LIGAND GROWTH FACTORS THAT BIND TO THE erbB-2 RECEPTOR PROTEIN AND INDUCE CELLULAR RESPONSES

摘要

The present invention relates to erbB-2 ligands and function derivatives thereof which are capable of binding to the erbB-2 transmembrane protein but fail to bind to epidermal growth factor receptor. The present invention further pertains to anti-ligand molecules capable of recognizing and binding to the erbB-2 ligand molecule and to screening assays for such ligands. The present invention additionally relates to uses for the erbB-2 ligand, the anti-ligand molecules and the screening assays.