WO1999049055A1 - Human casb12 polypeptide, a serine protease - Google Patents

Abstract

CASB12 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing CASB12 polpypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostics, and vaccines for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of cancers, particulary ovarian and colon cancers, autoimmune diseases, and related conditions.

Description

HUMAN CASB 12 POLYPEPTIDE, A SERINE PROTEASE

The present invention relates to polynucleotides, herein referred to as CASB 12 polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded thereby (referred to herein as CASB 12 5 polypeptides), recombinant materials and methods for their production. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for using such polypeptides and polynucleotides. including the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases and other related conditions. In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for identifying agonists and antagonists/inhibitors using the materials provided by the invention, and treating conditions associated with l o CASB 12 polypeptide imbalance with the identified compounds. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detecting diseases associated with inappropriate CASB 12 polypeptide activity or levels.

Polypeptides and polynucleotides ofthe present invention are believed to be important 15 immunogens for specific prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against tumours, because they are specifically expressed or highly over-expressed in tumours compared to normal cells and can thus be targeted by antigen-specific immune mechanisms leading to the destruction ofthe tumour cell. They can also be used to diagnose the occurrence of tumour cells. Furthermore, their inappropriate expression in certain circumstances can cause an 0 induction of autoimmune, inappropriate immune responses, which could be corrected through appropriate vaccination using the same polypeptides or polynucleotides. In this respect the most important biological activities to our purpose are the antigenic and immunogenic activities ofthe polypeptide ofthe present invention. A polypeptide ofthe present invention may also exhibit at least one other biological activity of a CASB 12 5 polypeptide, which could qualify it as a target for therapeutic or prophylactic intervention different from that linked to the immune response.

Functional genomics relies heavily on high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies and the various tools of bioinformatics to identify gene sequences of potential interest from the 30 many molecular biology databases now available. cDNA libraries enriched for genes of relevance to a particular tissue or physiological situation can be constructed using recently developed subtractive cloning strategies. Furthermore, cDNAs found in libraries of certain tissues and not others can be identified using appropriate electronic screening methods.

1 High throughput genome- or gene-based biology allows new approaches to the identification and cloning of target genes for useful immune responses for the prevention and vaccine therapy of diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to CASB 12 polypeptides. Such peptides include isolated polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90%) identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99% identity, to that of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2. Such polypeptides include those comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:2.

Further peptides ofthe present invention include isolated polypeptides in which the amino acid sequence has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90%> identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99% identity, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2. Such polypeptides include the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.

Further peptides ofthe present invention include isolated polypeptides encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:l.

The invention also provides an immunogenic fragment of a CASB 12 polypeptide. that is a contiguous portion ofthe CASB 12 polypeptide which has the same or similar immunogenic properties to the polypeptide comprising the amino acid seqeunce of SEQ ID NO:2. That is to say, the fragment (if necessary when coupled to a carrier) is capable of raising an immune response which recognises the CASB 12 polypeptide. Such an immunogenic fragment may include, for example, the CASB 12 polypeptide lacking an N-terminal leader sequence, a transmembrane domain or a C-terminal anchor domain. In a preferred aspect the immunogenic fragment of CASB 12 according to the invention comprises substantially all of the extracellular domain of a polypeptide which has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80%) identity, more preferably at least 90%) identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99% identity, to that of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2

The polypeptides or immunogenic fragment ofthe invention may be in the form ofthe "'mature" protein or may be a part of a larger protein such as a precursor or a fusion protein. It is often advantageous to include an additional amino acid sequence which contains secretory or leader sequences, pro-sequences, sequences which aid in purification such as multiple histidine residues, or an additional sequence for stability during recombinant production. Furthermore, addition of exogenous polypeptide or lipid tail or polynucleotide sequences to increase the immunogenic potential ofthe final molecule is also considered.

In one aspect, the invention relates to genetically engineered soluble fusion proteins comprising a polypeptide ofthe present invention, or a fragment thereof, and various portions of the constant regions of heavy or light chains of immunoglobulins of various subclasses (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE). Preferred as an immunoglobulin is the constant part of the heavy chain of human IgG, particularly IgGl, where fusion takes place at the hinge region. In a particular embodiment, the Fc part can be removed simply by incorporation of a cleavage sequence which can be cleaved with blood clotting factor Xa. Furthermore, this invention relates to processes for the preparation of these fusion proteins by genetic engineering, and to the use thereof for drug screening, diagnosis and therapy. A further aspect ofthe invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins. Examples of fusion protein technology can be found in International Patent Application Nos. WO94/29458 and WO94/22914.

The proteins may be chemically conjugated, or expressed as recombinant fusion proteins allowing increased levels to be produced in an expression system as compared to non- fused protein. The fusion partner may assist in providing T helper epitopes (immunological fusion partner), preferably T helper epitopes recognised by humans, or assist in expressing the protein (expression enhancer) at higher yields than the native recombinant protein. Preferably the fusion partner will be both an immunological fusion partner and expression enhancing partner. Fusion partners include protein D from Haemophilus influenza B and the non-structural protein from influenzae virus, NS1 (hemagglutinin). Another immunological fusion partner is the protein known as LYTA. Preferably the C terminal portion ofthe molecule is used. Lyta is derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae which synthesize an N-acetyl-L- alanine amidase, amidase LYTA, (coded by the lytA gene {Gene. 43 (1986) page 265- 272} an autolysin that specifically degrades certain bonds in the peptidoglycan backbone. The C-terminal domain ofthe LYTA protein is responsible for the affinity to the choline or to some choline analogues such as DEAE. This property has been exploited for the development of E.coli C-LYTA expressing plasmids useful for expression of fusion proteins. Purification of hybrid proteins containing the C-LYTA fragment at its amino terminus has been described {Biotechnology: 10, (1992) page 795-798}. It is possible to use the repeat portion ofthe Lyta molecule found in the C terminal end starting at residue 178, for example residues 188 - 305.

The present invention also includes variants ofthe aforementioned polypeptides. that is polypeptides that vary from the referents by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby a residue is substituted by another with like characteristics. Typical such substitutions are among Ala, Val, Leu and He; among Ser and Thr; among the acidic residues Asp and Glu; among Asn and Gin; and among the basic residues Lys and Arg; or aromatic residues Phe and Tyr. Particularly preferred are variants in which several, 5-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-2 or 1 amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added in any combination.

Polypeptides ofthe present invention can be prepared in any suitable manner. Such polypeptides include isolated naturally occurring polypeptides, recombinantly produced polypeptides, synthetically produced polypeptides, or polypeptides produced by a combination of these methods. Means for preparing such polypeptides are well understood in the art.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to CASB 12 polynucleotides. Such polynucleotides include isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which has at least 70%) identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2. In this regard.

4 polypeptides which have at least 97%o identity are highly preferred, whilst those with at least 98-99%) identity are more highly preferred, and those with at least 99% identity are most highly preferred. Such polynucleotides include a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:l encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.

Further polynucleotides ofthe present invention include isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire coding region. In this regard, polynucleotides which have at least 97% identity are highly preferred, whilst those with at least 98-99% identity are more highly preferred, and those with at least 99% identity are most highly preferred.

Further polynucleotides ofthe present invention include isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, to SEQ ID NO: 1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 1. In this regard, polynucleotides which have at least 97% identity are highly preferred, whilst those with at least 98-99% identiy are more highly preferred, and those with at least 99% identity are most highly preferred. Such polynucleotides include a polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 as well as the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1. Said polynucleotide can be inserted in a suitable plasmid or recombinant microrganism vector and used for immunization ( see for example Wolff et. al., Science 247:1465-1468 (1990); Corr et. al., J. Exp. Med. 184:1555-1560 (1996); Doe et. al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93:8578-8583 (1996)). The invention also provides polynucleotides which are complementary to all the above described polynucleotides.

The invention also provides a fragment of a CASB 12 polynucleotide which when administered to a subject has the same immunogenic properties as the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

The invention also provides a polynucleotide encoding an immunological fragment of a CASB 12 polypeptide as hereinbefore defined.

