The present invention provides an antigenic composition, the composition comprising at least one recombinant protein. The recombinant protein comprises at least one epitope. The epitope is reactive with an antibody which is reactive with a polypeptide having the sequence set out in SEQ. ID. NO. 3 or SEQ. ID. NO. 5. The invention also provides methods and compositions for the production of the recombinant protein. Also provided are methods for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of P. gingivalis infection.
1. An antigenic composition, the composition comprising at least one isolated and purified protein having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 44 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, wherein the isolated and purified protein consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 1-184 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 1-290 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 65-184 of SEQ. ID NO. 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 192-290 of SEQ ID No:3, and residues 147-419 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3.
2. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the isolated and purified protein is soluble in non-denaturing solvents.
3. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the isolated and purified protein consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of residues 65-184 of SEQ ID NO: 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ ID NO: 3 and residues 192-290 of SEQ ID NO: 3.
4. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 1 in which the antigenic composition further comprises an adjuvant.
5. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 2 in which the antigenic composition further comprises an adjuvant.
6. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 3 in which the antigenic composition further comprises an adjuvant.
7. A method of reducing the severity of P. gingivalis infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the antigenic composition as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the isolated and purified protein consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ ID No. 3, and residues 192-290 of SEQ No. 3.
8. A method of reducing the severity of P. gingivalis infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the antigenic composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the isolated and purified protein consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ ID No. 3, and residues 192-290 of SEQ ID No.3.
9. An antigenic composition, the composition comprising a chimeric or fusion protein, wherein the chimeric or fusion protein comprises a first and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 1-184 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 1-290 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 65-184 of SEQ. ID NO. 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, residues 192-290 of SEQ ID No:3, and residues 147-419 of SEQ. ID. NO. 3, and the second polypeptide comprises a P. gingivalis sequence.
10. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 9 in which the chimeric or fusion protein is soluble in non-denaturing solvents.
11. The antigenic composition as claimed in claim 10 in which the first polypeptide of the chimeric or fusion protein consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of residues 65-184 of SEQ ID NO: 3, residues 65-290 of SEQ ID NO: 3 and residues 192-290 of SEQ ID NO: 3.
12. The antigenic composition of claim 9 , wherein the chimeric or fusion protein further comprises a sequence of another protein.