Streptococcus pneumoniae gene sequence for DNA ligase

Abstract

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding a DNA ligase of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing the encoded protein, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein.

We claim:  
     
       1. An isolated nucleic acid fragment, wherein said fragment has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) SEQ ID NO: 1;  
       (b) SEQ ID NO: 3;  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; and  
       (d) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a), (b), or (c).  
     
     
       2. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said fragment is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 , and a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to either of the foregoing. 
     
     
       3. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said fragment is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 , and a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to either of the foregoing. 
     
     
       4. An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence that is SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       5. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 4 . 
     
     
       6. The vector of  claim 5 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid fragment is SEQ ID NO:1, operably-linked to a promoter sequence from said vector. 
     
     
       7. A recombinant host cell containing said vector of  claim 6 . 
     
     
       8. A recombinant host cell containing said vector of  claim 5 . 
     
     
       9. A method for constructing a recombinant host cell having the potential to express a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, said method comprising introducing into said host cell by any suitable means said vector of  claim 5 . 
     
     
       10. A method for producing a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in said recombinant host cell of  claim 7 , said method comprising culturing the recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for production of said protein. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising recovering said protein. 
     
     
       12. An isolated nucleic acid fragment, wherein said fragment consists essentially of a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) SEQ ID NO: 1;  
       (b) SEQ ID NO: 3;  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; and  
       (d) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a), (b), or (c).  
     
     
       13. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 12 , wherein the sequence of said fragment is selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) SEQ ID NO:1;  
       (b) a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEC ID NO:2 ; and  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a) or (b).  
     
     
       14. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 12 , wherein the sequence of said fragment is selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) SEQ ID NO:3;  
       (b) a nucleic acid fragment that encodes the same protein as depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 ; and  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a) or (b).  
     
     
       15. An isolated nucleic acid fragment consisting essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence that is SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       16. A vector comprising said isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 15 . 
     
     
       17. The vector of  claim 16 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid fragment is SEQ ID NO:1, operably linked to a promoter sequence from said vector. 
     
     
       18. A recombinant host cell containing said vector of  claim 17 . 
     
     
       19. A recombinant host cell containing said vector of  claim 16 . 
     
     
       20. A method for constructing a recombinant host cell having the potential to express a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, said method comprising introducing into said host cell by any suitable means said vector of  claim 16 . 
     
     
       21. A method for producing a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 in the recombinant host cell of  claim 18 , said method comprising culturing said recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for production of said protein. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , further comprising recovering said protein.