SMALL PROTECTIVE EPITOPES OF THE YERSINIA PESTIS V ANTIGEN AND DNA VACCINES ENCODING THESE

摘要

This invention provides an isolated and purified DNA fragment which encodes for the fragment defined essentially by amino acids 135 to 262 of the sequence of the V antigen of yersinia pestis. The DNA fragments may be used to express small protective epitopic fragments of the V antigen, for use as a vaccine or they may be used directly as DNA vaccines. Therapeutic antibodies may be raised against the small epitopic fragments. Pharmaceutical compositions comprisin the vaccines of the invention are described and claimed.