Interleukin-1beta converting enzyme like cysteine protease

Abstract

A new member of a family of ICE-like cysteine proteases has been identified. The protease family is termed LICE (Like ICE) and the family member described herein is LICE3. LICE3 polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding LICE3 and vectors and host cells for the expression LICE3 are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for identifying LICE3 agonists and antagonists, and methods for treatment of disorders characterized by altered apoptosis.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a novel cysteine protease having homology to interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE). The protease represents a member of a family of cysteine proteases termed LICE (Like ICE) which may be involved in modulating apoptosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Programmed cell death, also called apoptosis, is essential for the maintenance of tissue size and cell number homeostasis of multi-cellular organisms, and also plays an important role in the development of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disease, viral infection, and neurodegeneration. The importance of apoptosis in controlling cell proliferation as well as differentiation was not addressed until recently (for review, see Ellis et al. Ann. Rev. Cell Biol. 7, 663-698 (1991); Williams and Smith, Cell 74, 777-779 (1993); Vaux et al. Cell 76, 777-779 (1994); Hoffman and Liebermann, Oncogene 9, 1807-1812 (1994); White, Genes Dev. 10, 1-15 (1996); Abbas, Cell 84, 655-657 (1996). Molecular study of apoptosis was initiated in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans whose development is strictly controlled by at least 14 genes regulating apoptosis (Ellis, supra; Hengartner and Horvitz, Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 4, 581-586 (1994a). Among these genes, ced-9 was found to suppress apoptosis and shared homology with the mammalian proto-oncogene Bcl-2 (Hengartner and Horvitz, Cell 76, 665-676 (1994b)). Other nematode genes, including ced-3 and ced-4, were required for programmed cell death to occur, and loss-of-function mutation in these two genes resulted in survival of cells that would normally undergo cell death (Ellis and Horvitz, Cell 44, 817-829 (1986); Yuan and Horvitz, Development 116, 309-320 (1992).

[0003] Structural analysis of the cloned ced-3 gene revealed the structural/functional homology between this gene product and a mammalian enzyme called interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE, Yuan et al. Cell, 75, 641-52 (1993). ICE cleaves the pro form of interleukin-1&bgr; (Black et al. FEBS Lett. 247, 386-390 (1989); Kostura et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 5227-5231 (1989)) and defined a new class of cysteine proteases (Cerretti et al., Science 256, 97-100 (1992); Thornberry et al., Nature 356, 768-774 (1992); Molineaux et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 1809-1813 (1993). However, it appeared that cleavage of IL-1&bgr; was not the only function of ICE. In cultured cells, over-expression of either CED-3 or ICE induced apoptosis (Miura et al., 1993). When ICE was introduced into dorsal root ganglia neurons by microinjection, it also triggered programmed cell death (Gagliardini et al. Science 263, 826-828, (1994). These data strongly suggested that both CED-3 and ICE contained a protease activity that was important for the control of programmed cell death, and that ICE or ICE-like cysteine protease(s) were involved in controlling mammalian apoptosis.

[0004] Although ICE shares strong homology with CED-3, its role in apoptosis is not well defined. Mice deficient in ICE develop normally and show little abnormality in tissue homeostasis (Li et al. Cell 80, 401-411 (1995); Kuida et al. Science 267, 2000-2003 (1995), suggesting that this subset of proteolytic enzymes might exhibit functional redundancy, or that ICE may not be involved in the major apoptotic mechanism.

[0005] A number of genes encoding putative cysteine proteases that share sequence homology with CED-3 and ICE have been described recently. ICE-related genes include Nedd2 or Ich1 (Kumar et al., Genes Dev 8, 1613-1626 (1994); Wang et al., Cell 78, 739-750 (1994), Tx, Ich2 or ICErelII (Faucheu et al., EMBO J 14, 1914-1922 (1995); Kamens et al., J Biol Chem 270, 15250-15256 (1995), ICErelIII (Munday et al., J Biol Chem 270, 15870-15876 (1995), Mch2 (Fernandes-Alnemri et al., Cancer Res 55, 2737-2742 (1995), CPP32&bgr; (Fernandes-Alnemri et al., J Biol Chem 269, 30761-30764 (1994); Tewari et al., Cell 81, 801-809 (1995), and Mch3 or CMH-1 (Fernandes-Alnemri et al., Cancer Res 55, 6045-6052 (1995b); Lippke et al., J Biol Chem 271, 1825-1828 (1996). ICErelIlI has also been isolated as Ty (see PCT Application No. 96/04387). The mouse ortholog of CPP32&bgr; has also been reported (Juan et al. Oncogene 13, 749-755 (1996)).

