galK

Abstract

The invention provides galK promoter polynucleotides and methods for producing and using such polynucleotides, as well as their variants, agonists and antagonists, and their uses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, and their production and uses, as well as their variants, agonists and antagonists, and their uses. In particular the invention relates to promoter polynucleotides, as well as their variants, hereinafter referred to as “galK” “galK promoter polynucleotide(s),” and “galK polynucleotide(s)” as the case may be.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The Streptococci make up a medically important genera of microbes known to cause several types of disease in humans, including, for example, otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, sinusitis, pleural empyema and endocarditis, and most particularly meningitis, such as for example infection of cerebrospinal fluid. Since its isolation more than 100 years ago, Streptococcus pneumoniae has been one of the more intensively studied microbes. For example, much of our early understanding that DNA is, in fact, the genetic material was predicated on the work of Griffith and of Avery, Macleod and McCarty using this microbe. Despite the vast amount of research with S. pneumoniae, many questions concerning the virulence of this microbe remain. It is particularly preferred to employ Streptococcal genes and gene products as targets for the development of antibiotics.

[0004] The frequency of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections has risen dramatically in the past few decades. This has been attributed to the emergence of multiply antibiotic resistant strains and an increasing population of people with weakened immune systems. It is no longer uncommon to isolate Streptococcus pneumoniae strains that are resistant to some or all of the standard antibiotics. This phenomenon has created an unmet medical need and demand for new anti-microbial agents, vaccines, drug screening methods, and diagnostic tests for this organism.

[0005] Moreover, the drug discovery process is currently undergoing a fundamental revolution as it embraces “functional genomics,” that is, high throughput genome- or gene-based biology. This approach is rapidly superseding earlier approaches based on “positional cloning” and other methods. Functional genomics relies heavily on the various tools of bioinformatics to identify gene sequences of potential interest from the many molecular biology databases now available as well as from other sources. There is a continuing and significant need to identify and characterize further genes and other polynucleotides sequences and their related polypeptides, as targets for drug discovery.

[0006] Clearly, there exists a need for polynucleotides, such as the galK polynucleotide embodiments of the invention, that have a present benefit of, among other things, being useful to screen compounds for antimicrobial activity. Such factors are also useful to determine their role in gene regulation, pathogenesis of infection, dysfunction and disease. There is also a need for identification and characterization of such factors and their antagonists and agonists to find ways to prevent, ameliorate or correct such infection, dysfunction and disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to galK, in particular galK promoter polynucleotides, recombinant materials and methods for their production. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for using such polynucleotides, including treatment of microbial diseases, amongst others. In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for identifying agonists and antagonists using the materials provided by the invention, and for treating microbial infections and conditions associated with such infections with the identified agonist or antagonist compounds. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to diagnostic assays for detecting diseases associated with microbial infections and conditions associated with such infections, such as assays for detecting galK promoter driven expression or activity.

[0008] Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following descriptions and from reading the other parts of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention relates to galK polynucleotides as described in greater detail below. In particular, the invention relates to polynucleotides of a galK of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is related by sequence homology to no homolog polynucleotide or by the presence of characteristic motifs. The invention relates especially to galK promoter polynucleotides having the nucleotides sequences set out in Table 1. Note that sequences recited in the Sequence Listing below as “DNA” represent an exemplification of the invention, since those of ordinary skill will recognize that such sequences can be usefully employed in polynucleotides in general, including ribopolynucleotides.

TABLE 1
galK Polynucleotide Promoter Sequences
(A) Streptococcus pneumoniae galK polynucleotide sequence [SEQ ID NO:1].
5′-CATAAATCCTCCTTGATTAGGTTAGTATATCATGTTTTTCTTCTTTTTACTGATATTTTACTAAAATTTTAG
TAAAAAGGATTGACCTTGGAAAATTCCTTGGATACAATAGAAAGAAAACGATTACACGTTAAGATGGCTTAA
CGGACAGTCAAAGGAGAATTCATATG-3′

[0010] Methods to identify promoters include techniques known in the art as well as those provided herein. Art techniques include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0011] RT-PCR

[0012] RT-PCR analysis of total RNA isolated from infected tissue or in vitro grown cells. Using genome databases, primer pairs are designed to predict transcripts of the selected pathogen and arrayed in microtiter dish format. Total RNA is isolated from an in vitro grown pathogen and RT-PCR performed with all the primer pairs. Similarly RT-PCR is performed with total RNA isolated at varying times from infections of the selected pathogen in a variety of appropriate animal models. Comparison of the PCR profiles which reflect the ratio of a given mRNA to internal standards such as rRNA or housekeeping genes provides identification of those transcripts which are essentially absent in vitro, but are on throughout, or during, various phases of infection.

[0013] Putative promoters are characterized using TaqMan quantitative RT-PCR, or expression of reporter genes.

[0014] Specific sequence detection occurs by amplification of target sequences in the PE Applied Biosystems 7700 Sequence Detection System in the presence of an oligonucleotide probe labeled at the 5′ and 3′ ends with a reporter and quencher fluorescent dye, respectively (TaqMan FQ probe), which anneals between the two PCR primers. Only specific product will be detected when the probe is bound between the primers. As PCR amplification proceeds, the 5′-nuclease activity of Taq polymerase initially cleaves the reporter dye from the probe. The signal generated when the reporter dye is physically separated from the quencher dye is measured with an attached CCD camera. Each signal generated equals one probe cleaved which corresponds to amplification of one target strand.

[0015] RT/PCR controls may include +/− reverse transcriptase reactions, amplification along side genes known to be transcribed under the conditions of study and amplification of serial dilutions of genomic DNA. The level of transcription under in vivo and in vitro conditions is quantified by comparison of signal generated from these samples to that of a standard curve generated from signal resulting from amplification of the genomic DNA.

[0016] FAM and TAMRA labeling of primers and the uses of such primers has been reported. (Lee, L G, Connell, C R, and Bloch, W. 1993. Allelic discrimination by nick-translation PCR with fluorogenic probes. Nucleic Acids Research 21:3761-3766; Livak, K J, Flood, S J A, Marmaro, J., Giusti, W, and Deetz, K. 1995. Oligonucleotides with fluorescent dyes at opposite ends provide a quenched probe system useful for detecting PCR product and nucleic acid hybridization. PCR Methods and Applications 4:357-362.)

[0017] And/or the promoter region can be cloned upstream of a reporter gene in a vector appropriate for the selected pathogen. By “appropriate” it is meant a vector capable of replicating stably in a selected pathogen.

