Identification and characterization of novel pneumococcal choline binding protein, CbpG, and diagnostic and therapeutic uses thereof

An isolated streptococcal CbpG choline binding polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is homologous to the choline binding sequence set out as SEQ ID NO:

• 9.

An isolated streptococcal CbpG choline binding polypeptide variant wherein one or more amino acids set out as SEQ ID NO:

• 2 is substituted by a conserved amino acid.

An isolated streptococcal CbpG choline binding polypeptide comprising an immunogenic fragment of the amino acid sequence set out as SEQ ID NO:

• 2 or SEQ ID NO:
• 11.

An isolated streptococcal N-terminal CbpG truncate polypeptide variant comprising a contiguous amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO:

• 11 wherein one or more amino acids of the truncate polypeptide is substituted by a conserved amino acid.

An isolated streptococcal N-terminal CbpG truncate polypeptide variant comprising amino acids 1 through 90 of SEQ ID NO:

• 2 wherein one or more amino acids of the truncate polypeptide is substituted by a conserved amino acid.

An isolated streptococcal N-terminal CbpG polypeptide which comprises a fragment of SEQ ID NO:

• 2 wherein the polypeptide inhibits attachment of S. pneumoniae to nasopharyngeal or pulmonary mucosal cells.

An isolated streptococcal N-terminal CbpG polypeptide derivative comprising the amino acid set out as SEQ ID NO:

• 2 or SEQ ID NO:
• 11 and at least one chemical moiety selected from a water soluble polymer or polyethylene glycol attached to the polypeptide.

A purified antibody to a streptococcal choline binding polypeptide CbpG.

30 A unicellular host transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule of claim 29.

A method for treating infection with a bacterium that expresses a streptococcal choline binding polypeptide comprising administering pulmonarily an adhesion inhibitory agent wherein said agent is a choline binding polypeptide CbpG or fragment thereof.