SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES AND VACCINES COMPRISING SAME

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to chimeric peptides comprising one or more protective epitopes in a conformation enabling immunological interactivity and to vaccine compositions comprising same. The present invention is particularly directed to a chimeric peptide capable of inducing protecting antibodies against Group A streptococci.

Description: SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES AND VACCINES COMPRISING SAME The present invention relates generally to chimeric peptides comprising one or more protective epitopes in a conformation enabling immunological interactivity and to vaccine compositions comprising same. The present invention is particularly directed to a chimeric peptide capable of inducing protective antibodies against Group A streptococci. Bibliographic details of the publications referred to in this specification by author are collected at the end of the description. Sequence Identity Numbers (SEQ ID NOs.) for the amino acid sequences referred to in the specification are defined following the bibliography. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. Many proteins which may be useful vaccine candidates against several diseases have a coiled-coil structure, an important structural and biologically abundant motif found in a diverse group of proteins (Cohen and Parry, 1990, 1986). More than 200 proteins have now been predicted to contain coiled coil domains (Lupas et al, 1991). These include surface proteins of certain bacteria such as streptococcal protein A and M proteins; viruses such as influenza hemagglutinin and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) glycoprotein gp45; and protozoa such as VSG of Trypanosomes. All coiled coil motifs share a characteristic seven amino acid residue repeat (a-b-c-d-e-f-g) a . The x-ray structure of several coiled-coil domains have been solved and these include the leucine zipper portion of the yeast transcription factor GCN4 dimer (O'Shea et al. 1991), the repeat motif of α-spectrin (Yan, 1993), together with the GCN4 leucine zipper trimer (Harbury et al, 1994) and tetramer (Harbury et al, 1993) mutants. In the development of a subunit vaccine based on these proteins, it is generally difficult to map epitopes within the coiled coil structure. Furthermore, protective epitopes may need to be presented in the correct conformation for immunological recognition, such as antibody binding. This is especially important in defining a stable minimal epitope and using it as a vaccine. Group A streptococci (hereinafter referred to as "GAS") are the causative agent of several human diseases and can lead to acute rheumatic fever which causes serious heart disease. Rheumatic fever may represent an autoimmune illness initiated by cross- interactivity between the streptococcal M protein and cardiac antigens (Beachey et al, 1988). The M protein contains a seven-residue periodicity strongly suggesting that the central rod region ofthe molecule is in a coiled-coil conformation (Manula and Fischetti, 1980). Overlapping peptides have been made that span this region (see International Patent Application No. PCT/AU93/00131 [WO 93/21220]) arid mouse antibodies raised against one synthetic 20mer peptide (designated "pl45") from the highly conserved C- terminal region can opsonise and kill multiple isolates of GAS (Pruksakorn et al, 1994a). In addition, pl45 can inhibit in vitro killing mediated by human sera. Of concern is that pl45 may also stimulate heart cross-reactive T cells (Pruksakorn et al, 1992; 1994b). The B cell epitope within p 145 is thought to be conformational because truncated peptides fail to elicit a protective antibody response (Pruksakorn, 1994). There is a need, therefore, to define the minimal region of p 145 that is required to induce opsonic antibodies; this could then form the basis of a vaccine. Such a method would enable the identification of the minimal epitopic regions from a range of proteins from pathogens. One method that has been used to map minimal epitopes from antigens is the PEPSCAN method (Geysen et al, 1987). However, the short peptides used only indicate sequential or continuous epitopes. Other methods to determine conformational epitopes, that is epitopes formed by the tertiary structure of the protein, rely upon mimotope strategies. A mimotope is a mimic of the epitope which induces the antibody. Peptides can be synthesised on polypropylene pins covering the total repertoire of octapeptides which can be made using the 20 common amino acids, i.e. 20 8 peptides (Geysen et al, 1987). Alternatively, an epitope library consisting of a vast mixture of filamentous phage clones, each displaying one peptide sequence on the virion surface, can be surveyed for antibody recognition (Scott and Smith, 1990). In accordance with the present invention, overlapping peptides derived from a conformational epitope are embedded within a peptide having a similar native conformation. This approach has the potential to be used in the mapping of a range of conformational epitopes and design of minimal epitopes as vaccine candidates against GAS and a variety of other pathogens. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention contemplates a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence comprising a conformational epitope inserted within a second amino acid sequence wherein said first and second amino acid sequences are derived from peptides, polypeptides or proteins having similar native conformations. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the second amino acid sequence constitutes a "framework peptide" and provides an appropriate conformation for the chimeric peptide. A framework peptide is selected or otherwise engineered to provide a similar conformation to the first amino acid sequence such as in its naturally occurring form. In its most preferred embodiment, the framework peptide assumes a α-helical coiled coil conformation and is, therefore, useful in presenting epitopes present in the first amino acid sequence in a similar conformation, i.e. an α-helical coiled coil conformation. According to this preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence comprising a conformational epitope inserted within a second amino acid sequence wherein said second amino acid sequence folds to an α-helical coiled coil conformation. The present invention is particularly exemplified herein by the first amino acid sequence being derived from the streptococcal M protein and in particular comprising a B-cell conformational epitope from within the following amino acid sequence (using the single letter abbreviation for amino acid residues): LRRDLDASREAKKQVEKALE (SEQ ID NO:l), or functional and/or chemical equivalents of one or more of these amino acid residues. Accordingly, a particularly preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is directed to a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the following sequence: LRRDLDASREAKKQVEKALE (SEQ ID NO:l), wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from streptococcal M protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation. Preferably, the first amino acid sequence comprises at least five, more preferably at least ten and even more preferably at least fifteen contiguous amino acid residues. Alternatively, non-contiguous amino acids may be selected such as those on the outside face of the helix and which are required or sufficient for activity. The construction of a framework peptide is based on the seven amino acid residue repeat: (a-b-c-d-e-f-g) n where a and d positions preferably have large apolar residues, positions b, c and f are generally polar and charged and positions e and g generally favour interchain ionic interactions. A particularly preferred framework peptide is based on the structure of a peptide corresponding to GCN4 leucine zipper (O'Shea et al, 1989; 1991) or its trimer (Harbury et al, 1994) or tetramer (Harbury et al, 1993) and the repeat motif of αspectrin (Yan, 1993). The GCN4 ieucine zipper is particularly preferred and a model heptad repeat derived from the consensus features of the GCN4 leucine zipper peptide comprises the sequence: V K Q L E D K (SEQ ID NO.2), which gives a framework peptide of four heptad repeats denoted herein (GCN4) 4 . Where required, the framework peptide could be or may need to be longer than the four repeats. The first amino acid sequence is then embedded within the framework coiled coil peptide to give a chimeric peptide. The chimeric peptides of the present invention may be produced by recombinant means or may be chemically synthesised by, for example, the stepwise addition of one or more amino acid residues in defined order using solid phase peptide synthetic techniques. Where the peptides may need to be synthesised in combination with other proteins and then subsequently isolated by chemical cleavage or alternatively the peptides or polyvalent peptides may be synthesised in multiple repeat units. The peptides may comprise naturally occurring amino acid residues or may also contain non-naturally occurring amino acid residues such as certain D-isomers or chemically modified naturally occurring residues. These latter residues may be required, for example, to facilitate or provide conformational constraints and/or limitations to the peptides. The selection of a method of producing the subject peptides will depend on factors such as the required type, quantity and purity of the peptides as well as ease of production and convenience. The chimeric peptides of the present invention may first require their chemical modification for use in vivo since the peptides themselves may not have a sufficiently long serum and/or tissue half-life. Chemical modification of the subject peptides may also be important to improve their antigenicity including the ability for certain regions of the peptides to act as B and/or T cell epitopes. Such chemically modified chimeric peptides are referred to herein as "analogues". The term "analogues" extends to any functional chemical or recombinant equivalent of the chimeric peptides of the present invention characterised, in a most preferred embodiment, by their possession of at least one B cell epitope from the M protein of GAS and wherein an antibody reactive to the B cell epitope is only minimally reactive with human heart tissue. The term "analogue" is also used herein to extend to any amino acid derivative of the peptides as described above. Analogues ofthe chimeric peptides contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, modifications to side chains, incorporation of unnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives during peptide synthesis and the use of crosslinkers and other methods which impose conformational constraints on the peptides or their analogues. Examples of side chain modifications contemplated by the present invention include modifications of amino groups such as by reductive alkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction with NaBFfy; amidination with methylacetimidate; acylation with acetic anhydride; carbamoylation of amino groups with cyanate; trinitrobenzylation of amino groups with 2, 4, 6 -trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS); acylation of amino groups with succinic anhydride and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; and pyridoxylation of lysine with pyridoxal-5 '-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH 4 . The guanidine group of arginine residues may be modified by the formation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents such as 2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal. The carboxyl group may be modified by carbodiimide activation via O-acylisourea formation followed by subsequent derivitisation, for example, to a corresponding amide. Sulphydryl groups may be modified by methods such as carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; performic acid oxidation to cysteic acid; formation of a mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds; reaction with maleimide, maleic anhydride or other substituted maleimide; formation of mercurial derivatives using 4- chloromercuribenzoate, 4-chloromercuriphenylsulphonic acid, phenylmercury chloride, 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol and other mercurials; carbamoylation with cyanate at alkaline pH. Tryptophan residues may be modified by, for example, oxidation with N- bromosuccinimide or alkylation of the indole ring with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulphenyl halides. Tyrosine residues on the other hand, may be altered by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a 3-nitrotyrosine derivative. Modification of the imidazole ring of a histidine residue may be accomplished by alkylation with iodoacetic acid derivatives or N-carbethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate. Examples of incorporating unnatural amino acids and derivatives during peptide synthesis include, but are not limited to, use of norleucine, 4-amino butyric acid, 4- amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, t-butylglycine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, 2-thienyl alanine and/or D-isomers of amino acids. Crosslinkers can be used, for example, to stabilise 3D conformations, using homo- bifunctional crosslinkers such as the bifunctional imido esters having (CH2) n spacer groups with n=l to n=6, glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters and hetero- bifunctional reagents which usually contain an amino-reactive moiety such as N- hydroxysuccinimide and another group specific-reactive moiety such as maleimido or dithio moiety (SH) or carbodiimide (COOH). In addition, peptides can be conformationally constrained by, for example, incorporation of C α and N α -methylamino acids, introduction of double bonds between C α and Co atoms of amino acids and the formation of cyclic peptides or analogues by introducing covalent bonds such as forming an amide bond between the N and C termini, between two side chains or between a side chain and the N or C terminus. The present invention provides, therefore, a conformational epitope such as from streptococcal M protein in a hybrid molecule such that the epitope is provided in a functional conformational state such that it is capable of being immunologically interactive. The present invention contemplates, therefore, a method for determining a minimal epitope on an antigenic peptide, polypeptide or protein, said method comprising determining native conformation of said peptide, polypeptide or protein or a portion thereof carrying a putative epitope; preparing peptide fragments of said peptide, polypeptide or protein; inserting or otherwise presenting said peptide fragments in a second peptide derived from or based on another peptide, polypeptide or protein having a similar native conformation to said first mentioned peptide, polypeptide or protein such that the putative epitope on the peptide fragment is presented in a conformation capable of immunological interactivity; and then screening said peptide fragments for immunological interactivity. In a related aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for mapping regions of amphipathic helices on a peptide, polypeptide or protein which are recognised by antibodies, said method comprising determining native conformation of said peptide, polypeptide or protein or a portion thereof carrying a putative epitope; preparing peptide fragments of said peptide, polypeptide or protein; inserting or otherwise presenting said peptide fragments in a second peptide derived from or based on another peptide, polypeptide or protein having a similar native conformation to said first mentioned peptide, polypeptide or protein such that the putative epitope on the peptide fragment is presented in a conformation capable of immunological interactivity, then screening said peptide fragments for immunological interactivity. Amphipathic helices which are recognised by antibodies may become valuable vaccine candidates. An amphipathic helix is a more common structural element in proteins and may be surface exposed (antigenic) or play a role in interactions with other proteins. A helical coiled coil is a more complex form of a helix which interacts to form homo- dimers, trimers and tetramers. By "immunological interactivity" is meant any form of interaction with immune cells or immune effector cells and/or any form of immune response. Generally, immunological interactivity is measured by antibody binding or interactivity with the peptide fragment. However, the immunological interactivity also extends to measuring cellular immune responses. It is important in therapeutic and diagnostic development to determine the minimal epitope capable of providing immunological interactivity and, for therapy, capable of inducing a protective immune response. Accordingly, the chimeric peptides of the present invention, including methods of their production, are particularly useful in vaccine development. Again, in its exemplified and preferred form, the present invention provides a chimeric peptide for use in a vaccine against GAS. This is done, however, with the understanding that the present invention extends to chimeric peptides useful in inducing a protective immune response against pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, parasites, yeasts, fungi and protozoa or against viruses such as retroviruses, influenza viruses, hepatitis viruses and immunodeficiency viruses and in particular HIV. Accordingly, a preferred aspect ofthe present invention provides a vaccine useful against Group A streptococci said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the following sequence: L R R D L D A S R E A K K Q V E K A L E (SEQ ID NO:l), wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from streptococcal M protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. The vaccine may further comprise an adjuvant and/or other immune stimulating molecules. Preferably, the second amino acid sequence forms a framework peptide derived from GCN4. Contiguous or non-contiguous amino acids from SEQ ID NO: 1 may be selected as discussed above. Another aspect of the present invention contemplates a vaccine useful in the development of humoral immunity to M protein but minimally cross reactive with heart tissue said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence carrying at least one B cell epitope from the M protein wherein an antibody reactive with said B cell epitope is only minimally reactive with heart tissue, said first amino acid sequence inserted into a second amino acid sequence capable of folding into an α- helical coiled coil formation and said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. The vaccine may contain a single peptide type or a range of peptides covering different or similar epitopes. In addition, or alternatively, a single polypeptide may be provided with multiple epitopes. The latter type of vaccine is referred to as a polyvalent vaccine. A multiple epitope includes two or more repeating epitopes. The formation of vaccines is generally known in the art and reference can conveniently be made to Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The present invention, therefore, contemplates a pharmaceutical composition or vaccine composition comprising a humoral immunity developing effective amount of a chimeric peptide (as hereinbefore defined) or its derivatives, analogues or homologues and/or combinations thereof including other active molecules and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. The active ingredients of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the chimeric peptide are contemplated herein to exhibit excellent therapeutic activity, for example, in the development of antibodies to M protein of streptococci but said antibodies being only minimally reactive with heart tissue when administered in amount which depends on the particular case. For example, from about 0.5 ug to about 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day may be administered. Dosage regima may be adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response. For example, several divided doses may be administered daily or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation. The active compound may be administered in a convenient manner such as by the oral, intravenous (where water soluble), intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal, intradermal or suppository routes or implanting (eg using slow release molecules). Depending on the route of administration, the active ingredients which comprise a chimeric peptide may be required to be coated in a material to protect said ingredients from the action of enzymes, acids and other natural conditions which may inactivate said ingredients. For example, the low lipophilicity of the chimeric peptides will allow them to be destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract by enzymes capable of cleaving peptide bonds and in the stomach by acid hydrolysis. In order to administer chimeric peptides by other than parenteral administration, they will be coated by, or administered with, a material to prevent its inactivation. For example, chimeric peptides may be administered in an adjuvant, co-administered with enzyme inhibitors or in liposomes. Adjuvant is used in its broadest sense and includes any immune stimulating compound such as interferon. Adjuvants contemplated herein include resorcinols, non-ionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene oleyl ether and n-hexadecyl polyethylene ether. Enzyme inhibitors include pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and trasylol. Liposomes include water-in-oil-in-water emulsions as well as conventional liposomes. The active compounds may also be administered parenterally or intraperitoneally. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. In all cases the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof and vegetable oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as licithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of superfactants. The preventions of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thirmerosal and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption ofthe injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin. Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active compounds in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilized active ingredient into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and the freeze-drying technique which yield a powder ofthe active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from previously sterile-filtered solution thereof. When the chimeric peptides are suitably protected as described above, the active, compound may be orally administered, for example, with an inert diluent or with an assimilable edible carrier, or it may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, or it may be compressed into tablets, or it may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the active compound may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 1% by weight of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 5 to about 80% of the weight of the unit. The amount of active compound in such therapeutically useful compositions in such that a suitable dosage will be obtained. Preferred compositions or preparations according to the present invention are prepared so that an oral dosage unit form contains between about 0.1 ug and 2000 mg of active compound. The tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain the following: A binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such a sucrose, lactose or saccharin may be added or a flavouring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavouring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compoimd, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavouring such as cherry or orange flavour. Of course, any material used in preparing any dosage unit form should be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, the active compound may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and formulations. As used herein "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent" includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, use thereof in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions. It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the mammalian subjects to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the novel dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics ofthe active material and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active material for the treatment of disease in living subjects having a diseased condition in which bodily health is impaired as herein disclosed in detail. The principal active ingredient is compounded for convenient and effective administration in effective amounts with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in dosage unit form as hereinbefore disclosed. A unit dosage form can, for example, contain the principal active compound in amounts ranging from 0.5 μg to about 2000 mg. Expressed in proportions, the active compound is generally present in from about 0.5 μg to about 2000 mg/roi of carrier. In the case of compositions containing supplementary active ingredients, the dosages are determined by reference to the usual dose and manner of administration of the said ingredients. Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to antibodies to the chimeric peptides. Such antibodies may be monoclonal or polyclonal and may be selected from naturally occurring antibodies to the M protein or may be specifically raised to the chimeric peptides. In the case of the latter, the peptides may need first to be associated with a carrier molecule. The antibodies and/or chimeric peptides of the present invention are particularly useful for immunotherapy and vaccination and may also be used as a diagnostic tool for infection or for monitoring the progress of a vaccination or therapeutic regima. For example, the chimeric peptides can be used to screen for naturally occurring antibodies to M protein. Alternatively, specific antibodies can be used to screen for M protein. Techniques for such assays are well known in the art and include, for example, sandwich assays and ELISA. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the chimeric peptides are particularly useful in screening for antibodies to M protein and, hence, provide a diagnostic protocol for detecting streptococcal infection. Alternatively, biological samples, such as blood serum, sputum, tissue and tissue extracts can be directly screened for M protein using antibodies raised to the chimeric peptides. Accordingly, there is provided a method for the diagnosis of streptococcal infection in a subject comprising contacting a biological sample from said subject with an antibody binding effective amount of a chimeric peptide for a time and under conditions sufficient for an antibody-chimeric peptide complex to form, and then detecting said complex. The presence of M protein antibodies in a patient's blood serum, tissue, tissue extract or other bodily fluid, can be detected using a wide range of immunoassay techniques such as those described in US Patent Nos. 4,016,043, 4,424,279 and 4,018,653. This includes both single-site and two-site, or "sandwich", assays of the non-competitive types, as well as in the traditional competitive binding assays. Sandwich assays are among the most useful and commonly used assays and are favoured for use in the present invention. A number of variations of the sandwich assay technique exist, and all are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Briefly, in a typical forward assay, a chimeric peptide is immobilised onto a solid substrate to form a first complex and the sample to be tested for M protein antibody brought into contact with the bound molecule. After a suitable period of incubation, for a period of time sufficient to allow formation of an chimeric-peptide-antibody secondary complex. An anti- immunoglobulin antibody, labelled with a reporter molecule capable of producing a detectable signal, is then added and incubated, allowing time sufficient for the formation of a tertiary complex of chimeric peptide-antibody-labelled antibody. Any unreacted material is washed away, and the presence of the first antibody is determined by observation of a signal produced by the reporter molecule. The results may either be qualitative, by simple observation of the visible signal or may be quantitated by comparing with a control sample containing known amounts of hapten. Variations of the forward assay include a simultaneous assay, in which both sample and labelled antibody are added simultaneously to the bound antibody, or a reverse assay in which the labelled antibody and sample to be tested are first combined, incubated and then added simultaneously to the bound antibody. These techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, and the possibility of minor variations will be readily apparent. A similar approach is adopted to detect M protein. The antibodies used above may be monoclonal or polyclonal. The solid substrate is typically glass or a polymer, the most commonly used polymers being cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. The solid supports may be in the form of tubes, beads, discs or microplates, or any other surface suitable for conducting an immunoassay. The binding processes are well-known in the art and generally consist of cross-linking covalently binding or physically adsorbing the molecule to the insoluble carrier. By "reporter molecule", as used in the present specification, is meant a molecule which, by its chemical nature, produces an analytically identifiable signal which allows the detection of antigen-bound antibody. Detection may be either qualitative or quantitative. The most commonly used reporter molecule in this type of assay re either enzymes, fluorophores or radionuclide containing molecules (i.e. radioiso topes). In the case of an enzyme immunoassay, an enzyme is conjugated to the second antibody, generally by means of glutaraldehyde or penodate. As will be readily recognised, however, a wide variety of different conjugation techniques exist which are readily available to one skilled in the art. Commonly used enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase, β-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase, amongst others. The substrates to be used with the specific enzymes are generally chosen for the production,upon hydrolysis by the corresponding enzyme, of a detectable colour change. It is also possible to employ fluorogenic substrates, which yield a fluorescent product. Alternatively, fluorescent compounds, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, may be chemically coupled to antibodies without altering their binding capacity. When activated by illumination with light of a particular wavelength, the fluorochrome-labelled antibody adsorbs the light energy, inducing a state of excitability in the molecule, followed by emission of the light at a characteristic colour visually detectable with a light microscope. As in the EIA, the fluorescent labelled antibody is allowed to bind to the first antibody-hapten complex. After washing off the unbound reagent, the remaining ternary complex is then exposed to the light of the appropriate wavelength, the fluorescence observed indicates the presence of the hapten of interest. Immunofluorescence and EIA techniques are both very well established in the art and are particularly preferred for the present method. However, other reporter molecules, such as radioisotope," chemiluminescent or bioluminescent molecules, may also be employed. It will be readily apparent to the skilled technician how to vary the procedure to suit the required purpose. It will also be apparent that the foregoing can be used to label chimeric peptides and to use same directly in the detection of M protein antibodies. Yet a further aspect of the present invention contemplates the use of the chimeric peptides as herein described in the manufacture of a medicament for use as a vaccine against GAS. In a related embodiment, the present invention provides an agent comprising a chimeric peptide as herein described useful as a vaccine against GAS. The present invention is further described by reference to the following non-limiting Figure and Examples. In the Figures: Figure 1 Amino acid sequences of chimeric peptides. All sequences shown referenced to the α-helical coiled coil heptad repeat (a-b-c-d-e-f-g), shown below. A. Sequence of the model GCN4 peptide derived from the α-helical coiled coil GCN4 leucine zipper peptide (O'Shea et al. 1991). B. Sequence of the Streptococcal M protein peptide pl45 (Pruksakorn et al 1992) aligned with the putative coiled coil heptad repeat. C. Sequences of the chimeric J peptides (Jl-9). Overlapping 12-mer fragments of pl45 peptide shown in bold. Conservative amino acid residue replacements shown underlined. D. Sequence of the control GCN4 model peptide Jcon (G). Figure 2 Reactivity of anti-pl45 mouse sera against J peptides, reactivity is plotted as a mean absorbance value at 405 nm wavelength. Sera were diluted 1 :100 and representatives are shown. Sera conjugated to diptheria toxoid (DT) are indicated. NMS, normal mouse serum. Figure 3 Reactivity of high titre anti-pl45 human sera against J peptides. Mean absorbance value (405 nm) is plotted for sera diluted 1:100. Representative samples are shown (GBD, MT, MY, FL, TB, MG). NHS, normal human sera. Figure 4 is a graphical representation of circular dichroisum spectra of peptides in the presence of the α-helix inducing solvent, trifluoroethanol (TFE) at 50%. A, J j l; B, J2; C, Jcon; D, pl45. Θ, molar ellipticity. Peptides did not show α-helical formation in aqueous solution. Peptides Jl, J3 and J4 were also tested and these showed similar profiles to 32. Figure 5 is a graphical representation showing native epitope mapping ELISA. Synthetic peptide fragments of C. elegans unc-15 (Table 7B) were coated on a microtitre plate (2 μg per well), incubated with monoclonal antibody (mAb) NE1-6B2 and bound antibody detected with anti-mouse antibody and OPD colorimetric assay at 450 nm. Figure 6 is a graphical representation showing chimeric epitope mapping ELISA. Overlapping fragments of C. elegans unc-\5 embedded in model helical peptide (Table 8) were coated on a microtitre plate (2 μg per well), incubated with mAb NE1-6B2 and bound antibody detected with anti-mouse antibody and OPD colorimetric assay at 450 nm. Peptides bdlO, bdl l, bcl8, bc23, bdl4, bdl5 offset by 5 residues. Peptides bcl7 to bc25 offset by 1 residue. Control peptides av85, av86 and ba48 contain model helical peptide residues only. Figure 7A is a graphical representation showing chimeric minimal epitope mapping ELISA. Truncated fragments of C. elegans unc-\5 embedded in model helical peptide (Table 9A) were coated on microtitre plate (2 μg per well), incubated with mAb NE1- 6B2 and bound antibody detected with anti-mouse antibody and OPD colorimetric assay at 450 nm. Peptide cl consists of 15mer epitope alone. Control peptides av85, av86 and ba48 contain model helical peptide residues only. Figure 7B is a graphical representation showing chimeric epitope substitution mapping ELISA. Chimeric peptides, derived from bc20 with each residue substituted in turn by a conservative replacement (Table 9B), were coated on a microtitre plate (2 μg per well), incubated with mAb NE1-6B2 and bound antibody detected with anti-mouse antibody and OPD colorimetric assay at 450 nm. Figure 8 A is a map of C. elegans MWC-15 epitope recognised by MAb NE1-6B2. Putative heptad repeat positions a and d indicated above native wwc-15 sequence. Epitope recognised by mAb NE1-6B2 shown in bold face. Figure 8B is a cylindrical net representation of C. elegans unc-\5 helix with 3.5 residues per turn showing the polar face. Helix runs from left to right. Shaded residues interact with mAb NE1-6B2; solid circle is a critical residue; dashed circle is a less critical residue. Figure 9 is a graphical representation showing ELISA assay of antibody response to chimeric peptide. Chimeric