MXPA00011205A - Basb029 polynucleotide(s) and polypeptides from neisseria meningitidis - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides BASB029 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding BASB029 polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic uses.

Description

POLINUCLEOTIDO (S) BASB029 AND POLIPÉPTIDQS OF NEISSBRIA MENINGITIDIS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to polynucleotides (hereinafter referred to as "BASB029 polynucleotide (s)"), polypeptides encoded thereby (hereinafter referred to as "BASB029" or "BASB029"), recombinant materials and methods for its production In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for using said polypeptides and polynucleotides, including vaccines against bacterial infections In a further aspect, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detecting infections of certain pathogens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is a gram-negative bacteria frequently isolated from the human upper respiratory tract. Sometimes it causes invasive bacterial diseases such as bacteremia and meningitis. The incidence of meningococcal disease shows seasonal and annual geographical differences (Schwartz, B., Moore, P.S., Broome, C.V., Microbial Clin.Rev.2 (Supplement), S18-S24, 1989). Most diseases in temperate countries are due to strains of serogroup B and varies in incidence from 1-10 / 100,000 / total annual population, sometimes reaching higher levels (Kaczmarski, EB (1997), Commu Dis Rep Rev 7 R55-9, 1995, Scholten, RJPM, Bijlmer, HA, Poolman, JT et al., Clin Infect Dis 16 237-246, 1993, Cruz, C Pavez, G Aguilar, E et al., Epodemiol Infect 105 119-126, 1990) Epidemics dominated by serogroup A meningococcus, most of Central Africa, are found, sometimes reaching levels up to 1000/100 000 / year (Schwartz, B, Moore, PS, Broome, CV Clin Microbiol Rev 2 (supplement), S18-S24, 1989) Almost all cases as a All meningococcal disease is caused by the meningococcus of serogroup A, B, C, W-135 and Y, and a tetravalent polysaccharide vaccine A, C, W-135, Y (Armand, J Arminjon, F, Mynard , MC Lafaix, C, J Biol Stand 10 335-339, 1982) Pohsaccase vaccines have now been improved by chemically conjugating them to carrier proteins (Lieberman, J M, Chiu, S S, Wong, V K and others, JAMA 275, 1499-1503, 1996) A serogroup B vaccine is not available, since it was found that capsular polysaccharide B is non-immunogenic, most likely because it shares a structural similarity with host component (Wyle, FA, Artenstein, MS, Brandt, ML and others, J Infect Dis 126 514-522, 1972, Finne, JM, Lemonen, M, Makela, PM Lancet n 355-357, 1983) For many years the development has been initiated and carried out of meningococcal external membrane-based vaccines (de oraes, JC, Perkins, B, Camargo, MC and others Lancet 340 1074-1078, 1992, Bjune, G, Hoiby, EA Gronnesby, JK et al., 338 1093-1096, 1991) These vaccines have shown efficacies of 57% -85% in older children (&g); adolescents Many components of bacterial outer membrane are present in these vaccines, such as PorA, PorB, Rmp, Opc, Opa, FrpB and the contribution of these components to the observed protection still need additional definition Other bacterial outer membrane components have been defined using animal or human antibodies that are potentially relevant to the induction of protective immunity, such as TpbB and NspA (Martin, D, Cadieux, N , Hamel, J, Brodeux, BR, J Exp Med 185 1173-1183, 1997, Lissolo, L, Maitre-Wilmotte, C, Dumas, and others, Inf Immun 63 884-890, 1995) Protective immunity mechanisms will involve activity antibody-mediated bacterial and opsonophagocytosis An animal model with bacteremia has been used to combine all antibody mediated mechanisms (Saukkonen, K, Leinonen, M, Abdillahí, H Poolman, JT Vaccine 7 325-328 1989) It is generally accepted that the last mediated bacterial mechanism for the complement component is crucial for immunity against meningococcal disease (Ross, SC, Rosenthal PJ, Bebepc HM, Densen, PJ Infect Dis 155 1266-1275, 1987) The frequency of infections by Neissepa meningitidis has been elevated dramatically in recent decades This has been attributed to the emergence of multiple strains resistant to antibiotics and an increasing population of people with weak immune systems It is no longer uncommon to isolate Neissepa mentngitidis strains that are resistant to some or all of the standard antibiotics This phenomenon has created an unmet medical need and demands for new antimicrobial agents, vaccines, drug classification methods and diagnostic tests for this organism COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to BASB029, in particular BASB029 polypeptides and BASB029 polynucleotides, recombinant materials and methods for their production. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for using said poly peptides and polynucleotides, including the prevention and treatment of microbial diseases. , among others In a further aspect, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detecting diseases associated with microbial diseases and conditions associated with said infections, such as assays for detecting the expression or activity of the BASB029 polynucleotides or polypeptides. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following descriptions and reading the other parts of the present disclosure.

• DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to polypeptides and polynucleotides BASB029 as described in more detail below. In particular, the invention relates to polypeptides and polynucleotides of BASB029 from Neisseria meningitidis, which is related by the amino acid sequence homology to the surface fibril protein of Haemophilus influenzae (HSF). The invention especially relates to BASB029 having the nucleotide and amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 and SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, respectively. It is understood that the sequences established in the The sequence list below as "DNA" represents an illustration of one embodiment of the invention, since those skilled in the art will recognize that such sequences can ? k be usefully employed in polynucleotides in general, including pbopolinucleotides. Polypeptides In one aspect of the invention, polypeptides of Neisseria meningitidis referred to herein as "BASB029" and "BASB029 polypeptides", as well as their biological variants, diagnostic, prophylactic, clinical or therapeutically useful same, and compositions comprising them The present invention further provides (a) an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, preferably at least 95% identity, identity, most preferably at least 97-99% or an exact identity, to that of SEQ ID NO 2, 4, (b) a polypeptide encoded by an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, preferably at least 95% identity, still most preferably at least 97-99% or exact identity to SEQ ID NO 1, 3, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 1, 3, respectively, or (c) a polypeptide encoded by an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoded by a polypeptide having at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, very preferable and at least 95% identity, and preferably at least 97-99% or exact identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 2, 4 The BASB029 polypeptides provided in SEQ ID NO: 2.4 are the BASB029 polypeptides of the Neissepa meningitidis, ATCC13090 and H44 / 76 strains. The invention also provides an immunogenic fragment of a BASB0 polypeptide 9, ie a contiguous portion of a or BASB029 peptide having the same immunogenic activity or substantially the same immunogenic activity as the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.

# NO 2 A That is, the fragment (if necessary when it is coupled to a carrier) is able to evoke an immune response which recognizes the BASB029 polypeptide. Such immunogenic fragment can include for example the BASB029 polypeptide lacking a N-leader sequence. terminal and / or a transmembrane domain and / or a C-terminal anchor domain In a preferred aspect the The immunogenic fragment of BASB029 according to the invention comprises substantially all the extracellular domain of a polypeptide which has at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99 of identity to that of SEQ ID NO 2 A over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 2 A fragment is a polypeptide having a sequence of • amino acid that is completely the same as part but not the entire amino acid sequence of any polypeptide of the invention As with the BASB029 pohpeptides the fragments can be "freestanding" or be comprised within a larger polypeptide of which they form a part or region most preferably as a single continuous region in a single larger polypeptide. Preferred fragments include for example polypeptides of truncation having a portion of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, variants thereof, such as a continuous sequence of residues including an amino- and / or carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequence. Also preferred are 5 forms of degradation of the polypeptides of the invention produced by or in a host cell. Others preferred are fragments characterized by structural or functional attributes, such as fragments comprising alpha helix and alpha helix forming regions, beta lamina and forming regions.

Beta sheet, twist and spin forming regions, helical and helical forming regions, hydrophilic regions, hydrophobic regions, antipatic regions, antipathetic beta regions, flexible regions, surface forming regions, substrate binding region, and regions with high antigenic index. Other preferred fragments include an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 100 continuous amino acids of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 100 truncated or deleted continuous amino acids of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, A. Fragments of the polypeptides of the invention can be employed to produce the corresponding full-length polypeptide via peptide synthesis; therefore, these fragments can be used as intermediaries to produce the full-length polypeptides of the invention. Particularly preferred are variants in which several 5-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-2, or one amino acid are substituted, deleted, or aggregated in any combination. The polypeptides, or immunogenic fragments, of the invention may be in the form of the "mature" protein or may be a part of a larger protein such as a precursor or a fusion protein. It is generally advantageous to include an additional amino acid sequence containing secretion or leader sequences, pro-sequences, purification-assisting sequences such as multiple residues of histidine, or an additional sequence for stability during recombinant production. In addition, the addition of the exogenous polypeptide or lipid tail or polynucleotide sequences to increase the immunogenic potential of the final molecule is also considered. In one aspect, the invention relates to genetically engineered soluble fusion proteins comprising a polypeptide of the present invention, or a fragment thereof, and several portions of the constant regions of heavy or light chains of immunoglobulins of several subclasses (IgG, IgM , IgA, I g E). Preferred as an immunoglobulin is the constant part of the heavy chain of human IgG, particularly I gG 1, wherein the fusion occurs in the hinge region. In a particular embodiment, the Fc part can be removed simply through the incorporation of a cleavage sequence, which can be separated with the coagulation factor Xa. Furthermore, this invention relates to processes for the preparation of these fusion proteins through genetic engineering, and to their use for drug classification, diagnosis and therapy. A further aspect of the invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding said fusion proteins. Examples of the fusion protein technology can be found in International patent applications Nos. W094 / 29 58 and W094 / 22914. 10 Proteins can be chemically conjugated, or • expressed as recombinant fusion proteins allowing increased levels to be produced in an expression system as compared to a non-fused protein. The fusion pattern can help to provide T-helper epitopes (fusion pattern) immunological), preferably T-helper epitopes recognized by humans, or that help the expression of the protein (expression enhancer) at levels higher than the protein S recombinant native. Preferably, the melting pattern will be both a immunological fusion pattern and an enhancer pattern. expression. Fusion patterns include protein D of Haemophilus influenzae and the non-structural protein of influenza virus, NS1 (hemagglutinin). Another fusion pattern is the protein known as LytA. Preferably, the C-terminal portion of the molecule is used. LytA is derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae which synthesizes an N-acetyl-L-alanine amidase LytA, (encoded by the LytA gene. {Gene, 43 (1986) p 265-272.}.) an autolysin that specifically degrades certain bonds in the base structure of the peptidoglycan. The C-terminal domain of the LytA protein is responsible for affinity to choline or to some choline analogues such as DEAE. This property has been exploited for the development of E. coli C-LytA expression plasmids useful for the expression of fusion proteins. The purification of hybrid proteins containing the C-LytA fragment at its amino terminus has been described. { Biotechnology: 10, (1992) p. 795-798} . It is possible to use the repeat portion of the LytA molecule found at the C-terminal end starting at residue 178, eg, residues 188-305. The present invention also includes variants of the aforementioned polypeptides, ie polypeptides that vary from the reporter by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby one residue is replaced by another with similar characteristics. The typical aspect of said substitutions is between Ala, Val, Leu and lie; between Ser and Thr; between the acid residues Asp and Glu; between Asn and Gln; and between the basic waste Lys and Arg; or the aromatic residues Phe and Tyr. The polypeptides of the present invention can be prepared in any suitable form. Such polypeptides include isolated natural polypeptides; recombinantly produced polypeptides, synthetically polypeptides produced, or polypeptides produced through a combination of these methods. The means for preparing said polypeptides are also very well understood in the art. It is highly preferred that a polypeptide of the invention is derived from Neissena meningitidis, however, it is preferred that this is obtained from other organisms of the same taxonomic genus A polypeptide of the invention can also be obtained from, for example, organisms of the same family or taxonomic order Polynucleotides It is an object of the invention to provide polynucleotides that encode BASB029 peptides, particularly polynucleotides that encode the polypeptide designated herein as BASB029. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotide comprises a region encoding peptides.

BASB029 comprising a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO, 1, 3, which includes a full length gene, or a variant thereof BASB029 polynucleotides provided in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 are the nucleotides of BASB029 of Neissena meningitidis strains ATCC13090 and H44 / 76 As a further aspect of the invention, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding and / or expressing BASB029 polypeptides and polynucleotides are provided, particularly polypeptides and BASB029 polynucleotides from Neissepa meningitidis including, example, unprocessed RNAs, pbozyme RNAs, mRNAs, cDNAs, genomic DNAs, B- and Z-DNAs. Other embodiments of the invention include biological, diagnostic, prophylactic, clinically or therapeutically useful polynucleotides and polypeptides, and their variants, and compositions that They comprise the same. Another aspect of the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides, including at least one full-length gene encoding a BASB029 polypeptide having a deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, A, and polynucleotides closely related to the same and their variants In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention there is a BASB029 polypeptide from Neissena menmgitidis which comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 2, A, or a variant thereof Using the information provided herein, such as an established polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO 1, 3, a polynucleotide of the invention encoding the BASB029 polypeptide can be obtained using standard cloning and classification methods, such as those for cloning and sequencing chromosomal DNA fragments from bacteria using Neissena meningitidis cells as starting material, followed by obtaining a full-length clone. For example, to obtain a polynucleotide sequence of the invention, such as a polynucleotide sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, typically a collection of chromosomal DNA clones. of Neissepa meningitidis in E coli or some other suitable host is given a probe with a radiolabeled oligonucleotide, preferably one of 17-mer or greater, derived from a partial sequence. Clones carrying DNA identical to that of the probe can then be distinguished using severe hybridization conditions. Through the sequencing of the individual clones thus identified by hybridization with designed sequencing primers of the original polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence, it is then possible to extend the polynucleotide sequence in both directions to determine a full-length sequence. Conveniently, said sequencing is performed, for example, using denatured double stranded structure DNA prepared from a plasmid clone. Suitable techniques are described by Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F., and Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd. Ed .; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Cold Spring Harbor, New York (1989). (See in particular classification by hybridization 1.90 and double-stranded structure DNA templates denatured sequencing 13.70). Direct genomic DNA sequencing can also be performed to obtain a full-length gene sequence. Illustrative of the invention, each polynucleotide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5 or 7 was discovered in a DNA library derived from Neisseria menongitidis. In addition, each DNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 1, 3 contains an open reading frame that encodes a protein that it has approximately the number of amino acid residues set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4 with a deduced molecular weight that can be calculated using molecular weight values of amino acid residue well known to those skilled in the art. The polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, between the start codon at nucleotide number 1 and the stop codon starting at number 1783 of the nucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2. The polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 3, between the start codon at the nucleotide number 1 and the stop codon starting at number 1774 of the nucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 3, encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4. In a further aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising or consisting of. (a) a polynucleotide sequence having at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, preferably at least 95% identity, still most preferably at least 97-99% or exact identity to SEC ID NO: 1, 3 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, respectively; or (b) a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide having at least 85% identity, preferably at least 90% identity, preferably at least 95% identity, most preferably at least 97-99% or 100% or exact, to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, A, over the entire length of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, respectively.

