A novel polypeptide exhibiting a growth promoting activity on hematopoietic stem cells; a gene encoding this polypeptide; an antibody reacting specifically with the polypeptide; a process for isolating the above-mentioned gene; and a vector to be used in this process. Thus, the pathologies of various hemopoietic organ diseases caused by abnormalities in hematopoietic cells and bone marrow inhibition can be clarified and, in its turn, these diseases can be diagnosed or treated. Also, it becomes possible to amplify hematopoietic cells in vitro for marrow graft required in treating these diseases or to elevate the gene transfer efficiency into hematopoietic stem cells for gene utilization. Moreover, the above-mentioned process and vector for isolating the SCGF gene are applicable to the clarification of other novel genes and thus contribute to the development of genetic engineering techniques.
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