U.S. patent application number 12/375804 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for methods and compositions related to soluble monoclonal variable lymphocyte receptors of defined antigen specificity.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION. Invention is credited to Matthew N. Alder, Max D. Cooper, Brantley R. Herrin.
Application Number | 20120189640 12/375804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38997781 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120189640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper; Max D. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
Methods and Compositions Related to Soluble Monoclonal Variable
Lymphocyte Receptors of Defined Antigen Specificity
Abstract
Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable
lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). More particularly, disclosed are a
variety of antigen specific polypeptides, including soluble,
monoclonal, and multivalent forms, as well as methods of using the
polypeptides, antibodies that bind the antigen specific
polypeptides, and nucleic acids, vectors and expression systems
that encode the polypeptides. Antigen specific polypeptides that
selectively bind pathogens, like anthrax, and carbohydrates, like
blood group determinants, are specifically disclosed.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Max D.; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Herrin; Brantley R.; (Decatur, GA) ;
Alder; Matthew N.; (Birmingham, AL) |
Assignee: |
THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Birmingham
AL
|
Family ID: |
38997781 |
Appl. No.: |
12/375804 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 27, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/74620 |
371 Date: |
April 28, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60835033 |
Aug 2, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/164.1 ;
435/320.1; 435/325; 435/34; 435/5; 435/69.6; 435/7.1; 530/388.1;
530/389.5; 536/23.53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 2317/76 20130101;
C07K 2317/20 20130101; C07K 16/1018 20130101; C07K 16/1063
20130101; C07K 2317/14 20130101; C07K 16/1278 20130101; C07K
2317/33 20130101; C07K 16/34 20130101; C07K 2317/35 20130101; A61P
31/18 20180101; A61P 31/12 20180101; A61P 31/16 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/164.1 ;
435/69.6; 530/388.1; 435/7.1; 536/23.53; 435/320.1; 435/325;
530/389.5; 435/34; 435/5 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/395 20060101
A61K039/395; C07K 16/00 20060101 C07K016/00; C12Q 1/04 20060101
C12Q001/04; C07H 21/04 20060101 C07H021/04; C12N 15/63 20060101
C12N015/63; C12N 5/10 20060101 C12N005/10; C12P 21/02 20060101
C12P021/02; G01N 33/53 20060101 G01N033/53 |
Claims
1. A method of making a soluble, monoclonal antigen specific
polypeptide comprising a. isolating a cDNA clone encoding an
antigen specific polypeptide, wherein the antigen specific
polypeptide comprises an N-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRRNT),
one or more leucine rich repeats (LRRs), a C-terminal leucine rich
repeat (LRCCT), and a connecting peptide, wherein the connecting
peptide comprises an alpha helix; b. transfecting a cell in culture
medium with the cDNA clone of step (a); and C. isolating the
antigen specific polypeptide from the culture medium.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide
binds a target protein.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide
binds a target carbohydrate.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide
binds a target pathogen.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating
a stable cell line comprising the cDNA clone.
6. A soluble, monoclonal antigen specific polypeptide made by the
method of claim 1.
7. The soluble, monoclonal antigen specific polypeptide of claim 6,
wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected
from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:5, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57,
59 and 61.
8. The soluble, monoclonal antigen specific polypeptide of claim 6,
wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:20.
9. A multivalent protein comprising multiple antigen specific
polypeptides, wherein each antigen specific polypeptide comprises
a. a N-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRRNT), b. one or more
internal leucine rich repeats (LRRs), c. a C-terminal leucine rich
repeat (LRCCT), and d. a connecting peptide, wherein the connecting
peptide comprises an alpha helix.
10. The multivalent protein of claim 9, comprising up to ten
antigen specific polypeptides.
11. The multivalent protein of claim 9, wherein the antigen
specific polypeptides bind a target protein.
12. The multivalent protein of claim 9, wherein the antigen
specific polypeptides bind a target carbohydrate.
13. The multivalent protein of claim 9, wherein the antigen
specific polypeptides bind a target pathogen.
14. The multivalent protein of claim 9, wherein the antigen
specific polypeptides are soluble.
15. An antigen specific polypeptide comprising a. a N-terminal
leucine rich repeat (LRRNT), b. one or more leucine rich repeats
(LRRs), c. a C-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRCCT), and d. a
connecting peptide, wherein the connecting peptide comprises an
alpha helix and wherein the binding polypeptide specifically binds
a target carbohydrate.
16. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 15, wherein the
target carbohydrate is a blood group determinant.
17. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 16, wherein the blood
group determinant is the H determinant.
18. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 16, wherein the
antigen specific polypeptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:20.
19. A method of typing blood comprising a. contacting a blood
sample with the antigen specific polypeptide of claim 16, wherein
the antigen specific polypeptide is detectably labeled; and b.
detecting labeled antigen specific polypeptide bound to one or more
cells in the blood sample, the presence or absence of the label
indicating the blood type.
20. A method of typing blood comprising a. contacting a blood
sample with a first antigen specific polypeptide of claim 16,
wherein the first antigen specific polypeptide is detectably
labeled with a first label and wherein the first antigen specific
polypeptide is specific for a first blood determinant; b.
contacting the blood sample with a second antigen specific
polypeptide, wherein the second antigen specific polypeptide is
detectably labeled with a second label and wherein the second
antigen specific polypeptide is specific for a second blood
determinant; and c. detecting labeled first and second antigen
specific polypeptides bound to one or more cell(s) in the blood
sample, the presence or absence of the first and second labels
indicating the blood type.
21. A method of making the antigen specific polypeptide of claim 15
comprising a. administering to a lamprey or hagfish the target
carbohydrate; b. isolating an antigen specific protein-encoding RNA
from lymphocytes of the lamprey or hagfish; c. amplifying antigen
specific protein encoding cDNA from the isolated RNA of step (b);
d. cloning the cDNA of step (c) into an expression vector; e.
expressing the cDNA of step (d) in a host cell transformed with the
expression vector; f. isolating a cDNA clone of step (e); g.
transfecting a cultured cell with the cDNA clone of step (f); h.
screening the culture supernatant for an ability to bind the target
carbohydrate, and i. isolating the antigen specific protein from
the supernatant that binds the target carbohydrate.
22. The antigen specific protein made by the method of claim
21.
23. A nucleic acid that encodes the antigen specific protein of
claim 22.
24. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acids of claim
23.
25. A cultured cell comprising the expression vector of claim
24.
26. An antigen specific polypeptide comprising a. a N-terminal
leucine rich repeat (LRRNT), b. one or more leucine rich repeats
(LRRs), c. a C-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRCCT), and d. a
connecting peptide, wherein the connecting peptide comprises an
alpha helix and wherein the binding polypeptide specifically binds
a Bacillus anthracis cell surface polypeptide.
27. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 26, wherein the
Bacillus anthracis cell surface polypeptide is BclA.
28. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 26, wherein the
binding polypeptide has the amino acid sequence selected from the
group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:5, 22, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59
and 61.
29. A method of detecting the presence of Bacillus anthracis in a
sample, comprising a. contacting the sample with the antigen
specific polypeptide of claim 26, wherein the antigen specific
polypeptide is detectably labeled; and b. detecting labeled antigen
specific polypeptide bound to the sample, the presence of the label
indicating the presence of Bacillus anthracis in the sample.
30. A method of reducing pathogenicity of Bacillus anthracis in a
subject comprising administering to the subject the antigen
specific polypeptide of claim 26.
31. A method of making the antigen specific polypeptide of claim 26
comprising a. administering to a lamprey or hagfish the cell
surface Bacillus anthracis polypeptide b. isolating an antigen
specific protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes of the lamprey or
hagfish; c. amplifying antigen specific protein encoding cDNA from
the isolated RNA of step (b); d. cloning the cDNA of step (c) into
an expression vector; e. expressing the cDNA of step (d) in a host
cell transformed with the expression vector; f. isolating a cDNA
clone of step (e); g. transfecting a cultured cell with the cDNA
clone of step (f); h. screening the culture supernatant for an
ability to bind the cell surface Bacillus anthracis polypeptide,
and i. isolating the antigen specific protein from the supernatant
that binds the cell surface Bacillus anthracis polypeptide.
32. A nucleic acid that encodes the antigen specific polypeptide of
claim 26.
33. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acids of claim
32.
34. A cultured cell comprising the expression vector of claim
33.
35. An antigen specific polypeptide comprising a. a N-terminal
leucine rich repeat (LRRNT), b. one or more leucine rich repeats
(LRRs), c. a C-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRCCT), and d. a
connecting peptide, wherein the connecting peptide comprises an
alpha helix and wherein the binding polypeptide specifically binds
a viral antigen.
36. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 35, wherein the viral
antigen is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
37. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 35, wherein the viral
antigen is HIV envelope protein gp120.
38. The antigen specific polypeptide of claim 35, wherein the viral
antigen is influenza.
39. A method of detecting the presence of a virus in a sample,
comprising a. contacting the sample with the antigen specific
polypeptide of claim 35, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide
is detectably labeled; and b. detecting labeled antigen specific
polypeptide bound to the sample, the presence of the label
indicating the presence of the virus in the sample.
40. A method of reducing pathogenicity of a virus in a subject
comprising administering to the subject the antigen specific
polypeptide of claim 35.
41. A method of making the antigen specific polypeptide of claim 35
comprising a. administering to a lamprey or hagfish the viral
antigen b. isolating an antigen specific protein-encoding RNA from
lymphocytes of the lamprey or hagfish; c. amplifying antigen
specific protein encoding cDNA from the isolated RNA of step (b);
d. cloning the cDNA of step (c) into an expression vector; e.
expressing the cDNA of step (d) in a host cell transformed with the
expression vector; f. isolating a cDNA clone of step (e); g.
transfecting a cultured cell with the cDNA clone of step (f); h.
screening the culture supernatant for an ability to bind the viral
antigen, and i. isolating the antigen specific protein from the
supernatant that binds the viral antigen.
42. A nucleic acid that encodes the antigen specific protein of
claim 35.
43. An expression vector comprising the nucleic acids of claim
42.
44. A cultured cell comprising the expression vector of claim
43.
45. An antibody that selectively binds an antigen specific
polypeptide comprising a. a N-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRRNT),
b. one or more leucine rich repeats (LRRs), C. a C-terminal leucine
rich repeat (LRCCT), and d. a connecting peptide, wherein the
connecting peptide comprises an alpha helix.
46. The antibody of claim 45, wherein the antibody is labeled with
a detectable moiety.
47. The antibody of claim 45, wherein the antibody is 4C4 or
6C3.
48. A method of making an antigen specific polypeptide comprising
a. administering to a lamprey or hagfish a target antigen b.
isolating an antigen specific protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes
of the lamprey or hagfish; c. amplifying antigen specific protein
encoding cDNA from the isolated RNA of step (b); d. cloning the
cDNA of step (c) into an expression vector; e. expressing the cDNA
of step (d) in a host cell transformed with the expression vector;
f. isolating a cDNA clone of step (e); g. transfecting a cultured
cell with the cDNA clone of step (f); h. screening the culture
supernatant for an ability to bind the antigen, and i. isolating
the antigen specific protein from the supernatant that binds the
antigen.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the antigen is selected from
the group consisting of a protein, a pathogen, a carbohydrate, a
lipid, a glycolipid and a glycoprotein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/835,033
filed Aug. 2, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Jawless vertebrates were recently demonstrated to have
antigen specific receptors called variable lymphocyte receptors
(VLRs). These VLRs play a role in adaptive immunity but are
distinctly different from immunoglobulin-type antigen receptors
found in jawed vertebrates. VLRs are clonally diverse and comprise
leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules. VLRs were previously isolated
from lampreys or hagfish and are known to have a GPI anchor and be
membrane bound. However, no cell lines were available for large
scale VLR production because of these characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present
application relates to antigen specific polypeptides and methods
and compositions related thereto. The present application further
relates to methods of making soluble, monoclonal VLRs. These
methods are commercially useful for the large scale production of
VLRs. Furthermore, provided herein are VLRs made by these methods,
including, by way of example and not limitation, VLRs specific for
pathogens like anthrax, HIV, and influenza and specific for
carbohydrates such as blood group determinants. Further provided
are antibodies to VLRs and nucleic acids that encode VLRs. Methods
of using VLRs, encoding nucleic acids, and antibodies to VLRs are
also disclosed.
[0004] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the VLRs and methods and compositions related
thereto.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a Western blot of VLRs isolated from lamprey
serum and VLRs isolated from culture medium. Blood was collected
from lamprey larvae in the presence of EDTA as an anti-coagulant.
Blood cells were pelleted by centrifugation at 1,000 g for 5 min,
followed by removal of the plasma supernatant. The plasma was
treated with the reducing agent 2-mercapto-ethanol (2-ME) or left
untreated, then loaded onto SDS-PAGE gels (left panel). In the
right panel of FIG. 1A, a cloned VLR cDNA was transfected into
HEK-293T cells. Forty-eight hours after transfection, culture
medium from the transfected cells was harvested and loaded onto
SDS-PAGE gels with or without 2-ME pre-treatment. VLR expression
was detected by Western blot with anti-VLR mAb (4C4). FIG. 1B is a
model of a multivalent VLR.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the method for making
antigen-specific VLRs.
[0008] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are Western blots of multimeric VLRs
secreted from transfected HEK-293 cells. FIG. 3A shows the results
using detergent soluble lysates prepared from transfected HEK-293
cells treated with 2-mercaptoethanol before loading onto SDS-PAGE
gels. FIGS. 3B and 3C are Western blots of supernatants removed
from VLR transfectants 48 hours after transfection, then loaded
directly onto SDS-PAGE gels (B) or pre-treated with
2-mercaptonethanol (C). VLR expression was detected by Western
blotting with anti-VLR mAb (4C4).
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bar graph identifying the specificity of binding
of several VLRs. Culture supernatants from VLR transfected HEK-293
cells were incubated in 96-well plates coated with the indicated
antigens. VLR binding was detected with anti-VLR mAb (4C4) followed
by AP conjugated goat anti-mouse-Ig secondary antibody.
[0010] FIG. 5A is an alignment of B. anthracis (SEQ ID NO: 1) and
B. cereus (SEQ ID NO:2) BclA-CTD amino acid sequence. Non-conserved
residues are highlighted in white. FIG. 5B is a sequence alignment
showing the comparison of the variable region of VLR4 (SEQ ID
NO:3), which binds BclA, and the variable region of VRL5 (SEQ ID
NO:4), which does not bind BclA. White indicates amino acid
differences, (*) denotes residues predicted to be positively
selected and located on the inner surface of the VLR solenoid
structure.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a FACS histogram demonstrating that lamprey
VLRs recognize a human blood group carbohydrate antigen. The
results show that only plasma from lamprey immunized with human
erythrocytes stained CHO cells transfected with the enzymes to
produce the H antigen.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a sequence alignment of the full length VLR-4 (SEQ
ID NO:5) and the full length VLR-5 (SEQ ID NO:6) denoting the
various LRR domains.
[0013] FIG. 8A is a schematic showing a method for producing
antigen specific monoclonal VLR-B antibodies. FIG. 8A shows lamprey
were immunized by intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection with antigen for
four to eight weeks. After immunization, buffy-coat lymphocytes
were isolated from peripheral blood and total RNA was prepared.
VLR-B cDNAs were isolated by PCR with primers specific for 5' and
3' constant regions and cloned into a mammalian expression vector
to construct a library. VLR-B cDNAs were transiently transfected
into HEK-293T cells and transfectant supernatants were used to
screen for antigen binding by ELISA or flow cytometry.
[0014] FIG. 8B shows time investment required for mouse monoclonal
antibody (mAb) versus lamprey monoclonal VLR-B (mVLR-B) antibody
production.
[0015] FIGS. 9A-E show production of monoclonal VLR-B antibodies
specific for BclA of B. anthracis. In FIG. 9A, plates were coated
with recombinant BclA-CTD-GST or GST protein, then incubated with
supernatant from VLR-B-transfected HEK-293T cells. VLR-B binding
was detected with anti-VLR-B mAb (4C4) and AP-conjugated goat
anti-mouse polyclonal Ab. In FIG. 9B, spores were adsorbed to
poly-L-lysine-treated plates, then incubated with VLR-B
transfectant supernatant. VLR-B binding was detected by ELISA as
described in FIG. 10A. In FIG. 9C, spores were incubated with VLR-B
transfectant supernatant, then stained with anti-VLR-B mAb (4C4)
and FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse polyclonal Ab. VLR-B staining
was analyzed by flow cytometry (BD FACScan.TM. (BD Biosciences, San
Jose, Calif.)). FIG. 9D shows sequence alignment of BclA-CTD from
B. anthracis (SEQ ID NO: 1) and B. cereusT (SEQ ID NO:2). Solvent
exposed amino acid differences are shaded black, buried amino acid
differences are shaded gray. FIG. 9E shows surface representation
of B. anthracis BclA-CTD tertiary structure. Differences in amino
acid sequence between B. anthracis and B. cereus are shaded
black.
[0016] FIGS. 10A-D show that recombinant VLR-B is assembled into
disulfide-linked multimeric complexes. In FIG. 10A, supernatant
from VLR4 transfected HEK-293T cells were incubated with
BclA-CTD-conjugated sepharose beads, then washed and tested for
elution with the indicated conditions (TEA=triethylamine,
EtGlycol=ethylene glycol). VLR4 elution was detected by Western
blotting with anti-VLR-B mAb (4C4). In FIG. 10B, for large scale
purification, VLR4 was purified from stable transfectant
supernatant by BclA-CTD affinity purification and eluted with
triethylamine pH11.5. Purified VLR4 was separated by non-reducing
8% SDS-PAGE and detected with Gelcode blue staining. In FIG. 10C,
the relative migration of purified recombinant VLR4 and high
molecular weight protein standards (Amersham Biosciences) in 5, 6,
7, 8, 10, and 12% native polyacrylamide gels were measured and used
to construct Ferguson plots to estimate the molecular weight of
multimeric VLR4. In FIG. 10D, monomers, dimers, and oligomers were
detected by Western blotting VLR4-containing supernatant under
partial reducing conditions.
[0017] FIGS. 11A-D show that the cysteine-rich C-terminus of VLR-B
is required for oligomer assembly. In FIG. 11A, supernatants from
VLR4 wild-type (WT) and GPI-stop transfected HEK-293T cells were
separated on a non-reducing 10% SDS-PAGE gel and Western blotted
with anti-VLR mAb (4C4) followed by HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse
polyclonal Ab. In FIG. 11B, VLR4 was purified from HEK-293T cell
supernatant, separated by reducing SDS-PAGE, Gel-code blue stained,
and excised by scalpel. The excised VLR4 band was alkylated by
iodoacetamide and digested with trypsin. The tryptic peptides were
separated by RP -HPLC and analyzed by ESI-MS/MS. Y-ions are
indicated on mass spectrum. FIG. 11C is a schematic of VLR4 WT and
GPI-stop constructs. GPI cleavage site is shown in italics and
indicated by an arrow. Tryptic peptide identified by MS/MS is
indicated by a black line above the sequence (SEQ ID NO:40). FIG.
10D is a graph showing results of ELISA of VLR4 WT and GPI-stop
binding to BclA-1-island coated plates.