[0006] The role of ICE-like proteases in controlling apoptosis suggests that they will be useful for regulating events surrounding programmed cell death. As apoptosis is likely to be important in disorders characterized by excessive cell death (e.g., autoimmune diseases, viral infections and nerve cell degeneration) and in disorders involving increased cell proliferation (e.g., cancer), it is an object of the invention to identify genes and their encoded polypeptides that are involved in apoptosis. It is a further object of the invention to identify additional ICE-related cysteine proteases for the purpose of identifying new genes and proteins that control apoptosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A novel member of a family of ICE-like cysteine proteases has been identified. The family of proteases is termed LICE (Like ICE) and the family member described herein is termed LICE3. Nucleic acid sequences encoding LICE3 and nucleic acid sequences which hybridize to LICE3 sequences as shown in FIG. 1 and remain hybridized under stringent conditions are encompassed by the invention. Vectors and host cells for the expression of LICE3-encoding nucleic acid sequences are also provided for.

[0008] LICE3 polypeptides and derivatives thereof which exhibit at least 60% homology with the LICE3 amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1 are also included. Methods of production of LICE3 polypeptides and antibodies or fragments thereof which specifically bind LICE3 are also considered part of the invention.

[0009] The observed homlogy between LICE3 and other ICE-related genes which are known to encode polypeptides that are involved in apoptosis, suggests that LICE3 is also involved in controlling apoptosis or programmed cell death. Therefore, compounds which block LICE3 activity may reduce the rate and/or extent of apoptosis. Methods for identifying compounds which interact with LICE3 and block its activity are encompassed by the invention. Methods for the treatment of disorders characterized by increased cell proliferation or increased apoptosis are also included.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] FIG. 1. Nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of human LICE3 cDNA. The human cDNA contains a 389 amino acid open reading frame. Numbers on the left-hand side of the sequence indicate nucleotide positions, and numbers on the right-hand side indicate amino acid positions. Predicted translational start codon (ATG) as well as translational stop codons (TGA) are indicated by bold-faced type. The in-frame stop codon in the 5′ untranslated region is underlined. The amino acid sequence QAC(R/Q)G critical for covalent linkage to the substrate is also underlined.

[0011] FIG. 2. Sequence comparison of cysteine proteases LICE3, LICE 2, LICE 1/CPP325, Mch2, ICE, Tx, Ich1, and CED-3. Amino acid sequences of human LICE 3 (LICE 3), human LICE 2 (LICE 2), human LICE 1/CPP32&bgr; (LICE1), human Mch2 (Mch2), human ICE, human Ich1, human Tx, and C. elegans CED-3 (CED3) were compiled to get the best alignment using the computer program MALIGNED. Residues conserved in 70% or more sequences (at least six of eight) are indicated in boldface. Potential aspartic acids cleavage sites (at positions 281 and 295) and the three residues required for substrate catalysis (Arg-167, His-225, and Arg-316) are shown in bold face and indicated with asterisks. The cysteine residue in QAC(R/Q)G required for catalytic binding is also indicated. Positions of the amino acid residues are as indicated.

[0012] FIG. 3. Northern analysis of LICE 3 expression. Three human Northern blots of poly(A)+ mRNA from various tissues, as indicated, were hybridized with a human LICE 3 random primed DNA probe. Numbers at the left-hand side indicate size. Expression level of glucose-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) gene is shown in the lower panel and was obtained by hybridizing the filter with a random-primed probe generated with a 1.1-kbp human G3PDH cDNA. Arrows at the right-hand side indicate the LICE 3 message.

[0013] FIG. 4. Expression of LICE3 polypeptide in reticulocyte lysates. Expression was carried out as described in Example 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A novel cysteine protease having homology to interleukin-1&bgr; converting enzyme (ICE) and other ICE-related polypeptides has been identified. An expressed sequence tag (EST) (GenBank accession no. T96912) having homology to ICE and CED-3 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and used to probe a human fetal liver cDNA library. The resulting full-length clone was sequenced and found to have significant homology to apoptosis genes ICE and CED-3 and to various other ICE-related genes encoding cysteine proteases. In particular, significant homology to CPP32&bgr; and Mch3&agr; (CMH-1) was observed. CPP32&bgr; and Mch3&agr; (CMH-1) are designated herein as members of a family of ICE-like proteases termed LICE (Like ICE). CPP32&bgr; is LICE1, Mch3&agr; (CMH-1) is LICE2 and the new member described herein is LICE3.

[0015] The conserved sequence QACRG present in ICE-related cysteine proteases which is implicated in substrate binding and catalysis is largely conserved in the presently isolated gene (the sequence QACQG at residues 266-270 of LICE3 as shown in FIG. 2). Recent reports of two new ICE-like proteases, one designated alternatively as FLICE, MACH1, or Mch5 (Boldin et al. Cell 85, 803-815 (1996); Muzio et al. Cell 85, 817-827 (1996); Fernandes-Alnemri et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 7464-7469 (1996)) and a second designated Mch4 (Fernandes-Alnermi et al. ibid), also reveal a substrate binding site having the sequence QACQG. In addition, Mch4 has a predicted amino acid sequence which is identical with portions of the LICE3 amino acid sequence.

