Novel Carboxylesterase Nucleic Acid Molecules, Proteins and Uses Thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to arthropod esterase proteins; to arthropod esterase nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such esterase proteins; to antibodies raised against such esterase proteins; and to other compounds that inhibit arthropod esterase activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from hematophagous arthropod infestation.

1 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of: (a) a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein at least 95% identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:74; and (b) an isolated nucleic acid molecule fully complementary to a nucleic acid molecule of (a). 
     
     
         61 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 60 , wherein said encoded protein has esterase activity. 
     
     
         62 . A recombinant molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in  claim 60  operatively linked to a transcription control sequence. 
     
     
         63 . A recombinant virus comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in  claim 60 . 
     
     
         64 . A recombinant cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule as set forth in  claim 60 . 
     
     
         65 . A method to produce a carboxylesterase protein, said method comprising culturing a cell capable of expressing said protein, said protein being encoded by a nucleic acid molecule of  claim 60 , part (a). 
     
     
         66 . An isolated protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:74. 
     
     
         67 . The isolated protein of  claim 66 , wherein said isolated protein has carboxylesterase activity. 
     
     
         68 . The protein of  claim 66 , wherein said protein, when administered to an animal, elicits an immune response against a carboxylesterase protein. 
     
     
         69 . A method to identify a compound capable of inhibiting flea carboxylesterase activity, said method comprising:
 (a) contacting a protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:74. with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has carboxylesterase activity; and   (b) determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity.