Proteome analysis of Helicobacter pylori: major proteins of type strain NCTC 11637

Proteome analysis involves the simultaneous resolution and display of proteins produced by an organism, followed by the quantitation, characterisation and identification of these proteins. As part of an ongoing study mapping and comparing the proteins expressed by various strains of the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori, we have resolved and identified 93 of the most abundant proteins expressed by type reference strain NCTC 11637. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and stained with Coomassie G250. Intensely-stained spots were excised and digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were characterised by mass spectrometry. Proteins were then identified by correlating actual peptide profiles with theoretical profiles generated from published nucleotide sequences. Ninety-three of the most intensely-stained protein spots were identified as the products of 35 genes, giving a ratio of 2.7 protein gene-products per gene. The products of the tsaA, pfr, ureA and ureB genes were amongst several proteins present in multiple isoforms. Peptide mass fingerprinting data were used to identify probable post-translational protein modifications. These results suggest that H. pylori proteins are subject to a high degree of post-translational modification. Comparative proteomics of H. pylori strains should greatly assist in investigating the pathogenic properties of this bacterium.