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Abstract

The present invention relates to a DNA molecule conferring on Mycobacterium tuberculosis an ability to enter mammalian cells and to survive within macrophages. Peptides, proteins, or polypeptides (e.g. the Mycobacterium cell entry protein or Mcep) encoded by this gene fragment are useful in vaccines to prevent infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while the antibodies raised against these peptides, proteins, or polypeptides can be employed in passively immunizing those already infected by the organism. These proteins, peptides, polypeptides, and antibodies may be utilized in diagnostic assays to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissue or bodily fluids. The peptides, proteins, or polypeptides of the present invention can be associated with various other therapeutic materials, for administration to mammals, particularly humans, to achieve uptake of those materials by such cells. Synthetically constructed peptides based on the disclosed amino acid sequences exhibit the same mammalian cell uptake activity observed with Mcep.

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First Claim