U.S. patent application number 12/701177 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating neuropsychiatric disorders.
This patent application is currently assigned to Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. Invention is credited to Huda Akil, Mary Atz, William E. Bunney, JR., William Byerley, Kathleen Casey, Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, Richard M. Myers, Brandi Rollins, Robert C. Thompson, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley J. Watson.
Application Number | 20110014610 12/701177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37054225 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110014610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akil; Huda ; et al. |
January 20, 2011 |
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Abstract
The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental
disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and mood
disorders such as major depression disorder and bipolar disorder).
The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of
such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators
to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.
Inventors: |
Akil; Huda; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Atz; Mary; (Tustin, CA) ; Bunney, JR.;
William E.; (Laguna Hills, CA) ; Byerley;
William; (San Francisco, CA) ; Casey; Kathleen;
(Santa Ana, CA) ; Choudary; Prabhakara V.; (Davis,
CA) ; Evans; Simon J.; (Milan, MI) ; Jones;
Edward G.; (Winters, CA) ; Li; Jun; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Lopez; Juan F.; (Ann Arbor, MI) ;
Myers; Richard M.; (Stanford, CA) ; Rollins;
Brandi; (Laguna Hills, CA) ; Thompson; Robert C.;
(Ann Arbor, MI) ; Tomita; Hiroaki; (Irvine,
CA) ; Vawter; Marquis P.; (Laguna Niguel, CA)
; Watson; Stanley J.; (Ann Arbor, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER, EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
Board of Trustees of the Leland
Stanford Junior University
Palo Alto
CA
|
Family ID: |
37054225 |
Appl. No.: |
12/701177 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11396050 |
Mar 31, 2006 |
7687235 |
|
|
12701177 |
|
|
|
|
60667299 |
Mar 31, 2005 |
|
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60776103 |
Feb 22, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/6.14 ;
435/7.1; 436/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 25/22 20180101;
G01N 33/6896 20130101; C12Q 2600/136 20130101; G01N 2800/30
20130101; A61P 25/18 20180101; A61P 25/24 20180101; G01N 2800/302
20130101; G01N 2800/304 20130101; C12Q 2600/158 20130101; G01N
2800/28 20130101; C12Q 1/6883 20130101; C12Q 2600/156 20130101;
G01N 33/573 20130101; G01N 33/6893 20130101; A61P 25/28 20180101;
G01N 2500/04 20130101; G01N 2500/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/6 ; 435/7.1;
436/501 |
International
Class: |
C12Q 1/68 20060101
C12Q001/68; G01N 33/53 20060101 G01N033/53 |
Claims
1. A method for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed
for a mental disorder, the method comprising the steps of: (i)
obtaining a biological sample from a subject; (ii) contacting the
sample with a reagent that selectively associates with a
polynucleotide or polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that
hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence of
Tables 1-14; and (iii) detecting the level of reagent that
selectively associates with the sample, thereby determining whether
the subject has or is predisposed for a mental disorder.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent is an antibody.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent is a nucleic
acid.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent associates with a
polynucleotide.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reagent selectively
associates with a polynucleotide comprising at least one of the
SNPs listed in Table 6.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the regent associates with a
polypeptide.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of reagent that
associates with the sample is different from a level associated
with humans without a mental disorder.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is obtained
from amniotic fluid.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mental disorder is a
psychotic disorder or a mood disorder.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is derived from brain
tissue or lymphocytes.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sample is derived from
brain tissue.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sample is derived from a
brain region selected from the group consisting of the anterior
cingulate cortex (AnCg), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC),
cerebellar cortex (CB), superior temporal gyrus (STG), parietal
cortex (PC), nucleus accumbens (nAcc), and amygdala (amy).
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the level of reagent that
associates with the sample is higher than a level associated with
humans without a mental disorder.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the psychotic disorder is
schizophrenia.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the mood disorder is major
depression disorder or bipolar disorder.
16-46. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/396,050, which application claims priority
to U.S. Ser. No. 60/667,299, filed Mar. 31, 2005, and U.S. Ser. No.
60/776,103, filed Feb. 22, 2006, which are herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders
such as major depression and bipolar disorder are a major public
health problem, affecting a significant portion of the adult
population of the United States each year. While it has been
hypothesized that mental disorders, including psychotic disorders
such as schizophrenia as well as mood disorders such as major
depression and bipolar disorder have genetic roots, little progress
has been made in identifying gene sequences and gene products that
play a role in causing these disorders, as is true for many
diseases with a complex genetic origin (see, e.g., Burmeister,
Biol. Psychiatry 45:522-532 (1999)). Relying on the discovery that
certain genes expressed in particular brain pathways and regions
are likely involved in the development of mental disorders, the
present invention provides methods for diagnosis and treatment of
mental disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as methods for
identifying compounds effective in treating mental disorders.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In order to further understand the neurobiology of psychotic
disorders such as schizophrenia, the inventors of the present
application have used DNA microarrays to study expression profiles
of human post-mortem brains from patients diagnosed with
schizophrenia. The work has focused on six brain regions that are
pathways or circuits involved in schizophrenia: the anterior
cingulate cortex (AnCg), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC),
cerebellar cortex (CB), superior temporal gyms (STG), parietal
cortex (PC), and nucleus accumbens (nAcc).
[0005] The present invention demonstrates differential expression
of genes in selected regions of brains of patients suffering from
schizophrenia in comparison with normal control subjects. These
genes include the transcripts listed in FIG. 1; the genes listed in
FIG. 2 which are differentially expressed in the AnCg using
Affymetrix chips and using brains with no agonal factors; the genes
listed in FIG. 3 which are differentially expressed in the DLPFC
using Affymetrix chips and using brains with no agonal factors; and
the genes listed in FIG. 4 which are significantly dysregulated in
both lymphoblastic and brain tissues.
[0006] In addition, the present invention identifies genes which
are not differentially regulated in brain tissue but which are
differentially regulated in lymphocytes of schizophrenic patients
(FIG. 5). Also provided is a list (FIG. 6) of single nucleotide
polymorphic markers which are related to aspartylglucosaminuria
(AGA), a gene which is dysregulated in both brain and lymphocytes
of schizophrenic patients. FIGS. 7 and 8 show genes that are
dysregulated in schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar
disorder.
[0007] The present invention also provides genes that are
differentially expressed in the amygdala in patients diagnosed with
major depression disorder, bipolar disorder, and/or schizophrenia
(FIGS. 9-13).
[0008] The present invention also provides lithium responsive genes
that are differentially expressed in the amygdale of lithium
treated bipolar subjects and lithium treated non-human primates
(FIG. 14).
[0009] The present invention also provides validation of a variant
version of PSPHL with an insertion deletion mutation as a useful
diagnostic tool to distinguish patients with bipolar disorder among
patients presenting with depression, or for diagnosis of bipolar
disorder.
[0010] Genes that are differentially expressed in neuropsychiatric
disorders are useful in diagnosing psychotic and mood disorders,
e.g., providing SNPs, biomarkers, diagnostic probe sets for PCR and
chip assays, and antigens and antibodies for immunoassays such as
ELISA and immunohistochemical assays. Differential expression by
brain region similarly is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool,
as psychotic and mood disorders primarily affect certain brain
regions that are part of circuits or pathways involved in the
disorder. Imaging brain endogenous gene expression with
sequence-specific antisense radiopharmaceuticals and novel
aptamer-based probes is a powerful diagnostic tool. Those probes
can be detected using both fluorescent- and radio-labels that can
be used in conjunction with single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging
modalities. The identification of genes, proteins, and biochemical
assays involved in psychotic and mood disorders also provides the
means for drug discovery for anti-psychotic therapeutics, such as
small molecules, siRNA, and antibodies.
[0011] This invention thus provides methods for determining whether
a subject has or is predisposed for a mental disorder. The
invention also provides methods of providing a prognosis and for
monitoring disease progression and treatment. Furthermore, the
present invention provides nucleic acid and protein targets for
assays for drugs for the treatment of mental disorders.
[0012] In one aspect, the methods comprise the steps of: (i)
obtaining a biological sample from a subject; (ii) contacting the
sample with a reagent that selectively associates with a
polynucleotide or polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that
hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence
listed in FIGS. 1-14; and (iii) detecting the level of reagent that
selectively associates with the sample, thereby determining whether
the subject has or is predisposed for a mental disorder.
[0013] In some embodiments, the reagent is an antibody. In some
embodiments, the reagent is a nucleic acid. In some embodiments,
the reagent associates with a polynucleotide. In some embodiments,
the reagent associates with a polypeptide. In some embodiments, the
polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence listed in FIGS.
1-14. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises an amino acid
sequence of a gene listed in FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiments, the
level of reagent that associates with the sample is different
(i.e., higher or lower) from a level associated with humans without
a mental disorder. In some embodiments, the biological sample is
obtained from lymphocytes, amniotic fluid, spinal fluid, or saliva.
In some embodiments, the mental disorder is a mood disorder. In
some embodiments, the mental disorder is a psychotic disorder such
as schizophrenia.
[0014] The invention also provides methods of identifying a
compound for treatment of a mental disorder. In some embodiments,
the methods comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the compound
with a polypeptide, which is encoded by a polynucleotide that
hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid comprising
a nucleotide sequence of FIGS. 1-14; and (ii) determining the
functional effect of the compound upon the polypeptide, thereby
identifying a compound for treatment of a mental disorder, e.g.,
schizophrenia.
[0015] In some embodiments, the contacting step is performed in
vitro. In some embodiment, the polypeptide comprises an amino acid
sequence of a gene listed in FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiments, the
polypeptide is expressed in a cell or biological sample, and the
cell or biological sample is contacted with the compound. In some
embodiments, the methods further comprise administering the
compound to an animal and determining the effect on the animal,
e.g., an invertebrate, a vertebrate, or a mammal. In some
embodiments, the determining step comprises testing the animal's
mental function.
[0016] In some embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of (i)
contacting the compound to a cell, the cell comprising a
polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a
nucleotide sequence of FIGS. 1-14; and (ii) selecting a compound
that modulates expression of the polynucleotide, thereby
identifying a compound for treatment of a mental disorder. In some
embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence
listed in FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiment, the expression of the
polynucleotide is enhanced. In some embodiments, the expression of
the polynucleotide is decreased. In some embodiments, the methods
further comprise administering the compound to an animal and
determining the effect on the animal. In some embodiments, the
determining step comprises testing the animal's mental function. In
some embodiments, the mental disorder is a mood disorder or a
psychotic disorder. In some embodiments, the psychotic disorder is
schizophrenia. In some embodiments, the mood disorder is major
depression disorder or bipolar disorder.
[0017] The invention also provides methods of treating a mental
disorder in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods comprise
the step of administering to the subject a therapeutically
effective amount of a compound identified using the methods
described above. In some embodiments, the mental disorder is a mood
disorder or a psychotic disorder. In some embodiments, the compound
is a small organic molecule, an antibody, an antisense molecule, an
aptamer, an siRNA molecule, or a peptide.
[0018] The invention also provides methods of treating mental
disorder in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the
subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide, which
is encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent
conditions to a nucleic acid of FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiments,
the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by a gene
sequence listed in FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiments, the mental
disorder is a mood disorder or a psychotic disorder.
[0019] The invention also provides methods of treating mental
disorder in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the
subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polynucleotide,
which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid of
FIGS. 1-14. In some embodiments, the mental disorder is a mood
disorder or a psychotic disorder. In some embodiments, the
psychotic disorder is schizophrenia. In some embodiments, the mood
disorder is a bipolar disorder or major depression.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 lists genes that are differentially expressed in
schizophrenic versus control patients in each of the 6 brain
regions. For every gene (row) listed: the UniGene ID, GenBank
Accession # ("Acc"), Gene Symbol, Chromosome # ("Chr"), and
direction of change (up or down) in expression levels are listed in
successive columns. The last column provides the name of the
differentially expressed gene and related information, where
available.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows gene ontology (GO) terms enriched in AnCg.
Probe sets that showed GO term enrichment and met default FDR
correction threshold criteria
(http://brainarray.mhri.med.umich.edu/Brainarray/) are listed here.
Under each enriched GO term, individual genes are listed in the
rows. Information related to the LocusLink ID #, UniGene ID #, Gene
Symbol and Gene Description is provided in successive columns.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows GO terms enriched in DLPFC. Probe sets that
showed GO-term enrichment and met default FDR correction threshold
criteria (http://brainarray.mhri.med.umich.edu/Brainarray/) are
listed here. Under each enriched GO term, individual genes are
listed in the rows. A LocusLink ID #, UniGene ID #, Gene Symbol and
Gene Description are indicated in successive columns.
[0023] FIG. 4 lists 84 genes which are significantly dysregulated
in both lymphoblastic and brain tissues.
[0024] FIG. 5 lists 16 genes which are significantly dysregulated
in lymphoblasts only. These genes were significant by microarray
and the amount and direction of change was confirmed using Q-PCR.
Seven of these genes (bold in Accession Number column) exhibited
statistically significant dysregulation when examined by Q-PCR and
evaluated using the two-tailed t-test.
[0025] FIG. 6 lists 11 single nucleotide polymorphic markers
correlated with aspartylglucosaminuria (AGA) gene expression which
is dysregulated in both brain and lymphocytes of individuals with
schizophrenia (see FIG. 4, infra). The regression p-values of
genotype with lymphocyte gene expression are shown in the last
column.
[0026] FIG. 7 lists genes involved in mood disorders and psychotic
disorders.
[0027] FIG. 8 lists genes involved in mood disorders and psychotic
disorders.
[0028] FIGS. 9-12 list genes differentially expressed in the
amygdala that are involved in mood disorders and psychotic
disorders;
[0029] FIG. 13 lists genes differentially expressed in the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that are involved in mood
disorders and psychotic disorders.
[0030] FIG. 14 lists lithium responsive genes expressed in the
amygdala.
[0031] FIG. 15 shows PSPHL locus genotype and PSPHL mRNA expression
in BPD, MDD, SCZ, and control subjects.
DEFINITIONS
[0032] A "mental disorder" or "mental illness" or "mental disease"
or "psychiatric or neuropsychiatric disease or illness or disorder"
refers to mood disorders (e.g., major depression, mania, and
bipolar disorders), psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, delusional
disorder, brief psychotic disorder, and shared psychotic disorder),
personality disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g.,
obsessive-compulsive disorder) as well as other mental disorders
such as substance-related disorders, childhood disorders, dementia,
autistic disorder, adjustment disorder, delirium, multi-infarct
dementia, and Tourette's disorder as described in Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (DSM IV).
Typically, such disorders have a complex genetic and/or a
biochemical component.
[0033] "A psychotic disorder" refers to a condition that affects
the mind, resulting in at least some loss of contact with reality.
Symptoms of a psychotic disorder include, e.g., hallucinations,
changed behavior that is not based on reality, delusions and the
like. See, e.g., DSM IV. Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder,
schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic
disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder, and shared
psychotic disorder are examples of psychotic disorders.
[0034] "Schizophrenia" refers to a psychotic disorder involving a
withdrawal from reality by an individual. Symptoms comprise for at
least a part of a month two or more of the following symptoms:
delusions (only one symptom is required if a delusion is bizarre,
such as being abducted in a space ship from the sun);
hallucinations (only one symptom is required if hallucinations are
of at least two voices talking to one another or of a voice that
keeps up a running commentary on the patient's thoughts or
actions); disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or
incoherence); grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior; or
negative symptoms, i.e., affective flattening, alogia, or
avolition. Schizophrenia encompasses disorders such as, e.g.,
schizoaffective disorders. Diagnosis of schizophrenia is described
in, e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition (DSM IV). Types of schizophrenia include, e.g.,
paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and
residual.
[0035] A "mood disorder" refers to disruption of feeling tone or
emotional state experienced by an individual for an extensive
period of time. Mood disorders include major depression disorder
(i.e., unipolar disorder), mania, dysphoria, bipolar disorder,
dysthymia, cyclothymia and many others. See, e.g., DSM IV.
[0036] "Major depression disorder," "major depressive disorder," or
"unipolar disorder" refers to a mood disorder involving any of the
following symptoms: persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood;
feelings of hopelessness or pessimism; feelings of guilt,
worthlessness, or helplessness; loss of interest or pleasure in
hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex;
decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"; difficulty
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; insomnia,
early-morning awakening, or oversleeping; appetite and/or weight
loss or overeating and weight gain; thoughts of death or suicide or
suicide attempts; restlessness or irritability; or persistent
physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as
headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain. Various subtypes
of depression are described in, e.g., DSM IV.
[0037] "Bipolar disorder" is a mood disorder characterized by
alternating periods of extreme moods. A person with bipolar
disorder experiences cycling of moods that usually swing from being
overly elated or irritable (mania) to sad and hopeless (depression)
and then back again, with periods of normal mood in between.
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is described in, e.g., DSM IV.
Bipolar disorders include bipolar disorder I (mania with or without
major depression) and bipolar disorder II (hypomania with major
depression), see, e.g., DSM IV.
[0038] Anxiety disorders, learning and memory disorders or
cognitive disorders are described in DSM IV. Anxiety disorders
display co-morbidity with depression, and learning and memory
disorders display co-morbidity with schizophrenia.
[0039] An "agonist" refers to an agent that binds to a polypeptide
or polynucleotide of the invention, stimulates, increases,
activates, facilitates, enhances activation, sensitizes or up
regulates the activity or expression of a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention.
[0040] An "antagonist" refers to an agent that inhibits expression
of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention or binds to,
partially or totally blocks stimulation, decreases, prevents,
delays activation, inactivates, desensitizes, or down regulates the
activity of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention.
[0041] "Inhibitors," "activators," and "modulators" of expression
or of activity are used to refer to inhibitory, activating, or
modulating molecules, respectively, identified using in vitro and
in vivo assays for expression or activity, e.g., ligands, agonists,
antagonists, and their homologs and mimetics. The term "modulator"
includes inhibitors and activators. Inhibitors are agents that,
e.g., inhibit expression of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the
invention or bind to, partially or totally block stimulation or
enzymatic activity, decrease, prevent, delay activation,
inactivate, desensitize, or down regulate the activity of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention, e.g., antagonists.
Activators are agents that, e.g., induce or activate the expression
of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention or bind to,
stimulate, increase, open, activate, facilitate, enhance activation
or enzymatic activity, sensitize or up regulate the activity of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention, e.g., agonists.
