çDNA ENCODING A TRAG GENE (TGF- beta RESISTANCE ASSOCIATED GENE) AND ITS PROTEIN PRODUCT

摘要

Nucleic acids that encode novel polypeptides, designated in the present application as "TRAG" (TGF- beta Resistance Associated Gene) are provided. TRAG is overexpressed in a number of transformed rat liver epithelial (RLE) cell lines resistant to the growth inhibitory effect of TGF- beta 1 as well as in primary liver tumors. Compositions including TRAG chimeras, nucleic acids encoding TRAG, and antibodies to TRAG are also provided. Methods of using TRAG to screen for cancer cells, to screen for aggressive metastasis in cells, to screen for targets for cancer therapy, and to study cell proliferation are further provided.