University of Arkansas

John Beard

Timothy J O'Brien

Lowell J Underwood

Kazushi Shigemasa

Alessandro D Santin

Martin J Cannon

The CA125 gene has been cloned and multiple repeat sequences as well as the carboxy terminus have been identified. The CA125 molecule comprises three major domains: an extracellular amino terminal domain (Domain 1); a large multiple repeat domain (Domain 2); and a carboxy terminal domain (Domain 3) which includes a transmembrane anchor with a short cytoplasmic domain. The amino terminal domain is dominated by its capacity for O-glycosylation and its resultant richness in serine and threonine residues. An amino terminal extension is presented, which comprises four genomic exons. The molecular structure is dominated by a repeat domain comprising 156 amino acid repeat units, which encompass the epitope binding sites. More than 60 repeat units have been identified, sequenced, and contiguously placed in the CA125 domain structure. More specifically, this invention is directed to a CA125 cDNA sequence which can be introduced into animal or human cells to achieve transcription or expression of the cDNA.

CA125 gene and its use for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions

The CA125 gene has been cloned and multiple repeat sequences as well as the carboxy terminus have been identified. The CA125 molecule comprises three major domains: an extracellular amino terminal domain (Domain 1); a large multiple repeat domain (Domain 2); and a carboxy terminal domain (Domain 3) which includes a transmembrane anchor with a short cytoplasmic domain. An amino terminal extension is present. The molecular structure is dominated by a repeat domain comprising 156 amino acid repeat units. More than 60 repeat units have been identified, sequenced, and contiguously placed in the CA125 domain structure. The repeat units encompass an interactive disulfide bridged C-enclosure and the site of OC125 and M11 binding. The repeat sequences demonstrated 70-85% homology to each other. Expression of the repeats was demonstrated in. The CA125 molecule is anchored at its carboxy terminal through a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail.

The present invention provides a DNA encoding a novel extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) which is overexpressed in ovarian, breast and colon carcinoma samples. Also provided are vector and host cells capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention, as well as the uses of the DNA and protein of the present invention. Also provided is a TADG-14 protein variant that has a potential role for detecting and targeting of ovarian carcinomas.

Extracellular serine protease

The CA125 gene has been cloned. The CA125 molecule comprises three major domains: an extracellular amino terminal domain; a large multiple repeat domain; and a carboxy terminal domain which includes a transmembrane anchor with a short cytoplasmic domain. Additionally, an amino terminal extension is present. The molecular structure is dominated by a repeat domain comprising more than sixty 156-amino-acid repeat units The repeat units encompass an interactive disulfide bridged C-enclosure and the site of OC125 and M11 binding. The CA125 molecule is anchored at its carboxy terminal through a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. The structure has potential for use as a new gold standard for detecting the CA125 antigen, and can provide a basis for the development of a vaccine useful for the treatment of ovarian cancer and other carcinomas where CA125 is elevated.

The present invention discloses the protease hepsin is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of hepsin peptides can induce immune responses to hepsin, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies. There is also provided a hepsin protein variant that is useful as a marker for ovarian cancer cells, prostate cancer cells or kidney cancer cells.

Methods for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer

The CA125 gene has been cloned and multiple repeat sequences as well as the carboxy terminus have been identified. The CA125 molecule comprises three major domains: an extracellular amino terminal domain (Domain 1); a large multiple repeat domain (Domain 2); and a carboxy terminal domain (Domain 3) which includes a transmembrane anchor with a short cytoplasmic domain. The amino terminal domain has numerous O-glycosylation sites. Domain 2 is a repeat domain comprising homologous repeat units of 156 amino acids. More than 60 repeat units have been identified, sequenced, and contiguously placed in the CA125 domain structure. The repeat units are the sites of OC125 and M11 antibody binding. The CA125 molecule is anchored at its carboxy terminal through a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic tail.

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Little Rock, AR, United States of America

John Beard