U.S. patent application number 11/133912 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for sgip peptides.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZymoGenetics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bishop, Paul D., Deisher, Theresa A., Jaspers, Stephen R., Sheppard, Paul O..
Application Number | 20050208626 11/133912 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26839265 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050208626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheppard, Paul O. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
SGIP peptides
Abstract
The present invention is directed to polynucleotides,
polypeptides, peptides, variants and uses thereof for novel peptide
fragments which have homology to motilin. Tissue distribution of
the mRNA for the novel polypeptide fragment is specific to the
stomach, small intestine and pancreas. Binding of the peptide
fragment has been shown in kidney and small intestine. The present
invention further includes agonists, antagonists, variants,
antibodies and host cells expressing the cDNA encoding the novel
SGIP peptide.
Inventors: |
Sheppard, Paul O.; (Granite
Falls, WA) ; Jaspers, Stephen R.; (Edmonds, WA)
; Deisher, Theresa A.; (Seattle, WA) ; Bishop,
Paul D.; (Fall City, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AMGEN INC.
LAW DEPARTMENT
1201 AMGEN COURT WEST
SEATTLE
WA
98119
US
|
Assignee: |
ZymoGenetics, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
26839265 |
Appl. No.: |
11/133912 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11133912 |
May 19, 2005 |
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10186414 |
Jul 1, 2002 |
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10186414 |
Jul 1, 2002 |
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09608810 |
Jun 30, 2000 |
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6420521 |
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60141592 |
Jun 30, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/69.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/325; 530/327; 536/23.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 14/63 20130101;
A61K 38/00 20130101; C07K 14/47 20130101; C07K 14/575 20130101;
C07K 7/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/069.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/325; 530/327; 536/023.1 |
International
Class: |
C07H 021/04; C07K
007/08 |
Claims
1. An isolated polypeptide molecule consisting of an amino acid
sequence selected from a. residues 3 to 9 of SEQ ID NO:2; b.
residues 2 to 9 of SEQ ID NO:2; c. residues 1 to 9 of SEQ ID NO:2
d. residues 3 to 10 of SEQ ID NO:2; e. residues 2 to 10 of SEQ ID
NO:2; and f. residues 3 to 11 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the
polypeptide molecule has one amino acid substitution.
2. The isolated polypeptide molecule according to claim 1, wherein
the amino acid substitution is selected from a. the amino acid at
position 1 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with serine, alanine,
threonine, or methionine; b. the amino acid at position 2 of SEQ ID
NO:2 is substituted with glycine, alanine, threonine, or
methionine; c. the amino acid at position 3 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with glycine, alanine, threonine, or methionine; d. the
amino acid at position 4 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with
tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, valine, or isoleucine; e. the amino
acid at position 5 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with isoleucine,
valine, phenylalanine, or tyrosine; f. the amino acid at position 6
of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with glycine, alanine, threonine,
methionine, or proline; g. the amino acid at position 7 of SEQ ID
NO:2 is substituted with alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, or
valine; h. the amino acid at position 8 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with aspartic acid; i. the amino acid at position 9 of
SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with arginine, lysine, phenylalanine, or
tyrosine; j. the amino acid at position 10 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with asparagine, serine, threionine, histidine,
alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine or arginine; or k.
the amino acid position 11 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with
glutamine, asparagine, serine, threionine, histidine, or
alanine.
3. An isolated polypeptide molecule consisting of an amino acid
sequence selected from a. residues 4 to 9 of SEQ ID NO:2; b.
residues 4 to 10 of SEQ ID NO:2; and c. residues 4 to 11 of SEQ ID
NO:2; wherein the polypeptide molecule has one amino acid
substitution.
4. The isolated polypeptide molecule according to claim 3, wherein
the amino acid substitution is selected from a. the amino acid at
position 4 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with tryptophan, tyrosine,
leucine, valine, or isoleucine; b. the amino acid at position 5 of
SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine,
or tyrosine; c. the amino acid at position 6 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with glycine, alanine, threonine, methionine, or
proline; d. the amino acid at position 7 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with glycine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine or valine;
e. the amino acid at position 8 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with
aspartic acid; f. the amino acid at position 9 of SEQ ID NO:2 is
substituted with arginine, lysine, phenylalanine, or tyrosine; g.
the amino acid at position 10 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with
asparagine, serine, threionine, histidine, alanine, glutamic acid,
aspartic acid, lysine, or arginine; or h. the amino acid at
position 11 of SEQ ID NO:2 is substituted with glutamine,
asparagine, serine, threionine, histidine, or alanine.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/186,414, filed Jul. 1, 2002, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 09/608,810 filed Jun. 30, 2000, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,420,521, which claims benefit to Provisional Application No.
60/141,592 filed Jun. 30, 1999. The entire disclosures of these
applications are relied upon and incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many of the regulatory peptides that are important in
maintaining nutritional homeostasis are found in the
gastrointestinal environment. These peptides may be synthesized in
the digestive system and act locally, but can also be identified in
the brain as well. In addition, the reverse is also found, i.e.,
peptides are synthesized in the brain, but found to regulate cells
in the gastrointestinal tract. This phenomena has been called the
"brain-gut axis" and is important for signaling satiety, regulating
body temperature and other physiological processes that require
feedback between the brain and gut.
[0003] The gut peptide hormones include gastrin, cholecystokinin
(CCK), secretin, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), vasoactive
intestinal polypeptide (VIP), motilin, somatostatin, pancreatic
peptide (PP), substance P and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and use several
different mechanisms of action. For example, gastrin, motilin and
CCK function as endocrine- and neurocrine-type hormones. Others,
such as gastrin and GIP, are thought to act exclusively in an
endocrine fashion. Other modes of action include a combination of
endocrine, neurocrine and paracrine action (somatostatin);
exclusively neurocrine action (NPY); and a combination of
neurocrine and paracrine actions (VIP and Substance P). Most of the
gut hormone actions are mediated by membrane-bound receptors and
activate second messenger systems. For a review of gut peptides
see, Mulvihill et al., in Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, pp.
551-570, 4th edition Greenspan F. S. and Baxter, J. D. editors.,
Appleton & Lange: Norwalk, Conn., 1994.
[0004] Many of these gut peptides are synthesized as inactive
precursor molecules that require multiple peptide cleavages to be
activated. The family known as the "glucagon-secretin" family which
includes VIP, gastrin, secretin, motilin, glucagon and galanin
exemplifies peptides regulated by multiple cleavages and
post-translational modifications.
[0005] Motilin is a 22 amino acid peptide found in gut tissue of
mammalian species (Domschke, W., Digestive Diseases 22(5):454-461,
1977). The DNA and amino acid sequences for porcine prepromotilin
have been identified (U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,469). Motilin has been
identified as a factor capable of increasing gastric motility,
affecting the secretory function of the stomach by stimulating
pepsin secretion (Brown et al., Canadian J. of Physiol. Pharmacol.
49:399405, 1971), and recent evidence suggests a role in
myoelectric regulation of stomach and small intestine. Cyclic
increases of motilin have been correlated with phase III of the
interdigestive myoelectric complex and the hunger contraction of
the duodenum (Chey et al., in Gut Hormones, (eds.) Bloom, S. R.,
pp. 355-358, Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone, 1978; Lee et al, Am.
J. Digestive Diseases, 23:789-795, 1978; and Itoh et al., Am. J.
Digestive Diseases, 23:929-935, 1978). Motilin and analogues of
motilin have been demonstrated to produce contraction of
gastrointestinal smooth muscle, but not other types of smooth
muscle cells (Strunz et al., Gastroenterology 68:1485-1491,
1975).
[0006] The present invention is directed to a novel peptide
fragment, and the DNA segment encoding it, of a previously
described secreted protein, zsig33 (Sheppard, P. O., WO98/42840:
1998). The present invention is also directed to a limited number
of variants of said peptide fragment. The discovery of this novel
peptide fragment is important for further elucidation of the how
the body maintains its nutritional homeostasis and development of
therapeutics to intervene in those processes, as well as other uses
that will be apparent from the teachings herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Within one aspect, the present invention provides an
isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an isolated peptide
molecule selected from the group consisting of (a) residue 1 (Gly)
to residue 9 (His); (b) residue 2 (Ser) to residue 9 (His); (c)
residue 3 (Ser) to residue 9 (His); and (d) residue 4 (Phe) to
residue 9 (His); all of SEQ ID NO:2. Within one embodiment, the
invention provides for the isolated peptide molecule encoded by
said isolated nucleic acid molecule.
[0008] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide molecule comprising residues X through 9 of SEQ ID
NO:6, wherein X is an integer from 1 to 4, inclusive, and wherein
at least Y of said residues are as in the corresponding region of
SEQ ID NO:2, wherein Y is 9 minus X. Within an embodiment the
invention provides a method of modulating contractility and protein
secretion in stomach, duodenum or jejunum tissue comprising
applying said isolated polypeptide to said tissue. Within another
embodiment is provided a method of modulating pancreatic secretion
of hormones and digestive enzymes in a mammal comprising
administering the isolated polypeptide of claim 1 to a mammal.
[0009] Within another aspect the present invention provides an
isolated polypeptide molecule consisting of residues X through Y of
SEQ ID NO:6, wherein Y is 10 or 11 and X is an integer from 1 to 4,
inclusive, and at least (Y minus X) minus 3 residues are as in the
corresponding region of SEQ ID NO:2.
[0010] Within another aspect is provided an isolated polypeptide
molecule consisting of residues X through Y of SEQ ID NO:6, wherein
Y is 10 or 11 and X is an integer from 1 to 4, inclusive, and at
least (Y minus X) minus 2 residues are as in the corresponding
region of SEQ ID NO:2 Within an embodiment the invention provides a
method of modulating contractility in duodenum or jejunum tissue
comprising applying the isolated polypeptide said tissue. Within
another embodiment is provided a method of modulating pancreatic
secretion of hormones and digestive enzymes comprising
administering the isolated polypeptide to a mammal.
[0011] Within another aspect, the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide molecule consisting of residues X through Y of SEQ ID
NO:6, wherein Y is 10 or 11 and X is an integer from 1 to 4,
inclusive, and at least (Y minus X) minus 1 residues are as in the
corresponding region of SEQ ID NO:2. Within an embodiment is
provided a method of modulating contractility in duodenum or
jejunum tissue comprising applying the isolated polypeptide to said
tissue. Within another embodiment is provided a method of
modulating pancreatic secretion of hormones and digestive enzymes
comprising administering the isolated polypeptide to a mammal.
[0012] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide consisting of up to nine amino acids as shown in the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. Within one embodiment the
polypeptide has at its amino terminal residue 1 (Gly), residue 2
(Ser), residue 3 (Ser) or residue 4 (Phe) as shown in SEQ ID NO:2,
and the polypeptide has at its carboxyl terminal residue 9 (His) as
shown is SEQ ID NO:2. Within an embodiment, the polypeptide has up
to one amino acid substitution. Within another embodiment, is
provided a method of stimulating contractility in duodenum or
jejunum tissue comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
with out amino acid substitutions to the tissue. Within another
embodiment is provided a method of modulating pancreatic secretion
of hormones and digestive enzymes comprising administering the
polypeptide, with or without substitutions, to a mammal. Within
another embodiment is provided a method of stimulating growth
hormone secretion comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
without substitutions, to a mammal.
[0013] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide wherein the polypeptide has at its amino terminal
residue 2 (Ser), residue 3 (Ser) or residue 4 (Phe) as shown in SEQ
ID NO:2, and the polypeptide has at its carboxyl terminal residue
10 (Gln) as shown is SEQ ID NO:2. Within an embodiment, the
polypeptide has up to three amino acid substitutions. Within
another embodiment, is provided a method of stimulating
contractility in duodenum or jejunum tissue comprising
administering the polypeptide, with or with out amino acid
substitutions to the tissue. Within another embodiment is provided
a method of modulating pancreatic secretion of hormones and
digestive enzymes comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
without substitutions, to a mammal. Within another embodiment is
provided a method of stimulating growth hormone secretion
comprising administering the polypeptide, with or without
substitutions, to a mammal.
[0014] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide wherein the polypeptide has at its amino terminal
residue 3 (Ser) or residue 4 (Phe) as shown in SEQ ID NO:2, and the
polypeptide has at its carboxyl terminal residue 10 (Gln) as shown
is SEQ ID NO:2. Within an embodiment, the polypeptide has up to
three amino acid substitution. Within another embodiment, is
provided a method of stimulating contractility in duodenum or
jejunum tissue comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
with out amino acid substitutions to the tissue. Within another
embodiment is provided a method of modulating pancreatic secretion
of hormones and digestive enzymes comprising administering the
polypeptide, with or without substitutions, to a mammal. Within
another embodiment is provided a method of stimulating growth
hormone secretion comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
without substitutions, to a mammal.
