Characterization of novel immunodominant antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The genes coding for seven new Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens identified based on serum reaction of patients were sequenced. Two of these antigens are FtsH and an aminoimidazole ribotide synthase. Antibodies raised against the recombinant forms of these antigens were used to localize them in subcellular compartments and identify their distribution across the genus Mycobacterium. The genes for four of the seven novel antigens discovered were conserved in pathogenic Mycobacterial strains.