abstract |
The present invention relates to a member of a novel gene family referred to as developmentally-regulated endothelial cell locus-1(del-1). In particular, the invention relates to del-1 nucleotidesequences, Del-1 amino acid sequences, methods of expressing a functional gene product, and methods of using the gene and gene product. Structurally, members of this gene family contain three EGF-like domains and two discoidin I/factor VIII-like domains. Since del-1 is expressed in endothelial cells and certain cancer cells, it may be useful as an endothelial cell and tumor marker. In addition, the ability of Del-1 to inhibit vascular formation allows its use as an anti-angiogenic agent. |