| abstract |
The present invention provides a polynucleotide which identifies and encodes a novel cysteine protease (NCP) expressed in cells of both the adrenal gland and human umbilical vein endothelium. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules designed from the nucleotide sequence or its complement. The invention further provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells for the production of purified NCP, antibodies or other molecules specifically binding to NCP and pharmaceutical compositions based on molecules which bind NCP. The invention specifically provides for diagnostic assays based on altered ncp expression and which allow identification of such a condition. These assays utilize probes designed from NCP encoding nucleic acid sequences or antibodies specifically binding NCP. |