Biologically active compounds and methods of constructing and using the same

A method of constructing a compound capable of preventing a biologically active protein or a pathogen from binding to a receptor which comprises the steps of:

• a) generating an anti-receptor antibody capable of preventing said biologically active protein or said pathogen from binding to said receptor;
• b) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-receptor antibody and said biologically active protein or an antigen of said pathogen;
• and
• c) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said biologically active protein or said antigen of said pathogen.

A method of constructing a compound capable of preventing a pathogen or a biologically active protein from binding to a receptor which comprises the steps of:

• a) generating an antibody specific for said biologically active protein or an antigen of said pathogen, said antibody being capable of preventing said biologically active protein or said pathogen from binding to said receptor;
• b) generating an anti-idiotypic antibody specific for said antibody;
• c) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-idiotypic antibody and said biologically active protein or said antigen;
• and
• d) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-idiotypic antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said biologically active protein or said antigen.

A method of constructing a biologically active compound comprising the steps of:

• a) generating an anti-receptor antibody capable of effecting an activity or function of a cell;
• b) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-receptor antibody and an antigen which binds to said receptor or a biologically active protein which binds to said receptor;
• and
• c) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said antigen or an amino acid sequence of said biologically active protein.

A method of immunizing a host mammal against infection by a pathogen comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a neutralizing antibody specific for an epitope of an antigen of said pathogen;
• b) generating an anti-idiotypic antibody specific for said neutralizing antibody;
• c) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-idiotypic antibody and said epitope;
• d) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-idiotypic antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said epitope;
• e) synthesizing a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-idiotypic antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said epitope;
• and,
• f) inoculating said mammal with said synthetic peptide in an amount effective to reduce the likelihood that said host will be susceptible to infection by said pathogen.

A method of treating a host mammal to prevent or reduce the severity of an infection by a pathogen comprising the steps of:

• a) generating an anti-receptor antibody against a receptor which said pathogen binds to in infection, said anti-receptor antibodies capable of preventing said pathogen from binding to said receptor;
• b) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-receptor antibody and said an antigen of said pathogen;
• c) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said antigen;
• d) synthesizing a peptide comprising said amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said antigen;
• e) inoculating said mammal with said synthetic peptide in an amount effective to prevent or reduce the likelihood of said pathogen infecting cells of said host.

A method of effecting or altering activity or function of a mammalian cell comprising:

• a) generating an anti-receptor antibody capable of effecting an activity or function of said cell;
• b) comparing amino acid sequences of said anti-receptor antibody and a biologically active protein which can bind to said receptor and effect an activity or function of said cell;
• and
• c) determining an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said biologically active protein;
• d) synthesizing a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said anti-receptor antibody and also corresponds to an amino acid sequence of said biologically active protein;
• e) contacting said cell with said synthesized peptide, said synthetic peptide being present in an amount effective to effect or alter activity or function of said cell.