5 The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l shows homology with neuropsin (GenBank accession ABO 12917). The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l is a cDNA sequence and comprises a polypeptide encoding sequence (nucleotide 36 to 884) encoding a polypeptide of 282 amino acids, the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. The nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 may be identical to the polypeptide encoding sequence contained in SEQ ID NO: 1 or it may be a sequence other than the one contained in SEQ ID NO:l. which, as a result ofthe redundancy (degeneracy) of the genetic code, also encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2. The polypeptide ofthe SEQ ID NO:2 is structurally related to other proteins ofthe serine protease family, having homology and/or structural similarity with neuropsin (accession g3649791).

Preferred polypeptides and polynucleotides ofthe present invention are expected to have. inter alia, similar biological functions/properties to their homologous polypeptides and polynucleotides. Furthermore, preferred polypeptides, immunological fragments and polynucleotides ofthe present invention have at least one activity of either SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:2, as appropriate.

The present invention also relates to partial or other incomplete polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences which were first identified prior to the determination ofthe corresponding full length sequences of SEQ ID NO:l and SEQ ID NO:2.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide which: (a) comprises a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80%) identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, even more preferably at least 97-99%> identity to SEQ ID NO:3 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:3;

(b) has a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70%> identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, even more preferably at least 97-99% identity, to SEQ ID NO: 1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:3;

(c) the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:3; or

6 (d) a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which has at least 70%> identity, preferably at least 80%) identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95%> identity, even more preferably at least 97-99%) identity, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4; as well as the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:3.

The present invention further provides for a polypeptide which:

(a) comprises an amino acid sequence which has at least 70%) identity, preferably at least 80%) identity, more preferably at least 90%) identity, yet more preferably at least 95%> identity, most preferably at least 97-99% identity, to that of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4;

(b) has an amino acid sequence which is at least 70%) identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99%) identity, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4;

(c) comprises the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:4; and

(d) is the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4; as well as polypeptides encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:3.

The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and the peptide sequence encoded thereby are derived from EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) sequences. It is recognised by those skilled in the art that there will inevitably be some nucleotide sequence reading errors in EST sequences (see Adams, M.D. et al, Nature 377 (supp) 3, 1995). Accordingly, the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and the peptide sequence encoded therefrom are therefore subject to the same inherent limitations in sequence accuracy. Furthermore, the peptide sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:3 comprises a region of identity or close homology and/or close structural similarity (for example a conservative amino acid difference) with the closest homologous or structurally similar protein.

Polynucleotides ofthe present invention may be obtained, using standard cloning and screening techniques, from a cDNA library derived from mRNA in cells of human colon cancer, (for example Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2^nd Ed.,

7 Cold Spring harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring harbor, N.Y. (1989)). Polynucleotides of the invention can also be obtained from natural sources such as genomic DNA libraries or can be synthesized using well known and commercially available techniques.

When polynucleotides ofthe present invention are used for the recombinant production of polypeptides ofthe present invention, the polynucleotide may include the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide, by itself; or the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide in reading frame with other coding sequences, such as those encoding a leader or secretory sequence, a pre-, or pro- or prepro- protein sequence, or other fusion peptide portions. For example, a marker sequence which facilitates purification ofthe fused polypeptide can be encoded. In certain preferred embodiments of this aspect ofthe invention, the marker sequence is a hexa-histidine peptide, as provided in the pQE vector (Qiagen, Inc.) and described in Gentz et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1989) 86:821-824, or is an HA tag. The polynucleotide may also contain non-coding 5' and 3' sequences, such as transcribed, non- translated sequences, splicing and polyadenylation signals, ribosome binding sites and sequences that stabilize mRNA.

Further embodiments ofthe present invention include polynucleotides encoding polypeptide variants which comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and in which several, for instance from 5 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 3, 1 to 2 or 1, amino acid residues are substituted, deleted or added, in any combination.

Polynucleotides which are identical or sufficiently identical to a nucleotide sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:l, may be used as hybridization probes for cDNA and genomic DNA or as primers for a nucleic acid amplification (PCR) reaction, to isolate full-length cDNAs and genomic clones encoding polypeptides ofthe present invention and to isolate cDNA and genomic clones of other genes (including genes encoding paralogs from human sources and orthologs and paralogs from species other than human) that have a high sequence similarity to SEQ ID NO: 1. Typically these nucleotide sequences are 70%o identical, preferably 80%) identical, more preferably 90%> identical, most preferably 95%> identical to that ofthe referent. The probes or primers will generally comprise at least 15 nucleotides, preferably, at least 30 nucleotides and may have at least 50 nucleotides.

Particularly preferred probes will have between 30 and 50 nucleotides. Particularly

8 preferred primers will have between 20 and 25 nucleotides. In particular, polypeptides or polynucleotides derived from sequences from homologous animal origin could be used as immunogens to obtain a cross-reactive immune response to the human gene.

A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide ofthe present invention, including homologs from species other than human, may be obtained by a process which comprises the steps of screening an appropriate library under stringent hybridization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof; and isolating full-length cDNA and genomic clones containing said polynucleotide sequence. Such hybridization techniques are well known to the skilled artisan. Preferred stringent hybridization conditions include overnight incubation at 42°C in a solution comprising: 50%> formamide, 5xSSC (150mM NaCl, 15mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH7.6), 5x Denhardt's solution, 10 % dextran sulfate, and 20 microgram/ml denatured, sheared salmon sperm

DNA: followed by washing the filters in 0.1 x SSC at about 65°C. Thus the present invention also includes polynucleotides obtainable by screening an appropriate library under stingent hybridization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that, in many cases, an isolated cDNA sequence will be incomplete, in that the region coding for the polypeptide is short at the 5' end ofthe cDNA.

There are several methods available and well known to those skilled in the art to obtain full-length cDNAs, or extend short cDNAs, for example those based on the method of Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) (see, for example, Frohman et al., PNAS USA 85, 8998-9002, 1988). Recent modifications ofthe technique, exemplified by the Marathon™ technology (Clontech Laboratories Inc.) for example, have significantly simplified the search for longer cDNAs. In the Marathon™ technology, cDNAs have been prepared from mRNA extracted from a chosen tissue and an 'adaptor' sequence ligated onto each end. Nucleic acid amplification (PCR) is then carried out to amplify the 'missing' 5' end ofthe cDNA using a combination of gene specific and adaptor specific oligonucleotide primers. The PCR reaction is then repeated using 'nested' primers, that is. primers designed to anneal within the amplified product (typically an adaptor specific primer that anneals further 3' in the adaptor sequence and a gene specific primer that anneals further 5' in the known gene sequence). The products of this reaction can then be analysed by DNA sequencing and a full-length cDNA constructed either by joining the product directly to the existing cDNA to give a complete sequence, or carrying out a separate full-length PCR using the new sequence information for the design ofthe 5' primer.

Recombinant polypeptides ofthe present invention may be prepared by processes well known in the art from genetically engineered host cells comprising expression systems.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention relates to an expression system which comprises a polynucleotide ofthe present invention, to host cells which are genetically engineered with such expression sytems and to the production of polypeptides ofthe invention by recombinant techniques. Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce such proteins using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs ofthe present invention.

For recombinant production, host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate expression systems or portions thereof for polynucleotides ofthe present invention. Introduction of polynucleotides into host cells can be effected by methods described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Davis et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Biology (1986) and Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed.. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Preferred such methods include, for instance, calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, transvection, microinjection, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation. transduction, scrape loading, ballistic introduction or infection.

Preferably the proteins ofthe invention are coexpressed with thioredoxin in trans (TIT). Coexpression of thioredoxin in trans versus in cis is preferred to keep antigen free of thioredoxin without the need for protease. Thioredoxin coexpression eases the solubilisation ofthe proteins ofthe invention. Thioredoxin coexpression has also a significant impact on protein purification yield, on purified-protein solubility and quality.

10 Representative examples of appropriate hosts include bacterial cells, such as Streptococci, Staphylococci, E. coli, Streptomyces and Bacillus subtilis cells; fungal cells, such as yeast cells and Aspergillus cells; insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9 cells; animal cells such as CHO, COS, HeLa, C127, 3T3, BHK, HEK 293 and Bowes melanoma cells; and plant cells.

