| abstract |
(57) Abstract The present invention identifies a novel EDG-2 receptor homolog (hedg) expressed in human rheumatoid synovium and provides a nucleic acid and amino acid sequence encoding the same. The invention also provides probes for the detection of nucleotide sequences encoding HEDG or HEDG-like molecules, antisense molecules to nucleotide sequences encoding HEDG, diagnostic tests based on nucleic acid molecules encoding HEDG, for the production of purified HEDG. The present invention also provides an expression vector and a host cell which have been subjected to the genetic engineering treatment described above, an antibody capable of specifically binding to HEDG, and an antagonist and an inhibitor having a specific binding activity to the polypeptide HEDG. |