[0015] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide molecule, wherein the polypeptide molecule is selected
from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide molecule consisting
of residues 1 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; b) a polypeptide
molecule consisting of residues 2 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; c)
a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 3 to 9 as shown in
SEQ ID NO:2; d) a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 4 to
9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; e) a polypeptide molecule consisting of
residues 2 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; f) a polypeptide molecule
consisting of residues 3 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; g) a
polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 4 to 10 as shown in SEQ
ID NO:2; h) a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 3 to 11
as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and i) a polypeptide molecule consisting
of residues 4 to 11 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; wherein the
polypeptide molecule has up to one amino acid substitution at
residue X, wherein residue X is an integer from 1 to 11, inclusive,
and wherein the amino acid is substituted with the corresponding
amino acid at residue X as shown in SEQ ID NO:6. Within an
embodiment, is provided a method of stimulating contractility in
duodenum or jejunum tissue comprising administering the
polypeptide, with or with out amino acid substitutions to the
tissue. Within another embodiment is provided a method of
modulating pancreatic secretion of hormones and digestive enzymes
comprising administering the polypeptide, with or without
substitutions, to a mammal. Within another embodiment is provided a
method of stimulating growth hormone secretion comprising
administering the polypeptide, with or without substitutions, to a
mammal. Within one embodiment, the isolated polypeptide molecule
consists of residues 1 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another
embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 2 to 9 as
shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide
molecule consists of residues 3 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of
residues 4 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment
the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 2 to 10 as shown in
SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule
consists of residues 3 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within
another embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 4
to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the
polypeptide molecule consists of residues 3 to 11 as shown in SEQ
ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule
consists of residues 4 to 11 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within
another embodiment of the invention, residue 3 (Ser) is acylated.
Within a further embodiment, residue 3 (Ser) has an n-octanoic acid
acylation.
[0016] Within another aspect the invention provides an isolated
polypeptide molecule, wherein the polypeptide molecule is selected
from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide molecule consisting
of residues 1 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; b) a polypeptide
molecule consisting of residues 2 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; c)
a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 3 to 9 as shown in
SEQ ID NO:2; d) a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 4 to
9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; e) a polypeptide molecule consisting of
residues 2 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; f) a polypeptide molecule
consisting of residues 3 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; g) a
polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 4 to 10 as shown in SEQ
ID NO:2; h) a polypeptide molecule consisting of residues 3 to 11
as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and i) a polypeptide molecule consisting
of residues 4 to 1 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within an embodiment,
is provided a method of stimulating contractility in duodenum or
jejunum tissue comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
with out amino acid substitutions to the tissue. Within another
embodiment is provided a method of modulating pancreatic secretion
of hormones and digestive enzymes comprising administering the
polypeptide, with or without substitutions, to a mammal. Within
another embodiment is provided a method of stimulating growth
hormone secretion comprising administering the polypeptide, with or
without substitutions, to a mammal. Within one embodiment, the
isolated polypeptide molecule consists of residues 1 to 9 as shown
in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule
consists of residues 2 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another
embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 3 to 9 as
shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide
molecule consists of residues 4 to 9 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of
residues 2 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment
the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 3 to 10 as shown in
SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the polypeptide molecule
consists of residues 4 to 10 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within
another embodiment the polypeptide molecule consists of residues 3
to 11 as shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Within another embodiment the
polypeptide molecule consists of residues 4 to 11 as shown in SEQ
ID NO:2. Within another embodiment of the invention, residue 3
(Ser) is acylated. Within a further embodiment, residue 3 (Ser) has
an n-octanoic acid acylation.
[0017] Within another aspect, the invention provides an isolated
polynucleotide molecule having a polynucleotide sequence selected
from the group consisting of: a polynucleotide sequence as shown in
SEQ ID NO:1; a polynucleotide molecule that is complementary to the
polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1; and a
polynucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:7. Within an
embodiment, is also provided a polynucleotide vector comprising
said isolated polynucleotide molecule, a transcription promoter,
and a transcription terminator, wherein the promoter is operably
linked with the nucleic acid molecule, and wherein the nucleic acid
molecule is operably linked with the transcription terminator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Prior to describing the present invention in detail, it may
be helpful to define certain terms used herein:
[0019] The term "ortholog" denotes a polypeptide or protein
obtained from one species that is the functional counterpart of a
polypeptide or protein from a different species. Sequence
differences among orthologs are the result of speciation.
[0020] "Paralogs" are distinct but structurally related proteins
made by an organism. Paralogs are believed to arise through gene
duplication. For example, ?-globin, ?-globin, and myoglobin are
paralogs of each other.
[0021] The term "allelic variant" denotes any of two or more
alternative forms of a gene occupying the same chromosomal locus.
Allelic variation arises naturally through mutation, and may result
in phenotypic polymorphism within populations. Gene mutations can
be silent (no change in the encoded polypeptide) or may encode
polypeptides having altered amino acid sequence. The term allelic
variant is also used herein to denote a protein encoded by an
allelic variant of a gene.
[0022] The term "expression vector" denotes 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 may include promoter
and terminator sequences, and may optionally include one or more
origins of replication, one or more selectable markers, an
enhancer, a polyadenylation signal, and the like. Expression
vectors are generally derived from plasmid or viral DNA, or may
contain elements of both.
[0023] The term "isolated" when applied to a polynucleotide
molecule, 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). When applied to a protein, the
term "isolated" indicates that the protein is found in a condition
other than its native environment, such as apart from blood and
animal tissue. In a preferred form, the isolated protein is
substantially free of other proteins, particularly other proteins
of animal origin. It is preferred to provide the protein in a
highly purified form, i.e., greater than 95% pure, more preferably
greater than 99% pure.
[0024] The term "corresponding to", when applied to positions of
amino acid residues in sequences, means corresponding positions in
a plurality of sequences when the sequences are optimally
aligned.
[0025] The term "operably linked", when referring to DNA segments,
denotes 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
[0026] The term "polynucleotide" denotes 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.
[0027] The term "complements of polynucleotide molecules" denotes
polynucleotide molecules having a complementary base sequence and
reverse orientation as compared to a reference sequence. For
example, the sequence 5' ATGCACGGG 3' is complementary to 5'
CCCGTGCAT 3'.
[0028] 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).
[0029] The term "promoter" denotes 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.
[0030] 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 peptide is commonly cleaved to remove the secretory
peptide during transit through the secretory pathway.
[0031] 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. Most nuclear receptors also exhibit a
multi-domain structure, including an amino-terminal,
transactivating domain, a DNA binding domain and a ligand binding
domain. 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).
[0032] 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.
[0033] All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[0034] The present invention is based in part upon the discovery of
a novel peptide fragment, and the DNA segment encoding it, of a
previously described secreted polypeptide, known as zsig33
(Sheppard, P. O., WO 98/42840). Zsig33 (shown in SEQ ID NOs: 3 and
4) has homology to motilin (shown in SEQ ID NO:5), and has been
found to be transcribed in the gastrointestinal system. The novel
peptide fragment of the present invention has homology to the
minimal basic unit of motilin which is required for binding of
motilin to its receptor(s) (Miller, P. et al., Peptides
16(1):11-18). This novel peptide fragment and the cDNA encoding it
has been designated SGIP and correlates to SEQ ID NO:s 1 and 2 for
polynucleotides and polypeptides, respectively. Additionally, novel
variants of this peptide fragment are described herein in SEQ ID
NO:6.
[0035] Motilin is a member of a family of polypeptides that
regulate the gastrointestinal physiology. The family of
polypeptides important in gastrointestinal regulation to which
motilin belongs includes glucagon, gastrin, galanin, and vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP). These polypeptides are synthesized in a
precursor form that requires multiple steps of processing to the
active form. Particularly relevant to the polypeptide of the
present invention are motilin, VIP and galanin, where processing
involves removal of signal sequence, followed by cleavage of one or
more accessory peptides to release the active peptide. The
resulting active peptide may require further post-translational
modifications, such as amidation, acylation, sulfation or
pyrrolidan carbonylic acid modification of glutamic residues.
[0036] Analysis of the tissue distribution of the mRNA
corresponding to said secreted protein, zsig33, showed that
expression was highest in stomach, followed by apparent but
decreased expression levels in small intestine and pancreas. The
EST for the secreted protein, zsig33, was derived from a pancreatic
library, and has been also been shown in lung cDNA libraries. Thus,
the mRNA for the novel peptide fragment can also be localized to
these tissues.
[0037] Studies involving the binding of porcine motilin to its
receptor have shown that the minimal basic unit of motilin required
for receptor binding is the sequence between residues 26 (Phe) and
32 (Tyr) of SEQ ID NO:5 and that the activity is mainly determined
by these residues (Miller, P. et al., Peptides 16(1):11-18, 1995;
and Peeters, T. L. et al,. Peptides 13(6):1103-1107, 1992). It
should be noted that serine (residue 29 of SEQ ID NO:5) of the
receptor binding site of motilin has been shown to be an isoleucine
by Schubert, H. et al., Can. J. Biochem. 52:7-8, 1974. A comparison
of the polypeptide sequence of zsig33 (SEQ ID NO:4) with that of
motilin (SEQ ID NO:5) predicts that residues 4 (Phe) to 9 (His) of
SEQ ID NO:4 correspond to the receptor binding portion of motilin
(residues 26 to 32 of SEQ ID NO:5). Thus, the active peptide, or
minimal basic unit required for binding of zsig33 to its receptor
can be as short as the sequence between residue 4 (Phe) and residue
9 (His) of SEQ ID NO:4. Substitutions of residues within this six
residue peptide, can result in variants with altered affinity of
the peptide for the receptor or altered activation of the receptor.
Such alterations can result in agonistic as well as antagonistic
activity. Furthermore, this comparison suggests that residues 4
(Phe), 5 (Leu), 6 (Ser) and 9 (His) of SEQ ID NO:2 (corresponding
to residues 4, 5, 6, and 9 of SEQ ID NO:4) are particularly
important residues for receptor binding and/or activity.
[0038] Additional substitutions of residues of SGIP polypeptides
and peptides are further described herein. Substitutions of amino
acids which can result in a SGIP variant which binds the receptor
with high affinity, but causes low receptor activation are likely
to be conservative substitutions at positions between residue 4 to
residue 9 of SEQ ID NO:2, preferrably at residues 4 (Phe), 5 (Leu),
7 (Pro), and 9 (His). As such, substitutions at these positions are
potential antagonists of SGIP.
[0039] Substitutions of residues of the SGIP peptides and
polypeptides may also result in variants which are agonists. Such
substitutions may be based on conservative amino acid substitutions
as in Table 2, or based on predictions made by comparison to the
active peptide of motilin as in Table A. These substitutions
include positions 4 (Phe), 5 (Leu), and 9 (His). It is predicted,
for example, that residue 4 (Phe) can be substituted with leucine,
valine, isoleucine, tryptophan, or tyrosine; residue 5 (Leu) can be
substituted with phenylalanine, valine, tyrosine or isoleucine; and
that residue 9 (His) can be substituted with phenylalanine,
arginine, tyrosine or lysine. Similarly, residue 7 (Pro) can be
substituted with alanine, glycine, isoleucine, valine, or
leucine.
[0040] Additionally, there are positions of SGIP at which mutations
are not predicted to result in alteration of the binding affinity
or activation of the receptor upon binding these mutants. These
positions include, residue 6 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2, for example, at
which position substitution with alanine, proline, threonine,
methionine or glycine is not predicted to alter the binding of the
mutant, or variants, as compared to wild-type SGIP.
[0041] Multiple cleavages by signal peptidase are expected in the
present invention. Thus, the amino terminal of the SGIP active
peptide may begin with glycine, residue 1 of SEQ ID NO:2, serine,
residues 2 or 3 of SEQ ID NO:2 or phenylalanine, residue 4 of SEQ
ID NO:2. These positions correlate to residues 1 through 4 SEQ ID
NO:6.
[0042] Based on a comparison of the residues of SGIP to the
residues of motilin which are known to be involved in binding the
motilin receptor, there are variants of the fragment peptide of
residues 1 to 11 of SEQ ID NO:2 which have increased receptor
affinity or activation. These variants are also listed in SEQ ID
NO:6. Thus, residues 1 through 11 of SEQ ID NOs:2 and 6 correspond
to residues 1 through 11 of SEQ ID NO:4. Table A describes the
possible substitutions for these variants. Variant peptides of SGIP
may have more than one substitution. A variant peptide of having
eleven or fewer amino acids has preferably three or fewer amino
acid substitutions. A variant peptide of having eleven or fewer
amino acids has more preferably two or fewer amino acid
substitutions. Even more preferably, a variant peptide having
eleven or fewer amino acids will have one amino acid substitution.
Such substitutions are also supported by comparison of these
variants with known analogs of motilin which are further described
by Peeters, ibid.
[0043] A receptor for motilin has been identified in the
gastrointestinal system (Feighner, S. D. et al., Science
284:2184-8, 1999). Two forms of the motilin receptor (GPR38-A, and
GPR38-B) were shown resulting from alternative splicing events.
Thus, the SGIP receptor is likely to be a member of this seven
transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor homolog class. Receptors
in this class can be used for screening variants of SGIP peptides
for binding and activity. Members of this receptor class appear to
activate the pholpholipase C signal transduction pathway. Hence,
variants of SGIP peptides can also be tested using an assay that
measures phospholipase C transduction. An exemplary assay of this
sort measures Ca.sup.2+ release with a aequorin, a bioluminescent
Ca.sup.2+-sensitive reporter protein. This assay is further
described by Feighner, S. D. et al., ibid.
[0044] There are critical residues of the carboxyl terminal of
motilin, which if the peptide is truncated at these residues, there
is a sharp decrease in receptor binding (cloned human and native
rabbit) and activity (Feighner, S. D. et al., ibid). These
positions are residues 36 (Gln), and residue 37 (Arg) of motilin as
shown in SEQ ID NO:5. Similarly, SGIP peptides which terminate in
residues corresponding to residues 36 and 37 of motilin can result
in a decrease in binding and activity of SGIP peptides.
