Novel compounds

Abstract

The invention provides BASB047, BASB054, BASB068 and BASB069 polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding BASB047, BASB054, BASB068 and BASB069 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 SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, and SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid sequence has at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, and SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1  comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, and SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         5 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an immunogenic fragment of the polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein the immunogenic activity of said immunogenic fragment is substantially the same as that of the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that has at least 85% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, or 8 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, or 8, respectively; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide. 
     
     
         7 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 6  comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that has at least 95% identity to a the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6 or 8 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:2. 4, 6, or 8. respectively; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide. 
     
     
         8 . An isolated polynucleotide which comprises a nucleotide sequence which has at least 85% identity to the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, or 7 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, or 7, respectively; or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide. 
     
     
         9 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 8 , wherein the nucleotide sequence has at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, or 7. 
     
     
         10 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 6  comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         11 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 8  comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:7. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An expression vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide according to either  claim 6  or  claim 8 . 
     
     
         14 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the host cell of  claim 14  under conditions sufficient for the production of the polypeptide, and recovering the polypeptide from the culture medium. 
     
     
         16 . A process for expressing the polynucleotide of either  claim 6  or  claim 8 , said process comprising transforming a host cell with an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide and culturing the host cell under conditions sufficient for expression of the polynucleotide. 
     
     
         17 . A vaccine composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the polypeptide of either  claim 1  or  claim 5  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         18 . A vaccine composition comprising an effective amount of the polynucleotide of either  claim 6  or  claim 8  and a pharmaceutically effective carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The vaccine composition according to  claim 17 , wherein said composition comprises at least one other  Neisseria meningitidis  antigen. 
     
     
         20 . An antibody immunospecific for the polypeptide of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         21 . A method of diagnosing a  Neisseria meningitidis  infection, comprising identifying the polypeptide of  claim 1 , or an antibody that is immunospecific for said polypeptide, present within a biological sample from an animal suspected of having a  Neisseria meningitidis  infection. 
     
     
         22 . A method for generating an immune response in an animal, comprising administering to the animal an immunologically effective amount of the polypeptide of either  claim 1  or  claim 5 . 
     
     
         23 . A method for generating an immune response in an animal, comprising administering a composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the polynucleotide as claimed in either  claim 6  or  claim 8 . 
     
     
         24 . A therapeutic composition comprising at least one antibody directed against the polypeptide of  claim 4 , and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.