U.S. patent application number 11/056776 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for monoclonal antibodies that specifically block biological activity of a tumor antigen.
This patent application is currently assigned to Morphotek, Inc.. Invention is credited to Grasso, Luigi, Nicolaides, Nicholas C., Sass, Philip M..
Application Number | 20050232919 11/056776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34886025 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050232919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grasso, Luigi ; et
al. |
October 20, 2005 |
Monoclonal antibodies that specifically block biological activity
of a tumor antigen
Abstract
This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that
specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some
embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate
receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.). The antibodies are useful in the
treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have
increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor
("FR-.alpha."), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung,
endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells
expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as
chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments,
and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies,
derivatives, and fragments.
Inventors: |
Grasso, Luigi; (Bala Cynwyd,
PA) ; Nicolaides, Nicholas C.; (Boothwyn, PA)
; Sass, Philip M.; (Audubon, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Morphotek, Inc.
Exton
PA
|
Family ID: |
34886025 |
Appl. No.: |
11/056776 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60544364 |
Feb 12, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/143.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/334; 435/69.1; 530/388.22; 536/23.53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 43/00 20180101;
G01N 33/574 20130101; A61P 35/02 20180101; C07K 16/30 20130101;
C07K 2317/24 20130101; G01N 2333/705 20130101; A61K 2039/505
20130101; C07K 16/3069 20130101; C07K 2317/92 20130101; C07K
2317/732 20130101; G01N 33/57492 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101;
A61K 49/00 20130101; C07K 16/28 20130101; C07K 2317/51 20130101;
C07K 2317/56 20130101; C07K 2317/515 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/143.1 ;
530/388.22; 435/069.1; 435/320.1; 435/334; 536/023.53 |
International
Class: |
A61K 039/395; C07H
021/04; C12N 015/09; C12N 005/06; C07K 016/28 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A purified antibody that specifically binds to folate
receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.).
2. The antibody of claim 1 wherein said antibody blocks a
biological activity of FR-.alpha..
3. The antibody of claim 1 wherein said antibody induces
antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of an FR-.alpha.-bearing
cell.
4. The antibody of claim 1 wherein the affinity of said antibody is
at least about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M.
5. The antibody of claim 1 comprising a heavy chain comprising an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
6. The antibody of claim 1 comprising a light chain comprising an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
7. The antibody of claim 5 comprising a light chain comprising an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
8. The antibody of claim 1 wherein said antibody is conjugated to a
cytotoxic agent.
9. A cell that expresses the antibody of claim 1.
10. A cell that expresses an antibody that specifically binds to
folate receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.), wherein said cell is
substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding competitors.
11. A polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain of an antibody that
specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.) wherein
said heavy chain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:5.
12. The polynucleotide of claim 11 comprising a nucleic acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.
13. A polynucleotide encoding a light chain of an antibody that
specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.) wherein
said light chain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2.
14. The polynucleotide of claim 13 comprising a nucleic acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:8.
15. The polynucleotide of claim 11 further encoding a light chain
of an antibody that specifically binds to FR-.alpha. wherein said
light chain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
16. The polynucleotide of claim 15 comprising a nucleic acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:8.
17. A vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain of
an antibody that specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha.
(FR-.alpha.) wherein said heavy chain comprises an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
18. A vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a light chain of
an antibody that specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha.
(FR-.alpha.) wherein said light chain comprises an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
19. A vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain of
an antibody that specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha.
(FR-.alpha.) wherein said heavy chain comprises an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a polynucleotide encoding a light chain
of an antibody that specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha.
(FR-.alpha.) wherein said light chain comprises an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
20. A vector comprising the polynucleotide of claim 15.
21. An expression cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding a heavy
chain of an antibody that specifically binds to folate
receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.) wherein said heavy chain comprises an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a polynucleotide encoding a
light chain of an antibody that specifically binds to folate
receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.) wherein said light chain comprises an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
22. An expression cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding a heavy
chain of an antibody that specifically binds to folate
receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.) wherein said heavy chain comprises an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a light chain of an antibody
that specifically binds to folate receptor-.alpha. (FR-.alpha.)
wherein said light chain comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2.
23. An expression cell comprising the vector of claim 17.
24. An expression cell comprising the vector of claim 18.
25. An expression cell comprising the vector of claim 19.
26. An expression cell comprising the vector of claim 20.
27. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody that
specifically binds to folate receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.), wherein
said composition is substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding
competitors.
28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 wherein said
antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:5.
29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 wherein said
antibody comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:2.
30. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 wherein said
antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:5 and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:2.
31. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 wherein said
antibody blocks a biological activity of FR-.alpha..
32. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 wherein the binding
affinity of said antibody to FR-.alpha. is at least about
1.times.10.sup.-7 M.
33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 further comprising a
cytotoxic agent.
34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 33 wherein said
antibody is conjugated to said cytotoxic agent.
35. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27 further comprising
an antifolate compound.
36. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising culturing the cell of claim
23.
37. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising culturing the cell of claim
24.
38. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising culturing the cell of claim
25.
39. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising culturing the cell of claim
26.
40. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising culturing the cell of claim
9.
41. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising the step of culturing the cell
of claim 10.
42. A method of generating an antibody-producing cell, said method
comprising: inhibiting mismatch repair in a cell comprising a
nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:5 and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO:2 and selecting a cell that produces antibodies that
specifically bind folate receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.), wherein
substantially all of the antibodies produced by said cell comprise
a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and
a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein said step of inhibiting mismatch
repair comprises introducing a dominant negative inhibitor of a
mismatch repair gene into said cell.
44. The method of claim 42 wherein said cell produces antibodies
comprising at least about 90% by weight of said antibody comprising
a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and
a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
45. The method of claim 42 further comprising restoring genetic
stability to said cell.
46. A cell produced according to the method of claim 42.
47. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising the step of culturing the cell
of claim 46.
48. A method of generating a cell that expresses an antibody that
specifically binds folate receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.) and is
substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding competitors comprising
inhibiting mismatch repair in a cell comprising a nucleic acid
sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a
nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2 and selecting a cell that expresses antibodies that
specifically bind folate receptor alpha (FR-.alpha.) with a binding
affinity of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M.
49. The method of claim 48 wherein said step of inhibiting mismatch
repair comprises introducing a dominant negative inhibitor of a
mismatch repair gene into said cell.
50. The method of claim 48 further comprising restoring genetic
stability to said cell.
51. A cell produced according to the method of claim 48.
52. A method of producing an antibody that specifically binds
folate receptor-.alpha. comprising the step of culturing the cell
of claim 51.
53. A method of inhibiting the growth of dysplastic cells
associated with increased expression of FR-.alpha. comprising
administering to a patient with such dysplastic cells the
pharmaceutical composition of claim 27.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein said dysplastic cells are
ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain
carcinoma cells.
55. The method of claim 53 wherein said dysplastic cells are
ovarian carcinoma cells.
56. The method of claim 53 wherein said patient is a human
patient.
57. The method of claim 53 wherein said pharmaceutical composition
comprises at least one cytotoxic agent.
58. The method of claim 57 wherein said cytotoxic agent is
conjugated to the antibody of said pharmaceutical composition.
59. The method of claim 53 further comprising administering to said
patient an antifolate compound.
60. A method of detecting a dysplastic cell which presents folate
receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.) on its surface comprising contacting
said cell with an antibody that specifically binds FR-.alpha. and
determining binding of said antibody to said cell.
61. The method of claim 60 wherein said antibody blocks a
biological activity of said FR-.alpha..
62. The method of claim 60 wherein said antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
63. The method of claim 60 wherein said antibody comprises a light
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
64. The method of claim 60 wherein said antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a light
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
65. The method of claim 60 wherein said step of contacting said
cell with said antibody occurs in the absence of an FR-.alpha.
binding competitor.
66. The method of claim 60 wherein said cancer cell is an ovarian,
breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain carcinoma
cell.
67. The method of claim 60 wherein said cancer cell is an ovarian
carcinoma cell.
68. The method of claim 60 wherein said antibody is labeled with a
detectable label.
69. The method of claim 60 comprising detecting said cancer cell in
vitro.
70. The method of claim 60 comprising detecting said cancer cell in
vivo.
71. A method of inhibiting the growth of dysplastic cells
associated with increased expression of folate receptor-.alpha.
(FR-.alpha.) comprising administering to a patient having said
dysplastic cells a composition comprising an antibody that
specifically binds to a FR-.alpha..
72. The method of claim 71 wherein said antibody blocks a
biological activity of FR-.alpha. on FR-.alpha.-bearing cells.
73. The method of claim 71 wherein said composition is
substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding competitors.
74. The method of claim 71 wherein said antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5.
75. The method of claim 71 wherein said antibody comprises a light
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
76. The method of claim 71 wherein said antibody comprises a heavy
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a light
chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
77. The method of claim 71 wherein said dysplastic cells are
ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain
carcinoma cells.
78. The method of claim 71 wherein said dysplastic cells are
ovarian carcinoma cells.
79. The method of claim 71 wherein said patient is a human
patient.
80. The method of claim 71 wherein said antibody is conjugated to a
cytotoxic agent.
81. The method of claim 71 wherein said patient is further
administered at least one antifolate compound.
82. A method of treating a patient having cancer comprising
administering to said patient the pharmaceutical composition of
claim 27.
83. The method of claim 81 wherein said cancer is an epithelial
cancer.
84. The method of claim 81 wherein said cancer is ovarian, breast,
renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer.
85. The method of claim 81 wherein said cancer is ovarian
cancer.
86. The method of claim 81 wherein said patient is a human
patient.
87. The method of claim 81 wherein said pharmaceutical composition
comprises at least one cytotoxic agent.
88. The method of claim 87 wherein said cytotoxic agent is
conjugated to the antibody of said pharmaceutical composition.
89. The method of claim 81 further comprising administering to said
patient an antifolate compound.
90. The method of claim 81 wherein said pharmaceutical composition
comprises said antifolate compound.
91. A kit comprising an antibody that specifically binds to folate
receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.) and blocks a biological activity of
FR-.alpha..
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/544,364, filed Feb. 12, 2004, the content of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to purified novel monoclonal
antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor
("FR-.alpha.") and compositions thereof. In some embodiments, the
antibodies of the invention block the biological activity of
FR-.alpha.. The antibodies and compositions of the invention are
useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers
that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate
receptor, such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung,
endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to
hybridoma cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody
derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies,
antibody fragments, mammalian cells expressing the monoclonal
antibodies, derivatives and fragments, compositions of purified
antibodies of the invention, and methods of detecting and treating
cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, fragments, and
compositions of the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are three major isoforms of the human membrane folate
binding protein, .alpha., .beta., and .gamma.. The .alpha. and
.beta. isoforms have about 70% amino acid sequence homology, and
differ dramatically in their stereospecificity for some folates.
Both isoforms are expressed in fetal and adult tissue, although
normal tissue generally expresses low to moderate amounts of
FR-.beta.. FR-.alpha., however, is expressed in normal epithelial
cells, and is frequently strikingly elevated in a variety of
carcinomas (Ross et al. (1994) Cancer 73(9):2432-2443; Rettig et
al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:3110-3114; Campbell et al.
(1991) Cancer Res. 51:5329-5338; Coney et al. (1991) Cancer Res.
51:6125-6132; Weitman et al. (1992) Cancer Res. 52:3396-3401;
Garin-Chesa et al. (1993) Am. J. Pathol. 142:557-567; Holm et al.
(1994) APMIS 102:413-419; Franklin et al. (1994) Int. J. Cancer 8
(Suppl.):89-95; Miotti et al. (1987) Int. J. Cancer 39:297-303; and
Vegglan et al. (1989) Tumori 75:510-513). FR-.alpha. is
overexpressed in greater than 90% of ovarian carcinomas (Sudimack
and Lee (2000) Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 41(2):147-62). FR-.alpha.
generally attaches to the cell surface membrane via a GPI anchor.
GPI anchors contain oligosaccharides and inositol
phospholipids.
[0004] In 1987, Miotti et al. described three new monoclonal
antibodies that recognized antigens on human ovarian carcinoma
cells (Miotti et al. (1987) Int. J. Cancer 39(3):297-303). One of
these was designated MOv18, which recognizes a 38 kDa protein on
the surface of choriocarcinoma cells. MOv18 is a murine, IgG1,
kappa antibody and mediates specific cell lysis of the ovarian
carcinoma cell line, IGROV1. Alberti et al. ((1990) Biochem.
Biophys. Res. Commun. 171(3):1051-1055) showed that the antigen
recognized by MOv18 was a GPI-linked protein. This was subsequently
identified as the human folate binding protein (Coney et al. (1991)
Cancer Res. 51(22):6125-6132). Tomassetti et al. showed that MOv18
recognizes a soluble form and a GPI-anchored form of the folate
binding protein in IGROV1 cells (Tomassetti et al. (1993) FEBS
Lett. 317(1-2):143-146). Subsequent work combined the variable
regions of the mouse MOv18 with human IgG1 (kappa) constant region
to create a chimerized MOv18 antibody. The chimerized antibody
mediated higher and more specific lysis of IGROV1 cells at
10-100-fold lower antibody concentrations (Coney et al. (1994)
Cancer Res. 54(9):2448-2455). The 38 kDa antigen appears to be the
monomeric form of FR-.alpha..
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,484 describes a humanized antibody that
binds to a 38 kDa protein (FR-.alpha.). The antibody was named
LK26. The original mouse monoclonal antibody was described by
Rettig in European Patent Application No. 86104170.5 (published as
EP0197435 and issued in the U.S. as U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,332).
[0006] Ovarian cancer is a major cause of death due to
gynecological malignancy. Although chemotherapy is the recommended
treatment and has enjoyed some success, the 5-year survival rate is
still less than 40%.
[0007] A difficult problem in antibody therapy in cancer is that
often the target of the antibody is expressed by normal tissues as
well as cancerous tissues. Thus, the antibodies that are used to
kill cancer cells also have a deleterious effect on normal cells.
Finding unique targets or targets that are preferentially expressed
in cancer tissues has proven difficult in many cancers.
Identification of preferentially expressed targets and the ability
to block the biological activity of such targets may be an
effective treatment for cancer. As such, more effective antibody
therapies for ovarian and other FR-.alpha.-bearing cancers that
avoids or minimizes reactivity with normal tissues are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In some embodiments, the invention provides antibodies that
specifically bind to FR-.alpha.. The antibodies of the invention
preferably block a biological activity of FR-.alpha.. In some
embodiments, the invention provides antibody-producing cells and
compositions of antibodies that specifically bind to FR-.alpha.
wherein the cells and compositions are substantially free of
FR-.alpha. binding competitors. In some embodiments,
antibody-producing cells that produce antibodies comprising
substantially only antibody of the invention are provided. In
preferred embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind
FR-.alpha. with a binding affinity of at least about
1.times.10.sup.-7 M, at least about 1.times.10.sup.-8 M, at least
about 1.times.10.sup.-9 M, and most preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-10 M.
[0009] It has been discovered that tumors that overexpress
FR-.alpha. tend to favor the formation of multimeric forms of
FR-.alpha., for example tetramers. Without wishing to be bound by
any particular theory, it is believed that the formation of the
multimeric form of FR-.alpha. is driven by a mass effect due to the
accumulation of larger amounts of FR-.alpha. on the surface of
tumor cells. Previously, other researchers only found higher
molecular weight species of FR-.alpha. in gel filtration assays
which represented FR-.alpha. inserted into Triton X-100 micelles
via their hydrophobic tails (Holm et al. (1997) Biosci. Reports
17(4):415-427). In some embodiments, the invention provides
antibodies that specifically bind to the multimeric form of
FR-.alpha. and not the monomeric form.
[0010] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention (a)
bind to an epitope of FR-.alpha. other than the epitope bound by
antibody LK26; (b) bind FR-.alpha. with greater affinity than
antibody LK26; (c) out-compete antibody LK26 for binding to the
multimeric form of FR-.alpha. and thereby block the biological
activity of FR-.alpha.; and/or (d) are purified relative to
LK26.
[0011] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention
recognize a disulfide-dependent epitope.
[0012] Some embodiments of the invention relate to antibodies
comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:5. In some embodiments, the heavy chain comprises an amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.
[0013] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention
comprise a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2. In some embodiments of the invention, the antibodies comprise
a light chain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:3.
[0014] The invention further provides antibodies comprising a heavy
chain comprising an amino acid of SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:6 and a
light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ
ID NO:3. The antibodies of the invention preferably comprise a
heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and a
light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and
more preferably comprise a heavy chain comprising an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and a light chain comprising an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. In some embodiments of the invention, the
heavy chain of the antibody is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising
the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. In some embodiments of the
invention, the light chain of the antibody is encoded by a nucleic
acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:8.
[0015] The antibodies of the invention may be chimeric antibodies,
including, but not limited to human-mouse chimeric antibodies. The
antibodies of the invention may also be humanized antibodies. The
invention also provides: cells, including hybridoma cells, that
express the antibodies of the invention; polynucleotides that
encode the antibodies of the invention; vectors comprising the
polynucleotides that encode the antibodies of the invention; and
expression cells comprising the vectors of the invention.
[0016] The invention also provides methods of producing an antibody
that specifically binds to FR-.alpha.. In some embodiments, the
method comprises the step of culturing the antibody-producing cells
of the invention. The cells of the invention may be insect cells or
animal cells, preferably, mammalian cells.
[0017] The invention further provides methods of inhibiting the
growth of dysplastic cells associated with increased expression of
FR-.alpha. comprising administering to a patient with such
dysplastic cells a composition comprising an antibody of the
invention. The antibody preferably blocks a biological activity of
FR-.alpha.. The methods may be used for various dysplastic
conditions, such as, but not limited to ovarian, breast, renal,
colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. In preferred
embodiments, the patients are human patients. In some embodiments,
the antibodies are conjugated to cytotoxic agents such as, but not
limited to radionuclides, toxins, and chemotherapeutic agents. In
some embodiments, the antibodies are co-administered with an
antifolate agent. The antifolate agent and antibody of the
invention may be administered at the same time or simultaneously
(that is, together), or in any order.
[0018] The invention also provides methods for decreasing the
growth of cancer cells using monoclonal antibodies that
specifically bind to FR-.alpha., preferably mammalian FR-.alpha..
The methods of the invention may be used to modulate the growth of
cancer cells and the progression of cancer in mammals, including
humans. The cancer cells that may be inhibited include all cancer
cells that have an increased expression of FR-.alpha. in relation
to normal human tissues, such as but not limited to ovarian,
breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer
cells.
[0019] Also provided by the invention are compositions of
antibodies of the invention. In preferred embodiments, the
compositions are substantially pure. Substantially pure
compositions of antibodies of the invention preferably comprise at
least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, even more
preferably at least about 99%, and most preferably about 100% by
weight of antibodies of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a western blot of tumor cells showing the
tetrameric and monomeric forms of FR-.alpha..
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a western blot of Escherichia coli-expressed
FR-.alpha..
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a western blot of FR-.alpha. solubilized in the
presence or absence of Triton X-100.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a screening method for identifying
antibody-producing cells of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 5A illustrates a sequence alignment of light chain of
an anti-FR-.alpha. antibody of the invention having an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and the light chain of an aberrant
translation product having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24.
FIG. 5B illustrates a sequence alignment of the nucleic acid
sequence of a light chain of an anti-FR-.alpha. antibody of the
invention having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 and a nucleic acid
sequence encoding the aberrant translation product having a
sequence of SEQ ID NO:25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The reference works, patents, patent applications, and
scientific literature, including accession numbers to GenBank
database sequences that are referred to herein establish the
knowledge of those with skill in the art and are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as
if each was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference. Any conflict between any reference cited
herein and the specific teachings of this specification shall be
resolved in favor of the latter. Likewise, any conflict between an
art-understood definition of a word or phrase and a definition of
the word or phrase as specifically taught in this specification
shall be resolved in favor of the latter.
[0026] Standard reference works setting forth the general
principles of recombinant DNA technology known to those of skill in
the art include Ausubel et al. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR
BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1998); Sambrook et al.
MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2D ED., Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press, Plainview, N.Y. (1989); Kaufman et al., Eds.,
HANDBOOK OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR METHODS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE,
CRC Press, Boca Raton (1995); McPherson, Ed., DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS:
A PRACTICAL APPROACH, IRL Press, Oxford (1991).
[0027] As used herein, the term "epitope" refers to the portion of
an antigen to which a monoclonal antibody specifically binds.
[0028] As used herein, the term "conformational epitope" refers to
a discontinuous epitope formed by a spatial relationship between
amino acids of an antigen other than an unbroken series of amino
acids.
[0029] As used herein, the term "multimeric" refers to a grouping
of two or more identical or nearly identical units. As used herein,
the term "tetrameric" refers to a grouping of four, identical or
nearly identical units.
[0030] As used herein, the term "monomeric" refers to a single unit
of a mature protein that assembles in groups with other units.
[0031] As used herein, the term "inhibition of growth of dysplastic
cells in vitro" means a decrease in the number of tumor cells, in
culture, by at least about 5%, preferably about 10%, more
preferably about 20%, more preferably about 30%, more preferably
about 40%, more preferably about 50%, more preferably about 60%,
more preferably about 70%, more preferably about 80%, more
preferably about 90%, more preferably about 95%, more preferably
about 99%, and most preferably 100%. In vitro inhibition of tumor
cell growth may be measured by assays known in the art, such as the
GEO cell soft agar assay.
[0032] As used herein, the term "inhibition of growth of dysplastic
cells in vivo" means a decrease in the number of tumor cells, in an
animal, by at least about 5%, preferably about 10%, more preferably
about 20%, more preferably about 30%, more preferably about 40%,
more preferably about 50%, more preferably about 60%, more
preferably about 70%, more preferably about 80%, more preferably
about 90%, more preferably about 95%, more preferably about 99%,
and most preferably 100%. In vivo modulation of tumor cell growth
may be measured by assays known in the art, for example but not
limited to using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors
(RECIST) parameters (available online through the National Cancer
Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program).
[0033] As used herein, "dysplastic cells" refer to cells that
exhibit abnormal growth properties, such as but not limited to
growth in soft agar, lack of contact inhibition, failure to undergo
cell cycle arrest in the absence of serum, and formation of tumors
when injected into immune-compromised mice. Dysplastic cells
include, but are not limited to tumors, hyperplasia, and the
like.
[0034] The term "preventing" refers to decreasing the probability
that an organism contracts or develops an abnormal condition.
[0035] The term "treating" refers to having a therapeutic effect
and at least partially alleviating or abrogating an abnormal
condition in the organism. Treating includes inhibition of tumor
growth, maintenance of inhibited tumor growth, and induction of
remission.
[0036] The term "therapeutic effect" refers to the inhibition of an
abnormal condition. A therapeutic effect relieves to some extent
one or more of the symptoms of the abnormal condition. In reference
to the treatment of abnormal conditions, a therapeutic effect can
refer to one or more of the following: (a) an increase or decrease
in the proliferation, growth, and/or differentiation of cells; (b)
inhibition (i.e., slowing or stopping) of growth of tumor cells in
vivo (c) promotion of cell death; (d) inhibition of degeneration;
(e) relieving to some extent one or more of the symptoms associated
with the abnormal condition; and (f) enhancing the function of a
population of cells. The monoclonal antibodies and derivatives
thereof described herein effectuate the therapeutic effect alone or
in combination with conjugates or additional components of the
compositions of the invention.
[0037] As used herein, the term "inhibits the progression of
cancer" refers to an activity of a treatment that slows the
modulation of neoplastic disease toward end-stage cancer in
relation to the modulation toward end-stage disease of untreated
cancer cells.
[0038] As used herein "blocks a biological activity of FR-.alpha."
refers to the ability of the antibodies (or fragments thereof) of
the invention to prevent folate binding to FR-.alpha., to prevent
the uptake of folate by cells, or to inhibit signal transduction in
the cell triggered by folate.
[0039] As used herein, the term "about" refers to an approximation
of a stated value within an acceptable range. Preferably the range
is +/-5% of the stated value.
