The Australian National University

Biotechnology Australia Pty, Ltd

The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research

Amrad Operations Pty Ltd

Toni Marie Antalis

Philip Ralph Lehrbach

Neil H Goss

Peter L Devine

John David Hooper

Thomas Michael Barnes

Ross W Stephens

Michell A Clark

Michelle A Clark

Thomas M Barnes

Jeffrey P Golder

The present invention related generally to novel molecules and more particularly novel proteinaceous molecules involved in or associated with regulation of cell activities and/or viability. The present invention is particularly directed to novel serine proteinases and a novel kinase and to derivatives, agonists and antagonists thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a novel serine proteinase, referred to herein as 'HELA2' or 'testisin', which has roles in spermatogenesis, in suppressing testicular cancer and as a marker for cancers.

Molecules

The present invention related generally to novel molecules and more particularly novel proteinaceous molecules involved in or associated with regulation of cell activities and/or viability. The present invention is particularly directed to novel serine proteinases and a novel kinase and to derivatives, agonists and antagonists thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a novel serine proteinase, referred to herein as &ldquo;HELA2&rdquo; or &ldquo;testisin&rdquo;, which has roles in spermatogenesis, in suppressing testicular cancer and as a marker for cancers.

DNA molecules encoding human HELA2 or testisin serine proteinases

A novel human protein, minactivin, can be produced by recombinant DNA technology, Biologically active native minactivin, peptides derived from minactivin, and their amino acid sequences can also be purified.

Minactivin compositions and antibodies to minactivin

Minactivin (also known as Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-2 [PAI-2]), a protein inactivator of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, has been shown to be a natural inactivator of this plasminogen activator which is associated with invasive tumors, and is therefore indicated as a crucial element in the body's normal defense against tumor invasion and metastasis. It may be produced by the cultivation of minactivin-producing cells in vitro, and recovery of the cell culture supernatant. By controlling the culture conditions, the protein minactivin may be produced in a partially purified form which may be used for diagnosis and treatment of tumors. The specification discloses purification of biologically active native minactivin, as well as peptides derived from minactivin and their amino acid sequences. The specification also discloses methods for production of PAI-2 by recombinant DNA technology, characterization of a PAI-2 gene sequence, and expression and purification of large quantities of biologically active PAI-2 from a recombinant host.

Human PAI-2

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Toowong, Australia

Toni Marie Antalis