Proteins with repetitive bacterial-ig-like (big) domains present in leptospira species

Abstract

The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A kit useful for the detection of:
 BigL1, BigL2, and BigL3 polypeptides or polypeptides with functionally equivalent sequences;   bigL1, bigL2 and bigL3 polynucleotides; or   antibodies that bind to BigL1, BigL2, BigL3, polypeptides or polypeptides with functionally equivalent sequences,   
       wherein the BigL1, BigL2, and BigL3 polypeptides comprise a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 10, or the bigL1, bigL2, and bigL3 polynucleotides comprise a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 10. 
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises a carrier containing one or more containers comprising a first container containing a polynucleotide that hybridizes to the BigL1, BigL2, or BigL3 nucleic acid or functionally equivalent sequences thereof, wherein the BigL1, BigL2, or BigL3 nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 10. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises a carrier containing one or more containers comprising a first container containing BigL1, BigL2 or BigL3 polypeptide or functionally equivalent sequences thereof, wherein the BigL1, BigL2, or BigL3 polypeptide is a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 10.