Specifically, these residues are residue 10 (Gln) and residue 11
(Arg). Potential amino acid substitutions of these residues are
described in Table A.
[0045] Binding studies have suggested that motilin binds two
heterogeneic receptors with varying affinities (Poitras, P.,
Peptides 17:701-707, 1996) suggesting that there are two forms of
motilin binding these different receptors. One such receptor is
located in the neural cells of the antrum, and the second receptor
is located in the smooth muscle cells of the duodenum. Similarly,
there may be more than one receptor which binds the SGIP ligand, or
variants thereof, and the binding affinities may vary. Thus, the
binding of SGIP polypeptides and peptides to its receptor(s) may
result in different and varying biological events depending on the
form of SGIP and the specific receptor-type to which it binds.
1TABLE A Peptide Substitutions Position: Position: Wild-Type
Substitutions: SEQ ID NO: 2 SEQ ID NO: 4 Residue SEQ ID NO: 6 1 1
Gly Ser, Ala, Thr, Met 2 2 Ser Gly, Ala, Thr, Met 3 3 Ser Gly, Ala,
Thr, Met 4 4 Phe Trp, Tyr, Leu, Val, Ile 5 5 Leu Ile, Val, Phe, Tyr
6 6 Ser Gly, Ala, Thr, Met, Pro 7 7 Pro Ala, Gly, Ile, Leu, Val 8 8
Glu Asp 9 9 His Arg, Lys, Phe, Tyr 10 10 Gln Asn, Ser, Thr, His,
Ala, Glu, Asp, Lys, Arg 11 11 Arg Gln, Asn, Ser, Thr, His, Ala
[0046] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, in
view of the degeneracy of the genetic code, considerable sequence
variation is possible among these polynucleotide molecules encoding
SEQ ID NO:2, including all RNA sequences by substituting U for T.
Thus, SGIP polypeptide-encoding polynucleotides and their RNA
equivalents are contemplated by the present invention. Table 1 sets
forth the one-letter codes used to denote degenerate nucleotide
positions. "Resolutions" are the nucleotides denoted by a code
letter. "Complement" indicates the code for the complementary
nucleotide(s). For example, the code Y denotes either C or T, and
its complement R denotes A or G, A being complementary to T, and G
being complementary to C.
2TABLE 1 Nucleotide Resolution Nucleotide Complement A A T T C C G
G G G C C T T A A R A.vertline.G Y C.vertline.T Y C.vertline.T R
A.vertline.G M A.vertline.C K G.vertline.T K G.vertline.T M
A.vertline.C S C.vertline.G S C.vertline.G W A.vertline.T W
A.vertline.T H A.vertline.C.vertline.T D A.vertline.G.vertline.T B
C.vertline.G.vertline.T V A.vertline.C.vertline.G V
A.vertline.C.vertline.G B C.vertline.G.vertline.T D
A.vertline.G.vertline.T H A.vertline.C.vertline.T N
A.vertline.C.vertline.G.vertlin- e.T N
A.vertline.C.vertline.G.vertline.T
[0047] The degenerate codons encompassing all possible codons for a
given amino acid are set forth in Table 2.
3TABLE 2 One Amino Letter Degenerate Acid Code Codons Codon Cys C
TGC TGT TGY Ser S AGC AGT TCA TCC TCG TCT WSN Thr T ACA ACC ACG ACT
ACN Pro P CCA CCC CCG CCT CCN Ala A GCA GCC GCG GCT GCN Gly G GGA
GGC GGG GGT GGN Asn N AAC AAT AAY Asp D GAC GAT GAY Glu E GAA GAG
GAR Gln Q CAA CAG CAR His H CAC CAT CAY Arg R AGA AGG CGA CGC CGG
CGT MGN Lys K AAA AAG AAR Met M ATG ATG Ile I ATA ATC ATT ATH Leu L
CTA CTC CTG CTT TTA TTG YTN Val V GTA GTC GTG GTT GTN Phe F TTC TTT
TTY Tyr Y TAC TAT TAY Trp W TGG TGG Ter . TAA TAG TGA TRR
Asn.vertline.Asp B RAY Glu.vertline.Gln Z SAR Any X NNN
[0048] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some
ambiguity is introduced in determining a degenerate codon,
representative of all possible codons encoding each amino acid. For
example, the degenerate codon for serine (WSN) can, in some
circumstances, encode arginine (AGR), and the degenerate codon for
arginine (MGN) can, in some circumstances, encode serine (AGY). A
similar relationship exists between codons encoding phenylalanine
and leucine. Thus, some polynucleotides encompassed by the
degenerate sequence may encode variant amino acid sequences, but
one of ordinary skill in the art can easily identify such variant
sequences by reference to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
Variant sequences can be readily tested for functionality as
described herein.
[0049] Within preferred embodiments of the invention the isolated
polynucleotides will hybridize to similar sized regions of SEQ ID
NO: 1, or a sequence complementary thereto, under stringent
conditions. In general, stringent conditions are selected to be
about 5.degree. C. lower than the thermal melting point (T.sub.m)
for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The
T.sub.m is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at
which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched
probe. Typical stringent conditions are those in which the salt
concentration is at least about 0.02 M at pH 7 and the temperature
is at least about 60.degree. C.
[0050] As previously noted, the isolated polynucleotides of the
present invention include DNA and RNA. Methods for isolating DNA
and RNA are well known in the art. It is generally preferred to
isolate RNA from stomach, although DNA can also be prepared using
RNA from other tissues or isolated as genomic DNA. Total RNA can be
prepared using guanidine HCl extraction followed by isolation by
centrifugation in a CsCl gradient (Chirgwin et al., Biochemistry
18:52-94, 1979). Poly (A).sup.+ RNA is prepared from total RNA
using the method of Aviv and Leder (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
69:1408-1412, 1972). Complementary DNA (cDNA) is prepared from
poly(A).sup.+ RNA using known methods. Polynucleotides encoding
SGIP polypeptides are then identified and isolated by, for example,
hybridization or PCR.
[0051] The present invention further provides counterpart
polypeptides and polynucleotides from other species (orthologs). Of
particular interest are SGIP polypeptides from other mammalian
species, including murine, rat, porcine, ovine, bovine, canine,
feline, equine and other primate proteins. Orthologs of the human
proteins can be cloned using information and compositions provided
by the present invention in combination with conventional cloning
techniques. For example, a cDNA can be cloned using mRNA obtained
from a tissue or cell type that expresses the protein. Suitable
sources of mRNA can be identified by probing Northern blots with
probes designed from the sequences disclosed herein. A library is
then prepared from mRNA of a positive tissue of cell line. A SGIP
ortholog-encoding cDNA can then be isolated by a variety of
methods, such as by probing with a complete or partial human cDNA
or with one or more sets of degenerate probes based on the
disclosed sequences. A cDNA can also be cloned using the polymerase
chain reaction, or PCR (Mullis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202), using
primers designed from the sequences disclosed herein. Within an
additional method, the cDNA library can be used to transform or
transfect host cells, and expression of the cDNA of interest can be
detected with an antibody to SGIP Similar techniques can also be
applied to the isolation of genomic clones.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sequences
disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, and polypeptide encoded thereby,
represent a single allele of the human SGIP gene and polypeptide,
and that allelic variation and alternative splicing are expected to
occur. Allelic variants can be cloned by probing cDNA or genomic
libraries from different individuals according to standard
procedures. Allelic variants of the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID
NO: 1, including those containing silent mutations and those in
which mutations result in amino acid sequence changes, are within
the scope of the present invention, as are proteins which are the
product of allelic variation of SEQ ID NO: 2.
[0053] The present invention also provides isolated SGIP
polypeptides that are substantially homologous to the polypeptides
of SEQ ID NO: 2 and their orthologs. The term "substantially
homologous" is used herein to denote polypeptides having 50%,
preferably 60%, more preferably at least 80%, sequence identity to
the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or their orthologs. Such
polypeptides will more preferably be at least 90% identical, and
most preferably 95% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 or its
orthologs. Percent sequence identity is determined by conventional
methods. See, for example, Altschul et al., Bull. Math. Bio. 48:
603-616, 1986 and Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
89:10915-10919, 1992. Briefly, two amino acid sequences are aligned
to optimize the alignment scores using a gap opening penalty of 10,
a gap extension penalty of 1, and the "blosum 62" scoring matrix of
Henikoff and Henikoff (ibid.) as shown in Table 3 (amino acids are
indicated by the standard one-letter codes).
4 TABLE 3 A R N D C Q E G H I L K M F P S T W Y V A 4 R -1 5 N -2 0
6 D -2 -2 1 6 C 0 -3 -3 -3 9 Q -1 1 0 0 -3 5 E -1 0 0 2 -4 2 5 G 0
-2 0 -1 -3 -2 -2 6 H -2 0 1 -1 -3 0 0 -2 8 I -1 -3 -3 -3 -1 -3 -3
-4 -3 4 L -1 -2 -3 -4 -1 -2 -3 -4 -3 2 4 K -1 2 0 -1 -3 1 1 -2 -1
-3 -2 5 M -1 -1 -2 -3 -1 0 -2 -3 -2 1 2 -1 5 F -2 -3 -3 -3 -2 -3 -3
-3 -1 0 0 -3 0 6 P -1 -2 -2 -1 -3 -1 -1 -2 -2 -3 -3 -1 -2 -4 7 S 1
-1 1 0 -1 0 0 0 -1 -2 -2 0 -1 -2 -1 4 T 0 -1 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -1
-1 -1 -1 -2 -1 1 5 W -3 -3 -4 -4 -2 -2 -3 -2 -2 -3 -2 -3 -1 1 -4 -3
-2 11 Y -2 -2 -2 -3 -2 -1 -2 -3 2 -1 -1 -2 -1 3 -3 -2 -2 2 7 V 0 -3
-3 -3 -1 -2 -2 -3 -3 3 1 -2 1 -1 -2 -2 0 -3 -1 4
[0054] The percent identity is then calculated as: 1 Total number
of identical matches [ length of the longer sequence plus the
number of gaps introduced into the longer sequence in order to
align the two sequences ] .times. 100
[0055] Sequence identity of polynucleotide molecules is determined
by similar methods using a ratio as disclosed above.
[0056] Substantially homologous proteins and polypeptides are
characterized as having one or more amino acid substitutions,
deletions or additions. These changes are preferably of a minor
nature, that is conservative amino acid substitutions (see Table 4)
and other substitutions that do not significantly affect the
folding or activity of the protein or polypeptide; small deletions,
typically of one to about 30 amino acids; and small amino- or
carboxyl-terminal extensions, such as an amino-terminal methionine
residue, a small linker peptide of up to about 20-25 residues, or a
small extension that facilitates purification (an affinity tag),
such as a poly-histidine tract, protein A (Nilsson et al., EMBO J.
4:1075, 1985; Nilsson et al., Methods Enzymol. 198:3, 1991),
glutathione S transferase (Smith and Johnson, Gene 67:31, 1988),
maltose binding protein (Kellerman and Ferenci, Methods Enzymol.
90:459-463, 1982; Guan et al., Gene 67:21-30, 1987), thioredoxin,
ubiquitin, cellulose binding protein, T7 polymerase, or other
antigenic epitope or binding domain. See, in general Ford et al.,
Protein Expression and Purification 2: 95-107, 1991, which is
incorporated herein by reference. DNAs encoding affinity tags are
available from commercial suppliers (e.g., Pharmacia Biotech,
Piscataway, N.J.; New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.).
5TABLE 4 Conservative amino acid substitutions Basic: arginine
lysine histidine Acidic: glutamic acid aspartic acid Polar:
glutamine asparagine Hydrophobic: leucine isoleucine valine
Aromatic: phenylalanine tryptophan tyrosine Small: glycine alanine
serine threonine methionine
[0057] In addition to the 20 standard amino acids, non-standard
amino acids (such as 4-hydroxyproline, 6-N-methyl lysine,
2-aminoisobutyric acid, isovaline and ?-methyl serine) may be
substituted for amino acid residues of SGIP. A limited number of
non-conservative amino acids, amino acids that are not encoded by
the genetic code, and unnatural amino acids may be substituted for
SGIP amino acid residues. "Unnatural amino acids" have been
modified after protein synthesis, and/or have a chemical structure
in their side chain(s) different from that of the standard amino
acids. Unnatural amino acids can be chemically synthesized, or
preferably, are commercially available, and include pipecolic acid,
thiazolidine carboxylic acid, dehydroproline, 3- and
4-methylproline, and 3,3-dimethylproline.
[0058] Essential amino acids in the SGIP 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).
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 (e.g., stimulation of
gastrointestinal contractility, modulation of nutrient uptake,
modulation of the secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones,
modulation of secretion of enzymes and/or hormones in the pancreas,
binding a SGIP receptor, or binding an antibody that specifically
binds to residues 1 to 11 of SEQ ID NO:2) to identify amino acid
residues that are critical to the activity of the molecule. See
also, Hilton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:4699-4708, 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. The identities of
essential amino acids can also be inferred from analysis of
homologies with related members of the glucagon-secretin family of
gut-brain peptide hormones.
[0059] 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).
[0060] Mutagenesis methods as disclosed above 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 peptides or polypeptides (e.g.,
stimulation of gastrointestinal contractility, modulation of
nutrient uptake, modulation of the secretion of digestive enzymes
and hormones, modulation of secretion of enzymes and/or hormones in
the pancreas, binding a SGIP receptor, or binding an antibody that
specifically binds to residues 1 to 11 of SEQ ID NO:2) 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.
[0061] Using the methods discussed above, one of ordinary skill in
the art can identify and/or prepare a variety of peptides and
polypeptides that are substantially homologous to residues 1 to 11
of SEQ ID NO: 2 or allelic variants thereof and retain properties
of the wild-type protein. Such polypeptides may also include
additional polypeptide segments as generally disclosed herein.
[0062] The polypeptides of the present invention, including
full-length proteins and fragments thereof, 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, which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0063] In general, a DNA sequence encoding a SGIP polypeptide of
the present invention 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.
[0064] To direct a SGIP 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 derived
from asecreted protein (e.g., t-PA) or synthesized de novo. The
secretory signal sequence is joined to the SGIP DNA sequence in the
correct reading frame. Secretory signal sequences are commonly
positioned 5' to the DNA sequence encoding the propeptide of
interest, although certain 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).
[0065] Cultured mammalian cells are also preferred 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., eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and
Sons, Inc., NY, 1987), liposome-mediated transfection
(Hawley-Nelson et al., Focus 15:73, 1993; Ciccarone et al., Focus
15:80, 1993), and viral vectors (A. Miller and G. Rosman,
BioTechniques 7:980-90, 1989; Q. Wang and M. Finer, Nature Med.
2:714-16, 1996), which are incorporated herein by reference. 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,
which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred cultured
mammalian cells include the COS-1 (ATCC No. CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC
No. CRL 1651), BHK 570 (ATCC No. CRL 10314), 293 (ATCC No. CRL
1573; Graham et al., J. Gen. Virol. 36:59-72, 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, which are incorporated herein by reference) and the
adenovirus major late promoter.
[0066] 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 may 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.
[0067] 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)
11:47-58, 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 the SGIP 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 SGIP 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 SGIP 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, London, Chapman
& Hall; O'Reilly, D. R. et al., Baculovirus Expression Vectors:
A Laboratory Manual, New York, Oxford University Press., 1994; and,
Richardson, C. D., Ed., Baculovirus Expression Protocols. Methods
in Molecular Biology, Totowa, N.J., Humana Press, 1995. Natural
recombination within an insect cell will result in a recombinant
baculovirus which contains SGIP driven by the polyhedrin promoter.
Recombinant viral stocks are made by methods commonly used in the
art.
[0068] The second method of making recombinant baculovirus utilizes
a transposon-based system described by Luckow (Luckow, V. A, et
al., J Virol 67:4566-79, 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 SGIP
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, in this case SGIP. 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 71:971-6, 1990;
Bonning, B. C. et al., J Gen Virol 75:1551-6, 1994; and,
Chazenbalk, G. D., and Rapoport, B., J Biol Chem 270:1543-9, 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 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 addition, transfer vectors can include an
in-frame fusion with DNA encoding an epitope tag at the C- or
N-terminus of the expressed SGIP polypeptide, for example, a
Glu-Glu epitope tag (Grussenmeyer, T. et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci.
82:7952-4, 1985). Using a technique known in the art, a transfer
vector containing SGIP is transformed into E. Coli, and screened
for bacmids which 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 SGIP is subsequently produced.
Recombinant viral stocks are made by methods commonly used the
art.
[0069] 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
SGIP 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 SGIP 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 SGIP
polypeptide from the supernatant can be achieved using methods
described herein.
[0070] Fungal cells, including yeast cells, and particularly cells
of the genera Saccharomyces and Pichia, can also be used within the
present invention, such as for producing SGIP fragments or
polypeptide fusions. Methods for transforming yeast 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, which are incorporated herein by
reference. 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 yeast 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, which are
incorporated herein by reference) and alcohol dehydrogenase genes.
See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,990,446; 5,063,154; 5,139,936 and
4,661,454, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Transformation systems for other yeasts, including Hansenula
polymorpha, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces lactis,
Kluyveromyces fragilis, Ustilago maydis, Pichia pastoris, Pichia
guillermondii, Pichia methanolica and Candida maltosa are known in
the art. See, for example, Gleeson et al., J. Gen. Microbiol.
132:3459-3465, 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, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Methods for transforming Acremonium chrysogenum are disclosed by
Sumino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,228, which is incorporated
herein by reference. Methods for transforming Neurospora are
disclosed by Lambowitz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,533, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0071] 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).
[0072] Expressed recombinant SGIP peptides or 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 anion exchange media include derivatized
dextrans, agarose, cellulose, polyacrylamide, specialty silicas,
and the like. PEI, DEAE, QAE and Q derivatives are preferred, with
DEAE Fast-Flow Sepharose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) being
particularly 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.
[0073] The polypeptides, peptides and variants of the present
invention can be isolated by exploitation of small size and low pI.
For example, polypeptides, peptides and variants of the present
invention can be bound to anionic exchanges at low pH values. Other
methods of purification include purification of glycosylated
proteins by lectin affinity chromatography and ion exchange
chromatography (Methods in Enzymol., Vol. 182, "Guide to Protein
Purification", M. Deutscher, (ed.), Acad. Press, San Diego, 1990,
pp. 529-39). Alternatively, a fusion of the polypeptide, peptide or
variant of interest and an affinity tag (e.g., polyhistidine,
maltose-binding protein, an immunoglobulin domain) may be
constructed to facilitate purification.
[0074] Polypeptide fusions of the present invention will generally
contain not more than about 1,500 amino acid residues, preferably
not more than about 1,200 residues, more preferably not more than
about 1,000 residues, and will in many cases be considerably
smaller. For example, residues of SGIP polypeptide can be fused to
E. coli b-galactosidase (1,021 residues; see Casadaban et al., J.
Bacteriol. 143:971-980, 1980), a 10-residue spacer, and a 4-residue
factor Xa cleavage site. In a second example, residues of SGIP
polypeptide can be fused to maltose binding protein (approximately
370 residues), a 4-residue cleavage site, and a 6-residue
polyhistidine tag.
[0075] Protein refolding (and optionally reoxidation) procedures
may be advantageously used. It is preferred to purify the protein
to >80% purity, more preferably to >90% purity, even more
preferably >95%, 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 protein is substantially free of
other proteins, particularly other proteins of animal origin.
[0076] SGIP polypeptides, peptides, variants and or fragments
thereof may also be prepared through chemical synthesis. SGIP
polypeptides may be monomers or multimers; glycosylated or
non-glycosylated; pegylated or non-pegylated; amidated or
non-amidated; sulfated or non-sulfated; and may or may not include
an initial methionine amino acid residue. For example, SGIP
polypeptides can also be synthesized by exclusive solid phase
synthesis, partial solid phase methods, fragment condensation or
classical solution synthesis. The polypeptides are preferably
prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis, for example as described
by Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149, 1963. The synthesis is
carried out with amino acids that are protected at the alpha-amino
terminus. Trifunctional amino acids with labile side-chains are
also protected with suitable groups to prevent undesired chemical
reactions from occurring during the assembly of the polypeptides.
The alpha-amino protecting group is selectively removed to allow
subsequent reaction to take place at the amino-terminus. The
conditions for the removal of the alpha-amino protecting group do
not remove the side-chain protecting groups.
[0077] The alpha-amino protecting groups are those known to be
useful in the art of stepwise polypeptide synthesis. Included are
acyl type protecting groups (e.g., formyl, trifluoroacetyl,
acetyl), aryl type protecting groups (e.g., biotinyl), aromatic
urethane type protecting groups [e.g., benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz),
substituted benzyloxycarbonyl and 9-fluorenylmethyloxy-carbonyl
(Fmoc)], aliphatic urethane protecting groups [e.g.,
t-butyloxycarbonyl (tBoc), isopropyloxycarbonyl,
cyclohexloxycarbonyl] and alkyl type protecting groups (e.g.,
benzyl, triphenylmethyl). The preferred protecting groups are tBoc
and Fmoc.
[0078] The side-chain protecting groups selected must remain intact
during coupling and not be removed during the deprotection of the
amino-terminus protecting group or during coupling conditions. The
side-chain protecting groups must also be removable upon the
completion of synthesis using reaction conditions that will not
alter the finished polypeptide. In tBoc chemistry, the side-chain
protecting groups for trifunctional amino acids are mostly benzyl
based. In Fmoc chemistry, they are mostly tert-butyl or trityl
based.
[0079] In tBoc chemistry, the preferred side-chain protecting
groups are tosyl for arginine, cyclohexyl for aspartic acid,
4-methylbenzyl (and acetamidomethyl) for cysteine, benzyl for
glutamic acid, serine and threonine, benzyloxymethyl (and
dinitrophenyl) for histidine, 2-Cl-benzyloxycarbonyl for lysine,
formyl for tryptophan and 2-bromobenzyl for tyrosine. In Fmoc
chemistry, the preferred side-chain protecting groups are
2,2,5,7,8- pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonyl (Pmc) or
2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl (Pbf) for
arginine, trityl for asparagine, cysteine, glutamine and histidine,
tert-butyl for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, threonine and
tyrosine, tBoc for lysine and tryptophan.
[0080] For the synthesis of phosphopeptides, either direct or
post-assembly incorporation of the phosphate group is used. In the
direct incorporation strategy, the phosphate group on serine,
threonine or tyrosine may be protected by methyl, benzyl, or
tert-butyl in Fmoc chemistry or by methyl, benzyl or phenyl in tBoc
chemistry. Direct incorporation of phosphotyrosine without
phosphate protection can also be used in Fmoc chemistry. In the
post-assembly incorporation strategy, the unprotected hydroxyl
groups of serine, threonine or tyrosine are derivatized on solid
phase with di-tert-butyl-, dibenzyl- or
dimethyl-N,N'-diisopropylphosphoramidite and then oxidized by
tert-butylhydroperoxide.
[0081] Solid phase synthesis is usually carried out from the
carboxyl-terminus by coupling the alpha-amino protected (side-chain
protected) amino acid to a suitable solid support. An ester linkage
is formed when the attachment is made to a chloromethyl,
chlortrityl or hydroxymethyl resin, and the resulting polypeptide
will have a free carboxyl group at the C-terminus. Alternatively,
when an amide resin such as benzhydrylamine or
p-methylbenzhydrylamine resin (for tBoc chemistry) and Rink amide
or PAL resin (for Fmoc chemistry) are used, an amide bond is formed
and the resulting polypeptide will have a carboxamide group at the
C-terminus. These resins, whether polystyrene- or polyamide-based
or polyethyleneglycol-grafted, with or without a handle or linker,
with or without the first amino acid attached, are commercially
available, and their preparations have been described by Stewart et
al., "Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis" (2nd Edition), (Pierce
Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill., 1984) and Bayer & Rapp Chem.
Pept. Prot. 3:3 (1986); and Atherton et al., Solid Phase Peptide
Synthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford, 1989.
[0082] The C-terminal amino acid, protected at the side chain if
necessary, and at the alpha-amino group, is attached to a
hydroxylmethyl resin using various activating agents including
dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide
(DIPCDI) and carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). It can be attached to
chloromethyl or chlorotrityl resin directly in its cesium
tetramethylammonium salt form or in the presence of triethylamine
(TEA) or diisopropylethylamine (DIEA). First amino acid attachment
to an amide resin is the same as amide bond formation during
coupling reactions.
[0083] Following the attachment to the resin support, the
alpha-amino protecting group is removed using various reagents
depending on the protecting chemistry (e.g., tBoc, Fmoc). The
extent of Fmoc removal can be monitored at 300-320 nm or by a
conductivity cell. After removal of the alpha-amino protecting
group, the remaining protected amino acids are coupled stepwise in
the required order to obtain the desired sequence.
[0084] Various activating agents can be used for the coupling
reactions including DCC, DIPCDI, 2-chloro-1,3-dimethylimidium
hexafluorophosphate (CIP),
benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium
hexafluoro-phosphate (BOP) and its pyrrolidine analog (PyBOP),
bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBroP),
O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-uronium
hexafluorophosphate (HBTU) and its tetrafluoroborate analog (TBTU)
or its pyrrolidine analog (HBPyU),
O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-uronium
hexafluorophosphate (HATU) and its tetrafluoroborate analog (TATU)
or its pyrrolidine analog (HAPyU). The most common catalytic
additives used in coupling reactions include
4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 3-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1,2,3
-benzotriazine (HODhbt), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) and
1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt). Each protected amino acid is
used in excess (>2.0 equivalents), and the couplings are usually
carried out in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) or in DMF, CH2Cl2 or
mixtures thereof. The extent of completion of the coupling reaction
can be monitored at each stage, e.g., by the ninhydrin reaction as
described by Kaiser et al., Anal. Biochem. 34:595, 1970.
[0085] After the entire assembly of the desired peptide, the
peptide-resin is cleaved with a reagent with proper scavengers. The
Fmoc peptides are usually cleaved and deprotected by TFA with
scavengers (e.g., H2O, ethanedithiol, phenol and thioanisole). The
tBoc peptides are usually cleaved and deprotected with liquid HF
for 1-2 hours at -5 to 0.degree. C., which cleaves the polypeptide
from the resin and removes most of the side-chain protecting
groups. Scavengers such as anisole, dimethylsulfide and
p-thiocresol are usually used with the liquid HF to prevent cations
formed during the cleavage from alkylating and acylating the amino
acid residues present in the polypeptide. The formyl group of
tryptophan and the dinitrophenyl group of histidine need to be
removed, respectively by piperidine and thiophenyl in DMF prior to
the HF cleavage. The acetamidomethyl group of cysteine can be
removed by mercury(II)acetate and alternatively by iodine,
thallium(III)trifluoroacetate or silver tetrafluoroborate which
simultaneously oxidize cysteine to cystine. Other strong acids used
for tBoc peptide cleavage and deprotection include
trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMSA) and
trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetate (TMSOTf).
