Soluble heterodimeric cytokine receptor

Abstract

A soluble receptor that binds to IL-20 having two polypeptide subunits, IL-22R and IL-20RB. The two subunits are preferably linked together. In one embodiment one subunit is fused to the constant region of the light chain of an immunoglobulin, and the other subunit is fused to the constant region of the heavy chain of the immunoglobulin. The light chain and the heavy chain are connected via a disulfide bond.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The teachings of all of the references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

[0002] Cytokines are soluble proteins that influence the growth and differentiation of many cell types. Their receptors are composed of one or more integral membrane proteins that bind the cytokine with high affinity and transduce this binding event to the cell through the cytoplasmic portions of the certain receptor subunits. Cytokine receptors have been grouped into several classes on the basis of similarities in their extracellular ligand binding domains. For example, the receptor chains responsible for binding and/or transducing the effect of interferons (IFNs) are members of the type II cytokine receptor family (CRF2), based upon a characteristic 200 residue extracellular domain. The demonstrated in vivo activities of these interferons illustrate the enormous clinical potential of, and need for, other cytokines, cytokine agonists, and cytokine antagonists. Some cytokines are involved in the inflammatory cascade and can promote such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, heart disease etc. Thus, there is a need to discover cytokines and their receptors that are involved in inflammation. One can then use the isolated soluble receptors of the cytokine to inhibit the cytokine-mediated inflammation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIGS. 1-8 are schematic representations of different embodiments of the soluble receptor of the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention fills this need by providing a newly discovered soluble receptor that binds to Interleukin-20 (IL-20). The soluble receptor can be used to down-regulate IL-20 and thus treat inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory lung diseases.

[0005] IL-20 was formally called `Zcyto10`, (International Patent Publication No. WO 99/27103) and has the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1-9. A heterodimeric receptor that binds to IL-20 is comprised of two chains, an alpha chain and a beta chain. The alpha chain is referred to as IL-22R (formerly called Zcytor11). See U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,704. The beta chain, hereinafter referred to as IL-20RB, was formally called DIRS1. See International Patent Application No. PCT/US99/03735.

[0006] The present invention is a soluble receptor comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and the extracellular domain of IL-20RB. The present invention encompasses an isolated soluble receptor comprised of a `IL-22R` subunit and an `IL-20RB` subunit, wherein the IL-22Rsubunit is comprised of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 11, 12 and 13, and the IL-20RB subunit is comprised of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14-23. The IL-22R and IL-20RB subunits are generally linked together by a polypeptide linker. The linking can be by any means but generally by a peptide bond or a disulfide bond between a polypeptide connected to the IL-22R subunit and a polypeptide connected to the IL-20RB subunit. The present invention is also directed towards isolated polynucleotides that encode the novel IL-22R and IL-20RB polypeptides of the present invention.

[0007] In one embodiment the IL-22R subunit is fused to the constant region of the heavy chain of an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule or a portion thereof and the IL-20RB subunit is fused to the constant region of the light chain of an Ig molecule such that the constant region of the light chain is disulfide bonded to the constant region of the heavy chain, generally to a cysteine residue on the hinge region of the heavy chain. Also the opposite can occur, the IL-22R subunit can be fused to the constant region of the light chain of an Ig molecule and the IL-20RB subunit can be fused to the constant region of the heavy chain of an Ig molecule.

[0008] In one embodiment of the soluble receptor of the present invention, the IL-22R subunit fused to the constant region of the heavy chain is comprised of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 25, 26, 31 and 32 and the IL-20RB subunit fused to the constant region of the light chain of the Ig molecule is comprised of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 28 and 29.

[0009] The present invention is further directed to a method for inhibiting interleukin-20 (IL-20) comprising administering to an individual a soluble IL-22R/IL-20RB heterodimeric polypeptide.

[0010] The present invention is also directed to a method for inhibiting IL-20 comprising administering to an antibody that binds to IL-22R.

[0011] The present invention is further directed to a polynucleotide encoding for the extracellular domain of IL-22R and the extracellular domain of IL-20RB. An example of such a polynucleotide is a vector or plasmid containing a polynucleotide that encodes for IL-22R and IL-20RB.

[0012] Definitions

[0013] Prior to setting forth the invention in more detail, it may be helpful to the understanding thereof to define the following terms.

[0014] The terms "amino-terminal" and "carboxyl-terminal" are used herein to denote positions within polypeptides. Where the context allows, these terms are used with reference to a particular sequence or portion of a polypeptide to denote proximity or relative position. For example, a certain sequence positioned carboxyl-terminal to a reference sequence within a polypeptide is located proximal to the carboxyl terminus of the reference sequence, but is not necessarily at the carboxyl terminus of the complete polypeptide.

[0015] As used herein, the term "antibody fusion protein" refers to a recombinant molecule that comprises an antibody component and a therapeutic agent. Examples of therapeutic agents suitable for such fusion proteins include immunomodulators ("antibody-immunomodulator fusion protein") and toxins ("antibody-toxin fusion protein").

[0016] The term "complement/anti-complement pair" denotes non-identical moieties that form a non-covalently associated, stable pair under appropriate conditions. For instance, biotin and avidin (or streptavidin) are prototypical members of a complement/anti-complement pair. Other exemplary complement/anti-complement pairs include receptor/ligand pairs, antibody/antigen (or hapten or epitope) pairs, sense/antisense polynucleotide pairs, and the like. Where subsequent dissociation of the complement/anti-complement pair is desirable, the complement/anti-complem- ent pair preferably has a binding affinity of <10.sup.9 M.sup.-1.

[0017] The term "complements of a polynucleotide molecule" is a polynucleotide molecule having a complementary base sequence and reverse orientation as compared to a reference sequence.

[0018] The term "contig" denotes a polynucleotide that has a contiguous stretch of identical or complementary sequence to another polynucleotide. Contiguous sequences are said to "overlap" a given stretch of polynucleotide sequence either in their entirety or along a partial stretch of the polynucleotide.

[0019] The term "degenerate nucleotide sequence" denotes a sequence of nucleotides that includes one or more degenerate codons (as compared to a reference polynucleotide molecule that encodes a polypeptide). Degenerate codons contain different triplets of nucleotides, but encode the same amino acid residue (i.e., GAU and GAC triplets each encode Asp).

[0020] The term "expression vector" is used to denote a DNA molecule, linear or circular, that comprises a segment encoding a polypeptide of interest operably linked to additional segments that provide for its transcription. Such additional segments include promoter and terminator sequences, and may also include one or more origins of replication, one or more selectable markers, an enhancer, a polyadenylation signal, etc. Expression vectors are generally derived from plasmid or viral DNA, or may contain elements of both.

[0021] The term "isolated", when applied to a polynucleotide, denotes that the polynucleotide has been removed from its natural genetic milieu and is thus free of other extraneous or unwanted coding sequences, and is in a form suitable for use within genetically engineered protein production systems. Such isolated molecules are those that are separated from their natural environment and include cDNA and genomic clones. Isolated DNA molecules of the present invention are free of other genes with which they are ordinarily associated, but may include naturally occurring 5' and 3' untranslated regions such as promoters and terminators. The identification of associated regions will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example, Dynan and Tijan, Nature 316:774-78 (1985).

[0022] An "isolated" polypeptide or protein is a polypeptide or protein that is found in a condition other than its native environment, such as apart from blood and animal tissue. In a preferred form, the isolated polypeptide is substantially free of other polypeptides, particularly other polypeptides of animal origin. It is preferred to provide the polypeptides in a highly purified form, i.e. greater than 95% pure, more preferably greater than 99% pure. When used in this context, the term "isolated" does not exclude the presence of the same polypeptide in alternative physical forms, such as dimers or alternatively glycosylated or derivatized forms.

[0023] The term "operably linked", when referring to DNA segments, indicates that the segments are arranged so that they function in concert for their intended purposes, e.g., transcription initiates in the promoter and proceeds through the coding segment to the terminator.

[0024] A "polynucleotide" is a single- or double-stranded polymer of deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases read from the 5' to the 3' end. Polynucleotides include RNA and DNA, and may be isolated from natural sources, synthesized in vitro, or prepared from a combination of natural and synthetic molecules. Sizes of polynucleotides are expressed as base pairs (abbreviated "bp"), nucleotides ("nt"), or kilobases ("kb"). Where the context allows, the latter two terms may describe polynucleotides that are single-stranded or double-stranded. When the term is applied to double-stranded molecules it is used to denote overall length and will be understood to be equivalent to the term "base pairs". It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the two strands of a double-stranded polynucleotide may differ slightly in length and that the ends thereof may be staggered as a result of enzymatic cleavage; thus all nucleotides within a double-stranded polynucleotide molecule may not be paired. Such unpaired ends will in general not exceed 20 nucleotides in length.

[0025] A "polypeptide" is a polymer of amino acid residues joined by peptide bonds, whether produced naturally or synthetically. Polypeptides of less than about 10 amino acid residues are commonly referred to as "peptides".

[0026] The term "promoter" is used herein for its art-recognized meaning to denote a portion of a gene containing DNA sequences that provide for the binding of RNA polymerase and initiation of transcription. Promoter sequences are commonly, but not always, found in the 5' non-coding regions of genes.

[0027] A "protein" is a macromolecule comprising one or more polypeptide chains. A protein may also comprise non-peptidic components, such as carbohydrate groups. Carbohydrates and other non-peptidic substituents may be added to a protein by the cell in which the protein is produced, and will vary with the type of cell. Proteins are defined herein in terms of their amino acid backbone structures; substituents such as carbohydrate groups are generally not specified, but may be present nonetheless.

[0028] The term "receptor" denotes a cell-associated protein that binds to a bioactive molecule (i.e., a ligand) and mediates the effect of the ligand on the cell. Membrane-bound receptors are characterized by a multi-domain structure comprising an extracellular ligand-binding domain and an intracellular effector domain that is typically involved in signal transduction. Binding of ligand to receptor results in a conformational change in the receptor that causes an interaction between the effector domain and other molecule(s) in the cell. This interaction in turn leads to an alteration in the metabolism of the cell. Metabolic events that are linked to receptor-ligand interactions include gene transcription, phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, increases in cyclic AMP production, mobilization of cellular calcium, mobilization of membrane lipids, cell adhesion, hydrolysis of inositol lipids and hydrolysis of phospholipids. In general, receptors can be membrane bound, cytosolic or nuclear, monomeric (e.g., thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, beta-adrenergic receptor) or multimeric (e.g., PDGF receptor, growth hormone receptor, IL-3 receptor, GM-CSF receptor, G-CSF receptor, erythropoietin receptor and IL-6 receptor).

[0029] The term "secretory signal sequence" denotes a DNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide (a "secretory peptide") that, as a component of a larger polypeptide, directs the larger polypeptide through a secretory pathway of a cell in which it is synthesized. The larger polypeptide is commonly cleaved to remove the secretory peptide during transit through the secretory pathway.

[0030] The term "splice variant" is used herein to denote alternative forms of RNA transcribed from a gene. Splice variation arises naturally through use of alternative splicing sites within a transcribed RNA molecule, or less commonly between separately transcribed RNA molecules, and may result in several mRNAs transcribed from the same gene. Splice variants may encode polypeptides having altered amino acid sequence. The term splice variant is also used herein to denote a protein encoded by a splice variant of an mRNA transcribed from a gene.

[0031] Molecular weights and lengths of polymers determined by imprecise analytical methods (e.g., gel electrophoresis) will be understood to be approximate values. When such a value is expressed as "about" X or "approximately" X, the stated value of X will be understood to be accurate to .+-.10%.

[0032] As was stated above, IL-20 (formally called Zcyto10) is defined and methods for producing it and antibodies to IL-20 are contained in International Patent Application No. PCT/US98/25228, publication no. WO 99/27103, published Nov. 25, 1998 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/313,458 filed May 17, 1999. The polynucleotide and polypeptide of human IL-20 are represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, and mouse IL-20 by SEQ ID NOs: 5-9.

[0033] A receptor that binds to IL-20 has been discovered and is a heterodimer comprised of the polypeptide termed `IL-22R` and a polypeptide termed `IL-20RB`. The IL-22R, also called ZcytoR11, polypeptide, nucleic acid that encodes it, antibodies to IL-22R, and methods for producing it are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,704 issued Oct. 12, 1999. SEQ ID NOs: 10-12 are the IL-22R polynucleotides and polypeptides. The extracellular domain of the human IL-22R is comprised of either SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO: 13.

[0034] The extracellular domain of IL-20RB (SEQ ID NOs: 14-15, and a variant SEQ ID NOs: 22 and 23) is comprised of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1621. Preferably, the extracellular domain of the IL-22R polypeptide and the extracellular domain of the IL-20RB polypeptide are covalently linked together. In a preferred embodiment one extracellular subunit polypeptide has a constant region of a heavy chain of an immunoglobulin fused to its carboxy terminus and the other extracellular subunit has a constant light chain of an immunoglobulin (Ig) fused to its carboxy terminus such that the two polypeptides come together to form a soluble receptor and a disulfide bond is formed between the heavy and the light Ig chains. In another embodiment, a peptide linker could be fused to the two carboxy-termini of the polypeptides to form a covalently bonded soluble receptor.

[0035] SEQ ID NOs: 24 and 25 are constructs of the extracellular domain of IL-22R fused to a mutated human immunoglobulin gamma 1 constant region. SEQ ID NO: 26 is the predicted mature sequence without the signal sequence. SEQ ID NOs: 27 and 28 are constructs of the extracellular domain of IL-20RB fused to wild type human immunoglobulin kappa light chain constant region. SEQ ID NO: 29 is the predicted mature sequence without the signal sequence. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the heterotetramer.

[0036] SEQ ID NOs: 30 and 31 are constructs of the extracellular domain of IL-22R fused to a mutated human immunoglobulin gamma 1 constant region. SEQ ID NO: 32 is the predicted mature sequence without the signal sequence. SEQ ID NOs: 33 and 34 are constructs of the extracellular domain of IL-20RB fused to wild type human immunoglobulin kappa light chain constant region produced according to the procedure of example 12. SEQ ID NO: 35 is the predicted mature sequence without the signal sequence. The resultant heterotetramer does not have a polypeptide linker between the extracellular domains and the beginning of the Ig constant regions, 22 in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the term "extracellular domain of a receptor" means the extracellular domain of the receptor or a portion of the extracellular domain that is necessary for binding to its ligand, in this case the ligand being IL-20.

[0037] One can link together the extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB in a number of ways such that the resultant soluble receptor can bind to IL-20. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a representative number of embodiments of the present invention. Common elements in each of the drawings are given the same number. FIG. 1 represents the embodiment of the present invention of SEQ ID NOs: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. The soluble receptor construct, designated 10, is comprised of two IL-20 binding site polypeptide chains designated 12 and 14. Each binding site is comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R, designated 16, and the extracellular domain of IL-20RB designated 18.

[0038] The extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R is linked to the constant heavy one (CHI) domain, 20, of the human immunoglobulin gamma 1 heavy chain constant region via linker 22, which is SEQ ID NO: 36. The CHI domain, 20, is then linked to the CH2 domain, 24, via hinge region 23. The CH2 domain, 24, is linked to the CH3 domain, 26, via hinge region 25.

[0039] Comparing the construct of FIG. 1 with SEQ ID NO:25, the mature extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R extends from amino acid residues 18, a proline, to and including amino acid residue 228, a threonine of SEQ ID NO:25. Polypeptide linker, 22, extends from amino acid residue 229, a glycine to and including amino acid residue 243, a serine, of SEQ ID NO:25. The CH1 domain, 22 of FIG. 1, extends from amino acid residue 244, an alanine, to and including amino acid residue 341, a valine, of SEQ ID NO: 25. Hinge region 23 of FIG. 1 extends from amino acid residue 342, a glutamic acid to and including amino acid residue 356, a proline, of SEQ ID NO: 25. Chains 12 and 14 are disulfide-bonded together by means of disulfide bonds 28 and 30. The disulfide bonds are formed between the heavy chains by the cysteine residues at positions 352 and 356 of SEQ ID NO: 25 of each of the two heavy chains. Extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB is linked to the constant region of the human kappa light chain (CL), 34 of FIG. 1 via polypeptide linker 32, which is the polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 36. The extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB extends from amino acid residue 30, a valine, to and including amino acid residue 230, an alanine, of SEQ ID NO: 28. Polypeptide linker, 32, extends from amino acid residue 231, a glycine, to and including amino acid residue 245, a serine, of SEQ ID NO: 28. The kappa constant light region, 34, extends from amino acid residue 246, an arginine, to and including the final amino acid residue 352, a cysteine, of SEQ ID NO: 28. The cysteine at position 352 of SEQ ID NO: 28 forms a disulfide bond, 36 in FIG. 1, with the cysteine at position 346 of SEQ ID NO: 25. The constant light chain 34 is thus linked to the hinge region, 23, by disulfide bond, 36. In this way, the extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R is linked to the extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB to form a soluble receptor.