[0018] Potential reporter genes include, but are not limited to, beta-galactosidase, beta-lactamase, bacterial luciferase, firefly luciferase, beta-glucuronidase. Many other reporter genes known in the art may be used in the methods and compositions of matter of the invention.

[0019] Primer extension

[0020] A primer especific for the gene which transcription to be analyse is designed at the appropiate distance from the ATG start codon. Total RNA is isolated from an in vitro grown pathogen and a reverse transcriptase reaction is carried out. Primers are fluorescently labelled at the 5′end using FAM, HEX or NED dyes. Primer extension products can be separated on a polyacrylamide sequencing gel and detected using a suitable gel scanning system (e.g. ABI Prism™ 377 Sequencer using GeneScan™ software as supplied by Perkin Elmer).

[0021] Deposited materials

[0022] A deposit containing a Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 stain has been deposited with the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria Ltd. (herein “NCIMB”), 23 St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB2 IRY, Scotland on Apr. 11, 1996 and assigned deposit number 40794. The deposit was described as Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 on deposit.

[0023] On Apr. 17, 1996 a Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 DNA library in E. coli was similarly deposited with the NCIMB and assigned deposit number 40800. The Streptococcus pneumoniae strain deposit is referred to herein as “the deposited strain” or as “the DNA of the deposited strain.”

[0024] The deposited strain contains the full length galK gene comprising the promoter polynucleotide of the invention. The sequence of the promoter polynucleotides contained in the deposited strain, are controlling in the event of any conflict with any description of sequences herein

[0025] The deposit of the deposited strain has been made under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-organisms for Purposes of Patent Procedure. The deposited strain will be irrevocably and without restriction or condition released to the public upon the issuance of a patent. The deposited strain is provided merely as convenience to those of skill in the art and is not an admission that a deposit is required for enablement, such as that required under 35 U.S.C. §112. A license may be required to make, use or sell the deposited strain and compounds derived therefrom, and no such license is hereby granted.

[0026] In one aspect of the invention there is provided an isolated nucleic acid molecule functional in the Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 strain, which polynucleotide is contained in the deposited strain. Further provided by the invention are galK polynucleotide sequences in the deposited strain, such as DNA and RNA, and amino acid sequences encoded thereby. Also provided by the invention are galK polynucleotide sequences isolated from the deposited strain.

[0027] Polynucleotides

[0028] It is an object of the invention to provide promoter polynucleotides from a galK gene. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the polynucleotide comprises a promoter region from galK gene comprising a sequence set out in Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], or a variant thereof.

[0029] As a further aspect of the invention there are provided isolated promoter nucleic acid molecules from a galK gene, including, for example, polynucleotides derived from such molecules, such as, unprocessed RNAs, ribozyme RNAs, mRNAs, cDNAs, genomic DNAs, B- and Z-DNAs. Further embodiments of the invention include biologically, diagnostically, prophylactically, clinically or therapeutically useful polynucleotides, and variants thereof, and compositions comprising the same.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to isolated polynucleotides, including, for example polynucleotides closely related to a galK promoter having a polynucleotide sequence of Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1].

[0031] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention there is a galK polynucleotide from Streptococcus pneumoniae comprising or consisting of an nucleotide sequence of Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], or a variant thereof.

[0032] Using the information provided herein, such as a promoter polynucleotide sequence set out in Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], a polynucleotide of the invention may be obtained using standard cloning and screening methods, such as those for cloning and sequencing chromosomal (genomic) DNA fragments from bacteria using Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 cells as starting material, followed by obtaining a related or equivalent sequence. For example, to obtain a polynucleotide sequence of the invention, such as a polynucleotide sequence given in Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], typically a library of clones of chromosomal DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 in E. coli or some other suitable host is probed with a radiolabeled oligonucleotide, preferably a 17-mer or longer, derived from a partial sequence. Clones carrying DNA identical to that of the probe can then be distinguished using stringent hybridization conditions. By sequencing the individual clones thus identified by hybridization with sequencing primers designed from the original polynucleotide sequence it is then possible to extend the polynucleotide sequence in both directions to determine a functional promoter region sequence or full length gene sequence. Conveniently, such sequencing is performed, for example, using denatured double stranded DNA prepared from a plasmid clone. Suitable techniques are described by Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F. and Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York (1989). (see in particular Screening By Hybridization 1.90 and Sequencing Denatured Double-Stranded DNA Templates 13.70). Direct genomic DNA sequencing may also be performed to obtain a promoter sequence of expressibly linked full length gene sequence. Ilustrative of the invention, each polynucleotide set out in Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] was discovered in a DNA library derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993.

[0033] In a further aspect, the present invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide comprising or consisting of a polynucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity, yet more preferably at least 95% identity, even more preferably at least 97-99% or exact identity to SEQ ID NO:1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:1.

[0034] A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, including homologs and orthologs from species other than Streptococcus pneumoniae, may be obtained by a process which comprises the steps of screening an appropriate library under stringent hybridization conditions with a labeled or detectable probe consisting of or comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment thereof; and isolating a promoter and/or full-length gene and/or genonic clones containing said polynucleotide sequence.

[0035] The invention also includes a polynucleotide consisting of or comprising a polynucleotide of the formula:

X—(R1)m—(R2)—(R3)n—Y

[0036] wherein, at the 5′ end of the molecule, X is hydrogen, a metal or a modified nucleotide residue, or together with Y defines a covalent bond, and at the 3′ end of the molecule, Y is hydrogen, a metal, or a modified nucleotide residue, or together with X defines the covalent bond, each occurrence of R1 and R3 is independently any nucleic acid residue or modified nucleic acid residue, m is an integer between 1 and 3000 or zero, n is an integer between 1 and 3000 or zero, and R2 is a nucleic acid sequence or modified nucleic acid sequence of the invention, particularly a nucleic acid sequence selected from Table 1 or a modified nucleic acid sequence thereof. In the polynucleotide formula above, R2 is oriented so that its 5′ end nucleic acid residue is at the left, bound to R1, and its 3′ end nucleic acid residue is at the right, bound to R3. Any stretch of nucleic acid residues denoted by either R1 and/or R2, where m and/or n is greater than 1, may be either a heteropolymer or a homopolymer, preferably a heteropolymer. Where, in a preferred embodiment, X and Y together define a covalent bond, the polynucleotide of the above formula is a closed, circular polynucleotide, which can be a double-stranded polynucleotide wherein the formula shows a first strand to which the second strand is complementary. In another preferred embodiment m and/or n is an integer between 1 and 1000. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are provided where m is an integer between 1 and 50, 100 or 500, and n is an integer between 1 and 50, 100, or 500.

