defl

Abstract

The invention provides def1 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding def1 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing def1 polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to a polynucleotide encoding the same mature polypeptide expressed by the def1 gene contained in the  Streptococcus pneumoniae  of the deposited strain.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         4 . An isolated polynucleotide that is complementary to the polynucleotide of  claim 1   
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA or RNA  
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  comprising the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  comprising nucleotide 1 to the stop codon which begins at nucleotide number 610 set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         8 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         9 . A vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . A host cell comprising the vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: expressing from the host cell of  claim 10  a polypeptide encoded by said DNA.  
     
     
         12 . A process for producing a def1 polypeptide or fragment comprising culturing a host of  claim 10  under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide or fragment.  
     
     
         13 . A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         14 . A polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         15 . An antibody against the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         16 . An antagonist which inhibits the activity or expression of the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         17 . A method for the treatment of an individual in need of def1 polypeptide comprising: administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         18 . A method for the treatment of an individual having need to inhibit def1 polypeptide comprising: administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of the antagonist of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         19 . A process for diagnosing a disease related to expression or activity of the polypeptide of  claim 14  in an individual comprising: 
 (a) determining a nucleic acid sequence encoding said polypeptide, and/or  
 (b) analyzing for the presence or amount of said polypeptide in a sample derived from the individual.  
 
     
     
         20 . A method for identifying compounds which interact with and inhibit or activate an activity of the polypeptide of  claim 14  comprising: 
 contacting a composition comprising the polypeptide with the compound to be screened under conditions to permit interaction between the compound and the polypeptide to assess the interaction of a compound, such interaction being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the interaction of the polypeptide with the compound;  
 and determining whether the compound interacts with and activates or inhibits an activity of the polypeptide by detecting the presence or absence of a signal generated from the interaction of the compound with the polypeptide.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method for inducing an immunological response in a mammal which comprises inoculating the mammal with def1 polypeptide of  claim 14 , or a fragment or variant thereof, adequate to produce antibody and/or T cell immune response to protect said animal from disease.  
     
     
         22 . A method of inducing immunological response in a mammal which comprises delivering a nucleic acid vector to direct expression of def1 polypeptide of  claim 14 , or fragment or a variant thereof, for expressing said def1 polypeptide, or a fragment or a variant thereof in vivo in order to induce an immunological response to produce antibody and/ or T cell immune response to protect said animal from disease.  
     
     
         23 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.  
     
     
         24 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide having at least a 70% identity to the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.