[0040] If the cysteine residues at positions 352 and 356 of SEQ ID NO: 25 were changed to different amino acid residues, the two IL-20 binding polypeptides, 12 and 14, would not be disulfide bonded together and would form a construct shown in FIG. 2 having hinge region, 27.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a very simple soluble receptor 38 of the present invention wherein extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R is connected to the extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB by means of a polypeptide linker, 40. The polypeptide linker extends from the amino terminus of extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R and is connected to the carboxyl terminus of the extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB. The polypeptide linker should be between 100-240 amino acids in length, preferably about 170 amino acid residues in length. A suitable linker would be comprised of glycine and serine residues. A possible linker would be multiple units of SEQ ID NO: 36, preferably about 12.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment that has the extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R linked to the extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB by means of linker 40, as in FIG. 3. While the extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R is linked to the CHI domain, 20, as in FIG. 1 by means of polypeptide linker 42, which should be about 30 amino acid residues in length. An ideal linker would be comprised of glycine and serine as in SEQ ID NO: 72, and the hinge sequence, 23 of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows another possible embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a polypeptide linker 44 of about 15 amino acid residue, e.g. SEQ ID NO: 36, links the carboxyl terminus of the extracellular domain, 18, of IL-20RB with the amino terminus of the extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R. A polypeptide linker 46 of about 30 amino acid residues extends from the carboxy terminus of the extracellular domain, 16, of IL-22R to the CH2 domain. The carboxyl terminus of linker 46 would preferably be comprised of the hinge region extending from amino acid residue 342, a glutamic acid to and including amino acid residue 356, a proline, of SEQ ID NO: 25. Nonetheless, polypeptide linker 46 would ideally have at least one cysteine residue at its carboxyl terminus so a disulfide bond could be formed.

[0044] The soluble IL-20 receptor of FIG. 6 is identical to that of FIG. 1 except for the CH3 domain, 26 of FIG. 1, is not present on the embodiment of FIG. 6. The CH3 region begins at amino acid residue 467, a glycine, and extends to the last residue 573 of SEQ ID NO: 25.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a soluble IL-20 receptor construct that is identical to the construct of FIG. 1 except both the CH2, and CH3 domains are absent. The CH2 and CH3 domains run from amino acid residue 357, an alanine, to the end of the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a construct wherein both IL-22R, 16, and IL-20RB have a polypeptide linker, 48, fused to their respective carboxyl termini. Each polypeptide linker has two cysteine residues such that when they are expressed the cysteines form two disulfide bonds, 50 and 52. In this case the polypeptide linker is comprised of the hinge region, 23 in FIG. 1. The hinge region is comprised of amino acid residues 342, a glutamic acid, to and including amino acid residue 356 of SEQ ID NO: 25.

[0047] In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for producing a soluble receptor comprised of extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a first DNA sequence comprised of a transcriptional promoter operatively linked to a first secretory signal sequence followed downstream by and in proper reading frame the DNA that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-22R and the DNA that encodes an immunoglobulin light chain constant region;(b) introducing into the host cell a second DNA construct comprised of a transcriptional promoter operatively linked to a second secretory signal followed downstream by and in proper reading frame a DNA sequence that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and a DNA sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region domain selected from the group consisting of C.sub.H1, C.sub.H2, C.sub.H3 and C.sub.H4; (c) growing the host cell in an appropriate growth medium under physiological conditions to allow the secretion of a fusion protein comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the polypeptide from the host cell. In one embodiment, the second DNA sequence further encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain hinge region wherein the hinge region is joined to the heavy chain constant region domain. In another embodiment, the second DNA sequence further encodes an immunoglobulin variable region joined upstream of and in proper reading frame with the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided for producing a soluble receptor comprised of the extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a first DNA sequence comprised of a transcriptional promoter operatively linked to a first secretory signal sequence followed downstream by and in proper reading frame the DNA that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and the DNA that encodes an immunoglobulin light chain constant region;(b) introducing into the host cell a second DNA construct comprised of a transcriptional promoter operatively linked to a second secretory signal followed downstream by and in proper reading frame a DNA sequence that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-22R and a DNA sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region domain selected from the group consisting of CH1, CH2, C.sub.H3 and C.sub.H4; (c) growing the host cell in an appropriate growth medium under physiological conditions to allow the production of a dimerized heterodimeric fusion protein comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the dimerized polypeptide from the host cell. In one embodiment, the second DNA sequence further encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain hinge region wherein the hinge region is joined to the heavy chain constant region domain. In another embodiment, the second DNA sequence further encodes an immunoglobulin variable region joined upstream of and in proper reading frame with the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,725.)

[0049] In another embodiment, a method is provided for producing a soluble receptor comprised of the extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a DNA construct containing a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and a DNA construct of the extracellular portion of IL-22R, (b) growing the host cell in an appropriate medium under physiological conditions to allow the production of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and the extracellular domain of IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the polypeptides from the host cell.

[0050] Other aspects of the present invention include host cells transformed or transfected with a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular domain of IL-22RB and a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular domain of IL-20RB. Both constructs can be on one vector or on separate vectors.

[0051] A polynucleotide, generally a cDNA sequence, encodes the described polypeptides herein. A cDNA sequence that encodes a polypeptide of the present invention is comprised of a series of codons, each amino acid residue of the polypeptide being encoded by a codon and each codon being comprised of three nucleotides. The amino acid residues are encoded by their respective codons as follows.

[0052] Alanine (Ala) is encoded by GCA, GCC, GCG or GCT.

[0053] Cysteine (Cys) is encoded by TGC or TGT.

[0054] Aspartic acid (Asp) is encoded by GAC or GAT.

[0055] Glutamic acid (Glu) is encoded by GAA or GAG.

[0056] Phenylalanine (Phe) is encoded by TTC or TTT.

[0057] Glycine (Gly) is encoded by GGA, GGC, GGG or GGT.

[0058] Histidine (His) is encoded by CAC or CAT.

[0059] Isoleucine (Ile) is encoded by ATA, ATC or ATT.

[0060] Lysine (Lys) is encoded by AAA, or AAG.

[0061] Leucine (Leu) is encoded by TTA, TTG, CTA, CTC, CTG or CTT.

[0062] Methionine (Met) is encoded by ATG.

[0063] Asparagine (Asn) is encoded by AAC or AAT.

[0064] Proline (Pro) is encoded by CCA, CCC, CCG or CCT.

[0065] Glutamine (Gin) is encoded by CAA or CAG.

[0066] Arginine (Arg) is encoded by AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG or CGT.

[0067] Serine (Ser) is encoded by AGC, AGT, TCA, TCC, TCG or TCT.

[0068] Threonine (Thr) is encoded by ACA, ACC, ACG or ACT.

[0069] Valine (Val) is encoded by GTA, GTC, GTG or GTT.

[0070] Tryptophan (Trp) is encoded by TGG.

[0071] Tyrosine (Tyr) is encoded by TAC or TAT.

[0072] It is to be recognized that according to the present invention, when a polynucleotide is claimed as described herein, it is understood that what is claimed are both the sense strand, the anti-sense strand, and the DNA as double-stranded having both the sense and anti-sense strand annealed together by their respective hydrogen bonds. Also claimed is the messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes the polypeptides of the president invention, and which MRNA is encoded by the cDNA described herein. Messenger RNA (mRNA) will encode a polypeptide using the same codons as those defined herein, with the exception that each thymine nucleotide (T) is replaced by a uracil nucleotide (U).

[0073] One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that different species can exhibit "preferential codon usage." In general, see, Grantham, et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 8:1893-1912 (1980); Haas, et al. Curr. Biol. 6:315-324 (1996); Wain-Hobson, et al., Gene 13:355-364 (1981); Grosjean and Fiers, Gene 18:199-209 (1982); Holm, Nuc. Acids Res. 14:3075-3087 (1986); Ikemura, J. Mol. Biol. 158:573-597 (1982). As used herein, the term "preferential codon usage" or "preferential codons" is a term of art referring to protein translation codons that are most frequently used in cells of a certain species, thus favoring one or a few representatives of the possible codons encoding each amino acid. For example, the amino acid Threonine (Thr) may be encoded by ACA, ACC, ACG, or ACT, but in mammalian cells ACC is the most commonly used codon; in other species, for example, insect cells, yeast, viruses or bacteria, different Thr codons may be preferential. Preferential codons for a particular species can be introduced into the polynucleotides of the present invention by a variety of methods known in the art. Introduction of preferential codon sequences into recombinant DNA can, for example, enhance production of the protein by making protein translation more efficient within a particular cell type or species. Sequences containing preferential codons can be tested and optimized for expression in various species, and tested for functionality as disclosed herein.

[0074] Methods for synthesizing amino acids and aminoacylating tRNA are known in the art. Transcription and translation of plasmids containing nonsense mutations is carried out in a cell-free system comprising an E. coli S30 extract and commercially available enzymes and other reagents. Proteins are purified by chromatography. See, for example, Robertson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113:2722 (1991); Ellman et al., Methods Enzymol. 202:301 (1991; Chung et al., Science 259:806-809 (1993); and Chung et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:10145-1019 (1993). In a second method, translation is carried out in Xenopus oocytes by microinjection of mutated mRNA and chemically aminoacylated suppressor tRNAs, Turcatti et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:19991-19998 (1996). Within a third method, E. coli cells are cultured in the absence of a natural amino acid that is to be replaced (e.g., phenylalanine) and in the presence of the desired non-naturally occurring amino acid(s) (e.g., 2-azaphenylalanine, 3-azaphenylalanine, 4-azaphenylalanine, or 4-fluorophenylalanine). The non-naturally occurring amino acid is incorporated into the protein in place of its natural counterpart. See, Koide et al., Biochem. 33:7470-7476,(1994). Naturally occurring amino acid residues can be converted to non-naturally occurring species by in vitro chemical modification. Chemical modification can be combined with site-directed mutagenesis to further expand the range of substitutions, Wynn and Richards, Protein Sci. 2:395403 (1993).

[0075] A limited number of non-conservative amino acids, amino acids that are not encoded by the genetic code, non-naturally occurring amino acids, and unnatural amino acids may be substituted for amino acid residues.

[0076] Essential amino acids in the polypeptides of the present invention can be identified according to procedures known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis, Cunningham and Wells, Science 244: 1081-1085 (1989); Bass et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:4498-502 (1991). In the latter technique, single alanine mutations are introduced at every residue in the molecule, and the resultant mutant molecules are tested for biological activity as disclosed below to identify amino acid residues that are critical to the activity of the molecule. See also, Hilton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:4699-708, 1996. Sites of ligand-receptor interaction can also be determined by physical analysis of structure, as determined by such techniques as nuclear magnetic resonance, crystallography, electron diffraction or photoaffinity labeling, in conjunction with mutation of putative contact site amino acids. See, for example, de Vos et al., Science 255:306-312 (1992); Smith et al., J. Mol. Biol. 224:899-904 (1992); Wlodaver et al., FEBS Lett. 309:59-64 (1992).

[0077] Multiple amino acid substitutions can be made and tested using known methods of mutagenesis and screening, such as those disclosed by Reidhaar-Olson and Sauer, Science 241:53-57 (1988) or Bowie and Sauer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:2152-2156 (1989). Briefly, these authors disclose methods for simultaneously randomizing two or more positions in a polypeptide, selecting for functional polypeptide, and then sequencing the mutagenized polypeptides to determine the spectrum of allowable substitutions at each position. Other methods that can be used include phage display, e.g., Lowman et al., Biochem. 30:10832-10837 (1991); Ladner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; Huse, WIPO Publication WO 92/06204) and region-directed mutagenesis, Derbyshire et al., Gene 46:145 (1986); Ner et al., DNA 7:127 (1988).

[0078] Variants of the disclosed IL-20, IL-22R and L-20RB DNA and polypeptide sequences can be generated through DNA shuffling as disclosed by Stemmer, Nature 370:389-391, (1994), Stemmer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:1074710751 (1994) and WIPO Publication WO 97/20078. Briefly, variant DNAs are generated by in vitro homologous recombination by random fragmentation of a parent DNA followed by reassembly using PCR, resulting in randomly introduced point mutations. This technique can be modified by using a family of parent DNAs, such as allelic variants or DNAs from different species, to introduce additional variability into the process. Selection or screening for the desired activity, followed by additional iterations of mutagenesis and assay provides for rapid "evolution" of sequences by selecting for desirable mutations while simultaneously selecting against detrimental changes.

[0079] Mutagenesis methods as disclosed herein can be combined with high-throughput, automated screening methods to detect activity of cloned, mutagenized polypeptides in host cells. Mutagenized DNA molecules that encode active polypeptides can be recovered from the host cells and rapidly sequenced using modern equipment. These methods allow the rapid determination of the importance of individual amino acid residues in a polypeptide of interest, and can be applied to polypeptides of unknown structure.

[0080] Protein Production

[0081] Polypeptides can be produced in genetically engineered host cells according to conventional techniques. Suitable host cells are those cell types that can be transformed or transfected with exogenous DNA and grown in culture, and include bacteria, fungal cells, and cultured higher eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells, particularly cultured cells of multicellular organisms, are preferred. Techniques for manipulating cloned DNA molecules and introducing exogenous DNA into a variety of host cells are disclosed by Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989), and Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NY, 1987).

[0082] In general, a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide is operably linked to other genetic elements required for its expression, generally including a transcription promoter and terminator, within an expression vector. The vector will also commonly contain one or more selectable markers and one or more origins of replication, although those skilled in the art will recognize that within certain systems selectable markers may be provided on separate vectors, and replication of the exogenous DNA may be provided by integration into the host cell genome. Selection of promoters, terminators, selectable markers, vectors and other elements is a matter of routine design within the level of ordinary skill in the art. Many such elements are described in the literature and are available through commercial suppliers.

[0083] To direct a polypeptide into the secretory pathway of a host cell, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence, prepro sequence or pre sequence) is provided in the expression vector. The secretory signal sequence may be that of the native polypeptides, or may be derived from another secreted protein (e.g., t-PA) or synthesized de novo. The secretory signal sequence is operably linked to the DNA sequence, i.e., the two sequences are joined in the correct reading frame and positioned to direct the newly synthesized polypeptide into the secretory pathway of the host cell. Secretory signal sequences are commonly positioned 5' to the DNA sequence encoding the polypeptide of interest, although certain secretory signal sequences may be positioned elsewhere in the DNA sequence of interest (see, e.g., Welch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,743; Holland et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,830).

[0084] Alternatively, the secretory signal sequence contained in the polypeptides of the present invention is used to direct other polypeptides into the secretory pathway. The present invention provides for such fusion polypeptides. The secretory signal sequence contained in the fusion polypeptides of the present invention is preferably fused amino-terminally to an additional peptide to direct the additional peptide into the secretory pathway. Such constructs have numerous applications known in the art. For example, these novel secretory signal sequence fusion constructs can direct the secretion of an active component of a normally non-secreted protein, such as a receptor. Such fusions may be used in vivo or in vitro to direct peptides through the secretory pathway.

