Characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis region containing the mpt83 and mpt70 genes.

Like the products of the genes mpt83 and mpt70, the putative protein encoded by the gene located between these genes was undetectable in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with an antiserum raised against the recombinant protein. The protein showed 100% homology with M. tuberculosis Rv2874 and similarities with CcdA and DipZ proteins involved in cytochrome-c biogenesis in bacteria. Expression analysis by RT-PCR and transcriptional fusions of Rv2874 and their neighbor genes Rv2871, Rv2872, mpt83 and mpt70 with lacZ suggest that these genes are part of an operon and their transcription is driven by promoter regions located 5' upstream of mpt83 and of Rv2874 genes.