Protein
6 kDa early secretory antigenic target
Organism
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (strain ATCC 25618 / H37Rv)
Function
May be critical in pro-bacteria versus pro-host interactions; ESX-1 mediates DNA mediated export (maybe via EsxA). The DNA interacts with host (human) cGAS, leading to cGAMP production and activation of the host STING-TBK-1-IRF-3 signaling pathway that leads to IFN-beta which is thought to be pro-bacteria. Mycobacterial dsDNA also interacts with AIM2-NLRP3-ASC to activate an inflammasome, leading to the pro-host IL-1-beta (PubMed:26048138, PubMed:26048136).
Similarity
Belongs to the WXG100 family. ESAT-6 subfamily.
Sequence
MTEQQWNFAGIEAAASAIQGNVTSIHSLLDEGKQSLTKLAAAWGGSGSEAYQGVQQKWDATATELNNALQNLARTISEAGQAMASTEGNVTGMFA