A polypeptide useful as an immunogen element and characterized in that it is carried on the peptide sequence between amino acid residues 130-230 of the G protein sequence of the human respiratory syncytial virus of sub-groups A and B, or of the bovine respiratory syncytial virus, or on a sequence at least 80% homologous thereto. An immunogenic agent or pharmaceutical composition containing said polypeptide, and methods for preparing and using the same, are also disclosed.

Description

33 parts

›The present invention is a continuation of our…

The present invention is a continuation of our prior-filed application Ser. No. 08/721,979 of Oct. 4, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,911, issued Sep. 5, 2000, which is a 371 of PCT/FR95/00444 filed Apr. 6, 1995.

The present invention relates to polypeptides which can be used especially in the preparation of immunogens and the obtainment of vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and to nucleotide sequences enabling them to be obtained. The invention likewise relates to an immune adjuvant protein extracted from Klebsiella pneumoniae , to compositions comprising the immunogenic polypeptides, possibly associated with such an adjuvant protein, and to their preparation process.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent cause of respiratory illnesses in the newborn: bronchopneumopathies (bronchiolites). The WHO estimates each year 50 million cases of RSV attacks, from which 160,000 die in the entire world. There are two subgroups of the virus (subgroups A and B).

RSV is classified in the Paramyxoviridae family, a type of pneumovirus comprising a nonsegmented RNA genome, of negative polarity, coding for 10 specific proteins.

There is at present no vaccine available against RSV. Inactivated virus vaccines have been shown to be inefficaceous and have sometimes even aggravated the infections of nursing infants. In the 60's, vaccination attempts with formalin-inactivated RSV resulted in failure: instead of conferring protection at the time of reinfection due to RSV, the vaccine had the effect of aggravating the illness in the child.

The Application WO 87/04185 proposed to use structural proteins of RSV with a view to a vaccine, such as the envelope proteins called protein F (fusion protein) or protein G, a 22 Kd glycoprotein, a 9.5 Kd protein, or the major capsid protein (protein N).

The Application WO 89/02935 describes the protective properties of the entire protein F of RSV, possibly modified in monomeric or deacetylated form.

A series of fragments of protein F have been cloned with a view to investigating their neutralizing properties.

However, the immune vaccines tested to date have been shown to be inefficaceous or have induced a pulmonary pathology (bronchiolitis or peribronchitis).

At the present time, there is no in-depth treatment of infections due to RSV.

Infections due to RSV of the upper airways: treatment relies essentially on symptomatic medications identical to those for other viral infections.

Infections due to RSV of the lower airways: treatment in nursing infants relies on the maintenance of correct hydration, the aspiration of the secretions and the administration of oxygen if necessary. A positive effect has been observed with ribavirin, a nucleotide which is active in vitro against RSV.

It is for these reasons that an object of the present invention is a polypeptide which is useful especially in immunogen production, characterized in that it is carried by the peptide sequence between the amino acid residues 130 and 230 of the sequence of respiratory syncytial virus protein G, or by a sequence having at least 80% homology with said peptide sequence. This sequence differs slightly for the subgroups A and B of human RSV, or for bovine RSV. The invention comprises the sequences originating from human RSV subgroup A and B, or bovine RSV.

Protein G is an RSV envelope glycoprotein, of molecular weight of between 84 and 90 Kd, which is low in methionine.

The Applicant has demonstrated that the sequence between amino acids 130 and 230 of natural protein G is particularly appropriate for inducing an efficaceous protection against infection by RSV. The invention comprises the sequences originating from human RSV subgroup A or B, or bovine RSV.

More particularly, the present invention relates to polypeptides, which are useful especially as immunogenic element included in the above and which comprise the peptide sequence between the amino acid residues numbered 174 and 187 of RSV protein G (human, subgroups A and B, or bovine) or a sequence having at least 80% homology with the corresponding sequence.

Other peptide sequences adapted to the preparation of an immunogen included in said sequence of RSV protein G are formed by the sequence between the amino acid residues numbered 171 and 187 of human or bovine RSV protein G, or a sequence having at least 80% homology with the corresponding sequence. Other peptides of interest according to the present invention are carried by the sequence between the nucleotides numbered 158 and 190 of RSV protein G or a sequence having at least 80% homology with the corresponding sequence.

According to another method of carrying it out, the invention relates to peptides useful for the preparation of an immunogen and which have a sequence corresponding to the sequence between the amino acid residues numbered 140 and 200 of human or bovine RSV protein G, or a sequence having at least 80% homology with the corresponding sequence. Sequences starting with amino acid 140 of said RSV protein G and whose C-terminal end corresponds respectively to the amino acid 198, 196, 194, 192 or 190, as well as sequences having at least 80% homology with the sequence carried by these fragments, are particularly advantageous.

Among the variants of the above sequences, polypeptides may be mentioned which comprise a sequence in which:

a) the Cys amino acid in positions 173 and/or 186 has been replaced by an amino acid not forming a disulfide bridge, in particular serine, and/or

b) the amino acids in positions 176 and 182 are capable of forming a covalent bridge other than a disulfide bridge, especially aspartic acid and ornithine.

Thus the polypeptide sequence 130-230 of RSV subgroup A can be used complete, in its native form. This sequence corresponds to the written sequence Seq id No. 1 (or G2A).

In the same way, it is possible to use the complete polypeptide sequence 130-230 of RSV subgroup B in its native form. This sequence corresponds to the written sequence Seq id No. 2 (G2B).

›The sequence id No. 1 will be written…

The sequence id No. 1 will be written G2A in the remainder of the application.

The sequence id No. 2 will be written G2B in the remainder of the application.

Sequences having at least 80% homology with G2A or G2B are also appropriate.

The sequence between the amino acids 130 and 230 can be modified by the replacement of the cysteine residue in positions 173 and 186 by serine residues to obtain a peptide retaining good immunogenic properties, owing to maintenance of the loop formed by the Cys residues in positions 176 and 182. The amino acid and nucleotide sequences of this polypeptide for subgroup A are represented in seq id No. 3 (G2AδCys).

For subgroup B, the amino acid and nucleotide sequences are represented in seq id No. 4 (G2BδCys).

The peptide sequences will be written G2AδCys and G2BδCys.

According to another aspect, an object of the invention is a polypeptide which is useful for the preparation of immunogen, characterized in that it consists in the peptide sequence between the amino acid residues numbered 174 and 187 of RSV protein G or a sequence having at least 80% homology with said peptide sequence.

In this last sequence the peptide 174-187 subgroup A can have the sequence:

Seq id No. 5:

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys.

The peptide 174-187 subgroup B can have the sequence:

Seq id No. 6:

Ser-Ile-Cys-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Leu-Cys-Lys-Ser-Ile-Cys-Lys.

The Cys residue in position 186 can also be replaced by a serine residue, so as to obtain the following sequence:

Seq id No. 7 for subgroup A:

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys.

Seq id No. 8 for subgroup B:

Ser-Ile-Cys-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Leu-Cys-Lys-Ser-Ile-Ser-Lys.

In the sequence between residues 174 and 187 of the immunogenic peptide, according to one of the variants of the invention, the amino acid residues in positions 176 and 182 are respectively replaced by an aspartic acid and an ornithine, so as to obtain one of the following sequences:

Seq id No. 9 for subgroup A:

Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Orn Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

Seq id No. 10 for subgroup B

Ser-Ile-Asp-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Leu-Orn-Lys-Ser-Ile-Cys-Lys.

Seq id No. 11 for subgroup A:

Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Orn Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys.

Seq id No. 12 for subgroup B:

Ser-Ile-Asp-Gly-Asn-Asn-Gln-Leu-Orn-Lys-Ser-Ile-Ser-Lys.

The maintenance of the immunogenic properties is obtained owing to the replacement of the disulfide bridge (between the natural Cys residues) by an amide bridge between the positions 176 and 182.

Other sequences according to the invention such as defined above appear in the annex of the present application under the names SEQ ID No. 14 to SEQ ID No. 73.

An object of the invention is likewise a polypeptide which can be used as an immunogenic agent having one of the preceding sequences and which additionally comprises at least one cysteine residue in the N-terminal or C-terminal position.

The invention likewise comprises a polypeptide which consists of the peptide sequence between the amino acid residues numbered 130 and 230 of the RSV protein G sequence subgroup A and subgroup B, or of a sequence having 88% homology with said peptide sequence and which is in the form of a fusion protein with the receptor of human serum albumin, called BBG2AδC or BBG2BδC, or another linking protein. The sequence of the complete BB protein appears in the annex (Seq ID No. 74).

The invention likewise comprises the variants, for example glycosylated or sulfated, of the different peptides, whether these functions are natural or not.

The polypeptides can be prepared by peptide synthesis or by recombinant DNA techniques, which are known to the person skilled in the art.

In particular, the gene sequences coding for the epitope of approximately 100 amino acids can be prepared by solid-phase assembly of genes, and the corresponding protein expressed, for example, in E. coli by the intracellular route.

The nucleotide sequences (RNA or DNA) coding for the proteins or the polypeptides defined above are part of the invention.

Another object of the invention is an immunogenic agent which comprises a polypeptide such as defined above coupled to a carrier protein, in particular to an immune adjuvant protein.

Preferably, the polypeptide according to the invention is coupled to a carrier protein of the type OmpA of the external membrane of a bacterium of the genus Klebsiella, preferably in the form of a soluble conjugate.

The Applicant has been able to show that although the variants of the sequence 174-187 of the RSV protein G are weakly immunogenic, their coupling with such a protein induces a specific immune response.

The intensity of the immune response has been compared to that obtained with conventional adjuvants, such as coupling to the carrier KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) coadministered with Freund's adjuvant, or coupling to the carrier protein TT (tetanus toxoid).

Particularly advantageous results are obtained for compositions comprising an immunogenic polypeptide according to the invention coupled to protein p40 of Klebsiella pneumoniae or a protein having 80% homology with protein p40.

More particularly, said polypeptide is coupled to a protein comprising the peptide sequence written Seq id No. 13.

The nucleotide sequence (DNA or RNA) coding for the protein comprising the sequence id No. 13 is comprised in the invention.

The immunogenic polypeptide can be coupled to the immune adjuvant protein by methods known to the person skilled in the art, such as:

Glutaraldehyde

Carbodiimide (e.g.: EDC: 1-(3dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide.

Bis imido esters (e.g.: dimethyl adipimidate).

N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters (e.g.: disuccinimidyl suberate).

For peptides comprising a supplementary cysteine in the N terminal or C terminal position:

Maleimido-N-hydroxysuccinimide esters (e.g.: MBS: maleimido benzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester).

N-succinimidyl bromoacetate.

The polypeptide can be conjugated to the carrier protein by a linking protein, for example the human serum albumin receptor (BB).

According to another aspect, an object of the invention is likewise a process for the preparation of a conjugated peptide inserted in a composition useful for prevention or treatment of infections with RSV, characterized in that:

›a) the membrane lipopolysaccharides of bacteria of the…

a) the membrane lipopolysaccharides of bacteria of the genus Klebsiella are precipitated in the presence of a salt of a divalent cation and of detergents to recover the total membrane proteins in the supernatant,

b) the proteins are submitted to anion-exchange chromatography to separate the fraction containing the immune adjuvant protein,

c) the fraction containing the immune adjuvant protein is concentrated,

d) the immune adjuvant protein is conjugated with an immunogenic polypeptide such as defined above to form a soluble conjugate.

The divalent cation salt used in step a) is preferably a salt of calcium or of magnesium. After centrifugation, the proteins of the supernatant can be recovered in good yield by two precipitations with ethanol.

The membrane proteins, after resuspension, are separated on an anion-exchange column which can be used under industrial conditions. This chromatographic support is very stable and compatible with drastic pyrogen removal treatments, which was not the case with the chromatographic supports already described. On the other hand, elution of the protein can be carried out under isocratic conditions and not by application of an NaCl gradient (as described previously), which is particularly advantageous under industrial conditions.

According to a preferred method of carrying out the invention, step c) is followed by a second chromatography step, on a cation exchanger, and the fractions containing the adjuvant protein are recovered and concentrated. This supplementary step allows a better elimination of the lipopolysaccharides. The adjuvant protein is then conjugated to an immunogenic polypeptide according to the invention.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a composition useful for the prevention and/or treatment of infections provoked by RSV, characterized in that it contains a polypeptide characterized above.

More particularly, the compositions additionally contain pharmaceutically acceptable excipients adapted for administration by the injectable route.

In fact, the Applicant has demonstrated that the injection of such compositions affords protection, not by a neutralizing effect, but by a systemic immune response of the body.

The humoral and cellular responses (IgM, IgG, IgA and T cells) are provoked by the product which likewise induces a long-term protection and an immunological memory against the RSV subgroups a and b.

With a view to the administration of the vaccine compositions by the subcutaneous route, it is desirable to have available soluble conjugate, which is difficult by the conventional methods.

It is for this reason that the invention likewise relates to a process for the preparation of a conjugate between an immunogenic peptide and a membrane protein of Klebsiella, in particular the protein p40 of K. pneumoniae , in which the coupling is carried out in the presence of glutaraldehyde at concentrations lower than or equal to 0.05%.

This coupling process considerably reduces the concentrations of glutaraldehyde in comparison with those usually used (2 times 0.01% instead of 1% approximately); the glutaraldehyde is added in 2 portions over a period of five days although the protocols described mention times of 24 hours.

These modifications have allowed the obtainment of a soluble conjugate, in a form adapted for subcutaneous administration.

The usual protocols (higher concentrations of glutaraldehyde and short times) are manifested by the formation of a thick gel (due to P40—P40 conjugation reactions, very probably), a form unfit for administration and manipulation in general.

The conjugated peptide can be frozen and used as such or lyophilized.

The examples which follow are intended to illustrate the invention without in any way limiting the range thereof.

In these examples, reference will be made to the following figures:

FIG. 1 : intensity of the immune response induced against G1A in different forms,

FIG. 2 : kinetics of the immune response induced against G1A presented in different forms,

FIG. 3 : kinetics of the immune response induced against the carrier alone,

FIG. 4 : cloning strategy by genetic amplification of p40.

›Examples3

›EXAMPLE 1

Synthesis and Purification of G 1 A

The polypeptide of sequence

written G 1 A is prepared by solid-phase synthesis using Boc chemistry.

Assembly

The assembly of the peptide is carried out by solid-phase peptide synthesis on polystyrene (divinyl-benzene 1%), starting with a Boc-Lys(2-cl-Z)phenylacetamidophenyl linking agent.

The Boc-benzyl chemical strategy was used with the following deprotection-coupling procedure:

In each step, 20 ml of solvent are used per gram of peptide resin.

The coupling is carried out in DMF with a preformed hydroxybenzotriazole ester for 30 min. It is verified in each step of the coupling if residual free amine functions are present by the ninhydrin test. If necessary, a double coupling is carried out.

For the synthesis of the G 1 A peptide, the following side-chain protection groups were used:

2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl for lysine,

benzyl for serine and threonine,

4-methylbenzyl for cysteine,

formyl for tryptophan.

Before the final deprotection/cleavage step, the formyl group is eliminated by treatment for 30 min with a 25% solution of piperidine in DMF. The peptide resin is washed with DCM and ether, and dried under reduced pressure.

Cleavage

The peptide is cleaved from the resin and completely deprotected by treatment with liquid hydrogen fluoride. 10 ml of hydrogen fluoride per gram of peptide resin are conventionally used at 0° C. for 45 min in the presence of p-cresol and ethanedithiol as a trap. After evaporation of the hydrogen fluoride, the crude reaction mixture is washed with ether, dissolved in TFA, precipitated with ether and dried.

Cyclization and Purification

The crude peptide obtained after cleavage is purified under the conditions described above (gradient of 20 to 50% B). Fractions having a purity of greater than 70-80% (HPLC) are combined and lyophilized. The peptide is then purified in a mixture of acetonitrile water and DMSO (1 mg/ml) and stirred until the cyclization is complete (4 to 6 days). The progress of the reaction is checked by HPLC. The reaction mixture is finally concentrated on a preparative HPLC column and a gradient of 15 to 40% of B is applied in 30 min so as to purify the peptide.

Generally, after lyophilization, a second purification under the same condition is carried out to attain the degree of purity required.

The purity and the identity of the final product are checked by analytical HPLC, amino-acid analyzis and FAB mass spectrometric analyzis.

In the peptide thus obtained, the serine residue in position thirteen replaces the Cys residue of the natural peptide, thus avoiding heterogeneity in the formation of disulfide bridges, which can be harmful to the immunogenicity.

›EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of the Epitope G 2 AδCys

Gene Construction: Materials and Methods

In an Eppendorf microtube, 300 μg of beads are washed with washing/binding buffer (1M NaCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl pH7.5, 1 mM EDTA) before adding 0.2 pmol of biotinylated oligonucleotide; 15 minutes' incubation at ambient temperature for binding. The beads with the immobilized oligonucleotide are rinsed and sedimented. 0.2 pmol of the following 5′-phosphorylated oligonucleotide is added in 60 μl of hybridization/ligation buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH7.6, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mM ATP, 1 mM 1,4-dithiothreitol [DTT], 5% polyethylene glycol [PEG] 8000. The hybridization mixture is incubated at 70° C. for 5 min and allowed to come to 37° C. before adding 3 units of T4 DNA ligase (BRL) followed by 15 min incubation at 37° C. The reaction mixture is rinsed before adding 0.2 pmol of the following oligonucleotide. The hybridization/ligation procedure is repeated as many times as a new 5′-phosphorylated complementary oligonucleotide is added. At the end, the DNA duplex immobilized on magnetic beads can be separated from the support by cutting with the appropriate restriction enzymes.

The DNA corresponding to the sequence G2AδCys and to the sequence G2AδCys attached to the linking protein to human serum albumin (BB) written BB-G2AδCys is prepared.

The nucleotide sequence is expressed in E. coli to recover the corresponding proteins.

Expression Vector:

pVABBG2AδC is an expression vector of the intracellular type, it contains a promoter of E. coli origin, the tryptophan (Trp) operation, followed by the gene coding for the receptor of human serum albumin BB (P-Å Nygren et al., J. Mol. Recognit., 1988, 1, 60) and finally the gene coding for G2AδC of RSV. The expression of the heterologous gene can be induced in the presence of IAA (3-β-indoleacrylic acid). The fusion product BBG2AδC can be purified by affinity on an HSA-sepharose column, after having liberated the cytoplasmic proteins of E. coli.

Examples of Purification of Proteins Starting from 500 ml of Culture:

The strain E. coli RV 308 (Maurer et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1980, 139, 147) transfected by the plasmid pVABBG2AδC was selected on agar containing ampicillin (100 μg/ml) and tetracycline (8 μg/ml). The strain was inoculated into an Erlenmeyer flask containing 100 ml of TSB culture medium (Tryptic Soy broth, Difco) (30 g/l), supplemented with yeast (Yeast Extract, Difco) (5 g/l), ampicillin (100 μg/ml), tetracycline (8 μg/ml) and tryptophan (100 μg/ml). Incubate at 32° C. for 12 hours with stirring (190 rpm). Transfer the culture into another erlenmeyer flask (5 liters) containing four times the initial volume (400 ml of TSB+yeast+the same antibiotics at the same concentration). When the optical density of the medium (at 550 nm) has reached an O.D. of approximately 1.5, the production of the proteins is induced by adding IAA to the medium to a final concentration of 25 μg/ml. Culturing is stopped after incubation for 5 hours, with stirring (190 rpm) at 32° C. After centrifugation, the bacterial plug is resuspended in a vessel comprising approximately 60 ml of cold TST solution (50 mM TrisHCl, pH 8.0, 200 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20, 0.5 mM EDTA).

A standard sonicator probe (VIBRA-CELL, Somics Mat, USA) is introduced into the vessel. Sonication is carried out at a power of 5 for approximately two minutes. The supernatant of the solution after centrifugation is filtered at 0.45 μm, and passed into a column containing approximately 3 ml of HSA-sepharose gel (STÅHL et al., J. Immunol. Meth., 1989, 124, 43).

The purified proteins are analyzed by SDS-PAGE on a Phast System apparatus (PHARMACIA) or on Mini Protean BIORAD. The gels are visualized by Coomassie Blue. The protein BBG2AδC, representing more than 90% purity, corresponds well to the expected size (39.3 Kda) with respect to known molecular weight standards.

The immunotransfer of this protein to a Problott membrane (ABI) allows anti-BB and/or antiprotein G of RSV (ss-group A) to be identified with specific antibodies. The yield of purified soluble proteins starting from the cytoplasm of E. coil is approximately 50 mg/liter of culture.

In a 2-liter fermenter, it is possible to obtain 500 to 800 mg of BBG2AδC proteins per liter of culture under optimum culture conditions.

›EXAMPLE 3

Isolation and Purification of the Natural p40 Protein

The process of purification of the P40 protein starting from the biomass of Klebsiella pneumoniae , strain I-145, was developed with one main objective: to develop a process allowing transposition to a large scale and industrial extrapolation. This process successively brings into play the preparation of a fraction enriched in membrane proteins and the purification of the P40 protein by chromatography.

›MATERIALS AND METHODS

The biomass of Klebsiella pneumoniae (strain I-145, 40 g of dry cells) is adjusted to pH 2.5 with the aid of pure acetic acid.

After addition of ½ volume of a solution comprising 6% cetrimide, 60% ethanol, 1.5 M CaCl2 whose pH is adjusted to 2.5 with acetic acid, the mixture is stirred for 16 hours at ambient temperature.

After centrifugation for 20 min at 15,000 g at 4° C., the proteins of the supernatant are precipitated with ethanol. Two successive precipitations with intermediate centrifugation (10 min, 10,000 g, 4° C.) are carried out: from 20 to 50% then from 50 to 80%.

The plugs obtained after the second precipitation are resuspended in a solution of zwittergent 3-14, 1%.

After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the pH is adjusted to 6.5 with the aid of 1 N NaOH.

Centrifugation of the mixture for 20 min at 10,000 g at 4° C. allows a fraction enriched in membrane proteins (MP fraction) to be obtained.

The proteins of the MP fraction are dialyzed against a 20 mM Tris/HCl buffer pH 8.0; zwittergent 3-14, 0.1%. The dialyzate is applied to a column containing a support of the strong anion exchanger type (column of diameter=50 mm×H=250 mm, Biorad Macroprep High Q gel) equilibrated in the buffer described above. The P40 protein is eluted by an NaCl concentration of 50 mM in the equilibration buffer.

The fractions containing the P40 are collected and dialyzed against a 20 mM citrate buffer pH 3.0; zwittergent 3-14, 0.1%. The dialyzate is applied to a column containing a support of the strong cation exchanger type (dimensions of the column: diameter=25 mm×H=160 mm, Biorad Macroprep High S gel) equilibrated in the 20 mM citrate buffer pH 3.0, zwittergent 3-14, 0.1%. The P40 protein is eluted by an NaCl concentration of 0.7 M. The fractions containing the P40 are collected and concentrated by ultrafiltration with the aid of a Minitan Millipore tangential-flow filtration system used with membrane sheets having a 10 kDa cutoff threshold.

›RESULTS

The fractions obtained after each chromatographic step are analyzed by SDS-PAGE so as to collect those containing the P40 protein.

The quantities of proteins are measured by the method of Lowry (Table I). The purity and homogeneity of the P40 protein are estimated by SDS-PAGE, in the presence of molecular weight standards.

After the cation exchange chromatography step, the P40 protein is devoid of the major contaminant present in the MP fraction (the protein having an apparent molecular weight of 18 kDa) and has a degree of purity of greater than 95%.

The electrophoretic profile of the P40 reveals several bands. These bands are identified after immunoblot with P40 monoclonal antibodies obtained in mice. The upper major band corresponds to the denatured protein (by treatment at 100° C., 15 min in the presence of SDS), and the lower minor band to the protein in its native form.

P40 is in fact a “heat-modifiable” protein, and we have been able to verify this property with the aid of heating kinetics at 100° C. in the presence of SDS. Without heating, the protein in native form has an α-helix structure which fixes more SDS and thus migrates further toward the anode than the denatured form (denaturation complete after 5 min at 100° C.) which has a β-pleated sheet structure (K. B. KELLER (1978) J. Bacteriol. 134, 1181-1183).

The contamination with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is estimated by determination by gas-phase chromatography of β-hydroxymyristic acid, the fatty acid marker of LPS of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Table I).

This method is used to approximate the content of LPS in the samples from the different purification steps.

The quantity of β-hydroxymyristic acid present in the P40 fraction after cation-exchange chromatography being lower than the quantification threshold of the determination, it is possible to estimate that the quantity of residual LPS is lower than 1%.

›EXAMPLE 4

Cloning of the p40 Protein and Expression of BBp40

›BACTERIAL STRAINS

E. coli : RV 308: ATCC 31608 strain (MAURER R., MEYER B. J., PTASCHNE M., J. MOL. BIOL, 1980, 139, 147-161).

K. pneumoniae : IP 145: C.I.B.P.F-strain

›VECTORS

pRIT 28 (Hultman et al., 1988,7: 629-638): cloning and sequencing vector containing the ampicillin resistance gene, the replication origins of E. coli and of the phage F1 as well as a portion of the lac-z gene of E. coli (β-galactosidose).

pVABB: gene fusion expression vector.

SOLUTIONS

›MATERIAL AND METHOD

Synthesis of Oligonucleotides

The nucleotide primers were determined starting from the published part of the sequence of the OMPA of Klebsiella pneumoniae (LAWRENCE, G. J., et al., Journal of general microbiology, 1991, 137, 1911-1921) of the consensus sequence from the alignment of the sequences of 5 OMPA of enterobacteria ( E. coli, S. tryphimurium, S. marcescens, S. dysenteriae, E. aeroginosae ), as well as sequences of peptides obtained by manual sequencing.

The oligonucleotides were synthesized according to the phosphoramidite chemical method on the “Gene Assembler Plus” apparatus from Pharmacia.

Genetic Amplification by PCR of the P40 Gene

The DNA of OMPA of Klebsiella pneumoniae was amplified in the following manner.

A colony of Klebsiella pneumoniae is lysed in 10 μl of lysis buffer by heating to 95° C. for 5 minutes.

1 μl of this solution serves as a source of DNA for the amplification reactions.

These are carried out in 100 μl of amplification buffer (cf. annex), with 5 pmol of each primer and one unit of Taq polymerase enzyme (Perkin Elmer Cetus). Each cycle comprises one denaturation step of 30 seconds at 95° C. followed by a hybridization of the primer to the DNA and an extension of one minute at 72° C. 30 cycles are thus carried out with the aid of a Perkin Elmer Cetus 9000 “Gen Amp PCR” thermocyclizer.

The following PCR are prepared starting from the DNA fragments amplified above.

The amplified DNA fragments are then digested, purified and ligated to the vector pRIT 28.

›SEQUENCING

The fragments cloned in this way are sequenced on an Applied Biosystem 373 DNA Sequencer automatic sequencer. The sequencing reactions are carried out with the aid of the “dye Terminator” kit according to the recommendations of the supplier (Applied Biosystem) either on double-stranded DNA obtained after genetic amplification or from maxiprep or on single-stranded DNA from denatured PCR fragments (Hultman et al., Nucleic acids res.; 1989, 17:4937-4946).

›EXPRESSION OF THE PROTEIN

The entire P40 gene is cloned in the expression vector pVABB. This vector allows an affinity tail “BB” to be attached to P40; B being the part of the streptococal G protein which ligates serum albumin (Nygren P. A. et al.; Journal mol. Recognit. 1988; 1, 69-74).

The strains of E. coli RV308 transformed by the vector pVABBP40 are cultured for one night at 37° C. with stirring, in 100 ml of TSB supplemented with yeast extract, ampicillin (200 μg/ml) tetracycline (8 μg/ml) and tryptophan (100 μg/ml). The next day, a culture of OD=1 for a wavelength of 580 nm is prepared in TSB+yeast extracts+ampi+tetra.

After culturing for 10 minutes, expression of the protein is induced by addition of IAA at (25 μg/ml) to the medium. The culture is centrifuged at 4° C. at 2460 g for 10 minutes.

The plug is taken up with 20 ml of TST 1×pH 7.4, and the solution is then centrifuged at 4° C. at 23,000 g for 30 minutes.

The supernatant is filtered through Sepharose which allows proteins termed soluble to be isolated. The plug is washed with washing buffer and then centrifuged at 23,000 g at 4° C. for 30 minutes. The plug containing the inclusion body is then taken up with 900 μl of a denaturing solution+100 μl of 10 mM Diothiothreitol and incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours.

The solution is then incubated at ambient temperature for 1 night, with stirring, in 100 ml of renaturation buffer at 2300 g for 1 hour.

The supernatant is filtered through HSA Sepharose.

In the two cases, the immobilized proteins are eluted with 0.5 M acetic acid pH 2.8 and collected in 1 ml fractions.

The fractions collected are then analyzed on SDS-PAGE electrophoresis gel and by Immuno blot.

›RESULTS

The cloning of the gene was carried out in three stages according to the strategy presented in FIG. 4 .

In a first stage, we confirmed the published part of the sequence with the exception of a T in the place of an A in position 103.

Then we determined the 3′-sequence of the gene and finally the 5′-sequence.

The entire gene was obtained by fusion of the two parts 8/4 and 3/14 and then cloned in the vector pRIT 28. The sequence corresponds to SEQ ID No. 13.

The protein is expressed in the form BBP40.

It is essentially obtained starting from inclusion bodies. For a 200 ml culture, fifteen milligrams of protein are purified.

The electrophoretic profile shows that BBP40, obtained after denaturation, is of high purity. The apparent molecular weight corresponds to the calculated theoretical weight which is 63 kDa.

The Immuno blot characterization shows that the purified protein is indeed recognized by a rabbit anti-P40 serum.

›EXAMPLE 5

Coupling of the p40 Protein to the G 1 A Peptide

p40 (5 mg/ml, 40 mg) is dialyzed against 300 volumes of 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer pH 7, zwittergent 3-14, 0.1%.

The dialyzate is adjusted to a concentration of 2 mg/ml with the aid of a 0.1 M carbonate buffer pH 9; zwittergent 3-14, 0.1%. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is added to obtain a final concentration of 4%.

The G 1 peptide (10 mg/10 ml of 0.1 M carbonate buffer pH 9; 0.1% zwittergent 3-14) is added to the p40 solution. The pH is checked (between pH 9 and pH 10).

Add 220 μl of glutaraldehyde (2.5% in water) and stir for 24 hours at 4° C.

Add 5 ml of 0.1 M carbonate buffer pH 9; 0.1% zwittergent 3-14; check the pH (between pH 9 and pH 10); stir for 72 hours at 4° C.

Add 220 μl of glutaraldehyde (2.5% in water), check the pH, stir for 24 hours at +4° C.

The reaction is stopped by addition of 100 μl of 1 M lysine. The solution is dialyzed for 24 hours at 4° C.

The SDS is eliminated by double KCl precipitation.

The solution containing the p40 conjugate is frozen and used as such or lyophylized.

›EXAMPLE 6

Activity

›MATERIAL AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice (N=5) are immunized on day 0, day 10 and day 20 by the subcutaneous route with 10 μg of G1, optionally coupled to a carrier, in the presence or absence of an adjuvant. The serum is collected and tested by ELISA. The anti-G1 or anti-carrier Igs are isolated on a BSA-G1 support and on a “carrier” support (KLH or TT or P40). The Igs are visualized with the aid of an anti-Ig rabbit peroxidase conjugate. The optical density is read at 450 nm and the anti-G1 antibody titer is given by the reciprocal of the last dilution giving twice the background noise. The results represent the mean±standard deviation of the titers of 5 mice.

›RESULTS

Induction of an Immune Response Against G1A

The mice are immunized with G1A in different forms according to an identical immunization scheme. The antibody responses induced by the different forms of G1A are compared 28 days after the start of the experiment.

The synthetic G1A peptide administered pure does not induce any immune response even if it is coadministered with Freund's adjuvant. Presented with the carrier KLH, G1A induces a weak response which is significantly increased by the coadministration of Freund's adjuvant (FA). Presented with p40, G1A induces a greater response than that obtained in the conventional KLH/G1+AF, p40 immunization scheme to “self-adjuvant carrier” properties.

The results are presented in FIG. 1 .

Kinetics of the Immune Response to G1A

The mice are immunized with G1A in different forms according to an identical immunization scheme. The antibody responses induced by the different forms of G1A are compared at the times: 7, 17, 28, 35, 42 days after the start of the experiment.

The anti-G1A response is significantly higher and more rapid when the mice are immunized with p40/G1A than the more conventional TT/G1A and KLH/G1A+AF immunizations. A single injection of p40/G1A allows an anti-G1A antibody titer of 1000 to be obtained in 7 days. This titer is obtained with TT/G1A or KLH/G1A+AF in 28 days. The maximum response (titer=1/380 000), obtained after three injections, in 28 days is approximately 30 times greater than that obtained with KLH/G1A+AF and 70 times greater than that obtained with TT/G1A. The anti-G1A antibody titer holds steady without weakening until day 42.

The results are presented in FIG. 2 .

Kinetics of the Immune Response to the Carrier

The mice are immunized with G1A coupled to a carrier according to an identical immunization scheme. The antibody responses induced by the different carriers are compared at the times 7, 17, 28, 35 and 42 days after the start of the experiment.

The anti-p40 response (titer close to 10,000) is higher than the anti-KLH response but not significantly different to the anti-TT response.

The results are presented in FIG. 3 .

›CONCLUSION

The chemical coupling of the G1A peptide to the p40 protein allowed a significantly more important and more rapid anti-G1A response to be induced than that provoked by the KLH/G1A+AF or TT/G1A reference models. Coupling of the G1B peptide ought to induce similar responses.

›Examples3

›EXAMPLE 7

Evaluation of the Protective Potential of Peptides and of Recombinant Proteins of Glycoprotein G of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Subgroup A Coupled to p40 Carrier Protein

BALB/c mice were immunized with the following different preparations:

1) G1A synthetic peptide coupled to KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin)=KLH.G1A.

2) G1A synthetic peptide coupled to p40 carrier protein=p40.G1A.

3) p40 control alone.

4) Recombinant protein produced in E. coli : BBG2AδC coupled to p40 carrier protein=p40.BBG2AδC.

5) G1A synthetic peptide coupled to tetanus toxin (TT) carrier protein=TT.G1A.

6) TT control alone.

7) BB control alone.

8) Long RSV control (subgroup A).

The mice received 3 intramuscular doses (200 μg/mouse) with aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant (used currently in man). The results of the protection tests as well as the immunological profile of the sera are found in Table 2.

The following preparations confer complete protection following challenge with long RSV (strain A): p40.G1A, p40.BBG2AδC, with respect to TT.G1A which also confers very good protection comparable to the peptide KLH.G1A. In the ELISA test, they all recognize RSV antigen with the highest titer for p40.G1A=1/12800.

As for the neutralization test, none of the preparations possess any neutralizing activity in vitro.

›EXAMPLE 8

Evaluation of the protective potential of peptides of glycoprotein G of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroup A and subgroup B coupled to KLH. Protection against a challenge carried out with the two subgroups of RSV.

BALB/c mice were immunized with the following different preparations:

1. C1A synthetic peptide coupled to KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin)=KLH-G1A

2. G1B synthetic peptide coupled to KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin)=KLH-G1B. The G1B peptide corresponds to the sequence G (174-187)δCys of the subgroup B whose sequence is:

3. KLH control

4. Long RSV control (subgroup A)

5. 8/60 VRS control (subgroup B)

The mice received 3 intramuscular doses (200 μg/mouse) with Freund's adjuvant. The results of the protection tests as well as the immunological profile of the sera are found in Table 3.

The preparation KLH-G1A allows complete protection against RSV subgroup A but not against RSV subgroup B. On the contrary, the preparation KLH-G1B allows complete protection against RSV subgroup B but not against RSV subgroup A. The ELISA test reflects the same situation.

›EXAMPLE 9

Veterinary Application

Evaluation of the protective potential of GlvΔC peptide derived from protein G of the bovine strain of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Lerch et al., 1990, J. Virol. 64:5559 coupled to KLH carrier protein.

174 187

Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

having a disulfide bridge in position 176-182.

The peptide prepared by solid-phase synthesis using Boc chemistry is coupled to KLH using glutaraldehyde (Schaaper et al., Mol. Immunol. (1989) 26:81-85).

Two calves were immunized by the intramuscular route with 500 μg of GlvΔC-KLH with incomplete Freund's adjuvant 3 times at intervals of 3 weeks. One calf was immunized with KLH without G1VΔC peptide and with an incomplete Freund's adjuvant.

The animals are challenged with the Snook strain, 21 days after the last inoculation, by the intranasal and intratracheal route each with 1 ml of virus titrating at 2×105/ml.

The virus titrated on calf kidney cells according to the plaque method is determined in nasopharyngeal washings 3 and 2 days respectively after challenge and 7 days in the lungs of the sacrificed animals.

›CIRCULATING ANTIBODY RESPONSE

Calf 3432 (KLH+FIA):

Calf 3440 (Peptide−KLH+FIA)

Calves to which 500 μg of GlvΔC-KLHen incomplete Freund's adjuvant was administered on three occasions at 3 week intervals.

RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE

CIRCULATING ANTIBODY RESPONSE

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 1 of 6

ACC GTG AAA ACC AAA AAC ACC ACG ACC ACC CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA 48

Thr Val Lys Thr Lys Asn Thr Thr Thr Thr Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys

1 5 10 15

CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC 96

Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn

20 25 30

GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC 144

Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser

35 40 45

AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA 192

Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys

50 55 60

CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC ACG ACC AAA CCG ACC AAA AAA CCG ACC TTC AAA 240

Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr Lys Pro Thr Lys Lys Pro Thr Phe Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACC AAA AAA GAT CAT AAA CCG CAG ACC ACC AAA CCG AAA GAA GTG 288

Thr Thr Lys Lys Asp His Lys Pro Gln Thr Thr Lys Pro Lys Glu Val

85 90 95

CCG ACC ACC AAA CCG 303

Pro Thr Thr Lys Pro

100

ACC GCG CAG ACC AAA GGC CGT ATC ACC ACC AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA 48

Thr Ala Gln Thr Lys Gly Arg Ile Thr Thr Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys

1 5 10 15

CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT 96

Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp

20 25 30

GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC 144

Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly

35 40 45

AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA 192

Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys

50 55 60

CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG ACC ATC AAA CCG ACC AAC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA 240

Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro Thr Ile Lys Pro Thr Asn Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACC AAC AAA CGT GAT CCG AAA ACC CCG GCG AAA ATG CCG AAG AAG 288

Thr Thr Asn Lys Arg Asp Pro Lys Thr Pro Ala Lys Met Pro Lys Lys

85 90 95

GAA ATC ATC ACC AAC 303

Glu Ile Ile Thr Asn

100

ACC GTG AAA ACC AAA AAC ACC ACG ACC ACC CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA 48

Thr Val Lys Thr Lys Asn Thr Thr Thr Thr Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys

1 5 10 15

CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC 96

Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn

20 25 30

GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC 144

Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser

35 40 45

AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA 192

Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys

50 55 60

CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC ACG ACC AAA CCG ACC AAA AAA CCG ACC TTC AAA 240

Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr Lys Pro Thr Lys Lys Pro Thr Phe Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACC AAA AAA GAT CAT AAA CCG CAG ACC ACC AAA CCG AAA GAA GTG 288

Thr Thr Lys Lys Asp His Lys Pro Gln Thr Thr Lys Pro Lys Glu Val

85 90 95

CCG ACC ACC AAA CCG 303

Pro Thr Thr Lys Pro

100

ACC GCG CAG ACC AAA GGC CGT ATC ACC ACC AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA 48

Thr Ala Gln Thr Lys Gly Arg Ile Thr Thr Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys

1 5 10 15

CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT 96

Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp

20 25 30

GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC 144

Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly

35 40 45

AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA 192

Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys

50 55 60

CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG ACC ATC AAA CCG ACC AAC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA 240

Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro Thr Ile Lys Pro Thr Asn Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACC AAC AAA CGT GAT CCG AAA ACC CCG GCG AAA ATG CCG AAG AAG 288

Thr Thr Asn Lys Arg Asp Pro Lys Thr Pro Ala Lys Met Pro Lys Lys

85 90 95

GAA ATC ATC ACC AAC 303

Glu Ile Ile Thr Asn

100

AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 42

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

1 5 10

AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 42

Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

1 5 10

AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 42

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

1 5 10

AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 42

Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

1 5 10

Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Xaa Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

1 5 10

Ser Ile Asp Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Xaa Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

1 5 10

Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Xaa Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

1 5 10

Ser Ile Asp Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Xaa Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

1 5 10

GCT CCG AAA GAT AAC ACC TGG TAT GCA GGT GGT AAA CTG GGT TGG TCC 48

Ala Pro Lys Asp Asn Thr Trp Tyr Ala Gly Gly Lys Leu Gly Trp Ser

1 5 10 15

CAG TAT CAC GAC ACC GGT TTC TAC GGT AAC GGT TTC CAG AAC AAC AAC 96

Gln Tyr His Asp Thr Gly Phe Tyr Gly Asn Gly Phe Gln Asn Asn Asn

20 25 35

GGT CCG ACC CGT AAC GAT CAG CTT GGT GCT GGT GCG TTC GGT GGT TAC 144

Gly Pro Thr Arg Asn Asp Gln Leu Gly Ala Gly Ala Phe Gly Gly Tyr

40 45 50

CAG GTT AAC CCG TAC CTC GGT TTC GAA ATG GGT TAT GAC TGG CTG GGC 192

Gln Val Asn Pro Tyr Leu Gly Phe Glu Met Gly Tyr Asp Trp Leu Gly

55 60 65

CGT ATG GCA TAT AAA GGC AGC GTT GAC AAC GGT GCT TTC AAA GCT CAG 240

Arg Met Ala Tyr Lys Gly Ser Val Asp Asn Gly Ala Phe Lys Ala Gln

70 80 85

GGC GTT CAG CTG ACC GCT AAA CTG GGT TAC CCG ATC ACT GAC GAT CTG 288

Gly Val Gln Leu Thr Ala Lys Leu Gly Tyr Pro Ile Thr Asp Asp Leu

90 95 100 105

GAC ATC TAC ACC CGT CTG GGC GGC ATG GTT TGG CGC GCT GAC TCC AAA 336

Asp Ile Tyr Thr Arg Leu Gly Gly Met Val Trp Arg Ala Asp Ser Lys

110 115 120

GGC AAC TAC GCT TCT ACC GGC GTT TCC CGT AGC GAA CAC GAC ACT GGC 384

Gly Asn Tyr Ala Ser Thr Gly Val Ser Arg Ser Glu His Asp Thr Gly

125 130 135

GTT TCC CCA GTA TTT GCT GGC GGC GTA GAG TGG GCT GTT ACT CGT GAC 432

Val Ser Pro Val Phe Ala Gly Gly Val Glu Trp Ala Val Thr Arg Asp

140 145 150

ATC GCT ACC CGT CTG GAA TAC CAG TGG GTT AAC AAC ATC GGC GAC GCG 480

Ile Ala Thr Arg Leu Glu Tyr Gln Trp Val Asn Asn Ile Gly Asp Ala

155 160 165

GGC ACT GTG GGT ACC CGT CCT GAT AAC GGC ATG CTG AGC CTG GGC GTT 528

Gly Thr Val Gly Thr Arg Pro Asp Asn Gly Met Leu Ser Leu Gly Val

170 175 180 185

TCC TAC CGC TTC GGT CAG GAA GAT GCT GCA CCG GTT GTT GCT CCG GCT 576

Ser Tyr Arg Phe Gly Gln Glu Asp Ala Ala Pro Val Val Ala Pro Ala

190 195 200

CCG GCT CCG GCT CCG GAA GTG GCT ACC AAG CAC TTC ACC CTG AAG TCT 624

Pro Ala Pro Ala Pro Glu Val Ala Thr Lys His Phe Thr Leu Lys Ser

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 2 of 6

205 210 215

GAC GTT CTG TTC AAC TTC AAC AAA GCT ACC CTG AAA CCG GAA GGT CAG 672

Asp Val Leu Phe Asn Phe Asn Lys Ala Thr Leu Lys Pro Glu Gly Gln

220 225 230

CAG GCT CTG GAT CAG CTG TAC ACT CAG CTG AGC AAC ATG GAT CCG AAA 720

Gln Ala Leu Asp Gln Leu Tyr Thr Gln Leu Ser Asn Met Asp Pro Lys

235 245 250

GAC GGT TCC GCT GTT GTT CTG GGC TAC ACC GAC CGC ATC GGT TCC GAA 768

Asp Gly Ser Ala Val Val Leu Gly Tyr Thr Asp Arg Ile Gly Ser Glu

255 260 265 270

GCT TAC AAC CAG CAG CTG TCT GAG AAA CGT GCT CAG TCC GTT GTT GAC 816

Ala Tyr Asn Gln Gln Leu Ser Glu Lys Arg Ala Gln Ser Val Val Asp

275 280 285

TAC CTG GTT GCT AAA GGC ATC CCG GCT GGC AAA ATC TCC GCT CGC GGC 864

Tyr Leu Val Ala Lys Gly Ile Pro Ala Gly Lys Ile Ser Ala Arg Gly

290 295 300

ATG GGT GAA TCC AAC CCG GTT ACT GGC AAC ACC TGT GAC AAC GTG AAA 912

Met Gly Glu Ser Asn Pro Val Thr Gly Asn Thr Cys Asp Asn Val Lys

305 310 315

GCT CGC GCT GCC CTG ATC GAT TGC CTG GCT CCG GAT CGT CGT GTA GAG 960

Ala Arg Ala Ala Leu Ile Asp Cys Leu Ala Pro Asp Arg Arg Val Glu

320 325 330

ATC GAA GTT AAA GGC TAC AAA GAA GTT GTA ACT CAG CCG GCG GGT TAA 1008

Ile Glu Val Lys Gly Tyr Lys Glu Val Val Thr Gln Pro Ala Gly

335 340 345 350

ACC GTG AAA ACC AAA AAC ACC ACG ACC ACC CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA 48

Thr Val Lys Thr Lys Asn Thr Thr Thr Thr Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys

1 5 10 15

CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC 96

Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn

20 25 30

GAT TCC CAT TCC GAA GTG TCC AAC TCC GTG CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC 144

Asp Ser His Ser Glu Val Ser Asn Ser Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser

35 40 45

AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA 192

Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys

50 55 60

CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC ACG ACC AAA CCG ACC AAA AAA CCG ACC TTC AAA 240

Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr Lys Pro Thr Lys Lys Pro Thr Phe Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACC AAA AAA GAT CAT AAA CCG CAG ACC ACC AAA CCG AAA GAA GTG 288

Thr Thr Lys Lys Asp His Lys Pro Gln Thr Thr Lys Pro Lys Glu Val

85 90 95

CCG ACC ACC AAA CCG 303

Pro Thr Thr Lys Pro

100

GTG CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC 48

Val Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys

1 5 10 15

AAA 51

Lys

GTG CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC 48

Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser

1 5 10 15

AAA 51

Lys

GTG CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC 48

Val Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys

1 5 10 15

AAA 51

Lys

GTG CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC 48

Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser

1 5 10 15

AAA 51

Lys

Val Pro Asp Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Xaa Trp Ala Ile Xaa

1 5 10 15

Lys

Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Xaa Trp Ala Ile Ser

1 5 10 15

Lys

Val Pro Asp Ser Ile Asp Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Xaa Lys Ser Ile Xaa

1 5 10 15

Lys

Val Pro Ser Ser Ile Asp Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Xaa Lys Ser Ile Ser

1 5 10 15

Lys

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC ACG ACC 183

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr

50 55 60

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC 177

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA 171

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG 165

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA 159

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG TGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG 153

Arg Ile Pro

AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCG TGC 48

Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Cys

1 5 10 15

AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC TGC AAA CGT ATC 96

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 3 of 6

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Lys Arg Ile

20 25 30

CCG 99

Pro

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC ACG ACC 183

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr

50 55 60

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA AAA ACC 177

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG GGC AAA 171

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro Gly Lys

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA AAA CCG 165

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys Lys Pro

50 55

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG AAC AAA 159

Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys

CAG ACC CAG CCG AGC AAA CCG ACC ACC AAA CAG CGT CAG AAC AAA CCG 48

Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAC AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCG AGC AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

CGT ATC CCG 153

Arg Ile Pro

AAA CCG AAC AAC GAT TTC CAT TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCG AGC 48

Lys Pro Asn Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Ser

1 5 10 15

AGC ATC TGC AGC AAC AAC CCG ACC TGC TGG GCG ATC AGC AAA CGT ATC 96

Ser Ile Cys Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Ser Lys Arg Ile

20 25 30

CCG 99

Pro

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG ACC ATC 183

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro Thr Ile

50 55 60

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG 177

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG 171

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG 165

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC 159

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 4 of 6

CCC TGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA 144

Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG 153

Thr Ile Pro

AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCC TGC 48

Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Cys

1 5 10 15

AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC TGC AAA ACC ATC 96

Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Cys Lys Thr Ile

20 25 30

CCG 99

Pro

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG ACC ATC 183

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro Thr Ile

50 55 60

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG AAA CCG 177

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys Lys Pro

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG AAA AAG 171

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro Lys Lys

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC AAA CCG 165

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn Lys Pro

50 55

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG AGC AAC 159

Thr Ile Pro Ser Asn

AGC ACC CAG ACC AAC AAA CCG AGC ACC AAA AGC CGT AGC AAA AAC CCG 48

Ser Thr Gln Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Thr Lys Ser Arg Ser Lys Asn Pro

1 5 10 15

CCG AAA AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG 96

Pro Lys Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA 144

Pro Ser Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys

35 40 45

ACC ATC CCG 153

Thr Ile Pro

AAA CCG AAA GAT GAT TAC CAC TTC GAA GTG TTC AAC TTC GTG CCC AGC 48

Lys Pro Lys Asp Asp Tyr His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Val Pro Ser

1 5 10 15

AGC ATC TGC GGC AAC AAC CAG CTG TGC AAA AGC ATC AGC AAA ACC ATC 96

Ser Ile Cys Gly Asn Asn Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Ile Ser Lys Thr Ile

20 25 30

CCG 99

Pro

CAA AAC AGA AAA ATC AAA GGT CAA TCA ACA CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA 48

Gln Asn Arg Lys Ile Lys Gly Gln Ser Thr Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys

1 5 10 15

CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC 96

Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp

20 25 30

CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA 144

His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu

35 40 45

GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA 192

Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala

50 55 60

CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA ACA ATC ACC CTC AAA AAG ACA CCA AAA CCA AAA 240

Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro Thr Ile Thr Leu Lys Lys Thr Pro Lys Pro Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACA AAA AAG CCA ACC AAG ACA ACA ATC CAT CAC AGA ACC AGC CCA 288

Thr Thr Lys Lys Pro Thr Lys Thr Thr Ile His His Arg Thr Ser Pro

85 90 95

GAA ACC AAA CTG CAA 303

Glu Thr Lys Leu Gln

100

CAA AAC AGA AAA ATC AAA GGT CAA TCA ACA CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA 48

Gln Asn Arg Lys Ile Lys Gly Gln Ser Thr Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys

1 5 10 15

CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC 96

Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp

20 25 30

CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA 144

His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu

35 40 45

GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA 192

Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala

50 55 60

CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA ACA ATC ACC CTC AAA AAG ACA CCA AAA CCA AAA 240

Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro Thr Ile Thr Leu Lys Lys Thr Pro Lys Pro Lys

65 70 75 80

ACC ACA AAA AAG CCA ACC AAG ACA ACA ATC CAT CAC AGA ACC AGC CCA 288

Thr Thr Lys Lys Pro Thr Lys Thr Thr Ile His His Arg Thr Ser Pro

85 90 95

GAA ACC AAA CTG CAA 303

Glu Thr Lys Leu Gln

100

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA ACA ATC 183

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro Thr Ile

50 55 60

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 5 of 6

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA 177

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro

50 55

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA 171

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg

50 55

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA 165

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA 159

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 144

Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG 153

Ile Glu Thr

AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT CCC TGC 48

Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val Pro Cys

1 5 10 15

AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT ATT GAG 96

Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His Ile Glu

20 25 30

ACG 99

Thr

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA ACA ATC 183

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro Thr Ile

50 55 60

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA GCA CCA 177

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg Ala Pro

50 55

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA AGC AGA 171

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro Ser Arg

50 55

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA GCA CCA 165

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg Ala Pro

50 55

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG GAA AGA 159

Ile Glu Thr Glu Arg

CTA CCA GCC ACA AGA AAA CCA CCA ATT AAT CCA TCA GGA AGC ATC CCA 48

Leu Pro Ala Thr Arg Lys Pro Pro Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Ser Ile Pro

1 5 10 15

CCA GAA AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT 96

Pro Glu Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val

20 25 30

CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 144

Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

35 40 45

ATT GAG ACG 153

Ile Glu Thr

AAC CAT CAA GAC CAC AAC AAC TTC CAA ACA CTC CCC TAT GTT CCC AGC 48

Asn His Gln Asp His Asn Asn Phe Gln Thr Leu Pro Tyr Val Pro Ser

1 5 10 15

AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT ATT GAG 96

Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His Ile Glu

20 25 30

ACG 99

Thr

GTT CCC TGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC 48

Val Pro Cys Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys

1 5 10 15

CAT 51

His

GTT CCC AGC AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC 48

Val Pro Ser Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser

1 5 10 15

CAT 51

›RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS CHALLENGE · 6 of 6

His

Val Pro Asp Ser Thr Asp Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Xaa Leu Ser Leu Xaa

1 5 10 15

His

Val Pro Ser Ser Thr Asp Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Xaa Leu Ser Leu Ser

1 5 10 15

His

AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC TGC CAT 42

Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Cys His

1 5 10

AGT ACA TGT GAA GGT AAT CTT GCA TGC TTA TCA CTC AGC CAT 42

Ser Thr Cys Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Cys Leu Ser Leu Ser His

1 5 10

Ser Thr Asp Glu Gly Asn Leu Ala Xaa Leu Ser Leu Ser His

1 5 10

AAA TAT GGA GTA AGT GAC TAT TAC AAG AAT CTA ATC AAC AAT GCC AAA 48

Lys Tyr Gly Val Ser Asp Tyr Tyr Lys Asn Leu Ile Asn Asn Ala Lys

1 5 10 15

ACT GTT GAA GGC GTA AAA GAC CTT CAA GCA CAA GTT GTT GAA TCA GCG 96

Thr Val Glu Gly Val Lys Asp Leu Gln Ala Gln Val Val Glu Ser Ala

20 25 30

AAG AAA GCG CGT ATT TCA GAA GCA ACA GAT GGC TTA TCT GAT TTC TTG 144

Lys Lys Ala Arg Ile Ser Glu Ala Thr Asp Gly Leu Ser Asp Phe Leu

35 40 45

AAA TCA CAA ACA CCT GCT GAA GAT ACT GTT AAA TCA ATT GAA TTA GCT 192

Lys Ser Gln Thr Pro Ala Glu Asp Thr Val Lys Ser Ile Glu Leu Ala

50 55 60

GAA GCT AAA GTC TTA GCT AAC AGA GAA CTT GAC AAA TAT GGA GTA AGT 240

Glu Ala Lys Val Leu Ala Asn Arg Glu Leu Asp Lys Tyr Gly Val Ser

65 70 75 80

GAC TAT CAC AAG AAC CTA ATC AAC AAT GCC AAA ACT GTT GAA GGT GTA 288

Asp Tyr His Lys Asn Leu Ile Asn Asn Ala Lys Thr Val Glu Gly Val

85 90 95

AAA GAC CTT CAA GCA CAA GTT GTT GAA TCA GCG AAG AAA GCG CGT ATT 336

Lys Asp Leu Gln Ala Gln Val Val Glu Ser Ala Lys Lys Ala Arg Ile

100 105 110

TCA GAA GCA ACA GAT GGC TTA TCT GAT TTC TTG AAA TCA CAA ACA CCT 384

Ser Glu Ala Thr Asp Gly Leu Ser Asp Phe Leu Lys Ser Gln Thr Pro

115 120 125

GCT GAA GAT ACT GTT AAA TCA ATT GAA TTA GCT GAA GCT AAA GTC TTA 432

Ala Glu Asp Thr Val Lys Ser Ile Glu Leu Ala Glu Ala Lys Val Leu

130 135 140

GCT AAC AGA GAA CTT GAC AAA TAT GGA GTA AGT GAC TAT TAC AAG AAC 480

Ala Asn Arg Glu Leu Asp Lys Tyr Gly Val Ser Asp Tyr Tyr Lys Asn

145 150 155 160

CTA ATC AAC AAT GCC AAA ACT GTT GAA GGT GTA AAA GCA CTG ATA GAT 528

Leu Ile Asn Asn Ala Lys Thr Val Glu Gly Val Lys Ala Leu Ile Asp

165 170 175

GAA ATT TTA GCT GCA TTA CCT AAG ACT GAC ACT TAC AAA TTA ATC CTT 576

Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Leu Pro Lys Thr Asp Thr Tyr Lys Leu Ile Leu

180 185 190

AAT GGT AAA ACA TTG AAA GGC GAA ACA ACT ACT GAA GCT GTT GAT GCT 624

Asn Gly Lys Thr Leu Lys Gly Glu Thr Thr Thr Glu Ala Val Asp Ala

195 200 205

GCT ACT GCA AGA TCT TTC AAT TTC CCT ATC CTC 657

Ala Thr Ala Arg Ser Phe Asn Phe Pro Ile Leu

210 215

AAA TAT GGA GTA AGT GAC TAT CAC AAG AAC CTA ATC AAC AAT GCC AAA 48

Lys Tyr Gly Val Ser Asp Tyr His Lys Asn Leu Ile Asn Asn Ala Lys

1 5 10 15

ACT GTT GAA GGT GTA AAA GAC CTT CAA GCA CAA GTT GTT GAA TCA GCG 96

Thr Val Glu Gly Val Lys Asp Leu Gln Ala Gln Val Val Glu Ser Ala

20 25 30

AAG AAA GCG CGT ATT TCA GAA GCA ACA GAT GGC TTA TCT GAT TTC TTG 144

Lys Lys Ala Arg Ile Ser Glu Ala Thr Asp Gly Leu Ser Asp Phe Leu

35 40 45

AAA TCA CAA ACA CCT GCT GAA GAT ACT GTT AAA TCA ATT GAA TTA GCT 192

Lys Ser Gln Thr Pro Ala Glu Asp Thr Val Lys Ser Ile Glu Leu Ala

50 55 60

GAA GCT AAA GTC TTA GCT AAC AGA GAA CTT GAC AAA TAT GGA GTA AGT 240

Glu Ala Lys Val Leu Ala Asn Arg Glu Leu Asp Lys Tyr Gly Val Ser

65 70 75 80

GAC TAT TAC AAG AAC CTA ATC AAC AAT GCC AAA ACT GTT GAA GGT GTA 288

Asp Tyr Tyr Lys Asn Leu Ile Asn Asn Ala Lys Thr Val Glu Gly Val

85 90 95

AAA GCA CTG ATA GAT GAA ATT TTA GCT GCA TTA CCT 324

Lys Ala Leu Ile Asp Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Leu Pro

100 105

›Tables in the description — 72

1. 55% TFA in DCM	(1 × 5 min)
2. 55% TFA in DCM	(1 × 25 min)
3. DCM	(2 × 1 min)
4. Isopropyl alcohol	(1 × 1 min)
5. DMF	(2 × 1 min)
6. 10% DIEA in DMF	(2 × 2 min)
7. Coupling
8. DMF	(2 × 1 min)
9 DCM	(2 × 1 min)

General conditions of purification by HPLC:

Stationary phase:	C 18 silica, 15-25 μm, 100 Å
Mobile phase:	solvent A: water 0.1% TFA
	solvent B: acetonitrile/A,
	60/40% (v/v)
Linear gradient:	20 to 50% B in 30 min (first
	purification step)
	15 to 40% B in 30 min
	(second purification step)
Flow rate:	40 ml/min
Detection:	UV (210 nm)

TABLE 1 — Table of the quantities of protein and LPS of the fractions obtained for the different steps in the process for the purification of the p40 protein (n.d. = not determined)

	PROTEINS	YIELD	LPS
BIOMASS	40 g	—	n.d.
MP FRACTION	900 mg	2.25%	n.d.
FRACTION	400 mg	1%	10%
ENRICHED IN P40
P40 PROTEIN	130 mg	0.3%	<1%

* Genetic amplification:

Lysis buffer:	25 mM Taps pH 9.3
	2 mM MgCl2 [sic]
Amplification buffer:	25 mM Taps pH 9.3
	2 mM MgCl2 [sic]
	tween 20 0.1%
	200 mM dNTP.
* Purification of proteins:
TST (20X):	Tris base	0.5M
	HCl	0.3M
	NaCl	4M
	Tween 20	1%
	EDTA	20 mM
Washing buffer:	Tris HCl	50 mM pH 8.5
	MgCl2 [sic]	5 mM
Denaturation solution:	Gua-HCl	7.8M
	Tris-HCl	28 mM pH 8.5
Renaturation solution:	Gua-HCl	0.5M
	Tris-HCl	25 mM pH 8.5
	NaCl	150 mM
	Tween 20	0.05%.

TABLE 2 — Protection conferred and immunological profile of the sera after challenge with long RSV (A) following immunization of BALB/c mice with different recombinant proteins. (3-4 weeks after 3 doses i.m. with Aluminum hydroxide) Protection DICT 50 log10/g lungs

Recombinant	challenge with long RSV (1.5 × 10 5 /mouse)	Elisa titer	Neutraliz-
peptides and	(subgroup A)	versus long	ation log
proteins	5-6 days	7-8 days	RSV	2/25 μl
KLH.G1A	2.45	≦2.0 ± 0.4	2.45	≦2.0 ± 0.4	4000	<3.0
(100 to 157 μg)	2.45	p < 0.001	2.15	p < 0.001
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
P40.G1A	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	12800	<3.0
(200 μg)	<1.7	p < 0.001	<1.7	p < 0.001
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
P40 controls	4.7	4.5 ± 0.1	4.78	4.5 ± 0.1	300	<3.0
(200 μg)	4.45	p < 0.001	4.45	p < 0.001
	4.45		4.45
	4.45		4.45
P40.BBG2AδC	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	1700	<3.0
(200 μg)	<1.7	p < 0.001	<1.7	p < 0.001
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
TT.G1A	<1.7	<1.9 ± 0.3	<1.7	<1.9 ± 0.3	7200	<3.0
(200 μg)	<1.7	p < 0.001	<1.7	p < 0.001
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
	2.45		2.45
TT controls	4.45	4.2 ± 0.3	4.7	4.2 ± 0.4	250	<3.0
(200 μg)	4.2	p = 0.022	4.2	p = 0.053
	4.2		4.2
	4.45		4.45
	3.7		3.7
BB controls	2.95	3.7 ± 0.5	2.95	3.8 ± 0.5	150	<3.0
(200 μg)	4.2	p = 0.853	4.2	p = 0.760
	3.95		4.2
	3.7		3.7
	3.7		3.7
Long RSV	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	<1.7	<1.7 ± 0	76800	6.6
controls	<1.7	p = 0.001	<1.7	p = 0.001
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
	<1.7		<1.7
Controls,	3.95	3.7 ± 0.2	3.95	3.8 ± 0.3	150	<3.0
nonimmunized,	3.95		4.2
challenged	3.7		3.7
	3.45		3.45
	3.95		3.95
	3.45		3.7
Controls,	No virus	No virus	150	<3.0
nonimmunized,
unchallenged

TABLE 3 — Protection conferred and immunological profile of the sera after challenge with long RS (subgroup A) or with RS [sic] 8/60 (subgroup B) following immunization of BALB/c mice with the peptides G1A and G1B. PROTECTION DICT 10 log 10/g lungs

	Challenge	Challenge
	Long RSV	8/60 RSV	ELISA titer
Peptides coupled	(subgroup A)	(subgroup B)	Versus	Versus 8/60
to KLH	1.5 × 10 5 /s (50/μl)	0.6 × 10 5 /s (50/μl)	long RSV (A)	RSV (B)
G1A	≦1.8 ± 0.3	3.3 ± 0.5	29866	266
	n = 11	p < 0.001	n = 10	p = 0.237
G1B	3.8 ± 0.8	≦2.1 ± 0.5	≦100	7200
	n = 7	p < 0.517	n = 8	p = 0.001
KLH control	3.7 ± 0.3	3.4 ± 0.3	≦200	133
	n = 11	p < 0.001	n = 10	p = 0.6
VRS (A) control	≦1.7 ± 0	≦1.7 ± 0	≦68266	51200
	n = 11	p < 0.001	n = 11	p = 0.001
VRS (B) control	≦1.7 ± 0	≦1.7 ± 0	≦76800	68266
	n = 10	p < 0.001	n = 10	p = 0.001

log10 ELISA titer

		Peptide +			BRSV
Date	Treatment	KLH	Peptide	KLH	(Snook)
23/11	Day 0 vaccination	<1.0	<1.0	<1.0	<1.5
14/12	Day 21 vaccination	<1.0	<1.0	3.0	<1.5
04/01	Day 42 vaccination	<1.0	<1.0	4.7	<1.5
01/02	Day 70 VRS IN/IT	<1.0	<1.0	5.7	<1.5
08/02	Day 77 sacrifice	1.5	<1.0	4.8	<1.5

log10 ELISA titer

		Peptide +			BRSV
Date	Treatment	KLH	Peptide	KLH	(Snook)
23/11	Day 0 vaccination	<1.0	<1.0	<1.0	<1.5
14/12	Day 21 vaccination	1.6	<1.0	<1.0	<1.5
04/01	Day 42 vaccination	3.8	2.6	1.7	1.9
01/02	Day 70 VRS IN/IT	2.7	2.8	2.6	3.7
08/02	Day 77 sacrifice	4.1	2.6	1.7	3.1

Day 7 pulmonary

		Naso-	virus
		pharyngeal	LBA
		widening	titer	Lung	%
	Vaccina-	No. of	max.	(pfu/-	hom-	pneum-
Calves	tion	days	titer	ml)	og.	oniae
3432	KLH + FIA	3	5.1 × 10 3	1.4 × 10 2	3/3	12
3440	peptide -	2	5.5 × 10 2	<0.7	0/3	<1
	KLH + FIA

log10 ELISA titer (Snook BRSV) *Calf to which 500 μg of BP 4006 - KLH in incomplete Freund's adjuvant was administered on three occasions at three week intervals.

Calves	Vaccination	Day 0	Day 24	Day 42	Day 68	Day 75
4138	KLH + FIA	<1.5	<1.5	<1.5	<1.5	2.4
4140	*Peptide -	<1.5	<1.5	3.0	2.5 ≈	2.9
	KLH + FIA

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/product= “G2B”	/note= “sequence 130-230”
2

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/product= “G2AdeltaCys”	/note= “sequence 130-230”
3

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/product= “G2BdeltaCys”	/note= “sequence 130-230”
4

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/note= “sequence 174-187 / name	G1ACys”
5

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/note= “sequence 174-187 / name	G1BCys”
6

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/note= “sequence 174-187 / name	G1A”
7

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/note= “sequence 174-187 / name	G1B”
8

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/note= “sequence 130-230 / name	G2AdeltaCF”
14

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/note= “sequence 171-187 / name	G4A”
15

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/note= “sequence 171-187 / name	G4AdeltaC”
16

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/note= “sequence 171-187 / name	G4B”
17

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/note= “sequence 171-187 / name	G4BdeltaC”
18

17 amino acids	amino acid	single	linear
peptide
Modified-site	12	/product= “Orn”	/note= “sequence 171-187 / name G4′AdeltaC”
20

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200A”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
23

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198A”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
24

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196A”	/note= “sequence 140-196”
25

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194A”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
26

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192A”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
27

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6A”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
28

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7A”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
29

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
30

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
31

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-196”
32

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
33

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
34

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
35

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7AdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
36

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200B”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
37

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198B”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
38

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196B”	/note= “sequence140-196”
39

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194B”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
40

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192B”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
41

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6B”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
42

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7B”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
43

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
44

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
45

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-196”
46

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
47

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
48

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
49

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7BdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
50

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/product= “G2V”	/note= “sequence 130-230”
51

303 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..303	/product= “G2VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 130-230”
52

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200V”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
53

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198V”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
54

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196V”	/note= “sequence 140-196”
55

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194V”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
56

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192V”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
57

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6V”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
58

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7V”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
59

183 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..183	/product= “G200VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-200”
60

177 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..177	/product= “G198VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-198”
61

171 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..171	/product= “G196VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-196”
62

165 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..165	/product= “G194VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-194”
63

159 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..159	/product= “G192VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-192”
64

153 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..153	/product= “G6VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 140-190”
65

99 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..99	/product= “G7VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 158-190”
66

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/product= “G4V”	/note= “sequence 171-187”
67

51 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..51	/product= “G4VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 171-187”
68

17 amino acids	amino acid	single	linear
peptide
Peptide	12	/product= “Orn”	/note= “name G4′VdeltaC / sequence 171-187”
70

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/product= “G1V”	/note= “sequence 174-187”
71

42 base pairs	nucleic acid	single	linear
peptide
CDS	1..42	/product= “G1VdeltaC”	/note= “sequence 174-187”
72

3 of 33 part labels are ours — the grant heads the rest

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2 claims

Classifications

21 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section A — Human necessities

A61K47/48
A61K38/00
A61K39/155
A61P31/12

Section C — Chemistry; metallurgy

C07H21/04
C12R1/19
C07K14/765
C07K14/705
C12N15/09
C07K14/115
C07K14/26
C12P21/02
C07K19/00
C07K14/08
C07K14/135
C12N15/45

USPC · US Patent Classification

424/204.1536/23.72424/211.1530/300530/350

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Ali R. Salimi

art unit 1648 · TC 1600

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