Inventors:
Gordon J. Freeman - Brookline MA
Arnold S. Freedman - Newton MA
Lee M. Nadler - Newton MA
Assignee:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. - Boston MA
International Classification:
C07K 14705
US Classification:
530350, 4241841, 4241851, 4241921, 514 2, 514 8, 514885, 536 231, 536 234, 536 235
Abstract:
Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a B cell activation antigen, B7, are provided. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecules are DNA sequences. The DNA sequences of the invention can be integrated into various expression vectors, which in turn can direct the synthesis of the corresponding proteins or peptides in a variety of hosts, particularly eukaryotic cells, such as mammalian and insect cell culture. Also provided are host cells transformed to produce proteins or peptides encoded by the DNA molecules of the present invention and purified proteins and peptides which comprise at least a portion of the B cell activation antigen. The proteins and peptides comprise at least a portion of the mature form of the B7 activation antigen and preferably comprise a soluble form of the B7 protein.