230 240 NOV7 F. G"FiRRPR'EC'o---- giI122297611 F I Gw HRRPR EC gil5441181 R--RQTS giI166800151i i y5 HQ w---- giI1083507911 I SI'CL'4Q TGH-HGTTSS KQ gil40095221 I CL TGQ IIGTTS ? 250 260 270 yi... y, w NOV7 Qr ( ; ___ $ioGNS. SP'-'G. gi12229761 a___ EiyS. rSPrG gi5441181 I------E t'S'T T, T gi6680015 I G----itESVI Ti gillO8350791 DDLSILIFLGSP,, SHPP, PDRPRD KKTL- gil4009522 DD LS LLIFLGS,,, SHPP PDRPRD KKTIL- Table 7E-F lists the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV7.

This indicates that the NOV7 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 7E. Domain Analysis of NOV7 gn1#Pfam#pfam00029, connexin, Connexin. (SEQ ID N0 : 91) CD-Length = 218 residues, 100.0% aligned Score = 318 bits (814), Expect = 3e-88 Queryz I MNWAFLQGLLSGVNKYSTVLSRIWLS WFIFRVLVYVVAAEEVWDDEQKDFVCNTKQPGC 60 t+1+1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1+1 1 + +1 1 1 1} +f +M l l l+l l v U Sbjct: 1 MDWSFLGRLLEGVNKHSTAIGKIWLSVLFIFRILVLGVAAESVWGDEQSDFVCNTQQPGC 60 Query : 61 PNVCYDEFFPVSHVRDWALQLILVTCPSLL W MHVAYREERERKHHXKHGPNAPSLYDNL 120 Ill + 1111 + lll l I ++ Sbjct: 61 ENVCYDQFFPISHVRLWVLQLIFVSTPSLLYLGHVAYRVRREEKLREKEEEHSKGLYSEE 120 Query : 121 SKK-----------RGGLWWTYLLSLIFKAAVDAGFLYIFHRLYKDYDMPRWACSVEPC 169 ) H ! ! i) !) ! ! ! !)) +)) !- ! U)) Sbjct : 121 AKKRCGSEDGKVRIRGGLWWTYVFSIIFKSIFEVGFLYGQYLLY-GFTMSPLWCSRAPC 179 Query : 170 PHTVDCYISRPTEKKVFTYFMVTTAAICILLNLSEVFYL 208 11++1111U1 +1 11+ +11U+1111+1+111 Sbjct : 180 PHTVDCFVSRPTEKTIFIVFMLVVSAICLLLNLAELFYL 218

Table 7F. Domain Analysis of NOV7 gnlIISmartjsmart00037, CNX, Connexin homologues ; Connexin channels participate in the regulation of signaling between developing and differentiated cell types. (SEQ ID N0 : 160) CD-Length = 34 residues, 100. 0% aligned Score = 79. 0 bits (193), Expect = 3e-l6 Query: 42 EVWDDEQKDFVCNTKQPGCPNVCYDEFFPVSHVR 75 ll fll II UIIPIi IIIiG ! *IIIYIIi Sbjct : 1 SVWGDEQSDFTCNTQQPGCENVCYDQFFPISHVR 34 Gap junctions are conduits that allow the direct cell-to-cell passage of small cytoplasmic molecules, including ions, metabolic intermediates, and second messengers, and thereby mediate intercellular metabolic and electrical communication. Gap junction channels consist of connexin protein subunits, which are encoded by a multigene family. Richard et al.

(Nature Genet. 20: 366-369,1998) identified 2 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the human EST database by their similarity to mouse Gjb3 (see 603324) and Gjb5. By radiation hybrid mapping, they placed them in proximity to a sequence tagged site (STS) that is linked to GJA4 (121012) at lp35. 1. Richard et al. (1998) determined the cDNA sequences of the genes from which both ESTs were derived. Sequence similarity to rodent connexin genes established them as human homologs of Gjb3 and Gjb5, encoding Cx32 and Cx31. 1, respectively. Richard et al. (1998) excluded GJB5 as a candidate gene for erythrokeratodermia variabilis (133200) by sequence analysis. Gap junctions are intercellular channels which connect adjacent cells and allow direct exchange of molecules of low molecular weight between them (Alves LA et. al.; Braz J Med Biol Res 2000 Apr; 33 (4) : 457-65). Such a communication has been described as fundamental in many systems due to its importance in coordination, proliferation and differentiation. Recently, it has been shown that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) can be modulated by several extracellular soluble factors such as classical hormones, neurotransmitters, interleukins, growth factors and some paracrine substances. Herein, we discuss some aspects of the general modulation of GJIC by extracellular messenger molecules and more particularly the regulation of such communication in the thymus gland. Additionally, we discuss recent data concerning the study of different neuropeptides and hormones in the modulation of GJIC in thymic epithelial cells.

We also suggest that the thymus may be viewed as a model to study the modulation of gap junction communication by different extracellular messengers involved in non-classical circuits, since this organ is under bidirectional neuroimmunoendocrine controL The

intercellular signaling system mediated by connexin channels is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis, growth control, development, and synchronized response of cells to stimuli (Richard G; Exp Dermatol 2000 Apr; 9 (2): 77-96). This review summarizes the structure, assembly, and properties of the components of the complex and diverse connexin system, and their biological functions in skin. The importance of gap junction intercellular communication for normal development and differentiation of human epidermis as well as the hearing function of the inner ear is illustrated by the examples of erythrokeratodermia variabilis and palmoplantar keratoderma associated with hearing loss. These autosomal dominant inherited disorders are caused by germline mutations in the connexin genes GJB3 (encoding connexin-3 1) and GJB2 (encoding connexin-26), respectively. Recent functional studies of individual connexin mutations suggest that they may exert a dominant inhibitory effect on normal connexin channel function and perturb gap junctional intercellular communication, resulting in phenotypic manifestation in patients with these disorders. Gap junction channels are sites of cytoplasmic communication between contacting cells. In vertebrates, they consist of protein subunits denoted connexins (Cxs) which are encoded by a gene family (Saez JC et. al.; Braz J Med Biol Res 2000 Apr; 33 (4): 447-55). According to their Cx composition, gap junction channels show different gating and permeability properties that define which ions and small molecules permeate them. Differences in Gx primary sequences suggest that channels composed of different Cxs are regulated differentially by intracellular pathways under specific physiological conditions. Functional roles of gap junction channels could be defined by the relative importance of permeant substances, resulting in coordination of electrical and/or metabolic cellular responses. Cells of the native and specific immune systems establish transient homo-and heterocellular contacts at various steps of the immune response. Morphological and functional studies reported during the last three decades have revealed that many intercellular contacts between cells in the immune response present gap junctions or"gap junction-like"structures. Partial characterization of the molecular composition of some of these plasma membrane structures and regulatory mechanisms that control them have been published recently. Studies designed to elucidate their physiological roles suggest that they might permit coordination of cellular events which favor the effective and timely response of the immune system. Antitumor suicide gene therapy is one of the emerging strategies against cancer (Mesnil M et. al. ; Cancer Res 2000 Aug 1; 60 (15): 3989-99) . It consists of the introduction into cancer cells of a gene capable of converting a nontoxic prodrug into a cytotoxic drug. Because this therapeutic gene cannot be easily introduced into the whole cell population of a tumor, the successful eradication of tumors depends on a

phenomenon called the"bystander effect,"by which the introduced gene can affect even cells in which it is not itself present, From a therapeutic point of view, it may be crucial to enhance this phenomenon through various means to achieve tumor eradication. One such suicide gene, the thymidine kinase gene from the herpes simplex virus, in combination with the prodrug ganciclovir, has been extensively and successfully used in some animal models exhibiting a strong bystander effect. Among the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is directly involved in the transfer of the toxic metabolites of ganciclovir, which pass directly from herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase-expressing cells to surrounding cells that do not express it. Because GJIC appears to be a mediator of the bystander effect both in vitro and in vivo, here we review possible molecular strategies for enhancing the extent of tumor cell death by increasing the intratumoral GJIC capacity.

Synapses are classically defined as close connections between two nerve cells or between a neuronal cell and a muscle or gland cell across which a chemical signal (i. e., a neurotransmitter) and/or an electrical signal (i. e., current-carrying ions) can pass (Rozental R et. al.; Brain Res Brain Res Rev 2000 Apr; 32 (1) : 11-5). The definition of synapse was developed by Charles Sherrington and by Ramon y Cajal at the beginning of this century and refined by John Eccles and Bernard Katz 50 years later; in this collection of papers, the definition of synapses is discussed further in the chapter by Mike Bennett. who provided the first functional demonstration of electrical transmission via gap junction channels between vertebrate neurons. As is evidenced by the range of topics covered in this issue, research dealing with gap junctions in the nervous system has expanded enormously in the past decade, major findings being that specific cell types in the brain expresses specific types of connexins and that expression patterns coincide with tissue compartmentalization and function and that thesecompartments change during development. Connexins, the protein molecules forming gap junction channels, are reduced in number or redistributed from intercalated disks to lateral cell borders in a variety of cardiac diseases (Jongsma HJ et. al. ; Circ Res 2000 Jun 23 ; 86 (12) : 1193-7). This"gap junction remodeling"is considered to be arrhythmogenic. Using a simple model of human ventricular myocardium, we found that quantitative remodeling data extracted from the literature gave rise to only small to moderate changes in conduction velocity and the anisotropy ratio. Especially for longitudinal conduction, cytoplasmic resistivity (and thus cellular geometry) is much more important than commonly realized. None of the remodeling data gave rise to slow conduction on the order oSa few centimeters per second. Physical signals, in particular mechanical loading, are clearly important regulators of bone turnover (Donahue HJ ; Bone 2000 May ; 26 (5) ; 417-22). Indeed, the structural success of

the skeleton is due in large part to the bone's capacity to recognize some aspect of its functional environment as a stimulus for achievement and retention of a structurally adequate morphology. However, while the skeleton's ability to respond to its mechanical environment is wide) y accepted, identification of a reasonable mechanism through which a mechanical"load" could be transformed to a signal relevant to the bone cell population has been elusive. In addition, the downstream response of bone cells to load-induced signals is unclear. In this work, we review evidence suggesting that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) contributes to mechanotransduction in bone and, in so doing, contributes to the regulation of bone cell differentiation by biophysical signals. In this context, mechanotransduction is defined as transduction of a load-induced biophysical signal, such as fluid flow, substrate deformation, or electrokinetic effects, to a cell and ultimately throughout a cellular network.

Thus, mechanotransduction would include interactions of extracellular signals with cellular membranes, generation of intracellular second messengers, and the propagation of these messengers, or signals they induce, through a cellular network. We propose that gap junctions contribute largely to the propagation of intracellular signals.

The disclosed NOV7 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a Gap function Beta-5 Protein-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 7A or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 7A while still encoding a protein that maintains its Gap Junction Beta-5 Protein-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 16% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV7 protein of the invention includes the Gap Junction Beta-5 Protein-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 7B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 7B while still encoding a protein that maintains its Gap Junction Beta-

5 Protein-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 33% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The protein similarity information, expression pattern, and map location for the Gap Junction Beta-5 Protein-like protein and nucleic acid (NOV7) disclosed herein suggest that NOV7 may have important structural and/or physiological functions characteristic of the Gap Junction Beta-5 Protein-like family. Therefore, the NOV7 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These include serving as a specific or selective nucleic acid or protein diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed, as well as potential therapeutic applications such as the following: (i) a protein therapeutic, (ii) a small molecule drug target, (iii) an antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), (iv) a nucleic acid useful in gene therapy (gene deliverylgene ablation), and (v) a composition promoting tissue regeneration in vitro and in vivo.

The NOV7 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications implicated in various diseases and disorders described below and/or other pathologies. For example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from Deafness, autosomal dominant 2; Elliptocytosis-1 ; Fucosidosis ; Hypophosphatasia (adult, childhood, infantile); Muscle-eye- brain disease; Neuropathy, paraneoplastic sensory; Porphyria cutanea tarda, Porphyria, hepatoerythropoietic ; SchwartzJampel syndrome; Thrombocytopenia, congenital amegakaryocytic ; Gharoot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy-2A ; Galactose epimerase deficiency; Glucose transport defect, blood-brain barrier; Kostmann neutropenia; Muscular dystrophy, congenital, with early spine rigidity; Myopathy due to succinate dehydrogenase deficiency ; SCID due to LCK deficiency ; Colorectal cancer, resistance to; Bartter syndrome, type 3; Breast cancer, ductal; Corneal dystrophy, crystalline, Schnyder; Hyperprolinemia, type II ; Inflammatory bowel disease 7; Malignant melanoma, cutaneous; Neuroblastoma; Prostate cancer-brain cancer susceptibility ; erythrokeratodermia variabihs ; palmoplantar keratoderma ; diseases and disorders involving intercellular metabolic and electrical communication; diseases and disorders involving coordination, proliferation and differentiation ; diseases and disorders involving maintainance of tissue homeostasis, growth control, development, and synchronized response of cells to stimuli ; diseases and disorders involving the the immune system; diseases and disorders involving regulation of bone cell differentiation, and/or other pathologies/disorders. The NOV7 nucleic acid, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in

diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV7 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immunospecifically to the nove ! substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. For example the disclosed NOV7 protein have multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, contemplated NOV7 epitope is from about amino acids 40 to 70. In other embodiments, NOV7 epitope is from about amino acids 90 to 140, from about amino acids 170 to 180, or from about amino acids 220 to 255. This novel protein also has value in development of powerful assay system for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV8 A disclosed NOV8 nucleic acid of 546 nucleotides (also referred to as 56072181 dal) encoding a novel MT-like protein is shown in Table 8A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 214-216 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 397-399. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 8A. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 8A. NOV8 nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO : 21). <BR> <BR> <P>CAATCTGACATGTAACTGTAAAATCACTGGGCCCGAGGAGTGACTGTAATT AAGGGCTTACGTTGAAAATGT<BR> ATAAACAGAGCTTGATTCTTAAGTTTCGAAAATTCTTCACAGTGATGGTGTGAACTAAAT CCACAGCCACAT<BR> AATAATCAAAACAGAAAAGCAAAAGAAAGCCACTTCAGGAAATACCACGGTCACACCTCA GTTGGCTTCATG<BR> CTACAGATTATAGAAAATATGTTGCTGCCCGGGCCACCAATCTGTTGGTTCACATTACTA CGTGAGCAATGT<BR> AAGTGTTTGCAAGAAGCCATCCACTATCTAAATATCAGATATAGATGCTCCAAAGCAGCT ACGTCAGTGATG<BR> AGAACAGAGAAAATACGTAGCAACATTTCATTAAGTTGAATTCTAATACTTAAAAGGCTC CTTTTAGTACTG<BR> ACATTCTGSATTTTAAAAGTTATBTTGACCGCATGTTCTCACTCACAAGTBGGASTTGAA CAATGAGAACAC<BR> ACGGACACGGGGAAGGGAACATCACACACCAGGGCCTGTCAG The NOV8 nucleic acid sequence is located on the ql3 region ofchromsome 16.

The disclosed NOV8 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 22) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 21 has 61 amino acid residues and is presented in Table 8B using the one-letter amino acid code. Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV8 has no signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the cytoplasm with a certainty of 0. 6500. In other embodiments, NOV8 may also be localized to the mitochondrial matrix space with a certainty of 0.3100, or the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 1000.

Table 8B. Encoded NOV8 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 22). <BR> <BR> <P>MLQIIENMLLPGPPICWFTLLREQCKCLQEAIHYLNIRYRCSKAATSVMRT EKIRSNISLS

A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOV8 amino acid sequence has 16 of 41 amino acid residues (39%) identical to, and 25 of 41 amino acid residues (60%) similar to, the 48 amino acid residue Metallothionein protein from Rhizomucor racemosus (Mucor cincinelloides f, latsilaraicus) (SPTREMBL-ACC : Q9Y762) (E = 0.049).

SNP data for NOV8 can be found below in Example 3.

Masters et al. (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 91: 584-588,1994) described metallothioneins (MTs) as a family of low molecular weight, heavy metal-binding proteins characterized by a high cysteine content and lack of aromatic amino acids. MTs bind 7 to 12 heavy metal atoms per molecule of protein. They are ubiquitous in the animal and plant kingdoms and are found in prokaryotes. In mammals, the cysteine residues are absolutely conserved and serve to coordinate heavy metal atoms such as zinc, cadmium, and copper via mercaptide linkages. In human liver, MTs occur in 2 major forms, MT-I and MT-II (156360). In HeLa cells, MT synthesis is induced by either ionized zinc or ionized cadmium and by glucocorticoid hormones. In man, metallothioneins are encoded by at least 10 to 12 genes separated into 2 groups designated MT-I and MT-II. Masters et al. (1994) noted that, unlike MT-I and MT-11, which are expressed in most organs, MT-III (139255) expression appears to be restricted to the brain, and MT-IV is only expressed in certain stratified squamous epithelia.

MTs have been postulated to detoxify metals; to play a role in zinc and copper homeostasis during development; to regulate synthesis, assembly, or activity of zinc metalloproteins ; and to protect against reactive oxygen species. MTs may also protect against copper toxicity in the Menkes disease (309400) and murine'Mottled'phenotypes (X-linked diseases resulting in copper deficiency) as well as in Wilson disease (277900); see also the Animal Models section.

Karin and Richards (Nature 299: 797-802,1982) described the molecular cloning and sequence analysis of human metallothionein transcripts. Karin et al. (1984) characterized DNA sequences that are involved in the induction oEMT gene expression by cadmium and glucocorticoids.

MAPPING Karin et al. (Proc. Nat, Acad. Sci. 81: 5494-5498,1984) used several different hybridization probes derived from cloned and functional human MT1 and MT2 genes to map the genes in somatic cell hybridization studies. They concluded that most of the human genes are clustered on chromosome 16. Analysis of RNA from somatic cell hybrids indicated that all hybrids that contain human chromosome 16 express both MTI and MT2 mRNA and that expression is regulated by both heavy metal ions and glucocorticoid hormones.

In the mouse, the metallothionein genes are on chromosome 8, which has other homology to human chromosome 16; by somatic cell hybridization, Cox and Palmiter (Hum.

Genet. 64: 61-64, 1983) assigned the MT-1 structural gene to mouse chromosome 8, which also carries glutathione reductase in the mouse. (By chance the human 8 also carries glutathione reductase.) Schmidt et al. (Science 224: 1104-1106, 1984) concluded that MT1 is located between PGP (172280) and DIA4 (125860) and is probably on the long arm 16cen-16q21 because APRT (102600), a 16q marker, and MT1 are both on mouse chromosome 8, whereas HB alpha (141800), a] 16p marker, is on mouse chromosome 11. They stated that analysis of the involvement of the MT genes in Wilson disease (277900) and in acrodermatitis enteropathica (201100) would be of great interest.

By gel transfer hybridization analysis of the DNA from human-rodent cell hybrids, Schmidt et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 260: 7731-7737, 1985) showed that chromosome 16 contains a cluster of metallothionein sequences, including 2 functional metallothionein I genes (156351 and 156352) and a functional metallothionein II gene. The remaining sequences, including a processed pseudogene, are dispersed to at least 4 other autosomes. The absence of metallothionein sequences from the X chromosome indicates that the Menkes disease mutation affects metallothionein expression by a'trans-acting'mechanism. The processed pseudogene is on chromosome 4 and shows allelic variation (Karin and Richards, Nucleic Acids Res. 10: 3165-3173, 1982). Two MT genes are on chromosome I but not close together: one is on the distal two-thirds of the short arm and the second probably on the long arm. One metallothionein gene is on chromosome 20 and another is on chromosome 18.

By in situ hybridization, Le Beau et al. (Nature 313 : 709-711,1985) assigned the metallothionein gene cluster to 16q22. This band is a breakpoint in 2 specific rearrangements, in (16) (pl3q22) and t (16 ; 16)(p13 ; q22), found in a subgroup of patients with acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Hybridization of an MT probe to malignant cells from patients

with one or the other of these rearrangements showed that the breakpoint at 16q22 splits the MT gene cluster. The findings were interpreted as indicating that the MT genes or their regulatory regions may function as an'activating'sequence for an as yet unidentified cellular gene located at l6pl3. Band 16p22 can-ies 2 fragile sites: the rare FRA16B and the common F'RA16C. Simmers et al. (Science 236: 92-94,1987) showed that the specific leukemic break that is situated in the metallothionein gene cluster lies proximal to both fragile sites; therefore, neither of these fragile sites could have played a role in the breakage.

Using high-resolution in situ hybridization, Sutherland et al. (Cytogenet. Cell Genet.

51 : 1087,1989, Genomics 6: 144-148,1990) corrected the mapping of the human metallothionein gene complex to 16ql3. They found, furthermore, that the complex is not disrupted by the rearrangement breakpoint on 16q in the patients with myelomonocytic leukemia with abnormal eosinophils, as had previously been reported. They showed that the order is cen-MT--FRA16B-D16S4-inversion breakpoint--HB--qter.

Foster et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 263: 11528-11535,1988) indicated that 4 functional MT1 genes had been identified and mapped to 16q : MT1A, MT1B (156349), MT1E (156351), and MT1F (156352). They also characterized a fifth MT gene, WIT1G (156353). West et al.

(Genomics 8: 513-518, 1990) mapped the cluster of MT genes in an 82.1-kb region of 16ql3.

Of the 14 tightly linked genes, 6 had not previously been described. The mapped genes included the single MT2 gene, MT2A, and at least 2 pseudogenes, MT1C and MT1D. The genes were flanked by the single MT2A gene at one end and a gene labeled MT1X (156359) at the other. The order of genes, beginning at the MT2A end, was 1L--1E--1K--1J--1A--1D-- IC--lB--IF--IG--IH--l I. This was also the 5-prime to 3-prime direction of transcription for all the genes except MT1G, which had a tail-to-tail, head-to-head orientation to MT1F and MT I X, respectively.

ANIMAL MODEL To test the proposed detoxification and homeostasis functions of mammalian MTs in vivo, Masters et al. (1994) inactivated both alleles of the Mtl and Mt2 genes in embryonic stem cells and generated mice homozygous for these mutant alleles. These mice were viable and reproduced normally when reared under normal laboratory conditions. They were, however, more susceptible to hepatic poisoning by cadmium. This suggested to Masters et al.

1994) that these widely expressed MTs are not essential for development but do protect against cadmium toxicity.

Human Menkes disease (309400) and the murine'Mottled'phenotype are X-linked diseases that result from copper deficiency due to mutations in ATP7A, a copper-effluxing ATPase (300011). Male mice with the Mottled-Brindled allele accumulate copper in the intestine, fail to export copper to peripheral organs, and die a few weeks after birth. Much of the intestinal copper is bound by metallothionein. To determine the function of MT in the presence of Atp7a deficiency, Kelly and Palmiter (Nature Genet. 13: 219-222,1996) crossed Mottled-Brindled females with males that bear a targeted disruption of the Mtl and Mt2 genes.

On the metallothionein-deficient background most Mottled males as well as heterozygous Mottled females died before embryonic day 11. The authors explained the lethality in females by preferential inactivation of the paternal X chromosome in extra embryonic tissues and resultant copper toxicity in the absence of MT.

In support of this hypothesis, Kelly and Palmiter (1996) found that cell lines derived from metallothionein deficient, Mottled embryos were very sensitive to copper toxicity. They concluded that MT is essential to protect against copper toxicity in embryonic placenta, providing a second line of defense when copper effluxers are defective. They also stated that MT probably protects against hepatic copper toxicity in Wilson disease and the LEC rat model in which a similar copper effluxer, ATP7B (277900), is defective, because MT accumulates to high levels in the liver in those diseases.

Beattie et al. (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 95: 358-363,1998) noted that mice with targeted disruption of the metallothionein-I and metallothionein-II genes were more sensitive to toxic metal and oxidative stress. In addition they were larger than most strains of mice, becoming significantly heavier at age 5 to 6 weeks. At age 14 weeks, the body weight and food intake of MT-null mice was 16 and 30% higher, respectively, compared with control mice. Most 22-to 39-week-old male MT-null mice were obese. Seven-week-old MT-null also had significantly higher levels of plasma leptin (601694) and elevated expression of OB (164160), lipoprotein lipase (238600), and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (189965) genes as compared with age-matched control mice. Abnormal accretion of body fat and adipocyte maturation was initiated at 5 to 7 weeks of age, possibly coincident with sexual maturation. Beattie et al.

(1998) concluded that a link between MT and the regulation of energy balance is implied by these observations. They noted the possibility that obesity and the associated biochemical changes in the MT-null mice may be caused by factors other than lack of MT. For example, disruption of MT genes by homologous recombination with DNA containing various modifications may have affected other genes around this locus or may have had downstream effects on gene expression.

The disclosed NOV8 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a MT-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 8A, or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 8A while still encoding a protein that maintains its MT-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject.

In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 10% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV8 protein of the invention includes the MT-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 8B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 2 while still encoding a protein that maintains its MT-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 61% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The invention further encompasses antibodies and antibody fragments, such as Fab or (Fab) 2, that bind immunospecifically to any of the proteins of the invention.

The above defined information for this invention suggests that this MT-like protein (NOV8) may function as a member of a"MT family". Therefore, the NOV8 nucleic acids and proteins identified here may be useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in (but not limited to) various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. The potential therapeutic applications for this invention include, but are not limited to: protein therapeutic, small molecule drug target, antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, gene therapy (gene deliverylgene ablation), research tools, tissue regeneration irz vivo and in viti-o of all tissues and cell types composing (but not limited to) those defined here.

The NOV8 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in cancer including but not limited to Inflamation,

Autoimmune disorders, Aging and Cancer. For example, a cDNA encoding the MT-like protein (NOV8) may be useful in gene therapy, and the MT-like protein (NOV8) may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof. By way of nonlimiting example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from Gitelman syndrome, Menkes disease, Wilson's disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica, myelomonocytic leukemia, eosinophil disorders, hepatic disorders such as hepatic copper toxicity and other such conditions.. The NOV8 nucleic acid encoding MT-like protein, and the MT-like protein of the invention, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV8 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immuno-specifically to the novel NOV8 substances for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. The disclosed NOV8 protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOVS epitope is from about amino acids 25 to 40. In another embodiment, a NOV8 epitope is from about amino acids 45 to 55. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV9 A disclosed NOV9 nucleic acid of 2309 nucleotides (also referred to as 2855519019dal) encoding a novel C like protein is shown in Table 9A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 78-80 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 1719-1721. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 9A. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 9A. NOV9 nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 23).

GAGTGAGAGGTCGGACAGACTGTGGAGCCGACAGACTGAAGGACAGCGGCACCGCCA GACGGCCAGAAA <BR> <BR> CCGCCATGAGCTGGGGCACGGAGCTGTGGGATCAGTTCGACAGCTTAGACAAGCATACAC AATGGGGAATTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACTTCTTGGAAAGATATGCCAAATTTGTTAAAGAGAGGATAGAAATTGAACAGAACTATG CGAAACAATTGA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAAATCTGGTTAAGAAGTACTGCCCCAAACGTTCATCCAAAGATGAAGAGCCACGGTTTA CCTCGTGTGTAG<BR> <BR> <BR> CCTTTTTTAATATCCTTAATGAGTTAAATGACTATGCAGGACAGCGAGAAGTTGTAGCAG AAGAAATGGCGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACAGAGTGTATGGTGAATTAATGAGATATGCTCATGATCTGAAAACTGAAAGAAAAATGC ATCTGCAAGAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACGAAAAGCTCAACAATATCTTGACATGTGCTGGAAACAGATGGGTAATAGTAAAAAGA AGTTTGAAAGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> AATGTAGAGAGGCAGAAAAGGCACAACAGAGTTATGAAAGATTGGATAATGATACTAATG CAACCAAGGCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATGTTGAAAATGCCAAACAGCAGTTGAATCTGCGTACSCATATGGGCGATGAAAATAAAA ATGCATATGGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CACAATTACAAAACTTTAATGGAGAACAACATAAACATTTTTATGTAGTGATTCCTCAGA TTTACAAGCAAC<BR> <BR> <BR> TACAAGAAATGGACGAACGAAGGACTATTAAACTCAGTGAGTGTTACAGAGGATTTGCTG ACTCAGAACGCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGTTATTCCCATCATTTCAAAATGTTTGGAAGGAATGATTCTTGCAGCAAAATCAGTTG ATGAAAGAAGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACTCTCAAATGGTGGTAGACTCCTTCAAATCTGGTTTTGAACCTCCAGGAGACTTTCCAT TTGAAGATTACA<BR> <BR> <BR> GTCAACATATATATAGAACCATTTCTGATGGGACTATCAGTGCATCCAAACAGGAGAGTG GGAAGATGGATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCAAAACCCCAGTAGGAAAGGCCAAGGGCAAATTGTGGCTCTTTGGAAAGAAGCCAAAGG GCCCAGCACTAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGATTTCAGTCATCTGCCACCAGAACAGAGACGTAAAAAACTACAGCAGCGCATTGATG AACTTAACAGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> AACTACAGAAAGAATCAGACCAAAAAGATGCACTCAACAAAATGAAAGATGTATATGAGA AGGATCCACAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGGGGATCCAGGGAGTTTGCAGCCTAAATTAGCAGAGACCATGAATAACATTGACCGCC TACGAATGGAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TCCATAAGAATGAGGCTTGGCTCTCTGAAGTCGAAGGCAAAACAGGTGGGAGAGGAGACA GAAGACATAGCA GTGACATAAATCATCTTGTAACACAGGGACGAGAAAGTCCTGAGGGAAGTTACACTGATG ATGCAAACCAGG <BR> <BR> AAGTCCGTGGGCCACCCCAGCAGCATGGTCACCACAATGAGTTTGATGATGAATTTGAGG ATGATGATCCCT TGCCTGCTATTGGACACTGCAAAGCTATCTACCCTTTTGATGGACATAATGAAGGTACTC TAGCAATGAAAG <BR> <BR> AAGGTGAAGTTCTCTACATTATAGAGGAGGACAAAGGTGACGGATGGACAAGAGCTCGGA GACAGAACGGTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGAAGGCTACGTTCCCACGTCATACATAGATGTAACTCTAGAGAAAAACAGTAAAGGTT CCTGAAGAGGGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCTGAGGAAATGGGCAAGATGTTGAAGGAGGTTACATGCAGCTGCTTTTGGGGGAGGGT ATTAGAGTTGTC<BR> <BR> <BR> AGGCTCAAAGAGAGTGAGAGAAGCAAGTTGCATGAGTGCATGCAGACATGATTTTTTTTT TACTAACTTCAT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TAGCATTTCCATACATTGTTTTTAAAAATCATAATACCAACCCTTAAGTTCCTAGTTCAC AGTTATTCCCAC AAAAGAAAAAGCCAACAATAGTGTACCATTTTTCTATTTTATTTTTATTGCTGTCTAATC AATAAGAATGCA <BR> <BR> GAGCTGTCAAAAAATGTGTCTTACATTTAGCTGTCCCAACAGGATTGTCTTCCCTCCCAG CTCTGGTTTTAA<BR> <BR> <BR> TTGGCTTTTAGACCCACTATCTGTCAGATCGTTGCCATCTGTCAGTGTCTGCCTGCGCCA CCTCCGTGCTTG CCTAACATCCTGTTGCATGTCTAGCGTGATTGAGCNAGATTTTCAGGCATGTCTTTAGAA TCCCCTGGTNCT <BR> <BR> TAGGT TAGGT

The disclosed NOV9 nucleic acid sequence, localized to the p21. 2-22.2 region of chromosome 1, has 916 of 1460 bases (62%) identical to a 2001 bp cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4 mRNA from Homo sapiens (GBNBANK-ID : HSCIP4#acc : AJ000414) (E= 1.3e-97).

The disclosed NOV9 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 24) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 23 has 547 amino acid residues and is presented in Table 9B using the one-letter amino acid code.

Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOV9 has no signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the nucleus with a certainty of 0.7000. In other embodiments, NOV9 may also be localized to the microbosy (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 3000, the mitochondriat matrix space with a certainty of 0.1000, or the lysosome (lumen) with a certainty of 0. 1000.

Table 9B. Encoded NOV9 protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 24). <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>MSWGTESWDQFDSLDKHTQWGIDFLERYAKFVKERIEIEQNYAKQLRNLVK KYCPKRSSUEEP<BR> <BR> <BR> RFTSCVAFFNILNELNDYAGQREWAEEMAHRVYGELMRXAHDLKTERKMHLQEGRKAQQY LDM<BR> <BR> <BR> CWKQMGNSKKKFERECREAEKAQQSYERLDNDTNATKADVENAKQQLNLRTHMADENKNA YAAQ<BR> <BR> <BR> LQNFNGEQHKHFYWIPQIYKQLQEMDERRTIKLSECYRGFADSERKVIPITSKCLEGMIL AAK<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> SVDERRDSQMWDSFKSGFEPPGDFPFEDYSQHIYRTISDGTISASKQESGKMDAKTPVGK AKG KLWLFGKKPKGPALEDFSHLPPEQRRKKLQQRIDELNRELQKESDQKDALNKMKDVYEKD PQMG<BR> <BR> DPGSLQPKLAETMNNIDRLRMEIHKNEAWLSEVEGKTGGRGDRRHSSDINHLVTQGRESP EGSY TDDANQEVRGPPQQHGHHNEFDDEFEDDDPLPAIGHCKAIYPFDGHNEGTLAMKEGEVLY IIEE DKGDGWTRARRQNGEEGYVPTSYIDVTLEKNSKGS

A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOV9 amino acid sequence has 303 of 544 amino acid residues (55%) identical to, and 403 of 544 amino acid residues (74%) similar to, the 545 amino acid residue CDC42-Interacting Protein 4 protein from Homo sapiens (SPTREMBL-ACC : 015184) (E = 8.0e-160).

TaqMan data for NOV9 can be found below in Example 2. The disclosed NOV9 polypeptide has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 9C.

Table 9C. BLAST results for NOV9 Gene Index/ Protein/ Organism Length Identity Positives Expect Identifier (aa) (%) (%) gi#13591536#emb#CAC dJ1033H22.1 434 373/430 375/430 0.0 36351. 1 (AL109613) (KIAA0554 (86%) (86%) protein) (Homo sapiens] #gi#8923249#ref#NP_0 hypothetical 330 328/330 329/330 e-175 60207.12 protein FJJ20275 (99%) (99%) [Homo sapiens] gi#10435680#dbj#BAB unnamed protein 592 319/595 432/595 e-160 14638.11 (AK023681) product [Homo (53%) (71%) sapiens] gi#13936547#gb#AAK4 formin-binding 679 307/624 422/624 e-148 9824. 1|AF265550_1 protein 17 [Homo (49%) (67%) (AF265550) sapiens] #gi#3043632#dbj#BAA2 KIAA0554 protein 674 307/624 422/624 e-148 5480.1 (AB011126) [Homo sapiens] (49%) (67%) The homology between these and other sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 9D. In the ClustalW alignment of the NOV9 protein, as well as all other ClustalW analyses herein, the black outlined amino acid residues indicate regions of conserved sequence (i. e., regions that may be required to preserve structural or functional properties), whereas non-highlighted amino acid residues are less conserved and can potentially be altered to a much broader extent without altering protein structure or function.

Table 9D. ClustalW Analysis of NOV9 1) Novel NOV9 (SEQ ID NO ; 24) 3) gi#13591536#emb#CAC#6351.1# (AL109613) dJ1033H22.1 (KIAA0554 protein) [Homo saiens) (SEQ ID NO:66) 4) gi#8923249#ref#NP_060207.1# hypothetical protein FLJ20275 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ NO:67)

5) gi#10435680#dbj#BAB14638.1# (AK023681) unnamed protein product [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 68) 6) gi#13936547#gb#AAK49824.1#AF26550_1 (AF265550) formin-binding protein 17 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 69) 7) gi#3043632#dbj#BAA25480.1# (AB011126) KIAA0554 protein [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 70) 10 20 30 40 NOV9---------------------------------------- giI135995361 _--------------------------------------- gillH9232491---------------------------------------- gi 1 10435680 1-- gi 113936547 1 BWNGGEEEPPRRPRARSCEPEEAARTPGFPPSRGSRGAKG gil30436321-----EEEPPRRPRARSCEPEEAARTPGFPPSRGSRCAKG 50 60 70 80 I I I, I I M NOV9 _________________ E = ERSZDE gi 13591536---------------------------------------- giIIB92324911 ________________________________________ gì §10435680 #----------------------D m- w F tEr gi1139365471 SPGRGTREPRPPRGAPLRVPCTi r $i giI30436321 SPGRGTREPRPPRGAPLRVPCTi os o y 90 100 110 120 .... !.... h. !.... !.... h-.. !.--- ! I I I I I I I gitl3591536 (--------------------------------------- gi 1 13591536 1------------- gi f'10435680 I I CD T L5 -S Q 130 140 150 160 giI3043632 o I I'T'LS 'e S Q 130 140 150 160 NOV9 mbm-PRriEv giI135915361---------------------------------------- gi 8923249 -----,---------.-.------.----------------- giII104356801 EYK K IS, , S, , SQ | SQ gi 13936547 3043632 | EYK K IS IS SOI gi304363211 E EYC K IS o TSSQI 170 180 190 200 NOV9 YGE@<jAHDET>L QEmY1DMBG21 gi13591S361---------------------------------------- gì 13591536 |------------------------_-_-------_ ____ g i 1 8 9 2 3 2 4 9 p gif'104356801 IVD QP'SNFHD'w e IET LE, S' gi113936547 IVD : ZI ; HD-'E gi30436321 QE SFHD IST LES 210 220 230 240 NOV9i... NO V 9 ZC''RE S'R a n Ti' o: .. a LNT, gi 113591536 | nLNL gij8923249)---------------------------------------- gi I 10435680 I, tR va, yE. o Ii., gi, 1 w Q g i | 3 o 4 3 6 3 2 | R DRsYFiMICV=KnRAQ I ff-, D ! 10.. YF 250 260 270 280 gi | 1359l536 | gTHDE<NEiAQSGsKH=FYVQpKQLE gi I13S91536 I TH . TERAAQ G. e i HF'yidQ ii ; KQL g i 1 8 9 2 3 2 4 9 1 gi 110435680 1 HQaEDS>SSIEK=H=EYWTH « FQKIg gill39365471 Qlo-'AEDSEISSI y] GYYHTV EQKI gi 13043632 | WHQiEDS2ADfi5SIEKgH=EWHTHFQKIE

290 300 310 320 m NOV9 TlktS CYRG s s IL gi13591536 TIKLS CYRGF S s'IL gi892324911 TIXL CYRG s s gi f10435680 f -I SMTCT WVD'' gill393654711 IVRM SMKT EVI) 1, 330 340 350 360 [ 1 ç 1 1 1 f V ! J' gi 135913361 ERR s NFP 0 1 1 G , Y'VJJ gi 8923249 u-o. alRU, r FP _ o sHZ. G i 330 340 350 360 t. l' gi139365471 g. I 3043632 I m o vT. h". 3l TE', wPK s 370 380 390 400 . p.,... 4... .... p.. ... 1.... ,.... L pi gi1135915361 s TT G gi 1 8923249 | TI » QISTTVLkG « P2------- '//V gill04356801'-p FG-Si p I-------- gi 39365471-P L FG-S, p I LMSLLTS gi 130436321 $y TG-PWFG-SP'ILMSLLTS 410 420 430 440 . NOV9-..---..---------------.----.----------- gi 113591536 |--QSPPLTPTSLFTSSTPNGSQFLTFSIaVHYCMEIKE gi18923249'---------------------------------------- g i 1 8 9 2 3 2 4 9 r gi | 1043 56 80 |-----KSPKQQKELSERFE3FME giI13936547i PFiQPPPPPPASASPSAVPNGPQSPKQQ'SHRF F gi 83043632 | PHQPPPPPPASASPSAVPNGPQSPKQQKvSHRF=FMu 450 460 470 480 1 1 1--1 1--1 1-1 NOV9-------------a------PAL w gil89232491-------------------PAL o gi10435680 S HC LSLKLGATP se giC139365471 S'HC'LSLKLGATP e o--ov gil30436 HC LSLKLGATP ion v V NOV9 s QP gi 113591536 I RIn a gi.... _i, E e G QP gi | 13936547 Y, KVgIzlgIT, ZvLi aDH gi I J. 0435680 l e o a a s a T i o L v DH giI13936547 Ki o Ie o e7'i e I, e m DH gi3043b321, s I w T i L du 530 s40 550 560 r a 530 540 550 560 NOV9 IT ! T S TGG'G1----g gi13591536 ZTMN ii-D TG GD--H gi 8923249 ' T I S V1^TGG'GD,--r H v y r _ r gi. N 10435680 w SQi TQ, F . RLP'EQ wQ gi13936547 s B TQ RLP SEQ gi3043632 SQ TQII LP SEQ Q 570 580 590 600 NOV9 SDIN-------HLVT G D RGPPQQ giJ135915361 SI) IN-------HLV MG 1) GPPQQ gi8923249 SDIN-------HLVT (09 D GPPQQ gi 1043568011 LYDSQNPPTVNNC D EEQS S----Em gi113936547 ILYDSQNPPTVNNCI.'D EEQ. S----Fm

gi t3043632 | XGLYDSQNPPTVNNC4D} EÉQSES----E 610 620 630 640 . I.... .. NOV9 HGH gi13591536 HGH 1) .' v r gy1i89232491 HGHHNE n o D'TP rAMK u v y5 r gill04356801 KVLATB E T isvv n'I gill3936 ! 547 KVLATB BE T T Q ISV'V g i U 8 9 2 3 2 4 9 | HGHHNE E iD H a I D H, a LaK gi | 10435680 | RVLAT :. D'E n T i L E QF F fiISYIV gi | 13936547 KVLATt, >, E 2 T S F E Ql U SISVV gi30436321 KVLATD EE T is-v 650 660 670 680 NOV9 I., QNG T gi1359153611"QNG T var gi1892324911 - --QNG T .... !.... gi13936547 T T'* ED c giI304363211 T = Iw ED-C . I.... gi | 13 5 915 3 6 | ; z ; VTYI NOV9 r gy 135915361 WVTYT gil8923249 gi |10435680 | wKTYI gi 1 13936547 1 giH3043632 ---- Table 9E-H lists the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV9. This indicates that the NOV9 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 9E. Domain Analysis of NOV9 #gn1#Smart#smat00326, SH3, Src homology 3 domains; Src homology 3 (SH3) domains bind to target proteins through sequences containing proline and hydrophobic amino acids. Pro-containing polypeptides may bind to SH3 domains in 2 different binding orientations. (SEQ ID NO : 92) CD-Length = 59 residues, 88. 1% aligned Score = 64. 7 bits (156), Expect = le-11 Query : 484 HCKAIYPFDGHNEGTLAMKEGEVLYIIEEDKGDGWTRARRQNGEEGYVPTSYI 536 +1+1+ + I + I'-i ++- ++ I +ll + I+l I -+ I + Sbjct : 4 QVRALYDYTAQDPDELSFKKGDITTVLEKS-DDGWWKGRLGTGKEGLFPSNYV 55

Table 9F. Domain Analysis of NOV9 gn1#Pfam#pfam00018, SH3, SH3 domain. SH3 (Src homology 3) domains are often indicative of a protein involved in signal transduction related to cytoskeletal organization. First described in the Src cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase. The structure is a partly opened beta barrel. (SEQ ID NO : 93) CD-Length = 57 residues, 91.2% aligned Score = 63. 5 bits (153), Expect = 3e-11 Query: 486 KAIYPFDGHNEGTLAMKEGEVLYIIEEDKGDGWTRARRQNGEEGYVPTSYID 537 A+Y + L+ K+G+++ ++E+ GW + R + +EG +P++Y++ Sbjct : 4 VALYDYQARESDELSFKKGDIIIVLEKSDDGGWWKGRLKGTKEGLIPSNYVE 55 Table 9G. Domain Analysis of NOV9 gn1#Smart#smart00055, FCH, Fes/CIP4 homology domain ; Alignment extended from original report. Highly alpha-helical. Also known as the RAEYL motif or the S. pombe Cdcl5 N-terminal domain. (SEQ ID N0 : 94) CD-Length = 91 residues, 97. 8% aligned Score = 58.2 bits (139), Expect = 1e-09 Query : 1 MSWGTELWDQFDSLDKHTQWGIDFLERYAKFVKERIEIEQNYAKQLRNLVKKYCPKRSSK 60 t + ! t b ! + H Htt + ! H+ ! H + SbjCtß 1 MGFWSELDDGFEALLSRLKNGLRLLEDLKKFMRERAKIEEEYAKKLQKLSKK--LRAVRD 58 Query: 61 DEEPRFTSCVAFFNILNELNDYAGQREWAE 91 + 1+ +1+1+ 1 1 ++1 Sbjct : 59 TESEILGSLRKAWEVLLSETDALAKQHLQLSE 89 Table 9H. Domain Analysis of NOV9 gn1#Pfam#pfam00611, FCH, Fes/CIP4 homology domain. Alignment extended from. Highly alpha-helical. (SEQ ID NO : 95) CD-Length = 94 residues, 97.9% aligned Score = 40.0 bits (92), Expect = 3e-04 Query : 1 MSWGTELWDQ-FDSLDKHTQWGIDFLERYAKFVKERIEIEQNYAKQLRNLVKKYCPKRSS 59 ! +1+1t + +1 + 11 ll+ 11 +1#+ 11 + ++1 + ++ 6k ?bjct : 1 MGFGSELCPEGHKALLSRQDNELRLLEEMKKFMAERAKIEKEYAGKLQHLSAQVGKGPAT 60 Query : 60 KDEEPRFTSCVAFFNILNELNDYAGQREWAE 91 + I +lu ++ II. + +kII Sbjct : 61 AEGEDELSSLKSWAVILSETEQQSKIHLQISE 92 The thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are hormone-dependent transcription factors that regualte expression of a variety of specific target genes. They must specifically interact with a number of proteins as they progress from their initial translation and nuclear translocation to heterodimerization with retinoid X receptors (RXRs), functional interactions with other

transcription factors and the basic transcriptional apparatus, and eventually, degradation. To help elucidate the mechanisms that under lie the transcriptional effects and other potential functions of TRs, Lee et al. (Molec. Endocr. 9: 243-254,1995) used the yeast interaction trap, a version of the yeast 2-hybrid system, to identify proteins that specifically interact with the ligand-binding domain of rat TR-beta (THRB; 190160). They isolated HeLa cell cDNAs encoding several different TR-interacting proteins (TRIPs), including TRIP 10. TRIP 10 interacted with rat Thrb only in the presence of thyroid hormone. It also showed a ligand- dependent interaction with RXR-alpha (RXRA ; 180245), but did not interact with the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1 ; 138040) under any condition. TRIP10 contains a Src homology-3 (SH3) domain and shows sequence similarity to a Xenopus fyn homolog (see 137025) and chicken src (see 190090). Northern blot analysis detected a 2.6-kb TRIP10 transcript in several tissues, with highest expression in skeletal muscle.

Using the yeast 2-hybrid system to identify proteins that bind to a constitutively active mutant of CDC42 (116952), Aspenstrom (1997) isolated a human B-cell cDNA encoding CDC42-interacting protein-4 (CIP4), which is identical to TRIP10. The predicted 545-amino acid CIP4 protein contains an N-terminal domain that bears resemblance to the nonkinase domain of the FER (176942) and Fes/Fps family of tyrosine kinases, and a C-terminal SH3 domain. In addition, CIP4 shares sequence similarity with a number of proteins that have roles in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. Aspenstrom (Curr. Biol. 7: 479-487,1997) demonstrated that CIP4 can bind to activated CDC42 in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of CIP4 in fibroblasts reduced the amount of stress fibers in these cells. Recombinant CIP4 protein accumulated at the cell periphery, particularly in areas that exhibited membrane ruffling.

Goexpression of activated CDC42 and CIP4 led to clustering of CIP4 to a large number of foci at the dorsal side of the cells. Northern blot analysis showed a major 2.2-kb CIP4 transcript that was abundant in skeletal muscle, heart, and placenta, present at lower levels in pancreas, lung, liver, and kidney, and barely detectable in brain. Minor transcripts of 3.5 and 5 kb were also detected.

Aspenstrom (1997) concluded that CIP4 is a downstream target of activated GTP- bound CDC42, and is similar in sequence to proteins involved in signaling and cytoskeletal control. The author suggested that CIP4 may act as a link between CDC42 signaling and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an inherited X-linked immunodeficiency characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and a tendency toward lymphoid malignancy (Tian L, et. al.; J Biol Chem 2000 Mar 17 ; 275 (11) : 7854-6 1). Lymphocytes from affected

individuals have cytoskeletal abnormalities, and monocytes show impaired motility. The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is a multi-domain protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. In a two-hybrid screen, we identified the protein Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) as a WASP interactor. CIP4, like WASP, is a Cdc42 effector protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. We found that the WASP-CIP4 interaction is mediated by the binding of the Src homology 3 domain oiSCIP4 to the proline-rich segment of WASP. Cdc42 was not required for this interaction. Co-expression of CIP4 and green fluorescent protein- WASP in COS-7 cells led to the association of WASP with microtubules. In vitro experiments showed that CIP4 binds to microtubules via its NH (2) terminus. The region of CEP4 responsible for binding to active Cdc42 was localized to amino acids 383-417, and the mutation I398S abrogated binding. Deletion of the Cdc42-binding domain of CW4 did not affect the colocalization of WASP with microtubules in vivo. We conclude that CIP4 can mediate the association of WASP with microtubules. This may facilitate transport of WASP to sites of substrate adhesion in hematopoietic cells.

The disclosed NOV9 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a CIP4-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table 9A, or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table 9A while still encoding a protein that maintains its CIP4-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject.

In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 38% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV9 protein of the invention includes the ClP4-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table 9B. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 2 while still encoding a protein that maintains its CIP4-like activities and physiological functions, or a

functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 51% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The invention further encompasses antibodies and antibody fragments, such as Fab or (Fabh, that bind immunospeciFically to any of the proteins of the invention.

The above defined information for this invention suggests that this CIP4-like protein (NOV9) may function as a member of a"MT family". Therefore, the NOV9 nucleic acids and proteins identified here may be useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in (but not limited to) various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. The potential therapeutic applications for this invention include, but are not limited to: protein therapeutic, small molecule drug target, antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, gene therapy (gene deliverylgene ablation), research tools, tissue regeneration ijz vivo and ic vitro of all tissues and cell types composing (but not limited to) those defined here.

The NOV9 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in cancer including but not limited to Inflamation, Autoimmune disorders, Aging and Cancer. For example, a cDNA encoding the CIP4-like protein (NOV9) may be useful in gene therapy, and the GIP4-like protein (NOV9) may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof. By way of nonlimiting example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, immunodeficiency, thrombocytopenia, eczema, lymphoid malignancy cytoskeletal abnormalities, impaired monocyte motility, Muscular dystrophy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Leukodystrophies, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection, Fertility, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosis, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Tuberous sclerosis, Scleroderma, Obesity, Transplantation, Diabetes, Pancreatitis, Obesity, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune disease, Asthma, Emphysema, Scleroderma, allergy, ARDS, Cirrhosis, Transplantation, Diabetes, Autoimmune disease, Renal artery stenosis, Interstitial nephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease, Renal tubular acidosis, nephropathy, Hypercalceimia,. or other pathologies or conditions. The NOV9 nucleic acid encoding CIP4-like protein, and the CIP4-like protein of the invention, or fragments thereof,

may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV9 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immuno-specifically to the novel NOV9 substances for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti-NOVX Antibodies" section below. The disclosed NOV9 protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOV9 epitope is from about amino acids 25 to 40. In another embodiment, a NOV9 epitope is from about amino acids 45 to 55. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOV10 NOV10 includes three novel hepsin/plasma transmembrane serine protease-like proteins disclosed below. The disclosed sequences have been named NOVlOa and NOVI Ob.

NOVlOa A disclosed NOVI Oa nucleic acid of 1787 nucleotides (also referred to as 129297354 EXT) encoding a novel hepsin/plasma transmembrane serine protease-like protein is shown in Table 10A. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 54-56 and ending with a TAA codon at nucleotides 1470-1472.

A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon and downstream from the termination codon is underlined in Table 10A. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 10A. NOVlOa nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID N0 : 25). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> GCGGAACATTGCCTAGTAGACCCTGAGGCTTTACAACAGTGCCACTGACCCCTATGAGCC TGATGCTGGATG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACCAACCCCCTATGGAGGCCCAGTATGCAGAGGAGGGCCCAGGACCTGGGATCTTCAGAG CAGAGCCTGGAG<BR> <BR> <BR> ACCAGCAGCATCCCATTTCTCAGGCGGTGTGCTGGCGTTCCATGCGACGTGGCTGTGCAG TGCTGGGAGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGGGCTGCTGGCCGGTGCAGGTGTTGGCTCATGGCTCCTAGTGCTGTATCTGTGTCCTG CTGCCTCTCAGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCATTTCCGGGACCTTGCAGGATGAGGAGATAACTTTGAGCTGCTCAGAGGCCAGCGCTG AGGAAGCTCTGC TCCTGCACTTCCCAAAACAGTATCTTTCAGAATAAACAGCGAAGACTTCTTGCTGGAAGC GCAAGTGAGGG ATCAGCCACGCTGGCTCCTGGTCTGCCATGAGGGCTGGAGCCCCGCCCTGGGGCTGCAGA TCTGCTGGAGCC TTGGGCATCTCAGACTCACTCACCACAAAGGGAGTAAACCTCACTGACATCAAACTCAAC AGTTCCCAGGAGT <BR> <BR> <BR> TTGCTCAGCTCTCTCCTAGACTGGGAGGCTTCCTGGAGGAGGCGTGGCAGCCCAGTAGGA CTACTGAGGCTG TTAGGAACAACTGCACTTCTGGTTCAAGTTGTTTCCCTCAGATGCTCTGAGTGTGGAGCG AGGCCCCTGGCTT CCCGGATAGTTGGTGGGCAGTCTGTGGCTCCTGGGCGCTGGCCGTGGCAGGCCAGCGTGG CCCTGGGCTTCC <BR> <BR> <BR> GGCACACGTGTGGGGGCTCTGTGCTAGCGCCACGCTGGGTGGTGACTGCTGCACATTGTA TGCACAGTTTCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGCTGGCCCGCCTGTCCAGCTGGCGGGTTCATGCGGGGCTGGTCAGCCACAGTGCCGTCA GGCCCCACCAAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GGGCTCTGGTGGAGAGGATTATCCCACACCCCCTCTACAGTGCCCAGAATCATGACTACG ACGTCGCCCTCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGAGGCTCCAGACCGCTCTCAACTTCTCAGACACTGTGGGCGCTGTGTGCCTGCCGGCCA AGGAACAGCATT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TTCCGAAGGGCTCGCGGTGCTGGGTGTCTGGCTGGGGCCACACCCACCCTAGCCATACTT ACAGCTCGGATA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCTCCAGGACACGGTGGTGCCCCTGCTCAGCACTCAGCTCTGCAACAGCTCTTGCGTGT ACAGCGGAGCCC TCACCCCCCGCATGCTTTGCGCGCTGCTACCTGGACGGAAGGGCTGATGCATGCCAGGGA GATAAGCGGGGGC <BR> <BR> CCCTAGTGTGCCCAGATGGGGACACATGGCGCCTAGTGGGGGTGGTCAGCTGGGGGCGTG GCTGCGCAGAGC CCAATCACCCAGGTGTCTACGCCAAGGTAGCTGAGTTTCTGGACTGGATCCATGACACTG CTTCAGGTGAGTG <BR> <BR> TGGGGGCAGGAGTAGGGCAGGGAGATTTCTAAAGGACCTGCCCTCGAATGCAAGGAACCT TACCCCTTAGGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGGGCCCTGCTGGGGACTGGGGAGGGTGCTAGGACATATTCCCCAGAGTGAGTGGAGGA . AGAAGTGAAGCT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TAAACATGGAATCCATTGGATTTCTATCAGTTTAAGGATGAACTGGGTAAGAGTATGCCT GAGTTTGTATCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CAGATCTACCATTTCCTGTGTCGACCTTTGGCAAATTTCTAACTTTGTTAAACCTTAATT TCCTGATAATAA CCATGATGGCTACTTATATGCTATTGTTATATGCTATTAAATAAGACCCGTACAATGCC The reverse complement of NOVIOa is shown in Table I OB.