A great variety of expression systems can be used, for instance, chromosomal, episomal and virus-derived systems, e.g., vectors derived from bacterial plasmids, from bacteriophage, from transposons, from yeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomal elements, from viruses such as baculoviruses, papova viruses, such as SV40. vaccinia viruses, adenoviruses, fowl pox viruses, pseudorabies viruses and retroviruses, and vectors derived from combinations thereof, such as those derived from plasmid and bacteriophage genetic elements, such as cosmids and phagemids. The expression systems may contain control regions that regulate as well as engender expression. Generally, any system or vector which is able to maintain, propagate or express a polynucleotide to produce a polypeptide in a host may be used. The appropriate nucleotide sequence may be inserted into an expression system by any of a variety of well-known and routine techniques, such as, for example, those set forth in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (supra). Appropriate secretion signals may be incorporated into the desired polypeptide to allow secretion ofthe translated protein into the lumen ofthe endoplasmic reticulum, the periplasmic space or the extracellular environment. These signals may be endogenous to the polypeptide or they may be heterologous signals.

The expression system may also be a recombinant live microorganism, such as a virus or bacterium. The gene of interest can be inserted into the genome of a live recombinant virus or bacterium. Inoculation and in vivo infection with this live vector will lead to in vivo expression ofthe antigen and induction of immune responses. Viruses and bacteria used for this purpose are for instance: poxviruses (e.g; vaccinia, fowlpox, canarypox), alphaviruses (Sindbis virus, Semliki Forest Virus, Venezuelian Equine Encephalitis Virus), adenoviruses, adeno-associated virus, picornaviruses (poliovirus, rhinovirus), herpesviruses (varicella zoster virus, etc), Listeria, Salmonella , Shigella, BCG. These

1 1 viruses and bacteria can be virulent, or attenuated in various ways in order to obtain live vaccines. Such live vaccines also form part ofthe invention.

Polypeptides ofthe present invention can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by well-known methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Most preferably, ion metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is employed for purification. Well known techniques for refolding proteins may be employed to regenerate active conformation when the polypeptide is denatured during intracellular synthesis, isolation and or purification.

Another important aspect ofthe invention relates to a method for inducing , re-inforcing or modulating an immunological response in a mammal which comprises inoculating the mammal with a fragment or the entire polypeptide or polynucleotide ofthe invention, adequate to produce antibody and/or T cell immune response for prophylaxis or for therapeutic treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease and related conditions. Yet another aspect ofthe invention relates to a method of inducing, re-inforcing or modulating immunological response in a mammal which comprises, delivering a polypeptide of the present invention via a vector or cell directing expression of the polynucleotide and coding for the polypeptide in vivo in order to induce such an immunological response to produce immune responses for prophylaxis or treatment of said mammal from diseases.

A further aspect ofthe invention relates to an immunoiogical/vaccine formulation

(composition) which, when introduced into a mammalian host, induces, re-inforces or modulates an immunological response in that mammal to a polypeptide ofthe present invention wherein the composition comprises a polypeptide or polynucleotide ofthe invention or an immunological fragment thereof as herein before defined.The vaccine formulation may further comprise a suitable carrier. Since a polypeptide may be broken down in the stomach, it is preferably administered parenterally (for instance, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, or intradermal injection). Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection

12 solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood ofthe recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents or thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed ampoules and vials and may be stored in a freeze-dried condition requiring only the addition ofthe sterile liquid carrier immediately prior to use.

A further aspect ofthe invention relates to the in vitro induction of immune responses to a fragment or the entire polypeptide or polynucleotide ofthe present invention or a molecule comprising the polypeptide or polynucleotide ofthe present invention, using cells from the immune system of a mammal, and reinfusing these activated immune cells ofthe mammal for the treatment of disease. Activation ofthe cells from the immune system is achieved by in vitro incubation with the entire polypeptide or polynucleotide of the present invention or a molecule comprising the polypeptide or polynucleotide ofthe present invention in the presence or absence of various immunomodulator molecules. A further aspect ofthe invention relates to the immunization of a mammal by administration of antigen presenting cells modified by in vitro loading with part or the entire polypeptide ofthe present invention or a molecule comprising the polypeptide of the present invention and administered in vivo in an immunogenic way. Alternatively, antigen presenting cells can be transfected in vitro with a vector containing a fragment or the entire polynucleotide ofthe present invention or a molecule comprising the polynucleotide ofthe present invention, such as to express the conesponding polypeptide, and administered in vivo in an immunogenic way.

The vaccine formulation ofthe invention may also include adjuvant systems for enhancing the immunogenicity ofthe formulation. Preferably the adjuvant system raises preferentially a TH1 type of response.

An immune response may be broadly distinguished into two extreme catagories. being a humoral or cell mediated immune responses (traditionally characterised by antibody and cellular effector mechanisms of protection respectively). These categories of response have been termed THl-type responses (cell-mediated response), and TH2-type immune responses (humoral response).

13 Extreme THl-type immune responses may be characterised by the generation of antigen specific, haplotype restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and natural killer cell responses. In mice THl-type responses are often characterised by the generation of antibodies ofthe IgG2a subtype, whilst in the human these correspond to IgGl type antibodies. TH2-type immune responses are characterised by the generation of a broad range of immunoglobulin isotypes including in mice IgGl, IgA, and IgM.

It can be considered that the driving force behind the development of these two types of immune responses are cytokines. High levels of THl-type cytokines tend to favour the induction of cell mediated immune responses to the given antigen, whilst high levels of TH2-type cytokines tend to favour the induction of humoral immune responses to the antigen.

The distinction of THl and TH2-type immune responses is not absolute. In reality an individual will support an immune response which is described as being predominantly THl or predominantly TH2. However, it is often convenient to consider the families of cytokines in terms of that described in murine CD4 +ve T cell clones by Mosmann and Cof man (Mosmann, T.R. and Coffman, R.L. (1989) THl and TH2 cells: different patterns oflymphokine secretion lead to different functional properties. Annual Review of Immunology, 7, pi 45-173). Traditionally, THl-type responses are associated with the production ofthe INF-γ and IL-2 cytokines by T-lymphocytes. Other cytokines often directly associated with the induction of THl-type immune responses are not produced by T-cells, such as IL-12. In contrast, TH2- type responses are associated with the secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13.

It is known that certain vaccine adjuvants are particularly suited to the stimulation of either THl or TH2 - type cytokine responses. Traditionally the best indicators ofthe TH1:TH2 balance ofthe immune response after a vaccination or infection includes direct measurement ofthe production of THl or TH2 cytokines by T lymphocytes in vitro after restimulation with antigen, and/or the measurement ofthe IgGl:IgG2a ratio of antigen specific antibody responses.

14 Thus, a THl-type adjuvant is one which preferentially stimulates isolated T-cell populations to produce high levels of THl-type cytokines when re-stimulated with antigen in vitro, and promotes development of both CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antigen specific immunoglobulin responses associated with THl-type isotype.

Adjuvants which are capable of preferential stimulation ofthe THl cell response are described in International Patent Application No. WO 94/00153 and WO 95/17209.

3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) is one such adjuvant. This is known from GB 2220211 (Ribi). Chemically it is a mixture of 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A with 4, 5 or 6 acylated chains and is manufactured by Ribi Immunochem, Montana. A prefened form of 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A is disclosed in European Patent 0 689 454 Bl (SmithKline Beecham Biologicals SA).

Preferably, the particles of 3D-MPL are small enough to be sterile filtered through a 0.22micron membrane (European Patent number 0 689 454). 3D-MPL will be present in the range of lOμg - lOOμg preferably 25-50μg per dose wherein the antigen will typically be present in a range 2-50μg per dose.

Another preferred adjuvant comprises QS21 , an Hplc purified non-toxic fraction derived from the bark of Quillaja Saponaria Molina. Optionally this may be admixed with 3 De- O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL), optionally together with an carrier.

The method of production of QS21 is disclosed in US patent No. 5,057,540.

Non-reactogenic adjuvant formulations containing QS21 have been described previously (WO 96/33739). Such formulations comprising QS21 and cholesterol have been shown to be successful THl stimulating adjuvants when formulated together with an antigen.

Further adjuvants which are preferential stimulators of THl cell response include immunomodulatory oligonucleotides, for example unmethylated CpG sequences as disclosed in WO 96/02555.

