Espfu nucleic acids and proteins and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are EspF U (EspF-like polypeptide encoded by a gene of the cryptic prophage CP-933U of enterohemorrhagic E. coli ) polypeptides, fragments thereof, nucleic acids that encode EspF U polypeptides, or fragments thereof, and cells including the polypeptides, fragments, and/or nucleic acids. Also disclosed are model systems, kits, and methods for screening that use, for example, EspF U polypeptides and nucleic acids. Also included are pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions and methods of diagnosis and treatment of EHEC infections.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A purified antibody that binds to an EspF U  polypeptide. 
     
     
         10 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein the EspF U  polypeptide consists of SEQ ID NO:2 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         12 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         13 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein the EspF U  polypeptide consists of SEQ ID NO:4 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. 
     
     
         23 . A method of treating or inhibiting an enterohemorrhagic  Escherichia coli  (EHEC) infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an isolated antibody that binds to an EspF U  polypeptide or a fragment of an EspF U  polypeptide comprising a C-terminal, 47-residue fragment that binds neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), thereby treating or reducing the EHEC infection in the subject. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the isolated antibody binds to an EspF U  polypeptide consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 or animmunogenic fragment thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the isolated antibody binds to an EspF U  polypeptide consisting of SEQ ID NO:4 or an immunogenic fragment thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a single chain antibody. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is a Fab fragment or F(ab′) 2  fragment. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody inhibits protein-protein interaction between EspF U  and N-WASP. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the fragment of the EspF U  polypeptide inhibits protein-protein interaction between EspF U  and N-WASP. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the fragment of the EspF U  polypeptide consists of SEQ ID NO:4.