USE OF GENES OF M. TUBERCULOSIS, M. BOVIS AND M. SMEGMATIS WHICH CONFER ISONIAZID RESISTANCE

摘要

This invention relates to the identification, cloning, sequencing and characterization of polynucleotides which determine mycobacterial resistance to the antibiotic isoniazid. These polynucleotides encode the expression of an enzyme which is the target of action of M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, M. bovis and M. avium for isoniazid. The polynucleotides have been DNA sequenced, and can be used in the treatment and prevention of mycobacterial infection, including tuberculosis. In addition, the polynucleotides can be used to determine the susceptibility or resistance of various strains of M. tuberculosis to various antibiotic drugs.