15 Combinations of different THl stimulating adjuvants, such as those mentioned hereinabove, are also contemplated as providing an adjuvant which is a preferential stimulator of THl cell response. For example, QS21 can be formulated together with 3D- MPL. The ratio of QS21 : 3D-MPL will typically be in the order of 1 : 10 to 10 : 1 ; preferably 1:5 to 5 : 1 and often substantially 1 : 1. The prefened range for optimal synergy is 2.5 : 1 to 1 : 1 3D-MPL: QS21.

Preferably a carrier is also present in the vaccine composition according to the invention. The carrier may be an oil in water emulsion, or an aluminium salt, such as aluminium phosphate or aluminium hydroxide.

A preferred oil-in-water emulsion comprises a metabolisible oil, such as squalene. alpha tocopherol and Tween 80. In a particularly preferred aspect the antigens in the vaccine composition according to the invention are combined with QS21 and 3D-MPL in such an emulsion. Additionally the oil in water emulsion may contain span 85 and/or lecithin and/or tricaprylin.

Typically for human administration QS 1 and 3D-MPL will be present in a vaccine in the range of lμg - 200μg, such as 10-100μg, preferably lOμg - 50μg per dose. Typically the oil in water will comprise from 2 to 10%) squalene, from 2 to 10%> alpha tocopherol and from 0.3 to 3% tween 80. Preferably the ratio of squalene: alpha tocopherol is equal to or less than 1 as this provides a more stable emulsion. Span 85 may also be present at a level of 1%. In some cases it may be advantageous that the vaccines ofthe present invention will further contain a stabiliser.

Non-toxic oil in water emulsions preferably contain a non-toxic oil, e.g. squalane or squalene, an emulsifϊer, e.g. Tween 80, in an aqueous carrier. The aqueous carrier may be, for example, phosphate buffered saline.

A particularly potent adjuvant formulation involving QS21, 3D-MPL and tocopherol in an oil in water emulsion is described in WO 95/17210.

16 The present invention also provides a polyvalent vaccine composition comprising a vaccine formulation ofthe invention in combination with other antigens, in particular antigens useful for treating cancers, autoimmune diseases and related conditions. Such a polyvalent vaccine composition may include a TH-1 inducing adjuvant as hereinbefore described.

This invention also relates to the use of polynucleotides ofthe present invention as diagnostic reagents. Detection of a mutated form ofthe gene characterised by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:l which is associated with a dysfunction will provide a diagnostic tool that can add to, or define, a diagnosis of a disease, or susceptibility to a disease, which results from under-expression, over-expression or altered spatial or temporal expression ofthe said gene. Individuals carrying mutations in the gene may be detected at the DNA level by a variety of techniques.

Nucleic acids for diagnosis may be obtained from a subject's cells, such as from blood, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy or autopsy material. The genomic DNA may be used directly for detection or may be amplified enzymatically by using PCR or other amplification techniques prior to analysis. R A or cDNA may also be used in similar fashion. Deletions and insertions can be detected by a change in size ofthe amplified product in comparison to the normal genotype. Point mutations can be identified by hybridizing amplified DNA to labeled CASB 12 nucleotide sequences. Perfectly matched sequences can be distinguished from mismatched duplexes by RNase digestion or by differences in melting temperatures. DNA sequence differences may also be detected by alterations in electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels, with or without denaturing agents, or by direct DNA sequencing (ee, e.g., Myers et al., Science (1985) 230:1242). Sequence changes at specific locations may also be revealed by nuclease protection assays, such as RNase and S 1 protection or the chemical cleavage method (see Cotton et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1985) 85: 4397- 4401). In another embodiment, an array of oligonucleotides probes comprising CASB 12 nucleotide sequence or fragments thereof can be constructed to conduct efficient screening of e.g., genetic mutations. Array technology methods are well known and have general applicability and can be used to address a variety of questions in molecular genetics including gene expression, genetic linkage, and genetic variability (see for example: M.Chee et al.. Science, Vol 274, pp 610-613 (1996)).

17 The diagnostic assays offer a process for diagnosing or determining a susceptibility to cancers, autoimmune disease and related conditions through detection of mutation in the CASB 12 nucleotide sequence by the methods described. In addition, such diseases may be diagnosed by methods comprising determining from a sample derived from a subject an abnormally decreased or increased level of polypeptide or mRNA. Decreased or increased expression can be measured at the RNA level using any ofthe methods well known in the art for the quantitation of polynucleotides. Assay techniques that can be used to determine levels of a protein, such as a polypeptide ofthe present invention, in a sample derived from a host are well-known to those of skill in the art.

Thus in another aspect, the present invention relates to a diagnostic kit for performing a diagnostic assay which comprises:

(a) a polynucleotide ofthe present invention, preferably the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof ;

(b) a nucleotide sequence complementary to that of (a);

(c) a polypeptide ofthe present invention, preferably the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof; or

(d) an antibody to a polypeptide ofthe present invention, preferably to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.

The nucleotide sequences ofthe present invention are also valuable for chromosomal localisation. The sequence is specifically targeted to, and can hybridize with, a particular location on an individual human chromosome. The mapping of relevant sequences to chromosomes according to the present invention is an important first step in correlating those sequences with gene associated disease. Once a sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position ofthe sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data. Such data are found in, for example, V. McKusick, Mendelian Inheritance in Man (available on-line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between genes and diseases that have been mapped to the same chromosomal region are then identified through linkage analysis (coinheritance of physically adjacent genes).The differences in the cDNA or genomic sequence between affected and unaffected individuals can also be determined. The polypeptides ofthe invention or their fragments or analogs thereof, or cells expressing them, can also be used as immunogens to produce antibodies immunospecific for polypeptides ofthe present invention. The term "immunospecific" means that the antibodies have substantially greater affinity for the polypeptides ofthe invention than their affinity for other related polypeptides in the prior art.

In a further aspect the invention provides an antibody immunospecific for a polypeptide according to the invention or an immunological fragment thereof as hereinbefore defined. Preferably the antibody is a monoclonal antibody

Antibodies generated against polypeptides ofthe present invention may be obtained by administering the polypeptides or epitope-bearing fragments, analogs or cells to an animal, preferably a non-human animal, using routine protocols. For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique which provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. Examples include the hybridoma technique (Kohler. G. and Milstein, C, Nature (1975) 256:495-497), the trioma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al, Immunology Today (1983) 4:72) and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al, Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, 77-96, Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1985).

Techniques for the production of single chain antibodies, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,778, can also be adapted to produce single chain antibodies to polypeptides of this invention. Also, transgenic mice, or other organisms, including other mammals, may be used to express humanized antibodies.

The above-described antibodies may be employed to isolate or to identify clones expressing the polypeptide or to purify the polypeptides by affinity chromatography. The antibody ofthe invention may also be employed to prevent or treat cancer, particularly ovarian and colon cancer, autoimmune disease and related conditions.

Another aspect ofthe invention relates to a method for inducing or modulating an immunological response in a mammal which comprises inoculating the mammal with a polypeptide ofthe present invention, adequate to produce antibody and/or T cell immune

19 response to protect or ameliorate the symptoms or progression ofthe disease. Yet another aspect ofthe invention relates to a method of inducing or modulating immunological response in a mammal which comprises, delivering a polypeptide ofthe present invention via a vector directing expression ofthe polynucleotide and coding for the polypeptide in vivo in order to induce such an immunological response to produce antibody to protect said animal from diseases.

It will be appreciated that the present invention therefore provides a method of treating abnormal conditions such as, for instance, cancer and autoimmune diseases, in particular, ovarian and colon cancer, related to either a presence of, an excess of, or an under- expression of, CASB 12 polypeptide activity.

The present invention further provides for a method of screening compounds to identify those which stimulate or which inhibit the function ofthe CASB 12 polypeptide. In general, agonists or antagonists may be employed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for such diseases as hereinbefore mentioned. Compounds may be identified from a variety of sources, for example, cells, cell-free preparations, chemical libraries, and natural product mixtures. Such agonists, antagonists or inhibitors so-identified may be natural or modified substrates, ligands, receptors, enzymes, etc., as the case may be, ofthe polypeptide; or may - be structural or functional mimetics thereof (see Coligan et al. , Current Protocols in

Immunology l(2):Chapter 5 (1991)). Screening methods will be known to those skilled in the art. Further screening methods may be found in for example D. Bennett et al, J Mol Recognition, 8:52-58 (1995); and K. Johanson et al, J Biol Chem, 270(16):9459-9471 (1995) and references therein.