A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, including homologs and orthologs of species other than Neissena meningitidis, can be obtained through a process • comprising the steps of classifying an appropriate collection under 5 severe hybridization conditions (e.g., using a temperature on the scale of 5-65 ° C and an SDS concentration of 00-1%) with a labeled or detectable probe consisting of or comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, 3, or a fragment thereof, and isolating a full-length gene and / or genomic clones containing said polynucleotide sequences The invention provides an identical polynucleotide sequence, over its entire length, to a coding sequence (open reading frame) in SEQ ID NO 1, 3. Also, the present invention provides a coding sequence for a Or a fragment thereof, itself as well as a coding sequence for a polypeptide or mature fragment in the reading frame with another coding sequence, such as a sequence encoding a leader or secretion sequence, a sequence pre, or pro, or prepro-protein The polynucleotide of the The invention may also contain at least one non-coding sequence, including, for example, but not limited to at least one 5 'and 3' non-coding sequence, such as the transcribed but translated termination signals (such as independent and rho-dependent termination signals rho), ribosome binding sites, Kozak sequences, sequences that stabilize mRNAs, mtrons, and poylation signals. The polynucleotide sequence may also comprise a coding sequence that encodes additional amino acids. For example, a marker sequence that facilitates purification of the fused polypeptide may be encoded. In certain embodiments of the invention, the marker sequence is a hexa-histidine peptide, as provided in the pQE vector (Qiagen, Inc.) and described by Gentz et al., Proc Nati Acad Sci, USA 86 821-824 (1989), an HA peptide tag. (Wilson et al., Cell 37767 (1984), both may be useful for purifying the polypeptide sequence fused thereto. The polynucleotides of the invention also include, but are not limited to, po nucleotides that describe a structural gene and its sequences naturally associates that control gene expression The nucleotide sequence encoding the BASB029 peptide of SEQ ID NO 2, A may be identical to the peptide coding sequence contained in nucleotides 1 to 1782 of SEQ ID NO 1, or the oolypeptide encoding the sequence contained in nucleotides 1 to 1773 of SEQ ID NO 3, respectively Alternatively, it may be a sequence, which as a result of the redundancy (of generation) of the genetic code, also encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2, 4 The term "polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide", as used in present, encompasses polynucleotides that include a sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention, It is particularly a bacterial pohpeptide and more particularly a Neissepa meningitidis polypeptide, BASB029, having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 2, 4 The term • also encompasses polynucleotides that include a single continuous region or discontinuous regions encoding the polypeptide (eg, nucleotides interrupted by the integrated phage, an integrated insertion sequence, an integrated vector sequence, an integrated transposon sequence, or due to RNA editing or rearrangement of genomic DNA) along with additional regions, Which may also contain coding and / or non-coding sequences. The invention further relates to variants of the polynucleotides described herein that encode variants of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence deduced from SEC.

ID NO 2, 4 Fragments of polynucleotides of the invention can be used, for example, to synthesize full length polynucleotides of the invention. Other particularly preferred embodiments are polynucleotides that encode BASB029 variants, which have the amino acid sequence of the BASB029 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2, 4 wherein several, some, from 5 to 10, from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, 2, 1 or no amino acid residue is substituted, modified, deleted and / or added, in any combination Especially preferred among these are the silent substitutions, additions and eliminations, which do not alter the properties and activities of the Other preferred embodiments of the invention are polynucleotides that are at least 85% identical over their entire length to a polypeptide encoding the BASB029 polypeptide having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 2, 4, and polynucleotides that are complementary to said polynucleotides In this regard, at least 90% identical polynucleotides over their entire length thereof are particularly preferred, and among these particularly preferred polynucleotides, • 10 those with at least 95% are especially preferred In addition, those with at least 97% are highly preferred among those with at least 95%, and among those those with at least 98% and at least 99% are particular and highly preferred, with at least 99% being highly preferred. Preferred embodiments are polynucleotides that encode polypeptides that retain substantially the same biological function or activity as the mature polypeptide encoded by a • DNA SE ID NO 1, 3 According to certain preferred modalities of this In the invention, polynucleotides are provided which hybridize particularly under severe conditions to BASB029 polynucleotide sequences, such as those polynucleotides in SEQ ID NO: 3, The invention furthermore relates to polynucleotides that hybridize to the nucleotide po sequences provided here In this regard, the invention especially relates to polynucleotides that hybridize under severe conditions to the polynucleotides described herein. As used herein, the terms "severe conditions" and "severe hybridization conditions" represent hybridization that occurs only if there is at least 95% and preferably at least 97% identity between the sequences A specific example of severe hybridization conditions is overnight incubation at 42 ° C in a solution comprising 50% formamide, 5x SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 M trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7 6), 5x Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 micrograms / ml of separate salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the hybridization support at 0 1 x SSC at approximately 65 ° C Hybridization and washing conditions are well known and are illustrated in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, NY , 1989), particularly Chapter 11 thereof. Solution hybridization can also be used with the polynucleotide sequences provided by the invention. The invention also provides a polynucleotide consisting of or comprising a polynucleotide sequence obtained by classifying an appropriate classification containing a complete gene for a polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 under severe hybridization conditions with a probe having the sequence of said polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or a fragment thereof, and isolating said polynucleotide sequence. Fragments useful for obtaining said polynucleotide include, for example, probes and primers totally as described herein elsewhere.

As discussed herein with respect to polynucleotide assays of the invention, for example, the polynucleotides of the invention can be used as a hybridization probe for RNA, cDNA and genomic DNA to isolate full-length cDNAs and genomic clones encoding BASB029 and to isolate cDNAs and genomic clones from other genes having high identity, particularly high sequence identity, to the BASB029 gene. Said probes will generally comprise at least 15 nucleotide residues or base pairs. Preferably, said probes will have at least 30 nucleotide residues or base pairs and can have at least 50 nucleotide residues or base pairs. Particularly preferred probes will have at least 20 nucleotide residues or base pairs and will have less than 30 nucleotide residues or base pairs. A coding region of a BASB029 gene can be isolated by classifying a DNA sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 to synthesize an oligonucleotide probe. A labeled oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to that of a gene of the invention is then used to classify a collection of cDNA, genomic DNA or mRNA to determine which members of the library hybridize the probe. There are vain methods available and well known for those skilled in the art to obtain full length DNAs, or short extension DNAs, for example, those based on the fast amplification method of cDNA ends (RACE), (see, for example, Forman et al., PNAS USA 85 8998-9002) Recent modifications of the technique, illustrated by the Marathon ™ technology (Clontech Laboratories Inc) for example, have significantly simplified the search for longer cDNAs. In the Marathon ™ technology, cDNAs from the mRNA extracted from A selected tissue and an "adapter" sequence ligated on each end After nucleic acid amplification (PCR) was performed to amplify the missing 5 'end of the DNA using a combination of oligonucleotide primers specific in the gene and specific in the adapter The PCR reaction is then repeated using primers (nested), that is, primers designed to warm and cool rapidly inside the the amplified product (typically a specific adapter initiator that channels and cools rapidly to the 3 'end in the adapter sequence and a gene-specific primer that rapidly heats and cools to the 5' end in the selected gene sequence) The products of this reaction then can be analyzed through DNA sequencing and a full-length DNA constructed either by joining the product directly to the existing DNA to give a complete sequence, or by performing a separate full-length PCR using the new sequence information for the initiator design 5' The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention can be employed, for example, as search reagents and materials for discovering treatments and diagnostics for diseases, particularly diseases of humans, as discussed herein in relation to polynucleotide assays. The polynucleotides of the invention which are oligonucleotides derived from a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-8, can be used in the processes herein as described, but preferably for PCR, to determine whether the po nucleotides identified herein in whole or in part are or not transcribed in bacteria in infected tissues It is recognized that these sequences will also be used in the diagnosis of the stage of infection and type of infection that the pathogen has obtained The invention also provides polynucleotides that encode a polypeptide that is the mature protein plus additional amino-or carboxyl-terminal amino acids, or amino acids internal to the mature peptide (when the mature form has more than one polypeptide chain, for example) Such sequences may play an important role in the processing of a protein from a precursor to a mature form, can allow the transport of protein, can lengthen or reduce the half-life of the protein or can facilitate the manipulation of a protein for testing or production , among other things As is generally the case in vivo, additional amino acids can be processed from the mature protein through cellular enzymes For each and every po nucleotide of the invention a polynucleotide complementary to it is provided. It is preferred that these complementary polynucleotides are completely ^^ complementary to each polynucleotide with which they are Complementary A precursor protein, having a mature form of the pohpeptide fused to one or more prosequences may be an inactive form of the polypeptide. When prosequences are removed, said inactive precursors are generally activated. Some of the prosequences can be removed before activation. In general, said precursors are called proproteins. In addition to the standard A, G, C, T / U representations for nucleotides. , the term "N" can also be used to Discovering certain polynucleotides of the invention "N" means that any of the four nucleotides of DNA or RNA may appear at said designated position in the DNA or RNA sequence, except ß if it is preferred that N is not a nucleic acid that when takes in combination with adjacent nucleotide positions, when it is read In a correct reading frame, it can have the effect of generating a premature stop codon in said reading frame. In summary, a polynucleotide of the invention can encode a mature protein, a mature protein plus a leader sequence (which can be called a preprotein), a precursor of a mature protein having one or more prosequences that do not are the leader sequences of a preprotein, or a preprotein, which is a precursor to a proprotein, having a leader sequence and one or more prosequences, which are generally removed during the processing steps that produce immature active forms of the polypeptide. with the aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a polynucleotide of the invention for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, in particular genetic immunization. The use of a polynucleotide of the invention in genetic immunization will preferably employ a suitable delivery method such as direct injection of Plasmid DNA in muscles (Wolf et al., Hum Mol Genet (1992) 1 363, Manthorpe et al., Hum Gene Ther (1983) 4419, DNA delivery in complex with specific protein carriers (Wu et al., J Biol Chem (1989) 264-16985), co-precipitation of DNA with calcium phosphate (Benvenistry &Reshef PNAS USA, (1986) 83 9551), encapsul tion of DNA in various forms of liposomes (kaneda et al., Science (1989) 243375), particle bombardment (Tang et al., Nature (1992) 356 152, Eisenbraun et al., DNA Cell Biol (1993) 12791), and infection in live using cloned retroviral vectors (Seeger et al., PNAS USA (1984) 81 5849) Vectors Host Cells. Expression Systems The invention also relates to vectors comprising a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the invention, host cells that are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and the production of polypeptides of the invention through recombinant techniques. 5 cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce said proteins using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs of the invention. Recombinant peptides of the present invention can be prepared through processes well known to those skilled in the art from genetically engineered host cells by engineering comprising expression systems Accordingly, • In a further aspect, the present invention relates to expression systems comprising a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the present invention, to host cells that are genetically engineered with said expression systems, and to the production of polypeptides of the invention through recombinant techniques for the recombinant production of the polypeptides of the • invention, host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate expression systems or portions of The same or polynucleotides of the invention The introduction of a polynucleotide to the host cell can be effected through methods described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Davis, et al., BASIC METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, (1986) and Sambrook , and others, MOLECULAR CLONING A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring, NY (1989), such as, calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, transvection, microinjection, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, scraping charge, ballistic introduction and infection . Representative examples of suitable hosts include bacterial cells, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, enterococcus, E. coli, streptomyces, cyanobacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis; fungal cells, such as yeast cells, Kluveromyces, Saccharomyces, a basidiomycete, Candida albicans and Aspergillus, insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9 cells; animal cells such as CHO, COS. HeLa, C127, 3T3, BHK, 293, CV-1 and Bowes melanoma cells; and plant cells such as gimnosperm or angiosperm cells. A wide variety of expression systems can be used to produce the polypeptides of the invention. Such vectors include, among others, vectors derived from viruses, chromosomal, episomal, for example, vectors derived from bacterial plasmids, from bacteriophage, from transposons, from yeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomal elements, from viruses such such as baculovirus, papopavirus, such as Sv40, vaccinia virus, adenovirus, poultry pustulation virus, pseudorabies virus, piconavirus, retrovirus, and alphaviruses, and vectors derived from their combinations, such as those derived from bacteriophage plasmid genetic elements, such as cosmids and phagemics. The expression system constructs may contain control regions that regulate as well as promote expression. In general, any system or vector suitable for maintaining, propagating or expressing polynucleotides and / or expressing a polypeptide in a host can be used for expression in this regard. The appropriate DNA sequence can be inserted into the expression system through of any variety of well-known and routine techniques, such • as, for example, those established in Sambrook and others, MOLECULAR CLONING. A LABORATORY MANUAL, (supra). In recombinant expression system in eukaryotes, for the secretion of a translated protein into the lumen of the reticulum In the endoplasmic environment, in the periplasmic space or in the extracellular environment, appropriate secretory signals can be incorporated into the expressed polypeptide. These signals can be endogenous to • polypeptide or they can be heterologous signals. The polypeptides of the present invention can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by well known methods including sodium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, chromatography from hydroxylapatite and lectin chromatography. Most preferably, it used for purification metal ion affinity chromatography IMAC). Well-known techniques for refolding proteins can be employed to generate active conformation when the polypeptide is denatured during intracellular synthesis, isolation and / or purification. The expression system can also be a bio-recombinant microorgamism, such as a virus or a bacterium. The gene of interest can be inserted into the genome of a live recombinant virus or bacterium. Inoculation and infection in vivo with this live vector will lead to the live expression of the antigen and the induction of im responses. The viruses and bacteria used for this purpose are, for example: poxiviruses (for example, vaccination, poultry pustulation, canary pustulation), alphaviruses (Sindbís virus, Semlíki Forest virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus), Adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, picornavirus (poliovirus, rhinovirus), herpes virus (varicella zoster virus, etc.), Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Neisseria, BCG. These viruses and bacteria can be virulent or attenuated in various ways in order to have live vaccines. Said live vaccines are also part of the invention.

