NOVEL PROTEINS C16 AND C16N OR GENES ENCODING THE SAME

摘要

Novel proteins C16 and C16N or genes encoding the same; proteins analogous to these novel proteins; partial peptides; antibodies; transgenic animals; a method for screening inhibitors by using these novel proteins; inhibitors obtained by the above screening method; etc. The novel proteins C16 and C16N or the proteins analogous thereto have the activities of inducing differentiation into cells capable of degrading hydroxyapatite, maintaining the survival of neurons, inhibiting the proliferation of osteoblasts, and/or promoting the expression of type I collagen in osteoblasts. Thus, the above proteins are applicable to the treatment of various diseases curable through the exhibition of these functions.