peptides bc20, ba39, bdl, bd2 and peptide cl were coated on a microtitre plate (2 μg per well), and incubated with mouse antisera to bdl (anti- bdl) or bd2 (anti-bd2), or mouse pre-bleed sera (pre-bleed). Bound antibody was detected with anti-mouse antibody and OPD colorimetric assay at 450 nm. The following single and three letter abbreviations are used for amino acid residues: Amino Acid Three-letter One-letter Abbreviation Symbol Alanine Ala A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys C Glutamine Gin Q Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His H Isoleucine He I Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met M Phenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser s Threonine Thr T Tryptophan Trp w Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V Any residue Xaa X EXAMPLE 1 CHEMICALS All chemicals and solvents used in the following examples were analytical reagent grade, unless otherwise stated. Polystyrene ( 1 % v/v di vinylbenzene) p-methylbenzhydrylamine hydrochloride resin (0.81 meq/g or resin substitution), tørt-butyloxycarbonyl (t-Boc) amino acids, 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT), trifluoroaceteic acid (TFA) were purchased from Auspep (Australia). EXAMPLE 2 SUBJECTS Aboriginal subjects, some with present or past history of RF/RHD, who were residents of streptococcal endemic communities ofthe Northern Territory, Australia were studied. Over 90% of these subjects have been found to have naturally occurring antibodies to pl45 (Pruksakorn et al, 1994a). Serum from donors was stored at -20°C until use. EXAMPLE 3 MICE B10.BR mice (Animal Resources Centre, Willetton, Western Australia), which have been shown to respond to p 145 were used for immunisation studies. EXAMPLE 4 PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS Peptides were synthesised by manual solid-phase technique using the simultaneous multiple peptide syntheses "tea-bag" method of Houghten (1985). The starting resin was jo-methylbenzhydrylamine hydrochloride and conventional N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl (t- Boc) chemistry was used (Merrifield, 1963). All amino acid groups were protected at the α-amino position with the /-Boc group and the following side-chain protecting groups were used; benzyl ester (Glu, Asp), 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl (Lys), benzyl (Ser), tosyl (Arg). Amino acid coupling were carried out with 1,3-diisopropylcarbodiimide in dichloromethane and t-Boc groups removed at each cycle with 55% v/v TFA/dichloromethane. N-hydroxybenzotriazole was included in couplings with Asn and Gin. The peptides were cleaved from the resin by treatment with hydrogen fluoride, precipitated with diethyl ether and lyophilised from 10% v/v acetic acid. Crude peptides were purified on a semi-preparative C18 reverse-phase HPLC column (Biorad) using a linear gradient from 2% v/v acetonitrile in water to 100% v/v acetonitrile (both solvents containing 0.1% v/v TFA). The purified peptides were homogeneous as determined by reversed phase HPLC and laser-desorption time-of flight mass spectrometry (LaserMat, FinniganMat, UK). The peptides synthesised in accordance with the present invention are shown in Tables IA, IB and IC. Peptides 144, 145 and 146 are overlapping peptides contained within the conserved C- terminal region ofthe M protein. Jcon is a model peptide based on the haptad repeat of the yeast protein, GCN4. Peptides J1-J9 are hybrid peptides based on the Jcon peptide and pl45. 145.1-145.5 and J j l-J | 9 represent shorter sequences within the pl45 sequence. Peptides 169 and 171 are derived from human cardiac muscle myosin (Liew et al, 1990) and human skeletal muscle myosin (Saez et al, 1986), respectively, and showed the greatest homology between these proteins and pl45. EXAMPLE S T CELL PROLIFERATION ASSAYS For sensitisation of murine T cells, animals were immunised in the base ofthe tail with 30 μg of emulsified peptide and draining lymph node cells taken on day 8 and stimulated in vitro with antigen as previously described (Pruksakorn et al 1994b). After four days, cultures were pulsed with 0.5 μCi of 3 H-thymidine to determine the extent of proliferation. Lymphocyte activation was measured by estimating the stimulation index [SI] (proliferation in presence of specific peptide/proliferation in absence of peptide). Human peptide-specific T cell proliferation was determined by culturing human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with peptide (or no peptide for control) and estimating lymphocyte proliferation after six days, as described (Pruksakorn et al 1994b). Lymphocyte activation was determined in as described above for murine assays. EXAMPLE 6 COMPARISON OF PROTEIN SEQUENCES The protein sequences for human cardiac muscle myosin and human skeletal muscle mysoin were searched for homology with the 20 amino acid sequence for pl45 using the GCG (Wisconsin) program, BESTFIT. The regions of homology with pl45 are represented by two peptides 169 and 171 (Table IC). EXAMPLE 7 CIRCULAR DICHROISM (CD) SPECTRA These were recorded at room temperature with an Aviv 62DS CD spectrometer (Lake wood, NJ). Peptides were at a concentration of 20 mM or 40 mM in 10 mM Na phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 50% v/v trifluoroethanol. Data were collected at lnm intervals from 250 nm to 190 nm. Ellipticity is reported as mean residue ellipticity [Θ]. EXAMPLE 8 PRODUCTION OF MURINE ANTISERA B1O.BR and B1O.D2 mice were immunised subcutaneously in the base of the tail (Pruksakorn et al, 1992). A 50 μL total volume was given, containing 30 μg peptide dissolved in PBS and emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Peptides 145.1-145.5 were conjugated to diptheria toxoid (DT) using glutaraldehyde fixation, prior to immunisation, whereas all other peptides were administered unconjugated. Mice were boosted with 30 μg of conjugated peptide in PBS. EXAMPLE 9 ELISA The protocols for ELISA have been previously described (Pruksakorn et al 1992; 1994a). Peptides were coated at a concentration of 0.5 μg/ml except for peptides 145.1- 145.5, and J j l-J j 9 where 1 μg/ml was used. Titers for mouse and human sera were calculated as significant if greater than three standard deviations above mean for normal mouse sera or above background (no serum) for human sera. Peptide-specific antibody depletion assays were performed with human sera by incubation in peptide (pl45)-coated plates until specific binding was nearly exhausted. As a negative control, sera were similarly incubated in plates coated with an irrelevant schistosoma peptide. The pl45 deficient or schistosoma-deficient sera was then transferred to plates coated with a test peptide to determine the presence of antibodies to the test peptide. All reactions were developed with OPD substrate kit (Sigma Chemical Co) and the absorbance read at 450 nm. EXAMPLE 10 PEPTIDE INHIBITION OF OPSONIZATION Human sera were heat inactivated at 60°C for 15 minutes. Serum was then incubated with 100 μg of peptide or PBS for 30 minutes prior to the addition of GAS and fresh donor whole heparinised blood. The percentage inhibition was calculated by comparing the colony forming units growing with and without peptide and relative to the control of no added human sera. EXAMPLE 11 RATIONALE FOR DESIGN OF CHIMERIC PEPTIDES If an epitope is known to reside within a particular protein structural conformation, such as a α-helical coiled coil, then a model peptide can be synthesised to fold to this conformation. This peptide will become the framework peptide. Model peptides that fold into an α-helical coiled coil have been studied. In the design of a parallel two stranded coiled coil motif, several general considerations are important (Cohen and Parry, 1990). The a and d positions have large apolar residues, positions b, c and/are generally polar and charged, positions e and g usually favour interchain ionic interactions (i.e. the acid base pair of Glu/Lys). It has also been noted that when positions a and d are occupied by V and L, or I and L, a coiled coil dimer is favoured whereas I and I favours trimer formation and L and I favour tetramer interactions (Harbury et al. 1994). A model α-helical coiled coil peptide was designed based on the structure of a peptide corresponding to the GCN4 leucine zipper (O'Shea et al. 1989; 1991). This peptide has a seven residue leucine repeat (in the d position) and a consensus Val in the a position. The first heptad contains the sequence: M K Q L E D K (SEQ ID NO.3), which includes several ofthe features found in a stable coiled-coil heptad repeat. These include an acid base pair (Gly/Lys) at positions e and g, polar groups in positions b, c and/(consistent with the prediction of Lupas et al (1991)). A model heptad repeat was derived from the consensus features of the GCN4 leucine zipper peptide: V K Q L E D K (SEQ ID NO:2), which when repeated would give a model peptide, (VKQLEDK) n , with the potential to form a α-helical coiled coil. Such a model peptide comprised of four heptad repeats is denoted (GCN4) 4 [Figure IA]. Overlapping fragments of a conformational epitope under study are then embedded within the model coiled coil peptide, to register with the heptad repeat, to give a chimeric peptide. EXAMPLE 12 STREPTOCOCCAL M PROTEIN PEPTIDES The streptococcal M protein peptide pl45 was prepared as previously described (Pruksakorn et al, 1992, International Patent Application No. PCT/AU93/00131 [WO 93/21220]) as were the truncated fragments 145.1, 145.2, 145.4, 145.5, 145.12, 145.13, 145.14 (Pruksakorn, 1994) which are shown in Tables IA and IB. The sequence of the streptococcal M protein, in the region of peptide pl45, was analysed for coiled-coil heptad repeats and the putative heptad positions a to g assigned (Figure IB). Peptide pl45 was split into nine 12mer peptides overlapping by 1 residue and, by addition of flanking GCN4 peptides, embedded into the (GCN4) 4 framework peptide to give nine J chimeric peptides (J1-J9) as shown in Figure IC. Conservative amino acid substitutions were incorporated into the J peptides whenever an identical residue was found in both the GCN4 model peptide and the p 145 sequence. A control peptide (Jcon), based on the GCN4 model peptide shown in Figure 1 A, was synthesised that also contained all these conservative amino acid substitutions (Figure ID). Chimeric peptides Jl-4 and control peptide Jcon were HPLC purified. Peptides J5-9 were used as synthesised. EXAMPLE 13 THE IMMUNODOMINANT EPITOPE ON PEPTIDE 145 IS CONFORMATIONAL It was initially attempted to map the minimal epitope within pl45 using overlapping eight-mer and 12-mer peptides within pl45 (peptides 145.1-145.5, J j l, J j 5, J j 7 (Tables IA and IB). Mouse anti-pl45 antisera did not recognise the overlapping pl46 (Table IC) nor any of the shorter peptides within pl45 even through a pl45-specific immune response could be generated in mice using two of the shorter peptides (145.1, 145.5) conjugated to diphtheria toxoid (Table 2). Results were similar whether immunising peptides were conjugated to diphtheria toxoid or unconjugated. While more than 90% of humans living in areas of high exposure to GAS have antibodies to p!45, the majority of such human sera with high titers (>6,400) to pl45 did not react with the shorter peptides (J j l-J j 9) (Tables IB, 3). These results indicate that although there are one or more linear epitopes within pl45, there is also a dominant conformational epitope that is recognised following immunisation with p 145 or following natural exposure to GAS. Circular dichroism indicated that although pl45 had helical propensity (in 50% TFE), a shorter 12-mer peptide (J,l: LRRDLDASREAK [SEQ ID NO:23]) did not (Figure 4), further suggesting that the immunodominant epitope expressed by pl45 was conformational. EXAMPLE 14 MAPPING THE CONFORMATIONAL EPITOPE A strategy was then developed to use an unrelated protein that also displayed heptad periodicity similar to the M protein with hydrophobic and helix promoting residues and to embed sequences from pl45 within this other peptide. The peptide