AU743061B2 - Methods and compositions for modulating morphogenic protein expression - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE DIVISIONAL SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

U~ I Name of Applicant: SJ~2~~ 7 Ida vp awm. pq-pq&%" ft 9 Massachusetts 017A8, UnWited SAN f- Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: Engin Ozkaynak AND Hermann Oppermann DAVIOES COLUSON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia "Methods and Compositions for Modulating Morphogenic Protein Expression" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 2919/99 -1A- Methods and Compositions for Modulating Morphogenic Protein Expression Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to the field of drug screening assays. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying molecules that modulate production of true tissue morphogenic proteins.

Background of the Invention A class of proteins recently has been identified, the members of which are true tissue morphogenic proteins. The members of this class or proteins are characterized as competent for inducing the developmental cascade of cellular and molecular events that culminate in the formation of new organ-specific tissue, including any vascular or connective tissue formation as required by the naturally occurring tissue. Specifically, the morphogens are competent for inducing all of the following biological functions in a morphogenically permissive environment: stimulating proliferation of progenitor :i cells; stimulating differentiation of progenitor cells; stimulating the proliferation S. of differentiated cells and supporting the growth and maintenance of differentiated cells. For example, the morphogenic proteins can induce the full developmental 20 cascade of bone tissue morphogenesis, including the migration and proliferation of mesenchymal cells, proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, cartilage matrix formation and calcification, vascular invasion, osteoblast proliferation, bone formation, bone remodeling, and hematopoietic bone marrow differentiation. These proteins also have been shown to induce true tissue morphogenesis of non-chondrogenic tissue, including dentin, liver, and nerve tissue.

A particularly useful tissue morphogenic protein is human OP-1 (Osteogenic Protein-1), described in US 5,011, 691; US Pat. No. 5,266,683 and Ozkaynak et al.

(1990) EMBO J. 9: 2085-2093. Species homologues identified to date include mouse OP-1 (see US Pat. 5,266,683) and the Drosophila homologue 60A, described in Wharton et al. (1991) PNAS 88: 9214-9218). Other closely related proteins include P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -2- OP-2 (Ozkaynak (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267: 25220-25227 and US Pat. No. 5,266,683); BMP6 (Celeste et al. (1991) PNAS 87: 9843-9847) and Vgr-1 (Lyons et al.

(1989). These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

It previously has been contemplated that these tissue morphogens can be administered to an animal to regenerate lost or damaged tissue. Alternatively, one can envision administering a molecule capable of modulating expression of the endogenous tissue morphogen as a means for providing morphogen to a site in vivo.

It is an object of this invention to provide compositions and methods of screening compounds which can modulate expression of an endogenous tissue morphogen, particularly OP-1 and closely related genes. The compounds thus identified have utility both in vitro and in vivo. Useful compounds contemplated include those capable of stimulating transcription and/or translation of the OP-1 gene, as well as compounds capable of inhibiting transcription and/or translation of the OP-1 gene.

-:These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims which follow.

20 Summary of the Invention The invention features compositions and methods for screening candidate compounds for the ability to modulate the effective local or systemic quantity of endogenous OP-1 in an organism, and methods for producing the compounds identified. In one aspect, the method is practiced by: incubating one or more candidate compounds with cells transfected with a DNA sequence encoding, in operative association with reporter gene, a portion of an OP-1 non-coding DNA :i sequence that is competent to act on and affect expression of the associated receptor gene; measuring the level of reporter gene expression in the transfected cell, and comparing the level of reporter gene expressed in the presence of the candidate compound with the level of reporter gene expressed in the absence of the candidate compound. In a related aspect, the invention features the compound that is identified P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -3by use of the method of the invention.

The screening method of the invention provides a simple method of determining a change in the level of a reporter gene product expressed by a cell following exposure to one or more compound(s). The level of an expressed reporter gene product in a given cell culture, or a change in that level resulting from exposure to one or more compound(s) indicates that application of the compound can modulate the level of the morphogen expressed and normally associated with the non-coding sequence.

Specifically, an increase in the level of reporter gene expression is indicative of a candidate compound's ability to increase OP-1 expression in vivo. Similarly, a decrease in the level of reporter gene expression is indicative of a candidate compound's ability to decrease or otherwise interfere with OP-1 expression in vivo.

The methods and compositions of the invention can be used to identify compounds showing promise as therapeutics for various in vivo and ex vivo mammalian applications, as well as to identify compounds having numerous utilities.

For example, morphogen expression inducing compounds can be used in vivo to correct or alleviate a diseased condition, to regenerate lost or damaged tissue, to 2induce cell proliferation and differentiation, and/or to maintain cell and tissue viability and/or a differentiated phenotype in vivo or ex vivo. The compounds also can be used to maintain the viability of, and the differentiated phenotype of, cells in culture. The various in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro utilities and applications of the morphogenic proteins described herein are well documented in the art. See, for example, US 92/01968 (WO 94/03200), filed March 11, 1992; US 92/07358 (WO 93/04692), filed August 28; PCT US 92/0743 (WO 93/057541), filed August 28, 1992; US 93/07321 S. (WO 94/03200), filed July, 29, 1993; US 93/08808 (WO 94/06449), filed September 16, 1993; US 93/08885 (WO 94/06420), filed September 15, 1993, and US Pat. No.

5,266,683.

Morphogen expression inhibiting compounds identified by the methods, kits and compositions described herein can be used to modulate the degree and/or timing of P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -4morphogen expression in a cell. Such compounds can be used both in vitro and in vivo to more closely regulate the production and/or available concentration of morphogen.

List of Useful Terms and Definitions As used herein, "gene expression" is understood to refer to the production of the protein product encoded by a DNA sequence of interest, including the transcription of the DNA sequence and translation of the mRNA transcript.

As used herein, "operative association" is a fusion of the described DNA sequences with a reporter gene in such a reading frame as to be co-transcribed, or at such a relative positioning as to be competent to modulate expression of the reporter gene.

As used herein, "vector" is understood to mean any nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence of interest and competent to be incorporated into a host cell and recombining with and integrating into the host cell genome. Such vectors include linear nucleic acids, plasmid, phagemids, cosmids, YAC'S (yeast artificial chromosomes) and the like.

As used herein, "non-coding sequence" or "non-coding DNA" includes DNA sequences that are not transcribed into RNA sequence, and/or RNA sequences that are not translated into protein. This category of "non-coding sequence" has been defined for ease of reference in the application, and includes sequences occurring to the ATG site which indicates the start codon and sequences 3' to the stop codon, as well as intervening intron sequences that occur within the coding region of the gene.

As used herein, an "OP1-specific" non-coding sequence is understood to define a noncoding sequence that lies contiguous to OP1 specific coding sequence at an OP-1 gene locus under naturally-occurring conditions. The sequences may include 3' and introh sequence.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 As used herein, "allelic, species and other sequence variants thereof" includes point mutations, insertions and deletions such as would be naturally occurring or which can genetically engineered into an OP-1 non-coding DNA sequence and which do not affect substantially the regulation of a reporter gene by the OP-1 non-coding sequence. For example, one or ordinary skill in the art can use site directed mutagenesis to modify, as by deletion, for example, one or more of the OP-1 noncoding sequences described herein without substantially affecting the regulation of OP-1 or a reporter gene by the modification. Such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure provided herein.

As used herein, a "Wt-1/Egr-1 consensus binding sequence" or Wt-1/Egr-1 consensus binding element" is a nine base sequence which has been shown to be bound by the DNA binding proteins Wt-1 and Egr-1. The consensus sequence of the Wt-1/Egr-1 binding site has been determined by homology to be GNGNGGGNG, Seq.

ID No. 4 (Rauscher et al., Science 250: 1259-1262 (1990), incorporated herein by reference).

SAs used herein, a "TCC binding sequence" or "TCC binding element" is an approximately 15 to 20 base sequence of DNA which contains at least three 20 contiguous or non-contiguous repeats of the DNA sequence TCC. The TCC binding sequence identified in human OP-1 genomic DNA is shown in Seq. ID No. 5, and the TCC binding sequence identified in murine OP-1 genomic DNA is shown in Seq. ID No. 6. The TCC binding sequence has also been shown to be bound by the DNA binding proteins Wt-1 and Egr-1 (Wang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 90: 8896-8900 (1993); Wang et al., Biochem Biophys Res. Comm.. 188: 433-439 (1992)).

a.

S

As used herein, a "FTZ binding sequence" or "FTZ binding element" is a Fushitarazu DNA sequence (FTZ) that has been shown to be bound by the DNA binding protein Fushi-tarazu (FTZ-F1). The FTZ binding sequence identified in human OP-1 genomic DNA is shown in Seq. ID No. 7. The FTZ consensus sequence, a consensus sequence for the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, is YCAAGGYCR.

P:\OPER\MROU6757-99SPE 29/9/99 -6- As used herein, a "steroid binding sequence" or "steroid binding element" is a DNA sequence that has been shown to be bound by one or more elements, in response to activating signal molecules. Examples of such "activitating signal molecules" include retinoids, Vitamin D, and also include steroids such as estrogen and progesterone. Useful elements are anticipated to include the FTZ-F1 protein, WT- 1 and Egr-1. Activating signal molecules of the nuclear receptor family have recently been shown to bind to DNA as homodimers, heterodimers or as monomers (Parker, Curr. Op. Cell Biol., 1993, 5: 499-504). The formation of heterodimers among the nuclear receptor family molecules may significantly increase the diversity of binding elements which are recognized by these nuclear receptors, and provide for differential regulation of genes containing the specific binding sites. In addition, the nuclear receptors have been shown to interact with other accessory factors, such as transcription factors, to stimulate or repress transcription. These interactions, between the nuclear receptors and the nuclear receptors and accessory factors, indicate that there could be significant number of nuclear receptor/accessory factor interactions which have widely different transcriptional activities.

i While the method of the invention is described with reference to a single cell, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, this is only for ease of 20 description, and the method is most efficiently carried out using a plurality of cells.

With respect to transfection of DNA sequences in the cell and the method of the invention, all means for introducing nucleic acids into a cell are contemplated including, without limitation, CaPO 4 co-precipitation, electroporation, DEAE-dextran mediated uptake, protoplast fusion, microinjection and lipofusion. A key to the invention is the DNA sequences with which the cell is transfected, rather than the mechanical or chemical process by which the DNA incorporation is accomplished.

Useful reporter genes are characterized as being easy to transfect into a suitable host cell, easy to detect using an established assay protocol, and genes whose expression can be tightly regulated. Other reporter genes contemplated to P:\OPER\MR0\36757-99E 29/9/99 -7have utility include, without limitation, the luciferase gene, the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, the chloramphenicol Acetyl Transferase gene (CAT), human growth hormone, and beta-galactosidase. Additional useful reporter genes are any well characterized genes the expression of which is readily assayed, and examples of such reporter genes can be found in, for example, F.A. Ausubel et al., Eds., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley Sons, New York, (1989). As will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, the listed reporter genes are only a few of the possible reporter genes, and it is only for ease of description that all available reporter genes are not listed.

While the method, vectors, and cells described recite the use of a reporter gene in operative association with an OP-1 non-coding DNA sequence, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the DNA sequence OP-1, including human OP1, shown in Seq. ID No. 1 or murine OP-1, disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,266,683, is also within the scope of a suitable reporter gene. Other suitable reporter genes can be used for ease in assaying for the presence of the reporter mRNA or reporter gene O product.

Where a cell line is to be established, particularly where the transfected DNA 20 is to be incorporated into the cell's genome, lines that can be immortalized are especially desirable. As used herein, "immortalized" cell lines are viable for multiple passages greater than 50 generations) without significant reduction in growth rate or protein production.

While the selected non-coding DNA sequences disclosed herein are described using defined bases, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, to some degree the lengths of the selected DNA sequences recited are arbitrary and are defined for convenience. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, shorter sequences of OP-1 non-coding DNA sequence and other fusion DNA's can be used in a vector according to the invention, and can be transfected into a cell, or used in the method of the invention for screening a candidate compound for its ability to P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -8modulate OP-1 expression. Specifically, it is standard procedure for molecular biologists to first identify useful regulatory sequences, and then to determine the minimum sequence required, by systematic digestion and mutagenesis by exonuclease or endonuclease digestion, site directed mutagenesis and the like.

Accordingly, subsequent, standard routine experimentation is anticipated to identify minimum sequences and these, shorter sequences are contemplated by the invention disclosed herein.

Useful call types for the method and compositions according to the invention include any eukaryotic cell. Currently preferred are cell types known to express OP-1.

Such cells include epithelial cells and cells or uro-genital cell origin, including renal (kidney or bladder) cells, as well as liver, bone, nerve, ovary, cardiac muscle and the like. The cells may be derived from tissue or cultured from an established cell line.

See, for example Ozkaynak et al. (1991) Biochem. BioPhys. Res. Comm. 179: 116- 123 for a detailed description of tissues known to express OP-1. Other useful cells include those known to exhibit a steroid receptor, including cells having an estrogen Sreceptor and cells responsive to the FTZ-F1 protein. Currently preferred cells also have simple media component requirements. Other useful representative cells include, but are not limited to, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), canine kidney (MDCK); 20 or rat bladder (NBT-2) and the like. Useful cell types can be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, MD or from the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 OJG, U.K. As used herein, "derived" means the cells are from the cultured tissue itself, or are a cell line whose parent cells are of the tissue itself.

Aspects and Embodiments of the Invention In one aspect, the invention features a vector having a reporter gene operatively associated with a portion of one or more OP-1 non-coding sequences. The OP-1 noncoding sequence chosen is independently selected from the 5' (or "upstream") noncoding human or murine OP-1 sequence shown in Seq. ID Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, the 3' (or "downstream") non-coding human or murine OP-1 sequence shown in Seq.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -9- ID Nos. 1 or 3, and the human intron non-coding OP-1 sequences shown in Seq. ID No. 1. Also anticipated to be useful are the non-coding sequences 3' and intron) of other species homologs of OP-1 and proteins closely related to OP-1. In addition, the portion of OP-1 sequence included in the vector can be a combination of two or more 5' non-coding, 3' non-coding and/or intron OP-1 sequences.

In one embodiment, the vector can include a non-coding OP1-specific sequence selected from at least one of the following sequence segments of Seq. ID No. 1 presented below, and which define human genomic OP-1 sequence comprising approximately 3.3 Kb of 5' non-coding sequence. In Seq. ID No. 1, the start codon begins at position 3318, and the upstream sequence (bases 1 to 3317) is composed of untranscribed (1 to 2790) and untranslated (2791 to 3317) OP1-specific DNA; approximately 1 Kb of which is presented in Fig. 1 (bottom strand).

Useful sequence segments include bases 2548-3317, representing 750 bases sharing significant (greater than 70% identity) between the mouse and human OP-1 homologs (See Fig. and bases 3170-3317; 3020-3317, 2790-3317, 2548-2790 of Seq. ID No. 1, all shorter fragments of this region of the DNA. As base 2790 is the mRNA start site, other useful sequences include 2790-3317, representing transcribed S 20 but not translated 5' coding sequence and shorter fragments of this DNA region as noted above; upstream fragments of OP1-specific DNA, bases 2548-2790; 1549-2790; 1-2790 of Seq. ID No. 1. Also useful sequence segments include the approximately 750 bases that have homology between the human and mouse OP-1 sequences with additional upstream sequences 2300 to 3317; 1300 to 3317; 1-3317; all fragments of the disclosed upstream OP1-specific DNA sequences of Seq. ID No. 1.

In another embodiment, the sequences are defined by the non-coding sequences of the mouse OP-1 homolog, including the following 5' non-coding sequences (Seq. ID No. 2150-2296, 2000-2296, 1788-2296, and 1549-2296 all of which define the 750 bases sharing high sequence identity with the human homolog (See, Fig. 800-2296; 1-2296; 1549-1788, 800-1788 and 1-1788.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 Within this region also exist a number of Egr/Wt-1 sites (8 in hOP-1; 7 in mOPknown in the art to bind the regulatory elements Egr and Wt-1. Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention contemplates a screening material for identifying compounds which modulate OP-1 expression, the assay comprising the step of identifying compounds which bind Egr/Wt-1 site. At least one Wt/Egr-1 element, preferably between 1-6 elements, or at least 6 Wt/Egr-1 elements are included in a sequence. The relative locations of these elements are indicated in Fig. 1 and at positions 3192-3200; 3143-3151; 3027-3035; 2956-2964; 2732-2740; 2697-2704 of Seq. ID No. 1, and positions 2003-2011; 1913-1922; 1818-1826; 1765-1776; 1757- 1765; 1731-1739; 1699-1707; 1417-1425 of Seq. ID No. 2 of Seq. ID Nos. 1, 2 substantially the same Seq. alignment. The lengths of bases within these 5' noncoding sequences is selected to include portions of the sequence of DNA which was determined to be homologous between murine and human genomic OP-1, separately and as a part of a larger sequence including non-homologous DNA. Additionally, the portion of OP-1 sequence selected can be a portion of the region of homology between murine and human OP-1 DNA sequences, bases 2548-2790 or 2548-3317 of Seq. ID No. 1, or bases 1549 to 1788 or 1549 to 2296 of Seq. ID No. 2, and/or at least one of an Wt-1/Egr-1 consensus binding sequence. In still another aspect the portion of OP-1 sequence selected can include a TCC binding sequence, a FTZ binding sequence, a 20 steroid binding sequence, or part or all of an OP-1 intron sequence. The relative positions of the TCC and FTZ elements are indicated in Fig. 1 and at positions 2758- 2778 (TCC); 2432-2441 (FTZ) of Seq. ID No. 1 and 1755-1769 (TCC) of Seq. ID No.

*2.

In another aspect, the invention features a cell that has been transfected with a reporter gene in operative association with a portion of OP-1 non-coding DNA sequence. The portion of OP-1 non-coding sequence is independently selected from the 5' (or upstream) non-coding human or murine OP-1 sequence shown in Seq. ID Nos. 1 and 2, the 3' (or downstream) non-coding murine OP-1 sequence shown in Seq. ID No. 3, and the human intron non-coding OP-1 sequence shown in Seq. ID No.