[0085] Cultured mammalian cells are suitable hosts within the present invention. Methods for introducing exogenous DNA into mammalian host cells include calcium phosphate-mediated transfection, Wigler et al., Cell 14:725 (1978), Corsaro and Pearson, Somatic Cell Genetics 7:603 (1981); Graham and Van der Eb, Virology 52:456 (1973), electroporation, Neumann et al., EMBO J. 1:841-845 (1982), DEAE-dextran mediated transfection (Ausubel et al., ibid., and liposome-mediated transfection, Hawley-Nelson et al., Focus 15:73 (1993); Ciccarone et al., Focus 15:80 (1993), and viral vectors, Miller and Rosman, BioTechniques 7:980(1989); Wang and Finer, Nature Med 2:714 (1996). The production of recombinant polypeptides in cultured mammalian cells is disclosed, for example, by Levinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,339; Hagen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,950; Palmiter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,821; and Ringold, U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,134. Suitable cultured mammalian cells include the COS-1 (ATCC No. CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC No. CRL 1651), BHK (ATCC No. CRL 1632), BHK 570 (ATCC No. CRL 10314), 293 (ATCC No. CRL 1573; Graham et al., J. Gen. Virol. 36:59 (1977) and Chinese hamster ovary (e.g. CHO-K1; ATCC No. CCL 61) cell lines. Additional suitable cell lines are known in the art and available from public depositories such as the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. In general, strong transcription promoters are preferred, such as promoters from SV40 or cytomegalovirus. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,288. Other suitable promoters include those from metallothionein genes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,821 and 4,601,978) and the adenovirus major late promoter.

[0086] Drug selection is generally used to select for cultured mammalian cells into which foreign DNA has been inserted. Such cells are commonly referred to as "transfectants". Cells that have been cultured in the presence of the selective agent and are able to pass the gene of interest to their progeny are referred to as "stable transfectants." A preferred selectable marker is a gene encoding resistance to the antibiotic neomycin. Selection is carried out in the presence of a neomycin-type drug, such as G-418 or the like. Selection systems can also be used to increase the expression level of the gene of interest, a process referred to as "amplification." Amplification is carried out by culturing transfectants in the presence of a low level of the selective agent and then increasing the amount of selective agent to select for cells that produce high levels of the products of the introduced genes. A preferred amplifiable selectable marker is dihydrofolate reductase, which confers resistance to methotrexate. Other drug resistance genes (e.g. hygromycin resistance, multi-drug resistance, puromycin acetyltransferase) can also be used. Alternative markers that introduce an altered phenotype, such as green fluorescent protein, or cell surface proteins such as CD4, CD8, Class I MHC, placental alkaline phosphatase may be used to sort transfected cells from untransfected cells by such means as FACS sorting or magnetic bead separation technology.

[0087] Other higher eukaryotic cells can also be used as hosts, including plant cells, insect cells and avian cells. The use of Agrobacterium rhizogenes as a vector for expressing genes in plant cells has been reviewed by Sinkar et al., J. Biosci. (Bangalore) 11:47 (1987). Transformation of insect cells and production of foreign polypeptides therein is disclosed by Guarino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,222 and WIPO publication WO 94/06463. Insect cells can be infected with recombinant baculovirus, commonly derived from Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). DNA encoding a polypeptide is inserted into the baculoviral genome in place of the AcNPV polyhedrin gene coding sequence by one of two methods. The first is the traditional method of homologous DNA recombination between wild-type AcNPV and a transfer vector containing the gene flanked by AcNPV sequences. Suitable insect cells, e.g. SF9 cells, are infected with wild-type AcNPV and transfected with a transfer vector comprising a polynucleotide operably linked to an AcNPV polyhedrin gene promoter, terminator, and flanking sequences. See, King, L. A. and Possee, R. D., The Baculovirus Expression System: A Laboratory Guide, (Chapman & Hall, London); O'Reilly, D. R. et al., Baculovirus Expression Vectors: A Laboratory Manual (Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y., 1994); and, Richardson, C. D., Ed., Baculovirus Expression Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, (Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. 1995). Natural recombination within an insect cell will result in a recombinant baculovirus that contains coding sequences driven by the polyhedrin promoter. Recombinant viral stocks are made by methods commonly used in the art.

[0088] The second method of making recombinant baculovirus utilizes a transposon-based system described by Luckow, V. A, et al., J Virol 67:4566 (1993). This system is sold in the Bac-to-Bac kit (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). This system utilizes a transfer vector, pFastBac1.TM. (Life Technologies) containing a Tn7 transposon to move the DNA encoding the polypeptide into a baculovirus genome maintained in E. coli as a large plasmid called a "bacmid." The pFastBac1.TM. transfer vector utilizes the AcNPV polyhedrin promoter to drive the expression of the gene of interest. However, pFastBac1.TM. can be modified to a considerable degree. The polyhedrin promoter can be removed and substituted with the baculovirus basic protein promoter (also known as Pcor, p6.9 or MP promoter), which is expressed earlier in the baculovirus infection, and has been shown to be advantageous for expressing secreted proteins. See, Hill-Perkins, M. S. and Possee, R. D., J Gen Virol 71:971 (1990); Bonning, B. C. et al., J Gen Virol 75:1551 (1994); and, Chazenbalk, G. D., and Rapoport, B., J Biol Chem 270:1543 (1995). In such transfer vector constructs, a short or long version of the basic protein promoter can be used. Moreover, transfer vectors can be constructed that replace the native secretory signal sequences with secretory signal sequences derived from insect proteins. For example, a secretory signal sequence from Ecdysteroid Glucosyltransferase (EGT), honey bee Melittin (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), or baculovirus gp67 (PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.) can be used in constructs to replace the native secretory signal sequence. In addition, transfer vectors can include an in-frame fusion with DNA encoding an epitope tag at the C- or N-terminus of the expressed polypeptide, for example, a Glu-Glu epitope tag, Grussenmeyer, T. et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci. 82:7952 (1985). Using a technique known in the art, a transfer vector containing a recombinant gene is transformed into E. coli, and screened for bacmids that contain an interrupted lacZ gene indicative of recombinant baculovirus. The bacmid DNA containing the recombinant baculovirus genome is isolated, using common techniques, and used to transfect Spodoptera frugiperda cells, e.g. Sf9 cells. Recombinant virus that expresses the polypeptide is subsequently produced. Recombinant viral stocks are made by methods commonly used the art.

[0089] The recombinant virus is used to infect host cells, typically a cell line derived from the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. See, in general, Glick and Pasternak, Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA (ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 1994). Another suitable cell line is the High FiveO.TM. cell line (Invitrogen) derived from Trichoplusia ni (U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,435). Commercially available serum-free media are used to grow and maintain the cells. Suitable media are Sf900 II.TM. (Life Technologies) or ESF 921.TM. (Expression Systems) for the Sf9 cells; and Ex-cellO405.TM. (JRH Biosciences, Lenexa, Kans.) or Express FiveO.TM. (Life Technologies) for the T. ni cells. The cells are grown up from an inoculation density of approximately 2-5.times.10.sup.5 cells to a density of 1-2.times.10.sup.6 cells at which time a recombinant viral stock is added at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 to 10, more typically near 3. The recombinant virus-infected cells typically produce the recombinant polypeptide at 12-72 hours post-infection and secrete it with varying efficiency into the medium. The culture is usually harvested 48 hours post-infection. Centrifugation is used to separate the cells from the medium (supernatant). The supernatant containing the polypeptide is filtered through micropore filters, usually 0.45 .mu.m pore size. Procedures used are generally described in available laboratory manuals (King, L. A. and Possee, R. D., ibid., O'Reilly, D. R. et al., ibid.; Richardson, C. D., ibid.). Subsequent purification of the polypeptide from the supernatant can be achieved using methods described herein.

[0090] Fungal cells, including yeast cells, can also be used within the present invention. Yeast species of particular interest in this regard include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Pichia methanolica. Methods for transforming S. cerevisiae cells with exogenous DNA and producing recombinant polypeptides therefrom are disclosed by, for example, Kawasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311; Kawasaki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,373; Brake, U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,008; Welch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,743; and Murray et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,075. Transformed cells are selected by phenotype determined by the selectable marker, commonly drug resistance or the ability to grow in the absence of a particular nutrient (e.g., leucine). A preferred vector system for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the POT1 vector system disclosed by Kawasaki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,373), which allows transformed cells to be selected by growth in glucose-containing media. Suitable promoters and terminators for use in yeast include those from glycolytic enzyme genes (see, e.g., Kawasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311; Kingsman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,974; and Bitter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,092) and alcohol dehydrogenase genes. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,990,446; 5,063,154; 5,139,936 and 4,661,454. Transformation systems for other yeasts, including Hansenula polymorpha, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Ustilago maydis, Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica, Pichia guillermondii and Candida maltosa are known in the art. See, for example, Gleeson et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 132:3459 (1986) and Cregg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,279. Aspergillus cells may be utilized according to the methods of McKnight et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,349. Methods for transforming Acremonium chrysogenum are disclosed by Sumino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,228. Methods for transforming Neurospora are disclosed by Lambowitz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,533.

[0091] The use of Pichia methanolica as host for the production of recombinant proteins is disclosed in WIPO Publications WO 97/17450, WO 97/17451, WO 98/02536, and WO 98/02565. DNA molecules for use in transforming P. methanolica will commonly be prepared as double-stranded, circular plasmids, which are preferably linearized prior to transformation. For polypeptide production in P. methanolica, it is preferred that the promoter and terminator in the plasmid be that of a P. methanolica gene, such as a P. methanolica alcohol utilization gene (AUG1 or AUG2). Other useful promoters include those of the dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS), formate dehydrogenase (FMD), and catalase (CAT) genes. To facilitate integration of the DNA into the host chromosome, it is preferred to have the entire expression segment of the plasmid flanked at both ends by host DNA sequences. A preferred selectable marker for use in Pichia methanolica is a P. methanolica ADE2 gene, which encodes phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole carboxylase (AIRC; EC 4.1.1.21), which allows ade2 host cells to grow in the absence of adenine. For large-scale, industrial processes where it is desirable to minimize the use of methanol, it is preferred to use host cells in which both methanol utilization genes (AUG1 and AUG2) are deleted. For production of secreted proteins, host cells deficient in vacuolar protease genes (PEP4 and PRB1) are preferred. Electroporation is used to facilitate the introduction of a plasmid containing DNA encoding a polypeptide of interest into P. methanolica cells. It is preferred to transform P. methanolica cells by electroporation using an exponentially decaying, pulsed electric field having a field strength of from 2.5 to 4.5 kV/cm, preferably about 3.75 kV/cm, and a time constant (t) of from 1 to 40 milliseconds, most preferably about 20 milliseconds.

[0092] Prokaryotic host cells, including strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli, Bacillus and other genera are also useful host cells within the present invention. Techniques for transforming these hosts and expressing foreign DNA sequences cloned therein are well known in the art; see, e.g., Sambrook et al., ibid.). When expressing a polypeptide in bacteria such as E. coli, the polypeptide may be retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules, or may be directed to the periplasmic space by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the former case, the cells are lysed, and the granules are recovered and denatured using, for example, guanidine isothiocyanate or urea. The denatured polypeptide can then be refolded and dimerized by diluting the denaturant, such as by dialysis against a solution of urea and a combination of reduced and oxidized glutathione, followed by dialysis against a buffered saline solution. In the latter case, the polypeptide can be recovered from the periplasmic space in a soluble and functional form by disrupting the cells (by, for example, sonication or osmotic shock) to release the contents of the periplasmic space and recovering the protein, thereby obviating the need for denaturation and refolding.

[0093] Transformed or transfected host cells are cultured according to conventional procedures in a culture medium containing nutrients and other components required for the growth of the chosen host cells. A variety of suitable media, including defined media and complex media, are known in the art and generally include a carbon source, a nitrogen source, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Media may also contain such components as growth factors or serum, as required. The growth medium will generally select for cells containing the exogenously added DNA by, for example, drug selection or deficiency in an essential nutrient, which is complemented by the selectable marker carried on the expression vector or co-transfected into the host cell. P. methanolica cells are cultured in a medium comprising adequate sources of carbon, nitrogen and trace nutrients at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. Liquid cultures are provided with sufficient aeration by conventional means, such as shaking of small flasks or sparging of fermentors. A preferred culture medium for P. methanolica is YEPD (2% D-glucose, 2% Bacto.TM. Peptone (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.), 1% Bacto.TM. yeast extract (Difco Laboratories), 0.004% adenine and 0.006% L-leucine).

[0094] Protein Isolation

[0095] It is preferred to purify the polypeptides of the present invention to .gtoreq.80% purity, more preferably to .gtoreq.90% purity, even more preferably .gtoreq.95% purity, and particularly preferred is a pharmaceutically pure state, that is greater than 99.9% pure with respect to contaminating macromolecules, particularly other proteins and nucleic acids, and free of infectious and pyrogenic agents. Preferably, a purified polypeptide is substantially free of other polypeptides, particularly other polypeptides of animal origin.

[0096] Expressed recombinant polypeptides (or chimeric polypeptides) can be purified using fractionation and/or conventional purification methods and media. Ammonium sulfate precipitation and acid or chaotrope extraction may be used for fractionation of samples. Exemplary purification steps may include hydroxyapatite, size exclusion, FPLC and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Suitable chromatographic media include derivatized dextrans, agarose, cellulose, polyacrylamide, specialty silicas, and the like. PEI, DEAE, QAE and Q derivatives are preferred. Exemplary chromatographic media include those media derivatized with phenyl, butyl, or octyl groups, such as Phenyl-Sepharose FF (Pharmacia), Toyopearl butyl 650 (Toso Haas, Montgomeryville, Pa.), Octyl-Sepharose (Pharmacia) and the like; or polyacrylic resins, such as Amberchrom CG 71 (Toso Haas) and the like. Suitable solid supports include glass beads, silica-based resins, cellulosic resins, agarose beads, cross-linked agarose beads, polystyrene beads, cross-linked polyacrylamide resins and the like that are insoluble under the conditions in which they are to be used. These supports may be modified with reactive groups that allow attachment of proteins by amino groups, carboxyl groups, sulfhydryl groups, hydroxyl groups and/or carbohydrate moieties. Examples of coupling chemistries include cyanogen bromide activation, N-hydroxysuccinimide activation, epoxide activation, sulfhydryl activation, hydrazide activation, and carboxyl and amino derivatives for carbodiimide coupling chemistries. These and other solid media are well known and widely used in the art, and are available from commercial suppliers. Methods for binding receptor polypeptides to support media are well known in the art. Selection of a particular method is a matter of routine design and is determined in part by the properties of the chosen support. See, for example, Affinity Chromatography: Principles & Methods (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Uppsala, Sweden, 1988).

[0097] Polypeptides can be isolated by exploitation of their properties. For example, immobilized metal ion adsorption (IMAC) chromatography can be used to purify histidine-rich proteins, including those comprising polyhistidine tags. Briefly, a gel is first charged with divalent metal ions to form a chelate, Sulkowski, Trends in Biochem. 3:1 (1985). Histidine-rich proteins will be adsorbed to this matrix with differing affinities, depending upon the metal ion used, and will be eluted by competitive elution, lowering the pH, or use of strong chelating agents. Other methods of purification include purification of glycosylated proteins by lectin affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. A protein fused to the Fc portion of an immunoglobulin can be purified using a `Protein A column`. Methods in Enzymol., Vol. 182, "Guide to Protein Purification", M. Deutscher, (ed.), page 529-539 (Acad. Press, San Diego, 1990). Within additional embodiments of the invention, a fusion of the polypeptide of interest and an affinity tag (e.g., maltose-binding protein, an immunoglobulin domain) may be constructed to facilitate purification.

[0098] As used herein, the term "antibodies" includes polyclonal antibodies, affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments, such as F(ab').sub.2 and Fab proteolytic fragments. Genetically engineered intact antibodies or fragments, such as chimeric antibodies, Fv fragments, single chain antibodies and the like, as well as synthetic antigen-binding peptides and polypeptides, are also included. Non-human antibodies may be humanized by grafting non-human CDRs onto human framework and constant regions, or by incorporating the entire nonhuman variable domains (optionally "cloaking" them with a human-like surface by replacement of exposed residues, wherein the result is a "veneered" antibody). In some instances, humanized antibodies may retain non-human residues within the human variable region framework domains to enhance proper binding characteristics. Through humanizing antibodies, biological half-life may be increased, and the potential for adverse immune reactions upon administration to humans is reduced.