[0037] It is most preferred that a polynucleotide of the invention is derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae, however, it may preferably be obtained from other organisms of the same taxonomic genus. A polynucleotide of the invention may also be obtained, for example, from organisms of the same taxonomic family or order.

[0038] Preferred embodiments are polynucleotides that retain substantially the same biological function or activity as the promoter region DNA of Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1].

[0039] In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of this invention there are provided polynucleotides that hybridize, particularly under stringent conditions, to galK polynucleotide sequences, such as those polynucleotides in Table 1. In this regard, the invention especially relates to polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions to the polynucleotides described herein As herein used, the terms “stringent conditions” and “stringent hybridization conditions” mean hybridization occurring only if there is at least 95% and preferably at least 97% identity between the sequences. A specific example of stringent hybridization conditions is overnight incubation at 42° C. in a solution comprising: 50% formamide, 5×SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH7.6), 5×Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 micrograms/ml of denatured, sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the hybridization support in 0.1×SSC at about 65° C. Hybridization and wash conditions are well known and exemplified in Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989), particularly Chapter 11 therein. Solution hybridization may also be used with the polynucleotide sequences provided by the invention. Preferred polynucleotides that hybridize under stringent conditions are polynucleotide sequences comprising of at least 50, 100, 500, 1000, or 3000 nucleotides.

[0040] As discussed elsewhere herein regarding polynucleotide assays of the invention, for instance, the polynucleotides of the invention, may be used as a hybridization probe genomic DNA to isolate genomic clones encoding galK and to isolate genomic clones of other genes that have a high identity, particularly high sequence identity, to the galK gene. Such probes generally will comprise at least 15 nucleotide residues or base pairs. Preferably, such probes will have at least 30 nucleotide residues or base pairs and may have at least 50 nucleotide residues or base pairs. Particularly preferred probes will have at least 20 nucleotide residues or base pairs and will have lee than 30 nucleotide residues or base pairs.

[0041] The polynucleotides of the invention may be employed, for example, as research reagents and materials for discovery of treatments of and diagnostics for diseases, particularly human diseases, as further discussed herein relating to polynucleotide assays.

[0042] For each and every polynucleotide of the invention there is provided a polynucleotide complementary to it. It is preferred that these complementary polynucleotides are fully complementary to each polynucleotide with which they are complementary.

[0043] In addition to the standard A, G, C, T/U representations for nucleotides, the term “N” may also be used in describing certain polynucleotides of the invention. “N” means that any of the four DNA or RNA nucleotides may appear at such a designated position in the DNA or RNA sequence, except it is preferred that N is not a nucleic acid that when taken in combination with adjacent nucleotide positions, when read in the correct reading frame, would have the effect of generating a premature termination codon in such reading frame.

[0044] Vectors, Host Cells, Expression Systems

[0045] The invention also relates to vectors that comprise a polynucleotide or polynucleotides of the invention, host cells that are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and the production of polynucleotides of the invention by recombinant techniques. Further the promoter polynucleotides of the invention can be used to drive the expression of heterologous proteins or over-expression of naturally associated proteins. Since the promoter polynucleotide of the invention is inducible, such as by mannose or by any other appropriate inducers as the case may be, in other aspect the further aspect relates to direct or indirect up- or down-regulation of expression or transcription of a target gene. Recombinant proteins (polypeptides) may be prepared by processes well known in the art from genetically engineered host cells comprising expression vectors.

[0046] For recombinant production of the polynucleotides of the invention, host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate replication systems or portions thereof or polynucleotides of the invention. Introduction of a polynucleotide into the host cell can be effected by methods described in many standard laboratory manuals, such as Davis, et al., BASIC METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, (1986) and Sambrook, et al, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), such as, calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, transvection, microinjecton, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation, transduction, scrape loading, ballistic introduction and infection. Representative examples of appropriate hosts include bacterial cells, such as cells of streptococci, staphylococci enterococci, E. coli, streptomyces, cyanobacteria, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae; fungal cells, such as cells of a yeast, Kluveromyces, Saccharomyces, a basidiomycete, Candida albicans and Aspergillus; insect cells such as cells of Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9; animal cells such as CHO, COS, HeLa, C127, 3T3, BHK, 293, CV-1 and Bowes melanoma cells; and plant cells, such as cells of a gymnosperm or angiosperm.

[0047] A great variety of replication systems can be used to produce the polynucleotides of the invention. Such vectors include, among others, chromosomal-, episomal- and virus-derived vectors, for example, vectors derived from bacterial plasmids, from bacteriophage, from tansposons, from yeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomal elements, from viruses such as baculoviruses, papova viruses, such as SV40, vaccinia viruses, adenoviruses, fowl pox viruses, pseudorabies viruses, picornaviruses and retroviruses, and vectors derived from combinations thereof, such as those derived from plasmid and bacteriophage genetic elements, such as cosmids and phagerids. The replication system constructs may contain control regions other than the promoter of the invention that regulate as well as engender expression, such as marker gene expression. Generally, any system or vector suitable to maintain, propagate or express polynucleotides in a host may be used for expression in this regard. The appropriate DNA sequence may be inserted into the expression system by any of a variety of well-known and routine techniques, such as, for example, those set forth in Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, (supra).

[0048] Assays antagonists and Agonists

[0049] Characterization of Function: Assays of the invention may be performed by determining the effect of transcript level on cell phenotype. These assays will help to characterize, among other things, temporal relevance of transcription to phenotype.

[0050] Protein Expression: Promoter polynucleotides of the invention may be used for overproduction of heterologous proteins in bacteria.

[0051] Essentiality Testing: Promoter polynucleotides of the invention may be used to assess gene essentiality in a bacteria. Example 2 provides one embodiment of this type of assay. Skilled artisans can readily determine other ways to perform such analyses based on the present invention and the teachings herein.

[0052] Polynucleotides of the invention may also be used to assess the binding of small molecule substrates and ligands in, for example, cells, cell-free preparations, chemical libraries, and natural product mixtures. These substrates and ligands may be natural substrates and ligands or may be structural or functional mimetics. See, e.g., Coligan et al., Current Protocols in Immunology 1(2): Chapter 5 (1991).

