HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION OF NEISSERIAL PROTEINS

- NOVARTIS AG

Alternative and improved approaches to the heterologous expression of the proteins of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are disclosed. These approaches typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localization, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 13/340,549, filed Dec. 29, 2011, which is a Divisional of Ser. No. 12/825,210, filed Jun. 28, 2010, which is a Divisional of Ser. No. 10/220,481, filed Aug. 13, 2003, which is the National Phase of PCT Application PCT/IB01/00452, filed Feb. 28, 2001, which claims the benefit of GB Application 0027675.8, filed Nov. 13, 2000, and GB Application 0004695.3, filed Feb. 28, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of protein expression. In particular, it relates to the heterologous expression of proteins from Neisseria (e.g. N. gonorrhoeae or, preferably, N. meningitidis).

SUBMISSION OF SEQUENCE LISTING ON ASCII TEXT FILE

The content of the following submission on ASCII text file is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: a computer readable form (CRF) of the Sequence Listing (file name: 223002099801SeqList.txt, date recorded: Apr. 3, 2014, size: 503 KB).

BACKGROUND

International patent applications WO99/24578, WO99/36544, WO99/57280 and WO00/22430 disclose proteins from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These proteins are typically described as being expressed in E. coli (i.e. heterologous expression) as either N-terminal GST-fusions or C-terminal His-tag fusions, although other expression systems, including expression in native Neisseria, are also disclosed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide alternative and improved approaches for the heterologous expression of these proteins. These approaches will typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localisation of expression, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.

DISCLOSURE Nomenclature Herein

The 2166 protein sequences disclosed in WO99/24578, WO99/36544 and WO99/57280 are referred to herein by the following SEQ# numbers:

Application Protein sequences SEQ# herein WO99/24578 Even SEQ IDs 2-892 SEQ#s 1-446 WO99/36544 Even SEQ IDs 2-90 SEQ#s 447-491 WO99/57280 Even SEQ IDs 2-3020 SEQ#s 492-2001 Even SEQ IDs 3040-3114 SEQ#s 2002-2039 SEQ IDs 3115-3241 SEQ#s 2040-2166

In addition to this SEQ# numbering, the naming conventions used in WO99/24578, WO99/36544 and WO99/57280 are also used (e.g. ‘ORF4’, ‘ORF40’, ‘ORF40-1’ etc. as used in WO99/24578 and WO99/36544; ‘m919’, ‘g919’ and ‘a919’ etc. as used in WO99/57280).

The 2160 proteins NMB0001 to NMB2160 from Tettelin et al. [Science (2000) 287:1809-1815] are referred to herein as SEQ#s 2167-4326 [see also WO00/66791].

The term ‘protein of the invention’ as used herein refers to a protein comprising:

    • (a) one of sequences SEQ#s 1-4326; or
    • (b) a sequence having sequence identity to one of SEQ#s 1-4326; or
    • (c) a fragment of one of SEQ#s 1-4326.

The degree of ‘sequence identity’ referred to in (b) is preferably greater than 50% (eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more). This includes mutants and allelic variants [e.g. see WO00/66741]. Identity is preferably determined by the Smith-Waterman homology search algorithm as implemented in the MPSRCH program (Oxford Molecular), using an affine gap search with parameters gap open penalty=12 and gap extension penalty=1. Typically, 50% identity or more between two proteins is considered to be an indication of functional equivalence.

The ‘fragment’ referred to in (c) should comprise at least n consecutive amino acids from one of SEQ#s 1-4326 and, depending on the particular sequence, n is 7 or more (eg. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more). Preferably the fragment comprises an epitope from one of SEQ#s 1-4326. Preferred fragments are those disclosed in WO00/71574 and WO01/04316.

Preferred proteins of the invention are found in N. meningitidis serogroup B.

Preferred proteins for use according to the invention are those of serogroup B N. meningitidis strain 2996 or strain 394/98 (a New Zealand strain). Unless otherwise stated, proteins mentioned herein are from N. meningitidis strain 2996. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not in general limited by strain. References to a particular protein (e.g. ‘287’, ‘919’ etc.) may be taken to include that protein from any strain.

Non-Fusion Expression

In a first approach to heterologous expression, no fusion partner is used, and the native leader peptide (if present) is used. This will typically prevent any ‘interference’ from fusion partners and may alter cellular localisation and/or post-translational modification and/or folding in the heterologous host.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) no fusion partner is used, and (b) the protein's native leader peptide (if present) is used.

The method will typically involve the step of preparing an vector for expressing a protein of the invention, such that the first expressed amino acid is the first amino acid (methionine) of said protein, and last expressed amino acid is the last amino acid of said protein (i.e. the codon preceding the native STOP codon).

This approach is preferably used for the expression of the following proteins using the native leader peptide: 111, 149, 206, 225-1, 235, 247-1, 274, 283, 286, 292, 401, 406, 502-1, 503, 519-1, 525-1, 552, 556, 557, 570, 576-1, 580, 583, 664, 759, 907, 913, 920-1, 936-1, 953, 961, 983, 989, Orf4, Orf7-1, Orf9-1, Orf23, Orf25, Orf37, Orf38, Orf40, Orf40.1, Orf40.2, Orf72-1, Orf76-1, Orf85-2, Orf91, Orf97-1, Orf119, Orf143.1, NMB0109 and NMB2050. The suffix ‘L’ used herein in the name of a protein indicates expression in this manner using the native leader peptide.

Proteins which are preferably expressed using this approach using no fusion partner and which have no native leader peptide include: 008, 105, 117-1, 121-1, 122-1, 128-1, 148, 216, 243, 308, 593, 652, 726, 926, 982, Orf83-1 and Orf143-1.

Advantageously, it is used for the expression of ORF25 or ORF40, resulting in a protein which induces better anti-bactericidal antibodies than GST- or His-fusions.

This approach is particularly suited for expressing lipoproteins.

Leader-Peptide Substitution

In a second approach to heterologous expression, the native leader peptide of a protein of the invention is replaced by that of a different protein. In addition, it is preferred that no fusion partner is used. Whilst using a protein's own leader peptide in heterologous hosts can often localise the protein to its ‘natural’ cellular location, in some cases the leader sequence is not efficiently recognised by the heterologous host. In such cases, a leader peptide known to drive protein targeting efficiently can be used instead.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) the protein's leader peptide is replaced by the leader peptide from a different protein and, optionally, (b) no fusion partner is used.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; manipulating said nucleic acid to remove nucleotides that encode the protein's leader peptide and to introduce nucleotides that encode a different protein's leader peptide. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector. The expressed protein will consist of the replacement leader peptide at the N-terminus, followed by the protein of the invention minus its leader peptide.

The leader peptide is preferably from another protein of the invention (e.g. one of SEQ#s 1-4326), but may also be from an E. coli protein (e.g. the OmpA leader peptide) or an Erwinia carotovora protein (e.g. the PelB leader peptide), for instance.

A particularly useful replacement leader peptide is that of ORF4. This leader is able to direct lipidation in E. coli, improving cellular localisation, and is particularly useful for the expression of proteins 287, 919 and ΔG287. The leader peptide and N-terminal domains of 961 are also particularly useful.

Another useful replacement leader peptide is that of E. coli OmpA. This leader is able to direct membrane localisation of E. coli. It is particularly advantageous for the expression of ORF1, resulting in a protein which induces better anti-bactericidal antibodies than both fusions and protein expressed from its own leader peptide.

Another useful replacement leader peptide is MKKYLFSAA. This can direct secretion into culture medium, and is extremely short and active. The use of this leader peptide is not restricted to the expression of Neisserial proteins—it may be used to direct the expression of any protein (particularly bacterial proteins).

Leader-Peptide Deletion

In a third approach to heterologous expression, the native leader peptide of a protein of the invention is deleted. In addition, it is preferred that no fusion partner is used

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) the protein's leader peptide is deleted and, optionally, (b) no fusion partner is used.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; manipulating said nucleic acid to remove nucleotides that encode the protein's leader peptide. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector. The first amino acid of the expressed protein will be that of the mature native protein.

This method can increase the levels of expression. For protein 919, for example, expression levels in E. coli are much higher when the leader peptide is deleted. Increased expression may be due to altered localisation in the absence of the leader peptide.

The method is preferably used for the expression of 919, ORF46, 961, 050-1, 760 and 287.

Domain-Based Expression

In a fourth approach to heterologous expression, the protein is expressed as domains. This may be used in association with fusion systems (e.g. GST or His-tag fusions).

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) at least one domain in the protein is deleted and, optionally, (b) no fusion partner is used.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; manipulating said nucleic acid to remove at least one domain from within the protein. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector. Where no fusion partners are used, the first amino acid of the expressed protein will be that of a domain of the protein.

A protein is typically divided into notional domains by aligning it with known sequences in databases and then determining regions of the protein which show different alignment patterns from each other.

The method is preferably used for the expression of protein 287. This protein can be notionally split into three domains, referred to as A B & C (see FIG. 5). Domain B aligns strongly with IgA proteases, domain C aligns strongly with transferrin-binding proteins, and domain A shows no strong alignment with database sequences. An alignment of polymorphic forms of 287 is disclosed in WO00/66741.

Once a protein has been divided into domains, these can be (a) expressed singly (b) deleted from with the protein e.g. protein ABCD→ABD, ACD, BCD etc. or (c) rearranged e.g. protein ABC→ACB, CAB etc. These three strategies can be combined with fusion partners is desired.

ORF46 has also been notionally split into two domains—a first domain (amino acids 1-433) which is well-conserved between species and serogroups, and a second domain (amino acids 433-608) which is not well-conserved. The second domain is preferably deleted. An alignment of polymorphic forms of ORF46 is disclosed in WO00/66741.

Protein 564 has also been split into domains (FIG. 8), as have protein 961 (FIG. 12) and protein 502 (amino acids 28-167 of the MC58 protein).

Hybrid Proteins

In a fifth approach to heterologous expression, two or more (e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6 or more) proteins of the invention are expressed as a single hybrid protein. It is preferred that no non-Neisserial fusion partner (e.g. GST or poly-His) is used.

This offers two advantages. Firstly, a protein that may be unstable or poorly expressed on its own can be assisted by adding a suitable hybrid partner that overcomes the problem. Secondly, commercial manufacture is simplified—only one expression and purification need be employed in order to produce two separately-useful proteins.

Thus the invention provides a method for the simultaneous heterologous expression of two or more proteins of the invention, in which said two or more proteins of the invention are fused (i.e. they are translated as a single polypeptide chain).

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining a first nucleic acid encoding a first protein of the invention; obtaining a second nucleic acid encoding a second protein of the invention; ligating the first and second nucleic acids. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector.

Preferably, the constituent proteins in a hybrid protein according to the invention will be from the same strain.

The fused proteins in the hybrid may be joined directly, or may be joined via a linker peptide e.g. via a poly-glycine linker (i.e. Gn where n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) or via a short peptide sequence which facilitates cloning. It is evidently preferred not to join a AG protein to the C-terminus of a poly-glycine linker.

The fused proteins may lack native leader peptides or may include the leader peptide sequence of the N-terminal fusion partner.

The method is well suited to the expression of proteins orf1, orf4, orf25, orf40, Orf46/46.1, orf83, 233, 287, 292L, 564, 687, 741, 907, 919, 953, 961 and 983.

The 42 hybrids indicated by ‘X’ in the following table of form NH2-A-B-COOH are preferred:

B A ORF46.1 287 741 919 953 961 983 ORF46.1 X X X X X X 287 X X X X X X 741 X X X X X X 919 X X X X X X 953 X X X X X X 961 X X X X X X 983 X X X X X X

Preferred proteins to be expressed as hybrids are thus ORF46.1, 287, 741, 919, 953, 961 and 983. These may be used in their essentially full-length form, or poly-glycine deletions (AG) forms may be used (e.g. AG-287, ΔGTbp2, ΔG741, ΔG983 etc.), or truncated forms may be used (e.g. Δ1-287, Δ2-287 etc.), or domain-deleted versions may be used (e.g. 287B, 287C, 287BC, ORF461-433, ORF46433-608, ORF46, 961c etc.).

Particularly preferred are: (a) a hybrid protein comprising 919 and 287; (b) a hybrid protein comprising 953 and 287; (c) a hybrid protein comprising 287 and ORF46.1; (d) a hybrid protein comprising ORF1 and ORF46.1; (e) a hybrid protein comprising 919 and ORF46.1; (f) a hybrid protein comprising ORF46.1 and 919; (g) a hybrid protein comprising ORF46.1, 287 and 919; (h) a hybrid protein comprising 919 and 519; and (1) a hybrid protein comprising ORF97 and 225. Further embodiments are shown in FIG. 14.

Where 287 is used, it is preferably at the C-terminal end of a hybrid; if it is to be used at the N-terminus, if is preferred to use a ΔG form of 287 is used (e.g. as the N-terminus of a hybrid with ORF46.1, 919, 953 or 961).

Where 287 is used, this is preferably from strain 2996 or from strain 394/98.

Where 961 is used, this is preferably at the N-terminus. Domain forms of 961 may be used.

Alignments of polymorphic forms of ORF46, 287, 919 and 953 are disclosed in WO00/66741. Any of these polymorphs can be used according to the present invention.

Temperature

In a sixth approach to heterologous expression, proteins of the invention are expressed at a low temperature.

Expressed Neisserial proteins (e.g. 919) may be toxic to E. coli, which can be avoided by expressing the toxic protein at a temperature at which its toxic activity is not manifested.

Thus the present invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which expression of a protein of the invention is carried out at a temperature at which a toxic activity of the protein is not manifested.

A preferred temperature is around 30° C. This is particularly suited to the expression of 919.

Mutations

As discussed above, expressed Neisserial proteins may be toxic to E. coli. This toxicity can be avoided by mutating the protein to reduce or eliminate the toxic activity. In particular, mutations to reduce or eliminate toxic enzymatic activity can be used, preferably using site-directed mutagenesis.

In a seventh approach to heterologous expression, therefore, an expressed protein is mutated to reduce or eliminate toxic activity.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which protein is mutated to reduce or eliminate toxic activity.

The method is preferably used for the expression of protein 907, 919 or 922. A preferred mutation in 907 is at Glu-117 (e.g. Glu→Gly); preferred mutations in 919 are at Glu-255 (e.g. Glu→Gly) and/or Glu-323 (e.g. Glu→Gly); preferred mutations in 922 are at Glu-164 (e.g. Glu→Gly), Ser-213 (e.g. Ser→Gly) and/or Asn-348 (e.g. Asn→Gly).

Alternative Vectors

In a eighth approach to heterologous expression, an alternative vector used to express the protein. This may be to improve expression yields, for instance, or to utilise plasmids that are already approved for GMP use.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which an alternative vector is used. The alternative vector is preferably pSM214, with no fusion partners. Leader peptides may or may not be included.

This approach is particularly useful for protein 953. Expression and localisation of 953 with its native leader peptide expressed from pSM214 is much better than from the pET vector.

pSM214 may also be used with: ΔG287, Δ2-287, Δ3-287, Δ4-287, Orf46.1, 961L, 961, 961(MC58), 961c, 961c-L, 919, 953 and ΔG287-Orf46.1.

Another suitable vector is pET-24b (Novagen; uses kanamycin resistance), again using no fusion partners. pET-24b is preferred for use with: ΔG287K, Δ2-287K, Δ3-287K, Δ4-287K, Orf46.1-K, Orf46A-K, 961-K (MC58), 961a-K, 961b-K, 961c-K, 961c-L-K, 961d-K, ΔG287-919-K, ΔG287-Orf46.1-K and ΔG287-961-K.

Multimeric Form

In a ninth approach to heterologous expression, a protein is expressed or purified such that it adopts a particular multimeric form.

This approach is particularly suited to protein 953. Purification of one particular multimeric form of 953 (the monomeric form) gives a protein with greater bactericidal activity than other forms (the dimeric form).

Proteins 287 and 919 may be purified in dimeric form.

Protein 961 may be purified in a 180 kDa oligomeric form (e.g. a tetramer).

Lipidation

In a tenth approach to heterologous expression, a protein is expressed as a lipidated protein.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which the protein is expressed as a lipidated protein.

This is particularly useful for the expression of 919, 287, ORF4, 406, 576-1, and ORF25. Polymorphic forms of 919, 287 and ORF4 are disclosed in WO00/66741.

The method will typically involve the use of an appropriate leader peptide without using an N-terminal fusion partner.

C-Terminal Deletions

In an eleventh approach to heterologous expression, the C-terminus of a protein of the invention is mutated. In addition, it is preferred that no fusion partner is used.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) the protein's C-terminus region is mutated and, optionally, (b) no fusion partner is used.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; manipulating said nucleic acid to mutate nucleotides that encode the protein's C-terminus portion. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector. The first amino acid of the expressed protein will be that of the mature native protein.

The mutation may be a substitution, insertion or, preferably, a deletion.

This method can increase the levels of expression, particularly for proteins 730, ORF29 and ORF46. For protein 730, a C-terminus region of around 65 to around 214 amino acids may be deleted; for ORF46, the C-terminus region of around 175 amino acids may be deleted; for ORF29, the C-terminus may be deleted to leave around 230-370 N-terminal amino acids.

Leader Peptide Mutation

In a twelfth approach to heterologous expression, the leader peptide of the protein is mutated. This is particularly useful for the expression of protein 919.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which the protein's leader peptide is mutated.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; and manipulating said nucleic acid to mutate nucleotides within the leader peptide. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector.

Poly-Glycine Deletion

In a thirteenth approach to heterologous expression, poly-glycine stretches in wild-type sequences are mutated. This enhances protein expression.

The poly-glycine stretch has the sequence (Gly)n, where n≧4 (e.g. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more). This stretch is mutated to disrupt or remove the (Gly). This may be by deletion (e.g. CGGGGS→CGGGS, CGGS, CGS or CS), by substitution (e.g. CGGGGS→CGXGGS, CGXXGS, CGXGXS etc.), and/or by insertion (e.g. CGGGGS→CGGXGGS, CGXGGGS, etc.).

This approach is not restricted to Neisserial proteins—it may be used for any protein (particularly bacterial proteins) to enhance heterologous expression. For Neisserial proteins, however, it is particularly suitable for expressing 287, 741, 983 and Tbp2. An alignment of polymorphic forms of 287 is disclosed in WO00/66741.

Thus the invention provides a method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) a poly-glycine stretch within the protein is mutated.

The method will typically involve the steps of: obtaining nucleic acid encoding a protein of the invention; and manipulating said nucleic acid to mutate nucleotides that encode a poly-glycine stretch within the protein sequence. The resulting nucleic acid may be inserted into an expression vector, or may already be part of an expression vector.

Conversely, the opposite approach (i.e. introduction of poly-glycine stretches) can be used to suppress or diminish expression of a given heterologous protein.

Heterologous Host

Whilst expression of the proteins of the invention may take place in the native host (i.e. the organism in which the protein is expressed in nature), the present invention utilises a heterologous host. The heterologous host may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. It is preferably E. coli, but other suitable hosts include Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Salmonenna typhimurium, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria lactamica, Neisseria cinerea, Mycobateria (e.g. M. tuberculosis), yeast etc.

Vectors Etc.

As well as the methods described above, the invention provides (a) nucleic acid and vectors useful in these methods (b) host cells containing said vectors (c) proteins expressed or expressable by the methods (d) compositions comprising these proteins, which may be suitable as vaccines, for instance, or as diagnostic reagents, or as immunogenic compositions (e) these compositions for use as medicaments (e.g. as vaccines) or as diagnostic reagents (f) the use of these compositions in the manufacture of (1) a medicament for treating or preventing infection due to Neisserial bacteria (2) a diagnostic reagent for detecting the presence of Neisserial bacteria or of antibodies raised against Neisserial bacteria, and/or (3) a reagent which can raise antibodies against Neisserial bacteria and (g) a method of treating a patient, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of these compositions.

Sequences

The invention also provides a protein or a nucleic acid having any of the sequences set out in the following examples. It also provides proteins and nucleic acid having sequence identity to these. As described above, the degree of ‘sequence identity’ is preferably greater than 50% (eg. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or more).

Furthermore, the invention provides nucleic acid which can hybridise to the nucleic acid disclosed in the examples, preferably under “high stringency” conditions (eg. 65° C. in a 0.1×SSC, 0.5% SDS solution).

The invention also provides nucleic acid encoding proteins according to the invention.

It should also be appreciated that the invention provides nucleic acid comprising sequences complementary to those described above (eg. for antisense or probing purposes).

Nucleic acid according to the invention can, of course, be prepared in many ways (eg. by chemical synthesis, from genomic or cDNA libraries, from the organism itself etc.) and can take various forms (eg. single stranded, double stranded, vectors, probes etc.).

In addition, the term “nucleic acid” includes DNA and RNA, and also their analogues, such as those containing modified backbones, and also peptide nucleic acids (PNA) etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show constructs used to express proteins using heterologous leader peptides.

FIG. 3 shows expression data for ORF1, and

FIG. 4 shows similar data for protein 961.

FIG. 5 shows domains of protein 287, and

FIGS. 6 & 7 show deletions within domain A.

FIG. 8 shows domains of protein 564.

FIG. 9 shows the PhoC reporter gene driven by the 919 leader peptide, and

FIG. 10 shows the results obtained using mutants of the leader peptide.

FIG. 11 shows insertion mutants of protein 730 (A: 730-C1; B: 730-C2).

FIG. 12 shows domains of protein 961.

FIG. 13 shows SDS-PAGE of ΔG proteins. Dots show the main recombinant product.

FIG. 14 shows 26 hybrid proteins according to the invention.

 MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Example 1-919 and its Leader Peptide

Protein 919 from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain 2996) has the following sequence:

1 MKKYLFRAAL YGIAAAILAA CQSKSIQTFP QPDTSVINGP DRPVGIPDPA 51 GTTVGGGGAV YTVVPHLSLP HWAAQDFAKS LQSFRLGCAN LKNRQGWQDV 101 CAQAFQTPVH SFQAKQFFER YFTPWQVAGN GSLAGTVTGY YEPVLKGDDR 151 RTAQARFPIY GIPDDFISVP LPAGLRSGKA LVRIRQTGRN SGTIDNTGGT 201 HTADLSRFPI TARTTAIKGR FEGSRFLPYR TRNQINGGAL DGKAPILGYA 251 EDPVELFFMH IQGSGRLKTP SGKYIRIGYA DKNEHPYVSI GRYMADKGYL 301 KLGQTSMQGI KAYMRQNPQR LAEVLGQNPS YIFFRELAGS SNDGPVGALG 351 TPLMGEYAGA VDRHYITLGA PLFVATAHPV TRKALNRLIM AQDTGSAIKG 401 AVRVDYFWGY GDEAGELAGK QKTTGYVWQL LPNGMKPEYR P*

The leader peptide is underlined.

The sequences of 919 from other strains can be found in FIGS. 7 and 18 of WO00/66741.

Example 2 of WO99/57280 discloses the expression of protein 919 as a His-fusion in E. coli. The protein is a good surface-exposed immunogen.

Three alternative expression strategies were used for 919:

    • 1) 919 without its leader peptide (and without the mature N-terminal cysteine) and without any fusion partner (‘919untagged’):

1  QSKSIQTFP QPDTSVINGP DRPVGIPDPA GTTVGGGGAV YTVVPHLSLP 50 HWAAQDFAKS LQSFRLGCAN LKNRQGWQDV CAQAFQTPVH SFQAKQFFER 100 YFTPWQVAGN GSLAGTVTGY YEPVLKGDDR RTAQARFPIY GIPDDFISVP 150 LPAGLRSGKA LVRIRQTGKN SGTIDNTGGT HTADLSRFPI TARTTAIKGR 200 FEGSRFLPYH TRNQINGGAL DGKAPILGYA EDPVELFFMH IQGSGRLKTP 250 SGKYIRIGYA DKNEHPYVSI GRYMADKGYL KLGQTSMQGI KAYMRQNPQR 300 LAEVLGQNPS YIFFRELAGS SNDGPVGALG TPLMGEYAGA VDRHYITLGA 350 PLFVATAHPV TRKALNRLIM AQDTGSAIKG AVRVDYFWGY GDEAGELAGK 400 QKTTGYVWQL LPNGMKPEYR P*
      • The leader peptide and cysteine were omitted by designing the 5′-end amplification primer downstream from the predicted leader sequence.
    • 2) 919 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘919L’); and
    • 3) 919 with the leader peptide (MKTFFKTLSAAALALILAA) from ORF4 (‘919LOrf4’).

1  MKTFFKTLS AAALALILAA CQSKSIQTFP QPDTSVINGP DRPVGIPDPA 50 GTTVGGGGAV YTVVPHLSLP HWAAQDFAKS LQSFRLGCAN LKNRQGWQDV 100 CAQAFQTPVH SFQAKQFFER YFTPWQVAGN GSLAGTVTGY YEPVLKGDDR 150 RTAQARFPIY GIPDDFISVP LPAGLRSGKA LVRIRQTGKN SGTIDNTGGT 200 HTADLSRFPI TARTTAIKGR FEGSRFLPYH TRNQINGGAL DGKAPILGYA 250 EDPVELFFMH IQGSGRLKTP SGKYIRIGYA DKNEHPYVSI GRYMADKGYL 300 KLGQTSMQGI KSYMRQNPQR LAEVLGQNPS YIFFRELAGS SNDGPVGALG 350 TPLMGEYAGA VDRHYITLGA PLFVATAHPV TRKALNRLIM AQDTGSAIKG 400 AVRVDYFWGY GDEAGELAGK QKTTGYVWQL LPNGMKPEYR P*
      • To make this construct, the entire sequence encoding the ORF4 leader peptide was included in the 5′-primer as a tail (primer 919Lorf4 For). A NheI restriction site was generated by a double nucleotide change in the sequence coding for the ORF4 leader (no amino acid changes), to allow different genes to be fused to the ORF4 leader peptide sequence. A stop codon was included in all the 3′-end primer sequences.

All three forms of the protein were expressed and could be purified.

The ‘919L’ and ‘919LOrf4’ expression products were both lipidated, as shown by the incorporation of [3H]-palmitate label. 919untagged did not incorporate the 3H label and was located intracellularly.

919LOrf4 could be purified more easily than 919L. It was purified and used to immunise mice. The resulting sera gave excellent results in FACS and ELISA tests, and also in the bactericidal assay. The lipoprotein was shown to be localised in the outer membrane.

919untagged gave excellent ELISA titres and high serum bactericidal activity. FACS confirmed its cell surface location.

Example 2-919 and Expression Temperature

Growth of E. coli expressing the 919LOrf4 protein at 37° C. resulted in lysis of the bacteria. In order to overcome this problem, the recombinant bacteria were grown at 30° C. Lysis was prevented without preventing expression.

Example 3 Mutation of 907, 919 and 922

It was hypothesised that proteins 907, 919 and 922 are murein hydrolases, and more particularly lytic transglycosylases. Murein hydrolases are located on the outer membrane and participate in the degradation of peptidoglycan.

The purified proteins 919tagged, 919Lorf4, 919-His (i.e. with a C-terminus His-tag) and 922-His were thus tested for murein hydrolase activity [Ursinus & Holtje (1994) J. Bact. 176:338-343]. Two different assays were used, one determining the degradation of insoluble murein sacculus into soluble muropeptides and the other measuring breakdown of poly(MurNAc-GlcNAc)n>30 glycan strands.

The first assay uses murein sacculi radiolabelled with meso-2,6-diamino-3,4,5-[3H]pimelic acid as substrate. Enzyme (3-10 μg total) was incubated for 45 minutes at 37° C. in a total volume of 100 μl comprising 10 mM Tris-maleate (pH 5.5), 10 mM MgCl2, 0.2% v/v Triton X-100 and [3H]A2 pm labelled murein sacculi (about 10000 cpm). The assay mixture was placed on ice for 15 minutes with 100 μl of 1% w/v N-acetyl-N,N,N-trimethylanunonium for 15 minutes and precipitated material pelleted by centrifugation at 10000 g for 15 minutes. The radioactivity in the supernatant was measured by liquid scintillation counting. E. coli soluble lytic transglycosylase Slt70 was used as a positive control for the assay; the negative control comprised the above assay solution without enzyme.

All proteins except 919-His gave positive results in the first assay.

The second assay monitors the hydrolysis of poly(MurNAc-GlcNAc)glycan strands. Purified strands, poly(MurNAc-GlcNAc)n>30 labelled with N-acetyl-D-1-[3H]glucosamine were incubated with 3 μg of 919L in 10 mM Tris-maleate (pH 5.5), 10 mM. MgCl2 and 0.2% v/v Triton X-100 for 30 min at 37° C. The reaction was stopped by boiling for 5 minutes and the pH of the sample adjusted to about 3.5 by addition of 10 μl of 20% v/v phosphoric acid. Substrate and product were separated by reversed phase HPLC on a Nucleosil 300 C18 column as described by Harz et. al. [Anal. Biochem. (1990) 190:120-128]. The E. coli lytic transglycosylase Mlt A was used as a positive control in the assay. The negative control was performed in the absence of enzyme.

By this assay, the ability of 919LOrf4 to hydrolyse isolated glycan strands was demonstrated when anhydrodisaccharide subunits were separated from the oligosaccharide by HPLC.

Protein 919Lorf4 was chosen for kinetic analyses. The activity of 919Lorf4 was enhanced 3.7-fold by the addition of 0.2% v/v Triton X-100 in the assay buffer. The presence of Triton X-100 had no effect on the activity of 919untagged. The effect of pH on enzyme activity was determined in Tris-Maleate buffer over a range of 5.0 to 8.0. The optimal pH for the reaction was determined to be 5.5. Over the temperature range 18° C. to 42° C., maximum activity was observed at 37° C. The effect of various ions on murein hydrolase activity, was determined by performing the reaction in the presence of a variety of ions at a final concentration of 10 mM. Maximum activity was found with Mg2+, which stimulated activity 2.1-fold. Mn2+ and Ca2+ also stimulated enzyme activity to a similar extent while the addition Ni2+ and EDTA had no significant effect. In contrast, both Fe2+ and Zn2+ significantly inhibited enzyme activity.

The structures of the reaction products resulting from the digestion of unlabelled E. coli murein sacculus were analysed by reversed-phase HPLC as described by Glauner [Anal. Biochem. (1988) 172:451-464]. Murein sacculi digested with the muramidase Cellosyl were used to calibrate and standardise the Hypersil ODS column. The major reaction products were 1,6 anhydrodisaccharide tetra and tri peptides, demonstrating the formation of 1,6 anhydromuraminic acid intramolecular bond.

These results demonstrate experimentally that 919 is a murein hydrolase and in particular a member of the lytic transglycosylase family of enzymes. Furthermore the ability of 922-His to hydrolyse murein sacculi suggests this protein is also a lytic transglycosylase.

This activity may help to explain the toxic effects of 919 when expressed in E. coli.

In order to eliminate the enzymatic activity, rational mutagenesis was used. 907, 919 and 922 show fairly low homology to three membrane-bound lipidated murein lytic transglycosylases from E. coli:

    • 919 (441aa) is 27.3% identical over 440aa overlap to E. coli MLTA (P46885);
    • 922 (369aa) is 38.7% identical over 310aa overlap to E. coli MLTB (P41052); and
    • 907-2 (207aa) is 26.8% identical over 149aa overlap to E. coli MLTC (P52066).

907-2 also shares homology with E. coli MLTD (P23931) and Slt70 (P03810), a soluble lytic transglycosylase that is located in the periplasmic space. No significant sequence homology can be detected among 919, 922 and 907-2, and the same is true among the corresponding MLTA, MLTB and MLTC proteins.

Crystal structures are available for Slt70 [1QTEA; 1QTEB; Thunnissen et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34:12729-12737] and for Slt35 [1LTM; 1QUS; 1QUT; van Asselt et al. (1999) Structure Fold Des 7:1167-80] which is a soluble form of the 40 kDa MLTB.

The catalytic residue (a glutamic acid) has been identified for both Slt70 and MLTB.

In the case of Slt70, mutagenesis studies have demonstrated that even a conservative substitution of the catalytic Glu505 with a glutamine (Gln) causes the complete loss of enzymatic activity. Although Slt35 has no obvious sequence similarity to Slt70, their catalytic domains shows a surprising similarity. The corresponding catalytic residue in MLTB is Glu162.

Another residue which is believed to play an important role in the correct folding of the enzymatic cleft, is a well-conserved glycine (Gly) downstream of the glutamic acid. Recently, Terrak et al. [Mol. Microbiol. (1999) 34:350-64] have suggested the presence of another important residue which is an aromatic amino acid located around 70-75 residues downstream of the catalytic glutamic acid.

Sequence alignment of Slt70 with 907-2 and of MLTB with 922 were performed in order to identify the corresponding catalytic residues in the MenB antigens.

The two alignments in the region of the catalytic domain are reported below:

From these alignments, it results that the corresponding catalytic glutamate in 907-2 is Glu117, whereas in 922 is Glu164. Both antigens also share downstream glycines that could have a structural role in the folding of the enzymatic cleft (in bold), and 922 has a conserved aromatic residue around 70aa downstream (in bold).

In the case of protein 919, no 3D structure is available for its E. coli homologue MLTA, and nothing is known about a possible catalytic residue. Nevertheless, three amino acids in 919 are predicted as catalytic residues by alignment with MLTA:

The three possible catalytic residues are shown by the symbol ▾:

  • 1) Glu255 (Asp in MLTA), followed by three conserved glycines (Gly263, Gly265 and Gly272) and three conserved aromatic residues located approximately 75-77 residues downstream. These downstream residues are shown by □.
  • 2) Glu323 (conserved in MLTA), followed by 2 conserved glycines (Gly347 and Gly355) and two conserved aromatic residues located 84-85 residues downstream (Tyr406 or Phe407). These downstream residues are shown by ⋄.
  • 3) Asp362 (instead of the expected Glu), followed by one glycine (Gly369) and a conserved aromatic residue (Trp428). These downstream residues are shown by ∘.

Alignments of polymorphic forms of 919 are disclosed in WO00/66741.

Based on the prediction of catalytic residues, three mutants of the 919 and one mutant of 907, containing each a single amino acid substitution, have been generated. The glutamic acids in position 255 and 323 and the aspartic acids in position 362 of the 919 protein and the glutamic acid in position 117 of the 907 protein, were replaced with glycine residues using PCR-based SDM. To do this, internal primers containing a codon change from Glu or Asp to Gly were designed:

Codon Primers Sequences change 919-E255 for CGAAGACCCCGTCGgtCTTTTTTTTATG GAA → Ggt 919-E255 rev GTGCATAAAAAAAAGacCGACGGGGTCT 919-E323 for AACGCCTCGCCGgtGTTTTGGGTCA GAA → Ggt 919-E323 rev TTTGACCCAAAACacCGGCGAGGCG 919-D362 for TGCCGGCGCAGTCGgtCGGCACTACA GAC → Ggt 919-D362 rev TAATGTAGTGCCGacCGACTGCGCCG 907-E117 for TGATTGAGGTGGgtAGCGCGTTCCG GAA → Ggt 907-E117 rev GGCGGAACGCGCTacCCACCTCAAT
    • Underlined nucleotides code for glycine; the mutated nucleotides are in lower case.

To generate the 919-E255, 919-E323 and 919-E362 mutants, PCR was performed using 20 ng of the pET 919-LOrf4 DNA as template, and the following primer pairs:

    • 1) Orf4L for/919-E255 rev
    • 2) 919-E255 for/919L rev
    • 3) Orf4L for/919-E323 rev
    • 4) 919-E323 for/919L rev
    • 5) Orf4L for/919-D362 rev
    • 6) 919-D362 for/919L rev

The second round of PCR was performed using the product of PCR 1-2, 3-4 or 5-6 as template, and as forward and reverse primers the “Orf4L for” and “919L rev” respectively.

For the mutant 907-E117, PCR have been performed using 200 ng of chromosomal DNA of the 2996 strain as template and the following primer pairs:

    • 7) 907L for/907-E117 rev
    • 8) 907-E117 for/907L rev

The second round of PCR was performed using the products of PCR 7 and 8 as templates and the oligos “907L for” and “907L rev” as primers.

The PCR fragments containing each mutation were processed following the standard procedure, digested with NdeI and XhoI restriction enzymes and cloned into pET-21b+ vector. The presence of each mutation was confirmed by sequence analysis.

Mutation of Glu117 to Gly in 907 is carried out similarly, as is mutation of residues Glu164, Ser213 and Asn348 in 922.

The E255G mutant of 919 shows a 50% reduction in activity; the E323G mutant shows a 70% reduction in activity; the E362G mutant shows no reduction in activity.

Example 4 Multimeric Form

287-GST, 919untagged and 953-His were subjected to gel filtration for analysis of quaternary structure or preparative purposes. The molecular weight of the native proteins was estimated using either FPLC Superose 12 (H/R 10/30) or Superdex 75 gel filtration columns (Pharmacia). The buffers used for chromatography for 287, 919 and 953 were 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 20 mM Bicine (pH 8.5) and 50 mM Bicine (pH 8.0), respectively.

Additionally each buffer contained 150-200 mM NaCl and 10% v/v glycerol. Proteins were dialysed against the appropriate buffer and applied in a volume of 2004 Gel filtration was performed with a flow rate of 0.5-2.0 ml/min and the eluate monitored at 280 nm. Fractions were collected and analysed by SDS-PAGE. Blue dextran 2000 and the molecular weight standards ribonuclease A, chymotrypsin A ovalbumin, albumin (Pharmacia) were used to calibrate the column. The molecular weight of the sample was estimated from a calibration curve of Kav vs. log Mr of the standards. Before gel filtration, 287-GST was digested with thrombin to cleave the GST moiety.

The estimated molecular weights for 287, 919 and 953-His were 73 kDa, 47 kDa and 43 kDa respectively. These results suggest 919 is monomeric while both 287 and 953 are principally dimeric in their nature. In the case of 953-His, two peaks were observed during gel filtration. The major peak (80%) represented a dimeric conformation of 953 while the minor peak (20%) had the expected size of a monomer. The monomeric form of 953 was found to have greater bactericidal activity than the dimer.

Example 5 pSM214 and pET-24b Vectors

953 protein with its native leader peptide and no fusion partners was expressed from the pET vector and also from pSM214 [Velati Bellini et al. (1991) J. Biotechnol. 18, 177-192].

The 953 sequence was cloned as a full-length gene into pSM214 using the E. coli MM4294-1 strain as a host. To do this, the entire DNA sequence of the 953 gene (from ATG to the STOP codon) was amplified by PCR using the following primers:

953L for/2 CCGGAATTCTTATGAAAAAAATCATC Eco RI TTCGCCGC 953L rev/2 GCCCAAGCTTTTATTGTTTGGCTGCC Hind III TCGATT

which contain EcoRI and HindIII restriction sites, respectively. The amplified fragment was digested with EcoRI and HindIII and ligated with the pSM214 vector digested with the same two enzymes. The ligated plasmid was transformed into E. coli MM294-1 cells (by incubation in ice for 65 minutes at 37° C.) and bacterial cells plated on LB agar containing 20 μg/ml of chloramphenicol.

Recombinant colonies were grown over-night at 37° C. in 4 ml of LB broth containing 20 μg/ml of chloramphenicol; bacterial cells were centrifuged and plasmid DNA extracted as and analysed by restriction with EcoRI and HindIII. To analyse the ability of the recombinant colonies to express the protein, they were inoculated in LB broth containing 20 μg/ml of chloramphenicol and let to grown for 16 hours at 37° C. Bacterial cells were centrifuged and resuspended in PBS. Expression of the protein was analysed by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie Blue staining.

Expression levels were unexpectedly high from the pSM214 plasmid.

Oligos used to clone sequences into pSM-214 vectors were as follows:

ΔG287 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) TCGCCCGATGTTAAATCGGCGGA Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCG Δ2 287 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) AGCCAAGATATGGCGGCAGT Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCG Δ3 287 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) TCCGCCGAATCCGCAAATCA Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCG Δ4 287 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) GGAAGGGTTGATTTGGCTAATG Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCG Orf46.1 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTCTT Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGCTTC ΔG287- Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI OrF46.1 TCGCCCGATGTTAAATCGGCGGA (pSM-214) Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGCTTC 919 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) CAAAGCAAGAGCATCCAAACCT Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTACGGGCGGTATTCGGGCT 961L Fwd CCGGAATTCATATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) AAACACTTTCCATCC Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC 961 Fwd CCGGAATTCATATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) GCCACAAGCGACGAC Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC 961c L Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI pSM-214 AAACACTTTCCATCC Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG 961c Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI pSM-214 GCCACAAACGACGACG Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TCAACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG 953 Fwd CCGGAATTCTTATG- EcoRI (pSM-214) GCCACCTACAAAGTGGACGA Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII TTATTGTTTGGCTGCCTCGATT

These sequences were manipulated, cloned and expressed as described for 953L.

For the pET-24 vector, sequences were cloned and the proteins expressed in pET-24 as described below for pET21. pET2 has the same sequence as pET-21, but with the kanamycin resistance cassette instead of ampicillin cassette.

Oligonucleotides used to clone sequences into pET-24b vector were:

ΔG 287 K Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC § Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC * Δ2 287 K Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI CAAGATATGGCGGCAGT § Δ3 287 K Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI GCCGAATCCGCAAATCA § Δ4 287 K Fwd CGCGCTAGC- NheI GGAAGGGTTGATTTGGCTAATGG § Orf46.1 K Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG- NdeI GGCATTTCCCGCAAAATATC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGC Orf46A K Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG- NdeI GGCATTTCCCGCAAAATATC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTATTCTATGCCTTGTGCGGCAT 961 K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI (MC58) GCCACAAGCGACGACGA Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC 961a K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI GCCACAAACGACG Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TCATTTAGCAATATTATCTTTGTTC 961b K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI AAAGCAAACAGTGCCGAC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC 961c K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI GCCACAAACGACG Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTAACCCACGTTGTAAGGT 961cL K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI ATGAAACACTTTCCATCC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTAACCCACGTTGTAAGGT 961d K Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI GCCACAAACGACG Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TCAGTCTGACACTGTTTTATCC ΔG 287- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI 919 K CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACGGGCGGTATTCGG ΔG 287- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI Orf46.1 K CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGC ΔG 287- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI 961 K CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC * This primer was used as a Reverse primer for all the 287 forms. § Forward primers used in combination with the ΔG278 K reverse primer.

Example 6 ORF1 and its Leader Peptide

ORF1 from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain MC58) is predicted to be an outer membrane or secreted protein. It has the following sequence:

1 MKTTDKRTTE THRKAPKTGR IRFSPAYLAI CLSFGILPQA WAGHTYFGIN 51 YQYYRDFAEN KGKFAVGAKD IEVYNKKGEL VGKSMTKAPM IDFSVVSRNG 101 VAALVGDQYI VSVAHNGGYN NVDFGAEGRN PDQHRFTYKI VKRNNYKAGT 151 KGHPYGGDYH MPRLHKFVTD AEPVEMTSYM DGRKYIDQNN YPDRVRIGAG 201 RQYWRSDEDE PNNRESSYHI ASAYSWLVGG NTFAQNGSGG GTVNLGSEKI 251 KHSPYGFLPT GGSFGDSGSP MFIYDAQKQK WLINGVLQTG NPYIGKSNGF 301 QLVRKDWFYD EIFAGDTHSV FYEPRQNGKY SFNDDNNGTG KINAKHEHNS 351 LPNRLKTRTV QLFNVSLSET AREPVYHAAG GVNSYRPRLN NGENISFIDE 401 GKGELILTSN INQGAGGLYF QGDFTVSPEN NETWQGAGVH ISEDSTVTWK 451 VNGVANDRLS KIGKGTLHVQ AKGENQGSIS VGDGTVILDQ QADDKGKKQA 501 FSEIGLVSGR GTVQLNADNQ FNPDKLYFGF RGGRLDLNGH SLSFHRIQNT 551 DEGAMIVNHN QDKESTVTIT GNKDIATTGN NNSLDSKKEI AYNGWFGEKD 601 TTKTNGRLNL VYQPAAEDRT LLLSGGTNLN GNITQTNGKL FFSGRPTPHA 651 YNHLNDHWSQ KEGIPRGEIV WDNDWINRTF KAENFQIKGG QAVVSRNVAK 701 VKGDWHLSNH AQAVFGVAPH QSHTICTRSD WTGLTNCVEK TITDDKVIAS 751 LTKTDISGNV DLADHAHLNL TGLATLNGNL SANGDTRYTV SHNATQNGNL 801 SLVGNAQATF NQATLNGNTS ASGNASFNLS DHAVQNGSLT LSGNAKANVS 851 HSALNGNVSL ADKAVFHFES SRFTGQISGG KDTALHLKDS EWTLPSGTEL 901 GNLNLDNATI TLNSAYRHDA AGAQTGSATD APRRRSRRSR RSLLSVTPPT 951 SVESRFNTLT VNGKLNGQGT FREMSELFGY RSDKLKLAES SEGTYTLAVN 1001 NTGNEPASLE QLTVVEGKDN KPLSENLNFT LQNEHVDAGA WRYQLIRKDG 1051 EFRLHNPVKE QELSDKLGKA EAKKQAEKDN AQSLDALIAA GRDAVEKTES 1101 VAEPARQAGG ENVGIMQAEE EKKRVQADKD TALAKQREAE TRPATTAFPR 1151 ARRARRDLPQ LQPQPQPQPQ RDLISRYANS GLSEFSATLN SVFAVQDELD 1201 RVFAEDRRNA VWTSGIRDTK HYRSQDFRAY RQQTDLRQIG MQKNLGSGRV 1251 GILFSHNRTE NTFDDGIGNS ARLAHGAVFG QYGIDRFYIG ISAGAGFSSG 1301 SLSDGIGGKI RRRVLHYGIQ ARYRAGFGGF GIEPHIGATR YFVQKADYRY 1351 ENVNIATPGL AFNRYRAGIK ADYSFKPAQH ISITPYLSLS YTDAASGKVR 1401 TRVNTAVLAQ DFGKTRSAEW GVNAEIKGFT LSLHAAAAKG PQLEAQHSAG 1451 IKLGYRW*

The leader peptide is underlined.

A polymorphic form of ORF1 is disclosed in WO99/55873.

