Abstract: The present invention provides the amino acid and nucleotide sequences of a CCV spike gene, and compositions containing one or more fragments of the spike gene and encoded polypeptide for prophylaxis, diagnostic purposes and treatment of CCV infections.

Abstract: SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome virus, a coronavirus) immunogens, antigens, or epitopes, nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunogens, antigens, or epitopes; vectors containing such nucleic acid molecules, e.g., viral vectors such as baculovirus vectors, DNA vectors, such as DNA plasmid vectors, e.g., DNA plasmids that express a nucleic acid molecule in a mammalian cell, uses for such immunogens, antigens or epitopes and vectors, e.g., as an active component immunogenic, immunological or vaccine compositions, or to generate antibodies, such as monoclonal antibodies, and methods for making, and using such immunogens, antigens or epitopes, vectors, antibodies, including in methods for eliciting an immunological or immunogenic or vaccine response, as well as in assays or diagnostic kits or methods, are discussed, as well as a seamless fusion of sequences in a plasmid or vector, e.g., a sequence encoding a leader sequence and a sequence encoding a protein, epitope or immunogen or antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) non-structural protein (nsp) 12 with an RNA polymerase activity, its expression vector, its preparation method, and its use. According to the present invention, a soluble recombinant SARS-CoV nsp12 with an RdRp activity of initiating SARS-CoV genome synthesis can be over-expressed in the transformed host cells, and conveniently purified with high purity. An in vitro replication system important for studying SARS-CoV replication can be established with the purified recombinant SARS-CoV nsp12. SARS-CoV nsp12 produced by the present invention can also be used as a target for the development of anti-viral agents against SARS-CoV. In addition, materials inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity of nsp12 can be screened efficiently according to the present invention as the optimal conditions for the RdRp assay with SARS-CoV nsp12 were found.