Novel streptococcus pneumoniae open reading frames encoding polypeptide antigens and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to newly identified open reading frames comprised within the genomic nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae , wherein the open reading frames encode polypeptides that are surface localized on Streptococcus pneumoniae . Thus, the invention relates to Streptococcus pneumoniae open reading frames that encode polypeptides encoded by the Streptococcus pneumoniae open reading frames, vectors comprising open reading frame sequences and cells or animals transformed with these vectors. The invention relates also to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The invention finally relates to pharmaceutical compositions, in particular immunogenic compositions, for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial infection, in particular infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:363, wherein said polypeptide immunoreacts with seropositive serum of an individual infected with  Streptococcus pneumoniae.    
     
     
         2 . An isolated polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:363. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated polypeptide of  claim 2 , wherein said polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:363. 
     
     
         4 . An immunogenic composition comprising a polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . An immunogenic composition of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more adjuvants. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . An isolated polynucleotide of  claim 6 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:148, or a degenerate variant thereof. 
     
     
         8 . An isolated polynucleotide of  claim 7 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:148, or a degenerate variant thereof. 
     
     
         9 . An isolated polynucleotide which hybridizes to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:148, a complement thereof, or a degenerate variant thereof, under high stringency hybridization conditions. 
     
     
         10 . A recombinant expression vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         11 . A genetically engineered host cell, transfected, transformed or infected with the vector of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A host cell of  claim 11 , wherein the host cell is a bacterial cell and wherein the polynucleotide is expressed to produce the encoded polypeptide. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing a polypeptide which comprises culturing the genetically engineered host cell of  claim 11  under conditions suitable to produce the polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide from the culture. 
     
     
         14 . An antibody specific for a  Streptococcus pneumoniae  polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method for the detection and/or identification of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in a biological sample comprising:
 (a) contacting the sample with an oligonucleotide primer of a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 148, or a degenerate variant thereof, in the presence of nucleotides and a polymerase enzyme under conditions permitting primer extension; and   (b) detecting the presence of primer extension products in the sample,   wherein extension products indicate the presence of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in the sample.   
     
     
         16 . A method for the detection and/or identification of antibodies to  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in a biological sample comprising:
 (a) contacting the sample with an isolated polypeptide of  claim 1  under conditions permitting immune complex formation; and   detecting the presence of an immune complex in the sample, wherein an immune complex indicates the presence of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  in the sample.