Proteins expressed by mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by bcg and their use as vaccines

Abstract

The present invention is directed to proteins expressed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by BCG and their use as vaccines.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A vaccine formulation comprising:
 a DNA sequence encoding a full length MTBN8 polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide is not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         36 . The vaccine formulation of  claim 35 , further comprising a second DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis.    
     
     
         37 . The vaccine formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the vaccine is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal, inhalation or subcutaneous administration. 
     
     
         36 . A vaccine formulation comprising:
 a DNA sequence encoding a functional segment of MTBN8 polypeptide, wherein the functional segment is polypeptide is not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         37 . The vaccine formulation of  claim 36 , further comprising a second DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis.    
     
     
         38 . The vaccine formulation of  claim 37 , wherein the vaccine is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal, inhalation or subcutaneous administration. 
     
     
         39 . A method of vaccination comprising:
 administering to a subject a vaccine formulation comprising a DNA sequence encoding a full length MTBN8 polypeptide or a functional segment thereof, wherein the full length MTBN8 polypeptide or functional segment thereof is not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis.      
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the formulation further comprises a second DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide not encoded by the genome of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) strain of  Mycobacterium bovis.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the vaccine is administered to the subject intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intradermally, via inhalation or subcutaneously.