EP1399564A2 - Drug metabolizing enzymes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides human drug metabolizing enzymes (DME) and polynucleotides which identify and encode DME. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of DME.

Description

DRUG METABOLIZING ENZYMES

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of drug metabolizing enzymes and to the use of these sequences in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of autoimmune/inflammatory, cell proliferative, developmental, endocrine, eye, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including liver disorders, and in the assessment of the effects of exogenous compounds on the expression of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of drug metabolizing enzymes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The metabolism of a drug and its movement through the body (pharmacokinetics) are important in determining its effects, toxicity, and interactions with other drugs. The three processes governing pharmacokinetics are the absorption of the drug, distribution to various tissues, and elimination of drug metabolites. These processes are intimately coupled to drug metabolism, since a variety of metabolic modifications alter most of the physicochemical and pharmacological properties of drugs, including solubility, binding to receptors, and excretion rates. The metabolic pathways which modify drugs also accept a variety of naturally occurring substrates such as steroids, fatty acids, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and vitamins. The enzymes in these pathways are therefore important sites of biochemical and pharmacological interaction between natural compounds, drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, and xenobiotics.

It has long been appreciated that inherited differences in drug metabolism lead to drastically different levels of drug efficacy and toxicity among individuals. For drugs with narrow therapeutic indices, or drugs which require bioactivation (such as codeine), these polymorphisms can be critical. Moreover, promising new drugs are frequently eliminated in clinical trials based on toxicities which may only affect a segment of the patient group. Advances in pharmacogenomics research, of which drug metabolizing enzymes constitute an important part, are promising to expand the tools and information that can be brought to bear on questions of drug efficacy and toxicity (See Evans, W.E. and R.V. Relling (1999) Science 286:487-491). Drug metabolic reactions are categorized as Phase I, which functionalize the drug molecule and prepare it for further metabolism, and Phase II, which are conjugative. In general, Phase I reaction products are partially or fully inactive, and Phase II reaction products are the chief excreted species. However, Phase I reaction products are sometimes more active than the original administered drugs; this metabolic activation principle is exploited by pro-drugs (e.g. L-dopa). Additionally, some nontoxic compounds (e.g. aflatoxin, benzo[ ]pyrene) are metabolized to toxic intermediates through these pathways. Phase I reactions are usually rate-limiting in drug metabolism. Prior exposure to the compound, or other compounds, can induce the expression of Phase I enzymes however, and thereby increase substrate flux through the metabolic pathways. (See Klaassen, CD. et al. (1996) Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, pp. 113-186; Katzung, B.G. (1995) Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Appleton and Lange, Norwalk, CT, pp. 48-59; Gibson, G.G. and P. Skett (1994) Introduction to Drug Metabolism. Blackie Academic and Professional, London.)

Drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) have broad substrate specificities. This can be contrasted to the immune system, where a large and diverse population of antibodies are highly specific for their antigens. The ability of DMEs to metabolize a wide variety of molecules creates the potential for drug interactions at the level of metabolism. For example, the induction of a DME by one compound may affect the metabolism of another compound by the enzyme.

DMEs have been classified according to the type of reaction they catalyze and the cofactors involved. The major classes of Phase I enzymes include, but are not limited to, cytochrome P450 and flavin-containing monooxygenase. Other enzyme classes involved in Phase I-type catalytic cycles and reactions include, but are not limited to, NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), the microsomal cytochrome b5/NADH cytochrome b5 reductase system, the ferredoxin/ferredoxin reductase redox pair, aldo/keto reductases, and alcohol dehydrogenases. The major classes of Phase π enzymes include, but are not limited to, UDP glucuronyltransferase, sulfotransferase, glutathione S- transferase, N-acyltransferase, and N-acetyl transferase.

Cytochrome P450 and P450 catalytic cycle-associated enzymes

Members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes catalyze the oxidative metabolism of a variety of substrates, including natural compounds such as steroids, fatty acids, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and vitamins, as well as drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, and xenobiotics. Cytochromes P450, also known as P450 heme-thiolate proteins, usually act as terminal oxidases in multi-component electron transfer chains, called P450-containing monooxygenase systems. Specific reactions catalyzed include hydroxylation, epoxidation, N-oxidation, sulfooxidation, N-, S-, and O- dealkylations, desulfation, deamination, and reduction of azo, nitro, and N-oxide groups. These reactions are involved in steroidogenesis of glucocorticoids, cortisols, estrogens, and androgens in animals; insecticide resistance in insects; herbicide resistance and flower coloring in plants; and environmental bioremediation by microorganisms. Cytochrome P450 actions on drugs, carcinogens, mutagens, and xenobiotics can result in detoxification or in conversion of the substance to a more toxic product. Cytochromes P450 are abundant in the liver, but also occur in other tissues; the enzymes are located in microsomes. (See ExPASY ENZYME EC 1.14.14.1; Prosite PDOC00081 Cytochrome P450 cysteine heme-iron ligand signature; PRINTS EP450I E-Class P450 Group I signature; Graham-Lorence, S. and Peterson, J.A. (1996) FASEB J. 10:206-214.)

Four hundred cytochromes P450 have been identified in diverse organisms including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals (Graham-Lorence, supra). The B-class is found in prokaryotes and fungi, while the E-class is found in bacteria, plants, insects, vertebrates, and mammals. Five subclasses or groups are found within the larger family of E-class cytochromes P450 (PRINTS EP450I E-Class P450 Group I signature).

All cytochromes P450 use a heme cofactor and share structural attributes. Most cytochromes P450 are 400 to 530 amino acids in length. The secondary structure of the enzyme is about 70% alpha-helical and about 22% beta-sheet. The region around the heme-binding site in the C-terminal part of the protein is conserved among cytochromes P450. A ten amino acid signature sequence in this heme-iron ligand region has been identified which includes a conserved cysteine involved in binding the heme iron in the fifth coordination site. In eukaryotic cytochromes P450, a membrane-spanning region is usually found in the first 15-20 amino acids of the protein, generally consisting of approximately 15 hydrophobic residues followed by a positively charged residue. (See Prosite PDOC00081, supra; Graham-Lorence, supra.)

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved in cell proliferation and development. The enzymes have roles in chemical mutagenesis and carcinogenesis by metabolizing chemicals to reactive intermediates that form adducts with DNA (Nebert, D.W. and Gonzalez, F.J. (1987) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 56:945-993). These adducts can cause nucleotide changes and DNA rearrangements that lead to oncogenesis. Cytochrome P450 expression in liver and other tissues is induced by xenobiotics such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, peroxisomal proliferators, phenobarbital, and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dogra, S.C et al. (1998) Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 25:1-9). A cytochrome P450 protein may participate in eye development as mutations in the P450 gene CYP1B1 cause primary congenital glaucoma (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) *601771 Cytochrome P450, subfamily I (dioxin-inducible), polypeptide 1; CYP1B1).

Cytochromes P450 are associated with inflammation and infection. Hepatic cytochrome P450 activities are profoundly affected by various infections and inflammatory stimuli, some of which are suppressed and some induced (Morgan, E.T. (1997) Drug Metab. Rev. 29:1129-1188). Effects observed in vivo can be mimicked by proinflammatory cytokines and interferons. Autoantibodies to two cytochrome P450 proteins were found in patients with autoimmune polyenodocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), a polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (OMIM *240300 Autoimmune polyenodocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy).

Mutations in cytochromes P450 have been linked to metabolic disorders, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the most common adrenal disorder of infancy and childhood; pseudovitamin D- deficiency rickets; cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, a lipid storage disease characterized by progressive neurologic dysfunction, premature atherosclerosis, and cataracts; and an inherited resistance to the anticoagulant drugs coumarin and warfarin (Isselbacher, KJ. et al. (1994) Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill, Inc. New York, NY, pp. 1968-1970; Takeyama, K. et al. (1997) Science 277: 1827-1830; Kitanaka, S. et al. (1998) N. Engl. J. Med. 338:653-661; OMIM *213700 Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis; and OMIM #122700 Coumarin resistance). Extremely high levels of expression of the cytochrome P450 protein aromatase were found in a fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma from a boy with severe gynecomastia (feminization) (Agarwal, V.R. (1998) J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83: 1797-1800).

The cytochrome P450 catalytic cycle is completed through reduction of cytochrome P450 by NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). Another microsomal electron transport system consisting of cytochrome b5 and NADPH cytochrome b5 reductase has been widely viewed as a minor contributor of electrons to the cytochrome P450 catalytic cycle. However, a recent report by Lamb, D.C. et al. (1999; FEBS Lett. 462:283-288) identifies a Candida albicans cytochrome P450 (CYP51) which can be efficiently reduced and supported by the microsomal cytochrome b5/NADPH cytochrome b5 reductase system. Therefore, there are likely many cytochromes P450 which are supported by this alternative electron donor system.

Cytochrome b5 reductase is also responsible for the reduction of oxidized hemoglobin (methemoglobin, or ferrihemoglobin, which is unable to carry oxygen) to the active hemoglobin (ferrohemoglobin) in red blood cells. Mefhemoglobinemia results when there is a high level of oxidant drugs or an abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin M) which is not efficiently reduced.

Methemoglobinemia can also result from a hereditary deficiency in red cell cytochrome b5 reductase (Reviewed in Mansour, A. and Lurie, A.A. (1993) Am. J. Hematol. 42:7-12).

Members of the cytochrome P450 family are also closely associated with vitamin D synthesis and catabolism. Vitamin D exists as two biologically equivalent prohormones, ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂), produced in plant tissues, and cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃), produced in animal tissues. The latter form, cholecalciferol, is formed upon the exposure of 7-dehydrocholesterol to near ultraviolet light (i.e., 290-310 nm), normally resulting from even minimal periods of skin exposure to sunlight (reviewed in Miller, W.L. and Portale, A.A. (2000) Trends Endocrinol. Metab. 11:315-319). Both prohormone forms are further metabolized in the liver to 25 -hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) by the enzyme 25-hydroxylase. 25(OH)D is the most abundant precursor form of vitamin D which must be further metabolized in the kidney to the active form, lα,25 -dihydroxy vitamin D (lα,25(OH)₂D), by the enzyme 25 -hydroxy vitamin D lα-hydroxylase (lα-hydroxylase). Regulation of lα,25(OH)₂D production is primarily at this final step in the synthetic pathway. The activity of lα-hydroxylase depends upon several physiological factors including the circulating level of the enzyme product (lα,25(OH)₂D) and the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, insulin, calcium, phosphorus, growth hormone, and prolactin. Furthermore, extrarenal lα-hydroxylase activity has been reported, suggesting that tissue-specific, local regulation of lα,25(OH)2D production may also be biologically important. The catalysis of lα,25(OH)₂D to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)₂D), involving the enzyme 25 -hydroxy vitamin D 24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase), also occurs in the kidney. 24-hydroxylase can also use 25(OH)D as a substrate (Shinki, T. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:12920-12925; Miller, W.L. and Portale, A.A. supra; and references within).

Vitamin D 25-hydroxylase, lα-hydroxylase, and 24-hydroxylase are all NADPH-dependent, type I (mitochondrial) cytochrome P450 enzymes that show a high degree of homology with other members of the family. Vitamin D 25-hydroxylase also shows a broad substrate specificity and may also perform 26-hydroxylation of bile acid intermediates and 25, 26, and 27-hydroxylation of cholesterol (Dilworth, FJ. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:16766-16774; Miller, W.L. and Portale, A.A. supra; and references within).

The active form of vitamin D (lα,25(OH)₂D) is involved in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and promotes the differentiation of myeloid and skin cells. Vitamin D deficiency resulting from deficiencies in the enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism (e.g., lα-hydroxylase) causes hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and vitamin D-dependent (sensitive) rickets, a disease characterized by loss of bone density and distinctive clinical features, including bandy or bow leggedness accompanied by a waddling gait. Deficiencies in vitamin D 25-hydroxylase cause cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, a lipid-storage disease characterized by the deposition of cholesterol and cholestanol in the Achilles' tendons, brain, lungs, and many other tissues. The disease presents with progressive neurologic dysfunction, including postpubescent cerebellar ataxia, atherosclerosis, and cataracts. Vitamin D 25-hydroxylase deficiency does not result in rickets, suggesting the existence of alternative pathways for the synthesis of 25(OH)D (Griffin, J.E. and Zerwekh, J.E. (1983) J. Clin. Invest. 72:1190-1199; Gamblin, G.T. et al. (1985) J. Clin. Invest. 75:954-960; and Miller, W.L. and Portale, A.A. supra).

Ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase are electron transport accessory proteins which support at least one human cytochrome P450 species, cytochrome P450c27 encoded by the CYP27 gene (Dilworth, FJ. et al. (1996) Biochem. J. 320:267-71). A Streptomyces griseus cytochrome P450, CYP104D1, was heterologously expressed in E. coli and found to be reduced by the endogenous ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase enzymes (Taylor, M. et al. (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 263:838^4-2), suggesting that many cytochrome P450 species may be supported by the ferredoxin/ferredoxin reductase pair. Ferredoxin reductase has also been found in a model drug metabolism system to reduce actinomycin D, an antitumor antibiotic, to a reactive free radical species (Flitter, W.D. and Mason, R.P. (1988) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 267:632-639). Dimethylaminohydrolases

NG, NG-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, NG-monomethyl-arginine and NG, NG- dimethyl-L-arginine to L-citrulline. Inhibiting DDAH can cause increased intracellular concentration of NOS inhibitors to levels sufficient to inhibit NOS. Therefore, DDAH inhibition may provide a method of NOS inhibition and changes in the activity of DDAH could play a role in pathophysiological alterations in nitric oxide generation (MacAllister, R.J., et al. (1996) Br. J. Pharmacol. 119: 1533-1540). DDAH was found in neurons displaying cytoskeletal abnormalities and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease. In age-matched control cases, DDAH was not found in neurons. This suggests that oxidative stress- and nitric oxide-mediated events play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (Smith, M.A., et al. (1998) Free Radic. Biol. Med. 25: 898-902). Flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)

Flavin-containing monooxygenases oxidize the nucleophilic nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus heteroatom of an exceptional range of substrates. Like cytochromes P450, FMOs are microsomal and use NADPH and 0₂; there is also a great deal of substrate overlap with cytochromes P450. The tissue distribution of FMOs includes liver, kidney, and lung.

There are five different known isoforms of FMO in mammals (FMOl, FM02, FM03, FM04, and FM05), which are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. The isoforms differ in their substrate specificities and other properties such as inhibition by various compounds and stereospecificity of reaction. FMOs have a 13 amino acid signature sequence, the components of which span the N- terminal two-thirds of the sequences and include the FAD binding region and the FATGY motif which has been found in many N-hydroxylating enzymes (Stehr, M. et al. (1998) Trends Biochem. Sci. 23:56-57; PRINTS FMOXYGENASE Flavin-containing monooxygenase signature).

Specific reactions include oxidation of nucleophilic tertiary amines to N-oxides, secondary amines to hydroxylamines and nitrones, primary amines to hydroxylamines and oximes, and sulfur- containing compounds and phosphines to S- and P-oxides. Hydrazines, iodides, selenides, and boron- containing compounds are also substrates. Although FMOs appear similar to cytochromes P450 in their chemistry, they can generally be distinguished from cytochromes P450 in vitro based on, for example, the higher heat lability of FMOs and the nonionic detergent sensitivity of cytochromes P450; however, use of these properties in identification is complicated by further variation among FMO isoforms with respect to thermal stability and detergent sensitivity.

FMOs play important roles in the metabolism of several drugs and xenobiotics. FMO (FM03 in liver) is predominantly responsible for metabolizing (S)-nicotine to (S)-nicotine N-l -oxide, which is excreted in urine. FMO is also involved in S-oxygenation of cimetidine, an H₂-antagonist widely used for the treatment of gastric ulcers. Liver-expressed forms of FMO are not under the same regulatory control as cytochrome P450. In rats, for example, phenobarbital treatment leads to the induction of cytochrome P450, but the repression of FMO 1.

Endogenous substrates of FMO include cysteamine, which is oxidized to the disulfide, cystamine, and trimethylamine (TMA), which is metabolized to trimethylamine N-oxide. TMA smells like rotting fish, and mutations in the FM03 isoform lead to large amounts of the malodorous free amine being excreted in sweat, urine, and breath. These symptoms have led to the designation fish-odor syndrome (OMIM 602079 Trimethylaminuria). Lysyl oxidase

Lysyl oxidase (lysine 6-oxidase, LO) is a copper-dependent amine oxidase involved in the formation of connective tissue matrices by crosslinking collagen and elastin. LO is secreted as an N- glycosylated precursor protein of approximately 50 kDa and cleaved to the mature form of the enzyme by a metalloprotease, although the precursor form is also active. The copper atom in LO is involved in the transport of electrons to and from oxygen to facilitate the oxidative deamination of lysine residues in these extracellular matrix proteins. While the coordination of copper is essential to LO activity, insufficient dietary intake of copper does not influence the expression of the apoenzyme. However, the absence of the functional LO is linked to the skeletal and vascular tissue disorders that are associated with dietary copper deficiency. LO is also inhibited by a variety of semicarbazides, hydrazines, and amino nitrites, as well as heparin. Beta-aminopropionitrile is a commonly used inhibitor. LO activity is increased in response to ozone, cadmium, and elevated levels of hormones released in response to local tissue trauma, such as transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, angiotensin π, and fibroblast growth factor. Abnormalities in LO activity have been linked to Menkes syndrome and occipital horn syndrome. Cytosolic forms of the enzyme have been implicated in abnormal cell proliferation (reviewed in Rucker, R.B. et al. (1998) Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 67:996S-1002S and Smith-Mungo, L.I. and Kagan, H.M. (1998) Matrix Biol. 16:387-398). Dihydrofolate reductases

Dihydrofolate reductases (DHFR) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, an essential step in the de novo synthesis of glycine and purines as well as the conversion of deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP). The basic reaction is as follows:

7,8-dihydrofolate + NADPH → 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate + NADP⁺

The enzymes can be inhibited by a number of dihydrofolate analogs, including trimethroprim and methotrexate. Since an abundance of dTMP is required for DNA synthesis, rapidly dividing cells require the activity of DHFR. The replication of DNA viruses (i.e., herpesvirus) also requires high levels of DHFR activity. As a result, drugs that target DHFR have been used for cancer chemotherapy and to inhibit DNA virus replication. (For similar reasons, thymidylate synthetases are also target enzymes.) Drugs that inhibit DHFR are preferentially cytotoxic for rapidly dividing cells (or DNA virus-infected.cells) but have no specificity, resulting in the indiscriminate destruction of dividing cells. Furthermore, cancer cells may become resistant to drugs such as methotrexate as a result of acquired transport defects or the duplication of one or more DHFR genes (Stryer, L. (1988) Biochemistry. W.H Freeman and Co., Inc. New York. pp. 511-5619). Aldo/keto reductases

Aldo/keto reductases are monomeric NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases with broad substrate specificities (Bohren, K.M. et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:9547-9551). These enzymes catalyze the reduction of carbonyl-containing compounds, including carbonyl-containing sugars and aromatic compounds, to the corresponding alcohols. Therefore, a variety of carbonyl-containing drugs and xenobiotics are likely metabolized by enzymes of this class.

One known reaction catalyzed by a family member, aldose reductase, is the reduction of glucose to sorbitol, which is then further metabolized to fructose by sorbitol dehydrogenase. Under normal conditions, the reduction of glucose to sorbitol is a minor pathway. In hyperglycemic states, however, the accumulation of sorbitol is implicated in the development of diabetic complications (OMIM * 103880 Aldo-keto reductase family 1, member Bl). Members of this enzyme family are also highly expressed in some liver cancers (Cao, D. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:11429-11435). Alcohol dehvdrogenases

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) oxidize simple alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes. ADH is a cytosolic enzyme, prefers the cofactor NAD⁺, and also binds zinc ion. Liver contains the highest levels of ADH, with lower levels in kidney, lung, and the gastric mucosa.

Known ADH isoforms are dimeric proteins composed of 40 kDa subunits. There are five known gene loci which encode these subunits (a, b, g, p, c), and some of the loci have characterized allelic variants (b„ b₂, b₃, g,, g₂). The subunits can form homodimers and heterodimers; the subunit composition determines the specific properties of the active enzyme. The holoenzymes have therefore been categorized as Class I (subunit compositions aa, ab, ag, bg, gg), Class II (pp), and Class HI (cc). Class I ADH isozymes oxidize ethanol and other small aliphatic alcohols, and are inhibited by pyrazole. Class II isozymes prefer longer chain aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, are unable to oxidize methanol, and are not inhibited by pyrazole. Class UI isozymes prefer even longer chain aliphatic alcohols (five carbons and longer) and aromatic alcohols, and are not inhibited by pyrazole.

The short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases include a number of related enzymes with a variety of substrate specificities. Included in this group are the mammalian enzymes D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase, corticosteroid 11-beta-dehydrogenase, and estradiol 17-beta- dehydrogenase, as well as the bacterial enzymes acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, glucose 1- dehydrogenase, 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 20-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, ribitol dehydrogenase, 3-oxoacyl reductase, 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenase, sorbitol-6- phosphate 2-dehydrogenase, 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cis-l,2-dihydroxy-3,4- cyclohexadiene-1 -carboxy late dehydrogenase, cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, cis-benzene glycol dehydrogenase, biphenyl-2,3-dihydro-2,3-diol dehydrogenase, N-acylmannosamine 1- dehydrogenase, and 2-deoxy-D-gluconate 3-dehydrogenase (Krozowski, Z. (1994) J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 51:125-130; Krozowski, Z. (1992) Mol. Cell Endocrinol. 84:C25-31; and Marks, A.R. et al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267:15459-15463). UDP glucuronyltransferase

Members of the UDP glucuronyltransferase family (UGTs) catalyze the transfer of a glucuronic acid group from the cofactor uridine diphosphate-glucuronic acid (UDP-glucuronic acid) to a substrate. The transfer is generally to a nucleophilic heteroatom (O, N, or S). Substrates include xenobiotics which have been functionalized by Phase I reactions, as well as endogenous compounds such as bilirubin, steroid hormones, and thyroid hormones. Products of glucuronidation are excreted in urine if the molecular weight of the substrate is less than about 250 g/mol, whereas larger glucuronidated substrates are excreted in bile. UGTs are located in the microsomes of liver, kidney, intestine, skin, brain, spleen, and nasal mucosa, where they are on the same side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane as cytochrome P450 enzymes and flavin-containing monooxygenases, and therefore are ideally located to access products of Phase I drug metabolism. UGTs have a C-terminal membrane-spanning domain which anchors them in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and a conserved signature domain of about 50 amino acid residues in their C terminal section (Prosite PDOC00359 UDP-glycosyltransferase signature).

UGTs involved in drug metabolism are encoded by two gene families, UGT1 and UGT2. Members of the UGT1 family result from alternative splicing of a single gene locus, which has a variable substrate binding domain and constant region involved in cofactor binding and membrane insertion. Members of the UGT2 family are encoded by separate gene loci, and are divided into two families, UGT2A and UGT2B. The 2A subfamily is expressed in olfactory epithelium, and the 2B subfamily is expressed in liver microsomes. Mutations in UGT genes are associated with hyperbilirubinemia (OMIM #143500 Hyperbilirubinemia I); Crigler-Najjar syndrome, characterized by intense hyperbilirubinemia from birth (OMIM #218800 Crigler-Najjar syndrome); and a milder form of hyperbilirubinemia termed Gilbert's disease (OMIM *191740 UGT1). Sulfotransferase

Sulfate conjugation occurs on many of the same substrates which undergo O-glucuronidation to produce a highly water-soluble sulfuric acid ester. Sulfotransferases (ST) catalyze this reaction by transferring S0₃ ^" from the cofactor 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) to the substrate. ST substrates are predominantly phenols and aliphatic alcohols, but also include aromatic amines and aliphatic amines, which are conjugated to produce the corresponding sulfamates. The products of these reactions are excreted mainly in urine.

STs are found in a wide range of tissues, including liver, kidney, intestinal tract, lung, platelets, and brain. The enzymes are generally cytosolic, and multiple forms are often co-expressed. For example, there are more than a dozen forms of ST in rat liver cytosol. These biochemically characterized STs fall into five classes based on their substrate preference: arylsulfotransferase, alcohol sulfotransferase, estrogen sulfotransferase, tyrosine ester sulfotransferase, and bile salt sulfotransferase.

ST enzyme activity varies greatly with sex and age in rats. The combined effects of developmental cues and sex-related hormones are thought to lead to these differences in ST expression profiles, as well as the profiles of other DMEs such as cytochromes P450. Notably, the high expression of STs in cats partially compensates for their low level of UDP glucuronyltransferase activity.

Several forms of ST have been purified from human liver cytosol and cloned. There are two phenol sulfotransferases with different thermal stabilities and substrate preferences. The thermostable enzyme catalyzes the sulfation of phenols such as para-nitrophenol, minoxidil, and acetaminophen; the thermolabile enzyme prefers monoamine substrates such as dopamine, epinephrine, and levadopa. Other cloned STs include an estrogen sulfotransferase and an N- acetylglucosamine-6-O-sulfotransferase. This last enzyme is illustrative of the other major role of STs in cellular biochemistry, the modification of carbohydrate structures that may be important in cellular differentiation and maturation of proteoglycans. Indeed, an inherited defect in a sulfotransferase has been implicated in macular corneal dystrophy, a disorder characterized by a failure to synthesize mature keratan sulfate proteoglycans (Nakazawa, K. et al. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259: 13751-13757; OM *217800 Macular dystrophy, corneal). Galactosyltransferases

Galactosyltransferases are a subset of glycosyltransferases that transfer galactose (Gal) to the terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) oligosaccharide chains that are part of glycoproteins or glycolipids that are free in solution (Kolbinger, F. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:433-440; Amado, M. et al. (1999) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1473:35-53). Galactosyltransferases have been detected on the cell surface and as soluble extracellular proteins, in addition to being present in the Golgi. βl,3- galactosyltransferases form Type I carbohydrate chains with Gal (βl-3)GlcNAc linkages. Known human and mouse βl,3-galactosyltransferases appear to have a short cytosolic domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a catalytic domain with eight conserved regions. (Kolbinger, supra and Hennet, T. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:58-65). In mouse UDP-galactose:β-N-acetylglucosamine βl,3-galactosyltransferase-I region 1 is located at amino acid residues 78-83, region 2 is located at amino acid residues 93-102, region 3 is located at amino acid residues 116-119, region 4 is located at amino acid residues 147-158, region 5 is located at amino acid residues 172-183, region 6 is located at amino acid residues 203-206, region 7 is located at amino acid residues 236-246, and region 8 is located at amino acid residues 264-275. A variant of a sequence found within mouse UDP- galactose: β-N-acetylglucosamine βl,3-galactosyltransferase-I region 8 is also found in bacterial galactosyltransferases, suggesting that this sequence defines a galactosyltransferase sequence motif (Hennet, supra). Recent work suggests that brainiac protein is a βl,3-galactosyltransferase (Yuan, Y. et al. (1997) Cell 88:9-11; and Hennet, supra).

UDP-Gal:GlcNAc-l,4-galactosyltransferase (-1,4-GalT) (Sato, T. et al., (1997) EMBO J. 16: 1850-1857) catalyzes the formation of Type II carbohydrate chains with Gal (βl-4)GlcNAc linkages. As is the case with the βl,3-galactosyltransferase, a soluble form of the enzyme is formed by cleavage of the membrane-bound form. Amino acids conserved among βl,4-galactosyltransferases include two cysteines linked through a disulfide-bond and a putative UDP-galactose-binding site in the catalytic domain (Yadav, S. and Brew, K. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265: 14163-14169; Yadav, S.P. and Brew, K. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266:698-703; and Shaper, N.L. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:31389-31399). βl,4-galactosyltransferases have several specialized roles in addition to synthesizing carbohydrate chains on glycoproteins or glycolipids. In mammals a βl,4- galactosyltransferase, as part of a heterodimer with α-lactalbumin, functions in lactating mammary gland lactose production. A βl,4-galactosyltransferase on the surface of sperm functions as a receptor that specifically recognizes the egg. Cell surface βl,4-galactosyltransferases also function in cell adhesion, cell/basal lamina interaction, and normal and metastatic cell migration. (Shur, B. (1993) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 5:854-863; and Shaper, J. (1995) Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 376:95-104). Glutathione S-transferase

The basic reaction catalyzed by glutathione S-transferases (GST) is the conjugation of an electrophile with reduced glutathione (GSH). GSTs are homodimeric or heterodimeric proteins localized mainly in the cytosol, but some level of activity is present in microsomes as well. The major isozymes share common structural and catalytic properties; in humans they have been classified into four major classes, Alpha, Mu, Pi, and Theta. The two largest classes, Alpha and Mu, are identified by their respective protein isoelectric points; pi ~ 7.5-9.0 (Alpha), and pi ~ 6.6 (Mu). Each GST possesses a common binding site for GSH and a variable hydrophobic binding site. The hydrophobic binding site in each isozyme is specific for particular electrophilic substrates. Specific amino acid residues within GSTs have been identified as important for these binding sites and for catalytic activity. Residues Q67, T68, D101, E104, and R131 are important for the binding of GSH (Lee, H.-C et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:99-109). Residues R13, R20, and R69 are important for the catalytic activity of GST (Stenberg, G. et al. (1991) Biochem. J. 274:549-555).

In most cases, GSTs perform the beneficial function of deactivation and detoxification of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals. However, in some cases their action is detrimental and results in activation of chemicals with consequent mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Some forms of rat and human GSTs are reliable preneoplastic markers that aid in the detection of carcinogenesis. Expression of human GSTs in bacterial strains, such as Salmonella tvphimurium used in the well-known Ames test for mutagenicity, has helped to establish the role of these enzymes in mutagenesis. Dihalomethanes, which produce liver tumors in mice, are believed to be activated by GST. This view is supported by the finding that dihalomethanes are more mutagenic in bacterial cells expressing human GST than in untransfected cells (Thier, R. et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:8567-8580). The mutagenicity of ethylene dibromide and ethylene dichloride is increased in bacterial cells expressing the human Alpha GST, Al-1, while the mutagenicity of aflatoxin Bl is substantially reduced by enhancing the expression of GST (Simula, T.P. et al. (1993) Carcinogenesis 14: 1371-1376). Thus, control of GST activity may be useful in the control of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. GST has been implicated in the acquired resistance of many cancers to drug treatment, the phenomenon known as multi-drug resistance (MDR). MDR occurs when a cancer patient is treated with a cytotoxic drug such as cyclophosphamide and subsequently becomes resistant to this drug and to a variety of other cytotoxic agents as well. Increased GST levels are associated with some of these drug resistant cancers, and it is believed that this increase occurs in response to the drug agent which is then deactivated by the GST catalyzed GSH conjugation reaction. The increased GST levels then protect the cancer cells from other cytotoxic agents which bind to GST. Increased levels of Al-1 in tumors has been linked to drug resistance induced by cyclophosphamide treatment (Dirven H.A. et al. (1994) Cancer Res. 54: 6215-6220). Thus control of GST activity in cancerous tissues may be useful in treating MDR in cancer patients. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases are ubiquitously expressed enzymes that initiate extracellular glutathione (GSH) breakdown by cleaving gamma-glutamyl amide bonds. The breakdown of GSH provides cells with a regional cysteine pool for biosynthetic pathways. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases also contribute to cellular antioxidant defenses and expression is induced by oxidative stress. The cell surface-localized glycoproteins. are expressed at high levels in cancer cells. Studies have suggested that the high level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity present on the surface of cancer cells could be exploited to activate precursor drugs, resulting in high local concentrations of anti-cancer therapeutic agents (Hanigan, M.H. (1998) Chem. Biol. Interact. 111-112:333-42; Taniguchi, N. and Ikeda, Y. (1998) Adv. Enzymol. Relat. Areas Mol. Biol. 72:239-78; Chikhi, N. et al. (1999) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 122:367-380). Acyltransferase

N-acyltransferase enzymes catalyze the transfer of an amino acid conjugate to an activated carboxylic group. Endogenous compounds and xenobiotics are activated by acyl-CoA synthetases in the cytosol, microsomes, and mitochondria. The acyl-CoA intermediates are then conjugated with an amino acid (typically glycine, glutamine, or taurine, but also ornithine, arginine, histidine, serine, aspartic acid, and several dipeptides) by N-acyltransferases in the cytosol or mitochondria to form a metabolite with an amide bond. This reaction is complementary to O-glucuronidation, but amino acid conjugation does not produce the reactive and toxic metabolites which often result from glucuronidation. One well-characterized enzyme of this class is the bile acid-CoA: amino acid N- acyltransferase (BAT) responsible for generating the bile acid conjugates which serve as detergents in the gastrointestinal tract (Falany, CN. et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269: 19375-19379; Johnson, M.R. et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266:10227-10233). BAT is also useful as a predictive indicator for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after partial hepatectomy (Furutani, M. et al. (1996) Hepatology 24:1441-1445). Acetyltransferases

Acetyltransferases have been extensively studied for their role in histone acetylation. Histone acetylation results in the relaxing of the chromatin structure in eukaryotic cells, allowing transcription factors to gain access to promoter elements of the DNA templates in the affected region of the genome (or the genome in general). In contrast, histone deacetylation results in a reduction in transcription by closing the chromatin structure and limiting access of transcription factors. To this end, a common means of stimulating cell transcription is the use of chemical agents that inhibit the deacetylation of histones (e.g., sodium butyrate), resulting in a global (albeit artifactual) increase in gene expression. The modulation of gene expression by acetylation also results from the acetylation of other proteins, including but not limited to, p53, GATA-1, MyoD, ACTR, TFIJE, TFIIF and the high mobility group proteins (HMG). In the case of p53, acetylation results in increased DNA binding, leading to the stimulation of transcription of genes regulated by p53. The prototypic histone acetylase (HAT) is Gcn5 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gcn5 is a member of a family of acetylases that includes Tetrahymena p55, human Gcn5, and human p300/CBP. Histone acetylation is reviewed in (Cheung, W.L. et al. (2000) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 12:326-333 and Berger, S.L (1999) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 11:336-341). Some acetyltransferase enzymes possess the alpha/beta hydrolase fold (Center of Applied Molecular Engineering Inst. of Chemistry and Biochemistry - University of Salzburg, http://predict.sanger.ac.uk/irbm-course97/Docs/ms/) common to several other major classes of enzymes, including but not limited to, acetylcholinesterases and carboxylesterases (Structural Classification of Proteins, http://scop.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/scop/index.html). N-acetyltransferase

Aromatic amines and hydrazine-containing compounds are subject to N-acetylation by the N- acetyltransferase enzymes of liver and other tissues. Some xenobiotics can be O-acetylated to some extent by the same enzymes. N-acetyltransferases are cytosolic enzymes which utilize the cofactor acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to transfer the acetyl group in a two step process. In the first step, the acetyl group is transferred from acetyl-CoA to an active site cysteine residue; in the second step, the acetyl group is transferred to the substrate amino group and the enzyme is regenerated.

