Homer Gene

The present invention is concerned with a novel family of proteins that are present in the mammalian central nervous system. These proteins are particularly characterized by (i) their enhanced expression in mammalian central nervous tissue in response to synaptic activation, and (ii) a novel PDZ-like binding domain. The new protein family is exemplified by a rat protein, termed "Homer" (SEQ ID NO: 2). Other members of the family have a sequence that is substantially identical (e.g., at least 70% or greater sequence identity, and preferably 80% or greater sequence identity) to that of the rat protein, or to the human and mouse members of the family, setments of which are shown herein as SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4. The full length versions of these latter peptides, insofar as they are revealed by the discovery of the full-length sequences described herein, also form part of the present invention. The present invention also include species homologs and/or compositions based on internally consistent variations between SEQ ID NO: 2 and such full length species homologs, as described herein.

Patent (Set) 6,780,600; 733575; 6,294,355; 970119; 970119

Patents:
US 6,780,600

Inventor(s): Worley, Paul F

Type of Offer: Licensing



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