[0018] FIGS. 12A-C show modulation of VLR5 avidity by site-directed
mutagenesis of hypervariable amino acids on the concave surface.
FIG. 12A is a multiple sequence alignment of high avidity (vBA41
(SEQ ID NO:41), vBA191 (SEQ ID NO:42), and VLR4 (SEQ ID NO:43)) and
low avidity (VLR5 (SEQ ID NO:44)) anti-Bcla-CTD VLR-B antibodies.
Hypervariable positions are in the boxes, VLR5 amino acids that
differ from consensus residues utilized by high avidity VLR-B
antibodies are shaded with a certain pattern if they reside in
hypervariable positions. Sequence differences outside of
hypervariable positions are shaded grey. FIG. 12B is a model of the
concave surface of VLR5. Discrepancies in amino acids utilized by
VLR5 versus the consensus of the high avidity anti-BclA-CTD VLR-B
antibodies are shaded with the same pattern as in A. For example,
the pattern over the H at position 13 in FIG. 12A corresponds to
the circles shaded with the same pattern in FIG. 12B. The pattern
over the Y at position 34 in FIG. 12A corresponds to the circles
shaded with the same pattern in FIG. 12B. The pattern over the T at
position 37 in FIG. 12A corresponds to the circles shaded with the
same pattern in FIG. 12B. The pattern over the Q at position 80 in
FIG. 12A corresponds to the circles shaded with the same pattern as
in FIG. 12B. The pattern over the S at position 82 in FIG. 12A
corresponds to the circles shaded with the same pattern in FIG.
12B. The pattern over the W at position 106 in FIG. 12A corresponds
to the circles shaded with the same pattern in FIG. 12B. In FIG.
12C, the relative avidity of VLR-B antibodies were measured by
surface plasmon resonance (BiaCore 3000). BclA-1-island was
covalently conjugated to a Biacore CM5 chip, then VLR transfectant
supernatants, normalized for protein expression, were flowed over
the chip. The chip was regenerated after each binding cycle with
triethylamine pH 11.5.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a model of anti-H antigen monoclonal VLR-B
(vRBC-36 (SEQ ID NO:20)) antigen binding site. The vRBC-36 model
was constructed by homology-based modeling to hagfish VLR-B (PDB
ID: 206R) crystal structure data using SWISS-MODEL
(http://swissmodel.expasy.org/). Hypervariable amino acid positions
are highlighted dark grey. The arrow denotes a depression on the
concave surface that is the likely contact surface of the fucose
sugar that distinguishes the H antigen from other carbohydrate
moieties.
[0020] FIGS. 14A-D show the analysis of VLR-B antibodies produced
after immunization with human blood group O erythrocytes. FIG. 14A
shows hemagglutinin responses of animals immunized with increasing
numbers of human O erythrocytes. Blood samples were obtained before
and 28 days after immunizations; immunization was on days 1 and 14.
FIG. 14B shows hemagglutination titers before and after plasma
adsorption with beads coated with a monoclonal anti-VLR-B or a
control antibody. Error bars indicate standard error of the mean.
FIG. 14C shows flow cytometric analysis comparing H antigen
reactivity of plasma from immunized lamprey versus an anti-H
monoclonal mouse antibody; staining is shown for
.alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase CHO cell transfectants expressing the
H antigen. No reactivity was observed for non-transfected CHO
cells. FIG. 14D shows that depletion of H antigen-specific VLR
antibodies by adsorption with H antigen-bearing CHO cells removes
hemagglutinating activity from plasma. Depletion of H
antigen-reactive VLRs has little effect on the VLR plasma
level.
[0021] FIGS. 15A and B show recombinant VLR antibody specificity
for the H antigen. In FIG. 15A, CHO cells transfected with
.alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase to produce the H antigen or vector
alone transfected cells were stained with anti-H mAb or supernatant
from HEK 293T cells transfected with VLR-B specific for the H
antigen. Gray represents unstained cells and black with no fill
represents cells stained with mAb or VLR antibodies. FIG. 15B shows
a Western blot of lamprey plasma before and after treatment with
2-mercaptoethanol to reduce disulfide bonds.
[0022] FIGS. 16A-C show VLR antibody response to immunization with
B. anthracis exosporium. Plasma samples from immunized (black bars)
and unimmunized (white bars) lamprey were assayed by ELISA. FIG.
16A shows evaluation of antigen dose requirement. VLR antibody
response to BclA before (x) and after two intraperitoneal
immunizations with 1 (.diamond-solid.), 0.1 (.box-solid.) or 0.01
(.tangle-solidup.) .mu.g of B. anthracis exosporium. Booster
immunizations were given after two weeks and plasma samples were
obtained at four weeks. FIG. 16B shows that the VLR antibody
response is directed toward the C terminal domain of the spore coat
protein BclA (BslA-CTD). FIG. 16C shows the specificity of VLR
antibodies for B. anthracis spore coat protein BclA after two
immunizations with anthrax exosporium (1 .mu.g). Error bars
indicate standard error of the mean.
[0023] FIGS. 17A-D show tissue distribution of VLR+ lymphocytes.
FIG. 17A shows immunohistochemical analysis of VLR-B+ cells in
different organs. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin
and eosin (top) or anti-VLR mAb using DAB as a chromogen (bottom).
FIG. 17B shows immunofluorescence identification of VLR-B+
lymphocytes within a large blood vessel of the gill region
(corresponds with large blood vessel at gill base in top left panel
of A). FIG. 17C shows immunofluorescence analysis of VLR expression
by lymphocytes from blood, kidney, and typhlosole. Histograms
depict analysis of cells in the `lymphocyte gate` isolated from
different tissues. FIG. 17D shows transmission electron microscopy
(EM) of VLR-B+ and VLR-B- cells sorted from `lymphocyte gate` of
blood sample: photomicrographs of resting VLR+ lymphocyte (top) and
thrombocyte with characteristic nuclear cleft (bottom).
[0024] FIG. 18 is a graph showing the gene expression profile for
VLR-B+ and VLR-B- lymphocyte populations. Quantitative PCR analysis
of VLR-B+ and VLR-B-cells isolated by fluorescence activated cell
sorting of cells in `lymphocyte gate`.
[0025] FIGS. 19A and 19B show lymphoblastoid response of
VLR-B+lymphocytes in lamprey hyperimmunized with anthrax
exosporium. FIG. 19A shows flow cytometric analysis of forward and
side light scatter characteristics of ungated blood leukocytes
versus VLR-B+ cells. Blood samples were from animals 14 days after
booster injection of a super-immunogenic dose of B. anthracis
exosporium (>25 .mu.g).
[0026] FIG. 19B shows cell surface expression of VLR-B. There was a
decrease in VLR-B expression levels following hyper immunization
with anthrax exosporium.
[0027] FIGS. 20A and 20B show analysis of the frequency of antigen
binding VLR-B+ cells before and after immunization with B.
anthracis exosporium. FIG. 20A shows flow cytometric analysis of
VLR-B+ cells in blood samples from naive and immunized animals
co-stained with 4C4 anti-VLR monoclonal antibody and
fluorescent-tagged spores. FIG. 20B shows percentage of anthrax
spore binding cells before and after (28 days) immunization with B.
anthracis exosporium.
[0028] FIGS. 21A and 21B show characterization of VLR-B secreting
cells induced by immunization with B. anthracis exosporium. Pooled
cells were sorted from six 13 cm lamprey larvae 14 days after a
booster immunization with 1 .mu.g of exosporium. FIG. 21A shows
ELISPOT assay of VLR-B antibody secreting cells among VLR-B+ and
VLR-B- populations of cells with different light scatter
characteristics. Cells secreting VLR-B antibodies specific for the
BclA anthrax coat protein were found in the subpopulation of
relatively large VLR-B bearing cells. FIG. 21B shows EM analysis of
large VLR-B+ producing cells indicates their plasmacytoid
morphology with expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum.
[0029] FIG. 22 shows comparison of naive and immunized lamprey
following injection with non-mitogenic dose of anthrax exosporium.
Immunized lamprey were injected twice with 1 .mu.g of anthrax
exosporium. This dose of anthrax dose not induce lymphoblastoid
transformation but still generates a specific immune response to
BclA-CTD.
[0030] FIG. 23 shows that lamprey immunized with influenza virus
produce VLRs specific for immunogen. ELISA assay performed with
1:50 dilution of lamprey plasma.
[0031] FIG. 24 shows that lamprey immunized with HIV virus like
particles (VLPs) produce VLR-B antibodies specific for HIV envelope
protein gp120 subunit. ELISA plates were coated with purified
recombinant HIV gp120 overnight and then incubated with naive or
HIV VLP immunized lamprey plasma. Gp120 binding VLR-B antibodies
were detected with anti-VLR-B mAb (4C4) and alkaline
phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG polyclonal antibody.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The adaptive immune system in jawless vertebrates is
comprised of clonally diverse lymphocytes. They have been named V
lymphocytes, because they express Variable Lymphocyte Receptors
(VLRs) derived from the assembly of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) gene
segments, rather than the immunoglobulin V, D, and J gene subunits
utilized by jawed vertebrates. Two VLR genes, VLR-A and VLR-B, have
been identified in lamprey and hagfish, the two extant
representatives of the jawless vertebrates (agnathans). The
germline VLR genes are incomplete in that they have coding regions
only for the invariant N-terminal and C-terminal sequences
separated by intervening sequences, lacking canonical splice sites.
During development of cells of the lymphocyte lineage, flanking LRR
modular units are sequentially inserted into the incomplete VLR
gene with a concomitant deletion of the intervening sequences via a
gene conversion mechanism to generate a mature VLR gene. The gene
conversion process may be catalyzed by recently identified
activation-induced deaminase/apolipoprotein B-editing catalytic
protein (AID-APOBEC) family members with lymphocyte restricted
expression.
[0033] VLR-B+ lymphocytes (VB cells) constitute a major component
of the humoral arm of the lamprey adaptive immune system. As
described herein, immunization of lamprey with particulate
antigens, such as, for example, B. anthracis exosporium or human
red blood cells, induces the differentiation of plasmacytoid cells
and their secretion of antigen-specific VLR-B antibodies.
Structural analysis of hagfish VLR-B lacking most of the stalk
region confirmed the previous modeling prediction that the
hypervariable amino acids are concentrated on the concave surface
of the receptor to form a putative antigen binding site. Secreted
VLR-B antibodies function analogously to antibodies in jawed
vertebrates, whereby antigen stimulation results in secretion of
VLR-B as an effector molecule, which binds to antigen and promotes
clearance of infection, presumably by neutralization, opsonization,
and other mechanisms.
[0034] Monoclonal antibodies are valuable research and therapeutic
tools that take advantage of the remarkable ability of the jawed
vertebrate adaptive immune system to recognize almost any foreign
molecule. As described herein, the tremendous repertoire of
diversity of the agnathan adaptive immune system can be exploited
to produce soluble VLR-B clones of known specificity, with similar
properties to monoclonal antibodies. Described herein is a method
of producing soluble, recombinant monoclonal VLR-B antibodies of
defined antigen specificity.
[0035] Provided herein is a scaleable method of making antigen
specific polypeptides, and, more specifically, a method of making
soluble, monoclonal antigen specific polypeptides such as VLRs.
Also provided are compositions, including specific VLRs,
multivalent VLRs, and antibodies to VLRs as well as methods of
using the compositions.
[0036] The method of making a soluble, monoclonal antigen specific
polypeptide comprises the steps of (1) isolating a cDNA clone
encoding an antigen specific polypeptide, wherein the antigen
specific polypeptide comprises an N-terminal leucine rich repeat
(LRRNT), one or more leucine rich repeats (LRRs), a C-terminal
leucine rich repeat (LRCCT), and a connecting peptide, wherein the
connecting peptide comprises an alpha helix; (2) transfecting a
cell with the cDNA clone in culture medium, wherein the cell
proliferates; and (3) isolating the antigen specific polypeptide
from the culture medium. Even more specifically, the method of
making the antigen specific protein comprises (1) administering to
a lamprey or hagfish a target antigen (e.g., a target carbohydrate,
a target protein, a target pathogen, a target glycoprotein, a
target lipid, a target glycolipid, etc.); (2) isolating an antigen
specific protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes of the lamprey or
hagfish; (3) amplifying antigen specific protein encoding cDNA from
the isolated RNA; (4) cloning the cDNA into an expression vector;
(5) expressing the expression vector in a bacterium transformed
with the expression vector; (6) isolating a cDNA clone; (7)
transfecting a cultured cell with a the isolated cDNA clone; (8)
screening the culture supernatant for an ability to bind the target
antigen, and (9) isolating the antigen specific protein from the
supernatant that binds the target antigen. The antigen can be
administered in an amount sufficient to produce antigen-specific
VLRs. For example, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,
45, 50, 75 or 100 .mu.g or any amount in between 0.01 and 100 .mu.g
or more of antigen can be administered to the lamprey or
hagfish.
[0037] Optionally, the isolated cDNA clone does not encode a
sequence that prevents the formation of soluble VLRs. In the LRRCT
region, approximately 50% of VLR clones contain:
KNWIVQHASIVN-(P/L)-X-(S/Y/N/H)-GGVDNVK (SEQ ID NO:7) or
KNWIVQHASIVN-(P/L)-XX-(S/Y/N/H)-GGVDNVK (SEQ ID NO: 8), where (P/L)
means either P or L in that position, X means any amino acid and
(S/Y/N/H) means either S, Y, N or H in that position. These
sequences result in VLRs that are secreted and membrane bound. VLRs
without SEQ ID NOs:7 or 8 are only membrane bound. SEQ ID NOs:7 or
8 can be mutated to prevent or reduce membrane anchoring in any
cDNA clone that contains this sequence by methods known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Further provided are soluble, monoclonal
antigen specific polypeptides made by the methods described herein.
Thus, a solube VLR contains SEQ ID NOs:7 or 8 or contains a
mutation in SEQ ID NOs:7 or 8 that reduces or prevents membrane
anchoring. A soluble VLR optionally lacks the transmembrane domain,
the GPI anchor, the hydrophobic tail, the stalk region, or any
combination of these regions.
[0038] A variable lymphocyte receptor or VLR is an antigen specific
polypeptide having certain structural characteristics and
functions. VLRs comprise 1-12 leucine rich repeats and have been
shown to function in adaptive immunity. More particularly VLRs
comprise an N-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRRNT), one or more
leucine rich repeats (LRRs) (referred to herein as the internal
LRRs), a C-terminal leucine rich repeat (LRRCT), and a connecting
peptide, wherein the connecting peptide comprises an alpha helix.
The length of the VLR can comprise as few as about 130 amino acids
or as many as about 225 amino acids. Examples of the general
structure and specific sequences of the polypeptides and encoding
nucleic acids are provided in PCT/US2005/0179; Pancer and Cooper
(2006) Annual Rev. Immunology 24:497-518, Alder et al (2005)
Science 310:1892-93; Pancer et al. (2005) P.N.A.S. 102 (9224-29)
which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties
for the VLRs and methods of using VLRs as taught therein.
Furthermore, numerous examples of various regions (including the
signal peptide, LRRNT, LRR, LRRCT, connecting peptide, stalk and
hydrophobic tails) can be found in these references and the
references are similarly incorporated by reference for the VLR
regions.
[0039] Optionally, the connecting peptide of the VLR is located on
the N-terminal side of the LRRCT, and more specifically located
between an internal LRR and the LRRCT. The connecting peptide can
be linked to an internal LRR and the LRRCT. Thus disclosed herein
are VLRs comprising a LRRNT, one or more internal LRRs, a
connecting peptide, and a LRRCT, in that order. Also disclosed are
VLRs, wherein the internal LRR region between the LRRNT and the
LRRCT comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 leucine rich repeats,
with LRR 1 located adjacent to or closest to the LRRNT. As used
herein LRRs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 are considered to run from
the LRRNT to the LLRCT, consecutively. Thus, disclosed herein are
VLRs comprising a LRRNT, 1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, or
1-9 LRRs, a connecting peptide, and a LRRCT, in that order.
[0040] Leucine rich repeats or LRRs are short sequence motifs
typically involved in protein-protein interactions, wherein the
LRRs comprise multiple leucine residues. LRRs contain leucine or
other aliphatic residues, for example, at positions 2, 5, 7, 12,
16, 21, and 24. However, it is understood and herein contemplated
that the leucine or other aliphatic residues can occur at other
positions in addition to or in the place of residues at positions
2, 5, 7, 12, 16, 21, and 24. For example, a leucine can occur at
position 3 rather than position 2. It is also understood that
structurally, the LRR motifs form .beta.-sheet structures. Thus,
for example, a disclosed polypeptide comprising a LRRNT, 5 separate
LRRs, a LRRCT, and a connecting peptide would comprise 7
.beta.-sheet structures and the alpha helix of the connecting
peptide.
[0041] It is understood that the length and sequence of each
internal LRR can vary from the other internal LRRs in the VLR as
well as from the LRRNT and LRRCT. For example, VLRs can comprise a
LRRNT, 1 to 9 LRRs, a connecting peptide, and a LRRCT, wherein the
first internal LRR is LRR1, and wherein LRR1 comprises less than
about 20 amino acids. Also disclosed are VLRs, wherein LRR1
comprises about 18 amino acids. Optionally, the VLR further
comprises LRRs 2 to 9, wherein LRRs 2 to 9 are less than about 25
amino acids each. Also disclosed are VLRs, wherein LRRs 2 to 9
comprise about 24 amino acids each. LRRs 1 to 9 can be the same or
different from each other in a given VLR both in length and in
specific amino acid sequence.
[0042] The terminal LRRs, designated LRRNT and LRRCT, are typically
longer than each internal LRR. The LRRNT and LRRCT comprise
invariant regions (regions that have little variation relative to
the rest of the polypeptide as compared to similar variable
lymphocyte receptors). The variable regions provide the receptors
with specificity, but the invariant regions and general structural
similarities across receptors help maintain the protective immunity
functions. The VLR can comprise an LRRNT, wherein the LRRNT
comprises less than about 40 amino acids. Thus the LRRNT optionally
comprises the amino acid sequence CPSQCSC (SEQ ID NO:9), CPSRCSC
(SEQ ID NO: 10), CPAQCSC (SEQ ID NO: 11), CPSQCLC (SEQ ID NO: 12),
CPSQCPC (SEQ ID NO: 13), NGATCKK (SEQ ID NO: 14), or NEALCKK (SEQ
ID NO: 15) in the presence or absence of one or more conservative
amino acid substitutions.
[0043] Also disclosed are VLRs comprising a LRRCT, wherein the
LRRCT is less than about 60 amino acids, and optionally from 40 to
60 amino acids in length. In particular, specifically disclosed are
VLRs, wherein the LRRCT comprises the amino acid sequence
TNTPVRAVTEASTSPSKCP (SEQ ID NO:16), SGKPVRSIICP (SEQ ID NO: 17),
SSKAVLDVTEEEAAEDCV (SEQ ID NO: 18), or QSKAVLEITEKDAASDCV (SEQ ID
NO: 19) in the presence or absence of conservative amino acid
substitutions.
[0044] Typically the connecting peptides of VLRs are short peptides
less than 15 amino acids in length and comprise an alpha helix.
Thus, for example, specifically disclosed are connecting peptides
of 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 amino acids in length comprising an
alpha helix. The connecting peptide serves to link structural
components of the VLR, including to the LRRCT.
[0045] The VLRs described herein selectively bind an antigen or an
agent, much as an antibody selectively binds an antigen or agent.
By selectively binding or specifically binding is meant that the
VLR binds one agent or antigen to the partial or complete exclusion
of other antigens or agents. By binding is meant a detectable
binding at least about 1.5 times the background of the assay
method. For selective or specific binding such a detectable binding
can be detected for a given antigen or agent but not for a control
antigen or agent.
[0046] VLRs may be naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring.
Fragments or variants of VLRs are described below wherein the
fragment or variant retains the ability of the VLR to selectively
bind an antigen or agent. Thus, VLR, like the term antibody,
includes various versions having various specificities. VLRs are
tested for their desired activity using the in vitro assays
described herein, or by analogous methods, after which their
therapeutic, diagnostic or other purification activities are tested
according to known testing methods. For example, ELISA, dot blot,
Western blot analysis, and other testing methods can be used to
test activity and/or specificity. VLRs can be detected by direct
labeling of the VLR or by using a secondary VLR or an antibody that
binds VLRs, analogous to a secondary antibody, and wherein the
antibody or secondary VLR are labeled directly or indirectly.
Antibodies to VLR and labels are described in more detail
below.
[0047] Provided herein is a multivalent protein comprising multiple
antigen specific polypeptides, such as VLRs wherein each antigen
specific polypeptide comprises a N-terminal leucine rich repeat
(LRRNT), one or more leucine rich repeats (LRRs), a C-terminal
leucine rich repeat (LRCCT), and connecting peptide, wherein the
connecting peptide comprises an alpha helix. As used herein, the
term LRR-1 refers to the first LRR following the LRRNT. As used
herein, the term LRRV refers to LRR Variable, which is an LRR that
follows the LRR-1 but comes before the LRRCT. As used herein, the
term LRRV.sub.e refers to LRR Variable end, which is the last LRR
that comes before the LRRCT. However, if the VLR contains an LRRNT,
one LRR and the LRRCT. The LRR between the LRRNT and LRRCT is
designated LRR-1. A schematic of a multivalent VLR is shown in FIG.
1. The multivalent protein comprises two to twelve (i.e., 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12) antigen specific polypeptides. The
multivalent protein binds a target protein, a target carbohydrate,
target glycoprotein, target proteoglycan, or a target pathogen.
Multivalent proteins optionally are designed to bind a variety of
target proteins, carbohydrates, glycoprotens, proteoglycans,
pathogens, or any combination thereof. For example, a divalent
protein can comprise a first and second antigen specific
polypeptide, wherein the first antigen specific polypeptide
selectively binds a first protein, carbohydrate, glycoprotein,
proteoglycan, or pathogen and wherein the second antigen specific
polypeptide selectively binds a second protein, carbohydrate,
glycoprotein, proteoglycan, or pathogen. Similarly, a trivalent
protein comprises a first, second, and third antigen specific
polypeptide wherein each binds a different target; a tetravalent
comprises a first, second, third and fourth antigen specific
polypeptide wherein each binds a different target. As one example,
a divalent protein comprises a first antigen specific polypeptide
that binds the H blood group determinant and a second antigen
specific polypeptide that binds the A or B group determinant.
Preferably the multivalent protein and/or the antigen specific
polypeptides are soluble.
[0048] Also provided herein are antigen specific polypeptides that
bind a target carbohydrate, including, for example, a blood group
determinant. The blood group determinant includes, for example, the
A determinant, the B determinant, or the H determinant. By way of
example, an antigen specific polypeptide that specifically binds
the H determinant is provided. By way of further example, the
antigen specific polypeptide that specifically binds the H
determinant comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.
Provided herein are nucleic acids that can encode the antigen
specific polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20, including, for example, SEQ
ID NO:32. Other examples include nucleic acids that encode SEQ ID
NO:20 with one or more conservative amino acid substitutions.
[0049] Antigen specific polypeptides that bind carbohydrates have
many uses in identifying, quantifying, isolating, and imaging the
target carbohydrate. By way of example, provided herein is a method
of typing blood comprising contacting a blood sample with the
antigen specific polypeptide that selectively binds a blood group
determinant, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide is detectably
labeled (directly or indirectly). The labeled antigen specific
polypeptide bound to one or more cells in the blood sample is
detected. The presence or absence of the label indicates the blood
type. Thus, for example, using the antigen specific polypeptide
that binds the H determinant, the presence of label in a blood
sample indicates an O blood type. Similarly, the presence of label
when an A determinant-specific polypeptide is used indicates either
A or AB blood type. The presence of label when a B
determinant-specific polypeptide is used indicates either B or AB
blood type. One or more antigen specific polypeptides can be used
with the same blood sample. Optionally, different labels can be
attached to each antigen specific polypeptide if they have a
different specificity. Accordingly, an FITC label could be linked
directly or indirectly to the VLR that selectively binds an H
determinant, whereas fluorescent labels that fluoresce at different
wavelengths can be linked directly or indirectly to a VLR that
selectively bind an A or B determinant.
[0050] Thus, provided herein is a method of typing blood comprising
contacting a blood sample with a first antigen specific
polypeptide, wherein the first antigen specific polypeptide is
detectably labeled with a first label and wherein the first antigen
specific polypeptide is specific for a first blood determinant;
contacting the blood sample with a second antigen specific
polypeptide, wherein the second antigen specific polypeptide is
detectably labeled with a second label and wherein the second
antigen specific polypeptide is specific for a second blood
determinant; and detecting labeled first and second antigen
specific polypeptides bound to one or more cell in the blood
sample, the presence or absence of the first and second labels
indicating the blood type.
[0051] Also disclosed are VLRs that selectively binds an agent,
such as a pathogenic agent, wherein the pathogen is a bacterium,
and more particularly wherein the bacterium is Bacillus anthracis.
More particularly, provided herein is an antigen specific
polypeptide wherein the binding polypeptide specifically binds a
Bacillus anthracis cell surface polypeptide, such as BclA. Even
more particularly, the antigen binding polypeptide has the amino
acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 (see FIG. 7) or SEQ ID NOs:22, 47,
49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 or 61. Also provided are nucleic acids that
encode SEQ ID NOs:5, 22, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 or 61,
including, for example, SEQ ID NOs:21, 23, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56,
58 and 60, respectively.
[0052] Numerous methods of using antigen binding polypeptides that
are selective for pathogens are provided. Pathogens include any
known pathogens such as, for example, bacteria and viruses. By way
of example, provided herein is a method of detecting the presence
of Bacillus anthracis in a sample, comprising contacting the sample
with the antigen specific polypeptide that binds Bacillus
anthracis, wherein the antigen specific polypeptide is detectably
labeled. The labeled antigen specific polypeptide bound to the
sample is detected and the presence of the label indicates the
presence of Bacillus anthracis in the sample. Further provided is a
method of reducing the pathogenicity of Bacillus anthracis in a
subject comprising administering to the subject the antigen
specific polypeptide that binds Bacillus anthracis.
[0053] Also, provided herein is a method of detecting the presence
of a virus in a sample, comprising contacting the sample with the
antigen specific polypeptide that binds the virus wherein the
antigen specific polypeptide is detectably labeled. The labeled
antigen specific polypeptide bound to the sample is detected and
the presence of the label indicates the presence of virus in the
sample. Further provided is a method of reducing the pathogenicity
of a virus in a subject comprising administering to the subject the
antigen specific polypeptide that binds the virus. The virus can
be, for example, HIV or influenza. The antigen specific polypeptide
can bind to, for example, HIV envelope protein gp120.
[0054] A method of removing a pathogen from a subject's blood
sample or other biological fluid (e.g., cerebral spinal fluid) is
also provided. The method comprises contacting the sample with an
antigen specific polypeptide that selectively binds the pathogen.
Further provided is a method of reducing the amount of a pathogen
in a subject's blood comprising contacting a portion of the
subject's blood with an antigen specific polypeptide that
selectively binds the pathogen. Optionally, the blood to be
contacted is removed and then returned to the subject. Optionally,
the antigen is bound to a solid support.
[0055] Also provided herein are methods of making antigen specific
proteins having a selected antigen specificity and compositions
useful in these methods comprising administering to a lamprey or
hagfish one or more target antigens (e.g., a target carbohydrate, a
target protein, a target pathogen, a target glycoprotein, a target
lipid, a target glycolipid, a target cell and any combination
thereof including, for example, two carbohydrates, one carbohydrate
and one protein, etc.). By way of example, provided herein is a
method of making an antigen specific protein that binds a blood
group determinant comprising administering to a lamprey or hagfish
the blood group determinant; isolating an antigen specific
protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes of the lamprey or hagfish;
amplifying antigen specific protein encoding cDNA from the isolated
RNA; cloning the cDNA into an expression vector; expressing the
expression vector in a bacterium transformed with the expression
vector; isolating a cDNA clone; transfecting a cultured cell with a
the cDNA clone; screening the culture supernatant for an ability to
bind the blood group determinant, and isolating the antigen
specific protein from the supernatant that binds the blood
determinant. Alternatively, the erythrocyte itself, for example
type O human erythrocytes, can be administered to the lamprey or
hagfish to generate antigen specific proteins.
[0056] By way of another example, VLRs that specifically bind a
pathogen like Bacillus anthracis can be made by administering to a
lamprey or hagfish a cell surface Bacillus anthracis polypeptide
isolating an antigen specific protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes
of the lamprey or hagfish; amplifying antigen specific protein
encoding cDNA from the isolated RNA; cloning the cDNA into an
expression vector; expressing the expression vector in a bacterium
transformed with the expression vector; isolating a cDNA clone;
transfecting a cultured cell with a the cDNA clone; screening the
culture supernatant for an ability to bind the cell surface
Bacillus anthracis polypeptide, and isolating the antigen specific
protein from the supernatant that binds the cell surface Bacillus
anthracis polypeptide. Alternatively, the pathogen itself, for
example the Bacillus anthracis, can also be administered to the
lamprey or hagfish to generate the antigen specific protein.
[0057] VLRs that specifically bind a pathogen such as, for example,
a virus, like HIV or influenza, can be made by administering to a
lamprey or hagfish a viral antigen; isolating an antigen specific
protein-encoding RNA from lymphocytes of the lamprey or hagfish;
amplifying antigen specific protein encoding cDNA from the isolated
RNA; cloning the cDNA into an expression vector; expressing the
expression vector in a bacterium transformed with the expression
vector; isolating a cDNA clone; transfecting a cultured cell with a
the cDNA clone; screening the culture supernatant for an ability to
bind the antigen, and isolating the antigen specific protein from
the supernatant that binds the antigen. As used herein a viral
antigen includes the virus, a virus-like particle, a fragment of
the virus, a polypeptide expressed by the virus or any other
portion or part of the virus that stimulates an antigenic response
in the lamprey or hagfish.
[0058] The methods of making the antigen specific polypeptides, as
well as fragments and variants thereof, include making a stable
cell line that expresses the nucleic acid that encodes the antigen
specific polypeptide or fragment or variant thereof. Stable cell
lines can be produced by a variety of methods. For example, stable
cell lines can be produced by transfecting cells with expression
vectors that co-express a VLR cDNA and a selectable marker, such as
a gene that encodes for resistance to antibiotics. In the case of
antibiotic selection, cells that stably integrate the expression
vector into their genome will be resistant to antibiotics selection
and survive, while other cells will die upon treatment with the
antibiotic. Sub-clones may be established of cells that exhibit the
highest levels of VLR secretion by such methods as limiting
dilution cloning. Thus, provided herein are methods of making the
antigen specific polypeptides by culturing cells of the stable cell
line under conditions that allow the cells to express the antigen
specific polypeptide and isolating the antigen specific polypeptide
from the cells or culture medium.
[0059] Isolated populations of VLR producing lymphocytes are also
provided. As used herein, VLR producing lymphocytes, VLR cells and
VLR lymphocytes are used synonymously. For example, an isolated
population of VLR-B+ lymphocytes are provided. As discussed in the
examples below, VLR-B+ lymphocytes express VLR-B transcripts and
not VLR-A transcripts. Optionally, VLR-B+ lymphocytes express
TCR-like, CD-4-like and/or TNFR14. VLR-A+ cells express VLR-A
transcripts and not VLR-B transcripts. Optionally, the isolated
population of VLR-A+ cells express CD45 and/or GATA. The isolated
populations of cells can be obtained using routine experimentation,
for example, by flow cytometry or using VLR-B or VLR-A specific
antibodies. A isolated population of antigen specific VLR-B+ cells
are also provided. As used herein, the phrase antigen specific
VLR-B+ cells refers to cells that express an antigen specific
polypeptide. Such cells can be produced, for example, by immunizing
a lamprey or hagfish with antigen and isolating the VLR-B+ cells by
flow cytometry or using VLR-B specific antibodies, such as those
provided herein, for example, 4C4 or 6C3. VLR-A+ cells can be
similarly isolated.
[0060] Provided herein are nucleic acids (including, for example,
isolated nucleic acids and including RNA and DNA) that encode
antigen specific proteins. Nucleic acids that can encode the VLRs
or regions thereof as well as variants and fragments of disclosed
VLRs are disclosed herein. Nucleic acids that can encode VLRs
include, but are not limited to, SEQ ID NOs:21, 23, 45, 46, 48, 50,
52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 32. Nucleic acids that can encode LRRNTs
include, but are not limited to,
SEQ ID NO:24 (TGTCCCTCGCAGTGTTCGTGT),
SEQ ID NO:25 (TGTCCCTCGCGGTGTTCGTGT),
SEQ ID NO:26 (TGTCCCGCGCAGTGTTCGTGT),
SEQ ID NO:27 (TGTCCCTCGCAGTGTTTGTGT), and
[0061] SEQ ID NO:28 (TGTCCCTCGCAGTGTCCGTGT). Nucleic acids that can
encode LRRCTs include, but are not limited to SEQ ID NO:29
(ACCAATACCCCCGTCCGTGCGGTCACCGAGGCCAGCACTAGCCCCTCGAA ATGCCCA).
Examples of nucleic acids include all degenerate sequences related
to a specific polypeptide sequence and variants and derivatives
thereof. The nucleic acids provided herein include complements of
the encoding sequence. Nucleic acids are provided that encode any
one of SEQ ID NOs:5, 6, 20, 22, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61 or
any specific regions thereof, including, for example, LRRNT (e.g.,
nucleic acids that encode SEQ ID NOs: 9-15), LRR, LRCCT (e.g.,
nucleic acids that encode SEQ ID NOs: 16-19), or the connecting
peptide. More specifically, provided herein is a nucleic acid
comprising SEQ ID NOs:21, 23, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60
and 32 or degenerate variants or complements thereof.
[0062] Also provided are isolated nucleic acids comprising a
sequence that hybridizes under highly stringent conditions to all
or any portion of SEQ ID NOs:21, 23, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56,
58, 60 or 32 or the complement of SEQ ID NOs:21, 23, 45, 46, 48,
50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 or 32. The hybridizing portion of the
hybridizing nucleic acids is typically at least 15 (e.g., 20, 20,
40, or more) nucleotides in length. The hybridizing portion is at
least 80% (e.g., 90% or 95%) identical to the a portion of the
sequence to which it hybridizes. Hybridizing nucleic acids are
useful, for example, as cloning probes, primers (e.g., PCR primer),
or a diagnostic probe. Nucleic acid duplex or hybrid stability is
expressed as the melting temperature or Tm, which is the
temperature at which a probe dissociates from a target DNA. This
melting temperature is used to define the required stringency
conditions. If sequences are to be identified that are related and
substantially identical to the probe, rather than identical, then
it is useful to first establish the lowest temperature at which
only homologous hybridization occurs with a particular
concentration of salt (e.g., SSC or SSPE). Assuming that a 1%
mismatching results in a 1.degree. C. decrease in Tm, the
temperature of the final wash in the hybridization reaction is
reduced accordingly (for example, if sequences having more than 95%
identity are sought, the final wash temperature is decreased by
5.degree. C.). In practice, the change in Tm can be between 0.5 and
1.5.degree. C. per 1% mismatch. Highly stringent conditions involve
hybridizing at 68.degree. C. in 5.times.SSC/5.times.Denhardt's
solution/1.0% SDS, and washing in 0.2.times.SSC/0.1% SDS at room
temperature. Moderately stringent conditions include washing in
3.times.SSC at 42.degree. C. Salt concentrations and temperature
can be varied to achieve the optimal level of identity between the
probe and the target nucleic acid. Additional guidance regarding
such conditions is readily available in the art, for example, in
"Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual," Third Edition by Sambrook
et al., Cold Spring Harbor Press, 2001.
[0063] Also provided are nucleic acids having 80-99% identity
(i.e., 80, 81, 82 . . . 99%) as compared to the nucleic acids
sequences taught herein. Methods of determining percent identity
are known in the art and are as described below in the context of
amino acids.
[0064] Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes,
which are capable of interacting with the VLR gene, or comparable
genes. In certain embodiments the primers are used to support DNA
amplification reactions. Typically the primers will be capable of
being extended in a sequence specific manner. Extension of a primer
in a sequence specific manner includes any methods wherein the
sequence and/or composition of the nucleic acid molecule to which
the primer is hybridized or otherwise associated directs or
influences the composition or sequence of the product produced by
the extension of the primer. Extension of the primer in a sequence
specific manner therefore includes, but is not limited to, PCR, DNA
sequencing, DNA extension, DNA polymerization, RNA transcription,
or reverse transcription. Techniques and conditions that amplify
the primer in a sequence specific manner are preferred. In certain
embodiments the primers are used for the DNA amplification
reactions, such as PCR or direct sequencing. It is understood that
in certain embodiments the primers can also be extended using
non-enzymatic techniques, where for example, the nucleotides or
oligonucleotides used to extend the primer are modified such that
they will chemically react to extend the primer in a sequence
specific manner. Examples of primers taught herein include, but are
not limited to, 1) 5'-CCACCATGTGGATCAAGTGGATCGCC-3' (SEQ ID NO:30)
and 2) 5'-GAGAGCTAGCTCAACGTTTCCTGCAGAGGGC-3' (SEQ ID NO:31). Such
primers can also be used as hybridization probes as discussed
above. Preferably, the first primer contains a consensus Kozak
sequence ahead of the start codon for optimum translation. It is
also preferably 5' phosphorylated such that the PCR product can be
cloned into blunt-end restriction enzyme sites. Preferably, the
second primer possesses a restriction enzyme site. The resulting
PCR product can then be digested with restriction enzyme and cloned
into the expression vector. Preferably, the restriction enzyme site
in the second primer is an NheI restriction site, since these sites
have not been found in any of the characterized VLRs to date.
[0065] Also provided are expression vectors comprising the nucleic
acids that encode VLR or fragments or variants thereof. Optionally,
these expression vectors further comprise an expression control
sequence operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the VLR or
fragment or variant thereof. Thus, provided is a vector that
comprises a nucleic acid that encodes an antigen specific
polypeptide (e.g., nucleic acids that encode SEQ ID NOs:5 or 22).