Modulators include naturally occurring and synthetic ligands,
antagonists, agonists, small chemical molecules and the like.
Assays to identify inhibitors and activators include, e.g.,
applying putative modulator compounds to cells, in the presence or
absence of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention and
then determining the functional effects on a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention activity. Samples or assays
comprising a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention that
are treated with a potential activator, inhibitor, or modulator are
compared to control samples without the inhibitor, activator, or
modulator to examine the extent of effect. Control samples
(untreated with modulators) are assigned a relative activity value
of 100% Inhibition is achieved when the activity value of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention relative to the
control is about 80%, optionally 50% or 25-1%. Activation is
achieved when the activity value of a polypeptide or polynucleotide
of the invention relative to the control is 110%, optionally 150%,
optionally 200-500%, or 1000-3000% higher.
[0042] The term "test compound" or "drug candidate" or "modulator"
or grammatical equivalents as used herein describes any molecule,
either naturally occurring or synthetic, e.g., protein,
oligopeptide (e.g., from about 5 to about 25 amino acids in length,
preferably from about 10 to 20 or 12 to 18 amino acids in length,
preferably 12, 15, or 18 amino acids in length), small organic
molecule, polysaccharide, lipid, fatty acid, polynucleotide, RNAi,
oligonucleotide, etc. The test compound can be in the form of a
library of test compounds, such as a combinatorial or randomized
library that provides a sufficient range of diversity. Test
compounds are optionally linked to a fusion partner, e.g.,
targeting compounds, rescue compounds, dimerization compounds,
stabilizing compounds, addressable compounds, and other functional
moieties. Conventionally, new chemical entities with useful
properties are generated by identifying a test compound (called a
"lead compound") with some desirable property or activity, e.g.,
inhibiting activity, creating variants of the lead compound, and
evaluating the property and activity of those variant compounds.
Often, high throughput screening (HTS) methods are employed for
such an analysis.
[0043] A "small organic molecule" refers to an organic molecule,
either naturally occurring or synthetic, that has a molecular
weight of more than about 50 Daltons and less than about 2500
Daltons, preferably less than about 2000 Daltons, preferably
between about 100 to about 1000 Daltons, more preferably between
about 200 to about 500 Daltons.
An "siRNA" or "RNAi" refers to a nucleic acid that forms a double
stranded RNA, which double stranded RNA has the ability to reduce
or inhibit expression of a gene or target gene when the siRNA
expressed in the same cell as the gene or target gene. "siRNA" or
"RNAi" thus refers to the double stranded RNA formed by the
complementary strands. The complementary portions of the siRNA that
hybridize to form the double stranded molecule typically have
substantial or complete identity. In one embodiment, an siRNA
refers to a nucleic acid that has substantial or complete identity
to a target gene and forms a double stranded siRNA. Typically, the
siRNA is at least about 15-50 nucleotides in length (e.g., each
complementary sequence of the double stranded siRNA is 15-50
nucleotides in length, and the double stranded siRNA is about 15-50
base pairs in length, preferable about preferably about 20-30 base
nucleotides, preferably about 20-25 or about 24-29 nucleotides in
length, e.g., 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30
nucleotides in length.
[0044] "Determining the functional effect" refers to assaying for a
compound that increases or decreases a parameter that is indirectly
or directly under the influence of a polynucleotide or polypeptide
of the invention (such as a polynucleotide of FIGS. 1-6 or a
polypeptide encoded by a gene of FIGS. 1-6), e.g., measuring
physical and chemical or phenotypic effects. Such functional
effects can be measured by any means known to those skilled in the
art, e.g., changes in spectroscopic (e.g., fluorescence,
absorbance, refractive index), hydrodynamic (e.g., shape),
chromatographic, or solubility properties for the protein;
measuring inducible markers or transcriptional activation of the
protein; measuring binding activity or binding assays, e.g. binding
to antibodies; measuring changes in ligand binding affinity;
measurement of calcium influx; measurement of the accumulation of
an enzymatic product of a polypeptide of the invention or depletion
of an substrate; measurement of changes in protein levels of a
polypeptide of the invention; measurement of RNA stability;
G-protein binding; GPCR phosphorylation or dephosphorylation;
signal transduction, e.g., receptor-ligand interactions, second
messenger concentrations (e.g., cAMP, IP3, or intracellular
Ca.sup.2+); identification of downstream or reporter gene
expression (CAT, luciferase, .beta.-gal, GFP and the like), e.g.,
via chemiluminescence, fluorescence, colorimetric reactions,
antibody binding, inducible markers, and ligand binding assays.
[0045] Samples or assays comprising a nucleic acid or protein
disclosed herein that are treated with a potential activator,
inhibitor, or modulator are compared to control samples without the
inhibitor, activator, or modulator to examine the extent of
inhibition. Control samples (untreated with inhibitors) are
assigned a relative protein activity value of 100%. Inhibition is
achieved when the activity value relative to the control is about
80%, preferably 50%, more preferably 25-0%. Activation is achieved
when the activity value relative to the control (untreated with
activators) is 110%, more preferably 150%, more preferably 200-500%
(i.e., two to five fold higher relative to the control), more
preferably 1000-3000% higher.
[0046] "Biological sample" includes sections of tissues such as
biopsy and autopsy samples, and frozen sections taken for
histologic purposes. Such samples include blood, serum,
lymphocytes, spinal fluid, sputum, tissue, lysed cells, brain
biopsy, cultured cells, e.g., primary cultures, explants, and
transformed cells, stool, urine, etc. A biological sample is
typically obtained from a eukaryotic organism, most preferably a
mammal such as a primate, e.g., chimpanzee or human; cow; dog; cat;
a rodent, e.g., guinea pig, rat, mouse; rabbit; or a bird; reptile;
or fish. Biological samples can be used to examine nucleic acids
and proteins.
[0047] "Antibody" refers to a polypeptide substantially encoded by
an immunoglobulin gene or immunoglobulin genes, or fragments
thereof which specifically bind and recognize an analyte (antigen).
The recognized immunoglobulin genes include the kappa, lambda,
alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon and mu constant region genes, as well
as the myriad immunoglobulin variable region genes. Light chains
are classified as either kappa or lambda. Heavy chains are
classified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon, which in turn
define the immunoglobulin classes, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE,
respectively.
[0048] An exemplary immunoglobulin (antibody) structural unit
comprises a tetramer. Each tetramer is composed of two identical
pairs of polypeptide chains, each pair having one "light" (about 25
kD) and one "heavy" chain (about 50-70 kD). The N-terminus of each
chain defines a variable region of about 100 to 110 or more amino
acids primarily responsible for antigen recognition. The terms
variable light chain (V.sub.L) and variable heavy chain (V.sub.H)
refer to these light and heavy chains respectively.
[0049] Antibodies exist, e.g., as intact immunoglobulins or as a
number of well-characterized fragments produced by digestion with
various peptidases. Thus, for example, pepsin digests an antibody
below the disulfide linkages in the hinge region to produce
F(ab)'.sub.2, a dimer of Fab which itself is a light chain joined
to V.sub.H-C.sub.H1 by a disulfide bond. The F(ab)'.sub.2 may be
reduced under mild conditions to break the disulfide linkage in the
hinge region, thereby converting the F(ab)'.sub.2 dimer into an
Fab' monomer. The Fab' monomer is essentially an Fab with part of
the hinge region (see, Paul (Ed.) Fundamental Immunology, Third
Edition, Raven Press, NY (1993)). While various antibody fragments
are defined in terms of the digestion of an intact antibody, one of
skill will appreciate that such fragments may be synthesized de
novo either chemically or by utilizing recombinant DNA methodology.
Thus, the term antibody, as used herein, also includes antibody
fragments either produced by the modification of whole antibodies
or those synthesized de novo using recombinant DNA methodologies
(e.g., single chain Fv).
[0050] The terms "peptidomimetic" and "mimetic" refer to a
synthetic chemical compound that has substantially the same
structural and functional characteristics of the polynucleotides,
polypeptides, antagonists or agonists of the invention. Peptide
analogs are commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry as
non-peptide drugs with properties analogous to those of the
template peptide. These types of non-peptide compound are termed
"peptide mimetics" or "peptidomimetics" (Fauchere, Adv. Drug Res.
15:29 (1986); Veber and Freidinger TINS p. 392 (1985); and Evans et
al., J. Med. Chem. 30:1229 (1987), which are incorporated herein by
reference). Peptide mimetics that are structurally similar to
therapeutically useful peptides may be used to produce an
equivalent or enhanced therapeutic or prophylactic effect.
Generally, peptidomimetics are structurally similar to a paradigm
polypeptide (i.e., a polypeptide that has a biological or
pharmacological activity), such as a CCX CKR, but have one or more
peptide linkages optionally replaced by a linkage selected from the
group consisting of, e.g., --CH.sub.2NH--, --CH.sub.2S--,
--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--, --CH.dbd.CH-- (cis and trans),
--COCH.sub.2--, --CH(OH)CH.sub.2--, and --CH.sub.2SO--. The mimetic
can be either entirely composed of synthetic, non-natural analogues
of amino acids, or, is a chimeric molecule of partly natural
peptide amino acids and partly non-natural analogs of amino acids.
The mimetic can also incorporate any amount of natural amino acid
conservative substitutions as long as such substitutions also do
not substantially alter the mimetic's structure and/or activity.
For example, a mimetic composition is within the scope of the
invention if it is capable of carrying out the binding or enzymatic
activities of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention or
inhibiting or increasing the enzymatic activity or expression of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention.
[0051] The term "gene" means the segment of DNA involved in
producing a polypeptide chain; it includes regions preceding and
following the coding region (leader and trailer) as well as
intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments
(exons).
[0052] The term "isolated," when applied to a nucleic acid or
protein, denotes that the nucleic acid or protein is essentially
free of other cellular components with which it is associated in
the natural state. It is preferably in a homogeneous state although
it can be in either a dry or aqueous solution. Purity and
homogeneity are typically determined using analytical chemistry
techniques such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or high
performance liquid chromatography. A protein that is the
predominant species present in a preparation is substantially
purified. In particular, an isolated gene is separated from open
reading frames that flank the gene and encode a protein other than
the gene of interest. The term "purified" denotes that a nucleic
acid or protein gives rise to essentially one band in an
electrophoretic gel. Particularly, it means that the nucleic acid
or protein is at least 85% pure, more preferably at least 95% pure,
and most preferably at least 99% pure.
[0053] The term "nucleic acid" or "polynucleotide" refers to
deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and polymers thereof in
either single- or double-stranded form. Unless specifically
limited, the term encompasses nucleic acids containing known
analogues of natural nucleotides that have similar binding
properties as the reference nucleic acid and are metabolized in a
manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise
indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly
encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g.,
degenerate codon substitutions), alleles, orthologs, SNPs,
haplotypes, and complementary sequences as well as the sequence
explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions
may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position
of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with
mixed-base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al., Nucleic
Acid Res. 19:5081 (1991); Ohtsuka et al., J. Biol. Chem.
260:2605-2608 (1985); and Cassol et al. (1992); Rossolini et al.,
Mol. Cell. Probes 8:91-98 (1994)). The term nucleic acid is used
interchangeably with gene, cDNA, and mRNA encoded by a gene.
[0054] The terms "polypeptide," "peptide," and "protein" are used
interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid
residues. The terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or
more amino acid residue is an artificial chemical mimetic of a
corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to
naturally occurring amino acid polymers and non-naturally occurring
amino acid polymers. As used herein, the terms encompass amino acid
chains of any length, including full-length proteins (i.e.,
antigens), wherein the amino acid residues are linked by covalent
peptide bonds.
[0055] The term "amino acid" refers to naturally occurring and
synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid
mimetics that function in a manner similar to the naturally
occurring amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids are those
encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are
later modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, .gamma.-carboxyglutamate, and
O-phosphoserine. Amino acid analogs refers to compounds that have
the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino
acid, i.e., an .alpha. carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a
carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g., homoserine,
norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium. Such
analogs have modified R groups (e.g., norleucine) or modified
peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as
a naturally occurring amino acid. "Amino acid mimetics" refers to
chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the
general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that functions in
a manner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid.
[0056] Amino acids may be referred to herein by either the commonly
known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended
by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides,
likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted
single-letter codes.
[0057] "Conservatively modified variants" applies to both amino
acid and nucleic acid sequences. With respect to particular nucleic
acid sequences, "conservatively modified variants" refers to those
nucleic acids that encode identical or essentially identical amino
acid sequences, or where the nucleic acid does not encode an amino
acid sequence, to essentially identical sequences. Because of the
degeneracy of the genetic code, a large number of functionally
identical nucleic acids encode any given protein. For instance, the
codons GCA, GCC, GCG and GCU all encode the amino acid alanine.
Thus, at every position where an alanine is specified by a codon,
the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons
described without altering the encoded polypeptide. Such nucleic
acid variations are "silent variations," which are one species of
conservatively modified variations. Every nucleic acid sequence
herein that encodes a polypeptide also describes every possible
silent variation of the nucleic acid. One of skill will recognize
that each codon in a nucleic acid (except AUG, which is ordinarily
the only codon for methionine, and TGG, which is ordinarily the
only codon for tryptophan) can be modified to yield a functionally
identical molecule. Accordingly, each silent variation of a nucleic
acid that encodes a polypeptide is implicit in each described
sequence.
[0058] As to amino acid sequences, one of skill will recognize that
individual substitutions, deletions or additions to a nucleic acid,
peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence which alters, adds or
deletes a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids in
the encoded sequence is a "conservatively modified variant" where
the alteration results in the substitution of an amino acid with a
chemically similar amino acid. Conservative substitution tables
providing functionally similar amino acids are well known in the
art. Such conservatively modified variants are in addition to and
do not exclude polymorphic variants, interspecies homologs, and
alleles of the invention.
[0059] The following eight groups each contain amino acids that are
conservative substitutions for one another:
1) Alanine (A), Glycine (G);
[0060] 2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);
3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);
4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K);
5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V);
6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W);
7) Serine (S), Threonine (T); and
8) Cysteine (C), Methionine (M)
[0061] (see, e.g., Creighton, Proteins (1984)).
[0062] "Percentage of sequence identity" is determined by comparing
two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein
the portion of the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window
may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the
reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions)
for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is
calculated by determining the number of positions at which the
identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both
sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the
number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the
window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the
percentage of sequence identity.
[0063] The terms "identical" or percent "identity," in the context
of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences, refer to two
or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a
specified percentage of amino acid residues or nucleotides that are
the same (i.e., 60% identity, optionally 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,
90%, or 95% identity over a specified region), when compared and
aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window, or
designated region as measured using one of the following sequence
comparison algorithms or by manual alignment and visual inspection.
Such sequences are then said to be "substantially identical." This
definition also refers to the complement of a test sequence.
Optionally, the identity exists over a region that is at least
about 50 nucleotides in length, or more preferably over a region
that is 100 to 500 or 1000 or more nucleotides in length.
[0064] For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a
reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When
using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences
are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are
designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters
are designated. Default program parameters can be used, or
alternative parameters can be designated. The sequence comparison
algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identities for the
test sequences relative to the reference sequence, based on the
program parameters.
[0065] A "comparison window", as used herein, includes reference to
a segment of any one of the number of contiguous positions selected
from the group consisting of from 20 to 600, usually about 50 to
about 200, more usually about 100 to about 150 in which a sequence
may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of
contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned.
Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well known in
the art. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be
conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith and
Waterman (1970) Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482c, by the homology alignment
algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:443, by
the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman (1988) Proc.
Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444, by computerized implementations of
these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin
Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science
Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by manual alignment and visual inspection
(see, e.g., Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology
(1995 supplement)).
[0066] An example of an algorithm that is suitable for determining
percent sequence identity and sequence similarity are the BLAST and
BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et al. (1977)
Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, and Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol.
Biol. 215:403-410, respectively. Software for performing BLAST
analyses is publicly available through the National Center for
Biotechnology Information. This algorithm involves first
identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short
words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or
satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a
word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as
the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul et al., supra).
These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating
searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are
extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the
cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are
calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M
(reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N
(penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino
acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the
cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are
halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the
quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score
goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more
negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence
is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine
the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for
nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an
expectation (E) or 10, M=5, N=-4 and a comparison of both strands.
For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a
wordlength of 3, and expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62
scoring matrix (see Henikoff and Henikoff (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 89:10915) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10,
M=5, N=-4, and a comparison of both strands.
[0067] The BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of
the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin and
Altschul (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5787). One
measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the
smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of
the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino
acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid
is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum
probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the
reference nucleic acid is less than about 0.2, more preferably less
than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.
[0068] An indication that two nucleic acid sequences or
polypeptides are substantially identical is that the polypeptide
encoded by the first nucleic acid is immunologically cross reactive
with the antibodies raised against the polypeptide encoded by the
second nucleic acid, as described below. Thus, a polypeptide is
typically substantially identical to a second polypeptide, for
example, where the two peptides differ only by conservative
substitutions. Another indication that two nucleic acid sequences
are substantially identical is that the two molecules or their
complements hybridize to each other under stringent conditions, as
described below. Yet another indication that two nucleic acid
sequences are substantially identical is that the same primers can
be used to amplify the sequence.
[0069] The phrase "selectively (or specifically) hybridizes to"
refers to the binding, duplexing, or hybridizing of a molecule only
to a particular nucleotide sequence under stringent hybridization
conditions when that sequence is present in a complex mixture
(e.g., total cellular or library DNA or RNA).
[0070] The phrase "stringent hybridization conditions" refers to
conditions under which a probe will hybridize to its target
subsequence, typically in a complex mixture of nucleic acid, but to
no other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and
will be different in different circumstances. Longer sequences
hybridize specifically at higher temperatures. An extensive guide
to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen,
Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology--Hybridization
with Nucleic Probes, "Overview of principles of hybridization and
the strategy of nucleic acid assays" (1993). Generally, stringent
conditions are selected to be about 5-10.degree. C. lower than the
thermal melting point (T.sub.m) for the specific sequence at a
defined ionic strength pH. The T.sub.m is the temperature (under
defined ionic strength, pH, and nucleic concentration) at which 50%
of the probes complementary to the target hybridize to the target
sequence at equilibrium (as the target sequences are present in
excess, at T.sub.m, 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium).
Stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration
is less than about 1.0 M sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M
sodium ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the
temperature is at least about 30.degree. C. for short probes (e.g.,
10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60.degree. C. for long
probes (e.g., greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions
may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such
as formamide. For selective or specific hybridization, a positive
signal is at least two times background, optionally 10 times
background hybridization. Exemplary stringent hybridization
conditions can be as following: 50% formamide, 5.times.SSC, and 1%
SDS, incubating at 42.degree. C., or 5.times.SSC, 1% SDS,
incubating at 65.degree. C., with wash in 0.2.times.SSC, and 0.1%
SDS at 65.degree. C. Such washes can be performed for 5, 15, 30,
60, 120, or more minutes. Nucleic acids that hybridize to the genes
listed in FIGS. 1-6 are encompassed by the invention.
[0071] Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to each other under
stringent conditions are still substantially identical if the
polypeptides that they encode are substantially identical. This
occurs, for example, when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using
the maximum codon degeneracy permitted by the genetic code. In such
cases, the nucleic acids typically hybridize under moderately
stringent hybridization conditions. Exemplary "moderately stringent
hybridization conditions" include a hybridization in a buffer of
40% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37.degree. C., and a wash in
1.times.SSC at 45.degree. C. Such washes can be performed for 5,
15, 30, 60, 120, or more minutes. A positive hybridization is at
least twice background. Those of ordinary skill will readily
recognize that alternative hybridization and wash conditions can be
utilized to provide conditions of similar stringency.
[0072] For PCR, a temperature of about 36.degree. C. is typical for
low stringency amplification, although annealing temperatures may
vary between about 32.degree. C. and 48.degree. C. depending on
primer length. For high stringency PCR amplification, a temperature
of about 62.degree. C. is typical, although high stringency
annealing temperatures can range from about 50.degree. C. to about
65.degree. C., depending on the primer length and specificity.
Typical cycle conditions for both high and low stringency
amplifications include a denaturation phase of 90.degree.
C.-95.degree. C. for 30 sec-2 min., an annealing phase lasting 30
sec.-2 min., and an extension phase of about 72.degree. C. for 1-2
min. Protocols and guidelines for low and high stringency
amplification reactions are provided, e.g., in Innis et al., PCR
Protocols, A Guide to Methods and Applications (1990).
[0073] The phrase "a nucleic acid sequence encoding" refers to a
nucleic acid that contains sequence information for a structural
RNA such as rRNA, a tRNA, or the primary amino acid sequence of a
specific protein or peptide, or a binding site for a trans-acting
regulatory agent. This phrase specifically encompasses degenerate
codons (i.e., different codons which encode a single amino acid) of
the native sequence or sequences which may be introduced to conform
with codon preference in a specific host cell.
[0074] The term "recombinant" when used with reference, e.g., to a
cell, or nucleic acid, protein, or vector, indicates that the cell,
nucleic acid, protein or vector, has been modified by the
introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or protein or the
alteration of a native nucleic acid or protein, or that the cell is
derived from a cell so modified. Thus, for example, recombinant
cells express genes that are not found within the native
(nonrecombinant) form of the cell or express native genes that are
otherwise abnormally expressed, under-expressed or not expressed at
all.
[0075] The term "heterologous" when used with reference to portions
of a nucleic acid indicates that the nucleic acid comprises two or
more subsequences that are not found in the same relationship to
each other in nature. For instance, the nucleic acid is typically
recombinantly produced, having two or more sequences from unrelated
genes arranged to make a new functional nucleic acid, e.g., a
promoter from one source and a coding region from another source.
Similarly, a heterologous protein indicates that the protein
comprises two or more subsequences that are not found in the same
relationship to each other in nature (e.g., a fusion protein).
[0076] An "expression vector" is a nucleic acid construct,
generated recombinantly or synthetically, with a series of
specified nucleic acid elements that permit transcription of a
particular nucleic acid in a host cell. The expression vector can
be part of a plasmid, virus, or nucleic acid fragment. Typically,
the expression vector includes a nucleic acid to be transcribed
operably linked to a promoter.
[0077] The phrase "specifically (or selectively) binds to an
antibody" or "specifically (or selectively) immunoreactive with",
when referring to a protein or peptide, refers to a binding
reaction which is determinative of the presence of the protein in
the presence of a heterogeneous population of proteins and other
biologics. Thus, under designated immunoassay conditions, the
specified antibodies bind to a particular protein and do not bind
in a significant amount to other proteins present in the sample.
Specific binding to an antibody under such conditions may require
an antibody that is selected for its specificity for a particular
protein. For example, antibodies raised against a protein having an
amino acid sequence encoded by any of the polynucleotides of the
invention can be selected to obtain antibodies specifically
immunoreactive with that protein and not with other proteins,
except for polymorphic variants. A variety of immunoassay formats
may be used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a
particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays,
Western blots, or immunohistochemistry are routinely used to select
monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a protein.
See, Harlow and Lane Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring
Harbor Publications, N.Y. (1988) for a description of immunoassay
formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific
immunoreactivity. Typically, a specific or selective reaction will
be at least twice the background signal or noise and more typically
more than 10 to 100 times background.
[0078] One who is "predisposed for a mental disorder" as used
herein means a person who has an inclination or a higher likelihood
of developing a mental disorder when compared to an average person
in the general population.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. Introduction
[0079] To understand the complex genetic basis of mental disorders,
the present invention provides studies that have been conducted to
investigate the expression patterns of genes that are
differentially expressed specifically in central nervous system of
subjects with psychotic and mood disorders. The large spectrum of
symptoms associated with mental disorders is a reflection of the
complex genetic basis and complex gene expression patterns in
patients with mental disorders. Different combinations of the genes
disclosed herein can be responsible for one or more mental
disorders. Furthermore, brain pathways or circuits as well as
subcellular pathways are important for understanding the
development and diagnosis of mental disorders. The selected brain
regions described herein (anterior cingulate cortex (AnCg),
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cerebellar cortex (CB),
entorhinal cortex (ERC), superior temporal gyms (STG), parietal
cortex (PC), nucleus accumbens (nAcc), ventral thalamus (VThal),
medial thalamus (MThal), amygdala (AMY) and/or the hippocampus
(HC)) are implicated in the clinical symptoms of mental disorders
such as psychotic and mood disorders. Brain imaging studies
focusing on particular brain regions, cytoarchitectural changes in
brain regions, expression of key neurotransmittors or related
molecules in brain regions, and subcellular pathways in brain
regions all contribute to the development of mental disorders, and
thus are an important consideration in the diagnosis and
therapeutic uses described herein.
[0080] The present invention demonstrates the altered expression
(either higher or lower) of the genes of FIGS. 1-14 at the mRNA or
protein level in various regions of the brain (e.g., FIGS. 1-4 and
6) or lymphocytes (e.g., FIGS. 4-6) of patients with mental
disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, MDD and BPD) in comparison with
normal individuals. This invention thus provides methods for
diagnosis of mental disorders, e.g., schizophrenia, MDD and BPD,
and the like, and other mental disorders by detecting the level of
a transcript or translation product of the genes listed in FIGS.
1-14 as well as their corresponding biochemical pathways. The
chromosomal location of such genes can be used to discover other
genes in the region that are linked to development of a particular
disorder. FIG. 6 of the invention also provides single nucleotide
polymorphic markers which are related (in cis or trans) to
regulatory sites associated with AGA.
[0081] The invention further provides methods of identifying a
compound useful for the treatment of such disorders by selecting
compounds that modulates the functional effect of the translation
products or the expression of the transcripts described herein. The
invention also provides for methods of treating patients with such
mental disorders, e.g., by administering the compounds of the
invention or by gene therapy. Therapeutic compounds include
antibodies, peptides, antisense molecules, siRNA, and small organic
molecules.
[0082] The genes and the polypeptides that they encode, which are
associated with psychotic and mood disorders, are useful for
facilitating the design and development of various molecular
diagnostic tools such as GeneChips.TM. containing probe sets
specific for all or selected mental disorders, including but not
limited to psychotic and mood disorders, and as an ante- and/or
post-natal diagnostic tool for screening newborns in concert with
genetic counseling. Other diagnostic applications include
evaluation of disease susceptibility, prognosis, and monitoring of
disease or treatment process, as well as providing individualized
medicine via predictive drug profiling systems, e.g., by
correlating specific genomic motifs with the clinical response of a
patient to individual drugs. In addition, the present invention is
useful for multiplex SNP or haplotype profiling, including but not
limited to the identification of pharmacogenetic targets at the
gene, mRNA, protein, and pathway level (see, e.g, Basile V S,
Masellis M, Potkin S G, Kennedy J L. Pharmacogenomics in
schizophrenia: the quest for individualized therapy. Hum Mol Genet.
2002 Oct. 1; 11(20):2517-30). Profiling of splice variants is also
useful for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Diagnostic kits
are contemplated by the present invention, and include arrays,
nanoparticles, and magnetic beads. Marker combinations can provide
useful diagnosis. Brain expression patterns, regions, pathways, and
circuits can be used for in vivo imaging and diagnosis.
[0083] The genes and the polypeptides that they encode, described
herein, as also useful as drug targets for the development of
therapeutic drugs for the treatment or prevention of mental
disorders including, but not limited to, psychotic and mood
disorders. Mental disorders have a high co-morbidity with other
neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's.
Therefore, the present invention can be used for diagnosis and
treatment of patients with multiple disease states that include a
mental disorder such as a psychotic disorder.
[0084] Antipsychotic medicines are in general equally effect for
the treatment of schizophrenia, but act by different mechanisms.
The similar effectiveness of the drugs for treatment of
schizophrenia suggests that they act through a yet as unidentified
common pathway. As demonstrated by the results shown herein, these
drugs regulate a common gene, and/or a common group of genes as
well as a unique set of genes.
[0085] The genes listed herein can be used to provide a
differential diagnosis or prognosis of mood and psychotic
disorders. In some cases, differentially expressed genes can be
used to predict and treat particular symptoms or outcomes, such as
suicide attempt. The therapeutic agents described herein can be
used in combination with known therapeutics. Nucleic acid
therapeutics can be delivered using adenoviral vectors, while
peptides, nucleic acids, and other therapeutic molecules can be
delivered using nanoparticles and translocation peptides. Orally
available peptides can be made using D-amino acids or pegylation,
and serum half life can be extended using albumin conjugation and
the like.
II. General Recombinant Nucleic Acid Methods for Use with the
Invention
[0086] In numerous embodiments of the present invention,
polynucleotides of the invention will be isolated and cloned using
recombinant methods. Such polynucleotides include, e.g., those
listed in FIGS. 1-14, which can be used for, e.g., protein
expression or during the generation of variants, derivatives,
expression cassettes, to monitor gene expression, for the isolation
or detection of sequences of the invention in different species,
for diagnostic purposes in a patient, e.g., to detect mutations or
to detect expression levels of nucleic acids or polypeptides of the
invention. In some embodiments, the sequences of the invention are
operably linked to a heterologous promoter. In one embodiment, the
nucleic acids of the invention are from any mammal, including, in
particular, e.g., a human, a mouse, a rat, a primate, etc.
A. General Recombinant Nucleic Acids Methods
[0087] This invention relies on routine techniques in the field of
recombinant genetics. Basic texts disclosing the general methods of
use in this invention include Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A
Laboratory Manual (3rd ed. 2001); Kriegler, Gene Transfer and
Expression: A Laboratory Manual (1990); and Current Protocols in
Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds., 1994)).
[0088] For nucleic acids, sizes are given in either kilobases (kb)
or base pairs (bp). These are estimates derived from agarose or
acrylamide gel electrophoresis, from sequenced nucleic acids, or
from published DNA sequences. For proteins, sizes are given in
kilodaltons (kDa) or amino acid residue numbers. Proteins sizes are
estimated from gel electrophoresis, from sequenced proteins, from
derived amino acid sequences, or from published protein
sequences.
[0089] Oligonucleotides that are not commercially available can be
chemically synthesized according to the solid phase phosphoramidite
triester method first described by Beaucage & Caruthers,
Tetrahedron Letts. 22:1859-1862 (1981), using an automated
synthesizer, as described in Van Devanter et. al., Nucleic Acids
Res. 12:6159-6168 (1984). Purification of oligonucleotides is by
either native acrylamide gel electrophoresis or by anion-exchange
HPLC as described in Pearson & Reanier, J. Chrom. 255:137-149
(1983).
[0090] The sequence of the cloned genes and synthetic
oligonucleotides can be verified after cloning using, e.g., the
chain termination method for sequencing double-stranded templates
of Wallace et al., Gene 16:21-26 (1981).
B. Cloning Methods for the Isolation of Nucleotide Sequences
Encoding Desired Proteins
[0091] In general, the nucleic acids encoding the subject proteins
are cloned from DNA sequence libraries that are made to encode cDNA
or genomic DNA. The particular sequences can be located by
hybridizing with an oligonucleotide probe, the sequence of which
can be derived from the sequences of the genes and/or SNPs listed
in FIGS. 1-6, which provide a reference for PCR primers and defines
suitable regions for isolating specific probes. Alternatively,
where the sequence is cloned into an expression library, the
expressed recombinant protein can be detected immunologically with
antisera or purified antibodies made against a polypeptide
comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by a gene listed in FIGS.
1-14.
[0092] Methods for making and screening genomic and cDNA libraries
are well known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., Gubler and
Hoffman Gene 25:263-269 (1983); Benton and Davis Science,
196:180-182 (1977); and Sambrook, supra). Brain cells are an
example of suitable cells to isolate RNA and cDNA sequences of the
invention.
[0093] Briefly, to make the cDNA library, one should choose a
source that is rich in mRNA. The mRNA can then be made into cDNA,
ligated into a recombinant vector, and transfected into a
recombinant host for propagation, screening and cloning. For a
genomic library, the DNA is extracted from a suitable tissue and
either mechanically sheared or enzymatically digested to yield
fragments of preferably about 5-100 kb. The fragments are then
separated by gradient centrifugation from undesired sizes and are
constructed in bacteriophage lambda vectors. These vectors and
phage are packaged in vitro, and the recombinant phages are
analyzed by plaque hybridization. Colony hybridization is carried
out as generally described in Grunstein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA., 72:3961-3965 (1975).
[0094] An alternative method combines the use of synthetic
oligonucleotide primers with polymerase extension on an mRNA or DNA
template. Suitable primers can be designed from specific sequences
of the invention. This polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method
amplifies the nucleic acids encoding the protein of interest
directly from mRNA, cDNA, genomic libraries or cDNA libraries.
Restriction endonuclease sites can be incorporated into the
primers. Polymerase chain reaction or other in vitro amplification
methods may also be useful, for example, to clone nucleic acids
encoding specific proteins and express said proteins, to synthesize
nucleic acids that will be used as probes for detecting the
presence of mRNA encoding a polypeptide of the invention in
physiological samples, for nucleic acid sequencing, or for other
purposes (see, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202). Genes
amplified by a PCR reaction can be purified from agarose gels and
cloned into an appropriate vector.
[0095] Appropriate primers and probes for identifying
polynucleotides of the invention from mammalian tissues can be
derived from the sequences provided herein. For a general overview
of PCR, see, Innis et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and
Applications, Academic Press, San Diego (1990).
[0096] Synthetic oligonucleotides can be used to construct genes.
This is done using a series of overlapping oligonucleotides,
usually 40-120 bp in length, representing both the sense and
anti-sense strands of the gene. These DNA fragments are then
annealed, ligated and cloned.
[0097] A gene encoding a polypeptide of the invention can be cloned
using intermediate vectors before transformation into mammalian
cells for expression. These intermediate vectors are typically
prokaryote vectors or shuttle vectors. The proteins can be
expressed in either prokaryotes, using standard methods well known
to those of skill in the art, or eukaryotes as described infra.
III. Purification of Proteins of the Invention
[0098] Either naturally occurring or recombinant polypeptides of
the invention can be purified for use in functional assays.
Naturally occurring polypeptides, e.g., polypeptides encoded by
genes listed in FIGS. 1-14, can be purified, for example, from
mouse or human tissue such as brain or any other source of an
ortholog. Recombinant polypeptides can be purified from any
suitable expression system.
[0099] The polypeptides of the invention may be purified to
substantial purity by standard techniques, including selective
precipitation with such substances as ammonium sulfate; column
chromatography, immunopurification methods, and others (see, e.g.,
Scopes, Protein Purification Principles and Practice (1982); U.S.
Pat. No. 4,673,641; Ausubel et al., supra; and Sambrook et al.,
supra).
[0100] A number of procedures can be employed when recombinant
polypeptides are purified. For example, proteins having established
molecular adhesion properties can be reversible fused to
polypeptides of the invention. With the appropriate ligand, the
polypeptides can be selectively adsorbed to a purification column
and then freed from the column in a relatively pure form. The fused
protein is then removed by enzymatic activity. Finally the
polypeptide can be purified using immunoaffinity columns.
A. Purification of Proteins from Recombinant Bacteria
[0101] When recombinant proteins are expressed by the transformed
bacteria in large amounts, typically after promoter induction,
although expression can be constitutive, the proteins may form
insoluble aggregates. There are several protocols that are suitable
for purification of protein inclusion bodies. For example,
purification of aggregate proteins (hereinafter referred to as
inclusion bodies) typically involves the extraction, separation
and/or purification of inclusion bodies by disruption of bacterial
cells typically, but not limited to, by incubation in a buffer of
about 100-150 .mu.g/ml lysozyme and 0.1% Nonidet P40, a non-ionic
detergent. The cell suspension can be ground using a Polytron
grinder (Brinkman Instruments, Westbury, N.Y.). Alternatively, the
cells can be sonicated on ice. Alternate methods of lysing bacteria
are described in Ausubel et al. and Sambrook et al., both supra,
and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0102] The cell suspension is generally centrifuged and the pellet
containing the inclusion bodies resuspended in buffer which does
not dissolve but washes the inclusion bodies, e.g., 20 mM Tris-HCl
(pH 7.2), 1 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl and 2% Triton-X 100, a non-ionic
detergent. It may be necessary to repeat the wash step to remove as
much cellular debris as possible. The remaining pellet of inclusion
bodies may be resuspended in an appropriate buffer (e.g., 20 mM
sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, 150 mM NaCl). Other appropriate buffers
will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0103] Following the washing step, the inclusion bodies are
solubilized by the addition of a solvent that is both a strong
hydrogen acceptor and a strong hydrogen donor (or a combination of
solvents each having one of these properties). The proteins that
formed the inclusion bodies may then be renatured by dilution or
dialysis with a compatible buffer. Suitable solvents include, but
are not limited to, urea (from about 4 M to about 8 M), formamide
(at least about 80%, volume/volume basis), and guanidine
hydrochloride (from about 4 M to about 8 M). Some solvents that are
capable of solubilizing aggregate-forming proteins, such as SDS
(sodium dodecyl sulfate) and 70% formic acid, are inappropriate for
use in this procedure due to the possibility of irreversible
denaturation of the proteins, accompanied by a lack of
immunogenicity and/or activity. Although guanidine hydrochloride
and similar agents are denaturants, this denaturation is not
irreversible and renaturation may occur upon removal (by dialysis,
for example) or dilution of the denaturant, allowing re-formation
of the immunologically and/or biologically active protein of
interest. After solubilization, the protein can be separated from
other bacterial proteins by standard separation techniques.
[0104] Alternatively, it is possible to purify proteins from
bacteria periplasm. Where the protein is exported into the
periplasm of the bacteria, the periplasmic fraction of the bacteria
can be isolated by cold osmotic shock in addition to other methods
known to those of skill in the art (see, Ausubel et al., supra). To
isolate recombinant proteins from the periplasm, the bacterial
cells are centrifuged to form a pellet. The pellet is resuspended
in a buffer containing 20% sucrose. To lyse the cells, the bacteria
are centrifuged and the pellet is resuspended in ice-cold 5 mM
MgSO.sub.4 and kept in an ice bath for approximately 10 minutes.
The cell suspension is centrifuged and the supernatant decanted and
saved. The recombinant proteins present in the supernatant can be
separated from the host proteins by standard separation techniques
well known to those of skill in the art.
B. Standard Protein Separation Techniques for Purifying
Proteins
1. Solubility Fractionation
[0105] Often as an initial step, and if the protein mixture is
complex, an initial salt fractionation can separate many of the
unwanted host cell proteins (or proteins derived from the cell
culture media) from the recombinant protein of interest. The
preferred salt is ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate precipitates
proteins by effectively reducing the amount of water in the protein
mixture. Proteins then precipitate on the basis of their
solubility. The more hydrophobic a protein is, the more likely it
is to precipitate at lower ammonium sulfate concentrations. A
typical protocol is to add saturated ammonium sulfate to a protein
solution so that the resultant ammonium sulfate concentration is
between 20-30%. This will precipitate the most hydrophobic
proteins. The precipitate is discarded (unless the protein of
interest is hydrophobic) and ammonium sulfate is added to the
supernatant to a concentration known to precipitate the protein of
interest. The precipitate is then solubilized in buffer and the
excess salt removed if necessary, through either dialysis or
diafiltration. Other methods that rely on solubility of proteins,
such as cold ethanol precipitation, are well known to those of
skill in the art and can be used to fractionate complex protein
mixtures.
2. Size Differential Filtration
[0106] Based on a calculated molecular weight, a protein of greater
and lesser size can be isolated using ultrafiltration through
membranes of different pore sizes (for example, Amicon or Millipore
membranes). As a first step, the protein mixture is ultrafiltered
through a membrane with a pore size that has a lower molecular
weight cut-off than the molecular weight of the protein of
interest. The retentate of the ultrafiltration is then
ultrafiltered against a membrane with a molecular cut off greater
than the molecular weight of the protein of interest. The
recombinant protein will pass through the membrane into the
filtrate. The filtrate can then be chromatographed as described
below.
3. Column Chromatography
[0107] The proteins of interest can also be separated from other
proteins on the basis of their size, net surface charge,
hydrophobicity and affinity for ligands. In addition, antibodies
raised against proteins can be conjugated to column matrices and
the proteins immunopurified. All of these methods are well known in
the art.
[0108] It will be apparent to one of skill that chromatographic
techniques can be performed at any scale and using equipment from
many different manufacturers (e.g., Pharmacia Biotech).
IV. Detection of Gene Expression
[0109] Those of skill in the art will recognize that detection of
expression of polynucleotides of the invention has many uses. For
example, as discussed herein, detection of the level of
polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention in a patient is
useful for diagnosing mood disorders or psychotic disorder or a
predisposition for a mood disorder or psychotic disorder. Moreover,
detection of gene expression is useful to identify modulators of
expression of the polypeptides or polynucleotides of the
invention.
[0110] A variety of methods of specific DNA and RNA measurement
using nucleic acid hybridization techniques are known to those of
skill in the art (see, Sambrook, supra). Some methods involve an
electrophoretic separation (e.g., Southern blot for detecting DNA,
and Northern blot for detecting RNA), but measurement of DNA and
RNA can also be carried out in the absence of electrophoretic
separation (e.g., by dot blot). Southern blot of genomic DNA (e.g.,
from a human) can be used for screening for restriction fragment
length polymorphism (RFLP) to detect the presence of a genetic
disorder affecting a polypeptide of the invention.
[0111] The selection of a nucleic acid hybridization format is not
critical. A variety of nucleic acid hybridization formats are known
to those skilled in the art. For example, common formats include
sandwich assays and competition or displacement assays.
Hybridization techniques are generally described in Hames and
Higgins Nucleic Acid Hybridization, A Practical Approach, IRL Press
(1985); Gall and Pardue, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 63:378-383
(1969); and John et al. Nature, 223:582-587 (1969).
[0112] Detection of a hybridization complex may require the binding
of a signal-generating complex to a duplex of target and probe
polynucleotides or nucleic acids. Typically, such binding occurs
through ligand and anti-ligand interactions as between a
ligand-conjugated probe and an anti-ligand conjugated with a
signal. The binding of the signal generation complex is also
readily amenable to accelerations by exposure to ultrasonic
energy.
[0113] The label may also allow indirect detection of the
hybridization complex. For example, where the label is a hapten or
antigen, the sample can be detected by using antibodies. In these
systems, a signal is generated by attaching fluorescent or enzyme
molecules to the antibodies or in some cases, by attachment to a
radioactive label (see, e.g., Tijssen, "Practice and Theory of
Enzyme Immunoassays," Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology, Burdon and van Knippenberg Eds., Elsevier
(1985), pp. 9-20).
[0114] The probes are typically labeled either directly, as with
isotopes, chromophores, lumiphores, chromogens, or indirectly, such
as with biotin, to which a streptavidin complex may later bind.
Thus, the detectable labels used in the assays of the present
invention can be primary labels (where the label comprises an
element that is detected directly or that produces a directly
detectable element) or secondary labels (where the detected label
binds to a primary label, e.g., as is common in immunological
labeling). Typically, labeled signal nucleic acids are used to
detect hybridization. Complementary nucleic acids or signal nucleic
acids may be labeled by any one of several methods typically used
to detect the presence of hybridized polynucleotides. The most
common method of detection is the use of autoradiography with
.sup.3H, .sup.125I, .sup.35S, .sup.14C, or .sup.32P-labeled probes
or the like.
[0115] Other labels include, e.g., ligands that bind to labeled
antibodies, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and
antibodies which can serve as specific binding pair members for a
labeled ligand. An introduction to labels, labeling procedures and
detection of labels is found in Polak and Van Noorden Introduction
to Immunocytochemistry, 2nd ed., Springer Verlag, NY (1997); and in
Haugland Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals, a
combined handbook and catalogue Published by Molecular Probes, Inc.
(1996).
[0116] In general, a detector which monitors a particular probe or
probe combination is used to detect the detection reagent label.
Typical detectors include spectrophotometers, phototubes and
photodiodes, microscopes, scintillation counters, cameras, film and
the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of suitable
detectors are widely available from a variety of commercial sources
known to persons of skill in the art. Commonly, an optical image of
a substrate comprising bound labeling moieties is digitized for
subsequent computer analysis.
[0117] Most typically, the amount of RNA is measured by quantifying
the amount of label fixed to the solid support by binding of the
detection reagent. Typically, the presence of a modulator during
incubation will increase or decrease the amount of label fixed to
the solid support relative to a control incubation which does not
comprise the modulator, or as compared to a baseline established
for a particular reaction type. Means of detecting and quantifying
labels are well known to those of skill in the art.
[0118] In preferred embodiments, the target nucleic acid or the
probe is immobilized on a solid support. Solid supports suitable
for use in the assays of the invention are known to those of skill
in the art. As used herein, a solid support is a matrix of material
in a substantially fixed arrangement.
[0119] A variety of automated solid-phase assay techniques are also
appropriate. For instance, very large scale immobilized polymer
arrays (VLSIPS.TM.), available from Affymetrix, Inc. (Santa Clara,
Calif.) can be used to detect changes in expression levels of a
plurality of genes involved in the same regulatory pathways
simultaneously. See, Tijssen, supra., Fodor et al. (1991) Science,
251: 767-777; Sheldon et al. (1993) Clinical Chemistry 39(4):
718-719, and Kozal et al. (1996) Nature Medicine 2(7): 753-759.
[0120] Detection can be accomplished, for example, by using a
labeled detection moiety that binds specifically to duplex nucleic
acids (e.g., an antibody that is specific for RNA-DNA duplexes).
One preferred example uses an antibody that recognizes DNA-RNA
heteroduplexes in which the antibody is linked to an enzyme
(typically by recombinant or covalent chemical bonding). The
antibody is detected when the enzyme reacts with its substrate,
producing a detectable product. Coutlee et al. (1989) Analytical
Biochemistry 181:153-162; Bogulayski (1986) et al. J. Immunol.
Methods 89:123-130; Prooijen-Knegt (1982) Exp. Cell Res.
141:397-407; Rudkin (1976) Nature 265:472-473, Stollar (1970) Proc.
Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 65:993-1000; Ballard (1982) Mol. Immunol.
19:793-799; Pisetsky and Caster (1982) Mol. Immunol. 19:645-650;
Viscidi et al. (1988) J. Clin. Microbial. 41:199-209; and Kiney et
al. (1989) J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:6-12 describe antibodies to RNA
duplexes, including homo and heteroduplexes. Kits comprising
antibodies specific for DNA:RNA hybrids are available, e.g., from
Digene Diagnostics, Inc. (Beltsville, Md.).
[0121] In addition to available antibodies, one of skill in the art
can easily make antibodies specific for nucleic acid duplexes using
existing techniques, or modify those antibodies that are
commercially or publicly available. In addition to the art
referenced above, general methods for producing polyclonal and
monoclonal antibodies are known to those of skill in the art (see,
e.g., Paul (3rd ed.) Fundamental Immunology Raven Press, Ltd., NY
(1993); Coligan Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene, N.Y.
(1991); Harlow and Lane Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring
Harbor Press, NY (1988); Stites et al. (eds.) Basic and Clinical
Immunology (4th ed.) Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Calif.,
and references cited therein; Goding Monoclonal Antibodies:
Principles and Practice (2d ed.) Academic Press, New York, N.Y.,
(1986); and Kohler and Milstein Nature 256: 495-497 (1975)). Other
suitable techniques for antibody preparation include selection of
libraries of recombinant antibodies in phage or similar vectors
(see, Huse et al. Science 246:1275-1281 (1989); and Ward et al.
Nature 341:544-546 (1989)). Specific monoclonal and polyclonal
antibodies and antisera will usually bind with a K.sub.D of at
least about 0.1 .mu.M, preferably at least about 0.01 .mu.M or
better, and most typically and preferably, 0.001 .mu.M or
better.
[0122] The nucleic acids used in this invention can be either
positive or negative probes. Positive probes bind to their targets
and the presence of duplex formation is evidence of the presence of
the target. Negative probes fail to bind to the suspect target and
the absence of duplex formation is evidence of the presence of the
target. For example, the use of a wild type specific nucleic acid
probe or PCR primers may serve as a negative probe in an assay
sample where only the nucleotide sequence of interest is
present.
[0123] The sensitivity of the hybridization assays may be enhanced
through use of a nucleic acid amplification system that multiplies
the target nucleic acid being detected. Examples of such systems
include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, in particular
RT-PCR or real time PCR, and the ligase chain reaction (LCR)
system. Other methods recently described in the art are the nucleic
acid sequence based amplification (NASBA, Cangene, Mississauga,
Ontario) and Q Beta Replicase systems. These systems can be used to
directly identify mutants where the PCR or LCR primers are designed
to be extended or ligated only when a selected sequence is present.
Alternatively, the selected sequences can be generally amplified
using, for example, nonspecific PCR primers and the amplified
target region later probed for a specific sequence indicative of a
mutation.
[0124] An alternative means for determining the level of expression
of the nucleic acids of the present invention is in situ
hybridization. In situ hybridization assays are well known and are
generally described in Angerer et al., Methods Enzymol. 152:649-660
(1987). In an in situ hybridization assay, cells or tissue,
preferentially human cells or tissue from a selected brain region,
are fixed to a solid support, typically a glass slide. If DNA is to
be probed, the cells are denatured with heat or alkali. The cells
are then contacted with a hybridization solution at a moderate
temperature to permit annealing of specific probes that are
labeled. The probes are preferably labeled with radioisotopes or
fluorescent reporters.
V. Immunological Detection of the Polypeptides of the Invention
[0125] In addition to the detection of polynucleotide expression
using nucleic acid hybridization technology, one can also use
immunoassays to detect polypeptides of the invention. Immunoassays
can be used to qualitatively or quantitatively analyze
polypeptides. A general overview of the applicable technology can
be found in Harlow & Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual
(1988).
A. Antibodies to Target Polypeptides or Other Immunogens
[0126] Methods for producing therapeutic and diagnostic polyclonal
and monoclonal antibodies that react specifically with a protein of
interest or other immunogen are known to those of skill in the art
(see, e.g., Coligan, supra; and Harlow and Lane, supra; Stites et
al., supra and references cited therein; Goding, supra; and Kohler
and Milstein Nature, 256:495-497 (1975)). Such techniques include
antibody preparation by selection of antibodies from libraries of
recombinant antibodies in phage or similar vectors (see, Huse et
al., supra; and Ward et al., supra). For example, in order to
produce antisera for use in an immunoassay, the protein of interest
or an antigenic fragment thereof, is isolated as described herein.
For example, a recombinant protein is produced in a transformed
cell line. An inbred strain of mice or rabbits is immunized with
the protein using a standard adjuvant, such as Freund's adjuvant,
and a standard immunization protocol. Alternatively, a synthetic
peptide derived from the sequences disclosed herein and conjugated
to a carrier protein can be used as an immunogen.
[0127] Polyclonal sera are collected and titered against the
immunogen in an immunoassay, for example, a solid phase immunoassay
with the immunogen immobilized on a solid support. Polyclonal
antisera with a titer of 10.sup.4 or greater are selected and
tested for their cross-reactivity against unrelated proteins or
even other homologous proteins from other organisms, using a
competitive binding immunoassay. Specific monoclonal and polyclonal
antibodies and antisera will usually bind with a K.sub.D of at
least about 0.1 mM, more usually at least about 1 .mu.M, preferably
at least about 0.1 .mu.M or better, and most preferably, 0.01 .mu.M
or better.
[0128] A number of proteins of the invention comprising immunogens
may be used to produce antibodies specifically or selectively
reactive with the proteins of interest. Recombinant protein is the
preferred immunogen for the production of monoclonal or polyclonal
antibodies. Naturally occurring proteins, such as one comprising an
amino acid sequence encoded by a gene listed in FIGS. 1-14, may
also be used either in pure or impure form. Synthetic peptides made
using the protein sequences described herein may also be used as an
immunogen for the production of antibodies to the protein.
Recombinant protein can be expressed in eukaryotic or prokaryotic
cells and purified as generally described supra. The product is
then injected into an animal capable of producing antibodies.
Either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies may be generated for
subsequent use in immunoassays to measure the protein.
[0129] Methods of production of polyclonal antibodies are known to
those of skill in the art. In brief, an immunogen, preferably a
purified protein, is mixed with an adjuvant and animals are
immunized. The animal's immune response to the immunogen
preparation is monitored by taking test bleeds and determining the
titer of reactivity to the polypeptide of interest. When
appropriately high titers of antibody to the immunogen are
obtained, blood is collected from the animal and antisera are
prepared. Further fractionation of the antisera to enrich for
antibodies reactive to the protein can be done if desired (see,
Harlow and Lane, supra).
[0130] Monoclonal antibodies may be obtained using various
techniques familiar to those of skill in the art. Typically, spleen
cells from an animal immunized with a desired antigen are
immortalized, commonly by fusion with a myeloma cell (see, Kohler
and Milstein, Eur. J. Immunol. 6:511-519 (1976)). Alternative
methods of immortalization include, e.g., transformation with
Epstein Barr Virus, oncogenes, or retroviruses, or other methods
well known in the art. Colonies arising from single immortalized
cells are screened for production of antibodies of the desired
specificity and affinity for the antigen, and yield of the
monoclonal antibodies produced by such cells may be enhanced by
various techniques, including injection into the peritoneal cavity
of a vertebrate host. Alternatively, one may isolate DNA sequences
which encode a monoclonal antibody or a binding fragment thereof by
screening a DNA library from human B cells according to the general
protocol outlined by Huse et al., supra.
[0131] Once target protein specific antibodies are available, the
protein can be measured by a variety of immunoassay methods with
qualitative and quantitative results available to the clinician.
For a review of immunological and immunoassay procedures in general
see, Stites, supra. Moreover, the immunoassays of the present
invention can be performed in any of several configurations, which
are reviewed extensively in Maggio Enzyme Immunoassay, CRC Press,
Boca Raton, Fla. (1980); Tijssen, supra; and Harlow and Lane,
supra.
[0132] Immunoassays to measure target proteins in a human sample
may use a polyclonal antiserum that was raised to the protein
(e.g., one has an amino acid sequence encoded by a gene listed in
FIG. 1-14) or a fragment thereof. This antiserum is selected to
have low cross-reactivity against different proteins and any such
cross-reactivity is removed by immunoabsorption prior to use in the
immunoassay.