Diagnostic tests. Forecast. Serotyping and Mutation This invention also relates to the use of BASB029 polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention to be used as diagnostic reagents. The detection of polynucleotides and / or polypeptides BASB029 in a eucalyptus, particularly a mammal, and especially a human being, will provide a diagnostic method for the diagnosis of a disease, stage of the disease or response of an infectious organism to drugs Eukaryotes, particularly mammals, and especially Humans, particularly those infected or suspected of being infected with an organism comprising the BASB029 gene or protein, can be detected at the nucleic acid or amino acid level through a variety of well-known techniques, as well as through methods provided herein Polypeptides and polynucleotides for prognosis, diagnosis or other assays can be obtained from a body material of the putatively infected and / or infected individual. Polynucleotides from any of these sources, particularly DNA or RNA, can be used directly for detection can be amplified enzymatically uses PCR or any other amplification technique before analysis. RNA can also be used in the same forms, in particular mRNA, cDNA and genomic DNA Using the amplification, the characterization of the species and strain of infectious organism or resident present in an individual can be done, through an analysis of the genotype of a polynucleotide selected from the organism. Eliminations can be detected and insertions through a change in the size of the amplified product compared to a genotype of a reference sequence selected from a selected organism, preferably a different species of the same genus or a different strain of the same species Point mutations can be identified by hybridizing amplified DNA to labeled BASB029 nucleotide sequences. Perfect or significantly matching sequences can be distinguished from imperfect duplexes or more significantly mismatches through digestion of DNase or RNase, for DNA or RNA respectively, or detecting differences in melting temperatures or renaturation kinetics. Polynucleotide sequence differences can also be detected through alterations in the electrophoretic mobility of polynucleotide fragment in gels as compared to a reference sequence This can be done with or without denaturing agents. Polynucleotide differences can also be detected through DNA or RNA sequencing. See, for example, Myers et al. Science, 230 1242 (1985). Sequencing at specific locations can also be revealed through nuclease protection assays, such as RNase, VI and S1 protection assay or a chemical cleavage method See, for example, Cotton et al. Proc Nati Acad Sci USA, 854397 - 401 (1985) In another embodiment, an array of oligonucleotide probes comprising the nucleotide sequence BASB029 or its fragments, can be constructed to conduct an efficient classification of, for example, genetic mutations, taxonomic classification serotype or identification.

Disposition technology are well known and have general applicability and can be used to address a variety of issues in molecular genetics including gene expression, genetic linkage, and genetic variability (see, eg, Science, 274: 610 (1996)) . Thus, in another aspect, the present invention relates to a diagnostic kit comprising: (a) a polynucleotide of the present invention, preferably the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or a fragment thereof; (b) a nucleotide sequence complementary to that of (a); (c) a polypeptide of the present invention, preferably the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or a fragment thereof; or (d) an antibody for a polypeptide of the present invention, preferably for the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4 It will be appreciated that in any equipment, (a), (b), (c) or (d) may comprise a substantial component. Said equipment will be of use for the diagnosis of a disease or susceptibility to disease, among others. This invention also relates to the use of polynucleotides of the present invention as diagnostic reagents. The detection of a mutated form of a polynucleotide of the invention, preferably SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, which is associated with a disease or pathogenicity, will be provided a tool for diagnosis that can be added to, or define, a diagnosis of a disease, a prognosis of the course of a disease, a determination of the stage of a disease, or a susceptibility to a disease, which results from underexpression, overexpression or altered expression of polynucleotide. Organisms, particularly infectious organisms, that carry mutations in said polynucleotide can be detected at the polynucleotide level through a variety of techniques, such as those described herein. The cells of an organism carrying mutations or polymorphisms (allelic variations) in a polynucleotide and / or polypeptide of the invention can also be detected at the level of the polynucleotide or polypeptide through a variety of techniques, to enable serotyping, for example. For example, RT-PCR can be used to detect mutations in RNA. It is particularly preferred to use RT-PCR in conjunction with automatic detection systems, such as, for example, GeneScan. RNA, cDNA or genomic DNA can also be used for the same purpose, PCR. As an example, PCR primers complementary to a polynucleotide encoding the BASB029 polypeptide can be used to identify and analyze mutations. The invention further provides primers with 1, 2, 3 or 4 nucleotides removed from the 5 'and / or 3' end. These primers can be used, among other things, to amplify the DNA of OR BASB029 and / or RNA isolated from a sample derived from an individual such as a body material The primers can be used to amplify a polynucleotide isolated from an infected individual so that the polynucleotide can then be subjected to various techniques to produce the sequence of po nucleotide In this way, mutations in the sequence of the pohnucleotide can be detected and used to diagnose and / or predict the infection or its stage or course for the serotype and / or classify the infectious agent. The invention also provides a process for the diagnosis of disease preferably bacterial infections most preferably infections caused by Neissena memngitidis which comprises determining from a sample derived from an individual such as a body material an increased level of expression of the polynucleotide having a sequence of SEQ ID NO 1 3 The high or reduced expression of a po nucleotide BASB029 can be measured using or any of the methods well known in the art for the quantification of nucleotides such as for example PCR amplification RT PCR protection of RNase Northern staining spectrometry and other hybridization methods In addition a diagnostic assay according to the invention for detecting over expression of the The BASB029 peptide compared to normal control tissue samples can be used to detect the presence of an invention for example. assays that can be used to determine the levels of a BASB029 polypeptide in a sample derived from a host, such as a body material, are well known to those skilled in the art. Such test methods include radio immunoassays, competitive binding assays, Western staining assays, antibody sandwich assays, antibody detection and ELISA assays The polynucleotides of the invention can be used as components of polynucleotide arrays, preferably high density arrays or arrays. These high density arrays are particularly useful for of diagnosis and prognosis For example, a group of points each comprising a different gene, and also comprising a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the invention, can be used to apply a probe, such as using hybridization or amplification of nucleic acid, using probes obtained or derivatives of a body sample to determine the presence of a particular polynucleotide sequence or sequence related to an individual. Such presence may indicate the presence of a pathogen, particularly Neissepa meningitidis, and may be useful for the diagnosis and / or prognosis of a disease or course of a disease A grid comprising a number of vanants of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, 3, is preferred. A number of vanants of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide sequence is also preferred. of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4.

Antibodies • The polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention or their variants, or cells expressing them, can be used as immunogens to produce immunospecific antibodies to said polypeptides or polynucleotides, respectively. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, antibodies are provided against polypeptides or polynucleotides BASB029. • The antibodies generated against the polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention can be obtained by administering the polypeptides and / or polynucleotides of the invention, or epitope-bearing fragments of either or both, analogs of any or both, or cells expressing either or both, to an animal preferably one that is not human, using routine protocols. For the preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique known in the art that provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. The Examples include various techniques, such as those by Kohier, G. and Milstein, C, Nature 256: 495-497 (1975); Kozbor et al., Immunology Today 4; 72 (1983); Cole and others, p. 77-96 in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc. (1985). 25 The techniques for the production of chain antibodies Individual (US Patent No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies to polypeptides or polynucleotides of this invention Also, transgenic mice, or other organisms or animals, such as other mammals, can be used to express humanized antibodies immunospecific to Polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention Alternatively, phage display technology can be used to select antibody genes with binding activity towards a polypeptide of the invention from either the repertoires of genes and amplified by PCR of nuclides from humans classified as possessing ant? -BASB029 or from natural collections (McCafferty et al., (1990), Nature 348, 552-554, Marks et al., (1992) Biotechnology 10, 779-783) The affinity of these antibodies can also be improved, for example , through improved chain intermixing (Claxon et al., (1991) Nature 352 628) The antibodies described above can be used to isolate or identify clones expressing the polypeptides or polynucleotides of the invention to purify the polypeptides or polynucleotides, for example, through affinity chromatography. Thus, among others, antibodies can be used against the BASB029 polypeptide or BASB029 polynucleotide to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections The pohpeptide vanants include antigenic, epitopic or immunologically equivalent vanivants which form an aspect particular of this invention. Preferably, the antibody or its variant is modified to render it less immunogenic in the individual. For example, if the individual is a human being, the antibody very preferably must be "humanized", wherein the region or regions of complementarity determination of the hybridoma-derived antibody has been transplanted to a human monoclonal antibody, for example, as described by Jones et al. (1986), Nature 321, 522-525 or Tempest et al., (1991) Biotechnology 9, 266-273.

Antagonists v Agonists - Assays v Molecules Polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention can also be used to determine the binding of small ligand molecule substrates in, for example, cells, cell-free preparations, chemical libraries and mixtures of natural product. These substrates and ligands may be natural substrates and ligands or may be structural or functional mimetics. See, for example, Coligan et al., Current Protocols in Immunology 1 (2): Chapter 5 (1991). Classification methods can simply measure the binding of a candidate compound to the polypeptide or polynucleotide, or cells or membranes carrying the polypeptide or polynucleotide, or a fusion protein of the polypeptide through a label directly or indirectly associated with the candidate compound. Alternatively, the classification method may involve the competition with a marked competitor In addition, these classification methods can test whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by the activation or inhibition of the polypeptide or polynucleotide, using detection systems appropriate for the cells comprising the polypeptide or polynucleotide. activation are generally analyzed in the presence of a known agonist and the effect on activation by the agonist is observed through the presence of the candidate compound. Constitutively active polypeptides and / or constitutively expressed polypeptides and polynucleotides can be used to classify methods for agonists or reverse inhibitors, in the absence of an agonist or inhibitor, testing whether the candidate compound results in inhibition of activation of the peptide or polynucleotide, whichever is the case In addition, the classification methods may simply comprise the steps of mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polypeptide or polynucleotide of the present invention, to form a mixture, by measuring the activity of the BASB029 polypeptide and / or polynucleotide in the mixture, and comparing the activity of the BASB029 polypeptide and / or polynucleotide of the mixture with a standard. fusion, such as those made from the Fc portion and the BASB029 polypeptide, as described above, can also be used for high throughput screening assays to identify antagonists of the polypeptide of the present invention, as well as polypeptides phyletic and / or functionally related (see, D Bennett et al., J Mol Recognition, 8 52-58 (1995), and K Johanson et al., J Biol Chem 270/16) 9459-9471 (1995)) The nucleotides, polypeptides and antibodies that bind to and / or interact with a pohpeptide of the present invention can also be configured to configure classification methods to detect the effect of aggregated compounds on the production of mRNA and / or pohpeptide in cells. For example, it can be constructed an ELISA assay for measuring associated cell or secreted levels of the polypeptide using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies by standard methods known in the art. This can be used to discover agents that can inhibit or enhance the production of the polypeptide (also called antagonist). or agonist, respectively) of suitably manipulated cells or tissues. The invention also provides a method for classifying compounds for identify those that improve (agonists) or block (antagonists) the action of BASB029 polypeptides or nucleotides, particularly those that are bactericidal and / or bactericidal. The method for classifying may involve high production techniques. For example, to classify agonists or antagonists, a synthetic reaction mixture, a cellular component, such as a membrane, a cell cover or cell wall or a preparation of any of these, comprising the BASB029 polypeptide and a ligand substrate Labeling of said polypeptide is incubated in the absence or presence of a candidate molecule that can be a BASB029 agonist or antagonist. The ability of the candidate molecule to agonize or antanogize the BASB029 polypeptide is reflected in the reduced binding of the labeled ligand or reduced production of the product from the substrate. Molecules that bind freely, that is, without inducing the effects of the BASB029 polypeptide, are very likely to be good antagonists. Molecules that bind well and, as the case may be, raise the production rate of the product from the substrate, increase the signal translation, or increase the activity of the chemical channel, are agonists. Detection of the regime or level of, as the case may be, production of the product from the substrate, signal transduction, or chemical channel activity can be improved using a reporting system. Reporting systems that may be useful in this regard include, but are not limited to, colorimetric, labeled substrate converted to a product, a report gene that is sensitive to changes in BASB029 polynucleotide or polypeptide activity, and junctions known in the art. Another example of an assay for BASB029 agonists is a competitive assay that combines BASB029 and a potential agonist with BASB029 binding molecules, recombinant BASB029 binding molecules, and natural substrates or ligands, or substrate or ligand mimetics, under conditions appropriate for an assay of competitive inhibition. BASB029 can be marked, such as can be determined with radioactivity or a colorimetric compound, so that the number of BASB029 molecules bound to a binding molecule or converted to the product can be accurately determined to determine the effectiveness of the potential agonist. Potential agonists include, among others, small organic molecules, peptides, polypeptides and antibodies that bind to a polypeptide and / or polynucleotide of the invention and thus inhibit or quench their activity or expression. Potential antagonists may also be organic small molecules, a peptide, a polypeptide, such as a closely related protein or antibody that binds the same sites in a binding molecule, such as a binding molecule, without inducing activities induced by BASB029, avoiding thus the action or expression of the BASB029 polypeptides and / or polynucleotides excluding BASB029 polypeptides and / or polynucleotides from the binding.

Potential antagonists include a small molecule that binds to and occupies the binding site of the polypeptide, thus preventing binding to cell binding molecules, so that normal biological activity is avoided. Examples of small molecules include, but are not limited to, small organic molecules, peptides or peptide-like molecules. Other potential antagonists include anti-sense molecules (see, Okano, J. Neurochem 56: 560 (1991); OLIGODEXYNUCLEOTIDES AS ANTISENSE INHIBITORS OF GENE EXPRESSION, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL (1988), for a description of these molecules). Potential antagonists Preferred include compounds related to and variants of BASB029. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to genetically engineered soluble fusion proteins, comprising a polypeptide of the present invention, or a fragment thereof, and several portions of the heavy or light chain constant regions of immunoglobulin several subclasses (igG, IgM, IgA, IgE). The preferred one as an immunoglobulin is the constant part of the heavy chain of human IgG, particularly IgG1, where fusion occurs in the hinge region. In a particular embodiment, the Fc part can be removed simply through the incorporation of a cleavage sequence, which can be separated with the coagulation factor Xa. Furthermore, this invention relates to processes for the preparation of these fusion proteins through genetic engineering, and to the use thereof for drug classification, diagnosis and therapy. A further aspect of the invention also relates to polynucleotides that encode said fusion proteins. Examples of the fusion protein technology can be found in the international patent applications Nos. W094 / 2958 and W094 / 22914. Each of the polynucleotide sequences provided herein can be used in the discovery and development of antibacterial compounds. The encoded protein, after expression, can be used as a target for the classification of antibacterial drugs. In addition, the sequences of polynucleotides encoding the amino terminal regions of the encoded protein or Shine-Delgarno or other translation facilitating the sequences of the respective mRNA can also be used to construct anti-sense sequences to control the expression of the coding sequence of interest. The invention also provides ei use of the polypeptide, polynucleotide, agonist or antagonist of the invention to interfere with the initial physical interaction between a pathogen or pathogens and a eukaryotic, preferably a mammal, host responsible for the sequelae of infection In particular, the molecules of the invention can be used to prevent the adhesion of bacteria, in particular gram positive and / or gram negative bacteria, to extracellular eucaptotic matrix proteins, preferably mammalian, or in host devices or extracellular matrix proteins in wounds, to block bacterial adhesion between proteins of ma eukaryotic extracellular matrix, preferably of mammalian and bacterial BASB029 proteins that mediate tissue damage and / or block the normal progression of pathogenesis in infections initiated differently through the implantation of housed devices or through surgical techniques According to another aspect more than the invention there are BASB029 agonists and antagonists, preferably bacteriocidal or bacteriocidal agonists and antagonists. The antagonists and agonists of the invention can be used, for example to prevent, inhibit and / or treat diseases. "- ~ - ~ * ri" iiii In a further aspect, the present invention relates to mimotopes of the peptide of the invention A mimotope is a peptide sequence, sufficiently similar to the native peptide (sequentially or structurally), which is capable of being recognized by antibodies that recognize the peptide native, or is capable of developing antibodies that recognize the native peptide when coupled to an appropriate carrier. The peptide mimotopes can be designed for a particular purpose through the addition, deletion or substitution of chosen amino acids. In this way, the peptides can be modified for the purposes of facilitating conjugation to a protein carrier For example, it may be desirable for some chemical conjugation methods to include a terminal cysteine. In addition, it may be desirable for peptides conjugated to a protein carrier that include a hydrophobic term far from the term conjugate of the peptide, so that the free unconjugated end of the peptide remains associated with the surface of the carrier protein. In this way the peptide is presented in a conformation that most likely resembles that of the peptide found in context of the entire native molecule For example, the peptides can be altered to have an N-terminal cysteine and a C-terminal hydrophobic amidated tail or tail Alternatively, the addition or substitution of a D-stereoisomer form of one or more of the amino acids may be performed to create a beneficial derivative for example, for improve the peptide stability. Alternatively, mimotopes of the peptide can be identified using antibodies that are capable by themselves of binding to the polypeptides of the present invention using techniques such as phage display technology (EP 0 552 267 B1). This technique generates a large number of peptide sequences that rese the structure of the native peptides and, therefore, are capable of binding to anti-native peptide antibodies, but not necessarily by themselves can share sequence homology important with the native polypeptide.

Vaccines Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inducing an immune response in an individual, particularly a mammal, preferably humans, which comprises inoculating the subject with the BASB029 polynucleotide and / or polypeptide, or a fragment or variant of the invention. same, suitable for producing the antibody and / or a T cell immune response to protect said individual from infection, particularly bacterial infection and more particularly infection by Neisseria meningitidis. Methods are also provided by which said immunological response reduces bacterial replication. In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method for inducing an immune response in an individual, which comprises supplying said individual with a nucleic acid vector, sequence or ribosome for directing expression of the nucleotide and / or BASB029 polypeptide, or a fragment or vanant thereof, to express the BASB029 polynucleotide and / or polypeptide, or a fragment or vanant thereof in vivo in order to induce an immune response, such as, to produce the antibody and / or a T cell immune response, including, for example, T cells producing atocin or T cells of cytotoxic cells, to protect said individual, preferably a human being, from a disease, if that disease is already established within the individual or not. An example for administering the gene is by accelerating it towards the desired cells as a cover on particles or otherwise. Said nucleic acid vector can comprise DNA, RNA, a ribosome, a modified nucleic acid, a DNA / RNA hybrid, a DNA-protein complex or an RNA-protein complex A further aspect of the invention relates to an immunological composition that when introduced to a individual, preferably a human being, capable of inducing within the an immunological response, induces an immunological response in said individual to a BASB029 polynucleotide and / or polypeptide encoded therein, wherein the composition comprises a polynucleotide and / or BASB029 polypeptide recombinant encoded thereof and / or comprises DNA and / or RNA encoding and expressing an antigen of the polynucleotide, BASB029 polypeptide encoded therefrom, or another polypeptide of the invention. The immune response can be used therapeutically or prophylactically and can have the form of antibody immunity and / or cellular immunity, such as cellular immunity arising from CTL or CD4 + T cells A BASB029 polypeptide or fragment thereof can be fused to a co-protein or chemical moiety, which may or may not be by itself produce antibodies, but is able to stabilize the first protein and produce a fused or modified protein, which will have antigenic and / or immunogenic properties, and preferably protective properties. Thus, the fused recombinant protein, preferably further comprises a antigenic protein, such as Haemophilus lipoprotein D • Influenzae, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or beta-galactosidase, or any other relatively large co-protein that solubilizes the protein and facilitates the production and purification of the protein. In addition, the co-protein can act as an adjunct in the sense of provide a generalized stimulation of the immune system of the organism receiving the protein. The co-protein can be linked either to the amino or carboxy terminus of the first protein. • Through this invention, compositions, particularly vaccine compositions, and methods are provided. comprise the polypeptides and / or polynucleotides of the invention and immunostimulatory DNA sequences, such as those described by Sato, et al., Science 273 352 (1996) Also, this invention provides methods that utilize the described polynucleotide or its particular fragments, which is has shown that they encode non-variable regions of proteins Superficial Bacterial Cells in Pohnucleide Constructs Used in Such Genetic Immunization Experiments in Animal Models of Infection with Neissena • meningitidis Such experiments will be particularly useful for identifying protein epitopes capable of eliciting a prophylactic or therapeutic immune response. It is believed that this aspect will allow the subsequent preparation of monoclonal antibodies of particular value, derived from the animal's requisite organ that successfully resists or eliminates the infection, for the development of prophylactic agents or therapeutic treatments of bacterial infection, particularly infection by Neissepa meningitidis, in mammals, particularly humans The invention also includes a vaccine formulation comprising a recombinant polypeptide and / or polynucleotide Immunogenic of the invention together with a suitable vehicle, such as a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Since the polypeptides and polynucleotides can be separated in the stomach, each is preferably administered parenterally, including, for example, administration which is subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous and non-aqueous injection solutions, which may contain antioxidants, pH regulators, bactetastatic compounds and solutes that render the formulation isotonic with the body fluid, preferably the blood, of the individual, and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents or thickening agents Formulations may be presented in single-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealed vials and flasks and may be stored in a freeze-dried condition that requires only the addition of the sterile liquid vehicle immediately before use The vaccine formulation of the invention may also include auxiliary systems to improve the immunogenicity of the formulation Preferably, the auxiliary system preferentially evokes a TH1 type of response An immune response can be widely distinguished in two extreme categories, being a humoral or cell-mediated immune responses (traditionally characterized by antibody effector mechanisms and protective cells, respectively). These response categories have been termed TH-1 type responses (response mediated by c). elula) and TH2 immune responses (humoral response) The extreme TH1 type immune responses can be characterized by the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes restricted in aplotype, antigen-specific, and natural killer cell responses in TH1-type responses of mice These are usually characterized by the generation of antibodies of the IgG2a subtype, whereas in the human being these correspond to antibodies of type I g G 1.

