Antibodies that specifically bind hedgehog-derived polypeptides
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
InventorsPhilip A. Beachy, Jeffrey A. Porter
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Abstract
The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G↓CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.
Claims12
An isolated antibody which binds specifically to the N-terminal fragment of a human sonic hedgehog polypeptide, wherein the N-terminal fragment has a Glycine residue at its carboxy terminus, resulting from specific cleavage of a G⇓CF cleavage site specifically recognized by a proteolytic activity of the carboxy terminal fragment of a native human sonic hedgehog polypeptide.
A method of generating an antibody which binds specifically to the N-terminal fragment of a human sonic hedgehog polypeptide, comprising immunizing a mammalian subject with the N-terminal fragment, wherein the fragment has at its carboxy terminus, a Glycine residue resulting from specific cleavage of a G⇓CF cleavage site specifically recognized by a proteolytic activity of the carboxy terminal fragment of a native human sonic hedgehog polypeptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.