RATH genes and polypeptides and methods for treating and diagnosing immune diseases

摘要

The present invention relates, first, to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules, termed RATH genes and RATH gene products encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the regulation, control and/or modulation of G-protein-mediated signal transduction involved in T cell activation, including, but not limited to T helper (TH) cell and TH cell subpopulation activation. Specifically, the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include the genes corresponding to the mammalian RATH genes, including the RATH1.1 genes. Sequence analysis indicates that the RATH genes are novel genes belonging to the RGS ("regulator of G-protein signalling") gene family, a gene family which encodes gene products involved in G-protein-mediated signal transduction.