chosen was based on the leucine zipper motif in GCN4, the DNA binding protein of yeast (O'Shea et al, 1991). The consensus sequence of the heptad repeat present in GCN4 is Val-Lys-Gln- Leu-Glu-Asp-Lys and a 28 amino acid peptide based on this repeat was designed with a few substitutions to give a peptide designated "Jcon" (Table IB). A 12 amino acid window of peptide 145 sequence was inserted into the Jcon peptide in such a way as to preserve any potential helical structure. The window was shifted one residue at a time to give nine peptides (Jl— J9) that represented the entire pl45 sequence. The corresponding 12 amino acid insert sequences (J j l— »J j 9), were also synthesised for control purposes (Table IB). P145 mouse antibodies displayed a range of reactivity to the J chimeric peptides (Figure 2). Some of these J peptides (i.e. J7, J8) contained the same 12mer sequences as above (145.12, 145.13, 145.14, respectively), but presented within the GCN4 framework (i.e. Jl, J5, J7). Some sera reacted with J peptides representing the N-terminal residues of pl45 (i.e. Jl, J2), some with C-terminal residues and some with both (i.e. Jl, J2, J4, J7, J8) (Figure 2). None of the sera reacted with Jcon sequence. Human sera containing high titre 145 antibody showed a similar spectrum of specificity to the J peptides giving a "fingerprint" of peptide specific antibodies. All human sera reacted with J2 (Figure 3). Two sera reacted with all J peptides as well as the Jcon peptide. In these cases, specific responses to the J peptides may be masked by crossreactivity to a GCN4-like structure. All remaining human sera failed to react with the G peptide indicating specific responses to the p 145 sequences. Sera from humans living in an area of high streptococcal exposure and from mice immunized with pl45 were then tested for their ability to bind these chimeric peptides. Twenty three human sera with liters to peptide 145 exceeding 6,400 were tested (Table 3). Antibodies in 19 of these sera bound one or more chimeric peptides with similarly high titer, but did not recognise any of the overlapping 8-mer peptides 145.1-»145.5 at all. Four sera reacted to one (J j 3) ofthe 9 overlapping 12-mer peptides tested (J j l->J j 9) at a titer of >3,200 (Table 3). None of 11 sera tested which did not contain antibodies to pl45 contained antibodies to any of the chimeric peptides strongly suggesting that antibodies reacting with pl45 were also reacting with the chimeric peptides. The chimeric peptide most commonly recognised by anti-peptide 145+ve antisera was J2, with some recognition of Jl and J3 (Table 3). To confirm that pl45-specific antibodies were recognizing J2, pl45 absorption studies were performed and it could be demonstrated that p 145 -depleted human sera lost the ability to bind to the J2 chimeric peptide that was originally recognised (Table 4). Thus, the core residues recognised consisted of RRDLDASREAKK [SEQ ID NO:24], although for some individuals (who recognised J2 but not Jl nor J3), the core residues were RDLDASREAK [SEQ ID NO:25]. This span corresponds to between 3 and 3.3 turns of an alpha helix. The antibody footprint likely recognises discontinuous residues brought togehter by the helical folding of the peptide. Circular dichroism indicated that the chimeric peptides J1- J4 had propensity for helical formation in 50% TFE (Figure 4). As myosin is also a coiled-coil molecule and peptides derived from human muscle have sequence similarity with pl45 (Table IB), these human sera have the potential to recognise cross-reactive epitopes. Only two sera reacted with these peptides (169 and 171) (Table 3) and, hence, there is little crossreaction be ween antibodies that recognise pl45 and J2 with pl69 and pl71. EXAMPLE 15 CONFORMATIONALLY MAINTAINED PEPTIDE J2 CAN BIND OPSONIC ANTIBODIES To determine whether human antibodies specific for peptide J2 could mediate opsonisation, it was investigated whether free J2 peptide could inhibit opsonisation by human antisera. This assay has been used to demonstrate that pl45 itself is the target of opsonic human antibodies. J2 (100 μg/ml) was thus added to sera containing high titers of antibodies to p 145 to determine its effect on opsonisation and was found to inhibit opsonisation by three of three sera containing antibodies to J2 (Table 5) but not by sera without anti-J2 antibodies. An irrelevant 20-mer peptide copying a non- streptococcal sequence did not inhibit opsonisation. EXAMPLE 16 THE T CELL EPITOPE ON PEPTIDE 145 CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE B CELL EPITOPE To determine whether T cells recognised the same region of the peptide as the critical antibody-binding peptides, responder BIO.BR mice were immunized with pl45 and draining lymph node cells stimulated with pl45, J2 and J j 2. There was significantly less recognition of J2 and J j 2 (Table 6). Peripheral blood T cells from 21 RHD aboriginal patients and 8 control aboriginal subjects were also tested for response to peptide J2. No response was detected from the control group to peptide, and non responded to peptide J2. EXAMPLE 17 HUMAN ANTIBODIES TO P145, J2 AND J7 CAN OPSONISE GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN NEUTROPHILS Antibodies to p 145 were affinity purified using a column displaying multiple copies of pl45. Protein A-purified antibodies were then passed over the column and pl45-specific antibodies eluted. Prior to passing over the column, antibodies that recognised pl45 and tetanus toxoid were present in the immunoglobulin preparation. After passage, antibodies to p 145 were still present, but antibodies to tetanus toxoid were no longer detectable. These antibodies and a control preparation of the same amount of human antibodies without reactivity to p 145 were then used in an opsonisation assay. As shown in Table 10, purified anti-pl45 antibodies could reduce the number of colonies of type 5 group A streptococci by between 58 and 94% (mean: 80%) compared with control immunoglobulins. Various synthetic peptides were then added to these purified antibodies and their effect on opsonisation was determined (Table 11). Peptides used were pl45, J2, J7 and a non¬ specific peptide copying a schistosome sequence. Free pl45 could inhibit opsonisation by 73-88% (mean: 83%) compared to the non-specific peptide, free J2 could inhibit opsonisation by 89-93% (mean: 92%) and free J7 could inhibit opsonisation by 82-86% (mean: 84%). These data indicate that human antibodies specific for pl45, J2 and J7 are able to opsonise group A stretococci. EXAMPLE 18 To illustrate an approach to mapping epitopes within α-helical coiled coil proteins, a region within the Caenorhabditis elegans paramyosin protein was studied in detail. As is common to other coiled coil containing proteins, nematode paramyosin contains a seven-residue periodicity strongly suggesting that a large proportion of the molecule is in a coiled coil conformation. Paramyosin, a core protein of the thick filament in many invertebrates, is encoded in C. elegans by a single gene, nc- 15 (Waterston et al, 1977). Several unc-\5 mutants have altered phenotypes resulting in highly disorganised muscle structure. One of these, allele el215, was shown to have a weakly uncoordinated phenotype and analysis of the gene indicated a single amino acid substitution 809 Q to R (Gengyo-Ando and Kagawa, 1991). The epitope recognised by monoclonal antibody (mAb) NE1-6B2, which failed to react with paramyosin from the el215 mutant, was mapped to this point mutation. The approach employed was to use overlapping peptides derived from a α-helical coiled coil conformational epitope and embed these peptides between helical flanking peptides derived from a completely unrelated protein with a similar native conformation. The resulting chimeric peptides can be tested for immunological activity, i.e. antigenicity (recognition by mAb) or immunogenicity (production of appropriate antibody response). In the case of the C. elegans paramyosin protein, unc-15, the structure is thought to be an α-helical coiled coil and this conformation may need to be present for optimal immunological response with respect to the epitope recognised by mAb. A series of chimeric peptides based on unc- 15 has enabled fine mapping of the minimal B cell epitope recognised by mAb NE1-6B2. This approach has the potential to map conformational epitopes and design minimal epitopes for use as vaccine candidates. (i) Rationale for design of chimeric peptides If an epitope is known to reside within a particular protein structural conformation, i.e. α-helix, then a model peptide can be synthesised to fold to this conformation. This peptide will become the framework peptide. Model peptides that fold into an α-helical coiled coil have been well studies. In the design of a parallel two-stranded coiled coil motif (a-b-c-d-e-f-g) n , several general considerations are important (Cohen and Parry, 1990). The a and d positions have large apolar residues, positions b, c, /are generally polar and charged, and positions e and g will usually favour interchain ionic interactions (i.e. the acid/base pair of glu/lys). It has also been noted that when positions a and d are occupied by V and L, or I and L, a coiled coil dimer is favoured whereas I and I favour trimer formation, and L and I favour tetramer interactions (Harbury et al 1994). A model α-helical coiled coil peptide based on the structure of a peptide corresponding to the GCN4 leucine zipper (O'Shea et al 1989, 1991) was designed. This peptide has a seven residue leucine repeat (in the d position) and a consensus valine (in the a position). The first heptad contains the sequence: M K Q L E D K [SEQ ID NO:3] which includes several ofthe features found in a stable coiled-coil heptad repeat. These include an acid/base pair (glu/lys) at positions e and g, and polar groups in positions b, c, f. A model heptad repeat was derived from the consensus features of the GCN4 leucine zipper peptide: V K Q L E D K [SEQ ID NO:3], which when repeated would give a model peptide, (V K Q L E D K) n , with the potential to form a α-helical coiled coil. Overlapping fragments of a conformational epitope under study can be embedded within the model coiled coil peptide to give a chimeric peptide. (ii) Native peptide epitope mapping of overlapping fragments of unc-15 The sequence of the C. elegans unc-XS paramyosin protein, in the region of epitope recognised by mAb NE1-6B2, was analysed for coiled coil heptad repeats and the putative heptad positions a to g assigned (Table 7A). In an initial attempt to map the mAb NE1-6B2 epitope within the unc-\5 protein, overlapping 21mer peptides offset by 1 amino acid residue were synthesised (Table 7B) and assayed by ELISA. Peptide ba39 had the highest ELISA reactivity suggesting that a 21mer peptide is long enough for recognition of the epitope. Monoclonal antibody reactivity was restricted to peptides ba37 through c9 (Figure 5). The negative reactivity of mAb for peptide ba36 delineates the extent of the epitope towards the C terminus of the protein and confirms the requirement of the 809 Q residue within the epitope (Gengyo-Ando and Kagawa, 1991). Antibody reactivity decreases as peptides are truncated from the N terminus, with peptide c9 only weakly recognised, suggesting the minimal epitope resides between the overlap of peptide ba37 and c8: the 14mer peptide ADRLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:26]. However, maximal reactivity is found with peptide ba39, a much longer 21 mer peptide MAQDTADRLTEKLNIQKRQLA [SEQ ID NO:43] which could be considered the optimal native epitope. (iii) Chimeric peptide epitope mapping of unc-15 The unc-\5 protein region containing the mAb NE1-6B2 epitope was split into six 15mer peptides offset by 5 residues and, by addition of hexamer helical flanking peptides, embedded into the α-helical coiled coil framework to give chimeric peptides bdlO, bdl 1, bcl8, bc23, bdl4 and bdl5 (Table 8A). This sliding window of 15 residues would contain over 4 complete turns of an α-helix (3.5 residues per turn). Peptides be 18, bc23 and bdl 4 contain the essential