Thus the invention provides a method for screening to identify compounds which stimulate or which inhibit the function ofthe polypeptide ofthe invention which comprises a method selected from the group consisting of:

(a) measuring the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes bearing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof by means of a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound;

20 (b) measuring the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes bearing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof in the presense of a labeled competitior;

(c) testing whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by activation or inhibition of the polypeptide, using detection systems appropriate to the cells or cell membranes bearing the polypeptide;

(d) mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polypeptide of claim 1 , to form a mixture, measuring activity ofthe polypeptide in the mixture, and comparing the activity ofthe mixture to a standard; or

(e) detecting the effect of a candidate compound on the production of mRNA encoding said polypeptide and said polypeptide in cells, using for instance, an ELISA assay.

The polypeptide ofthe invention may be used to identify membrane bound or soluble receptors, if any, through standard receptor binding techniques known in the art. Well known screening methods may also be used to identify agonists and antagonists ofthe polypeptide ofthe invention which compete with the binding ofthe polypeptide ofthe invention to its receptors, if any.

Thus, in another aspect, the present invention relates to a screening kit for identifying agonists, antagonists, ligands, receptors, substrates, enzymes, etc. for polypeptides ofthe present invention; or compounds which decrease or enhance the production of such polypeptides, which comprises: (a) a polypeptide ofthe present invention; (b) a recombinant cell expressing a polypeptide ofthe present invention;

(c) a cell membrane expressing a polypeptide ofthe present invention; or

(d) antibody to a polypeptide ofthe present invention; which polypeptide is preferably that of SEQ ID NO:2.

It will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan that a polypeptide ofthe present invention may also be used in a method for the structure-based design of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor ofthe polypeptide, by:

(a) determining in the first instance the three-dimensional structure ofthe polypeptide;

21 (b) deducing the three-dimensional structure for the likely reactive or binding site(s) of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor;

(c) synthesing candidate compounds that are predicted to bind to or react with the deduced binding or reactive site; and (d) testing whether the candidate compounds are indeed agonists, antagonists or inhibitors.

Gene therapy may also be employed to effect the endogenous production of CASB 12 polypeptide by the relevant cells in the subject. For an overview of gene therapy, see Chapter 20, Gene Therapy and other Molecular Genetic-based Therapeutic Approaches, (and references cited therein) in Human Molecular Genetics, T Strachan and A P Read, BIOS Scientific Publishers Ltd (1996).

Vaccine preparation is generally described in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Vol.61 Vaccine Design - the subunit and adjuvant approach, edited by Powell and Newman,

Plenum Press, 1995. New Trends and Developments in Vaccines, edited by Voller et al., University Park Press, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. 1978. Encapsulation within liposomes is described, for example, by Fullerton, U.S. Patent 4,235,877. Conjugation of proteins to macromolecules is disclosed, for example, by Likhite, U.S. Patent 4,372,945 and by Armor et al., U.S. Patent 4,474,757.

The amount of protein in each vaccine dose is selected as an amount which induces an immunoprotective response without significant, adverse side effects in typical vaccinees. Such amount will vary depending upon which specific immunogen is employed. Generally, it is expected that each dose will comprise 1 - 1 OOOμg of protein, preferably 2-100μg, most preferably 4-40μg. An optimal amount for a particular vaccine can be ascertained by standard studies involving observation of antibody titres and other responses in subjects. Following an initial vaccination, subjects may receive a boost in about 4 weeks.

"Isolated" means altered "by the hand of man" from the natural state. If an "isolated" composition or substance occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally

22 present in a living animal is not "isolated/' but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is "isolated", as the term is employed herein.

"Polynucleotide" generally refers to any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA including single and double stranded regions.

"Variant" refers to a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide, but retains essential properties. A typical variant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide. Changes in the nucleotide sequence ofthe variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide. Nucleotide changes may result in amino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical variant of a polypeptide differs in amino acid sequence from another, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited so that the sequences ofthe reference polypeptide and the variant are closely similar overall and, in many regions, identical. A variant and reference polypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. A variant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide may be a naturally occurring such as an allelic variant, or it may be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of polynucleotides and polypeptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques or by direct synthesis.

"Identity," as known in the art, is a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, "identity" also means the degree of sequence relatedness between polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. "Identity" and "similarity" can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to those described in (Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A.M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D.W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993;

23 Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A.M., and Griffin, H.G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey, 1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., Academic Press, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991; and Carillo, H., and Lipman, D., SIAM J. Applied Math, 48: 1073 (1988). Prefened methods to determine identity are designed to give the largest match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Preferred computer program methods to determine identity and similarity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, the GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research 12(1): 387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN, and FASTA (Atschul, S.F. et al., J. Molec. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990). The BLAST X program is publicly available from NCBI and other sources (BLAST Manual, Altschul, S., et al, NCBI NLM NIH Bethesda, MD 20894; Altschul, S., et al, J. Mol. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990). The well known Smith Waterman algorithm may also be used to determine identity.

The preferred algorithm used is FASTA. The preferred parameters for polypeptide or polynuleotide sequence comparison using this algorithm include the following: Gap Penalty: 12 Gap extension penalty: 4 Word size: 2, max 6

Prefened parameters for polypeptide sequence comparison with other methods include the following:

1) Algorithm: Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol Biol. 48: 443-453 (1970) Comparison matrix: BLOSSUM62 from Hentikoff and Hentikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:10915-10919 (1992) Gap Penalty: 12 Gap Length Penalty: 4

A program useful with these parameters is publicly available as the "gap" program from Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wl. The aforementioned parameters are the default parameters for polypeptide comparisons (along with no penalty for end gaps).

24 Prefened parameters for polynucleotide comparison include the following: 1) Algorithm: Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol Biol. 48: 443-453 (1970) Comparison matrix: matches = +10, mismatch = 0 Gap Penalty: 50 Gap Length Penalty: 3

A program useful with these parameters is publicly available as the "gap" program from Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wl. The aforementioned parameters are the default parameters for polynucleotide comparisons.

By way of example, a polynucleotide sequence ofthe present invention may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:l, that is be 100% identical, or it may include up to a certain integer number of nucleotide alterations as compared to the reference sequence. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleotide deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the 5' or 3' terminal positions ofthe reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of nucleotide alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO: 1 by the numerical percent ofthe respective percent identity(divided by 100) and subtracting that product from said total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:l, or: n_n < x_n - (x_n • y), wherein n_n is the number of nucleotide alterations, x_n is the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO: 1 , and y is, for instance, 0.70 for 70%, 0.80 for 80%, 0.85 for 85%, 0.90 for 90%), 0.95 for 95%,etc, and wherein any non-integer product of x_n and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_n. Alterations of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 may create nonsense, missense or frameshift mutations in this coding sequence and thereby alter the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide following such alterations.

25 Similarly, a polypeptide sequence ofthe present invention may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, that is be 100%) identical, or it may include up to a certain integer number of amino acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence such that the %> identity is less than 100%). Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one amino acid deletion, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the amino- or carboxy-terminal positions ofthe reference polypeptide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the amino acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of amino acid alterations for a given %> identity is determined by multiplying the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2 by the numerical percent of the respective percent identity(divided by 100) and then subtracting that product from said total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2, or: n_a≤^Xa - (^Xa ^# y)> wherein n_a is the number of amino acid alterations, x_a is the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO:2, and y is, for instance 0.70 for 70%, 0.80 for 80%, 0.85 for 85% etc., and wherein any non-integer product of x_a and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from x_a.

"Homolog" is a generic term used in the art to indicate a polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence possessing a high degree of sequence relatedness to a subject sequence. Such relatedness may be quntified by determining the degree of identity and/or similarity between the sequences being compared as hereinbefore described. Falling within this generic term are the terms "ortholog", meaning a polynucleotide or polypeptide that is the functional equivalent of a polynucleotide or polypeptide in another species and "paralog" meaning a functionally similar sequence when considered within the same species.