[0016] A Northern blot analysis using a 10.1 kb LICE3 DNA probe revealed LICE3 expression in a variety of tissues (see Example 2). Significantly, LICE3 expression was observed in spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood leukocyte suggesting a potential role for LICE3 in hematopoiesis. Expression of LICE3 in vitro in reticulocyte lysates (Example 3) and in E. coli (Example 4) is described. Extensive homology ot LICE3 with ICE and CED-3 and conservation of amino acid residues in LICE3 required for cysteine protease activity indicates a role for LICE3 in apoptosis.

[0017] The invention provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having one or more of the biological activities of LICE3. As used herein, the term nucleic acid encompasses cDNA, genomic DNA, wholly or partially synthetic DNA or RNA. The biological activity of LICE3 polypeptides includes, but is not limited to, proteolytic activity and stimulation of apoptosis. Protease activity may be assayed by cleavage of an appropriate protein or peptide substrate. Substrates may include poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (Lazebnik et al., Nature 1, 346-347 (1994)), other proICE-like proteases; nuclear lamins A, B1/B2, and C; Gas2; protein kinase C8; sterol regulatory element binding proteins; and synthetic tetrapeptides such as DEVD (Whyte, Trends Cell Biol. 6, 245-248 (1996)). LICE3 activity in stimulating apoptosis may be assayed by a variety of techniques including DNA fragmentation analysis (Martin et al. EMBO J. 14, 5191-5200 (1995)).

[0018] The nucleic acids of the invention are selected from the group consisting of:

[0019] a) the nucleic acid as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______) and its complementary strand;

[0020] b) nucleic acids which hybridize to the polypeptide coding regions of the nucleic acids shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______) and remain hybridized to the nucleic acids under high stringency conditions; and

[0021] c) nucleic acids which are degenerate to the nucleic acids of (a) or (b).

[0022] Generally, “high stringency” conditions refers to conditions of temperature and salt which are about 12-20° C. below the melting temperature (Tm) of a perfect hybrid of part or all of the complementary strands corresponding to SEQ. ID. NO: 1 or, alternatively, are about 12-20° C. below the Tm of a perfect hybrid of part or all of the complementary strands corresponding to SEQ. ID. NO: 3. In one embodiment, “high stringency” conditions refer to conditions of about 65° C. and not more than about 1M Na+. It is understood that salt concentration, temperature and/or length of incubation may be varied in either the first or second hybridization steps such that one obtains the hybridizing nucleic acid molecules according to the invention. Conditions for hybridization of nucleic acids and calculations of Tm for nucleic acid hybrids are described in Sambrook et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

[0023] The nucleic acids of the invention may hybridize to part or all of the polypeptide coding region of LICE3 as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______) and therefore may encompass truncations or extensions of the nucleic acid in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______). Truncated or extended nucleic acids are encompassed by the invention provided that they retain one or more of the biological properties of LICE3. The hybridizing nucleic acids may also include noncoding sequences located 5′ and/or 3′ to the LICE3 coding regions. Noncoding sequences include regulatory regions involved in LICE3 expression, such as promoters, enhancer regions, translational initiation sites, transcription termination sites and the like.

[0024] Nucleic acids of the invention encode biologically active LICE3 fragments and analogs. Examples of fragments include alterations in the nucleic acid sequence which result in truncated LICE3 molecules having a deletion of one or more amino acids at the carboxy terminus, the amino terminus, and/or at internal regions. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid will encode a polypeptide of at least about 10 amino acids. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid will encode a polypeptide of at least about 20 amino acids. In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid will encode polypeptides of at least about 50 amino acids. Examples of analogs include alterations in the nucleic acid sequence which result in one or more amino acid substitutions or insertions in the LICE3 coding region. Nucleic acid sequences encoding LICE3 fragments and analogs are generated using standard recombinant DNA methodology.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acids of the invention encode human LICE3 as shown in FIG. 1 and SEQ ID NO.______. A DNA clone having the sequence of human LICE3 coding region as shown in FIG. 1 has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. on under accession no.

[0026] The nucleic acids of the invention will be linked with DNA sequences so as to express biologically active LICE3. Sequences required for expression are known to those skilled in the art and include promoters and enhancer sequences for initiation of RNA synthesis, transcription termination sites, ribosome binding sites for the initiation of protein synthesis, and leader sequences for secretion. Sequences directing expression and/or secretion of LICE3 may be homologous, i.e., they may be identical to or derived from those sequences in the genome involved in LICE3 expression and secretion, or may be heterologous, i.e., they may be present or derived from a different organism or host cell. A variety of plasmid vectors are available for expressing LICE3 in mammalian, plant, bacterial, insect, viral and yeast host cells. LICE3 coding regions may also be modified by substitution of preferred codons for optimal expression in a given host. Codon usage in bacterial, plant, insect, yeast and mammalian host systems is known may be exploited by one skilled iii the art to optimize mRNA translation. In addition, vectors are available for the tissue-specific expression of LICE3 in transgenic animals. Retroviral and adenovirus-based gene transfer vectors may also be used for the expression of LICE3 in human cells for in vivo therapy (see PCT Application No. 86/00922).

[0027] Nucleic acids of the invention may be used to identify the chromosomal locus of LICE3 and to identify aberrations in chromosomal LICE3 (e.g., translocations, deletions or insertions) which may be predictive of disease states. Part or all of the LICE3 sequence may be used a probe for chromosomal LICE3. Alterations in the LICE3 chromosomal gene may result in altered LICE3 expression that could increase or decrease the rate and/or extent of apoptosis in cells and affected tissues. It is anticipated that cells of the hematopoietic system (e.g. spleen and lymph node) may be most affected by altered LICE3 expression.

[0028] LICE3 nucleic acids may also be used to identify related genes which are ICE-like proteases. Nucleic acid probes can be made to conserved regions of ICE-like proteases and used to screen cDNA or genomic libraries by hybridization or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for related molecules.

[0029] Nucleic acids of the invention may also be used as reagents for gene therapy and anti-sense therapy to modify the expression of LICE3 in selected tissues. LICE3 expression may be increased by modifying a targeted tissue with an expression vector containing the LICE3 coding region, wherein the vector produces LICE3 in a tissue specific manner. Gene therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions where increased apoptosis is desired, such as cancer. Endogenous LICE3 expression may be decreased by using anti-sense nucleic acids to a portion of the LICE3 coding region or to a control region operably linked thereto. The anti-sense nucleic acids may be the full-length LICE3 gene or to a fragment thereof which hybridizes to the endogenous LICE3 gene or a control region regulating expression of same. Anti-sense therapy is used to treat conditions where expression or overexpression of LICE3 is undesirable such as neurodegenerative diseases and viral infections where affected cells are undergoing apoptosis.

[0030] Nucleic acid sequences of the invention are also used to produce recombinant LICE3 as described below.

[0031] Procaryotic and eucaryotic host cells expressing LICE3 are also provided by the invention. Host cells include bacterial, yeast, plant, insect or mammalian cells. LICE3 may also be produced in transgenic animals such as mice or goats. Plasmids and vectors containing the nucleic acids of the invention are introduced into appropriate host cells using transfection or transformation techniques known to one skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, host cells contain DNA sequences encoding the LICE3 as shown in FIG. 1 and SEQ ID NO.______. Examples of mammalian host cells for LICE3 expression include, but are not limited to COS, CHOd-, 293 and 3T3 cells.

[0032] ICE is expressed as a 404 amino acid polypeptide which is modified by cleavage at four aspartic acid residues. Two cleavage sites at Asp-257 and Asp-316 are indicated in FIG. 2. Mature ICE is a 30 kDa protein of two subunits of 10 kDa and 20 kDa. The remaining fragments generated by processing are not part of the mature polypeptide. The active form of ICE is believed to be a tetramer of two dimers each having a 10 kDa and 20 kDa subunit. (Thornberry et al., supra.) By analogy with ICE and other ICE-like proteases, LICE 3 is expressed as a proenzyme which is further processed by cleavage at aspartic acid residues to yield several proteolytic fragments. The term “proenzyme” when used in reference to LICE3 refers to a polypeptide resulting from the expression of LICE3-encoding DNA which is further processed by cleavage at one or more aspartic acid residues in the polypeptide. By comparision with cleavage sites of other ICE-like proteases, potential sites for LICE3 processing include aspartic acid residues at positions 281 and 295 (note alignment of sequences in FIG. 2). A third potential cleavage site may be located at the aspartic acid residue at position 86 although the alignment in this region with aspartic acid residues of other ICE-like proteases is less striking. Typically, two different molecular weight cleavage products of the proenzyme will associate into a multimeric form (usually a tetramer) to give the biologically active form. Potential fragments extending from residues 86-281 (about 21 kDa fragment) and residues 295-389 (about 10 kDa fragment) are likely to form active multimeric LICE3.

[0033] LICE3 polypeptides and fragments thereof which have at least one of the biological activities of LICE3 are encompassed by the invention. In one embodiment, full-length LICE3 polypeptides and fragments thereof have the amino acid sequence in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO.______) or a portion thereof. The polypeptides may or may not have an amino terminal methionine residue. A LICE3 polypeptide may be a proenzyme expressed by the nucleic acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO.______) or may comprise one or more proteolytic fragments thereof which are capable of associating to form a biologically active molecule. Potential polypeptide fragments span residues 86-281 and 295-389.

[0034] A derivative of LICE3 refers to a polypeptide having an addition, deletion, insertion or substitution of one or more amino acids such that the resulting polypeptide has at least one of the biological activities of LICE3. In a preferred embodiment, a LICE3 derivative will have at least about 60% homology to part or all of the amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO.______) and have at least one of the biological activities of LICE3. The derivative may be naturally occurring, such as a polypeptide product of an allelic variant or a mRNA splice variant, or it may be constructed using techniques available to one skilled in the art for manipulating and synthesizing nucleic acids.

