Stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via TLR2 signaling pathway. Activation of TLR2 results in the phosphorylation and activation of NF-kappa-B. Also induces TLR2 expression. May influence the innate immune responses to facilitate the survival of M.tuberculosis in the granulomatous microenvironment. Interacts with human TLR2. A member of the dormancy regulon. Induced in response to reduced oxygen tension (hypoxia), low levels of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). It is hoped that this regulon will give insight into the latent, or dormant phase of infection. This protein serves as an immunogenic antigen, inducing gamma-interferon responses in whole-blood cultures from M.tuberculosis-exposed adults in Uganda, and The Gambia but not from South Africa, indicating this might be a good vaccine candidate. Was identified as a high-confidence drug target. Belongs to the nitroreductase family. Truncated N-terminus.