Novel compounds

Abstract

The invention provides RF-1 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding RF-1 polypetides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing RF-1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2;    (b) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotide of (a);    (c) a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to a polynucleotide encoding the same mature polypeptide expressed by the RF-1 gene contained in the Streptococcus pneumoniae of the deposited strain; and    (d) a polynucleotide comprising at least 15 sequential bases of the polynucleotide of (a), (b) or (c).    
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA.  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  comprising the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  comprising nucleotide 1 to 1077 set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         7 . A vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . A host cell comprising the vector of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         9 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: expressing from the host cell of  claim 8  a polypeptide encoded by said DNA.  
     
     
         10 . A process for producing a RF-1 polypeptide or fragment comprising culturing a host of  claim 8  under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide or fragment.  
     
     
         11 . A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         12 . A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         13 . An antibody against the polypeptide of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         14 . An antagonist which inhibits the activity or expression of the polypeptide of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         15 . A method for the treatment of an individual in need of RF-1 polypeptide comprising: administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         16 . A method for the treatment of an individual having need to inhibit RF-1 polypeptide comprising: administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the antagonist of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         17 . A process for diagnosing a disease related to expression or activity of the polypeptide of  claim 11  in an individual comprising: 
 (a) determining a nucleic acid sequence encoding said polypeptide, and/or  
 (b) analyzing for the presence or amount of said polypeptide in a sample derived from the individual.  
 
     
     
         18 . A method for identifying compounds which interact with and inhibit or activate an activity of the polypeptide of  claim 11  comprising: 
 contacting a composition comprising the polypeptide with the compound to be screened under conditions to permit interaction between the compound and the polypeptide to assess the interaction of a compound, such interaction being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the interaction of the polypeptide with the compound;  
 and determining whether the compound interacts with and activates or inhibits an activity of the polypetide by detecting the presence or absence of a signal generated from the interaction of the compound with the polypeptide.  
 
     
     
         19 . A method for inducing an immunological response in a mammal which comprises inoculating the mammal with RF-1 polypeptide of  claim 11 , or a fragment or variant thereof, adequate to produce antibody and/or T cell immune response to protect said animal from disease.  
     
     
         20 . A method of inducing immunological response in a mammal which comprises delivering a nucleic acid vector to direct expression of RF-1 polypeptide of  claim 11 , or fragment or a variant thereof, for expressing said RF-1 polypeptide, or a fragment or a variant thereof in vivo in order to induce an immunological response to produce antibody and/or T cell immune response to protect said animal from disease.