Appeal No. 2005-1422 Page 11
Application No. 09/997,522
The same is true of the polynucleotide of claim 12. Appellants define
polynucleotide variants as “recombinant nucleotide variants,” not naturally
occurring human variants. See specification, page 7,
“[r]ecombinant nucleotide variants” encoding T7Gs may be
synthesized or selected by making use of the “redundancy” in the
genetic code. Various codon substitutions, such as the silent
changes which produce specific restriction sites, may be introduced
to optimize cloning into a plasmid or viral vector or to increase
expression in a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic system. Codon
usage-specific mutations may also be introduced or chimeras
containing the domains of related peptides added to test or modify
the properties of any part of the polypeptide, particularly to change
ligand-binding affinities, interchain affinities, or degradation/turnover
rate.
We note with interest that appellants’ definition of “recombinant nucleotide
variants” defines the variants as encoding “T7Gs.” According to appellants’
specification (page 1), “[t]he thrombin receptor[ ]5 is a G-protein coupled seven
transmembrane receptor (T7G) which is present on platelets, endothelial cells,
fibroblasts, mesangial cells, neural cells and smooth muscle cells.” G-protein
coupled seven transmembrane receptors (T7Gs), however, encompass more
than the thrombin receptor.6 According to appellants’ specification (page 2),
The thrombin receptor is classified with the nonneurokinin
T7G receptors which include many glycoprotein hormone receptors
such as those for luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH). They have very long N-termini, bind a common
ligand structural motif with low affinity to activate the receptor, and
rely on the N-termini and extracellular loops to impart high affinity
and specificity….
5 According to appellants’ specification (page 4), SEQ ID NO: 1 as set forth in claim 12 “encodes
a novel human thrombin receptor homolog (TRH).”
6 According to appellants (Brief, page 11), “T7G proteins as a class are well known as proteins
which transmit signals across plasma membranes in response to specific stimuli.”
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