Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein consisting of the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No: 1 derived from human MP52 and a homodimer protein thereof useful for treating cartilage and/or bone diseases and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same.

Abstract: A multi-step method of detecting a gene in a nuclear chromosome which is involved in mitochondrial recombination is disclosed. The method disclosed includes the steps: a) fusing enucleated .omega..sup.- mitochondrial donor cells expressing a first marker gene with nucleus-containing .omega..sup.+ mitochondrial recipient cells expressing a second marker gene different from the first marker gene to form fused cells wherein the fused cells have one type of mitochondria and b) selecting fused cells that are .omega..sup.+ and express the first and second marker genes to identify those enucleated .omega..sup.- mitochondrial donor cells with a reduced recombination frequency. The method includes the further steps of judging that the gene in a nuclear chromosome of the recipient cells involved in mitochondrial recombination is normal when the mitochondrial recombination frequency is high or that the gene is mutated when the recombination frequency is low.