HOMEOBOX GENE FROM ZEBRA FISH

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a new protein having activities such as causing the formation of an organizer in the embryo of Xenopus and zebra fish in a cellular, non-self-sustained state and determining a dorso-ventral axis. ;SOLUTION: This new protein is the dharma protein comprising an amino acid sequence of the formula. The protein is obtained e.g. by subjecting the extract from cells or tissue (e.g. embryos of vertebrate) supposed to be expressing the protein to affinity chromatography using the antibody binding to the protein, or by producing the protein through culturing host cells transformed with a DNA encoding the protein. The protein is expected to be useful e.g. as a marker for teratogenicity evaluation system of substances, a nerve growth enhancer for the amelioration of peripheral nerve disorder, or the like. A neutralizing antibody to the protein and an antisense nucleic acid inhibiting the expression of the gene of the protein have possibility to show anti-cancer activity through the inhibition of its angiogenesis.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2000,JPO