Patent Publication Number: US-6703222-B2

Title: Soluble LDL receptor, its production and use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/485,128, filed Jun. 7, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,713, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/092,817, filed Jul. 19, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,926, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/004,863, filed Jan. 19, 1993, now abandoned, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the soluble low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, to its production and to pharmaceutical compositions containing it. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Interferons (IFN) are inducible proteins that are produced by various cells and induce an antiviral state in animal cells. There are three major types of IFNs, distinguished by their antigenic properties: α, β and γ. IFN-α and IFN-β are related proteins of 166 or 165 amino acid residues that are induced by viruses or nucleic acids and are produced by cells from various tissues, including immune cells. IFN-γ is a protein of 130-143 amino acid residues which is produced by mitogen-activated T-cells and by large granular lymphocytes. The production of IFN is usually transient and it stops shortly after the inducer disappears. For a recent review of these issues, see Taylor S. L. and Grossberg S. E., 1990,  Virus Research  15:1-26. 
     In addition to the three well-characterized types of interferons, there are several reports describing partially characterized species of interferons. A group of IFN-α-like (IFN-α1) genes and pseudogenes, also known as class II IFN-α or IFN-omega was discovered and reported (Revel, M., 1984, in  Antiviral Drugs and Interferon: The Molecular Basis of their Activity , Y. Becker (ed.), Martinus Neijhoff Publ., Boston, pp. 357-434; Capon, D. J. et al., 1985,  Molec. Cell. Biol.  5:768-779; Hauptmann, R. and Swetly, P., 1985,  Nuc. Acid. Res.  13:4739-4749). These are virus-induced interferons having about 172 amino acid residues which are present in the natural mixture of human IFN-α produced by leukocytes (Adolf, G. R., 1990,  Virology,  175:410-417). 
     Treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes with a mitogen resulted in production of IFN-γ and a novel IFN-like substance named IFN-δ (Wilkinson, M. and Morris, A., 1983,  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm.  111:498-503). IFN-δ was found to be acid resistant and active only on human fibroblasts having chromosome-21 trisomy and not on WISH cells. It was antigenically distinct from the three known IFN types. 
     Acid-labile alpha-interferons were described in several publications. An acid-labile IFN-α was induced in cultures of lymphocytes from individuals who have recently received influenza vaccine, by stimulation in vitro with the influenza virus (Balkwill, F. R. et al, 1983,  J. Exp. Med.  157:1059-1063). This type of IFN was neutralized by anti-IFN-α serum and was active on Mandin Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells. The presence of such acid-labile alpha-type IFN in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was reported (Klippel, J. H. et al, 1985,  Annals Rheum. Disease  44:104-108). An acid-labile IFN-α was produced similarly to IFN-α by Sendai virus induction of human peripheral leukocytes (Matsuoka, H. et al., 1985,  J. Gen. Virol.  66:2491-2494). Acid-labile IFN-α was spontaneously produced in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Fischer, D. G. and Rubinstein, M., 1983,  Cellular Immunology  81:426-434). 
     Another type of IFN, called IFN-epsilon, was produced by epithelial cells exposed to virus. It was produced together with IFN-α but was active on epithelial cells and not on other cell types (Jarvis, A. P. and Kosowsky, D. I., 1984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,651). 
     Among other cytokines, TNF, IL-6 and IL-1 were reported to exhibit antiviral activity (Mestan, J. et al., 1986,  Nature  323:816-819; Wong, G. H. W. and Goedell, D., 1986,  Nature  323:819-822; Billiau, A., 1987,  Antiviral Research  8:55-70). TNF is produced only by immune cells and it was suggested that IL-1 and TNF exert their antiviral activity by inducing the production of IFN-β (Billiau, A., op. cit.). 
     Several interferon-induced proteins have been identified and some of them were shown to be instrumental in the induction of the antiviral state by IFNs. The best studied one is (2′-5′) oligo adenylate synthetase, an intracellular enzyme which polymerizes ATP into pp (A2′-5′p) nA, where n is preferably 2 or 3, but may be as long as 15 (Kerr, I. M. and Brown, R. E., 1978,  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA  75:256-260). Such oligomers activate a latent ribonuclease (RNASE-F) which degrades ribosomal RNA and polysomes, thereby inhibiting viral and cellular protein synthesis. Another IFN-induced intracellular enzyme is a 2′-5′; phosphodiesterase which may remove the CCA terminus of tRNA, thereby leading to inhibition of protein synthesis (Schmidt, A. et al., 1979,  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA  76:4788-4792). A third known IFN-induced intracellular enzyme is a 70 Kd protein kinase which phosphorylates the Initiation Factor eIF-2, thereby leading to inhibition of the initiation of mRNA translation into proteins (Ohtsuki, K. et al., 1980,  Nature  287:65-67). 
     Other IFN-induced intracellular proteins include the nuclear IFN-Responsive Factors (IRF-1 and IRF-2) which regulate IFN-responsive genes; metallothionein, a 56 Kd protein of unknown function in the IFN-induced antiviral state; Factor B of the alternative complement system and the murine Mx gene product, which is responsible for resistance to influenza (Reviewed in Taylor, I. L. and Grossberg, S. E., 1990,  Virus Research  15:1-26). Other IFN-induced cell associated polypeptides were identified on 2-D gels following IFN treatment and [ 35 S]-methionine pulsing, but these proteins were not further characterized in terms of their structure and function (Weil, J. et al., 1983,  Nature  301:437-439). Several cell surface interferon-induced proteins were identified, including class I and II MHC antigens, IgG, Fc receptor and cytoskeletal components (Reviewed in Revel, M., 1984, in  Antiviral Drugs and Interferons: The Molecular Basis of their Activity , Y. Becker (ed.), pp. 357-434, Martinus Neijhoff Publ., Boston). 
     Additional IFN-induced proteins that were secreted into the medium have been disclosed in the literature, such as β2-microglobulin, a shedded component of the cell-surface class I MHC antigens (Dolei, A. F. et al., 1981,  Antiviral Res.  1:367-373), and plasminogen activator and lymphotoxin, which were induced in lymphocytes by IFN (Jones, C. M. et al., 1982,  J. Interferon Res.  2:377-386; Wallach, D. and Hahn, T., 1983,  Cellular Immunol.  76:390-396). IFN-γ-treated monocytes released TNF which enhanced the overall antiviral effect (Gerrard, T. et al., 1989,  J. Interferon Res.  9:115-124). IFN-γ-induced proteins of molecular weight 30,000 (extracellular) and 25,000 (intracellular) were described (Luster A. D. et al., 1988,  J. Biol. Chem.  263:12036-12043), but their role was not determined. 
     Although many IFN-induced proteins have been disclosed, none of them is related to a soluble LDL receptor. The existence of a soluble LDL receptor as a separate protein has not been so far disclosed. The full size low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is not soluble in the absence of detergents. It consists of 839 amino acid residues and exhibits a molecular weight of 164,000. Its only known function is to internalize LDL and VLDL. Structurally it consists of several domains, some of which are shared with other proteins. The N-terminal ligand-binding domain is made of 292 amino acid residues arranged in 7 cysteine-rich imperfect repeats. This domain is followed by a region homologous to the EGF precursor (400 amino acid residues), a region of 58 amino acid residues rich in O-linked sugars, a single trans-membrane domain of 22 amino acid residues and a cytoplasmic domain of 50 amino acid residues (Schneider W. J. et al.,  J. Biol. Chem.  257: 2664-2673, 1982; Yamamoto T. et al.,  Cell  39:27-38, 1984). However, there is no mention of antiviral properties of the LDL receptor. The predicted nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of the cDNA corresponding to the LDL receptor in the mRNA, including the predicted LDL receptor amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) encoded thereby, according to Yamamoto et al (supra) is presented in FIG.  15 . 
     Citation of the above documents is not intended as an admission that any of the foregoing is pertinent prior art. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicant and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been found that when human fibroblasts or epithelial cells are treated with an interferon, a protein showing antiviral activity is produced and accumulates in the supernatant of the cell cultures. This protein has now been purified to homogeneity and was identified as the soluble extracellular region of LDL receptor. 
     The present invention thus provides a soluble LDL new receptor protein consisting essentially of at least one replication of the soluble portion of an LDL receptor, or a mutein, fused protein, salt, functional derivative and/or active fraction thereof. The antiviral activity of the receptor protein may be conveniently determined, for example, in a system consisting of WISH amnion cells and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a challenge. 
     The invention also provides a soluble LDL receptor corresponding to the extracellular portion (750 amino acid residues) of the LDL receptor, which is purified to homogeneity with respect to proteinaceous impurities. 
     The invention relates especially to the soluble LDL receptor comprising at least, but not exclusively, the ligand binding domain of the mature LDL receptor, and, more specifically, corresponding at least to amino acid residue 4 to 292-350 of SEQ ID NO:4 or any range therein, such as at about amino acid residue 313 of the mature LDL receptor, corresponding to amino acid residues 25 to 313-371 of SEQ ID NO:4, or any range therein, such as amino acid residues 25-313 of the LDLR precursor sequence. The C-terminus of a soluble LDL receptor is expected to be between amino acids 292 and 350 of the mature LDL receptor protein, or 313-371 of the LDLR precursor, such as any value therein. 
     The invention also relates to a soluble LDL receptor, including the amino acid sequence substantially as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of the soluble LDL receptor, comprising treatment of suitable cells with an interferon, isolation of the soluble LDL receptor from the supernatant and purification thereof. 
     The invention further concerns recombinant DNA molecules comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for said protein or for its active muteins or fused proteins, expression vehicles comprising them and host cells transformed therewith and to a process for producing the soluble LDL receptor, its active muteins or fused proteins, by culturing said transformant cells in a suitable culture medium. 
     The soluble LDL receptor of the invention, its active muteins, fused proteins, and their salts, functional derivatives and active fractions, are for use as active ingredients of pharmaceutical compositions to protect mammals against viral infections. 
     The present invention also relates to methods for treating cells in mammals against viral infection by administration of an anti-viral effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a soluble LDL receptor protein of the present invention. 
     The present invention also relates to naturally occurring soluble LDL receptor. Such soluble LDL receptors can be purified and/or isolated from biological fluid samples, such as urine. 
     The invention also relates to methods for purifying soluble LDL receptor from biological fluid samples comprising isolation and/or purification of soluble LDL receptors from concentrated and/or filtered biological samples containing a soluble LDL receptor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 shows evidence for the existence of antiviral activity which is not the added interferon. The protective effect of various interferons against the cytopathic effect of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) on human amnion WISH cells, is determined under a variety of conditions. The assay was performed in 96-well plates and each row represents a serial two-fold dilution of IFN. The final concentration of IFN in the first column from left is 25 IU/ml. From top: Row 1: IFN-α added and VSV added after 24 hrs; Row 2; IFN-α added, cells washed after 24 hours, fresh IFN-α added and VSV added; Row 3: IFN-α added, neutralizing anti-IFN-α antibody added after 24 hrs, followed by addition of VSV. Rows 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 are replicates of the first three rows, except that IFN-β and anti-IFN-β antibody, and IFN-γ and anti-IFN-γ antibody were used, respectively. 
     FIG. 2 shows the elution pattern of the proteins and antiviral activity from a TSK-DEAE anion exchange column. 
     FIG. 3 shows the elution pattern of proteins and antiviral activity from a hydroxyapatite Biogel HTP column. 
     FIG. 4 shows the elution pattern of the proteins and antiviral activity from a SUPERFORMANCE TMAE-65-S anion exchange HPLC column. 
     FIG. 5 shows the elution pattern of proteins and antiviral activity from a phenyl sepharose hydrophobic interaction column. 
     FIG. 6 shows the elution pattern of protein and antiviral activity from a reversed-phase AQUAPORE RP-300 HPLC column. 
     FIG. 7 shows the elution pattern of protein and antiviral activity from rechromatography on a reversed-phase HPLC column. 
     FIG. 8 shows sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analysis of various fractions obtained in the last step of the purification procedure. A 13% acrylamide gel was used and stained with silver. The lanes are: 1-7, aliquots (400 ul) of fractions 10-16 respectively from RP-300 chromatography (FIG. 7) which were concentrated by ultrafiltration; 8, control sample buffer; 9, molecular weight markers, indicated on the left side. 
     FIG. 9 shows the elution pattern of antiviral activity from a SUPEROSE 12 size exclusion HPLC column. 
     FIG. 10 shows the original output of the protein microsequencer. Fractions 10-12 of RP-HPLC (FIG. 7) 0.4 ml each, were pooled, concentrated by ultrafiltration and the resulting sample (1 μg) was subjected to protein microsequence analysis. The N-terminal 15 amino acid residues (SEQ ID NO:1) found in this manner are shown. 
     FIG. 11 shows the computer output of the search for the sequence obtained by the protein microsequencer shown in FIG.  10 . Amino acids 1-14 of SEQ ID NO:1 are compared to the N-terminal 50 amino acids of the human LDL receptor (SEQ ID NO:2). 
     FIG. 12 shows the total antiviral activity of various fractions from the immunoaffinity chromatography of partially purified soluble LDL receptor on monoclonal antibody C7 column. The bars are: load-column load; effl.—effluent (unbound fraction); el.1-el.4 —elutions 1-4. 
     FIG. 13 shows a Western immunoblotting analysis of the various fractions from the immunoaffinity chromatography (shown in FIG.  12 ). The proteins were electroblotted to nitrocellulose and visualized with monoclonal antibody C7 and  125 I-protein A. Lanes: 1. Molecular weight markers; 2.load; 3. unbound; 4. wash; 5. elution  2 ; 6. elution  3 ; 7. monoclonal antibody C7. 
     FIG. 14 shows a dose response induction of cell surface LDL receptor in WISH cells by various interferons. Cells were incubated with interferons for 19 hrs in medium containing 2% fetal calf serum and the level of cell surface LDL receptor was then determined by monoclonal antibody C7 and  125 I-protein A. 
     FIGS. 15A-15F show the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of the cDNA corresponding to the LDL receptor mRNA and the predicted amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) of the protein, as presented in FIG. 6 of Yamamoto et al.,  Cell  39:27-38 (1984), at page 31, which article is hereby entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIG. 16 shows the reversed-phase HPLC of affinity purified urinary soluble LDL receptor. Antiviral activity (AVH) and percentage acetonitrile are indicated. 
     FIG. 17 shows the SDS-PAGE of aliquots of RP-HPLC fractions of FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 shows size exclusion chromatography of an aliquot of the affinity-purified urinary soluble LDL receptor. Molecular weight markers elute at the indicated positions: (1) human immunoglobulin (150 kd); (2) bovine serum albumin (67 kd); (3) carbonic anhydrase (30 kd). 