residue 809 Q. The helical flanking peptides were based on the model α-helical coiled coil peptide (VKQLEDK) n and were added in frame with the coiled coil protein heptad repeat periodicity of ιrøc-15. Conservative amino acid substitutions were incorporated into the chimeric peptides whenever an identical residue was found in both the helical model peptide and the unc-15 sequence. These replacements were designed to ensure correct helical coiled coil conformations (Cohen and Parry, 1990). The following substitutions were used: position a, V to I (hydrophobic residue, dimer favouring); b, K to R (similar charged functional group); c, Q to N (same functional group); d, L to A (hydrophobic residue); e, E to Q (similar sized residue); f, D to E (same charged functional group); g, K to R (similar charged functional group). All of these replacement residues are commonly found at their respective position in coiled coil proteins (Lupas et al, 1991). Only chimeric peptide be 18 was recognised in ELISA by mAb NE1-6B2 (Figure 6). This crude epitope mapping suggested that the 25mer peptide overlap between 790 V and 814 E derived from peptides bdl 1 and bc23, contained the epitope. Control peptides, av85 and av86, based on the (V K Q L E D K) n model peptide and (V K Q L E D K) 3 (peptide ba48) were not recognised by mAb NE1-6B2. The wπc-15 protein was now split into 15mer peptides offset by 1 residue to map the mAb NE1-6B2 epitope more precisely. Again, each fragment was embedded within the helical flanking peptides to give the chimeric peptides listed in Table 8B. Maximum ELISA reactivity with mAb NE1-6B2 was obtained for peptide bc20 (Figure 6). Activity was minimal after removal ofthe 809 Q residue (peptide be 17) to the C terminus and the 798 R residue (peptide bc22) to the N terminus of the uπc-15 peptides embedded within the chimeric peptides. This indicates that the minimal epitope resides between residues 798 R and 809 Q, a 12mer peptide: RLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:27]. This epitope is 2 residues shorter than that defined from the native epitope mapping above (Figure 5). (iv) Chimeric peptide minimal epitope mapping of UΛC-15 Using the chimeric peptide approach, the optimal epitope contained within peptide bc20 was truncated to better define the minimal epitope recognised by mAb NE1-6B2. The synthesised chimeric peptides are listed in Table 9A. Truncation of the embedded epitope from the C terminus (peptides bd3, bd4) decreased ELISA reactivity as did truncation from the N terminus (peptide be39) (Figure 7A). Further truncation of residues from either the N and C terminus of the epitope (peptides bd5, bd6, c4, c5) were not well tolerated. However, peptide c6, containing residues 801 E to 811 A, was still ELISA reactive. Thus, although overlapping fragment epitope mapping would suggest RLTEKLNIQKRQ to be the minimal epitope, truncation mapping indicates that residues 797 D, 810 L and 811 A flanking this region are critical. This defines the sequence DRLTEKLNIQKRQLA [SEQ ID NO:95] as the minimum optimal epitope. Furthermore, a 15mer peptide consisting of the optimal epitope 797 D to 811 A (peptide cl) was recognised to a lesser degree than the same peptide embedded in the chimeric peptide bc20. This emphasises the need for flanking regions to ensure maximum reactivity. Mapping of critical residues required in the mAb NE1-6B2 epitope for ELISA reactivity was accomplished by conservative replacement of individual residues. Substitution mapping was based on chimeric peptide bc20 (containing the optimal epitope) and the peptides synthesised are listed in Table 9B. Helical framework residues were substituted for epitope residues according to the model peptide rules above; position a, V; b, K; c, Q; d, L; e, E; D; g, K. In the case that identical residues were found in the same position between the framework peptide and epitope sequence, then conservative replacement residues were substituted (see chimeric peptide epitope mapping above). ELISA reactivity was abrogated when substitutions were made for residues 798 R, 801 E, 805 I, 808 R and 809 Q in peptides be40, be43, be47, be50 and be51, respectively (Figure 7B). A decrease in epitope reactivity also was found for two other substitutions, namely 797 D and 811 A in peptides be39 and be53, respectively. Interestingly, substitution at 802 K (K to D) and 810 L (L to V) increased reactivity. These results are shown in Figure 8 A. When the sequence of unc- 15 containing the mAb NE1-6B2 epitope is shown pictorially as a cylindrical net (Figure 8B), all the critical residues are found on the hydrophilic face of the helix. (v) Immunogenecity of chimeric peptides Quackenbush mice were immunised with chimeric peptides to determine the ability to induce an epitope-specific antibody response. Chimeric peptide bc20 was synthesised with an N-terminal cysteine residue for coupling to diphtheria toxoid via a MCS linkage (peptide bdl , CKQLEEKVDRLTEKLNIQKRQLAQLQDKVK [SEQ ID NO:28]). Mice were immunised intra peritoneum with the equivalent of 125 μg of peptide, conjugated to diphtheria toxoid emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant. A boost of 125 μg equivalent peptide-diphtheria conjugate in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvan was administered after 4 weeks. Antisera raised against peptide bdl recognised peptide bc20 but not peptide ba39 or peptide cl (Figure 9). Whilst antisera raised against a control chimeric peptide based on the model helical peptide, with suitable amino acid substitutions, (peptidebd2, CKQLEEKVDRLTEKLNIQKRQL AQLQDKVK) recognised peptide bc20 but not peptide ba39 or peptide cl. Thus, the antibody response raised with the chimeric peptide bdl was to a conformational epitope only found in peptides bc20 and ba39. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. TABLE IA List of overlapping synthetic fragments of p 145 Peptide Sequence SEQ ID NO: 337 356 145 L R R D L D A S R E A K K Q V E K A L E 1 145.1 L R R D L D A S 4 145.2 R D L D A S R E 5 145.3 L D A S R E A K 6 145.4 A S R E A K K Q 7 145.5 R E A K K Q V E 8 145.12 L R R D L D A S R E A K 9 145.13 L D A S R E A K K Q V E 10 145.14 A S R E A K K Q V E K A 11 Overlapping peptides representing the pl45 region of the M protein of group A streptococci; amino acid positions 337 to 356. -37- TABLE IB Synthetic Peptides Footnote: Single letter ainino acid code: A, alanine; D, aspartic acid; E, glutamic acid; G, glycine; K, lysine; L, leucine; N, asparagine; Q, glutamine; R, arginine; S, serine; V, valine; Bold residues represent M protein sequence. TABLE IC Synthetic Peptides Peptides SEQ ID NOs: pl45 LRRDLDASREAKKQVEKALE 1 pl69 LRRDIDDLELTLAKVEKEKH 35 pl71 LRSDLSRELEEISERLEEAV 36 144 NKISEASRKGLRRDLDASRE 37 146 AKKQVEKALEEANSKLAALE 38 TABLE 2 Reactivity of pl45 derived peptide antisera against pl45 derived peptides Footnote: BIO.BR mice were immunized with the given immunogen and antibodies determined by ELISA using unconjugated peptide as capture antigen and sera at a dilution of 1:100. NMS, normal mouse serum; DT, diphtheria toxoid; ND, not done. The bold figures show the ELISA O.D. greater than the control NMS sera (mean + 3SD). TABLE 3 Specificities of Human Sera to Chimeric Peptides TABLE 4 Change in J2 titer following pre-incubation with either pl45 or schistosoma peptide Footnote: Sera were diluted 1:200 and incubated on ELISA plates coated with either p 145 or with an irrelevant schistosoma peptide. Sera were taken through five sequential rounds of depletion and pl45-specific antibody titers were found to sequentially drop with each round. Sera were then transferred to plates coated with J2 and titers determined. TABLE 5 Titer against peptide J2 Footnote: *CFU, mean colony count from 2 plates x dilution factor. M5 GAS inoculum size = 27.5. TABLE 6 The Stimulation Index (SI) of Lymph Node Cells Derived from BIO.BR Mice Immunised with pl45 Footnote: Mice were immunized with p 145 as described and draining lymph node cells challenged in vitro with antigens at concentrations which we have found to be optimal. For the synthetic peptides, the concentration used was 30 μg/ml. |_-_. Ά o -t. TO Putative heptad repeat positions a and g indicated above native unc-15 sequence i_r Numbering of amino acid residues according to Gengyo-Ando and Kagawa (1991) Essential gin residue ,0, Q shown in bold I Α o 8 SEQ ID 1 0 NO: Putative heptad repeat positions a and d indicated above chimeric peptide sequence TABLE 10 TABLE 11 Opsonisation Peptide Inhibition Assay against M5 GAS using affinity purified antibody to Peptide 145 from Aboriginal Patients IΛ C00 4__ **-J IΛ X m .a C σ. TABLE 11 (continued . . . ) IΛ c 10 IΛ -f-_ X -«4 m 30 C o. 15 CFU, mean colong count from 2 plates x dillution factor. nt=not tested. M5 GAS inoculum size experiment = 73. M5 GAS inoculum size experiment f = 36. 2. %NS = percentage inhibition of bactericidal effect calaculated against mean CFU non specific peptide. ni=no inhibition. 20 3. %1 NP==percentage inhibition calculated against CFU no peptide. - 48 - BIBLIOGRAPHY: Beachy EH, Bronze M, Dale JB, Kraus W, Poirier T and Sargent S, (1988) Vaccine 6: 192-196. Cohen C and Parry DAD (1990) Proteins: structure, functional and genetics 7: 1-15. Cohen C and Paιτy DAD (1986) TIBS 11: 245-248. Gengyo-Ando K and Kagawa H (1991) J. Mol. Biol 219: 429-441. Geysen HM, Rodda SJ, Mason TJ, Tribbick G and Schoofs PG (1987) J. Immunological Methods 102: 259-274. Harbury PB, Kim PS and Alber T (1994) Nature 371: 80-83. Harbury PB, Zhang T, Kim PS and Alber T (1993) Science 262: 1401-1407. Houghten RA (1985) Proc. NatI Acad. Sci. USA 82: 5131-5135. Liew CC et al (1990) Nucl Acids. Res. 18: 3647. Lupas A, van Dyke M and Stock J (1991) Science 252: 1162-1164. Manula and Fischetti (1980) J. Exp. Med. 151: 695-708. Merrifield RB, (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85: 2149-2154. O'Shea EK, Rutkowski R and Kim PS (1989) Science 243: 538-542. O'Shea EK, Klemm JD, Kim PS and Alber T (1991) Science 254: 539-544. Pruksakorn S, Galbraith A, Houghten RA and Good MF (1992) J. Immunol 149: 2729-2735. Pruksakorn S, (1994) PhD thesis, University of Queensland. Pruksakorn S, Currie B, Brandt E, Martin D, Galbraith A, Phomphutkul C, Hunsakunachai S, Manmontri A and Good MF (1994a) Lancet 344: 639-642. Pruksakorn S, Currie B, Brandt E, Phomphutkul C, Hunsakunachai S, Manmontri A, Robinson JH, Kehoe MA, Galbraith A and Good MF (1994b) Intl. Immunol. 