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Purification of Pathogen Vacuoles from Legionella-infected Phagocytes
Published on: June 19, 2012
Differential Proteome Between Patient-Related and Non-related Environmental Isolates of Legionella pneumophila
Sara Quero1,2, Marian García-Núñez3,4, Noemí Párraga-Niño1,5
1Unitat de Malalties Infeccioses, Fundació Institut Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, Ctra Can Ruti. Camí escoles s/n, 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Molecular epidemiologic studies of Legionella have shown different molecular types coexisting in the same environment, with only one having the ability to trigger an outbreak. We therefore studied the proteome of isolates of these different molecular types in search of the proteins responsible for infection. In this study, we performed a differential proteomic analysis between patient-related and non-patient-related environmental isolates using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with mass spectrometry. Sixty-three spots were observed as being different between the two groups; 31 spots were identified corresponding to 23 different proteins. Patient-related isolates overexpressed proteins associated with metabolism, with enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the degradation pathways being the most abundant proteins identified. However, the largest group of non-patient-related proteins was associated with stress response. Furthermore, the MOMP protein was located in different spots depending on their patient-related or non-patient-related origin, suggesting different post-translational modifications. According to these results, different bacterial adaptation pathways are activated in stress conditions which influence their ability to produce infection.
Insights
Legionella outbreaks are linked to specific molecular types. Proteomic analysis revealed patient-related isolates overexpress metabolic proteins, while non-patient-related ones show stress response proteins, influencing infection ability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Proteomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Legionella molecular epidemiology reveals diverse types in environments, with varying outbreak potential.
- Identifying specific proteins linked to Legionella virulence is crucial for understanding infection.
- Differential proteomic analysis offers insights into bacterial adaptation and pathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate proteomic differences between patient-related and non-patient-related Legionella isolates.
- To identify proteins associated with Legionella's ability to cause infection.
- To understand the role of bacterial adaptation pathways in infection.
Main Methods:
- Differential proteomic analysis using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE).
- Mass spectrometry for protein identification.
- Comparison of protein expression profiles between clinical and environmental isolates.
Main Results:
- Sixty-three differentially expressed protein spots were detected between patient-related and non-patient-related isolates.
- 31 spots, corresponding to 23 unique proteins, were identified.
- Patient-related isolates showed overexpression of metabolic proteins (e.g., tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes).
- Non-patient-related isolates predominantly exhibited proteins associated with stress response.
- Outer membrane protein (MOMP) showed differential post-translational modifications based on isolate origin.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial adaptation pathways, particularly stress response and metabolism, differ between environmental and patient-related Legionella isolates.
- These proteomic variations influence Legionella's capacity to cause infection.
- Understanding these differences can inform strategies for controlling Legionella outbreaks.
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