In contrast to most other DME classes, there are a limited number of known N- acetyltransferases. In humans, there are two highly similar enzymes, NAT1 and NAT2; mice appear to have a third form of the enzyme, NAT3. The human forms of N-acetyltransf erase have independent regulation (NAT1 is widely-expressed, whereas NAT2 is in liver and gut only) and overlapping substrate preferences. Both enzymes appear to accept most substrates to some extent, but NAT1 does prefer some substrates (para-aminobenzoic acid, para-aminosalicylic acid, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfanilamide), while NAT2 prefers others (isoniazid, hydralazine, procainamide, dapsone, aminoglutethimide, and sulfamethazine).

Clinical observations of patients taking the antituberculosis drug isoniazid in the 1950s led to the description of fast and slow acetylators of the compound. These phenotypes were shown subsequently to be due to mutations in the NAT2 gene which affected enzyme activity or stability. The slow isoniazid acetylator phenotype is very prevalent in Middle Eastern populations (approx. 70%), and is less prevalent in Caucasian (approx. 50%) and Asian (<25%) populations. More recently, functional polymorphism in NAT1 has been detected, with approximately 8% of the population tested showing a slow acetylator phenotype (Butcher, N. J. et al. (1998) Pharmacogenetics 8:67-72). Since NAT1 can activate some known aromatic amine carcinogens, polymorphism in the widely-expressed NAT1 enzyme may be important in determining cancer risk (OMIM *108345 N- acetyltransferase 1).

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase catalyzes the N-acetylation of arylamine and heterocyclic amine substrates, frequently converting relatively inactive compounds to chemically active electrophiles that initiate tumorigenesis (reviewed in Evans, D.A.P. (1993) Genetic Factors in Drug Therapy: Clinical and Molecular Pharmacogenetics. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press pp. 211- 305). Epidemiologic studies suggest that allelic variations that affect cytosolic arylamine N- acetyltransferase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be correlated with predisposition to certain forms of cancer, including cancers resulting from exposure to aromatic amine carcinogens present in tobacco. The 8% of the population who have less active forms of arylamine N- acetyltransferase may be less likely to develop these forms of cancer (Doll, M.A. et al. (1997) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 233: 584-591; Butcher, NJ. et al. (1998) Pharmacogenetics 8:67- 72).

Microsomal arylacetamide deacetylase competes with cytosolic arylamine N- acetyltransferase for arylamine and heterocyclic substrates, also catalyzing the biotransformation of carcinogens to active forms. In particular, arylacetamide deacetylase transforms 4- acetylaminobiphenyl, 2-acetylaminofluorene, and 2-acetylaminaphthalene in a variety of tissues.

Cofactors are not required. The activity of the enzyme is highest in hepatic tissues (Lower, G.M. and Bryan, G.T. (1976) J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 1:421-32; Probst, M.R. et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:21650-6). Methyltransferases Covalent modification of cellular substrates with methyl groups has been implicated in the pathology of cancer and other diseases. (Gloria, L. et al. (1996) Cancer 78:2300-2306.) Cytosine hypermethylation of eukaryotic DNA prevents transcriptional activation. (Turker, M.S. and Bestor, T.H. (1997) Mutat. Res. 386: 119-130.) Λ/⁶-methyladenosine is found at internal positions of mRNA in higher eukaryotes. (Bokar, J.A. et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:17697-17704.) Hypermethylated viral DNA is transcribed at higher rates than hypo- or hemimethylated DNA in infected cells. (Willis, D.B. et al. (1989) Cell. Biophys. 15:97-111.)

Propagation of nerve impulses, modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, induction of the immune response, and tissue homeostasis may involve neurotransmitter metabolism. (Weiss, B. (1991) Neurotoxicology 12:379-386; Collins, S.M. et al. (1992) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 664:415- 424; and Brown, J.K. and Imam, H. (1991) J. Inherit. Metab. Dis. 14:436-458.) In tissue, synthesis and rates of degradation that regulate the activity of neurotransmitters are dependent upon enzyme and cofactor levels. (Brown, J.K. and Imam, H. supra.) Many pathways of small molecule degradation, such as those of neurotransmitters, require methyltransferase activity. (Kagan, R.M. and Clarke, S. (1994) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 310:417-427.) For example, degradation of the catecholamines epinephrine or norepinephrine, requires catechol-O-methyltransferase, and /V-acetyl- 5 -hydroxy tryptamine is converted to melatonin by hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase in the pineal gland. Both catechol-O-methyltransferase and hydroxyindole methyltransferase genes contain alternative initiation codons. (Rodriguez, LR. et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:31969-31977; and Tenhunen, J. et al. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 223: 1049-1059.) S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is an important source of methyl groups for methylation reactions in the cell. (Bottiglieri, T. and Hyland, K. (1994) Acta Neurol. Scand. Suppl. 154:19-26.) Methyltransferase activity catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups from AdoMet to acceptor molecules such as phosphotidylethanolamine or the polynucleotide 5' cap of viral mRNA. (Montgomery, J.A. et al. (1982) J. Med. Chem. 25:626-629.) Members of the protein and small molecule S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase family

(AdoMet-MT), utilize AdoMet as a substrate or product and harbor three common consensus sequence motifs. (Kagan and Clarke, supra.) Motifs I and II are characteristically spaced between 34 and 90 (mode 52, mean 57 ± 13) amino acid residues apart; motifs II and in are spaced between 12 and 38 (mode 22, mean 22 + 5) residues apart. Motif I comprises part of the AdoMet binding pocket; motif II may also be involved in binding AdoMet; the role of motif in is uncertain. The main exceptions to the spacing rule are the RNA methyltransferases and a number of the porphyrin precursor methyltransferases. It has been suggested that these heterogeneic motifs may be of use in predicting methyltransferases and related enzymes from open reading frames generated genomic sequencing projects. (Kagan and Clarke, supra.) Messenger RNA -adenosine methyltransferase holoenzyme has been partially purified from

HeLa cell nuclear extract to yield three subunits, an 875 kDa ssDNA-agarose binding protein, a 70 kDa AdoMet-binding protein, and an approximately 30 kDa component with unknown function. The three components are absolutely required for RNA m⁶A-methylation activity. (Bokar, J.A., supra.) In many tissues, including brain, gut, bone marrow, liver, and kidney, serine hydroxymethyltransferase converts serine to glycine by transferring the hydroxymethyl side chain group of serine to the methyl acceptor, tetrahydrofolate. The product of this reaction is N⁵, N¹⁰- methylenetetrahydrofolate and water. N⁵, /V¹⁰-methylenetetrahydrofolate is a substrate in de novo purine nucleotide synthesis and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis, in conversion of homocysteine to methionine, and in methylation of tRNA, during tissue growth and cell proliferation. The genes encoding many of the growth-associated methyltransferases have not yet been identified or isolated. In their roles as a rate-limiting step in methyltransferase reactions, AdoMet- MTs have been identified as a target for psychiatric, antiviral, anticancer and anti-inflammatory drug design. (Bottiglieri, T. and Hyland, K., supra; Gloria, L. et al., supra.) Sequence-specific methylation inhibits the activity of the Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 and BCR2 enhancer-promoter regions. (Minarovits, J. et al. (1994) Virology 200:661-667.) 2'-5'-linked oligo (adenylic acid) nucleoside analogues synthesized by interferon-treated mouse L cells act as antiviral agents. (Goswami, B.B. et al, (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257:6867-6870.) Adenine analogue inhibitors of AdoMet-MT decreased nucleic acid methylation and proliferation of leukemia L1210 cells. (Kramer, D.L. et al. (1990) Cancer Res. 50:3838-3842.) The use of experimental neuroactive drugs has shown that inactivation of neurotransmitters is absolutely essential for the correct functioning of the nervous system. (A very, L. and Horvitz, H.R. (1990) J. Ex. Zool. 253:263-270.) Epigenetic or genetic defects in neurotransmitter metabolic pathways can result in a spectrum of disease states in different tissues including Parkinson disease and inherited myoclonus. (McCance, K.L. and Huether, S.E. (1994) Pathophysiology. Mosby-Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, MO pp. 402-404; and Gundlach, A.L. (1990) FASEB J. 4:2761-2766.). Aminotransferases

Aminotransferases comprise a family of pyridoxal 5 -phosphate (PLP) -dependent enzymes that catalyze transformations of amino acids. Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) is the most extensively studied PLP-containing enzyme. It catalyzes the reversible transamination of dicarboxylic L-amino acids, aspartate and glutamate, and the corresponding 2-oxo acids, oxalacetate and 2-oxoglutarate. Other members of the family include pyruvate aminotransferase, branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase, tyrosine aminotransferase, aromatic aminotransferase, alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), and kynurenine aminotransferase (Vacca, R.A. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:21932-21937). Primary hyperoxaluria type-1 is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting in a deficiency in the liver-specific peroxisomal enzyme, alanine :glyoxy late aminotransferase- 1. The phenotype of the disorder is a deficiency in glyoxylate metabolism. In the absence of AGT, glyoxylate is oxidized to oxalate rather than being transaminated to glycine. The result is the deposition of insoluble calcium oxalate in the kidneys and urinary tract, ultimately causing renal failure (Lumb, M . et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:20587-20596).

Kynurenine aminotransferase catalyzes the irreversible transamination of the L-tryptophan metabolite L-kynurenine to form kynurenic acid. The enzyme may also catalyze the reversible transamination reaction between L-2-aminoadipate and 2-oxoglutarate to produce 2-oxoadipate and L-glutamate. Kynurenic acid is a putative modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission; thus a deficiency in kynurenine aminotransferase may be associated with pleotrophic effects (Buchli, R. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:29330-29335). Catechol-O-methyltransferase

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the transfer of the methyl group of S- adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet; SAM) donor to one of the hydroxyl groups of the catechol substrate (e.g., L-dopa, dopamine, or DBA). Methylation of the 3 -hydroxyl group is favored over methylation of the 4'-hydroxyl group and the membrane bound isoform of COMT is more regiospecific than the soluble form. Translation of the soluble form of the enzyme results from utilization of an internal start codon in a full-length mRNA (1.5 kb) or from the translation of a shorter mRNA (1.3 kb), transcribed from an internal promoter. The proposed S_N2-like methylation reaction requires Mg⁺⁺ and is inhibited by Ca⁺⁺. The binding of the donor and substrate to COMT occurs sequentially. AdoMet first binds COMT in a Mg⁺⁺-independent manner, followed by the binding of Mg⁺⁺ and the binding of the catechol substrate.

The amount of COMT in tissues is relatively high compared to the amount of activity normally required, thus inhibition is problematic. Nonetheless, inhibitors have been developed for in vitro use (e.g., gallates, tropolone, U-0521, and 3',4'-dihydroxy-2-methyl-propiophetropolone) and for clinical use (e.g., nitrocatechol-based compounds and tolcapone). Administration of these inhibitors results in the increased half-life of L-dopa and the consequent formation of dopamine. Inhibition of COMT is also likely to increase the half-life of various other catechol-structure compounds, including but not limited to epinephrine/norepinephrine, isoprenaline, rimiterol, dobutamine, fenoldopam, apomorphine, and α-methyldopa. A deficiency in norepinephrine has been linked to clinical depression, hence the use of COMT inhibitors could be usefull in the treatment of depression. COMT inhibitors are generally well tolerated with minimal side effects and are ultimately metabolized in the liver with only minor accumulation of metabolites in the body (Mannistδ, P.T. and Kaakkola, S. (1999) Pharmacol. Rev. 51:593-628). Copper-zinc superoxide dismutases

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutases are compact homodimeric metalloenzymes involved in cellular defenses against oxidative damage. The enzymes contain one atom of zinc and one atom of copper per subunit and catalyze the dismutation of superoxide anions into 0₂ and H₂0₂. The rate of dismutation is diffusion-limited and consequently enhanced by the presence of favorable electrostatic interactions between the substrate and enzyme active site. Examples of this class of enzyme have been identified in the cytoplasm of all the eukaryotic cells as well as in the periplasm of several bacterial species. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutases are robust enzymes that are highly resistant to proteolytic digestion and denaturing by urea and SDS. In addition to the compact structure of the enzymes, the presence of the metal ions and intrasubunit disulfide bonds is believed to be responsible for enzyme stability. The enzymes undergo reversible denaturation at temperatures as high as 70°C (Battistoni, A. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:5655-5661).

Overexpression of superoxide dismutase has been implicated in enhancing freezing tolerance of transgenic alfalfa as well as providing resistance to environmental toxins such as the diphenyl ether herbicide, acifluorfen (McKersie, B.D. et al. (1993) Plant Physiol. 103: 1155-1163). In addtion, yeast cells become more resistant to freeze-thaw damage following exposure to hydrogen peroxide which causes the yeast cells to adapt to further peroxide stress by upregulating expression of superoxide dismutases. In this study, mutations to yeast superoxide dismutase genes had a more detrimental effect on freeze-thaw resistance than mutations which affected the regulation of glutathione metabolism, long suspected of being important in determining an organism's survival through the process of cryopreservation (Jong-In Park, J.-I. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:22921-22928). Expression of superoxide dismutase is also associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the organism that causes tuberculosis. Superoxide dismutase is one of the ten major proteins secreted by M. tuberculosis and its expression is upregulated approximately 5-fold in response to oxidative stress. M. tuberculosis expresses almost two orders of magnitude more superoxide dismutase than the nonpathogenic mycobacterium M. smegmatis, and secretes a much higher proportion of the expressed enzyme. The result is the secretion of -350-fold more enzyme by M. tuberculosis than M. smegmatis. providing substantial resistance to oxidative stress (Harth, G. and Horwitz, M.A. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:4281-4292).

The reduced expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutases, as well as other enzymes with anti-oxidant capabilities, has been implicated in the early stages of cancer. The expression of copper- zinc superoxide dismutases has been shown to be lower in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate carcinomas, compared to normal prostate tissue (Bostwick, D.G. (2000) Cancer 89:123-134). Phosphodiesterases

Phosphodiesterases make up a class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of one of the two ester bonds in a phosphodiester compound. Phosphodiesterases are therefore crucial to a variety of cellular processes. Phosphodiesterases include DNA and RNA endonucleases and exonucleases, which are essential for cell growth and replication, and topoisomerases, which break and rejoin nucleic acid strands during topological rearrangement of DNA. A Tyr-DNA phosphodiesterase functions in DNA repair by hydrolyzing dead-end covalent intermediates formed between topoisomerase I and DNA (Pouliot, J.J. et al. (1999) Science 286:552-555; Yang, S.-W. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 11534-11539).

Acid sphingomyelinase is a phosphodiesterase which hydrolyzes the membrane phospholipid sphingomyelin to produce ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Phosphorylcholine is used in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, which is involved in numerous intracellular signaling pathways, while ceramide is an essential precursor for the generation of gangliosides, membrane lipids found in high concentration in neural tissue. Defective acid sphingomyelinase leads to a build-up of sphingomyelin molecules in lysosomes, resulting in Niemann-Pick disease (Schuchman, E.H. and S.R. Miranda (1997) Genet. Test. 1:13-19).

Glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase (also known as glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase) is a phosphodiesterase which hydrolyzes deacetylated phospholipid glycerophosphodiesters to produce sn-glycerol-3-phosphate and an alcohol. Glycerophosphocholine, glycerophosphoethanolamine, glycerophosphoglycerol, and glycerophosphoinositol are examples of substrates for glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterases. A glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase from E. coli has broad specificity for glycerophosphodiester substrates (Larson, TJ. et al. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 248:5428-5432). Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are crucial enzymes in the regulation of the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP. cAMP and cGMP function as intracellular second messengers to transduce a variety of extracellular signals including hormones, light, and neurotransmitters. PDEs degrade cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding monophosphates, thereby regulating the intracellular concentrations of cyclic nucleotides and their effects on signal transduction. Due to their roles as regulators of signal transduction, PDEs have been extensively studied as chemotherapeutic targets (Perry, MJ. and G.A. Higgs (1998) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:472-481; Torphy, J.T. (1998) Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 157:351-370).

Families of mammalian PDEs have been classified based on their substrate specificity and affinity, sensitivity to cofactors, and sensitivity to inhibitory agents (Beavo, J.A. (1995) Physiol. Rev. 75:725-748; Conti, M. et al. (1995) Endocrine Rev. 16:370-389). Several of these families contain distinct genes, many of which are expressed in different tissues as splice variants. Within PDE families, there are multiple isozymes and multiple splice variants of these isozymes (Conti, M. and S.- L.C Jin (1999) Prog. Nucleic Acid Res. Mol. Biol. 63: 1-38). The existence of multiple PDE families, isozymes, and splice variants is an indication of the variety and complexity of the regulatory pathways involving cyclic nucleotides (Houslay, M.D. and G. Milligan (1997) Trends Biochem. Sci. 22:217-224).

Type 1 PDEs (PDE Is) are Ca²7calmodulin-dependent and appear to be encoded by at least three different genes, each having at least two different splice variants (Kakkar, R. et al. (1999) Cell Mol. Life Sci. 55: 1164-1186). PDEls have been found in the lung, heart, and brain. Some PDE1 isozymes are regulated in vitro by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Phosphorylation of these PDE1 isozymes decreases the affinity of the enzyme for calmodulin, decreases PDE activity, and increases steady state levels of c AMP (Kakkar, supra). PDEls may provide useful therapeutic targets for disorders of the central nervous system and the cardiovascular and immune systems, due to the involvement of PDEls in both cyclic nucleotide and calcium signaling (Perry, MJ. and G.A. Higgs (1998) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:472-481).

PDE2s are cGMP-stimulated PDEs that have been found in the cerebellum, neocortex, heart, kidney, lung, pulmonary artery, and skeletal muscle (Sadhu, K. et al. (1999) J. Histochem. Cytochem. 47:895-906). PDE2s are thought to mediate the effects of cAMP on catecholamine secretion, participate in the regulation of aldosterone (Beavo, supra), and play a role in olfactory signal transduction (Juilfs, D.M. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:3388-3395).

PDE3s have high affinity for both cGMP and cAMP, and so these cyclic nucleotides act as competitive substrates for PDE3s. PDE3s play roles in stimulating myocardial contractility, inhibiting platelet aggregation, relaxing vascular and airway smooth muscle, inhibiting proliferation of T-lymphocytes and cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, and regulating catecholamine-induced release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue. The PDE3 family of phosphodiesterases are sensitive to specific inhibitors such as cilostamide, enoximone, and lixazinone. Isozymes of PDE3 can be regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or by insulin-dependent kinases (Degerman, E. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:6823-6826). PDE4s are specific for cAMP; are localized to airway smooth muscle, the vascular endothelium, and all inflammatory cells; and can be activated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation. Since elevation of cAMP levels can lead to suppression of inflammatory cell activation and to relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, PDE4s have been studied extensively as possible targets for novel anti-inflammatory agents, with special emphasis placed on the discovery of asthma treatments. PDE4 inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials as treatments for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and atopic eczema. All four known isozymes of PDE4 are susceptible to the inhibitor rolipram, a compound which has been shown to improve behavioral memory in mice (Barad, M. et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 15020-15025). PDE4 inhibitors have also been studied as possible therapeutic agents against acute lung injury, endotoxemia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and various neurological and gastrointestinal indications (Doherty, A.M. (1999) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 3:466-473).

PDE5 is highly selective for cGMP as a substrate (Turko, IN. et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37:4200-4205), and has two allosteric cGMP-specific binding sites (McAllister-Lucas, L.M. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:30671-30679). Binding of cGMP to these allosteric binding sites seems to be important for phosphorylation of PDE5 by cGMP-dependent protein kinase rather than for direct regulation of catalytic activity. High levels of PDE5 are found in vascular smooth muscle, platelets, lung, and kidney. The inhibitor zaprinast is effective against PDE5 and PDEls. Modification of zaprinast to provide specificity against PDE5 has resulted in sildenafil (VIAGRA; Pfizer, Inc., New York NY), a treatment for male erectile dysfunction (Terrett, N. et al. (1996) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 6: 1819-1824). Inhibitors of PDE5 are currently being studied as agents for cardiovascular therapy (Perry, MJ. and G.A. Higgs (1998) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:472-481).

PDE6s, the photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, are crucial components of the phototransduction cascade. In association with the G-protein transducin, PDE6s hydrolyze cGMP to regulate cGMP-gated cation channels in photoreceptor membranes. In addition to the cGMP- binding active site, PDEόs also have two high-affinity cGMP-binding sites which are thought to play a regulatory role in PDE6 function (Artemyev, N.O. et al. (1998) Methods 14:93-104). Defects in PDEόs have been associated with retinal disease. Retinal degeneration in the rd mouse (Yan, W. et al. (1998) Invest. Opthalmol. Vis. Sci. 39:2529-2536), autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa in humans (Danciger, M. et al. (1995) Genomics 30: 1-7), and rod/cone dysplasia 1 in Irish Setter dogs (Suber, M.L. et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:3968-3972) have been attributed to mutations in the PDE6B gene.

The PDE7 family of PDEs consists of only one known member having multiple splice variants (Bloom, TJ. and J.A. Beavo (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:14188-14192). PDE7s are cAMP specific, but little else is known about their physiological function. Although mRNAs encoding PDE7s are found in skeletal muscle, heart, brain, lung, kidney, and pancreas, expression of PDE7 proteins is restricted to specific tissue types (Han, P. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 16152- 16157; Perry, MJ. and G.A. Higgs (1998) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:472-481). PDE7s are very closely related to the PDE4 family; however, PDE7s are not inhibited by rolipram, a specific inhibitor of PDE4s (Beavo, supra). PDE8s are cAMP specific, and are closely related to the PDE4 family. PDE8s are expressed in thyroid gland, testis, eye, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, ovary, and brain. The cAMP- hydrolyzing activity of PDE8s is not inhibited by the PDE inhibitors rolipram, vinpocetine, milrinone, IBMX (3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine), or zaprinast, but PDE8s are inhibited by dipyridamole (Fisher, D.A. et al. (1998) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 246:570-577; Hayashi, M. et al. (1998) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 250:751-756; Soderling, S.H. et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:8991-8996).

PDE9s are cGMP specific and most closely resemble the PDE8 family of PDEs. PDE9s are expressed in kidney, liver, lung, brain, spleen, and small intestine. PDE9s are not inhibited by sildenafil (VIAGRA; Pfizer, Inc., New York NY), rolipram, vinpocetine, dipyridamole, or IBMX (3- isobutyl-1-methylxanthine), but they are sensitive to the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast (Fisher, D.A. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:15559-15564; Soderling, S.H. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:15553- 15558).

PDElOs are dual-substrate PDEs, hydrolyzing both cAMP and cGMP. PDElOs are expressed in brain, thyroid, and testis. (Soderling, S.H. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:7071-7076; Fujishige, K. et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:18438-18445; Loughney, K. et al (1999) Gene 234: 109- 117).

PDEs are composed of a catalytic domain of about 270-300 amino acids, an N-terminal regulatory domain responsible for binding cofactors, and, in some cases, a hydrophilic C-terminal domain of unknown function (Conti, M. and S.-L.C. Jin (1999) Prog. Nucleic Acid Res. Mol. Biol. 63: 1-38). A conserved, putative zinc -binding motif has been identified in the catalytic domain of all PDEs. N-terminal regulatory domains include non-catalytic cGMP-binding domains in PDE2s, PDE5s, and PDEόs; calmodulin-binding domains in PDEls; and domains containing phosphorylation sites in PDE3s and PDE4s. In PDE5, the N-terminal cGMP-binding domain spans about 380 amino acid residues and comprises tandem repeats of a conserved sequence motif (McAllister-Lucas, L.M. et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:22863-22873). The NKXnD motif has been shown by mutagenesis to be important for cGMP binding (Turko, IN. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:22240-22244). PDE families display approximately 30% amino acid identity within the catalytic domain; however, isozymes within the same family typically display about 85-95% identity in this region (e.g. PDE4A vs PDE4B). Furthermore, within a family there is extensive similarity (>60%) outside the catalytic domain; while across families, there is little or no sequence similarity outside this domain.

Many of the constituent functions of immune and inflammatory responses are inhibited by agents that increase intracellular levels of cAMP (Verghese, M.W. et al. (1995) Mol. Pharmacol. 47: 1164-1171). A variety of diseases have been attributed to increased PDE activity and associated with decreased levels of cyclic nucleotides. For example, a form of diabetes insipidus in mice has been associated with increased PDE4 activity, an increase in low-K_ra cAMP PDE activity has been reported in leukocytes of atopic patients, and PDE3 has been associated with cardiac disease.

Many inhibitors of PDEs have been identified and have undergone clinical evaluation (Perry, MJ. and G.A. Higgs (1998) Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2:472-481; Torphy, TJ. (1998) Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 157:351-370). PDE3 inhibitors are being developed as antithrombotic agents, antihypertensive agents, and as cardiotonic agents useful in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Rolipram, a PDE4 inhibitor, has been used in the treatment of depression, and other inhibitors of PDE4 are undergoing evaluation as anti-inflammatory agents. Rolipram has also been shown to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced TΝF-α which has been shown to enhance HTV-l replication in vitro. Therefore, rolipram may inhibit HJN-1 replication (Angel, J.B. et al. (1995) AIDS 9: 1137-1144). Additionally, rolipram, based on its ability to suppress the production of cytokines such as TΝF-α and β and interferon γ, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of encephalomyelitis. Rolipram may also be effective in treating tardive dyskinesia and was effective in treating multiple sclerosis in an experimental animal model (Sommer, Ν. et al. (1995) Nat. Med. 1:244-248; Sasaki, H. et al. (1995) Eur. J. Pharmacol. 282:71-76). Theophylline is a nonspecific PDE inhibitor used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases. Theophylline is believed to act on airway smooth muscle function and in an anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory capacity in the treatment of respiratory diseases (Banner, K.H. and CP. Page (1995) Eur. Respir. J. 8:996-1000). Pentoxifylline is another nonspecific PDE inhibitor used in the treatment of intermittent claudication and diabetes-induced peripheral vascular disease. Pentoxifylline is also known to block TNF-α production and may inhibit HJN-1 replication (Angel et al., supra).

PDEs have been reported to affect cellular proliferation of a variety of cell types (Conti et al. (1995) Endocrine Rev. 16:370-389) and have been implicated in various cancers. Growth of prostate carcinoma cell lines DU145 and LΝCaP was inhibited by delivery of cAMP derivatives and PDE inhibitors (Bang, Y.J. et al. (1994) Proc. Νatl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:5330-5334). These cells also showed a permanent conversion in phenotype from epithelial to neuronal morphology. It has also been suggested that PDE inhibitors have the potential to regulate mesangial cell proliferation (Matousovic, K. et al. (1995) J. Clin. Invest. 96:401-410) and lymphocyte proliferation (Joulain, C et al. (1995) J. Lipid Mediat. Cell Signal. 11:63-79). A cancer treatment has been described that involves intracellular delivery of PDEs to particular cellular compartments of tumors, resulting in cell death (Deonarain, M.P. and A.A. Epenetos (1994) Br. J. Cancer 70:786-794). Phosphotriesterases

Phosphotriesterases (PTE, paraoxonases) are enzymes that hydrolyze toxic organophosphorus compounds and have been isolated from a variety of tissues. The enzymes appear to be lacking in birds and insects and abundant in mammals, explaining the reduced tolerance of birds and insects to organophosphorus compound (Nilanova, E. and Sogorb, M.A. (1999) Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 29:21-57). Phosphotriesterases play a central role in the detoxification of insecticides by mammals. Phosphotriesterase activity varies among individuals and is lower in infants than adults. PTE knockout mice are markedly more sensitive to the organophosphate-based toxins diazoxon and chlorpyrifos oxon (Furlong, C.E., et al. (2000) Νeurotoxicology 21:91-100). PTEs have attracted interest as enzymes capable of the detoxification of organophosphate-containing chemical waste and warfare reagents (e.g., parathion), in addition to pesticides and insecticides. Some studies have also implicated phosphotriesterase in atherosclerosis and diseases involving lipoprotein metabolism. Thioesterases Two soluble thioesterases involved in fatty acid biosynthesis have been isolated from mammalian tissues, one which is active only toward long-chain fatty-acyl thioesters and one which is active toward thioesters with a wide range of fatty-acyl chain-lengths. These thioesterases catalyze the chain-terminating step in the de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids. Chain termination involves the hydrolysis of the thioester bond which links the fatty acyl chain to the 4 -phosphopantetheine prosthetic group of the acyl carrier protein (ACP) subunit of the fatty acid synthase (Smith, S. (1981a) Methods Enzymol. 71: 181-188; Smith, S. (1981b) Methods Enzymol. 71:188-200).

E. coli contains two soluble thioesterases, thioesterase I which is active only toward long- chain acyl thioesters, and thioesterase II (TEII) which has a broad chain-length specificity (Νaggert, J. et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266: 11044-11050). E. coli TEH does not exhibit sequence similarity with either of the two types of mammalian thioesterases which function as chain-terminating enzymes in de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. Unlike the mammalian thioesterases, E. coli TEII lacks the characteristic serine active site gly-X-ser-X-gly sequence motif and is not inactivated by the serine modifying agent diisopropyl fluorophosphate. However, modification of histidine 58 by iodoacetamide and diethylpyrocarbonate abolished TEE activity. Overexpression of TED did not alter fatty acid content in E. coli. which suggests that it does not function as a chain-terminating enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis (Naggert et al., supra). For that reason, Naggert et al. (supra) proposed that the physiological substrates for E. coli TEII may be coenzyme A (CoA)-fatty acid esters instead of ACP-phosphopanthetheine-fatty acid esters. Carboxylesterases Mammalian carboxylesterases constitute a multigene family expressed in a variety of tissues and cell types. Isozymes have significant sequence homology and are classified primarily on the basis of amino acid sequence. Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and carboxylesterase are grouped into the serine superfamily of esterases (B-esterases). Other carboxylesterases include thyroglobulin, thrombin, Factor IX, gliotactin, and plasminogen. Carboxylesterases catalyze the hydrolysis of ester- and amide- groups from molecules and are involved in detoxification of drugs, environmental toxins, and carcinogens. Substrates for carboxylesterases include short- and long-chain acyl-glycerols, acylcarnitine, carbonates, dipivefrin hydrochloride, cocaine, salicylates, capsaicin, palmitoyl-coenzyme A, imidapril, haloperidol, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, steroids, p-nitrophenyl acetate, malathion, butanilicaine, and isocarboxazide. The enzymes often demonstrate low substrate specificity. Carboxylesterases are also important for the conversion of prodrugs to their respective free acids, which may be the active form of the drug (e.g., lovastatin, used to lower blood cholesterol) (reviewed in Satoh, T. and Hosokawa, M. (1998) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.38:257-288).

Neuroligins are a class of molecules that (i) have N-terminal signal sequences, (ii) resemble cell-surface receptors, (iii) contain carboxylesterase domains, (iv) are highly expressed in the brain, and (v) bind to neurexins in a calcium-dependent manner. Despite the homology to carboxylesterases, neuroligins lack the active site serine residue, implying a role in substrate binding rather than catalysis (Ichtchenko, K. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:2676-2682). Squalene epoxidase Squalene epoxidase (squalene monooxygenase, SE) is a microsomal membrane-bound, FAD- dependent oxidoreductase that catalyzes the first oxygenation step in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of eukaryotic cells. Cholesterol is an essential structural component of cytoplasmic membranes acquired via the LDL receptor-mediated pathway or the biosynthetic pathway. In the latter case, all 27 carbon atoms in the cholesterol molecule are derived from acetyl-CoA (Stryer, L., supra). SE converts squalene to 2,3(5)-oxidosqualene, which is then converted to lanosterol and then cholesterol. The steps involved in cholesterol biosynthesis are summarized below (Stryer, L. (1988) Biochemistry. W.H Freeman and Co., Inc. New York. pp. 554-560 and Sakakibara, J. et al. (1995) 270: 17-20): acetate (from Acetyl-CoA) -♦ 3-hydoxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA - mevalonate - 5-phosphomevalonate - 5-pyrophosphomevalonate - isopentenyl pyrophosphate - dimethylallyl pyrophosphate - geranyl pyrophosphate - farnesyl pyrophosphate → squalene - squalene epoxide - lanosterol -> cholesterol. While cholesterol is essential for the viability of eukaryotic cells, inordinately high serum cholesterol levels result in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of higher organisms. This deposition of highly insoluble lipid material onto the walls of essential blood vessels (e.g., coronary arteries) results in decreased blood flow and potential necrosis of the tissues deprived of adequate blood flow. HMG-CoA reductase is responsible for the conversion of 3-hydroxyl-3- methyl-glutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate, which represents the first committed step in cholesterol biosynthesis. HMG-CoA is the target of a number of pharmaceutical compounds designed to lower plasma cholesterol levels. However, inhibition of MHG-CoA also results in the reduced synthesis of non-sterol intermediates (e.g., mevalonate) required for other biochemical pathways. SE catalyzes a rate-limiting reaction that occurs later in the sterol synthesis pathway and cholesterol is the only end product of the pathway following the step catalyzed by SE. As a result, SE is the ideal target for the design of anti-hyperlipidemic drugs that do not cause a reduction in other necessary intermediates (Nakamura, Y. et al. (1996) 271:8053-8056). Epoxide hydrolases Epoxide hydrolases catalyze the addition of water to epoxide-containing compounds, thereby hydrolyzing epoxides to their corresponding 1,2-diols. They are related to bacterial haloalkane dehalogenases and show sequence similarity to other members of the α/β hydrolase fold family of enzymes (e.g., bromoperoxidase A2 from Streptomyces aureofaciens, hydroxymuconic semialdehyde hydrolases from Pseudomonas putida. and haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus). Epoxide hydrolases are ubiquitous in nature and have been found in mammals, invertebrates, plants, fungi, and bacteria. This family of enzymes is important for the detoxification of xenobiotic epoxide compounds which are often highly electrophilic and destructive when introduced into an organism. Examples of epoxide hydrolase reactions include the hydrolysis of cis-9,10-epoxyoctadec-9(Z)-enoic acid (leukotoxin) to form its corresponding diol, threo-9,10-dihydroxyoctadec-12(Z)-enoic acid (leukotoxin diol), and the hydrolysis of cis-12,13-epoxyoctadec-9(Z)-enoic acid (isoleukotoxin) to form its corresponding diol threo-12,13-dihydroxyoctadec-9(Z)-enoic acid (isoleukotoxin diol). Leukotoxins alter membrane permeability and ion transport and cause inflammatory responses. In addition, epoxide carcinogens are known to be produced by cytochrome P450 as intermediates in the detoxification of drugs and environmental toxins.