[0053] Polynucleotides of the present invention are responsible for many biological functions, including many disease states, in particular the Diseases hereinbefore mentioned. It is therefore desirable to devise screening methods to identify compounds which stimulate or which inhibit the function of the polynucleotide. Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides for a method of screening compounds to identify those which stimulate or which inhibit the function of a polynucleotide of the invention, as well as related polynucleotides. In general, agonists or antagonists may be employed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for such Diseases as hereinbefore mentioned. Compounds may be identified from a variety of sources, for example, cells, cell-free preparations, chemical libraries, and natural product mixtures. Such agonists, antagonists or inhibitors so-identified may be natural or modified substrates, ligands, receptors, enzymes, etc., as the case may be, of galK polynucleotides; or may be structural or functional mimetics thereof (see Coligan et al., Current Protocols in Immunology 1(2):Chapter 5 (1991)).

[0054] The screening methods may simply measure the binding of a candidate compound to the polynucleotide, or to cells or membranes bearing the polynucleotide. Alternatively, the screening method may involve competition with a labeled competitor. Further, these screening methods may test whether the candidate compound results in a signal generated by activation or inhibition of the polynucleotide, using detection systems appropriate to the cells comprising the polynucleotide. Inhibitors of activation are generally assayed in the presence of a known agonist and the effect on activation by the agonist by the presence of the candidate compound is observed. Constitutively active promoter polynucleotides and/or constitutively expressed polynucleotides may be employed in screening methods for inverse agonists or inhibitors, in the absence of an agonist or inhibitor, by testing whether the candidate compound results in inhibition of activation of the polynucleotide, as the case may be. Further, the screening methods may simply comprise the steps of mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polynucleotide of the present invention, to form a mixture, measuring galK promoter polynucleotide activity in the mixture, and comparing the galK promoter polynucleotide activity of the mixture to a standard. Fusion proteins, such as those made from Fc portion and galK promoter polynucleotide, as hereinbefore described, can also be used for high-throughput screening assays to identify antagonists of the polynucleotide of the present invention, as well as of phylogenetically and and/or functionally related promoters.

[0055] The polynucleotides, polypeptides and antibodies that bind to and/or interact with a polynucleotide of the present invention may also be used to configure screening methods for detecting the effect of added compounds on the production of mRNA and/or promoter polynucleotide in cells.

[0056] The invention also provides a method of screening compounds to identify those which enhance (agonist) or block (antagonist) the action of galK polynucleotides, particularly those compounds that are bacteristatic and/or bactericidal. The method of screening may involve high-throughput techniques. For example, to screen for agonists or antagonists, a synthetic reaction mix, a cellular compartment, such as a membrane, cell envelope or cell wall, or a preparation of any thereof, comprising galK polynucleotide and a labeled substrate or ligand of such polynucleotide is incubated in the absence or the presence of a candidate molecule that may be a galK agonist or antagonist. The ability of the candidate molecule to agonize or antagonize the galK polynucleotide is reflected in decreased binding of the labeled ligand or decreased production of product from such substrate. Molecules that bind gratuitously, i.e., without inducing the effects of galK polynucleotide are most likely to be good antagonists. Molecules that bind well and, as the case may be, increase the rate of product production from substrate, increase signal transduction, or increase chemical channel activity are agonists. Detection of the rate or level of, as the case may be, production of product from substrate, signal transduction or chemical channel activity may be enhanced by using a reporter system. Reporter systems that may be useful in this regard include but are not limited to colorimetric, labeled substrate converted into product, a reporter gene that is responsive to changes in galK polynucleotide activity, and binding assays known in the art.

[0057] Polynucleotides of the invention may be used to identify promoter binding proteins, such as sigma factors, if any, for such polynucleotide, through standard binding techniques known in the art, for example, gel retardation assays. Other of these techniques include, but are not limited to, ligand binding and crosslinking assays in which the polynucleotide is labeled with a radioactive isotope (for instance, 32P), chemically modified (for instance, biotinylated or fluorescent tagged), or fused to a polynucleotide sequence suitable for detection or purification, and incubated with a source of the putative binding compound or ligand (e.g., cells, cell membranes, cell supernatants, tissue extracts, bodily materials). Other methods include biophysical techniques such as surface plasmon resonance and spectroscopy. These screening methods may also be used to identify agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotide which compete with the binding of the polynucleotide to its ligand(s), if any. Standard methods for conducting such assays are well understood in the art.

[0058] The fluorescence polarization value for a fluorescently-tagged molecule depends on the rotational correlation time or tumbling rate. Protein-polynucleotide complexes, such as formed by galK polynucleotide associating with polypeptide or other factor, labeled to comprise a fluorescently-labeled molecule will have higher polarization values than a fluorescently labeled monomeric polynucleotide. It is preferred that this method be used to characterize small molecules that disrupt polypeptide-polynucleotide complexes.

[0059] Fluorescence energy transfer may also be used to characterize small molecules that interfere with the formation of galK polynucleotide-polypeptide dimers, trimers, tetramers or higher order structures, or structures formed by galK polynucleotide and a polypeptide or polypeptides. GalK polynucleotides can be labeled with both a donor and acceptor fluorophore. Upon mixing of the two labeled species and excitation of the donor fluorophore, fluorescence energy transfer can be detected by observing fluorescence of the acceptor. Compounds that block dimerization will inhibit fluorescence energy transfer.

[0060] In other embodiments of the invention there are provided methods for identifying compounds which bind to or otherwise interact with and inhibit or activate an activity or expression of a polynucleotide of the invention comprising: contacting a polynucleotide of the invention with a compound to be screened under conditions to permit binding to or other interaction between the compound and the polynucleotide to assess the binding to or other interaction with the compound, such binding or interaction preferably being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the binding or interaction of the polynucleotide with the compound; and determining whether the compound binds to or otherwise interacts with and activates or inhibits an activity or expression of the polynucleotide by detecting the presence or absence of a signal generated from the binding or interaction of the compound with the polynucleotide.

[0061] Another example of an assay for galK agonists or antagonists is a competitive assay that combines galK and a potential agonist or antagonist with galK-binding molecules, recombinant galK binding molecules, natural substrates or ligands, or substrate or ligand mimetics, under appropriate conditions for a competitive inhibition assay. GalK can be labeled, such as by radioactivity or a colorimetric compound, such that the number of galK molecules bound to a binding molecule or converted to product can be determined accurately to assess the effectiveness of the potential antagonist or agonist.

[0062] Numerous assays may be used with the preferred inducible promoters of the invention, as provided herein an as known in the art. These assays include, but are not limited to the following.

[0063] Antimicrobial Compound Testing

[0064] Promoter polynucleotides of the invention may also be used to determine a target of unknown antibacterial susceptibility.

[0065] Promoter polynucleotides of the invention may also be used to assess the effect of transcript level on antibacterial susceptibility.

