Hyphenspezifische Faktoren aus Candida albicans

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft Verfahren und Mittel zur Gewinnung von diagnostisch nutzbaren und therapeutisch wirksamen Substanzen gegen Infektionskrankheiten.

WO 200185989 A UPAB: 20020204 NOVELTY - A nucleotide chip (A1) comprises a solid support carrying a nucleotide sequence (I) for identifying and transcribing genes (II) that encode hyphae-specific proteins (III). DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A nucleotide chip (A1) comprises a solid support carrying a nucleotide sequence (I) for identifying and transcribing genes (II) that encode hyphae-specific proteins (III), where (I) is: (i) any of sequences of 900 (2 sequences), 501, 486 (S1)-(S4), 968 (S12), 456 (S13), 486 (S15) or 1080 (S17) base pairs; (ii) sequences that encode proteins (P) of sequences of 299 (2 sequences), 166, 161 (5)-(8), 151 (14), 161 (16) or 359 (18) amino acids; or (iii) sequences that can hybridize to (i) or (ii), their complements and fragments. All sequences are given in the specification. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following: (1) similar protein chip (A2) containing (P), sequences at least 80 % identical with them or their fragments; (2) similar antibody chip (A3) containing at least one antibody (Ab) specific for (P); (3) similar antibody chip (A4) containing at least one antibody (Ab') specific for Ab; (4) diagnostic composition containing (A1)-(A4); (5) diagnosing Candida-mediated diseases; and (6) screening or identifying therapeutic agents for treating Candida-mediated diseases. ACTIVITY - Fungicide. MECHANISM OF ACTION - Expression and/or activity of hyphae-specific proteins associated with virulence inhibitor. USE - (A), and related protein and antibody chips, are used: (i) for diagnosis of Candida-mediated diseases (local or systemic infections); and (ii) to screen for agents that inhibit expression of hyphae-specific proteins, potential therapeutic agents. ADVANTAGE - (I), or related proteins and antibodies, are specific for the hyphal (virulent) form of Candida albicans, so allow differentiation between virulent and avirulent strains.