HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL GROWTH FACTOR (SCGF)

摘要

The present invention provides a novel polypeptide possessing growth activities on hematopoietic stem cells, a gene encoding the polypeptide and an antibody reacting specifically with the polypeptide, as well as a method for isolating the above gene and a vector for use in the method. According to the present invention, it is possible to elucidate the pathogenesis of various hematopoietic diseases due to abnormalities in hematopoietic stem cells and of bone marrow inhibition, and to diagnose and treat such diseases. According to the present invention, it is also possible to amplify hematopoietic stem cells in vitro for bone marrow transplantation necessary for the treatment of such diseases or improve efficiency of a gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells for utilizing the gene therapy. The vector and the method of gene isolation developed to isolate the SCGF gene of the invention are applicable to search for other novel genes and able to contribute to the technological progress in genetic engineering.