The present invention provides novel isolated Wnt-7B-like polynucleotides and the membrane-associated or secreted polypeptides encoded by the Wnt-7B-like polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a Wnt-7B-like polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the Wnt-7B-like polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the Wnt-7B-like polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

A invenção atual fornece polynucleotides isolados novela de Wnt-7B-like e os polypeptides membrana-associados ou secreted codificados pelos polynucleotides de Wnt-7B-like. São fornecidos também os antibodies que ligam immunospecifically a um polypeptide de Wnt-7B-like ou todo o derivative, variant, mutant ou fragmento do polypeptide, do polynucleotide ou do antibody de Wnt-7B-like. A invenção fornece adicionalmente os métodos em que o polypeptide, o polynucleotide e o antibody de Wnt-7B-like são utilizados na deteção e no tratamento de uma escala larga de estados pathological, as.well.as a outros usos.