Abstract: A gene encoding a novel membrane protein polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and a novel membrane protein polypeptide consisting of 180 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability or a part of it. A method for producing said novel membrane protein polypeptide by preparing transformants by transforming a host cell with a vector containing said gene and culturing said transformants. A monoclonal antibody recognizing said novel membrane protein polypeptide. The above gene encodes the membrane protein having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability. The homogeneous and purified novel membrane protein polypeptide can be produced in large quantities and in addition, monoclonal antibodies recognizing said polypeptide can be produced; thus it becomes possible to identify rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also prepare reagents for the clinical diagnosis thereof.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel membrane protein polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and a novel membrane protein polypeptide consisting of 180 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability or a part of it. A method for producing said novel membrane protein polypeptide by preparing transformants by transforming a host cell with a vector containing said gene and culturing said transformants. A monoclonal antibody recognizing said novel membrane protein polypeptide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene encoding a polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and an adhesion molecule of the polypeptide consisting of 318 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, or a part of it. Said adhesion molecule is produced by preparing transformants such as microorganism or cells by transforming a host cell with a vector containing said gene and culturing said transformants.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel membrane protein polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and a novel membrane protein polypeptide consisting of 180 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability or a part of it. A method for producing said novel membrane protein polypeptide by preparing transformants by transforming a host cell with a vector containing said gene and culturing said transformants. A monoclonal antibody recognizing said novel membrane protein polypeptide.

Abstract: A gene encoding a novel membrane protein polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and a novel membrane protein polypeptide consisting of 180 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, or a part of it. A method for producing the novel membrane protein polypeptide by preparing transformants by transforming a host cell with a vector containing the gene and culturing the transformants. The homogenous and purified novel membrane protein polypeptide can be produced in large quantities and in addition, monoclonal antibodies recognizing said polypeptide can be produced; thus it becomes possible to identify rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also prepare reagents for the clinical diagnosis thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene encoding a polypeptide having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, and an adhesion molecule of the polypeptide consisting of 318 amino acid residues having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability, or a part of it. Said adhesion molecule is produced by preparing transformants such as microorganism or cells by transforming a host cell with a vector containing said gene and culturing said transformants.The above gene encodes the novel adhesion molecule enhancing the pre-B cell growth-supporting ability on the bone marrow cell and the synovial cell derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple myeloma (MM). The homogeneous and purified adhesion molecule having pre-B cell growth-supporting ability can be produced in large quantities, and therefore it is possible to identify multiple myeloma (MM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and also prepare reagents for the clinical diagnosis thereof.