[0066] Still further, promoter polynucleotides of the invention may also be used in whole cell screens.

[0067] Inducible promoters can be used to up and down regulate expression of target gene directly, or indirectly by transcription anti-sense RNA or ribozymes.

[0068] Potential antagonists include, among others, small organic molecules, peptides, polypeptides that bind to a polynucleotide of the invention and thereby inhibit or extinguish its activity or expression. Potential antagonists also may be small organic molecules, a peptide, a polypeptide such as a closely related protein that binds the same sites on a binding molecule, such as a binding molecule, without inducing galK promoter-induced activities, thereby preventing the action of galK polynucleotides by excluding galK polynucleotides from binding.

[0069] Potential antagonists include a small molecule that binds to and occupies the binding site of the polynucleotide thereby preventing binding to cellular binding molecules, such that normal biological activity is prevented. Examples of small molecules include but are not limited to small organic molecules, peptides or peptide-like molecules. Other potential antagonists include antisense molecules (see Okano, J Neurochem. 56: 560 (1991); OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES AS ANTISENSE INHIBITORS OF GENE EXPRESSION, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988), for a description of these molecules). Preferred potential antagonists include compounds related to and variants of galK

[0070] Other examples of potential polypeptide antagonists include oligonucleotides or proteins which are closely related to the ligands, substrates, receptors, enzymes, etc., as the case may be, of the polynucleotide, e.g., a fragment of the ligands, substrates, receptors, enzymes, etc.; or small molecules which bind to the polynucleotide of the present invention but do not elicit a response, so that the activity of the polynucleotide is prevented.

[0071] Certain of the polynucleotides of the invention are biominetics, functional minetics of the natural galK polynucleotide. These functional mimetics may be used for, among other things, antagonizing the activity of galK polynucleotide. Functional mimetics of the polynucleotides of the invention include but are not limited to truncated polynucleotides. For example, preferred functional mimetics include, a polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 lacking 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80 5′ and/or 3′ nucleotide residues, including fusion promoters comprising one or more of these truncated sequences. Polynucleotides of these functional mimetics may be used to drive the expression of expression cassettes and marker genes. It is preferred that these cassettes comprise 5′ and 3′ restriction sites to allow for a convenient means to ligate the cassettes together when desired. It is further preferred that these cassettes comprise gene expression signals known in the art or described elsewhere herein

[0072] Thus, in another aspect, the present invention relates to a screening kit for identifying agonists, antagonists, ligands, receptors, substrates, enzymes, etc. for a polynucleotide of the present invention; or compounds which decrease or enhance the production of such polynucleotides , which comprises: (a) a polynucleotide of the present invention; or (b) a recombinant cell expressing a polynucleotide of the present invention; which polynucleotide is preferably that of SEQ ID NO:1.

[0073] It will be appreciated that in any such kit, (a) or (b) may comprise a substantial component.

[0074] It will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan that a polynucleotide of the present invention may also be used in a method for the structure-based design of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor of the polynucleotide, by: (a) determining in the first instance the three-dimensional structure of the polynucleotide, or complexes thereof; (b) deducing the three-dimensional structure for the likely reactive site(s), binding site(s) or motif(s) of an agonist, antagonist or inhibitor; (c) synthesizing candidate compounds that are predicted to bind to or react with the deduced binding site(s), reactive site(s), and/or motif(s); and (d) testing whether the candidate compounds are indeed agonists, antagonists or inhibitors.

[0075] It will be further appreciated that this will normally be an iterative process, and this iterative process may be performed using automated and computer-controlled steps.

[0076] In a further aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating abnormal conditions such as, for instance, a Disease, related to either an excess of, an under-expression of, an elevated activity of, or a decreased activity of galK polynucleotide.

[0077] If the expression and/or activity of the polynucleotide is in excess, several approaches are available. One approach comprises administering to an individual in need thereof an inhibitor compound (antagonist) as herein described, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in an amount effective to inhibit the function and/or expression of the polynucleotide, such as, for example, by blocking the binding of ligands, substrates, receptors, enzymes, etc., or by inhibiting a second signal, and thereby alleviating the abnormal condition.

[0078] In still another approach, promoter activity can be inhibited using expression blocking techniques. This blocking is preferably targeted against transcription. An examples of a known technique of this sort involve the use of antisense sequences, either internally generated or separately administered (see, for example, O'Common, J Neurochem (1991) 56:560 in Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988)). Alternatively, oligonucleotides which form triple helices with the gene can be supplied (see, for example, Lee et al., Nucleic Acids Res (1979) 6:3073; Cooney et al., Science (1988) 241:456; Dervan et al., Science (1991) 251:1360). These oligomers can be administered per se or the relevant oligomers can be expressed in vivo. Thus promoter polynucleotides of the invention are useful for ascertaining the functionality or essentiality of the target gene (gene-of-interest) in a cell through expression blocking techniques. A method comprises “knocking-out” the transcription or expression of gene-of-interest by expressing an anti-sense sequence to the gene-of-interest under the transcriptional control of the promoter polynucleotides of the invention, particularly those contained in SEQ ID NO:1. In another embodiment, the method comprises, in a cell, (a) disabling (“knocking-out”) the gene-of-interest; (b) reintroducing, at the target gene locus, the gene-of-interest now under the operational control of the inducible promoter polynucleotides of the invention (particularly those contained in SEQ ID NO: 1); and (c) adding the inducer thereby providing information to the essentiality or functionality of the gene of interest.

[0079] Helicobacter pylori (herein “H. pyloril ”) bacteria infect the stomachs of over one-third of the world's population causing stomach cancer, ulcers, and gastritis (International Agency for Research on Cancer (1994) Schistosomes, Liver Flukes and Helicobacter pylori (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, http://www.uicc.ch/ecp/ecp2904.htm). Moreover, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recently recognized a cause-and-effect relationship between H. pylori and gastric adenocarcinoma, classifying the bacterium as a Group I (definite) carcinogen. Preferred antimicrobial compounds of the invention (agonists and antagonists of galK polynucleotides) found using screens provided by the invention, or known in the art, particularly narrow-spectrum antibiotics, should be useful in the treatment of H. pylori infection. Such treatment should decrease the advent of H. pylori-induced cancers, such as gastrointestinal carcinoma. Such treatment should also prevent, inhibit and/or cure gastric ulcers and gastritis.

Glossary

[0080] The following definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

[0081] “Bodily material(s) means any material derived from an individual or from an organism infecting, infesting or inhabiting an individual, including but not limited to, cells, tissues and waste, such as, bone, blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, saliva, muscle, carilage, organ tissue, skin, urine, stool or autopsy materials.

[0082] “Disease(s)” means any disease caused by or related to infection by a bacteria, including, for example, otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, sinusitis, pleural empyema and endocarditis, and most particularly meningitis, such as for example infection of cerebrospinal fluid.

[0083] “Host cell(s)” is a cell which has been transformed or transfected, or is capable of transformation or transfection by an exogenous polynucleotide sequence.

[0084] “Identity,” as known in the art, is a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, “identity” also means the degree of sequence relatedness between polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. “Identity” can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to those described in (Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988; Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York, 1993; Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey, 1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., Academic Press, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991; and Carillo, H., and Lipman, D., SIAM J Applied Math., 48: 1073 (1988). Methods to determine identity are designed to give the largest match between the sequences tested. Moreover, methods to determine identity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Computer program methods to determine identity between two sequences include, but are not limited to, the GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research 12(1): 387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN, and FASTA (Altschul, S. F. et al., J Molec. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990). The BLAST X program is publicly available from NCBI and other sources (BLAST Manual, Altschul, S., et al., NCBI NLM NIH Bethesda, Md. 20894; Altschul, S., et al., J Mol. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990). The well known Smith Waterman algorithm may also be used to determine identity.

[0085] Parameters for polypeptide sequence comparison include the following: Algorithm: Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol Biol. 48: 443-453 (1970) Comparison matrix: BLOSSUM62 from Hentikoff and Hentikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:10915-10919 (1992)

[0086] Gap Penalty: 12

[0087] Gap Length Penalty: 4

[0088] A program useful with these parameters is publicly available as the “gap” program from Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wis. The aforementioned parameters are the default parameters for peptide comparisons (along with no penalty for end gaps).

[0089] Parameters for polynucleotide comparison include the following: Algorithm: Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol Biol. 48: 443-453 (1970)

[0090] Comparison matrix: matches=+10, mismatch=0

[0091] Gap Penalty: 50

[0092] Gap Length Penalty: 3

[0093] Available as: The “gap” program from Genetics Computer Group, Madison Wis. These are the default parameters for nucleic acid comparisons.

[0094] A preferred meaning for “identity” for polynucleotides and polypeptides, as the case may be, are provided in (1) and (2) below.

[0095] (1) Polynucleotide embodiments further include an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence having at least a 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 97 or 100% identity to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said polynucleotide sequence may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or may include up to a certain integer number of nucleotide alterations as compared to the reference sequence, wherein said alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleotide deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the 5′ or 3′ terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence, and wherein said number of nucleotide alterations is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1 by the integer defining the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from said total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1, or:

n n ≦x n −(xn·y),

[0096] wherein nn is the number of nucleotide alterations, xn is the total number of nucleotides in SEQ ID NO:1, y is 0.50 for 50%, 0.60 for 60%, 0.70 for 70%, 0.80 for 80%, 0.85 for 85 0.90 for 90% for 95%, 0.97 for 97% or 1.00 for 100%, and · is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and wherein any non-integer product of Xn and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from xn.

[0097] By way of example, a polynucleotide sequence of the present invention may be identical to the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, that is it may be 100% identical, or it may include up to a certain integer number of nucleic acid alterations as compared to the reference sequence such that the percent identity is less than 100% identity. Such alterations are selected from the group consisting of at least one nucleic acid deletion, substitution, including transition and transversion, or insertion, and wherein said alterations may occur at the 5′ or 3′ terminal positions of the reference polynucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among the nucleic acids in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. The number of nucleic acid alterations for a given percent identity is determined by multiplying the total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO:1 by the integer defining the percent identity divided by 100 and then subtracting that product from said total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO:1, or:

n n ≦x n −(xn·y),

[0098] wherein nn is the number of nucleic acid alterations, xn is the total number of nucleic acids in SEQ ID NO:1, y is, for instance 0.70 for 70%, 0.80% for 80%, 0.85 for 85% etc., · is the symbol for the multiplication operator, and wherein any non-integer product of xn and y is rounded down to the nearest integer prior to subtracting it from xn.

[0099] “Individual(s)” means a multicellular eukaryote, including, but not limited to a metazoan, a mammal, an ovid, a bovid, a simian, a primate, and a human.

[0100] “Isolated” means altered “by the hand of man” from its natural state, i.e., if it occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living organism is not “isolated,” but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is “isolated”, as the term is employed herein. Moreover, a polynucleotide or polypeptide that is introduced into an organism by transformation, genetic manipulation or by any other recombinant method is “isolated” even if it is still present in said organism, which organism may be living or non-living.

[0101] “Organism(s)” means a (i) prokaryote, including but not limited to, a member of the genus Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bordetella, Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Neisseria, Haemophilus, Actinomycetes, Streptomycetes, Nocardia, Enterobacter, Yersinia, Fancisella, Pasturella, Moraxella, Acinetobacter, Erysipelothrix, Branhamella, Actinobacillus, Streptobacillus, Listeria, Calymmatobacterium, Brucella, Bacillus, Clostridium, Treponema, Escherichia, Salmonella, Kleibsiella, Vibrio, Proteus, Erwinia, Borrelia, Leptospira, Spirillum, Campylobacter, Shigella, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, Rickettsia, Chlamydia, Borrelia and Mycoplasma, and further including, but not limited to, a member of the species or group, Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus, Group C Streptococcus, Group D Streptococcus, Group G Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus durans, Neisseria gonorrheae, Neisseria meningitidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium diptheriae, Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium ulcerans, Mycobacterium leprae, Actinomyctes israelit, Listeria monocytogenes, Bordetella pertusis, Bordatella parapertusis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus aegyptius, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Haemophilus ducreyi, Bordetella, Salmonella typhi, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia pestis, Kleibsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcessens, Serratia liquefaciens, Vibrio cholera, Shigella dysenterii, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Franscisella tularensis, Brucella abortis, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfingens, Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, Treponema pallidum, Rickettsia rickettsii and Chlamydia trachomitis, (ii) an archaeon, including but not limited to Archaebacter, and (iii) a unicellular or filamentous eukaryote, including but not limited to, a protozoan, a fungus, a member of the genus Saccharomyces, Kluveromyces, or Candida, and a member of the species Saccharomyces ceriviseae, Kluveromyces lactis, or Candida albicans.

