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Identification of protein complexes with quantitative proteomics in S. cerevisiae
Published on: March 4, 2009
Immunoproteomic profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae systemic infection in a murine model
Carolina Hernández-Haro1, Silvia Llopis2, María Molina1
1Departamento de Microbiología II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Spain.
Abstract:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered a safe microorganism widely used as a dietary supplement. However, in the latest decades several cases of S. cerevisiae infections have been reported. Recent studies in a murine model of systemic infection have also revealed the virulence of some S. cerevisiae dietary strains. Here we use an immunoproteomic approach based on protein separation by 2D-PAGE followed by Western-blotting to compare the serological response against a virulent dietary and a non-virulent laboratory strains leading to the identification of highly different patterns of antigenic proteins. Thirty-six proteins that elicit a serological response in mice have been identified. Most of them are involved in stress responses and metabolic pathways. Their selectivity as putative biomarkers for S. cerevisiae infections was assessed by testing sera from S. cerevisiae-infected mice against Candida albicans and C. glabrata proteins. Some chaperones and metabolic proteins showed cross-reactivity. We also compare the S. cerevisiae immunodetected proteins with previously described C. albicans antigens. The results point to the stress-related proteins Ahp1, Yhb1 and Oye2, as well as the glutamine synthetase Gln1 and the oxysosterol binding protein Kes1 as putative candidates for being evaluated as biomarkers for diagnostic assays of S. cerevisiae infections.
Biological Significance:
S. cerevisiae can cause opportunistic infections, and therefore, a precise diagnosis of fungal infections is necessary. This immunoproteomic analysis of sera from a model murine infection with a virulent dietary S. cerevisiae strain has been shown to be a source of candidate proteins for being evaluated as biomarkers to develop assays for diagnosis of S. cerevisiae infections. To our knowledge, this is the first study devoted to the identification of S. cerevisiae immunogenic proteins and the results allowed the proposal of five antigens to be further investigated.
Insights
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used in supplements, can cause infections. This study identified five key proteins from a virulent strain that could be used as biomarkers for diagnosing these opportunistic fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Proteomics
Background:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely used as a dietary supplement but can cause opportunistic infections.
- Virulence of certain dietary S. cerevisiae strains has been demonstrated in murine models.
- Accurate diagnosis of fungal infections is crucial due to the increasing incidence of S. cerevisiae infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify immunogenic proteins from a virulent Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain using an immunoproteomic approach.
- To compare the serological response against virulent and non-virulent S. cerevisiae strains.
- To identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of S. cerevisiae infections.
Main Methods:
- An immunoproteomic approach involving 2D-PAGE and Western-blotting was employed.
- Sera from a murine model of systemic S. cerevisiae infection were used.
- Identified proteins were assessed for cross-reactivity with Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.
Main Results:
- Thirty-six proteins eliciting a serological response in mice were identified, primarily involved in stress responses and metabolic pathways.
- Cross-reactivity was observed with some chaperones and metabolic proteins from other fungal species.
- Five candidate proteins (Ahp1, Yhb1, Oye2, Gln1, Kes1) were proposed as potential diagnostic biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae can cause opportunistic infections, necessitating precise diagnostic methods.
- This study identified candidate proteins for developing diagnostic assays for S. cerevisiae infections.
- The identified stress-related and metabolic proteins represent novel targets for further investigation.

