P. gingivalis polynucleotides and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to isolated Porphorymonas gingivalis polynucleotides. The polynucleotides comprises a contiguous sequence of at least 20 nucleotides which is identical to a contiguous sequence of at least 20 nucleotides within a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.

1 . An isolated polynucleotide of at least 20 nucleotides, the polynucleotide comprising a contiguous sequence of at least 20 nucleotides which is identical to a contiguous sequence of at least 20 nucleotides within a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NQ. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 1  in which the polynucleotide is at least 30 nucleotides.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 2  in which the polynucleotide is at least 50 nucleotides.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 3  in which the polynucleotide is at least 100 nucleotides.  
     
     
         5 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 2  in which the polynucleotide comprises a contiguous sequence of at least 30 nucleotides which is identical to a contiguous sequence of at least 30 nucleotides within a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.  
     
     
         6 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 3  in which the polynucleotide comprises a contiguous sequence of at least 50 nucleotides which is identical to a contiguous sequence of at least 50 nucleotides within a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.  
     
     
         7 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 4  in which the polynucleotide comprises a contiguous sequence of at least 100 nucleotides which is identical to a contiguous sequence of at least 100 nucleotides within a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.  
     
     
         8 . An isolated polynucleotide, the polynucleotide comprising at least 20 nucleotides, the polynucleotide having a sequence which hybridises under stringent conditions to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 to SEQ. ID. NO. 1120 and sequences complementary thereto.  
     
     
         9 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 8  in which the polynucleotide is at least 30 nucleotides.  
     
     
         10 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 9  in which the polynucleotide is at least 50 nucleotides.  
     
     
         11 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 10  in which the polynucleotide is at least 100 nucleotides.  
     
     
         12 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 1  in which the polynucleotide further comprises a detectable label.  
     
     
         13 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 8  in which the polynucleotide further comprises a detectable label.  
     
     
         14 . A method for detecting the presence of P gingivalis nucleic acid in a sample comprising: 
 (a) contacting a sample with the polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 1  under conditions in which a hybrid can form between the polynucleotide and a  P. gingivalis  nucleic acid in the sample; and    (b) detecting the hybrid formed in step (a), wherein detection of a hybrid indicates the presence of a  P. gingivalis  nucleic acid in the sample.    
     
     
         15 . A method for detecting the presence of  P. gingivalis  nucleic acid in a sample comprising: 
 (a) contacting a sample with the polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 8  under conditions in which a hybrid can form between the polynucleotide and a  P. gingivalis  nucleic acid in the sample; and    (b) detecting the hybrid formed in step (a), wherein detection of a hybrid indicates the presence of a  P. gingivalis  nucleic acid in the sample.    
     
     
         16 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 1  in which the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         17 . A recombinant expression vector comprising the DNA as claimed in  claim 14  operably linked to a transcription regulatory element.  
     
     
         18 . A cell comprising the recombinant expression vector as claimed in  claim 15 .  
     
     
         19 . An isolated polynucleotide as claimed in  claim 8  in which the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         20 . A recombinant expression vector comprising the DNA as claimed in  claim 17  operably linked to a transcription regulatory element.  
     
     
         21 . A cell comprising the recombinant expression vector as claimed in  claim 18 .  
     
     
         22 . A method for producing a  P. gingivalis  polypeptide comprising culturing the cell as claimed in  claim 19  under conditions that permit expression of the polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide.  
     
     
         23 . A composition for use in raising an immune response directed against  P. gingivalis  in a subject, the composition comprising an effective amount of at least one DNA molecule as claimed in  claim 14  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         24 . A composition for use in raising an immune response directed against  P. gingivalis  in a subject, the composition comprising an effective amount of at least one DNA molecule as claimed in  claim 17  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         25 . A composition as claimed in  claim 21  in which the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is an adjuvant.