[0040] As used herein, the term "neoplastic disease" refers to a
condition marked by abnormal proliferation of cells of a
tissue.
[0041] As used herein, the term "wild-type" refers to a native
sequence, for example, a native nucleic acid sequence encoding or
amino acid sequence of a heavy or light chain of the antibodies of
the invention. Examples of wild-type sequences of the invention
include the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1-8.
[0042] As used herein, the term "FR-.alpha. binding competitors"
refers to aberrant transcripts of the nucleic acids encoding
antibodies of the invention and aberrant translation products of
the antibodies of the invention that do not have the biological
properties of the anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies of the invention
(e.g., antigen binding affinity, ability to block a biological
activity of FR-.alpha.). For example, an aberrant transcript may
contain a deletion, a frameshift, a nonsense mutation, or a
missense mutation. An example of an aberrant translation product is
an alternative splice variant. An example of a FR-.alpha. binding
competitor is an antibody comprising a light chain having an amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:24:
1 MGWSCIILFLVATATGVHSDIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCSVSSSISS
NNLHWYQQKPAASSQRTSPPTTANSGVVTRTCTRSAKGPRWKSNELWLHH LSSSSRHLMSS.
[0043] The light chain of such an FR-.alpha. binding competitor may
be encoded by a nucleic acid having a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:25:
2 ATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCCTCTTCTTGGTAGCAACAGCTACAGGTGT
CCACTCCGACATCCAGCTGACCCAGAGCCCAAGCAGCCTGAGCGCCAGCG
TGGGTGACAGAGTGACCATCACCTGTAGTGTCAGCTCAAGTATAAGTTCC
AACAACTTGCACTGGTACCAGCAGAAGCCCGCAGCCTCCAGCCAGAGGAC
ATCGCCACCTACTACTGCCAACAGTGGAGTAGTTACCCGTACATGTACAC
GTTCGGCCAAGGGACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGAACTGTGGCTGCACCAT
CTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCC
TCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACA
GTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCA
CAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACG
CTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCAC
CCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGT GTTAA.
[0044] As used herein, the term "purified" means a condition of
being sufficiently separated from other proteins or nucleic acids
with which it would naturally be associated, so as to exist in
"substantially pure" form. "Purified" is not meant to exclude
artificial or synthetic mixtures with other compounds or materials,
or the presence of impurities that do not interfere with the
fundamental activity, and that may be present, for example, due to
incomplete purification, addition of stabilizers, or compounding
into, for example, immunogenic preparations or pharmaceutically
acceptable preparations. A "purified" antibody preferably means an
anitbody substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding competitors. The
term "substantially pure" means comprising at least about 50-60% by
weight of a given material (e.g., nucleic acid, protein, etc.).
More preferably, the preparation comprises at least about 75% by
weight, and most preferably about 90-95% by weight of the given
compound. Purity is measured by methods appropriate for the given
material (e.g., chromatographic methods, agarose or polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis, HPLC analysis, and the like).
[0045] As used herein, the phrase "substantially free of FR-.alpha.
binding competitors" refers to a condition of having less than
about 50%, more preferably less than about 40%, more preferably
less than about 30%, more preferably less than about 20%, more
preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%,
more preferably less than about 1%, more preferably less than about
0.5%, and most preferably about 0% by weight of FR-.alpha. binding
competitors.
[0046] Antibodies
[0047] The antibodies of the invention specifically bind folate
receptor-alpha (FR-.alpha.). In some embodiments, the antibodies of
the invention specifically bind a monomeric form of FR-.alpha.. In
some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention specifically bind
a multimeric form of FR-.alpha. (e.g., a tetrameric form) and not
the monomeric form of FR-.alpha.. Preferred antibodies of the
invention block a biological activity of FR-.alpha.. In preferred
embodiments, the antibodies block a biological activity of
FR-.alpha. on FR-.alpha.-bearing cells. Antibodies of the invention
preferably induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)
of FR-.alpha.-bearing cells. Examples of FR-.alpha.-bearing cells
include but are not limited to ovarian, lung, breast, brain, renal,
colorectal, and endometrial cancer cells.
[0048] Preferred antibodies, and antibodies suitable for use in the
method of the invention, include, for example, fully human
antibodies, human antibody homologs, humanized antibody homologs,
chimeric antibody homologs, Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2 and F(v)
antibody fragments, single chain antibodies, and monomers or dimers
of antibody heavy or light chains or mixtures thereof. Antibodies
of the invention are preferably monoclonal antibodies.
[0049] The antibodies of the invention may include intact
immunoglobulins of any isotype including types IgA, IgG, IgE, IgD,
IgM (as well as subtypes thereof). The antibodies preferably
include intact IgG and more preferably IgG1. The light chains of
the immunoglobulin may be kappa or lambda. The light chains are
preferably kappa.
[0050] The antibodies of the invention include portions of intact
antibodies that retain antigen-binding specificity, for example,
Fab fragments, Fab' fragments, F(ab').sub.2 fragments, F(v)
fragments, heavy chain monomers or dimers, light chain monomers or
dimers, dimers consisting of one heavy and one light chain, and the
like. Thus, antigen binding fragments, as well as full-length
dimeric or trimeric polypeptides derived from the above-described
antibodies are themselves useful.
[0051] A "chimeric antibody" is an antibody produced by recombinant
DNA technology in which all or part of the hinge and constant
regions of an immunoglobulin light chain, heavy chain, or both,
have been substituted for the corresponding regions from another
animal's immunoglobulin light chain or heavy chain. In this way,
the antigen-binding portion of the parent monoclonal antibody is
grafted onto the backbone of another species' antibody. One
approach, described in EP 0239400 to Winter et al. describes the
substitution of one species' complementarity determining regions
(CDRs) for those of another species, such as substituting the CDRs
from human heavy and light chain immunoglobulin variable region
domains with CDRs from mouse variable region domains. These altered
antibodies may subsequently be combined with human immunoglobulin
constant regions to form antibodies that are human except for the
substituted murine CDRs which are specific for the antigen. Methods
for grafting CDR regions of antibodies may be found, for example in
Riechmann et al. (1988) Nature 332:323-327 and Verhoeyen et al.
(1988) Science 239:1534-1536.
[0052] The direct use of rodent monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) as
human therapeutic agents led to human anti-rodent antibody ("HARA")
(for example, human anti-mouse antibody ("HAMA")) responses which
occurred in a significant number of patients treated with the
rodent-derived antibody (Khazaeli, et al., (1994) Immunother.
15:42-52). Chimeric antibodies containing fewer murine amino acid
sequences are believed to circumvent the problem of eliciting an
immune response in humans.
[0053] Refinement of antibodies to avoid the problem of HARA
responses led to the development of "humanized antibodies."
Humanized antibodies are produced by recombinant DNA technology, in
which at least one of the amino acids of a human immunoglobulin
light or heavy chain that is not required for antigen binding has
been substituted for the corresponding amino acid from a nonhuman
mammalian immunoglobulin light or heavy chain. For example, if the
immunoglobulin is a mouse monoclonal antibody, at least one amino
acid that is not required for antigen binding is substituted using
the amino acid that is present on a corresponding human antibody in
that position. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory
of operation, it is believed that the "humanization" of the
monoclonal antibody inhibits human immunological reactivity against
the foreign immunoglobulin molecule.
[0054] As a non-limiting example, a method of performing
complementarity determining region (CDR) grafting may be performed
by sequencing the mouse heavy and light chains of the antibody of
interest that binds to the target antigen (e.g., FR-.alpha.) and
genetically engineering the CDR DNA sequences and imposing these
amino acid sequences to corresponding human V regions by site
directed mutagenesis. Human constant region gene segments of the
desired isotype are added, and the "humanized" heavy and light
chain genes are co-expressed in mammalian cells to produce soluble
humanized antibody. A typical expression cell is a Chinese Hamster
Ovary (CHO) cell. Suitable methods for creating the chimeric
antibodies may be found, for example, in Jones et al. (1986) Nature
321:522-525; Riechmann (1988) Nature 332:323-327; Queen et al.
(1989) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029; and Orlandi et al.
(1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:3833.
[0055] Queen et al. (1989) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029-10033
and WO 90/07861 describe the preparation of a humanized antibody.
Human and mouse variable framework regions were chosen for optimal
protein sequence homology. The tertiary structure of the murine
variable region was computer-modeled and superimposed on the
homologous human framework to show optimal interaction of amino
acid residues with the mouse CDRs. This led to the development of
antibodies with improved binding affinity for antigen (which is
typically decreased upon making CDR-grafted chimeric antibodies).
Alternative approaches to making humanized antibodies are known in
the art and are described, for example, in Tempest (1991)
Biotechnology 9:266-271.
[0056] "Single chain antibodies" refer to antibodies formed by
recombinant DNA techniques in which immunoglobulin heavy and light
chain fragments are linked to the Fv region via an engineered span
of amino acids. Various methods of generating single chain
antibodies are known, including those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,694,778; Bird (1988) Science 242:423-442; Huston et al. (1988)
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; Ward et al. (1989) Nature
334:54454; Skerra et al. (1988) Science 242:1038-1041.
[0057] The antibodies of the invention may be used alone or as
immunoconjugates with a cytotoxic agent. In some embodiments, the
agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the agent
is a radioisotope, including, but not limited to Lead-212,
Bismuth-212, Astatine-211, Iodine-131, Scandium-47, Rhenium-186,
Rhenium-188, Yttrium-90, Iodine-123, Iodine-125, Bromine-77,
Indium-111, and fissionable nuclides such as Boron-10 or an
Actinide. In other embodiments, the agent is a toxin or cytotoxic
drug, including but not limited to ricin, modified Pseudomonas
enterotoxin A, calicheamicin, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil, and the
like. Methods of conjugation of antibodies and antibody fragments
to such agents are known in the literature.
[0058] The antibodies of the invention include derivatives that are
modified, e.g., by the covalent attachment of any type of molecule
to the antibody such that covalent attachment does not prevent the
antibody from binding to its epitope. Examples of suitable
derivatives include, but are not limited to fucosylated antibodies
and fragments, glycosylated antibodies and fragments, acetylated
antibodies and fragments, pegylated antibodies and fragments,
phosphorylated antibodies and fragments, and amidated antibodies
and fragments. The antibodies and derivatives thereof of the
invention may themselves by derivatized by known
protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to a
cellular ligand or other proteins, and the like. In some
embodiments of the invention, at least one heavy chain of the
antibody is fucosylated. In some embodiments, the fucosylation is
N-linked. In some preferred embodiments, at least one heavy chain
of the antibody comprises a fucosylated, N-linked
oligosaccharide.
[0059] The antibodies of the invention include variants having
single or multiple amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions,
or replacements that retain the biological properties (e.g., block
a biological activity of FR-.alpha., binding affinity) of the
antibodies of the invention. The skilled person can produce
variants having single or multiple amino acid substitutions,
deletions, additions or replacements. These variants may include,
inter alia: (a) variants in which one or more amino acid residues
are substituted with conservative or nonconservative amino acids,
(b) variants in which one or more amino acids are added to or
deleted from the polypeptide, (c) variants in which one or more
amino acids include a substituent group, and (d) variants in which
the polypeptide is fused with another peptide or polypeptide such
as a fusion partner, a protein tag or other chemical moiety, that
may confer useful properties to the polypeptide, such as, for
example, an epitope for an antibody, a polyhistidine sequence, a
biotin moiety and the like. Antibodies of the invention may include
variants in which amino acid residues from one species are
substituted for the corresponding residue in another species,
either at the conserved or nonconserved positions. In another
embodiment, amino acid residues at nonconserved positions are
substituted with conservative or nonconservative residues. The
techniques for obtaining these variants, including genetic
(suppressions, deletions, mutations, etc.), chemical, and enzymatic
techniques, are known to the person having ordinary skill in the
art. Antibodies of the invention also include antibody fragments. A
"fragment" refers to polypeptide sequences which are preferably at
least about 40, more preferably at least to about 50, more
preferably at least about 60, more preferably at least about 70,
more preferably at least about 80, more preferably at least about
90, and more preferably at least about 100 amino acids in length,
and which retain some biological activity or immunological activity
of the full-length sequence, for example, the ability to block a
biological activity of FR-.alpha. and/or FR-.alpha. binding
affinity.
[0060] The invention also encompasses fully human antibodies such
as those derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of
ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain
cancer patients. Such cells may be fused with myeloma cells, for
example, to form hybridoma cells producing fully human antibodies
against FR-.alpha..
[0061] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the antibody
comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:1:
3 DIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCSVSSSISSNNLHWYQQKPGKAPKPWIY
GTSNPASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTFTISSLQPEDIATYYCQQWSSYPYMYT FGQGTKVEIK.
[0062] In some preferred embodiments, the antibody of the invention
comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2:
4 DIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCSVSSSISSNNLHWYQQKPGKAPKPWIY
GTSNPASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTFTISSLQPEDIATYYCQQWSSYPYMYT
FGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ
WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVT
HQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC.
[0063] In some preferred embodiments, the antibody of the invention
comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:3:
5 MGWSCIILFLVATATGVHSDIQLTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCSVSSSISS
NNLHWYQQKPGKAPKPWIYGTSNPASGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYTFTISSLQP
EDIATYYCQQWSSYPYMYTFGQGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSG
TASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSST
LTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC
[0064] (leader sequence underlined).
[0065] Also within the scope of the invention are antibodies
comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:4:
6 EVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCSASGFTFSGYGLSWVRQAPGKGLEWVAM
ISSGGSYTYYADSVKGRFAISRDNAKNTLFLQMDSLRPEDTGVYFCARHG
DDPAWFAYWGQGTPVTVSS.
[0066] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the
antibodies of the invention comprise a heavy chain comprising an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5:
7 EVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCSASGFTFSGYGLSWVRQAPGKGLEWVAM
ISSGGSYTYYADSVKGRFAISRDNAKNTLFLQMDSLRPEDTGVYFCARHG
DDPAWFAYWGQGTPVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKD
YFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTY
ICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPK
DTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNS
TYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQV
YTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVL
DSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK.
[0067] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the heavy
chain of the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:6:
8 MGWSCIILFLVATATGVHSEVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCSASGFTFSG
YGLSWVRQAPGKGLEWVAMISSGGSYTYYADSVKGRFAISRDNAKNTLFL
QMDSLRPEDTGVYFCARHGDDPAWFAYWGQGTPVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLA
PSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGL
YSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPC
PAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYV
DGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALP
APIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAV
EWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMH
EALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK
[0068] (leader sequence underlined).
[0069] In some embodiments of the invention, the antibody comprises
a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, 5,
or 6 and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:1, 2, or 3. In more preferred embodiments, the antibody
comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:5 and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2. In some embodiments of the invention, the antibody comprises
a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:6 and a
light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
[0070] The antibodies of the invention are preferably nontoxic as
demonstrated, for example, in in vivo toxicology studies.
[0071] The antibodies and derivatives thereof of the invention have
binding affinities that include a dissociation constant (K.sub.d)
of less than 1.times.10.sup.-2. In some embodiments, the K.sub.d is
less than 1.times.10.sup.-3. In other embodiments, the K.sub.d is
less than 1.times.10.sup.-4. In some embodiments, the K.sub.d is
less than 1.times.10.sup.-5. In still other embodiments, the
K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-6. In other embodiments, the
K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-7. In other embodiments, the
K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-8. In other embodiments, the
K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-9. In other embodiments, the
K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-10. In still other
embodiments, the K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-11. In some
embodiments, the K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-12. In other
embodiments, the K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-13. In other
embodiments, the K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-14. In still
other embodiments, the K.sub.d is less than 1.times.10.sup.-15.
[0072] Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is
believed that the antibodies of some embodiments of the invention
are particularly useful in binding the multimeric form of
FR-.alpha. due to an increased avidity of the antibody as both
"arms" of the antibody (Fab fragments) bind to separate FR-.alpha.
molecules that make up the multimer. This leads to a decrease in
the dissociation (K.sub.d) of the antibody and an overall increase
in the observed affinity (K.sub.D).
[0073] Nucleic Acids
[0074] The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the heavy
chain and/or light chain of the anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies of the
invention. "Nucleic acid" or a "nucleic acid molecule" as used
herein refers to any DNA or RNA molecule, either single- or
double-stranded and, if single-stranded, the molecule of its
complementary sequence in either linear or circular form. In
discussing nucleic acid molecules, a sequence or structure of a
particular nucleic acid molecule may be described herein according
to the normal convention of providing the sequence in the 5' to 3'
direction. In some embodiments of the invention, nucleic acids are
"isolated." This term, when applied to DNA, refers to a DNA
molecule that is separated from sequences with which it is
immediately contiguous in the naturally occurring genome of the
organism in which it originated. For example, an "isolated nucleic
acid" may comprise a DNA molecule inserted into a vector, such as a
plasmid or virus vector, or integrated into the genomic DNA of a
prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell or host organism. When applied to
RNA, the term "isolated nucleic acid" refers primarily to an RNA
molecule encoded by an isolated DNA molecule as defined above.
Alternatively, the term may refer to an RNA molecule that has been
sufficiently separated from other nucleic acids with which it would
be associated in its natural state (i.e., in cells or tissues). An
isolated nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) may further represent a
molecule produced directly by biological or synthetic means and
separated from other components present during its production.
[0075] Nucleic acids of the invention include nucleic acids having
at least 80%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably
at least about 95%, and most preferably at least about 98% homology
to nucleic acids of the invention. The terms "percent similarity",
"percent identity" and "percent homology" when referring to a
particular sequence are used as set forth in the University of
Wisconsin GCG software program. Nucleic acids of the invention also
include complementary nucleic acids. In some instances, the
sequences will be fully complementary (no mismatches) when aligned.
In other instances, there may be up to about a 20% mismatch in the
sequences.
[0076] Nucleic acids of the invention also include fragments of the
nucleic acids of the invention. A "fragment" refers to a nucleic
acid sequence that is preferably at least about 10 nucleic acids in
length, more preferably about 40 nucleic acids, and most preferably
about 100 nucleic acids in length. A "fragment" can also mean a
stretch of at least about 100 consecutive nucleotides that contains
one or more deletions, insertions, or substitutions. A "fragment"
can also mean the whole coding sequence of a gene and may include
5' and 3' untranslated regions.
[0077] The encoded antibody light chain preferably comprises an
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 3. The encoded antibody
heavy chain preferably comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:4, 5, or 6. In some embodiments of the invention, the heavy
chain of the antibody is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising the
nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7:
9 ATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCCTCTTCTTGGTAGCAACAGCTACAGGTGT
CCACTCCGAGGTCCAACTGGTGGAGAGCGGTGGAGGTGTTGTGCAACCTG
GCCGGTCCCTGCGCCTGTCCTGCTCCGCATCTGGCTTCACCTTCAGCGGC
TATGGGTTGTCTTGGGTGAGACAGGCACCTGGAAAAGGTCTTGAGTGGGT
TGCAATGATTAGTAGTGGTGGTAGTTATACCTACTATGCAGACAGTGTGA
AGGGTAGATTTGCAATATCGCGAGACAACGCCAAGAACACATTGTTCCTG
CAAATGGACAGCCTGAGACCCGAAGACACCGGGGTCTATTTTTGTGCAAG
ACATGGGGACGATCCCGCCTGGTTCGCTTATTGGGGCCAAGGGACCCCGG
TCACCGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCA
CCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGT
CAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCC
TGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTC
TACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCA
GACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACA
AGAAAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGC
CCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAA
ACCCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGG
TGGTGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTG
GACGGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTA
CAACAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACT
GGCTGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCA
GCCCCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACC
ACAGGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGATGAGCTGACCAAGAACCAGG
TCAGCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTG
GAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCC
CGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTACAGCAAGCTCACCGTGG
ACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCAT
GAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCCGG GAAATGA.
[0078] In some embodiments of the invention, the light chain of the
anti-folate receptor-.alpha. antibody is encoded by a nucleic acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:8:
10 ATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCCTCTTCTTGGTAGCAACAGCTACAGGTGT
CCACTCCGACATCCAGCTGACCCAGAGCCCAAGCAGCCTGAGCGCCAGCG
TGGGTGACAGAGTGACCATCACCTGTAGTGTCAGCTCAAGTATAAGTTCC
AACAACTTGCACTGGTACCAGCAGAAGCCAGGTAAGGCTCCAAAGCCATG
GATCTACGGCACATCCAACCTGGCTTCTGGTGTGCCAAGCAGATTCAGCG
GTAGCGGTAGCGGTACCGACTACACCTTCACCATCAGCAGCCTCCAGCCA
GAGGACATCGCCACCTACTACTGCCAACAGTGGAGTAGTTACCCGTACAT
GTACACGTTCGGCCAAGGGACCAAGGTGGAAATCAAACGAACTGTGGCTG
CACCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGA
ACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAA
AGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGA
GTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACC
CTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGA
AGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGG GAGAGTGTTAA.
[0079] In some embodiments of the invention are provided nucleic
acids encoding both a heavy chain and a light chain of an antibody
of the invention. For example, a nucleic acid of the invention may
comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of
SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 3 and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, 5, or 6.
[0080] Nucleic acids of the invention can be cloned into a vector.
A "vector" is a replicon, such as a plasmid, cosmid, bacmid, phage,
artificial chromosome (BAC, YAC) or virus, into which another
genetic sequence or element (either DNA or RNA) may be inserted so
as to bring about the replication of the attached sequence or
element. A "replicon" is any genetic element, for example, a
plasmid, cosmid, bacmid, phage, artificial chromosome (BAC, YAC) or
virus, that is capable of replication largely under its own
control. A replicon may be either RNA or DNA and may be single or
double stranded. In some embodiments, the expression vector
contains a constitutively active promoter segment (such as but not
limited to CMV, SV40, Elongation Factor or LTR sequences) or an
inducible promoter sequence such as the steroid inducible pIND
vector (Invitrogen), where the expression of the nucleic acid can
be regulated. Expression vectors of the invention may further
comprise regulatory sequences, for example, an internal ribosomal
entry site. The expression vector can be introduced into a cell by
transfection, for example.
[0081] Methods of Producing Antibodies to FR-.alpha.
[0082] The invention also provides methods of producing monoclonal
antibodies that specifically bind FR-.alpha.. Antibodies of the
invention may be produced in vivo or in vitro. One strategy for
generating antibodies against FR-.alpha. involves immunizing
animals with FR-.alpha.. In some embodiments, animals are immunized
with the monomeric or multimeric form of FR-.alpha.. Animals so
immunized will produce antibodies against the protein. Standard
methods are known for creating monoclonal antibodies including, but
are not limited to, the hybridoma technique (see Kohler &
Milstein, (1975) Nature 256:495-497); the trioma technique; the
human B-cell hybridoma technique (see Kozbor et al. (1983) Immunol.
Today 4:72) and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human
monoclonal antibodies (see Cole, et al. in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1985, pp. 77-96).
[0083] FR-.alpha. may be purified from cells or from recombinant
systems using a variety of well-known techniques for isolating and
purifying proteins. For example, but not by way of limitation,
FR-.alpha. may be isolated based on the apparent molecular weight
of the protein by running the protein on an SDS-PAGE gel and
blotting the proteins onto a membrane. Thereafter, the appropriate
size band corresponding to FR-.alpha. may be cut from the membrane
and used as an immunogen in animals directly, or by first
extracting or eluting the protein from the membrane. As an
alternative example, the protein may be isolated by size-exclusion
chromatography alone or in combination with other means of
isolation and purification.
[0084] The invention also provides methods of producing monoclonal
antibodies that specifically bind to the multimeric form of
FR-.alpha.. Multimeric, for example tetrameric, FR-.alpha. may be
purified from cells or from recombinant systems using a variety of
well-known techniques for isolating and purifying proteins. For
example, but not by way of limitation, multimeric FR-.alpha. may be
isolated based on the apparent molecular weight of the protein by
running the protein on an SDS-PAGE gel and blotting the proteins
onto a membrane. Thereafter, the appropriate size band
corresponding to the multimeric form of FR-.alpha. may be cut from
the membrane and used as an immunogen in animals directly, or by
first extracting or eluting the protein from the membrane. As an
alternative example, the protein may be isolated by size-exclusion
chromatography alone or in combination with other means of
isolation and purification.
[0085] Other means of purification are available in such standard
reference texts as Zola, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PREPARATION AND USE
OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND ENGINEERED ANTIBODY DERIVATIVES
(BASICS: FROM BACKGROUND TO BENCH) Springer-Verlag Ltd., New York,
2000; BASIC METHODS IN ANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION,
Chapter 11, "Antibody Purification Methods," Howard and Bethell,
Eds., CRC Press, 2000; ANTIBODY ENGINEERING (SPRINGER LAB MANUAL.),
Kontermann and Dubel, Eds., Springer-Verlag, 2001.
[0086] For in vivo antibody production, animals are generally
immunized with FR-.alpha. or an immunogenic portion of FR-.alpha..
The antigen is generally combined with an adjuvant to promote
immunogenicity. Adjuvants vary according to the species used for
immunization. Examples of adjuvants include, but are not limited
to: Freund's complete adjuvant ("FCA"), Freund's incomplete
adjuvant ("FIA"), mineral gels (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), surface
active substances (e.g., lysolecithin, pluronic polyols,
polyanions), peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin
("KLH"), dinitrophenol ("DNP"), and potentially useful human
adjuvants such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin ("BCG") and
corynebacterium parvum. Such adjuvants are also well known in the
art.
[0087] Immunization may be accomplished using well-known
procedures. The dose and immunization regimen will depend on the
species of mammal immunized, its immune status, body weight, and/or
calculated surface area, etc. Typically, blood serum is sampled
from the immunized mammals and assayed for anti-FR-.alpha.
antibodies using appropriate screening assays as described below,
for example.
[0088] A common method for producing humanized antibodies is to
graft CDR sequences from a MAb (produced by immunizing a rodent
host) onto a human Ig backbone, and transfection of the chimeric
genes into Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells which in turn produce
a functional Ab that is secreted by the CHO cells (Shields, R. L.,
et al. (1995) Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies that inhibit
allergen-specific histamine release. Int Arch. Allergy Immunol.
107:412-413). The methods described within this application are
also useful for generating genetic alterations within Ig genes or
chimeric Igs transfected within host cells such as rodent cell
lines, plants, yeast and prokaryotes (Frigerio L, et al. (2000)
Assembly, secretion, and vacuolar delivery of a hybrid
immunoglobulin in plants. Plant Physiol. 123:1483-1494).
[0089] Splenocytes from immunized animals may be immortalized by
fusing the splenocytes (containing the antibody-producing B cells)
with an immortal cell line such as a myeloma line. Typically,
myeloma cell line is from the same species as the splenocyte donor.
In one embodiment, the immortal cell line is sensitive to culture
medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine ("HAT
medium"). In some embodiments, the myeloma cells are negative for
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. In preferred embodiments, the
myeloma cells are HAT-sensitive, EBV negative and Ig expression
negative. Any suitable myeloma may be used. Murine hybridomas may
be generated using mouse myeloma cell lines (e.g., the
P3-NS1/1-Ag4-1, P3-x63-Ag8.653 or Sp2/O-Ag14 myeloma lines). These
murine myeloma lines are available from the ATCC. These myeloma
cells are fused to the donor splenocytes polyethylene glycol
("PEG"), preferably 1500 molecular weight polyethylene glycol ("PEG
1500"). Hybridoma cells resulting from the fusion are selected in
HAT medium which kills unfused and unproductively fused myeloma
cells. Unfused splenocytes die over a short period of time in
culture. In some embodiments, the myeloma cells do not express
immunoglobulin genes.
[0090] Hybridomas producing a desired antibody which are detected
by screening assays such as those described below may be used to
produce antibodies in culture or in animals. For example, the
hybridoma cells may be cultured in a nutrient medium under
conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the hybridoma cells
to secrete the monoclonal antibodies into the culture medium. These
techniques and culture media are well known by those skilled in the
art. Alternatively, the hybridoma cells may be injected into the
peritoneum of an unimmunized animal. The cells proliferate in the
peritoneal cavity and secrete the antibody, which accumulates as
ascites fluid. The ascites fluid may be withdrawn from the
peritoneal cavity with a syringe as a rich source of the monoclonal
antibody.
[0091] Another non-limiting method for producing human antibodies
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,650 which describes transgenic
mammals that produce antibodies of another species (e.g., humans)
with their own endogenous immunoglobulin genes being inactivated.
The genes for the heterologous antibodies are encoded by human
immunoglobulin genes. The transgenes containing the unrearranged
immunoglobulin encoding regions are introduced into a non-human
animal. The resulting transgenic animals are capable of
functionally rearranging the transgenic immunoglobulin sequences
and producing a repertoire of antibodies of various isotypes
encoded by human immunoglobulin genes. The B-cells from the
transgenic animals are subsequently immortalized by any of a
variety of methods, including fusion with an immortalizing cell
line (e.g., a myeloma cell).
[0092] Antibodies against FR-.alpha. may also be prepared in vitro
using a variety of techniques known in the art. For example, but
not by way of limitation, fully human monoclonal antibodies against
FR-.alpha. may be prepared by using in vitro-primed human
splenocytes (Boerner et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 147:86-95).
[0093] Alternatively, for example, the antibodies of the invention
may be prepared by "repertoire cloning" (Persson et al. (1991)
Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 88:2432-2436; and Huang and Stollar
(1991) J. Immunol. Methods 141:227-236). Further, U.S. Pat. No.
5,798,230 describes preparation of human monoclonal antibodies from
human B antibody-producing B cells that are immortalized by
infection with an Epstein-Barr virus that expresses Epstein-Barr
virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2). EBNA2, required for
immortalization, is then inactivated resulting in increased
antibody titers.
[0094] In another embodiment, antibodies against FR-.alpha. are
formed by in vitro immunization of peripheral blood mononuclear
cells ("PBMCs"). This may be accomplished by any means known in the
art, such as, for example, using methods described in the
literature (Zafiropoulos et al. (1997) J. Immunological Methods
200:181-190).
[0095] Methods for producing antibody-producing cells of the
invention also include methods for developing hypermutable
antibody-producing cells by taking advantage of the conserved
mismatch repair (MMR) process of host cells. Dominant negative
alleles of such genes, when introduced into cells or transgenic
animals, increase the rate of spontaneous mutations by reducing the
effectiveness of DNA repair and thereby render the cells or animals
hypernutable. Blocking MMR in antibody-producing cells such as but
not limited to: hybridomas; mammalian cells transfected with genes
encoding for Ig light and heavy chains; mammalian cells transfected
with genes encoding for single chain antibodies; eukaryotic cells
transfected with Ig genes, can enhance the rate of mutation within
these cells leading to clones that have enhanced antibody
production, cells containing genetically altered antibodies with
enhanced biochemical properties such as increased antigen binding,
cells that produce antibodies comprising substantially only the
antibody of the invention, and/or cells that are substantially free
of FR-.alpha. binding competitors. The process of MMR, also called
mismatch proofreading, is carried out by protein complexes in cells
ranging from bacteria to mammalian cells. A MMR gene is a gene that
encodes for one of the proteins of such a mismatch repair complex.
Although not wanting to be bound by any particular theory of
mechanism of action, a MMR complex is believed to detect
distortions of the DNA helix resulting from non-complementary
pairing of nucleotide bases. The non-complementary base on the
newer DNA strand is excised, and the excised base is replaced with
the appropriate base, which is complementary to the older DNA
strand. In this way, cells eliminate many mutations that occur as a
result of mistakes in DNA replication.
[0096] Dominant negative alleles cause a MMR defective phenotype
even in the presence of a wild-type allele in the same cell. An
example of a dominant negative allele of a MMR gene is the human
gene hPMS2 -134, which carries a truncating mutation at codon 134.
The mutation causes the product of this gene to abnormally
terminate at the position of the 134th amino acid, resulting in a
shortened polypeptide containing the N-terminal 133 amino acids.
Such a mutation causes an increase in the rate of mutations, which
accumulate in cells after DNA replication. Expression of a dominant
negative allele of a mismatch repair gene results in impairment of
mismatch repair activity, even in the presence of the wild-type
allele. Any allele which produces such effect can be used in this
invention. Dominant negative alleles of a MMR gene can be obtained
from the cells of humans, animals, yeast, bacteria, or other
organisms. Such alleles can be identified by screening cells for
defective MMR activity. Cells from animals or humans with cancer
can be screened for defective mismatch repair. Cells from colon
cancer patients may be particularly useful. Genomic DNA, cDNA, or
mRNA from any cell encoding a MMR protein can be analyzed for
variations from the wild type sequence. Dominant negative alleles
of a MMR gene can also be created artificially, for example, by
producing variants of the hPMS2-134 allele or other MMR genes.
Various techniques of site-directed mutagenesis can be used. The
suitability of such alleles, whether natural or artificial, for use
in generating hypermutable cells or animals can be evaluated by
testing the mismatch repair activity caused by the allele in the
presence of one or more wild-type alleles, to determine if it is a
dominant negative allele. Examples of mismatch repair proteins and
nucleic acid sequences include mouse PMS2 (SEQ ID NOs:9 and 10),
human PMS2 (SEQ ID NOs:11 and 12), human PMS1 (SEQ ID NOs:13 and
14), human MSH2 (SEQ ID NOs: 15 and 16), human MLH1 (SEQ ID NOs:17
and 18), and human PMS2-134 (SEQ ID NOs:19 and 20).
[0097] A cell into which a dominant negative allele of a mismatch
repair gene has been introduced will become hypermutable. This
means that the spontaneous mutation rate of such cells or animals
is elevated compared to cells or animals without such alleles. The
degree of elevation of the spontaneous mutation rate can be at
least 2-fold, 5-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 50-fold, 100-fold,
200-fold, 500-fold, or 1000-fold that of the normal cell or animal.
The use of chemical mutagens such as but limited to methane
sulfonate, dimethyl sulfonate, 06-methyl benzadine, MNU, ENU, etc.
can be used in MMR defective cells to increase the rates an
additional 10 to 100 fold that of the MMR deficiency itself.
[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, a polynucleotide
encoding a dominant negative form of a MMR protein is introduced
into a cell. Preferably the cell produces anti-FR-.alpha.
antibodies. In some embodiments, the cells produce an antibody
comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ
ID NO:4, 5, or 6 and a light chain comprising an amino acid
sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 3. In some preferred embodiments,
the cells comprise a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence
of SEQ ID NO:7 and/or a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. The
dominant negative MMR gene can be any dominant negative allele
encoding a protein which is part of a MMR complex, for example,
PMS2, PMS1, MLH1, or MSH2. The dominant negative allele can be
naturally occurring or made in the laboratory. The polynucleotide
can be in the form of genomic DNA, cDNA, RNA, or a chemically
synthesized polynucleotide.
[0099] The polynucleotide can be cloned into an expression vector
containing a constitutively active promoter segment (such as but
not limited to CMV, SV40, Elongation Factor or LTR sequences) or an
inducible promoter sequence such as the steroid inducible pIND
vector (Invitrogen), where the expression of the dominant negative
MMR gene can be regulated. The polynucleotide can be introduced
into the cell by transfection.
[0100] According to another aspect of the invention, an
immunoglobulin (Ig) gene, a set of Ig genes or a chimeric gene
containing whole or parts of an Ig gene can be transfected into
MMR-deficient cell hosts, the cell is grown and screened for clones
with new phenotypes and/or genotypes. MMR-defective cells may be of
human, primates, mammals, rodent, plant, yeast or of the
prokaryotic kingdom. The gene encoding the Ig of the cell with the
new phenotype or genotype may be isolated from the respective clone
and introduced into genetically stable cells (i.e., cells with
normal MMR) to provide clones that consistently produce the Ig. The
method of isolating the Ig gene may be any method known in the art.
Introduction of the isolated polynucleotide encoding the Ig may
also be performed using any method known in the art, including, but
not limited to transfection of an expression vector containing the
polynucleotide encoding the Ig. As an alternative to transfecting
an Ig gene, a set of Ig genes or a chimeric gene containing whole
or parts of an Ig gene into an MMR-deficient host cell, such Ig
genes may be transfected simultaneously with a gene encoding a
dominant negative mismatch repair gene into a genetically stable
cell to render the cell hypermutable.
[0101] Transfection is any process whereby a polynucleotide is
introduced into a cell. The process of transfection can be carried
out in a living animal, e.g., using a vector for gene therapy, or
it can be carried out in vitro, e.g., using a suspension of one or
more isolated cells in culture. The cell can be any type of
eukaryotic cell, including, for example, cells isolated from humans
or other primates, mammals or other vertebrates, invertebrates, and
single celled organisms such as protozoa, yeast, or bacteria.
[0102] In general, transfection will be carried out using a
suspension of cells, or a single cell, but other methods can also
be applied as long as a sufficient fraction of the treated cells or
tissue incorporates the polynucleotide so as to allow transfected
cells to be grown and utilized. The protein product of the
polynucleotide may be transiently or stably expressed in the cell.
Techniques for transfection are well known. Available techniques
for introducing polynucleotides include but are not limited to
electroporation, transduction, cell fusion, the use of calcium
chloride, and packaging of the polynucleotide together with lipid
for fusion with the cells of interest. Once a cell has been
transfected with the MMR gene, the cell can be grown and reproduced
in culture. If the transfection is stable, such that the gene is
expressed at a consistent level for many cell generations, then a
cell line results.
[0103] Upon identification of the desired phenotype or trait the
organism can then be genetically stabilized. Cells expressing the
dominant negative alleles can be "cured" in that the dominant
negative allele can be turned off, if inducible, eliminated from
the cell, and the like such that the cells become genetically
stable and no longer accumulate mutations at the abnormally high
rate.
[0104] Cells that produce substantially only anti-FR-.alpha.
antibodies of the invention or cells that are substantially free of
FR-.alpha. binding competitors are selected for cloning and
expansion according to the methods for determining antibody
specificity described herein. An example of such a method is
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0105] Nucleic acids encoding antibodies of the invention may be
recombinantly expressed. The expression cells of the invention
include any insect expression cell line known, such as for example,
Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The expression cell lines may also be
yeast cell lines, such as, for example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. The expression cells may also
be mammalian cells such as, for example, hybridoma cells (e.g., NS0
cells), Chinese hamster ovary cells, baby hamster kidney cells,
human embryonic kidney line 293, normal dog kidney cell lines,
normal cat kidney cell lines, monkey kidney cells, African green
monkey kidney cells, COS cells, and non-tumorigenic mouse myoblast
G8 cells, fibroblast cell lines, myeloma cell lines, mouse NIH/3T3
cells, LMTK31 cells, mouse sertoli cells, human cervical carcinoma
cells, buffalo rat liver cells, human lung cells, human liver
cells, mouse mammary tumor cells, TRI cells, MRC 5 cells, and FS4
cells. Nucleic acids of the invention may be introduced into cell
by transfection, for example. Recombinantly expressed antibodies
may be recovered from the growth medium of the cells, for
example.
[0106] In one embodiment of the invention, the procedure for in
vitro immunization is supplemented with directed evolution of the
hybridoma cells in which a dominant negative allele of a mismatch
repair gene such as PMS1, PMS2, PMS2-134, PMSR2, PMSR3, MLH1, MLH2,
MLH3, MLH4, MLH5, MLH6, PMSL9, MSH1, and MSH2 is introduced into
the hybridoma cells after fusion of the splenocytes, or to the
myeloma cells before fusion. Cells containing the dominant negative
mutant will become hypermutable and accumulate mutations at a
higher rate than untransfected control cells. A pool of the
mutating cells may be screened, for example, for clones that are
substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding competitors, clones that
produce higher affinity antibodies, clones that produce higher
titers of antibodies, or clones that simply grow faster or better
under certain conditions. The technique for generating hypermutable
cells using dominant negative alleles of mismatch repair genes is
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,894. Alternatively,
mismatch repair may be inhibited using the chemical inhibitors of
mismatch repair described by Nicolaides et al. in WO 02/054856
"Chemical Inhibitors of Mismatch Repair" published Jul. 18, 2002.
The technique for enhancing antibodies using the dominant negative
alleles of mismatch repair genes or chemical inhibitors of mismatch
repair may be applied to mammalian expression cells expressing
cloned immunoglobulin genes as well. Cells expressing the dominant
negative alleles can be "cured" in that the dominant negative
allele can be turned off if inducible, inactivated, eliminated from
the cell, and the like, such that the cells become genetically
stable once more and no longer accumulate mutations at the
abnormally high rate.
[0107] Screening for Antibody Specificity
[0108] Screening for antibodies that specifically bind to
FR-.alpha. may be accomplished using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA) in which microtiter plates are coated with
FR-.alpha.. In some embodiments, antibodies that bind FR-.alpha.
from positively reacting clones can be further screened for
reactivity in an ELISA-based assay to other folate receptor
isoforms, for example, FR-.beta. and/or FR-.gamma., using
microtiter plates coated with the other folate receptor isoform(s).
Clones that produce antibodies that are reactive to another isoform
of folate receptor are eliminated, and clones that produce
antibodies that are reactive to FR-.alpha. only may be selected for
further expansion and development. Confirmation of reactivity of
the antibodies to FR-.alpha. may be accomplished, for example,
using a Western Blot assay in which protein from ovarian, breast,
renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer cells and
purified FR-.alpha. and other folate receptor isoforms are run on
an SDS-PAGE gel, and subsequently are blotted onto a membrane. The
membrane may then be probed with the putative anti-FR-.alpha.
antibodies. Reactivity with FR-.alpha. and not another folate
receptor isoform confirms specificity of reactivity for
FR-.alpha..
[0109] In some embodiments, the binding affinity of anti-FR-.alpha.
antibodies is determined. Antibodies of the invention preferably
have a binding affinity to FR-.alpha. of at least about
1.times.10.sup.-7 M, more preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-8 M, more preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-9 M, and most preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-10 M. Preferred antibody-producing cells of the
invention produce substantially only antibodies having a binding
affinity to FR-.alpha. of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M, more
preferably at least about 1.times.10.sup.-8 M, more preferably at
least about 1.times.10.sup.-9 M, and most preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-10 M. Preferred compositions of the invention
comprise substantially only antibodies having a binding affinity to
FR-.alpha. of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M, more preferably
at least about 1.times.10.sup.-8 M, more preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-9 M, and most preferably at least about
1.times.10.sup.-10 M.
[0110] In some embodiments, antibodies that bind the multimeric
form of FR-.alpha. from positively reacting clones can be further
screened for reactivity in an ELISA-based assay to the monomeric
form of FR-.alpha. using microtiter plates coated with the
monomeric form of FR-.alpha.. Clones that produce antibodies that
are reactive to the monomeric form of FR-.alpha. are eliminated,
and clones that produce antibodies that are reactive to the
multimeric form only may be selected for further expansion and
development. Confirmation of reactivity of the antibodies to the
multimeric form of FR-.alpha. may be accomplished, for example,
using a Western Blot assay in which protein from ovarian, breast,
renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer cells and
purified multimeric and monomeric FR-.alpha. are run on an SDS-PAGE
gel under reducing and non-reducing conditions, and subsequently
are blotted onto a membrane. The membrane may then be probed with
the putative anti-multimeric FR-.alpha. antibodies. Reactivity with
the appropriately sized multimeric form of FR-.alpha. under
non-reducing conditions and not the 38 kDa form of FR-.alpha.
(under reducing or non-reducing conditions) confirms specificity of
reactivity for the multimeric form of FR-.alpha..
[0111] The antibodies of the invention preferably induce
antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in FR-.alpha.
bearing cells. ADCC assays are known in the art. The method of the
invention enabled successful production of an optimized, humanized
anti-FR-.alpha. antibody with acceptable antigen binding activity
(low nanomolar dissociation constant) and production rates (>10
pg/cell/day). ADCC assays using human ovarian cancer cells as
target and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as effector
cells showed that 200 ng/ml of antibody of the invention produced
in CHO cells mediated the lysis of 32% of target cells whereas
lysis mediated by control IgG.sub.1/.kappa. antibody was only 6%
(paired T test=0.0008).
[0112] Anti-FR-.alpha. Antibody-Producing Cells
[0113] Antibody-producing cells of the invention include any insect
expression cell line known, such as for example, Spodoptera
frugiperda cells. The expression cell lines may also be yeast cell
lines, such as, for example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. The expression cells may also be
mammalian cells such as, for example, hybridoma cells (e.g., NS0
cells), Chinese hamster ovary cells, baby hamster kidney cells,
human embryonic kidney line 293, normal dog kidney cell lines,
normal cat kidney cell lines, monkey kidney cells, African green
monkey kidney cells, COS cells, and non-tumorigenic mouse myoblast
G8 cells, fibroblast cell lines, myeloma cell lines, mouse NIH/3T3
cells, LMTK31 cells, mouse sertoli cells, human cervical carcinoma
cells, buffalo rat liver cells, human lung cells, human liver
cells, mouse mammary tumor cells, TRI cells, MRC 5 cells, and FS4
cells.
[0114] In some preferred embodiments, the antibody-producing cells
of the invention produce antibodies that specifically bind to
FR-.alpha.. The cells preferably are substantially free of
FR-.alpha. binding competitors. In preferred embodiments, the
antibody-producing cells comprise less than about 10%, preferably
less than about 5%, more preferably less than about 1%, more
preferably less than about 0.5%, more preferably less than about
0.1%, and most preferably 0% by weight FR-.alpha. binding
competitors. In some preferred embodiments, the antibodies produced
by the antibody-producing cells are substantially free of
FR-.alpha. binding competitors. In preferred embodiments,
antibodies produced by the antibody-producing cells comprise less
than about 10%, preferably less than about 5%, more preferably less
than about 1%, more preferably less than about 0.5%, more
preferably less than about 0.1%, and most preferably 0% by weight
FR-.alpha. binding competitors. Preferred antibody-producing cells
of the invention produce substantially only antibodies having a
binding affinity to FR-.alpha. of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-7
M, more preferably at least about 1.times.10.sup.-8 M, more
preferably at least about 1.times.10.sup.-9 M, and most preferably
at least about 1.times.10.sup.-10 M.
[0115] Antibody Purification
[0116] Methods of antibody purification are known in the art. In
some embodiments of the invention, methods for antibody
purification include filtration, affinity column chromatography,
cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, and
concentration. The filtration step preferably comprises
ultrafiltration, and more preferably ultrafiltration and
diafiltration. Filtration is preferably performed at least about
5-50 times, more preferably 10 to 30 times, and most preferably 14
to 27 times. Affinity column chromatography, may be performed
using, for example, PROSEP Affinity Chromatography (Millipore,
Billerica, Mass.). In a preferred embodiment, the affinity
chromatography step comprises PROSEP-VA column chromatography.
Eluate may be washed in a solvent detergent. Cation exchange
chromatography may include, for example, SP-Sepharose Cation
Exchange Chromatography. Anion exchange chromatography may include,
for example but not limited to, Q-Sepharose Fast Flow Anion
Exchange. The anion exchange step is preferably non-binding,
thereby allowing removal of contaminants including DNA and BSA. The
antibody product is preferably nanofiltered, for example, using a
Pall DV 20 Nanofilter. The antibody product may be concentrated,
for example, using ultrafiltration and diafiltration. The method
may further comprise a step of size exclusion chromatography to
remove aggregates.
[0117] Pharmaceutical Compositions of Antibodies
[0118] Another aspect of the invention features a pharmaceutical
composition of anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies of the invention. The
pharmaceutical compositions may be used to inhibit or reduce growth
of tumor cells in a patient. The compositions of antibodies
preferably are substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding
competitors. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition
is formulated for administration by injection or infusion.
[0119] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may further
comprise a chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic agent. In some
embodiments, the antibody is conjugated to the chemotherapeutic or
cytotoxic agent. Suitable chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic agents
include but are not limited to a radioisotope, including, but not
limited to Lead-212, Bismuth-212, Astatine-211, Iodine-131,
Scandium-47, Rhenium-186, Rhenium-188, Yttrium-90, Iodine-123,
Iodine-125, Bromine-77, Indium-111, and fissionable nuclides such
as Boron-10 or an Actinide. In other embodiments, the agent is a
toxin or cytotoxic drug, including but not limited to ricin,
modified Pseudomonas enterotoxin A, calicheamicin, adriamycin,
5-fluorouracil, and the like. Pharmaceutical compositions of the
invention may comprise an antifolate compound including but not
limited to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxy-uridine-5'-monophosphate (FdUMP),
5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, ZD1649, MTA, GW1843U89, ZD9331, AG337,
and PT523.
