Down syndrome critical region 1-like protein

Abstract

The invention provides a Down syndrome critical region 1-like 1 protein, its encoding cDNAs, and antibodies that specifically bind the protein. The invention also provides for the use of these compositions in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and evaluation of progression and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 614,474 filed Jul. 11, 2000.[0002] This invention relates to Down syndrome critical region 1-like 1 protein, its encoding cDNA, and an antibody that specifically bind the protein and their use in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and evaluation of the progression and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular, Alzheimer's disease.[0003] Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles containing amyloid beta peptide. These plaques are found in limbic and association cortices of the brain, including hippocampus, temporal cortices, cingulate cortex, amygdala, nucleus basalis and locus caeruleus. Early in Alzheimer's pathology, physiological changes are visible in the cingulate cortex (Minoshima et al. (1997) Annals of Neurology 42:85-94). In subjects with advanced Alzheimer's disease, accumulating p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0085] Hybridization probes are also useful in mapping the naturally occurring genomic sequence. The probes may be hybridized to a particular chromosome, a specific region of a chromosome, or an artificial chromosome c

Problems solved by technology

In subjects with advanced Alzheimer's disease, accumulating plaques damage the neuronal architecture in limbic areas and eventually cripple the memory process.

Inheritance of some gene polymorphisms is also linked to increased risk of developing the disease.

For example, a polymorphism in the gene encoding .beta.2-macroglobulin, a protein that can act as a protease inhibitor, is associated with increased risk for developing a late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease.

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