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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Early Secretory Antigenic Target 6 kDa (ESAT-6)
- Target
- ESAT-6
- Molecular classification
- Protein, Secreted protein, Antigen
01
Overview
ESAT-6 (Early Secretory Antigenic Target 6 kDa) is a small, secreted protein produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and related pathogenic mycobacteria. It is a key virulence factor involved in immune evasion, cytokine induction, and bacterial survival. It interacts with host proteins like TLR2 and beta2-microglobulin, influencing immune signaling and iron homeostasis. It is used as an antigenic marker in interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for TB diagnosis, and disrupting its interactions represents a potential therapeutic strategy.
02
Mechanism of action
Disrupting interactions between ESAT‐6 and β₂M or blocking its immunomodulatory effects
03
Biological functions
Virulence factorImmune evasionCytokine inductionInteraction with TLR2Interaction with beta2-microglobulin
04
Disease associations
InfectionTuberculosis (TB)
05
Safety considerations
Potential for off-target effects when modulating immune responseGranuloma formation and tissue damage
06
Biomarkers
TB diagnosis (IGRA)
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