1. The six human intron non-coding OP-1 sequences are at bases 3736 to 10700; P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -11bases 10897 to 11063; bases 11217 to 11424; bases 11623 to 13358; bases 13440 to 10548; bases 15166 to 17250; all of Seq. ID No. 1. In addition to portion of OP-1 sequence selected can be a combination of 5' non-coding, 3' non-coding and/or intron OP-1 sequence. Thus, the cell can have been transfected with a reporter gene in operative association with a portion of 5' non-coding OP-1 genomic sequence that is independently selected from bases 3170 to 3317; 3020 to 3317; 2790 to 3317; 2548 to 3317; 2300 to 3317; 1300 to 3317; 1 to 3317; 2548 to 2790; 1549 to 2790; and 1 to 2790; all of Seq. ID No. 1 or bases 2150 to 2296; 2000 to 2296; 1788 to 2296; 1549 to 2296; 800 to 2296; 1 to 2296; 1549 to 1788; 800 to 1788; 1 to 1788; all of Seq. ID No. 2. The lengths of bases within these 5' non-coding sequences is selected to include portions of the sequence of DNA which was determined to be homologous between murine and human genomic OP-1, separately and as a part of a larger sequence including non-homologous DNA. Additionally, the portion of OP-1 sequence selected can be a portion of the region of homology between murine and human OP-1 DNA sequences, such as bases 2548-2790 to 2548-3317 of Seq. ID No. 1, or bases 1549 to 1788 or 1549 to 2296 of Seq. ID No. 2, and at least one of an Wt-1/Egr-1 consensus binding sequence, a TCC binding sequence, a FTZ binding sequence, a steroid binding sequence, and an intron. Thus the portion of OP-1 sequence selected can be a portion of the 5' non-coding human or murine OP-1 genomic DNA 20 sequences, as stated above, and at least one Wt-1/Egr-1 consensus binding sequence alone or in combination with at least one of a TCC binding sequence, a FTZ binding sequence, a steroid binding sequence, and a human OP-1 intron DNA sequence. In another embodiment more than one Wt-1/Egr-1 element is used, for example, between 1-6, or at least six. These cells are suitable for use in the method of the invention.

In one embodiment, part of the OP-1 coding region is anticipated to have an expression regulatory function and also can be added to a vector for use in the screening assay described herein. OP-1 protein is translated as a precursor polypeptide having an N-terminal signal peptide sequence (the "pre pro" region) which is typically less than about 30 amino acid residues, followed by a "pro" region which is about 260 amino acid residues, followed by the additional amino acid residues which P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -12comprise the mature protein. The pre pro regions are cleaved from the primary translation sequence to yield the mature protein sequence. The mature sequence comprises both a conserved C-terminal seven cysteine domain and an N-terminal sequence which varies significantly in sequence between the various morphogens.

The mature polypeptide chains dimerize and these dimers typically are stabilized by at least one interchain disulfide bond linking the two polypeptide chain subunits. After the pro domain is cleaved from the OP-1 protein it associates noncovalently with the mature dimeric protein, presumably to enhance solubility and/or targeting properties of the mature species. See, for example, PCT/US93/07189, filed July 29, 1993. The pro region represents the nucleotide sequence occurring approximately 87 bases downstream of the ATG start codon, and continues for about 980 bases. The nucleotide sequence encoding the pro region is highly enriched in a "GC" sequence, which well may be competent to form a secondary structure as part of the mRNA transcript) which itself may modulate OP-1 expression. Accordingly, part or all of the nucleotide sequence encoding an OP-1 pro region, particularly that portion corresponding to a GC rich region, may be used, preferably in combination with one or more OP-1 non coding sequences, in the compositions and methods of the invention.

20 In another embodiment, the method can be practiced using a cell known to express the OP-1 gene. Suitable DNA sequences for transfection are described below, as well as suitable cells containing transfected DNA sequences.

In another aspect, the invention provides molecules, vectors, methods and kits useful in the design and/or identification of OP-1 expression modulating compounds.

As used herein a "kit" comprises a cell transfected with a DNA sequence comprising a reporter gene in operative association with a portion of OP-1 upstream DNA sequence and the reagents necessary for detecting expression of the reporter gene.

The portion of the OP-1 upstream DNA chosen can be any of the various portions which have been described herein.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -13- Following this disclosure, medium flux screen assays, and kits therefore, for identifying OP-1 expression modulating compounds are available. These compounds can be naturally occurring molecules, or they can be designed and biosynthetically created using a rational drug design and an established structure/function analysis methodology. The compounds can be amino acid-based or can be composed in part or whole of non-proteinaceous synthetic organic molecules.

The OP-1 expression modulating compounds thus identified then can be produced in reasonable quantities using standard recombinant expression or chemical synthesis technology well know and characterized in the art and/or as described herein. For example, automated means for the chemical synthesis of nucleic and amino acid sequences are commercially available. Alternatively, promising candidates can be modified using standard biological or chemical methodologies to, for example, enhance the binding affinity of the compound for a DNA element and the preferred candidate derivative then can be produced in quantity.

Once a candidate compound has been identified it can be tested for its effect on OP-1 expression. For example, a compound which upregulates (increases) the production of OP-1 in a kidney cell line is a candidate for systemic administration. The 20 candidate can be assayed in an animal model to determine the candidate molecule's efficacy in vivo. For example, the ability of a compound to upregulate levels of circulating OP-1 in vivo can be used to correct bone metabolism diseases such as osteoporosis (See, for example, PCT/US92/07932, supra). Useful in vivo animal models for systemic administration are disclosed in the art below.

As demonstrated herein below, OP-1 is differentially expressed in different cell types. Accordingly, it further is anticipated that a candidate compound will have utility as an inducer of OP-1 expression in one cell type but not in another. Thus, the invention further contemplates testing a candidate compound for its utility in modulating expression of OP-1 in different cells in vivo, including different cells known to express OP-1 under native physiological conditions.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -14- Thus, in view of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in recombinant DNA techniques can design and construct appropriate DNA vectors and transfect cells with appropriate DNA sequences for use in the method according to the invention to assay for compounds which modulate the expression of OP-1. These identified compounds can be used to modulate OP-1 production and its available concentrations in both in vivo and in vitro contexts.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows the alignment of upstream sequences of the murine and human OP-1 gene. The murine sequence is present in the upper sequence lines and the human sequence is the lower sequence on all lines. The murine sequence is numbered backwards, counting back from the first ATG of the translated sequence which is shown highlighted. For purposes of alignment, dashes are introduced into the DNA sequence, and three portions of human DNA sequence have been cut from the sequence and placed underneath a gap, below a solid triangle; Fig. 2 shows a time course of murine uterus OP-1 mRNA regulation by estrogen; and 20 Fig. 3a shows a schematic of the 2 kb and 4 kb OP-1 mRNAs, the hybridization S locations of probes 1 through 7 (indicated by the bars under the schematic). The solid line indicates OP-1 mRNA, the indicate potential poly A signals, the boxes indicate the translated portion of OP-1 mRNA with the hatched box showing the TGF-P-like domain. The dashed lines indicate genomic DNA sequences. The arrows mark the locations of the cleavage site for OP-1 maturation.

Fig. 3b shows a Northern blot hybridization analysis of OP-1 specific 2 kb and 4 kb mRNAs in murine uterine tissue. Lanes 1 through 7 correspond to probes 1 through 7 respectively. The 2 kb and 4 kb mRNAs are indicated by the 4- and 2-on the left side of Fig. 3b, and a 0.24 to 9.49 kb RNA size ladder is indicated by dashes to the right of the figure.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 Detailed Description As will be more fully described below, we have identified regions of the OP1 genetic sequence useful in identifying molecules capable of modulating OP-1 expression in vivo. Also as described herein, we have determined that OP-1 expression in vivo can be dependent both on cell type and on the status of the cell in a tissue. Specifically, as described herein below, OP-1 protein expression is differentially regulated in uterine tissue depending on the status of the uterine tissue.

For example, OP-1 expression is dramatically down-regulated in uterine mouse tissue during pregnancy, whereas it is normally expressed in this tissue in virgin mice.

Moreover, OP-1 expression in other tissues such as renal tissue apparently is unaffected during pregnancy. Administration of estrogen to a virgin mouse is capable of duplicating this down-regulation of OP-1 gene expression.

We investigated the DNA sequences responsible for the regulation of OP-1 gene expression by cloning non-coding sequences for the human and mouse OP-1 gene. The tissue specific modulation of OP-1 gene expression and the significant homology which was found between an approximately 750 base region of human and i murine 5' non-coding OP-1 genomic sequence, implicate these sequences as having utility in a method for the screening of compounds for their ability to modulate OP-1 20 expression.

In view of this disclosure and the examples provided below, a method for identifying molecules which can affect OP-1 expression in a particular cell type in vivo now is provided.

Cloning of Human and Mouse OP-1 Gene Non-coding Sequences In the Northern blot analysis of murine organs multiple OP-1 transcripts, are detected namely, three species of 1.8, 2.2, 2.4 kb and a prominent 4.0 kb RNA species (Ozkaynak et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem., 267: 25220-25227; Ozkaynak et al; Biochem.

Biophys. Res. Comm., 179: 116-123). The pattern is similar in rats with only the 1.8 kb species absent. The estrogen-mediated downregulation of OP-1 mRNA affects all P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -16of these species. In order to prove that the 4.0 kb mRNA is in fact a transcript from the same OP-1 locus, cDNA clones were isolated from a mouse teratocarcinoma cDNA library.

Four independent dines were obtained that added sequence information to the published mouse cDNA sequence. Two of these cDNA clones have longer untranslated sequences (0.4 and 0.3 kb) than previously reported (0.1 kb). Three of the murine clones contain additional 1.4 kb at the 3'-end. The combined sequences add up to a total OP-1 cDNA size of 3.5 kb, about 0.5 kb shorter than the 4.0 kb mRNA observed on Northern blots. cDNA clones that represent the 2 kb and 4 kb messages are shown schematically in Figure 3a. Since the polyA-tail is lacking in those cDNA clones that extend the 3'-information, it was anticipated that missing 0.5 kb sequence occurs at the 3'-end.

In order to obtain the sequence immediately adjacent to the 3'-end of the kb cDNA sequence, a mouse genomic library, ML1039J (Clontech), was screened with a 3'-end cDNA specific probe (0.45 kb, 3'-end Xmnl-EcoRI fragment of murine DP-1 cDNA) according to the parameters described below for the cloning of upstream noncoding sequences. This screen yielded four lambda clones which were analyzed by 20 Southern blotting. All clones yielded a 1.5 kb Xmnl fragment which was subcloned from lambda 071 into a Bluescript vector and sequenced. Three polyadenylation signals (AATAAA) (Proudfoot et al, (1976) Nature, 263: 211-214) were found in this genomic fragment, at 3.52-, 3.58-, and 3.59 kb (shown schematically in Fig. 3a by the The 3'-end cDNA and the genomic DNA sequences in the 1.5 kb Xmnl fragment overlap by 0.4 kb in a region that immediately precedes the second polyadenylation signal located at 3.5 kb (Figure 3a, region indicated by probe 6) and are in complete agreement within this stretch.

Human upstream non-coding sequence and additional mouse upstream noncoding sequence were obtained by screening human and mouse genomic libraries, HL1067J and ML1030J respectively (Clontech). All libraries were screened by an P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -17initial plating of 750,000 plaques (approximately 50,000 plaques/plate). Hybridizations were done in 40% formamide, 5 x SSPE, 5 x Denhardt's solution, and 0.1% SDS at 37°C. Nonspecific counts were removed in 0.1 x SSPE, 0.1 SDS by shaking at Human and mouse upstream genomic DNA sequences were obtained from clones lambda 03 and lambda 033, respectively (Clontech, HL1067J and ML1030J).

These lambda clones were isolated using a 32P-labeled probe made from a human 0.47 kb EcoRI OP-1 cDNA fragment (obtained from p0115) containing mainly 5' noncoding and exon 1 sequences.

A 7 kb EcoRI fragment from the human genomic clone, lambda 03, was isolated which contains 5 kb of upstream non-coding sequence. Additional upstream sequence information for murine was obtained by subcloning a 1.1 kb Pstl fragment from the genomic phage clone lambda 033. This fragment overlaps with the of the longest murine cDNA clone by 0.3 kb in the 5' non-coding region and provided 0.8 kb additional sequence information. A schematic diagram of the 2- and 4 kb OP-1 messages is shown in Figure 3a with dashed lines indicating supplementing .information derived from murine upstream and downstream genomic DNA.

All sequencing was done according to Sanger et al. (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad.

20 Sci. 74: 5463-5467, using exonuclease Ill-mediated unidirectional deletion (Ozkaynak S l et al., (1987) BioTechniques, 5: 770-773), subcloning of restriction fragments, and synthetic primers. Compressions were resolved by performing the reactions at :..with Taq polymerase and using 7-deaza-GTP (US Biochemical Corp;, Cleveland, OH).

t Verification of OP-1 mRNA Sequences by Northern Blotting To verify the structures of the short and long mRNA species observed, Northern blot hybridizations were performed with probes made from seven non-overlapping DNA fragments (Fig. 3a; probes 1 through 7) specific to the 5' and 3' non-coding region, the protein coding sequence, and genomic regions upstream or downstream of the predicted mRNAs, respectively.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -18- Hybridization of these probes to individual Northern blot strips containing mouse kidney mRNA is consistent with the predicted 4 kb mRNA structure. As shown in Fig.

3a, and Fig. 3b, the genomic DNA probes 1 and 2 did not hybridize to any message.

Probe 2 is specific to the upstream sequences immediately adjacent to the cDNA.

Probes 3, 4 and 5, specific to 5' non-coding, coding, and 3' non-coding regions, respectively, hybridized to both the 2 kb and 4 kb messages, hence these sequences are present in both messages. Probe 6, specific to sequences between the first and second polyadenylation signals, hybridized only to the 4 kb message. Finally, probe 7 which is specific to sequences further downstream of the fourth (last) polyadenylation signal, did not hybridize to any message. The results obtained with these probes confirm the two OP-1 mRNA structures and the approximate and 3'-end boundaries of OP-1 transcripts shown in Figure 3a. This demonstrates that the 2 kb and 4 kb mRNA's are from the same OP-1 genomic locus rather than from multiple genes.

The extensive 3' sequence included in the 4 kb mRNA transcript suggests that the 3' untranslated sequence may play a role in OP-1 gene expression particularly as it has been detected across species namely, in mouse, rat, dog, human and chicken.

Multiple stop codons in all three possible translation reading frames rule out the likelihood that this sequence encodes a peptide. The untranslated sequence itself may 20 act therefore to influence mRNA stability. For example, the sequence may interact with another protein as has been described for transferrin receptor mRNA. Here, IREbinding protein (IRE; iron response element) stabilizes the transferrin receptor mRNA by binding to the 3'-end of the mRNA (Standard et al., 1990, Gene Dev., 4: 2157-2168, incorporated herein by reference). Alternatively, the 3'-end sequences may be interacting with the 5'-end sequences thereby affecting initiation of protein synthesis or, the 3'-end sequences may be serving as a binding site for other RNAs which can interfere with the binding of an expression in modulating molecule, including repressor molecule. (Klausner et al., 1989, Science, 246: 870-872; Kazak, 1992, Ann. Rev. Cell Biol., 8: 197-225, incorporated herein by reference).

Comparison of 5' Non-coding Sequences of Human and Mouse OP-1 DNA P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE -29/9/99 19- The cloning of the 5' non-coding genomic murine and human OP-1 DNA sequences demonstrated that a high degree of sequence homology exists between the human and murine 5' non-coding DNA sequences. The homology extends from the base immediately upstream of the translation start site for the OP-1 morphogen protein to approximately 750 bases upstream of the translation start site, as is shown in the shaded regions of Fig. 1, with the murine sequences being the upper lines and the human sequences being the lower lines. The 5' nucleotide of the region of homology for the human OP-1 5' non-coding sequence is base 2548 of Seq. ID No.

1 and for the murine OP-1 5' non-coding sequence is base 1549 of Seq. ID No. 2. The significant homology between the human and murine 5' non-coding sequences of OP- 1 suggest that this region may be important in the regulation of OP-1 expression. As will be discussed in more detail below, this region contains several conserved DNA sequences which have been identified as the DNA binding sequences for two DNA binding proteins, Wt-1 and Egr-1, which both recognize these DNA sequences. The S 15 DNA binding sequences for Wt-1/Egr-1 present in human and murine marked in Fig.

1 with a single line. Also, the TCC binding sequence, a DNA binding sequence for Wt- 1 and Egr-1, is marked in Fig. 1 by the double line. WT-1 and Egr-1 proteins have also been implicated in the regulation of expression of several genes which are unrelated to OP-1.

Alignments of mouse and OP-1 human genomic sequence reveals a conserved stretch of 0.75 kb just upstream of the first ATG that contains several patterns with marked similarity to the zinc-finger protein binding sequence (5'-GCG GGG GCG-3') specific for Egr-1 and Wt-1 (Christy et al., 1989, PNAS, 86: 8737-8741; Rauscher et S 25 al., 1990, Science, 250:1259-1262; Drummond et al., 1992, Science, 257: 664-678).

In mouse, a total of 8 and in human 7, patterns, conforming to the degenerate Egr- 1/Wt-1 binding sequence (5'-GNG NGG GNG-3') (Rupprecht et al., 1994, J. Biol.

Chem., 269: 6198-6202; Werner et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem., 269: 12940-12946 are located before and after the presumed transcriptional initiation site (Fig. 1, shown by solid single lines). The presence of these has significance in light of the elevated levels of Wt-1 mRNA in the rat uterus decidua during pregnancy (Zhou et al., 1993, P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE -29/9199 Differentiation, 54: 109-114).

The analysis also revealed, in the human upstream region, a pattern of seven TCC repeats, present at -561, immediately 3' of two Egr/Wt-1 sequences (at -624 and -587) (Figure 1, shown by double solid lines and at position 2758-2778 of Seq. ID No.