26 EXAMPLES

Example 1

A database screening method used to select novel genes that are differentially expressed in cancers

1.1 Introduction

A complementary approach to experimental antigen discovery is to explore the human genome databases, particularly those of "Expressed Sequence Tags" (ESTs), in search of tumour-specific and tumour-associated antigens. ESTs are small fragments (approximately 300 bp) of cDNA made from a collection of mRNA extracted from a particular tissue or cell line. Such currently provide a massive amount of ESTs (10⁶) from several hundreds of cDNA tissue libraries, including tumoural tissues from various types and states of disease. By means of specifically designed informatics tools, one can search in this database for a subset of potential antigen candidates, provided that artifacts are carefully avoided. To allow a specific selection, the libraries, from both healthy and diseased tissues, have first to be selected on the basis of different quality criteria (tissue quality, library construction method, sequencing depth and quality, diversity index, frameshifts,...). The EST sequences from these selected libraries are then compared to identify those genes specifically expressed, or significantly overexpressed, in tumoural tissues. Currently, the method is limited by the sequencing depth of these libraries, i.e. typically only about 10%) of all the expressed genes of a particular tissue are represented by ESTs from a particular library. This limitation can be overcome by pooling tissue libraries.

After a careful screening using a set of defined criteria (novelty ofthe gene, putative expression pattern), the selected candidates can be further tested for selective expression in normal and tumoural tissues, for example by RT-PCR.

1.2 Method

The original EST database is reorganized by assembling all the fragments into overlapping "genetic clusters". There are several well known algorithms which can be used to produce these assemblies. Each resulting assembly is thus a consensus sequence

27 representing a fragment of, or a complete gene. This process reduces the total amount of information by one order of magnitude.

The method allows to select candidates by "customized differential expression" by ranking the number of ESTs by customizable tissue category. The data are organized in a relational database comprising

- Table "ESTs": contains at least the EST names or Ids and the code ofthe cDNA library from which each EST was generated

- Table "Assemblies": contains at least for each assembly the list of EST components - Table "Libraries": contains at least for each cDNA library its code, tissue or cell line type, disease state (normal, tumour or non-tumoural disease) Links are made between these tables as shown in Figure 1.

The cDNA libraries are then classified in 5 categories, each subdivided in several groups:

- groups of cell lines (separated normal & cancer cell lines)

- groups of non-cancerous diseased tissues

- group of fetal/embryonic tissues

- groups of normal tissues - groups of tumoural tissues

- 1 group of unknown origin

An additional table is then added to the relational database, called "Groups of libraries" as shown in Figure 2.

The next step is the computing, for each assembly, ofthe number of ESTs originating from each group of libraries (for example using a Sybase Query Language query):

- For each assembly - For each EST

- Check the conesponding library code

- Assign the conesponding group code

- Count the number of ESTs assigned to the same group code

28 - Count the total number of ESTs

The result of this step is a table called "Results" containing one line per assembly, and one column per group code, and containing the final EST counts.

The table "Results" is used to compute several quantities for each assembly:

• a "tumour-to-normal ratio" (TNR):

(sum of EST_T, EST_F, EST_P, EST_O, ESTJTes, EST_Pl)/total number of ESTs where (EST_T) is the sum of all ESTs belonging to the groups that are tissue or cell line tumours, (EST_F) is the sum of all ESTs belonging to groups of fetal tissues or cell lines, EST_P is the total number of ESTs from normal prostate tissue, EST_O is the sum of ESTs from normal ovarian tissues, ESTJTes is the total number of ESTs from normal testis tissues or cell lines, and ESTJP1 is the total number of ESTs from placenta tissues. Note that some normal tissues are included, namely "dispensable" tissues like testis, ovary and prostate, which may often share expression patterns with tumours (the so- called "cancer-testis antigens" or CT-antigens), as well as placental, fetal and embryonic tissues.

• Any other sum that is relevant to select candidates for a specific target cancer or type of cancers. As an example, one may sum the ESTs from the groups of libraries from tumour tissues or cell lines representative of breast tumours and from testis and fetal tissues. This may be relevant to detect the above-mentioned CT-antigens.

The resulting table is called "Customized results", and contains one line per assembly and one column per computed sum as well as any other relevant information, such as the total number or ESTs.

The "Customized results" table is then sorted according to the desired use. A relevant sorting is to use the TNR column as a primary sorting key, and the customized sum as the secondary sorting key.

29 Each assembly over a defined threshold (for example: TNR > 0.8) is then compared to a sequence database of known genes or gene products using any sequence comparison algorithm (for example Blast) to screen for novelty ofthe gene. In a similar way, a sequence comparison can be performed using the original EST or assembly database to check for alternate splicing variants.

1.3 Results

- Screening ofthe previously assembled GenBank EST databases (January 1999) was carried out,

- Customized sum: Sum ofthe ESTs from originating from libraries made from breast cancer, prostate cancer or colon cancer tissues or cell lines (called BPC)

- Sorting ofthe resulting "Customized Results" table (Table 1) is done as follows:

- Primary sorting key: descending BPC values - Secondary sorting key: descending TNR values lower than 0,8

- CASB 12 is ranked 62nd:

^^H^HHHHgH

1 226 350 0.9686 PSA

2 129 260 0.9923; PSP-94 119 151 0.8609! claudin 3

4 101 153 1 PAP

5 59 89 1 hGKl 6 51 58 0.9655. novel

7 40 72 0.8333, novel 8 34 ^"6\ ^"'0.8689^'" novel 9 __ 188 0.8032; novel

10 31 56 0.8571 ' lipocalin 2

11 20 33 0.8182 neuropsin 12 19 ^"41^{""" "" "} 1 PSP-94^{" "}

(table cut)

62 7 13 0.9231; novel

(CASB12)

Table 1:

- The presence of PSA, PSP-94, PAP and hGKl, which are all well described as potential candidates for cancer therapy, is considered as a good positive control.

30 - The novel gene ranked 62 was selected for further characterisation on the basis ofthe EST tissue distribution:

Composition ofthe assembly composing a novel gene named CASB 12 is shown in Table 2 as shown below:

Source:ID Library Name

NCBI:568293 Soares fetal heart NbHH19W

NCBI: 1122395 Soares ovary tumor NbHOT

NCB 1122396 Soares ovary tumor NbHOT

NCBI: 1125691 Soares ovary tumor NbHOT

NCBI: 1159362 NCI_CGAP_Co3

NCBI: 1148451 NCI_CGAP_Co3

NCBI: 1043401 Soares ovary tumor NbHOT

NCBI: 1044098 Soares ovary tumor NbHOT

NCBI: 1080246 Soares testis NHT

NCBI: 1080343 Soares testis NHT

NCBI: 1177358 NCI_CGAP_Pr9

NCBI: 1947095 Soares fetal heart NbHH19W

NCBI:2056681 NCI_CGAP_Ov23

In summary: 2 ESTs from fetal tissues, 6 ESTs from ovary tumors, 2 ESTs from colon tumors, 2 ESTs from normal testis, 1 EST from normal prostate epithelium. On this basis, it can be anticipated that CASB 12 may be used at least in the context of ovarian cancer and colon cancer.

1.4 References Wan J. S., Sharp S. J., Poirier G. M.-C, Wagaman P. C, Chambers J., Pyati J., Hom Y.- L., Galindo J. E., Huvar A., Peterson P. A., Jackson M. R., Erlander M. G. (1996) Nature Biotechnol. 14, 1685. Pardoll D. M. (1996) Cun. Opin. Immunom. 8, 619.

Example 2

Qualitative RT-PCR amplification

Presence of mRNA transcripts in a panel of normal tissues and a small number of tumour samples is evaluated by non-quantitative RT-PCR.

31 Total RNA from 19 normal tissues and 3 tumour samples was purchased from InVitrogen. mRNA is purified from total RNA after DNAse treatment using oligo-dT magnetic beads (Dynal). 200 ng of mRNA are reverse transcribed (Expand reverse transcriptase, Boehringer) in a 20 μl reaction and 2 μl of this reaction are amplified by PCR (AmpliTaq Gold, Perkin-Elmer) for 32 cycles (Perkin-Elmer 9600 thermocycler) using standard protocols. Non-template controls (NTC) are always included. Amplification products (10 μl) are visualised on ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. Oligonucleotides for PCR amplification are designed by computer (LaserGene PrimerSelect module). Specificity ofthe designed oligonucleotides is evaluated in silico by comparing their sequences to the sequences in the public databases using the FASTA algorithm. Transcripts ofthe housekeeping GAPDH gene are amplified under identical conditions on all tissue samples. GAPDH serves as a positive control and provides a visual reference of a highly expressed gene. Detection of CASB 12 mRNA in 19 normal tissues and 3 tumour samples by RT-PCR is shown in Figure 3.

