DNA fragments encoding Borrelia burgdorferi OspA, methods of making OspA polypeptides, and diagnostic methods based on these DNA fragments

摘要

New immunologically active fractions B, C and E of Borellia burgdorferi (B.b) are prepd. by first lysing B.b. spirochaete cells with a mild, non-denaturing detergent (I) to release outer membrane components (OMC), then cetrifuging the lysate to recover a pellet (P1) contg. cell wall and fleagellar components and supernatant (S1) contg. OMC. - (S1) is uncubated to ppte. at least sone of the proteins contained in it, then centrifuged to recover a pellet (P2), which is fraction E, and supernatant (S2). (S2) is filtered, then dialysed against low ionic strength aq. medium or ultrafiltered to remove (I) and complex B.b-derived cell components. The contents of the dialysis bag are centrifuged to give a pellet, which is fraction, B and a supernatant which is fraction C. - Also new are (1) a DNA fragment (II) encoding the 31 kD OspA protein of B.b New York Strain B31 (ATCC 35210), or its functional equivalents, and including the 5'-end of the ospA gene, and (2) antibodies (Ab) directed against fractions B, C or E or against the polypeptides encoded by (II).