Nucleic acids and proteins of the mycoplasma hyopneumoniae mhp3 gene and uses thereof

An immunogenic protein having an amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO:4, or a fragment, variant or derivative thereof, wherein the immunogenic protein does not have a fatty acid acylated cysteine followed by the amino acid sequence Trp Asp Lys Glu, and does not have a C-terminal homoserine lactone.

A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal caused by infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae comprising administering to the animal a vaccine formulation comprising (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising at least 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein said protein does not have a fatty acid acylated cysteine followed by the amino acid sequence Trp Asp Lys Glu, and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in an amount sufficient to elicit an increase in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae specific cellular or humoral responses.

A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal caused by infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae comprising administering to the animal a vaccine formulation comprising (i) an antigenic or immunogenic protein having an amino acid sequence comprising at least amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:4, and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in an amount sufficient to elicit an increase in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae specific cellular or humoral responses.

An isolated or purified DNA encoding in the mycoplasmal genetic code a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising at least 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or its complement.

A DNA encoding in the universal genetic code a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising at least 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4, or its complement.

An isolated DNA comprising a fragment of 15-40 nucleotides, which fragment hybridizes under stringent conditions for PCR to a DNA encoding in the mycoplasmal genetic code a protein having a sequence of at least 5 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or its complement.

An isolated DNA comprising a fragment of at least 90 nucleotides, which fragment hybridizes under conditions of high stringency for filter hybridization to a DNA encoding in the mycoplasmal genetic code a protein having a sequence of at least 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, or its complement.

A kit comprising in at least one container a first isolated DNA comprising a fragment of at least 15 nucleotides, which fragment hybridizes under stringent conditions for PCR to a DNA encoding in the mycoplasmal genetic code a protein having a sequence of at least 5 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, and a second isolated DNA comprising a fragment of at least 15 nucleotides, which fragment hybridizes under stringent conditions for PCR to a DNA complementary to a DNA encoding in the mycoplasmal genetic code a protein having a sequence of at least 5 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein said kit comprises a statement indicating that the kit is useful for diagnosis of M. hyopneumoniae infection.

A kit comprising in at least one container a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising at least 30 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:4 and a statement indicating that the kit is useful for diagnosis of M. hyopneumoniae infection.