Three expression strategies have been used for ORF1:

    • 1) ORF1 using a His tag, following WO99/24578 (ORF1-His);
    • 2) ORF1 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘ORF1L’); and
    • 3) ORF1 with the leader peptide (MKKTAIAIAVALAGFATVAQA) from E. coli OmpA (‘Orf1LOmpA’):

MKKTAIAIAVALAGFATVAQAASAGHTYFGINYQYYRDFAENKGKFAVGAKDIEVYNKKGELVGKSMTKAPMIDFSV VSRNGVAALVGDQYIVSVAHNGGYNNVDFGAEGRNPDQHRFTYKIVKRNNYKAGTKGHPYGGDYHMPRLHKFVTDAE PVEMTSYMDGRKYIDQNNYPDRVRIGAGRQYWRSDEDEPNNRESSYHIASAYSWLVGGNTFAQNGSGGGTVNLGSEK IKHSPYGFLPTGGSFGDSGSPMFIYDAQKQKWLINGVLQTGNPYIGKSNGFQLVRKDWFYDEIFAGDTHSVFYEPRQ NGKYSFNDDNNGTGKINAKHEHNSLPNRLKTRTVQLFNVSLSETAREPVYHAAGGVNSYRPRLNNGENISFIDEGKG ELILTSNINQGAGGLYFQGDFTVSPENNETWQGAGVHISEDSTVTWKVNGVANDRLSKIGKGTLHVQAKGENQGSIS VGDGTVILDQQADDKGKKQAFSEIGLVSGRGTVQLNADNQFNPDKLYFGFRGGRLDLNGHSLSFHRIQNTDEGAMIV NHNQDKESTVTITGNKDIATTGNNNSLDSKKEIAYNGWFGEKDTTKTNGRLNLVYQPAAEDRTLLLSGGTNLNGNIT QTNGKLFFSGRPTPHAYNHLNDHWSQKEGIPRGEIVWDNDWINRTFKAENFQIKGGQAVVSRNVAKVKGDWHLSNHA QAVFGVAPHQSHTICTRSDWTGLTNCVEKTITDDKVIASLTKTDISGNVDLADHAHLNLTGLATLNGNLSANGDTRY TVSHNATQNGNLSLVGNAQATFNQATLNGNTSASGNASFNLSDHAVQNGSLTLSGNAKANVSHSALNGNVSLADKAV FHFESSRFTGQISGGKDTALHLKDSEWTLPSGTELGNLNLDNATITLNSAYRHDAAGAQTGSATDAPRRRSRRSRRS LLSVTPPTSVESRFNTLTVNGKLNGQGTFRFMSELFGYRSDKLKLAESSEGTYTLAVNNTGNEPASLEQLTVVEGKD NKPLSENLNFTLQNEHVDAGAWRYQLIRKDGEFRLHNPVKEQELSDKLGKAEAKKQAEKDNAQSLDALIAAGRDAVE KTESVAEPARQAGGENVGIMQAEEEKKRVQADKDTALAKQREAETRPATTAFPRARRARRDLPQLQPQPQPQPQRDL ISRYANSGLSEFSATLNSVFAVQDELDRVFAEDRRNAVWTSGIRDTKHYRSQDFRAYRQQTDLRQIGMQKNLGSGRV GILFSHNRTENTFDDGIGNSARLAHGAVFGQYGIDRFYIGISAGAGFSSGSLSDGIGGKIRRRVLHYGIQARYRAGF GGFGIEPHIGATRYFVQKADYRYENVNIATPGLAFNRYRAGIKADYSFKPAQHISITPYLSLSYTDAASGKVRTRVN TAVLAQDFGKTRSAEWGVNAEIKGFTLSLHAAAAKGPQLEAQHSAGIKLGYRW*
      • To make this construct, the clone pET911LOmpA (see below) was digested with the NheI and XhoI restriction enzymes and the fragment corresponding to the vector carrying the OmpA leader sequence was purified (pETLOmpA). The ORF1 gene coding for the mature protein was amplified using the oligonucleotides ORF1-For and ORF1-Rev (including the NheI and XhoI restriction sites, respectively), digested with NheI and XhoI and ligated to the purified pETOmpA fragment (see FIG. 1). An additional AS dipeptide was introduced by the NheI site.

All three forms of the protein were expressed. The His-tagged protein could be purified and was confirmed as surface exposed, and possibly secreted (see FIG. 3). The protein was used to immunise mice, and the resulting sera gave excellent results in the bactericidal assay.

ORF1LOmpA was purified as total membranes, and was localised in both the inner and outer membranes. Unexpectedly, sera raised against ORF1LOmpA show even better ELISA and anti-bactericidal properties than those raised against the His-tagged protein.

ORF1L was purified as outer membranes, where it is localised.

Example 7 Protein 911 and its Leader Peptide

Protein 911 from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain MC58) has the following sequence:

  1 MKKNILEFWV GLFVLIGAAA VAFLAFRVAG QAAFGGSDKT YAVYADFGDI  51 GGLKVNAPVK SAGVLVGRVG AIGLDPKSYQ ARVRLDLDGK YQFSSDVSAQ 101 ILTSGLLGEQ YIGLQQGGDT ENLAAGDTIS VTSSAMVLEN LIGKFMTSFA 151 EKNADGGNAE KAAE*

The leader peptide is underlined.

Three expression strategies have been used for 911:

    • 1) 911 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘911L’);
    • 2) 911 with the leader peptide from E. coli OmpA (‘911LOmpA’).
      • To make this construct, the entire sequence encoding the OmpA leader peptide was included in the 5′-primer as a tail (primer 911LOmpA Forward). A NheI restriction site was inserted between the sequence coding for the OmpA leader peptide and the 911 gene encoding the predicted mature protein (insertion of one amino acid, a serine), to allow the use of this construct to clone different genes downstream the OmpA leader peptide sequence.
    • 3) 911 with the leader peptide (MKYLLPTAAAGLLLAAQPAMA) from Erwinia carotovora PelB (‘911LpelB’).
      • To make this construct, the 5′-end PCR primer was designed downstream from the leader sequence and included the NcoI restriction site in order to have the 911 fused directly to the PelB leader sequence; the 3′-end primer included the STOP codon. The expression vector used was pET22b+(Novagen), which carries the coding sequence for the PelB leader peptide. The NcoI site introduces an additional methionine after the PelB sequence.

All three forms of the protein were expressed. ELISA titres were highest using 911L, with 919LOmpA also giving good results.

Example 8 ORF46

The complete ORF46 protein from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain 2996) has the following sequence:

  1 LGISRKISLI LSILAVCLPM HAHASDLAND SFIRQVLDRQ HFEPDGKYHL  51 FGSRGELAER SGHIGLGKIQ SHQLGNLMIQ QAAIKGNIGY IVRFSDHGHE 101 VHSPFDNHAS HSDSDEAGSP VDGFSLYRIH WDGYEHHPAD GYDGPQGGGY 151 PAPKGARDIY SYDIKGVAQN IRLNLTDNRS TGQRLADRFH NAGSMLTQGV 201 GDGFKRATRY SPELDRSGNA AEAFNGTADI VKNIIGAAGE IVGAGDAVQG 251 ISEGSNIAVM HGLGLLSTEN KMARINDLAD MAQLKDYAAA AIRDWAVQNP 301 NAAQGIEAVS NIFMAAIPIK GIGAVRGKYG LGGITAHPIK RSQMGAIALP 351 KGKSAVSDNF ADAAYAKYPS PYHSRNIRSN LEQRYGKENI TSSTVPPSNG 401 KNVKLADQRH PKTGVPFDGK GFPNFEKHVK YDTKLDIQEL SGGGIPKAKP 451 VSDAKPRWEV DRKLNKLTTR EQVEKNVQEI RNGNKNSNFS QHAQLEREIN 501 KLKSADEINF ADGMGKFTDS MNDKAFSRLV KSVKENGFTN PVVEYVEING 551 KAYIVRGNNR VFAAEYLGRI HELKFKKVDF PVPNTSWKNP TDVLNESGNV 601 KRPRYRSK*

The leader peptide is underlined.

The sequences of ORF46 from other strains can be found in WO00/66741.

Three expression strategies have been used for ORF46:

    • 1) ORF46 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘ORF46-2L’);
    • 2) ORF46 without its leader peptide and without any fusion partner (‘ORF46-2’), with the leader peptide omitted by designing the 5′-end amplification primer downstream from the predicted leader sequence:

  1 SDLANDSFIR QVLDRQHFEP DGKYHLFGSR GELAERSGHI GLGKIQSHQL  51 GNLMIQQAAI KGNIGYIVRF SDHGHEVHSP FDNHASHSDS DEAGSPVDGF 101 SLYRIHWDGY EHHPADGYDG PQGGGYPAPK GARDIYSYDI KGVAQNIRLN 151 LTDNRSTGQR LADRFHNAGS MLTQGVGDGF KRATRYSPEL DRSGNAAEAF 201 NGTADIVKNI IGAAGEIVGA GDAVQGISEG SNIAVMHGLG LLSTENKMAR 251 INDLADMAQL KDYAAAAIRD WAVQNPNAAQ GIEAVSNIFM AAIPIKGIGA 301 VRGKYGLGGI TAHPIKRSQM GAIALPKGKS AVSDNFADAA YAKYPSPYHS 351 RNIRSNLEQR YGKENITSST VPPSNGKNVK LADQRHPKTG VPFDGKGFPN 401 FEKHVKYDTK LDIQELSGGG IPKAKPVSDA KPRWEVDRKL NKLTTREQVE 451 KNVQEIRNGN KNSNFSQHAQ LEREINKLKS ADEINFADGM GKFTDSMNDK 501 AFSRLVKSVK ENGFTNPVVE YVEINGKAYI VRGNNRVFAA EYLGRIHELK 551 FKKVDFPVPN TSWKNPTDVL NESGNVKRPR YRSK*
    • 3) ORF46 as a truncated protein, consisting of the first 433 amino acids (‘ORF46.1L’), constructed by designing PCR primers to amplify a partial sequence corresponding to as 1-433.
      • A STOP codon was included in the 3′-end primer sequences.

ORF46-2L is expressed at a very low level to E. colii. Removal of its leader peptide (ORF46-2) does not solve this problem. The truncated ORF46.1L form (first 423 amino acids, which are well conserved between serogroups and species), however, is well-expressed and gives excellent results in ELISA test and in the bactericidal assay.

ORF46.1 has also been used as the basis of hybrid proteins. It has been fused with 287, 919, and ORF1. The hybrid proteins were generally insoluble, but gave some good ELISA and bactericidal results (against the homologous 2996 strain):

Protein ELISA Bactericidal Ab Orf1-Orf46.1-His 850 256 919-Orf46.1-His 12900 512 919-287-Orf46-His n.d. n.d. Orf46.1-287His 150 8192 Orf46.1-919His 2800 2048 Orf46.1-287-919His 3200 16384

For comparison, ‘triple’ hybrids of ORF46.1, 287 (either as a GST fusion, or in ΔG287 form) and 919 were constructed and tested against various strains (including the homologous 2996 strain) versus a simple mixture of the three antigens. FCA was used as adjuvant

2996 BZ232 MC58 NGH38 F6124 BZ133 Mixture 8192 256 512 1024 >2048 >2048 ORF46.1-287- 16384 256 4096 8192 8192 8192 919his ΔG287-919- 8192 64 4096 8192 8192 16384 ORF46.1his ΔG287-ORF46.1- 4096 128 256 8192 512 1024 919his

Again, the hybrids show equivalent or superior immunological activity.

Hybrids of two proteins (strain 2996) were compared to the individual proteins against various heterologous strains:

1000 MC58 F6124 (MenA) OR46.1-His <4 4096 <4 ORF1-His 8 256 128 ORF1-ORF46.1-His 1024 512 1024

Again, the hybrid shows equivalent or superior immunological activity.

Example 9 Protein 961

The complete 961 protein from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain MC58) has the following sequence:

  1 MSMKHFPAKV LTTAILATFC SGALAATSDD DVKKAATVAI VAAYNNGQEI  51 NGFKAGETIY DIGEDGTITQ KDATAADVEA DDFKGLGLKK VVTNLTKTVN 101 ENKQNVDAKV KAAESEIEKL TTKLADTDAA LADTDAALDE TTNALNKLGE 151 NITTFAEETK TNIVKIDEKL EAVADTVDKH AEAFNDIADS LDETNTKADE 201 AVKTANEAKQ TAEETKQNVD AKVKAAETAA GKAEAAAGTA NTAADKAEAV 251 AAKVTDIKAD IATNKADIAK NSARIDSLDK NVANLRKETR QGLAEQAALS 301 GLFQPYNVGR FNVTAAVGGY KSESAVAIGT GFRFTENFAA KAGVAVGTSS 351 GSSANYHVGV NYEW*

The leader peptide is underlined.

Three approaches to 961 expression were used:

    • 1) 961 using a GST fusion, following WO99/57280 (‘GST961’);
    • 2) 961 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘961L’); and
    • 3) 961 without its leader peptide and without any fusion partner (‘961ungtagged’), with the leader peptide omitted by designing the 5′-end PCR primer downstream from the predicted leader sequence.

All three forms of the protein were expressed. The GST-fusion protein could be purified and antibodies against it confirmed that 961 is surface exposed (FIG. 4). The protein was used to immunise mice, and the resulting sera gave excellent results in the bactericidal assay. 961L could also be purified and gave very high ELISA titres.

Protein 961 appears to be phase variable. Furthermore, it is not found in all strains of N. meningitidis.

Example 10 Protein 287

Protein 287 from N. meningitidis (serogroup B, strain 2996) has the following sequence:

  1 MFERSVIAMA CIFALSACGG GGGGSPDVKS ADTLSKPAAP VVAEKETEVK  51 EDAPQAGSQG QGAPSTQGSQ DMAAVSAENT GNGGAATTDK PKNEDEGPQN 101 DMPQNSAESA NQTGNNQPAD SSDSAPASNP APANGGSNFG RVDLANGVLI 151 DGPSQNITLT HCKGDSCNGD NLLDEEAPSK SEFENLNESE RIEKYKKDGK 201 SDKFTNLVAT AVQANGTNKY VIIYKDRSAS SSSARFRRSA RSRRSLPAEM 251 PLIPVNQADT LIVDGEAVSL TGHSGNIFAP EGNYRYLTYG AEKLPGGSYA 301 LRVQGEPAKG EMLAGTAVYN GEVLHFHTEN GRPYPTRGRF AAKVDFGSKS 351 VDGIIDSGDD LHMGTQKFKA AIDGNGFKGT WTENGGGDVS GRFYGPAGEE 401 VAGKYSYRPT DAEKGGFGVF AGKKEQD*

The leader peptide is shown underlined.

The sequences of 287 from other strains can be found in FIGS. 5 and 15 of WO00/66741.

Example 9 of WO99/57280 discloses the expression of 287 as a GST-fusion in E. coli.

A number of further approaches to expressing 287 in E. coli have been used, including:

    • 1) 287 as a His-tagged fusion (‘287-His’);
    • 2) 287 with its own leader peptide but without any fusion partner (‘287L’);
    • 3) 287 with the ORF4 leader peptide and without any fusion partner (‘287LOrf4’); and
    • 4) 287 without its leader peptide and without any fusion partner (‘287untagged’):

  1 CGGGGGGSPD VKSADTLSKP AAPVVAEKET EVKEDAPQAG SQGQGAPSTQ  51 GSQDMAAVSA ENTGNGGAAT TDKPRNEDEG PQNDMPQNSA ESANQTGNNQ 101 PADSSDSAPA SNPAPANGGS NFGRVDLANG VLIDGPSQNI TLTHCKGDSC 151 NGDNLLDEEA PSKSEFENLN ESERIEKYKK DGKSDKFTNL VATAVQANGT 201 NKYVIIYKDK SASSSSARFR RSARSRRSLP AEMPLIPVNQ ADTLIVDGEA 251 VSLTGHSGNI FAPEGNYRYL TYGAEKLPGG SYALRVQGEP AKGEMLAGTA 301 VYNGEVLHFH TENGRPYPTR GRFAAKVDFG SKSVDGIIDS GDDLHMGTQK 351 FKAAIDGNGF KGTWTENGGG DVSGRFYGPA GEEVAGKYSY RPTDAEKGGF 401 GVFAGKKEQD *

All these proteins could be expressed and purified.

‘287L’ and ‘287LOrf4’ were confirmed as lipoproteins.

As shown in FIG. 2, ‘287LOrf4’ was constructed by digesting 919LOrf4 with NheI and XhoI. The entire ORF4 leader peptide was restored by the addition of a DNA sequence coding for the missing amino acids, as a tail, in the 5′-end primer (287LOrf4 for), fused to 287 coding sequence. The 287 gene coding for the mature protein was amplified using the oligonucleotides 287LOrf4 For and Rev (including the NheI and XhoI sites, respectively), digested with NheI and XhoI and ligated to the purified pETOrf4 fragment.

Example 11 Further Non-Fusion Proteins with/without Native Leader Peptides

A similar approach was adopted for E. coli expression of further proteins from WO99/24578, WO99/36544 and WO99/57280.

The following were expressed without a fusion partner: 008, 105, 117-1, 121-1, 122-1, 128-1, 148, 216, 243, 308, 593, 652, 726, 982, and Orf143-1. Protein 117-1 was confirmed as surface-exposed by FACS and gave high ELISA titres.

The following were expressed with the native leader peptide but without a fusion partner: 111, 149, 206, 225-1, 235, 247-1, 274, 283, 286, 292, 401, 406, 502-1, 503, 519-1, 525-1, 552, 556, 557, 570, 576-1, 580, 583, 664, 759, 907, 913, 920-1, 926, 936-1, 953, 961, 983, 989, Orf4, Orf7-1, Orf9-1, Orf23, Orf25, Orf37, Orf38, Orf40, Orf40.1, Orf40.2, Orf72-1, Orf76-1, Orf85-2, Orf91, Orf97-1, Orf119, Orf143.1. These proteins are given the suffix ‘L’.

His-tagged protein 760 was expressed with and without its leader peptide. The deletion of the signal peptide greatly increased expression levels. The protein could be purified most easily using 2M urea for solubilisation.

His-tagged protein 264 was well-expressed using its own signal peptide, and the 30 kDa protein gave positive Western blot results.

All proteins were successfully expressed.

The localisation of 593, 121-1, 128-1, 593, 726, and 982 in the cytoplasm was confirmed.

The localisation of 920-1L, 953L, ORF9-1L, ORF85-2L, ORF97-1L, 570L, 580L and 664L in the periplasm was confirmed.

The localisation of ORF40L in the outer membrane, and 008 and 519-1L in the inner membrane was confirmed. ORF25L, ORF4L, 406L, 576-1L were all confirmed as being localised in the membrane.

Protein 206 was found not to be a lipoprotein.

ORF25 and ORF40 expressed with their native leader peptides but without fusion partners, and protein 593 expressed without its native leader peptide and without a fusion partner, raised good anti-bactericidal sera. Surprisingly, the forms of ORF25 and ORF40 expressed without fusion partners and using their own leader peptides (i.e. ‘ORF25L’ and ‘ORF40L’) give better results in the bactericidal assay than the fusion proteins.

Proteins 920L and 953L were subjected to N-terminal sequencing, giving HRVWVETAH and ATYKVDEYHANARFAF, respectively. This sequencing confirms that the predicted leader peptides were cleaved and, when combined with the periplasmic location, confirms that the proteins are correctly processed and localised by E. coli when expressed from their native leader peptides.

The N-terminal sequence of protein 519.1L localised in the inner membrane was MEFFIILLA, indicating that the leader sequence is not cleaved. It may therefore function as both an uncleaved leader sequence and a transmembrane anchor in a manner similar to the leader peptide of PBP1 from N. gonorrhoeae [Ropp & Nicholas (1997) J. Bact. 179:2783-2787.]. Indeed the N-terminal region exhibits strong hydrophobic character and is predicted by the Tmpred. program to be transmembrane.

Example 12 Lipoproteins

The incorporation of palmitate in recombinant lipoproteins was demonstrated by the method of Kraft et. al. [J. Bact. (1998) 180:3441-3447.]. Single colonies harbouring the plasmid of interest were grown overnight at 37° C. in 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid culture. The culture was diluted to an OD550 of 0.1 in 5.0 ml of fresh medium LB/Amp medium containing 5 μC/ml [3H]palmitate (Amersham). When the OD550 of the culture reached 0.4-0.8, recombinant lipoprotein was induced for 1 hour with IPTG (final concentration 1.0 mM). Bacteria were harvested by centrifugation in a bench top centrifuge at 2700 g for 15 min and washed twice with 1.0 ml cold PBS. Cells were resuspended in 120 μl of 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1 mM EDTA, 1.0% w/v SDS and lysed by boiling for 10 min. After centrifugation at 13000 g for 10 min the supernatant was collected and proteins precipitated by the addition of 1.2 ml cold acetone and left for 1 hour at −20° C. Protein was pelleted by centrifugation at 13000 g for 10 min and resuspended in 20-50 μl (calculated to standardise loading with respect to the final OD of the culture) of 1.0% w/v SDS. An aliquot of 15 μl was boiled with 5 μl of SDS-PAGE sample buffer and analysed by SDS-PAGE. After electrophoresis gels were fixed for 1 hour in 10% v/v acetic acid and soaked for 30 minutes in Amplify solution (Amersham). The gel was vacuum-dried under heat and exposed to Hyperfilm (Kodak) overnight −80° C.

Incorporation of the [3H]palmitate label, confirming lipidation, was found for the following proteins: Orf4L, Orf25L, 287L, 287LOrf4, 406.L, 576L, 926L, 919L and 919LOrf4.

Example 13 Domains in 287

Based on homology of different regions of 287 to proteins that belong to different functional classes, it was split into three ‘domains’, as shown in FIG. 5. The second domain shows homology to IgA proteases, and the third domain shows homology to transferrin-binding proteins.

Each of the three ‘domains’ shows a different degree of sequence conservation between N. meningitidis strains—domain C is 98% identical, domain A is 83% identical, whilst domain B is only 71% identical. Note that protein 287 in strain MC58 is 61 amino acids longer than that of strain 2996. An alignment of the two sequences is shown in FIG. 7, and alignments for various strains are disclosed in WO00/66741 (see FIGS. 5 and 15 therein).

The three domains were expressed individually as C-terminal His-tagged proteins. This was done for the MC58 and 2996 strains, using the following constructs:

    • 287a-MC58 (aa 1-202), 287b-MC58 (aa 203-288), 287c-MC58 (aa 311-488).
    • 287a-2996 (aa 1-139), 287b-2996 (aa 140-225), 287c-2996 (aa 250-427).

To make these constructs, the stop codon sequence was omitted in the 3′-end primer sequence. The 5′ primers included the NheI restriction site, and the 3′ primers included a XhoI as a tail, in order to direct the cloning of each amplified fragment into the expression vector pET21b+ using NdeI-XhoI, NheI-XhoI or NdeI-HindIII restriction sites.

All six constructs could be expressed, but 287b-MC8 required denaturation and refolding for solubilisation.

Deletion of domain A is described below (‘Δ4 287-His’).

Immunological data (serum bactericidal assay) were also obtained using the various domains from strain 2996, against the homologous and heterologous MenB strains, as well as MenA (F6124 strain) and MenC (BZ133 strain):

2996 BZ232 MC58 NGH38 394/98 MenA MenC 287-His 32000 16 4096 4096 512 8000 16000 287 (B)-His 256 — — — — 16 — 287 (C)-His 256 — 32 512 32 2048 >2048 287 (B-C)-His 64000 128 4096 64000 1024 64000 32000

Using the domains of strain MC58, the following results were obtained:

MC58 2996 BZ232 NGH38 394/98 MenA MenC 287-His 4096 32000 16 4096 512 8000 16000 287 (B)-His 128 128 — — — — 128 287 (C)-His — 16 — 1024 — 512 — 287 (B-C)-His 16000 64000 128 64000 512 64000 >8000

Example 14 Deletions in 287

As well as expressing individual domains, 287 was also expressed (as a C-terminal His-tagged protein) by making progressive deletions within the first domain. These

Four deletion mutants of protein 287 from strain 2996 were used (FIG. 6):

    • 1) ‘287-His’, consisting of amino acids 18-427 (i.e. leader peptide deleted);
    • 2) ‘Δ1 287-His’, consisting of amino acids 26-427;
    • 3) ‘Δ2 287-His’, consisting of amino acids 70-427;
    • 4) ‘Δ3 287-His’, consisting of amino acids 107-427; and
    • 5) ‘Δ4 287-His’, consisting of amino acids 140-427 (=287-bc).

The ‘Δ4’ protein was also made for strain MC58 (‘Δ4 287MC58-His’; an 203-488).

The constructs were made in the same way as 287a/b/c, as described above.

All six constructs could be expressed and protein could be purified. Expression of 287-His was, however, quite poor.

Expression was also high when the C-terminal His-tags were omitted.

Immunological data (serum bactericidal assay) were also obtained using the deletion mutants, against the homologous (2996) and heterologous MenB strains, as well as MenA (F6124 strain) and MenC (BZ133 strain):

2996 BZ232 MC58 NGH38 394/98 MenA MenC 287-his 32000 16 4096 4096 512 8000 16000 Δ1 287-His 16000 128 4096 4096 1024 8000 16000 Δ2 287-His 16000 128 4096 >2048 512 16000 >8000 Δ3 287-His 16000 128 4096 >2048 512 16000 >8000 Δ4 287-His 64000 128 4096 64000 1024 64000 32000

The same high activity for the Δ4 deletion was seen using the sequence from strain MC58.

As well as showing superior expression characteristics, therefore, the mutants are immunologically equivalent or superior.

Example 15 Poly-Glycine Deletions

The ‘Δ1 287-His’ construct of the previous example differs from 287-His and from ‘287untagged’ only by a short N-terminal deletion (GGGGGGS). Using an expression vector which replaces the deleted serine with a codon present in the Nhe cloning site, however, this amounts to a deletion only of (Gly)6. Thus, the deletion of this (Gly)6 sequence has been shown to have a dramatic effect on protein expression.

The protein lacking the N-terminal amino acids up to GGGGGG is called ‘ΔG 287’. In strain MC58, its sequence (leader peptide underlined) is:

→ ΔG287   1 MFKRSVIAMA CIFALSACGG GGGGSPDVKS ADTLSKPAAP VVSEKETEAK  51 EDAPQAGSQG QGAPSAQGSQ DMAAVSEENT GNGGAVTADN PKNEDEVAQN 101 DMPQNAAGTD SSTPNHTPDP NMLAGNMENQ ATDAGESSQP ANQPDMANAA 151 DGMQGDDPSA GGQNAGNTAA QGANQAGNNQ AAGSSDPIPA SNPAPANGGS 201 NFGRVDLANG VLIDGPSQNI TLTHCKGDSC SGNNFLDEEV QLKSEFEKLS 251 DADKISNYKK DGKNDKFVGL VADSVQMKGI NQYIIFYKPK PTSFARFRRS 301 ARSRRSLPAE MPLIPVNQAD TLIVDGEAVS LTGHSGNIFA PEGNYRYLTY 351 GAEKLPGGSY ALRVQGEPAK GEMLAGAAVY NGEVLHFHTE NGRPYPTRGR 401 FAAKVDFGSK SVDGIIDSGD DLHMGTQKFK AAIDGNGFKG TWTENGSGDV 451 SGKFYGPAGE EVAGKYSYRP TDAEKGGFGV FAGKKEQD*

ΔG287, with or without His-tag (‘ΔG287-His’ and ‘ΔG287K’, respectively), are expressed at very good levels in comparison with the ‘287-His’ or ‘287untagged’.

On the basis of gene variability data, variants of ΔG287-His were expressed in E. coli from a number of MenB strains, in particular from strains 2996, MC58, 1000, and BZ232. The results were also good.

It was hypothesised that poly-Gly deletion might be a general strategy to improve expression. Other MenB lipoproteins containing similar (Gly)n, motifs (near the N-terminus, downstream of a cysteine) were therefore identified, namely Tbp2 (NMB0460), 741 (NMB 1870) and 983 (NMB 1969):

TBP2 → ΔGTbp2    1 MNNPLVNQAA MVLPVFLLSA CLGGGGSFDL DSVDTEAPRP APKYQDVFSE   51 KPQAQKDQGG YGFAMRLKRR NWYPQAKEDE VKLDESDWEA TGLPDEPKEL  101 PKRQKSVIEK VETDSDNNIY SSPYLKPSNH QNGNTGNGIN QPKNQAKDYE  151 NFKYVYSGWF YKHAKREFNL KVEPKSAKNG DDGYIFYHGK EPSRQLPASG  201 KITYKGVWHF ATDTKKGQKF REIIQPSKSQ GDRYSGFSGD DGEEYSNKNK  251 STLTDGQEGY GFTSNLEVDF HNKKLTGKLI RNNANTDNNQ ATTTQYYSLE  301 AQVTGNRFNG KATATDKPQQ NSETKEHPFV SDSSSLSGGF FGPQGEELGF  351 RFLSDDQKVA VVGSAKTKDK PANGNTAAAS GGTDAAASNG AAGTSSENGK  401 LTTVLDAVEL KLGDKEVQKL ENFSNAAQLV VDGLMIPLLP EASESGNNQA  451 NQGTNGGTAF TRKFDHTPES DKKDAQAGTQ TNGAQTASNT AGDTNGKTKT  501 YEVEVCCSNL NYLKYGMLTR KNSKSAMQAG ESSSQADAKT EQVEQSMFLQ  551 GERTDEKEIP SEQNIVYRGS WYGYIANDKS TSWSGNASNA TSGNRAEFTV  601 NFADKKITGT LTADNRQEAT FTIDGNIKDN GFEGTAKTAE SGFDLDQSNT  651 TRTPKAYITD AKVQGGFYGP KAEELGGWFA YPGDKQTKNA TNASGNSSAT  701 VVFGAKRQQP VR*  741 → ΔG741    1 VNRTAFCCLS LTTALILTAC SSGGGGVAAD IGAGLADALT APLDHKDKGL   51 QSLTLDQSVR KNEKLKLAAQ GAEKTYGNGD SLNTGKLKND KVSRFDFIRQ  101 IEVDGQLITL ESGEFQVYKQ SHSALTAFQT EQIQDSEHSG KMVAKRQFRI  151 GDIAGEHTSF DKLPEGGRAT YRGTAFGSDD AGGKLTYTID FAAKQGNGKI  201 EHLKSPELNV DLAAADIKPD GKRHAVISGS VLYNQAEKGS YSLGIFGGKA  251 QEVAGSAEVK TVNGIRHIGL AAKQ*  983 → ΔG983    1 MRTTPTFPTK TFKPTAMALA VATTLSACLG GGGGGTSAPD FNAGGTGIGS   51 NSRATTAKSA AVSYAGIKNE MCKDRSMLCA GRDDVAVTDR DAKINAPPPN  101 LHTGDFPNPN DAYKNLINLK PAIEAGYTGR GVEVGIVDTG ESVGSISFPE  151 LYGRKEHGYN ENYKNYTAYM RKEAPEDGGG KDIEASFDDE AVIETEAKPT  201 DIRHVKEIGH IDLVSHIIGG RSVDGRPAGG IAPDATLHIM NTNDETKNEM  251 MVAAIRNAWV KLGERGVRIV NNSFGTTSRA GTADLFQIAN SEEQYRQALL  301 DYSGGDETDE GIRLMQQSDY GNLSYHIRNK NMLFIFSTGN DAQAQPNTYA  351 LLPFYEKDAQ KGIITVAGVD RSGEKFKREM YGEPGTEPLE YGSNHCGITA  401 MWCLSAPYEA SVRFTRTNPI QIAGTSFSAP IVTGTAALLL QKYPWMSNDN  451 LRTTLLTTAQ DIGAVGVDSK FGWGLLDAGK AMNGPASFPF GDFTADTKGT  501 SDIAYSFRND ISGTGGLIKK GGSQLQLHGN NTYTGKTIIE GGSLVLYGNN  551 KSDMRVETKG ALIYNGAASG GSLNSDGIVY LADTDQSGAN ETVHIKGSLQ  601 LDGKGTLYTR LGKLLKVDGT AIIGGKLYMS ARGKGAGYLN STGRRVPFLS  651 AAKIGQDYSF FTNIETDGGL LASLDSVEKT AGSEGDTLSY YVRRGNAART  701 ASAAAHSAPA GLKHAVEQGG SNLENLMVEL DASESSATPE TVETAAADRT  751 DMPGIRPYGA TFRAAAAVQH ANAADGVRIF NSLAATVYAD STAAHADMQG  801 RRLKAVSDGL DHNGTGLRVI AQTQQDGGTW EQGGVEGKMR GSTQTVGIAA  851 KTGENTTAAA TLGMGRSTWS ENSANAKTDS ISLFAGIRHD AGDIGYLKGL  901 FSYGRYKNSI SRSTGADEHA EGSVNGTLMQ LGALGGVNVP FAATGDLTVE  951 GGLRYDLLKQ DAFAEKGSAL GWSGNSLTEG TLVGLAGLKL SQPLSDKAVL 1001 FATAGVERDL NGRDYTVTGG FTGATAATGK TGARNMPHTR LVAGLGADVE 1051 FGNGWNGLAR YSYAGSKQYG NHSGRVGVGY RF*

Tbp2 and 741 genes were from strain MC58; 983 and 287 genes were from strain 2996. These were cloned in pET vector and expressed in E. coli without the sequence coding for their leader peptides or as “ΔG forms”, both fused to a C-terminal His-tag. In each case, the same effect was seen—expression was good in the clones carrying the deletion of the poly-glycine stretch, and poor or absent if the glycines were present in the expressed protein:

ORF Express. Purification Bact. Activity 287-His(2996) +/− + + ‘287untagged’(2996) +/− nd nd ΔG287-His(2996) + + + ΔG287K(2996) + + + ΔG287-His(MC58) + + + ΔG287-His(1000) + + + ΔG287-His(BZ232) + + + Tbp2-His(MC58) +/− nd nd ΔGTbp2-His(MC58) + + 741-His(MC58) +/− nd nd ΔG741-His(MC58) + + 983-His (2996) ΔG983-His (2996) + +

SDS-PAGE of the proteins is shown in FIG. 13.

ΔG287 and hybrids

ΔG287 proteins were made and purified for strains MC58, 1000 and BZ232. Each of these gave high ELISA titres and also serum bactericidal titres of >8192. ΔG287K, expressed from pET-24b, gave excellent titres in ELISA and the serum bactericidal assay. ΔG287-ORF46.1K may also be expressed in pET-24b.

Δ3287 was also fused directly in-frame upstream of 919, 953, 961 (sequences shown below) and ORF46.1:

ΔG287-919    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTTAA ATCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCGGCCGC   51 TCCTGTTGTT GCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGT AAAAGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCA CACAAGGCAG CCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCAGTTT CGGCAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAACAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGACCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATT  251 CCGCCGAATC CGCAAATCAA ACAGGGAACA ACCAACCCGC CGATTCTTCA  301 GATTCCGCCC CCGCGTCAAA CCCTGCACCT GCGAATGGCG GTAGCAATTT  351 TGGAAGGGTT GATTTGGCTA ATGGCGTTTT GATTGATGGG CCGTCGCAAA  401 ATATAACGTT GACCCACTGT AAAGGCGATT CTTGTAATGG TGATAATTTA  451 TTGGATGAAG AAGCACCGTC AAAATCAGAA TTTGAAAATT TAAATGAGTC  501 TGAACGAATT GAGAAATATA AGAAAGATGG GAAAAGCGAT AAATTTACTA  551 ATTTGGTTGC GACAGCAGTT CAAGCTAATG GAACTAACAA ATATGTCATC  601 ATTTATAAAG ACAAGTCCGC TTCATCTTCA TCTGCGCGAT TCAGGCGTTC  651 TGCACGGTCG AGGAGGTCGC TTCCTGCCGA GATGCCGCTA ATCCCCGTCA  701 ATCAGGCGGA TACGCTGATT GTCGATGGGG AAGCGGTCAG CCTGACGGGG  751 CATTCCGGCA ATATCTTCGC GCCCGAAGGG AATTACCGGT ATCTGACTTA  801 CGGGGCGGAA AAATTGCCCG GCGGATCGTA TGCCCTCCGT GTGCAAGGCG  851 AACCGGCAAA AGGCGAAATG CTTGCTGGCA CGGCCGTGTA CAACGGCGAA  901 GTGCTGCATT TTCATACGGA AAACGGCCGT CCGTACCCGA CTAGAGGCAG  951 GTTTGCCGCA AAAGTCGATT TCGGCAGCAA ATCTGTGGAC GGCATTATCG 1001 ACAGCGGCGA TGATTTGCAT ATGGGTACGC AAAAATTCAA AGCCGCCATC 1051 GATGGAAACG GCTTTAAGGG GACTTGGACG GAAAATGGCG GCGGGGATGT 1101 TTCCGGAAGG TTTTACGGCC CGGCCGGCGA GGAAGTGGCG GGAAAATACA 1151 GCTATCGCCC GACAGATGCG GAAAAGGGCG GATTCGGCGT GTTTGCCGGC 1201 AAAAAAGAGC AGGATGGATC CGGAGGAGGA GGATGCCAAA GCAAGAGCAT 1251 CCAAACCTTT CCGCAACCCG ACACATCCGT CATCAACGGC CCGGACCGGC 1301 CGGTCGGCAT CCCCGACCCC GCCGGAACGA CGGTCGGCGG CGGCGGGGCC 1351 GTCTATACCG TTGTACCGCA CCTGTCCCTG CCCCACTGGG CGGCGCAGGA 1401 TTTCGCCAAA AGCCTGCAAT CCTTCCGCCT CGGCTGCGCC AATTTGAAAA 1451 ACCGCCAAGG CTGGCAGGAT GTGTGCGCCC AAGCCTTTCA AACCCCCGTC 1501 CATTCCTTTC AGGCAAAACA GTTTTTTGAA CGCTATTTCA CGCCGTGGCA 1551 GGTTGCAGGC AACGGAAGCC TTGCCGGTAC GGTTACCGGC TATTACGAGC 1601 CGGTGCTGAA GGGCGACGAC AGGCGGACGG CACAAGCCCG CTTCCCGATT 1651 TACGGTATTC CCGACGATTT TATCTCCGTC CCCCTGCCTG CCGGTTTGCG 1701 GAGCGGAAAA GCCCTTGTCC GCATCAGGCA GACGGGAAAA AACAGCGGCA 1751 CAATCGACAA TACCGGCGGC ACACATACCG CCGACCTCTC CCGATTCCCC 1801 ATCACCGCGC GCACAACGGC AATCAAAGGC AGGTTTGAAG GAAGCCGCTT 1851 CCTCCCCTAC CACACGCGCA ACCAAATCAA CGGCGGCGCG CTTGACGGCA 1901 AAGCCCCGAT ACTCGGTTAC GCCGAAGACC CCGTCGAACT TTTTTTTATG 1951 CACATCCAAG GCTCGGGCCG TCTGAAAACC CCGTCCGGCA AATACATCCG 2001 CATCGGCTAT GCCGACAAAA ACGAACATCC CTACGTTTCC ATCGGACGCT 2051 ATATGGCGGA CAAAGGCTAC CTCAAGCTCG GGCAGACCTC GATGCAGGGC 2101 ATCAAAGCCT ATATGCGGCA AAATCCGCAA CGCCTCGCCG AAGTTTTGGG 2151 TCAAAACCCC AGCTATATCT TTTTCCGCGA GCTTGCCGGA AGCAGCAATG 2201 ACGGTCCCGT CGGCGCACTG GGCACGCCGT TGATGGGGGA ATATGCCGGC 2251 GCAGTCGACC GGCACTACAT TACCTTGGGC GCGCCCTTAT TTGTCGCCAC 2301 CGCCCATCCG GTTACCCGCA AAGCCCTCAA CCGCCTGATT ATGGCGCAGG 2351 ATACCGGCAG CGCGATTAAA GGCGCGGTGC GCGTGGATTA TTTTTGGGGA 2401 TACGGCGACG AAGCCGGCGA ATATGCCGGC AAACAGAAAA CCACGGGTTA 2451 CGTCTGGCAG CTCCTACCCA ACGGTATGAA GCCCGAATAC CGCCCGTAAC 2501 TCGAG    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV AEKETEVKRD APQAGSQGQG APSTQGSQDM   51 AAVSAENTGN GGAATTDKPK NEDEGPQNDM PQNSAESANQ TGNNQPADSS  101 DSAPASNPAP ANGGSNFGRV DLANGVLIDG PSQNITLTHC KGDSCNGDNL  151 LDEEAPSKSE FENLNESERI EKYKKDGKSD KFTNLVATAV QANGTNKYVI  201 IYKDKSASSS SARFRRSARS RRSLPAEMPL IPVNQADTLI VDGEAVSLTG  251 HSGNIFAPEG NYRYLTYGAE KLPGGSYALR VQGEPAKGEM LAGTAVYNGE  301 VLHFHTENGR PYPTRGRFAA KVDFGSKSVD GIIDSGDDLH MGTQKFKAAI  351 DGNGFKGTWT ENGGGDVSGR FYGPAGEEVA GKYSYRPTDA EKGGFGVFAG  401 KKEQDGSGGG GCQSKSIQTF PQPDTSVING PDRPVGIPDP AGTTVGGGGA  451 VYTVVPHLSL PHWAAQDFAK SLQSFRLGCA NLKNRQGWQD VCAQAFQTPV  501 HSFQAKQFFE RYFTPWQVAG NGSLAGTVTG YYEPVLKGDD RRTAQARFPI  551 YGIPDDFISV PLPAGLRSGK ALVRIRQTGK NSGTIDNTGG THTADLSRFP  601 ITARTTAIKG RFEGSRFLPY HTRNQINGGA LDGKAPILGY AFDPVELFFM  651 HIQGSGRLKT PSGKYIRIGY ADKNEHPYVS IGRYMADKGY LKLGQTSMQG  701 IKAYMRQNPQ RLAEVLGQNP SYIFFRELAG SSNDGPVGAL GTPLMGEYAG  751 AVDRHYITLG APLFVATAHP VTRKALNRLI MAQDTGSAIK GAVRVDYFWG  801 YGDEAGELAG KQKTTGYVWQ LLPNGMKPEY RP* ΔG287-953    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTTAA ATCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCGGCCGC   51 TCCTGTTGTT GCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGT AAAAGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCA CACAAGGCAG CCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCAGTTT CGGCAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAACAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGACCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATT  251 CCGCCGAATC CGCAAATCAA ACAGGGAACA ACCAACCCGC CGATTCTTCA  301 GATTCCGCCC CCGCGTCAAA CCCTGCACCT GCGAATGGCG GTAGCAATTT  351 TGGAAGGGTT GATTTGGCTA ATGGCGTTTT GATTGATGGG CCGTCGCAAA  401 ATATAACGTT GACCCACTGT AAAGGCGATT CTTGTAATGG TGATAATTTA  451 TTGGATGAAG AAGCACCGTC AAAATCAGAA TTTGAAAATT TAAATGAGTC  501 TGAACGAATT GAGAAATATA AGAAAGATGG GAAAAGCGAT AAATTTACTA  551 ATTTGGTTGC GACAGCAGTT CAAGCTAATG GAACTAACAA ATATGTCATC  601 ATTTATAAAG ACAAGTCCGC TTCATCTTCA TCTGCGCGAT TCAGGCGTTC  651 TGCACGGTCG AGGAGGTCGC TTCCTGCCGA GATGCCGCTA ATCCCCGTCA  701 ATCAGGCGGA TACGCTGATT GTCGATGGGG AAGCGGTCAG CCTGACGGGG  751 CATTCCGGCA ATATCTTCGC GCCCGAAGGG AATTACCGGT ATCTGACTTA  801 CGGGGCGGAA AAATTGCCCG GCGGATCGTA TGCCCTCCGT GTGCAAGGCG  851 AACCGGCAAA AGGCGAAATG CTTGCTGGCA CGGCCGTGTA CAACGGCGAA  901 GTGCTGCATT TTCATACGGA AAACGGCCGT CCGTACCCGA CTAGAGGCAG  951 GTTTGCCGCA AAAGTCGATT TCGGCAGCAA ATCTGTGGAC GGCATTATCG 1001 ACAGCGGCGA TGATTTGCAT ATGGGTACGC AAAAATTCAA AGCCGCCATC 1051 GATGGAAACG GCTTTAAGGG GACTTGGACG GAAAATGGCG GCGGGGATGT 1101 TTCCGGAAGG TTTTACGGCC CGGCCGGCGA GGAAGTGGCG GGAAAATACA 1151 GCTATCGCCC GACAGATGCG GAAAAGGGCG GATTCGGCGT GTTTGCCGGC 1201 AAAAAAGAGC AGGATGGATC CGGAGGAGGA GGAGCCACCT ACAAAGTGGA 1251 CGAATATCAC GCCAACGCCC GTTTCGCCAT CGACCATTTC AACACCAGCA 1301 CCAACGTCGG CGGTTTTTAC GGTCTGACCG GTTCCGTCGA GTTCGACCAA 1351 GCAAAACGCG ACGGTAAAAT CGACATCACC ATCCCCGTTG CCAACCTGCA 1401 AAGCGGTTCG CAACACTTTA CCGACCACCT GAAATCAGCC GGCATCTTCG 1451 ATGCCGCCCA ATATCCGGAC ATCCGCTTTG TTTCCACCAA ATTCAACTTC 1501 AACGGCAAAA AACTGGTTTC CGTTGACGGC AACCTGACCA TGCACGGCAA 1551 AACCGCCCCC GTCAAACTCA AAGCCGAAAA ATTCAACTGC TACCAAAGCC 1601 CGATGGCGAA AACCGAAGTT TGCGGCGGCG ACTTCAGCAC CACCATCGAC 1651 CGCACCAAAT GGGGCGTGGA CTACCTCGTT AACGTTGGTA TGACCAAAAG 1701 CGTCCGCATC GACATCCAAA TCGAGGCAGC CAAACAATAA CTCGAG    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV AEKETEVKED APQAGSQGQG APSTQGSQDM   51 AAVSAENTGN GGAATTDKPK NEDEGPQNDM PQNSAESANQ TGNNQPADSS  101 DSAPASNPAP ANGGSNFGRV DLANGVLIDG PSQNITLTHC KGDSCNGDNL  151 LDEEAPSKSE FENLNESERI EKYKKEGKSD KFTNLVATAV QANGTNKYVI  201 IYKDKSASSS SARFRRSARS RRSLPAEMPL IPVNQADTLI VDGEAVSLTG  251 HSGNIFAPEG NYRYLTYGAE KLPGGSYALR VQGEPAKGEM LAGTAVYNGE  301 VLHFHTENGR PYPTRGRFAA KVDFGSKSVD GIIDSGDDLH MGTQKFKAAI  351 DGNGFKGTWT ENGGGDVSGR FYGPAGEEVA GKYSYRPTDA EKGGFGVFAG  401 KKEQDGSGGG GATYKVDEYH ANARFAIDHF NTSTNVGGFY GLTGSVEFDQ  451 AKRDGKIDIT IPVANLQSGS QHFTDHLKSA DIFDAAQYPD IRFVSTKFNF  501 NGKKLVSVDG NLTMHGKTAP VKLKAEKFNC YQSPMAKTEV CGGDFSTTID  551 RTKWGVDYLV NVGMTKSVRI DIQIEAAKQ* ΔG287-961    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTTAA ATCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCGGCCGC   51 TCCTGTTGTT GCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGT AAAAGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCA CACAAGGCAG CCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCAGTTT CGGCAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAACAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGACCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATT  251 CCGCCGAATC CGCAAATCAA ACAGGGAACA ACCAACCCGC CGATTCTTCA  301 GATTCCGCCC CCGCGTCAAA CCCTGCACCT GCGAATGGCG GTAGCAATTT  351 TGGAAGGGTT GATTTGGCTA ATGGCGTTTT GATTGATGGG CCGCGTCAAA  401 ATATAACGTT GACCCACTGT AAAGGCGATT CTTGTAATGG TGATAATTTA  451 TTGGATGAAG AAGCACCGTC AAAATCAGAA TTTGAAAATT TAAATGAGTC  501 TGAACGAATT GAGAAATATA AGAAAGATGG GAAAAGCGAT AAATTTACTA  551 ATTTGGTTGC GACAGCAGTT CAAGCTAATG GAACTAACAA ATATGTCATC  601 ATTTATAAAG ACAAGTCCGC TTCATCTTCA TCTGCGCGAT TCAGGCGTTC  651 TGCACGGTCG AGGAGGTCGC TTCCTGCCGA GATGCCGCTA ATCCCCGTCA  701 ATCAGGCGGA TACGCTGATT GTCGATGGGG AAGCGGTCAG CCTGACGGGG  751 CATTCCGGCA ATATCTTCGC GCCCGAAGGG AATTACCGGT ATCTGACTTA  801 CGGGGCGGAA AAATTGCCCG GCGGATCGTA TGCCCTCCGT GTGCAAGGCG  851 AACCGGCAAA AGGCGAAATG CTTGCTGGCA CGGCCGTGTA CAACGGCGAA  901 GTGCTGCATT TTCATACGGA AAACGGCCGT CCGTACCCGA CTAGAGGCAG  951 GTTTGCCGCA AAAGTCGATT TCGGCAGCAA ATCTGTGGAC GGCATTATCG 1001 ACAGCGGCGA TGATTTGCAT ATGGGTACGC AAAAATTCAA AGCCGCCATC 1051 GATGGAAACG GCTTTAAGGG GACTTGGACG GAAAATGGCG GCGGGGATGT 1101 TTCCGGAAGG TTTTACGGCC CGGCCGGCGA GGAAGTGGCG GGAAAATACA 1151 GCTATCGCCC GACAGATGCG GAAAAGGGCG GATTCGGCGT GTTTGCCGGC 1201 AAAAAAGAGC AGGATGGATC CGGAGGAGGA GGAGCCACAA ACGACGACGA 1251 TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC 1301 AAAAATTCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA 1351 GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA 1401 CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA 1451 CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA 1501 TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT 1551 AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT 1601 TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA 1651 AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC 1701 CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG 1751 CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA 1801 ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG 1851 CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG 1901 AAGCTGTCGC TGCLAAAGTT ACCGACATCA AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC 1951 AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA 2001 AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG 2051 AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTGCCGCTG AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC 2101 GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA 2151 AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC 2201 CTTACAACGT GGGTCGGTTC AATGTAACGG CTGCAGTCGG CGGCTACAAA 2251 TCCGAATCGG CAGTCGCCAT CGGTACCGGC TTCCGCTTTA CCGAAAACTT 2301 TGCCGCCAAA GCAGGCGTGo CAGTCGGCAC TTCGTCCGGT TCTTCCGCAG 2351 CCTACCATGT CGGCGTCAAT TACGAGTGGT AACTCGAG    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV AEKETEVKED APQAGSQGQG APSTQGSQDM   51 AAVSAENTGN GGAATTDKPK NEDEGPQNDM PQNSAESANQ TGNNQPADSS  101 DSAPASNPAP ANGGSNFGRV DLANGVLIDG PSQNITLTHC KGDSCNGDNL  151 LDEEAPSKSE FENLNESERI EKYKKDGKSD KFTNLVATAV QANGTNKYVI  201 IYKDKSASSS SARFRRSARS RRSLPAEMPL IPVNQADTLI VDGEAVSLTG  251 HSGNIFAPEG NYRYLTYGAE KLPGGSYALR VQGEPAKGEM LAGTAVYNGE  301 VLHFHTENGR PYPTRGRFAA KVDFGSKSVD GIIDSGDDLH MGTQKFKAAI  351 DGNGFKGTWT ENGGGDVSGR FYGPAGEEVA GKYSYRPTDA EKGGFGVFAG  401 KREQDGSGGG GATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE  451 DGTITKKDAT AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE  501 SEIEKLTTKL ADTDAALADT DAALDAFTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV  551 KIDEKLEAVA DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE  601 TKQNVDAKVK AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN  651 KDNIAKKANS ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH  701 DTRLNGLDKT VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGRF NVTAAVGGYK  751 SESAVAIGTG FRFTENFAAK AGVAVGTSSG SSAAYHVGVN YEW*

ELISA Bactericidal ΔG287-953-His 3834 65536 ΔG287-961-His 108627 65536

The bactericidal efficacy (homologous strain) of antibodies raised against the hybrid proteins was compared with antibodies raised against simple mixtures of the component antigens (using 287-GST) for 919 and ORF46.1:

Mixture with 287 Hybrid with ΔG287 919 32000 128000 ORF46.1 128 16000

Data for bactericidal activity against heterologous MenB strains and against serotypes A and C were also obtained:

919 ORF46.1 Strain Mixture Hybrid Mixture Hybrid NGH38 1024 32000 — 16384 MC58 512 8192 — 512 BZ232 512 512 — — MenA (F6124) 512 32000 — 8192 MenC (C11) >2048 >2048 — — MenC (BZ133) >4096 64000 — 8192

The hybrid proteins with ΔG287 at the N-terminus are therefore immunologically superior to simple mixtures, with ΔG287-ORF46.1 being particularly effective, even against heterologous strains. ΔG287-ORF46.1K may be expressed in pET-24b.