[0035] The invention also provides LICE3 as the product of procaryotic or eucaryotic expression of an exogenous DNA sequence, i.e., LICE3 is recombinant LICE3. Exogenous DNA sequences include cDNA, genomic DNA and synthetic DNA sequences. LICE3 may be the product of bacterial, yeast, plant, insect or mammalian cell expression. LICE3 produced in bacterial cells will have an N-terminal methionine residue. The invention also provides for a process of producing LICE comprising growing procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells transformed or transfected with nucleic acids encoding LICE3 and isolating polypeptide expression products of the nucleic acids.

[0036] Also included in the invention are LICE3 polypeptides which have undergone post-translational modifications (e.g., addition of N-linked or O-linked carbohydrate chains, processing of N-terminal or C-terminal ends), attachment of chemical moieties to the amino acid backbone, chemical modifications of N-linked or O-linked carbohydrate chains, and addition of an N-terminal methionine residue as a result of procaryotic host cell expression. The polypeptides may also be modified with a detectable label, such as an enzymatic, fluorescent, isotopic or affinity label to allow for detection and isolation of the protein.

[0037] LICE3 chimeric proteins comprising part or all of a LICE3 amino acid sequence fused to a heterologous amino acid sequence are also included. The heterologous sequence may be any sequence which allows the resulting fusion protein to retain the activity of LICE3. The heterologous sequences include, for example, immunoglobulin fusions, such as an Fc region of IgG, which provide dimerization, or fusions to enzymes which provide a label for the polypeptide, or fusions to secretory sequence which directs extracellular transport of LICE3.

[0038] The polypeptides of the invention are isolated and purified from tissues and cell lines which express LICE3 and from transformed host cells expressing LICE3. As LICE3 is normally produced as an intracellular protein, it will be isolated from cell lysates. Isolated LICE3 polypeptide is substantially free from association with human proteins and other cell constituents.

[0039] A method for the purification of LICE3 from natural sources (e.g. tissues and cell lines which normally express LICE3) and from transfected host cells is also encompassed by the invention. The purification process may employ one or more standard protein purification steps in an appropriate order to obtain purified protein. The chromatography steps can include ion exchange, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction, reverse phase, chromatofocusing, affinity chromatography employing an anti-LICE3 antibody or biotin-streptavidin affinity complex and the like.

[0040] Also provided by the invention are chemically modified derivatives of LICE3 which provide additional advantages such as increased stability, longer circulating time, or decreased immunogenicity (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337). The chemical moieties for derivitization may be selected from water soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol/propylene glycol copolymers, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol and the like. The polypeptides may be modified at random positions within the molecule, or at predetermined positions within the molecule and may include one, two, three or more attached chemical moieties.

[0041] LICE3 polypeptides are useful for the identification of agonists and antagonists. In general, LICE3 will be a target to screen candidate substances for the ability to alter LICE3 biological activity. Identification of potential agonists or antagonists may be readily accomplished by assaying LICE3-mediated cleavage of a variety of protein substrates in the presence of candidate substances. Protein substrates suitable for assaying LICE3 activity have been described above.

[0042] LICE3 polypeptides are useful for generating antibodies which specifically bind LICE3. Anti-LICE3 antibodies are prepared using methods and reagents available to one skilled in the art. The antibodies are useful in diagnostic applications or may have therapeutic value as agonist or antagonists.

[0043] LICE3 polypeptides are intracellular regulators of apoptosis. Modulation of LICE3 levels in cells may be useful in the treatment of disorders characterized by increased apoptosis (excessive cell death) or by decreased apoptosis (excessive cell proliferation). To be used directly as a therapeutic, a LICE3 polypeptide should be in a form that is taken up by target cells. Alternatively, LICE3 agonists or antagonists may be used to modulate intracellular LICE3 levels and thereby treat apoptosis disorders.

[0044] Methods for indentifying compounds which interact with LICE3 are also encompassed by the invention. The method comprises incubating LICE3 with a compound under conditions which permit binding of the compound to LICE3 and measuring the extent of binding. The compound may be substantially purified or present in a crude mixture. Binding compounds may be proteins, peptides, carbohydrates or small molecular weight organic compounds. The compounds may be further characterized by their ability to enhance or reduce LICE3 biological activity and therefore act as LICE3 agonists or as LICE3 antagonists.

[0045] The invention also encompasses LICE3 antagonists/inhibitors and the methods for obtaining them. An antagonist will reduce or eliminate one or more of the biological activities of LICE3 As an example, a LICE3 antagonist may reduce the rate and/or extent of apoptosis. LICE3 antagonists include substances which bind to LICE3 or to LICE3 effectors or activators in a manner that blocks LICE3 activity or the generation of active LICE3 molecules. LICE3 activity may be blocked by substances which bind to LICE3 at the catalytic site QACQG or by substances which bind to LICE3 and induce a conformational change such that the catalytic site is no longer accessible to substrate molecules. Examples of LICE3 antagonists are polypeptides or peptides (e.g. anti-LICE3 antibodies or fragments thereof), carbohydrates, and small molecular weight organic molecules. In one embodiment, antagonists include peptide derivatives of cleavage sequences (such as the tetrapeptide DEVD) which have been chemically modified such that binding to LICE3, but not substrate cleavage, occurs. Peptide substrats may be converted to antagonists by modification to aldehyde and fluoro/chloromethylketone derivatives. LICE3 antagonists of this type may be readily assayed by the ability to block LICE3-mediated cleavage of a protein or peptide substrate such as those described above. Other antagonists include substances which regulate LICE3 expression and typically include nucleic acids which are complementary to nucleic acids encoding LICE3 and which act as anti-sense regulators of expression.

