Part of the ESX-5 specialized secretion system, which is responsible for the secretion of EsxN and a number of PE_PGRS and PPE proteins, including PPE41. Part of the ESX-5 / type VII secretion system (T7SS), which is composed of cytosolic and membrane components. The ESX-5 membrane complex is composed of EccB5, EccC5, EccD5 and EccE5. Mutants are defective in the secretion of EsxN, PPE41 and PE_PGRS proteins (PubMed:22340629, PubMed:22925462). Mutant is highly sensitive to detergents and hydrophilic antibiotics such as ampicillin, vancomycin and bacitracin (PubMed:22340629). Virulence is attenuated both in macrophages and in the severe combined immune-deficient mouse infection model (PubMed:22340629). Was identified as a high-confidence drug target. Belongs to the EccD/Snm4 family.