EsxH, in complex with EsxG, disrupts ESCRT function and impairs host phagosome maturation, thereby promoting intracellular bacterial growth. The complex acts by interacting, via EsxH, with the host hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (HGS/HRS), a component of the ESCRT machinery. Forms a tight 1:1 complex with EsxG (PubMed:15336430, PubMed:18430736, PubMed:19854905, PubMed:20085764, PubMed:21730061, PubMed:24204276). When it is complexed to EsxG, interacts directly with host HGS/HRS (PubMed:24204276). Secreted via the ESX-3 / type VII secretion system (T7SS). Contains a number of strongly recognized T-cell epitopes distributed throughout the protein sequence and induces high level of IFN-gamma, indicating this might be a good vaccine candidate (PubMed:10603390, PubMed:12228269, PubMed:16714570). A fusion protein (p846) of 3 well-defined antigens (EspC, EsxH and Rv2660c) induces robust specific T-cell immune response and could be an effective vaccine (PubMed:24280763). To improve expression in E.coli the proteins were cloned as a single protein in the order esxH-esxG with a cleavable thrombin tag (PubMed:19854905). Belongs to the WXG100 family. ESAT-6 subfamily.