Role of the Major Antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cell Wall Biogenesis.
Belisle, John T.; Vissa, Varalakshmi D.; Sievert, Todd; Takayama, Kuni; Brennan, Patrick J.; Besra, Gurdyal S.
[Report]
Science.
276(5317):1420-1422, May 30, 1997.
(Format: HTML)
The dominant exported proteins and protective antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are a triad of related gene products called the antigen 85 (Ag85) complex.Each has also been implicated in disease pathogenesis through its fibronectin-binding capacities. A carboxylesterase domain was found within the amino acid sequences of Ag85A, B, and C, and each protein acted as a mycolyltransferase involved in the final stages of mycobacterial cell wall assembly, as shown by direct enzyme assay and site-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, the use of an antagonist (6-azido-6-deoxy-alpha, alpha prime-trehalose) of this activity demonstrates that these proteins are essential and potential targets for new antimycobacterial drugs.
Copyright (C) 1997 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science