Fusion proteins comprising vasoactive intestinal peptide or PACAP
AssigneeBiostar, Inc.
InventorsGraham J.M. Cox, Jack Manns, Carolyn Weeks-Levy
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Abstract
This invention relates to vasoactive intestinal peptide ("VIP") and cross-reactive peptides. In particular, this invention relates to peptides capable of inducing antibodies which neutralize the activity of VIP. This invention also relates to tandemly repeated peptides derived from VIP or from cross-reactive peptides, which can elicit a broad immune response. The present invention is useful for increasing egg production in bird species and for increasing efficiency of feed utilization and rate of gain in food producing animals.
Claims18
An isolated protein comprising:
- (1) at least one peptide having at least 6 contiguous amino acids of (a) a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or (b) a pituitary adenylate cyclase activating protein (PACAP), but less than the full-length of VIP or PACAP, and (2) a carrier molecule that enhances the immunogenicity of the peptide, wherein said carrier molecule is a 52 kDa leukotoxin molecule, wherein said protein elicits the production of antibodies which neutralize vasoactive intestinal peptide in vivo.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a recombinant protein comprising (1) at least one peptide having at least 6 contiguous amino acids of (a) a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or (b) a pituitary adenylate cyclase activating protein (PACAP), but less than the full-length of VIP or PACAP, and (2) a carrier molecule that enhances the immunogenicity of the peptide, wherein said carrier molecule is a 52 kDa leukotoxin molecule, wherein said recombinant protein elicits the production of antibodies which neutralize vasoactive intestinal peptide in vivo.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.