Immunogenic protein pas n 1 from bahia grass pollen

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to novel recombinant polypeptides of Bahia grass pollen and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention is directed to Pas n 1 polypeptides and derivatives, and fragments thereof and genetic sequences encoding same. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications including, but not limited to, applications in the context of conditions characterised by an aberrant, inappropriate or otherwise unwanted immune response to the Bahia grass pollen.

1 . A recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide. 
     
     
         2 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence having at least 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 over the length of the sequence. 
     
     
         42 . The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 41 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         43 . The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a sequence having at least about 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 over the length of the sequence or a nucleotide sequence. 
     
     
         44 . The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 43 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         45 . An isolated polypeptide that comprises a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1. 
     
     
         46 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 45 , wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 over the length of the sequence. 
     
     
         47 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 46 , wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         48 . An isolated antibody or fragment thereof that binds specifically to the isolated polypeptide of  claim 47   
     
     
         49 . The antibody of  claim 48 , wherein said antibody is monoclonal. 
     
     
         50 . A method for inducing an immune response to a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide in a subject comprising:
 identifying a subject in need of an immune response to a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide; and   providing said subject an amount of a recombinant nucleic acid molecule that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide or a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide under conditions that induce an immune response in said subject.   
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein a recombinant nucleic acid that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide is provided and said nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence having at least 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 over the length of the sequence. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein a recombinant nucleic acid that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide is provided and said nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein a recombinant nucleic acid that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide is provided and said nucleic acid comprises a sequence having at least about 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 over the length of the sequence or a nucleotide sequence. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein a recombinant nucleic acid that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide is provided and said nucleic acid comprises a sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein an isolated polypeptide that comprises a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 is provided and said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 over the length of the sequence. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 55 , wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising measuring the immune response in said subject after providing said subject said recombinant nucleic acid molecule that encodes a Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide or said Bahia grass pollen allergen Pas n 1 polypeptide. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said subject is identified as a subject that has a hypersensitivity to Bahia grass pollen. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein said Bahia grass pollen is a pollen from Timothy, Bermuda or Rye grass.