MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS GENES AND ENCODING PROTEIN ANTIGENS

摘要

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes encoding five immunologically relevant proteins have been isolated by systematically screening a lambda gt11 recombinant DNA expression library with a collection of murine monoclonal antibodies directed against protein antigens of this pathogen. One of the M. tuberculosis antigens, a 65kD protein, has been shown to have determinants common to M. tuberculosis and M. leprae. In addition, genes encoding proteins of other mycobacteria (M. africanum, M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG and M. avium) have been isolated. Isolation and characterization of genes encoding major protein antigens of M. tuberculosis make it possible to develop reagents useful in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. They can be used, for example, in the development of skin tests, serodiagnostic tests and vaccines specific for tuberculosis.