Regulation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE/PPE genes TUBERCULOSIS Voskuil, M. I., Schnappinger, D., Rutherford, R., Liu, Y., SCHOOLNIK, G. K. 2004; 84 (3-4): 256-262

Abstract

The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes approximately 170 members of the unique mycobacterial PE and PPE gene families. Evidence suggests members of these families are surface-associated cell wall proteins that may provide a diverse antigenic profile and affect immunity. To determine if the expression patterns of PE/PPE genes are consistent with a role in antigenic variability, we analyzed microarray data from 132 experimental conditions for expression of PE/PPE genes. Whole genome expression patterns show that the PE/PPE genes are regulated in a variable and largely independent manner. Gene expression profiling of 15 unique conditions identified differential regulation of 128 of the 169 PE/PPE genes. Expression of the PE/PPE genes appears to be controlled by a variety of independent mechanisms. These data indicate that differential expression of the PE/PPE genes has the potential to provide a dynamic antigenic profile during the course of changing microenvironments within the host.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.tube.2003.12.014

View details for Web of Science ID 000222557800014

View details for PubMedID 15207495