Type TH2 are characterized by the generation of a broad scale of immunoglobulin isotypes including in IgG 1, IgA, and IgM mice It can be considered that the driving force behind the • development of these two types of immune responses are cytosine 5 High levels of TH1-type cytosines tend to favor the induction of cell-mediated immune responses for the given antigen, while high levels of TH2-type cytosines tend to favor the induction of humoral immune responses for antigen 10 The distinction between TH1 and TH2 immune responses is not absolute In reality, an individual will support an immune response that is described as being predominantly TH1 or predominantly TH2 However, it is generally convenient to consider the families of cytosines in terms of those described in CD4 + ve cell clones of mupno by Mosmann and Coffman (Mosmann, TR and Coffman, RL (1989) TH1 and TH2 cells different patterns of lymphokine secretion lead to different functional properties Annual Review of Immunology, 7, p 145 - 173 Traditionally, TH1 responses are associated with the production of the cytosines INF-? and IL-2 through T-cells other cytosomes usually directly associated with the induction of TH1-type immune responses are not produced by T cells, such as IL-12. In contrast, TH2-type responses are associated with secretion of II-4 IL-5 IL-6 and IL-13 25 It is known that certain vaccine auxiliaries are particularly Suitable for the stimulation of cytosine responses of either TH1 or TH2 type Traditionally the best indicators of TH1 TH2 balance of the immune response after a vaccination or infection includes direct measurement of the production of TH1 or TH2 cytosomes by T-cells in vitro after the restimulation with antigen and / or the measurement of the IgG1 IgG2a ratio of the specific antigen antibody responses In this way an auxiliary of type TH1 is one that preferentially stimulates populations of isolated T cells for produce high levels of TH1 type cytosine when they turn to • stimulate with in vitro antigen and promotes the development of both CD8 + cytotoxic T-cells and the specific antigen immunoglobulin response associated with the TH1-type isotype Auxiliary that are capable of preferential stimulation of the TH1 cell response are described in International Patent Application No. WO 94/00153 and WO 95/17209. The 11 A request for monophosphate 3-Des-O-as? Side (3D-MPL) is one • of these auxiliaries It is known from GB 2220211 (Ribi) Chemically it is a mixture of monofosfoplo A lipido 3-Des-20 O acylated with A 5 or 6 isolated chains and is manufactured by Ribi Immunochem Montana A preferred form of the A monofosfoplo 3-Des-O-as? side is described in the European patent application 0689454 B1 (SmithKIine Beecham Biologicals SA) Preferably the 3D-MPL particles are the 2D small enough to be sterile filtered through of a 0.22 micron membrane (European Patent No. 0 689 454). 3D-MPL will be present in the scale of 10μg-100μg, preferably 25-50μg per dose, where the antigen typically 5 will be present on a scale of 2-50μg per dose. Another preferred auxiliary comprises QS21, a non-toxic fraction purified by Hplc derived from Quillaja bark Saponaria Molina. Optionally, this can be mixed with 3-Des-O-asylated monophosphate A lipido A (3D-MPL), optionally • 10 together with a vehicle. The production method of QS21 is described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,057,540. Previously, non-reactogenic auxiliary formulations containing QS21 have been described (WO 96/33739). Such formulations which comprise QS21 and cholesterol have been shown to be successful TH1 stimulatory aids when formulated together with an antigen. • Other auxiliaries that are preferential stimulants of the TH1 cell response include oligonucleotides immunomodulators, for example, non-methylated CpG sequences as described in WO 96/025555. Combinations of different TH1 stimulatory aids, such as those mentioned above, are also contemplated to provide an auxiliary that is a stimulant preferential of the TH1 cell response. For example, QS21 can be formulated together with 3D-MPL The QS21 3D-MPL ratio will typically be in the order of 1 10 to 10 1, preferably 1 5 to 5 1 and substantially 1 1 The preferred scale for optimal synergy is 2 5 1 a 1 1 3D-MPL QS21 Preferably, a vehicle is also present in the vaccine composition according to the invention The vehicle can be an oil-in-water emulsion, or an aluminum salt, such as aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide. A preferred oil-in-water emulsion comprises a metabolizable oil, such as squalene, alpha tocopherol and Tween 80. In a particularly preferred aspect, the antigens in the vaccine composition. according to the invention are combined with QS21 and 3D-MPL in said emulsion. In addition, the oil-in-water emulsion may contain span 85 and / or lecithin and / or tpcapplin. Typically, for administration to humans, QS21 and 3D-MPL will be present in a vaccine on a scale of 1μg-200μg, such as 10-100μg, preferably 10μg-50μg per dose Typically, the oil-in-water emulsion will comprise 2 to 10% squalene, 2 to 10% alpha tocopherol and 0 3 to 3% Tween 80 Preferably the squalene alpha tocopherol ratio is equal to or less than 1 as it provides a more stable emulsion Span 85 may also be present at a level of 1% In some cases, it may be advantageous bear that the vaccines of the present invention can also contain a stabilizer. The non-toxic oil-in-water emulsions preferably they contain a non-toxic oil for example, squalane or squalene, an emulsifier, for example Tween 80 in an aqueous vehicle. The aqueous vehicle can be, for example, saline regulated in its pH with phosphate. A particularly potent auxiliary formulation involving QS21 3D-MPL and tocopherol in an oil-in-water emulsion is described in WO 95/17210. The present invention also provides a polyvalent vaccine composition comprising a vaccine formulation of the invention in combination with other antigens, in particular antigens useful for Treating Cancer, Autoimmune Diseases and Related Conditions Such a polyvalent vaccine composition may include a TH-1 induction aid as described above. Although the invention has been described with reference to certain BASB029 polypeptides and polynucleotides, it should be understood that it covers fragments of polypeptides and polynucleotides of natural existence, and similar polypeptides and polynucleotides with additions, deletions or substitutions that do not substantially affect the immunogenic properties of the recombinant polypeptides or polynucleotides The antigen can also be supplied in the form of whole bacteria (dead or alive) or as subcellular fractions these possibilities include the same N mentngitidis Compositions, kits and administration In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided compositions comprising a BASB029 polypeptide and / or a BASB029 polypeptide for administration to a cell or a multicellular organism. The invention also relates to compositions comprising a polynucleotide and / or a polypeptide, described herein, or its agonists or antagonists. The peptides and polynucleotides of the invention can be used in combination with a non-sterile or sterile vehicle or vehicles for use with cells, tissues or organisms, such as a pharmaceutical carrier suitable for administration to an individual. Such compositions comprise, for example, a media additive or a therapeutically effective amount of a popeptide and / or polynucleotide of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such carriers can include, but are not limited to, saline, pH regulated saline, dextrose, water, g cerol, ethanol and combinations thereof The formulation must be adapted to the mode of administration The invention further relates to diagnostic and pharmaceutical packages and equipment comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the aforementioned compositions of the invention Po peptides, polynucleotides and other compounds of the invention alone or in conjunction with other compounds, such as therapeutic compounds The therapeutic compositions may be administered in an effective, convenient manner including, for example, administration via topical, oral, anal, vaginal, intravenous, intrapeptoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal, or Intradermal, among others In therapy or as a prophylactic, the active agent can be administered to an individual as an injectable composition, for example, as a sterile, preferably isotonic aqueous dispersion. In a further aspect, the present invention provides • pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a popeptide and / or polynucleotide, such as the soluble form of a polypeptide and / or polynucleotide of the present invention, agonist peptide or antagonist or compound of Small molecule, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient Such vehicles include, but are not limited to, saline, pH regulated saline, dextrose, water, gulp, S ethanol and combinations thereof The invention further relates to pharmaceutical packages and equipment comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of the ingredients of the aforementioned compositions of the invention Pohpeptides, polynucleotides and other compounds of the present invention can be used alone or together with other compounds, such as therapeutic compounds. The composition will be adapted to the route of administration, for example, through a systemic route or an oral route Preferred forms of systemic administration include, injection, typically through intravenous injection Other injection routes, such as subcutaneous, intramuscular or intrapeptoneal, can be used Alternative means for systemic administration include administration of transmucosal and transdermal using penetrants such as bile salts or fusidic acids or other detergents. In addition, if a polypeptide or other compounds of the present invention can be formulated in an enteric or encapsulated formulation, oral administration may also be possible. these compounds can also be topical and / or localized, in the form of balms, pastes, gels, lotions, powders and the like. To be administered to mammals, and particularly to humans, it is expected that the daily dose level of the active agent will be 0 01 mg / kg to 10 mg / kg, typically at About 1 mg / kg The doctor in any case will determine the actual dose that will be the most appropriate for an individual and will vary with the age, weight and response of the particular individual. The above doses are illustrative of the average case. Of course, there may be individual cases where higher or lower dose scales are merited and are within the scope of this invention The preferred dose scale depends on the choice of peptide, the route of administration, the nature of the formulation, the nature of the subject's condition and the doctor's judgment that However, suitable doses are in the 0 1 100μg / kg scale of the subject. A vaccine composition is conveniently in injectable form. Conventional auxiliaries can be used to improve the immune response. An appropriate unit dose for vaccination is 0-5. micrograms / kg of the antigen and said preferred dose is administered 1-3 times and with a range of 1-3 weeks. With the indicated dose scale, no adverse toxicological effects were observed with the compounds of the invention that could prevent their administration to Suitable individuals However, it is expected that wide variations in the dose necessary in view of the variety of compounds are available and the different efficiencies of various routes of administration. For example, oral administration can be expected to require higher doses than administration through Intravenous injection Variations in these dose levels can be adjusted using standard empirical routines for optimization as is well known in the art Databases of Sequences. Sequences in a Tangible Medium and Algorithms The polynucleotide and peptide sequences form a valuable information resource with which their bi-dimensional and three-dimensional structures are determined as well as identify additional sequences of similar homology. These aspects are facilitated storing the sequence in a computer readable medium and then using the data stored in a known macromolecular structure program or to search a sequence database using well-known searching tools, such as the GCG program package. Also the present invention provides methods for the analysis of sequences or strips of character, particularly genetic sequences or encoded protein sequences. Preferred methods of sequence analysis include, for example, sequence homology analysis methods, such as identity and similarity analysis, DNA, RNA and protein structure analysis, sequence assembly, cladistic analysis, sequence motif analysis , determination of open reading frame, called nucleic acid base, coding use analysis, nucleic acid base classification and peak analysis of sequencing chromatogram. A computer based method is provided to perform homology identification. This method comprises the steps of. providing a first polynucleotide sequence comprising the sequence of a polynucleotide of the invention in a computer-readable medium; and comparing said polynucleotide sequence with at least one second polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence to identify the homology. A computer-based method for conducting homology identification is also provided, said method comprising the steps of providing a first polypeptide sequence comprising the sequence of a polypeptide of the invention in a computer readable medium, and comparing the first polypeptide sequence with at least one second polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence to identify the homology All publications and references, including, but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each publication or individual reference was specifically and individually indicated as incorporated by reference herein as fully set forth. Patent application to which this application claims priority, is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in the manner described above for publications and references DEFINITIONS "Identity", as is known in the art, is a relationship between two or more sequences of polypeptide or two or more polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, can be determined by preserving the sequence In the "identity" technique it also means the degree of sequence relationship between polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, as determined by the match between the strips of said sequences "Identity" can be easily calculated through known methods, including, but not limited to those described in (Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, AM, ed, Oxford University Press, New York, 1988, Biocomputing Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D W, ed, Academic Press, New York, 1993, Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Gpffin, H G, eds, • Humana Press, New Jersey, 1994, Sequence Analysis in Molecular 5 Biology, von Heme, G, Academic Press, 1987, and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gpbskov, M and Devereux, J, eds, M Stockton Press, New York, 1991, and Carillo, H, and Lipman, D, SIAM J Applied Math, 48 1073 (1988) Methods for determining identity are designed to give the greatest match between sequences tested In addition, methods for determining identity are encoded in publicly available computer programs. Computer program methods for determining identity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, the GAP program in the CGC program package (Devereux , J, and others, Nucleic Acids Research 12 (1) 387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN (Altschul, SF et al., J Molec Biol 215 403-410 (1990), and FASTA (Pearson and Lipman Proc Nati Acad Sci USA 85, 2444-2448 (1988) • The BLAST family of programs is publicly available from NCBI and other sources (BLAST Manual, Altschul, S, and others, NCBI NLM NIH Bethesda, MD 20894, Altschul, S, et al., J Mol Biol 215 403-410 (1990) Well-known Smith Waterman Algorithm can be used to determine identity Parameters for pohpeptide sequence comparison include next 25 Algorithm Needle an and Wunsch, J Mol Biol 48 443-453 (1970) Comparison Matrix BLOSSUM62 of Hemkoff and Henikoff, Proc Nati Acad Sci USA 89 10915-10919 (1992) Gap Penalty 8 Gap Length Penalty 2 5 A useful program with these parameters is publicly available as the "gap" program of Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wl The aforementioned parameters are the default parameters for peptide comparisons (without any penalty for extreme gaps) • 10 Parameters for comparing polynucleotide include the following Needleman and Wunsch algorithm, J Mol Biol 48 443-453 (1970) Comparison Matrix comcident aspects = +10, not coincident = 0 15 Gap Penalty 50 Gap Length Penalty 3 Available as the "gap" program of Genetics Computer Group, • Madison Wl These are the default parameters for nucleic acid comparisons 20 A preferred meaning for "identity" for polmucleotides, and polypeptides, as the case may be, is provided in (1) and (2) below (1) The modalities of nucleotides also include an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least 50, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 97 or 100% identity to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO 1, wherein said polynucleotide sequence may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, or may include up to certain • integer number of nucleotide alterations as compared to the reference sequence, wherein said alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one deletion, nucleotide substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations can occur in the 5 'or 3'-terminal positions of the nucleotide sequence of F reference or any of those terminal positions, interspersed either individually between the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more continuous groups within the reference sequence, and wherein said number of nucleotide alterations is determined by multiplying the number total of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO 1 by the integer defining the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO 1 or n "< xn- (xn.y), 20 where n "is the number of nucleotide alterations, x" is the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO 1 and is 0 50 for 50%, 0 60 for 60%, 0 70 for 70%, 0 80 for 80%, 0 85 for 85% 0 90 for 90%, 0 95 for 95% 0 97 for 97% or 1 00 for 100%, and • is the 25 symbol for the multiplication operator, and where any non-integer product of x "ey is rounded down to the nearest whole before subtracting it from x" Alterations of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the peptide SEQ ID NO 2 can create non-sense, nonsense, or frame shift mutations in this coding, and thus affect the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide following such alterations. By way of example, a polynucleotide sequence of the present invention can be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, that is, it can be 100% identical or can include up to a whole number of nucleic acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence, so that the percent identity is less than 100% identity. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one elimination, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, of nucleic acid, and wherein said alterations they can occur at the 5 'or 3'-terminal positions of the reference polynucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually between the nucleic acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence The number of nucleic acid alterations for a given percentage of identity is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO 1 by the integer that defines the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product of the total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO 1, or np < xn- (xn-y), where n "is the number of nucleic acid alterations, x" is the total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO 1, and is, for example, 0 70 for 70%, 0 80 for 80%, 0 85 for 85%, etc., and • is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and where any non-integer product of x "ey is rounded down to the nearest integer 10 before subtracting it from x". (2) Modalities of the polypeptide further include an isolated polypeptide comprising a polypeptide having at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 97 or 100% identity with a polypeptide reference sequence of SEC ID NO 2, where Said polypeptide sequence may be identical to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO: 2 or may include up to a whole number of amino acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence, wherein the alterations are selected from the group consisting of less an elimination, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution, or insertion, of amino acid, and wherein said alterations may occur at the amino- or carboxy-terminal positions of the reference polypeptide sequence or any part between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually between the amino acids in the reference sequence or in one or more continuous groups within the reference sequence, and wherein the number of amino acid alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO 2 by the integer that defines the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product 5 from the total number of amino acids in SEC ID NO 2, or n, < xa- (xa.y), where n "is the number of amino acid alterations, xa is the • 10 total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO 2 and is 0 50 for 50%, 0 60 for 60%, 0 70 for 70%, 0 80 for 80%, 0 85 for 85%, 0 90 for 90%, 0 95 for 95%, 0 97 for 97% or 1 00 for 100%, and • is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and where any non-integer product from x to y is rounded down to the whole Closest to it before subtracting it from xa By way of example, a polypeptide sequence of the present invention can be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO 2, that is, it can be 100% identical, or it can include up to a certain number whole of amino acid alterations according to compared to the reference sequence so that the percent identity is less than 100% identity. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one deletion, substitution, including conservative and non-conservative substitution or amino acid insertion, and where said alterations can occur at the amino- or carboxy- terminal of the reference polypeptide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually between the amino acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence The number of amino acid alterations for a given percentage of identity is determined by multiplying the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO 2 by the integer that defines the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO 2, or 10 na = xa- (xa «> y), where na is the number of amino acid alterations, xa is the total number of amino acids in SEQ ID NO 2, and is, for example, 15 0 70 for 70%, 0 80 for 80%, 0 85 for 85%, etc. , and • is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and where any non-integer product from x to y is rounded down to the nearest integer before subtracting it from xa. The "individuals", when used in the present with reference to an organism, represent a multicellular eucapote including, but not limited to a metazoapo, mammal, a bovid, an ape, a primate, and an "Isolated" human being altered "by the hand of man" from its natural state, that is, if it exists by nature, has been changed or removed from its original environment or both For example a po nucleotide or polypeptide naturally present in a living organism is not "isolated" but the same polypeptide or polypeptide is separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state and is "isolated", as the term is employed herein. Po nucleotide or po peptide that is introduced into an organism through transformation, genetic manipulation or through another recombinant method is "isolated" to a if still present in said organism, said organism can be alive or not "Pol? nucleot? "(s)" generally refers to any polyppbonucleotide or polydeoxyrpbonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA including single and double chain structure regions. "Vanant" refers to a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide, but retains the essential properties A typical vanant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide Changes in the nucleotide sequence of the variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a peptide encoded by the polynucleotide Reference nucleotide changes can result in amino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical vanant of a polypeptide differs in amino acid sequence from another pohpeptide referenceGenerally, the differences are limited such that the reference polypeptide sequences and the variant are closely similar in total and, in many regions, identical. A reference variant and polypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. A variant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide can be one of natural existence such as an allelic variant or it can be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Variants of non-natural existence of polynucleotides and polypeptides can be made through mutagenesis or through direct synthesis. "Disease (s)" means any disease caused by or related to an infection by a bacterium, including, for example, upper tract infection, invasive bacterial diseases, such as bacteremia and meningitis.

