Patent Document ID: 5565331
Application ID: 08152019
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a vertebrate netrin polypeptide wherein said nucleic acid (a) encodes a vertebrate nettin polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26, SEQ ID NO: 27, and SEQ ID NO: 40, (b) is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 42, and SEQ ID NO: 43, or (c) hybridizes under low stringency conditions to a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 41, SEQ ID NO: 42, and SEQ ID NO: 43 and wherein the encoded nettin either selectively increases spinal axon outgrowth or directs spinal outgrowth orientation and wherein the encoded nettin is a naturally occurring vertebrate homolog of the nettin polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 26, 27, or 40.