| abstract |
A novel polypeptide with binding affinity for the p185HER2 receptor, designated heregulin- alpha , has been identified and purified from cultured human cells. DNA sequences encoding additional heregulin polypeptides, designated heregulin- alpha , heregulin- beta 1, heregulin- beta 2, heregulin- beta 2-like, and heregulin- beta 3, have been isolated, sequenced and expressed. Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of heregulins useful in the production of heregulins by recombinant means. Further provided are the amino acid sequences of heregulins and purification methods therefor. Heregulins and their antibodies are useful as therapeutic agents and in diagnostic methods. |