The Medical College of Hampton Roads

Gmp Endotherapeutics, Inc.

Mcgill University

Mogill University

Aaron I Vinik

Gary L Pittenger

David A Taylor-Fishwick

Lawrence Rosenberg

Ronit Rafaeloff-Phail

William P Duguid

Ronit Rafaeloff

Scott W Barlow

Jean T S Duguid

An antibody is provided which specifically recognizes and binds to INGAP protein. The antibody is used in competitive binding assays for quantitation of INGAP in biological samples. The assay can be performed on a solid support or in a suspension.

INGAP displacement assays

A an isolated mammalian INGAP 5&#x2033;-regulatory region comprising at least about nucleotides 1-3137 of SEQ ID NO: 2 (SEQ ID NO: 23).

Regulatory sequences for modulation of INGAP expression and reporter constructs

A solid phase assay is used for detecting antibodies to INGAPpeptide, a 15-amino acid peptide that is the biologically active portion of islet neogenesis associated protein (INGAP). The isotype of the antibodies to INGAPpeptide can be determined. A kit can also be used in the detection of anti-INGAPantibodies. Endogenous autoantibodies or antibody production during therapeutic treatment of a mammal with INGAPcan be monitored.

Assay for anti-INGAP antibodies

Removal of the nucleotide sequence encoding the signal peptide from the INGAP coding sequence allows cultured cells to express substantial amounts of INGAP activity. Previous attempts have provided only low yields of INGAP, possibly because the signal sequence of INGAP is toxic to the cells.

High level of expression of INGAP in bacterial and eukaryotic cells

Cellophane wrapping (CW) of hamster pancreas induces proliferation of duct epithelial cells followed by endocrine cell differentiation and islet neogenesis. Using the mRNA differential display technique a cDNA clone expressed in cellophane wrapped but not in control pancreata was identified. Using this cDNA as a probe, a cDNA library was screened and a gene not previously described was identified and named INGAP.

INGAP protein involved in pancreatic islet neogenesis

Ingap protein involved in pancreatic islet neogenesis

High level of expression of ingap in bacterial and euraryotic cells

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Norfolk, VA, United States of America

Aaron I Vinik