Evolution of the PE_PGRS Proteins of Mycobacteria: Are All Equal or Are Some More Equal than Others?

ABSTRACT: PE_PGRS domain proteins represent a family of proteins found in pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria such as M. smegmatis. This conserved family is characterized by two distinct regions denoted as the variable PGRS domain defined by glycine-rich repeats, and a PE domain consisting of two antiparallel alpha-helices. There are many indications that PE_PGRS proteins are involved in immunopathogenesis and virulence by evading or triggering the host immune response. However, there is not yet any information on their degree of specialization or redundancy. Computational analysis and structural annotation using AlphaFold3 combined with other tools reveals an exceptionally powerful and unprecedented ability to undergo phase separation by the PGRS domain. This suggests that PGRS's glyc

SUBMITTER: Chen B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11939664 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature