Tags:Science & TechUPSC
For Prelims: Tuberculosis (TB), CRISPR-Cas9, Drug-Resistant TB, Research Body, Bacterium Studied, Key Components Identified, Secretion Pathways Targeted, Technology Used
For Mains: Protein export machinery, drug-resistant TB, CRISPR gene silencing, SecA1 and Tat pathways
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- CSIR-CCMB mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- The study identified 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions.
- CRISPR-based gene silencing was used to disrupt SecA1 and Tat pathways.
- Disrupting these pathways sharply reduced bacterial growth.
- The findings were published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
Why in the news?
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) scientists have mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identifying 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions. Disrupting two secretion pathways (SecA1 and Tat) sharply reduced bacterial growth, opening new avenues for drug development against drug-resistant TB, which is a major health challenge in India.
Summary
- CSIR-CCMB has mapped the protein secretion machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identifying 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions.
- Disrupting the SecA1 and Tat secretion pathways using CRISPR-based gene silencing sharply reduced bacterial growth in lab cultures and immune cells.
- The discovery is significant for India, which accounts for nearly a quarter of global TB cases and about a third of drug-resistant infections (WHO Global TB Report 2025).
Highlights
Mtb Protein Export Mapped
CSIR-CCMB identified 92 components and nearly 200 reactions in the protein transport network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
CRISPR Silencing Weakens Bacteria
Disrupting SecA1 and Tat pathways using CRISPR reduced bacterial growth and caused structural damage to the cell membrane.
Hope for Drug-Resistant TB Treatment
The findings could lead to new drug targets, crucial for India which has a high burden of drug-resistant TB.
Background
Tuberculosis remains a leading infectious disease killer globally. India accounts for nearly a quarter of global TB cases and a third of drug-resistant infections (WHO Global TB Report 2025). Treatment requires prolonged multi-antibiotic therapy, and emerging resistant strains make it increasingly difficult. Understanding the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is critical for developing new therapeutics.
Key Analysis and Impact
The CSIR-CCMB study systematically mapped the protein secretion machinery of Mtb, identifying 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions. By targeting the SecA1 and Tat pathways with CRISPR-based gene silencing, researchers demonstrated that both pathways are essential for bacterial survival. Disruption led to a sharp decline in growth, structural damage to the cell membrane, and leakage of proteins. This provides a validated set of potential drug targets. The research is a collaborative effort involving CSIR-CCMB, the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (Chennai), and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (Faridabad).
Way Forward
While the discovery identifies potential drug targets, translating these into effective medicines will require several more years of research and clinical trials. The findings, published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, provide a strong foundation for future drug development. The study also highlights the importance of basic research in understanding pathogen biology to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- An infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. It is spread through the air and is a major cause of death worldwide.
- CRISPR-Cas9
- A gene-editing technology that allows scientists to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. It is used here for gene silencing to study bacterial pathways.
- Drug-Resistant TB
- A form of TB caused by bacteria that are resistant to the most effective first-line anti-TB drugs, making treatment longer, more complex, and less effective.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions identified in Mtb protein export machinery
- Nodal Body: CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap the bacterium name (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) with another like E. coli or Staphylococcus, or confuse the research body (CCMB) with other CSIR labs like IMTECH or IICB.
Write these in mains answers
- Protein export machinery, drug-resistant TB, CRISPR gene silencing, SecA1 and Tat pathways
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CSIR-CCMB scientists studied how this bacterium transports proteins inside itself, which is essential for its survival. They found 92 key parts of this transport system and showed that disabling two of its pathways using CRISPR technology stops the bacteria from growing. This could help develop new medicines for drug-resistant TB.
- CSIR-CCMB mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- The study identified 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions.
- CRISPR-based gene silencing was used to disrupt SecA1 and Tat pathways.
- Disrupting these pathways sharply reduced bacterial growth.
- The findings were published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
- Science and Technology: Biotechnology and genetic engineering
- Health: Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Related concepts: Tuberculosis (TB), CRISPR-Cas9, Drug-Resistant TB
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which research organisation led the study that mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Explanation: The study was led by scientists at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), with the other institutes collaborating. CCMB is a premier research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the recent study on Tuberculosis:
- 1.The study mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identifying 92 key components.
- 2.The researchers used CRISPR-based gene silencing to disrupt the SecA1 and Tat secretion pathways.
- 3.The study found that disrupting these pathways increased bacterial growth and strengthened the cell membrane.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the study identified 92 key components. Statement 2 is correct as CRISPR-based gene silencing was used on SecA1 and Tat pathways. Statement 3 is incorrect because disrupting these pathways sharply reduced bacterial growth and caused structural damage to the cell membrane, making it unstable and more permeable.
- Q3Medium
How many key components of the protein export machinery did the CSIR-CCMB study identify in Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Explanation: The study identified 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions. 140 refers to the number of proteins linked to the Tat system, 200 is the approximate number of molecular reactions, and 100 is the approximate number of proteins in the SecA1 pathway.
- Q4Medium
Why is the CSIR-CCMB study on TB particularly significant for India?
Explanation: According to the WHO Global TB Report 2025, India accounts for nearly a quarter of global TB cases and about a third of drug-resistant infections, making new treatments a national priority.
Frequently asked questions
1. What did the CSIR-CCMB study discover about tuberculosis bacteria?
The study mapped the protein export machinery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identifying 92 key components and nearly 200 molecular reactions that are essential for the bacterium's survival.
2. Which secretion pathways were targeted in the CSIR-CCMB TB study?
The researchers targeted the SecA1 and Twin-Arginine Translocation (Tat) pathways using CRISPR-based gene silencing technology.
3. Why is the CSIR-CCMB TB study important for India?
India accounts for nearly a quarter of global TB cases and about a third of drug-resistant infections, making new drug targets critical for public health.
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- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