Table 10B. NOVlOa reverse complement sequence (SEQ ID NO : 26). <BR> <BR> <P>GGCATTGTACGGGxCTTATTTAATAGCATATAACAATAGCATATAAGTAGC CATCATGGTTATTATCAGGAA ATTAAGGTTTAACAAAGTTAGAAATTTGCCAAAGGTCGACACAGGAAATGGTAGATCTGG GATACAAACTCA GGCATACTCTTACCCAGTTCATCCTTAAACTGATAGAAATCCAATGGATTCCATGTTTAA GCTTCACTTCTT<BR> CCTCCACTCACTCTGGGGAATATGTCCTAGCACCCTCCCCAGTCCCCAGCAGGGCCCGGG CCTAAGGGGTAA<BR> GGTTCCTTGCATTCGAGGGCAGGTCCTTTAGAAATCTCCCTGCCCTACTCCTGCCCCCAC ACTCACCTGAGC<BR> AGTGTCATGGATCCAGTCCAGAAACTCAGCTACCTTGGCGTAGACACCTGGGTGATTGGG CTCTGCGCAGCC ACGCCCCCAGCTGACCACCCCCACTAGGCGCCATGTGTCCCCATCTGGGCACACTAGGGG GGCCCCCGCTATC TCCCTGGCATGCATCAGCCCTTCCGTCCAGGTAGCCAGCGCAAAGCATGCGGGGGGTGAG GGCTCCGCTGTA<BR> CACGCAAGAGCTGTTGCAGAGCTGAGTGCTGAGCAGGGGCACCACCGTGTCCTGGAGCAT ATCCGAGCTGTA<BR> AGTATGGCTAGGGTGGGTGTGGCCCCAGCCAGACACCCAGCACCGCGAGCCCTTCGGAAA ATGCTGTTCCTT<BR> GGCCGGCAGGCACACAGCGCCCACAGTGTCTGAGAAGTTGAGAGCGGTCTGGAGCCTCAG GAGGGCGACGTC<BR> GTAGTCATGATTCTGGGCACTGTAGAGGGGGTGTGGGATAATCCTCTCCACCAGAGCCCC TTGGTGGGGCCT GACGGCACTGTGGCTGACCAGCCCCGCATGAACCCGCCAGCTGGACAGGCGGGCCAGCCT GAAACTGTGCAT ACAATGTGCAGCAGTCACCACCCAGCGTGGCGCTAGCACAGAGCCCCCACACGTGTGCCG GAAGCCCAGGGC CACGCTGGCCTGCGACGGCCAGCGCCCAGGAGCCACAGACTGCCCACCAACTATCCGGGA AGCCAGGGGCCT<BR> CGCTCCACACTCAGAGCATCTGAGGGAAACAACTTGACCAGAAGTGCAGTTGTTCCTAAC AGCCTCAGTAGT<BR> CCTACTGGGCTGCCACGCCTCCTCCAGGAAGCCTCCCAGTCTAGGAGAGAGCTGAGCAAA CTCCTGGGAACT<BR> GTTGAGTTTGATGTCAGTGAGGTTTACTCCCTTGTGGTGAGTGAGTCTGAGATGCCCAAG GCTCCAGCAGAT<BR> CTGCAGCCCCAGGGCGGGGCTCCAGCCCTCATGGCAGACCAGGAGCCAGCGTGGCTGATC CCTCACTTGCGC TTCCAGCAAGAAGTCTTCGCTGTTTATTCTGAAAGATACTGTTTTGGGAAGTGCAGGGAG CAGAGCTTCCTC AGCGCTGGCCTCTGAGCAGCTCAAAGTTATCTCCTCATCCTGCAAGGTCCCGGAAATGGG CTGAGAGGCAGC<BR> AGGACACAGATACAGCACTAGGAGCCATGAGCCAACACCTGCACCGGCCAGCAGCCCCAG GGCTCCCAGCAC<BR> TGCACAGCCACGTCGCATGGAACGCCAGCACACCGCCTGAGAAATGGGATGCTGCTGGTC TCCAGGCTCTGC<BR> TCTGAAGATCCCAGGTCCTGGGCCCTCCTCTGCATACTGGGCCTCCATAGGGGGTTGGTC ATCCAGCATCAG<BR> GCTCATAGGGGTCAGTGGCACTGTTGTAAAGCCTCAGGGTCTACTAGGCAATGTTCCGC

In a search of public sequence databases, the NOV 1 Oa nucleic acid sequence has 424 of699 bases (60%) identical to a gb: GENBftNK-ID : AF2435001aco : AF243500 transmembrane

protein X mRNA, complete cds, 1735 bp. mRNA from mouse/ Mus musculus (E = 4.9e-19).

Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

The disclosed NOV10a polypeptide (SEQ ID N0 : 27) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 25 has 472 amino acid residues and is presented in Table I OB using the one-letter amino acid code.

Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVlOa has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the plasma membrane with a certainty of 0.7900. In other embodiments, NOVlOa may also be localized to the microbody (peroxisome) with acertainty of 0. 5425, the Golgi body with a certainty of 0. 3000, or in the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0.2000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOVlOa peptide is between amino acids 13and 14, at: MEA-QY.

Table lOB. Encoded NOVlOa protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 27). <BR> <BR> <P>MSLMLDDQPPMEAQYAEEGPGPGIFRAEPGDQQHPISQAVCWRSMRRGCAV LGALGLLAGAGVGSWLLVLYL<BR> CPAASQPISGTLQDEETTLSCSEASAEEALLPALPKTVSFRINSEDFLLEAQVRDQPRWL LVCHEGWSPALG<BR> LQICWSLGHLRLTHHKGVNLTDIKLNSSQEFAQLSPRLGGFLEEAWQPSRTTEAVRNNCT SGQWSLRCSEC<BR> GARPLASRIVGGQSVAPGRWPWQASVALGFRHTCGGSVLAPRWWTAAHCMHSFRLARLSS WRVHAGLVSHS<BR> AVRPHQGALVERIIPHPLYSAQNHDYDVALLRLQTALNFSDTVGAVCLPAKEQHFPKGSR CWVSGWGHTHPS<BR> HTYSSDMLQDTWPLLSTQLCNSSCVYSGALTPRMLCAGYLDGRADACQGDSGGPLVCPDG DTWRLVGWSW<BR> GRGCAEPNHPGVYAKVAEFLDWIHDTAQVSVGAGVGQGDF A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOVlOa amino acid sequence has 130 of 346 amino acid residues (37%) identical to, and 190 of 346 amino acid residues (54%) similar to, the 417 amino acid residue Serine Protease Hepsin (EC 3.4.21.-) (Transmembrane Protease, Serine 1) protein from Hoi7io sopieiis (ptnr: SWISSPROT-ACC: P05981 (E = 3.5e-56).

Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PIR.

NOVlOa is expressed in at least the adrenal gland.

NOVlOb A disclosed NOVlOb nucleic acid of 2148 nucleotides (also referred to as CG106783- 02) encoding a novel Spinesin-like protein is shown in Table lOG. An open reading frame was identified beginning with an ATG initiation codon at nucleotides 156-158 and ending with a TGA codon at nucleotides 1410-1412. A putative untranslated region upstream from the initiation codon is underlined in Table 10C. The start and stop codons are in bold letters.

Table 10C. NOV10b nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO : 28). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>ACGCGGGATACAGGGAGGGGCCATGTGCGAACCAGGGAGACCTCATCTTCC AACCAAGCTTGCTGGGCTTGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ATTTAATCAATGCATGGCCAGAGAACAGGAGCGGAACATTGCCTAGTAGACCCTGAGGCT TTACAACAGTGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TACTGACCCCTATGAGCCTGATGCTGGATGACCAACCCCCTATGGAGGCCCAGTATGCAG AGGAGGGCCCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACCTGGGATCTTCAGAGCAGAGCCTGGAGACCAGCAGCATCCCATTTCTCAGGCGGTGT GCTGGCGTTCCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCGACGTGGCTGTGCAGTGCTGGGAGCCCTGGGGCTGCTGGCCGGTGCAGGTGTTGGCT CATGGCTCCTAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCTGTATCTGTGTCCTGCTGCCTCTCAGCCCATTTCCGGGACCTTGCAGGATGAGGAGA TAACTTTGAGCT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCTCAGAGGCCAGCGCTGAGGAAGCTCTGCTCCCTGCACTCCCCAAAACAGTATCTTTCA GAATAAACAGCG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AAGACTTCTTGCTGGAAGCGCAAGTGAGGGATCAGCCACGCTGGCTCCTGGTCTGCCATG AGGGCTGGAGCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCGCCCTGGGGCTGCAGATCTGCTGGAGCCTTGGGCATCTCAGACTCACTCACCACAAGG GAGTAAACCTCA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CTGACATCAAACTCAACAGTTCCCAGGAGTTTGCTCAGCTCTCTCCTAGACTGGGAGGCT TCCTGGAGGAGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CGTGGCAGCCCAGGAACAACTGCACTTCTGGTCAAGTTGTTTCCCTCAGATGCTCTGAGT GTGGAGCGAGGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCCTGGCTTCCCGGATAGTTGGTGGGCAGTCTGTGGCTCCTGGGCGCTGGCCGTGGCAGG CCAGCGTGGCCC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGGCTTCCGGCACACGTGTGGGGGCTCTGTGCTAGCGCCACGCTGGGTGGTGACTGCTG CACATTGTATGC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACAGTGCCCAGAATCATGACTACGACGTCGCCCTCCTGAGGCTCCAGACCGCTCTCAACT TCTCAGACACTG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGGCGCTGTGTGCCTGCCGGCCAAGGAACAGCATTTTCCGAAGGGCTCGCGGTGCTGGG TGTCCGGCTGGT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GCCACACCCACCCTAGCCATACTTACAGCTCGGATATGCTCCAGGACACGGTGGTGCCCC TGCTCAGCACTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGCTCTGCAACAGCTCTTGCGTGTACAGCGGAGCCCTCACCCCCCGCATGCTTTGCGCTG GCTACCTGGACG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GAAGGGCTGATGCATGCCAGGGAGATAGCGGGGGCCCCCTAGTGTGCCCAGATGGGGACA CATGGCGCCTAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGGGGGTGGTCAGCTGGGGGCGTGGCTGCGCAGAGCCCAATCACCCAGGTGTCTACGCCA AGGTAGCTGAGT TTCTGGACTGGATCCATGACACTGCTCAGGACTCCCTCCTCTGAGTCCTGCTGTTTCCTC CAGTCTCACTGC <BR> <BR> <BR> ACACCACTGCCTCATGCTTCCTGGGGCCTCCAGCAGCTCCACTAATGGAGGAGAGGCAGT AGCCTCCGACAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> AGAACGCATGGACCTCCTACTACTGTGTGTGAGGAACAGTCACTACCCACTGGCCAGCCA CCCAGCCAACAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTCTCTCCTCTTGGGCCCTGATTTCAGAGTCCTCTTTCTCACTAGAGACTCAATGACAGA AGAGAGGCTGGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ACTTGGTTGGGCATSCTGTGGTTGCTGAGGGATGAGGGGGAGGAGAGAGGTAGGAGCTGG AGATGAAGAGAC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> TGCTAGAAGCAGCAGGAAGCCTGCCCTTCTGCCCTCTCCCCTCCCTGCCCCTGTGTGAGT CTTTTAGGGAGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTGACTGGGAGGTGCCCCCCGTCCCACCTTTTTCCTGTGCTCTAGGTGGGCTAAGTGCCT CCCTAGAGGACT<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CCATGGCTGAGAGGCTCCTGGGCAGATGGGGTCAAGGCTGGGCCAGTCCCAGATGAAGCC TATGGGAGTCAG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GACCCTCTCCACTCTCCCTCTCCACTCCCCTTCCTGTTCTCACCTGGCTGTGGCTGGCCC TGTGTGGGGTGG<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> GTACACTGGAAAACAAGAAGGTTGGAGTTGGTCTAGGACATTGGTTTTAAATGACAGTTC TGTGAACTGGTC<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CAAGGAGGTTCTGTTATTAAAGTGATATATGGTCTTG

In a search of public sequence databases, the NOVlOb nucleic acid sequence, located on chromosome 7 has 1343 of 1446 bases (92%) identical to a gb: GENBANK- ID : AB0281401acc : AB028140. 1 mRNA from Homo sapiens (Homo sapiens mRNA for spinesin, complete cds) (E = 3. 2e-268). Public nucleotide databases include all GenBank databases and the GeneSeq patent database.

The disclosed NOVlOb polypeptide (SEQ ID NO : 29) encoded by SEQ ID NO : 28 has 418 amino acid residues and is presented in Table 10D using the one-letter amino acid code.

Signal P, Psort and/or Hydropathy results predict that NOVI Oa has a signal peptide and is likely to be localized in the plasma membrane with a certainty of 0. 7900. In other embodiments, NOVlOa may also be localized to the Golgi body with acertainty of 0. 3000, the microbody (peroxisome) with a certainty of 0. 2036 or in the endoplasmic reticulum (membrane) with a certainty of 0.2000. The most likely cleavage site for a NOVI Oa peptide is between amino acids 13 and 14, at: MEA-QY.

Table IOD. Encoded NOVIOa protein sequence (SEQ ID NO : 29). <BR> <BR> <P>MSLMLDDQPPMEAQYAEEGPGPGIFRAEPGDQQHPISQAVCWRSMRRGCAV LGALGLLAGAGVGSWLLVLYL<BR> CPAASQPISGTLQDEEITLSCSEASAEEALLPALPKTVSFRINSEDFLLEAQVRDQPRWL LVCHEGWSPALG<BR> LQICWSLGHLRLTHHKGVNLTDIKLNSSQEFAQLSPRLGGFLEEAWQPRNNCTSGQWSLR CSECGARPLAS

RIVGGQSVAPGRWPWQASVALGFRHTCGGSVLAPRWVVTAAHCMHSAQNHDYDVALLRLQ TALNFSDTVGAV CLPAKEQHFPKGSRCWVSGWCHTHPSHTYSSDMLQDTVVPLLSTQLCNSSCVYSGALTPR MLCAGXLDGRAD<BR> ACQGDSGGPLVCPDGDTWRLVGVVSWGRGCAEPNHPGVYAKVAEFLDWIHDTAQDSLL A search of sequence databases reveals that the NOV lOb amino acid sequence has 262 of 262 amino acid residues (100%) identical to, and 262 of 262 amino acid residues (100%) similar to, the 457 amino acid residue ptnr: SWISSNEW-ACC : Q9H3S3 protein from Homo sapieyzs (Human) (Transmembrane protease, serine 5 (EC 3.4.21.-) (Spinesin) (E = 8. 7e-233).

Public amino acid databases include the GenBank databases, SwissProt, PDB and PJR.

NOVlOb is expressed in at least the following tissues: Colon, Brain, Placenta, Testis, Adrenal Gland/Suprarenal gland, Retina. Expression information was derived from the tissue sources of the sequences that were included in the derivation of the sequence of NOVI Ob. The sequence is predicted to be expressed in the following tissues because of the expression pattern of (GENBANK-ID : gb: GENBANK-ID: AB028140) acc ; AB028140. 1) a closely related Homo sapiens mRNA for spinesin, complete cds homolog in species Homo sapiens: brain.

TaqMan data for NOVlOa can be found below in Example 2. The proteins encoded by the NOVlOa and lOb nucleotides are very closely homologous as is shown in the alignment in Table IOE.

Table IOE Alignment of NOVlOa and lOb. 10 20 30 40 50 NOV20a NOVlOb I 60 70 8Q 90 100 NOVlOa __ 110 120 130 140 150 NOV1 70 80 90 100 110 12Q 30 140 1S0 160 170 180 190 200 110 120 130 140 150 Nova IfOVlOa = SRTTEAV 9 nove C) b--------w NOVlOa B H: ! S emttSE: t s M! g! gMa B SRTTEAvS 210 220 230 240 250 t] OVlOa _ « M q NOVlOa NOV1 Db ev ... m 260 270 280 290 300 plpVlpa SFRLARI, SSWRVHAGLVSHSAVRFHQGALVER 310 320 330 340 350 310 3nQ 330 340 350 NpVlOa ITPHPLX e 510VlOa IlFHFLY o

NOV20b-_n___ o n 360 370 380 390 400 NOVIDa... G o v NOV10b mcmm NOVlQa EE5GE NoVlOb wC F 410 420 430 440 450 NQVlOa. n ,,. v.. N OV l O b E 460 470 NOV10a p p 960 4 0 460 470 NOVla n V GAGVGQGDF (SEQ TD N0 : 27) >oVlOb ZDILL-s-tSEQ ID NO : 29) Homologies to any of the above NOV10 proteins will be shared by the other NOV10 protein insofar as they are homologous to each other as shown above. Any reference to NOV10 is assumed to refer to both of the NOV10 proteins in general, unless otherwise noted.

The disclosed NOVlOa polypeptide has homology to the amino acid sequences shown in the BLASTP data listed in Table 10OF.

Table lOF. BLAST results for NOVlOa Gene Index/Protein/Organism Length Identity Po Expect Identifier (aa) sitives ! %) gi#13540535#ref#NP transmembrane 457 452/463 453/463 0,.0 110397. 11 protease, serine (97%) (97%) 5; spinesin [Homo sapiensl #gi#13878822#sp#Q9ER TRANSMEMBRANE 455 360/461 394/461 0. 0 #04#TMS5_MOUSE PROTEASE, SERINE (78%) (85%) 5 (SPINESIN) gi#13507652#ref#NP_ transmembrane 445 354/451 388/451 0.0 109634.1 protease, serine (78%) (85%), 5 (spinesin) {Mus musculus] gi#14770563#ref#XP_ transmembrane 398 354/362 355/362 0.0 041427.1# protease, serine (97%) (97%) 5 [Homo sapiens] gi#12248777#dbj#BAB type 2 spinesin 311 2601317 281/317 e-146 20276.1# (AB016229) [Mus musculus] (82%) (88%) The homology between these and other sequences is shown graphically in the ClustalW analysis shown in Table 1 OG. In the ClustalW alignment of the NOV10 protein, as well as all other ClustalW analyses herein, the black outlined amino acid residues indicate regions of conserved sequence (i. e., regions that may be required to preserve structural or functional properties), whereas non-highlighted amino acid residues are less conserved and can potentially be altered to a much broader extent without altering protein structure or function.

Table 10G. ClustalW Analysis of NOV10 1) Novel NOVlOa (SEQ ID NO : 27) 2) Novel NVO10b (SEQ ID NO : 29) 4) gi#13540535#ref#NF_110397.1# transmembrane protease, serine 5 ; spinesin [Homo sapiens) (SEQ ID NO : 71) 5) gi#13878822#sp#Q9ER04#TMS5_MOUSE TRANSMEMBRANE PROTEASE, SERINE 5 (SPINESIN) (SEQ ID NO : 72) 6) gi#13507652#ref#NP_109634.1# transmembrane protease, serien 5 (spinesin) [Mus musculus] (SEQ ID NO : 73) 7) gi#14770563#ref#XP_041427.1# transmembrane protease, serine 5 [Homo sapiens] (SEQ ID NO : 74) 8) gi#12248777#dbj#BAB20276.1# (AB016229) tyep 2 spinesin [Mus musculus] (SEQ ID NO : 75) 10 20 30 40 r Q mlore, PI : v Pi i, Remi gi 1 l3507652 1 ^ IRCT i z X 9 EL BQSE SQ g3. (13878822 i PT a oS'i IRCTi L s s QS rSQ gi 13507652 __.. _______, TRCT I, o s Qg mgQ gi1147705631 ELUBAMMP y P **QHP 50 60 70 80 50 60-70 so NOVlOa CRS Cw QP t c c NOVlOb CRS C-Qp gi1135405351 C OPj, R v. . W.. gi I 13878822 Rj ; CCL I I PS gi1138'788221 RICCL I PS gi 114770563 | c s c Qe gi12248777 ________________________________________ 9Q 100 11a7120 NOVlOa o i I S SE gi EF7 Is : u TS giII35405351 s s E S) 0 3 : S u gi 13878822 e, y PG C S'Gi I, ga. 13507652 I PG C $'x, G yams g-i 12248777)-------------------------------- 13C) 140 150 160 NOVlOa. a-LQ W-H ! ' ? ; u. r 7 giII3540535) Q gi1138788221 Q Q gi I 13878822 Q gi 13507652 Q w- 130 140 150 160 gi 112248777 |------------------------MH I Q 170 180 190 200 .... (..., !.., J,,. !.... !.... b...).... ! NNOV1 0°b N S gsS BPi {FgQ8SRTTEAVR T's PM NOVIb vol Fa, L FLi __g gi 13540535 TiB n S o v p°, I, F7------ft gi I 38788221 Sm e^ e"7p 1,, ______g I gi I 13507652 I S d ip I,--_---g 1 gi11477056311 T's L F-------R g1112298777 Sm m w =Zp I, ______g tto 220 230 n4Q

lqovloa e rr v NOVlOb Ni T V y$ p r rr v gi 13540535 Ni T vg p a c r 1 v NOvlOa 2 F=GRIiE-3 v v v NOV10a rr v gi 14770563 Ni T V a ' r'' e s, $. p v. g1112298777 API ver' : .,. g-o. 250 260 27p 280 NOVlOa in r-r nr. e-r n r e N'i y gW 35405351 gi 13878822 Si i gi- r r, av' ryvr. gi I 13507652 S- Ii i gi- g11147705631 gi1224B7771 Sn-H iy g, _ 290 300 310 320 NOVlOa i g. "'1-p . o, e. NOVlOa uSE3EaPS _R S,'P gi 13540535 I S 'Pi s a n gi1138788221-Q '''1'' ! gi1135076521-Q rl' K t gi1147705631 S. gi112248777 i . v e w. 330 340 350 360 NOV3. Oa NOV10 a g gi l 13540535 | GQMHZ gi11387882211 I a . ni. gi 23507652 RHPL. aY- gi 112248777 |'PIS = ; =Y=lvj=Sz 9i1122987771"PR D ,, y 370 380 390 400 NOV1 0 w NOV10a so Pi. v 410 420 430 490 x vw v ., s gi 13540535 o s s ! Q p,-" 112 L gi 13878822 I i T a ° Ht gm i f ; gi 13507652 i e Ti a Hi gn nova g1112248777'-___T-ep-"H : aHv ,.. 47. 0 420 930 490 NOVlOa s- ,, NOVlOb -o s-, gi113540535 ne aL, gi113878822 r-.,., s-S H giII35076521 0-S H w gW 14770563 AP--------g QHS---QQLLRVQi----S A PM IQ H S----NLL R liiiiif 450 460 470 NOVlOa H3SVGAGVGQGDF NOVlOa H, SLL-------- gi) 135405351 H-SLL-------- wy, _ gi1135076521---------- gi147705631 P--------LPGRKG------------ gill224877711

Tables 1H-1@ lists the domain description from DOMAIN analysis results against NOV10. This indicates that the NOV 10 sequence has properties similar to those of other proteins known to contain this domain.

Table 10H Domain Analysis of NOV10 gn1#Smart#smart00020, Tyrp_SPc, Trypsin-like serine protease ; Many of these are synthesised as inactive precursor zymogens that are cleaved during limited proteolysis to generate their active forms. A few, however, are active as single chain molecules, and others are inactive due to substitutions of the catalytic triad residues. (SEQ ID NO : 96) CD-Length = 230 residues, 100. 0% aligned Score = 266 bits (681), Expect = 2e-72 Query: 224 RIVGGQSVAPGRWPWQASVAL-GFRHTCGGSVLAPRWVVTAAHCMHSFRLARLSSWRVHA 282 m<) +N H t) ! ++h. () +NU !-f-+ h N Sbjct : 1 RIVGGSEANIGSFPWQVSLQYRGGRHFCGGSLISPRWVLTAAHCVYGSAP---SSIRVRL 57 Query : 283 GLVSHSAVRPHQGALVERIIPHPLYSAQNHDYDVALLRLQTALNFSDTVGAVCLPAKEQH 342 f + I I ++ l I I 18 I I I I + 1 l 14 + Sbjct : 58 GSHDLSSGEETQTVKVSKVTVHPNYNPSTYDNDIALLKLSEPVTLSDTVRPICLPSSGYN 117 Query: 343 FPKGSRCWVSGWGHTHPSHTYSSDMLQDTVVPLLSTQLCNSSCVYSGALTPRMLCAGYLD 402 1 [1111t1 1 1 1 ll* ll++l I + 1+1 llß Sbjct : 118 VPAGTTCTVSGWGRTSESSGSLPDTLQEVNVPIVSNATCRRAYSGGPATTDNMLCAGGLE 177 Query : 403 GRADACQGDSGGPLVCPDGDTWRLVGVVSWGR-GCAEPNHPGVYAKVAEFLDWI 455 t m m t n H n + ( ! tf+u n i n i !. ! n ! +i+ + ! ! t ! Sbjct : 178 GGKDACQGDSGGPLVC-NDPRWVLVGIVSWGSYGCARPNKPGVYTRVSSYLDWI 230 Table 101. Domain Analysis of NOV10 gn1#Pfam#pfam00089, trypsin, Trypsin. Proteins recognized include all proteins in families S1, S2A, S2B, S2C, and S5 in the classification of peptidases. Also included are proteins that are clearly members, but that lack peptidase activity, such as haptoglobin and protein Z (PRTZ*). (SEQ ID LV0 : 97) CD-Length = 217 residues, 100. 0% aligned core = 211 bits (536), Expect = 6e-56 Query : 225 IVGGQSVAPGRWPNQASVALGFRHTCGGSVMPRMVVTAAHCMHSFRLARLSSMRVHAGL 284 I l f P II'II I I I I II++* I''IIIIII II'I II I Sbjct : 1 IVGGREAQAGSFPWQVSLQVSSGHFCGGSLISENWVLTAAHCVSG-----ASSVRVVLGE 55 Query : 285 VSHSAVRFH-QGALVERIIPHPLYSAQNHDYDVALLRLQTALNFSDTVGAVCLPAKEQHF 343 + f++II al I+ NIII+I + IhN NIP+ Sbjct : 56 HNLGTTEGTEQKFDVKKIIVHPNYNPDT--NDIALLKLKSPVTLGDTVRPICLPSASSDL 113 Query : 344 PKGSRCWVSSNGHTHPSHTYSSDMLQDTVVPLLSTQLCNSSCVYSGALTPRMLCAGYLDG 403 t ! I ! I I I I I + fì I I l+ I I 1++1 + I l+ I I Al 1+E Sbjct : 114 PVGTTCSVSGWGRTK--NGTSDTLQEVVVpIVSRETCRSA--YGGTVTDTMICAGALGG 169 Query : 404 RADACQGDSGGPLVCPDGDTWRLVGVVSWGRGCAEPNHFGVYAKVAEFbDWI 455 + i ì I ì I ì ì I ì ì ì ì I ì I I ì + t E ì I ì I I ì + I I I 1 4s 1 f f I ì ì I + IIIIIIIIIIIIIIPI PI IIIkd61111 IPI I+IIIIII II +IIII' Sbjct : 17Q K-DACQGDSGGPLVCSDG-__ELVGIVSWGYGCAVGDIYPGVYTRVSRYLWI 217

Failure to thrive, nutritional edema, and hypoproteinemia with normal sweat electrolytes were features of 2 affected male infants reported by Townes (1965) and Townes et al. (1967). A protein hydrolysate diet was beneficial. A male sib of the first patient reported by Townes (1965) had died, apparently of the same condition. Morris and Fisher (1967) reported an affected female who also had imperforate anus. The clinical picture in enterokinase deficiency (226200) is closely similar; however, the defect is not in the synthesis of trypsinogen but in the synthesis of the enterokinase which activates proteolytic enzymes produced by the pancreas. Oral pancreatin represents a therapeutically successful form of enzyme replacement (Townes, 1972). Trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), like elastase (130120), is a member of the pancreatic family of serine proteases. MacDonald et al. (1982) reported nucleotide sequences of cDNAs representing 2 pancreatic rat trypsinogens. Using a rat cDNA probe, Honey et al. (1984,1984) found that a 3.8-kb DNA fragment containing human trypsin- 1 gene sequences cosegregated with chromosome 7, and assigned the gene further to 7q22- 7qter by study of hybrids with a deletion of this segment. The trypsin gene is on mouse chromosome 6 (Honey et al., 1984). Carboxypeptidase A (114850) and trypsin are a syntenic pair conserved in mouse and man. Emi et al. (1986) isolated cDNA clones for 2 major human trypsinogen isozymes from a pancreatic cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequences had 89% homology and the same number of amino acids (247), including a 15-amino acid signal peptide and an 8-amino acid activation peptide. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA with the cloned cDNA as a probe showed that the human trypsinogen genes constitute a family of more than 10, some of which may be pseudogenes or may be expressed in other stages of development.

Rowen et al. (1996) found that there are 8 trypsinogen genes embedded in the beta T- cell receptor locus or cluster of genes (TCRB ; 186930) mapping to 7q35. In the 685-kb DNA segment that they sequenced they found 5 tandemly arrayed 10-kb locus-specific repeats (homology units) at the 3-prime end of the locus. These repeats exhibited 90 to 91% overall nucleotide similarity, and embedded within each is a trypsinogen gene. Alignment of pancreatic trypsinogen cDNAs with the germline sequences showed that these trypsinogen genes contain 5 exons that span approximately 3.6 kb. Further analyses revealed 2 trypsinogen pseudogenes and 1 relic trypsinogen gene at the 5-prime end of the sequence, all in inverted transcriptional orientation. They denoted 8 trypsinogen genes Tl through T8 from 5-prime to 3-prime.

Rowen et al. (1996) found that only 2 of 3 pancreatically expressed trypsinogen cDNAs correspond to trypsinogen genes in the TCRB locus; T4 was denoted trypsinogen I

and T8 was denoted trypsinogen 2 (601564). The third pancreatic cDNA, identified independently as trypsinogen 3 (Tani et al., 1990) and 4 (Wiegand et al., 1993), is distinct from the third apparently functional trypsinogen gene (T6) in the TCRJB locus but related to the other pancreatic trypsinogens. Rowen et al. (1996) stated that the T6 gene is deleted in a common insertion-deletion polymorphism ; if it is functional, its function is apparently not essential. Some of the trypsinogen genes are expressed in nonpancreatic tissues where their function is unknown. Rowen et al. (1996) noted that the intercalation of the trypsinogen genes in the TCRB locus is conserved in mouse and chicken, suggesting shared functional or regulatory constraints, as has been postulated for genes in the major histocompatibility complex (such as class I, II, and III genes) that share similar long-term organizational relationships.

Rowen et al. (1996) mapped the gene corresponding to the third pancreatic trypsinogen cDNA by fluorescence in situ hybridization. They used a cosmid clone containing 3 trypsinogen genes. Strong hybridization to chromosome 7 and weaker hybridization to chromosome 9 were observed. They isolated and partially sequenced 4 cosmid clones from the chromosome 9 region. They found that the region represents a duplication and translocation of a DNA segment from the 3-prime end of the TCRB locus that includes at least 7 V (beta) elements and a functional trypsinogen gene denoted T9. The assignment of the PRSS1 gene to 7q35 is established by the demonstration of its sequence within the sequence of the'locus'for the T-cell receptor beta-chain (Rowen et al., 1996). Since hereditary pancreatitis (167800) has been mapped rather precisely to 7q35 and since a defect in the trypsinogen gene has been identified in hereditary pancreatitis, the assignment of the trypsinogen gene can be refined from 7q32-qter to 7q35.

Whitcomb et al. (1996) stated that the high degree of DNA sequence homology (more than 91%) present among this cluster of 5 trypsinogen genes identified by Rowen et al. (1996) demanded that highly specific sequence analysis strategies be developed for mutational screening in families with hereditary pancreatitis. This was necessary to ensure that each sequencing run contained only the 2 alleles corresponding to a single gene, thereby permitting detection of heterozygotes in this autosomal dominant disorder, and not a dozen or more alleles from multiple related trypsinogen-like genes, which would make detection of heterozygotes nearly impossible. In a family with hereditary pancreatitis, Whitcomb et al.

(1996) found that affected individuals had a single G-to-A transition mutation in the third exon of cationic trypsinogen (276000. 0001). This mutation was predicted to result in an arg105-to- his substitution in the trypsin gene (residue number 117 in the more common chymotrypsin

number system). Subsequently, the same mutation was found in a total of 5 different hereditary pancreatitis kindreds (4 from the U. S. and 1 from Italy) containing a total of 20 affected individuals and 6 obligate carriers. The mutation was found in none of the obligate unaffected members (individuals who married into the family). Subsequent haplotyping revealed that all 4 of the American families displayed the same high risk haplotype over a 4- cM region encompassing 7 STR markers, confirming the likelihood that these kindreds shared a common ancestor, although no link could be found through 8 generations. A fifth family from Italy displayed a unique haplotype indicating that the same mutation had occurred on at least 2 occasions. The G-to-A mutation at codon 117 created a novel enzyme recognition site for AflIII which provided a facile means to screen for the mutation. As with the obligate unaffected members of the pancreatitis kindreds, none of 140 controls possessed the G-to-A mutation as assayed by the lack Or AflIII digestion of the amplified exonic DNA.

Ferec et al. (1999) studied 14 families with hereditary pancreatitis and found mutations in the PRSS1 gene in 8 families. In 4 of these families, the mutation (RI 17H ; 276000.0001) had been described by Whitcomb et al. (1996). Three mutations were described in 4 other families (276000.0002,276000.0003,276000.0005).

Sahin-Toth et al. (1999) studied the roles of the 2 most frequent PRSS1 mutations in hereditary pancreatitis, RI 17H and N211 (276000.0002). They stated that the R11 7H mutation is believed to cause pancreatitis by eliminating an essential autolytic cleavage site in trypsin, thereby rendering the protease resistant to inactivation through autolysis. Sahin-Toth et al.

(1999) demonstrated that the RI 17H mutation also significantly inhibited autocatalytic trypsinogen breakdown under Ca (2+)-free conditions and stabilized the zymogen form of rat trypsin. Taken together with findings demonstrating that the N21I mutation stabilized rat trypsinogen against autoactivation and consequent autocatalytic degradation, the observations suggested a unifying molecular pathomechanism for hereditary pancreatitis in which zymogen stabilization plays a central role.

Sahin-Toth and Toth (2000) demonstrated that the Rl 17H and N211 mutations significantly enhance autoactivation of human cationic trypsinogen in vitro, in a manner that correlates with the severity of clinical symptoms in hereditary pancreatitis. In addition, the Rl 17H mutation inhibited autocatalytic inactivation of trypsin, while the N211 mutation had no such effect. Thus, increased trypsinogen activation in the pancreas is presumably the common initiating step in both forms of hereditary pancreatitis, whereas trypsin stabilization may also contribute to hereditary pancreatitis associated with the Rl 17H mutation.

The disclosed NOV10 nucleic acid of the invention encoding a spinesin-like protein includes the nucleic acid whose sequence is provided in Table IOA and lOD or a fragment thereof. The invention also includes a mutant or variant nucleic acid any of whose bases may be changed from the corresponding base shown in Table lOA and 10D while still encoding a protein that maintains its spinesin-like activities and physiological functions, or a fragment of such a nucleic acid. The invention further includes nucleic acids whose sequences are complementary to those just described, including nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to any of the nucleic acids just described. The invention additionally includes nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments, or complements thereto, whose structures include chemical modifications. Such modifications include, by way of nonlimiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject. In the mutant or variant nucleic acids, and their complements, up to about 40% percent of the bases may be so changed.

The disclosed NOV10 protein of the invention includes the spinesin-like protein whose sequence is provided in Table lOB or 10E. The invention also includes a mutant or variant protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residue shown in Table 1 OB or I OE while still encoding a protein that maintains its spinesin-like activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof. In the mutant or variant protein, up to about 22% percent of the residues may be so changed.

The invention further encompasses antibodies and antibody fragments, such as Fab or (Fab) 2, that bind immunospecifically to any of the proteins of the invention.

The above defined information for this invention suggests that this spinesin-like protein (NOV10) may function as a member of a"spinesin family". Therefore, the NOV10 nucleic acids and proteins identified here may be useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in (but not limited to) various pathologies and disorders as indicated below. The potential therapeutic applications for this invention include, but are not limited to: protein therapeutic, small molecule drug target, antibody target (therapeutic, diagnostic, drug targeting/cytotoxic antibody), diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, gene therapy (gene delivery/gene ablation), research tools, tissue regeneration iii vivo and in oitfo of all tissues and cell types composing (but not limited to) those defined here.

The NOV10 nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential therapeutic applications implicated in cancer including but not limited to various pathologies

and disorders as indicated below. For example, a cDNA encoding the spinesin-like protein (NOVIO) may be useful in gene therapy, and the spinesin-like protein (NOV10) may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof. By way of nonlimiting example, the compositions of the present invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from cancer, trauma, tissue regeneration (in vitro and in vivo), viral/bacteriaMparasitic infections, immunological disease, respiratory disease, gastro-intestinal diseases, reproductive health, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, bone marrow transplantation, metabolic and endocrine diseases, allergy and inflammation, nephrological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, muscle, bone, joint and skeletal disorders, hematopoietic disorders, urinary system disorders, Tissue and organ transplantation, Cardiomyopathy, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Congenital heart defects, Aortic stenosis, Atrial septal defect (ASD), Atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, Ductus arteriosus, Pulmonary stenosis, Subaortic stenosis, Ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, Scleroderma, Obesity, Hypertension, Fibromuscular dysplasia, Stroke, Aneurysm, Myocardial infarction, Embolism, Bypass surgery, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Diabetes, Von Hippel- Lindau (VHL) syndrome, Pancreatitis, Hyperparathyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism, SIDS, Endometriosis, infertility, Xerostomia, Hypercalceimia, Ulcers, Cirrhosis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diverticular disease, Hirschsprung's disease, Crohn's Disease, Appendicitis, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, autoimmume disease, allergies, immunodeficiencies, transplantation, Graft vesus host disease (GVHD), Ataxia-telangiectasia, Autoimmume disease, Hemophilia, Hypercoagulation, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Immunodeficiencies, Lymphedema, Allergies, Hemophilia, hypercoagulation, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Lymphaedema, Tonsilitis, Osteoporosis, Hypercalceimia, Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Scoliosis, Tendinitis, Muscular dystrophy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Myasthenia gravis, Dental disease and infection, Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Tuberous sclerosis, hypercalceimia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Cerebral palsy, Bpilepsy. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Multiple sclerosis, Ataxia-telangiectasia, Behavioral disorders, Addiction, Anxiety, Pain, Neuroprotection, Endocrine dysfunctions, Growth and reproductive disorders, Myasthenia gravis, Leukodystrophies, Pain, Neuroprotection, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune disease, Emphysema, Scleroderma, ARDS, Pharyngitis, Laryngitis, Asthma, Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Psoriasis, Actinic keratosis, Tuberous sclerosis, Acne, Hair growth, alopecia, pigmentation disorders, endocrine disorders, cystitis, incontinence, Autoimmune disease, Renal artery stenosis, Interstitial nephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Polycystic kidney disease,

Systemic lupus erythematosus, Renal tubular acidosis, IgA nephropathy, Hypercalceimia, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Vesicoureteral reflux, and other pathologies and conditions.. The NOV10 nucleic acid encoding the spinesin-like protein of the invention, or fragments thereof, may further be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed.

NOV10 nucleic acids and polypeptides are further useful in the generation of antibodies that bind immuno-specifically to the novel NOVIO substances for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods. These antibodies may be generated according to methods known in the art, using prediction from hydrophobicity charts, as described in the"Anti- NOVX Antibodies"section below. The disclosed NOV10 protein has multiple hydrophilic regions, each of which can be used as an immunogen. In one embodiment, a contemplated NOV10 epitope is from about amino acids 5 to 50. In another embodiment, a NOV10 epitope is from about amino acids 60 to 70. In additional embodiments, NOV10 epitope is from about amino acids 100 to 130, from about amino acids 140 to 210, from about amino acid 270 to 320, from about amino acid 340 to 360, from about amino acid 390 to 410, and from about amino acids 430 to 450. These novel proteins can be used in assay systems for functional analysis of various human disorders, which will help in understanding of pathology of the disease and development of new drug targets for various disorders.

NOVX Nucleic Acids and Polypeptides One aspect of the invention pertains to isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode NOVX polypeptides or biologically active portions thereof. Also included in the invention are nucleic acid fragments sufficient for use as hybridization probes to identify NOVX-encoding nucleic acids (e. g., NOVX mRNAs) and fragments for use as PCR primers for the amplification and/or mutation of NOVX nucleic acid molecules. As used herein, the term "nucleic acid molecule"is intended to include DNA molecules (e. g., cDNA or genomic DNA), RNA molecules (e. g., mRNA), analogs of the DNA or RNA generated using nucleotide analogs, and derivatives, fragments and homologs thereof The nucleic acid molecule may be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is comprised double- stranded DNA.

An NOVX nucleic acid can encode a mature NOVX polypeptide. As used herein, a "mature"forni of a polypeptide or protein disclosed in the present invention is the product of a naturally occurring polypeptide or precursor form or proprotein. The naturally occurring

polypeptide, precursor or proprotein includes, by way ofnonlimiting example, the full-length gene product, encoded by the corresponding gene. Alternatively, it may be defined as the polypeptide, precursor or proprotein encoded by an ORF described herein. The product "mature"fonn arises, again by way of nonlimiting example, as a result of one or more naturally occurring processing steps as they may take place within the cell, or host cell, in which the gene product arises. Examples of such processing steps leading to a"mature"form of a polypeptide or protein include the cleavage of the N-terminal methionine residue encoded by the initiation codon of an ORF, or the proteolytic cleavage of a signal peptide or leader sequence. Thus a mature form arising from a precursor polypeptide or protein that has residues 1 to N, where residue 1 is the N-terminal methionine, would have residues 2 through N remaining after removal of the N-terminal methionine. Alternatively, a mature form arising from a precursor polypeptide or protein having residues I to N, in which an N-terminal signal sequence from residue 1 to residue M is cleaved, would have the residues from residue M+l to residue N remaining. Further as used herein, a"mature"form of a polypeptide or protein may arise from a step of post-translational modification other than a proteolytic cleavage event.

Such additional processes include, by way of non-limiting example, glycosylation, myristoylation or phosphorylation. In general, a mature polypeptide or protein may result from the operation of only one of these processes, or a combination of any of them.

The term"probes", as utilized herein, refers to nucleic acid sequences of variable length, preferably between at least about 10 nucleotides (nt), 100 nt, or as many as approximately, e. g., 6,000 nt, depending upon the specific use. Probes are used in the detection of identical, similar, or complementary nucleic acid sequences. Longer length probes are generally obtained from a natural or recombinant source, are highly specific, and much slower to hybridize than shorter-length oligomer probes. Probes may be single-or double-stranded and designed to have specificity in PCR, membrane-based hybridization technologies, or ELISA-like technologies.

The term"isolated"nucleic acid molecule, as utilized herein, is one, which is separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid.

Preferably, an"isolatedt'nucleic acid is free of sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid (i. e., sequences located at the 5'-and 3'-termini of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated NOVX nucleic acid molecules can contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0. 5 kb or 0.1 kb of nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA ofthe cellZtissue from which the nucleic acid is derived (e. g., brain, heart, liver,

spleen, etc.). Moreover, an"isolated"nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

A nucleic acid molecule of the invention, e. g., a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or a complement of this aforementioned nucleotide sequence, can be isolated using standard molecular biology techniques and the sequence information provided herein. Using all or a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS : 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23, 25, and 28 as a hybridization probe, NOVX molecules can be isolated using standard hybridization and cloning techniques (e. g., as described in Sambrook, et al., (eds.), MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 1989; and Ausubel, et al., (eds.), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1993.) A nucleic acid of the invention can be amplified using cDNA, mRNA or alternatively, genomic DNA, as a template and appropriate oligonucleotide primers according to standard PCR amplification techniques. The nucleic acid so amplified can be cloned into an appropriate vector and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, oligonucleotides corresponding to NOVX nucleotide sequences can be prepared by standard synthetic techniques, e. g., using an automated DNA synthesizer.

As used herein, the term"oligonucleotide"refers to a series of linked nucleotide residues, which oligonucleotide has a sufficient number of nucleotide bases to be used in a PCR reaction. A short oligonucleotide sequence may be based on, or designed from, a genomic or cDNA sequence and is used to amplify, confirm, or reveal the presence of an identical, similar or complementary DNA or RNA in a particular cell or tissue.

Oligonucleotides comprise portions of a nucleic acid sequence having about 10 nt, 50 nt, or 100 nt in length, preferably about 15 nt to 30 nt in length. In one embodiment of the invention, an oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid molecule less than 100 nt in length would further comprise at least 6 contiguous nucleotides SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or a complement thereof. Oligonucleotides may be chemically synthesized and may also be used as probes.

In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleic acid molecule that is a complement of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or a portion of this nucleotide

sequence (e. g., a fragment that can be used as a probe or primer or a fragment encoding a biologically-active portion of an NOVX polypeptide). A nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19,21,23,25, or 28 is one that is sufficiently complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, or 28 that it can hydrogen bond with little or no mismatches to the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9, 11, 13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, thereby forming a stable duplex.

As used herein, the term"complementary"refers to Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen base pairing between nucleotides units of a nucleic acid molecule, and the term"binding"means the physical or chemical interaction between two polypeptides or compounds or associated polypeptides or compounds or combinations thereof. Binding includes ionic, non-ionic, van der Waals, hydrophobic interactions, and the like. A physical interaction can be either direct or indirect. Indirect interactions may be through or due to the effects of another polypeptide or compound. Direct binding refers to interactions that do not take place through, or due to, the effect of another polypeptide or compound, but instead are without other substantial chemical intermediates.

Fragments provided herein are defined as sequences of at least 6 (contiguous) nucleic acids or at least 4 (contiguous) amino acids, a length sufficient to allow for specific hybridization in the case of nucleic acids or for specific recognition of an epitope in the case of amino acids, respectively, and are at most some portion less than a full length sequence.

Fragments may be derived from any contiguous portion of a nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of choice. Derivatives are nucleic acid sequences or amino acid sequences formed from the native compounds either directly or by modification or partial substitution. Analogs are nucleic acid sequences or amino acid sequences that have a structure similar to, but not identical to, the native compound but differs from it in respect to certain components or side chains. Analogs may be synthetic or from a different evolutionary origin and may have a similar or opposite metabolic activity compared to wild type. Homologs are nucleic acid sequences or amino acid sequences of a particular gene that are derived from different species.

Derivatives and analogs may be full length or other than full length, if the derivative or analog contains a modified nucleic acid or amino acid, as described below. Derivatives or analogs of the nucleic acids or proteins of the invention include, but are not limited to, molecules comprising regions that are substantially homologous to the nucleic acids or proteins of the invention, in various embodiments, by at least about 70%, 80%, or 95% identity (with a preferred identity of 80-95%) over a nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of

identical size or when compared to an aligned sequence in which the alignment is done by a computer homology program known in the art, or whose encoding nucleic acid is capable of hybridizing to the complement of a sequence encoding the aforementioned proteins under stringent, moderately stringent, or low stringent conditions. See e. g. Ausubel, et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS nv MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1993, and below.

A"homologous nucleic acid sequence"or"homologous amino acid sequence,"or variations thereof, refer to sequences characterized by a homology at the nucleotide level or amino acid level as discussed above. Homologous nucleotide sequences encode those sequences coding for isoforms of NOVX polypeptides. Isoforms can be expressed in different tissues of the same organism as a result of, for example, alternative splicing of RNA.

Alternatively, isoforms can be encoded by different genes. In the invention, homologous nucleotide sequences include nucleotide sequences encoding for an NOVX polypeptide of species other than humans, including, but not limited to: vertebrates, and thus can include, e. g., frog, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat cow, horse, and other organisms. Homologous nucleotide sequences also include, but are not limited to, naturally occurring allelic variations and mutations of the nucleotide sequences set forth herein. A homologous nucleotide sequence does not, however, include the exact nucleotide sequence encoding human NOVX protein.

Homologous nucleic acid sequences include those nucleic acid sequences that encode conservative amino acid substitutions (see below) in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19,21,23,25, and 28, as well as a polypeptide possessing NOVX biological activity. Various biological activities of the NOVX proteins are described below.

An NOVX polypeptide is encoded by the open reading frame ("ORF") of an NOVX nucleic acid. An ORF corresponds to a nucleotide sequence that could potentially be translated into a polypeptide. A stretch of nucleic acids comprising an ORF is uninterrupted by a stop codon. An ORF that represents the coding sequence for a full protein begins with an ATG "start"codon and terminates with one of the three"stop"codons, namely, TAA, TAG, or TGA. For the purposes of this invention, an ORF may be any part of a coding sequence, with or without a start codon, a stop codon, or both. For an ORF to be considered as a good candidate for coding for a bons fixe cellular protein, a minimum size requirement is often set, e. g., a stretch of DNA that would encode a protein of 50 amino acids or more.

The nucleotide sequences determined from the cloning of the human NOVX genes allows for the generation of probes and primers designed for use in identifying and/or cloning NOVX homologues in other cell types, e. g. from other tissues, as well as NOVX homologues from other vertebrates. The probe/primer typically comprises substantially purified

oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide typically comprises a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to at least about 12,25,50,100,150,200,250,300,350 or 400 consecutive sense strand nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19,21,23,25, or 28; or an anti-sense strand nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9, 11, 13,15,17,19,21,23,25, or 28; or of a naturally occurring mutant of SEQ ID NOS: I, 3,5, 7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28.

Probes based on the human NOVX nucleotide sequences can be used to detect transcripts or genomic sequences encoding the same or homologous proteins. In various embodiments, the probe further comprises a label group attached thereto, e. g. the label group can be a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, an enzyme, or an enzyme co-factor. Such probes can be used as a part of a diagnostic test kit for identifying cells or tissues which mis- express an NOVX protein, such as by measuring a level of an NOVX-encoding nucleic acid in a sample of cells from a subject e. g., detecting NOVX mRNA levels or determining whether a genomic NOVX gene has been mutated or deleted.

"A polypeptide having a biologically-active portion of an NOVX polypeptide"refers to polypeptides exhibiting activity similar, but not necessarily identical to, an activity of a polypeptide of the invention, including mature forms, as measured in a particular biological assay, with or without dose dependency. A nucleic acid fragment encoding a"biologically- active portion of NOVX"can be prepared by isolating a portion SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11, 13,15,17,19,21,23,25, or 28, that encodes a polypeptide having an NOVX biological activity (the biological activities of the NOVX proteins are described below), expressing the encoded portion of NOVX protein (e. g., by recombinant expression in vitro) and assessing the activity of the encoded portion of NOVX.

NOVX Nucleic Acid and Polypeptide Variants The invention further encompasses nucleic acid molecules that differ from the nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17, 19,21,23,25, and 28 due to degeneracy of the genetic code and thus encode the same NOVX proteins as that encoded by the nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19, 21,23,25, and 28. In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention has a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16, 18,20,22,24,27, or 29.

In addition to the human NOVX nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5, 7, 9,11, 13, 15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that

DNA sequence polymorphisms that lead to changes in the amino acid sequences of the NOVX polypeptides may exist within a population (e. g., the human population). Such genetic polymorphism in the NOVX genes may exist among individuals within a population due to natural allelic variation. As used herein, the terms"gene"and"recombinant gene"refer to nucleic acid molecules comprising an open reading frame (ORF) encoding an NOVX protein, preferably a vertebrate NOVX protein. Such natural allelic variations can typically result in 1-5% variance in the nucleotide sequence of the NOVX genes. Any and all such nucleotide variations and resulting amino acid polymorphisms in the NOVX polypeptides, which are the result of natural allelic variation and that do not alter the functional activity of the NOVX polypeptides, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, nucleic acid molecules encoding NOVX proteins from other species, and thus that have a nucleotide sequence that differs from the human SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9, 11, 13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28 are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Nucleic acid molecules corresponding to natural allelic variants and homologues of the NOVX cDNAs of the invention can be isolated based on their homology to the human NOVX nucleic acids disclosed herein using the human cDNAs, or a portion thereof, as a hybridization probe according to standard hybridization techniques under stringent hybridization conditions.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 6 nucleotides in length and hybridizes under stringent conditions to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11, 13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid is at least 10,25, 50,100,250,500,750,1000,1500, or 2000 or more nucleotides in length. In yet another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention hybridizes to the coding region. As used herein, the term"hybridizes under stringent conditions"is intended to describe conditions for hybridization and washing under which nucleotide sequences at least 60% homologous to each other typically remain hybridized to each other.

Homologs (i. e., nucleic acids encoding NOVX proteins derived from species other than human) or other related sequences (e. g., paralogs) can be obtained by low, moderate or high stringency hybridization with all or a portion of the particular human sequence as a probe using methods well known in the art for nucleic acid hybridization and cloning.

As used herein, the phrase"stringent hybridization conditions"refers to conditions under which a probe, primer or oligonucleotide will hybridize to its target sequence, but to no other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Longer sequences hybridize specifically at higher temperatures than

shorter sequences. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5'C lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength, pH and nucleic acid concentration) at which 50% of the probes complementary to the target sequence hybridize to the target sequence at equilibrium. Since the target sequences are generally present at excess, at Tm, 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0 M sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M sodium ion (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30OC for short probes, primers or oligonucleotides (e. g., 10 nt to 50 nt) and at least about 60°C for longer probes, primers and oligonucleotides. Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents, such as formamide.

Stringent conditions are known to those skilled in the art and can be found in Ausubel, et al., (eds.), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, N. Y.

(1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6. Preferably, the conditions are such that sequences at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% homologous to each other typically remain hybridized to each other. A non-limiting example of stringent hybridization conditions are hybridization in a high salt buffer comprising 6X SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% BSA, and 500 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA at 65°C, followed by one or more washes in 0. 2X SSC, 0.01% BSA at 50°C. An isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the sequences SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, corresponds to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid molecule. As used herein, a"naturally-occurring"nucleic acid molecule refers to an RNA or DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that occurs in nature (e. g., encodes a natural protein).

In a second embodiment, a nucleic acid sequence that is hybridizable to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19, 21,23,25, and 28, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof, under conditions of moderate stringency is provided. A non-limiting example of moderate stringency hybridization conditions are hybridization in 6X SSC, 5X Denhardt's solution, 0.5% SDS and 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA at 55°C, followed by one or more washes in 1XSSC, 0. 1% SDS at 37°C. Other conditions of moderate stringency that may be used are well-known within the art. See, e. g., Ausubel, et al. (eds.), 1993, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, NY, and Kriegler, 1990; GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Stockton Press, NY.

In a third embodiment, a nucleic acid that is hybridizable to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof, under conditions of low stringency, is provided. A non-limiting example of low stringency hybridization conditions are hybridization in 35% formamide, 5X SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.5), 5 mM EDTA, 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.2% BSA, 100 mg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA, 10% (wt/vol) dextran sulfate at 40°G, followed by one or more washes in 2X SSC, 25 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.4), 5 mM EDTA, and 0.1% SDS at 50°C. Other conditions of low stringency that may be used are well known in the art (e. g., as employed for cross-species hybridizations). See, e. g., Ausubel, et al. (eds.), 1993, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, NY, and Kriegler, 1990, GENE TRANSFER AND EXPRESSION, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Stockton Press, NY; Shilo and Weinberg, 1981. Proc NatlzIcad Sci USA 78: 6789-6792.

Conservative Mutations In addition to naturally-occurring allelic variants of NOVX sequences that may exist in the population, the skilled artisan will further appreciate that changes can be introduced by mutation into the nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23, 25, and 28, thereby leading to changes in the amino acid sequences of the encoded NOVX proteins, without altering the functional ability of said NOVX proteins. For example, nucleotide substitutions leading to amino acid substitutions at"non-essential"amino acid residues can be made in the sequence SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24, 27, or 29. A"non-essential"amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequences of the NOVX proteins without altering their biological activity, whereas an"essential"amino acid residue is required for such biological activity. For example, amino acid residues that are conserved among the NOVX proteins of the invention are predicted to be particularly non-amenable to alteration. Amino acids for which conservative substitutions can be made are well-known within the art.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to nucleic acid molecules encoding NOVX proteins that contain changes in amino acid residues that are not essential for activity. Such NOVX proteins differ in amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19, 21,23,25, and 28 yet retain biological activity. In one embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein, wherein the protein

comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 45% homologous to the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, and 29. Preferably, the protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule is at least about 60% homologous to SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16, 18, 20,22,24,27, and 29; more preferably at least about 70% homologous SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29; still more preferably at least about 80% homologous to SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20, 22,24,27, or 29; even more preferably at least about 90% homologous to SEQ ID NOS: 2,4, 6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29; and most preferably at least about 95% homologous to SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8, 10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29.