EXAMPLES: The following examples were carried out using standard techniques, which are well known and are routine for those skilled in the art, where something else is described in detail. The examples are illustrative and do not limit the invention.

Example 1: Discovery and sequencing of DNA confirming the BASB029 gene of two strains of N. meninaitidis.

A: BASB029 in strain ATCC13090 of seroqroup B of N. meninpitidis. The BASB029 gene of SEQ ID NO: 1 was first discovered in the Incyte PathoSeq database containing unfinished genomic DNA sequence of W. meningitidis strain ATCC 13090. The translation of the BASB029 polynucleotide sequence, shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 , showed a significant similarity (52% identity in an overlap of 582 amino acids) with the surface fibril protein of Haemophilus influenzae (HSF). The sequence of the BASB029 gene was also confirmed experimentally. For this purpose, genomic DNA was extracted from 1010 cells of N. meningitidis cells (strain ATCC 13090) using the QIAGEN genomic DNA kit (Qiagen Gmbh), and 1 μg of this material was subjected to DNA amplification reaction of polymerase chain using primers Hsf1 (5'-GGG GCA TAT GAA CAA AAT ATA CCG CAT CAT TTG GAA-3 ') [SEQ ID NO: 5] containing an internal Ndel site (underlined) and Hsf2 (5'-GGG GCT CGA GCC ACT GAT AAC CGA CAG ATG CGG A-3) [SEQ ID NO: 6] containing an internal Xhol site (underlined). This PCR product was gel purified and subjected to DNA sequencing using the Big Dye Eye sequencing kit (Perkin-Elmer) and an ABI 377 / PRISM DNA sequencer. The DNA sequencing was performed on both chain structures with a redundancy of 2 and full-length sequencing was assembled using the SeqMan program from the DNASTAR Lasergene software package. The resulting DNA sequence was made 100% identical to SEQ ID NO 1 B BASB029 in strain H44 / 76 of seroqroup B of N meninaitidis The sequence of the BASB029 gene was also determined in another strain of serogroup B of N meningitidis, the strain H44 / 76. For this purpose, the genomic DNA was extracted from the strain H44 / 76 of N meningitidis using the experimental conditions presented in Example 1 This material (1 μg) was then subjected to DNA amplification of the Polymerase Chain Reaction using primers Hsf1 and Hsf2 specific for the BASB029 gene. A DNA fragment of 4389 bp was obtained, which was digested through restriction endonucleases. , Ndel / Xhol, and was inserted into the corresponding sites of the cloning / expression vector pET-2 b (Novagen) using standard molecular biology techniques (molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Eds Sambrook, Fptsch &Maniatis, Cold Sppng Harbor press 1989) The recombinant pET-24b / BASB029 was then subjected to DNA sequencing, using the Big Dyes equipment (Applied biosystems) and analyzed in an ABI 373 / A DNA sequencer under the conditions described by the provider. As a result, the deduced polynucleotide and deduced peptide sequences, referred to as SEQ ID NO 3 and SEQ ID NO 4, respectively, were obtained Using the PILEUP program of the GCG package, an alignment was made of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO 1 and 3, and is illustrated in Figure 1, their identity level reaches 96 8% as determined through the program GAP Using 5 in the same PILEUP program, an alignment of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO 2 and 4 was made, and it is displayed in Figure 2 its identity level reaches 94 2%, as measured through the GAP program Taken together, these data indicate strong sequence conservation of the BASB029 gene between the two strains of 10 serogroup B of N meningitidis Example 2: Expression and purification of the recombinant BASB029 protein in Escherichia coli. The construction of the cloning / expression vector pET-15 24b / BASB029 was described in Example 1B This vector houses the gene BASB029 isolated from strain H44 / 76 in fusion with a stretch of 6 histidine residues, placed under the control of the gene promoter T7 of strong bacteriophage For an expression study, this gene for T7 polymerase is placed under the control of the promoter lac regulable by isopropyl-beta-D thiogalactoside (IPTG) Liquid cultures (100 ml) of the recombinant strain were grown E coli from Novablue (DE3) [pET-24b / BASB029] at 37 ° C under agitation until the optical density, at 600 nm (OD600), reached 0 6 At that time, IPTG was added to a final concentration of 1 mM and the The culture was grown for 4 more hours The culture was then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and the pellet was frozen at -20 ° C for at least 10 hours. After thawing, the pellet was resuspended for 30 minutes at 25 ° C in a pH A regulator (6M of guanidine hydrochloride, 0.1M of NaH2P04, 0.01M of Tris, pH 5 8.0), passed through three times through a needle and clarified through centrifugation (20000 rpm, 15 minutes). The sample was then loaded at a flow rate of 1 ml / minute on a Hitrap column loaded with Ni2 + (Pharmacia Biotech). After passing the flow, the column was washed successively with 40 ml of pH regulator B (8M urea, 0.1M NaH2P04, 0.01M Tris, pH 8.0), 40ml buffer pH C (8M urea, 0.1M NaH2P04, 0.01M Tris, pH 6.3). The recombinant protein, BASB029 / His6, was then eluted from the column with 30 ml of pH regulator D (8M urea, 0.1M NaH2P04, 0.01M Tris, pH 6.3) containing 500mM of imidazole and fractions with a size of 3 ml were collected. As shown in Figure 3, (lane 1), a highly enriched BASB029 / His6 protein (purity estimated at more than 90% pure in Coomassie stain), migrating at 66 kDa (estimated relative molecular mass), was eluted from the column. East The polypeptide was reactive against a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against the 5-histin motif (see Figure 3, lane 2). Altogether, these data indicate that the BASB029 gene can be expressed and purified under a recombinant form (BASB029 / HIS6) in E. coli. 25 Example 3: Immunization of mice with recombinant BASB029 The partially purified BASB029 protein, expressed in E. coli, was injected three times in Balb / C mice on days 0, 14 and 29 (8 animals / group). The animals were injected via the subcutaneous route with about 5 μg of antigen in two different formulations: either adsorbed in 100 μg of AIP04 or formulated in the SBAS2 emulsion (the SBAS2 emulsion containing 5 μg of MPL and 5 μg of QS21 per dose). A negative control group of mice immunized only with the SBAS2 emulsion was also added to the experiment. The mice were bled on day 29 (15 days after II) and 35 (6 days after III) in order to detect specific anti-BASB029 antibodies. The specific anti-BASB029 antibodies were measured in combined sera (from 10 mice / group) through Western staining in six different strains of NmB (Figures 4 and 5).

Recognition of BASB029 epitopes on different strains of NmB through Western staining In this test, sera from (combined) mice immunized through Western staining were tested for the recognition of BASB029 epitopes in six different B strains of Neisseria meningitidis: H44 / 76 (B: 15: P1.7, 16, lineage ET-5) , M97 250987 (B: 4: P1.15), BZ10 (B: 2b: P1.2, lineage A4), BZ198 (B: NT *: -, lineage 3), EG328 (B: NT *, lineage ST- 18), and strain ATCC 13090 Men B, as well as in the recombinant BASB029 protein, partially purified (* NT Not Typified) In summary, 10 μl (> 10 β cells / lane) of each sample treated with pH regulator (10 minutes at 95 ° C) were placed on a gradient gel SDS-PAGE (Tris-glycine) 4-20%, Novex, No Code 5 EC60252) Electrophoretic migration occurred at 125 volts for 90 minutes After, the proteins were transferred to the nitrocellulose sheet (045 μm, Bio-rad, no code 162-0114) at 100 volts for 1 hour using a staining system, Bio-rad blotting (no code 170-3930) The filter was blocked with PBS-10 0 05% Tween 20 overnight at room temperature, before incubation with the sera from the mice containing the anti-BASB029 antibodies that come from the formulations of both AIP04 and SBAS2 These sera were diluted 100-fold in PBS-0 05% Tween 20, and incubated on the nitrocellulose sheet for 2 hours at room temperature with moderate agitation, using a mim-staining system (Miniprotean, Bio-rad, no 170-4017) After three repeated steps of washes in PBS-0 05% Tween 20 for 5 minutes, the Nitrocellulose sheet was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour under moderate agitation with the Appropriate conjugate (sheep biotinylated mouse anti-mouse Ig antibodies, Amersham, code RPN1001) diluted to 1/500 in the same wash buffer. The membrane was washed three times as previously done, and incubated for 30 minutes. minutes with shaking using the streptavidin-peroxidase complex (Amersham, no code 1051) diluted to 1/1000 in the washing pH regulator After the last three repeated steps of washing, revelation occurred during the 20 minute incubation in a 50 ml solution containing 30 mg of 4-chloro-1-naphthol (Sigma), 10 ml of methanol, 40 ml of PBS and 30 μl of H202. The staining was stopped, 5 while the membrane was washed several times in distilled water. The results, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, show that all tested strains have the expected band around 65-70 kDa, and two other bands around 55 and 90 kDa, which are clearly related to this BASB029 protein. (polymers, degradation products). This means that the BASB029 protein is probably expressed in most of, if not all, strains of NmB. In Figure 4, the recombinant BASB029 protein appears as four different proteins, two at the expected molecular weights of 65-70 kDa, and the other two to many molecular weights (> 200 kDa), which are probably aggregates of the recombinant BASB029 protein. jflfc Example 4: Presence of anti-BASB029 antibodies in sera from convalescent patients In this test, convalescent sera were tested by Western staining for the recognition of the purified recombinant BASB029 protein. Briefly, 5 μg of partially purified BASB029 NmB protein was placed on an SDS-PAGE / 4-20% gradient gel, Novex, no. code EC60252) for migration electrophoretic. The proteins were transferred to a sheet of nitrocellulose (0.45 μm, Bio-rad, code no 162-0114) at 100 volts for 1 hour using a staining system, Biorad trans-blot (code No. 170-3930). Then, the filter was blocked with PBS -0.05% Tween 20 overnight at room temperature, before incubation with human sera. These sera were diluted 100-fold in PBS-0.05% Tween 20, and incubated on the nitrocellulose sheet for 2 hours at room temperature with moderate agitation, using a mini-staining system (Miniprotean, Biorad, No. code 170-4017 ). After three repeated steps of washes in PBS-0.05% Tween 20 for 5 minutes, the nitrocellulose sheet was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour under moderate agitation with the appropriate conjugate (biotinylated anti-human Ig, sheep antibodies, Amersham , code RPN1003) diluted to 1/500 in the same washing pH regulator. The membrane was washed three times as previously, and incubated for 3 minutes with shaking using the streptavidin-peroxidase complex (Amersham, code No. 1051) diluted 1/100 in the wash buffer. After the last three repeated steps of washing, revelation occurred during the 20 minutes incubation time in a 50 ml solution containing 30 mg of 4-chloro-1-naphthol (Sigma), 10 ml of methanol, 40 ml of ultra-pure water, and 30 μl of H202. The staining was stopped while the membrane was washed several times with distilled water. The results are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, which show that the 7 convalescents react against the protein BASB029 recombinant around 65-70 kDa, while two higher bands (> 200 kDa) were also recognized by most of them, and with a weak reaction in few of them. The reactivities against proteins with a high molecular weight 5 confirm that these two bands are clearly related to the BASB029 protein, which are probably in their aggregated forms. In part A of Figures 6 and 7, the same reactions against these four bands are seen with the sera of immunized mice. This clearly confirms that all these 10 four bands are related to the recombinant BASB029 protein Sera from negative mice did not react with the recombinant protein as shown also in figure 7 Deposited materials 15 A deposit containing a Serogroup B strain of Neissena meningitidis was deposited at American Type Culture Collection (here "ATCC") on June 22, 1997 and assigned to deposit number 13090. The deposit was described as Neissepa meningitidis (Albrecht and Ghon) and is an insert collection of 1 5- 20 2 9 kb dried by freezing the W meningitidis isolate The deposit is described in Int Bull Bactepol Nomencl Taxon 8 1-15 (1958) The deposit of the Neissena mentngitidis strain is referred to herein as "the deposited strain" or as "the DNA of the strain deposited " The deposited strain contains the full-length BASB029 gene. The sequence of the polynucleotides contained in the deposited strain, as well as the amino acid sequence of any polypeptide encoded thereby, are controlled in the case of any conflict with any description of the sequences herein. The deposit of the deposited strains has been made under the terms of the Budapest Treaty in the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Purposes of Patent Procedure. The strains deposited will be irrevocably and without restriction or condition released to the public after the issuance of a patent. The deposited strains are provided as a convenience to those skilled in the art and not as an admission that a deposit is required for training, such as that required in accordance with 35 U. S.C. §112.

