NOVEL HUMAN GROWTH FACTORS

摘要

The present invention relates to huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 proteins which are novel human growth factors. These proteins share homology with the XAG protein of Xenopus laevis and can be found in colon tissue. huXAG-1 is specifically found in cancerous colon cells and may therefore be a growth factor for colon cancer. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 proteins. huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of huXAG-1, huXAG-2 or huXAG-3 activity as well as diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the proteins.