Abstract: The present invention is related to the recombinant production of proteins by using a synthetic gene for high protein expression in Pichia pastoris. More specifically, the invention describes the production of Sm14 Schistosoma mansoni recombinant protein, where a synthetic gene was created to promote high expression of such protein, a gene which was cloned under control of two types of Pichia pastoris promoters: methanol-inducible promoter (AOXI) and constituent promoter (GAP). With these constructions, Pichia pastoris strains were genetically manipulated to efficiently produce vaccine antigen Sm14. The processes to produce and purify this protein from P. pastoris cells, which can be escalated for their industrial production, were also improved.

Abstract: A process for purification of a fatty acid binding proteins such as, e.g., Sm14 of Pichia pastoris or type-3 FABP protein of Fasciola hepatica. The process includes the steps of: (a) performing lysis of cells containing the fatty acid binding protein to obtain a lysate; (b) clarifying the lysate obtained in step (a) to obtain a clarified lysate; (c) loading the clarified lysate in a column containing an anion exchange resin; (d) eluting proteins from the column by pH changes in the column; and (e) separating contaminant proteins from the fatty acid binding protein by gel-filtration.

Abstract: A process for purification of a fatty acid binding proteins such as, e.g., Sm14 of Pichia pastoris or type-3 FABP protein of Fasciola hepatica. The process includes the steps of: (a) performing lysis of cells containing the fatty acid binding protein to obtain a lysate; (b) clarifying the lysate obtained in step (a) to obtain a clarified lysate; (c) loading the clarified lysate in a column containing an anion exchange resin; (d) eluting proteins from the column by pH changes in the column; and (e) separating contaminant proteins from the fatty acid binding protein by gel-filtration.

Abstract: The production of recombinant proteins using a synthetic gene for increased expression of the protein in Pichia pastoris is disclosed. More specifically, disclosed is a process for producing a recombinant Sm14 protein of Schistosoma mansoni, by providing a synthetic gene for increased production of Sm14 protein, producing the gene and genetically manipulating the Pichia pastoris strain with the gene in order to produce a vaccine effectively. Improved methods are also provided for producing and purifying this protein from P. pastoris cells, which can be scaled for industrial production.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of production of recombinant proteins, using a synthetic gene for increased expression of the protein in Pichia pastoris. More specifically, the invention describes the production of a recombinant Sm14 protein of Schistosoma mansoni, by providing a synthetic gene for increased production of Sm14 protein, producing said gene and genetically manipulating the Pichia pastoris strain with said gene in order to produce a vaccine effectively. Improved methods are also provided for producing and purifying this protein from P. pastoris cells, which can be scaled for industrial production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccinal strain of recombinant BCG Mycobacterium bovis expressing the Schistossoma mansoni Sm14 protein (BCG Pasteur ?leuD/p?K410-hsp60*-Sm14). The vaccinal strain of the present invention is employed in the control of infections caused by parasites, specially the Schistossoma mansoni. The vaccinal strain is a an auxotrophic strain to leucine amino acid derived from the BCG Pasteur sub-strain complemented to leucine after genetic transformation with the construct p?K410-hsp60*-Sm14. The efficacy of the BCG Pasteur ?leuD/p?K410-hsp60*-Sm14 strain in the control of the Schistossoma mansoni infection based on the recombinant Sm14 antigen in vivo is showed in the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to cancer-testis antigens and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them. The invention further relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and fragments thereof in methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, such as cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to the discovery of novel cancer-testis (CT) antigens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 11 novel genes from S. aureus and the polypeptides they encode. Also provided as are vectors, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of S. aureus polypeptide activity. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Staphylococcus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 11 novel genes from S. aureus and the polypeptides they encode. Also provided as are vectors, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of S. aureus polypeptide activity. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Staphylococcus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 11 novel genes from S. aureus and the polypeptides they encode. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of S. aureus polypeptide activity. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Staphylococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Staphylococcus.

Abstract: A straightforward method to characterize a nucleotide sequence of a defined DNA region is described. A purified segment representing the defined region is subjected to repeated cycles of amplification (PCR) using a single primer complementary to a portion of the segment under conditions of low stringency and high polymerase and primer concentrations. PCR under these conditions results in a mixture of amplified DNA molecules the composition of which is characteristic of the DNA segment assessed. Determination of the composition of the mixture can be obtained by subjecting the mixture to standard chromatographic or electrophoretic techniques to obtain a pattern of fragments which represents a "signature" of the nucleotide sequence.