Molecular cloning, expression, and immunogenicity of MTB12, a novel low-molecular-weight antigen secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: Proteins secreted into the culture medium by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are thought to play an important role in the development of protective immune responses. In this report, we describe the molecular cloning of a novel, low-molecular-weight antigen (MTB12) secreted by M. tuberculosis. Sequence analysis of the MTB12 gene indicates that the protein is initially synthesized as a 16.6-kDa precursor protein containing a 48-amino-acid hydrophobic leader sequence. The mature, fully processed form of MTB12 protein found in culture filtrates has a molecular mass of 12. 5 kDa. MTB12 protein constitutes a major component of the M. tuberculosis culture supernatant and appears to be at least as abundant as several other well-characterized culture filtrate proteins, including members of the 85B compl

SUBMITTER: Webb JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108507 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature