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Proteomes and transcriptomes of the Apicomplexa--where's the message?
1Department of Pre-Clinical Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZJ, UK. j.wastling@liv.ac.uk
International Journal for Parasitology
|November 11, 2008
Summary
Apicomplexa parasites show discrepancies between protein and mRNA levels, challenging existing gene transcription hypotheses. Advanced sequencing and proteomic data will enable a systems-wide study of these organisms.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Apicomplexa possess extensive proteome datasets for pathogenic microorganisms.
- Abundant transcriptomic data (microarrays, ESTs, SAGE, MPSS) are available for Apicomplexa.
- Existing data allow prediction of protein functions without relying solely on mRNA levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a combined proteomic and transcriptomic view of gene expression in key apicomplexan parasites.
- To investigate the correlation between global mRNA levels and proteomic data.
- To discuss the divergent insights into gene expression provided by proteomic and transcriptomic data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing proteomic datasets for Apicomplexa.
- Review and analysis of transcriptomic data (microarrays, ESTs, SAGE, MPSS) for Apicomplexa.
- Comparative analysis of gene expression at the protein and mRNA levels across various Apicomplexa species.
Main Results:
- Significant examples exist of highly detected proteins with minimal or no detectable gene transcription across Apicomplexa.
- These findings are not readily explained by current "guilt by association" or "stock and go" transcription models.
- Proteomic and transcriptomic data offer distinct perspectives on gene expression within these parasites.
Conclusions:
- Discrepancies between protein and mRNA abundance challenge existing models of gene transcription in Apicomplexa.
- Future systems-wide approaches will integrate ultra-high-throughput sequencing with quantitative proteomic data.
- This integrated approach is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of Apicomplexa biology.
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