The mammalian cell entry operon 1 (mce1) of Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The genome project on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv has revealed four ma mmalian cell entry (MTmce1-4) operons putatively involved with entry and su rvival of mycobacteria in host cells. A homologous operon to the MTmce1 ope ron was identified in cosmid B983 of Mycobacterium leprae. By comparison wi th M. tuberculosis, several mutations, or sequencing errors, were predicted at specific sites causing frame shifts in the MLyrbE1A, MLyrbE1B and MLmce 1D genes. Using targeted sequencing, sequence errors were identified. The c orrected MLmce1 operon sequence appears to be highly homologous to the MTmc e1 operon, and similarly encodes eight potential genes. Thus, both M. tuber culosis and M. leprae mce1 operons may be functional and involved in host c ell targeting. (C) 1999 Academic Press.