DNA encoding an antigenic protein derived from Eimeria tenella and vaccines for prevention of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella

摘要

A genomic DNA molecule having the nucleic acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1 and encoding an antigenic protein derived from Eimeria tenella has been isolated. The protein has a molecular weight of about 25, 000 daltons and is composed of two polypeptides joined by a disulfide bond. One of the polypeptides is characterized by a molecular weight of about 17,000 daltons and by a blocked N-terminal amino acid and having the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1. The other polypeptide is characterized by a molecular weight of about 8,000 daltons and has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1.PPA cDNA molecule encoding the 25,000 dalton polypeptide with a continuous amino acid sequence has been inserted into expression vectors capable of expressing the 25,000 dalton polypeptide directly or as a fused polypeptide. The polypeptides produced are used in vaccines to immunize chickens against infection by Eimeria tenella.