Neurturin and related growth factors
AssigneeWashington University
InventorsEugene M. Johnson, Jr., Jeffrey D. Milbrandt, Paul T. Kotzbauer, Patricia A. Lampe
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Abstract
A novel growth factor, neurturin, is disclosed. The human and mouse amino acid sequences have been identified. Human and mouse neurturin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequences and the respective cDNA sequences identified. The subcloning into vectors and the preparation of cells stably transformed with the vectors is also disclosed. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using neurturin, methods for detecting gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of neurturin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.
Claims15
A method for providing trophic support for neurons in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient a polynucleotide encoding a neurturin polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32 or conservatively substituted variants thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.