Abstract: The invention concerns a recombinant adenylcyclase, comprising at least a polypeptide sequence including one or several cleavage site of at least a molecule with site-specific proteolytic activity, said polypeptide sequence being inserted in the catalytic domain of an adenylcyclase while preserving its enzymatic activity. The invention also concerns methods for screening molecules with proteolytic activity using said recombinant adenylcyclase.

Abstract: A signal amplification system comprises a bacterial multi-hybrid system, and more preferably a two-hybrid system, of at least two chimeric polypeptides containing a first chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a first fragment of an enzyme and a second chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a second fragment of an enzyme or a modulating substance capable of activating said enzyme. The first fragment is fused to a molecule of interest and the second fragment or the modulating substance is fused to a target ligand. The activity of the enzyme is restored by the in vivo interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand. Signal amplification is generated and, for example, triggers transcriptional activation. The signal amplification system is useful in a method of selecting a molecule of interest, which is capable of binding to target ligand, wherein the interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand is detected with the signal amplification system as a kit therefor.

Abstract: Two bacterial strains deficient in endogenous adenylate cyclase activity are provided. The strains, designated BTH101 and DHM1, are useful in a signal amplification system comprising a bacterial multi-hybrid system, and more preferably a two-hybrid system, of at least two chimeric polypeptides containing a first chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a first fragment of an enzyme and a second chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a second fragment of an enzyme or a modulating substance capable of activating said enzyme as described in published PCT application WO 99/28746. The signal amplification system is useful in a method of selecting a molecule of interest, which is capable of binding to target ligand, wherein the interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand is detected with the signal amplification system, and the kit therefor, as described in WO 99/28746.

Abstract: A signal amplification system comprises a bacterial multi-hybrid system, and more preferably a two-hybrid system, of at least two chimeric polypeptides containing a first chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a first fragment of an enzyme and a second chimeric polypeptide corresponding to a second fragment of an enzyme or a modulating substance capable of activating said enzyme. The first fragment is fused to a molecule of interest and the second fragment or the modulating substance is fused to a target ligand. The activity of the enzyme is restored by the in vivo interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand. Signal amplification is generated and, for example, triggers transcriptional activation. The signal amplification system is useful in a method of selecting a molecule of interest, which is capable of binding to target ligand, wherein the interaction between the molecule of interest and the target ligand is detected with the signal amplification system as a kit therefor.

Abstract: A test kit for the identification of various bacterial species groupings comprises a DNA probe which can identify palindromic units specific to particular bacterial species or species groupings. Such probes are highly specific for particular species or species subgroups. Accordingly, specific identification of bacteria may be achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recombinant plasmid comprising the cyaC and the cyaA genes of Bordetella which directs the expression of Bordetella adenylate cyclase in a transformed host cell. This invention also relates to a recombinat DNA molecule comprising the Bordetella cyaA gene containing at least one insertion of a heterologous DNA sequence at at least one permissive site. This invention further relates to recombinant Bordetella adenylate cyclase comprising a heterologous epitope at a permissive site as well as methods of inducing a specific B cell, helper T cell, and CTL cell immune response.

Abstract: A test kit for the identification of various bacterial species groupings comprises a DNA probe which can identify palindromic units specific to particular bacterial species or species groupings. Such probes are highly specific for particular species or species subgroups. Accordingly, specific identification of bacteria may be achieved.

Abstract: Fragments of nucleic acids derived from an appropriate mycobacteria genome, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, their applications in the diagnosis of mycobacteria infections, as well as plasmides containing said fragments. The nucleotidic sequence is comprised of a nucleotidic sequence repeated in the genome of a mycobacterium and specific of the bacillus of tuberculosis and is characterized by a strong hybridation with M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: A recombinant plasmid comprises the cyaC and the cyaA genes of Bordetella which directs the expression of Bordetella, adenylate cyclase in a transformed host cell. A recombinant DNA molecule can comprise the Bordetella cyaA gene containing at least one insertion of a heterologous DNA sequence at at least one permissive site. In addition, a recombinant Bordetella adenylate cyclase comprises a heterologous epitope at a permissive site. Methods of inducing a specific B cell, helper T cell, and CTL cell immune response are provided.

Abstract: A recombinant plasmid comprises the cyaC and the cyaA genes of Bordetella which directs the expression of Bordetella, adenylate cyclase in a transformed host cell. A recombinant DNA molecule can comprise the Bordetella cyaA gene containing at least one insertion of a heterologous DNA sequence at at least one permissive site. In addition, a recombinant Bordetella adenylate cyclase comprises a heterologous epitope at a permissive site. Methods of inducing a specific B cell, helper T cell, and CTL cell immune response are provided.

Abstract: A test kit for the identification of various bacterial species groupings comprises a DNA probe which can identify palindromic units specific to particular bacterial species or species groupings. Such probes are highly specific for particular species or species subgroups. Accordingly, specific identification of bacteria may be achieved.

Abstract: The adenyl cyclase derivatives are atoxic derivatives in which one or several amino acids are different from those present in the toxic protein, the antibodies formed against these derivatives recognize, however, the toxic protein. These derivatives can be used as vaccines.