6: 1235- 1244. Saez, L et al (1990) Nucl. Acids. Res. 14: 2951. Scott JK and Smith GP, (1990) Science 249: 386-390. Waterston RH et al (1977) J. Mol. Biol. 177: 679-697. Yan Y, Winograd E, Viel A, Cronin T, Harrison SC and Branton D, (1993) Science 262: 2027-3030. - 49 - SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (i) APPLICANT: (in countries other than the US) THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (in the US only) COOPER, J A; RELF, W A; GOOD, M F; and SAUL A J (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: SYNTHETIC PEPΗDES AND VACCINES COMPRISING SAME (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 94 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: (A) ADDRESSEE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE (B) STREET: 1 LITTLE COLLINS STREET (C) CITY: MELBOURNE (D) STATE: VICTORIA (E) COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA (F) ZIP: 3000 (v) COMPUTER READABLE FORM: (A) MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk (B) COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS (D) SOFTWARE: Patentln Release #1.0, Version #1.25 (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA: (A) APPLICATION NUMBER: PCT INTERNATIONAL (B) FILING DATE: 16-OCT-1995 (vii) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA: (A) APPLICAΗON NUMBER: PM8851 (B) FILING DATE: 14-OCT-1994 (viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION: (A) NAME: HUGHES DR, E JOHN L (C) REFERENCE DOCKET NUMBER: EJH/EK (ix) TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION: (A) TELEPHONE: +61 3 9254 2777 (B) TELEFAX: +61 3 9254 2770 -50- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS : single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:l: Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Ala Leu Glu 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 7 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 1 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 7 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: Met Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 1 5 -51 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: : (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser 1 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) .LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5: Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu 1 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6 : Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys 1 5 - 52 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin 1 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 8 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:B: Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu 1 5 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys 1 5 10 - 53 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10: Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11: Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu Lys Ala 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12: l Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 20 25 - 54 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13: Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser 1 5 10 15 Arg Glu Ala Lys Glu Glu Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14: Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg 1 5 10 15 Glu Ala Lys Lys Glu Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15: Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu 1 5 10 15 Ala Lys Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu 20 25 -55- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16: Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Gin Val Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17: Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys 1 5 10 15 Lys Gin Val Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18: Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys 1 5 10 15 Gin Val Glu Lys Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 20 25 -56- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19: Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys 1 5 10 15 Gin Val Glu Lys Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20: Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val 1 5 10 15 Glu Lys Ala Leu Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21: Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Ala Leu Glu Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin 20 25 -57- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:22: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:22: Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 1 5 10 15 Val Glu Glu Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:23: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3: Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:24: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:24: Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:25: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:25: Arg Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin 1 5 10 -58- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:26: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 14 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:26: Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:27: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:27: Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:28: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 30 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:28: Cys Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 30 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:29: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:29: Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val 1 5 10 -59- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:30: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:30: Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:31: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:31: Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu Lys 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:32: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:32: Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu Lys Ala 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:33: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:33: Ser Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys G n Val Glu Lys Ala Leu 1 5 10 -60- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:34: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:34: Arg Glu Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu Lys Ala Leu Glu 1 5 10 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:35: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:35: Leu Arg Arg Asp He Asp Asp Leu Glu Leu Thr Leu Ala Lys Val Glu 1 5 10 15 Lys Glu Lys His 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:36: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:36: Leu Arg Ser Asp Leu Ser Arg Glu Leu Glu Glu He Ser Glu Arg Leu 1 5 10 15 Glu Glu Ala Val 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:37: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:37: Asn Lys He Ser Glu Ala Ser Arg Lys Gly Leu Arg Arg Asp Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Ala Ser Arg Glu -61 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:38: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:38: Ala Lys Lys Gin Val Glu Lys Ala Leu Glu Glu Ala Asn Ser Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Ala Leu Glu 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:39: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 35 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:39: Asn Phe Val Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu Ser Val Thr Met Gin 20 25 30 Asn Leu Gin 35 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:40: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 0: Asn Phe Val Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Asn He Gin Lys Arg 20 -62- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1: Phe Val Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 He Gin Lys Arg Gin 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:42: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:42: Val Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:43: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear ( ii) MOLECULE TYPE : peptide (xi ) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION : SEQ ID NO : 43 : Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin 1 5 10 15 Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala 20 -63- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:44: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:44: Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys 1 5 10 15 Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:45: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:45: Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg 1 5 10 15 Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:46: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO.-46: Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu 20 -64- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:47: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7: Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Glu Ser Glu Ser 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:48: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:48: Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Glu Ser Glu Ser Val 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:49: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:49: Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu 1 5 10 15 Ser Glu Ser Val Thr 20 -65- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:50: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:50: Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser 1 5 10 15 Glu Ser Val Thr Met 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:51: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:51: Leu Glu Asp Lys He Lys Gin Glu His Lys Asn Phe Val Met Ala Gin 1 5 10 15 Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Glu Asp Arg Val Lys Gin Leu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:52: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:52: Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Val Met Ala Gin Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg 1 5 10 15 Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -66- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:53: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:53: Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Val Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:54: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:54: Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg 1 5 10 15 Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Asn Leu Glu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:55: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:55: Gin Ala Glu Asp Arg Val Lys He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser 1 5 10 15 Glu Ser Val Thr Met Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys He Lys Gin 20 25 - 67 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:56: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:56: Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu Ser Val Thr Met 1 5 10 15 Gin Asn Leu Gin Arg Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:57: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:57: Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys 1 5 10 15 Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:58: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:58: Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Thr Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Val Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys 20 25 -68- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:59: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:59: Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Ala Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:60: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:60: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:61: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:61: Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin 1 5 10 15 Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin 20 25 -69- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:62: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:62: Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys 1 5 10 15 Arg Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:63: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE : peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO : 63 : Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg 1 5 10 15 Gin Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:64: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:64: Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin 1 5 10 15 Leu Ala Glu Ser Glu Ser Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp 20 25 -70- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:65: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:65: Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu 1 5 10 15 Ala Glu Ser Glu Ser Val Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:66: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:66: Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 1 5 10 15 Val Glu Glu Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:67: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 28 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:67: Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Asp Asp Leu Asp Ala Ser Arg Glu Ala 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu 20 25 - 71 