Neisseria meningitidis polypeptide, nucleic acid sequence and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses the Neisseria meningitidis NMASP polypeptide, polypeptides derived therefrom (NMASP-derived polypeptides), nucleotide sequences encoding said polypeptides, and antibodies that specifically bind the NMASP polypeptide and/or NMASP-derived polypeptides. Also disclosed are prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, including immunogenic compositions, e.g., vaccines, comprising NMASP polypeptide and/or a NMASP-derived polypeptide. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing a immune response to Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria meningitidis NMASP polypeptide and an NMASP-derived polypeptide in animals.

Description

1. INTRODUCTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a polypeptide of Neisseria meningitidis of approximately 40-55 kD referred to as “NMASP”. The invention encompasses an isolated or purified NMASP polypeptide and polypeptides, including fragments, derived therefrom (NMASP-derived polypeptides), and methods of making thereof. The invention also encompasses antibodies, including cytotoxic or bactericidal antibodies, that specifically bind the NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides and/or fragments thereof. The invention further encompasses immunogenic, prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, including vaccines, that comprise NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides and/or fragments thereof. The invention additionally provides methods of inducing an immune response to Neisseria meningitidis in an animal and methods of treating infections in an animal caused byNeisseria meningitidis The invention further provides isolated nucleotide sequences encoding the NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides and fragments thereof, vectors having said sequences, and host cells containing said vectors.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Neisseriae are gram-negative diplococci and include but are not limited to Neisseria ovis, Neisseria lacunata, Neisseria osloensis, Neisseria bovis, Neisseria meningitidis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Neisseria meningitidis (“N.m.”) is the most common cause of bacterial meningitidis and septicemia in infants and young adults in the industrialized world; markedly so in countries that have initiated immunization programs against Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) disease (Riedo, F.X. et al. 1995. Epidemiology and prevention of meningococcal disease. Pediatr. Infect. Did. J. 14:643-657; Hart, C. A. And T. R. Rogers. 1993. Meningococcal disease. J. Med. Microbiol. 39:3-25; Jackson, L. A. And J. D. Wenger. 1993. Laboratory-based surveillance for meningococcal disease in selected areas, United States, 1989-1991. MMWR 42:21-30). World-wide, N. meningitidis accounts for about ⅓ of all cases of bacterial meningitis; with most countries showing an attack rate of >1/100,000 population. Mortality as a whole is significantly higher with the meningococci than with Hib disease. Unlike Hib infections which are basically sporadic limited outbreaks, epidemics of meningococcal disease occur regularly throughout the world and cause great suffering and death. Attack rates during epidemics can exceed 600/100,000 (Hart, C. A. And T. R. Rogers. 1993. Meningococcal disease. J Med. Microbiol. 39:3-25; Jones, D. 1995. Epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Europe and the USA. In: Meningococcal Disease. Cartwright, K. (Ed.) Wiley Press, New York, USA: 145-157). Despite the organism's sensitivity to a wide variety of antibiotics and the impact antibiotic intervention has had on the overall case fatality rate, meningococcal disease attack rates have changed very little since the introduction of antibacterials and the fatality rate still remains between 7 and 15% even in industrialized countries.

[0004] N.m. infection starts with colonization of the upper respiratory tract; primarily the tonsils and nasopharynx (Brandtzaeg, P. 1995. Pathogenesis of meningococcal infections. In: Meningococcal Disease. Cartwright, K. (Ed.), Wiley Press, New York, USA: 145-157). Once colonization is established, the organism can invade the underlying endothelium and gain entry into the circulatory system where it causes a rapid, fulminate meningococcemia and/or progresses. to the cerebrospinal fluid to cause an often fatal meningitis. To reach the meninges, the organism must interact and circumvent two cellular barriers, the nasopharynx and the blood-brain barrier. Bacterial-host cell interactions are thus critical for the pathogenesis of N.m. Pili, cell surface attachment components, and the polysaccharide capsule all play essential roles in the initial attachment and colonization processes (Jerse, A. E. And R. F. Rest. 1997. Adhesion and invasion by the pathogenic neisseria. Trends Microbiol.:217-221). Once colonization of the upper respiratory tract has been achieved, the organism can down-regulate pili expression and capsule synthesis and expresses other afimbrial adhesins and invasion proteins possibly masked by the capsule that allow the bacteria to invade the underlying endothelial cells.

[0005] Based on the structural carbohydrate composition of the meningococcal capsular polysaccharide (CPS), N.m. strains can be divided into a least 12 serogroups, designated types A through L (Riedo, F. X. et al. 1995. Epidemiology and prevention of meningococcal disease. Pediatr. Infect. Did. J. 14:643-657; Hart, C. A. and T. R. Rogers. 1993. Meningococcal disease. J. Med. Microbiol. 39:3-25). However, serogroups A, B, and C account for over 90% of meningococcal disease and are the serotypes most often associated with epidemic disease (Jones, D. 1995. Epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Europe and the USA. In: Meningococcal Disease. Cartwright, K. (Ed.) Wiley Press, New York, USA: 145-157). In the United States and most developed countries, roughly half of the meningococcal meningitis cases are caused by serogroup B. The highest attack rates of type B meningococcal disease are observed in young children under the age of two with the peak incidence seen in children less than 1 year of age.

[0006] The CPS has been targeted as a prime vaccine candidate for the meningococci. Several laboratories have shown that anti-CPS antibodies promote complement-mediated killing of organisms which belong to the same but not different capsular serogroups (Gotschlich, E. C. et al. 1977. The immune responses to bacterial polysaccharides in man. In: Antibodies in Human Diagnosis and Therapy. Haber, E. And R. M. Krause (Eds.), Raven Press, New York, USA: 391-402). The emergence of sulfonamide-resistant organisms in military recruits spurred the development of CPS vaccines against serogroups A, C, and W. While these vaccines are highly immunogenic and effective in adults, the immune response elicited in infants is minimal and of short duration, due primarily to the fact that the very young respond poorly to T-cell-independent antigens like the CPS immunogen.

[0007] Prototype serogroup B polysaccharide vaccines have been produced but were found to be poorly immunogenic in humans and gave rise to only low avidity antibody that does not stimulate high levels of complement-mediated killing or opsonization (Frasch, C. E. 1995. Meningococcal vaccines: past, present and future. In: Meningococcal Disease. Cartwright, K. (Ed.) Wiley Press, New York, USA: 145-157). The poor immunogenicity of the type B CPS is believed to result from the structural similarity of the type B capsule polysaccharide to the sialic acid structures (_-2,8 linkage) found on the surface of human brain neural cell glycoproteins (NCAMS) (Finne, J. et al. 1983. Occurrence of alpha-2,8 linked polysialosyl units in neural cell adhesion molecules. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 112:482-487). The poor immune responsiveness of type B CPS and the possibility that anti-type B capsular antibody may recognize native human carbohydrate structures and possibly trigger an autoimmune sequelae has resulted in a greater emphasis on the evaluation of alternative meningococcal surface antigens as potential vaccine candidates (Poolman, J. T., et al. 1986. Class ⅓ outer membrane protein vaccine against group B, type 15, subtype 16 meningococci. Dev. BioL Stand. 63:147-152; Ala'Aldeen, D. A. A., et al, 1994. Immune responses in humans and animals to meningococcal transferrin-binding proteins: implications for vaccine design. Infect. Immun. 62:2984-2990; Gotschlich, E. C. 1991. The meningococcal serogroup B vaccine protection trials: concluding remarks at the report meeting second day. NIPH Ann. 14:247-250; Noronha, C. P., et al., 1995. Assessment of the direct effectiveness of BC meningococcal vaccine in Rio de Janerio, Brazil: a case-control study. Int. J. Epidemiol. 24:1050-1057; Boslego, J. W. Et al. 1995. Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of a meningococcal group B(15:P1.3) outer membrane protein vaccine in Iquique Chile. Chilean National Committee for Meningococcal Disease. Vaccine. 13:821-829).

[0008] Outer membrane complexes as well as individual outer membrane components, including lipids, phospholipids, lipopolysaccharides and proteins, have been evaluated as potential Nm. B vaccines (Dalseg, R., et aL, 1995. Group B meningococcal OMV vaccine as a mucosal immunogen. Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. 76:S93; Hoiby, E. A., et al., 1991. Bacteriocidal antibodies after vaccination with the Norwegian meningococcal serogroup B outer membrane vesicle vaccine: a brief survey. NIPH Ann. 14:147-156; Jarvis,. G. A., and J. M. Griffiss. 1991. Human IgA1 blockage of IgG-initiated lysis of N.m. is a function of antigen-binding fragment binding to the polysaccharide capsule. J. Immunol. 147:1962-1967). While outer membrane bleb-based and outer membrane vesicle-based (OMVs) vaccines are able to elicit at least some degree of bactericidal antibodies and mild cross-strain protection in young children, these vaccines are difficult and problematic to prepare which renders them impractical as commercial vaccines.

[0009] The class I and class II outer membrane porin proteins (PorA, PorB), the iron-inducible transferrin/lactoferrin-binding proteins, the class V opacity adhesin(s), and the class I/II surface fimbrial adhesins (pili) have been suggested as possible subunit vaccine candidates. Various investigators have shown that although all these proteins are immunogenic and some even elicit bacteriocidal activity, they all show a very high degree of antigenic variability. The surface-exposed strain-variable domains of these proteins also correspond to neutralizing B-cell epitopes (Poolman, J. T. 1995. Surface structure and secreted products of meningococci. In: Meningococcal Disease. Cartwright, K. (Ed.) Wiley Press, New York, USA: 145-157). Due to the antigenic variation among the major outer membrane proteins of the meningococci, these proteins confer limited cross-strain protection and are thus not suitable as cross-protective subunit vaccines. Thus, an effective cross-protective N.m. type B subunit vaccine candidate must be highly conserved as well as immunogenic.

[0010] The HtrA protein has been identified as a virulence factor for several bacterial pathogens including, Yersinia enterocolitica, Brucella abortus, and Salmonella typhimurium. In some but not all organisms HtrA appears to be a stress-responsive protein, possibly contributing to the organisms survival under oxidative challenge and/or at elevated temperatures. The exact role HtrA plays during the pathogenesis process has not yet been fully defined. Bacteria-host cell interaction and the resulting signal transduction events that are triggered in the pathogen may promote expression of the HtrA protein. The E. coli and H. influenzae HtrA proteins, including the Hin47 protein described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,679,547 and 5,721,115, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, have been shown to be serine proteases and possess three relatively conserved domains that house the catalytic residues H, D and S.

[0011] HtrA is a virulence factor, having serine protease activity, which has recently been identified as a target for the development of anti-bacterial agents against gram negative bacterial pathogens. (Jones and Hruby, 1998, New targets for antibiotic development: biogenesis of surface adherence structures, DDT Vol.3(11)495-504; Barrett and Hoch, 1998, Two-component signal transduction as a target for microbial anti-infective therapy, Antimicrobial. Agents and Chemother. 42(7):1529-1536; Fabret and Hoch, 1998, A two-component signal transduction system essential for growth of Bacillus subtilis: implications for anti-infective therapy, J. Bacteriol., 180(23):6375-6382).

[0012] Citation or identification of any reference in this section or any other section of this application shall not be construed as an indication that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] One object of this invention is to identify and provide a.novel and highly conserved protein (referred to hereafter and in the claims as “NMASP”) from Neisseria meningitidis. The protein of the present invention has a molecular weight of approximately 40-55 kD, and has limited similarity (˜36% sequence identity [TBLASTN program (Altschul et al., 1990, J. Molec. Biol. 215:403-10; Altschul et al., 1997, Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402) with data entered using FASTA format; expect 10 filter default; description 100, alignment as described at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.] overall) to the DegP (HtrA) protein of E. coli and has not been previously identified in any Neisseria meningitidis. The protein sequence which is another object of this invention has similarity to several DegP/HtrA-like serine proteases from two other bacteria and these sequence homologies have not been previously reported for any Neisseria meningitidis.

[0014] The invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery that Neisseria meningitidis, and various strains and cultivars thereof, have a protein, NMASP polypeptide, which is about 40 kD to about 55 kD in molecular weight, preferably about 44 kD to about 53 kD.

[0015] The present invention encompasses the NMASP polypeptide of Neisseria meningitidis in isolated or recombinant form. The invention encompasses a purified NMASP polypeptide, polypeptides derived therefrom (NMASP-derived polypeptides), and methods for making said polypeptide and derived polypeptides. The invention also encompasses antisera and antibodies, including cytotoxic or bactericidal antibodies, which bind to and are specific for the NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides and/or fragments thereof.

[0016] The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions including prophylactic or therapeutic compositions and which may be antigenic or immunogenic compositions including vaccines, comprising one or more of said polypeptides, optionally in combination with, fused to or conjugated to another component, including a lipid, phospholipid, a carbohydrate including a lipopolysaccharide or any of the proteins, particularly any Neisseria, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus or Haemophilus protein known to those skilled in the art. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions including prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, which may be antigenic, preferably immunogenic compositions including vaccines, comprising one or more of the NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides and an attenuated or inactivated Neisseria, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus or Haemophilus cultivar or an attenuated or inactivated Neisseria cultivar expressing NMASP polypeptide in a greater amount when compared to wild-type Neisseria.

[0017] The invention additionally provides methods of inducing an immune response to Neisseria meningitidis in an animal and methods of treating or preventing an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis in an animal.

[0018] The invention further provides isolated nucleotide sequences encoding the NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides, and fragments thereof, vectors having said sequences, host cells containing said vectors, recombinant polypeptides produced therefrom, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleotide sequences, vectors,

[0019] 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 of a NMASP peptide or polypeptide or the DNA sequences of the invention encoding same comprising: contacting the DNA or polypeptide to assess the binding or other interaction, such binding or interaction being associated with a binding or interaction of the DNA or polypeptide with the compound and determining whether the compound binds to or otherwise interacts with and activates or inhibits an activity of the DNA or polypeptide by detecting the presence or absence of a signal generated from the binding or interaction of the compound with the DNA or polypeptide. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there are provided NMASP agonist or antagonists, preferably bacteriostatic bacteriocidal agonists or antagonists.

[0020] One advantage of this invention is that antibody generated against the newly discovered NMASP polypeptide of the present invention, in an animal host will exhibit bactericidal and/or opsonic activity against many Neisseriae meningitidis strains and thus confer broad cross-strain protection. Bactericidal and/or opsonic antibody will prevent the bacterium from infecting the host and/or enhance the clearance of the pathogen by the host's immune system. Neisseria meningitidis antibody bactericidal activity is the principal laboratory test that has been correlated with protection in humans and is the standard assay in the field as being predictive of a vaccine's efficacy against Neisseria meningitidis infections. Bactericidal antibodies are particularly important for N.m. vaccines because there is no natural animal host other than humans and thus there is no relevant predictive animal model of disease.

3.1. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
anti-NMASP =  a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody or antiserum that
              binds to a NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived
              polypeptide
ATCC =        American Type Culture Collection
blebs =       naturally occurring outer membrane vesicles of
              Neisseria meningitidis
antigenic =   capable of binding specifically to antibody or T cell
              receptors and provoking an immune response
immunogenic = capable of provoking a protective cellular or humoral
              immune response
kD =          kilodaltons
N. =          Neisseria
NMASP =       a non-cytosolic polypeptide of a Neisseria
              meningitidis, or any strain or cultivar thereof, having a
              molecular weight of about 40 kD to 55 kD;
NMASP-derived fragment of the NMASP polypeptide; variant of wild-
polypeptide = type NMASP polypeptide or fragment thereof,
              containing one or more amino acid deletions,
              insertions or substitutions; or chimeric protein
              comprising a heterologous polypeptide fused to a C-
              terminal or N-terminal or internal segment of a whole
              or a portion of the NMASP polypeptide;
OG =          n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside or octylglucoside
PBS =         phosphate buffered saline
PAG =         polyacrylamide gel
polypeptide = a peptide or protein of any length, preferably one
              having eight or more amino acid residues
SDS =         sodium dodecylsulfate
SDS-PAGE =    sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel
              electrophoresis

[0021] Nucleotide or nucleic acid sequences defined herein are represented by one-letter symbols for the bases as follows:

[0022] A (adenine)

[0023] C (cytosine)

[0024] G (guanine)

[0025] T (thymine)

[0026] U (uracil)

[0027] M (A or C)

[0028] R (A or G)

[0029] W (A or T/U)

[0030] S (C or G)

[0031] Y (C or T/U)

[0032] K (G or T/U)

[0033] V (A or C or G; not T/U)

[0034] H (A or C or T/U; not G)

[0035] D (A or G or T/U; not C)

[0036] B (C or G or T/U; not A)

[0037] N (A or C or G or T/U) or (unknown)

[0038] Peptide and polypeptide sequences defined herein are represented by one-letter or three symbols for amino acid residues as follows:

	1 letter	3 letter	amino acid
	A	Ala	(alanine)
	R	Arg	(arginine)
	N	Asn	(asparagine)
	D	Asp	(aspartic acid)
	C	Cys	(cysteine)
	Q	Gln	(glutamine)
	E	Glu	(glutamic acid)
	G	Gly	(glycine)
	H	His	(histidine)
	I	Ile	(isoleucine)
	L	Leu	(leucine)
	K	Lys	(lysine)
	M	Met	(methionine)
	F	Phe	(phenylalanine)
	P	Pro	(proline)
	S	Ser	(serine)
	T	Thr	(threonine)
	W	Trp	(tryptophan)
	Y	Tyr	(tyrosine)
	V	Val	(valine)
	X	Xaa	(unknown)

[0039] The present invention may be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, non-limiting examples of specific embodiments of the invention and the appended figures.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] FIG. 1: Map of NMASP vector pNmAH116.

[0041] FIG. 2: NMASP protein expressed from TOP10(pNmAH145), uninduced (SDS: lane 2, Western blot: lane 4) and IPTG induced (SDS: lane 3, Western blot: lane 5). A monoclonal anti-(His)5 antibody conjugated to HRP (QiaGen) was used to identify the protein and visualization of the antibody reactive pattern was achieved on Hyperfilm using the Amersham ECL chemiluminescence system. Lane 1 shows Novex MultiMark molecular weight markers of myosin (250 kD), phosphorylase B (148 kD), glutamic dehydrogenase (62 kD), carbonic anhydrase (42 kD), myoglobin-blue (30 kD), myoglobin-red (22 kD), and lysozyme (17 kD).

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

5.1. NMASP Polypeptide

[0042] The invention provides an isolated or a substantially pure native (wild type) or recombinantly produced polypeptide, referred to as NMASP, of Neisseria meningitidis, and various strains or cultivars thereof. The NMASP polypeptide comprises the whole or a subunit of a non-cytosolic protein embedded in, or located in the bacterial envelope, which may include the inner membrane, outer surface, and periplasmic space. The NMASP polypeptide has an apparent molecular weight, as determined from the deduced amino acid sequence, of about 40 kD to about 55 kD, preferably about 44 kD to about 53 kD.

[0043] NMASP polypeptide may also be identified as the polypeptide in hydrophobic (salt) or detergent extracts of Neisseria meningitidis blebs or intact cells that has an apparent molecular weight about 40 kD to about 55 kD, preferably about 44 kD to about 53 kD, as determined by denaturing gel electrophoresis in 12% PAG with SDS, using formulations as described in Harlow and Lane (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Appendix I, 1988).

[0044] In particular embodiments, the NMASP polypeptide is that obtainable from any of Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to types A-L and W. Preferred are N.m. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W. Strains from any of these organisms may be obtained worldwide from any biologicals depository, particularly strains of N.m. Type A: ATCC13077, ATCC53417; Type B ATCC13090, ATCC13091, ATCC13092, ATCC 13093, ATCC 13094, ATCC 13096, ATCC 13098, ATCC 13100, ATCC23247, ATCC23249, ATCC23250, ATCC23251, ATCC23253, ATCC23254, ATCC23255, ATCC23583, ATCC33086, ATCC53044, ATCC53415, ATCC53418; Type C ATCC13102, ATCC13103, ATCC13105, ATCC13106, ATCC132107, ATCC13108, ATCC13109, ATCC13110, ATCC13111, ATCC13112, ATCC23252, ATCC23248, ATCC31275, ATCC53414, ATCC53416, ATCC53900; and Type 29-E ATCC35558.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide comprises a deduced amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11 or 12. Particularly preferred fragments of NMASP have deduced amino acid sequences depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 5-7, and 16. In another particular embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide is encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 10 or 13, with particularly preferred fragments encoded by nucleotide sequences depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 17-20. In another embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is substantially homologous to the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID Nos: 2, 11 or 12 or a portion thereof or is encoded by a nucleotide sequence substantially homologous to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No: 1, 10 or 13 or a portion thereof.

[0046] As used herein a “substantially homologous” sequence is at least 70%, preferably greater than 80%, more preferably greater than 90% identical to a reference sequence of identical size or when compared to a reference sequence when the alignment or comparison is conducted by a computer homology program or search algorithm known in the art. By way of example and not limitation, useful computer homology programs include the following: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) (Altschul et al., 1990, J. of Molec. Biol., 215:403-410, “The BLAST Algorithm; Altschul et al., 1997, Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402) a heuristic search algorithm tailored to searching for sequence similarity which ascribes significance using the statistical methods of Karlin and Altschul 1990, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 87:2264-68; 1993, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77. Five specific BLAST programs perform the following tasks:

[0047] 1) The BLASTP program compares an amino acid query sequence against a protein sequence database.

[0048] 2) The BLASTN program compares a nucleotide query sequence against a nucleotide sequence database.

[0049] 3) The BLASTX program compares the six-frame conceptual translation products of a nucleotide query sequence (both strands) against a protein sequence database.

[0050] 4) The TBLASTN program compares a protein query sequence against a nucleotide sequence database translated in all six reading frames (both strands).

[0051] 5) The TBLASTX program compares the six-frame translations of a nucleotide query sequence against the six-frame translations of a nucleotide sequence database.

[0052] Smith-Waterman (database: European Bioinformatics Institute wwwz.ebi.ac.uk/bic_sw/) (Smith-Waterman, 1981, J of Molec. Biol., 147:195-197) is a mathematically rigorous algorithm for sequence alignments.

[0053] FASTA (see Pearson et al., 1988, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 85:2444-2448) is a heuristic approximation to the Smith-Waterman algorithm. For a general discussion of the procedure and benefits of the BLAST, Smith-Waterman and FASTA algorithms see Nicholas et al., 1998, “A Tutorial on Searching Sequence Databases and Sequence Scoring Methods” (www.psc.edu) and references cited therein.

[0054] By further way of example and not limitation, useful computer homology algorithms and parameters for determining percent identity include the following:

[0055] To determine the percent identity of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids, e.g. between Thy-1 sequences and other known sequences, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % identity=# of identical positions/total # of positions (e.g., overlapping positions)×100). In one embodiment, the two sequences are the same length.

[0056] The determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. A preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of two sequences is the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul, 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-2268, modified as in Karlin and Altschul, 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul, et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to a nucleic acid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to a protein molecules of the invention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. Alternatively, PSI-Blast can be used to perform an iterated search which detects distant relationships between molecules (Id.). When utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, and PSI-Blast programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the CGC sequence alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN program for comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4 can be used. Additional algorithms for sequence analysis are known in the art and include ADVANCE and ADAM as described in Torellis and Robotti (1994) Comput. Appl. Biosci., 10:3-5; and FASTA described in Pearson and Lipman (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 85:2444-8. Within FASTA, ktup is a control option that sets the sensitivity and speed of the search. If ktup=2, similar regions in the two sequences being compared are found by looking at pairs of aligned residues; if ktup=1, single aligned amino acids are examined. ktup can be set to 2 or 1 for protein sequences, or from 1 to 6 for DNA sequences. The default if ktup is not specified is 2 for proteins and 6 for DNA. For a further description of FASTA parameters, see http://bioweb.pasteur.fr/docs/man/man/fasta.1.htm1#sect2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] Alternatively, protein sequence alignment may be carried out using the CLUSTAL W algorithm, as described by Higgins et al., 1996, Methods Enzymol. 266:383-402.

[0058] The percent identity between two sequences can be determined using techniques similar to those described above, with or without allowing gaps. In calculating percent identity, only exact matches are counted.

[0059] According to various aspects of the invention, the polypeptides of the invention are characterized by their apparent molecular weights based on the polypeptides' migration in SDS-PAGE relative to the migration of known molecular weight markers. While any molecular weight standards known in the art may be used with the SDS-PAGE, preferred molecular weight markers comprise at least glutamic dehydrogenase and carbonic anhydrase. Other molecular weight markers include bovine serum albumin, chicken ovalbumin, bovine carbonic anhydrase. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the polypeptides of the invention may migrate differently in different types of gel systems (e.g., different buffers; different types and concentrations of gel, crosslinkers or SDS, etc.). One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the polypeptides may have different apparent molecular weights due to different molecular weight markers used with the SDS-PAGE. Hence, the molecular weight characterization of the polypeptides of the invention is intended to be directed to cover the same polypeptides on any SI)S-PAGE systems and with any molecular weight markers which might indicate sightly different apparent molecular weights for the polypeptides than those disclosed herein.

5 .2. NMASP-Derived Polypeptides

[0060] An NMASP-derived polypeptide of the invention may be a fragment of the NMASP polypeptide. Fragments include those polypeptides having 7 or more amino acids; preferably 8 or more amino acids; more preferably 9 or more amino acids; and most preferably 10 or more amino acids of the NMASP polypeptide.

[0061] The intact NMASP polypeptide may contain one or more amino acid residues that are not necessary to its immunogenicity. It may be the case, for example, that only the amino acid residues forming a particular epitope of the NMASP polypeptide are necessary for immunogenic activity. Unnecessary amino acid sequences can be removed or modified by techniques well known in the art, i.e., an NMASP-derived polypeptide.

[0062] Preferably, the NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention are antigenic, i.e. binding specifically to an anti-NMASP antibody and more preferably the NMASP-derived polypeptides are immunogenic and immunologically cross-reactive with the NMASP polypeptide, thus being capable of eliciting in an animal an immune response to Neisseria meningitidis. More preferably, the NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention comprise sequences forming one or more epitopes of the native NMASP polypeptide of Neisseria meningitidis (i.e., the epitopes of NMASP polypeptide as it exists in intact Neisseria meningitidis cells). Such preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides can be identified by their ability to specifically bind antibodies raised to intact Neisseria meningitidis cells (e.g., antibodies elicited by formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde fixed Neisseria meningitidis cells; such antibodies are referred to herein as “anti-whole cell” antibodies). For example, polypeptides or peptides from a limited or complete protease digestion of the NMASP polypeptide are fractionated using standard methods and tested for their ability to bind anti-whole cell antibodies. Reactive polypeptides comprise preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides. They are isolated and their amino acid sequences determined by methods known in the art.

[0063] Also preferably, the NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention comprise sequences that form one or more epitopes of native NMASP polypeptide that mediate bactericidal or opsonizing antibodies. Such preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides may be identified by their ability to generate antibodies that kill Neisseria meningitidis cells. For example, polypeptides from a limited or complete protease digestion or chemical. cleavage of NMASP polypeptide are fractionated using standard methods, injected into animals and the antibodies produced therefrom tested for the ability to interfere with or kill Neisseria meningitidis cells. Once identified and isolated, the amino acid sequences of such preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides are determined using standard sequencing methods. The determined sequence may be used to enable production of such polypeptides by synthetic chemical and/or genetic engineering means.

[0064] These preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides also can be identified by using anti-whole cell antibodies to screen bacterial libraries expressing random fragments of Neisseria meningitidis genomic DNA or cloned nucleotide sequences encoding the whole NMASP polypeptide or fragments thereof. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY, Vol. 1, Chapter 12.

[0065] The reactive clones are identified and their inserts are isolated and sequenced to determine the amino acid sequences of such preferred NMASP-derived polypeptides.

[0066] By way of example and not limitation, the unwanted amino acid sequences can be removed by limited proteolytic digestion using enzymes such as trypsin, papain, or related proteolytic enzymes or by chemical cleavage using agents such as cyanogen bromide and followed by fractionation of the digestion or cleavage products.

[0067] An NMASP-derived polypeptide of the invention may also be a modified NMASP polypeptide or fragment thereof (i.e., an NMASP polypeptide or fragment having one or more amino acid substitutions, insertions and/or deletions of the wild-type NMASP sequence or amino acids chemically modified in vivo or in vitro). Such modifications may enhance the immunogenicity of the resultant polypeptide product or have no effect on such activity. Modification techniques that may be used include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,716.

[0068] As an illustrative, non-limiting example, one or more amino acid residues within the sequence can be substituted by another amino acid of a similar polarity which acts as a functional equivalent, resulting in a silent alteration. Substitutes for an amino acid within the sequence may be selected from other members of the class to which the amino acid belongs. For example, the nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine. The polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine. The positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine and histidine. The negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

[0069] An NMASP-derived polypeptide of the invention may also be a molecule comprising a region that is substantially homologous to (e.g., in various embodiments, at least 60% or 70% or 80% or 90% or 95% identity over an amino acid sequence of identical size or when compared to an aligned sequence in which the alignment is performed by a computer homology program known in the art) or whose encoding nucleic acid is capable of hybridizing to a coding NMASP sequence, under highly stringent, moderately stringent, or low or nonstringent conditions.

[0070] By way of example and not limitation, useful computer homology programs include the following: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) (Altschul et al., 1990, J of Molec. Biol, 215:403-410, “The BLAST Algorithm; Altschul et al., 1997, Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402) a heuristic search algorithm tailored to searching for sequence similarity which ascribes significance using the statistical methods of Karlin and Altschul (1990, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 87:2264-68; 1993, Proc. Nat'Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77). Two specific BLAST programs perform the following tasks:

[0071] 1) The BLASTP program compares an amino acid query sequence against a protein sequence database; and

[0072] 2) The BLASTN program compares a nucleotide query sequence against a nucleotide sequence database; and hence are useful to identify, respective substantially homologous amino acid and nucleotide sequences.

[0073] Additional algorithms which can be useful are the Smith-Waterman and FASTA algorithms. See supra Section 5.1 for a more detailed description of useful algorithms and parameters for determining percent identity of nucleotide (and/or amino acid) sequences.

[0074] Included within the scope of the invention are NMASP-derived polypeptides which are NMASP polypeptide fragments or other derivatives or analogs which are differentially modified during or after translation, e.g., by glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization by known protecting/blocking groups, proteolytic cleavage, linkage to an antibody molecule or other cellular ligand, etc. Any of numerous chemical modifications may be carried out by known techniques, including but not limited to specific chemical cleavage by cyanogen bromide, trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, V8 protease, NaBH4; acetylation, formylation, oxidation, reduction; metabolic synthesis in the presence of tunicamycin; etc.

[0075] Furthermore, if desired, nonclassical amino acids or chemical amino acid analogs can be introduced as a substitution or addition into the NMASP polypeptide sequence. Non-classical amino acids include but are not limited to the D-isomers of the common amino acids, α-amino isobutyric acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, Abu, 2-amino butyric acid, γ-Abu, ε-Ahx, 6-amino hexanoic acid, Aib, 2-amino isobutyric acid, 3-amino propionic acid, ornithine, norleucine, norvaline, hydroxyproline, sarcosine, citrulline, cysteic acid, t-butylglycine, t-butylalanine, phenylglycine, cyclohexylalanine, β-alanine, fluoro-amino acids, designer amino acids such as β-methyl amino acids, Cα-methyl amino acids, Nα-methyl amino acids, and amino acid analogs in general. Furthermore, the amino acid can be D (dextrorotary) or L (levorotary).

[0076] An NMASP-derived polypeptide may further be a chimeric polypeptide comprising one or more heterologous polypeptides, lipids, phospholipids or lipopolysaccharides of Neisserial origin or of another bacterial origin, fused to the amino-terminal or carboxyl-terminal or internal of a complete NMASP polypeptide or a portion of or a fragment thereof. Useful heterologous polypeptides comprising such chimeric polypeptide include, but are not limited to, a) pre- and/or pro- sequences that facilitate the transport, translocation and/or processing of the NMASP-derived polypeptide in a host cell, b) affinity purification sequences, and c) any useful immunogenic sequences (e.g., sequences encoding one or more epitopes of a surface-exposed protein of a microbial pathogen). One preferred heterologous protein of the chimeric polypeptide includes Hin47 (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,679,547 and 5,721,115).

5.3. Isolation and Purification of NMASP Polypeptide and NMASP-derived Polypeptides

[0077] The invention provides isolated NMASP polypeptides and NMASP-derived polypeptides. As used herein, the term “isolated” means that the product is significantly free of other biological materials with which it is naturally associated. That is, for example, an isolated NMASP polypeptide composition is between about 70% and 94% pure NMASP polypeptide by weight. Preferably, the NMASP polypeptides and NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention are purified. As used herein, the term “purified” means that the product is substantially free of other biological material with which it is naturally associated. That is, a purified NMASP polypeptide composition is at least 95% pure NMASP polypeptide by weight, preferably at least 98% pure NMASP polypeptide by weight, and most preferably at least 99% pure NMASP polypeptide by weight.

[0078] The NMASP polypeptide of the invention may be isolated from a protein extract including a whole cell extract, of any Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to, types A-L and W. Preferred are Nm. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W. Strains from any of these organisms may be obtained worldwide from any biologicals depository, particularly strains of N.m. Type A: ATCC13077, ATCC53417; Type B ATCC13090, ATCC13091, ATCC13092, ATCC13093, ATCC13094, ATCC13096, ATCC 13098, ATCC 13100, ATCC23247, ATCC23249, ATCC23250, ATCC23251, ATCC23253, ATCC23254, ATCC23255, ATCC23583, ATCC33086, ATCC53044, ATCC53415, ATCC53418; Type C ATCC13102, ATCC13103, ATCC13105, ATCC13106, ATCC132107, ATCC13108, ATCC13109, ATCC13110, ATCC13111, ATCC13112, ATCC23252, ATCC23248, ATCC31275, ATCC53414, ATCC53416, ATCC53900; and Type 29-E ATCC35558. Another source of the NMASP polypeptide is a protein preparation from a gene expression system expressing a sequence encoding NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides (see Section 5.7., infra).

[0079] The NMASP polypeptide can be isolated and purified from the source material using any biochemical technique and approach well known to those skilled in the art. In one approach, Neisseria cellular envelope is obtained by standard techniques and inner membrane, periplasmic and outer membrane proteins are solubilized using a solubilizing agent such as a detergent or hypotonic solution. A preferred detergent solution is one containing octyl glucopyranoside (OG), sarkosyl or TRITON X100™ (t-Octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol). A preferred solubilizing hypotonic solution is one containing LiCl. NMASP polypeptide is in the solubilized fraction.. Cellular debris and insoluble material in the extract are separated and removed preferably by centrifuging. The polypeptides in the extract are concentrated, incubated in SDS-containing Laemmli gel sample buffer at 100° C. for 5 minutes and then fractionated by electrophoresis in a denaturing sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel (PAG) from about 6% to about 12%, with or without a reducing agent. See Laemmli, 1970, Nature 227:680-685. The band or fraction identified as NMASP polypeptide, having an apparent molecular weight of about 40 kD to about 55 kD, as described above, may then be isolated directly from the fraction or gel slice containing the NMASP polypeptide. In a preferred embodiment, NMASP polypeptide has an apparent molecular weight of about 44 kD to about 53 kD which could be determined by comparing its migration distance or rate in a denaturing SDS-PAGE relative to those of bovine serum albumin (66.2 kD) and chicken ovalbumin (45 kD).

[0080] Another method of purifying NMASP polypeptide is by affinity chromatography using anti-NMASP antibodies, (see Section 5.5). Preferably, monoclonal anti-NMASP antibodies are used. The antibodies are covalently linked to agarose gels activated by cyanogen bromide or succinimide esters (Affi-Gel, BioRad, Inc.) or by other methods known to those skilled in the art. The protein extract is loaded on the top of the gel as described above. The contact is for a period of time and under standard reaction conditions sufficient for NMASP polypeptide to bind to the antibody. Preferably, the solid support is a material used in a chromatographic column. NMASP polypeptide is then removed from the antibody, thereby permitting the recovery NMASP polypeptide in isolated, or preferably, purified form.

[0081] An NMASP-derived polypeptide of the invention can be produced by chemical and/or enzymatic cleavage or degradation of isolated or purified NMASP polypeptide. An NMASP-derived polypeptide can also be chemically synthesized based on the known amino acid sequence of NMASP polypeptide and, in the case of a chimeric polypeptide, the amino acid sequence of the heterologous polypeptide by methods well known in the art. See, for example, Creighton, 1983, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles, W. H. Freeman and Co., NY.

[0082] An NMASP-derived polypeptide can also be produced in a gene expression system expressing a recombinant nucleotide construct comprising a sequence encoding NMASP-derived polypeptides. The nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides of the invention may be synthesized, and/or cloned, and expressed according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Sambrook, et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY, Chapter 9.

[0083] NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention can be fractionated and purified by the application of standard protein purification techniques, modified and applied in accordance with the discoveries and teachings described herein. In particular, preferred NMASP-polypeptides of the invention, those that form an outer-surface or exposed epitope of the native NMASP polypeptide may be isolated and purified according to the affinity procedures disclosed above for the isolation and purification of NMASP polypeptide (e.g., affinity purification using anti-NMASP antibodies).

[0084] If desirable, the polypeptides of the invention may be further purified using standard protein or peptide purification techniques including but not limited to electrophoresis, centrifugation, gel filtration, precipitation, dialysis, chromatography (including ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, immunoadsorbent affinity chromatography, reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, and gel permeation high performance liquid chromatography), isoelectric focusing, and variations and combinations thereof.

[0085] One or more of these techniques may be employed sequentially in a procedure designed to isolate and/or purify the NMASP polypeptide or the NMAP-derived polypeptides of the invention according to its/their physical or chemical characteristics. These characteristics include the hydrophobicity, charge, binding capability, and molecular weight of the protein. The various fractions of materials obtained after each technique are tested for their abilities to bind the NMASP receptor or ligand, to bind anti-NMASP antibodies or to have serine protease activity (“test” activities). Those fractions showing such activity are then subjected to the next technique in the sequential procedure, and the new fractions are tested again. The process is repeated until only one fraction having the above described “test” activities remains and that fraction produces only a single band or entity when subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or chromatography.

5 .4. NMASP Immunogens and Anti-NMASP Antibodies

[0086] The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides. For the production of such antibodies, isolated or preferably, purified preparations of NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides are used as antigens in an antigenic composition, more preferably as immunogens in an immunogenic composition.

[0087] In an embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide is separated from other outer membrane or periplasmic proteins present in the extracts of Neisseria meningitidis cells or blebs using SDS-PAGE (see Section 5.3. above) and the gel slice containing NMASP polypeptide is used as an immunogen and injected into a rabbit to produce antisera containing polyclonal NMASP antibodies. The same immunogen can be used to immunize mice for the production of hybridoma lines that produce monoclonal anti-NMASP antibodies. In particular embodiments, the immunogen is a PAG slice containing isolated or purified NMASP from any Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to, types A-L and W. Preferred are N.m. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W. Particularly preferred are the strains of N.m. Type A: ATCC13077, ATCC53417; Type B ATCC13090, ATCC13091, ATCC13092, ATCC13093, ATCC13094, ATCC13096, ATCC13098, ATCC 13100, ATCC23247, ATCC23249, ATCC23250, ATCC2325 1, ATCC23253, ATCC23254, ATCC23255, ATCC23583, ATCC33086, ATCC53044, ATCC53415, ATCC53418; Type C ATCC13102, ATCC13103, ATCC13105, ATCC13106, ATCC132107, ATCC13108, ATCC13109, ATCC13110, ATCC13111, ATCC13112, ATCC23252, ATCC23248, ATCC31275, ATCC53414, ATCC53416, ATCC53900; and Type 29-E ATCC35558.

[0088] In other embodiments, peptide fragments of NMASP polypeptide are used as immunogens. Preferably, peptide fragments of purified NMASP polypeptide are used. The peptides may be produced by protease digestion, chemical cleavage of isolated or purified NMASP polypeptide or chemical synthesis and then may be isolated or purified. Such isolated or purified peptides can be used directly as immunogens. In particular embodiments, useful peptide fragments are 5 or more amino acids in length and include, but are not limited to, those comprising the sequences LTNTHV (SEQ ID NO:5); SDVAL (SEQ ID NO:6) and GNSGGPL (SEQ ID NO:7).

[0089] Useful immunogens may also comprise such peptides or peptide fragments conjugated to a carrier molecule, preferably a carrier protein. Carrier proteins may be any commonly used in immunology, include, but are not limited to, bovine serum albumin (BSA), chicken albumin, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and the like. For a discussion of hapten protein conjugates, see, for example, Hartlow, et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988, or a standard immunology textbook such as Roitt, I. et al., IMMUNOLOGY, C. V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, Mo. (1985) or Klein, J., IMMUNOLOGY, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., (1990).

[0090] In yet another embodiment, for the production of antibodies that specifically bind one or more epitopes of the native NMASP polypeptide, intact Neisseria meningitidis cells or blebs prepared therefrom are used as immunogen. The cells or blebs may be fixed with agents such as formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde before immunization. See Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988, Chapter 15. It is preferred that such anti-whole cell antibodies be monoclonal antibodies. Hybridoma lines producing the desired monoclonal antibodies can be identified by using purified NMASP polypeptide as the screening ligand. The immunogen for inducing these antibodies are whole cells, blebs, extracts or lysates of any Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to, types A-L and W. Preferred are N.m. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W. Particularly preferred are strains of N.m.Type A: ATCC13077, ATCC53417; Type B ATCC13090, ATCC13091, ATCC13092, ATCC13093, ATCC13094, ATCC13096, ATCC13098, ATCC13100, ATCC23247, ATCC23249, ATCC23250, ATCC23251, ATCC23253, ATCC23254, ATCC23255, ATCC23583, ATCC33086, ATCC53044, ATCC53415, ATCC53418; Type C ATCC13102, ATCC13103, ATCC13105, ATCC13106, ATCC132107, ATCC13108, ATCC13109, ATCC13110, ATCC13111, ATCC13112, ATCC23252, ATCC23248, ATCC31275, ATCC53414, ATCC53416, ATCC53900; and Type 29-E ATCC35558.

[0091] Polyclonal antibodies produced by whole cell or bleb immunizations contain antibodies that bind other Neisseria meningitidis proteins (“non-anti-NMASP antibodies”) and thus are more cumbersome to use where it is known or suspected that the sample contains other Neisseria meningitidis proteins or materials that are cross-reactive with these other proteins. Under such circumstances, any binding by the anti-whole cell antibodies of a given sample or band must be verified by coincidental binding of the same sample or band by antibodies that specifically bind NMASP polypeptide (e.g., anti-NMASP) and/or a NMASP-derived polypeptide, or by competition tests using anti-NMASP antibodies, NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide as the competitor (i.e., addition of anti-NMASP antibodies, NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide to the reaction mix lowers or abolishes sample binding by anti-whole cell antibodies). Alternatively, such polyclonal antisera, containing “non-anti-NMASP” antibodies, may be cleared of such antibodies by standard approaches and methods. For example, the non-anti-NMASP antibodies may be removed by precipitation with cells of a NMASP deletion or “knock-out” mutant Neisseria meningitidis cultivars or Neisseria meningitidis strains known not to have the NMASP polypeptide; or by absorption to columns comprising such cells or outer membrane proteins of such cells.

[0092] In further embodiments, useful immunogens for eliciting antibodies of the invention comprise mixtures of two or more of any of the above-mentioned individual immunogens.

[0093] Immunization of animals with the immunogens described herein, preferably humans, rabbits, rats, mice, sheep, goats, cows or horses, is performed following procedures well known to those skilled in the art, for purposes of obtaining antisera containing polyclonal antibodies or hybridoma lines secreting monoclonal antibodies.

[0094] Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by standard techniques, given the teachings contained herein. Such techniques are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,271,145 and 4,196,265. Briefly, an animal is irnmunized with the immunogen. Hybridomas are prepared by fusing spleen cells from the immunized animal with myeloma cells. The fusion products are screened for those producing antibodies that bind to the immunogen. The positive hybridomas clones are isolated, and the monoclonal antibodies are recovered from those clones.

[0095] Immunization regimens for production of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are well known in the art. The immunogen may be injected by any of a number of routes, including subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intradermal, intramuscular, mucosal, or a combination of these. The immunogen may be injected in soluble form, aggregate form, attached to a physical carrier, or mixed with an adjuvant, using methods and materials well known in the art. The antisera and antibodies may be purified using column chromatography methods well known to those of skill in the art.

[0096] According to the present invention, NMASP polypeptides of Neisseria meningitidis strains are immuno-cross reactive. Thus, antibodies raised to NMASP polypeptide of one Neisseria meningitidis species, strain or cultivar, specifically bind NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides of other Neisseria meningitidis species, strains and cultivars. For example, polyclonal anti-NMASP antibodies induced by NMASP polypeptide of N.m. Type B specifically bind not only the identical strain NMASP polypeptide (i.e., the NMASP polypeptide of N.m. Type B) but also NMASP polypeptide and/or NMASP-derived polypeptides of other Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to, types A and C-L and W. Preferred species are N.m. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W.