[0120] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be
formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or medium.
Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include water, PBS,
salt solution (such as Ringer's solution), alcohols, oils,
gelatins, and carbohydrates, such as lactose, amylose, or starch,
fatty acid esters, hydroxymethylcellulose, and polyvinyl
pyrolidine. Such preparations can be sterilized, and if desired,
mixed with auxiliary agents such as lubricants, preservatives,
stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing
osmotic pressure, buffers, and coloring. Pharmaceutical carriers
suitable for use in the present invention are known in the art and
are described, for example, in Pharmaceutical Sciences (17.sup.th
Ed., Mack Pub. Co., Easton, Pa.).
[0121] Kits
[0122] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a kit is
provided for inhibiting or reducing growth of tumor cells in a
patient. Also provided are kits for identifying the presence of
dysplastic cells in vitro or in vivo.
[0123] The kits of the invention comprise antibody or an antibody
composition of the invention and instructions for using the kit in
a method for inhibiting or reducing growth of tumor cells in the
patient or in a method for identifying the presence of dysplastic
cells, for example, in a biological sample. The kit may comprise at
least one chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic reagent. The kit may
comprise an antifolate compound. The kit may comprise at least one
diagnostic reagent. An example of a diagnostic reagent is a
detectable label, for example but not limited to a radioactive,
fluorescent, or chromophoric agent (e.g., .sup.111In-DOTA). The
detectable label may comprise an enzyme. The kit may comprise
instructions and/or means for administering the antibody or
antibody composition, for example, by injection.
[0124] Methods of Detecting a Dysplastic Cell
[0125] The methods of the invention include methods of detecting
dysplastic or cancer cells presenting FR-.alpha. on the surface,
including but not limited to ovarian, breast, lung, endometrial,
renal, colorectal, or brain carcinoma cells. The method may be
performed in vitro on a biological sample or in vivo. Methods of
detecting dysplastic cells according to the invention comprise
contacting anti-FR-.alpha. antibody of the invention with a
biological sample or administering anti-FR-.alpha. antibody of the
invention to a patient, wherein the antibody is labeled with a
detectable label, for example but not limited to a radioactive,
fluorescent, or chromophoric agent (e.g., .sup.111In-DOTA), and
determining binding of the antibody to cells. The detectable label
may be an enzyme.
[0126] Methods of Reducing the Growth of Tumor Cells
[0127] The methods of the invention are suitable for use in humans
and non-human animals identified as having a neoplastic condition
associated with an increased expression of FR-.alpha.. Non-human
animals which benefit from the invention include pets, exotic
(e.g., zoo animals), and domestic livestock. Preferably the
non-human animals are mammals.
[0128] The invention is suitable for use in a human or animal
patient that is identified as having a dysplastic disorder that is
marked by increased expression of FR-.alpha. in the neoplasm in
relation to normal tissues. Once such a patient is identified as in
need of treatment for such a condition, the method of the invention
may be applied to effect treatment of the condition. Tumors that
may be treated include, but are not limited to ovarian, breast,
renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, brain, fallopian tube, or
uterine tumors, and certain leukemia cells. In some embodiments,
the tumor is cisplatin-resistant.
[0129] The antibodies and derivatives thereof for use in the
invention may be administered orally in any acceptable dosage form
such as capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions, solutions or the
like. The antibodies and derivatives thereof may also be
administered parenterally including but not limited to:
subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular,
intra-synovial, intrasternal, intranasal, topically, intrathecal,
intrahepatic, intralesional, and intracranial injection or infusion
techniques. Generally, the antibodies will be intravenously or
intraperitoneally, for example, by injection.
[0130] The antibodies and derivatives of the invention may be
administered alone or with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
including acceptable adjuvants, vehicles and excipients, for
example, phosphate buffered saline.
[0131] The antibodies and derivatives of the invention may also be
administered with one or more antifolate compounds that are used to
treat cancer. The antifolate compounds include, but are not limited
to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxy-uridine-5'-monophosphate (FdUMP);
5-fluorouracil (5-FU); L-5-formyltetrahydrofolate ("leucovorin");
N-[5-(N-(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-6-yl-methyl)-amino)-2-theny-
l)]-L-glutamic acid ("ZD1649"; also known as "Tomudex") (Jackman et
al.(1991) Cancer Res. 51:5579-5586);
N-(4-(2-(2-amino-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-3-
H-pyrrolo[2,3-D]pyrimidin-5-yl)-ethyl)-benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid
("multi-targeted antifolate" (MTA) also known as "LY231514,"
"ALIMTA," and "Pemetrexed")(Taylor et al. (1992) J. Med. Chem.
35:4450-4454; Shih et al. (1997) Cancer Res. 57:1116-1123);
(S)-2-(5)-(((1,2-dihydro-3-methy-
l-1-oxobenzo(f)quinazolin-9-yl)-methyl)-amino)-oxo-2-isoindolinyl)-glutari-
c acid ("GW1843U89") (Hanlon and Ferone (1996) Cancer Res.
56:3301-3306);
(2S)-2-{O-fluoro-p-[N-(2,7-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-quinazolin-6-yl-met-
hyl)-N-prop-2-ynyl)amino]benzamido}-4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-butyric acid
("ZD9331") (Jackman et al. (1997) Clin. Cancer Res. 3:911-921);
3,4-dihydro-amino-6-methyl-4-oxo-5-(4-pyridylthio)-quinazoline
("AG337" also known as "Thymitaq") (Webber et al. (1996) Cancer
Chemother. Pharmacol. 37:509-517; Rafi et al. (1998) J. Clin.
Oncol. 16:1331-1341), and
N'-(4-amino-4-deoxypteroyl)-N8-(hemiphthaloyl-L-ornithine)
("PT523") (Rhee et al. (1994) Mol. Pharmacol. 45:783-791; Rowowsky
(1999) Curr. Med. Chem. 6:329-352). The antifolate compounds may be
administered before, after, or simultaneously with the
anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies of the invention. The amounts of
antifolate compounds to be administered may be the dosages
currently used, or may be increased or decreased, as can readily be
determined by a physician based on achieving decreased tumor growth
or tumor elimination without causing any untoward effects on the
patient.
[0132] The effective dosage will depend on a variety of factors. It
is well within the purview of a skilled physician to adjust the
dosage for a given patient according to various parameters such as
body weight, the goal of treatment, the highest tolerated dose, the
specific formulation used, the route of administration and the
like. Generally, dosage levels of between about 5.88 mg/m.sup.2 and
about 294.12 mg/m.sup.2 (i.e., 10 to 500 mg antibody) per day of
the antibody or derivative thereof are suitable. In some
embodiments, the dose will be about 29.41 mg/m.sup.2 to about
176.47 mg/m.sup.2 (i.e., 50 to 300 mg antibody) per day of the
antibody or derivative thereof. In other embodiments, the dose will
be about 58.82 mg/m.sup.2 to about 147.06 mg/m.sup.2 (i.e., 100 to
250 mg antibody) per day. In still other embodiments, the dose will
be about 88.24 mg/m.sup.2 to about 117.65 mg/m.sup.2 (i.e., 150 to
200 mg antibody) per day. Dosing may be as a bolus or an infusion.
Dosages may be given once a day or multiple times in a day.
Further, dosages may be given multiple times of a period of time.
In some embodiments, the doses are given every 1-14 days. In some
embodiments, the antibodies or derivatives thereof are given as a
dose of about 10 to 500 mg i.p. In other embodiments, the
antibodies of derivatives thereof are provided at about 50 to 300
mg i.v. In still other embodiments, the antibodies or derivatives
thereof are provided such that a plasma level of at least about 1
ug/ml is maintained.
[0133] Effective treatment may be assessed in a variety of ways. In
one embodiment, effective treatment is determined by a slowed
progression of tumor growth. In other embodiments, effective
treatment is marked by shrinkage of the tumor (i.e., decrease in
the size of the tumor determined, for example, using Response
Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) available online
through the National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation
Program). In other embodiments, effective treatment is marked by
inhibition of metastasis of the tumor. In still other embodiments,
effective therapy is measured by increased well-being of the
patient including such signs as weight gain, regained strength,
decreased pain, thriving, and subjective indications from the
patient of better health.
[0134] The following Examples are provided to illustrate the
present invention, and should not be construed as limiting
thereof.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Generation of Anti-FR-.alpha. Antibody-Producing Cells
[0135] Murine antibody LK26 was raised against choriocarcinoma cell
line Lu-75(c). LK26 was humanized by CDR grafting, yielding an IgG
(IgG1/.kappa. subtype) expressed in NS0 cell lines, according to
the method of U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,106. The NS0 cell line was
transfected with a hPMS2-134 expression plasmid. The MMR gene was
cloned into the pEF expression vector, which contains the
elongation factor promoter upstream of the cloning site followed by
a mammalian polyadenylation signal. This vector also contains the
NEOr gene that allows for selection of cells retaining this
plasmid. Briefly, cells were transfected with 1 .mu.g of each
vector using polyliposomes following the manufacturer's protocol
(Life Technologies). Cells were then selected in 0.5 mg/ml of G418
for 10 days and G418 resistant cells were pooled together to
analyze for gene expression. The pEF construct contains an intron
that separates the exon 1 of the EF gene from exon 2, which is
juxtaposed to the 5' end of the polylinker cloning site. This
allows for a rapid reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) screen for cells expressing the spliced products. Cells
were isolated and their RNA extracted using the trizol method as
previously described (Nicolaides N. C., Kinzler, K. W., and
Vogelstein, 8. (1995) Analysis of the 5' region of PMS2 reveals
heterogeneous transcripts and a novel overlapping gene. Genomics
29:329-334).
[0136] Heavy chain RNA was reverse transcribed using a forward
primer (5'-GATCGGATCCACCATGGGATGGAGCTGTATCATCC-3' (SEQ ID NO:21))
and reverse primer
(5'-CTGATCTAGATCATTTCCCGGGAGACAGGGAGAGGCTCTTCTGCGTGTA-3' (SEQ ID
NO:22)). Light chain RNA was reverse transcribed using a forward
primer of SEQ ID NO:21 and a reverse primer
(5'-CTGATCTAGATTAACACTCTCCCCTGTTGAAG- CTCTT-3' (SEQ ID NO:23)). PCR
reactions were carried out with high fidelity HERCULASE DNA
polymerase (STRATAGENE, La Jolla, Calif.). PCR products were
digested with BamHI and XbaI and cloned into the same restriction
sites of the eukaryotic expression vectors pEF4 (light chain) and
pEF6 (heavy chain). Vector pEF4 (INVITROGEN) is a 5.8 kb vector
carrying the zeocin resistance gene for selection of stable
transfectants in eukaryotic cells. The cDNA insert is cloned
downstream of hEF-intron 1, and its transcription is controlled by
the human EFIalpha promoter. Downstream of the cDNA insert is the
BGH polyadenylation signal allowing for efficient polyadenylation
of the transcript. Vector pEF6 (INVITROGEN) is similar to pEF4 but
carries the blasticidin resistance gene instead of the zeocin
resistance gene. The sequence of both strands of the cDNA inserts
was verified.
[0137] The resulting cDNAs coding for the full-length humanized
anti-FR-.alpha. antibody heavy and light chains were transfected
into CHO-KL (ATCC CCL-61) cells. CHO-K1 cells were transfected with
0.5 micrograms of each plasmid using FUGENE transfection reagent
(Roche) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cells were
maintained in RPMI1640/10%FBS/2 mM L-glutamine. Stable cell lines
were selected with Zeocin (200 micrograms/milliliter) and
Blasticidin (5 micrograms/milliliter). Expression of antibody was
verified by anti-human IgG ELISA. Stably transfected pools of cells
were single cell cloned by limited dilution and high expressor cell
lines were selected. High titers were verified in secondary and
tertiary screens. The cell line was adapted to serum-free medium
(CHO-S-SFMII followed by EX-CELL 302). Antibody production was
verified by ELISA. The cell line also was adapted to protein-free
CHO media (CD94111; Irvine Scientific) plus 8 mM L-glutamine with a
soy hydrolysate pulse at day 2. Cells were stored for use in liquid
nitrogen. The cells were stable for at least 13 passages in the
absence of selection media as determined by FACS analysis. Cell
secretion was stable for at least 20 passages as determined by
ELISA. Large scale antibody production is possible. For example,
antibody was produced in a bioreactor on a scale of 15 L, 70 L, and
340 L.
Example 2
Screening Strategy to Identify Antibody-Producing Clones and
Characterization of anti-FR-.alpha. Antibody
[0138] An application of the methods presented within this document
is the use of MMR-deficient immunoglobulin-producing cells to
create a cell that is substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding
competitors or a cell that produces substantially only the target
immunoglobulin, for example, a FR-.alpha. antibody of the
invention, including but not limited to an antibody comprising a
light chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 3
and a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5
or 6. FIG. 4 outlines the screening procedure to identify clones
that produce high affinity MAbs. The assay employs the use of a
plate Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) to screen for
clones that produce high-affinity MAbs. 96-well plates containing
single immunoglobulin-producing cells are grown in growth medium
plus 0.5 mg/ml G418 to ensure clones retain the expression vector.
Plates are screened using an hIgG plate ELISA, whereby a 96 well
plate is coated with FR-.alpha.. Alternatively, the plate is coated
with a specific antibody against the anti-FR-.alpha. antibody. As
another alternative in cases in which the immunoglobulin-producing
cell is non-human, the plate may be coated with anti-human IgG1
antibody. Plates are washed 3 times in calcium and magnesium free
phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS-/-) and blocked in 100
.mu.ls of PBS-/- with 5% dry milk for 1 hour at room temperature.
Wells are rinsed and incubated with 100 .mu.ls of a PBS solution
containing a 1:5 dilution of conditioned medium from each cell
clone for 2 hours. Plates are then washed 3 times with PBS-/- and
incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with 50 .mu.ls of a PBS-/-
solution containing 1:3000 dilution of a sheep anti-mouse horse
radish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated secondary antibody such as
anti-human IgG antibody. Plates are then washed 3 times with PBS-/-
and incubated with 50 .mu.ls of TMB-HRP substrate (BioRad) for 15
minutes at room temperature to detect amount of antibody produced
by each clone. Reactions are stopped by adding 50 .mu.ls of 500 mM
sodium bicarbonate and analyzed by OD at 415 nm using a BioRad
plate reader. Clones exhibiting an enhanced signal over background
cells (control cells with vector alone; control cells not
containing the dominant negative mismatch repair allele) are then
isolated and expanded into 10 ml cultures for additional
characterization and confirmation of ELISA data in triplicate
experiments. ELISAs are also performed on conditioned (CM) from the
same clones to measure total Ig production within the conditioned
medium of each well. Clones that produce an increased ELISA signal
and have increased antibody levels are then further analyzed for
variants that are substantially free of FR-.alpha. binding
competitors. Clones that produce higher OD values as determined by
ELISA are further analyzed at the genetic level to confirm the
absence of FR-.alpha. binding competitors hence yielding a stronger
ELISA signal. Briefly, 100,000 cells are harvested and extracted
for RNA using the Triazol method as described above. RNAs are
reverse transcribed using Superscript II as suggested by the
manufacturer (Life Technology) and PCR amplified for the antigen
binding sites contained within the variable light and heavy
chains.
[0139] PCR reactions using degenerate oligonucleotides are carried
out at 94.degree. C. for 30 sec, 52.degree. C. for 1 mm, and
72.degree. C. for 1 min for 35 cycles. Products are analyzed on
agarose gels. Products of the expected molecular weights are
purified from the gels by Gene Clean (Bio 101), cloned into
T-tailed vectors, and sequenced to identify the sequence of the
variable light and heavy chains. Once the wild type sequence has
been determined, nondegenerate primers are made for RT-PCR
amplification of positive clones. Both the light and heavy chains
are amplified, gel purified and sequenced using the corresponding
sense and antisense primers. The sequencing of RT-PCR products
gives representative sequence data of the endogenous immunoglobulin
gene and not due to PCR-induced mutations. Sequences from clones
are then compared to the wild type sequence.
[0140] The methods of the invention yielded an anti-FR-.alpha.
antibody comprising a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:5 and a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence
of SEQ ID NO:2. The molar extinction coefficient (.epsilon.) of the
antibody was determined to be 43,320 by measurement of the
asorbance at 280 nm of 7.41 mg.ml solution of antibody in 20 mM
potassium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl at pH 7.2.
[0141] A single major band of Mr 135 kD was observed upon
separation of the antibody in SDS-PAGE under nonreducing
conditions. Two bands of Mr .about.55kD and Mr .about.25kD were
observed upon reduction. Purity was ascertained by densitometric
analysis of colloidal Coomassie blue-stained gels and found to be
greater than about 99.5% under reducing conditions and greater than
about 99% under nonreducing conditions.
[0142] Western blot analysis demonstrated that, when used to probe
polypeptides separated on a nonreducing gel, the antibody was able
to detect a single polypeptide of Mr .about.35 kD in lysates
prepared from a cell line known to express FR-.alpha. but not in
lysates of a cell line that does not express the antigen (1205 Lu).
The antibody also was able to detect soluble FR-.alpha. secreted
from KB cells, even after treatment of the antigen with PNGase F to
remove N-linked oligosaccharides.
[0143] Kinetic and steady-state binding constants between the
antibody of the invention and purified FR-.alpha. were determined
by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. On-rate (k.sub.a) was
determined to be (2.25.+-.0.02 ) M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, and off-rate
(kd) was determined to be (5.02.+-.0.08) s.sup.-1. A steady state
dissociation constant (K.sub.D) of 2.23 nM was calculated.
Example 3
Binding of Antibody to Multimeric FR-.alpha.
[0144] Binding of a monoclonal antibody to the tetrameric form of
FR-.alpha. was shown by Western blot. Briefly, SK-Ov-3 and IGROV
tumor cells were grown in nude mice and excised. Tumor tissues were
lysed in RIPA buffer with 15-20 strokes in a 2 ml Dounce tissue
homogenizer. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation and
the total protein of the supernate was determined using a BioRad
protein Assay. In different experiments, either 5 ug or 20 ug of
protein was run on a 4-12% Bis-Tris gel (MES) under non-reducing
conditions. The electrophoresed protein was transferred to a PVDF
membrane. The membrane was blocked in Blotto (5% milk, 0.05%
TBS-T). A 1:100 dilution of culture supernate from LK26 hybridoma
cells and total concentration of 0.1% NaN.sub.3 was added directly
to the Blotto blocking solution as the primary antibody, and the
membrane was incubated overnight. The membrane was washed in 0.05%
TBS-T and the secondary antibody (horseradish peroxidase labeled
goat .alpha.-mouse IgG (heavy and light chains)) in Blotto blocking
solution was added. The membrane was developed using Super Signal
West Pico ECL reagent. The results are shown in FIG. 1 (lane 1,
SK-Ov-3; lane 2, IGROV). The results indicate that certain tumors
that overexpress FR-.alpha. favor the production of multimeric
FR-.alpha. over monomeric FR-.alpha.. This finding can be exploited
by monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize the tetrameric
form of FR-.alpha. for the destruction of tumor tissue, while
leaving normal tissue (which generally expresses the monomeric form
of FR-.alpha.) unscathed.
Example 4
Expression of FR-.alpha. in Escherichia coli
[0145] Expression of FR-.alpha. was also assessed in Escherichia
coli. Briefly, a plasmid containing the coding sequence for
FR-.alpha. with a histidine tag (pBAD-His-hFR-.alpha.) was
transfected into E. coli cells. A culture of E. coli containing
plasmid pBAD-His-h FR-.alpha. was grown to OD.sub.600=1.0.
Thereafter, arabinose was added to a final concentration of 0.2%,
and samples were taken at the time points indicated in FIG. 2. E.
coli lysates were prepared by adding 25 ml of 4.times.LDS sample
buffer to 65 ml culture. JAR cells were propagated in RPMI1640
medium containing 10% FBS, L-glutamine, sodium pyruvate,
non-essential amino acids and penicillin/streptomycin. The medium
was removed from the cells and RIPA buffer was added directly to
the culture plates to lyse the cells for JAR cell extract controls.
Samples were separated on a 4-12% NuPAGE gel (MES) and transferred
to a PVDF membrane. After overnight blocking in TBST+5% milk, the
membrane was probed with 1:1000 dilution of mAb LK26 for 1 hr
followed by a 1:10000 dilution of secondary antibody (goat
.alpha.-mouse Ig conjugated to horseradish peroxidase) for 1 hr.
Detection of the antibody was performed with Pierce Super Signal
femto after an exposure of 5 minutes. The results are shown in FIG.
2 (lane 1, E. coli+pBAD-His-hFRa, induced 180 min.; lane 2, E.
coli+pBAD-His-hFRa, induced 90 min.; lane 3, E. coli+pBAD-His-hFRa,
induced 60 min.; lane 4, E. coli+pBAD-His-hFRa, induced 30 min.;
lane 5, E. coli+pBAD-His-hFRa, induced 15 min.; lane 6, E.
coli+pBAD-His-hFRa, uninduced; lane 7, JAR cell extract).
Example 5
Multimeric Form of FR-.alpha. Not an Artifact of Sample
Preparation
[0146] To demonstrate that the multimeric FR-.alpha. was not an
artifact of aggregation in Triton X-100 micelles as described by
Holm et al. (1997) Biosci. Reports 17(4):415-427, extracts of
tumors were diluted in either 1.times.RIPA (1% Triton X-100, 0.1%
SDS, 180 mM NaCl, 20 mM potassium phosphate, pH =7.2) or
1.times.PBS (150 mM NaCl, 20 mM potassium phosphate, pH=7.2). For
all samples, 1 ug/ul of stock IGROV extract was used. After
dilution, 4.times.LDS sample buffer was added to each sample to a
final concentration of 1.times.. The samples were loaded on a 4-12%
Bis-Tris gel in MES running buffer. Following electrophoresis, the
protein was transferred to a PVDF membrane. The membrane containing
the transferred protein was blocked for 48 hrs at room temperature
in Blotto (5% skim milk, 1.times.TBS, 0.05% Tween-20). The membrane
was developed by incubating the membrane with a primary antibody (1
ug/ml LK26 antibody) followed by washing, then incubation with a
secondary antibody (HRP-conjugated goat .alpha.-mouse IgG in
Blotto). Following another washing step, the membrane was developed
using a Super Signal West Pico ECL reagent and exposed for 1
minute. The results are shown in FIG. 3 (lane 1, 1:100 dilution in
PBS; lane 2, 1:50 dilution in PBS; lane 3, 1:25 dilution in PBS;
lane 4, 1:10 dilution in PBS; lane 5, 1:100 dilution in RIPA; lane
6, 1:25 dilution in RIPA; lane 7, 1:10 dilution in RIPA; M,
molecular weight markers, lane 8, 1:1 dilution in RIPa.). Arrows
indicate monomer (1.times.) and tetramer (4.times.). No treatment
disrupted the tetrameric form of FR-.alpha.. The results indicate
that certain tumors that overexpress FR-.alpha. express a
multimeric form of FR-.alpha. that has only been shown previously
as artifacts of gel filtration sample preparation.
Example 6
Screening Cells for ADCC Activity
[0147] The mAb-producing cells expressing the hPMS-134 will be
subcloned by liming dilution and seeded in a flat-bottom 96-well
plate. Seeding density will be determined empirically in order to
obtain 40 single-cell colonies per plate to approximate
monoclonality.