[0046] LICE3 agonists may also be obtained which stimulate at least one of the biological activities of LICE3. Agonists may increase the rate and/or extent of LICE3 activity. Agonists include polypeptides and peptides, carbohydrates and small molecular weight organic molecules.

[0047] Antibodies specifically binding the LICE3 polypeptides of the invention are also encompassed by the invention. The antibodies may be produced by immunization with full-length LICE3 (proenzyme form), or one or more peptide fragments thereof, and the antibodies may be polyclonal or monoclonal. In addition, the antibodies of the invention may be recombinant, such as chimeric antibodies wherein the murine constant regions on light and heavy chains are replaced by human sequences, or CDR-grafted antibodies wherein only the complementary determining regions are of murine origin. Antibodies of the invention may also be human antibodies prepared, for example, by immunization of transgenic animals capable of producing human antibodies (see, for example, PCT Application No. WO93/12227). The antibodies are useful for detecting LICE3 in biological samples, thereby allowing the identification of cells or tissues which produce LICE3 and providing a quantitative measure of LICE3 expression. In addition, antibodies or fragments thereof which bind to LICE3 may be used to block the effects of LICE3.

[0048] The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a LICE3 polypeptide, a LICE3 agonist or a LICE3 antagonist together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizer, emulsifier, preservative and/or adjuvant. The term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount which provides a therapeutic effect for a specified condition and route of administration. The composition may be in a liquid or lyophilized form and comprises a diluent (Tris, acetate or phosphate buffers) having various pH values and ionic strengths, solubilizers such as Tween or Polysorbate, carriers such as human serum albumin or gelatin, preservatives such as thimerosal or benzyl alcohol, and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium metabisulfite. Also encompassed are compositions comprising a LICE3 polypeptide, agonist and antagonist modified with a water soluble polymer to increase solubility, stability, plasma half-life and bioavailability. Compositions may also comprise incorporation of a LICE3 polypeptide, agonist or antagonist into liposomes, microemulsions, micelles or vesicles for controlled delivery over an extended period of time. Selection of a particular composition will depend upon a number of factors, including the condition being treated, the route of administration and the pharmacokinetic parameters desired. A more extensive survey of component suitable for pharmaceutical compositions is found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed. A. R. Gennaro, ed. Mack, Easton, Pa. (1980).

[0049] Compositions of the invention may be administered by injection, either subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular, or by oral, nasal, pulmonary or rectal administration. The route of administration eventually chosen will depend upon a number of factors and may be ascertained by one skilled in the art.

[0050] The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the nucleic acids of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. Nucleic acid compositions will be suitable for the delivery of part or all of the LICE3 coding region and/or flanking regions to cells and tissues as part of an anti-sense therapy regimen.

[0051] Methods for the treatment of disorders characterized by either increased apoptosis or, alternatively, increased cell proliferation are also encompassed by the invention. Administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a LICE3 polypeptide or a LICE3 agonist may be used to treat cancers by promoting apoptosis of tumor cells. Alternatively, administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a LICE3 antagonist may be used to treat conditions resulting from increased apoptosis, such as viral infections (e.g., AIDS), nervous' system degeneration (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease) and autoimmune diseases. A LICE3 agonist may stimulate the activity of LICE3 or increase levels of LICE3 expression; a LICE3 antagonist may block activity of LICE3 or decrease levels of LICE3 expression. Treatments may be employed using LICE3 polypeptides or LICE3 agonists alone or in combination with other agents which increase apoptosis when it is desired to treat disorders characterized by increased cell proliferation. LICE3 antagonists may be used alone or in combination with other agents which block apoptosis when it is desired to treat disorders characterized by increased apoptosis.

