Rv2223c, an acid inducible carboxyl-esterase of enhanced the growth and survival of .

To elucidate the role of Rv2223c in . Purified recombinant Rv2223c protein was characterized. Expression of in the presence of different stress environment and subcellular localization were performed in H37Ra and (). Effect of its overexpression on growth rate, infection and intracellular survival in THP-1/PBMC cells were studied. rRv2223c demonstrated esterase activity with preference for NP-octanoate and hydrolyzed trioctanoate to di- and mono-octanoate. Expression of was upregulated in acidic and nutritive stress conditions. rRv2223c was identified in extracellular and cell wall fractions. exhibited enhanced growth, survival during stress, infection and intracellular survival. Rv2223c is a secretary, carboxyl-esterase, with enhanced expression under acidic and nutritive stress condition and might help in intracellular survival of bacteria.