Intimin and Tir binding in bacteria-host cell interactions

摘要

The Tir binding site of intimin and its use to design or select agents which are capable of interfering with or preventing Tir-intimin binding and which thereby may be useful in inhibiting bacterial colonisation of host cells. Also claimed is a method of identifying an agent such as an antibody which is capable of binding all or part of the Tir binding site of intimin comprising providing an intimin molecule containing the Tir binding site and comparing the SP1/SPH-SP15/SPN HSQC (NMR) spectrum with and without the agent being present. Amide resonance which move or broaden in the presence of the agent indicating intimin residues involved in binding the agent.