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:68: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 21 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:68: Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gin Leu Glu Asp Lys 20 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:69: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:69: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:70: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:70: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Val Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 - 72 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:71: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:71: Lye Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:72: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:72: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:73: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:73: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -73 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:74: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:74: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:75: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide ( i) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:75: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Val Lys Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:76: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:76: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 - 74 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:77: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:77: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:78: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:78: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:79: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:79: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Gin Ala Glu Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -75- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:80: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 15 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear ( ii) MOLECULE TYPE : peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO : 80 : Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:81: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:81: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Lys Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:82: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:82: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Gin Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -76- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:83: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:83: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Ala Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:84: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:84: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Glu Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:85: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:85: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 - 77 - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:86: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:86: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:87: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:87: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Val Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:88: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:88: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Lys He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -78- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:89: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:89: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn Gin 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:90: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:90: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Leu Lys Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:91: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:91: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Glu Arg Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 -79- (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:92: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:92: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Asp Gin Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:93: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:93: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Lys Leu Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:94: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 29 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:94: Lys Gin Leu Glu Glu Lys Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Lys Leu Asn He 1 5 10 15 Gin Lys Arg Gin Val Ala Gin Leu Gin Asp Lys Val Lys 20 25

Claims: - 80 - CLAIMS: 1. A chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence comprising a conformational epitope inserted within a second amino acid sequence wherein said first peptide and second amino acid sequences are derived from peptides, polypeptides or proteins having similar native conformations. 2. A chimeric peptide according to claim 1 wherein the second amino acid sequence assumes a α-helical coiled coil conformation. 3. A chimeric peptide according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first amino acid sequence is derived from the streptococcal M protein. 4. A chimeric peptide according to claim 3 wherein the first amino acid sequence comprising a B-cell conformational epitope from within amino acid sequence LRRDLDASREAKKQVEKALE [SEQ ID NO:l] or a functional and/or chemical equivalent of one or more of these amino acid residues. 5. A chimeric peptide according to claim 4 wherein at least three amino acids are selected from the amino sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:l which constitute a conformational B-cell epitope. 6. A chimeric peptide according to claim 4 wherein at least five amino acids are selected from the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:l which constitute a conformational B-cell epitope. 7. A chimeric peptide according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first amino acid sequence is derived from Caenorhabditis elegans. - 81 - 8. A chimeric peptide according to claim 7 wherein the first amino acid sequence comprises a conformational B-cell epitope from which the amino acid sequence CKQLEEKVDRLTEKLNIQKRQLAQLQDKVK [SEQ ID NO:28] or functional and/or chemical equivalents of one or more of these amino acid residues. 9. A chimeric peptide according to claim 7 wherein the first amino acid sequence comprises a conformational B-cell epitope from the amino acid sequence MAQDTADRLTEKLNIQKRQLA [SEQ ID NO:43]. 10. A chimeric peptide according to claim 7 wherein the first amino acid sequence comprises a conformational B-cell epitope from which the amino acid sequence ADRLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:26] or functional and/or chemical equivalents of one or more of these amino acid residues. 11. A chimeric peptide according to claim 7 wherein the first amino acid sequence comprises a conformational B-cell epitope from which the amino acid sequence RLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:27] or functional and/or chemical equivalents of one or more of these amino acid residues. 12. A method for determining a minimal epitope on an antigen peptide, polypeptide or protein, said method comprising determining native conformation of said peptide, polypeptide or protein or a portion thereof carrying a putative epitope; preparing peptide fragments of said peptide, polypeptide or protein; inserting or otherwise presenting said peptide fragments in a second peptide derived from or based on another peptide, polypeptide or protein having a similar native conformation to said first mentioned peptide, polypeptide or protein such that the putative epitope on the peptide fragment is presented in a conformation capable of immunological interactivity, then screening said peptide fragments for immunological interactivity. - 82 - 13. A vaccine useful against Group A streptococci, said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the amino acid sequence LRRDLDASREAKKQVEKALE [SEQ ID NO:l] wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B- cell epitope from streptococcal M protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 14. A vaccine useful against Caenorhabditis elegans, said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least three amino a c i d s s e l e c te d fr o m w i t h i n th e am i n o ac i d s eq ue n c e CKQLEEKVDRLTEKLNIQKRQLAQLQDKVK [SEQ ID NO:28] wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from C. elegans unc-\5 protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 15. A vaccine useful against Caenorhabditis elegans, said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising aifrst amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the amino acid sequence MAQDTADRLTEKLNIQKRQLA [SEQ ID NO:43] wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from C. elegans uncΛS protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. - 83 - 16. A vaccine useful against Caenorhabditis elegans, said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the amino acid sequence ADRLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:26] wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from C. elegans unc-15 protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 17. A vaccine useful against Caenorhabditis elegans, said vaccine comprising a chimeric peptide comprising aifrst amino acid sequence having at least three amino acids selected from within the amino acid sequence RLTEKLNIQKRQ [SEQ ID NO:27] wherein said at least three amino acids constitute a conformational B-cell epitope from C. elegans unc-\5 protein and wherein said first amino acid sequence is inserted within a second amino acid sequence capable of folding to an α-helical coiled coil conformation, said vaccine further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 18. A method for mapping regions of amphipathic helices on a peptide, polypeptide or protein which are recognised by antibodies, said method comprising determining native conformation of said peptide, polypeptide or protein or a portion thereof carrying a putative epitope; preparing peptide fragments of said peptide, polypeptide or protein; inserting or otherwise presenting said peptide fragments in a second peptide derived from or based on another peptide, polypeptide or protein having a similar native conformation to said first mentioned peptide, polypeptide or protein such that the putative epitope on the peptide fragment is presented in a conformation capable of immunological interactivity, then screening said peptide fragments for immunological interactivity. - 84 - ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to chimeric peptides comprising one or more protective epitopes in a conformation enabling immunological interactivity and to vaccine compositions comprising same. The present invention is particularly directed to a chimeric peptide capable of inducing protecting antibodies against Group A streptococci.

Inventors: COOPER JUAN ANTON, GOOD MICHAEL FRANCES, RELF WENDY ANNE, SAUL ALLAN JAMES, COOPER, JUAN, ANTON, GOOD, MICHAEL, FRANCES, RELF, WENDY, ANNE, SAUL, ALLAN, JAMES
Applicants: BIOTECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, COMMW SCIENT IND RES ORG, COOPER JUAN ANTON, CSL LTD, GOOD MICHAEL FRANCES, INST MEDICAL W & E HALL, QUEENSLAND INST MED RES, RELF WENDY ANNE, SAUL ALLAN JAMES, UNIV MELBOURNE, BIOTECH AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED, COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH OR, COOPER, JUAN, ANTON, CSL LIMITED, GOOD, MICHAEL, FRANCES, RELF, WENDY, ANNE, SAUL, ALLAN, JAMES, THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, THE WALTER AND ELIZA HALL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RES
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C07K7
IPC codes: A61K39, A61P31, C07K7, C07K14, C07K19