DNA encoding a vertebrate homolog of hedgehog, Vhh-1, expressed by the notochord, and uses thereof

US6566092B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York · US

Inventors

• Thomas M. Jessell · New York, US
• Jane Dodd · New York, US
• Henk Roelink · Seattle, US
• Thomas Edlund · Umeå, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 27, 1997
• Grant date: May 20, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K38/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a vhh-1 protein, an isolated protein which is a vhh-1 protein, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a vhh-1 protein, mamunalian cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to a vhh-1 protein, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting a nucleic acid molecule encoding a vhh-1 protein, pharmaceutical compositions related to the vhh-1 proteins, nonhuman transgenic animals which express a normal or a mutant vhh-1 protein. This invention further provides methods for inducing differentiation of floor plate cell, motor neuron, generating ventral neurons and treatments for alleviating abnormalities associated with the vhh-1 protein.