THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS BASED ON NEUROTROPHIN-4 EXPRESSION

摘要

The present invention relates to neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), a newly characterized member of the BDNF/NGF/NT-3 gene family. The present invention provides for nucleic acid molecules encoding NT-4. Such molecules may comprise a sequence substantially as set forth for NT-4 in the figure [SEQ ID NO:1 (NT-4, viper)]. The present invention provides for therapeutic and diagnostic methods based on human NT-4 expression, specifically the potential to treat motor neuron diseases and prostate localized diseases, immunological related neuromuscular disorders, and peripheral and central nervous system disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea and epilepsy.