|
|
Stem Cell Related Patent Number US7074771
Title: | Gene encoding MNR2 and uses thereof | Inventors: | Jessell, Thomas M.; New York, NY, USA
Tanabe, Yasuto; Kyoto, Japan
William, Christopher; New York, NY, USA | Summary: | Described herein are novel isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a motor neuron restricted pattern protein and a homeobox protein. The invention relates to an isolated chick nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a unique sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule encoding an MNR2 protein. Methods are provided for inducing a chick hindbrain motor neuron progenitor cell to differentiate into a chicken somatic motor neuron, such that a purified MNR2 protein, a polyclonal and a monoclonal antibody are directed to an epitope of an MNR2 protein. The resulting induced differentiation of somatic motor neurons express the MNR2 protein in neural progenitor cells, thereby yielding a transgenic animal which expresses the MNR2 protein. Further disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising am MNR2 protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also included are applications in the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases and acute nervous system injuries. | Abstract: | This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a motor neuron restricted pattern, MNR2, protein. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a unique sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule encoding a MNR2 protein. This invention provides a purified MNR2 protein, a polyclonal and monoclonal antibody directed to an epitope of an MNR2 protein. This invention provides a method of inducing differentiation somatic motor neurons which comprises expressing MNR2 protein in any neural progenitor cells. This invention provides a transgenic animal which expresses an MNR2 protein. This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a MNR2 protein and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention provides methods of treating subjects afflicted with an abnormality associated with a lack of normally functioning motor neurons, neurodegenerative disease, an acute nervous system injury and a neuromuscular disease which comprises contacting the subject with a pharmaceutical composition comprising a MNR2 protein and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention provides a functionally equivalent analog of MNR2 that induces or prevents MNR2 differentiation of neural progenitor cells. | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | Title Number: | US7074771 | Application Number: | US2002000095932 | Date Filed: | 11/03/2002 | Date Published: | 11/07/2006 | Assignee: | The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY, USA |
|
|