Modified surface antigen
AssigneeThe University of Queensland
InventorsIan Richard Anselm Peak, Michael Paul Jennings
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.
Claims23
An isolated protein comprising twelve or more contiguous conserved amino acids of an NhhA polypeptide, wherein said isolated protein is not a wild-type NhhA polypeptide.
An isolated protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) residues 1 to 50 of SEQ ID NO:11;
- (ii) residues 109 to 120 of SEQ ID NO:11;
- (iii) residues 135 to198 of SEQ ID NO:11;
- (iv) residues 221 to 239 of SEQ ID NO:11;
- and
- (v) residues 249 to 604 of SEQ ID NO:11.
- wherein said isolated protein is not a wild type NhhA polypeptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.