The enzymes possess a catalytic triad composed of Asp (the nucleophile), Asp (the histidine-supporting acid), and His (the water-activating histidine). The reaction mechanism of epoxide hydrolase proceeds via a covalently bound ester intermediate initiated by the nucleophilic attack of one of the Asp residues on the primary carbon atom of the epoxide ring of the target molecule, leading to a covalently bound ester intermediate (Arand, M. et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:4223-4229; Rink, R. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 14650-14657; Argiriadi, M.A. et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275: 15265-15270). Enzymes involved in tyrosine catalysis

The degradation of the amino acid tyrosine, to either succinate and pyruvate or fumarate and acetoacetate, requires a large number of enzymes and generates a large number of intermediate compounds. In addition, many xenobiotic compounds may be metabolized using one or more reactions that are part of the tyrosine catabolic pathway. While the pathway has been studied primarily in bacteria, tyrosine degradation is known to occur in a variety of organisms and is likely to involve many of the same biological reactions. The enzymes involved in the degradation of tyrosine to succinate and pyruvate (e.g., in

Arthrobacter species) include 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate oxidase, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase, 5-carboxymethyl-2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, trans, -5-carboxymethyl-2-hydroxymuconate isomerase, homoprotocatechuate isomerase/decarboxylase, cw-2-oxohept-3-ene-l,7-dioate hydratase, 2,4-dihydroxyhept-tran5-2-ene-l,7-dioate aldolase, and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase.

The enzymes involved in the degradation of tyrosine to fumarate and acetoacetate (e.g., in Pseudomonas species) include 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, maleylacetoacetate isomerase, and fumarylacetoacetase. 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 1-hydroxylase may also be involved if intermediates from the succinate/pyruvate pathway are accepted.

Additional enzymes associated with tyrosine metabolism in different organisms include 4-chlorophenylacetate-3,4-dioxygenase, aromatic aminotransferase,

5-oxopent-3-ene-l,2,5-tricarboxylate decarboxylase, 2-oxo-hept-3-ene-l,7-dioate hydratase, and 5-carboxymethyl-2-hydroxymuconate isomerase (Ellis, L.B.M. et al. (1999) Nucleic Acids Res. 27:373-376; Wackett, L.P. and Ellis, L.B.M. (1996) J. Microbiol. Meth. 25:91-93; and Schmidt, M.

(1996) Amer. Soc. Microbiol. News 62: 102).

In humans, acquired or inherited genetic defects in enzymes of the tyrosine degradation pathway may result in hereditary tyrosinemia. One form of this disease, hereditary tyrosinemia 1 (HTl) is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, the last enzyme in the pathway in organisms that metabolize tyrosine to fumarate and acetoacetate. HTl is characterized by progressive liver damage beginning at infancy, and increased risk for liver cancer (Endo, F. et al.

(1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:24426-24432).

The use of microarrays for the detection and diagnosis of diseases associated with drug metabolizing enzymes Microarray technology can provide a simple way to explore the expression of a single polymorphic gene or the expression profile of a large number of related or unrelated genes. When the expression of a single gene is examined, microarrays are employed to detect the expression of a specific gene or its variants. When an expression profile is examined, microarrays provide a platform for examining which genes are tissue specific, carrying out housekeeping functions, parts of a signaling cascade, or specifically related to a particular genetic predisposition, condition, disease, or disorder.

The potential application of gene expression profiling is particularly relevant to improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease. For example, both the levels and sequences expressed in tissues from subjects with colon cancer may be compared with the levels and sequences expressed in normal tissue.

For example, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States with approximately 130,000 new cases and 55,000 deaths per year. Colon and rectal cancers share many environmental risk factors and both are found in individuals with specific genetic syndromes. (See Potter, JD (1999) J Natl Cancer Institute 91:916-932 for a review of colorectal cancer.) Colon cancer is the only cancer that occurs with approximately equal frequency in men and women, and the five-year survival rate following diagnosis of colon cancer is around 55% in the United States (Ries et al. (1990) National Institutes of Health, DHHS Publ No. (NIH)90-2789).

Colon cancer is causally related to both genes and the environment. Several molecular pathways have been linked to the development of colon cancer, and the expression of key genes in any of these pathways may be lost by inherited or acquired mutation or by hypermethylation. There is a particular need to identify genes for which changes in expression may provide an early indicator of colon cancer or a predisposition for the development of colon cancer.

It is well known that abnormal patterns of DNA methylation occur consistently in human tumors and include, simultaneously, widespread genomic hypomethylation and localized areas of increased methylation. In colon cancer in particular, it has been found that these changes occur early in tumor progression such as in premalignant polyps that precede colon cancer. Indeed, DNA methyltransferase, the enzyme that performs DNA methylation, is significantly increased in histologically normal mucosa from patients with colon cancer or the benign polyps that precede cancer, and this increase continues during the progression of colonic neoplasms (Wafik, S et al. (1991) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:3470-3474). Increased DNA methylation occurs in G+C rich areas of genomic DNA termed "CpG islands" that are important for maintenance of an "open" transcriptional conformation around genes, and that hypermethylation of these regions results in a "closed" conformation that silences gene transcription. It has been suggested that the silencing or downregulation of differentiation genes by such abnormal methylation of CpG islands may prevent differentiation in immortalized cells (Anteguera, F. et al. (1990) Cell 62:503-514).

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome that precedes colon cancer and is caused by an inherited mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. FAP is characterized by the early development of multiple colorectal adenomas that progress to cancer at a mean age of 44 years. The APC gene is a part of the APC-β-catenin-Tcf (T-cell factor) pathway. Impairment of this pathway results in the loss of orderly replication, adhesion, and migration of colonic epithelial cells that results in the growth of polyps. A series of other genetic changes follow activation of the APC-β-catenin-Tcf pathway and accompanies the transition from normal colonic mucosa to metastatic carcinoma. These changes include mutation of the K-Ras proto- oncogene, changes in methylation patterns, and mutation or loss of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and Smad4/ DPC4. While the inheritance of a mutated APC gene is a rare event, the loss or mutation of APC and the consequent effects on the APC-β-catenin-Tcf pathway is believed to be central to the majority of colon cancers in the general population.

Hereditary nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) is another inherited autosomal dominant syndrome with a less well defined phenotype than FAP. HNPCC, which accounts for about 2% of colorectal cancer cases, is distinguished by the tendency to early onset of cancer and the development of other cancers, particularly those involving the endometrium, urinary tract, stomach and biliary system. HNPCC results from the mutation of one or more genes in the DNA mis-match repair (MMR) pathway. Mutations in two human MMR genes, MSH2 and MLH1, are found in a large majority of HNPCC families identified to date. The DNA MMR pathway identifies and repairs errors that result from the activity of DNA polymerase during replication. Furthermore, loss of MMR activity contributes to cancer progression through accumulation of other gene mutations and deletions, such as loss of the BAX gene which controls apoptosis, and the TGFβ receptor π gene which controls cell growth. Because of the potential for irreparable damage to DNA in an individual with a DNA MMR defect, progression to carcinoma is more rapid than usual.

Although ulcerative colitis is a minor contributor to colon cancer, affected individuals have about a 20-fold increase in risk for developing cancer. Progression is characterized by loss of the p53 gene which may occur early, appearing even in histologically normal tissue. The progression of the disease from ulcerative colitis to dysplasia/carcinoma without an intermediate polyp state suggests a high degree of mutagenic activity resulting from the exposure of proliferating cells in the colonic mucosa to the colonic contents.

Almost all colon cancers arise from cells in which the estrogen receptor (ER) gene has been silenced. The silencing of ER gene transcription is age related and linked to hypermethylation of the ER gene (Issa, J-P J et al. (1994) Nature Genetics 7:536-540). Introduction of an exogenous ER gene into cultured colon carcinoma cells results in marked growth suppression. The connection between loss of the ER protein in colonic epithelial cells and the consequent development of cancer has not been established.

Clearly there are a number of genetic alterations associated with colon cancer and with the development and progression of the disease, particularly the downregulation or deletion of genes, that potentially provide early indicators of cancer development, and which may also be used to monitor disease progression or provide possible therapeutic targets. The specific genes affected in a given case of colon cancer depend on the molecular progression of the disease. Identification of additional genes associated with colon cancer and the precancerous state would provide more reliable diagnostic patterns associated with the development and progression of the disease.

The discovery of new drug metabolizing enzymes, and the polynucleotides encoding them, satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory, cell proliferative, developmental, endocrine, eye, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including liver disorders, and in the assessment of the effects of exogenous compounds on the expression of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of drug metabolizing enzymes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention features purified polypeptides, drug metabolizing enzymes, referred to collectively as "DME" and individually as "DME-1," "DME-2," "DME-3," "DME-4," "DME-5," "DME-6," "DME-7," "DME-8," "DME-9," "DME-10," "DME-11," and "DME-12." In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. In one alternative, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The invention further provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. In one alternative, the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. In another alternative, the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24. Additionally, the invention provides a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. In one alternative, the invention provides a cell transformed with the recombinant polynucleotide. In another alternative, the invention provides a transgenic organism comprising the recombinant polynucleotide. The invention also provides a method for producing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The method comprises a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, and b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed. Additionally, the invention provides an isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

The invention further provides an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)-d). In one alternative, the polynucleotide comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides. Additionally, the invention provides a method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)-d). The method comprises a) hybridizing the sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides comprising a sequence complementary to said target polynucleotide in the sample, and which probe specifically hybridizes to said target polynucleotide, under conditions whereby a hybridization complex is formed between said probe and said target polynucleotide or fragments thereof, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said hybridization complex, and optionally, if present, the amount thereof. In one alternative, the probe comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides.

The invention further provides a method for detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, c) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of a), d) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of b), and e) an RNA equivalent of a)-d). The method comprises a) amplifying said target polynucleotide or fragment thereof using polymerase chain reaction amplification, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said amplified target polynucleotide or fragment thereof, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.

The invention further provides a composition comprising an effective amount of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In one embodiment, the composition comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1- 12. The invention additionally provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

The invention also provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an agonist of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The method comprises a) exposing a sample comprising the polypeptide to a compound, and b) detecting agonist activity in the sample. In one alternative, the invention provides a composition comprising an agonist compound identified by the method and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In another alternative, the invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The method comprises a) exposing a sample comprising the polypeptide to a compound, and b) detecting antagonist activity in the sample. In one alternative, the invention provides a composition comprising an antagonist compound identified by the method and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In another alternative, the invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with overexpression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition.

The invention further provides a method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The method comprises a) combining the polypeptide with at least one test compound under suitable conditions, and b) detecting binding of the polypeptide to the test compound, thereby identifying a compound that specifically binds to the polypeptide.

The invention further provides a method of screening for a compound that modulates the activity of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, c) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and d) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The method comprises a) combining the polypeptide with at least one test compound under conditions permissive for the activity of the polypeptide, b) assessing the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound, and c) comparing the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound with the activity of the polypeptide in the absence of the test compound, wherein a change in the activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is indicative of a compound that modulates the activity of the polypeptide. The invention further provides a method for screening a compound for effectiveness in altering expression of a target polynucleotide, wherein said target polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, the method comprising a) exposing a sample comprising the target polynucleotide to a compound, b) detecting altered expression of the target polynucleotide, and c) comparing the expression of the target polynucleotide in the presence of varying amounts of the compound and in the absence of the compound.

The invention further provides a method for assessing toxicity of a test compound, said method comprising a) treating a biological sample containing nucleic acids with the test compound; b) hybridizing the nucleic acids of the treated biological sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of i) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, ii) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, iii) a polynucleotide having a sequence complementary to i), iv) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of ii), and v) an RNA equivalent of i)-iv). Hybridization occurs under conditions whereby a specific hybridization complex is formed between said probe and a target polynucleotide in the biological sample, said target polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of i) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, ii) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, iii) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of i), iv) a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide of ii), and v) an RNA equivalent of i)-iv). Alternatively, the target polynucleotide comprises a fragment of a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of i)-v) above; c) quantifying the amount of hybridization complex; and d) comparing the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample with the amount of hybridization complex in an untreated biological sample, wherein a difference in the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample is indicative of toxicity of the test compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TABLES Table 1 summarizes the nomenclature for the full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences of the present invention.

Table 2 shows the GenBank identification number and annotation of the nearest GenBank homolog for polypeptides of the invention. The probability scores for the matches between each polypeptide and its homolog(s) are also shown. Table 3 shows structural features of polypeptide sequences of the invention, including predicted motifs and domains, along with the methods, algorithms, and searchable databases used for analysis of the polypeptides.

Table 4 lists the cDNA and/or genomic DNA fragments which were used to assemble polynucleotide sequences of the invention, along with selected fragments of the polynucleotide sequences.

Table 5 shows the representative cDNA library for polynucleotides of the invention. Table 6 provides an appendix which describes the tissues and vectors used for construction of the cDNA libraries shown in Table 5.

Table 7 shows the tools, programs, and algorithms used to analyze the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, along with applicable descriptions, references, and threshold parameters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present proteins, nucleotide sequences, and methods are described, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular machines, materials and methods described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a host cell" includes a plurality of such host cells, and a reference to "an antibody" is a reference to one or more antibodies and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any machines, materials, and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice or test the present invention, the preferred machines, materials and methods are now described. All publications mentioned herein are cited for the purpose of describing and disclosing the cell lines, protocols, reagents and vectors which are reported in the publications and which might be used in connection with the invention. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. DEFINITIONS

"DME" refers to the amino acid sequences of substantially purified DME obtained from any species, particularly a mammalian species, including bovine, ovine, porcine, murine, equine, and human, and from any source, whether natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic, or recombinant.

The term "agonist" refers to a molecule which intensifies or mimics the biological activity of DME. Agonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, small molecules, or any other compound or composition which modulates the activity of DME either by directly interacting with DME or by acting on components of the biological pathway in which DME participates. An "allelic variant" is an alternative form of the gene encoding DME. Allelic variants may result from at least one mutation in the nucleic acid sequence and may result in altered mRNAs or in polypeptides whose structure or function may or may not be altered. A gene may have none, one, or many allelic variants of its naturally occurring form. Common mutational changes which give rise to allelic variants are generally ascribed to natural deletions, additions, or substitutions of nucleotides. Each of these types of changes may occur alone, or in combination with the others, one or more times in a given sequence.

"Altered" nucleic acid sequences encoding DME include those sequences with deletions, insertions, or substitutions of different nucleotides, resulting in a polypeptide the same as DME or a polypeptide with at least one functional characteristic of DME. Included within this definition are polymorphisms which may or may not be readily detectable using a particular oligonucleotide probe of the polynucleotide encoding DME, and improper or unexpected hybridization to allelic variants, with a locus other than the normal chromosomal locus for the polynucleotide sequence encoding DME. The encoded protein may also be "altered," and may contain deletions, insertions, or substitutions of amino acid residues which produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent DME. Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues, as long as the biological or immunological activity of DME is retained. For example, negatively charged amino acids may include aspartic acid and glutamic acid, and positively charged amino acids may include lysine and arginine. Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains having similar hydrophilicity values may include: asparagine and glutamine; and serine and threonine.

Amino acids with uncharged side chains having similar hydrophilicity values may include: leucine, isoleucine, and valine; glycine and alanine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine.

The terms "amino acid" and "amino acid sequence" refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protein sequence, or a fragment of any of these, and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules. Where "amino acid sequence" is recited to refer to a sequence of a naturally occurring protein molecule, "amino acid sequence" and like terms are not meant to limit the amino acid sequence to the complete native amino acid sequence associated with the recited protein molecule.

"Amplification" relates to the production of additional copies of a nucleic acid sequence. Amplification is generally carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies well known in the art.

The term "antagonist" refers to a molecule which inhibits or attenuates the biological activity of DME. Antagonists may include proteins such as antibodies, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, small molecules, or any other compound or composition which modulates the activity of DME either by directly interacting with DME or by acting on components of the biological pathway in which DME participates.

The term "antibody" refers to intact immunoglobulin molecules as well as to fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab')₂, and Fv fragments, which are capable of binding an epitopic determinant. Antibodies that bind DME polypeptides can be prepared using intact polypeptides or using fragments containing small peptides of interest as the immunizing antigen. The polypeptide or oligopeptide used to immunize an animal (e.g., a mouse, a rat, or a rabbit) can be derived from the translation of RNA, or synthesized chemically, and can be conjugated to a carrier protein if desired. Commonly used carriers that are chemically coupled to peptides include bovine serum albumin, thyroglobulin, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The coupled peptide is then used to immunize the animal. The term "antigenic determinant" refers to that region of a molecule (i.e., an epitope) that makes contact with a particular antibody. When a protein or a fragment of a protein is used to immunize a host animal, numerous regions of the protein may induce the production of antibodies which bind specifically to antigenic determinants (particular regions or three-dimensional structures on the protein). An antigenic determinant may compete with the intact antigen (i.e., the immunogen used to elicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody. The term "aptamer" refers to a nucleic acid or oligonucleotide molecule that binds to a specific molecular target. Aptamers are derived from an in vitro evolutionary process (e.g., SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment), described in U.S. Patent No. 5,270,163), which selects for target-specific aptamer sequences from large combinatorial libraries. Aptamer compositions may be double-stranded or single-stranded, and may include deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, nucleotide derivatives, or other nucleotide-like molecules.

The nucleotide components of an aptamer may have modified sugar groups (e.g., the 2'-OH group of a ribonucleotide may be replaced by 2'-F or 2'-NH₂), which may improve a desired property, e.g., resistance to nucleases or longer lifetime in blood. Aptamers may be conjugated to other molecules, e.g., a high molecular weight carrier to slow clearance of the aptamer from the circulatory system. Aptamers may be specifically cross-linked to their cognate ligands, e.g., by photo-activation of a cross-linker. (See, e.g., Brody, E.N. and L. Gold (2000) J. Biotechnol. 74:5-13.)

The term "intramer" refers to an aptamer which is expressed in vivo. For example, a vaccinia virus-based RNA expression system has been used to express specific RNA aptamers at high levels in the cytoplasm of leukocytes (Blind, M. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 96:3606-3610). The term "spiegelmer" refers to an aptamer which includes L-DNA, L-RNA, or other left- handed nucleotide derivatives or nucleotide-like molecules. Aptamers containing left-handed nucleotides are resistant to degradation by naturally occurring enzymes, which normally act on substrates containing right-handed nucleotides.

The term "antisense" refers to any composition capable of base-pairing with the "sense" (coding) strand of a specific nucleic acid sequence. Antisense compositions may include DNA; RNA; peptide nucleic acid (PNA); oligonucleotides having modified backbone linkages such as phosphorothioates, methylphosphonates, or benzylphosphonates; oligonucleotides having modified sugar groups such as 2'-methoxyethyl sugars or 2'-methoxyethoxy sugars; or oligonucleotides having modified bases such as 5-methyl cytosine, 2'-deoxyuracil, or 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine. Antisense molecules may be produced by any method including chemical synthesis or transcription. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary antisense molecule base-pairs with a naturally occurring nucleic acid sequence produced by the cell to form duplexes which block either transcription or translation. The designation "negative" or "minus" can refer to the antisense strand, and the designation "positive" or "plus" can refer to the sense strand of a reference DNA molecule. The term "biologically active" refers to a protein having structural, regulatory, or biochemical functions of a naturally occurring molecule. Likewise, "immunologically active" or "immunogenic" refers to the capability of the natural, recombinant, or synthetic DME, or of any oligopeptide thereof, to induce a specific immune response in appropriate animals or cells and to bind with specific antibodies. "Complementary" describes the relationship between two single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that anneal by base-pairing. For example, 5'-AGT-3' pairs with its complement, 3'-TCA-5'.

A "composition comprising a given polynucleotide sequence" and a "composition comprising a given amino acid sequence" refer broadly to any composition containing the given polynucleotide or amino acid sequence. The composition may comprise a dry formulation or an aqueous solution. Compositions comprising polynucleotide sequences encoding DME or fragments of DME may be employed as hybridization probes. The probes may be stored in freeze-dried form and may be associated with a stabilizing agent such as a carbohydrate. In hybridizations, the probe may be deployed in an aqueous solution containing salts (e.g., NaCl), detergents (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS), and other components (e.g., Denhardt's solution, dry milk, salmon sperm DNA, etc.).

"Consensus sequence" refers to a nucleic acid sequence which has been subjected to repeated DNA sequence analysis to resolve uncalled bases, extended using the XL-PCR kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City CA) in the 5' and/or the 3' direction, and resequenced, or which has been assembled from one or more overlapping cDNA, EST, or genomic DNA fragments using a computer program for fragment assembly, such as the GEL VIEW fragment assembly system (GCG, Madison WI) or Phrap (University of Washington, Seattle WA). Some sequences have been both extended and assembled to produce the consensus sequence.

"Conservative amino acid substitutions" are those substitutions that are predicted to least interfere with the properties of the original protein, i.e., the structure and especially the function of the protein is conserved and not significantly changed by such substitutions. The table below shows amino acids which may be substituted for an original amino acid in a protein and which are regarded as conservative amino acid substitutions. Original Residue Conservative Substitution

Ala Gly, Ser Arg His, Lys

Asn Asp, Gin, His

Asp Asn, Glu

Cys Ala, Ser

Gin Asn, Glu, His Glu Asp, Gin, His

Gly Ala

His Asn, Arg, Gin, Glu

Ile Leu, Val Leu Ile, Val Lys Arg, Gin, Glu Met Leu, Ile Phe His, Met, Leu, Trp, Tyr Ser Cys, Thr Thr Ser, Val Trp Phe, Tyr Tyr His, Phe, Trp Val Ile, Leu, Thr

Conservative amino acid substitutions generally maintain (a) the structure of the polypeptide backbone in the area of the substitution, for example, as a beta sheet or alpha helical conformation, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the site of the substitution, and/or (c) the bulk of the side chain. A "deletion" refers to a change in the amino acid or nucleotide sequence that results in the absence of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides.

The term "derivative" refers to a chemically modified polynucleotide or polypeptide. Chemical modifications of a polynucleotide can include, for example, replacement of hydrogen by an alkyl, acyl, hydroxyl, or amino group. A derivative polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide which retains at least one biological or immunological function of the natural molecule. A derivative polypeptide is one modified by glycosylation, pegylation, or any similar process that retains at least one biological or immunological function of the polypeptide from which it was derived.

A "detectable label" refers to a reporter molecule or enzyme that is capable of generating a measurable signal and is covalently or noncovalently joined to a polynucleotide or polypeptide. "Differential expression" refers to increased or upregulated; or decreased, downregulated, or absent gene or protein expression, determined by comparing at least two different samples. Such comparisons may be carried out between, for example, a treated and an untreated sample, or a diseased and a normal sample.

"Exon shuffling" refers to the recombination of different coding regions (exons). Since an exon may represent a structural or functional domain of the encoded protein, new proteins may be assembled through the novel reassortment of stable substructures, thus allowing acceleration of the evolution of new protein functions.

A "fragment" is a unique portion of DME or the polynucleotide encoding DME which is identical in sequence to but shorter in length than the parent sequence. A fragment may comprise up to the entire length of the defined sequence, minus one nucleotide/amino acid residue. For example, a fragment may comprise from 5 to 1000 contiguous nucleotides or amino acid residues. A fragment used as a probe, primer, antigen, therapeutic molecule, or for other purposes, may be at least 5, 10, 15, 16, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 150, 250 or at least 500 contiguous nucleotides or amino acid residues in length. Fragments may be preferentially selected from certain regions of a molecule. For example, a polypeptide fragment may comprise a certain length of contiguous amino acids selected from the first 250 or 500 amino acids (or first 25% or 50%) of a polypeptide as shown in a certain defined sequence. Clearly these lengths are exemplary, and any length that is supported by the specification, including the Sequence Listing, tables, and figures, may be encompassed by the present embodiments.

A fragment of SEQ ID NO: 13-24 comprises a region of unique polynucleotide sequence that specifically identifies SEQ ID NO: 13-24, for example, as distinct from any other sequence in the genome from which the fragment was obtained. A fragment of SEQ ID NO: 13-24 is useful, for example, in hybridization and amplification technologies and in analogous methods that distinguish SEQ ID NO: 13-24 from related polynucleotide sequences. The precise length of a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 13-24 and the region of SEQ ID NO: 13-24 to which the fragment corresponds are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the intended purpose for the fragment.

A fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 is encoded by a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 13-24. A fragment of SEQ ED NO: 1-12 comprises a region of unique amino acid sequence that specifically identifies SEQ ID NO: 1-12. For example, a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 is useful as an immunogenic peptide for the development of antibodies that specifically recognize SEQ ID NO: 1-12. The precise length of a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 and the region of SEQ H NO: 1-12 to which the fragment corresponds are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the intended purpose for the fragment.

A "full length" polynucleotide sequence is one containing at least a translation initiation codon (e.g., methionine) followed by an open reading frame and a translation termination codon. A "full length" polynucleotide sequence encodes a "full length" polypeptide sequence.

"Homology" refers to sequence similarity or, interchangeably, sequence identity, between two or more polynucleotide sequences or two or more polypeptide sequences.

The terms "percent identity" and "% identity," as applied to polynucleotide sequences, refer to the percentage of residue matches between at least two polynucleotide sequences aligned using a standardized algorithm. Such an algorithm may insert, in a standardized and reproducible way, gaps in the sequences being compared in order to optimize alignment between two sequences, and therefore achieve a more meaningful comparison of the two sequences.

Percent identity between polynucleotide sequences may be determined using the default parameters of the CLUSTAL V algorithm as incorporated into the MEGALIGN version 3.12e sequence alignment program. This program is part of the LASERGENE software package, a suite of molecular biological analysis programs (DNASTAR, Madison WI). CLUSTAL V is described in Higgins, D.G. and P.M. Sharp (1989) CABIOS 5:151-153 and in Higgins, D.G. et al. (1992) CABIOS 8: 189-191. For pairwise alignments of polynucleotide sequences, the default parameters are set as follows: Ktuple=2, gap penalty=5, window=4, and "diagonals saved"=4. The "weighted" residue weight table is selected as the default. Percent identity is reported by CLUSTAL V as the "percent similarity" between aligned polynucleotide sequences. Alternatively, a suite of commonly used and freely available sequence comparison algorithms is provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (Altschul, S.F. et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410), which is available from several sources, including the NCBI, Bethesda, MD, and on the Internet at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/. The BLAST software suite includes various sequence analysis programs including "blastn," that is used to align a known polynucleotide sequence with other polynucleotide sequences from a variety of databases. Also available is a tool called "BLAST 2 Sequences" that is used for direct pairwise comparison of two nucleotide sequences. "BLAST 2 Sequences" can be accessed and used interactively at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gorf/bl2.html. The "BLAST 2 Sequences" tool can be used for both blastn and blastp (discussed below). BLAST programs are commonly used with gap and other parameters set to default settings. For example, to compare two nucleotide sequences, one may use blastn with the "BLAST 2 Sequences" tool Version 2.0.12 (April-21-2000) set at default parameters. Such default parameters may be, for example:

Matrix: BLOSUM62

Reward for match: 1 Penalty for mismatch: -2

Open Gap: 5 and Extension Gap: 2 penalties

Gap x drop-off: 50

Expect: 10

Word Size: 11 Filter: on

Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined sequence, for example, as defined by a particular SEQ ID number, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 70, at least 100, or at least 200 contiguous nucleotides. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures, or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured.

Nucleic acid sequences that do not show a high degree of identity may nevertheless encode similar amino acid sequences due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. It is understood that changes in a nucleic acid sequence can be made using this degeneracy to produce multiple nucleic acid sequences that all encode substantially the same protein.

The phrases "percent identity" and "% identity," as applied to polypeptide sequences, refer to the percentage of residue matches between at least two polypeptide sequences aligned using a standardized algorithm. Methods of polypeptide sequence alignment are well-known. Some alignment methods take into account conservative amino acid substitutions. Such conservative substitutions, explained in more detail above, generally preserve the charge and iydrophobicity at the site of substitution, thus preserving the structure (and therefore function) of the polypeptide.

Percent identity between polypeptide sequences may be determined using the default parameters of the CLUSTAL V algorithm as incoφorated into the MEGALIGN version 3.12e sequence alignment program (described and referenced above). For pairwise alignments of polypeptide sequences using CLUSTAL V, the default parameters are set as follows: Ktuple=l, gap penalty=3, window=5, and "diagonals saved"=5. The PAM250 matrix is selected as the default residue weight table. As with polynucleotide alignments, the percent identity is reported by CLUSTAL V as the "percent similarity" between aligned polypeptide sequence pairs. Alternatively the NCBI BLAST software suite may be used. For example, for a pairwise comparison of two polypeptide sequences, one may use the "BLAST 2 Sequences" tool Version 2.0.12 (April-21-2000) with blastp set at default parameters. Such default parameters may be, for example:

Matrix: BLOSUM62 Open Gap: 11 and Extension Gap: 1 penalties

Gap x drop-off: 50

Expect: 10

Word Size: 3

Filter: on Percent identity may be measured over the length of an entire defined polypeptide sequence, for example, as defined by a particular SEQ ID number, or may be measured over a shorter length, for example, over the length of a fragment taken from a larger, defined polypeptide sequence, for instance, a fragment of at least 15, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 70 or at least 150 contiguous residues. Such lengths are exemplary only, and it is understood that any fragment length supported by the sequences shown herein, in the tables, figures or Sequence Listing, may be used to describe a length over which percentage identity may be measured.

"Human artificial chromosomes" (HACs) are linear microchromosomes which may contain DNA sequences of about 6 kb to 10 Mb in size and which contain all of the elements required for chromosome replication, segregation and maintenance. The term "humanized antibody" refers to an antibody molecule in which the amino acid sequence in the non-antigen binding regions has been altered so that the antibody more closely resembles a human antibody, and still retains its original binding ability.

"Hybridization" refers to the process by which a polynucleotide strand anneals with a complementary strand through base pairing under defined hybridization conditions. Specific hybridization is an indication that two nucleic acid sequences share a high degree of complementarity. Specific hybridization complexes form under permissive annealing conditions and remain hybridized after the "washing" step(s). The washing step(s) is particularly important in determining the stringency of the hybridization process, with more stringent conditions allowing less non-specific binding, i.e., binding between pairs of nucleic acid strands that are not perfectly matched. Permissive conditions for annealing of nucleic acid sequences are routinely determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art and may be consistent among hybridization experiments, whereas wash conditions may be varied among experiments to achieve the desired stringency, and therefore hybridization specificity. Permissive annealing conditions occur, for example, at 68°C in the presence of about 6 x SSC, about 1% (w/v) SDS, and about 100 μg/ml sheared, denatured salmon sperm DNA. Generally, stringency of hybridization is expressed, in part, with reference to the temperature under which the wash step is carried out. Such wash temperatures are typically selected to be about 5°C to 20°C lower than the thermal melting point (T_m) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The T_m is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. An equation for calculating T_m and conditions for nucleic acid hybridization are well known and can be found in Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2^nd ed., vol. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview NY; specifically see volume 2, chapter 9.

High stringency conditions for hybridization between polynucleotides of the present invention include wash conditions of 68°C in the presence of about 0.2 x SSC and about 0.1% SDS, for 1 hour. Alternatively, temperatures of about 65°C, 60°C, 55°C, or 42°C may be used. SSC concentration may be varied from about 0.1 to 2 x SSC, with SDS being present at about 0.1%. Typically, blocking reagents are used to block non-specific hybridization. Such blocking reagents include, for instance, sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA at about 100-200 μg/ml. Organic solvent, such as formamide at a concentration of about 35-50% v/v, may also be used under particular circumstances, such as for RNA:DNA hybridizations. Useful variations on these wash conditions will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Hybridization, particularly under high stringency conditions, may be suggestive of evolutionary similarity between the nucleotides. Such similarity is strongly indicative of a similar role for the nucleotides and their encoded polypeptides. The term "hybridization complex" refers to a complex formed between two nucleic acid sequences by virtue of the formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary bases. A hybridization complex may be formed in solution (e.g., C₀t or R^ analysis) or formed between one nucleic acid sequence present in solution and another nucleic acid sequence immobilized on a solid support (e.g., paper, membranes, filters, chips, pins or glass slides, or any other appropriate substrate to which cells or their nucleic acids have been fixed). The words "insertion" and "addition" refer to changes in an amino acid or nucleotide sequence resulting in the addition of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides, respectively. "Immune response" can refer to conditions associated with inflammation, trauma, immune disorders, or infectious or genetic disease, etc. These conditions can be characterized by expression of various factors, e.g., cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules, which may affect cellular and systemic defense systems.

An "immunogenic fragment" is a polypeptide or oligopeptide fragment of DME which is capable of eliciting an immune response when introduced into a living organism, for example, a mammal. The term "immunogenic fragment" also includes any polypeptide or oligopeptide fragment of DME which is useful in any of the antibody production methods disclosed herein or known in the art.

