Probably plays a role in host phagosome maturation arrest, as well as a role in the synthesis of acyltrehalose-containing glycolipids (PubMed:20844580). Grows normally in liquid culture, traffics into host (human and mouse) acidified compartments early after phagocytosis, suggesting it no longer arrests phagosome maturation as well as wild-type, impaired growth in mouse macrophages (PubMed:20844580). Decreased synthesis of 2,3-di-O-acyltrehaloses (DAT) and increased synthesis of sulfoglycolipids (SGL) (PubMed:20844580). Decreased colonization of mouse lung but not spleen 42 days after infection (PubMed:20844580). Belongs to the methyltransferase superfamily.