REPEAT SEQUENCES OF THE CA125 GENE AND THEIR USE FOR DIAGNOSTIC INTERVENTIONS

摘要

The CA125 gene has been cloned. The CA125 molecule comprises three major domains: an extracellular amino terminal domain; a large multiple repeat domain; and a carboxy terminal domain which includes a transmembrane anchor with a short cytoplasmic domain. Additionally, an amino terminal extension is present. The molecular structure is dominated by a repeat domain comprising more than sixty 156-amino-acid repeat units The repeat units encompass an interactive disulfide bridged C-enclosure and the site of OC125 and M11 binding. The CA125 molecule is anchored at its carboxy terminal through a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. The structure has potential for use as a new gold standard for detecting the CA125 antigen, and can provide a basis for the development of a vaccine useful for the treatment of ovarian cancer and other carcinomas where CA125 is elevated.