The mouse upstream region contains a similar, albeit less obvious sequence at 356 and at position 1755-1769 of Seq. ID No. 2. This TCC-repeat pattern is found in the promoters of PDGF-A and several other growth-related genes, and Wt-1 has been found to activate transcription when either of the sequences are present and to suppress it when both sequences are present. (Wang et al., 1992, Biochem. Biophys Res. Comm., 188: 433-439; Wang et al., 1993, PNAS, 90: 8896-8900 incorporated herein by reference). Accordingly, estrogen receptor may exert its effect on OP-1 expression in uterus by upregulating Wt-1, either directly or indirectly. Alternatively or, in addition other regulatory elements, located further upstream of the OP-1 gene may 15 be involved in estrogen regulation.

Also on Fig. 1, the human 5' non-coding DNA sequence is shown to contain a Fushi-tarazu (FTZ) binding sequence which is marked by carats below the human DNA sequence. A FTZ binding sequence is bound by the Fushi-tarazu protein (FTZ-F1), 20 which is a member of the superfamily of nuclear receptors (Parker, (1993) Current opinion in Cell Biology, 5: 499-504, The superfamily of nuclear receptor proteins include steroid hormones, retinoids, thyroid hormone, nerve growth factor and Fushitarazu, and are structurally related. FTZ-F1 is likely to belong to a subfamily of nuclear receptors that bind DNA as monomers.

.i The FTZ-F1 protein is a positive regulator at the fushi-tarazu gene in blastoderm stage embryos of Drosophila. FTZ-F1 is closely related in the silkworm (Bombyx) BmFTZ-F1 protein and the mouse embryonal long terminal repeat binding protein (ELP) and all of them are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, which recognizes the same 9 base pair sequence, 5'-PyCAAGGPyCPu-3'. The FTZ binding sequence does not apparently have a direct or inverted repeat. In contrast, P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -21other members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily usually bind to repeated sequences. Nevertheless, the FTZ-F1, BmFTZ-F1 and ELP proteins have high affinities for the FTZ binding site DNA, indicating that the mechanism that the binding is somewhat different from that of other members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. (Hitachi et al., 1992, Mol. and Cell Biology December, pp. 5667-5672.).

The mRNA transcription initiation site for human OP-1 is marked on Fig. 1 by the upward arrow, and the OP-1 protein translation initiation site is marked on Fig. 1 by the solid triangles just prior to the highlighted ATG. The transcription initiation site for the human OP-1 gene is at base 2790 of Seq. ID No. 1 and the analogues site for murine is at base 1788 of Seq. ID No. 2. The translation initiation site for the human OP-1 gene is at base 3318 of Seq. ID No. 1 and for murine it is at base 2296 of Seq.

ID No. 2. The high degree of identity that the murine and human DNA sequences share in the region between the transcription initiation site and the translation initiation 15 site, suggests that this region likely plays a role in the modulation of the expression of the OP-1 gene product.

.:i Analysis of OP-1 Gene Expression in Mouse Tissues A detailed analysis of the uro-genital tract of rats has revealed OP-1 mRNA 20 expression in the renal (kidney), and bladder tissues, as well as at other sites of the urogenital organ system. The most abundant levels are present in renal and uterine tissue (8 week old mice), while much lower levels were found in ovaries. The mRNA level of G3DPH, a "housekeeping function" molecule, was used as an internal control for recovery and quality of mRNA preparations and equal amounts of poly(A)+ RNA 25 (5mg), were loaded into each lane.

Preparation of RNA and Northem blot hybridization analysis was conducted as follows. 8-week-old female mice, strain CD-1, were obtained from Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA. Total RNA, from the various organs of mice was prepared using the acid-guanidine thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform method (Chomczynski et al., (1987) Anal. Biochem. 162: 156-159). The RNA was dissolved P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -22in TES buffer (10 mM Tris-HCI, 1 mM Na 2 -EDTA, 0.1% SDS, pH7.5) containing Proteinase K (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA; approx. 1 mg proteinase/ml TES) and incubated at 37°C for 1 hr. Poly RNA was selected in a batch procedure on oligo(dT)-cellulose (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA) in 0.5 M NaCI, 10 mM Tris-HCI, 1 mM Na 2 -EDTA, pH 7.4 (1 x binding buffer). For the selection of poly(A)+ RNA, total RNA obtained from 1 g of tissue was mixed with approximately 0.1g of oligo(dT)-cellulose (in 11 ml TES containing 0.5 M NaCI). The tubes containing the RNA and oligo(dT)cellulose were gently shaken for approx. 2 hrs. Thereafter, the oligo(dT)-cellulose was washed twice in 1x binding buffer and once in 0.5x binding buffer (0.25 M NaCI, 10 mM Tris-HCI, 1 mM Na 2 -EDTA, pH 7.4) and poly RNA was eluted with water and precipitated with ethanol.

Poly(A)+ RNA (5 mg per lane) was electrophoresed on 1.2% agaroseformaldehyde gels with 1 mg of 400 pg/ml ethidium bromide added to each sample S 15 prior to heat denaturation (Rosen et al., (1990) Focus, 12: 23-24). Electrophoresis was performed at 100 Volts with continuous circulation of the 1 x MOPS buffer (Ausubel et al., eds., (1990) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley Sons, New York). Following electrophoresis, the gels were photographed, rinsed briefly in water, and blotted overnight onto Nytran (Schleicher Schuell Inc., Keene, NH) or Duralon- 20 UV (Stratagene) membranes in 10 x SSC. The membranes were dried at 80 0 C for min. and irradiated with UV light (1 mW 2 /cm 2 for 25 sec.).

S

The 32 P-labeled probe was made from a murine OP-1 cDNA fragment (0.68 kb BstXI-Bgll frg.) by random hexanucleotide priming (Feinberg et al., (1984) Anal.

25 Biochem., 137: 266-267). The hybridizations were done in 40% formamide, 5x SSPE, x Denhardt's, 0.1% SDS, pH 7.5 at 37°C overnight. The non-specific counts were washed off by shaking in 0.1x SSPE, 0.1% SDS at 50°C. For re-use, filters were stripped in 1 mM Tris-HCI, 1 mM Na 2 -EDTA, 0.1% SDS, pH 7.5 at 80 0 C for 10 min.

Analysis of OP-1 Expression During Pregnancy in Mice An examination of the effect of pregnancy upon OP-1 expression was P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -23 undertaken by measuring OP-1 mRNA level in kidney, ovary and uterus, before, during and after pregnancy (virgins, 2-day post-coital 4-day pc, 6-day pc, 8-day pc, 13day pc, 17-day pc, 3-day lactating, and retired breeders) by Northern blot hybridization of poly(A)+ RNA. These measurements demonstrated that, while kidneys show no pregnancy-related changes in OP-1 mRNA levels, the uterine level became nearly undetectable by 6-day pc. However, no changes were observed in the ovaries. A dramatic and rapid decline in OP-1 message in uterine tissue between day 3 and 4 of pregnancy is apparent in the comparison with virgin animals.

The levels of OP-1 mRNA in the embryo and maternal levels in uterus of 8 week old mice at day 13 and 16 of the pregnancy were also compared. While the OP-1 expression in the pregnant uterus is dramatically reduced, high levels of OP-1 message were found in the mouse embryo at 13- and 16-days. Thus, at a stage of pregnancy when OP-1 mRNA expression in the maternal uterus is almost 15 undetectable, embryonal OP-1 expression is high. The high embryonal OP-1 expression also is detected consistent with the relatively high level of OP-1 mRNA, found in human placenta. The level of OP-1 mRNA measured in the embryo is in the same range as that measured in adult kidney or virgin uterus tissue. Hence, it is likely Sthat OP-1 plays a critical role int he development of the embryo which may require 20 appropriate amounts of OP-1 at very specific stages of tissue and organ morphogensis. While not being limited to any given theory, it is possible that OP-1 expression in uterine tissue during pregnancy potentially could interfere with the level of OP-1 produced by the developing embryo, and thereby, interfere with proper development of the embryo. Therefore, a shut-down or inhibition of uterine OP-1 25 expression during pregnancy might be for the benefit of the fetus.

Effect of Estrogen and Progesterone on OP-1 Expression During pregnancy the estrogen and progesterone levels increase many fold and high level are sustained until birth. To determine whether these hormonal changes are responsible for the altered OP-1 transcription in pregnant uterine tissue, non-pregnant female mice were subcutaneously administered 17p-estradiol or progesterone or a P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -24combination of both.

In the first experiment the rapid increase in estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy was simulated. Non-pregnant mice were injected subcutaneously on four consecutive days with increasing doses, starting with 20 mg 17p-estradiol, or 100 mg progesterone or the combination of both and doubling the dose on each following day. On the fourth day the animals were sacrificed and mRNA was isolated from uteri and kidneys. A striking negative effect of 17-estradiol on the uterine OP-1 mRNA expression was observed, but no effect by progesterone was seen. In the kidneys, however, mRNA levels did not change after 17-estradiol or progsterone treatment.

Another experiment addressed the time course: 170-estradiol was administered to virgin female mice at a constant dose of 200 mg (50 ml of 4 mg/ml 17-estradiol per 15 day, subcutaneously in DMSO [dimethyl sulfoxide] 150 ml 150 mM CaCI) (Figure 2).

Following this, their uteri were extracted, poly(A)+ RNA was prepared, equal amounts of poly(A)+ RNA (5 mg) was loaded into each lane of a 1.2% agarose-formaldehyde gel and analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. The effect was rapid, with considerable decrease of OP-1 mRNA 12 hours after administration of 17-estradiol 20 and almost undetectable levels by 48 hours, as shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the lanes correspond as follows: from left to right, 0-day (negative control), 0-day (negative 'control), and 8-days. The arrowheads mark the two major OP-1 mRNA species. A modest amount of message reappears a few days later (Figure 2).

The uterus has been identified as a major site of OP-1 expression. The level of OP-1 expression in uterine tissue is comparable to that observed in renal tissue.

However, during pregnancy, by day four, the uterine OP-1 mRNA levels are reduced to the limit of detection. The loss of OP-1 expression corresponds with also is rising levels of estrogen during this same time frame. The same dramatic loss of uterine OP- 1 message also is observed in estrogen-treated animals, suggesting that estrogen is P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 involved in negative regulation of OP-1 expression in uterine tissue. The effect of estrogen is rapid, with most of the message disappearing after 12 hours of 1713estradiol administration. The reappearance of some OP-1 message at later days may be due to a counter-regulatory mechanism. In contrast to the modulated OP-1 mRNA levels in the uterus, no substantial changes occur in renal tissue during pregnancy or in response to estrogen treatment. Therefore, OP-1 mRNA expression in these different organs is regulated independently. The differential expression may be due, for example, to a lack of estrogen receptors in renal tissue. Alternatively, co-regulation by means of none or more accessory molecules that interact with estrogen or a related nuclear receptor molecule(s) may allow for the independent regulation. For example, each of Wt-1 protein (which binds to the Wt-1/Egr-1 element) and OP-1 protein are required for normal kidney development, an each are expressed at high levels during kidney tissue development. As described above the OP-1 promoter region contains Wt-1 consensus binding elements. Wt-1 protein also has been shown to negatively 15 regulate the transcription of the insulin growth factor II gene and the platelet-derived S growth factor A chain gene. Kreidberg et al., Cell, 1993, 74: 679-691. Without being limited to a given theory, it may be that Wt-1 protein, either alone or in combination with one or more molecules is involved in the expression of OP-1. For example, Wt-1 0 protein may act in concert with a nuclear hormone receptor element, including, for 20 example, the estrogen receptor element.

9* Implication of Tissue Specific Differential Regulation of OP-1 Expression Estrogen also has been shown to inhibit the uterine expression of calbindin-D 28 k, a vitamin D dependent calcium binding protein, the a-subunit expression of the 25 glycoprotein hormones, and other proteins involved in bone formation. Estrogen also has been shown to cause dramatic decreases in the steady state mRNA levels of the bone matrix proteins osteocalcin, prepro a2 chain type I collagen, osteonectin, osteopontin, and alkaline phosphatase in an ovariectomized rat, which is a rat model for osteoporosis.

Estrogen appears to mediate its beneficial effect on bone metabolism in the P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -26osteoporotic model through inhibition of osteoclasts. Estrogen does not reverse osteoporosis. By contrast, OP-1, which is expressed in uterine, renal and bone tissues, is able to induce an increase in bone mass in the osteoporotic model. Thus, the negative effect of estrogen on OP-1 expression in uterine tissue may seem unexpected in view of estrogen's effect on bone metabolism.

In addition to the 5' non-coding DNA sequences of OP-1, the other non-coding sequences such as introns and 3' non-coding sequences may be involved in the modulation of OP-1 protein expression. This invention presents a method in which these non-coding sequences are assayed while in operative association with a reporter gene for their influence on the expression of OP-1. Non-coding sequences which are involved in the modulation of OP-1 expression will be identified by culturing cells transfected with the non-coding sequences, in operative association with a reporter gene, with one or more compound(s), measuring the level of reporter gene expression, 15 and comparing this level of expression to the level of reporter gene expression in the absence of the compound(s).

*Ve EXAMPLARY CELLS, VECTORS, REPORTER GENES AND ASSAYS FOR USE IN 0 SCREENING COMPOUNDS WHICH MODULATE OP-1 REGULATORY 20 SEQUENCES I. Useful Cells Any eukaryotic cell, including an immortalized cell line suitable for long term culturing conditions is contemplated to be useful for the method and cell of the 25 invention. Useful cells should be easy to transfect, are capable of stably maintaining foreign DNA with an unrearranged sequence, and have the necessary cellular components for efficient transcription and translation of the protein, including any elements required for post-translational modification and secretion, if necessary.

Where the cell is to be transfected with a non-dominating selection gene, the cell genotype preferably is deficient for the endogenous selection gene. Preferably, the cell line also has simple media composition requirements, and rapid generation times.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -27- Particularly useful cell lines are mammalian cell lines, including myeloma, HeLa, fibroblast, embryonic and various tissue cell lines, kidney, liver, lung and the like.

A large number of cell lines now are available through the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, MD) or through the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 OJG, U.K.) Where, as here, the expression of a reporter gene that is controlled by noncoding sequences of the morphogen OP-1 is to be analyzed, particularly useful cells and cell lines are envisioned to include eukaryotic, preferably mammalian cells of a tissue and cell type known to express OP-1 and/or closely related proteins. Such cells, include, without limitation, cells of uro-genital cell origin, including kidney, bladder and ovary cells, lung, liver, mammary gland and cardiac cells, cells of gonadal origin, cells of gastrointestinal origin, glial cells and other cell lines known to express endogenous genes encoding morphogenic proteins. Preferred cell lines are of epithelial origin.

II. Exemplary VectorsNector Construction Considerations Useful vectors for use in the invention include, but are not limited to cosmids, phagemids, yeast artificial chromosomes or other large vectors. Vectors that can be maintained within the nucleus or integrated into the genome by homologous recombination are also useful. For example a vector such as PSV2CAT would be useful.

0t Selected portions of non-coding OP-1 sequence can be cloned into a useful vector using standard molecular cloning techniques as will be apparent to one of 25 ordinary skill in the art. Restriction endonuclease sites will be utilized when possible, and can be engineered into the sequence when needed. If restriction endonuclease sites are needed to be engineered into the sequence, eight base recognition sites are preferable because they generally occur infrequently in DNA and will enhance a practitioners ability to obtain the sequence of interest. Restriction endonuclease sites can be engineered into the non-coding sequence using the common techniques such as site directed mutagenesis and PCR with primers including the desired restriction P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 2919/99 -28endonuclease site.

As discussed above, murine and human OP-1 sequences share a region of high homology covering approximately 750 bases upstream of the translation initiation site as shown by the shading in Fig. 1. This region is positions 2548-3317 of Seq. ID No.

1 and positions 1549-2296 of Seq. ID No. 2. The mRNA transcription initiation site lie within this region at position 2790 of Seq. ID No. 1 and by analogy at position 1788 of Seq. ID No. 2, shown in Fig. 1 by the upward arrow. This suggests that positions 2548-2790 of Seq. ID No. 1 and 1549-1788 of Seq. ID No. 2 contain conserved promoter elements for the expression of OP-1 mRNA, and approximately 500 bases at positions 2791-3317 of Seq. ID No. 1 and positions 1790-2296 of Seq. ID No. 2 contain conserved elements of the transcribed, but not translated, sequences all or part of which may be involved in the regulation of OP-1 expression. Additionally sequences upstream of the homology region may also be involved in the regulation of 15 OP-1 expression. Thus a range of upstream sequences, including sequences upstream of the transcription initiation site and not including the approximately 500 bases of transcribed sequence, can be fused in operative association with a reporter V. **0 .0 gene to modulate expression of the gene.

20 3' non-coding sequences and intron sequences also can be fused in operative •association with a reporter gene, either separately or in combination with each other or with 5' non-coding sequences. For example, one can place the 5' sequences .*defined by positions 2790-3317; 2548-2790 or 2548-3317 of Seq. ID No. 1. and 2either/both of 3' sequences or intron sequences in operative association with a reporter gene. The positions of the six introns are shown in Seq. ID No. 1 as bases 3736 to 10700; bases 10897 to 11063; bases 11217 to 11424; bases 11623 to 13358; bases 13440 to 10548; bases 15166 to 17250; Also envisioned is a nucleic acid construct comprising a small fragment of non-coding OP-1 sequence in combination with additional conserved elements such as one or more Wt-1/Egr-1 binding sequences; a TCC binding sequence and/or a FTZ P:OPER\MR0\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -29binding sequence in operative association with a reporter gene. Such a nucleic acid construct also could include intron sequences and/or 3' non-coding sequences.

A range of useful 5' non-coding fragments has been provided, and as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, smaller fragments of OP-1 sequence also are useful. Such smaller fragments can be identified to deleting bases from one or both ends of the provided 5' non-coding fragments, using techniques that are well known in the art and testing the truncated constructs for their ability to modulate reporter gene expression. In this way, the shortest modulating sequences can be identified.

III. Transfection Considerations Any method for incorporating nucleic acids into cells of interest is contemplated in the method of the invention. Calcium phosphate (CaPO 4 followed by glycerol 15 shock is a standard means used in the art for introducing vectors, particularly plasmid DNA into mammalian cells. A representative method is disclosed in Cockett et al..

(1990) Biotechnology 8: 662-667, incorporated herein by reference. Other methods that may be used include electroporation, protoplast fusion, particularly useful in myeloma transfections, microinjections, lipofections and DEAE-dextran mediated 20 uptake. Methods for these procedures are described in F.M. Ausubel, ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley Sons, New York (1989).

As will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, optimal DNA concentrations per transfection will vary according to the transfection protocol. For 25 calcium phosphate transfection, for example, preferably 5-10 pg plasmid DNA per plasmid type is transfected. In addition, the DNA to be tranfected preferably is essentially free of contaminants that may interfere with DNA incorporation. A standard means used in the art for purifying DNA is by ethidium bromide banding.

IV. Exemplary Reporter Genes There are numerous reporter systems commercially available, which include, P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 without limitation, the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase luciferase, GAL4, and the human growth hormone (hGH) assay systems.

CAT is a well characterized and frequently used reporter system and a major advantage of this system is that it is an extensively validated and widely accepted measure of promoter activity. See, for example, Gorman, Moffat, and Howard, B.H. (1982) Mol. Cell. Biol., 2: 1044-1051 for a description of the reporter gene and general methodology. In this system cells are harvested 2-3 days after transfection with CAT expression vectors and extracts prepared. The extracts are incubated with acetyl CoA and radioactive chloramphenicol. Following the incubation acetylated chloramphenicol is separated from nonacetylated form by thin layer chromatography. In this assay the degree of acetylation reflects the CAT gene activity with the particular promoter.

Another well-recognized reporter system is the firefly luciferase reporter system.

See, for example Gould, and Subramani, S. (1988) Anal. Biochem., 7: 404-408 for the description of the reporter gene and general methodology. The luciferase assay is fast and has increased sensitivity. The system also is particularly useful in bulk transfections or if the promoter of interest is weak. In this assay transfected cells 20 are grown under standard conditions, and when cultured under assay conditions both ATP and the substrate luciferin is added to the cell lysate. The enzyme luciferase o catalyzes a rapid, ATP dependent oxidation of the substrate which then emits light.

The total light output is measured using a luminometer according the manufacturer's instructions Cromega) and is proportional to the amount of luciferase present 25 over a wide range of enzyme concentrations.

A third reporter system is based on immunologic detection of hGH, it is quick and easy to use. (Selden, Burke-Howie, K. Rowe, Goodman, and Moore, D.D. (1986), Mol. Cell. Biol., 6: 3173-3179 incorporated herein by reference).

hGH is assayed in the media, rather than in cell extracts. This allows direct monitoring over by a single population of transfected cells over time.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -31- As indicated above and as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, particular details of the conventional means for transfection, expression, and assay of recombinant genes are well documented in the art and are understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. The instant invention enables and discloses vectors, cells and a method for screening compounds to determine the capability of compounds to modulate the expression of OP-1 via the non-coding sequences of the OP-1 genomic DNA.

Further details on the various technical aspects of each of the steps used in recombinant production of foreign genes in mammalian expression systems can be found in a number of texts and laboratory manuals in the art, such as, for example, F.M. Ausubel et al., Ed., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley Sons, New York, (1989).

o 9*e 15 VIII. Exemplary Homologous/Non-Homologous Recombination One approach to screen for inducers of (organ-specific) OP-1 expression in a particular cell line derived from a particular tissue such as renal or uterine tissue, is through gene targeting by homologous recombination (Sedivy et al., W.H. Freeman Co., New York (1992); A.S. Waldman, Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 12, 49 (1992)). In 20 one strategy of endogenous (genomic) OP-1 gene is replaced by another reporter gene which is optimally suited for screening assays, such as the firefly luciferase gene.

To target the OP-1 gene in an appropriate cell line, e.g. a kidney cell line or NGT-2, the following arrangement of genetic elements can be assembled.

25 Genomic OP-1 upstream and promoter sequences preferably 3000 to 5000 nucleotides in length, and which mediate the homologous recombination, are attached to the luciferase gene. The OP-1 upstream sequences down to the first coding ATG can be attached at the start codon ATG of the luciferase coding sequence, using a restriction site such as Ncol, which can be introduced by site directed mutagenesis into both the promoter and the luciferase sequences.

P:\OPER\MR0\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -32- Also included is a selective marker, preferably the neo gene, without its own promoter. Preferably, selectable marker (neo) is placed downstream of the reporter gene (luciferase), after an intercistronic sequence derived from the poliovirus genome and which allows translation of the sequence marker on the same transcript as the reporter gene transcripts. Details of this approach, including specific intercistronic sequences and the detailed steps of homologous recombination, are described in the art, including (Jasin et al., PNAS USA 85: 8583 (1988); Sedivy et al., PNAS USA 86 227 (1989); Dorin et al., Science 243: 1357 (1989) the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As described therein, the endogenes OP-1 gene is replaced by the luciferase and neo coding sequences and the expression of these sequences then assayed in a standard A screening protocol.

A genetic arrangement of OP-1 promoter (as much genomic OP-1 upstream :'sequence as possible, up to 10,000 bp) and reporter gene (without its original S 15 promoter but joined directly to the OP-1 ATG or in its vicinity) can also be introduced into cells on standard eukaryotic expression vectors. These vectors carry selectable markers (neo, dhfr, etc.) and will typically be integrated into the host genome with variable copy number ranging from one to several copies without efforts at amplification. Also, if desired, the vector or gene copy number can be enhanced using 20 a well characterized amplifiable gene, such as dhfr in conjunction with methotrexate.

Commercial vectors designed for autonomous replication without integration are readily available. One source vector is the Episomal Expression Epstein Barr Virus Vector (pREP, Invitrogen Corp., San Diego CA).

Introns also can be tested for regulatory sequences as described hereinabove using the methods described herein. One or more intron sequences derived from a genomic OP-1 locus preferably is introduced into proper mammalian cells using, for example, a yeast artificial chromosome (pYACneo, Clontech, Inc., Palo Alto, CA) (Ref.

Albertson, H.M. et al., PNAS USA, 87: 4256, 1990), or other vectors adapted to allow transfer of large sequences, up to 1 megabases. As for the OP-1 5' or 3' noncoding sequences described above, the intron sequence or a portion thereof is P:\OPER\MRO\367S7-99.SPE 2919/99 -33 incorporated in operative association with a reporter gene and the ability of the sequence to modulate reporter gene expressions then associated.

X. Exemplary Screening Assay for Compounds which Alter OP-1 Gene or Reporter Gene Levels Candidate compound(s) which may be administered to affect the level of a given endogenous morphogen, such as OP-1, or a reporter gene that is fused to OP-1 noncoding sequence may be found using the following screening assay, in which the level of reporter gene production by a cell type which produces measurable levels of the reporter gene expression product by incubating the cell in culture with and without the candidate compound, in order to assess the effects of the compound on the cell. This can be accomplished by detection of the reporter expression product either at a protein or RNA level. The protocol is based on a procedure for identifying compounds which alter endogenous levels of morphogen expression, a detailed description also may be S: 15 found in PCT US 92/07359.

Cultured cells are transfected with portions of OP-1 non-coding sequences in operative association with a reporter gene, and such transfected cells are maintained with the vector remaining as a plasmid in the cell nucleus or the vector can be 20 integrated into the host cell genome, preferably at the OP-1 genomic locus.

Cell samples for testing the level of reporter gene expression are collected periodically and evaluated for reporter gene expression using the appropriate assay 2for the given reporter gene as indicated in the section describing reporter gene assays, or, alternatively, a portion of the cell culture itself can be collected periodically and used to prepare polyA(+) RNA for mRNA analysis.

Once candidate compounds are identified, they can be produced in reasonable, useful quantities using standard methodologies known in the art. Amino acid-based molecules can be encoded by synthetic nucleic acid molecules, and expressed in a recombinant expression system as described herein above or in the art. Alternatively, P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -34such molecules can be chemically synthesized, by means of an automated peptide synthesizer, for example. Non-amino acid-based molecules can be produced by standard organic chemical synthesis procedures.

Provided below is an exemplary protocol for carrying out the method of the invention, using the CAT gene as the reporter gene and one or more mammalian cell lines known to express OP-1. The example is non limiting, and other cells, reporter genes and OP-1 non-coding sequences are envisioned.

Exemplary Construction of Representative Vectors for Transfection A DNA fragment containing the OP-1 promoter can be joined to a reporter gene for transfection into a cell line that expresses endogenous OP-1. Suitable cell lines are selected by Northern blot hybridization to an OP-1 specific probe (by analyzing the cell extracts for OP-1 mRNA). Using this technology we have found several cell lines 15 which make high levels of OP-1 mRNA, and some of these lines are the kidney line IMCD, the bladder line NGT II.

An approximately 5 Kb EcoRI, BamHI genomic fragment containing approximately 4 Kb of upstream OP-1 sequences as well as part of the first intron is 20 blunt-ended with T4 DNA polymerase and cloned into a polylinker of a pUC vector (p0146-1). An approximately 3.5 kb DNA fragment containing human OP-1 upstream sequences is obtained by deleting a portion of coding sequences and the first intron from p0146-1 with the restriction enzyme Ehel. The -3.5kb fragment has blunt ends and contains mostly 5' non-coding sequences and also includes a short stretch of 25 bases into the OP-1 gene. This upstream fragment is of -3.5kb ligated to a 1.6 kb Hindlll-BamHI fragment from the CAT gene obtained from the vector SV2CAT by Hindlll end blunted ligation. The 1.6kb CAT gene fragment contains about 70 bases of upstream sequences. These ligated fragments are cloned into Bluescript KS(-) vector (Stratgene, La Jolla, CA). This construct in turn is subjected to site specific mutagenesis to delete the extra sequences (approximately 30 bases) from the 3' end of the OP-1 upstream sequences and the adjacent 5' non-coding sequences P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 (approximately 70 bases) from the CAT gene. This mutagenesis results in the elimination of any OP-1 coding sequences from the promoter fragment as well as any non-coding sequences upstream of the CAT gene. Thus the resulting construct is a fusion of OP-1 upstream sequences with the CAT gene sequences which encode the CAT protein. This approximately 5 kb fragment is then excised from Bluescript using Hindlll and BamHI and ligated into a Hindlll-BamHI cut and gel purified back-bone of the pSV2CAT vector, for transfection into suitable cell lines.

Suitable cell lines include cell line that have been shown to contain high level of OP-1 mRNA, indicating that the OP-1 promoter is active in the cells. Two of these cell lines are mouse inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells, and the rat bladder carcinoma line (NBT II). However other cell lines of the uro-genital system that produce high levels of the OP-1 message can be used in addition to the many previously mentioned cell types and cell lines.

A The transfection of this vector into an OP-1 producing cell line is accomplished following standard techniques, transfection using calcium phosphate, liposome mediated transfection, electroporation, or DEAE-dextran transfection.

20 The transfected cells are harvested 48-72 hours after transfection with the CAT expression vector and extracts are made by successive freeze-thawing. 2 pi of 200 pCi/ml 14C-choramphenicol (35 to 55 mCi/mmol), 20 pl of 4 mM acetyl CoA, 32.5 pl of 1 M Tris-Hcl, pH 7.5, and 75.5 pI of water is added to 20 ml of cell extract, and incubated for 1 hour at 37 degrees Celsius. Upon completion of incubation, 1 ml ethyl 25 acetate is added to the reaction, microcentrifuged for 1 minute and the top layer is removed. This top layer is dried down in a SpeedVac for 45 minutes, and each sample is resuspended in 30 ml of ethyl acetate. The samples are spotted onto a plasticbacked TLC sheet for chromatograph. The thin layer is then developed in a tank containing 200 ml of 19:1 chloroform/methanol. The chromatography is run for 2 hours and placed under film for autoradiography. The activity of the C 1 4 in the monoacetylated chloramphenicol series is calculated as described in Current Protocols P\OPER\MR\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -36in Molecular Biology, 1993 (Ausubel et al., eds. John Wiley Sons, New York).

Upon determination of CAT activity, the main construct can be deleted in sections to determine the regions that are responsible for the observed CAT activity.

Alternatively, he upstream sequences can be deleted unidirectionally, using an exonuclease such as Ba131, and the deletion product can be analyzed in the CAT activity assay. This system can also be used in the method of the invention to screen compounds for their ability to modulate OP-1 expression by dividing the cells into several groups, and culturing one group in the absence of any added compounds, and culturing the other groups with one or more candidate compound, and comparing the resulting levels of CAT activity.

While a readily assayable, well characterized, non OP-1 reporter gene is preferred in the method disclosed herein, as will be appreciated by those having 15 ordinary skill in the art, OP-1 coding sequence also may be used in the screening method of the invention. The OP-1 expression preferably is determined by an immunoassay or by Northern or dot blot or other means for measuring mRNA transcript. See, for example, WO 95/1 1983, published May 4, 1995 for a detailed description on assaying changes in OP-1 levels in a cell or fluid.

O20 Xl. Exemplary Screening Assay for Compounds which Alter OP-1 Gene Expression :1c: in Endogenous Cell Type Models to h OP-1 is expressed in a variety of different cell types, including renal, bone, lung, heart, uterine, cardia and neural tissue. Candidate compounds can be identified which have a modulating effect on cells of one tissue type but not another, and/or wherein the effect is modulated in the different cells. The assay described below can be used to evaluate the effect of a candidate compound(s) in a particular cell type known to express OP-1 under physiological conditions.

Cell cultures of kidney, adrenals, urinary bladder, brain or other organs, may be prepared as described widely in the literature. For example, kidneys may be explanted P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -37from neonatal or new born or young or adult rodents (mouse or rat) and used in organ culture as whole or slice (1-4mm) tissues. Primary tissue cultures and established cell lines, also derived from kidney, adrenals, urinary, bladder, brain, mammary, or other tissues may be established in multiwell plates (6 well or 24 well) according to conventional cell culture techniques, and are cultures in the absence or presence of serum for a period of time (1-7 days). Cells may be cultured, for example, in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium (Gibco, Long Island, NY) containing serum fetal calf serum at Gibco) or in serum-deprived medium, as desired, or in defined medium containing insulin, transferrin, glucose, albumin, or other growth factors).

Samples for testing the level of OP-1 production includes culture supernatants or cell lysates, collected periodically and evaluated for OP-1 production by immunoblot analysis (Sambrook et al., ed., 1989, Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Sg.. 15 Cold Spring Harbor, NY), or a portion of the cell culture itself, collected periodically and used to prepare polyA+ RNA for RNA analysis. To monitor de nova OP-1 synthesis, some cultures are labeled according to conventional procedures with an 3Smethionine/3S-cysteine mixture for 6-24 hours and then evaluated to OP-1 synthesis by conventional immunoprecipitation methods.

XII. Exemplary In vivo Animal Model for Testing Efficacy of Compounds to Modulate OP-1 Expression It previously has been to demonstrated that OP1 can effect osteoporosis on the :..istandard ovariectomized rat model, as indicated by the dose-response increase in alkaline phosphate and osteocalcin levels following injection with OP-1. The osteoporotic rat model provides an in vivo model for evaluating the efficacy of a candidate modulating compound. In order to determine the effect of a candidate morphogen stimulating agent on OP-1 production and, thereby, on bone production in vivo, alkaline phosphate and osteocalcin levels are measured under conditions which promote osteoporosis, wherein osteoporosis is induced by ovary removal in rats and in the presence and absence of a candidate modulating compound. A P:\OPEj\MRO\36757-99SPE 29/9/99 -38compound competent to enhance or induce endogenous OP-1 expression should result in increase osteocalcin and alkaline phosphate levels.

Forty Long-Evans rats (Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington) weighting about 200g each are ovariectomized (OVX) using standard surgical procedures, and ten rats are sham operated. The ovariectomization of the rats produces an osteoporotic condition within the rats as a result of decreased estrogen production. Food and water are provided ad libitum. Eight days after ovariectomy, the rats, prepared as described above, are divided into three groups: sham-operated rates; ovariectomized rats receiving 1 ml of phosphate-buffer saline (PBS) i.v. in the tail vein; and (C) ovariectomized rats receiving various dose ranges of the candidate stimulating agent either by intravenous injection through the tail vein or direct administration to kidney tissue.

The effect of the candidate compound on in vivo bone formation can be determined by preparing sections of bone tissue from the ovariectomized rats. Each rat is injected with 5 mg of tetracycline, which will stain the new bone (visualized as a yellow color by fluorescence), on the 15th and 21st day of the study, and on day 22 the rats are sacrificed. The body weights, uterine weights, serum alkaline phosphate 20 levels, serum calcium levels and serum osteocalcin levels then were determined for each rat. Bone sections are prepared and the distance separating each tetracycline straining is measured to determine the amount of new bone growth. The levels of OP- 1 in serum following injection of the candidate agent also can be monitored on a periodic basis using, for example, the immunoassay described in sections V and VII S* 25 above.

V. Exemplary Determination of OP-1 Protein Production Where OP-1 acts as the reporter gene, detection of the gene product readily can be assayed using antibodies specific to the protein and standard immunoassay testings. For example, OP-1 may be detected using a polyclonal antibody specific for OP-1 in an ELISA, as follows.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -39- 1 /g/100 of affinity-purified polyclonal rabbit IgG specific for OP-1 is added to each well of a 96-well plate and incubated at 37 0 C for an hour. The wells are washed four time with 0.167M sodium borate buffer with 0.15 M NaCI (BSB), pH 8.2 containing 0.1% Tween 20. To minimize non-specific binding, the wells are blocked by filling completely with 1% bovine serum albumin (BS) in BSB and incubating for 1 hour at 37 0 C. The wells are then washed four times with BSB containing 0.1% Tween A 100 ~1 aliquot of an appropriate dilution of each of the test samples of cell culture supematant is added to each well in triplicate and incubated at 37 0 C for 30 min.

