Components of Eukaryotic-like Protein Signaling Pathways inMycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Eukaryotic-like protein kinases have been identified recently in several prokaryotes by comparative studies of DNA sequences and Western blotting techniques using antiphosphoprotein antibodies. Examination of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome by means of PCR amplification with consensus primers, Southern hybridization, and comparative analysis of DNA sequences with genomic databases revealed the existence of at least seven eukaryotic-like protein kinases in this pathogen. In addition, we report the biochemical identification of phosphorylated proteins in M. tuberculosis. Taken together, these findings show that M. tuberculosis possesses elements of cell signaling similar to those observed in eukaryotic organisms. We suggest that some of these processes may play roles in the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis.