Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 exhibits a unique membrane-interacting activity that is not found in its ortholog from non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 (MtbESAT-6) reportedly shows membrane/cell-lysis activity, and recently its biological roles in pathogenesis have been implicated in rupture of the phagosomes for bacterial cytosolic translocation. However, molecular mechanism of MtbESAT-6-mediated membrane interaction, particularly in relation with its biological functions in pathogenesis, is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the pH-dependent membrane interaction of MtbESAT-6, MtbCFP-10, and the MtbESAT-6/CFP-10 heterodimer, by using liposomal model membranes that mimic phagosomal compartments. MtbESAT-6, but neither MtbCFP-10 nor the heterodimer, interacted with the liposomal membranes at acidic conditions, which was evidenced by release of K(+) ions from the liposomes. Most importantly, the orthologous ESAT-6 from non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis (MsESAT-6) was essentially inactive in release of K(+). The differential membrane interactions between MtbESAT-6 and MsESAT-6 were further confirmed in an independent membrane leakage assay using the dye/quencher pair, 8-aminonapthalene-1,3,6 trisulfonic acid (ANTS)/p-xylene-bis-pyridinium bromide (DPX). Finally, using intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence approaches, we probed the pH-dependent conformational changes of MtbESAT-6 and MsESAT-6. At acidic pH conditions, MtbESAT-6 underwent a significant conformational change, which was featured by an increased solvent-exposed hydrophobicity, while MsESAT-6 showed little conformational change in response to acidification. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that MtbESAT-6 possesses a unique membrane-interacting activity that is not found in MsESAT-6 and established the utility of rigorous biochemical approaches in dissecting the virulence of M. tuberculosis.