Further provided are cultured cells comprising the expression
vectors. For example, provided herein is a cultured cell
transfected with the vector or a progeny of the cell, wherein the
cell expresses the antigen specific polypeptide or fragment or
variant thereof. Suitable expression vectors include, but are not
limited to, pLPCX and pIRES-PURO2 (both from Clontech Laboratories,
Inc., Mountain View, Calif.). For example, the expression vector
can include both a VLR encoding nucleic acid and an antibiotic
resistance gene from the same transcript by utilizing an internal
ribosome entry site (IRES) sequence. This allows for efficient
selection of stable cell lines.
[0066] The VLRs described herein and made by the methods described
herein can be modified and varied so long as the desired function
is improved or maintained. Optionally, amino acids located on the
concave surface of a VLR are modified. For example, VLR5 (SEQ ID
NO:6) can be modified, for example, to improve avidity by
site-directed mutagenesis or affinity maturation. Variants of VLR5
with improved avidity are provided. Variants of VLR5 with increased
avidity include, for example, VLR5.sup.Y55R, VLR5.sup.W127Y and
VLR5.sup.Y55R/W127Y. Other VLRs can be similarly modified using the
methods provided herein. Methods of making and screening multiple
variants include, for example, in vitro affinity maturation using
phage, yeast, bacterial or ribosome display techniques.
[0067] It is understood that one way to define any known variants
and derivatives or those that might arise, of the disclosed genes
and polypeptides herein is through defining the variants and
derivatives in terms of identity to specific known sequences. For
example, specifically disclosed are VLR variants that have at
least, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,
85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 percent
identity to a stated sequence. Those of skill in the art readily
understand how to determine the percent identity of two proteins or
nucleic acids, such as genes. For example, the identity can be
calculated after aligning the two sequences so that the identity is
at its highest level.
[0068] Another way of calculating percent identity can be performed
by published algorithms. Optimal alignment of sequences for
comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of
Smith and Waterman (1981) Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482, by the homology
alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol.
48:443, by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman
(1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85:2444, by computerized
implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and
TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics
Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by
inspection.
[0069] The same types of percent identity can be obtained for
nucleic acids by for example the algorithms disclosed in Zuker, M.
Science 244:48-52, 1989, Jaeger et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
86:7706-7710, 1989, Jaeger et al. Methods Enzymol. 183:281-306,
1989 which are herein incorporated by reference for at least
material related to nucleic acid alignment and calculation of
percent identity. It is understood that any of the methods
typically can be used and that in certain instances the results of
these various methods may differ, but the skilled artisan
understands if identity is found with at least one of these
methods, the sequences would be said to have the stated identity or
similarity.
[0070] For example, as used herein, a sequence recited as having a
particular percent identity to another sequence refers to sequences
that have the recited identity as calculated by any one or more of
the calculation methods described above. For example, a first
sequence has 80 percent identity, as defined herein, to a second
sequence if the first sequence is calculated to have 80 percent
identity to the second sequence using the Zuker calculation method
even if the first sequence does not have 80 percent identity to the
second sequence as calculated by any of the other calculation
methods.
[0071] VLR variants and derivatives can involve amino acid sequence
modifications. For example, amino acid sequence modifications
typically fall into one or more of three classes: substitutional,
insertional or deletional variants. Insertions include amino and/or
carboxyl terminal fusions as well as intrasequence insertions of
single or multiple amino acid residues. Insertions ordinarily will
be smaller insertions than those of amino or carboxyl terminal
fusions, for example, on the order of one to four residues.
Deletions are characterized by the removal of one or more amino
acid residues from the protein sequence. Typically, no more than
about from 2 to 6 residues are deleted at any one site within the
protein molecule. These variants ordinarily are prepared by site
specific mutagenesis of nucleotides in the DNA encoding the
polypeptide, thereby producing DNA encoding the variant, and
thereafter expressing the DNA in recombinant cell culture.
Techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites
in DNA having a known sequence are well known, for example, M13
primer mutagenesis and PCR mutagenesis. Amino acid substitutions
are typically of single residues, but can occur at a number of
different locations at once; insertions usually will be on the
order of about from 1 to 10 amino acid residues; and deletions will
range about from 1 to 30 residues. Deletions or insertions
preferably are made in adjacent pairs, i.e. a deletion of 2
residues or insertion of 2 residues. Substitutions, deletions,
insertions or any combination thereof may be combined to arrive at
a final construct. The mutations must not place the sequence out of
reading frame and preferably will not create complementary regions
that could produce secondary mRNA structure. Substitutional
variants are those in which at least one residue has been removed
and a different residue inserted in its place. Such substitutions
generally are made in accordance with the following Table 1 which
shows conservative substitutions.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Amino Acid Substitutions. Original Residue
Exemplary Substitutions Ala Ser, Gly, Cys Arg Lys, Gln, Met, Ile
Asn Gln, His, Glu, Asp Asp Glu, Asn, Gln Cys Ser, Met, Thr Gln Asn,
Lys, Glu, Asp Glu Asp, Asn, Gln Gly Pro, Ala His Gln, Asn Ile Leu,
Val, Met Leu Ile, Val, Met Lys Arg, Gln, Met, Ile Met Leu, Ile, Val
Phe Met, Leu, Tyr, Trp, His Ser Thr, Met, Cys Thr Ser, Met, Val Trp
Tyr, Phe Tyr Trp, Phe, His Val Ile, Leu, Met
[0072] Substitutional or deletional mutagenesis can be employed to
insert sites for N-glycosylation (Asn-X-Thr/Ser) or O-glycosylation
(Ser or Thr). Deletions of cysteine or other labile residues also
may be desirable. Deletions or substitutions of potential
proteolysis sites, e.g. Arg, is accomplished for example by
deleting one of the basic residues or substituting one by
glutaminyl or histidyl residues.
[0073] Certain post-translational derivatives are the result of the
action of recombinant host cells on the expressed polypeptide.
Glutaminyl and asparaginyl residues are frequently
post-translationally deamidated to the corresponding glutamyl and
asparyl residues. Alternatively, these residues are deamidated
under mildly acidic conditions. Other post-translational
modifications include hydroxylation of proline and lysine,
phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of seryl or threonyl residues,
methylation of the o-amino groups of lysine, arginine, and
histidine side chains (T. E. Creighton (1983) Proteins: Structure
and Molecular Properties, W. H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco pp
79-86), acetylation of the N-terminal amine and, in some instances,
amidation of the C-terminal carboxyl.
[0074] Provided herein are antibodies that selectively bind antigen
specific polypeptides or VLRs or that selectively bind fragments or
variants of antigen specific proteins or VLRs. Such antibodies can
be used to, for example, to localize VLRs or VLR producing cells.
Such antibodies can be indirectly or directly detectably labeled as
discussed in more detail below. Such antibodies include, by way of
example, antibodies that selectively bind the stalk region or a
portion thereof, The antibodies can be monoclonal or polyclonal.
Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridoma methods, such
as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495 (1975)
or Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual. Cold
Spring Harbor Publications, New York. The immunizing antigen can be
an antigen specific polypeptide or any fragment (including for
example, the stalk region) or variant thereof.
[0075] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the clones may be
isolated or purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by
conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for
example, protein A-Sepharose, protein G, hydroxylapatite
chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity
chromatography. A variety of immunoassay formats may be used to
select antibodies that selectively bind antigen specific
polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof. For example,
solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select
antibodies selectively immunoreactive with target. See Harlow and
Lane. Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor
Publications, New York, (1988), for a description of immunoassay
formats and conditions that could be used to determine selective
binding. The binding affinity of a monoclonal antibody can, for
example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson et al.,
Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).
[0076] Further provided are chimeric antibodies, single chain
antibodies, and hybrid antibodies (e.g., with dual or multiple
antigen or epitope specificities), antibody conjugates and antibody
fragments (such as F(ab')2, Fab', Fab and the like, including
hybrid fragments) that selectively bind antigen specific
polypeptides.
[0077] The VLRs and antibodies to VLRs may be directly or
indirectly linked to a detectable tag or label. A detectable tag or
a label is any tag that can be visualized with imaging or detection
methods, in vivo or in vitro. The detectable tag can be a
radio-opaque substance, radiolabel, a chemoluminescent label, a
fluorescent label, or a magnetic label. The detectable tag can be
selected from the group consisting of gamma-emitters,
beta-emitters, and alpha-emitters, gamma-emitters,
positron-emitters, X-ray-emitters and fluorescence-emitters.
Suitable fluorescent compounds include fluorescein sodium,
fluorescein isothiocyanate, phycoerythrin, and Texas Red sulfonyl
chloride, Allophycocyanin (APC), Cy5-PE, CY7-APC, and Cascade
yellow. Optionally the detectable tag can be visualized using
histochemical techniques, ELISA-like assays, confocal microscopy,
fluorescent detection, cell sorting methods, nuclear magnetic
resonance, radioimmunoscintigraphy, X-radiography, positron
emission tomography, computerized axial tomography, magnetic
resonance imaging, and ultrasonography.
[0078] The label or tag may be directly bound to the VLR or
antibody or, alternatively, the label or tag may be indirectly
linked using a molecule or other agent that is directly linked to
the label. For example, the VLR or antibody may be biotinylated and
a subsequent detectable label like a fluorescently labeled
strepavidin could be added to bind the biotin. Biotin is detected
by any one of several techniques known in the art. For example, the
biotin is detectable by binding with a fluorescence-labeled avidin
and the avidin is labeled with a phycoerythrin or a catenated
fluorescent label to increase the signal associate with each
binding event.
[0079] Optionally, the antigen specific polypeptides or VLRs, or
fragments or variants thereof, or antibodies to the antigen
specific polypeptides or VLRs are bound to a solid support or a
mobile solid support such as a slide, a culture dish, a multiwell
plate, column, chip, array or beads. An array includes one or more
multiwell arraying means such as microplates or slides. A mobile
solid support refers to a set of distinguishably labeled
microspheres or beads. Preferably, the microspheres are
polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads. Sets of microspheres marked with
specific fluorescent dyes and having specific fluorescent profiles
can be obtained commercially, for example, from Luminex Corporation
(Austin, Tex.).
[0080] Also provided is a plurality of polypeptides, nucleic acids,
or antibodies. The plurality can be a homogeneous or heterogeneous
for a selected polypeptide, nucleic acid, or antibody. Optionally
the LRRs of the polypeptides are highly variable across
polypeptides. Thus, the plurality can include polypeptides with
different binding specificities, based on the variability of the
internal LRRs.
[0081] Also provided are kits that include a container with
polypeptides (soluble or membrane bound form), nucleic acids, or
antibodies or a stable or mobile solid support with polypeptides,
nucleic acids, or antibodies attached.
[0082] The polypeptides and nucleic acids can be used in a variety
of techniques. For example, the polypeptides can be used to detect
a selected agent, to block the activity of a selected agent, to
purify an agent, as an imaging tool, and as a therapeutic
agent.
[0083] Provided herein are composition comprising the polypeptides
or nucleic acids and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The
compositions can also be administered in vivo. The compositions may
be administered orally, parenterally (e.g., intravenously), by
intramuscular injection, by intraperitoneal injection,
transdermally, extracorporeally, topically or the like. The exact
amount of the compositions required will vary from subject to
subject, depending on the species, age, weight and general
condition of the subject, the severity of the allergic disorder
being treated, the particular nucleic acid or vector used, its mode
of administration and the like. Thus, it is not possible to specify
an exact amount for every composition. However, an appropriate
amount can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using
only routine experimentation given the teachings herein.
[0084] Parenteral administration of the composition, if used, is
generally characterized by injection. Injectables can be prepared
in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions,
solid forms suitable for solution of suspension in liquid prior to
injection, or as emulsions. A more recently revised approach for
parenteral administration involves use of a slow release or
sustained release system such that a constant dosage is maintained.
See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,795, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0085] The materials may be in solution, suspension (for example,
incorporated into microparticles, liposomes, or cells). These may
be targeted to a particular cell type via antibodies, receptors, or
receptor ligands.
[0086] By pharmaceutically acceptable is meant a material that is
not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may
be administered to a subject, along with the polypeptide, without
causing any undesirable biological effects or interacting in a
deleterious manner with any of the other components of the
pharmaceutical composition in which it is contained. The carrier
would naturally be selected to minimize any degradation of the
active ingredient and to minimize any adverse side effects in the
subject, as would be well known to one of skill in the art.
Suitable carriers and their formulations are described in
Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (21st ed.) ed.
David B. Troy, publ. Lippicott Williams & Wilkins 2005.
Typically, an appropriate amount of a pharmaceutically-acceptable
salt is used in the formulation to render the formulation isotonic.
Examples of the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier include, but
are not limited to, saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose
solution. The pH of the solution is preferably from about 5 to
about 8, and more preferably from about 7 to about 7.5.
[0087] Pharmaceutical compositions may include carriers,
thickeners, diluents, buffers, preservatives, surface active agents
and the like in addition to the molecule of choice. Pharmaceutical
compositions may also include one or more active ingredients such
as antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, and
the like.
[0088] Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile
aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
Examples of non-aqueous solvents are propylene glycol, polyethylene
glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic
esters such as ethyl oleate. Aqueous carriers include water,
alcoholic/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions, including
saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles include sodium
chloride solution, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride,
lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include
fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as
those based on Ringer's dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and
other additives may also be present such as, for example,
antimicrobials, anti-oxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases
and the like.
[0089] Formulations for topical administration may include
ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays,
liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous,
powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or
desirable.
[0090] Compositions for oral administration include powders or
granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media,
capsules, sachets, or tablets. Thickeners, flavorings, diluents,
emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable.
[0091] The variable lymphocyte receptors and variable lymphocyte
receptor fragments and variants can also be administered to
patients or subjects as a nucleic acid preparation (e.g., DNA or
RNA) that encodes the variable lymphocyte receptor or variable
lymphocyte receptor fragment or variant, such that the patient's or
subject's own cells take up the nucleic acid and produce and
secrete the encoded variable lymphocyte receptor or variable
lymphocyte receptor fragment.
[0092] There are a number of compositions and methods which can be
used to deliver nucleic acids to cells, either in vitro or in vivo.
These methods and compositions can largely be broken down into two
classes: viral based delivery systems and non-viral based delivery
systems. For example, the nucleic acids can be delivered through a
number of direct delivery systems such as, electroporation,
lipofection, calcium phosphate precipitation, plasmids, viral
vectors, viral nucleic acids, phage nucleic acids, phages, cosmids,
or via transfer of genetic material in cells or carriers such as
cationic liposomes. Appropriate means for transfection, including
viral vectors, chemical transfectants, or physico-mechanical
methods such as electroporation and direct diffusion of DNA, are
described by, for example, Wolff, J. A., et al., Science, 247,
1465-1468, (1990); and Wolff, J. A. Nature, 352, 815-818, (1991).
Transfer vectors can be any nucleotide construction used to deliver
nucleic acids into cells (e.g., a plasmid), or as part of a general
strategy to deliver genes, e.g., as part of recombinant retrovirus
or adenovirus (Ram et al. Cancer Res. 53:83-88, (1993)). As used
herein, plasmid or viral vectors are agents that transport the
disclosed nucleic acids, such as VLR into the cell without
degradation and include a promoter yielding expression of the gene
in the cells into which it is delivered. Viral vectors are, for
example, Adenovirus, Adeno-associated virus, Herpes virus, Vaccinia
virus, Polio virus, AIDS virus, neuronal trophic virus, Sindbis and
other RNA viruses, including these viruses with the HIV backbone.
Also preferred are any viral families which share the properties of
these viruses which make them suitable for use as vectors.
Retroviruses include Murine Maloney Leukemia virus, MMLV, and
retroviruses that express the desirable properties of MMLV as a
vector.
[0093] Disclosed are materials, compositions, and components that
can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in
preparation for, or are products of the disclosed method and
compositions. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and
it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,
groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that while specific
reference of each various individual and collective combinations
and permutation of these compounds may not be explicitly disclosed,
each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For
example, if a VLR is disclosed and discussed and a number of
modifications that can be made to a number of molecules including
the VLR are discussed, each and every combination and permutation
of the VLR and the modifications that are possible are specifically
contemplated unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Thus,
if a class of molecules A, B, and C are disclosed as well as a
class of molecules D, E, and F and an example of a combination
molecule, A-D, is disclosed, then even if each is not individually
recited, each is individually and collectively contemplated. Thus,
is this example, each of the combinations A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F,
C-D, C-E, and C-F are specifically contemplated and should be
considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F;
and the example combination A-D. Likewise, any subset or
combination of these is also specifically contemplated and
disclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E
are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed
from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F; and the example
combination A-D. This concept applies to all aspects of this
application including, but not limited to, steps in methods of
making and using the disclosed compositions. Thus, if there are a
variety of additional steps that can be performed that are
discussed throughout the application, it is understood that each of
these additional steps can be performed with any specific
embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods,
and that each such combination is specifically contemplated and
should be considered disclosed.
[0094] As used herein, subject can be a vertebrate, more
specifically a mammal (e.g., a human, horse, pig, rabbit, dog,
sheep, goat, non-human primate, cow, cat, guinea pig or rodent), a
fish, a bird or a reptile or an amphibian. The term does not denote
a particular age or sex. Thus, adult and newborn subjects, as well
as fetuses, whether male or female, are intended to be covered. As
used herein, patient or subject may be used interchangeably and can
refer to a subject with a disease or disorder. The term patient or
subject includes human and veterinary subjects.
[0095] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to
a VLR includes mixtures of two or more VLRs, and the like.
[0096] As used herein the terms isolated or purified include
compositions (e.g., a polypeptide, cell or nucleic acid) that are
substantially free from materials with which the composition is
normally associated in nature. The polypeptides, or fragments
thereof, can be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural
source, by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding the
polypeptide (e.g., in a cell or in a cell-free translation system),
or by chemically synthesizing the polypeptide.
[0097] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular
value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range
is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values
are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it
will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of
each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other
endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
[0098] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described
event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the
description includes instances where said event or circumstance
occurs and instances where it does not.
[0099] As used herein, polypeptide, protein, and peptide are used
interchangeably to refer to amino acid sequences.
[0100] Throughout this application, various publications are
referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their
entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this
application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to
which this invention pertains. The references disclosed are also
individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein for
the material contained in them that is discussed in the sentence in
which the reference is relied upon.
[0101] It is to be understood that the present compounds,
compositions, articles, devices, and/or methods disclosed and
described are not limited to specific synthetic methods, specific
recombinant biotechnology methods unless otherwise specified, or to
particular reagents unless otherwise specified, as such may, of
course, vary.
EXAMPLES
[0102] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those
of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and
description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices
and/or methods claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are
intended to be purely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting
in scope. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to
numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but some errors and
deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise,
parts are parts by weight, temperature is in .degree. C. or is at
ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.
Example 1
VLRs that Specifically Bind Bacillus anthracis
[0103] VLR-positive lymphocytes from Bacillus anthracis exosporium
immunized lamprey were harvested and their RNA isolated. Primers
were used to amplify VLR cDNAs which were cloned into an expression
vector and transformed into bacteria. Selected colonies were
screened by PCR with VLR specific primers. The heterogeneous size
of the PCR products indicated the diversity of the VLR cDNA
library. Plasmids were purified from individual colonies and
transfected into HEK-293 cells, which were tested for VLR
expression by Western blotting of detergent-soluble cell lysates
with anti-VLR mAb under reducing conditions. The first six VLRs
expressed were composed of monomeric VLR units of different sizes
(FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C) due to variable numbers of their constituent
LRR modules. When the culture supernatants of the transfected
HEK-293 cells were examined for the presence of secreted VLRs, the
products of three of these six VLR clones were secreted
spontaneously. Under non-reducing conditions, the secreted VLRs are
multimers with similar molecular weights to the VLR multimers found
in lamprey plasma (FIG. 3B). In the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol,
the secreted VLRs are reduced to monomers of about the same
molecular weights as the lamprey plasma-derived VLR monomeric units
(FIG. 3C). These transfection experiments have been repeated and
VLR-2, -4, and -5 were detected in the culture supernatants, while
VLR-1, -3, and -6 were not. DNA sequence analysis suggests a
correlation between secretion and a peptide motif in the C-terminal
LRR.
[0104] The secretion of recombinant VLRs into the culture medium of
transfected HEK-293 allowed screening of VLR clones for antigen
binding by ELISA. The C-terminal domain of BclA is the dominant
epitope recognized by monoclonal antibodies derived from B.
anthracis exosporium immunized mice. BclA is also recognized by
polyclonal VLRs in the plasma of immunized lamprey. Therefore,
ELISA plate wells were coated with the following antigens: purified
recombinant BclA-CTD, wild-type Bacillus anthracis spores,
BclA-deficient Bacillus anthracis spores, and spores from Bacillus
cereus whose BclA-CTD differs by 15 (out of 134) amino acids from
the BclA-CTD of Bacillus anthracis. The supernatant of VLR4
transfected HEK-293 cells reacted specifically with recombinant
BclA-CTD and wild-type B. anthracis spores (FIG. 4). VLR4 does not
recognize BclA-deficient B. anthracis spores or the B. cereus BclA
protein that has extensive homology to B. anthracis BclA (FIG.
4).
[0105] Remarkably, VLR4 and VLR5 differ by only twenty amino acids,
even though the former recognizes BclA-CTD and the latter does not
(FIG. 5A). Amino acid differences are noted at positions predicted
to be located on the inner surface of the VLR solenoid structure
and to have been selected for during evolution (Alder, et al.,
Science 310:1970, 2005). The VLR-4 transfected HEK-293 cells
express both membrane-bound VLR and secreted VLR multimers (FIG.
1A).
Example 2
VLRs that Specifically Bind H Blood Group Determinant
[0106] Lampreys were immunized with 1.times.10.sup.7 type O human
erythrocytes once a week for four weeks. One week following the
last immunization, lamprey plasma was collected. Two CHO cell lines
were also employed, one transfected with
.alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase to produce the H antigen on the
surface of CHO cells and the other transfected with the vector
alone (Prieto et al., J Biol. Chem. 1997 Jan. 24; 272(4):2089-97.)
Cells were first incubated in 1:10 dilution of lamprey plasma or
1:50 of the monoclonal antibody 92 FR A2, which is specific for the
H antigen. All cells were washed and those cells incubated with
lamprey plasma were then incubated in mAb 4C4 which recognized VLR
molecules and then washed. All cells were stained with a goat anti
mouse-RPE secondary antibody and then washed twice. FACS histogram
shows that only plasma from lamprey immunized with human
erythrocytes stained CHO cells transfected with the enzymes to
produce the H antigen (FIG. 6). Thus, the lamprey VLR recognized
carbohydrate antigens.
Example 3
Production and Characterization of Lamprey Monoclonal VLR-B
Antibodies of Defined Antigen Specificity
[0107] Isolation of antigen specific VLR-B clones. To surmount the
constraints for culturing VLR-producing lamprey cells or
hybridomas, a heterologous expression system was developed
utilizing HEK-293T cells transfected with full-length VLR-B cDNAs,
which spontaneously secrete recombinant oligomeric VLR-B antibodies
into the tissue culture supernatant. The secretion of VLR-B clones
by HEK-293T cells provided the means to screen a large number of
clones for antigen binding using a methodology similar to hybridoma
screening. The procedure enables antigen specific VLR-B clones to
be isolated utilizing techniques accessible to biological
laboratories and requires a time investment comparable to
monoclonal antibody production (FIGS. 8A and 8B). Lamprey larvae
were immunized every two weeks for a total of eight weeks before
FACS isolation of VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes from blood samples by
FACS. RNA was isolated from sorted VLR-B.sup.+ cells and VLR-B cDNA
clones were amplified by PCR with primers specific for constant
portions of the VLR-B transcript. The VLR-B cDNAs were cloned into
a mammalian expression vector for transient transfection of
HEK-293T cells. Tissue culture supernatants were then screened to
identify clones that produced antigen-specific VLR-B antibodies by
ELISA and flow cytometry.
[0108] B. anthracis exosporium was chosen as the immunogen because
as described herein the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the BclA spore
coat protein is the immunodominant epitope recognized by VLR-B
antibodies made in the in vivo response. HEK-293T cells in 24-well
plates were transiently transfected with purified plasmid derived
from a single bacterial colony so that every well represented a
single VLR-B cDNA clone. When purified plasmids containing VLR-B
cDNAs from B. anthracis exosporium-immunized lamprey were
transfected in this manner and supernatants screened for BclA-CTD
binding, 14 of the 212 clones (6.6%) secreted VLR-B antibodies that
recognize BclA-CTD and not the GST control protein. Eight of the 14
antigen reactive clones recognized BclA-CTD at levels 10-fold above
background (FIG. 9A). The specificity of these recombinant VLR-B
antibodies was evaluated by testing for binding to B. anthracis and
two closely related Bacillus species, B. cereus and B.
thuringiensis. The VLR-B antibodies were found to react with B.
anthracis spores, and not with B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, or
BclA-deficient B. anthracis spores (FIG. 9B). Only one of the VLR-B
antibodies that recognized the BclA-CTD recombinant protein (vBa49)
did not recognize the B. anthracis spores. All of the recombinant
VLR-B antibodies that reacted with the spores by ELISA also
specifically recognized the B. anthracis spores in a flow
cytometric immunofluorescence assay (FIG. 9C).
[0109] None of the seven recombinant VLR-B antibodies that
recognized B. anthracis spores reacted with spores of closely
related Bacillus species, even though, B. anthracis BclA-CTD
differs from B. cereus BclA-CTD at only 14 of 134 amino acids
positions, only nine of which are solvent exposed (FIG. 10D).
Moreover, most of the BclA-CTD sequence disparities involve
chemically similar amino acids. When the solvent-exposed amino acid
differences were plotted onto the crystal structure coordinates of
BclA-CTD, it was noted that the amino acid differences were
dispersed over the face of the molecule, rather than being
clustered. Since it is unlikely that the VLR-B antibody makes
contact with all of the disparate amino acids, we conclude that the
VLR-B antibodies can discriminate between related proteins on the
basis of a few subtle amino acid variations.
[0110] VLR-B antibody purification by antigen affinity
chromatography. The ease with which the VLR-B antibodies detected
the BclA-CTD antigen by ELISA and immunofluorescence assays
suggested the VLR-B antibody interaction with antigen would be of
sufficient strength and stability to facilitate purification by
affinity chromatography. Therefore, supernatant from the VLR-4
antibody-producing HEK-293T cell clone was incubated with sepharose
beads covalently conjugated to BclA-CTD. Next, the conditions
required to elute VLR4 from the BclA-CTD beads was tested using 5M
LiCl, 3.5M MgCl.sub.2, 0.1M glycine pH 2.5, 0.1M HCl, 50% ethylene
glycol, 0.1M triethylamine pH 11.5, and 0.1M NaOH, pH 12.5. 0.1M
triethylamine pH 11.5 and 0.1M NaOH pH 12.5 treatments were capable
of dissociating VLR4 from the antigen-coated beads (FIG. 10A). By
examining a gradient of pH conditions we found that pH.gtoreq.11.0
was required to dissociate the recombinant VLR4 antibody from
BclA-CTD. Having determined the optimal VLR4 binding and elution
conditions, stable clones of VLR-4-secreting cells were selected
and expanded to obtain larger quantities of the VLR-4 antibody,
which was purified by BclA-CTD affinity chromatography and eluted
with 0.1M triethylamine pH 11.5. The purified VLR4 antibody
retained its ability to bind antigen despite the harsh elution
conditions and was stored for >6 months at 4.degree. C. in pH
7.2 MOPS-buffered saline without loss of antigen reactivity.
[0111] Two molecular weight forms of the VLR4 antibody eluted from
the BclA-CTD affinity column, both of which were larger than 225
kDa standards on a non-reducing SDS-PAGE gel (FIG. 10B). Both
protein bands were detected by western blotting with anti-VLR-B mAb
(4C4) in the supernatant before purification and in the eluate from
the antigen affinity column. To gain a more precise estimate of the
molecular weight, the relative mobility of the recombinant VLR4
antibody and molecular weight standards were measured in native
acrylamide gels (5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12%) and the data was used to
construct Ferguson plots (FIG. 10C). By this method, the larger
VLR4 band was shown to have a molecular weight of .about.400 kDa.
The molecular weight of the monomer was estimated to be 40 kDa,
hence suggesting that the oligomer is composed of 10 subunits.
Similarly, the lower molecular weight VLR4 oligomer was estimated
to contain eight VLR subunits. A partially reduced band of
.about.80 kDa was observed on western blots of supernatants exposed
to relatively low concentrations of reducing agents, which suggests
the oligomeric VLR-B antibodies may be composed of dimeric subunits
(FIG. 10D). From these findings, a model was generated in which the
quaternary structure of lamprey VLR-B antibody is composed of a
disulfide-linked pentamer or tetramer of dimers, much like IgM
(FIG. 1B).
[0112] Analysis of VLR-B antibody assembly. VLR-B cell surface
molecules are tethered to the lymphocyte surface by GPI-linkage.
The plasmacytoid cells that secrete VLR-B antibodies also express
cell surface VLR-B. If the GPI-linked VLR-B on the surface of the
cell were liberated by a phospholipase, the cysteines used for
oligomer formation should have to be located N-terminal to the GPI
cleavage site, because amino acids C-terminal to the GPI cleavage
site would be removed by GPI addition in the ER. To evaluate this
issue, a construct encoding the VLR4 antibody from the start codon
to the GPI cleavage site (VLR4.sup.GPI-stop) was expressed in
HEK-293T cells. The resultant wild-type VLR4 (VLR4.sup.WT) and
VLR4.sup.GPI-stop molecules were separated by non-reducing SDS-PAGE
and their molecular weights were determined by western blotting
with anti-VLR-B mAb (4C4). This analysis confirmed the VLR4.sup.WT
molecular weight of >225 kDa, while the VLR4.sup.GPI-stop
molecule migrated as a .about.40 kDa monomer (FIG. 11A). This
observation suggested that the cysteines that are used for VLR-B
oligomerization are located C-terminal of the GPI cleavage
site.
[0113] To determine whether the cysteine-rich C-terminus of
secreted VLR4 is not removed by GPI cleavage during processing in
the ER, the purified VLR4 antibody was separated by reducing
SDS-PAGE and visualized by Gelcode Blue staining. This allowed the
VLR4 antibody to be excised from the acrylamide gel before
acetylated by iodoacetamide to prevent disulfide bond re-formation
and digestion with trypsin. The trypsinized peptides were then
separated by reverse phase chromatography for sequencing by MS/MS.
This analysis revealed that the entire cysteine-rich peptide
sequence was present in the C-terminus of the secreted form of the
VLR4 antibody indicating that the multimeric VLR4 antibody is not
derived from a GPI-linked precursor. The results of these
experiments also indicate that the cysteines responsible for
oligomer formation are located in the relatively hydrophobic
C-terminus of the VLR-B antibody (FIGS. 11B and 11C).
[0114] The secretion of VLR4.sup.GPI-stop as a monomer allowed
investigation of the contribution to antigen binding by the
individual VLR4 antibody units. In this ELISA evaluation, BclA-CTD
coated wells were incubated with supernatants containing the
oligomeric VLR4.sup.WT or monomeric VLR4.sup.GPI-stop antibodies.
The oligomeric VLR4 antibody induced a strong binding signal,
indicative of a tight interaction with BclA-CTD, while the
monomeric VLR4 antibody form interacted with BclA-CTD to yield a
barely detectable signal above the background (FIG. 11D). These
composite results indicate that even when the antigen binding
affinity for VLR-B monomeric units is relatively low, the antigen
binding avidity of the oligomeric VLR-B antibody is relatively
high.
[0115] VLR-B antigen binding site. The concave surface of VLR-B is
composed of parallel .beta.-strands, one each from LRR-NT, LRR1,
LRR-V(s), LRRVe, and LRR-CP. The parallel .beta.-strands of the
concave surface have been proposed to be the antigen binding site
because the highest sequence variability is observed there.
Therefore, it was determined whether the amino acid residues
responsible for antigen binding are located on the .beta.-strands
of the concave surface of VLR-B. The availability of multiple
BclA-CTD specific VLR-B clones provided the means for this test
using site directed mutagenesis. Four of the recombinant VLR-B
antibodies against BclA-CTD exhibited high sequence identity. Three
of these bind to BclA-CTD with high avidity (VLR4, vBA41, vBA191),
while the other (VLR5) binds this antigen weakly. The weakly
binding VLR5 antibody differs from the consensus sequence of the
high avidity anti-BclA-CTD clones at six of the twenty possible
hyper-variable amino acid positions on the concave surface (H34,
Y55, T58, Q101, S103, W127) (FIGS. 12A and 12B). This finding
suggests that one or more of these six amino acid residues are
responsible for the decreased avidity of VLR5 and implied that VLR5
avidity could be increased by changing these residues to the
corresponding amino acid utilized by the recombinant VLR-B
antibodies with high binding avidity for the BclA-CTD antigen.
[0116] Surface Plasmon resonance was used to measure the relative
binding avidities of VLR4, VLR5.sup.wt, and the VLR5 antigen
binding site mutants (VLR5.sup.H34N, VLR5.sup.Y55R, VLR5.sup.T58I
VLR5.sup.Q101H, VLR5.sup.S103A, and VLR5.sup.W127Y). This assay was
conducted by flowing transfectant supernatants containing the
various VLR-B antibodies over BclA-CTD covalently coupled to a
Biacore chip. A heightened response, indicative of higher avidity
binding to BclA-CTD, was evident for VLR5.sup.Y55R and
VLR5.sup.W127Y relative to VLR5.sup.wt (FIG. 12C). The other mutant
VLR5 antibodies displayed an equivalent or slightly weaker binding
avidity than VLR5.sup.wt antibody.
[0117] Mutation of either antibody residues Y55 or W127, both of
which are predicted to be aligned in the center of the VLR5 concave
surface of VLR5 resulted in increased binding avidity of VLR5 (FIG.
12B). To test whether these residues could function cooperatively
in antigen binding, a double mutant of VLR5 (Y55R/W127Y) was tested
for binding to BclA-CTD by surface Plasmon resonance (FIG. 12C).
Mutation of both Y55 and W127 resulted in increased binding avidity
of VLR5.
[0118] A model of anti-H antigen monoclonal VLR-B (mVLR-B)
(vRBC-36) antigen binding site was generated (FIG. 13). The vRBC-36
model was constructed by homology-based modeling to hagfish VLR-B
(PDB ID: 206R) crystal structure data using SWISS-MODEL
(http://swissmodel.expasy.org/). Hypervariable amino acid positions
are highlighted purple. The red arrow denotes a depression on the
concave surface that is the likely contact surface of the fucose
sugar that distinguishes the H antigen from other carbohydrate
moieties. Table 2 lists the amino acids encoded by the hypervaiable
residues of each LRR molecule.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Amino acids encoded by hypervariable
residues of anti-H antigen mVLR-B. LRR Residues LRRNT SRDT (SEQ ID
NO: 33) LRR1 DHYI (SEQ ID NO: 34) LRRV SGYE (SEQ ID NO: 35) LRRV
TGDV (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRRV CCFE (SEQ ID NO: 37) LRRVe QDAH (SEQ ID
NO: 38) LRR-CP GFYH (SEQ ID NO: 39)
Example 4
VLR Antibody Responses in Jawless Vertebrates
Material and Methods:
[0119] Animal maintenance and immunization. Sea lamprey larvae
(11-15 cm) supplied by Lamprey Services (Ludington, Mich.) were
maintained in sand-lined aquariums at 16-18.degree. C. and fed
brewer's yeast. Purified Bacillus anthracis exosporium,
erythrocytes, LPS, or recombinant proteins were injected
intraperitoneally into lamprey anesthetized by immersion in 0.1 g/L
MS222 (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.).
[0120] Monoclonal anti-VLR antibodies and recombinant VLR antibody.
Two mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced by hyper-immunization
of mice with a recombinant VLR-B invariant stalk region protein
produced in E. coli and subsequent fusion of regional lymph node
cells with the non-productive Ag8.653 myeloma variant. Two
hybridoma clones that produced antibodies with VLR-B specificity,
6C3 (IgM) and 4C4 (IgG2b), were identified by ELISA and flow
cytometric screening. By immunofluorescence staining of viable
cells and by immunohistochemical staining of fixed sections, the
6C3 and 4C4 antibodies were shown to recognize the same lymphocyte
populations in lamprey blood and tissues. The 4C4 antibody was also
reactive with VLR-B protein by Western blotting. A recombinant
monoclonal VLR-B antibody (mVLR-RBC36) with human H antigen
specificity was obtained by isolating RNA from the leukocytes of
lamprey immunized with blood group O erythrocytes for production of
cDNA with Superscript III (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.,). Primary
and nested PCR was then carried out with primers specific for the
VLR-B locus followed by cloning of PCR amplicons into the vector
pIRESpuro2 (Clonetech, Mountain View, Calif.) and bacterial
transformation. Plasmid DNA was isolated from single colonies
(n=272) (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) before transfection into HEK
293T cells with LipofectAMINE (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Three
days following transfection, supernatants from the HEK 293T cells
were tested for H antigen specificity by their ability to stain CHO
cells stably transfected with constructs for
.alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase, which produces the H antigen on the
surface of the CHO cell.
[0121] Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and electron
microscopy. Lamprey were sacrificed by emersion in 1 g/L MS222 to
obtain tissue and blood samples. For immunohistology, 1 cm corpse
transections were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Cut sections were
deparaffinized and rehydrated through sequential emersion in 100%,
95%, and 70% ethanol before antigen retrieval by heating the
sections for 10 minutes at 15 psi in 0.01 M citric acid (pH 6) for
the 6C3 anti-VLR antibody or in 0.01 M EDTA (pH 8) for 4C4 antibody
staining. The sections were then treated with 3% hydrogen peroxide
for five minutes before blocking with 3% goat serum for 30 minutes.
