The novel responses of ethambutol against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155 Revealed by proteomics analysis

Ethambutol (EMB), one of the effective anti-mycobacterial drugs, inhibits the biosynthesis of mycobacterium cell wall. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of EMB against tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155 was employed as a model of mycobacterial system in this study. We compared the protein profiles on M. smegmatis mc²155 treated by EMB and untreated using fluorescence difference two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE). A total of 40 differential protein spots were selected and 22 proteins were identified by HPLC-nano ESI-MS/MS analysis, including 16 over-expressed proteins and 6 under-expressed proteins. These proteins mainly affected energy metabolism, as well as synthesis and modification of macromolecules. The expressions of correspondent genes were confirmed by RT-PCR. This investigation provided some clues for searching potential drug targets.