[0097] The antibodies of the invention, including but not limited to anti-NMASP antibodies, can be used to facilitate isolation and purification of NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides. The antibodies may also be used as probes for identifying clones in expression libraries that have inserts encoding NMASP polypeptide or fragments thereof. The antibodies may also be used in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, RIA, Westerns) to specifically detect and/or quantitate Neisseria meningitidis in biological specimens. Thus anti-NMASP antibodies can be used to diagnose Neisseria infections.

[0098] The antibodies of the invention, particularly those which are cytotoxic, may also be used in passive immunization to prevent or attenuate Neisseria meningitidis infections of animals, including humans. (As used herein, a cytotoxic antibody is one which enhances opsonization and/or complement killing of the bacterium bound by the antibody). An effective concentration of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies raised against the immunogens of the invention may be administered to a host to achieve such effects. The exact concentration of the antibodies administered will vary according to each specific antibody preparation, but may be determined using standard techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Administration of the antibodies may be accomplished using a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to those described in Section 5.6. for the delivery of vaccines.

5.5. Compositions

[0099] The present invention also provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions, which may be immunogenic compositions including vaccines, against Neisseria meningitidis infections of animals, including mammals, and more specifically rodents and primates, including humans. Preferred immunogenic compositions include vaccines for use in humans. The immunogenic compositions of the present invention can be prepared by techniques known to those skilled in the art and would comprise, for example, an immunologically effective amount of any of the NMASP immunogens disclosed in Section 5.4., optionally in combination with or fused to or conjugated to one or more other immunogens including lipids, phospholipids, lipopolysaccharides and other proteins of Neisserial origin or other bacterial origin, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, optionally an appropriate adjuvant, and optionally other materials traditionally found in vaccines. Such a cocktail vaccine (comprising several immunogens) has the advantage that immunity against several pathogens can be obtained by a single administration. Examples of other immunogens include, but are not limited to, those used in the known DPT vaccines, entire organisms or subunits therefrom of Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, etc.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the immunogenic compositions of the invention comprise an immunologically effective amount of one or more of an inactivated or attenuated Neisseria meningitidis. An inactivated or attenuatedNeisseria meningitidis is obtained using any methods known in the art including, but not limited to, chemical treatment (e.g., formalin), heat treatment and irradiation of Neisseria organisms.

[0101] The term “immunologically effective amount” is used herein to mean an mount sufficient to induce an immune response to produce antibodies, in the case of a humoral immune response and/or cytokines and other cellular immune response components. Preferably, the immunogenic composition is one that prevents Neisseria meningitidis infections or attenuates the severity of any preexisting or subsequent Neisseria meningitidis infection. An immunologically effective amount of the immunogen to be used in the vaccine is determined by means known in the art in view of the teachings herein. The exact concentration will depend upon the specific irrimunogen to be administered, but can be determined by using standard techniques well known to those skilled in the art for assaying the development of an immune response.

[0102] Useful immunogens include the isolated NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides of the present invention optionally in combination with or fused to or conjugated to one or more other antigens including lipids, phospholipids, lipopolysaccharides and other proteins. Preferred immunogens include the purified NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides or peptides.

[0103] The combined immunogen and carrier or diluent may be an aqueous solution, emulsion or suspension or may be a dried preparation. In general, the quantity of polypeptide immunogen will be between 0.1 and 500 micrograms per dose. The carriers are known to those skilled in the art and include stabilizers, diluents, and buffers. Suitable stabilizers include carbohydrates, such as sorbitol, lactose, mannitol, starch, sucrose, dextran, and glucose and proteins, such as albumin or casein. Suitable diluents include saline, Hanks Balanced Salts, and Ringers solution. Suitable buffers include an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal carbonate, or an alkaline earth metal carbonate.

[0104] The immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, may also contain one or more adjuvant or immunostimulatory compounds to improve or enhance the immunological response. Suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, peptides including bacterial toxins, such as but not limited to heat labile toxin and/or verotoxin of E. coli, cholera toxin, and shiga toxin, and toxoids and/or attenuated forms thereof, chemokines, cytokines and the like; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; aluminum oxide; a composition that consists of a mineral oil, such as Marcol 52, or a vegetable oil, and one or more emulsifying agents or surface active substances such as saponins, lysolecithin, polycations, polyanions; and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG, QS21, MPL and Corynebacterium parvum.

[0105] The immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, of the invention are prepared by techniques known to those skilled in the art, given the teachings contained herein. Generally, an immuunogen is mixed with the carrier to form a solution, suspension, or emulsion. One or more of the additives discussed above may be in the carrier or may be added subsequently. The vaccine preparations may be desiccated, for example, by freeze drying or spray drying for storage or formulations purposes. They may be subsequently reconstituted into liquid vaccines by the addition of an appropriate liquid carrier or administered in dry. formulation known to those skilled in the art, particularly in capsules or tablet forms.

[0106] The immunogentic compositions, including vaccines, are administered to humans or other animals, preferably other mammals, such as ruminants, rodents and primates. They can be administered in one or more doses. The vaccines may be administered by known routes of administration. Many methods may be used to introduce the vaccine formulations described here. These methods include but are not limited to oral, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, and intranasal routes. The preferred routes are intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.

[0107] The invention also provides a method for inducing an immune response to Neisseria meningitides in an animal to generate a humoral and/or cellular immune response. The method comprises administering an immunologically effective amount of an immunogen of the invention to a host and, preferably, administering a vaccine of the invention to a host.

5.6. Nucleic Acids Encoding the NMASP Polypedtide and NMASP-devired Polypeptides

[0108] The present invention also provides nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, encoding NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same. In a particular embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide comprises a deduced amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11 or 12 and the nucleic acids comprise nucleotide sequences encoding said amino acid sequences. Fragments of NMASP have 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more amino acids from those depicted in SEQ ID NOS: 2, 11 or 12 and the nucleic acids comprise nucleotides encoding the same. Particularly preferred fragments of NMASP have amino acid sequences depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 5-7, and 16 and the invention encompasses nucleic acids comprising nucleotides encoding said amino acid sequences. In another particular embodiment, the NMASP polypeptide is encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 10 or 13, with particularly preferred fragments depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 17-20.

[0109] Nucleic acids of the present invention can be single or double stranded. The invention also provides nucleic acids hybridizable to or complementary to the foregoing sequences. In specific aspects, nucleic acids are provided which comprise a sequence complementary to at least 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 250 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide. In a specific embodiment, a nucleic acid which is hybridizable to a nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide (e.g., having sequence SEQ. ID. NO.: 1, 10 or 13), or to a nucleic acid encoding an NMASP-derived polypeptide, under conditions of low stringency is provided.

[0110] By way of example and not limitation, procedures using such conditions of low stringency are as follows (see also Shilo and Weinberg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:6789-6792): Filters containing DNA are pretreated for 6 h at 40° C. in a solution containing 35% formamide, 5×SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 5 mM EDTA, 0.1% PVP, 0.1% Ficoll, 1% BSA, and 500 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Hybridizations are carried out in the same solution with the following modifications: 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.2% BSA, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 10% (wt/vol) dextran sulfate, and 5-20×106 cpm 32P-labeled probe is used. Filters are incubated in hybridization mixture for 18-20 h at 40° C., and then washed for 1.5 h at 55° C. in a solution containing 2×SSC, 25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 5 mM EDTA, and 0.1% SDS. The wash solution is replaced with fresh solution and incubated an additional 1.5 h at 60° C. Filters are blotted dry and exposed for autoradiography. If necessary, filters are washed for a third time at 65-68° C. and re-exposed to film. Other conditions of low stringency which may be used are well known in the art (e.g., as employed for cross-species hybridizations).

[0111] In another specific embodiment, a nucleic acid which is hybridizable to a nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide under conditions of high stringency is provided. By way of example and not limitation, procedures using such conditions of high stringency are as follows: Prehybridization of filters containing DNA is carried out for 8 h to overnight at 65° C. in buffer composed of 6×SSC, 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 1 mM EDTA, 0.02% PVP, 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% BSA, and 500 μ/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA. Filters are hybridized for 48 h at 65° C. in prehybridization mixture containing 100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA and 5-20×106 cpm of 32P-labeled probe. Washing of filters is done at 37° C. for 1 h in a solution containing 2×SSC, 0.01% PVP, 0.01% Ficoll, and 0.01% BSA. This is followed by a wash in 0.1×SSC at 50° C. for 45 min before autoradiography. Other conditions of high stringency which may be used are well known in the art.

[0112] In another specific embodiment, a nucleic acid which is hybridizable to a nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide under conditions of moderate stringency is provided.

[0113] Various other stringency conditions which promote nucleic acid hybridization can be used. For example, hybridization in 6×SSC at about 45° C., followed by washing in 2×SSC at 50° C. may be used. Alternatively, the salt concentration in the wash step can range from low stringency of about 5×SSC at 50° C., to moderate stringency of about 2×SSC at 50° C., to high stringency of about 0.2×SSC at 50° C. In addition, the temperature of the wash step can be increased from low stringency conditions at room temperature, to moderately stringent conditions at about 42° C., to high stringency conditions at about 65° C. Other conditions include, but are not limited to, hybridizing at 68° C. in 0.5M NaHPO4 (pH7.2)/1 mM EDTA/7% SDS, or hybridization in 50% formamide/0.25M NaHPO4 (pH 7.2)/0.25 M NaCl/1 mM EDTA/7% SDS; followed by washing in 40 mM NaHPO4 (pH 7.2)/1 mM EDTA/5% SDS at 42° C. or in 40 mM NaHPO4 (pH7.2) 1 mM EDTA/1% SDS at 50° C. Both temperature and salt may be varied, or alternatively, one or the other variable may remain constant while the other is changed.

[0114] Low, moderate and high stringency conditions are well known to those of skill in the art, and will vary predictably depending on the base composition of the particular nucleic acid sequence and on the specific organism from which the nucleic acid sequence is derived. For guidance regarding such conditions see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press, N.Y., pp. 9.47-9.57; and Ausubel et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y.

[0115] Nucleic acids encoding NMAP-derived polypeptides, including but not limited to fragments or a portion thereof, (see Section 5.2), and NMASP antisense nucleic acids are additionally provided. As is readily apparent, as used herein, a “nucleic acid encoding a fragment or portion of a nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide” shall be construed as referring to a nucleic acid encoding only the recited fragment or portion of the nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide and not the other contiguous portions of the nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide protein as a continuous sequence.

[0116] Also encompassed are nucleotide sequences substantially homologous to the above described nucleic acids. As used herein a “substantially homologous” sequence is at least 70%, preferably greater than 80%, more preferably greater than 90% identical to a reference sequence of identical size or when the alignment or comparison is conducted by a computer homology program or search algorithm known in the art.

[0117] By way of example and not limitation, useful computer homology programs include the following: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) (Altschul et al., 1990, J. of Molec. Biol., 215:403-410, “The BLAST Algorithm; Altschul et al., 1997, Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402) a heuristic search algorithm tailored to searching for sequence similarity which ascribes significance using the statistical methods of Karlin and Altschul (1990, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 87:2264-68; 1993, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77). Five specific BLAST programs are provided and the BLASTN program compares a nucleotide query sequence against a nucleotide sequence database. Additional algorithms which can be useful are the Smith-Waterman and FASTA algorithms. See supra Section 5.1 for a more detailed description of useful algorithms and parameters for determining percent identity of nucleotide (and/or amino acid) sequences.

[0118] In one aspect, the nucleic acids of the invention may be synthesized using methods known in the art. Specifically, a portion of or the entire amino acid sequence of NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide may be determined using techniques well known to those of skill in the art, such as via the Edman degradation technique (see, e.g., Creighton, 1983, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles, W.H. Freeman & Co., N.Y., pp.34-49). The amino acid sequence obtained is used as a guide for the synthesis of DNA encoding NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide using conventional chemical approaches or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of overlapping oligonucleotides.

[0119] In another aspect, the amino acid sequence may be used as a guide for synthesis of oligonucleotide mixtures which in turn can be used to screen for NMASP polypeptide coding sequences in Neisseria meningitidis genomic libraries and PCR amplification products. Preferably the DNA used as the source of the NMASP polypeptide coding sequence, for both genomic libraries and PCR amplification, is prepared from cells of any Neisseria meningitidis, including, but not limited to, types A-L and W. Preferred are N.m. Type A, Type B, Type C and Type W. Strains from any of these organisms may be obtained worldwide from any biologicals depository, particularly strains of Nm.Type A: ATCC13077, ATCC53417; Type B ATCC13090, ATCC13091, ATCC13092, ATCC 13093, ATCC 13094, ATCC 13096, ATCC 13098, ATCC 13100, ATCC23247, ATCC23249, ATCC23250, ATCC23251, ATCC23253, ATCC23254, ATCC23255, ATCC23583, ATCC33086, ATCC53044, ATCC53415, ATCC53418; Type C ATCC13102, ATCC13103, ATCC13105, ATCC13106, ATCC132107, ATCC13108, ATCC 13109, ATCC 13110, ATCC13111, ATCC1 3112, ATCC23252, ATCC23248, ATCC31275, ATCC53414, ATCC53416, ATCC53900; and Type 29-E ATCC35558.

[0120] In the preparation of genomic libraries, DNA fragments are generated, some of which will encode parts or the whole of Neisseria meningitidis NMASP polypeptide. The DNA may be cleaved at specific sites using various restriction enzymes. Alternatively, one may use DNase in the presence of manganese to fragment the DNA, or the DNA can be physically sheared, as for example, by sonication and the like. The DNA fragments can then be separated according to size by standard techniques, including but not limited to, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, column chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifugation. The DNA fragments can then be inserted into suitable vectors, including but not limited to plasmids, cosmids, bacteriophages lambda or T4, and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC). (See, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2d Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Glover, D. M. (ed.), 1985, DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, MRL Press, Ltd., Oxford, U.K. Vol. I, II.) The genomic library may be screened by nucleic acid hybridization to labeled probe (Benton and Davis, 1977, Science 196:180; Grunstein and Hogness, 1975, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72:3961).

[0121] The genomic libraries may be screened with a labeled degenerate oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the amino acid sequence of any peptide fragment of the NMASP polypeptide using optimal approaches well known in the art. Any probe used preferably is 15 nucleotides or longer. Examples of particular probes are described below.

[0122] Clones in libraries with insert DNA encoding the NMASP polypeptide or fragments thereof will hybridize to one or more of the degenerate oligonucleotide probes. Hybridization of such oligonucleotide probes to genomic libraries are carried out using methods known in the art. Any of the hybridization procedures described in detail above in this Section can be used. For a specific illustrative example, hybridization with the two above-mentioned oligbnucleotide probes may be carried out in 2×SSC, 1.0% SDS at 50_C and washed using the same conditions.

[0123] In yet another aspect, clones of nucleotide sequences encoding a part or the entire NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides may also be obtained by screening Neisseria meningitidis expression libraries. For example, Neisseria meningitidis DNA is isolated and random fragments are prepared and ligated into an expression vector (e.g., a bacteriophage, plasmid, phagemid or cosmid) such that the inserted sequence in the vector is capable of being expressed by the host cell into which the vector is then introduced. Various screening assays can then be used to select for the expressed NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides. In one embodiment, the various anti-NMASP antibodies of the invention (see Section 5.5) can be used to identify the desired clones using methods known in the art. See, for example, Harlow and Lane, 1988, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Appendix IV. Clones or plaques from the library are brought into contact with the antibodies to identify those clones that bind.

[0124] In an embodiment, colonies or plaques containing DNA that encodes NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide could be detected using DYNA Beads according to Olsvick et al., 29th ICAAC, Houston, Tex. 1989, incorporated herein by reference. Anti-NMASP antibodies are crosslinked to tosylated DYNA Beads M280, and these antibodγ-containing beads then are used to adsorb to colonies or plaques expressing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide. Colonies or plaques expressing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide is identified as any of those that bind the beads.

[0125] Alternatively, the anti-NMASP antibodies can be nonspecifically immobilized to a suitable support, such as protein A or G resins, silica or Celite™ resin. This material is then used to adsorb to bacterial colonies expressing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide as described in the preceding paragraph.

[0126] In another aspect, PCR amplification may be used to produce substantially pure DNA encoding a part of or the whole of NMASP polypeptide from Neisseria meningitidis genomic DNA. Oligonucleotide primers, degenerate or otherwise, corresponding to NMASP polypeptide sequences presently taught can be used as primers. In particular embodiments, a convergent set of oligonucleotides, degenerate or otherwise, specific for the NMASP coding sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 10 or 13 may be used to produce NMASP-encoding DNA.

[0127] As examples, an oligonucleotide encoding the N-terminal segment of the NMASP polypeptide and having the sequence 5′-GTG TTC AAA AAA TAC CAA TAC CTC -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 18) may be used as the 5′ forward primer together with a 3′ reverse PCR oligonucleotide complementary to an internal, downstream protein coding sequence having the sequence 5′-ACT GAC GCT GCC GTC GTC TTT GGT -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 19) may be used to amplify an N-terminal-specific NMASP DNA fragment. Alternatively, an oligonucleotide encoding an internal NMASP coding sequence and having the sequence: 5′-ATG CTG CTG CCC GAC TTT GTC CAA GTT CAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 8) may be used as the 5′ forward PCR primer together with a 3′ reverse PCR oligonucleotide complementary to downstream, internal NMASP protein coding sequences and having the sequence 5′-GAA GCC CGA ACC GAA GTT CAA TCC GCC GTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 9) may be used to PCR amplify an internal NMASP-specific DNA fragment. Alternatively forward primer SEQ ID NO: 20 can be combined together with an oligonucleotide complementary to the C-terminal NMASP coding region and having the sequence 5′-TTG CAG GTT TAA TGC GAT AAA CAG CGT -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 20) to PCR amplify the NMASP ORF. These NMASP-specific PCR products can be cloned into appropriate expression vectors to direct the synthesis of all or part of the NMASP polypeptide. Alternatively, these NMASP-specific PCR products can be appropriately labelled and used as hybridization probes to identify all or part of the NMASP gene from genomic DNA libraries.

[0128] PCR can be carried out, e.g., by use of a Perkin-Elmer Cetus thermal cycler and Taq polymerase (Gene Amp™). One can choose to synthesize several different degenerate primers, for use in the PCR reactions. It is also possible to vary the stringency of hybridization conditions used in priming the PCR reactions, to allow for greater or lesser degrees of nucleotide sequence similarity between the degenerate primers and the corresponding sequences in Neisseria meningitidis DNA. After successful amplification of a segment of the sequence encoding NMASP polypeptide, that segment may be molecularly cloned and sequenced, and utilized as a probe to isolate a complete genomic clone. This, in turn, permits the determination of the gene's complete nucleotide sequence, the analysis of its expression, and the production of its protein product for functional analysis, as described infra.

[0129] Once an NMASP polypeptide coding sequence has been isolated from one Neisseria meningitidis species, strain or cultivar, it is possible to use the same approach to isolate NMASP polypeptide coding sequences from other Neisseria meningitidis species, strains and cultivars. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the DNA or RNA sequence encoding NMASP polypeptide (or fragments thereof) of the invention can be used to obtain other DNA or RNA sequences that hybridize with it under conditions of moderate to high stringency, using general techniques known in the art. Hybridization with an NMASP sequence from one Neisseria meningitidis strain or cultivar under high stringency conditions will identify the corresponding sequence from other strains and cultivars. High stringency conditions vary with probe length and base composition. The formulae for determining such conditions are well known in the art. See Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY, Chapter 11. As used herein high stringency hybridization conditions as applied to probes of greater than 300 bases in length involve a final wash in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. for at least 1 hour (Ausubel, et al., Eds., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. I, Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, at page 2.10.3). In particular embodiments, the high stringency wash in hybridization using a probe, for instance, having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 or 9 or its complement, is 2×SSC, 1% SDS at 50° C. for about 20 to about 30 minutes.

[0130] One skilled in the art would be able to identify complete clones of NMASP polypeptide coding sequence using approaches well known in the art. The extent of NMASP polypeptide coding sequence contained in an isolated clone may be ascertained by sequencing the cloned insert and comparing the deduced size of the polypeptide encoded by the open reading frames (ORFs) with that of NMASP polypeptide and/or by comparing the deduced amino acid sequence with that of known amino acid sequence of purified NMASP polypeptide. Where a partial clone of NMASP polypeptide coding sequence has been isolated, complete clones may be isolated by using the insert of the partial clone as hybridization probe. Alternatively, a complete NMASP polypeptide coding sequence can be reconstructed from overlapping partial clones by splicing their inserts together.

[0131] Complete clones may be any that have ORFs with deduced amino acid sequence matching or substantially homologous to that of NMASP polypeptide or, where the complete amino acid sequence of the latter is not available, that of a peptide fragment of NMASP polypeptide and having a molecular weight corresponding to that of NMASP polypeptide. Further, complete clones may be identified by the ability of their inserts, when placed in an expression vector, to produce a polypeptide that binds antibodies specific to the amino-terminal of NMASP polypeptide and antibodies specific to the carboxyl-terminal of NMASP polypeptide.

[0132] Nucleic acid sequences encoding NMASP-derived polypeptides may be produced by methods well known in the art. In one aspect, sequences encoding NMASP-derived polypeptides can be derived from NMASP polypeptide coding sequences by recombinant DNA methods in view of the teachings disclosed herein. For example, the coding sequence of NMASP polypeptide may be altered creating amino acid substitutions that will not affect the immunogenicity of the NMASP polypeptide or which may improve its immunogenicity, such as conservative or semi-conservative substitutions as described above. Various methods may be used, including but not limited to oligonucleotide directed, site specific mutagenesis. These and other techniques known in the art may be used to create single or multiple mutations, such as replacements, insertions, deletions, and transpositions, as described in Botstein and Shortle, 1985, Science 229:1193-1210.

[0133] Further, DNA of NMASP polypeptide coding sequences may be truncated by restriction enzyme or exonuclease digestions. Heterologous coding sequence may be added to NMASP polypeptide coding sequence by ligation or PCR amplification. Moreover, DNA encoding the whole or a part of an NMASP-derived polypeptide may be synthesized chemically or using PCR amplification based on the known or deduced amino acid sequence of NMASP polypeptide and any desired alterations to that sequence.

[0134] The identified and isolated DNA containing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequence can be inserted into an appropriate cloning vector. A large number of vector-host systems known in the art may be used. Possible vectors include, but are not limited to, plasmids and modified viruses, but the vector system must be compatible with the host cell used. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, bacteriophages such as lambda derivatives, or plasmids such as pTrcHis, pBR322 or pUC plasmid derivatives. The insertion into a cloning vector can, for example, be accomplished by ligating the DNA fragment into a cloning vector which has complementary cohesive termini. However, if the complementary restriction sites used to fragment the DNA are not present in the cloning vector, the ends of the DNA molecules may be enzymatically modified. Alternatively, any site desired may be produced by ligating nucleotide sequences (linkers) onto the DNA termini; these ligated linkers may comprise specific chemically synthesized oligonucleotides encoding restriction endonuclease recognition sequences. In an alternative method, the cleaved DNA may be modified by homopolymeric tailing. Recombinant molecules can be introduced into host cells via transformation, transfection, infection, electroporation, etc., so that many copies of the gene sequence are generated.

[0135] In an alternative method, the desired DNA containing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequence may be identified and isolated after insertion into a suitable cloning vector in a “shot gun” approach. Enrichment for the desired sequence, for example, by size fractionation, can be done before insertion into the cloning vector.

[0136] In specific embodiments, transformation of host cells with recombinant DNA molecules that contain NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequence enables generation of multiple copies of such coding sequence. Thus, the coding sequence may be obtained in large quantities by growing transformants, isolating the recombinant DNA molecules from the transformants and, when necessary, retrieving the inserted coding sequence from the isolated recombinant DNA.

5.7. Recombinant Production of NMASP Polypeptide and NMASP-derived Polypeptides

[0137] NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention may be produced through genetic engineering techniques. In this case, they are produced by an appropriate host cell that has been transformed by DNA that codes for the polypeptide. The nucleotide sequence encoding NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides of the invention can be inserted into an appropriate expression vector, i.e., a vector which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted polypeptide-coding sequence. The nucleotide sequences encoding NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptides are inserted into the vectors in a manner that they will be expressed under appropriate conditions (e.g., in proper orientation and correct reading frame and with appropriate expression sequences, including an RNA polymerase binding sequence and a ribosomal binding sequence).

[0138] A variety of host-vector systems may be utilized to express the polypeptide-coding sequence. These include but are not limited to mammalian cell systems infected with virus (e.g., vaccinia virus, adenovirus, etc.); insect cell systems infected with virus (e.g., baculovirus); microorganisms such as yeast containing yeast vectors, or bacteria transformed with bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA. Preferably, the host cell is a bacterium, and most preferably the bacterium is E. coli, B. subtilis or Salmonella.

[0139] The expression elements of vectors vary in their strengths and specificities. Depending on the host-vector system utilized, any one of a number of suitable transcription and translation elements may be used. In a specific embodiment, a chimeric protein comprising NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide sequence and a pre and/or pro sequence of the host cell is expressed. In other specific embodiments, a chimeric protein comprising NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide sequence and an affinity purification peptide is expressed. In further specific embodiments, a chimeric protein comprising NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide sequence and a useful immunogenic peptide or polypeptide is expressed. In preferred embodiments, NMASP-derived polypeptide expressed contains a sequence forming either an outer-surface epitope or the receptor-binding domain of native NMASP polypeptide.

[0140] Any method known in the art for inserting DNA fragments into a vector may be used to construct expression vectors containing a chimeric gene consisting of appropriate transcriptional/translational control signals and the polypeptide coding sequences. These methods may include in vitro recombinant DNA and synthetic techniques and in vivo recombinants (genetic recombination). Expression of a nucleic acid sequence encoding NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide may be regulated by a second nucleic acid sequence so that the inserted sequence is expressed in a host transformed with the recombinant DNA molecule. For example, expression of the inserted sequence may be controlled by any promoter/enhancer element known in the art. Promoters which may be used to control expression of inserted sequences include, but are not limited to the SV40 early promoter region (Bemoist and Chambon, 1981, Nature 290:304-310), the promoter contained in the 3′ long terminal repeat of Rous sarcoma virus (Yamamoto et al., 1980, Cell 22:787-797), the herpes thymidine kinase promoter (Wagner et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:1441-1445), the regulatory sequences of the metallothionein gene (Brinster et al., 1982, Nature 296:39-42) for expression in animal cells; the promoters of lactamase (Villa-Kamaroff et al., 1978, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75:3727-3731), tac (DeBoer et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:21-25), _PL or trc for expression in bacterial cells (see also “Useful proteins from recombinant bacteria” in Scientific American, 1980, 242:74-94); the nopaline synthetase promoter region or the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter (Gardner et al., 1981, Nucl. Acids Res. 9:2871), and the promoter ofthe photosynthetic enzyme ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (Herrer α-Estrella et al., 1984, Nature 310:115-120) for expression implant cells; promoter elements from yeast or other fungi such as the Gal4 promoter, the ADC (alcohol dehydrogenase) promoter, PGK (phosphoglycerol kinase) promoter, alkaline phosphatase promoter.

[0141] Expression vectors containing NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequences can be identified by three general approaches: (a) nucleic acid hybridization, (b) presence or absence of “marker” gene functions, and (c) expression of inserted sequences. In the first approach, the presence of a foreign gene inserted in an expression vector can be detected by nucleic acid hybridization using probes comprising sequences that are homologous to the inserted NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequence. In the second approach, the recombinant vector/host system can be identified and selected based upon the presence or absence of certain “marker” gene functions (e.g., thymidine kinase activity, resistance to antibiotics, transformation phenotype, occlusion body formation in baculovirus, etc.) caused by the insertion of foreign genes in the vector. For example, if the NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide coding sequence is inserted within the marker gene sequence of the vector, recombinants containing the insert can be identified by the absence of the marker gene function. In the third approach, recombinant expression vectors can be identified by assaying the foreign gene product expressed by the recombinant. Such assays can be based, for example, on the physical or functional properties of NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide in in vitro assay systems, e.g., binding to an NMASP ligand or receptor, or binding with anti-NMASP antibodies of the invention, or serine protease activity.

[0142] Once a particular recombinant DNA molecule is identified and isolated, several methods known in the art may be used to propagate it. Once a suitable host system and growth conditions are established, recombinant expression vectors can be propagated and prepared in quantity. As explained above, the expression vectors which can be used include, but are not limited to, the following vectors or their derivatives: human or animal viruses such as vaccinia virus or adenovirus; insect viruses such as baculovirus; yeast vectors; bacteriophage vectors (e.g., lambda), and plasmid and cosmid DNA vectors, to name but a few.

[0143] In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Expression from certain promoters can be elevated in the presence of certain inducers; thus, expression of the genetically engineered NMASP polypeptide or NMASP-derived polypeptide may be controlled. Furthermore, different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the translational and post-translational processing and modification of proteins. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the desired modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed.

5.8. Applications

[0144] The present invention has many utilities. For example, the NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides may be used as ligands to detect antibodies elicited in response to Neisseria meningitidis infections (e.g., as a diagnostic marker in diagnosing Neisseria meningitidis infections). The NMASP polypeptide and NMASP-derived polypeptides may also be used as immunogens for inducing Neisseria meningitidis —specific antibodies. Such antibodies are useful in immunoassays to detect Neisseria meningitidis in biological specimens. The cytotoxic antibodies of the invention are useful in passive immunizations against Neisseria meningitidis infections. The NMASP polypeptide, NMASP-derived polypeptides, and/or fragments thereof may further be used as active ingredients in vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis infections.

[0145] Not intending to be limited to any particular mechanism of action, the inventors provide the following remarks. The interaction of both normal and neoplastic mammalian cells with extracellular matrix components (ECM) such as fibronectin, vitronectin, and type I collagen has been shown to be mediated through a family of cell-surface receptors that specifically recognize an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid amino acid sequence within each protein (Ruoslahti E. and M. D. Pierschbacher. 1986. Arg-Gly-Asp: a versatile cell recognition signal. Cell 44:517-8). Numerous studies have shown that synthetic peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence can inhibit these receptor-ligand interactions in vitro (Gehlsen K. R. Et al. 1988. Inhibition of in vitro tumor cell invasion by Arg-Gly-Asp-containing synthetic peptides. J Cell Biol. 106:925-30). A highly active Arg-Gly-Asp sequence has been identified within the cell attachment region of fibronectin and the interaction between this sequence and specific platelet cell surface receptors has been demonstrated to induce activation. The conserved Arg-Gly-Asp and Arg-Gly-Asn motifs reside near the C-terminus of the NMASP polypeptide of the present invention may also function as adherence domains specific for ECM proteins. If so, once the NMASP polypeptide of the present invention is bound to the host's cellular matrix the proteolytic activity of NMASP could function to remodel the epithelial/endothelial surface so as to promote attachment and or subsequent invasion. Thus using the NMASP polypeptides of the invention as a vaccine to produce antibody that could interrupt these processes would be beneficial.

[0146] The polypeptides, peptides, antibodies, nucleic acids and vectors comprising the nucleic acids, of the invention are useful as reagents for clinical or medical diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis infections and for scientific research on the properties of pathogenicity, virulence, and infectivity of Neisseria meningitidis, as well as host defense mechanisms. For example, DNA and RNA of the invention can be used as probes to identify the presence of Neisseria meningitidis in biological specimens by hybridization or PCR amplification. The DNA and RNA can also be used to identify other bacteria that might encode a polypeptide related to the Neisseria meningitidis NMASP.

[0147] The polypeptides and peptides of the invention may be used to prepare polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies that can be used to further purify compositions containing the polypeptides of the invention by affinity chromatography. The polypeptides and peptides can also be used in standard immunoassays as diagnostics to screen for the presence of antibodies to Neisseria meningitidis in a sample.

[0148] The nucleic acids, polypeptides and peptides of the invention are also useful in screening assays to detect compounds, including small molecules, or agents that are useful as diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic agents against Neisseria meningitidis infection. In one illustrative mode of this embodiment, assays can be used to screen for a molecule or agent that binds to NMASP and hence which is useful as a diagnostic agent to detect Neisseria meningitidis in a patient bodily fluid or tissue sample. In another illustrative mode of this embodiment, assays can be used to screen for a molecule or agent that targets NMASP polypeptide or the nucleic acid encoding NMASP polypeptide and hence which molecule or agent is useful as an antibacterial agent for therapy or prophylaxis against Neisseria meningitidis infection. While not intending to be limited to any particular mode of action for the antibacterial agents identified according to the present invention, the inventors provide the following remarks. The novel NMASP polypeptide of the present invention has some limited sequence similarity to E. coli HtrA or DegP, including, but not limited to, conserved Arg-Gly-Asp and Arg-Gly-Asn motifs near the C-terminus of the NMASP polypeptide. The inventors envisage that molecules or agents that bind to, interact with, or inhibit the synthesis or enzymatic activity, such as but not limited to, serine protease activity, of the NMASP polypeptide of the invention are useful as anti-infective agents against Neisseria meningitidis infection. Any assays known to those skilled in the art can be used according to this embodiment to screen for such agents. Non-limiting illustrative examples of assays include the following.

[0149] A number of systems have been described which can be adapted for the identification of agents interacting with NMASP polypeptide or NMASP derived polypeptides. One well known system is the yeast two-hybrid system (Fields and Song, 1989, Nature 340:245-246; White. 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:10001-10003; Warbick, 1997, Structure 5:13-17) which has been used to identify interacting proteins and to isolate the corresponding encoding genes. In this system, prototrophic selectable markers which allow positive growth selection are used as reporter genes to facilitate identification of protein-protein interactions. Applying the above general scheme, growing yeast cell colonies expressing DB-X/AD-Y-interacting proteins can be identified among the non-growing colonies (Gyris et al., 1993, Cell 75:791-803; Durfee et al., 1993, Genes Dev. 7:555-569; Vojtek et al., 1993, Cell 74:205-214). Related systems which may be employed include the yeast three-hybrid system (Licitra and Liu, 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:12817-12821; Tirode et al., 1997, J Biol. Chem. 272:22995-22999) and the yeast reverse two-hybrid system (Vidal et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:10321-10326; Vidal et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:10315-10320).

[0150] Bacterial systems for identification of protein-protein interactions are also known in the art and may be adapted for use with the methods of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the E. coli CadC-based dimer detection system may be used for identifying proteins interacting with NMASP (see generally, PCT publication no. WO 99/23116 dated May 14, 1999, which is incorporated herein in its entirety). In another embodiment, a bacterial protein interaction system based on the AraC protein, which regulates the L-arabinose operon in E. coli, may be used (Bustos and Schleif, 1993, Proc. NatL. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5638-5642; Soisson et al., 1997, Science 276:421-425; Eustance et al., 1994, J Mol. Biol. 242:330-338). Other assay systems which may be used include bacterial systems based on the lambda repressor system (Zeng et al., 1997, Protein Sci. 6:2218-2226), the lac-operon (Gates et al., 1996, J Mol. Biol. 255:373-386), an interaction signal detection based on lambda and lambdoid proteins (Hollis et al., 1988. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5834-5838), systems based on E. coli RNAP (Dove et al., 1998, Genes Dev. 12:745-754; Dove et al., 1997, Nature 386:627-630), and systems based on the cAMP synthetase (Karimova et al., 1998, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:5752-5756).

[0151] Alternatively, assays screening for interaction of molecules with NMASP can be devised using a detectible marker. Proteins or other molecules may be labeled with a detectable marker using methods for protein labeling known in the art. A “detectable marker” refers to a moiety, such as a radioactive isotope or group containing same, or nonisotopic labels, such as enzymes, biotin, avidin, streptavidin, digoxygenin, luminescent agents, dyes, haptens, and the like. Luminescent agents, depending upon the source of exciting energy, can be classified as radioluminescent, chemiluminescent, bioluminescent, and photoluminescent (including fluorescent and phosphorescent). An affinity capture assay may be used.

[0152] In another embodiment, any molecule including macromolecules and small molecules, can be assayed for interaction with NMASP polypeptide or an NMASP-derived polypeptide; interaction with NMASP or an NMASP-derived polypeptide indicates the molecule is useful as a diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic against Neisseria meningitidis infection. In one embodiment, the method is as follows. A method for assaying for an agent that interacts with NMASP polypeptide comprises: (a) contacting a cell expressing NMASP polypeptide with an agent labeled with a detectable marker for a time sufficient to allow the agent to interact with the polypeptide; (b) washing the cells; and (c) detecting any marker associated with the cells, in which any cell associated marker indicates that the agent interacts with the NMASP polypeptide and wherein any agent that interacts with NMASP indicates that the agent is useful as a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic agent against Neisseria meningitidis infection.

[0153] DNA or polypeptides of the invention may be used to assess the binding of small molecule substrates and ligands in, for example, cells, cell free preparations, chemical libraries, and natural product extracts and mixtures. These substrates and ligands may be natural substrates and ligands or may be structural or functional mimetics thereof.

[0154] The invention also provides a method of screening compounds to identify those which enhance (i.e., agonists) or block (i.e., antagonists) the action of NMASP polypeptides, particularly those compounds that are bacteriostatic or bactericidal to Neisseria meningitidis. The method of screening may involve high-throughput assay 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 mixture thereof, comprising NMASP polypeptide and a labeled substrate or ligand such polypeptide is incubated in the absence or the presence of a candidate molecule that may be a NMASP agonist or antagonist. The ability of the candidate molecule to agonize or antagonize the NMASP polypeptide 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 NMASP polypeptide are most likely to be good antagonists. Molecules that bind well and increase the rate of product production from substrate are agonists. Detection of the rate or level of production of product from substrate 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 change an NMASP polypeptide activity, and binding assays known in the art. Potential antagonists or agonists include small molecules, peptides, and antibodies that bind to a NMASP peptide or polypeptide of the invention, or such a closely related protein or antibody that binds the same sites on a binding molecule.

[0155] It is to be understood that the application of the teachings of the present invention to a specific problem or environment will be within the capabilities of one having ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings contained herein.

[0156] 5.9 The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A more specific description of certain embodiments is provided below in the following examples. The examples are described solely for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes in form and substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances suggest or render expedient. Although specific terms have been employed herein, such terms are intended in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

[0157] Methods of molecular genetics, protein biochemistry and immunology used but not explicitly described in the disclosure and examples are amply reported in the scientific literature and are well within the ability of those skilled in the art.

6. EXAMPLE: ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE NMASP POLYPEPTIDE AND NUCLEIC ACID ENCODING SAME

6.1. Extraction of Envelope Proteins

[0158] Neisseria meningitidis are grown at 37° C. at 200 rpm in 1 liter of Mueller Hinton broth, chocolate agar plates or Columbia blood agar plates. Extraction with hypotonic solutions is carried out as follows. Cells are harvested into lithium chloride (LiCl), sodium acetate (NaOAc) solution (0.1M LiCl, 0.2 M NaOAc, pH 5.8) and shaken with glass beads for 3 h in a 45 ° C. water bath. The beads and cellular debris are removed by centrifugation and for crude extracts, the supernatant removed and stored at −20 ° C. For purified extracts, the supernatant is further centrifuged at 100,000×g and the resulting pellet resuspended and either stored or used for further purification as described herein.

[0159] Extraction using detergents is carried out as follows. Cells are harvested into a Tris-hydrochloride buffer solution and pelleted by centrifugation. The pelleted cells are resuspended and sonicated to disrupt the cells. Unbroken cells are removed by low speed centrifugation and the total cell envelope fraction is treated with either (1.25% final w/v) n-octyl-D-glucopyranoside (i.e., octyl glucoside; OG) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or (0.5% w/v) of sodium N-lauroyl sarcosine (Sarkosyl) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The unsolublized fraction is pelleted and the supernatant is used as the detergent extract for resolution using SDS-PAGE or for further purification as described herein.

6 .2. Amino Terminal Sequencing of NMASP Polypeptide

[0160] NMASP polypeptide from extracts of Neisseria meningitidis is detected (e.g., by silver staining or anti-NMASP antibodies) in denaturing gels. For N-terminal sequencing, an extract is mixed with PAGE sample buffer containing SDS, and is incubated for 3 minutes in boiling water bath. The proteins are then resolved on a PAG with SDS and transferred to a PVDF membrane by electroblotting. The region of the membrane containing the NMASP band is then-cut out and amino-terminal sequencing is performed by generally accepted methods known to those skilled in the art.

6.3. Anti-NMASP Antiserum

[0161] Antisera to NMASP are prepared by injecting the NMASP polypeptide into an animal, such as a rabbit, mouse or guinea pig, with or without an adjuvant. For instance, NMASP is injected with Freund's complete adjuvant followed by injections of NMASP with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Normally, a semi-purified or purified form of the protein is injected. For instance, the NMASP polypeptide is resolved from other proteins using a denaturing sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel according to standard techniques well known to those skilled in the art, as previously described (Laemmli, 1970, Nature 227:680-685), and cutting the NMASP-containing band out of the gel. The excised band containing NMASP is macerated and injected into an animal to generate antiserum to the NMASP polypeptide. The antisera is examined using well known and generally accepted methods of ELISA to determine titres, by western blots to determine binding to proteins, for immunofluorescent staining and for complement-mediated cytotoxic activity against Neisseria as described below.

6.4. Western Blots

[0162] N. meningitidis ATCC 13090 are grown on gonococcal agar (GC/agar base, Difco; supplemental with 1% Iso Vitale X, BBL) or chocolate agar plates for 24-48 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO2. Cells are removed by scraping the colonies from the agar surface using a polystyrene inoculating loop. Cells are then solubilized by suspending 30 μg of cells in 150 μl of PAGE sample buffer (360 mM Tris buffer [pH 8.8], containing 2-mercaptoethanol, 4% sodium dodecylsulfate and 20% glycerol), and incubating the suspension at 100° C. for 5 minutes. The solubilized cells are resolved on 12% polyacrylamide gels as per Laemmli and the separated proteins were electrophoretically transferred to PVDF membranes at 100 V for 1.5 hours as previously described (Thebaine et al. 1979, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 35 76:4350-4354). The PVDF membranes are then pretreated with 25 ml of Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline containing 0.5% sodium casein, 0.5% bovine serum albumin and 1% goat serum. All subsequent incubations are carried out using this pretreatment buffer.

[0163] PVDF membranes are incubated with 25 ml of a 1:500 dilution of preimmune rabbit serum or serum from a rabbit immunized with NMASP or Hin47 polypeptide (as described above) for 1 hour at room temperature or monoclonal antibodies to NMASP or to Hin47 (described above). PVDF membranes are then washed twice with wash buffer (20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.5.) containing 150 mM sodium chloride and 0.05% Tween-20). PVDF membranes are incubated with 25 ml of a 1:5000 dilution of peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit (or anti-mouse for monoclonals) IgG (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, West Grove, Pa.) for 30 minutes at room temperature. PVDF membranes are then washed 4 times with wash buffer, and are developed with 3,3′diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride and urea peroxide as supplied by Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo. catalog number D-4418) for 4 minutes each.

6.5. Anti-NMASP Immunofluorescence Staining of Cell Surface

[0164] Neisseria meningitidis are grown overnight at 37° C. in a shaking water bath in Mueller Hinton broth or on gonococcal agar and harvested by scraping. The cells are pelleted by centrifugation and then resuspended in an equal volume of Dulbecco's modification of phosphate buffered saline without calcium or magnesium (PBS/MC). 20 μl of the cell suspension is applied to each of 5 clean microscope slides. After setting for 10 seconds, the excess fluid is removed with a micropipettor, and the slides are allowed to air dry for 1 hour. The slides are then heat fixed over an open flame until the glass is warm to the touch. The slides are initially treated with 40 μl of 1:40 dilution of anti-NMASP antiserum or preimmune serum from the same animal diluted in PBS/MC, or PBS/MC for 10 minutes, then washed 5 times with PBS/MC. The slides are treated with 40 μl of 5 μg/ml PBS/MC of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat antibody to rabbit IgG (Kirkegaard and Perry Laboratories, Inc, Gaithersburg, Md.). The slides are incubated in the dark for 10 minutes and are washed 5 times in PBS/MC. Each slide is stored covered with PBS/MC under a cover slide and is viewed with a fluorescence microscope fitted with a 489 nm filter. For each sample five fields-of-view are visually examined to evaluate the extent of straining.

6.6. Cellular Envelope Location of NMASP

[0165] Rabbit anti-NMASP antiserum is used in indirect immunofluorescence staining to determine if NMASP polypeptide is exposed on the outer surface of Neisseria meningitidis cells. This would indicate that in intact Neisseria meningitidis cells NMASP polypeptide is reactive with anti-NMASP antibodies.

6.7. Propepties of NMASP Polypeptide

[0166] NMASP polypeptide exists as a protein of approximately 40-55 kD in its native state as can be determined using detergent or hypotonic extracts of Neisseria meningitidis, incubating the extracts with sodium dodecyl sulfate at 100° C., and resolving the proteins on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel.