B. Immunological Binding Assays
[0133] In a preferred embodiment, a protein of interest is detected
and/or quantified using any of a number of well-known immunological
binding assays (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,366,241; 4,376,110;
4,517,288; and 4,837,168). For a review of the general
immunoassays, see also Asai Methods in Cell Biology Volume 37:
Antibodies in Cell Biology, Academic Press, Inc. NY (1993); Stites,
supra. Immunological binding assays (or immunoassays) typically
utilize a "capture agent" to specifically bind to and often
immobilize the analyte (in this case a polypeptide of the present
invention or antigenic subsequences thereof). The capture agent is
a moiety that specifically binds to the analyte. In a preferred
embodiment, the capture agent is an antibody that specifically
binds, for example, a polypeptide of the invention. The antibody
may be produced by any of a number of means well known to those of
skill in the art and as described above.
[0134] Immunoassays also often utilize a labeling agent to
specifically bind to and label the binding complex formed by the
capture agent and the analyte. The labeling agent may itself be one
of the moieties comprising the antibody/analyte complex.
Alternatively, the labeling agent may be a third moiety, such as
another antibody, that specifically binds to the antibody/protein
complex.
[0135] In a preferred embodiment, the labeling agent is a second
antibody bearing a label. Alternatively, the second antibody may
lack a label, but it may, in turn, be bound by a labeled third
antibody specific to antibodies of the species from which the
second antibody is derived. The second antibody can be modified
with a detectable moiety, such as biotin, to which a third labeled
molecule can specifically bind, such as enzyme-labeled
streptavidin.
[0136] Other proteins capable of specifically binding
immunoglobulin constant regions, such as protein A or protein G,
can also be used as the label agents. These proteins are normal
constituents of the cell walls of streptococcal bacteria. They
exhibit a strong non-immunogenic reactivity with immunoglobulin
constant regions from a variety of species (see, generally,
Kronval, et al. J. Immunol., 111:1401-1406 (1973); and Akerstrom,
et al. J. Immunol., 135:2589-2542 (1985)).
[0137] Throughout the assays, incubation and/or washing steps may
be required after each combination of reagents. Incubation steps
can vary from about 5 seconds to several hours, preferably from
about 5 minutes to about 24 hours. The incubation time will depend
upon the assay format, analyte, volume of solution, concentrations,
and the like. Usually, the assays will be carried out at ambient
temperature, although they can be conducted over a range of
temperatures, such as 10.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.
1. Non-Competitive Assay Formats
[0138] Immunoassays for detecting proteins of interest from tissue
samples may be either competitive or noncompetitive. Noncompetitive
immunoassays are assays in which the amount of captured analyte (in
this case the protein) is directly measured. In one preferred
"sandwich" assay, for example, the capture agent (e.g., antibodies
specific for a polypeptide encoded by a gene listed in FIG. 1-14)
can be bound directly to a solid substrate where it is immobilized.
These immobilized antibodies then capture the polypeptide present
in the test sample. The polypeptide thus immobilized is then bound
by a labeling agent, such as a second antibody bearing a label.
Alternatively, the second antibody may lack a label, but it may, in
turn, be bound by a labeled third antibody specific to antibodies
of the species from which the second antibody is derived. The
second can be modified with a detectable moiety, such as biotin, to
which a third labeled molecule can specifically bind, such as
enzyme-labeled streptavidin.
2. Competitive Assay Formats
[0139] In competitive assays, the amount of analyte (such as a
polypeptide encoded by a gene listed in FIGS. 1-14) present in the
sample is measured indirectly by measuring the amount of an added
(exogenous) analyte displaced (or competed away) from a capture
agent (e.g., an antibody specific for the analyte) by the analyte
present in the sample. In one competitive assay, a known amount of,
in this case, the protein of interest is added to the sample and
the sample is then contacted with a capture agent, in this case an
antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide of the invention.
The amount of immunogen bound to the antibody is inversely
proportional to the concentration of immunogen present in the
sample. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the antibody is
immobilized on a solid substrate. For example, the amount of the
polypeptide bound to the antibody may be determined either by
measuring the amount of subject protein present in a
protein/antibody complex or, alternatively, by measuring the amount
of remaining uncomplexed protein. The amount of protein may be
detected by providing a labeled protein molecule.
[0140] Immunoassays in the competitive binding format can be used
for cross-reactivity determinations. For example, a protein of
interest can be immobilized on a solid support. Proteins are added
to the assay which compete with the binding of the antisera to the
immobilized antigen. The ability of the above proteins to compete
with the binding of the antisera to the immobilized protein is
compared to that of the protein of interest. The percent
cross-reactivity for the above proteins is calculated, using
standard calculations. Those antisera with less than 10%
cross-reactivity with each of the proteins listed above are
selected and pooled. The cross-reacting antibodies are optionally
removed from the pooled antisera by immunoabsorption with the
considered proteins, e.g., distantly related homologs.
[0141] The immunoabsorbed and pooled antisera are then used in a
competitive binding immunoassay as described above to compare a
second protein, thought to be perhaps a protein of the present
invention, to the immunogen protein. In order to make this
comparison, the two proteins are each assayed at a wide range of
concentrations and the amount of each protein required to inhibit
50% of the binding of the antisera to the immobilized protein is
determined. If the amount of the second protein required is less
than 10 times the amount of the protein partially encoded by a
sequence herein that is required, then the second protein is said
to specifically bind to an antibody generated to an immunogen
consisting of the target protein.
3. Other Assay Formats
[0142] In a particularly preferred embodiment, western blot
(immunoblot) analysis is used to detect and quantify the presence
of a polypeptide of the invention in the sample. The technique
generally comprises separating sample proteins by gel
electrophoresis on the basis of molecular weight, transferring the
separated proteins to a suitable solid support (such as, e.g., a
nitrocellulose filter, a nylon filter, or a derivatized nylon
filter) and incubating the sample with the antibodies that
specifically bind the protein of interest. For example, the
antibodies specifically bind to a polypeptide of interest on the
solid support. These antibodies may be directly labeled or
alternatively may be subsequently detected using labeled antibodies
(e.g., labeled sheep anti-mouse antibodies) that specifically bind
to the antibodies against the protein of interest.
[0143] Other assay formats include liposome immunoassays (LIA),
which use liposomes designed to bind specific molecules (e.g.,
antibodies) and release encapsulated reagents or markers. The
released chemicals are then detected according to standard
techniques (see, Monroe et al. (1986) Amer. Clin. Prod. Rev.
5:34-41).
4. Labels
[0144] The particular label or detectable group used in the assay
is not a critical aspect of the invention, as long as it does not
significantly interfere with the specific binding of the antibody
used in the assay. The detectable group can be any material having
a detectable physical or chemical property. Such detectable labels
have been well developed in the field of immunoassays and, in
general, most labels useful in such methods can be applied to the
present invention. Thus, a label is any composition detectable by
spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical,
electrical, optical or chemical means. Useful labels in the present
invention include magnetic beads (e.g., Dynabeads.TM.), fluorescent
dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, and
the like), radiolabels (e.g., .sup.3H, .sup.125I, .sup.35S,
.sup.14C, or .sup.32P), enzymes (e.g., horse radish peroxidase,
alkaline phosphatase and others commonly used in an ELISA), and
colorimetric labels such as colloidal gold or colored glass or
plastic (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, latex, etc.) beads.
[0145] The label may be coupled directly or indirectly to the
desired component of the assay according to methods well known in
the art. As indicated above, a wide variety of labels may be used,
with the choice of label depending on the sensitivity required, the
ease of conjugation with the compound, stability requirements,
available instrumentation, and disposal provisions.
[0146] Non-radioactive labels are often attached by indirect means.
The molecules can also be conjugated directly to signal generating
compounds, e.g., by conjugation with an enzyme or fluorescent
compound. A variety of enzymes and fluorescent compounds can be
used with the methods of the present invention and are well-known
to those of skill in the art (for a review of various labeling or
signal producing systems which may be used, see, e.g., U.S. Pat.
No. 4,391,904). Means of detecting labels are well known to those
of skill in the art. Thus, for example, where the label is a
radioactive label, means for detection include a scintillation
counter or photographic film as in autoradiography. Where the label
is a fluorescent label, it may be detected by exciting the
fluorochrome with the appropriate wavelength of light and detecting
the resulting fluorescence. The fluorescence may be detected
visually, by means of photographic film, by the use of electronic
detectors such as charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or photomultipliers
and the like. Similarly, enzymatic labels may be detected by
providing the appropriate substrates for the enzyme and detecting
the resulting reaction product. Finally simple colorimetric labels
may be detected directly by observing the color associated with the
label. Thus, in various dipstick assays, conjugated gold often
appears pink, while various conjugated beads appear the color of
the bead.
[0147] Some assay formats do not require the use of labeled
components. For instance, agglutination assays can be used to
detect the presence of the target antibodies. In this case,
antigen-coated particles are agglutinated by samples comprising the
target antibodies. In this format, none of the components need to
be labeled and the presence of the target antibody is detected by
simple visual inspection.
VI. Screening for Modulators of Polypeptides and Polynucleotides of
the Invention
[0148] Modulators of polypeptides or polynucleotides of the
invention, i.e. agonists or antagonists of their activity or
modulators of polypeptide or polynucleotide expression, are useful
for treating a number of human diseases, including mood disorders
or psychotic disorders. Administration of agonists, antagonists or
other agents that modulate expression of the polynucleotides or
polypeptides of the invention can be used to treat patients with
mood disorders or psychotic disorders.
A. Screening Methods
[0149] A number of different screening protocols can be utilized to
identify agents that modulate the level of expression or activity
of polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention in cells,
particularly mammalian cells, and especially human cells. In
general terms, the screening methods involve screening a plurality
of agents to identify an agent that modulates the polypeptide
activity by binding to a polypeptide of the invention, modulating
inhibitor binding to the polypeptide or activating expression of
the polypeptide or polynucleotide, for example.
1. Binding Assays
[0150] Preliminary screens can be conducted by screening for agents
capable of binding to a polypeptide of the invention, as at least
some of the agents so identified are likely modulators of
polypeptide activity. The binding assays usually involve contacting
a polypeptide of the invention with one or more test agents and
allowing sufficient time for the protein and test agents to form a
binding complex. Any binding complexes formed can be detected using
any of a number of established analytical techniques. Protein
binding assays include, but are not limited to, methods that
measure co-precipitation, co-migration on non-denaturing
SDS-polyacrylamide gels, and co-migration on Western blots (see,
e.g., Bennet and Yamamura, (1985) "Neurotransmitter, Hormone or
Drug Receptor Binding Methods," in Neurotransmitter Receptor
Binding (Yamamura, H. I., et al., eds.), pp. 61-89. The protein
utilized in such assays can be naturally expressed, cloned or
synthesized.
[0151] Binding assays are also useful, e.g., for identifying
endogenous proteins that interact with a polypeptide of the
invention. For example, antibodies, receptors or other molecules
that bind a polypeptide of the invention can be identified in
binding assays.
2. Expression Assays
[0152] Certain screening methods involve screening for a compound
that up or down-regulates the expression of a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention. Such methods generally involve
conducting cell-based assays in which test compounds are contacted
with one or more cells expressing a polypeptide or polynucleotide
of the invention and then detecting an increase or decrease in
expression (either transcript, translation product, or catalytic
product). Some assays are performed with peripheral cells, or other
cells, that express an endogenous polypeptide or polynucleotide of
the invention.
[0153] Polypeptide or polynucleotide expression can be detected in
a number of different ways. As described infra, the expression
level of a polynucleotide of the invention in a cell can be
determined by probing the mRNA expressed in a cell with a probe
that specifically hybridizes with a transcript (or complementary
nucleic acid derived therefrom) of a polynucleotide of the
invention. Probing can be conducted by lysing the cells and
conducting Northern blots or without lysing the cells using in
situ-hybridization techniques. Alternatively, a polypeptide of the
invention can be detected using immunological methods in which a
cell lysate is probed with antibodies that specifically bind to a
polypeptide of the invention.
[0154] Other cell-based assays are reporter assays conducted with
cells that do not express a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the
invention. Certain of these assays are conducted with a
heterologous nucleic acid construct that includes a promoter of a
polynucleotide of the invention that is operably linked to a
reporter gene that encodes a detectable product. A number of
different reporter genes can be utilized. Some reporters are
inherently detectable. An example of such a reporter is green
fluorescent protein that emits fluorescence that can be detected
with a fluorescence detector. Other reporters generate a detectable
product. Often such reporters are enzymes. Exemplary enzyme
reporters include, but are not limited to, .beta.-glucuronidase,
chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT); Alton and Vapnek (1979)
Nature 282:864-869), luciferase, .beta.-galactosidase, green
fluorescent protein (GFP) and alkaline phosphatase (Toh, et al.
(1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 182:231-238; and Hall et al. (1983) J. Mol.
Appl. Gen. 2:101).
[0155] In these assays, cells harboring the reporter construct are
contacted with a test compound. A test compound that either
activates the promoter by binding to it or triggers a cascade that
produces a molecule that activates the promoter causes expression
of the detectable reporter. Certain other reporter assays are
conducted with cells that harbor a heterologous construct that
includes a transcriptional control element that activates
expression of a polynucleotide of the invention and a reporter
operably linked thereto. Here, too, an agent that binds to the
transcriptional control element to activate expression of the
reporter or that triggers the formation of an agent that binds to
the transcriptional control element to activate reporter
expression, can be identified by the generation of signal
associated with reporter expression.
[0156] The level of expression or activity can be compared to a
baseline value. As indicated above, the baseline value can be a
value for a control sample or a statistical value that is
representative of expression levels for a control population (e.g.,
healthy individuals not having or at risk for mood disorders or
psychotic disorders). Expression levels can also be determined for
cells that do not express a polynucleotide of the invention as a
negative control. Such cells generally are otherwise substantially
genetically the same as the test cells.
[0157] A variety of different types of cells can be utilized in the
reporter assays. Cells that express an endogenous polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention include, e.g., brain cells,
including cells from the cerebellum, anterior cingulate cortex, or
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Cells that do not endogenously
express polynucleotides of the invention can be prokaryotic, but
are preferably eukaryotic. The eukaryotic cells can be any of the
cells typically utilized in generating cells that harbor
recombinant nucleic acid constructs. Exemplary eukaryotic cells
include, but are not limited to, yeast, and various higher
eukaryotic cells such as the COS, CHO and HeLa cell lines and stem
cells, e.g., neural stem cells.
[0158] Various controls can be conducted to ensure that an observed
activity is authentic including running parallel reactions with
cells that lack the reporter construct or by not contacting a cell
harboring the reporter construct with test compound. Compounds can
also be further validated as described below.
3. Catalytic Activity
[0159] Catalytic activity of polypeptides of the invention can be
determined by measuring the production of enzymatic products or by
measuring the consumption of substrates. Activity refers to either
the rate of catalysis or the ability to the polypeptide to bind
(K.sub.m) the substrate or release the catalytic product
(K.sub.d).
[0160] Analysis of the activity of polypeptides of the invention
are performed according to general biochemical analyses. Such
assays include cell-based assays as well as in vitro assays
involving purified or partially purified polypeptides or crude cell
lysates. The assays generally involve providing a known quantity of
substrate and quantifying product as a function of time.
4. Validation
[0161] Agents that are initially identified by any of the foregoing
screening methods can be further tested to validate the apparent
activity. Preferably such studies are conducted with suitable
animal models. The basic format of such methods involves
administering a lead compound identified during an initial screen
to an animal that serves as a model for humans and then determining
if expression or activity of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the
invention is in fact upregulated. The animal models utilized in
validation studies generally are mammals of any kind Specific
examples of suitable animals include, but are not limited to,
primates, mice, and rats.
5. Animal Models
[0162] Animal models of mental disorders also find use in screening
for modulators. In one embodiment, rat models of schizophrenia or
other mental disorder, such as depression, are used for screening.
In one embodiment, invertebrate models such as Drosophila models
can be used, screening for modulators of Drosophila orthologs of
the human genes disclosed herein. In another embodiment, transgenic
animal technology including gene knockout technology, for example
as a result of homologous recombination with an appropriate gene
targeting vector, or gene overexpression, will result in the
absence, decreased or increased expression of a polynucleotide or
polypeptide of the invention. The same technology can also be
applied to make knockout cells. When desired, tissue-specific
expression or knockout of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the
invention may be necessary. Transgenic animals generated by such
methods find use as animal models of mental disorder and are useful
in screening for modulators of mental disorder.
[0163] Knockout cells and transgenic mice can be made by insertion
of a marker gene or other heterologous gene into an endogenous gene
site in the mouse genome via homologous recombination. Such mice
can also be made by substituting an endogenous polynucleotide of
the invention with a mutated version of the polynucleotide, or by
mutating an endogenous polynucleotide, e.g., by exposure to
carcinogens.
[0164] For development of appropriate stem cells, a DNA construct
is introduced into the nuclei of embryonic stem cells. Cells
containing the newly engineered genetic lesion are injected into a
host mouse embryo, which is re-implanted into a recipient female.
Some of these embryos develop into chimeric mice that possess germ
cells partially derived from the mutant cell line. Therefore, by
breeding the chimeric mice it is possible to obtain a new line of
mice containing the introduced genetic lesion (see, e.g., Capecchi
et al., Science 244:1288 (1989)). Chimeric targeted mice can be
derived according to Hogan et al., Manipulating the Mouse Embryo: A
Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988) and
Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach,
Robertson, ed., IRL Press, Washington, D.C., (1987).
B. Modulators of Polypeptides or Polynucleotides of the
Invention
[0165] The agents tested as modulators of the polypeptides or
polynucleotides of the invention can be any small chemical
compound, or a biological entity, such as a protein, sugar, nucleic
acid or lipid. Alternatively, modulators can be genetically altered
versions of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention.
Typically, test compounds will be small chemical molecules and
peptides. Essentially any chemical compound can be used as a
potential modulator or ligand in the assays of the invention,
although most often compounds that can be dissolved in aqueous or
organic (especially DMSO-based) solutions are used. The assays are
designed to screen large chemical libraries by automating the assay
steps and providing compounds from any convenient source to assays,
which are typically run in parallel (e.g., in microtiter formats on
microtiter plates in robotic assays). It will be appreciated that
there are many suppliers of chemical compounds, including Sigma
(St. Louis, Mo.), Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.), Sigma-Aldrich (St.
Louis, Mo.), Fluka Chemika-Biochemica Analytika (Buchs,
Switzerland) and the like. Modulators also include agents designed
to reduce the level of mRNA of the invention (e.g. antisense
molecules, ribozymes, DNAzymes and the like) or the level of
translation from an mRNA.
