Mch2, an apoptotic cysteine protease, and compositions for making and methods of using the same

Abstract

A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2.alpha., and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2.beta., are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2.alpha. and Mch2.beta., respectively, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in combination with the protein or the nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2.alpha. and Mch2.beta. having at least 10 nucleotides and oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides are disclosed. Recombinant expression vectors that comprise the nucleic acid molecule that encode Mch2.alpha. or Mch2.beta., and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2.alpha. and/or Mch2.beta. are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2.alpha. are disclosed. Antisense compounds and methods of using the same are disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.