Disclosed herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel polypeptides. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid sequences, and antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the polypeptide, as well as derivatives, variants, mutants, or fragments of the novel polypeptide, polynucleotide, or antibody specific to the polypeptide.
Vectors, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the polypeptides and polynucleotides, as well as methods for using same are also included. The invention further discloses therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders involving any one of these novel human nucleic acids and proteins. The present invention relates to novel polypeptides, and the nucleic acids encoding them, having properties related to stimulation of biochemical or physiological responses in a cell, a tissue, an organ or an organism.
More particularly, the novel polypeptides are gene products of novel genes, or are specified biologically active fragments or derivatives thereof. Methods of use encompass diagnostic and prognostic assay procedures as well as methods of treating diverse pathological conditions. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by biochemical and physiological processes which under normal conditions are exquisitely balanced to achieve the preservation and propagation ofthe cells. When such cells are components of multicellular organisms such as vertebrates, or more particularly organisms such as mammals, the regulation of the biochemical and physiological processes involves intricate signaling pathways.
Frequently, such signaling pathways involve extracellular signaling proteins, cellular receptors that bind the signaling proteins, and signal transducing components located within the cells. Signaling proteins may be classified as endocrine effectors, paracrine effectors or autocrine effectors. Endocrine effectors are signaling molecules secreted by a given organ into the circulatory system, which are then transported to a distant target organ or tissue. The target cells include the receptors for the endocrine effector, and when the endocrine effector binds, a signaling cascade is induced.
Paracrine effectors involve secreting cells and receptor cells in close proximity to each other, for example two different classes of cells in the same tissue or organ.
