THE MYCOBACTERIUM-LEPRAE ANTIGEN-85 COMPLEX GENE FAMILY - IDENTIFICATION OF THE GENES FOR THE 85A, 85C, AND RELATED MPT51 PROTEINS

The genes for two novel members (designated 85A and 85C) of the Mycoba cterium leprae antigen 85 complex family of proteins and the gene for the closely related M. leprae MPT51 protein were isolated. The complet e DNA sequence of the M. leprae 85C gene and partial sequences of the 85A and MPT51 genes are presented. As in M. tuberculosis, the M. lepra e 85A, 85C, and previously identified 85B component genes are not clos ely linked on the genome. However, the MPT51 genes of both species loc alize close to the respective 85A component genes. Like the 85B compon ent, the M. leprae 85A-MPT51 and 85C antigens are recognized by T cell s from healthy contacts and leprosy patients.