[0086] Amino acid modifications can be added to the synthetic
peptides in a variety of ways. Such amino acid modifications can be
beneficial, for example, to add glycosylation, acylation, or other
modifications that would be added during host cell expression.
These modifications may, for example, have an effect on the
half-life of the peptide in the blood stream or may be necessary to
transport the peptide in a lipid environment. In particular,
acylation of the peptide can make it less polar and enhance its
interaction with lipids, as well as to incorporate it into a
liposome. The peptide may be orally available as an acylated
variant due to an enhanced ability to cross the gut epithelium. The
type of fatty acid chosen for this amino acid modification may
affect the degree of lipid solubility as well as the activity of
the SGIP peptide. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to
change the length, or the degree of saturation of the fatty acid
side chain, and direct the peptides to different sites of action.
For a small peptide of the gut hormone family, such sites of action
may include, for example, a receptor in the gastrointestinal system
versus a receptor in the brain or pituitary. Thus SGIP peptides of
the present invention may be targeted to different tissues based on
the modifications made to the peptides.
[0087] The activity of molecules of the present invention can be
measured using a variety of assays that measure stimulation of
gastrointestinal contractility, modulation of nutrient uptake,
modulation of the secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones,
modulation of secretion of enzymes and/or hormones in the pancreas,
binding a SGIP receptor, or binding an antibody that specifically
binds to residues 1 to 11 of SEQ ID NO:2. Of particular interest
are changes in contractility of smooth muscle cells. For example,
the contractile response of segments of mammalian duodenum or other
gastrointestinal smooth muscles tissue (Depoortere et al., J.
Gastrointestinal Motility 1:150-159, 1989, incorporated herein by
reference). An exemplary in vivo assay uses an ultrasonic
micrometer to measure the dimensional changes radially between
commissures and longiturdinally to the plane of the valve base
(Hansen et al., Society of Thoracic Surgeons 60:S384-390,
1995).
[0088] Gastric motility is generally measured in the clinical
setting as the time required for gastric emptying and subsequent
transit time through the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric emptying
scans are well known to those skilled in the art, and briefly,
comprise use of an oral contrast agent, such as barium, or a
radiolabeled meal. Solids and liquids can be measured
independently. A test food or liquid is radiolabeled with an
isotope (e.g. .sup.99mTc), and after ingestion or administration,
transit time through the gastrointestinal tract and gastric
emptying are measured by visualization using gamma cameras (Meyer
et al., Am. J. Dig. Dis. 21:296, 1976; Collins et al., Gut 24:1117,
1983; Maughan et al., Diabet. Med. 13 9 Supp. 5:S6-10, 1996 and
Horowitz et al., Arch. Intern. Med. 145:1467-1472, 1985). These
studies may be performed before and after the administration of a
promotility agent to quantify the efficacy of the drug.
[0089] Assays measuring SGIP polypeptides ability to affect cell
proliferation or differentiation are well known in the art. For
example, assays measuring proliferation include such assays as
chemosensitivity to neutral red dye (Cavanaugh et al.,
Investigational New Drugs 8:347-354, 1990, incorporated herein by
reference), incorporation of radiolabelled nucleotides (Cook et
al., Analytical Biochem. 179:1-7, 1989, incorporated herein by
reference), incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in the
DNA of proliferating cells (Porstmann et al., J. Immunol. Methods
82:169-179, 1985, incorporated herein by reference), and use of
tetrazolium salts (Mosmann, J. Immunol. Methods 65:55-63, 1983;
Alley et al., Cancer Res. 48:589-601, 1988; Marshall et al., Growth
Reg. 5:69-84, 1995; and Scudiero et al., Cancer Res. 48:4827-4833,
1988; all incorporated herein by reference). Assays measuring
differentiation include, for example, measuring cell-surface
markers associated with stage-specific expression of a tissue,
enzymatic activity, functional activity or morphological changes
(Watt, FASEB, 5:281-284, 1991; Francis, Differentiation 57:63-75,
1994; Raes, Adv. Anim. Cell Biol. Technol. Bioprocesses, 161-171,
1989; all incorporated herein by reference).
[0090] Assays can be used to measure other cellular responses, that
include, chemotaxis, adhesion, changes in ion channel influx,
regulation of second messenger levels and neurotransmitter release.
Such assays are well known in the art. See, for example, in "Basic
& Clinical Endocrinology Ser., Vol. Vol. 3," Cytochemical
Bioassays: Techniques & Applications, Chayen; Chayen, Bitensky,
eds., Dekker, N.Y., 1983.
[0091] In view of the tissue distribution observed for SGIP,
agonists (including the natural ligand/substrate/cofactor/synthetic
and naturally occurring peptides, and variants, etc.) and
antagonists have enormous potential in both in vitro and in vivo
applications. Compounds identified as SGIP agonists are useful for
promoting stimulation of gastrointestinal contractility, modulation
of nutrient uptake, modulation of the secretion of digestive
enzymes and hormones, modulation of secretion of enzymes and/or
hormones in the pancreas, binding a SGIP receptor, or binding an
antibody that specifically binds to residues 1 to 11 of SEQ ID
NO:2) in vivo and in vitro. For example, agonist compounds are
useful as components of defined cell culture media and regulate the
uptake of nutrients, and thus are useful in specifically promoting
the growth and/or development of gastrointestinal cells such as G
cells, enterochromaffin cells and the epithelial mucosa of the
stomach, duodenum, proximal jejunum, antrum and fundus.
[0092] The family of gut-brain peptides has been associated with
neurological and CNS functions. For example, NPY, a peptide with
receptors in both the brain and the gut has been shown to stimulate
appetite when administered to the central nervous system (Gehlert,
Life Sciences 55(6):551-562, 1994). Motilin immunoreactivity has
been identified in different regions of the brain, particularly the
cerebellum, and in the pituitary (Gasparini et al., Hum. Genetics
94(6):671-674, 1994). Motilin has been found to coexist with
neurotransmitter .gamma.-aminobutyric acid in cerebellum
(Chan-Patay, Proc. Sym. 50th Anniv. Meet. Br. Pharmalog. Soc.:
1-24, 1982). Physiological studies have provided some evidence that
motilin has an affect on feeding behavior (Rosenfield et al., Phys.
Behav. 39(6):735-736, 1987), bladder control, pituitary growth
hormone release. Other gut-brain peptides, such as CCK, enkephalin,
VIP and secretin have been shown to be involved in control of blood
pressure, heart rate, behavior, and pain modulation, in addition to
be active in the digestive system. Therefore, SGIP including
variants, or some portion thereof, could be expected to have some
neurological association.
[0093] NPY has been implicated in cardiovascular effects such as
increased sympathetic nerve activity in heart, which is associated
with heart failure, as well as hypotension, and changes in blood
pressure and vagal action (Feng, Q. et al Acta. Physiol. Scand.
166:285-291, 1999; McLean, K J. Et al. Neuroscience 92:1377-1387,
1999; Potter, E K et al; Regul. Pept. 25:167-177, 1989; Gardiner, S
M Brain Res. Brain Res. Review 14:79-116, 1989).
[0094] Examples such as NPY and motilin emphasize the importance
and broad activity of peptide hormones in the human body, and their
impact on normal physiological function and disease. Peptide
hormones are involved in regulatory aspects of cardiovascular
regulation and homeostasis, digestion, brain, neuronal and other
organ functions. Various peptide hormones have been shown to be
involved in control of blood pressure, heart rate, arrhythmia,
osmotic balance, influencing the release and action of
cardiovascular transmitters, vasoconstriction and vasodilatation,
vasoconstriction resulting in myocardial ischemia, vasomotor tone,
contractility, food intake, respiration, behavior, and pain
modulation, and the like. As a peptide hormone, SGIP peptides may
similarly exert effects in heart, or other tissues in which it is
expressed, or freely circulate through the body and exert effects
elsewhere. Thus, SGIP peptides can regulate positively or
negatively various physiological functions, or cause the release of
other regulatory hormones from the heart, gut, CNS and other organs
or tissues. Assays and models to test for such SGIP activity are
well known in the art and described herein. For example, see
amongst other methods known in the art: Feng, Q. et al supra.
(pithed rat heart failure model to assess vascular sympathetic
nerve activity); Horackova, et al., Cell Tissue Res. 297:409-421,
1999 (guinea pig atria model); McLean, K J. Et al. supra. (CNS
response to hypotensive challenge to assess neuron response or
activation within cardiovascular control); Potter, E K et al;
supra. (Testing effects of polypeptides and peptide fragments on
blood pressure and vagal action at the heart); Maturi, M F et al.,
J. Clin. Invest 83:1217-1224 (myocardial ischemia and coronary
constriction model in dogs); Haass, M. et al., Naunyn Schmiedebergs
Arch. Pharmacol. 339:71-78, 1989 (pre-synaptic modulation in in
situ perfused guinea pig heart); Hassall, C J, nad Burnstock, G.
Neurosci. Lett. 52:111-115, 1984 (Cultured Guinea pig atria to
study intrinsic innnervation); Lundberg, J M. Et al., Acta.
Physiol. Scand. 121:325-332, 1984 (effect of peptide on muscle
tone, and autonomic transmission in Guinea pig atrium, vas
deferens, urinary bladder, portal vein, and trachea); Mathias, C J
J. Neurosci. Methods 34:193-200, 1990 (effect of food in take on
cardiovascular control); Miyata, A. et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.
865:73-81, 1998 (effect of peptides on rat aortic smooth muscle
cell proliferation); Saita, M. et al., Am. J. Physiol.
274:R979-984, 1998 (Effects of centrally administered peptide on
blood pressure, heart rate, renal sympathetic nerve activity in
rats); Krowicki, Z K et al., Am. J. Physiol. 272:G1221-1229, 1997
(vagally mediated gastric motor excitation); Hall. M E et al.,
Brain Res. 497:280-290, 1989 (microinjection of peptides into the
nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and effects on cardiovascular
function).
[0095] Moreover, immunohistochemical and immunolabeling methods
known in the art and described herein can be used to assess the
influence of SGIP peptides on other cardiovascular effectors, such
as, for example NPY and VIP (Wharton, J, and Gulbenkian S.
Experientia Suppl. 56:292-316, 1989; and Forsgren, S. Cell Tissue
Res. 256:125-135, 1989). As such, labeled SGIP peptides and
antibodies can be used to assess cardiovascular function. In
addition, such labeled SGIP peptides and antibodies can be used as
diagnostics to assess human disease in comparison to normal
controls, and described herein. Such histologic,
immunohistochemical and immunolabeling methods and the like can be
used in conjunction with the in vivo models described herein.
[0096] The cardiac activity of molecules of the present invention
may be measured using a Langendorff assay. This preferred assay
measures ex vivo cardiac function for an experimental animal, and
is well known in the art. Experimental animals are, for example but
not limited to, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Chronic effects on
heart tissue can be measured after treating a test animal with SGIP
peptides for 1 to 7 days, or longer. Control animals will have only
received buffer. After treatment, the heart is removed and perfused
retrograde through the aorta. During perfusion, several physiologic
parameters are measured: coronary blood flow per time, left
ventricular (LV) pressures, and heart rate. These parameters
directly reflect cardiac function. Changes in these parameters, as
measured by the Langendorff assay, following in vivo treatment with
SGIP peptides relative to control animals indicates a chronic
effect of the polypeptide on heart function. Moreover, the
Langendorff assay can also be employed to measure the acute effects
of SGIP peptides on heart. In such application, hearts from
untreated animals are used and SGIP peptides are added to the
perfusate in the assay. The parameters assessed above are measured
and compared with the results from control hearts where SGIP
peptides were omitted from the perfusate. Differences in heart
rate, change in pressure per time, and/or coronary blood flow
indicate an acute effect of the molecules of the present invention
on heart function.
[0097] Additionally, other members of the gut-brain peptides, such
as CCK, gastrin, and the like, have been shown to modulate
secretion of pancreatic enzymes and hormones. Thus, SGIP can be
used to modulate secretion of pancreatic enzymes and hormones.
[0098] Similarly, other members of this family are known to
modulate the secretion of endogenous proteins, such as the manner
in which glucagon modulates the secretion of insulin. SGIP can be
used to modulate the secretion of non-SGIP proteins such as, for
example, GLP-1, growth hormone, somatostatin, and the like.
[0099] As a ligand, a SGIP peptide can bind a G protein coupled
receptor, such as, for example, the growth hormone secretagogue
receptor (GHS-R). Growth hormone secretagogues are a class of small
peptides which stimulate the release of growth hormone from
pituitary cells by a mechanism of action other than that of GHRH,
i.e., by binding a different receptor (GHS-R) in the pituitary and
hypothalalmus. Thus, the binding of this receptor can play a role
in regulating growth hormone secretion in extraneuroendocrine
activities, such as, for example, sleep and food intake. Therefore,
the secretion of growth hormone can be regulated by the formation
of a peptide-receptor complex between SGIP peptides and GHS-R.