Example 3

Real-time RT-PCR analysis

Real-time RT-PCR (U. Gibson. 1996. Genome Research: 6,996) is used to compare mRNA transcript abundance ofthe candidate antigen in tumour and normal colon tissues from multiple patients. In addition, mRNA levels ofthe candidate gene are re-evaluated by this approach in a panel of normal tissues.

Total RNA is extracted from snap frozen colon tissue biopsies using TriPure reagent (Boehringer). Total RNA from normal tissues is from InVitrogen as above. Poly-A⁺ mRNA is purified from total RNA after DNAase treatment using oligo-dT magnetic beads (Dynal). Quantification ofthe mRNA is performed by spectrofluorimetry (BioRad) using Sybrll dye (Molecular Probes). Primers for amplification are designed with the Perkin-Elmer Primer Express software using default options for TaqMan amplification conditions. Real-time reactions are assembled according to standard PCR protocols using 2 ng of purified mRNA for each reaction. SybrI dye (Molecular Probes) is added at a final dilution of 1/75000 for real-time detection. Amplification (40 cycles) and real-time detection is performed in a PE 7700 system. Ct values are calculated using the 7700 Sequence Detector software for the tumour (CtT) and normal (CtN) samples of each

32 patient. The difference between Ct values (CtN-CtT) is a direct measure of the difference in transcript levels between the tumour and normal tissues. As Ct values are log-linearly related to copy number and that the efficiency of PCR amplification under the prevailing experimental conditions is close to the theoretical amplification efficiency, 2 ^(CtN"CtT) i_s an estimate ofthe relative transcript levels in the two tissues (i.e. fold mRNA overexpression in tumor).The percentage of over-expressing patients and the average level of mRNA over-expression in the tumours of these patients is calculated from the data set of 18 patients. In addition, Ct values obtained with 11 normal tissues are provided for the candidate antigen and beta-actin.

TABLE 3:

Patients over-expressing CASB12 Average level of over-expression in colon tumours in colon tumours

(%) (fold)

50 8

Table 4: Real-time RT-PCR Ct values for CASB12 and actin in 11 normal tissues.

Bla Bra Bre Cer Hea Kid Liv Lun Oes Pla Ute

CASBC12 28 35 29 23 35 35 32 25 24 30

Actin 14 16 15 15 17 16 17 16 14 15 15

Legend. Bla: bladder, Bra: brain, Bre: breast, Cer: cervix, Hea: heart. Kid: kidney, Liv: liver, lun: lung, Oes: oesophagus, Pla: placenta, Ute: uterus.

Example 4

Identification ofthe full length cDNA sequence Colon tumour cDNA libraries are constructed using the Lambda Zap system (Stratagene) from 2 μg of poly A+ mRNA as described in the supplied protocol. 1.5 xlO⁶ independent phage are plated for each screening ofthe library. Phage plaques are transferred onto nylon filters, hybridised using a cDNA probe labelled with AlkPhos Direct (Amersham Pharmacia) and positive phage are detected by chemiluminescence. The positive phage are excised from the agar plat, eluted in 500μl SM buffer and confirmed by gene-specific PCR. Eluted phage are converted to single strand Ml 3 bacteriophage by in vivo excision. The

33 bacteriophage is then converted to double strand plasmid DNA by infection of E. coli. Infected bacteria are plated and submitted to a second round of screening with the cDNA probe. Plasmid DNA is purified from positive bacterial clones and submitted to Southern blot analysis to estimated the size ofthe cDNA inserts. CDNA inserts from multiple independent clones are sequenced on both strands.

When the full length gene cannot be obtained directly from the cDNA library, missing sequence is isolated using RACE technology (Marathon Kit, ClonTech.). This approach relies on reverse transcribing mRNA into double strand cDNA, ligating linkers onto the ends ofthe cDNA and amplifying the desired extremity ofthe cDNA using a gene-specific primer and one ofthe linker oligonucleotides. Marathon PCR products are cloned into a plasmid and sequenced.

Example 5: 5.1 Expression and purification of tumour-specific antigens

Expression in microbial hosts is used to produce the antigen ofthe invention for vaccine purposes and to produce protein fragments or whole protein for rapid purification and generation of antibodies needed for characterization ofthe naturally expressed protein by immunohistochemistry or for follow-up of purification. Recombinant proteins may be expressed in two microbial hosts, E. coli and in yeast (such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Pichia pastoris). This allows the selection ofthe expression system with the best features for this particular antigen production. In general, the recombinant antigen will be expressed in E. coli and the reagent protein expressed in yeast. The expression strategy first involves the design of the primary structure of the recombinant antigen. In general an expression fusion partner (EFP) is placed at the N terminal extremity to improve levels of expression that could also include a region useful for modulating the immunogenic properties ofthe antigen, an immune fusion partner (IFP). In addition, an affinity fusion partner (AFP ) useful for facilitating further purification is included at the C-terminal end.

When the recombinant strains are available, the recombinant product is characterized by the evaluation ofthe level of expression and the prediction of further solubility ofthe protein by analysis ofthe behavior in the crude extract.

34 After growth on appropriate culture medium and induction ofthe recombinant protein expression, total extracts are analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The recombinant proteins are visualized in stained gels and identified by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. A comparative evaluation ofthe different versions ofthe expressed antigen will allow the selection ofthe most promising candidate that is to be used for further purification and immunological evaluation.

The purification work follows a classical approach based on the presence of an His affinity tail in the recombinant protein. In a typical experiment the disrupted cells are filtered and the acellular extracts loaded onto an Ion Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC; Ni⁺⁺NTA from Qiagen) that will specifically retain the recombinant protein. The retained proteins are eluted by 0-500 mM Imidazole gradient (possibly in presence of a detergent) in a phosphate buffer. This step is optimally followed by an Anion Exchange resin step and a Size Exclusion chromatography step depending on the success ofthe Imac step and the nature ofthe contaminants.

5.2 Antibody production and immunohistochemistry

Small amounts of relatively purified protein can be used to generate immunological tools in order to a) detect the expression by immunohistochemistry in normal or cancer tissue sections; b) detect the expression, and to follow the protein during the purification process (ELISA/ Western Blot); or c) characterise/ quantify the purified protein (ELISA).

5.2.1 Polyclonal antibodies: Immunization

2- 3 Rabbits are immunized , intramuscularly (I.M.) , 3 times at 3 weeks intervals with lOOμg of protein, formulated in the adjuvant 3D-MPL/QS21 . 3 weeks after each immunisation a blood sample is taken and the antibody titer estimated in the serum by ELISA using the protein as coating antigen following a standard protocol.

ELISA

35 96 well microplates (maxisorb Nunc) are coated with 5μg of protein overnight at 4°C. After lhour saturation at 37°C with PBS NCS 1%>, serial dilution ofthe rabbit sera is added for 1H 30 at 37°C (starting at 1/10). After 3 washings in PBS Tween, ami rabbit biotinylated anti serum (Amersham ) is added (1/5000). Plates are washed and peroxydase coupled streptavidin (1/5000) is added for 30 min at 37°C. After washing, 50μl TMB (BioRad) is added for 7 min and the reaction then stopped with H₂S0₄ 0.2M. The OD can be measured at 450 nm and midpoint dilutions calculated by SoftmaxPro.

5.2.2 Monoclonal antibodies: Immunization

5 BALB/c mice are immunized 3 times at 3 week intervals with 5 μg of purified protein. Bleedings are performed 14 days post II and 1 week post 3. The sera is tested by Elisa on purified protein used as coated antigen. Based on these results (midpoint dilution > 10000 ) one mouse is selected for fusion

Fusion/ HATselection

Spleen cells are fused with the SP2/0 myeloma according to a standard protocol using PEG 40%) and DMSO 5%. Cells are then seeded in 96 well plates 2.5 xlO⁴ - 10⁵ cells/well and resistant clones will be selected in HAT medium. The supernatant of these hybridomas will be tested for their content in specific antibodies and when positive, will be submitted to 2 cycles of limited dilution . After 2 rounds of screening, 3 hybridomas will be chosen for ascitis production.

