compositions and methods for investigating and using compounds that antagonize sporo-surface interactions

摘要

The present invention provides genes encoding novel microbial proteins (i.e., for example, exosporium genes and proteins) that mediate the attachment of microbial spores to surfaces. Specific fragments of these microbial spore proteins may be utilized to inhibit the attachment of microbial spores to surfaces, thereby providing an infection control agent. The invention provides recombinant expression vectors comprising genes encoding exosporium proteins, as well as host cells containing these expression vectors. Further provided herein are screening methods for identifying infection control compositions comprising exosporium proteins that inhibit bacterial spore attachment to either bodily tissues or solid surfaces. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of nucleic acid inhibitors of exosporium protein expression by hybridizing with nucleic acid sequences encoding exosporium proteins as well as with exosporium mRNA. The invention further describes monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies having affinity for exosporium proteins.