Two-component system that controls bacterial membrane synthesis
AssigneeUniversity of Iowa Research Foundation
InventorsMichael A. Apicella, Andrew Preston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a mutant Neisseria having extensive membrane blebbing, both an indicium and a cause of virulence in the gonococcus and meningococcus. Methods are disclosed for making and characterizing the mutant, bmrRS. Methods are disclosed for isolating bmrRS membranes for use as a vaccine. Methods are also disclosed for the use of the mutant for determining the virulence of clinical samples of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis. Methods are also disclosed for the screening of antibiotics targeted to virulent Neisseria.
Claims20
A cell comprising DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrR open reading frame (ORF) and DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrS ORF, wherein the BmrR ORF or the BmrS ORF contains an insertion or a deletion as compared to corresponding wild-type BmrR or BmrS ORF.
An isolated polynucleotide comprising:
- x(a) a BmrR ORF, wherein the Bmr ORF encodes a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11;
- or
- x(b) a BmrS ORF, wherein the BmrS ORF encodes a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID NO:7.
An isolated polynucleotide construct comprising
- x(a) a BmrR ORF, wherein the Bmr ORF encodes a first polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11;
- and
- x(b) a BmrS ORF, wherein the BmrS ORF encodes a second polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID NO:7, wherein the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide control Neisseria membrane synthesis.
An isolated polynucleotide construct comprising DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrR open reading frame (ORF) or DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrS ORF, wherein the BmrR ORF or the BmrS ORF contains an insertion or a deletion as compared to corresponding wild-type BmrR or BmrS ORF.
An isolated polynucleotide construct comprising DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrR open reading frame (ORF) and DNA encoding a Neisseria BmrS ORF, wherein the BmrR ORF or the BmrS ORF contains an insertion or a deletion as compared to corresponding wild-type BmrR or BmrS ORF.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.