LIST OF SEQUENCES < 110 > SmithKline Beecham Biologicals S A < 120 > Novel Compounds < 130 > BM45321 < 160 > 6 < 170 > FastSEC for Windows Version 3 0 < 210 > 1 < 211 > 1785 < 212 > DNA < 213 > Bacteria < 400 > 1 atjjaacaaaa Cacaccgcat ca.tttgga.ac agtgccc ca atgcctgggt cgccgcatcc JC gagcceacac gcaaccacac caaacgcgcc Cccgcaaccg:.? _ GGCG ccgc CCFT & ttggcg 120 acactcjtcgt tcgcaacggt caggcga ^ t actaccgatg acgacgattt atatttagaa 130 ccc = GTAC = ac gcaccgctgp cgtgttgagc ttecgecccg acaaagaagg cacgggagaa 2 0 aaag3. agtta cagaagattc AAAT: tgggga gfcatac tcg acaagaaagg agcac-aaca 300 ccacccccaa jccagaacaa agccggcgaa aacctgaaaa caccaatgaa t-caaacaaaa 360 aacaceaacg acagcagccC acc ^ actcg ctgaaaaaag accccacaga accagt 420 tct tg ^ gttggaa aaaaatta.Cc gcttagcgca aacagcaata aagccaacac cacaagcgac 460 accaaaggct tgaatttegc gaaaaaaacg gctgagacca acggcgaeac cacggutcat. 540c-gaacggta TCGG tcgac tttgaccgac acgctgctga ataccg sgc aceaíaaac € 00 scaaccaacg acaacgttac cgatgacgag aaaaaacgtg cgg aagcgt taaagacgta 6SC tcaaacgcag gcüggaacat aaaggcg aaacccgg c ^ a caacagcttc cgataacgtt 720 satttaatcc gcacttacga cacagtcgag ttettga g cagatacgaa aacaacgact 7B0 gCcaatgtgg aaagcaaaga caacggcaag agaaccgaag "taaaa'rcgg tgcgaagact 540 tccgttatca aagaaaaaga cggtaagr: t, g gttaccggta aagacaaagg cgagaatgat 3C3 cctcctacag acaaaggc to --crg tca tg actgcaaaag aagtgattga cgcastaa & c 9SC aaggccggtt:.? ggagaacgaa sacaacaacc gccaa gc-c aaacaggtca agctgacaa 1C20 ctgaas CG- ttacatcag cacaaatgta acct ^ ra tgcta gt3cr-ESGG accgcg 1C 8"act taagta aagacgatca iggcaacatc actgt? at r acgacgcaaa cgccggcgar: 1 O gccctaaacg tcaatcagct gcaaaacagc ggttggaact cggattccaa agcggttgca 1201 ggttcctcgg gcsaagccat cagcggcaat gctccgccga gcaagggaaa gacggatgaa 12S0 accgtcaaca ttaacgccgg caaeaacaec gagattaccc gcaacggcaa aaataccgac 132; atcgccaccc cgatgacccc gcaatttccc agcgtttcgc tcggcgcggg sgcggacgcg 13B0 cccactttaa gsgtggatga egagggcgcg ctgaatgtqg gcagcaagga cgccaacaaa 1440 cccgtcc ca ctaccaatgt cgccccgggc gctaaagagg gggatgttac aaacgtcgca LSU caacttaaag gcgcggcgca aaacctgaac aaccacaccg acaatgcgga c gcaacgcg 1560 cgtgcgggca tcgcccaage gactgcaacc gcaggcctgg ttcaggcgta tccgcccggc 1S20 aagagtatga tggcgatcgg cggcggcact tatcgcggcg aagccggtta tgccatcggc LCSO cactcaagca ctcccgacgg cggaaattgg atcaccaaag gcacggctcc cggcaacccg 1,740 cgcggccatt ccggcgcccc? Gcatccgcc ggttatcagt ggcaa 17SS < 210 > 2 < 211 > 594 < 212 > PRT < 213 Bacteria < 400 2 Met Asn Lys lie Tyr Arg He He Trp Asp Be Wing Leu Asn Wing Trp 1 5 Ic 15 Val Wing Val be Glu Leu Thr Arg A = n? Ls Thr ys Arg Wing be Wing 20 25 30 Thr Val Wing Thr Wing Val Leu Wing Thr Leu Leu Phe Wing Thr Val Gln 35 40 45 Wing Being Thr Thr Asp Asp Asp Asp Leu Tyr Lau Glu? Ro Val Glr. Arg SO 55 60 Thr Wing Val val au Ser Phe Arg Ser Aap y = Glu Gly Thr Gly Glu S5 70 75 80 Lys Glu Val Thr Glu A = p Ser Asn Trp Gly Val Tyr Pha Asp Lys Lys ßó 30 S5 Sly val Leu Thr Wing Gly Thr lie Thr Leu Lys Wing Gly Asp Asu e 100 IOS 110 Lys Ha Lys Glr. Asri Thr A = n Glu Asr. Thr Asn Ala Ser? Er Ph? Thr 115 120 125 Tyr Ser Leu Ly = Lys Asp Leu Thr A = p Leu Thr Ser Val Sly Thr Glu 130 135 140 Lys Leu Ser? Ne Ser Ala Asri Ser Asn Lys Val Aan lie Tnr Sar Asp 145 150 155 150 Thr Lys Gly Leu P'ne Wing Lys Lya Thr Wing Si- Thr Asn Gly Aep 165 170 175 Thr Thl- Val His Leu Asn Gly lie Gly Ser Thr Leu Thr Asp Thr Leu 190 Leu Asr. Tnr Gly Wing Thr Thr Asa Val Thr Asn Asp Asn Val Thr Asp 195 200 205 Asp Glu Lys Lys Arg Ala Ala sar Val Lys Asp al Leu Aen Ala Gly 210 215 220 Trp Asr. He Lys Gly Val Lya pro Gly Thr Thr Wing Ser A = p Asn Val 225 230 23S 240 Asp Phe Val Arg Thr Tyr A_p Thr Val Glu Phe Leu Ser Wing Asp Thr 245 250 255 Lya Thr Thr Thr Val Aan al Glu Ser Lys .A = p Asn Gly Lys Arg Thr 260 265 270 Glu Val Lys He Gly Wing Lys Thr Ser Val He Lys Glu Lys Asp Gl / 275 280 235 Lys Leu Val Thr Gly Lys Asp Lyg Gly Glu Asn Asp Ser Ser Thr Asp 290 255 200 Ly = sly Glu Gly Leu Val Thr Wing Lys Glu Val He Asp Wing Val A3r. 305 310 315 320 Lys Wing Gly Trp Arg Met Lys Thr Thr Tnr Wing Asn Gly Gln Thr Gly 325 330 335 Gln? -a Asp Lys Phe Glu Thr Val Thr be Gly Tnr Asr. Val Thr Phß 340 345 3S0 Wing Being Gly Lys Gly Thr Thr Wing Thr Being Lys Asp Asp Gln Giy 35S 360 365 Asn He Thr Val Met Tyr Asp Val Asn Val Gly Asp Ala Leu Asn Val 370 375 260 Asr. G n Leu Gln Asn Ser Gly Trp Asn Leu Aap Ser Lys Wing Val Wing 385 390 335 400 Gly Being Ser Gly Lys Val I have been Gly Asn Val Ser Pro Being Lys Gly 405 41C 115 Lys Het Asp Glu Thr Val Asn He Asn Wing Gly Asn Asn He Glu He 420 425 430 Thr Arg Asn Gly Lys Aan He Asp He Wing Thr Sar Ket Thr Pro Gln 435 440 445 Phe Be Ser Val Be Le- Gly Ala Giy Wing Asp Ala Pro Thr Leu Ser 450 455 460 val? Sp? Sp Glu Gly Ala Leu Asn al Gly Ser Lys Aap Ala Aen L 465 470 475 4T0 Pro Val Arg He Thr Asr. val Prc Gly Wing Val L / s Glu Gly Asp Val 495 490 495 Thr Asn Val Wing Gln Leu Lya sly Val Wing Glr. Asn Leu Asn Asn His 500 SOS 510 As Asn Asn Val Asp Gly Asn Ala Arg Ala Gly He Ala Gln Ala Ala 51S 520 525 Ala Thr Ala Gly Leu Val Gln Ala Tyr Lea Pro Gly Lys Ser Met Met 530 535 540 Ala He Gly Gly Gly Thr Tyr Arg Gly Glu Wing Gly Tyr Wing He Gly 545 550 S55 560 Tyr Sar Being As Asp Giy Asp Tr Ha He Lys Gly Thr Wing 565 570 575 Ser Gly Asn be Arg Gly Hs Phe Giy Wing Being Wing Being Val Gly Tyr SBO 585 590 < 210 > 3 < 211 > 1776 < 212 > DNA < 213 > Bacteria < 400 > 3 acgaacaaaa cataccgcat catctggaat agtgccctca atgcetggs cgccgcatcc so gagctcacac gcaaccacac caaacgcgcc tccgcaacc »tgaagaccgc cgtattggcg 120 acactgttgt ttgcaacggt tcaggcaagt gctaacaatg 3agagcaaga agaagattta 1? 0 tatttagacc ccgtacaaag cactgtcgcc gcgttgatag tcaattccga taaagaagg 140 acgggagaaa aagaaaaagt agaagaaaat tcagactggg cagtetattr caacgagaaa 303 cagccagaga ggagcactaa aatcaecacc aaagccggcg acaacctgaa aatcaaacaa 350 acttcaccta aacggcacaa ctcgctgaaa aaagacctc cagacctgac cagtgtt 420 actgaaaaat tatcgtttag cgcaaacggc aataaas ca 430 ggcctgaatt acatcacaag cgacaccaaa ttgcgaaaga aacggctgeg acgaacggcg acaccacggt tcacctgaae 5 ^ 0 ggtattggtt cgaccttgac cgatacgctg ctgaataccg gagcgacca aaacgtaucc 600 ttaccgatga aacgacaacg egagaaaaaa cgcgcggcaa GCG cgtatraa caaac-a-ic ¿? < 210 > 4 < 211 > 591 < 212 > PRT < 213 > Bacteria < 400 > 4 Me- Asn Lys 11 ^ Tyr Arg He He Trp Asn Sar Ala and Asn Ala Trp 1 S 15 Val Ala Val Ser Glu. Leu Thr Arg Asn H_s Thr Lys Arg Wing 3sr Wing 25 33 Thr Val Lys Thr Ala val Lau Ala Thr leu Leu Phe Ala Thr Val C-ln 40 45 Wing Being Wing gn Asn Glu Glu G n Glu G u Asp Le Tvr Leu Asp Prs 50 55 6ü al Gln r Thr Val Wing Val Ls He Val Asp Ser Asp ys Glu Gly 55 70 75 90 Thr Gly Glu Ly = Glu Lys Val Glu Glu Asn Ser Asp Trp Wing Val Tyr 85 90 95 Phe Aan Glu Lys Gly Val Leu Thr Ala Arg Glu He Thr Leu L > living room 100 105 lio Giy Asp Asn Leu Lys He Lys Gln Asn Gly Thr Aan Phe Thr Tyr Sei 115 120 125 Leu Lys Lys Asp Leu Thr Asp Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Thr Glu Lys Le. 130 135 1 0 Ser Phe Ser Wing Asn Gly Asn Lys Val Aan He Thr Sar Asp Thr Lys 145 150 1SS ISO Gly Leu Aen Phe Ala Lys slu Thr Ala ßiy Thr Asn Gly Asp Thr Thr 165 170 175 Val His Leu Asn Gly He sly Ser Thr Leu Thr Asp Thr Leu Leu Asn 180 105 190 Thr Gly Wing Thr Thr Asn Val Thr A = n Asp Asn Val Thr Asp Asp Glu 195 200 205 Lys Lys Arg Wing Ala Ser Val Lys Asp Val Leu Asn Wing Gly Trp Asn 210 215 220 He Lys Gly Val Lys Pro Gly Thr Thr Ala Sar Asp Aan Val Asp Phe 225 230 235 240 Val Arg Thr Tyr Asp Thr Val slu Phe L ± u Ser Wing Asp Thr Lys Thr 245 250 255 Thr Thr Val Asn Val Glu Ser Lyo Asp Asr. ßly Lys Lys Thr Glu Val 260 265 270 Lys He Gly Ala Lya Thr Ser al He Lys Glu Lys Asp Gl.and Lys Leu 275 260 235 Val Thr Gly Lys Asp Lys Gly Giu A = n Gly Ser Ser Thr Asp slu Gly 290 295 300 Glu Gly Leu Val Thr Wing Lys Glu Val He A3p Wing Val Asn Lys Wing 305 310 315 320 Gly Trp Arg Met Lys Thr Thr Thr Wing Asn Gly Gln Tnr Gly Gln Wing 325 330 335 Asp Lya Phe Glu Thr to Thr Ser Gly Thr Asn Val Thr Phe Wing 3rd 340 345 350 Gly Lys Gly Thr Thr Wing Thr val Ser lys A = p Asp Gln Gly Asn Ha 355 360 3SS Thr Val Mee Tyr Asp Val Aen Val Gly Asp Ala Leu Asn Val Asn Gln 37D 375 3a Lau Gln Asn Ser Gly Trp Asn Leu Asp Ser Lys Wing Val Wing Gl Sel 3BS 390 395 400 Sar Gly Lys Val ls be Gly Asn Val Ser Pro Ser Lys Gly Lys Met 405 410 415 Asp Glu Tnr val Asn He Asn Wing Gly Asn Asn He G-u He Thr Arg 420 425 430 Asn Gly Lys ^ sn He Asp He Wing Thr Ser e Thr Pro Gln Phe Ser 435 440 445 Ser Val Ser Leu Gly Ala Oly Wing Asp Wing Prc Thr Leu Ser val Acp 450 455 460 Gx Asp Ala Leu Asn al Gly Ser Lys Lya A = p Asn Lys Pro Val Arg 465 470 4 5 480 He Thr Asn Val Wing Pro Gly Val Lys Glu Gly Asp Val Thr Asi Val 4B5 490 495 Wing Gln Leu Lys Gly Val Wing Gln Asn Leu Asn A = n Alg He Asp Asn 500 505 510 Val Asp Gly Asn Ala Arg Ala Gly He Ala Gln A_a He Ala Thr Al » 515 520 525 Gly Leu Val Gln Ala Tyr Leu Pro Gly Lys be Met Met Ala lie Gly 530 535 S40 Gly Gly Thr Tyr Arg Gly Glu Wing Gly Tyr Ala? Ie Gly Tyr Ser Se 545 550 555 560 I have been Asp Gly Gly Asn Trp He He Ly = Gly Thr Ala Ser Gly As-? 565 570 575 Ser Arg Gly His Phe Gly Wing Ser Wing Ser Val Gly Tyr Gln Trp sao 585 590 < 210 > 5 < 211 > 36 < 212 > DNA < 213 > Artificial Sequence < 220 > < 23 > O gonucleotide < 400 > 5 ggggcatatg aacaaaatat accgcatcat Ttggaa 36 . * fe ^ < 210 > 6 < 211 > 34 < 212 > DNA < 213 > Artificial Sequence < 220 > < 223 > Oligonucleotide < 400 > 6 ggggctcgag ccactgataa ccgacagatg cgga 34 Polynucleotide and Polypeptide BASB029 Sequences SEQ ID NO: 1 Sequence of polynucleotide BASB029 from Neissena meningitidis ATGAACAAAATATACCGCATCATTTGGAATAGTGCCCTCAATGCCTGGGTCGCCSTATCC GAGCTCACACGCAACCACACCAAACGCGCCTCCGCAACCGTGGCGACCGCCGTATTGGCG ACACTGTTGTTTGCAACGGTTCAGGCGAGTACTACCGATGACGACGATtTATATTTAGAA CCCSTAC ACGaACTGCTGTCaTOTTGAGCTTCCGTTCCGATAAAGAAGGCACGGGAGAA AAAGAAGTTACAGAAGATTCAAATTGGGGAGTATATTTCGACAAGAAAGGAGTACTAACA GCCsGAACAATCACCCTCAAAGCCGGCGACAACCTGAAAATCAAACAAAACACCAATaAA AACACCAATGCCAGTAGCTTCACCTACTCGCTGAAAAAAGACCTCACAGATCTGACCAGT GTTGßAACTGAAAAATTATCGTTTAGCGCAAACAGCAATAAAG CAACATCACAAGCGAC ACCAAAGGCTTGAA7TTCGCGAAAAAAACGGCTGAGACCAACGGCGACACCACGGTTCAT CTGAACGGTATCGGTTCGACTTTGACCGATACGCTGCTGAATACCGGAGCGACCACAAAC CGACJaACGT GT.AACCA ^ ^ ACCGATGACGAOlAAAAAACGTGCGGCAAGCGTTAA GACGTA TTAAACGCAGrK:? TGGAACATTAAAGGCGTTAAACCCGGTACAACAGCTtaCGATAACGTT GATTTCGTCCGCACTTACGACAC1AGTCGAGTTCTTGAGCGCAGATACGAAAACAACGACT GTTAATGTGGAAAGCAAAGACAACGGCAAGAGAACCGAAGTTAAAATCGGTGCGAAGACT TCTGTTATCAAAGAAAAAGACGGTAAGTTGGTTACTGGTAAAGACAAAGGCGAGAATGAT TCTTCTACAGACAAAGGCGAAGXSCTTAGTGACTGCAAAAGAAGTGATTGATGCAGTAAAC AAGGCTGGTTGGAGAAT GAAAACAACAACCGCTAATGGTCAAACAGGTCAAGCTGACAAG TTTGAAACCGTTACATCAGGCACAAATGTAACCTTTGC AGTGGTAAAßGTACAACTGCG ACTGTAAGTAAAGATOATCAAGGC.AACATCACTGTTATGTATGATGTAAATGTCGGCGA GCCCTAAACGTCAATCAGCTGO >;? AAACAGCGGTTaGAATTTGGATTCCAAAGCGGTTGCA GGTTCTTCGGGCAAAGTCATCAGCGGCAATGTTTCGCCGAGCAAGGGAAAGATGGATGAA ACCGTCAACATTAATGCCGaCAACAACATCGAGATTACCCGCAACGGCAAAAATATCGAC ATCGCCACT-TCGATGACCCCGCAATTTTCCAGCGTTTCGCTCOaCGCGGGGGCGGATQCG CCCACTTTAAGCGTGGA.TGACGAGGGCGCGTTGAATGTCGGCAGCAAGGATGCCAACAAA CCCGTCCGCAT ACCAATGTCGCCCCGGGCGTTAÁAGAGGGGGATGTTA V CGTCGCA? CAACTTAAAGGCGTGGCGCAAAACTTGAACAACCAGATCGACAATGTGGACGGCAACGCG CGTGCGGGCATCGCCCAAGCGATTGCAACCGCAGGTGTaGTTCAGGCGTATCTGCCCGGC AAGAGTATGATGGCGATCSGCGGCGGCACTTATCGCGGCGAAGCCGGTTATGCCATCGGC TACTCAAGCATTTCCGACGGCGGA7? ATTGGATTATCAAAGGCAC3GCTTCCGGCAATTCG CSCGGCCATTTCGGTGCTTCCGCA CTGTCGGTTATCAGTGGTAA S EC I D NO 2 Sequence of nucleotide po BASB029 of Neissepa meningitidis deduced from the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 1 M? ^ I? TIW-? JSALNAWVAVS? LTRXKTKRASATVATAVLATLLFATV A? TTDDDDLYLE PVQ = .TAVVLSFSSDKEGTG2XZVT? DSKWGVYFD SG ^ LTAGTITXKAG K. < IKQN-r? NTKASSFt-fSLK DLTDLTSVGTEO, SFSANSNKVNITSDTKG KPAKKTAE-raGETTVH LNGIC-STLTDTLLNTGA ~ raVTJÜNVTriDeX EAASVl I¡VLNAGVrH: KGVXPGTTASDtr < / PVRITjrv "APGVl-5GDV'IVVAQLlCGVAQNL? J? I: -lIDyVDsNARAGIAQAIATAGLV A? LPG KS ^ KAIC-GGTYP-G3AG -. 'AlGYSSISQGEr < IIKGTASGKS GHFGASASV3YQ SEQ ID NO 3 Sequence of BASB029 polynucleotide from Neissena meningitidis of strain H44 / 76 ATGAACAAAATATACCGCATCAGGTGGAATAGTGCCCTCAATGCCTGGGTCGCCGTATCC GAGCTCACACGCAACCACACCAAACGCGCCTCCGCAACCGTGAAGACCGCCGTATTGGCG ACACTGTTGTTTGCAACGGTTCAGGCAAG? GCTAACAATGAAGAGCAAGAAGAAGATTTA ATTTAGACCCCGTACAACGCACTGTTGCCGTGTTGATAGTCAATTCC3ATAAAGAAGGC ACGGGAGAAAAAGAAAAAGTAGAASAAAATTCAGATTGGGCAGTATATT-TCAAC? AGAAA GGAGTACTAACAGCCAGAGAAATCACCCT? IAAGCCGGCGACAACC GAAAATC.AAACAA AACGGCACAAACTTCACCTACTCGCTGAAAAAAGACCTCACAGATCTGACCAGTGTTGGA ACTGAAAAATTATCGGTTAGCGCAAACGGCAATSAAGTCAACATCACAAGCGACACCAAA GGCTTGAA TTTGCGAAAGAAACGGCTGGGACGAACGGCGACACCACGGTTCACCTGAAC GSTATTGGTTCC-ACTTTGACCGATACC-CTGCTGAATACCGGAGCGACCACAAACGTAACC AACGACAACGTTACCGA-TGACGAGAAAAAACGTGCGGCAÍGCGTTAAAGACGTATTAAAC GCAGGCTGGAACATTAAAGGCGTTAAACCCGGTACAACAGCTTCCGATAACGTTGATT C GTCCGCACTTACGACACAGTCGAGTTCTTGAGCGCAGATACGAAAACAACGACTGTTAAT GTGGAAAGCAAAGACAACGX3CAAGAAAACCGAAGTTAAAATCGGTGCGAAGACTTCTGTT ATTAAAGAAAAAGACGGTAAGTTGGTTACTßGTAAAGACAAAGGCGAGAATGGT CTTCT ACAGACGAAGGCGAAGGCTTAGTGACTGCAAAAGAAGTGATTGATGCAGTAAACA'.GGCT GGTTGGAGAATGAAAACAACAACCGCTAATGGTCAAACAGGTCAAGC? GACAAGT-GTGAA ACCGTTACAtCAGGCACAAATGTAACCTTTGCTAGTGGTAAAGGTACAACTGCGACTGTA AGTAAAGATGATCAAaGCAACATCACTGTTATGTATGAGTAAATGTCGGCGATGCCCTA AACGTCAATCAfiCTGCAAAACAGCGGTTGGAATT GGATTCCAAAGCGGTTGCAGGTTCT TCGGGCAAAGTCAÍCAGCGGCAATGTTTCsCCGAGCAAGGGAAAGATGGATßAAACCGTC AACATTAATGCCGGCAACAACATCGAGATTACCCGCAACGßTAAAAATATCGACATCaCC ACTTCGATSACCCCGCAGTTTCCAGCßTTTCGCTCGGCGCGGGGGCGGATGCGCCCACT TTGAGCGTGGATGGGGACGCATTGAATG'rCGGCAGCAAGAAGGACAACAAACCCGTCCGC ATTACCAATGTCGCCCCGGGCßTTAAAGAGGGGGATGTTACAAACGTCGCACAACTtAAA GGCGTGGCGCAAAACTTGAACAACCGCATCQACAATGTGGACGGCAACGCGCGTGCGGGC ATCGCCCAAGCGATTGCAACCGCAGGTCTGGTTCAGGCGTATTTGCCCGGCAAGAGTATG ATGßCGATCGGCGGCGGCACTTAtCGCGGCGAAGCCGGtTACGCCATCGGCTACTCCAGT AT TCCGACGGCsG AAATTGGATTATCAAAGGCACGGCTTCCGGCAATTCGCGCGGCCAT TTCGGTGCTTCCGCATCTGTCGGTTATCAGTGGTAA S EC I D N O - 4 Sequence of nucleotide poly BAS B029 of Neisseria meningitidis of the sequence of S EC I D N O: 3 MNKIYfti? WNS M? WA S? TRmT? W-SAtvTCTA - ^^ YIJ3PVQRTVAVLIVNSD EGTGEI ^^ ESSSDWAV? FNI. GVI, TAR? ITLKAGD I, IKQ NGT PTYSLKKJ3LTDLTSVGTEKLSFSANGI-KVNITSDTKGI.SFAKETAGTNGDTTVHLK GIGSTLTDTLLOTGATrNVTiroiWTDDS K? CAASV ^^ VRTYTJTVSFL? ADTKTTT irv? Sis3NGKKTEVXlGA TSVIKEKDGKl, VTGKD G3 > IGSS TDEGEGLVTAK? VIDAVlSriCAG iU ^ TTTANGQTGQADKFE-rvtSaTNVTFASGKGTTATV NINAC-N IEIT GK IDIATSIWPQFSSVSLGAGAIlAPTLSVDGDAiNVGSK DN PVR ITtWAPGVK? GDV NVAQLKGVAQ UnreiDtWTJGlJAi ^ GIACAlATAGLV? AYTjPG SM MAIGGGTiUGEAGYAIGYSS? SDGGNWIISGTASGNSRGHFGASASVGYQM SEQ ID NO: 5 GGG GCA TAT GAA CAA AAT ATA CCG CAT CAT TTG GAA SEC ID NO 6 GGG GCT CGA GCC ACT GAT AAC CC-l CAG ATG CGG A