After incubation, 100 kl biotinylated rabbit anti-OP-1 serum (stock solution is about 1 mg/ml and diluted 1:400 in BSB containing 1% BSA before use) is added to each well and incubated at 37 0 C for 30 min. The wells are then washed four times with BSB containing 0.1% Tween 20. 100 /l streptavidin-alkaline (Southern Biotechnology *Associates, Inc. Birmingham, Alabama, diluted 1:2000 in BSB containing 01% Tween 15 20 before use) is added to each well and incubated at 37 0 C for 30 min. The plates are washed four times with 0.5M Tris buffered Saline (TBS), pH 7.2. 50 1l substrate (ELISA Amplification System Kit, Life Technologies, Inc., Bethesda, MD) is added to each well incubated at room temperature for 15 min. Then, 50 M1 amplifier (from the same amplification system kit) is added and incubated for another 15 min at room 20 temperature. The reaction is stopped by the addition of 50 1l 0.3M sulphuric acid. The OD at 490 nm of the solution in each well is recorded. To quantitate OP-1 in culture media, a OP-1 standard curve is performed in parallel with the test samples.

VI. Exemplary Production of OP-1 Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibody 25 Polyclonal antibody for OP-1 protein may be prepared as follows. Each rabbit is given a primary immunization of 100 /g/500 ,l E. coli produced OP-1 monomer (amino acids 328-431 in SEQ ID NO:5) in 0.1%SDS mixed with 500 ul Complete Freund's Adjuvant. The antigen is injected subcutaneously at multiple sites on the back and flanks of the animal. The rabbit is boosted after a month in the same manner using incomplete Freund's Adjuvant. Test bleeds are taken from the ear vein seven days later. Two additional boosts and test bleeds are performed at monthly intervals P:\OPER\MRQ\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 until antibody against OP-1 is detected in the serum using an ELISA assay. Then, the rabbit is boosted monthly with 100 /g of antigen and bled (15 ml per bleed) at days seven and ten after boosting.

Monoclonal antibody specific for OP-1 protein may be prepared as follows. A mouse is given two injections of E. coli produced OP-1 monomer. The first injection contains 100 /zg of OP-1 in complete Freund's adjuvant and is given subcutaneously.

The second injection contains 50 uzg of OP-1 in incomplete adjuvant and is given intraperitoneally. The mouse then receives a total of 230 /g of OP-1 (amino acids 307-431 in SEQ ID NO:5) in four intraperitoneal injections at various times over an eight month period. One week prior to fusion, both mice are boosted intraperitoneally with 100 Mug of OP-1 (307-431) and 30 /g of the N-terminal peptide (Ser 2 93 -Asn30 9 -Cys) conjugated through the added cysteine to bovine serum albumin with SMCC crosslinking agent. This boost was repeated five days four days three days 15 (IP) and one day (IV) prior to fusion. The mouse spleen cells are then fused to myeloma 653) cells at a ratio of 1:1 using PEG 1500 (Boeringer Mannheim), and the cell fusion is plated and screened for OP-1-specific antibodies using OP-1 (307- 431) as antigen. The cell fusion and monoclonal screening then are according to standard procedures well described in standard texts widely available in the art.

:VII. Exemplary Process for Detecting OP-1 in Serum Presented below is a sample protocol for identifying OP-1 in serum. Following this general methodology OP-1 may be detected in body fluids, including serum, and S.. can be used in a protocol for evaluating the efficacy of an OP-1 modulating compound 25 in vivo.

A monoclonal antibody raised against mammalian, recombinantly produced OP- 1 using standard immunology techniques well described in the art and described generally in example VI., above, was immobilized by passing the antibody over an agarose-activated gel Affi-GelTM, from Bio-Rad Laboratories, Richmond, CA, prepared following manufacturer's instructions) and used to purify OP-1 from serum.

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -41 Human serum then was passed over the column and eluted with 3M K-thiocyanate.

K-thiocyanate fractions then were dialyzed in 6M urea, 20mM PO 4 pH 7.0, applied to a C8 HPLC column, and eluted with a 20 minute, 25-50% acetonitrile/0,1% TFA gradient. Mature, recombinantly produced OP-1 homodimers elute between 20-22 minutes, and are used as a positive control. Fractions then were collected and tested for the presence of OP-1 by standard immunoblot using an OP-1 specific antibody.

Using this method OP-1 readily was detected in human serum. See also, PCT/US92/07432 for a detailed description of the assay.

IX. Considerations for Formulations and Methods for Administering Therapeutic Agents Where the OP-i-modulating agent identified herein comprises part of a tissue or organ preservation solution, any commercially available preservation solution may be used to advantage. For example, useful solutions known in the art include Collins 15 solution, Wisconsin solution, Belzer solution, Eurocollins solution and lactated Ringer's solution. Generally, an organ preservation solution usually possesses one or more of the following properties: an osmotic pressure substantially equal to that of the S.-inside of a mammalian cell, (solutions typically are hyperosmolar and have K+ and/or Mg++ ions present in an amount sufficient to produce an osmotic pressure slightly higher than the inside of a mammalian cell); the solution typically is capable of maintaining substantially normal ATP levels in the cells; and the solution usually allows optimum maintenance of glucose metabolism in the cells. Organ preservation solutions also may contain anticoagulants, energy sources such as glucose, fructose and other sugars, metabolites, heavy metal chelators, glycerol and other materials of high viscosity to enhance survival at low temperatures, free oxygen radical inhibiting agents and a pH indicator. A detailed description of preservation solutions and useful components may be found, for example, in US patent No. 5,002,965.

Where the OP-i-modulating agent is to be provided to an individual, the donor prior to harvest, or the recipient prior to or concomitant with transplantation, the therapeutic agent may be provided by any suitable means, preferably directly P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -42locally, as by injection to the tissue or organ locus) or systemically parenterally or orally).

Useful solutions for parenteral administration may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the pharmaceutical art, described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Gennaro, Mack Pub., 1990. Formulations may include, for example, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable original, hydrogenated naphthalenes, and the like. Formulations for direct administration, in particular, may include glycerol and other compositions of high viscosity to help maintain the agent at the desired locus. Biocompatible, preferably bioresorbable, polymers, including, for example, hyaluronic acid, collagen, tricalcium phosphate, polybutyrate, lactide and glycolide polymers and lactide/glycolide copolymers, may be useful excipients to control the release of the agent in vivo.

15 As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the concentration of the compounds described in a therapeutic composition will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the dosage of the drug to be administered, the chemical characteristics hydrophobicity) of the compounds employed, and the route of administration. Where the morphogen-stimulating agent is part of a preservation 20 solution, the dosage likely will depend for example, on the size of the tissue or organ to be transplanted, the overall health status of the organ or tissue itself, the length of time between harvest and transplantation the duration in storage), the frequency with which the preservation solution is changed, and the type of storage anticipated, low temperature. In general terms, preferred ranges include a concentration 25 range between about 0.1 ng to 100 /.g/kg per tissue or organ weight per day.

Where the therapeutic agent is to be administered to a donor or recipient, the preferred dosage of drug to be administered also is likely to depend on such variables as the type and extent of progression of the disease, the overall health status of the particular patient, the relative biological efficacy of the compound selected, the formulation of the compound excipients, and its route of administration. In general P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 43 terms, a suitable compound of this invention may be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing about 0.001% to 10% w/v compound for parenteral administration. Typical dose ranges are from about 10 ng/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day; and preferred dose range is from about 0.1 pg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context 15 requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and S"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

o o go P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -44- SEQUENCE LISTING GENERAL INFORMATION:

APPLICANT:

NAME: CREATIVE BIOMOLECULES, INC.

STREET: 45 SOUTH STREET CITY: HOPKINTON STATE: MA COUNTRY: USA POSTAL CODE (ZIP): 01748 TELEPHONE: 508-435-9001 TELEFAX: 508-435-0454

TELEX:

(ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MODULATING MORPHOGEN EXPRESSION (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 7 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: ADDRESSEE: PATENT ADMINISTRATOR, CREATIVE BIOMOLECULES

INC.

STREET: 45 SOUTH STREET CITY: HOPKINTON STATE: MA COUNTRY: USA ZIP: 07148 COMPUTER READABLE FORM: S* MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible 35 OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release Version #1.25 0 *o (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA: APPLICATION NUMBER: AU 36757/99 40 FILING DATE: 24 JUN-1999

CLASSIFICATION:

45 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 17415 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear S(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: TCAACCGGTC TCTTTAGGTT TTGGCTGTGC TTATTACTAT TCATTCAACA GGTACTAATT GAGCACCTGC TGTGTGCCAG GCTCAGAATA GGCTCAGGTG AGATGCACAA AGAAGGGTAA 120 ACTAGAATCC TTGCTTAGAC ACTGACGGAT CAGTTGTTTC ATATGTAAAT TGTAGCACCA 180 AGACCTGCTG CCCCTGCCCC CAGCCTCACC TGCTTGTGAA GATCCCTCCA AAAGATTTGA 240 GAGTAGATAA AAAGCAGAGA CTACTACTGA AGAACAGGGC TGCTTTGGCT CCTTATTATT 300 P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 45 a

TCAGACTTTG

TAGCAAGCCA

TGCTCTGCAG

TGTCTCTTTC

CCACCCTCCA

TGCAGGCTGA

GTGGCACTCC

CACCTTTCCT

AGAGTGATAG

TTGCTTCCCT

CCATGTCTTC

AGGTGCAAAA

TGGTGACCTC

ACTGTCCAGG

GTTGAAGGAA

TGGTGGGTGG

CTGGGGCTGT

35 CTCTGGCTCC

CAAGGGAGAC

ATAATTCTCT

GAGCCCCTCC

AAGGCCCTCT

45 TTTTACCCCG

GGCAGAGGGA

CGGTATTGAT

CTCAGGCACA

ACTGCCACGA

GCTGAGGGGT

CAGCTCACAC

ACCAGGCGCT

GGCCCCAGTG

CTCAAACAGC

GCGAGGCGAG

GCGTCTGATG

GAAGAAAATG

GGCCTGGAGG

CTCAAGCACT

TTGTCTTTCA

TCACCTCACC

AGTGACCCAG

TGCAATTTCC

TCTCCCTCCT

ACAAGATCTG

GGCCTGGAGG

CTGCCCAGCA

TTAGTACGGG

AGAGTAGGAA

TTGGAGGCCC

GGAGTGAATG

GTAGAGGCCC

GTGTAAATGG

CCTTTCTCCA

CCAGAGGCCA

TCCCCAGCTC

CAGACAAGCG

GGGGACCCAC

CTGCCCTCAC

CCGGTGGGTT

TGAGGGATGA

GACCCTTGGA

GGAGGGCTGA

GGCTGGAAAG

GCAGTTCACT

GGGTTCAAGG

CTCTGGGTGT

AATTCCAGAC

GAAACAACCT

GGGGCGGGAG

ACCTCCTTTT

GCGTGTGCAG

TGCTGTTCCT

GGACTCAGGT

CTGTTTATCT

GCTCTCCAGT

CCAGTCTCCC

GCATGTCCTC

CCTCTCCTTC

CGGCTCCTTG

TGGTGCTTGG

GCAGGGGGTA

ACCAAGTGTG

CACAGCTCGC

GATGAAGAGC

CTCCCTGGCA

CCAGGACCTG

CCCATGTGGC

CTTGGCAAAC

TCCTGCTCCA

CCCCCGCTTC

TCTCTCACCC

TGCCACTCTG

CTGAGTGGTC

TCTCTACTGG

GGCTGGGGAC

CCACCTGGGA

CAGTGGCATC

GCGCCCCCGC

TGTACACTCT

TGGGGTAGGA

CTCTGCCTGG

AGTCCCTGAA

ATGGAGTCTG

CCCTGGGACT

CTTTGTTCAT

GGGCCCTTAA

CTCCTGATAT

AGGTGGTGGG

TGGGGCTCAA

CAGGCTGGCA

CCCTCAGGCT

TACTTCTGCT

GGAAGGACAG

CACTGAGTGC

CGAGCCTGGT

TGCCTTTCCC

TCCTCCAAAA

CCCCACTGCC

CAGATGGACC

TTCCTGCTTG

CTTCTGAATT

TCTTATTTAA

CCATGTGGGT

GGCCACATAA

AGGTGATTCA

GAGCTGGGGG

CCTGTGCTCC

GGGTGGTTTG

GACCTGTTCC

TTTTTCTGCT

GCCATCTAGT

CCAGAAAACT

ATAGCTGACC

TTCTGTTCCC

TGGAAAAGCC

ACTCCCCTTC

TGTCACTTAT

CTGGACGACT

CCAGGATGCC

GTTTCCAGAG

GGCTCTTGCT

TCGCTCATGG

TATCTGGGCC

GAACCACATA

GCCCTGTACG

AT GCTTGT CT

AGGGCCTTGC

ATCCCACAGC

CCTTGCCTGG

CCAAAAGTCC

GTAGAAGACC

360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1500 1560 1620 1680 1740 1800 1860 1920 1980 2040 2100 2160 2220 2280 2340 CCCCAAAGTG AGGCTTAGCA CCCAACCTCA GCCCTTCCCA GTTCATCCCA AGCCCCAGGA GGGAAGGAGA CAGGATGAAC

GGTGCAGTAA

TGGGGACTCC

TTCCCTTGAG ATCCCACACC CTGTGACAGC GTGCATGGCT ATGGATGAGG AGAGACAGGA GAGGAGGCCG GGGGAAGAGG ATGTGAAGAC TGGGAAGCCC TAGTGGTGGG

ATACAGGGCC

TATTCACTCA

CACTGCGGGT

CTAGCGGGGG

AGCAAGAGAA

CAGCTTGGCA

GTGGTGAGTG

CCGAAGAGGA

ACAAATCGTG

ACCAGAGGTG

TAAGAAGGCA

ACTACAGGAA

GGTCTTGGAG

GGGAGAGGTC

CAGCGGCTGG

GCTGGGGTGT

GGAGGTGGGA

ACTGCGCACG

CGGAGAAGAT

ATAAAGAAGG

AGAAAACAAA

GTCTCTGGGA

CAGGCGGAGG

ATGGGGAGGT

CTCCCCAGGC

CTGGTCTCAG

AGAACCCCCC

TACAGTGGCT

CGCTGATCCG

CACGGAGTAA

CGTGCGAGGG

GGAGAAAGCA

GAATGGCGAG

P:kOPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 2919/99 -46

CGAGAGACAG

AAGGATACAT

TTCCGCGCCA

TGCTCGGGCC

TCCTCCAGCC

AAACATTTGT

GGCGGGGCCG

TCCTCCTCCT

CCTCTTGTGC

CGCCGGAGGT

GGAAGAAGGA

TGGACTCCTA

CGTTCGCCGG

CCCGGGGCCA

GGCCATGTCT

GGCCGCCTGC

CGCGTAGAGC

35 TGGCGCTCTG

ACGAGGTGCA

AGCGCGAGAT

AGCACAACTC

GCGGCGGGCC

GCTGGCAACG

GGGACTAGGG

CCTCCGCGCT

GCCTTCCTGG

GCATCCCCGC

CGAGCGCTCT

AGGGCAGGTG

CCTCCTCCGC

GATCCAGGGC

TGGAAGAGGG

GCGCTCGCCC

GGCTTGCTGG

GGCTGCTTTC

GCACCGAGCA

GGCGCGGGCG

CCCCTCTGCC

CGGCGCGATG

GGCACCCCTG

CTCGAGCTTC

CCTCTCCATT

GGCACCCATG

CGGCGGCCAG

GCTTCAGGGA

GCAAGACCGG

CCCCCAACTT

TCCGGACCGC

GACGTCCCGC

AGAGGGAATG

GGAGGCCGCC

CCAGGCCCCA

GCACAAGGCT

TGGGTTGCCG

GCCCGCCTGC

CTGCTCCTCC

CAAGCCCTGC

GGGGGCGGGG

CAGCGGGGCC

ACCTGGGGCG

CACGTGCGCT

TTCCTGCTGC

ATCCACCGGC

TTGGGCTTGC

TTCATGCTGG

GGCTTCTCCT

GGCGCGGAGG

CTCAAGGTCA

TTCCCACCGC

GAGTGCCGAG

CAGGCTCTAG

AATGAACCCA

GGCGCGGGAG

GCGCGTACCA

GGGAGAGCGC

CCGCCCGAGG

CTCCTCGCTG

CACCCGCGCC

GGTGCGCCCG

GTCCGGGCAG

CGTCTGCAGC

GTGCGGGCCC

CACTGCGAGC

GCTCCGCCCT

GCCTCCGCAG

CCCACCGCCC

ACCTGTACAA

ACCCCTACAA

GGTCAGCGTG

CCGCTTCCAG

GGTCCGCAGC

AGGGCAGGGC

GCACCCCGTG

CTGGGCACAG

GGGCCCCTCG

CTCTGGCGCT

CCCGGGGCCC

GCGAGAGCGC

CCTCCCCGGC

CGCCTCCTCA

GGCGAGTGCG

AGCGCGGCCG

AAGTGACCGA

GGAGCCCGGA

TGCGGCGCCG

GGCCGACTTC

CCAGGAGCGG

GCGCCCGCAC

CGCCATGGCG

GCTGGCTTAA

GACCTTCTAT

CCACCCGTCC

CGGCTCCGAT

GGCACTCAGT

CTGGGGGGAG

AAGCCCGTCC

CCCGAGGCGG

CTGCTATCCG

CAGAGGAGCG

GTTGGCTCTC

CTCGCCTTTT

GGGCGAGGGG

GCCGGGGAGG

GCGGCGCGAC

GCCCGGGTAG

CACAGCTTCG

AGCCTGGACA

CGGGAGATGC

CTCCAGGGCA

GTGGAGGAGG

0 00* 00 0 0 0 0 .00 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0000 00 .0 0 0 0 0 0000 00 00 **00 00 0* *000 00 0~ 0000 00 0* 00 00 00 0 2400 2460 2520 2580 2640 2700 2760 2820 2880 2940 3000 3060 3120 3180 3240 3300 3360 3420 3480 3540 3600 3660 3720 3780 3840 3900 3960 4020 4080 4140 4200 4260 4320 4380 GGCCGTCTTC AGTACCCAGG 45 GCCCCCCTCT GGCCAGCCTG CAAGATAGCC ATTTCCTCAC CGACGCCGAC

