22437, a novel human sulfatase and uses therefor

A method for assessing whether a test compound is useful for modulating at least one phenomenon selected from the group consisting of tumor establishment, tumor growth, tumor metastasis, epithelial cell proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, neuronal cell growth, wound healing, and cerebral injury healing, the method comprising:

• a) adding the test compound to a first composition comprising a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and that exhibits a 22437 activity and;
• b) comparing the 22437 activity in the first composition and 22437 activity in a second composition that is substantially identical to the first, except that it does not comprise the test compound,
• whereby a difference in 22437 activity in the first and second compositions is an indication that the test compound is useful for modulating the phenomenon.

A method for assessing whether a test compound is useful for modulating at least one phenomenon selected from the group consisting of tumor establishment, tumor growth, tumor metastasis, epithelial cell proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, neuronal cell growth, wound healing, and cerebral injury healing, the method comprising:

• a) adding the test compound to a first composition comprising a cell which comprises a nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and that exhibits a 22437 activity and;
• b) comparing 22437 activity in the first composition and 22437 activity in a second composition that is substantially identical to the first composition, except that it does not comprise the test compound,
• whereby a difference in 22437 activity in the first and second compositions is an indication that the test compound is useful for modulating the phenomenon.

A method for identifying a compound useful for modulating at least one phenomenon selected from the group consisting of tumor establishment, tumor growth, tumor metastasis, epithelial cell proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, neuronal cell growth, wound healing, and cerebral injury healing, the method comprising:

• a) contacting the test compound and a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of
• i) a polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a portion having a nucleotide sequence which is at least 60% identical to either of SEQ ID NOs:
• 1 and 3;
• and
• ii) a fragment of a polypeptide having either an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 2, wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:
• 2
• or a cell that expresses the polypeptide;
• and
• b) determining whether the polypeptide binds with the test compound, whereby binding of the polypeptide and the test compound is an indication that the test compound is useful for modulating the phenomenon.