Proteins

Abstract

Novel proteins from Streptococcus pneumoniae are described, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.

1 . A  Streptococcus pneumoniae  protein or polypeptide having a sequence selected from those shown in Table 1.  
     
     
         2 . A protein or polypeptide as claimed in  claim 1  provided in substantially pure form.  
     
     
         3 . A protein or polypeptide which is substantially identical to that defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . A homologue or derivative of a protein or polypeptide as defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . An antigenic and/or immunogenic fragment of a protein or polypeptide as defined in Tables 1 and 3.  
     
     
         6 . A  Streptococcus pneumoniae  protein which has the N terminal sequence 
 MELVLPNNYVV(D,A)I(L)D(E)E(O)EEMMYLDGG(E) where the bracketed residues represent alternatives to the preceding amino acid, or a fragment or homologue or derivative thereof.    
     
     
         7 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising or consisting of a sequence which is: (i) any of the DNA sequences set out in Tables 1 to 3 or their RNA equivalents; (ii) a sequence which is complementary to any of the sequences of (i); (iii) a sequence which codes for the same protein or polypeptide, as those sequences of (i) or (ii); (iv) a sequence which is substantially identical with any of those of (i), (ii) and (iii); (v) a sequence which codes for a homologue, derivative or fragment of a protein as defined in Table 1.  
     
     
         8 . A method for eliciting an anti-Streptococcal immune response comprising administering an immunogenic and/or antigenic composition, said composition comprising a protein or polypeptide having a sequence selected from those shown in Tables 1 to 3, or homologues, derivatives and/or fragments thereof.  
     
     
         9 . An immunogenic and/or antigenic composition comprising one or more proteins or polypeptides selected from those whose sequences are shown in Tables 1 to 3, or homologues or derivatives thereof, and/or fragments of any of these.  
     
     
         10 . The method of in  claim 8  wherein said composition is administered as a vaccine.  
     
     
         11 . A vaccine as claimed in  claim 10  which comprises one or more additional components selected from excipients, diluents, adjuvants or the like.  
     
     
         12 . A vaccine composition comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences as defined in Tables 1 to 3.  
     
     
         13 . A method for the detection/diagnosis of  S. pneumoniae  which comprises the step of bringing into contact a sample to be tested with at least one protein or polypeptide as defined in Tables 1 to 3, or homologue, derivative or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         14 . An antibody capable of binding to a protein or polypeptide as defined in Tables 1 to 3, or for a homologue, derivative or fragment thereof.  
     
     
         15 . An antibody as defined in  claim 14  which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         16 . A method for the detection/diagnosis of  S. pneumoniae  which comprises the step of bringing into contact a sample to be tested and at least one antibody as defined in  claim 14 .  
     
     
         17 . A method for the detection/diagnosis of  S. pneumoniae  which comprises the step of bringing into contact a sample to be tested with at least one nucleic acid sequence as defined in  claim 7 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of determining whether a protein or polypeptide as defined in Tables 1 to 3 represents a potential anti-microbial target which comprises inactivating said protein or polypeptide and determining whether  S. pneumoniae  is still viable.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a  S. pneumoniae  infection comprising administering a composition which antagonizes, inhibits, or interferes with the function or expression of a protein or polypeptide as defined in Tables 1 to 3.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising detecting said anti-Streptococcal immune response.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition comprises a shuttle vector.