[0167] Western blot analysis of protein extracts of a number of Neisseria meningitidis strains can be used to show that the anti-NMASP antibodies bind to a polypeptide of about 40 kD to about 55 kD in many Neisseria meningitidis strains. Anti-NMASP antibodies may be used to specifically identify Neisseria meningitidis. NMASP polypeptide may be used to generate antibodies that have diagnostic application for identification of Neisseria meningitidis. Antibodies to NMASP polypeptide of one species or strain may be used to identify and isolate the corresponding NMASP polypeptide of other Neisseria meningitidis species or strains.

7. EXAMPLE: EFFICACY OF NMASP VACCINE: CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF ANTI-NMASP ANTISERUM

[0168] Complement-mediated cytotoxic activity of anti-NMASP antibodies is examined to determine the vaccine potential of NMASP polypeptide. Antiserum to NMASP polypeptide is prepared as described in Section 6.1.8. supra. The activities of the pre-immune serum and the anti-NMASP antiserum in mediating complement killing of Neisseria meningitidis are examined using the “Serum Bactericidal Test” described by Zollinger et al. (Immune Responses to Neisseria meningitis, in Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology, 3rd ed., pg 347-349).

[0169] The results could be used to show that anti-NMASP antiserum mediates complement-killing of Neisseria meningitidis.

8. EXAMPLE: ISOLATION OF THE NMASP NUCLEIC ACID

8.1. Identification of an NMASP Open Reading Frame

[0170] The E. coli DegP (HtrA) amino acid sequence available from GeneBank was employed as a BLAST (TBLASTN) subject query to search the partially completed, crude, and unassembled publicly available genomic sequence databases for N. meningitidis sero-group A (Sanger Center, UK) to identify linear amino acid sequences that might share some similarity to the DegP protein. No predicted amino acid sequences from these Neisseria databases showed more than ˜36% sequence identity to the E. coli DegP protein sequence. [% identity determined using TBLASTN program (Altschul et al., 1990, J Molec. Biol. 215:403-10; Altschul et al., 1997, Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402) with data entered using FASTA format; expect 10 filter default; description 100, alignment as described www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.] Candidate NMASP amino acid sequences from the N. meningitidis A database were localized within specific genomic DNA sequence “contigs”, and putative open reading frames encoding these NMASP sequences were derived. Putative ORFs capable of encoding proteins of ˜40-55 kD, the average size of most DegP-like serine proteases, were then selected and further analyzed for the presence and appropriate relative spacing of semi-conserved catalytic residues (H, D, S) thought to be required for serine protease activity. A single putative open reading frame from the N. meningitidis A database was identified which met these criteria. This putative NMASP ORFs were then compared to each other using a CLUSTAL pairwise analysis and found to be ˜96% identical at the primary amino acid level. These putative ORFs were then used to individually search the partially completed N. meningitidis B genomic database (TIGR, USA) for similar putative NMASP amino acid sequences using the TBLASTN algorithm. These analyses demonstrated that N. meningitidis B strain, like the N. meningitidis A, also contains a putative NMASP ORF that is highly conserved (˜97%) compared to those identified in N. meningitidis A.

8.2. Isolation of N. MENINGITIDIS Chromosomal DNA

[0171] N. meningitidis was streaked on gonococcal agar base (GC agar, Difco) containing 1.0% IsoVitale X (BBL) and grown at 35-37° C. in 5% CO2 for ˜24-48 hours. To prepare confluent “lawns” of cells for DNA isolation, three or four single colonies were picked from the “overnight” seed plate and used to inoculate fresh GC plates which were again grown overnight at 35-37° C. in 5% CO2. Cells were collected from the surface of the agar plates by gentle rinsing using trypticase soy broth (TSB) containing 10% glycerol and then stored at −20° C. When needed, cells were thawed at room temperature and bacteria collected by centrifugation in a Sorval SS34 rotor at ˜2000×g for 15 minutes at room temperature. The supernatant was removed and the cell pellet suspended in ˜5.0 ml of sterile water. An equal volume of lysis buffer (200 mM NaCl, 20 mM EDTA, 40 mM Tris-HCl pH8.0, 0.5% (w/v) SDS, 0.5% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol, and 250 ug/ml of proteinase K) was added and the cells suspended by gentle agitation and trituration. The cell suspension was then incubated ˜12 hours at 50° C. to lyse the bacteria and liberate chromosomal DNA.

[0172] Proteinaceous material was precipitated by the addition of 5.0 ml of saturated NaCl (˜6.0M, in sterile water) and centrifugation at ˜5,500×g in a Sorval SS34 rotor at room temperature. Chromosomal DNA was precipitated from the cleared supernatant by the addition of two volumes of 100% ethanol. Aggregated DNA was collected and washed using gentle agitation in a small volume of a 70% ethanol solution. Purified chromosomal DNA was suspended in sterile water and allowed to dissolve/disburse overnight at 4° C. by gentle rocking. The concentration of dissolved DNA was determined spectrophotometrically at 260 nm using an extinction coefficient of 1.0 O.D. unit ˜50 ug/ml.

8.3. PCR Cloning of the NMASP ORF

[0173] Oligonucleotide PCR primers complementary to the DNA sequences encoding the—and C-termini of the N. meningitidis A NMASP ORF present in the Sanger database were synthesized. In addition to the NMASP specific sequences, these PCR primers were designed to contain flanking NcoI and EcoRI restriction sites in an effort to expedite cloning of the ORF. These oligonucleotides were used to amplify NMASP-specific PCR products from three different, clinically relevant N. meningitidis B strains; H44/76, M96-250338, and BZ198.

[0174] The forward primer used for these PCR reactions was designated NMASP-1-Nco (49 mer, forward primer) and NMASP-1-RI (54 mer, reverse primer) and contain sequences complementary to 9 N-terminal and last 9 C-terminal residues, respectively, of the putative NMASP protein. In addition to the NMASP coding sequences, the forward primer was designed to contain a unique NcoI restriction site optimally located upstream of the first Met residue of the NMASP protein while the reverse primer was designed to contain an EcoRI restriction site immediately downstream of the TAA termination codon. These restriction sites were engineered to allow directional cloning and subsequent expression of the NMASP ORF from the commercially available procaryotic expression vector pTrcHis (InvitroGen). In order to introduce a correctly positioned NcoI site (CCATGG) at the N-terminus of the ORF, it was necessary to change the first base of the second codon (CTC) from C to G which effects a conservative residue substitution at this position (Leu=>Val).

NMASP-1-Nco
5′- AAG GGC CCA ATT ACG CAG AGC CAT GGT GCT GCC CGA CTT TGT CCA (SEQ ID No. 3)
ACT G-3′
NMASP-1-RI
5′- AAG GGC CCA ATT ACG CAG AGG GAA TTC TTA TTG CAG GTT TAA TGC (SEQ ID No. 4)
GAT AAA CAG- 3′

[0175] Standard PCR amplification reactions (2 mM Mg2+, 200 umol dNTPs, 0.75 units AmpliTaq, 50 ul final volume) were programmed using ˜0.0 ug of N. meningitidis B chromosomal DNA. Separate reactions were programmed using DNA from N. meningitidis type B strains H44/76, 250338, and BZ198. Amplification of target sequences was achieved using a standard 32-cycle, three-step thermal profile, i.e. 95° C., 30 sec; 60° C., 45 sec, 72° C., 1 min. Amplification was carried out in 0.2 ml polypropylene thin-walled PCR tubes (Perkin-Elmer) in a Perkin-Elmer model 2400 thermal cycler. All three reactions produced the NMASP-specific ˜1.4 Kbp amplimer.

[0176] The ˜1.4 Kbp NMASP amplimer was purified from unincorporated primers using hydroxyapatite spin columns (QiaGen) and digested to completion with an excess of NcoI and EcoRI (BRL, ˜10 units per lug DNA). The purified and digested rNMASP ORF was then purified as described above and cloned into the commercially available expression plasmid pTrcHisB that had been previously digested with both NcoI and EcoRI and treated with calf intestinal phosphatase to prevent vector religation (5:1, insert:vector ratio). Aliquots from the ligation reaction were then used to transform a suitable E. coli host (e.g. TOP10) to ampicillin resistance. Mini-prep DNA from ampicillin-resistant transformants picked at random were prepared using commercially available reagents (QiaGen Mini Prep Kit) and examined for the presence of recombinant plasmids larger than the ˜4.4 Kbp vector plasmid pTrcHis (i.e. insert-carrying plasmids). Large recombinant plasmids were then digested to completion with NcoI and EcoRI and examined for the presence of the ˜1.4 Kbp NMASP-specific fragment by standard agarose gel electrophoresis. All ˜5.8 Kbp plasmids tested were found to contain the NMASP insert. Plasmid pNmAH116 was one recombinant derivative isolated by these procedures. A map of plasmid pNmAH116 is depicted in FIG. 1.

[0177] Alternatively, to produce high levels of recombinant N. meningitidis B DegP-like protein for immunogenicity and protective efficacy studies, the NMASP ORF was PCR cloned into an E. coli high expression vector under the control of the stringent ara promoter (PBAD) Oligonucleotide PCR primers complementary to DNA sequences encoding N-terminal amino acid residues 24 to 31 of Seq ID NO: 11 (AGSFFGAD) and the last 9 C-terminal amino acid residues of Seq ID NO: 11 (TLFIALNLQ) of the N. meningitidis A NMASP ORF present in the Sanger database were synthesized. In addition to the NMASP specific sequences, these PCR primers were designed to contain flanking NcoI and XbaI restriction sites in an effort to expedite cloning of the ORF into the commercially available expression vector pBAD/gIII. These oligonucleotides were used to amplify a NMASP-specific PCR product from the clinically relevant N. meningitidis B strain H44/76.

[0178] The amplification primers used in these PCR reactions were designated NMASP-G3-F-Nco (42 mer, forward primer) and NMASP-G3-RCf-Xba (47 mer, reverse primer). In addition to the NMASP coding sequence, the forward primer was designed to contain a unique NcoI restriction site optimally located upstream of the Ala24 residue. Similarly, the reverse primer was designed to contain an XbaI restriction site immediately downstream of the last NMASP codon (CAA, Q). The 3′ XbaI restriction site was engineered into the primer such that the NMASP coding sequence would be fused in frame to a myc antibody detection domain and a C-terminal (His)6 affinity purification tag encoded on the pBAD/gIII (InvitroGen) vector plasmid.

NMASP-G3-F-Nco
5′ - ATT ACG CAG AGG ACC ATG GCC GGC AGC TTT TTC GGT (SEQ ID NO: 14)
GCG GAC - 3′   42 mer
NMASP-G3-RCf-Xba
5′ - ATT ACG CAG AGG TTC TAG ACC TTG CAG GTT TAA TGC (SEQ ID NO: 15)
GAT AAA CAG CG - 3′ 47 mer

[0179] Standard PCR amplification reactions (2 mM Mg2+, 200 umol dNTPs, 0.75 units AmpliTaq, 50 ul final volume) were programmed using ˜0.1 ug of N. meningitidis B H44/76 chromosomal DNA. Amplification of the NMASP target sequence was achieved using a standard 32-cycle, three-step thermal profile, i.e. 95° C., 30 sec; 60° C., 45 sec, 72° C., 1 min. Amplification was carried out in 0.2 ml polypropylene thin-walled PCR tubes (Perkin-Elmer) in a Perkin-Elmer model 2400 thermal cycler. PCR reactions produced the predicted NMASP-specific ˜1.3 Kbp amplimer.

[0180] The ˜1.3 Kbp NMASP PCR product was purified from unincorporated primers using hydroxyapatite spin columns (QiaGen) and digested to completion with an excess of NcoI and XbaI (BRL, ˜10 units per lug DNA) according to the manufacturers recommendations. The purified and digested rNMASP ORF was then purified as described above and cloned into the commercially available expression plasmid pBAD/gIII that had been previously digested to completion with both NcoI and XbaI and treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP, BRL, ˜0.05 units/pmole 5′ ends) to prevent vector religation (˜5:1, insert:vector ratio). Aliquots from the ligation reaction were then used to electrotransform a suitable E. coli host (e.g. TOP10, InvitroGen). Transformed cells were plated on 2X-YT agar plates containing 100 ug/ml ampicillin and cultured for ˜12-18 hours at 37° C. Mini-prep DNA from ampicillin-resistant transformants picked at random were prepared using commercially available reagents (QiaGen Mini Prep Kit) and examined for the presence of recombinant plasmids larger than the ˜4.1 Kbp vector plasmid pBAD/gIII (i.e. insert-carrying plasmids). These putative insert-carrying recombinant plasmids were then digested to completion with NcoI and XbaI and examined for the presence of the ˜1.3 Kbp NMASP-specific fragment by standard agarose gel electrophoresis (0.8% agarose, TAE buffer). All ˜5.4 Kbp plasmids tested were found to contain the NMASP insert. Plasmid pNmAH145 was one recombinant derivative isolated by these procedures.

8.4. Expression of Recombinant NMASP Protein

[0181] The ability of pNmAH145 to express the N. meningitidis B recombinant NMASP protein was assessed by SDS-PAGE. A 5.0 ml overnight culture of TOP10 (pNmAH145) was prepared in LB broth containing ampicillin (100 ug/ml) and inoculated with cells from a “patch” plate made directly from the original pNmAH145 transformant colony and grown overnight at 37° C. with shaking (˜250 rpm). An aliquot of the overnight seed culture (1.0 ml) was inoculated into a 125 ml erlenmeyer flask containing ˜25 of LB/Ap100 broth and grown at 37° C. with shaking (˜250 rpm) until the culture turbidity reached O.D.600 of ˜0.5, i.e. mid-log phase (usually about 1.5-2.0 hours). At this time, approximately half of the culture (˜12.5 ml) was transferred to a second 125 ml erylenmeyer flask and expression of recombinant NMASP protein induced by the addition of arabinose (2.0% stock prepared in sterile water, Sigma) to a final concentration of 0.2%. Incubation of both the ara-induced and non-induced cultures continued for an additional ˜4 hours at 37° C. with shaking.

[0182] Samples (˜1.0 ml) of both induced and non-induced cultures were removed following the induction period and cells collected by centrifugation in a microcentrifuge (13k×g; Eppendorf) at room temperature for ˜3-5 minutes. Individual cell pellets were suspended in ˜50ul of sterile water, then mixed with an equal volume of 2×Lamelli SDS-PAGE sample buffer containing 2-mercaptoethanol, and placed in boiling water bath for ˜3-5min to denature and reduce the recombinant protein. Equal volumes (˜15 ul) of both the arabinose-induced and the non-induced cell lysates were loaded onto duplicate 4-20% Tris/glycine polyacrylamide gradient gels (1 mm thick Mini-gels, Novex). The induced and non-induced lysate samples were electrophoresed together with prestained molecular weight markers (SeeBlue, Novex) under conventional electrophoresis conditions (˜30 mA, constant current) using a standard SDS/Tris/glycine running buffer (BioRad).