[0148] The clones will be allowed to grow for a number of days,
which will be empirically determined, after which a sufficient
amount of antibody, capable of mediating ADCC activity, is
produced. At the end of the incubation period, 50 ul of conditioned
medium from each clone/well will be used to assess concentration of
antibodies by ELISA, while another 50 ul of conditioned medium from
the same well/clone will be utilized in the ADCC assay. Briefly,
for example, an anti-ovarian cancer mAb is used in conjunction with
the target cells, SKOV3 (passage 1 to 20, obtained from ATCC),
which are seeded the day before the assay in a flat-bottom 96-well
microplate at a density of 30,000 cell/well in complete growth
medium (RPMI-1640 containing 10% FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine). The
following day, the complete medium is replaced with 100 ul of
CHO-CD serum-free medium and 50 ul of antibody-containing
conditioned medium will be added to target cells and incubated for
20 minutes at 37.degree. C. Subsequently, 100 ul of serum-free
medium containing 2.times.10.sup.5 effector cells are added to each
well and cells are incubated for 5-6 hours at 37.degree. C., 5%
CO.sub.2. Plates are then briefly centrifuged and 100 ul of
supernatant is collected from each well and transferred into ELISA
plates (Nunc). One hundred ul of LDH substrate (Roche) is added to
supernatants and incubated for 10 minutes at ambient temperature.
LDH activity will be proportional to the extent of the LDH enzyme
released from lysed target cells. Optical density at 490 um
(OD.sub.490) is obtained spectrophotometrically and percent of
cytotoxicity is determined with the formula: (sample
OD.sub.490-spontaneous OD.sub.490)/(max OD.sub.490-spontaneous
OD.sub.490).times.100%, where `spontaneous`=target cells' lysis in
absence of effector cells or antibody, and `max`=target cells'
lysis in the presence of 2% Triton. Cytotoxicity elicited by 100
ng/ml of a reference antibody (protein A purified, parental
antibody) will be used as positive control. Non-specific
cytotoxicity will be monitored using 100 mg/ml of normal human
IgG1. The ratio obtained by dividing the % cytotoxicity by the
concentration of the antibody for each well/clone (i.e.,
ratio=50(%)/100(ng/ml)=0.5) will be set as the criterion for
selecting lead clones. Lead clones will be expanded to 50 ml
cultures and antibody will be purified from their conditioned media
by protein-A affinity column as described. ADCC activities of the
antibodies produced by the lead clones will be compared to the
parental antibody using concentrations ranging from 10-1000
ng/ml.
[0149] In an alternative ADCC assay, the ability of antibody to
produce ADCC was evaluated using SKOV-3, IGROV-1, and 1205 Lu
(negative control) as target cells, and PBMCs from normal blood
donors. Antibody was tested at a concentration of 10
micrograms/milliliter. Donor PBMCs used as effector cells were
thawed and kept overnight in medium (IMDM supplemented with 10%
FCS). The cells were resuspended in medium at a concentration of
10.sup.7 cells/milliliter. The tumor cells used as target cells
were detached from the culture flask and 10.sup.6 cells in 100
microliters FCS were labeled with 100 uCi (3.7 MBq) .sup.51Cr
(Amersham, Buckinghamshire, UK) for 2 hours at 37.degree. C. Cells
were washed thrice with 5 milliliters medium and resuspended in
medium at a concentration of 10.sup.5 cells/milliliter. Fifty
microliters of the tumor cells were seeded in V bottom 96-well
plates. Cells were then incubated with 50 microliters medium
containing the test antibody or control antibody. After 30 minutes
incubation at 37.degree. C., 50 microliters of the PBMCs were
seeded in V bottom 96 well plates at various target-effector cell
ratios (1:0, 1:25, 1:50, and 1:100) and the plates were further
incubated for 18hours at 37.degree. C. The release of .sup.51Cr in
the supernatant was determined in a LKB gamma-counter. Each
measurement was carried out in triplicate. The percentage of
release was defined as:
% release=[(release-spontaneous release)/(maximal
release-spontaneous release)].times.100.
[0150] The percentage of specific release was defined as:
% specific .sup.51Cr release=% total .sup.51Cr release with
antibody-% total .sup.51Cr release without antibody.
[0151] Results:
11TABLE 1 SKOV-3 Percentage of .sup.51Cr release Patient 1 Patient
2 Without Control With Without Control With T:E ratio Antibody IgG
Antibody antibody IgG Antibody 1:0 1.3 .+-. 0.0 1.6 .+-. 0.0 2.0
.+-. 0.0 -1.4 .+-. 0.0 -0.7 .+-. 0.0 -0.6 .+-. 0.0 1:25 5.3 .+-.
0.3 5.0 .+-. 0.1 36.1 .+-. 1.4 2.6 .+-. 0.0 3.3 .+-. 0.0 31.2 .+-.
1.0 1:50 6.8 .+-. 0.1 5.9 .+-. 0.1 46.2 .+-. 1.0 4.5 .+-. 0.1 6.7
.+-. 0.1 43.5 .+-. 1.3 1:100 8.0 .+-. 0.2 8.3 .+-. 0.3 61.7 .+-.
0.2 7.6 .+-. 0.5 6.3 .+-. 0.8 56.0 .+-. 1.0
[0152]
12TABLE 2 SKOV-3 Percentage of specific .sup.51Cr release Patient 1
Patient 2 T:E ratio Control IgG Antibody Control IgG Antibody 1:0
0.3 .+-. 0.0 0.7 .+-. 0.0 0.7 .+-. 0.0 0.8 .+-. 0.0 1:25 -0.3 .+-.
0.4 30.8 .+-. 1.7 0.7 .+-. 0.1 28.6 .+-. 1.0 1:50 -0.9 .+-. 0.2
39.4 .+-. 1.1 2.2 .+-. 0.2 39.0 .+-. 1.4 1:100 0.3 .+-. 0.3 53.7
.+-. 0.3 -1.3 .+-. 1.2 48.4 .+-. 1.5
[0153]
13TABLE 3 IGROV-I Percentage of .sup.51Cr release Patient 1 Patient
2 Without Control With Without Control With T:E ratio Antibody IgG
Antibody antibody IgG Antibody 1:0 -3.0 .+-. 0.1 -4.9 .+-. 0.2 -4.1
.+-. 0.1 -13.3 .+-. 0.3 -12.0 .+-. 0.5 -10.9 .+-. 0.2 1:25 14.9
.+-. 3.3 20.0 .+-. 1.0 70.2 .+-. 1.3 15.6 .+-. 2.9 13.4 .+-. 1.6
46.0 .+-. 1.2 1:50 15.2 .+-. 2.2 29.4 .+-. 2.3 66.8 .+-. 7.1 23.0
.+-. 0.6 26.7 .+-. 0.5 64.7 .+-. 1.3 1:100 24.0 .+-. 4.1 33.8 .+-.
2.7 65.2 .+-. 1.2 36.8 .+-. 2.4 41.1 .+-. 1.6 67.8 .+-. 10.5
[0154]
14TABLE 4 IGROV-I Percentage of specific .sup.51Cr release Patient
1 Patient 2 T:E ratio Control IgG Antibody Control IgG Antibody 1:0
-1.9 .+-. 0.3 -1.1 .+-. 0.2 1.3 .+-. 0.7 2.4 .+-. 0.5 1:25 5.1 .+-.
4.3 55.3 .+-. 4.4 -2.2 .+-. 4.4 30.4 .+-. 4.1 1:50 14.2 .+-. 4.5
51.6 .+-. 9.3 3.7 .+-. 1.1 41.7 .+-. 1.9 1:100 9.8 .+-. 6.8 41.2
.+-. 5.3 4.3 .+-. 4.0 31.0 .+-. 12.9
[0155] ADCC assays using human ovarian cancer cells as target and
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as effector cells showed
that anti-FR-.alpha. antibody mediated killing of tumor cell line
SKOV-3. IGROV-1 aggregated very quickly and tended to form cell
clumps. The cell line was sensitive to killing by PBMCs alone.
Control antibody also mediated some killing. Antibody mediated
killing of IGROV-1.
Example 7
Immunohistochemistry Assay Using Anti-FR-.alpha. Antibody
[0156] Tissue preparation. Human tissue samples were obtained at
autopsy or biopsy. Tissues tested included adrenal, blood cells
(granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets), blood vessels
(endothelium), bone marrow, brain (cerebrum (cortex), cerebellum),
breast (mammary gland), eye, gastrointestinal tract (colon (large
intestine), esophagus, small intestine, stomach), heart, kidney
(glomerulus, tubule), liver, lung, lymph node, ovary and fallopian
tube (oviduct), pancreas, parathyroid, peripheral nerve, pituitary,
placenta, prostate, salivary gland, skin, spinal cord, spleen,
striated (skelet al) muscle, testis, thymus, thyroid, tonsil,
ureter, urinary bladder, uterus (body (endometrium), cervix),
ovarian carcinoma (carcinoma cells), ovarian carcinoma (stromal
fibroblasts). Fresh unfixed tissue samples were placed in molds and
frozen on dry ice in TISSUE-TEK O.C.T. embedding medium. Tissue
samples were sectioned and fixed for 10 minutes in room temperature
acetone. Tissues were stored below -70.degree. C. until staining.
Just prior to staining, the slides were fixed in 10% neutral
buffered formalin.
[0157] Antibody preparation. Antibody was applied to tissue samples
at two concentrations: 1 microgram/milliliter and 25
micrograms/milliliter.
[0158] Assays lacking primary antibody were used as an assay
control. Mouse anti-fluorescein was used as secondary antibody.
Goat anti-mouse IgG (GAMIgG)-peroxidase polymer was used as
tertiary antibody. 3,3'-diaminobenzidinen (DAB) was used as
substrate chromogen.
[0159] Immunohistochemistry analysis. An indirect immunoperoxidase
procedure was performed. Acetone/formalin-fixed cryosections were
rinsed twice in phosphate buffered saline (PBS [0.3M NaCl, pH
7.2]). Endogenous peroxidase was blocked by incubating the slides
with peroxidase solution of Dako EnVision Kit for 5 minutes
followed by two rinses in phosphate buffered saline. Slides were
then treated with a protein block (phosphate buffered saline, 0.5%
casein, 5% human gamma globulins, and 1 mg/ml heat aggregated HuIgG
(prepared by heating a 5 mg/ml solution to 63.degree. C. for 20
minutes and then cooling to room temperature)) designed to reduce
nonspecific binding for 20 minutes. Following the protein block,
primary antibody (anti-FR-.alpha. antibody, negative control
antibody (HuIgG1 or MsIgG1), or none) was applied at room
temperature for one hour. Unconjugated secondary antibody (mouse
anti-fluorescein) was applied for 30 minutes. Slides were twice
rinsed with PBS, treated with peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse
IgG polymer (Dako EnVision kit) for 30 minutes, rinsed twice with
PBS, and treated with substrate-chromogen (DAB; Dako EnVision) for
8 minutes. Slides were rinsed in water, counterstained with
hematoxylin, dehydrated, and coverslipped.
[0160] Results. The anti-FR-.alpha. antibody specifically and
intensely stained human ovarian carcinoma cells (HT162) at both
antibody concentrations as a positive control. Anti-FR-.alpha.
antibody did not react with ovarian carcinoma (stromal fibroblasts)
(negative control). Negative control antibodies HuIgG1 and MsIgG1
did not specifically react with the positive or negative control
cells. No reactivity was observed with any tissues when primary
antibody was omitted from the staining reaction. See Table 1.
[0161] Tissue Cross-Reactivity of Anti-FR-.alpha. Antibody.
15TABLE 5 Cancer-specific expression of target antigen % positive
Total number Tumor tissue Expression samples of of samples origin
by IHC total tested tested (n) Normal adult - 0 62 Ovarian +++++ 91
136 carcinoma cells Breast ++++ 21 53 Renal ++++ 50 18 Colorectal
+++ 22 27 Lung +++ 33 18 Endometrial +++ 91 11 Brain +++ 80 5
Melanoma - 0 8 lymphoma - 0 32 +/- indicates level of expression as
detected by immunohistochemistry
[0162] The antibodies of the invention do not react with stromal
fibroblasts of ovarian carcinoma tissue (data not shown). Similar
results for immunohistochemical and tissue distribution analyses
were obtained with the antibodies of the invention in cynomolgus
monkey and human (data not shown). Positive binding is seen in the
cynomolgus monkey kidney cortex (proximal tubules and collecting
ducts) and epithelium, tubular (membrane, cytoplasm/cytoplasmic
granules), and uctules (membrane, cytoplasm) (data not shown).
[0163] In normal human tissues, anti-FR-.alpha. antibody specific
staining was observed in tubular epithelium (kidney), bronchiolar
epithelium (lung); pneumocytes (lung); epithelium of fallopian
tube; and duct and ductile epithelium of the pancreas at both
antibody concentrations.
[0164] In neoplastic human tissues, anti-FR-.alpha. antibody
specific staining was observed in ovarian carcinoma tissue,
endometrial carcinoma tissue, and renal carcinoma tissue. Staining
of ovarian and renal carcinoma cells occurred at the membrane and
cytoplasm (data not shown).
[0165] These results are consistent with distribution of FR-.alpha.
reported in literature (Weitman, et al., Cancer Res., 61:3869-3876
(2001)).
[0166] In summary, FR-.alpha. is a glycoprotein whose expression is
highly restricted in normal tissues and highly expressed in a large
portion of ovarian tumors. Anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies of the
invention are capable of inducing ADCC, thus making the antibodies
of the invention excellent drug candidates for the treatment of a
variety of cancers, including ovarian cancer.
Example 8
Receptor Binding Activity
[0167] One of the major modes of action of unconjugated therapeutic
monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor antigens is through
recruitment of immune effector populations to the tumor cells
(Clynes R, Takechi Y, Moroi Y, Houghton A, Ravetch J V. Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1998 Jan. 20;95(2):652-6; Clynes R A, Towers T L,
Presta L G, Ravetch J V. Nat. Med. 2000 April;6(4):443-6). It is
presumed that the efficiency with which a given antibody can
recruit immune effector cells to a tumor cell is influenced by the
affinity of the antibody for its cognate antigen on the tumor cell
surface, such that a high affinity antibody will display more
efficient recruitment of immune effectors to the tumor cell than a
lower affinity counterpart recognizing the same antigen. Limited
reports have attempted to demonstrate this relation in vitro
(Alsmadi, 0. and Tilley, S A. J. Virol. 1998 January;72(1):286-293;
McCall, A M., Shahied, L., Amoroso, A R., Horak, E M., Simmons, R
H., Nielson, U., Adams, G P., Schier, R., Marks, J D., Weiner, L M.
J. Immunol. 2001 May 15;166(10):6112-7, as well as in vivo
(Velders, M P, van Rhijn, C M., Oskam, G J., Warnaar, S O. and
Litvinov, S V. J. Cancer 1998;78(4):476-483). In order to determine
if such a correlation exists, in vitro ADCC activity of
anti-FR-.alpha. antibodies and the affinity of these antibodies may
be compared for their relevant antigen by surface plasmon resonance
spectroscopy.
[0168] Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy relies on the short
range (.about.150 nm) interaction of the electrical field
(evanescent wave) generated by photons under conditions of total
internal reflection (TIR) with electrons (surface plasmons) in a
conductive film at the boundary between two media of differing
refractive indices, whereby one of the media is a thin gold layer
(conductive film) coated with an alkane linker coupled to
CM-dextran. The CM-dextran surface, which forms an extended
hydrogel in solution, projecting roughly 100-150 nm into the
flowcell, may be derivatized further with a ligand of choice by
covalent immobilization to the carboxyl groups present on the
CM-dextran layer. The angle necessary to allow the evanescent wave
to interact with the gold layer will depend on the angle necessary
to observe TIR, which in turn depends on the thickness or mass at
the surface of the chip. The instrument thus allows for observation
of the change in mass at the surface of the chip over time, as
would be observed when an analyte which interacts with the
immobilized ligand is injected into the flowcell. If injection of
analyte is followed by injection of buffer, one can follow both the
association (during injection of the analyte) and dissociation
phases (during buffer injection) of the binding. Kinetic on-rates
(k.sub.a) and off-rates (k.sub.d), as well as steady-state
equilibrium constants (K.sub.a and K.sub.d) can thus be
extrapolated.
[0169] The soluble, secreted form of the antigen will be purified
from the serum-free culture supernatant of target cells by
chromatography through Phenyl Sepharose (high sub), followed by ion
exchange on S Sepharose Fast Flow. Briefly, culture supernatant
containing secreted antigen will be loaded onto the Phenyl
Sepharose (high sub) column in the absence of additional salts.
Unbound proteins will be removed by extensive washing in HIC A (20
mM K phosphate pH 7.2), followed by elution of bound antigen using
a linear gradient of 0-20 mM CHAPS in HIC buffer. Peak
anti-FR-.alpha. antibody-containing fractions will be pooled,
acidified (pH 5.5) with 1 M citrate, then applied to a S Sepharose
cation exchange column. After washing with IEX buffer (20 mM K
phosphate, pH 5.5), bound antigen will be eluted using a linear
gradient of 0-1 M NaCl in IEX buffer. Peak fractions will be
pooled, concentrated using a Centricon centrifugal concentration
device (Millipore), and dialyzed against PBS. Based on the purity
of the antigen preparation, an additional affinity chromatography
step on covalently coupled folate Sepharose resin may be necessary
(Sadasivan, E., da Costa, M., Rothenberg, S P. and Brink, L.
Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1987;(925):36-47).
[0170] The antibody to be assayed will be purified in one step by
affinity chromatography on recombinant protein A Sepharose resin
(RPA-Sepharose, Amersham Biosciences). Immunoglobulin (Ig)
containing tissue culture supernatants will be loaded onto
RPA-Sepharose columns by gravity, at an Ig/ml resin value of 10
mg/mL of resin. Unbound proteins will be removed by extensive
washing with PBS, followed by elution using 0.1 M glycine-HCl pH
2.6. Fractions will be neutralized with 1 M Tris. Peak fractions
will be pooled, and dialyzed against 1000 volumes of PBS. Ig
concentration will be determined by BCA protein assay (Pierce
Chemical Co.) and Ig-specific ELISA.
[0171] Purified antigen will be diluted into coupling buffer (10 mM
NaOAc pH 5.0), and immobilized onto the flowcell of a CM5 sensor
chip (Biacore) by amine coupling, using a mixture of
N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and
1-ethyl-3-[dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) to
activate carboxyl groups in the CM-Dextran hydrogel attached to the
surface of the CM5 sensor chip. Activated, underivatized carboxyl
groups will be quenched with 1 M ethanolamine. A reference
flowcell, consisting of the quenched CMDextran surface, activated
in the absence of antigen, will be used to normalize all
measurements. Crude, mAb-containing culture supernatants, or
purified mAb preparations will be injected at flow rates of 30
ul/min for kinetic assays, and 5 ul/mm for steady-state affinity
ranking experiments, using HBS-EP (20 mM HEPES-OH, 150 mM NaCl, 3
mM EDTA, 0.005% Surfactant P-20, pH 7.4) as running buffer.
Purified mAb preparations will be dialyzed against HBS-EP, using
10K MWCO Slide-A-Lyzer dialysis cassettes (Pierce) prior to their
use in Biacore analysis. For samples containing tissue culture
supernatant, BSA and soluble CM-Dextran will be added to final
concentrations of 1% and 1 mg/ml, respectively. Regeneration of the
surface will be accomplished by 30 second injection of 50 mM NaOH,
at a flow rate of 100 ul/min. Data analysis will be performed using
Bia Evaluation software (Biacore). Kinetic data will be fitted to a
simple 1:1 (Langmuir) binding model. For ranking experiments, rank
will be determined by K.sub.D values obtained from plots of Req
versus C at different concentrations of sample.
Example 9
Evaluation of Antibody in Human Tumor Xenograft Model
[0172] The SKOV-3 tumor cell line has been shown to express
FR-.alpha. both on cells in culture and in tumor xenografts.
Antibody may be evaluated in vivo using the tumor xenograft model
of SKOV-3 cells in mice. Paclitaxel may be used as a positive
control. Negative controls may be isotype matched, nonspecific
murine IgG and vehicle control. Inhibition of tumor growth by the
antibody relative to the negative controls is an indication that
the antibody is useful in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The
antibody preferably demonstrates tumor growth inhibition of at
least about 58%.
Example 10
Growth Inhibition Experiments
[0173] The sulforhodamine B (SRB) test (Shekan et al. (1990) J.
Nat. Cancer Inst. 82:107-112, as modified by Keepers et al. (1991)
Eur. J. Cancer 27:897-900) may be used to test the effect of
antibody treatment on the susceptibility of cancer cells to
treatment with antifolate compounds. Briefly (as described in
Backus et al. (2000) Int. J. Cancer 87:771-778, cells are seeded in
100 ul medium (suitable for use with each particular cell line
chosen for testing) in 96-well flat-bottom plates (in triplicate).
Seeding density may vary according to the cell type used, but may
be, for example, 8,000 cells/well for colon cancer cells,15,000
cells/well for squamous cell carcinoma cells of the head and neck.
The cells are cultured in the presence of 1-100 ug/ml anti-folate
receptor antibody. After 24 hours, 100 ul of drug containing medium
is added and cells are cultured for an additional 72 hours. The
concentration of drugs such as
5-fluoro-2'-deoxy-uridine-5'-monophosphate (FdUMP), leucovorin,
ZD1649, MTA, GW1843U89, ZD9331, AG337, and PT523 ranges from
1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.-11 M. 5-FU is tested in a
range of 1.times.10.sup.-4 to 1.times.10.sup.-10 M with or without
10 uM leucovorin. After 72 hrs of exposure to drug(s), the cells
are fixed with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and stained with SRB
protein dye. Results are expressed as % of control growth based on
the difference in optical density (OD.sub.540) at the beginning and
end of the drug exposure period according to the formula published
by Peters et al. ((1993) Int. J. Cancer 54:450-455):
[(OD.sub.treated/OD.sub.start of
exposure)-1/[(OD.sub.control/OD.sub.start of
exposure)-1].times.100%.
[0174] IC.sub.50 values are calculated based on absorption values
defined as drug concentration corresponding to a reduction of
cellular growth by 50% when compared with values of untreated
control cells.
Example 11
Combination of Antifolate Antibodies and Antifolate Compounds
[0175] For combination therapy, efficacy may be demonstrated in
vitro using the assay described above for ovarian cancer cell lines
and the monoclonal antibodies of the invention. One of skill in the
art may extrapolate dosages from the in vitro efficacy assays to
determine a range of efficacy in patients. Furthermore, dosages of
antibodies accepted in the art for administration can be matched
with dosages accepted for various folate inhibitors and adjusted to
achieve maximum benefit with the minimum dosage. One of skill in
the art is able to adjust these dosages to achieve the desired
effect with routine experimentation particularly with the guidance
on dosage for antibodies provided above and the assay described for
determining an effect in vitro.
