Nsp molecules

The isolated nucleic acid comprising DNA having at least a 90% sequence identity to (a) a DNA molecule encoding a PRO309 polypeptide comprising the sequence of amino acids 1 to 703 of FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:

• 5), or (b) the complement of the DNA molecule of (a).

An isolated nucleic acid comprising DNA having at least a 95% sequence identity to (a) a DNA molecule encoding the same mature polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 209567 (designation:

• DNA30676-1223), or (b) the complement of the DNA molecule of (a).

An isolated nucleic acid comprising DNA having at least a 95% sequence identity to (a) a DNA molecule encoding the same mature polypeptide encoded by the cDNA in ATCC Deposit No. 209713, or (b) the complement of the DNA molecule of (a).

Isolated native sequence PRO201 polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 1 to 576 of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:

• 1).

Isolated native sequence PRO309 polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 1 to 703 of FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO:

• 5).

Isolated native sequence PRO201 polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide deposited under accession number ATCC 209567.

Isolated native sequence PRO309 polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide deposited under accession number ATCC 209713.

A chimeric molecule comprising PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide fused to a heterologous amino acid sequence.

An antagonist of Nsp1 (SEQ ID NO:1), Nsp2 (SEQ ID NO:3) or Nsp3 (SEQ ID NO:5) which blocks, prevents, inhibits and/or otherwise neutralizes the normal functioning of Nsp1 (SEQ ID NO:1), Nsp2 (SEQ ID NO:3) or Nsp3 (SEQ ID NO:5), respectively, in cellular signaling.

An antibody which specifically binds to PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide.

A method for determining the presence of a PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide comprising exposing a cell suspected of containing PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 or expressing DNA encoding said polypeptide to anti-PRO201, anti-PRO308 or anti-PRO309 and determining the binding of said antibody to said cell.

A method of diagnosing tumor in a mammal, comprising detecting the level of expression of a gene encoding a PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide (a) in a test sample of tissue cells obtained from the mammal, and (b) in a control sample of known normal tissue cells of the same cell type, wherein a higher expression level in the test sample indicated the presence of tumor in the mammal from which the test tissue cells were obtained.

A method of diagnosing tumor in a mammal, comprising (a) contacting a anti-PRO201, anti-PRO308 or anti-PRO309 antibody with a test sample of tissue cells obtained from the mammal, and (b) detecting the formation of a complex between the anti-PRO201, anti-PRO308 or anti-PRO309 antibody and the PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide in the test sample.

A cancer diagnostic kit, comprising an anti-PRO201, anti-PRO308 or anti-PRO309 antibody and a carrier in suitable packaging.

A method for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells comprising exposing a cell which overexpresses a PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide to an effective amount of an agent inhibiting the expression and/or activity of the PRO201, PRO308 or PRO309 polypeptide.