An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an NOVX protein homologous to the protein of SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29 can be created by introducing one or more nucleotide substitutions, additions or deletions into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, such that one or more amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions are introduced into the encoded protein.

Mutations can be introduced into SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23, 25, and 28 by standard techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis. Preferably, conservative amino acid substitutions are made at one or more predicted, non-essential amino acid residues. A"conservative amino acid substitution"is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined within the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e. g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e. g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e. g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e. g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e. g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e. g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a predicted non-essential amino acid residue in the NOVX protein is replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. Alternatively, in another embodiment, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of an NOVX coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for NOVX biological activity to identify mutants that retain activity. Following mutagenesis SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13,15,17,19,21, 23, 25, and 28, the encoded protein can be expressed by any recombinant technology known in the art and the activity of the protein can be determined.

The relatedness of amino acid families may also be determined based on side chain interactions. Substituted amino acids may be fully conserved"strong"residues or fully conserved"weak"residues. The"strong"group of conserved amino acid residues may be any one of the following groups: STA, NEQK, NHQK, NDEQ, QHRK, MILV, MILF, HY, FYW, wherein the single letter amino acid codes are grouped by those amino acids that may be substituted for each other. Likewise, the"weak"group of conserved residues may be any one of the following: CSA, ATV, SAG, STNK, STPA, SGND, SNDEQK, NDEQHK, NEQHRK, VLIM, HFY, wherein the letters within each group represent the single letter amino acid code.

In one embodiment, a mutant NOVX protein can be assayed for (i) the ability to form protein : protein interactions with other NOVX proteins, other cell-surface proteins, or biologically-active portions thereof, (ii) complex formation between a mutant NOVX protein and an NOVX ligand; or (iii) the ability of a mutant NOVX protein to bind to an intracellular target protein or biologically-active portion thereof ; (e. g. avidin proteins).

In yet another embodiment, a mutant NOVX protein can be assayed for the ability to regulate a specific biological function (e. g., regulation of insulin release).

Antisense Nucleic Acids Another aspect of the invention pertains to isolated antisense nucleic acid molecules that are hybridizable to or complementary to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or fragments, analogs or derivatives thereof. An"antisense"nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a"sense"nucleic acid encoding a protein (e. g., complementary to the coding strand of a double-stranded cDNA molecule or complementary to an mRNA sequence). In specific aspects, antisense nucleic acid molecules are provided that comprise a sequence complementary to at least about 10, 25, 50, 100,250 or 500 nucleotides or an entire NOVX coding strand, or to only a portion thereof. Nucleic acid molecules encoding fragments, homologs, derivatives and analogs of an NOVX protein ofSEQ ID NOS: 2, 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29, or antisense nucleic acids complementary to an NOVX nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17, 19,21,23,25, and 28, are additionally provided.

In one embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a"coding region"of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding an NOVX protein. The term "coding region"refers to the region of the nucleotide sequence comprising codons which are translated into amino acid residues. In another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid

molecule is antisense to a"noncoding region"of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding the NOVX protein. The term"noncoding region"refers to 5'and 3'sequences which flank the coding region that are not translated into amino acids (i. e., also referred to as 5'and 3'untranslated regions).

Given the coding strand sequences encoding the NOVX protein disclosed herein, antisense nucleic acids of the invention can be designed according to the rules of Watson and Crick or Hoogsteen base pairing. The antisense nucleic acid molecule can be complementary to the entire coding region of NOVX mRNA, but more preferably is an oligonucleotide that is antisense to only a portion of the coding or noncoding region of NOVX mRNA. For example, the antisense oligonucleotide can be complementary to the region surrounding the translation start site of NOVX mRNA. An antisense oligonucleotide can be, for example, about 5,10,15, 20,25,30,35,40,45 or 50 nucleotides in length. An antisense nucleic acid of the invention can be constructed using chemical synthesis or enzymatic ligation reactions using procedures known in the art. For example, an antisense nucleic acid (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide) can be chemically synthesized using naturally-occurring nucleotides or variously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biological stability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of the duplex formed between the antisense and sense nucleic acids (e. g., phosphorothioate derivatives and acridine substituted nucleotides can be used).

Examples of modified nucleotides that can be used to generate the antisense nucleic acid include: 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5- (carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl- 2-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, i nosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methylguanine, I-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5'-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3- (3-amino-3-N-7-carboxypropyl) uracil, (acp3) W, and 2, G-diaminopurine. Alternatively, the antisense nucleic acid can be produced biologically using an expression vector into which a nucleic acid has been subcloned in an antisense orientation (i. e., RNA transcribed From the inserted nucleic acid will be of an antisense orientation to a target nucleic acid of interest, described further in the following subsection),

The antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention are typically administered to a subject or generated iii sitii such that they hybridize with or bind to cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA encoding an NOVX protein to thereby inhibit expression of the protein (e. g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation). The hybridization can be by conventional nucleotide complementarity to form a stable duplex, or, for example, in the case of an antisense nucleic acid molecule that binds to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix. An example of a route of administration of antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention includes direct injection at a tissue site. Alternatively, antisense nucleic acid molecules can be modified to target selected cells and then administered systemically. For example, for systemic administration, antisense molecules can be modified such that they specifically bind to receptors or antigens expressed on a selected cell surface (e. g., by linking the antisense nucleic acid molecules to peptides or antibodies that bind to cell surface receptors or antigens). The antisense nucleic acid molecules can also be delivered to cells using the vectors described herein. To achieve sufficient nucleic acid molecules, vector constructs in which the antisense nucleic acid molecule is placed under the control of a strong pol II or pol III promoter are preferred.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an a-anomeric nucleic acid molecule. An a-anomeric nucleic acid molecule forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual (3-units, the strands run parallel to each other. See, e. g., Gaultier, et al., 1987. Nucl. Acids Res. 15: 6625-6641. The antisense nucleic acid molecule can also comprise a 2'-o-methylribonucleotide (See, e. g., Inoue, et al. 1987. Nllcl. Acicls Res. 15: 6131-6148) or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (See, e. g., Inoue, et al., 1987. FEBSLetl. 215: 327-330.

Ribozymes and PNA Moieties Nucleic acid modifications include, by way of non-limiting example, modified bases, and nucleic acids whose sugar phosphate backbones are modified or derivatized. These modifications are carried out at least in part to enhance the chemical stability of the modified nucleic acid, such that they may be used, for example, as antisense binding nucleic acids in therapeutic applications in a subject.

In one embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid of the invention is a ribozyme.

Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules with ribonuclease activity that are capable of cleaving a single-stranded nucleic acid, such as an mRNA, to which they have a complementary region. Thus, ribozymes (e. g., hammerhead ribozymes as described in

Haselhoff and Gerlach 1988. Nature 334: 585-591) can be used to catalytically cleave NOVX mRNA transcripts to thereby inhibit translation of NOVX mRNA. A ribozyme having specificity for an NOVX-encoding nucleic acid can be designed based upon the nucleotide sequence of an NOVX cDNA disclosed herein (i. e., SEQ ID NOS: I, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17, 19,21,23,25, and 28). For example, a derivative of a Tetrahymena L-19 IVS RNA can be constructed in which the nucleotide sequence of the active site is complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be cleaved in an NOVX-encoding mRNA. See, e. g., U. S. Patent 4,987,071 to Cech, et al. and U. S. Patent 5,116,742 to Cech, et al. NOVX mRNA can also be used to select a catalytic RNA having a specific ribonuclease activity from a pool of RNA molecules. See, e. g., Bartel et al., (1993) Science 261: 1411-1418.

Alternatively, NOVX gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region of the NOVX nucleic acid (e. g., the NOVX promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the NOVX gene in target cells. See, e. g., Helene, 1991. Anticancer Drug Des. 6: 569-84; Helene, et al. 1992. A, lzl. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 660: 27-36 ; Maher, 1992. Bioassays 14: 807-15.

In various embodiments, the NOVX nucleic acids can be modified at the base moiety, sugar moiety or phosphate backbone to improve, e. g., the stability, hybridization, or solubility of the molecule. For example, the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of the nucleic acids can be modified to generate peptide nucleic acids. See, e. g., Hyrup, et al., 1996. BIoorg Med Client 4: 5-23. As used herein, the terms "peptide nucleic acids"or"PNAs"refer to nucleic acid mimics (e. g., DNA mimics) in which the deoxyribose phosphate backbone is replaced by a pseudopeptide backbone and only the four natural nucleobases are retained. The neutral backbone of PNAs has been shown to allow for specific hybridization to DNA and RNA under conditions of low ionic strength. The synthesis of PNA oligomers can be performed using standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocols as described in Hyrup, et al., 1996. supra ; Perry-O'Keefe, et al., 1996. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 14670-14675.

PNAs of NOVX can be used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. For example, PNAs can be used as antisense or antigene agents for sequence-specific modulation of gene expression by, e. g., inducing transcription or translation arrest or inhibiting replication. PNAs of NOVX can also be used, for example, in the analysis of single base pair mutations in a gene (e. g., PNA directed PCR clamping; as artificial restriction enzymes when used in combination with other enzymes, e. g., St nucleases (See, Hyrup, et al., 1996.supra) ; or as probes or primers for DNA sequence and hybridization (See, Hyrup, et al., 1996, sitpl-a ; Perry-O'Keefe, et al., 1996. supra).

In another embodiment, PNAs of NOVX can be modified, e. g., to enhance their stability or cellular uptake, by attaching lipophilic or other helper groups to PNA, by the formation of PNA-DNA chimeras, or by the use of liposomes or other techniques of drug delivery known in the art. For example, PNA-DNA chimeras of NOVX can be generated that may combine the advantageous properties of PNA and DNA. Such chimeras allow DNA recognition enzymes (e. g., RNase H and DNA polymerases) to interact with the DNA portion while the PNA portion would provide high binding affinity and specificity. PNA-DNA chimeras can be linked using linkers of appropriate lengths selected in terms of base stacking, number of bonds between the nucleobases, and orientation (see, Hyrup, et al., 1996. supra).

The synthesis of PNA-DNA chimeras can be performed as described in Hyrup, et al., 1996. szlpra and Finn, el al., 1996. Nucl Jcids Res 24 : 3357-3363. For example, a DNA chain can be synthesized on a solid support using standard phosphoramidite coupling chemistry, and modified nucleoside analogs, e. g., 5'- (4-methoxytrityl) amino-5'-deoxy-thymidine phosphoramidite, can be used between the PNA and the 5'end of DNA. See, e. g., Mag, et al., 1989. Niicl Acid Res 17: 5973-5988. PNA monomers are then coupled in a stepwise manner to produce a chimeric molecule with a 5'PNA segment and a 3'DNA segment. See, e. g., Finn, et al., 1996. slipi-a. Alternatively, chimeric molecules can be synthesized with a 5'DNA segment and a 3'PNA segment. See, e. g., Petersen, et al., 1975. Biorg. Med. Cller i. Lett. 5: 1119-11124.

In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide may include other appended groups such as peptides (e. g., for targeting host cell receptors ii7 vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e. g., Letsinger, et al. 1989, Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86: 6553-6556 ; Lemaitre, et al., 1987. Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci. 84: 648-652; PCT Publication No.

W088/09810) or the blood-brain barrier (see, e. g., PCT Publication No. WO 89/10134). In addition, oligonucleotides can be modified with hybridization triggered cleavage agents (see, e. g., Krol, et al., 1988. BioTechitigates 6: 958-976) or intercalating agents (see, e. g., Zon, 1988.

Pharm, Res, 5 : 539-549). To this end, the oligonucleotide may be conjugated to another molecule, e. g., a peptide, a hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, a transport agent, a hybridization-triggered cleavage agent, and the like.

NOVX Polypeptides A polypeptide according to the invention includes a polypeptide including the amino acid sequence ofNOVX polypeptides whose sequences are provided in SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6, 8, 10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29. The invention also includes a mutant or variant

protein any of whose residues may be changed from the corresponding residues shown in SEQ TU NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14, 16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29 while still encoding a protein that maintains its NOVX activities and physiological functions, or a functional fragment thereof.

In general, an NOVX variant that preserves NOVX-like function includes any variant in which residues at a particular position in the sequence have been substituted by other amino acids, and further include the possibility of inserting an additional residue or residues between two residues of the parent protein as well as the possibility of deleting one or more residues from the parent sequence. Any amino acid substitution, insertion, or deletion is encompassed by the invention. In favorable circumstances, the substitution is a conservative substitution as defined above.

One aspect of the invention pertains to isolated NOVX proteins, and biologically- active portions thereof, or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof. Also provided are polypeptide fragments suitable for use as immunogens to raise anti-NOVX antibodies. In one embodiment, native NOVX proteins can be isolated from cells or tissue sources by an appropriate purification scheme using standard protein purification techniques. In another embodiment, NOVX proteins are produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Alternative to recombinant expression, an NOVX protein or polypeptide can be synthesized chemically using standard peptide synthesis techniques.

An"isolated"or"purified"polypeptide or protein or biologically-active portion thereof is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the NOVX protein is derived, or substantially free from chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. The language"substantially free of cellular material"includes preparations of NOVX proteins in which the protein is separated from cellular components of the cells from which it is isolated or recombinantly-produced. In one embodiment, the language"substantially free of cellular material"includes preparations of NOVX proteins having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of non-NOVX proteins (also referred to herein as a"contaminating protein"), more preferably less than about 20% of non-NOVX proteins, still more preferably less than about 10% of non-NOVX proteins, and most preferably less than about 5% of non-NOVX proteins. When the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof is recombinantly-produced, it is also preferably substantially free of culture medium,/. e., culture medium represents less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 10%, and most preferably less than about 5% of the volume of the NOVX protein preparation.

The language"substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals"includes preparations of NOVX proteins in which the protein is separated from chemical precursors or other chemicals that are involved in the synthesis of the protein. In one embodiment, the language"substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals"includes preparations of NOVX proteins having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of chemical precursors or non-NOVX chemicals, more preferably less than about 20% chemical precursors or non-NOVX chemicals, still more preferably less than about 10% chemical precursors or non-NOVX chemicals, and most preferably less than about 5% chemical precursors or non-NOVX chemicals.

Biologically-active portions of NOVX proteins include peptides comprising amino acid sequences sufficiently homologous to or derived from the amino acid sequences of the NOVX proteins (e. g., the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14, 16, 18,20,22,24,27, or 29) that include fewer amino acids than the full-length NOVX proteins, and exhibit at least one activity of an NOVX protein. Typically, biologically-active portions comprise a domain or motif with at least one activity of the NOVX protein. A biologically-active portion of an NOVX protein can be a polypeptide which is, for example, 10, 25,50,100 or more amino acid residues in length.

Moreover, other biologically-active portions, in which other regions of the protein are deleted, can be prepared by recombinant techniques and evaluated for one or more of the functional activities of a native NOVX protein.

In an embodiment, the NOVX protein has an amino acid sequence shown SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29. In other embodiments, the NOVX protein is substantially homologous to SEQ ID NOS : 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24, 27, or 29, and retains the functional activity of the protein of SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12, 14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29, yet differs in amino acid sequence due to natural allelic variation or mutagenesis, as described in detail, below. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the NOVX protein is a protein that comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 45% homologous to the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24, 27, or 29, and retains the functional activity of the NOVX proteins of SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8, 10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,27, or 29.

Determining Homology Between Two or More Sequences To determine the percent homology of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e. g., gaps can be introduced

in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are homologous at that position (i. e., as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid"homology"is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid"identity").

The nucleic acid sequence homology may be determined as the degree of identity between two sequences. The homology may be determined using computer programs known in the art, such as GAP software provided in the GCG program package. See, Needleman and Wunsch, 1970. SMol Biol 48 : 443-453. Using GCG GAP software with the following settings for nucleic acid sequence comparison : GAP creation penalty of 5.0 and GAP extension penalty of 0.3, the coding region of the analogous nucleic acid sequences referred to above exhibits a degree of identity preferably of at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99%, with the CDS (encoding) part of the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3, 5,7,9, 11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28.

The term"sequence identity"refers to the degree to which two polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences are identical on a residue-by-residue basis over a particular region of comparison. The term"percentage of sequence identity"is calculated by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over that region of comparison, determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base (e. g., A, T, C, G, U, or I, in the case of nucleic acids) occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the region of comparison (i. e., the window size), and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. The term"substantial identity"as used herein denotes a characteristic of a polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a sequence that has at least 80 percent sequence identity, preferably at least 85 percent identity and often 90 to 95 percent sequence identity, more usually at least 99 percent sequence identity as compared to a reference sequence over a comparison region.

Chimeric and Fusion Proteins The invention also provides NOVX chimeric or fusion proteins. As used herein, an NOVX"chimeric protein"or"fusion protein"comprises an NOVX polypeptide operatively- linked to a non-NOVX polypeptide. An"NOVX polypeptide"refers to a polypeptide having

an amino acid sequence corresponding to an NOVX protein SEQ ID NOS: 2,4,6,8,10,12, 14, 16,18, 20,22,24,27, or 29, whereas a"non-NOVX polypeptide"refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a protein that is not substantially homologous to the NOVX protein, e. g., a protein that is different from the NOVX protein and that is derived from the same or a different organism. Within an NOVX fusion protein the NOVX polypeptide can correspond to all or a portion of an NOVX protein. In one embodiment, an NOVX fusion protein comprises at least one biologically-active portion of an NOVX protein.

In another embodiment, an NOVX fusion protein comprises at least two biologically-active portions of an NOVX protein. In yet another embodiment, an NOVX fusion protein comprises at least three biologically-active portions of an NOVX protein. Within the fusion protein, the term"operatively-linked"is intended to indicate that the NOVX polypeptide and the non-NOVX polypeptide are fused in-frame with one another. The non-NOVX polypeptide can be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the NOVX polypeptide.

In one embodiment, the fusion protein is a GST-NOVX fusion protein in which the NOVX sequences are fused to the C-terminus of the GST (glutathione S-transferase) sequences. Such fusion proteins can facilitate the purification of recombinant NOVX polypeptides.

In another embodiment, the fusion protein is an NOVX protein containing a heterologous signal sequence at its N-terminus. In certain host cells (e. g,, mammalian host cells), expression and/or secretion of NOVX can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence.

In yet another embodiment, the fusion protein is an NOVX-immunoglobulin fusion protein in which the NOVX sequences are fused to sequences derived from a member of the immunoglobulin protein family. The NOVX-immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a subject to inhibit an interaction between an NOVX ligand and an NOVX protein on the surface of a cell, to thereby suppress NOVX-mediated signal transduction in vivo. The NOVX-immunoglobulin fusion proteins can be used to affect the bioavailability of an NOVX cognate ligand.

Inhibition of the NOVX ligand/NOVX interaction may be useful therapeutically for both the treatment of proliferative and differentiative disorders, as well as modulating (e. g. promoting or inhibiting) cell survival. Moreover, the NOVX-immunoglobulin fusion proteins of the invention can be used as immunogens to produce anti-NOVX antibodies in a subject, to purify NOVX ligands, and in screening assays to identify molecules that inhibit the interaction of NOVX with an NOVX ligand.

An NOVX chimeric or fusion protein of the invention can be produced by standard recombinant DNA techniques. For example, DNA fragments coding for the different polypeptide sequences are ligated together in-frame in accordance with conventional techniques, e. g., by employing blunt-ended or stagger-ended termini for ligation, restriction enzyme digestion to provide for appropriate termini, filling-in of cohesive ends as appropriate, alkaline phosphatase treatment to avoid undesirable joining, and enzymatic ligation. In another embodiment, the fusion gene can be synthesized by conventional techniques including automated DNA synthesizers. Alternatively, PCR amplification of gene fragments can be carried out using anchor primers that give rise to complementary overhangs between two consecutive gene fragments that can subsequently be annealed and reamplified to generate a chimeric gene sequence (see, e. g., Ausubel, et al. (eds.) CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, 1992). Moreover, many expression vectors are commercially available that already encode a fusion moiety (e. g., a GST polypeptide). An NOVX-encoding nucleic acid can be cloned into such an expression vector such that the fusion moiety is linked in-frame to the NOVX protein.

NOVX Agonists and Antagonists The invention also pertains to variants of the NOVX proteins that function as either NOVX agonists (i. e., mimetics) or as NOVX antagonists. Variants of the NOVX protein can be generated by mutagenesis (e. g., discrete point mutation or truncation of the NOVX protein).

An agonist of the NOVX protein can retain substantially the same, or a subset of, the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of the NOVX protein. An antagonist of the NOVX protein can inhibit one or more of the activities of the naturally occurring form of the NOVX protein by, for example, competitively binding to a downstream or upstream member of a cellular signaling cascade which includes the NOVX protein. Thus, specific biological effects can be elicited by treatment with a variant of limited function. In one embodiment, treatment of a subject with a variant having a subset of the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of the protein has fewer side effects in a subject relative to treatment with the naturally occurring form of the NOVX proteins.

Variants of the NOVX proteins that function as either NOVX agonists (i. e., mimetics) or as NOVX antagonists can be identified by screening combinatorial libraries of mutants (e. g., truncation mutants) of the NOVX proteins for NOVX protein agonist or antagonist activity. In one embodiment, a variegated library of NOVX variants is generated by combinatorial mutagenesis at the nucleic acid level and is encoded by a variegated gene

library. A variegated library of NOVX variants can be produced by, for example, enzymatically ligating a mixture of synthetic oligonucleotides into gene sequences such that a degenerate set ofpotential NOVX sequences is expressible as individual polypeptides, or alternatively, as a set of larger fusion proteins (e. g., for phage display) containing the set of NOVX sequences therein. There are a variety of methods which can be used to produce libraries of potential NOVX variants from a degenerate oligonucleotide sequence. Chemical synthesis of a degenerate gene sequence can be performed in an automatic DNA synthesizer, and the synthetic gene then ligated into an appropriate expression vector. Use of a degenerate set of genes allows for the provision, in one mixture, of all of the sequences encoding the desired set of potential NOVX sequences. Methods for synthesizing degenerate oligonucleotides are well-known within the art. See, e. g., Narang, 1983. Tetrahedron 39: 3; Itakura, et al., 1984. Alm. Rev. BiocAzes7Z. 53 : 323; Itakura, et al., 1984. Science 198: 1056 ; Ike, et al., 1983. Nucl. Acids Res. 11 : 477.

Polypeptide Libraries In addition, libraries of fragments of the NOVX protein coding sequences can be used to generate a variegated population of NOVX fragments for screening and subsequent selection of variants of an NOVX protein. In one embodiment, a library of coding sequence fragments can be generated by treating a double stranded PCR fragment of an NOVX coding sequence with a nuclease under conditions wherein nicking occurs only about once per molecule, denaturing the double stranded DNA, renaturing the DNA to form double-stranded DNA that can include sense/antisense pairs from different nicked products, removing single stranded portions from reformed duplexes by treatment with S, nuclease, and ligating the resulting fragment library into an expression vector. By this method, expression libraries can be derived which encodes N-terminal and internal fragments of various sizes of the NOVX proteins.

Various techniques are known in the art for screening gene products of combinatorial libraries made by point mutations or truncation, and for screening cDNA libraries for gene products having a selected property. Such techniques are adaptable for rapid screening of the gene libraries generated by the combinatorial mutagenesis of NOVX proteins. The most widely used techniques, which are amenable to high throughput analysis, for screening large gene libraries typically include cloning the gene library into repliable expression vectors, transforming appropriate cells with the resulting library of vectors, and expressing the combinatorial genes under conditions in which detection of a desired activity facilitates

isolation of the vector encoding the gene whose product was detected. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis (REM), a new technique that enhances the frequency of functional mutants in the libraries, can be used in combination with the screening assays to identify NOVX variants.

See, e. g., Arkin and Yourvan, 1992. Ploc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89 : 7811-7815 ; Delgrave, el al., 1993. P) of eiel Eelgialeeritlg 6 : 327-331.

Anti-NOVX Antibodies Also included in the invention are antibodies to NOVX proteins, or fragments of NOVX proteins. The term"antibody"as used herein refers to immunoglobulin molecules and immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules, i. e., molecules that contain an antigen binding site that specifically binds (immunoreacts with) an antigen. Such antibodies include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, single chain, Fab, Fab'and F (ab') 2 fragments, and an Fab expression library. In general, an antibody molecule obtained from humans relates to any of the classes IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgD, which differ from one another by the nature of the heavy chain present in the molecule. Certain classes have subclasses as well, such as IgG,, IgG2, and others. Furthermore, in humans, the light chain may be a kappa chain or a lambda chain. Reference herein to antibodies includes a reference to all such classes, subclasses and types of human antibody species.

An isolated NOVX-related protein of the invention may be intended to serve as an antigen, or a portion or fragment thereof, and additionally can be used as an immunogen to generate antibodies that immunospecifically bind the antigen, using standard techniques for polyclonal and monoclonal antibody preparation. The full-length protein can be used or, alternatively, the invention provides antigenic peptide fragments of the antigen for use as immunogens. An antigenic peptide fragment comprises at least 6 amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of the full length protein and encompasses an epitope thereof such that an antibody raised against the peptide forms a specific immune complex with the full length protein or with any fragment that contains the epitope. Preferably, the antigenic peptide comprises at least 10 amino acid residues, or at least 15 amino acid residues, or at least 20 amino acid residues, or at least 30 amino acid residues. Preferred epitopes encompassed by the antigenic peptide are regions of the protein that are located on its surface ; commonly these are hydrophilic regions.

In certain embodiments of the invention, at least one epitope encompassed by the antigenic peptide is a region of NOVX-related protein that is located on the surface of the protein, e. g., a hydrophilic region. A hydrophobicity analysis of the human NOVX-related

protein sequence will indicate which regions of a NOVX-related protein are particularly hydrophilic and, therefore, are likely to encode surface residues useful for targeting antibody production. As a means for targeting antibody production, hydropathy plots showing regions oShydrophilicity and hydrophobicity may be generated by any method well known in the art, including, for example, the Kyte Doolittle or the Hopp Woods methods, either with or without Fourier transformation. See, e. g., Hopp and Woods, 1981, Proc. Nai. 4cad. Sci. USA 78: 3824-3828; Kyte and Doolittle 1982, J. Mol. Biol. 157: 105-142, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Antibodies that are specific for one or more domains within an antigenic protein, or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof, are also provided herein.

A protein of the invention, or a derivative, fragment, analog, homolog or ortholog thereof, may be utilized as an immunogen in the generation of antibodies that immunospecifically bind these protein components.

Various procedures known within the art may be used for the production of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies directed against a protein of the invention, or against derivatives, fragments, analogs homologs or orthologs thereof (see, for example, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Harlow and Lane, 1988, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, incorporated herein by reference). Some of these antibodies are discussed below.

Polyclonal Antibodies For the production of polyclonal antibodies, various suitable host animals (e. g., rabbit, goat, mouse or other mammal) may be immunized by one or more injections with the native protein, a synthetic variant thereof, or a derivative of the foregoing. An appropriate immunogenic preparation can contain, for example, the naturally occurring immunogenic protein, a chemically synthesized polypeptide representing the immunogenic protein, or a recombinantly expressed immunogenic protein. Furthermore, the protein may be conjugated to a second protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized. Examples of such immunogenic proteins include but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. The preparation can further include an adjuvant. Various adjuvants used to increase the immunological response include, but are not limited to, Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels (e. g., aluminum hydroxide), surface active substances (e. g., lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, dinitrophenol, etc.), adjuvants usable in humans such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and Corynebacterium parvum, or similar immunostimulatory agents.

Additional examples of adjuvants which can be employed include MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate).

The polyclonal antibody molecules directed against the immunogenic protein can be isolated from the mammal (e. g., from the blood) and further purified by well known techniques, such as affinity chromatography using protein A or protein G, which provide primarily the IgG fraction of immune serum. Subsequently, or alternatively, the specific antigen which is the target of the immunoglobulin sought, or an epitope thereof, may be immobilized on a column to purify the immune specific antibody by immunoaffinity chromatography. Purification of immunoglobulins is discussed, for example, by D. Wilkinson (The Scientist, published by The Scientist, Inc., Philadelphia PA, Vol. 14, No. 8 (April 17, 2000), pp. 25-28).

Monoclonal Antibodies The term"monoclonal antibody" (MAb) or"monoclonal antibody composition", as used herein, refers to a population of antibody molecules that contain only one molecular species of antibody molecule consisting of a unique light chain gene product and a unique heavy chain gene product. In particular, the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the monoclonal antibody are identical in all the molecules of the population. MAbs thus contain an antigen binding site capable of immunoreacting with a particular epitope of the antigen characterized by a unique binding affinity for it.

Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Natu7 e, 256 : 495 (1975). In a hybridoma method, a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, the lymphocytes can be immunized in vitro.

The immunizing agent will typically include the protein antigen, a fragment thereof or a fusion protein thereof Generally, either peripheral blood lymphocytes are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES : PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE, Academic Press, (1986) pp.

59-103). Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The hybridoma cells can be cultured in a suitable culture medium that

preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells. For example, if the parental cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine ("HAT medium"), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

Preferred immortalized cell lines are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high level expression of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. More preferred immortalized cell lines are murine myeloma lines, which can be obtained, for instance, from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, California and the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J. Inanunol., 133: 3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, (1987) pp. 51-63).

The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can then be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in the art. The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson and Pollard, AsIal. Bioclle) il., 107: 220 (1980). Preferably, antibodies having a high degree of specificity and a high binding affinity for the target antigen are isolated.

After the desired hybridoma cells are identified, the clones can be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods. Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and RPMI-1640 medium.

Alternatively, the hybridoma cells can be grown in vivo as ascites in a mammal.

The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subolones can be isolated or purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

The monoclonal antibodies can also be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those described in U. S. Patent No. 4,816,567. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e. g., by

using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells of the invention serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA can be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. The DNA also can be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy and light chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U. S. Patent No.

4,816,567; Morrison, Nature 368 ? 812-13 (1994)) or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Such a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide can be substituted for the constant domains of an antibody of the invention, or can be substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody of the invention to create a chimeric bivalent antibody.

Humanized Antibodies The antibodies directed against the protein antigens of the invention can further comprise humanized antibodies or human antibodies. These antibodies are suitable for administration to humans without engendering an immune response by the human against the administered immunoglobulin. Humanized forms of antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F (ab') 2 or other antigen- binding subsequences of antibodies) that are principally comprised of the sequence of a human immunoglobulin, and contain minimal sequence derived from a non-human immunoglobulin.

Humanization can be performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al., Nature, 321: 522-525 (1986) ; Riechmann et al., Nature, 332: 323-327 (1988) ; Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239: 1534-1536 (1988)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. (See also U. S. Patent No. 5,225,539.) In some instances, Fv framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies can also comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences.

In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the framework regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that

ofa human immunoglobulin (Jones et al., 1986 ; Riechmann et al., 1988; and Presta, Curr. Op.

Struct. Biol., 2: 593-596 (1992)).

Human Antibodies Fully human antibodies relate to antibody molecules in which essentially the entire sequences of both the light chain and the heavy chain, including the CDRs, arise from human genes. Such antibodies are termed"human antibodies", or"fully human antibodies"herein.

Human monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by the trioma technique; the human B-cell hybridoma technique (see Kozbor, et al., 1983 Immunol Today 4: 72) and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (see Cole, et al., 1985 In: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Human monoclonal antibodies may be utilized in the practice of the present invention and may be produced by using human hybridomas (see Cote, et al., 1983. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80: 2026-2030) or by transforming human B-cells with Epstein Barr Virus in vitro (see Cole, et al., 1985 In: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96).

In addition, human antibodies can also be produced using additional techniques, including phage display libraries (Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol., 227: 381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222: 581 (1991)). Similarly, human antibodies can be made by introducing human immunoglobulin loci into transgenic animals, e. g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulin genes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge, human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seen in humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, and antibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5, 625, 126 ; 5,633,425; 5,661,016, and in Marks et al. (BiolTechy ologv 10, 779-783 (1992)); Lonberg et al. (Nature 368 856-859 (1994)); Morrison (Nature 368, 812-13 (1994)) ; Fishwild etal, (NatzlreBotechszolo, gy 14, 845-51 (1996)) ; Neuberger (lWatllseBiofecll) lology 14, 826 (1996)) ; and Lonberg and Huszar (Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13 65-93 (1995)).

Human antibodies may additionally be produced using transgenic nonhuman animals which are modified so as to produce fully human antibodies rather than the animal's endogenous antibodies in response to challenge by an antigen. (See PCT publication W094/02602). The endogenous genes encoding the heavy and light immunoglobulin chains in the nonhuman host have been incapacitated, and active loci encoding human heavy and light chain immunoglobulins are inserted into the host's genome. The human genes are incorporated, for example, using yeast artificial chromosomes containing the requisite human

DNA segments. An animal which provides all the desired modifications is then obtained as progeny by crossbreeding intermediate transgenic animals containing fewer than the full complement of the modifications. The preferred embodiment of such a nonhuman animal is a mouse, and is termed the Xenomouse as disclosed in PCT publications WO 96/33735 and WO 96/34096. This animal produces B cells which secrete fully human immunoglobulins.

The antibodies can be obtained directly from the animal after immunization with an immunogen of interest, as, for example, a preparation of a polyclonal antibody, or alternatively from immortalized B cells derived from the animal, such as hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies. Additionally, the genes encoding the immunoglobulins with human variable regions can be recovered and expressed to obtain the antibodies directly, or can be further modified to obtain analogs of antibodies such as, for example, single chain Fv molecules.

An example of a method of producing a nonhuman host, exemplified as a mouse, lacking expression of an endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,939,598. It can be obtained by a method including deleting the J segment genes from at least one endogenous heavy chain locus in an embryonic stem cell to prevent rearrangement of the locus and to prevent formation of a transcript of a rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, the deletion being effected by a targeting vector containing a gene encoding a selectable marker; and producing from the embryonic stem cell a transgenic mouse whose somatic and germ cells contain the gene encoding the selectable marker.

A method for producing an antibody of interest, such as a human antibody, is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,9167771. It includes introducing an expression vector that contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain into one mammalian host cell in culture, introducing an expression vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain into another mammalian host cell, and fusing the two cells to form a hybrid cell. The hybrid cell expresses an antibody containing the heavy chain and the light chain.

In a further improvement on this procedure, a method for identifying a clinically relevant epitope on an immunogen, and a correlative method for selecting an antibody that binds immunospecifically to the relevant epitope with high affinity, are disclosed in PCT publication WO 99/53049.

Fab Fragments and Single Chain Antibodies According to the invention, techniques can be adapted for the production of single-chain antibodies specific to an antigenic protein of the invention (see e. g., U. S. Patent

No. 4,946,778). In addition, methods can be adapted for the construction of Fab expression libraries (see e. g., Huse, et al., 1989 Science 246: 1275-1281) to allow rapid and effective identification ofmonoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity for a protein or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof. Antibody fragments that contain the idiotypes to a protein antigen may be produced by techniques known in the art including, but not limited to: (i) an F (ab') 2 fragment produced by pepsin digestion of an antibody molecule; (ii) an Fab fragment generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of an Ftab') 2 fragment ; (iii) an Fab fragment generated by the treatment of the antibody molecule with papain and a reducing agent and (iv) Fv fragments.

Bispecific Antibodies Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, preferably human or humanized, antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens. In the present case, one of the binding specificities is for an antigenic protein of the invention. The second binding target is any other antigen, and advantageously is a cell-surface protein or receptor or receptor subunit.

Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies is based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy-chainllight-chain pairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities (Milstein and Cuello, Nature, 305: 537-539 (1983)). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture often different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. The purification of the correct molecule is usually accomplished by affinity chromatography steps. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829, published 13 May 1993, and in Traunecker et al., 1991 EMBO J., 10: 3655-3659.

Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) can be fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, GH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (GH1) containing the site necessary for light-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy-chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co- transfected into a suitable host organism. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh et al., Methods iii Enzymology, 121: 210 (1986).

According to another approach described in WO 96/27011, the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant cell culture. The preferred interface comprises at least a part of the CH3 region of an antibody constant domain. In this method, one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e. g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory"cavities"of identical or similar size to the large side chain (s) are created on the interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e. g. alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as homodimers.

Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full length antibodies or antibody fragments (e. g. F (ab') 2 bispecific antibodies). Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragments have been described in the literature. For example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage. Brennan et al., Science 229: 81 (1985) describe a procedure wherein intact antibodies are proteolytically cleaved to generate F (ab') 2 fragments.

These fragments are reduced in the presence of the dithiol comProhibiting agent sodium arsenite to stabilize vicinal dithiols and prevent intermolecular disulfide formation. The Fab' fragments generated are then converted to thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab'-TNB derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-thiol by reduction with mercaptoethylamine and is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab'-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes.

Additionally, Fab'fragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupled to form bispecific antibodies. Shalaby et al., J. Exp. Mecl. 175: 217-225 (1992) describe the production of a fully humanized bispecific antibody F (ab') 2 molecule. Each Fab' fragment was separately secreted from E. coli and subjected to directed chemical coupling in vitro to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibody thus formed was able to bind to cells overexpressing the ErbB2 receptor and normal human T cells, as well as trigger the lytic activity of human cytotoxic lymphocytes against human breast tumor targets.

Various techniques for making and isolating bispecific antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also been described. For example, bispecific antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny et al., J. Is 7lus201 148 (5): 1547-1553 (1992). The leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody homodimers were reduced

at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers.

This method can also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers. The"diabody" technology described by Hollinger et al., Proc. Nall, Acad. Sci. USA 90: 6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism for making bispecific antibody fragments. The fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (VFl) connected to a light-chain variable domain (VL) by a linker which is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain.

Accordingly, the Vn and VL domains of one fragment are forced to pair with the complementary VL and VH domains of another fragment, thereby forming two antigen-binding sites. Another strategy for making bispecific antibody fragments by the use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See, Gruber et al., J. ? iuilol. 152: 5368 (1994).

Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated. For example, trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al., J. Isyaniicnol. 147: 60 (1991).

Exemplary bispecific antibodies can bind to two different epitopes, at least one of which originates in the protein antigen of the invention. Alternatively, an anti-antigenic arm of an immunoglobulin molecule can be combined with an arm which binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e. g. CD2, CD3, CD28, or B7), or Fc receptors for IgG (FcyR), such as FcyRI (CD64), FcyRII (CD32) and FcyRITI (CDI 6) so as to focus cellular defense mechanisms to the cell expressing the particular antigen. Bispecific antibodies can also be used to direct cytotoxic agents to cells which express a particular antigen. These antibodies possess an antigen-binding arm and an arm which binds a cytotoxic agent or a radionuclide chelator, such as EOTUBE, DPTA, DOTA, or TETA. Another bispecific antibody of interest binds the protein antigen described herein and further binds tissue factor (TF).

Heteroconjugate Antibodies Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the present invention.

Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (U. S. Patent No. 4, 676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360; WO 92/200373 ; EP 03089). It is contemplated that the antibodies can be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents.

For example, immunotoxins can be constructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate

and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, for example, in U. S. Patent No.

4,676,980.

Effector Function Engineering It can be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention with respect to effector function, so as to enhance, e. g., the effectiveness of the antibody in treating cancer. For example, cysteine residue (s) can be introduced into the Fc region, thereby allowing interchain disulfide bond formation in this region. The homodimeric antibody thus generated can have improved internalization capability and/or increased complement-mediated cell killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). See Caron et al., J. Exp Med., 176 : 1191- 1195 (1992) and Shopes, J. Immunol., 148: 2918-2922 (1992). Homodimeric antibodies with enhanced anti-tumor activity can also be prepared using heterobifunctional cross-linkers as described in Wolf et al. Cancer Research, 53: 2560-2565 (1993). Alternatively, an antibody can be engineered that has dual Fc regions and can thereby have enhanced complement lysis and ADCG capabilities. See Stevenson et al., Anti-Cancer Drug Design, 3: 219-230 (1989).

Immunoconjugates The invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as a chemotherapeutic agent, toxin (e. g., an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope (i. e., a radioconjugate).

Chemotherapeutic agents useful in the generation of such immunoconjugates have been described above. Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof that can be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPU, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes. A variety of radionuclides are available for the production of radioconjugated antibodies. Examples include 212Bi, 131I, 131In, 90Y, and 186Re.

Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic agent are made using a variety oF bifunctional protein-coupling agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HGL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as

glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis- diazonium derivatives (such as bis- (p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro- 2,4-dinitrobenzene). For example, a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in Vitetta et al., Science, 238: 1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled l-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3- methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid (MX-DTPA) is an exemplary cheating agent for conjugation of radionucleotide to the antibody. See W094/11026.

In another embodiment, the antibody can be conjugated to a"receptor" (such streptavidin) for utilization in tumor pretargeting wherein the antibody-receptor conjugate is administered to the patient, followed by removal of unbound conjugate from the circulation using a clearing agent and then administration of a"ligand" (e. g., avidin) that is in turn conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.

In one embodiment, methods for the screening of antibodies that possess the desired specificity include, but are not limited to, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other immunologically-mediated techniques known within the art. In a specific embodiment, selection of antibodies that are specific to a particular domain of an NOVX protein is facilitated by generation of hybridomas that bind to the fragment of an NOVX protein possessing such a domain. Thus, antibodies that are specific for a desired domain within an NOVX protein, or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof, are also provided herein.

Anti-NOVX antibodies may be used in methods known within the art relating to the localization and/or quantitation of an NOVX protein (e. g., for use in measuring levels of the NOVX protein within appropriate physiological samples, for use in diagnostic methods, for use in imaging the protein, and the like). In a given embodiment, antibodies for NOVX proteins, or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof, that contain the antibody derived binding domain, are utilized as pharmacologically-active compounds (hereinafter "Therapeutics").

An anti-NOVX antibody (e. g., monoclonal antibody) can be used to isolate an NOVX polypeptide by standard techniques, such as affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation.

An anti-NOVX antibody can facilitate the purification of natural NOVX polypeptide from cells and of recombinantly-produced NOVX polypeptide expressed in host cells. Moreover, an anti-NOVX antibody can be used to detect NOVX protein (e. g., in a cellular lysate or cell supernatant) in order to evaluate the abundance and pattern of expression of the NOVX protein. Anti-NOVX antibodies can be used diagnostically to monitor protein levels in tissue

as part of a clinical testing procedure, e. g., to, for example, determine the efficacy of a given treatment regimen. Detection can be facilitated by coupling (i. e., physically linking) the antibody to a detectable substance. Examples of detectable substances include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, and radioactive materials. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, p-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase ; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin ; an example of a luminescent material includes luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin, and examples of suitable radioactive material include 125I, 3lI, 35S or 3H.

NOVX Recombinant Expression Vectors and Host Cells Another aspect of the invention pertains to vectors, preferably expression vectors, containing a nucleic acid encoding an NOVX protein, or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof. As used herein, the term"vector"refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a "plasmid", which refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be ligated. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments can be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e. g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e. g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) are integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome.

Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively-linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as"expression vectors". In general, expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids.

In the present specification,"plasmid"and"vector"can be used interchangeably as the plasmid is the most commonly used form of vector. However, the invention is intended to include such other forms of expression vectors, such as viral vectors (e. g., replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses), which serve equivalent functions.

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention comprise a nucleic acid of the invention in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell, which means that

the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory sequences, selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, that is operatively-linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. Within a recombinant expression vector,"operably-linked"is intended to mean that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory sequence (s) in a manner that allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e. g., in an in vit-o transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell).

The term"regulatory sequence"is intended to includes promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e. g., polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel, GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Regulatory sequences include those that direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cell and those that direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells (e. g., tissue-specific regulatory sequences). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, etc. The expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce proteins or peptides, including fusion proteins or peptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein (e. g., NOVX proteins, mutant forms of NOVX proteins, fusion proteins, etc.).

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of NOVX proteins in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, NOVX proteins can be expressed in bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli, insect cells (using baculovirus expression vectors) yeast cells or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in Eschericlria coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, usually to the amino terminus of the recombinant protein. Such fusion vectors typically serve three purposes: (i) to increase expression of recombinant protein ; (ii) to increase the solubility of the recombinant protein ; and (iií) to aid in the purification of the recombinant protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification. Often, in fusion expression vectors, a proteolytic cleavage site is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the

recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein. Such enzymes, and their cognate recognition sequences, include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase. Typical fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc; Smith and Johnson, 1988. Getie 67 : 31-40), pMAL (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and pRIT5 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N. J.) that fuse glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose E binding protein, or protein A, respectively, to the target recombinant protein.

Examples of suitable inducible non-fusion E. coli expression vectors include pTrc (Amrann et al., (1988) Gene 69 : 301-315) and pET lld (Studier et al., GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990) 60-89).

One strategy to maximize recombinant protein expression in E. coli is to express the protein in a host bacteria with an impaired capacity to proteolytically cleave the recombinant protein. See, e. g., Gottesman, GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990) 119-128. Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in E. coli (see, e. g., Wada, et al., 1992. Narcs. Acids Res. 20 : 2111-2118). Such alteration of nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be carried out by standard DNA synthesis techniques.

In another embodiment, the NOVX expression vector is a yeast expression vector.

Examples of vectors for expression in yeast Saec/? aronyces ces-ivisae include pYepSecl (Baldari, et al., 1987. EMBO J 6: 229-234), pMFa (Kurjan and Herskowitz, 1982. Cell 30 : 933-943), pJRY88 (Schultz et al., 1987. Geste 54: 113-123), pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), and picZ (InVitrogen Corp, San Diego, Calif).

Alternatively, NOVX can be expressed in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors. Baculovirus vectors available for expression of proteins in cultured insect cells (e. g., SF9 cells) include the pAc series (Smith, et al., 1983. Mol. Cell. Biol. 3: 2156-2165) and the pVL series (Lucklow and Summers, 1989. Virology 170 : 31-39).

In yet another embodiment, a nucleic acid of the invention is expressed in mammalian cells using a mammalian expression vector. Examples of mammalian expression vectors include pCDM8 (Seed, 1987. Nature 329 : 840) and pMT2PC (Kaufman, et al., 1987. ÆAIBO J. 6: 187-195). When used in mammalian cells, the expression vector's control functions are often provided by viral regulatory elements. For example, commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, adenovirus 2, cylomegalovirus, and simian virus 40. For other suitable

expression systems for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells see, e. g., Chapters 16 and 17 of Sambrook, et al., MOLECULAR CLONING : A LABORATORY MANUAL. 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y., 1989.

In another embodiment, the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e. g., tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid). Tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific ; Pinkert, et al., 1987. Genes Dev. 1 : 268-277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton, 1988. Adv. Immunol. 43: 235-275), in particular promoters of T cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore, 1989. EMBO J.

8: 729-733) and immunoglobulins (Banerji, et al., 1983. Cell 33 : 729-740; Queen and Baltimore, 1983. Cell 33 : 741-748), neuron-specific promoters (e. g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle, 1989. Pi-oc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86 : 5473-5477), pancreas-specific promoters (Edlund, et al., 1985. Science 230: 912-916), and mammary gland-specific promoters (e. g., milk whey promoter; U. S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. 264, 166). Developmentally-regulated promoters are also encompassed, e. g., the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss, 1990. Science 249: 374-379) and the a-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman, 1989. Gesses Dev. 3: 537-546).

The invention further provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA molecule of the invention cloned into the expression vector in an antisense orientation. That is, the DNA molecule is operatively-linked to a regulatory sequence in a manner that allows for expression (by transcription of the DNA molecule) of an RNA molecule that is antisense to NOVX mRNA. Regulatory sequences operatively linked to a nucleic acid cloned in the antisense orientation can be chosen that direct the continuous expression of the antisense RNA molecule in a variety of cell types, for instance viral promoters and/or enhancers, or regulatory sequences can be chosen that direct constitutive, tissue specific or cell type specific expression of antisense RNA. The antisense expression vector can be in the form of a recombinant plasmid, phagemid or attenuated virus in which antisense nucleic acids are produced under the control of a high efficiency regulatory region, the activity of which can be determined by the cell type into which the vector is introduced. For a discussion of the regulation of gene expression using antisense genes see, e. g., Weintraub, et al.,"Antisense RNA as a molecular tool for genetic analysis,"Reviews-Trefuls iu Geuetics, Vol. 1 (1) 1986.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to host cells into which a recombinant expression vector of the invention has been introduced. The terms"host cell"and

"recombinant host cell"are used interchangeably herein. It is understood that such terms refer not only to the particular subject cell but also to the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications may occur in succeeding generations due to either mutation or environmental influences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the term as used herein.

A host cell can be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. For example, NOVX protein can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells). Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art.

Vector DNA can be introduced into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells via conventional transformation or transfection techniques. As used herein, the terms"transformation"and "transfection"are intended to refer to a variety of art-recognized techniques for introducing foreign nucleic acid (e. g., DNA) into a host cell, including calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Suitable methods for transforming or transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook, et al. (MOLECULAR CLONING : A LABORATORY MANUAL. 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y., 1989), and other laboratory manuals.

For stable transfection of mammalian cells, it is known that, depending upon the expression vector and transfection technique used, only a small fraction of cells may integrate the foreign DNA into their genome. In order to identify and select these integrants, a gene that encodes a selectable marker (e. g., resistance to antibiotics) is generally introduced into the host cells along with the gene of interest. Various selectable markers include those that confer resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin and methotrexate. Nucleic acid encoding a selectable marker can be introduced into a host cell on the same vector as that encoding NOVX or can be introduced on a separate vector. Cells stably transfected with the introduced nucleic acid can be identified by drug selection (e. g., cells that have incorporated the selectable marker gene will survive, while the other cells die).

A host cell of the invention, such as a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell in culture, can be used to produce (i. e., express) NOVX protein. Accordingly, the invention further provides methods for producing NOVX protein using the host cells of the invention. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing the host cell of invention (into which a recombinant expression vector encoding NOVX protein has been introduced) in a suitable

medium such that NOVX protein is produced. In another embodiment, the method further comprises isolating NOVX protein from the medium or the host cell.

Transgenic NOVX Animals The host cells of the invention can also be used to produce non-human transgenic animals. For example, in one embodiment, a host cell of the invention is a fertilized oocyte or an embryonic stem cell into which NOVX protein-coding sequences have been introduced.

Such host cells can then be used to create non-human transgenic animals in which exogenous NOVX sequences have been introduced into their genome or homologous recombinant animals in which endogenous NOVX sequences have been altered. Such animals are useful for studying the function and/or activity of NOVX protein and for identifying and/or evaluating modulators of NOVX protein activity. As used herein, a"transgenic animal"is a non-human animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a rodent such as a rat or mouse, in which one or more of the cells of the animal includes a transgene. Other examples of transgenic animals include non-human primates, sheep, dogs, cows, goats, chickens, amphibians, etc. A transgene is exogenous DNA that is integrated into the genome of a cell from which a transgenic animal develops and that remains in the genome of the mature animal, thereby directing the expression of an encoded gene product in one or more cell types or tissues of the transgenic animal. As used herein, a"homologous recombinant animal"is a non-human animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a mouse, in which an endogenous NOVX gene has been altered by homologous recombination between the endogenous gene and an exogenous DNA molecule introduced into a cell of the animal, e. g., an embryonic cell of the animal, prior to development of the animal.

A transgenic animal of the invention can be created by introducing NOVX-encoding nucleic acid into the male pronuclei of a fertilized oocyte (e. g., by microinjection, retroviral infection) and allowing the oocyte to develop in a pseudopregnant female foster animal. The human NOVX cDNA sequences SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28 can be introduced as a transgene into the genome of a non-human animal. Alternatively, a non-human homologue of the human NOVX gene, such as a mouse NOVX gene, can be isolated based on hybridization to the human NOVX cDNA (described furtherslrpj-a) and used as a transgene. Intronic sequences and polyadenylation signals can also be included in the transgene to increase the efficiency of expression of the transgene. A tissue-specific regulatory sequence (s) can be operably-linked to the NOVX transgene to direct expression of NOVX protein to particular cells. Methods for generating transgenic animals via embryo

manipulation and microinjection, particularly animals such as mice, have become conventional in the art and are described, for example, in U. S. Patent Nos. 4,736,866; 4,870,009; and 4,873,191; and Hogan, 1986. In: MANIPULATING THE MOUSE EMBRYO, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y. Similar methods are used for production of other transgenic animals. A transgenic founder animal can be identified based upon the presence of the NOVX transgene in its genome and/or expression ofNOVX mRNA in tissues or cells of the animals. A transgenic founder animal can then be used to breed additional animals carrying the transgene. Moreover, transgenic animals carrying a transgene- encoding NOVX protein can further be bred to other transgenic animals carrying other transgenes.

To create a homologous recombinant animal, a vector is prepared which contains at least a portion of an NOVX gene into which a deletion, addition or substitution has been introduced to thereby alter, e. g., functionally dismpt, the NOVX gene. The NOVX gene can be a human gene (e. g., the cDNA of SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28), but more preferably, is a non-human homologue of a human NOVX gene. For example, amousehomologueofhumanNOVXgeneofSEQIDNOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17,19,21,23,25, and 28 can be used to construct a homologous recombination vector suitable for altering an endogenous NOVX gene in the mouse genome. In one embodiment, the vector is designed such that, upon homologous recombination, the endogenous NOVX gene is functionally disrupted (i. e., no longer encodes a functional protein; also referred to as a "knock out"vector).

Alternatively, the vector can be designed such that, upon homologous recombination, the endogenous NOVX gene is mutated or otherwise altered but still encodes functional protein (e. g,, the upstream regulatory region can be altered to thereby alter the expression of the endogenous NOVX protein). In the homologous recombination vector, the altered portion of the NOVX gene is flanked at its 5'-and 3'-termini by additional nucleic acid of the NOVX gene to allow for homologous recombination to occur between the exogenous NOVX gene carried by the vector and an endogenous NOVX gene in an embryonic stem cell. The additional flanking NOVX nucleic acid is of sufficient length for successful homologous recombination with the endogenous gene. Typically, several kilobases of flanking DNA (both at the 5'-and 3'-termini) are included in the vector. See, e. g., Thomas, et al., 1987. Cell 51 : 503 for a description of homologous recombination vectors. The vector is ten introduced into an embryonic stem cell line (e. g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introduced NOVX

gene has homologously-recombined with the endogenous NOVX gene are selected. See, e. g., Li, et al., 1992. Cell 69 : 915.

The selected cells are then injected into a blastocyst of an animal (e. g., a mouse) to form aggregation chimeras. See, e. g., Bradley, 1987. In: TERATOCARCINOMAS AND EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS: A PRACTICAL APPROACH, Robertson, ed. IRL, Oxford, pp.] 13-152.

A chimeric embryo can then be implanted into a suitable pseudopregnant female foster animal and the embryo brought to term. Progeny harboring the homologously-recombined DNA in their germ cells can be used to breed animals in which all cells of the animal contain the homologously-recombined DNA by germline transmission of the transgene. Methods for constructing homologous recombination vectors and homologous recombinant animals are described further in Bradley, 1991. Curr. Opisl. Biotecllzlol. 2: 823-829; PCT International Publication Nos.: WO 90/11354 ; WO 91/01140; WO 92/0968 ; and WO 93/04169.

In another embodiment, transgenic non-humans animals can be produced that contain selected systems that allow for regulated expression of the transgene. One example of such a system is the cre/loxP recombinase system ofbacteriophage PI. For a description of the cre/loxP recombinase system, See, e. g., Lakso, et al., 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89 : 6232-6236. Another example of a recombinase system is the FLP recombinase system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. See, O'Gorman, et al., 1991, Science 251 : 1351-1355. If a cre/loxP recombinase system is used to regulate expression of the transgene, animals containing transgenes encoding both the Cre recombinase and a selected protein are required. Such animals can be provided through the construction of"double"transgenic animals, e. g., by mating two transgenic animals, one containing a transgene encoding a selected protein and the other containing a transgene encoding a recombinase.

Clones of the non-human transgenic animals described herein can also be produced according to the methods described in Wilmut, et al., 1997. Nature 385: 810-813. In brief, a cell (e. g., a somatic cell) from the transgenic animal can be isolated and induced to exit the growth cycle and enter Go phase. The quiescent cell can then be fused, e. g., through the use of electrical pulses, to an enucleated oocyte from an animal of the same species from which the quiescent cell is isolated. The reconstructed oocyte is then cultured such that it develops to morula or blastocyte and then transferred to pseudopregnant female foster animal. The offspring borne of this female foster animal will be a clone of the animal from which the cell (e. g., the somatic cell) is isolated.

Pharmaceutical Compositions The NOVX nucleic acid molecules, NOVX proteins, and anti-NOVX antibodies (also referred to herein as"active compounds") of the invention, and derivatives, fragments, analogs and homologs thereof, can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration. Such compositions typically comprise the nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein,"pharmaceutically acceptable carriers intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Suitable carriers are described in the most recent edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference text in the field, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred examples of such carriers or diluents include, but are not limited to, water, saline, finger's solutions, dextrose solution, and 5% human serum albumin. Liposomes and non-aqueous vehicles such as fixed oils may also be used. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e. g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e. g., inhalation), transdermal (i. e., topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens ; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite ; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) ; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL"' (BASF,

Parsippany, N. J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringeability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof.

The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (e. g., an NOVX protein or anti-NOVX antibody) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying that yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They can be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally and swished and expectorated or swallowed. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin ; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a

lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes ; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant, e. g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.

Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdennal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

The compounds can also be prepared in the form of suppositories (e. g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.

In one embodiment, the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomal suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U. S.

Patent No. 4,522,811.

It is especially advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be

achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.

The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be inserted into vectors and used as gene therapy vectors. Gene therapy vectors can be delivered to a subject by, for example, intravenous injection, local administration (see, e. g., U. S. Patent No. 5,328,470) or by stereotactic injection (see, e. g., Chen, et al., 1994. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USi1 91: 3054-3057).

The pharmaceutical preparation of the gene therapy vector can include the gene therapy vector in an acceptable diluent, or can comprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded. Alternatively, where the complete gene delivery vector can be produced intact from recombinant cells, e. g., retroviral vectors, the pharmaceutical preparation can include one or more cells that produce the gene delivery system.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.

Screening and Detection Methods The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used to express NOVX protein (e. g., via a recombinant expression vector in a host cell in gene therapy applications), to detect NOVX mRNA (e. g., in a biological sample) or a genetic lesion in an NOVX gene, and to modulate NOVX activity, as described further, below. In addition, the NOVX proteins can be used to screen drugs or compounds that modulate the NOVX protein activity or expression as well as to treat disorders characterized by insufficient or excessive production of NOVX protein or production of NOVX protein forms that have decreased or aberrant activity compared to NOVX wild-type protein (e. g. ; diabetes (regulates insulin release); obesity (binds and transport lipids); metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, the metabolic syndrome X as well as anorexia and wasting disorders associated with chronic diseases and various cancers, and infectious disease (possesses anti-microbial activity) and the various dyslipidemias. In addition, the anti-NOVX antibodies of the invention can be used to detect and isolate NOVX proteins and modulate NOVX activity. In yet a further aspect, the invention can be used in methods to influence appetite, absorption of nutrients and the disposition of metabolic substrates in both a positive and negative fashion.

The invention further pertains to novel agents identified by the screening assays described herein and uses thereof for treatments as described, supra.

Screening Assays The invention provides a method (also referred to herein as a"screening assay") for identifying modulators, i. e., candidate or test compounds or agents (e. g., peptides, peptidomimetics, small molecules or other drugs) that bind to NOVX proteins or have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, e. g., NOVX protein expression or NOVX protein activity.

The invention also includes compounds identified in the screening assays described herein.

In one embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds which bind to or modulate the activity of the membrane-bound form of an NOVX protein or polypeptide or biologically-active portion thereof. The test compounds of the invention can be obtained using any of the numerous approaches in combinatorial library methods known in the art, including: biological libraries; spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries; synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution ; the "one-bead one-compound"library method; and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library approach is limited to peptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to peptide, non-peptide oligomer or small molecule libraries of compounds. See, e. g., Lam, 1997. Anticancer drug Design 12: 145.

A"small molecule"as used herein, is meant to refer to a composition that has a molecular weight of less than about 5 kD and most preferably less than about 4 kD. Small molecules can be, e. g., nucleic acids, peptides, polypeptides, peptidomimetics, carbohydrates, lipids or other organic or inorganic molecules. Libraries of chemical and/or biological mixtures, such as fungal, bacterial, or algal extracts, are known in the art and can be screened with any of the assays of the invention.

Examples of methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries can be found in the art, for example in: DeWitt, et al., 1993. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90: 6909; Erb, et al., 1994.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91: 11422 ; Zuckermann, et al., 1994. J. Med. Chem. 37: 2678 ; Cho, et al., 1993. Science 261: 1303; Carrell, et al., 1994. Aelgew. Chem. Ijat. Ed. Engl. 33: 2059; Carell, et al., 1994. Angew. Chej z. Inl. Ed. Eytgl. 33: 2061; and Gallop, et al., 1994. J.

Med. Chem. 37: 1233.

Libraries of compounds may be presented in solution (e. g., Houghten, 1992.

BIotechniques 13:412-421), or on beads (Lam, 1991, Nature 354 : 82-84), on chips (Fodor, 1993. Nature 364: 555-556), bacteria (Ladner, U. S. Patent No. 5,223,409), spores (Ladner, U. S. Patent 5,233,409), plasmids (Cull, et al., 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 1865-1869) or on phage (Scott and Smith, 1990. Sclellce 249 : 386-390; Devlin, 1990. Science

249: 404-406 ; Cwirla, et al., 1990. Pl oc. Natl. Acaa Sci. U. s. j. 87 : 6378-6382 ; Felici, 1991.

J. Mol. Biol. 222: 301-310; Ladner, U. S. Patent No. 5,233,409.).

In one embodiment, an assay is a cell-based assay in which a cell which expresses a membrane-bound form of NOVX protein, or a biologically-active portion thereof, on the cell surface is contacted with a test compound and the ability of the test compound to bind to an NOVX protein determined. The cell, for example, can of mammalian origin or a yeast cell.

Determining the ability of the test compound to bind to the NOVX protein can be accomplished, for example, by coupling the test compound with a radioisotope or enzymatic label such that binding of the test compound to the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof can be determined by detecting the labeled compound in a complex. For example, test compounds can be labeled with 125I, 35S, 14C, or 3H, either directly or indirectly, and the radioisotope detected by direct counting of radioemission or by scintillation counting.

Alternatively, test compounds can be enzymatically-labeled with, for example, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase, and the enzymatic label detected by determination of conversion of an appropriate substrate to product. In one embodiment, the assay comprises contacting a cell which expresses a membrane-bound form of NOVX protein, or a biologically-active portion thereof, on the cell surface with a known compound which binds NOVX to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein comprises determining the ability of the test compound to preferentially bind to NOVX protein or a biologically-active portion thereof as compared to the known compound.

In another embodiment, an assay is a cell-based assay comprising contacting a cell expressing a membrane-bound form of NOVX protein, or a biologically-active portion thereof, on the cell surface with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to modulate (e. g., stimulate or inhibit) the activity of the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of NOVX or a biologically-active portion thereof can be accomplished, for example, by determining the ability of the NOVX protein to bind to or interact with an NOVX target molecule. As used herein, a"target molecule"is a molecule with which an NOVX protein binds or interacts in nature, for example, a molecule on the surface of a cell which expresses an NOVX interacting protein, a molecule on the surface of a second cell, a molecule in the extracellular milieu, a molecule associated with the internal surface of a cell membrane or a cytoplasmic molecule. An NOVX target molecule can be a non-NOVX molecule or an

NOVX protein or polypeptide of the invention. In one embodiment, an NOVX target molecule is a component of a signal transduction pathway that facilitates transduction of an extracellular signal (e. g. a signal generated by binding of a compound to a membrane-bound NOVX molecule) through the cell membrane and into the cell. The target, for example, can be a second intercellular protein that has catalytic activity or a protein that facilitates the association of downstream signaling molecules with NOVX.

Determining the ability of the NOVX protein to bind to or interact with an NOVX target molecule can be accomplished by one of the methods described above for determining direct binding. In one embodiment, determining the ability of the NOVX protein to bind to or interact with an NOVX target molecule can be accomplished by determining the activity of the target molecule. For example, the activity of the target molecule can be determined by detecting induction of a cellular second messenger of the target (i. e. intracellular Ca2*, diacylglycerol, IP3, etc.), detecting catalytic/enzymatic activity of the target an appropriate substrate, detecting the induction of a reporter gene (comprising an NOVX-responsive regulatory element operatively linked to a nucleic acid encoding a detectable marker, e. g., luciferase), or detecting a cellular response, for example, cell survival, cellular differentiation, or cell proliferation.

In yet another embodiment, an assay of the invention is a cell-free assay comprising contacting an NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to bind to the NOVX protein or biologically- active portion thereof. Binding of the test compound to the NOVX protein can be determined either directly or indirectly as described above. In one such embodiment, the assay comprises contacting the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof with a known compound which binds NOVX to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein comprises determining the ability of the test compound to preferentially bind to NOVX or biologically-active portion thereof as compared to the known compound.

In still another embodiment, an assay is a cell-free assay comprising contacting NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to modulate (e. g. stimulate or inhibit) the activity of the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of NOVX can be accomplished, for example, by determining the ability of the NOVX protein to bind to an NOVX target molecule by one of the methods described

above for determining direct binding. In an alternative embodiment, determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of NOVX protein can be accomplished by determining the ability of the NOVX protein further modulate an NOVX target molecule. For example, the catalytic/enzymatic activity of the target molecule on an appropriate substrate can be determined as described, siipi-a.

In yet another embodiment, the cell-free assay comprises contacting the NOVX protein or biologically-active portion thereof with a known compound which binds NOVX protein to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an NOVX protein comprises determining the ability of the NOVX protein to preferentially bind to or modulate the activity of an NOVX target molecule.

The cell-free assays of the invention are amenable to use of both the soluble form or the membrane-bound form of NOVX protein. In the case of cell-free assays comprising the membrane-bound form of NOVX protein, it may be desirable to utilize a solubilizing agent such that the membrane-bound form of NOVX protein is maintained in solution. Examples of such solubilizing agents include non-ionic detergents such as n-octylglucoside, n-dodecylglucoside, n-dodecylmaltoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, Triton'X-100, Tritone X-1 14, ThesitE', Isotridecypoly (ethylene glycol ether)", N-dodecyl--N, N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane sulfonate, 3- (3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylamminiol-1-propane sulfonate (GHAPS), or 3- (3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylamminiol-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPSO).

In more than one embodiment of the above assay methods of the invention, it may be desirable to immobilize either NOVX protein or its target molecule to facilitate separation of complexed from uncomplexed forms of one or both of the proteins, as well as to accommodate automation of the assay. Binding of a test compound to NOVX protein, or interaction of NOVX protein with a target molecule in the presence and absence of a candidate compound, can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtiter plates, test tubes, and micro-centrifuge tubes. In one embodiment, a fusion protein can be provided that adds a domain that allows one or both of the proteins to be bound to a matrix. For example, GST-NOVX fusion proteins or GST-target fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, MO) or glutathione derivatized microtiter plates, that are then combined with the test compound or the test compound and either the non-adsorbed target protein or NOVX protein, and the mixture is

incubated under conditions conducive to complex formation (e. g., at physiological conditions for salt and pH). Following incubation, the beads or microtiter plate wells are washed to remove any unbound components, the matrix immobilized in the case of beads, complex determined either directly or indirectly, for example, as described, szipi-a. Alternatively, the complexes can be dissociated from the matrix, and the level ofNOVX protein binding or activity determined using standard techniques.

Other techniques for immobilizing proteins on matrices can also be used in the screening assays of the invention. For example, either the NOVX protein or its target molecule can be immobilized utilizing conjugation of biotin and streptavidin. Biotinylated NOVX protein or target molecules can be prepared from biotin-INHS (N-hydroxy-succinimide) using techniques well-known within the art (e. g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, 111.), and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical). Alternatively, antibodies reactive with NOVX protein or target molecules, but which do not interfere with binding of the NOVX protein to its target molecule, can be derivatized to the wells of the plate, and unbound target or NOVX protein trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation. Methods for detecting such complexes, in addition to those described above for the GST-immobilized complexes, include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies reactive with the NOVX protein or target molecule, as well as enzyme-linked assays that rely on detecting an enzymatic activity associated with the NOVX protein or target molecule.

In another embodiment, modulators of NOVX protein expression are identified in a method wherein a cell is contacted with a candidate compound and the expression of NOVX mRNA or protein in the cell is determined. The level of expression of NOVX mRNA or protein in the presence of the candidate compound is compared to the level of expression of NOVX mRNA or protein in the absence of the candidate compound. The candidate compound can then be identified as a modulator of NOVX mRNA or protein expression based upon this comparison. For example, when expression of NOVX mRNA or protein is greater (i. e., statistically significantly greater) in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as a stimulator ofNOVX mRNA or protein expression. Alternatively, when expression of NOVX mRNA or protein is less (statistically significantly less) in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as an inhibitorofNOVX mRNA orprotein expression. The level of NOVX mRNA or protein expression in the cells can be determined by methods described herein for detecting NOVX mRNA or protein.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the NOVX proteins can be used as"bait proteins"in a two-hybrid assay or three hybrid assay (see, e. g., U. S. Patent No. 5,283,317; Zervos, et al., 1993. Cell 72 : 223-232; Madura, et al., 1993. J. Biol. C/le/el. 268: 12046-12054; Bartel, el al., 1993. Biotechniques 14: 920-924; Iwabuchi, et al., 1993. Orzcogerve 8: 1693-1696; and Brent WO 94/10300), to identify other proteins that bind to or interact with NOVX ("NOVX-binding proteins"or"NOVX-bp") and modulate NOVX activity. Such NOVX-binding proteins are also likely to be involved in the propagation of signals by the NOVX proteins as, for example, upstream or downstream elements of the NOVX pathway.

The two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains. Briefly, the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs. In one construct, the gene that codes for NOVX is fused to a gene encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e. g., GAL-4). In the other construct, a DNA sequence, from a library of DNA sequences, that encodes an unidentified protein ("prey"or"sample") is fused to a gene that codes for the activation domain of the known transcription factor. If the"bait"and the"prey"proteins are able to interact, in vivo, forming an NOVX-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e. g., LacZ) that is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression of the reporter gene can be detected and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the cloned gene that encodes the protein which interacts with NOVX.

The invention further pertains to novel agents identified by the aforementioned screening assays and uses thereof for treatments as described herein.

Detection Assays Portions or fragments of the cDNA sequences identified herein (and the corresponding complete gene sequences) can be used in numerous ways as polynucleotide reagents. By way of example, and not of limitation, these sequences can be used to: (i) map their respective genes on a chromosome ; and, thus, locate gene regions associated with genetic disease; (ii) identify an individual from a minute biological sample (tissue typing); and (iii) aid in forensic identification of a biological sample. Some of these applications are described in the subsections, below.

Chromosome Mapping Once the sequence (or a portion of the sequence) of a gene has been isolated, this sequence can be used to map the location of the gene on a chromosome. This process is called chromosome mapping. Accordingly, portions or fragments of the NOVX sequences, SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or fragments or derivatives thereof, can be used to map the location of the NOVX genes, respectively, on a chromosome. The mapping of the NOVX sequences to chromosomes is an important first step in correlating these sequences with genes associated with disease.

Briefly, NOVX genes can be mapped to chromosomes by preparing PCR primers (preferably 15-25 bp in length) from the NOVX sequences. Computer analysis of the NOVX, sequences can be used to rapidly select primers that do not span more than one exon in the genomic DNA, thus complicating the amplification process. These primers can then be used for PCR screening of somatic cell hybrids containing individual human chromosomes. Only those hybrids containing the human gene corresponding to the NOVX sequences will yield an amplified fragment.

Somatic cell hybrids are prepared by fusing somatic cells from different mammals (e. g., human and mouse cells). As hybrids of human and mouse cells grow and divide, they gradually lose human chromosomes in random order, but retain the mouse chromosomes. By using media in which mouse cells cannot grow, because they lack a particular enzyme, but in which human cells can, the one human chromosome that contains the gene encoding the needed enzyme will be retained. By using various media, panels of hybrid cell lines can be established. Each cell line in a panel contains either a single human chromosome or a small number of human chromosomes, and a full set of mouse chromosomes, allowing easy mapping of individual genes to specific human chromosomes. See, e. g., D'Eustachio, et al., 1983. Science 220: 919-924. Somatic cell hybrids containing only fragments of human chromosomes can also be produced by using human chromosomes with translocations and deletions.

PCR mapping of somatic cell hybrids is a rapid procedure for assigning a particular sequence to a particular chromosome. Three or more sequences can be assigned per day using a single thermal cycler. Using the NOVX sequences to design oligonucleotide primers, sub- localization can be achieved with panels of fragments from specific chromosomes.

Fluorescence if I sitll hybridization (FISH) of a DNA sequence to a metaphase chromosomal spread can further be used to provide a precise chromosomal location in one

step. Chromosome spreads can be made using cells whose division has been blocked in metaphase by a chemical like colcemid that disrupts the mitotic spindle. The chromosomes can be treated briefly with trypsin, and then stained with Giemsa. A pattern of light and dark bands develops on each chromosome, so that the chromosomes can be identified individually.

The FISH technique can be used with a DNA sequence as short as 500 or 600 bases.

However, clones larger than 1,000 bases have a higher likelihood of binding to a unique chromosomal location with sufficient signal intensity for simple detection. Preferably 1,000 bases, and more preferably 2,000 bases, will suffice to get good results at a reasonable amount of time. For a review of this technique, see, Verma, et al., HUMAN CHROMOSOMES : A MANUAL OF BASIC TECHNIQUES (Pergamon Press, New York 1988).

Reagents for chromosome mapping can be used individually to mark a single chromosome or a single site on that chromosome, or panels of reagents can be used for marking multiple sites and/or multiple chromosomes. Reagents corresponding to noncoding regions of the genes actually are preferred for mapping purposes. Coding sequences are more likely to be conserved within gene families, thus increasing the chance of cross hybridizations during chromosomal mapping.

Once a sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position of the sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data. Such data are found, e. g., in McKusick, MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, available on-line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between genes and disease, mapped to the same chromosomal region, can then be identified through linkage analysis (co-inheritance of physically adjacent genes), described in, e. g., Egeland, et al., 1987.

Nature, 325: 783-787.

Moreover, differences in the DNA sequences between individuals affected and unaffected with a disease associated with the NOVX gene, can be determined. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the affected individuals but not in any unaffected individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the particular disease. Comparison of affected and unaffected individuals generally involves first looking for structural alterations in the chromosomes, such as deletions or translocations that are visible from chromosome spreads or detectable using PCR based on that DNA sequence. Ultimately, complete sequencing of genes from several individuals can be performed to confirm the presence of a mutation and to distinguish mutations from polymorphisms.

Tissue Typing The NOVX sequences of the invention can also be used to identify individuals from minute biological samples. In this technique, an individual's genomic DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes, and probed on a Southern blot to yield unique bands for identification. The sequences of the invention are useful as additional DNA markers for RFLP ("restriction fragment length polymorphisms,"described in U. S. Patent No. 5,272,057).

Furthermore, the sequences of the invention can be used to provide an alternative technique that determines the actual base-by-base DNA sequence of selected portions of an individual's genome. Thus, the NOVX sequences described herein can be used to prepare two PCR primers from the 5'-and 3'-termini of the sequences. These primers can then be used to amplify an individual's DNA and subsequently sequence it.

Panels of corresponding DNA sequences from individuals, prepared in this manner, can provide unique individual identifications, as each individual will have a unique set of such DNA sequences due to allelic differences. The sequences of the invention can be used to obtain such identification sequences from individuals and from tissue. The NOVX sequences of the invention uniquely represent portions of the human genome. Allelic variation occurs to some degree in the coding regions of these sequences, and to a greater degree in the noncoding regions. It is estimated that allelic variation between individual humans occurs with a frequency of about once per each 500 bases. Much of the allelic variation is due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which include restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs).

Each of the sequences described herein can, to some degree, be used as a standard against which DNA from an individual can be compared for identification purposes. Because greater numbers of polymorphisms occur in the noncoding regions, fewer sequences are necessary to differentiate individuals. The noncoding sequences can comfortably provide positive individual identification with a panel of perhaps 10 to 1,000 primers that each yield a noncoding amplified sequence of 100 bases. If predicted coding sequences, such as those in SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28 are used, a more appropriate number of primers for positive individual identification would be 500-2,000.

Predictive Medicine The invention also pertains to the field of predictive medicine in which diagnostic assays, prognostic assays, pharmacogenomics, and monitoring clinical trials are used for

prognostic (predictive) purposes to thereby treat an individual prophylactically. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention relates to diagnostic assays for determining NOVX protein and/or nucleic acid expression as well as NOVX activity, in the context of a biological sample (e. g., blood, serum, cells, tissue) to thereby determine whether an individual is afflicted with a disease or disorder, or is at risk of developing a disorder, associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity. The disorders include metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, infectious disease, anorexia, cancer-associated cachexia, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disorder, immune disorders, and hematopoietic disorders, and the various dyslipidemias, metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, the metabolic syndrome X and wasting disorders associated with chronic diseases and various cancers. The invention also provides for prognostic (or predictive) assays for determining whether an individual is at risk of developing a disorder associated with NOVX protein, nucleic acid expression or activity. For example, mutations in an NOVX gene can be assayed in a biological sample. Such assays can be used for prognostic or predictive purpose to thereby prophylactically treat an individual prior to the onset of a disorder characterized by or associated with NOVX protein, nucleic acid expression, or biological activity.

Another aspect of the invention provides methods for determining NOVX protein, nucleic acid expression or activity in an individual to thereby select appropriate therapeutic or prophylactic agents for that individual (referred to herein as"pharmacogenomics").

Pharmacogenomics allows for the selection of agents (e. g., drugs) for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of an individual based on the genotype of the individual (e. g., the genotype of the individual examined to determine the ability of the individual to respond to a particular agent.) Yet another aspect of the invention pertains to monitoring the influence of agents (e. g., drugs, compounds) on the expression or activity of NOVX in clinical trials.

These and other agents are described in further detail in the following sections.

Diagnostic Assays An exemplary method for detecting the presence or absence of NOVX in a biological sample involves obtaining a biological sample from a test subject and contacting the biological sample with a compound or an agent capable of detecting NOVX protein or nucleic acid (e. g., mRNA, genomic DNA) that encodes NOVX protein such that the presence of NOVX is detected in the biological sample. An agent for detecting NOVX mRNA or genomic DNA is a labeled nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to NOVX mRNA or genomic DNA. The

nucleic acid probe can be, for example, a full-length NOVX nucleic acid, such as the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NOS : 1, 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25, and 28, or a portion thereof, such as an oligonucleotide of at least 15,30,50,100,250 or 500 nucleotides in length and sufficient to specifically hybridize under stringent conditions to NOVX mRNA or genomic DNA. Other suitable probes for use in the diagnostic assays of the invention are described herein.

An agent for detecting NOVX protein is an antibody capable of binding to NOVX protein, preferably an antibody with a detectable label. Antibodies can be polyclonal, or more preferably, monoclonal. An intact antibody, or a fragment thereof (e. g., Fab or F (ab') 2) can be used. The term"labeled", with regard to the probe or antibody, is intended to encompass direct labeling of the probe or antibody by coupling (i. e., physically linking) a detectable substance to the probe or antibody, as well as indirect labeling of the probe or antibody by reactivity with another reagent that is directly labeled. Examples of indirect labeling include detection of a primary antibody using a fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody and end-labeling of a DNA probe with biotin such that it can be detected with fluorescently- labeled streptavidin. The term"biological sample"is intended to include tissues, cells and biological fluids isolated from a subject, as well as tissues, cells and fluids present within a subject. That is, the detection method of the invention can be used to detectNOVX mRNA, protein, or genomic DNA in a biological sample ii2 vitro as well as ill vivo. For example, ill vitro techniques for detection of NOVX mRNA include Northern hybridizations and iii sitit hybridizations. Ira vitro techniques for detection of NOVX protein include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Western blots, immunoprecipitations, and immunofhjorescence. Iii vitro techniques for detection of NOVX genomic DNA include Southern hybridizations. Furthermore, in vivo techniques for detection of NOVX protein include introducing into a subject a labeled anti-NOVX antibody. For example, the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques.

In one embodiment, the biological sample contains protein molecules from the test subject. Alternatively, the biological sample can contain mRNA molecules from the test subject or genomic DNA molecules from the test subject. A preferred biological sample is a peripheral blood leukocyte sample isolated by conventional means from a subject.

In another embodiment, the methods further involve obtaining a control biological sample from a control subject, contacting the control sample with a compound or agent capable of detecting NOVX protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA, such that the presence of

NOVX protein, mRNA or genomic DNA is detected in the biological sample, and comparing the presence of NOVX protein, mRNA or genomic DNA in the control sample with the presence of NOVX protein, mRNA or genomic DNA in the test sample.

The invention also encompasses kits for detecting the presence of NOVX in a biological sample. For example, the kit can comprise: a labeled compound or agent capable of detecting NOVX protein or mRNA in a biological sample; means for determining the amount of NOVX in the sample; and means for comparing the amount of NOVX in the sample with a standard. The compound or agent can be packaged in a suitable container. The kit can further comprise instructions for using the kit to detect NOVX protein or nucleic acid.

Prognostic Assays The diagnostic methods described herein can furthermore be utilized to identify subjects having or at risk of developing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity. For example, the assays described herein, such as the preceding diagnostic assays or the following assays, can be utilized to identify a subject having or at risk of developing a disorder associated with NOVX protein, nucleic acid expression or activity.

Alternatively, the prognostic assays can be utilized to identify a subject having or at risk for developing a disease or disorder. Thus, the invention provides a method for identifying a disease or disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity in which a test sample is obtained from a subject and NOVX protein or nucleic acid (e. g., mRNA, genomic DNA) is detected, wherein the presence of NOVX protein or nucleic acid is diagnostic for a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity. As used herein, a"test sample"refers to a biological sample obtained from a subject of interest. For example, a test sample can be a biological fluid (e. g., serum), cell sample, or tissue.

Furthermore, the prognostic assays described herein can be used to determine whether a subject can be administered an agent (e. g., an agonist, antagonist, peptidomimetic, protein, peptide, nucleic acid, small molecule, or other drug candidate) to treat a disease or disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity. For example, such methods can be used to determine whether a subject can be effectively treated with an agent for a disorder.

Thus, the invention provides methods for determining whether a subject can be effectively treated with an agent for a disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity in which a test sample is obtained and NOVX protein or nucleic acid is detected (e. g., wherein the presence of NOVX protein or nucleic acid is diagnostic for a subject that can be

administered the agent to treat a disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity).

The methods of the invention can also be used to detect genetic lesions in an NOVX gene, thereby determining if a subject with the lesioned gene is at risk for a disorder characterized by aberrant cell proliferation and/or differentiation. In various embodiments, the methods include detecting, in a sample of cells from the subject, the presence or absence of a genetic lesion characterized by at least one of an alteration affecting the integrity of a gene encoding an NOVX-protein, or the misexpression of the NOVX gene. For example, such genetic lesions can be detected by ascertaining the existence of at least one of : (i) a deletion of one or more nucleotides from an NOVX gene; (ii) an addition of one or more nucleotides to an NOVX gene ; (iii) a substitution of one or more nucleotides of an NOVX gene, (iv) a chromosomal rearrangement of an NOVX gene; (v) an alteration in the level of a messenger RNA transcript of an NOVX gene, (vi) aberrant modification of an NOVX gene, such as of the methylation pattern of the genomic DNA, (vii) the presence of a non-wild-type splicing pattern of a messenger RNA transcript of an NOVX gene, (viii) a non-wild-type level of an NOVX protein, (ix) allelic loss of an NOVX gene, and (x) inappropriate post-translational modification of an NOVX protein. As described herein, there are a large number of assay techniques known in the art which can be used for detecting lesions in an NOVX gene. A preferred biological sample is a peripheral blood leukocyte sample isolated by conventional means from a subject. However, any biological sample containing nucleated cells may be used, including, for example, buccal mucosal cells.

In certain embodiments, detection of the lesion involves the use of a probe/primer in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (see, e. g., U. S. Patent Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202), such as anchor PCR or RACE PCR, or, alternatively, in a ligation chain reaction (LCR) (see, e. g., Landegran, et al., 1988. Science 241: 1077-1080; and Nakazawa, et al., 1994. Proc. Nail.

Acad. Sci. USA 91 : 360-364), the latter of which can be particularly useful for detecting point mutations in the NOVX-gene (see, Abravaya, et al., 1995. Nzlcl. Acicls Res. 23: 675-682).

This method can include the steps of collecting a sample of cells from a patient, isolating nucleic acid (e. g., genomic, mRNA or both) from the cells of the sample, contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more primers that specifically hybridize to an NOVX gene under conditions such that hybridization and amplification of the NOVX gene (if present) occurs, and detecting the presence or absence of an amplification product, or detecting the size of the amplification product and comparing the length to a control sample. It is anticipated

that PCR and/or LGR may be desirable to use as a preliminary amplification step in conjunction with any of the techniques used for detecting mutations described herein.

Alternative amplification methods include: self sustained sequence replication (see, Guatelli, et al., 1990. Puoc. Natl. Acacl. Sci. USt 87: 1874-1878), transcriptional amplification system (see, Kwoh, et al., 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. UNA 86 : 1173-1177); Qß Replicase (see, Lizardi, et al, 1988. BioTechriology 6 : 1197), or any other nucleic acid amplification method, followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques well known to those of skill in the art. These detection schemes are especially useful for the detection of nucleic acid molecules if such molecules are present in very low numbers.

In an alternative embodiment, mutations in an NOVX gene from a sample cell can be identified by alterations in restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. For example, sample and control DNA is isolated, amplified (optionally), digested with one or more restriction endonucleases, and fragment length sizes are determined by gel electrophoresis and compared.

Differences in fragment length sizes between sample and control DNA indicates mutations in the sample DNA. Moreover, the use of sequence specific ribozymes (see, e. g., U. S. Patent No. 5, 493, 531) can be used to score for the presence of specific mutations by development or loss of a ribozyme cleavage site.

In other embodiments, genetic mutations in NOVX can be identified by hybridizing a sample and control nucleic acids, e. g., DNA or RNA, to high-density arrays containing hundreds or thousands of oligonucleotides probes. See, e. g., Cronin, et a/., 1996. Humas Mu tison 7: 244-255; Kozal, et al., 1996. Nat. Med. 2: 753-759. For example, genetic mutations in NOVX can be identified in two dimensional arrays containing light-generated DNA probes as described in Cronin, et al., supra. Briefly, a first hybridization array of probes can be used to scan through long stretches of DNA in a sample and control to identify base changes between the sequences by making linear arrays of sequential overlapping probes.

This step allows the identification of point mutations. This is followed by a second hybridization array that allows the characterization of specific mutations by using smaller, specialized probe arrays complementary to all variants or mutations detected. Each mutation array is composed of parallel probe sets, one complementary to the wild-type gene and the other complementary to the mutant gene.

In yet another embodiment, any of a variety of sequencing reactions known in the art can be used to directly sequence the NOVX gene and detect mutations by comparing the sequence of the sample NOVX with the corresponding wild-type (control) sequence.

Examples of sequencing reactions include those based on techniques developed by Maxim and

Gilbert, 1977. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74: 560 or Sanger, 1977. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 74: 5463. It is also contemplated that any of a variety of automated sequencing procedures can be utilized when performing the diagnostic assays (see, e. g., Naeve, et al., 1995.

Biolechniqztes 19 : 448), including sequencing by mass spectrometry (see, e. g., PCT International Publication No. WO 94/16101 ; Cohen, et al., 1996, Adv. Chromatography 36: 127-162; and Griffin, et al., 1993. Appl. Bioclzejsi. Bioteclyzol. 38: 147-159).

Other methods for detecting mutations in the NOVX gene include methods in which protection from cleavage agents is used to detect mismatched bases in RNA/RNA or RNA/DNA heteroduplexes. See, e. g., Myers, et al., 1985. Scierace 230 : 1242. In general, the art technique of"mismatch cleavage"starts by providing heteroduplexes of formed by hybridizing (labeled) RNA or DNA containing the wild-type NOVX sequence with potentially mutant RNA or DNA obtained from a tissue sample. The double-stranded duplexes are treated with an agent that cleaves single-stranded regions of the duplex such as which will exist due to basepair mismatches between the control and sample strands. For instance, RNA/DNA duplexes can be treated with RNase and DNA/DNA hybrids treated with Si nuclease to enzymatically digesting the mismatched regions. In other embodiments, either DNA/DNA or RNA/DNA duplexes can be treated with hydroxylamine or osmium tetroxide and with piperidine in order to digest mismatched regions. After digestion of the mismatched regions, the resulting material is then separated by size on denaturing polyacrylamide gels to determine the site of mutation. See, e. g., Cotton, et al., 1988. Pi-oc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 4397; Saleeba, et al., 1992. Methods Erzzyrriol. 217: 286-295. In an embodiment, the control DNA or RNA can be labeled for detection.

In still another embodiment, the mismatch cleavage reaction employs one or more proteins that recognize mismatched base pairs in double-stranded DNA (so called"DNA mismatch repair"enzymes) in defined systems for detecting and mapping point mutations in NOVX cDNAs obtained from samples of cells. For example, the mutY enzyme of E. coli cleaves A at G/A mismatches and the thymidine DNA glycosylase from HeLa cells cleaves T at G/T mismatches. See, e.g., Hsu, et al., 1994. Carcinogenesis 15 : 1657-1662. According to an exemplary embodiment, a probe based on an NOVX sequence, e. g., a wild-type NOVX sequence, is hybridized to a cDNA or other DNA product from a test cell (s). The duplex is treated with a DNA mismatch repair enzyme, and the cleavage products, if any, can be detected from electrophoresis protocols or the like. See, e. g., U. S. Patent No. 5,459,039.

In other embodiments, alterations in electrophoretic mobility will be used to identify mutations in NOVX genes. For example, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)

may be used to detect differences in electrophoretic mobility between mutant and wild type nucleic acids. See, e. g., Orita, et al., 1989. Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. USA : 86: 2766; Cotton, 1993. Mutat. Res. 285: 125-144 ; Hayashi, 1992. Geszet. Anal. Tech. Appl. 9: 73-79.

Single-stranded DNA fragments of sample and control NOVX nucleic acids will be denatured and allowed to renature. The secondary structure of single-stranded nucleic acids varies according to sequence, the resulting alteration in electrophoretic mobility enables the detection of even a single base change. The DNA fragments may be labeled or detected with labeled probes. The sensitivity of the assay may be enhanced by using RNA (rather than DNA), in which the secondary structure is more sensitive to a change in sequence. In one embodiment, the subject method utilizes heteroduplex analysis to separate double stranded heteroduplex molecules on the basis of changes in electrophoretic mobility. See, e. g., Keen, ei al., 1991.

Trends Genet. 7: 5.

In yet another embodiment, the movement of mutant or wild-type fragments in polyacrylamide gels containing a gradient of denaturant is assayed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). See, e. g., Myers, et al., 1985. Natztre 313: 495. When DGGE is used as the method of analysis, DNA will be modified to insure that it does not completely denature, for example by adding a GC clamp of approximately 40 bp of high-melting GC-rich DNA by PCR. In a further embodiment, a temperature gradient is used in place of a denaturing gradient to identify differences in the mobility of control and sample DNA. See, e. g., Rosenbaum and Reissner, 1987. Bioplzvs. Chen. 265: 12753.

Examples of other techniques for detecting point mutations include, but are not limited to, selective oligonucleotide hybridization, selective amplification, or selective primer extension. For example, oligonucleotide primers may be prepared in which the known mutation is placed centrally and then hybridized to target DNA under conditions that permit hybridization only if a perfect match is found. See, e. g., Saiki, et al., 1986. Natart-e 324: 163 ; Saiki, et al., 1989. Pi-oc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 6230. Such allele specific oligonucleotides are hybridized to PCR amplified target DNA or a number of different mutations when the oligonucleotides are attached to the hybridizing membrane and hybridized with labeled target DNA.

Alternatively, allele specific amplification technology that depends on selective PCR amplification may be used in conjunction with the instant invention. Oligonucleotides used as primers for specific amplification may carry the mutation of interest in the center of the molecule (so that amplification depends on differential hybridization; see, e. g., Gibbs, et al., 1989. Nucl. Acids Res. 17: 2437-2448) or at the extreme 3'-terminus of one primer where,

under appropriate conditions, mismatch can prevent, or reduce polymerase extension (see, e. g., Prossner, 1993. Tibteclz 238). In addition it may be desirable to introduce a novel restriction site in the region of the mutation to create cleavage-based detection. See, e. g., Gasparini, et al., 1992. Mol. CellProbes 6 : 1. It is anticipated that in certain embodiments amplification may also be performed using Tcacq ligase for amplification. See, e. g., Barany, 1991. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88 : 189. In such cases, ligation will occur only if there is a perfect match at the 3'-terminus of the 5'sequence, making it possible to detect the presence of a known mutation at a specific site by looking for the presence or absence of amplification.

The methods described herein may be performed, for example, by utilizing pre-packaged diagnostic kits comprising at least one probe nucleic acid or antibody reagent described herein, which may be conveniently used, e. g., in clinical settings to diagnose patients exhibiting symptoms or family history of a disease or illness involving an NOVX gene.

Furthermore, any cell type or tissue, preferably peripheral blood leukocytes, in which NOVX is expressed may be utilized in the prognostic assays described herein. However, any biological sample containing nucleated cells may be used, including, for example, buccal mucosal cells.

Pharmacogenomics Agents, or modulators that have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on NOVX activity (e. g., NOVX gene expression), as identified by a screening assay described herein can be administered to individuals to treat (prophylactically or therapeutically) disorders (The disorders include metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, infectious disease, anorexia, cancer- associated cachexia, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disorder, immune disorders, and hematopoietic disorders, and the various dyslipidemias, metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, the metabolic syndrome X and wasting disorders associated with chronic diseases and various cancers.) In conjunction with such treatment, the phannacogenomics (i. e., the study of the relationship between an individual's genotype and that individual's response to a foreign compound or drug) of the individual may be considered. Differences in metabolism of therapeutics can lead to severe toxicity or therapeutic failure by altering the relation between dose and blood concentration of the pharmacologically active drug. Thus, the pharmacogenomics of the individual permits the selection of effective agents (e. g., drugs) for prophylactic or therapeutic treatments based on a consideration of the individual's genotype. Such pharmacogenomics can further be used to

determine appropriate dosages and therapeutic regimens. Accordingly, the activity of NOVX protein, expression of NOVX nucleic acid, or mutation content of NOVX genes in an individual can be determined to thereby select appropriate agent (s) for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of the individual.

Phannacogenomics deals with clinically significant hereditary variations in the response to drugs due to altered drug disposition and abnormal action in affected persons. See e. g., Eichelbaum, 1996. Clisz. Exp. Phay-macol. Physiol., 23: 983-985; Linder, 1997. List.

Clrern., 43: 254-266. In general, two types of pharmacogenetic conditions can be differentiated. Genetic conditions transmitted as a single factor altering the way drugs act on the body (altered drug action) or genetic conditions transmitted as single factors altering the way the body acts on drugs (altered drug metabolism). These pharmacogenetic conditions can occur either as rare defects or as polymorphisms. For example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common inherited enzymopathy in which the main clinical complication is hemolysis after ingestion of oxidant drugs (anti-malarials, sulfonamides, analgesics, nitrofurans) and consumption offava beans.

As an illustrative embodiment, the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes is a major determinant of both the intensity and duration of drug action. The discovery of genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolizing enzymes (e. g., N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT 2) and cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C 19) has provided an explanation as to why some patients do not obtain the expected drug effects or show exaggerated drug response and serious toxicity after taking the standard and safe dose of a drug. These polymorphisms are expressed in two phenotypes in the population, the extensive metabolizer (EM) and poor metabolizer (PM). The prevalence ofPM is different among different populations. For example, the gene coding for CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic and several mutations have been identified in PM, which all lead to the absence of functional CYP2D6. Poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 quite frequently experience exaggerated drug response and side effects when they receive standard doses. If a metabolite is the active therapeutic moiety, PM show no therapeutic response, as demonstrated for the analgesic effect of codeine mediated by its CYP2D6-formed metabolite morphine. At the other extreme are the so called ultra-rapid metabolizers who do not respond to standard doses. Recently, the molecular basis of ultra-rapid metabolism has been identified to be due to CYP2D6 gene amplification.

Thus, the activity of NOVX protein, expression of NOVX nucleic acid, or mutation content of NOVX genes in an individual can be determined to thereby select appropriate agent (s) for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of the individual. In addition,

pharmacogenetic studies can be used to apply genotyping of polymorphic alleles encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes to the identification of an individual's drug responsiveness phenotype. This knowledge, when applied to dosing or drug selection, can avoid adverse reactions or therapeutic failure and thus enhance therapeutic or prophylactic efficiency when treating a subject with an NOVX modulator, such as a modulator identified by one of the exemplary screening assays described herein.

Monitoring of Effects During Clinical Trials Monitoring the influence of agents (e. g., drugs, compounds) on the expression or activity of NOVX (e. g., the ability to modulate aberrant cell proliferation and/or differentiation) can be applied not only in basic drug screening, but also in clinical trials. For example, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay as described herein to increase NOVX gene expression, protein levels, or upregulate NOVX activity, can be monitored in clinical trails of subjects exhibiting decreased NOVX gene expression, protein levels, or downregulated NOVX activity. Alternatively, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay to decrease NOVX gene expression, protein levels, or downregulate NOVX activity, can be monitored in clinical trails of subjects exhibiting increased NOVX gene expression, protein levels, or upregulated NOVX activity. In such clinical trials, the expression or activity of NOVX and, preferably, other genes that have been implicated in, for example, a cellular proliferation or immune disorder can be used as a"read out"or markers of the immune responsiveness of a particular cell.

By way of example, and not of limitation, genes, including NOVX, that are modulated in cells by treatment with an agent (e. g., compound, drug or small molecule) that modulates NOVX activity (e. g., identified in a screening assay as described herein) can be identified.

Thus, to study the effect of agents on cellular proliferation disorders, for example, in a clinical trial, cells can be isolated and RNA prepared and analyzed for the levels of expression of NOVX and other genes implicated in the disorder. The levels of gene expression (i. e., a gene expression pattern) can be quantified by Northern blot analysis or RT-PCR, as described herein, or alternatively by measuring the amount of protein produced, by one of the methods as described herein, or by measuring the levels of activity of NOVX or other genes. In this manner, the gene expression pattern can serve as a marker, indicative of the physiological response of the cells to the agent. Accordingly, this response state may be determined before, and at various points during, treatment of the individual with the agent.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of a subject with an agent (e. g., an agonist, antagonist, protein, peptide, peptidomimetic, nucleic acid, small molecule, or other drug candidate identified by the screening assays described herein) comprising the steps of (i) obtaining a pre-administration sample from a subject prior to administration of the agent; (ii) detecting the level of expression of an NOVX protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the preadministration sample; (iii) obtaining one or more post-administration samples from the subject; (iv) detecting the level of expression or activity of the NOVX protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the post-administration samples; (v) comparing the level of expression or activity of the NOVX protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the pre-administration sample with the NOVX protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the post administration sample or samples; and (vi) altering the administration of the agent to the subject accordingly. For example, increased administration of the agent may be desirable to increase the expression or activity of NOVX to higher levels than detected, i. e., to increase the effectiveness of the agent. Alternatively, decreased administration of the agent may be desirable to decrease expression or activity of NOVX to lower levels than detected, i. e., to decrease the effectiveness of the agent.

Methods of Treatment The invention provides for both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) a disorder or having a disorder associated with aberrant NOVX expression or activity. The disorders include cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, hypertension, congenital heart defects, aortic stenosis, atrial septal defect (ASD), atrioventricular (A-V) canal defect, ductus arteriosus, pulmonary stenosis, subaortic stenosis, ventricular septal defect (VSD), valve diseases, tuberous sclerosis, scleroderma, obesity, transplantation, adrenoleukodystrophy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, prostate cancer, neoplasm; adenocarcinoma, lymphom, uterus cancer, fertility, hemophilia, hypercoagulation, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, immunodeficiencies, graft versus host disease, AIDS, bronchial asthma, Crohn's disease ; multiple sclerosis, treatment of Albright Hereditary Ostoeodystrophy, and other diseases, disorders and conditions of the like.

These methods of treatment will be discussed more fully, below.

Disease and Disorders Diseases and disorders that are characterized by increased (relative to a subject not suffering from the disease or disorder) levels or biological activity may be treated with

Therapeutics that antagonize (ie., reduce or inhibit) activity. Therapeutics that antagonize activity may be administered in a therapeutic or prophylactic manner. Therapeutics that may be utilized include, but are not limited to: (i) an aforementioned peptide, or analogs, derivatives, fragments or homologs thereof ; (ii) antibodies to an aforementioned peptide; (iii) nucleic acids encoding an aforementioned peptide; (iv) administration of antisense nucleic acid and nucleic acids that are"dysfunctional" (i. e., due to a heterologous insertion within the coding sequences of coding sequences to an aforementioned peptide) that are utilized to "knockout"endogenous function of an aforementioned peptide by homologous recombination (see, e. g., Gapecchi, 1989. Science 244: 1288-1292); or (v) modulators (i. e., inhibitors, agonists and antagonists, including additional peptide mimetic of the invention or antibodies specific to a peptide of the invention) that alter the interaction between an aforementioned peptide and its binding partner.

Diseases and disorders that are characterized by decreased (relative to a subject not suffering from the disease or disorder) levels or biological activity may be treated with Therapeutics that increase (i. e., are agonists to) activity. Therapeutics that upregulate activity may be administered in a therapeutic or prophylactic manner. Therapeutics that may be utilized include, but are not limited to, an aforementioned peptide, or analogs, derivatives, fragments or homologs thereof ; or an agonist that increases bioavailability.

Increased or decreased levels can be readily detected by quantifying peptide and/or RNA, by obtaining a patient tissue sample (e. g,, from biopsy tissue) and assaying it i} 1 vitro for RNA or peptide levels, structure and/or activity of the expressed peptides (or mRNAs of an aforementioned peptide). Methods that are well-known within the art include, but are not limited to, immunoassays (e. g., by Western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunocytochemistry, etc.) and/or hybridization assays to detect expression of mRNAs (e. g., Northern assays, dot blots, in sitii hybridization, and the like).

Prophylactic Methods In one aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing, in a subject, a disease or condition associated with an aberrant NOVX expression or activity, by administering to the subject an agent that modulates NOVX expression or at least one NOVX activity. Subjects at risk for a disease that is caused or contributed to by aberrant NOVX expression or activity can be identified by, for example, any or a combination of diagnostic or prognostic assays as described herein. Administration oSa prophylactic agent can occur prior to the manifestation

of symptoms characteristic of the NOVX aberrancy, such that a disease or disorder is prevented or, alternatively, delayed in its progression. Depending upon the type of NOVX aberrancy, for example, an NOVX agonist or NOVX antagonist agent can be used for treating the subject. The appropriate agent can be determined based on screening assays described herein. The prophylactic methods of the invention are further discussed in the following subsections.

Therapeutic Methods Another aspect of the invention pertains to methods of modulating NOVX expression or activity for therapeutic purposes. The modulatory method of the invention involves contacting a cell with an agent that modulates one or more of the activities of NOVX protein activity associated with the cell. An agent that modulates NOVX protein activity can be an agent as described herein, such as a nucleic acid or a protein, a naturally-occurring cognate ligand of an NOVX protein, a peptide, an NOVX peptidomimetic, or other small molecule. In one embodiment, the agent stimulates one or more NOVX protein activity. Examples of such stimulatory agents include active NOVX protein and a nucleic acid molecule encoding NOVX that has been introduced into the cell. In another embodiment, the agent inhibits one or more NOVX protein activity. Examples of such inhibitory agents include antisense NOVX nucleic acid molecules and anti-NOVX antibodies. These modulatory methods can be performed ill vitro (e. g., by culturing the cell with the agent) or, alternatively, iii vivo (e. g., by administering the agent to a subject). As such, the invention provides methods of treating an individual afflicted with a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression or activity of an NOVX protein or nucleic acid molecule. In one embodiment, the method involves administering an agent (e. g., an agent identified by a screening assay described herein), or combination of agents that modulates (e. g., up-regulates or down-regulates) NOVX expression or activity. In another embodiment, the method involves administering an NOVX protein or nucleic acid molecule as therapy to compensate for reduced or aberrant NOVX expression or activity.

Stimulation of NOVX activity is desirable isi sitztations in which NOVX is abnormally downregulated and/or in which increased NOVX activity is likely to have a beneficial effect.

One example of such a situation is where a subject has a disorder characterized by aberrant cell proliferation and/or differentiation (e. g., cancer or immune associated disorders). Another example of such a situation is where the subject has a gestational disease (e. g., preclampsia).

Determination of the Biological Effect of the Therapeutic In various embodiments of the invention, suitable io vitro or iji viuo assays are performed to determine the effect of a specific Therapeutic and whether its administration is indicated for treatment of the affected tissue.

In various specific embodiments, in uitro assays may be performed with representative cells of the type (s) involved in the patient's disorder, to determine if a given Therapeutic exerts the desired effect upon the cell type (s). Compounds for use in therapy may be tested in suitable animal model systems including, but not limited to rats, mice, chicken, cows, monkeys, rabbits, and the like, prior to testing in human subjects. Similarly, for ill vivo testing, any of the animal model system known in the art may be used prior to administration to human subjects.

Prophylactic and Therapeutic Uses of the Compositions of the Invention The NOVX nucleic acids and proteins of the invention are useful in potential prophylactic and therapeutic applications implicated in a variety of disorders including, but not limited to: metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, infectious disease, anorexia, cancer- associated cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disorder, immune disorders, hematopoietic disorders, and the various dyslipidemias, metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, the metabolic syndrome X and wasting disorders associated with chronic diseases and various cancers.

As an example, a cDNA encoding the NOVX protein of the invention may be useful in gene therapy, and the protein may be useful when administered to a subject in need thereof.

By way of non-limiting example, the compositions of the invention will have efficacy for treatment of patients suffering from: metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, infectious disease, anorexia, cancer-associated cachexia, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disorder, immune disorders, hematopoietic disorders, and the various dyslipidemias.

Both the novel nucleic acid encoding the NOVX protein, and the NOVX protein of the invention, or fragments thereof, may also be useful in diagnostic applications, wherein the presence or amount of the nucleic acid or the protein are to be assessed. A further use could be as an anti-bacterial molecule (i, e., some peptides have been found to possess anti-bacterial properties). These materials are further useful in the generation of antibodies, which immunospecifcally-bind to the novel substances of the invention for use in therapeutic or diagnostic methods.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

Examples Example 1. Identification of NOVX clones The novel NOVX target sequences identified in the present invention were subjected to the exon linking process to confirm the sequence. PCR primers were designed by starting at the most upstream sequence available, for the forward primer, and at the most downstream sequence available for the reverse primer. Table l IA shows the sequences of the PCR primers used for obtaining different clones. In each case, the sequence was examined, walking inward from the respective termini toward the coding sequence, until a suitable sequence that is either unique or highly selective was encountered, or, in the case of the reverse primer, until the stop codon was reached. Such primers were designed based on in silico predictions for the full length cDNA, part (one or more exons) of the DNA or protein sequence of the target sequence, or by translated homology of the predicted exons to closely related human sequences from other species. These primers were then employed in PCR amplification based on the following pool of human cDNAs : adrenal gland, bone marrow, brain-amygdala, brain -cerebellum, brain-hippocampus, brain-substantia nigra, brain-thalamus, brain-whole, fetal brain, fetal kidney, fetal liver, fetal lung, heart, kidney, lymphoma-Raji, mammary gland, pancreas, pituitary gland, placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spinal cord, spleen, stomach, testis, thyroid, trachea, uterus. Usually the resulting amplicons were gel purified, cloned and sequenced to high redundancy. The PCR product derived from exon linking was cloned into the pCR2. 1 vector from Invitrogen. The resulting bacterial clone has an insert covering the entire open reading frame cloned into the pCR2. 1 vector. Table 17B shows a list of these bacterial clones. The resulting sequences from all clones were assembled with themselves, with other fragments in CuraGen Corporation's database and with public ESTs. Fragments and ESTs were included as components for an assembly when the extent of their identity with another component of the assembly was at least 95% over 50 bp. In addition, sequence traces were evaluated manually and edited for corrections if appropriate. These procedures provide the sequence reported herein.

Table I 1A. PCR Primers for Exon Linking NOVX Primer 1 (5'-3') SEQ Primer 2 (5'-3') SEQ Clone ID TD NO NO NOV5 CTCCCACTCCTGCTGCTTCTGACT 98 AAGGCTGGGCCTAACCCAGTCTCAT NOV7 CATGAACTGGGCATTTCTGCAGG 100 TTATCTGCTGATCTCGCAGGTTATGGA 101 NO8 CTGACAGGCCCTGGTGTGTGAT 102 TCACACATGTTTCATGTGGGAGTTAGA 103 NOV9 GAGTGAGAGGTCGGACAGACTGTG 104 ACTCATGCAACTTGCTTCTCTCACTCT 105 NOVlOb CCTATGAGCCTGATGCTGGATGAG 106 AGGACTCAGAGGAGGGAGTCCTGAG 107

Physical clone: Exons were predicted by homology and the intron/exon boundaries were determined using standard genetic rules. Exons were further selected and refined by means of similarity determination using multiple BLAST (for example, tBlastN, BlastX, and BlastN) searches, and, in some instances, GeneScan and Grail. Expressed sequences from both public and proprietary databases were also added when available to further define and complete the gene sequence. The DNA sequence was then manually corrected for apparent inconsistencies thereby obtaining the sequences encoding the full-length protein.

Table 11B. Physical Clones for PCR products NOVX Clone Bacterial Clone NOVla Physical clone : AC010269 NOVlb Physical clone : 137043926,138213196, AC010269. 5 NOVld Physical clone : 168392429, 138213193 NOV2 Physical clone : 78316254, 123164361 NOV3 Physical clone : GMAC079237. 2 NOV4 Physical clone : AP002795. 2, AL161453 NOV9 Bacterial clone sggc draEt ba327p22 20000819. 69B237. A7 NOVlOa Physical clone : 129297354, AC068190. 2, AC036188.2, AG002436. 1 NOVlOb Physical clone : 206164528, 206184919, 165210772, 206764887, 162395636 Example 2. Quantitative expression analysis of clones in various cells and tissues The quantitative expression of various clones was assessed using microtiter plates containing RNA samples from a variety of normal and pathology-derived cells, cell lines and tissues using real time quantitative PCR (RTQ PCR). RTQ PCR was performed on a Perkin- Elmer Biosystems ABI PRISMO 7700 Sequence Detection System. Various collections of samples are assembled on the plates, and referred to as Panel 1 (containing normal tissues and cancer cell lines), Panel 2 (containing samples derived from tissues from normal and cancer sources), Panel 3 (containing cancer cell lines) Panel 4 (containing cells and cell lines from normal tissues and cells related to inflammatory conditions), Panel 5D/5I (containing human tissues and cell lines with an emphasis on metabolic diseases), Panel CNSD. O) (containing samples from normal and diseased brains) and CNS_neurodegeneration_panel (containing samples from normal and diseased brains).

RNA integrity from all samples is controlled for quality by visual assessment of agarose gel electropherograms using 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA staining intensity ratio as a guide (2: 1 to 2.5: 1 28s: 18s) and the absence of low molecular weight RNAs that would be indicative of degradation products. Samples are controlled against genomic DNA

contamination by RTQ PCR reactions run in the absence of reverse transcriptase using probe and primer sets designed to amplify across the span of a single exon.

First, the RNA samples were normalized to reference nucleic acids such as constitutively expressed genes (for example, p-actin and GAPDH). Normalized RNA (5 ul) was converted to cDNA and analyzed by RTQ-PCR using One Step RT-PCR Master Mix Reagents (PE Biosystems ; Catalog No. 4309169) and gene-specific primers according to the manufacturer's instructions. Probes and primers were designed for each assay according to Perkin Elmer Biosystem's Primer Express Software package (version I for Apple Computer's Macintosh Power PC) or a similar algorithm using the target sequence as input. Default settings were used for reaction conditions and the following parameters were set before selecting primers : primer concentration = 250 nM, primer melting temperature (Tm) range = 58°-60° C, primer optimal Tm = 59° G, maximum primer difference = 2° C, probe does not have 5'G, probe Tm must be 10° C greater than primer T ; n, amplicon size 75 bp to 100 bp.

The probes and primers selected (see below) were synthesized by Synthegen (Houston, TX, USA). Probes were double purified by HPLC to remove uncoupled dye and evaluated by mass spectroscopy to verify coupling of reporter and quencher dyes to the 5'and 3'ends of the probe, respectively. Their final concentrations were: forward and reverse primers, 900 nM each, and probe, 200nM PCR conditions: Normalized RNA from each tissue and each cell line was spotted in each well of a 96 well PCR plate (Perkin Elmer Biosystems). PCR cocktails including two probes (a probe specific for the target clone and another gene-specific probe multiplexed with the target probe) were set up using I TaqMan''M PCR Master Mix for the PE Biosystems 7700, with 5 mM MgC12, dNTPs (dA, G, C, U at 1: 1 : 1: 2 ratios), 0.25 U/ml AmpliTaq GoidTM (PE Biosystems), and 0.4 Ulpl RNase inhibitor, and 0.25 Ulpl reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcription was performed at 48° C for 30 minutes followed by amplification/PCR cycles as follows : 95° C 10 min, then 40 cycles of 95'C for 15 seconds, 60° C for 1 minute. Results were recorded as GT values (cycle at which a given sample crosses a threshold level of fluorescence) using a log scale, with the difference in RNA concentration between a given sample and the sample with the lowest CT value being represented as 2 to the power of delta CT. The percent relative expression is then obtained by taking the reciprocal of this RNA difference and multiplying by 100.

Panels 1, 1. 1, 1. 2, and 1.3D

The plates for Panels 1, 1.1,1.2 and 1.3D include 2 control wells (genomic DNA control and chemistry control) and 94 wells containing cDNA from various samples. The samples in these panels are broken into 2 classes: samples derived from cultured cell lines and samples derived from primary normal tissues. The cell lines are derived from cancers of the following types: lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, CNS cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, renal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. Cell lines used in these panels are widely available through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), a repository for cultured cell lines, and were cultured using the conditions recommended by the ATCC. The normal tissues found on these panels are comprised of samples derived from all major organ systems from single adult individuals or fetuses. These samples are derived from the following organs: adult skeletal muscle, fetal skeletal muscle, adult heart, fetal heart, adult kidney, fetal kidney, adult liver, fetal liver, adult lung, fetal lung, various regions of the brain, the spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, pancreas, salivary gland, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, spinal cord, thymus, stomach, small intestine, colon, bladder, trachea, breast, ovary, uterus, placenta, prostate, testis and adipose.

In the results for Panels 1, 1.1,1.2 and 1.3D, the following abbreviations are used: ca. = carcinoma, * = established from metastasis, met = metastasis, s cell var = small cell variant, non-s = non-sm = non-small, squam = squamous, pl. eff= pl effusion = pleural effusion, glio = glioma, astro = astrocytoma, and neuro = neuroblastoma.

GENERALSCREENINGPANELV !. 4 The plates for Panel 1.4 include 2 control wells (genomic DNA control and chemistry control) and 94 wells containing cDNA from various samples. The samples in Panel 1.4 are broken into 2 classes: samples derived from cultured cell lines and samples derived from primary normal tissues. The cell lines are derived from cancers of the following types: lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, CNS cancer, squamous cell

carcinoma, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, renal cancer, gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Cell lines used in Panel 1.4 are widely available through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), a repository for cultured cell lines, and were cultured using the conditions recommended by the ATCC. The normal tissues found on Panel 1. 4 are comprised of pools of samples derived from all major organ systems from 2 to 5 different adult individuals or fetuses. These samples are derived from the following organs: adult skeletal muscle, fetal skeletal muscle, adult heart, fetal heart, adult kidney, fetal kidney, adult liver, fetal liver, adult lung, fetal lung, various regions of the brain, the spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, pancreas, salivary gland, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, spinal cord, thymus, stomach, small intestine, colon, bladder, trachea, breast, ovary, uterus, placenta, prostate, testis and adipose.

Panels 2D and 2.2 The plates for Panels 2D and 2. 2 generally include 2 control wells and 94 test samples composed ofRNA or cDNA isolated from human tissue procured by surgeons working in close cooperation with the National Cancer Institute's Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) or the National Disease Research Initiative (NDRI). The tissues are derived from human malignancies and in cases where indicated many malignant tissues have"matched margins"obtained from noncancerous tissue just adjacent to the tumor. These are termed normal adjacent tissues and are denoted"NAT"in the results below. The tumor tissue and the "matched margins"are evaluated by two independent pathologists (the surgical pathologists and again by a pathologists at NDRI or CHTN). This analysis provides a gross histopathological assessment of tumor differentiation grade. Moreover, most samples include the original surgical pathology report that provides information regarding the clinical stage of the patient. These matched margins are taken from the tissue surrounding (i. e. immediately proximal) to the zone of surgery (designated"NAT", for normal adjacent tissue, in Table RR).

In addition, RNA and cDNA samples were obtained from various human tissues derived from autopsies performed on elderly people or sudden death victims (accidents, etc.). These tissues were ascertained to be free of disease and were purchased from various commercial sources such as Clontech (Palo Alto, CA), Research Genetics, and Invitrogen.

PANEL 3D The plates of Panel 3D are comprised of 94 cDNA samples and two control samples.

Specifically, 92 of these samples are derived from cultured human cancer cell lines, 2 samples

of human primary cerebellar tissue and 2 controls. The human cell lines are generally obtained from ATCC (American Type Culture Collection), NCI or the German tumor cell bank and fall into the following tissue groups : Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, epidennoid carcinoma, sarcomas, bladder carcinomas, pancreatic cancers, kidney cancers, leukemias/lymphomas, ovarianluterine/cervical, gastric, colon, lung and CNS cancer cell lines. In addition, there are two independent samples of cerebellum. These cells are all cultured under standard recommended conditions and RNA extracted using the standard procedures. The cell lines in panel 3D and 1. 3D are of the most common cell lines used in the scientific literature.

Panels 4D, 4R, and 4.1D Panel 4 includes samples on a 96 well plate (2 control wells, 94 test samples) composed of RNA (Panel 4R) or cDNA (Panels 4D14. 1D) isolated from various human cell lines or tissues related to inflammatory conditions. Total RNA from control normal tissues such as colon and lung (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) and thymus and kidney (Clontech) were employed. Total RNA from liver tissue from cirrhosis patients and kidney from lupus patients was obtained from BioChain (Biochain Institute, Inc., Hayward, CA). Intestinal tissue for RNA preparation from patients diagnosed as having Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was obtained from the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI) (Philadelphia, PA).

Astrocytes, lung fibroblasts, dermal fibroblasts, coronary artery smooth muscle cells small airway epithelium, bronchial epithelium, microvascular dermal endothelial cells, microvascular lung endothelial cells, human pulmonary aortic endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were all purchased from Clonetics (Walkersville, MD) and grown in the media supplied for these cell types by Clonetics. These primary cell types were activated with various cytokines or combinations of cytokines for 6 and/or 12-14 hours, as indicated. The following cytokines were used; IL-1 beta at approximately 1-5 ng/ml, TNF alpha at approximately 5-10 ng/ml, IFN gamma at approximately 20-50 ng/ml, IL-4 at approximately 5-10 ng/ml, IL-9 at approximately 5-1 p ng/ml, IL-13 at approximately 5-10 ng/ml. Endothelial cells were sometimes starved for various times by culture in the basal media from Clonetics with 0.1% serum.

Mononuclear cells were prepared from blood of employees at CuraGen Corporation, using Ficoll. LAK cells were prepared from these cells by culture in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100, M non essential amino acids (Gibco/Life Technologies, Rockville, MD), I

mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and Interfeukin 2 for 4-6 days. Cells were then either activated with 10-20 ng/ml PMA and 1-2 µg/ml ionomycin, IL-12 at 5-10 ng/ml, IFN gamma at 20-50 nglml and IL-18 at 5-1 Q ng/ml for 6 hours. In some cases, mononuclear cells were cultured for 4-5 days in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 pM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) with PHA (phytohemagglutinin) or PWM (pokeweed mitogen) at approximately 5 ßg/ml. Samples were taken at 24,48 and 72 hours for RNA preparation. MLR (mixed lymphocyte reaction) samples were obtained by taking blood from two donors, isolating the mononuclear cells using Ficoll and mixing the isolated mononuclear cells 1: 1 at a final concentration of approximately 2x106 cells/ml in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 µM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol (5.5 x 10-5 M) (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco). The MLR was cultured and samples taken at various time points ranging from 1-7 days for RNA preparation.

Monocytes were isolated from mononuclear cells using CD14 Miltenyi Beads, +ve VS selection columns and a Vario Magnet according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Monocytes were differentiated into dendritic cells by culture in DMEM 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) (Hyclone, Logan, UT), 100 uM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco), 50 ng/ml GMCSF and 5 ngXml 1L-4 for 5-7 days. Macrophages were prepared by culture of monocytes for 5-7 days in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 µM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and 10% AB Human Serum or MCSF at approximately 50 ng/ml. Monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells were stimulated for 6 and 12-14 hours with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 100 ng/ml. Dendritic cells were also stimulated with anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (Pharmingen) at 10 pLglml for 6 and 12-14 hours.

CD4 lymphocytes, CD8 lymphocytes and NK cells were also isolated from mononuclear cells using CD4, CD8 and CD56 Miltenyi beads, positive VS selection columns and a Vario Magnet according to the manufacturer's instructions. CD45RA and CD45RO CD4 lymphocytes were isolated by depleting mononuclear cells of CD8, CD56, CD14 and CD 19 cells using CD8, CD56, CD14 and CD19 Miltenyi beads and positive selection. Then CD45R0 beads were used to isolate the CD45RO CD4 lymphocytes with the remaining cells being CD45RA CD4 lymphocytes. CD45RA CD4, CD45RO CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were placed in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 µM non essential amino acids (Gibco), I mM

sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mMHepes (Gibco) and plated at 106 cells/ml onto Falcon 6 well tissue culture plates that had been coated overnight with 0.5 µg/ml anti-CD28 (Pharmingen) and 3 ug/ml anti-CD3 (OKT3, ATCC) in PBS. After 6 and 24 hours, the cells were harvested for RNA preparation. To prepare chronically activated CD8 lymphocytes, we activated the isolated CD8 lymphocytes for 4 days on anti-CD28 and anti-CD3 coated plates and then harvested the cells and expanded them in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 MM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10^5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and IL-2.

The expanded CD8 cells were then activated again with plate bound anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 for 4 days and expanded as before. RNA was isolated 6 and 24 hours after the second activation and after 4 days of the second expansion culture. The isolated NK cells were cultured in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 µM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and IL-2 for 4-6 days before RNA was prepared.

To obtain B cells, tonsils were procured from NDRI. The tonsil was cut up with sterile dissecting scissors and then passed through a sieve. Tonsil cells were then spun down and resupended at 106 cells/ml in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 pM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco). To activate the cells, we used PWM at 5 µg/ml or anti-CD40 (Pharmingen) at approximately 10 µg/ml and IL-4 at 5-10 ng/ml. Cells were harvested for RNA preparation at 24,48 and 72 hours.

To prepare the primary and secondary Thl/Th2 and Trl cells, six-well Falcon plates were coated overnight with 10 ng/ml anti-CD28 (Pharmingen) and 2 µg/ml OKT3 (ATCC), and then washed twice with PBS. Umbilical cord blood CD4 lymphocytes (Poietic Systems, German Town, MD) were cultured at 10-10 cells/ml in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 nM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10- 5 M (Gibco), 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and IL-2 (4 ng/ml). fL-I2 (5 ng/ml) and anti-IL4 (I Dg/ml) were used to direct to Thl, while IL-4 (5 ng/ml) and anti-IFN gamma (1 Og/ml) were used to direct to Th2 and IL-10 at 5 ng/ml was used to direct to Trl. After 4-5 days, the activated Thl, Th2 and Trl lymphocytes were washed once in DMEM and expanded for 4-7 days in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 u. M non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), 10 mM Hepes (Gibco) and IL-2 (I ng/ml). Following this, the activated Thl, Th2 and Trl lymphocytes were re-stimulated for 5 days with anti-CD28/OKT3 and cytokines as described above, but with the addition of anti-

CD95L (1 Dg/ml) to prevent apoptosis. After 4-5 days, the Thl, Th2 and Trl lymphocytes were washed and then expanded again with IL-2 for 4-7 days. Activated Thl and Th2 lymphocytes were maintained in this way for a maximum of three cycles. RNA was prepared from primary and secondary Thl, Th2 and Trl after 6 and 24 hours following the second and third activations with plate bound anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAbs and 4 days into the second and third expansion cultures in Interleukin 2.

The following leukocyte cells lines were obtained from the ATCC: Ramos, EOL-1, KU-812. EOL cells were further differentiated by culture in 0.1 mM dbcAMP at 5 x 105 cells/ml for 8 days, changing the media every 3 days and adjusting the cell concentration to 5 x 105 cells/ml. For the culture of these cells, we used DMEM orRPMI (as recommended by the ATCC), with the addition of 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 HM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5.5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), 10 mM Hepes (Gibco). RNA was either prepared from resting cells or cells activated with PMA at 10 ng/ml and ionomycin at 1 pglml for 6 and 14 hours. Keratinocyte line CCD106 and an airway epithelial tumor line NCI-H292 were also obtained from the ATCC. Both were cultured in DMEM 5% FCS (Hyclone), 100 QO pM non essential amino acids (Gibco), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Gibco), mercaptoethanol 5. 5 x 10-5 M (Gibco), and 10 mM Hepes (Gibco).

CCD1106 cells were activated for 6 and 14 hours with approximately 5 ng/ml TNF alpha and 1 ng/ml IL-1 beta, while NCI-H292 cells were activated for 6 and 14 hours with the following cytokines: 5 ng/ml IL-4,5 ng/ml IL-9,5 ng/ml IL-13 and 25 ng/ml IFN gamma.

For these cell lines and blood cells, RNA was prepared by lysing approximately 107 cells/ml using Trizol (Gibco BRL). Briefly, 1/10 volume of bromochloropropane (Molecular Research Corporation) was added to the RNA sample, vortexed and after 10 minutes at room temperature, the tubes were spun at 14,000 rpm in a Sorvall SS34 rotor. The aqueous phase was removed and placed in a 15 ml Falcon Tube. An equal volume of isopropanol was added and left at-20 degrees C overnight. The precipitated RNA was spun down at 9,000 rpm for 15 min in a Sorvall SS34 rotor and washed in 70% ethanol. The pellet was redissolved in 300 ul of RNAse-free water and 35 µl buffer (Promega) 5 zip DTT, 7 p1 RNAsin and 8 pI DNAse were added. The tube was incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes to remove contaminating genomic DNA, extracted once with phenol chloroform and re-precipitated with 1/10 volume of 3 NI sodium acetate and 2 volumes of 100% ethanol. The RNA was spun down and placed in RNAse free water. RNA was stored at-80 degrees C.

Panel CNSD. O1 The plates for Panel GNSD. O1 include two control wells and 94 test samples comprised ofcDNA isolated from postmortem human brain tissue obtained from the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. Brains are removed from calvaria of donors between 4 and 24 hours after death, sectioned by neuroanatomists, and frozen at-80°C in liquid nitrogen vapor.

All brains are sectioned and examined by neuropathologists to confirm diagnoses with clear associated neuropathology.

Disease diagnoses are taken from patient records. The panel contains two brains from each of the following diagnoses: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Progressive Supernuclear Palsy, Depression, and"Normal controls". Within each of these brains, the following regions are represented : cingulate gyrus, temporal pole, globus palladus, substantia nigra, Brodman Area 4 (primary motor strip), Brodman Area 7 (parietal cortex), Brodman Area 9 (prefrontal cortex), and Brodman area 17 (occipital cortex). Not all brain regions are represented in all cases; e. g., Huntington's disease is characterized in part by neurodegeneration in the globus palladus, thus this region is impossible to obtain from confirmed Huntington's cases. Likewise Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of the substantia nigra making this region more difficult to obtain. Normal control brains were examined for neuropathology and found to be free of any pathology consistent with neurodegeneration.

In the labels employed to identify tissues in the CNS panel, the following abbreviations are used: PSP = Progressive supranuclear palsy Sub Nigra = Substantia nigra Glob Palladus= Globus palladus Temp Pole = Temporal pole Cing Gyr = Cingulate gyrus BA 4 = Brodman Area 4 Panel CNS Neurodegeneration-VI. 0 The plates for Panel CNS Neurodegeneration V1. 0 include two control wells and 47 test samples comprised ofcDNA isolated from postmortem human brain tissue obtained from the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (McLean Hospital) and the Human Brain and

Spinal Fluid Resource Center (VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System). Brains are removed from calvaria of donors between 4 and 24 hours after death, sectioned by neuroanatomists, and frozen at-80°C in liquid nitrogen vapor. All brains are sectioned and examined by neuropatlzologists to confirm diagnoses with clear associated neuropathology.

Disease diagnoses are taken from patient records. The panel contains six brains from Alzheimer's disease (AD) pateins, and eight brains from"Normal controls"who showed no evidence of dementia prior to death. The eight normal control brains are divided into two categories: Controls with no dementia and no Alzheimer's like pathology (Controls) and controls with no dementia but evidence of severe Alzheimer's like pathology, (specifically senile plaque load rated as level 3 on a scale of 0-3 ; 0 = no evidence of plaques, 3 = severe AD senile plaque load). Within each of these brains, the following regions are represented: hippocampus, temporal cortex (Broddmann Area 21), parietal cortex (Broddmann area 7), and occipital cortex (Brodmann area 17). These regions were chosen to encompass all levels of neurodegeneration in AD. The hippocampus is a region of early and severe neuronal loss in AD; the temporal cortex is known to show neurodegeneration in AD after the hippocampus; the parietal cortex shows moderate neuronal death in the late stages of the disease; the occipital cortex is spared in AD and therefore acts as a"control"region within AD patients.

Not all brain regions are represented in all cases.

In the labels employed to identify tissues in the CNS_Neurodegeneration_Vl. O panel, the following abbreviations are used: AD = Alzheimer's disease brain; patient was demented and showed AD-like pathology upon autopsy Control = Control brains; patient not demented, showing no neuropathology Control (Path) = Control brains; pateint not demented but showing sever AD-like pathology SupTemporal Ctx = Superior Temporal Cortex Inf Temporal Ctx = Inferior Temporal Cortex NOVI a and NOVId Expression of gene NOV1 a and variant NOVT a was assessed using the primer-probe sets Ag4164, Agl313b, Ag2197, and Ag708 described in Tables 12, 13,14, and 15. Please note that Ag4164 contains a single mismatch in the probe relative to the NOVI a and NOVId sequences. This mismatch is not predicted to alter the RTQ-PCR results. Results from RTQ- PCR runs are shown in Tables 16,17,18, and 19.

Table 12. Probe Name Ag4164 Primers Sequences TM Length Start SEQ ID Position NO : Forward 5'-GCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTTAC-3'58. 1 22 822108 FAM-5'-CTCAAGTAGAAGCCGACTTATGCAAA- Probe 64 26 845 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-TCAAATCCTTCTGCGATACAGT-3' 58. 9 22 875 110

Table 13. Probe Name Agl313b Start SEQ ID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO : Forward5'-CAGCTGCACGATTAATGAAGAT-3' 59.4 22 264 111 Probe TET-5'-AGGTCTTGGACTGGCCTTCACCATT- 69 25 288 112 3'-TAMRA Reverse5'-CCAAAGTTGTGTCCAGACTCAT-3' 59.1 22 317 113 Table 14. Probe Name Ag2197 Primers Sequences Length.. Position No: Forward 5'-CCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTT-3' 58.8 22 1022 114 FAM-5'-TCTTGCTTACGGCATAAGCGCTCTCT- 115 Probe 69 26 1060 3'-TAMRA Reverse5'-TTCATTTCTATGGGACCTCAGA-3' 58.7 22 1086 116 Table 15. Probe Name Ag708 Start SEQ ID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO: Forward 5'-AAAGATGGGACTCGTCATGAC-3' 59 21 232 117 Probe TET-5'-CACGCCATCTTACTGACTGGTCTGGA- 69.5 26 253 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-GTGCAAATCCCAAAGTGTCA-3'59. 5 20 306 119

Table 16. Panel 1.2 Relative Expression (%) 1.2tm888t 1.2tm1047t Tissue Name ag708 ag708 Endothelial cells 0. 0 0. 0 Heart (retal) 1. 2 0. 0 Pancreas 22.5 29. 5 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 0. 0 0.0 Adrenal Gland (new lot*) 0.9 0.0 IThyroid 0. 5 0. 0 Salivarygland 0.4 0.0 Pituitary gland 1.3 0.0 Brain (fetal) 4.0 0.0 Brain (whole) 7.9 6.5 Brain (amygdala) 2. 1 0. 0 Brain (cerebellum) 16. 7 23. 3 Brain(hippocampus) 4.6 3.1 Brain (thalamus) 1.5 0.0 Cerebral Cortex 10.7 5. 8 Spinal cord 1. 1 0. 0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 4.4 11. 7 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 0.6 0. 1 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 1.2 0. 7 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N-AS 0. 2 0. 0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 1.6 1. 1 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 7. 7 1. 7 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 9.5 4. 3 CNS ca. (glio) U251 100.0 100. 0 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2.4 0. 0 Heart 4.9 0. 0 Skeletal Muscle (new lot*) 3.1 0.0 Bonemarrow 0. 0 0. 0 Thymus 0.2 0. 0 Spleen 0.0 0. 0 Lymphnode 0. 2 0. 0 Colorectal 0. 0 0. 0 Stomach 1. 2 0. 0 Small intestine 1. 4 0. 0 Colon ca. SW480 1. 5 0. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 0. 0 0. 0 Colon ca. HT29 0.0 0.0 Colon ca. HCT-116 0.7 0.0 Colon ca. CaCo-2 0.0 0. 0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 0.1 0. 0 Colon ca. HCC-2998 0.0 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI-N87 4.1 0.1 Bladder 3. 5 0. 0 Trachea 0.3 0. 0 Kidney 5.4 10. 7 Kidney (fetal) 37.9 94.0 Renal ca. 786-0 4.6 5. 3 Renal ca. A498 12.2 20.2 Renal ca. RXF 393 Renal ca. ACHN 2.8 1.1 Renal ca. UO-31 2.3 0.2 Renal ca. TK-10 7. 6 12. 7 Liver 0.9 0. 0 Liver (fetal) 0. 2 0.0 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0. 0 0. 0 Lung 1. 1 0. 0 Lung (fetal) 1. 2 0.0 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 0.0 0.0 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 0. 1 0. 0 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0. 5 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-s.cell) NCI-H23 0.0 0.0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 4. 9 1. 1 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3.7 2. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0.0 0. 0 Mammary gland314. 5 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF-7 0.0 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl.ef) MDA-MB-231 3.1 6. 2 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D0. 80. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 0. 7 0. 0 Breast ca. MDA-N 10.7 14.6 Ovary 26.4 39. 5 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0.4 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 6. 0 1. 7 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 0. 7 0. 0 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 8.1 15. 2 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 2.9 0. 0 Uterus 0. 7 0. 0 Placenta 7.1 0. 0 Prostate 0. 3 0. 0 Prostate ca. * (bone met)PC-3 1.5 0. 0 Testis 3.3 0.0 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma UACC-62 0.0 0.0 Melanoma M14 0. 0 0 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI 1. 5 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 0.0 Table 17. Panel 1. 3D Relative Relative Relative Expression(%)#Expression(%)#Expression(%)# 1. 3dtm4180f 1. 3dx4tm5365 1. 3dtm3301t Tissue Name am_ag2197 t_ag1313b_b1 ag708 Liveradenocarcinoma 2.6 0.5 2.3 Pancreas 2. 8 1. 4 4. 4 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 0.6 0.2 0. 8 Adrenal gland 0. 2 0. 0 0. 0 Thyroid 0.2 0.1 0. 0 Salivary gland 0.0 0.2 0. 2 Pituitary gland 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Brain (fetal) 0.2 0.1 0. 7 Brain (whole) 3. 4 2.0 2. 5 Brain (amygdala) 1. 8 1. 1 1. 7 Brain (cerebellum) 7. 4 8.0 11. 2 Brain (hippocampus) 7. 61. 07. 9 Brain (substantia nigra) 0. 0 0.0 0.0 Brain (thalamus) 0.2 0. 1 0.0 Cerebral Cortex 5. 6 0. 5 4. 6 Spinal cord 0.2 0.2 0. 8 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 7. 0 1. 8 4. 6 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 12.2 2.3 7.3 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 4.9 2.0 5.7 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N-AS 0.0 0.0 0. 0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 4.4 1.8 3. 8 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 33.0 13.8 36. 1 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 6. 0 3. 4 6. 7 CNS ca. (glio) U251 100. 0 100. 0 100. 0 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2.0 0.5 4.2 Heart (fetal) 1. 2 0.1 1.3 Heart 0.0 0.0 0. 6 Fetal Skeletal 14.8 0.3 16. 3 Skeletal muscle 0.1 0.2 0. 0 Bonemarrow 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Thymus 0, 3 0. 0 0. 5 Spleen 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lymph node 0.2 0.3 0. 1 Colorectal 0. 7 0. 0 0.4 Stomach 0.7 1.2 0. 7 Small intestine 1.2 0.6 2. 6 Colon ca. SW480 2.2 0.1 2. 4 Colon ca. * (SW480 met)SW620 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Colon ca. HT29 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Colon ca. HCT-1 16 0. 6 0. 0 0, 6 Colon ca. CaCo-2 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 4.2 0.3 2. 6 Colon ca, HCC-2998 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI-N87 2.6 1.3 1. 0 Bladder 0.7 0.2 0. 7 Trachea 0. 4 0. 2 0. 1 Kidney 1. 9 1. 3 2. 8 Kidney (fetal) 12.6 3.0 18. 3 Renal ca. 786-0 10.7 2.1 15. 1 Renal ca. A498 47.3 9.7 34.4 Renal ca. RXF 393 4.3 6.0 3. 4 Renal ca. ACHN 2.6 0.8 2. 5 Renal ca. UO-3110. 73. 013. 5 Renal ca. TK-10 7. 4 1. 6 9. 3 Liver0. 00. 003 Liver (fetal) 0.20. 01. 1 Liverca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0.0 0.0 0.0 Lung 0.1 0.0 0.3 Lung (fetal) 0. 2 0.0 0. 4 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (small cell)NCI-H69 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 0.0 0.4 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0. 8 0. 3 0. 4 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 4. 7 1. 7 4. 1 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H5220. 00. 00. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3.7 1.6 4. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Mammaryv gland 4. 0 1. 1 5. 8 Breast ca.* (pl. effusion) MCF-7 0.0 0.1 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB-231 46.3 7.8 12.4 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 6.7 2.7 2. 6 Breast ca. MDA-N 8.3 1.2 11.1 Ovary 59. 9 5. 8 88. 9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0.0 2.6 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 6.8 1.3 2. 5 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 1.8 0.1 1.1 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 4.3 0.9 4. 2 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 1.8 1.7 0. 6 Uterus 0.3 0.4 1. 2 Placenta 0. 0 0. 0 0, 2 Prostate 0.1 0.1 0. 1 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 0.7 0.3 0.7 Testis 0.4 0.2 0. 8 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0.4 0.2 4.0 Melanoma UACC-62 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma M14 0.0 0.1 0. 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI 3.2 0.8 0.0 6 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Adipose1. 70. 11. 5 Table 18. Panel 2D Relative Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) Expression (%) 5dtm4181fam_ 2Dtm2694t_ 2dx4tm4810t TissueName ag2197 ag708 ag1313b_b2 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003 100.0 28.3 18. 4 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 28.1 2.8 5. 6 83220 CC NAT (ODO3866) 0.3 0.5 3. 7 83221 CC Gr.2 rectosigmoid (ODO3868) 0.1 0.2 2. 4 83222 CC NAT (ODO3868) 0. 0 0.5 0.2 83235 CC Mod Diff (ODO3920) 0.0 0. 0 0.2 83236 CC NAT (ODO3920) 0.8 0.8 1.1 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon (OD03921 0.5 1.6 3. 8 83238 CC NAT (OD03921) 0. 2 2. 0 1. 7 83241 CC from Partial Hepatectom (OD04309) 0.2 0. 7 0.9 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 2. 0 0. 0 0. 2 87472 Colon mets to lung (OD04451-01) 0.0 1.1 2. 0 87473 Lune NAT (OD04451-02) 4.8 0.0 0. 0 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 6546-1 9. 2 0. 0 1. 6 84140 Prostate Cancer (OD04410) 1. 0 0.2 0. 3 84141 Prostate NAT (OD04410) 2.2 0.0 0. 0 87073 Prostate Cancer (OD04720-01) 2.2 0. 2 0.0 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 0. 3 0. 6 1. I Normal Lung GENPAK 0610100. 73. 34. 7 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (OD04286) 0. 0 13. 2 14. 1 83240 Muscle NAT (OD04286) 0. 0 1. 2 0. 4 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer (OD03126) 0.5 8.2 3.7 84137 Lung NAT OD03126 0.00. 70. 8 84871Luns Cancer (OD04404) 0. 0H. 75. 4 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 0.0 4.1 3. 9 84875Lung Cancer (OD4565) 0.2 4.8 8.9 84876 Lun NAT (OD04565) 0. 00. 00. 0 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-0 1) 1. 0 3. 3 7. 3 85970(OD04237-02) 0. 81. 40. 5 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver (ODO4310) 0. 4 0.0 0. 0 83256 Liver NAT (ODO4310) 0. 4 0.0 0. 0 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung (OD04321 0. 9 48. 3 43. 1 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 0.0 0.2 0. 1 Normal Kidney GENPAK 061008 0, 4 100. 0 100. 0 83786 Kidney Ca. Nuclear grade 2 (OD04338) 0.9 9. 6 18.7 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 0.6 29. 9 28.3 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade 1/2 COD04339) 0.5 12.0 10. 4 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 0.5 29. 7 33.9 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell type (OD04340) 0.2 3. 0 3.4 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 0.1 38. 2 34.8 83792 Kidney Ca. Nuclear grade 3 (OD04348) 0.0 16. 4 16.7 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 0. 0 34.9 35. 4 87474 Kidney Cancer (OD04622-01) 1. 1 0.0 0.4 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-03) 0.7 5. 0 4.6 85973 Kidney Cancer rOD04450-01) 1.3 15. 9 21.6 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-03) 0. 0 37. 9 38. 6 Kidney Cancer Clontech 8120607 6. 5 0. 0 0. 3 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 1. 9 7. 9 8. 0 Kidney Cancer Clontech 8120613 4. 2 2. 2 2. 3 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 1.3 23.0 15. 3 Kidney Cancer Clontech 9010320 4.3 13.3 11.1 Kidney NAT Clontech 90103210. 330. 430. 6 Normal Uterus GENPAK 061018 1. 0 11. 7 7. 3 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 064011 0. 0 4. 0 4. 2 Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ 6570-14. 40. 40. 6 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 064010 2.9 0.0 0. 0 Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN A302152 5.3. 0.3 1. 2 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN A302153 0. 3 2. 2 1. 9 Normal Breast GENPAK 061019 4. 9 2. 0 3. 3 84877 Breast Cancer (OD04566) 2.1 3. 1 3. 3 85975 Breast Cancer (od04590-01) 4.4 7. 6 4.7 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (od04590-03) 13.2 4. 3 6.3 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04655-05) 0. 1 0.4 0.8 GENPAK Breast Cancer 064006 5.7 5.4 4. 1 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 5.7 5.5 5.1 Breast Cancer Clontech 9100266 0. 0 4. 0 3. 3 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 0.0 3.7 3.5 Breast Cancer INVITROGEN A209073 0.0 4.7 56. 1 Breast NAT INVITROGEN A2090734 0.9 4.1 4. 9 Normal Liver GENPAK 061009 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Liver Cancer GENPAK 0640032. 20. 00. 0 Liver Cancer Researc Genetics RNA 1025 0.4 0.0 0.0 Liver Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1026 2.0 2.5 2.0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics1. 40. 00. 0 RNA 6004-T Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004-N 0. 0 0.0 0.4 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-T 1. 0 3, 2 2.0 Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Normal Bladder GENPAK 061001 0. 4 6.4 6.2 Bladder Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1023 0.2]. 2 2.2 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN A302173 0.0 6. 1 6.9 87071 Bladder Cancer (OD04718-O1) 0. 0 13.6 14.8 87072 Bladder Normal Adjacent (OD04718-03) 0.0 8.7 9.6 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 0.0 77.4 60.2 Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 064008 0. 0 32.8 32.1 87492 Ovary Cancer (OD04768-07) 0.3 0.8 0.8 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768-08) 0.0 12.0 10.2 Normal Stomach GENPAK 061017 0. 0 2.9 2.3 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060358 0. 5 1.1 1.1 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060359 0. 4 5.9 3.5 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060395 0. 0 0. 4 0.2 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060394 0. 3 1. 8 LI Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060397 0. 1 9.3 5.7 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060396 0. 0 0. 2 0.8 Gastric Cancer GENPAK 064005 0. 4 0.4 1.5 Table 19. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 4dtm4182fam_ 4dtm4182fam_ TissueName ag2197 Tissue Name ag2197 93768_Secondary Th1_anti- 93100_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 (Enodthelial)_IL-1b 0.1 93769Secondary Th2anti-93779HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0.0 (Endothelial)_IFN gamma 0. 0 93I02HUVEC 93770_Secondary Tr1_anti- (Endothelial)_TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 gamma 0. 0 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in tL-2 0, 0 (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IL4 0.0 93573_Secondary Th2_resting 93781 HUVEC day 4-6 in IL2 0.0 (Endothelial) IL-11 0.0 93571_Seocndary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 Endothelial Cells none 0. 0 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568_primary Th1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa(4 CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 ng/ml) and ILlb (I ng/ml) 0.0 93569_primaryTh2_anti- 92662_Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD30. 0 endothetiumnone0. 0 92663 Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primaryTr1 anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 0. 2 93773Bronchial 93565_primary Thl_resting dy epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 il1b (1 ng/ml)** 0.0 93566_primaryTh2 resting dy 93347_Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 Epitheium_none 0. 4 93348_Small Airway 93567_primary Trl_resting dy Epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 and ILlb (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 92668_Coronery Artery CD3 0.0 SMC_resting 0. 3 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyteanti-CD28/anti-SMCTNFa (4 nglml) and ILI b CD3 0.0 (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93251 CD8 Lymphocytes anti- CD28/anti-CD30. 0 93107 astrocytes resting 100.0 9335_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2resting dy 4- 93108_astrocytes_TNFa (4 6 in IL-2 0. 0 ng/ml) and ILlb (I nglml) 16.5 93574 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes activated 92666 KU-812 CD3/CD28 0. 0 (Basophil) _resting 0. 0 92667_KU-812 93354 CD4 none 0. 0 (Basophil) PMA/ionoycin 0. 0 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Thl/Th2/Trl anti-CD95CHII 0.0 (Keratinocytes) none 0. 0 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes)_TNFaand 93103_LAK cells_resting 0. 0 IFNg** 0. 0 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 0. 0 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 1. 3 93787 LAKcells IL-2+IL-12 0. 0 93792 Lupus Kidney 11. 3 93789 LAK cells IL-2+IFN gamma 0. 0 93577_NCI-H292 8. 4 93790_LAK cells_IL-2+ IL-18 0. 0 93358_NCI-H292_IL-4 12. 5 93104 LAK cells_PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 0. 8 93360 NCI-H292 IL-9 11. 8 9378_NK Cells IL-2 resting 0. 0 93359 NCI-H292 IL-13 4. 2 93109_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0. 0 93357 NCI-H292_IFN gamma 3.7 93110 Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0. 0 93777 HPAEC-0. 0 93111_Mixed Lymphocyte 93778_HPAEC IL-1 beta/TNA Reaction Two Way MLR 0.0 alpha00 935112_Mononuclear Cells 93254 Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting 0.0 Fibroblast none 0. 3 93253_Normal Human Lung 93113_Mononuclear Cells fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs) PWM 0.0 IL-1b (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93114 Mononuclear Cells 0. 1 93257 Normal Human Lung 0. 0 (PBMCs) _PHA-L Fbiroblast_IL-4 93256_Normal Human Lung 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 0. 0 Fibroblast_IL-9 0. 0 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell) ionomycin 0.0 Fibroblast_IL-13 0.0 93258_Normal Human Lung 93349_B lymphocytes_PWM 0.0 Fibroblast IFN gamma 0. 0 93350_B lymphocytes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts and IL-4 0. 0 CCD1070 resting 0. 0 92665EOL-1 (Eosinophil) _dbcAMP 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 0. 0 CCD1070_TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 0. 0 93248EOL-1 (Eosinophil) dbcAMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin 0. 0 CCD1070_IL-1 beta 1 n/gml 0.0 0 93773 dermal fibroblast IFN 93356 Dendritic Cells none 0. 0 gamma 0. 0 93355 Dendritic Cells LPS 100 ng/ml 0. 0 93771 derma ! Sbrobiast IL-4 0.0 93775 Dendritic Cells anti- CD40 0. 0 93260 IBD Colitis 2 0. 1 93774_Monocytes_resting 0. 0 93261_IBD Crohns 4. 1 93776_Monocytes_LPS50 ng/ml 0.0 735010 Colon normal 1. 2 93581 Macrophages resting 0.3 735019 Lung none 12. 2 93582_Macrophages_LPS 100 ng/ml 0. 0 64028-1 Thymus none 62. 8 93098 HUVEC (Endothelial)_none 0. 0 64030-1 Kidney none 2. 2 93099 HUVEC (Endothelial)_starved 0.0

Panel 1.2 Summary Ag708 Expression of the NOVla gene was assessed in two independent experiments using the same probe/primer set. There appears to be poor concordance between runs for some tissues but there is good concordance for others; only those results that are in agreement will be discussed here. In both experiments, highest expression of the NOVla gene in a sample derived from a glioblastoma cell line (CTs = 24- 26). Among nromal tissues derived from the central nervous system, the NOVI a gene is also expressed at moderate levels in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOV1a gene is expressed in the pancreas.

Thus, this gene may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or treatment of diseases involving the pancreas, such as pancreatitis and diabetes. In addition, NOV1 a gene expression is decreased in a pancreatic cancer cell line.

The NOVI a gene appears to be overexpressed in fetal kidney when compared to the adult kidney. This result suggests that the NOVla gene could be used to distinguish between adult and fetal kidney tissue and that this gene may play an important role in kidney development, growth and survival. Furthermore, NOV 1 a gene expression is higher in normal ovary, mammary gland and lung when compared to the cancer cell lines obtained from these tissues suggesting that this can be used as a marker to differentiate malignant and normal tissue.

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag708/A, 21313b/Ag2197 Three experiments with three different probe and primer sets produced results that were in very good agreement. One run, designated 1. 3dx4tm5365t, appears to have lower absolute expression, but produces the same expression profile as the other two experiments. Highest expression of the NOV1A gene in all three runs is seen in a sample derived from a CNS cancer cell line (GTs=27). Certain glioblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines also express this gene as well so it may have a role in different types of brain cancer. Among normal tissues derived from the central nervous system, the NOVla gene is expressed in the amygdala, cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOVIa gene is expressed in the pancreas and in adipose. Interestingly, this gene is also expressed at higher levels in fetal heart and skeletal tissue when compared to the adult tissues.

The NOVI a gene appears to be expressed at high levels in a sample from a renal cancer cell line and from a breast cancer cell line. In addition, the NOVIa gene is expressed in ovarian tissue, but not significantly in cell lines derived from ovarian cancer.

Panel 2D Summary Ag708/Agl 313b In two runs using two different probe and primer sets, highest expression of the NOVI A gene is seen in the normal ovary, colon and kidney. Furthermore, in all nine matched kidney pairs and in the matched tissue pair derived from the ovary, the NOV1 A gene is expressed more highly in normal tissue than in the adjacent cancer samples. This result suggests that expression of the NOVIA gene could be used as a diagnostic marker for the presence of kidney and ovarian cancer. In addition, therapeutic upregulation of the gene activity of NOVIA could be effective in the treatment of kidney and ovarian cancer. The NOV I A gene is also expressed at higher levels in lung cancer samples, when compared to normal adjacent tissue in six out of seven matched tissue pairs.

Thus, therapeutic inhibition of the NOV ! a gene, through the application of antibodies or small molecule drugs, could be effective in the treatment of lung cancer.

Panel 4D Summary Ag2197 The NOVI a gene is expressed at a high level in astrocytes (CT 27.8) and its expression is down regulated upon treatment with TNF-a and IL- I b, suggesting that modulation of this protein could be beneficial in the treatment of CNS diseases-associated inflammation or neurodegeneration. The NOV1 a gene is also expressed highly in the thymus (CT 28.4). More moderate expression of this gene is observed in the lung and in a muco-epidermoid cell line (H292). Thus, the protein encoded by the NOVI a gene could play an important role in the normal homeostasis of these tissues. Therapeutics designed with this protein could be important for maintaining or restoring normal function to these organs during inflammation.

Panel 4.1D Summary Ag4164 Expression of this gene is low/undetectable (CT values >35) among the samples on this panel (data not shown).

Panel CNS_neurodegeneration_v1.0 Summary Ag4164 Expression ofthis gene is low/undetectable (CT values >35) among the samples on this panel (data not shown).

NOVlb The NOVlb sequence is a variant of gene NOVIa annotated above. However, the NOVlb sequence only matches a subset of the probe and primer sets discussed above and is discussed independently below in section B. Expression of gene NOVlb was assessed using the primer-probe sets Ag4164 and Ag2197 described in Tables 20 and 21. Please note that Ag4164 contains a single mismatch in the probe relative to the NOVlb sequence. This mismatch is not predicted to alter the RTQ-PCR results. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 22,23, and 24.

Table 20. Probe Name Ag4164 Start SEQ ID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO: Forward 5'-GCACTACAAGTGGAAGCCTTAC-3' 58.1 22 822 120 FAM-5'-CTCAAGTAGAAGCCGACTTATGCAAA- 3'-TAMRA 64 26 845 121 Reverse5'-TCAAATCCTTCTGCGATACAGT-3 58.9 22 875 122 Table 21. Probe Name Ag2197 Start SEQ ID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO: Forward5'-CCAAGGAAGACCTCTTTCATCTT-3' 58.8 22 1022 123 FAM-5'-TCTTGCTTACGGCATAAGCGCTCTCT- 124 Probe 69 26 1060 3'-TAMRA Reverse5'-TTCATTTCTATGGGACCTCAGA-3' 58.7 22 1086 125

Table 22. panel 1.3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 3dtm4180f 1. 3dim4 180 Tissue Name am_ag2197 Tissue Name fam_at2197 Liver adenocarcinoma 2.6 Kidney (fetal) 12.6 Pancreas 2. 8 Renal ca. 786-0 10. 7 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 0. 6 Renal ca. A498 47. 3 Adrenal gland 0. 2 Renal ca. RXF 393 4. 3 Thyroid 0. 2 Renal ca. ACHN 2. 6 Salivary gland 0.0 Renal ca. UO-31 10.7 Pituitary gland 0.0 Renal ca. TK-10 7.4 Brain (fetal) 0. 2 Liver 0. 0 Brain (whole) 3.4 Liver (fetal) 0.2 Brain (amygdala) 1. 8 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0. 0 Brain(cerebellum) 7, 4 Lung 0. 1 Brain (hippocampus) 7, 6 Lung (fetal) 0. 2 Brain (substantia nigra) 0.0 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 0.0 Brain (thalamus) 0.2 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 0.0 Cerebral Cortex 5. 6 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0.0 Spinal cord 0. 2 Lung ca. (large cell)NCI-H460 0.0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 7.0 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0. 8 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 12. 2 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 0.0 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 4.9 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 4. 7 CNS ca. * (neuro ; met) SK-N- AS 0.0 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 0. 0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 4. 4 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3.7 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 33. 0 Lung ca. (squam). NCI-H596 0.0 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 6. 0 Mammary gland 4. 0 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio)U251 100.0 7 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl.ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2.0 231 46. 3 Heart (fetal) 1.2 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 0. 0 Heart 0. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 6. 7 Fetal Skeletal 14. 8 Breast ca. MDA-N8. 3 Skeletal muscle 0. 1 Ovary 59. 9 Bone marrow 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0. 0 Thymus 0. 3 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 0 Spleen 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 6. 8 Lymph node 0.2 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 1. 8 Colorectal 0. 7 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 4. 3 Stomach 0. 7 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 1.8 Small intestine 1. 2 Uterus 0. 3 Colon ca. SW480 2.2 Placenta 0. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 0. 0 Prostate 0. 1 Colon ca. HT29 0.0 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 0. 7 Colon ca. HCT-116 0.6 Testis 0. 4 Colon ca. CaCo-2 0. 0 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0. 0 83219 CC Well toMod Diff (ODO3866) 4.2 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0. 4 Colon ca. HCC-2998 0.0 Melanoma UACC-62 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 2.6 Melanoma M14 . 0 Bladder 0.7 Melanoma LOX IMVI 3. 2 Trachea 0. 4 Melanoma* (met) SKL-MEL-5 0. 0 Kidney 1.9 Adipose 1.7 Table 23. Panel 2D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 2dtm4181fam 2dtm4181fam TissueName ag2197 Tissue Name _ag2197 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003 100. 0 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 1.9 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3866) 28.1 8120613 4. 2 83220 CC NAT (OD03866) 0.3 Kidney NAT Glontech 8120614 1.3 83221 GO Gr. 2 rectosimoid Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3868) 0. 1 9010320 4. 3 83222 CC NAT (ODO3868) 0.0 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 0.3 83235 CC Mod Diff Normal Uterus GENPAK (ODO3920) 0.0 061018 1.0 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 83236 CC NAT (OD03920) 0.8 064011 0. 0 83237 CC Gr, 2 ascend colon Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ (OD03921) 0.5 6570-1 4. 4 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 83238 CC NAT (ODO3921) 0.2 0640102.9 83241 CC from partial Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN Hepatectomv (OD04309) 0.2 A302152 5.3 Thyroid NAT INVITR. OGEN 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 2.0 A302153 0. 3 87472 Colon metsto lung 0.0 Normal Breast GENPAK 4.9 (OD04451-On061019 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451-84877 Breast Cancer 02) 4.8 fOD04566) 2.1 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 85975 Breast Cancer 6546-1 9. 2 (OD0459-01) 4. 4 84140 Prostate Cancer 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04410) 1. 0 (OD04590-03) 13. 2 84141 Prostate NAT 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04410) 2.2 (OD04655-05) 0.1 87073 Prostate Cancer GENPAK Breast Cancer (OD04720-O1) 2. 2 064006 5. 7 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 0.3 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 5.7 Breast Cancer Clontech Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 0.7 9100266 0. 0 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (ODO4286) 0.0 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 0.0 83240 Muscle NAT Breast Cancer INVITROGEN (ODO4286) 0. 0 A209073 0. 0 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer Breast NAT INVITROGEN (OD03126) 0.5 A2090734 0. 9 Normal Liver GENPAK 84137 Lung NAT (OD03126) 0. 0 061009 0. 0 84871 Lung Cancer (OD044041 0.0 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 2.2 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 0.0 RNA 1025 0. 4 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84875 Lung Cancer (OD04565) 0.2 RNA 1026 2. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004- 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 0.0 T 1. 4 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-Paired Liver Tissue Research 01 1.0 Genetics RNA 6004-N 0. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237-Research Genetics RNA 6005- 0.8 T 1. 0 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver Paired Liver Tissue Research (ODO4310) 0.4 Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 0 Normal Bladder GENPAK 83256 Liver NAT (OD043 10) 0.4 0619001 0. 4 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung Bladder Cancer Research (OD04321) 0.9 Genetics RNA 1023 0. 2 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) .0 A302173 0.0 Normal Kidney GENPAK 87071 Bladder Cancer 61008 0. 4 (ODO04718-01) 0.0 83786 Kidney Ca. Nuclear 87072 Bladder Normal grade 2 (OD04338) 0. 9 Adjacent (OD047I8-03) 0.0 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 0.6 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 0. 0 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 1/2 (OD04339) 0.5 064008 0.0 87492 Ovary Cancer 87389 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 0.5 (OD04768-07) 0.3 83790 Kidney Ca. Clear cell 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768- e OD04340) 0.2 08) 0. 0 Normal Stomach GENPAK 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 0.1 061017 0. 0 83792 Kidney Ca, Nuclear Gastric Cancer Clontech grade 3 (OD04348) 0.0 9060358 0. 5 NAT Stomach Clontech 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 0.0 9060359 0. 4 87474 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD046220-01) 1.1 9060395 0. 0 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 0. 7 9060394 0. 3 85973 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04450-0 1) 1.3 9060397 0. 1 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-NAT Stomach Clontech 0.0 90603960.0 Kidney Cancer Clontech Gastric Cancer GENPAK 8120607 6. 5 064005 0. 4 Table 24. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 4dtm4182fam_ 4dtm4182fam TissueName ag2197 _ Tissue Name ag2197 93768Secondary Thlanti-93100HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0.0 (Endothelia)_IL-1b 0. 1 93769_Secondary Th2_anti- 3779_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 (Endothelial) IFN gamma 0.0 93102_HUVEC 93770Secondary Trlanti- (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 gamma 0.0 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IL4 0. 0 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 (Endothelia)_IL-11 0.0 93571_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 Endoethelia Cells_none 0. 0 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568_primary Th1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa(4 CD28/anti-CD3 010 ng/ml) and ILI b (I ng/ml) 0. 0 93569_primaryTh2 anti- 92662 Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD3 0.0 endothelium none 0.0 92663_Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primary Tr1_anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD30. 0 and ILI b (I ng/ml) 0.2 93773 Bronchial 93565_primary Th1_resting dy epithe ! iumTNFa (4 ng/mt) and 4-6 in IL-2 0.0 IL1b (1 ng/ml)** 0.0 93566_primary Th2_resting dy 93347 Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 0.0 Epithelium none 0.4 93567primary Tr1_resting dy 93348 Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 0.0 Epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) 0.0 andILIb (I ng/ml) 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 92668_Corjnery Artery CD3 0.0 SMC_resting 0. 3 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- SMC_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and ILI b CD3 0.0 (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93251 CD8 Lymphocytes-anti- CD287anti-CD3 0. 0 93107_astrocytes_resting 100. 0 93353 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_resting dy 4-93108 astrocytes TNFa (4 6 in IL-2 0.0 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 16. 5 93574_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_activated 92666_KU-812 CD3/CD280. 0 (Basophil)_resting 0. 0 92667 KU-812 93354 CD4 none 0. 0 (Basophil) PMA/ionoycin 0.0 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Thl/Th2/Trlanti-CD95 CH11 0. 0 (Keratinocytes) none 0. 0 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes)_TNFaand 93103_A\LAK cells_raesting 0.0 IFNg ** 0. 0 93788 LAK cells IL-2 0. 0 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 1. 3 93787_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-12 0.0 93792 LupusKidney 11. 3 93789_LAK cells-IL-2+IFN gamma 0. 0 93577 NCI-H292 8. 4 93790 LAKcells IL-2-4-IL-18 0.0 93358_NCI-H292_IL-4 12. 5 93104_LAK cells_PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 0. 8 93360 NCI-H292_IL-9 11. 8 93578 NKCellsIL-2 resting 0.0 93359 NCI-H292_IL-13 4. 2 93109_mixedLymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0.0 93357 NCI-H292_IFN gamma 3.7 93110_MixedLymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0.0 93777 HPAEC-Q. 0 93111_Mixed Lymphocyte 93778_HPAEC_IL-1 beta/TNA Reaction Two Way N 0.0 alpha 0. 0 93112 Mononuclear Cells 93254 Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting0. 0 Fibroblast none 0. 3 93253_Normal HumanLung 93113_Mononuclear Cells Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs)_PWM 0. 0 IL-1b (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93114_Mononuclear Cells 93257_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs)_PHA-L 0. 1 Fibroblast IL-4 0. 0 93256 Normal Human Lung 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 0.0 Fibroblast_IL9 0.0 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell) ionomycin 0. 0 FibroblastIL-130. 0 93258 Normal Human Lung 93349_B lymphocytes PWM 0.0 Fibroblast_IFN_gamma 0.0 93350_B lymphocytes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts and IL-4 0. 0 CCD1070 resting 0.0 92665EOL-1 0.0 93361 Dermal Fibroblasts 0.0 (Eosinophil) dbcAMP CCD1070_TNF alpha 4 nglml differentiated 93248 EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin 0. 0 CCD1070 IL-1 beta 1 nglml 0.0 93772_dermal fibroblast_IFN 93356 Dendritic Cells none 0.0 gamma 0. 0 93355 Dendritic Cells LPS 100 00 ng/ml 0.0 93771 dermal fibroblast IL-4 0.0 93775 Dendritic Cells anti- CD40 0. 0 93260 IBD Colitis 2 0. 1 93774 Monoc tes resting 0.0 93261 IBD Crohns 4. 1 93776_Monocytes_LPS 50 nglml 0. 0 735010 Colon normal 1. 2 93581 Macrophages resting 0. 3 735019_Lung none 12. 2 93582_Macrophages_LPS 100 ng/ml 0. 0 64028-1 Thymus none 62. 8 93098 HUVEC (Endothelial) none 0. 0 64030-1 Kidney none 2. 2 93099 HUVEC (Endothelial) _starved 0. 0

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag2197 Highest expression of the NOVla gene is seen in a sample derived from a CNS cancer cell line (CT=27). Certain glioblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines also express this gene as well so it may have a role in different types of brain cancer.

Among normal tissues derived from the central nervous system, the NOVla gene is expressed in the amygdala, cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOVla gene is expressed in the pancreas and in adipose. Interestingly, this gene is also expressed at higher levels in fetal heart and skeletal tissue when compared to the adult tissues.

The NOV1 a gene appears to be expressed at high levels in a sample from a renal cancer cell line and from a breast cancer cell line. In addition, the NOVla gene is expressed in ovarian tissue, but not significantly in cell lines derived from ovarian cancer.

Panel 2D Summary Ag217 Expression of the NOVlb gene is highest in normal colon tissue (CT=25). The gene is also expressed at high levels in the uterus, but not in uterine cancer. Thus, expression of NOVlb could be used as a diagnostic marker for the presence of uterine cancer. Furthermore, therapeutic upregulation of the activity of the protein product could potentially be useful in the treatment of uterine cancer. The NOVlb gene also appears to be expressed at higher levels in liver cancers (two out of two matched tissue pairs) and kidney cancers (seven out nine matched tissue pairs) when compared to normal adjacent tissue. Thus,

expression of the NOV 1 b gene could be used to diffentiate between kidney and liver cancers and other cancers or normal tissue. Furthermore, thereapeutic inhibition of the activity of the protein encoded by the NOVlb gene, through the use of antibodies or small molecule drugs, could be effective in treating kidney and liver cancers.

Panel 4D Summary Ag2197 The NOVIa gene is expressed at a high level in astrocytes (CT 27.8) and its expression is down regulated upon treatment with TNF-a and IL- lb, suggesting that modulation of this protein could be beneficial in the treatment of CNS diseases-associated inflammation or neurodegeneration. The NOVI a gene is also expressed highly in the thymus (CT 28.4). More moderate expression of this gene is observed in the lung and in a muco-epidermoid cell line (H292). Thus, the protein encoded by the NOVla gene could play an important role in the normal homeostasis of these tissues. Therapeutics designed with this protein could be important for maintaining or restoring normal function to these organs during inflammation.

Panel 4.1D Summary Ag4164 Expression of this gene is low/undetectable (CT values >35) among the samples on this panel (data not shown).

Panel CNS_neurodegeneratin_v1.0 Summary Ag4164 Expression of this gene is low/undetectable (CT values >35) among the samples on this panel (data not shown).

NOVIc Please note that the NOVlc sequence is a variant of gene NOV1a annotated in section A. However, the NOVI c sequence only matches a subset of the probe and primer sets discussed above and is discussed independently below in section C. Expression of gene NOVIc was assessed using the primer-probe sets Ag2197, Ag708 and Agl313b described in Tables 25, 26, and 27. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 28,29,30, and 31.

Table 25. Probe Name Ag2197 Start SEQ ID Primers Seqeunces TM Length Position NO: Forward S'-CCAAGGAAGACCTCTTCATCTT-3'5g. 8 22 1022 126 Probe FAM-S'-TCTTGCTTACGGCATAAGCGCTCTCT-69 26 1060 127 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-TTCATTTCTATGGGACCTCAGA-3' 58.7 22 1086 128 Table 26. Probe Name Ag708 Primers Sequences TM Length Start SEQ ID Position NO : Forward 5'-AAAGATGGGACTCGTCATGAC-3'59 21 232 129 TET-5'-CACGCATCTTACTGACTGGTCTGGA- 130 Probe 69.5 26 253 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-GTGCAAATCCCAAAGTGTCA-3' 59.5 20 306 131 Table 27. Probe Name Agl313b Start SEQ ID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO : Forward 5'-CAGCTGCACGATTAATGAAGAT-3' 59. 4 22 264 132 TET-5'-AGGTCTTGGACTGGCCTTCACCATT- 133 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'[-CCAAAGTTGTGTCCAGACTGCAT-3' 59.1 22 317 134

Table 28. Panel 1.2 Relative Expression (%) 1. 2tm888t 1. 2tm1047t Tissue Name ag708 ag708 Endothelial cells 0. 0 0. 0 Heart (fetal) 1.2 0.0 Pancreas 22.5 29. 5 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 0. 0 0. 0 Adrenal Gland (new lot*) 0.9 0.0 Thyroid 0.5 0. 0 Salivary gland 0. 4 0. 0 Pituitary gland 1.3 0.0 Brain (fetal) 4.0 0. 0 Brain (whole) 7.9 6.5 Brain (amygdala) 2. 1 0. 0 Brain (cerebellum) 16.7 23.3 Brain (hippocampus) 4. 63. 1 Brain (thalamus) 1. 5 0. 0 Cerebral Cortex 10.7 5.8 Spinal cord 1. 1 0. 0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 4.4 11. 7 CNS ca. (gliolastro) U-l 18-MG0. 6O. I CNS ca. (astro) SW 1783 1. 2 0. 7 CNS ca. * (neuro ; met) SK-N-AS 0.2 0. 0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-6539 1.6 1.1 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 7. 7 1. 7 CN ca. (glio) NB-19 9.5 4. 3 CN ca. (glio) U251 100.0 100. 0 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2. 4 0. 0 Heart 4.9 0. 0 Skeletal Muscle (new lot*) 3.1 0.0 Bone marrow 0. 0 0. 0 Thymus 0.2 0. 0 Spleen 0. 0 0. 0 Lymph node 0. 2 0. 0 Colorectal 0.0 0. 0 Stomach 1.2 0. 0 Small intestine 1. 4 0. 0 Colon ca. SW480 1. 5 0. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 0. 0 0. 0 Colon ca. HT29 0. 0 0. 0 Colon ca. HCT-116 0.7 0. 0 Colon ca. CaCo-2 0. 0 0. 0 83219 CC Well t Mod Diff (ODO3866) 0.1 0.0 Colon ca. HCC-2998 0.0 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI-N87 4. 1 0. 1 Bladder 3. 5 0. 0 Trachea 0.3 0. 0 Kidney 5. 4 10. 7 Kidney (fetal) 37.9 94.0 Renal ca. 786-0 4.6 5. 3 Renal ca. A498 12.2 20. 2 Renal ca. RXF 393 3.3 4. 2 Renal ca. ACHN 2. 8 1. I Renal ca. UO-31 23 0. 2 Renal ca. TK-10 7.6 12. 7 Liver 0.9 0. 0 Liver (fetal) 0.2 0.0 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG 0.0 0.0 Lung 1. 1 0.0 Lung (fetal) 1. 2 0. 0 Lung ca. (small cel) LX-1 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 0.1 0. 0 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) HSP-77 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 0. 0 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0. 5 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-624. 9LI Lung ca. (non-s. el) NCI-H522 0. 0 0. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3.7 2.0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0. 0 0. 0 Mammary gland 3. 1 4. 5 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF-7 0. 0 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB-231 3. 1 6. 2 Breast ca.*(pl. effusion) T47D 0.8 0. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 0. 7 0. 0 Breast ca. MDA-N 10. 7 14. 6 Ovary 26. 4 39. 5 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0.4 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 9 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 6. 0 1. 7 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 0. 7 0. 0 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 8.1 15. 2 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 2. 9 0. 0 Uterus 0. 7 0. 0 Placenta 7.1 0. 0 Prostate 0. 3 0. 0 Prostate ca. * (bone met) Pu-31. 50. 0 Testis 3. 3 0. 0 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0. 0 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0. 0 0. 0 Melanoma UACC-62 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma M14 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI 1.5 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 0.0 0. 0 Table 29. Panel 1.3D Relative Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 3dtm4180f 1.3x4tm5365 1. 3dtm3301t Tissue Name am_ag2197 t_ag1313b_b1 ag708 Liver adenocarcinoma 2.6 0.5 2. 3 Pancreas2. 81. 44. 4 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 20. 60. 20. 8 Adrenal gland 0. 2 0. 0 0. 0 Thyroid 0. 2 0.1 0. 0 Salivary gland _ 0. 0 0. 2 0. 2 Pituitary gland 010 0. 0 0. 0 Brain (fetal) 0. 2 0. 1 0. 7 Brain (whole) 3.4 2. 0 2.5 Brain (amygdala) 1.8 1.1 1.7 Brain(cerebellum) 7.4 8.0 11.2 Brain (hippocampus) 7. 6 1. 0 7. 9 Brain (substantia nigra) 0.0 0. 0 0.0 Brain(thalamus) 0.2 0.1 0.0 Cerebral Cortex 5. 6 0. 5 4. 6 Spinal cord 0. 2 0. 2 0. 8 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 7. 0 1. 8 4. 6 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-l 18-MG12. 22. 37. 3 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 4.9 2.0 5. 7 CNS ca.*(neuro; met) SK-N-AS 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 4. 4 1. 8 3. 8 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 33.0 13.8 36. 1 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 6.0 3.4 6. 7 CNS ca. (glio) U251 100. 0 100. 0 100. 0 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2.0 0.5 4. 2 Heart (fetal) 1. 2 0.1 1.3 Heart 0.0 0.0 0. 6 Fetal Skeletal 14.8 0.3 16. 3 Skeletal muscle 0.1 0.2 0. 0 Bone marrow 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Thymus 0.3 0.0 0. 5 Spleen0. 00. 00. 0 Lymph node 0. 2 0. 3 0. 1 Colorectal 0. 7 0. 0 0. 4 Stomach 0. 7 1. 2 0. 7 Small intestine 1, 2 0. 6 2. 6 Colon ca. SW480 2. 2 0. 1 2. 4 Colon ca.* (SW480 met) SW620 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Colon ca. HT29 0.0 0. 0 0.0 Colon ca. HCT-1 16 0. 6 0. 0 0. 6 Colon ca, CaCo-2 0.0 0.0 0. 0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODo3866) 4.2 0.3 2. 6 Colon ca. HCC-298 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Gastric ca.* (liver met) NCIN87 2.6 1.3 1. 0 Bladder 0.7 0.2 0. 7 Trachea0. 40. 20. 1 Kidney 1. 9 1. 3 2. 8 Kidney (fetal) 12, 6 3. 0 18. 3 Renal ca. 786-0 10. 7 2. 1 15. 1 Renal ca. A498 47.3 9.7 4. 4 Renal ca. RXF 393 4.3 6.0 3.4 Renal ca. ACHN 2.6 0.8 2. 5 Renal ca. UO-31 10.7 3. 0 13.5 Renal ca. TK-10 7.4 1.6 9. 3 Liver 00. 00. 3 Liver (fetal) 0. 20. 01. 1 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung 0. ! 0. 0 0. 3 Lung (fetal) 0. 20. 00. 4 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Lung ca. (small cell)NCI-H69 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 0.0 0.4 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-sm, cell) A549 0. 8 0. 3 0. 4 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 0.0 0.0 0.0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 4.7 1.7 4. 1 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3.7 1.6 4. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0.0 0.0 0 Mammary gland 4. 0 1. 1 5. 8 Breast ca.* (pl. effusion) MCF-7 0.0 0.1 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB-231 46. 3 7.8 12.4 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 6.7 2.7 2. 6 Breast ca. MDA-N 8.3 1.2 11.1 Ovary 59. 9 5. 8 88. 9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0.0 2.6 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 6.8 1.3 2. 5 Ovarian ca. VCAR0-8 1.8 0.1 1. 1 Ovarian ca. IGROV-14. 30. 94. 2 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 1.8 1.7 0. 6 Uterus0. 30. 41. 2 Placenta 0. 0 0. 0 0. 2 Prostate 0. 1 0. 1 0. 1 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 70. 30. 7 Testis 0. 4 0. 2 0. 8 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T0. 40. 24. 0 Melanoma UACC-620. 00. 00. 0 Melanoma M14 0. 0 0. 1 0. 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI .2 0.8 0. 6 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 0. 0 0. 0 0. 0 Adipose 1. 5 Table 30. Panel 2D Relative Relative Relative Expression(%) Expression(%) Expression(%) 2dtm-4181fam_ 2Dtm2694t_ 2dx4tm4810t TissueName ag2197 ag708 ag1313b b2 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003 100.0 28.3 18.4 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 28.1 2.8 5. 6 83220 CC NAT (ODO3866) 0.3 0.5 3. 7 83221 CC Gr.2 rectosigmoid (ODO3868) 0. 1 0.2 2.4 83222 CC NAT (ODO3868) 0.0 0.5 0. 2 83235 CC Mod Diff (ODO3920) 0.0 0.0 0. 2 83236 CC NAT (ODO3920) 0. 8 0.8 1.1 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon (OD03921) 0. 5 1. 6 3. 8 83238 CC NAT (OD03921) 0.2 2. 0 1.7 83241 CC from Partial Hepatectomy (ODO4309) 0. 2 0.7 0. 9 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 2.0 0. 0 0.2 87472 Colon mets to lung (OD04451-01) 0. 0 1.1 2. 0 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451-02) 4.8 0.0 0.0 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 6546-1 9.2 0.0 1.6 84140 Prostate Cancer (OD04410) 1.0 0.2 0. 3 84141 Prostate NAT (OD04410) 2.2 0.0 0. 0 87073 Prostate Cancer (OD04720-01) 2.2 0. 2 0.0 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 0.3 0.6 1. 1 Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 0.7 3.3 4. 7 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (ODO4286) 0.0 13.2 14. 1 83240 Muscle NAT (ODO4286) 0.0 1.2 0. 4 84136 LuneMaIisnant Cancer (OD03126) 0. 5 8.2 3.7 84137Lung NAT (OD03126) 0.0 0.7 0. 8 84871 Lung Cancer (OD04404) 0.0 11.7 5.4 84872 Lung NA T(OD04404) 0.0 4.1 3.9 84875 Lung Cancer (OD04565) 0. 2 4. 8 8. 9 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 0.0 0. 0 0.0 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-01) 1.0 3.3 7.3 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237-02) 0.8 1. 4 0.5 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver (ODO4310) 0.4 0. 0 0.0 83256 Liver NAT OD04310 0. 4 0. 0 0. 0 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung ODO4321) 0.9 48.3 43. 1 84138 Lung NAt (OD04321) 0. 0 0.2 0.1 Normal Kidney GENPAK 061008 0.4 100.0 100. 0 83786 Kidney Ca, Nuclear grade 2 (OD04338) 0.9 9.6 18. 7 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 0. 6 29. 9 28. 3 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade 1/2 (OD04339) 0.5 12. 0 10.4 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 0. 5 29. 7 33. 9 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell type (OD04340) 0.2 3.0 3.4 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 0. 1 38.2 34.8 83792 Kidney Ca. Nuclear grade 3 (OD04348) 0.016. 416. 7 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 0. 0 34. 9 35. 4 87474 Kidney Cancer (OD04622-01) 1.1 0.0 0. 4 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-03) 0. 7 5.0 4. 6 85973 Kidney Cancr (OD04450-01) 1.3 15.9 21. 6 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-03) 0.0 37.9 38. 6 Kidney Cancer Clontech 8120607 6.5 0.0 0.3 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 1.9 7.9 8. 0 Kidney Cancer Clontech 8120613 4.2 2.2 2. 3 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 1. 3 23. 0 15. 3 Kidney Cancer Clontech 9010320 4. 3 13. 3 11. 1 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 0. 3 30. 4 30. 6 Normal Uterus GENPAK 0610181. 011. 77. 3 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 0640110. 04. 04. 2 Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ 6570-1 4.4 0.4 0.6 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 064010 2.9 0.0 0. 0 Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN A302152 5. 3 0. 3 12 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN A302153 0. 3 2. 2 1. 9 Normal Breast GENPAK 06109 4.9 2.0 3. 3 84877 Breast Cancer (OD04566) 2.1 3. 1 3.3 85975 Breast Cancer (OD04590-q1) 4.4 7.6 4. 7 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04590-03) 13. 2 4. 3 6. 3 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04655-05) 0.1 0. 4 0.8 GENPAK Breast Cancer 064006 5.7 5.4 4. 1 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 10245. 75. 55. 1 Breast Cancer Clontech 9100266 0.0 4.0 3. 3 Breast NAT Clontech 91002650. 03. 73. 5 Breast Cancer INVITROGEN A209073 0. 0 4. 7 6. 1 Breast NAT INVITROGEN a2090734 0.9 4.1 4. 9 Normal Liver GENPAK 061009 0.0 0.0 0. 0 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 2. 2 0. 0 0. 0 Liver Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1025 0. 4 0. 0 0. 0 Liver Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1026 2.0 2.5 2. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004-t 1.4 0.0 0. 0 Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004-N0. 00. 00. 4 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-T 1. 0 3. 2 2. 0 Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-n 0.0 0.0 0. 0 nORMAL Bladder GENPAK 061001 0. 4 6. 4 6. 2 Bladder Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1023 0.2 1.2 2. 2 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN A3021730. 06. 16. 9 87071 Bladder Cancer (od04718-01) 0.0 13.6 14. 8 87072 Bladder Normal Adjacent (OD04718-03) 0.0 8.7 9. 6 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 0. 077. 460. 2 Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 064008 0.0 32.8 32.1 87492 Ovary Cancer (OD04768-07) 0.3 0.8 0. 8 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768-08) 0. 0 12. 0 10. 2 Normal Stomach GENPAK 061017 0, 0 2. 9 2, 3 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060358Q. 51. 11. 1 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060359 0.4 5.9 3. 5 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060395 0.0 0.4 0. 2 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060394 0. 3 1. 8 1.1 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060397 0.1 9.3 5. 7 NAT Stomach Clontech 90603960. 00. 20. 8 Gastric Cancer GENPAK 064005 0.4 0.4 1. 5 Table 31. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 4dtm4182fam_ 4dtm4182fam TissueName a 2197 Tissue Name a 2197 93768_Secondary Th1_anti- 93100_HUVEC CD28Tanti-CD3 0. 0 (Endothelial)_IL-1b 0. 1 93769_Secondary Th2_anti- 93779_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 (Endothelial) IFN gamma 0. 0 93102_HUVEC 93770_Secondary Tr1_anti- (Endothelial)_TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 gamma 0. 0 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 (Endothelial) _TNF alpha IL4 0.0 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 (Endothelial)_IL-11 0. 0 93571_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 Endothelial Cells none 0. 0 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568_primary Th1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93569_primary Th2_anti-92662 Microvascular Dermal CD28/ati-CD3 0. 0 endothelium_none 0. 0 92663_Microsvasular Dermal 93570primaryTr1_anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD30. 0 and ILIb (Ing/ml) 0.2 93773 Bronchial 93565_primary Th1_resting dy epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and 4-6 in IL-2 0.0 IL1b (1 ng/ml)** 0. 0 93566_primaryTh2_resting dy 93347_Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 0.0 Epithelium none 0.4 93348_SmallAirway 93567_primary Tr1_resting dy Epithelium_TNFa (4 nglml) 4-6 in IL-20. 0 and ILlb (1 ng/ml) 0. 0 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 92668_Coronery Artery CD3 0. 0 SMC_resting 0. 3 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- SMC TNFa (4 ng/ml) and ILI b CD3 0. 0 (1 ng/ml) 0.0 93251 CD8 Lymphocytes anti- CD28/anti-CD3 0.0 93107_astrocytes_resting 100. 0 93353 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_resting dy 4- 93108_astrocytes_TNFa (4 6 in IL-20. 0 ng/ml) and IL1b (I ng/ml) 16. 5 93574 chronic CD8 0. 0 92666 KU-812 0.0 Lymphocytes 2ry_activated (Basophil) resting CD3/CD28 92667_KU-812 93354 CD4 none 0. 0 (Basophil)_PMA/ionoycin 0.0 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Th1/Th2/Tr1 anti-CD95 CH11 0. 0 (Keratinocytes) none 0. 0 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes)_TNFa and 93103 LAK cells resting 0.0 IFNg ** 0. 0 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 0. 0 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 1. 3 93787 LAK cells_IL-2+IL-12 0. 0 93792_Lupus Kidney 11. 3 93789_LAK cells_IL-2+IFN gamma 0.0 93577_NCI-H292 8.4 93790 LAKcells IL-2+IL-18 0.0 93358 NGI-I-H292 IL-4 12. 5 93104_LAK cells PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 0.8 93360 NCI-H292 IL-9 11.8 93578 NK Gells IL-2 resting 0.0 93359_NCI-H292_IL-13 4.2 93109-Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 0.0 93357 NCI-H292 IFN gamma 3.7 93110_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0.0 93777 HPAEC-0. 0 9311 lMixed Lymphocyte 93778HPAECIL-1 beta/TNA Reaction Two Way MLR 0.0 alpha 0. 0 93112_Mononuclear Cells 93254_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) _resting 0. 0 Fibroblast_none 0. 3 93253_Normal Human Lung 93113_Mononuclear Cells Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs) PWM 0. 0 IL-lb (I ng/ml) 0.0 93114_Mononuclear Cells 93257_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) PHA-L 0. 1 Fibroblast_IL-4 0. 0 93256 Normal Human Lung 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 0.0 Fibroblast IL-9 0. 0 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell) ionomycin 0. 0 Fibroblast IL-13 0. 0 93258 Normal Human Lung 93349 B lymphocytes PWM 0.0 Fibroblast_IFN gamma 0. 0 93350_B lymphoytes_CD40L 93106 Dermal Fibroblasts andIL-4 0. 0 CCD1070_resting 0. 0 92665 EOL-I (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 0. 0 CCD1070 TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 0. 0 93248EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin 0. 0 CCD1070 IL-I beta I ng/ml 0.0 93772_dermal fibroblast_IFN 93356 Dendritic Cells none 0. 0 gamma 0. 0 93355_Dendritic Cells_LPS 100 ng/ml 0. 0 93771 dermal fibroblast IL-4 0.0 93775 Dendritic Cells anti- CD400. 0 93260 IBD Colitis 2 0. 1 93774 Monocytes_resting 0.0 93261_IBD Crohns 4.1 93776_Monocytes_LPS 50 ng/ml 0.0 735010_Colon_normal 1.2 93581 Macrophages resting 0, 3 735019 Lung none 12. 2 93582 Macrophages_LPS 100 ng/ml 0. 0 64028-1 Thymus none 62. 8 93098 HUVEC (Endothelial) none 0. 0 64030-1 Kidney none 2. 2 93099_HUVEC (Endothelial) _starved 0. 0

Panel 1.2 Summary Ag708 Expression of the NOV l a gene was assessed in two independent experiments using the same probe/primer set. There appears to be poor concordance between runs for some tissues but there is good concordance for others; only those results that are in agreement will be discussed here. In both experiments, highest expression of the NOVI a gene in a sample derived from a glioblastoma cell line (CTs = 24- 26). Among normal tissues derived from the central nervous system, the NOV1a gene is also expressed at moderate levels in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOV1a gene is expressed in the pancreas.

Thus, this gene may be involved in the pathogenesis angor treatment of diseases involving the pancreas, such as pancreatitis and diabetes. In addition, NOVla gene expression is decreased in a pancreatic cancer cell line.

The NOVI a gene appears to be overexpressed in fetal kidney when compared to the adult kidney. This result suggests that the NOVla gene could be used to distinguish between adult and fetal kidney tissue and that this gene may play an important role in kidney development, growth and survival. Furthermore, NOVI a gene expression is higher in normal ovary, mammary gland and lung when compared to the cancer cell lines obtained from these tissues suggesting that this can be used as a marker to differentiate malignant and normal tissue.

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag708/ Ag1313b/Ag2197 Three experiments with three different probe and primer sets produced results that were in very good agreement. One run, designated 1. 3dx4tm5365t, appears to have lower absolute expression, but produces the same expression profile as the other two experiments. Highest expression of the NOVla gene in all three runs is seen in a sample derived from a CNS cancer cell line (CTs=27). Certain glioblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines also express this gene as well so it may have a role in different types of brain cancer. Among norma. tissues derived from the central nervous

system, the NOVI a gene is expressed in the amygdala, cerebellum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOV I a gene is expressed in the pancreas and in adipose_ Interestingly, this gene is also expressed at higher levels in fetal heart and skeletal tissue when compared to the adult tissues.

The NOV1 a gene appears to be expressed at high levels in a sample from a renal cancer cell line and from a breast cancer cell line. In addition, the NOVI a gene is expressed in ovarian tissue, but not significantly in cell lines derived from ovarian cancer.

Panel 2D Summary Ag708/Agl313b/Ag2197 In two runs using two different probe and primer sets, highest expression of the NOV la gene is seen in the normal ovary, colon and kidney. Furthermore, in all nine matched kidney pairs and in the matched tissue pair derived from the ovary, the NOVla gene is expressed more highly in normal tissue than in the adjacent cancer samples. This result suggests that expression of the NOVla gene could be used as a diagnostic marker for the presence of kidney and ovarian cancer. In addition, therapeutic upregulation of the gene activity of NOVla could be effective in the treatment of kidney and ovarian cancer. The NOV ta gene is also expressed at higher levels in lung cancer samples, when compared to normal adjacent tissue in six out of seven matched tissue pairs.

Thus, therapeutic inhibition of the NOV1 a gene, through the application of antibodies or small molecule drugs, could be effective in the treatment of lung cancer.

Panel 4D Summary Ag2197 The NOVIa gene is expressed at a high level in astrocytes (CT 27.8) and its expression is down regulated upon treatment with TNF-a and IL- I b, suggesting that modulation of this protein could be beneficial in the treatment of CNS diseases-associated inflammation or neurodegeneration. The NOV1 a gene is also expressed highly in the thymus (CT 28.4). More moderate expression of this gene is observed in the lung and in a muco-epidermoid cell line (H292). Thus, the protein encoded by the NOVI a gene could play an important role in the normal homeostasis of these tissues. Therapeutics designed with this protein could be important for maintaining or restoring normal function to these organs during inflammation.

NOV3 Expression of gene NOV3 was assessed using the primer-probe set Agl 534 described in Table 32. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 33,34,35, and 36.

Table 32. Probe Name Agl534 Primers Sequences TM Length start SEQ ID Position NO: Forward'5'-TTTCAAGACACCCTGTGATACC-3'59 22 765 135 FAM-5'-ACTTCGTGTCCTGAATGTTCCAGGCT- Probe 69.1 26 799 3'-TAMRA Reverse5'-CAGAGGAATGAAGGCATAGATG-3' 58.8 22 825 137

Table 33. Panel 1.2 Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1.2tm2210f_ 1.2tm2210f Tissue Name agl534 Tissue Name agl534 Endothelial cells 2. 7 Renal ca. 786-0 48. 0 Heart (fetal) 2.1 Renal ca. A498 5. 4 Pancreas0. 5Renal ca. RXF 393 4. 8 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 25. 9Renal ca. ACHN 40. 6 Adrenal Gland (new lot*) 12.6 Renal ca. UO-31 17. 4 Thyroid 1. 2 Renal ca. TK-10 53. 2 Salivary gland 46. 3 Liver 5. 4 Pituitary gland 0. 6 Liver (fetal) 0.9 Brain (fetal) 3. 1 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0. 3 Brain (whole) 0.2 Lung 1.2 Brain (amygdala) 4.5 Lung (fetal) 1.2 Brain (cerebellum) 0.8 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 2. 3 Brain (hippocampus) 18. 6 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 23. 2 Brain (thalamus) 8.5 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0. 6 Cerebral Cortex 29. 9 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 18. 0 Spinal cord 4.8 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 13 0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 14.3 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 42. 6 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 6.6 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 24. 3 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 2.4 Lung ca. (non-s.cl) NCI-H522 18.8 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N- AS 6.4 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 90.8 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 2.6 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H59640.6 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 6.0 Mammary gland 12.6 Breast ca.*(pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 11.0 7 17.8 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB- cns CA. (GLIO) u251 5.4 231 1.5 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 41.8 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 26. 6 Heart 32. 1 Breast ca. BT-549 2.4 Skeletal Muscle (new lot*) 2, 7 Breast ca. MDA-N 0. 2 Bone marrow 1. 0 Ovary 3. 7 Thymus0. 0Ovarian ca. OVCAR-310. 3 Spleen 1.9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 6. 8 Lymph node 1. 6 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 44. 8 Colorectal 2. 9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 21. 3 Stomach 1. 0 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 18. 0 Small intestine 6. 8 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 22.5 Colon ca. SW480 0.6 Uterus 6. 2 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 2. 2 Placenta 1. 4 Colon ca. HT29 4.2 Prostate 50. 3 Colon ca. HCT-116 6.3 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 47.0 Colon ca. CaCo-2 2.1 Testis 1. 1 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (OD03866) 0. 1 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 11. 3 Colon ca. HCC-2998 6. 3 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 7.8 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 0.0 Melanoma UACC-62 20. 2 Bladder 28. 5 Melanoma M 14 16, 7 Trachea 3. 6 Melanoma LOX IMVI 1. 3 Kidney 100. 0 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 33. 2 Kidney (fetal) 65.5 Table 34. Panel 1.3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1.3Dtm2922f 1. 3Dtm2922f TissueName agl534 Tissue Name agl534 Liver adenocarcinoma 6.2 Kidney (fetal) 36.9 Pancreas 0. 0 Renal ca. 786-0 98. 6 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 14. 8 Renal ca. A498 1.5 Adrenal gland 3. 5 Renal ca. RXF 393 4. 6 Thyroid 10. 4 Renal ca. ACHN 28. 3 Salivary gland 3. 9 Renal ca. UO-31 13. 1 Pituitary gland 18. 8 Renal ca. TK-10 21. 9 Brain (fetal) 35. 8 Liver 1.8 Brain (whole) 13. 9 Liver (fetal) 3.4 Brain (amygdala) 21. 2 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0. 0 Brain (cerbellum) 5.2 Lung 10.4 Brain (hippocampus) 100.0 Lung (fetal) 47.3 Brain (substantia nigra) 1.7 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 3. 9 Brain (thalamus) 7.2 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 29. 9 Cerebral Cortex 20.9 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 1. 5 Spinal cord 5. 4 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 9. 0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 5.1 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 16. 6 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 27.5 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 41.8 GNS ca. (astro) SW1783 9.0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 15.3 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N- AS 39 5 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 2. 4 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 14. 2 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 65. 1 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 35.4 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 9. 0 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 28.7 Mammary gland 5. 7 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) U251 12.5 7 14. 8 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 26.8 231 4. 9 Heart (fetal) 0.0 Breast ca. * 1. effusion) T47D 17. 4 Heart 0.0 Breast ca. BT-549 4.4 Fetal Skeletal 21.2 Breast ca. MDA-N 0.0 Skeletal muscle 0. 0 Ovary 8. 5 Bone marrow0. 0Ovarian ca. OVCAR-310. 4 Thymus 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 0 Spleen 7.2 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 12. 4 Lymph node 3. 9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 17. 4 Colorectal 8.4 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 10. 9 Stomach 10. 4 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 27. 7 Small intestine 3. 7 Uterus 13. 1 Colon ca. SW480 2.8 Placenta 0. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met)SW620 3.1 Prostate 21. 6 Colon ca. HT29 5.5 Prostate ca. * (bone met)PC-3 17. 9 Colon ca. HCT-116 1.3 Testis 36. 9 Colon ca. CaCo-2 1. 7 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 27.0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 5. 6 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 37. 6 Colon ca. HCC-2998 0.0 Melanoma UACC-62 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 0. 0 Melanoma M14 8. 0 Bladder 8.8 Melanoma LOX IMVI 0. 0 Trachea 40.3 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 48. 3 Kidney 14, 6 Adipose 32. 3 Table 35. Panel 2D Relative Expression (%) 2Dtm2414f Tissue Name ag1534 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003 20.3 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 1.6 83220 CC NAT (ODO3866) 1. 7 83221 CC Gr. 2 rectosigmoid (ODO3868) 2. 7 83222 CC NAT (ODO3868) 2.9 83235 CC Mod Diff (OD03920) 16.0 83236 CC NAT (OD03920) 0.5 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon (OD03921) 11. 0 83238 CC NAT (ODO3921) 1.7 83241 CC from Partial Hepatectomy (ODO4309 4.5 83242 Liver NAT (OD04309) 0. 0 87472 Colon mets to lung (OD04451-01) 2.3 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451-02) 16.4 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 6546-1 75. 3 84140 Prostate Cancer (OD04410) 29. 9 84141 Prostate NAT (OD04410) 24. 1 87073 Prostate Cancer (OD04720-0 1) 29.9 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 16.2 Normal Lung GENPAK061010 25. 5 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (ODO4286) 1.4 83240 Muscle NAT (ODO4286) 1.8 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer (OD03126) 14. 1 84137 Luns NAT (OD03126) 43.8 84871 Lung Cancer (OD04404) 18. 9 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 33.7 84875 Lung Cancer (OD04565) 7.2 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 8.4 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-01) 6.0 85970 Lung NAT OD04237-02 6.6 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver (ODO4310) 0.0 83256 Liver NAT (ODO4310) 3.2 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung (OD04321) 8. 0 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 17.4 Normal Kidney GENPAK 061008 62. 0 83786 Kidney Ca, Nuclear grade 2 (OD04338) 20. 3 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 19.6 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade 1/2 (OD04339) 100.0 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 25.7 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear eel ! type (0004340) 7. 9 83791 Kidney NAT OD04340 24. 7 83792 Kidney Ca, Nuclear grade 3 (OD04348) 0.6 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 24. 3 87474 Kidney Cancer (OD04622-01) 4.1 87475 Kidney NAT OD04622-03) 0. 9 85973 Kidney Cancer (OD04450-01) 4. 2 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-03) 24. 0 Kidney Cancer Clontech 8120607 2.1 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 0.0 idney Cancer Clontech 8120613 0.8 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 90. 8 Kidney Cancer Clontech 9010320 4. 1 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 4. 2 Normal Uterus GENPAK 061018 1. 9 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 064011 12. 7 Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ 6570-1 25. 3 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 064010 2. 4 Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN A302152 3. 0 Thyroid NAT 1INVITROGEN A302153 20. 3 Normal Breast GENPAK 061019 14. 3 84877 Breast Cancer (OD04566) 15.5 85975 Breast Cancer (OD04590-01) 4. 5 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04590-03) 5.0 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04655-05) 68.8 GENPAK Breast Cancer 064006 11. 8 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 19. 8 Breast Cancer Clontech 9100266 0. 3 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 0. 0 Breast Cancer INVITROGEN A209073 11. 0 Breast NAT INVITROGEN A2090734 9. 9 Normal Liver GENPAK 061009 0. 8 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 0. 6 Liver Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1025 1. 5 Liver Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1026 0. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004-T 1. 5 Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004-N 0. 4 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-T 0. 0 Paired Liver Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 0 Normal Bladder GENPAK 061001 6. 0 Bladder Cancer Research Genetics RNA 1023 3. 4 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN A302173 13. 0 87071 Bladder Cancer COD04718-01) 14.9 87072 Bladder Normal Adiacent (OD04718-03) 9.9 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 4. 4 Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 064008 37. 1 87492 Ovary Cancer (OD4768-07) 0. 9 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768-08) 0.3 Normal Stomach GENPAK 061017 5. 5 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060358 0. 0 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060359 0. 0 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060395 0. 4 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060394 0.0 Gastric Cancer Clontech 9060397 0. 0 NAT Stomach Clontech 9060396 0 0 Gastric Cancer GENPAK 064005 7. 7 Table 36. Panel 3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 3dtm4931f_ 3dtm4931f TissueName agl534 Tissue Name agl534 94954Ski Cervical 94905_Daoy_Medulloblastoma/ epidermoid carcinoma Cerebellum sscDNA 0. 6 (metastasis) sscDNA 3. 4 94906_TE671_Medulloblastom 94955_ES-2_Ovarian clear cell /Cerebellum_sscDNA 1.2 carcinoma_sscDNA 2.3 94907_D283 94957_Ramos/6h stim_ Med Medulloblastoma/Cerebell Stimulated with um sscDNA 100. 0 PMA/ionomycin6h ssoDNA 0.0 94908_PFSK-1_Primitive 94958_Ramos/14h stim Neuroectodermal/Cerebellum s Stimulated with scDNA 1. 6 PMAlionomycin 14h sscDNA 0.0 94962 MEG-O1 Chronic myelogenous leukemia 94909 XF-498 CNS sscDNA 5.1 (megokaryoblast) sscDNA 6.4 94910 SNB-949G3 Raj i_Burkitt's 78_CNS/glioma_sscDNA 2.6 lymphoma sscDNA 0. 0 94911 SF- 268_CNS/glioblastoma_sscDN 94964_Daudi_Burkitt's ALI ! ymphomasscDNAL2 94965 U266 B-cell 94912_T98G_Glioblastoma_ssc plasmacytoma/myeloma_sscDN DNA 4. 1 A 0.0 96776 SK-N- SH_Neuroblastoma 94968_CA46_Burkitt's (metastasis)_sscDNA 2.5 lymphoma_sscDNA 0.0 94913SF- 295_CNS/glioblastoma_sscDN 94970_RL_non-Hodgkin's B- A 2. 1 cell lymphoma sscDNA 0. 0 94972_JM1_pre-B-cell 94914_Cerebellum sscDNA 6.3 lymphoma/leukemia_sscDNA 0.7 94973 Jurkat T cell 96777 Cerebellum_sscDNA 0.0 leukemia_sscDNA 0. 0 94916NCI- H292 Mucoepidermoid lung 94974 TF- carcinoma sscDNA 6. 7 L Erythroleukemia sscDNA 3. 5 94917_DMS-114 Small cell 94975 HUT 78 T-cell lungcancer_sscDNA 0.0 lymphoma_sscDNA 0.6 94918 DMS-79 Small cell lung 94977 U937_Histiocytic cancer/neuroendocrine_sscDNA 0.8lymphoma_sscDNA 0. 8 94919_NCI-H146-Small cell lung 94980_KU-812_Myelogenous cancer/neuroendocrine_sscDNA 1.5 leukemia sscDNA 2.8 94920 NCI-H526 Small cell lung 94981 769-P Clear cell renal cancer/neuroendocrine_sscDNA 2.5 carcinoma_sscDNA 9. 0 94921_NCI-N417_Small cell 94983_Caki-2_Clear cell renal lung 1.7 carcinoma_sscDNA 1.1 (metastasis)_sscDNA 94925_NCI-H1155_Large cell 94987_Hs766T_Pancreatic lung carcinoma (LN cancer/neuroendocrine sscDNA 5.2 metastasis) sscDNA 2. 0 94926_NCI-H1299_Large cell 94988_CAPAN-1_Pancreatic lung adenocarcinoma (liver cancer/neuroendocrine sscDNA 3.3 metastasis) sscDNA 0.0 94989_SU86.86_Pancreatic 94927_NCI-H727_Lung carcinoma (liver carcinoid sscDNA 0.0 metastasis) _sscDNA 0.7 94928_NCI-UMC-11_Lung 94990_BxPC-3_Pancreatic carcinoid_sscDNA 2.9 adenocarcinoma_sscDNA 3.1 94929_LX-1 Small cell lung 94991_HPAC_Pancreatic cancer sscDNA 0. 0 adenocarcinoma ssoDNA 0. 4 94930Colo-205Colon 94992MIA PaCa-2Pancreatic cancer_sscDNA 0.0 carcinoma_sscDNA 0.7 94993CFPAC-lPancreatic 94931 KM12 Colon ductal cancer sscDNA 0. 7 adenocarcinoma sscDNA 11. 8 94994_PANC-1_Pancreatic 94932_KM20L2_Colon epithelioid ductal cancer ssoDNA 0. 0 carcinoma sscDNA 2. 3 94933 NCI-H716 Golon 94996 T24 Bladder carcinma cancersscDNA 0. 0 (transitional cell) sscDNA 4. 7 94935_SW-48_Colon 94997_5637_Bladder adenocarcinoma sscDNA 0. 0 carcinoma sscDNA 3. 1 94936 SW1116 Colon 94998 HT-1197 Bladder adenocarcinoma sscDNA 0. 4 carcinoma sscDNA 2. 9 94999_UM-UC-3 Bladder 94937 LS 174T Colon carcinma (transitional adenocarcinoma_ssoDNA 8. 7 cell) _sscDNA 0. 0 94938_SW-948 Colon 95000_A204_Rhabdomyosarco adenocarcinoma sscDNA 0, 7 ma sscDNA 1. 3 94939SW-480Colon95001HT- adenocarcinoma_sscDNA 4.8 1080_Fibrosarcoma_sscDNA 4.2 94940 NCI-SNU-5 Gastric 95002 MG-63 Osteosarcoma carcinomasscDNA 1. 3'bone) sscDNA1. 4 95003 SK-LMS- 94941_KATO III_Gastric 1_Leiomyosarcoma carcinoma sscDNA 0. 0 (vulva) sscDNA 3. 2 95004_SJRH30_Rhabdomyosar 94943 NCI-SNU-IG_Gastric coma (met to bone carcinoma_sscDNA0.4 marrow) sscDNA 1.7 94944_NCI-SNU-1_Gastric 95005_A431_Epidermoid carcinoma_sscDNA 0.3 carcinoma sscDNA 4. 8 94946_RF-1_Gastric 95007_WM266- adenocarcinoma_sscDNA 9.2 4_Melanoma_sscDNA 0.0 95010_DU 145_Prostate 94947_RF-48_Gastric carcinoma (brain adenocarcinoma_sscDNA 5.1 metastasis)_sscDNA 0.0 96778_MKN-45_Gastric 95012_MDA-MB-468_Breast carcinoma sscDNA 1.1 adenocarcinoma sscDNA 2.8 94949_NCI-N87_Gastric 95013_SCC-4_Squamous cell carcinoma sscDNA 0. 8 carcinoma oftonguesscDNA0. 0 9495 lOVCAR-5Ovanan 95014SCC-9Squamous cell carcinoma sscDNA 0. 0 careinoma of tongue sscDNA 0. 0 94952_RL95-2_Uterine 95015_SCC-15_Squamous cell carcinoma sscDNA 6. 4 carcinoma oí : tongue sscDNA 0. 8 94953_HelaS3_Cervical 95017_CAL 27_Squamous cell adenocarcinoma sseDNA 0. 2 carcinoma of tongue sscDNA 3. 7

Panel 1.2 Summary Ag, 1534 The NOV3 gene encodes a protein with homology to the ileal sodium/bile cotransporter. Highest expression of this gene is detected in the kidney (CT=28.1). The NOV3 gene appears to be expressed in clusters of cell lines derived from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer and melanoma. Thus expression of this gene could be used to detect the presence of any of these cancers. Furthermore, therapeutic modulation of the expression of the NOV3 gene or the activity of its protein product may be beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer and melanoma.

Among tissues involved in metabolic function, the NOV3 gene is expressed in the thyroid, adrenal gland, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Thus, the protein encoded by the NOV3 gene could be involved in the pathogenesis and/or treatment of diseases that involve any of these tissues. Furthermore, the NOV3 gene is expressed at higher levels in adult heart tissue (CT=29. 7) than in fetal heart tissue (CT=33. 6). Therefore, expression of the NOV3 gene could also be used to differentiate between adult and fetal heart tissue.

The NOV3 gene is also widely expressed in tissues originating in the central nervous system. These tissues include the fetal brain, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, cerebral cortex and spinal cord. This transporter gene most likely plays a role in the uptake of nutrients.

Blockade of this transporter may decrease the loss of neurons due to excitotoxicity during ischemic stroke.

Panel 1.3D Summary Agl534 Highest expression of the NOV3 gene in Panel 1.3D is detected in the hippocampus (CT=31.2). This gene is also expressed in the amygdala and cerebral cortex. Please see Panel 1.2 summary for discussion of potential utility of this gene with respect to CNS function.

Among tissues with metabolic function, the NOV3 gene is expressed in the thyroid, pituitary gland, adipose, and fetal skeletal muscle. Interestingly, this gene is much more highly expressed in fetal skeletal muscle (CT=33.4) than in adult skeletal muscle (CT=40), suggesting that this gene could be used to distinguish the two. In addition, the increased NOV3

gene expression in fetal skeletal muscle when compared to adult suggests that the protein product may enhance muscular growth or development in the fetus and thus may also act in a regenerative capacity in the adult. Therefore, therapeutic modulation of the NOV3 gene could be useful in treatment of muscular related disease. More specifically, treatment of weak or dystrophic muscle with the protein encoded by this gene could restore muscle mass or function. This gene is also more highly expressed in fetal kidney, lung and brain when compared to the corresponding adult tissues.

Panel 2D Summary Agl534 The NOV3 gene is most highly expressed in a kidney cancer (CT=31. 1). In general, however, this gene is more commonly expressed at higher levels in normal tissues than the adjacent tumor tissues. Specifically, this gene is expressed at higher levels in normal adjacent tissues next to thyroid cancer as well as adjacent to some kidney and lung cancers. These data indicate that NOV3 gene expression might be used to distinguish normal tissue from malignant tissue and also that therapeutic modulation of this gene product might be of use in the treatment of these types of cancer.

Panel 3D Summary Agl534 Highest expression of the NOV3 gene is detected in a cell line derived from a medulloblastoma (CT=30. 1). Additionally there is expression in a chronic myelogenous leukemia (megokaryoblast) cell line, a gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, a clear cell renal carcinoma cell line, a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line and a small cell lung cancer cell line. Thus, the expression of this gene could be used to distinguish some cancer cell lines from others. In addition, these data indicate that the expression of the NOV3 gene might be associated with these forms of cancer and thus, therapeutic modulation of this gene might be of use in the treatment of cancer.

References: 1. Oelkers P, Kirby LC, Heubi JE, Dawson PA. Primary bile acid malabsorption caused by mutations in the ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter gene (SLC10A2). J Clin Invest 1997 Apr 15; 99 (8): 1880-7.

Primary bile acid malabsorption (PBAM) is an idiopathic intestinal disorder associated with congenital diarrhea, steaton-hea, interruption oCthe enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, and reduced plasma cholesterol levels. The molecular basis of PBAM is unknown, and several conflicting mechanisms have been postulated. In this study, we cloned the human ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter gene (S1L A2) and employed single-stranded conformation

polymorphism analysis to screen for PBAM-associated mutations. Four polymorphisms were identified and sequenced in a family with congenital PBAM. One allele encoded an A171 S missense mutation and a mutated donor splice site for exon 3. The other allele encoded two missense mutations at conserved amino acid positions, L243P and T262M. In transfected COS cells, the L243P, T262M, and double mutant (L243P/T262M) did not affect transporter protein expression or trafficking to the plasma membrane; however, transport of taurocholate and other bile acids was abolished. In contrast, the Al 71 S mutation had no effect on taurocholate uptake. The dysfunctional mutations were not detected in 104 unaffected control subjects, whereas the A171S was present in 28% of that population. These findings establish that SLCIOA2 mutations can cause PBAM and underscore the ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter's role in intestinal reclamation of bile acids.

NOV4 Expression of gene NOV4 was assessed using the primer-probe sets Ag2432 and Agl 250 described in Tables 37 and 38. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 39, 40,41, and 42.

Table 37. Probe Name Ag2432 Start SEQ ID NO: Primers Sequences TM Length Position Position Forward 5'-GTAGGCAAASGGACTCACTGT-3'58. 321153 138 Probe FAM-5'-CAGAAATCAATAATCTTTGACTGCCG- 64.1 26 189 139 -TAMRA Reverse 5'-GCACATTACGTGGCTGAGA-3' 58.4 19 216 140

Table 38. Probe Name Agl250 Primers Sequences Length.. Position Forward 5'-CGTGGTGAACTCTGCCTTATAT-3' 58.3 22 112 141 Probe TET-5'-CACAGAGCTGTCGTCTTTGACCGATT- 68.7 26 149 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-AGTCCCTTTGCCTACCACAAT-3'59. 921191 143

Table 39. Panel 1. 2 Relative Relative TissueRelative Relative 1. 2tml412t 1. 2tmM12t a 1250 agl250 Endothelial cells 24. 8 Renal ca. 786-0 8.4 Heart (fetal) 12.7 Renal ca. A498 27. 4 Pancreas l3. 3 Renal ca. RXF 393 4. 1 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 10.4 Renal ca. ACHN 15.2 Adrenal Gland (new lot*) 23.8 Renal ca. UO-31 11.0 Thyroid 10.0 Renal ca. TK-10 27. 5 Salivary gland 31. 6 Liver 18.8 Pituitary gland 10.9 Liver (fetal) 13. 4 Brain (fetal) 7.1 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 25.0 Brain (whole) 12.7 Lung 5. 2 Brain (amygdala) 57Lung (fetal) 67 Brain (cerebellum) 10.1 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 38.4 Brain (hippocampus) 14. 2 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 12. 8 Brain (thalamus) 9.1 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 12.3 Cerebral Cortex 15. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 32. 1 Spinal cord 7. 3 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 25. 9 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 15.7 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 11. 3 CNSca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 9. 7Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 40. 3 CNS ca, (astro) SW1783 7, 1 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 100. 0 CNS ca. * (neuro ; met) SK-N- AS 45. 7 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 18. 4 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 5.0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 27. 9 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 3.7 Mammary gland 13. 8 Breast ca. * (pl. eSusion) MCF- CNS ca, (glio) SNB-19 12.3 7 23. 3 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) U251 6.4 231 13. 6 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 14.5 Breast Ca * (pl. effusion) T47D 21. 3 Heart 39.8 Breast ca. BT-549 14. 1 Skeletal Muscle (new lot*) 74. 2 Breast ca. MDA-N 0. 0 Bone marrow 5. 0 Ovary 11. 7 Thymus 3. 6 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 29.1 Spleen 3. 5 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 19. 2 Lymph node 6. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 21 3 Colorectal 2.6 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 13. 5 Stomach 19.3 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 18. 9 Small intestine 15. 1 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 43. 8 Colon ca. SW480 19, 1 Uterus 6. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met)SW620 15.0 Placecta 12. 0 Colon ca. HT29 23.0 Prostate 18.2 Colon ca. HCt-116 41.2 Prostate ca.* (bone met) PC-3 75. 8 Colon ca. CaCo-2 50. 0 Testis 8. 7 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 4.6 Melanoma Hs688(A).T 6.5 Colon ca. HCC-2998 32.8 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 4.7 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 23.3 Melanoma UACC-68 54.7 Bladder 14. 7 Melanoma M14 19. 6 Trachea 5, 9 Melanoma LOX IMVI 31.0 Kidney 25. 7 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 43. 8 Kidncy (fetal) 23.2 Table 40. Panel 1. 3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 3dtm4246f_ 1. 3dtm4246f Tissue Name ag2432 Tissue Name ag2432 Liver adenocarcinoma 0. 0 Kidney (fetal) 0. 0 Pancreas 0. 0 Renal ca. 786-0 0. 0 Pancreatic ca, CAPAN 2 0.0 Renal ca. A498 0. 0 Adrenal gland 0. 0 Renal ca. RXF 393 0. 0 Thyroid 0. 0 Renal ca. ACHN 0. 0 Salivary gland 0. 0 Renal ca. UO-31 0. 0 Pituitary gland 0 Renal ca. TK-10 0. 0 Brain (fetal) 0.5 Liver 0. 0 Brain (whole) 0.0 Liver (fetal) 0. 0 Brain (amygdala) 0.2 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 0.0 Brain (cerebellum) 0.4 Lung 0.0 Brain (hippocampus) 100.0 Lung (fetal) 0.0 Brain (substantia nigra) 0. 0 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 0.0 Brain (thalamus) 0.3 Lung ca. (small cell) NGI-H69 0.0 Cerebral Cortex 0. 2 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 0.0 Spinal cord 0. 0 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 0.0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 0.0 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0.0 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 0.0 Lung ca. (non-s.cell) NCI-H23 0.0 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 0. 0 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 0.0 CNS ca. * (neuro ; met) SK-N- AS 0. 0 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 0.0 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 0. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 0.0 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 0. 0 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0.0 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 0.0 Mammary gland 0. 0 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) U251 0. 0 7 0. 0 Breastca.* (pl.ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 0.0 231 0. 0 Heart (fetal) 0.0 Breast ca* (pl. effusion) T47D 0. 0 Heart 0. 0 Breast ca. BT-549 0.0 Fetal Skeletal 0. 0 Breast ca. MDA-N 0. 0 Skeletal muscle 0. 0 Ovary 0. 0 Bone marrow0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0. 0 Thymus 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-40. 0 Spleen 0. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 0. 0 Lymph node0. 0Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 0.0 Colorectal 0. 0 Ovarian ca. IGROV-I 0. 0 Stomach 0. 0 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 0. 2 Small intestine0. 0Uterus0. 0 Colon ca. SW480 0.0 Placenta 0. 0 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 0.0 Prostate 0. 0 Colon ca. HT290. 0Prostateca. * (bone met) PC-3 0. 0 Colon ca. HCT-116 0.0 Testis 0. 0 Colon ca. CaCo-2 4. 7 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0. 0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 0.0n Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0. 0 Colon ca. HCC-2998 0.0 Melanoma UACC-62 0. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 0.0 Melanoma M14 0. 0 Bladder 0. 3 Melanoma LOX IMVI 0. 0 Trachea0. 0Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 0. 0 Kidney 010 Adipose 0. 0 Table 41. Panel 2D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 2dtm4247f 2dtm4247f Tissue Name ag2432 Tissue Name ag2432 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003100. 0 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 0. 0 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff Kidney Cancer Clontech (OD03866) 7.5 8120613 0. 0 83220 CC NAT (ODO3866) 7.6 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 0.0 83221 CC Gr. 2 rectosigmoid Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3868) 0.0 9010320 0. 0 83222 CC NAT (OD038681 15.5 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 2.8 83235 CC Mod Diff Normal Uterus GENPAK (OD03920) 36.1 061018 0. 0 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 83236 CC NAT (OD03920) 22. 8 064011 37. 1 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ (ODO3921) 38. 4 6570-1 4. 9 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 83238 CC NAT (ODO3921) 0.0 064010 0. 0 83241 CC from Partial Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN Hepatectom 04309 0. 0 A302152 9. 4 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 0.0 A302153 18.9 87472 Colon mets. to lung Normal Breast GENPAK (OD04451-01) 3.0 061019 5.8 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451- 84877 Breast Cancer 02) 6.6 (OD04566) 6.9 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 6.3 85975 Breast Cancer 0.0 6546-1 (OD04S90-O1) 84140 Prostate Cancer 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04410) 55.9 (OD04590-03) 6. 7 84141 Prostate NAT 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04410) 4. 9 (OD04655-05) 39. 0 87073 Prostate Cancer GENPAK Breast Cancer (OD04720-01) 65. 1 06400624. 0 87074 ProstateNAT (OD04720-02) 59.9 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 12.7 Breast Cancer Clontech Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 37.4 9100266 5. 3 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (ODO4286) 3.7 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 6.1 83240 Muscle NAT Breast Cancer INVITROGEN (ODO4286) 28.9 A209073 6. 4 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer Breast NAT INVITROGEN (OD03126) 0.0 A2090734 17. 2 Normal Liver GENPAK 84137 Lung NAT (OD03126) 0. 0 061009 9. 5 84871 Lung Cancer (OD04404) 0.0 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 15. 2 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 4.8 RNA 1025 0. 0 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84875 Lung Cancer (OD04565) 0.0 RNA 1026 0.0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004- 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 9. 7 T 0. 0 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-Paired Liver Tissue Research Q-1) 12. 4 Genetics RNA 6004-N 0. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237-Research Genetics RNA 6005- 02) 3. 9 T 2. 6 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver Paired Liver Tissue Research (ODO4310) 4.8 Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 0 Normal Bladder GENPAK 83256 Liver NAT (ODO4310) 2.5 061001 87. 7 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung Bladder Cancer Research (OD04321) 0. 0 Genetics RNA 1023 0. 0 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 5.7 A302173 14. 9 Normal Kidney GENPAK 87071 Bladder Cancer 061008 23, 0 (OD04718-01) 6.0 83786 Kidney Ca, Nuclear 87072 Bladder Normal grade 2 (OD04338) 4. 2 Adjacent (OD04718-03) 34.6 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 4. 2 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 0.0 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 1/2 (OD04339) 9. 1 064008 7. 4 87492 Ovary Cancer 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 10. 3 (OD04768-07) 0.0 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768- type (OD04340) 3.0 08) 3.8 Normal Stomach C 83791 Kidney NAt (OD04340) 4.6 061017 27. 5 83792 Kidney Ca Nuclear Gastric Cancer Clontech ade 3 OD04348) 0.0 9060358 0. 0 NAT Stomach Clontech 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 6.9 9060359 3. 8 87474 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech 'OD04622-01) 0.0 9060395 14. 9 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 0.0 9060394 27. 5 85973 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04450-01) 5.3 9060397 0. 0 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 7. 6 9060396 0.0 Kidney Cancer Clontech Gastric Cancer GENPAK 8120607 0.0 064005 38. 2 Table 42. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression Expression (%) (%) 4Dtm21095_ 4Dtm2109t TissueName ag1250 Tissue name ag1250 93768 Secondai-yThl-anti-93100-HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 77. 9 (Endothelial) IL-lb 11. 6 93769_Secondary Th2_anti- 93779_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 44.4 (Endothelial)_IFN gamma 14.6 93102_HUVEC 93770_Secondary Tr1_anti- (ENdothelial)_TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD368. 3gamma6. 7 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 5. 9 (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IL4 13.4 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 12. 4 (Endothelial) IL-11 3. 9 93571_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 4. 4 Endothelial Cells none 17. 1 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568primaryTh1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 CD28/anti-CD3 92.0 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 16. 8 93569_primary Th2_anti- 92662_Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD3 85.3 endothelium none 23. 3 92663 Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primary Tr1_anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD3 61.1 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 18. 9 93773Bronchial 93565 primary Th 1_resting dy epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) and 4-6 in IL_2 2.3 IL1b (1 ng/ml)** 24. 3 93566_primary Th2_resting dy 93347_Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 7.7 Epithelium_none 10. 2 93348 Small Airway 93567_primary Tr1_resting dy Epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) 4-6 in IL-2 10.2 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 33.0 93351_CD45RA CD4 92668_Coronery Artery lynmphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 37.4 SMC_resting 6.9 CD3 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery Iymphocyteanti-CD28/anti-SMCJTNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL1b CD3 28. 5 (1 ng/ml) 7. 2 93251_CD8 Lymphocytes anti- CD28/anti-CD3 42.9 93107_astrocytes_resting 4.7 93353_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2resting dy 4-93108_astrocytes TNFa (4 6 in IL-2 47. 0 ng/ml) and ILlb (1 ng/ml) 8. 93574 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes activated 92666 KU-812 CD3/CD8 25. 7 (Basophil) resting 20. 4 92667 KU-812 93354 CD4 none 3.2 (Basophil)_PMA/ionoycin 31.2 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Thl/Th2/Trl anti-CD95 CH1 1 10.1 (Keratinocytes) _none 19. 2 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes) TNFa and 93103_LAK cells_resting 14. 9 IFNg** 58. 6 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 20. 7 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 6. 3 93787 LAK cells IL-2+IL-12 29.3 93792Lupus Kidney5. 7 93789 LAK cells IL-2+IFN gamma 19.5 93577 NCI-H292 19. 5 93790 LAK cells_IL-2+ IL-18 14. 0 93358_NCI-H292_IL-4 24. 7 93104 LAK cells PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 10. 6 93360_NCI-H292_IL-9 30. 1 93578 NK Cells IL-2 resting 13.3 93359 NCI-H292 IL-13 24.8 93109_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 13.4 93357 NCI-H292_fFN gamma 17.3 931 Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 19, 3 93777_HPAEC_ 9. 3 93111_Mixed Lymphocyte 93778_HPAEC IL-1 betalTNA Reaction Two Way MLR 13.5 alpha 7. 7 93112 Mononuclear Cells 93254 Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting4. 9 Fibroblast none 6. 6 93253 Normal Human Lung 93113 Mononuclear Cells Fibroblast TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs)_PWM 56. 6 IL-lb (I nglml) 4.2 93114 Mononuclear Cells 93257_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) PHA-L 34. 6 Fibroblast IL-4 21. 0 93256 Normal Human Lung 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 63. 3 FibroblastIL-913. 2 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell)-ionomycin 73.7 Fibroblast_IL-13 29. 3 93258_Normal Human Lung 93349_B lymphocytes_PWM 57.4 Fibroblast_IFN gamma 25.2 93350_B lymphoytes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts and IL-4 17.2 CCD1070_resting 28.3 92665_EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 10.2 CCD1070_TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 25.5 93248_EOL-1 5. 2 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts 24.8 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAion CCD1070_IL-1 beta 1 ng/ml omycin 93772_dermal fibroblast_IFN 93356_Dendritic Cells_none 7.5 gamma 10.7 93355_Dendritic Cells_LPS 100 ng/ml 6.1 93771_dermal fibroblast_IL-4 12.7 93775 Dendritic Cells anti- CD40 9. 7 93260 IBD Colitis 2 0. 3 93774 Monocytes resting 4. 8 93261 IBD Crohns 0. 9 93776MonocytesLPS 50 ng/ml 3. 5 735010 Colon normal 8.7 93581 Macrophages resting 23.2 735019_Lung_none 15. 8 93582_Macrophages_LPS 100 nglml 13. 1 64028-1_Thymus none 100. 0 93098iHUVEC (Endothelial) _none 19. 5 64030-1_Kidney none 11. 5 93099 HUVEC (Endothelial)_starved 17.1

Panel 1.2 Summary Agi 250 The NOV4 gene is expressed at high levels in lung cancer cell lines. Overall, there is a predominant expression pattern that shows higher expression of this gene in cancer cell lines when compared to normal tissues. Specifically, the NOV4 gene is expressed at higher levels in samples derived from colon cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma cell lines. Thus, expression of the NOV4 gene could be used to distinguish cultured cell lines from normal tissues. In addition, these data indicate that the expression of this gene might be associated with these forms of cancer and thus, therapeutic modulation of the NOV4 gene product might be of use in the treatment of these cancers.

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag2432 Expression of the NOV4 gene is limited to the hippocampus (CT=27.6), where it is expressed at high levels. Therefore, expression of this gene could be used to distinguish hippocampus from other tissues.

Panel 2D Summary Ag9432 Significant but low expression of the NOV4 gene is detected in normal colon and bladder tissues. Therefore, expression of this gene could be used to distinguish colon and bladder from other tissues.

Panel 4D Summary Ag1 250 The NOV4 gene encodes a protein with homology to prohibitins, which are proteins that have been shown to be involved various Functions, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain

enzymes, and aging (ref. 1). The NOV4 gene is expressed at moderate levels throughout the samples on this panel (CTs=30. 8-33.6). Interestingly, however, this gene is expressed at highest levels in the thymus as well as in activated Thl and Th2 T cells. Given this expression pattern, the NOV4 gene product may play an important role in the normal homeostasis of the thymus and might be associated with the activation process of T cells. Therefore, modulation of this protein by small molecule drugs might be important for controlling T cell activation and could have some benefit for treatment of diseases associated with hyperactive T cells, such as autoimmune disease, delayed type hypersentivity, and other T cell mediated diseases (such as asthma and psoriasis). In addition, the NOV4 gene is also expressed in activated B cells and in a Ramos B cell line, It has been suggested that increased prohibitin expression is associated with and may facilitate B-cell maturation (ref. 2). Thus, modulation of this protein by small molecule drugs might be important for controlling B differentiation and the generation of immunoglobulins by B cells and could therefore have some therapeutic benefit in the treatment of hypoglobulinemia.

Pane ! CNS neurodegeneration vl. O Summary Ag2432 Expression of this gene is low/undetectable (CT values >35) among the samples on this panel (data not shown).

References: 1. Coates PJ, Nenutil R, McGregor A, Picksley SM, Crouch DH, Hall PA, Wright EG.

Mammalian prohibitin proteins respond to mitochondrial stress and decrease during cellular senescence. Exp Cell Res 2001 May 1; 265 (2): 262-73 The two prohibitin proteins, Phblp and Phb2p (BAP37), have been ascribed various functions, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, and aging. We show that the mammalian prohibitins are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane and are always bound to each other, with no free protein detectable.

They are coexpressed during development and in adult mammalian tissues, and expression levels are indicative of a role in mitochondrial metabolism, but are not compatible with roles in the regulation of cellular proliferation or apoptosis. High level expression of the proteins is consistently seen in primary human tumors, while cellular senescence of human and chick fibroblasts is accompanied by heterogeneous decreases in both proteins. The two proteins are induced by metabolic stress caused by an imbalance in the synthesis of mitochondrial-and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, but do not respond to oxidative stress, heat shock, or

other cellular stresses. The gene promoter sequences contain binding sites for the Myc oncoprotein and overexpression of Myc induces expression of the prohibitins. The data support conserved roles for the prohibitins in regulating mitochondrial respiratory activity and in aging.

PMID: 11302691 2. Woodlock TJ, Bethlendy G, Segel GB. Prohibitin expression is increased in phorbol ester-treated chronic leukemic B-lymphocytes. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2001 Jan-Feb; 27 (1) : 27-34 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the gradual accumulation of immature B-lymphocytes. CLL B-lymphocytes mature to a plasmacytoid phenotype when treated in vitro with phorbol esters. CLL B-cell apparent maturation is associated with altered expression of specific plasma membrane and mitochondrial proteins including heightened expression of a 30-kDa heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) analog. During our efforts to further characterize this hsp60 analog by mass spectrometry, we detected the mitochondrial protein prohibitin in phorbol-ester-matured CLL B-lymphocytes. Prohibitin modulates cell proliferation and inhibits cell cycle traverse in several systems, although few data are available for lymphocytes. A twofold increase in prohibitin concentration wasobserved in phorbol-ester- matured compared to resting CLL B-cells as determined by quantitative Western immunoblot analysis. A similar increase in prohibitin was observed in phorbol-ester-treated normal human B-lymphocyte populations. An antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the 5'coding region of the prohibitin gene blunted the increase in prohibitin protein in phorbol-ester-treated CLL B-cells by 42%. These data suggest that increased prohibitin expression is associated with and may facilitate B-cell maturation.

PM1D : 11162143 NOV5 Expression of gene NOV5 was assessed using the primer-probe sets Ag3086 and Ag3797 described in Tables 43 and 44. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50.

Table 45. Probe Name Ag3086 Primers Sequences TM Length Start SEQ ID Position NO : Forward 5'-GGACCCCATTCGACTACTGT-3' 20 20 1309 144 FAM-5'-CTGATGACCAGCCGCCATCAATC- 145 Probe 23 23 1345 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-TTCTCAAACTGCACCTGGTC-3'20 20 1399 146 Table 46. Probe Name Ag3797

Primers Sequences TM Length Start SEQ ID Position NO: Forward 5'-TCTGGACGACAACTATTGCC-3' 58.7 20 627 147 FAM-5'- 148 Probe ATGGTGCTACACTACGGATCCGCAG-3'- 69.2 25 672 TAMRA Reverse 5'-GTCACAGAATTCTCGCTCGA-3' 59.1 20 698 149 Table 47. Panel 1. 3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 3dx4tm5430 1. 3dx4tm5430 Tissue name f_ag3086_a1 Tissue Name f_ag3086_a1 Liver adenocarcinoma 0.7 Kidney (fetal) 31.1 Pancreas 17. 9 Renal ca. 786-0 0. 2 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 0.6 Renal ca, A498 0.5 Adrenal gland 2. 7 Renal ca. RXF 393 0. 7 Thyroid 3. 3 Renal ca. ACHN 0. 8 Salivary gland 1. 2 Renal ca. UO-31 0. 4 Pituitary gland 3. 6 Renal ca. TK-10 0. 2 Brain (fetal) 3.2 Liver 94. 2 Brain (whole) 3. 4 Liver (fetal) 100.0 Brain (amygdala) 2.1 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 58.4 Brain (cerebellum) 1. 5 Lung 2. 8 Brain (hippocampus) 30Lung (fetal) 12. 9 Brain (substantia nigra) 1.7 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 1.3 Brain (thalamus) 3.0 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 0.2 Cerebral Cortex 0.9 Lung ca. (s.cell var.) SHP-77 1.2 Spinal cord2. 9 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 1.4 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 0. 7 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 0. 2 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-1 18-MG 0.9 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 0.9 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 0.4 Lung ca (non-s.cell) HOP-62 0.5 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N- AS 0, 7 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 0.6 CNS ca. (astro) SE-539 0. 5 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 0. 4 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 1.2 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 0.5 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 1.6 Mammary gland 3. 1 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) U251 2. 4 7 0. 7 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 07 231 0. 7 Heart (fetal) 0. 6 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 2. 7 Heart 0. 5 Breast ca. BT-549 0. 7 Fetal Skeletal 0. 2 Breast ca. MDA-N 0. 0 Skeletal muscle 1.4 Ovary 0. 4 Bone marrow 2. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 0, 6 Thymus 1, 2 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 4 Spleen 4. 0 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 0. 4 Lymph node 3.1 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 0. 7 Colorectal 1.6 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 0. 7 Stomach 10. 3 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 0. 0 Small intestine 29. 6 Uterus 3. 2 Colon ca. SW480 0. 7 Placenta 4. 6 Colon ca.* (SW480 met) SW620 0, 2 Prostate 2. 1 Colon ca. HT29 0. 2 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 0. 9 Colon ca. HCT-116 1.2 Testis 12. 4 Colon ca. CaCo-2 2.4 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 0. 1 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (OD03866) 2.1 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 0. 2 Colon ca. HCC-2998 1. 4 Melanoma UACC-62 0. 4 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 1.8 Melanoma M14 0.8 Bladder 4, 5 Melanoma LOX IMVI 0. 0 Trachea 2.6 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL5 0. 4 Kidney 26.1 Adipose 2. 2 Table 48. General Screening Panel_v1. 4 Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 4x4tm7355f 1. 4x4tm7355f TissueName ag3797 a1 Tissue Name ag3797 a1 D6005-01 Human adipose 1, 4 Renal ca. TK-10 28. 9 112193_Metastatic melanoma 0.4 Bladder 8.4 112192 Metastatic melanoma 0.5 Gastric ca.(liver met) NCI-N87 2. 7 95280_Epidermis(metastatic melanoma) 0.3 112197 Stomach 1. 4 95279 Epidermis (metastatic melanoma) 0.3 94938 Colon Adenocarcinoma 1.0 Melanoma (met) SK-MEL-5 0.5 Colon ca. SW480 3.9 112196_Tongue (oncology) 0.8 Colon ca.(SW480 met)_SW620 1.2 113461 Testis Pool 2. 0 Colon ca. HT29 0.2 Prostate ca. (bone met)_PC-3 1.5 Colon ca._HCT-116 4.3 113455_Prostalte Pool 1.8 Colon ca._CaCo-2 11.5 83219_CC Well to Mod Diff 103396 Placenta 1. 7 (OD03866) 2.8 113463_Uterus Pool 0.5 94936_Colon Adenocarcinoma 2.9 Ovarian carcinoma OVCAR-3 1.0 94930 Colon 0. 5 Ovarian carcinoma(ascites)_SK-OV-3 0.8 94935_Colon Adenocarcinoma 0.2 95297_Adenocarcinoma (ovary) 0.3 113468 Colon Pool 1.6 Ovarian carcinoma OVCAR-5 6. 4 113457 Small Intestine Pool 2.0 Ovarian carcinoma_IGROV-1 4.6 113460_Stomach Pool 1.9 Ovarian carcinoma_OVCAR-8 2.9 113467_Bone Marrow Pool 0.4 103368_Ovary 1. 9 103371 Fetal Heart 0. 8 mCF7 breast carcinoma (pleural effusion) 2.3 113451 Heart Pool 0.7 Breast ca, (pleural effusion) MDA-MB-231 2.2 113466_Lymph Node Pool 1.7 112189_ductal cell carcinoma (breast) 3.0 103372 Fetal Skeletal Muscle 0, 7 Breast ca. (pleural effusion) T47D 18. 5 113456 Skeletal Muscle Pool 1.1 Breast carcinoma_MDA-N 0.7 113459_Spleen Pool 2.5 113452_Breast Pool 1. 5 113462_Thymus Pool 2, 4 103398_Trachea 1. 2 CNS ca. (gliolastro) _U87-MG 2.7 CNS ca. (glio/astro)_U-118- 112354 lung 0. 4 MG 3. 0 103374_Fetal Lung 2. 3 CNS ca. (neuro ;met)_SK-N-AS 2. 1 94921_Small cell carcinoma of the lung 0. 2 95264 Brain astrocytoma 0. 6 Lung ca. (small cell) LS-l 3.3 CNS ca, (astro) _SNB-75 1.8 94919_Small cell carcinoma of the lung 0. 5 CNRS ca. (glio)_SNB-19 4. 1 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) _SHP-77 2.4 CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 2. 1 95268_Lung (Large cell carcinoma) 0.6 113447_Brain (Amygdala) Pool 0, 9 94920 Small cell carcinoma of the lung 0. 6 103382 Brain (cerebellum) 1.9 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 3.7 64019-1_brain (fetal) 2. 8 113448_Brain (Hippocampus) Lung ca, (large cell) NCI-H460 0, 9 Pool 1.0 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) HOP-62 1.2 1134646_Cerebral Cortex Pool 0.7 113449 Brain (Substantia Lung ca.(non-s.cl)_NCI-H522 1. 7 nigra) Pool 0. 9 103392_Liver 26. 6 113450 Brain (Thalamus) Pool 1.0 103393_Fetal Liver 45.5 103384_Brain (whole) 1.6 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 100.0 113458 Spinal Cord Pool 1.7 113465_Kidney Pool 1. 7 103375 Adrenal Gland 3. 1 103373_Fetal Kidney 11.1 113454_Pituitary gland Pool 1.7 Renal ca. 786-0 1.0 103397_Salivary Gland 1.0 112188_renal cell carcinoma 0.3 103369_Thyroid (feamle) 2.8 Renal ca. ACHN 1. 4 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN2 0. 8 112190 Renal cell carcinoma 1. 8 113453PancreasPoo ! 7. 5 Table 49. Panel 2.2 Relative Relative Expression (% Expression (%) 2. 2x4tm6408f 2.2x4tm6408f TissueName ag3086 al Tissue Name ag3086 al Normal Colon GENPAK 0610031. 4 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 40. 9 98938 Kidney malignant cancer 97759 Colon cancer (OD06064) 0. 1 (OD06204B) 0.4 97760 Colon cancer NAT 98939 Kidney normal adjacent (OD06064) 0.0 tissue (OD06204E) 5.1 85973 Kidney Cancer 97778 Colon cancer (OD06159) 0.0 (OD04450-01) 5.7 97779 Colon cancer NAT 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450- (OD06159) 1.4 03) 15.0 98861 Colon cancer (OD06297-Kidney Cancer Clontech 04) 0. 0 8120613 0. 2 98862 Colon cancer NAT (OD06297-015) 1.1 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 5.9 83237 CC Gr, 2 ascend colon Kidney Cancer Clontech (OD03921) 0.4 9010320 0. 4 83238 CC NAT (OD03921) 0.2 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 1.5 97766 Colon cancer metastasis Kidney Cancer Clontech (OD06104) 0.0 8120607 0.1 97767 Lung NAT (OD06104) 0.6 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 3.5 87472 Colon mets to lung Normal Uterus GENPAK (OD04451-01) 1.3 061018 0. 2 87473 Lung NAT (OD0445 1-uterus Cancer GENPAK 02) 0.4 064011 0. 1 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ 6546-1 (8090438) 0.6 6570-1 (7080817) 0. 5 84140 Prostate Cancer Thyroid Cancer GENPAK (OD044 10) 0.2 064010 0. 3 84141 Prostate NAT Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN (OD04410) 0.5 A302152 2. 1 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 0. 4 A302153 0. 4 98863 Ovarian cancer Normal Breast GENPAK (OD06283-03) 0. 2 061019 0. 7 98865 Ovarian cancer NAT/fallopian tube (OD06283-84877 Breast Cancer 07) 1.2 (OD04566) 2. 3 Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 064008 1. 5 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 1.9 97773 Ovarian cancer 85975 Breast Cancer (OD06145) 0. 9 (OD04590-01) 5. 1 97775 Ovarian cancer NAT 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD06145) 1.8 (OD04590-03) 1.3 98853 Ovarian cancer 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD06455-03) 0. 6 (OD04655-05) 0.7 98854 Ovarian NAT GENPAK Breast Cancer (OD06455-07) Fallopian tube 0.2 0640060. 5 Breast Cancer Clontech Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 0.8 9100266 0.2 92337 Invasive poordiff. lung adeno (OD04945-01 3 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 0.5 92338 Lung NAT (OD04945-Breast Cancer INVITROGEN 03) 1. 1 A209073 0.2 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer Breast NAT INVITROGEN (OD03126) 1.6 A2090734 1.4 97763 Breast cancer 84137 Lung NAT (OD03126) 0. 3 (OD06083) 0.7 90372 Lung Cancer 97764 Breast cancer node (OD05014A) 0. 5 metastasis (OD06083) 0. 2 Normal Liver GENPAK 90373 Lung NAT (OD05014B) 0.6 061009 28. 7 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 97761 Lung cancer (OD06081) 0.5 RNA 1026 7. 5 97762 Lung cancer NAT Liver Cancer Research Genetics (OD06081) 1.2 RNA 1025 45. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-Research Genetics RNA 6004- 01) 0. 3 T 35. 7 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237-Paired Liver Tissue Research 02) 1.1 Genetics RNA 6004-N 5. 1 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver Research Genetics RNA 6005- (ODO4310) 0. 2 T 14. 7 Paired Liver Tissue Research 83256 Liver NAT (ODO4310) 21.6 Genetics RNA 6005-N 65. 0 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung (OD04321) 0.2 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 100. 0 Normal Bladder GENPAK 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 0.2 061001 2. 8 Normal Kidney GENPAK Bladder Cancer Research 061008 5. 5 Genetics RNA 1023 0. 2 83786 Kidney Ca, Nuclear Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN grade2 (OD04338) 20. 6 A3021730. 7 Normal Stomach GENPAK 83787 Kidney NAt (OD04338) 4.5 061017 2.5 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade Gastric Cancer Clontech 1/2 (OD04339) 6. 5 9060397 0. 0 NAT Stomach Clontech 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 6. 0 9060396 0.1 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell Gastric Cancer Clontech type (OD04340) 0.4 9060395 0.0 NAT Stomach Clontech 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 8.7 9060394 0.3 83792 Kidney Ca, Nuclear Gastric Cancer GENPAK grade 3 (OD04348) 0.3 064005 2. 8 Table 50. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 4dx4tm5510f 4dx4tm5510f TissueName ag3086 a2 Tissue Name ag3086 a2 93768_Secondary Th1_anti- 93100_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0.7 (Endothelial)_IL-1b 0. 4 93769 Secondary Th2_anti-93779 HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0.9 (Endothelial)_IFN gamma 1. 2 93102 HUVEC 93770 Secondary Trlianti- (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD3 1.1 gamma 0. 3 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 2. 8 (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IL4 0.2 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 1. 4 (Endothelial) IL-11 0. 8 93751_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 1. 3 Endothelial Cells none 1. 0 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568_primary Th1-anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 CD28/anti-CD3 0. 7 ng/ml) and ILlb (I nglml) 0.9 93569_primary Th2_anti- 92662_Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD30. 9 endothelium none 1. 6 92663_Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primary Tr1_anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD3 1.1 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 0.8 93773 Bronchial 93565_primary Th1_resting dy epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml)and 4-6 in IL-2 6. 4 ILlb (1 ng/ml) ** 3. 2 93566_primary Th2_resting dy 93347_Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 3. 1 Epithelium none 1. 8 93448 SmallAirway 93567_primary Tr1-resting dy Epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) 4-6 in IL-2 2. 0 and ILlb (I nglml) 3.3 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 92668_Coronery Artery CD3 0.4 SMC_resing 1.0 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- SMC_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and ILI b CD31. 4 (Ing/ml) 0.6 93251 CD8 Lymphocytes-anti- CD28/anti-CD3 1.4 93107-astrocytes_resting 3.2 93353_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_resting dy 4- 93108_astrocytes_TNFa (4 6 in IL-21. 7 ng/ml) and ILlb (I ngZml) 2.7 93574_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_activated 92666_KU-812 CD3/CD28 0.6 (Basophil)_resting 1. 5 92667 KU-812 93354 CD4 non 2. 1 (Basophil)_PMA/ionocyin 1. 2 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Th1/Th2/Tr1 anti-CD95 CH11 4.2 (Keratinocytes) none1. 0 93103_LAK cells_resting 1.2 93580_CCD1106 3. 6 (Keratinocytes)_TNFa and IFNg** 93788 LAK cells IL-2 3. 7 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 84. 6 93787_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-12 2. 2 93792_Lupus Kidney 33. 9 93789_LAK cells_IL-2+IFN gamma 3.0 93577_NCI-H292 8.6 93790 LAK cells IL-2+ IL-18 2.6 93358 NCI-H292 IL-4 7. 1 93104 LAK cells_PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 1.0 93360 NCI-H292 IL-9 6. 5 93578_NK Cells IL-2_resting 1.5 93359_NCI-H292_IL-13 2.8 93109-Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 2. 2 93357_NCI-H292_IFN gamma 3.1 93110 MixedLymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 1.2 93777 HPAEC-1. 7 93111 Mixed Lymphocyte 93778HPAECJL-1 beta/TNA Reaction_Two Way MLR 1. 3 alpha1. 4 93112 Mononuclear Cells 93254 Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting0. 7 Fibroblast_none 4. 3 93253_Normal Human Lung 93113_Mononculear Cells Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml)and (PBMCs) PWM 0.8 IL-1b (1 ng/ml) 4. 9 93114_Mononuclear Cells 93257_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) PHA-L 0. 6 Fibroblast IL-4 2. 2 93256 Normal HumanLung 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 1, 9 Fibroblast IL-9 1. 2 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell)_ionomcyin 1.4 Fibroblast_IL-13 1.6 93258 Normal HumanLung 93349_B lymphocytes_PWM 1. 2 Fibroblast_IFN gamma 1. 9 93350_B lymphotes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts and IL-42. 2 CCD1070_resting 3. 3 92665EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 2. 4 CCD1070_TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 4.7 93248_EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin 2. 6 CCD1070 IL-1 beta I ng/ml 0.7 93772 dermal fibroblast IFN 93356 Dendritic Cells none 2. 2 gamma 0. 8 93355_Dendritic Cells_LPS 100 ng/ml 2, 1 93771 dermal fibroblast IL-4 2. 4 93775_Dendritic Cells_anti- CD40 1.8 9260_IBD Colitis 2 11. 6 93774Monocytes resting 1. 5 93261 IBD Crohns 14. 2 93776_Monocytes_LPS50 ng/ml 0.6 735010_Colon_normal 61. 0 93581 Macrophages resting 1. 7 735019_Lung_none 3. 6 93582_Macrophages_LPS100 ng/ml 1. 1 64028-1_Thymus_none 100. 0 93098_HUVEC (Endothelial)_none 1.3 64030-1_Kidney_none 5.7 93099_HUVEC (Endothelial)_starved 1. 2 Table 51. Panel 4.1D Relative Expression ('vu) 4. 1dx4tm5986 4. 1dtm6034f_ Tissue Name f ag3797 a1 ag3797 93768 Secondary Th1_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 8.9 1. 3 93769_Secondary Th2_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 2.6 1. 3 93770SecondaryTrlanti-CD28/anti-CD33. 10. 9 93573 Secondary Thl resting day 4-6 in IL-2 1.5 1. 93572 Secondary Th2_resting day 4-6 in IL-23. 40. 7 93571 Secondary Trl restíng day 4-6 in IL-2 3. 4 0. 9 93568_primary Th1_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 3.2 0. 3 93569primaryTh2anti-CD28/anti-CD32. 01. 1 93570_primary Tr1_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 2.7 1.0 93565primary Thlresting dy 4-6 in IL-2 3. 2 0. 4 93566_primary Th2 resting dy 4-6 in IL-2 4.5 0. 0 93567 rimary Trl resting dy 4-6 in IL-2 2. 3 0. 7 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 2.0 0. 7 93352_CD45RO CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti-CD3 1.8 2. 0 93251 CD8 Lymphocytesanti-CD28/anti-CD35. 60. 9 93353 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_resting dy 4-6 in IL-2 4. 6 1. 1 93574 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ryactivated CD3/CD281. 80. 2 93354_CD4_none 7.2 1. 3 93252 Secondary Th1/Th2/Tr1_anti-CD95 CH11 6.6 1. 1 93103 LAK cells resting 7. 6 0. 4 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 4.8 0. 3 93787 LAK cells IL-2+IL-125. 70. 8 93789 LAK cells IL-2+IFN gamma 5. 5 0. 2 93790 LAK cells IL-2+ IL-18 1.6 0. 4 93104 LAK cells PMA/ionomycin and IL-18 _ _ 2. 7 1. 3 93578_NK Cells IL-2_resting 5.6 2. 0 93109 Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 4. 9 2. 0 93110_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 0.5 0. 8 93111_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 6. 0 0, 2 93112 Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) resting 1. 3 0. 4 93) 13 Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) PWM 7.9 0. 5 93114_Mononculear Cells (PBMCs)_PHA-L 5.1 0. 5 93249 Ramos (B cell) none 5.7 0. 6 9325_Ramos (B cell)_ionomycin 4.4 0. 3 93349_B lymphocytes_PWM 1.1 0.2 93350 B lymphoytes CD40L and IL-4 4.3 0.6 92665_EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP differentiated 8.4 3. 5 93248_EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAionomycin 7.2 5.1 93356 Dendritic Cells none 3. 4 1.0 93355 Dendritic Cell_LPS 110 ng/ml 5. 5 0. 5 93775_Dendritic Cells_anti-CD40 2. 6 0. 3 93774_Monocytes_resting 1.1 0. 9 93776 Monocytes LPS 50 ng/ml 2.6 0. 3 93581 Macrophages resting 5. 2 0. 2 93582 Macrophages LPS 100 ng/ml 1. 4 0. 3 93098_HUVEC (Endothelial) none 1. 2 0. 2 93099_HUVEC (Endothelial)_starved 3. 4 0. 2. 93100 HUVEC (Endothelial)_IL-1b 2.4 0. 1 93779_HUVEC (Endothelial)_IFN gamma 2.6 1. 2 93102 HUVEC (Endothelial)_TNF alpha +IFN gamma 0. 0 0. 3 93101 HUVEC (Endothelial) TNF alpha+IL4 1. 6 0. 4 93781_HUVEC (Endothelial)_IL-11 2. 2 0. 4 93583 Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells none 1. 8 0. 9 93584_Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and ILIb (I ng/ml) 2. 2 0. 3 92662 Microvascular Dermal endothelium none 1.4 0.5 92663_Microsvasular Dermal endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 2. 2 0. 3 93773_Bronchial epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml)** 17. 8 0. 5 93347_Small Airway Epithelium_none 1.5 0.2 93348 Small Airway Epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 3. 0 0. 6 92668_Coronery Artery SMC resting 1. 1 0. 6 92669_Coronery Artery SMC_TNF a (4 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 1, 9 0. 8 93107 astrocytes resting 2. 5 1. 5 93108 astrocytes TNFa (4 ng/mL) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 0. 5 1. 2 92666 KU-812 (Basophil) wresting 4. 3 0. 8 92667 KU-812 (Basophil) PMA/ionoycin 3. 0 0. 6 93579_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes) none1. 6 0. 9 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes) TNF and IFN 2. 4 0. 0 93791_Liver Cirrhosis 76.6 9.8 93577_NCI-H292 5.4 4.1 93358 NCI-H292 IL-4 10. 3 0. 6 93360_NCI-H292_IL-9 16. 5 1. 3 93359 NCI-H292 IL-13 8. 5 3. 6 93357_NCI-H292_IFN gamma 5.8 3. 4 93777 HPAEC-1. 2 1. 0 93778_HPAEC_IL-1 beta/TNA alpha 1. 5 0. 3 93254 Normal Human Lung Fibroblast_none 2. 5 0.8 93253 Normal Human Lung Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL- Ilb (I ng/ml) 5. 7 0. 9 93257 Normal Human Lung Fibroblast_IL-4 2. 9 0.4 93256 Normal Human Lung Fibroblast IL-9 2. 5 0. 4 93255_Normal Human Lung Fibroblast_IL-13 2.7 1.9 93258 Normal Human Lung Fibroblast IFN gamma 0. 0 2. 2 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts CCD1070_resting 6.1 3.4 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts CCD1078_TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 2.1 3.8 93105 Dermal Fibroblasts CCD1070_IL-1 beta 1 ng/ml 4.0 1.5 93772 dermal fibroblast_IFN gamma 1.6 0. 9 93771_dermal fibroblast_IL-4 1.4 1. 3 93892_Dermal fibroblasts_none 2.3 1. 5 99202_Neutrophils_TNFa+LPS 0.0 1. 7 99203 Neutrophils none 0. 8 0. 6 735010 Colon normal 21. 7 6. 7 735019 Lung none 3. 7 10, 6 64028-1_Thymus_none 11.7 27. 0 64030-1_Kidney_none 100.0 100. 0 Table 52. Panel CNS_Neurodegeneration_v1.0 Relative. Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) tm7142f_ tm7142f Tissue Name ag3797_b2 Tissue Name ag3797_b2 AD 1 Hippo 53. 6 Control (Path) 3 Temporal Ctx 12. 5 AD 2 Hippo 69. 7 Control (Path) 4 Temporal Ctx 62. 2 AD 3 Hippo 25.6 AD 1 Occipital Ctx 48.0 AD 4 Hippo 33. 9 AD 2 Occipital Ctx (Missing) 0. 0 AD 5 Hippo 91.6 AD 3 Occipital Ctx 13. 0 AD 6 Hippo 39. 7 AD 4 Occipital Ctx 40. 7 Control 2 Hippo 38.4 AD 5 Occipital ctx 5.1 9 Control 4 Hippo 59. 4 AD 6 Occipital Ctx28. 4 Control (Path) 3 Hippo7. 8Control 1 Occipital Ctx 2. 6 AD 1 Temporal Ctx 41. 0 Control 2 Occipital Ctx 100. 0 AD 2 Temporal Ctx 70. 4 Control 3 Occipital Ctx 33.1 AD 3 Temporal Ctx 21. 3 Control 4 Occipital Ctx 18.6 AD 4 Temporal Ctx 46. 7 Control (Path) I Occipital Ctx 82.7 AD 5 Inf Temporal Ctx 92.1 Control (Path) 2 Occipital Ctx 18.7 I AD 5 Sup Temporal Ctx74. 5 Control (Path) 3 Occipital Ctx 3 4 AD 6 Inf Temporal Ctx 44.5 COntrol (Path) 4 Occipital Ctx 49 0 AD 6 Sup Temporal Ctx 57.9 Control 1 Parietal 19.8 Control 1 Temporal Ctx 22.8 Control 2 Parietal 60.6 Control 2 Temporal Ctx 45.7 Control 3 Parietal 31.0 Control 3 Temporal Ctx 13.8 Control (Path) 1 Parietal 57.3 Control 3 Temporal Ctx 51.4 Control (Path) 2 Parietal 31.0 Control (Path) 1 Temporal Ctx 62.8 Control (Path) 3 Parietal 5.7 Control (Path) 2 Temporal Ctx 41.4 Control (Path) 4 Parietal 52.1

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag3086 The NOV5gene is highly expressed in both fetal and adult liver tissue (CTs = 26) and liver cancer cell lines (CT = 27). The gene is also expressed at moderate to low levels in most of the other tissues in the panel. Thus, since the NOV5gene appears to be highly expressed in liver tissue, it could therefore be used to distinguish liver derived tissue from other tissues. The NOV5gene product may also be a potential therapeutic treatment of liver disease.

Among tissues involved in the central nervous system, the NOV5gene is moderately expressed in the fetal and adult brain, including the adult thalamus, substantia nigra, hippocampus, amygdala and is also expressed at low but significant levels in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex. This expression profile suggests that the NOV5gene has functional significance in the CNS. The close homologue to the NOV5 gene product, hepatocyte growth factor, has numerous therapeutic applications in the CNS, including prevention of neuronal death in animal models of stroke and ischemia. Hepatocyte growth factor has mitogenic activity, crossing the blood brain barrier when disrupted, and thus has potential application as a protein therapeutic to treat brain pathologies when administered directly to the cortico spinal fluid or systemically when the blood brain barrier is disrupted. Hepatocyte growth factor-like protein is a neurotrophic factor useful in the prevention of motoneuron atrophy upon axotomy.

Therefore, the protein encoded by the NOV5gene may be useful as a therapeutic agent in treating stroke and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. The potential role of the NOV5gene or its protein product in brain plasticity and regeneration affords utility in treating brain damage and aging related disorders, such as memory impairment that has hippocampal dysfunction as its primary focus.

GeneralScreening-Panelil. 4 Ag3797 The expression of the NOV5gene in panel 1. 4 appears to be highest in a sample derived from a liver cancer cell line (HepG2) (CT = 25. 3).

In addition there is substantial expression of this gene associated with other liver derived material (adult liver CT=27. 2; fetal liver CT=26. 5). Thus, the expression of the NOV5gene

could be used to distinguish liver derived specimens from other samples. In addition, therapeutic modulation of this gene might be of benefit in the treatment of liver related disorders, such as cirrhosis.

Panel 2.2 Summary Ag3086 The expression of the NOV5gene appears to be highest in a sample derived from a liver cancer specimen (CT=26) and is also significant in a number of samples derived from liver tissue. This result is consistent with what is seen in Panels 1. 4 and 2D. In addition there appears to be substantial expression of this gene associated with normal kidney tissue (CT=27. 2) when compared to adjacent kidney cancer specimens. Thus, this gene could be used to distinguish liver tissue from non-liver tissue as well as distinguish normal kidney tissue when compared to adjacent kidney cancer. Moreover, therapeutic modulation of the expression of the NOV5gene or function of its product might be of benefit in the treatment of kidney cancer.

Panel 4D Summary Ag3086 The NOV5gene is highly expressed in the thymus (CT = 24), colon (CT = 28.4), and IBD Colitis 2 (CT = 27.2) and is expressed at lower levels in mature T cells. The NOV5gene encodes a putative hepatocyte like growth factor homologue.

There are reports that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in the thymus and colon.

In the thymus, HGF may promote T cell production and in the colon, overexpression of HGF has been shown to leads to IBD like disease in mice. Therapies designed with the protein encoded for by the NOV5gene could be important in the regulation of T cell development and immune function and be useful in organ transplantation. In addition, blocking the function of the NOV5 gene product could help in the treatment of IBD colitis.

Panel 4. ID Summary Ag3797 Results from two experiments using the same probe and primer set are in very good agreement. In both experiments, highest expression of the NOV5gene is detected in kidney (CT=29, 27.4). Moderate expression is also detected in liver cirrhosis (CT=29. 4,30.7). Moderate to low expression of the gene is detected in many of the tissues in this panel. Thus, expression of the NOV5gene could be used to distinguish those tissues from other tissues.

Panel CNS Neurodegeneration vl. 0 Summary Ag3797 Highest expression of the NOV5 gene is detected in the occipital cortex of a control patient (CT=31.3). Moderate to low expression is detected throughought the tissue samples in this panel. Please see panel 1. 3 for a discussion of potential utility of this gene with regards to the CNS.

References: 1. Korhonen L, Sjoholm U, Takei N, Kem MA, Schinnacher P, Castren E, Lindholm D. (2000) Eur J Neurosci. 12: 3453-61.

Hepatocyte growth factor-scatter factor (HGF) is expressed in different parts of the nervous system, and has been shown to exhibit neurotrophic activity. Here we show that c- Met, the receptor for HGF, is expressed in developing rat hippocampus, with the highest levels during the first postnatal weeks. To study the function of HGF, hippocampal neurons were prepared from embryonic rats and treated with different HGF concentrations. In these cultures, HGF increased the number of neurons expressing the 28-kDa calcium-binding protein (calbindin D) in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of HGF was larger than that observed with either brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and cotreatment of the cultures with HGF and the neurotrophins was additive with respect to calbindin D neurons. Besides affecting the number of neurons, HGF significantly increased the degree of sprouting of calbindin D-positive neurons, suggesting an influence on neuronal maturation. BDNF and NT-3 stimulated neurite outgrowth of calbindin D neurons to a much smaller degree. In contrast to calbindin D neurons, HGF did not significantly increase the number of neurons immunoreactive with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampal cultures. Immunohistochemical studies showed that c-Met-, calbindin D-and HGF-immunoreactive cells are all present in the dentate gyrus and partly colocalize within neurons. These results show that HGF acts on calbindin D-containing hippocampal neurons and increases their neurite outgrowth, suggesting that HGF plays an important role for the maturation and function of these neurons in the hippocampus.

PMID : 11029614 2, Powell EM, Mars WM, Levitt Pi (2001) Neuron 30 : 79-89.

Cortical interneurons arise from the proliferative zone of the ventral telencephalon, the ganglionic eminence, and migrate into the developing neocortex. The spatial patterns of migratory interneurons reflect the complementary expression of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor, MET, in the forebrain. Scatter assays on forebrain explants demonstrate regionally specific motogenic activity due to HGF/SF. In addition, exogenous ligand disrupts normal cell migration. Mice lacking the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR), a key component of FIGF/SF activation, exhibit

deficient scatter activity in the forebrain, abnormal intemeuron migration from the ganglionic eminence, and reduced intemeurons in the frontal and parietal cortex. The data suggest that HGF/SF motogenic activity, which is essential for nonnal development of other organ systems, is a conserved mechanism that regulates trans-telencephalic migration of intemeurons.

PMID : H 343646 3. Stella MC, Vercelli A, Repici M, Follenzi A, Comoglio PM. (2001) Mol Biol Cell 12: 1341- 52.

Macrophage stimulating protein (MSP), also known as hepatocyte growth factor-like, is a soluble cytokine that belongs to the family of the plasminogen-related growth factors (PRGFs). PRGFs are alpha/beta heterodimers that bind to transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors. MSP was originally isolated as a chemotactic factor for peritoneal macrophages.

Through binding to its receptor, encoded by the RON gene, it stimulates dissociation of epithelia and works as an inflammatory mediator by repressing the production of nitric oxide (NO). Here, we identify a novel role for MSP in the central nervous system. As a paradigm to analyze this function we chose the hypoglossal system of adult mice. We demonstrate in vivo that either administration of exogenous MSP or transplantation of MSP-producing cells at the proximal stump of the resected nerve is sufficient to prevent motoneuron atrophy upon axotomy. We also show that the MSP gene is expressed in the tongue, the target of the hypoglossal nerve, and that MSP induces biosynthesis of Ron receptor in the motoneuron somata. Finally, we show that MSP suppresses NO production in the injured hypoglossal nuclei. Together, these data suggest that MSP is a novel neurotrophic factor for cranial motoneurons and, by regulating the production of NO, may have a role in brain plasticity and regeneration.

PMID : 11359926 4. Kem MA, Bamborschke S, Nekic M, Schubert D, Rydin C, Lindholm D, SchirmacherP. (2001) Cytokine 14: 170-6.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its specific receptor, MET, are expressed in the developing and adult mammalian brain. Recent studies have shown a neurotrophic activity of HGF in the nervous system. The present study focused on HGF concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in normal persons and in different central nervous system

(CNS) diseases considering blood-CSF barrier (BCB) function. Concentrations of HGF were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HGF was present in normal human CSF (346--/-126 pglml) representing approximately half of the HGF serum concentrations. The CSF HGF levels were not significantly changed in chronic CNS disease and in aseptic meningitis (419+/-71 pg/ml), but significantly increased in patients with bacterial meningitis (610 52QQ pg/ml). The HGF levels in CSF were not influenced by increased serum concentrations in patients with normal or mildly affected BCB function. The results show that HGF is present in normal CSF and does not appear to cross the CSF barrier significantly unless it is severely disrupted. So far, strong increases of HGF concentration in CSF are only present in acute bacterial meningitis. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

PMID : 11396995 5. Hayashi K, Morishita R, Nakagami H, Yoshimura S, Hara A, Matsumoto K, Nakamura T, Ogihara T, Kaneda Y, Sakai N. (2001) Gene Ther 8 : 1167-73.

To develop a novel strategy to prevent delayed neuronal death (DND) following transient occlusion of arteries, the gene of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a novel neurotrophic factor, was transfected into the subarachnoid space of gerbils after transient forebrain ischemia.

Importantly, transfection of HGF gene into the subarachnoid space prevented DND, accompanied by a significant increase in HGF in the cerebrospinal fluid. Prevention of DND by HGF is due to the inhibition of apoptosis through the blockade of bax translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. HGF gene transfer into the subarachnoid space may provide a new therapeutic strategy for cerebrovascular disease.

PMID: 11509947 6. Tamura S, Sugawara T, Tokoro Y, Taniguchi H, Fukao K, Nakauchi H, Takahama Y. (1998) Scand J Immunol. 47: 296-301.

The c-Met oncoprotein is a cell-surface receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).

Signals through HGF and c-Met have been appreciated for their crucial roles in the development of many cell types, including liver cells. The present study examined whether c- Met is expressed in the thymus and whether c-Met/HGF signals can regulate T-cell development in the thymus. We have found that MARNA transcripts encoding c-Met are expressed in mouse thymus. The c-Met transcripts were expressed at higher levels in fetal and

neonatal thymus than in adult thymus, and were mostly expressed by lymphoid cells rather than by stromal cells. Interestingly, the addition of HGF to fetal thymus organ cultures increased the generation of mature T cells expressing high levels of T-cell antigen receptors.

These results indicate that c-Met is expressed in the thymus during early ontogeny, and that c- Met/HGF signals can promote T-cell development.

PMID : 9600310 7. Takayama H, Takagi H, Larochelle WJ, Kapur RP, Merlino G. (2001) Lab Invest.

81: 297-305.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGFISF) can stimulate growth of gastrointestinal epithelial cells in vitro; however, the physiological role of HGF/SF in the digestive tract is poorly understood. To elucidate this in vivo function, mice were analyzed in which an HGF/SF transgene was overexpressed throughout the digestive tract. Nearly a third of all HGF/SF transgenic mice in this study (28 of 87) died by 6 months of age as a result of sporadic intestinal obstruction of unknown etiology. Enteric ganglia were not overtly affected, indicating that the pathogenesis of this intestinal lesion was different from that operating in Hirschsprung's disease. Transgenic mice also exhibited a rectal inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a high incidence of anorectal prolapse. Expression of interleukin-2 was decreased in the transgenic colon, indicating that HGF/SF may influence regulation of the local intestinal immune system within the colon. These results suggest that HGF/SF plays an important role in the development of gastrointestinal paresis and chronic intestinal inflammation. HGF/SF transgenic mice may represent a useful model for the study of molecular mechanisms associated with a subset of IBD and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Moreover, our data identify previously unappreciated side effects that may be encountered when using HGF/SF as a therapeutic agent.

PMID : 11310823 NOV6 Expression of gene NOV6 was assessed using the primer-probe set Ag2439 described in Table 53. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 54,55,56, and 57.

Table 53. Probe Name Ag2439 StartSEQID Primers Sequences TM Length I Position NO: Forward 5'-TATCATCACTTGTGATGGCAAA-3' 59 22 189 150 FAM-5' -AAAACCGAGAGCACTTTGAAAACACA- 151 Probe 66.1 26 223 3'-TAMRA Reverse5' -AAACTTCTCTCCCAGGGTACAA-3' 59.1 22 255 152

Table 54. Panel 1. 3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1.3dtm3781t_ 1.3dtm3781t Tissue Name ag2439 Tissue Name ag2439 Liver adenocarcinoma 11.3 Kidney (fetal) 7.6 Pancreas 3. 7 Renal ca. 786-0 4. 9 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 4. 9 Renal ca. A498 10.4 Adrenal gland 5. 3 Renal ca. RXF 393 4. 1 Thyroid 7. 4 Renal ca. ACHN 2. 2 Salivary gland 5, 3 Renal ca. UO-31 0. 6 Pituitary gland7. 6 Renal ca. TK-10 5. 4 Brain (fetal) 23.5 Liver 4. 2 Brain (whole) 6.2 Liver (fetal) 12.9 Brain (amygdala) 12. 9 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 11.9 Brain (cerebellum) 8. 5 Lung 35. 1 Brain (hippocampus) 100. 0 Lung (fetal) 12. 3 Brain (substantia nigra) 4. 9 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 8. 8 Brain (thalamus) 9. 2 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 5.6 Cerebral Cortex 12. 9 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SlIP-77 21.8 Spinal cord 5. 1 Lung ca. (large cell) NCI-H460 5.8 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 11. 8 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 14.9 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 15.5 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 11. 9 CNS ca. (astro) SW1783 3. 7 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 4.6 CNS ca. * (neuro; met) SK-N- AS 46.7 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 2.1 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 8. 8 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 3. 1 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 4. 2 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 3.1 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 9. 9 Mammary gland 3. 9 Breast ca. * (pi. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) U251 5. 7 7 8. 6 Breast ca. * (pl. ef) MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 6. 2 231 23.3 Heart (fetal) 6.1 Breast ca. * (pi. effusion) T47D 3. 0 Heart 22.2 Breast ca. BT-549 31. 2 Fetal Skeletal 40. 1 Breast ca MDA-N 7.6 Skeletal muscle 2.5Ovary 35 Bone marrow 11. 3 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 5. 0 Thymus 6. 7 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 0. 3 Spleen 12. 2 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 8. 9 Lymph node 14. 1 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 9. 3 Colorectal 22. 8 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 5.4 Stomach 10. 4 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 12. 6 Small intestine 21. 2 Uterus 9. 3 Colon ca. SW480 2.1 Placenta 17. 7 Colon ca.* (SW480 met)SW620 9. 3 Prostate 5. 1 Colon ca. HT29 8. 4 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 3.7 Colon ca. HCT-116 6. 0 Testis 5. 1 Colon ca. CaCo-216. 7 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 1. 5 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (OD03866) 13.5 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 1. 0 Colon ca. HCC-2998 | 32 1 Melanoma UACC-62 0 7 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 34. 2 Melanoma M14 4. 6 Bladder 14. 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI 4.4 Trachea 24. 8 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 45. 4 Kidney 1.7 Adipose 11. 7 Table 55. Panel 2D Relative Relative Expression(%) Expression(%) 2dtm3782t 2dtm3782t Tissue Name ag2439 Tissue Name ag2439 Normal Colon GENPAK 061003 100. 0 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 1.2 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3866) 17.2 8120613 2.8 83220 CC NAT (OD03866) 13. 8 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 1.6 83221 CC Gr. 2 rectosigmoid Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3868) 16.6 9010320 7. 7 83222 CC NAT (OD03868) 3.7 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 3.3 83235 CC Mod Diff Normal Uterus GENPAK (ODO3920) 31.2 061018 5. 2 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 83236 CC NAT (ODO3920) 17.2 064011 22. 1 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ (OD03921) 74.2 6570-1 10. 5 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 83238 CC NAT (ODO3921) 15.3 064010 17.3 83241 CC from Partial Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN Hepatectomy (ODO4309) 32. 5 A302152 14. 5 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 8.2 A302153 16.2 87472 Colon mets to lung 5. 3 Normal Breast GENPAK 16. 7 (OD04451-01) 061019 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451- 84877 Breast Cancer 02) 11.1 (OD04566) 7.3 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 85975 Breast Cancer 6546-1 11.6 (OD04590-01) 22.2 84140 Prostate Cancer 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04410) 21.0 (OD04590-03) 24.8 84141 Prostate NAT 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04410) 21. 3 (OD04655-05) 15.3 87073 Prostate Cancer GENPAK Breast Cancer (OD04720-01) 24. 1 064006 18. 0 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 22.5 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 17.7 Breast Cancer Clontech Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 84.1 9100266 13.3 83239 Lung Met to Muscle ('OD04286) 11.3 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 6.9 83240 Muscle NAT Breast Cancer INVITROGEN (OD04286) 9. 4 A209073 16, 3 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer Breast NAT INVITROGEN (OD03126) 19.9 A2090734 11. 0 Normal Liver GENPAK 84137 Lung NAT (OD03126) 36. 9 061009 7. 1 84871 Lung Cancer (OD04404) 28.7 Liver Cancer GENPAK 064003 8.0 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 11. 7 RNA 1025 5. 1 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84875 Lun Cancer (OD04565) 37.4 RNA 1026 1. 3 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004- 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 13.3 T 5. 4 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-Paired Liver Tissue Research OH25. 9 Genetics RNA 6004-N 11. 9 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237-Research Genetics RNA 6005- 02) 21.3 T 1. 6 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver Paired Liver Tissue Research (ODO4310) 9.5 Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 5 Normal Bladder GENPAK 83256 Liver NAT (ODO4310) 6.8 061001 39. 8 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung Bladder Cancer Research (OD04321) 11. 2 Genetics RNA 10238. 9 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 30.4 A302173 93. 3 Normal Kidney GENPAK 87071 Bladder Cancer 061008 23.2 (OD04718-01) 22.5 83786 Kidney Ca, Nuclear 87072 BladderNormal #rade 2 (OD04338) 14. 2 Adjacent (OD04718-03) 37. 1 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 9.7 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 2.0 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade Ovarian Cancer GENPAK 1/2 (OD04339) 26. 2 064008 21. 3 87492 Ovary Cancer 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 11. 3 (OD04768-07) 33.4 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768- type (OD04340) 24. 5 08) 4 9 Normal Stomach GENPAK 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 17. 2 061017 23. 7 83792 Kidney Ca Nuclear Gastric Cancer Clontech grade 3 (OD04348) 6.7 9060358 5. 6 NAT Stomach Clontech 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 9. 2 9060359 18. 9 87474 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04622-01) 7.7 9060395 34. 6 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 0.9 9060394 27.4 85973 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04450-01) 10.1 9060397 64. 2 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450-NAT Stomach Clontech Oj) 7.2 9060396 5. 3 Kidney Cancer Clontech Gastric Cancer GENPAK 8120607 1. 2 064005 48. 0 Table 56. Panel 4D Relative Relative Expression Expression % % 4dtm3783t_ 4dtm3783t Tissue Name ag2439 Tissue Name ag2439 93768 Secondary Thl_anti-93100 HUVEC cD28/anti-CD3 51. 8 (Endothelial) IL-1b 5. 9 93769_Secondary Th2_anti- 93779_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 39. 0 (Endothelial) IFN gamma 6.0 93102_HUVEC 93770_Secondary Tr1_anti- (Endothelial)_TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CDe 54. 0 gamma 7. 2 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 4. 2 (Endothelial)_TNF alpha+IL4 18.9 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 5, 7 (Endothelial) IL-11 6. 2 93571_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 7. 4 Endothelial Cells_none 21. 8 93584_Lung Microvascular 93568_primaryTh1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 CD28/anti-CD3 82. 4 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 2.1 2 93569primaryTh2 anti- 92662_Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD3 52.1 endothelium_none 33.7 92663_Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primary Trl_anti- endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti-CD3 76.8 and IL 1b (1 ng/ml) 15.1 93773_Bronchial 93565_primary Th1_resting dy epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) and 4-6 in IL-2 36. 3 IL1b (1 ng/ml)** 1.0 93566_primary Th2_resting dy 93347 Small Airway 4-6inIL-2 16. 8 Epithelium none4. 1 93567_primary Tr1_resting dy 9. 1 93348_Small Airway 34.2 4-6 in IL-2 Epithelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and ILIb (1 ng/ml) 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- 92668_Coronery Artery CD3 18.0 SMC_resting 4. 9 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- SMC_TNFa (4 nglml) and ILI b CD3 37. 1 (1 ng/ml) 0. 6 93251_CD8 Lymphocytes_anti- CD28/anti-CD3 40.6 93107_astrocytes_resting 5.0 93353_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2resting dy 4-93108astrocytesTNFa (4 6 in IL-2 41. 2 nglml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 6.6 93574 chronic CD8 Lymphocytes2ry activated 92666_KU-812 CD3/CD28 23. 5 (Basophil) resting 17. 9 92667KU-812 93354_CD4_none 4. 8 (Basophil)_PMA/ionoycin 43.5 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Th1/Th2/Tr1_anti-CD95 CH11 8. 5 (Keratinocytes)_none 10. 2 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes) TNFa and 93103 LAK cells resting 32.8 IFNg ** 0. 7 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 29.1 93791_Liver Cirrhosis 2. 6 93787_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-12 26. 2 93792_Lupus Kidney 1. 7 93789_LAK cells_IL-2+IFN gamma 25. 3 93577 NCI-H292 10. 0 93790_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-18 28. 5 93358_NCI-H292_IL-4 18. 0 93104LAK cells_PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 - 12. 8 93360_NCI-H292_IL-9 15.6 93578 NK Cells IL-2 resting 10.5 93359_NCI-H292_IL-13 5.8 93109Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 21.5 93357_NCI-H292_IFN gamma 7.1 93110_MixedLymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR. 14. 8 93777 HPAEC - 12.2 93111_Mixed Lymphocyte 93778_HPAEC_IL-1 beta/TNA Reaction_Two Way MLR 14. 4 alpha 13. 8 93112_Mononuclear Cells 93254_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting 3. 9 Fibroblastnone4. 8 93253_Normal Human Lung 93113_Mononuclear Cells Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs) PWM 75, 8 IL-1b (1 ng/ml) 2.3 93114 Mononuclear Cells 93257 Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) PHA-L 36. 3 Fibroblast IL-4 12. 5 93256_Normal Human Lung 93249_Ramos (B cell) _none 44.1 Fibroblast IL-9 10. 2 93250_Ramos (B 93255_Normal Human Lung cell) _ionomycin 100. 0 Fibroblast IL-13 7. 6 93258_Normal Human Lung 93349 B lymphocytes PWM 10 9 93350_Blymphoytes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts andIL-4 22.4 CCD1070_resting 12.7 92665_EOL-1 (Eosinophil) dbcAMP 93361 Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 6. 1 CCD 1070 TNF alpha 4 nglml 32. 3 93248_EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin I G 2 CCD 1070 IL-1 beta 1 ng/ml 4. 9 93772 dermal fibroblast IFN 93356 Dendritic Cells none 16.2 gamma 6. 3 93355_Dendritic Cells_LPS 100 ng/ml 30.8 93771 dermal fibroblast IL-4 9.8 93775 Dendritic Cells anti_ CD40 39. 0 932G0 IBD Colitis 2 1. 5 93774_Monocytes_resting 4.9 93261_IBD Crohns 1.2 93776_Monocytes_LPS50 nglml - 6.8 735010 Colon normal 11. 0 93581 Macrophages resting 41. 5 735019_Lung_none 17. 9 93582_Macrophages_LPS 100 ng/ml 7.1 64028-1 Thymus none 11.4 93098_HUVEC (Endothelial)_none 12.2 64030-1_Kidney none 41.5 93099 HUVEC (Endothelial) _starved 20. 0 Table 57. Panel CNS_neurodegeneration_v1.0 Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) tm6902t_ tm6902t_ Tissue Nameag2439 a2slTissue Nameag2439 a2sl 106655_4951 Hippo 1.7 106677_4624 BA21 13.8 106657_4986 Hippo 5.4 106681_4640 BA21 2. 5 106652_4933 Hippo 10.3 106654_4951 BA17 20. 2 106649_4901 Hippo 2.4 cns_water 0. 0 110138_3087 hippo 100.0 106651_4933 BA17 14. 8 110121 3027 Hippo 0.0 106648_4901 BA17 2. 2 106670 4971 Hippo 2.4 110140_3087 occ ctx 4. 3 106666 4867 Hippo 0. 9 110123 3027 Occ Ctx 0. 0 106680_4624 Hippo 0.0 106659_4595 BA17 23. 7 106653 4951 BA21 32.6 106668_4971 BA17 5. 2 106656_4986 BA21 1.7 106662_4737 BA17 31.4 106650 4933 BA21 26. 2 106665 4867 BA17 11. 1 106647_4901 BA21 24.3 106675_3975 BA17 56.4 110136_3087 inf temp ctx 1.6 106672_3954 BA17 6.8 110137_3087 sup temp ctx 8.1 106678_4624 BA17 9. 0 110118_3027 Inf Temp Ctx 1.5 106682_4640 BA17 29.9 110119_3027 Sup Temp Ctx 0. 0 106660 4595 BA7 14. 7 106658 4595 BA21 14.7 113670_106669 pool 53. 3 106667 4971 BA21 10.4 106663_4737 BA7 1. 8 106661_4737 BA21 31.6 106676_3975 BA7 39.3 106664 4867 BA211. 51066733954BA70. 5 106674 3975 BA21 37. 3 106679 4624 BA7 18. 2 106671 _3954 BA21 58. 2 106683 4640 BA7 93. 7

Panel 1. 3D Summary Ag2439 The NOV6 gene is widely expressed across the samples in this panel, with highest expression detected in the hippocampus (CT=28.1). This gene is also expressed at lower levels in the other tissues originating from the central nervous system, including the amygdala, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, substantia nigra, thalamus, and spinal cord. Thus, NOV6 gene expression may be used to distinguish hippocampus from other tissues. Please see CNS_neurodegeneration_panel vl. O summary for a discussion of the potential utility of this gene in CNS disorders.

