Virulence genes and proteins, and their use

An isolated polynucleotide which comprises a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A host transformed to express a peptide encoded by an operon, wherein said operon comprises a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A vaccine comprising a peptide, or the means for its expression, wherein said peptide is encoded by an operon, wherein said operon comprises a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A vaccine comprising a microorganism having a virulence gene mutation, wherein the gene is selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms6, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A method for screening potential drugs, or for the detection of virulence, wherein said method utilizes a peptide encoded by an operon, wherein said operon comprises a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A method for treatment or prevention of a condition associated with infection by a Gram-negative bacterium, said method comprising administering a vaccine to a person or animal in need thereof, wherein said vaccine comprises a peptide, or a host transformed to express said peptide, wherein said peptide is encoded by an operon comprising a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.

A method for treatment or prevention of a condition associated with infection by a Gram-negative bacterium, said method comprising administering a nucleotide to a person or animal in need thereof, wherein said nucleotide comprises an operon including a gene selected from the group consisting of tatA, tatB, tatC, tatE, mdoG, creC, recG, yggN, eck1, iroD, iroC, iroE, mtd2, and ms1 to ms16, obtainable from E. coli K1, or a homologue thereof in a Gram-negative bacterium, wherein said homologue has at least 30% homology at the amino acid or nucleotide level, or a functional fragment thereof.