NOVEL MEMBERS OF THE <i>IAP</i> GENE FAMILY

摘要

DNA and protein sequences are disclosed for several new members of the IAP gene family, namely ILP-2 and ILP-3 homologs which modulate TGF beta receptor activity. The ILP-2 sequence modulates apoptosis and activates JNK activity. ILP-3 inhibits ILP-1-mediated JNK activation. The disclosure also includes specific binding agents (such as antibodies) that recognize ILP-2 and ILP-3, methods of decreasing apoptosis by increasing ILP-2 expression, methods of increasing apoptosis by decreasing ILP-2 expression, methods of treating disease caused by mutations, therapeutic compositions that include ILP-2 and/or ILP-3, recombinant DNA molecules, probes, and transformed cells that incorporate the DNA sequence to express ILP-2 and/or ILP-3. The disclosure also includes methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by an increased expression of ILP-2 and/or ILP-3, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and methods of treatment of diseases caused by unwanted apoptosis, such as occurs in autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The disclosure also includes methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by an underexpression of ILP-2 and/or ILP-3, such as cancer.