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A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions
Published on: July 18, 2013
Comparative Surfaceome Analysis of Clonal Histomonas meleagridis Strains with Different Pathogenicity Reveals
Marcelo de Jesus Ramires1, Karin Hummel2, Tamas Hatfaludi1
1Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Histomonas meleagridis, a poultry-specific intestinal protozoan parasite, is histomonosis's etiological agent. Since treatment or prophylaxis options are no longer available in various countries, histomonosis can lead to significant production losses in chickens and mortality in turkeys. The surfaceome of microbial pathogens is a crucial component of host-pathogen interactions. Recent proteome and exoproteome studies on H. meleagridis produced molecular data associated with virulence and in vitro attenuation, yet the information on proteins exposed on the cell surface is currently unknown. Thus, in the present study, we identified 1485 proteins and quantified 22 and 45 upregulated proteins in the virulent and attenuated strains, respectively, by applying cell surface biotinylation in association with high-throughput proteomic analysis. The virulent strain displayed upregulated proteins that could be linked to putative virulence factors involved in the colonization and establishment of infection, with the upregulation of two candidates being confirmed by expression analysis. In the attenuated strain, structural, transport and energy production proteins were upregulated, supporting the protozoan's adaptation to the in vitro environment. These results provide a better understanding of the surface molecules involved in the pathogenesis of histomonosis, while highlighting the pathogen's in vitro adaptation processes.
Insights
Histomonas meleagridis surface proteins were identified, revealing virulence factors in the pathogen
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Microbial Pathogenesis
- Proteomics
Background:
- Histomonas meleagridis causes histomonosis, a significant poultry disease with limited treatment options.
- Understanding pathogen surface molecules is key to host-pathogen interactions in histomonosis.
- Previous studies lacked data on H. meleagridis cell surface proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize proteins on the surface of virulent and attenuated Histomonas meleagridis strains.
- To elucidate the roles of surface proteins in H. meleagridis virulence and in vitro adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Cell surface biotinylation coupled with high-throughput proteomic analysis.
- Identification of 1485 proteins and quantification of upregulated proteins in different strains.
- Expression analysis to confirm candidate protein upregulation.
Main Results:
- 1485 proteins identified; 22 upregulated in virulent strain, 45 in attenuated strain.
- Virulent strain showed upregulated proteins linked to colonization and infection establishment.
- Attenuated strain displayed upregulated structural, transport, and energy production proteins.
Conclusions:
- This study provides novel insights into H. meleagridis surface proteins and their role in histomonosis pathogenesis.
- The findings highlight differences between virulent and attenuated strains, aiding understanding of in vitro adaptation.
- The identified surface molecules offer potential targets for future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
