Abstract:
Based on the discovery of the nucleotide and amino acid differences which distinguish the Gov a  and Gov b  allelic forms of the membrane glycoprotein CD109, and which comprise the biallelic Gov platelet alloantigen system, compositions and methods are provided for determining the Gov genotype and phenotype of individuals. Also provided, on the basis of this discovery, are compositions and methods for treating disorders associated with Gov alloantigen incompatibility, such as the bleeding disorders post-transfusion purpura, post-transfusion platelet refractoriness, and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. The two allelic forms of CD109 differ by a single amino acid. The Gov a  allelic form has Tyr at amino acid position 703 in the CD109 sequence. The Gov b  allelic form has Ser at the same position. This amino acid difference is due to a single change, from A for the Gov a  allele to C for the Gov b  allele, in the CD109 gene.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for use in diagnosing the occurrence of certain serious disorders, especially certain bleeding disorders, and novel compositions and methods for use in treating such a disorder, in a person in which the disorder has occurred, and novel compositions and methods for use in avoiding such a disorder, in an individual who is susceptible thereto.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Among the disorders, which the invention concerns, are those involving abnormal and excessive bleeding due to destruction of blood platelets (“platelets”).  
         [0003]     These disorders include, but are not restricted to, post-transfusion purpura (“PTP”) and post-transfusion platelet refractoriness (“PTPR”), which are suffered by some persons who receive blood, platelets, leukocyte concentrates, or plasma from other persons by transfusion or the like.  
         [0004]     The disorders also include one that is suffered by fetuses and newborns and is known as “neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia” (“NATP”). This disorder can cause death of fetuses and serious birth defects or death of newborns. NATP is estimated to affect about 1 in 1000 newborns. In NATP, fetal platelets, which enter the mother&#39;s blood stream, induce production in the mother of antibodies directed against fetal platelets. These maternal antibodies then pass with the mother&#39;s blood into the fetus and mediate destruction of platelets in the fetus.  
         [0005]     A mother, whose fetus or newborn suffers from NATP, is at increased risk of suffering PTP or PTPR.  
         [0006]     When platelets from a first human (a “donor”) are introduced into the blood system of a second human (a “recipient”) by transfusion, through the placenta (in the case of fetal blood entering the mother), or the like, the recipient may mount an immune response against the platelets from the donor. Such an immune response is referred to as an “alloimmune” response, because it involves antibodies reacting-against antigens of a different individual of the same species. The alloimmune response to platelets is due to an immune response of the recipient against “alloantigens” (antigens of the same species as that mounting the immune response) on platelets from the donor. These alloantigens are found on membrane glycoproteins that occur in the cell membranes, which define the outer surfaces of platelets (“platelet membranes”). In this invention, the glycoprotein is anchored to the membrane in an atypical manner through an anchor consisting of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), which anchors an extracellular domain or segment of the glycoprotein exposed to the outside of the platelet. It is thought that alloantibodies, which are generated in an alloimmune response against platelet alloantigens, interact with the extracellular domains of the alloantigens.  
         [0007]     The platelet alloantigens that a person has are determined by the person&#39;s genetics. A donor, because of his or her genetics, may have a platelet alloantigen, which a recipient, who receives blood, platelets, leukocytes or plasma from the donor, does not have, because of the recipient&#39;s genetics. In such a situation, the immune system of the recipient may recognize the donor&#39;s alloantigen as “non-self,” and raise an immune response against, the platelet alloantigen, which the donor has but the recipient does not.  
         [0008]     Membrane glycoprotein alloantigens have been characterised for both human red blood cells and human platelets. It is noteworthy, however, that they also occur on other cell types, such as leukocytes and endothelial cells, where they may also occasion various disorders through alloimmune responses.  
         [0009]     Recognised classes of red blood cell and platelet alloantigens have been described, over the past 30 years, based on observations of antibody reactions occurring when blood recipients have been exposed to blood from donors.  
         [0010]     A recent review of human platelet alloantigen systems is provided by Ouwehand, W., and Navarrete, C., in  Molecular Haematology , Provan, D. and Gribben, J. eds. Blackwell (1999).  
         [0011]     Several biallelic platelet alloantigen “systems” have been characterised. In each of these systems, there are two alloantigens, each of which is provided by one of two alleles of the gene comprising the system. Because each gene occurs twice in the normal human genome, a person can be homozygous for one or the other of the two alloantigens, or heterozygous for the two alloantigens, comprising a biallelic system. The alloantigens described to date occur on glycoprotein molecules which may exist in various forms (transmembrane, GPI-linked and soluble, for example). In such a case, the alloantigens are found on each of the variant forms of the glycoprotein. For all of the biallelic platelet alloantigen systems that have been characterised at the level of protein and gene sequences, it has been found in all cases, except for one, that the difference between the two alleles is based on a single nucleotide polymorphism in the relevant gene.  
         [0012]     One biallelic system of human platelet alloantigens is the Gov a /Gov b  biallelic system associated with CD109, a membrane glycoprotein which occurs on platelets and various other cell types, including leukocytes and endothelial cells. Each Gov allele corresponds to one CD109 glycoprotein (Sutherland, D. R. et al, 1991; Smith et al., 1995; Berry, J. et al., 2000), consistent with the known tissue distribution of CD109. The frequencies for the Gov alleles are 0.4 for Gov a  and 0.6 for Gov b  in the Caucasian population. Thus, in this population, 40.7% are heterozygous for the Gov alleles, and will not mount an alloimmune response due to Gov incompatibility (not possessing the Gov alloantigen found on platelets received from another). In contrast, 19.8% of Caucasians are homozygous for the Gov a  allele and thus may mount an immune response due to Gov alloantigen incompatibility against platelets received from anyone in the 80.5% of the Caucasian population that is not homozygous for the Gov a  allele, while 39.8% are homozygous for the Gov b  allele and thus may mount an immune response due to Gov alloantigen incompatibility against platelets received from anyone in the 60.2% of the Caucasian population that is not homozygous for the Gov b  allele.  
         [0013]     As indicated above, alloimmunization based on Gov incompatibility (the introduction into the blood stream of donor platelets bearing a Gov alloantigen not carried by the recipient) can result in bleeding disorders due to platelet destruction, including NATP, PTPR, and PTP. The location of the Gov antigens within the CD109 molecule, and the nature of the CD109 polymorphism which underlies the Gov a /Gov b  alloantigen (both at the protein and at the gene level), have not heretofore been known.  
         [0014]     Furthermore, it has not heretofore been possible to generate non-human antibody (polyclonal or monoclonal), as from a rat, mouse, goat, chicken, or the like, with specificity for the Gov a  alloantigen but not the Gov b  alloantigen (or vice-versa) sufficient for use in an immunoassay, for typing for Gov phenotype using platelets or CD109 molecules.  
         [0015]     Previously developed technology, involving gene-specific amplification of platelet RNA-derived cDNA, followed by the determination of the nucleotide sequence of the amplified DNA, has been applied successfully to the elucidation of the molecular basis of other biallelic platelet alloantigen systems (Newman et al., J. Clin. Invest. 82,739-744 (1988); Newman et al., J. Clin. Invest. 83, 1778-1781 (1989)(P1A or HPA-1 system); Lyman et al., Blood 75, 2343-2348 (1990)(Bak or HPA-3system); Kuijpers et al., J. Clin. Invest. 89, 381-384 (1992)(HPA-2 or Ko system); Wang et al., J. Clin. Invest. 90, 2038-2043 (1992)(Pen system). With one exception, it has been found in each case that a single amino acid difference at a single position differentiates the amino acid sequences of the two alleles, and that this difference arises from a single allele-specific nucleotide substitution in the coding region of the mRNA and gene. There remains a need to elucidate the molecular basis of the biallelic Gov platelet alloantigen system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [heading-0016]     The Gov a/Gov b CD109 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism  
         [0017]     We have now discovered that a single amino acid difference in the CD109 glycoprotein distinguishes the Gov a  and Gov b  allelic forms. The two alleles differ at amino acid position 703 of the full-length 1445 amino acid CD109 molecule, with the Gov a  allele [SEQ ID NO:2] containing a Tyr at this position, while the Gov b  allele [SEQ ID NO:4] contains Ser.  
         [0018]     Further, we have discovered that this difference in amino acid sequence between the allelic forms of CD109 is due to a single nucleotide polymorphism at position 2108 of the coding portion of full-length mRNA encoding CD109, or of the corresponding coding strand of the cDNA corresponding to this mRNA. Specifically, the Gov a  allele [SEQ ID NO:1] contains adenine at position 2108, the second nucleotide of the codon encoding the amino acid at position 703 of the full-length CD109 protein, while the Gov b  allele contains cytosine at position 2108, as shown in SEQ ID NO:3  
         [0019]     The Gov a /Gov b  single nucleotide polymorphism of CD109, lies at position 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1. SEQ ID NO:1 is the cDNA sequence encoding the full-length 1445 amino acid CD109 precursor encoding the Gov a  alleleln the Gov b  allele form [SEQ ID NO:3], C occurs at position 2108, rather than A. The ATG at the 5′-end of the sequence in SEQ ID NO:1 corresponds to the translation start of the full-length precursor form (including leader peptide) of CD109. The triplet corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid of the mature CD109 protein is at positions 64-66 in SEQ ID NO:1.  
         [0020]     The Gov a /Gov b  single nucleotide polymorphism of CD109, lies at position 954 in SEQ ID NO:5. SEQ ID NO:5 is the genomic DNA sequence of human CD109 exon 19 and the contiguous introns, introns 18 and 19. The Gov a /Gov b  single nucleotide polymorphism of CD109 is found within CD109 exon 19, and specifically is located at position 3 of CD109 exon 19. The sequence presented in SEQ ID NO:5 contains A at position 954, and thus corresponds to the Gov a  allele. The corresponding Gov b  sequence contains C at position 954 of SEQ ID NO:5 (nucleotide position 3 of exon 19).  
         [0021]     In view of this discovery, it will be readily apparent to the skilled what the present invention provides: 
    Gov allele-specific oligonucleotides and polynucleotides: Based on the discovery, the present invention provides oligonucleotides and polynucleotides (seems repetitive), including (but not limited to) probes which can be used to determine whether a person is homozygous for one or the other of the Gov alleles, or heterozygous for these alleles, thereby to determine that person&#39;s Gov genotype, and by extension, their Gov phenotype (i.e., the Gov alloantigen(s) which their cells express). Further, the invention provides methods of using such oligonucleotides, and test kits to facilitate their use, in such Gov genotype and phenotype determinations. These oligonucleotides of the invention can be used to determine whether, in the CD109 gene, or in the mRNA encoding CD109, the internal nucleotide (nucleotide 2108) of the codon (in CD109 gene or in the mRNA encoding CD109) which corresponds to the amino acid at position 703 in the sequence of full-length CD109 is adenine or cytosine. Such probes will typically be cDNA but may be genomic DNA, mRNA or RNA, and may be labelled for detection. The oligonucleotides of the invention can be used as probes to detect nucleic acid molecules according to techniques known in the art (for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,792,851 and 5,851,788).    
 
         [0023]     For example, an oligonucleotide of the invention may be converted to a probe by being end-labelled using digoxigenin-11-deoxyuridine triphosphate. Such probes may be detected immunologically using alkaline-phosphate-conjugated polyclonal sheep antidigoxigenin F(ab) fragments and nitro blue tetrazolium with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl phosphate as chromogenic substrate. 
    Gov allele-specific antibodies: Still further, based on the discovery, which underlies the invention, of the molecular basis for the Gov a /Gov b  alloantigen system, the invention provides non-human polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, which can be used to distinguish one Gov allelic form of CD109 from the other, whether the CD109 is part of a complex embedded in or isolated from a membrane or is isolated. These antibodies of the invention, which are preferably provided in an aqueous buffer solution, and the immunoassays of the invention which employ such antibodies, are useful for determining whether a person has one or both of the Gov alloantigens and for Gov phenotyping. Methods of using the antibodies of the invention in the immunoassays of the invention, and in such determinations, are also encompassed by the invention. The invention also provides test kits to facilitate carrying out such immunoassays and determinations.     Gov allele-specific peptides and polypeptides: Again, based on the discovery that underlies the invention, of the molecular basis for the Gov a /Gov b  alloantigen system, the invention provides peptides or polypeptides, which are useful for various purposes. These peptides or polypeptides are typically between 4 and 100, and more typically between 7 and 50, amino acids in length, and have amino acid sequences identical or having sequence identity to those of segments of the CD109 sequences, that include the amino acid at position 703 of full-length mature CD109. This amino acid (position 703) corresponds the triplet at positions 2107-2109 in the CD109 cDNA sequence presented in SEQ ID NO:1, or in the corresponding sequence for the CD109 cDNA that encodes the Gov b  allelic form [SEQ ID NO:3]. These peptides or polypeptides may be synthetic, may be purified from native CD109 or may be prepared by recombinant means. For guidance, one may consult the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,840,537, 5,850,025, 5,858,719, 5,710,018, 5,792,851, 5,851,788, 5,759,788, 5,840,530, 5,789,202, 5,871,983, 5,821,096, 5,876,991, 5,422,108, 5,612,191, 5,804,693, 5,847,258, 5,880,328, 5,767,369, 5,756,684, 5,750,652, 5,824,864, 5,763,211, 5,767,375, 5,750,848, 5,859,337, 5,563,246, 5,346,815, and WO9713843. Many of these patents also provide guidance with respect to experimental assays, probes and antibodies, methods, transformation of host cells, which are described below. These patents, like all other patents, publications (such as articles and database publications) in this application, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.     Gov allele-specific peptides and polypeptides as antigens and immunogens, and Gov allele-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies: These peptides or polypeptides are useful as antigens (usually coupled to a larger, immunogenic carrier [proteinaceous or otherwise], as known in the art) for making the polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies of the invention. The peptides or polypeptides are also useful in screening monoclonal antibody-producing cultures (hybridoma cultures/ E. coli  cultures or so-called V gene phage antibodies) to identify those that produce monoclonal antibodies of the invention.    
 
         [0027]     The invention also encompasses immunogenic compositions which comprise a peptide, polypeptide or fusion compound of the invention and which are immunogenic in a bird, including, without limitation, a chicken, or a mammal, such as, a mouse, rat, goat, rabbit, guinea pig, sheep or human. The compositions may include an immunogenicity-imparting “carrier” which may be but is not necessarily a protein as known in the art, that is immunogenic in a bird or mammal, coupled to at least one peptide or polypeptide of the invention, which has an amino acid sequence that is the same as that of a segment of the sequence for CD109, that includes the amino acid at position 703 of the full length CD109 molecule.  
         [0028]     The present invention also provides methods of using the peptides, polypeptides and immunogenic compositions of the invention for making antibodies of the invention, and methods of using the peptides and polypeptides of the invention in screening monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cultures or bacterial clones for those that produce monoclonal antibodies or fragments thereof of the invention. 
    Therapeutic and diagnostic application of Gov allele-specific peptides, polypeptides, and antibodies: These peptides or polypeptides, as well as antibodies, which are specific for the Gov a  [SEQ ID NO:2] or Gov b  [SEQ ID NO:4], but not both, allelic forms of CD109 in the platelet membrane, and which can be produced by a mammal (including an human) immunized with the peptides or polypeptides, which themselves happen to be immunogenic, or the immunogenic compositions of the invention, are also useful both therapeutically and diagnostically. The invention also provides the methods of using the peptides and polypeptides of the invention, and antibodies made using the peptides that are immunogenic and the immunogenic compositions of the invention, in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.    
 
         [0030]     The Gov allele-specific peptides or polypeptides can also be used diagnostically to detect the presence of Gov a  or Gov b  specific antibodies in human plasma or serum samples, using methods that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such analyses would be useful in the investigation of cases of acquired alloimmune thrombocytopenia, including PTP, PTPR, and NATP. In the latter case, this approach could also be used to detect the presence of Gov allele-specific antibodies in the mother of the affected fetus or newborn. The presence of Gov allele-specific antibodies can also be detected using platelets of known Gov phenotype. However, this approach has numerous technical disadvantages that are eliminated by the use of Gov allele-specific peptides or polypeptides for Gov allele-specific antibody detection.  
         [0031]     Administration to a person, who is suffering from, or at risk for, for example, PTP or PTPR, or a mother at risk for passing NATP-causing alloantibodies to her fetus, of one of the peptides or polypeptides, that would be bound by the anti-Gov alloantibodies in such a person, would inhibit the binding of the alloantibodies to the person&#39;s (or the fetus&#39;s platelets and thereby inhibit the platelet destruction and abnormal bleeding associated with the disorders. Alternatively, administration to such a person of antibodies (particularly human antibodies), which are produced using a peptide or polypeptide of the invention, which is immunogenic by itself, or an immunogenic composition of the invention, and which are specific for the Gov allelic form of the CD109 on the person&#39;s platelets which is associated with the PTP or PTPR, from which the person is suffering or may suffer, would induce the production of anti-idiotypic antibodies, which, in turn, would inhibit the platelet-destructive effects of the anti-Gov alloantibodies, which are generated by the person&#39;s own immune system and which are causing or threatening to cause the PTP, PTPR or NATP. These therapeutic applications of peptides and polypeptides of the invention would be especially useful in treating NATP in a newborn, because the alloantibody giving rise to NATP in the newborn is not continuously produced by the immune system of the newborn, but rather is acquired passively, and therefore in limited, non-replenished quantity, by the newborn from its mother.  
         [0032]     Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an oligonucleotideprobe is provided that hybridizes to a portion of the CD109 gene, or a portion of CD109-encoding mRNA or cDNA prepared from such mRNA, which portion includes a nucleotide corresponding to the internal nucleotide of the codon for the amino acid at position 703 of the full-length CD109 molecule, and that is capable of distinguishing one Gov allele from the other through the ability to hybridize under stringent conditions to the portion in question only when the nucleotide in question is A (or dA), when the probe is to detect the Gov a  allele, or C (or dC), when the probe is to detect the Gov b  allele. The nucleotide in question is at position 2108 of the coding region of the CD109 cDNA sequence and lies at position 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1. The cDNA sequence has A at this position, and so is the sequence corresponding to the Gov a  allele. The nucleotide in question lies at position 954 of the sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:5 and contains an A in this position, and thus also corresponds to Gov a  allele.  
         [0033]     The Gov allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization probes of the invention may comprise genomic DNA, cDNA, or RNA, although preferably it is DNA. Such oligonucleotide probes can be synthesised by automated synthesis and will preferably contain about 10-30 bases, although as understood in the oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay art, as few as 8 and as many as about 50 nucleotides may be useful, depending on the position within the probe where the potential mismatch with the target is located, the extent to which a label on the probe might interfere with hybridization, and the physical conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, ionic strength) under which the hybridization of probe with target is carried out.  
         [heading-0034]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a test kit for Gov alloantigen typing is provided comprising:  
         [none]    
       
          (a) means for amplifying nucleic acid that comprises at least a portion of a CD109 gene, a CD109-encoding mRNA, or a CD109 cDNA made from such RNA, wherein the portion includes a nucleotide (nucleotide 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1, or nucleotide 954 in SEQ ID NO:5) corresponding to the internal nucleotide of the codon encoding amino acid 703 of the full length CD109 protein.  
          (b) an oligonucleotide probe of the invention, that distinguishes one Gov allele from the other. The “means for amplifying” will, as the skilled will readily understand, depend on the amplification method to be used. Thus, for example, these means might include suitable primers, a suitable DNA polymerase, and the four 2′-deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dA, dC, dG, dT), if amplification is to be by the PCR method. To cite another example, if the amplification is to be by a method relying on transcription, such as the 3SR method, the means will include two primers, at least one of which, when made double-stranded, will provide a promoter, an RNA polymerase capable of transcribing from that promoter, a reverse transcriptase to function in primer-initiated, DNA-directed and RNA-directed, DNA polymerization and possibly also in RNAse H degradation of RNA to free DNA strands from RNA/RNA hybrids, the four ribonucleoside triphosphates (A, C, G and U), and the four 2′-deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. In another example, if the amplification is by the ligase chain reaction, the means will include two oligonucleotides (DNAs) and a suitable DNA ligase that will join the two if a target, to which both can hybridize adjacent to one another in ligatable orientation, is present.  
       
     
         [0037]     The oligonucleotide probes of the invention will preferably be labelled. The label may be any of the various labels available in the art for such probes, including, but not limited to  32 P;  35 S; biotin (to which a signal generating moiety, bound to or complexed with avidin can be complexed); a fluorescent moiety; an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase (which is capable of catalysing a chromogenic reaction); digoxigenin, as described above; or the like.  
         [0038]     As indicated in the examples, RFLP analysis can be employed, using BstNI (or isoschizomers thereof), in analysing cDNA or genomic DNA (with or without amplification) to determine Gov genotype. As indicated further in the examples, electrophoretic SSCP analysis may be used to determine Gov genotype. And as indicated in the examples, the hybridization studies outlined above may use fluorescent probes, and may be directly coupled to the DNA amplification step, as in “Real-Time PCR” or related methods.  
         [0039]     There has also been provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of typing for Gov allele-specific target sequence in a CD 109 nucleic acid derived from a subject, comprising the steps of, 
    (a) obtaining, by a target nucleic acid amplification process applied to mRNA from human platelets, endothelial cells, or T cells, an assayable quantity of amplified nucleic acid with a sequence that is that of a subsequence (or the complement of a subsequence) of the mRNA that encodes a CD109 said subsequence including the nucleotide at the position in the mRNA corresponding to position 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1 or to nucleotide 954 in SEQ ID NO:5; and     (b) analyzing (e.g., in a nucleic acid probe hybridization assay employing an oligonucleotide probe or probes according to the invention) the amplified nucleic acid obtained in step (a) to determine the base or bases at the position in the amplified nucleic acid that corresponds to position 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1 or to nucleotide 954 in SEQ ID NO:5. It is noteworthy that, if the product of the amplification is double-stranded DNA, analysis for Gov genotype can be carried out by a RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis comprising exposing the amplified DNA to the restriction endonuclease BstNI (or isoschizomer thereof) under conditions whereby the DNA will be cleaved if it includes a site for cleavage by that enzyme. Such DNA, prepared from mRNA encoding the Gov b  alloantigen, containing a C rather than an A at the position corresponding to nucleotide 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1 (or to nucleotide 954 in SEQ ID NO:5), includes a recognition site for that endonuclease, while such DNA prepared from mRNA encoding the Gov a  alloantigen, does not If the analysis, by whatever method, of the amplified nucleic acid reveals that there is only an A (or dA) at the position corresponding to position 12108, the platelets (and blood from which they came) have only the Gov a  alloantigen, and the individual from whom the platelets came, is homozygous for Gov a . Alternatively, if the analysis of the amplified nucleic acid reveals that there is only a C (or dC) at the position corresponding to position 2108, the platelets (and blood from which they came) have only the Gov b  alloantigen and the individual, from whom the platelets came, is homozygous for the Gov b  allele. Finally, if the analysis indicates that there is either an A (or dA) or a C (or dC) at that position, the platelets (and blood from which they came) have both Gov alloantigens, and the individual from whom the platelets came, is heterozygous for Gov alloantigen.    
 
         [0042]     In one application of the typing methods of the invention, the methods are applied to two individuals to determine whether blood or platelets from one would provoke an alloimmune response, and possibly PTP or PTPR, in the other. The typing method can be applied with a man and a woman, who are contemplating conceiving or have conceived a child together, to determine the risk that the child would be at risk for NATP and the risk that the woman would be at increased risk for PTP or PTPR. If the woman were heterozygous for the Gov alloantigens there would be, due to Gov alloantigen incompatibility, no risk of NATP and no increased risk for the woman of PTP or PTPR. If, however, the woman were homozygous for one of the Gov alloantigens, there would be, due to Gov alloantigen incompatibility, risk of NATP in a child and increased risk of PTP or PTPR for the woman, unless the man is homozygous for the same Gov alloantigen as is the woman.  
         [0043]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of typing an individual for Gov alloantigen is provided that comprises analyzing the genomic DNA of the individual to determine the Gov alloantigen(s) of the individual. Applications of this method are substantially the same as those of the method of the invention for typing for Gov alloantigen that begins with platelet, endothelial cell, or T cell mRNA.  
         [0044]     This method of the invention, entailing analysis of genomic DNA, can be carried out in substantially the same way as outlined above for analysis of mRNA, namely first amplifying the genomic DNA and then analyzing to product of the amplification to ascertain whether there is only dA, only dC, or both dA and dC, at the position in the coding region of the genomic DNA corresponding to position 2108 in SEQ ID NO:1, or to nucleotide 954 in SEQ ID NO:5.  
         [0045]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a test kit for Gov alloantigen typing is provided comprising a non-human antibody (or antibodies) that distinguishes the two allelic forms of CD109. The antibody (or antibodies) of the kit may be polyclonal, or preferably monoclonal, and in addition to its (their) specificity for either but not both Gov alloantigens (on the surface of platelets or separated therefrom) or the CD109 subunit of one but not both of such alloantigens, typically will recognise a polypeptide molecule encoded by a nucleotide sequence encoding at least amino acid 703 of a CD109 polypeptide (the amino acid at the position corresponding to nucleotides 2107-2109 in SEQ ID NO:1, or to nucleotides 953-955 in SEQ ID NO:5). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [heading-0046]     Definitions  
         [0047]     The following definitions are provided in order to aid those skilled in the art in understanding the detailed description of the present invention.  
         [0048]     The term “alloantigens” refers to antigens of an individual that are responsible for eliciting an alloimmune response.  
         [0049]     The phrase “alloimmune response” refers to an immune response, which occurs when antibodies from one individual react against antigens of a different individual of the same species.  
         [0050]     The phrase “anti-idiotypic antibodies” refers to antibodies which can bind endogenous or foreign idiotypic antibodies and which can be used to treat or prevent pathological conditions associated with an immune response to a foreign alloantigen.  
         [0051]     The phrase “Gov a /Gov b  biallelic system” refers to a system of human platelet alloantigens in which an individual can be homozygous for either Gov a  or Gov b  allelic forms of CD 109, or an individual can be Gov a /Gov b  heterozygous for CD109.  
         [0052]     “GPI” refers to glycosylphosphatidylinositol.  
         [0053]     The term “NATP” refers to neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.  
         [0054]     “Nucleic acid” includes DNA and RNA, whether single or double stranded. The term is also intended to include a strand that is a mixture of nucleic acids and nucleic acid analogs and/or nucleotide analogs, or that is made entirely of nucleic acid analogs and/or nucleotide analogs.  
         [0055]     “Nucleic acid analogue” refers to modified nucleic acids or species unrelated to nucleic acids that are capable of providing selective binding to nucleic acids or other nucleic acid analogues. As used herein, the term “nucleotide analogues” includes nucleic acids where the internucleotide phosphodiester bond of DNA or RNA is modified to enhance biostability of the oligomer and “tune” the selectivity/specificity for target molecules (Ulhmann, et al., 1990, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng., 90: 543; Goodchild, 1990, J. Bioconjugate Chem., I: 165; Englisch et al., 1991, Angew, Chem. Int. Ed. Eng., 30: 613). Such modifications may include and are not limited to phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, phosphoramidates or methylphosphonates. The 2′-O-methyl, allyl and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro RNA analogs, when incorporated into an oligomer show increased biostability and stabilization of the RNA/DNA duplex (Lesnik et al., 1993, Biochemistry, 32: 7832). As used herein, the term “nucleic acid analogues” also include alpha anomers (α-DNA), L-DNA (mirror image DNA), 2′-5′ linked RNA, branched DNA/RNA or chimeras of natural DNA or RNA and the above-modified nucleic acids. For the puposes of the present invention, any nucleic acid containing a “nucleotide analogue” shall be considered as a nucleic acid analogue. Backbone replaced nucleic acid analogues can also be adapted to for use as immobilised selective moieties of the present invention. For purposes of the present invention, the peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) (Nielsen et al, 1993, Anti-Cancer Drug Design, 8: 53; Engels et al., 1992, Angew, Chem. Int. Ed. Eng., 31: 1008) and carbamate-bridged morpholino-type oligonucleotide analogs (Burger, D. R., 1993, J. Clinical Immunoassay, 16: 224; Uhlmann, et al., 1993, Methods in Molecular Biology, 20,. “Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs,” ed. Sudhir Agarwal, Humana Press, NJ, U.S.A., pp. 335-389) are also embraced by the term “nucleic acid analogues”. Both exhibit sequence-specific binding to DNA with the resulting duplexes being more thermally stable than the natural DNA/DNA duplex. Other backbone-replaced nucleic acids are well known to those skilled in the art and may also be used in the present invention (See e.g., Uhlmann et al 1993, Methods in Molecular Biology, 20, “Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs,” ed. Sudhir Agrawal, Humana Press, NJ, U.S.A., pp. 335).  
         [0056]     The term “PTP” refers to post-transfusion purpura.  
         [0057]     The term “PTPR” refers to post-transfusion platelet refractorines.  
         [0058]     “SNP” refers to single nucleotide polymorphism.  
         [0059]     The standard, one-letter codes “A,” “C,” “G, ” and “T” are used herein for the nucleotides adenylate, cytidylate, guanylate, and thymidylate, respectively. The skilled will understand that, in DNAs, the nucleotides are 2′-deoxyribonucleotide-5′-phosphates (or, at the 5′-end, possibly triphosphates) while, in RNAs, the nucleotides are ribonucleotide-5′-phosphates (or, at the 5′-end, possibly triphosphates) and uridylate (U) occurs in place of T. “N” means any one of the four nucleotides. On occasion herein, dA, dC, dG and dT might be used for the respective 2′-deoxyribonucleotides.  
         [0060]     Unless otherwise specified or required by the context, “nucleic acid” means DNA or RNA and “nucleotide” means ribonucleotide or 2′-deoxyribonucleotide.  
         [0061]     Reference herein to a “full-length” CD109 molecule or protein means the 1445-amino acid-long polypeptide, for which the amino acid sequence, deduced from a cDNA sequence, is provided in SEQ ID NO:1 and in SEQ ID NO:3 and which is denoted as the full-length translated product (i.e., including the amino-terminal leader peptide, and excluding carboxyl-terminal processing associated with GPI anchor addition). The Gov a  alloantigen bearing form of CD109 may be referred to herein as  703 Tyr CD109. The Gov b  alloantigen bearing form of CD109 may be referred to herein as  703 Ser CD109.  
         [0062]     It has been determined that a single nucleotide of the CD109 gene is responsible for the Gov polymorphism in CD109. Extensive serological studies initially demonstrated that the polymorphism underlying the Gov system resides solely on the CD109 molecule [Sutherland, D. R. (1991); Smith et al. (1995)]. Further, extensive deglycosylation of CD109 does not affect the binding the anti-Gov a  and anti-Gov b  antibodies to molecules of the appropriate phenotype, or to cells bearing the appropriate CD109 variant, indicating that carbohydrate residues are not involved in the formation of Gov antigenic epitopes. Further work has indicated that the Gov allele-specific antibody binding can however, be abrogated by denaturation of CD109 with the detergent SDS [Smith et al. (1995)]. Taken together, these observations indicate that the Gov alleles of CD109 are protein epitopes that are likely defined by the primary amino acid sequence of CD109.  
         [0063]     Following the isolation of a CD109 cDNA the nature of the two Gov alleles was characterised further using platelet RNA-derived cDNA in the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”). Platelet mRNA transcripts were obtained from serologically defined Gov a/a , Gov a/b  and Gov b/b  individuals. The RNA was then converted to cDNA, and the entire CD109 cDNA coding region was then amplified as a series of overlapping PCR products. The Gov a  [SEQ ID NO:1] and Gov b  [SEQ ID NO:3] alleles differ by an A to C substitution at position 2108 of the coding region of the CD109 cDNA. This single nucleotide polymorphism also results in a BstNI restriction site in the Gov b  allele that is not present in its Gov a  counterpart. On the basis of this BstNI site, Gov a  can by distinguished from Gov b  by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. This single nucleotide polymorphism can also be detected by SSCP analysis, and by allele-specific hybridization studies, including “Real-Time” PCR analyses.  
         [0064]     As a result of this A 2108 C single nucleotide polymorphism, the Gov a  allele [SEQ ID NO:2] of CD109 contains a Tyr at position 703 of the full-length protein, while the Gov b  allele [SEQ ID NO:4] contains a Ser in this position. The polymorphism does not alter the ability of Gov a  and Gov b  homozygous platelets to adhere to collagen types I, III and V. Additionally, the binding of anti-Gov a  and ant-Gov b  antibodies to platelets of the appropriate phenotype did not interfere with platelet adhesion to any of the above collagen types. Thus, while the Tyr 703 Ser results in the formation of the Gov alloantigen epitopes, it does not appear to impair platelet function.  
         [0065]     Identification and characterisation of the Gov alloantigen system permits pre- and post-natal diagnosis of the Gov phenotype of an individual, providing a warning for the possibility of NATP, PTP and PTPR. Allelic Gov typing of CD109 equates with the Gov status of the CD109 protein of an individual. The Gov system led to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to avoid or control diseases that result from Gov incompatibility. The present invention can be applied to these tasks and goals in a variety of ways, illustrative examples of which are discussed below.  
         [0066]     For example, an oligonucleotide probe can be synthesized, in accordance with the present invention, that will hybridize to a cDNA segment, derived from CD109 mRNA, that contains the nucleotide G at polymorphic nucleotide 2108 (nucleotide=guanylate). Alternatively, an oligonucleotide probe can be synthesized that will hybridize with a CD109 cDNA segment containing the base adenine at nucleotide 2108. (nucleotide=adenylate). These allele-specific probes can be appropriately labelled and added to the generated cDNA segments under annealing conditions, such that only one of the allele-specific probes hybridizes and can be detected, thereby identifying the specific Gov a  or Gov b  allele. In accordance with conventional procedures, the design of an oligonucleotide probe according to the present invention preferably involves adjusting probe length to accommodate hybridization conditions (temperature, ionic strength, exposure time) while assuring allele-specificity. A length of ten to thirty nucleotides is typical.  
         [0067]     Diagnostic kits can also be used, in accordance with the present invention, for the determination and diagnosis of alloantigen phenotypes via the procedures described herein. Such a kit can include, among others, antibodies or antibody fragments to an antigenic determinant expressed by either of the above-described Gov a - and Gov b -encoding sequences. These antibodies would react with the blood sample of an individual so as to indicate whether that individual has a Gov a  or Gov b  phenotype. Alternatively, all the reagents required for the detection of nucleotide(s) that distinguish the Gov alloantigens, by means described herein, can be provided in a single kit that uses isolated genomic DNA, platelet (or other cellular) mRNA or total RNA, or corresponding cDNA from an individual. A kit containing a labelled probe that distinguishes, for example, nucleotide 2108 of CD109 can be utilised for Gov alloantigen genotyping and phenotyping.  
         [0068]     A further beneficial use of the nucleotide sequences that distinguish the Gov a  allele from the Gov b  allele is to obtain or synthesize the respective expression product, in the form of a peptide or polypeptide, encoded by these nucleotide sequences. These polypeptides can be used to generate antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic uses, for example, with regard to pathological conditions such as PTP, PTPR or NATP. These polypeptides can also be used diagnostically to detect the presence of Gov a  or Gov b  specific antibodies in patient plasma or serum, or used therapeutically (see below; assays may be adopted, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,788).  
         [0069]     A polypeptide within the present invention which can be used for the purpose of generating such antibodies preferably comprises an amino-acid sequence that corresponds to (i.e., is coincident with or functionally equivalent to) a fragment of the CD109 molecule that includes amino acid 703. When amino acid 703 is Tyrosine, the polypeptide can be used, as described above, to produce antibodies that specifically bind the Gov a  form of CD109; in contrast, when it is Serine, antibodies can be obtained that specifically recognise the Gov b  form. The class of polypeptides thus defined, in accordance with the present invention, is not intended to include the native CD109 molecule, but does encompass fragments of the molecule, as well as synthetic polypeptides meeting the aforementioned definition.  
         [0070]     Although the length of a polypeptide within this class is not critical, the requirement for immunogenicity may require that the polypeptide be attached to an immunogenicity-imparting carrier. Such carriers include a particulate carrier such as a liposome or a soluble macromolecule (protein or polysaccharide) with a molecular weight in the range of about 10,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons Additionally, it may be desirable to administer the polypeptide with an adjuvant, such as complete Freund&#39;s adjuvant For artificial polypeptides, as distinguished from CD109 fragments, maximum length is determined largely by the limits of techniques available for peptide synthesis, which are currently about fifty amino acids. Thus, a synthetic polypeptide of the present invention is preferably between four to about fifty amino acids in length.  
         [0071]     In the context of the present invention, the term “antibody” encompasses monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced by any available means. Such antibodies can belong to any antibody class (IgG, IgM, IgA, etc.) and may be chimeric. Examples of the preparation and uses of polyclonal antibodies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,512,282, 4,828,985,5,225,331 and 5,124,147 which are incorporated by reference in their entirety The term “antibody” also encompasses antibody fragments, such as Fab and F(ab′) 2  fragments, of anti-Gov a  or anti-Gov b  antibodies, conjugates of such fragments, and so-called “antigen binding proteins” (single-chain antibodies) which are based on anti-Gov a  or anti-Gov b  antibodies, in accordance, for example, with U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,692, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies or fragments thereof within the present invention can be produced using conventional procedures via the expression of isolated DNA that encodes variable regions of such a monoclonal antibody in host cells such as  E. coli  (see, e.g., Ward et al., Nature, 341:544-546 (1989)) or transfected murine myeloma cells (see Gillies et al., Biotechnol. 7:799-804 (1989); Nakatani et al., Biotechnol. 7:805-810 (1989)). For additional examples of methods of the preparation and uses of monoclonal antibodies, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,688,681, 5,688,657, 5,683,693, 5,667,781, 5,665,356, 5,591,628, 5,510,241, 5,503,987, 5,501,988, 5,500,345 and 5,496,705 that are incorporated by reference in their entirety.  
         [0072]     While human alloantisera currently used for serological typing are specifically excluded from this definition, the use of CD109 or Gov allele-specific peptides to detect anti-Gov antibodies in human plasma or serum, or to determine the specificity of such alloantibodies, are specifically included. Similarly, the use of such CD109 peptides or Gov allele-specific peptides to purify CD109 antibodies, or allele-specific CD109 antibodies from human serum is specifically included. Similarly, the use in vitro of such CD109 peptides or Gov allele-specific peptides to deplete allele-specific antibody activity from human serum samples, or to block CD109 antibody binding, or allele-specific antibody binding, is specifically included.  
         [0073]     Diagnostic applications of these antibodies are exemplified, according to the present invention, by the use of a kit containing an anti-Gov a  or an anti-Gov b  antibody, which undergoes a reaction with a sample of an individual&#39;s blood to determine a Gov a  or Gov b  platelet phenotype. Such a reaction involves the binding of anti-Gov a  antibody to Gov a  antigen or the binding of anti-Gov b  antibody to Gov b  antigen. The observation of antibody-antigen complex in a blood sample would indicate a positive result. A kit of this type could be used to diagnose, or to help prevent the occurrence of pathological conditions like PTP, PTPR, or NATP.  
         [0074]     A polypeptide of the present invention that is recognised specifically by anti-Gov a  or ant-Gov b  antibodies can also be used therapeutically. Thus, antibodies raised against such a polypeptide can be employed in the generation, via conventional methods, of anti-idiotypic antibodies, that is, antibodies that bind an anti-Gov a  or anti-Gov b  antibody. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,880, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Such anti-idiotypic antibodies would bind endogenous or foreign anti-Gov antibodies in the blood of an individual, which would treat or prevent pathological conditions associated with an immune response to a “foreign” Gov alloantigen. Alternatively, a polypeptide within the present invention can be administered to an individual, with a physiologically-compatible carrier, to achieve the same qualitative effect, namely, the selective reduction or elimination of circulating anti-Gov antibodies from a patient suffering or at risk from an immune response, or the abrogation by competitive binding to administered peptide, of the binding of Gov-specific antibodies to the platelets of such an individual  
         [0075]     The present invention is further described below by reference to the following, illustrative examples.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
     PCR Amplification and Analysis of PCR Products  
       [0076]     Platelet total RNA was isolated from EDTA anticoagulated blood of Gov aa  and Gov bb  individuals in the manner described in Lymann et al., Blood 75:234348 (1990). First, platelet mRNA in 10 μl aliquots was heated to 70° C. for 10 minutes and quickly cooled on ice before reverse transcription. The first strand cDNA was then synthesized using 10 μM oligo dT, 40 units RNAsin (Promega), 2 mM of each dNTP (dN triphosphate) (Pharmacia), 500 units of cloned MMLV reverse transcriptase and 5× enzyme buffer (Gibco) in a total volume of 50 μl. The cDNA synthesis was carried out at 42° C. for 45 minutes and was stopped by chilling to 0° C.  
         [0077]     Overlapping sets of oligonucleotide primers (Table 2) based on the sequence of CD109 were then used to amplify by PCR the entire coding region of platelet CD109 in 8 overlapping segments that spanned the entire CD109 open reading frame.  
                                                                             TABLE 2                                               Anneal-                                   ing                               Temper-       Frag-                   Size   ature       ment   Sense Primer       Antisense Primer       (bp)   (° C.)                                1   K1-80   (−24)   K1-650   544   568   59               5′ GTAGCCCAGGCAGACGCC 3′       5′                   GTGACAACCACTGTTGGATCAA 3′               2   K1-1   445   K1-1120   1014   570   50           5′ CGCATTGTTACACTCTTCTC 3′       5′ TACATTTCTTGAAATACCTG 3′               3   K1-1022   910   K1-REV-1   1747   838   50           5′ GATTCTTCAAATGGACTTT 3′       5′ GGCTGTGTCACAGAGATC 3′               4   KI-1400   1291   GSP3   2165   875   55           5′ TGAATTCCCAATCCTGGAGGA 3′       5′ GCCACCCAAGAAGTGATAGA 3′                                   5   K1-M43   1898   6R4N   2998   1101   56           5′ TTCAGGAATGTGGACTCTGG 3′       5′ CGGCTTCAAGGAAACATCT 3′               6   K1-3080   2948   1-SN   3859   912   56           5′ CTGGGAGCACTTGGTTGTCA 3′       5′                   CAGCAACATCTAAATCAAAGGC 3′               7   K1-3570   3462   7U3N   4337   876   50           5′ ACAATTTCAGACTTCTGAGG 3′       5′ CACAGCCAAAGTTCCATA 3′               8   K1-3920   3812   K1-4600   4489   678   55           5′ GACGAAGATCTATCCAAAATC 3′       5′ GCTAGGACCTGTTGTACACC 3′                  
 
         [0078]     Table 2 lists the position of the 5′ end of each oligonucleotide with respect to the CD109 cDNA sequence, which includes both 3′ and 5′ untranslated regions, is noted in parentheses. The CD109 ORF encompasses nucleotides 1-4335 of the published CD109 cDNA, and corresponds exactly to the CD109 cDNA sequence presented in SEQ ID NO:1. The size of each PCR product, and the annealing temperature used for the corresponding primer pair, is listed.  
         [0079]     PCR reactions (50:I) containing 1×PCR buffer (Gibco Life Technologies), 1.5 mM MgCl 2 , 200:M of each dNTP, 1:M of each primer, 1.25 units Taq polymerase (Gibco Life Technologies), and 3:I cDNA underwent 40 cycles of 94° C. (45 seconds), primer-specific annealing temperature (Table 2; 45 seconds), and 72° C. (45-60 seconds), using a Perkin Elmer 2400 thermocycler. PCR products (30:I) were subsequently size-separated electrophoretically on a 1.2% agarose/TAE gel containing 1:g/ml ethidium bromide. Bands were subsequently excised and purified (50:I) using the QIAquick (Qiagen) kit for direct sequencing and subcloning. Sequencing reactions (3-5:1 purified product per reaction) were carried out using the Thermosequenase Cy5.5 dye terminator sequencing kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) and the same primers that had been used for initial PCR amplification (Table 2), or selected internal CD109-specific primers as appropriate, and were subsequently analysed using the Open Gene automated DNA sequencing system (Visible Genetics). In parallel, PCR products were cloned into PmeI-digested pMABI, a pBS SK(−) (Stratagene) derivative containing a PmeI restriction site within the polylinker. Resultant plasmid clones were analysed by alkaline lysis/restriction digestion, and as appropriate (and following an additional overnight 13% PEG/ 1.6 M NaCl precipitation), by DNA sequence analysis as above. By combining direct PCR sequencing and the analysis of subcloned fragments, it was ensured that the DNA sequence of each PCR-derived cDNA fragment was obtained independently at least twice, with each fragment being sequenced in both directions in its entirety.  
         [0080]     This analysis revealed that the CD109 cDNA sequences of Gov aa  and Gov bb  individuals differed by a single nucleotide at position 2108 of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Gov a/a  individuals have an A at position 2108, whereas Gov b/b  individuals have a C at the same position. This change results in a Tyr-Ser amino acid polymorphism at residue 703 of the full-length CD109 polypeptide chain. This single nucleotide polymorphism also results in a BstNI restriction site in the Govb allele that is not present in the Gov a  allele. Analysis of the other regions of the CD109 cDNA in their entirety revealed no other nucleotide differences that segregated with Gov phenotype (i.e., that could be used to distinguish the Gov a  allele from the Gov b  allele).  
         [0081]     To facilitate subsequent genomic DNA analyses of the Gov a/b  alleles, the intron/exon junctions of the exon bearing the putative Gov-specific nucleotide substitution identified above, as well as the DNA sequence of the flanking introns, were determined. CD109 cDNA-specific oligonucleotides binding in the vicinity of this substitution were used for the direct sequencing of p4L10, a pCYPAC — 1-derived PAC clone bearing the human CD109 locus using the Open Gene system (Visible Genetics) as above. The nucleotide sequence of the Gov polymorphism-containing exon, as well as of the flanking introns, is presented in SEQ ID NO:5. The Gov polymorphism lies at nucleotide position 954 in SEQ ID NO:5. Subsequent work has mapped the intron-exon structure of the entire human CD109 locus, and has determined that the Gov single nucleotide polymorphism of CD109 lies in exon 19 of the CD109 gene.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
     RFLP Analysis of PCR Amplified Genomic DNA  
       [0082]     The A-C Gov CD109 polymorphism corresponds to the internal nucleotide of the first complete codon of exon 19 of the CD109 gene. As this exon comprises only 118 nucleotides, and the Gov polymorphism lies almost at the extreme 5′ end of this exon, we determined the nucleotide sequence of both introns flanking this exon to facilitate subsequent genomic DNA analyses of the Gov a/b  alleles. The DNA sequence of CD109 exon 19 and its flanking introns (CD109 introns 18 and 19) is presented as SEQ ID NO:5. To confirm that the A to C polymorphism at position 2108 of the CD109 open reading frame (nucleotide 2108, SEQ ID NO: 1; nucleotide 954, SEQ ID NO:5) segregates with the Gov phenotype, RFLP analysis was carried out on PCR amplified genomic CD109 DNA using the BstNI restriction endonuclease, which recognises the DNA sequence 5′ C CAGG 3′ found in the Gov b  cDNA (nucleotides position 2108-2112 in SEQ ID NO:3; the corresponding Gov a  sequence, 5′  A CAGG 3′, is nucleotides 2108-2112 in SEQ ID NO:1). This enzyme does not cleave at 5′ ACAGG 3′ (found in Gov a ; nucleotides 2108-2112 in SEQ ID NO: 1). A 448 bp genomic fragment was PCR-amplified from Gov aa , Gov ab , and Gov bb  individuals using the pair of oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10. These oligonucleotides flank exon 19. The former binds within intron 18 (nucleotides 875-892 SEQ ID NO:5), while the latter binds within intron 19 to the sequence complementary to nucleotides 1305-1322 of SEQ ID NO:5). The resultant 448 bp PCR product, when digested with BstNI, yielded the restriction fragments predicted on the basis that the A to C polymorphism at position 2108 (SEQ ID NO: 1) segregates with the Gov phenotype.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
     Hybridization Analysis of PCR Amplified Genomic DNA  
       [0083]     To further confirm that the A to C polymorphism at position 2108 of the CD109 open reading frame (nucleotide 2108, SEQ ID NO:1; nucleotide 954, SEQ ID NO:5) segregates with the Gov phenotype, we also performed an alternative analysis involving the selective hybridization of Gov allele-specific DNA probes to PCR amplified genomic CD109 DNA. Two primers flanking the polymorphic A-C site at position 2108 (SEQ ID NO:1; position 954, SEQ ID NO:5) were designed to amplify by PCR a 105 bp genomic DNA fragment containing the polymorphic site from genomic DNA isolated from Gov aa , Gov ab , and Gov bb  individuals. The first primer (SEQ ID NO:11) binds within intron 18 to nucleotides 902-928 of SEQ ID NO:5. The second primer (SEQ ID NO:12) binds within exon 19 to the sequence complementary to nucleotides 977-1106 of SEQ ID NO:5. Two additional nucleotide probes were designed—one specific for the target sequence of the Gov a  allele of the CD109 gene, and the other for the Gov b  allele of the CD109 gene. The first probe (SEQ ID NO:13) overlaps the CD109 intron 18/exon 19 junction, binds to the Gov a  allele at nucleotides 935-974 of SEQ ID NO:5, and was tagged with the fluorescent dye 6-FAM. The second probe (SEQ ID NO:14), also overlapping the CD109 intron 18/exon 19 junction, binds to the Gov b  allele at the position corresponding to nucleotides 935-971 of SEQ ID NO:5, and was tagged with the fluorescent dye VIC. Genomic DNA was isolated from Gov phenotyped human peripheral blood leukocytes, and PCR/hybridization analysis was carried out using Taqman real-time PCR technology (Perkin Elmer). Genomic DNA was amplified using primers SEQ ID NO:11 and SEQ ID NO:12, with each reaction additionally containing 100 nM FAM-labelled Gov a  probe and 200 nM VIC-labelled Gov b  probe. Allelic discrimination, based on allele-specific fluorescence, was then determined using a post-PCR plate reader (Perkin Elmer). In all cases, PCR/fluorescence-based Gov genotyping correlated with the Gov phenotype, indicating that the A to C polymorphism at position 2108 (SEQ ID NO: 1) does indeed segregate with the Gov phenotype.  
       EXAMPLE 4  
     SSP Analysis of PCR Amplified Genomic DNA  
       [0084]     To further confirm that the A to C polymorphism at position 2108 of the CD109 open reading frame (nucleotide 2108, SEQ ID NO:1; nucleotide 954, SEQ ID NO:5) segregates with the Gov phenotype, we also performed an alternative analysis involving SSCP analysis of PCR amplified genomic CD109 DNA. Two Gov allele-specific antisense oligonucleotides—SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7—differing by a single 3′ nucleotide (and binding to sequence complementary to nucleotides 954-976 of SEQ ID NO:5, and of the Gov b  counterpart of SEQ ID NO:5, respectively), were combined with a common sense primer—SEQ ID NO:8 binds within intron 18 and which corresponds to nucleotides 752-773 of SEQ ID NO:5, to amplify a 225 bp genomic DNA fragment containing the Gov polymorphic site from genomic DNA isolated from Gov aa , Gov ab , and Gov bb  individuals. In all cases, complete concordance between PCR-SSP analysis and Gov phenotyping was observed.  
         [heading-0085]     Sequences:  
         [none]    
       
          SEQ ID NO: 1 consists of the entire 4335 nucleotide CD109 cDNA open reading frame encoding the Gov a  allele. The Gov a  allele comprises an A at nucleotide position 2108.  
          SEQ ID NO:2 consists of the entire 1445 aa protein sequence produced from CD109 Gov a  cDNA. The Gov a  allele comprises a Tyr at amino acid 703.  
          SEQ ID NO: 3 consists of the entire 4335 nucleotide CD109 cDNA open reading frame encoding the Gov b  allele. The Gov b  allele comprises a C at nucleotide position 2108.  
          SEQ ID NO: 4 consists of the entire 1445 aa protein sequence produced from the CD109 Gov b  cDNA. The Gov b  allele comprises a Ser at amino acid 703.  
          SEQ ID NO: 5 consists of the CD109 genomic DNA comprising CD109 exon 19 and the flanking introns, introns 18 and 19. The 118 nucleotide exon 19, comprising nucleotides 952-1069 of SEQ ID NO:5, corresponds to nucleotides 2106-2223 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The A to C Gov polymorphism of CD109 (corresponding to nucleotide 2108 of SEQ ID NO: 1) therefore corresponds to nucleotide 954 of SEQ ID NO:5. In the Gov a  allele, nucleotide 954 is A, while in the Gov b  allele nucleotide 954 is C. Thus, SEQ ID NO:5 corresponds to the Gov a  allele of CD109. Within SEQ ID NO:5, nucleotides 1-951 correspond to CD109 intron 18, while nucleotides 1070-2608 correspond to intron 19.  
       
     
         [0091]     We note that nucleotides 2108-2112 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and the corresponding nucleotides 954-958 of SEQ ID NO:5, which consist of the sequence 5′ ACAGG 3′ (and which contains the Gov a  allele-specific polymorphic nucleotide at its 5′ end), is not cleavable by the restriction endonuclease BstNI. However, in the corresponding Gov b  allele, the corresponding sequence—5′ CCAGG 3′—is cleavable by BstNI, and that the two Gov alleles can be discriminated on this basis. We note also that a group of restriction endonucleases—Bst2UI, BstNI, BstOI, EcoRII, MaeIII, MspR91, MvaI, or ScrFI (or one of their isoschizomers)—is capable of differentiating between the Gov a  and Gov b  alleles on this basis. 
    SEQ ID NO:6- SEQ ID NO:14 comprise oligonucleotides for the PCR amplification of Gov polymorphism containing CD109 sequence from RNA, cDNA derived from RNA, or from genomic DNA, and for the Gov typing analyses of such amplified DNA fragments.     SEQ ID NO:6. 
 
 SEQ ID NO: 3, an antisense oligonucleotide specific for the Gov a  allele, binds to exon 19 sequence complementary to nucleotides 954-976 of SEQ ID NO:5. SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO: 7 (see below) differ by a single allele-specific 3′ nucleotide 
    SEQ ID NO:7. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:7, an antisense oligonucleotide specific for the Gov b  allele, binds to exon 19 sequence complementary to nucleotides 954-976 of the Gov b  counterpart of SEQ ID NO:5. SEQ ID NO:6 (see above) and SEQ ID NO:7 differ by a single allele-specific 3′ nucleotide. 
    SEQ ID NO:8. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:8 binds within intron 18, and corresponds to nucleotides 752-773 of SEQ ID NO:5. 
    SEQ ID NO:9. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:9 binds within intron 18 (nucleotides 875-892 SEQ ID NO:5). 
    SEQ ID NO:10. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:10 binds within intron 19 to the sequence complementary to nucleotides 1305-1322 of SEQ ID NO:5. 
    SEQ ID NO:11 
 
 SEQ ID NO:1 binds within intron 18 to nucleotides 902-928 of SEQ ID NO:5. 
    SEQ ID NO:12. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:12, binds within exon 19 to the sequence complementary to nucleotides 977-1006 of SEQ ID NO:5. 
    SEQ ID NO:13. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:13, specific for the Gov a  allele, overlaps the CD109 intron 18/exon 19 junction, and binds to the Gov a  allele at nucleotides 935-974 of SEQ ID NO:5. 
    SEQ ID NO:14. 
 
 SEQ ID NO:14, specific for the Gov b  allele, overlaps the CD109 intron 18/exon 19 junction, and binds to the Gov b  allele at the position corresponding to nucleotides 935-971 of SEQ ID NO:5.