[0166] In one preferred embodiment, high throughput screening
methods involve providing a combinatorial chemical or peptide
library containing a large number of potential therapeutic
compounds (potential modulator or ligand compounds). Such
"combinatorial chemical libraries" or "ligand libraries" are then
screened in one or more assays, as described herein, to identify
those library members (particular chemical species or subclasses)
that display a desired characteristic activity. The compounds thus
identified can serve as conventional "lead compounds" or can
themselves be used as potential or actual therapeutics.
[0167] A combinatorial chemical library is a collection of diverse
chemical compounds generated by either chemical synthesis or
biological synthesis, by combining a number of chemical "building
blocks" such as reagents. For example, a linear combinatorial
chemical library such as a polypeptide library is formed by
combining a set of chemical building blocks (amino acids) in every
possible way for a given compound length (i.e., the number of amino
acids in a polypeptide compound). Millions of chemical compounds
can be synthesized through such combinatorial mixing of chemical
building blocks.
[0168] Preparation and screening of combinatorial chemical
libraries is well known to those of skill in the art. Such
combinatorial chemical libraries include, but are not limited to,
peptide libraries (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,175, Furka, Int.
J. Pept. Prot. Res. 37:487-493 (1991) and Houghton et al., Nature
354:84-88 (1991)). Other chemistries for generating chemical
diversity libraries can also be used. Such chemistries include, but
are not limited to: peptoids (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO
91/19735), encoded peptides (e.g., PCT Publication WO 93/20242),
random bio-oligomers (e.g., PCT Publication No. WO 92/00091),
benzodiazepines (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,514), diversomers such
as hydantoins, benzodiazepines and dipeptides (Hobbs et al., Proc.
Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6909-6913 (1993)), vinylogous polypeptides
(Hagihara et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 114:6568 (1992)), nonpeptidal
peptidomimetics with glucose scaffolding (Hirschmann et al., J.
Amer. Chem. Soc. 114:9217-9218 (1992)), analogous organic syntheses
of small compound libraries (Chen et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc.
116:2661 (1994)), oligocarbamates (Cho et al., Science 261:1303
(1993)), and/or peptidyl phosphonates (Campbell et al., J. Org.
Chem. 59:658 (1994)), nucleic acid libraries (see Ausubel, Berger
and Sambrook, all supra), peptide nucleic acid libraries (see,
e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,083), antibody libraries (see, e.g.,
Vaughn et al., Nature Biotechnology, 14(3):309-314 (1996) and
PCT/US96/10287), carbohydrate libraries (see, e.g., Liang et al.,
Science, 274:1520-1522 (1996) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,853), small
organic molecule libraries (see, e.g., benzodiazepines, Baum
C&EN, January 18, page 33 (1993); isoprenoids, U.S. Pat. No.
5,569,588; thiazolidinones and metathiazanones, U.S. Pat. No.
5,549,974; pyrrolidines, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,735 and 5,519,134;
morpholino compounds, U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,337; benzodiazepines,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,514, and the like).
[0169] Devices for the preparation of combinatorial libraries are
commercially available (see, e.g., 357 MPS, 390 MPS, Advanced Chem
Tech, Louisville Ky.; Symphony, Rainin, Woburn, Mass.; 433A Applied
Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.; 9050 Plus, Millipore, Bedford,
Mass.). In addition, numerous combinatorial libraries are
themselves commercially available (see, e.g., ComGenex, Princeton,
N.J.; Tripos, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.; 3D Pharmaceuticals, Exton, Pa.;
Martek Biosciences, Columbia, Md., etc.).
C. Solid State and Soluble High Throughput Assays
[0170] In the high throughput assays of the invention, it is
possible to screen up to several thousand different modulators or
ligands in a single day. In particular, each well of a microtiter
plate can be used to run a separate assay against a selected
potential modulator, or, if concentration or incubation time
effects are to be observed, every 5-10 wells can test a single
modulator. Thus, a single standard microtiter plate can assay about
100 (e.g., 96) modulators. If 1536 well plates are used, then a
single plate can easily assay from about 100 to about 1500
different compounds. It is possible to assay several different
plates per day; assay screens for up to about 6,000-20,000
different compounds are possible using the integrated systems of
the invention. More recently, microfluidic approaches to reagent
manipulation have been developed.
[0171] The molecule of interest can be bound to the solid state
component, directly or indirectly, via covalent or non-covalent
linkage, e.g., via a tag. The tag can be any of a variety of
components. In general, a molecule that binds the tag (a tag
binder) is fixed to a solid support, and the tagged molecule of
interest is attached to the solid support by interaction of the tag
and the tag binder.
[0172] A number of tags and tag binders can be used, based upon
known molecular interactions well described in the literature. For
example, where a tag has a natural binder, for example, biotin,
protein A, or protein G, it can be used in conjunction with
appropriate tag binders (avidin, streptavidin, neutravidin, the Fc
region of an immunoglobulin, etc.). Antibodies to molecules with
natural binders such as biotin are also widely available and
appropriate tag binders (see, SIGMA Immunochemicals 1998 catalogue
SIGMA, St. Louis Mo.).
[0173] Similarly, any haptenic or antigenic compound can be used in
combination with an appropriate antibody to form a tag/tag binder
pair. Thousands of specific antibodies are commercially available
and many additional antibodies are described in the literature. For
example, in one common configuration, the tag is a first antibody
and the tag binder is a second antibody which recognizes the first
antibody. In addition to antibody-antigen interactions,
receptor-ligand interactions are also appropriate as tag and
tag-binder pairs, such as agonists and antagonists of cell membrane
receptors (e.g., cell receptor-ligand interactions such as
transferrin, c-kit, viral receptor ligands, cytokine receptors,
chemokine receptors, interleukin receptors, immunoglobulin
receptors and antibodies, the cadherin family, the integrin family,
the selectin family, and the like; see, e.g., Pigott & Power,
The Adhesion Molecule Facts Book I (1993)). Similarly, toxins and
venoms, viral epitopes, hormones (e.g., opiates, steroids, etc.),
intracellular receptors (e.g., which mediate the effects of various
small ligands, including steroids, thyroid hormone, retinoids and
vitamin D; peptides), drugs, lectins, sugars, nucleic acids (both
linear and cyclic polymer configurations), oligosaccharides,
proteins, phospholipids and antibodies can all interact with
various cell receptors.
[0174] Synthetic polymers, such as polyurethanes, polyesters,
polycarbonates, polyureas, polyamides, polyethyleneimines,
polyarylene sulfides, polysiloxanes, polyimides, and polyacetates
can also form an appropriate tag or tag binder. Many other tag/tag
binder pairs are also useful in assay systems described herein, as
would be apparent to one of skill upon review of this
disclosure.
[0175] Common linkers such as peptides, polyethers, and the like
can also serve as tags, and include polypeptide sequences, such as
poly-Gly sequences of between about 5 and 200 amino acids. Such
flexible linkers are known to those of skill in the art. For
example, poly(ethylene glycol) linkers are available from
Shearwater Polymers, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. These linkers
optionally have amide linkages, sulfhydryl linkages, or hetero
functional linkages.
[0176] Tag binders are fixed to solid substrates using any of a
variety of methods currently available. Solid substrates are
commonly derivatized or functionalized by exposing all or a portion
of the substrate to a chemical reagent which fixes a chemical group
to the surface which is reactive with a portion of the tag binder.
For example, groups which are suitable for attachment to a longer
chain portion would include amines, hydroxyl, thiol, and carboxyl
groups. Aminoalkylsilanes and hydroxyalkylsilanes can be used to
functionalize a variety of surfaces, such as glass surfaces. The
construction of such solid phase biopolymer arrays is well
described in the literature (see, e.g., Merrifield, J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 85:2149-2154 (1963) (describing solid phase synthesis of,
e.g., peptides); Geysen et al., J. Immun. Meth. 102:259-274 (1987)
(describing synthesis of solid phase components on pins); Frank and
Doring, Tetrahedron 44:60316040 (1988) (describing synthesis of
various peptide sequences on cellulose disks); Fodor et al.,
Science, 251:767-777 (1991); Sheldon et al., Clinical Chemistry
39(4):718-719 (1993); and Kozal et al., Nature Medicine 2(7):753759
(1996) (all describing arrays of biopolymers fixed to solid
substrates). Non-chemical approaches for fixing tag binders to
substrates include other common methods, such as heat,
cross-linking by UV radiation, and the like.
[0177] The invention provides in vitro assays for identifying, in a
high throughput format, compounds that can modulate the expression
or activity of the polynucleotides or polypeptides of the
invention. In a preferred embodiment, the methods of the invention
include such a control reaction. For each of the assay formats
described, "no modulator" control reactions that do not include a
modulator provide a background level of binding activity.
[0178] In some assays it will be desirable to have positive
controls to ensure that the components of the assays are working
properly. At least two types of positive controls are appropriate.
First, a known activator of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the
invention can be incubated with one sample of the assay, and the
resulting increase in signal resulting from an increased expression
level or activity of polynucleotide or polypeptide determined
according to the methods herein. Second, a known inhibitor of a
polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention can be added, and
the resulting decrease in signal for the expression or activity can
be similarly detected.
D. Computer-Based Assays
[0179] Yet another assay for compounds that modulate the activity
of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention involves
computer assisted drug design, in which a computer system is used
to generate a three-dimensional structure of the polypeptide or
polynucleotide based on the structural information encoded by its
amino acid or nucleotide sequence. The input sequence interacts
directly and actively with a pre-established algorithm in a
computer program to yield secondary, tertiary, and quaternary
structural models of the molecule. Similar analyses can be
performed on potential receptors or binding partners of the
polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention. The models of the
protein or nucleotide structure are then examined to identify
regions of the structure that have the ability to bind, e.g., a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention. These regions are
then used to identify polypeptides that bind to a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention.
[0180] The three-dimensional structural model of a protein is
generated by entering protein amino acid sequences of at least 10
amino acid residues or corresponding nucleic acid sequences
encoding a potential receptor into the computer system. The amino
acid sequences encoded by the nucleic acid sequences provided
herein represent the primary sequences or subsequences of the
proteins, which encode the structural information of the proteins.
At least 10 residues of an amino acid sequence (or a nucleotide
sequence encoding 10 amino acids) are entered into the computer
system from computer keyboards, computer readable substrates that
include, but are not limited to, electronic storage media (e.g.,
magnetic diskettes, tapes, cartridges, and chips), optical media
(e.g., CD ROM), information distributed by internet sites, and by
RAM. The three-dimensional structural model of the protein is then
generated by the interaction of the amino acid sequence and the
computer system, using software known to those of skill in the
art.
[0181] The amino acid sequence represents a primary structure that
encodes the information necessary to form the secondary, tertiary,
and quaternary structure of the protein of interest. The software
looks at certain parameters encoded by the primary sequence to
generate the structural model. These parameters are referred to as
"energy terms," and primarily include electrostatic potentials,
hydrophobic potentials, solvent accessible surfaces, and hydrogen
bonding. Secondary energy terms include van der Waals potentials.
Biological molecules form the structures that minimize the energy
terms in a cumulative fashion. The computer program is therefore
using these terms encoded by the primary structure or amino acid
sequence to create the secondary structural model.
[0182] The tertiary structure of the protein encoded by the
secondary structure is then formed on the basis of the energy terms
of the secondary structure. The user at this point can enter
additional variables such as whether the protein is membrane bound
or soluble, its location in the body, and its cellular location,
e.g., cytoplasmic, surface, or nuclear. These variables along with
the energy terms of the secondary structure are used to form the
model of the tertiary structure. In modeling the tertiary
structure, the computer program matches hydrophobic faces of
secondary structure with like, and hydrophilic faces of secondary
structure with like.
[0183] Once the structure has been generated, potential ligand
binding regions are identified by the computer system.
Three-dimensional structures for potential ligands are generated by
entering amino acid or nucleotide sequences or chemical formulas of
compounds, as described above. The three-dimensional structure of
the potential ligand is then compared to that of a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention to identify binding sites of the
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention. Binding affinity
between the protein and ligands is determined using energy terms to
determine which ligands have an enhanced probability of binding to
the protein.
[0184] Computer systems are also used to screen for mutations,
polymorphic variants, alleles and interspecies homologs of genes
encoding a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention. Such
mutations can be associated with disease states or genetic traits
and can be used for diagnosis. As described above, GeneChip.TM. and
related technology can also be used to screen for mutations,
polymorphic variants, alleles and interspecies homologs. Once the
variants are identified, diagnostic assays can be used to identify
patients having such mutated genes. Identification of the mutated a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention involves receiving
input of a first amino acid sequence of a polypeptide of the
invention (or of a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a
polypeptide of the invention), e.g., any amino acid sequence having
at least 60%, optionally at least 70% or 85%, identity with the
amino acid sequence of interest, or conservatively modified
versions thereof. The sequence is entered into the computer system
as described above. The first nucleic acid or amino acid sequence
is then compared to a second nucleic acid or amino acid sequence
that has substantial identity to the first sequence. The second
sequence is entered into the computer system in the manner
described above. Once the first and second sequences are compared,
nucleotide or amino acid differences between the sequences are
identified. Such sequences can represent allelic differences in
various polynucleotides, including SNPs and/or haplotypes, of the
invention, and mutations associated with disease states and genetic
traits.
VII. Compositions, Kits and Integrated Systems
[0185] The invention provides compositions, kits and integrated
systems for practicing the assays described herein using
polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention, antibodies
specific for polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention,
etc.
[0186] The invention provides assay compositions for use in solid
phase assays; such compositions can include, for example, one or
more polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention immobilized
on a solid support, and a labeling reagent. In each case, the assay
compositions can also include additional reagents that are
desirable for hybridization. Modulators of expression or activity
of polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention can also be
included in the assay compositions.
[0187] The invention also provides kits for carrying out the
therapeutic and diagnostic assays of the invention. The kits
typically include a probe that comprises an antibody that
specifically binds to polypeptides or polynucleotides of the
invention, and a label for detecting the presence of the probe. The
kits may include several polynucleotide sequences encoding
polypeptides of the invention. Kits can include any of the
compositions noted above, and optionally further include additional
components such as instructions to practice a high-throughput
method of assaying for an effect on expression of the genes
encoding the polypeptides of the invention, or on activity of the
polypeptides of the invention, one or more containers or
compartments (e.g., to hold the probe, labels, or the like), a
control modulator of the expression or activity of polypeptides of
the invention, a robotic armature for mixing kit components or the
like.
[0188] The invention also provides integrated systems for
high-throughput screening of potential modulators for an effect on
the expression or activity of the polypeptides of the invention.
The systems typically include a robotic armature which transfers
fluid from a source to a destination, a controller which controls
the robotic armature, a label detector, a data storage unit which
records label detection, and an assay component such as a
microtiter dish comprising a well having a reaction mixture or a
substrate comprising a fixed nucleic acid or immobilization
moiety.
[0189] A number of robotic fluid transfer systems are available, or
can easily be made from existing components. For example, a Zymate
XP (Zymark Corporation; Hopkinton, Mass.) automated robot using a
Microlab 2200 (Hamilton; Reno, Nev.) pipetting station can be used
to transfer parallel samples to 96 well microtiter plates to set up
several parallel simultaneous STAT binding assays.
[0190] Optical images viewed (and, optionally, recorded) by a
camera or other recording device (e.g., a photodiode and data
storage device) are optionally further processed in any of the
embodiments herein, e.g., by digitizing the image and storing and
analyzing the image on a computer. A variety of commercially
available peripheral equipment and software is available for
digitizing, storing and analyzing a digitized video or digitized
optical image, e.g., using PC, MACINTOSH.RTM., or UNIX.RTM. based
(e.g., SUN.RTM. work station) computers.
[0191] One conventional system carries light from the specimen
field to a cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, in common use
in the art. A CCD camera includes an array of picture elements
(pixels). The light from the specimen is imaged on the CCD.
Particular pixels corresponding to regions of the specimen (e.g.,
individual hybridization sites on an array of biological polymers)
are sampled to obtain light intensity readings for each position.
Multiple pixels are processed in parallel to increase speed. The
apparatus and methods of the invention are easily used for viewing
any sample, e.g., by fluorescent or dark field microscopic
techniques. Lasar based systems can also be used.
VIII. Administration and Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0192] Modulators of the polynucleotides or polypeptides of the
invention (e.g., antagonists or agonists) can be administered
directly to a mammalian subject for modulation of activity of those
molecules in vivo. Administration is by any of the routes normally
used for introducing a modulator compound into ultimate contact
with the tissue to be treated and is well known to those of skill
in the art. Although more than one route can be used to administer
a particular composition, a particular route can often provide a
more immediate and more effective reaction than another route.
[0193] Diseases that can be treated include the following, which
include the corresponding reference number from Morrison, DSM-IV
Made Easy, 1995: Schizophrenia, Catatonic, Subchronic, (295.21);
Schizophrenia, Catatonic, Chronic (295.22); Schizophrenia,
Catatonic, Subchronic with Acute Exacerbation (295.23);
Schizophrenia, Catatonic, Chronic with Acute Exacerbation (295.24);
Schizophrenia, Catatonic, in Remission (295.55); Schizophrenia,
Catatonic, Unspecified (295.20); Schizophrenia, Disorganized,
Subchronic (295.11); Schizophrenia, Disorganized, Chronic (295.12);
Schizophrenia, Disorganized, Subchronic with Acute Exacerbation
(295.13); Schizophrenia, Disorganized, Chronic with Acute
Exacerbation (295.14); Schizophrenia, Disorganized, in Remission
(295.15); Schizophrenia, Disorganized, Unspecified (295.10);
Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Subchronic (295.31); Schizophrenia,
Paranoid, Chronic (295.32); Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Subchronic
with Acute Exacerbation (295.33); Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Chronic
with Acute Exacerbation (295.34); Schizophrenia, Paranoid, in
Remission (295.35); Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Unspecified (295.30);
Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated, Subchronic (295.91);
Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated, Chronic (295.92); Schizophrenia,
Undifferentiated, Subchronic with Acute Exacerbation (295.93);
Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated, Chronic with Acute Exacerbation
(295.94); Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated, in Remission (295.95);
Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated, Unspecified (295.90);
Schizophrenia, Residual, Subchronic (295.61); Schizophrenia,
Residual, Chronic (295.62); Schizophrenia, Residual, Subchronic
with Acute Exacerbation (295.63); Schizophrenia, Residual, Chronic
with Acute Exacerbation (295.94); Schizophrenia, Residual, in
Remission (295.65); Schizophrenia, Residual, Unspecified (295.60);
Delusional (Paranoid) Disorder (297.10); Brief Reactive Psychosis
(298.80); Schizophreniform Disorder (295.40); Schizoaffective
Disorder (295.70); Induced Psychotic Disorder (297.30); Psychotic
Disorder NOS (Atypical Psychosis) (298.90); Personality Disorders,
Paranoid (301.00); Personality Disorders, Schizoid (301.20);
Personality Disorders, Schizotypal (301.22); Personality Disorders,
Antisocial (301.70); Personality Disorders, Borderline (301.83) and
bipolar disorders, maniac, hypomaniac, dysthymic or cyclothymic
disorders, substance-induced major depression, psychotic disorder,
including schizophrenia (paranoid, catatonic, delusional) having
schizoaffective disorder, and substance-induced psychotic
disorder.
[0194] In some embodiments, modulators of polynucleotides or
polypeptides of the invention can be combined with other drugs
useful for treating mental disorders including psychotic disorders,
e.g., schizophrenia; and mood disorders, e.g., bipolar disorders,
or major depression. In some preferred embodiments, pharmaceutical
compositions of the invention comprise a modulator of a polypeptide
of polynucleotide of the invention combined with at least one of
the compounds useful for treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
or major depression, e.g., such as those described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,297,262; 6,284,760; 6,284,771; 6,232,326; 6,187,752;
6,117,890; 6,239,162 or 6,166,008.
[0195] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may
comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers are determined in part by the particular
composition being administered, as well as by the particular method
used to administer the composition. Accordingly, there is a wide
variety of suitable formulations of pharmaceutical compositions of
the present invention (see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical
Sciences, 17.sup.th ed. 1985)).
[0196] The modulators (e.g., agonists or antagonists) of the
expression or activity of the a polypeptide or polynucleotide of
the invention, alone or in combination with other suitable
components, can be made into aerosol formulations (i.e., they can
be "nebulized") to be administered via inhalation or in
compositions useful for injection. Aerosol formulations can be
placed into pressurized acceptable propellants, such as
dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, nitrogen, and the like.
[0197] Formulations suitable for administration include aqueous and
non-aqueous solutions, isotonic sterile solutions, which can
contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, and solutes that
render the formulation isotonic, and aqueous and non-aqueous
sterile suspensions that can include suspending agents,
solubilizers, thickening agents, stabilizers, and preservatives. In
the practice of this invention, compositions can be administered,
for example, orally, nasally, topically, intravenously,
intraperitoneally, or intrathecally. The formulations of compounds
can be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, such
as ampoules and vials. Solutions and suspensions can be prepared
from sterile powders, granules, and tablets of the kind previously
described. The modulators can also be administered as part of a
prepared food or drug.
[0198] The dose administered to a patient, in the context of the
present invention should be sufficient to effect a beneficial
response in the subject over time. The optimal dose level for any
patient will depend on a variety of factors including the efficacy
of the specific modulator employed, the age, body weight, physical
activity, and diet of the patient, on a possible combination with
other drugs, and on the severity of the mental disorder. The size
of the dose also will be determined by the existence, nature, and
extent of any adverse side effects that accompany the
administration of a particular compound or vector in a particular
subject.
[0199] In determining the effective amount of the modulator to be
administered a physician may evaluate circulating plasma levels of
the modulator, modulator toxicity, and the production of
anti-modulator antibodies. In general, the dose equivalent of a
modulator is from about 1 ng/kg to 10 mg/kg for a typical
subject.
[0200] For administration, modulators of the present invention can
be administered at a rate determined by the LD-50 of the modulator,
and the side effects of the modulator at various concentrations, as
applied to the mass and overall health of the subject.
Administration can be accomplished via single or divided doses.
IX. Gene Therapy Applications
[0201] A variety of human diseases can be treated by therapeutic
approaches that involve stably introducing a gene into a human cell
such that the gene is transcribed and the gene product is produced
in the cell. Diseases amenable to treatment by this approach
include inherited diseases, including those in which the defect is
in a single or multiple genes. Gene therapy is also useful for
treatment of acquired diseases and other conditions. For
discussions on the application of gene therapy towards the
treatment of genetic as well as acquired diseases, see, Miller,
Nature 357:455-460 (1992); and Mulligan, Science 260:926-932
(1993).
[0202] In the context of the present invention, gene therapy can be
used for treating a variety of disorders and/or diseases in which
the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention has been
implicated. For example, compounds, including polynucleotides, can
be identified by the methods of the present invention as effective
in treating a mental disorder. Introduction by gene therapy of
these polynucleotides can then be used to treat, e.g., mental
disorders including mood disorders or psychotic disorders (e.g.,
schizophrenia).
A. Vectors for Gene Delivery
[0203] For delivery to a cell or organism, the polynucleotides of
the invention can be incorporated into a vector. Examples of
vectors used for such purposes include expression plasmids capable
of directing the expression of the nucleic acids in the target
cell. In other instances, the vector is a viral vector system
wherein the nucleic acids are incorporated into a viral genome that
is capable of transfecting the target cell. In a preferred
embodiment, the polynucleotides can be operably linked to
expression and control sequences that can direct expression of the
gene in the desired target host cells. Thus, one can achieve
expression of the nucleic acid under appropriate conditions in the
target cell.
B. Gene Delivery Systems
[0204] Viral vector systems useful in the expression of the nucleic
acids include, for example, naturally occurring or recombinant
viral vector systems. Depending upon the particular application,
suitable viral vectors include replication competent, replication
deficient, and conditionally replicating viral vectors. For
example, viral vectors can be derived from the genome of human or
bovine adenoviruses, vaccinia virus, herpes virus, adeno-associated
virus, minute virus of mice (MVM), HIV, sindbis virus, and
retroviruses (including but not limited to Rous sarcoma virus), and
MoMLV. Typically, the genes of interest are inserted into such
vectors to allow packaging of the gene construct, typically with
accompanying viral DNA, followed by infection of a sensitive host
cell and expression of the gene of interest.
[0205] As used herein, "gene delivery system" refers to any means
for the delivery of a nucleic acid of the invention to a target
cell. In some embodiments of the invention, nucleic acids are
conjugated to a cell receptor ligand for facilitated uptake (e.g.,
invagination of coated pits and internalization of the endosome)
through an appropriate linking moiety, such as a DNA linking moiety
(Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263:14621-14624 (1988); WO 92/06180).
For example, nucleic acids can be linked through a polylysine
moiety to asialo-oromucocid, which is a ligand for the
asialoglycoprotein receptor of hepatocytes.
[0206] Similarly, viral envelopes used for packaging gene
constructs that include the nucleic acids of the invention can be
modified by the addition of receptor ligands or antibodies specific
for a receptor to permit receptor-mediated endocytosis into
specific cells (see, e.g., WO 93/20221, WO 93/14188, and WO
94/06923). In some embodiments of the invention, the DNA constructs
of the invention are linked to viral proteins, such as adenovirus
particles, to facilitate endocytosis (Curiel et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88:8850-8854 (1991)). In other embodiments,
molecular conjugates of the instant invention can include
microtubule inhibitors (WO/9406922), synthetic peptides mimicking
influenza virus hemagglutinin (Plank et al., J. Biol. Chem.
269:12918-12924 (1994)), and nuclear localization signals such as
SV40 T antigen (WO93/19768).
[0207] Retroviral vectors are also useful for introducing the
nucleic acids of the invention into target cells or organisms.
Retroviral vectors are produced by genetically manipulating
retroviruses. The viral genome of retroviruses is RNA. Upon
infection, this genomic RNA is reverse transcribed into a DNA copy
which is integrated into the chromosomal DNA of transduced cells
with a high degree of stability and efficiency. The integrated DNA
copy is referred to as a provirus and is inherited by daughter
cells as is any other gene. The wild type retroviral genome and the
proviral DNA have three genes: the gag, the pol and the env genes,
which are flanked by two long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences. The
gag gene encodes the internal structural (nucleocapsid) proteins;
the pol gene encodes the RNA directed DNA polymerase (reverse
transcriptase); and the env gene encodes viral envelope
glycoproteins. The 5' and 3' LTRs serve to promote transcription
and polyadenylation of virion RNAs. Adjacent to the 5' LTR are
sequences necessary for reverse transcription of the genome (the
tRNA primer binding site) and for efficient encapsulation of viral
RNA into particles (the Psi site) (see, Mulligan, In: Experimental
Manipulation of Gene Expression, Inouye (ed), 155-173 (1983); Mann
et al., Cell 33:153-159 (1983); Cone and Mulligan, Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 81:6349-6353 (1984)).
[0208] The design of retroviral vectors is well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. In brief, if the sequences necessary for
encapsidation (or packaging of retroviral RNA into infectious
virions) are missing from the viral genome, the result is a
cis-acting defect which prevents encapsidation of genomic RNA.
However, the resulting mutant is still capable of directing the
synthesis of all virion proteins. Retroviral genomes from which
these sequences have been deleted, as well as cell lines containing
the mutant genome stably integrated into the chromosome are well
known in the art and are used to construct retroviral vectors.
Preparation of retroviral vectors and their uses are described in
many publications including, e.g., European Patent Application EPA
0 178 220; U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,712, Gilboa Biotechniques 4:504-512
(1986); Mann et al., Cell 33:153-159 (1983); Cone and Mulligan
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6349-6353 (1984); Eglitis et al.
Biotechniques 6:608-614 (1988); Miller et al. Biotechniques
7:981-990 (1989); Miller (1992) supra; Mulligan (1993), supra; and
WO 92/07943.
[0209] The retroviral vector particles are prepared by
recombinantly inserting the desired nucleotide sequence into a
retrovirus vector and packaging the vector with retroviral capsid
proteins by use of a packaging cell line. The resultant retroviral
vector particle is incapable of replication in the host cell but is
capable of integrating into the host cell genome as a proviral
sequence containing the desired nucleotide sequence. As a result,
the patient is capable of producing, for example, a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention and thus restore the cells to a
normal phenotype.
[0210] Packaging cell lines that are used to prepare the retroviral
vector particles are typically recombinant mammalian tissue culture
cell lines that produce the necessary viral structural proteins
required for packaging, but which are incapable of producing
infectious virions. The defective retroviral vectors that are used,
on the other hand, lack these structural genes but encode the
remaining proteins necessary for packaging. To prepare a packaging
cell line, one can construct an infectious clone of a desired
retrovirus in which the packaging site has been deleted. Cells
comprising this construct will express all structural viral
proteins, but the introduced DNA will be incapable of being
packaged. Alternatively, packaging cell lines can be produced by
transforming a cell line with one or more expression plasmids
encoding the appropriate core and envelope proteins. In these
cells, the gag, pol, and env genes can be derived from the same or
different retroviruses.
[0211] A number of packaging cell lines suitable for the present
invention are also available in the prior art. Examples of these
cell lines include Crip, GPE86, PA317 and PG13 (see Miller et al.,
J. Virol. 65:2220-2224 (1991)). Examples of other packaging cell
lines are described in Cone and Mulligan Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, USA, 81:6349-6353 (1984); Danos and
Mulligan Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA,
85:6460-6464 (1988); Eglitis et al. (1988), supra; and Miller
(1990), supra.
[0212] Packaging cell lines capable of producing retroviral vector
particles with chimeric envelope proteins may be used.
Alternatively, amphotropic or xenotropic envelope proteins, such as
those produced by PA317 and GPX packaging cell lines may be used to
package the retroviral vectors.
[0213] In some embodiments of the invention, an antisense
polynucleotide is administered which hybridizes to a gene encoding
a polypeptide of the invention. The antisense polypeptide can be
provided as an antisense oligonucleotide (see, e.g., Murayama et
al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 7:109-114 (1997)). Genes
encoding an antisense nucleic acid can also be provided; such genes
can be introduced into cells by methods known to those of skill in
the art. For example, one can introduce an antisense nucleotide
sequence in a viral vector, such as, for example, in hepatitis B
virus (see, e.g., Ji et al., J. Viral Hepat. 4:167-173 (1997)), in
adeno-associated virus (see, e.g., Xiao et al., Brain Res.
756:76-83 (1997)), or in other systems including, but not limited,
to an HVJ (Sendai virus)-liposome gene delivery system (see, e.g.,
Kaneda et al., Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 811:299-308 (1997)), a "peptide
vector" (see, e.g., Vidal et al., CR Acad. Sci III 32:279-287
(1997)), as a gene in an episomal or plasmid vector (see, e.g.,
Cooper et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:6450-6455 (1997),
Yew et al. Hum Gene Ther. 8:575-584 (1997)), as a gene in a
peptide-DNA aggregate (see, e.g., Niidome et al., J. Biol. Chem.
272:15307-15312 (1997)), as "naked DNA" (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,580,859 and 5,589,466), in lipidic vector systems (see, e.g., Lee
et al., Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 14:173-206 (1997)),
polymer coated liposomes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,213,804 and 5,013,556),
cationic liposomes (Epand et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,185;
5,578,475; 5,279,833; and 5,334,761), gas filled microspheres (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,542,935), ligand-targeted encapsulated macromolecules
(U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,108,921; 5,521,291; 5,554,386; and
5,166,320).
[0214] Upregulated transcripts listed in FIGS. 1-14 which are
correlated with schizophrenia may be targeted with one or more
short interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences that hybridize to specific
sequences in the target, as described above. Targeting of certain
brain transcripts with siRNA in vivo has been reported, for
example, by Zhang et al., J. Gene. Med., 12:1039-45 (2003), who
utilized monoclonal antibodies against the transferrin receptor to
facilitate passage of liposome-encapsulated siRNA molecules through
the blood brain barrier. Targeted siRNAs represent useful
therapeutic compounds for attenuating the over-expressed
transcripts that are associated with disease states, e.g.,
schizophrenia.
[0215] In another embodiment, conditional expression systems, such
as those typified by the tet-regulated systems and the RU-486
system, can be used (see, e.g., Gossen & Bujard, PNAS 89:5547
(1992); Oligino et al., Gene Ther. 5:491-496 (1998); Wang et al.,
Gene Ther. 4:432-441 (1997); Neering et al., Blood 88:1147-1155
(1996); and Rendahl et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 16:757-761 (1998)).
These systems impart small molecule control on the expression of
the target gene(s) of interest.
C. Pharmaceutical Formulations
[0216] When used for pharmaceutical purposes, the vectors used for
gene therapy are formulated in a suitable buffer, which can be any
pharmaceutically acceptable buffer, such as phosphate buffered
saline or sodium phosphate/sodium sulfate, Tris buffer, glycine
buffer, sterile water, and other buffers known to the ordinarily
skilled artisan such as those described by Good et al. Biochemistry
5:467 (1966).
[0217] The compositions can additionally include a stabilizer,
enhancer, or other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or
vehicles. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can contain a
physiologically acceptable compound that acts, for example, to
stabilize the nucleic acids of the invention and any associated
vector. A physiologically acceptable compound can include, for
example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans;
antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione; chelating
agents; low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or
excipients. Other physiologically acceptable compounds include
wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents, or
preservatives, which are particularly useful for preventing the
growth or action of microorganisms. Various preservatives are well
known and include, for example, phenol and ascorbic acid. Examples
of carriers, stabilizers, or adjuvants can be found in Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Philadelphia,
Pa., 17th ed. (1985).
D. Administration of Formulations
[0218] The formulations of the invention can be delivered to any
tissue or organ using any delivery method known to the ordinarily
skilled artisan. In some embodiments of the invention, the nucleic
acids of the invention are formulated in mucosal, topical, and/or
buccal formulations, particularly mucoadhesive gel and topical gel
formulations. Exemplary permeation enhancing compositions, polymer
matrices, and mucoadhesive gel preparations for transdermal
delivery are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,701.
E. Methods of Treatment
[0219] The gene therapy formulations of the invention are typically
administered to a cell. The cell can be provided as part of a
tissue, such as an epithelial membrane, or as an isolated cell,
such as in tissue culture. The cell can be provided in vivo, ex
vivo, or in vitro.
[0220] The formulations can be introduced into the tissue of
interest in vivo or ex vivo by a variety of methods. In some
embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acids of the invention
are introduced into cells by such methods as microinjection,
calcium phosphate precipitation, liposome fusion, or biolistics. In
further embodiments, the nucleic acids are taken up directly by the
tissue of interest.
[0221] In some embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acids of
the invention are administered ex vivo to cells or tissues
explanted from a patient, then returned to the patient. Examples of
ex vivo administration of therapeutic gene constructs include Nolta
et al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93(6):2414-9 (1996); Koc et al.,
Seminars in Oncology 23 (1):46-65 (1996); Raper et al., Annals of
Surgery 223(2):116-26 (1996); Dalesandro et al., J. Thorac. Cardi.
Surg., 11(2):416-22 (1996); and Makarov et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA 93(1):402-6 (1996).
X. Diagnosis of Mood and Psychotic Disorders
[0222] The present invention also provides methods of diagnosing
mood disorders (such as major depression or bipolar disorder),
psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia). In one preferred
embodiment, the disease state encompasses psychotic disorders.
Diagnosis involves determining the level of a polypeptide or
polynucleotide of the invention in a patient and then comparing the
level to a baseline or range. Typically, the baseline value is
representative of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention
in a healthy person not suffering from a mood disorder or psychotic
disorder or under the effects of medication or other drugs.
Variation of levels of a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the
invention from the baseline range (either up or down) indicates
that the patient has a mood disorder or psychotic disorder or at
risk of developing at least some aspects of a mood disorder or
psychotic disorder. In some embodiments, the level of a polypeptide
or polynucleotide of the invention are measured by taking a blood,
urine or tissue sample from a patient and measuring the amount of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention in the sample using
any number of detection methods, such as those discussed herein,
e.g., detection of expression levels or SNPs or haplotypes
associated with these genes. The genes provided herein also can be
used to develop probe sets for PCR and chip assays.
[0223] Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis is also useful
for detecting differences between alleles of the polynucleotides
(e.g., genes) of the invention. SNPs linked to genes encoding
polypeptides of the invention are useful, for instance, for
diagnosis of diseases (e.g., mood disorders such as bipolar
disease, major depression, and schizophrenia disorders) whose
occurrence is linked to the gene sequences of the invention. For
example, if an individual carries at least one SNP linked to a
disease-associated allele of the gene sequences of the invention,
the individual is likely predisposed for one or more of those
diseases. If the individual is homozygous for a disease-linked SNP,
the individual is particularly predisposed for occurrence of that
disease. In some embodiments, the SNP associated with the gene
sequences of the invention is located within 300,000; 200,000;
100,000; 75,000; 50,000; or 10,000 base pairs from the gene
sequence.
[0224] Various real-time PCR methods can be used to detect SNPs,
including, e.g., Taqman or molecular beacon-based assays (e.g.,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,015; 5,487,972; Tyagi et al., Nature
Biotechnology 14:303 (1996); and PCT WO 95/13399) are useful to
monitor for the presence of absence of a SNP. Additional SNP
detection methods include, e.g., DNA sequencing, sequencing by
hybridization, dot blotting, oligonucleotide array (DNA Chip)
hybridization analysis, or are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.
6,177,249; Landegren et al., Genome Research, 8:769-776 (1998);
Botstein et al., Am J Human Genetics 32:314-331 (1980); Meyers et
al., Methods in Enzymology 155:501-527 (1987); Keen et al., Trends
in Genetics 7:5 (1991); Myers et al., Science 230:1242-1246 (1985);
and Kwok et al., Genomics 23:138-144 (1994).
[0225] In some embodiments, the level of the enzymatic product of a
polypeptide or polynucleotide of the invention is measured and
compared to a baseline value of a healthy person or persons.
Modulated levels of the product compared to the baseline indicates
that the patient has a mood disorder or psychotic disorder or is at
risk of developing at least some aspects of a mood disorder or
psychotic disorder. Patient samples, for example, can be blood,
PBS, lymphocytes, saliva, CSF, urine or tissue samples.
[0226] Immunoassays using antigens and antibodies for genes
differentially expressed in psychotic disorders are also useful for
immunoassays such as ELISA and immunohistochemical assays. The
genes described herein are also useful for making differential
diagnoses for psychiatric disorders.
[0227] In some embodiments, schizophrenia in a patient may be
diagnosed or otherwise evaluated by visualizing expression in situ
of one or more of the gene sequences in FIGS. 1-14. Those skilled
in the art of visualizing the presence or expression of molecules
including nucleic acids, polypeptides and other biochemicals in the
brains of living patients will appreciate that the gene expression
information described herein may be utilized in the context of a
variety of visualization methods. Such methods include, but are not
limited to, single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) and
positron-emitting tomography (PET) methods. See, e.g., Vassaux and
Groot-wassink, "In Vivo Noninvasive Imaging for Gene Therapy," J.
Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2: 92-101 (2003); Turner, J., Smyth,
P., Fallon, J. F., Kennedy, J. L., Potkin, S. G., FIRST BIRN
(2006). Imaging and genetics in schizophrenia. Neuroinformatics, in
press.
[0228] PET and SPECT imaging shows the chemical functioning of
organs and tissues, while other imaging techniques--such as X-ray,
CT and MRI--show structure. The use of PET and SPECT imaging is
useful for qualifying and monitoring the development of brain
diseases, including schizophrenia and related disorders. In some
instances, the use of PET or SPECT imaging allows diseases to be
detected years earlier than the onset of symptoms. The use of small
molecules for labeling and visualizing the presence or expression
of polypeptides and nucleotides has had success, for example, in
visualizing proteins in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, as
described by, e.g., Herholz K et al., Mol Imaging Biol.,
6(4):239-69 (2004); Nordberg A, Lancet Neurol., 3(9):519-27 (2004);
Neuropsychol Rev., Zakzanis K K et al., 13(1):1-18 (2003); Kung M P
et al, Brain Res., 1025(1-2):98-105 (2004); and Herholz K, Ann Nucl
Med., 17(2):79-89 (2003).
[0229] The dysregulated genes disclosed in FIGS. 1-14, or their
encoded peptides (if any), or fragments thereof, can be used in the
context of PET and SPECT imaging applications. After modification
with appropriate tracer residues for PET or SPECT applications,
molecules which interact or bind with the transcripts in FIGS. 1-14
or with any polypeptides encoded by those transcripts may be used
to visualize the patterns of gene expression and facilitate
diagnosis of schizophrenia as described herein. Similarly, if the
encoded polypeptides encode enzymes, labeled molecules which
interact with the products of catalysis by the enzyme may be used
for the in vivo imaging and diagnostic application described
herein.
[0230] Antisense technology is particularly suitable for detecting
the transcripts identified in FIGS. 1-14 herein. For example, the
use of antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA) labeled with an
appropriate radionuclide, such as .sup.111In, and conjugated to a
brain drug-targeting system to enable transport across biologic
membrane barriers, has been demonstrated to allow imaging of
endogenous gene expression in brain cancer. See Suzuki et al.,
Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 10:1766-1775 (2004). Suzuki et al.
utilize a delivery system comprising monoclonal antibodies that
target transferring receptors at the blood-brain barrier and
facilitate transport of the PNA across that barrier. Modified
embodiments of this technique may be used to target upregulated
genes associated with schizophrenia, such as the upregulated genes
which appear in FIGS. 1-5, in methods of treating schizophrenic
patients.
[0231] In other embodiments, the dysregulated genes listed in FIGS.
1-14 may be used in the context of prenatal and neonatal diagnostic
methods. For example, fetal or neonatal lymphocytes can be isolated
and the expression levels of appropriate transcripts (e.g., the
transcripts in FIGS. 4-5) may be measured and correlated with the
presence or increased likelihood of a mental disorder, e.g.,
schizophrenia. Similarly, the presence of one or more of the SNPs
identified in FIG. 6 may be used to infer or corroborate
dysregulated expression of ASG and the likelihood of schizophrenia
in prenatal, neonatal, children and adult patients.
[0232] In other embodiments, the brain labeling and imaging
techniques described herein or variants thereof may be used in
conjunction with any of the dysregulated gene sequences in FIG. 1-4
or 6 in a forensic analysis, i.e., to determine whether deceased
individual suffered from schizophrenia. Similarly, forensic
examination of lymphocyte expression of any of the genes identified
in FIGS. 4-5 may be used alone or in conjunction with other methods
to determine whether a deceased individual suffered from
schizophrenia.
[0233] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described
herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various
modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to
persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit
and purview of this application and scope of the appended
claims.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Identification of Genes Dysregulated in Schizophrenic Patients
[0234] Post mortem mental disorder brains (i.e., from schizophrenia
patients) and control brains were used in this study. Each brain
pair (case and control) was matched on the basis of gender, age,
and postmortem interval. The patient's particular conditions in
their terminal phase (agonal factors, e.g., seizure, coma, hypoxia,
dehydration, and pyrexia) and the conditions of the brain tissue
after death (postmortem factors, e.g., postmortem interval, and
freezer interval) are two major influences on RNA preservation in
postmortem brain tissue. Brain pH has been evaluated as an
indicator for agonal status, and as an indicator of RNA
preservation. Subjects with agonal factors and low pH samples, in
which RNA quality was found to be compromised were eliminated from
the study.
[0235] In this study, dysregulation of gene expression was studied
in six brain regions: the anterior cingulate cortex (AnCg),
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cerebellar cortex (CB),
superior temporal gyms (STG), parietal cortex (PC), and nucleus
accumbens (nAcc). Gene expression patterns in schizophrenic
patients versus healthy controls were analyzed by using Affymetrix
GeneChips {(HG_U133 set (A+B)} to interrogate the transcriptome
from human postmortem brains that met the strict quality control
criteria referred to above, i.e., the agonal factor index of the
donors was 0.0 (zero), and the pH of each individual brain was at
least 6.4 (see Tomita et al., 2004; Li et al., 2004).
[0236] The probe set sequences used in data analysis are as defined
in the CDF files created by the UMICH bioinformatics group
(http://brainarray.mhri.med.umich.edu/Brainarray/) eliminating
sequence redundancy that is inherent to UniGene definitions. The
GeneChip hybridization data were processed, background-corrected,
and normalized first with GCRMA using diagnosis (SZ, and control)
and site {(University of California at Irvine (UCI), University of
Michigan (UM) and University of California at Davis (UCD)} as
factors in the analysis of sample replicates. The probe sets that
showed (i) statistical significance of p<0.05; (ii) an at least
1.2-fold change (FC) in expression in cases relative to controls in
either direction; and (iii) Present (P) call of at least 10% in any
given brain region out of the six analyzed (listed above) were
selected as differentially expressed, i.e., dysregulated genes.
[0237] A total of 1336 transcripts/genes were identified as
differentially expressed in schizophrenic versus control brains in
one or more of the six brain regions analyzed. Of those, 246 genes
were upregulated in AnCg; 166 in CB; 156 in DLPFC; 124 in nAcc; 76
in PC; and 84 in STG. 138 genes were downregulated in AnCg; 187 in
CB; 94 in DLPFC; 83 in nAcc; 125 in PC; and 105 in STG. This data
is presented in FIG. 1.
[0238] Out of the six regions analyzed, only AnCg and DLPFC showed
probe sets with Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichments and no
significant enrichment of KEGG pathways. GO terms enriched in AnCg
are listed in FIG. 2 shows that 3 GO terms were enriched in AnCg,
specifically: GO:0050874, organismal physiological process (with 11
probe sets); GO:0058550, eukaryotic translation factor 2 complex
(with 3 probe sets); and GO:0005739, mitochondrion (with 25 probe
sets).
[0239] FIG. 3 shows that a single GO term was enriched in DLPFC,
specifically: GO:0005622 intracellular (with 90 probe sets).
Example 2
Peripheral Biomarker Expression of Dysregulated Genes Found in
Brain
[0240] For this study, a separate cohort of individuals with
schizophrenia (n=5) were matched for gender and age to unaffected
(n=5) members of a pedigree. Freshly isolated lymphocytes from each
individual were transformed using the Epstein-Barr Virus and grown
until confluent in RPMI-1640 media supplemented with 15% fetal
bovine serum (heat-inactivated), 2 mM L-glutamine and 25 mg of
gentamicin. RNA was extracted from .about.5.times.10.sup.7
lymphoblastic cells using the standard TRIzol isolation protocol
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Affymetrix Human Genome U133A
Arrays were used for gene expression according to the
manufacturer's protocol. The gene expression traits were derived
from the U133A chips and analyzed by robust multiarray condensation
algorithm (RMA). Differential gene expression (gene expression
trait for the purpose of this analysis) was defined as a gene that
displayed a significant two-tailed t-test (p<0.05) in
schizophrenia versus unaffected family members. There were 1344
genes that passed the t-test for dysregulation in lymphocytes in
schizophrenia compared to unaffecteds. This list was compared to
genes in FIG. 1 (showing brain dysregulated genes in
schizophrenia). The genes that were dysregulated in both brain and
lymphocytes are shown in FIG. 4.
[0241] The list of 84 dysregulated genes in FIG. 4 may be grouped
into those genes that agree in direction between brain and
lymphoblasts, and those genes that disagree in direction between
brain and lymphoblasts. Both dysregulated gene sets are biomarkers.
The lymphoblasts do not have agonal factors, pH, or medication
effects such as commonly seen in brain tissue. Thus, the gene
transcripts in FIG. 4 may be used for monitoring lymphoblasts
during treatment or for diagnostic purposes.
[0242] The subset of the 1344 genes identified by microarray
analysis as significantly dysregulated in lymphoblasts only (i.e.,
not brains) is shown in FIG. 5. The microarray data was validated
using Q-PCR to determine the fold change and direction of gene
expression in the lymphocyte samples. Eight of these genes meet
statistical significance in Q-PCR by t-test (two-tailed).
[0243] Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGA) gene expression is dysregulated
in both the brain and lymphocytes of individuals with schizophrenia
(FIG. 4). Eleven single nucleotide polymorphic markers were
identified which correlate with AGA gene expression are shown in
FIG. 6 also shows the regression p-values of genotype with
lymphocyte gene expression. Of the 11 markers, 8 are associated
with a cis-regulatory site (i.e., the Cis value is less then 5 Mb)
and 3 are related to a trans-regulatory site (the Cis value is
greater than 5 Mb). Detecting these SNPs can facilitate the
prediction of AGA gene expression in lymphoblasts. Similarly,
detecting SNPs correlated with the expression of other dysregulated
genes can facilitate the prediction of expression levels of those
genes. The SNPs in FIG. 6 also represent targets for controlling
expression of AGA, for diagnosing and treating schizophrenia, or
for diagnosing and treating other disorders associated with altered
AGA expression. For SNPs rs723820, rs723819, rs1112286, rs1375749,
FIG. 6 shows that the minor alleles are associated with the
decreased AGA expression in schizophrenia.
Example 3
Validation of PSPHL Insertion Deletion Mutation
[0244] The present invention extended the previous findings
regarding the insertion-deletion polymorphism of phosphoserine
phosphatase-like gene, and the association between deletion allele
of PSPHL and susceptibility to bipolar disorder (BPD).
[0245] We previously determined 1) PSPHL gene consists of 4 exons.
Exons 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 213 bp, 114 bp, 122 bp and 501 bp, in
length, respectively, and span introns 1, 2 and 3 (3221 bp, 829 bp
and 11939 bp, in length, respectively). 2) PSPHL and PSPH are
highly homologous, which locate 200 kb apart from each other on
chromosome 7p11.2 region. 3) PSPHL gene has two alternative
transcripts, one of which utilizes the exons 1-4 (PSPHL-A), while
another utilizes the exons 1, 2 and 4 (PSPHL-B). Predicted proteins
of PSPHL-A and PSPHL-B share N-terminal 57 common amino acids,
transcribed from exons 1 and 2. PSPH and the predicted
PSPHL-A&B have 31 amino acids in common. 4) There locates an
insertion/deletion polymorphism at the PSPHL locus. The deleted
genomic region spans more than 30 kb, including the promoter region
and the exons 1, 2 and 3 of PSPHL gene. 5) PSPHL shows a
dichotomous (present or absent) pattern of expression among human
population, which may due to the insertion/deletion polymorphism at
the PSPHL locus. 6) Number of individuals who expresses PSPHL was
significantly smaller in BPD patient group compared to control
group. 7) Since PSPH is the rate limiting enzyme for serine
synthesis, PSPHL may be involved in serine amino acid metabolic
pathway, but might be involved in other pathways.
[0246] In the present invention, we further determined the
followings:
[0247] 1) We verified involvement of the insertion-deletion
polymorphism at the PSPHL locus on the expression pattern of the
gene.
[0248] Among the 125 human postmortem brain tissues (19 BPD, 22
MDD, 20 SCZ patients and 64 controls) analyzed regarding the PSPHL
genotype and PSPHL mRNA expression, 81 subjects (18 BPD, 8 MDD, 12
SCZ, and 43 Controls) showed homozygous pattern of the deletion
allele (Del/Del) for the PSPHL locus, and all of the 81 Del/Del
individuals lacked PSPHL mRNA expression. On the other hand, 40
subjects (1 BPD, 13 MDD, 8 SCZ, and 18 Controls) showed
heterozygous pattern of the insertion and deletion alleles
(Ins/Del) for the PSPHL locus, and 4 subjects (1 MDD and 3
Controls) showed homozygous pattern of the insertion allele
(Ins/Ins). All of the 44 subjects (40 Ins/Del and 4 Ins/Ins), which
have at least one insertion allele, showed PSPHL mRNA expression.
This findings support that the presence/absence of PSPHL mRNA
expression is due to the insertion/deletion polymorphism at the
PSPHL locus. Our observations on the 64 control subjects exactly
matched Hardy Weinberg expectations. Allele frequencies for the
insertion and deletion alleles for the PSPHL locus were estimated
0.18 and 0.82, respectively.
[0249] 2) We verified that number of individuals who expresses
PSPHL was significantly smaller in BPD patient group compared to
control group, and significantly larger in MDD patient group
compared to the control group.
[0250] Based on hypergeometric distribution, the cumulative p value
for observing 1 or less PSPHL non-expressed individuals in the 19
BPD patients is 0.0015. Also, the cumulative p value for observing
14 or more PSPHL-expressed individuals in the 22 MDD patients is
0.0002. There is no significant difference in the distribution
between SCZ patients and controls. It is noteworthy that PSPHL
non-expressed individuals are predominant in the BPD subjects,
whereas PSPHL-expressed individuals are predominant in the MDD
subjects. The probability of the observed difference in the
distribution between BPD and MDD is 0.000098 based on the Fisher's
exact test. These findings could be applicable for genetic testing
to predict potential BPD patients among depressed patients who come
to see physicians in their early stage of the chronic
illnesses.
[0251] 3) We characterized that PSPHL-B mRNA expression level was
also about 10 times higher than PSPHL-A in human postmortem brain
tissue and cell lines derived from human brain.
[0252] PSPHL has at least two alternative transcripts; PSPHL-A
(consists of the exons 1, 2, 3 and 4) and PSPHL-B (consists of the
exons 1, 2 and 4). Based on quantitative RT-PCR evaluation with
primer sets and TaqMan probes specific to PSPHL-A and PSPHL-B, both
PSPHL-A and PSPHL-B were expressed in human postmortem brain
cortices, including anterior cingulate and cerebellar cortices,
from subjects which have at least one PSPHL insertion allele.
PSPHL-B mRNA expression level was about 10 times higher than
PSPHL-A in the brain tissues analyzed. Also, both PSPHL-A and
PSPHL-B were expressed in cell lines derived from human brain,
including human neuroblastoma cell lines, SK-N-SH, human glioma
cell line, Hs 683, and human oligodendrocyte-derived cell line, OL,
which have at least one PSPHL insertion allele. PSPHL-B mRNA
expression level was also about 10 times higher than PSPHL-A in
these cell lines. The glioblastoma cell line, U87-MG, which has
homozygous PSPHL deletion allele, lack the expression of PSPHL-A
and PSPHL-B.
[0253] 4) We verified promoter activity of 5' region of the PSPHL
gene. The 5'-region of PSPHL (1015 bp fragment) was cloned into
pGL-basic vector show sufficient promoter activity at least in the
Hela cells and human oligodendrocyte cell line, OL. The vector
contains the same region in opposite direction (negative control)
did not show promoter activity.
[0254] The above examples are provided to illustrate the invention
but not to limit its scope. Other variants of the invention will be
readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are
encompassed by the appended claims. All publications, databases,
Genbank sequences, GO terms, patents, and patent applications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
* * * * *
References