Sequence CWU 1
1
23 1 110 PRT Artificial Synthetic Construct 1 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr
Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val
Thr Ile Thr Cys Ser Val Ser Ser Ser Ile Ser Ser Asn 20 25 30 Asn
Leu His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Pro Trp 35 40
45 Ile Tyr Gly Thr Ser Asn Pro Ala Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser
50 55 60 Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser
Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Trp
Ser Ser Tyr Pro 85 90 95 Tyr Met Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys
Val Glu Ile Lys 100 105 110 2 217 PRT Artificial Synthetic
Construct 2 Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser
Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Ser Val Ser Ser Ser
Ile Ser Ser Asn 20 25 30 Asn Leu His Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly
Lys Ala Pro Lys Pro Trp 35 40 45 Ile Tyr Gly Thr Ser Asn Pro Ala
Ser Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser 50 55 60 Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr
Asp Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 Pro Glu Asp Ile
Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Trp Ser Ser Tyr Pro 85 90 95 Tyr Met
Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys Arg Thr 100 105 110
Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu 115
120 125 Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr
Pro 130 135 140 Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu
Gln Ser Gly 145 150 155 160 Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp
Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr 165 170 175 Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu
Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His 180 185 190 Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu
Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val 195 200 205 Thr Lys Ser Phe
Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 210 215 3 236 PRT Artificial Synthetic
Construct 3 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala
Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val His Ser Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser
Ser Leu Ser Ala 20 25 30 Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys
Ser Val Ser Ser Ser Ile 35 40 45 Ser Ser Asn Asn Leu His Trp Tyr
Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro 50 55 60 Lys Pro Trp Ile Tyr Gly
Thr Ser Asn Pro Ala Ser Gly Val Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Arg Phe Ser Gly
Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Tyr Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser 85 90 95 Ser Leu
Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Trp Ser 100 105 110
Ser Tyr Pro Tyr Met Tyr Thr Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile 115
120 125 Lys Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser
Asp 130 135 140 Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu
Leu Asn Asn 145 150 155 160 Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp
Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu 165 170 175 Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser
Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp 180 185 190 Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser
Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr 195 200 205 Glu Lys His Lys
Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser 210 215 220 Ser Pro
Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 225 230 235 4 119 PRT
Artificial Synthetic Construct 4 Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly
Gly Gly Val Val Gln Pro Gly Arg 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys
Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Leu Ser Trp
Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Ala Met
Ile Ser Ser Gly Gly Ser Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 50 55 60
Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys Asn Thr Leu Phe 65
70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val Tyr
Phe Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg His Gly Asp Asp Pro Ala Trp Phe Ala Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly 100 105 110 Thr Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser 115 5 449
PRT Artificial Synthetic Construct 5 Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser
Gly Gly Gly Val Val Gln Pro Gly Arg 1 5 10 15 Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser
Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe Ser Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Gly Leu Ser
Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val 35 40 45 Ala
Met Ile Ser Ser Gly Gly Ser Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 50 55
60 Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys Asn Thr Leu Phe
65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Met Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val Tyr
Phe Cys 85 90 95 Ala Arg His Gly Asp Asp Pro Ala Trp Phe Ala Tyr
Trp Gly Gln Gly 100 105 110 Thr Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr
Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe 115 120 125 Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser
Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu 130 135 140 Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp
Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp 145 150 155 160 Asn Ser Gly
Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu 165 170 175 Gln
Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser 180 185
190 Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro
195 200 205 Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys
Asp Lys 210 215 220 Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu
Leu Gly Gly Pro 225 230 235 240 Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro
Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser 245 250 255 Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys
Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp 260 265 270 Pro Glu Val Lys Phe
Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn 275 280 285 Ala Lys Thr
Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val 290 295 300 Val
Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu 305 310
315 320 Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu
Lys 325 330 335 Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln
Val Tyr Thr 340 345 350 Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn
Gln Val Ser Leu Thr 355 360 365 Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser
Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu 370 375 380 Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn
Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu 385 390 395 400 Asp Ser Asp Gly
Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys 405 410 415 Ser Arg
Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu 420 425 430
Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly 435
440 445 Lys 6 468 PRT Artificial Synthetic Construct 6 Met Gly Trp
Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val
His Ser Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val Val Gln 20 25
30 Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Phe
35 40 45 Ser Gly Tyr Gly Leu Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys
Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Val Ala Met Ile Ser Ser Gly Gly Ser Tyr
Thr Tyr Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Ser Val Lys Gly Arg Phe Ala Ile Ser
Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys Asn 85 90 95 Thr Leu Phe Leu Gln Met Asp Ser
Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Cys Ala Arg His
Gly Asp Asp Pro Ala Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp 115 120 125 Gly Gln Gly Thr
Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro 130 135 140 Ser Val
Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr 145 150 155
160 Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr
165 170 175 Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gly Val His Thr
Phe Pro 180 185 190 Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr Ser Leu Ser
Ser Val Val Thr 195 200 205 Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln Thr
Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn 210 215 220 His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val
Asp Lys Lys Val Glu Pro Lys Ser 225 230 235 240 Cys Asp Lys Thr His
Thr Cys Pro Pro Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu 245 250 255 Gly Gly Pro
Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu 260 265 270 Met
Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser 275 280
285 His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu
290 295 300 Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn
Ser Thr 305 310 315 320 Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val Leu His
Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn 325 330 335 Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser
Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro 340 345 350 Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys
Ala Lys Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln 355 360 365 Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro
Pro Ser Arg Asp Glu Leu Thr Lys Asn Gln Val 370 375 380 Ser Leu Thr
Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val 385 390 395 400
Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro 405
410 415 Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu
Thr 420 425 430 Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly Asn Val Phe Ser
Cys Ser Val 435 440 445 Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr Thr Gln
Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu 450 455 460 Ser Pro Gly Lys 465 7 1407 DNA
Artificial Synthetic Construct 7 atgggatgga gctgtatcat cctcttcttg
gtagcaacag ctacaggtgt ccactccgag 60 gtccaactgg tggagagcgg
tggaggtgtt gtgcaacctg gccggtccct gcgcctgtcc 120 tgctccgcat
ctggcttcac cttcagcggc tatgggttgt cttgggtgag acaggcacct 180
ggaaaaggtc ttgagtgggt tgcaatgatt agtagtggtg gtagttatac ctactatgca
240 gacagtgtga agggtagatt tgcaatatcg cgagacaacg ccaagaacac
attgttcctg 300 caaatggaca gcctgagacc cgaagacacc ggggtctatt
tttgtgcaag acatggggac 360 gatcccgcct ggttcgctta ttggggccaa
gggaccccgg tcaccgtctc ctcagcctcc 420 accaagggcc catcggtctt
ccccctggca ccctcctcca agagcacctc tgggggcaca 480 gcggccctgg
gctgcctggt caaggactac ttccccgaac cggtgacggt gtcgtggaac 540
tcaggcgccc tgaccagcgg cgtgcacacc ttcccggctg tcctacagtc ctcaggactc
600 tactccctca gcagcgtggt gaccgtgccc tccagcagct tgggcaccca
gacctacatc 660 tgcaacgtga atcacaagcc cagcaacacc aaggtggaca
agaaagttga gcccaaatct 720 tgtgacaaaa ctcacacatg cccaccgtgc
ccagcacctg aactcctggg gggaccgtca 780 gtcttcctct tccccccaaa
acccaaggac accctcatga tctcccggac ccctgaggtc 840 acatgcgtgg
tggtggacgt gagccacgaa gaccctgagg tcaagttcaa ctggtacgtg 900
gacggcgtgg aggtgcataa tgccaagaca aagccgcggg aggagcagta caacagcacg
960 taccgtgtgg tcagcgtcct caccgtcctg caccaggact ggctgaatgg
caaggagtac 1020 aagtgcaagg tctccaacaa agccctccca gcccccatcg
agaaaaccat ctccaaagcc 1080 aaagggcagc cccgagaacc acaggtgtac
accctgcccc catcccggga tgagctgacc 1140 aagaaccagg tcagcctgac
ctgcctggtc aaaggcttct atcccagcga catcgccgtg 1200 gagtgggaga
gcaatgggca gccggagaac aactacaaga ccacgcctcc cgtgctggac 1260
tccgacggct ccttcttcct ctacagcaag ctcaccgtgg acaagagcag gtggcagcag
1320 gggaacgtct tctcatgctc cgtgatgcat gaggctctgc acaaccacta
cacgcagaag 1380 agcctctccc tgtctcccgg gaaatga 1407 8 711 DNA
Artificial Synthetic Construct 8 atgggatgga gctgtatcat cctcttcttg
gtagcaacag ctacaggtgt ccactccgac 60 atccagctga cccagagccc
aagcagcctg agcgccagcg tgggtgacag agtgaccatc 120 acctgtagtg
tcagctcaag tataagttcc aacaacttgc actggtacca gcagaagcca 180
ggtaaggctc caaagccatg gatctacggc acatccaacc tggcttctgg tgtgccaagc
240 agattcagcg gtagcggtag cggtaccgac tacaccttca ccatcagcag
cctccagcca 300 gaggacatcg ccacctacta ctgccaacag tggagtagtt
acccgtacat gtacacgttc 360 ggccaaggga ccaaggtgga aatcaaacga
actgtggctg caccatctgt cttcatcttc 420 ccgccatctg atgagcagtt
gaaatctgga actgcctctg ttgtgtgcct gctgaataac 480 ttctatccca
gagaggccaa agtacagtgg aaggtggata acgccctcca atcgggtaac 540
tcccaggaga gtgtcacaga gcaggacagc aaggacagca cctacagcct cagcagcacc
600 ctgacgctga gcaaagcaga ctacgagaaa cacaaagtct acgcctgcga
agtcacccat 660 cagggcctga gctcgcccgt cacaaagagc ttcaacaggg
gagagtgtta a 711 9 859 PRT Mus musculus 9 Met Glu Gln Thr Glu Gly
Val Ser Thr Glu Cys Ala Lys Ala Ile Lys 1 5 10 15 Pro Ile Asp Gly
Lys Ser Val His Gln Ile Cys Ser Gly Gln Val Ile 20 25 30 Leu Ser
Leu Ser Thr Ala Val Lys Glu Leu Ile Glu Asn Ser Val Asp 35 40 45
Ala Gly Ala Thr Thr Ile Asp Leu Arg Leu Lys Asp Tyr Gly Val Asp 50
55 60 Leu Ile Glu Val Ser Asp Asn Gly Cys Gly Val Glu Glu Glu Asn
Phe 65 70 75 80 Glu Gly Leu Ala Leu Lys His His Thr Ser Lys Ile Gln
Glu Phe Ala 85 90 95 Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Glu Thr Phe Gly Phe Arg
Gly Glu Ala Leu Ser 100 105 110 Ser Leu Cys Ala Leu Ser Asp Val Thr
Ile Ser Thr Cys His Gly Ser 115 120 125 Ala Ser Val Gly Thr Arg Leu
Val Phe Asp His Asn Gly Lys Ile Thr 130 135 140 Gln Lys Thr Pro Tyr
Pro Arg Pro Lys Gly Thr Thr Val Ser Val Gln 145 150 155 160 His Leu
Phe Tyr Thr Leu Pro Val Arg Tyr Lys Glu Phe Gln Arg Asn 165 170 175
Ile Lys Lys Glu Tyr Ser Lys Met Val Gln Val Leu Gln Ala Tyr Cys 180
185 190 Ile Ile Ser Ala Gly Val Arg Val Ser Cys Thr Asn Gln Leu Gly
Gln 195 200 205 Gly Lys Arg His Ala Val Val Cys Thr Ser Gly Thr Ser
Gly Met Lys 210 215 220 Glu Asn Ile Gly Ser Val Phe Gly Gln Lys Gln
Leu Gln Ser Leu Ile 225 230 235 240 Pro Phe Val Gln Leu Pro Pro Ser
Asp Ala Val Cys Glu Glu Tyr Gly 245 250 255 Leu Ser Thr Ser Gly Arg
His Lys Thr Phe Ser Thr Phe Arg Ala Ser 260 265 270 Phe His Ser Ala
Arg Thr Ala Pro Gly Gly Val Gln Gln Thr Gly Ser 275 280 285 Phe Ser
Ser Ser Ile Arg Gly Pro Val Thr Gln Gln Arg Ser Leu Ser 290 295 300
Leu Ser Met Arg Phe Tyr His Met Tyr Asn Arg His Gln Tyr Pro Phe 305
310 315 320 Val Val Leu Asn Val Ser Val Asp Ser Glu Cys Val Asp Ile
Asn Val 325 330 335 Thr Pro Asp Lys Arg Gln Ile Leu Leu Gln Glu Glu
Lys Leu Leu Leu 340 345 350 Ala Val Leu Lys Thr Ser Leu Ile Gly Met
Phe Asp Ser Asp Ala Asn 355 360 365 Lys Leu Asn Val Asn Gln Gln Pro
Leu Leu Asp Val Glu Gly Asn Leu 370 375 380 Val Lys Leu His Thr Ala
Glu Leu Glu Lys Pro Val Pro Gly Lys Gln 385 390 395 400 Asp Asn Ser
Pro Ser Leu Lys Ser Thr Ala Asp Glu Lys Arg Val Ala 405 410 415 Ser
Ile Ser Arg Leu Arg Glu Ala Phe Ser Leu His Pro Thr Lys Glu 420 425
430 Ile Lys Ser Arg Gly Pro Glu Thr Ala Glu Leu Thr Arg Ser Phe Pro
435 440 445 Ser Glu Lys Arg Gly Val Leu
Ser Ser Tyr Pro Ser Asp Val Ile Ser 450 455 460 Tyr Arg Gly Leu Arg
Gly Ser Gln Asp Lys Leu Val Ser Pro Thr Asp 465 470 475 480 Ser Pro
Gly Asp Cys Met Asp Arg Glu Lys Ile Glu Lys Asp Ser Gly 485 490 495
Leu Ser Ser Thr Ser Ala Gly Ser Glu Glu Glu Phe Ser Thr Pro Glu 500
505 510 Val Ala Ser Ser Phe Ser Ser Asp Tyr Asn Val Ser Ser Leu Glu
Asp 515 520 525 Arg Pro Ser Gln Glu Thr Ile Asn Cys Gly Asp Leu Asp
Cys Arg Pro 530 535 540 Pro Gly Thr Gly Gln Ser Leu Lys Pro Glu Asp
His Gly Tyr Gln Cys 545 550 555 560 Lys Ala Leu Pro Leu Ala Arg Leu
Ser Pro Thr Asn Ala Lys Arg Phe 565 570 575 Lys Thr Glu Glu Arg Pro
Ser Asn Val Asn Ile Ser Gln Arg Leu Pro 580 585 590 Gly Pro Gln Ser
Thr Ser Ala Ala Glu Val Asp Val Ala Ile Lys Met 595 600 605 Asn Lys
Arg Ile Val Leu Leu Glu Phe Ser Leu Ser Ser Leu Ala Lys 610 615 620
Arg Met Lys Gln Leu Gln His Leu Lys Ala Gln Asn Lys His Glu Leu 625
630 635 640 Ser Tyr Arg Lys Phe Arg Ala Lys Ile Cys Pro Gly Glu Asn
Gln Ala 645 650 655 Ala Glu Asp Glu Leu Arg Lys Glu Ile Ser Lys Ser
Met Phe Ala Glu 660 665 670 Met Glu Ile Leu Gly Gln Phe Asn Leu Gly
Phe Ile Val Thr Lys Leu 675 680 685 Lys Glu Asp Leu Phe Leu Val Asp
Gln His Ala Ala Asp Glu Lys Tyr 690 695 700 Asn Phe Glu Met Leu Gln
Gln His Thr Val Leu Gln Ala Gln Arg Leu 705 710 715 720 Ile Thr Pro
Gln Thr Leu Asn Leu Thr Ala Val Asn Glu Ala Val Leu 725 730 735 Ile
Glu Asn Leu Glu Ile Phe Arg Lys Asn Gly Phe Asp Phe Val Ile 740 745
750 Asp Glu Asp Ala Pro Val Thr Glu Arg Ala Lys Leu Ile Ser Leu Pro
755 760 765 Thr Ser Lys Asn Trp Thr Phe Gly Pro Gln Asp Ile Asp Glu
Leu Ile 770 775 780 Phe Met Leu Ser Asp Ser Pro Gly Val Met Cys Arg
Pro Ser Arg Val 785 790 795 800 Arg Gln Met Phe Ala Ser Arg Ala Cys
Arg Lys Ser Val Met Ile Gly 805 810 815 Thr Ala Leu Asn Ala Ser Glu
Met Lys Lys Leu Ile Thr His Met Gly 820 825 830 Glu Met Asp His Pro
Trp Asn Cys Pro His Gly Arg Pro Thr Met Arg 835 840 845 His Val Ala
Asn Leu Asp Val Ile Ser Gln Asn 850 855 10 3056 DNA Mus musculus 10
gaattccggt gaaggtcctg aagaatttcc agattcctga gtatcattgg aggagacaga
60 taacctgtcg tcaggtaacg atggtgtata tgcaacagaa atgggtgttc
ctggagacgc 120 gtcttttccc gagagcggca ccgcaactct cccgcggtga
ctgtgactgg aggagtcctg 180 catccatgga gcaaaccgaa ggcgtgagta
cagaatgtgc taaggccatc aagcctattg 240 atgggaagtc agtccatcaa
atttgttctg ggcaggtgat actcagttta agcaccgctg 300 tgaaggagtt
gatagaaaat agtgtagatg ctggtgctac tactattgat ctaaggctta 360
aagactatgg ggtggacctc attgaagttt cagacaatgg atgtggggta gaagaagaaa
420 actttgaagg tctagctctg aaacatcaca catctaagat tcaagagttt
gccgacctca 480 cgcaggttga aactttcggc tttcgggggg aagctctgag
ctctctgtgt gcactaagtg 540 atgtcactat atctacctgc cacgggtctg
caagcgttgg gactcgactg gtgtttgacc 600 ataatgggaa aatcacccag
aaaactccct acccccgacc taaaggaacc acagtcagtg 660 tgcagcactt
attttataca ctacccgtgc gttacaaaga gtttcagagg aacattaaaa 720
aggagtattc caaaatggtg caggtcttac aggcgtactg tatcatctca gcaggcgtcc
780 gtgtaagctg cactaatcag ctcggacagg ggaagcggca cgctgtggtg
tgcacaagcg 840 gcacgtctgg catgaaggaa aatatcgggt ctgtgtttgg
ccagaagcag ttgcaaagcc 900 tcattccttt tgttcagctg ccccctagtg
acgctgtgtg tgaagagtac ggcctgagca 960 cttcaggacg ccacaaaacc
ttttctacgt ttcgggcttc atttcacagt gcacgcacgg 1020 cgccgggagg
agtgcaacag acaggcagtt tttcttcatc aatcagaggc cctgtgaccc 1080
agcaaaggtc tctaagcttg tcaatgaggt tttatcacat gtataaccgg catcagtacc
1140 catttgtcgt ccttaacgtt tccgttgact cagaatgtgt ggatattaat
gtaactccag 1200 ataaaaggca aattctacta caagaagaga agctattgct
ggccgtttta aagacctcct 1260 tgataggaat gtttgacagt gatgcaaaca
agcttaatgt caaccagcag ccactgctag 1320 atgttgaagg taacttagta
aagctgcata ctgcagaact agaaaagcct gtgccaggaa 1380 agcaagataa
ctctccttca ctgaagagca cagcagacga gaaaagggta gcatccatct 1440
ccaggctgag agaggccttt tctcttcatc ctactaaaga gatcaagtct aggggtccag
1500 agactgctga actgacacgg agttttccaa gtgagaaaag gggcgtgtta
tcctcttatc 1560 cttcagacgt catctcttac agaggcctcc gtggctcgca
ggacaaattg gtgagtccca 1620 cggacagccc tggtgactgt atggacagag
agaaaataga aaaagactca gggctcagca 1680 gcacctcagc tggctctgag
gaagagttca gcaccccaga agtggccagt agctttagca 1740 gtgactataa
cgtgagctcc ctagaagaca gaccttctca ggaaaccata aactgtggtg 1800
acctggactg ccgtcctcca ggtacaggac agtccttgaa gccagaagac catggatatc
1860 aatgcaaagc tctacctcta gctcgtctgt cacccacaaa tgccaagcgc
ttcaagacag 1920 aggaaagacc ctcaaatgtc aacatttctc aaagattgcc
tggtcctcag agcacctcag 1980 cagctgaggt cgatgtagcc ataaaaatga
ataagagaat cgtgctcctc gagttctctc 2040 tgagttctct agctaagcga
atgaagcagt tacagcacct aaaggcgcag aacaaacatg 2100 aactgagtta
cagaaaattt agggccaaga tttgccctgg agaaaaccaa gcagcagaag 2160
atgaactcag aaaagagatt agtaaatcga tgtttgcaga gatggagatc ttgggtcagt
2220 ttaacctggg atttatagta accaaactga aagaggacct cttcctggtg
gaccagcatg 2280 ctgcggatga gaagtacaac tttgagatgc tgcagcagca
cacggtgctc caggcgcaga 2340 ggctcatcac accccagact ctgaacttaa
ctgctgtcaa tgaagctgta ctgatagaaa 2400 atctggaaat attcagaaag
aatggctttg actttgtcat tgatgaggat gctccagtca 2460 ctgaaagggc
taaattgatt tccttaccaa ctagtaaaaa ctggaccttt ggaccccaag 2520
atatagatga actgatcttt atgttaagtg acagccctgg ggtcatgtgc cggccctcac
2580 gagtcagaca gatgtttgct tccagagcct gtcggaagtc agtgatgatt
ggaacggcgc 2640 tcaatgcgag cgagatgaag aagctcatca cccacatggg
tgagatggac cacccctgga 2700 actgccccca cggcaggcca accatgaggc
acgttgccaa tctggatgtc atctctcaga 2760 actgacacac cccttgtagc
atagagttta ttacagattg ttcggtttgc aaagagaagg 2820 ttttaagtaa
tctgattatc gttgtacaaa aattagcatg ctgctttaat gtactggatc 2880
catttaaaag cagtgttaag gcaggcatga tggagtgttc ctctagctca gctacttggg
2940 tgatccggtg ggagctcatg tgagcccagg actttgagac cactccgagc
cacattcatg 3000 agactcaatt caaggacaaa aaaaaaaaga tatttttgaa
gccttttaaa aaaaaa 3056 11 862 PRT Homo sapiens 11 Met Glu Arg Ala
Glu Ser Ser Ser Thr Glu Pro Ala Lys Ala Ile Lys 1 5 10 15 Pro Ile
Asp Arg Lys Ser Val His Gln Ile Cys Ser Gly Gln Val Val 20 25 30
Leu Ser Leu Ser Thr Ala Val Lys Glu Leu Val Glu Asn Ser Leu Asp 35
40 45 Ala Gly Ala Thr Asn Ile Asp Leu Lys Leu Lys Asp Tyr Gly Val
Asp 50 55 60 Leu Ile Glu Val Ser Asp Asn Gly Cys Gly Val Glu Glu
Glu Asn Phe 65 70 75 80 Glu Gly Leu Thr Leu Lys His His Thr Ser Lys
Ile Gln Glu Phe Ala 85 90 95 Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Glu Thr Phe Gly
Phe Arg Gly Glu Ala Leu Ser 100 105 110 Ser Leu Cys Ala Leu Ser Asp
Val Thr Ile Ser Thr Cys His Ala Ser 115 120 125 Ala Lys Val Gly Thr
Arg Leu Met Phe Asp His Asn Gly Lys Ile Ile 130 135 140 Gln Lys Thr
Pro Tyr Pro Arg Pro Arg Gly Thr Thr Val Ser Val Gln 145 150 155 160
Gln Leu Phe Ser Thr Leu Pro Val Arg His Lys Glu Phe Gln Arg Asn 165
170 175 Ile Lys Lys Glu Tyr Ala Lys Met Val Gln Val Leu His Ala Tyr
Cys 180 185 190 Ile Ile Ser Ala Gly Ile Arg Val Ser Cys Thr Asn Gln
Leu Gly Gln 195 200 205 Gly Lys Arg Gln Pro Val Val Cys Thr Gly Gly
Ser Pro Ser Ile Lys 210 215 220 Glu Asn Ile Gly Ser Val Phe Gly Gln
Lys Gln Leu Gln Ser Leu Ile 225 230 235 240 Pro Phe Val Gln Leu Pro
Pro Ser Asp Ser Val Cys Glu Glu Tyr Gly 245 250 255 Leu Ser Cys Ser
Asp Ala Leu His Asn Leu Phe Tyr Ile Ser Gly Phe 260 265 270 Ile Ser
Gln Cys Thr His Gly Val Gly Arg Ser Ser Thr Asp Arg Gln 275 280 285
Phe Phe Phe Ile Asn Arg Arg Pro Cys Asp Pro Ala Lys Val Cys Arg 290
295 300 Leu Val Asn Glu Val Tyr His Met Tyr Asn Arg His Gln Tyr Pro
Phe 305 310 315 320 Val Val Leu Asn Ile Ser Val Asp Ser Glu Cys Val
Asp Ile Asn Val 325 330 335 Thr Pro Asp Lys Arg Gln Ile Leu Leu Gln
Glu Glu Lys Leu Leu Leu 340 345 350 Ala Val Leu Lys Thr Ser Leu Ile
Gly Met Phe Asp Ser Asp Val Asn 355 360 365 Lys Leu Asn Val Ser Gln
Gln Pro Leu Leu Asp Val Glu Gly Asn Leu 370 375 380 Ile Lys Met His
Ala Ala Asp Leu Glu Lys Pro Met Val Glu Lys Gln 385 390 395 400 Asp
Gln Ser Pro Ser Leu Arg Thr Gly Glu Glu Lys Lys Asp Val Ser 405 410
415 Ile Ser Arg Leu Arg Glu Ala Phe Ser Leu Arg His Thr Thr Glu Asn
420 425 430 Lys Pro His Ser Pro Lys Thr Pro Glu Pro Arg Arg Ser Pro
Leu Gly 435 440 445 Gln Lys Arg Gly Met Leu Ser Ser Ser Thr Ser Gly
Ala Ile Ser Asp 450 455 460 Lys Gly Val Leu Arg Pro Gln Lys Glu Ala
Val Ser Ser Ser His Gly 465 470 475 480 Pro Ser Asp Pro Thr Asp Arg
Ala Glu Val Glu Lys Asp Ser Gly His 485 490 495 Gly Ser Thr Ser Val
Asp Ser Glu Gly Phe Ser Ile Pro Asp Thr Gly 500 505 510 Ser His Cys
Ser Ser Glu Tyr Ala Ala Ser Ser Pro Gly Asp Arg Gly 515 520 525 Ser
Gln Glu His Val Asp Ser Gln Glu Lys Ala Pro Glu Thr Asp Asp 530 535
540 Ser Phe Ser Asp Val Asp Cys His Ser Asn Gln Glu Asp Thr Gly Cys
545 550 555 560 Lys Phe Arg Val Leu Pro Gln Pro Thr Asn Leu Ala Thr
Pro Asn Thr 565 570 575 Lys Arg Phe Lys Lys Glu Glu Ile Leu Ser Ser
Ser Asp Ile Cys Gln 580 585 590 Lys Leu Val Asn Thr Gln Asp Met Ser
Ala Ser Gln Val Asp Val Ala 595 600 605 Val Lys Ile Asn Lys Lys Val
Val Pro Leu Asp Phe Ser Met Ser Ser 610 615 620 Leu Ala Lys Arg Ile
Lys Gln Leu His His Glu Ala Gln Gln Ser Glu 625 630 635 640 Gly Glu
Gln Asn Tyr Arg Lys Phe Arg Ala Lys Ile Cys Pro Gly Glu 645 650 655
Asn Gln Ala Ala Glu Asp Glu Leu Arg Lys Glu Ile Ser Lys Thr Met 660
665 670 Phe Ala Glu Met Glu Ile Ile Gly Gln Phe Asn Leu Gly Phe Ile
Ile 675 680 685 Thr Lys Leu Asn Glu Asp Ile Phe Ile Val Asp Gln His
Ala Thr Asp 690 695 700 Glu Lys Tyr Asn Phe Glu Met Leu Gln Gln His
Thr Val Leu Gln Gly 705 710 715 720 Gln Arg Leu Ile Ala Pro Gln Thr
Leu Asn Leu Thr Ala Val Asn Glu 725 730 735 Ala Val Leu Ile Glu Asn
Leu Glu Ile Phe Arg Lys Asn Gly Phe Asp 740 745 750 Phe Val Ile Asp
Glu Asn Ala Pro Val Thr Glu Arg Ala Lys Leu Ile 755 760 765 Ser Leu
Pro Thr Ser Lys Asn Trp Thr Phe Gly Pro Gln Asp Val Asp 770 775 780
Glu Leu Ile Phe Met Leu Ser Asp Ser Pro Gly Val Met Cys Arg Pro 785
790 795 800 Ser Arg Val Lys Gln Met Phe Ala Ser Arg Ala Cys Arg Lys
Ser Val 805 810 815 Met Ile Gly Thr Ala Leu Asn Thr Ser Glu Met Lys
Lys Leu Ile Thr 820 825 830 His Met Gly Glu Met Asp His Pro Trp Asn
Cys Pro His Gly Arg Pro 835 840 845 Thr Met Arg His Ile Ala Asn Leu
Gly Val Ile Ser Gln Asn 850 855 860 12 2771 DNA Homo sapiens 12
cgaggcggat cgggtgttgc atccatggag cgagctgaga gctcgagtac agaacctgct
60 aaggccatca aacctattga tcggaagtca gtccatcaga tttgctctgg
gcaggtggta 120 ctgagtctaa gcactgcggt aaaggagtta gtagaaaaca
gtctggatgc tggtgccact 180 aatattgatc taaagcttaa ggactatgga
gtggatctta ttgaagtttc agacaatgga 240 tgtggggtag aagaagaaaa
cttcgaaggc ttaactctga aacatcacac atctaagatt 300 caagagtttg
ccgacctaac tcaggttgaa acttttggct ttcgggggga agctctgagc 360
tcactttgtg cactgagcga tgtcaccatt tctacctgcc acgcatcggc gaaggttgga
420 actcgactga tgtttgatca caatgggaaa attatccaga aaacccccta
cccccgcccc 480 agagggacca cagtcagcgt gcagcagtta ttttccacac
tacctgtgcg ccataaggaa 540 tttcaaagga atattaagaa ggagtatgcc
aaaatggtcc aggtcttaca tgcatactgt 600 atcatttcag caggcatccg
tgtaagttgc accaatcagc ttggacaagg aaaacgacag 660 cctgtggtat
gcacaggtgg aagccccagc ataaaggaaa atatcggctc tgtgtttggg 720
cagaagcagt tgcaaagcct cattcctttt gttcagctgc cccctagtga ctccgtgtgt
780 gaagagtacg gtttgagctg ttcggatgct ctgcataatc ttttttacat
ctcaggtttc 840 atttcacaat gcacgcatgg agttggaagg agttcaacag
acagacagtt tttctttatc 900 aaccggcggc cttgtgaccc agcaaaggtc
tgcagactcg tgaatgaggt ctaccacatg 960 tataatcgac accagtatcc
atttgttgtt cttaacattt ctgttgattc agaatgcgtt 1020 gatatcaatg
ttactccaga taaaaggcaa attttgctac aagaggaaaa gcttttgttg 1080
gcagttttaa agacctcttt gataggaatg tttgatagtg atgtcaacaa gctaaatgtc
1140 agtcagcagc cactgctgga tgttgaaggt aacttaataa aaatgcatgc
agcggatttg 1200 gaaaagccca tggtagaaaa gcaggatcaa tccccttcat
taaggactgg agaagaaaaa 1260 aaagacgtgt ccatttccag actgcgagag
gccttttctc ttcgtcacac aacagagaac 1320 aagcctcaca gcccaaagac
tccagaacca agaaggagcc ctctaggaca gaaaaggggt 1380 atgctgtctt
ctagcacttc aggtgccatc tctgacaaag gcgtcctgag acctcagaaa 1440
gaggcagtga gttccagtca cggacccagt gaccctacgg acagagcgga ggtggagaag
1500 gactcggggc acggcagcac ttccgtggat tctgaggggt tcagcatccc
agacacgggc 1560 agtcactgca gcagcgagta tgcggccagc tccccagggg
acaggggctc gcaggaacat 1620 gtggactctc aggagaaagc gcctgaaact
gacgactctt tttcagatgt ggactgccat 1680 tcaaaccagg aagataccgg
atgtaaattt cgagttttgc ctcagccaac taatctcgca 1740 accccaaaca
caaagcgttt taaaaaagaa gaaattcttt ccagttctga catttgtcaa 1800
aagttagtaa atactcagga catgtcagcc tctcaggttg atgtagctgt gaaaattaat
1860 aagaaagttg tgcccctgga cttttctatg agttctttag ctaaacgaat
aaagcagtta 1920 catcatgaag cacagcaaag tgaaggggaa cagaattaca
ggaagtttag ggcaaagatt 1980 tgtcctggag aaaatcaagc agccgaagat
gaactaagaa aagagataag taaaacgatg 2040 tttgcagaaa tggaaatcat
tggtcagttt aacctgggat ttataataac caaactgaat 2100 gaggatatct
tcatagtgga ccagcatgcc acggacgaga agtataactt cgagatgctg 2160
cagcagcaca ccgtgctcca ggggcagagg ctcatagcac ctcagactct caacttaact
2220 gctgttaatg aagctgttct gatagaaaat ctggaaatat ttagaaagaa
tggctttgat 2280 tttgttatcg atgaaaatgc tccagtcact gaaagggcta
aactgatttc cttgccaact 2340 agtaaaaact ggaccttcgg accccaggac
gtcgatgaac tgatcttcat gctgagcgac 2400 agccctgggg tcatgtgccg
gccttcccga gtcaagcaga tgtttgcctc cagagcctgc 2460 cggaagtcgg
tgatgattgg gactgctctt aacacaagcg agatgaagaa actgatcacc 2520
cacatggggg agatggacca cccctggaac tgtccccatg gaaggccaac catgagacac
2580 atcgccaacc tgggtgtcat ttctcagaac tgaccgtagt cactgtatgg
aataattggt 2640 tttatcgcag atttttatgt tttgaaagac agagtcttca
ctaacctttt ttgttttaaa 2700 atgaaacctg ctacttaaaa aaaatacaca
tcacacccat ttaaaagtga tcttgagaac 2760 cttttcaaac c 2771 13 932 PRT
Homo sapiens 13 Met Lys Gln Leu Pro Ala Ala Thr Val Arg Leu Leu Ser
Ser Ser Gln 1 5 10 15 Ile Ile Thr Ser Val Val Ser Val Val Lys Glu
Leu Ile Glu Asn Ser 20 25 30 Leu Asp Ala Gly Ala Thr Ser Val Asp
Val Lys Leu Glu Asn Tyr Gly 35 40 45 Phe Asp Lys Ile Glu Val Arg
Asp Asn Gly Glu Gly Ile Lys Ala Val 50 55 60 Asp Ala Pro Val Met
Ala Met Lys Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Lys Ile Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 His Glu Asp
Leu Glu Asn Leu Thr Thr Tyr Gly Phe Arg Gly Glu Ala 85 90 95 Leu
Gly Ser Ile Cys Cys Ile Ala Glu Val Leu Ile Thr Thr Arg Thr 100 105
110 Ala Ala Asp Asn Phe Ser Thr Gln Tyr Val Leu Asp Gly Ser Gly His
115 120 125 Ile Leu Ser Gln Lys Pro Ser His Leu Gly Gln Gly Thr Thr
Val Thr 130 135 140 Ala Leu Arg Leu Phe Lys Asn Leu Pro Val Arg Lys
Gln Phe Tyr Ser 145 150 155 160 Thr Ala Lys Lys Cys Lys Asp Glu Ile
Lys Lys Ile Gln Asp Leu Leu 165 170 175 Met Ser Phe Gly Ile Leu Lys
Pro Asp Leu Arg Ile Val Phe Val His 180 185 190 Asn Lys Ala Val Ile
Trp Gln Lys Ser Arg Val Ser Asp His Lys Met 195 200 205 Ala Leu Met
Ser Val Leu Gly
Thr Ala Val Met Asn Asn Met Glu Ser 210 215 220 Phe Gln Tyr His Ser
Glu Glu Ser Gln Ile Tyr Leu Ser Gly Phe Leu 225 230 235 240 Pro Lys
Cys Asp Ala Asp His Ser Phe Thr Ser Leu Ser Thr Pro Glu 245 250 255
Arg Ser Phe Ile Phe Ile Asn Ser Arg Pro Val His Gln Lys Asp Ile 260
265 270 Leu Lys Leu Ile Arg His His Tyr Asn Leu Lys Cys Leu Lys Glu
Ser 275 280 285 Thr Arg Leu Tyr Pro Val Phe Phe Leu Lys Ile Asp Val
Pro Thr Ala 290 295 300 Asp Val Asp Val Asn Leu Thr Pro Asp Lys Ser
Gln Val Leu Leu Gln 305 310 315 320 Asn Lys Glu Ser Val Leu Ile Ala
Leu Glu Asn Leu Met Thr Thr Cys 325 330 335 Tyr Gly Pro Leu Pro Ser
Thr Asn Ser Tyr Glu Asn Asn Lys Thr Asp 340 345 350 Val Ser Ala Ala
Asp Ile Val Leu Ser Lys Thr Ala Glu Thr Asp Val 355 360 365 Leu Phe
Asn Lys Val Glu Ser Ser Gly Lys Asn Tyr Ser Asn Val Asp 370 375 380
Thr Ser Val Ile Pro Phe Gln Asn Asp Met His Asn Asp Glu Ser Gly 385
390 395 400 Lys Asn Thr Asp Asp Cys Leu Asn His Gln Ile Ser Ile Gly
Asp Phe 405 410 415 Gly Tyr Gly His Cys Ser Ser Glu Ile Ser Asn Ile
Asp Lys Asn Thr 420 425 430 Lys Asn Ala Phe Gln Asp Ile Ser Met Ser
Asn Val Ser Trp Glu Asn 435 440 445 Ser Gln Thr Glu Tyr Ser Lys Thr
Cys Phe Ile Ser Ser Val Lys His 450 455 460 Thr Gln Ser Glu Asn Gly
Asn Lys Asp His Ile Asp Glu Ser Gly Glu 465 470 475 480 Asn Glu Glu
Glu Ala Gly Leu Glu Asn Ser Ser Glu Ile Ser Ala Asp 485 490 495 Glu
Trp Ser Arg Gly Asn Ile Leu Lys Asn Ser Val Gly Glu Asn Ile 500 505
510 Glu Pro Val Lys Ile Leu Val Pro Glu Lys Ser Leu Pro Cys Lys Val
515 520 525 Ser Asn Asn Asn Tyr Pro Ile Pro Glu Gln Met Asn Leu Asn
Glu Asp 530 535 540 Ser Cys Asn Lys Lys Ser Asn Val Ile Asp Asn Lys
Ser Gly Lys Val 545 550 555 560 Thr Ala Tyr Asp Leu Leu Ser Asn Arg
Val Ile Lys Lys Pro Met Ser 565 570 575 Ala Ser Ala Leu Phe Val Gln
Asp His Arg Pro Gln Phe Leu Ile Glu 580 585 590 Asn Pro Lys Thr Ser
Leu Glu Asp Ala Thr Leu Gln Ile Glu Glu Leu 595 600 605 Trp Lys Thr
Leu Ser Glu Glu Glu Lys Leu Lys Tyr Glu Glu Lys Ala 610 615 620 Thr
Lys Asp Leu Glu Arg Tyr Asn Ser Gln Met Lys Arg Ala Ile Glu 625 630
635 640 Gln Glu Ser Gln Met Ser Leu Lys Asp Gly Arg Lys Lys Ile Lys
Pro 645 650 655 Thr Ser Ala Trp Asn Leu Ala Gln Lys His Lys Leu Lys
Thr Ser Leu 660 665 670 Ser Asn Gln Pro Lys Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Gln
Ser Gln Ile Glu Lys 675 680 685 Arg Arg Ser Gln Asn Ile Lys Met Val
Gln Ile Pro Phe Ser Met Lys 690 695 700 Asn Leu Lys Ile Asn Phe Lys
Lys Gln Asn Lys Val Asp Leu Glu Glu 705 710 715 720 Lys Asp Glu Pro
Cys Leu Ile His Asn Leu Arg Phe Pro Asp Ala Trp 725 730 735 Leu Met
Thr Ser Lys Thr Glu Val Met Leu Leu Asn Pro Tyr Arg Val 740 745 750
Glu Glu Ala Leu Leu Phe Lys Arg Leu Leu Glu Asn His Lys Leu Pro 755
760 765 Ala Glu Pro Leu Glu Lys Pro Ile Met Leu Thr Glu Ser Leu Phe
Asn 770 775 780 Gly Ser His Tyr Leu Asp Val Leu Tyr Lys Met Thr Ala
Asp Asp Gln 785 790 795 800 Arg Tyr Ser Gly Ser Thr Tyr Leu Ser Asp
Pro Arg Leu Thr Ala Asn 805 810 815 Gly Phe Lys Ile Lys Leu Ile Pro
Gly Val Ser Ile Thr Glu Asn Tyr 820 825 830 Leu Glu Ile Glu Gly Met
Ala Asn Cys Leu Pro Phe Tyr Gly Val Ala 835 840 845 Asp Leu Lys Glu
Ile Leu Asn Ala Ile Leu Asn Arg Asn Ala Lys Glu 850 855 860 Val Tyr
Glu Cys Arg Pro Arg Lys Val Ile Ser Tyr Leu Glu Gly Glu 865 870 875
880 Ala Val Arg Leu Ser Arg Gln Leu Pro Met Tyr Leu Ser Lys Glu Asp
885 890 895 Ile Gln Asp Ile Ile Tyr Arg Met Lys His Gln Phe Gly Asn
Glu Ile 900 905 910 Lys Glu Cys Val His Gly Arg Pro Phe Phe His His
Leu Thr Tyr Leu 915 920 925 Pro Glu Thr Thr 930 14 3063 DNA Homo
sapiens 14 ggcacgagtg gctgcttgcg gctagtggat ggtaattgcc tgcctcgcgc
tagcagcaag 60 ctgctctgtt aaaagcgaaa atgaaacaat tgcctgcggc
aacagttcga ctcctttcaa 120 gttctcagat catcacttcg gtggtcagtg
ttgtaaaaga gcttattgaa aactccttgg 180 atgctggtgc cacaagcgta
gatgttaaac tggagaacta tggatttgat aaaattgagg 240 tgcgagataa
cggggagggt atcaaggctg ttgatgcacc tgtaatggca atgaagtact 300
acacctcaaa aataaatagt catgaagatc ttgaaaattt gacaacttac ggttttcgtg
360 gagaagcctt ggggtcaatt tgttgtatag ctgaggtttt aattacaaca
agaacggctg 420 ctgataattt tagcacccag tatgttttag atggcagtgg
ccacatactt tctcagaaac 480 cttcacatct tggtcaaggt acaactgtaa
ctgctttaag attatttaag aatctacctg 540 taagaaagca gttttactca
actgcaaaaa aatgtaaaga tgaaataaaa aagatccaag 600 atctcctcat
gagctttggt atccttaaac ctgacttaag gattgtcttt gtacataaca 660
aggcagttat ttggcagaaa agcagagtat cagatcacaa gatggctctc atgtcagttc
720 tggggactgc tgttatgaac aatatggaat cctttcagta ccactctgaa
gaatctcaga 780 tttatctcag tggatttctt ccaaagtgtg atgcagacca
ctctttcact agtctttcaa 840 caccagaaag aagtttcatc ttcataaaca
gtcgaccagt acatcaaaaa gatatcttaa 900 agttaatccg acatcattac
aatctgaaat gcctaaagga atctactcgt ttgtatcctg 960 ttttctttct
gaaaatcgat gttcctacag ctgatgttga tgtaaattta acaccagata 1020
aaagccaagt attattacaa aataaggaat ctgttttaat tgctcttgaa aatctgatga
1080 cgacttgtta tggaccatta cctagtacaa attcttatga aaataataaa
acagatgttt 1140 ccgcagctga catcgttctt agtaaaacag cagaaacaga
tgtgcttttt aataaagtgg 1200 aatcatctgg aaagaattat tcaaatgttg
atacttcagt cattccattc caaaatgata 1260 tgcataatga tgaatctgga
aaaaacactg atgattgttt aaatcaccag ataagtattg 1320 gtgactttgg
ttatggtcat tgtagtagtg aaatttctaa cattgataaa aacactaaga 1380
atgcatttca ggacatttca atgagtaatg tatcatggga gaactctcag acggaatata
1440 gtaaaacttg ttttataagt tccgttaagc acacccagtc agaaaatggc
aataaagacc 1500 atatagatga gagtggggaa aatgaggaag aagcaggtct
tgaaaactct tcggaaattt 1560 ctgcagatga gtggagcagg ggaaatatac
ttaaaaattc agtgggagag aatattgaac 1620 ctgtgaaaat tttagtgcct
gaaaaaagtt taccatgtaa agtaagtaat aataattatc 1680 caatccctga
acaaatgaat cttaatgaag attcatgtaa caaaaaatca aatgtaatag 1740
ataataaatc tggaaaagtt acagcttatg atttacttag caatcgagta atcaagaaac
1800 ccatgtcagc aagtgctctt tttgttcaag atcatcgtcc tcagtttctc
atagaaaatc 1860 ctaagactag tttagaggat gcaacactac aaattgaaga
actgtggaag acattgagtg 1920 aagaggaaaa actgaaatat gaagagaagg
ctactaaaga cttggaacga tacaatagtc 1980 aaatgaagag agccattgaa
caggagtcac aaatgtcact aaaagatggc agaaaaaaga 2040 taaaacccac
cagcgcatgg aatttggccc agaagcacaa gttaaaaacc tcattatcta 2100
atcaaccaaa acttgatgaa ctccttcagt cccaaattga aaaaagaagg agtcaaaata
2160 ttaaaatggt acagatcccc ttttctatga aaaacttaaa aataaatttt
aagaaacaaa 2220 acaaagttga cttagaagag aaggatgaac cttgcttgat
ccacaatctc aggtttcctg 2280 atgcatggct aatgacatcc aaaacagagg
taatgttatt aaatccatat agagtagaag 2340 aagccctgct atttaaaaga
cttcttgaga atcataaact tcctgcagag ccactggaaa 2400 agccaattat
gttaacagag agtcttttta atggatctca ttatttagac gttttatata 2460
aaatgacagc agatgaccaa agatacagtg gatcaactta cctgtctgat cctcgtctta
2520 cagcgaatgg tttcaagata aaattgatac caggagtttc aattactgaa
aattacttgg 2580 aaatagaagg aatggctaat tgtctcccat tctatggagt
agcagattta aaagaaattc 2640 ttaatgctat attaaacaga aatgcaaagg
aagtttatga atgtagacct cgcaaagtga 2700 taagttattt agagggagaa
gcagtgcgtc tatccagaca attacccatg tacttatcaa 2760 aagaggacat
ccaagacatt atctacagaa tgaagcacca gtttggaaat gaaattaaag 2820
agtgtgttca tggtcgccca ttttttcatc atttaaccta tcttccagaa actacatgat
2880 taaatatgtt taagaagatt agttaccatt gaaattggtt ctgtcataaa
acagcatgag 2940 tctggtttta aattatcttt gtattatgtg tcacatggtt
attttttaaa tgaggattca 3000 ctgacttgtt tttatattga aaaaagttcc
acgtattgta gaaaacgtaa ataaactaat 3060 aac 3063 15 934 PRT Homo
sapiens 15 Met Ala Val Gln Pro Lys Glu Thr Leu Gln Leu Glu Ser Ala
Ala Glu 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Phe Val Arg Phe Phe Gln Gly Met Pro Glu
Lys Pro Thr Thr 20 25 30 Thr Val Arg Leu Phe Asp Arg Gly Asp Phe
Tyr Thr Ala His Gly Glu 35 40 45 Asp Ala Leu Leu Ala Ala Arg Glu
Val Phe Lys Thr Gln Gly Val Ile 50 55 60 Lys Tyr Met Gly Pro Ala
Gly Ala Lys Asn Leu Gln Ser Val Val Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Lys Met Asn
Phe Glu Ser Phe Val Lys Asp Leu Leu Leu Val Arg 85 90 95 Gln Tyr
Arg Val Glu Val Tyr Lys Asn Arg Ala Gly Asn Lys Ala Ser 100 105 110
Lys Glu Asn Asp Trp Tyr Leu Ala Tyr Lys Ala Ser Pro Gly Asn Leu 115
120 125 Ser Gln Phe Glu Asp Ile Leu Phe Gly Asn Asn Asp Met Ser Ala
Ser 130 135 140 Ile Gly Val Val Gly Val Lys Met Ser Ala Val Asp Gly
Gln Arg Gln 145 150 155 160 Val Gly Val Gly Tyr Val Asp Ser Ile Gln
Arg Lys Leu Gly Leu Cys 165 170 175 Glu Phe Pro Asp Asn Asp Gln Phe
Ser Asn Leu Glu Ala Leu Leu Ile 180 185 190 Gln Ile Gly Pro Lys Glu
Cys Val Leu Pro Gly Gly Glu Thr Ala Gly 195 200 205 Asp Met Gly Lys
Leu Arg Gln Ile Ile Gln Arg Gly Gly Ile Leu Ile 210 215 220 Thr Glu
Arg Lys Lys Ala Asp Phe Ser Thr Lys Asp Ile Tyr Gln Asp 225 230 235
240 Leu Asn Arg Leu Leu Lys Gly Lys Lys Gly Glu Gln Met Asn Ser Ala
245 250 255 Val Leu Pro Glu Met Glu Asn Gln Val Ala Val Ser Ser Leu
Ser Ala 260 265 270 Val Ile Lys Phe Leu Glu Leu Leu Ser Asp Asp Ser
Asn Phe Gly Gln 275 280 285 Phe Glu Leu Thr Thr Phe Asp Phe Ser Gln
Tyr Met Lys Leu Asp Ile 290 295 300 Ala Ala Val Arg Ala Leu Asn Leu
Phe Gln Gly Ser Val Glu Asp Thr 305 310 315 320 Thr Gly Ser Gln Ser
Leu Ala Ala Leu Leu Asn Lys Cys Lys Thr Pro 325 330 335 Gln Gly Gln
Arg Leu Val Asn Gln Trp Ile Lys Gln Pro Leu Met Asp 340 345 350 Lys
Asn Arg Ile Glu Glu Arg Leu Asn Leu Val Glu Ala Phe Val Glu 355 360
365 Asp Ala Glu Leu Arg Gln Thr Leu Gln Glu Asp Leu Leu Arg Arg Phe
370 375 380 Pro Asp Leu Asn Arg Leu Ala Lys Lys Phe Gln Arg Gln Ala
Ala Asn 385 390 395 400 Leu Gln Asp Cys Tyr Arg Leu Tyr Gln Gly Ile
Asn Gln Leu Pro Asn 405 410 415 Val Ile Gln Ala Leu Glu Lys His Glu
Gly Lys His Gln Lys Leu Leu 420 425 430 Leu Ala Val Phe Val Thr Pro
Leu Thr Asp Leu Arg Ser Asp Phe Ser 435 440 445 Lys Phe Gln Glu Met
Ile Glu Thr Thr Leu Asp Met Asp Gln Val Glu 450 455 460 Asn His Glu
Phe Leu Val Lys Pro Ser Phe Asp Pro Asn Leu Ser Glu 465 470 475 480
Leu Arg Glu Ile Met Asn Asp Leu Glu Lys Lys Met Gln Ser Thr Leu 485
490 495 Ile Ser Ala Ala Arg Asp Leu Gly Leu Asp Pro Gly Lys Gln Ile
Lys 500 505 510 Leu Asp Ser Ser Ala Gln Phe Gly Tyr Tyr Phe Arg Val
Thr Cys Lys 515 520 525 Glu Glu Lys Val Leu Arg Asn Asn Lys Asn Phe
Ser Thr Val Asp Ile 530 535 540 Gln Lys Asn Gly Val Lys Phe Thr Asn
Ser Lys Leu Thr Ser Leu Asn 545 550 555 560 Glu Glu Tyr Thr Lys Asn
Lys Thr Glu Tyr Glu Glu Ala Gln Asp Ala 565 570 575 Ile Val Lys Glu
Ile Val Asn Ile Ser Ser Gly Tyr Val Glu Pro Met 580 585 590 Gln Thr
Leu Asn Asp Val Leu Ala Gln Leu Asp Ala Val Val Ser Phe 595 600 605
Ala His Val Ser Asn Gly Ala Pro Val Pro Tyr Val Arg Pro Ala Ile 610
615 620 Leu Glu Lys Gly Gln Gly Arg Ile Ile Leu Lys Ala Ser Arg His
Ala 625 630 635 640 Cys Val Glu Val Gln Asp Glu Ile Ala Phe Ile Pro
Asn Asp Val Tyr 645 650 655 Phe Glu Lys Asp Lys Gln Met Phe His Ile
Ile Thr Gly Pro Asn Met 660 665 670 Gly Gly Lys Ser Thr Tyr Ile Arg
Gln Thr Gly Val Ile Val Leu Met 675 680 685 Ala Gln Ile Gly Cys Phe
Val Pro Cys Glu Ser Ala Glu Val Ser Ile 690 695 700 Val Asp Cys Ile
Leu Ala Arg Val Gly Ala Gly Asp Ser Gln Leu Lys 705 710 715 720 Gly
Val Ser Thr Phe Met Ala Glu Met Leu Glu Thr Ala Ser Ile Leu 725 730
735 Arg Ser Ala Thr Lys Asp Ser Leu Ile Ile Ile Asp Glu Leu Gly Arg
740 745 750 Gly Thr Ser Thr Tyr Asp Gly Phe Gly Leu Ala Trp Ala Ile
Ser Glu 755 760 765 Tyr Ile Ala Thr Lys Ile Gly Ala Phe Cys Met Phe
Ala Thr His Phe 770 775 780 His Glu Leu Thr Ala Leu Ala Asn Gln Ile
Pro Thr Val Asn Asn Leu 785 790 795 800 His Val Thr Ala Leu Thr Thr
Glu Glu Thr Leu Thr Met Leu Tyr Gln 805 810 815 Val Lys Lys Gly Val
Cys Asp Gln Ser Phe Gly Ile His Val Ala Glu 820 825 830 Leu Ala Asn
Phe Pro Lys His Val Ile Glu Cys Ala Lys Gln Lys Ala 835 840 845 Leu
Glu Leu Glu Glu Phe Gln Tyr Ile Gly Glu Ser Gln Gly Tyr Asp 850 855
860 Ile Met Glu Pro Ala Ala Lys Lys Cys Tyr Leu Glu Arg Glu Gln Gly
865 870 875 880 Glu Lys Ile Ile Gln Glu Phe Leu Ser Lys Val Lys Gln
Met Pro Phe 885 890 895 Thr Glu Met Ser Glu Glu Asn Ile Thr Ile Lys
Leu Lys Gln Leu Lys 900 905 910 Ala Glu Val Ile Ala Lys Asn Asn Ser
Phe Val Asn Glu Ile Ile Ser 915 920 925 Arg Ile Lys Val Thr Thr 930
16 3145 DNA Homo sapiens 16 ggcgggaaac agcttagtgg gtgtggggtc
gcgcattttc ttcaaccagg aggtgaggag 60 gtttcgacat ggcggtgcag
ccgaaggaga cgctgcagtt ggagagcgcg gccgaggtcg 120 gcttcgtgcg
cttctttcag ggcatgccgg agaagccgac caccacagtg cgccttttcg 180
accggggcga cttctatacg gcgcacggcg aggacgcgct gctggccgcc cgggaggtgt
240 tcaagaccca gggggtgatc aagtacatgg ggccggcagg agcaaagaat
ctgcagagtg 300 ttgtgcttag taaaatgaat tttgaatctt ttgtaaaaga
tcttcttctg gttcgtcagt 360 atagagttga agtttataag aatagagctg
gaaataaggc atccaaggag aatgattggt 420 atttggcata taaggcttct
cctggcaatc tctctcagtt tgaagacatt ctctttggta 480 acaatgatat
gtcagcttcc attggtgttg tgggtgttaa aatgtccgca gttgatggcc 540
agagacaggt tggagttggg tatgtggatt ccatacagag gaaactagga ctgtgtgaat
600 tccctgataa tgatcagttc tccaatcttg aggctctcct catccagatt
ggaccaaagg 660 aatgtgtttt acccggagga gagactgctg gagacatggg
gaaactgaga cagataattc 720 aaagaggagg aattctgatc acagaaagaa
aaaaagctga cttttccaca aaagacattt 780 atcaggacct caaccggttg
ttgaaaggca aaaagggaga gcagatgaat agtgctgtat 840 tgccagaaat
ggagaatcag gttgcagttt catcactgtc tgcggtaatc aagtttttag 900
aactcttatc agatgattcc aactttggac agtttgaact gactactttt gacttcagcc
960 agtatatgaa attggatatt gcagcagtca gagcccttaa cctttttcag
ggttctgttg 1020 aagataccac tggctctcag tctctggctg ccttgctgaa
taagtgtaaa acccctcaag 1080 gacaaagact tgttaaccag tggattaagc
agcctctcat ggataagaac agaatagagg 1140 agagattgaa tttagtggaa
gcttttgtag aagatgcaga attgaggcag actttacaag 1200 aagatttact
tcgtcgattc ccagatctta accgacttgc caagaagttt caaagacaag 1260
cagcaaactt acaagattgt taccgactct atcagggtat aaatcaacta cctaatgtta
1320 tacaggctct ggaaaaacat gaaggaaaac accagaaatt attgttggca
gtttttgtga 1380 ctcctcttac tgatcttcgt tctgacttct ccaagtttca
ggaaatgata gaaacaactt 1440 tagatatgga tcaggtggaa aaccatgaat
tccttgtaaa accttcattt gatcctaatc 1500 tcagtgaatt aagagaaata
atgaatgact tggaaaagaa gatgcagtca acattaataa 1560 gtgcagccag
agatcttggc ttggaccctg gcaaacagat taaactggat tccagtgcac 1620
agtttggata ttactttcgt gtaacctgta aggaagaaaa agtccttcgt aacaataaaa
1680 actttagtac tgtagatatc
cagaagaatg gtgttaaatt taccaacagc aaattgactt 1740 ctttaaatga
agagtatacc aaaaataaaa cagaatatga agaagcccag gatgccattg 1800
ttaaagaaat tgtcaatatt tcttcaggct atgtagaacc aatgcagaca ctcaatgatg
1860 tgttagctca gctagatgct gttgtcagct ttgctcacgt gtcaaatgga
gcacctgttc 1920 catatgtacg accagccatt ttggagaaag gacaaggaag
aattatatta aaagcatcca 1980 ggcatgcttg tgttgaagtt caagatgaaa
ttgcatttat tcctaatgac gtatactttg 2040 aaaaagataa acagatgttc
cacatcatta ctggccccaa tatgggaggt aaatcaacat 2100 atattcgaca
aactggggtg atagtactca tggcccaaat tgggtgtttt gtgccatgtg 2160
agtcagcaga agtgtccatt gtggactgca tcttagcccg agtaggggct ggtgacagtc
2220 aattgaaagg agtctccacg ttcatggctg aaatgttgga aactgcttct
atcctcaggt 2280 ctgcaaccaa agattcatta ataatcatag atgaattggg
aagaggaact tctacctacg 2340 atggatttgg gttagcatgg gctatatcag
aatacattgc aacaaagatt ggtgcttttt 2400 gcatgtttgc aacccatttt
catgaactta ctgccttggc caatcagata ccaactgtta 2460 ataatctaca
tgtcacagca ctcaccactg aagagacctt aactatgctt tatcaggtga 2520
agaaaggtgt ctgtgatcaa agttttggga ttcatgttgc agagcttgct aatttcccta
2580 agcatgtaat agagtgtgct aaacagaaag ccctggaact tgaggagttt
cagtatattg 2640 gagaatcgca aggatatgat atcatggaac cagcagcaaa
gaagtgctat ctggaaagag 2700 agcaaggtga aaaaattatt caggagttcc
tgtccaaggt gaaacaaatg ccctttactg 2760 aaatgtcaga agaaaacatc
acaataaagt taaaacagct aaaagctgaa gtaatagcaa 2820 agaataatag
ctttgtaaat gaaatcattt cacgaataaa agttactacg tgaaaaatcc 2880
cagtaatgga atgaaggtaa tattgataag ctattgtctg taatagtttt atattgtttt
2940 atattaaccc tttttccata gtgttaactg tcagtgccca tgggctatca
acttaataag 3000 atatttagta atattttact ttgaggacat tttcaaagat
ttttattttg aaaaatgaga 3060 gctgtaactg aggactgttt gcaattgaca
taggcaataa taagtgatgt gctgaatttt 3120 ataaataaaa tcatgtagtt tgtgg
3145 17 756 PRT Homo sapiens 17 Met Ser Phe Val Ala Gly Val Ile Arg
Arg Leu Asp Glu Thr Val Val 1 5 10 15 Asn Arg Ile Ala Ala Gly Glu
Val Ile Gln Arg Pro Ala Asn Ala Ile 20 25 30 Lys Glu Met Ile Glu
Asn Cys Leu Asp Ala Lys Ser Thr Ser Ile Gln 35 40 45 Val Ile Val
Lys Glu Gly Gly Leu Lys Leu Ile Gln Ile Gln Asp Asn 50 55 60 Gly
Thr Gly Ile Arg Lys Glu Asp Leu Asp Ile Val Cys Glu Arg Phe 65 70
75 80 Thr Thr Ser Lys Leu Gln Ser Phe Glu Asp Leu Ala Ser Ile Ser
Thr 85 90 95 Tyr Gly Phe Arg Gly Glu Ala Leu Ala Ser Ile Ser His
Val Ala His 100 105 110 Val Thr Ile Thr Thr Lys Thr Ala Asp Gly Lys
Cys Ala Tyr Arg Ala 115 120 125 Ser Tyr Ser Asp Gly Lys Leu Lys Ala
Pro Pro Lys Pro Cys Ala Gly 130 135 140 Asn Gln Gly Thr Gln Ile Thr
Val Glu Asp Leu Phe Tyr Asn Ile Ala 145 150 155 160 Thr Arg Arg Lys
Ala Leu Lys Asn Pro Ser Glu Glu Tyr Gly Lys Ile 165 170 175 Leu Glu
Val Val Gly Arg Tyr Ser Val His Asn Ala Gly Ile Ser Phe 180 185 190
Ser Val Lys Lys Gln Gly Glu Thr Val Ala Asp Val Arg Thr Leu Pro 195
200 205 Asn Ala Ser Thr Val Asp Asn Ile Arg Ser Ile Phe Gly Asn Ala
Val 210 215 220 Ser Arg Glu Leu Ile Glu Ile Gly Cys Glu Asp Lys Thr
Leu Ala Phe 225 230 235 240 Lys Met Asn Gly Tyr Ile Ser Asn Ala Asn
Tyr Ser Val Lys Lys Cys 245 250 255 Ile Phe Leu Leu Phe Ile Asn His
Arg Leu Val Glu Ser Thr Ser Leu 260 265 270 Arg Lys Ala Ile Glu Thr
Val Tyr Ala Ala Tyr Leu Pro Lys Asn Thr 275 280 285 His Pro Phe Leu
Tyr Leu Ser Leu Glu Ile Ser Pro Gln Asn Val Asp 290 295 300 Val Asn
Val His Pro Thr Lys His Glu Val His Phe Leu His Glu Glu 305 310 315
320 Ser Ile Leu Glu Arg Val Gln Gln His Ile Glu Ser Lys Leu Leu Gly
325 330 335 Ser Asn Ser Ser Arg Met Tyr Phe Thr Gln Thr Leu Leu Pro
Gly Leu 340 345 350 Ala Gly Pro Ser Gly Glu Met Val Lys Ser Thr Thr
Ser Leu Thr Ser 355 360 365 Ser Ser Thr Ser Gly Ser Ser Asp Lys Val
Tyr Ala His Gln Met Val 370 375 380 Arg Thr Asp Ser Arg Glu Gln Lys
Leu Asp Ala Phe Leu Gln Pro Leu 385 390 395 400 Ser Lys Pro Leu Ser
Ser Gln Pro Gln Ala Ile Val Thr Glu Asp Lys 405 410 415 Thr Asp Ile
Ser Ser Gly Arg Ala Arg Gln Gln Asp Glu Glu Met Leu 420 425 430 Glu
Leu Pro Ala Pro Ala Glu Val Ala Ala Lys Asn Gln Ser Leu Glu 435 440
445 Gly Asp Thr Thr Lys Gly Thr Ser Glu Met Ser Glu Lys Arg Gly Pro
450 455 460 Thr Ser Ser Asn Pro Arg Lys Arg His Arg Glu Asp Ser Asp
Val Glu 465 470 475 480 Met Val Glu Asp Asp Ser Arg Lys Glu Met Thr
Ala Ala Cys Thr Pro 485 490 495 Arg Arg Arg Ile Ile Asn Leu Thr Ser
Val Leu Ser Leu Gln Glu Glu 500 505 510 Ile Asn Glu Gln Gly His Glu
Val Leu Arg Glu Met Leu His Asn His 515 520 525 Ser Phe Val Gly Cys
Val Asn Pro Gln Trp Ala Leu Ala Gln His Gln 530 535 540 Thr Lys Leu
Tyr Leu Leu Asn Thr Thr Lys Leu Ser Glu Glu Leu Phe 545 550 555 560
Tyr Gln Ile Leu Ile Tyr Asp Phe Ala Asn Phe Gly Val Leu Arg Leu 565
570 575 Ser Glu Pro Ala Pro Leu Phe Asp Leu Ala Met Leu Ala Leu Asp
Ser 580 585 590 Pro Glu Ser Gly Trp Thr Glu Glu Asp Gly Pro Lys Glu
Gly Leu Ala 595 600 605 Glu Tyr Ile Val Glu Phe Leu Lys Lys Lys Ala
Glu Met Leu Ala Asp 610 615 620 Tyr Phe Ser Leu Glu Ile Asp Glu Glu
Gly Asn Leu Ile Gly Leu Pro 625 630 635 640 Leu Leu Ile Asp Asn Tyr
Val Pro Pro Leu Glu Gly Leu Pro Ile Phe 645 650 655 Ile Leu Arg Leu
Ala Thr Glu Val Asn Trp Asp Glu Glu Lys Glu Cys 660 665 670 Phe Glu
Ser Leu Ser Lys Glu Cys Ala Met Phe Tyr Ser Ile Arg Lys 675 680 685
Gln Tyr Ile Ser Glu Glu Ser Thr Leu Ser Gly Gln Gln Ser Glu Val 690
695 700 Pro Gly Ser Ile Pro Asn Ser Trp Lys Trp Thr Val Glu His Ile
Val 705 710 715 720 Tyr Lys Ala Leu Arg Ser His Ile Leu Pro Pro Lys
His Phe Thr Glu 725 730 735 Asp Gly Asn Ile Leu Gln Leu Ala Asn Leu
Pro Asp Leu Tyr Lys Val 740 745 750 Phe Glu Arg Cys 755 18 2484 DNA
Homo sapiens 18 cttggctctt ctggcgccaa aatgtcgttc gtggcagggg
ttattcggcg gctggacgag 60 acagtggtga accgcatcgc ggcgggggaa
gttatccagc ggccagctaa tgctatcaaa 120 gagatgattg agaactgttt
agatgcaaaa tccacaagta ttcaagtgat tgttaaagag 180 ggaggcctga
agttgattca gatccaagac aatggcaccg ggatcaggaa agaagatctg 240
gatattgtat gtgaaaggtt cactactagt aaactgcagt cctttgagga tttagccagt
300 atttctacct atggctttcg aggtgaggct ttggccagca taagccatgt
ggctcatgtt 360 actattacaa cgaaaacagc tgatggaaag tgtgcataca
gagcaagtta ctcagatgga 420 aaactgaaag cccctcctaa accatgtgct
ggcaatcaag ggacccagat cacggtggag 480 gacctttttt acaacatagc
cacgaggaga aaagctttaa aaaatccaag tgaagaatat 540 gggaaaattt
tggaagttgt tggcaggtat tcagtacaca atgcaggcat tagtttctca 600
gttaaaaaac aaggagagac agtagctgat gttaggacac tacccaatgc ctcaaccgtg
660 gacaatattc gctccatctt tggaaatgct gttagtcgag aactgataga
aattggatgt 720 gaggataaaa ccctagcctt caaaatgaat ggttacatat
ccaatgcaaa ctactcagtg 780 aagaagtgca tcttcttact cttcatcaac
catcgtctgg tagaatcaac ttccttgaga 840 aaagccatag aaacagtgta
tgcagcctat ttgcccaaaa acacacaccc attcctgtac 900 ctcagtttag
aaatcagtcc ccagaatgtg gatgttaatg tgcaccccac aaagcatgaa 960
gttcacttcc tgcacgagga gagcatcctg gagcgggtgc agcagcacat cgagagcaag
1020 ctcctgggct ccaattcctc caggatgtac ttcacccaga ctttgctacc
aggacttgct 1080 ggcccctctg gggagatggt taaatccaca acaagtctga
cctcgtcttc tacttctgga 1140 agtagtgata aggtctatgc ccaccagatg
gttcgtacag attcccggga acagaagctt 1200 gatgcatttc tgcagcctct
gagcaaaccc ctgtccagtc agccccaggc cattgtcaca 1260 gaggataaga
cagatatttc tagtggcagg gctaggcagc aagatgagga gatgcttgaa 1320
ctcccagccc ctgctgaagt ggctgccaaa aatcagagct tggaggggga tacaacaaag
1380 gggacttcag aaatgtcaga gaagagagga cctacttcca gcaaccccag
aaagagacat 1440 cgggaagatt ctgatgtgga aatggtggaa gatgattccc
gaaaggaaat gactgcagct 1500 tgtacccccc ggagaaggat cattaacctc
actagtgttt tgagtctcca ggaagaaatt 1560 aatgagcagg gacatgaggt
tctccgggag atgttgcata accactcctt cgtgggctgt 1620 gtgaatcctc
agtgggcctt ggcacagcat caaaccaagt tataccttct caacaccacc 1680
aagcttagtg aagaactgtt ctaccagata ctcatttatg attttgccaa ttttggtgtt
1740 ctcaggttat cggagccagc accgctcttt gaccttgcca tgcttgcctt
agatagtcca 1800 gagagtggct ggacagagga agatggtccc aaagaaggac
ttgctgaata cattgttgag 1860 tttctgaaga agaaggctga gatgcttgca
gactatttct ctttggaaat tgatgaggaa 1920 gggaacctga ttggattacc
ccttctgatt gacaactatg tgcccccttt ggagggactg 1980 cctatcttca
ttcttcgact agccactgag gtgaattggg acgaagaaaa ggaatgtttt 2040
gaaagcctca gtaaagaatg cgctatgttc tattccatcc ggaagcagta catatctgag
2100 gagtcgaccc tctcaggcca gcagagtgaa gtgcctggct ccattccaaa
ctcctggaag 2160 tggactgtgg aacacattgt ctataaagcc ttgcgctcac
acattctgcc tcctaaacat 2220 ttcacagaag atggaaatat cctgcagctt
gctaacctgc ctgatctata caaagtcttt 2280 gagaggtgtt aaatatggtt
atttatgcac tgtgggatgt gttcttcttt ctctgtattc 2340 cgatacaaag
tgttgtatca aagtgtgata tacaaagtgt accaacataa gtgttggtag 2400
cacttaagac ttatacttgc cttctgatag tattccttta tacacagtgg attgattata
2460 aataaataga tgtgtcttaa cata 2484 19 133 PRT Homo sapiens 19 Met
Glu Arg Ala Glu Ser Ser Ser Thr Glu Pro Ala Lys Ala Ile Lys 1 5 10
15 Pro Ile Asp Arg Lys Ser Val His Gln Ile Cys Ser Gly Gln Val Val
20 25 30 Leu Ser Leu Ser Thr Ala Val Lys Glu Leu Val Glu Asn Ser
Leu Asp 35 40 45 Ala Gly Ala Thr Asn Ile Asp Leu Lys Leu Lys Asp
Tyr Gly Val Asp 50 55 60 Leu Ile Glu Val Ser Asp Asn Gly Cys Gly
Val Glu Glu Glu Asn Phe 65 70 75 80 Glu Gly Leu Thr Leu Lys His His
Thr Ser Lys Ile Gln Glu Phe Ala 85 90 95 Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Glu
Thr Phe Gly Phe Arg Gly Glu Ala Leu Ser 100 105 110 Ser Leu Cys Ala
Leu Ser Asp Val Thr Ile Ser Thr Cys His Ala Ser 115 120 125 Ala Lys
Val Gly Thr 130 20 426 DNA Homo sapiens 20 cgaggcggat cgggtgttgc
atccatggag cgagctgaga gctcgagtac agaacctgct 60 aaggccatca
aacctattga tcggaagtca gtccatcaga tttgctctgg gcaggtggta 120
ctgagtctaa gcactgcggt aaaggagtta gtagaaaaca gtctggatgc tggtgccact
180 aatattgatc taaagcttaa ggactatgga gtggatctta ttgaagtttc
agacaatgga 240 tgtggggtag aagaagaaaa cttcgaaggc ttaactctga
aacatcacac atctaagatt 300 caagagtttg ccgacctaac tcaggttgaa
acttttggct ttcgggggga agctctgagc 360 tcactttgtg cactgagcga
tgtcaccatt tctacctgcc acgcatcggc gaaggttgga 420 acttga 426 21 35
DNA Artificial Forward primer 21 gatcggatcc accatgggat ggagctgtat
catcc 35 22 49 DNA Artificial Reverse primer 22 ctgatctaga
tcatttcccg ggagacaggg agaggctctt ctgcgtgta 49 23 37 DNA Artificial
Reverse primer 23 ctgatctaga ttaacactct cccctgttga agctctt 37
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