METHOD USING HUMAN OR MOUSE ISG12 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF MEDICAMENTS AND SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM IN THE ISG12 GENE FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES

摘要

Disclosed is a novel gene, interferon-inducible gene 12 (ISG12, IFI27), which interacts with nuclear receptors and boosts nuclear transport of such transcription factors, resulting in a reduction of the transcription activities of said nuclear receptors, the effects on NR4A1 and PPARa and PPAR? being given as examples. If ISG12 is missing, e.g. in ISG12-deficient mice, the transcription activities of said nuclear receptors are not affected and the protective effects thereof become fully apparent. Correspondingly, ISG12-deficient mice are resistant against restenosis following carotid artery ligation and endotoxin-induced death. Human genetic studies indicate the importance of ISG 12, the invention showing a close link between an intronic ISG12 SNP and the occurrence of hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. ISG12 is therefore a target for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular diseases.