Polynucleotides and polypeptides BASB033 from neisseria meningitidis and their uses

Abstract

The invention provides BASB033 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB033 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 85% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1  in which the amino acid sequence has at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         3 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 2  in which the amino acid sequence has at least 99% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         26 . An isolated polynucleotide, at least a portion of which polynucleotide encodes an immunogenic fragment of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of the polypeptide of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 , the immunogenic fragment capable of inducing an antibody or T-cell immune response to a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 when administered within a suitable composition and/or coupled to a suitable carrier. 
     
     
         27 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 26 , in which the immunogenic fragment comprises a sequence of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         28 . An expression vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         29 . An expression vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide of  claim 27 . 
     
     
         30 . A method of preparing a host cell for expression of an immunogenic fragment of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of the polypeptide of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 , the immunogenic fragment capable of inducing an antibody or T-cell immune response to a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 when administered within a suitable composition and/or coupled to a suitable carrier, the method comprising:
 transforming a host cell with the expression vector of  claim 28 .   
     
     
         31 . A method of preparing a host cell for expression of an immunogenic polypeptide comprising at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4, the immunogenic fragment capable of inducing an antibody or T-cell immune response to a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 when administered within a suitable composition and/or coupled to a suitable carrier, the method comprising:
 transforming a host cell with the expression vector of  claim 29 .   
     
     
         32 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 28 , or a subcellular fraction or a membrane of said host cell. 
     
     
         33 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 29 , or a subcellular fraction or a membrane of said host cell. 
     
     
         34 . A method of producing an immunogenic fragment of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of the polypeptide of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 , the immunogenic fragment capable of inducing an antibody or T-cell immune response to a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 when administered within a suitable composition and/or coupled to a suitable carrier, the method comprising:
 culturing a host cell of  claim 32  under conditions sufficient for the production of said immunogenic polypeptide fragment.   
     
     
         35 . A method of producing an immunogenic fragment of at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4, the method comprising:
 culturing a host cell of  claim 33  under conditions sufficient for the production of said immunogenic polypeptide fragment.   
     
     
         36 . An antibody immunospecific for the polypeptide of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 . 
     
     
         37 . A method of diagnosing a  Neisseria meningitidis  infection, the method comprising:
 identifying a polypeptide as claimed in any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25  within a biological sample from an animal suspected of having such an infection.   
     
     
         38 . A method of diagnosing a  Neisseria meningitidis  infection, the method comprising:
 identifying an antibody immunospecific for a polypeptide as claimed in any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25  within a biological sample from an animal suspected of having such an infection.   
     
     
         39 . A method of generating an immune response in an animal that is immunospecific for the polypeptide of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 , the method comprising:
 administering an immunologically effective amount of the polypeptide of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25  to an animal.   
     
     
         40 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide of any one of  claims 1 ,  2 , or  25 .