DNA and proteins or peptides specific of the Neisseria meningitidis species bacteria, method for obtaining them and their biological applications

Abstract

The DNA of the invention are characterised in that they concern the whole or part of genes, with their reading frame, to be found in Neisseria meningitidis, but not in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or in Neisseria lactamica except the genes involved in the biosynthesis of the polysaccharide capsule, frp A, frp C, opc, por A, rotamase the sequence IC1106, IgA protease, pilline, pilC, transferrin binding proteins and opacity proteins. The invention also concerns the polypeptides corresponding to these DNA and the antibodies directed against these polypeptides. It is applicable in the prevention and the detection of meningococcus induced infections and meningitis.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . An isolated and purified DNA selected from the group consisting of at least one gene containing a reading frame present in  Neisseria meningitidis  (Nm), but absent either from  Neisseria gonorrheae  (Ng) or from  Neisseria lactamica  (Nl) such that said gene is Nm specific, and 
 a portion of said at least one gene, with the proviso that said portion is Nm specific,    provided that said DNA is not sequence IS1106 (accession number Z11857), frpA; frpC, opc, porA, pilC, a glutathione peroxidase-related gene, and a gene involved in the biosynthesis of any one of the polysaccharide capsule, rotamase, IgA proteases, pilin, a protein which binds transferrin or an opacity protein.