Interferon-alpha induced gene
AssigneePharma Pacific Pty Ltd.
InventorsJean-Francois Meritet, Michel Dron, Michael Tovey
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Abstract
The present invention relates to identification of a gene upregulated by interferon-α administration corresponding to the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ. ID. NO. 1. Determination of expression products of this gene is proposed as having utility in predicting responsiveness to treatment with interferon-α and other interferons which act at the Type 1 interferon receptor. Therapeutic use of the protein encoded by the same gene is also envisaged.
Claims24
An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
- 2;
- (ii) a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 having substantially similar function to at least one function of the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 wherein said function is selected from the group consisting of immunomodulatory activity, anti-viral activity, and anti-tumour activity;
- and
- (iii) a fragment of the amino acid sequence of (i) or (ii) which retains substantially similar function to at least one function of the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of (i) or (ii) wherein said function is selected from immunomodulatory activity, anti-viral activity, and anti-tumour activity.
A variant or fragment of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 wherein said variant or fragment is suitable for raising antibodies that bind to specifically to at least one member of the group consisting of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 and a polypeptide consisting of a naturally-occurring variant of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
A method of identifying a compound having an activity selected from the group consisting of immunomodulatory activity, anti-viral activity, and anti-tumour activity, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a cell capable of expressing the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 or a naturally-occurring variant thereof;
- (b) incubating said cell with a compound under test;
- and
- (c) monitoring for upregulation of the gene encoding said polypeptide or variant.
A polynucleotide capable of expressing in vivo an antisense sequence to a coding sequence for the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or a naturally-occurring variant of said coding sequence for use in therapeutic treatment of a human or non-human animal.
A method of predicting responsiveness of a patient to treatment with a Type 1 interferon said method comprising determining the level of a protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or a naturally-occurring variant thereof, or the corresponding mRNA, in a cell sample from said patient, wherein said sample is obtained from said patient following administration of a Type 1 interferon or is treated prior to said determining with a Type 1 interferon in vitro.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.