GCTTCGTCAA

TTTGAGACTG

CCTCGGTGAG TAAGGGCAGG CGAGGGTACG CCGTCTCCTT GGAGGGAGGG AGCCGCTTCT TCTATGCAGC CCGCCCAGCT

GGCTGAAATC

GTGTGCGCCC

GGATCCTCCG

GGGCGTTCAA

CCTGGATGTA

AGCCCTGCCT

ACCTGTCCCC

TCTCCGGGCG

GCTAATTTTC

GCAGTGCCTG

CCAGGTCGGG

AAGTCCCCTC

AGCGCGGGGC

AAGGGCCCTT

GGCTCTGGCA

TCGTGGTGCG

CCGATGCCCC

TTTGTTTTCT

CCCGAGGGTC

CCGCTGGGTC

CATGTTACGC

TCGGTCATGT

CCCGGCGAGG

TCGCGGCCGT

CCCGCCTTAG

ATTCTCTCTT

TTCTTTGTTT

TCCCACCCAC

GGTGAGCCTG

AGCCCTATGA

TAGGGGTTAC

CGCCGGCCGC ATCTCTGGGG GAGCTGTCCC GGGCCGGCGC

ATGGTCATGA

TCGGGGGCAC

TTCCGCTCCT

CTCCCAAGCT

TGGGAAGGAG

CTGGAGGCAA

CGGTCCGTGA

GGCCCCTCTC

GTCAAGCCCT

TTGGGGCCCC

CGGTGCCATT

TTTTTCTTTT

CTGCCTTGCC

CGCACCCCCT

GCTACCGGCC

GGCTGGAGCT

ATTTTTTTCT

GCCCTTCCTG

TACCCTCCCT

GCTCCGAGCC

GGGGAAGAAA

TTTTTCTTTT

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 47 .4 04 0 0 400 0 0 000 0 0 0040 00 .0 0 0 0 0 0000 0~ 00

S

44 0000 0* 4 00 0* 0004 00 00 0 0* 44

CTTTTCTTTT

AGTGCAATGG

GTGCCTCAGC

GTATTTTAGT

CAGGTGATCC

GCCCTGCCGC

ATTTTCAGCA

GGATCTCAGA

CGACCCCGGC

GTGCGCGCAC

ACTGATGATC

CGCTTTCATT

TCACGCCCAC

CTGGGGCGTG

CTGATAAGGT

ACTAGTGAAC

CAAAAAAGTT

35 ATTTAGAACC

GCATGTGTGC

ATTTTACTGG

TCTGATTTTT

TTAACTATAC

45 GAGCTCTGTC

TATAGCATCT

GCTGCCTTCA

GAAGGCCCTG

TAGGCCCGGG

AACTTTGGTG

GGAAGGCCAC

CTTTCATCTT

TTGGGCTTTG

GATGGCAGAG

AAACTCGAGG

AGATGCTTCT

CTTTTTTTTT

CGCGATCTCT

CTCCCGAGTA

AGAGACAGGG

TCCCGCCTCA

TAGTCTTCTA

TTTACCACGT

GCTGACGACC

GACGGCAGCC

ATTCTCCAGA

AAATATTTGG

CTACTTGTGT

GGGCCTGTGT

GACTGGGGGC

CCCTGGAGTT

CAAGCTTCAG

TAAATTATAC

ATCTCCAAGA

TTGTATATCA

AGGGGTATAT

TTTTTTGAGA

GCTCACCGCA

GCTGGGATTA

TTTCTCCATG

GCCTCCCAAA

TTTTAAGTAT

GTGGCGCGCA

GCGGGGGCCT

TGGGGCTGCA

CTTGCTCAAA

TTTCCGAGAT

AACTTGCTGC

CAACATGGAA

GCGGGGGAAG

CCCGGGAGCC

CGAGGCAAGG

TAAGCAGCCA

TGTATGAGGT

TCGTGTCCTC

CGGAGTTTCA

ACCTCTGCCT

CAGGCATGCG

TTAGGCAGGC

GTGGTGCTGG

TTAGTGGTAG

AACCACAGGT

GGGGGTCCCG

GCCGAGGGCC

CTAACCCCCC

AACACACCCC

GAAAACCCGA

ATAATGATAC

CGCAGATCCG

ATTGTCTGTA

GGAGGGAGGT

GTTAAGAAGG

GGAAAGAAGC

CTGGAGGAAG

CTCTTGCTCG

CCCGGGTTCA

CACCATGCCT

TGGTCTCGAA

GATTACAGGC

GTCCCGGGCC

TTTGGCGATT

GTTTCCGACT

GGGGAGCTCC

GGAGCAGCGC

GATAGCGCTG

ACCAAGTCAA

TGAAGCCCCA

CCTTCATGCT

CTTAATAATA

TTAGATGCCA

AAGCAGCAAT

CCCAGACTGG

AGCGATTCTC

GGCTAATTTT

CTCCCGATCT

GTGAAGCTGT

GGCAGAATCT

GGGTTGCGCG

GGAGCCGCGA

CCCTCCATAT

ACGGGCTGGG

TTTCCTGAGC

GACAGCAAAC

CGCTGGGCAC

TCCCCTCCTC

ACTAAATCCA

AAATTACCTT

ATATGACCTG

4440 4500 4560 4620 4680 4740 4800 4860 4920 4980 5040 5100 5160 5220 5280 5340 5400 5460 5520 5580 5640 5700 5760 5820 5880 5940 6000 6060 6120 6180 6240 6300 6360 6420 AAGGTGCAGA TGAGTGGGCT

ACACCAGGAA

GGCGGGGGCA TAGCTGGGGC TTACGGAGTG CGTCGTCTGC ACTTCTGTAT TTGTGATTTT CAAAAAATAA AGGAAAATTC CAAATACATA

TAGCCAGGGC

TTTAAAACAA

CATATAAATA

CCTTTCTCTG GCCCTCCTGA

TCCCTTCTGT

GAGCCTGGCT

CAAACCAAGA

GCTCCCTGTC

CGGGCTATTT

AGCTGGGTGG

GAAAGGACAA

GGGACCCTGA

TGGCTTTTAA

TCATTAGTTA

AATGTTGGCC

AGCCTGGGGT

TGGGTACCCC

GGAATCATTA

GCAAAAAAGC

CCCAAGAGAA

GCTCCCCCCA

TTTTCCTCCT

AGACCGGCTT

CTTTCTCAGG

CAGAGCGCAC

GGTGAAGACC

TTTAATTTCT

GGACTCCCAC TGAATGTGCA

AAAAGGTATT

CCCCAGTGCT

AGACCAGGTT

TGGCGGCAGG

CTGGCTGTAC

GTCTGAGCCT

TCTAGCTTTC

TGACCTTGTT

TGGGCTGCAG

GCTAAGCAGC

TGTAATCTCT

TATGGGCCGG

GCTCGGAGGG

AGCAAGCTGG

ATACACCTTT

CTTAATCAGT

TGGGACATCA

TTCTTTCTCT

TTTGGCGAGA

AGCACACAAA

CTGGAGAGAG

GGAGGTGGGG

TGTGTATTTA

ATGAACCGCA

GTGGGGGATT

GGTCCCAGTG

GGCTTCTGCA

CAGTGTGGGC

TGCCTCTGGG

GACTTGTTTG

CAATCCATTT

CAGGCTGGCT

CTCCAAATTA

CTCTGTCCCT

CACTTCCTGT

TAAATGGCCT

P:XOPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 48 9 @9 9 S

S.

900 9.

9 9 @9 S 9999 99 59 9 9 5 @999 .9 *9 9.

9 99 @9 *9 9 9.

9900 9* 9* 9* 0 S 9 9 9.

9

GTCCCTTCTA

AGGGTTGGAG

AAAGTACTGC

TGAAGTGGAT

TGGAAGAGGG

GGAAATATCA

GTCTCCAGCT

TCCAGGAGCG

TTCACTCAAG

TCAAAACCTG

TGGAGTGCAA

TCTCCTGCCT

TTTTTTTGTA

CCTGACCTCG

CCGTGCCCGG

GTCACTCAGT

TTGTCGAGTT

35 TCCAGGGAGG

TACTCATCAT

CAAGCTCACA

GGTGCAGTGG

TGACCTCAGT

45 TTGTATTTTT

AACTCCTGGA

TGAGCCATCA

CGTGAGTCCA

TGAATGGCAA

ACATGTAAAA

TGACATTACC

ATGGTGAGCA

AAATGCCAAC

CCCAAACTCA

AAGCTTAGAA

AATCAAAATC

TCCTGTTGTA

AGGGTTGGGG

TATAGTGTTT

TGAGAGGATG

AAAGGTACAA

GAGGTGAGTG

TTTGTCCCAC

CTGAGGTTCT

AGCGTATTGG

CTCTAATTTT

TGGCGCGATC

CAGCCTCCCG

TTTTTAGTAG

TGATCCACCC

AATCTGCTCT

AAGATATTAT

AGGCATCTGG

ATGTTTCACC

GTAACTTCAG

CTGACTCCAG

CCAAATCTCG

CTCCCAAGTA

GTAATTTTTT

CTCAAGCAAT

TGCTAGTTGC

CTCAGTAAGA

TAAACAACTT

GAAACAGAGT

TTTTCTTGGA

CTTGGTCTTT

TAAGAACATC

AGCAGTGGTT

GTGAATTCTA

ATCTGTAGAG

GCTTGGAATT

GGAGGTGTAG

TTCCTTGGAT

GAACAATAGA

AGAGGTGTTG

ACAAAGAGAA

CCTAAGGGAT

GGGAATTCCC

GATATGCGTG

TTTTTTTTTT

TCAGCTCACT

AGTAGCTGGG

AGACGGGGTT

GCCTCGGCCT

TCTCCATAGG AGGGACTTGG GAGACTTGTC TGGCCACTGA TGCAAATCAT GTTGATCTGA AGGAGGATAT GGCTCAGGAC GCACTGAATG ACCCTGAACA CTCTAGTCGA AGGTCTGGAA GGAGCATGAA CTTCATGCAT AGTGCTGGCT ACCATGCCAT CATGAAAGCA ATGTAATTAT GGAGATGGAG TCTCGCTCCA

GCAAGCTCAG

AATACAGGCG

TCACTGTGTT

CCCAAAGTTC

AATTTTTTAA AGATATCATT TTACAACCCC ACCATAGATT CTTGCAGCAA CAGCTGGCTT CTTCATATTG AGGAAATGGG TGGGATGGTC AGATCTATCT CAAGATCTTA AACTAGAAGG GCTCACAGCA CCTTCTGCCT

ACCTCCAGGG

CCCGCACCAT

AGCCAGGATG

TGGGATTACA

TGCAAACTTT

CAAACCTCTG

TCCTGTCTAT

CACAGAGAAC

TTAACCTGGC

GGGTGGCAGT

GTTTGCTGAG

ACTGCTGATT

AGTCAAGTAC

GGGCTGCCCT

GTCAATTATT

GTAACATCCC

TCTTTTCTCA

GGGCACAACC

TCACCCAGGC

TTCACACCAT

GCGCGGCTAA

GTCTCGATCT

GGCGTGACAG

GGGCACTTGA

TCCTAGAATG

GCTGTCTCCT

CCATTTCTCT

CACTCTTCCA

6480 6540 6600 6660 6720 6780 6840 6900 6960 7020 7080 7140 7200 7260 7320 7380 7440 7500 7560 7620 7680 7740 7800 7860 7920 7980 8040 8100 8160 8220 8280 8340 8400 8460 CAGGAGTTCA AATCCTAGCT CCTGGGCTCA AGCGATCCTC CCACTATGCC TGGCTAATTT GCTGGGACCA

GTAGAGACAG

CTTCCCACCT

GCACAGTTGG

GACTCCCTAC

GGTGGCCCAA

ATTCTACAAA

ACTTGATGAA

ATTTATGGCT

GAAGTCTGAA

CCAAGCCCCT

CTTACTTATT

CTTGTTAAAA

TAGGCATGCA

AGTTTCACCA

TTGCCTACCA

GCGAAACTGA

TTTCTTTCTG

GAGTTGATGA

TATCAGTTAT

CAACTCAGAA

GTAAGAGAAG

ATCAACAGTT

TTGGAAAATA

ACTTAAAAGT

CACAGGTTGC

TGTTGCCCAG

GAGTGCCGGG

CAGATGAGAA

AGTCTTTGTT

CAACAGTCCT

TGATAGTTCA

ACTCATTAAT

AAATTGAATT

TTCCTCGCTC

CCATGGGCTA

GGTTCTCAAA

TGGTCCACCC

CCCAGTCTTG

ATTACAGGTG

AGCAGAACCT

TCTCATCAAT

ATAAGATTAT

ATAGGCAACC

ATCAAACCCA

AACTCTATGT

ATACGACACA

ACGACTTTAA

CTTCAAGGTG

CAAGAGTGTC

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 49

TTGAGTCAGT

GTCTAAGTGT

CTCAAAGATC

AAAGGTACAA

ATCAAAGGTG

CTGTGGAGCA

TCCCTACAAA

ACTTTTAAGA

GGAGTGAGTG

AAGTGAGGCT

CTGCCAGGTT

ATCTTGAACT

ACGCAGTCTA

GAACACTACT

TGAATATCAG

CCAGTGACTG

GAAGCAGCCT

AGGTCTCAAG

TAGTCGTCGG

AGAAAGGGGT

TTTTAACCAC

AGTTCAGATA

ACCCAATGCT

AACTCATGTT

GGCATTTGGG

AGTTCCCATT

GCTTCTGGTG

AGGATGCAGC

TCCCAGTCCC

GAGTATTCTA

GACTTCTCCC

GGCCCTCAGG

CCAGCTAATG

CCTGATCCAT

TAGGGCTCAA

TCTTGGGACC

GGAATATTTT

TTAGAGAGAG

AGCATTATTA

GGGATGGGGT

GAAATTTAAT

TCATGAGGGA

CTAGTGGGAC

TTTTATCTGT

ATGAGGCCCT

CAGAACCATG

TTATAGCAAC

ATACTCTGGC

CACATTCCTC

CTATCATAGA

GGCCAACAAT

GAATATGCAT

ACAACTTTGG

TAAAATTGTG

GTGGGATCTA

AATGGTATCT

CCAGGTGTGC

TGCCAGTGTA

TCCACCTTCA

TGGATTAGTT

TTGCAGGCAC

CACCAGAAGC

AGCTAAATAA

ACAAGACAGA

CTATGGACAA

TCTGCCCCTT

CCCCACCTTT

CAGATTCACT

TTCTAATGAG

GAACAATTGA

GTAAAATACG

AGAACAGAAA

ATGGATAAAC

TATGGTTTGG

ACATTATTGA

GGGATTAGTG

ACCATACAGT

TTCCTTCCCC

TGACCAGATG

ACCTTTTTTC

CTAAGACACA

GAGTGACAGA

CCTCCCTTCT

CCCCTGACTT

CTCCAGGTGA

TTTAGAAGAA

CATAAACAGA

TTGTTATGCC

TTCAGGGGCC

ATGTGGTTTG

GAGGTTATGG

CAGTCTCCAG

GGTTGTTATA

TTCCACTTCT

TGGCTGCCTG

TCTATAAATT

GTGGTAGAAA

CAGACAAGAG

TGCAGAGTCT

GATTGGACCA

.0 *00 00 0* *0 0 00*0 0 0 so.

CS S a S 0 0

S

TTCAAGAATT TGAACTAAGA 8520 8580 8640 8700 8760 8820 8880 8940 9000 9060 9120 9180 9240 9300 9360 9420 9480 9540 9600 9660 9720 9780 9840 9900 9960 10020 10080 10140 10200 10260 10320 10380 10440 10500 35 GACACTAGGA AGATGGCCCT TGAGCTGTGA GTCCTACACT TGAAAGTTCT TAGCATCTTG GTCAGGTACC CACCAGGGCC ATGTGCAAAC TGAGATAATG GGGACATGGA

