Aspartate aminotransferase Rv3722c governs aspartate-dependent nitrogen metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Gene rv3722c is essential for in vitro growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but its function is unclear. Here, Jansen et al. show that Rv3722c is the primary aspartate aminotransferase of this pathogen, mediates nitrogen distribution, and is important for virulence during infection of macrophages and mice.