Novel agents for the prevention of leishmaniasis

Abstract

The invention relates to nucleic acid constructions, characterized in that they comprise nucleic acids which are isolated in the sense position and which are capable of coding for an immunogenic protein of promastigotes or amastigotes of Leishmania, said nucleic acids responding to one of the sequences SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5 et SEQ ID NO:11 and coding for a protein respectively exhibiting a sequence SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 et SEQ ID NO:12. The invention can be used for over-expression of the genes of Leishmania coding for an excretion/secretion antigen.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An isolated immunogenic glycoprotein comprising SEQ ID NO:7, said glycoprotein being a Leishmaniasis surface antigen and an excreted/secreted antigen with an apparent molecular weight of 42.5 kDa. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated immunogenic glycoprotein, the protein being encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:2, said glycoprotein being a Leishmaniasis surface antigen and an excreted/secreted antigen with an apparent molecular weight of 42.5 kDa. 
     
     
         3 . A method of immunization, said method comprising administration of the glycoprotein of  claim 1  to an animal such that a specific immune response is elicited. 
     
     
         4 . A method of immunization, said method comprising administration of the glycoprotein of  claim 2  to an animal such that a specific immune response is elicited. 
     
     
         5 . An isolated peptide encoded by a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:2 or comprising SEQ ID NO:7. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated recombinant form of the immunogenic glycoprotein of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . An isolated recombinant form of the immunogenic glycoprotein of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         8 . An isolated recombinant form of the peptide of  claim 5 .