     FIG. 19 shows a comparison between the sequence of urinary soluble LDL receptor (SEQ ID NO:5) and the known sequence of the first 50 N-terminal residues of the precursor-LDL receptor (SEQ ID NO:2). Residues 1-21 of SEQ ID NO:2 of the precursor-LDL receptor are the signal peptide. Residues 22-24 of SEQ ID NO:2 are missing in mature soluble LDL receptor, e.g., as presented in FIG.  15 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It has been found that interferon-treated cells secrete into the culture medium an antivirally active protein which is not an interferon. This protein is not neutralized by antibodies directed against any of the three types of human interferons (both NIH standards and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies). The protein was identified as comprising the extracellular ligand binding domain of the LDL receptor. 
     The soluble LDL receptor is secreted into the culture medium by mammalian cells that enter into an antiviral state in response to any interferon. Examples are fibroblast cells or epithelial cells derived from amniotic fluid, e.g. U cells, WISH cells. It also can be found in the urine of healthy human individuals. 
     In contrast to interferons, the soluble LDL receptor does not induce in the cells an antiviral state, but is antiviral by itself. Thus, cells treated simultaneously with the soluble LDL receptor and virus will not lyse, while cells treated with virus alone or simultaneously with virus and IFN-γ, will be infected and lyse after 12 hours. This shows that IFN-γ gives no immediate protection to the cells against virus since it takes about 10 hours until the antiviral state is established in cells treated with IFN-γ. In contrast, the soluble LDL receptor protects the cells immediately when added to them. 
     When examined by size exclusion chromatography, the soluble LDL receptor has an apparent molecular weight of about 40,000. 
     For the production of the soluble LDL receptor, suitable cells grown in culture are treated with an IFN in a suitable medium and then incubated for some hours at 37° C., thus producing the soluble LDL receptor which is secreted into the medium and can be isolated from the supernatant. Suitable cells are those which enter into an antiviral state in response to an interferon. Similar results were obtained with IFN-α, IFN-β and IFN-γ, but IFN-γ is preferably used because it does not exhibit antiviral activity under the conditions of the antiviral assay for the soluble LDL receptor (simultaneous addition of the soluble LDL receptor and challenge virus to the cell culture). 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, human WISH cells are treated with IFN-γ in MEM supplemented with a serum substitute and then further incubated at 37° C. The highest titer of the soluble LDL receptor was obtained after 17 hours. The supernatant of the cells containing the soluble LDL receptor is then harvested and concentrated by known methods, such as by ultrafiltration or by dialysis against semi-solid polyethylene glycol 20,000. The concentrated supernatant is then purified by chromatographic procedures. 
     In a preferred embodiment, purified soluble LDL receptor may be produced by a process comprising the following steps: 
     (a) growing human WISH cells in culture to confluency, inducing the cells with 30 U/ml IFN-γ in a serum-free medium and, after about 17 hours, harvesting the culture supernatant; 
     (b) concentrating said supernatant about 30-fold by, e.g., ultrafiltration with a membrane of molecular weight cut-off of about 10,000; 
     (c) subjecting said concentrated supernatant of step (b) to anion exchange chromatography to obtain partially purified active fractions of the antiviral factor; 
     (d) applying said partially purified fraction from step (c) to chromatography on a hydroxyapatite column to obtain partially purified fractions of the antiviral factor; 
     (e) applying said partially purified fraction from step (d) to anion exchange HPLC to obtain partially purified fractions of the antiviral factor; 
     (f) applying said partially purified fractions from step (e) to hydrophobic interaction chromatography to obtain partially purified fractions of the antiviral factor; and 
     (g) applying said partially purified active fractions from step (f) to reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) at about neutral pH to obtain partially purified antiviral factor. This step is then repeated to obtain homogeneous antiviral factor, defined by its ability to inhibit the cytopathic effect (CPE) exerted by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) on human WISH cells. 
     The ion exchange chromatography of step (c) is preferably performed on a TSK-DEAE column (Tosoh Corp., Japan) at pH about 8 eluted with increasing salt concentration. The hydroxyapatite chromatography is preferably performed on a Biogel HTP column (BioRad, USA) at pH 6.8 with phosphate buffers as eluants. The anion exchange HPLC is preferably performed on a SUPERFORMANCE TMAE column in a manner similar to the TSK-DEAE step. The hydrophobic interaction chromatography is preferably performed on a phenyl sepharose column eluted with decreasing salt concentration. The reversed phase HPLC is preferably performed on an AQUAPORE RP300 column, at pH 7.5, with a gradient of acetonitrile. 
     In another preferred embodiment soluble LDL receptor is purified by a process comprising at least steps (a), (b) and (c) as described in the aforementioned embodiment and then performing a step of immunoaffinity chromatography on a column of a monoclonal antibody directed against the soluble LDL receptor. 
     The monoclonal antibody can preferably be the one made by hybridoma C7 (ATCC, CRL 1691). The partially purified soluble LDL receptor is loaded onto the columns at neutral pH, the column is washed with 0.5 M NaCl at neutral pH and the soluble LDL receptor is eluted in an enhanced state of purity with 50 mM Na 2 CO 3  (pH 11) and immediately neutralized. 
     Preferably, in all steps of the purification the chromatography is monitored by measuring the protein concentration (absorbance at 280 nm or relative fluorescence following “on-line” reaction of representative aliquots with flourescamine). The antiviral activity in each fraction is determined by inhibition of the VSV-induced CPE in WISH cells according to the bioassay described herein. 
     In another preferred embodiment, soluble LDL receptor can be purified from the urine of healthy, human individuals. It may also be found in other biological fluids, such as blood serum, lymph, cerebral spinal fluid, saliva, and fractions thereof. The method of isolating and/or purifying soluble LDL receptor from a biological fluid may include a process comprising at least one of the above steps (b)-(g), wherein at least one of steps (b)-(g) may be replaced by affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies specific for an epitope of a soluble LDL receptor protein. 
     Alternatively, isolation and/or purification of soluble LDL receptor from biological samples, such as urine, may comprise (1) concentrating the fluid sample by microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration; (2) affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies specific for soluble LDL receptor; (3) reverse phase HPLC; and/or optionally, (4) size exclusion chromatography; in order to isolate the soluble LDL receptor, which protein does not naturally occur isolated from other naturally occuring proteins. In the above method, step (4) is optional, since the fraction obtained after the reverse phase HPLC step maybe of sufficient purity. 
     In the above alternative isolation and purification method of soluble LDL receptor from a biological fluid sample, it is preferred that the biological fluid sample be subjected to microfiltration using a pore size of 0.45 micron or smaller, such as 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, or 0.1 microns. Additionally, it is preferred that the biological sample be additionally or alternatively subjected to ultrafiltration using a molecular weight cutoff selected from the group consisting of 70 K, 60 K, 50 K, 40 K, 30 K, 20 K, 10 K and/or 5 K. 
     In a preferred embodiment, monoclonal antibodies used in the affinity chromatography step (2) may be specific for a soluble portion of an LDL receptor, as presented herein. In a preferred embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is cross reactive with a monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma C7 (ATCC, CRL 1691). 
     In the affinity chromatography step (3) it is preferred that the partially purified soluble LDL receptor be loaded onto the column(s) at neutral pH, the column be washed with 0.5 M NaCl at neutral pH, and the soluble LDL receptor eluted in an enhanced state of purity with 50 mM Na 2 CO 3  (pH 11) and immediately neutralized, such as with an acid, such as with 3M acetic acid. 
     It is also preferred that the resulting fractions in the above step be tested for antiviral activity, as presented herein wherein the fractions containing the highest activities are used for the next purification and/or isolation step. The antiviral activity may be determined, for example, by showing inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) asserted by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) on human WISH cells. 
     In another preferred embodiment, in the RP-HPLC step (3), the column(s) are preferrably preequilibrated with 20 mM Hepes buffer at pH 7.5 and the column is then washed and the protein eluted by using an acetonitrile gradient in the same buffer. In one preferred embodiment, the antiviral activity is eluted or in the range of 10-20% acetonitrile, such as 12-18, 13-15, and 14-16% acetonitrile, wherein 14% is preferred. Antiviral active fractions may then preferably be tested and collected for further purification or sequencing. 
     In another preferred embodiment, optional step (4) as size exclusion chromatography, the soluble LDL receptor-containing fraction from a biological fluid is mixed with larger proteins, such as at least one selected from the group consisting of bovine serum albumen (BSA), human immunoglobulin, and carbonic anhydrate in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The resulting mixture is used as the sample to be applied to the size exclusion chromatography column under near physiological conditions. The human immunoglobulin, BSA and carbonic anhydrate are used as molecular weight markers. Preferrably the antiviral activity eluted peak has an apparent molecular weight of 25-35 Kda, such as 26-34, 26-33, 26-32, 27-31, or about 27-30 KDa molecular weight, as determined according to size exclusion chromatography or SDS PAGE, (under reducing or nonreducing conditions). 
     Preferably in all steps of the purification, the LDL receptor protein containing fractions are monitored by measuring the protein-concentration, e.g., absorbance at 280 nm or relative fluorescence following “on-line” reaction of representative aliquots with flourescamine. The antiviral activity in each fraction is also determined by inhibition of VSV induced CPE WISH cells, according to known method steps, e.g., as described herein. 
     LDL receptor protein-containing fractions from the RP-HPLC step, or further following size exclusion chromatography step, can be used according to known method steps, to provide purified LDL receptor protein in sequencable form, which can then be sequenced, according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the LDL receptor fractions are absorbed on a PVDF membrane and subjected to microsequence analysis on a protein microsequencer, as commercially available, and/or is known to those skilled in the art. 
     As used herein the term “muteins” refers to analogues of the soluble LDL receptor in which one or more of the amino acid residues of the natural soluble LDL receptor, preferably 1-10 and more preferably 1-5 residues or even only a single residue, are replaced by different amino acid residues or are deleted, or one or more amino acid residues, such as 1-10, 1-5 or only one residue are added to the natural sequence of the soluble LDL receptor, without changing considerably the antiviral activity of the resulting product. These muteins are prepared by known synthesis and/or site-directed mutagenesis techniques, or any other known technique suitable therefor. The substitutions are preferably conservative. See, e.g., Schulz, G. E. et al.,  Principles of Protein Structure , Springer-Verlag, New York, 1978; and Creighton, T. E.,  Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties , W. H. Freeman &amp; Co., San Francisco, 1983, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The types of such substitutions which may be made in the protein or peptide molecule of the present invention may be based on analysis of the frequencies of amino acid changes between a homologous protein of different species, such as those presented in Table 1-2 of Schulz et al. (supra) and FIGS. 3-9 of Creighton (supra). Based on such an analysis, conservative substitutions may be defined herein as exchanges within one of the following five groups: 
     1. Small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: ala, ser, thr (pro, gly); 
     2. Polar, negatively charged residues and their amides: asp, asn, glu, gln; 
     3. Polar, positively charged residues: 
     his, arg, lys; 
     4. Large aliphatic, nonpolar residues: 
     met, leu, ile, val (cys); and 
     5. Large aromatic residues: phe, tyr, trp. 
     The three amino acid residues in parentheses above have special roles in protein architecture. Gly is the only residue lacking any side chain and thus imparts flexibility to the chain. Pro, because of its unusual geometry, tightly constrains the chain. Cys can participate in disulfide bond formation which is important in protein folding. Note that Schulz et al. would merge Groups 1 and 2, above. Note also that Tyr, because of its hydrogen bonding potential, has some kinship with Ser, Thr, etc. 
     Conservative amino acid substitutions according to the present invention, e.g., as presented above, are known in the art and would be expected to maintain biological and structural properties of the polypeptide after amino acid substitution. Most deletions and insertions, and substitutions according to the present invention are those which do not produce radical changes in the characteristics of the protein or peptide molecule. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the effect of substitutions can be evaluated by routine screening assays, either immunoassays or bioassays. For example, a mutant typically is made by site-specific mutagenesis of the peptide molecule-encoding nucleic acid, expression of the mutant nucleic acid in recombinant cell culture, and, optionally, purification from the cell culture, or a biological sample containing a soluble LDL receptor protein, for example, by immunoaffinity chromatography using a specific antibody on a column (to absorb the mutant by binding to at least one epitope). 
     The term “fused protein” refers to a polypeptide comprising the soluble LDL receptor or a mutein thereof fused with another protein which has an extended residence time in body fluids. The soluble LDL receptor may thus be fused to another protein, polypeptide or the like, e.g., an immuno-globulin or a fragment thereof. 
     The term “salts” herein refers to both salts of carboxyl groups and to acid addition salts of amino groups of the soluble LDL receptor, muteins and fused proteins thereof. Salts of a carboxyl group may be formed by means known in the art and include inorganic salts, for example, sodium, calcium, ammonium, ferric or zinc salts, and the like, and salts with organic bases as those formed, for example, with amines, such as triethanolamine, arginine or lysine, piperidine, procaine and the like. Acid addition salts include, for example, salts with mineral acids such as, for example, hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and salts with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid or oxalic acid. 
     “Functional derivatives” as used herein cover derivatives of the soluble LDL receptor and its fused proteins and muteins, which may be prepared from the functional groups which occur as side chains on the residues or the N- or C-terminal groups, by means known in the art, and are included in the invention as long as they remain pharmaceutically acceptable, i.e. they do not destroy the activity of the protein and do not confer toxic properties on compositions containing it. These derivatives may, for example, include polyethylene glycol side-chains which may mask antigenic sites and extend the residence of the soluble LDL receptor in body fluids. Other derivatives include aliphatic esters of the carboxyl groups, amides of the carboxyl groups by reaction with ammonia or with primary or secondary amines, N-acyl derivatives of free amino groups of the amino acid residues formed with acyl moieties (e.g., alkanoyl or carbocyclic aroyl groups) or acyl derivatives of free hydroxyl groups (for example that of seryl or threonyl residues) formed with acyl moieties. The term “functional derivative” also includes proteins which have an amino acid sequence longer or shorter than the sequence determined, as long as the protein still has the ability to inhibit viral infection. 
     As “active fractions” of the soluble LDL receptor, its fused proteins and its muteins, the present invention covers any fragment or precursors of the polypeptide chain of the protein molecule alone or together with associated molecules or residues linked thereto, e.g., sugar or phosphate residues, or aggregates of the protein molecule or the sugar residues by themselves, provided said fraction has the ability to inhibit viral infection and/or activity. Such active fractions can be readily determined by testing smaller and smaller portions of the entire soluble LDL receptor or mutein to find the smallest fragment which retains the ability to inhibit viral infections. Any fractions containing the smallest active fraction will also be an active fraction. Undue experimentation would not be involved as the required tests for antiviral activity (as described herein) may be routinely carried out. 
     This invention further concerns DNA molecules comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding the soluble LDL receptor, fused proteins, muteins or active fractions thereof, replicable expression vehicles containing said DNA molecules, hosts transformed therewith and protein produced by expression of such transformed hosts. The term “DNA molecules” includes genomic DNA, cDNA, synthetic DNA and combinations thereof. 
     The production of the recombinant soluble LDL receptor may be carried out by different techniques. According to one approach, the known cDNA of the entire human LDL receptor is taken from plasmid pLDLR-2 (Yamamoto et al., op cit.). The DNA is subjected to site directed mutagenesis with appropriate oligonucleotides so that a termination codon and a polyadenylation site are inserted after codon 292 of the mature LDL receptor. This construct is then inserted into appropriately constructed expression vectors by techniques well known in the art (see Maniatis et al., op cit.). Double-stranded cDNA is linked to plasmid vector by homopolymeric tailing or by restriction linking involving the use of synthetic DNA linkers or blunt-ended ligation techniques. DNA ligases are used to ligate the DNA molecules and undesirable joining is avoided by treatment with alkaline phosphatase. 
     The production of a fused protein comprising the ligand binding domain of the LDL receptor and, e.g., the constant region of IgG 2  heavy chain may be carried out as follows: the DNA of pLDLR is subjected to site-directed mutagenesis with appropriate oligonucleotides so that a unique restriction site is introduced immediately after codon 292 of the mature LDL receptor. A plasmid bearing the constant region of IgG 2  heavy chain, e.g., pRKCO4 2 Fc 1  (Byrn R. A. et al., 1990  Nature (London)  344:667-670) is subjected to similar site-directed mutagenesis to introduce the same unique restriction site as close as possible to Asp 216 of IgG 1  heavy chain in a way that allows translation in phase of the fused protein. A dsDNA fragment consisting of 5′ untranslated sequences and encoding the leader and about the first 295 amino acids of LDL receptor is prepared by digestion of the mutated pLDL receptor at the EcoRI and the unique restriction sites. The mutated pRKCD4 2 Fc 1  is similarly digested to generate a large fragment containing the plasmid and the IgG 1  sequences. The two fragments are then ligated to generate a new plasmid encoding a polypeptide consisting of about the N-terminal 295 acids of LDL receptor and about 227 C-terminal amino acids of IgG 1  heavy chain (hinge region and CH2 and CH3 domains). The DNA encoding the fused protein may be isolated from the plasmid by digestion with EcoRI and then inserted into an efficient expression vector. 
     In order to be capable of expressing the soluble LDL receptor, its muteins or the fused proteins, an expression vector should comprise also specific nucleotide sequences containing transcriptional and translational regulator information linked to the DNA coding for the desired protein in such a way as to permit gene expression and production of the protein. First, in order for the gene to be transcribed, it must be preceded by a promoter recognizable by RNA polymerase, to which the polymerase binds and thus initiates the transcription process. There are a variety of such promoters in use, which work with different efficiencies (strong and weak promoters). They are different for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 
     The promoters that can be used in the present invention may be either constitutive, for example, the int promoter of bacteriophage lambda, the bla promoter of the β-lactamase gene of pBR322, and the CAT promoter of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene of pPR325, etc., or inducible, such as the prokaryotic promoters including the major right and left promoters of bacteriophage lambda (P 1  and P r ), the trp, recA, lacZ, lacI, ompF and gal promoters of  E. coli , or the trp-lac hybrid promoter, etc. (Glick, B. R. (1987) J. Ind.  Microbiol.  1:277-282). 
     Besides the use of strong promoters to generate large quantities of mRNA, in order to achieve high levels of gene expression in prokaryotic cells, it is necessary to use also ribosome-binding sites to ensure that the mRNA is efficiently translated. One example is the Shine-Dalgarno sequence (SD sequence) appropriately positioned from the initiation codon and complementary to the 3′-terminal sequence of 16S RNA. 
     For eukaryotic hosts, different transcriptional and translational regulator sequences may be employed, depending on the nature of the host. They may be derived from viral sources, such as adenovirus, bovine papilloma virus, Simian virus, or the like, where the regulatory signals are associated with a particular gene which has a high level of expression. Examples are the TK promoter of Herpes virus, the SV40 early promoter, the yeast gal4 gene promoter, etc. Transcriptional initiation regulatory signals may be selected which allow for repression and activation, so that expression of the genes can be modulated. 
     The DNA molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for the soluble LDL receptor of the invention or its fragments or muteins or fused proteins thereof, and the operably linked transcriptional and translational regulator signals is inserted into a vector which is capable of integrating the desired gene sequences into the host cell chromosome. In order to be able to select the cells which have stably integrated the introduced DNA into their chromosomes, one or more markers which allow for selection of host cells which contain the expression vector is used. The marker may provide for prototropy to an auxotrophic host, biocide resistance, e.g., antibiotics, or heavy metals, such as copper, or the like. The selectable marker gene can either be directly linked to the DNA gene sequences to be expressed, or introduced into the same cell by cotransfection. Additional elements may also be needed for optimal synthesis of single chain binding protein mRNA. These elements may include splice signals, as well as transcription promoters, enhancers, and termination signals. cDNA expression vectors incorporating such elements include those described by Okayama, H., (1983)  Mol. Cel. Biol.  3:280. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the introduced DNA molecule will be incorporated into a plasmid or viral vector capable of autonomous replication in the recipient host. Factors of importance in selecting a particular plasmid or viral vector include: the ease with which recipient cells that contain the vector may be recognized and selected from those recipient cells which do not contain the vector; the number of copies of the vector which are desired in a particular host; and whether it is desirable to be able to “shuttle” the vector between host cells of different species. 
     Preferred prokaryotic vectors include plasmids such as those capable of replication in  E. coli , for example, pBR322, ColE1, pSC101, pACYC 184, etc. (see Maniatis et al., op. cit.); Bacillus plasmids such as pC194, pC221, pT127, etc. (Gryczan, T.,  The Molecular Biology of the Bacilli , Academic Press, NY (1982), pp. 307-329); Streptomyces plasmids including pIJ101 (Kendall, K. J. et al., (1987)  J. Bacterial.  169:4177-4183); Streptomyces bacteriophages such as ΩC31 (Chater, K. F. et al., in “Sixth International Symposium on Actinomycetales Biology”, Akademiai Kaido, Budapest, Hungary (1986), pp. 45-54), and Pseufdomonas plasmids (John, J. F., et al. (1986)  Rev. Infect. Dis.  8:693-704), and Izaki, K. (1978)  Jpn. J. Bacterial.  33:729-742). 
     Preferred eukaryotic plasmids include BPV, vaccinia, SV40, 2-micron circle, etc., or their derivatives. Such plasmids are well known in the art (Botstein, D., et al; (1982)  Miami Wint. Symp.  19:265-274; Broach, JR., in  The Molecular Biology of the Yeast Saccharomyces: Life Cycle and Inheritance , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., pp. 445-470 (1981); Broach, J. R., (1982)  Cell  28:203-204; Bollon, D. P., et al. (1980)  J. Clin. Hematol. Oncol.  10:39-48; Maniatis, T., in  Cell Biology: A Comprehensive Treatise, Vol.  3:  Gene Expression , Academic Press, NY, pp. 563-608 (1980)). 
     Once the vector or DNA sequence containing the construct(s) has been prepared for expression, the expression vector may be introduced into an appropriate host cell by any variety of suitable means, such as transformation, transfection, lipofection, conjugation, protoplast fusion, electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, direct microinjection, etc. 
     Host cells to be used in this invention may be either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Preferred prokaryotic hosts include bacteria such as  E. coli , Bacillus, Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Serratia, etc. The most preferred prokaryotic host is  E. coli . Bacterial hosts of particular interest include  E. coli  K12 strain 294 (ATCC 31446),  E. coli  X1776 (ATCC 31537),  E. coli  W3110 (F-, lambda-, prototrophic (ATCC 27325)), and other enterobacterium such as  Salmonella typhimurium  or  Serratia marcescens  and various Pseudomonas species. Under such conditions, the protein will not be glycosylated. The prokaryotic host must be compatible with the replicon and control sequences in the expression plasmid. 
     However, since the soluble LDL receptor is a cysteine rich protein, eukaryotic hosts are preferred over prokaryotic hosts. Preferred eukaryotic hosts are mammalian cells, e.g., human, monkey, mouse and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, because they provide post-translational modifications to protein molecules including correct folding, correct disulfide bond formation as well as glycosylation at correct sites. Also yeast cells and insect cells can carry out post-translational peptide modifications including high mannose glycosylation. A number of recombinant DNA strategies exist which utilize strong promoter sequences and high copy number of plasmids which can be utilized for production of the desired proteins in yeast and in insect cells. Yeast cells recognize leader sequences on cloned mammalian gene products and secrete peptides bearing leader sequences. 
     After the introduction of the vector, the host cells are grown in a selective medium, which selects for the growth of vector-containing cells. Expression of the cloned gene sequence(s) results in the production of the soluble LDL receptor, a fusion protein, or a mutein or a fragment thereof. 
     The expressed protein is then isolated and purified by any conventional procedure involving extraction, precipitation, chromatography, electrophoresis, or the like, or by affinity chromatography, using anti-soluble LDL receptor monoclonal antibodies (e.g., hybridoma C7, Belsiegel U. et al.,  J. Biol. Chem.  256:11923-11931, 1981) immobilized on a gel matrix contained within a column. Crude preparations containing said recombinant soluble LDL receptor are passed through the column whereby the soluble LDL receptor will be bound to the column by the specific antibody while the impurities will pass through. After washing, the protein is eluted from the gel at a high pH, e.g., pH 11. 
     The soluble LDL receptor and its muteins, fused proteins and their salts, functional derivatives, and active fractions thereof are indicated for the treatment of viral diseases in mammals. 
     The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the soluble LDL receptor of the invention or its active muteins, fused proteins and their salts, functional derivatives or active fractions thereof, either as the sole active ingredient or in combination with other antiviral agents, e.g., interferons. These compositions may be used against viral diseases. The way of administration can be via any of the accepted modes of administration for similar agents and will depend on the condition to be treated, e.g., intravenously or intramuscularly or subcutaneously, in case of systemic viremia, or local injection or topical application in case of a localized infection, or continuously by infusion, etc. 
     The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are prepared for administration by mixing the soluble LDL receptor its derivatives, alone or together with other antiviral agents, with physiologically acceptable carriers, stabilizers and excipients, and prepared in dosage form, e.g., by lyophilization in dosage vials. The amount of active compound to be administered will depend on the route of administration, the disease to be treated and the condition of the patient. Local injection, for instance, will require a lower amount of the protein on a body weight basis than will intravenous infusion in case of systemic viremia. 
     Effective amounts of a soluble LDL receptor protein or composition, are from about 0.01 μg to about 100 mg/kg body weight, and preferably from about 10 μg to about 50 mg/kg body weight, such as 0.05, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100 mg/kg. See, e.g., Berkow et al, eds.,  The Merck Manual,  16 th edition, Merck and Co., Rahway, N.J., 1992; Goodman et al., eds.,  Goodman and Gilman&#39;s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,  8 th edition, Pergamon Press, Inc., Elmsford, N.Y., (1990);  Avery&#39;s Drug Treatment: Principles and Practice of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics,  3 rd edition, ADIS Press, LTD., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, Md. (1987), Ebadi,  Pharmacology , Little, Brown and Col, Boston, (1985), Katzung,  Basic and Clinical Phamacology , Appleton and Lange, Norwalk, Conn., (1992), which references and references cited therein, are entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Preliminary Identification of the Antiviral Activity of the Soluble LDL Receptor 
     The presence of an unknown antiviral factor in the supernatant of IFN-induced cells was shown by several experiments. 
     The antiviral effect was determined by the virus cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay (Rubinstein, S. et al (1981)  J. Virol.  37:755-758) using human WISH cells and VSV as a challenge. Initial studies were performed with IFN-α, IFN-β and IFN-γ and similar results were obtained with all three IFNs. 
     In the experiment described in FIG. 1, and summarized in Table 1, human amnion WISH cells (ATCC CCL-25) were seeded in a 96-well microtiter plate. A few hours later, serial twofold dilutions (from right to left), starting with 50 U/ml of IFN-α, IFN-β and IFN-γ in MEM (Minimal Essential Medium) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, were applied to monolayers of the cells in rows (from top) 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9, respectively, and the cells were incubated overnight at 37° C. The medium in rows 1, 5 and 9 was not removed. The medium in rows 2, 6 and 10 was aspirated, the cell monolayers were washed once and fresh medium was added. In rows 3, 7 and 11, the medium was replaced with fresh dilutions of the respective IFNs, and in rows 4, 8 and 12, neutralizing antibodies specific to IFN-α, IFN-β (NIH standards) and to IFN-γ (monoclonal antibody 166.5, described in Novick et al., (1983)  EMBO  3(2):1527) were added respectively. VSV in growth medium was applied to the cells in all wells. The infected cultures were further incubated overnight and then stained with crystal violet, in order to better evaluate visually the extent of the virus cytopathic effect. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 The Role of Antiviral Factor in IFN Action 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Row of 
                   
                 50% CPE 
                 units/ 
                 % of 
               
               
                 FIG. 1 
                 Treatment 1   
                 dilution 
                 ml 2   
                 activity 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 IFN-α 24 hrs, 
                 400 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 standard assay 
               
               
                 2 
                 IFN-α 24 hrs, wash 
                 100 
                 250 
                 25 
               
               
                 3 
                 IFN-α 24 hrs, 
                 200 
                 250 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 replace IFN 
               
               
                 4 
                 IFN-α 24 hrs, 
                 300 
                 375 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                 neutralize 
               
               
                 5 
                 IFN-β 24 hrs, 
                 400 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 standard assay 
               
               
                 6 
                 IFN-β 24 hrs, wash 
                 200 
                 500 
                 50 
               
               
                 7 
                 IFN-β 24 hrs, 
                 400 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 replace IFN 
               
               
                 8 
                 IFN-β 24 hrs, 
                 400 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 neutralize 
               
               
                 9 
                 IFN-γ 24 hrs, 
                 800 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 standard assay 
               
               
                 10 
                 IFN-γ 24 hrs, wash 
                 200 
                 250 
                 25 
               
               
                 11 
                 IFN-γ 24 hrs, 
                 400 
                 500 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 replace IFN 
               
               
                 12 
                 IFN-γ 24 hrs, 
                 800 
                 1000 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 neutralize 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   (1) In the standard assay, (rows 1, 5 and 9) IFN was added in serial twofold dilutions (from right to left in FIG. 1) to monolayers of WISH cells in 96-well plates. After 24 hrs, VSV was added and 18 hrs later the cells were fixed and stained. In other cases, washing (rows 2, 6 and 10), replacement with IFN in fresh medium (rows 3, 7 and 11) or addition of anti-IFN neutralizing antibodies (rows 4, 8 and 12), were done immediately prior to challenge with VSV.  
               
               
                   (2) The titers of IFN standards (rows 1, 5 and 9) were designated as 1000 U/ml  
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The dilutions at which NIH standard IFNs (rows 1, 5 and 9) gave 50% CPE were first determined. As seen in FIG. 1, rows 2, 6 and 10, washing off the cells after 24 hrs and prior to VSV challenge, significantly reduced the potency of all three IFNs. Replacement of the medium with fresh dilutions of IFN reduced the level of protection with IFN-α (row 3) and IFN-γ (row 1), but not with IFN-β (row 7). Addition of neutralizing anti-IFN antibodies to the growth medium after 24 hrs exposure to IFN, had only a small effect on the activity of IFN-α (row 4) and no effect on the activity of IFN-β and IFN-γ (rows 8 and 12, respectively) 
     Since IFNs induce antiviral state in cells after interaction with specific cell surface receptors, they can be removed once the antiviral state is established and the cells will remain protected against the virus. Therefore, removal of IFN after the antiviral state was established, is not expected to affect the apparent IFN potency. However, in the above experiment, it was shown that the apparent antiviral potency of a given IFN sample was significantly lower if the culture medium was replaced prior to challenge with virus (rows 2, 6 and 10). Even if the medium was replaced with fresh IFN, both in the case of IFN-α (row 3) and IFN-γ (row 11) the level of protection was lower than without replacement. Hence the culture medium had a non interferon component that protects the cells from virus infection. 
     Incubation of the cells after application of IFN and addition of anti-IFN neutralizing antibodies prior to virus challenge without replacement of the growth medium, lowered the antiviral activity of the IFN-α only slightly (row 4) and not the activity of IFN-β or IFN-γ (rows 8 and 12, respectively). These results suggest that the reduced activity observed when the IFN-containing medium was removed, is not due to removal of the IFN molecules, but rather to removal of other molecules which are required to achieve full antiviral protection. 
     The antiviral enhancing-activity in the medium was herein demonstrated in vitro in the IFN CPE reduction assay. It is possible that the active extracellular component plays also a role in vivo in the IFN antiviral activity. When IFN is used in a systemic disease where secreted components are eliminated continuously, administration of such a factor might greatly enhance the effect of IFN. 
     Example 2 
     Production and Purification of the Antiviral Protein 
     2.1 Production of Crude Antiviral Protein 
     Human amnion cells WISH (ATCC CCL-25) were grown to confluency on FIBRACELL discs (Sterilin, U.K.) in spinner flasks, in a medium consisting of MEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). At confluency, the medium was discarded and the discs washed several times with serum-free MEM. The cells were then incubated in MEM (1.3 1) supplemented with a protein-free serum substitute ADC-1 (1:50, Biological Industries, Beit Haemek, Israel), Hepes 20 mM, Insulin 0.2 μg/ml and IFN-γ (30 U/ml). Incubation was continued for 17 hrs at 37° C. The culture medium was then collected, spun (5000×g, 15 min) and the supernatant was collected and kept under sterile conditions at 4° C. for short periods (up to 24 hrs), or at −20° C. until used. The cell culture could be continuously used for production by adding more protein-free medium and IFN-γ. 
     2.2 Concentration of Crude Antiviral Factor 
     The antiviral factor can be concentrated either by dialysis against polyethylene glycol 20,000 or by ultrafiltration. Crude cell supernatant (1.5 1) of step 2.1 above was concentrated about 30-fold by ultrafiltration in a MINITAN unit (Millipore, USA) with a polysulfone membrane of molecular weight 10,000 cut off (PTGC MINITAN plate). The crude retentate was washed with sodium borate buffer, 20 mM, pH 8 (Buffer A) and brought to a volume of about 50 ml. This material was used immediately or kept frozen at −20° C. until used. 
     2.3 Chromatography on TSK-DEAE 
     A TSK-DEAE column (2.5×33 cm, Tosoh, Japan) was equilibrated with Buffer A. Concentrated antiviral factor from MINITAN step 2.2 above was applied to the column at a flow rate of 8 ml/min. The column was then washed with Buffer A and eluted stepwise with 50, 100, 200 and 500 mM NaCl in Buffer A. Fractions of 12 ml were collected and subjected to bioassay. The column was monitored by absorbance at 280 nm (FIG.  2 ). The protein peak eluted with 200 mM NaCl, contained antiviral activity when tested in the presence of neutralizing anti IFN-γ monoclonal antibody No. 166-5. It was pooled and concentrated to a volume of about 20 ml by ultrafiltration on a YM-10 membrane (MW cut off 10,000, Amicon USA). The material was kept at −20° until used. 
     2.4 Hydroxyapatite Chromatography 
     A hydroxyapatite biogel HTP column (2.5×4 cm, BioRod, USA) was equilibrated with water. The concentrated 0.2 m NaCl protein peak of step 2.3 (166 mg) was loaded on the Biogel HTP column at a flow rate of 2 ml/min. The column was washed with water and eluted with 15 mM sodium phosphate pH 6.8. Fractions of 2 ml were collected and tested for antiviral activity. The column was monitored by absorbance at 280 nm (FIG.  3 ). The antiviral activity was found in the 15 mM phosphate eluate, pooled and concentrated by ultrafiltration. 
     2.5 Anion Exchange HPLC 
     An anion exchange HPLC column (SUPERFORMANCE-TMAE-650S, E. Merck, Germany) was pre-equilibrated with Buffer A. The concentrated pool containing 73 mg protein from step 2.4 was spun (10,000×g, 5 min.) and the supernatant was applied to the column at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The column was washed with Buffer A and then eluted stepwise by 50, 100, 200 and 500 mM NaCl in Buffer A. Fractions of 2.5 ml were collected and assayed for antiviral activity. The column was monitored at 280 nm (FIG.  4 ). The activity eluted in the 200 mM NaCl fraction. This fraction was pooled and kept at −20° C. until used. 
     2.6 Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography 
     A phenyl sepharose column (1.5×6.5 cm, Pharmacia, Sweden) was equilibrated with 1.5 M NaCl in Buffer A. The 200 mM Na phosphate protein peak of step 2.5 (10 mg) was brought to 1.5 M NaCl and loaded (1 ml/min.) on the phenyl sepharose column. The column was washed with 1.5M NaCl in Buffer A and unbound protein peak was collected. The column was eluted stepwise with 1M NaCl in Buffer A, Buffer A and 50% CH 3 CN/50% Buffer A. Antiviral activity was obtained in the unbound (1.5M NaCl) fraction. The column was monitored at 280 nM (FIG.  5 ). 
     2.7 Reversed Phase HPLC 
     The unbound pooled fraction from step 2.6 (1.2 mg) was loaded on an AQUAPORE RP-300 RP-HPLC column (4.6×30 mm) that was preequilibrated with 20 mM Hepes buffer pH 7.5. The column was washed and eluted at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min by an acetonitrile gradient in the same buffer. Fractions of 1 ml were collected and tested for antiviral activity. The antiviral activity eluted at 14% acetonitrile and was associated with a protein peak. However, this peak was not completely resolved from adjacent peaks (FIG.  6 ). The column was monitored by a flourescamine-based post-column reaction system (Stein S. and Moschera J., 1981, Methods in Enzymology, 79:7-16). 
     Active fractions (56 μg) were pooled, diluted twofold with 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.5 and rechromatographed on the AQUAPORE RP-300 column (FIG.  7 ). Aliquots (400 μl) of each fraction were concentrated by ultrafiltration and subjected to polyacrylamide (13%) gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and β-mercaptoethanol (SDS-PAGE). The protein bands were visualized by silver staining. The lanes are: lane 1-7, fractions 10-16 respectively of the HPLC; lane 8, control sample buffer; lane 9, molecular weight markers, indicated on the left side (FIG.  8 ). 
     Example 3 
     Characterization of the Antiviral Factor 
     3.1 Bioassay of Antiviral Activity 
     The assay is similar to the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay which is used for measuring IFN activity (Rubinstein S. et al., (1981) J. Virol. 37:755-758). The antiviral activity is calibrated against NIH reference standard of human IFN-β. It can also be calibrated with IFN-α standard, but not with IFN-γ, which does not protect the cells from virus under these assay conditions. The following procedure is used: 
     Confluent monolayers of WISH cells are prepared on day 1, seeding 45,000 cells/well in 100 μl of MEM supplemented with 10% FCS, in 96-flat bottom well plates. The plates are incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO 2 . On day 2, samples of the antiviral factor are diluted twofold serially in a separate plate (100 μl). Neutralizing monoclonal anti-IFN-γ antibody (166-5) sufficient for neutralizing 1000 U/ml of IFN-γ is added to each well and the solutions are transferred to the plate with the WISH cells, followed immediately by challenge with an appropriate amount (see below) of stock VSV (50 μl). The plates are incubated overnight at 37° C. The assay is calibrated against standard IFN-β. On day 3, about 20 hours following virus challenge, the cytopathic effect in control wells is observed microscopically. When it is &gt;80%, the plates are drained and the monolayer is stained with crystal violet (0.5% in 70% Aq. methanol), washed with plenty of tap water and the end points are determined by observation under the microscope. An appropriate amount of VSV for this assay is the dilution of stock VSV which, when added to a serial twofold dilution of standard IFN-β under the assay conditions, will give 50% CPE at IFN-β dilution of about 3-6 U/ml after 20-24 hrs of incubation. 
     3.2 The Antiviral Factor Is a Protein 
     Three experiments were performed in order to demonstrate that the antiviral factor is a protein. 
     a. Molecular Weight&gt;10,000, as shown by the ability to concentrate the antiviral activity by dialysis against PEG 20,000 and by ultrafiltration on membranes with cut-off of 10,000 Da, indicating that the antiviral factor is a macro-molecule. 
     b. Heat Lability. Active fraction from a MONO Q anion exchange step (same as step 2.5 of example 2) was heated in a 100° C. bath for 10 min and then tested for antiviral activity. No activity remained following this treatment. See Table 2. 
     c. Trypsin Sensitivity. Active fraction from the MONO Q anion exchange step was incubated with TPCK-treated trypsin (Worthington) at 5:1 protein:enzyme ratio, respectively, overnight at room temperature. Control fraction was similarly kept without trypsin and control trypsin was made as well. It was found that 66% of the antiviral activity was lost by trypsin treatment and hence, it was concluded that the antiviral factor is trypsin sensitive. See Table 2. 
     d. The Antiviral Factor Is Not an Interferon. Interferon is defined as a protein which induces in cells an antiviral state which persists even after removal of the interferon. Cells were incubated with antiviral factor-containing medium from the MONO Q step for 24 hrs, the medium was removed, the cells were washed and challenged with VSV. No protection from VSV was observed. Hence it was concluded that the antiviral factor is not an interferon and its mechanism of action is different from that of an interferon. 
     e. The Antiviral Factor Is Probably Not a Degradative Enzyme. The site and mode of action of the antiviral factor is still not known. In order to clarify these questions, further studies must be carried out with different viruses. One simple experiment was performed to test whether the factor is an enzyme that degrades viruses, e.g., a proteolytic enzyme. For this purpose, VSV was incubated with serial twofold dilutions of the factor for different time periods at 37° C. Bovine MDBK cells were then added to the wells and the extent of CPE was determined. It was found that VSV gave the same extent of CPE when mixed with the cells immediately after addition of the antiviral factor or when pre-incubated with the antiviral factor for 5 hrs at 37° C. Hence it was concluded that the antiviral factor is probably not a virus degrading enzyme. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Sensitivity of the Antiviral Factor to Heat and Trypsin 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Activity 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Sample 
                 U/ml 
                 % 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Stock (MONO Q) antiviral factor, overnight, room temp. 
                 75 
                 100 
               
               
                 Stock antiviral factor + trypsin, overnight, room temp. 
                 65 
                 33 
               
               
                 Stock antiviral factor (MONO Q), room temp., 10 min. 
                 65 
                 100 
               
               
                 Stock antiviral factor, 100° C., 10 min. 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     3.3 Size Exclusion Chromatography of the Antiviral Factor 
     Antiviral factor from the TSK-DEAE step (0.4 ml) was fractionated on a size exclusion column (SUPEROSE 12, 1×30 cm, Pharmacia) in phosphate buffered saline under near physiological conditions. The column was pre-equilibrated and eluted with phosphate buffered saline at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Fractions of 1 ml were collected and antiviral activity was measured in each fraction. The column was monitored at 280 nm (FIG.  9 ). The column was calibrated with bovine serum albumin (67K) and carbonic anhydrase (30K) as molecular weight markers. It was found that the antiviral activity eluted as a peak of apparent molecular weight 40,000. However, this peak was rather broad. 
     3.4 Species Specificity of the Antiviral Factor 
     The antiviral factor was found to be active on human WISH cells. It was also found to be active on bovine MDBK cells and murine L cells. Hence it was concluded that the factor is not species specific. 
     3.5 Protein Sequence Analysis and Identification of the Antiviral Factor 
     Aliquots (400 μl) of fractions 10-12 from the last RP-HPLC step (see 2.7 in example 2) were pooled, concentrated by ultrafiltration and the concentrate (0.5 μg) was subjected to microsequence analysis on model 475 protein microsequences (Applied Biosystems, USA). The resulting sequence of the N-terminal 15 amino acid residues (SEQ ID NO:1) as identified by this system is given in FIG.  10 . The amino acid in cycle 10 was not identified while the Pro in cycle 3 and 15 was identified with relatively low confidence (given in Pmol ratio). 
     The resulting amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) was compared with NBRF protein databank and it gave 100% identity with the N-terminal sequence of the human low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (SEQ ID NO:2) starting at residue 25 of the precursor LDL receptor (residue 4 of mature LDL receptor). The amino acids in cycles 3, 10 and 15 were not initially identified due to the limitations of the sequencing method, but were later confirmed to be cysteine residues by homology with the mature LDL receptor sequence of FIG. 15 (SEQ ID NO:4). The identity between the isolated receptor and the known LDL receptor is shown in FIG.  11 . 
     The soluble antiviral protein of the present invention has a molecular weight of between 29,000 or 40,000 according to the two methods that were used for its estimation. It is therefore concluded that the antiviral protein corresponds to the N-terminal cysteine-rich domain of the LDL receptor. According to Esser (Esser, V. et al. (1988)  J. Biol. Chem.  263:13282-13290) the cysteine-rich N-terminal domain of 292 amino acid residues is the ligand binding domain of LDL receptor and its calculated molecular weight is about 33,000-38,000 depending on the extent of glycosylation. 
     Example 4 
     Immunoaffinity Chromatography of the Antiviral Factor 
     The most direct proof of identity of the antiviral factor and sLDLR was obtained by affinity chromatography of the crude antiviral protein on a monoclonal antibody C7 column. This antibody is directed against the ligand binding domain of bovine and human LDLR (Beisiegel, U. et al. (1981)  J. Biol. Chem.,  256, 11923-11931). Hybridoma C7 (ATCC, CRL 1691) was grown as ascites in mice and immunoglobulin was isolated from the ascitic fluid by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The C7 immunoglobulin (19 mg), was coupled to 1 ml agarose. Partially purified AVH from the 200 mM NaCl fraction of the TSK-DEAE step (“load”, 14 ml, 37.8 mg protein, 2800 units) was loaded on the column; the effluent (“effl.”) was collected and the column was washed (“wash”) with a 70 ml of 0.5M NaCl in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) followed by PBS (30 ml). The column was then eluted with 50 mM Na 2 CO 3  (pH 11) (el.2 and el.3) with a recovery of 32% (FIG.  12 ). The amount of protein in the eluted fractions was 0.15 mg and the degree of purification was 83. SDS-PAGE and silver staining gave many bands. However, on Western blotting (FIG.  13 ), with mAb C7 (gel run under non-reducing conditions) no receptor was detected in the load, effluent and wash fractions (lanes 2, 3 and 4, respectively). However, the 28K band of the soluble LDL receptor was obtained in el.2 and el.3, (lanes 5 and 6). Also higher molecular weight bands were seen in el.2 and el.3, including weak 40K and 100K bands which probably are larger extracellular fragments of the LDL receptor. The strong band near 200K is probably monoclonal antibody C7 which leaked from the column and reacted with protein A, as it was identical with a C7 sample (lane 7). 
     Example 5 
     Induction of Cell Surface LDLR by Interferons 
     The ability of interferon to induce soluble LDL receptor suggests that it can also induce cell surface LDL receptor, since both receptor forms share the same gene. To study the possible induction of the full size LDL receptor WISH cells grown to confluence in 1.7 cm wells were incubated with various interferons in medium containing 2% fetal bovine serum. The cells were washed, incubated with monoclonal antibody C7 from 2 hr at 4° C., washed, incubated with  125 I-protein A (about 80,000 dpm) for 2 hr at 4° C., washed, harvested with trypsin and counted. In a time course experiment it was found that maximal induction of LDL receptor with interferon-γ (100 U/ml) occurred between 5 and 23 hr. A dose response study was then performed by incubating WISH cells for 19 hr with different interferons. It was found that interferon γ was the most potent inducer of LDL receptor and maximal induction was seem with 10-50 U/ml. Interferon alpha was a much weaker inducer while interferon beta probably did not induce LRL receptor at all (FIG.  14 ). The induction of LDL receptor as well as its basal level were abolished in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. 
     Example 6 
     Isolation and Purification of Soluble LDL Receptor from Urine 
     6.1 Preparation of the Urine Concentrate 
     A pool of 500 liter urine from healthy menopausal women was subjected to microfiltration on a PELLICON membrane with a pore size of 0.45 μm. The filtrate was concentrated by ultrafiltration using a PELLICON membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 10 K to a final volume of 700 ml. The concentrate was dialyzed against phosphate buffered saline containing 1 mM benzamidine and 0.1% sodium azide. 
     6.2 Affinity Chromatography of Soluble LDL Receptor with Monoclonal Antibodies 
     Antibodies against LDL receptor are utilized for the purification of the soluble fragment by affinity chromatography. The monoclonal antibody C7 (ATCC, CRL 1691) was used in this example for affinity chromatography. Ascitic fluid containing the monoclonal antibody secreted by hybridoma C7 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation at 50% saturation followed by extensive dialysis against PBS. About 10 mg of immunoglobulin were bound to 1 ml polyacrylhydrazide agarose as specified by Wilchek and Miron,  Methods in Enzymology  34:72076, 1979. Concentrated human urinary proteins (23 g in 730 ml, equivalent to 500 l of crude urine) were loaded on 1.0 ml of the C7 anti-LDL receptor antibody column at 4° C. at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min. The column was washed with PBS until no protein was detected in the washing. Soluble LDL receptor was eluted by 50 mM Na 2 CO 3  buffer, pH 11.5, containing 1 mM benzamidine and 0.02% NaN 3  (8×1 column volume fractions) and immediately neutralized by 3 M acetic acid. Antiviral activity was measured in the eluted fractions and 50,000 units were found in elution fractions no. 2 and 3. The total amount of protein in these fractions was 120 micrograms. 
     6.3 Reversed Phase HPLC 
     An aliquot of soluble LDL-R from the affinity chromatography step in 6.2 (32 μg, 8800 units) was loaded on an AQUAPORE RP-300 RP-HPLC column (4.6×30 mm) that was preequilibrated with 20 mM Hepes buffer pH 7.5. The column was washed and eluted at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min by an acetonitrile gradient in the same buffer. Fractions of 1 ml were collected and tested for antiviral activity. The antiviral activity eluted at 14% acetonitrile (FIG.  16 ). The column was monitored by flourescamine-based post-column reaction system (Stein S. and Moschera J. (1981)  Methods in Enzymology  79:7-16). 
     Aliquots (30 μl) of each fraction were subjected to polyacrylamide (12%) gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) (FIG.  17 ). The protein bands were visualized by silver staining. The lanes (FIG. 17) are: 1. crude urinary proteins; 2. column load (C7 eluate); 3-12. HPLC fractions 9-18 respectively; 13. HPLC fraction 20; 14. control sample buffer; 15. molecular weight markers, indicated on the left side (FIG.  17 ). 
     Example 7 
     Size Exclusion Chromatography of Urinary Soluble LDL Receptor 
     Soluble LDL receptor from the affinity chromatography step (1.5 μg, 200 units) was mixed with bovine serum albumin (200 μg), human immunoglobulin (200 μg) in phosphate buffered saline (200 μl total). The mixture was fractionated on a size exclusion column (SUPEROSE 12, 1×30 cm, Pharmacia) in phosphate buffered saline under near physiological conditions. The column was pre-equilibrated and eluted with phosphate buffered saline at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Fractions of 0.5 ml were collected and antiviral activity was measured in each fraction. The column was monitored at 280 nm (FIG.  18 ). The column was calibrated with human immunoglobulin (150 K), bovine serum albumin (67 K) and carbonic anhydrase (30 K) as molecular weight markers. It was found that the antiviral activity eluted as a peak of apparent molecular weight 30,000, as a range of 26K-34K (FIG. 18.) 
     Example 8 
     Protein Sequence Analysis and Identification of the Antiviral Factor 
     Fraction 10 from the RP-HPLC step (1 μg, see 6.3) was absorbed on a PVDF membrane (Prospin, Applied Biosystems, USA) and subjected to microsequence analysis on model 475 protein microsequencer (Applied Biosystems, USA). The resulting sequence of the N-terminal 16 amino acid residues (SEQ ID NO:5) was identified by this system. The amino acids in cycle 3, 10 and 15 were not initially identified, as would be expected for Cys residues, but by comparison with the sequence of the human LDL receptor which has Cys residues in these positions, these amino acids are Cys residues. As can be seen from FIG. 19, the sequence (SEQ ID NO:5) corresponded to a portion of the first fifty residues of the human LDL receptor (SEQ ID NO:2). Thus, the N-terminal sequence of soluble LDL receptor (SEQ ID NO:6) is as shown in SEQ ID NO:5 with cysteine residue at the 3, 10, and 15 positions. 
     All references cited herein, including journal articles or abstracts, published or corresponding U.S. or foreign patent applications, issued U.S. or foreign patents, or any other references, are entirely incorporated by reference herein, including all data, tables, figures, and text presented in the cited references. Additionally, the entire contents of the references cited within the references cited herein are also entirely incorporated by reference. 
     Reference to known method steps, conventional methods steps, known methods or conventional methods is not in any way an admission that any aspect, description or embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, taught or suggested in the relevant art. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art (including the contents of the references cited herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                                    
               
               
                 #             SEQUENCE LISTING  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;160&gt; NUMBER OF SEQ ID NOS: 6  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 1  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 15  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                 &lt;220&gt; FEATURE:  
               
               
                 &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: misc_feature  
               
               
                 &lt;223&gt; OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa at position 10 is  
               
               
                 #unknown  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 1  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Arg Pro Glu Arg Asn Glu Phe Gln Xaa Gl  
               
               
                 #n Asp Gly Lys Pro  
               
               
                 1               5    
               
               
                 #                10   
               
               
                 #                15  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 2  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 50  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 2  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Met Gly Pro Trp Gly Trp Lys Leu Arg Trp Th  
               
               
                 #r Val Ala Leu Leu Leu  
               
               
                 1               5    
               
               
                 #                10   
               
               
                 #                15  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ala Ala Ala Gly Thr Ala Val Gly Asp Arg Cy  
               
               
                 #s Glu Arg Asn Glu Phe  
               
               
                             20       
               
               
                 #            25       
               
               
                 #            30  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gln Cys Gln Asp Gly Lys Cys Ile Ser Tyr Ly  
               
               
                 #s Trp Val Cys Asp Gly  
               
               
                         35           
               
               
                 #        40           
               
               
                 #        45  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Ala  
               
               
                     50  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 3  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 5095  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: DNA  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                 &lt;220&gt; FEATURE:  
               
               
                 &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: CDS  
               
               
                 &lt;222&gt; LOCATION: (14)..(2593)  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 3  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 agaggctgcg agc atg ggg ccc tgg ggc tgg aaa tt  
               
               
                 #g cgc tgg acc gtc        49  
               
               
                                Met Gly  
               
               
                 #Pro Trp Gly Trp Lys Leu Arg Trp Thr Val  
               
               
                                1    
               
               
                 #            5       
               
               
                 #             10  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gcc ttg ctc ctc gcc gcg gcg ggg act gca gt  
               
               
                 #g ggc gac aga tgt gaa       97  
               
               
                 Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Ala Gly Thr Ala Va  
               
               
                 #l Gly Asp Arg Cys Glu  
               
               
                         15           
               
               
                 #        20           
               
               
                 #        25  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aga aac gag ttc cag tgc caa gac ggg aaa tg  
               
               
                 #c atc tcc tac aag tgg      145  
               
               
                 Arg Asn Glu Phe Gln Cys Gln Asp Gly Lys Cy  
               
               
                 #s Ile Ser Tyr Lys Trp  
               
               
                     30               
               
               
                 #    35               
               
               
                 #    40  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtc tgc gat ggc agc gct gag tgc cag gat gg  
               
               
                 #c tct gat gag tcc cag      193  
               
               
                 Val Cys Asp Gly Ser Ala Glu Cys Gln Asp Gl  
               
               
                 #y Ser Asp Glu Ser Gln  
               
               
                 45                   
               
               
                 #50                   
               
               
                 #55                   
               
               
                 #60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gag acg tgc ttg tct gtc acc tgc aaa tcc gg  
               
               
                 #g gac ttc agc tgt ggg      241  
               
               
                 Glu Thr Cys Leu Ser Val Thr Cys Lys Ser Gl  
               
               
                 #y Asp Phe Ser Cys Gly  
               
               
                                 65   
               
               
                 #                70   
               
               
                 #                75  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggc cgt gtc aac cgc tgc att cct cag ttc tg  
               
               
                 #g agg tgc gat ggc caa      289  
               
               
                 Gly Arg Val Asn Arg Cys Ile Pro Gln Phe Tr  
               
               
                 #p Arg Cys Asp Gly Gln  
               
               
                             80       
               
               
                 #            85       
               
               
                 #            90  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtg gac tgc gac aac ggc tca gac gag caa gg  
               
               
                 #c tgt ccc ccc aag acg      337  
               
               
                 Val Asp Cys Asp Asn Gly Ser Asp Glu Gln Gl  
               
               
                 #y Cys Pro Pro Lys Thr  
               
               
                         95           
               
               
                 #        100          
               
               
                 #        105  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgc tcc cag gac gag ttt cgc tgc cac gat gg  
               
               
                 #g aag tgc atc tct cgg      385  
               
               
                 Cys Ser Gln Asp Glu Phe Arg Cys His Asp Gl  
               
               
                 #y Lys Cys Ile Ser Arg  
               
               
                     110               
               
               
                 #   115               
               
               
                 #   120  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cag ttc gtc tgt gac tca gac cgg gac tgc tt  
               
               
                 #g gac ggc tca gac gag      433  
               
               
                 Gln Phe Val Cys Asp Ser Asp Arg Asp Cys Le  
               
               
                 #u Asp Gly Ser Asp Glu  
               
               
                 125                 1  
               
               
                 #30                 1  
               
               
                 #35                 1  
               
               
                 #40  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gcc tcc tgc ccg gtg ctc acc tgt ggt ccc gc  
               
               
                 #c agc ttc cag tgc aac      481  
               
               
                 Ala Ser Cys Pro Val Leu Thr Cys Gly Pro Al  
               
               
                 #a Ser Phe Gln Cys Asn  
               
               
                                 145   
               
               
                 #               150   
               
               
                 #               155  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 agc tcc acc tgc atc ccc cag ctg tgg gcc tg  
               
               
                 #c gac aac gac ccc gac      529  
               
               
                 Ser Ser Thr Cys Ile Pro Gln Leu Trp Ala Cy  
               
               
                 #s Asp Asn Asp Pro Asp  
               
               
                             160       
               
               
                 #           165       
               
               
                 #           170  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgc gaa gat ggc tcg gat gag tgg ccg cag cg  
               
               
                 #c tgt agg ggt ctt tac      577  
               
               
                 Cys Glu Asp Gly Ser Asp Glu Trp Pro Gln Ar  
               
               
                 #g Cys Arg Gly Leu Tyr  
               
               
                         175           
               
               
                 #       180           
               
               
                 #       185  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtg ttc caa ggg gac agt agc ccc tgc tcg gc  
               
               
                 #c ttc gag ttc cac tgc      625  
               
               
                 Val Phe Gln Gly Asp Ser Ser Pro Cys Ser Al  
               
               
                 #a Phe Glu Phe His Cys  
               
               
                     190               
               
               
                 #   195               
               
               
                 #   200  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cta agt ggc gag tgc atc cac tcc agc tgg cg  
               
               
                 #c tgt gat ggt ggc ccc      673  
               
               
                 Leu Ser Gly Glu Cys Ile His Ser Ser Trp Ar  
               
               
                 #g Cys Asp Gly Gly Pro  
               
               
                 205                 2  
               
               
                 #10                 2  
               
               
                 #15                 2  
               
               
                 #20  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gac tgc aag gac aaa tct gac gag gaa aac tg  
               
               
                 #c gct gtg gcc acc tgt      721  
               
               
                 Asp Cys Lys Asp Lys Ser Asp Glu Glu Asn Cy  
               
               
                 #s Ala Val Ala Thr Cys  
               
               
                                 225   
               
               
                 #               230   
               
               
                 #               235  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cgc cct gac gaa ttc cag tgc tct gat gga aa  
               
               
                 #c tgc atc cat ggc agc      769  
               
               
                 Arg Pro Asp Glu Phe Gln Cys Ser Asp Gly As  
               
               
                 #n Cys Ile His Gly Ser  
               
               
                             240       
               
               
                 #           245       
               
               
                 #           250  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cgg cag tgt gac cgg gaa tat gac tgc aag ga  
               
               
                 #c atg agc gat gaa gtt      817  
               
               
                 Arg Gln Cys Asp Arg Glu Tyr Asp Cys Lys As  
               
               
                 #p Met Ser Asp Glu Val  
               
               
                         255           
               
               
                 #       260           
               
               
                 #       265  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggc tgc gtt aat gtg aca ctc tgc gag gga cc  
               
               
                 #c aac aag ttc aag tgt      865  
               
               
                 Gly Cys Val Asn Val Thr Leu Cys Glu Gly Pr  
               
               
                 #o Asn Lys Phe Lys Cys  
               
               
                     270               
               
               
                 #   275               
               
               
                 #   280  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cac agc ggc gaa tgc atc acc ctg gac aaa gt  
               
               
                 #c tgc aac atg gct aga      913  
               
               
                 His Ser Gly Glu Cys Ile Thr Leu Asp Lys Va  
               
               
                 #l Cys Asn Met Ala Arg  
               
               
                 285                 2  
               
               
                 #90                 2  
               
               
                 #95                 3  
               
               
                 #00  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gac tgc cgg gac tgg tca gat gaa ccc atc aa  
               
               
                 #a gag tgc ggg acc aac      961  
               
               
                 Asp Cys Arg Asp Trp Ser Asp Glu Pro Ile Ly  
               
               
                 #s Glu Cys Gly Thr Asn  
               
               
                                 305   
               
               
                 #               310   
               
               
                 #               315  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gaa tgc ttg gac aac aac ggc ggc tgt tcc ca  
               
               
                 #c gtc tgc aat gac ctt     1009  
               
               
                 Glu Cys Leu Asp Asn Asn Gly Gly Cys Ser Hi  
               
               
                 #s Val Cys Asn Asp Leu  
               
               
                             320       
               
               
                 #           325       
               
               
                 #           330  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aag atc ggc tac gag tgc ctg tgc ccc gac gg  
               
               
                 #c ttc cag ctg gtg gcc     1057  
               
               
                 Lys Ile Gly Tyr Glu Cys Leu Cys Pro Asp Gl  
               
               
                 #y Phe Gln Leu Val Ala  
               
               
                         335           
               
               
                 #       340           
               
               
                 #       345  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cag cga aga tgc gaa gat atc gat gag tgt ca  
               
               
                 #g gat ccc gac acc tgc     1105  
               
               
                 Gln Arg Arg Cys Glu Asp Ile Asp Glu Cys Gl  
               
               
                 #n Asp Pro Asp Thr Cys  
               
               
                     350               
               
               
                 #   355               
               
               
                 #   360  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 agc cag ctc tgc gtg aac ctg gag ggt ggc ta  
               
               
                 #c aag tgc cag tgt gag     1153  
               
               
                 Ser Gln Leu Cys Val Asn Leu Glu Gly Gly Ty  
               
               
                 #r Lys Cys Gln Cys Glu  
               
               
                 365                 3  
               
               
                 #70                 3  
               
               
                 #75                 3  
               
               
                 #80  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gaa ggc ttc cag ctg gac ccc cac acg aag gc  
               
               
                 #c tgc aag gct gtg ggc     1201  
               
               
                 Glu Gly Phe Gln Leu Asp Pro His Thr Lys Al  
               
               
                 #a Cys Lys Ala Val Gly  
               
               
                                 385   
               
               
                 #               390   
               
               
                 #               395  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tcc atc gcc tac ctc ttc ttc acc aac cgg ca  
               
               
                 #c gag gtc agg aag atg     1249  
               
               
                 Ser Ile Ala Tyr Leu Phe Phe Thr Asn Arg Hi  
               
               
                 #s Glu Val Arg Lys Met  
               
               
                             400       
               
               
                 #           405       
               
               
                 #           410  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 acg ctg gac cgg agc gag tac acc agc ctc at  
               
               
                 #c ccc aac ctg agg aac     1297  
               
               
                 Thr Leu Asp Arg Ser Glu Tyr Thr Ser Leu Il  
               
               
                 #e Pro Asn Leu Arg Asn  
               
               
                         415           
               
               
                 #       420           
               
               
                 #       425  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtg gtc gct ctg gac acg gag gtg gcc agc aa  
               
               
                 #t aga atc tac tgg tct     1345  
               
               
                 Val Val Ala Leu Asp Thr Glu Val Ala Ser As  
               
               
                 #n Arg Ile Tyr Trp Ser  
               
               
                     430               
               
               
                 #   435               
               
               
                 #   440  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gac ctg tcc cag aga atg atc tgc agc acc ca  
               
               
                 #g ctt gac aga gcc cac     1393  
               
               
                 Asp Leu Ser Gln Arg Met Ile Cys Ser Thr Gl  
               
               
                 #n Leu Asp Arg Ala His  
               
               
                 445                 4  
               
               
                 #50                 4  
               
               
                 #55                 4  
               
               
                 #60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggc gtc tct tcc tat gac acc gtc atc agc ag  
               
               
                 #g gac atc cag gcc ccc     1441  
               
               
                 Gly Val Ser Ser Tyr Asp Thr Val Ile Ser Ar  
               
               
                 #g Asp Ile Gln Ala Pro  
               
               
                                 465   
               
               
                 #               470   
               
               
                 #               475  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gac ggg ctg gct gtg gac tgg atc cac agc aa  
               
               
                 #c atc tac tgg acc gac     1489  
               
               
                 Asp Gly Leu Ala Val Asp Trp Ile His Ser As  
               
               
                 #n Ile Tyr Trp Thr Asp  
               
               
                             480       
               
               
                 #           485       
               
               
                 #           490  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tct gtc ctg ggc act gtc tct gtt gcg gat ac  
               
               
                 #c aag ggc gtg aag agg     1537  
               
               
                 Ser Val Leu Gly Thr Val Ser Val Ala Asp Th  
               
               
                 #r Lys Gly Val Lys Arg  
               
               
                         495           
               
               
                 #       500           
               
               
                 #       505  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aaa acg tta ttc agg gag aac ggc tcc aag cc  
               
               
                 #a agg gcc atc gtg gtg     1585  
               
               
                 Lys Thr Leu Phe Arg Glu Asn Gly Ser Lys Pr  
               
               
                 #o Arg Ala Ile Val Val  
               
               
                     510               
               
               
                 #   515               
               
               
                 #   520  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gat cct gtt cat ggc ttc atg tac tgg act ga  
               
               
                 #c tgg gga act ccc gcc     1633  
               
               
                 Asp Pro Val His Gly Phe Met Tyr Trp Thr As  
               
               
                 #p Trp Gly Thr Pro Ala  
               
               
                 525                 5  
               
               
                 #30                 5  
               
               
                 #35                 5  
               
               
                 #40  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aag atc aag aaa ggg ggc ctg aat ggt gtg ga  
               
               
                 #c atc tac tcg ctg gtg     1681  
               
               
                 Lys Ile Lys Lys Gly Gly Leu Asn Gly Val As  
               
               
                 #p Ile Tyr Ser Leu Val  
               
               
                                 545   
               
               
                 #               550   
               
               
                 #               555  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 act gaa aac att cag tgg ccc aat ggc atc ac  
               
               
                 #c cta gat ctc ctc agt     1729  
               
               
                 Thr Glu Asn Ile Gln Trp Pro Asn Gly Ile Th  
               
               
                 #r Leu Asp Leu Leu Ser  
               
               
                             560       
               
               
                 #           565       
               
               
                 #           570  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggc cgc ctc tac tgg gtt gac tcc aaa ctt ca  
               
               
                 #c tcc atc tca agc atc     1777  
               
               
                 Gly Arg Leu Tyr Trp Val Asp Ser Lys Leu Hi  
               
               
                 #s Ser Ile Ser Ser Ile  
               
               
                         575           
               
               
                 #       580           
               
               
                 #       585  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gat gtc aat ggg ggc aac cgg aag acc atc tt  
               
               
                 #g gag gat gaa aag agg     1825  
               
               
                 Asp Val Asn Gly Gly Asn Arg Lys Thr Ile Le  
               
               
                 #u Glu Asp Glu Lys Arg  
               
               
                     590               
               
               
                 #   595               
               
               
                 #   600  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ctg gcc cac ccc ttc tcc ttg gcc gtc ttt ga  
               
               
                 #g gac aaa gta ttt tgg     1873  
               
               
                 Leu Ala His Pro Phe Ser Leu Ala Val Phe Gl  
               
               
                 #u Asp Lys Val Phe Trp  
               
               
                 605                 6  
               
               
                 #10                 6  
               
               
                 #15                 6  
               
               
                 #20  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aca gat atc atc aac gaa gcc att ttc agt gc  
               
               
                 #c aac cgc ctc aca ggt     1921  
               
               
                 Thr Asp Ile Ile Asn Glu Ala Ile Phe Ser Al  
               
               
                 #a Asn Arg Leu Thr Gly  
               
               
                                 625   
               
               
                 #               630   
               
               
                 #               635  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tcc gat gtc aac ttg ttg gct gaa aac cta ct  
               
               
                 #g tcc cca gag gat atg     1969  
               
               
                 Ser Asp Val Asn Leu Leu Ala Glu Asn Leu Le  
               
               
                 #u Ser Pro Glu Asp Met  
               
               
                             640       
               
               
                 #           645       
               
               
                 #           650  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtc ctc ttc cac aac ctc acc cag cca aga gg  
               
               
                 #a gtg aac tgg tgt gag     2017  
               
               
                 Val Leu Phe His Asn Leu Thr Gln Pro Arg Gl  
               
               
                 #y Val Asn Trp Cys Glu  
               
               
                         655           
               
               
                 #       660           
               
               
                 #       665  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 agg acc acc ctg agc aat ggc ggc tgc cag ta  
               
               
                 #t ctg tgc ctc cct gcc     2065  
               
               
                 Arg Thr Thr Leu Ser Asn Gly Gly Cys Gln Ty  
               
               
                 #r Leu Cys Leu Pro Ala  
               
               
                     670               
               
               
                 #   675               
               
               
                 #   680  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ccg cag atc aac ccc cac tcg ccc aag ttt ac  
               
               
                 #c tgc gcc tgc ccg gac     2113  
               
               
                 Pro Gln Ile Asn Pro His Ser Pro Lys Phe Th  
               
               
                 #r Cys Ala Cys Pro Asp  
               
               
                 685                 6  
               
               
                 #90                 6  
               
               
                 #95                 7  
               
               
                 #00  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggc atg ctg ctg gcc agg gac atg agg agc tg  
               
               
                 #c ctc aca gag gct gag     2161  
               
               
                 Gly Met Leu Leu Ala Arg Asp Met Arg Ser Cy  
               
               
                 #s Leu Thr Glu Ala Glu  
               
               
                                 705   
               
               
                 #               710   
               
               
                 #               715  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gct gca gtg gcc acc cag gag aca tcc acc gt  
               
               
                 #c agg cta aag gtc agc     2209  
               
               
                 Ala Ala Val Ala Thr Gln Glu Thr Ser Thr Va  
               
               
                 #l Arg Leu Lys Val Ser  
               
               
                             720       
               
               
                 #           725       
               
               
                 #           730  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tcc aca gcc gta agg aca cag cac aca acc ac  
               
               
                 #c cgg cct gtt ccc gac     2257  
               
               
                 Ser Thr Ala Val Arg Thr Gln His Thr Thr Th  
               
               
                 #r Arg Pro Val Pro Asp  
               
               
                         735           
               
               
                 #       740           
               
               
                 #       745  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 acc tcc cgg ctg cct ggg gcc acc cct ggg ct  
               
               
                 #c acc acg gtg gag ata     2305  
               
               
                 Thr Ser Arg Leu Pro Gly Ala Thr Pro Gly Le  
               
               
                 #u Thr Thr Val Glu Ile  
               
               
                     750               
               
               
                 #   755               
               
               
                 #   760  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtg aca atg tct cac caa gct ctg ggc gac gt  
               
               
                 #t gct ggc aga gga aat     2353  
               
               
                 Val Thr Met Ser His Gln Ala Leu Gly Asp Va  
               
               
                 #l Ala Gly Arg Gly Asn  
               
               
                 765                 7  
               
               
                 #70                 7  
               
               
                 #75                 7  
               
               
                 #80  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gag aag aag ccc agt agc gtg agg gct ctg tc  
               
               
                 #c att gtc ctc ccc atc     2401  
               
               
                 Glu Lys Lys Pro Ser Ser Val Arg Ala Leu Se  
               
               
                 #r Ile Val Leu Pro Ile  
               
               
                                 785   
               
               
                 #               790   
               
               
                 #               795  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtg ctc ctc gtc ttc ctt tgc ctg ggg gtc tt  
               
               
                 #c ctt cta tgg aag aac     2449  
               
               
                 Val Leu Leu Val Phe Leu Cys Leu Gly Val Ph  
               
               
                 #e Leu Leu Trp Lys Asn  
               
               
                             800       
               
               
                 #           805       
               
               
                 #           810  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgg cgg ctt aag aac atc aac agc atc aac tt  
               
               
                 #t gac aac ccc gtc tat     2497  
               
               
                 Trp Arg Leu Lys Asn Ile Asn Ser Ile Asn Ph  
               
               
                 #e Asp Asn Pro Val Tyr  
               
               
                         815           
               
               
                 #       820           
               
               
                 #       825  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cag aag acc aca gag gat gag gtc cac att tg  
               
               
                 #c cac aac cag gac ggc     2545  
               
               
                 Gln Lys Thr Thr Glu Asp Glu Val His Ile Cy  
               
               
                 #s His Asn Gln Asp Gly  
               
               
                     830               
               
               
                 #   835               
               
               
                 #   840  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tac agc tac ccc tcg aga cag atg gtc agt ct  
               
               
                 #g gag gat gac gtg gcg     2593  
               
               
                 Tyr Ser Tyr Pro Ser Arg Gln Met Val Ser Le  
               
               
                 #u Glu Asp Asp Val Ala  
               
               
                 845                 8  
               
               
                 #50                 8  
               
               
                 #55                 8  
               
               
                 #60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tgaacatctg cctggagtcc cgcccctgcc cagaaccctt cctgagacct cg  
               
               
                 #ccggcctt   2653  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gttttattca aagacagaga agaccaaagc attgcctgcc agagctttgt tt  
               
               
                 #tatatatt   2713  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tattcatctg ggaggcagaa caggcttcgg acagtgccca tgcaatggct tg  
               
               
                 #ggttggga   2773  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ttttggtttc ttcctttcct gtgaaggata agagaaacag gcccgggggg ac  
               
               
                 #caggatga   2833  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cacctccatt tctctccagg aagttttgag tttctctcca ccgtgacaca at  
               
               
                 #cctcaaac   2893  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 atggaagatg aaagggcagg ggatgtcagg cccagagaag caagtggctt tc  
               
               
                 #aacacaca   2953  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 acagcagatg gcaccaacgg gaccccctgg ccctgcctca tccaccaatc tc  
               
               
                 #taagccaa   3013  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 acccctaaac tcaggagtca acgtgtttac ctcttctatg caagccttgc ta  
               
               
                 #gacagcca   3073  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggttagcctt tgccctgtca cccccgaatc atgacccacc cagtgtcttt cg  
               
               
                 #aggtgggt   3133  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ttgtaccttc cttaagccag gaaagggatt catggcgtcg gaaatgatct gg  
               
               
                 #ctgaatcc   3193  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtggtggcac cgagaccaaa ctcattcacc aaatgatgcc acttcccaga gg  
               
               
                 #cagagcct   3253  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gagtcaccgg tcacccttaa tatttattaa gtgcctgaga cacccggtta cc  
               
               
                 #ttggccgt   3313  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gaggacacgt ggcctgcacc caggtgtggc tgtcaggaca ccagcctggt gc  
               
               
                 #ccatcctc   3373  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ccgaccccta cccacttcca ttcccgtggt ctccttgcac tttctcagtt ca  
               
               
                 #gagttgta   3433  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cactgtgtac atttggcatt tgtgttatta ttttgcactg ttttctgtcg tg  
               
               
                 #tgtgttgg   3493  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gatgggatcc caggccaggg aaagcccgtg tcaatgaatg ccggggacag ag  
               
               
                 #aggggcag   3553  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gttgaccggg acttcaaagc cgtgatcgtg aatatcgaga actgccattg tc  
               
               
                 #gtctttat   3613  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtccgcccac ctagtgcttc cacttctatg caaatgcctc caagccattc ac  
               
               
                 #ttccccaa   3673  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tcttgtcgtt gatgggtatg tgtttaaaac atgcacggtg aggccgggcg ca  
               
               
                 #gtggcctc   3733  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 acgcctgtaa tcccagcact ttgggaggcc gaggcgggtg gatcatgagg tc  
               
               
                 #aggagatc   3793  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gagaccatcc tggctaacaa ggtgaaaccc cgtctctact aaaaatacaa aa  
               
               
                 #aattagcc   3853  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gggcgcggtg gtgggcacct gtagtcccag ctactcggga ggctgaggca gg  
               
               
                 #agaatggt   3913  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtgaacccgg gaagcggagc ttgcagtgag ccgagattgc gccactgcag tc  
               
               
                 #cgcagtct   3973  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggcctgggcg acagagcgag actccgtctc aaaaaaaaca aaacaaaaaa aa  
               
               
                 #accatgca   4033  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tggtgcatca gcagcccatg gcctctggcc aggcatggcg aggctgaggt gg  
               
               
                 #gaggatgg   4093  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tttgagctca ggcatttgag gctgtcgtga gctatgatta tgccactgct tt  
               
               
                 #ccagcctg   4153  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ggcaacatag taagacccca tctcttaaaa aatgaatttg gccagacaca gg  
               
               
                 #tgcctcac   4213  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gcctgtaatc ccagcacttt gggaggctga gctggatcac ttgagttcag ga  
               
               
                 #gttggaga   4273  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ccaggcctga gcaacaaagc gagatcccat ctctacaaaa accaaaaagt ta  
               
               
                 #aaaatcag   4333  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ctgggtatgg tggcacgtgc ctgtgatccc agctacttgg gaggctgagg ca  
               
               
                 #ggaggatc   4393  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gcctgagccc aggaggtgga ggttgcagtg agccatgatc gagccactgc ac  
               
               
                 #tccagcct   4453  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gggcaacaga tgaagaccct atttcagaaa tacaactata aaaaaaataa at  
               
               
                 #aaatcctc   4513  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 cagtctggat cgtttgacgg gacttcaggt tctttctgaa atcgccgtgt ta  
               
               
                 #ctgttgca   4573  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ctgatgtccg gagagacagt gacagcctcc gtcagactcc cgcgtgaaga tg  
               
               
                 #tcacaagg   4633  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gattggcaat tgtccccagg gacaaaacac tgtgtccccc ccagtgcagg ga  
               
               
                 #accgtgat   4693  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 aagcctttct ggtttcggag cacgtaaatg cgtccctgta cagatagtgg gg  
               
               
                 #attttttg   4753  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ttatgtttgc actttgtata ttggttgaaa ctgttatcac ttatatatat at  
               
               
                 #atacacac   4813  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 atatatataa aatctattta tttttgcaaa ccctggttgc tgtatttgtt ca  
               
               
                 #gtgactat   4873  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tctcggggcc ctgtgtaggg ggttattgcc tctgaaatgc ctcttcttta tg  
               
               
                 #tacaaaga   4933  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ttatttgcac gaactggact gtgtgcaacg ctttttggga gaatgatgtc cc  
               
               
                 #cgttgtat   4993  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 gtatgagtgg cttctgggag atgggtgtca ctttttaaac cactgtatag aa  
               
               
                 #ggtttttg   5053  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 tagcctgaat gtcttactgt gatcaattaa atttcttaaa tg     
               
               
                 #                   
               
               
                 #5095  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 4  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 860  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 4  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Met Gly Pro Trp Gly Trp Lys Leu Arg Trp Th  
               
               
                 #r Val Ala Leu Leu Leu  
               
               
                 1               5    
               
               
                 #                10   
               
               
                 #                15  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ala Ala Ala Gly Thr Ala Val Gly Asp Arg Cy  
               
               
                 #s Glu Arg Asn Glu Phe  
               
               
                             20       
               
               
                 #            25       
               
               
                 #            30  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gln Cys Gln Asp Gly Lys Cys Ile Ser Tyr Ly  
               
               
                 #s Trp Val Cys Asp Gly  
               
               
                         35           
               
               
                 #        40           
               
               
                 #        45  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Ala Glu Cys Gln Asp Gly Ser Asp Glu Se  
               
               
                 #r Gln Glu Thr Cys Leu  
               
               
                     50               
               
               
                 #    55               
               
               
                 #    60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Val Thr Cys Lys Ser Gly Asp Phe Ser Cy  
               
               
                 #s Gly Gly Arg Val Asn  
               
               
                 65                   
               
               
                 #70                   
               
               
                 #75                   
               
               
                 #80  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Arg Cys Ile Pro Gln Phe Trp Arg Cys Asp Gl  
               
               
                 #y Gln Val Asp Cys Asp  
               
               
                                 85   
               
               
                 #                90   
               
               
                 #                95  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asn Gly Ser Asp Glu Gln Gly Cys Pro Pro Ly  
               
               
                 #s Thr Cys Ser Gln Asp  
               
               
                             100       
               
               
                 #           105       
               
               
                 #           110  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Glu Phe Arg Cys His Asp Gly Lys Cys Ile Se  
               
               
                 #r Arg Gln Phe Val Cys  
               
               
                         115           
               
               
                 #       120           
               
               
                 #       125  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Ser Asp Arg Asp Cys Leu Asp Gly Ser As  
               
               
                 #p Glu Ala Ser Cys Pro  
               
               
                     130               
               
               
                 #   135               
               
               
                 #   140  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Val Leu Thr Cys Gly Pro Ala Ser Phe Gln Cy  
               
               
                 #s Asn Ser Ser Thr Cys  
               
               
                 145                 1  
               
               
                 #50                 1  
               
               
                 #55                 1  
               
               
                 #60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ile Pro Gln Leu Trp Ala Cys Asp Asn Asp Pr  
               
               
                 #o Asp Cys Glu Asp Gly  
               
               
                                 165   
               
               
                 #               170   
               
               
                 #               175  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Asp Glu Trp Pro Gln Arg Cys Arg Gly Le  
               
               
                 #u Tyr Val Phe Gln Gly  
               
               
                             180       
               
               
                 #           185       
               
               
                 #           190  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Ser Ser Pro Cys Ser Ala Phe Glu Phe Hi  
               
               
                 #s Cys Leu Ser Gly Glu  
               
               
                         195           
               
               
                 #       200           
               
               
                 #       205  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Cys Ile His Ser Ser Trp Arg Cys Asp Gly Gl  
               
               
                 #y Pro Asp Cys Lys Asp  
               
               
                     210               
               
               
                 #   215               
               
               
                 #   220  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Lys Ser Asp Glu Glu Asn Cys Ala Val Ala Th  
               
               
                 #r Cys Arg Pro Asp Glu  
               
               
                 225                 2  
               
               
                 #30                 2  
               
               
                 #35                 2  
               
               
                 #40  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Phe Gln Cys Ser Asp Gly Asn Cys Ile His Gl  
               
               
                 #y Ser Arg Gln Cys Asp  
               
               
                                 245   
               
               
                 #               250   
               
               
                 #               255  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Arg Glu Tyr Asp Cys Lys Asp Met Ser Asp Gl  
               
               
                 #u Val Gly Cys Val Asn  
               
               
                             260       
               
               
                 #           265       
               
               
                 #           270  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Val Thr Leu Cys Glu Gly Pro Asn Lys Phe Ly  
               
               
                 #s Cys His Ser Gly Glu  
               
               
                         275           
               
               
                 #       280           
               
               
                 #       285  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Cys Ile Thr Leu Asp Lys Val Cys Asn Met Al  
               
               
                 #a Arg Asp Cys Arg Asp  
               
               
                     290               
               
               
                 #   295               
               
               
                 #   300  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Trp Ser Asp Glu Pro Ile Lys Glu Cys Gly Th  
               
               
                 #r Asn Glu Cys Leu Asp  
               
               
                 305                 3  
               
               
                 #10                 3  
               
               
                 #15                 3  
               
               
                 #20  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asn Asn Gly Gly Cys Ser His Val Cys Asn As  
               
               
                 #p Leu Lys Ile Gly Tyr  
               
               
                                 325   
               
               
                 #               330   
               
               
                 #               335  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Glu Cys Leu Cys Pro Asp Gly Phe Gln Leu Va  
               
               
                 #l Ala Gln Arg Arg Cys  
               
               
                             340       
               
               
                 #           345       
               
               
                 #           350  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Glu Asp Ile Asp Glu Cys Gln Asp Pro Asp Th  
               
               
                 #r Cys Ser Gln Leu Cys  
               
               
                         355           
               
               
                 #       360           
               
               
                 #       365  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Val Asn Leu Glu Gly Gly Tyr Lys Cys Gln Cy  
               
               
                 #s Glu Glu Gly Phe Gln  
               
               
                     370               
               
               
                 #   375               
               
               
                 #   380  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Leu Asp Pro His Thr Lys Ala Cys Lys Ala Va  
               
               
                 #l Gly Ser Ile Ala Tyr  
               
               
                 385                 3  
               
               
                 #90                 3  
               
               
                 #95                 4  
               
               
                 #00  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Leu Phe Phe Thr Asn Arg His Glu Val Arg Ly  
               
               
                 #s Met Thr Leu Asp Arg  
               
               
                                 405   
               
               
                 #               410   
               
               
                 #               415  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Glu Tyr Thr Ser Leu Ile Pro Asn Leu Ar  
               
               
                 #g Asn Val Val Ala Leu  
               
               
                             420       
               
               
                 #           425       
               
               
                 #           430  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Thr Glu Val Ala Ser Asn Arg Ile Tyr Tr  
               
               
                 #p Ser Asp Leu Ser Gln  
               
               
                         435           
               
               
                 #       440           
               
               
                 #       445  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Arg Met Ile Cys Ser Thr Gln Leu Asp Arg Al  
               
               
                 #a His Gly Val Ser Ser  
               
               
                     450               
               
               
                 #   455               
               
               
                 #   460  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Tyr Asp Thr Val Ile Ser Arg Asp Ile Gln Al  
               
               
                 #a Pro Asp Gly Leu Ala  
               
               
                 465                 4  
               
               
                 #70                 4  
               
               
                 #75                 4  
               
               
                 #80  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Val Asp Trp Ile His Ser Asn Ile Tyr Trp Th  
               
               
                 #r Asp Ser Val Leu Gly  
               
               
                                 485   
               
               
                 #               490   
               
               
                 #               495  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Thr Val Ser Val Ala Asp Thr Lys Gly Val Ly  
               
               
                 #s Arg Lys Thr Leu Phe  
               
               
                             500       
               
               
                 #           505       
               
               
                 #           510  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Arg Glu Asn Gly Ser Lys Pro Arg Ala Ile Va  
               
               
                 #l Val Asp Pro Val His  
               
               
                         515           
               
               
                 #       520           
               
               
                 #       525  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gly Phe Met Tyr Trp Thr Asp Trp Gly Thr Pr  
               
               
                 #o Ala Lys Ile Lys Lys  
               
               
                     530               
               
               
                 #   535               
               
               
                 #   540  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gly Gly Leu Asn Gly Val Asp Ile Tyr Ser Le  
               
               
                 #u Val Thr Glu Asn Ile  
               
               
                 545                 5  
               
               
                 #50                 5  
               
               
                 #55                 5  
               
               
                 #60  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gln Trp Pro Asn Gly Ile Thr Leu Asp Leu Le  
               
               
                 #u Ser Gly Arg Leu Tyr  
               
               
                                 565   
               
               
                 #               570   
               
               
                 #               575  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Trp Val Asp Ser Lys Leu His Ser Ile Ser Se  
               
               
                 #r Ile Asp Val Asn Gly  
               
               
                             580       
               
               
                 #           585       
               
               
                 #           590  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Gly Asn Arg Lys Thr Ile Leu Glu Asp Glu Ly  
               
               
                 #s Arg Leu Ala His Pro  
               
               
                         595           
               
               
                 #       600           
               
               
                 #       605  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Phe Ser Leu Ala Val Phe Glu Asp Lys Val Ph  
               
               
                 #e Trp Thr Asp Ile Ile  
               
               
                     610               
               
               
                 #   615               
               
               
                 #   620  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asn Glu Ala Ile Phe Ser Ala Asn Arg Leu Th  
               
               
                 #r Gly Ser Asp Val Asn  
               
               
                 625                 6  
               
               
                 #30                 6  
               
               
                 #35                 6  
               
               
                 #40  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Leu Leu Ala Glu Asn Leu Leu Ser Pro Glu As  
               
               
                 #p Met Val Leu Phe His  
               
               
                                 645   
               
               
                 #               650   
               
               
                 #               655  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asn Leu Thr Gln Pro Arg Gly Val Asn Trp Cy  
               
               
                 #s Glu Arg Thr Thr Leu  
               
               
                             660       
               
               
                 #           665       
               
               
                 #           670  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Asn Gly Gly Cys Gln Tyr Leu Cys Leu Pr  
               
               
                 #o Ala Pro Gln Ile Asn  
               
               
                         675           
               
               
                 #       680           
               
               
                 #       685  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Pro His Ser Pro Lys Phe Thr Cys Ala Cys Pr  
               
               
                 #o Asp Gly Met Leu Leu  
               
               
                     690               
               
               
                 #   695               
               
               
                 #   700  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ala Arg Asp Met Arg Ser Cys Leu Thr Glu Al  
               
               
                 #a Glu Ala Ala Val Ala  
               
               
                 705                 7  
               
               
                 #10                 7  
               
               
                 #15                 7  
               
               
                 #20  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Thr Gln Glu Thr Ser Thr Val Arg Leu Lys Va  
               
               
                 #l Ser Ser Thr Ala Val  
               
               
                                 725   
               
               
                 #               730   
               
               
                 #               735  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Arg Thr Gln His Thr Thr Thr Arg Pro Val Pr  
               
               
                 #o Asp Thr Ser Arg Leu  
               
               
                             740       
               
               
                 #           745       
               
               
                 #           750  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Pro Gly Ala Thr Pro Gly Leu Thr Thr Val Gl  
               
               
                 #u Ile Val Thr Met Ser  
               
               
                         755           
               
               
                 #       760           
               
               
                 #       765  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 His Gln Ala Leu Gly Asp Val Ala Gly Arg Gl  
               
               
                 #y Asn Glu Lys Lys Pro  
               
               
                     770               
               
               
                 #   775               
               
               
                 #   780  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Ser Val Arg Ala Leu Ser Ile Val Leu Pr  
               
               
                 #o Ile Val Leu Leu Val  
               
               
                 785                 7  
               
               
                 #90                 7  
               
               
                 #95                 8  
               
               
                 #00  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Phe Leu Cys Leu Gly Val Phe Leu Leu Trp Ly  
               
               
                 #s Asn Trp Arg Leu Lys  
               
               
                                 805   
               
               
                 #               810   
               
               
                 #               815  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asn Ile Asn Ser Ile Asn Phe Asp Asn Pro Va  
               
               
                 #l Tyr Gln Lys Thr Thr  
               
               
                             820       
               
               
                 #           825       
               
               
                 #           830  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Glu Asp Glu Val His Ile Cys His Asn Gln As  
               
               
                 #p Gly Tyr Ser Tyr Pro  
               
               
                         835           
               
               
                 #       840           
               
               
                 #       845  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Ser Arg Gln Met Val Ser Leu Glu Asp Asp Va  
               
               
                 #l Ala  
               
               
                     850               
               
               
                 #   855               
               
               
                 #   860  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 5  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 16  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                 &lt;220&gt; FEATURE:  
               
               
                 &lt;221&gt; NAME/KEY: misc_feature  
               
               
                 &lt;223&gt; OTHER INFORMATION: Xaa at positions 3, 10  
               
               
                 # and 15 is unknown  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 5  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Arg Xaa Glu Arg Asn Glu Phe Gln Xaa Gl  
               
               
                 #n Asp Gly Lys Xaa Ile  
               
               
                 1               5    
               
               
                 #                10   
               
               
                 #                15  
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;210&gt; SEQ ID NO 6  
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; LENGTH: 16  
               
               
                 &lt;212&gt; TYPE: PRT  
               
               
                 &lt;213&gt; ORGANISM: Homo sapiens  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;400&gt; SEQUENCE: 6  
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Asp Arg Cys Glu Arg Asn Glu Phe Gln Cys Gl  
               
               
                 #n Asp Gly Lys Cys Ile  
               
               
                 1               5    
               
               
                 #                10   
               
               
                 #                15