Methods using persephin 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, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.
Claims5
A method for promoting the survival of a mesencephalic neuronal cell comprising administering to the cell a persephin polypeptide;
- said polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that contains amino acids at positions indicated in parentheses:
- Cys (1), Leu (3), Val (10), Leu (13), Gly (14), Leu (15), Gly (16), Tyr (17), Glu (21), Phe (25), Arg (26), Tyr (27), Cys (28), Gly (30), Cys (32), Leu (44), Leu (47), Cys (58), Cys (59), Pro (61), Asp (66), Phe (69), Leu (70), Asp (71), Ser (83), Ala (84), Cys (87), and Cys (89),
- said positions being identified by alignment with a mouse persephin sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:79 or a rat persephin sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:82;
- wherein said persephin amino acid sequence has at least 96% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:79 or SEQ ID NO:82 and wherein said persephin polypeptide promotes survival of mesencephalic neuronal cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.