ZymoGenetics researchers identify novel Interleukin that plays key role in immune system ...( Results published in Nature de...)

Results published in Nature demonstrate power of integrated genomics approach

Seattle, WA, November 2, 2000 Building on a rapidly growing body of research in the field of immunology, scientists at ZymoGenetics, Inc. have identified the interaction of two proteins that appear to play a key role in the human bodys ability to fight disease. These proteins, designated Interleukin 21 (IL-21) and Interleukin 21 receptor (IL-21R), are members of an important class of naturally-occurring cytokine ligand-receptor pairs that are involved in the growth and activation of red blood cells, white blood cells, antibody-producing cells and other components critical for a strong immune response.

The discovery, reported in todays issue of the journal Nature, demonstrates the power of an integrated genomics approach for therapeutic protein discovery and validation. Researchers at ZymoGenetics employed the companys broad expertise in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, protein engineering and functional cloning to rapidly identify both components of the IL-21 ligand-receptor pair. ZymoGenetics immunologists and stem cell biologists subsequently demonstrated key biological roles of IL-21 and IL-21R in regulating the immune system.

"ZymoGenetics was early to recognize the value of mining the human genome for the discovery of novel therapeutic proteins," said Bruce L. A. Carter, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ZymoGenetics. "In addition to our bioinformatics expertise, our protein discovery engine also combines the power of protein chemistry and functional biology. This paper illustrates the value of such an integrated approach, where our research team was able to identify the IL-21 ligand, and subsequently characterize the previously unknown IL-21/IL-21R interaction as an important component of immune system regulation. Based on these exciting initial results, we are moving forward with advanced biological and precl
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Contact: Sharon Karlsberg
skarlsberg@fkhealth.com
617-761-6767
Feinstein Kean Healthcare
1-Nov-2000