Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an intracellular human parasite that causes tuberculosis (TB). The parasite is capable of surviving under stress conditions. The gene expression in Mtb is regulated by sigma factor family of proteins. The SigF protein belongs to the sigma factor family, expressed during stationary and growth phase, 14 genes are directly regulated by SigF and has a role in the expression of the principal sigma factor SigB as well. The interacting partner Usfx, the anti SigF protein, controls the regulation of SigF. The structures of SigF and Usfx were evaluated using comparative modelling techniques and validated. The active sites of the two proteins were identified. The protein-protein interaction studies between SigF and Usfx reveal His53, Phe226 and Asp227 residues of SigF protein to be involved in binding with Arg108, Arg130 and Glu140 amino acids of Usfx. The present study focuses on identification of important residues involved in binding of SigF protein with Usfx, which are essential in the inhibition of transcription initiation and survival of Mtb.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest threats to public health. TB is caused by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The Sigma factors are essential for the survival of MTB. The Sigma factor Sigma F (SigF) regulates genes expression under stress conditions. The SigF binds to RNA polymerase and forms a holoenzyme, which initiates the transcription of various genes. The Usfx, an anti-SigF protein, binds to SigF and alters the transcription initiation and gene expression. In the present work, virtual screening studies are taken up to identify the interactions between SigF and small molecular inhibitors which can inhibit the formation of holoenzyme. The studies reveal that ARG 104 and ARG 224 amino acid residues of SigF protein are forming important binding interactions with the ligands. The in silico ADME properties for the ligand data set are calculated to check the druggability of the molecules.