Unique associated kaposi's sarcoma virus sequences and uses thereof

Abstract

This invention provides an isolated peptide encoded by a nucleic acid which is at least 30 nucleotides in length and has a sequence which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposis' sarcoma, which herpesvirus is present in and recoverable from the HBL-6 cell line (ATCC Accession No. CRL 11762).

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . An antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to an isolated nucleic acid which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and which comprises at least 30 nucleotides of a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15. 
     
     
         44 . The antisense molecule of  claim 43 , wherein the molecule is a DNA. 
     
     
         45 . The antisense molecule of  claim 43 , wherein the molecule is a RNA. 
     
     
         46 . A triplex oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing with a double stranded isolated nucleic acid which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and which comprises at least 30 nucleotides of a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15. 
     
     
         47 . A transgenic nonhuman mammal which comprises at least a portion of an isolated nucleic acid which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and which comprises at least 30 nucleotides of a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15, introduced into the mammal at an embryonic stage. 
     
     
         48 . An antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to an isolated nucleic acid which is at least 30 nucleotides in length and has a sequence which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, which herpesvirus is present in and recoverable from the HBL-6 cell line (ATCC Accession No. CRL 11762). 
     
     
         49 . The antisense molecule of  claim 48 , wherein the molecule is a DNA. 
     
     
         50 . The antisense molecule of  claim 48 , wherein the molecule is a RNA. 
     
     
         51 . A triplex oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing with a double isolated nucleic acid which is at least 30 nucleotides in length and has a sequence which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, which herpesvirus is present in and recoverable from the HBL-6 cell line (ATCC Accession No. CRL 11762). 
     
     
         52 . A transgenic nonhuman mammal which comprises at least a portion of an isolated nucleic acid which is at least 30 nucleotides in length and has a sequence which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, which herpesvirus is present in and recoverable from the HBL-6 cell line (ATCC Accession No. CRL 11762) introduced into the mammal at an embryonic stage. 
     
     
         53 . A method of prophylaxis or treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) by administering to a subject at risk for KS, an antibody that binds to an isolated DNA virus associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma wherein the viral DNA: (a) encodes a thymidine kinase; and (b) hybridizes under conditions of high stringency with a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         54 . A method of immunizing a subject against a disease caused by the herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma which comprises administering to the subject an effective immunizing dose of the vaccine of an associated herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma comprising an isolated nucleic acid which uniquely defines a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and which comprises at least 30 nucleotides of a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15. 
     
     
         55 . A method for preventing the development or transmission of herpesvirus associated Kaposi's sarcoma in a subject by treating a subject with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) comprising administering to the subject having a human herpesvirus-associated KS a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antiviral agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the agent is effective to prevent the development or transmission of an isolated DNA virus associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma wherein the viral DNA: (a) encodes a thymidine kinase; and (b) hybridizes under conditions of high stringency with a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos: 1-15. 
     
     
         56 . An isolated Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) glycoprotein H (gH) polypeptide. 
     
     
         57 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 56 , wherein the polypeptide is linked to a second polypeptide to form a fusion protein. 
     
     
         58 . The fusion protein of  claim 57 , wherein the second polypeptide is beta-galactosidase. 
     
     
         59 . An antibody which specifically binds to the polypeptide of  claim 56 . 
     
     
         60 . The antibody of  claim 59 , wherein the antibody is polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         61 . The antibody of  claim 59 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         62 . An antisense molecule capable of hybridizing to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) glycoprotein H (gH). 
     
     
         63 . The antisense molecule of  claim 62 , wherein the molecule is a nucleic acid derivative. 
     
     
         64 . The antisense molecule of  claim 62 , wherein the molecule is an RNA derivative. 
     
     
         65 . A triplex oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing with an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) glycoprotein H (gH). 
     
     
         66 . A peptide conjugated to a carrier protein wherein the peptide is encoded by at least 30 nucleotides and has a sequence which is encoded by, and uniquely defines, Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), (deposited in BHL-6 cells under ATCC Accession No. 11762), wherein the sequence of the peptide is present within the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 or 35.