Non-splicing variants of gp350/220

Abstract

Compositions comprising gp350 variant DNA and amino acid sequences are provided, as are vectors and host cells containing such sequences. Also provided is a process for producing homogeneous gp350 protein recombinantly and in the absence of production of gp220 protein, pharmaceutical compositions containing such protein and prophylactic treatments making use of such proteins.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A vaccine for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) comprising gp350 protein, wherein the gp350 protein contains a deletion in both the membrane spanning region and the C-terminus, and wherein the vaccine is substantially free from gp220 protein.  
     
     
         12 . A vaccine for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) comprising a homogenous EBV gp350 protein encoded by a DNA sequence comprising a deletion in the membrane spanning region and a nonfunctional splice-site so that EBV gp350 is expressed as a fusion of an extracellular domain and a cytoplasmic domain in a soluble form and in the absence of EBV gp220.  
     
     
         13 . A vaccine for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) comprising a homogenous EBV gp350 protein encoded by a DNA sequence encoding EBV gp350 protein or a shortened version of ENV gp350, wherein the EBV gp350 protein: 
 i. has a deletion in the membrane spanning region resulting in a secreted product;    ii. has a deletion of the membrane spanning region and the remaining C terminus;    iii. has a deletion in the membrane spanning region and a deletion of the signal sequence;    iv. has a deletion of the membrane spanning region and the remaining C terminus and a deletion of the signal sequence; or    v. has a deletion of the signal sequence; wherein said DNA sequence has a mutation at one or more splice sites preventing formation of gp220 mRNA transcript.    
     
     
         14 . The vaccine of  claim 11 ,  12  or  13 , wherein the vaccine is in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         15 . The vaccine of  claim 11 ,  12  or  13 , wherein the deletion in the membrane spanning region comprises amino acids 863 to 907 of SEQ ID No. 18.  
     
     
         16 . The vaccine of  claim 11  or  13  wherein the gp350 protein comprises amino acids 19 to 862 of SEQ ID No. 18.  
     
     
         17 . The vaccine of  claim 11  or  13  wherein the gp350 protein comprises amino acids 1 to 862 of SEQ ID No. 18.  
     
     
         18 . The vaccine of  claim 13 , wherein the mutation in the donor splice site is from AAGT to GTCA and/or wherein the mutation in the acceptor splice site is from AGGT to TGGA.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating an EBV-related disease or condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a gp350 protein, wherein the gp350 protein contains a deletion in both the membrane spanning region and the C-terminus, and wherein the vaccine is substantially free from gp220 protein.  
     
     
         20 . A method of treating an EBV-related disease or condition in a subject comprising administering to a subject a homogenous EBV gp350 protein encoded by a DNA sequence comprising a deletion in the membrane spanning region and a nonfunctional splice-site so that EBV gp350 is expressed as a fusion of an extracellular domain and a cytoplasmic domain in a soluble form and in the absence of EBV gp220.  
     
     
         21 . A method of treating an EBV-related disease or condition in a subject, comprising administering to a subject a homogenous EBV gp350 wherein the EBV gp350 protein: 
 i. has a deletion in the membrane spanning region resulting in a secreted product;    ii. has a deletion of the membrane spanning region and the remaining C terminus;    iii. has a deletion in the membrane spanning region and a deletion of the signal sequence;    iv. has a deletion of the membrane spanning region and the remaining C terminus and a deletion of the signal sequence; or    v. has a deletion of the signal sequence; wherein said DNA sequence has a mutation at one or more splice sites preventing formation of gp220 mRNA transcript.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 ,  20  or  21 , wherein the vaccine is in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 ,  20  or  21 , wherein the deletion in the membrane spanning region comprises amino acids 863 to 907 of SEQ ID No 18.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  or  21 , wherein the gp350 protein comprises amino acids 19 to 862 of SEQ ID No. 18.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  or  21 , wherein the gp350 protein comprises amino acids 1-862 of SEQ ID No. 18.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mutation in the donor splice site is from AAGT to GTCA and/or wherein the mutation in the acceptor splice site is AGGT to TGGA.