Abstract: This invention provides an isolated mammalian nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention also provides prostate-specific membrane nucleic acid of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention further provides vector and vector host expression system for the prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention also provides methods to identify ligands which bind to the prostate-specific membrane antigen, to generate antibody against a complete prostate-specific membrane antigen or a portion of the antigen. This invention further provides purified prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides a therapeutic agent comprising an antibody directed against to prostate-specific membrane antigen and a cytotoxic agent conjugated thereto.

Abstract: This invention provides for an isolated mammalian nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian prostate-specific membrane antigen. This invention provides for nucleic acid probes which specifically hybridize with the nucleic acid molecule encoding said antigen. This invention provides for a method of detecting hematogenous micrometastic tumor cells of a subject performing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples of the subject using primers of said antigen. This invention provides for methods to identify ligands which bind to said antigen. This invention provides for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new gene, termed PSMA-like, that is very similar to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) gene and cross-reacts with current detection methods for PSMA. The present invention also provides for a method of distinguishing the PSMA and PSMA-like mRNAs and/or proteins for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that desire specific targeting of either the PSMA or PSMA-like gene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new gene, termed PSMA-like, that is very similar to the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) gene and cross-reacts with current detection methods for PSMA. The present invention also provides for a method of distinguishing the PSMA and PSMA-like mRNAs and/or proteins for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that desire specific targeting of either the PSMA or PSMA-like gene.