MPB59, a widely cross-reacting protein of Mycobacterium bovis BCG

The MPB59 protein of Mycobacterium bovis BCG was purified to homogeneity from culture fluid of BCG substrain Tokyo, and characterized by biochemical and immunological techniques. The molecular weight was 28,000, determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the pI value was 5.3. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined for 32 steps and showed no significant homology with MPB64, MPB70 or MPB80. By crossed immunoelectrophoresis, MPB59 was found to belong to the BCG antigen 85 complex and identified as corresponding to the 85B component of this complex. The protein cross-reacted extensively with other species of mycobacteria, and induced a marked humoral immune response in armadillos and monkeys during development of systemic mycobacterial infection after inoculation with Mycobacterium leprae.