摘要:
The present invention relates to therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions based on Notch proteins and nucleic acids. The invention provides for treatment of disorders of cell fate or differentiation by administration of a therapeutic compound of the invention. Such therapeutic compounds (termed herein "Therapeutics") include Notch proteins and analogs and derivatives (including fragments) thereof, antibodies thereto, nucleic acids encoding the Notch proteins, analogs, or derivatives, Notch antisense nucleic acids, as well as toporythmic proteins and derivatives which bind to or otherwise interact with Notch proteins and their encoding nucleic acids and antibodies. In a preferred embodiment, a Therapeutic of the invention is administered to treat a cancerous condition, or to prevent progression from a pre-neoplastic or non-malignant state into a neoplastic or a malignant state. In other embodiments, a Therapeutic is administered to treat a nervous system disorder or to promote tissue regeneration and repair. In one embodiment, Therapeutics which antagonize, or inhibit, Notch function (hereinafter "Antagonist Therapeutics") are administered for therapeutic effect. In another embodiment, Therapeutics which promote Notch function (hereinafter "Agonist Therapeutics") are administered for therapeutic effect. Diagnostic methods and methods of inhibiting Notch expression are also provided.
摘要:
The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of the human Notch and Delta genes, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as fragments thereof containing an antigenic determinant or which are functionally active. The invention is also directed to fragments (termed herein "adhesive fragments"), and the sequences thereof, of the proteins ("toporythmic proteins") encoded by toporythmic genes which mediate homotypic or heterotypic binding to toporythmic proteins. Toporythmic genes, as used herein, refers to the genes Notch, Delta, and Serrate, as well as other members of the Delta/Serrate family which may be identified, e.g., by the methods described herein. Analogs and derivatives of the adhesive fragments which retain-binding activity are also provided. Antibodies to human Notch and to adhesive fragments are additionally provided. In specific embodiments, the adhesive fragment of Notch is that fragment comprising the Notch sequence most homologous to Drosophila Notch EGF-like repeats 11 and 12; the adhesive fragment of Delta mediating heterotypic binding is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Delta amino acids 1-230; the adhesive fragment of Delta mediating homotypic binding is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Delta amino acids 32-230; and the adhesive fragment of Serrate is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Serrate amino acids 85-283.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to methods for the expansion of non-terminally differentiated cells ("precursor cells") using agonists of Notch function, by inhibiting the differentiation of the cells without inhibiting proliferation (mitotic activity) such that an expanded population of non-terminally differentiated cells is obtained. The cells are preferably stem or progenitor cells. These expanded cells can be used in cell replacement therapy to provide desired cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The expanded cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy, or can be used to supply functions associated with a particular precursor cell or its progeny cell.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to methods for the expansion of non-terminally differentiated cells (“precursor cells”) using agonists of Notch function, by inhibiting the differentiation of the cells without inhibiting proliferation (mitotic activity) such that an expanded population of non-terminally differentiated cells is obtained. The cells are preferably stem or progenitor cells. These expanded cells can be used in cell replacement therapy to provide desired cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The expanded cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy, or can be used to supply functions associated with a particular precursor cell or its progeny cell.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to methods for detecting or measuring Notch activation by observing or measuring the appearance of Notch on the cell surface or by observing or measuring Notch cleavage products that are indicative of Notch activation. The present invention is also directed to methods for detecting a molecule that modulates Notch activation by observing or measuring a change in the amount of Notch expressed on the cell surface or a change in the amount or pattern of Notch cleavage products. The present invention is also directed to a substantially purified activated heterodimeric form of Notch and components thereof and pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Notch in its active form, i.e., the form that mediates signal transduction and that binds Notch ligands such as Delta, is a heterodimer of an about 180 kDa subunit (NEC) and an about 110 kDa subunit (NTM), which are tethered together through a reducing agent-sensitive linkage, in particular, a non-covalent, metal ion-dependent linkage.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to methods for detecting or measuring Notch activation by observing or measuring the appearance of Notch on the cell surface or by observing or measuring Notch cleavage products that are indicative of Notch activation. The present invention is also directed to methods for detecting a molecule that modulates Notch activation by observing or measuring a change in the amount of Notch expressed on the cell surface or a change in the amount or pattern of Notch cleavage products. The present invention is also directed to a substantially purified activated heterodimeric form of Notch and components thereof and pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Notch in its active form, i.e., the form that mediates signal transduction and that binds Notch ligands such as Delta, is a heterodimer of an about 180 kDa subunit (NEC) and an about 110 kDa subunit (NTM), which are tethered together through a reducing agent-sensitive linkage.
摘要:
The present invention relates to sequences of the serrate amino acid sequence as well as fragments thereof, and fragments which retain binding activity are also provided.
摘要:
The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of the human Notch and Delta genes, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as fragments thereof containing an antigenic determinant or which are functionally active. The invention is also directed to fragments (termed herein "adhesive fragments"), and the sequences thereof, of the proteins ("toporythmic proteins") encoded by toporythmic genes which mediate homotypic or heterotypic binding to toporythmic proteins. Toporythmic genes, as used herein, refers to the genes Notch, Delta, and Serrate, as well as other members of the Delta/Serrate family which may be identified, e.g., by the methods described herein. Analogs and derivatives of the adhesive fragments which retain binding activity are also provided. Antibodies to human Notch and to adhesive fragments are additionally provided. In specific embodiments, the adhesive fragment of Notch is that fragment comprising the Notch sequence most homologous to Drosophila Notch EGF-like repeats 11 and 12; the adhesive fragment of Delta mediating heterotypic binding is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Delta amino acids 1-230; the adhesive fragment of Delta mediating homotypic binding is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Delta amino acids 32-230; and the adhesive fragment of Serrate is that fragment comprising the sequence most homologous to Drosophila Serrate amino acids 85-283.
摘要:
The present invention relates to diagnostic methods and compositions based on transducin-like Enhancer of split ("TLE") proteins and nucleic acids. The invention provides for aiding in the diagnosis of disorders of cell fate or differentiation by determining the level of transducin-like Enhancer of Split (TLE) proteins.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to methods for detecting or measuring Notch activation by observing or measuring the appearance of Notch on the cell surface or by observing or measuring Notch cleavage products that are indicative of Notch activation. The present invention is also directed to methods for detecting a molecule that modulates Notch activation by observing or measuring a change in the amount of Notch expressed on the cell surface or a change in the amount or pattern of Notch cleavage products. The present invention is also directed to a substantially purified activated heterodimeric form of Notch and components thereof and pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Notch in its active form, i.e., the form that mediates signal transduction and that binds Notch ligands such as Delta, is a heterodimer of an about 180 kDa subunit (NEC) and an about 110 kDa subunit (NTM), which are tethered together through a reducing agent-sensitive linkage, in particular, a non-covalent, metal ion-dependent linkage.