[0183] Following electrophoresis, one gel was stained with commassie brilliant blue R250 (BioRad) and then destained using an acetic acid:methanol:water destaining solution to visualize novel ˜50 kDa NMASP arabinose-inducible protein. The second gel was electroblotted onto a PVDF membrane (0.45 micron pore size, Novex) for ˜2hrs at 4° C. and ˜125 mA constant current using a BioRad Mini-Protean II blotting apparatus and Towbin's methanol-based (20%) transfer buffer. Blocking of the membrane and antibody incubations were performed using a Tris (50 mM,pH7.3):CaCl2 (1 mM):Tween-20 (0.2%) buffer containing 0.5% casein. A monoclonal anti-(His)5 antibody conjugated to HRP (QiaGen) was used at a 1/5,000 dilution to confirm the expression and identify of ˜50 kDa inducible rNMASP protein. Visualization of the antibody reactive pattern was achieved on Hyperfilm using the Amersham ECL chemiluminescence system. The results from this experiment are shown in FIG. 2.

8.5. Purification of Recombinant Protein

[0184] Recombinant NMASP protein is purified to homogeneity using standard preparative column chromatographic procedures. Briefly, an E. coli strain harboring the expression plasmid pNmAH116 or pNmAH145 is grown in Luria broth in a 51 fermenter (New Brunswick) at 37° C. with moderate aeration until mid-log phase (˜0.5 O.D.600) and induced with IPTG (1 mm final) for 4-5 hours. Cell paste is collected, washed in PBS and stored at −20° C. Aliquots of frozen cell paste (˜9-10 g wet weight) are suspended in ˜120 ml of D-PBS by mechanical agitation and lysed by passage through a French pressure cell (2×, 14,000 psi, 4° C.). The exact sample preparation methodology to be used for NMASP purification varies somewhat depending on whether the NMASP protein is expressed as a soluble component or as insoluble inclusion bodies.

[0185] The general process for the purification of NMASP protein as a soluble protein is given below. Insoluble material is removed after French press disruption by high speed centrifugation (˜10,000 ×g, 4° C., 30min). The soluble fraction containing NMASP is suspended in ˜20 ml of ice cold 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH8.0) and loaded onto a DEAE-Sephacel (Pharmacia) ionic exchange column (˜5 cm×60 cm). To minimize autoproteolysis of the NMASP protein, chromatography is conducted at 4° C. Unbound material is washed from the column using loading buffer (50 mM Tris-Hcl, pH8.0) prior to elution of bound NMASP protein. Elution of NMASP from the Sephacel matrix is achieved using a NaCl gradient (0.05-0.5M NaCl, in 50 mM Tris-Hcl, pH8.0). Fractions released by the salt gradient are collected and examined by standard SDS-gel electrophoresis methodologies for the presence of a ˜40-55 kd protein. Fractions are also assayed for protease activity using a standard azocasein colorimetric assay. Fractions containing NMASP are pooled and extensively dialyzed against 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (SPB, pH8.0) at 4° C.

[0186] The partially purified NMASP is then applied to a hydroxylapatite column, previously equilibrated in SPB. Bound proteins are eluted using a 0.1-0.5M NaCl gradient in SPB. Fractions are collected periodically during elution and examined for the presence of NMASP by SDS-gel electrophoresis and protease activity as above. Eluted material is dialyzed against 50 mM Tris-HCl to remove residual salt and concentrated using a Centricon-30 concentrator (Amicon, 30,000 MWCO).

8.6. Generation of a Radiolabelled Screening Probe

[0187] The sequence information shown above is used to design a pair of nondegenerate convergent (i.e. one forward and one reverse primer) oligonucleotide NMASP-specific primers. PCR amplification of DNA fragments is performed under the same conditions as described above with the exception that the annealing temperature is raised to 50° C. The DNA fragment is isolated from an agarose gel as before and radiolabelled using [32P]-gamma-ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase according to standard methods. Unincorporated radiolabel is separated from the probe on a G25 Sepharose spin column. Before use, the probe is denatured for 2 min. at 95° C. and subsequently chilled on ice (4° C.).

8.7. Hybridization of Plaquee-Lift Filters and Southern Blots with Radiolabelled Probe

[0188] Phage plaques from library platings are immobilized on nylon filters using standard transfer protocols well known to those skilled in the art. Digested bacterial genomic DNA, phage or plasmid DNA is electrophoresed on 0.8% TAE-agarose gels and transferred onto nylon filters using a pressure blotter (Stratagene) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Hybridizations with selected probes are performed at 37° C. Hybridizations with other probes are generally carried out at 60° C. Washes of increasing stringency are done at the respective hybridization temperatures until nonspecific background is minimized.

8.8. Construction of a Neisseria Meningitidis Genomic DNA Library

[0189] A genomic library is constructed in the λZAPII replacement vector obtained from Stratgene. The vector arms are digested with EcoR1. Digests of Neisseria meningitidis DNA by Eco R1 are performed to yield fragment sizes between 1 kb and 5 kb. Ligations of vector arms and insert DNA are carried out according to standard protocols. Ligation reactions are packaged in vitro using the Stratagene GigaPack Gold III extract. The packaged phage are plated on E. coli X1 Blue MRA (P2) (Stratagene). An initial library titer is determined and expressed as number of pfu.

[0190] The library is screened using 4×104 pfu that are plated at a density of 8×103 pfu/130 mm plate. Several putative positive phage plaques are identified by screening the library with a radiolabelled NMASP-specific DNA hybridization probe or a NMASP-monospecific antibody and the strongest hybridizing phage are eluted from cored agarose plugs, titered and replated for secondary screening. The selected phages are replated at low density (approximately 100 pfu/plate) and plaques are analyzed by PCR using primer pairs. Inserts carrying plasmids (phagemids) are rescued from the selected phage by co-infecting E. coli cells with an appropriate helper virus.

8.9. Determination of Insert Size and Mapping of DNA Fragments

[0191] In order to estimate the size of inserts, phagemid DNA is digested with NotI and the digests are analyzed on a 0.5% TAE-agarose gel side by side with suitable DNA markers. In order to map restriction fragments that would hybridize to the probe, DNA from phagemid isolates is digested with a number of common restriction enzymes either alone or in combination with NotI. The rationale of this approach is to discriminate between fragments that span the insert/phagemid vector junction and those that map on the NotI insert. The series of single and double digests are run side-by-side for each phage isolate and analyzed by Southern analysis with radiolabelled probe.

9. Example: Sequencing 0f the NMASP Nucleic Acid

[0192] Sequencing of the NMASP nucleic acid from pNMASP-3 was performed using the plasmid pNMASP as a template. All sequencing reactions were performed using the Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit from Perkin-Elmer according to the manufacturer's specifications. The sequencing reactions were read using an ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer. The sequences were aligned using the AutoAssembler software (Perkin-Elmer) provided with the ABI Prism 310 sequencer. This plasmid was inserted into E. coli Top10 (Invitrogen) and deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) as E. coli Top10 (pNMAH116).

[0193] The nucleotide sequence of the NMASP nucleic acid is shown in SEQ ID NO:1. A deduced amino acid sequence of the open reading frame of NMASP is shown in SEQ ID NO:2.

10. EXAMPLE: GENETIC ANALYSIS

10.1. Knock-Out Mutants

[0194] A genomic knock-out mutation of the NMASP gene is constructed using standard methodologies. For example, the NMASP encoding nucleic acid from strain H44/76 which has been cloned into a suitable plasmid vector, e.g., plasmid pNMAH116, is digested with a restriction enzyme (e.g., PuuII, BssIII or Asc I) that cuts the NMASP gene only once. The digested NMASP plasmid is then ligated to a DNA fragment encoding a suitable resistance marker, e.g., the kanamycin resistance (KANR) cassette from plasmid pUC4-K. The ligation mixture is then used to transform E. coli cells to KANR. Once the presence of the KANR-insert is confirmed by restriction analysis, these cloned NMASP KANR-derivatives are used to transform competent N. meningitidis. Although N. meningitidis are naturally competent, standard procedures are used to enhance transformation efficiency. Transformatnats are analyzed by Southern blotting and/or PCR to identify knock-out mutants that have recombinined the NMASP-KANR cassette into the chromosome.

10.2. PCR Analysis

[0195] DNA from KANRNeisseria meningitidis colonies is analyzed by PCR using primers that hybridize to flanking sequences upstream and downstream of the NMASP gene. A PCR product equal in size to the native gene is only to be expected if the incoming targeting cassette has not been integrated into the genome by homologous recombination. Amplification products longer than the native gene are obtained only when the KanR cassette has been successfully integrated.

10 .3. Southern Analysis of NMASP

[0196] Genomic DNA from wild-type Neisseria meningitidis and from PCR positive deletion mutants is digested with EcoRI. The digests are separated on a 0.8% TAE-agarose gel and transferred to nylon membranes using standard protocols. The blots are hybridized with 32P labeled probes prepared from either the NMASP region or from the Kanamycin resistance gene of pNMAH116. Using the NMASP probe, fragments having appropriate sizes are detected in the EcoRI digests on DNA from all wild-type strains tested, whereas DNA fragments roughly 1.2 kbp longer are detected in digests on DNA from the knockout mutants. The presence of this unique, new restriction fragment demonstrates the successful targeting of the NMASP locus.

[0197] Probing of the membrane with the kanamycin gene does not generate any signal in Neisseria meningitidis wild-type DNA. In DNA from the knockout mutants, the kanamycin probe detects fragments having appropriate sizes in EcoRI digests. The presence of these sequences in the deletion mutants and their absence in the wild-type DNA demonstrates that the NMASP locus is successfully altered.

11. EXAMPLE: GENERATION AND REACTIVITY OF MONOCLONAL ANTI-NMASP ANTIBODIES

[0198] BALB/c mice are immunized with total outer membranes from Neisseria meningitidis or with NMASP. Hybridomas for monoclonal antibodies are prepared by fusing the spleen cells from these mice to SP2/0 cells and selecting for successful hybrids with HAT containing media. Reactive hybridomas are screened using an ELISA containing detergent extracts of the total outer member of Neisseria meningitidis. From this screen, hybridomas with varying levels of activity in the ELISA are selected for clonal selection, the monoclonal antibodies are assayed for reactivity to purified NMASP and total outer membranes from Neisseria meningitidis by ELISA. Monoclonal antibodies are selected that react specifically to NMASP in the ELISA.

[0199] Western blots are performed as described in Example 6.4., using monoclonal antibodies.

12. DEPOSIT OF MICROORGANISM

[0200] E. coli Top10 containing plasmid NMAH116 (pNmAH116), was deposited on Aug. 21, 1998 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas Va., 20110-2209, USA, under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedures, and assigned accession No. 98839.

[0201] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the microorganism deposited or the specific embodiments described herein. It will be understood that variations which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0202] Various publications are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Claims

1. An isolated NMASP polypeptide, which is a polypeptide of Neisseria meningitidis, and has a molecular weight of about 40 kD to about 55 kD as determined in SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

2. The NMASP polypeptide of claim 1, which has a molecular weight of about 44 TO 53 kD.

3. The NMASP polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the Neisseria meningitidis is selected from the group consisting of Types A-L and W.

4. The NMASP polypeptide of claim 3, which Neisseria meningitidis is Type A, Type B, Type C or Type W.

5. The NMASP polypeptide of claim 1, comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11, or 12, a sequence substantially homologous thereto, and a fragment thereof.

6. The NMASP polypeptide of claim 1 or a peptide fragment thereof, which specifically binds an antibody that specifically binds to a protein having the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11, or 12,.

7. A peptide fragment of the NMASP polypeptide of claim 1.

8. A peptide fragment of the NMASP polypeptide of claim 5.

9. A peptide fragment of the NMASP polypeptide of claim 6.

10. An isolated antibody that specifically binds the NMASP polypeptide of claim 1 or a fragment thereof.

11. An isolated antibody that specifically binds the NMASP polypeptide of claim 5 or a fragment thereof.

12. An isolated antibody that specifically binds the NMASP polypeptide of claim 6 or a fragment thereof.

13. The isolated antibody of claim 10, 11, or 12 which is a cytotoxic antibody that mediates complement killing of Neisseria meningitidis

14. An antigenic composition comprising the NMASP polypeptide of any of claims 1, 5, or 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

15. An antigenic composition comprising the peptide fragment of claim 7, 8, or 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

16. The antigenic composition of claim 14 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

17. The antigenic composition of claim 15 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

18. The antigenic composition of claim 16 further comprising one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

19. The antigenic composition of claim 18, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

20. The antigenic composition of claim 17 further comprising optionally one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

21. The antigenic composition of claim 20, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

22. A vaccine composition comprising the NMASP polypeptide of any of claims 1, 5, or 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

23. A vaccine composition comprising the peptide fragment of claim 7, 8, or 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

24. The vaccine of claim 22 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

25. The vaccine of claim 23 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

26. The vaccine of claim 24 further comprising one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

27. The vaccine of claim 26, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

28. The vaccine of claim 25 further comprising one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

29. The vaccine of claim 28, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

30. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the NMASP polypeptide of any of claims 1, 5 or 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

31. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide fragment of claim 7, 8, or 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

32. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 30 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 31 additionally comprising one or more adjuvants or immunostimulatory compounds.

34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32 further comprising optionally one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

35. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 34, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

36. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 33 further comprising optionally one or more immunogens selected from the group consisting of lipids, lipooligosaccharides, proteins, attenuated organisms and inactivated whole cells.

37. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 36, wherein the lipid is a phospholipid.

38. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibodies of claim 10, 11, 12 or 13.

39. An isolated DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the NMASP polypeptide of claim 1, 5 or 6 or fragment thereof.

40. An isolated DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the peptide of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 11 or 12, or fragment thereof.

41. An isolated DNA having the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 10 or 13, or fragment thereof.

42. An isolated DNA having the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 8, 9, 14-15, 17-20, or the complement thereof.

43. An isolated DNA encoding an NMASP polypeptide, which comprises a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 10 or 13 or the complement thereof.

44. An isolated DNA which comprises a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under high stringency conditions to the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 13-15, 17-20, or the complement thereof.

45. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated DNA of any one of claims 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 or 44.

46. A method of producing an immune response in an animal comprising immunizing the animal with an effective amount of the NMASP polypeptide of any of claims 1, 5 or 6.

47. A method of producing an immune response in an animal comprising immunizing the animal with an effective amount of the peptide fragment of claim 7, 8, or 9.

48. Plasmid pNmAH116 obtainable from E. coli Top10 (pNmAH116), as deposited with the ATCC and assigned accession number 98839.

49. A method for assaying for an agent that interacts with NMASP polypeptide comprising: a. contacting a cell expressing NMASP polypeptide with an agent labeled with a detectable marker for a time sufficient to allow the agent to interact with the polypeptide; b. washing the cells; and c. detecting any marker associated with the cells, in which any cell associated marker indicates that the agent interacts with the NMASP polypeptide and wherein any agent that interacts with NMASP indicates that the agent is useful as a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic agent against Neisseria meningitidis infection.

50. An antagonist which inhibits the activity or expression of the NMASP polypeptide of claim 5.

51. A method for identifying compounds which interact with and inhibit or activate an activity of the NMASP polypeptide of claim 5 comprising: contacting a composition comprising the polypeptide with the compound to be screened under conditions to permit interaction between the compound and the polypeptide to assess the interaction of a compound, such interaction being associated with a second component capable of providing a detectable signal in the presence or absence of a signal generated from the interaction of the compound with the polypeptide.