Nucleic acids encoding modified South African HIV-1 subtype C gag proteins

US7910716B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Medical Research Council · GB
• University of Cape Town Observatory · ZA
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · US
• ALPHAVAX, INC. · US

Inventors

• Robert E. Johnston · Chapel Hill, US
• Salim Abdol Karim · Durban, ZA
• Lynn Morris · Randburg, ZA
• Ronald Swanstrom · Chapel Hill, US
• Carolyn Williamson · Cape Town, ZA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 22, 2011
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2740/16234
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide processes for the selection of HIV-1 subtype (clade) C isolates, selected HIV-1 subtype C isolates, their genes and modifications and derivatives thereof for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines to produce proteins and polypeptides for the purpose of eliciting protection against HIV infection or disease. A process for the selection of HIV subtype isolates comprises the steps of isolating viruses from recently infected subjects; generating a consensus sequence for at least part of at least one HIV gene by identifying the most common codon or amino acid among the isolated viruses; and selecting the isolated virus or viruses with a high sequence identity to the consensus sequence. HIV-1 subtype C isolates, designated Du422, Du 151 and Du 179 (assigned Accession Numbers 01032114, 00072724 and 00072725, respectively, by the European Collection of Cell Cultures) are also provided.