[0100] The release of growth hormone stimulates growth in many
tissues and has effects on metabolic processes such as stimulating
protein synthesis and free fatty acid mobilization as well as
stimulating metabolism from a variety of energy sources from
carbohydrates to fatty acids. Deficiency of growth hormone can
result in medical disorders such as dwarfism.
[0101] One advantage of growth hormone secretagogues, in general,
is their ability to amplify endogenous pulsatile growth hormone
secretion while maintaining normal feedback mechanisms. Another
important effect is the ability to restore serum insulin-like
growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in elderly adults to concentrations
similar to those of young adults. See Hansen, B. S. et al., Eur. J.
Endocrinol. 141:180-189, 1999. Thus, as a ligand for GHS-R, SGIP
can be useful for modulating secretion of growth hormone and
insulin-like growth factor I.
[0102] Using site-specific changes in the amino acid and DNA
sequences of the present invention analogs can be made that are
either antagonists, agonists or partial agonists (Macielay et al.,
Peptides: Chem. Struct. Biol. pp. 659, 1996). Antagonists are
useful for clinical conditions associated with gastrointestinal
hypermotility such as diarrhea and Crohn's disease. Antagonists are
also useful as research reagents for characterizing sites of
ligand-receptor interaction.
[0103] A SGIP polypeptide can also be used for purification of
receptors. The polypeptide is immobilized on a solid support, such
as beads of agarose, cross-linked agarose, glass, cellulosic
resins, silica-based resins, polystyrene, cross-linked
polyacrylamide, or like materials that are stable under the
conditions of use. Methods for linking polypeptides to solid
supports are known in the art, and include amine chemistry,
cyanogen bromide activation, N-hydroxysuccinimide activation,
epoxide activation, sulfhydryl activation, and hydrazide
activation. The resulting medium will generally be configured in
the form of a column, and fluids containing ligand are passed
through the column one or more times to allow ligand to bind to the
receptor polypeptide. The ligand is then eluted using changes in
salt concentration, chaotropic agents (guanidine HCl), or pH to
disrupt ligand-receptor binding.
[0104] An assay system that uses a ligand-binding receptor (or an
antibody, one member of a complement/anti-complement pair) or a
binding fragment thereof, and a commercially available biosensor
instrument (BIAcore.TM., Pharmacia Biosensor, Piscataway, N.J.) may
be advantageously employed. Such receptor, antibody, member of a
complement/anti-complement pair or fragment is immobilized onto the
surface of a receptor chip. Use of this instrument is disclosed by
Karlsson, J. Immunol. Methods 145:229-40, 1991 and Cunningham and
Wells, J. Mol. Biol. 234:554-63, 1993. A receptor, antibody, member
or fragment is covalently attached, using amine or sulfhydryl
chemistry, to dextran fibers that are attached to gold film within
the flow cell. A test sample is passed through the cell. If a
ligand, epitope, or opposite member of the
complement/anti-complement pair is present in the sample, it will
bind to the immobilized receptor, antibody or member, respectively,
causing a change in the refractive index of the medium, which is
detected as a change in surface plasmon resonance of the gold film.
This system allows the determination of on- and off-rates, from
which binding affinity can be calculated, and assessment of
stoichiometry of binding.
[0105] Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides can also be used within
other assay systems known in the art. Such systems include
Scatchard analysis for determination of binding affinity (see
Scatchard, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 51: 660-72, 1949) and calorimetric
assays (Cunningham et al., Science 253:545-48, 1991; Cunningham et
al., Science 245:821-25, 1991).
[0106] Cells expressing functional GHS-R are used within screening
assays. A variety of suitable assays are known in the art. These
assays are based on the detection of a biological response in the
target cell. One such assay is a cell proliferation assay. Cells
are cultured in the presence or absence of a test compound, and
cell proliferation is detected by, for example, measuring
incorporation of tritiated thymidine or by colorimetric assay based
on the metabolic breakdown of Alamar Blue.TM. (AccuMed, Chicago,
Ill.) or 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium
bromide (MTT) (Mosman, J. Immunol. Meth. 65: 55-63, 1983).
[0107] Another assay uses phospholipase C signal transduction to
measure receptor binding. An exemplary assay of this sort measures
release of Ca.sup.2+ with aequorin, a bioluminescent
Ca.sup.2+-sensitive reporter protein. This assay is further
described by Feighner, S. D. et al., supra. Hence, SGIP peptides
can be tested using an assay that measures phospholipase C
transduction. Yet another assay uses phospholipase C signal
transduction to measure receptor binding. An exemplary assay of
this sort measures release of Ca.sup.2+ with aequorin, a
bioluminescent Ca.sup.2+-sensitive reporter protein. This assay is
further described by Feighner, S. D. et al., supra. Hence, SGIP
peptides can be tested using an assay that measures phospholipase C
transduction. Alternative assays are also listed herein
[0108] SGIP polypeptides peptides, and variants can also be used to
prepare antibodies that specifically bind to SGIP epitopes,
peptides or polypeptides. Methods for preparing polyclonal and
monoclonal antibodies are well known in the art (see, for example,
Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second
Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989; and Hurrell, J. G. R.,
Ed., Monoclonal Hybridoma Antibodies: Techniques and Applications,
CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., 1982, which are incorporated
herein by reference). As would be evident to one of ordinary skill
in the art, polyclonal antibodies can be generated from a variety
of warm-blooded animals, such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, dogs,
chickens, rabbits, mice, and rats.
[0109] The immunogenicity of a SGIP polypeptide may be increased
through the use of an adjuvant, such as alum (aluminum hydroxide)
or Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant. Polypeptides useful
for immunization also include fusion polypeptides, such as fusions
of SGIP or a portion thereof with an immunoglobulin polypeptide or
with maltose binding protein. The polypeptide immunogen may be a
full-length molecule or a portion thereof. If the polypeptide
portion is "hapten-like", such portion may be advantageously joined
or linked to a macromolecular carrier (such as keyhole limpet
hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA) or tetanus toxoid) for
immunization.
[0110] 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 only non-human CDRs onto human
framework and constant regions, or by incorporating the entire
non-human 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. Alternative techniques for
generating or selecting antibodies useful herein include in vitro
exposure of lymphocytes to SGIP protein or peptide, and selection
of antibody display libraries in phage or similar vectors (for
instance, through use of immobilized or labeled SGIP protein or
peptide).
[0111] Antibodies are defined to be specifically binding if they
bind to a SGIP polypeptide with a binding affinity (K.sub.a) of
10.sup.6 M.sup.-1 or greater, preferably 10.sup.7 M.sup.-1 or
greater, more preferably 10.sup.8 M.sup.-1 or greater, and most
preferably 10.sup.9 M.sup.-1 or greater. The binding affinity of an
antibody can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the
art (for example, by Scatchard analysis).
[0112] A variety of assays known to those skilled in the art can be
utilized to detect antibodies which specifically bind to SGIP
proteins or peptides. 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, radioimmunoprecipitation, enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot blot or Western blot assay,
inhibition or competition assay, and sandwich assay. In addition,
antibodies can be screened for binding to wild-type versus mutant
SGIP protein or peptide.
[0113] Antibodies to SGIP may be used for tagging cells that
express SGIP for isolating SGIP by affinity purification; for
diagnostic assays for determining circulating levels of SGIP
polypeptides; for detecting or quantitating soluble SGIP as marker
of underlying pathology or disease; in analytical methods employing
FACS; for screening expression libraries; for generating
anti-idiotypic antibodies; and as neutralizing antibodies or as
antagonists to block SGIP activity in vitro and in vivo. Suitable
direct tags or labels include radionuclides, enzymes, substrates,
cofactors, inhibitors, fluorescent markers, chemiluminescent
markers, magnetic particles and the like; indirect tags or labels
may feature use of biotin-avidin or other
complement/anti-complement pairs as intermediates. Antibodies
herein may also be directly or indirectly conjugated to drugs,
toxins, radionuclides and the like, and these conjugates used for
in vivo diagnostic or therapeutic applications.
[0114] Molecules of the present invention can be used to identify
and isolate receptors that mediate the function of SGIP. For
example, proteins and peptides of the present invention can be
immobilized on a column and membrane preparations run over the
column (Immobilized Affinity Ligand Techniques, Hermanson et al.,
eds., Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 1992, pp. 195-202).
Polypeptides and peptides which bind to the SGIP polypeptides,
peptides, and variants of the present invention can then be eluted
and characterized using methods known in the art. Proteins and
peptides can also be radiolabeled (Methods in Enzymol., vol. 182,
"Guide to Protein Purification", M. Deutscher, ed., Acad. Press,
San Diego, 1990, 721-737) or photoaffinity labeled (Brunner et al.,
Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62:483-514, 1993 and Fedan et al., Biochem.
Pharmacol. 33:1167-1180, 1984) and specific cell-surface proteins
can be identified in vivo and in vitro. Other detectable labels can
also be used and include, for example, fluorescent labels (FITC,
rhodamine, and fluorescent-biotinylated labels). Tissues which bind
SGIP can be identified, for example, by binding assays as shown in
Example 5, herein. Such tissues can be used as sources of cell
extracts, membrane fractions, protein lysates, purified protein,
and the like, and applied to a column on which the SGIP polypeptide
or peptides have been immobilized and SGIP receptors can be
isolated and characterized. Alternatively, such tissues can be
harvested and tested in vitro or in vivo for binding to the SGIP
ligand.
[0115] Another method to identify and purify the SGIP receptor
measures the stimulation/inhibition of SGIP receptor-dependent
cellular responses. For example, cell lines can be transfected with
a reporter gene construct that is responsive to a receptor
stimulated cellular pathway. Reporter gene constructs of this type
are known in the art, and generally comprise a response element
operably linked to a gene encoding an assay detectable protein,
such as luciferase. DNA response elements can include, but are not
limited to, cyclic AMP response elements (CRE), hormone response
elements (HRE) insulin response element (IRE) (Nasrin et al., Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5273-7, 1990) and serum response elements
(SRE) (Shaw et al. Cell 56: 563-72, 1989). Cyclic AMP response
elements are reviewed in Roestler et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263
(19):9063-6; 1988 and Habener, Molec. Endocrinol. 4 (8):1087-94;
1990. Hormone response elements are reviewed in Beato, Cell
56:335-44; 1989. The cell line can then be transfected with a cDNA
library prepared from a tissue type which binds to SGIP
polypeptides and peptides, for example, kidney, duodenum, and
jejunum, or others as identified by binding assays such as, for
example, the assay in Example 5. Cell extracts, membrane fractions,
protein lysates, purified protein, and the like, containing SGIP
polypeptides, peptides, and variants stimulate the transfected cell
lines by binding to cells expressing the cDNA of the receptor. The
binding of SGIP, or a SGIP variant, to its receptor results in a
change in the assayable protein or metabolite. Additionally,
binding can be evidenced by the modulation of cyclic adenosine
monophosphate (cAMP) or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
Measuring changes cAMP and cGMP is known to one skilled in the art,
and kits are commercially available (Biotrak, Amersham Pharmacia
Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.) for these determinations. In the
alternative, cell extracts, membrane fractions, protein lysates,
purified protein, and the like, of SGIP polypeptides, peptides and
variants can be tested for direct binding to cells transfected with
both the cDNA library (which contains the receptor) and the
reporter gene using SGIP polypeptides, peptides or variants tagged
with a detectable label (e.g., .sup.125I, biotin, horseradish
peroxidase, FITC, and the like). Within assays of this type, the
ability of a labeled test sample to bind to the receptor is
indicative of ligand binding. Receptors used within binding assays
may be cellular receptors or isolated, immobilized receptors.
[0116] As a ligand, the activity of SGIP polypeptide, peptide, or
variant can be measured by a silicon-based biosensor
microphysiometer which measures the extracellular acidification
rate or proton excretion associated with receptor binding and
subsequent physiologic cellular responses. An exemplary device is
the Cytosensor.TM. Microphysiometer manufactured by Molecular
Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif. A variety of cellular responses, such as
cell proliferation, ion transport, energy production, inflammatory
response, regulatory and receptor activation, and the like, can be
measured by this method. See, for example, McConnell, H. M. et al.,
Science 257:1906-1912, 1992; Pitchford, S. et al., Meth. Enzymol.
228:84-108, 1997; Arimilli, S. et al., J. Immunol. Meth. 212:49-59,
1998; Van Liefde, I. et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 346:87-95, 1998.
The microphysiometer can be used for assaying adherent or
non-adherent eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. By measuring
extracellular acidification changes in cell media over time, the
microphysiometer directly measures cellular responses to various
stimuli, including SGIP polypeptide, peptide, variant, agonists, or
antagonists. Preferably, the microphysiometer is used to measure
responses of a SGIP-responsive eukaryotic cell, compared to a
control eukaryotic cell that does not respond to SGIP polypeptide,
peptide, or variant. SGIP-responsive eukaryotic cells comprise
cells into which a receptor for SGIP has been transfected creating
a cell that is responsive to SGIP polypeptide, peptide, or variant;
or cells naturally responsive to SGIP such as, for example, cells
derived from the kidney, small intestine or pituitary. Differences,
measured by a change, for example, an increase or diminution in
extracellular acidification, in the response of cells exposed to
SGIP polypeptide, peptide, or variant relative to a control not
exposed to SGIP polypeptide, peptide, or variant, are a direct
measurement of SGIP-modulated cellular responses. Moreover, such
SGIP-modulated responses can be assayed under a variety of stimuli.
Using the microphysiometer, there is provided a method of
identifying agonists of SGIP polypeptide, comprising providing
cells responsive to a SGIP polypeptide, culturing a first portion
of the cells in the absence of a test compound, culturing a second
portion of the cells in the presence of a test compound, and
detecting a change, for example, an increase or diminution, in a
cellular response of the second portion of the cells as compared to
the first portion of the cells. The change in cellular response is
shown as a measurable change in extracellular acidification rate.
Moreover, culturing a third portion of the cells in the presence of
SGIP polypeptide and the absence of a test compound can be used as
a positive control for the SGIP-responsive cells, and as a control
to compare the agonist activity of a test compound with that of the
SGIP polypeptide. Moreover, using the microphysiometer, there is
provided a method of identifying antagonists of SGIP polypeptide,
comprising providing cells responsive to a SGIP polypeptide,
culturing a first portion of the cells in the presence of SGIP and
the absence of a test compound, culturing a second portion of the
cells in the presence of SGIP and the presence of a test compound,
and detecting a change, for example, an increase or a diminution in
a cellular response of the second portion of the cells as compared
to the first portion of the cells. The change in cellular response
is shown as a measurable change in extracellular acidification
rate. Antagonists and agonists, for SGIP polypeptide, can be
rapidly identified using this method.
[0117] Moreover, polypeptides, peptides and variants of SGIP can be
used to identify cells, tissues, or cell lines which respond to a
SGIP-stimulated pathway. The microphysiometer, described above, can
be used to rapidly identify ligand-responsive cells, such as cells
responsive to SGIP polypeptides peptides and variants of the
present invention. Cells can be cultured in the presence or absence
of SGIP polypeptides, peptides and variants. Those cells which
elicit a measurable change in extracellular acidification in the
presence of SGIP polypeptides, peptides and variants are responsive
to SGIP. Such cell lines, can be used to identify antagonists and
agonists of SGIP polypeptide as described above.
[0118] The chromosomal localization of zsig33, and thus of SGIP is
3p26.1 The present invention also provides reagents which will find
use in diagnostic applications. For example, the SGIP gene, a probe
comprising SGIP DNA or RNA or a subsequence thereof can be used to
determine if the SGIP gene is present on chromosome 3p26.1 or if a
mutation has occurred. Detectable chromosomal aberrations at the
SGIP gene locus include, but are not limited to, aneuploidy, gene
copy number changes, insertions, deletions, restriction site
changes and rearrangements. Such aberrations can be detected using
polynucleotides of the present invention by employing molecular
genetic techniques, such as restriction fragment length
polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis
employing PCR techniques, and other genetic linkage analysis
techniques known in the art (Sambrook et al., ibid.; Ausubel et.
al., ibid.; Marian, Chest 108:255-65, 1995). Thus, molecules of the
present invention can be used as diagnostics for specific diseases
localized to the chromosome 3p26. 1.
[0119] Polynucleotides encoding SGIP polypeptides are useful within
gene therapy applications where it is desired to increase or
inhibit SGIP activity. If a mammal has a mutated or absent SGIP
gene, the SGIP gene can be introduced into the cells of the mammal.
In one embodiment, a gene encoding a SGIP polypeptide is introduced
in vivo in a viral vector. Such vectors include an attenuated or
defective DNA virus, such as, but not limited to, herpes simplex
virus (HSV), papillomavirus, Epstein Barr virus (EBV), adenovirus,
adeno-associated virus (AAV), and the like. Defective viruses,
which entirely or almost entirely lack viral genes, are preferred.
A defective virus is not infective after introduction into a cell.
Use of defective viral vectors allows for administration to cells
in a specific, localized area, without concern that the vector can
infect other cells. Examples of particular vectors include, but are
not limited to, a defective herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) vector
(Kaplitt et al., Molec. Cell. Neurosci. 2:320-30, 1991); an
attenuated adenovirus vector, such as the vector described by
Stratford-Perricaudet et al., J. Clin. Invest. 90:626-30, 1992; and
a defective adeno-associated virus vector (Samulski et al., J.
Virol. 61:3096-101, 1987; Samulski et al., J. Virol. 63:3822-8,
1989).
[0120] In another embodiment, a SGIP gene can be introduced in a
retroviral vector, e.g., as described in Anderson et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,399,346; Mann et al. Cell 33:153, 1983; Temin et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 4,650,764; Temin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,289;
Markowitz et al., J. Virol. 62:1120, 1988; Temin et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,124,263; International Patent Publication No. WO 95/07358,
published Mar. 16, 1995 by Dougherty et al.; and Kuo et al., Blood
82:845, 1993. Alternatively, the vector can be introduced by
lipofection in vivo using liposomes. Synthetic cationic lipids can
be used to prepare liposomes for in vivo transfection of a gene
encoding a marker (Felgner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
84:7413-7, 1987; Mackey et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
85:8027-31, 1988). The use of lipofection to introduce exogenous
genes into specific organs in vivo has certain practical
advantages. Molecular targeting of liposomes to specific cells
represents one area of benefit. More particularly, directing
transfection to particular cells represents one area of benefit.
For instance, directing transfection to particular cell types would
be particularly advantageous in a tissue with cellular
heterogeneity, such as the pancreas, liver, kidney, and brain.
Lipids may be chemically coupled to other molecules for the purpose
of targeting. Targeted peptides (e.g., hormones or
neurotransmitters), proteins such as antibodies, or non-peptide
molecules can be coupled to liposomes chemically.
[0121] Similarly, the SGIP polynucleotides (SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID
NO:7), or the complementary proteins thereof, can be used to target
specific tissues such as tissues of the bone marrow, peripheral
blood lymphocytes, umbilical cord blood, prostate and in malignant
and leukemic cell lines. It is possible to remove the target cells
from the body; to introduce the vector as a naked DNA plasmid; and
then to re-implant the transformed cells into the body. Naked DNA
vectors for gene therapy can be introduced into the desired host
cells by methods known in the art, e.g., transfection,
electroporation, microinjection, transduction, cell fusion, DEAE
dextran, calcium phosphate precipitation, use of a gene gun or use
of a DNA vector transporter. See, e.g., Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem.
267:963-7, 1992; Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:14621-4, 1988.
[0122] Various techniques, including antisense and ribozyme
methodologies, can be used to inhibit SGIP gene transcription and
translation, such as to inhibit cell proliferation in vivo.
Polynucleotides that are complementary to a segment of a
SGIP-encoding polynucleotide (e.g., a polynucleotide as set forth
in SEQ ID NOs:1 or 3) are designed to bind to SGIP-encoding mRNA
and to inhibit translation of such mRNA. Such antisense
polynucleotides are used to inhibit expression of SGIP
polypeptide-encoding genes in cell culture or in a subject.
[0123] The polypeptides peptides, variants, nucleic acid and/or
antibodies of the present invention may be used in treatment of
disorders associated with gastrointestinal contractility, secretion
of digestive enzymes, hormones, and acids, gastrointestinal
motility, recruitment of digestive enzymes; inflammation,
particularly as it affects the gastrointestinal system; reflux
disease and regulation of nutrient absorption. Specific conditions
that will benefit from treatment with molecules of the present
invention include, but are not limited to, diabetic gastroparesis,
post-surgical gastroparesis, vagotomy, chronic idiopathic
intestinal pseudo-obstruction and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Additional uses include, gastric emptying for radiological studies,
stimulating gallbladder contraction and antrectomy.
[0124] An association between gastrointestinal function and brain
function has been observed for other hormones in this class. As an
example, secretin infusion in autistic children resulted in
amelioration of the gastrointestinal symptoms as well as a dramatic
improvement in behavior (improved eye contact, alertness and
expansion of expressive language). See Hovrath, K. et al., J.
Assoc. Acad. Minor Phys 9(1):9-15, 1998. Similarly, a study of the
upper gastrointestinal tract in autistic children with
gastrointestinal symptoms showed that many had reflux esophagitis,
chronic gastritis, and chronic duodenitis, as well as an elevated
number of Paneth's cells in the duodenal crypts compared to
non-autistic children. See Horvath, K. et al., J. Pediatr.
135(5):559-563, 1999. The administration of secretin to these
autistic children resulted in increased pancreatico-biliary fluid
output and higher fluid output. Gastrointestinal disorders,
especially reflux esophagitis and disaccharide malabsoprtion may
contribute to the behavioral problems of the non-verbal autistic
patients. The observed increase in pancreatico-biliary secretion
after secretin infusion suggests an upregulation of secretin
receptors. As a member of the gut-hormone family of proteins, SGIP
peptides by binding to a receptor, may have effects on neural
development and/or utilization.
[0125] The motor and neurological affects of molecules of the
present invention also make it useful for treatment of obesity and
other metabolic disorders where neurological feedback modulates
nutritional absorption. The molecules of the present invention are
useful for regulating satiety, glucose absorption and metabolism,
and neuropathy-associated gastrointestinal disorders.
[0126] Polypeptides of the present invention may be useful for
evaluating functions of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by
challenging the gastrointestinal system with SGIP, including
variants, and measuring gastric motility and contractility,
modulation of nutrient uptake, modulation of the secretion of
digestive enzymes and hormones, or modulation of secretion of
enzymes and/or hormones in the pancreas.
[0127] Potential uses of growth hormone are extensive and include
treatment of diseases and conditions associated with bone formation
(such as, for example, treatment of osteoporosis, acceleration of
bone formation and repair, stimulating osteoblasts, bone remodeling
and cartilage growth, and skeletal dysplasia); immunity (such as,
for example, stimulating the immune system, treating
immunosuppressed patients); obesity, and metabolic disorders (such
as, for example, preventing catabolic side effects of
glucocorticoids, treatment of obesity and growth retardation
related to obesity, attenuation of protein catabolic responses
after surgery, reducing cachexia and protein loss due to chronic
illness such as cancer or AIDS); dwarfism (such as, for example,
treating growth retardation and physiological short stature
including growth hormone deficiency and chronic illness, and
intrauterine growth retardation); wound healing (such as, for
example, accelerating wound repair, accelerating recovery of burn
patients and treating patients with delayed wound healing);
reproduction (such as, for example, as an adjuvant treatment for
ovulation induction); as well as conditions associated with stress;
conditions associated with kidney and lung dysfunction; conditions
associated with aging and the elderly, including, muscle strength,
bone fragility and skin thickness; and neuroendocrine activities
such as sleep. Thus, as growth hormone secretagogues, SGIP
peptides, would be useful to treat conditions associated with these
disorders. Assays measuring the release of growth hormone are known
in the art.
[0128] Additionally, molecules of SGIP may be used to detect or
modulate the growth and/or differentiation of tumor cell, which are
expressing a receptor which binds to SGIP. SGIP polypeptides can be
labeled with radionuclides, enzymes, substrates, cofactors,
inhibitors, fluorescent markers, chemiluminescent markers, magnetic
particles and the like; indirect tags or labels may feature use of
biotin-avidin or other complement/anti-complement pairs as
intermediates. These labeled polypeptides can be applied in vitro
or in vivo and are especially useful to identify SGIP or zsig33
receptors located on tumors in such tissues as, for example,
stomach, brain, pancreas, kidney, duodenum, jejunum, and lung.
[0129] Molecules of the present invention are also useful as
additives to anti-hypoglycemic preparations containing glucose and
as adsorption enhancers for oral drugs which require fast nutrient
action. Additionally, molecules of the present invention can be
used to stimulate glucose-induced insulin release.
[0130] For pharmaceutical use, the proteins of the present
invention are formulated for parenteral, particularly intravenous
or subcutaneous, delivery according to conventional methods, as
well as by nasal inhalation. Intravenous administration will be by
bolus injection or infusion over a typical period of one to several
hours. In general, pharmaceutical formulations will include a SGIP
protein, polypeptides, peptides or variants in combination with a
pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, such as saline, buffered
saline, 5% dextrose in water or the like. Formulations may further
include one or more excipients, preservatives, solubilizers,
buffering agents, albumin to prevent protein loss on vial surfaces,
etc. Methods of formulation are well known in the art and are
disclosed, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton Pa., 1990, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Therapeutic doses will generally
be in the range of 0.1 to 100 .linevert split.g/kg of patient
weight per day, preferably 0.5-20 .linevert split.g/kg per day,
with the exact dose determined by the clinician according to
accepted standards, taking into account the nature and severity of
the condition to be treated, patient traits, etc. Determination of
dose is within the level of ordinary skill in the art. The proteins
may be administered for acute treatment, over one week or less,
often over a period of one to three days or may be used in chronic
treatment, over several months or years. For example, a
therapeutically effective amount of SGIP is an amount sufficient to
produce a clinically significant change in gastric motility and
parameters used to measure changes in nutritional absorption.
Specific tests for making such measurements are known to these
ordinarily skilled in the art.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Gastrointestinal Contractility
[0131] Two male Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately 12 weeks old
(Harlan, Indianapolis, Ind.) are anesthetized with urethane and
their stomachs are exposed through a small abdominal incision. Two
2.4 mm transducing crystals (Sonometrics, Ontario, Canada) are
placed on the antral portion of the stomach such that circular
contractions could be monitored as a change in the distance between
the two crystals. The crystals are attached with VETBOND TISSUE
ADHESIVE (3M, St. Paul, Minn.).