[0099] A variety of assays known to those skilled in the art can be utilized to detect antibodies that bind to protein or peptide. Exemplary assays are described in detail in Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Harlow and Lane (Eds.) (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988). Representative examples of such assays include: concurrent immunoelectrophoresis, radioimmunoassay, radioimmuno-precipitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot blot or Western blot assay, inhibition or competition assay, and sandwich assay.

[0100] The soluble receptors of the present invention can be used to down-regulate IL-20, which has been shown to be involved in a number of inflammatory processes. Specifically, IL-20 has been shown to up-regulate IL-8. Inflammatory diseases in which IL-8 plays a significant role, and for which a decrease in IL-8 would be beneficial are, adult respiratory disease (ARD), septic shock, multiple organ failure, inflammatory lung injury such as asthma or bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia, psoriasis, eczema, atopic and contact dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Thus, the soluble receptor to IL-20 of the present invention can be administered to a patient to treat these diseases.

[0101] Biology of IL-20, its Receptor and its Role in Psoriasis

[0102] Two orphan class II cytokine receptors, both of which are expressed in skin, were identified as IL-20 receptor subunits. Both IL-20 receptor subunits are required for ligand binding, distinguishing their role from that of subunits in the four other known class II cytokine receptors. IL-22R and IL-20RB are also coexpressed in a number of human tissues besides skin, including ovary, adrenal gland, testis, salivary gland, muscle, lung, kidney, heart and to a lesser degree the small intestine suggesting additional target tissues for IL-20 action. We conclude that the IL-20 heterodimeric receptor is structurally similar to other class II cytokine receptors and is expressed in skin where we have demonstrated activity of the IL-20 ligand.

[0103] Two lines of evidence indicate that a role IL-20 and its receptor are involved in psoriasis. This multigenic skin disease is characterized by increased keratinocyte proliferation, altered keratinocyte differentiation, and infiltration of immune cells into the skin. The first line of evidence for a role of IL-20 in psoriasis is that the observed hyperkeratosis and thickened epidermis in the transgenic mice that resemble human psoriatic abnormalities. Decreased numbers of tonofilaments, thought to be related to defective keratinization, are a striking feature of human psoriasis. Intramitochondrial inclusions have been found in both chemically induced and naturally occurring hyperplastic skin conditions in mice. The cause of the inclusions and their effects on mitochondrial function, if any, are unknown. We conclude that IL-20 transgenic mice exhibit many of the characteristics observed in human psoriasis.

[0104] Use of Antagonist to IL-20 to Treat Psoriasis

[0105] As indicated in the discussion above and the examples below, IL-20 is involved in the pathology of psoriasis. Thus, the soluble receptors of the present invention can be administered to an individual to down-regulate IL-20 and thus treat psoriasis.

[0106] Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatologic diseases, affecting up to 1 to 2 percent of the world's population. It is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by erythematous, sharply demarcated papules and rounded plaques, covered by silvery micaceous scale. The skin lesions of psoriasis are variably pruritic. Traumatized areas often develop lesions of psoriasis. Additionally, other external factors may exacerbate psoriasis including infections, stress, and medications, e.g. lithium, beta blockers, and anti-malarials.

[0107] The most common variety of psoriasis is called plaque type. Patients with plaque-type psoriasis will have stable, slowly growing plaques, which remain basically unchanged for long periods of time. The most common areas for plaque psoriasis to occur are the elbows knees, gluteal cleft, and the scalp. Involvement tends to be symmetrical. Inverse psoriasis affects the intertriginous regions including the axilla, groin, submammary region, and navel, and it also tends to affect the scalp, palms, and soles. The individual lesions are sharply demarcated plaques but may be moist due to their location. Plaque-type psoriasis generally develops slowly and runs an indolent course. It rarely spontaneously remits.

[0108] Eruptive psoriasis (guttate psoriasis) is most common in children and young adults. It develops acutely in individuals without psoriasis or in those with chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients present with many small erythematous, scaling papules, frequently after upper respiratory tract infection with beta-hemolytic streptococci. Patients with psoriasis may also develop pustular lesions. These may be localized to the palms and soles or may be generalized and associated with fever, malaise, diarrhea, and arthralgias.

[0109] About half of all patients with psoriasis have fingernail involvement, appearing as punctate pitting, nail thickening or subungual hyperkeratosis. About 5 to 10 percent of patients with psoriasis have associated joint complaints, and these are most often found in patients with fingernail involvement. Although some have the coincident occurrence of classic Although some have the coincident occurrence of classic rheumatoid arthritis, many have joint disease that falls into one of five type associated with psoriasis: (1) disease limited to a single or a few small joints (70 percent of cases); (2) a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis-like disease; (3) involvement of the distal interphalangeal joints; (4) severe destructive arthritis with the development of "arthritis mutilans"; and (5) disease limited to the spine.

[0110] Psoriasis can be treated by administering antagonists to IL-20. The preferred antagonists are either a soluble receptor to IL-20 or antibodies, antibody fragments or single chain antibodies that bind to either the IL-20 receptor or to IL-20. The antagonists to IL-20 can be administered alone or in combination with other established therapies such as lubricants, keratolytics, topical corticosteroids, topical vitamin D derivatives, anthralin, systemic antimetabolites such as methotrexate, psoralen-ultraviolet-light therapy (PUVA), etretinate, isotretinoin, cyclosporine, and the topical vitamin D3 derivative calcipotriol. The antagonists, in particularly the soluble receptor or the antibodies that bind to IL-20 or the IL-20 receptor can be administered to individual subcutaneously, intravenously, or transdermally using a cream or transdermal patch that contains the antagonist of IL-20. If administered subcutaneously, the antagonist can be injected into one or more psoriatic plaques. If administered transdermally, the antagonists can be administered directly on the plaques using a cream containing the antagonist to IL-20.

[0111] Use of Antagonists to IL-20 to Treat Inflammatory Conditions of the Lung.

[0112] A soluble receptor of IL-20 of the present invention can be administered to a person who has asthma, bronchitis or cystic fibrosis or other inflammatory lung disease to treat the disease. The antagonists can be administered by any suitable method including intravenous, subcutaneous, bronchial lavage, and the use of inhalant containing an antagonist to IL-20.

[0113] Administration of the IL-20 Soluble Receptor

[0114] The quantities of the IL-20 soluble necessary for effective therapy will depend upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, and other medications administered. Thus, treatment dosages should be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. Typically, dosages used in vitro may provide useful guidance in the amounts useful for in vivo administration of these reagents. Animal testing of effective doses for treatment of particular disorders will provide further predictive indication of human dosage. Methods for administration include oral, intravenous, peritoneal, intramuscular, transdermal or administration into the lung or trachea in spray form by means or a nebulizer or atomizer. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers will include water, saline, buffers to name just a few. Dosage ranges would ordinarily be expected from 1 .mu.g to 1000 .mu.g per kilogram of body weight per day. A dosage for an average adult of the IL-20 soluble receptor would be about 25 mg given twice weekly as a subcutaneous injection. Injections could be given at the site of psoriatic lesions for the treatment of psoriasis. For subcutaneous or intravenous administration of the antagonist to IL-20, the antibody or soluble receptor can be in phosphate buffered saline. Also in skin diseases such as psoriasis, the antagonist to IL-20 can be administered via an ointment or transdermal patch. The doses by may be higher or lower as can be determined by a medical doctor with ordinary skill in the art. For a complete discussion of drug formulations and dosage ranges see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18.sup.th Ed., (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1996), and Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 9.sup.th Ed. (Pergamon Press 1996).

[0115] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLE 1

Up-Regulation of IL-8 by IL-20

[0116] Methods:

[0117] Normal Human Epidermal neonatal keratinocytes (NHEK) (from Clonetics) at passage 2 were plated and grown to confluency in 12 well tissue culture plates. KGM (Keratinocyte growth media) was purchased from Clonetics. When cells reached confluency, they were washed with KGM media minus growth factors=KBM (keratinocyte basal media). Cells were serum starved in KBM for 72 hours prior to the addition of test compounds. Thrombin at 1 I.U./mL and trypsin at 25 nM were used as positive controls. One mL of media/well was added. KBM only was used as the negative control.

[0118] IL-20 was made up in KBM media and added at varying concentrations, from 2.5 .mu.g/ml down to 618 ng/mL in a first experiment and from 2.5 .mu.g/mL down to 3 ng/mL in a second experiment.

[0119] Cells were incubated at 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2 for 48 hours. Supernatants were removed and frozen at -80.degree. C. for several days prior to assaying for IL-8 and GM-CSF levels. Human IL-8 Immunoassay kit # D8050 (RandD Systems, Inc.) and human GM-CSF Immunoassay kit # HSGMO (RandD Systems, Inc.) were used to determine cytokine production following manufacturer's instructions.

[0120] Results

[0121] The results indicated that the expression of IL-8 and GM-CSF were induced by IL-20.

EXAMPLE 2

Cloning of IL-20RB

[0122] Cloning of IL-20RB Coding Region

[0123] Two PCR primers were designed based on the sequence from International Patent Application No. PCT/US99/03735 (publication no. WO 99/46379) filed on Mar. 8, 1999. SEQ ID NO: 38 contains the ATG (Met1) codon with an EcoRI restriction site, SEQ ID NO: 37 contains the stop codon (TAG) with an XhoI restriction site. The PCR amplification was carried out using a human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cDNA library DNA as a template and SEQ ID NO: 37 and SEQ ID NO: 38 as primers.

[0124] The PCR reaction was performed as follows: incubation at 94.degree. C. for 1 min followed by 30 cycles of 94.degree. C. for 30 sec and 68.degree. C. for 2 min, after additional 68.degree. C. for 4 min, the reaction was stored at 4.degree. C. The PCR products were run on 1% Agarose gel, and a 1 kb DNA band was observed. The PCR products were cut from the gel and the DNA was purified using a QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen). The purified DNA was digested with EcoRI and XhoI, and cloned into a pZP vector that was called pZP7N. A pZP plasmid is a mammalian expression vector containing an expression cassette having the mouse metallothionein-1 promoter, human tPA leader peptide, multiple restriction sites for insertion of coding sequences, a Glu-Glu tag, and a human growth hormone terminator. The plasmid also has an E. coli origin of replication, a mammalian selectable marker expression unit having an SV40 promoter, an enhancer and an origin of replication, as well as a DHFR gene, and the SV40 terminator. Several IL-20RB-pZP7N clones were sequenced. They all contain three non-conservative mutations compared with the sequence of IL-20RB in PCT/US99/03735: (sequence IL-20RB-pZP7N), 146 Pro (CCC)--Thr (ACC), 148 His (CAT)--Asp (GAT), and 171 Thr (ACG)--Arg (AGG).

[0125] To verify the three substitutions in IL-20RB-pZP7N clone, PCR amplification was carried out using three difference cDNA sources--fetal skin marathon cDNA, HaCaT cDNA library DNA, and prostate smooth muscle cDNA library DNA--as templates. The PCR products were gel purified and sequenced. The sequence of each of the three PCR products was consistent with that of the IL-20RB-pZP7N clone. IL-20RB is SEQ ID NO: 22 and 23, and the mature extracellular domain is SEQ ID NO: 21.

EXAMPLE 3

Binding of IL-20 to IL-20RB/IL-22R Heterodimer

[0126] A cell-based binding assay was used to verify IL-20 binds to IL-22R-IL-20RB heterodimer.

[0127] Expression vectors containing known and orphan Class II cytokine receptors (including IL-22R and IL-20RB) were transiently transfected into Baf3 cells.

[0128] Plated cells out at 5000cells/well, treated cells with IL-20 (zcyto10), MDA-7, and Soluble Proteins.

[0129] Inc. at 37 degrees for 3 days (72 hrs.)

[0130] Added 20 ul/well of Alamar Blue, inc. at 37 degrees overnight (24 hrs.)

[0131] Read on the f-Max (Molecular Devises) in the Robotics room on 544 excitation/590 emission setting.

[0132] Results:

[0133] Positive proliferative response with treatments of IL-20 (zcyto10) and MDA-7 from 0.1 ng/ml to 100 ng/ml on Baf3/DIRS1/cytoR11 cell line.

[0134] A neutralization of the positive proliferative response of IL-20 and MDA-7 (same conc.'s) when IL-20 and MDA-7 were treated in combination with the IL-22R Soluble Receptor (heterodimeric Sol. R.) at a 60 fold molar excess.

[0135] A neutralization of the positive proliferative response of MDA-7 (from 0.1 to 10 ng/ml) when MDA-7 was treated in combination with IL-20RB Soluble Protein (thrombin cleaved version) at a 60 fold molar excess.

EXAMPLE 4

Up-regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines by IL-20

[0136] Cell Treatment

[0137] The human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT was grown at 37.degree. C. to several days post-confluence in T-75 tissue culture flasks. At this point, normal growth media (DMEM+10% FBS) was removed and replaced with serum-free media. Cells were then incubated for two days at 37.degree. C. DMEM was then removed and four flasks of cells per treatment were treated with one of each of the following conditions for four hours at 37.degree. C.: recombinant human (rh) IL-1 alpha at 5 ng/mL, rh IL-1 alpha at 20 ng/mL, rh IL-1 alpha at 5 ng/mL+IL-20 at 1 .mu.g/mL, IL-20 at 1 .mu.g/mL, or rh IL-10 at 10 ng/mL.

[0138] RNA Isolation

[0139] Following cytokine treatment, media was removed and cells were lysed using a guanidium thiocyanate solution. Total RNA was isolated from the cell lysate by an overnight spin on a cesium chloride gradient. The following day, the RNA pellet was resuspended in a TE/SDS solution and ethanol precipitated. RNA was then quantitated using a spectrophotometer, followed by a DNase treatment as per Section V.B. of Clontech's Atlas.TM. cDNA Expression Arrays User Manual (version PT3140-1/PR9X390, published Nov. 5, 1999). Quality of RNA samples was verified by purity calculations based on spec readings, and by visualization on agarose gel. Genomic contamination of the RNA samples was ruled out by PCR analysis of the beta-actin gene.

[0140] Clontech's protocols for polyA+ enrichment, probe synthesis and hybridization to Atlas.TM. arrays were followed (see above, plus Atlas.TM. Pure Total RNA Labeling System User Manual, PT3231-1/PR96157, published Jun. 22, 1999). Briefly, polyA+ RNA was isolated from 50 mg of total RNA using streptavidin coated magnetic beads (by Clontech, Paolo Alto, Calif.) and a magnetic particle separator. PolyA+ RNA was then labeled with .sup.alpha32P-dATP via RT-PCR. Clontech CDS primers specific to the 268 genes on the Atlas.TM. human cytokine/receptor array (Cat. #7744-1) were used in the reaction. Labeled probe was isolated using column chromatography and counted in scintillation fluid.

[0141] Array Membrane Hybridization

[0142] Atlas.TM. arrays were pre-hybridized with Clontech ExpressHyb plus 100 mg/mL heat denatured salmon sperm DNA for at least thirty minutes at 68.degree. C. with continuous agitation. Membranes were then hybridized with 1.9.times.10.sup.6 CPM/mL (a total of 1.14.times.10.sup.7 CPM) overnight at 68.degree. C. with continuous agitation. The following day, membranes were washed for thirty minutes.times.4 in 2.times.SSC, 1% SDS at 68.degree. C., plus for thirty minutes.times.1 in 0.1.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS at 68.degree. C., followed by one final room temperature wash for five minutes in 2.times.SSC. Array membranes were then placed in Kodak plastic pouches sealed and exposed to a phosphor imager screen overnight at room temperature. The next day, phosphor screens were scanned on a phosphor imager and analyzed using Clontech's AtlasImage.TM. 1.0 software.

[0143] Results

[0144] Genes Up-Regulated by IL-20

[0145] 1. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was up-regulated 1.9-2.4 fold by IL-20.

[0146] 2. Placental growth factors 1 & 2 (PLGF) were up-regulated 1.9-2.0 fold by IL-20.

[0147] 3. Coagulating factor II receptor was up-regulated 2.0-2.5 fold by IL-20.

[0148] 4. Calcitonin receptor was up-regulated 2.2-2.3 fold by IL-20.

[0149] 5. TNF-inducible hyaluronate-binding protein TSG-6 was up-regulated 2.1-2.2 fold by IL-20.

[0150] 6. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-1 precursor, tyrosine-protein kinase receptor (FLT-1) (SFLT) was up-regulated 2.1-2.7 fold by IL-20.

[0151] 7. MRP-8 (calcium binding protein in macrophages MIF-related) was up-regulated 2.9-4.1 fold by IL-20.

[0152] 8. MRP-14 (calcium binding protein in macrophages MIF-related) was up-regulated 3.0-3.8 fold by IL-20.

[0153] 9. Relaxin H2 was up-regulated 3.14 fold by IL-20.

[0154] 10. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF.beta.) receptor III 300 kDa was up-regulated 2.4-3.6 fold by IL-20.

[0155] Genes Showing Synergy with IL-20+IL-1 Treatment

[0156] 1. Bone morphogenic protein 2a was up-regulated 1.8 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 2.5 fold with IL-1 treatment alone, and 8.2 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0157] 2. MRP-8 was up-regulated 2.9 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 10.7 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 18.0 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0158] 3. Erythroid differentiation protein (EDF) was up-regulated 1.9 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 9.7 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 19.0 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0159] 4. MRP-14 (calcium binding protein in macrophages, MIF related) was up-regulated 3.0 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 12.2 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 20.3 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0160] 5. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor was up-regulated 2.0 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 14 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 25.0 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0161] 6. Beta-thromboglobulin-like protein was up-regulated 1.5 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 15 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 27 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0162] 7. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was up-regulated 1.7 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 25 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 48 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

[0163] 8. Monocyte chemotactic and activating factor MCAF was up-regulated 1.3 fold with IL-20 treatment alone, 32 fold with IL-1 treatment alone and 56 fold with both IL-20 and IL-1 treatment together.

Example 5

IL-20 Transgenic Phenotype

[0164] Both human and mouse IL-20 were overexpressed in transgenic mice using a variety of promoters. The liver-specific mouse albumin promoter, directing expression of human IL-20, was used initially in an attempt to achieve circulating levels of protein. Subsequent studies were conducted using the keratin 14 (K14) promoter, which primarily targets expression to the epidermis and other stratified squamous epithelia; the mouse metallothionein-1 promoter, which gives a broad expression pattern; and the E.mu.LCK promoter, which drives expression in cells of the lymphoid lineage. Similar results were obtained in all four cases, possibly because these promoters all give rise to circulating levels of IL-20.

[0165] In all cases, transgenic pups expressing the IL-20 transgene were smaller than non-transgenic littermates, had a shiny appearance with tight, wrinkled skin and died within the first few days after birth. Pups had milk in their stomachs indicating that they were able to suckle. These mice had swollen extremities, tail, nostril and mouth regions and had difficulty moving. In addition, the mice were frail, lacked visible adipose tissue and had delayed ear and toe development. Low expression levels in liver (less than 100 mRNA molecules/cell) were sufficient for both the neonatal lethality and skin abnormalities. Transgenic mice without a visible phenotype either did not express the transgene, did not express it at detectable levels, or were mosaic.

[0166] Histologic analysis of the skin of the IL-20 transgenic mice showed a thickened epidermis, hyperkeratosis and a compact stratum corneum compared to non-transgenic littermates. Serocellular crusts (scabs) were observed occasionally. Electron microscopic (EM) analysis of skin from transgenic mice showed intramitochondrial lipoid inclusions, mottled keratohyaline granules, and relatively few tonofilaments similar to that observed in human psoriatic skin and in mouse skin disease models. In addition, many of the transgenic mice had apoptotic thymic lymphocytes. No other abnormalities were detected by histopathological analysis. These histological and EM results support and extend the observed gross skin alterations.

Example 6

Experimental Procedures

[0167] Luciferase Assay

[0168] Luciferase reporter assays were performed using BHK cells stably transfected with IL-22R and IL-20RB and utilizing the STAT-driven luciferase reporter cassette. Cells were switched to serum-free medium overnight prior to treatment with serial dilutions of IL-19, IL-20, and MDA-7 in the presence or absence of IL-20RA/IL-20RB soluble receptor. Cells were lysed and read on the Berthold MicroLumat Plus for luciferase reporter activity.

[0169] BaF3 Proliferation Assay

[0170] Proliferation assays used Alamar Blue, which was added to the cells 24 h prior to being read on a fmax plate reader (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) using the Softmax Pro program.

[0171] RT-PCR Analysis on Human Tissues

[0172] RT-PCR was performed on a human Rapid-Scan gene expression panel (Origene Technologies, Inc.) using primers 5'-ccccagacacggtctacagcat-3' and 5'-gggtcaggccgaagaactcatat-3' to amplify a 440 bp fragment of human IL22R. PCR conditions are 94.degree. C. for 2 min., followed by 35 cycles of 94.degree. C. for 15 sec., 72.degree. C. for 90 sec, then a final extension step of 72.degree. C. for 2 min.

[0173] Results:

[0174] Since IL-22R is a shared alpha subunit, we evaluated an Origene panel for the expression of IL-22R mRNA. The highest IL-22R expression was detected in the pancreas, with skin and lung also exhibiting strong expression.

[0175] To test the possibility that the IL-20 subfamily might activate other Class II receptor combinations, BaF3 cells were stably transfected with Class II receptor subunits alone or in combinations and treated with the ligands. The assay shows that both IL-20 and MDA-7 stimulate an additional receptor complex consisting of consisting of IL-22R/IL-20RB (Table 1). We next wanted to determine which soluble receptors could block ligand activity. As mentioned above, IL-20RA/IL-20RB heterodimeric soluble receptor blocked proliferation stimulated by IL-20, IL-19, and MDA-7. In addition, IL-20RB soluble receptor alone blocked the activity of IL-19 and MDA-7, but not IL-20.

[0176] Since IL-22R is a shared alpha subunit, we evaluated an Origene panel for the expression of IL-22R MRNA (Table 2). The highest expression was detected in the pancreas, with skin and lung also exhibiting strong expression. Thus, overall IL-20R.alpha., IL-20R.beta., and IL-22R all have robust expression in skin and lung.

[0177] Since IL-20R.alpha., IL-20R.beta., and IL-22R are all expressed in the lung, we used in situ hybridization to evaluate whether the same cell types expressed all three receptors. FIG. 3 shows that both epithelial cells as well as immune infiltrates exhibit positive staining in lung sections tested for mRNA expression by in situ hybridization.

Sequence CWU 1

1

40 1 176 PRT Homo sapiens 1 Met Lys Ala Ser Ser Leu Ala Phe Ser Leu Leu Ser Ala Ala Phe Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Trp Thr Pro Ser Thr Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu Asn Leu Gly Ser 20 25 30 Cys Val Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Gln Glu Ile Arg Asn Gly Phe Ser Asp 35 40 45 Ile Arg Gly Ser Val Gln Ala Lys Asp Gly Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile 50 55 60 Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Ser Leu Gln Asp Thr Lys Pro Ala Asn Arg Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Leu Leu Arg His Leu Leu Arg Leu Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys 85 90 95 Asn Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His Tyr Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu 100 105 110 Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Thr Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Arg Leu Cys His Ala 115 120 125 His Met Thr Cys His Cys Gly Glu Glu Ala Met Lys Lys Tyr Ser Gln 130 135 140 Ile Leu Ser His Phe Glu Lys Leu Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys 145 150 155 160 Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Asp Ile Leu Leu Gln Trp Met Glu Glu Thr Glu 165 170 175 2 152 PRT Homo sapiens 2 Leu Lys Thr Leu Asn Leu Gly Ser Cys Val Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 Glu Ile Arg Asn Gly Phe Ser Asp Ile Arg Gly Ser Val Gln Ala Lys 20 25 30 Asp Gly Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Ser Leu Gln 35 40 45 Asp Thr Lys Pro Ala Asn Arg Cys Cys Leu Leu Arg His Leu Leu Arg 50 55 60 Leu Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys Asn Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His Tyr 65 70 75 80 Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Thr Ile Lys 85 90 95 Lys Asp Leu Arg Leu Cys His Ala His Met Thr Cys His Cys Gly Glu 100 105 110 Glu Ala Met Lys Lys Tyr Ser Gln Ile Leu Ser His Phe Glu Lys Leu 115 120 125 Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Asp Ile Leu 130 135 140 Leu Gln Trp Met Glu Glu Thr Glu 145 150 3 151 PRT Homo sapiens 3 Met Lys Ala Ser Ser Leu Ala Phe Ser Leu Leu Ser Ala Ala Phe Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Trp Thr Pro Ser Thr Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu Asn Leu Gly Ser 20 25 30 Cys Val Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Gln Glu Ile Arg Asn Gly Phe Ser Asp 35 40 45 Ile Arg Gly Ser Val Gln Ala Lys Asp Gly Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile 50 55 60 Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Ser Leu Gln Asp Thr Lys Pro Ala Asn Arg Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Leu Leu Arg His Leu Leu Arg Leu Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys 85 90 95 Asn Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His Tyr Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu 100 105 110 Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Thr Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Arg Leu Cys Leu Glu 115 120 125 Pro Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Asp Ile Leu Leu 130 135 140 Gln Trp Met Glu Glu Thr Glu 145 150 4 127 PRT Homo sapiens 4 Leu Lys Thr Leu Asn Leu Gly Ser Cys Val Ile Ala Thr Asn Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 Glu Ile Arg Asn Gly Phe Ser Asp Ile Arg Gly Ser Val Gln Ala Lys 20 25 30 Asp Gly Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile Leu Arg Arg Thr Glu Ser Leu Gln 35 40 45 Asp Thr Lys Pro Ala Asn Arg Cys Cys Leu Leu Arg His Leu Leu Arg 50 55 60 Leu Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys Asn Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His Tyr 65 70 75 80 Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Thr Ile Lys 85 90 95 Lys Asp Leu Arg Leu Cys Leu Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys Ala 100 105 110 Leu Gly Glu Leu Asp Ile Leu Leu Gln Trp Met Glu Glu Thr Glu 115 120 125 5 176 PRT mouse 5 Met Lys Gly Phe Gly Leu Ala Phe Gly Leu Phe Ser Ala Val Gly Phe 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Trp Thr Pro Leu Thr Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu His Leu Gly Ser 20 25 30 Cys Val Ile Thr Ala Asn Leu Gln Ala Ile Gln Lys Glu Phe Ser Glu 35 40 45 Ile Arg Asp Ser Val Gln Ala Glu Asp Thr Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile 50 55 60 Leu Arg Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Lys Asp Ile Lys Ser Leu Asp Arg Cys 65 70 75 80 Cys Phe Leu Arg His Leu Val Arg Phe Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys 85 90 95 Val Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His His Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu 100 105 110 Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Ser Val Cys His Ser 115 120 125 His Met Ala Cys His Cys Gly Glu Glu Ala Met Glu Lys Tyr Asn Gln 130 135 140 Ile Leu Ser His Phe Ile Glu Leu Glu Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys 145 150 155 160 Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Gly Ile Leu Leu Arg Trp Met Glu Glu Met Leu 165 170 175 6 152 PRT Mouse 6 Leu Lys Thr Leu His Leu Gly Ser Cys Val Ile Thr Ala Asn Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 Ala Ile Gln Lys Glu Phe Ser Glu Ile Arg Asp Ser Val Gln Ala Glu 20 25 30 Asp Thr Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile Leu Arg Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Lys 35 40 45 Asp Ile Lys Ser Leu Asp Arg Cys Cys Phe Leu Arg His Leu Val Arg 50 55 60 Phe Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys Val Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His His 65 70 75 80 Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Ile Ile Lys 85 90 95 Lys Asp Leu Ser Val Cys His Ser His Met Ala Cys His Cys Gly Glu 100 105 110 Glu Ala Met Glu Lys Tyr Asn Gln Ile Leu Ser His Phe Ile Glu Leu 115 120 125 Glu Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Gly Ile Leu 130 135 140 Leu Arg Trp Met Glu Glu Met Leu 145 150 7 144 PRT Mouse 7 Cys Val Ile Thr Ala Asn Leu Gln Ala Ile Gln Lys Glu Phe Ser Glu 1 5 10 15 Ile Arg Asp Ser Val Gln Ala Glu Asp Thr Asn Ile Asp Ile Arg Ile 20 25 30 Leu Arg Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Lys Asp Ile Lys Ser Leu Asp Arg Cys 35 40 45 Cys Phe Leu Arg His Leu Val Arg Phe Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys 50 55 60 Val Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His His Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu 65 70 75 80 Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Ser Val Cys His Ser 85 90 95 His Met Ala Cys His Cys Gly Glu Glu Ala Met Glu Lys Tyr Asn Gln 100 105 110 Ile Leu Ser His Phe Ile Glu Leu Glu Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys 115 120 125 Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Gly Ile Leu Leu Arg Trp Met Glu Glu Met Leu 130 135 140 8 154 PRT Homo sapiens 8 Met Lys Gly Phe Gly Leu Ala Phe Gly Leu Phe Ser Ala Val Gly Phe 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Trp Thr Pro Leu Thr Gly Leu Lys Thr Leu His Leu Gly Ser 20 25 30 Cys Val Ile Thr Ala Asn Leu Gln Ala Ile Gln Lys Glu Phe Ser Glu 35 40 45 Ile Arg Asp Ser Val Ser Leu Asp Arg Cys Cys Phe Leu Arg His Leu 50 55 60 Val Arg Phe Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val Phe Lys Val Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp 65 70 75 80 His His Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Leu Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Ser Val Cys His Ser His Met Ala Cys His Cys 100 105 110 Gly Glu Glu Ala Met Glu Lys Tyr Asn Gln Ile Leu Ser His Phe Ile 115 120 125 Glu Leu Glu Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Val Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Leu Leu Arg Trp Met Glu Glu Met Leu 145 150 9 130 PRT Human 9 Leu Lys Thr Leu His Leu Gly Ser Cys Val Ile Thr Ala Asn Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 Ala Ile Gln Lys Glu Phe Ser Glu Ile Arg Asp Ser Val Ser Leu Asp 20 25 30 Arg Cys Cys Phe Leu Arg His Leu Val Arg Phe Tyr Leu Asp Arg Val 35 40 45 Phe Lys Val Tyr Gln Thr Pro Asp His His Thr Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser 50 55 60 Ser Leu Ala Asn Ser Phe Leu Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Leu Ser Val Cys 65 70 75 80 His Ser His Met Ala Cys His Cys Gly Glu Glu Ala Met Glu Lys Tyr 85 90 95 Asn Gln Ile Leu Ser His Phe Ile Glu Leu Glu Leu Gln Ala Ala Val 100 105 110 Val Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Leu Gly Ile Leu Leu Arg Trp Met Glu Glu 115 120 125 Met Leu 130 10 2831 DNA human CDS (34)...(1755) 10 tagaggccaa gggagggctc tgtgccagcc ccg atg agg acg ctg ctg acc atc 54 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile 1 5 ttg act gtg gga tcc ctg gct gct cac gcc cct gag gac ccc tcg gat 102 Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp 10 15 20 ctg ctc cag cac gtg aaa ttc cag tcc agc aac ttt gaa aac atc ctg 150 Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu 25 30 35 acg tgg gac agc ggg cca gag ggc acc cca gac acg gtc tac agc atc 198 Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile 40 45 50 55 gag tat aag acg tac gga gag agg gac tgg gtg gca aag aag ggc tgt 246 Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys 60 65 70 cag cgg atc acc cgg aag tcc tgc aac ctg acg gtg gag acg ggc aac 294 Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn 75 80 85 ctc acg gag ctc tac tat gcc agg gtc acc gct gtc agt gcg gga ggc 342 Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly 90 95 100 cgg tca gcc acc aag atg act gac agg ttc agc tct ctg cag cac act 390 Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr 105 110 115 acc ctc aag cca cct gat gtg acc tgt atc tcc aaa gtg aga tcg att 438 Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile 120 125 130 135 cag atg att gtt cat cct acc ccc acg cca atc cgt gca ggc gat ggc 486 Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly 140 145 150 cac cgg cta acc ctg gaa gac atc ttc cat gac ctg ttc tac cac tta 534 His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu 155 160 165 gag ctc cag gtc aac cgc acc tac caa atg cac ctt gga ggg aag cag 582 Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln 170 175 180 aga gaa tat gag ttc ttc ggc ctg acc cct gac aca gag ttc ctt ggc 630 Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly 185 190 195 acc atc atg att tgc gtt ccc acc tgg gcc aag gag agt gcc ccc tac 678 Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr 200 205 210 215 atg tgc cga gtg aag aca ctg cca gac cgg aca tgg acc tac tcc ttc 726 Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg Thr Trp Thr Tyr Ser Phe 220 225 230 tcc gga gcc ttc ctg ttc tcc atg ggc ttc ctc gtc gca gta ctc tgc 774 Ser Gly Ala Phe Leu Phe Ser Met Gly Phe Leu Val Ala Val Leu Cys 235 240 245 tac ctg agc tac aga tat gtc acc aag ccg cct gca cct ccc aac tcc 822 Tyr Leu Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Val Thr Lys Pro Pro Ala Pro Pro Asn Ser 250 255 260 ctg aac gtc cag cga gtc ctg act ttc cag ccg ctg cgc ttc atc cag 870 Leu Asn Val Gln Arg Val Leu Thr Phe Gln Pro Leu Arg Phe Ile Gln 265 270 275 gag cac gtc ctg atc cct gtc ttt gac ctc agc ggc ccc agc agt ctg 918 Glu His Val Leu Ile Pro Val Phe Asp Leu Ser Gly Pro Ser Ser Leu 280 285 290 295 gcc cag cct gtc cag tac tcc cag atc agg gtg tct gga ccc agg gag 966 Ala Gln Pro Val Gln Tyr Ser Gln Ile Arg Val Ser Gly Pro Arg Glu 300 305 310 ccc gca gga gct cca cag cgg cat agc ctg tcc gag atc acc tac tta 1014 Pro Ala Gly Ala Pro Gln Arg His Ser Leu Ser Glu Ile Thr Tyr Leu 315 320 325 ggg cag cca gac atc tcc atc ctc cag ccc tcc aac gtg cca cct ccc 1062 Gly Gln Pro Asp Ile Ser Ile Leu Gln Pro Ser Asn Val Pro Pro Pro 330 335 340 cag atc ctc tcc cca ctg tcc tat gcc cca aac gct gcc cct gag gtc 1110 Gln Ile Leu Ser Pro Leu Ser Tyr Ala Pro Asn Ala Ala Pro Glu Val 345 350 355 ggg ccc cca tcc tat gca cct cag gtg acc ccc gaa gct caa ttc cca 1158 Gly Pro Pro Ser Tyr Ala Pro Gln Val Thr Pro Glu Ala Gln Phe Pro 360 365 370 375 ttc tac gcc cca cag gcc atc tct aag gtc cag cct tcc tcc tat gcc 1206 Phe Tyr Ala Pro Gln Ala Ile Ser Lys Val Gln Pro Ser Ser Tyr Ala 380 385 390 cct caa gcc act ccg gac agc tgg cct ccc tcc tat ggg gta tgc atg 1254 Pro Gln Ala Thr Pro Asp Ser Trp Pro Pro Ser Tyr Gly Val Cys Met 395 400 405 gaa ggt tct ggc aaa gac tcc ccc act ggg aca ctt tct agt cct aaa 1302 Glu Gly Ser Gly Lys Asp Ser Pro Thr Gly Thr Leu Ser Ser Pro Lys 410 415 420 cac ctt agg cct aaa ggt cag ctt cag aaa gag cca cca gct gga agc 1350 His Leu Arg Pro Lys Gly Gln Leu Gln Lys Glu Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser 425 430 435 tgc atg tta ggt ggc ctt tct ctg cag gag gtg acc tcc ttg gct atg 1398 Cys Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Val Thr Ser Leu Ala Met 440 445 450 455 gag gaa tcc caa gaa gca aaa tca ttg cac cag ccc ctg ggg att tgc 1446 Glu Glu Ser Gln Glu Ala Lys Ser Leu His Gln Pro Leu Gly Ile Cys 460 465 470 aca gac aga aca tct gac cca aat gtg cta cac agt ggg gag gaa ggg 1494 Thr Asp Arg Thr Ser Asp Pro Asn Val Leu His Ser Gly Glu Glu Gly 475 480 485 aca cca cag tac cta aag ggc cag ctc ccc ctc ctc tcc tca gtc cag 1542 Thr Pro Gln Tyr Leu Lys Gly Gln Leu Pro Leu Leu Ser Ser Val Gln 490 495 500 atc gag ggc cac ccc atg tcc ctc cct ttg caa cct cct tcc ggt cca 1590 Ile Glu Gly His Pro Met Ser Leu Pro Leu Gln Pro Pro Ser Gly Pro 505 510 515 tgt tcc ccc tcg gac caa ggt cca agt ccc tgg ggc ctg ctg gag tcc 1638 Cys Ser Pro Ser Asp Gln Gly Pro Ser Pro Trp Gly Leu Leu Glu Ser 520 525 530 535 ctt gtg tgt ccc aag gat gaa gcc aag agc cca gcc cct gag acc tca 1686 Leu Val Cys Pro Lys Asp Glu Ala Lys Ser Pro Ala Pro Glu Thr Ser 540 545 550 gac ctg gag cag ccc aca gaa ctg gat tct ctt ttc aga ggc ctg gcc 1734 Asp Leu Glu Gln Pro Thr Glu Leu Asp Ser Leu Phe Arg Gly Leu Ala 555 560 565 ctg act gtg cag tgg gag tcc tgaggggaat gggaaaggct tggtgcttcc 1785 Leu Thr Val Gln Trp Glu Ser 570 tccctgtccc tacccagtgt cacatccttg gctgtcaatc ccatgcctgc ccatgccaca 1845 cactctgcga tctggcctca gacgggtgcc cttgagagaa gcagagggag tggcatgcag 1905 ggcccctgcc atgggtgcgc tcctcaccgg aacaaagcag catgataagg actgcagcgg 1965 gggagctctg gggagcagct tgtgtagaca agcgcgtgct cgctgagccc tgcaaggcag 2025 aaatgacagt gcaaggagga aatgcaggga aactcccgag gtccagagcc ccacctccta 2085 acaccatgga ttcaaagtgc tcagggaatt tgcctctcct tgccccattc ctggccagtt 2145 tcacaatcta gctcgacaga gcatgaggcc cctgcctctt ctgtcattgt tcaaaggtgg 2205 gaagagagcc tggaaaagaa ccaggcctgg aaaagaacca gaaggaggct gggcagaacc 2265 agaacaacct gcacttctgc caaggccagg gccagcagga cggcaggact ctagggaggg 2325 gtgtggcctg cagctcattc ccagccaggg caactgcctg acgttgcacg atttcagctt 2385 cattcctctg atagaacaaa gcgaaatgca ggtccaccag ggagggagac acacaagcct 2445 tttctgcagg caggagtttc agaccctatc ctgagaatgg ggtttgaaag gaaggtgagg 2505

gctgtggccc ctggacgggt acaataacac actgtactga tgtcacaact ttgcaagctc 2565 tgccttgggt tcagcccatc tgggctcaaa ttccagcctc accactcaca agctgtgtga 2625 cttcaaacaa atgaaatcag tgcccagaac ctcggtttcc tcatctgtaa tgtggggatc 2685 ataacaccta cctcatggag ttgtggtgaa gatgaaatga agtcatgtct ttaaagtgct 2745 taatagtgcc tggtacatgg gcagtgccca ataaacggta gctatttaaa aaaaaaaaaa 2805 aaaaaaaaaa atagcggccg cctcga 2831 11 574 PRT human 11 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser 20 25 30 Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr 35 40 45 Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp 50 55 60 Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val 85 90 95 Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg 100 105 110 Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys 115 120 125 Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr 130 135 140 Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe 145 150 155 160 His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln 165 170 175 Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr 180 185 190 Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp 195 200 205 Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp 210 215 220 Arg Thr Trp Thr Tyr Ser Phe Ser Gly Ala Phe Leu Phe Ser Met Gly 225 230 235 240 Phe Leu Val Ala Val Leu Cys Tyr Leu Ser Tyr Arg Tyr Val Thr Lys 245 250 255 Pro Pro Ala Pro Pro Asn Ser Leu Asn Val Gln Arg Val Leu Thr Phe 260 265 270 Gln Pro Leu Arg Phe Ile Gln Glu His Val Leu Ile Pro Val Phe Asp 275 280 285 Leu Ser Gly Pro Ser Ser Leu Ala Gln Pro Val Gln Tyr Ser Gln Ile 290 295 300 Arg Val Ser Gly Pro Arg Glu Pro Ala Gly Ala Pro Gln Arg His Ser 305 310 315 320 Leu Ser Glu Ile Thr Tyr Leu Gly Gln Pro Asp Ile Ser Ile Leu Gln 325 330 335 Pro Ser Asn Val Pro Pro Pro Gln Ile Leu Ser Pro Leu Ser Tyr Ala 340 345 350 Pro Asn Ala Ala Pro Glu Val Gly Pro Pro Ser Tyr Ala Pro Gln Val 355 360 365 Thr Pro Glu Ala Gln Phe Pro Phe Tyr Ala Pro Gln Ala Ile Ser Lys 370 375 380 Val Gln Pro Ser Ser Tyr Ala Pro Gln Ala Thr Pro Asp Ser Trp Pro 385 390 395 400 Pro Ser Tyr Gly Val Cys Met Glu Gly Ser Gly Lys Asp Ser Pro Thr 405 410 415 Gly Thr Leu Ser Ser Pro Lys His Leu Arg Pro Lys Gly Gln Leu Gln 420 425 430 Lys Glu Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser Cys Met Leu Gly Gly Leu Ser Leu Gln 435 440 445 Glu Val Thr Ser Leu Ala Met Glu Glu Ser Gln Glu Ala Lys Ser Leu 450 455 460 His Gln Pro Leu Gly Ile Cys Thr Asp Arg Thr Ser Asp Pro Asn Val 465 470 475 480 Leu His Ser Gly Glu Glu Gly Thr Pro Gln Tyr Leu Lys Gly Gln Leu 485 490 495 Pro Leu Leu Ser Ser Val Gln Ile Glu Gly His Pro Met Ser Leu Pro 500 505 510 Leu Gln Pro Pro Ser Gly Pro Cys Ser Pro Ser Asp Gln Gly Pro Ser 515 520 525 Pro Trp Gly Leu Leu Glu Ser Leu Val Cys Pro Lys Asp Glu Ala Lys 530 535 540 Ser Pro Ala Pro Glu Thr Ser Asp Leu Glu Gln Pro Thr Glu Leu Asp 545 550 555 560 Ser Leu Phe Arg Gly Leu Ala Leu Thr Val Gln Trp Glu Ser 565 570 12 228 PRT human 12 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser 20 25 30 Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr 35 40 45 Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp 50 55 60 Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val 85 90 95 Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg 100 105 110 Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys 115 120 125 Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr 130 135 140 Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe 145 150 155 160 His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln 165 170 175 Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr 180 185 190 Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp 195 200 205 Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp 210 215 220 Arg Thr Trp Thr 225 13 211 PRT human 13 Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro 20 25 30 Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp 35 40 45 Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu 50 55 60 Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr 65 70 75 80 Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe 85 90 95 Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile 100 105 110 Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro 115 120 125 Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His 130 135 140 Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met 145 150 155 160 His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro 165 170 175 Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala 180 185 190 Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg 195 200 205 Thr Trp Thr 210 14 971 DNA Human CDS (18)...(950) 14 gaattcgagt ctaccaa atg cag act ttc aca atg gtt cta gaa gaa atc 50 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile 1 5 10 tgg aca agt ctt ttc atg tgg ttt ttc tac gca ttg att cca tgt ttg 98 Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu 15 20 25 ctc aca gat gaa gtg gcc att ctg cct gcc cct cag aac ctc tct gta 146 Leu Thr Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val 30 35 40 ctc tca acc aac atg aag cat ctc ttg atg tgg agc cca gtg atc gcg 194 Leu Ser Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala 45 50 55 cct gga gaa aca gtg tac tat tct gtc gaa tac cag ggg gag tac gag 242 Pro Gly Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu 60 65 70 75 agc ctg tac acg agc cac atc tgg atc ccc agc agc tgg tgc tca ctc 290 Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu 80 85 90 act gaa ggt cct gag tgt gat gtc act gat gac atc acg gcc act gtg 338 Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val 95 100 105 cca tac aac ctt cgt gtc agg gcc aca ttg ggc tca cag acc tca gcc 386 Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala 110 115 120 tgg agc atc ctg aag cat ccc ttt aat aga aac tca acc atc ctt acc 434 Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr 125 130 135 cga cct ggg atg gag atc acc aaa gat ggc ttc cac ctg gtt att gag 482 Arg Pro Gly Met Glu Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu 140 145 150 155 ctg gag gac ctg ggg ccc cag ttt gag ttc ctt gtg gcc tac tgg agg 530 Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg 160 165 170 agg gag cct ggt gcc gag gaa cat gtc aaa atg gtg agg agt ggg ggt 578 Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly 175 180 185 att cca gtg cac cta gaa acc atg gag cca ggg gct gca tac tgt gtg 626 Ile Pro Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val 190 195 200 aag gcc cag aca ttc gtg aag gcc att ggg agg tac agc gcc ttc agc 674 Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser 205 210 215 cag aca gaa tgt gtg gag gtg caa gga gag gcc att ccc ctg gta ctg 722 Gln Thr Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro Leu Val Leu 220 225 230 235 gcc ctg ttt gcc ttt gtt ggc ttc atg ctg atc ctt gtg gtc gtg cca 770 Ala Leu Phe Ala Phe Val Gly Phe Met Leu Ile Leu Val Val Val Pro 240 245 250 ctg ttc gtc tgg aaa atg ggc cgg ctg ctc cag tac tcc tgt tgc ccc 818 Leu Phe Val Trp Lys Met Gly Arg Leu Leu Gln Tyr Ser Cys Cys Pro 255 260 265 gtg gtg gtc ctc cca gac acc ttg aaa ata acc aat tca ccc cag aag 866 Val Val Val Leu Pro Asp Thr Leu Lys Ile Thr Asn Ser Pro Gln Lys 270 275 280 tta atc agc tgc aga agg gag gag gtg gat gcc tgt gcc acg gct gtg 914 Leu Ile Ser Cys Arg Arg Glu Glu Val Asp Ala Cys Ala Thr Ala Val 285 290 295 atg tct cct gag gaa ctc ctc agg gcc tgg atc tca taggtttgcg 960 Met Ser Pro Glu Glu Leu Leu Arg Ala Trp Ile Ser 300 305 310 gaaggctcga g 971 15 311 PRT Human 15 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Val 20 25 30 Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met 35 40 45 Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val 50 55 60 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser 65 70 75 80 His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys 115 120 125 His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu 130 135 140 Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala 165 170 175 Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu 180 185 190 Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe 195 200 205 Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val 210 215 220 Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro Leu Val Leu Ala Leu Phe Ala Phe 225 230 235 240 Val Gly Phe Met Leu Ile Leu Val Val Val Pro Leu Phe Val Trp Lys 245 250 255 Met Gly Arg Leu Leu Gln Tyr Ser Cys Cys Pro Val Val Val Leu Pro 260 265 270 Asp Thr Leu Lys Ile Thr Asn Ser Pro Gln Lys Leu Ile Ser Cys Arg 275 280 285 Arg Glu Glu Val Asp Ala Cys Ala Thr Ala Val Met Ser Pro Glu Glu 290 295 300 Leu Leu Arg Ala Trp Ile Ser 305 310 16 203 PRT human 16 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro 195 200 17 201 PRT Homo sapiens 17 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala 195 200 18 201 PRT Homo sapiens 18 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu

115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala 195 200 19 196 PRT Homo sapiens 19 Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met Lys His 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr 20 25 30 Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser His Ile 35 40 45 Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp 50 55 60 Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys His Pro 85 90 95 Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu Ile Thr 100 105 110 Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln 115 120 125 Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu 130 135 140 His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu Glu Thr 145 150 155 160 Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe Val Lys 165 170 175 Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val Glu Val 180 185 190 Gln Gly Glu Ala 195 20 203 PRT Homo sapiens 20 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro 195 200 21 196 PRT Homo sapiens 21 Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met Lys His 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr 20 25 30 Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser His Ile 35 40 45 Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp 50 55 60 Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys His Pro 85 90 95 Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu Ile Pro 100 105 110 Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln 115 120 125 Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu 130 135 140 His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu Glu Thr 145 150 155 160 Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe Val Lys 165 170 175 Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val Glu Val 180 185 190 Gln Gly Glu Ala 195 22 1382 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (132)...(1034) 22 tcgacccacg cgtccgcgct gcgactcaga cctcagctcc aacatatgca ttctgaagaa 60 agatggctga gatggacaga atgctttatt ttggaaagaa acaatgttct aggtcaaact 120 gagtctacca a atg cag act ttc aca atg gtt cta gaa gaa atc tgg aca 170 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr 1 5 10 agt ctt ttc atg tgg ttt ttc tac gca ttg att cca tgt ttg ctc aca 218 Ser Leu Phe Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr 15 20 25 gat gaa gtg gcc att ctg cct gcc cct cag aac ctc tct gta ctc tca 266 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 30 35 40 45 acc aac atg aag cat ctc ttg atg tgg agc cca gtg atc gcg cct gga 314 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 50 55 60 gaa aca gtg tac tat tct gtc gaa tac cag ggg gag tac gag agc ctg 362 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 65 70 75 tac acg agc cac atc tgg atc ccc agc agc tgg tgc tca ctc act gaa 410 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 80 85 90 ggt cct gag tgt gat gtc act gat gac atc acg gcc act gtg cca tac 458 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 95 100 105 aac ctt cgt gtc agg gcc aca ttg ggc tca cag acc tca gcc tgg agc 506 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 110 115 120 125 atc ctg aag cat ccc ttt aat aga aac tca acc atc ctt acc cga cct 554 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 130 135 140 ggg atg gag atc ccc aaa cat ggc ttc cac ctg gtt att gag ctg gag 602 Gly Met Glu Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 145 150 155 gac ctg ggg ccc cag ttt gag ttc ctt gtg gcc tac tgg acg agg gag 650 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu 160 165 170 cct ggt gcc gag gaa cat gtc aaa atg gtg agg agt ggg ggt att cca 698 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 175 180 185 gtg cac cta gaa acc atg gag cca ggg gct gca tac tgt gtg aag gcc 746 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 190 195 200 205 cag aca ttc gtg aag gcc att ggg agg tac agc gcc ttc agc cag aca 794 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 210 215 220 gaa tgt gtg gag gtg caa gga gag gcc att ccc ctg gta ctg gcc ctg 842 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro Leu Val Leu Ala Leu 225 230 235 ttt gcc ttt gtt ggc ttc atg ctg atc ctt gtg gtc gtg cca ctg ttc 890 Phe Ala Phe Val Gly Phe Met Leu Ile Leu Val Val Val Pro Leu Phe 240 245 250 gtc tgg aaa atg ggc cgg ctg ctc cag tac tcc tgt tgc ccc gtg gtg 938 Val Trp Lys Met Gly Arg Leu Leu Gln Tyr Ser Cys Cys Pro Val Val 255 260 265 gtc ctc cca gac acc ttg aaa ata acc aat tca ccc cag gtt aat cag 986 Val Leu Pro Asp Thr Leu Lys Ile Thr Asn Ser Pro Gln Val Asn Gln 270 275 280 285 ctg cag aag gga gga ggt gga tgc ctg tgc cac ggc tgt gat gtc tcc 1034 Leu Gln Lys Gly Gly Gly Gly Cys Leu Cys His Gly Cys Asp Val Ser 290 295 300 tgaggaactc ctcagggcct ggatctcata tcaggtttgc ggaagggccc aggtgaagcc 1094 gagaacctgg tctgcatgac atggaaacca tgaggggaca agttgtgttt ctgttttccg 1154 ccacggacaa gggatgagag aagtaggaag agcctgttgt ctacaagtct agaagcaacc 1214 atcagaggca gggtggtttg tctaacagaa caactgactg aggctatggg ggttgtgacc 1274 tctagacttt gggcttccac ttgcttggct gagcaaccct gggaaaagtg acttcatccc 1334 ttcggtccca agttttctca tctgtaatgg gggatcccta caaaactg 1382 23 301 PRT Homo sapiens 23 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Val 20 25 30 Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met 35 40 45 Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val 50 55 60 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser 65 70 75 80 His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys 115 120 125 His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu 130 135 140 Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala 165 170 175 Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu 180 185 190 Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe 195 200 205 Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val 210 215 220 Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Ile Pro Leu Val Leu Ala Leu Phe Ala Phe 225 230 235 240 Val Gly Phe Met Leu Ile Leu Val Val Val Pro Leu Phe Val Trp Lys 245 250 255 Met Gly Arg Leu Leu Gln Tyr Ser Cys Cys Pro Val Val Val Leu Pro 260 265 270 Asp Thr Leu Lys Ile Thr Asn Ser Pro Gln Val Asn Gln Leu Gln Lys 275 280 285 Gly Gly Gly Gly Cys Leu Cys His Gly Cys Asp Val Ser 290 295 300 24 1764 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (34)...(1752) 24 tagaggccaa gggagggctc tgtgccagcc ccg atg agg acg ctg ctg acc atc 54 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile 1 5 ttg act gtg gga tcc ctg gct gct cac gcc cct gag gac ccc tcg gat 102 Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp 10 15 20 ctg ctc cag cac gtg aaa ttc cag tcc agc aac ttt gaa aac atc ctg 150 Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu 25 30 35 acg tgg gac agc ggg cca gag ggc acc cca gac acg gtc tac agc atc 198 Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile 40 45 50 55 gag tat aag acg tac gga gag agg gac tgg gtg gca aag aag ggc tgt 246 Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys 60 65 70 cag cgg atc acc cgg aag tcc tgc aac ctg acg gtg gag acg ggc aac 294 Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn 75 80 85 ctc acg gag ctc tac tat gcc agg gtc acc gct gtc agt gcg gga ggc 342 Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly 90 95 100 cgg tca gcc acc aag atg act gac agg ttc agc tct ctg cag cac act 390 Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr 105 110 115 acc ctc aag cca cct gat gtg acc tgt atc tcc aaa gtg aga tcg att 438 Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile 120 125 130 135 cag atg att gtt cat cct acc ccc acg cca atc cgt gca ggc gat ggc 486 Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly 140 145 150 cac cgg cta acc ctg gaa gac atc ttc cat gac ctg ttc tac cac tta 534 His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu 155 160 165 gag ctc cag gtc aac cgc acc tac caa atg cac ctt gga ggg aag cag 582 Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln 170 175 180 aga gaa tat gag ttc ttc ggc ctg acc cct gac aca gag ttc ctt ggc 630 Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly 185 190 195 acc atc atg att tgc gtt ccc acc tgg gcc aag gag agt gcc ccc tac 678 Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr 200 205 210 215 atg tgc cga gtg aag aca ctg cca gac cgg aca tgg acc ggt gga ggc 726 Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg Thr Trp Thr Gly Gly Gly 220 225 230 ggt tca ggc gga ggt ggc tct ggc ggt ggc gga tcg gcc tcc acc aag 774 Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys 235 240 245 ggc cca tcg gtc ttc ccc ctg gca ccc tcc tcc aag agc acc tct ggg 822 Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly 250 255 260 ggc aca gcg gcc ctg ggc tgc ctg gtc aag gac tac ttc ccc gaa ccg 870 Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro 265 270 275 gtg acg gtg tcg tgg aac tca ggc gcc ctg acc agc ggc gtg cac acc 918 Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr 280 285 290 295 ttc ccg gct gtc cta cag tcc tca gga ctc tac tcc ctc agc agc gtg 966 Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val 300 305 310 gtg acc gtg ccc tcc agc agc ttg ggc acc cag acc tac atc tgc aac 1014 Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn 315 320 325 gtg aat cac aag ccc agc aac acc aag gtg gac aag aaa gtt gag ccc 1062 Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro 330 335 340 aaa tct tgt gac aaa act cac aca tgc cca ccg tgc cca gca cct gaa 1110 Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu 345 350 355 gcc gag ggg gca ccg tca gtc ttc ctc ttc ccc cca aaa ccc aag gac 1158 Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp 360 365 370 375 acc ctc atg atc tcc cgg acc cct gag gtc aca tgc gtg gtg gtg gac 1206 Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp 380 385 390 gtg agc cac gaa gac cct gag gtc aag ttc aac tgg tac gtg gac ggc 1254 Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly 395 400 405 gtg gag gtg cat aat gcc aag aca aag ccg cgg gag gag cag tac aac 1302 Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn 410 415 420 agc acg tac cgt gtg gtc agc gtc ctc acc gtc ctg cac cag gac tgg 1350 Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp 425 430 435 ctg aat ggc aag gag tac aag tgc aag gtc tcc aac aaa gcc ctc cca 1398 Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro 440 445 450 455 tcc tcc atc gag aaa acc atc tcc aaa gcc aaa ggg cag ccc cga gaa 1446 Ser Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu 460 465 470 cca cag gtg tac acc ctg ccc cca tcc cgg gat gag ctg acc aag aac 1494 Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn 475 480 485 cag gtc agc ctg acc tgc ctg gtc aaa ggc ttc tat ccc agc gac atc 1542 Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile 490 495 500 gcc gtg gag tgg gag agc aat ggg cag ccg gag aac aac tac aag acc 1590 Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr 505 510 515 acg cct ccc gtg ctg gac tcc gac ggc tcc ttc ttc ctc tac agc aag 1638 Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys 520 525 530 535 ctc acc gtg gac aag agc agg tgg cag cag

ggg aac gtc ttc tca tgc 1686 Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys 540 545 550 tcc gtg atg cat gag gct ctg cac aac cac tac acg cag aag agc ctc 1734 Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu 555 560 565 tcc ctg tct ccg ggt aaa taatctagat ct 1764 Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 570 25 573 PRT Homo sapiens 25 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser 20 25 30 Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr 35 40 45 Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp 50 55 60 Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val 85 90 95 Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg 100 105 110 Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys 115 120 125 Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr 130 135 140 Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe 145 150 155 160 His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln 165 170 175 Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr 180 185 190 Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp 195 200 205 Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp 210 215 220 Arg Thr Trp Thr Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly 225 230 235 240 Gly Gly Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro 245 250 255 Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val 260 265 270 Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala 275 280 285 Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly 290 295 300 Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly 305 310 315 320 Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys 325 330 335 Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys 340 345 350 Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Leu 355 360 365 Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu 370 375 380 Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys 385 390 395 400 Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys 405 410 415 Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu 420 425 430 Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys 435 440 445 Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ser Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys 450 455 460 Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser 465 470 475 480 Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys 485 490 495 Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln 500 505 510 Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly 515 520 525 Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln 530 535 540 Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn 545 550 555 560 His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 565 570 26 556 PRT Homo sapiens 26 Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro 20 25 30 Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp 35 40 45 Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu 50 55 60 Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr 65 70 75 80 Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe 85 90 95 Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile 100 105 110 Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro 115 120 125 Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His 130 135 140 Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met 145 150 155 160 His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro 165 170 175 Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala 180 185 190 Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg 195 200 205 Thr Trp Thr Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly 210 215 220 Gly Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser 225 230 235 240 Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys 245 250 255 Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu 260 265 270 Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu 275 280 285 Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr 290 295 300 Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val 305 310 315 320 Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro 325 330 335 Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Ala Glu Gly Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe 340 345 350 Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val 355 360 365 Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe 370 375 380 Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro 385 390 395 400 Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr 405 410 415 Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val 420 425 430 Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ser Ser Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala 435 440 445 Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg 450 455 460 Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly 465 470 475 480 Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro 485 490 495 Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser 500 505 510 Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln 515 520 525 Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His 530 535 540 Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 545 550 555 27 1081 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (9)...(1067) 27 ggccggcc atg cag act ttc aca atg gtt cta gaa gaa atc tgg aca agt 50 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser 1 5 10 ctt ttc atg tgg ttt ttc tac gca ttg att cca tgt ttg ctc aca gat 98 Leu Phe Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp 15 20 25 30 gaa gtg gcc att ctg cct gcc cct cag aac ctc tct gta ctc tca acc 146 Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr 35 40 45 aac atg aag cat ctc ttg atg tgg agc cca gtg atc gcg cct gga gaa 194 Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu 50 55 60 aca gtg tac tat tct gtc gaa tac cag ggg gag tac gag agc ctg tac 242 Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr 65 70 75 acg agc cac atc tgg atc ccc agc agc tgg tgc tca ctc act gaa ggt 290 Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly 80 85 90 cct gag tgt gat gtc act gat gac atc acg gcc act gtg cca tac aac 338 Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn 95 100 105 110 ctt cgt gtc agg gcc aca ttg ggc tca cag acc tca gcc tgg agc atc 386 Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile 115 120 125 ctg aag cat ccc ttt aat aga aac tca acc atc ctt acc cga cct ggg 434 Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly 130 135 140 atg gag atc ccc aaa cat ggc ttc cac ctg gtt att gag ctg gag gac 482 Met Glu Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp 145 150 155 ctg ggg ccc cag ttt gag ttc ctt gtg gcc tac tgg acg agg gag cct 530 Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu Pro 160 165 170 ggt gcc gag gaa cat gtc aaa atg gtg agg agt ggg ggt att cca gtg 578 Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val 175 180 185 190 cac cta gaa acc atg gag cca ggg gct gca tac tgt gtg aag gcc cag 626 His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln 195 200 205 aca ttc gtg aag gcc att ggg agg tac agc gcc ttc agc cag aca gaa 674 Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu 210 215 220 tgt gtg gag gtg caa gga gag gcc gga ggt ggt ggc agt gga ggc ggc 722 Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly 225 230 235 ggt agc gga ggc ggt ggc agt cga act gtg gct gca cca tct gtc ttc 770 Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe 240 245 250 atc ttc ccg cca tct gat gag cag ttg aaa tct gga act gcc tct gtt 818 Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val 255 260 265 270 gtg tgc ctg ctg aat aac ttc tat ccc aga gag gcc aaa gta cag tgg 866 Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp 275 280 285 aag gtg gat aac gcc ctc caa tcg ggt aac tcc cag gag agt gtc aca 914 Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr 290 295 300 gag cag gac agc aag gac agc acc tac agc ctc agc agc acc ctg acg 962 Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr 305 310 315 ctg agc aaa gca gac tac gag aaa cac aaa gtc tac gcc tgc gaa gtc 1010 Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val 320 325 330 acc cat cag ggc ctg agc tcg ccc gtc aca aag agc ttc aac agg gga 1058 Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly 335 340 345 350 gag tgt taa tctagaggcg cgcc 1081 Glu Cys * 28 352 PRT Homo sapiens 28 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Val 20 25 30 Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met 35 40 45 Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val 50 55 60 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser 65 70 75 80 His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys 115 120 125 His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu 130 135 140 Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala 165 170 175 Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu 180 185 190 Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe 195 200 205 Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val 210 215 220 Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 225 230 235 240 Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe 245 250 255 Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys 260 265 270 Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val 275 280 285 Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln 290 295 300 Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser 305 310 315 320 Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His 325 330 335 Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 340 345 350 29 323 PRT Homo sapiens 29 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Pro Lys His Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Thr Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly 195 200 205 Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val 210 215 220 Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser 225 230 235 240 Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln 245 250 255 Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val 260 265 270 Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu 275 280 285 Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu 290 295 300 Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg

305 310 315 320 Gly Glu Cys 30 1714 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (34)...(1707) 30 tagaggccaa gggagggctc tgtgccagcc ccg atg agg acg ctg ctg acc atc 54 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile 1 5 ttg act gtg gga tcc ctg gct gct cac gcc cct gag gac ccc tcg gat 102 Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp 10 15 20 ctg ctc cag cac gtg aaa ttc cag tcc agc aac ttt gaa aac atc ctg 150 Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu 25 30 35 acg tgg gac agc ggg cca gag ggc acc cca gac acg gtc tac agc atc 198 Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile 40 45 50 55 gag tat aag acg tac gga gag agg gac tgg gtg gca aag aag ggc tgt 246 Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys 60 65 70 cag cgg atc acc cgg aag tcc tgc aac ctg acg gtg gag acg ggc aac 294 Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn 75 80 85 ctc acg gag ctc tac tat gcc agg gtc acc gct gtc agt gcg gga ggc 342 Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly 90 95 100 cgg tca gcc acc aag atg act gac agg ttc agc tct ctg cag cac act 390 Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr 105 110 115 acc ctc aag cca cct gat gtg acc tgt atc tcc aaa gtg aga tcg att 438 Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile 120 125 130 135 cag atg att gtt cat cct acc ccc acg cca atc cgt gca ggc gat ggc 486 Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly 140 145 150 cac cgg cta acc ctg gaa gac atc ttc cat gac ctg ttc tac cac tta 534 His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu 155 160 165 gag ctc cag gtc aac cgc acc tac caa atg cac ctt gga ggg aag cag 582 Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln 170 175 180 aga gaa tat gag ttc ttc ggc ctg acc cct gac aca gag ttc ctt ggc 630 Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly 185 190 195 acc atc atg att tgc gtt ccc acc tgg gcc aag gag agt gcc ccc tac 678 Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr 200 205 210 215 atg tgc cga gtg aag aca ctg cca gac cgg aca tgg acc gct agc acc 726 Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg Thr Trp Thr Ala Ser Thr 220 225 230 aag ggc cca tcg gtc ttc ccc ctg gca ccc tcc tcc aag agc acc tct 774 Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser 235 240 245 ggg ggc aca gcg gcc ctg ggc tgc ctg gtc aag gac tac ttc ccc gaa 822 Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu 250 255 260 ccg gtg acg gtg tcg tgg aac tca ggc gcc ctg acc agc ggc gtg cac 870 Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His 265 270 275 acc ttc ccg gct gtc cta cag tcc tca gga ctc tac tcc ctc agc agc 918 Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser 280 285 290 295 gtg gtg acc gtg ccc tcc agc agc ttg ggc acc cag acc tac atc tgc 966 Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys 300 305 310 aac gtg aat cac aag ccc agc aac acc aag gtg gac aag aaa gtt gag 1014 Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu 315 320 325 ccc aaa tct tgt gac aaa act cac aca tgc cca ccg tgc cca gca cct 1062 Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro 330 335 340 gaa ctc ctg ggg gga ccg tca gtc ttc ctc ttc ccc cca aaa ccc aag 1110 Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys 345 350 355 gac acc ctc atg atc tcc cgg acc cct gag gtc aca tgc gtg gtg gtg 1158 Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val 360 365 370 375 gac gtg agc cac gaa gac cct gag gtc aag ttc aac tgg tac gtg gac 1206 Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp 380 385 390 ggc gtg gag gtg cat aat gcc aag aca aag ccg cgg gag gag cag tac 1254 Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr 395 400 405 aac agc acg tac cgt gtg gtc agc gtc ctc acc gtc ctg cac cag gac 1302 Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp 410 415 420 tgg ctg aat ggc aag gag tac aag tgc aag gtc tcc aac aaa gcc ctc 1350 Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu 425 430 435 cca gcc ccc atc gag aaa acc atc tcc aaa gcc aaa ggg cag ccc cga 1398 Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg 440 445 450 455 gaa cca cag gtg tac acc ctg ccc cca tcc cgg gat gag ctg acc aag 1446 Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys 460 465 470 aac cag gtc agc ctg acc tgc ctg gtc aaa ggc ttc tat ccc agc gac 1494 Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp 475 480 485 atc gcc gtg gag tgg gag agc aat ggg cag ccg gag aac aac tac aag 1542 Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys 490 495 500 acc acg cct ccc gtg ctg gac tcc gac ggc tcc ttc ttc ctc tac agc 1590 Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser 505 510 515 aag ctc acc gtg gac aag agc agg tgg cag cag ggg aac gtc ttc tca 1638 Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser 520 525 530 535 tgc tcc gtg atg cat gag gct ctg cac aac cac tac acg cag aag agc 1686 Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser 540 545 550 ctc tcc ctg tct ccg ggt aaa tgacgcg 1714 Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 555 31 558 PRT Homo sapiens 31 Met Arg Thr Leu Leu Thr Ile Leu Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Ala Ala His 1 5 10 15 Ala Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser 20 25 30 Ser Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr 35 40 45 Pro Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp 50 55 60 Trp Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val 85 90 95 Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg 100 105 110 Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys 115 120 125 Ile Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr 130 135 140 Pro Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe 145 150 155 160 His Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln 165 170 175 Met His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr 180 185 190 Pro Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp 195 200 205 Ala Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp 210 215 220 Arg Thr Trp Thr Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala 225 230 235 240 Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu 245 250 255 Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly 260 265 270 Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser 275 280 285 Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu 290 295 300 Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr 305 310 315 320 Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr 325 330 335 Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe 340 345 350 Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro 355 360 365 Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val 370 375 380 Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr 385 390 395 400 Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val 405 410 415 Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys 420 425 430 Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser 435 440 445 Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro 450 455 460 Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val 465 470 475 480 Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly 485 490 495 Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp 500 505 510 Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp 515 520 525 Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His 530 535 540 Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 545 550 555 32 541 PRT Homo sapiens 32 Pro Glu Asp Pro Ser Asp Leu Leu Gln His Val Lys Phe Gln Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Asn Phe Glu Asn Ile Leu Thr Trp Asp Ser Gly Pro Glu Gly Thr Pro 20 25 30 Asp Thr Val Tyr Ser Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Tyr Gly Glu Arg Asp Trp 35 40 45 Val Ala Lys Lys Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Thr Arg Lys Ser Cys Asn Leu 50 55 60 Thr Val Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Glu Leu Tyr Tyr Ala Arg Val Thr 65 70 75 80 Ala Val Ser Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Met Thr Asp Arg Phe 85 90 95 Ser Ser Leu Gln His Thr Thr Leu Lys Pro Pro Asp Val Thr Cys Ile 100 105 110 Ser Lys Val Arg Ser Ile Gln Met Ile Val His Pro Thr Pro Thr Pro 115 120 125 Ile Arg Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp Ile Phe His 130 135 140 Asp Leu Phe Tyr His Leu Glu Leu Gln Val Asn Arg Thr Tyr Gln Met 145 150 155 160 His Leu Gly Gly Lys Gln Arg Glu Tyr Glu Phe Phe Gly Leu Thr Pro 165 170 175 Asp Thr Glu Phe Leu Gly Thr Ile Met Ile Cys Val Pro Thr Trp Ala 180 185 190 Lys Glu Ser Ala Pro Tyr Met Cys Arg Val Lys Thr Leu Pro Asp Arg 195 200 205 Thr Trp Thr Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro 210 215 220 Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val 225 230 235 240 Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala 245 250 255 Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly 260 265 270 Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly 275 280 285 Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys 290 295 300 Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys 305 310 315 320 Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu 325 330 335 Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu 340 345 350 Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys 355 360 365 Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys 370 375 380 Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu 385 390 395 400 Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys 405 410 415 Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys 420 425 430 Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser 435 440 445 Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys 450 455 460 Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln 465 470 475 480 Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly 485 490 495 Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln 500 505 510 Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn 515 520 525 His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Lys 530 535 540 33 1011 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (1)...(1008) 33 atg cag act ttc aca atg gtt cta gaa gaa atc tgg aca agt ctt ttc 48 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 atg tgg ttt ttc tac gca ttg att cca tgt ttg ctc aca gat gaa gtg 96 Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Val 20 25 30 gcc att ctg cct gcc cct cag aac ctc tct gta ctc tca acc aac atg 144 Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met 35 40 45 aag cat ctc ttg atg tgg agc cca gtg atc gcg cct gga gaa aca gtg 192 Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val 50 55 60 tac tat tct gtc gaa tac cag ggg gag tac gag agc ctg tac acg agc 240 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser 65 70 75 80 cac atc tgg atc ccc agc agc tgg tgc tca ctc act gaa ggt cct gag 288 His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 tgt gat gtc act gat gac atc acg gcc act gtg cca tac aac ctt cgt 336 Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg 100 105 110 gtc agg gcc aca ttg ggc tca cag acc tca gcc tgg agc atc ctg aag 384 Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys 115 120 125 cat ccc ttt aat aga aac tca acc atc ctt acc cga cct ggg atg gag 432 His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu 130 135 140 atc acc aaa gat ggc ttc cac ctg gtt att gag ctg gag gac ctg ggg 480 Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 ccc cag ttt gag ttc ctt gtg gcc tac tgg agg agg gag cct ggt gcc 528 Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala 165 170 175 gag gaa cat gtc aaa atg gtg agg agt ggg ggt att cca gtg cac cta 576 Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu 180 185 190 gaa acc atg gag cca ggg gct gca tac tgt gtg aag gcc cag aca ttc 624 Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe 195 200 205 gtg aag gcc att ggg agg tac agc gcc ttc agc cag aca gaa tgt gtg 672 Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val 210 215 220 gag gtg caa gga gag gcc act gtg gct gca cca tct gtc ttc atc ttc 720 Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe 225 230 235 240 ccg cca tct gat gag cag ttg aaa tct ggt acc gcc tct gtt gtg tgc 768 Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys

245 250 255 ctg ctg aat aac ttc tat ccc aga gag gcc aaa gta cag tgg aag gtg 816 Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val 260 265 270 gat aac gcc ctc caa tcg ggt aac tcc cag gag agt gtc aca gag cag 864 Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln 275 280 285 gac agc aag gac agc acc tac agc ctc agc agc acc ctg acg ctg agc 912 Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser 290 295 300 aaa gca gac tac gag aaa cac aaa gtc tac gcc tgc gaa gtc acc cat 960 Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His 305 310 315 320 cag ggc ctg agc tcg ccc gtc aca aag agc ttc aac agg gga gag tgt 1008 Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 325 330 335 tag 1011 34 336 PRT Homo sapiens 34 Met Gln Thr Phe Thr Met Val Leu Glu Glu Ile Trp Thr Ser Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Met Trp Phe Phe Tyr Ala Leu Ile Pro Cys Leu Leu Thr Asp Glu Val 20 25 30 Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser Thr Asn Met 35 40 45 Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val 50 55 60 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu Tyr Thr Ser 65 70 75 80 His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu Gly Pro Glu 85 90 95 Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Leu Arg 100 105 110 Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser Ile Leu Lys 115 120 125 His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro Gly Met Glu 130 135 140 Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu Pro Gly Ala 165 170 175 Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro Val His Leu 180 185 190 Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala Gln Thr Phe 195 200 205 Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr Glu Cys Val 210 215 220 Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe 225 230 235 240 Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys 245 250 255 Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val 260 265 270 Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln 275 280 285 Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser 290 295 300 Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His 305 310 315 320 Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 325 330 335 35 307 PRT Homo sapiens 35 Asp Glu Val Ala Ile Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 Thr Asn Met Lys His Leu Leu Met Trp Ser Pro Val Ile Ala Pro Gly 20 25 30 Glu Thr Val Tyr Tyr Ser Val Glu Tyr Gln Gly Glu Tyr Glu Ser Leu 35 40 45 Tyr Thr Ser His Ile Trp Ile Pro Ser Ser Trp Cys Ser Leu Thr Glu 50 55 60 Gly Pro Glu Cys Asp Val Thr Asp Asp Ile Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Tyr 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Arg Val Arg Ala Thr Leu Gly Ser Gln Thr Ser Ala Trp Ser 85 90 95 Ile Leu Lys His Pro Phe Asn Arg Asn Ser Thr Ile Leu Thr Arg Pro 100 105 110 Gly Met Glu Ile Thr Lys Asp Gly Phe His Leu Val Ile Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125 Asp Leu Gly Pro Gln Phe Glu Phe Leu Val Ala Tyr Trp Arg Arg Glu 130 135 140 Pro Gly Ala Glu Glu His Val Lys Met Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ile Pro 145 150 155 160 Val His Leu Glu Thr Met Glu Pro Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Lys Ala 165 170 175 Gln Thr Phe Val Lys Ala Ile Gly Arg Tyr Ser Ala Phe Ser Gln Thr 180 185 190 Glu Cys Val Glu Val Gln Gly Glu Ala Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val 195 200 205 Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser 210 215 220 Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln 225 230 235 240 Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val 245 250 255 Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu 260 265 270 Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu 275 280 285 Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg 290 295 300 Gly Glu Cys 305 36 15 PRT Homo sapiens 36 Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 1 5 10 15 37 32 DNA Homo sapiens 37 cgctcgagcc ttccgcaaac ctatgagatc ca 32 38 33 DNA Homo sapiens 38 gcgaattcga gtctaccaaa tgcagacttt cac 33 39 18 DNA Mouse 39 cgccgcgttc ccgagatg 18 40 24 DNA mouse 40 ggatgaggca gggctgacaa agtt 24

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An isolated soluble receptor comprised of an IL-22R subunit and a IL-20RB subunit, wherein the IL-22R subunit is comprised of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 12, 13, 25, 26 31 and 32, and the IL-20B subunit is comprised of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-21, 23, 28, 29, 34 and 35.

2. The soluble receptor of claim 1 wherein the IL-22R subunit and the IL-20B subunit are linked together by a polypeptide linker.

3. The soluble receptor of claim 2 wherein the polypeptide linker has about 100 to 240 amino acid residues.

4. The soluble receptor of claim 3 wherein the polypeptide linker has about 170 amino acid residues.

5. The soluble receptor of claim 1 wherein the IL-22R subunit and the IL-20B subunit each have a polypeptide linker fused to the subunit, and each of the polypeptide linkers has at least one cysteine residue, wherein at least one disulfide bond forms with a cysteine from the polypeptide linker of the IL-22R subunit and with a cysteine from the polypeptide linker of the IL-20B subunit.

6. The soluble receptor of claim 5 wherein the IL-22R subunit is fused to all or a portion of the constant region of a heavy chain of an immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule, and the IL-20B subunit is fused to all or a portion of the constant region of a light chain of an immunoglobulin molecule, wherein the light chain and the heavy chain are disulfide bonded together.

7. The soluble receptor of claim 6 wherein the constant region of the heavy chain is comprised of a CH1 domain, a CH2 domain and a hinge sequence that connects the CH1 domain with the CH2 domain.

8. The soluble receptor of claim 6 wherein the IL-22R subunit fused to the constant region of the heavy chain is comprised of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 25, 26, 31 and 32, and the IL-20B subunit fused to the constant region of the light chain of the Ig molecule is comprised of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 29, 34 and 35.

9. The soluble receptor of claim 5 wherein the IL-20B subunit is fused to all or a portion of the constant region of a heavy chain of an Ig molecule, and the IL-22R subunit is fused to all or a portion of the constant region of a light chain of an immunoglobulin molecule, wherein the light chain and the heavy chain are disulfide bonded together.

10. A for producing a soluble receptor comprised of extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a first DNA sequence comprised a DNA sequence that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-22R and the DNA that encodes an immunoglobulin light chain constant region;(b) introducing into the host cell a second DNA construct comprised of a DNA sequence that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and a DNA sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region domain; (c) growing the host cell in an appropriate growth medium under physiological conditions to allow production of a fusion protein comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the polypeptide from the host cell.

11. A method for producing a soluble receptor comprised of the extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a first DNA sequence comprised of DNA that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and the DNA that encodes an immunoglobulin light chain constant region;(b) introducing into the host cell a second DNA construct comprised of a DNA sequence that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-22R and a DNA sequence that encodes an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (c) growing the host cell in an appropriate growth medium under physiological conditions to allow the production of a dimerized heterodimeric fusion protein comprised of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the dimerized polypeptide from the host cell.

12. A method for producing a soluble receptor comprised of the extracellular domains of IL-22R and IL-20RB comprising (a) introducing into a host cell a DNA construct containing a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular portion of IL-20RB and a DNA construct of the extracellular portion of IL-22R, (b) growing the host cell in an appropriate medium under physiological conditions to allow the production of the extracellular domain of IL-22R and the extracellular domain of IL-20RB; and (d) isolating the polypeptides from the host cell.

13. A host cells transformed or transfected with a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular domain of IL-22RB and a DNA construct that encodes the extracellular domain of IL-20RB.