Salivary protein homology between humans and dogs: Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis

This benchmark study aimed to investigate sex-related differences based on the identification and characterization of the salivary proteome of healthy male and female dogs using mass spectrometry (MS) technique and a homology-driven approach to analyze salivary proteins in both human and dog species utilizing protein sequence alignment technique.

Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 10 healthy Beagles. After processing the samples and determining the total protein content, in-solution protein digestion was performed involving denaturation, reduction of disulfide bonds, alkylation, and removal of interfering compounds. Samples were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS/MS.

LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis identified 327 and 341 unique proteins in male and female dog saliva, respectively, of which 318 (97.25 %) in male dogs and 326 (95.60 %) in female dogs were characterized. Abundant shared proteins included albumin, BPI fold-containing family A member 2, and VWFD domain-containing protein. A notable uncharacterized protein, VWFD domain-containing protein, was among the most abundant in both sexes. Comparative analysis of 69 abundant shared proteins indicated an upregulation of CES5A, EFHD, GC, IGHM, LOC100653049, KRT10, LCP1, PGD, TPI1 in male dogs, while LOC100855593 was upregulated in female dogs. In total, 84 % (n = 229/274) and 86 % (n = 235/275) salivary proteins identified in male and female dogs, respectively, were homologous to human proteins, with an overall homology of 86 % (n = 364/423), including 15 with 100 % homology.

The study revealed clear differences in the salivary proteomics profile of healthy male and female dogs. However, most of the salivary proteins in both male and female dogs showed homology with human salivary proteins.

The identification of unique salivary proteome profiles in male and female dogs, coupled with substantial homology to human proteins, provides promising biomarkers for health assessment, highlighting its clinical significance for diagnostics and therapeutic exploration not only in veterinary and human dentistry, but across mammalian species.