GTGGAGAGGG

TGAGAGACCT

CTCACAGCTG

45 CCTCTTTCTT

ACTAACCCAG

GGAACCCCGG

CCTCTTCAGC

TCATGGTGGA

CTCAATGGTC

TGATAACAGG

GACCTCTAAG

ACAATTTTCA

TCACAGGCTT

ACTGCTCACA

GGTTAGTGCC

CTGGCTGGAG

TGGAGGGAGA

AGGCCTAACT

GGGTCAATGG

TCTGGGGTGG

ACTTTCAAGA

AATGGCCCAC

GGGGCAGTCT

TGAAAAAGAG

GGCAGAGTTT

TATCTCAGTT

ATAACATAGT

ACAGGGCACC

TCCAGAGCCT

CTACTTTTCC

AGAGACGGGC

GGTAATAAAA

ATCTTTATGT

GGGATGGTTG

GCTTTTAGAC

CTGCTACCTA

TCACCTTCAA

GGGAGGTTTT

AAGGACCAGC

CAAGATGAGA

AATTAAAGGA

CTACCCTCCC

TCTTAGAGCC

GTGCTACTTA

CAGCAGGTTG

AGAGGAAAGC CCTGCCAAGA

GGAGGCAAAG

CCATAAGAGG

CAAGGGACCA

TAGTCTTCCT

GCACACCAGT

ATGATTTTCC

CATCCTTGTG

TCAGTAGGAA

ACAAGGGTAA

GGAGCAGAGA

ATGCTTACAA

TCGAACCTCT

GGCATAGTAC

CCCATGCTCC TCCTCCCATT

GCACCAGATG

AAAGGCTGAA GAGCAGACTG

AAGGTTGAAG

AAGTGAACTG

AGCTGTGGCA

GTCAAACTCT

CTCCTTCCCC

AGGCACGGTG

AGAAGCTTCC

GATGCAGAAT

ATGAAAACTT

AAGCCTCCTG

CTTACTCTGG

AGACTCGAAG

CACCTTCACC

TTGGGATCAG

AGGACCTCTT

CATGCTCTTG

TCACTCAAAA

GCTGGGTTCT

TCACTTTTGG

GAAAGCATCT

CTTTGGAAAT

GAGAAGATCT

TCTTCTTTCA

GAACAAGGCC

GGATGGCTGT

TCGTTCAGGA

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99

TGACCATGGG

AAGGAGCAGT

ATGCTTAGAC

TGTGTTCTCT

ATCGAGAGTT

AATTCCGGAT

GCGTTTATCA

AGGTGCTGAG

ACCCCATGAG

GCCCGTGTCT

CTCTGGGCCT

GTGGTCAATC

TCCCCCGCCA

AGTGCTCATG

GTTCAGCCTT

GTGCACTTGG

GGGCGGCACG

35 GTCCACTTCC

ACGCCCAAGA

GATCACAGAC

TCATTCAGTG

AAGATCTAAG

CTTGACTCAC

GGGCGACACT

GCCAGTTGGG

CAACCAGTAG

GATCCAGGAG

55 TCAGTGCTGC

TGCTCCTGGG

TGGGAACTTT

TGAACCACTT

ATAGTGACTT

CAACAAAGAT

CGTGGGAGTG

GACCATGGGT

TGTCACTGGG

TCAGAGCCAG

TCCTCTTCCA

CCGGTTTGAT

CTACAAGGAC

GGTGCTCCAG

TTTCCTCTGG

CTCTGCTTCC

CTCCTCCTCT

CGGAGGAGGG

CGCGGCACAA

CTGCCAGTCC

CTTGCTTCAC

TTGATCCTGC

CTGCTTCCTG

GGCCCCAGAA

GCAGCATCCG

ACCAGGAAGC

CCACCACAGG

CTCACCAAGA

GAGAGCTGGG

GAGTTAGACT

GGGCTCAAGC

ATGGGTTGAG

AAAATTCACC

CTCAACAGTG

TTCCTCTCAA

CAGTAGGAGG

TTCCAGAAGT

CCTGACTCCT

TACAAAGCCT

TGCAGGGAGG

AGCTTGGTGT

CTGAGCCTGT

GTCACTGGCA

AGAGTGAAAC

GTGGAACATG

CTTTCCAAGA

TACATCCGGG

GAGCACTTGG

GGGCAGAGGA

CATCTGTTGG

CTCGCAGGGA

CTGGCTGGTG

CCTGGGCCTG

TAATGCAGCC

TACAAACAGG

AGCCCTGTCC

TCCAGGGCAG

CAAGCAGCCC

GTCCACGGGG

CCTCGGATGG

AACCCAGCAG

TGCTCTGAGC

GGTTTGACTC

CCACTCAGAG

AGACTGCCGT

GTTTGGCTGT

AGCCCGCAGA

TCCTCTGAGC

GGCCACAGCT

AAGAGAATGA

CTCTATGTCT

GGACAGGATG

CTTTGAGAAG

GGCATTGCAG

TTGGTCAATC

GACCCTCCAG

ATGGGCATGC

CCAGACACTA

ACAAGGAATT

TCCCAGAAGG

AACGCTTCGA

GCAGGTGGGT

AGAAGGTGGT

GGTAGTGGAG

ATCGGATCTC

TTTGACATCA

CAGCTCTCGG

TGTGCTCCTG

CTTCCCCGCC

CGCTCGTGGC

ACGATCAACC

TTCATGGTGG

AGCAAACAGC

CCAACGTGGC

GCCCCGGCGA

TCTCTTCGAT

CGAGAGCTCG

GCTGACTGTC

TTTCTATATG

AGACATCAGA

GCTAAGGTTG

CCCAGCTCCT

GTAGTTGGCC

ATGTCTCTCC

TTTAGTTTGT

TGCACTGATG

GTGACATTGG

GTGGAGGAAA

AGTTGTCAGA

TCTACAGTGT

CTCCATCTAG

ATGAGCTGTC

CTTCCACCCA

GGAAGCTGTC

CAATGAGACG

GCTATACGGG

GAGGGTTTCC

CTGTGACCTG

TTCCTGCTCG

CAGCCACCAG

TGGAGACGCT

GACTTCAGGA

CCTCCCAACC

CCTCCTGTAA

CCAAGTTGGC

CTTTCTTCAA

GCAGCCAGAA

AGGGTATCTT

CCGCAGGAGA

TTTAGCAAAC

AGCAGTCCCC

TCCAGGGTCT

GGATGAGCCT

AACCCAAGTC

GGTGGACATT

TCTGCCCCAC

AGGGGGGCTT

ATGGGTCTTT

GTTGGGTCAC

AGCTTAGCTT

AACCAAGGCT

CGGCACATGC

GCACACCGGG

GTTGGTGAGG

CTTAGGCAAG

GGTGTTGGTG

CGCTACCACC

ACGGCAGCCG

TTCCGGATCA

TATCTGGGAG

CTCCCCTCCC

CTAACGCGAA

ACAGCCGTAC

CAACCACTGG

GGATGGTGAG

GGGTCTCAGC

AGTACTCCAT

CTGCTCTTCT

GGGCCTGATT

GGCCACGGAG

CCGCTCCAAG

AGGTGGGAGG

CTGACTAAAA

CAGGAGTCCG

AAGACCTGGT

ACACCTCTAA

TCACAGGGCA

AAATGCGCTT

AGGGTTGGTT

CCCACCATCT

CATTATTTTT

CTTAGGAATG

TTGCCCTTCC

TGGGGATCTA

TGAGCAGACA

AAGAGCCCTG

CCCTGTCAGC

10560 10620 10680 10740 10800 10860 10920 10980 11040 11100 11160 11220 11280 11340 11400 11460 11520 11580 11640 11700 11760 11820 11880 11940 12000 12060 12120 12180 12240 12300 12360 12420 12480 12540 P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -51 AGGCACAGCC TGGGCCTGCT GAAAGACAGG TCATGACTAG GCAGTGTGTG TGAGAGAGAG CTCAGGCCCT GACCCGAATG TTTCACTACT CAAAGAAACC CTCTGCTGTC TCATTTCTTC CCGCATCCTC TTGCCCCTGC TCATAAGCAG ATCTCTTTGA TTCGATTCCC TTATGGAATC AAACCAGTGT CCGCAGAAGG ATGGGGCATT GGCACCTCCC CAGGTTAGAC CCTCGAACTG TTCATTGCTG TTCACATCAC CTCCTCACTG GGCTCTGCTT AGAGGCAGGC CTTGTAAGAA GTAAGGGGCT GGCTGGGTCT GCGGGTGCTG TGCTCAGTCT 35 GCCTCGCTAG GGAAGGGGAC CAGAAATGTG GTTGAGACTT CCATTCTCTG CATGCACCTC GGCCGTGTGT TTGAATGTAG TTTACCCCAT TCCCATTCCC TTCCTGAACC AGTCAACTGT TCTGGAGCCA TTTGCATGGA GGGTCATGTG ATCCACCTGC CATCTCGAGC GTTCTGGGCC GCAATGTGTC TGCCCTGTGG 55 CAGGGCAACT GGTGGTATTC TCTTCCCTGG GGATTATGCC GCCCTCCTGT GAGCCTGCCC CCCAAACTCC AGGGGCCTCT ATTGATTATT GGGCAACATT ATCCCTTACT GACCAGTGCA CTCTCTGGCA GGTGGGCAAA

CTGAGTATGA

GAAAAAAGCA

ACAAGACAGA

CTTCCAAATT

TCGGGAGTGT

TTGCTGGTGG

AGAGGGATGA

GCAGGGCGCC

CAGGCAGATG

TTCCAGAAAG

TTAGTAGGGC

GCTTTTGAAT

TGCCTAAGAT

CTTCACTTCC

GCACGAGCTG

GTCTTGGGTG

TGTTTCTCAT

TTGGGCTAAG

GAACTCGAAC

ATTCCCATCC

ATACCTGGGG

ACGGGAGGGA

TTCAGGGGTG

GTGAGGCAAA

CGTGAGCTCT

CTGTTCTAGG

GGCTCAAATA

TACCCTCAGG

CAGACACACT

TCAGGACTGA

GCTGGAAGAT

TCTGTGCCAC

CCCGGAGCCA

CCGAGGCATG

CAGAGAGCCC

ATCCCTCTGT

CAGACAGACA

TACGTAGTTC

TTTCTTCTGA

TGGTGATGGT

GTGTGTTGGG

TGCAGTGGCC

TAGCATTTAA

TATTATGGGA

CTTTGCTGGG

CGGGAAATTT

GGAGGAACTT

TTGTCAATGC

TATGTCAGCT

TGGGCCCTCT

CTCTGCCAGT

GATACAGGGA

CAGGAACCCA

CTTGGCTGGC

AGCCATCTCC

CGGATCTCCC

GGGTCATGTT

AGGCAGGGGA

GGATCGTGAT

TACTGGATTG

TCCCTGGAGA

GAGCTTGTAG

CAGGGCGTAC

TGACCACATC

TCCATGTGCT

CCAGACCCTA

GCATGGGTGA

GAGGTTTGTT

CTGGGAAGTT

TGTGGGGTGG

CTTCTCAATG

TGGAAAACCC

AAGGTCATCA

TGCTTGTCCC

GCCTCACGAG

TTGTGTGAGG

ACAACACACG

TAAGACTACA

GGTAGAAATG

ACCCCCCAGC

TGATGTGTGT

AGAGAACAGC

TCCGAGACCT

GGCGTGGGCT

TAAGACTCCA

GGCCTCATGA

AACACTTTGG

TGCTTCTCAA

CCCTCTGCCC

CAGCTTGGTT

ACTGGCACAT

TGAATCTAGG

TCTCATTCAG

GAGATGCAGC

GGGTATTGTC

TTCAGTGGGA

GTGCACACAG

TACCTGCAGC

TAAGCATCAC

GAGGCAAGGA

TGCCATTATG

TAAGGTGAAC

GTAGGTGGAG

AAGGAAGGTT

TTTACAAGTG

CCTGTATCAT

GGTTTTGACT

AGGCCCTGTC

TTGAGGTTGT

CTGGAGGGGT

TGTATAAAAG

TGAGAGAGGA

AGTTTTAAGG

CGTTCTGTGC

GTGTTTCTTT

AGCAGGCACC

GGGCTGGCAG

CCCACAGGCA

GTATCAAGTG

AATCCGAGAG

ACTCTGAACC

GATGATGCCG

TCTGACTTCA

CAGGCGCTTG

GGCTGCCCCC

AGAGGAGTGA

CAGTCACGAG

GATGAACACT

ATGAGGTCAT

GAGTCCAGAA

CCAGCTCTGA

TGGGACAGAA

TGAGGAGTAT

TGGCACATGG

AGTTATTAGC

TGCCAGTGTG

12600 12660 12720 12780 12840 12900 12960 13020 13080 13140 13200 13260 13320 13380 13440 13500 13560 13620 13680 13740 13800 13860 13920 13980 14040 14100 14160 14220 14280 14340 14400 14460 14520 14580 P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -52-

TGACCACCTA

GCGTTCTGTC

GCTTTCCTTC

CTGGGGTGCA

TACTAAGCTT

CCATGAGAGG

CTGAGGCTTT

TGCTGTGCTC

ATCGCGCCTG

TCCTACATGA

TGGGGTGTGG

CTGGGGCCTG

CGTTAAAAAA

CTTCGACCCT

CTCCTTTGAG

CCCTGCTTCA

ACAGTGATCA

35 GCCATTTCAA

ACGTGCCCAG

AGTTGATAAG

TGGTTATGTA

CCCTGCCTTG

45 TTTAGTAATC

ATCTCATCTA

TTTGTTTTTT

AAGCCCTCAT

TCCCTGGCCT

55 CCCGGCTGCC

ACAGGAGTGC

GGATCAAAGT

GGGCAACTGT

GGAATTTGCT

GTTTGAAATT

GCCTGGAGGT

GTGGGGGTAG

CAGAAGACAC

ATTTTTATTT

GTGGTGTGAT

GGACTATAGG

CCACCCATGT

CACCTTGGTC

AGGCTTCTGC

AAGGCTACGC

ACGCCACCAA

TCACCTGGGC

AGTAGATGTC

AAATCAAAAA

GGAGTTCATT

GATGCTTGTA

TTTTCCAGTA

GAAGCGGGCC

GTTAAATTTC

TCACGGCGAC

AGCTGTTAGG

GCTCCCTGTC

AATGCTTCTA

TGCCTCCTTC

TCCCTTTCAT

TAAGTGTTGG

TGGGATTGAA

GGATGTGCTG

AGGGGACACA

CATCGCCCTG

GAATTCTCCA

CTTCTAGAGA

TTAAAATCAT

GTCCATCATA

GGTAACAGAG

AGCTGATGAT

AGCCATGGAT

TATGTTTTTT

CATACGTCAC

CCAAGACTAT

TTCCTGCCCC

GTGAGCCTTC

AT GGTTT CCC

GCGCTACTAC

CCACGCCATC

CGGGCAGGCT

AGCCCATTGC

TTGTACTTTA

TATTTCTCCT

GTATTGTGGG

GAGGAAACAG

AGCAGGATAA

AGTCGGGTCA

ACTCAGTAGG

GATTTTGTCC

ATGAACATCA

GTGACAGAGA

TTTTCTTGTC

TTGATTCTGC

TTTTCCAAAG

GGTCCTTAGG

TGCTGTGCCA

TCTCTATCCT

TGTGCACCTA

GGGATTGTGA

GTCCTGATGA

TCAAGGTGGA

AAATGTGTAA

TGCCAGTCAC

TGCCTCACAC

GTCCATTTTA

TAGAAATGGG

CGCAGCTTTG

AGAGTGGTCC

TGCTGGGCCC

GTGGTGGTTT

ACACTCTCTT

TGTGAGGGGG

GTGCAGACGC

GCGGGGCCAC

CATGTCATGA

TGACTGGTTT

AATTTTTAAA

TGCTGGTTAC

GTAAACAGAT

TGGGATGGAG

CCAGGAAGAT

TGTTATTCCT

TTTTGCTTAG

TCTGAGCCTT

GCTCACTACC

CCTGTCCTGT

TCTTTGAGGG

CCCTTGCTCC

CTGGAAACAG

GTATCCCCTG

TCTCCAACCC

CTTCCATCAG

CGGAGGCTCC

GGATCAGCCA

GTCTTGCTCT

AGCCGTCTTC

TTCTTTCCAT

TGCTGCTCAG

CTTTCAGCAT

CTCCTCCTCA

AGTGTGCCTT

TGGTGGGTGT

CAGATCCTGC

CTTTTGGGGG

GGTATAAAGA

GTAACTAAAA

GGTGCCTAAG

GAGAAATTTC

AGATGAGTGG

TCCATGTGAT

GCTCTGCCAA

AATCCAAGGT

TCCTGCCTAC

AGGACTACTC

GTGTTAAGTC

CAGGGGTTTT

CCTCCTCAAT

AAGAGTCCTC

GAAGGTGCCA

CTGCCTTCAT

TATTTCACCA

TTCCTGTGCC

AGCCCGTGGG

GTCACCCAGG

CCACTCAGTC

TCTTTTGGGA

AAGGCATGGT

GGGGTTGGGA

GGACTGGATC

CCCTCTGAAC

CACGCCATCT

TGCCTCCAAG

CCCCTTGCGC

GGAGTATAAT

GTTGTATGGG

AGCACTGGGC

AGTGAGGGGC

GGACCCATGG

AATGAGATTA

CAGCAACCAT

TCAAGGACCT

TGATCATCCA

CCTCCTTTCA

CTGGAGAAAA

TGTTTCTTTG

TGAAACTTCA

CCCAACCTGT

GGCATGTCTC

GGCCCATGGA

GAGATCTGCA

GTTTAAAAGG

GCTGATGGCT

ATGTGTAAGA

AGCAGTCACA

TACAGTTGCT

14640 14700 14760 14820 14880 14940 15000 15060 15120 15180 15240 15300 15360 15420 15480 15540 15600 15660 15720 15780 15840 15900 15960 16020 16080 16140 16200 16260 16320 16380 16440 16500 16560 16620 AATGATGCGA TTGTGGTCAT AATGCTTCCA GAGGAAATGA GCAGGTGGGG AAGGGTATGG AAAGCATGCT GGCCTATGTC TGATGCTCAA GCCTGGCACC P:\OPER\MR0\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 53

GGAAACCCAG

AACACGTGGC

GCGGTCTTCC

TTGCTTATCA

CACATCCTCT

AAGTCAGGGA

CCTGGTCCTG

ATGCTTTGTT

AGTGCTTAGA

CAGACAGGAT

CCACTGCCCA

AAGCCCTGCT

TCCAACGTCA

CTCCTCCGAG

AAGTTTCACG TTGAAAACAA AGATCTGCTA ACACTGATCT

CTTAGTTTGC

GTGGACCTCA

GTAAGGTGCA

CACTATTCAG

AATGTCGGAT

CCCCTTGTCT

ACAGGGAGTG

GTTTCTTTAT

TGTTTTGGTG

GTGCGCCCAC

TCCTGAAGAA

AATTC

TTAGTCCCCG

CGAGGCACTC

GAGAAGTCCA

CAATCTACAG

CTGGCCCCTT

GCAAAACAGG

CTTGGCTTGG

AGAAACGTGG

TGTGTTTCAG

GCAGCTCAAT

ATACAGAAAC

CAGGACAGTG

TGGTTGGCTG

CTATTCCCTA

ATAGGCATTT

TGAGCAAGAT

TGCACAGGGC

CCTTCCCCAC

GATAATCCCA

GGAGTGTCAC

AGGCCAGTTA

GTCCACTTCA

GCCATCTCCG

AT GGT GGTC C

GAATCTCTGG

CCGTCAGCTT

TTGTCTTACC

GAGTCTATGT

GGAGCACTTC

AGTTCCCCAA

TGTATAATGT

GAACTGAGTT

CTGCAGTCAT

GAACGACTCA

TCAACCCGGA

TCCTCTACTT

GGGCCTGTGG

CCCTGTCTTG

AGGTTGAGTG

TCGGTCTATT

GTCCCTGTCC

TAGTGGGTCC

CAGAGAATTA

GAAAACCTCT

GTCCATGTAA

TCATTATGCC

CCGCTTCTCA

AACGGTGCCC

CGATGACAGC

CTGCCACTAG

16680 16740 16800 16860 16920 16980 17040 17100 17160 17220 17280 17340 17400 17415 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 2299 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single 35 TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA 40 (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: 1. .22f99 OTHER INFORMATION: /note= 'MOPl UPSTREAM SEQUENCE" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:

TGCATAGGTC

50 TTCGGTGCCT

TTGCTACCCT

CCAGGTAGCC

GCCTGTGTGT

GGGCCCCTTT

AGCTCGCAGC

AGGTCTGCAC

GCAAGTTTCT

GAGAGACCTA

CCCTAGGACT

ACACATCCCT

CCTCCGACTG

TCTGTTCCGG

GTGGAGGTTG

GGCACCCATG

GTTTATTCAA

CTGCTTGGCC

TGGGCCAGGG

TTTAGCCCCT

GGTAGTTATC

TCAAGAGGGA

CCTCTACCCA AGGCTAGCCA GGCTCTGACG TTCTCAGAGA ACCTTACTGA AGGGCCTTAG CCATGCTTGC CTGCCCACTC CAGGCCACAG AAGGCCACAC TATCAAGAAC TGTAACGTGG TCAGATCACC CACCACAGCA ACTCAGTACT GGTGGGCATC CAGACAGTCA CATCACCTAA TCTGTTCCAG GAAGCCTGAA CCCCCTACTC AAGGCCCTTC

GGTGCCCTAT

GAACGAAAGG

TGTTTCCAGG

ACCCAACGTT

ACAGCCTTCA

TCACCGGAGG

GGTCCAGGGA

CAAGGCCTGG

AATTCCTACC

AGACCAGGCT

CCCAGCCCCT

CTCTCCCTTC

GAAAGACTGC

GGCCCAAGAA

CTCCTGCCTG

GGATGAGGCA

TCATGTCTCC

GGGGCCTCTC

GCTAAGACCT

AAGGAGCCCT

TCCCATCTCA

ACTTGCCATT

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 54

TTACCACCCC

CCATCCCCAC

TAGGAAACGG

GTTTCCTCCT

TCTTCTGAAC

GGGGTTATTA

GGAGGGGGTG

CATCTGGGGT

CTGGGCCCGG

GTGTGTGTGT

ATTATCTCTG

GGGAGAACGT

CGAGGGGGTT

GCCAGGTCCA

ATGCTTTCCT

AGAGAGCTGG

GGACACCCGG

35 CATTGGGCCA

GGGGCGGGGA

CCGGGGCTCC

GCGGGAGATC

GAGGAGGGAG

TGTAGGTCTG

TCTCTGGAGT

CGGGCCAGAA

GGCCATGTGT

CCGCTGCCCT

TGAAACGCTT

TCACTCACTG

AGGCTCCAAA

GGGAGGAGAG

TTGGGTACCA

GACAGTGAGG

GGAACATTCT

TTGAAGGCTT

ATCCCTTGGG

ATGTATGTGT

CCCGTCCTGG

TCCCCGAGGA

TTGCATGACT

AGAGTGGCCA

AGCACAGCCC

GCAGATTGGG

TGGGCACTCG

GGCTTGGGGA

AGTCAGTCCT

CGAGGCGGCG

GGAAAGGGGT

CTAGGGTTCG

CAAGCTGCTG

TGCTGTGCTA

CTGAGTAAAG

GGCGAGGCCG

GCCCCCTCCG

GCTTGTCGCC

CCATTCTGGG

GAGCAGCAAT

GGAGGCTAGT

ACTGCCTACT

TACCAAAGGA

CTAGTCCCAG

TGGGTTAAAA

TGCTGGACTT

GTGTTGGGGG

AAGGTTCCCA

ACAAAAGCCA

GGAGCAAATG

CCTCCGAGGA

TTAGTTGCTA

ATTCTTCTCT

GTAAATATTT

GGGCGGGGAC

CCCGCTCCTC

GGCGGGCGAT

TTGTTGCTGG

CTCAGCGCCC

CTCCTCCCAC

GCCTTGCCGT

GACAGGGGCG

CCTTGAAGCT

CTGCCACCTG

CACCTTCAGC

TGAAGGCTGC

CCACTGAGAG

CCTTTGAGAC

CCTCAGGCCC

CTCATGTCAG

ATTTCACTTA

GATACTTGGG

GAGGGGAGGT

AGTGAAGTGT

GAGGAAGTGG

GGATAGCAGA

GAGTGTTGGG

GCCTTCTCGG

CACTTTGGCC

CTGGGTCCCT

GTAGAGCGCC

AGGCGCAGGT

CCCCGCTCCC

CCGGGCGCGC

TGCCCGCGGG

AGCTGCCTCT

CCCGGCCCGC

GCGTCCTGGC

TCCCGGGCAA

CGCCTGCAGC

GGGCGGCGCG

AAAGCAGGAA

TTTGCTCCCA

ACCCAGTATC

AGGAAAATCG

CTGACCTGGG

GACCCCGCCC

TGTACTCTGT

AAGGAAAAGC

GTGTGTGTGT

AGAAAGAACT

CACCCGAGGG

GGGGCAAGCG

GGGGGCGGTT

ATTCCTGCGC

ACTTCCAAGT

GCGGCGTCTG

CTGGGAGGAA

GGGAGGCAGC

CGGCCCCAGC

AGGGCCCTTG

CCTGAGCGCG

CCGGCACTCG

CTCCTCGCTC

GAGTGCGGGC

AGCGCAGCCG

AAGTGACCTC

GGCCCGGTGC

GCCTGGCTCA

TTTTTCAGAT

TGTCTGGGAC

AGTCGGGAGC

GCTAGGGGTA

CCCCAAGAGA

AGAGCTGCAG

CGAGAAGTAC

GTGTGTGTGA

TTATCTCCAC

GGGAGGGGCA

GTGGGGGTAC

CGAAAGATGA

TCCCTCCTGG

GCGAGTCCCG

TCCCAGTGCC

TGAATGAAGC

GGGAGCGGGA

GCGCCCAACT

TATTGGGCAC

ATCAGAGCGG

CTCTCCGGAC

TCTTGCTCGC

CGAGGGGCCC

GCCGGGGAGT

GGGTCGTGGA

CCCGGATCGC

720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1500 1560 1620 1680 1740 1800 1860 1920 1980 2040 2100 2160 2220 2280 2299 55 GCGTAGAGCC GGCGCGATG INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 2997 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (ix) FEATURE: P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: 1. .29 97 OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "MOPi TERMINAL SEQUENCE" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: 0 0*e 0 0 .00 0 0 0 0000 *0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0* 0* 6e 0 0a 0 00 0* 0e 0

TAGCTCTTCC

ACCATCTAAG

CCTTCCCCTC

CAGCTGATGA

GCAAACGCCT

CTGGCGCTCT

GGCTTAGCCA

AATGATATGT

AAACAATTTA

TGGAGGATGG

CCCAAATCCA

ATGTGGCCTC

CACACACACA

TGCACACACA

CATGCATGCA

CTGCCAGTCC

40 CTAACAAGCA

TGTCCTCCAA.

CCTTCACAGC

TCTGGATCTG

TCCTGCTTCA

50 CAGAGCCCCA

AGTGTTTCCT

CATCTGGTCA

TTCTGTTCTG

TTCGATGTGG

GCTTTTTGTG

TCGGTGTCTC

TTTCCATCTG

AGTCTGTTTG

TGTCGAATA.A

TGAGACCCTG

TCTCTCACTG

ACCTCCCCAA

GCGCCCTTTC

AAGAGCAGGA

GAGTCTTTGA

GGGTGGGCGC

CACAATAAAA

TCCCCGTTTC

AGAGGCCCCT

GCCTGTAGGG

AAAGGGTGTT

CACACACACA

CACACACACA

CACACACACG

CTCAGCCCCA

CAGCGGACCC

ACAAGGCCCC

TGCCTCTCTT

AGGGAGATGG

GAGGTGGGAT

GCTGCCCCAA

GCATCCACAC

GGTGGGGAAC

TTTTAGTTTT

GGGAAGGCCA

TGACTCCCCT

TTATACGTTT

AAGCTCTTTC

TTTTCTTATT

AGTGGTCCTT

ACCTTTGCGG

CCCACCTTGG

CCGGAAGCAT

CTTCTGGCAC

AAAATGTCTG

GGAGTAATCG

TGGCGTCTGT

CCCATGAATG

TTGGTTTATT

CCTTTCCGTC

AGGAGGAGGA

GGGATGAAGA

CATGCATGAT

CACACACACA

CACACACACA

ATTCCTGCCC

TACCTGAGGA

TCTGGCACCT

CACTCTCAAC

CAGAACAGGG

GTTGGTTATG

TGGTTCCTAG

AAAGAATGAG

CAATTCTTCA

TCTTCTTCAG

TTTCTTTTTG

GTGGTGCACA

AAATGTGTAA

CAAAGGCTCC

TAAGACTATT

AGTGAAAATT

CCAGGAAAGT

CAAGCCTCGT

GTTGAAGGAA

AAAATGGTTA

CTGACTTTGT

TCGTCTCGTT

GGATGTCTGC

TGGAGGGAGG

ACACACACAC

CACACACGCA

TCTGAAGCGC

CATGGTAGGA

AGCACAGGGG

CTGTGGCCGA

CCTAACAGAA

TTGTACTGGC

GCTCAAACAA

CTTCAAATGC

GTTAGCCAGG

TGTCTGTGTC

TAGCTTGGGC

TAATTTGTTC

TTTTACTTTA

ATAGTTGTGA

TCACAGAGAA

TATTAACAGT

CTGTATAAAT

GTCCATTGGC

TCAGCTGCAG

AACCAAGCAG

GGATACAGAT

AAACAGAAAA

GTGTGTGTTT

TCAGAAGAGG

TATGCATGCA

ACACACACAC

CGCACGCACG

ATGTAGACTT

AATCCATGAG

ATGCAGGCTC

GCTCCGGAGC

GGTTCTGCGA

GGCCACACCT TTCCAAATCT CGAGGAGCCA ACAGACCAAC GTAAGGGTTC CAGAAACCTG GTGACGGACA AGATCCTACC

TCGATGTCTC

CTCTCCTGAG

AGCGTGCAGG

AGCTACCACA

CACATGGCCC

CAGAAGGAAG

AAGCCACTGT

ATATTTTCCT

GCCGGGGCTG

ACCAGACCTG

CCAGTGAGGG

CACACACACA

ACACACACGA

CACACGCACG

TGGAATGGCT

AAAAGCAAAG

TTCAGGACAC

CAGGTCCTGG

CAGATTGGTT

120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720 780 840 900 960 1020 1080 1140 1200 1260 1320 1380 1440 1500 1560 1620 1680 1740 1800 1860 TTAGAAGGTT CAACCATGCT GGCCTCTCTG CCTGAGTTTG AGAGGGTTAA ACTGGCTGCC

CAGGACCTAT

CCTGGAAACA

TGCAGCTTCT

TGTGTGTTTG

GAGCCCTAGT

CAAGACAAAG

CAATGAGGCC

TGGACCGATG

AGAGTAAGAA

GGCCATGTCG

CTGGGCTCTC

ACTCTGCCCA

CAGATCTGGG

CTGCCTGCAG

AAATTATTTA

GACTTCCTTC

TACCCATAGC

GGGGTTTGAC

P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99.SPE 29/9/99 -56-

TTTGCAATAA

TCCCCCTGAA

ACTGTTAACG

GTGCAGCTGT

GGTAAGGCTG

CTTCAAAGAG

TCATCCCAAT

AAGCCATGCT

GCTGCCCTCG

GCCCCCCACC

TGCGCACGAA

GCTCTCTCTT

CCTGCGATTT

CAGGCTGAAG

TTAGCCTCTC

ACTAATCTGT

ACCTGGTTCC

3 5 CATACACACA

AAGGAGACAT

CTCCTGGACA

GGATGTTTAT

GTGGGGCTCC

GATGGCAAAG

GCAGGGGGTA

AAAATAGAGG

GGCCTCACAG

CAGGCCAAGC

TCCCCGGCAA

GGTCACCTGA

CCCCTGTTGA

CTAAACCTTT

CCCAGAGCCA

AACCCCACCC

TGCCAATATG

TCCCTGTGTG

CCCCCGCCAT

TTGGTTCTGG

CTGGAGTCTC

CATCCAGGCC

CTGGGCGGGA

AGTGCCTTTG

AATTAGCTGT

CACAAGAGAG

CTGGCGTCAT

TGTGGAGGTG

GCTCAGGGCA

CGGATGTTTC

CTCAGACCCA

CCTGTCACTG

CAAGCCGGAG

CCACCCCCAA

TTTTTGCAAA

CTGCTCCTAA

GGCCTCATCC

TTGTCCGACC

ATCGGCTGAG

CAGGGGAAGT

GAGACGGAAC

ATTGAACTAC

GTTTACTGCT

AAGAGGGGGG

TCAGTGCCCG

GGCAGCCCAC

GTGCTCATCT

TAGAATCCCA

GCAACCCAGC

TCCCGACAAC

GGTCCAGATG

CCCCAGTGAT

TAAGGAGTTT

CTGAACAGAG

ACAAACGGTC

CGACCCAAAA

CATGTGTGTA

AACCCTCGAC

CGGGCGCTCC

CAAACAACAA

AGCCCAGCTG

AACATAGTCG

GGTGTATACC

TCACACCCGG

CGCAGGCTGG

GGCTACATCG

GGCGATGCTT

CGTCCTAACA

TCAGCTTTTG

TGGCCTCTCA

GTTTACACAT

GGGCTTCTCT

GTGCCAGGGC

GAGGTCAGCT

GGAATAGGAA

TTTGTGTCTT

CTTGATCTCG

TCAATATTTG

ATGTGAGTTT

TCAGCAGCTG

AAAGATTTAG

CCAAACTTGA

GCAGTTGGGG

AGAAGGGAGT

GTCTTTGAAG

GGGACAGGCT

CATTCCAGCC

TTCTGTTTTC

GATGTGTGCC

CTTAAAAAAC

TGAGCGGGCC

CGTTGTCACA

GACATCTTCA

AATGGAA

1920 1980 2040 2100 2160 2220 2280 2340 2400 2460 2520 2580 2640 2700 2760 2820 2880 2940 2997 9* AAATGGCTGA CGGATGTCTA CTTGTGCCCA INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 9 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA p p.

50 (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: l. .9 OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "WTl/EGR CONSENSUS SEQUENCE" p p 60 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:

GNGNGGANG

INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 21 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA P:\OPER\MRO\36757-99SPE 29/9/99 -57- (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: 1..21 OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "WT1 HUMAN TCC BINDING SITE" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID TCCTCCTCCT CCTCCTCCTC C 21 INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 15 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: 1..15 OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "WT1 MOUSE TCC BINDING SITE" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: TCCTCCCGCT CCTCC INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: 35 SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: LENGTH: 9 base pairs TYPE: nucleic acid 0* STRANDEDNESS: single TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (ix) FEATURE: NAME/KEY: misc feature LOCATION: 1..9 SS: OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "HUMAN TFZ BINDING SITE" 50 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: TCAAGGTCA 9 4 0 0

Claims (8)

1. A method for screening a candidate compound for the ability to modulate the expression of OP-i, said method comprising the steps of: incubating a said candidate compound with a cell transfected with an isolated nucleic acid comprising part or all of a nucleotide sequence encoding an OP-1 pro protein in operative association with a reporter gene regulated by said nucleotide sequence, said cell being an epithelial cell; measuring the level of said reporter gene expressed in said cell; and ii.. 10 comparing said level with that of said reporter gene expressed in said cell in the absence of said candidate compound, wherein an increase in reporter •gene expression level is indicative of said candidate's ability to increase OP- 1 expression in vivo, and a decrease in reporter gene expression level is indicative of the candidate's ability to inhibit OP-I expression in vivo.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the isolated nucleic acid is a fragment consisting of nucleotides 3170 to 3317, 3020 to 3317, 2790 to 3317, 2548 to 3317, 1300 to 3317, S• 2548 to 2790, 1549 to 2790, or I to 2790 of SEQ ID NO:1. 20

3. Use of a compound identified by the method of claim 1 for modulating OP-1 •.expression.

4. A method for producing a candidate compound having the ability of modulate OP- 1 expression in an epithelial cell, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining, by the method of claim 1, a candidate compound, and producing either said candidate compound, or a derivative thereof having substantially the same OP-1 expression modulating ability as said candidate.

5. A method for screening a candidate compound for the ability to modulate the expression of OP-i, said method comprising the steps of: incubating a said candidate compound with a cell transfected with an P;'OPER'JMS\36757-99 dn.d.-3 1/1001 -59- isolated nucleic acid comprising part or all of a nucleotide sequence encoding an OP-1 pro protein in operative association with a reporter gene regulated by said nucleotide sequence, said cell being of urogenital, liver, bone, cardiac, lung, or nerve cell origin; measuring the level of said reporter gene expressed in said cell; and comparing said level with that of said reporter gene expressed in said cell in the absence of said candidate compound, wherein an increase in reporter gene expression level is indicative of said candidate's ability to increase OP- 1 expression in vivo, and a decrease in reporter gene expression level is indicative of the candidate's ability to inhibit OP-1 expression in vivo.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the isolated nucleic acid is a fragment consisting of nucleotides 3170 to 3317, 3030 to 3317, 2790 to 3317, 2548 to 3317, 1300 to 3317, S2548 to 2790, 1549 to 2790, or 1 to 2790 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

7. Use of a compound identified by the method of claim 5 for modulating OP-1 "expression.

8. A method for producing a candidate compound having the ability to modulate OP-I 20 expression in a cell of urogenital, liver, bone, cardiac, lung, or nerve cell origin, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining, by the method of claim 5, a candidate compound, and producing either said candidate compound, or a derivative thereof having substantially the same OP-1 expression modulating ability as said candidate. Dated this 31st day of October 2001. Curis, Inc. By its Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave