Antigenic peptide fragments of vapa protein, and uses thereof
AssigneeRural Industries Research and Development Corporation
InventorsThiru Barton Vanniasinkam, Mary Barton, Michael W Heuzenroeder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An isolated peptide fragment of the VapA protein that binds antibodies specific for Rhodococcus equi and the VapA protein. In a preferred form the peptide contains an amino acid sequence of 5 or more amino acid residues that is identical to or homologous to the amino acid sequence of at least one region of the VapA protein that is responsible for immunological recognition. Methods of diagnosing a vertebrate for the presence of R. equi using the peptide and methods of vaccinating a vertebrate against R. equi using the peptide are also claimed.
Claims91
An isolated peptide fragment of the VapA protein, or immunologically active homolog, derivative or analogue thereof, said peptide fragment binding antibodies specific for R. equi and the VapA protein.
A polynucleotide that encodes a peptide fragment of the VapA protein that binds antibodies specific for R. equi and the VapA protein.
A cell transformed with a recombinant plasmid that expresses a peptide fragment of the VapA protein that binds antibodies specific for R. equi and the VapA protein.
A method of diagnosing a vertebrate for the presence of R. equi by detecting the presence of antibodies to R. equi in the vertebrate, the method including the steps of:
- obtaining a sample of antibody containing fluid from the vertebrate,
- contacting the sample with at least one peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of the VapA protein, or derivative thereof, and
- assaying for the formation of the antigen:antibody complex to detect the presence of antibodies to the VapA protein.
A method of diagnosing a vertebrate for the presence of R. equi by detecting the presence of VapA antigens in the vertebrate, the method including the steps of:
- raising an antibody specific to at least one peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of the VapA protein, or derivative thereof,
- obtaining a putative VapA antigen containing biological sample from the vertebrate,
- contacting the sample with the raised antibodies under conditions for formation of an antibody:antigen complex, and
- assaying for the formation of the antibody:antigen complex to detect the presence of antibodies to the VapA protein.
A diagnostic kit containing one or more peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of the VapA protein, or derivative thereof, in conjunction with appropriate reagents.
A diagnostic kit containing one or more antibodies, or fragments thereof, specific for one or more peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of the VapA protein, or derivatives thereof, in conjunction with appropriate reagents.
A method of vaccinating a vertebrate against Rhodococcus equi, the method including the step of administering a peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of VapA, or an immunogenically active derivative or variant thereof to thereby induce an immune reaction.
A method of vaccinating a vertebrate against R. equi, the method including the step of administering a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a peptide fragment of a region for specific immunogenic recognition of VapA so that a host cell expresses the peptide fragment to thereby induce an immune reaction.
A composition for vaccinating a vertebrate against Rhodococcus equi, the composition comprising at least one peptide fragment of the region for specific immunogenic recognition of VapA, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier
A method for treating a vertebrate infected with Rhodococcus equi, the method including the step of administering to the vertebrate a therapeutic agent capable of binding VapA protein, wherein the agent is an antibody or other small molecule capable of binding at least one peptide fragment of the region for specific immunogenic recognition of VapA.
A method of screening for compounds capable of binding at least one specific immunogenic region of the VapA protein, teh method including the step of screening for compunds that bind at least one peptide fragment of the region for specific immunogenic recognition of VapA.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.