VEGF-Modulated Genes and Methods Employing Them

A method of screening a tissue sample for tumorigenic potential, comprising:

• measuring expression of at least one VEGF-modulated gene in said tissue sample.

35-55. (canceled)

A method of determining the clinical stage of tumor comprising comparing expression of at least one VEGF-modulated gene in a sample with expression of said at least one gene in control samples.

59-61. (canceled)

A method for detecting a disease or disorder associated with a change in expression of at least one VEGF-modulated gene in a subject, wherein said at least one gene encodes a polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of nexin, placental protein 5 (PP5), amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2), regulator of G-protein signaling-3 (RGS3), gravin, arginine-rich protein (ARP), Down's syndrome critical region protein-1 (DSCR1), insulin induced gene-1 (INSIG1), decidual protein induced by progesterone (DEPP), NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 1 (ND1), MKP-1 like protein tyrosine phosphatase, osteonidogen, amyloid precursor protein (APP), human gene similar to yeast VPS41 (hVPS41p), cytochrome oxidase subunit I (MTCO1), and NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 4 (ND4), comprising:

• a) contacting a biological sample from the subject with an agent capable of detecting the presence of said at least one VEGF-modulated gene or polypeptide;
• and
• b) determining the amount of said at least one VEGF-modulated gene or polypeptide in the biological sample, wherein an increase or decrease in the amount of the gene or polypeptide is indicative of a disease or disorder associated with a change in expression of said at least one VEGF-modulated gene or polypeptide.

A method for identifying an agent that is a modulator of at least one polypeptide encoded by a VEGF modulated gene, comprising:

• (a) contacting isolated cells or tissue expressing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of nexin, PP5, APLP2, RGS3, gravin, ARP, DSCR1, INSIG1, DEPP, ND1, HB-EGF, MKP-1 like protein tyrosine phosphatase, osteonidogen and CTGF with the agent;
• and
• (b) detecting a change in angiogenic activity of the contacted cells or tissue, wherein an agent that decreases said angiogenic activity is identified as a modulator.

A method for identifying an agent that is an agonist of at least one polypeptide encoded by a VEGF modulated gene, comprising:

• (a) contacting isolated cells or tissue expressing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of nexin, PP5, APLP2, RGS3, gravin, ARP, DSCR1, INSIG1, DEPP, ND1, HB-EGF, MKP-1 like protein tyrosine phosphatase, osteonidogen and CTGF with the agent;
• and
• (b) detecting a change in angiogenic activity of the contacted cells or tissue, wherein an agent that increases said angiogenic activity is identified as an agonist.

A method for identifying an agent that is a modulator of at least one polypeptide encoded by a VEGF modulated gene, comprising:

• (a) contacting isolated cells or tissue expressing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of APP, hVPS41p, MTCO1 and ND4 with the agent;
• and
• (b) detecting a change in angiogenic activity of the contacted cells or tissue, wherein an agent that increases said angiogenic activity is identified as a modulator.

A method for identifying an agent that is an agonist of at least one polypeptide encoded by a VEGF modulated gene, comprising:

• (a) contacting isolated cells or tissue expressing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of APP, hVPS41p, MTCO1 and ND4 with the agent;
• and
• (b) detecting a change in angiogenic activity of the contacted cells or tissue, wherein an agent that decreases said angiogenic activity is identified as an agonist.

A method of determining the effectiveness of a treatment for angiogenesis, comprising detecting expression or activity of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of nexin, PP5, APLP2, RGS3, gravin, ARP, DSCR1, INSIG1, DEPP, ND1, HB-EGF, MKP-1 like protein tyrosine phosphatase, osteonidogen and CTGF in a cell or tissue sample from a subject undergoing said treatment, wherein a decrease in expression or activity of the polypeptide indicates a decrease in angiogenesis.

A method of determining the effectiveness of a treatment for angiogenesis, comprising detecting expression or activity of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of APP, hVPS41p, MTCO1 and ND4 in a cell or tissue sample from a subject undergoing said treatment, wherein an increase in expression or activity of the polypeptide indicates a decrease in angiogenesis.