Detection of cells by specific cell wall binding domains (CBD) of cell wall binding proteins

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of specific polypeptides that define portions (domains binding to cell walls, CBD) of proteins and/or enzymes binding to cell walls. The CBD polypeptides or the fusion products containing the same are characterised in that they are capable of specific binding to the cell wall (as well as to portions of the cell wall or to cell membranes) of target cells. This invention also relates to methods based on this binding and used for the recognition labeling (mainly for diagnosis purposes), the immobilisation, the enrichment et the purification of cells, mainly of micro-organisms (bacteria, yeast, fungus cells), as well as to their durable forms (bacteria and fungus spores) and to eukaryotic cells (animal and/or vegetal). The CBD polypeptides can be labeled directly or the binding to the target cells (or portions thereof) can be detected during a second step involving an analysis of the sandwich-coupled type. The present invention further relates to adequate reactants for implementing said methods, and to analysis kits that contain the traditional detection substances as well as one or more purified or labeled CBDs or molecules containing CBDs as their active ingredient or CBD molecules bound to solid phases.