Staphylococcus aureus genes and polypeptides
AssigneeHuman Genome Sciences, Inc.
InventorsAndrew J.G. Simpson, Gil H. Choi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to 11 novel genes from S. aureus and the polypeptides they encode. Also provided as are vectors, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of S. aureus polypeptide activity. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Staphylococcus.
Claims33
An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding any one of the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides shown in Table 1;
- (b) a nucleotide sequence complementary to any one of the nucleotide sequences in (a);
- (c) a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to any one of the nucleotide sequences shown in Table 1;
- and
- (d) a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to a nucleotide sequence complementary to any one of the nucleotide sequences shown in Table 1.
An isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) a polypeptide consisting of one the complete amino acids sequences of Table 1;
- (b) a polypeptide consisting of one the complete amino acids sequences of Table 1 except the N-terminal residue;
- (c) a fragment of the polypeptide of (a) having biological activity;
- and
- (d) a fragment of the polypeptide of (a) which binds to an antibody specific for the polypeptide of (a).
An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of an amino acid sequence of any one of the polypeptides in Table 1.
An isolated polypeptide antigen comprising an amino acid sequence of an S. aureus epitope shown in Table 2.
A vaccine, comprising:
- (a) one of more Staphylococcus polypeptides selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence identified in Table 1, or a fragment thereof;
- and
- (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, or excipient;
- wherein said polypeptide is present, in an amount effective to elicit protective antibodies in an animal to a member of the Staphylococcus genus.
A method of detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids in a biological sample obtained from an animal involving assaying for one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding Staphylococcus polypeptides in a sample comprising:
- (a) contacting the sample with one or more of the above-described nucleic acid probes, under conditions such that hybridization occurs, and
- (b) detecting hybridization of said one or more probes to the one or more Staphylococcus nucleic acid sequences present in the biological sample.
A method of detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids in a biological sample obtained from an animal, comprising:
- (a) amplifying one or more Staphylococcus nucleic acid sequences in said sample using polymerase chain reaction, and
- (b) detecting said amplified Staphylococcus nucleic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.