Human muscle derived growth factor - cardiac and pancreatic protein (capp) and gene

摘要

The present invention relates to a novel Cardiac And Pancreatic Protein (CAPP) which is a member of the muscle derived growth factor superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human CAPP protein. CAPP 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 CAPP activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of activated T-cells, and mature heart, pancreas and placental tissues and cells. The CAPP polypeptides can also be employed in cell culture media for regulating cell differentiation and maintaining heart, placenta and pancreas cells.