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1 An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 85% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 2 SEQ ID NO 4 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 2 or of SEQ ID NO 4 respectively 2 - An isolated polypeptide according to claim 1 wherein the amino acid sequence has at least 95% identity with the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 2 SEQ ID NO 4 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 2 or SEQ ID NO A respectively 3 - The peptide according to claim 1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 2 SEQ ID NO A 4 - A polypeptide isolated from SEQ ID NO 2 SEQ ID NO 4 A polypeptide comprising an immunogenic fragment of the polypeptide according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the immunogenic fragment is capable of evoking an immune response that recognizes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2 SEQ ID NO 4 6 A polypeptide according to with claim 5 wherein the immunogenic fragment is coupled to a vehicle 7 An isolated polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having at least 85% of identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 2, 4 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 2, 4, respectively, or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide 8 - An isolated polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence that has at least 85% identity with a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2, 4 over the entire coding region, or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated nucleotide 9 - An isolated polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% identity with that of SEQ ID NO 1, 3 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO 1, 3, respectively, or a nucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide 10 - Isolated polynucleotide according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the identity is at least 95% of SEQ ID NO 1, 3 - An isolated peptide comprising a sequence of nucleotide encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO A 12 - An isolated polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO 1, SEQ ID NO 3 13 - An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO 2, SEQ ID NO 4, which is obtained through the classification of an appropriate collection under hybridization conditions with a labeled probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, or a fragment thereof. 14. An expression vector or a live microorganism comprising a recombinant polynucleotide according to any of claims 7 to 13. 15. A host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 14 or a subcellular fraction or a membrane. of said host cell expressing an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4. 16. A process for producing a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, comprising culturing a host cell of claim 15 under conditions sufficient for the production of said polypeptide and recovering the polypeptide from the culture medium. 17. A process for expressing a polynucleotide of any of claims 7 to 1, comprising transforming a host cell with the expression vector comprising at least one of the polynucleotides and culturing said host cell under conditions sufficient for the expression of any of said polynucleotides. 18. A vaccine composition comprising an amount of the polypeptide of any one of claims 1 to 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier 19 - A vaccine composition comprising an effective amount of the nucleotide of any of claims 7 to 13 and a pharmaceutically effective carrier 20 - The vaccine composition of according to one of claims 18 or 19, wherein said composition comprises at least another Neissena meningitidis antigen 21 - An immunospecific antibody for the polypeptide or immunological fragment according to any of claims 1 to 6 22 - A method for diagnosing an infection by Neissena menmgitidis, which comprises identifying a polypeptide according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or an antibody that is immunospecific for said polypeptide, present within a biological sample of an animal with suspected infection having a shower 23 - The use of a composition comprising a quantity Immunologically effective immunity of a pohpeptide according to any of claims 1 to 6 in the preparation of a medicament for use in the generation of an immune response in an animal 2 - The use of a composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of a polypeptide according to any of claims 7 to 13 in the preparation of a drug to be used in the generation of an immune response in an animal. 25 - A useful therapeutic composition for treating beings • humans with a disease by Neissena meningitidis, which comprises at least one antibody against the polypeptide of claims 1 to 6 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. F 10