REAGENTS AND METHODS USEFUL FOR DETECTING DISEASES OF THE BREAST

摘要

A novel member of the uteroglobin family of proteins, designated as BU101, is described. BU101 is defined by a set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences transcribed from breast tissue, and polypeptides encoded thereby. A fully sequenced clone representing the longest continuous sequence of BU101 is also disclosed. These sequences are useful for the detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the breast such as breast cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to BU101-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific BU101 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of breast diseases, tumors or metastases.