Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
11:17
Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
Published on: March 10, 2021
Human T cell epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are evolutionarily hyperconserved
Iñaki Comas1, Jaidip Chakravartti, Peter M Small
1Medical Research Council, National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK.
Nature Genetics
|May 25, 2010
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBC) genomes reveal conserved T cell epitopes, suggesting the pathogen benefits from human immune recognition. This finding offers insights into tuberculosis persistence and immune evasion strategies.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBC) is a significant human pathogen.
- MTBC can persist within hosts for extended periods.
- Understanding MTBC's evolutionary conservation is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation of MTBC genes and T cell epitopes.
- To explore the potential role of host immune recognition in MTBC evolution.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of 21 diverse MTBC strains using Illumina next-generation sequencing.
- Construction of a genome-wide phylogeny.
- Comparative sequence analysis of essential, nonessential genes, and T cell epitopes.
Main Results:
- Essential genes were more conserved than nonessential genes, as expected.
- Most T cell epitopes exhibited minimal sequence variation.
- T cell epitopes showed a lower ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous changes compared to other genes.
Conclusions:
- Strong purifying selection acts on MTBC T cell epitopes.
- MTBC may benefit from recognition by human T cells, possibly influencing its persistence.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:51Multi-species Conserved Sequences
Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
01:08Evolution of Microbial Genome
Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
02:31Synteny and Evolution
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
01:49Conserved Binding Sites
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...