The hsp70 gene from an Arthrobacter species has been isolated and sequenced. The encoded protein is believed to be highly immunogenic, especially in fish, and also has utility as a non-specific adjuvant, and as an adjuvanting carrier for heterologous antigens.
1. An isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising: (a) the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a fully complementary sequence thereof; (b) a nucleotide sequence which encodes amino acid residues 162 to 365 of SEQ ID NO:2, or a fully complementary sequence thereof; (c) nucleotides 291-2153 of SEQ ID NO:1, or a fully complementary sequence thereof; or (d) a nucleotide sequence, or a fully complementary sequence thereof, which under stringent conditions hybridizes with the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement, wherein the stringent condition comprises washing for 1 hour at 55° C. with 1×SSC and 0.1% SDS.
2. The isolated nucleic acid sequence of claim 1 fused in-frame to a heterologous coding sequence.
3. The isolated nucleic acid sequence according to claim 2 , wherein said heterologous coding sequence encodes an antigen from a source selected from the group consisting of bacteria, virus, fungus, protozoa, nematode, and tumor.
4. A DNA expression Vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory sequence.
5. An isolated host cell transformed with the DNA expression vector of claim 4 .
6. An isolated nucleic acid molecule, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding SEQ ID NO:2, or its fully complementary sequence thereof.
7. A composition comprising the DNA expression vector of claim 4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.