ZmpB, A NEW DETERMINANT OF VIRULENCE FOR STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE, VACCINE DERIVED THEREFROM AND USES THEREOF

摘要

This invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a bacterial zinc metalloprotease in which the amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, including fragments, mutants, variants, analogs, or derivatives, thereof. Such zinc metalloprotease is capable of regulating expression of choline binding proteins and/or other proteins on a bacterial cell surface. This invention further provides an isolated immunogenic polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a zinc metalloprotease. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a zinc metalloprotease. This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods of use of the isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids and antibodies of the present invention. Assays for compounds which alter or inactivate the polypeptides of the present invention for use in therapy are also provided.