摘要:
The present invention provides a DNA molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence including at least one pair of a first and a second differentially controlled transcription units, wherein the first transcription unit includes a first promoter operably linked to a first gene encoding a cytotoxic gene product, the second transcription unit includes a second promoter that is different from the first promoter and is operably linked to a second gene encoding a gene product neutralizing said cytotoxic gene product, at least one of said first and said second promoter is a regulated promoter responsive to a predetermined condition, and said DNA molecule is designed such that under said predetermined condition the amount of said neutralizing gene product is not sufficient to neutralize the cytotoxic effect of the cytotoxic gene product. The present invention further provides conditionally inactivated or attenuated bacteria comprising the DNA molecule of the invention, and vaccines comprising them.