[0102] “Polynucleotide(s)” generally refers to any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxyribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. “Polynucleotide(s)” include, without limitation, single- and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double-stranded regions or single-, double- and triple stranded regions, single- and double stranded RNA, and RNA that is mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically, double-stranded, or triple-stranded regions, or a mixture of single-and double-stranded regions. In addition, “polynucleotide” as used herein refers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. The strands in such regions may be from the same molecule or from different molecules. The regions may include all of one or more of the molecules, but more typically involve only a region of some of the molecules. One of the molecules of a triple-helical region often is an oligonucleotide. As used herein, the term “polynucleotide(s)” also includes DNAs or RNAs as described above that contain one or more modified bases. Thus, DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for other reasons are “polynucleotide(s)” as that term is intended herein. Moreover, DNAs or RNAs comprising unusual bases, such as inosine, or modified bases, such as tritylated bases, to name just two examples, are polynucleotides as the term is used herein. It will be appreciated that a great variety of modifications have been made to DNA and RNA that serve many useful purposes known to those of skill in the art. The term “polynucleotide(s)” as it is employed herein embraces such chemically, enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of polynucleotides, as well as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses and cells, including, for example, simple and complex cells. “Polynucleotide(s)” also embraces short polynucleotides often referred to as oligonucleotide(s).

[0103] “Polypeptide(s)” refers to any peptide or protein comprising two or more amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds. “Polypeptide(s)” refers to both short chains, commonly referred to as peptides, oligopeptides and oligomers and to longer chains generally referred to as proteins. Polypeptides may contain amino acids other than the 20 gene encoded amino acids. “Polypeptide(s)” include those modified either by natural processes, such as processing and other post-translational modifications, but also by chemical modification techniques. Such modifications are well described in basic text and in more detailed monographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature, and they are well known to those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that the same type of modification may be present in the same or varying degree at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a given polypeptide may contain many types of modifications. Modifications can occur anywhere in a polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains, and the amino or carboxyl termini. Modifications include, for example, acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, glycosylation, lipid attachment, sulfation, gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, hydroxylation and ADP-ribosylation, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins, such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. See, for instance, PROTEINS—STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York (1993) and Wold, F., Posttranslational Protein Modifications: Perspectives and Prospects, pgs. 1-12 in POSTTRANSLATIONAL COVALENT MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS, B. C. Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York (1983); Seifter et al., Meth Enzymol. 182:626-646 (1990) and Rattan et al., Protein Synthesis: Posttranslational Modifications and Aging, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 663: 48-62 (1992). Polypeptides may be branched or cyclic, with or without branching. Cyclic, branched and branched circular polypeptides may result from post-translational natural processes and may be made by entirely synthetic methods, as well.

[0104] “Recombinant expression system(s)” and “recombinant replication system(s)”refers to expression systems or portions thereof or polynucleotides of the invention introduced or transformed into a host cell or host cell lysate for the production of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention.

[0105] “Variant(s)” as the term is used herein, is a polynucleotide or polypeptide that differs from a reference polynucleotide or polypeptide respectively, but retains essential properties. A typical variant of a polynucleotide differs in nucleotide sequence from another, reference polynucleotide. Changes in the nucleotide sequence of the variant may or may not alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide. Nucleotide changes may result in amino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusion proteins and truncations in the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussed below. A typical variant of a polypeptide differs in amino acid sequence from another, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited so that the sequences of the reference polypeptide and the variant are closely similar overall and, in many regions, identical. A variant and reference polypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or more substitutions, additions, deletions in any combination. A substituted or inserted amino acid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code. The present invention also includes include variants of each of the polypeptides of the invention, that is polypeptides that vary from the referents by conservative amino acid substitutions, whereby a residue is substituted by another with like characteristics. Typical such substitutions are among Ala, Val, Leu and Ile; among Ser and Thr, among the acidic residues Asp and Glu; among Asn and Gln, and among the basic residues Lys and Arg; or aromatic residues Phe and Tyr. Particularly preferred are variants in which several, 5-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-2 or 1 amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added in any combination. A variant of a polynucleotide or polypeptide may be a naturally occurring such as an allelic variant, or it may be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Non-naturally occurring variants of polynucleotides and polypeptides may be made by mutagenesis techniques, by direct synthesis, and by other recombinant methods known to skilled artisans.

EXAMPLES

[0106] The examples below are carried out using standard techniques, which are well known and routine to those of skill in the art except where otherwise described in detail. The examples are illustrative, but do not limit the invention.

Example 1

Strain selection, Library Production and Sequencing

[0107] The polynucleotide having a DNA sequence given in Table 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] was obtained from a library of clones of chromosomal DNA of Streptococcus pneumoniae in E. coli. The sequencing data from two or more clones containing overlapping Streptococcus pneumoniae DNAs was used to construct the contiguous DNA sequence in SEQ ID NO:1. Libraries may be prepared by routine methods, for example:

[0108] Methods 1 and 2 Below

[0109] Total cellular DNA is isolated from Streptococcus pneumoniae 0100993 according to standard procedures and size-fractionated by either of two methods.

[0110] Method 1

[0111] Total cellular DNA is mechanically sheared by passage through a needle in order to size-fractionate according to standard procedures. DNA fragments of up to 11 kbp in size are rendered blunt by treatment with exonuclease and DNA polymerase, and EcoRI linkers added. Fragments are ligated into the vector Lambda ZapII that has been cut with EcoRI, the library packaged by standard procedures and E.coli infected with the packaged library. The library is amplified by standard procedures.

[0112] Method 2

[0113] Total cellular DNA is partially hydrolyzed with a one or a combination of restriction enzymes appropriate to generate a series of fragments for cloning into library vectors (e.g., RsaI, PalI, AluI, Bshl235I), and such fragments are size-fractionated according to standard procedures. EcoRI linkers are ligated to the DNA and the fragments then ligated into the vector Lambda ZapII that have been cut with EcoRI, the library packaged by standard procedures, and E.coli infected with the packaged library. The library is amplified by standard procedures.

Example 2

Gene Essentiality Assay

[0114] A promoter replacement cassette is generated using PCR technology. The cassette consists of a pair of 500 bp chromosomal DNA fragments flanking an erythromycin resistance gene divergently transcribed with respect to the inducible/repressible promoter. The chromosomal DNA sequences are the 500 bp preceding and following the promoter region of the gene whose essentiality is going to be tested.

