NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULE ENCODING A UTERINE ESTROGEN AGONIST-INDUCIBLE PROTEIN

摘要

The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence corresponding to an estrogen agonist-inducible genetic sequence in cells derived from the uterus. The nucleic acid molecule of the present invention encodes a protein which is proposed to mediate the effects of estrogenic hormones and other estrogen agonists in inducing epithelial proliferation and differentiation in uterine and ovarian tissues. The present invention provides, therefore, a means of monitoring uterine and ovarian growth and development as well as the level of estrogenic activity in tissues including cancer tissue by, for example, measuring expression of the subject nucleic acid molecule and/or detecting the level of the estrogen agonist-mediating polypeptide encoded by said nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further provides compositions comprising the subject polypeptide or its derivatives, homologs, analogs or agonists. The present invention further contemplates a method of modulating the growth of uterine and/or ovarian tissue including uterus- or ovary-derived cancer tissue by the administration of an agonist or antagonist of expression of the subject nucleic acid molecule or activity of the polypeptide encoded by same. The instant nucleic acid molecule also provides directly or indirectly via its expression product a means for diagnosing, detecting or otherwise monitoring uterine cancers and/or ovarian cancers. The present invention further provides a promoter and/or other regulatory regions associated with the expression of the subject nucleic acid molecule.