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Updated: Dec 1, 2025
Identification of Antibacterial Immunity Proteins in Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS and Top-Down Proteomic Analysis
Published on: May 23, 2021
iTRAQ®-based quantitative proteomics reveals the proteomic profiling of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
Jichun Wang1,2, Junrui Wang3, Yanyan Wang4
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No.136, Zhong Shan 2nd Road, Chongqing, 400014, Yuzhong District, China.
Abstract:
This study sought to reveal the proteomic profiling of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) after exposure to imipenem. The advanced isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ®) proteomic approach were used to analyze the alterations in MRSA-derived EV protein patterns upon exposure to imipenem. A total of 1260 EV proteins were identified and quantified. Among these, 861 differentially expressed exosome proteins (P < 0.05) were found. Multivariate analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to analyze the identified proteins. Enrichment analysis of GO annotations indicated that imipenem primarily regulated the metabolic processes in MRSA. The metabolism of differentially expressed proteins was found to be the most significant in the combined analysis of the KEGG pathway analysis. Based on the results from the STRING analysis, 50S ribosomal protein L16 (RplP) and 30S ribosomal protein S8 (RpsH) were involved in the imipenem-induced MRSA-derived EVs. These results provide vital information on MRSA-derived EVs, increasing our knowledge of the proteome level changes in EVs upon exposure to imipenem. Moreover, these results pave the way for developing novel MRSA treatments.
Insights
This study reveals how imipenem affects methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by analyzing proteins in extracellular vesicles (EVs). Imipenem exposure significantly alters EV proteomic profiles, impacting MRSA metabolism and ribosomal proteins, offering new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Proteomics
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health threat due to its resistance to antibiotics.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in bacterial communication and pathogenesis.
- Understanding how antibiotics affect MRSA at a proteomic level is essential for developing new treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the proteomic changes in MRSA-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) following exposure to the antibiotic imipenem.
- To identify specific proteins and pathways affected by imipenem in MRSA EVs.
- To explore the potential of these changes as therapeutic targets for novel MRSA treatments.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ®) proteomic approach for quantitative analysis.
- Identified and quantified 1260 EV proteins, with 861 showing differential expression (P < 0.05).
- Employed multivariate analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis for in-depth data interpretation.
Main Results:
- Imipenem exposure led to significant alterations in the proteomic profile of MRSA-derived EVs.
- GO enrichment analysis indicated that imipenem primarily impacts metabolic processes in MRSA.
- KEGG pathway analysis highlighted the metabolism of differentially expressed proteins as a key affected area, with 50S ribosomal protein L16 (RplP) and 30S ribosomal protein S8 (RpsH) identified as involved.
Conclusions:
- Imipenem significantly modulates the proteome of MRSA-derived EVs, with notable effects on metabolic pathways and ribosomal proteins.
- These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying imipenem's action against MRSA.
- The identified protein alterations in EVs represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for combating MRSA infections.