The term "microarray" refers to an arrangement of a plurality of polynucleotides, polypeptides, or other chemical compounds on a substrate.

The terms "element" and "array element" refer to a polynucleotide, polypeptide, or other chemical compound having a unique and defined position on a microarray. The term "modulate" refers to a change in the activity of DME. For example, modulation may cause an increase or a decrease in protein activity, binding characteristics, or any other biological, functional, or immunological properties of DME.

The phrases "nucleic acid" and "nucleic acid sequence" refer to a nucleotide, oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, or any fragment thereof. These phrases also refer to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be single-stranded or double-stranded and may represent the sense or the antisense strand, to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or to any DNA-like or RNA-like material.

"Operably linked" refers to the situation in which a first nucleic acid sequence is placed in a functional relationship with a second nucleic acid sequence. For instance, a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if the promoter affects the transcription or expression of the coding sequence. Operably linked DNA sequences may be in close proximity or contiguous and, where necessary to join two protein coding regions, in the same reading frame.

"Peptide nucleic acid" (PNA) refers to an antisense molecule or anti-gene agent which comprises an oligonucleotide of at least about 5 nucleotides in length linked to a peptide backbone of amino acid residues ending in lysine. The terminal lysine confers solubility to the composition. PNAs preferentially bind complementary single stranded DNA or RNA and stop transcript elongation, and may be pegylated to extend their lifespan in the cell.

"Post-translational modification" of an DME may involve lipidation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, racemization, proteolytic cleavage, and other modifications known in the art. These processes may occur synthetically or biochemically. Biochemical modifications will vary by cell type depending on the enzymatic milieu of DME.

"Probe" refers to nucleic acid sequences encoding DME, their complements, or fragments thereof, which are used to detect identical, allelic or related nucleic acid sequences. Probes are isolated oligonucleotides or polynucleotides attached to a detectable label or reporter molecule. Typical labels include radioactive isotopes, ligands, chemiluminescent agents, and enzymes. "Primers" are short nucleic acids, usually DNA oligonucleotides, which may be annealed to a target polynucleotide by complementary base-pairing. The primer may then be extended along the target DNA strand by a DNA polymerase enzyme. Primer pairs can be used for amplification (and identification) of a nucleic acid sequence, e.g., by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Probes and primers as used in the present invention typically comprise at least 15 contiguous nucleotides of a known sequence. In order to enhance specificity, longer probes and primers may also be employed, such as probes and primers that comprise at least 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or at least 150 consecutive nucleotides of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences. Probes and primers may be considerably longer than these examples, and it is understood that any length supported by the specification, including the tables, figures, and Sequence Listing, may be used. Methods for preparing and using probes and primers are described in the references, for example Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2^nd ed., vol. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview NY; Ausubel, F.M. et al. (1987) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publ. Assoc. & Wiley-Intersciences, New York NY; Innis, M. et al. (1990) PCR Protocols. A Guide to Methods and Applications, Academic Press, San Diego CA. PCR primer pairs can be derived from a known sequence, for example, by using computer programs intended for that purpose such as Primer (Version 0.5, 1991, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge MA).

Oligonucleotides for use as primers are selected using software known in the art for such purpose. For example, OLIGO 4.06 software is useful for the selection of PCR primer pairs of up to 100 nucleotides each, and for the analysis of oligonucleotides and larger polynucleotides of up to 5,000 nucleotides from an input polynucleotide sequence of up to 32 kilobases. Similar primer selection programs have incorporated additional features for expanded capabilities. For example, the PrimOU primer selection program (available to the public from the Genome Center at University of Texas South West Medical Center, Dallas TX) is capable of choosing specific primers from megabase sequences and is thus useful for designing primers on a genome-wide scope. The Primer3 primer selection program (available to the public from the Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research, Cambridge MA) allows the user to input a "mispriming library," in which sequences to avoid as primer binding sites are user-specified. Primer3 is useful, in particular, for the selection of oligonucleotides for microarrays. (The source code for the latter two primer selection programs may also be obtained from their respective sources and modified to meet the user's specific needs.) The PrimeGen program (available to the public from the UK Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre, Cambridge UK) designs primers based on multiple sequence alignments, thereby allowing selection of primers that hybridize to either the most conserved or least conserved regions of aligned nucleic acid sequences. Hence, this program is useful for identification of both unique and conserved oligonucleotides and polynucleotide fragments. The oligonucleotides and polynucleotide fragments identified by any of the above selection methods are useful in hybridization technologies, for example, as PCR or sequencing primers, microarray elements, or specific probes to identify fully or partially complementary polynucleotides in a sample of nucleic acids. Methods of oligonucleotide selection are not limited to those described above. A "recombinant nucleic acid" is a sequence that is not naturally occurring or has a sequence that is made by an artificial combination of two or more otherwise separated segments of sequence. This artificial combination is often accomplished by chemical synthesis or, more commonly, by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids, e.g., by genetic engineering techniques such as those described in Sambrook, supra. The term recombinant includes nucleic acids that have been altered solely by addition, substitution, or deletion of a portion of the nucleic acid. Frequently, a recombinant nucleic acid may include a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a promoter sequence. Such a recombinant nucleic acid may be part of a vector that is used, for example, to transform a cell.

Alternatively, such recombinant nucleic acids may be part of a viral vector, e.g., based on a vaccinia virus, that could be use to vaccinate a mammal wherein the recombinant nucleic acid is expressed, inducing a protective immunological response in the mammal.

A "regulatory element" refers to a nucleic acid sequence usually derived from untranslated regions of a gene and includes enhancers, promoters, introns, and 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). Regulatory elements interact with host or viral proteins which control transcription, translation, or RNA stability. ,

"Reporter molecules" are chemical or biochemical moieties used for labeling a nucleic acid, amino acid, or antibody. Reporter molecules include radionuclides; enzymes; fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents; substrates; cofactors; inhibitors; magnetic particles; and other moieties known in the art. An "RNA equivalent," in reference to a DNA sequence, is composed of the same linear sequence of nucleotides as the reference DNA sequence with the exception that all occurrences of the nitrogenous base thymine are replaced with uracil, and the sugar backbone is composed of ribose instead of deoxyribose.

The term "sample" is used in its broadest sense. A sample suspected of containing DME, nucleic acids encoding DME, or fragments thereof may comprise a bodily fluid; an extract from a cell, chromosome, organelle, or membrane isolated from a cell; a cell; genomic DNA, RNA, or cDNA, in solution or bound to a substrate; a tissue; a tissue print; etc.

The terms "specific binding" and "specifically binding" refer to that interaction between a protein or peptide and an agonist, an antibody, an antagonist, a small molecule, or any natural or synthetic binding composition. The interaction is dependent upon the presence of a particular structure of the protein, e.g., the antigenic determinant or epitope, recognized by the binding molecule. For example, if an antibody is specific for epitope "A," the presence of a polypeptide comprising the epitope A, or the presence of free unlabeled A, in a reaction containing free labeled A and the antibody will reduce the amount of labeled A that binds to the antibody. The term "substantially purified" refers to nucleic acid or amino acid sequences that are removed from their natural environment and are isolated or separated, and are at least 60% free, preferably at least 75% free, and most preferably at least 90% free from other components with which they are naturally associated.

A "substitution" refers to the replacement of one or more amino acid residues or nucleotides by different amino acid residues or nucleotides, respectively.

"Substrate" refers to any suitable rigid or semi-rigid support including membranes, filters, chips, slides, wafers, fibers, magnetic or nonmagnetic beads, gels, tubing, plates, polymers, microparticles and capillaries. The substrate can have a variety of surface forms, such as wells, trenches, pins, channels and pores, to which polynucleotides or polypeptides are bound. A "transcript image" or "expression profile" refers to the collective pattern of gene expression by a particular cell type or tissue under given conditions at a given time.

"Transformation" describes a process by which exogenous DNA is introduced into a recipient cell. Transformation may occur under natural or artificial conditions according to various methods well known in the art, and may rely on any known method for the insertion of foreign nucleic acid sequences into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. The method for transformation is selected based on the type of host cell being transformed and may include, but is not limited to, bacteriophage or viral infection, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, and particle bombardment. The term "transformed cells" includes stably transformed cells in which the inserted DNA is capable of replication either as an autonomously replicating plasmid or as part of the host chromosome, as well as transiently transformed cells which express the inserted DNA or RNA for limited periods of time. A "transgenic organism," as used herein, is any organism, including but not limited to animals and plants, in which one or more of the cells of the organism contains heterologous nucleic acid introduced by way of human intervention, such as by transgenic techniques well known in the art. The nucleic acid is introduced into the cell, directly or indirectly by introduction into a precursor of the cell, by way of deliberate genetic manipulation, such as by microinjection or by infection with a recombinant virus. In one alternative, the nucleic acid can be introduced by infection with a recombinant viral vector, such as a lentiviral vector (Lois, C. et al. (2002) Science 295:868-872). The term genetic manipulation does not include classical cross-breeding, or in vitro fertilization, but rather is directed to the introduction of a recombinant DNA molecule. The transgenic organisms contemplated in accordance with the present invention include bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, plants and animals. The isolated DNA of the present invention can be introduced into the host by methods known in the art, for example infection, transfection, transformation or transconjugation. Techniques for transferring the DNA of the present invention into such organisms are widely known and provided in references such as Sambrook et al. (1989), supra. A "variant" of a particular nucleic acid sequence is defined as a nucleic acid sequence having at least 40% sequence identity to the particular nucleic acid sequence over a certain length of one of the nucleic acid sequences using blastn with the "BLAST 2 Sequences" tool Version 2.0.9 (May-07- 1999) set at default parameters. Such a pair of nucleic acids may show, for example, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% or greater sequence identity over a certain defined length. A variant may be described as, for example, an "allelic" (as defined above), "splice," "species," or "polymorphic" variant. A splice variant may have significant identity to a reference molecule, but will generally have a greater or lesser number of polynucleotides due to alternate splicing of exons during mRNA processing. The corresponding polypeptide may possess additional functional domains or lack domains that are present in the reference molecule. Species variants are polynucleotide sequences that vary from one species to another. The resulting polypeptides will generally have significant amino acid identity relative to each other. A polymorphic variant is a variation in the polynucleotide sequence of a particular gene between individuals of a given species. Polymorphic variants also may encompass "single nucleotide polymorphisms" (SNPs) in which the polynucleotide sequence varies by one nucleotide base. The presence of SNPs may be indicative of, for example, a certain population, a disease state, or a propensity for a disease state.

A "variant" of a particular polypeptide sequence is defined as a polypeptide sequence having at least 40% sequence identity to the particular polypeptide sequence over a certain length of one of the polypeptide sequences using blastp with the "BLAST 2 Sequences" tool Version 2.0.9 (May-07- 1999) set at default parameters. Such a pair of polypeptides may show, for example, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% or greater sequence identity over a certain defined length of one of the polypeptides.

THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the discovery of new human drug metabolizing enzymes (DME), the polynucleotides encoding DME, and the use of these compositions for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of autoimmune/inflammatory, cell proliferative, developmental, endocrine, eye, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including liver disorders.

Table 1 summarizes the nomenclature for the full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences of the invention. Each polynucleotide and its corresponding polypeptide are correlated to a single Incyte project identification number (Incyte Project ED). Each polypeptide sequence is denoted by both a polypeptide sequence identification number (Polypeptide SEQ ED NO:) and an Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ED) as shown. Each polynucleotide sequence is denoted by both a polynucleotide sequence identification number (Polynucleotide SEQ ED NO:) and an Incyte polynucleotide consensus sequence number (Incyte Polynucleotide ED) as shown. Column 6 shows the Incyte ED numbers of physical, full length clones corresponding to the polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences of the invention. The full length clones encode polypeptides which have at least 95% sequence identity to the polypeptide sequences shown in column 3.

Table 2 shows sequences with homology to the polypeptides of the invention as identified by BLAST analysis against the GenBank protein (genpept) database. Columns 1 and 2 show the polypeptide sequence identification number (Polypeptide SEQ ED NO:) and the corresponding Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ED) for polypeptides of the invention. Column 3 shows the GenBank identification number (GenBank ED NO:) of the nearest GenBank homolog.

Column 4 shows the probability scores for the matches between each polypeptide and its homolog(s). Column 5 shows the annotation of the GenBank homolog(s) along with relevant citations where applicable, all of which are expressly incoφorated by reference herein.

Table 3 shows various structural features of the polypeptides of the invention. Columns 1 and 2 show the polypeptide sequence identification number (SEQ ED NO:) and the corresponding Incyte polypeptide sequence number (Incyte Polypeptide ED) for each polypeptide of the invention. Column 3 shows the number of amino acid residues in each polypeptide. Column 4 shows potential phosphorylation sites, and column 5 shows potential glycosylation sites, as determined by the MOTIFS program of the GCG sequence analysis software package (Genetics Computer Group, Madison WI). Column 6 shows amino acid residues comprising signature sequences, domains, and motifs. Column 7 shows analytical methods for protein structure/function analysis and in some cases, searchable databases to which the analytical methods were applied.

Together, Tables 2 and 3 summarize the properties of polypeptides of the invention, and these properties establish that the claimed polypeptides are drug metabolizing enzymes. For example, SEQ ED NO: 1 is 40% identical, from residue C87 to residue K471 , to rabbit UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (GenBank ED gl65801) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is l.le-70, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ED NO:l also contains a UDP- glucuronosyltransferase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFEJESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ED NO: 1 is a member of the UDP-glycosyltransferase superfamily.

In an alternative example, SEQ ED NO:3 is 49% identical, from residue K4 to residue Q302, to a chicken sulfotransferase (GenBank ED g2687360) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 2.3e-81, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ED NO:3 also contains a sulfotransferase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS analysis provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ED NO:3 is a sulfotransferase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ED NO:4 is 37% identical, from residue D38 to residue P306, to the C-5 sterol desaturase of Mycobacterium bo vis (GenBank ED g9965825) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 5.8e- 44, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ED NO:5 is 44% identical, from residue V38 to residue L440, to murine arylacetamide deacetylase (GenBank ED gl2597322) as determined by BLAST analysis with a probability score of 2.6e-87. Data from BLIMPS and MOTIFS analyses provide further corroborative evidence the SEQ ED NO: 5 is a lipolytic enzyme.

In an alternative example, SEQ ED NO:6 is 93% identical, from residue Ml to residue D529, to human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (GenBank EDs g3135025 and g8650278) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability scores are 1.2e-274, which indicate the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignments by chance. SEQ ED NO:6 also contains a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFILESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ED NO:6 is a UDP- glucuronosyltransferase. SEQ ED NO:7 is 97% identical, from residue A9 to residue S615, to murine protein arginine methyltransferase (GenBank ED g5257221), as determined by BLAST analysis, with a probability score of 0.0. In an alternative example, SEQ ED NO: 10 is 100% identical, from residue M57 to residue

S341, to human NG, NG-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (GenBank ED g4160666) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 2.5e-148, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. Data from BLAST analysis using the Prodom database provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ED NO: 10 is an NG, NG-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase.

In an alternative example, SEQ ED NO: 11 is 54% identical, from residue P76 to residue W554, to human arylsulfatase (GenBank ED g825628) as determined by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). (See Table 2.) The BLAST probability score is 2.2e-146, which indicates the probability of obtaining the observed polypeptide sequence alignment by chance. SEQ ED NO: 11 also contains a sulfatase domain as determined by searching for statistically significant matches in the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based PFAM database of conserved protein family domains. (See Table 3.) Data from BLIMPS, MOTIFS, and PROFE ESCAN analyses provide further corroborative evidence that SEQ ED NO: 11 is an arylsulfatase. The algorithms and parameters for the analysis of SEQ ED NO: 1-2 are described in Table 7.

SEQ ED NO:2, SEQ ED NO:8-9 and SEQ ED NO: 12 were analyzed and annotated in a similar manner. The algorithms and parameters for the analysis of SEQ ED NO: 1-12 are described in Table 7.

As shown in Table 4, the full length polynucleotide sequences of the present invention were assembled using cDNA sequences or coding (exon) sequences derived from genomic DNA, or any combination of these two types of sequences. Column 1 lists the polynucleotide sequence identification number (Polynucleotide SEQ ED NO:), the corresponding Incyte polynucleotide consensus sequence number (Incyte ED) for each polynucleotide of the invention, and the length of each polynucleotide sequence in basepairs. Column 2 shows the nucleotide start (5') and stop (3') positions of the cDNA and/or genomic sequences used to assemble the full length polynucleotide sequences of the invention, and of fragments of the polynucleotide sequences which are useful, for example, in hybridization or amplification technologies that identify SEQ ED NO: 13-24 or that distinguish between SEQ ED NO: 13-24 and related polynucleotide sequences.

The polynucleotide fragments described in Column 2 of Table 4 may refer specifically, for example, to Incyte cDNAs derived from tissue-specific cDNA libraries or from pooled cDNA libraries. Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may refer to GenBank cDNAs or ESTs which contributed to the assembly of the full length polynucleotide sequences. In addition, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may identify sequences derived from the ENSEMBL (The Sanger Centre, Cambridge, UK) database (i.e., those sequences including the designation "ENST"). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may be derived from the NCBI RefSeq Nucleotide Sequence Records Database (i.e., those sequences including the designation "NM" or "NT") or the NCBI RefSeq Protein Sequence Records (i.e., those sequences including the designation "NP"). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments described in column 2 may refer to assemblages of both cDNA and Genscan-predicted exons brought together by an "exon stitching" algorithm. For example, a polynucleotide sequence identified as

FL_XXXXXX_Nj_N₂_YYYYY_N₃_N₄ represents a "stitched" sequence in which XXXXXX is the identification number of the cluster of sequences to which the algorithm was applied, and YYYYY is the number of the prediction generated by the algorithm, and N, ₂₃ , if present, represent specific exons that may have been manually edited during analysis (See Example V). Alternatively, the polynucleotide fragments in column 2 may refer to assemblages of exons brought together by an "exon-stretching" algorithm. For example, a polynucleotide sequence identified as FLXXXXXX_gAAAAA_gBBBBB_l_N is a "stretched" sequence, with XXXXXX being the Incyte project identification number, gAAAAA being the GenBank identification number of the human genomic sequence to which the "exon-stretching" algorithm was applied, gBBBBB being the GenBank identification number or NCBI RefSeq identification number of the nearest GenBank protein homolog, and N referring to specific exons (See Example V). In instances where a RefSeq sequence was used as a protein homolog for the "exon-stretching" algorithm, a RefSeq identifier (denoted by "NM," "NP," or "NT") may be used in place of the GenBank identifier (i.e., gBBBBB). Alternatively, a prefix identifies component sequences that were hand-edited, predicted from genomic DNA sequences, or derived from a combination of sequence analysis methods. The following Table lists examples of component sequence prefixes and corresponding sequence analysis methods associated with the prefixes (see Example IV and Example V).

INCY Full length transcript and exon prediction from mapping of EST sequences to the genome. Genomic location and EST composition data are combined to predict the exons and resulting transcript.

In some cases, Incyte cDNA coverage redundant with the sequence coverage shown in Table 4 was obtained to confirm the final consensus polynucleotide sequence, but the relevant Incyte cDNA identification numbers are not shown.

Table 5 shows the representative cDNA libraries for those full length polynucleotide sequences which were assembled using Incyte cDNA sequences. The representative cDNA library is the Incyte cDNA library which is most frequently represented by the Incyte cDNA sequences which were used to assemble and confirm the above polynucleotide sequences. The tissues and vectors which were used to construct the cDNA libraries shown in Table 5 are described in Table 6.

The invention also encompasses DME variants. A preferred DME variant is one which has at least about 80%, or alternatively at least about 90%, or even at least about 95% amino acid sequence identity to the DME amino acid sequence, and which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of DME. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides which encode DME. In a particular embodiment, the invention encompasses a polynucleotide sequence comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ED NO: 13-24, which encodes DME. The polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ED NO: 13-24, as presented in the Sequence Listing, embrace the equivalent RNA sequences, wherein occurrences of the nitrogenous base thymine are replaced with uracil, and the sugar backbone is composed of ribose instead of deoxyribose.

The invention also encompasses a variant of a polynucleotide sequence encoding DME. In particular, such a variant polynucleotide sequence will have at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or even at least about 95% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding DME. A particular aspect of the invention encompasses a variant of a polynucleotide sequence comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ED NO: 13-24 which has at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or even at least about 95% polynucleotide sequence identity to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ED NO: 13-24. Any one of the polynucleotide variants described above can encode an amino acid sequence which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of DME. In addition, or in the alternative, a polynucleotide variant of the invention is a splice variant of a polynucleotide sequence encoding DME. A splice variant may have portions which have significant sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding DME, but will generally have a greater or lesser number of polynucleotides due to additions or deletions of blocks of sequence arising from alternate splicing of exons during mRNA processing. A splice variant may have less than about 70%, or alternatively less than about 60%, or alternatively less than about 50% polynucleotide sequence identity to the polynucleotide sequence encoding DME over its entire length; however, portions of the splice variant will have at least about 70%, or alternatively at least about 85%, or alternatively at least about 95%, or alternatively 100% polynucleotide sequence identity to portions of the polynucleotide sequence encoding DME. Any one of the splice variants described above can encode an amino acid sequence which contains at least one functional or structural characteristic of DME.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, a multitude of polynucleotide sequences encoding DME, some bearing minimal similarity to the polynucleotide sequences of any known and naturally occurring gene, may be produced. Thus, the invention contemplates each and every possible variation of polynucleotide sequence that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices. These combinations are made in accordance with the standard triplet genetic code as applied to the polynucleotide sequence of naturally occurring DME, and all such variations are to be considered as being specifically disclosed.

Although nucleotide sequences which encode DME and its variants are generally capable of hybridizing to the nucleotide sequence of the naturally occurring DME under appropriately selected conditions of stringency, it may be advantageous to produce nucleotide sequences encoding DME or its derivatives possessing a substantially different codon usage, e.g., inclusion of non-naturally occurring codons. Codons may be selected to increase the rate at which expression of the peptide occurs in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host in accordance with the frequency with which particular codons are utilized by the host. Other reasons for substantially altering the nucleotide sequence encoding DME and its derivatives without altering the encoded amino acid sequences include the production of RNA transcripts having more desirable properties, such as a greater half-life, than transcripts produced from the naturally occurring sequence.

The invention also encompasses production of DNA sequences which encode DME and DME derivatives, or fragments thereof, entirely by synthetic chemistry. After production, the synthetic sequence may be inserted into any of the many available expression vectors and cell systems using reagents well known in the art. Moreover, synthetic chemistry may be used to introduce mutations into a sequence encoding DME or any fragment thereof.

Also encompassed by the invention are polynucleotide sequences that are capable of hybridizing to the claimed polynucleotide sequences, and, in particular, to those shown in SEQ ED NO: 13-24 and fragments thereof under various conditions of stringency. (See, e.g., Wahl, G.M. and S.L. Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:399-407; Kimmel, A.R. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:507-511.) Hybridization conditions, including annealing and wash conditions, are described in "Definitions."

Methods for DNA sequencing are well known in the art and may be used to practice any of the embodiments of the invention. The methods may employ such enzymes as the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, SEQUENASE (US Biochemical, Cleveland OH), Taq polymerase (Applied Biosystems), thermostable T7 polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway NJ), or combinations of polymerases and proofreading exonucleases such as those found in the ELONGASE amplification system (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg MD). Preferably, sequence preparation is automated with machines such as the MICROLAB 2200 liquid transfer system (Hamilton, Reno NV), PTC200 thermal cycler (MJ Research, Watertown MA) and ABI CATALYST 800 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems). Sequencing is then carried out using either the ABI 373 or 377 DNA sequencing system (Applied Biosystems), the MEGABACE 1000 DNA sequencing system (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale CA), or other systems known in the art. The resulting sequences are analyzed using a variety of algorithms which are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, F.M. (1997) Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York NY, unit 7.7; Meyers, R.A. (1995) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Wiley VCH, New York NY, pp. 856-853.)

The nucleic acid sequences encoding DME may be extended utilizing a partial nucleotide sequence and employing various PCR-based methods known in the art to detect upstream sequences, such as promoters and regulatory elements. For example, one method which may be employed, restriction-site PCR, uses universal and nested primers to amplify unknown sequence from genomic DNA within a cloning vector. (See, e.g., Sarkar, G. (1993) PCR Methods Applic. 2:318-322.) Another method, inverse PCR, uses primers that extend in divergent directions to amplify unknown sequence from a circularized template. The template is derived from restriction fragments comprising a known genomic locus and surrounding sequences. (See, e.g., Triglia, T. et al. (1988) Nucleic Acids Res. 16:8186.) A third method, capture PCR, involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to known sequences in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA. (See, e.g., Lagerstrom, M. et al. (1991) PCR Methods Applic. 1: 111-119.) In this method, multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations may be used to insert an engineered double-stranded sequence into a region of unknown sequence before performing PCR. Other methods which may be used to retrieve unknown sequences are known in the art. (See, e.g., Parker, J.D. et al. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19:3055-3060). Additionally, one may use PCR, nested primers, and PROMOTERFINDER libraries (Clontech, Palo Alto CA) to walk genomic DNA. This procedure avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions. For all PCR-based methods, primers may be designed using commercially available software, such as OLIGO 4.06 primer analysis software (National Biosciences, Plymouth MN) or another appropriate program, to be about 22 to 30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of about 50% or more, and to anneal to the template at temperatures of about 68°C to 72°C.

When screening for full length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. In addition, random-primed libraries, which often include sequences containing the 5' regions of genes, are preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries may be useful for extension of sequence into 5' non-transcribed regulatory regions.

Capillary electrophoresis systems which are commercially available may be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of sequencing or PCR products. In particular, capillary sequencing may employ flowable polymers for electrophoretic separation, four different nucleotide- specific, laser-stimulated fluorescent dyes, and a charge coupled device camera for detection of the emitted wavelengths. Output/light intensity may be converted to electrical signal using appropriate software (e.g., GENOTYPER and SEQUENCE NAVIGATOR, Applied Biosystems), and the entire process from loading of samples to computer analysis and electronic data display may be computer controlled. Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for sequencing small DNA fragments which may be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotide sequences or fragments thereof which encode DME may be cloned in recombinant DNA molecules that direct expression of DME, or fragments or functional equivalents thereof, in appropriate host cells. Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, other DNA sequences which encode substantially the same or a functionally equivalent amino acid sequence may be produced and used to express DME.

The nucleotide sequences of the present invention can be engineered using methods generally known in the art in order to alter DME-encoding sequences for a variety of puφoses including, but not limited to, modification of the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the gene product. DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides may be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences. For example, oligonucleotide- mediated site-directed mutagenesis may be used to introduce mutations that create new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, and so forth.

The nucleotides of the present invention may be subjected to DNA shuffling techniques such as MOLECULARBREEDING (Maxygen Inc., Santa Clara CA; described in U.S. Patent No.

5,837,458; Chang, C.-C et al. (1999) Nat. Biotechnol. 17:793-797; Christians, F.C et al. (1999) Nat. Biotechnol. 17:259-264; and Crameri, A. et al. (1996) Nat. Biotechnol. 14:315-319) to alter or improve the biological properties of DME, such as its biological or enzymatic activity or its ability to bind to other molecules or compounds. DNA shuffling is a process by which a library of gene variants is produced using PCR-mediated recombination of gene fragments. The library is then subjected to selection or screening procedures that identify those gene variants with the desired properties. These preferred variants may then be pooled and further subjected to recursive rounds of DNA shuffling and selection/screening. Thus, genetic diversity is created through "artificial" breeding and rapid molecular evolution. For example, fragments of a single gene containing random point mutations may be recombined, screened, and then reshuffled until the desired properties are optimized. Alternatively, fragments of a given gene may be recombined with fragments of homologous genes in the same gene family, either from the same or different species, thereby maximizing the genetic diversity of multiple naturally occurring genes in a directed and controllable manner. In another embodiment, sequences encoding DME may be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art. (See, e.g., Caruthers, M.H. et al. (1980) Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 7:215-223; and Horn, T. et al. (1980) Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 7:225-232.) Alternatively, DME itself or a fragment thereof may be synthesized using chemical methods. For example, peptide synthesis can be performed using various solution-phase or solid-phase techniques. (See, e.g., Creighton, T. (1984) Proteins, Structures and Molecular Properties, WH Freeman, New York NY, pp. 55-60; and Roberge, J.Y. et al. (1995) Science 269:202-204.) Automated synthesis may be achieved using the ABI 431 A peptide synthesizer (Applied Biosystems). Additionally, the amino acid sequence of DME, or any part thereof, may be altered during direct synthesis and/or combined with sequences from other proteins, or any part thereof, to produce a variant polypeptide or a polypeptide having a sequence of a naturally occurring polypeptide.

The peptide may be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography. (See, e.g., Chiez, R.M. and F.Z. Regnier (1990) Methods Enzymol. 182:392-421.) The composition of the synthetic peptides may be confirmed by amino acid analysis or by sequencing. (See, e.g., Creighton, supra, pp. 28-53.) In order to express a biologically active DME, the nucleotide sequences encoding DME or derivatives thereof may be inserted into an appropriate expression vector, i.e., a vector which contains the necessary elements for transcriptional and translational control of the inserted coding sequence in a suitable host. These elements include regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, constitutive and inducible promoters, and 5' and 3' untranslated regions in the vector and in polynucleotide sequences encoding DME. Such elements may vary in their strength and specificity. Specific initiation signals may also be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding DME. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences, e.g. the Kozak sequence. In cases where sequences encoding DME and its initiation codon and upstream regulatory sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals including an in-frame ATG initiation codon should be provided by the vector. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons may be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers appropriate for the particular host cell system used. (See, e.g., Scharf, D. et al. (1994) Results Probl. Cell Differ. 20: 125-162.)

Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art may be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding DME and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. (See, e.g., Sambrook, J. et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Plainview NY, ch. 4, 8, and 16-17; Ausubel, F.M. et al. (1995) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York NY, ch. 9, 13, and 16.)

A variety of expression vector/host systems may be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding DME. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors; insect cell systems infected with viral expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus); plant cell systems transformed with viral expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV, or tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g., Ti or pBR322 plasmids); or animal cell systems. (See, e.g., Sambrook, supra; Ausubel, supra; Van Heeke, G. and S.M. Schuster (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509; Engelhard, E.K. et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3224-3227; Sandig, V. et al. (1996) Hum. Gene Ther. 7:1937-1945; Takamatsu, N. (1987) EMBO J. 6:307-311; The McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology (1992) McGraw Hill, New York NY, pp. 191-196; Logan, J. and T. Shenk (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659; and Harrington, J.J. et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 15:345-355.) Expression vectors derived from retroviruses, adenoviruses, or heφes or vaccinia viruses, or from various bacterial plasmids, may be used for delivery of nucleotide sequences to the targeted organ, tissue, or cell population. (See, e.g., Di

Nicola, M. et al. (1998) Cancer Gen. Ther. 5(6):350-356; Yu, M. et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90(13):6340-6344; Buller, R.M. et al. (1985) Nature 317(6040):813-815; McGregor, D.P. et al. (1994) Mol. Immunol. 31(3):219-226; and Verma, I.M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 389:239-242.) The invention is not limited by the host cell employed. In bacterial systems, a number of cloning and expression vectors may be selected depending upon the use intended for polynucleotide sequences encoding DME. For example, routine cloning, subcloning, and propagation of polynucleotide sequences encoding DME can be achieved using a multifunctional E. coli vector such as PBLUESCRIPT (Stratagene, La Jolla CA) or PSPORT1 plasmid (Life Technologies). Ligation of sequences encoding DME into the vector's multiple cloning site disrupts the lacL gene, allowing a colorimetric screening procedure for identification of transformed bacteria containing recombinant molecules. In addition, these vectors may be useful for in vitro transcription, dideoxy sequencing, single strand rescue with helper phage, and creation of nested deletions in the cloned sequence. (See, e.g., Van Heeke, G. and S.M. Schuster (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509.) When large quantities of DME are needed, e.g. for the production of antibodies, vectors which direct high level expression of DME may be used. For example, vectors containing the strong, inducible SP6 or T7 bacteriophage promoter may be used.

Yeast expression systems may be used for production of DME. A number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters, such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH promoters, may be used in the yeast Saccharomvces cerevisiae or Pichia pastoris. In addition, such vectors direct either the secretion or intracellular retention of expressed proteins and enable integration of foreign sequences into the host genome for stable propagation. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra; Bitter, G.A. et al. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 153:516-544; and Scorer, CA. et al. (1994) Bio/Technology 12: 181-184.)

Plant systems may also be used for expression of DME. Transcription of sequences encoding DME may be driven by viral promoters, e.g., the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu, N. (1987) EMBO J. 6:307-311). Alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO or heat shock promoters may be used. (See, e.g., Coruzzi, G. et al. (1984) EMBO J. 3: 1671-1680; Brogue, R. et al. (1984) Science 224:838-843; and Winter, J. et al. (1991) Results Probl. Cell Differ. 17:85-105.) These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or pathogen-mediated transfection. (See, e.g., The McGraw Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology (1992) McGraw Hill, New York NY, pp. 191-196.)

In mammalian cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, sequences encoding DME may be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex consisting of the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a non-essential El or E3 region of the viral genome may be used to obtain infective virus which expresses DME in host cells. (See, e.g., Logan, J. and T. Shenk (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659.) In addition, transcription enhancers, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, may be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells. SV40 or EBV- based vectors may also be used for high-level protein expression.

