Abstract: The present invention is related to a DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the following polypeptide (a) or (b): (a) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence which is identical or substantially identical with an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 or No. 2, (b) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 or No. 2 in which part of amino acids are deleted, substituted or added, and having substantially the same biological activity as the function of the polypeptide (a). The present invention is further related to an antibody binding to the polypeptide or protein, an anti-cancer agent comprising the antibody, a method of screening a substance that binds to the protein or a peptide fragment thereof, and a polynucleotide having at least 15 bases and hybridizing with the DNA according to the present invention under stringent conditions, and a method of detecting cancer with the use of said polynucleotide.

Abstract: A novel gene apparently encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein has been successfully isolated by constructing a cDNA library of 4 kb or above in size from mRNA expressed in human adult brain and analyzing the structures of cDNAs contained within said library by the shotgun method. The novel gene shows brain-specific expression and the protein encoded by said gene has a typical PDZ protein binding motif.

Abstract: A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

Abstract: Selection of clones having the kinase and/or phosphatase-like structure from clones which had been isolated and the structures thereof had been determined in the Helix Research Institute (helix clones; Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-183767) was conducted. Twelve novel genes were provided by carrying out homology search for all the helix clones by using the amino acid sequences of known kinases and phosphatases as queries. The genes are expected to be involved in intracellular signal transduction. The physiological functions of the inventive genes can be tested by using reporter gene assay systems capable of detecting signal transduction. The proteins of the present invention are useful as target molecules in drug discovery and in the development of new pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Selection of clones having the kinase and/or phosphatase-like structure from clones which had been isolated and the structures thereof had been determined in the Helix Research Institute (helix clones; Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-183767) was conducted. Two novel genes were provided by carrying out homology search for all the helix clones by using the amino acid sequences of known kinases and phosphatases as queries. The genes are expected to be involved in intracellular signal transduction. The physiological functions of the inventive genes can be tested by using reporter gene assay systems capable of detecting signal transduction. The proteins of the present invention are useful as target molecules in drug discovery and in the development of new pharmaceuticals.