MCH2, AN APOPTOTIC CYSTEINE PROTEASE, AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MAKING AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

摘要

A substantially pure protein that is a member of the apoptotic Ced-3/Ice cysteine protease gene family, Mch2$g(a), and an inactive isoform of it, Mch2$g(b), are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2$g(a) and Mch2$g(b), respectively, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in combination with the protein or the nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules that encode Mch2$g(a) and Mch2$g(b) having at least 10 nucleotides and oligonucleotide molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of at least 10 nucleotides are disclosed. Recombinant expression vectors that comprise the nucleic acid molecule that encode Mch2$g(a) or Mch2$g(b), and host cells that comprise such recombinant vectors are disclosed. Antibodies that bind to an epitope on Mch2$g(a) and/or Mch2$g(b) are disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors, activators and substrates of Mch2$g(a) are disclosed. Antisense compounds and methods of using the same are disclosed.