We show that the 50- to 55-kDa Apa protein, specified by the Rv1860 gene of M. tuberculosis, can elicit both lymphoproliferative response and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production. A poxvirus recombinant expressing the Apa protein conferred a significant level of protective immunity in guinea pigs against a challenge dose of virulent M. tuberculosis (Kumar et al., 2003).
Kumar et al., 2003: Kumar P, Amara RR, Challu VK, Chadda VK, Satchidanandam V. The Apa protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulates gamma interferon-secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from purified protein derivative-positive individuals and affords protection in a guinea pig model. Infection and immunity. 2003; 71(4); 1929-1937. [PubMed: 12654810].
Rv1860, (MT1908, MTCY359.0013), len: 325 aa. apa (alternate gene names: mpt32, modD), Ala-, Pro-rich 45/47 kDa secreted protein, very similar to P46842|N43L_MYCLE from Mycobacterium leprae (287 aa), FASTA scores: opt: 1166, E(): 0, (66.4% identity in 298 aa overlap). Known to be glycosylated fibronectin-binding protein (see some citations). CHANGES IN THE MANNOSYLATION PATTERN OF THIS PROTEIN AFFECT ITS ABILITY TO STIMULATE T-LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSE. MAJOR IMMUNODOMINANT ANTIGEN THAT HAS POTENTIAL AS A VACCINE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS. APA-ELISA COULD BE USED IN DIAGNOSIS. TBparse score is 0.924.; mpt32; modD