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) may also be employed to deliver larger fragments of DNA than can be contained in and expressed from a plasmid. HACs of about 6 kb to 10 Mb are constructed and delivered via conventional delivery methods (liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles) for therapeutic puφoses. (See, e.g., Harrington, J.J. et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 15:345-355.) For long term production of recombinant proteins in mammalian systems, stable expression of DME in cell lines is preferred. For example, sequences encoding DME can be transformed into cell lines using expression vectors which may contain viral origins of replication and/or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene on the same or on a separate vector. Following the introduction of the vector, cells may be allowed to grow for about 1 to 2 days in enriched media before being switched to selective media. The puφose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to a selective agent, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells which successfully express the introduced sequences. Resistant clones of stably transformed cells may be propagated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type. Any number of selection systems may be used to recover transformed cell lines. These include, but are not limited to, the heφes simplex virus thymidine kinase and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase genes, for use in tk^~ and apf cells, respectively. (See, e.g., Wigler, M. et al. (1977) Cell 11:223-232; Lowy, I. et al. (1980) Cell 22:817-823.) Also, antimetabolite, antibiotic, or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection. For example, dhfr confers resistance to methotrexate; neo confers resistance to the aminoglycosides neomycin and G-418; and als and pat confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and phosphinotricin acetyltransferase, respectively. (See, e.g., Wigler, M. et al. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567-3570; Colbere-Garapin, F. et al. (1981) J. Mol. Biol. 150: 1-14.) Additional selectable genes have been described, e.g., trpB and hisD, which alter cellular requirements for metabolites. (See, e.g., Hartman, S.C and R.C Mulligan (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:8047-8051.) Visible markers, e.g., anthocyanins, green fluorescent proteins (GFP; Clontech), β glucuronidase and its substrate β-glucuronide, or luciferase and its substrate luciferin may be used. These markers can be used not only to identify transformants, but also to quantify the amount of transient or stable protein expression attributable to a specific vector system. (See, e.g., Rhodes, CA. (1995) Methods Mol. Biol. 55: 121-131.) Although the presence/absence of marker gene expression suggests that the gene of interest is also present, the presence and expression of the gene may need to be confirmed. For example, if the sequence encoding DME is inserted within a marker gene sequence, transformed cells containing sequences encoding DME can be identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding DME under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the tandem gene as well.

In general, host cells that contain the nucleic acid sequence encoding DME and that express DME may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations, PCR amplification, and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane, solution, or chip based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid or protein sequences.

Immunological methods for detecting and measuring the expression of DME using either specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies are known in the art. Examples of such techniques include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), radioimmunoassays (RIAs), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering epitopes on DME is preferred, but a competitive binding assay may be employed. These and other assays are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Hampton, R. et al. (1990) Serological Methods, a Laboratory Manual, APS Press, St. Paul MN, Sect. TV; Coligan, J.E. et al. (1997) Current Protocols in Immunology, Greene Pub. Associates and Wiley-Interscience, New York NY; and Pound, J.D. (1998) Immunochemical Protocols, Humana Press, Totowa NJ.)

A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known by those skilled in the art and may be used in various nucleic acid and amino acid assays. Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding DME include oligolabeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide. Alternatively, the sequences encoding DME, or any fragments thereof, may be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6 and labeled nucleotides. These procedures may be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits, such as those provided by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Promega (Madison WI), and US Biochemical. Suitable reporter molecules or labels which may be used for ease of detection include radionuclides, enzymes, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.

Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding DME may be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture. The protein produced by a transformed cell may be secreted or retained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode DME may be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of DME through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane. In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen for its ability to modulate expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed protein in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation. Post-translational processing which cleaves a "prepro" or "pro" form of the protein may also be used to specify protein targeting, folding, and/or activity. Different host cells which have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e.g., CHO, HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and WI38) are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas VA) and may be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein.

In another embodiment of the invention, natural, modified, or recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding DME may be ligated to a heterologous sequence resulting in translation of a fusion protein in any of the aforementioned host systems. For example, a chimeric DME protein containing a heterologous moiety that can be recognized by a commercially available antibody may facilitate the screening of peptide libraries for inhibitors of DME activity. Heterologous protein and peptide moieties may also facilitate purification of fusion proteins using commercially available affinity matrices. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose binding protein (MBP), thioredoxin (Trx), calmodulin binding peptide (CBP), 6-His, FLAG, c-myc, and hemagglutinin (HA). GST, MBP, Trx, CBP, and 6-His enable purification of their cognate fusion proteins on immobilized glutathione, maltose, phenylarsine oxide, calmodulin, and metal-chelate resins, respectively. FLAG, c-myc, and hemagglutinin (HA) enable immunoaffinity purification of fusion proteins using commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognize these epitope tags. A fusion protein may also be engineered to contain a proteolytic cleavage site located between the DME encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that DME may be cleaved away from the heterologous moiety following purification. Methods for fusion protein expression and purification are discussed in Ausubel (1995, supra, ch. 10). A variety of commercially available kits may also be used to facilitate expression and purification of fusion proteins.

In a further embodiment of the invention, synthesis of radiolabeled DME may be achieved in vitro using the TNT rabbit reticulocyte lysate or wheat germ extract system (Promega). These systems couple transcription and translation of protein-coding sequences operably associated with the T7, T3, or SP6 promoters. Translation takes place in the presence of a radiolabeled amino acid precursor, for example, ³⁵S-methionine.

DME of the present invention or fragments thereof may be used to screen for compounds that specifically bind to DME. At least one and up to a plurality of test compounds may be screened for specific binding to DME. Examples of test compounds include antibodies, oligonucleotides, proteins (e.g., receptors), or small molecules.

In one embodiment, the compound thus identified is closely related to the natural ligand of DME, e.g., a ligand or fragment thereof, a natural substrate, a structural or functional mimetic, or a natural binding partner. (See, e.g., Coligan, J.E. et al. (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology 1(2): Chapter 5.) Similarly, the compound can be closely related to the natural receptor to which DME binds, or to at least a fragment of the receptor, e.g., the ligand binding site. In either case, the compound can be rationally designed using known techniques. In one embodiment, screening for these compounds involves producing appropriate cells which express DME, either as a secreted protein or on the cell membrane. Preferred cells include cells from mammals, yeast, Drosophila. or E. coli. Cells expressing DME or cell membrane fractions which contain DME are then contacted with a test compound and binding, stimulation, or inhibition of activity of either DME or the compound is analyzed.

An assay may simply test binding of a test compound to the polypeptide, wherein binding is detected by a fluorophore, radioisotope, enzyme conjugate, or other detectable label. For example, the assay may comprise the steps of combining at least one test compound with DME, either in solution or affixed to a solid support, and detecting the binding of DME to the compound.

Alternatively, the assay may detect or measure binding of a test compound in the presence of a labeled competitor. Additionally, the assay may be carried out using cell-free preparations, chemical libraries, or natural product mixtures, and the test compound(s) may be free in solution or affixed to a solid support. DME of the present invention or fragments thereof may be used to screen for compounds that modulate the activity of DME. Such compounds may include agonists, antagonists, or partial or inverse agonists. In one embodiment, an assay is performed under conditions permissive for DME activity, wherein DME is combined with at least one test compound, and the activity of DME in the presence of a test compound is compared with the activity of DME in the absence of the test compound. A change in the activity of DME in the presence of the test compound is indicative of a compound that modulates the activity of DME. Alternatively, a test compound is combined with an in vitro or cell-free system comprising DME under conditions suitable for DME activity, and the assay is performed. In either of these assays, a test compound which modulates the activity of DME may do so indirectly and need not come in direct contact with the test compound. At least one and up to a plurality of test compounds may be screened.

In another embodiment, polynucleotides encoding DME or their mammalian homologs may be "knocked out" in an animal model system using homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Such techniques are well known in the art and are useful for the generation of animal models of human disease. (See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,175,383 and U.S. Patent No. 5,767,337.) For example, mouse ES cells, such as the mouse 129/SvJ cell line, are derived from the early mouse embryo and grown in culture. The ES cells are transformed with a vector containing the gene of interest disrupted by a marker gene, e.g., the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (neo; Capecchi, M.R. (1989) Science 244: 1288-1292). The vector integrates into the corresponding region of the host genome by homologous recombination. Alternatively, homologous recombination takes place using the Cre-loxP system to knockout a gene of interest in a tissue- or developmental stage-specific manner (Marth, J.D. (1996) Clin. Invest. 97: 1999-2002; Wagner, K.U. et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:4323-4330). Transformed ES cells are identified and microinjected into mouse cell blastocysts such as those from the C57BL/6 mouse strain. The blastocysts are surgically transferred to pseudopregnant dams, and the resulting chimeric progeny are genotyped and bred to produce heterozygous or homozygous strains. Transgenic animals thus generated may be tested with potential therapeutic or toxic agents.

Polynucleotides encoding DME may also be manipulated in vitro in ES cells derived from human blastocysts. Human ES cells have the potential to differentiate into at least eight separate cell lineages including endoderm, mesoderm, and ectodermal cell types. These cell lineages differentiate into, for example, neural cells, hematopoietic lineages, and cardiomyocytes (Thomson, J.A. et al. (1998) Science 282: 1145-1147).

Polynucleotides encoding DME can also be used to create "knockin" humanized animals (pigs) or transgenic animals (mice or rats) to model human disease. With knockin technology, a region of a polynucleotide encoding DME is injected into animal ES cells, and the injected sequence integrates into the animal cell genome. Transformed cells^are injected into blastulae, and the blastulae are implanted as described above. Transgenic progeny or inbred lines are studied and treated with potential pharmaceutical agents to obtain information on treatment of a human disease. Alternatively, a mammal inbred to overexpress DME, e.g., by secreting DME in its milk, may also serve as a convenient source of that protein (Janne, J. et al. (1998) Biotechnol. Annu. Rev. 4:55-74). THERAPEUTICS

Chemical and structural similarity, e.g., in the context of sequences and motifs, exists between regions of DME and drug metabolizing enzymes. In addition, examples of tissues expressing DME include liver tissue, kidney cortex tissue, pancreatic islet cells, and cancerous tissues including bone marrow neuroblastoma tumors, and can be found in Table 6. Therefore, DME appears to play a role in autoimmune/inflammatory, cell proliferative, developmental, endocrine, eye, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including liver disorders. In the treatment of disorders associated with increased DME expression or activity, it is desirable to decrease the expression or activity of DME. In the treatment of disorders associated with decreased DME expression or activity, it is desirable to increase the expression or activity of DME. Therefore, in one embodiment, DME or a fragment or derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of DME. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, an autoimmune/inflammatory disorder, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AEDS), Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, ankylosing spondylitis, amyloidosis, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy- candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), bronchitis, cholecystitis, contact dermatitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, episodic lymphopenia with lymphocytotoxins, erythroblastosis fetalis, erythema nodosum, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, gout, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic anaphylaxis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, thrombocytopenic puφura, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, Werner syndrome, complications of cancer, hemodialysis, and extracoφoreal circulation, viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal, and helminthic infections, and trauma; a cell proliferative disorder, such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, and cancers including adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, teratocarcinoma, and, in particular, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, and uterus; a developmental disorder, such as renal tubular acidosis, anemia, Cushing's syndrome, achondroplastic dwarfism, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, gonadal dysgenesis, WAGR syndrome (Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation), Smith-Magenis syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia, hereditary keratodermas, hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and neurofibromatosis, hypothyroidism, hydrocephalus, seizure disorders such as Syndenham's chorea and cerebral palsy, spina bifida, anencephaly, craniorachischisis, congenital glaucoma, cataract, and sensorineural hearing loss; an endocrine disorder, such as disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary resulting from lesions such as primary brain tumors, adenomas, infarction associated with pregnancy, hypophysectomy, aneurysms, vascular malformations, thrombosis, infections, immunological disorders, and complications due to head trauma; disorders associated with hypopituitarism including hypogonadism, Sheehan syndrome, diabetes insipidus, Kallman's disease, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, Letterer-Siwe disease, sarcoidosis, empty sella syndrome, and dwarfism; disorders associated with hypeφituitarism including acromegaly, giantism, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion (SIADH) often caused by benign adenoma; disorders associated with hypothyroidism including goiter, myxedema, acute thyroiditis associated with bacterial infection, subacute thyroiditis associated with viral infection, autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), and cretinism; disorders associated with hyperthyroidism including thyrotoxicosis and its various forms, Grave's disease, pretibial myxedema, toxic multinodular goiter, thyroid carcinoma, and Plummer's disease; disorders associated with hypeφarathyroidism including Conn disease (chronic hypercalemia); pancreatic disorders such as Type I or Type E diabetes mellitus and associated complications; disorders associated with the adrenals such as hypeφlasia, carcinoma, or adenoma of the adrenal cortex, hypertension associated with alkalosis, amyloidosis, hypokalemia, Cushing's disease, Liddle's syndrome, and Arnold-Healy-Gordon syndrome, pheochromocytoma tumors, and Addison's disease; disorders associated with gonadal steroid hormones such as: in women, abnormal prolactin production, infertility, endometriosis, perturbations of the menstrual cycle, polycystic ovarian disease, hypeφrolactinemia, isolated gonadotropin deficiency, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, hermaphroditism, hirsutism and virilization, breast cancer, and, in post-menopausal women, osteoporosis; and, in men, Leydig cell deficiency, male climacteric phase, and germinal cell aplasia, hypergonadal disorders associated with Leydig cell tumors, androgen resistance associated with absence of androgen receptors, syndrome of 5 α-reductase, and gynecomastia; an eye disorder, such as conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, keratitis, episcleritis, iritis, posterior uveitis, glaucoma, amaurosis fugax, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, Leber' s hereditary optic neuropathy, toxic optic neuropathy, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, cataract, macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, melanoma of the choroid, retrobulbar tumor, and chiasmal tumor; a metabolic disorder, such as Addison's disease, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, congenital adrenal hypeφlasia, coumarin resistance, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, fatty hepatocirrhosis, fructose- 1,6-diphosphatase deficiency, galactosemia, goiter, glucagonoma, glycogen storage diseases, hereditary fructose intolerance, hyperadrenalism, hypoadrenalism, hypeφarathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipemia, lipid myopathies, lipodystrophies, lysosomal storage diseases, Menkes syndrome, occipital horn syndrome, mannosidosis, neuraminidase deficiency, obesity, pentosuria phenylketonuria, pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets; hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, postpubescent cerebellar ataxia, and tyrosinemia, and a gastrointestinal disorder, such as dysphagia, peptic esophagitis, esophageal spasm, esophageal stricture, esophageal carcinoma, dyspepsia, indigestion, gastritis, gastric carcinoma, anorexia, nausea, emesis, gastroparesis, antral or pyloric edema, abdominal angina, pyrosis, gastroenteritis, intestinal obstruction, infections of the intestinal tract, peptic ulcer, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholestasis, pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma, biliary tract disease, hepatitis, hyperbilirubinemia, hereditary hyperbilirubinemia, cirrhosis, passive congestion of the liver, hepatoma, infectious colitis, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, colonic carcinoma, colonic obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, short bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AEDS) enteropathy, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic steatosis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha, -antitrypsin deficiency, Reye's syndrome, primary sclerosing cholangitis, liver infarction, portal vein obstruction and thrombosis, centrilobular necrosis, peliosis hepatis, hepatic vein thrombosis, veno-occlusive disease, preeclampsia, eclampsia, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and hepatic tumors including nodular hypeφlasias, adenomas, and carcinomas. In another embodiment, a vector capable of expressing DME or a fragment or derivative thereof may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of DME including, but not limited to, those described above.

In a further embodiment, a composition comprising a substantially purified DME in conjunction with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of DME including, but not limited to, those provided above.

In still another embodiment, an agonist which modulates the activity of DME may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with decreased expression or activity of DME including, but not limited to, those listed above. In a further embodiment, an antagonist of DME may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with increased expression or activity of DME. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, those autoimmune/inflammatory, cell proliferative, developmental, endocrine, eye, metabolic, and gastrointestinal disorders, including liver disorders described above. In one aspect, an antibody which specifically binds DME may be used directly as an antagonist or indirectly as a targeting or delivery mechanism for bringing a pharmaceutical agent to cells or tissues which express DME.

In an additional embodiment, a vector expressing the complement of the polynucleotide encoding DME may be administered to a subject to treat or prevent a disorder associated with increased expression or activity of DME including, but not limited to, those described above. In other embodiments, any of the proteins, antagonists, antibodies, agonists, complementary sequences, or vectors of the invention may be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles. The combination of therapeutic agents may act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.

An antagonist of DME may be produced using methods which are generally known in the art. In particular, purified DME may be used to produce antibodies or to screen libraries of pharmaceutical agents to identify those which specifically bind DME. Antibodies to DME may also be generated using methods that are well known in the art. Such antibodies may include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, and single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, and fragments produced by a Fab expression library. Neutralizing antibodies (i.e., those which inhibit dimer formation) are generally preferred for therapeutic use. Single chain antibodies (e.g., from camels or llamas) may be potent enzyme inhibitors and may have advantages in the design of peptide mimetics, and in the development of immuno-adsorbents and biosensors (Muyldermans, S. (2001) J. Biotechnol. 74:277-302).

For the production of antibodies, various hosts including goats, rabbits, rats, mice, camels, dromedaries, llamas, humans, and others may be immunized by injection with DME or with any fragment or oligopeptide thereof which has immunogenic properties. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants may be used to increase immunological response. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, and surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, KLH, and dinitrophenol. Among adjuvants used in humans, BCG (bacilli Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum are especially preferable. It is preferred that the oligopeptides, peptides, or fragments used to induce antibodies to DME have an amino acid sequence consisting of at least about 5 amino acids, and generally will consist of at least about 10 amino acids. It is also preferable that these oligopeptides, peptides, or fragments are identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence of the natural protein. Short stretches of DME amino acids may be fused with those of another protein, such as KLH, and antibodies to the chimeric molecule may be produced.

Monoclonal antibodies to DME may be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique, and the EBV-hybridoma technique. (See, e.g., Kohler, G. et al. (1975) Nature 256:495-497; Kozbor, D. et al. (1985) J. Immunol. Methods 81:31-42; Cote, R.J. et al. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026-2030; and Cole, S.P. et al. (1984) Mol. Cell Biol. 62:109-120.)

In addition, techniques developed for the production of "chimeric antibodies," such as the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibody genes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity and biological activity, can be used. (See, e.g., Morrison, S.L. et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855; Neuberger, M.S. et al. (1984) Nature 312:604-608; and Takeda, S. et al. (1985) Nature 314:452-454.) Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies may be adapted, using methods known in the art, to produce DME-specific single chain antibodies. Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypic composition, may be generated by chain shuffling from random combinatorial immunoglobulin libraries. (See, e.g., Burton, D.R. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 10134-10137.) Antibodies may also be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature. (See, e.g., Orlandi, R. et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:3833-3837; Winter, G. et al. (1991) Nature 349:293-299.) Antibody fragments which contain specific binding sites for DME may also be generated.

For example, such fragments include, but are not limited to, F(ab')₂ fragments produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and Fab fragments generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab')2 fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity. (See, e.g., Huse, W.D. et al. (1989) Science 246: 1275-1281.)

Various immunoassays may be used for screening to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with established specificities are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between DME and its specific antibody. A two-site, monoclonal -based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering DME epitopes is generally used, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed (Pound, supra).

Various methods such as Scatchard analysis in conjunction with radioimmunoassay techniques may be used to assess the affinity of antibodies for DME. Affinity is expressed as an association constant, K_a, which is defined as the molar concentration of DME-antibody complex divided by the molar concentrations of free antigen and free antibody under equilibrium conditions. The K_a determined for a preparation of polyclonal antibodies, which are heterogeneous in their affinities for multiple DME epitopes, represents the average affinity, or avidity, of the antibodies for DME. The K_a determined for a preparation of monoclonal antibodies, which are monospecific for a particular DME epitope, represents a true measure of affinity. High-affinity antibody preparations with K_a ranging from about 10⁹ to 10¹² L/mole are preferred for use in immunoassays in which the DME-antibody complex must withstand rigorous manipulations. Low-affinity antibody preparations with K_a ranging from about 10⁶ to 10⁷ L/mole are preferred for use in immunopurification and similar procedures which ultimately require dissociation of DME, preferably in active form, from the antibody (Catty, D. (1988) Antibodies, Volume I: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Washington DC; Liddell, J.E. and A. Cryer (1991) A Practical Guide to Monoclonal Antibodies, John Wiley & Sons, New York NY).

The titer and avidity of polyclonal antibody preparations may be further evaluated to determine the quality and suitability of such preparations for certain downstream applications. For example, a polyclonal antibody preparation containing at least 1-2 mg specific antibody/ml, preferably 5-10 mg specific antibody/ml, is generally employed in procedures requiring precipitation of DME-antibody complexes. Procedures for evaluating antibody specificity, titer, and avidity, and guidelines for antibody quality and usage in various applications, are generally available. (See, e.g., Catty, supra, and Coligan et al. supra.) In another embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotides encoding DME, or any fragment or complement thereof, may be used for therapeutic puφoses. In one aspect, modifications of gene expression can be achieved by designing complementary sequences or antisense molecules (DNA, RNA, PNA, or modified oligonucleotides) to the coding or regulatory regions of the gene encoding DME. Such technology is well known in the art, and antisense oligonucleotides or larger fragments can be designed from various locations along the coding or control regions of sequences encoding DME. (See, e.g., Agrawal, S., ed. (1996) Antisense Therapeutics. Humana Press Inc., Totawa NJ.)

In therapeutic use, any gene delivery system suitable for introduction of the antisense sequences into appropriate target cells can be used. Antisense sequences can be delivered intracellularly in the form of an expression plasmid which, upon transcription, produces a sequence complementary to at least a portion of the cellular sequence encoding the target protein. (See, e.g., Slater, J.E. et al. (1998) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 102(3):469-475; and Scanlon, KJ. et al. (1995) 9(13): 1288-1296.) Antisense sequences can also be introduced intracellularly through the use of viral vectors, such as retrovirus and adeno-associated virus vectors. (See, e.g., Miller, A.D. (1990) Blood 76:271; Ausubel, supra; Uckert, W. and W. Walther (1994) Pharmacol. Ther. 63(3):323-347.) Other gene delivery mechanisms include liposome-derived systems, artificial viral envelopes, and other systems known in the art. (See, e.g., Rossi, J.J. (1995) Br. Med. Bull. 51(l):217-225; Boado, R.J. et al. (1998) J. Pharm. Sci. 87(11):1308-1315; and Morris, M.C. et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25(14):2730-2736.)

In another embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides encoding DME may be used for somatic or germline gene therapy. Gene therapy may be performed to (i) correct a genetic deficiency (e.g., in the cases of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCBD)-Xl disease characterized by X- linked inheritance (Cavazzana-Calvo, M. et al. (2000) Science 288:669-672), severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome associated with an inherited adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency (Blaese, R.M. et al. (1995) Science 270:475-480; Bordignon, C. et al. (1995) Science 270:470-475), cystic fibrosis (Zabner, J. et al. (1993) Cell 75:207-216; Crystal, R.G. et al. (1995) Hum. Gene

Therapy 6:643-666; Crystal, R.G. et al. (1995) Hum. Gene Therapy 6:667-703), thalassamias, familial hypercholesterolemia, and hemophilia resulting from Factor VEI or Factor DC deficiencies (Crystal, R.G. (1995) Science 270:404-410; Verma, I.M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 389:239-242)), (ii) express a conditionally lethal gene product (e.g., in the case of cancers which result from unregulated cell proliferation), or (iii) express a protein which affords protection against intracellular parasites (e.g., against human retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Baltimore, D. (1988) Nature 335:395-396; Poeschla, E. et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 11395-11399), hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HCV); fungal parasites, such as Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: and protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi). In the case where a genetic deficiency in DME expression or regulation causes disease, the expression of DME from an appropriate population of transduced cells may alleviate the clinical manifestations caused by the genetic deficiency.

In a further embodiment of the invention, diseases or disorders caused by deficiencies in DME are treated by constructing mammalian expression vectors encoding DME and introducing these vectors by mechanical means into DME-deficient cells. Mechanical transfer technologies for use with cells in vivo or ex vitro include (i) direct DNA microinjection into individual cells, (ii) ballistic gold particle delivery, (iii) liposome-mediated transfection, (iv) receptor-mediated gene transfer, and (v) the use of DNA transposons (Morgan, R.A. and W.F. Anderson (1993) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 62:191-217; Ivies, Z. (1997) Cell 91:501-510; Boulay, J-L. and H. Recipon (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:445-450).

Expression vectors that may be effective for the expression of DME include, but are not limited to, the PCDNA 3.1, EPITAG, PRCCMV2, PREP, PVAX, PCR2-TOPOTA vectors (Invitrogen, Carlsbad CA), PCMV-SCRET, PCMV-TAG, PEGSH/PERV (Stratagene, La Jolla CA), and PTET-OFF, PTET-ON, PTRE2, PTRE2-LUC, PTK-HYG (Clontech, Palo Alto CA). DME may be expressed using (i) a constitutively active promoter, (e.g., from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), SV40 virus, thymidine kinase (TK), or β-actin genes), (ii) an inducible promoter (e.g., the tetracycline-regulated promoter (Gossen, M. and H. Bujard (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5547-5551; Gossen, M. et al. (1995) Science 268:1766-1769; Rossi, F.M.V. and H.M. Blau (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:451-456), commercially available in the T-REX plasmid (Invitrogen)); the ecdysone-inducible promoter (available in the plasmids PVGRXR and PIND;

Invitrogen); the FK506/rapamycin inducible promoter; or the RU486/mifepristone inducible promoter (Rossi, F.M.V. and H.M. Blau, supra)), or (iii) a tissue-specific promoter or the native promoter of the endogenous gene encoding DME from a normal individual.

Commercially available liposome transformation kits (e.g., the PERFECT LIPED TRANSFECTION KIT, available from Invitrogen) allow one with ordinary skill in the art to deliver polynucleotides to target cells in culture and require minimal effort to optimize experimental parameters. In the alternative, transformation is performed using the calcium phosphate method (Graham, F.L. and AJ. Eb (1973) Virology 52:456-467), or by electroporation (Neumann, E. et al. (1982) EMBO J. 1:841-845). The introduction of DNA to primary cells requires modification of these standardized mammalian transfection protocols. In another embodiment of the invention, diseases or disorders caused by genetic defects with respect to DME expression are treated by constructing a retrovirus vector consisting of (i) the polynucleotide encoding DME under the control of an independent promoter or the retrovirus long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter, (ii) appropriate RNA packaging signals, and (iii) a Rev-responsive element (RRE) along with additional retrovirus cis-acting RNA sequences and coding sequences required for efficient vector propagation. Retrovirus vectors (e.g., PFB and PFBNEO) are commercially available (Stratagene) and are based on published data (Riviere, I. et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6733-6737), incoφorated by reference herein. The vector is propagated in an appropriate vector producing cell line (VPCL) that expresses an envelope gene with a tropism for receptors on the target cells or a promiscuous envelope protein such as VSVg (Armentano, D. et al. (1987) J. Virol. 61: 1647-1650; Bender, M.A. et al. (1987) J. Virol. 61:1639-1646; Adam, M.A. and A.D. Miller (1988) J. Virol. 62:3802-3806; Dull, T. et al. (1998) J. Virol. 72:8463-8471; Zufferey, R. et al. (1998) J. Virol. 72:9873-9880). U.S. Patent No. 5,910,434 to Rigg ("Method for obtaining retrovirus packaging cell lines producing high transducing efficiency retroviral supernatant") discloses a method for obtaining retrovirus packaging cell lines and is hereby incoφorated by reference. Propagation of retrovirus vectors, transduction of a population of cells (e.g., CD4⁺ T- cells), and the return of transduced cells to a patient are procedures well known to persons skilled in the art of gene therapy and have been well documented (Ranga, U. et al. (1997) J. Virol. 71:7020- 7029; Bauer, G. et al. (1997) Blood 89:2259-2267; Bonyhadi, M.L. (1997) J. Virol. 71:4707-4716; Ranga, U. et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:1201-1206; Su, L. (1997) Blood 89:2283- 2290).

In the alternative, an adenovirus-based gene therapy delivery system is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding DME to cells which have one or more genetic abnormalities with respect to the expression of DME. The construction and packaging of adenovirus-based vectors are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art. Replication defective adenovirus vectors have proven to be versatile for importing genes encoding immunoregulatory proteins into intact islets in the pancreas (Csete, M.E. et al. (1995) Transplantation 27:263-268). Potentially useful adenoviral vectors are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,707,618 to Armentano ("Adenovirus vectors for gene therapy"), hereby incoφorated by reference. For adenoviral vectors, see also Antinozzi, P.A. et al. (1999) Annu. Rev. Nutr. 19:511-544 and Verma, I.M. and N. Somia (1997) Nature 18:389:239-242, both incoφorated by reference herein.

In another alternative, a heφes-based, gene therapy delivery system is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding DME to target cells which have one or more genetic abnormalities with respect to the expression of DME. The use of heφes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors may be especially valuable for introducing DME to cells of the central nervous system, for which HSV has a tropism. The construction and packaging of heφes-based vectors are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art. A replication-competent heφes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 -based vector has been used to deliver a reporter gene to the eyes of primates (Liu, X. et al. (1999) Exp. Eye Res. 169:385-395). The construction of a HSV-1 virus vector has also been disclosed in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,804,413 to DeLuca ("Heφes simplex virus strains for gene transfer"), which is hereby incoφorated by reference. U.S. Patent No. 5,804,413 teaches the use of recombinant HSV d92 which consists of a genome containing at least one exogenous gene to be transferred to a cell under the control of the appropriate promoter for puφoses including human gene therapy. Also taught by this patent are the construction and use of recombinant HSV strains deleted for ICP4, ICP27 and ICP22. For HSV vectors, see also Goins, W.F. et al. (1999) J. Virol. 73:519-532 and Xu, H. et al. (1994) Dev. Biol. 163: 152-161, hereby incoφorated by reference. The manipulation of cloned heφesvirus sequences, the generation of recombinant virus following the transfection of multiple plasmids containing different segments of the large heφesvirus genomes, the growth and propagation of heφesvirus, and the infection of cells with heφesvirus are techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In another alternative, an alphavirus (positive, single-stranded RNA virus) vector is used to deliver polynucleotides encoding DME to target cells. The biology of the prototypic alphavirus, Semliki Forest Virus (SFV), has been studied extensively and gene transfer vectors have been based on the SFV genome (Garoff, H. and K.-J. Li (1998) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 9:464-469). During alphavirus RNA replication, a subgenomic RNA is generated that normally encodes the viral capsid proteins. This subgenomic RNA replicates to higher levels than the full length genomic RNA, resulting in the oveφroduction of capsid proteins relative to the viral proteins with enzymatic activity (e.g., protease and polymerase). Similarly, inserting the coding sequence for DME into the alphavirus genome in place of the capsid-coding region results in the production of a large number of DME- coding RNAs and the synthesis of high levels of DME in vector transduced cells. While alphavirus infection is typically associated with cell lysis within a few days, the ability to establish a persistent infection in hamster normal kidney cells (BHK-21) with a variant of Sindbis virus (SIN) indicates that the lytic replication of alphaviruses can be altered to suit the needs of the gene therapy application (Dryga, S.A. et al. (1997) Virology 228:74-83). The wide host range of alphaviruses will allow the introduction of DME into a variety of cell types. The specific transduction of a subset of cells in a population may require the sorting of cells prior to transduction. The methods of manipulating infectious cDNA clones of alphaviruses, performing alphavirus cDNA and RNA transfections, and performing alphavirus infections, are well known to those with ordinary skill in the art.

Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e.g., between about positions -10 and +10 from the start site, may also be employed to inhibit gene expression. Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using triple helix base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or regulatory molecules. Recent therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature. (See, e.g., Gee, J.E. et al. (1994) in Huber, B.E. and B.I. Carr, Molecular and Immunologic Approaches, Futura Publishing, Mt. Kisco NY, pp. 163- 177.) A complementary sequence or antisense molecule may also be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes.

Ribozymes, enzymatic RNA molecules, may also be used to catalyze the specific cleavage of RNA. The mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage. For example, engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules may specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of sequences encoding DME.

Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within any potential RNA target are initially identified by scanning the target molecule for ribozyme cleavage sites, including the following sequences: GUA, GUU, and GUC Once identified, short RNA sequences of between 15 and 20 ribonucleotides, corresponding to the region of the target gene containing the cleavage site, may be evaluated for secondary structural features which may render the oligonucleotide inoperable. The suitability of candidate targets may also be evaluated by testing accessibility to hybridization with complementary oligonucleotides using ribonuclease protection assays. Complementary ribonucleic acid molecules and ribozymes of the invention may be prepared by any method known in the art for the synthesis of nucleic acid molecules. These include techniques for chemically synthesizing oligonucleotides such as solid phase phosphoramidite chemical synthesis. Alternatively, RNA molecules may be generated by in vitro and in vivo transcription of DNA sequences encoding DME. Such DNA sequences may be incoφorated into a wide variety of vectors with suitable RNA polymerase promoters such as T7 or SP6. Alternatively, these cDNA constructs that synthesize complementary RNA, constitutively or inducibly, can be introduced into cell lines, cells, or tissues.

RNA molecules may be modified to increase intracellular stability and half-life. Possible modifications include, but are not limited to, the addition of flanking sequences at the 5' and/or 3' ends of the molecule, or the use of phosphorothioate or 2' O-methyl rather than phosphodiesterase linkages within the backbone of the molecule. This concept is inherent in the production of PNAs and can be extended in all of these molecules by the inclusion of nontraditional bases such as inosine, queosine, and wybutosine, as well as acetyl-, methyl-, thio-, and similarly modified forms of adenine, cytidine, guanine, thymine, and uridine which are not as easily recognized by endogenous endonucleases. An additional embodiment of the invention encompasses a method for screening for a compound which is effective in altering expression of a polynucleotide encoding DME. Compounds which may be effective in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide may include, but are not limited to, oligonucleotides, antisense oligonucleotides, triple helix-forming oligonucleotides, transcription factors and other polypeptide transcriptional regulators, and non-macromolecular chemical entities which are capable of interacting with specific polynucleotide sequences. Effective compounds may alter polynucleotide expression by acting as either inhibitors or promoters of polynucleotide expression. Thus, in the treatment of disorders associated with increased DME expression or activity, a compound which specifically inhibits expression of the polynucleotide encoding DME may be therapeutically useful, and in the treatment of disorders associated with decreased DME expression or activity, a compound which specifically promotes expression of the polynucleotide encoding DME may be therapeutically useful.

At least one, and up to a plurality, of test compounds may be screened for effectiveness in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide. A test compound may be obtained by any method commonly known in the art, including chemical modification of a compound known to be effective in altering polynucleotide expression; selection from an existing, commercially-available or proprietary library of naturally-occurring or non-natural chemical compounds; rational design of a compound based on chemical and/or structural properties of the target polynucleotide; and selection from a library of chemical compounds created combinatorially or randomly. A sample comprising a polynucleotide encoding DME is exposed to at least one test compound thus obtained. The sample may comprise, for example, an intact or permeabilized cell, or an in vitro cell-free or reconstituted biochemical system. Alterations in the expression of a polynucleotide encoding DME are assayed by any method commonly known in the art. Typically, the expression of a specific nucleotide is detected by hybridization with a probe having a nucleotide sequence complementary to the sequence of the polynucleotide encoding DME. The amount of hybridization may be quantified, thus forming the basis for a comparison of the expression of the polynucleotide both with and without exposure to one or more test compounds. Detection of a change in the expression of a polynucleotide exposed to a test compound indicates that the test compound is effective in altering the expression of the polynucleotide. A screen for a compound effective in altering expression of a specific polynucleotide can be carried out, for example, using a Schizosaccharomvces pombe gene expression system (Atkins, D. et al. (1999) U.S. Patent No. 5,932,435; Arndt, G.M. et al. (2000) Nucleic Acids Res. 28:E15) or a human cell line such as HeLa cell (Clarke, M.L. et al. (2000) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 268:8-13). A particular embodiment of the present invention involves screening a combinatorial library of oligonucleotides (such as deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, and modified oligonucleotides) for antisense activity against a specific polynucleotide sequence (Bruice, T.W. et al. (1997) U.S. Patent No. 5,686,242; Bruice, T.W. et al. (2000) U.S.

Patent No. 6,022,691).

Many methods for introducing vectors into cells or tissues are available and equally suitable for use in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo. For ex vivo therapy, vectors may be introduced into stem cells taken from the patient and clonally propagated for autologous transplant back into that same patient.

Delivery by transfection, by liposome injections, or by polycationic amino polymers may be achieved using methods which are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Goldman, C.K. et al. (1997) Nat.

Biotechnol. 15:462-466.)

Any of the therapeutic methods described above may be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as humans, dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, and monkeys.

An additional embodiment of the invention relates to the administration of a composition which generally comprises an active ingredient formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Excipients may include, for example, sugars, starches, celluloses, gums, and proteins. Various formulations are commonly known and are thoroughly discussed in the latest edition of

Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing, Easton PA). Such compositions may consist of DME, antibodies to DME, and mimetics, agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of DME. The compositions utilized in this invention may be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, pulmonary, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, enteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means.

Compositions for pulmonary administration may be prepared in liquid or dry powder form.

These compositions are generally aerosolized immediately prior to inhalation by the patient. In the case of small molecules (e.g. traditional low molecular weight organic drugs), aerosol delivery of fast-acting formulations is well-known in the art. In the case of macromolecules (e.g. larger peptides and proteins), recent developments in the field of pulmonary delivery via the alveolar region of the lung have enabled the practical delivery of drugs such as insulin to blood circulation (see, e.g., Patton,

J.S. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,997,848). Pulmonary delivery has the advantage of administration without needle injection, and obviates the need for potentially toxic penetration enhancers. Compositions suitable for use in the invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve the intended puφose. The determination of an effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art.

Specialized forms of compositions may be prepared for direct intracellular delivery of macromolecules comprising DME or fragments thereof. For example, liposome preparations containing a cell-impermeable macromolecule may promote cell fusion and intracellular delivery of the macromolecule. Alternatively, DME or a fragment thereof may be joined to a short cationic N- terminal portion from the HTV Tat-1 protein. Fusion proteins thus generated have been found to transduce into the cells of all tissues, including the brain, in a mouse model system (Schwarze, S.R. et al. (1999) Science 285: 1569-1572). For any compound, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays, e.g., of neoplastic cells, or in animal models such as mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, or pigs. An animal model may also be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, for example DME or fragments thereof, antibodies of DME, and agonists, antagonists or inhibitors of DME, which ameliorates the symptoms or condition. Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity may be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or with experimental animals, such as by calculating the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) or LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) statistics. The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, which can be expressed as the LD₅₀/ED₅₀ ratio. Compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies are used to formulate a range of dosage for human use. The dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that includes the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, the sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration.

The exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject requiring treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active moiety or to maintain the desired effect. Factors which may be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, the general health of the subject, the age, weight, and gender of the subject, time and frequency of administration, drug combination(s), reaction sensitivities, and response to therapy. Long-acting compositions may be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or biweekly depending on the half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation.

Normal dosage amounts may vary from about 0.1 μg to 100,000 μg, up to a total dose of about 1 gram, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and generally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors. Similarly, delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, etc. DIAGNOSTICS

In another embodiment, antibodies which specifically bind DME may be used for the diagnosis of disorders characterized by expression of DME, or in assays to monitor patients being treated with DME or agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of DME. Antibodies useful for diagnostic puφoses may be prepared in the same manner as described above for therapeutics. Diagnostic assays for DME include methods which utilize the antibody and a label to detect DME in human body fluids or in extracts of cells or tissues. The antibodies may be used with or without modification, and may be labeled by covalent or non-covalent attachment of a reporter molecule. A wide variety of reporter molecules, several of which are described above, are known in the art and may be used. A variety of protocols for measuring DME, including ELISAs, RIAs, and FACS, are known in the art and provide a basis for diagnosing altered or abnormal levels of DME expression. Normal or standard values for DME expression are established by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal mammalian subjects, for example, human subjects, with antibodies to DME under conditions suitable for complex formation. The amount of standard complex formation may be quantitated by various methods, such as photometric means. Quantities of DME expressed in subject, control, and disease samples from biopsied tissues are compared with the standard values. Deviation between standard and subject values establishes the parameters for diagnosing disease.

In another embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotides encoding DME may be used for diagnostic puφoses. The polynucleotides which may be used include oligonucleotide sequences, complementary RNA and DNA molecules, and PNAs. The polynucleotides may be used to detect and quantify gene expression in biopsied tissues in which expression of DME may be correlated with disease. The diagnostic assay may be used to determine absence, presence, and excess expression of DME, and to monitor regulation of DME levels during therapeutic intervention.

In one aspect, hybridization with PCR probes which are capable of detecting polynucleotide sequences, including genomic sequences, encoding DME or closely related molecules may be used to identify nucleic acid sequences which encode DME. The specificity of the probe, whether it is made from a highly specific region, e.g., the 5' regulatory region, or from a less specific region, e.g., a conserved motif, and the stringency of the hybridization or amplification will determine whether the probe identifies only naturally occurring sequences encoding DME, allelic variants, or related sequences.

Probes may also be used for the detection of related sequences, and may have at least 50% sequence identity to any of the DME encoding sequences. The hybridization probes of the subject invention may be DNA or RNA and may be derived from the sequence of SEQ ED NO: 13-24 or from genomic sequences including promoters, enhancers, and introns of the DME gene. Means for producing specific hybridization probes for DNAs encoding DME include the cloning of polynucleotide sequences encoding DME or DME derivatives into vectors for the production of mRNA probes. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and may be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by means of the addition of the appropriate RNA polymerases and the appropriate labeled nucleotides. Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety of reporter groups, for example, by radionuclides such as ³²P or ³⁵S, or by enzymatic labels, such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidin/biotin coupling systems, and the like.

Polynucleotide sequences encoding DME may be used for the diagnosis of disorders associated with expression of DME. Examples of such disorders include, but are not limited to, an autoimmune/inflammatory disorder, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AEDS), Addison's disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, allergies, ankylosing spondylitis, amyloidosis, anemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), bronchitis, cholecystitis, contact dermatitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, episodic lymphopenia with lymphocytotoxins, erythroblastosis fetalis, erythema nodosum, atrophic gastritis, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, gout, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypereosinophilia, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, myocardial or pericardial inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, polymyositis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic anaphylaxis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, thrombocytopenic puφura, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, Werner syndrome, complications of cancer, hemodialysis, and extracoφoreal circulation, viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal, and helminthic infections, and trauma; a cell proliferative disorder, such as actinic keratosis, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, bursitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), myelofibrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, polycythemia vera, psoriasis, primary thrombocythemia, and cancers including adenocarcinoma, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, sarcoma, teratocarcinoma, and, in particular, cancers of the adrenal gland, bladder, bone, bone marrow, brain, breast, cervix, gall bladder, ganglia, gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, penis, prostate, salivary glands, skin, spleen, testis, thymus, thyroid, and uterus; a developmental disorder, such as renal tubular acidosis, anemia, Cushing's syndrome, achondroplastic dwarfism, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, gonadal dysgenesis, WAGR syndrome (Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation), Smith-Magenis syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia, hereditary keratodermas, hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and neurofibromatosis, hypothyroidism, hydrocephalus, seizure disorders such as Syndenham's chorea and cerebral palsy, spina bifida, anencephaly, craniorachischisis, congenital glaucoma, cataract, and sensorineural hearing loss; an endocrine disorder, such as disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary resulting from lesions such as primary brain tumors, adenomas, infarction associated with pregnancy, hypophysectomy, aneurysms, vascular malformations, thrombosis, infections, immunological disorders, and complications due to head trauma; disorders associated with hypopituitarism including hypogonadism, Sheehan syndrome, diabetes insipidus, Kallman's disease, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, Letterer-Siwe disease, sarcoidosis, empty sella syndrome, and dwarfism; disorders associated with hypeφituitarism including acromegaly, giantism, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion (SIADH) often caused by benign adenoma; disorders associated with hypothyroidism including goiter, myxedema, acute thyroiditis associated with bacterial infection, subacute thyroiditis associated with viral infection, autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), and cretinism; disorders associated with hyperthyroidism including thyrotoxicosis and its various forms, Grave's disease, pretibial myxedema, toxic multinodular goiter, thyroid carcinoma, and Plummer's disease; disorders associated with hypeφarathyroidism including Conn disease (chronic hypercalemia); pancreatic disorders such as Type I or Type E diabetes mellitus and associated complications; disorders associated with the adrenals such as hypeφlasia, carcinoma, or adenoma of the adrenal cortex, hypertension associated with alkalosis, amyloidosis, hypokalemia, Cushing's disease, Liddle's syndrome, and Amold-Healy-Gordon syndrome, pheochromocytoma tumors, and Addison's disease; disorders associated with gonadal steroid hormones such as: in women, abnormal prolactin production, infertility, endometriosis, perturbations of the menstrual cycle, polycystic ovarian disease, hypeφrolactinemia, isolated gonadotropin deficiency, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, hermaphroditism, hirsutism and virilization, breast cancer, and, in post-menopausal women, osteoporosis; and, in men, Leydig cell deficiency, male climacteric phase, and germinal cell aplasia, hypergonadal disorders associated with Leydig cell tumors, androgen resistance associated with absence of androgen receptors, syndrome of 5 α-reductase, and gynecomastia; an eye disorder, such as conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, keratitis, episcleritis, iritis, posterior uveitis, glaucoma, amaurosis fugax, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, toxic optic neuropathy, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, cataract, macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, melanoma of the choroid, retrobulbar tumor, and chiasmal tumor; a metabolic disorder, such as Addison's disease, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, congenital adrenal hypeφlasia, coumarin resistance, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, fatty hepatocirrhosis, fructose- 1,6-diphosphatase deficiency, galactosemia, goiter, glucagonoma, glycogen storage diseases, hereditary fructose intolerance, hyperadrenalism, hypoadrenalism, hypeφarathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipemia, lipid myopathies, lipodystrophies, lysosomal storage diseases, Menkes syndrome, occipital horn syndrome, mannosidosis, neuraminidase deficiency, obesity, pentosuria phenylketonuria, pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets; hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, postpubescent cerebellar ataxia, and tyrosinemia, and a gastrointestinal disorder, such as dysphagia, peptic esophagitis, esophageal spasm, esophageal stricture, esophageal carcinoma, dyspepsia, indigestion, gastritis, gastric carcinoma, anorexia, nausea, emesis, gastroparesis, antral or pyloric edema, abdominal angina, pyrosis, gastroenteritis, intestinal obstruction, infections of the intestinal tract, peptic ulcer, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholestasis, pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma, biliary tract disease, hepatitis, hyperbilirubinemia, hereditary hyperbilirubinemia, cirrhosis, passive congestion of the liver, hepatoma, infectious colitis, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative proctitis, Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, colonic carcinoma, colonic obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, short bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AEDS) enteropathy, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic steatosis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha,-antitrypsin deficiency, Reye's syndrome, primary sclerosing cholangitis, liver infarction, portal vein obstruction and thrombosis, centrilobular necrosis, peliosis hepatis, hepatic vein thrombosis, veno-occlusive disease, preeclampsia, eclampsia, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and hepatic tumors including nodular hypeφlasias, adenomas, and carcinomas. The polynucleotide sequences encoding DME may be used in Southern or northern analysis, dot blot, or other membrane-based technologies; in PCR technologies; in dipstick, pin, and multiformat ELISA- like assays; and in microarrays utilizing fluids or tissues from patients to detect altered DME expression. Such qualitative or quantitative methods are well known in the art.

In a particular aspect, the nucleotide sequences encoding DME may be useful in assays that detect the presence of associated disorders, particularly those mentioned above. The nucleotide sequences encoding DME may be labeled by standard methods and added to a fluid or tissue sample from a patient under conditions suitable for the formation of hybridization complexes. After a suitable incubation period, the sample is washed and the signal is quantified and compared with a standard value. If the amount of signal in the patient sample is significantly altered in comparison to a control sample then the presence of altered levels of nucleotide sequences encoding DME in the sample indicates the presence of the associated disorder. Such assays may also be used to evaluate the efficacy of a particular therapeutic treatment regimen in animal studies, in clinical trials, or to monitor the treatment of an individual patient.

In order to provide a basis for the diagnosis of a disorder associated with expression of DME, a normal or standard profile for expression is established. This may be accomplished by combining body fluids or cell extracts taken from normal subjects, either animal or human, with a sequence, or a fragment thereof, encoding DME, under conditions suitable for hybridization or amplification. Standard hybridization may be quantified by comparing the values obtained from normal subjects with values from an experiment in which a known amount of a substantially purified polynucleotide is used. Standard values obtained in this manner may be compared with values obtained from samples from patients who are symptomatic for a disorder. Deviation from standard values is used to establish the presence of a disorder. Once the presence of a disorder is established and a treatment protocol is initiated, hybridization assays may be repeated on a regular basis to determine if the level of expression in the patient begins to approximate that which is observed in the normal subject. The results obtained from successive assays may be used to show the efficacy of treatment over a period ranging from several days to months. With respect to cancer, the presence of an abnormal amount of transcript (either under- or overexpressed) in biopsied tissue from an individual may indicate a predisposition for the development of the disease, or may provide a means for detecting the disease prior to the appearance of actual clinical symptoms. A more definitive diagnosis of this type may allow health professionals to employ preventative measures or aggressive treatment earlier thereby preventing the development or further progression of the cancer.

Additional diagnostic uses for oligonucleotides designed from the sequences encoding DME may involve the use of PCR. These oligomers may be chemically synthesized, generated enzymatically, or produced in vitro. Oligomers will preferably contain a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding DME, or a fragment of a polynucleotide complementary to the polynucleotide encoding DME, and will be employed under optimized conditions for identification of a specific gene or condition. Oligomers may also be employed under less stringent conditions for detection or quantification of closely related DNA or RNA sequences.

In a particular aspect, oligonucleotide primers derived from the polynucleotide sequences encoding DME may be used to detect single nucleotide polymoφhisms (SNPs). SNPs are substitutions, insertions and deletions that are a frequent cause of inherited or acquired genetic disease in humans. Methods of SNP detection include, but are not limited to, single-stranded conformation polymoφhism (SSCP) and fluorescent SSCP (fSSCP) methods. In SSCP, oligonucleotide primers derived from the polynucleotide sequences encoding DME are used to amplify DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DNA may be derived, for example, from diseased or normal tissue, biopsy samples, bodily fluids, and the like. SNPs in the DNA cause differences in the secondary and tertiary structures of PCR products in single-stranded form, and these differences are detectable using gel electrophoresis in non-denaturing gels. In fSCCP, the oligonucleotide primers are fluorescently labeled, which allows detection of the amplimers in high- throughput equipment such as DNA sequencing machines. Additionally, sequence database analysis methods, termed in silico SNP (isSNP), are capable of identifying polymoφhisms by comparing the sequence of individual overlapping DNA fragments which assemble into a common consensus sequence. These computer-based methods filter out sequence variations due to laboratory preparation of DNA and sequencing errors using statistical models and automated analyses of DNA sequence chromatograms. In the alternative, SNPs may be detected and characterized by mass spectrometry using, for example, the high throughput MASSARRAY system (Sequenom, Inc., San Diego CA). SNPs may be used to study the genetic basis of human disease. For example, at least 16 common SNPs have been associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. SNPs are also useful for examining differences in disease outcomes in monogenic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, or chronic granulomatous disease. For example, variants in the mannose-binding lectin, MBL2, have been shown to be correlated with deleterious pulmonary outcomes in cystic fibrosis. SNPs also have utility in pharmacogenomics, the identification of genetic variants that influence a patient's response to a drug, such as life-threatening toxicity. For example, a variation in N-acetyl transferase is associated with a high incidence of peripheral neuropathy in response to the anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid, while a variation in the core promoter of the ALOX5 gene results in diminished clinical response to treatment with an anti-asthma drug that targets the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Analysis of the distribution of SNPs in different populations is useful for investigating genetic drift, mutation, recombination, and selection, as well as for tracing the origins of populations and their migrations. (Taylor, J.G. et al. (2001) Trends Mol. Med. 7:507-512; Kwok, P.-Y. and Z. Gu (1999) Mol. Med. Today 5:538-543; Nowotny, P. et al. (2001) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 11:637-641.) Methods which may also be used to quantify the expression of DME include radiolabeling or biotinylating nucleotides, coamplification of a control nucleic acid, and inteφolating results from standard curves. (See, e.g., Melby, P.C et al. (1993) J. Immunol. Methods 159:235-244; Duplaa, C. et al. (1993) Anal. Biochem. 212:229-236.) The speed of quantitation of multiple samples may be accelerated by running the assay in a high-throughput format where the oligomer or polynucleotide of interest is presented in various dilutions and a spectrophotometric or colorimetric response gives rapid quantitation.

In further embodiments, oligonucleotides or longer fragments derived from any of the polynucleotide sequences described herein may be used as elements on a microarray. The microarray can be used in transcript imaging techniques which monitor the relative expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously as described below. The microarray may also be used to identify genetic variants, mutations, and polymoφhisms. This information may be used to determine gene function, to understand the genetic basis of a disorder, to diagnose a disorder, to monitor progression/regression of disease as a function of gene expression, and to develop and monitor the activities of therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease. In particular, this information may be used to develop a pharmacogenomic profile of a patient in order to select the most appropriate and effective treatment regimen for that patient. For example, therapeutic agents which are highly effective and display the fewest side effects may be selected for a patient based on his/her pharmacogenomic profile.

In another embodiment, DME, fragments of DME, or antibodies specific for DME may be used as elements on a microarray. The microarray may be used to monitor or measure protein-protein interactions, drug-target interactions, and gene expression profiles, as described above.

A particular embodiment relates to the use of the polynucleotides of the present invention to generate a transcript image of a tissue or cell type. A transcript image represents the global pattern of gene expression by a particular tissue or cell type. Global gene expression patterns are analyzed by quantifying the number of expressed genes and their relative abundance under given conditions and at a given time. (See Seilhamer et al., "Comparative Gene Transcript Analysis," U.S. Patent No. 5,840,484, expressly incoφorated by reference herein.) Thus a transcript image may be generated by hybridizing the polynucleotides of the present invention or their complements to the totality of transcripts or reverse transcripts of a particular tissue or cell type. In one embodiment, the hybridization takes place in high-throughput format, wherein the polynucleotides of the present invention or their complements comprise a subset of a plurality of elements on a microarray. The resultant transcript image would provide a profile of gene activity.

Transcript images may be generated using transcripts isolated from tissues, cell lines, biopsies, or other biological samples. The transcript image may thus reflect gene expression in vivo, as in the case of a tissue or biopsy sample, or in vitro, as in the case of a cell line.

Transcript images which profile the expression of the polynucleotides of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with in vitro model systems and preclinical evaluation of pharmaceuticals, as well as toxicological testing of industrial and naturally-occurring environmental compounds. All compounds induce characteristic gene expression patterns, frequently termed molecular fingeφrints or toxicant signatures, which are indicative of mechanisms of action and toxicity (Nuwaysir, E.F. et al. (1999) Mol. Carcinog. 24: 153-159; Steiner, S. and N.L. Anderson (2000) Toxicol. Lett. 112-113:467-471, expressly incoφorated by reference herein). If a test compound has a signature similar to that of a compound with known toxicity, it is likely to share those toxic properties. These fingeφrints or signatures are most useful and refined when they contain expression information from a large number of genes and gene families. Ideally, a genome-wide measurement of expression provides the highest quality signature. Even genes whose expression is not altered by any tested compounds are important as well, as the levels of expression of these genes are used to normalize the rest of the expression data. The normalization procedure is useful for comparison of expression data after treatment with different compounds. While the assignment of gene function to elements of a toxicant signature aids in inteφretation of toxicity mechanisms, knowledge of gene function is not necessary for the statistical matching of signatures which leads to prediction of toxicity. (See, for example, Press Release 00-02 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, released February 29, 2000, available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/toxchip.htm.) Therefore, it is important and desirable in toxicological screening using toxicant signatures to include all expressed gene sequences.

In one embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing nucleic acids with the test compound. Nucleic acids that are expressed in the treated biological sample are hybridized with one or more probes specific to the polynucleotides of the present invention, so that transcript levels corresponding to the polynucleotides of the present invention may be quantified. The transcript levels in the treated biological sample are compared with levels in an untreated biological sample. Differences in the transcript levels between the two samples are indicative of a toxic response caused by the test compound in the treated sample.

Another particular embodiment relates to the use of the polypeptide sequences of the present invention to analyze the proteome of a tissue or cell type. The term proteome refers to the global pattern of protein expression in a particular tissue or cell type. Each protein component of a proteome can be subjected individually to further analysis. Proteome expression patterns, or profiles, are analyzed by quantifying the number of expressed proteins and their relative abundance under given conditions and at a given time. A profile of a cell's proteome may thus be generated by separating and analyzing the polypeptides of a particular tissue or cell type. In one embodiment, the separation is achieved using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, in which proteins from a sample are separated by isoelectric focusing in the first dimension, and then according to molecular weight by sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gel electrophoresis in the second dimension (Steiner and Anderson, supra). The proteins are visualized in the gel as discrete and uniquely positioned spots, typically by staining the gel with an agent such as Coomassie Blue or silver or fluorescent stains. The optical density of each protein spot is generally proportional to the level of the protein in the sample. The optical densities of equivalently positioned protein spots from different samples, for example, from biological samples either treated or untreated with a test compound or therapeutic agent, are compared to identify any changes in protein spot density related to the treatment. The proteins in the spots are partially sequenced using, for example, standard methods employing chemical or enzymatic cleavage followed by mass spectrometry. The identity of the protein in a spot may be determined by comparing its partial sequence, preferably of at least 5 contiguous amino acid residues, to the polypeptide sequences of the present invention. In some cases, further sequence data may be obtained for definitive protein identification.

A proteomic profile may also be generated using antibodies specific for DME to quantify the levels of DME expression. In one embodiment, the antibodies are used as elements on a microarray, and protein expression levels are quantified by exposing the microarray to the sample and detecting the levels of protein bound to each array element (Lueking, A. et al. (1999) Anal. Biochem. 270: 103- 111; Mendoze, L.G. et al. (1999) Biotechniques 27:778-788). Detection may be performed by a variety of methods known in the art, for example, by reacting the proteins in the sample with a thiol- or amino-reactive fluorescent compound and detecting the amount of fluorescence bound at each array element.

Toxicant signatures at the proteome level are also useful for toxicological screening, and should be analyzed in parallel with toxicant signatures at the transcript level. There is a poor correlation between transcript and protein abundances for some proteins in some tissues (Anderson, N.L. and J. Seilhamer (1997) Electrophoresis 18:533-537), so proteome toxicant signatures may be useful in the analysis of compounds which do not significantly affect the transcript image, but which alter the proteomic profile. In addition, the analysis of transcripts in body fluids is difficult, due to rapid degradation of mRNA, so proteomic profiling may be more reliable and informative in such cases. In another embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing proteins with the test compound. Proteins that are expressed in the treated biological sample are separated so that the amount of each protein can be quantified. The amount of each protein is compared to the amount of the corresponding protein in an untreated biological sample. A difference in the amount of protein between the two samples is indicative of a toxic response to the test compound in the treated sample. Individual proteins are identified by sequencing the amino acid residues of the individual proteins and comparing these partial sequences to the polypeptides of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the toxicity of a test compound is assessed by treating a biological sample containing proteins with the test compound. Proteins from the biological sample are incubated with antibodies specific to the polypeptides of the present invention. The amount of protein recognized by the antibodies is quantified. The amount of protein in the treated biological sample is compared with the amount in an untreated biological sample. A difference in the amount of protein between the two samples is indicative of a toxic response to the test compound in the treated sample. Microarrays may be prepared, used, and analyzed using methods known in the art. (See, e.g.,

Brennan, T.M. et al. (1995) U.S. Patent No. 5,474,796; Schena, M. et al. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 10614-10619; Baldeschweiler et al. (1995) PCT application W095/251116; Shalon, D. et al. (1995) PCT application WO95/35505; Heller, R.A. et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:2150- 2155; and Heller, MJ. et al. (1997) U.S. Patent No. 5,605,662.) Various types of microarrays are well known and thoroughly described in DNA Microarrays: A Practical Approach, M. Schena, ed. (1999) Oxford University Press, London, hereby expressly incoφorated by reference.

In another embodiment of the invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding DME may be used to generate hybridization probes useful in mapping the naturally occurring genomic sequence. Either coding or noncoding sequences may be used, and in some instances, noncoding sequences may be preferable over coding sequences. For example, conservation of a coding sequence among members of a multi-gene family may potentially cause undesired cross hybridization during chromosomal mapping. The sequences may be mapped to a particular chromosome, to a specific region of a chromosome, or to artificial chromosome constructions, e.g., human artificial chromosomes (HACs), yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), bacterial PI constructions, or single chromosome cDNA libraries. (See, e.g., Harrington, J.J. et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 15:345-355; Price, CM. (1993) Blood Rev. 7: 127-134; and Trask, BJ. (1991) Trends Genet. 7: 149-154.) Once mapped, the nucleic acid sequences of the invention may be used to develop genetic linkage maps, for example, which correlate the inheritance of a disease state with the inheritance of a particular chromosome region or restriction fragment length polymoφhism (RFLP). (See, for example, Lander, E.S. and D. Botstein (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:7353-7357.)

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) may be correlated with other physical and genetic map data. (See, e.g., Heinz-Ulrich, et al. (1995) in Meyers, supra, pp. 965-968.) Examples of genetic map data can be found in various scientific journals or at the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man

(OMIM) World Wide Web site. Correlation between the location of the gene encoding DME on a physical map and a specific disorder, or a predisposition to a specific disorder, may help define the region of DNA associated with that disorder and thus may further positional cloning efforts.

In situ hybridization of chromosomal preparations and physical mapping techniques, such as linkage analysis using established chromosomal markers, may be used for extending genetic maps. Often the placement of a gene on the chromosome of another mammalian species, such as mouse, may reveal associated markers even if the exact chromosomal locus is not known. This information is valuable to investigators searching for disease genes using positional cloning or other gene discovery techniques. Once the gene or genes responsible for a disease or syndrome have been crudely localized by genetic linkage to a particular genomic region, e.g., ataxia-telangiectasia to llq22-23, any sequences mapping to that area may represent associated or regulatory genes for further investigation. (See, e.g., Gatti, R.A. et al. (1988) Nature 336:577-580.) The nucleotide sequence of the instant invention may also be used to detect differences in the chromosomal location due to translocation, inversion, etc., among normal, carrier, or affected individuals.

In another embodiment of the invention, DME, its catalytic or immunogenic fragments, or oligopeptides thereof can be used for screening libraries of compounds in any of a variety of drug screening techniques. The fragment employed in such screening may be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell surface, or located intracellularly. The formation of binding complexes between DME and the agent being tested may be measured.

Another technique for drug screening provides for high throughput screening of compounds having suitable binding affinity to the protein of interest. (See, e.g., Geysen, et al. (1984) PCT application WO84/03564.) In this method, large numbers of different small test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate. The test compounds are reacted with DME, or fragments thereof, and washed. Bound DME is then detected by methods well known in the art. Purified DME can also be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques. Alternatively, non-neutralizing antibodies can be used to capture the peptide and immobilize it on a solid support. In another embodiment, one may use competitive drug screening assays in which neutralizing antibodies capable of binding DME specifically compete with a test compound for binding DME. In this manner, antibodies can be used to detect the presence of any peptide which shares one or more antigenic determinants with DME.

In additional embodiments, the nucleotide sequences which encode DME may be used in any molecular biology techniques that have yet to be developed, provided the new techniques rely on properties of nucleotide sequences that are currently known, including, but not limited to, such properties as the triplet genetic code and specific base pair interactions.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

The disclosures of all patents, applications and publications, mentioned above and below, including U.S. Ser. No. 60/269,643, U.S. Ser. No. 60/271,332, U.S. Ser. No. 60/ 276,767, U.S. Ser.

No. 60/282,077, U.S. Ser. No. 60/285,447, U.S. Ser. No. 60/287,060, and U.S. Ser. No. 60/288,543, are expressly incoφorated by reference herein.

EXAMPLES I. Construction of cDNA Libraries

Incyte cDNAs were derived from cDNA libraries described in the LEFESEQ GOLD database (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto CA). Some tissues were homogenized and lysed in guanidinium isothiocyanate, while others were homogenized and lysed in phenol or in a suitable mixture of denaturants, such as TRIZOL (Life Technologies), a monophasic solution of phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate. The resulting lysates were centrifuged over CsCl cushions or extracted with chloroform. RNA was precipitated from the lysates with either isopropanol or sodium acetate and ethanol, or by other routine methods. Phenol extraction and precipitation of RNA were repeated as necessary to increase RNA purity. In some cases, RNA was treated with DNase. For most libraries, poly(A)+ RNA was isolated using oligo d(T)-coupled paramagnetic particles (Promega), OLIGOTEX latex particles (QIAGEN, Chatsworth CA), or an OLIGOTEX mRNA purification kit (QIAGEN). Alternatively, RNA was isolated directly from tissue lysates using other RNA isolation kits, e.g., the POLY(A)PURE mRNA purification kit (Ambion, Austin TX).

In some cases, Stratagene was provided with RNA and constructed the corresponding cDNA libraries. Otherwise, cDNA was synthesized and cDNA libraries were constructed with the UNIZAP vector system (Stratagene) or SUPERSCRIPT plasmid system (Life Technologies), using the recommended procedures or similar methods known in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1997, supra, units 5.1-6.6.) Reverse transcription was initiated using oligo d(T) or random primers. Synthetic oligonucleotide adapters were ligated to double stranded cDNA, and the cDNA was digested with the appropriate restriction enzyme or enzymes. For most libraries, the cDNA was size-selected (300- 1000 bp) using SEPHACRYL S1000, SEPHAROSE CL2B, or SEPHAROSE CL4B column chromatography (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) or preparative agarose gel electrophoresis. cDNAs were ligated into compatible restriction enzyme sites of the polylinker of a suitable plasmid, e.g., PBLUESCRΠ plasmid (Stratagene), PSPORT1 plasmid (Life Technologies), PCDNA2.1 plasmid (Invitrogen, Carlsbad CA), PBK-CMV plasmid (Stratagene), PCR2-TOPOTA plasmid (Invitrogen), PCMV-ICIS plasmid (Stratagene), pIGEN (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto CA), pRARE (Incyte Genomics), or pINCY (Incyte Genomics), or derivatives thereof. Recombinant plasmids were transformed into competent E. coli cells including XLl-Blue, XLl-BlueMRF, or SOLR from Stratagene or DH5α, DH10B, or ElectroMAX DH10B from Life Technologies. II. Isolation of cDNA Clones

Plasmids obtained as described in Example I were recovered from host cells by in vivo excision using the UNIZAP vector system (Stratagene) or by cell lysis. Plasmids were purified using at least one of the following: a Magic or WIZARD Minipreps DNA purification system (Promega); an AGTC Miniprep purification kit (Edge Biosystems, Gaithersburg MD); and QIAWELL 8 Plasmid, QLAWELL 8 Plus Plasmid, QIAWELL 8 Ultra Plasmid purification systems or the R.E.A.L. PREP 96 plasmid purification kit from QIAGEN. Following precipitation, plasmids were resuspended in 0.1 ml of distilled water and stored, with or without lyophilization, at 4°C

Alternatively, plasmid DNA was amplified from host cell lysates using direct link PCR in a high-throughput format (Rao, V.B. (1994) Anal. Biochem. 216:1-14). Host cell lysis and thermal cycling steps were carried out in a single reaction mixture. Samples were processed and stored in 384-well plates, and the concentration of amplified plasmid DNA was quantified fluorometrically using PICOGREEN dye (Molecular Probes, Eugene OR) and a FLUOROSKAN E fluorescence scanner (Labsystems Oy, Helsinki, Finland). III. Sequencing and Analysis

Incyte cDNA recovered in plasmids as described in Example II were sequenced as follows. Sequencing reactions were processed using standard methods or high-throughput instrumentation such as the ABI CATALYST 800 (Applied Biosystems) thermal cycler or the PTC-200 thermal cycler (MJ Research) in conjunction with the HYDRA microdispenser (Robbins Scientific) or the MICROLAB 2200 (Hamilton) liquid transfer system. cDNA sequencing reactions were prepared using reagents provided by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech or supplied in ABI sequencing kits such as the ABI PRISM BIGDYE Terminator cycle sequencing ready reaction kit (Applied Biosystems). Electrophoretic separation of cDNA sequencing reactions and detection of labeled polynucleotides were carried out using the MEGABACE 1000 DNA sequencing system (Molecular Dynamics); the ABI PRISM 373 or 377 sequencing system (Applied Biosystems) in conjunction with standard ABI protocols and base calling software; or other sequence analysis systems known in the art. Reading frames within the cDNA sequences were identified using standard methods (reviewed in Ausubel, 1997, supra, unit 7.7). Some of the cDNA sequences were selected for extension using the techniques disclosed in Example VIE.

The polynucleotide sequences derived from Incyte cDNAs were validated by removing vector, linker, and poly(A) sequences and by masking ambiguous bases, using algorithms and programs based on BLAST, dynamic programming, and dinucleotide nearest neighbor analysis. The Incyte cDNA sequences or translations thereof were then queried against a selection of public databases such as the GenBank primate, rodent, mammalian, vertebrate, and eukaryote databases, and BLOCKS, PRINTS, DOMO, PRODOM; PROTEOME databases with sequences from Homo sapiens. Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Caenorhabditis elegans, Saccharomvces cerevisiae. Schizosaccharomvces pombe, and Candida albicans (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto CA); hidden Markov model (HMM)-based protein family databases such as PFAM; and HMM-based protein domain databases such as SMART (Schultz et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:5857-5864; Letunic, I. et al. (2002) Nucleic Acids Res. 30:242-244). (HMM is a probabilistic approach which analyzes consensus primary structures of gene families. See, for example, Eddy, S.R. (1996) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 6:361-365.) The queries were performed using programs based on BLAST, FASTA, BLIMPS, and HMMER. The Incyte cDNA sequences were assembled to produce full length polynucleotide sequences. Alternatively, GenBank cDNAs, GenBank ESTs, stitched sequences, stretched sequences, or Genscan-predicted coding sequences (see Examples IV and V) were used to extend Incyte cDNA assemblages to full length. Assembly was performed using programs based on Phred, Phrap, and Consed, and cDNA assemblages were screened for open reading frames using programs based on GeneMark, BLAST, and FASTA. The full length polynucleotide sequences were translated to derive the corresponding full length polypeptide sequences. Alternatively, a polypeptide of the invention may begin at any of the methionine residues of the full length translated polypeptide. Full length polypeptide sequences were subsequently analyzed by querying against databases such as the GenBank protein databases (genpept), SwissProt, the PROTEOME databases, BLOCKS, PRINTS, DOMO, PRODOM, Prosite, hidden Markov model (HMM)-based protein family databases such as PFAM; and HMM-based protein domain databases such as SMART. Full length polynucleotide sequences are also analyzed using MACDNASIS PRO software (Hitachi Software Engineering, South San Francisco CA) and LASERGENE software (DNASTAR). Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence alignments are generated using default parameters specified by the CLUSTAL algorithm as incoφorated into the MEGALIGN multisequence alignment program (DNASTAR), which also calculates the percent identity between aligned sequences.

Table 7 summarizes the tools, programs, and algorithms used for the analysis and assembly of Incyte cDNA and full length sequences and provides applicable descriptions, references, and threshold parameters. The first column of Table 7 shows the tools, programs, and algorithms used, the second column provides brief descriptions thereof, the third column presents appropriate references, all of which are incoφorated by reference herein in their entirety, and the fourth column presents, where applicable, the scores, probability values, and other parameters used to evaluate the strength of a match between two sequences (the higher the score or the lower the probability value, the greater the identity between two sequences). The programs described above for the assembly and analysis of full length polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences were also used to identify polynucleotide sequence fragments from SEQ ED NO: 13-24. Fragments from about 20 to about 4000 nucleotides which are useful in hybridization and amplification technologies are described in Table 4, column 2. IV. Identification and Editing of Coding Sequences from Genomic DNA Putative drug metabolizing enzymes were initially identified by running the Genscan gene identification program against public genomic sequence databases (e.g., gbpri and gbhtg). Genscan is a general-puφose gene identification program which analyzes genomic DNA sequences from a variety of organisms (See Burge, C. and S. Karlin (1997) J. Mol. Biol. 268:78-94, and Burge, C. and S. Karlin (1998) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 8:346-354). The program concatenates predicted exons to form an assembled cDNA sequence extending from a methionine to a stop codon. The output of

Genscan is a FASTA database of polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences. The maximum range of sequence for Genscan to analyze at once was set to 30 kb. To determine which of these Genscan predicted cDNA sequences encode drug metabolizing enzymes, the encoded polypeptides were analyzed by querying against PFAM models for drug metabolizing enzymes. Potential drug metabolizing enzymes were also identified by homology to Incyte cDNA sequences that had been annotated as drug metabolizing enzymes. These selected Genscan-predicted sequences were then compared by BLAST analysis to the genpept and gbpri public databases. Where necessary, the Genscan-predicted sequences were then edited by comparison to the top BLAST hit from genpept to correct errors in the sequence predicted by Genscan, such as extra or omitted exons. BLAST analysis was also used to find any Incyte cDNA or public cDNA coverage of the Genscan-predicted sequences, thus providing evidence for transcription. When Incyte cDNA coverage was available, this information was used to correct or confirm the Genscan predicted sequence. Full length polynucleotide sequences were obtained by assembling Genscan-predicted coding sequences with Incyte cDNA sequences and/or public cDNA sequences using the assembly process described in Example El. Alternatively, full length polynucleotide sequences were derived entirely from edited or unedited Genscan-predicted coding sequences.

V. Assembly of Genomic Sequence Data with cDNA Sequence Data "Stitched" Sequences

Partial cDNA sequences were extended with exons predicted by the Genscan gene identification program described in Example IV. Partial cDNAs assembled as described in Example El were mapped to genomic DNA and parsed into clusters containing related cDNAs and Genscan exon predictions from one or more genomic sequences. Each cluster was analyzed using an algorithm based on graph theory and dynamic programming to integrate cDNA and genomic information, generating possible splice variants that were subsequently confirmed, edited, or extended to create a full length sequence. Sequence intervals in which the entire length of the interval was present on more than one sequence in the cluster were identified, and intervals thus identified were considered to be equivalent by transitivity. For example, if an interval was present on a cDNA and two genomic sequences, then all three intervals were considered to be equivalent. This process allows unrelated but consecutive genomic sequences to be brought together, bridged by cDNA sequence. Intervals thus identified were then "stitched" together by the stitching algorithm in the order that they appear along their parent sequences to generate the longest possible sequence, as well as sequence variants. Linkages between intervals which proceed along one type of parent sequence (cDNA to cDNA or genomic sequence to genomic sequence) were given preference over linkages which change parent type (cDNA to genomic sequence). The resultant stitched sequences were translated and compared by BLAST analysis to the genpept and gbpri public databases. Incorrect exons predicted by Genscan were corrected by comparison to the top BLAST hit from genpept. Sequences were further extended with additional cDNA sequences, or by inspection of genomic DNA, when necessary. "Stretched" Sequences

Partial DNA sequences were extended to full length with an algorithm based on BLAST analysis. First, partial cDNAs assembled as described in Example El were queried against public databases such as the GenBank primate, rodent, mammalian, vertebrate, and eukaryote databases using the BLAST program. The nearest GenBank protein homolog was then compared by BLAST analysis to either Incyte cDNA sequences or GenScan exon predicted sequences described in Example IV. A chimeric protein was generated by using the resultant high-scoring segment pairs (HSPs) to map the translated sequences onto the GenBank protein homolog. Insertions or deletions may occur in the chimeric protein with respect to the original GenBank protein homolog. The GenBank protein homolog, the chimeric protein, or both were used as probes to search for homologous genomic sequences from the public human genome databases. Partial DNA sequences were therefore "stretched" or extended by the addition of homologous genomic sequences. The resultant stretched sequences were examined to determine whether it contained a complete gene.

VI. Chromosomal Mapping of DME Encoding Polynucleotides

The sequences which were used to assemble SEQ ED NO: 13-24 were compared with sequences from the Incyte LIFESEQ database and public domain databases using BLAST and other implementations of the Smith-Waterman algorithm. Sequences from these databases that matched SEQ ED NO: 13-24 were assembled into clusters of contiguous and overlapping sequences using assembly algorithms such as Phrap (Table 7). Radiation hybrid and genetic mapping data available from public resources such as the Stanford Human Genome Center (SHGC), Whitehead Institute for Genome Research (WIGR), and Genethon were used to determine if any of the clustered sequences had been previously mapped. Inclusion of a mapped sequence in a cluster resulted in the assignment of all sequences of that cluster, including its particular SEQ ED NO:, to that map location.

Map locations are represented by ranges, or intervals, of human chromosomes. The map position of an interval, in centiMorgans, is measured relative to the terminus of the chromosome's p- arm. (The centiMorgan (cM) is a unit of measurement based on recombination frequencies between chromosomal markers. On average, 1 cM is roughly equivalent to 1 megabase (Mb) of DNA in humans, although this can vary widely due to hot and cold spots of recombination.) The cM distances are based on genetic markers mapped by Genethon which provide boundaries for radiation hybrid markers whose sequences were included in each of the clusters. Human genome maps and other resources available to the public, such as the NCBI "GeneMap'99" World Wide Web site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genemap/), can be employed to determine if previously identified disease genes map within or in proximity to the intervals indicated above.

VII. Analysis of Polynucleotide Expression

Northern analysis is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of a transcript of a gene and involves the hybridization of a labeled nucleotide sequence to a membrane on which RNAs from a particular cell type or tissue have been bound. (See, e.g., Sambrook, supra, ch. 7; Ausubel (1995) supra, ch. 4 and 16.) Analogous computer techniques applying BLAST were used to search for identical or related molecules in cDNA databases such as GenBank or LIFESEQ (Incyte Genomics). This analysis is much faster than multiple membrane-based hybridizations. In addition, the sensitivity of the computer search can be modified to determine whether any particular match is categorized as exact or similar. The basis of the search is the product score, which is defined as:

BLAST Score x Percent Identity

5 x minimum {length(Seq. 1), length(Seq. 2)}

The product score takes into account both the degree of similarity between two sequences and the length of the sequence match. The product score is a normalized value between 0 and 100, and is calculated as follows: the BLAST score is multiplied by the percent nucleotide identity and the product is divided by (5 times the length of the shorter of the two sequences). The BLAST score is calculated by assigning a score of +5 for every base that matches in a high-scoring segment pair (HSP), and -4 for every mismatch. Two sequences may share more than one HSP (separated by gaps). If there is more than one HSP, then the pair with the highest BLAST score is used to calculate the product score. The product score represents a balance between fractional overlap and quality in a BLAST alignment. For example, a product score of 100 is produced only for 100% identity over the entire length of the shorter of the two sequences being compared. A product score of 70 is produced either by 100% identity and 70% overlap at one end, or by 88% identity and 100% overlap at the other. A product score of 50 is produced either by 100% identity and 50% overlap at one end, or 79% identity and 100% overlap.

Alternatively, polynucleotide sequences encoding DME are analyzed with respect to the tissue sources from which they were derived. For example, some full length sequences are assembled, at least in part, with overlapping Incyte cDNA sequences (see Example El). Each cDNA sequence is derived from a cDNA library constructed from a human tissue. Each human tissue is classified into one of the following organ/tissue categories: cardiovascular system; connective tissue; digestive system; embryonic structures; endocrine system; exocrine glands; genitalia, female; genitalia, male; germ cells; hemic and immune system; liver; musculoskeletal system; nervous system; pancreas; respiratory system; sense organs; skin; stomatognathic system; unclassified/mixed; or urinary tract. The number of libraries in each category is counted and divided by the total number of libraries across all categories. Similarly, each human tissue is classified into one of the following disease/condition categories: cancer, cell line, developmental, inflammation, neurological, trauma, cardiovascular, pooled, and other, and the number of libraries in each category is counted and divided by the total number of libraries across all categories. The resulting percentages reflect the tissue- and disease-specific expression of cDNA encoding DME. cDNA sequences and cDNA library/tissue information are found in the LIFESEQ GOLD database (Incyte Genomics, Palo Alto CA). VIII. Extension of DME Encoding Polynucleotides

Full length polynucleotide sequences were also produced by extension of an appropriate fragment of the full length molecule using oligonucleotide primers designed from this fragment. One primer was synthesized to initiate 5' extension of the known fragment, and the other primer was synthesized to initiate 3' extension of the known fragment. The initial primers were designed using OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences), or another appropriate program, to be about 22 to 30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of about 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures of about 68 °C to about 72 °C. Any stretch of nucleotides which would result in haiφin structures and primer-primer dimerizations was avoided.

Selected human cDNA libraries were used to extend the sequence. If more than one extension was necessary or desired, additional or nested sets of primers were designed.

High fidelity amplification was obtained by PCR using methods well known in the art. PCR was performed in 96-well plates using the PTC-200 thermal cycler (MJ Research, Inc.). The reaction mix contained DNA template, 200 nmol of each primer, reaction buffer containing Mg²⁺, (NH₄)₂S0₄, and 2-mercaptoethanol, Taq DNA polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), ELONGASE enzyme (Life Technologies), and Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene), with the following parameters for primer pair PCI A and PCI B: Step 1: 94°C, 3 min; Step 2: 94°C, 15 sec; Step 3: 60°C, 1 min; Step 4: 68°C, 2 min; Step 5: Steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 20 times; Step 6: 68°C, 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4°C In the alternative, the parameters for primer pair T7 and SK+ were as follows: Step 1: 94°C, 3 min; Step 2: 94°C, 15 sec; Step 3: 57°C, 1 min; Step 4: 68°C, 2 min; Step 5: Steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 20 times; Step 6: 68 °C, 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4°C

The concentration of DNA in each well was determined by dispensing 100 μl PICOGREEN quantitation reagent (0.25% (v/v) PICOGREEN; Molecular Probes, Eugene OR) dissolved in IX TE and 0.5 μl of undiluted PCR product into each well of an opaque fluorimeter plate (Corning Costar, Acton MA), allowing the DNA to bind to the reagent. The plate was scanned in a Fluoroskan E (Labsystems Oy, Helsinki, Finland) to measure the fluorescence of the sample and to quantify the concentration of DNA. A 5 μl to 10 l aliquot of the reaction mixture was analyzed by electrophoresis on a 1 % agarose gel to determine which reactions were successful in extending the sequence.

The extended nucleotides were desalted and concentrated, transferred to 384-well plates, digested with CviJI cholera virus endonuclease (Molecular Biology Research, Madison WI), and sonicated or sheared prior to religation into pUC 18 vector (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). For shotgun sequencing, the digested nucleotides were separated on low concentration (0.6 to 0.8%) agarose gels, fragments were excised, and agar digested with Agar ACE (Promega). Extended clones were religated using T4 ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly MA) into pUC 18 vector (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), treated with Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) to fill-in restriction site overhangs, and transfected into competent E. coli cells. Transformed cells were selected on antibiotic -containing media, and individual colonies were picked and cultured overnight at 37 °C in 384-well plates in LB/2x carb liquid media.

The cells were lysed, and DNA was amplified by PCR using Taq DNA polymerase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) and Pfu DNA polymerase (Stratagene) with the following parameters: Step 1: 94°C, 3 min; Step 2: 94°C, 15 sec; Step 3: 60°C, 1 min; Step 4: 72°C, 2 min; Step 5: steps 2, 3, and 4 repeated 29 times; Step 6: 72°C, 5 min; Step 7: storage at 4°C. DNA was quantified by PICOGREEN reagent (Molecular Probes) as described above. Samples with low DNA recoveries were reamplified using the same conditions as described above. Samples were diluted with 20% dimethysulfoxide (1:2, v/v), and sequenced using DYENAMIC energy transfer sequencing primers and the DYENAMIC DIRECT kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) or the ABI PRISM BIGDYE Terminator cycle sequencing ready reaction kit (Applied Biosystems).

In like manner, full length polynucleotide sequences are verified using the above procedure or are used to obtain 5 'regulatory sequences using the above procedure along with oligonucleotides designed for such extension, and an appropriate genomic library. IX. Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in DME Encoding Polynucleotides Common DNA sequence variants known as single nucleotide polymoφhisms (SNPs) were identified in SEQ ED NO: 13-24 using the LIFESEQ database (Incyte Genomics). Sequences from the same gene were clustered together and assembled as described in Example III, allowing the identification of all sequence variants in the gene. An algorithm consisting of a series of filters was used to distinguish SNPs from other sequence variants. Preliminary filters removed the majority of basecall errors by requiring a minimum Phred quality score of 15, and removed sequence alignment errors and errors resulting from improper trimming of vector sequences, chimeras, and splice variants. An automated procedure of advanced chromosome analysis analysed the original chromatogram files in the vicinity of the putative SNP. Clone error filters used statistically generated algorithms to identify errors introduced during laboratory processing, such as those caused by reverse transcriptase, polymerase, or somatic mutation. Clustering error filters used statistically generated algorithms to identify errors resulting from clustering of close homologs or pseudogenes, or due to contamination by non-human sequences. A final set of filters removed duplicates and SNPs found in immunoglobulins or T-cell receptors.

Certain SNPs were selected for further characterization by mass spectrometry using the high throughput MASSARRAY system (Sequenom, Inc.) to analyze allele frequencies at the SNP sites in four different human populations. The Caucasian population comprised 92 individuals (46 male, 46 female), including 83 from Utah, four French, three Venezualan, and two Amish individuals. The African population comprised 194 individuals (97 male, 97 female), all African Americans. The Hispanic population comprised 324 individuals (162 male, 162 female), all Mexican Hispanic. The Asian population comprised 126 individuals (64 male, 62 female) with a reported parental breakdown of 43% Chinese, 31% Japanese, 13% Korean, 5% Vietnamese, and 8% other Asian. Allele frequencies were first analyzed in the Caucasian population; in some cases those SNPs which showed no allelic variance in this population were not further tested in the other three populations.

X. Labeling and Use of Individual Hybridization Probes Hybridization probes derived from SEQ ED NO: 13-24 are employed to screen cDNAs, genomic DNAs, or mRNAs. Although the labeling of oligonucleotides, consisting of about 20 base pairs, is specifically described, essentially the same procedure is used with larger nucleotide fragments. Oligonucleotides are designed using state-of-the-art software such as OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences) and labeled by combining 50 pmol of each oligomer, 250 Ci of [γ-³²P] adenosine triphosphate (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), and T4 polynucleotide kinase (DuPont NEN, Boston MA). The labeled oligonucleotides are substantially purified using a SEPHADEX G-25 superfine size exclusion dextran bead column (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). An aliquot containing 10⁷ counts per minute of the labeled probe is used in a typical membrane-based hybridization analysis of human genomic DNA digested with one of the following endonucleases: Ase I, Bgl E, Eco RI, Pst I, Xba I, or Pvu E (DuPont NEN).

The DNA from each digest is fractionated on a 0.7% agarose gel and transferred to nylon membranes (Nytran Plus, Schleicher & Schuell, Durham NH). Hybridization is carried out for 16 hours at 40 °C To remove nonspecific signals, blots are sequentially washed at room temperature under conditions of up to, for example, 0.1 x saline sodium citrate and 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Hybridization patterns are visualized using autoradiography or an alternative imaging means and compared.

XI. Microarrays

The linkage or synthesis of array elements upon a microarray can be achieved utilizing photolithography, piezoelectric printing (ink-jet printing, See, e.g., Baldeschweiler, supra.), mechanical microspotting technologies, and derivatives thereof. The substrate in each of the aforementioned technologies should be uniform and solid with a non-porous surface (Schena (1999), supra). Suggested substrates include silicon, silica, glass slides, glass chips, and silicon wafers. Alternatively, a procedure analogous to a dot or slot blot may also be used to arrange and link elements to the surface of a substrate using thermal, UV, chemical, or mechanical bonding procedures. A typical array may be produced using available methods and machines well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may contain any appropriate number of elements. (See, e.g., Schena, M. et al. (1995) Science 270:467-470; Shalon, D. et al. (1996) Genome Res. 6:639-645; Marshall, A. and J. Hodgson (1998) Nat. Biotechnol. 16:27-31.)

Full length cDNAs, Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), or fragments or oligomers thereof may comprise the elements of the microarray. Fragments or oligomers suitable for hybridization can be selected using software well known in the art such as LASERGENE software (DNASTAR). The array elements are hybridized with polynucleotides in a biological sample. The polynucleotides in the biological sample are conjugated to a fluorescent label or other molecular tag for ease of detection. After hybridization, nonhybridized nucleotides from the biological sample are removed, and a fluorescence scanner is used to detect hybridization at each array element. Alternatively, laser desorbtion and mass spectrometry may be used for detection of hybridization. The degree of complementarity and the relative abundance of each polynucleotide which hybridizes to an element on the microarray may be assessed. In one embodiment, microarray preparation and usage is described in detail below. Tissue or Cell Sample Preparation

Total RNA is isolated from tissue samples using the guanidinium thiocyanate method and poly(A)⁺ RNA is purified using the oligo-(dT) cellulose method. Each poly(A)⁺ RNA sample is reverse transcribed using MMLV reverse-transcriptase, 0.05 pg/μl oligo-(dT) primer (21mer), IX first strand buffer, 0.03 units/μl RNase inhibitor, 500 μM dATP, 500 μM dGTP, 500 μM dTTP, 40 μM dCTP, 40 μM dCTP-Cy3 (BDS) or dCTP-Cy5 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). The reverse transcription reaction is performed in a 25 ml volume containing 200 ng poly(A) ⁺ RNA with GEMBRIGHT kits (Incyte). Specific control poly(A)⁺ RNAs are synthesized by in vitro transcription from non-coding yeast genomic DNA. After incubation at 37° C for 2 hr, each reaction sample (one with Cy3 and another with Cy5 labeling) is treated with 2.5 ml of 0.5M sodium hydroxide and incubated for 20 minutes at 85° C to the stop the reaction and degrade the RNA. Samples are purified using two successive CHROMA SPrN 30 gel filtration spin columns (CLONTECH Laboratories, Inc. (CLONTECH), Palo Alto CA) and after combining, both reaction samples are ethanol precipitated using 1 ml of glycogen (1 mg/ml), 60 ml sodium acetate, and 300 ml of 100% ethanol. The sample is then dried to completion using a SpeedVAC (Savant Instruments Inc., Holbrook NY) and resuspended in 14 μl 5X SSC/0.2% SDS. Microarray Preparation

Sequences of the present invention are used to generate array elements. Each array element is amplified from bacterial cells containing vectors with cloned cDNA inserts. PCR amplification uses primers complementary to the vector sequences flanking the cDNA insert. Array elements are amplified in thirty cycles of PCR from an initial quantity of 1-2 ng to a final quantity greater than 5 μg. Amplified array elements are then purified using SEPHACRYL-400 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

Purified array elements are immobilized on polymer-coated glass slides. Glass microscope slides (Corning) are cleaned by ultrasound in 0.1% SDS and acetone, with extensive distilled water washes between and after treatments. Glass slides are etched in 4% hydrofluoric acid (VWR Scientific Products Coφoration (VWR), West Chester PA), washed extensively in distilled water, and coated with 0.05% aminopropyl silane (Sigma) in 95% ethanol. Coated slides are cured in a 110°C oven.

Array elements are applied to the coated glass substrate using a procedure described in U.S. Patent No. 5,807,522, incoφorated herein by reference. 1 μl of the array element DNA, at an average concentration of 100 ng/μl, is loaded into the open capillary printing element by a high-speed robotic apparatus. The apparatus then deposits about 5 nl of array element sample per slide.

Microarrays are UV-crosslinked using a STRATALINKER UV-crosslinker (Stratagene). Microarrays are washed at room temperature once in 0.2% SDS and three times in distilled water. Non-specific binding sites are blocked by incubation of microarrays in 0.2% casein in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (Tropix, Inc., Bedford MA) for 30 minutes at 60°C followed by washes in 0.2% SDS and distilled water as before. Hybridization

Hybridization reactions contain 9 μl of sample mixture consisting of 0.2 μg each of Cy3 and Cy5 labeled cDNA synthesis products in 5X SSC, 0.2% SDS hybridization buffer. The sample mixture is heated to 65° C for 5 minutes and is aliquoted onto the microarray surface and covered with an 1.8 cm² coverslip. The arrays are transferred to a wateφroof chamber having a cavity just slightly larger than a microscope slide. The chamber is kept at 100% humidity internally by the addition of 140 μl of 5X SSC in a corner of the chamber. The chamber containing the arrays is incubated for about 6.5 hours at 60° C. The arrays are washed for 10 min at 45° C in a first wash buffer (IX SSC, 0.1% SDS), three times for 10 minutes each at 45°C in a second wash buffer (0.1X SSC), and dried. Detection

Reporter-labeled hybridization complexes are detected with a microscope equipped with an Innova 70 mixed gas 10 W laser (Coherent, Inc., Santa Clara CA) capable of generating spectral lines at 488 nm for excitation of Cy3 and at 632 nm for excitation of Cy5. The excitation laser light is focused on the array using a 20X microscope objective (Nikon, Inc., Melville NY). The slide containing the array is placed on a computer-controlled X-Y stage on the microscope and raster- scanned past the objective. The 1.8 cm x 1.8 cm array used in the present example is scanned with a resolution of 20 micrometers. In two separate scans, a mixed gas multiline laser excites the two fluorophores sequentially. Emitted light is split, based on wavelength, into two photomultiplier tube detectors (PMT R1477, Hamamatsu Photonics Systems, Bridgewater NJ) corresponding to the two fluorophores. Appropriate filters positioned between the array and the photomultiplier tubes are used to filter the signals. The emission maxima of the fluorophores used are 565 nm for Cy3 and 650 nm for Cy5. Each array is typically scanned twice, one scan per fluorophore using the appropriate filters at the laser source, although the apparatus is capable of recording the spectra from both fluorophores simultaneously. The sensitivity of the scans is typically calibrated using the signal intensity generated by a cDNA control species added to the sample mixture at a known concentration. A specific location on the array contains a complementary DNA sequence, allowing the intensity of the signal at that location to be correlated with a weight ratio of hybridizing species of 1:100,000. When two samples from different sources (e.g., representing test and control cells), each labeled with a different fluorophore, are hybridized to a single array for the puφose of identifying genes that are differentially expressed, the calibration is done by labeling samples of the calibrating cDNA with the two fluorophores and adding identical amounts of each to the hybridization mixture.

The output of the photomultiplier tube is digitized using a 12-bit RTI-835H analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion board (Analog Devices, Inc., Norwood MA) installed in an IBM-compatible PC computer. The digitized data are displayed as an image where the signal intensity is mapped using a linear 20-color transformation to a pseudocolor scale ranging from blue (low signal) to red (high signal). The data is also analyzed quantitatively. Where two different fluorophores are excited and measured simultaneously, the data are first corrected for optical crosstalk (due to overlapping emission spectra) between the fluorophores using each fluorophore' s emission spectrum.

A grid is superimposed over the fluorescence signal image such that the signal from each spot is centered in each element of the grid. The fluorescence signal within each element is then integrated to obtain a numerical value corresponding to the average intensity of the signal. The software used for signal analysis is the GEMTOOLS gene expression analysis program (Incyte). In one example of the use of microarrays to diagnose disease, component polynucleotide sequences (Clone EDs, below) of SEQ ED NO: 18 were used to compare the expression of SEQ ED NO: 18 in tissues from patients with colon polyps or colon cancer with the expression in normal colon tissues. The expression of SEQ ED NO: 18 was shown to be downregulated about 3 to about 8-fold in tissue samples from patients with colon polyps and colon cancer, relative to normal colon tissues.

Clone ID 3583 3647 3649 3754 3755 3583 331 1 3756 3757 3649 3647 polyp tumor tumor polyp polyp polyp tumor tumor tumor tumor tumor

In this way, for SEQ ED NO: 18, DME expression was compared in matched normal colon and cancerous colon or colon polyp tissue samples. In one example, matched normal colon and cancerous colon tissue samples were obtained from three individuals and were provided by the Huntsman Cancer Institute, (Salt Lake City, UT). Donor 3583 is a 59 year-old male diagnosed with a tubulovillous adenoma hypeφlastic polyp. Donor 3647 is 83 years old (sex unknown) and was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Donor 3649 (sex and age unknown) was diagnosed with a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.

In another example, matched normal colon and cancerous colon or colon polyp tissue samples were provided by the Huntsman Cancer Institute, (Salt Lake City, UT). Donor 3754 is an individual diagnosed with a pendunculated colon polyp; age and sex of the donor is unknown. Donor 3755 is an individual diagnosed with colon polyps and having a family history of colon cancer; age and sex of the donor is unknown. Donor 3583 is a 58 year-old male diagnosed with a tubulovillous adenoma hypeφlastic polyp. Donor 3311 is an 85 year-old male diagnosed with an invasive, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with metastases to the lymph nodes. Donor 3756 is a 78 year-old female diagnosed with an invasive, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Donor 3757 is a 75 year-old female diagnosed with an invasive, moderate to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with metastases to the lymph nodes. Donor 3649 is an 86 year-old individual, sex unknown, diagnosed with an invasive, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Donor 3647 is an 83 year-old individual, sex unknown, diagnosed with an invasive, moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with metastases to the lymph nodes. Donor 3839 is a 60 year-old individual, sex unknown, diagnosed with colon cancer. Donor 3581 is a male of unknown age diagnosed with a colorectal tumor. Donors

3754, 3755, 3311, 3756, and 3757 were matched against a common control sample comprising a pool of normal colon tissue from three additional donors. All other comparisons were done with matched normal and tumor or polyp tissue from the same donor. XII. Complementary Polynucleotides Sequences complementary to the DME-encoding sequences, or any parts thereof, are used to detect, decrease, or inhibit expression of naturally occurring DME. Although use of oligonucleotides comprising from about 15 to 30 base pairs is described, essentially the same procedure is used with smaller or with larger sequence fragments. Appropriate oligonucleotides are designed using OLIGO 4.06 software (National Biosciences) and the coding sequence of DME. To inhibit transcription, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed from the most unique 5' sequence and used to prevent promoter binding to the coding sequence. To inhibit translation, a complementary oligonucleotide is designed to prevent ribosomal binding to the DME-encoding transcript.

XIII. Expression of DME

Expression and purification of DME is achieved using bacterial or virus-based expression systems. For expression of DME in bacteria, cDNA is subcloned into an appropriate vector containing an antibiotic resistance gene and an inducible promoter that directs high levels of cDNA transcription. Examples of such promoters include, but are not limited to, the trp-lac (tac) hybrid promoter and the T5 or T7 bacteriophage promoter in conjunction with the lac operator regulatory element. Recombinant vectors are transformed into suitable bacterial hosts, e.g., BL21(DE3). Antibiotic resistant bacteria express DME upon induction with isopropyl beta-D- thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Expression of DME in eukaryotic cells is achieved by infecting insect or mammalian cell lines with recombinant Autographica californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV), commonly known as baculovirus. The nonessential polyhedrin gene of baculovirus is replaced with cDNA encoding DME by either homologous recombination or bacterial-mediated transposition involving transfer plasmid intermediates. Viral infectivity is maintained and the strong polyhedrin promoter drives high levels of cDNA transcription. Recombinant baculovirus is used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells in most cases, or human hepatocytes, in some cases. Infection of the latter requires additional genetic modifications to baculovirus. (See Engelhard, E.K. et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3224-3227; Sandig, V. et al. (1996) Hum. Gene Ther. 7: 1937-1945.) In most expression systems, DME is synthesized as a fusion protein with, e.g., glutathione S- transferase (GST) or a peptide epitope tag, such as FLAG or 6-His, permitting rapid, single-step, affinity-based purification of recombinant fusion protein from crude cell lysates. GST, a 26- kilodalton enzyme from Schistosoma japonicum, enables the purification of fusion proteins on immobilized glutathione under conditions that maintain protein activity and antigenicity (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Following purification, the GST moiety can be proteolytically cleaved from DME at specifically engineered sites. FLAG, an 8-amino acid peptide, enables immunoaffinity purification using commercially available monoclonal and polyclonal anti-FLAG antibodies (Eastman Kodak). 6-His, a stretch of six consecutive histidine residues, enables purification on metal-chelate resins (QIAGEN). Methods for protein expression and purification are discussed in Ausubel (1995, supra, ch. 10 and 16). Purified DME obtained by these methods can be used directly in the assays shown in Examples XVE, XVIE, and XIX, where applicable.

XIV. Functional Assays

DME function is assessed by expressing the sequences encoding DME at physiologically elevated levels in mammalian cell culture systems. cDNA is subcloned into a mammalian expression vector containing a strong promoter that drives high levels of cDNA expression. Vectors of choice include PCMV SPORT (Life Technologies) and PCR3.1 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad CA), both of which contain the cytomegalovirus promoter. 5-10 μg of recombinant vector are transiently transfected into a human cell line, for example, an endothelial or hematopoietic cell line, using either liposome formulations or electroporation. 1-2 μg of an additional plasmid containing sequences encoding a marker protein are co-transfected. Expression of a marker protein provides a means to distinguish transfected cells from nontransfected cells and is a reliable predictor of cDNA expression from the recombinant vector. Marker proteins of choice include, e.g., Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP; Clontech), CD64, or a CD64-GFP fusion protein. Flow cytometry (FCM), an automated, laser optics- based technique, is used to identify transfected cells expressing GFP or CD64-GFP and to evaluate the apoptotic state of the cells and other cellular properties. FCM detects and quantifies the uptake of fluorescent molecules that diagnose events preceding or coincident with cell death. These events include changes in nuclear DNA content as measured by staining of DNA with propidium iodide; changes in cell size and granularity as measured by forward light scatter and 90 degree side light scatter; down-regulation of DNA synthesis as measured by decrease in bromodeoxyuridine uptake; alterations in expression of cell surface and intracellular proteins as measured by reactivity with specific antibodies; and alterations in plasma membrane composition as measured by the binding of fluorescein-conjugated Annexin V protein to the cell surface. Methods in flow cytometry are discussed in Ormerod, M.G. (1994) Flow Cytometry. Oxford, New York NY.

The influence of DME on gene expression can be assessed using highly purified populations of cells transfected with sequences encoding DME and either CD64 or CD64-GFP. CD64 and CD64- GFP are expressed on the surface of transfected cells and bind to conserved regions of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). Transfected cells are efficiently separated from nontransfected cells using magnetic beads coated with either human IgG or antibody against CD64 (DYNAL, Lake Success NY). mRNA can be purified from the cells using methods well known by those of skill in the art. Expression of mRNA encoding DME and other genes of interest can be analyzed by northern analysis or microarray techniques. XV. Production of DME Specific Antibodies

DME substantially purified using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE; see, e.g., Harrington, M.G. (1990) Methods Enzymol. 182:488-495), or other purification techniques, is used to immunize animals (e.g., rabbits, mice, etc.) and to produce antibodies using standard protocols. Alternatively, the DME amino acid sequence is analyzed using LASERGENE software (DNASTAR) to determine regions of high immunogenicity, and a corresponding oligopeptide is synthesized and used to raise antibodies by means known to those of skill in the art. Methods for selection of appropriate epitopds, such as those near the C-terminus or in hydrophilic regions are well described in the art. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra, ch. 11.) Typically, oligopeptides of about 15 residues in length are synthesized using an ABI 431 A peptide synthesizer (Applied Biosystems) using FMOC chemistry and coupled to KLH (Sigma- Aldrich, St. Louis MO) by reaction with N-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS) to increase immunogenicity. (See, e.g., Ausubel, 1995, supra.) Rabbits are immunized with the oligopeptide-KLH complex in complete Freund's adjuvant. Resulting antisera are tested for antipeptide and anti-DME activity by, for example, binding the peptide or DME to a substrate, blocking with 1% BSA, reacting with rabbit antisera, washing, and reacting with radio-iodinated goat anti-rabbit IgG. XVI. Purification of Naturally Occurring DME Using Specific Antibodies Naturally occurring or recombinant DME is substantially purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific for DME. An immunoaffinity column is constructed by covalently coupling anti-DME antibody to an activated chromatographic resin, such as CNBr-activated SEPHAROSE (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). After the coupling, the resin is blocked and washed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Media containing DME are passed over the immunoaffinity column, and the column is washed under conditions that allow the preferential absorbance of DME (e.g., high ionic strength buffers in the presence of detergent). The column is eluted under conditions that disrupt antibody/DME binding (e.g., a buffer of pH 2 to pH 3, or a high concentration of a chaotrope, such as urea or thiocyanate ion), and DME is collected. XVII. Identification of Molecules Which Interact with DME

DME, or biologically active fragments thereof, are labeled with ¹²⁵I Bolton-Hunter reagent. (See, e.g., Bolton, A.E. and W.M. Hunter (1973) Biochem. J. 133:529-539.) Candidate molecules previously arrayed in the wells of a multi-well plate are incubated with the labeled DME, washed, and any wells with labeled DME complex are assayed. Data obtained using different concentrations of DME are used to calculate values for the number, affinity, and association of DME with the candidate molecules.

Alternatively, molecules interacting with DME are analyzed using the yeast two-hybrid system as described in Fields, S. and O. Song (1989) Nature 340:245-246, or using commercially available kits based on the two-hybrid system, such as the MATCHMAKER system (Clontech). DME may also be used in the PATHCALLING process (CuraGen Coφ., New Haven CT) which employs the yeast two-hybrid system in a high-throughput manner to determine all interactions between the proteins encoded by two large libraries of genes (Nandabalan, K. et al. (2000) U.S. Patent No. 6,057,101). XVIII. Demonstration of DME Activity Cytochrome P450 activity of DME is measured using the 4-hydroxylation of aniline. Aniline is converted to 4-aminophenol by the enzyme, and has an absoφtion maximum at 630 nm (Gibson and Skett, supra). This assay is a convenient measure, but underestimates the total hydroxylation, which also occurs at the 2- and 3- positions. Assays are performed at 37 °C and contain an aliquot of the enzyme and a suitable amount of aniline (approximately 2 mM) in reaction buffer. For this reaction, the buffer must contain NADPH or an NADPH-generating cofactor system. One formulation for this reaction buffer includes 85 mM Tris pH 7.4, 15 mM MgCl₂, 50 mM nicotinamide, 40 mg trisodium isocitrate, and 2 units isocitrate dehydrogenase, with 8 mg NADP⁺ added to a 10 mL reaction buffer stock just prior to assay. Reactions are carried out in an optical cuvette, and the absorbance at 630 nm is measured. The rate of increase in absorbance is proportional to the enzyme activity in the assay. A standard curve can be constructed using known concentrations of 4-aminophenol. lα,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase activity of DME is determined by monitoring the conversion of ³H-labeled lα,25 -dihydroxy vitamin D (lα,25(OH)₂D) to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)₂D) in transgenic rats expressing DME. 1 μg of lα,25(OH)₂D dissolved in ethanol (or ethanol alone as a control) is administered intravenously to approximately 6-week-old male transgenic rats expressing DME or otherwise identical control rats expressing either a defective variant of DME or not expressing DME. The rats are killed by decapitation after 8 hrs, and the kidneys are rapidly removed, rinsed, and homogenized in 9 volumes of ice-cold buffer (15 mM Tris- acetate (pH 7.4), 0.19 M sucrose, 2 mM magnesium acetate, and 5 mM sodium succinate). A portion (e.g., 3 ml) of each homogenate is then incubated with 0.25 nM lα,25(OH)₂[l-³H]D, with a specific activity of approximately 3.5 GBq/mmol, for 15 min at 37 °C under oxygen with constant shaking. Total lipids are extracted as described (Bligh, E.G. and W.J. Dyer (1959) Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. 37: 911-917) and the chloroform phase is analyzed by HPLC using a FEMEPAK SIL column (JASCO, Tokyo, Japan) with an n-hexane/chloroform/methanol (10:2.5:1.5) solvent system at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. In the alternative, the chloroform phase is analyzed by reverse phase HPLC using a J

SPHERE ODS-AM column (YMC Co. Ltd., Kyoto, Japan) with an acetonitrile buffer system (40 to 100%, in water, in 30 min) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The eluates are collected in fractions of 30 seconds (or less) and the amount of ³H present in each fraction is measured using a scintillation counter. By comparing the chromatograms of control samples (i.e., samples comprising lα,25 -dihydroxy vitamin D or 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)₂D), with the chromatograms of the reaction products, the relative mobilities of the substrate (lα,25(OH)₂[l-³H]D) and product (24,25(OH)₂[l-³H]D) are determined and correlated with the fractions collected. The amount of 24,25(OH)₂[l-³H]D produced in control rats is subtracted from that of transgenic rats expressing DME. The difference in the production of 24,25(OH)₂[l-³H]D in the transgenic and control animals is proportional to the amount of 25-hydrolase activity of DME present in the sample. Confirmation of the identity of the substrate and product(s) is confirmed by means of mass spectroscopy (Miyamoto, Y. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 14115-14119).

Flavin-containing monooxygenase activity of DME is measured by chromatographic analysis of metabolic products. For example, Ring, B J. et al. (1999; Drug Metab. Dis. 27: 1099-1103) incubated FMO in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4 or 8.3) and 1 mM NADPH at 37°C, stopped the reaction with an organic solvent, and determined product formation by HPLC Alternatively, activity is measured by monitoring oxygen uptake using a Clark-type electrode. For example, Ziegler, D.M. and Poulsen, L.L. (1978; Methods Enzymol. 52: 142-151) incubated the enzyme at 37 °C in an NADPH-generating cofactor system (similar to the one described above) containing the substrate methimazole. The rate of oxygen uptake is proportional to enzyme activity. UDP glucuronyltransferase activity of DME is measured using a colorimetric determination of free amine groups (Gibson and Skett, supra). An amine-containing substrate, such as 2- aminophenol, is incubated at 37 °C with an aliquot of the enzyme in a reaction buffer containing the necessary cofactors (40 mM Tris pH 8.0, 7.5 mM MgCl₂, 0.025% Triton X-100, 1 mM ascorbic acid, 0.75 mM UDP-glucuronic acid). After sufficient time, the reaction is stopped by addition of ice-cold 20% trichloroacetic acid in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 2.7, incubated on ice, and centrifuged to clarify the supernatant. Any unreacted 2-aminophenol is destroyed in this step. Sufficient freshly- prepared sodium nitrite is then added; this step allows formation of the diazonium salt of the glucuronidated product. Excess nitrite is removed by addition of sufficient ammonium sulfamate, and the diazonium salt is reacted with an aromatic amine (for example, N-naphthylethylene diamine) to produce a colored azo compound which can be assayed spectrophotometrically (at 540 nm, for example). A standard curve can be constructed using known concentrations of aniline, which will form a chromophore with similar properties to 2-aminophenol glucuronide.

Glutathione S-transferase activity of DME is measured using a model substrate, such as 2,4- dinitro-1-chlorobenzene, which reacts with glutathione to form a product, 2,4-dinitrophenyl- glutathione, that has an absorbance maximum at 340 nm. It is important to note that GSTs have differing substrate specificities, and the model substrate should be selected based on the substrate preferences of the GST of interest. Assays are performed at ambient temperature and contain an aliquot of the enzyme in a suitable reaction buffer (for example, 1 mM glutathione, 1 mM dinitrochlorobenzene, 90 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 6.5). Reactions are carried out in an optical cuvette, and the absorbance at 340 nm is measured. The rate of increase in absorbance is proportional to the enzyme activity in the assay.

N-acyltransferase activity of DME is measured using radiolabeled amino acid substrates and measuring radiolabel incoφoration into conjugated products. Enzyme is incubated in a reaction buffer containing an unlabeled acyl-CoA compound and radiolabeled amino acid, and the radiolabeled acyl-conjugates are separated from the unreacted amino acid by extraction into n-butanol or other appropriate organic solvent. For example, Johnson, M. R et al. (1990; J. Biol. Chem. 266:10227-10233) measured bile acid-CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase activity by incubating the enzyme with cholyl-CoA and ³H-glycine or ³H-taurine, separating the tritiated cholate conjugate by extraction into n-butanol, and measuring the radioactivity in the extracted product by scintillation. Alternatively, N-acyltransferase activity is measured using the spectrophotometric determination of reduced CoA (CoASH) described below.

N-acetyltransferase activity of DME is measured using the transfer of radiolabel from [¹⁴C]acetyl-CoA to a substrate molecule (for example, see Deguchi, T. (1975) J. Neurochem. 24: 1083-5). Alternatively, a spectrophotometric assay based on DTNB (5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid; Ellman's reagent) reaction with CoASH may be used. Free thiol-containing CoASH is formed during N-acetyltransferase catalyzed transfer of an acetyl group to a substrate. CoASH is detected using the absorbance of DTNB conjugate at 412 nm (De Angelis, J. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 273:3045-3050). Enzyme activity is proportional to the rate of radioactivity incoφoration into substrate, or the rate of absorbance increase in the spectrophotometric assay.

Protein arginine methyltransferase activity of DME is measured at 37 °C for various periods of time. S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-³H]methionine ([³H] AdoMet; specific activity = 75 Ci/mmol; NEN Life Science Products) is used as the methyl-donor substrate. Useful methyl-accepting substrates include glutathione S-transferase fibrillarin glycine-arginine domain fusion protein (GST-GAR), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP), or hypomethylated proteins present in lysates from adenosine dialdehyde-treated cells. Methylation reactions are stopped by adding SDS-PAGE sample buffer. The products of the reactions are resolved by SDS-PAGE and visualized by fluorography. The presence of ³H-labeled methyl-donor substrates is indicative of protein arginine methyltransferase activity of DME (Tang, J. et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275:7723-7730 and Tang, J. et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem.275: 19866-19876).

Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity of DME is measured in a reaction mixture consisting of 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 1.2 mM MgCl₂, 200 μM SAM (5-adenosyl-L-methionine) iodide (containing 0.5 μCi of methyl-[H³]SAM), 1 mM dithiothreitol, and varying concentrations of catechol substrate (e.g., L-dopa, dopamine, or DBA) in a final volume of 1.0 ml. The reaction is initiated by the addition of 250-500 μg of purified DME or crude DME-containing sample and performed at 37 °C for 30 min. The reaction is arrested by rapidly cooling on ice and immediately extracting with 7 ml of ice-cold n-heptane. Following centrifugation at 1000 x g for 10 min, 3-ml aliquots of the organic extracts are analyzed for radioactivity content by liquid scintillation counting. The level of catechol-associated radioactivity in the organic phase is proportional to the catechol-O- methyltransferase activity of DME (Zhu, B. T. and J. G. Liehr (1996) 271: 1357-1363). DHFR activity of DME is determined spectrophotometrically at 15 °C by following the disappearance of NADPH at 340 nm (ε₃₄₀ = 11,800 M '-cm^"1). The standard assay mixture contains 100 μM NADPH, 14 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, MTEN buffer (50 mM 2-moφholinoethanesulfonic acid, 25 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, 25 mM ethanolamine, and 100 mM NaCl, pH 7.0), and DME in a final volume of 2.0 ml. The reaction is started by the addition of 50 μM dihydrofolate (as substrate). The oxidation of NADPH to NADP⁺ corresponds to the reduction of dihydrofolate in the reaction and is proportional to the amount of DHFR activity in the sample (Nakamura, T. and Iwakura, M. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274: 19041-19047).

Aldo/keto reductase activity of DME is measured using the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm as NADPH is consumed. A standard reaction mixture is 135 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.2- 7.2 depending on enzyme), 0.2 mM NADPH, 0.3 M lithium sulfate, 0.5-2.5 mg enzyme and an appropriate level of substrate. The reaction is incubated at 30 °C and the reaction is monitored continuously with a spectrophotometer. Enzyme activity is calculated as mol NADPH consumed / mg of enzyme. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity of DME is measured using the increase in absorbance at 340 nm as NAD⁺ is reduced to NADH. A standard reaction mixture is 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.5, and 0.25 mM EDTA. The reaction is incubated at 25 °C and monitored using a spectrophotometer. Enzyme activity is calculated as mol NADH produced / mg of enzyme.

Carboxylesterase activity of DME is determined using 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate as a substrate. The enzymatic reaction is initiated by adding approximately 10 μl of DME-containing sample to 1 ml of reaction buffer (90 mM KH₂P0₄, 40 mM KC1, pH 7.3) with 0.5 mM 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate at 37°C The production of 4-methylumbelliferone is monitored with a spectrophotometer (ε₃₅₀ = 12.2 mM^'1 cm^'1) for 1.5 min. Specific activity is expressed as micromoles of product formed per minute per milligram of protein and corresponds to the activity of DME in the sample (Evgenia, V. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 14769-14775).

In the alternative, the cocaine benzoyl ester hydrolase activity of DME is measured by incubating approximately 0.1 ml of DME and 3.3 mM cocaine in reaction buffer (50 mM NaH₂P0₄, pH 7.4) with 1 mM benzamidine, 1 mM EDTA, and 1 mM dithiothreitol at 37°C The reaction is incubated for 1 h in a total volume of 0.4 ml then terminated with an equal volume of 5% trichloroacetic acid. 0.1 ml of the internal standard 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid (10 μg/ml) is added. Precipitated protein is separated by centrifugation at 12,000 x g for 10 min. The supernatant is transferred to a clean tube and extracted twice with 0.4 ml of methylene chloride. The two extracts are combined and dried under a stream of nitrogen. The residue is resuspended in 14% acetonitrile, 250 mM KH₂P0₄, pH 4.0, with 8 μl of diethylamine per 100 ml and injected onto a C18 reverse- phase HPLC column for separation. The column eluate is monitored at 235 nm. DME activity is quantified by comparing peak area ratios of the analyte to the internal standard. A standard curve is generated with benzoic acid standards prepared in a trichloroacetic acid-treated protein matrix (Evgenia, V. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 14769-14775).

In another alternative, DME carboxyl esterase activity against the water-soluble substrate para-nitrophenyl butyric acid is determined by spectrophotometric methods well known to those skilled in the art. In this procedure, the DME-containing samples are diluted with 0.5 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4 or 8.0) or sodium acetate (pH 5.0) in the presence of 6 mM taurocholate. The assay is initiated by adding a freshly prepared para-nitrophenyl butyric acid solution (100 μg/ml in sodium acetate, pH 5.0). Carboxyl esterase activity is then monitored and compared with control autohydrolysis of the substrate using a spectrophotometer set at 405 nm (Wan, L. et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275:10041-10046).

Sulfotransferase activity of DME is measured using the incoφoration of ³⁵S from [³⁵S]PAPS into a model substrate such as phenol (Folds, A. and J. L. Meek (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 327:365-374). An aliquot of enzyme is incubated at 37°C with 1 mL of 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.4, 50 mM phenol, and 0.4-4.0 mM [³⁵S] adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS). After sufficient time for 5-20% of the radiolabel to be transferred to the substrate, 0.2 mL of 0.1 M barium acetate is added to precipitate protein and phosphate buffer. Then 0.2 mL of 0.1 M Ba(OH)₂ is added, followed by 0.2 mL ZnS0₄. The supernatant is cleared by centrifugation, which removes proteins as well as unreacted [³⁵S]PAPS. Radioactivity in the supernatant is measured by scintillation. The enzyme activity is determined from the number of moles of radioactivity in the reaction product. Heparan sulfate 6-sulfotransferase activity of DME is measured in vitro by incubating a sample containing DME along with 2.5 μmol imidazole HCl (pH 6.8), 3.75 μg of protamine chloride, 25 nmol (as hexosamine) of completely desulfated and N-resulfated heparin, and 50 pmol (about 5 x 10⁵ cpm) of [³⁵S]PAPS in a final reaction volume of 50 μl at 37°C for 20 min. The reaction is stopped by immersing the reaction tubes in a boiling water bath for 1 min. 0.1 μmol (as glucuronic acid) of chondroitin sulfate A is added to the reaction mixture as a carrier. ³⁵S-labeled polysaccharides are precipitated with 3 volumes of cold ethanol containing 1.3% potassium acetate and separated completely from unincoφorated [³⁵S]PAPS and its degradation products by gel chromatography using desalting columns. One unit of enzyme activity is defined as the amount required to transfer 1 pmol of sulfate/min., determined by the amount of [³⁵S]PAPS incoφorated into the precipitated polysaccharides (Habuchi, H. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:4172-4179).

In the alternative, heparan sulfate 6-sulfotransferase activity of DME is measured by extraction and renaturation of enzyme from gels following separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Following separation, the gel is washed with buffer (0.05 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.0), cut into 3-5 mm segments and subjected to agitation at 4 °C with 100 μl of the same buffer containing 0.15 M NaCl for 48 h. The eluted enzyme is collected by centrifugation and assayed for the sulfotransferase activity as described above (Habuchi, H. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:4172-4179).

In another alternative, DME sulfotransferase activity is determined by measuring the transfer of [³⁵S]sulfate from [³⁵S]PAPS to an immobilized peptide that represents the N-terminal 15 residues of the mature P-selectin glycoprotein ligand- 1 polypeptide to which a C-terminal cysteine residue is added. The peptide spans three potential tyrosine sulfation sites. The peptide is linked via the cysteine residue to iodoacetamide-activated resin at a density of 1.5-3.0 μmol peptide/ml of resin. The enzyme assay is performed by combining 10 μl of peptide-derivitized beads with 2-20 μl of DME-containing sample in 40 mM Pipes (pH 6.8), 0.3 M NaCl, 20 M MnCl₂, 50 mM NaF, 1%

Triton X-100, and 1 mM 5'-AMP in a final volume of 130 μl. The assay is initiated by addition of 0.5 μCi of [³⁵S]PAPS (1.7 μM; 1 Ci = 37 GBq). After 30 min at 37°C, the reaction beads are washed with 6 M guanidine at 65°C and the radioactivity incoφorated into the beads is determined by liquid scintillation counting. Transfer of [³⁵S] sulfate to the bead -associated peptide is measured to determine the DME activity in the sample. One unit of activity is defined as 1 pmol of product formed per min (Ouyang, Y.-B. et al. (1998) Biochemistry 95:2896-2901).

In another alternative, DME sulfotransferase assays are performed using [³⁵S]PAPS as the sulfate donor in a final volume of 30 μl, containing 50 mM Hepes-NaOH (pH 7.0), 250 mM sucrose, 1 mM dithiothreitol, 14 μM[³⁵S]PAPS (15 Ci/mmol), and dopamine (25 μM), p-nitrophenol (5 μM), or other candidate substrates. Assay reactions are started by the addition of a purified DME enzyme preparation or a sample containing DME activity, allowed to proceed for 15 min at 37°C, and terminated by heating at 100°C for 3 min. The precipitates formed are cleared by centrifugation. The supernatants are then subjected to the analysis of ³⁵S-sulfated product by either thin-layer chromatography or a two-dimensional thin layer separation procedure. Appropriate standards are run in parallel with the supernatants to allow the identification of the ³⁵S-sulfated products and determine the enzyme specificity of the DME-containing samples based on relative rates of migration of reaction products (Sakakibara, Y. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:6242-6247).

Squalene epoxidase activity of DME is assayed in a mixture comprising purified DME (or a crude mixture comprising DME), 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 0.01 mM FAD, 0.2 unit of NADPH-cytochrome C (P-450) reductase, 0.01 mM [¹⁴C] squalene (dispersed with the aid of 20 μl of Tween 80), and 0.2% Triton X-100. 1 mM NADPH is added to initiate the reaction followed by incubation at 37 °C for 30 min. The nonsaponifiable lipids are analyzed by silica gel TLC developed with ethyl acetate/benzene (0.5:99.5, v/v). The reaction products are compared to those from a reaction mixture without DME. The presence of 2,3(5)-oxidosqualene is confirmed using appropriate lipid standards (Sakakibara, J. et al. (1995) 270: 17-20).

I l l Epoxide hydrolase activity of DME is determined by following substrate depletion using gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of ethereal extracts or by following substrate depletion and diol production by GC analysis of reaction mixtures quenched in acetone. A sample containing DME or an epoxide hydrolase control sample is incubated in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1 mM ethylenedia inetetraacetate (EDTA), and 5 mM epoxide substrate (e.g., ethylene oxide, styrene oxide, propylene oxide, isoprene monoxide, epichlorohydrin, epibromohydrin, epifluorohydrin, glycidol, 1,2-epoxybutane, 1,2-epoxyhexane, or 1,2-epoxyoctane). A portion of the sample is withdrawn from the reaction mixture at various time points, and added to 1 ml of ice-cold acetone containing an internal standard for GC analysis (e.g., 1-nonanol). Protein and salts are removed by centrifugation (15 min, 4000 x g) and the extract is analyzed by GC using a 0.2 mm x 25-m CP-Wax57-CB column (CHROMPACK, Middelburg, The Netherlands) and a flame-ionization detector. The identification of GC products is performed using appropriate standards and controls well known to those skilled in the art. 1 unit of DME activity is defined as the amount of enzyme that catalyzes the production of 1 μmol of diol/min (Rink, R. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 14650-14657).

Aminotransferase activity of DME is assayed by incubating samples containing DME for 1 hour at 37°C in the presence of 1 mM L-kynurenine and 1 mM 2-oxoglutarate in a final volume of 200 μl of 150 mM Tris acetate buffer (pH 8.0) containing 70 μM PLP. The formation of kynurenic acid is quantified by HPLC with spectrophotometric detection at 330 nm using the appropriate standards and controls well known to those skilled in the art. In the alternative,

L-3-hydroxykynurenine is used as substrate and the production of xanthurenic acid is determined by HPLC analysis of the products with UV detection at 340 nm. The production of kynurenic acid and xanthurenic acid, respectively, is indicative of aminotransferase activity (Buchli, R. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:29330-29335). In another alternative, aminotransferase activity of DME is measured by determining the activity of purified DME or crude samples containing DME toward various amino and oxo acid substrates under single turnover conditions by monitoring the changes in the UV/VIS absoφtion spectrum of the enzyme-bound cofactor, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The reactions are performed at 25°C in 50 mM 4-methylmoφholine (pH 7.5) containing 9 μM purified DME or DME containing samples and substrate to be tested (amino and oxo acid substrates). The half-reaction from amino acid to oxo acid is followed by measuring the decrease in absorbance at 360 nm and the increase in absorbance at 330 nm due to the conversion of enzyme-bound PLP to pyridoxamine 5' phosphate (PMP). The specificity and relative activity of DME is determined by the activity of the enzyme preparation against specific substrates (Vacca, R.A. et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:21932-21937). Superoxide dismutase activity of DME is assayed from cell pellets, culture supernatants, or purified protein preparations. Samples or lysates are resolved by electrophoresis on 15% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The gels are incubated for 30 min in 2.5 mM nitro blue tetrazolium, followed by incubation for 20 min in 30 mM potassium phosphate, 30 mM TEMED, and 30 μM riboflavin (pH 7.8). Superoxide dismutase activity is visualized as white bands against a blue background, following illumination of the gels on a lightbox. Quantitation of superoxide dismutase activity is performed by densitometric scanning of the activity gels using the appropriate superoxide dismutase positive and negative controls (e.g., various amounts of commercially available E. coli superoxide dismutase (Harm, G. and Horwitz, M. A. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:4281-4292). XIX. Identification of DME Inhibitors Compounds to be tested are arrayed in the wells of a multi-well plate in varying concentrations along with an appropriate buffer and substrate, as described in the assays in Example XVE. DME activity is measured for each well and the ability of each compound to inhibit DME activity can be determined, as well as the dose-response profiles. This assay could also be used to identify molecules which enhance DME activity.

Various modifications and variations of the described methods and systems of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in molecular biology or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 3

Table 3

Table 3

Table 3

Table 3

Table 3

Table 4

Table 4

t -fc-

Table 4

Table 4

Table 4

to

^1

Table 5

Table 6

Table 6

o

Table 7

Table 7

Table 7

J

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, b) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-5 and SEQ ID NO: 8- 12, c) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 93% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, d) a polypeptide comprising a naturally occurring amino acid sequence at least 97% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, e) a biologically active fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, and f) an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

2. An isolated polypeptide of claim 1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

3. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of claim 1.

4. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of claim 2.

5. An isolated polynucleotide of claim 4 comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24.

6. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide of claim 3.

7. A cell transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide of claim 6.

8. A transgenic organism comprising a recombinant polynucleotide of claim 6.

9. A method of producing a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) culturing a cell under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide, wherein said cell is transformed with a recombinant polynucleotide, and said recombinant polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of claim 1 , and b) recovering the polypeptide so expressed.

10. A method of claim 9, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

11. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide of claim 1.

12. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-24, b) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least

90% identical to a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13-17 and SEQ ID NO:20-24, c) a polynuclέotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least

93% identical to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, d) a polynucleotide comprising a naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence at least

97% identical to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, e) a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of a), f) a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of b), g) a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of c), h) a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide of d), and i) an RNA equivalent of a)-h).

13. An isolated polynucleotide comprising at least 60 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide of claim 12.

14. A method of detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide of claim 12, the method comprising: a) hybridizing the sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides comprising a sequence complementary to said target polynucleotide in the sample, and which probe specifically hybridizes to said target polynucleotide, under conditions whereby a hybridization complex is formed between said probe and said target polynucleotide or fragments thereof, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said hybridization complex, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein the probe comprises at least 60 contiguous nucleotides.

16. A method of detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample, said target polynucleotide having a sequence of a polynucleotide of claim 12, the method comprising: a) amplifying said target polynucleotide or fragment thereof using polymerase chain reaction amplification, and b) detecting the presence or absence of said amplified target polynucleotide or fragment thereof, and, optionally, if present, the amount thereof.

17. A composition comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

18. A composition of claim 17, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

19. A method for treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment the composition of claim 17.

20. A method of screening a compound for effectiveness as an agonist of a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 to a compound, and b) detecting agonist activity in the sample.

21. A composition comprising an agonist compound identified by a method of claim 20 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

22. A method for treating a disease or condition associated with decreased expression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition of claim 21.

23. A method of screening a compound for effectiveness as an antagonist of a polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) exposing a sample comprising a polypeptide of claim 1 to a compound, and b) detecting antagonist activity in the sample.

24. A composition comprising an antagonist compound identified by a method of claim 23 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

25. A method for treating a disease or condition associated with overexpression of functional DME, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a composition of claim 24.

26. A method of screening for a compound that specifically binds to the polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) combining the polypeptide of claim 1 with at least one test compound under suitable conditions, and b) detecting binding of the polypeptide of claim 1 to the test compound, thereby identifying a compound that specifically binds to the polypeptide of claim 1.

27. A method of screening for a compound that modulates the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1, the method comprising: a) combining the polypeptide of claim 1 with at least one test compound under conditions permissive for the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1, b) assessing the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1 in the presence of the test compound, and c) comparing the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1 in the presence of the test compound with the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1 in the absence of the test compound, wherein a change in the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1 in the presence of the test compound is indicative of a compound that modulates the activity of the polypeptide of claim 1.

28. A method of screening a compound for effectiveness in altering expression of a target polynucleotide, wherein said target polynucleotide comprises a sequence of claim 5, the method comprising: a) exposing a sample comprising the target polynucleotide to a compound, under conditions suitable for the expression of the target polynucleotide, b) detecting altered expression of the target polynucleotide, and c) comparing the expression of the target polynucleotide in the presence of varying amounts of the compound and in the absence of the compound.

29. A method of assessing toxicity of a test compound, the method comprising: a) treating a biological sample containing nucleic acids with the test compound, b) hybridizing the nucleic acids of the treated biological sample with a probe comprising at least 20 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide of claim 12 under conditions whereby a specific hybridization complex is formed between said probe and a target polynucleotide in the biological sample, said target polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide of claim 12 or fragment thereof, c) quantifying the amount of hybridization complex, and d) comparing the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample with the amount of hybridization complex in an untreated biological sample, wherein a difference in the amount of hybridization complex in the treated biological sample is indicative of toxicity of the test compound.

30. A diagnostic test for a condition or disease associated with the expression of DME in a biological sample, the method comprising: a) combining the biological sample with an antibody of claim 11, under conditions suitable for the antibody to bind the polypeptide and form an antibody:polypeptide complex, and b) detecting the complex, wherein the presence of the complex correlates with the presence of the polypeptide in the biological sample.

31. The antibody of claim 11, wherein the antibody is: a) a chimeric antibody, b) a single chain antibody, c) a Fab fragment, d) a F(ab')₂ fragment, or e) a humanized antibody.

32. A composition comprising an antibody of claim 11 and an acceptable excipient.

33. A method of diagnosing a condition or disease associated with the expression of DME in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the composition of claim

32.

34. A composition of claim 32, wherein the antibody is labeled.

35. A method of diagnosing a condition or disease associated with the expression of DME in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of the composition of claim

34.

36. A method of preparing a polyclonal antibody with the specificity of the antibody of claim

11 , the method comprising: a) immunizing an animal with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, under conditions to elicit an antibody response, b) isolating antibodies from said animal, and c) screening the isolated antibodies with the polypeptide, thereby identifying a polyclonal antibody which binds specifically to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

37. A polyclonal antibody produced by a method of claim 36.

38. A composition comprising the polyclonal antibody of claim 37 and a suitable carrier.

39. A method of making a monoclonal antibody with the specificity of the antibody of claim 11, the method comprising: a) immunizing an animal with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ED NO: 1-12, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, under conditions to elicit an antibody response, b) isolating antibody producing cells from the animal, c) fusing the antibody producing cells with immortalized cells to form monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cells, d) culturing the hybridoma cells, and e) isolating from the culture monoclonal antibody which binds specifically to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

40. A monoclonal antibody produced by a method of claim 39.

41. A composition comprising the monoclonal antibody of claim 40 and a suitable carrier.

42. The antibody of claim 11, wherein the antibody is produced by screening a Fab expression library.

43. The antibody of claim 11, wherein the antibody is produced by screening a recombinant immunoglobulin library.

44. A method of detecting a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 in a sample, the method comprising: a) incubating the antibody of claim 11 with a sample under conditions to allow specific binding of the antibody and the polypeptide, and b) detecting specific binding, wherein specific binding indicates the presence of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 in the sample.

45. A method of purifying a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12 from a sample, the method comprising: a) incubating the antibody of claim 11 with a sample under conditions to allow specific binding of the antibody and the polypeptide, and b) separating the antibody from the sample and obtaining the purified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-12.

46. A microarray wherein at least one element of the microarray is a polynucleotide of claim

13.

47. A method of generating an expression profile of a sample which contains polynucleotides, the method comprising: a) labeling the polynucleotides of the sample, b) contacting the elements of the microarray of claim 46 with the labeled polynucleotides of the sample under conditions suitable for the formation of a hybridization complex, and c) quantifying the expression of the polynucleotides in the sample.

48. An array comprising different nucleotide molecules affixed in distinct physical locations on a solid substrate, wherein at least one of said nucleotide molecules comprises a first oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence specifically hybridizable with at least 30 contiguous nucleotides of a target polynucleotide, and wherein said target polynucleotide is a polynucleotide of claim 12.

49. An array of claim 48, wherein said first oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence is completely complementary to at least 30 contiguous nucleotides of said target polynucleotide.

50. An array of claim 48, wherein said first oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence is completely complementary to at least 60 contiguous nucleotides of said target polynucleotide.

51. An array of claim 48, wherein said first oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence is completely complementary to said target polynucleotide.

52. An array of claim 48, which is a microarray.

53. An array of claim 48, further comprising said target polynucleotide hybridized to a nucleotide molecule comprising said first oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequence.

54. An array of claim 48, wherein a linker joins at least one of said nucleotide molecules to said solid substrate.

55. An array of claim 48, wherein each distinct physical location on the substrate contains multiple nucleotide molecules, and the multiple nucleotide molecules at any single distinct physical location have the same sequence, and each distinct physical location on the substrate contains nucleotide molecules having a sequence which differs from the sequence of nucleotide molecules at another distinct physical location on the substrate.

56. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: l.

57. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

58. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO:3.

59. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO:4.

60. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO: 5.

61. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.

62. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:7.

63. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO: 8.

64. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO:9.

65. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO: 10.

66. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11.

67. A polypeptide of claim 1, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.

68. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED

69. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ DD

70. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED

71. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID

72. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED

73. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18.

74. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED NO: 19.

75. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED NO:20.

76. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED

NO:21.

77. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:22.

78. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED NO:23.

79. A polynucleotide of claim 12, comprising the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ED NO:24.