[0132] 10 .mu.l of 1 .mu.M acetylcholine, 10 .mu.l of
norepinephrine (NE) at 1 .mu.M, or 10 .mu.l of phosphate buffer
solution (PBS--a negative control) is applied topically between the
crystals, and a the distance between two crystals is measured.
[0133] SGIP peptides as described in Table A are dissolved
separately in PBS and 10 .mu.l is applied topically for a final
concentration of 1 .mu.g, 10 .mu.g or 100 .mu.g. Effects of the
SGIP peptides are measured as above.
Example 2
Glucose Absorption
[0134] Eight female ob/ob mice, approximately 6 weeks old (Jackson
Labs, Bar Harbor, Me.) are adapted to a 4 hour daily feeding
schedule for two weeks. After two weeks on the feeding schedule,
the mice are give 100 .mu.g of separate preparations of the SGIP
peptides described in Table A in 100 .mu.l sterile 0.1% BSA by oral
gavage, immediately after their eating period (post-prandially).
Thirty minutes later, the mice are challenged orally with a 0.5 ml
volume of 25% glucose. Retro-orbital bleeds are done to determine
serum glucose levels. Blood is drawn prior to peptide dosing, prior
to oral glucose challenge, and at 1, 2, 4, and 20 hours following
the glucose challenge.
[0135] Post-prandial glucose absorption is measured when peptides
are given orally at 100 .mu.g, 30 minutes prior to an oral glucose
challenge.
Example 3
Peptide Synthesis
[0136] SGIP peptides as described in Table A are synthesized by
solid phase peptide synthesis using a model 431A Peptide
Synthesizer (Applied Biosystems/Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.).
Fmoc-Glutamine resin (0.63 mmol/g; Advanced Chemtech, Louisville,
Ky.) is used as the initial support resin. 1 mmol amino acid
cartridges (Anaspec, Inc. San Jose, Calif.) are used for synthesis.
A mixture of 2(1-Hbenzotriazol-y-yl 1,1,3,3-tetrahmethylhyluronium
hexafluorophosphate (HBTU), 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (HOBt), 2m
N,N-Diisolpropylethylamine, N-Methylpyrrolidone, Dichloromethane
(all from Applied Biosystems/Perkin Elmer) and piperidine (Aldrich
Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.), are used for synthesis reagents.
[0137] The Peptide Companion software (Peptides International,
Louisville, Ky.) is used to predict the aggregation potential and
difficulty level for synthesis for the these peptides. Synthesis is
performed using single coupling programs, according to the
manufacturer's specifications.
[0138] The peptide is cleaved from the solid phase following
standard TFA cleavage procedure (according to Peptide Cleavage
manual, Applied Biosystems/Perkin Elmer). Purification of the
peptide is done by RP-HPLC using a C18, 10 .mu.m semi-peparative
column (Vydac, Hesperial, Calif.). Eluted fractions from the column
are collected and analyzed for correct mass and purity by
electrospray mass spectrometry.
Example 4
Gastric Emptying
[0139] The effect of topically applied SGIP peptides on the transit
of phenol red through the stomachs of fasted male Sprague-Dawley
rats (Harlan, Indianapolis, Ind.) is evaluated. The rats (6
animals, 8 weeks old) are fasted 24 hrs prior to being anesthetized
with urethane (0.5 ml/100 grams of 25% solution). After
anesthetizing, the animals are orally gavaged with 1 ml of Phenol
Red solution (50 mg/ml in. 2% methylcellulose solution).
[0140] The stomach of each animal is exposed through a small
abdominal incision and either 1 .mu.g of a SGIP peptide as
described in Table A, or an amino acid control of a scrambled
sequence peptide is applied topically to the stomach five minutes
following the gavage. The amount of Phenol Red remaining in the
stomach is determined by measuring optical density of the extracted
stomach contents 30 minutes after the gavage.
Example 5
Body Weight and Glucose Clearance
[0141] Sixteen female ob/ob mice, 8 weeks old, (Jackson Labs, Bar
Harbor, Me.) are adapted to a special 4 hour daily feeding schedule
for two weeks. They are fed ad libitum from 7:30-11:30 am daily.
After two weeks on the feeding schedule, the mice are divided into
two groups of 8. One group is given 1.0 .mu.g/mouse of a
preparation of a SGIP peptide as described in Table A. The other
group is given a vehicle (i.e., a scrambled sequence peptide) in
100 .mu.l sterile 0.1% BSQA by oral gavage just prior to receiving
food, and at the end of the 4 hour feeding period. The mice are
injected twice daily for fourteen days, during which time food
intake and body weight is measured daily. On day 14, immediately
after the second oral gavage of the SGIP peptides, the mice are
challenged orally with an 0.5 ml volume of 25% glucose.
Retro-orbital bleeds are done to determine serum glucose levels
immediately prior to administration of the SGIP peptides or vehicle
(t=30 min.), and also at 0, 1, 2, and 4 hours following the glucose
challenge.
Example 6
In vivo Ligand Binding Assay
[0142] Ten week old Balb C male mice are anesthetized via
intramuscular injection and tested for binding of SGIP in vivo.
[0143] SGIP peptides (as described in Table A) are tested. A single
glycine is used as a negative control. Additionally, negative
controls in which the residues of SGIP peptides have been
rearranged, are also tested. The peptides and controls are coupled
to fluorescein isothiocyantate (FITC, Molecular Probes, Eugene,
Oreg.) in the following manner: The peptides, glycine control and
FITC are dissolved in 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate at pH 9.0 to a
concentration of 2.0 mg/ml for the peptides and glycine control and
5 mg/ml for FITC, avoiding exposure of the FITC to strong light.
The FITC/sodium bicarbonate solution is added to the peptides at a
ratio of 1 mg FITC to 1 mg peptide or glycine control, and allowed
to react in the dark at ambient room temperature for 1 hour. The
FITC-conjugated peptides and glycine control are dialyzed in a 1 K
dialysis membrane and 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate buffer at 4.degree.
C. The buffer is changed daily and unbound FITC in the
post-dialyzed buffer is measured by HPLC. After six days, the
buffer is changed to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and dialyzed
for two days followed by another change in PBS and dialyzed for
another 2 days. Peptide- or glycine-bound FITC is determined by
measuring the absorbance of the dialyzed FITC-bound material at 498
nm and dividing by the extinction coefficient of fluorescein, 0.083
.mu.M. The molar ratio of fluorescein to peptide (mole FITC/mole
peptide) is then determined.
[0144] The labeled peptides are administered via tail vein
injections such that each mouse received 0.5 ml (0.5 mg) of labeled
peptide which is allowed to circulate in the mice for 15 minutes
following injection.
[0145] While under anesthesia the right atrium of each mouse is
snipped to allow an exit path and 20 ml of PBS was injected into
left ventricle and used to flush the circulatory system. The mice
are then perfused with approximately 10 ml of formalin in neutral
buffer (10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF), Surgipath, Richmond,
Ill.).
[0146] Tissues of interest are harvested by dissection, and fixed
overnight in 10% NBF before processing for histological evaluation.
Tissues are processed in the V.I.P. 2000 (Miles, Inc., Elkhart,
Ind.) resulting in Paraffin.RTM. infiltration of the tissue. The
tissue-Paraffin.RTM. blocks are sliced into 5 .mu.m sections in a
Jung Biocut (Leica, Nussloch, Germany), placed on glass slides, and
incubated at 60.degree. C. for one hour to aid in adhering the
tissue to the slide. The Paraffin.RTM. is removed by washing the
slides three times in 100% xylene for 5 minutes. The slides are
then rehydrated by 2 washes in 100% ethanol for 3 minutes; followed
by one wash in 95% ethanol. The slides are allowed to dry and then
mounted with 5 to 10 .mu.l of antifade medium [nine parts glycerol
containing 2% DABCO (1,4-diazobicyclo-(2,2,2,)-octan- e, Sigma, St.
Louis, Mo.), dissolved at 55-70.degree. C.; one part 0.2 M
Tris/HCL, pH 7.5 DAPI (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) or propididum iodide
(0.5 .mu.g/ml]. See also Kievits, T. et al., Cytogenet Cell Cenet
53:134-136 (1990) for antifade medium. Slides are covered with
cover slips and immediately examined by fluorescent microscopy at
495 nm.
[0147] Variants are measured for increased fluorescence in
doudenum, jejunum, and convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of
the kidney, as compared to the glycine.
Example 7
Acylated Peptide Synthesis
[0148] One or more serine residues of the peptides shown in Table A
is be modified to include an n-octanoic acid side chain. The
peptide is synthesized by Fmoc chemistry with all of the amino
acids protected, except for the hydroxyl group of the serine in
position 3 of SEQ ID NO:2. While still attached to the resin, this
hydroxyl group of serine is acylated with n-octanoic acid (TCI
America, Portland, Oreg.) by the action of
1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (Pierce Chemical,
Rockford, Ill.) in the presence of 4-(dimethylamino) pyridine
(Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland). After acylation, the peptide is
cleaved from the resin and protection groups removed. The peptide
is then be purified by reverse phase HPLC.
[0149] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
Sequence CWU 1
1
7 1 33 DNA Homo sapiens 1 ggctccagct tcctgagccc tgaacaccag aga 33 2
11 PRT Homo sapiens 2 Gly Ser Ser Phe Leu Ser Pro Glu His Gln Arg 1
5 10 3 351 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (1)...(351) sig_peptide (1)...(69)
mat_peptide (70)...(351) 3 atg ccc tcc cca ggg acc gtc tgc agc ctc
ctg ctc ctc ggc atg ctc 48 Met Pro Ser Pro Gly Thr Val Cys Ser Leu
Leu Leu Leu Gly Met Leu -20 -15 -10 tgg ctg gac ttg gcc atg gca ggc
tcc agc ttc ctg agc cct gaa cac 96 Trp Leu Asp Leu Ala Met Ala Gly
Ser Ser Phe Leu Ser Pro Glu His -5 1 5 cag aga gtc cag cag aga aag
gag tcg aag aag cca cca gcc aag ctg 144 Gln Arg Val Gln Gln Arg Lys
Glu Ser Lys Lys Pro Pro Ala Lys Leu 10 15 20 25 cag ccc cga gct cta
gca ggc tgg ctc cgc ccg gaa gat gga ggt caa 192 Gln Pro Arg Ala Leu
Ala Gly Trp Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Gly Gly Gln 30 35 40 gca gaa ggg
gca gag gat gaa ctg gaa gtc cgg ttc aac gcc ccc ttt 240 Ala Glu Gly
Ala Glu Asp Glu Leu Glu Val Arg Phe Asn Ala Pro Phe 45 50 55 gat
gtt gga atc aag ctg tca ggg gtt cag tac cag cag cac agc cag 288 Asp
Val Gly Ile Lys Leu Ser Gly Val Gln Tyr Gln Gln His Ser Gln 60 65
70 gcc ctg ggg aag ttt ctt cag gac atc ctc tgg gaa gag gcc aaa gag
336 Ala Leu Gly Lys Phe Leu Gln Asp Ile Leu Trp Glu Glu Ala Lys Glu
75 80 85 gcc cca gcc gac aag 351 Ala Pro Ala Asp Lys 90 4 117 PRT
Homo sapiens SIGNAL (1)...(23) 4 Met Pro Ser Pro Gly Thr Val Cys
Ser Leu Leu Leu Leu Gly Met Leu -20 -15 -10 Trp Leu Asp Leu Ala Met
Ala Gly Ser Ser Phe Leu Ser Pro Glu His -5 1 5 Gln Arg Val Gln Gln
Arg Lys Glu Ser Lys Lys Pro Pro Ala Lys Leu 10 15 20 25 Gln Pro Arg
Ala Leu Ala Gly Trp Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Gly Gly Gln 30 35 40 Ala
Glu Gly Ala Glu Asp Glu Leu Glu Val Arg Phe Asn Ala Pro Phe 45 50
55 Asp Val Gly Ile Lys Leu Ser Gly Val Gln Tyr Gln Gln His Ser Gln
60 65 70 Ala Leu Gly Lys Phe Leu Gln Asp Ile Leu Trp Glu Glu Ala
Lys Glu 75 80 85 Ala Pro Ala Asp Lys 90 5 119 PRT Sus scrofa 5 Met
Val Ser Arg Lys Ala Val Val Val Leu Leu Val Val His Ala Ala 1 5 10
15 Ala Met Leu Ala Ser His Thr Glu Ala Phe Val Pro Ser Phe Thr Tyr
20 25 30 Gly Glu Leu Gln Arg Met Gln Glu Lys Glu Arg Asn Lys Gly
Gln Lys 35 40 45 Lys Ser Leu Ser Val Gln Gln Ala Ser Glu Glu Leu
Gly Pro Leu Asp 50 55 60 Pro Ser Glu Pro Thr Lys Glu Glu Glu Arg
Val Val Ile Lys Leu Leu 65 70 75 80 Ala Pro Val Asp Ile Gly Ile Arg
Met Asp Ser Arg Gln Leu Glu Lys 85 90 95 Tyr Arg Ala Thr Leu Glu
Arg Leu Leu Gly Gln Ala Pro Gln Ser Thr 100 105 110 Gln Asn Gln Asn
Ala Ala Lys 115 6 11 PRT Artificial Sequence VARIANT (1)...(1) Xaa
is Gly, Ser, Ala, Thr, or Met 6 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa 1 5 10 7 33 DNA Artificial Sequence degenerate sequence 7
ggnwsnwsnt tyytnwsncc ngarcaycar mgn 33
* * * * *