[0115] The promoter replacement cassette is introduced into S. pneumoniae R6 by transformation. Competent cells are prepared according to published protocols. DNA is introduced into the cells by incubation of μg quantities of promoter replacement cassette with 106 cells at 30° C. for 30 minutes. The cells are transferred to 37° C. for 90 minutes to allow expression of the erythromycin resistance gene. Cells are plated in agar containing 1 μg erythromycin per ml and the appropriate concentration of the inducer molecule. Following incubation at 37° C. for 36 hours, colonies are picked and grown overnight in Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract and the appropiate amount of inducer. Gene essentiality is tested by decreasing the amount of inducer and/or increasing the amount of repressor and monitoring cell viability. If the promoter replacement has occurred upstream of an essential gene, viability of the bacteria will be absolutely dependent on the presence of inducer or the absence of repressor.

Example 3

Identification of Promoter Sequences

[0116] Blast searches are run using proteins involved in sugar metabolism in E. coli and B. subtilis against SmithKline Beecham's proprietory S. pneumoniae genome sequence database. This allows the identification of genes belonging to sugar operons. The location of groups of sugar metabolism genes is used to identify intergenic (noncoding) regions which are considered to contain promoters. In addition, putative promoter sequences are identified by homology with a consensus sequence for bacterial promoters. Such a sequence consists of a −10 region (TATAAT), a 17 bp/19 bp spacer and a −35 region (TTGACA). S. pneumoniae promoters have sometimes a characteristic extended −10 region (TNTGNTATAAT) [SEQ ID NO:2] and lack a −35 region. In Seq ID Nol a −10 (105TACAAT110) and −35 (82TTGACC87) regions have been identified. This promoter controls the galactose metabolism operon. The first gene in the operon (galK) encodes a galactose kinase.

Example 4

galK Characterization

[0117] Characterization of Promoter Sequences Using luxAB as a Reporter System

[0118] A cassette consisting of

[0119] a promoterless luxAB reporter gene from Vibrio harveyi encoding a luciferase

[0120] transcriptional terminators from S. pneumoniae ribosomal RNA operons positioned at both sides of the luxAB gene

[0121] an erythromycin resistance marker and

[0122] sequences from the S. pneumoniae ami operon flanking all the above has been constructed in pBlueScript to analyse the effects of different sugars on the expression level of promoters involved in sugar metabolism in S. pneumoniae. Different promoter sequences are cloned upstream of the promoterless luxAB gene using the unique SpeI, BamHI and/or SmaI restriction sites. The cassette containing the promoter-reporter fusion is then transformed into S. pneumoniae R6 using published protocols. DNA is introduced into the competent cells by incubation of μg quantities of cassette DNA with 106 cells at 30° C. for 30 minutes. The cells are then transferred to 37° C. for 90 minutes to allow expression of the erythromycin resistance gene. Cells are plated in agar containing 1 μg erythromycin per ml. Following incubation at 37° C. for 36 hours, colonies are picked and grown overnight in Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract. Genomic DNA is isolated, and integration of the promoter-luxAB fusion confirmed by diagnostic PCR and Southern analysis.

[0123] Inducibility and repressibility of the promoter sequence are measured by monitoring luciferase expression under different conditions. Since this enzyme catalyses the oxidation of a long-chain aliphatic aldehyde in a light-emiting reaction, promoter activity may be determined by the luminescence of the cell following the addition of the substrate, n-decyl aldehyde. Transformants are grown in Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract at 37° C. in a CO2 incubator until they reach mid-log phase, at which point they are used to inoculate fresh media in the presence or absence of different sugars. Cultures are then grown under the same conditions and samples are taken at different stages of growth to determine luciferase expression.

[0124] All publications and references, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individual publication or reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as being fully set forth. Any patent application to which this application claims priority is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety in the manner described above for publications and references.

Claims

1. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: (i) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which has at least: (a) 70% identity; (b) 80% identity; (c) 90% identity; or (d) 95% identity, to that of SEQ ID NO:1 over the entire length of SEQ ID NO:1; (ii) an isolated polynucleotide which is the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO:1; (iii) an isolated polynucleotide obtainable by screening an appropriate library under stingent hybridization conditions with a probe having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or a fragment thereof; (iv) an isolated polynucleotide comprising a promoter expressibly linked to the galK gene contained in the Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (v) a polynucleotide sequence complementary to said isolated polynucleotide of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv).

2. A method for the treatment of an individual: (i) in need of enhanced activity of the polynucleotide of claim 1 comprising the step of administenng to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an agonist to said polynucleotide; or (ii) having need to inhibit activity or expression of the polynucleotide of claim 1 comprising: (a) administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist to said polynucleotide; or (b) administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that competes with said polynucleotide for its ligand or binding factor.

3. A method for screening to identify compounds that activate or that inhibit the function of the polynucleotide of claim 1 which comprises a method selected from the group consisting of: (a) mixing a candidate compound with a solution containing a polynucleotide of claim 1, to form a mixture, measuring activity of the polynucleotide in the mixture, and comparing the activity of the mixture to a standard; or (b) detecting the effect of a candidate compound on the production of mRNA or polypeptide by promoter activity of the polynucleotide in cells, using for instance, an ELISA assay, or (c) (1) contacting a composition comprising the polynucleotide with the compound to be screened under conditions to permit interaction between the compound and the polynucleotide to assess the interaction of a compound, such interaction being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in response to the interaction of the polynucleotide with the compound; and (2) determining whether the compound interacts with and activates or inhibits an activity of the polynucleotide by detecting the presence or absence of a signal generated from the interaction of the compound with the polynucleotide.

4. An agonist or an antagonist of the activity of or expression from polynucleotide of claim 1.

5. A host cell comprising the polynucleotide of claim 1.

6. A polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide of the formula:

7. The method of ascertaining the functionality or essentiality of the target gene (gene-of-interest) in a cell comprising the transcription or expression of gene-of-interest by expressing an anti-sense sequence to the gene-of-interest under the transcriptional control of the promoter polynucleotides of claim 1.

8. The method of ascertaining the functionality or essentiality of the target gene (gene-of interest), in a cell, comprising: (a) disabling (“knocking-out”) the gene-of-interest; (b) re-introducing, at the target gene locus, the gene-of-interest now under the operational control of the inducible promoter polynucleotides of claim 1; and (c) adding the inducer thereby providing information to the essentiality or functionality of the gene of interest.

9. A method of determining a functionality or essentiality of the target gene (gene-of-interest), in a cell, comprising: (a) replacing the promoter sequence of the gene-of-interest by the promoter polynucleotide of claim 1; and (b) adding the repressor thereby providing information to the essentiality or functionality of the gene-of-interest.

10. A method of determining a protein target of a antibacterial compound comprising: (a) placing the protein target under the control of the promoter polynucleotide of claim 1; and (b) adding the inducer or repressor thereby changing accordingly the susceptibility of the bacteria to the compound.