Abstract: The invention relates to bacterial genes and proteins that are implicated in the process of DNA replication and also to bacteriophage genes and their protein products that interact with bacterial proteins involved in DNA replication. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods involving an essential Staphylococcus aureus gene and its encoded protein STAAU_R9. In addition, the invention relates to screening assays to identify compounds which modulate the level and/or activity of STAAU_R9 and to such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses inhibitors of the primary sigma factor in Staphylococcus aureus (&sgr;SA), an essential protein implicated in RNA synthesis. The invention also discloses methods for inhibiting bacterial growth by contacting a bacterium with an antibacterial compound that specifically binds to a bacteriophage polypeptide binding domain of the Staphylococcus aureus primary sigma factor. Examples of inhibitors include bacteriophage polypeptides inhibiting growth of S. aureus and bacteriophage polypeptides binding specifically to S. aureus primary sigma factor. In addition, the invention discloses screening methods for identifying compounds which inhibit biochemical and/or cellular activity of S. aureus primary sigma factor.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides and polypeptides, and their production and uses, as well as their variants, agonists and antagonists, and their uses. In particular, the invention relates to specific interaction between the S. aureus STAAU_R2 related protein or specific regions thereof, and growth-inhibitory proteins encoded by the S. aureus bacteriophage genome. The invention relates to the use of these interaction target sites as the basis of drug screening assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Vpr protein, a Vpx protein or fragments thereof which permit the development of chimeric molecules that can be specifically targeted into the mature HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions to affect their structural organization and/or functional integrity, thereby resulting in gene therapy for HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. The present invention also relates to Vpr/Vpx protein Fragments, p6 protein, p6 protein fragment, or functional derivatives thereof which interfere with the native Vpr/Vpx incorporation into HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions. The present invention also relates to treatment of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections based on the proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Vpr protein, a Vpx protein or fragments thereof which permit the development of chimeric molecules that can be specifically targeted into the mature HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions to affect their structural organization and/or functional integrity, thereby resulting in gene therapy for HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. The present invention also relates to Vpr/Vpx protein fragments, p6 protein, p6 protein fragment, or functional derivatives thereof which interfere with the native Vpr/Vpx incorporation into HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions. The present invention also relates to treatment of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections based on the proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward chimeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2) proteins that are capable of being incorporated into the virion when expressed in trans. These chimeric proteins consist of a first portion comprising an HIV-1 or HIV-2 Vpr/Vpx virion incorporation domain which includes the predicted N-terminal alpha helix. This domain is capable of interacting with the p6 domain of the Pr55.sup.gag. The second portion of the chimera comprises a sequence containing RNase activity, protease activity, or a domain capable of inhibiting virion morphogenesis and assembly. The disclosed invention provides a chimera that affects the structural organization or functional integrity of the mature virion by enzymatic disturbance or steric hindrance of the virion.