5.2.3 Immunohistochemistry When antibodies are available, irnmuno staining is performed on normal or cancer tissue sections, in order to determine :

• the level of expression of the protein antigen of the invention in cancer relative to normal tissue or

• the proportion of cancers of a certain type expressing the antigen • if other cancer types also express the antigen

• the proportion of cells expressing the antigen in a cancer tissue

• the cellular localisation ofthe antigen

36 Tissue sample preparation

After dissection, the tissue sample is mounted on a cork disk in OCT compound and rapidly frozen in isopentane previously super cooled in liquid nitrogen (-160°C). The block will then be conserved at -70°C until use. 7- lOμm sections will be realized in a cryostat chamber (-20, -30°C).

Staining

Tissue sections are dried for 5 min at room Temperature (RT), fixed in acetone for lOmin at RT,dried again, and saturated with PBS 0.5% BSA 5% serum. After 30 min at RT either a direct or indirect staining is performed using antigen specific antibodies. A direct staining leads to a better specificity but a less intense staining whilst an indirect staining leads to a more intense but less specific staining.

5.3 Analysis of human cellular immune responses to the antigen of the invention

The immunological relevance ofthe antigen ofthe invention can be assessed by in vitro priming of human T cells. All T cell lymphocyte lines and dendritic cells are derived from PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) of healthy donors (prefened HLA-A2 subtype). An HLA-A2.1/K^b transgenic mice is also used for screening of HLA-A2.1 peptides.

Newly discovered antigen-specific CD8+ T cell lines are raised and maintained by weekly in vitro stimulation. The lytic activity and the γ-IFN production ofthe CD8 lines in response to the antigen or antigen derived-peptides is tested using standard procedures.

Two strategies to raise the CD8+ T cell lines are used: a peptide-based approach and a whole gene-based approach. Both approaches require the full-length cDNA ofthe newly discovered antigen in the corcect reading frame to be either cloned in an appropriate delivery system or to be used to predict the sequence of HLA binding peptides.

Peptide-based approach

The HLA-A2 binding peptide sequences are predicted by the Parker's algorithm. Peptides are then screened in the HLA-A2.1/K⁰ transgenic mice model (Vitiello et al.). Briefly,

37 transgenic mice are immunized with adjuvanted HLA-A2 peptides. those unable to induce a CD8 response (as defined by an efficient lysis of peptide-pulsed autologous spleen cells) will be further analyzed in the human system.

Human dendritic cells (cultured according to Romani et al.) will be pulsed with peptides and used to stimulated CD8-sorted T cells (by Facs). After several weekly stimulations, the CD 8 lines will be first tested on peptide-pulsed autologous BLCL (EBV-B transformed cell lines). To verify the proper in vivo processing ofthe peptide, the CD8 lines will be tested on cDNA-transfected tumour cells (HLA-A2 transfected LnCaP, Skov3 or CAMA tumour cells).

Whole gene-based approach

CD8+ T cell lines will be primed and stimulated with either gene-gun transfected dendritic cells, retrovirally transduced B7.1 -transfected fibroblastes, recombinant pox virus (Kim et al.) or adenovirus (Butterfield et al.) infected dentridic cells. Virus infected cells are very efficient to present antigenic peptides since the antigen is expressed at high level but can only be used once to avoid the over-growth of viral T cells lines.

After alternated stimulations, the CD 8 lines are tested on cDNA-transfected tumour cells as indicated above. Peptide specificity and identity is determined to confirm the immunological validation.

References

Vitiello et al. (L. Sherman), J. Exp. Med., J. Exp. Med, 1991, 173:1007-1015. Romani et al., J. Exp. Med., 1994, 180:83-93. Kim et al., J. Immunother., 1997, 20:276-286.

Butterfield et al., J. Immunol., 1998, 161:5607-5613.

All publications, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth.

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Claims

Claims

1. An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70%> identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 over the entire length of of SEQ ID NO:2.

2. An isolated polypeptide as claimed in claim 1 in which the amino acid sequence has at least 95%) identity.

3. The polypeptide as claimed in claim 1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

4. The isolated polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.

5. A polypeptide comprising an immunogenic fragment of a polypeptide as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the immunogenic activity ofthe immunogenic fragment is substantially the same as the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2

6. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that has at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide.

7. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 70%> identity to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, over the entire coding region; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide.

8. An isolated polynucleotide which comprises a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity to that of SEQ ID NO: 1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide.

9. The isolated polynucleotide as defined in any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the identity is at least 95%>.

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10. An isolated polynucleotide selected from:

(a) a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2;

(b) the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; and (c) a polynucleotide obtainable by screening an appropriate library under stringent hybridization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or a fragment thereof; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide

11. An expression vector or a recombinant live microorganism comprising an isolated polynucleotide according to any one of claims 6 - 10.

12. A host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 11 or a membrane thereof expressing the polypeptide of claim 1.

13. A process for producing a polypeptide of claim 1 comprising culturing a host cell of claim 12 under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide from the culture medium.

14. A vaccine comprising an effective amount ofthe polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

15. A vaccine comprising an effective amount ofthe polynucleotide of any one of claims 6 to 10 and a pharmaceutically effective carrier.

16. A vaccine comprising an effective amount of antigen presenting cells, modified by in vitro loading with a polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5, or genetically modified in vitro to express a polypeptide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically effective earner.

17. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 which additionally comprises a TH-1 inducing adjuvant.

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18. A vaccine as claimed in claim 17 in which the TH-1 inducing adjuvant is selected from the group of adjuvants comprising: 3D-MPL, QS21, a mixture of QS21 and cholesterol, and a CpG oligonucleotide.

5 19. An antibody immunospecific for the polypeptide or immunological fragment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

20. A method for screening to identify compounds which stimulate or which inhibit the function ofthe polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5 which comprises a method selected l o from the group consisting of:

(a) measuring the binding of a candidate compound to the said polypeptide (or to the cells or membranes bearing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof by means of a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound;

(b) measuring the binding of a candidate compound to the said polypeptide (or to the

15 cells or membranes bearing the polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof in the presense of a labeled competitior;

(c) testing whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by activation or inhibition ofthe said polypeptide, using detection systems appropriate to the cells or cell membranes bearing the polypeptide; 0 (d) mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5, to form a mixture, measuring activity ofthe polypeptide in the mixture, and comparing the activity ofthe mixture to a standard; or

(e) detecting the effect of a candidate compound on the production of mRNA encoding said polypeptide and said polypeptide in cells, using for instance, an ELISA assay. 5

21. A method for the treatment of a subject by immunoprophylaxis or therapy comprising in vitro induction of immune responses to a molecule of any one of claims 1 to 5, using in vitro incubation ofthe polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5 or the polynucleotide of any one of claims 6 to 10 with cells from the immune system of a mammal, and reinfusing these activated immune cells to the mammal for the treatment of disease.

41

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the treatment is for ovarian or colon cancer.

23. An agonist or antagonist to the polypeptide of claims 1 to 5.

24. A compound which is:

(a) an agonist or antagonist to the polypeptide of claims 1 to 5;

(b) isolated polynucleotide of claims 6 to 10; or

(c) a nucleic acid molecule that modulates the expression ofthe nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5; for use in therapy.

25. A process for diagnosing a disease or a susceptibility to a disease in a subject related to expression or activity ofthe polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 5 in a subject comprising:

(a) determining the presence or absence of a mutation in the nucleotide sequence encoding said polypeptide in the genome of said subject; and/or

(b) analyzing for the presence or amount of said polypeptide expression in a sample derived from said subject.

26. An isolated polynucleotide selected form the group consisting of:

(a) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:3 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:3;

(b) an isolated polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:3; (c) the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:3 ; or

(d) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which has at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4.

27. A polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a polypeptide which comprises an amino acid sequence which has at least 70%> identity to that of SEQ ID NO:4 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4;

42 (b) a polypeptide in which the amino acid sequence has at least 70% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:4;

(c) a polypeptide which comprises the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:4;

(d) a polypeptide which is the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4; or

(e) a polypeptide which is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the sequence contained in SEQ ID NO:3.

28. A live vaccine composition comprising an expression vector or recombinant live micro-organism according to claim 11.

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