The same hybrid proteins were made using New Zealand strain 394/98 rather than 2996:

ΔG287NZ-919    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTCAA GTCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCTGCCGC   51 CCCTGTTGTT TCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGC AAAGGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCG CACAAGGCGG TCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCGGTTT CGGAAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAGCAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGGGCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATG  251 CCGCCGATAC AGATAGTTTG ACACCGAATC ACACCCCGGC TTCGAATATG  301 CCGGCCGGAA ATATGGAAAA CCAAGCACCG GATGCCGGGG AATCGGAGCA  351 GCCGGCAAAC CAACCGGATA TGGCAAATAC GGCGGACGGA ATGCAGGGTG  401 ACGATCCGTC GGCAGGCGGG GAAAATGCCG GCAATACGGC TGCCCAAGGT  451 ACAAATCAAG CCGAAAACAA TCAAACCGCC GGTTCTCAAA ATCCTGCCTC  501 TTCAACCAAT CCTAGCGCCA CGAATAGCGG TGGTGATTTT GGAAGGACGA  551 ACGTGGGCAA TTCTGTTGTG ATTGACGGGC CGTCGCAAAA TATAACGTTG  601 ACCCACTGTA AAGGCGATTC TTGTAGTGGC AATAATTTCT TGGATGAAGA  651 AGTACAGCTA AAATCAGAAT TTGAAAAATT AAGTGATGCA GACAAAATAA  701 GTAATTACAA GAAAGATGGG AAGAATGACG GGAAGAATGA TAAATTTGTC  751 GGTTTGGTTG CCGATAGTGT GCAGATGAAG GGAATCAATC AATATATTAT  801 CTTTTATAAA CCTAAACCCA CTTCATTTGC GCGATTTAGG CGTTCTGCAC  851 GGTCGAGGCG GTCGCTTCCG GCCGAGATGC CGCTGATTCC CGTCAATCAG  901 GCGGATACGC TGATTGTCGA TGGGGAAGCG GTCAGCCTGA CGGGGCATTC  951 CGGCAATATC TTCGCGCCCG AAGGGAATTA CCGGTATCTG ACTTACGGGG 1001 CGGAAAAATT GCCCGGCGGA TCGTATGCCC TCCGTGTTCA AGGCGAACCT 1051 TCAAAAGGCG AAATGCTCGC GGGCACGGCA GTGTACAACG GCGAAGTGCT 1101 GCATTTTCAT ACGGAAAACG GCCGTCCGTC CCCGTCCAGA GGCAGGTTTG 1151 CCGCAAAAGT CGATTTCGGC AGCAAATCTG TGGACGGCAT TATCGACAGC 1201 GGCGATGGTT TGCATATGGG TACGCAAAAA TTCAAAGCCG CCATCGATGG 1251 AAACGGCTTT AAGGGGACTT GGACGGAAAA TGGCGGCGGG GATGTTTCCG 1301 GAAAGTTTTA CGGCCCGGCC GGCGAGGAAG TGGCGGGAAA ATACAGCTAT 1351 CGCCCAACAG ATGCGGAAAA GGGCGGATTC GGCGTGTTTG CCGGCAAAAA 1401 AGAGCAGGAT GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGATG CCAAAGCAAG AGCATCCAAA 1451 CCTTTCCGCA ACCCGACACA TCCGTCATCA ACGGCCCGGA CCGGCCGGTC 1501 GGCATCCCCG ACCCCGCCGG AACGACGGTC GGCGGCGGCG GGGCCGTCTA 1551 TACCGTTGTA CCGCACCTGT CCCTGCCCCA CTGGGCGGCG CAGGATTTCG 1601 CCAAAAGCCT GCAATCCTTC CGCCTCGGCT GCGCCAATTT GAAAAACCGC 1651 CAAGGCTGGC AGGATGTGTG CGCCCAAGCC TTTCAAACCC CCGTCCATTC 1701 CTTTCAGGCA AAACAGTTTT TTGAACGCTA TTTCACGCCG TGGCAGGTTG 1751 CAGGCAACGG AAGCCTTGCC GGTACGGTTA CCGGCTATTA CGAGCCGGTG 1801 CTGAAGGGCG ACGACAGGCG GACGGCACAA GCCCGCTTCC CGATTTACGG 1851 TATTCCCGAC GATTTTATCT CCGTCCCCCT GCCTGCCGGT TTGCGGAGCG 1901 GAAAAGCCCT TGTCCGCATC AGGCAGACGG GAAAAAACAG CGGCACAATC 1951 GACAATACCG GCGGCACACA TACCGCCGAC CTCTCCCGAT TCCCCATCAC 2001 CGCGCGCACA ACGGCAATCA AAGGCAGGTT TGAAGGAAGC CGCTTCCTCC 2051 CCTACCACAC GCGCAACCAA ATCAACGGCG GCGCGCTTGA CGGCAAAGCC 2101 CCGATACTCG GTTACGCCGA AGACCCCGTC GAACTTTTTT TTATGCACAT 2151 CCAAGGCTCG GGCCGTCTGA AAACCCCGTC CGGCAAATAC ATCCGCATCG 2201 GCTATGCCGA CAAAAACGAA CATCCCTACG TTTCCATCGG ACGCTATATG 2251 GCGGACAAAG GCTACCTCAA GCTCGGGCAG ACCTCGATGC AGGGCATCAA 2301 AGCCTATATG CGGCAAAATC CGCAACGCCT CGCCGAAGTT TTGGGTCAAA 2351 ACCCCAGCTA TATCTTTTTC CGCGAGCTTG CCGGAAGCAG CAATGACGGT 2401 CCCGTCGGCG CACTGGGCAC GCCGTTGATG GGGGAATATG CCGGCGCAGT 2451 CGACCGGCAC TACATTACCT TGGGCGCGCC CTTATTTGTC GCCACCGCCC 2501 ATCCGGTTAC CCGCAAAGCC CTCAACCGCC TGATTATGGC GCAGGATACC 2551 GGCAGCGCGA TTAAAGGCGC GGTGCGCGTG GATTATTTTT GGGGATACGG 2601 CGACGAAGCC GGCGAACTTG CCGGCAAACA GAAAACCACG GGTTACGTCT 2651 GGCAGCTCCT ACCCAACGGT ATGAAGCCCG AATACCGCCC GTAAAAGCTT    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV SEKETEAKED APQAGSQGQG APSAQGGQDM   51 AAVSEENTGN GGAAATDKPK NEDEGAQNDM PQNAADTDSL TPNHTPASNM  101 PAGNMENQAP DAGESEQPAN QPDMANTADG MQGDDPSAGG ENAGNTAAQG  151 TNQAENNQTA GSQNPASSTN PSATNSGGDF GRTNVGNSVV IDGPSQNITL  201 THCKGDSCSG NNFLDEEVQL KSEFERLSDA DKISNYKKDG KNDGKNDKFV  251 GLVADSVQMK GINQYIIFYK PKPTSFARFR RSARSRRSLP AEMPLIPVNQ  301 ADTLIVDGEA VSLTGHSGNI FAPEGNYRYL TYGAEKLPGG SYALRVQGEP  351 SKGEMLAGTA VYNGEVLHFH TENGRPSPSR GRFAAKVDFG SKSVDGIIDS  401 GDGLHMGTQK FRAAIDGNGF KGTWTENGGG DVSGKFYGPA GEEVAGKYSY  451 RPTDAEKGGF GVFAGKKEQD GSGGGGCQSK SIQTFPQPDT SVINGPDRPV  501 GIPDPAGTTV GGGGAVYTVV PHLSLPHWAA QDFAKSLQSF RLGCANLKNR  551 QGWQDVCAQA FQTPVHSFQA KQFFERYFTP WQVAGNGSLA GTVTGYYEPV  601 LKGDDRRTAQ ARFPIYGIPD DFISVPLPAG LRSGKALVRI RQTGKNSGTI  651 DNTGGTHTAD LSRFPITART TAIKGRFEGS RFLPYHTRNQ INGGALDGKA  701 PILGYAEDPV ELFFMHIQGS GRLKTPSGKY IRIGYADKNE HPYVSIGRYM  751 ADKGYLKLGQ TSMQGIKAYM RQNPQRLAEV LGQNPSYIFF RELAGSSNDG  801 PVGALGTPLM GEYAGAVDRH YITLGAPLFV ATAHPVTRKA LNRLIMAQDT  851 GSAIKGAVRV DYFWGYGDEA GELAGKQKTT GYVWQLLPNG MKPEYRP* ΔG287NZ-953    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTCAA GTCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCTGCCGC   51 CCCTGTTGTT TCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGC AAAGGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCG CACAAGGCGG TCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCGGTTT CGGAAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAGCAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGGGCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATG  251 CCGCCGATAC AGATAGTTTG ACACCGAATC ACACCCCGGC TTCGAATATG  301 CCGGCCGGAA ATATGGAAAA CCAAGCACCG GATGCCGGGG AATCGGAGCA  351 GCCGGCAAAC CAACCGGATA TGGCAAATAC GGCGGACGGA ATGCAGGGTG  401 ACGATCCGTC GGCAGGCGGG GAAAATGCCG GCAATACGGC TGCCCAAGGT  451 ACAAATCAAG CCGAAAACAA TCAAACCGCC GGTTCTCAAA ATCCTGCCTC  501 TTCAACCAAT CCTAGCGCCA CGAATAGCGG TGGTGATTTT GGAAGGACGA  551 ACGTGGGCAA TTCTGTTGTG ATTGACGGGC CGTCGCAAAA TATAACGTTG  601 ACCCACTGTA AAGGCGATTC TTGTAGTGGC AATAATTTCT TGGATGAAGA  651 AGTACAGCTA AAATCAGAAT TTGAAAAATT AAGTGATGCA GACAAAATAA  701 GTAATTACAA GAAAGATGGG AAGAATGACG GGAAGAATGA TAAATTTGTC  751 GGTTTGGTTG CCGATAGTGT GCAGATGAAG GGAATCAATC AATATATTAT  801 CTTTTATAAA CCTAAACCCA CTTCATTTGC GCGATTTAGG CGTTCTGCAC  851 GGTCGAGGCG GTCGCTTCCG GCCGAGATGC CGCTGATTCC CGTCAATCAG  901 GCGGATACGC TGATTGTCGA TGGGGAAGCG GTCAGCCTGA CGGGGCATTC  951 CGGCAATATC TTCGCGCCCG AAGGGAATTA CCGGTATCTG ACTTACGGGG 1001 CGGAAAAATT GCCCGGCGGA TCGTATGCCC TCCGTGTTCA AGGCGAACCT 1051 TCAAAAGGCG AAATGCTCGC GGGCACGGCA GTGTACAACG GCGAAGTGCT 1101 GCATTTTCAT ACGGAAAACG GCCGTCCGTC CCCGTCCAGA GGCAGGTTTG 1151 CCGCAAAAGT CGATTTCGGC AGCAAATCTG TGGACGGCAT TATCGACAGC 1201 GGCGATGGTT TGCATATGGG TACGCAAAAA TTCAAAGCCG CCATCGATGG 1251 AAACGGCTTT AAGGGGACTT GGACGGAAAA TGGCGGCGGG GATGTTTCCG 1301 GAAAGTTTTA CGGCCCGGCC GGCGAGGAAG TGGCGGGAAA ATACAGCTAT 1351 CGCCCAACAG ATGCGGAAAA GGGCGGATTC GGCGTGTTTG CCGGCAAAAA 1401 AGAGCAGGAT GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGAGC CACCTACAAA GTGGACGAAT 1451 ATCACGCCAA CGCCCGTTTC GCCATCGACC ATTTCAACAC CAGCACCAAC 1501 GTCGGCGGTT TTTACGGTCT GACCGGTTCC GTCGAGTTCG ACCAAGCAAA 1551 ACGCGACGGT AAAATCGACA TCACCATCCC CGTTGCCAAC CTGCAAAGCG 1601 GTTCGCAACA CTTTACCGAC CACCTGAAAT CAGCCGACAT CTTCGATGCC 1651 GCCCAATATC CGGACATCCG CTTTGTTTCC ACCAAATTCA ACTTCAACGG 1701 CAAAAAACTG GTTTCCGTTG ACGGCAACCT GACCATGCAC GGCAAAACCG 1751 CCCCCGTCAA ACTCAAAGCC GAAAAATTCA ACTGCTACCA AAGCCCGATG 1801 GCGAAAACCG AAGTTTGCGG CGGCGACTTC AGCACCACCA TCGACCGCAC 1851 CAAATGGGGC GTGGACTACC TCGTTAACGT TGGTATGACC AAAAGCGTCC 1901 GCATCGACAT CCAAATCGAG GCAGCCAAAC AATAAAAGCT T    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV SEKETEAKED APQAGSQGQG APSAQGGQDM   51 AAVSEENTGN GGAAATDKPK NEDEGAQNDM PQNAADTDSL TPNHTPASNM  101 PAGNMENQAP DAGESEQPAN QPDMANTADG MQGDDPSAGG ENAGNTAAQG  151 TNQAENNQTA GSQNPASSTN PSATNSGGDF GRTNVGNSVV IDGPSQNITL  201 THCKGDSCSG NNFLDEEVQL KSEFEKLSDA DKISNYKKDG KNDGKNDKFV  251 GLVADSVQMK GINQYIIFYK PKPTSFARFR RSARSRRSLP AEMPLIPVNQ  301 ADTLIVDGEA VSLTGHSGNI FAPEGNYRYL TYGAEKLPGG SYALRVQGEP  351 SKGEMLAGTA VYNGEVLHFH TENGRPSPSR GRFAAKVDFG SKSVDGIIDS  401 GDGLHMGTQK FKAAIDGNGF KGTWTENGGG DVSGKFYGPA GEEVAGKYSY  451 RPTDAEKGGF GVFAGKKEQD GSGGGGATYK VDEYHANARF AIDHFNTSTN  501 VGGFYGLTGS VEFDQAKRDG KIDITIPVAN LQSGSQHFTD HLKSADIFDA  551 AQYPDIRFVS TKFNFNGKKL VSVDGNLTMH GKTAPVKLKA EKFNCYQSPM  601 AKTEVCGGDF STTIDRTKWG VDYLVNVGMT KSVRIDIQIE AAKQ* ΔG287NZ-961    1 ATGGCTAGCC CCGATGTCAA GTCGGCGGAC ACGCTGTCAA AACCTGCCGC   51 CCCTGTTGTT TCTGAAAAAG AGACAGAGGC AAAGGAAGAT GCGCCACAGG  101 CAGGTTCTCA AGGACAGGGC GCGCCATCCG CACAAGGCGG TCAAGATATG  151 GCGGCGGTTT CGGAAGAAAA TACAGGCAAT GGCGGTGCGG CAGCAACGGA  201 CAAACCCAAA AATGAAGACG AGGGGGCGCA AAATGATATG CCGCAAAATG  251 CCGCCGATAC AGATAGTTTG ACACCGAATC ACACCCCGGC TTCGAATATG  301 CCGGCCGGAA ATATGGAAAA CCAAGCACCG GATGCCGGGG AATCGGAGCA  351 GCCGGCAAAC CAACCGGATA TGGCAAATAC GGCGGACGGA ATGCAGGGTG  401 ACGATCCGTC GGCAGGCGGG GAAAATGCCG GCAATACGGC TGCCCAAGGT  451 ACAAATCAAG CCGAAAACAA TCAAACCGCC GGTTCTCAAA ATCCTGCCTC  501 TTCAACCAAT CCTAGCGCCA CGAATAGCGG TGGTGATTTT GGAAGGACGA  551 ACGTGGGCAA TTCTGTTGTG ATTGACGGGC CGTCGCAAAA TATAACGTTG  601 ACCCACTGTA AAGGCGATTC TTGTAGTGGC AATAATTTCT TGGATGAAGA  651 AGTACAGCTA AAATCAGAAT TTGAAAAATT AAGTGATGCA GAAAATATAA  701 GTAATTACAA GAAAGATGGG AAGAATGACG GGAAGAATGA TAAATTTGTC  751 GGTTTGGTTG CCGATAGTGT GCAGATGAAG GGAATCAATC AATATATTAT  801 CTTTTATAAA CCTAAACCCA CTTCATTTGC GCGATTTAGG CGTTCTGCAC  851 GGTCGAGGCG GTCGCTTCCG GCCGAGATGC CGCTGATTCC CGTCAATCAG  901 GCGGATACGC TGATTGTCGA TGGGGAAGCG GTCAGCCTGA CGGGGCATTC  951 CGGCAATATC TTCGCGCCCG AAGGGAATTA CCGGTATCTG ACTTACGGGG 1001 CGGAAAAATT GCCCGGCGGA TCGTATGCCC TCCGTGTTCA ACGGCAACCT 1051 TCAAAAGGCG AAATGCTCGC GGGCACGGCA GTGTACAACG GCGAAGTGCT 1101 GCATTTTCAT ACGGAAAACG GCCGTCCGTC CCCGTCCAGA GGCAGGTTTG 1151 CCGCAAAAGT CGATTTCGGC AGCAAATCTG TGGACGGCAT TATCGACAGC 1201 GGCGATGGTT TGCATATGGG TACGCAAAAA TTCAAAGCCG CCATCGATGG 1251 AAACGGCTTT AAGGGGACTT GGACGGAAAA TGGCGGCGGG GATGTTTCCG 1301 GAAAGTTTTA CGGCCCGGCC GGCGAGGAAG TGGCGGGAAA ATACAGCTAT 1351 CGCCCAACAG ATGCGGAAAA GGGCGGATTC GGCGTGTTTG CCGGCAAAAA 1401 AGAGCAGGAT GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGAGC CACAAACGAC GACGATGTTA 1451 AAAAAGCTGC CACTGTGGCC ATTGCTGCTG CCTACAACAA TGGCCAAGAA 1501 ATCAACGGTT TCAAAGCTGG AGAGACCATC TACGACATTG ATGAAGACGG 1551 CACAATTACC AATGAAGACG CAACTGCAGC CGATGTTGAA GCCGACGACT 1601 TTAAAGGTCT GGGTCTGAAA AAAGTCGTGA CTAACCTGAC CAAAACCGTC 1651 AATGAAAACA AACAAAACGT CGATGCCAAA GTAAAAGCTG CAGAATCTGA 1701 AATAGAAAAG TTAACAACCA AGTTAGCAGA CACTGATGCC GCTTTAGCAG 1751 ATACTGATGC CGCTCTGGAT GCAACCACCA ACGCCTTGAA TAAATTGGGA 1801 GAAAATATAA CGACATTTGC TGAAGAGACT AAGACAAATA TCGTAAAAAT 1851 TGATGAAAAA TTAGAAGCCG TGGCAAATAC CGTCGACAAG CATGCCGAAG 1901 CATTCAACGA TATCGCCGAT TCATTGGATG AAACCAACAC TAAGGCAGAC 1951 GAAGCCGTCA AAACCGCCAA TGAAGCCAAA CAGACGGCCG AAGAAACCAA 2001 ACAAAACGTC GATGCCAAAG TAAAAGCTGC AGAAACTGCA GCAGGCAAAG 2051 CCGAAGCTGC CGCTGGCACA GCTAATACTG CAGCCGACAA GGCCGAAGCT 2101 GTCGCTGCAA AAGTTACCGA CATCAAAGCT GATATCGCTA CGAACAAAGA 2151 TAATATTGCT AAAAAAGCAA ACAGTGCCGA CGTGTACACC AGAGAAGAGT 2201 CTGACAGCAA ATTTGTCAGA ATTGATGGTC TGAACGCTAC TACCGAAAAA 2251 TTGGACACAC GCTTGGCTTC TGCTGAAAAA TCCATTGCCG ATCACGATAC 2301 TCGCCTGAAC GGTTTGGATA AAACAGTGTC AGACCTGCGC AAAGAAACCC 2351 GCCAAGGCCT TGCAGAACAA GCCGCGCTCT CCGGTCTGTT CCAACCTTAC 2401 AACGTGGGTC GGTTCAATGT AACGGCTGCA GTCGGCGGCT ACAAATCCGA 2451 ATCGGCAGTC GCCATCGGTA CCGGCTTCCG CTTTACCGAA AACTTTGCCG 2501 CCAAAGCAGG CGTGGCAGTC GGCACTTCGT CCGGTTCTTC CGCAGCCTAC 2551 CATGTCGGCG TCAATTACGA GTGGTAAAAG CTT    1 MASPDVKSAD TLSKPAAPVV SEKETEAKED APQAGSQGQG APSAQGGQDM   51 AAVSEENTGN GGAAATDKPK NEDEGAQNDM PQNAADTDSL TPNHTPASNM  101 PAGNMENQAP DAGESEQPAN QPDMANTADG MQGDDPSAGG ENAGNTAAQG  151 TNQAENNQTA GSQNPASSTN PSATNSGGDF GRTNVGNSVV IDGPSQNITL  201 THCKGDSCSG NNFLDEEVQL KSEFEKLSDA DKISNYKKDG KNDGKNDKFV  251 GLVADSVQMK GINQYIIFYK PKPTSFARFR RSARSRRSLP AEMPLIPVNQ  301 ADTLIVDGEA VSLTGHSGNI FAPEGNYRYL TYGAEKLPGG SVALRVQGEP  351 SKGEMLAGTA VYNGEVLHFH TENGRPSPSR GRFAAKVDFG SKSVDGIIDS  401 GDGLHMGTQK FKAAIDGNGF KGTWTENGGG DVSGKFYGPA GEEVAGKYSY  451 RPTDAEKGGF GVFAGKKEQD GSGGGGATND DDVKKAATVA IAAAYNNGQE  501 INGFKAGETI YDIDEDGTIT KKDATAADVE ADDFKGLGLK KVVTNLTKTV  551 NENKQNVDAK VKAAESEIEK LTTKLADTDA ALADTDAALD ATTNALNKLG  601 EMITTFAEET KTNIVKIDEK LEAVADTVDK HAEAFNDIAD SLDETNTKAD  651 EAVKTANEAK QTAEETKQNV DAKVKAAETA AGKAEAAAGT ANTAADKAEA  701 VAAKVTDIKA DIATNKDNIA KKANSADVYT REESDSKFVR IDGLNATTEK  751 LDTRLASAEK SIADHDTRLN GLDKTVSDLR KETRQGLAEQ AALSGLFQPY  801 NVGRFNVTAA VGGYKSESAV AIGTGFRFTE NFAAKAGVAV GTSSGSSAAY  851 HVGVNYEW*

ΔG983 and Hybrids

Bactericidal titres generated in response to ΔG983 (His-fusion) were measured against various strains, including the homologous 2996 strain:

2996 NGH38 BZ133 ΔG983 512 128 128

ΔG983 was also expressed as a hybrid, with ORF46.1, 741, 961 or 961c at its C-terminus:

ΔG983-ORF46.1    1 ATGACTTCTG CGCCCGACTT CAATGCAGGC GGTACCGGTA TCGGCAGCAA   51 CAGCAGAGCA ACAACAGCGA AATCAGCAGC AGTATCTTAC GCCGGTATCA  101 AGAACGAAAT GTGCAAAGAC AGAAGCATGC TCTGTGCCGG TCGGGATGAC  151 GTTGCGGTrA CAGACAGGGA TGCCAAAATC AATGCCCCCC CCCCGAATCT  201 GCATACCGGA GACTTTCCAA ACCCAAATGA CGCATACAAG AATTTGATCA  251 ACCTCAAACC TGCAATTGAA GCAGGCTATA CAGGACGCGG GGTAGAGGTA  301 GGTATCGTCG ACACAGGCGA ATCCGTCGGC AGCATATCCT TTCCCGAACT  351 GTATGGCAGA AAAGAACACG GCTATAACGA AAATTACAAA AACTATACGG  401 CGTATATGCG GAAGGAAGCG CCTGAAGACG GAGGCGGTAA AGACATTGAA  451 GCTTCTTTCG ACGATGAGGC CGTTATAGAG ACTGAAGCAA AGCCGACGGA  501 TATCCGCCAC GTAAAAGAAA TCGGACACAT CGATTTGGTC TCCCATATTA  551 TTGGCGGGCG TTCCGTGGAC GGCAGACCTG CAGGCGGTAT TGCGCCCGAT  601 GCGACGCTAC ACATAATGAA TACGAATGAT GAAACCAAGA ACGAAATGAT  651 GGTTGCAGCC ATCCGCAATG CATGGGTCAA GCTGGGCGAA CGTGGCGTGC  701 GCATCGTCAA TAACAGTTTT GGAACAACAT CGAGGGCAGG CACTGCCGAC  751 CTTTTCCAAA TAGCCAATTC GGAGGAGCAG TACCGCCAAG CGTTGCTCGA  801 CTATTCCGGC GGTGATAAAA CAGACGAGGG TATCCGCCTG ATGCAACAGA  851 GCGATTACGG CAACCTGTCC TACCACATCC GTAATAAAAA CATGCTTTTC  901 ATCTTTTCGA CAGGCAATGA CGCACAAGCT CAGCCCAACA CATATGCCCT  951 ATTGCCATTT TATGAAAAAG ACGCTCAAAA AGGCATTATC ACAGTCGCAG 1001 GCGTAGACCG CAGTGGAGAA AAGTTCAAAC GGGAAATGTA TGGAGAACCG 1051 GGTACAGAAC CGCTTGAGTA TGGCTCCAAC CATTGCGGAA TTACTGCCAT 1101 GTGGTGCCTG TCGGCACCCT ATGAAGCAAG CGTCCGTTTC ACCCGTACAA 1151 ACCCGATTCA AATTGCCGGA ACATCCTTTT CCGCACCCAT CGTAACCGGC 1201 ACGGCGGCTC TGCTGCTGCA GAAATACCCG TGGATGAGCA ACGACAACCT 1251 GCGTACCACG TTGCTGACGA CGGCTCAGGA CATCGGTGCA GTCGGCGTGG 1301 ACAGCAAGTT CGGCTGGGGA CTGCTGGATG CGGGTAAGGC CATGAACGGA 1351 CCCGCGTCCT TTCCGTTCGG CGACTTTACC GCCGATACGA AAGGTACATC 1401 CGATATTGCC TACTCCTTCC GTAACGACAT TTCAGGCACG GGCGGCCTGA 1451 TCAAAAAAGG CGGCAGCCAA CTGCAACTGC ACGGCAACAA CACCTATACG 1501 GGCAAAACCA TTATCGAAGG CGGTTCGCTG GTGTTGTACG GCAACAACAA 1551 ATCGGATATG CGCGTCGAAA CCAAAGGTGC GCTGATTTAT AACGGGGCGG 1601 CATCCGGCGG CAGCCTGAAC AGCGACGGCA TTGTCTATCT GGCAGATACC 1651 GACCAATCCG GCGCAAACGA AACCGTACAC ATCAAAGGCA GTCTGCAGCT 1701 GGACGCAGCA GGCAAGCTGT ACACACGTTT GGGCAACCTG CTGAAAGTGG 1751 ACGGTACGGC GATTATCGGC GGCAAGCTGT ACATGTCGGC ACGCGGCAAG 1801 GGGGCAGGCT ATCTCAACAG TACCGGACGA CGTGTTCCCT TCCTGAGTGC 1851 CGCCAAAATC GGGCAGGATT ATTCTTTCTT CACAAACATC GAAACCGACG 1901 GCGGCCTGCT GGCTTCCCTC GACAGCGTCG AAAAAACAGC GGGCAGTGAA 1951 GGCGACACGC TGTCCTATTA TGTCCGTCGC GGCAATGCGG CACGGACTGC 2001 TTCGGCAGCG GCACATTCCG CGCCCGCCGG TCTGAAACAC GGCGTGGAAC 2051 AGGGCGGCAG CAATCTGGAA AACCTGATGG TCGAACTGGA TGCCTCCGAA 2101 TCATCCGCAA CACCCGAGAC GGTTGAAACT GCGGCAGCCG ACCGCACAGA 2151 TATGCCGGGC ATCCGCCCCT ACGGCGCAAC TTTCCGCGCA GCGGCAGCCG 2201 TACAGCATGC GAATGCCGCC GACGGTGTAC GCATCTTCAA CAGTCTCGCC 2251 GCTACCGTCT ATGCCGACAG TACCGCCGCC CATGCCGATA TGCAGGGACG 2301 CCGCCTGAAA GoCGTATCGG ACGGGTTGGA CCACAACGGC ACGGGTCTGC 2351 GCGTCATCGC GCAAACCCAA CAGGACGGTG GAACGTGGGA ACAGGGCGGT 2401 GTTGAAGGCA AAATGCGCGG CAGTACCCAA ACCGTCGGCA TTGCCGCGAA 2451 AACCGGCGAA AATACGACAG CAGCCGCCAC ACTGGGCATG GGACGCAGCA 2501 CATGGAGCGA AAACAGTGCA AATGCAAAAA CCGACAGCAT TAGTCTGTTT 2551 GCAGGCATAC GGCACGATGC GGGCGATATC GGCTATCTCA AAGGCCTGTT 2601 CTCCTACGGA CGCTACAAAA ACAGCATCAG CCGCAGCACC GGTGCGGACG 2651 AACATGCGGA AGGCAGCGTC AACGGCACGC TGATGCAGCT GGGCGCACTG 2701 GGCGGTGTCA ACGTTCCGTT TGCCGCAACG GGAGATTTGA CGGTCGAAGG 2751 CGGTCTGCGC TACGACCTGC TCAAACGGCA TGCATTCGCC GAAAAAGGCA 2801 GTGCTTTGGG CTGGAGCGGC AACAGCCTCA CTGAAGGCAC GCTGGTCGGA 2851 CTCGCGGGTC TGAAGCTGTC GCAACCCTTG AGCGATAAAG CCGTCCTGTT 2901 TGCAACGGCG GGCGTGGAAC GCGACCTGAA CGGACGCGAC TACACGGTAA 2951 CGGGCGGCTT TACCGGCGCG ACTGCAGCAA CCGGCAAGAC GGGGGCACGC 3001 AATATGCCGC ACACCCGTCT GGTTGCCGGC CTGGGCGCGG ATGTCGAATT 3051 CGGCAACGGC TGGAACGGCT TGGCACGTTA CAGCTACGCC GGTTCCAAAC 3101 AGTACGGCAA CCACAGCGGA CGAGTCGGCG TAGGCTACCG GTTCCTCGAC 3151 GGTGGCGGAG GCACTGGATC CTCAGATTTG GCAAACGATT CTTTTATCCG 3201 GCAGGTTCTC GACCGTCAGC ATTTCGAACC CGACGGGAAA TACCACCTAT 3251 TCGGCAGCAG GGGGGAACTT GCCGAGCGCA GCGGCCATAT CGGATTGGGA 3301 AAAATACAAA GCCATCAGTT GGGCAACCTG ATGATTCAAC AGGCGGCCAT 3351 TAAAGGAAAT ATCGGCTACA TTGTCCGCTT TTCCGATCAC GGGCACGAAG 3401 TCCATTCCCC CTTCGACAAC CATGCCTCAC ATTCCGATTC TGATGAAGCC 3451 GGTAGTCCCG TTGACGGATT TAGCCTTTAC CGCATCCATT GGGACGGATA 3501 CGAACACCAT CCCGCCGACG GCTATGACGG GCCACAGGGC GGCGGCTATC 3551 CCGCTCCCAA AGGCGCGAGG GATATATACA GCTACGACAT AAAAGGCGTT 3601 GCCCAAAATA TCCGCCTCAA CCTGACCGAC AACCGCAGCA CCGGACAACG 3651 GCTTGCCGAC CGTTTCCACA ATGCCGGTAG TATGCTGACG CAAGGAGTAG 3701 GCGACGGATT CAAACGCGCC ACCCGATACA GCCCCGAGCT GGACAGATCG 3751 GGCAATGCCG CCGAAGCCTT CAACGGCACT GCAGATATCG TTAAAAACAT 3801 CATCGGCGCG GCAGGAGAAA TTGTCGGCGC AGGCGATGCC GTGCAGGGCA 3851 TAAGCGAAGG CTCAAACATT GCTGTCATGC ACGGCTTGGG TCTGCTTTCC 3901 ACCGAAAACA AGATGGCGCG CATCAACGAT TTGGCAGATA TGGCGCAACT 3951 CAAAGACTAT GCCGCAGCAG CCATCCGCGA TTGGGCAGTC CAAAACCCCA 4001 ATGCCGCACA AGGCATAGAA GCCGATACGA ATATCTTTAT GGCAGCCATC 4051 CCCATCAAAG GGATTGGAGC TGTTCGGGGA AAATACGGCT TGGGCGGCAT 4101 CACGGCACAT CCTATCAAGC GGTCGCAGAT GGGCGCGATC GCATTGCCGA 4151 AAGGTACATC CGCCGTCAGC GACAATTTTG CCGATGCGGC ATACGCCAAA 4201 TACCCGTCCC CTTACCATTC CCGAAATATC CGTTCAAACT TGGAGCAGCG 4251 TTACGGCAAA GAAAACATCA CCTCCTCAAC CGTGCCGCCG TCAAACGGCA 4301 AAAATGTCAA ACTGGCAGAC CAACGCCACC CGAAGACAGG CGTACCGTTT 4351 GACGGTAAAG GGTTTCCGAA TTTTGAGAAG CACGTGAAAT ATGATACGCT 4401 CGAGCACCAC CACCACCACC ACTGA    1 MTSAPDFNAG GTGIGSNSRA TTAKSAAVSY AGIKNEMCKD RSMLCAGRDD   51 VAVTDRDAKI NAPPPNLHTG DFPNPNDAYK NLINLKPAIE AGYTGRGVEV  101 GIVDTGESVG SISFPELYGR KEHGYNENYK NYTAYMRKEA PEDGGGKDIE  151 ASFDDEAVIE TEAKPTDIRH VKEIGHIDLV SHIIGGRSVD GRPAGGIAPD  201 ATLHIMNTND ETKNEMMVAA IRNAWVKLGE RGVRIVNNSF GTTSRAGTAD  251 LFQIANSEEQ YRQALLDYSG GDKTDEGIRL MQQSDYGNLS YHIRNKNMLF  301 IFSTGNDAQA QPNTYALLPF YEKDAQKGII TVAGVDRSGE KFKREMYGEP  351 GTEPLEYGSN HCGITAMWCL SAPYEASVRF TRTNPIQIAG TSFSAPIVTG  401 TAALLLQKYP WMSNDNLRTT LLTTAQDIGA VGVDSKFGWG LLDAGKAMNG  451 PASFPFGDFT ADTKGTSDIA YSFRNDISGT GGLIKKGGSQ LQLHGNNTYT  501 GKTIIEGGSL VLYGNNKSDM RVETKGALIY NGAASGGSLN SDGIVYLADT  551 DQSGANETVH IKGSLQLDGK GTLYTRLGKL LKVDGTAIIG GKLYMSARGK  601 GAGYLNSTGR RVPFLSAAKI GQDYSFFTNI ETDGGLLASL DSVEKTAGSE  651 GDTLSYYVRR GNAARTASAA ANSAPAGLKH AVEQGGSNLE NLMVELDASE  701 SSATPETVET AAADRTDMPG IRPYGATFRA AAAVQHANAA DGVRIFNSLA  751 ATVYADSTAA HADMQGRRLK AVSDGLDHNG TGLRVIAQTQ QDGGTWEQGG  801 VEGKMRGSTQ TVGIAAKTGE NTTAAATLGM GRSTWSENSA NAKTDSISLF  851 AGIRHIMGDI GYLKGLFSYG RYKNSISRST GADEHAEGSV NGTLMQLGAL  901 GGVNVPFAAT GDLTVEGGLR YDLLKQDAFA EKGSALGWSG NSLTEGTLVG  951 LAGLKLSQPL SDKAVLFATA GVERDLNGRD YTVTGGFTGA TAATGKTGAR 1001 NMPHTRLVAG LGADVEFGNG WNGLARYSYA GSKQYGNHSG RVGVGYRFLD 1051 GGGGTGSSDL ANDSFIRQVL DRQHFEPDGK YHLFGSRGEL AERSGHIGLG 1101 KIQSHQLGNL MIQQAAIKGN IGYIVRFSDH GHEVHSPFDN HASHSDSDEA 1151 GSPVDGFSLY RIHWDGYEHH PADGYDGPQG GGYPAPKGAR DIYSYDIKGV 1201 AQNIRLNLTD NRSTGQRLAD RFMNAGSMLT QGVGDGFKRA TRYSPELDRS 1251 GNAAEAFNGT ADIVKNIIGA AGEIVGAGDA VQGISEGSNI AVMHGLGLLS 1301 TENKMARIND LADMAQLKDY AAAAIRDWAV QNPNAAQGIE AVSNIFMAAI 1351 PIKGIGAVRG KYGLGGITAH PIKRSQMGAI ALPKGKSAVS DNFADAAYAK 1401 YPSPYHSRNI RSNLEQRYGK ENITSSTVPP SNGKNVKLAD QRHPKTGVPF 1451 DGKGFPNFEK HVKYDTLEHH HHHH* ΔG983-741    1 ATGACTTCTG CGCCCGACTT CAATGCAGGC GGTACCGGTA TCGGCAGCAA   51 CAGCAGAGCA ACAACAGCGA AATCAGCAGC AGTATCTTAC GCCGGTATCA  101 AGAACGAAAT GTGCAAAGAC AGAAGCATGC TCTGTGCCGG TCGGGATGAC  151 GTTGCGGTTA CAGACAGGGA TGCCAAAATC AATGCCCCCC CCCCGAATCT  201 GCATACCGGA.GACTTTCCAA ACCCAAATGA CGCATACAAG AATTTGATCA  251 ACCTCAAACC TGCAMPTGAA GCAGGCTATA CAGGACGCGG GGTACCGGTA  301 GGTATCGTCG ACACAGGCGA ATCCGTCGGC AGCATATCCT TTCCCGAACT  351 GTATGGCAGA AAAGAACACG GCTATAACGA AAATTACAAA AACTATACGG  401 CGTATATGCG GAAGGAAGCG CCTGAAGACG GAGGCGGTAA AGACATTGAA  451 GCTTCTTTCG ACGATGAGGC CGTTATAGAG ACTGAAGCAA AGCCGACGGA  501 TATCCGCCAC GTAAANGAAA TCGGACACAT CGATTTGGTC TCCCATATTA  551 TTGGCGGGCG TTCCGTGGAC GGCAGACCTG CAGGCGGTAT TGCGCCCGAT  601 GCGACGCTAC ACATAATGAA TACGAATGAT GAAACCAAGA ACGAAATGAT  651 GGTTGCAGCC ATCCGCAATG CATGGGTCAA GCTGGGCGAA CGTGGCGTGC  701 GCATCGTCAA TAACAGTTTT GGAACAACAT CGAGGGCAGG CACTGCCGAC  751 CTTTTCCAAA TAGCCAATTC GGAGGAGCAG TACCGCCAAG CGTTGCTCGA  801 CTATTCCGGC GGTGATAAAA CAGACGAGGG TATCCGCCTG ATGCAACAGA  851 GCGATTACGG CAACCTGTCC TACCACATCC GTAATAAAAA CATGCTTTTC  901 ATCTTTTCGA CAGGCAATGA CGCACAAGCT CAGCCCAACA CATATGCCCT  951 ATTGCCATTT TATGAAAAAG ACGCTCAAAA AGGCATTATC ACAGTCGCAG 1001 GCGTAGACCG CAGTGGAGAA AAGTTCAAAC GGGAAATGTA TGGAGAACCG 1051 GGTACAGAAC CGCTTGAGTA TGGCTCCAAC CATTGCGGAA TTACTGCCAT 1101 GTGGTGCCTG TCGGCACCCT ATGAAGCAAG CGTCCGTTTC ACCCGTACAA 1151 ACCCGAaTCA AATTGCCGGA ACATCCTTTT CCGCACCCAT CGTAACCGGC 1201 ACGGCGGCTC TGCTGCTGCA GAAATACCCG TGGATGAGCA ACGACAACCT 1251 GCGTACCACG TTGCTGACGA CGGCTCAGGA CATCGGTGCA GTCGGCGTGG 1301 ACAGCAAGTT CGGCTGGGGA CTGCTGGATG CGGGTAAGGC CATGAACGGA 1351 CCCGCGTCCT TTCCGTTCGG CGACTTTACC GCCGATACGA AAGGTACATC 1401 CGATATTGCC TACTCCTTCC GTAACGACAT TTCAGGCACG GGCGGCCTGA 1451 TCAAAAAAGG CGGCAGCCAA CTGCAACTGC ACGGCAACAA CACCTATACG 1501 GGCAAAACCA TTATCGAAGG CGGTTCGCTG GTGTTGTACG GCAACAACAA 1551 ATCGGATATG CGCGTGGAAA CCAAAGGTGC GCTGATTTAT AACGGGGCGG 1601 CATCCGGCGG CAGCCTGAAC AGCGACGGCA TTGTCTATCT GGCAGATACC 1651 GACCAATCCG GCGCAAACGA AACCGTACAC ATCAAAGGCA GTCTGCAGCT 1701 GGACGGCAAA GGTACGCTGT ACACACGTTT GGGCAAACTG CTGAAAGTGG 1751 ACGGTACGGC GATTATCGGC GGCAAGCTGT ACATGTCGGC ACGCGGCAAG 1801 GGGGCAGGCT ATCTCAACAG TACCGGACGA CGTGTTCCCT TCCTGAGTGC 1851 CGCCAAAATC GGGCAGGATT ATTCTTTCTT CACAAACATC GAAACCGACG 1901 GCGGCCTGCT GGCTTCCCTC GACAGCGTCG AAAAAACAGC GGGCAGTGAA 1951 GGCGACACGC TGTCCTATTA TGTCCGTCGC GGCAATGCGG CACGGACTGC 2001 TTCGGCAGCG GCACATTCCG CGCCCGCCGG TCTGAAACAC GCCGTAGAAC 2051 AGGGCGGCAG CAATCTGGAA AACCTGATGG TCGAACTGGA TGCCTCCGAA 2101 TCATCCGCAA CACCCGAGAC GGTTGAAACT GCGGCAGCCG ACCGCACAGA 2151 TATGCCGGGC ATCCGCCCCT ACGGCGCAAC TTTCCGCGCA GCGGCAGCCG 2201 TACAGCATGC GAATGCCGCC GACGGTGTAC GCATCTTCAA CAGTCTCGCC 2251 GCTACCGTCT ATGCCGACAG TACCGCCGCC CATGCCGATA TGCAGGGACG 2301 CCGCCTGAAA GCCGTATCGG ACGGGTTGGA CCACAACGGC ACGGGTCTGC 2351 GCGTCATCGC GCAAACCCAA CAGGACGGTG GAACGTGGGA ACAGGGCGGT 2401 GTTGAAGGCA AAATGCGCGG CAGTACCCAA ACCGTCGGCA TTGCCGCGAA 2451 AACCGGCGAA AATACGACAG CAGCCGCCAC ACTGGGCATG GGACGCAGCA 2501 CATGGAGCGA AAACAGTGCA AATGCAAAAA CCGACAGCAT TAGTCTGTTT 2551 GCAGGCATAC GGCACGATGC GGGCGATATC GGCTATCTCA AAGGCCTGTT 2601 CTCCTACGGA CGCTACAAAA ACAGCATCAG CCGCAGCACC GGTGCGGACG 2651 AACATGCGGA AGGCAGCGTC AACGGCACGC TGATGCAGCT GGGCAAACTG 2701 GGCGGTGTCA ACGTTCCGTT TGCCGCAACG GGAGATTTGA CGGTCGAAGG 2751 CGGTCTGCGC TACGACCTGC TCAAACAGGA TGCATTCGCC GAAAAAGGCA 2801 GTGCTTTGGG CTGGAGCGGC AACAGCCTCA CTGAAGGCAC GCTGGTCGGA 2851 CTCGCGGGTC TGAAGCTGTC GCAACCCTTG AGCGATAAAG CCGTCCTGTT 2901 TGCAACGGCG GGCGTGGAAC GCGACCTGAA CGGACGCGAC TACACGGTAA 2951 CGGGCGGCTT TACCGGCGCG ACTGCAGCAA CCGGCAAGAC GGGGGCACGC 3001 AATATGCCGC ACACCCGTCT GGTTGCCGGC CTGGGCGCGG ATGTCGAATT 3051 CCACAACGGC TGGAACGGCT TGGCACGTTA CAGCTACGCC GGTTCCAAAC 3101 AGTACGGCAA CCACAGCGGA CGAGTCGGCG TAGGCTACCG GTTCCTCGAG 3151 GGATCCGGAG GGGGTGGTGT CGCCGCCGAC ATCGGTGCGG GGCTTGCCGA 3201 TGCACTAACC GCACCGCTCG ACCATAAAGA CAAAGGTTTG CAGTCTTTGA 3251 CGCTGGATCA GTCCGTCAGG AAAAACGAGA AACTGAAGCT GGCGGCACAA 3301 GGTGCGGAAA AAACTTATGG AAACGGTGAC AGCCTCAATA CGGGCAAATT 3351 GAAGAACGAC AAGGTCAGCC GTTTCGACTT TATCCGCCAA ATCGAAGTGG 3401 ACGGGCAGCT CATTACCTTG GAGAGTGGAG AGTTCCAAGT ATACAAACAA 3451 AGCCATTCCG CCTTAACCGC CTTTCAGACC GAGCAAATAC AAGATTCGGA 3501 GCATTCCGGG AAGATGGTTG CGAAACGCCA GTTCAGAATC GGCGACATAG 3551 CGGGCGAACA TACATCTTTT GACAAGCTTC CCGAAGGCGG CAGGGCGACA 3601 TATCGCGGGA CGGCGTTCGG TTCAGACGAT GCCGGCGGAA AACTGACCTA 3651 CACCATAGAM TTCGCCGCCA AGCAGGGAAA CGGCAAAATC GAACATTTGA 3701 AATCGCCAGA ACTCAATGTC GACCTGGCCG CCGCCGATAT CAAGCCGGAT 3751 GGAAAACGCC ATGCCGTCAT CAGCGGTTCC GTCCTTTACA ACCAAGCCGA 3801 GAAAGGCAGT TACTCCCTCG GTATCTTTGG CGGAAAAGCC CAGGACGGTG 3851 CCGGCAGCGC GGAAGTGAAA ACCGTAAACG GCATACGCCA TATCGGCCTT 3901 GCCGCCAAGC AACTCGAGCA CCACCACCAC CACCACTGA    1 MTSAPDFNAG GTGIGSNSRA TTAKSAAVSY AGIKNEMCKD RSMLCAGRDD   51 VAVTDRDAKI NAPPPNLHTG DFPNPNDAYK NLINLKPAIE AGYTGRGVEV  101 GIVDTGESVG SISFPELYGR KEHGYNENYK NYTAYMRKEA PEDGGGKDIE  151 ASFDDEAVIE TEAKPTDIRH VKEIGHIDLV SHIIGGRSVD GRPAGGIAPD  201 ATLHIMNTND ETKNEMMVAA IRNAWVKLGE RGVRIVNNSF GTTSRAGTAD  251 LFQIANSEEQ YRQALLDYSG GDKTDEGIRL MQQSDYGNLS YHIRNKNMLF  301 IFSTGNDAQA QPNTYALLPF YEKDAQKGII TVAGVDRSGE KFKREMYGEP  351 GTEPLEYGSN HCGITAMWCL SAPYEASVRF TRTNPIQIAG TSFSAPIVTG  401 TAALLLQKYP WMSNDNLRTT LLTTAQDIGA VGVDSKFGWG LLDAGKAMNG  451 PASFPFGDFT ADTKGTSDIA YSFRNDISGT GGLIKKGGSQ LQLHGNNTYT  501 GKTIIEGGSL VLYGNNKSDM RVETKGALIY NGAASGGSLN SDGIVYLADT  551 DQSGANETVH IKGSLQLDGK GTLYTRLGKL LKVDGTAIIG GKLYMSARGK  601 GAGYLNSTGR RVPFLSAAKI GQDYSFFTNI ETDGGLLASL DSVEKTAGSE  651 GDTLSYYVRR GNAARTASAA AHSAPAGLKH AVEQGGSNLE NLMVELDASE  701 SSATPETVET AAADRTDMPG IRPYGATFRA AAAVQHANAA DGVRIFNSLA  751 ATVYADSTAA HADMQGRRLK AVSDGLDHNG TGLRVIAQTQ QDGGTWEQGG  801 VEGKMRGSTQ TVGIAAKTGE NTTAAATLGM GRSTWSENSA NAKTDSISLF  851 AGIRHDAGDI GYLKGLFSYG RYKNSISRST GADEHAEGSV NGTLMQLGAL  901 GGVNVVFAAT GDLTVEGGLR YDLLKQDAFA EKGSALGWSG NSLTEGTLVG  951 LAGLKLSQPL SDKAVLFATA GVERDLNGRD YTVTGGFTGA TAATGKTGAR 1001 NMPHTRLVAG LGADVEFGNG WNGLARYSYA GSKQYGNHSG RVGVGYRFLE 1051 GSGGGGVAAD IGAGLADALT APLDHKDKGL QSLTLDQSVR KNEKLKLAAQ 1101 GAEKTYGNGD SLNTGKLKND KVSRFDFIRQ IEVDGQLITL ESGEFQVYKQ 1151 SHSALTAFQT EQIQDSEHSG KMVAKRQFRI GDIAGEHTSF DKLPEGGRAT 1201 YRGTAFGSDD AGGKLTYTID FAAKQGNGKI EHLKSPELNV DLAAADIKPD 1251 GKRHAVISGS VLYNQAEKGS YSLGIFGGKA QEVAGSAEVK TVNGIRHIGL 1301 AAKQLEHHHH HH* ΔG983-961    1 ATGACTTCTG CGCCCGACTT CAATGCAGGC GGTACCGGTA TCGGCAGCAA   51 CAGCAGAGCA ACAACAGCGA AATCAGCAGC AGTATCTTAC GCCGGTATCA  101 AGAACGAAAT GTGCAAAGAC AGAAGCATGC TCTGTGCCGG TCGGGATGAC  151 GTTGCGGTTA CAGACAGGGA TGCCAAAATC AATGCCCCCC CCCCGAATCT  201 GCATACCGGA GACTTTCCAA ACCCAAATGA CGCATACAAG AATTTGATCA  251 ACCTCAAACC TGCAATTGAA GCAGGCTATA CAGGACGCGG GGTAGAGGTA  301 GGTATCGTCG ACACAGGCGA ATCCGTCGGC AGCATATCCT TTCCCGAACT  351 GTATGGCAGA AAAGAACACG GCTATAACGA AAATTACAAA AACTATACGG  401 CGTATATGCG GAAGGAAGCG CCTGAAGACG GAGGCGGTAA AGACATTGAA  451 GCTTCTTTCG ACGATGAGGC CGTTATAGAG ACTGAAGCAA AGCCGACGGA  501 TATCCGCCAC GTAAAAGAAA TCGGACACAT CGATTTGGTC TCCCATATTA  551 TTGGCGGGCG TTCCGTGGAC GGCAGACCTG CAGGCGGTAT TGCGCCCGAT  601 GCGACGCTAC ACATAATGAA TACGAATGAT GAAACCAAGA ACGAAATGAT  651 GGTTGCAGCC ATCCGCAATG CATGGGTCAA GCTGGGCGAA CGTGGCGTGC  701 GCATCGTCAA TAACAGTTTT GGAACAACAT CGAGGGCAGG CACTGCCGAC  751 CTTTTCCAAA TAGCCAATTC GGAGGAGCAG TACCGCCAAG CGTTGCTCGA  801 CTATTCCGGC GGTGATAAAA CAGACGAGGG TATCCGCCTG ATGCAACAGA  851 GCGATTACGG CAACCTGTCC TACCACATCC GTAATAAAAA CATGCTTTTC  901 ATCTTTTCGA CAGGCAATGA CGCACAAGCT CAGCCCAACA CATATGCCCT  951 ATTGCCATTT TATGAAAAAG ACGCTCAAAA AGGCATTATC ACAGTCGCAG 1001 GCGTAGACCG CAGTGGAGAA AAGTTCAAAC GGGAAATGTA TGGAGAACCG 1051 GGTACAGAAC CGCTTGAGTA TGGCTCCAAC CATTGCGGAA TTACTGCCAT 1101 GTGGTGCCTG TCGGCACCCT ATGAAGCAAG CGTCCGTTTC ACCCGTACAA 1151 ACCCGATTCA AATTGCCGGA ACATCCTTTT CCGCACCCAT CGTAACCGGC 1201 ACGGCGGCTC TGCTGCTGCA GAAATACCCG TGGATGAGCA ACGACAACCT 1251 GCGTACCACG TTGCTGACGA CGGCTCAGGA CATCGGTGCA GTCGGCGTGG 1301 ACAGCAAGTT CGGCTGGGGA CTGCTGGATG CGGGTAAGGC CATGAACGGA 1351 CCCGCGTCQT TTCCGTTCGG CGACTTTACC GCCGATACGA AAGGTACATC 1401 CGATATTGCC TACTCCTTCC GTAACGACAT TTCAGGCACG GGCGGCCTGA 1451 TCAAAAAAGG CGGCAGCCAA CTGCAACTGC ACGGCAACAA CACCTATACG 1501 GGCAAAACCA TTATCGAAGG CGGTTCGCTG GTGTTGTACG GCAACAACAA 1551 ATCGGATATG CGCGTCGAAA CCAAAGGTGC GCTGATTTAT AACGGGGCGG 1601 CATCCGGCGG CAGCCTGAAC AGCGACGGCA TTGTCTATCT GGCAGATACC 1651 GACCAATCCG GCGCAAACGA AACCGTACAC ATCAAAGGCA GTCTGCAGCT 1701 GGACGGCAAA GGTACGCTGT ACACACGTTT GGGCAAACTG CTGAAAGTGG 1751 ACGGTACGGC GATTATCGGC GGCAAGCTGT ACATGTCGGC ACGCGGCAAG 1801 GGGGCAGGCT ATCTCAACAG TACCGGACGA CGTGTTCCCT TCCTGAGTGC 1851 CGCCAAAATC GGGCAGGATT ATTCTTTCTT CACAAACATC GAAACCGACG 1901 GCGGCCTGCT GGCTTCCCTC GACAGCGTCG AAAAAACAGC GGGCAGTGAA 1951 GGCGACACGC TGTCCTATTA TGTCCGTCGC GGCAATGCGG CACGGACTGC 2001 TTCGGCAGCG GCACATTCCG CGCCCGCCGG TCTGAAACAC GCCGTAGAAC 2051 AGGGCGGCAG CAATCTGGAA AACCTGATGG TCGAACTGGA TGCCTCCGAA 2101 TCATCCGCAA CACCCGAGAC GGTTGAAACT GCGGCAGCCG ACCGCACAGA 2151 TATGCCGGGC ATCCGCCCCT ACGGCGCAAC TTTCCGCGCA GCGGCAGCCG 2201 TACAGCATGC GAATGCCGCC GACGGTGTAC GCATCTTCAA CAGTCTCGCC 2251 GCTACCGTCT ATGCCGACAG TACCGCCGCC CATGCCGATA TGCAGGGACG 2301 CCGCCTGAAA GCCGTATCGG ACGGGTTGGA CCACAACGGC ACGGGTCTGC 2351 GCGTCATCGC GCAAACCCAA CAGGACGGTG GAACGTGGGA ACAGGGCGGT 2401 GTTGAAGGCA AAATGCGCGG CAGTACCCAA ACCGTCGGCA TTGCCGCGAA 2451 AACCGGCGAA AATACGACAG CAGCCGCCAC ACTGGGCATG GGACGCAGCA 2501 CATGGAGCGA AAACAGTGCA AATGCAAAAA CCGACAGCAT TAGTCTGTTT 2551 GCAGGCATAC GGCACGATGC GGGCGATATC GGCTATCTCA AAGGCCTGTT 2601 CTCCTACGGA CGCTACAAAA ACAGCATCAG CCGCAGCACC GGTGCGGACG 2651 AACATGCGGA AGGCAGCGTC AACGGCACGC TGATGCAGCT GGGCGCACTG 2701 GGCGGTGTCA ACGTTCCGTT TGCCGCAACG GGAGATTTGA CGGTCGAAGG 2751 CGGTCTGCGC TACGACCTGC TCAAACAGGA TGCATTCGCC GAAAAAGGCA 2801 GTGCTTTGGG CTGGAGCGGC AACAGCCTCA CTGAAGGCAC GCTGGTCGGA 2851 CTCGCGGGTC TGAAGCTGTC GCAACCCTTG AGCGATAAAG CCGTCCTGTT 2901 TGCAACGGCG GGCGTGGAAC GCGACCTGAA CGGACGCGAC TACACGGTAA 2951 CGGGCGGCTT TACCGGCGCG ACTGCAGCAA CCGGCAAGAC GGGGGCACGC 3001 AATATGCCGC ACACCCGTCT GGTTGCCGGC CTGGGCGCGG ATGTCGAATT 3051 CGGCAACGGC TGGAACGGCT TGGCACGTTA CAGCTACGCC GGTTCCAAAC 3101 AGTACGGCAA CCACAGCGGA CGAGTCGGCG TAGGCTACCG GTTCCTCGAG 3151 GGTGGCGGAG GCACTGGATC CGCCACAAAC GACGACGATG TTAAAAAAGC 3201 TGCCACTGTG GCCATTGCTG CTGCCTACAA CAATGGCCAA GAAATCAACG 3251 GTTTCAAAGC TGGAGAGACC ATCTACGACA TTGATGAAGA CGGCACAATT 3301 ACCAAAAAAG ACGCAACTGC AGCCGATGTT GAAGCCGACG ACTTTAAAGG 3351 TCTGGGTCTG AAAAAAGTCG TGACTAACCT GACCAAAACC GTCAATGAAA 3401 ACAAACAAAA CGTCGATGCC AAAGTAAAAG CTGCAGAATC TGAAATAGAA 3451 AAGTTAACAA CCAAGTTAGC AGACACTGAT GCCGCTTTAG CAGATACTGA 3501 TGCCGCTCTG GATGCAACCA CCAACGCCTT GAATAAATTG GGAGAAAATA 3551 TAACGACATT TGCTGAAGAG ACTAAGACAA ATATCGTAAA AATTGATGAA 3601 AAATTAGAAG CCGTGGCTGA TACCGTCGAC AAGCATGCCG AAGCATTCAA 3651 CGATATCGCC GATTCATTGG ATGAAACCAA CACTAAGGCA GACGAAGCCG 3701 TCAAAACCGC CAATGAAGCC AAACAGACGG CCGAAGAAAC CAAACAAAAC 3751 GTCGATGCCA AAGTAAAAGC TGCAGAAACT GCAGCAGGCA AAGCCGAAGC 3801 TGCCGCTGGC ACAGCTAATA CTGCAGCCGA CAAGGCCGAA GCTGTCGCTG 3851 CAAAAGTTAC CGACATCAAA GCTGATATCG CTACGAACAA AGATAATATT 3901 GCTAAAAAAG CAAACAGTGC CGACGTGTAC ACCAGAGAAG AGTCTGACAG 3951 CAAATTTGTC AGAATTGATG GTCTGAACGC TACTACCGAA AAATTGGACA 4001 CACGCTTGGC TTCTGCTGAA AAATCCATTG CCGATCACGA TACTCGCCTG 4051 AACGGTTTGG ATAAAACAGT GTCAGACCTG CGCAAAGAAA CCCGCCAAGG 4101 CCTTGCAGAA CAAGCCGCGC TCTCCGGTCT GTTCCAACCT TACAACGTGG 4151 GTCGGTTCAA TGTAACGGCT GCAGTCGGCG GCTACAAATC CGAATCGGCA 4201 GTCGCCATCG GTACCGGCTT CCGCTTTACC GAAAACTTTG CCGCCAAAGC 4251 AGGCGTGGCA GTCGGCACTT CGTCCGGTTC TTCCGCAGCC TACCATGTCG 4301 GCGTCAATTA CGAGTGGCTC GAGCACCACC ACCACCACCA CTGA    1 MTSAPDFNAG GTGIGSNSRA TTAKSAAVSY AGIKNEMCKD RSNLCAGRDD   51 VAVTDRDAKI NAPPPNLHTG DFPNPNDAYK NLINLKPAIE AGYTGRGVEV  101 GIVDTGESVG SISFPELYGR KEHGYNENYK NYTAYMRKEA PEDGGGKDIE  151 ASFDDEAVIE TEAKPTDIRH VKEIGHIDLV SHIIGGRSVD GRPAGGIAPD  201 ATLHIMNTND ETKNEMMVAA IRNAWVKLGE RGVRIVNNSF GTTSRAGTAD  251 LFQIANSEEQ YRQALLDYSG GDKTDEGIRL MQQSDYGNLS YHIRNKNMLF  301 IFSTGNDAQA QPNTYALLPF YEKDAQKGII TVAGVDRSGE KFKREMYGEP  351 GTEPLEYGSN HCGITAMWCL SAPYEASVRF TRTNPIQIAG TSFSAPIVTG  401 TAALLLQKYP WMSNDNLRTT LLTTAQDIGA VGVDSKFGWG LLDAGKAMNG  451 PASFPFGDFT ADTKGTSDIA YSFRNDISGT GGLIKKGGSQ LQLHGNNTYT  501 GKTIIEGGSL VLYGNNKSDM RVETKGALIY NGAASGGSLN SDGIVYLADT  551 DQSGANETVH IKGSLQLDGK GTLYTRLGKL LKVDGTAIIG GKLYMSARGK  601 GAGYLNSTGR RVPFLSAAKI GQDYSFFTNI ETDGGLLASL DSVEKTAGSE  651 GDTLSYYVRR GNAARTASAA AHSAPAGLKH AVEQGGSNLE NLMVELDASE  701 SSATPETVET AAADRTDMPG IRPYGATFRA AAAVQHANAA DGVRIFNSLA  751 ATVYADSTAA HADMQGRRLK AVSDGLDHNG TGLRVIAQTQ QDGGTWEQGG  801 VEGKMRGSTQ TVGIAAKTGE NTTAAATLGM GRSTWSENSA NAKTDSISLF  851 AGIRHDAGDI GYLKGLFSYG RYKNSISRST GADEHAEGSV NGTLMQLGAL  901 GGVNVPFAAT GDLTVEGGLR YDLLKQDAFA EKGSALGWSG NSLTEGTLVG  951 LAGLKLSQPL SDKAVLFATA GVERDLNGRD YTVTGGFTGA TAATGKTGAR 1001 NMPHTRLVAG LGADVEFGNG WNGLARYSYA GSKQYGNHSG RVGVGYRFLE 1051 GGGGTGSATN DDDVKKAATV AIAAAYNNGQ EINGFKAGET IYDIDEDGTI 1101 TKKDATAADV EADDFKGLGL KKVVTNLTKT VNENKQNVDA KVKAAESEIE 1151 KLTTKLADTD AALADTDAAL DATTNALNKL GENITTFAEE TKTNIVKIDE 1201 KLEAVADTVD KHAEAFNDIA DSLDETNTKA DEAVKTANEA KQTAEETKQN 1251 VDAKVKAAET AAGKAEAAAG TANTAADKAE AVAAKVTDIK ADIATNKDNI 1301 AKKANSADVY TREESDSKFV RIDGLNATTE KLDTRLASAE KSIADEDTRL 1351 NGLDKTVSDL RKETRQGLAE QAALSGLFQP YNVGRFNVTA AVGGYKSESA 1401 VAIGTGFRFT ENFAAKAGVA VGTSSGSSAA YHVGVNYEWL EHHHHEH* ΔG983-961c    1 ATGACTTCTG CGCCCGACTT CAATGCAGGC GGTACCGGTA TCGGCAGCAA   51 CAGCAGAGCA ACAACAGCGA AATCAGCAGC AGTATCTTAC GCCGGTATCA  101 AGAACGAAAT GTGCAAAGAC AGAAGCATGC TCTGTGCCGG TCGGGATGAC  151 GTTGCGGTTA CAGACAGGGA TGCCAAAATC AATGCCCCCC CCCCGAATCT  201 GCATACCGGA GACTTTCCAA ACCCAAATGA CGCATACAAG AATTTGATCA  251 ACCTCAAACC TGCAATTGAA GCAGGCTATA CAGGACGCGG GGTAGAGGTA  301 GGTATCGTCG ACACAGGCGA ATCCGTCGGC AGCATATCCT TTCCCGAACT  351 GTATGGCAGA AAAGAACACG GCTATAACGA AAATTACAAA AACTATACGG  401 CGTATATGCG GAAGGAAGCG CCTGAAGACG GAGGCGGTAA AGACATTGAA  451 GCTTCTTTCG ACGATGAGGC CGTTATAGAG ACTGAAGCAA AGCCGACGGA  501 TATCCGCCAC GTAAAAGAAA TCGGACACAT CGATTTGGTC TCCCATATTA  551 TTGGCGGGCG TTCCGTGGAC GGCAGACCTG CAGGCGGTAT TGCGCCCGAT  601 GCGACGCTAC ACATAATGAA TACGAATGAT GAAACCAAGA ACGAAATGAT  651 GGTTGCAGCC ATCCGCAATG CATGGGTCAA GCTGGGCGAA CGTGGCGTGC  701 GCATCGTCAA TAACAGTTTT GGAACAACAT CGAGGGCAGG CACTGCCGAC  751 CTTTTCCAAA TAGCCAATTC GGAGGAGCAG TACCGCCAAG CGTTGCTCGA  801 CTATTCCGGC GGTGATAAAA CAGACGAGGG TATCCGCCTG ATGCAACAGA  851 GCGATTACGG CAACCTGTCC TACCACATCC GTAATAAAAA CATGCTTTTC  901 ATCTTTTCGA CAGGCAATGA CGCACAAGCT CAGCCCAACA CATATGCCCT  951 ATTGCCATTT TATGAAAAAG ACGCTCAAAA AGGCATTATC ACAGTCGCAG 1001 GCGTAGACCG CAGTGGAGAA AAGTTCAAAC GGGAAATGTA TGGAGAACCG 1051 GGTACAGAAC CGCTTGAGTA TGGCTCCAAC CATTGCGGAA TTACTGCCAT 1101 GTGGTGCCTG TCGGCACCCT ATGAAGCAAG CGTCCGTTTC ACCCGTACAA 1151 ACCCGATTCA AATTGCCGGA ACATCCTTTT CCGCACCCAT CGTAACCGGC 1201 ACGGCGGCTC TGCTGCTGCA GAAATACCCG TGGATGAGCA ACGACAACCT 1251 GCGTACCACG TTGCTGACGA CGGCTCAGGA CATCGGTGCA GTCGGCGTGG 1301 ACAGCAAGTT CGGCTGGGGA CTGCTGGATG CGGGTAAGGC CATGAACGGA 1351 CCCGCGTCCT TTCCGTTCGG CGACTTTACC GCCGATACGA AAGGTACATC 1401 CGATATTGCC TACTCCTTCC GTAACGACAT TTCAGGCACG GGCGGCCTGA 1451 TCAAAAAAGG CGGCAGCCAA CTGCAACTGC ACGGCAACAA CACCTATACG 1501 GGCAAAACCA TTATCGAAGG CGGTTCGCTG GTGTTGTACG GCAACAACAA 1551 ATCGGATATG CGCGTCGAAA CCAAAGGTGC GCTGATTTAT AACGGGGCGG 1601 CATCCGGCGG CAGCCTGAAC AGGGACGGCA TTGTCTATCT GGCAGATACC 1651 GACCAATCCG GCGCAAACGA AACCGTACAC ATCAAAGGCA GTCTGCAGCT 1701 GGACGGCAAA GGTACGCTGT ACACACGTTT GGGCAAACTG CTGAAAGTGG 1751 ACGGTACGGC GATTATCGGC GGCAAGCTGT ACATGTCGGC ACGCGGCAAG 1801 GGGGCAGGCT ATCTCAACAG TACCGGACGA CGTGTTCCCT TCCTGAGTGC 1851 CGCCAAAATC GGGCAGGATT ATTCTTTCTT CACAAACATC GAAGCCGACG 1901 GCGGCCTGCT GGCTTCCCTC GACAGCGTCG AAAAAACAGC GGGCAGTGAA 1951 GGCGACACGC TGTCCTATTA TGTCCGTCGC GGCAATGCGG CACGGACTGC 2001 TTCGGCAGCG GCACATTCCG CGCCCGCCGG TCTGAAACAC GCCGTAGAAC 2051 AGGGCGGCAG CAATCTGGAA AACCTGATGG TCGAACTGGA TGCCTCCGAA 2101 TCATCCGCAA CACCCGAGAC GGTTGAAACT GCGGCAGCCG ACCGCACAGA 2151 TATGCCGGGC ATCCGCCCCT ACGGCGCAAC TTTCCGCGCA GCGGCAGCCG 2201 TACAGCATGC GAATGCCGCC GACGGTGTAC GCATCGTCAA CAGTCTCGCC 2251 GCTACCGTCT ATGCCGACAG TACCGCCGCC CATGCCGATA TGCAGGGACG 2301 CCGCCTGAAA GCCGTATCGG ACGGGTTGGA CCACAACGGC ACGGGTCTGC 2351 GCGTCATCGC GCAAACCCAA CAGGACGGTG GAACGTGGGA ACAGGGCGGT 2401 GTTGAAGGCA AAATGCGCGG CAGTACCCAA ACCGTCGGCA TTGCCGCGAA 2451 AACCGGCGAA AATACGACAG CAGCCGCCAC ACTGGGCATG GGACGCAGCA 2501 CATGGAGCGA AAACAGTGCA AATGCAAAAA CCGACAGCAT TAGTCTGTTT 2551 GCAGGCATAC GGCACGATGC GGGCGATATC GGCTATCTCA AAGGCCTGTT 2601 CTCCTACGGA CGCTACAAAA ACAGCATCAG CCGCAGCACC GGTGCGGACG 2651 AACATGCGGA AGGCAGCGTC AACGGCACGC TGATGCAGCT GGGCGCACTG 2701 GGCGGTGTCA ACGTTCCGTT TGCCGCAACG GGAGATTTGA CGGTCGAAGG 2751 CGGTCTGCGC TACGACCTGC TCAAACAGGA TGCATTCGCC GAAAAAGGCA 2801 GTGCTTTGGG CTGGAGCGGC AACAGCCTCA CTGAAGGCAC GCTGGTCGGA 2851 CTCGCGGGTC TGAAGCTGTC GCAACCCTTG AGCGATAAAG CCGTCCTGTT 2901 TGCAACGGCG GGCGTGGAAC GCGACCTGAA CGGACGCGAC TACACGGTAA 2951 CGGGCGGCTT TACCGGCGCG ACTGCAGCAA CCGGCAAGAC GGGGGCACGC 3001 AATATGCCGC ACACCCGTCT GGTTGCCGGC CTGGGCGCGG ATGTCGAATT 3051 CGGCAACGGC TGGAACGGCT TGGCACGTTA CAGCTACGCC GGTTCCAAAC 3101 AGTACGGCAA CCACAGCGGA CGAGTGGGCG TAGGCTACCG GTTCCTCGAG 3151 GGTGGCGGAG GCACTGGATC CGCCACAAAC GACGACGATG TTAAAAAAGC 3201 TGCCACTGTG GCCATTGCTG CTGCCTACAA CAATGGCCAA GAAATCAACG 3251 GTTTCAAAGC TGGAGAGACC ATCTACGACA TTGATGAAGA CGGCACAATT 3301 ACCAAAAAAG ACGCAACTGC AGCCGATGTT GAAGCCGACG ACTTTAAAGG 3351 TCTGGGTCTG AAAAAAGTCG TGACTAACCT GACCAAAACC GTCAATGAAA 3401 ACAAACAAAA CGTCGATGCC AAAGTAAAAG CTGCAGAATC TGAAATAGAA 3451 AAGTTAACAA CCAAGTTAGC AGACACTGAT GCCGCTTTAG CAGATACTGA 3501 TGCCGCTGTG GATGCAACCA CCAACGCCTT GAATAAATTG GGAGAAAATA 3551 TAACGACATT TGCTGAAGAG ACTAAGACAA ATATCGTAAA AATTGATGAA 3601 AAATTAGAAG CCGTGGCTGA TACCGTCGAC AAGCATGCCG AAGCATTCAA 3651 CGATATCGCC GATTCATTGG ATGAAACCAA CACTAAGGCA GACGAAGCCG 3701 TCAAAACCGC CAATGAAGCC AAACAGACGG CCGAAGAAAC CAAACAAAAC 3751 GTCGATGCCA AAGTAAAAGC TGCAGAAACT GCASCAGGCA AAGCCGAAGC 3801 TGCCGCTGGC ACAGCTAATA CTGCAGCCGA CAAGGCCGAA GCTGTCGCTG 3851 CAAAAGTTAC CGACATCAAA GCTGATATCG CTACGAACAA AGATAATATT 3901 GCTAAAAAAG CAAACAGTGC CGACGTGTAC ACCAGAGAAG AGTCTGACAG 3951 CAAATTTGTC AGAATTGATG GTCTGAACGC TACTACCGAA AAATTGGACA 4001 CACGCTTGGC TTCTGCTGAA AAATCCATTG CCGATCACGA TACTCGCCTG 4051 AACGGTTTGG ATAAAACAGT GTCAGACCTG CGCAAAGAAA CCCGCCAAGG 4101 CCTTGCAGAA CAAGCCGCGC TCTCCGGTCT GTTCCAACCT TACAACGTGG 4151 GTCTCGAGCA CCACCACCAC CACCACTGA    1 MTSAPDFNAG GTGIGSNSRA TTAKSAAVSY AGIKNEMCKD RSMLCAGRDD   51 VAVTDRDAKI NAPPRNLHTG DFPNPNDAYK NLINLKPAIE AGYTGRGVEV  101 GIVDTGESVG SISFPELYGR KEHGYNENYK NYTAYMRKEA PEDGGGKDIE  151 ASFDDEAVIE TEAKPTDIRH VKEIGHIDLV SHIIGGRSVD GRPAGGIAPD  201 ATLHIMNTND ETKNEMMVAA IRNAWVKLGE RGVRIVNNSF GTTSRAGTAD  251 LFQIANSEEQ YRQALLDYSG GDKTDEGIRL MQQSDYGNLS YHIRNKNMLF  301 IFSTGNDAQA QPNTYALLPF YEEDAQKGII TVAGVDRSGE KFKREMYGEP  351 GTEPLEYGSN HCGITAMWCL SAPYEASVRF TRTNPIQIAG TSFSAPIVTG  401 TAALLLQKYP WMSNDNLRTT LLTTAQDIGA VGVDSKFGWG LLDAGKMANG  451 PASFPFGDFT ADTKGTSDIA YSFRNDISGT GGLIKKGGSQ LQLHGNNTYT  501 GKTIIEGGSL VLYGNNKSDM RVETKGALIY NGAASGGSLN SDGIVYLADT  551 DQSGANETVH IKGSLQLDGK GTLYTRLGKL LKVDGTAIIG GKLYMSARGK  601 GAGYLNSTGR RVPFLSAAKI GQDYSFFTNI ETDGGLLASL DSVEKTAGSE  651 GDTLSYYVRR GNAARTASAA AHSAPAGLKH AVEQGGSNLE NLMVELDASE  701 SSATPETVET AAADRTDMPG IRPYGATFRA AAAVQHANAA DGVRIFNSLA  751 ATVYADSTAA HADMQGRRLK AVSDGLDHNG TGLRVIAQTQ QDGGTWEQGG  801 VEGKMRGSTQ TVGIAAKTGE NTTAAATLGM GRSTWSENSA NAKTDSISLF  851 AGIRHDAGDI GYLEGLFSYG RYKNSISRST GADEHAEGSV NGTLMQLGAL  901 GGVNVPFAAT GDLTVEGGLR YDLLKQDAFA EKGSALGWSG NSLTEGTLVG  951 LAGLKLSQPL SDKAVLFATA GVERDLNGRD YTVTGGFTGA TAATGKTGAR 1001 NMPHTRLVAG LGADVEFGNG WNGLARYSYA GSKQYGNHSG RVGVGYRFLE 1051 GGGGTGSATN DDDVKKAATV AIAAAYNNGQ EINGFKAGET IYDIDEDGTI 1101 TKKDATAADV EADDFKGLGL KKVVTNLTKT VNENKQNVDA KVKAAESEIE 1151 KLTTKLADTD AALADTDAAL DATTNALNKL GENITTFAKE TKTNIVKIDE 1201 KLEAVADTVD KHAFAENDLA DSLDETNTKA DEAVKTANEA KQTAEETKQN 1251 VDAKVKAAET AAGKAEAAAG TANTAADKAE AVAAKVTDIK ADIATNKDNI 1301 AKKANSADVY TREESDSKFV RIDGLNATTE KLDTRLASAE KSIADHDTRL 1351 NGLDKTVSDL REETRQGLAE QAALSGLFQP YNVGLEHHHH HH*

ΔG741 and Hybrids

Bactericidal titres generated in response to ΔG741 (His-fusion) were measured against various strains, including the homologous 2996 strain:

2996 MC58 NGH38 F6124 BZ133 ΔG741 512 131072 >2048 16384 >2048

As can be seen, the ΔG741-induced anti-bactericidal titre is particularly high against heterologous strain MC58.

ΔG741 was also fused directly in-frame upstream of proteins 961, 961c, 983 and ORF46.1:

