Induces maturation and activation of human dendritic cells (DCs), via TLR2-dependent activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and NF-kappa-B signaling pathways, and enhances the ability of DCs to stimulate CD4(+) T cells. By activating DCs, could potentially contribute to the initiation of innate immune responses during tuberculosis infection and hence regulate the clinical course of tuberculosis. Interacts with human TLR2. Highly up-regulated during the early stages of invasion of the human blood-brain barrier. Elicits a strong B-cell humoral response among different clinical categories of both adult and child tuberculosis patients. Could be used in the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis. Expression of this gene in M.smegmatis leads to enhanced survival within U937 human macrophages in vitro, with increased host cell death and a marked higher secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Belongs to the mycobacterial PE family. PGRS subfamily.