Human Dickkopf-related protein and nucleic acid molecules and uses therefor

Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.