Streptococcus pneumoniae gene sequence for DNA ligase

Details Streptococcus pneumoniae gene sequence for DNA ligase Streptococcus pneumoniae gene sequence for DNA ligase

1997-12-08

2003-07-01

Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)

Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology

Micro-organism, tissue cell culture or enzyme using process...

Recombinant dna technique included in method of making a...

C435S320100, C435S252300, C536S023700, C536S023100

Statutory Invention Registration

active

H0002070

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides isolated DNA sequences, proteins encoded thereby, and methods of using said DNA and protein in a variety of applications.
Widespread antibiotic resistance in common pathogenic bacterial species has justifiably alarmed the medical and research communities. Frequently, resistant organisms are co-resistant to several antibacterial agents. Penicillin resistance in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
has been particularly problematic. This organism causes upper respiratory tract infections. Modification of a penicillin-binding protein (PBP) underlies resistance to penicillin in the majority of cases. Combating resistance to antibiotic agents will require research into the molecular biology of pathogenic organisms. The goal of such research will be to identify new antibacterial agents.
While researchers continue to develop antibiotics effective against a number of microorganisms,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
has been more refractory. In part, this is because
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is highly recombinogenic and readily takes up exogenous DNA from its surroundings. Thus, there is a need for new antibacterial compounds and new targets for antibacterial therapy in
Streptococcus pneumoniae.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an isolated gene and encoded protein from
S. pneumoniae.
The invention enables: (1) preparation of probes and primers for use in hybridizations and PCR amplifications, (2) production of proteins and RNAs encoded by said gene and related nucleic acids, and (3) methods to identify compounds that bind and/or inhibit said protein(s).
In one embodiment the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a DNA ligase protein.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, or SEQ ID NO:5.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid that encodes SEQ ID NO:2.
In another embodiment the present invention relates to an isolated protein molecule, wherein said protein molecule comprises the sequence identified as SEQ ID NO:2.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a recombinant DNA vector that incorporates the Ligase gene (viz. “Lig”) in operable linkage to gene expression sequences enabling the gene to be transcribed and translated in a host cell.
In still another embodiment the present invention relates to host cells that have been transformed or transfected with the cloned Lig gene such that the Lig gene is expressed in the host cell.
This invention also provides a method of determining whether a nucleic acid sequence of the present invention, or fragment thereof, is present in a sample, comprising contacting the sample, under suitable hybridization conditions, with a nucleic acid probe of the present invention.
In a still further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or inhibit the Lig protein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
“ORF” (i.e. “open reading frame”) designates a region of genomic DNA beginning with a Met or other initiation codon and terminating with a translation stop codon, that potentially encodes a protein product. “Partial ORF” means a portion of an ORF as disclosed herein such that the initiation codon, the stop codon, or both are not disclosed.
“Consensus sequence” refers to an amino acid or nucleotide sequence that may suggest the biological function of a protein, DNA, or RNA molecule. Consensus sequences are identified by comparing proteins, RNAs, and gene homologues from different species.
The terms “cleavage” or “restriction” of DNA refers to the catalytic cleavage of the DNA with a restriction enzyme that acts only at certain sequences in the DNA (viz. sequence-specific endonucleases). The various restriction enzymes used herein are commercially available and their reaction conditions, cofactors, and other requirements are used in the manner well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Appropriate buffers and substrate amounts for particular restriction enzymes are specified by the manufacturer or can readily be found in the literature.
“Essential genes” or “essential ORFs” or “essential proteins” refer to genomic information or the protein(s) or RNAs encoded thereby, that when disrupted by knockout mutation, or by other mutation, result in a loss of viability of cells harboring said mutation.
“Non-essential genes” or “non-essential ORFs” or “non-essential proteins” refer to genomic information or the protein(s) or RNAs encoded therefrom which when disrupted by knockout mutation, or other mutation, do not result in a loss of viability of cells harboring said mutation.
“Minimal gene set” refers to a genus comprising about 256 genes conserved among different bacteria such as
M. genitalium
and
H. influenzae.
The minimal gene set may be necessary and sufficient to sustain life. See e.g. A. Mushegian and E. Koonin, “A minimal gene set for cellular life derived by comparison of complete bacterial genomes” Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 93, 10268-273 (1996).
“Knockout mutant” or “knockout mutation” as used herein refers to an in vitro engineered disruption of a region of native chromosomal DNA, typically within a protein coding region, such that a foreign piece of DNA is inserted within the native sequence. A knockout mutation occurring in a protein coding region prevents expression of the wild-type protein. This usually leads to loss of the function provided by the protein. A “knockout cassette” refers to a fragment of native chromosomal DNA having cloned therein a foreign piece of DNA that may provide a selectable marker.
The term “plasmid” refers to an extrachromosomal genetic element. The starting plasmids herein are either commercially available, publicly available on an unrestricted basis, or can be constructed from available plasmids in accordance with published procedures. In addition, equivalent plasmids to those described are known in the art and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.
“Recombinant DNA cloning vector” as used herein refers to any autonomously replicating agent, including, but not limited to, plasmids and phages, comprising a DNA molecule to which one or more additional DNA segments can or have been added.
The term “recombinant DNA expression vector” as used herein refers to any recombinant DNA cloning vector, for example a plasmid or phage, in which a promoter and other regulatory elements are present to enable transcription of the inserted DNA.
The term “vector” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid compound used for introducing exogenous DNA into host cells. A vector comprises a nucleotide sequence which may encode one or more protein molecules. Plasmids, cosmids, viruses, and bacteriophages, in the natural state or which have undergone recombinant engineering, are examples of commonly used vectors.
The terms “complementary” or “complementarity” as used herein refer to the capacity of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides to associate through hydrogen bonding to form double stranded nucleic acid molecules. The following base pairs are related by complementarity: guanine and cytosine; adenine and thymine; and adenine and uracil. As used herein, “complementary” applies to all base pairs comprising two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules. “Partially complementary” means one of two single-stranded nucleic acid molecules is shorter than the other, such that one of the molecules remains partially single-stranded.
“Oligonucleotide” refers to a short nucleotide chain comprising from about 2 to about 25 nucleotides.
“Isolated nucleic acid compound” refers to any RNA or DNA sequence, however constructed or synthesized, which is locationally distinct from its natural location.
A “primer” is a nucleic acid fragment which functions as an initiating substrate for enzymatic or synthetic elongation of, for example, a nucleic acid molecule.
The term “promoter” refers to a DNA sequence which directs transcription of DNA t

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