Osteoprotegerin binding proteins

A purified and isolated polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:6) or a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes under the high stringency conditions of 65.degree. C. and 1M Na.sup.+ to the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:6), said polypeptide having the ability to bind osteoprotegerin.

A purified and isolated polypeptide having the ability to bind osteoprotegerin, said polypeptide produced by a process comprising growing under suitable nutrient conditions host cells transformed or transfected with the sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:6) or a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes under the high stringency conditions of 65.degree. C. and 1M Na.sup.+ to the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:6), and isolating the polypeptide product resulting from the expression of the nucleic acid, said polypeptide having the ability to bind osteoprotegerin.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an osteoprotegerin binding protein in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, solubilizer, stabilizer and/or anti-oxidant.

A method for detecting the presence of osteoprotegerin in a biological sample comprising:

• incubating the sample with an osteoprotegerin binding protein under conditions that allow binding of the protein to osteoprotegerin;
• and
• measuring the bound osteoprotegerin binding protein.