Among tissues involved in metabolic function, the NOV6 gene is also expressed in thyroid, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, pancreas, heart (adult and fetal), liver (adult and fetal), and adipose. Interestingly, this gene is more highly expressed in fetal skeletal muscle (GT = 29.4) than in adult skeletal muscle (CT = 33. 4). This observation suggests that the NOV6 protein product may enhance muscular growth or development in the fetus and thus may also act in a regenerative capacity in the adult. Therefore, therapeutic modulation of the NOV6 gene could be useful in treatment of muscular related disease. More specifically, treatment of weak or dystrophic muscle with the protein encoded by this gene could restore muscle mass or function.

The NOV6 gene is also expressed at higher levels in gastric, colon, melanoma, lung, and colon cancer cell lines than in normal tissues. Therefore, this gene may be used as a marker for gastric cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, lung, and colon cancer cell lines. In addition, therapeutic modulation of the NOV6 gene product might be of use in the treatment of these cancers.

Panel 2D Summary Ag2439 The NOV6 gene is most highly expressed in a sample derived from normal colon (CT=26). However, in general this gene appears to be more highly expressed in cancers than in normal tissues. Specifically, NOV6 gene expression is slightly higher in lung cancer (squamous cell type), gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, a kidney cancer sample and a sample of breast cancer relative to the normal controls. Thus, the expression of this gene could be used to distinguish malignant colon, lung, stomach, ovary and some breast and kidney tissue from normal tissue from these organs. In addition, therapeutic modulation of the NOV6 gene product might be of use in the treatment of these cancers.

Panel 4D Summary Ag2439 The NOV6 gene is most highly expressed in ionomycin- treated Ramos B cells (CT = 26). This gene is also expressed at moderate levels in T cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and airway epithelial cells both under resting and cytokine-stimulated conditions. Therefore, this gene may be useful as a marker for these resting and activated cells.

Panel CNS neurodegeneration v1. 0 Summary Ag2439 The NOV6 gene encodes a protein with homology to fatty acid binding protein and is expressed across the brain, although expression appears to be the highest in the hippocampus (Panel 1.3D). This gene does not appear to be differentially expressed in Alzheimer's disease based on the results from panel CNS Neurodegeneration V 1, 0, although the transcript is detected at low levels in many of the brain samples. Fatty acid binding protein expression is increased in development during axon growth and during the response to injury, probably for the transport of fatty acids for use as membrane components (ref. 1). Therefore, upregulation of the NOV6 gene or its protein product may be beneficial during neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis in response to neuronal death or injury (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, stroke, and head/spinal cord trauma).

References : 1. Liu Y, Molina CA, Welcher AA, Longo LD, De Leon M. Expression of DAl l, a neuronal- injury-induced fatty acid binding protein, coincides with axon growth and neuronal differentiation during central nervous system development. J Neurosci Res 1997 Jun 15 ; 48 (6) : 551-62.

DA11 is the first fatty acid binding protein (FABP) for which gene expression has been shown to be upregulated following neuronal injury in the adult peripheral nervous system. To understand better the potential regulatory role (s) of this unique FABP in axonal growth and neuronal differentiation, we undertook a temporal and spatial study of DA11 gene expression in the developing rat central nervous system (CNS). Transient upregulation of 11 mRNA and protein levels in CNS tissues were quantified by Northern blot hybridization and Western immunoblot analyses at different developmental ages. Homogenates of embryonic and neonatal cerebral cortex, cerebellum, brain stem, and hippocampal tissues contained 100-fold more DA11 mRNA and protein than corresponding adult tissues. Significant increase in pAl 1 mRNA was observed as early as embryonic day (E) 14 in cerebral cortex and cerebellum and

E19 in brain stem and hippocampus, Postnatal levels of DA11 remained elevated through postnatal day (P) 10 in cerebral cortex, P14 in brain stem and hippocampus, and P20 in cerebellum. Localization of DA11-like immunoreactivity to specific CNS tissues, cell types, and intracellular compartments at P9 revealed a spatial pattern of neuronal expression different than that reported for other FABPs. DA 11 protein was detected in the nucleus, cytoplasm, axons, and dendrites of differentiating neurons in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, brain stem, spinal cord, and olfactory bulb. The strong association of DA11 gene expression with development throughout the CNS suggests that this unique FABP plays an important role in axonal growth and neuronal differentiation in many different neuronal populations.

PMID : 9210525 NOV9 Expression of gene NOV9 was assessed using the primer-probe set Ag2771 described in Table 58. Results from RTQ-PCR runs are shown in Tables 59,60,61, and 62.

Table 58. Probe Name Ag2771 Primers Sequences TM Length Start SEQ ID NO : Position Forward 5'-TGAACAGAACTATGCGAAACAA-3'58. 5 22 223 153 Probe FAM-5'-TCTGGTTAAGAAGTACTGCCCCAAACG-68 27 253 31-TAMRA Reverse 5t-GGCTCTTCATCTTTGGATGAA-3'59. 3 21 280 155 Table 59. Panel 1. 3D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 1. 3Dx4tm4869 1.3Dx4tm4869 Tissue Name f ag2771 a1 Tissue Name f ag2771 a1 Liver adenocarcinoma 12.7 Kidney (fetal) 32. 3 Pancreas 3 2 Renal ca. 786-0 22.1 Pancreatic ca. CAPAN 2 4, 7 Renal ca, A498 13. 0 Adrenal gland 2. I Renal ca. RXF 393 13. 1 Thyroid 14. 5 Renal ca. ACHN 4. 0 Salivary gland 10.5 Renal ca. UO-31 15. 9 Pituitary gland 2. 5 Renal ca. TK-I0 22. 2 Brain (fetal) 16. 8 Liver 1 2 Brain (whole) 5. 0 Liver (fetal) 3.7 Brain (amygdala) 5. 0 Liver ca. (hepatoblast) HepG2 20.9 Brain (cerebellum) 8.1 Lung 9. 9 Brain (hippocampus) 7. 7 Lung (fetal) 23.0 Brain (substantia nigra) 2. 1 Lung ca. (small cell) LX-1 20. 5 Brain (thalamus) 5.5 Lung ca. (small cell) NCI-H69 14.0 Cerebral Cortex 28. 3 Lung ca. (s. cell var.) SHP-77 38. 9 Spinal cord 17. 3 Lung ca. (large cell)NCI-H460 4. 6 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U87-MG 2.2 Lung ca. (non-sm. cell) A549 9. 5 CNS ca. (glio/astro) U-118-MG 5.1 Lung ca. (non-s. cell) NCI-H23 20.1 CNS ca. (astro) SW 1783 21.6 Lung ca (non-s. cell) HOP-62 10. 3 CNS ca.* (neuro; met) SK-N- AS 26. 8 Lung ca. (non-s. cl) NCI-H522 36. 6 CNS ca. (astro) SF-539 12. 7 Lung ca. (squam.) SW 900 21. 3 CNS ca. (astro) SNB-75 12. 3 Lung ca. (squam.) NCI-H596 11. 8 CNS ca. (glio) SNB-19 34. 0 Mammary gland 21. 5 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) MCF- CNS ca. (glio) U251 20. 2 7 25. 3 Breast ca. * (pl. eo MDA-MB- CNS ca. (glio) SF-295 12.4 231 10. 5 Heart (fetal) 6.2 Breast ca. * (pl. effusion) T47D 13. 3 Heart 14. 1 Breast ca. BT-549 8. 0 Fetal Skeletal 23. 1 Breast ca. MDA-N 13. 2 Skeletal muscle 20. 0 Ovary 15. 2 Bone marrow 0. 7 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-3 27. 2 Thymus 10. 1 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-4 3. 2 Spleen 1. 5 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-5 9. 8 Lymph node 1. 9 Ovarian ca. OVCAR-8 25. 5 Colorectal 1. 6 Ovarian ca. IGROV-1 12. 1 Stomach 4. 2 Ovarian ca. * (ascites) SK-OV-3 10. 6 Small intestine 5. 2 Uterus 2. 6 Colon ca. SW480 10. 7 Placenta 7. 9 Colon ca. * (SW480 met) SW620 31.7 Prostate 6. 2 Colon ca. HT29 41. 9 Prostate ca. * (bone met) PC-3 13. 2 Colon ca. HCT-116 13.9 Testis 11. 8 Colon ca. CaCo-2 25. 6 Melanoma Hs688 (A). T 5.2 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff (ODO3866) 51.7 Melanoma* (met) Hs688 (B). T 6. 1 Colon ca. HCC-2998 11. 9 Melanoma UACC-62 1. 0 Gastric ca. * (liver met) NCI- N87 44.6 Melanoma M14 2. 3 Bladder 100. 0 Melanoma LOX IMVI 1.1 Trachea 23. 9 Melanoma* (met) SK-MEL-5 13. 3 Kidney 34. 9 Adipose 10. 5 Table 60. Panel 2D Relative Relative Expression (%) Expression (%) 2dx4tm4680f 2dx4tm4680f TissueName ag2771_a2 Tissue Name ag2771_a2 Normal Colon GENPAK 06100352. 3 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120608 1. 9 83219 CC Well to Mod Diff Kidney Cancer Clontech (ODO3866) 5.0 8120613 5. 4 83220 CC NAT (ODO3866) 5.0 Kidney NAT Clontech 8120614 2.4 83221 CC Gr. 2 rectosigmoid Kidney Cancer Clontech (OD03868) 2.8 9010320 2. 4 83222 CC NAT (ODO3868) 1. 4 Kidney NAT Clontech 9010321 5. 2 83235 CC Mod Diff Normal Uterus GENPAK (ODO)3920) 17.6 061018 2. 5 Uterus Cancer GENPAK 83236 CC NAT (ODO3920) 5.7 064011 17. 1 83237 CC Gr. 2 ascend colon Normal Thyroid Clontech A+ (ODO3921) 19.3 6570-1 12. 9 Thyroid Cancer GENPAK 83238 CC NAT (ODO392) 7.3 064010 16. 9 83241 CC from Partial Thyroid Cancer INVITROGEN Hepatectomy (ODO4309) 18.0 A302152 11.4 Thyroid NAT INVITROGEN 83242 Liver NAT (ODO4309) 5.6 A302153 17.6 87472 Colon mets to lung Normal Breast GENPAK (OD04451-01) 4.7 061019 27.2 87473 Lung NAT (OD04451-84877 Breast Cancer 8.4 (OD04566) 26.0 Normal Prostate Clontech A+ 85975 Breast Cancer 6546-1 39.8 (OD04590-01) 52.2 84140 Prostate Cancer 85976 Breast Cancer Mets (OD04410) 22.5 (OD04590-03) 23. 4 84141 Prostate NAT 87070 Breast Cancer Metastasis (OD04410) 32. 5 (OD04655-05) 22. 5 87073 Prostate Cancer GENPAK Breast Cancer (OD04720-01) 18.4 064006 19. 3 87074 Prostate NAT (OD04720-02) 19.5 Breast Cancer Res. Gen. 1024 20.9 Breast Cancer Clontech Normal Lung GENPAK 061010 23. 5 9100266 11. 1 83239 Lung Met to Muscle (ODO4286) 1.4 Breast NAT Clontech 9100265 6.9 83240 Muscle NAT Breast Cancer INVITROGEN (ODO4286) 5.2 A209073 23.8 84136 Lung Malignant Cancer Breast NAT INVITROGEN (OD03126) 17. 4 A2090734 17. 2 Normal Liver GENPAK 84137 Lung NAT (OD03126) 25.0 061009 4. 1 84871 Lung Cancer (OD04404) 9.2 Liver Cancer GENPAK 0640033.4 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84872 Lung NAT (OD04404) 7.9 RNA 1025 1. 4 Liver Cancer Research Genetics 84875 Lung Cancer (OD04565) 3. 2 RNA 1026 2. 1 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue Research Genetics RNA 6004- 84876 Lung NAT (OD04565) 5.2 T 4. 1 85950 Lung Cancer (OD04237-Paired Liver Tissue Research 01) 15. 9 Genetics RNA 6004-N 3. 0 Paired Liver Cancer Tissue 85970 Lung NAT (OD04237- Research Genetics RNA 6005- 02) 8.5 T 2.2 83255 Ocular Mel Met to Liver Paired Liver Tissue Research (ODO4310) 5. 2 Genetics RNA 6005-N 0. 6 Normal Bladder GENPAK 83256 Liver NAT (OD043 10) 3. 8 061001 37. 1 84139 Melanoma Mets to Lung Bladder Cancer Research (0004321) 7. 7 Genetics RNA 10232. 4 Bladder Cancer INVITROGEN 84138 Lung NAT (OD04321) 21.5 A302173 14. 4 Normal Kidney GENPAK 87071 Bladder Cancer 061008 42. 4 (OD04718-011 11.7 83786 Kidney Ca Nuclear 87072 Bladder Normal grade 2 (OD04338) 26.6 Adjacent (OD04718-03) 4.8 83787 Kidney NAT (OD04338) 11. 5 Normal Ovary Res. Gen. 1. 5 83788 Kidney Ca Nuclear grade Ovarian Cancer GENPAK ll2 (OD04339) 24.5 064008 22. 4 87492 Ovary Cancer 83789 Kidney NAT (OD04339) 29.5 (OD04768-071 48. 4 83790 Kidney Ca, Clear cell 87493 Ovary NAT (OD04768- type (OD04340) 43.4 08) 1. 7 Normal Stomach GENPAK 83791 Kidney NAT (OD04340) 26.5 061017 12. 0 83792 Kidney Ca, Nuclear Gastric Cancer Clontech grade 3 (OD04348) 1. 4 9060358 0. 7 NAT Stomach Clontech 83793 Kidney NAT (OD04348) 18.8 9060359 5.3 87474 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04622-01) 2.6 9060395 5. 6 87475 Kidney NAT (OD04622-NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 3. 1 9060394 6. 2 85973 Kidney Cancer Gastric Cancer Clontech (OD04450-01) 100. 0 9060397 11. 7 85974 Kidney NAT (OD04450- NAT Stomach Clontech 03) 34.1 9060396 0. 7 Kidney Cancer Clontech Gastric Cancer GENPAK IS 120607 1. 9 06400522. 9 Table 61. Panel 4D Relative Relative Tissue Name Expression(%) Tissue Name Expression (% 4dx4tm4548f 4dx4tm4548f ag2771 b2ag2771 b2 93768_Secondary Th1_anti- 93100_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0. 1 (Endothelial) IL-lb 54. 2 93769_Secondary Th2_anti- 93779_HUVEC CD28/anti-CD3 0.3 (Endothelial)_IFN gamma 50.4 93102_HUVEC 93770 Secondary Trl_anti- (Endothelial) TNF alpha + IFN CD28/anti-CD30. 0 gamma 15. 6 93573_Secondary Th1_resting 93101_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-20. 0 (Endothelial) TNF alpha+IL4 25.7 93572_Secondary Th2_resting 93781_HUVEC day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 3 (Endothelial)_IL-11 23. 3 93571_Secondary Tr1_resting 93583_Lung Microvascular day 4-6 in IL-2 0. 0 Endothelial Cells none 71. 5 93584_lung Microvascular 93568_primary Th1_anti- Endothelial Cells_TNFa (4 CD28/anti-CD3 0. 0 ng/ml) and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 15.2 93569_primaryTh2anti-92662Microvascular Dermal CD28/anti-CD3 0. 2 endothelium none 75. 3 92663_Microsvasular Dermal 93570_primary Tr1_anti_ endothelium_TNFa (4 ng/ml) CD28/anti_CD3 0. 6 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 44.2 93773 Bronchial 93565_primaryTh1_resting dy epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) and 4-6 in IL-2 1. 6 IL1b(1 ng/ml)** 21. 1 93566_primary Th2_resting dy 93347_Small Airway 4-6 in IL-2 1.4 Epithelium_none 14. 4 93348_SmallAirway 93567_primary Tr1_resting dy Epithelium TNFa (4 ng/ml) 4-6 in IL-2 0. 5 and IL1b (1 ng/ml) 5.3 93351_CD45RA CD4 lymphocyte_anti_CD28/anti- 92668_CoroneryArtery CD3 0. 8 SMC_resting 47. 2 93352_CD45RO CD4 92669_Coronery Artery lymphocyte_anti-CD28/anti- SMC_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and IL1b CD3 1.0 (1 ng/ml) 5.0 93251_CD8 Lymphocytes_anti- CD28/anti-CD3 0. 5 93107_astrocytes_resting 46.9 93353_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_resting dy 4-93108astrocytesTNFa (4 6 in IL-22. 1 ng/ml) and ILlb (I ng/ml) 32.0 93574_chronic CD8 Lymphocytes 2ry_activated 92666_KU-812 CD3/CD28 0.0 (Basophil) resting 3.2 92667 KU-812 93354_CD4_none 0.8 (Basophil)_PMA/ionoycin 11. 8 93252_Secondary 93579_CCD1106 Th1/Th2/Tr1_anti-CD95 CH11 0.2 (Keratinocytes) none 15.5 93580_CCD1106 (Keratinocytes)_TNFa and 93103_LAK cells resting 0.4 IFNg ** 11. 6 93788_LAK cells_IL-2 0. 5 93791 Liver Cirrhosis 5. 7 93787_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-12 0. 8 93792 Lupus Kidney 13. 5 93789 LAK cells IL-2+IFN gamma 1.5 93577 NCI-H292 55. 3 93790_LAK cells_IL-2+IL-18 1. 0 93358_NCI-H292_IL-4 57.1 93104_LAK cells_PMA/ionomycin and IL- 18 1. 7 93360NCI-H292IL-9 92.5 93578_NK Cells IL-2_resting 0.1 93359_NCI-H292_IL-13 37. 0 93109_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction_Two Way MLR 1.3 93357_NCI-H292_IFN gamma 84.6 93110_Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Two Way MLR 0.7 93777 HPAEC-31. 5 93111 Mixed Lymphocyte 93778_HPAEC_IL-1 beta/TNA Reaction Two Way MLR 0.2 alpha 15. 7 93112_Mononuclear Cells 93254_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) resting 1. 1 Fibroblast none 3. 4 93253_Normal Human Lung 93113_Mononuclear Cells Fibroblast_TNFa (4 ng/ml) and (PBMCs) PWM 14. 1 IL-1b (1 ng/ml) 2.6 93114_Mononuclear Cells 93257_Normal Human Lung (PBMCs) PHA-L 12. 2 Fibroblast_IL-4 4. 9 93256_Normal Human Lung 93249_Ramos (B cell)_none 0.0 Fibroblast_IL-9 3.8 93250 Ramos (B 93255 Normal Human Lung cell)_ionomycin 0.1 Fibroblast_IL-13 3.2 93258 Normal Human Lung 93349 B lymphocytes PWM 25.6 Fibroblast IFN gamma 6. 2 93350_B lymphoytes_CD40L 93106_Dermal Fibroblasts and IL-4 3. 1 CCD1070_resting 6. 8 92665EOL-1 (Eosinophil)_dbcAMP 93361_Dermal Fibroblasts differentiated 0. 1 CCD1070 TNF alpha 4 ng/ml 5. 3 93248 EOL-I (Eosinophil)_dbc AMP/PMAion 93105_Dermal Fibroblasts omycin 0.1 CCD1070 IL-1 beta 1 ng/ml 3.1 93772_dermal fibroblast_IFN 93356_Dendritic Cells_none 3.2 gamma 2.2 93355_Dendritic Cells_LPS 100 ng/ml 2.2 93771 dermal_fibroblast_IL-4 6.1 93775-Dendritic Cells-anti- CD40 1.6 93260_IBD Colitis 2 1.1 93774 Monocytes resting 0. 7 93261 IBD Crohns 6. 2 93776_Monocytes_LPS 50 ng/ml 1. 0 35010 Colon normal 29.5 93581_Macrophages resting 5. 2 735019_Lung_none 20.0 93582_Macrophages_LPS100 ng/ml 1.1 64028-1_Thymus none 60.1 93098_HUVEC (Endothelial) none 50.9 4030-1 Kidney none 16.6 93099 HUVEC (Endothelial)starved 100.0 Table 62. Panel CNS_neurodegeneration_v1.0 Relative Relative Expression(%) Expression(%) tm7061f_ag27 tm7061f_ag27 Tissue Name 71 bls2 Tissue Name 71 bls2 106655 4951 Hippo 15.5 106677_4624 BA21 7.l 7 106657 4986 Hippo 35. 1 106681 4640 BA21 50. 4 106652 4933 Hippo 11. 5 106654 4951 BA17 20. 3 106649 4901 Hippo 16. 4 cns water 0. 0 110138_3087 hipo 72.0 106651_4933 BA17 B. 5 110121_3027 Hippo 100.0 106648_4901 BA17 27. 5 106670 4971 Hippo 33.6 110123_3027 Oce Ctx 27. 8 106666 4867 Hippo 22.9 110140_3087 occ octx 38. 3 106680 4624 Hippo 15. 0 106659 4595 BA17 4. 5 106653_4951 BA21 27.1 106668_4971 BA17 29. 0 106656 4986 BA21 43. 7 106662 4737 DA17 17. 4 106650 4933 BA21 10.0 106665 4867 BA17 11. 4 106647_4901 BA21 21.3 106675_3975 BA17 83.9 11036_3087 inf termp ctx 89.6 106672_3954 BA17 16. 4 110137 3087 sup temp ctx63. 81066784624 BA175. 3 110118_3027 Inf Temp Ctx 77. 7 106682 4640 BA17 17. 5 110119 3027 Sup Temp Ctx 80.4 106660_4595 BA 9. 5 106658_4595 BA21 10. 5 113670 106669 pool 62.9 106667 4971 BA21 31. 8 106663 4737 BA7 11. 5 106661 4737 BA21 20. 8 106676_3975 BA7 53. 6 106664 4867 BA2113. 2106673 3954 BA728. 4 106674_3975 BA2172.4 106679_4624 BA7 7. 7 106671_3954 BA21 48.4 106683_4640 BA7 35. 3

Panel 1.3D Summary Ag2771 Expression of the NOV9 gene is highest in normal bladder (CT=27. 2). This gene is more highly expressed in colon cancer cell lines relative to normal colon as well as in some lung cancer cell lines relative to normal lung. Thus, expression of this gene could be used to distinguish between colon or lung cancer cell lines and other cell lines. Furthermore, therapeutic inhibition of the NOV9 gene or its protein product, throught the use of antibodies, small molecule or protein drugs, may be effective in the treatment of colon and lung cancers.

The NOV9 gene is expressed at moderate levels throughout CNS, with expression detected in fetal brain, amygdala, ceebellum, hippocampus, substantia nigra, thalamus,

cerebral cortex and spinal cord (CTs=29-33). See CNSneurodegenerationpanelvl. O summary for potential utility of this gene in CNS disorders.

Among tissues with metabolic function, this gene shows low expression in pancreas, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and liver (adult and fetal) with higher expression in thyroid, heart (adult and fetal), skeletal muscle (adult and fetal), and adipose. Therefore, the NOV9 gene product may play a role in the pathogenesis and/or treatment of metabolic diseases in any or all of these tissues, including obesity and diabetes.

Panel 2D Summary Ag2771 Highest expression of the NOV9 gene is found in a kidney cancer sample (CT=23). However, this gene is rather ubiquitously expressed at moderate levels in all the tissue samples on this panel. Interestingly, the level of NOV9 gene expression appears to be lower in liver and lung tissues when compared to other organs. In addition, this gene appears to be overexpressed in ovarian cancers as well as in several colon cancers relative to the normal controls. The expression patterns suggest that this gene is required for the survival and proliferation of the majority of cell types.

Panel 4D Summary Ag2771 The NOV9 gene encodes protein with homology to CDC-42-interacting protein 4 and is highly expressed in resting HUVEC endothelial cells (CT=24-25), lung microvascular endothelium, bronchial epithelium, small airway epithelium, coronary artery smooth muscle cells, as well as in mucoepidermoid cells (NCI-H292). Basal expression of this gene in these cells appears to be decreased by various treatments with proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-lbeta, IL-4, IL-11, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha.

CDC-42-interacting protein 4 is a Cdc42 effector protein involved in cytoskeletal organization (ref. 1-2). Since cytokine-activated cells express lower levels of the NOV9 gene, increasing the activity of this gene product may reduce the pro-inflammatory effects of these cytokines.

Therefore, the NOV9 gene product may be a useful target for agonistic small molecule therapeutics that increase activity of the protein, and such small molecule drugs may reduce the severity of symptoms of asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.

Panel CNS neurodegeneration v1. 0 Summary Ag2771 CDC42 has been implicated as a neuronal death effector in Alzheimer's disease and as playing an essential role in cerebellar granule neuron survival (refs. 4-6). Gdc42-interacting protein 4, which is homologous to the NOV9 gene, has been identified as a substrate of CDC42 (ref. 2).

Therefore, drugs that inhibit NOV9 gene product activity may be effective in blocking processes downstream of CDC42, such as neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. Since

CDC42 can mediate both desirable (cerebellar neuronal survival) and undesirable (Alzheimer's disease) processes, it is likely that specifically targeting distinct downstream substrates may enable the effective targeting of distinct processes without affecting other CDC42-mediated processes. The NOV9 gene is expressed in the human brain in all regions examined, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum, substantia nigra, spinal cord and thalamus (see Panel 1.3D). Additionally, this gene is expressed more highly in the hippocampus of some patients with Alzheimer's disease than in normal control brains, indicating a possible pathological role in neurodegenerative brain disease. Therefore, targeting the NOV9 gene product may have utility in selective targeting of undesirable CDC42-mediated processes, such as Alzheimer's disease.

References : 1. Linder S, Hufner K, Wintergerst U, Aepfelbacher M. Microtubule-dependent formation of podosomal adhesion structures in primary human macrophages. J Cell Sci 2000 Dec ; 113 Pt 23: 4165-76, Podosomes are unique actin-rich adhesion structures of monocyte-derived cells such as macrophages and osteoolasts. They clearly differ from other substratum-contacting organelles like focal adhesions in morphological and functional regards. Formation of podosomes has been shown to be dependent on the small GTPase CDC42Hs and its effector Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp). In this study, we investigated the functional relation between podosomes and the microtubule system in primary human macrophages. We demonstrate that, in contrast to focal adhesions, assembly of podosomes in macrophages and their monocytic precursors is dependent on an intact microtubule system. In contrast, experiments using Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) macrophages indicate that the microtubule system is not reciprocally dependent on podosomes. A potential linker between podosomes and microtubules may be WASp itself, considering that microinjection oFthe WASp polyproline domain prevents podosome reassembly. This polyproline domain is thought to link WASp to microtubules via CDC42 interacting protein 4 (CIP4). Consistently, macrophages microinjected with CIP4 constructs deficient in either the microtubule-or the WASp-binding domain also fail to reassemble podosomes. In sum, our findings show that microtubules are essential for podosome formation in primary human macrophages and that WASp and CIP4 may be involved in this phenomenon.

PMID : 11069762 2. Tian L, Nelson DL, Stewart DM. Cdc42-interacting protein 4 mediates binding of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein to microtubules. J Biol Chem 2000 Mar 17; 275 (11) : 7854- 61 The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an inherited S-linked immunodeficiency characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and a tendency toward lymphoid malignancy. Lymphocytes from affected individuals have cytoskeletal abnormalities, and monocytes show impaired motility.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) is a multi-domain protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. In a two-hybrid screen, we identified the protein Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) as a WASP interactor. CIP4, like WASP, is a Cdc42 effector protein involved in cytoskeletal organization. We found that the WASP-CIP4 interaction is mediated by the binding of the Src homology 3 domain of CIP4 to the proline-rich segment of WASP. Gdc42 was not required for this interaction. Co-expression of CIP4 and green fluorescent protein- WASP in COS-7 cells led to the association of WASP with microtubules. In vitro experiments showed that CIP4 binds to microtubules via its NH (2) terminus. The region of CIP4 responsible for binding to active Cdc42 was localized to amino acids 383-417, and the mutation I398S abrogated binding. Deletion of the Cdc42-binding domain of CIP4 did not affect the colocalization of WASP with microtubules in vivo. We conclude that CIP4 can mediate the association of WASP with microtubules. This may facilitate transport of WASP to sites of substrate adhesion in hematopoietic cells.

PMID : 10713100 3. Aspenstrom P. A Cdc42 target protein with homology to the non-kinase domain of FER has a potential role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. Curr Biol l 997 Jul 1 ; 7 (7) : 479-87 BACKGROUND: Members of the Rho family of small GTPases have been shown to have a diverse role in cell signalling events. They were originally identified as proteins that, by regulating the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton, are important determinants of cell morphology, and have recently been shown to be involved in transcriptional activation by the JNKISAPK signalling pathway. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of Rho GTPases on these processes, the yeast two-hybrid system has been used to identify

proteins that bind to an activated mutant of Cdc42, a Rho-family member. RESULTS : A cDNA encoding a previously unidentified Cdc42 target protein, CIP4, which is 545 amino- acids long and contains an SH3 domain at its carboxyl terminus, was cloned from a human B- cell library. The amino terminus of CIP4 bears resemblance to the non-kinase domain of the FER and Fes/Fps family of tyrosine kinases. In addition, similarities to a number of proteins with roles in regulating the actin cytoskeleton were noticed. CIP4 binds to activated Cdc42 in vitro and in vivo and overexpression of CIP4 in Swiss 3T3 Fibroblasts reduces the amount of stress fibres in these cells. Moreover, coexpression of activated Cdc42 and CIP4 leads to clustering of CIP4 to a large number of foci at the dorsal side of the cells. CONCLUSIONS : CIP4 is a downstream target of activated GTP-bound Cdc42, and is similar in sequence to proteins involved in signalling and cytoskeletal control. Together, these findings suggest that CIP4 may act as a link between Cdc42 signalling and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.

PMID : 9210375 4. Mota M, Reeder M, Chernoff J, Bazenet CE. Evidence for a role of mixed lineage kinases in neuronal apoptosis. J Neurosci 2001 Jul 15; 21 (14) : 4949-57 Superior cervical ganglion (SCG) sympathetic neurons die by apoptosis when deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF). It has been shown previously that the induction of apoptosis in these neurons at NGF withdrawal requires both the activity of the small GTP-binding protein Cdc42 and the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) belongs to a family ofmitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinases. MLK3 contains a Cdc42/Rac interactive-binding (CRIB) domain and activates both the JNK and the p38 MAP kinase pathways. In this study the role of MLK3 in the induction of apoptosis in sympathetic neurons has been investigated. Overexpression of an active MLK3 induces activation of the JNK pathway and apoptosis in SCG neurons. In addition, overexpression of kinase dead mutants of MLK3 blocks apoptosis as well as c-Jun phosphorylation induced by NGF deprivation. More importantly, MLK3 activity seems to increase by 5 hr after NGF withdrawal in both differentiated PC12 cells and SCG neurons. We also show that MLK3 lies downstream of Cdc42 in the neuronal death pathway. Regulation of M LK3 in neurons seems to be dependent on MLK3 activity and possibly on an additional cellular component, but not on its binding to Cdc42. These results suggest that MLK3, or a closely related kinase, is a physiological element of NGF withdrawal-induced activation of the

Cdc42-c-Jun pathway and neuronal death. MLK3 therefore could be an interesting therapeutic target in a number of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuronal apoptosis.

PMID : 11438570 5. Linseman DA, Laessig T, Meintzer MK, McClure M, Barth H, Aktories K, Heidenreich KA. An essential role for RacfCdc42 GTPases in cerebellar granule neuron survival. J Biol Chem 2001 Aug 16; [epub ahead of print] Rho family GTPases are critical molecular switches that regulate the actin cytoskeleton and cell function. In the current study, we investigated the involvement of Rho GTPases in regulating neuronal survival using primary cerebellar granule neurons. C. difficile toxin B, a specific inhibitor ofRho, Rac and Cdc42, induced apoptosis of granule neurons characterized by c-Jun phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation and nuclear condensation. Serum and depolarization-dependent survival signals could not compensate for the loss of GTPase function. Unlike trophic factor withdrawal, toxin B did not affect the anti-apoptotic kinase Akt or its target glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. The pro-apoptotic effects of toxin B were mimicked by C. sordellii lethal toxin, a selective inhibitor of Rac/Cdc42. Although RaclCdc42 GTPase inhibition led to F-actin disruption, direct cytoskeletal disassembly with C. botulinum C2 toxin was insufficient to induce c-Jun phosphorylation or apoptosis. Granule neurons expressed high basal JNK and low p38 MAPK activities that were unaffected by toxin B.

However, pyridyl imidazole inhibitors ofJNK/p38 attenuated c-Jun phosphorylation.

Moreover, both pyridyl imidazoles and adenoviral dominant-negative c-Jun attenuated apoptosis, suggesting that JNK/c-Jun signaling was required for cell death. The results indicate that Rac/Cdc42 GTPases, in addition to trophic factors, are critical for survival of cerebellar granule neurons.

PMID: 11509562 6. Zhu X, Raina AK, Boux H, Simmons ZL, Takeda A, Smith MA.

Activation of oncogenic pathways in degenerating neurons in Alzheimer disease. Int J Dev Neurosci 2000 Jul-Aug ; 18 (4-5) : 433-7 A number of recent findings have highlighted the similarities between neurogenesis during

development and neurodegeneration during Alzheimer disease. In fact, neuronal populations that are known to degenerate in Alzheimer disease exhibit phenotypic changes characteristic of cells re-entering the cell division cycle. In this study, we extended these findings by investigating components of the cell cycle, known to trigger progression through G I through activation of signal transduction cascades. Specifically, we found that proteins implicated in G1 transition, namely Cdc42/Rac, are upregulated in select neuronal populations in cases of Alzheimer disease in comparison to age-matched controls. Importantly, Cdc42/Rac shows considerable overlap with early cytoskeletal abnormalities suggesting that these changes are an extremely proximal event in the pathogenesis of the disease. Given the functional role of Cdc42/Rac in various cellular processes known to be perturbed in Alzheimer disease, namely cytoskeletal organization, oxidative balance, and oncogenic signaling, it is likely that increased neuronal Gdc42/Rac is highly significant in relation to the pathogenic process and contributes to neuronal degeneration. In fact, these findings suggest that Alzheimer disease is an oncogenic process.

PMID : 10817927 NOVlOa Expression of gene NOVlOa was assessed using the primer-probe set Agl674 described in Table 63. Results from RTQ-PGR runs are shown in Tables 64,65, and 66.

Table 63. Probe Name Agl674 StartSEQID Primers Sequences TM Length Position NO: Forward 5'-CTCACTCACCACAAGGGAGTAA-3' 9. 3 22 519 156 FAM-5'-TGACATCAAACTCAACAGTTCCCAGGA-157 3'-TAMRA Reverse 5'-GTCTAGGAGAGAGCTGAGCAAA-3' 58. 1 22 576158 Table 64. Panel DNS_1 Relative Expression (%) enslx4tm6180f cns1tm6571f TissueName ag1674 b2 ag1674 102633 BA4 Control 1, 3 3. 6 102641_BA4 Control 2 0.8 3.7 102625 BA4 Alzheimer's2 2. 4 0. 7 102649 BA4 Parkinson's 15. 3 12. 4 102656 BA4 Parkinson's2 30.0 23. 0 102664_BA4 Huntington's 4.7 8. 2 102671 BA4 Huntington's25. 71. 0 102603_BA4 PSP 3.3 3. 9 102610_BA4 PSP2 0.9 4. 2 102588 BA4 Depression 5. 2 4. 2 102596_BA4 Depression2 1.6 4. 0 102634 BA7 Control 3.7 3.7 102642_BA7 Control2 0.0 3. 7 102626_BA7 Alzeheimer/'s2 0.0 0. 8 102650 BA7 Parkinson's 1. 5 15. 2 102657_BA7 Parkkison's2 21.1 21. 3 102665_BA7 Huntington's 7.9 3.3 102672 BA7 Huntington's2 14. 7 10. 3 102604_BA7 PSP 11.5 7.4 102611 BA7 PSP2 2. 2 2. 4 102589_BA7 Depression 3.0 2. 5 102632 BA9 Contriol 0.0 2. 5 102640_BA9 Control2 8.7 6. 8 102617_BA9 Alzheimer's 2.4 0. 8 102624_BA9 Alzheimer's2 3.6 5. 4 102648 BA9 Parkinson's3. 68. 4 102655 BA9 Parkinson's2 21. 1 33. 0 10263_BA9 Huntington's 15.7 12.5 102670BA9 Huntington's26. 78. 4 102602_BA9 PSP 5.0 5. 5 102609_BA9 PSP2 0.7 0. 0 102587_BA9 Depession 1.0 2. 9 102595 BA9 Depression2 3. 8 4. 8 102635_BA17 Control 2.8 7. 7 102643_BA17 Control2 0.7 3.1 102627_BA17 Alzaheimer's2 1.3 2.7 102651 BA17 Parkinson's 11. 8 6. 9 102658_BA17 Parkinson's2 33.4 27. 5 102666_BA17 Hntington's 4.1 5.1 102673BA17 Huntington's 5.7 2. 0 102590 BA17 Depression 5. 1 5. 1 102597 BA 17 Depression2 2. 4 9. 3 102605 BA17 PSP 5.0 4.7 102612 BA17 PSP2 2.8 0. 8 102637 Sub Nigra Control 12. 3 15. 9 102645 Sub Nigra Control2 3.1 9.7 102629_Sub Nigra Alzheimer's2 3. 6 1. 5 102660_Sub Nigra Parkinson's2 100.0 95. 9 102667 Sub Nigra Huntington's 16. 4 6. 4 102674Sub NIgra Huntington's2 15.3 16.7 102614 Sub Nigra PSP2 7. 2 3. 7 102592 Sub Nigra Depression 2.4 1. 6 102599 Sub Nigra Depression2 5.9 3. 7 102636 Glob Palladus Control 3. 7 6. 4 102644 Glob Palladus Control2 0.9 1.1 102620_Glob Palladus Alzheimer's 3.5 2.7 102628_Glob Palladus Alzheimer's2 0.0 2. 8 1102652 Glob Palladus Parkinson's 26.1 37. 2 102659_Glob Palladus Parkinson's2 21.7 38. 2 102606 Glob Palladus PSP 7. 4 4. 8 102613_Glob Palladus PSP2 0. 3 0. 9 102591_Glob palladus Depression 3.9 3. 7 102638 Temp Pole Control 0. 7 1. 9 102646 Temp Pole Control2 2.6 4. 2 102622_Temp Pole Alzheimer's 0.5 3. 9 102630_Temp Pole Alzheimer's2 1.8 2. 1 102653_Temp Pole Parkinson's 6.2 11. 3 102661Temp Pole Parkinson's216. 523. 7 102668 Temp Pole Huntington's 1.0 4. 0 102607TempPolePSP1. 54. 0 102615_Tem Pole PSP2 1. 4 0. 9 102600 Temp Pole Depression2 2. 3 1. 7 102639_Cing Gyr Control 9.0 23. 5 102647_Cing Gyr Control2 6. 2 3. 8 102623_Cing Gyr Alzheimer's 4. 0 6. 5 102631 Cing Gyr Alzheimer's2 1. 5 1. 7 102654 Cing Gyr Parkinson's 0. 0 15. 8 102662 Cing Gyr Parkinson's2 46. 1 100. 0 102669_Cing Gyr Huntington's 14.0 10.9 102676 Cing Gyr Huntington's2 14.9 13.6 102608_Cing GyrPSP 16.1 32. 8 102616 Cing Gyr PSP2 1. 8 0, 8 102594 Cing Gyr Depression 3.2 4.9 102601_Cing Gyr Depression2 6.6 11.0 Table 65. Panel CNS_1.1 Relative Expression(%) cns_1.1tm6733 cns_1.1tm6734 Tissue Name f ag1674 a2 f ag1674 a2 102601_Cing Gyr Depression2 3. 0 2. 4 102594_Cing Gyr Depression1. 6 0. 4 102616 Cing Gyr PSP2 1, 2 0. 6 102608_Cing Gyr PSP 20.8 8. 2 102676 Cin Gyr Huntington's219. 75. 5 102669 Cing Gyr Huntington's 9.6 6. 6 102662 Cing Gyr Parkinson's2 45. 3 100. 0 102654 Cing Gyr Parkinson's 18. 7 4. 6 102631 Cing Gyr Alzheimer's2 0. 0 0. 4 102623_Cing Gyr Alzheimer's 4.3 0.8 102647_Cing Gyr Control2 2.8 1 2 102639_Cing Gyr Control 13.3 11. 5 102600_Temp Pole Depression2 2. 3 0. 4 102615 Temp Pole PSP2 0. 0 0. 0 102607 Temp Pole PSP 1. 4 0. 4 102668 Temp Pole Huntington's 6.2 2. 3 102661_Temp Pole Parkinson's2 10.0 10. 0 102653_Temp Pole parkinson'3 6.0 0. 3 102630 Temp Pole alzheimer's2 1.3 0. 0 102622 Temp Pole Alzheimer's 0.7 0.0 102646_Temp Pole Control2 3. 3 2. 3 102638 Temp Pole Control 4. 1 0. 0 102591_Glob PalladusDepression 1.4 0. 8 102613_Glob Palladus PSP2 0.7 0. 3 102606_Glob Palladus PSP 4.4 2. 9 102659 Glob Palladus Parkinson's2 16.3 10. 5 102652_Glob Palladfus Parkinson's 16.6 7. 0 102628_Glob Palladus Alzheimer's2 2.0 1. 2 102620_Glob Palladus Alzheimer's 0.756. 0 102644_Glob Palladus Control2 0.8 0. 4 102636 Glob Palladus Control 6.3 2. 3 102599 Sub Nigra Depression2 3. 2 2. 2 102592 Sub Nigra Depression 0. 7 0. 5 102614 Sub Nigra PSP2 4. 5 1. 4 102674 Sub Nigra Huntington's220. 97. 8 102667_Sub Nigra Hunttington's 6.0 7.4 102660 Sub Nigra parkinson's2 100.0 52. 5 102629 Sub Nigra Alzheimer's2 0. 7 0. 7 102645_Sub Nigra Control2 2. 1 1.0 102637_Sub Nigra Control13. 24. 5 102597 BA17 Depession2 3.3 1. 3 102590_BA17 Depression 1.4 1.0 102612 BA17 PSP2 20. 3 0.2 0.3 102605BA17PSP3. 61. 1 102673 BA17 Hunttington's2 4.6 1. 2 102666 BA17 Huntington's 4.8 2.8 102658 BA17 parkinson's2 35.7 13.0 102651 BA17 Parkinson's 7.3 5. 6 102627_BA17 Alzheimer's2 2.8 0. 6 102643_BA17 COntrol2 1.9 1. 1 102635_BA17 Control 0. 0 3. 6 102595_BA9 Depression2 0.7 0. 2 102587 BA9 Depression 1. 5 0. 4 102609 BA9 PSP2 0. 7 0. 7 102602 BA9 PSP2. 70. 6 102670 BA9 Huntington's2 7, 6 3. 1 102663 BA9 Huntington's 6. 2 6 0 102655_BA9 Parkinson's2 26.7 10. 8 102648_BA9 Parkinson's 6.3 1. 3 102624_BA9 Alzheimer's2 1.3 0. 4 102617_BA9 Alzheimer's 0.7 0. 8 102640 BA9 Control2 4. 7 2. 8 102632_BA9 Control 0.0 1. 9 102589 BA7 Depression 2. 0 1. 4 102611_BA7 PSP2 2.2 0. 7 102604 BA7 PSP 7. 4 5. 3 102672 BA7 Huntington's2 8. 4 4. 3 102665 BA7 Huntington's 11.0 3. 8 102657_BA7 Parkinson's2 19.8 6. 9 102650 BA7 Parkinson's 3. 1 2. 9 102626_BA7 Alzheimer's2 0.7 1. 7 102642_BA7 ontrol2 1.3 0. 6 102634 BA7 Control 3. 4 3. l 102596_BA4 Depress8ion2 2.60. 6 102588_BA4 Depression 0.8 2. 1 10261_BA4 PSP2 1.7 0. 0 102603_BA4 PSP 2.8 1. 0 102671 BA4 Huntington's2 4. 6 1. 0 102664 BA4 Huntington's5. 51. 7 102656_BA4 Parkinson's2 22.1 12. 1 102649 BA4 Parkinson's 10. 1 5.6 102625 BA4 Alzheimer's2 0 8 0. 4 102641_BA4 Control2 2.6 1. 3 102633 BA4 Control Table 66. Panel CNS_neurodgeneration_v1.0 Relative Relative Expression(%) Expession(%) tm7056f_ tm7056f_ Tisue Name ag1674 a2_s1 Tissue Name ag1674 a2_s1 106655_4951 Hippo 20. 8 106677 4624 BA212. 9 106657_4986 Hippo 10. 4 106681_4640 BA21 13. 7 106652_4933 Hippo 3.6 106654_4951 BA17 15.2 106649_4901 Hippo 7.7 cns_water 0. 0 110138_3087 hippo 45.2 106651_4933 BA17 2. 3 tj012 ! 3027 Hippo 19. 1 106648 4901 BA17 9. 6 106670_4971 Hippo 12.9 110140_3087 occ ctx 7.7 106666 4867 Hippo 17 3 110123 3027 Occ Ctx 4. 3 106680_4624 Hippo 2.3 106659 4595 BA17 2. 3 106653_4951 BA21 21.6 106668_4971 BA17 16.3 106656 4986 BA21 9. 1 106662 4737 BA17 8. 5 106650_4933 BA21 3. 4 106665 4867 BA17 10. 9 106647 4901 BA21 19. 7 06675 3975 BAI7 22. 0 1101363087 inftemp ctx100. 0106672 3954 BA17 2. 4 110137 3087 sup temp ctx 51. 9 106678 4624 BA17 0, 4 110118_3027 Inf Temp Ctx 18.9 106682_4640 BA17 6.9 110119 3027 Sup Temp Ctx 18.1 106660 4595 BA7 4. 6 106658_4595 BA21 3.7 113670_106669 pool 46. 1 106667 4971 BA21 11. 4 106663 4737 BA712. 3 106661_4737 BA21 9.5 106676_3975 BA7 14. 3 106664_4867 BA21 10.4 106673_3954 BA7 6. 9 106674_3975 BA21 10.9 106679_4624 BA7 1. 9 106671_3954 BVA21 10.3 106683_4640 BA7 13. 9

Panel CNS-1/CNS 1. 1/Panel CNS neurodegeneration^vl. 0 Summary Agl674 The NOVlOa gene encodes a protein with homology to hepsinlplasma transmembrane serine proteases. This gene is more highly expressed in the substantia nigra, globus palladus, BA17, BA4, BA9 and cingulate gyrus region of a Parkinson's disease brain than in the control brains.

In addition, expression of this gene is 5-fold higher in the substantia nigra and cingulate gyrus of a Parkinson's disease brain than in similar regions from the brains of patients with other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Huntington's disease; this observation suggests that overexpression of the NOVlOa gene in these regions is particular to Parkinson's disease. The substantia nigra is particularly vulnerable in Parkinson's disease, indicating that the NOVlOa gene product may be a component of the biological dysregulation that contributes to Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, In particular, the NOVlOa gene may be involved in the neuronal death that occurs in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.

The NOVlOa gene is also more highly expressed in the superior/inferior temporal cortex, globus palladus, and hippocampus of an Alzheimer's brain when compared to the control brains. This observation suggests that this gene may play a role the neurodegeneration of other diseases in addition to Parkinson's disease, such as Alzheimer's disease. Based on the proposed role of transmembrane proteases such as beta secretase in neurodegenerative

disorders, agents that influence the activity of the NOV 1 Oa gene product may be useful in treating these disorders, especially Parkinson's disease in which this gene appears to be dramatically upregulated.

Example 3. SNP analysis of NOVX clones SeqCallingTM Technology : cDNA was derived from various human samples representing multiple tissue types, normal and diseased states, physiological states, and developmental states from different donors. Samples were obtained as whole tissue, cell lines, primary cells or tissue cultured primary cells and cell lines. Cells and cell lines may have been treated with biological or chemical agents that regulate gene expression for example, growth factors, chemokines, steroids. The cDNA thus derived was then sequenced using CuraGen's proprietary SeqGalling technology. Sequence traces were evaluated manually and edited for corrections if appropriate. cDNA sequences from all samples were assembled with themselves and with public ESTs using bioinformatics programs to generate CuraGen's human SeqCalling database of SeqCalling assemblies. Each assembly contains one or more overlapping cDNA sequences derived from one or more human samples. Fragments and ESTs were included as components for an assembly when the extent of identity with another component of the assembly was at least 95% over 50 bp. Each assembly can represent a gene and/or its variants such as splice forms and/or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their combinations.

Variant sequences are included in this application. A variant sequence can include a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A SNP can, in some instances, be referred to as a "cSNP"to denote that the nucleotide sequence containing the SNP originates as a cDNA. A SNP can arise in several ways. For example, a SNP may be due to a substitution of one nucleotide for another at the polymorphic site. Such a substitution can be either a transition or a transversion. A SNP can also arise from a deletion of a nucleotide or an insertion of a nucleotide, relative to a reference allele. In this case, the polymorphic site is a site at which one allele bears a gap with respect to a particular nucleotide in another allele. SNPs occurring within genes may result in an alteration of the amino acid encoded by the gene at the position of the SNP. Intragenic SNPs may also be silent, however, in the case that a codon including a SNP encodes the same amino acid as a result of the redundancy of the genetic code. SNPs occurring outside the region of a gene, or in an intron within a gene, do not result in changes in any amino acid sequence of a protein but may result in altered regulation of the expression

pattern for example, alteration in temporal expression, physiological response regulation, cell type expression regulation, intensity of expression, stability of transcribed message.

Method of novel SNP Identification : SNPs are identified by analyzing sequence assemblies using CuraGen's proprietary SNPTool algorithm. SNPTool identifies variation in assemblies with the following criteria: SNPs are not analyzed within 10 base pairs on both ends of an alignment; Window size (number of bases in a view) is 10 ; The allowed number of mismatches in a window is 2; Minimum SNP base quality (PHRED score) is 23; Minimum number of changes to score an SNP is 2/assembly position. SNPTool analyzes the assembly and displays SNP positions, associated individual variant sequences in the assembly, the depth of the assembly at that given position, the putative assembly allele frequency, and the SNP sequence variation. Sequence traces are then selected and brought into view for manual validation. The consensus assembly sequence is imported into CuraTools along with variant sequence changes to identify potential amino acid changes resulting from the SNP sequence variation. Comprehensive SNP data analysis is then exported into the SNPCalling database.

Method of novel SNP Confirmation : SNPs are confirmed employing a validated method know as Pyrosequencing (Pyrosequencing, Westborough, MA). Detailed protocols for Pyrosequencing can be found in: Alderbom et al. Determination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms by Real-time Pyrophosphate DNA Sequencing. (2000). Geiioi7ie Reseal-ch. 10, Issue 8, August. 1249-1265. In brief, Pyrosequencing is a real time primer extension process of genotyping. This protocol takes double-stranded, biotinylated PCR products from genomic DNA samples and binds them to streptavidin beads. These beads are then denatured producing single stranded bound DNA. SNPs are characterized utilizing a technique based on an indirect bioluminometric assay of pyrophosphate (PPi) that is released from each dNTP upon DNA chain elongation. Following Klenow polymerase-mediated base incorporation, PPi is released and used as a substrate, together with adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS), for ATP sulfurylase, which results in the formation of ATP. Subsequently, the ATP accomplishes the conversion of luciferin to its oxi-derivative by the action of luciferase. The ensuing light output becomes proportional to the number of added bases, up to about four bases. To allow processivity of the method dNTP excess is degraded by apyrase, which is also present in the starting reaction mixture, so that only dNTPs are added to the template during the sequencing. The process has been fully automated and adapted to a 96-well format, which allows rapid screening of large SNP panels. The DNA and protein sequences for the novel single nucleotide polymorphic variants are reported. Variants are reported individually but any combination of all or a select

subset of variants are also included. In addition, the positions of the variant bases and the variant amino acid residues are underlined.

Results Variants are reported individually but any combination of all or a select subset of variants are also included as contemplated NOVX embodiments of the invention.

NOVla SNP data : NOVla has two SNP variants, whose variant positions for its nucleotide and amino acid sequences is numbered according to SEQ ID NOs : 1 and 2, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the NOVI a variant differs as shown in Table 67.

Table 67. cSNP and Coding Variants for NOV1 a NT Position Wild Type Variant NT Amino Acid Amino Acid of cSNP NT position Change 472 A G 155 R->G 481 G C 15 A->P 1121 T C 373 V->A 1516 T C No change 1566TC553C->R

NOV4 SNP data : NOV4 has four SNP variants, whose variant positions for its nucleotide and amino acid sequences is numbered according to SEQ ID NOs : 13 and 14, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the NOV4 variant differs as shown in Table 68.

Table 68. cSNP and Coding Variants for NOV7 NT Position Wild Type Variant NT Amino Acid Amino Acid of cSNP NT position Change 347"T A114"H->Q

NOV7 SNP data: NOV7 has one SNP variant, whose variant position for its nucleotide and amino acid sequences is numbered according to SEQ ID NOs : 19 and 20, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the NOV7 variant differs as shown in Table 69.

Table 69. cSNP and Coding Variants for NOV8 NT Position Wild Type Variant NT Amino Acid Amino Acid of cSNP NT position Change 50 T C 17 S->P 73 G A 24 W->Stop 111 G A 35 V->M 120 C T 40 A->V 160 C T No change 177 G A 59 G->D 238 A G No change 250 G A No change 278 A G 93 M->V 285 G A 96 A->T 297 A G 122 K->E 746 A - Frameshift The SNP at nucleotide 746 has a putative allele frequency of 0.250.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims, which follow. In particular, it is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The choice of nucleic acid starting material, clone of interest, or library type is believed to be a matter of routine for a person of ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of the embodiments described herein. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications considered to be within the scope of the following claims.