Polynucleotides encoding alpha 2-3 neuraminidase

摘要

Polynucleotide sequences encoding enzymes that possess alpha 2-3 neuraminidase activity are provided. Of particular interest are polynucleotide sequences encoding an enzyme having alpha 2-3 neuraminidase activity and naturally produced by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Recombinant DNA expression of enzymes possessing alpha 2-3 specific neuraminidase activity is also described, including methods, recombinant host cells and a genetic construction. The invention also provides a purified enzyme having alpha 2-3 neuraminidase activity from Streptococcus pneumoniae, wherein the enzyme is isolated from S. pneumoniea cultures. Another aspect of this invention is to provide methods of isolating genes encoding enzymes having neuraminidase activity, particularly alpha 2-3 neuraminidase activity. The gene isolation methods of the invention comprise the step of labeling a hybridization probe derived from the neuraminidase coding portion of plasmid pND-1. The hybridization probe may then be used to isolate homologous genes encoding enzymes having the desired enzymatic activity.