MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS GENES ENCODING PROTEIN ANTIGENS

摘要

Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunological effect five proteins were isolated by screening a library of systematically lambda gt11 recombinant DNA expression with a collection of murine monoclonal antibodies directed against this pathogen protein antigens. One of the M. tuberculosis antigen, a 65kD protein has common determinants to M. tuberculosis and M. leprae. In addition, genes encoding other proteins mycobacteria M. africanum, M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG and M. avium were isolated. Isolation and characterization of genes encoding the major protein antigens of M. tuberculosis allows the development of useful reagents for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. They can be used for example in the development of epidermal tests, serodiagnostic tests and vaccines against tuberculosis.