Processed tissue sections were covered with one of the primary
antibodies and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour before
washing with Tris buffered saline and addition of a biotinylated
secondary antibody and streptavidin-HRP (Signet Laboratories,
Dedham, Mass.), 20 minutes each, followed by addition of the
diaminobenzidine substrate (BioGenex, San Ramon, Calif.) for
chromogenic labeling. Labeled slides were immersed briefly in
Mayer's hematoxylin for counterstaining, then dehydrated through
sequential baths of ethanol and xylene before application of cover
slips. The same protocol was used for immunofluorescence, except
that cover slips were placed after addition of the secondary
antibody with Prolong Gold with DAPI mounting media (Invitrogen,
Carlsbad, Calif.). For electron microscopy, sorted blood cells were
resuspended in sodium cacodylate or Sorsenson's buffer with 2.5%
glutaraldehyde for four hours at 4.degree. C. Cells were then
post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide for 1 hour, dehydrated in a
series of graded acetone, and embedded in epoxy resin.
[0122] Antigens and VLR antibody assays. BSA immunizations were
injections of 10 .mu.g of BSA in 50 .mu.l of one of the following
vehicles: sterile 0.66% PBS, 200 .mu.g Al(OH).sub.3 absorbed with
protein for four hours before injection, or emulsions with Ribi and
Titermax Gold (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) adjuvants prepared according
to manufacturer's protocol. For BSA coated beads, BSA was
conjugated to 1 micron carboxylate polystyrene beads with the
carbodiimide kit according to manufactures protocol (Polysciences,
Warrington, Pa.) with lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, and
peptidoglycan (Invivogen, San Diego, Calif.) being added before
injection. Erythrocytes were from B6 mice or human blood group 0
donors and were washed three times prior to injection. For antibody
assays, washed erythrocytes (5.times.10.sup.6) mixed with lamprey
plasma at varying dilutions were allowed to settle in conical
bottom microwell plates for 1 hour before visual assessment of
agglutination after tilting the plate at 80.degree. C. for two
minutes. ELISA assays were performed as previously described (Alder
et al, Science 310:1970-3 (2005)). VLR reactivity with H antigen
was determined by incubating CHO cells that were stably transfected
with constructs for .alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase or vector alone
with test plasma samples. The CHO cells were then stained by
incubation with 4C4 VLR mAb and goat anti mouse Ig (H+L)-RPE
(Southern Biotech, Birmingham, Ala.) for 10 minutes each before
analysis of immunofluorescence using a Cyan.TM. flow cytometer
(Cytomation, Fort Collins, Colo.). For plasma VLR adsorption, test
samples were mixed with the 4C4 anti-VLR mAb conjugated to
sepharose or CHO cells (3.times.10.sup.6) fixed by paraformaldehyde
for one hour at 4.degree. C. Beads or cells were spun down and the
supernatant transferred to a new test tube before repeating the
adsorption process prior to the analysis of antigen reactivity by
agglutination or western blot assays. For staining of lamprey
lymphocytes with fluorescent spores, 4.times.10.sup.6 leukocytes
were mixed with 4C4 anti-VLR monoclonal antibody and
4.times.10.sup.6 spores labeled with Alexa 488 (Invitrogen,
Carlsbad, Calif.) on ice for 10 minutes. Cells were then washed and
a goat anti-mouse Ig (H+L)-RPE was added for 10 minutes on ice
before two washes. Flow cytometric analysis was then carried out on
a Cyan.TM. cytometer (Cytomation, Fort Collins, Colo.).
[0123] ELISPOT analysis of VLR secreting cells. Microwells in 96
well plates (Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) were coated overnight at
4.degree. C. with 100 .mu.l of 50 .mu.g/ml of recombinant BclA
C-terminal domain protein (ref) then blocked with 1% BSA in PBS for
2 hours at 37.degree. C. before adding test cell suspensions in
IDMEM (Mediatech, Herndon, Va.) supplemented with 10% FBS,
L-glutamine, penicillin, streptomycin, insulin, and transferrin for
18 hours at 25.degree. C. in 5% CO2. The cells were then washed
away with PBS before adding 1 .mu.g/ml VLR antibody in 1% BSA for
one hour at 37.degree. C. After washing the wells with PBS-0.5%
tween, goat anti mouse conjugated with horseradish peroxidase
(Southern Biotech, Birmingham, Ala.) was added for one hour at
37.degree. C. before washing the wells once with PBS-tween and
three times with PBS. AEC peroxidase substrate (Moss Inc, Pasadena,
Md.) was then added for one hour before washing with deionized
water and counting of VLR antibody spots using Immunospot 2.0
software (Cellular Technology Ltd., Cleveland, Ohio).
[0124] Western blots. Plasma samples (1 .mu.l) were electrophoresed
on a 10% SDS page gel with or without 2-mercaptoethanol before
transfer onto a nitrocellulose membrane which was blocked with 3%
milk followed by incubation with the 4C4 anti-VLR mAb for one hour.
The membranes were then washed 5 times with PBS-0.5% tween before
adding goat anti-mouse HRP (Southern Biotech, Birmingham, Ala.) and
a final wash one hour later. A SuperSignal chemiluminescent kit
(Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) was used to detect VLR-antibody
conjugates.
[0125] Quantitative PCR. RNA was extracted from VLR-B+ and VLR-B-
sorted cells using Trizol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) and RNeasy
with the on-column DNA digestion (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.)
according to manufacturer's protocol. First strand cDNA was
generated using random hexamer primers with Superscript III
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Quantitative PCR was carried out
with primers designed at splice sites, when known, using SYBR Green
on a 7900HT ABI Prism (Applied Biosystems, Foster City,
Calif.).
Results.
[0126] Analysis of the VLR-B antibody response to a model protein
antigen. The present examples employ VLR-B stalk region specific
monoclonal antibodies 6C3 (IgM isotype) and 4C4 (IgG2b isotype) for
detection of the lamprey VLR-B antibodies. Initially, relatively
large sea lamprey larvae (.about.13 cm long) were immunized with
soluble bovine serum albumin (BSA)(10 .mu.g) either in unmodified
form, alum precipitated, or combined with commercially available
adjuvants, Ribi.RTM. (Ribi Immunochem Research, Inc., Hamilton,
Mont.) and Titermax.RTM. (CytRx Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif.),
both of which contain bacterial products in a water-in-oil
emulsion. For other immunizations, BSA was conjugated to the
surface of polystyrene beads, 1.times.10.sup.8 of which were
injected either alone or together with 1 .mu.g each of
lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, or peptidoglycan. An
immunization protocol was used that elicited a strong VLR humoral
response to anthrax exosporium proteins: primary immunization
followed by booster immunization two weeks later and collection of
plasma samples for testing at four weeks. None of these methods of
BSA immunization resulted in the production of VLR-B antibodies
that could be detected by ELISA (n+30, 4-5 per immunization group).
Moreover, the immunized lamprey did not respond with the
lymphoblastoid transformation of circulating lymphocytes that was
observed after hyperimmunizating lamprey with anthrax exosporium.
BSA as a model protein immunogen thus failed to induce a VLR-B
antibody response, even when given with adjuvants, in aggregated
form or coated onto the surface of a solid matrix.
[0127] Lamprey produce agglutinating VLR-B antibodies in response
to mammalian erythrocytes. To examine the possible role of VLR
antibodies in the erythrocyte agglutinin response, lamprey were
immunized intraperitoneally with either mouse or human
erythrocytes. In accordance with previous reports, erythrocyte
hemagglutinin responses were elicited that were antigen dose
dependent and specific for the donor erythrocyte immunogen (FIG.
14A, Table 3).
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Specificity of the Agglutinin Response to
Human or Mouse Erythrocytes. Erythrocyte Reciprocal
Erythrocyteagglutinin Titers Immunogen.sup.a Human Mouse Human 1
400 0 Human 2 800 0 Human 3 1600 0 Mouse 1 0 3200 Mouse 2 0 1600
Mouse 3 0 400 .sup.aThree lamprey larvae were immunized on days 0
and 14 with 1 .times. 10.sup.7 human or mouse erythrocytes an
dplasma samples were obtained on day 28.
[0128] To determine whether the erythrocyte agglutination was
mediated by VLR-B antibodies, sepharose beads coated with an
anti-VLR-B antibody were used to remove VLR-B antibodies from the
plasma samples. The adsorption with anti-VLR-B coated beads was
found to remove the vast majority of the hemagglutinins, whereas
adsorption with beads coated with a control antibody of irrelevant
specificity had no demonstrable effect (FIG. 14B). These findings
indicate that the hemagglutinins made by erythrocyte immunized
lamprey are VLR-B antibodies.
[0129] Carbohydrate H antigen specificity of VLR-B antibodies to
blood group O erythrocytes. Earlier studies suggested the
hemagglutinins made by lamprey that were immunized with human blood
group O erythrocytes were specific for the H trisaccharide cell
surface antigen that defines this blood type. To test for H antigen
specificity of the VLR-B antibodies, CHO cells were employed that
were stably transfected with the .alpha.1,2-fucosyltransferase
enzyme that generates the H trisaccharide. Animals immunized with
blood group O erythrocytes were shown to produce VLR-B antibodies
that recognized CHO cells expressing the H trisaccharide antigen
(FIG. 14C), while they did not produce VLR antibodies that
recognized the control CHO cells that were transfected with the
vector alone. Moreover, adsorption of the immune plasma samples
with H antigen-positive CHO cells removed the agglutinating VLR
antibodies without noticeably affecting the plasma level of the
VLR-B antibody pool (FIG. 14D). These findings confirm that the H
trisaccharide determinant is a dominant antigenic determinant in
the lamprey response to blood group O erythrocytes. They also show
that this humoral response is attributable primarily to the
production of VLR-B antibodies and demonstrate that the VLR-B
antibodies produced in respond to this antigen comprise only a
minor portion of the circulating VLR-B antibody pool.
[0130] The H antigen specific VLR-B antibodies are disulfide-linked
multimers. The ability of VLR-B antibodies to agglutinate
erythrocytes inferred their multivalence. To examine the
composition of these antibodies, a recombinant VLR-B antibody with
H antigen specificity was generated. For this purpose, a VLR-B cDNA
library was prepared from blood leukocytes of immunized animals and
individual VLR-B clones were transfected into HEK 293T cells. When
the transfected cells were screened for clones producing antigen
specific VLR-Bs, one clone was identified that produced a VLR
antibody that reacted with H antigen.sup.+ CHO cells and not with H
antigen.sup.- CHO cells (FIG. 15A). The antigen binding by this
recombinant VLR antibody was inhibited by preincubation with
soluble H antigen. Western blots analysis revealed that this VLR
antibody is a large multimeric protein of >250 kDa that is
composed by multiple individual VLR-B subunits of 35 kDa linked
together by disulfide bonds (FIG. 15B).
[0131] Dose dependency and antigen specificity of the anthrax VLR-B
antibody response. As described herein, lamprey immunized with
Bacillus anthracis exosporium produced VLR antibodies against the
spore surface protein BclA. This response was examined in order to
define the antigen dosage requirement to elicit the VLR-B antibody
response and to determine the epitope specificity. Increasing the
immunogen dosage led to the production of higher titers of VLR-B
antibodies to the BclA surface protein (FIG. 16A).
[0132] In view of the finding that anthrax immunized mice make
antibodies mainly against the C-terminal domain (CTD) of BclA, the
lamprey response to the BclA-CTD determinant was examined. The
VLR-B antibodies produced by immunized lamprey were also found to
be reactive with the BclA-CTD and not with a control protein (FIG.
16B). Moreover, the VLR-B antibody response appeared to be directed
primarily against non-crossreactive determinants of B. anthracis,
since only minimal reactivity was detected for the closely related
B. thuringiensis and B. cereus spores (FIG. 16C). Notably, the BclA
protein of B. cereus differs in only 10% of the amino acids from
the BclA protein of B. anthracis. These observations indicate that
the lamprey VLR response to anthrax exosporium is dose-dependent,
highly specific, and focused primarily on the CTD determinant of
the BclA surface protein.
[0133] Tissue distribution of VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes in the
lamprey. To examine the cellular basis for the lamprey humoral
response to immunization, the tissue distribution of the
VLR-B.sup.+ cells was determined by immunohistochemical staining
using the two antibodies that are specific for the invariant stalk
region of VLR-B. Discrete localization of VLR-B.sup.+ cells was
observed using monoclonal 6C3 anti-VLR-B antibody in the kidney and
typhlosole, two hematopoietic organs, as well as in the gills.
VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes were not detected in the epithelium of the
intestine, which in the larval filter-feeding stage is a straight
tube beginning near the last gill slit and terminating at the
cloaca. Over most of its length, the intestine is folded like an
elongated horseshoe over the typhlosole, which is comprised
primarily by hematopoietic lineage cells lining the blood filled
sinuses. The VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes were found to be dispersed
throughout the typhlosole, wherein they exhibited greater
morphological diversity and variability in staining intensity than
the VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes in other tissues (FIG. 17A). Small
VLR-B.sup.+ cells were intermixed with other hematopoietic cells in
the kidneys, which extend over most of the body length and flank
the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the lamprey intestine. The
VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes were most abundant in the most ventral
aspects of the kidneys. The gills displayed the greatest
accumulation of VLR.sup.+ lymphocytes in terms of the density of
positively staining cells. The VLR-B.sup.+ cells were especially
abundant within the vessels located at the gill bases. The
immunofluorescence staining pattern of these intravascular
lymphocytes was suggestive of extensive intracellular VLR-B
accumulation (FIG. 17B). VLR-B staining in the tissue sections was
also consistently evident along the inner surface of blood vessels
and sinuses, reflecting the abundant pool of circulating VLR-B
antibodies, and was not evident in the intercellular spaces outside
of the vasculature.
[0134] The distribution of VLR-B bearing cells was examined further
by the staining of viable cells in fluid suspensions freshly
prepared from the blood, kidney, and typhlosole. When light scatter
characteristics were used to examine the lymphocyte-like cells by
immunofluorescence flow cytometry, 15-35% of the blood cells in the
`lymphocyte gate` were VLR-B.sup.+, .about.50% were VLR-B.sup.+ in
the kidney cell suspensions, and 15-30% were VLR-B.sup.+ in the
typhlosole (FIG. 17C). The VLR-B.sup.+ cells from blood and kidney
consistently expressed relatively high VLR-B levels, whereas
VLR-B.sup.+ cells from the typhlosole exhibited greater variability
and lower levels of cell surface VLR-B.
[0135] VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocyte morphology and gene expression
profile. The VLR-B.sup.+ and VLR-B.sup.- cells within the
`lymphocyte gate` were isolated by fluorescence activated cell
sorting and examined by transmission electron microscopy. The
VLR-B.sup.+ cells in these studies resembled small lymphocytes in
jawed vertebrates in that they have a relatively large nucleus,
which contains a compacted chromatin concentrated in a peripheral
pattern, surrounded by a narrow rim of cytoplasm that contains
relatively few distinguishable organelles, such as mitochondria. In
contrast, the vast majority of VLR-B.sup.- cells in the `lymphocyte
gate` displayed thrombocyte morphology, which is characterized by a
deep nuclear cleft and relatively abundant cytoplasm (FIG.
17D).
[0136] The isolated VLR-B.sup.+ and VLR-B.sup.- populations of
cells were also used to compare their gene expression profiles. In
this analysis the purified VLR-B.sup.+ cells were found to express
VLR-B transcripts, and not VLR-A transcripts. Conversely, the
VLR-B.sup.- cells in the `lymphocyte gate` expressed VLR-A and not
VLR-B transcripts (FIG. 18). When the expression of other currently
known genes that have potential links to lamprey immune cell
function were compared, CD45 and GATA were found to be expressed at
higher levels in the VLR-B-population, whereas the TCR-like,
CD4-like, and TNFR14 genes were expressed at higher levels in the
VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocytes. These results indicate that the
VLR-B.sup.+ cells and VLR-A.sup.+ cells represent distinct
lymphocyte populations, confirm that lymphoid lineage cells
preferentially express the TCR-like and CD-4-like genes and suggest
that the TNFR14 gene may also be preferentially expressed by
lymphocytes.
[0137] VLR-B.sup.+ lymphocyte responses to in vivo antigenic
stimulation. Immunization of lamprey with a cocktail of antigens
and phytomitogens was shown to induce a global lymphoblastoid
response. This type of lymphoblastoid response was reproduced by
injecting the lamprey larvae with a large dose (>2 .mu.g) of
anthrax exosporium intraperitoneally (FIG. 19A). When blood cells
from these animals were stained with the anti-VLR-B antibodies,
most of large lymphoblastoid cells were found to be VLR-B.sup.+,
although the level of cell surface VLR-B was noticeably diminished
(FIG. 19B). This result suggested that, given in sufficient dosage,
the anthrax exosporium can serve as a mitogen for lamprey
lymphocytes.
[0138] To evaluate the specific antigen response at a cellular
level, the frequency of antigen binding cells was determined before
and after immunization with anthrax exosporium. In these
experiments, fluorescence labeled anthrax spores were used to
detect antigen-binding VLR-B.sup.+ cells. Whereas a small
subpopulation of the VLR-B bearing lymphocytes (.about.1%) in naive
animals were found to bind B. anthracis or B. cereus spores, a
four-fold increase of B. anthracis binding VLR-B.sup.+ cells was
observed following immunization with B. anthracis exosporium (FIGS.
20A and 20B) and the frequency of B. cereus-binding cells was
unchanged.
[0139] To identify cells that secrete the VLR-B antibodies in
response to antigenic stimulation, the VLR-B.sup.+ and VLR-B.sup.-
subpopulations of cells from immunized lamprey were separated
according to their light scatter characteristics and evaluated by
ELISPOT assays for their ability to secrete VLR-B antibodies to the
BclA-CTD antigen. Cells isolated from the blood, kidney and
typhlosole were placed in culture for 18 hours before their
evaluation for VLR-B antibody secretion. The cells which secreted
BclA-CTD specific antibodies were found only among the VLR-B.sup.+
cells with the highest forward and side light scatter
characteristics, a finding that indicated their relatively large
cell size (FIG. 21A). When large VLR-B producing cells were
isolated for evaluation by transmission electron microscopy, they
were found to have plasmacytoid morphology featuring extensive
cytoplasm with multiple organelles and an expanded network of rough
endoplasmic reticulum (FIG. 21B). In a typical response to anthrax
exosporium, four weeks after the first immunization, the VLR-B
antibody secreting cells were most abundant in either the blood or
the kidney and were less abundant in the typhlosole. These
observations indicate that immunization with an effective immunogen
induces antigen-specific lymphocytes to undergo lymphoblastoid
transformation, proliferation, and differentiation into
plasmacytoid cells that secrete antigen-specific VLR-B
antibodies.
Example 5
Lamprey Produce VLR-B Antibodies in Response to Viral
Immunization
[0140] For influenza virus, lamprey were immunized
intraperitoneally with 25 .mu.g of formalin fixed influenza virus
diluted in 50 .mu.l of 2/3 PBS. Two weeks later, the animals
received a secondary injection with the same amount of immunogen.
Plasma samples were collected two weeks after the secondary
immunization and tested for reactivity.
[0141] ELISA assays were carried out by coating plates overnight at
4.degree. C. with 10 .mu.g/mL formalin killed influenza virus
diluted in PBS. Purified adenovirus was used to coat plates as a
control. Plates were then washed and blocked with 3% BSA. Detection
of VLR-B antibodies was carried out using monoclonal anti-VLR-B
(4C4) antibody followed by a secondary antibody with enzyme
conjugate.
[0142] Viral neutralization activity was tested by hemagglutinin
inhibition assays and plaque neutralization assays.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 23, lamprey immunized with influenza virus
produce VLRs specific for immunogen.
[0144] Table 4 shows influenza virus hemagglutinin inhibition and
neutralization titers for plasma from immunized and naive
lamprey.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Hemagglutinin Inhibition Titers
Neutralization Assay Titers Naive 1 <20 <20 Naive 2 <20
<20 Flu 1 <20 <20 Flu 2 <20 40 Flu 3 40 40 Flu 4 40 40
Flu 5 160 160
[0145] For HIV virus, virus-like particles (VLPs) were injected
intraperitoneally such that an equivalent of 25 .mu.g of HIV
envelope protein (Env) protein was administered. Animals received a
booster immunization two weeks after the initial immunization. Two
weeks after booster immunization, plasma was collected and
reactivity of VLR-B antibodies to HIV was tested by ELISA
assays.
[0146] For ELISA, plates were coated with 1 .mu.g/mL soluble gp120
overnight at 4.degree. C. Plates were then washed and blocked with
3% BSA. Detection of VLR was carried out using monoclonal
anti-VLR-B (4C4) antibody followed by a secondary antibody with
enzyme conjugate.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 24, lamprey immunized with HIV VLPs produce
VLR-B antibodies specific for HIV envelope protein gp120
subunit.
[0148] These results demonstrate that immunization with formalin
fixed influenza virus or HIV VLPs induces a potent immune response
in lamprey resulting in the production of antigen specific VLR-B
antibodies. In the case of influenza, the plasma from immunized
animals inhibited agglutination of erythrocytes and plaque
formation by live influenza virus in vitro studies. The gp120
subunit of the HIV envelope protein, which is the target of the
VLR-B antibody response, is responsible for viral entry into host
cells through interaction with CD4. Therefore, the interaction of
the large (400 kDa) multivalent VLR-B antibodies with HIV gp120 is
likely to block the interaction of HIV envelope proteins with CD4
and hence prevent viral entry.
[0149] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made without departing from the
scope or spirit of the compositions and methods described herein.
Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the compositions
and methods disclosed herein.
Sequence CWU 1
1
611134PRTBacillus anthracis. 1Leu Gly Leu Pro Ala Gly Leu Tyr Ala
Phe Asn Ser Gly Gly Ile Ser1 5 10 15Leu Asp Leu Gly Ile Asn Asp Pro
Val Pro Phe Asn Thr Val Gly Ser 20 25 30Gln Phe Gly Thr Ala Ile Ser
Gln Leu Asp Ala Asp Thr Phe Val Ile 35 40 45Ser Glu Thr Gly Phe Tyr
Lys Ile Thr Val Ile Ala Asn Thr Ala Thr 50 55 60Ala Ser Val Leu Gly
Gly Leu Thr Ile Gln Val Asn Gly Val Pro Val65 70 75 80Pro Gly Thr
Gly Ser Ser Leu Ile Ser Leu Gly Ala Pro Ile Val Ile 85 90 95Gln Ala
Ile Thr Gln Ile Thr Thr Thr Pro Ser Leu Val Glu Val Ile 100 105
110Val Thr Gly Leu Gly Leu Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly Thr Ser Ala Ser Ile
115 120 125Ile Ile Glu Lys Val Ala 1302134PRTBacillus cereus 2Leu
Gly Leu Pro Ala Gly Leu Tyr Ala Phe Asn Ser Ala Gly Ile Ser1 5 10
15Leu Asp Leu Gly Leu Asn Ala Pro Val Pro Phe Asn Thr Val Gly Ser
20 25 30Gln Phe Gly Thr Ala Ile Ser Gln Leu Asp Ala Asp Thr Phe Val
Ile 35 40 45Ala Glu Thr Gly Phe Tyr Lys Ile Thr Val Ile Val Tyr Thr
Ala Ala 50 55 60Ile Ser Val Leu Gly Gly Leu Thr Ile Gln Val Asn Gly
Val Ser Val65 70 75 80Pro Gly Thr Gly Ala Thr Leu Ile Ser Val Gly
Ala Pro Ile Val Val 85 90 95Gln Ala Ile Thr Gln Ile Thr Thr Thr Pro
Ser Leu Val Glu Val Ile 100 105 110Val Thr Gly Leu Gly Leu Ser Leu
Ala Leu Gly Thr Asn Ala Ser Ile 115 120 125Ile Ile Glu Lys Val Ala
1303144PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 3Cys
Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Thr Val Asn Cys Gln Glu1 5 10
15Arg Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Gly Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Gln Val
20 25 30Leu His Leu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu Pro Gly Val
Phe 35 40 45Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Leu Ala Val Asn
Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp Lys Leu Thr Lys
Leu Thr His65 70 75 80Leu Ala Leu His Ile Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile
Pro Met Gly Val Phe 85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr
Leu Phe Asn Asn Pro Trp 100 105 110Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu
Tyr Leu Lys Asn Trp Ile Val Gln 115 120 125His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn
Pro Leu Gly Asn Gly Gly Val Asp Asn Val 130 135
1404144PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 4Cys
Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp Ile His Cys His Glu1 5 10
15Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Val Pro Val Gly Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Gln Val
20 25 30Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Thr Asn Lys Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu Pro Gly Leu
Phe 35 40 45Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Leu Ala Val Asn
Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp His Leu Val Asn
Leu Gln Gln65 70 75 80Leu Ser Leu His Thr Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile
Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe 85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Trp
Leu Phe Asn Asn Pro Trp 100 105 110Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu
Tyr Leu Lys Asn Trp Ile Val Gln 115 120 125His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn
Pro Leu Gly Asn Gly Gly Val Asp Asn Val 130 135
1405270PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 5Met
Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10
15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Thr
20 25 30Val Asn Cys Gln Glu Arg Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Gly Ile
Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr Gln Val Leu His Leu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr
Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr
Leu Asn Leu65 70 75 80Ala Val Asn Gln Leu Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly
Val Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Lys Leu Thr His Leu Ala Leu His Ile
Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile 100 105 110Pro Met Gly Val Phe Asp Asn Leu
Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu 115 120 125Phe Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp
Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135 140Asn Trp Ile Val
Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Leu Gly Asn Gly145 150 155 160Gly
Val Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala 165 170
175Val Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala
180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro
Glu Thr 195 200 205Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys
Pro Lys Pro Leu 210 215 220Trp Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu
Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly225 230 235 240Asp Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys
Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe 245 250 255Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys
Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260 265 2706270PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 6Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile
Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala
Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp 20 25 30Ile His Cys His
Glu Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Val Pro Val Gly Ile Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr
Gln Val Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Thr Asn Lys Ile Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro
Gly Leu Phe Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Leu65 70 75
80Ala Val Asn Gln Leu Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp His Leu
85 90 95Val Asn Leu Gln Gln Leu Ser Leu His Thr Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser
Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His
Ile Trp Leu 115 120 125Phe Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp
Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135 140Asn Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile
Val Asn Pro Leu Gly Asn Gly145 150 155 160Gly Val Asp Asn Val Lys
Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala 165 170 175Val Thr Glu Ala
Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala 180 185 190Thr Thr
Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr 195 200
205Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu
210 215 220Trp Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp
Gly Gly225 230 235 240Asp Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu
Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe 245 250 255Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala
Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260 265 270722PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 7Lys Asn Trp Ile Val Gln
His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly1 5 10 15Gly Val Asp Asn Val
Lys 20823PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 8Lys
Asn Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 10
15Gly Gly Val Asp Asn Val Lys 2097PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 9Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser
Cys1 5107PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
10Cys Pro Ser Arg Cys Ser Cys1 5117PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 11Cys Pro Ala Gln Cys Ser
Cys1 5127PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
12Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Leu Cys1 5137PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 13Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Pro
Cys1 5147PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
14Asn Gly Ala Thr Cys Lys Lys1 5157PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 15Asn Glu Ala Leu Cys Lys
Lys1 51619PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
16Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala Val Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser1
5 10 15Lys Cys Pro1711PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 17Ser Gly Lys Pro Val Arg Ser Ile Ile Cys Pro1 5
101818PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 18Ser
Ser Lys Ala Val Leu Asp Val Thr Glu Glu Glu Ala Ala Glu Asp1 5 10
15Cys Val1918PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
19Gln Ser Lys Ala Val Leu Glu Ile Thr Glu Lys Asp Ala Ala Ser Asp1
5 10 15Cys Val20320PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 20Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala
Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser
Gly Thr Thr 20 25 30Val Asp Cys Arg Ser Lys Arg His Ala Ser Val Pro
Ala Gly Ile Pro 35 40 45Thr Asn Ala Gln Ile Leu Tyr Leu His Asp Asn
Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Ile Asn
Leu Lys Glu Leu Tyr Leu65 70 75 80Gly Ser Asn Gln Leu Gly Ala Leu
Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu 85 90 95Thr Gln Leu Thr Val Leu Asp
Leu Gly Thr Asn Gln Leu Thr Val Leu 100 105 110Pro Ser Ala Val Phe
Asp Arg Leu Val His Leu Lys Glu Leu Phe Met 115 120 125Cys Cys Asn
Lys Leu Thr Glu Leu Pro Arg Gly Ile Glu Arg Leu Thr 130 135 140His
Leu Thr His Leu Ala Leu Asp Gln Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile Pro145 150
155 160His Gly Ala Phe Asp Arg Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr His Ala Tyr Leu
Phe 165 170 175Gly Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Arg Asp Ile Met Tyr
Leu Arg Asn 180 185 190Trp Val Ala Asp His Thr Ser Ile Ala Met Arg
Trp Asp Gly Lys Ala 195 200 205Val Asn Asp Pro Asp Ser Ala Lys Cys
Ala Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val 210 215 220Arg Ala Val Thr Glu Ala Ser
Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr225 230 235 240Val Ala Thr Thr
Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro 245 250 255Glu Thr
Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys 260 265
270Pro Leu Trp Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp
275 280 285Gly Gly Asp Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn
Cys Ala 290 295 300Asn Phe Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu
Cys Arg Lys Arg305 310 315 32021813DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 21atgtggatca
agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct
cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acaactgtga actgccaaga gagaagcctc
120gcgtctgtgc ctgcgggaat ccccaccacc acgcaagttc tgcatttgta
cataaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagccagg ggtgtttgat agtctgacgc
aactgactta tctgaacctt 240gctgttaacc agctgacggc tcttcccgtt
ggggtgtttg acaaactgac caaactcact 300catctggctc tgcacatcaa
tcaactgaag agcattccca tgggcgtttt tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca
ctcacatcta tctgttcaac aacccctggg actgcgagtg ttcggacatc
420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtgcagcac gcaagcatcg tgaatccatt
gggcaatggg 480ggagttgata acgtgaagtg ctctggtacc aatacccccg
tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc 540agcactagcc cctcgaaatg cccaggctac
gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc 600acgcccgaat tcatccctga
gaccaccacc tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac aacccagaaa 660cccaagcctc
tgtggaattt caactgcacc tcaattcagg agaggaagaa cgacggtggc
720gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc ctgaactgcg cgaatttcct
cagctgcctc 780tgctcgacct gcgccctctg caggaaacgt tga
81322250PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 22Met
Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10
15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Arg Val Trp Ser
20 25 30Gly Leu Arg Tyr Thr Asp Cys Ser Ser Lys Gly Leu Ser Ser Val
Pro 35 40 45Asn Glu Ile Pro Gly Asn Thr Gln Val Leu Val Leu Ser Gly
Asn Gln 50 55 60Ile Glu Ser Leu Ser Glu Gly Val Phe Asp Arg Leu Val
Asn Leu Gln65 70 75 80Lys Leu Trp Leu Asn Ser Asn Arg Leu Lys Ser
Ile Pro Arg Gly Ala 85 90 95Phe Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr Asn Ile
Trp Leu Ser Ser Asn Pro 100 105 110Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile
Leu Tyr Leu Lys Asn Trp Ile Val 115 120 125Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val
Asn Pro Asp Gly His Gly Gly Val Asp Asn 130 135 140Val Lys Cys Ser
Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala Val Thr Glu Ala145 150 155 160Ser
Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala Thr Thr Thr Thr 165 170
175Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Pro
180 185 190Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp Asn
Phe Asn 195 200 205Tyr Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly
Asp Cys Gly Lys 210 215 220Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala
Asn Phe Leu Ser Cys Leu225 230 235 240Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys
Arg Lys Arg 245 25023753DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated oligonucleotide 23atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc
gcctttggcg ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgtcgcgtg
tggtctggac tccgttatac ggactgtagc 120agcaaagggc tgagttcggt
tcccaatgag atccctggca acacccaggt tctggttttg 180agtggcaatc
aaattgagag tctctccgag ggggtgtttg accgcctggt gaatctgcag
240aagctgtggt tgaacagcaa ccggctgaag agcattccca ggggcgcctt
tgacaacctc 300aagagcctca ctaacatctg gctgtccagc aacccctggg
actgcgagtg ttcggacatc 360ctctatctaa agaactggat tgtgcagcat
gcaagcatcg tgaatccaga cggccatggg 420ggagttgata acgtgaagtg
ctctggtacc aatacccccg tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc 480agcactagcc
cctcgaaatg cccaggctac gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc
540acgcccgaat tcatccctga gaccaccacc tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac
aacccagaaa 600cccaagcctc tgtggaattt caactacacc tcaattcagg
agaggaagaa cgacggtggc 660gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc
ctgaactgcg cgaatttcct cagctgcctc 720tgctcgacct gcgccctctg
caggaaacgt tga 7532421DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 24tgtccctcgc agtgttcgtg t 212521DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 25tgtccctcgc
ggtgttcgtg t 212621DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 26tgtcccgcgc agtgttcgtg t 212721DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 27tgtccctcgc
agtgtttgtg t 212821DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 28tgtccctcgc agtgtccgtg t 212957DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 29accaataccc
ccgtccgtgc ggtcaccgag gccagcacta gcccctcgaa atgccca
573026DNAArtificial SequencePrimer 30ccaccatgtg gatcaagtgg atcgcc
263131DNAArtificial SequencePrimer 31gagagctagc tcaacgtttc
ctgcagaggg c 3132963DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 32atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc ctgctcaggg acaactgtgg
attgccggag caaacgccac 120gcatccgtgc ctgcgggaat ccccaccaat
gcgcagattc tgtatttaca cgacaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagcccgg
ggtgtttgac agcctcataa atctgaagga gctgtatctg 240ggctcgaacc
agctgggggc tctacccgtt ggggtttttg acagtctgac gcaacttact
300gtcctggacc ttggtaccaa ccagctaaca gttctaccct ctgcggtgtt
tgatcgcctg 360gtgcatctaa aagagctgtt tatgtgctgc aataagctca
cggagctgcc ccgtggcatt 420gagagactca cccatttgac tcatttagct
ctggaccaaa accagttgaa gagcatcccg 480catggagcgt tcgaccgtct
cagctccctc acccacgcct atttatttgg caacccatgg 540gattgcgagt
gcagggacat tatgtacctc aggaactggg tcgcagacca cacttctatt
600gcaatgcgct gggatgggaa ggccgttaac gaccccgact ctgccaagtg
cgctggtacc 660aatacccccg tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc agcactagcc
cctcgaaatg cccaggctac 720gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc
acgcccgaat tcatccctga gaccaccacc 780tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac
aacccagaaa cccaagcctc tgtggaattt caactgcacc 840tcaattcagg
agaggaagaa cgacggtggc gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc
900ctgaactgcg cgaatttcct cagctgcctc tgctcgacct gcgccctctg
caggaaacgt 960tga 963334PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 33Ser Arg Asp Thr1344PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 34Asp His Tyr
Ile1354PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 35Ser
Gly Tyr Glu1364PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 36Thr Gly Asp Val1374PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 37Cys Cys Phe Glu1384PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 38Gln Asp Ala
His1394PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 39Gly
Phe Tyr His14043PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 40Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp
Cys Gly1 5 10 15Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe
Leu Ser Cys 20 25 30Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 35
4041110PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 41Cys
Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp Val Asn Cys His Glu1 5 10
15Arg Arg Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Glu Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Lys Ile
20 25 30Leu Arg Leu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu Pro Gly Val
Phe 35 40 45His Ser Leu Thr Ala Leu Thr Ser Leu Glu Leu Gly Gly Asn
Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala Leu Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Asp Lys Leu Thr Lys
Leu Thr His65 70 75 80Leu Ala Leu His Ile Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile
Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe 85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr
Leu Phe Asn Asn 100 105 11042110PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 42Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp Val
Asn Cys His Glu1 5 10 15Arg Arg Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Glu Ile Pro
Thr Thr Thr Lys Ile 20 25 30Leu Arg Leu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys
Leu Glu Pro Gly Val Phe 35 40 45Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu
Asn Leu Ala Val Asn Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe
Asp Asn Leu Thr Gln Leu Ser Ile65 70 75 80Leu Asn Met His Thr Asn
Gln Leu Lys Asn Ile Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe 85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser
Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu Phe Asn Asn 100 105 11043110PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 43Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser
Cys Ser Gly Thr Thr Val Asn Cys Gln Glu1 5 10 15Arg Ser Leu Ala Ser
Val Pro Ala Gly Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Gln Val 20 25 30Leu His Leu Tyr
Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu Pro Gly Val Phe 35 40 45Asp Ser Leu
Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Leu Ala Val Asn Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala
Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp Lys Leu Thr Lys Leu Thr His65 70 75
80Leu Ala Leu His Ile Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile Pro Met Gly Val Phe
85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu Phe Asn Asn 100
105 11044110PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide
44Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp Ile His Cys His Glu1
5 10 15Arg Ser Leu Arg Ser Val Pro Val Gly Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Gln
Val 20 25 30Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Thr Asn Lys Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu Pro Gly
Leu Phe 35 40 45Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asn Leu Ala Val
Asn Gln Leu 50 55 60Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly Val Phe Asp His Leu Val
Asn Leu Gln Gln65 70 75 80Leu Ser Leu His Thr Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser
Ile Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe 85 90 95Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile
Trp Leu Phe Asn Asn 100 105 11045813DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 45atgtggatca
agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct
cgcagtgttc atgctcaggg acagatattc actgtcatga gagaagccta
120cggtctgtgc ctgtgggaat ccccaccacc acgcaagtgc tgtatttgta
caccaataag 180atcacgaagc tcgagcccgg gctgtttgac agcctgacgc
aactgactta tctgaacctt 240gctgttaacc agctgacggc tcttcccgtt
ggggtgtttg accacctggt gaatctgcag 300cagctgagtc tgcacaccaa
ccagctgaag agcattccca ggggcgcctt tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca
ctcacatctg gctgttcaac aacccctggg actgcgagtg ttcggacatc
420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtgcagcac gcaagcatcg tgaatccatt
gggcaatggg 480ggagttgata acgtgaagtg ctctggtacc aatacccccg
tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc 540agcactagcc cctcgaaatg cccaggctac
gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc 600acgcccgaat tcatccctga
gaccaccacc tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac aacccagaaa 660cccaagcctc
tgtggaattt caactgcacc tcaattcagg agaggaagaa cgacggtggc
720gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc ctaaactgcg cgaatttcct
cagctgcctc 780tgctcgacct gcgccctctg caggaaacgt tga
81346813DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 46atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acagatgtga
actgtgacag gaaacgcttc 120gcgtctgtgc ctgcggcaat ccctatcacc
acgcaaaggc tgtggttgag caacaatcag 180ttaactaagc tcgaccccgg
agtgtttgac agcctgaccc aactgactta tctggacctt 240gctgttaacc
agctgacgtc tctccccgct ggaatgtttg acaaacttac gcagctcaca
300tatctcattc tgcacaccaa ccagctgaag agcattccca ggggcacctt
tgataacctc 360aagagcctca ctcacatctg gctatacaac aacccctggg
actgcgagtg ttcggacatc 420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtgcagcac
gcaagcatcg tgaatccatt gggcaatggg 480ggagttgata acgtgaagtg
ctctggtacc aatacccccg tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc 540agcactagcc
cctcgaaatg cccaggctac gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc
600acgcccgaat tcatccctga gaccaccacc tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac
aacccagaaa 660cccaagcctc tgtggaattt caactgcacc tcaattcagg
agaggaagaa cgacggtggc 720gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc
ctaaactgcg cgaatttcct cagctgcctc 780tgctcgacct gcgccctctg
caggaaacgt tga 81347270PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 47Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe
Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser
Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp 20 25 30Val Asn Cys Asp Arg Lys Arg Phe Ala Ser
Val Pro Ala Ala Ile Pro 35 40 45Ile Thr Thr Gln Arg Leu Trp Leu Ser
Asn Asn Gln Leu Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Asp Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu
Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr Leu Asp Leu65 70 75 80Ala Val Asn Gln Leu Thr
Ser Leu Pro Ala Gly Met Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr
Leu Ile Leu His Thr Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly
Thr Phe Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Trp Leu 115 120 125Tyr
Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135
140Asn Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Leu Gly Asn
Gly145 150 155 160Gly Val Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr
Pro Val Arg Ala 165 170 175Val Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys
Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala 180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr
Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr 195 200 205Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro
Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu 210 215 220Trp Asn Phe Asn
Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly225 230 235 240Asp
Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe 245 250
255Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260 265
27048813DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 48atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acagatgtta
actgtcatga gagacgcttg 120gcgtctgtgc ctgcggaaat ccccaccacc
acgaagatcc tgcggctgta catcaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagcccgg
cgtgtttcac agtctgacgg cactgacttc tctggaactt 240ggtggcaacc
agctgacggc tttacccgct gggatatttg acaaactgac caaactcact
300catctggctc tgcacatcaa tcaactgaag agcattccca ggggcgcctt
tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca ctcacatcta tctgttcaac aacccctggg
actgcgagtg ttcggacatc 420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtgcagcac
gcaagcatcg tgaatccatt gggcaatggg 480ggagttgata acgtgaagtg
ctctggtacc aatacccccg tccgtgcggt caccgaggcc 540agcactagcc
cctcgaaatg cccaggctac gttgctacga ccacgacgcc gacgacgacc
600acgcccgaat tcatccctga gaccaccacc tcgccgcagc ccgtgatcac
aacccagaaa 660cccaagcctc tgtggaattt caactgcacc tcaattcagg
agaggaagaa cgacggtggc 720gactgcggaa agcccgcctg cacaactctc
ctaaactgcg cgaatttcct cagctgcctc 780tgctcgacct gcgccctctg
caggaaacgt tga 81349270PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 49Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe
Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser
Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp 20 25 30Val Asn Cys His Glu Arg Arg Leu Ala Ser
Val Pro Ala Glu Ile Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr Lys Ile Leu Arg Leu Tyr
Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe His Ser Leu
Thr Ala Leu Thr Ser Leu Glu Leu65 70 75 80Gly Gly Asn Gln Leu Thr
Ala Leu Pro Ala Gly Ile Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Lys Leu Thr His
Leu Ala Leu His Ile Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly
Ala Phe Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu 115 120 125Phe
Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135
140Asn Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Leu Gly Asn
Gly145 150 155 160Gly Val Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr
Pro Val Arg Ala 165 170 175Val Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys
Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala 180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr
Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr 195 200 205Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro
Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu 210 215 220Trp Asn Phe Asn
Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly225 230 235 240Asp
Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe 245 250
255Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260 265
27050810DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 50atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgcagaggg acatatgtgg
actgtgatag cagaagcctc 120gcgtctgtgc ctgcgggaat ccctaccacc
acgcaagtgc tgtatttgta cagcaatcaa 180atcacgaagc tcgaacccgg
ggtgtttgac catctggtga atctgcaggg gctgtatttg 240aacagcaaca
agctaacagc tatacccgct ggggtgtttg acaaattgac cctgctcgct
300ggtctgagtc tgcacgacaa ccaactgaag agcattccca ggggcgcctt
tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca ctcacatcta tctgttcaac aacccctggg
actgcgagtg ttcggacatc 420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtacagcac
gcaagcatcg tgaatccagg cagcggggga 480gttgataacg tgaagtgctc
tggtaccaat acccccgtcc gtgcggtcac cgaggccagc 540actagcccct
cgaaatgccc aggctacgtt gctacgacca cgacgccgac gacgaccacg
600cccgaattca tccctgagac caccacctcg ccgcagcccg tgatcacaac
ccagaaaccc 660aagcctctgt ggaatttcaa ctgcacctca attcaggaga
ggaagaacga cggtggcgac 720tgcggaaagc ccgcctgcac aactctccta
aactgcgcga atttcctcag ctgcctctgc 780tcgacctgcg ccctctgcag
gaaacgttga 81051269PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 51Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala
Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Arg
Gly Thr Tyr 20 25 30Val Asp Cys Asp Ser Arg Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Pro
Ala Gly Ile Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr Gln Val Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Ser Asn
Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe Asp His Leu Val Asn
Leu Gln Gly Leu Tyr Leu65 70 75 80Asn Ser Asn Lys Leu Thr Ala Ile
Pro Ala Gly Val Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Leu Leu Ala Gly Leu Ser
Leu His Asp Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe
Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu 115 120 125Phe Asn Asn
Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135 140Asn
Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Gly Ser Gly Gly145 150
155 160Val Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala
Val 165 170 175Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr
Val Ala Thr 180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe
Ile Pro Glu Thr Thr 195 200 205Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr
Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp 210 215 220Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile
Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp225 230 235 240Cys Gly Lys Pro
Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe Leu 245 250 255Ser Cys
Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260
26552810DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 52atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acaactgtgg
attgtagtgg gaaaagcctc 120gcatctgtgc ctgcggcaat ccctatcacc
acgcaaaggc tgtggttgag caacaatcag 180ttaactaagc tcgaccccgg
agtgtttgac agcctggtga atctgcagca gctgtggtta 240gaaatcaacc
agctgacatc tctccccgca ggggtgtttg acaaattgac cctgctcgct
300ggtctgagtc tgcacgacaa ccaactgaag agtattccca ggggcgcctt
tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca ctcacatctg gctgtacaac aacccctggg
actgcgagtg ttcggacatc 420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtacagcac
gcaagcatcg tgaatccagg cagcggggga 480gttgataacg tgaagtgctc
tggtaccaat acccccgtcc gtgcggtcac cgaggccagc 540actagcccct
cgaaatgccc aggctacgtt gctacgacca cgacgccgac gacgaccacg
600cccgaattca tccctgagac caccacctcg ccgcagcccg tgatcacaac
ccagaaaccc 660aagcctctgt ggaatttcaa ctgcacctca attcaggaga
ggaagaacga cggtggcgac 720tgcggaaagc ccgcctgcac aactctccta
aactgcgcga atttcctcag ctgcctctgc 780tcgacctgcg ccctctgcag
gaaacgttga 81053269PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
peptide 53Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala
Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser
Gly Thr Thr 20 25 30Val Asp Cys Ser Gly Lys Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Pro
Ala Ala Ile Pro 35 40 45Ile Thr Thr Gln Arg Leu Trp Leu Ser Asn Asn
Gln Leu Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Asp Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Val Asn
Leu Gln Gln Leu Trp Leu65 70 75 80Glu Ile Asn Gln Leu Thr Ser Leu
Pro Ala Gly Val Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Leu Leu Ala Gly Leu Ser
Leu His Asp Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe
Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Trp Leu 115 120 125Tyr Asn Asn
Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135 140Asn
Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Gly Ser Gly Gly145 150
155 160Val Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala
Val 165 170 175Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr
Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala Thr 180 185 190Thr Thr Thr
Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr Thr 195 200 205Thr
Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp 210 215
220Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly
Asp225 230 235 240Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys
Ala Asn Phe Leu 245 250 255Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys
Arg Lys Arg 260 26554807DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated oligonucleotide 54atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc
gcctttggcc ctggtgcaaa gtgcggtaga 60tgtccctcgc agtgttcgtg ctcagggaca
caagtgaact gccatgagag aagactcgcg 120tctgtgcctg cgggaatccc
caccaccacg caagttctgt atttgtacac caataagatc 180acgaagctcg
agcccggcgt gtttgacagt ctgacgcaac tgactgttct gaatctcgca
240ataaaccagc tgacggctct acccgctggg gtgtttgaca aactgaccaa
actcactcat 300ctggctctgc acatcaatca actgaagagc gtgcccaggg
gcgcctttga caacctcaag 360agcctcactc acatctatct gttcaacaac
ccctgggact gcgagtgttc ggacatcctc 420tatctgaaga actggattgt
acagcacgca agcatcgtga atccaggcag cgggggagtt 480gataacgtga
agtgctctgg taccaatacc cccgtccgtg cggtcaccga ggccagcact
540agcccctcga aatgcccagg ctacgttgct acgaccacga cgccgacgac
gaccacgccc 600gaattcatcc ctgagaccac cacctcgccg cagcccgtga
tcacaaccca gaaacccaag 660cctctgtgga atttcaactg cacctcaatt
caggagagga agaacgacgg tggcgactgc 720ggaaagcccg cctgcacaac
tctcctgaac tgcgcgaatt tcctcagctg cctctgctcg 780acctgcgccc
tctgcaggaa acgttga 80755268PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically
generated peptide 55Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe
Gly Pro Gly Ala1 5 10 15Lys Cys Gly Arg Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys
Ser Gly Thr Gln Val 20 25 30Asn Cys His Glu Arg Arg Leu Ala Ser Val
Pro Ala Gly Ile Pro Thr 35 40 45Thr Thr Gln Val Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Thr
Asn Lys Ile Thr Lys Leu Glu 50 55 60Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Thr
Gln Leu Thr Val Leu Asn Leu Ala65 70 75 80Ile Asn Gln Leu Thr Ala
Leu Pro Ala Gly Val Phe Asp Lys Leu Thr 85 90 95Lys Leu Thr His Leu
Ala Leu His Ile Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Val Pro 100 105 110Arg Gly Ala
Phe Asp Asn Leu Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu Phe 115 120 125Asn
Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys Asn 130 135
140Trp Ile Val Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Gly Ser Gly Gly
Val145 150 155 160Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val
Arg Ala Val Thr 165 170 175Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro
Gly Tyr Val Ala Thr Thr 180 185 190Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro
Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr 195 200 205Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile
Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp Asn 210 215 220Phe Asn Cys Thr
Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp Cys225 230 235 240Gly
Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe Leu Ser 245 250
255Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260
26556792DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 56atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acaactgtgg
attgtagtgg gaaaagcctc 120gcatctgtgc ctgcgggaat ccccaccacc
acgcaagtgc tgtatttgta caccaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagcccgg
cgtgtttgac cgcctggtga atctgcagaa gctgtggttg 240aacagcaacc
agctgacctc tctccccgct ggggtgtttg acaaactgac ccagctcaat
300catctgtttc tgaacaacaa ccagctgaag agcgttccca ggggcgcctt
tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca ctcagatctg gctgtacaac aacccctggg
actgcgcttg ctcagacatc 420ctctacctca gcggctggct gggccagcac
gcagggaaag agcagggcca ggctgtctgc 480tctggtacca atacccccgt
ccgtgcggtc accgaggcca gcactagccc ctcgaaatgc 540ccaggctacg
ttgctacgac cacgacgccg acgacgacca cgcccgaatt catccctgag
600accaccacct cgccgcagcc cgtgatcaca acccagaaac ccaagcctct
gtggaatttc 660aactgcacct caattcagga gaggaagaac gacggtggcg
actgcggaaa gcccgcctgc 720acaactctcc taaactgcgc gaatttcctc
agctgcctct gctcgacctg cgccctctgc 780aggaaacgtt ga
79257263PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 57Met
Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10
15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Thr
20 25 30Val Asp Cys Ser Gly Lys Ser Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Gly Ile
Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr Gln Val Leu Tyr Leu Tyr Thr Asn Gln Ile Thr
Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Arg Leu Val Asn Leu Gln Lys
Leu Trp Leu65 70 75 80Asn Ser Asn Gln Leu Thr Ser Leu Pro Ala Gly
Val Phe Asp Lys Leu 85 90 95Thr Gln Leu Asn His Leu Phe Leu Asn Asn
Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Val 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe Asp Asn Leu
Lys Ser Leu Thr Gln Ile Trp Leu 115 120 125Tyr Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp
Cys Ala Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Ser 130 135 140Gly Trp Leu Gly
Gln His Ala Gly Lys Glu Gln Gly Gln Ala Val Cys145 150 155 160Ser
Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala Val Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser 165 170
175Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr
180 185 190Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln
Pro Val 195 200 205Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp Asn Phe
Asn Cys Thr Ser 210 215 220Ile Gln Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp
Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys225 230 235 240Thr Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala
Asn Phe Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr 245 250 255Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg
Lys Arg 26058738DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated
oligonucleotide 58atgtggatca agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg
ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acacatgtga
actgtgaacg gaaacgcctc 120acgtctgtgc ctgcgggaat ccccaccacc
acgcaaactc tgtgggggga cagtaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagcccgg
ggtgcttgac cgcctggtga atctgcaggg gttgggtctg 240cagaacaacc
agctgaagag cgttcccagg ggcgcgtttg ataacctcaa gagcctcact
300cacatctggc tgttcggcaa cccctgggac tgcgaatgtt cggacatcct
ctatctgaag 360aactggattg tacagcacgc aagcatcgtg aatccaggca
gcgggggagt tgataacgtg 420aagtgctctg gtaccaatac ccccgtccgt
gcggtcaccg aggccagcac tagcccctcg 480aaatgcccag gctacgttgc
tacgaccacg acgccgacga cgaccacgcc cgaattcatc 540cctgagacca
ccacctcgcc gcagcccgtg atcacaaccc agaaacccaa gcctctgtgg
600aatttcaact gcacctcaat tcaggagagg aagaacgacg gtggcgactg
cggaaagccc 660gcctgcacaa ctctcctaaa ctgcgcgaat ttcctcagct
gcctctgctc gacctgcgcc 720ctctgcagga aacgttga 73859245PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 59Met Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile
Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala
Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr His 20 25 30Val Asn Cys Glu
Arg Lys Arg Leu Thr Ser Val Pro Ala Gly Ile Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr
Gln Thr Leu Trp Gly Asp Ser Asn Gln Ile Thr Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro
Gly Val Leu Asp Arg Leu Val Asn Leu Gln Gly Leu Gly Leu65 70 75
80Gln Asn Asn Gln Leu Lys Ser Val Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe Asp Asn Leu
85 90 95Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Trp Leu Phe Gly Asn Pro Trp Asp Cys
Glu 100 105 110Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys Asn Trp Ile Val Gln
His Ala Ser 115 120 125Ile Val Asn Pro Gly Ser Gly Gly Val Asp Asn
Val Lys Cys Ser Gly 130 135 140Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala Val Thr
Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser145 150 155 160Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val
Ala Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr 165 170 175Pro Glu Phe Ile
Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr 180 185 190Thr Gln
Lys Pro Lys Pro Leu Trp Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln 195 200
205Glu Arg Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr Thr
210 215 220Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe Leu Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser Thr
Cys Ala225 230 235 240Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 24560810DNAArtificial
SequenceSynthetically generated oligonucleotide 60atgtggatca
agtggatcgc cacgctggtc gcctttggcg ccctggtgca aagtgcggta 60gcatgtccct
cgcagtgttc gtgctcaggg acagatgtta actgtcatga gagacgcttg
120gcgtctgtgc ctgcggaaat ccccaccacc acgaagatcc tgcggctgta
catcaatcag 180atcacgaagc tcgagccagg ggtgtttgat agtctgacgc
aactgactta tctgaacctt 240gctgttaacc agctgacggc tcttcccgtt
ggggtgtttg acaacctgac ccagcttagc 300atactgaata tgcacaccaa
ccagctgaag aacattccca ggggcgcctt tgacaacctc 360aagagcctca
ctcacatcta tctgttcaac aacccctggg actgcgagtg ttcggacatc
420ctctatctga agaactggat tgtacagcac gcaagcatcg tgaatccagg
cagcggggga 480gttgataacg tgaagtgctc tggtaccaat acccccgtcc
gtgcggtcac cgaggccagc 540actagcccct cgaaatgccc aggctacgtt
gctacgacca cgacgccgac gacgaccacg 600cccgaattca tccctgagac
caccacctcg ccgcagcccg tgatcacaac ccagaaaccc 660aagcctctgt
ggaatttcaa ctgcacctca attcaggaga ggaagaacga cggtggcgac
720tgcggaaagc ccgcctgcac aactctccta aactgcgcga atttcctcag
ctgcctctgc 780tcgacctgcg ccctctgcag gaaacgttga
81061269PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetically generated peptide 61Met
Trp Ile Lys Trp Ile Ala Thr Leu Val Ala Phe Gly Ala Leu Val1 5 10
15Gln Ser Ala Val Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Cys Ser Cys Ser Gly Thr Asp
20 25 30Val Asn Cys His Glu Arg Arg Leu Ala Ser Val Pro Ala Glu Ile
Pro 35 40 45Thr Thr Thr Lys Ile Leu Arg Leu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ile Thr
Lys Leu 50 55 60Glu Pro Gly Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Thr Gln Leu Thr Tyr
Leu Asn Leu65 70 75 80Ala Val Asn Gln Leu Thr Ala Leu Pro Val Gly
Val Phe Asp Asn Leu 85 90 95Thr Gln Leu Ser Ile Leu Asn Met His Thr
Asn Gln Leu Lys Asn Ile 100 105 110Pro Arg Gly Ala Phe Asp Asn Leu
Lys Ser Leu Thr His Ile Tyr Leu 115 120 125Phe Asn Asn Pro Trp Asp
Cys Glu Cys Ser Asp Ile Leu Tyr Leu Lys 130 135 140Asn Trp Ile Val
Gln His Ala Ser Ile Val Asn Pro Gly Ser Gly Gly145 150 155 160Val
Asp Asn Val Lys Cys Ser Gly Thr Asn Thr Pro Val Arg Ala Val 165 170
175Thr Glu Ala Ser Thr Ser Pro Ser Lys Cys Pro Gly Tyr Val Ala Thr
180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Glu Phe Ile Pro Glu
Thr Thr 195 200 205Thr Ser Pro Gln Pro Val Ile Thr Thr Gln Lys Pro
Lys Pro Leu Trp 210 215 220Asn Phe Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Gln Glu Arg
Lys Asn Asp Gly Gly Asp225 230 235 240Cys Gly Lys Pro Ala Cys Thr
Thr Leu Leu Asn Cys Ala Asn Phe Leu 245 250 255Ser Cys Leu Cys Ser
Thr Cys Ala Leu Cys Arg Lys Arg 260 265
* * * * *
References