PPE family protein PPE18; Could be a crucial virulence factor for intracellular survival of M.tuberculosis. Favors development of Th2-type response, and downregulates the proinflammatory and Th1-type response. Specifically interacts with the human Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), leading to an early and sustained activation of p38 MAPK, which induces IL-10 production and activates Th2-type immune response. Also inhibits proinflammatory cytokines IL-12p40 and TNF-alpha production. Acts by upregulating the expression as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 ( [...]

Rv1639c, (MTCY06H11.03c), len: 489 aa. Conserved hypothetical membrane protein. Some similarity to P35866|YLI2_CORGL Hypothetical 45.7 kDa protein from Corynebacterium glutamicum (426 aa), FASTA scores: opt: 511, E(): 2.4e-23, (28.9% identity in 370 aa overlap). Contains PS00904 protein phenyltransferases alpha subunit repeat signature.

Low molecular weight antigen CFP2 (low molecular weight protein antigen 2) (CFP-2); May play a role in the development of protective immune responses; Belongs to the MTB12 family.

Rv2768c, (MTV002.33c), len: 394 aa. PPE43, Member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PPE family, highly similar to many e.g. upstream ORF O33312|Rv2770c|MTV002.35c (402 aa), FASTA scores: opt: 1135, E(): 6.1e-51, (62.15% identity in 391 aa overlap); and P96362|Rv1039c|MTCY10G2.10 from M. tuberculosis (391 aa), FASTA scores: opt: 1721,E(): 6.8e-81, (70.35% identity in 398 aa overlap). Equivalent to AAK47157 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain CDC1551 (462 aa) but shorter 68 aa.

Rv1361c, (MTCY02B10.25c), len: 396 aa. PPE19 (alternate gene name: mtb39b). Member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PPE family of glycine-rich proteins, highly similar to many e.g. Rv1196|MTCI364.08|PPE18, FASTA scores: E(): 0, (84.9% identity in 397 aa overlap); MTCY274.23c (42.3% identity in 416 aa overlap); etc. Contains PS00501 Signal peptidases I serine active site. Note that expression of Rv1361c was demonstrated in lysates by immunodetection (see Dillon et al., 1999). A core mycobacterial gene; conserved in mycobacterial strains (See Marmiesse et al., 2004).

Rv1638A, len: 85 aa. Conserved hypothetical protein,similar to C-terminal part of P31511|35KD_MYCTU 35kd immunogenic protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (270 aa), FASTA scores: opt: 159, E(): 0.002, (50.90% identity in 55 aa overlap); and to Mycobacterium leprae ML0981 possible pseudogene, an orthologue of 35kd immunogenic protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Size difference suggests possible gene fragment.