[0052] The following examples are offered to more fully illustrate the invention, but are not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

Cloning and Sequencing of LICE3

[0053] Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out with human spleen QUICK-Clone cDNA (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) as template using the following DNA oligonucleotides as primers: 1 (1082-24) 5′-CCATCGAAGCAGATGAACCCTGAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO.  ) (1082-26) 5′-AGGTTGGCTGAAGATCTGTTTAAGCACCCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO.  )

[0054] The resulting PCR generated DNA fragment corresponded to the sequence of GenBank expressed sequenced tag (EST) clone #T96912, entered Mar. 27, 1995. This DNA fragment was subcloned into pCRII vector (Invitrogen) and was used to generate antisense riboprobe for screening. A 32P-labelled riboprobe was used to screen 780,000 plaques of human fetal liver library (Cat#HL1064a, Clontech). Hybridization was performed in Stark's solution (50% formamide, 50 mM potassium phosphate, 5×SSC, 1% SDS, 5× Denhardt's, 0.05% Sarcosyl, and 300 mg/mL salmon sperm DNA) at 42° C. Filters were then washed to a final stringency of 0.1×SSC, 55° C. After two rounds of screening, two positive clones, 5-1 and 13-1, were obtained. Inserts from these two clones were amplified by PCR using the following primers flanking the cloning sites of the &lgr; vector: 2 5′-CCTTTTGAGCAAGTTCAGCCTGGTTAAGTCC-3′ (1065-30) for the left arm (SEQ ID NO.  ) 5′-CAGAGGTGGCTTATGAGTATTTCTTCCAGGG-3′ (1065-31) for the right arm (SEQ ID NO.  )

[0055] PCR products were then subcloned into pCRII vector for sequencing. DNA sequencing was performed on both template strands using Taq DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing (Applied Biosystems, Inc., Foster City, Calif.) on an automated DNA sequencer (Model 373A, Applied Biosystems). A long open reading frame of 389 amino acids was identified. The cDNA sequence is shown in FIG. 1.

[0056] A comparison of the sequence shown in FIG. 1 with ICE and CED-3 and other ICE-related protease genes revealed a strong similiarity (see FIG. 2). Significantly, LICE3 had a sequence QACQG at residues 266 to 270 which is similar to the sequence QACRG which is present in CED-3 and all other ICE-related protease genes shown in FIG. 2. This sequence defines the site for covalent substrate binding and catalysis. This site is located between amino acid residue 162 and 166 of human CPP32P/Licel and between amino acid residue 283 and 287 of human ICE. CED-3-like cysteine proteases are cleaved at two conserved aspartic acid residues, Asp-297 and Asp-316 for ICE, and Asp-175 and Asp-181 for CPP32&bgr;/Licel, to form mature enzyme (Thornberry et al., supra; Fernandes-Alnemri et al., supra; Juan et al., supra). Both aspartic acid residues were present in human Lice3 (FIG. 2). In addition, two other aspartic acid residues in the 5′ region of ICE are cleavage sites, and it is likely that LICE 3 may also have additional cleavage sites. The residues required for substrate recognition, Arg-178, His-237, and Arg-341 of human ICE (Walker et al., Cell 78, 343-352 (1994); Wilson et al., 1994; Fernandes-Alnemri et al., supra; Juan et al., supra, were also conserved in human Lice3 (FIG. 2). Overall, LICE3 shows homology to other ICE-related cysteine proteases ranging from about 43 to 57% (see Table 1). LICE3 is most closely related to LICE2 having about 57% homology with LICE2. 3 TABLE 1 1

EXAMPLE 2

Northern Blot Analysis of LICE3 Expression

[0057] A 1.1 kb DNA fragment, obtained by digesting the pCRII vector containing LICE3 cDNA with EcoRI, was used as a template to generate DNA probe using random primed DNA labeling kit (Boehringer Mannheim). Three human multiple tissue Northern blots (Cat#7759-1, 7760-1, and 7754-1, Clontech) were hybridized with this DNA probe in Stark's solution overnight at 42° C. The filters were washed briefly with 6×SSC at room temperature, then twice with 2×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 42° C. for 15 min, twice with 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 42° C. for 15 min, and twice with 0.5×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 42° C. for 15 min. The filters were then exposed to Kodak X-ray film for 2 days prior to development. For an internal control, the filters were hybridized with a random-primed cDNA probe of a 1.1-kb human glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH, Clontech) under the same conditions.

[0058] The LICE3 mRNA is approximately 4 kb, and is expressed in a variety of human tissues, including heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, prostate, small intestine, ovary, spleen, lymph node, thymus, appendix, and peripheral blood leukocyte, bone marrow, and fetal liver (see FIG. 3). Lice3 is highly expressed in hematopoietic tissues such as spleen and lymph node, suggesting that it may play a role in hematopoiesis. Human brain is the only tissue in which LICE3 mRNA expression is not observed. The expression pattern of LICE3 is distinguishable from that of CPP32&bgr;/LICE1, whose expression is detectable in brain.

EXAMPLE 3

Expression of LICE3 in Reticulocyte Lysates

[0059] The full-length LICE3 sequence, cloned into an in vitro translation vector (pCITE-4b containing an S-tag N-terminal fusion sequence, Novagen), was used to express the protein using the Promega's TnT T7-Coupled Reticulocyte Lysate System with precharged E. coli lysine tRNA biotinylated at the &egr;-amino acid group to label the protein. Reactions were set up according to the manufacturer's recommendations and incubated at 30° C. for 90 min. An aliquot of each reaction, together with molecular mass markers, was resolved on a pre-cast 10% NuPAGE gel (Novex) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane (0.45 &mgr;m, Schleicher and Schuell) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The membrane was dried, blocked, and incubated with Streptavidin-Alkaline phosphatase (which recognizes biotinylated proteins). After washing, the relevant proteins were detected using Western Blue Stabilized Substrate for Alkaline phosphatase (Promega). FIG. 4 shows an image of the membrane. The relative molecular mass of the markers, in kDa, is shown to the left of the image. The Luciferase control and LICE3 proteins migrate at their expected relative molecular mass.

EXAMPLE 4

Expression of LICE3 in E. coli lysates

[0060] The full-length LICE3 sequence was cloned into an E. coli expression vector in which an oligohistidine sequence was introduced at the N-terminus of the protein. The resulting plasmid was transformed into BL21(DE3)LysS strain of E. coli (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) using standard techniques. Transformants were grown overnight at 37° C. in LBamp and the overnight cultures were diluted 1:100 in fresh LBamp. Cultures were grown at 30° C. until an OD600 of 0.8-1.0 was attained and then 0.5 mM isopropyl-&bgr;-D-thiogalactosidase was added and the cultures incubated at 30° C. for 3 hr to induce expression of the fusion protein. Cells were pelleted and washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) before being resuspended in lysis buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, 1% NP-40) containing 1% Aprotinin, 1 &mgr;g/ml Leupeptin, 1 &mgr;g/ml Pepstatin, 1 &mgr;g/ml E64, and 1 mM PMSF. Cells were lysed by sonication for 2 min in a water bath sonicator (Branson Ultrasonics Corp., Danbury, Conn.) and the subsequent lysates centrifuged at 5,000×g for 10 min. Aliquots from the insoluble pellet and the soluble fraction, together with molecular mass markers, were resolved on a pre-cast 10% NuPAGE gel (Novex, San Diego, Calif.) and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane (0.45 &mgr;m, Schleicher and Schuell, Keene, N.H.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Probing of the membrane with antibodies directed against the polyhistidine domain of the vector (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif.) detected a protein only in the insoluble pellet of cells. The protein migrated at Mr ˜49,000, close to the expected relative molecular mass (Mr 46,000) of the full length HIS-LICE3 fusion protein. It is possible that some of the fusion protein was expressed in the soluble fraction of cells but the oligohistidine sequence had been removed by autoprocessing by the protease. Recombinant LICE3 protein from the insoluble fraction of cells is purified and refolded.

[0061] While the invention has been described in what is considered to be its preferred embodiments, it is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising at least one of the biological activities of LICE3 wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of:

a) the nucleic acid shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: ______);

b) nucleic acids which hybridize to the polypeptide coding regions of the nucleic acids shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: ______) and remain hybridized to the nucleic acids under high stringency conditions; and

c) nucleic acids which are degenerate to the nucleic acids of (a) or (b).

2. The nucleic acid of claim 1 which is cDNA, genomic DNA, synthetic DNA or RNA.

3. A polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of claim 1.

4. The nucleic acid of claim 1 including one or more codons preferred for Escherichia coli expression.

5. The nucleic acid of claim 1 having a detectable label attached thereto.

6. The nucleic acid of claim 1 comprising the polypeptide-coding region of FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______).

7. A nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO.______.

8. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 1.

9. The expression vector of claim 8 wherein the nucleic acid comprises the polypeptide-encoding region as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______).

10. A host cell transformed or transfected with the expression vector of claim 8.

11. The host cell of claim 10 which is a eucaryotic or procaryotic cell.

12. The host cell of claim 11 which is Escherichia coli.

13. A process for the production of LICE3 polypeptide comprising:

growing under suitable nutrient conditions host cells transformed or transfected with the nucleic acid of claim 1; and

isolating the polypeptide product of the expression of the nucleic acid.

14. A polypeptide produced by the process of claim 13.

15. A polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______) or a derivative thereof having at least about 60% homology to the amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: ______) wherein the polypeptide has at least one of the biological activities of LICE3.

16. An antibody or fragment thereof which specifically binds LICE3.

17. The antibody of claim 16 which is a monoclonal antibody.

18. A method for detecting the presence of LICE3 in a biological sample comprising:

incubating the sample with the antibody of claim 16 under conditions that allow binding of the antiboby to LICE3; and

detecting the bound antibody.

19. A method to assess the ability of a candidate compound to bind LICE3 comprising:

incubating LICE3 with the candidate compound under conditions that allow binding; and

measuring the bound compound.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the compound is an antagonist of LICE3.

21. A method of regulating expression of LICE3 in an animal comprising administering to the animal a nucleic acid complementary to the nucleic acids as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:______).

22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of LICE3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, solubilizer, stabilizer and/or anti-oxidant.

23. The composition of claim 22 wherein LICE3 is human LICE3.

24. A method of treating a disorder characterized by increased apoptosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a LICE3 antagonist.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the disorder is a viral infection, an autoimmune disease, or a nervous system degeneration.

26. A method of treating a disorder characterized by increased cell proliferation comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of LICE3.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the disorder is cancer.