Streptococcus pneumoniae gene HI0454

Abstract

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid compounds encoding the 454 gene 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 encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
       2. 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 (a) or (b), but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code; and  
       (d) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a), (b), or (c).  
     
     
       3. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 2 , 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 SEQ ID NO:1, but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code, and a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to either of the foregoing. 
     
     
       4. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 2 , 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 SEO ID NO:3, but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code, and a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to either of the foregoing. 
     
     
       5. A vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 2 . 
     
     
       6. A host cell containing the vector of  claim 5 . 
     
     
       7. The vector of  claim 5 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid fragment is SEQ ID NO:1, operably linked to a promoter sequence. 
     
     
       8. A method for constructing a recombinant host cell having the potential to express SEQ ID NO:2, said method comprising introducing into said host cell by any suitable means the vector of  claim 7 . 
     
     
       9. A host cell containing the vector of  claim 7 . 
     
     
       10. A method for expressing SEQ ID NO:2 in the recombinant host cell of  claim 9 , said method comprising culturing said recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for gene expression. 
     
     
       11. A method for producing a protein having the amino acid sequence which is SEQ ID NO:2 in a recombinant host cell of  claim 9 , comprising culturing said recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for gene expression, and recovering said protein. 
     
     
       12. An isolated nucleic acid fragment, wherein said fragment has a sequence specified herein as SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
       13. An isolated nucleic acid fragment that hybridizes to the complementary strand of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:3 under high stringency conditions comprising hybridizing at 50° C. to 65° C. in 5×SSPE and 50% formamide, and washing at 50° C. to 65° C. in 0.5×SSPE, and that encodes a protein having the ligand binding activity of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  454 protein. 
     
     
       14. An isolated nucleic acid fragment that hybridizes to the complementary strand of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:3 under low stringency conditions comprising hybridizing at 35° C. to 37° C. in 5×SSPE and 40% to 45% formamide, and washing at 42° C. in 1×-2×SSPE, and that encodes a protein having the ligand binding activity of  Streptococcus pneumoniae  454 protein. 
     
     
       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. 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 (a) or (b), but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code; and  
       (d) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a), (b), or (c).  
     
     
       17. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 16 , 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 SEQ ID NO:1, but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code; and  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to (a) or (b).  
     
     
       18. The isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 16 , 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 (a) or (b), but which is degenerate in accordance with the degeneracy of the genetic code; and  
       (c) a nucleic acid fragment fully complementary to either of the foregoing.  
     
     
       19. A vector comprising said isolated nucleic acid fragment of  claim 16 . 
     
     
       20. A host cell containing the vector of  claim 19 . 
     
     
       21. The vector of  claim 19 , wherein said isolated nucleic acid fragment is SEQ ID NO:1, operably-linked to a promoter sequence. 
     
     
       22. A method for constructing a recombinant host cell having the potential to express SEQ ID NO:2, comprising introducing into said host cell by any suitable means the vector of  claim 21 . 
     
     
       23. A host cell containing the vector of  claim 21 . 
     
     
       24. A method for expressing a protein having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 in the recombinant host cell of  claim 23 , comprising culturing said recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for gene expression. 
     
     
       25. A method for producing a protein having the amino acid sequence which is SEQ ID NO:2 in the recombinant host cell of  claim 23 , comprising culturing said recombinant host cell under conditions suitable for gene expression, and recovering said protein. 
     
     
       26. An isolated nucleic acid fragment, wherein said fragment consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:4.