ΔG741-961    1 ATGGTCGCCG CCGACATCGG TGCGGGGCTT GCCGATGCAC  TAACCGCACC   51 GCTCGACCAT AAAGACAAAG GTTTGCAGTC TTTGACGCTG GATCAGTCCG  101 TCAGGAAAAA CGAGAAACTG AAGCTGGCGG CACAAGGTGC GGAAAAAACT  151 TATGGAAACG GTGACAGCCT CAATACGGGC AAATTGAAGA ACGACAAGGT  201 CAGCCGTTTC GACTTTATCC GCCAAATCGA AGTGGACGGG CAGCTCATTA  251 CCTTGGAGAG TGGAGAGTTC CAAGTATACA AACAAAGCCA TTCCGCCTTA  301 ACCGCCTTTC AGACCGAGCA AATACAAGAT TCGGAGCATT CCGGGAAGAT  351 GGTTGCGAAA CGCCAGTTCA GAATCGGCGA CATAGCGGGC GAACATACAT  401 CTTTTGACAA GCTTCCCGAA GGCGGCAGGG CGACATATCG CGGGACGGCG  451 TTCGGTTCAG ACGATGCCGG CGGAAAACTG ACCTACACCA TAGATTTCGC  501 CGCCAAGCAG GGAAACGGCA AAATCGAACA TTTGAAATCG CCAGAACTCA  551 ATGTCGACCT GGCCGCCGCC GATATCAAGC CGGATGGAAA ACGCCATGCC  601 GTCATCAGCG GTTCCGTCCT TTACAACCAA GCCGAGAAAG GCAGTTACTC  651 CCTCGGTATC TTTGGCGGAA AAGCCCAGGA AGTTGCCGGC AGCGCGGAAG  701 TGAAAACCGT AAACGGCATA CGCCATATCG GCCTTGCCGC CAAGCAACTC  751 GAGGGTGGCG GAGGCACTGG ATCCGCCACA AACGACGACG ATGTTAAAAA  801 AGCTGCCACT GTGGCCATTG CTGCTGCCTA CAACAATGGC CAAGAAATCA  851 ACGGTTTCAA AGCTGGAGAG ACCATCTACG ACATTGATGA AGACGGCACA  901 ATTACCAAAA AAGACGCAAC TGCAGCCGAT GTTGAAGCCG ACGACTTTAA  951 AGGTCTGGGT CTGAAAAAAG TCGTGACTAA CCTGACCAAA ACCGTCAATG 1001 AAAACAAACA AAACGTCGAT GCCAAAGTAA AAGCTGCAGA ATCTGAAATA 1051 GAAAAGTTAA CAACCAAGTT AGCAGACACT GATGCCGCTT TAGCAGATAC 1101 TGATGCCGCT CTGGATGCAA CCACCAACGC CTTGAATAAA TTGGGAGAAA 1151 ATATAACGAC ATTTGCTGAA GAGACTAAGA CAAATATCGT AAAAATTGAT 1201 GAAAAATTAG AAGCCGTGGC TGATACCGTC GACAAGCATG CCGAAGCATT 1251 CAACGATATC GCCGATTCAT TGGATGAAAC CAACACTAAG GCAGACGAAG 1301 CCGTCAAAAC CGCCAATGAA GCCAAACAGA CGGCCGAAGA AACCAAACAA 1351 AACGTCGATG CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA ACTGCAGCAG GCAAAGCCGA 1401 AGCTGCCGCT GGCACAGCTA ATACTGCAGC CGACAAGGCC GAAGCTGTCG 1451 CTGCAAAAGT TACCGACATC AAAGCTGATA TCGCTACGAA CAAAGATAAT 1501 ATTGCTAAAA AAGCAAACAG TGCCGACGTG TACACCAGAG AAGAGTCTGA 1551 CAGCAAATTT GTCAGAATTG ATGGTCTGAA CGCTACTACC GAAAAATTGG 1601 ACACACGCTT GGCTTCTGCT GAAAAATCCA TTGCCGATCA CGATACTCGC 1651 CTGAACGGTT TGGATAAAAC AGTGTCAGAC CTGCGCAAAG AAACCCGCCA 1701 AGGCCTTGCA GAACAAGCCG CGCTCTCCGG TCTGTTCCAA CCTTACAACG 1751 TGGGTCGGTT CAATGTAACG GCTGCAGTCG GCGGCTACAA ATCCGAATCG 1801 GCAGTCGCCA TCGGTACCGG CTTCCGCTTT ACCGAAAACT TTGCCGCCAA 1851 AGCAGGCGTG GCAGTCGGCA CTTCGTCCGG TTCTTCCGCA GCCTACCATG 1901 TCGGCGTCAA TTACGAGTGG CTCGAGCACC ACCACCACCA CCACTGA    1 MVAADIGAGL ADALTAPLDH KDKGLQSLTL DQSVRKNEKL KLAAQGAEKT   51 YGNGDSLNTG KLKNDKVSRF DFIRQIEVDG QLITLESGEF QVYKQSHSAL  101 TAFQTEQIQD SEHSGKHVAK RQFRIGDIAG EHTSFDKLPE GGRATYRGTA  151 FGSDDAGGKL TYTIDFAAKQ GNGKIEHLKS PELNVDLAAA DIKPDGKRHA  201 VISGSVLYNQ AEKGSYSLGI FGGKAQEVAG SAEVKTVNGI RHIGLAAKQL  251 EGGGGTGSAT NDDDVKKAAT VAIAAAYNNG QEINGFKAGE TIYDIDEDGT  301 ITKKDATAAD VEADDFKGLG LKKVVTNLTK TVNENKQNVD AKVKAAESEI  351 EKLTTKLADT DAALADTDAA LDATTNALNK LGENITTFAE ETKTNIVKID  401 EKLEAVADTV DKHAEAFNDI ADSLDETNTK ADEAVKTANE AKQTAEETKQ  451 NVDAKVKAAE TAAGKAEAAA GTANTAADKA EAVAAKVTDI KADIATNRDN  501 IAKKANSADV YTREESDSKF VRIDGLNATT EKLDTRLASA EKSIADHDTR  551 LNGLDKTVSD LRKETRQGLA EQAALSGLFQ PYNVGRFNVT AAVGGYKSES  601 AVAIGTGFRF TENFAAKAGV AVGTSSGSSA AYHVGVNYEW LEHHHHHH* ΔG741-961c    1 ATGGTCGCCG CCGACATCGG TGCGGGGCTT GCCGATGCAC TAACCGCACC   51 GCTCGACCAT AAAGACAAAG GTTTGCAGTC TTTGACGCTG GATCAGTCCG  101 TCAGGAAAAA CGAGAAACTG AAGCTGGCGG CACAAGGTGC GGAAAAAACT  151 TATGGAAACG GTGACAGCCT CAATACGGGC AAATTGAAGA ACGACAAGGT  201 CAGCCGTTTC GACTTTATCC GCCAAATCGA AGTGGACGGG CAGCTCATTA  251 CCTTGGAGAG TGGAGAGTTC CAAGTATACA AACAAAGCCA TTCCGCCTTA  301 ACCGCCTTTC AGACCGAGCA AATACAAGAT TCGGAGCATT CCGGGAAGAT  351 GGTTGCGAAA CGCCAGTTCA GAATCGGCGA CATAGCGGGC GAACATACAT  401 CTTTTGACAA GCTTCCCGAA GGCGGCAGGG CGACATATCG CGGGACGGCG  451 TTCGGTTCAG ACGATGCCGG CGGAAAACTG ACCTACACCA TAGATTTCGC  501 CGCCAAGCAG GGAAACGGCA AAAACAAACA TTTGAAATCG CCAGAACTCA  551 ATGTCGACCT GGCCGCCGCC GATATCAAGC CGGATGGAAA ACGCCATGCC  601 GTCATCAGCG GTTCCGTCCT TTACAACCAA GCCGAGAAAG GCAGTTACTC  651 CCTCGGTATC TTTGGCGGAA AAGCCCAGGA AGTTGCCGGC AGCGCGGAAG  701 TGAAAACCGT AAACGGCATA CGCCATATCG GCCTTGCCGC CAAGCAACTC  751 GAGGGTGGCG GAGGCACTGG ATCCGCCACA AACGACGACG ATGTTAAAAA  801 AGCTGCCACT GTGGCCATTG CTGCTGCCTA CAACAATGGC CAAGAAATCA  851 ACGGTTTCAA AGCTGGAGAG ACCATCTACG ACATTGATGA AGACGGCACA  901 ATTACCAAAA AAGACGCAAC TGCAGCCGAT GTTGAAGCCG ACGACTTTAA  951 AGGTCTGGGT CTGAAAAAAG TCGTGACTAA CCTGACCAAA ACCGTCAATG 1001 AAAACAAACA AAACGTCGAT GCCAAAGTAA AAGCTGCAGA ATCTGAAATA 1051 GAAAAGTTAA CAACCAAGTT AGCAGACACT GATGCCGCTT TAGCAGATAC 1101 TGATGCCGCT CTGGATGCAA CCACCAACGC CTTGAATAAA TTGGGAGAAA 1151 ATATAACGAC ATTTGCTGAA GAGACTAAGA CAAATATCGT AAAAATTGAT 1201 GAAAAATTAG AAGCCGTGGC TGATACCGTC GACAAGCATG CCGAAGCATT 1251 CAACGATATC GCCGATTCAT TGGATGAAAC CAACACTAAG GCAGACGAAG 1301 CCGTCAAAAC CGCCAATGAA GCCAAATCGA CGGCCGAAGA AACCAAACAA 1351 AACGTCGATG CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA ACTGCAGCAG GCAAAGCCGA 1401 AGCTGCCGCT GGCACAGCTA ATACTGCAGC CGACAAGGCC GAAGCTGTCG 1451 CTGCAAAAGT TACCGACATC AAAGCTGATA TCGCTACGAA CAAAGATAAT 1501 ATTGCTAAAA AAGCAAACAG TGCCGACGTG TACACCAGAG AAGAGTCTGA 1551 CAGCAAATTT GTCAGAATTG ATGGTCTGAA CGCTACTACC GAAAAATTGG 1601 ACACACGCTT GGCTTCTGCT GAAAAATCCA TTGCCGATCA CGATACTCGC 1651 CTGAACGGTT TGGATAAAAC AGTGTCAGAC CTGCGCAAAG AAACCCGCCA 1701 AGGCCTTGCA GAACAAGCCG CGCTCTCCGG TCTGTTCCAA CCTTACAACG 1751 TGGGTCTCGA GCACCACCAC CACCACCACT GA    1 MVAADIGAGL ADALTAPLDH KDKGLQSLTL DQSVRKNEKL KLAAQGAEKT   51 YGNGDSLNTG KLKNDKVSRF DFIRQIEVDG QLITLESGEF QVYKQSHSAL  101 TAFQTEQIQD SEHSGKMVAK RQFRIGDIAG EHTSFDKLPE GGRATYRGTA  151 FGSDDAGGKL TYTIDFAAKQ GNGKIEHLKS PELNVDLAAA DIKPDGKRHA  201 VISGSVLYNQ AEKGSTELGI FGGKAQEVAG SAEVKTVNGI RHIGLAAKQL  251 EGGGGTGSAT NDDDVKKAAT VAIAAAYNNG QEINGFKAGE TIYDIDEDGT  301 ITKKDATAAD VEADDFKGLG LKKVVTNLTK TVNENKQNVD AKVKAAESEI  351 EKLTTKLADT DAALADTDAA LDATTNALNK LGENITTFAE ETKTNIVKID  401 EKLEAVADTV DKHAEAFNDI ADSLDETNTK ADEAVKTANE AKQTAEETKQ  451 NVDAKVKAAB TAAGKAEAAA GTANTAADKA EAVAAKVTDI RADIATNKDN  501 IAKKANSADV YTREESDSKF VRIDGLNATT EKLDTRLASA EKSIADHDTR  551 LNGLDKTVSD LRKETRQGLA EQAALSGLFQ FYNVGLEHHH NHH* ΔG741-983    1 ATGGTCGCCG CCGACATCGG TGCGGGGCTT GCCGATGCAC TAACCGCACC   51 GCTCGACCAT AAAGACAAAG GTTTGCAGTC TTTGACGCTG GATCAGTCCG  101 TCAGGAAAAA CGAGAAACTG AAGCTGGCGG CACAAGGTGC GGAAAAAACT  151 TATGGAAACG GTGACAGCCT CAATACGGGC AAATTGAAGA ACGACAAGGT  201 CAGCCGTTTC GACTTTATCC GCCAAATCGA AGTGGACGGG CAGCTCATTA  251 CCTTGGAGAG TGGAGAGTTC CAAGTATACA AACAAAGCCA TTCCGCCTTA  301 ACCGCCTTTC AGACCGAGCA AATACAAGAT TCGGAGCATT CCGGGAAGAT  351 GGTTGCGAAA CGCCAGTTCA GAATCGGCGA CATAGCGGGC GAACATACAT  401 CTTTTGACAA GCTTCCCGAA GGCGGCAGGG CGACATATCG CGGGACGGCG  451 TTCGGTTCAG ACGATGCCGG CGGAAAACTG ACCTACACCA TAGATTTCGC  501 CGCCAAGCAG GGAAACGGCA AAATCGAACA TTTGAAATCG CAAGAAATCA  551 ATGTCGACCT GGCCGCCGCC GATATCAAGC CGGATGGAAA ACGCCATGCC  601 GTCATCAGCG GTTCCGTCCT TTACAACCAA GCCGAGAAAG GCAGTTACTC  651 CCTCGGTATC TTTGGCGGAA AAGCCCAGGA AGTTGCCGGC AGCGCGGAAG  701 TGAAAACCGT AAACGGCATA CGCCATATCG GCCTTGCCGC CAAGCAACTC  751 GAGGGATCCG GCGGAGGCGG CACTTCTGCG CCCGACTTCA ATGCAGGCGG  801 TACCGGTATC GGCAGCAACA GCAGAGCAAC AACAGCGAAA TCAGCAGCAG  851 TATCTTACGC CGGTATCAAG AACGAAATGT GCAAAGACAG AAGCATGCTC  901 TGTGCCGGTC GGGATGACGT TGCGGTTACA GACAGGGATG CCAAAATCAA  951 TGCCCCCCCC CCGAATCTGC ATACCGGAGA CTTTCCAAAC CCAAATGACG 1001 CATACAAGAA TTTGATCAAC CTCAAACCTG CAATTGAAGC AGGCTATACA 1051 GGACGCGGGG TAGAGGTAGG TATCGTCGAC ACAGGCGAAT CCGTCGGCAG 1101 CATATCCTTT CCCGAACTGT ATGGCAGAAA AGAACACGGC TATAACGAAA 1151 ATTACCAAAA CTATACGGCG TATATGCGGA AGGAAGCGCC TGAAGACGGA 1201 GGCGGTAAAG ACATTGAAGC TTCTTTCGAC GATGAGGCCG TTATAGAGAC 1251 TGAAGCAAAG CCGACGGATA TCCGCCACGT AAAAGAAATC GGACACATCG 1301 ATTTGGTCTC CCATATTATT GGCGGGCGTT CCGTGGACGG CAGACCTGCA 1351 GGCGGTATTG CGCCCGATGC GACGCTACAC ATAATGAATA CGAATGATGA 1401 AACCAAGAAC GAAATGATGG TTGCAGCCAT CCGCAATGCA TGGGTCAAGC 1451 TGGGCGAACG TGGCGTGCGC ATCGTCAATA ACAGTTTTGG AACAACATCG 1501 AGGGCAGGCA CTGCCGACCT TTTCCAAATA GCCAATTCGG AGGAGCAGTA 1551 CCGCCAAGCG TTGCTCGACT ATTCCGGCGG TGATAAAACA GACGAGGGTA 1601 TCCGCCTGAT GCAACAGAGC GATTACGGCA ACCTGTCCTA CCACATCCGT 1651 AATAAAAACA TGCTTTTCAT CTTTTCGACA GGCAATGACG CACAAGCTCA 1701 GCCCAACACA TATGCCCTAT TGCCATTTTA TGAAAAAGAC GCTCAAAAAG 1751 GCATTATCAC AGTCGCAGGC GTAGACCGCA GTGGAGAAAA GTTCAAACGG 1801 GAAATGTATG GAGAACCGGG TACAGAACCG CTTGAGTATG GCTCCAACCA 1851 TTGCGGAATT ACTGCCATGT GGTGCCTGTC GGCACCCTAT GAAGCAAGCG 1901 TCCGTTTCAC CCGTACAAAC CCGATTCAAA TTGCCGGAAC ATCCTTTTCC 1951 GCACCCATCG TAACCGGCAC GGCGGCTCTG CTGCTGCAGA AATACCCGTG 2001 GATGAGCAAC GACAACCTGC GTACCACGTT GCTGACGACG GCTCAGGACA 2051 TCGGTGCAGT CGGCGTGGAC AGCAAGTTCG GCTGGGGACT GCTGGATGCG 2101 GGTAAGGCCA TGAACGGACC CGCGTCCTTT CCGTTCGGCG ACTTTACCGC 2151 CGATACGAAA GGTACATCCG ATATTGCCTA CTCCTTCCGT AACGACATTT 2201 CAGGCACGGG CGGCCTGATC AAAAAAGGCG GCAGCCAACT GCAACTGCAC 2251 GGCAACAACA CCTATACGGG CAAAACCATT ATCGAAGGCG GTTCGCTGGT 2301 GTTGTACGGC AACAACAAAT CGGATATGCG CGTCGAAACC AAAGGTGCGC 2351 TGATTTATAA CGGGGCGGCA TCCGGCGGCA GCCTGAACAG CGACGGCATT 2401 GTCTATCTGG CAGATACCGA CCAATCCGGC GCAAACGAAA CCGTACACAT 2451 CAAAGGCAGT CTGCAGCTGG ACGGCAAAGG TACGCTGTAC ACACGTTTGG 2501 GCAAACTGCT GAAAGTGGAC GGTACGGCGA TTATCGGCGG CAAGCTGTAC 2551 ATGTCGGCAC GCGGCAAGGG GGCAGGCTAT CTCAACAGTA CCGGACGACG 2601 TGTTCCCTTC CTGAGTGCCG CCAAAATCGG GCAGGATTAT TCTTTCTTCA 2651 CAAACATCGA AACCGACGGC GGCCTGCTGG CTTCCCTCGA CAGCGTCGAA 2701 AAAACAGCGG GCAGTGAAGG CGACACGCTG TCCTATTATG TCCGTCGCGG 2751 CAATGCGGCA CGGACTGCTT CGGCAGCGGC ACATTCCGCG CCCGCCGGTC 2801 TGAAACACGC CGTAGAACAG GGCGGCAGCA ATCTGGAAAA CCTGATGGTC 2851 GAACTGGATG CCTCCGAATC ATCCGCAACA CCCGAGACGG TTGAAACTGC 2901 GGCAGCCGAC CGCACAGATA TGCCGGGCAT CCGCCCCTAC GGCGCAACTT 2951 TCCGCGCAGC GGCAGCCGTA CAGCATGCGA ATGCCGCCGA CGGTGTACGC 3001 ATCTTCAACA GTCTCGCCGC TACCGTCTAT GCCGACAGTA CCGCCGCCCA 3051 TGCCGATATG CAGGGACGCC GCCTGAAAGC CGTATCGGAC GGGTTGGACC 3101 ACAACGGCAC GGGTCTGCGC GTCATCGCGC AAACCCAACA GGACGGTGGA 3151 ACGTGGGAAC AGGGCGGTGT TGAAGGCAAA ATGCGCGGCA GTACCCAAAC 3201 CGTCGGCATT GCCGCGAAAA CCGGCGAAAA TACGACAGCA GCCGCCACAC 3251 TGGGCATGGG ACGCAGCACA TGGAGCGAAA ACAGTGCAAA TGCAAAAACC 3301 GACAGCATTA GTCTGTTTGC AGGCATACGG CACGATGCGG GCGATATCGG 3351 CTATCTCAAA GGCCTGTTCT CCTACGGACG CTACAAAAAC AGCATCAGCC 3401 GCAGCACCGG TGCGGACGAA CATGCGGAAG GCAGCGTCAA CGGCACGCTG 3451 ATGCAGCTGG GCGCACTGGG CGGTGTCAAC GTTCCGTTTG CCGCAACGGG 3501 AGATTTGACG GTCGAAGGCG GTCTGCGCTA CGACCTGCTC AAACAGGATG 3551 CATTCGCCGA AAAAGGCAGT GCTTTGGGCT GGAGCGGCAA CAGCCTCACT 3601 GAAGGCACGC TGGTCGGACT CGCGGGTCTG AAGCTGTCGC AACCCTTGAG 3651 CGATAAAGCC GTCCTGTTTG CAACGGCGGG CGTGGAACGC GACCTGAACG 3701 GACGCGACTA CACGGTAACG GGCGGCTTTA CCGGCGCGAC TGCAGCAACC 3751 GGCAAGACGG GGGCACGCAA TATGCCGCAC ACCCGTCTGG TTGCCGGCCT 3801 GGGCGCGGAT GTCGAATTCG GCAACGGCTG GAACGGCTTG GCACGTTACA 3851 GCTACGCCGG TTCCAAACAG TACGGCAACC ACAGCGGACG AGTCGGCGTA 3901 GGCTACCGGT TCCTCGAGAA CCACCACCAC CACCACTGA    1 MVAADIGAGL ADALTAPLDH KDKGLQSLTL DQSVRKNEKL KLAAQGAEKT   51 YGNGDSLNTG KLKNDKVSRF DFIRQIEVDG QLITLESGEF QVYKQSHSAL  101 TAFQTEQIQD SEHSGKMVAK RQFRIGDIAG EHTSFDKLPE GGRATYRGTA  151 FGSDDAGGKL TYTIDFAAKQ GNGKIEHLKS PELNVDLAAA DIKPDGKRHA  201 VISGSVLYNQ AEKGSYSLGI FGGKAQEVAG SAEVKTVNGI RHIGLAAKQL  251 EGSGGGGTSA PDFNAGGTGI GSNSRATTAK SAAVSYAGIK NEMCKDRSML  301 CAGRDDVAVT DRDAKINAPP PNLHTGDFPN PNDAYKNLIN LKPAIEAGYT  351 GRGVEVGIVD TGESVGSISF PELYGRKEHG YNENYKNYTA YMRKEAPEDG  401 GGKDIEASFD DEAVIETEAK PTDIRHVKEI GHIDLVSHII GGRSVDGRPA  451 GGIAPDATLH IMNTEDETKN EEMVAAIRNA WVKLGERGVR IVNNSFGTTS  501 RAGTADLFQI ANSEEQYRQA LLDYSGGDKT DEGIRLMQQS DYGNLSYHIR  551 NKNMLFIFST GNDAQAQPNT YALLPFYEKD AQKGIITVAG VDRSGEKFKR  601 EMYGEPGTEP LEYGSNHCGI TAMWCLSAPY EASVRFTRTN PIQIAGTSFS  651 APIVTGTAAL LLQKYPWMSN DNLRTTLLTT AQDIGAVGVD SKFGWGLLDA  701 GKAMNGPASF PPGDFTADTK GTSDIAYSFR NDISGTGGLI KKGGSQLQLH  751 GNNTYTGKTI IEGGSLVLYG NNKSDMRVET KGALIYNGAA SGGSLNSDGI  801 VYLADTDQSG ANETVHIKGS LQLDGKGTLY TRLGKLLKVD GTAIIGGKLY  851 MSARGKGAGY LNSTGRRVPF LSAAKIGQDY SFFTNIETDG GLLASLDSVE  901 KTAGSEGDTL SYYVRRGNAA RTASAAAHSA PAGLKHAVEQ GGSNLENLMV  951 ELDASESSAT PETVETAAAD RTDMPGIRPY GATFRAAAAV QHANAADGVR 1001 IFNSLAATVY ADSTAAHADM QGRRLKAVSD GLDHNGTGLR VIAQTQQDGG 1051 TWEQGGVEGK MRGSTQTVGI AAKTGENTTA AATLGMGRST WSENSANAKT 1101 DSISLFAGIR HDAGDIGYLK GLFSYGRYKN SISRSTGADE HAEGSVNGTL 1151 MQLGALGGVN VPFAATGDLT VEGGLRYDLL KQDAFAEKGS ALGWSGNSLT 1201 EGTLVGLAGL KLSQPLSDKA VLFATAGVER DLNGRDYTVT GGFTGATAAT 1251 GKTGARNMPH TRLVAGLGAD VEFGNGWNGL ARYSYAGSKQ YGNHSGRVGV 1301 GYRFLEHHHH HH* ΔG741-0RF46.1    1 ATGGTCGCCG CCGACATCGG TGCGGGGCTT GCCGATGCAC TAACCGCACC   51 GCTCGACCAT AAAGACAAAG GTTTGCAGTC TTTGACGCTG GATCAGTCCG  101 TCAGGAAAAA CGAGAAACTG AAGCTGGCGG CACAAGGTGC GGAAAAAACT  151 TATGGAAACG GTGACAGCCT CAATACGGGC AAATCGAACA ACGACAAGGT  201 CAGCCGTTTC GACTTTATCC GCCAAATCGA AGTGGACGGG CAGCTCATTA  251 CCTTGGAGAG TGGAGAGTTC CAAGTATACA AACAAAGCCA TTCCGCCTTA  301 ACCGCCTTTC AGACCGAGCA AATACAAGAT TCGGAGCATT CCGGGAAGAT  351 GGTTGCGAAA CGCCAGTTCA GAATCGGCGA CATAGCGGGC GAACATACAT  401 CTTTTGACAA GCTTCCCGAA GGCGGCAGGG CGACATATCG CGGGACGGCG  451 TTCGGTTCAG ACGATGCCGG CGAGAAACTG ACCTACACCA TAGATTTCGC  501 CGCCAAGCAG GGAAACGGCA AAATCGAACA TTTGAAATCG CCAGAACTCA  551 ATGTCGACCT GGCCGCCGCC GATATCAAGC CGGATGGAAA ACGCCATGCC  601 GTCATCAGCG GTTCCGTCCT TTACAACCAA GCCGAGAAAG GCAGTTACTC  651 CCTCGGTATC TTTGGCGGAA AAGCCCAGGA AGTTGCCGGC AGCGCGGAAG  701 TGAAAACCGT AAACGGCATA CGCCATATCG GCCTTGCCGC CAAGCAACTC  751 GACGGTGGCG GAGGCACTGG ATCCTCAGAT TTGGCAAACG ATTCTTTTAT  801 CCGGCAGGTT CTCGACCGTC AGCATTTCGA ACCCGACGGG AAATACCACC  851 TATTCGGCAG CAGGGGGGAA CTTGCCGAGC GCAGCGGCCA TATCGGATTG  901 GGAAAAATAC AAAGCCATCA GTTGGGCAAC CTGATGATTC AACAGGCGGC  951 CATTAAAGGA AATATCGGCT ACATTGTCCG CTTTTCCGAT CACGGGCACG 1001 AAGTCCATTC CCCCTTCGAC AACCATGCCT CACATTCCGA TTCTGATGAA 1051 GCCGGTAGTC CCGTTGACGG ATTTAGCCTT TACCGCATCC ATTGGGACGG 1101 ATACGAACAC CATCCCGCCG ACGGCTATGA CGGGCCACAG GGCGGCGGCT 1151 ATCCCGCTCC CAAAGGCGCG AGGGATATAT ACAGCTACGA CATAAAAGGC 1201 GTTGCCCAAA ATATCCGCCT CAACCTGACC GACAACCGCA GCACCGGACA 1251 ACGGCTTGCC GACGGTTTCC ACAATGCCGG TAGTATGCTG ACGCAAGGAG 1301 TAGGCGACGG ATTCAAACGC GCCACCCGAT ACAGCCCCGA GCTGGACAGA 1351 TCGGGCAATG CCGCCGAAGC CTTCAACGGC ACTGCAGATA TCGTTAAAAA 1401 CATCATCGGC GCGGCAGGAG AAATTGTCGG CGCAGGCGAT GCCGTGCAGG 1451 GCATAAGCGA AGGCTCAAAC ATTGCTGTCA TGCACGGCTT GGGTCTGCTT 1501 TCCACCGAAA ACAAGATGGC GCGCATCAAC GATTTGGCAG ATATGGCGCA 1551 ACTCAAAGAC TATGCCGCAG CAGCCATCCG CGATTGGGCA GTCCAAAACC 1601 CCAATGCCGC ACAAGGCATA GAAGCCGTCA GCAATATCTT TATGGCAGCC 1651 ATCCCCATCA AAGGGATTGG AGCTGTTCGG GGAAAATACG GCTTGGGCGG 1701 CATCACGGCA CATCCTATCA AGCGGTCGCA GATGGGCGCG ATCGCATTGC 1751 CGAAAGGGAA ATCCGCCGTC AGCGACAATT TTGCCGATGC GGCATACGCC 1801 AAATACCCGT CCCCTTACCA TTCCCGAAAT ATCCGTTCAA ACTTGGAGCA 1851 GCGTTACGGC AAAGAAAACA TCACCTCCTC AACCGTGCCG CCGTCAAACG 1901 GCAAAAATGT CAAACTGGCA GACCAACGCC ACCCGAAGAC AGGCGTACCG 1951 TTTGACGGTA AAGGGTTTCC GAATTTTGAG AAGCACGTGA AATATGATAC 2001 GCTCGAGCAC CACCACCACC ACCACTGA    1 MVAADIGAGL ADALTAPLDH KURGLQSLTL DQSVRKNEKL KLAAQGAEKT   51 YGNGDSLNTG KLKNDKVSAF DFIRQIEVDG QLITLESGEF QVYKQSHSAL  101 TAFQTEQIQD SEHSGKMVAK RQFRIGDIAG EHTSFDKLPE GGRATYAGTA  151 FGSDDAGGKL TYTIDFAAKQ GNGKIEHLKS PELNVDLAAA DIKPDGKRHA  201 VISGSVLYNQ AEKGSYSLGI FGGKAQEVAG SAEVKTVNGI RHIGLAAKQL  251 DGGGGTGSSD LANDSFIRQV LDRQHFEPDG KYHLFGSRGE LAERSGHIGL  301 GKIQSHQLGN LMIQQAAIKG NIGYIVRFSD HGHEVHSPFD NHASHSDSDE  351 AGSPVDGFSL YRIHWDGYEH HPADGYDGPQ GGGYPAPKGA RDIYSYDIKG  401 VAQNIRLNLT DNRSTGQRLA DRFHNAGSEL TQGVGDGFKR ATRYSPELDR  451 SGNAAEAFNG TADIVKNIIG AAGEIVGAGD AVQGISEGSN IAVMHGLGLL  501 STENKMARIN DLADMAQIED YAAAAIRDWA VQNPNAAQGI EAVSNIFMAA  551 IPIKGIGAVR GKYGLGGITA HPIKRSQMGA IALPKGKSAV SDNFADANYA  601 KYPSPYHSRN IRSNLEQRYG KENITSSTVP PSNGXNVKLA DQRHPKTGVP  651 FDGKGFPNFE KHVKYDTLEH HHHHH*

Example 16 C-Terminal Fusions (‘Hybrids’) with 287/ΔG287

According to the invention, hybrids of two proteins A & B may be either NH2-A-B-COOH or NH2-B-A-COOH. The effect of this difference was investigated using protein 287 either C-terminal (in ‘287-His’ form) or N-terminal (in ΔG287 form—sequences shown above) to 919, 953 and ORF46.1. A panel of strains was used, including homologous strain 2996. FCA was used as adjuvant:

287 & 919 287 & 953 287 & ORF46.1 Strain ΔG287-919 919-287 ΔG287-953 953-287 ΔG287-46.1 46.1-287 2996 128000 16000 65536 8192 16384 8192 BZ232 256 128 128 <4 <4 <4 1000 2048 <4 <4 <4 <4 <4 MC58 8192 1024 16384 1024 512 128 NGH38 32000 2048 >2048 4096 16384 4096 394/98 4096 32 256 128 128 16 MenA (F6124) 32000 2048 >2048 32 8192 1024 MenC (B2133) 64000 >8192 >8192 <16 8192 2048

Better bactericidal titres are generally seen with 287 at the N-terminus (in the ΔG form)

When fused to protein 961 [NH2-ΔG287-961-COOH—sequence shown above], the resulting protein is insoluble and must be denatured and renatured for purification. Following renaturation, around 50% of the protein was found to remain insoluble. The soluble and insoluble proteins were compared, and much better bactericidal titres were obtained with the soluble protein (FCA as adjuvant):

2996 BZ232 MC58 NGH38 F6124 BZ133 Soluble 65536 128 4096 >2048 >2048 4096 Insoluble 8192 <4 <4 16 n.d. n.d.

Titres with the insoluble form were, however, improved by using alum adjuvant instead:

Insoluble 32768 128 4096 >2048 >2048 2048

Example 17 N-Terminal Fusions (‘Hybrids’) to 287

Expression of protein 287 as full-length with a C-terminal His-tag, or without its leader peptide but with a C-terminal His-tag, gives fairly low expression levels. Better expression is achieved using a N-terminal GST-fusion.

As an alternative to using GST as an N-terminal fusion partner, 287 was placed at the C-terminus of protein 919 (‘919-287’), of protein 953 (‘953-287’), and of proteins ORF46.1 (‘ORF46.1-287’). In both cases, the leader peptides were deleted, and the hybrids were direct in-frame fusions.

To generate the 953-287 hybrid, the leader peptides of the two proteins were omitted by designing the forward primer downstream from the leader of each sequence; the stop codon sequence was omitted in the 953 reverse primer but included in the 287 reverse primer. For the 953 gene, the 5′ and the 3′ primers used for amplification included a NdeI and a BamHI restriction sites respectively, whereas for the amplification of the 287 gene the 5′ and the 3′ primers included a BamHI and a XhoI restriction sites respectively. In this way a sequential directional cloning of the two genes in pET21b+, using NdeI-BamHI (to clone the first gene) and subsequently BamHI-XhoI (to clone the second gene) could be achieved.

The 919-287 hybrid was obtained by cloning the sequence coding for the mature portion of 287 into the XhoI site at the 3′-end of the 919-His clone in pET21b-E. The primers used for amplification of the 287 gene were designed for introducing a SalI restriction site at the 5′- and a XhoI site at the 3′-of the PCR fragment. Since the cohesive ends produced by the SalI and XhoI restriction enzymes are compatible, the 287 PCR product digested with SalI XhoI could be inserted in the pET21b-919 clone cleaved with XhoI

The ORF46.1-287 hybrid was obtained similarly.

The bactericidal efficacy (homologous strain) of antibodies raised against the hybrid proteins was compared with antibodies raised against simple mixtures of the component antigens:

Mixture with 287 Hybrid with 287 919 32000 16000 953 8192 8192 ORF46.1 128 8192

Data for bactericidal activity against heterologous MenB strains and against serotypes A and C were also obtained for 919-287 and 953-287:

919 953 ORF46.1 Strain Mixture Hybrid Mixture Hybrid Mixture Hybrid MC58 512 1024 512 1024 — 1024 NGH38 1024 2048 2048 4096 — 4096 BZ232 512 128 1024 16 — — MenA (F6124) 512 2048 2048 32 — 1024 MenC (C11) >2048 n.d. >2048 n.d. — n.d. MenC (BZ133) >4096 >8192 >4096 <16 — 2048

Hybrids of ORF46.1 and 919 were also constructed. Best results (four-fold higher titre) were achieved with 919 at the N-terminus.

Hybrids 919-519H is, ORF97-225His and 225-ORF97H is were also tested. These gave moderate ELISA titres and bactericidal antibody responses.

Example 18 The Leader Peptide from ORF4

As shown above, the leader peptide of ORF4 can be fused to the mature sequence of other proteins (e.g. proteins 287 and 919). It is able to direct lipidation in E. coli.

Example 19 Domains in 564

The protein ‘564’ is very large (2073aa), and it is difficult to clone and express it in complete form. To facilitate expression, the protein has been divided into four domains, as shown in FIG. 8 (according to the MC58 sequence):

Domain A B C D Amino Acids 79-360 361-731 732-2044 2045-2073

These domains show the following homologies:

    • Domain A shows homology to other bacterial toxins:

gb|AAG03431.1|AE004443_9 probable hemagglutinin [Pseudomonas aeruginosa] (33%) gb|AAC31981.1| (139897) HecA [Pectobacterium chrysanthemi] (45%) emb|CAA36409.1| (X52156) filamentous hemagglutinin [Bordetella pertussis] (31%) gb|AAC79757.1| (AF057695) large supernatant protein1 [Haemophilus ducreyi] (26%) gb|AAA25657.1| (M30186) HpmA precursor [Proteus mirabilis] (29%)
    • Domain B shows no homology, and is specific to 564.
    • Domain C shows homology to:

gb|AAF84995.1|AE004032 HA-like secreted protein [Xylella fastidiosa] (33%) gb|AAG05850.1|AE004673 hypothetical protein [Pseudomonas aeruginosa] (27%) gb|AAF68414.1AF237928 putative FHA [Pasteurella multocisida] (23%) gb|AAC79757.1|(AF057695) large supernatant protein1 [Haemophilus ducreyi] (23%) pir| |S21010 FHA B precursor [Bordetella pertussis] (20%)
    • Domain D shows homology to other bacterial toxins:
      • gb|AAF84995.1|AE004032—14 HA-like secreted protein [Xylella fastidiosa] (29%)

Using the MC58 strain sequence, good intracellular expression of 564ab was obtained in the form of GST-fusions (no purification) and his-tagged protein; this domain-pair was also expressed as a lipoprotein, which showed moderate expression in the outer membrane/supernatant fraction.

The b domain showed, moderate intracellular expression when expressed as a his-tagged product (no purification), and good expression as a GST-fusion.

The c domain showed good intracellular expression as a GST-fusion, but was insoluble. The d domain showed moderate intracellular expression as a his-tagged product (no purification). The cd protein domain-pair showed moderate intracellular expression (no purification) as a GST-fusion,

Good bactericidal assay titres were observed using the c domain and the bc pair.

Example 20 The 919 Leader Peptide

The 20 mer leader peptide from 919 is discussed in example 1 above:

MKKYLFRAAL YGIAAAILAA

As shown in example 1, deletion of this leader improves heterologous expression, as does substitution with the ORF4 leader peptide. The influence of the 919 leader on expression was investigated by fusing the coding sequence to the PhoC reporter gene from Morganella morganii [Thaller et al. (1994) Microbiology 140:1341-1350]. The construct was cloned in the pET21-b plasmid between the NdeI and XhoI sites (FIG. 9):

  1 MKKYLFRAAL YGIAAAILAA AIPAGNDATT KPDLYYLKNE QAIDSLKLLP  51 PPPEVGSIQF LNDQAMYEKG RMLRNTERGK QAQADADLAA GGVATAFSGA 101 FGYPITEKDS PELYELLTNM IEDAGDLATR SAKEHYMRIR PFAFYGTETC 151 NTKDQKKLST NGSYPSGHTS IGWATALVLA EVNPANQDAI LERGYQLGQS 201 RVICGYHWQS DVDAARIVGS AAVATLHSDP AFQAQLAKAK QEFAQKSQK*

The level of expression of PhoC from this plasmid is >200-fold lower than that found for the same construct but containing the native PhoC signal peptide. The same result was obtained even after substitution of the T7 promoter with the E. coli Plac promoter. This means that the influence of the 919 leader sequence on expression does not depend on the promoter used.

In order to investigate if the results observed were due to some peculiarity of the 919 signal peptide nucleotide sequence (secondary structure formation, sensitivity to RNAases, etc.) or to protein instability induced by the presence of this signal peptide, a number of mutants were generated. The approach used was a substitution of nucleotides of the 919 signal peptide sequence by cloning synthetic linkers containing degenerate codons. In this way, mutants were obtained with nucleotide and/or amino acid substitutions.

Two different linkers were used, designed to produce mutations in two different regions of the 919 signal peptide sequence, in the first 19 base pairs (L1) and between bases 20-36 (S1).

L1: 5′ T ATG AAa/g TAc/t c/tTN TTt/c a/cGC GCC GCC CTG TAC GGC ATC GCC GCC GCC ATC CTC GCC GCC GCG ATC CC 3′ S1: 5′ T ATG AAA AAA TAC CTA TTC CGa/g GCN GCN c/tTa/g TAc/t GGc/g ATC GCC GCC GCC ATC CTC GCC GCC GCG ATC CC 3′

The alignment of some of the mutants obtained is given below.

L1 mutants: 9L1-a ATGAAGAAGTACCTTTTCAGCGCCGCC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1-e ATGAAAAAATACTTTTTCCGCGCCGCC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1-d ATGAAAAAATACTTTTTCCGCGCCGCC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1-f ATGAAAAAATATCTCTTTAGCGCCGCCCTGTACGGCATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 919sp ATGAAAAAATACCTATTCCGCGCCGCCCTGTACGGCATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 9L1a MKKYLFSAA~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1e MKKYFFRAA~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1d MKKYFFRAA~~~~~~~~~~~ 9L1f MKKYLFSAALYGIAAAILAA 919sp MKKYLFRAALYGIAAAILAA (i.e. native signal peptide) S1 mutants: 9S1-e ATGAAAAAATACCTATTC..................ATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 9S1-c ATGAAAAAATACCTATTCCGAGCTGCCCAATACGGCATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 9S1-b ATGAAAAAATACCTATTCCGGGCCGCCCAATACGGCATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 9S1-i ATGAAAAAATACCTATTCCGGGCGGCTTTGTACGGGATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 919sp ATGAAAAAATACCTATTCCGCGCCGCCCTGTACGGCATCGCCGCCGCCATCCTCGCCGCC 9S1e MKKYLF......IAAAILAA 9S1c MKKYLFRAAQYGIAAAILAA 9S1b MKKYLFRAAQYGIAAAILAA 9S1i MKKYLFRAALYGIAAAILAA 919sp MKKTLFRAALYGIAAAILAA

As shown in the sequences alignments, most of the mutants analysed contain in-frame deletions which were unexpectedly produced by the host cells.

Selection of the mutants was performed by transforming E. coli BL21(DE3) cells with DNA prepared from a mixture of L1 and S1 mutated clones. Single transformants were screened for high PhoC activity by streaking them onto LB plates containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin, 50 μg/ml methyl green, 1 mg/ml PDP (phenolphthaleindiphosphate). On this medium PhoC-producing cells become green (FIG. 10).

A quantitative analysis of PhoC produced by these mutants was carried out in liquid medium using pNPP as a substrate for PhoC activity. The specific activities measured in cell extracts and supernatants of mutants grown in liquid medium for 0, 30, 90, 180 min. were:

CELL EXTRACTS 0 30 90 180 control 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9phoC 1.11 1.11 3.33 4.44 9S1e 102.12 111.00 149.85 172.05 9L1a 206.46 111.00 94.35 83.25 9L1d 5.11 4.77 4.00 3.11 9L1f 27.75 94.35 82.14 36.63 9S1b 156.51 111.00 72.15 28.86 9S1c 72.15 33.30 21.09 14.43 9S1i 156.51 83.25 55.50 26.64 phoCwt 194.25 180.93 149.85 142.08

SUPERNATANTS 0 30 90 180 control 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9phoC 0.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 9S1e 0.11 0.22 0.44 0.89 9L1a 4.88 5.99 5.99 7.22 9L1d 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 9L1f 0.11 0.22 0.11 0.11 9S1b 1.44 1.44 1.44 1.67 9S1c 0.44 0.78 0.56 0.67 9S1i 0.22 0.44 0.22 0.78 phoCwt 34.41 43.29 87.69 177.60

Some of the mutants produce high amounts of PhoC and in particular, mutant 9L1a can secrete PhoC in the culture medium. This is noteworthy since the signal peptide sequence of this mutant is only 9 amino acids long. This is the shortest signal peptide described to date.

Example 21 C-Terminal Deletions of Maf-Related Proteins

MafB-related proteins include 730, ORF46 and ORF29.

The 730 protein from MC58 has the following sequence:

  1 VKPLRRLTNL LAACAVAAAA LIQPALAADL AQDPFITDNA QRQHYEPGGK  51 YHLFGDPRGS VSDRTGKINV IQDYTHQMGN LLIQQANING TIGYHTRFSG 101 HGHEEHAPFD NHAADSASEE KGNVDEGFTV YRLNWEGHEH HPADAYDGPK 151 GGNYPKPTGA RDEYTYHVNG TARSIKLNPT DTRSIRQRIS DNYSNLGSNF 201 SDRADEANRK MFEHNAKLDR WGNSMEFING VAAGALNPFI SAGEALGIGD 251 ILYGTRYAID KAAMRNIAPL PAEGKFAVIG GLGSVAGFEK NTREAVDRWI 301 QENPNAAETV EAVFNVAAAA KVAKLAKAAK PGKAAVSGDF ADSYKKKLAL 351 SDSARQLYQN AKYREALDIH YEDLIRRKTD GSSKFINGRE IDAVTNDALI 401 QAKRTISAID KPKNFLNQKN RKQIKATIEA ANQQGKRAEF WFKYGVHSQV 451 KSYIESKGGI VKTGLGD*

The leader peptide is underlined.

730 shows similar features to ORF46 (see example 8 above):

    • as for Orf46, the conservation of the 730 sequence among MenB, MenA and gonococcus is high (>80%) only for the N-terminal portion. The C-terminus, from ˜340, is highly divergent.
    • its predicted secondary structure contains a hydrophobic segment spanning the central region of the molecule (aa. 227-247).
    • expression of the full-length gene in E. coli gives very low yields of protein. Expression from tagged or untagged constructs where the signal peptide sequence has been omitted has a toxic effect on the host cells. In other words, the presence of the full-length mature protein in the cytoplasm is highly toxic for the host cell while its translocation to the periplasm (mediated by the signal peptide) has no detectable effect on cell viability. This “intracellular toxicity” of 730 is particularly high since clones for expression of the leaderless 730 can only be obtained at very low frequency using a recA genetic background (E. coli strains: HB101 for cloning; HMS174(DE3) for expression).

To overcome this toxicity, a similar approach was used for 730 as described in example 8 for ORF46. Four C-terminal truncated forms were obtained, each of which is well expressed. All were obtained from intracellular expression of His-tagged leaderless 730.

Form A consists of the N-terminal hydrophilic region of the mature protein (aa. 28-226). This was purified as a soluble His-tagged product, having a higher-than-expected MW.

Form B extends to the end of the region conserved between serogroups (aa. 28-340). This was purified as an insoluble His-tagged product.

The C-terminal truncated forms named C1 and C2 were obtained after screening for clones expressing high levels of 730-His clones in strain HMS174(DE3). Briefly, the pET21b plasmid containing the His-tagged sequence coding for the full-length mature 730 protein was used to transform the recA strain HMS174(DE3). Transformants were obtained at low frequency which showed two phenotypes: large colonies and very small colonies. Several large and small colonies were analysed for expression of the 730-His clone. Only cells from large colonies over-expressed a protein recognised by anti-730A antibodies. However the protein over-expressed in different clones showed differences in molecular mass. Sequencing of two of the clones revealed that in both cases integration of an E. coli IS sequence had occurred within the sequence coding for the C terminal region of 730. The two integration events have produced in-frame fusion with 1 additional codon in the case of C1, and 12 additional codons in the case of C2 (FIG. 11). The resulting “mutant” forms of 730 have the following sequences:

730-C1 (due to an IS1 insertion - FIG. 11h)   1 MADLAQDPFI TDNAQRQHYE PGGKYHLFGD PRGSVSDRTG KINVIQDYTH  51 QMGNLLIQQA NINGTIGYHT RFSGHGHEEH APFDNHAADS ASEEKGNVDE 101 GFTVYRLNWE GHEHHPADAY DGPKGGNYPK PTGARDEYTY HVNGTARSIK 151 LNPTDTRSIR QRISDNYSNL GSNFSDRADE ANRKMFEHNA KLDRWGNSME 201 FINGVAAGAL NPFISAGEAL GIGDILYGTR YAIDKAAMRN IAPLPAEGKF 251 AVIGGLGSVA GFEKNTREAV DRWIQENPNA AETVEAVFNV AAAAKVAKLA 301 KAAKPGKAAV SGDFADSYKK KLALSDSARQ LYANAKYREA LDIHYEDLIR 351 RKTDGSSKFI NGREIDAVTN DALIQAR*

The additional amino acid produced by the insertion is underlined.

730-C2 (due to an IS5 insertion - FIG. 11B)   1 MADLAQDPFI TDNAQRQHYE PGGKYHLFGD PRGSVSDRTG KINVIQDYTH  51 QMGNLLIQQA NINGTIGYHT RFSGEGHEEH APFDNHAADS ASEEKGNVDE 101 GFTVYRLNWE GHEHHPADAY DGPKGGNYPK PTGARDEYTY HVNGTARSIK 151 LNPTDTRSIR QRISDNYSNL GSNFSDRADE ANRKMFEHNA KLDRWGNSME 201 FINGVAAGAL NPFISAGEAL GIGDILYGTR YAIDKAAMRN IAPLPAEGKF 251 AVIGGLGSVA GFEKNTREAV DRWIQENPNA AETVEAVFNV AAAAKVAKLA 301 KAAKPGKAAV SGDFADSYKK KLALSDSARQ LYQNAKYREA LGKVRISGEI 351 LLG*

The additional amino acids produced by the insertion are underlined.

In conclusion, intracellular expression of the 730-C1 form gives very high level of protein and has no toxic effect on the host cells, whereas the presence of the native C-terminus is toxic. These data suggest that the “intracellular toxicity” of 730 is associated with the C-terminal 65 amino acids of the protein.

Equivalent truncation of ORF29 to the first 231 or 368 amino acids has been performed, using expression with or without the leader peptide (amino acids 1-26; deletion gives cytoplasmic expression) and with or without a His-tag.

Example 22 Domains in 961

As described in example 9 above, the GST-fusion of 961 was the best-expressed in E. coli. To improve expression, the protein was divided into domains (FIG. 12).

The domains of 961 were designed on the basis of YadA (an adhesin produced by Yersinia which has been demonstrated to be an adhesin localized on the bacterial surface that forms oligomers that generate surface projection [Hoiczyk et al. (2000) EMBO J. 19:5989-99]) and are: leader peptide, head domain, coiled-coil region (stalk), and membrane anchor domain.

These domains were expressed with or without the leader peptide, and optionally fused either to C-terminal His-tag or to N-terminal GST. E. coli clones expressing different domains of 961 were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blot for the production and localization of the expressed protein, from over-night (o/n) culture or after 3 hours induction with IPTG. The results were:

Total lysate Periplasm Supernatant OMV (Western (Western (Western SDS- Blot) Blot) Blot) PAGE 961 (o/n) − − − 961 (IPTG) +/− − − 961-L (o/n) + − − + 961-L (IPTG) + − − + 961c-L (o/n) − − − 961c-L (IPTG) + + + 961Δ1-L (o/n) − − − 961Δ1-L (IPTG) + − − +

The results show that in E. coli:

    • 961-L is highly expressed and localized on the outer membrane. By western blot analysis two specific bands have been detected: one at ˜45 kDa (the predicted molecular weight) and one at ˜180 kDa, indicating that 961-L can form oligomers. Additionally, these aggregates are more expressed in the over-night culture (without IPTG induction). OMV preparations of this clone were used to immunize mice and serum was obtained. Using overnight culture (predominantly by oligomeric form) the serum was bactericidal; the IPTG-induced culture (predominantly monomeric) was not bactericidal.
    • 961Δ1-L (with a partial deletion in the anchor region) is highly expressed and localized on the outer membrane, but does not form oligomers;
    • the 961c-L (without the anchor region) is produced in soluble form and exported in the supernatant.

Titres in ELISA and in the serum bactericidal assay using His-fusions were as follows:

ELISA Bactericidal 961a (aa 24-268) 24397 4096 961b (aa 269-405) 7763 64 961c-L 29770 8192 961c (2996) 30774 >65536 961c (MC58) 33437 16384 961d 26069 >65536

E. coli clones expressing different forms of 961 (961, 961-L, 961Δ1-L and 961c-L) were used to investigate if the 961 is an adhesin (c.f. YadA). An adhesion assay was performed using (a) the human epithelial cells and (b) E. coli clones after either over-night culture or three hours IPTG induction. 961-L grown over-night (961Δ1-L) and IPTG-induced 961c-L (the clones expressing protein on surface) adhere to human epithelial cells.

961c was also used in hybrid proteins (see above). As 961 and its domain variants direct efficient expression, they are ideally suited as the N-terminal portion of a hybrid protein.

Example 23 Further Hybrids

Further hybrid proteins of the invention are shown below (see also FIG. 14). These are advantageous when compared to the individual proteins:

ORF46.1-741    1 ATGTCAGATT TGGCAAACGA TTCTTTTATC CGGCAGGTTC TCGACCGTCA   51 GCATTTCGAA CCCGACGGGA AATACCACCT ATTCGGCAGC AGGGGGGAAC  101 TTGCCGAGCG CAGCGGCCAT ATCGGATTGG GAAAAATACA AAGCCATCAG  151 TTGGGCAACC TGATGATTCA ACAGGCGGCC ATTAAAGGAA ATATCGGCTA  201 CATTGTCCGC TTTTCCGATC ACGGGCACGA AGTCCATTCC CCCTTCGACA  251 ACCATGCCTC ACATTCCGAT TCTGATGAAG CCGGTAGTCC CGTTGACGGA  301 TTTAGCCTTT ACCGCATCCA TTGGGACGGA TACGAACACC ATCCCGCCGA  351 CGGCTATGAC GGGCCACAGG GCGGCGGCTA TCCCGCTCCC AAAGGCGCGA  401 GGGATATATA CAGCTACGAC ATAAAAGGCG TTGCCCAAAA TATCCGCCTC  451 AACCTGACCG ACAACCGCAG CACCGGACAA CGGCTTGCCG ACCGTTTCCA  501 CAATGCCGGT AGTATGCTGA CGCAAGGAGT AGGCGACGGA TTCAAACGCG  551 CCACCCGATA CAGCCCCGAG CTGGACAGAT CGGGCAATGC CGCCGAAGCC  601 TTCAACGGCA CTGCAGATAT CGTTAAAAAC ATCATCGGCG CGGCAGGAGA  651 AATTGTCGGC GCAGGCGATG CCGTGCAGGG CATAAGCGAA GGCTCAAACA  701 TTGCTGTCAT GCACCGCTCG GGTCTGCTTT CCACCGAAAA CAAGATGGCG  751 CGCATCAACG ATTTGGCAGA TATGGCGCAA CTCAAAGACT ATGCCGCAGC  801 AGCCATCCGC GATTGGGCAG TCCAAAACCC CAATGCCGCA CAAGGCATAG  851 AAGCCGTCAG CAATATCTTT ATGGCAGCCA TCCCCATCAA AGGGATTGGA  901 GCTGTTCGGG GAAAATACGG CTTGGGCGGC ATCACGGCAC ATCCTATCAA  951 GCGGTCGCAG ATGGGCGCGA TCGCATTGCC GAAAGGGAAA TCCGCCGTCA 1001 GCGACAATTT TGCCGATGCG GCATACGCCA AATACCCGTC CCCTTACCAT 1051 TCCCGAAATA TCCGTTCAAA CTTGGAGCAG CGTTACGGCA AAGAAAACAT 1101 CACCTCCTCA ACCGTGCCGC CGTCAAACGG CAAAAATGTC AAACTGGCAG 1151 ACCAACGCCA CCCGAAGACA GGCGTACCGT TTGACGGTAA AGGGTTTCCG 1201 AATTTTGAGA AGCACGTGAA ATATGATACG GGATCCGGAG GGGGTGGTGT 1251 CGCCGCCGAC ATCGGTGCGG GGCTTGCCGA TGCACTAACC GCACCGCTCG 1301 ACCATAAAGA CAAAGGTTTG CAGTCTTTGA CGCTGGATCA GTCCGTCAGG 1351 AAAAACGAGA AACTGAAGCT GGCGGCACAA GGTGCGGAAA AAACTTATGG 1401 AAACGGTGAC AGCCTCAATA CGGGCAAATT GAAGAACGAC AAGGTCAGCC 1451 GTTTCGACTT TATCCGCCAA ATCGAAGTGG ACGGGCAGCT CATTACCTTG 1501 GAGAGTGGAG AGTTCCAAGT ATACAAACAA AGCCATTCCG CCTTAACCGC 1551 CTTTCAGACC GAGCAAATAC AAGATTCGGA GCATTCCGGG AAGATGGTTG 1601 CGAAACGCCA GTTCAGAATC GGCGACATAG CGGGCGAACA TACATCTTTT 1651 GACAAGCTTC CCGAAGGCGG CAGGGCGACA TATCGCGGGA CGGCGTTCGG 1701 TTCAGACGAT GCCGGCGGAA AACTGACCTA CACCATAGAT TTCGCCGCCA 1751 AGCAGGGAAA CGGCAAAATC GAACATTTGA AATCGCCAGA ACTCAATGTC 1801 GACCTGGCCG CCGCCGATAT CAAGCCGGAT GGAAAACGCC ATGCCGTCAT 1851 CAGCGGTTCC GTCCTTTACA ACCAAGCCGA GAAAGGCAGT TACTCCCTCG 1901 GTATCTTTGG CGGAAAAGCC CAGGAAGTTG CCGGCAGCGC GGAAGTGAAA 1951 ACCGTAAACG GCATACGCCA TATCGGCCTT GCCGCCAAGC AACTCGAGCA 2001 CCACCACCAC CACCACTGA    1 MSDLANDSFI RQVLDRQHFE PDGKYHLFGS RGELAERSGH IGLGKIQSHQ   51 LGNLMIQQAA IKGNIGYIVR FSDHGHEVHS PFDNHASHSD SDEAGSPVDG  101 FSLYRIHWDG YEHHPADGYD GPQGGGYPAP KGARDIYSYD IKGVAQNIRL  151 NLTDNRSTGQ RLADRFHNAG SMLTQGVGDG FKRATRYSPE LDRSGNAAEA  201 FNGTADIVKN IIGAAGEIVG AGDAVQGISE GSNIAVMHGL GLLSTENKMA  251 RINDLADMAQ LKDYAAAAIR DWAVQNPNAA QGIEAVSNIF MAAIPIKGIG  301 AVRGKYGLGG ITAHPIKRSQ MGAIALPKGK SAVSDNFADA AYAKYPSPYH  351 SRNIRSNLEQ RYGKENITSS TVPPSNGKNV KLADQRHPKT GVPFDGKGFP  401 NFEKHVKYDT GSGGGGVAAD IGAGLADALT APLDHKDKGL QSLTLDQSVR  451 KNEKLKLAAQ GAEKTYGNGD SLNTGKLKND KVSRFDFIRQ IEVDGQLITL  501 ESGEFQVYKQ SHSALTAFQT EQIQDSEHSG RMVAKRQFRI GDIAGEHTSF  551 DKLPEGGRAT YRGTAFGSDD AGGKLTYTID FAAKQGNGKI EHLKSPELNV  601 DLAAADIKPD GKRHAVISGS VLYNQAEKGS YSLGIFGGKA QEVAGSAEVK  651 TVNGIRHIGL AAKQLEHHHH HH* ORF46.1-961    1 ATGTCAGATT TGGCAAACGA TTCTTTTATC CGGCAGGTTC TCGACCGTCA   51 GCATTTCGAA CCCGACGGGA AATACCACCT ATTCGGCAGC AGGGGGGAAC  101 TTGCCGAGCG CAGCGGCCAT ATCGGATTGG GAAAAATACA AAGCCATCAG  151 TTGGGCAACC TGATGATTCA ACAGGCGGCC ATTAAAGGAA ATATCGGCTA  201 CATTGTCCGC TTTTCCGATC ACGGGCACGA AGTCCATTCC CCCTTCGACA  251 ACCATGCCTC ACATTCCGAT TCTGATGAAG CCGGTAGTCC CGTTGACGGA  301 TTTAGCCTTT ACCGCATCCA TTGGGACGGA TACGAACACC ATCCCGCCGA  351 CGGCTATGAC GGGCCACAGG GCGGCGGCTA TCCCGCTCCC AAAGGCGCGA  401 GGGATATATA CAGCTACGAC ATAAAAGGCG TTGCCCAAAA TATCCGCCTC  451 AACCTGACCG ACAACCGCAG CACCGGACAA CGGCTTGCCG ACCGTTTCCA  501 CAATGCCGGT AGTATGCTGA CGCAAGGAGT AGGCGACGGA TTCAAACGCG  551 CCACCCGATA CAGCCCCGAG CTGGACAGAT CGGGCAATGC CGCCGAAGCC  601 TTCAACGGCA CTGCAGATAT CGTTAAAAAC ATCATCGGCG CGGCAGGAGA  651 AATTGTCGGC GCAGGCGATG CCGTGCAGGG CATAAGCGAA GGCTCAAACA  701 TTGCTGTCAT GCACGGCTTG GGTCTGCTTT CCACCGAAAA CAAGATGGCG  751 CGCATCAACG ATTTGGCAGA TATGGCGCAA CTCAAAGACT ATGCCGCAGC  801 AGCCATCCGC GATTGGGCAG TCCAAAACCC CAATGCCGCA CAAGGCATAG  851 AAGCCGTCAG CAATATCTTT ATGGCAGCCA TCCCCATCAA AGGGATTGGA  901 GCTGTTCGGG GAAAATACGG CTTGGGCGGC ATCACGGCAC ATCCTATCAA  951 GCGGTCGCAG ATGGGCGCGA TCGCATTGCC GAAAGGGAAA TCCGCCGTCA 1001 GCGACAATTT TGCCGATGCG GCATACGCCA AATACCCGTC CCCTTACCAT 1051 TCCCGAAATA TCCGTTCAAA CTTGGAGCAG CGTTACGGCA AAGAAAACAT 1101 CACCTCCTCA ACCGTGCCGC CGTCAAACGG CAAAAATGTC AAACTGGCAG 1151 ACCAACGCCA CCCGAAGACA GGCGTACCGT TTGACGGTAA AGGGTTTCCG 1201 AATTTTGAGA AGCACGTGAA ATATGATACG GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGAGC 1251 CACAAACGAC GACGATGTTA AAAAAGCTGC CACTGTGGCC ATTGCTGCTG 1301 CCTACAACAA TGGCCAAGAA ATCAACGGTT TCAAAGCTGG AGAGACCATC 1351 TACGACATTG ATGAAGACGG CACAATTACC AAAAAAGACG CAACTGCAGC 1401 CGATGTTGAA GCCGACGACT TTAAAGGTCT GGGTCTGAAA AAAGTCGTGA 1451 CTAACCTGAC CAAAACCGTC AATGAAAACA AACAAAACGT CGATGCCAAA 1501 GTAAAAGCTG CAGAATCTGA AATAGAAAAG TTAACAACCA AGTTAGCAGA 1551 CACTGATGCC GCTTTAGCAG ATACTGATGC CGCTCTGGAT GCAACCACCA 1601 ACGCCTTGAA TAAATTGGGA GAAAATATAA CGACATTTGC TGAAGAGACT 1651 AAGACAAATA TCGTAAAAAT TGATGAAAAA TTAGAAGCCG TGGCTGATAC 1701 CGTCGACAAG CATGCCGAAG CATTCAACGA TATCGCCGAT TCATTGGATG 1751 AAACCAACAC TAAGGCAGAC GAAGCCGTCA AAACCGCCAA TGAAGCCAAA 1801 CAGACGGCCG AAGAAACCAA ACAAAACGTC GATGCCAAAG TAAAAGCTGC 1851 AGAAACTGCA GCAGGCAAAG CCGAAGCTGC CGCTGGCACA GCTAATACTG 1901 CAGCCGACAA GGCCGAAGCT GTCGCTGCAA AAGTTACCGA CATCAAAGCT 1951 GATATCGCTA CGAACAAAGA TAATATTGCT AAAAAAGCAA ACAGTGCCGA 2001 CGTGTACACC AGAGAAGAGT CTGACAGCAA ATTTGTCAGA ATTGATGGTC 2051 TGAACGCTAC TACCGAAAAA TTGGACACAC GCTTGGCTTC TGCTGAAAAA 2101 TCCATTGCCG ATCACGATAC TCGCCTGAAC GGTTTGGATA AAACAGTGTC 2151 AGACCTGCGC AAAGAAACCC GCCAAGGCCT TGCAGAACAA GCCGCGCTCT 2201 CCGGTCTGTT CCAACCTTAC AACGTGGGTC GGTTCAATGT AACGGCTGCA 2251 GTCGGCGGCT ACAAATCCGA ATCGGCAGTC GCCATCGGTA CCGGCTTCCG 2301 CTTTACCGAA AACTTTGCCG CCAAAGCAGG CGTGGCAGTC GGCACTTCGT 2351 CCGGTTCTTC CGCAGCCTAC CATGTCGGCG TCAATTACGA GTGGCTCGAG 2401 CACCACCACC ACCACCACTG A    1 MSDLANDSFI RQVLDRQHFE PDGKYHLFGS RGELAERSGH IGLGKIQSHQ   51 LGNLMIQQAA IKGNIGYIVR FSDHGHEVHS PFDNHASHSD SDEAGSPVDG  101 FSLYRIHWDG YEHHPADGYD GPQGGGYPAP KGARDIYSYD IKGVAQNIRL  151 NLTDNRSTGQ RLADRFHNAG SMLTQGVGDG FKRATRYSPE LDRSGNAAEA  201 FNGTADIVKN IIGAAGEIVG AGDAVQGISE GSNIAVMHGL GLLSTENKMA  251 RINDLADMAQ LKDYAAAAIR DWAVQNPNAA QGIEAVSNIF MAAIPIKGIG  301 AVRGKYGLGG ITAHPIKRSQ MGAIALPKGK SAVSDNFADA AYAKYPSPYH  351 SRNIRSNLEQ RYGKENITSS TVPPSNGKNV KLADQRHPKT GVPFDGKGFP  401 NFEKHVKYDT GSGGGGATND DDVKKAATVA IAAAYNNGQE INGFKAGETI  451 YDIDEDGTIT KKDATAADVE ADDFKGLGLK KVVTNLTKTV NEMKQNVDAK  501 VKAAESEIEK LTTKLADTDA ALADTDAALD ATTNALNKLG ENITTFAEET  551 KTNIVKIDEK LEAVADTVDK HAEAFNDIAD SLDETNTKAD EAVKTANEAK  601 QTAEETKQNV DAKVKAAETA AGKAEAAAGT ANTAADKAEA VAAKVTDIKA  651 DIATNKDNIA KKANSADVYT REESDSKFVR IDGLNATTEK LDTRLASAEK  701 SIADHDTRLN GLDKTVSDLR RETRQGLAEQ AALSGLFQPY NVGRFNVTAA  751 VGGYKSESAV AIGTGFRFTE NWAAKAGVAV GTSSGSSAAY HVGVNYEWLE  801 HHHHHH* ORF46.1-961C    1 ATGTCAGATT TGGCAAACGA TTCTTTTATC CGGCAGGTTC TCGACCGTCA   51 GCATTTCGAA CCCGACGGGA AATACCACCT ATTCGGCAGC AGGGGGGAAC  101 TTGCCGAGCG CAGCGGCCAT ATCGGATTGG GAAAAATACA AAGCCATCAG  151 TTGGGCAACC TGATGATTCA ACAGGCGGCC ATTAAAGGAA ATATCGGCTA  201 CATTGTCCGC TTTTCCGATC ACGGGCACGA AGTCCATTCC CCCTTCGACA  251 ACCATGCCTC ACATTCCGAT TCTGATGAAG CCGGTAGTCC CGTTGACGGA  301 TTTAGCCTTT ACCGCATCCA TTGGGACGGA TACGAACACC ATCCCGCCGA  351 CGGCTATGAC GGGCCACAGG GCGGCGGCTA TCCCGCTCCC AAAGGCGCGA  401 GGGATATATA CAGCTACGAC ATAAAAGGCG TTGCCCAAAA TATCCGCCTC  451 AACCTGACCG ACAACCGCAG CACCGGACAA CGGCTTGCCG ACCGTTTCCA  501 CAATGCCGGT AGTATGCTGA CGCAAGGAGT AGGCGACGGA TTCAAACGCG  551 CCACCCGATA CAGCCCCGAG CTGGACAGAT CGGGCAATGC CGCCGAAGCC  601 TTCAACGGCA CTGCAGATAT CGTTAAAAAC ATCATCGGCG CGGCAGGAGA  651 AATTGTCGGC GCAGGCGATG CCGTGCAGGG CATAAGCGAA GGCTCAAACA  701 TTGCTGTCAT GCACGGCTTG GGTCTGCTTT CCACCGAAAA CAAGATGGCG  751 CGCATCAACG ATTTGGCAGA TATGGCGCAA CTCAAAGACT ATGCCGCAGC  801 AGCCATCCGC GATTGGGCAG TCCAAAACCC CAATGCCGCA CAAGGCATAG  851 AAGCCGTCAG CAATATCTTT ATGGCAGCCA TCCCCATCAA AGGGATTGGA  901 GCTGTTCGGG GAAAATACGG CTTGGGCGGC ATCACGGCAC ATCCTATCAA  951 GCGGTCGCAG ATGGGCGCGA TCGCATTGCC GAAAGGGAAA TCCGCCGTCA 1001 GCGACAATTT TGCCGATGCG GCATACGCCA AATACCCGTC CCCTTACCAT 1051 TCCCGAAATA TCCGTTCAAA CTTGGAGCAG CGTTACGGCA AAGAAAACAT 1101 CACCTCCTCA ACCGTGCCGC CGTCAAACGG CAAAAATGTC AAACTGGCAG 1151 ACCAACGCCA CCCGAAGACA GGCGTACCGT TTGACGGTAA AGGGTTTCCG 1201 AATTTTGAGA AGCACGTGAA ATATGATACG GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGAGC 1251 CACAAACGAC GACGATGTTA AAAAAGCTGC CACTGTGGCC ATTGCTGCTG 1301 CCTACAACAA TGGCCAAGAA ATCAACGGTT TCAAAGCTGG AGAGACCATC 1351 TACGACATTG ATGAAGACGG CACAATTACC AAAAAAGACG CAACTGCAGC 1401 CGATGTTGAA GCCGACGACT TTAAAGGTCT GGGTCTGAAA AAAGTCGTGA 1451 CTAACCTGAC CAAAACCGTC AATGAAAACA AACAAAACGT CGATGCCAAA 1501 GTAAAAGCTG CAGAATCTGA AATAGAAAAG TTAACAACCA AGTTAGCAGA 1551 CACTGATGCC GCTTTAGCAG ATACTGATGC CGCTCTGGAT GCAACCACCA 1601 ACGCCTTGAA TAAATTGGGA GAAAATATAA CGACATTTGC TGAAGAGACT 1651 AAGACAAATA TCGTAAAAAT TGATGAAAAA TTAGAAGCCG TGGCTGATAC 1701 CGTCGACAAG CATGCCGAAG CATTCAACGA TATCGCCGAT TCATTGGATG 1751 AAACCAACAC TAAGGCAGAC GAAGCCGTCA AAACCGCCAA TGAAGCCAAA 1801 CAGACGGCCG AAGAAACCAA ACAAAACGTC GATGCCAAAG TAAAAGCTGC 1851 AGAAACTGCA GCAGGCAAAG CCGAAGCTGC CGCTGGCACA GCTAATACTG 1901 CAGCCGACAA GGCCGAAGCT GTCGCTGCAA AAGTTACCGA CATCAAAGCT 1951 GATATCGCTA CGAACAAAGA TAATATTGCT AAAAAAGCAA ACAGTGCCGA 2001 CGTGTACACC AGAGAAGAGT CTGACAGCAA ATTTGTCAGA ATTGATGGTC 2051 TGAACGCTAC TACCGAAAAA TTGGACACAC GCTTGGCTTC TGCTGAAAAA 2101 TCCATTGCCG ATCACGATAC TCGCCTGAAC GGTTTGGATA AAACAGTGTC 2151 AGACCTGCGC AAAGAAACCC GCCAAGGCCT TGCAGAACAA GCCGCGCTCT 2201 CCGGTCTGTT CCAACCTTAC AACGTGGGTC TCGAGCACCA CCACCACCAC 2251 CACTGA    1 MSDLANDSFI RQVLDRQHFE PDGKYHLFGS RGELAERSGH IGLGKIQSHQ   51 LGNLMIQQAA IKGNIGYIVR FSDHGHEVHS PFDNHASHSD SDEAGSPVDG  101 FSLYRIHWDG YEHHPADGYD GPQGGGYPAP KGARDIYSYD IRGVAQNIRL  151 NLTDNRSTGQ RLADRFHNAG SMLTQGVGDG FKRATRYSPE LDRSGNAAEA  201 FNGTADIVKN IIGAAGEIVG AGDAVQGISE GSNIAVMHGL GLLSTENKMA  251 RINDLADMAQ LKDYAAAAIR DWAVQNPNAA QGIEAVSNIF MAAIPIKGIG  301 AVRGKYGLGG ITAHPIRRSQ MGAIALPKGK SAVSDNFADA AYAKYPSPYH  351 SRNIRSNLEQ RYGKENITSS TVPPSNGKNV KLADQRHPKT GVPFDGKGFP  401 NFEKHVKYDT GSGGGGATND DDVKKAATVA IAAAYNNGQE INGFKAGETI  451 YDIDEDGTIT KKDATAADVE ADDFKGLGLK KVVTNLTKTV NENKQNVDAK  501 VKAAESEIEK LTTKLADTDA ALADTDAALD ATTNALNKLG ENITTFAEET  551 KTNIVKIDEK LEAVADTVDK HAEAFNDIAD SLDETNTKAD EAVKTANEAK  601 QTAEETKQNV DAKVKAAETA AGKAEAAAGT ANTAADKAEA VAAKVTDIKA  651 DIATNKDNIA KKANSADVYT REESDSKFVR IDGLNATTEK LDTRLAHAEK  701 SIADHDTRLN GLDKTVSDLR KETRQGLAEQ AALSGLFQPY NVGLEHHHHH  751 H* 961-ORF46.1    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51 TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGATTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGCAAAAGTT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTCGGTTC AATGTAACGG 1001 CTGCAGTCGG CGGCTACAAA TCCGAATCGG CAGTCGCCAT CGGTACCGGC 1051 TTCCGCTTTA CCGAAAACTT TGCCGCCAAA GCAGGCGTGG CAGTCGGCAC 1101 TTCGTCCGGT TCTTCCGCAG CCTACCATGT CGGCGTCAAT TACGAGTGGG 1151 GATCCGGAGG AGGAGGATCA GATTTGGCAA ACGATTCTTT TATCCGGCAG 1201 GTTCTCGACC GTCAGCATTT CGAACCCGAC GGGAAATACC ACCTATTCGG 1251 CAGCAGGGGG GAACTTGCCG AGCGCAGCGG CCATATCGGA TTGGGAAAAA 1301 TACAAAGCCA TCAGTTGGGC AACCTGATGA TTCAACAGGC GGCCATTAAA 1351 GGAAATATCG GCTACATTGT CCGCTTTTCC GATCACGGGC ACGAAGTCCA 1401 TTCCCCCTTC GACAACCATG CCTCACATTC CGATTCTGAT GAAGCCGGTA 1451 GTCCCGTTGA CCGATTTAGC CTTTACCGCA TCCATTGGGA CGGATACGAA 1501 CACCATCCCG CCGACGGCTA TGACGGGCCA CAGGGCGGCG GCTATCCCGC 1551 TCCCAAAGGC GCGAGGGATA TATACAGCTA CGACATAAAA GGCGTTGCCC 1601 AAAATATCCG CCTCAACCTG ACCGACAACC GCAGCACCGG ACAACGGCTT 1651 GCCGACCGTT TCCACAATGC CGGTAGTATG CTGACGCAAG GAGTAGGCGA 1701 CGGATTCAAA CGCGCCACCC GATACAGCCC CGAGCTGGAC AGATCGGGCA 1751 ATGCCGCCGA AGCCTTCAAC GGCACTGCAG ATATCGTTAA AAACATCATC 1801 GGCGCGGCAG GAGAAATTGT CGGCGCAGGC GATGCCGTGC AGGGCATAAG 1851 CGAAGGCTCA AACATTGCTG TCATGCACGG CTTGGGTCTG CTTTCCACCG 1901 AAAACAAGAT GGCGCGCATC AACGATTTGG CAGATATGGC GCAACTCAAA 1951 GACTATGCCG CAGCAGCCAT CCGCGATTGG GCAGTCCAAA ACCCCAATGC 2001 CGCACAAGGC ATAGAAGCCG TCAGCAATAT CTTTATGGCA GCCATCCCCA 2051 TCAAAGGGAT TGGAGCTGTT CGGGGAAAAT ACGGCTTGGG CGGCATCACG 2101 GCACATCCTA TCAAGCGGTC GCAGATGGGC GCGATCGCAT TGCCGAAAGG 2151 GAAATCCGCC GTCAGCGACA ATTTTGCCGA TGCGGCATAC GCCAAATACC 2201 CGTCCCCTTA CCATTCCCGA AATATCCGTT CAAACTTGGA GCAGCGTTAC 2251 GGCAAAGAAA ACATCACCTC CTCAACCGTG CCGCCGTCAA ACGGCAAAAA 2301 TGTCAAACTG GCAGACCAAC GCCACCCGAA GACAGGCGTA CCGTTTGACG 2351 GTAAAGGGTT TCCGAATTTT GAGAAGCACG TGAAATATGA TACGCTCGAG 2401 CACCACCACC ACCACCACTG A    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGRF NVTAAVGGYK SESAVAIGTG  351 FRFTENFAAK AGVAVGTSSG SSAAYHVGVN YEWGSGGGGS DLANDSFIRQ  401 VLDRQHFEPD GKYHLFGSRG ELAERSGHIG LGKIQSHQLG NLMIQQAAIK  451 GNIGYIVRFS DHGHEVHSPF DNHASHSDSD EAGSPVDGFS LYRIHWDGYE  501 HHPADGYDGP QGGGYPAPKG ARDIYSYDIK GVAQNIRLNL TDNRSTGQRL  551 ADRFHNAGSM LTQGVGDGFK RATRYSPELD RSGNAAEAFN GTADIVKNII  601 GAAGEIVGAG DAVQGISEGS NIAVMHGLGL LSTENKMARI NDLADMAQLK  651 DYAAAAIRDW AVQNPNAAQG IEAVSNIFMA AIPIKGIGAV RGKYGLGGIT  701 AHPIKRSQMG AIALPKGKSA VSDNFADAAY AKYPSPYHSR NIRSNLEQRY  751 GKENITSSTV PPSNGKNVKL ADQRHPKTGV PFDGKGFPNF EKHVKYDTLE  801 HHHHHH* 961-741    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51 TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACTATGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGCAAAAGTT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTCGGTTC AATGTAACGG 1001 CTGCAGTCGG CGGCTACAAA TCCGAATCGG CAGTCGCCAT CGGTACCGGC 1051 TTCCGCTTTA CCGAAAACTT TGCCGCCAAA GCAGGCGTGG CAGTCGGCAC 1101 TTCGTCCGGT TCTTCCGCAG CCTACCATGT CGGCGTCAAT TACGAGTGGG 1151 GATCCGGAGG GGGTGGTGTC GCCGCCGACA TCGGTGCGGG GCTTGCCGAT 1201 GCACTAACCG CACCGCTCGA CCATAAAGAC AAAGGTTTGC AGTCTTTGAC 1251 GCTGGATCAG TCCGTCAGGA AAAACGAGAA ACTGAAGCTG GCGGCACAAG 1301 GTGCGGAAAA AACTTATGGA AACGGTGACA GCCTCAATAC GGGCAAATTG 1351 AAGAACGACA AGGTCAGCCG TTTCGACTTT ATCCGCCAAA TCGAAGTGGA 1401 CGGGCAGCTC ATTACCTTGG AGAGTGGAGA GTTCCAAGTA TACAAACAAA 1451 GCCATTCCGC CTTAACCGCC TTTCAGACCG AGCAAATACA AGATTCGGAG 1501 CATTCCGGGA AGATGGTTGC GAAACGCCAG TTCAGAATCG GCGACATAGC 1551 GGGCGAACAT ACATCTTTTG ACAAGCTTCC CGAAGGCGGC AGGGCGACAT 1601 ATCGCGGGAC GGCGTTCGGT TCAGACGATG CCGGCGGAAA ACTGACCTAC 1651 ACCATAGATT TCGCCGCCAA GCAGGGAAAC GGCAAAATCG AACATTTGAA 1701 ATCGCCAGAA CTCAATGTCG ACCTGGCCGC CGCCGATATC AAGCCGGATG 1751 GAAAACGCCA TGCCGTCATC AGCGGTTCCG TCCTTTACAA CCAAGCCGAG 1801 AAAGGCAGTT ACTCCCTCGG TATCTTTGGC GGAAAAGCCC AGGAAGTTGC 1851 CGGCAGCGCG GAAGTGAAAA CCGTAAACGG CATACGCCAT ATCGGCCTTG 1901 CCGCCAAGCA ACTCGAGCAC CACCACCACC ACCACTGA    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGRF NVTAAVGGYK SESAVAIGTG  351 FRFTENFAAK AGVAVGTSSG SSAAYHVGVN YEWGSGGGGV AADIGAGLAD  401 ALTAPLDHKD KGLQSLTLDQ SVRKNEKLKL AAQGAEKTYG NGDSLNTGKL  451 KNDKVSRFDF IRQIEVDGQL ITLESGEFQV YKQSHSALTA FQTEQIQDSE  501 HSGKMVAKRQ FRIGDIAGEH TSFDKLPEGG RATYRGTAFG SDDAGGKLTY  551 TIDFAAKQGN GKIEHLKSPE LNVDLAAADI KPDGKRHAVI SGSVLYNQAE  601 KGSYSLGIFG GKAQEVAGSA EVKTVNGIRH IGLAAKQLEH HHHHH* 961-983    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51 TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGCAAAAGTT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTCGGTTC AATGTAACGG 1001 CTGCAGTCGG CGGCTACAAA TCCGAATCGG CAGTCGCCAT CGGTACCGGC 1051 TTCCGCTTTA CCGAAAACTT TGCCGCCAAA GCAGGCGTGG CAGTCGGCAC 1101 TTCGTCCGGT TCTTCCGCAG CCTACCATGT CGGCGTCAAT TACGAGTGGG 1151 GATCCGGCGG AGGCGGCACT TCTGCGCCCG ACTTCAATGC AGGCGGTACC 1201 GGTATCGGCA GCAACAGCAG AGCAACAACA GCGAAATCAG CAGCAGTATC 1251 TTACGCCGGT ATCAAGAACG AAATGTGCAA AGACAGAAGC ATGCTCTGTG 1301 CCGGTCGGGA TGACGTTGCG GTTACAGACA GGGATGCCAA AATCAATGCC 1351 CCCCCCCCGA ATCTGCATAC CGGAGACTTT CCAAACCCAA ATGACGCATA 1401 CAAGAATTTG ATCAACCTCA AACCTGCAAT TGAAGCAGGC TATACAGGAC 1451 GCGGGGTAGA GGTAGGTATC GTCGACACAG GCGAATCCGT CGGCAGCATA 1501 TCCTTTCCCG AACTGTATGG CAGAAAAGAA CACGGCTATA ACGAAAATTA 1551 CAAAAACTAT ACGGCGTATA TGCGGAAGGA AGCGCCTGAA GACGGAGGCG 1601 GTAAAGACAT TGAAGCTTCT TTCGACGATG AGGCCGTTAT AGAGACTGAA 1651 GCAAAGCCGA CGGATATCCG CCACGTAAAA GAAATCGGAC ACATCGATTT 1701 GGTCTCCCAT ATTATTGGCG GGCGTTCCGT GGACGGCAGA CCTGCAGGCG 1751 GTATTGCGCC CGATGCGACG CTACACATAA TGAATACGAA TGATGAAACC 1801 AAGAACGAAA TGATGGTTGC AGCCATCCGC AATGCATGGG TCAAGCTGGG 1851 CGAACGTGGC GTGCGCATCG TCAATAACAG TTTTGGAACA ACATCGAGGG 1901 CAGGCACTGC CGACCTTTTC CAAATAGCCA ATTCGGAGGA GCAGTACCGC 1951 CAAGCGTTGC TCGACTATTC CGGCGGTGAT AAAACAGACG AGGGTATCCG 2001 CCTGATGCAA CAGAGCGATT ACGGCAACCT GTCCTACCAC ATCCGTAATA 2051 AAAACATGCT TTTCATCTTT TCGACAGGCA ATGACGCACA AGCTCAGCCC 2101 AACACATATG CCCTATTGCC ATTTTATGAA AAAGACGCTC AAAAAGGCAT 2151 TATCACAGTC GCAGGCGTAG ACCGCAGTGG AGAAAAGTTC AAACGGGAAA 2201 TGTATGGAGA ACCGGGTACA GAACCGCTTG AGTATGGCTC CAACCATTGC 2251 GGAATTACTG CCATGTGGTG CCTGTCGGCA CCCTATGAAG CAAGCGTCCG 2301 TTTCACCCGT ACAAACCCGA TTCAAATTGC CGGAACATCC TTTTCCGCAC 2351 CCATCGTAAC CGGCACGGCG GCTCTGCTGC TGCAGAAATA CCCGTGGATG 2401 AGCAACGACA ACCTGCGTAC CACGTTGCTG ACGACGGCTC AGGACATCGG 2451 TGCAGTCGGC GTGGACAGCA AGTTCGGCTG GGGACTGCTG GATGCGGGTA 2501 AGGCCATGAA CGGACCCGCG TCCTTTCCGT TCGGCGACTT TACCGCCGAT 2551 ACGAAAGGTA CATCCGATAT TGCCTACTCC TTCCGTAACG ACATTTCAGG 2601 CACGGGCGGC CTGATCAAAA AAGGCGGCAG CCAACTGCAA CTGCACGGCA 2651 ACAACACCTA TACGGGCAAA ACCATTATCG AAGGCGGTTC GCTGGTGTTG 2701 TACGGCAACA ACAAATCGGA TATGCGCGTC GAAACCAAAG GTGCGCTGAT 2751 TTATAACGGG GCGGCATCCG GCGGCAGCCT GAACAGCGAC GGCATTGTCT 2801 ATCTGGCAGA TACCGACCAA TCCGGCGCAA ACGAAACCGT ACACATCAAA 2851 GGCAGTCTGC AGCTGGACGG CAAAGGTACG CTGTACACAC GTTTGGGCAA 2901 ACTGCTGAAA GTGGACGGTA CGGCGATTAT CGGCGGCAAG CTGTACATGT 2951 CGGCACGCGG CAAGGGGGCA GGCTATCTCA ACAGTACCGG ACGACGTGTT 3001 CCCTTCCTGA GTGCCGCCAA AATCGGGCAG GATTATTCTT TCTTCACAAA 3051 CATCGAAACC GACGGCGGCC TGCTGGCTTC CCTCGACAGC GTCGAAAAAA 3101 CAGCGGGCAG TGAAGGCGAC ACGCTGTCCT ATTATGTCCG TCGCGGCAAT 3151 GCGGCACGGA CTGCTTCGGC AGCGGCACAT TCCGCGCCCG CCGGTCTGAA 3201 ACACGCCGTA GAACAGGGCG GCAGCAATCT GGAAAACCTG ATGGTCGAAC 3251 TGGATGCCTC CGAATCATCC GCAACACCCG AGACGGTTGA AACTGCGGCA 3301 GCCGACCGCA CAGATATGCC GGGCATCCGC CCCTACGGCG CAACTTTCCG 3351 CGCAGCGGCA GCCGTACAGC ATGCGAATGC CGCCGACGGT GTACGCATCT 3401 TCAACAGTCT CGCCGCTACC GTCTATGCCG ACAGTACCGC CGCCCATGCC 3451 GATATGCAGG GACGCCGCCT GAAAGCCGTA TCGGACGGGT TGGACCACAA 3501 CGGCACGGGT CTGCGCGTCA TCGCGCAAAC CCAACAGGAC GGTGGAACGT 3551 GGGAACAGGG CGGTGTTGAA GGCAAAATGC GCGGCAGTAC CCAAACCGTC 3601 GGCATTGCCG CGAAAACCGG CGAAAATACG ACAGCAGCCG CCACACTGGG 3651 CATGGGACGC AGCACATGGA GCGAAAACAG TGCAAATGCA AAAACCGACA 3701 GCATTAGTCT GTTTGCAGGC ATACGGCACG ATGCGGGCGA TATCGGCTAT 3751 CTCAAAGGCC TGTTCTCCTA CGGACGCTAC AAAAACAGCA TCAGCCGCAG 3801 CACCGGTGCG GACGAACATG CGGAAGGCAG CGTCAACGGC ACGCTGATGC 3851 AGCTGGGCGC ACTGGGCGGT GTCAACGTTC CGTTTGCCGC AACGGGAGAT 3901 TGAACGGTCG AAGGCGGTCT GCGCTACGAC CTGCTCAAAC AGGATGCATT 3951 CGCCGAAAAA GGCAGTGCTT TGGGCTGGAG CGGCAACAGC CTCACTGAAG 4001 GCACGCTGGT CGGACTCGCG GGTCTGAAGC TGTCGCAACC CTTGAGCGAT 4051 AAAGCCGTCC TGTTTGCAAC GGCGGGCGTG GAACGCGACC TGAACGGACG 4101 CGACTACACG GTAACGGGCG GCTTTACCGG CGCGACTGCA GCAACCGGCA 4151 AGACGGGGGC ACGCAATATG CCGCACACCC GTCTGGTTGC CGGCCTGGGC 4201 GCGGATGTCG AATTCGGCAA CGGCTGGAAC GGCTTGGCAC GTTACAGCTA 4251 CGCCGGTTCC AAACAGTACG GCAACCACAG CGGACGAGTC GGCGTAGGCT 4301 ACCGGTTCCT CGAGCACCAC CACCACCACC ACTGA    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQHINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGRF NVTAAVGGYK SESAVAIGTG  351 FRFTENFAAK AGVAVGTSSG SSAAYHVGVN YEWGSGGGGT SAPDFNAGGT  401 GIGSNSRATT AKSAAVSYAG IKNEMCKDRS MLCAGRDDVA VTDRDAKINA  451 PPPNLHTGDF PNPNDAYKNL INLKPAIEAG YTGRGVEVGI VDTGESVGSI  501 SFPELYGRKE HGYNENYKNY TAYMRKEAPE DGGGKDIEAS FDDEAVIETE  551 AKPTDIRHVK EIGHIDLVSH IIGGRSVDGR PAGGIAPDAT LHIMNTNDET  601 KNEMMVAAIR NAWVKLGERG VRIVNNSFGT TSRAGTADLF QIANSEEQYR  651 QALLDYSGGD KTDEGIRLMQ QSDYGNLSYH IRNKNMLFIF STGNDAQAQP  701 NTYALLPFYE KDAQKGIITV AGVDRSGEKF KREMYGEPGT EPLEYGSNHC  751 GITAMWCLSA PYEASVRFTR TNPIQIAGTS FSAPIVTGTA ALLLQKYPWM  801 SNDNLRTTLL TTAQDIGAVG VDSKFGWGLL DAGKAMNGPA SFPFGDFTAD  851 TKGTSDIAYS FRNDISGTGG LIKKGGSQLQ LHGNNTYTGK TIIEGGSLVL  901 YGNNKSDMRV ETKGALIYNG AASGGSLNSD GIVYLADTDQ SGANETVHIK  951 GSLQLDGKGT LYTRLGKLLK VDGTAIIGGK LYMSARGKGA GYLNSTGRRV 1001 PFLSAAKIGQ DYSFFTNIET DGGLLASLDS VEKTAGSEGD TLSYYVRRGN 1051 AARTASAAAH SAPAGLKHAV EQGGSNLENL MVELDASESS ATPETVETAA 1101 ADRTDMPGIR PYGATFRAAA AVQHANAADG VRIFNSLAAT VYADSTAAHA 1151 DMQGRRLKAV SDGLDHNGTG LRVIAQTQQD GGTWEQGGVE GKMRGSTQTV 1201 GIAAKTGENT TAAATLGMGR STWSENSANA KTDSISLFAG IRHDAGDIGY 1251 LKGLFSYGRY KNSISRSTGA DEHAEGSVNG TLMQLGALGG VNVPFAATGD 1301 LTVEGGLRYD LLKQDAFAEK GSALGWSGNS LTEGTLVGLA GLKLSQPLSD 1351 KAVLFATAGV ERDLNGRDYT VTGGFTGATA ATGKTGARNM PHTRLVAGLG 1401 ADVEFGNGWN GLARYSYAGS KQYGNHSGRV GVGYRFLEHH HHHH* 961c-ORF46.1    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51 TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCACTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGAAAAAAGT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTGGATCC GGAGGAGGAG 1001 GATCAGATTT GGCAAACGAT TCTTTTATCC GGCAGGTTCT CGACCGTCAG 1051 CATTTCGAAC CCGACGGGAA ATACCACCTA TTCGGCAGCA GGGGGGAACT 1101 TGCCGAGCGC AGCGGCCATA TCGGATTGGG AAAAATACAA AGCCATCAGT 1151 TGGGCAACCT GATGATTCAA CAGGCGGCCA TTAAAGGAAA TATCGGCTAC 1201 ATTGTCCGCT TTTCCGATCA CGGGCACGAA GTCCATTCCC CCTTCGACAA 1251 CCATGCCTCA CATTCCGATT CTGATGAAGC CGGTAGTCCC GTTGACGGAT 1301 TTAGCCTTTA CCGCATCCAT TGGGACGGAT ACGAACACCA TCCCGCCGAC 1351 GGCTATGACG GGCCACAGGG CGGCGGCTAT CCCGCTCCCA AAGGCGCGAG 1401 GGATATATAC AGCTACGACA TAAAAGGCGT TGCCCAAAAT ATCCGCCTCA 1451 ACCTGACCGA CAACCGCAGC ACCGGACAAC GGCTTGCCGA CCGTTTCCAC 1501 AATGCCGGTA GTATGCTGAC GCAAGGAGTA GTTGACGGAT TCAAACGCGC 1551 CACCCGATAC AGCCCCGAGC TGGACAGATC GGGCAATGCC GCCGAAGCCT 1601 TCAACGGCAC TGCAGATATC GTTAAAAACA TCATCGGCGC GGCAGGAGAA 1651 ATTGTCGGCG CAGGCGATGC CGTGCAGGGC ATAAGCGAAG GCTCAAACAT 1701 TGCTGTCATG CACGGCTTGG GTCTGCTTTC CACCGAAAAC AAGATGGCGC 1751 GCATCAACGA TTTGGCAGAT ATGGCGCAAC TCAAAGACTA TGCCGCAGCA 1801 GCCATCCGCG ATTGGGCAGT CCAAAACCCC AATGCCGCAC AAGGCATAGA 1851 AGCCGTCAGC AATATCTTTA TGGCAGCCAT CCCCATCAAA GGGATTGGAG 1901 CTGTTCGGGG AAAATACGGC TTGGGCGGCA TCACGGCACA TCCTATCAAG 1951 CGGTCGCAGA TGGGCGCGAT CGCATTGCCG AAAGGGAAAT CCGCCGTCAG 2001 CGACAATTTT GCCGATGCGG CATACGCCAA ATACCCGTCC CCTTACCATT 2051 CCCGAAATAT CCGTTCAAAC TTGGAGCAGC GTTACGGCAA AGAAAACATC 2101 ACCTCCTCAA CCGTGCCGCC GTCAAACGGC AAAAATGTCA AACTGGCAGA 2151 CCAACGCCAC CCGAAGACAG GCGTACCGTT TGACGGTAAA GGGTTTCCGA 2201 ATTTTGAGAA GCACGTGAAA TATGATACGC TCGAGCACCA CCACCACCAC 2251 CACTGA    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLEKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGGS GGGGSDLAND SFIRQVLDRQ  351 HFEPDGKYHL FGSRGELAER SGHIGLGKIQ SHQLGNIMIQ QAAIKGNIGY  401 IVRFSDHGHE VHSPFDNHAS HSDSDEAGSP VDGFSLYRIH WDGYEHHPAD  451 GYDGPQGGGY PAPKGARDIY SYDIKGVAQN IRLNLTDNRS TGQRLADRFH  501 NAGSKLTQGV GDGFKRATRY SPELDRSGNA AEAFNGTADI VKNIIGAAGE  551 IVGAGDAVQG ISEGSNIAVM HGLGLLSTEN KMARINDLAD MAQLKDYAAA  601 AIRDWAVQNP NAAQGIEAVS NIFMAAIPIK GIGAVRGKYG LGGITAHPIK  651 RSQMGAIALP KGKSAVSDNF ADAAYAKYPS PYHSRNIRSN LEQRYGKENI  701 TSSTVPPSNG KNVKLADQRH PKTGVPFDGK GFPNFEKHVK YDTLEHHHHH  751 H* 961c-741    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51 TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTLAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATGCACT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGCAAAAGTT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTGGATCC GGAGGGGGTG 1001 GTGTCGCCGC CGACATCGGT GCGGGGCTTG CCGATGCACT AACCGCACCG 1051 CTCGACCATA AAGACAAAGG TTTGCAGTCT TTGACGCTGG ATCAGTCCGT 1101 CAGGAAAAAC GAGAAACTGA AGCTGGCGGC ACAAGGTGCG GAAAAAACTT 1151 ATGGAAACGG TGACAGCCTC AATACGGGCA AATTGAAGAA CGACAAGGTC 1201 AGCCGTTTCG ACTTTATCCG CCAAATCGAA GTGGACGGGC AGCTCATTAC 1251 CTTGGAGAGT GGAGAGTTCC AAGTATACAA ACAAAGCCAT TCCGCCTTAA 1301 CCGCCTTTCA GACCGAGCAA ATACAAGATT CGAAGCATTC CGGGAAGATG 1351 GTTGCGAAAC GCCAGTTCAG AATCGGCGAC ATAGCGGGCG AACATACATC 1401 TTTTGACAAG CTTCCCGAAG GCGGCAGGGC GACATATCGC GGGACGGCGT 1451 TCGGTTCAGA CGATGCCGGC GGAAAACTGA CCTACACCAT AGATTTCGCC 1501 GCCAAGCAGG GAAACGGCAA AATCGAACAT TTGAAATCGC CAGAACTCAA 1551 TGTCGACCTG GCCGCCGCCG ATATCAAGCC GGATGGAAAA CGCCATGCCG 1601 TCATCAGCGG TTCCGTCCTT TACAACCAAG CCGAGAAAGG CAGTTACTCC 1651 CTCGGTATCT TTGGCGGAAA AGCCCAGGAA GTTGCCGGCA GCGCGGAAGT 1701 GAAAACCGTA AACGGCATAC GCCATATCGG CCTTGCCGCC AAGCAACTCG 1751 AGCACCACCA CCACCACCAC TGA    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGGS GGGGVAADIG AGLADALTAP  351 LDHKDKGLQS LTLDQSVRKN EKLKLAAQGA EKTYGNGDSL NTGKLKNDKV  401 SRFDFIRQIE VDGQLITLES GEFQVYKQSH SALTAFQTEQ IQDSEHSGKM  451 VAKRQFRIGD IAGEHTSFDK LPEGGRATYR GTAFGSDDAG GKLTYTIDFA  501 AKQGNGKIEH LKSPELNVDL AAADIKPDGK RHAVISGSVL YNQAEKGSYS  551 LGIFGGKAQE VAGSAEVKTV NGIRHIGLAA KQLEHHHHHH * 961c-983    1 ATGGCCACAA ACGACGACGA TGTTAAAAAA GCTGCCACTG TGGCCATTGC   51  TGCTGCCTAC AACAATGGCC AAGAAATCAA CGGTTTCAAA GCTGGAGAGA  101 CCATCTACGA CATTGATGAA GACGGCACAA TTACCAAAAA AGACGCAACT  151 GCAGCCGATG TTGAAGCCGA CGACTTTAAA GGTCTGGGTC TGAAAAAAGT  201 CGTGACTAAC CTGACCAAAA CCGTCAATGA AAACAAACAA AACGTCGATG  251 CCAAAGTAAA AGCTGCAGAA TCTGAAATAG AAAAGTTAAC AACCAAGTTA  301 GCAGACACTG ATGCCGCTTT AGCAGATACT GATGCCGCTC TGGATGCAAC  351 CACCAACGCC TTGAATAAAT TGGGAGAAAA TATAACGACA TTTGCTGAAG  401 AGACTAAGAC AAATATCGTA AAAATTGATG AAAAATTAGA AGCCGTGGCT  451 GATACCGTCG ACAAGCATGC CGAAGCATTC AACGATATCG CCGATTCATT  501 GGATGAAACC AACACTAAGG CAGACGAAGC CGTCAAAACC GCCAATGAAG  551 CCAAACAGAC GGCCGAAGAA ACCAAACAAA ACGTCGATGC CAAAGTAAAA  601 GCTGCAGAAA CTGCAGCAGG CAAAGCCGAA GCTGCCGCTG GCACAGCTAA  651 TACTGCAGCC GACAAGGCCG AAGCTGTCGC TGCAAAAGTT ACCGACATCA  701 AAGCTGATAT CGCTACGAAC AAAGATAATA TTGCTAAAAA AGCAAACAGT  751 GCCGACGTGT ACACCAGAGA AGAGTCTGAC AGCAAATTTG TCAGAATTGA  801 TGGTCTGAAC GCTACTACCG AAAAATTGGA CACACGCTTG GCTTCTGCTG  851 AAAAATCCAT TGCCGATCAC GATACTCGCC TGAACGGTTT GGATAAAACA  901 GTGTCAGACC TGCGCAAAGA AACCCGCCAA GGCCTTGCAG AACAAGCCGC  951 GCTCTCCGGT CTGTTCCAAC CTTACAACGT GGGTGGATCC GGCGGAGGCG 1001 GCACTTCTGC GCCCGACTTC AATGCAGGCG GTACCGGTAT CGGCAGCAAC 1051 AGCAGAGCAA CAACAGCGAA ATCAGCAGCA GTATCTTACG CCGGTATCAA 1101 GAACGAAATG TGCAAAGACA GAAGCATGCT CTGTGCCGGT CGGGATGACG 1151 TTGCGGTTAC AGACAGGGAT GCCAAAATCA ATGCCCCCCC CCCGAATCTG 1201 CATACCGGAG ACTTTCCAAA CCCAAATGAC GCATACAAGA ATTTGATCAA 1251 CCTCAAACCT GCAATTGAAG CAGGCTATAC AGGACGCGGG GTAGAGGTAG 1301 GTATCGTCGA CACAGGCGAA TCCGTCGGCA GCATATCCTT TCCCGAACTG 1351 TATGGCAGAA AAGAACACGG CTATAACGAA AATTACAAAA ACTATACGGC 1401 GTATATGCGG AAGGAAGCGC CTGAAGACGG AGGCGGTAAA GACATTGAAG 1451 CTTCTTTCGA CGATGAGGCC GTTATAGAGA CTGAAGCAAA GCCGACGGAT 1501 ATCCGCCACG TAAAAGAAAT CGGACACATC GATTTGGTCT CCCATATTAT 1551 TGGCGGGCGT TCCGTGGACG GCAGACCTGC AGGCGGTATT GCGCCCGATG 1601 CGACGCTACA CATAATGAAT ACGAATGATG AAACCAAGAA CGAAATGATG 1651 GTTGCAGCCA TCCGCAATGC ATGGGTCAAG CTGGGCGAAC GTGGCGTGCG 1701 CATCGTCAAT AACAGTTTTG GAACAACATC GAGGGCAGGC ACTGCCGACC 1751 TTTTCCAAAT AGCCAATTCG GAGGAGCAGT ACCGCCAAGC GTTGCTCGAC 1801 TATTCCGGCG GTGATAAAAC AGACGAGGGT ATCCGCCTGA TGCAACAGAG 1851 CGATTACGGC AACCTGTCCT ACCACATCCG TAATAAAAAC ATGCTTTTCA 1901 TCTTTTCGAC AGGCAATGAC GCACAAGCTC AGCCCAACAC ATATGCCCTA 1951 TTGCCATTTT ATGAAAAAGA CGCTCAAAAA GGCATTATCA CAGTCGCAGG 2001 CGTAGACCGC AGTGGAGAAA AGTTCAAACG GGAAATGTAT GGAGAACCGG 2051 GTACAGAACC GCTTGAGTAT GGCTCCAACC ATTGCGGAAT TACTGCCATG 2101 TGGTGCCTGT CGGCACCCTA TGAAGCAAGC GTCCGTTTCA CCCGTACAAA 2151 CCCGATTCAA ATTGCCGGAA CATCCTTTTC CGCACCCATC GTAACCGGCA 2201 CGGCGGCTCT GCTGCTGCAG AAATACCCGT GGATGAGCAA CGACAACCTG 2251 CGTACCACGT TGCTGACGAC GGCTCAGGAC ATCGGTGCAG TCGGCGTGGA 2301 CAGCAAGTTC GGCTGGGGAC TGCTGGATGC GGGTAAGGCC ATGAACGGAC 2351 CCGCGTCCTT TCCGTTCGGC GACTTTACCG CCGATACGAA AGGTACATCC 2401 GATATTGCCT ACTCCTTCCG TAACGACATT TCAGGCACGG GCGGCCTGAT 2451 CAAAAAAGGC GGCAGCCAAC TGCAACTGCA CGGCAACAAC ACCTATACGG 2501 GCAAAACCAT TATCGAAGGC GGTTCGCTGG TGTTGTACGG CAACAACAAA 2551 TCGGATATGC GCGTCGAAAC CAAAGGTGCG CTGATTTATA ACGGGGCGGC 2601 ATCCGGCGGC AGCCTGAACA GCGACGGCAT TGTCTATCTG GCAGATACCG 2651 ACCAATCCGG CGCAAACGAA ACCGTACACA TCAAAGGCAG TCTGCAGCTG 2701 GACGGCAAAG GTACGCTGTA CACACGTTTG GGCAAACTGC TGAAAGTGGA 2751 CGGTACGGCG ATTATCGGCG GCAAGCTGTA CATGTCGGCA CGCGGCAAGG 2801 GGGCAGGCTA TCTCAACAGT ACCGGACGAC GTGTTCCCTT CCTGAGTGCC 2851 GCCAAAATCG GGCAGGATTA TTCTTTCTTC ACAAACATCG AAACCGACGG 2901 CGGCCTGCTG GCTTCCCTCG ACAGCGTCGA AAAAACAGCG GGCAGTGAAG 2951 GCGACACGCT GTCCTATTAT GTCCGTCGCG GCAATGCGGC ACGGACTGCT 3001 TCGGCAGCGG CACATTCCGC GCCCGCCGGT CTGAAACACG CCGTAGAACA 3051 GGGCGGCAGC AATCTGGAAA ACCTGATGGT CGAACTGGAT GCCTCCGAAT 3101 CATCCGCAAC ACCCGAGACG GTTGAAACTG CGGCAGCCGA CCGCACAGAT 3151 ATGCCGGGCA TCCGCCCCTA CGGCGCAACT TTCCGCGCAG CGGCAGCCGT 3201 ACAGCATGCG AATGCCGCCG ACGGTGTACG CATCTTCAAC AGTCTCGCCG 3251 CTACCGTCTA TGCCGACAGT ACCGCCGCCC ATGCCGATAT GCAGGGACGC 3301 CGCCTGAAAG CCGTATCGGA CGGGTTGGAC CACAACGGCA CGGGTCTGCG 3351 CGTCATCGCG CAAACCCAAC AGGACGGTGG AACGTGGGAA CAGGGCGGTG 3401 TTGAAGGCAA AATGCGCGGC AGTACCCAAA CCGTCGGCAT TGCCGCGAAA 3451 ACCGGCGAAA ATACGACAGC AGCCGCCACA CTGGGCATGG GACGCAGCAC 3501 ATGGAGCGAA AACAGTGCAA ATGCAAAAAC CGACAGCATT AGTCTGTTTG 3551 CAGGCATACG GCACGATGCG GGCGATATCG GCTATCTCAA AGGCCTGTTC 3601 TCCTACGGAC GCTACAAAAA CAGCATCAGC CGCAGCACCG GTGCGGACGA 3651 ACATGCGGAA GGCAGCGTCA ACGGCACGCT GATGCAGCTG GGCGCACTGG 3701 GCGGTGTCAA CGTTCCGTTT GCCGCAACGG GAGATTTGAC GGTCGAAGGC 3751 GGTCTGCGCT ACGACCTGCT CAAACAGGAT GCATTCGCCG AAAAAGGCAG 3801 TGCTTTGGGC TGGAGCGGCA ACAGCCTCAC TGAAGGCACG CTGGTCGGAC 3851 TCGCGGGTCT GAAGCTGTCG CAACCCTTGA GCGATAAAGC CGTCCTGTTT 3901 GCAACGGCGG GCGTGGAACG CGACCTGAAC GGACGCGACT ACACGGTAAC 3951 GGGCGGCTTT ACCGGCGCGA CTGCAGCAAC CGGCAAGACG GGGGCACGCA 4001 ATATGCCGCA CACCCGTCTG GTTGCCGGCC TGGGCGCGGA TGTCGAATTC 4051 GGCAACGGCT GGAACGGCTT GGCACGTTAC AGCTACGCCG GTTCCAAACA 4101 GTACGGCAAC CACAGCGGAC GAGTCGGCGT AGGCTACCGG TTCCTCGAGC 4151 ACCACCACCA CCACCACTGA    1 MATNDDDVKK AATVAIAAAY NNGQEINGFK AGETIYDIDE DGTITKKDAT   51 AADVEADDFK GLGLKKVVTN LTKTVNENKQ NVDAKVKAAE SEIEKLTTKL  101 ADTDAALADT DAALDATTNA LNKLGENITT FAEETKTNIV KIDEKLEAVA  151 DTVDKHAEAF NDIADSLDET NTKADEAVKT ANEAKQTAEE TKQNVDAKVK  201 AAETAAGKAE AAAGTANTAA DKAEAVAAKV TDIKADIATN KDNIAKKANS  251 ADVYTREESD SKFVRIDGLN ATTEKLDTRL ASAEKSIADH DTRLNGLDKT  301 VSDLRKETRQ GLAEQAALSG LFQPYNVGGS GGGGTSAPDF NAGGTGIGSN  351 SRATTAKSAA VSYAGIKNEM CKDRSMLCAG RDDVAVTDRD AKINAPPPNL  401 HTGDFPNPND AYKNLINLKP AIEAGYTGRG VEVGIVDTGE SVGSISFPEL  451 YGRKEHGYNE NYKNYTAYMR KEAPEDGGGK DIEASFDDEA VIETEAKPTD  501 IRHVKEIGHI DLVSHIIGGR SVDGRPAGGI APDATLHIMN TNDETKNEMM  551 VAAIRNAWVK LGERGVRIVN NSFGTTSRAG TADLFQIANS EEQYRQALLD  601 YSGGDKTDEG IRLMQQSDYG NLSYHIRNKN MLFIFSTGND AQAQPNTYAL  651 LPFYEKDAQK GIITVAGVDR SGEKFKREMY GEPGTEPLEY GSNHCGITAM  701 WCLSAFYEAS VRFTRTNPIQ IAGTSFSAPI VTGTAALLLQ KYPWMSNDNL  751 RTTLLTTAQD IGAVGVDSKF GWGLLDAGKA MNGPASFPFG DFTADTKGTS  801 DIAYSFRNDI SGTGGLIKKG GSQLQLHGNN TYTGKTIIEG GSLVLYGNNK  851 SDMRVETKGA LIYNGAASGG SLNSDGIVYL ADTDQSGANE TVHIKGSLQL  901 DGKGTLYTRL GKLLKVDGTA IIGGKLYMSA RGKGAGYLNS TGRRVPFLSA  951 AKIGQDYSFF TNIETDGGLL ASLDSVEKTA GSEGDTLSYY VRRGNAARTA 1001 SAAAHSAPAG LKHAVEQGGS NLENLMVELD ASESSATPET VETAAADRTD 1051 MPGIRPYGAT FRAAAAVQHA NAADGVRIFN SLAATVYADS TAAHADMQGR 1101 RLKAVSDGLD HNGTGLRVIA QTQQDGGTWE QGGVEGKMRG STQTVGIAAK 1151 TGENTTAAAT LGMGRSTWSE NSANAKTDSI SLFAGIRHDA GDIGYLKGLF 1201 SYGRYKNSIS RSTGADEHAE GSVNGTLMQL GALGGVNVPF AATGDLTVEG 1251 GLRYDLLKQD AFAEKGSALG WSGNSLTEGT LVGLAGLKLS QPLSDKAVLF 1301 ATAGVERDLN GRDYTVTGGF TGATAATGKT GARNMPHTRL VAGLGADVEF 1351 GNGWNGLARY SYAGSKQYGN HSGRVGVGYR FLEHHHHHH* 961cL-ORF46.1    1 ATGAAACACT TTCCATCCAA AGTACTGACC ACAGCCATCC TTGCCACTTT   51 CTGTAGCGGC GCACTGGCAG CCACAAACGA CGACGATGTT AAAAAAGCTG  101 CCACTGTGGC CATTGCTGCT GCCTACAACA ATGGCCAAGA AATCAACGGT  151 TTCAAAGCTG GAGAGACCAT CTACGACATT GATGAAGACG GCACAATTAC  201 CAAAAAAGAC GCAACTGCAG CCGATGTTGA AGCCGACGAC TTTAAAGGTC  251 TGGGTCTGAA AAAAGTCGTG ACTAACCTGA CCAAAACCGT CAATGAAAAC  301 AAACAAAACG TCGATGCCAA AGTAAAAGCT GCAGAATCTG AAATAGAAAA  351 GTTAACAACC AAGTTAGCAG ACACTGATGC CGCTTTAGCA GATACTGATG  401 CCGCTCTGGA TGCAACCACC AACGCCTTGA ATAAATTGGG AGAAAATATA  451 ACGACATTTG CTGAAGAGAC TAAGACAAAT ATCGTAAAAA TTGATGAAAA  501 ATTAGAAGCC GTGGCTGATA CCGTCGACAA GCATGCCGAA GCATTCAACG  551 ATATCGCCGA TTCATTGGAT GAAACCAACA CTAAGGCAGA CGAAGCCGTC  601 AAAACCGCCA ATGAAGCCAA ACAGACGGCC GAAGAAACCA AACAAAACGT  651 CGATGCCAAA GTAAAAGCTG CAGAAACTGC AGCAGGCAAA GCCGAAGCTG  701 CCGCTGGCAC AGCTAATACT GCAGCCGACA AGGCCGAAGC TGTCGCTGCA  751 AAAGTTACCG ACATCAAAGC TGATATCGCT ACGAACAAAG ATAATATTGC  801 TAAAAAAGCA AACAGTGCCG ACGTGTACAC CAGAGAAGAG TCTGACAGCA  851 AATTTGTCAG AATTGATGGT CTGAACGCTA CTACCGAAAA ATTGGACACA  901 CGCTTGGCTT CTGCTGAAAA ATCCATTGCC GATCACGATA CTCGCCTGAA  951 CGGTTTGGAT AAAACAGTGT CAGACCTGCG CAAAGAAACC CGCCAAGGCC 1001 TTGCAGAACA AGCCGCGCTC TCCGGTCTGT TCCAACCTTA CAACGTGGGT 1051 GGATCCGGAG GAGGAGGATC AGATTTGGCA AACGATTCTT TTATCCGGCA 1101 GGTTCTCGAC CGTCAGCATT TCGAACCCGA CGGGAAATAC CACCTATTCG 1151 GCAGCAGGGG GGAACTTGCC GAGCGCAGCG GCCATATCGG ATTGGGAAAA 1201 ATACAAAGCC ATCAGTTGGG CAACCTGATG ATTCAACAGG CGGCCATTAA 1251 AGGAAATATC GGCTACATTG TCCGCTTTTC CGATCACGGG CACGAAGTCC 1301 ATTCCCCCTT CGACAACCAT GCCTCACATT CCGATTCTGA TGAAGCCGGT 1351 AGTCCCGTTG ACGGATTTAG CCTTTACCGC ATCCATTGGG ACGGATACGA 1401 ACACCATCCC GCCGACGGCT ATGACGGGCC ACAGGGCGGC GGCTATCCCG 1451 CTCCCAAAGG CGCGAGGGAT ATATACAGCT ACGACATAAA AGGCGTTGCC 1501 CAAAATATCC GCCTCAACCT GACCGACAAC CGCAGCACCG GACAACGGCT 1551 TGCCGACCGT TTCCACAATG CCGGTAGTAT GCTGACGCAA GGAGTAGGCG 1601 ACGGATTCAA ACGCGCCACC CGATACAGCC CCGAGCTGGA CAGATCGGGC 1651 AATGCCGCCG AAGCCTTCAA CGGCACTGCA GATATCGTTA AAAACATCAT 1701 CGGCGCGGCA GGAGAAATTG TCGGCGCAGG CGATGCCGTG CAGGGCATAA 1751 GCGAAGGCTC AAACATTGCT GTCATGCACG GCTTGGGTCT GCTTTCCACC 1801 GAAAACAAGA TGGCGCGCAT CAACGATTTG GCAGATATGG CGCAACTCAA 1851 AGACTATGCC GCAGCAGCCA TCCGCGATTG GGCAGTCCAA AACCCCAATG 1901 CCGCACAAGG CATAGAAGCC GTCAGCAATA TCTTTATGGC AGCCATCCCC 1951 ATCAAAGGGA TTGGAGCTGT TCGGGGAAAA TACGGCTTGG GCGGCATCAC 2001 GGCACATCCT ATCAAGCGGT CGCAGATGGG CGCGATCGCA TTGCCGAAAG 2051 GGAAATCCGC CGTCAGCGAC AATTTTGCCG ATGCGGCATA CGCCAAATAC 2101 CCGTCCCCTT ACCATTCCCG AAATATCCGT TCAAACTTGG AGCAGCGTTA 2151 CGGCAAAGAA AACATCACCT CCTCAACCGT GCCGCCGTCA AACGGCAAAA 2201 ATGTCAAACT GGCAGACCAA CGCCACCCGA AGACAGGCGT ACCGTTTGAC 2251 GGTAAAGGGT TTCCGAATTT TGAGAAGCAC GTGAAATATG ATACGTAACT 2301 CGAG    1 MKHFPSKVLT TAILATFCSG ALAATNDDDV KKAATVAIAA AYNNGQEING   51 FKAGETIYDI DEDGTITKKD ATAADVEADD FKGLGLKKVV TNLTKTVNEN  101 KQNVDAKVKA AESEIEKLTT KLADTDAALA DTDAALDATT NALNKLGENI  151 TTFAEETKTN IVKIDEKLEA VADTVDKHAE AFNDIADSLD ETNTKADEAV  201 KTANEAKQTA EETKQNVDAK VKAAHTAAGK AEAAAGTANT AADKAEAVAA  251 KVTDIKADIA TNKDNIAKKA NSADVYTREE SDSKFVRIDG LNATTEKLDT  301 RLASAEKSIA DHDTRLNGLD KTVSDLRKET RQGLAEQAAL SGLFQPYNVG  351 GSGGGGSDLA NDSFIRQVLD RQHFEPDGKY HLFGSRGELA ERSGHIGLGK  401 IQSHQLGNLM IQQAAIKGNI GYIVRFSDHG HEVHSPFDNH ASHSDSDEAG  451 SPVDGFSLYR IHWDGYEHHP ADGYDGPQGG GYPAPKGARD IYSYDIKGVA  501 QNIRLNLTDN RSTGQRLADR FHNAGSMLTQ GVGDGFKRAT RYSPELDRSG  551 NAAEAFNGTA DIVKNIIGAA GEIVGAGDAV QGISEGSNIA VMHGLGLLST  601 ENKMARINDL ADMAQLKDYA AAAIRDWAVQ NPNAAQGIEA VSNIFMAAIP  651 IKGIGAVRGK YGLGGITAHP IKRSQMGAIA LPKGKSAVSD NFADAAYAKY  701 PSPYHSRNIR SNLEQRYGKE NITSSTVPPS NGKNVKLADQ RHPKTGVPFD  751 GKGFPNFEKH VKYDT* 961cL-741    1 ATGAAACACT TTCCATCCAA AGTACTGACC ACAGCCATCC TTGCCACTTT   51 CTGTAGCGGC GCACTGGCAG CCACAAACGA CGACGATGTT AAAAAAGCTG  101 CCACTGTGGC CATTGCTGCT GCCTACAACA ATGGCCAAGA AATCAACGGT  151 TTCAAAGCTG GAGAGACCAT CTACGACATT GATGAAGACG GCACAATTAC  201 CAAAAAAGAC GCAACTGCAG CCGATGTTGA AGCCGACGAC TTTAAAGGTC  251 TGGGTCTGAA AAAAGTCGTG ACTAACCTGA CCAAAACCGT CAATGAAAAC  301 AAACAAAACG TCGATGCCAA AGTAAAAGCT GCAGAATCTG AAATAGAAAA  351 GTTAACAACC AAGTTAGCAG ACACTGATGC CGCTTTAGCA GATACTGATG  401 CCGCTCTGGA TGCAACCACC AACGCCTTGA ATAAATTGGG AGAAAATATA  451 ACGACATTTG CTGAAGAGAC TAAGACAAAT ATCGTAAAAA TTGATGAAAA  501 ATTAGAAGCC GTGGCTGATA CCGTCGACAA GCATGCCGAA GCATTCAACG  551 ATATCGCCGA TTCATTGGAT GAAACCAACA CTAAGGCAGA CGAAGCCGTC  601 AAAACCGCCA ATGAAGCCAA ACAGACGGCC GAAGAAACCA AACAAAACGT  651 CGATGCCAAA GTAAAAGCTG CAGAAACTGC AGCAGGCAAA GCCGAAGCTG  701 CCGCTGGCAC AGCTAATACT GCAGCCGACA AGGCCGAAGC TGTCGCTGCA  751 AAAGTTACCG ACATCAAAGC TGATATCGCT ACGAACAAAG ATAATATTGC  801 TAAAAAAGCA AACAGTGCCG ACGTGTACAC CAGAGAAGAG TCTGACAGCA  851 AATTTGTCAG AATTGATGGT CTGAACGCTA CTACCGAAAA ATTGGACACA  901 CGCTTGGCTT CTGCTGAAAA ATCCATTGCC GATCACGATA CTCGCCTGAA  951 CGGTTTGGAT AAAACAGTGT CAGACCTGCG CAAAGAAACC CGCCAAGGCC 1001 TTGCAGAACA AGCCGCGCTC TCCGGTCTGT TCCAACCTTA CAACGTGGGT 1051 GGATCCGGAG GGGGTGGTGT CGCCGCCGAC ATCGGTGCGG GGCTTGCCGA 1101 TGCACTAACC GCACCGCTCG ACCATAAAGA CAAAGGTTTG CAGTCTTTGA 1151 CGCTGGATCA GTCCGTCAGG AAAAACGAGA AACTGAAGCT GGCGGCACAA 1201 GGTGCGGAAA AAACTTATGG AAACGGTGAC AGCCTCAATA CGGGCAAATT 1251 GAAGAACGAC AAGGTCAGCC GTTTCGACTT TATCCGCCAA ATCGAAGTGG 1301 ACGGGCAGCT CATTACCTTG GAGAGTGGAG AGTTCCAAGT ATACAAACAA 1351 AGCCATTCCG CCTTAACCGC CTTTCAGACC GAGCAAATAC AAGATTCGGA 1401 GCATTCCGGG AAGATGGTTG CGAAACGCCA GTTCAGAATC GGCGACATAG 1451 CGGGCGAACA TACATCTTTT GACAAGCTTC CCGAAGGCGG CAGGGCGACA 1501 TATCGCGGGA CGGCGTTCGG TTCAGACGAT GCCGGCGGAA AACTGACCTA 1551 CACCATAGAT TTCGCCGCCA AGCAGGGAAA CGGCAAAATC GAACATTTGA 1601 AATCGCCAGA ACTCAATGTC GACCTGGCCG CCGCCGATAT CAAGCCGGAT 1651 GGAAAACGCC ATGCCGTCAT CAGCGGTTCC GTCCTTTACA ACCAAGCCGA 1701 GAAAGGCAGT TACTCCCTCG GTATCTTTGG CGGAAAAGCC CAGGAAGTTG 1751 CCGGCAGCGC GGAAGTGAAA ACCGTAAACG GCATACGCCA TATCGGCCTT 1801 GCCGCCAAGC AACTCGAGCA CCACCACCAC CACCACTGA    1 MKHFPSKVLT TAILATFCSG ALAATNDDDV KKAATVAIAA AYNNGQEING   51 FKAGETIYDI DEDGTITKKD ATAADVEADD FKGLGLKKVV TNLTKTVNEN  101 KQNVDAKVKA AESEIEKLTT KLADTDAALA DTDAALDATT NALNKLGENI  151 TTFAEETKTN IVKIDEKLEA VADTVDKHAE AFNDIADSLD ETNTKADEAV  201 KTANEAKQTA EETKQNVDAK VKAAETAAGK AEAAAGTANT AADKAEAVAA  251 KVTDIKADIA TNKDNIAKKA NSADVYTREE SDSKFVRIDG LNATTEKLDT  301 RLASAEKSIA DHDTRLNGLD KTVSDLRKET RQGLAEQAAL SGLFQPYNVG  351 GSGGGGVAAD IGAGLADALT APLDHKDKGL QSLTLDQSVR KNEKLKLAAQ  401 GAEKTYGNGD SLNTGKLKND KVSRFDFIRQ IEVDGQLITL ESGEFQVYKQ  451 SHSALTAFQT EQIQDSEHSG KMVAKRQFRI GDIAGEHTSF DKLPEGGRAT  501 YRGTAFGSDD AGGKLTYTID FAAKQGNGKI EHLKSPELNV DLAAADIKPD  551 GKRHAVISGS VLYNQAEKGS YSLGIFGGKA QEVAGSAEVK TVNGIRHIGL  601 AAKQLEHHHH HH* 961cL-983    1 ATGAAACACT TTCCATCCAA AGTACTGACC ACAGCCATCC TTGCCACTTT   51 CTGTAGCGGC GCACTGGCAG CCACAAACGA CGACGATGTT AAAAAAGCTG  101 CCACTGTGGC CATTGCTGCT GCCTACAACA ATGGCCAAGA AATCAACGGT  151 TTCAAAGCTG GAGAGACCAT CTACGACATT GATGAAGACG GCACAATTAC  201 CAAAAAAGAC GCAACTGCAG CCGATGTTGA AGCCGACGAC TTTAAAGGTC  251 TGGGTCTGAA AAAAGTCGTG ACTAACCTGA CCAAAACCGT CAATGAAAAC  301 AAACAAAACG TCGATGCCAA AGTAAAAGCT GCAGAATCTG AAATAGAAAA  351 GTTAACAACC AAGTTAGCAG ACACTGATGC CGCTTTAGCA GATACTGATG  401 CCGCTCTGGA TGCAACCACC AACGCCTTGA ATAAATTGGG AGAAAATATA  451 ACGACATTTG CTGAAGAGAC TAAGACAAAT ATCGTAAAAA TTGATGAAAA  501 ATTAGAAGCC GTGGCTGATA CCGTCGACAA GCATGCCGAA GCATTCAACG  551 ATATCGCCGA TTCATTGGAT GAAACCAACA CTAAGGCAGA CGAAGCCGTC  601 AAAACCGCCA ATGAAGCCAA ACAGACGGCC GAAGAAACCA AACAAAACGT  651 CGATGCCAAA GTAAAAGCTG CAGAAACTGC AGCAGGCAAA GCCGAAGCTG  701 CCGCTGGCAC AGCTAATACT GCAGCCGACA AGGCCGAAGC TGTCGCTGCA  751 AAAGTTACCG ACATCAAAGC TGATATCGCT ACGAACAAAG ATAATATTGC  801 TAAAAAAGCA AACAGTGCCG ACGTGTACAC CAGAGAAGAG TCTGACAGCA  851 AATTTGTCAG AATTGATGGT CTGAACGCTA CTACCGAAAA ATTGGACACA  901 CGCTTGGCTT CTGCTGAAAA ATCCATTGCC GATCACGATA CTCGCCTGAA  951 CGGTTTGGAT AAAACAGTGT CAGACCTGCG CAAAGAAACC CGCCAAGGCC 1001 TTGCAGAACA AGCCGCGCTC TCCGGTCTGT TCCAACCTTA CAACGTGGGT 1051 GGATCCGGCG GAGGCGGCAC TTCTGCGCCC GACTTCAATG CAGGCGGTAC 1101 CGGTATCGGC AGCAACAGCA GAGCAACAAC AGCGAAATCA GCAGCAGTAT 1151 CTTACGCCGG TATCAAGAAC GAAATGTGCA AAGACAGAAG CATGCTCTGT 1201 GCCGGTCGGG ATGACGTTGC GGTTACAGAC AGGGATGCCA AAATCAATGC 1251 CCCCCCCCCG AATCTGCATA CCGGAGACTT TCCAAACCCA AATGACGCAT 1301 ACAAGAATTT GATCAACCTC AAACCTGCAA TTGAAGCAGG CTATACAGGA 1351 CGCGGGGTAG AGGTAGGTAT CGTCGACACA GGCGAATCCG TCGGCAGCAT 1401 ATCCTTTCCC GAACTGTATG GCAGAAAAGA ACACGGCTAT AACGAAAATT 1451 ACAAAAACTA TACGGCGTAT ATGCGGAAGG AAGCGCCTGA AGACGGAGGC 1501 GGTAAAGACA TTGAAGCTTC TTTCGACGAT GAGGCCGTTA TAGAGACTGA 1551 AGCAAAGCCG ACGGATATCC GCCACGTAAA AGAAATCGGA CACATCGATT 1601 TGGTCTCCCA TATTATTGGC GGGCGTTCCG TGGACGGCAG ACCTGCAGGC 1651 GGTATTGCGC CCGATGCGAC GCTACACATA ATGAATACGA ATGATGAAAC 1701 CAAGAACGAA ATGATGGTTG CAGCCATCCG CAATGCATGG GTCAAGCTGG 1751 GCGAACGTGG CGTGCGCATC GTCAATAACA GTTTTGGAAC AACATCGAGG 1801 GCAGGCACTG CCGACCTTTT CCAAATAGCC AATTCGGAGG AGCAGTACCG 1851 CCAAGCGTTG CTCGACTATT CCGGCGGTGA TAAAACAGAC GAGGGTATCC 1901 GCCTGATGCA ACAGAGCGAT TACGGCAACC TGTCCTACCA CATCCGTAAT 1951 AAAAACATGC TTTTCATCTT TTCGACAGGC AATGACGCAC AAGCTCAGCC 2001 CAACACATAT GCCCTATTGC CATTTTATGA AAAAGACGCT CAAAAAGGCA 2051 TTATCACAGT CGCAGGCGTA GACCGCAGTG GAGAAAAGTT CAAACGGGAA 2101 ATGTATGGAG AACCGGGTAC AGAACCGCTT GAGTATGGCT CCAACCATTG 2151 CGGAATTACT GCCATGTGGT GCCTGTCGGC ACCCTATGAA GCAAGCGTCC 2201 GTTTCACCCG TACAAACCCG ATTCAAATTG CCGGAACATC CTTTTCCGCA 2251 CCCATCGTAA CCGGCACGGC GGCTCTGCTG CTGCAGAAAT ACCCGTGGAT 2301 GAGCAACGAC AACCTGCGTA CCACGTTGCT GACGACGGCT CAGGACATCG 2351 GTGCAGTCGG CGTGGACAGC AAGTTCGGCT GGGGACTGCT GGATGCGGGT 2401 AAGGCCATGA ACGGACCCGC GTCCTTTCCG TTCGGCGACT TTACCGCCGA 2451 TACGAAAGGT ACATCCGATA TTGCCTACTC CTTCCGTAAC GACATTTCAG 2501 GCACGGGCGG CCTGATCAAA AAAGGCGGCA GCCAACTGCA ACTGCACGGC 2551 AACAACACCT ATACGGGCAA AACCATTATC GAAGGCGGTT CGCTGGTGTT 2601 GTACGGCAAC AACAAATCGG ATATGCGCGT CGAAACCAAA GGTGCGCTGA 2651 TTTATAACGG GGCGGCATCC GGCGGCAGCC TGAACAGCGA CGGCATTGTC 2701 TATCTGGCAG ATACCGACCA ATCCGGCGCA AACGAAACCG TACACATCAA 2751 AGGCAGTCTG CAGCTGGACG GCAAAGGTAC GCTGTACACA CGTTTGGGCA 2801 AACTGCTGAA AGTGGACGGT ACGGCGATTA TCGGCGGCAA GCTGTACATG 2851 TCGGCACGCG GCAAGGGGGC AGGCTATCTC AACAGTACCG GACGACGTGT 2901 TCCCTTCCTG AGTGCCGCCA AAATCGGGCA GGATTATTCT TTCTTCACAA 2951 ACATCGAAAC CGACGGCGGC CTGCTGGCTT CCCTCGACAG CGTCGAAAAA 3001 ACAGCGGGCA GTGAAGGCGA CACGCTGTCC TATTATGTCC GTCGCGGCAA 3051 TGCGGCACGG ACTGCTTCGG CAGCGGCACA TTCCGCGCCC GCCGGTCTGA 3101 AACACGCCGT AGAACAGGGC GGCAGCAATC TGGAAAACCT GATGGTCGAA 3151 CTGGATGCCT CCGAATCATC CGCAACACCC GAGACGGTTG AAACTGCGGC 3201 AGCCGACCGC ACAGATATGC CGGGCATCCG CCCCTACGGC GCAACTTTCC 3251 GCGCAGCGGC AGCCGTACAG CATGCGAATG CCGCCGACGG TGTACGCATC 3301 TTCAACAGTC TCGCCGCTAC CGTCTATGCC GACAGTACCG CCGCCCATGC 3351 CGATATGCAG GGACGCCGCC TGAAAGCCGT ATCGGACGGG TTGGACCACA 3401 ACGGCACGGG TCTGCGCGTC ATCGCGCAAA CCCAACAGGA CGGTGGAACG 3451 TGGGAACAGG GCGGTGTTGA AGGCAAAATG CGCGGCAGTA CCCAAACCGT 3501 CGGCATTGCC GCGAAAACCG GCGAAAATAC GACAGCAGCC GCCACACTGG 3551 GCATGGGACG CAGCACATGG AGCGAAAACA GTGCAAATGC AAAAACCGAC 3601 AGCATTAGTC TGTTTGCAGG CATACGGCAC GATGCGGGCG ATATCGGCTA 3651 TCTCAAAGGC CTGTTCTCCT ACGGACGCTA CAAAAACAGC ATCAGCCGCA 3701 GCACCGGTGC GGACGAACAT GCGGAAGGCA GCGTCAACGG CACGCTGATG 3751 CAGCTGGGCG CACTGGGCGG TGTCAACGTT CCGTTTGCCG CAACGGGAGA 3801 TTTGACGGTC GAAGGCGGTC TGCGCTACGA CCTGCTCAAA CAGGATGCAT 3851 TCGCCGAAAA AGGCAGTGCT TTGGGCTGGA GCGGCAACAG CCTCACTGAA 3901 GGCACGCTGG TCGGACTCGC GGGTCTGAAG CTGTCGCAAC CCTTGAGCGA 3951 TAAAGCCGTC CTGTTTGCAA CGGCGGGCGT GGAACGCGAC CTGAACGGAC 4001 GCGACTACAC GGTAACGGGC GGCTTTACCG GCGCGACTGC AGCAACCGGC 4051 AAGACGGGGG CACGCAATAT GCCGCACACC CGTCTGGTTG CCGGCCTGGG 4101 CGCGGATGTC GAATTCGGCA ACGGCTGGAA CGGCTTGGCA CGTTACAGCT 4151 ACGCCGGTTC CAAACAGTAC GGCAACCACA GCGGACGAGT CGGCGTAGGC 4201 TACCGGTTCT GACTCGAG    1 MKHFPSKVLT TAILATFCSG ALAATNDDDV KKAATVAIAA AYNEGQEING   51 FKAGETIYDI DEDGTITKKD ATAADVEADD FKGLGLKKVV TNLTKTVNEN  101 KQNVDAKVKA AESEIEKLTT KLADTDAALA DTDAALDATT NALNKLGENI  151 TTFAEETKTN IVKIDEKLEA VADTVDKHAE AFNDIADSLD ETNTKADEAV  201 KTANEAKQTA EETKQNVDAK VKAAETAAGK AEAAAGTANT AADKAEAVAA  251 KVTDIKADIA TNKDNIAKKA NSADVYTREE SDSKFVRIDG LNATTEKLDT  301 RLASAEKSIA DHDTRLNGLD KTVSDLRKET RQGLAEQAAL SGLFQPYNVG  351 GSGGGGTSAP DFNAGGTGIG SNSRATTAKS AAVSYAGIKN EMCKDRSMLC  401 AGRDDVAVTD RDAKINAPPP NLHTGDFPNP NDAYKNLINL KPAIEAGYTG  451 RGVEVGIVDT GESVGSISFP ELYGRKEHGY NENYKNYTAY MRKEAPEDGG  501 GKDIEASFDD EAVIETEAKP TDIRHVKEIG HIDLVSHIIG GRSVDGRPAG  551 GIAPDATLHI MNTNDETKNE MMVAAIRNAW VKLGERGVRI VNNSFGTTSR  601 AGTADLFQIA NSEEQYRQAL LDYSGGDKTD EGIRLMQQSD YGNLSYHIRN  651 KNMLFIFSTG NDAQAQPNTY ALLPFYEKDA QKGIITVAGV DRSGEKFKRE  701 MYGEPGTEPL EYGSNHCGIT AMWCLSAPYE ASVRFTRTNP IQIAGTSFSA  751 PIVTGTAALL LQKYPWMSND NLRTTLLTTA QDIGAVGVDS KFGWGLLDAG  801 KAMNGPASFP PGDFTADTKG TSDIAYSFRN DISGTGGLIK KGGSQLQLHG  851 NNTYTGKTII EGGSLVLYGN NKSDMRVETK GALIYNGAAS GGSLNSDGIV  901 YLADTDQSGA NETVHIKGSL QLDGKGTLYT RLGKLLKVDG TAIIGGKLYM  951 SARGKGAGYL NSTGRRVPFL SAAKIGQDYS FFTNIETDGG LLASLDSVEK 1001 TAGSEGDTLS YYVRRGNAAR TASAAAHSAP AGLKHAVEQG GSNLENLMVE 1051 LDASESSATP ETVETAAADR TDMPGIRPYG ATFRAAAAVQ HANAADGVRI 1101 FNSLAATVYA DSTAAHADMQ GRRLKAVSDG LDHNGTGLRV LAQTQQDGGT 1151 WEQGGVEGKM RGSTQTVGIA AKTGENTTAA ATLGMGRSTW SENSANAKTD 1201 SISLFAGIRH DAGDIGYLKG LFSYGRYKNS ISRSTGADEH AEGSVNGTLM 1251 QLGALGGVNV PFAATGDLTV EGGLRYDLLK QDAFAEKGSA LGWSGNSLTE 1301 GTLVGLAGLK LSQPLSDKAV LFATAGVERD LNGRDYTVTG GFTGATAATG 1351 KTGARNMPHT RLVAGLGADV EFGNGWNGLA RYSYAGSKQY GNHSGRVGVG 1401 YRF*

It will be understood that the invention has been described by way of example only and modifications may be made whilst remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, the use of proteins from other strains is envisaged [e.g. see WO00/66741 for polymorphic sequences for ORF4, ORF40, ORF46, 225, 235, 287, 519, 726, 919 and 953].

Experimental Details FPLC Protein Purification

The following table summarises the FPLC protein purification that was used:

Protein PI Column Buffer pH Protocol 121.1untagged 6.23 Mono Q Tris 8.0 A 128.1untagged 5.04 Mono Q Bis-Tris propane 6.5 A 406.1L 7.75 Mono Q Diethanolamine 9.0 B 576.1L 5.63 Mono Q Tris 7.5 B 593untagged 8.79 Mono S Hepes 7.4 A 726untagged 4.95 Hi-trap S Bis-Tris 6.0 A 919untagged 10.5(−leader) Mono S Bicine 8.5 C 919Lorf4 10.4(−leader) Mono S Tris 8.0 B 920L 6.92(−leader) Mono Q Diethanolamine 8.5 A 953L 7.56(−leader) Mono S MES 6.6 D 982untagged 4.73 Mono Q Bis-Tris propane 6.5 A 919-287 6.58 Hi-trap Q Tris 8.0 A 953-287 4.92 Mono Q Bis-Tris propane 6.2 A

Buffer solutions included 20-120 mM NaCl, 5.0 mg/ml CHAPS and 10% v/v glycerol. The dialysate was centrifuged at 13000 g for 20 min and applied to either a mono Q or mono S FPLC ion-exchange resin. Buffer and ion exchange resins were chosen according to the pI of the protein of interest and the recommendations of the FPLC protocol manual [Pharmacia: FPLC Ion Exchange and Chromatofocussing; Principles and Methods. Pharmacia Publication]. Proteins were eluted using a step-wise NaCl gradient. Purification was analysed by SDS-PAGE and protein concentration determined by the Bradford method.

The letter in the ‘protocol’ column refers to the following:

FPLC-A:

Clones 121.1, 128.1, 593, 726, 982, periplasmic protein 920L and hybrid proteins 919-287, 953-287 were purified from the soluble fraction of E. coli obtained after disruption of the cells. Single colonies harbouring the plasmid of interest were grown overnight at 37° C. in 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid culture. Bacteria were diluted 1:30 in 1.0 L of fresh medium and grown at either 30° C. or 37° C. until the OD550 reached 0.6-08. Expression of recombinant protein was induced with IPTG at a final concentration of 1.0 mM. After incubation for 3 hours, bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 g for 15 minutes at 4° C. When necessary cells were stored at −20° C. All subsequent procedures were performed on ice or at 4° C. For cytosolic proteins (121.1, 128.1, 593, 726 and 982) and periplasmic protein 920L, bacteria were resuspended in 25 ml of PBS containing complete protease inhibitor (Boehringer-Mannheim). Cells were lysed by sonication using a Branson Sonifier 450. Disrupted cells were centrifuged at 8000 g for 30 min to sediment unbroken cells and inclusion bodies and the supernatant taken to 35% v/v saturation by the addition of 3.9 M (NH4)2SO4. The precipitate was sedimented at 8000 g for 30 minutes. The supernatant was taken to 70% v/v saturation by the addition of 3.9 M (NH4)2SO4 and the precipitate collected as above. Pellets containing the protein of interest were identified by SDS-PAGE and dialysed against the appropriate ion-exchange buffer (see below) for 6 hours or overnight. The periplasmic fraction from E. coli expressing 953L was prepared according to the protocol of Evans et. al. [Infect. Immun. (1974) 10:1010-1017] and dialysed against the appropriate ion-exchange buffer. Buffer and ion exchange resin were chosen according to the pI of the protein of interest and the recommendations of the FPLC protocol manual (Pharmacia). Buffer solutions included 20 mM NaCl, and 10% (v/v) glycerol. The dialysate was centrifuged at 13000 g for 20 min and applied to either a mono Q or mono S FPLC ion-exchange resin. Buffer and ion exchange resin were chosen according to the pI of the protein of interest and the recommendations of the FPLC protocol manual (Pharmacia). Proteins were eluted from the ion-exchange resin using either step-wise or continuous NaCl gradients. Purification was analysed by SDS-PAGE and protein concentration determined by Bradford method. Cleavage of the leader peptide of periplasmic proteins was demonstrated by sequencing the NH2-terminus (see below).

FPLC-B:

These proteins were purified from the membrane fraction of E. coli. Single colonies harbouring the plasmid of interest were grown overnight at 37° C. in 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid culture. Bacteria were diluted 1:30 in 1.0 L of fresh medium. Clones 406.1L and 919LOrf4 were grown at 30° C. and Orf25L and 576.1L at 37° C. until the OD550 reached 0.6-0.8. In the case of 919LOrf4, growth at 30° C. was essential since expression of recombinant protein at 37° C. resulted in lysis of the cells. Expression of recombinant protein was induced with IPTG at a final concentration of 1.0 mM. After incubation for 3 hours, bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 g for 15 minutes at 4° C. When necessary cells were stored at −20° C. All subsequent procedures were performed at 4° C. Bacteria were resuspended in 25 ml of PBS containing complete protease inhibitor (Boehringer-Mannheim) and lysed by osmotic shock with 2-3 passages through a French Press. Unbroken cells were removed by centrifugation at 5000 g for 15 min and membranes precipitated by centrifugation at 100000 g (Beckman Ti50, 38000 rpm) for 45 minutes. A Dounce homogenizer was used to re-suspend the membrane pellet in 7.5 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1.0 M NaCl and complete protease inhibitor. The suspension was mixed for 2-4 hours, centrifuged at 100000 g for 45 min and the pellet resuspended in 7.5 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1.0M NaCl, 5.0 mg/ml CHAPS, 10% (v/v) glycerol and complete protease inhibitor. The solution was mixed overnight, centrifuged at 100000 g for 45 minutes and the supernatant dialysed for 6 hours against an appropriately selected buffer. In the case of Orf25.L, the pellet obtained after CHAPS extraction was found to contain the recombinant protein. This fraction, without further purification, was used to immunise mice.

FPLC-C:

Identical to FPLC-A, but purification was from the soluble fraction obtained after permeabilising E. coli with polymyxin B, rather than after cell disruption.

FPLC-D:

A single colony harbouring the plasmid of interest was grown overnight at 37° C. in 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid culture. Bacteria were diluted 1:30 in 1.0 L of fresh medium and grown at 30° C. until the OD550 reached 0.6-0.8. Expression of recombinant protein was induced with IPTG at a final concentration of 1.0 mM. After incubation for 3 hours, bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 g for 15 minutes at 4° C. When necessary cells were stored at −20° C. All subsequent procedures were performed on ice or at 4° C. Cells were resuspended in 20 mM Bicine (pH 8.5), 20 mM NaCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol, complete protease inhibitor (Boehringer-Mannheim) and disrupted using a Branson Sonifier 450. The sonicate was centrifuged at 8000 g for 30 min to sediment unbroken cells and inclusion bodies. The recombinant protein was precipitated from solution between 35% v/v and 70% v/v saturation by the addition of 3.9M (NH4)2SO4. The precipitate was sedimented at 8000 g for 30 minutes, resuspended in 20 mM Bicine (pH 8.5), 20 mM NaCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol and dialysed against this buffer for 6 hours or overnight. The dialysate was centrifuged at 13000 g for 20 min and applied to the FPLC resin. The protein was eluted from the column using a step-wise NaCl gradients. Purification was analysed by SDS-PAGE and protein concentration determined by Bradford method.

Cloning Strategy and Oligonucleotide Design

Genes coding for antigens of interest were amplified by PCR, using oligonucleotides designed on the basis of the genomic sequence of N. meningitidis B MC58. Genomic DNA from strain 2996 was always used as a template in PCR reactions, unless otherwise specified, and the amplified fragments were cloned in the expression vector pET21b+(Novagen) to express the protein as C-terminal His-tagged product, or in pET-24b+(Novagen) to express the protein in ‘untagged’ form (e.g. AG 287K).

Where a protein was expressed without a fusion partner and with its own leader peptide (if present), amplification of the open reading frame (ATG to STOP codons) was performed.

Where a protein was expressed in ‘untagged’ form, the leader peptide was omitted by designing the 5′-end amplification primer downstream from the predicted leader sequence.

The melting temperature of the primers used in PCR depended on the number and type of hybridising nucleotides in the whole primer, and was determined using the formulae:


Tm1=4(G+C)+2(A+T) (tail excluded)


Tm2=64.9+0.41(%GC)−600/N (whole primer)

The melting temperatures of the selected oligonucleotides were usually 65-70° C. for the whole oligo and 50-60° C. for the hybridising region alone.

Oligonucleotides were synthesised using a Perkin Elmer 394 DNA/RNA Synthesizer, eluted from the columns in 2.0 ml NH4OH, and deprotected by 5 hours incubation at 56° C. The oligos were precipitated by addition of 0.3M Na-Acetate and 2 volumes ethanol. The samples were centrifuged and the pellets resuspended in water.

Restric- tion Sequences site Orf1L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-AAAACAACCGACAAACGG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCAGCGGTAGCCTA XhoI Orf1 Fwd CTAGCTAGC-GGACACACTTATTTCGGCATC NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCAGCGGTAGCCTAATTTG XhoI Orf1LOmpA Fwd NdeI- (NheI) Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI Orf4L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAACCTTCTTCAAAACC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTGGCTGCGCCTTC XhoI Orf7-1L Fwd GCGGCATTAAT-ATGTTGAGAAAATTGTTGAAATGG AseI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTTTTTCAAAATATATTTGC XhoI Orf9-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-TTACCTAACCGTTTCAAAATGT NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTTCCGAGGTTTTCGGG XhoI Orf23L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ACACGCTTCAAATATTC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTAAACCGATAGGTAAA XhoI Orf25-1 His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GGCAGGGAAGAACCGC NdeI Rev GCCCAAGCTT-ATCGATGGAATAGCCGCG HindIII Orf29-1 b-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-AACGGTTTGGATGCCCG NheI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTGTCTAAGTTCCTGATAT XhoI CCCGCTCGAG-ATTCCCACCTGCCATC Orf29-1 b-L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ATGAATTTGCCTATTCAAAAAT NheI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAATTCCCACCTGCCATC XhoI Orf29-1 c-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ATGAATTTGCCTATTCAAAAAT NheI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGGACGATGCCCGCGA XhoI Orf29-1 c-L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ATGAATTTGCCTATTCAAAAAT NheI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTGGACGATGCCCGC XhoI Orf25L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TATCGCAAACTGATTGC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CTAATCGATGGAATAGCC XhoI Orf37L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAACAGACAGTCAAATG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATAACCCGCCTTCAG XhoI Orf38L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI TTACGTTTGACTGCTTTAGCCGTATGCACC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTATTTTGCCGCGTTAAAAGCGTCGGCAAC Orf40L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACAAAATATACCGCAT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCACTGATAACCGAC XhoI Orf40.2-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ACCGATGACGACGATTTAT NdeI Rev GCCCAAGCTT-CCACTGATAACCGACAGA HindIII Orf40.2L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACAAAATATACCGCAT NdeI Rev GCCCAAGCTT-TTACCACTGATAACCGAC HindIII Orf46-2L Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG-GGCATTTCCCGCAAAATATC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTACTCCTATAACGAGGTCTCTTAAC XhoI Orf46-2 Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG-TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTCTT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTACTCCTATAACGAGGTCTCTTAAC XhoI Orf46.1L Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG-GGCATTTCCCGCAAAATATC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI orf46.  Fwd GGGAATTCCATATGCACGTGAAATATGATACGAAG BamHI- (His-GST) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGTTTACTCCTATAACGAGGTCTCTTAAC XhoI rf46.1-His Fwd GGGAATTCCATATGTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTCTT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI orf46.2-His Fwd GGGAATTCCATATGTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTCTT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGTTTACTCCTATAACGAGGTCTCTTAAC XhoI Orf65-1- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CAAAATGCGTTCAAAATCCC BamHI- (His/GST) NdeI (MC58) Rev CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACAAAATATACCGCAT XhoI CCCGCTCGAG-TTTGCTTTCGATAGAACGG Orf72-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GTCATAAAATATACAAATTTGAA NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTAGCCTGAGACCTTTGCAAATT XhoI Orf76-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AAACAGAAAAAAACCGCTG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTACGGTTTGACACCGTTTTC XhoI Orf83.1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAACCCTGCTCCTC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATCCTCCTTTGCGGC XhoI Orf85-2L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GCAAAAATGATGAAATGGG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATCGGCGCGGCGGGCC XhoI Orf91L (MC58) Fwd GCGGCCATATGAAAAAATCCTCCCTCATCA NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGTTATTTGCCGCCGTTTTTGGC XhoI Orf91-His(MC58) Fwd GCGGCCATATGGCCCCTGCCGACGCGGTAAG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGTTTGCCGCCGTTTTTGGCTTTC XhoI Orf97-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AAACACATACTCCCCCTGA NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTCGCCTACGGTTTTTTG XhoI Orf119L (MC58) Fwd GCGGCCATATGATTTACATCGTACTGTTTC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGTTAGGAGAACAGGCGCAATGC XhoI Orf119-His(MC58) Fwd GCGGCCATATGTACAACATGTATCAGGAAAAC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGGGAGAACAGGCGCAATGCGG XhoI Orf137.1 (His- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGCTGCGGCACGGCGGG BamHI- GST) (MC58) NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAGATAACGGTATGCCGCCAG XhoI Orf143-1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GAATCAACACTTTCAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACACGCGGTTGCTGT XhoI 008 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACAACAGACATTTTG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCTGTCCGGTAAAAG XhoI 050-1(48) Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ACCGTCATCAAACAGGAA NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAAGATTCGACGGGGA XhoI 105 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TCCGCAAACGAATACG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGTGTTCTGCCAGTTT XhoI 111L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CCGTCTGAAACACG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAGCGGAGCAGTTTTTC XhoI 117-1 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ACCGCCATCAGCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAAAGCCGGGTAACGC XhoI 121-1 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GAAACACAGCTTTACATCGG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAATAATAATATCCCGCG XhoI 122-1 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-ATTAAAATCCGCAATATCC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTAAATCTTGGTAGATTGGATTTGG XhoI 128-1 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-ACTGACAACGCACTGCTCC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAGACCGCGTTGTCGAAAC XhoI 148 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCGTTAAAAACATCAAA NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGCCCTTCATACAGC XhoI 149.1L (MC58) Fwd GCGGCATTAATGGCACAAACTACACTCAAACC AseI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGTTAAAACTTCACGTTCACGCCG XhoI 149.1-His(MC58) Fwd GCGGCATTAATGCATGAAACTGAGCAATCGGTGG AseI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGAAACTTCACGTTCACGCCGCCGGTAAA XhoI 205 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGGCAAATCCGAAAATACG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGATAATGGCGGCGGCGG XhoI 206L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TTTCCCCCCGACAA NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCATTCTGTAAAAAAAGTATG XhoI 214 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGCTTCAAAGCGACAGCAG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGTTCGGATTTTTGCGTACTC XhoI 216 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCAATGGCAGAAAACG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CTATACAATCCGTGCCG XhoI 225-1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GATTCTTTTTTCAAACC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGTTCAGAAAGCGGG XhoI 235L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAACCTTTGATTTTAGG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTGGGCTGCTCTTC XhoI 243 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GTAATCGTCTGGTTG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CTACGACTTGGTTACCG XhoI 247-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AGACGTAAAATGCTAAAGCTAC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAAAGTGTTCTGTTTGCGC XhoI 264-His Fwd GCCGCCATATG-TTGACTTTAACCCGAAAAA NdeI Rev GCCGCGTCGAG-GCCGGCGGTCAATACCGCCCGAA XhoI 270 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGCGCAATGCGATTTGAC BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGTTCGGCGGTAAATGCCG XhoI 274L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GCGGGGCCGATTTTTGT NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTTGCTTTCAGTATTATTG XhoI 283L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AACTTTGCTTTATCCGTCA NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTAACGGCAGTATTTGTTTAC XhoI 285-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGGTTTGCGCTTCGGGC BamHI Rev GCCCAAGCTTTTTTCCTTTGCCGTTTCCG HindIII 286-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCGACCTTTCCGAAAA NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAAGCGCGTTCCCAAGC XhoI 286L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CACGACACCCGTAC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAGAAGCGCGTTCCCAA XhoI 287L Fwd CTAGCTAGC-TTTAAACGCAGCGTAATCGCAATGG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 287 Fwd CTAGCTAGC-GGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 287LOrf4 Fwd CTAGCTAGCGCTCATCCTCGCCGCC- NheI TGCGGGGGCGGCGGT Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 287-fu Fwd CGGGGATCC-GGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG BamHI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 287-His Fwd CTAGCTAGC-GGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC * XhoI 287-His(2996) Fwd CTAGCTAGC-TGCGGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI Δ1 287-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC § NheI Δ2 287-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CAAGATATGGCGGCAGT § NheI Δ3 287-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-GCCGAATCCGCAAATCA § NheI Δ4 287-His Fwd CGCGCTAGC-GGAAGGGTTGATTTGGCTAATGG § NheI Δ4 287MC58-His Fwd CGCGCTAGC-GGAAGGGTTGATTTGGCTAATGG § NheI 287a-His Fwd CGCCATATG-TTTAAACGCAGCGTAATCGC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-AAAATTGCTACCGCCATTCGCAGG XhoI 287b-His Fwd CGCCATATG-GGAAGGGTTGATTTGGCTAATGG NdeI 267b-2996-His Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CTTGTCTTTATAAATGATGACATATTTG XhoI 287b-MC58-His Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTATAAAAGATAATATATTGATTGATTCC XhoI 287c-2996-His Fwd CGCGCTAGC-ATGCCGCTGATTCCCGTCAATC § NheI ‘287untagged’ Fwd CTAGCTAGC-GGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG NheI (2996) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI ΔG287-His * Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI ΔG287K(2996) Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI ΔG 287-L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI TTTGAACGCAGTGTGATTGCAATGGCTTGTATTTTTGCC CTTTCAGCCTGT TCGCCCGATGTTAAATCGGCG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI ΔG 287-Orf4L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI AAAACCTTCTTCAAAACCCTTTCCGCCGCCGCACTCGCG CTCATCCTCGCCGCCTGC TCGCCCGATGTTAAATCG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 292L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAACCAAGTTAATCAAA NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTGATTTTTGCGGATGA XhoI 308-1 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TTAAATCGGGTATTTTATC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAATCCGCCATTCCCTG XhoI 401L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AAATTACAACAATTGGCTG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTACCTTACGTTTTTCAAAG XhoI 406L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CAAGCACGGCTGCT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAAGGTTGTCCTTGTCTA XhoI 502-1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATGAAACCGCACAAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGTTGCTCAACACGTC XhoI 502-A (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGTAGACGCGCTTAAGCA BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGAGCTGCATGGCGGCG XhoI 503-1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCACGGTCGTTATAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CTACCGCGCATTCCTG XhoI 519-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GAATTTTTCATTATCTTGTT NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTTGGCGGTTTTGCTGC XhoI 525-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AAGTATGTCCGGTTATTTTTC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATCGGCTTGTGCAACGG XhoI 529-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-TCCGGCAGCAAAACCGA BamHI- (MC58) NheI Rev GCCCAAGCTT-ACGCAGTTCOGAATGGAG HindIII 552L Fwd GCCGCCATATGTTGAATATTAAACTGAAAACCTTG NdeI Rev GCCGCCTCGAGTTATTTCTGATGCCTTTTCCC XhoI 556L Fwd GCCGCCATATGGACAATAAGACCAAACTG NdeI Rev GCCGCCTCGAGTTAACGGTGCGGACGTTTC XhoI 557L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACAAACTGTTTCTTAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCATTCCGCCTTCAGAAA XhoI 564ab-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (MC58) CAAGGTATCGTTGCCGACAAATCCGCACCT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI AGCTAATTGTGCTTGGTTTGCAGATAGGAGTT 564abL (MC58) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- NdeI AACCGCACCCTGTACAAAGTTGTATTTAACAAACATC Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TTAAGCTAATTGTGCTTGGTTTGCAGATAGGAGTT 564b- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST)(MC58) ACGGGAGAAAATCATGCGGTTTCACTTCATG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI AGCTAATTGTGCTTGGTTTGCAGATAGGAGTT 564c- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST)(MC58) GTTTCAGACGGCCTATACAACCAACATGGTGAAATT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI GCGGTAACTGCCGCTTGCACTGAATCCGTAA 564bc- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST)(MC58) ACGGGAGAAAATCATGCGGTTTCACTTCATG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI GCGGTAACTGCCGCITGCACTGAATCCGTAA 564d- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST)(MC58) CAAAGCAAAGTCAAAGCAGACCATGCCTCCGTAA NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TCTTTTCCTTTCAATTATAACTTTAGTAGGTTCAATTTTG GTCCCC 564cd- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST)(MC58) GTTTCAGACGGCCTATACAACCAACATGGTGAAATT NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI TCTTTTCCTTTCAATTATAACTTTAGTAGGTTCAATTTTG GTCCCC 570L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-ACCCGTTTGACCCGCG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAGCGGGCGTTCATTTCTT XhoI 576-1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AACACCATTTTCAAAATC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAATTTACTTTTTTGATGTCG XhoI 580L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GATTCGCCCAAGGTCGG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-CTACACTTCCCCCGAAGTGG XhoI 583L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATAGTTGACCAAAGCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTTTCCGATTTTTCGG XhoI 593 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-CTTGAACTGAACGGACT NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAGCGGAAGCGGACGATT XhoI 650 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGTCCAAACTCAAAACCATCG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGGCTTCCAATCAGTTTGACC XhoI 652 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AGCGCAATCGTTGATATTTTC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTATTTGCCCAGTTGGTAGAATG XhoI 664L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GTGATACATCCGCACTACTTC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAAAATCGAGTTTTACACCA XhoI 726 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-ACCATCTATTTCAAAAACGG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAGCCGATGTTTAGCGTCCATT XhoI 741-His(MC58) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AGCAGCGGAGGGGGTG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAGGC XhoI ΔG741-His(MC58) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GTCGCCGCCGACATCG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAGGC XhoI 686-2-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GGCGGTTCGGAAGGCG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGAACACTGATGTCTTTTCCGA XhoI 719-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-AAACTGTCGTTGGTGTTAAC BamHI- (MC58) NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGACCCGCTCCACGG XhoI 730-His (MC58) Fwd GCCGCCATATGGCGGACITGGCGCAAGACCC NdeI Rev GCCGCCTCGAGATCTCCTAAACCTGTTTTAACAATGCCG XhoI 730A-His (MC58) Fwd GCCGCCATATGGCGGACTTGGCGCAAGACCC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGCTCCATGCTGTTGCCCCAGC XhoI 730B-His (MC58) Fwd GCCGCCATATGGCGGACTTGGCGCAAGACCC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGAAAATCCCCGCTAACCGCAG XhoI 741-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AGCAGCGGAGGGGGTG NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAGGC XhoI ΔG741-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GTCGCCGCCGACATCG NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAGGC XhoI 743 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGACGGTGTTGTGCCTGTT BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCTTACGGATCAAATTGACG XhoI 757 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGGCAGCCAATCTGAAGAA BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCTCAGCTTTTGCCGTCAA XhoI 759-His/GST Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-TACTCATCCATTGTCCGC BamHI- (MC58) NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CCAGTTGTAGCCTATTTTG XhoI 759L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ATGCGCTTCACACACAC NheI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCAGTTGTAGCCTATTT XhoI 760-His Fwd GCCGCCATATGGCACAAACGGAAGGTTTGGAA NdeI Rev GCCGCCTCGAGAAAACTGTAACGCAGGTTTGCCGTC XhoI 769-His (MC58) Fwd GCGGCCATATGGAAGAAACACCGCGCGAACCG NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAGGAACGTTTTATTAAACTCGAC XhoI 907L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AGAAAACCGACCGATACCCTA NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TCAACGCCACTGCCAGCGGTTG XhoI 911L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAGAAGAACATATTGGAATTTTGGGTCGGACTG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTCGGCGGCTTTTTCCGCATTGCCG XhoI 911LOmpA Fwd GGGAATTCCATATGAAAAAGACAGCTATCGCGATTGCA NdeI- GTGGCACTGGCTGGTTTCGCTACCGTAGCGCAGGCCGC (NheI) TAGC-GCTTTCCGCGTGGCCGGCGGTGC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTCGGCGGCTTTTTCCGCATTGCCG XhoI 911LPelB Fwd CATGCCATGG-CTTTCCGCGTGGCCGGCGGTGC NcoI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTCGGCGGCTTTTTCCGCATTGCCG XhoI 913-His/GST Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TTTGCCGAAACCCGCC BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-AGGTTGTGTTCCAGGTTG XhoI 913L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAAAAACCGCCTATG NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAAGGTTGTOTTCCAGG XhoI 919L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAAAATACCTATTCCGC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACGGGCGGTATTCGG XhoI 919 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CAAAGCAAGAGCATCCAAA NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACGGGCGGTATTCGG XhoI 919LOrf4 Fwd GGGAATTCCATATGAAAACCTTCTTCAAAACCCTTTCCG NdeI- CCGCCGCGCTAGCGCTCATCCTCGCCGCC- (NheI) TGCCAAAGCAAGAGCATC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACGGGCGGTATTCGGGCITCATACCG XhoI (919)-287fasion Fwd CGCGGATCCGTCGAC-TGTGGGGGCGGCGGTGGC SalI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCC XhoI 920-1L Fwd GCGGCCATATG-AAGAAAACATTGACACTGC NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTAATGGTGCGAATGACCGAT XhoI 925-His/GST Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctTGCGGCAAGGATGCCGG attB1 (MC58) GATE Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtCTAAAGCAACAATGCCGG attB2 926L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAACACACCGTATCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATCtCGTGCGCGCC XhoI 927-2-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AGCCCCGCGCCGATT BamHI- NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTTTGTGCGGTCAGGCG XhoI 932-His/GST Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctTGTTCGTTTGGGGGATTTAA attB1 (MC58) GATE ACCAAACCAAATC 935 (His-GST) For CGCGGATCCCATATGGCGGATGCGCCCGCG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGAAACCGCCAATCCGCC XhoI 936-1L Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtTCATTTTGTTTTTCCTTCTTCT attB2 CGAGGCCATT Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAACCCAAACCGCAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGCGTTGGACGTAGT XhoI 953L Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG-AAAAAAATCATCTTCGCCG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTGTTTGGCTGCCTCGAT XhoI 953-fu Fwd GGGAATTCCATATG-GCCACCTACAAAGTGGACG NdeI Rev CGGGGATCC-TTGTTTGGCTGCCTCGATTTG BamHI 954 (His-GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGCAAGAACAATCGCAGAAAG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGTTTTTTCGGCAAATTGGCTT XhoI 958-His/GST Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctGCCGATGCCGTTGCGG attB1 (MC58) GATE Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtTCAGGGTCGTTTGTTGCG attB2 961L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAACACTTTCCATCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC XhoI 961 Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAGCGACGAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACCACTCGTAATTGAC XhoI 961 c (His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACG BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG XhoI 961 c-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAGCGACGACGA BamHI (MC58) -NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG XhoI 961 c-L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATGAAACACTTTCCATCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAACCCACGTTGTAAGGT XhoI 961 c-L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATGAAACACTTTCCATCC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTAACCCACGTTGTAAGGT XhoI 961 d (His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACG BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GTCTGACACTGTTTTATCC XhoI 961 Δ1-L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATGAAACACTTTCCATCC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATGCTTTGGCGGCAAAG XhoI fu 961- . . . Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACGAC NdeI Rev CGCGGATCC-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC BamHI fu 961- . . . Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAGCGACGAC NdeI (MC58) Rev CGCGGATCC-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC BamHI fu 961  Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACGAC NdeI c - . . . Rev CGCGGATCC-ACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG BamHI fu 961 c- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ATGAAACACTTTCCATCC NdeI L- . . . Rev CGCGGATCC-ACCCACGTTGTAAGGTTG BamHI fu (961)- Fwd CGCGGATCC-GGAGGGGGTGGTGTCG BamHI 741(MC58)-His Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAGGC XhoI fu (961)- Fwd CGCGGATCC-GGCGGAGGCGGCACTT BamHI 983-His Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI fu (961)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI Orf46.1-His TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI fu (961 c-L)- Fwd CGCGGATCC-GGAGGGGGTGGTGTCG BamHI 741(MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTGCTTGGCGGCAAG XhoI fu (961c-L )- Fwd CGCGGATCC-GGCGGAGGCGGCACTT BamHI 983 Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGAACCGGTAGCCTAC XhoI fu (961c-L)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI Orf46.1 TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTACGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI 961-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAGCGACGACG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC XhoI 961 Δ1-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACGAC NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TGCTTTGGCGGCAAAGTT XhoI 961a-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCCACAAACGACGAC BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTAGCAATATTATCTTTGTTCGTAGC XhoI 961b-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAGCAAACCGTGCCGA BamHI- NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC XhoI 961-His/GST GATE Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctGCAGCCACAAACGACGACG attB1 ATGTTAAAAAAGC Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtTTACCACTCGTAATTGACGC attB2 CGACATGGTAGG 982 Fwd GCGGCCATATG-GCAGCAAAAGACGTACAGTT NdeI Rev GCGGCCTCGAG-TTACATCATGCCGCCCATACCA XhoI 983-His (2996) Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-TTAGGCGGCGGCGGAG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI ΔG983-His (2996) Fwd CCCCTAGCTAGC-ACTTCTGCGCCCGACTT NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI 983-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-TTAGGCGGCGGCGGAG NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI ΔG983-His Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-ACTTCTGCGCCCGACTT NheI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI 983L Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC- NheI CGAACGACCCCAACCTTCCCTACAAAAACTTTCAA Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGAACCGACGTGCCAAGCCGTTC XhoI 987-His (MC58) Fwd GCCGCCATATGCCCCCACTGGAAGAACGGACG NdeI Rev GCCGCCTCGAGTAATAAACCTTCTATGGGCAGCAG XhoI 989-(His/GST) Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TCCGTCCACGCATCCG BamHI- (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTGAATTTGTAGGTGTATTG XhoI 989L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-ACCCCTTCCGCACT NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTTGAATTTGTAGGTGTAT XhoI CrgA-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AAAACCAATTCAGAAGAA NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCCACAGAGATTGTTTCC XhoI PilC1-ES Fwd GATGCCCGAAGGGCGGG (MC58) Rev GCCCAAGCTT-TCAGAAGAAGACTTCACGC PilC1-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CAAACCCATAAATACGCTATT NdeI (MC58) Rev GCCCAAGCTT-GAAGAAGACTTCACGCCAG HindIII Δ1PilC1-His Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GTCTTTTTCGACAATACCGA NdeI (MC58) Rev GCCCAAGCTT- HindIII PilC1L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-AATAAAACTTTAAAAAGGCGG NdeI (MC58) Rev GCCCAAGCTT-TCAGAAGAAGACTTCACGC HindIII ΔGTbp2-His Fwd CGCGAATCCCATATG-TTCGATCTTGATTCTGTCGA NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCGCACAGGCTGTTGGCG XhoI Tbp2-His Fwd CGCGAATCCCATATG-TTGGGCGGAGGCGGCAG NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCGCACAGGCTGTTGGCG XhoI Tbp2-His(MC58) Fwd CGCGAATCCCATATG-TTGGGCGGAGGCGGCAG NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCGCACAGGCTGTTGGCG XhoI NMB0109- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GCAAATTTGGAGGTGCGC BamHI- (His/GST) NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTCGGAGCGGTTGAAGC XhoI NMB0109L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-CAACGTCGTATTATAACCC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTATTCGGAGCGGTTGAAG XhoI NMB0207- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST) GGCATCAAAGTCGCCATCAACGGCTAC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTGAGCGGGCGCACTTCAAGTCCG XhoI NMB0462- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GGCGGCAGCGAAAAAAAC BamHI- (His/GST) NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GTTGGTGCCGACTTTGAT XhoI NMB0623- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GGCGGCGGAAGCGATA BamHI- (His/GST) NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTTGCCCGCTTTGAGCC XhoI NMB0625 (His- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGGCAAATCCGAAAATACG BamHI- GST)(MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCATCCCGTACTGTTTCG XhoI NMB0634 Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctCCGACATTACCGTGTACAAC attB1 (His/GST)(MC58) GGCCAACAAAGAA Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtCTTATTTCATACCGGCTTGCT attB2 CAAGCAGCCGG NMB0776- Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctGATACGGTGTTTTCCTGTAA attB1 His/GST  AACGGACAACAA (MC58) GATE Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtCTAGGAAAAATCGTCATCGT attB2 TGAAATTCGCC NMB1115- Fwd ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggctATGCACCCCATCGAAACC attB1 His/GST  Rev ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtCTAGTCTTGCAGTGCCTC attB2 (MC58) GATE NMB1343- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST) GGAAATTTCTTATATAGAGGCATTAG NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI GITAATTTCTATCAACTCTTTAGCAATAAT NMB1369 (His- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGCCTGCCAAGACGACA BamHI- GST (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCCGCCTCCTGCCGAAA XhoI NMB1551 (His- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGGCAGAGATCTGTTTGATAA BamHI- GST)(MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGCGGTTTTCCGCCCAATG XhoI NMB1899 (His- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATGCAGCCGGATACGGTC BamHI- GST) (MC58) NdeI Rev CCCGCTCGAGAATCACTTCCAACACAAAAT XhoI NMB2050- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-TGGTTGCTGATGAAGGGC BamHI- (His/GST) NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GACTGCTTCATCTTCTGC XhoI NMB2050L Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG-GAACTGATGACTGTTTTGC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TCAGACTGCTTCATCTTCT XhoI NMB2159- Fwd CGCGGATCCCATATG- BamHI- (His/GST) AGCATTAAAGTAGCGATTAACGOTTTCGGC NdeI (MC58) Rev CCCGCTCGAG- XhoI GATTTTGCCTGCGAAGTATTCCAAAGTGCG fu-ΔG287  Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC NheI . . . -His Rev CGGGGATCC-ATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCGG BamHI fu-(ΔG287)-919- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI His CAAAGCAAGAGCATCCAAACC Rev CCCAAGCTT-TTCGGGCGGTATTCGGGCTTC HindIII fu-(ΔG287)-953- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI His GCCACCTACAAAGTGGAC Rev GCCCAAGCTT-TTGTTTGGCTGCCTCGAT HindIII fu-(ΔG287)-961- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT-ACAAGCGACGACG BamHI His Rev GCCCAAGCTT-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC HindIII fu-(ΔG287)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI Orf46.1-His TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCAAGCTT-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC HindIII fu-(ΔG287-919)- Fwd CCCAAGCTTGGTGGTGGTGGTGGT- HindIII Orf46.1-His TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI fu-(ΔG287- Fwd CCCAAGCTTGGTGGTGGTGGTGGT- HindIII Orf46.1)-919-His CAAAGCAAGAGCATCCAAACC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGGGCGGTATTCGGGCTT XhoI fu ΔG287(394.98)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-CCCGATGTTAAATCGGC NheI . . . Rev CGGGGATCC-ATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCGG BamHI fu Orf1- Fwd CGCGGATCCGCTAGC-GGACACACTTATTTCGGCATC NheI (Orf46.1)-His Rev CGCGGATCC-CCAGCGGTAGCCTAATTTGAT fu (Orf1)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGT- BamHI Orf46.1-His TCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCAAGCTT-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC HindIII fu (919)- Fwd1 GCGGCGTCGACGGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAG SalI Orf46.1-His Fwd2 GGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI Fu orf46- . . . Fwd GGAATTCCATATGTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC NdeI Rev CGCCGGATCCGTATCATATTTCACGTGC BamHI Fu (orf46)- Fwd CGGGGATCCGGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG BamHI 287-His Rev CCCAAGCTTATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCGGC HindIII Fu (orf46)- Fwd CGCGGATCCGGTGGTGGTGGTCAAAGCAAGAGCATCCA BamHI 919-His AACC Rev CCCAAGCTTCGGGCGGTATTCGGGCTTC HindIII Fu (orf46-919)- Fwd CCCCAAGCTTGGGGGCGGCGGTGGCG HindIII 287-His Rev CCCGCTCGAGATCCTGCTCTTTTTTGCCGGC XhoI Fu (orf46-287)- Fwd CCCAAGCTTGGTGGTGGTGGTGGTCAAAGCAAGAGCAT HindIII 919-His CCAAACC Rev CCCGCTCGAGCGGGCGGTATTCGGGCTT XhoI (ΔG741)-961c-His Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAGCCACAAACGACGACGA XhoI Fwd2 GCGGCCTCGAG-GGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ACCCAGCTTGTAAGGTTG XhoI (ΔG741)-961-His Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAGCCACAAACGACGACGA XhoI Fwd2 GCGGCCTCGAG-GGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC XhoI (ΔG741)-983-His Fwd GCGGCCTCGAG- XhoI GGATCCGGCGGAGGCGGCACTTCTGCG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-GAACCGGTAGCCTACG XhoI (ΔG741)-orf46.1- Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC SalI His Fwd2 GCGGCGTCGACGGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAGA Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI (ΔG983)- Fwd GCGGCCTCGAG-GGATCCGGAGGGGGTGGTGTCGCC XhoI 741(MC58)-His Rev CCCGCTCGAG-TTGCTTGGCGGCAAG XhoI (ΔG983)-961c-His Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAGCCACAAACGACGACGA XhoI Fwd2 GCGGCCTCGAG-GGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-ACCCAGCTTGTAAGGTTG XhoI (ΔG983)-961-His Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAGCCACAAACGACGACGA XhoI Fwd2 GCGGCCTCGAG-GGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCGCAG Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CCACTCGTAATTGACGCC XhoI (ΔG983)-Orf46.1- Fwd1 GGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAGATTTGGCAAACGATTC SalI His Fwd2 GCGGCGTCGACGGTGGCGGAGGCACTGGATCCTCAGA Rev CCCGCTCGAG-CGTATCATATTTCACGTGC XhoI * This primer was used as a Reverse primer for all the C terminal fusions of 287 to the His-tag. § Forward primers used in combination with the 287-His Reverse primer. NB - All PCR reactions use strain 2996 unless otherwise specified (e.g. strain MC58)

In all constructs starting with an ATG not followed by a unique NheI site, the ATG codon is part of the NdeI site used for cloning. The constructs made using NheI as a cloning site at the 5′ end (e.g. all those containing 287 at the N-terminus) have two additional codons (GCT AGC) fused to the coding sequence of the antigen.

Preparation of Chromosomal DNA Templates

N. meningitidis strains 2996, MC58, 394.98, 1000 and BZ232 (and others) were grown to exponential phase in 100 ml of GC medium, harvested by centrifugation, and resuspended in 5 ml buffer (20% w/v sucrose, 50 mM Tris-HCl, 50 mM EDTA, p118). After 10 minutes incubation on ice, the bacteria were lysed by adding 10 ml of lysis solution (50 mM NaCl, 1% Na-Sarkosyl, 50 μg/ml Proteinase K), and the suspension incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours. Two phenol extractions (equilibrated to pH 8) and one CHCl3/isoamylalcohol (24:1) extraction were performed. DNA was precipitated by addition of 0.3M sodium acetate and 2 volumes of ethanol, and collected by centrifugation. The pellet was washed once with 70% (v/v) ethanol and redissolved in 4.0 ml TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0). The DNA concentration was measured by reading OD260.

PCR Amplification

The standard PCR protocol was as follows: 200 ng of genomic DNA from 2996, MC581000, or BZ232 strains or long of plasmid DNA preparation of recombinant clones were used as template in the presence of 40 μM of each oligonucletide primer, 400-800 μM dNTPs solution, 1×PCR buffer (including 1.5 mM MgCl2), 2.5 units TaqI DNA polymerase (using Perkin-Elmer AmpliTaQ, Boerhingher Mannheim Expand™ Long Template).

After a preliminary 3 minute incubation of the whole mix at 95° C., each sample underwent a two-step amplification: the first 5 cycles were performed using the hybridisation temperature that excluded the restriction enzyme tail of the primer (Tm1). This was followed by 30 cycles according to the hybridisation temperature calculated for the whole length oligos (Tm2). Elongation times, performed at 68° C. or 72° C., varied according to the length of the Orf to be amplified. In the case of Orf1 the elongation time, starting from 3 minutes, was increased by 15 seconds each cycle. The cycles were completed with a 10 minute extension step at 72° C.

The amplified DNA was either loaded directly on a 1% agarose gel. The DNA fragment corresponding to the band of correct size was purified from the gel using the Qiagen Gel Extraction Kit, following the manufacturer's protocol.

Digestion of PCR Fragments and of the Cloning Vectors

The purified DNA corresponding to the amplified fragment was digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes for cloning into pET-21b+, pET22b+ or pET-24b+. Digested fragments were purified using the QIAquick PCR purification kit (following the manufacturer's instructions) and eluted with either H2O or 10mM Tris, pH 8.5. Plasmid vectors were digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes, loaded onto a 1.0% agarose gel and the band corresponding to the digested vector purified using the Qiagen QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit.

Cloning

The fragments corresponding to each gene, previously digested and purified, were ligated into pET21b+, pET22b+ or pET-24b+. A molar ratio of 3:1 fragment/vector was used with T4 DNA ligase in the ligation buffer supplied by the manufacturer.

Recombinant plasmid was transformed into competent E. coli DH5 or HB101 by incubating the ligase reaction solution and bacteria for 40 minutes on ice, then at 37° C. for 3 minutes.

This was followed by the addition of 800 μl LB broth and incubation at 37° C. for 20 minutes. The cells were centrifuged at maximum speed in an Eppendorf microfuge, resuspended in approximately 200 μl of the supernatant and plated onto LB ampicillin (100 mg/ml) agar.

Screening for recombinant clones was performed by growing randomly selected colonies overnight at 37° C. in 4.0 ml of LB broth+100p g/ml ampicillin. Cells were pelleted and plasmid DNA extracted using the Qiagen QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit, following the manufacturer's instructions. Approximately 1 μg of each individual miniprep was digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes and the digest loaded onto a 1-1.5% agarose gel (depending on the expected insert size), in parallel with the molecular weight marker (1 kb DNA Ladder, GIBCO). Positive clones were selected on the basis of the size of insert.

Expression

After cloning each gene into the expression vector, recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli strains suitable for expression of the recombinant protein. 1 μl of each construct was used to transform E. coli BL21-DE3 as described above. Single recombinant colonies were inoculated into 2 ml LB+Amp (100 μg/ml), incubated at 37° C. overnight, then diluted 1:30 in 20 ml of LB+Amp (100 μg/ml) in 100 ml flasks, to give an OD600 between 0.1 and 0.2. The flasks were incubated at 30° C. or at 37° C. in a gyratory water bath shaker until OD600 indicated exponential growth suitable for induction of expression (0.4-0.80D). Protein expression was induced by addition of 1.0 mM IPTG. After 3 hours incubation at 30° C. or 37° C. the OD600 was measured and expression examined. 1.0 ml of each sample was centrifuged in a microfuge, the pellet resuspended in PBS and analysed by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie Blue staining.

Gateway Cloning and Expression

Sequences labelled GATE were cloned and expressed using the GATEWAY Cloning Technology (GIBCO-BRL). Recombinational cloning (RC) is based on the recombination reactions that mediate the integration and excision of phage into and from the E. coli genome, respectively. The integration involves recombination of the attP site of the phage DNA within the attB site located in the bacterial genome (BP reaction) and generates an integrated phage genome flanked by attL and attR sites. The excision recombines attL and attR sites back to attP and attB sites (LR reaction). The integration reaction requires two enzymes [the phage protein Integrase (Int) and the bacterial protein integration host factor (IHF)] (BP clonase). The excision reaction requires Int, IHF, and an additional phage enzyme, Excisionase (Xis) (LR clonase). Artificial derivatives of the 25-bp bacterial attB recombination site, referred to as B1 and B2, were added to the 5′ end of the primers used in PCR reactions to amplify Neisserial ORFs. The resulting products were BP cloned into a “Donor vector” containing complementary derivatives of the phage attP recombination site (P1 and P2) using BP clonase. The resulting “Entry clones” contain ORFs flanked by derivatives of the attL site (L1 and 12) and were subcloned into expression “destination vectors” which contain derivatives of the attL-compatible attR sites (R1 and R2) using LR clonase. This resulted in “expression clones” in which ORFs are flanked by B1 and B2 and fused in frame to the GST or H is N terminal tags.

The E. coli strain used for GATEWAY expression is BL21-SI. Cells of this strain are induced for expression of the T7 RNA polymerase by growth in medium containing salt (0.3 M NaCl).

Note that this system gives N-terminus His tags.

Preparation of Membrane Proteins.

Fractions composed principally of either inner, outer or total membrane were isolated in order to obtain recombinant proteins expressed with membrane-localisation leader sequences. The method for preparation of membrane fractions, enriched for recombinant proteins, was adapted from Filip et. al. [J. Bact. (1973) 115:717-722] and Davies et. al. [J. Immunol. Meth. (1990) 143:215-225]. Single colonies harbouring the plasmid of interest were grown overnight at 37° C. in 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid culture. Bacteria were diluted 1:30 in 1.0 L of fresh medium and grown at either 30° C. or 37° C. until the OD550 reached 0.6-0.8. Expression of recombinant protein was induced with IPTG at a final concentration of 1.0 mM. After incubation for 3 hours, bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 g for 15 minutes at 4° C. and resuspended in 20 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and complete protease inhibitors (Boehringer-Mannheim). All subsequent procedures were performed at 4° C. or on ice.

Cells were disrupted by sonication using a Branson Sonifier 450 and centrifuged at 5000 g for 20 min to sediment unbroken cells and inclusion bodies. The supernatant, containing membranes and cellular debris, was centrifuged at 50000 g (Beckman Ti50, 29000 rpm) for 75 min, washed with 20 mM Bis-tris propane (pH 6.5), 1.0 M NaCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol and sedimented again at 50000 g for 75 minutes. The pellet was resuspended in 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 2.0% (v/v) Sarkosyl, complete protease inhibitor (1.0 mM EDTA, final concentration) and incubated for 20 minutes to dissolve inner membrane. Cellular debris was pelleted by centrifugation at 5000 g for 10 min and the supernatant centrifuged at 75000 g for 75 minutes (Beckman Ti50, 33000 rpm). Proteins 008L and 519L were found in the supernatant suggesting inner membrane localisation. For these proteins both inner and total membrane fractions (washed with NaCl as above) were used to immunise mice. Outer membrane vesicles obtained from the 75000 g pellet were washed with 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and centrifuged at 75000 g for 75 minutes or overnight. The OMV was finally resuspended in 500 μl of 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 10% v/v glycerol. Orf1L and Orf40L were both localised and enriched in the outer membrane fraction which was used to immunise mice. Protein concentration was estimated by standard Bradford Assay (Bio-Rad), while protein concentration of inner membrane fraction was determined with the DC protein assay (Bio-Rad). Various fractions from the isolation procedure were assayed by SDS-PAGE.

Purification of His-Tagged Proteins

Various forms of 287 were cloned from strains 2996 and MC58. They were constructed with a C-terminus His-tagged fusion and included a mature form (aa 18-427), constructs with deletions (Δ1, Δ2, Δ3 and Δ4) and clones composed of either B or C domains. For each clone purified as a His-fusion, a single colony was streaked and grown overnight at 37° C. on a LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) agar plate. An isolated colony from this plate was inoculated into 20 ml of LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid medium and grown overnight at 37° C. with shaking. The overnight culture was diluted 1:30 into 1.0 L LB/Amp (100 μg/ml) liquid medium and allowed to grow at the optimal temperature (30 or 37° C.) until the OD550 reached 0.6-0.8. Expression of recombinant protein was induced by addition of IPTG (final concentration 1.0 mM) and the culture incubated for a further 3 hours. Bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 g for 15 min at 4° C. The bacterial pellet was resuspended in 7.5 ml of either (i) cold buffer A (300 mM NaCl, 50 mM phosphate buffer, 10 mM imidazole, pH 8.0) for soluble proteins or (ii) buffer B (10 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.8 and, optionally, 8M urea) for insoluble proteins. Proteins purified in a soluble form included 287-His, Δ1, Δ2, Δ3 and Δ4287-His, Δ4287MC58-His, 287c-His and 287cMC58-His. Protein 287bMC58-His was insoluble and purified accordingly. Cells were disrupted by sonication on ice four times for 30 sec at 40W using a Branson sonifier 450 and centrifuged at 13000×g for 30 min at 4° C. For insoluble proteins, pellets were resuspended in 2.0 ml buffer C (6 M guanidine hydrochloride, 100 mM phosphate buffer, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 and treated with 10 passes of a Dounce homogenizer. The homogenate was centrifuged at 13000 g for 30 min and the supernatant retained. Supernatants for both soluble and insoluble preparations were mixed with 150 μl Ni2+-resin (previously equilibrated with either buffer A or buffer B, as appropriate) and incubated at room temperature with gentle agitation for 30 min. The resin was Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow (Pharmacia), prepared according to the manufacturer's protocol. The batch-wise preparation was centrifuged at 700 g for 5 min at 4° C. and the supernatant discarded. The resin was washed twice (batch-wise) with 10 ml buffer A or B for 10 min, resuspended in 1.0 ml buffer A or B and loaded onto a disposable column. The resin continued to be washed with either (i) buffer A at 4° C. or (ii) buffer B at room temperature, until the OD280 of the flow-through reached 0.02-0.01. The resin was further washed with either (i) cold buffer C (300 mM NaCl, 50 mM phosphate buffer, 20 mM imidazole, pH 8.0) or (ii) buffer D (10 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.3 and, optionally, 8M urea) until OD280 of the flow-through reached 0.02-0.01. The His-fusion protein was eluted by addition of 700 μl of either (i) cold elution buffer A (300 mM NaCl, 50 mM phosphate buffer, 250 mM imidazole, pH 8.0) or (ii) elution buffer B (10 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 4.5 and, optionally, 8M urea) and fractions collected until the OD280 indicated all the recombinant protein was obtained. 20 μl aliquots of each elution fraction were analysed by SDS-PAGE. Protein concentrations were estimated using the Bradford assay.

Renaturation of Denatured His-Fusion Proteins.

Denaturation was required to solubilize 287bMC8, so a renaturation step was employed prior to immunisation. Glycerol was added to the denatured fractions obtained above to give a final concentration of 10% v/v. The proteins were diluted to 200 μg/ml using dialysis buffer I (10% v/v glycerol, 0.5M arginine, 50 mM phosphate buffer, 5.0 mM reduced glutathione, 0.5 mM oxidised glutathione, 2.0M urea, pH 8.8) and dialysed against the same buffer for 12-14 hours at 4° C. Further dialysis was performed with buffer II (10% v/v glycerol, 0.5M arginine, 50 mM phosphate buffer, 5.0 mM reduced glutathione, 0.5 mM oxidised glutathione, pH 8.8) for 12-14 hours at 4° C. Protein concentration was estimated using the formula:


Protein (mg/ml)=(1.55×OD280)−(0.76×OD260)

Amino Acid Sequence Analysis.

Automated sequence analysis of the NH2-terminus of proteins was performed on a Beckman sequencer (LF 3000) equipped with an on-line phenylthiohydantoin-amino acid analyser (System Gold) according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Immunization

Balb/C mice were immunized with antigens on days 0, 21 and 35 and sera analyzed at day 49.

Sera Analysis ELISA

The acapsulated MenB M7 and the capsulated strains were plated on chocolate agar plates and incubated overnight at 37° C. with 5% CO2. Bacterial colonies were collected from the agar plates using a sterile dracon swab and inoculated into Mueller-Hinton Broth (Difco) containing 0.25% glucose. Bacterial growth was monitored every 30 minutes by following OD620. The bacteria were let to grow until the OD reached the value of 0.4-0.5. The culture was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 4000 rpm. The supernatant was discarded and bacteria were washed twice with PBS, resuspended in PBS containing 0.025% formaldehyde, and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. and then overnight at 4° C. with stirring. 100 μl bacterial cells were added to each well of a 96 well Greiner plate and incubated overnight at 4° C. The wells were then washed three times with PBT washing buffer (0.1% Tween-20 in PBS). 200 μl of saturation buffer (2.7% polyvinylpyrrolidone 10 in water) was added to each well and the plates incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. Wells were washed three times with PBT. 200 μl of diluted sera (Dilution buffer 1% BSA, 0.1% Tween-20, 0.1% NaN3 in PBS) were added to each well and the plates incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. Wells were washed three times with PBT. 100 μl of HRP-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse (Dako) serum diluted 1:2000 in dilution buffer were added to each well and the plates were incubated for 90 minutes at 37° C. Wells were washed three times with PBT buffer. 100 μl of substrate buffer for HRP (25 ml of citrate buffer pH5, 10 mg of 0-phenildiamine and 10 μl of H2O2) were added to each well and the plates were left at room temperature for 20 minutes. 100 μl 12.5% H2SO4 was added to each well and OD490 was followed. The ELISA titers were calculated abitrarely as the dilution of sera which gave an OD490 value of 0.4 above the level of preimmune sera. The ELISA was considered positive when the dilution of sera with OD490 of 0.4 was higher than 1:400.

Sera Analysis—FACS Scan Bacteria Binding Assay

The acapsulated MenB M7 strain was plated on chocolate agar plates and incubated overnight at 37° C. with 5% CO2. Bacterial colonies were collected from the agar plates using a sterile dracon swab and inoculated into 4 tubes containing 8 ml each Mueller-Hinton Broth (Difco) containing 0.25% glucose. Bacterial growth was monitored every 30 minutes by following OD620. The bacteria were let to grow until the OD reached the value of 0.35-0.5. The culture was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 4000 rpm. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspended in blocking buffer (1% BSA in PBS, 0.4% NaN3) and centrifuged for 5 minutes at 4000 rpm. Cells were resuspended in blocking buffer to reach OD620 of 0.05. 100 μl bacterial cells were added to each well of a Costar 96 well plate. 100 μl of diluted (1:100, 1:200, 1:400) sera (in blocking buffer) were added to each well and plates incubated for 2 hours at 4° C. Cells, were centrifuged for 5 minutes at 4000 rpm, the supernatant aspirated and cells washed by addition of 200 μl/well of blocking buffer in each well. 100 μl of R-Phicoerytrin conjugated F(ab)2 goat anti-mouse, diluted 1:100, was added to each well and plates incubated for 1 hour at 4° C. Cells were spun down by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes and washed by addition of 200W/well of blocking buffer. The supernatant was aspirated and cells resuspended in 200 μl/well of PBS, 0.25% formaldehyde. Samples were transferred to FACScan tubes and read. The condition for FACScan (Laser Power 15 mW) setting were: FL2 on; FSC-H threshold: 92; FSC PMT Voltage: E 01; SSC PMT: 474; Amp. Gains 6.1; FL-2 PMT: 586; compensation values: 0.

Sera Analysis—Bactericidal Assay

N. meningitidis strain 2996 was grown overnight at 37° C. on chocolate agar plates (starting from a frozen stock) with 5% CO2. Colonies were collected and used to inoculate 7 ml Mueller-Hinton broth, containing 0.25% glucose to reach an OD620 of 0.05-0.08. The culture was incubated for approximately 1.5 hours at 37 degrees with shacking until the OD620 reached the value of 0.23-0.24. Bacteria were diluted in 50 mM Phosphate buffer pH 7.2 containing 10 mM MgCl2, 10 mM CaCl2 and 0.5% (w/v) BSA (assay buffer) at the working dilution of 105 CFU/ml. The total volume of the final reaction mixture was 50 μl with 25 μl of serial two fold dilution of test serum, 12.5 μl of bacteria at the working dilution, 12.5 μl of baby rabbit complement (final concentration 25%).

Controls included bacteria incubated with complement serum, immune sera incubated with bacteria and with complement inactivated by heating at 56° C. for 30′. Immediately after the addition of the baby rabbit complement, 10 μl of the controls were plated on Mueller-Hinton agar plates using the tilt method (time 0). The 96-wells plate was incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. with rotation. 7 μl of each sample were plated on Mueller-Hinton agar plates as spots, whereas 10 μl of the controls were plated on Mueller-Hinton agar plates using the tilt method (time 1). Agar plates were incubated for 18 hours at 37 degrees and the colonies corresponding to time 0 and time 1 were counted.

Sera Analysis—Western Blots

Purified proteins (500 ng/lane), outer membrane vesicles (5 μg) and total cell extracts (25 μg) derived from MenB strain 2996 were loaded onto a 12% SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. The transfer was performed for 2 hours at 150 mA at 4° C., using transfer buffer (0.3% Tris base, 1.44% glycine, 20% (v/v) methanol). The membrane was saturated by overnight incubation at 4° C. in saturation buffer (10% skimmed milk, 0.1% Triton X100 in PBS). The membrane was washed twice with washing buffer (3% skimmed milk, 0.1% Triton X100 in PBS) and incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. with mice sera diluted 1:200 in washing buffer. The membrane was washed twice and incubated for 90 minutes with a 1:2000 dilution of horseradish peroxidase labelled anti-mouse Ig. The membrane was washed twice with 0.1% Triton X100 in PBS and developed with the Opti-4CN Substrate Kit (Bio-Rad). The reaction was stopped by adding water.

The OMVs were prepared as follows: N. meningitidis strain 2996 was grown overnight at 37 degrees with 5% CO2 on 5 GC plates, harvested with a loop and resuspended in 10 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 2 mM EDTA. Heat inactivation was performed at 56° C. for 45 minutes and the bacteria disrupted by sonication for 5 minutes on ice (50% duty cycle, 50% output, Branson sonifier 3 mm microtip). Unbroken cells were removed by centrifugation at 5000 g for 10 minutes, the supernatant containing the total cell envelope fraction recovered and further centrifuged overnight at 50000 g at the temperature of 4° C. The pellet containing the membranes was resuspended in 2% sarkosyl, 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 2 mM EDTA and incubated at room temperature for 20 minutes to solubilise the inner membranes. The suspension was centrifuged at 10000 g for 10 minutes to remove aggregates, the supernatant was further centrifuged at 50000 g for 3 hours. The pellet, containing the outer membranes was washed in PBS and resuspended in the same buffer. Protein concentration was measured by the D.C. Bio-Rad Protein assay (Modified Lowry method), using BSA as a standard.

Total cell extracts were prepared as follows: N. meningitidis strain 2996 was grown overnight on a GC plate, harvested with a loop and resuspended in 1 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl. Heat inactivation was performed at 56° C. for 30 minutes.

961 Domain Studies Cellular Fractions Preparation

Total lysate, periplasm, supernatant and OMV of E. coli clones expressing different domains of 961 were prepared using bacteria from over-night cultures or after 3 hours induction with IPTG. Briefly, the periplasm were obtained suspending bacteria in saccarose 25% and Tris. 50 mM (pH 8) with polimixine 100 μg/ml. After 1 hr at room temperature bacteria were centrifuged at 13000 rpm for 15 min and the supernatant were collected. The culture supernatant were filtered with 0.2 μm and precipitated with TCA 50% in ice for two hours. After centrifugation (30 min at 13000 rp) pellets were rinsed twice with ethanol 70% and suspended in PBS. The OMV preparation was performed as previously described. Each cellular fraction were analyzed in SDS-PAGE or in Western Blot using the polyclonal anti-serum raised against GST-961.

Adhesion Assay

Chang epithelial cells (Wong-Kilbourne derivative, clone 1-5c-4, human conjunctiva) were maintained in DMEM (Gibco) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FCS, 15 mM L-glutamine and antibiotics.

For the adherence assay, sub-confluent culture of Chang epithelial cells were rinsed with PBS and treated with trypsin-EDTA (Gibco), to release them from the plastic support. The cells were then suspended in PBS, counted and dilute in PBS to 5×105 cells/ml.

Bacteria from over-night cultures or after induction with IPTG, were pelleted and washed twice with PBS by centrifuging at 13000 for 5 min. Approximately 2−3×108 (cfu) were incubated with 0.5 mg/ml FITC (Sigma) in 1 ml buffer containing 50 mM NaHCO3 and 100 mM NaCl pH 8, for 30 min at room temperature in the dark. FITC-labeled bacteria were wash 2-3 times and suspended in PBS at 1−1.5×109/ml. 200 μl of this suspension (2−3×108) were incubated with 2000 (1×105) epithelial cells for 30 min a 37° C. Cells were than centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 min to remove non-adherent bacteria, suspended in 200 μl of PBS, transferred to FACScan tubes and read

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) no fusion partner is used, and (b) the protein's native leader peptide (if present) is used.

15. The method of claim 14, in which the protein of the invention is selected from the group consisting of: 111, 149, 206, 225-1, 235, 247-1, 274, 283, 286, 292, 401, 406, 502-1, 503, 519-1, 525-1, 552, 556, 557, 570, 576-1, 580, 583, 664, 759, 907, 913, 920-1, 936-1, 953, 961, 983, 989, Orf4, Orf7-1, Orf9-1, Orf23, Orf25, Orf37, Orf38, Orf40, Orf40.1, Orf40.2, Orf72-1, Orf76-1, Orf85-2, Orf91, Orf97-1, Orf119, Orf143.1, NMB0109, NMB2050, 008, 105, 117-1, 121-1, 122-1, 128-1, 148, 216, 243, 308, 593, 652, 726, 926, 982, Orf83-1 and Orf143-1.

16. A method for the heterologous expression of a protein of the invention, in which (a) the protein's leader peptide is replaced by the leader peptide from a different protein and, optionally, (b) no fusion partner is used.

17. The method of claim 16, in which the different protein is 961, ORF4, E. coli OmpA, or E. carotovora PelB, or in which the leader peptide is MKKYLFSAA.

18-49. (canceled)

50. The method of claim 16, in which the heterologous expression is in an E. coli host.

51-52. (canceled)

53. An immunogenic composition comprising an alum adjuvant and E. coli lipidated protein produced by the method of claim 50.

54. A method of inducing an immune response to an E. coli lipidated protein produced by the method of claim 50 in a subject comprising administering to the subject an immunogenic composition comprising an alum adjuvant and the E. coli lipidated protein.

55. A purified polypeptide comprising: (a) a fragment of the protein produced by the method of claim 16, or (b) an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to the protein produced by the method of claim 16.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140294885
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2014
Applicant: NOVARTIS AG (Basel)
Inventors: Maria Beatrice ARICO (Siena), Maurizio COMANDUCCI (Siena), Cesira GALEOTTI (Montegriggioni), Vega MASIGNANI (Siena), Marzia Monica GIULIANI (Siena), Mariagrazia PIZZA (Siena)
Application Number: 14/244,806