Proteomics analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans to elucidate the response induced by tyrosol,an olive phenol that stimulates longevity and stress resistance

Tyrosol (TYR, 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanol), one of the main phenols in olive oil and olive fruit, significantly strengthens resistance to thermal and oxidative stress in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and extends its lifespan. To elucidate the cellular functions regulated by TYR, we have used a proteomic procedure based on 2DE coupled with MS with the aim to identify the proteins differentially expressed in nematodes grown in a medium containing 250 μM TYR. After the comparison of the protein profiles from 250 μM TYR and from control, 28 protein spots were found to be altered in abundance (≥twofold). Analysis by MALDI‐TOF/TOF and PMF allowed the unambiguous identification of 17 spots, corresponding to 13 different proteins. These proteins were as follows: vitellogenin‐5, vitellogenin‐2, bifunctional glyoxylate cycle protein, acyl CoA dehydrogenase‐3, alcohol dehydrogenase 1, adenosylhomocysteinase, elongation factor 2, GTP‐binding nuclear protein ran‐1, HSP‐4, protein ENPL‐1 isoform b, vacuolar H ATPase 12, vacuolar H ATPase 13, GST 4. Western‐blot analysis of yolk protein 170, ras‐related nuclear protein, elongation factor 2, and vacuolar H ATPase H subunit supported the proteome evidence.     

Pheromone-binding protein and general odorant-binding protein of Sesamia nonagrioides: sex- and diel-dependent expression

The expression of a pheromone‐binding protein (PBP) and a general odorant‐binding protein (GOBP) in Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was studied. Lymantria dispar's PBP1 antibody yielded an immunoreactive band with an apparent MW of approximately 14.8 kDa, present specifically in the antennae of both sexes, with males having approximately three‐fold the quantity found in females. Furthermore, Manduca sexta's odorant‐binding protein‐2 (GOBP2) antibody recognized a band at approximately 14.5 kDa in the antennae of both sexes. Levels of both proteins were compared between scotophase and photophase periods in insects that were raised under L16:D8 or under constant light. The level of GOPB2 was significantly lower in both sexes during photophase and continuous light; whereas the level of the PBP was significantly lower in females’ antennae, in males’ antennae it remained at the same level as that found during the scotophase.     

Protein profiling analysis of skeletal muscle of a pufferfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Takifugu rubripes</Emphasis>

Protein profile of the skeletal muscle of Takifugu rubripes, a kind of pufferfish, was carried out with two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Among the 112 protein spots detected in a silver-stained 2-D polyacrylamide gel, 33 were analyzed by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS), and 21 were identified by MASCOT. There were six structural proteins, such as alpha-actin, tropomyosin, and myosin heavy chain, and six with known functions such as T-cell receptor alpha chain, 4SNc-Tudor domain protein, SMC3 protein, and Translin associated factor X, as well as nine hypothetical novel proteins, including titin, andretinol dehydrogenase, and apolipoprotein A-I binding protein. These proteins were further categorized into six functional groups. This paper established a suitable technical protocol to eliminate the high abundance proteins while preserving middle abundance proteins for proteomics studies using Takifugu skeletal muscle. It is also favorable for further investigation on screening marker proteins for monitoring and controlling the quality of fish meat.     

Identification of differentially accumulating pistil proteins associated with self‐incompatibility of non‐heading Chinese cabbage

Non‐heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino), an important vegetable crop in China, exhibits a typical sporophytic self‐incompatibility (SI) system. To better understand the mechanism of SI response and identify potential candidate proteins involved in the SI system of this vegetable crop, the proteomic approach was taken to identify differential accumulating pistil proteins. Pistils were collected at 0 h and 2 h after self‐pollination at anthesis in self‐incompatible and compatible lines of non‐heading Chinese cabbage, and total proteins were extracted and separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE). A total of 25 protein spots that displayed differential abundance were identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF/TOF MS) and peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). Among them, 22 protein spots were confidently established. The mRNA levels of the corresponding genes were detected by quantitative RT‐PCR. The 22 identified protein spots are involved in energy metabolism (four), protein biosynthesis (three), photosynthesis (six), stress response and defence (five), and protein degradation (four). Among these potential candidate proteins, UDP‐sugar pyrophosphorylase could be involved in sucrose degradation to influence pollen germination and growth. Glutathione S–transferases could be involved in pollen maturation, and affect pollen fertility. Senescence‐associated cysteine protease, which is related to programmed cell death, could be mainly related to self pollen recognition of non‐heading Chinese cabbage. The study will contribute to further investigations of molecular mechanism of sporophytic SI in Brassicaceae.     

Proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh responses to a generalist sucking pest (Myzus persicae Sulzer)

Herbivorous insects can cause severe cellular changes to plant foliage following infestations, depending on feeding behaviour. Here, a proteomic study was conducted to investigate the influence of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) as a polyphagous pest on the defence response of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh after aphid colony establishment on the host plant (3 days). Analysis of about 574 protein spots on 2‐DE gels revealed 31 differentially expressed protein spots. Twenty out of these 31 differential proteins were selected for analysis by mass spectrometry. In 12 of the 20 analysed spots, we identified seven and nine proteins using MALDI‐TOF‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS, respectively. Of the analysed spots, 25% contain two proteins. Different metabolic pathways were modulated in Arabidopsis leaves according to aphid feeding: most corresponded to carbohydrate, amino acid and energy metabolism, photosynthesis, defence response and translation. This paper has established a survey of early alterations induced in the proteome of Arabidopsis by M. persicae aphids. It provides valuable insights into the complex responses of plants to biological stress, particularly for herbivorous insects with sucking feeding behaviour.     

Proteomics in the liver of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) to elucidate the cellular response induced by the intake of maslinic acid

Maslinic acid (MA) is a pentacyclic triterpene used as a feed additive to stimulate growth, protein‐turnover rates, and hyperplasia in fish. To further our understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying the action of MA, we have used 2‐DE coupled with MS to identify proteins differentially expressed in the livers of juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) grown under fish‐farm conditions and fed with a 100 mg/kg MA‐enriched diet (MA₁₀₀). After the comparison of the protein profiles from MA₁₀₀ fed fish and from control, 49 protein spots were found to be altered in abundance (≥2‐fold). Analysis by MALDI‐TOF/TOF allowed the unambiguous identification of 29 spots, corresponding to 19 different proteins. These proteins were: phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucose isomerase, S‐adenosyl methionine‐dependent methyltransferase class I, aldehyde dehydrogenase, catalase, 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvic dioxygenase, methylmalonate‐semialdehyde dehydrogenase, lysozyme, urate oxidase, elongation factor 2, 60 kDa heat‐shock protein, 58 kDa glucose‐regulated protein, cytokeratin E7, type‐II keratin, intermediate filament proteins, 17‐β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 4, and kinase suppressor of Ras1. Western blot analysis of kinase suppressor of Ras1, glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, elongation factor 2, 60 kDa heat‐shock protein, and catalase supported the proteome evidence. Based on the changes found in the protein‐expression levels of these proteins, we proposed a cellular‐signalling pathway to explain the hepatic‐cell response to the intake of a diet containing MA.     

小麦Ven型胞质雄性不育植株与可育植株花药蛋白质组差异研究

普通小麦具有偏凸山羊草（Ae. ventricosa）细胞质的不育系为Ven型胞质雄性不育系（Ven cytoplasmic male sterility, Ven CMS）,是粘类小麦CMS的一种类型。该研究对小麦Ven型雄性不育系冀5418A及其同型保持系冀5419B的单核期和二核期的花药进行差异蛋白质组学分析,探讨小麦质核互作雄性不育的分子机制。通过双向电泳分离花药蛋白,基质辅助激光解析飞行时间串联质谱（MALDI TOF TOF）对差异表达蛋白进行质谱鉴定,利用生物信息学进行差异表达蛋白鉴定和功能注释分析。结果表明,在分子量19.0～100.0 kD、等电点4～7线性范围内,共检测到约2 000个蛋白点。2个时期共检测到差异蛋白98个,其中两个时期差异表达变化一致的蛋白点56个;数据库搜索获得鉴定的蛋白点41个,其中18个蛋白的表达量在冀5418A 中显著下调,23个在冀5418B 中明显下调。在不育系和可育系中均有参与能量代谢、活性氧代谢、核糖体合成、花粉物质合成的差异蛋白。GO分析预测差异蛋白生物学过程多涉及电子传递和能量代谢、核糖体代谢、活性氧代谢等,细胞组成主要是在膜区域和线粒体,分子功能主要是DNA和RNA结合功能和水解酶等。KEGG分析表明,较多蛋白分布于碳水化合物代谢、活性氧代谢和蛋白组装和折叠途径。推测不育系冀5418A 的雄性不育性除了涉及能量代谢、活性氧清除过程,核糖体蛋白、伴侣蛋白等也有重要作用,雄性不育性可能还与蛋白质加工、物质合成过程的紊乱有关。     

Proteomic analysis of chicory root identifies proteins typically involved in cold acclimation

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) roots contain high amounts of inulin, a fructose polymer used as a storage carbohydrate by the plant and as a human dietary and prebiotic compound. We performed 2‐D electrophoretic analysis of proteins from root material before the first freezing period. The proteins were digested with trypsin and the peptides analyzed by MS (MALDI‐TOF/TOF). From the 881 protein spots analyzed, 714 proteins corresponded to a database accession, 619 of which were classified into functional categories. Besides expected proteins (e.g. related to metabolism, energy, protein synthesis, or cell structure), other well‐represented categories were proteins related to folding and stability (49 spots), proteolysis (49 spots), and the stress response (67 spots). The importance of abiotic stress response was confirmed by the observation that 7 of the 21 most intense protein spots are known to be involved in cold acclimation. These results suggest a major effect of the low temperature period that preceded root harvesting.     

Exploring proteins in Anopheles gambiae male and female antennae through MALDI mass spectrometry profiling

MALDI profiling and imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) are novel techniques for direct analysis of peptides and small proteins in biological tissues. In this work we applied them to the study of Anopheles gambiae antennae, with the aim of analysing expression of soluble proteins involved in olfaction perireceptor events. MALDI spectra obtained by direct profiling on single antennae and by the analysis of extracts, showed similar profiles, although spectra obtained through profiling had a richer ion population and higher signal to noise ratio. Male and female antennae showed distinct protein profiles. MALDI imaging experiments were also performed and differences were observed in the localization of some proteins. Two proteins were identified through high resolution measurement and top-down MS/MS experiments. A 8 kDa protein only present in the male antennae matched with an unannotated sequence of the An. gambiae genome, while the presence of odorant binding protein 9 (OBP-9) was confirmed through experiments of 2-DE, followed by MS and MS/MS analysis of digested spots. This work shows that MALDI MS profiling is a technique suitable for the analysis of proteins of small and medium MW in insect appendices, and allows obtaining data for several specimens which can be investigated for differences between groups. Proteins of interest can be identified through other complementary MS approaches.     

Proteomic Analysis of Interactions Between the Generalist Herbivore <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera exigua</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis>

In this study, comparative proteomics was used to investigate the interaction of Spodoptera exigua and Arabidopsis thaliana. By using 2-D electrophoresis of differentially expressed proteins, combined with high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, the changes in the abundance of proteins induced by insect feeding were studied in A. thaliana. More than 1,100 protein spots were reproducibly detected on each gel. The intensities of 30 protein spots in particular changed significantly, showing differences in volume of at least twofold. Among these, 17 protein spots were upregulated, and 13 were downregulated following an 8-h insect feeding period. Nineteen insect-feeding-responsive proteins were identified, all of which were involved in metabolic regulation, binding functions or cofactor requirement of protein, cell rescue, and defense and virulence, as assessed by Munich Information Center for Protein Sequences function category. About 50% of these were involved in metabolism, including transketolase, S-adenosylmethionine synthase 3, 2,3-biphosphoglycerate-independent phosphoglycerate mutase, beta-ureidopropionase, GDP-d-mannose 3′,5′-epimerase, and fatty acid synthase. The identification of insect-feeding-responsive proteins on Arabidopsis provides not only new insights into insect stress but also a good start for further investigation of their functions. Understanding how the plant responses to insects in the proteomic level will provide tools for a better management of insect pest in the field.     

Genetic changes in muscle protein following hybridization between Haliotis diversicolor reeve Japan and Taiwan populations revealed using a proteomic approach

Protein expression patterns were compared in a Japan and Taiwan population of Haliotis diversicolor and in a hybrid between them using 2DE and MALDI‐TOF‐TOF analyses. Using the software PDQuest, 924 ± 7 protein spots were detected in the Japan population (RR), 861 ± 11 in the Taiwan population (TT), and 882 ± 9 in the F₁ hybrid (TR). RR and TR were clustered together, but the distance between RR and TT was the maximum using hierarchical cluster analysis. A total of 46 gel spots were identified and a total of 15 spots matched with abalone proteins (a 33.6% identification rate). Hybrid exhibiting additivity or overdominance accounted for 73.9% of these 46 identified proteins. The 46 differentially expressed proteins were shown to be involved in major biological processes, including muscle contraction and regulation, energy metabolism, and stress response. The proteins involved in energy metabolism included adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase β subunit, fructose 1, 6‐bisphosphate aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, enolase, arginine kinase, and tauropine dehydrogenase. These proteins exhibited additivity in their offspring. The proteins involved in stress responses included HSP Hsp70 (exhibiting overdominance in the offspring) and Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (exhibiting additivity). These results suggested that proteomic approach is suitable for analysis of heterosis and functional prediction of abalone hybridization.     

Molecular cloning,expression profile,odorant affinity,and stability of two odorant‐binding proteins in Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The polyembryonic endoparasitoid wasp Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is deployed successfully as a biocontrol agent for corn pest insects from the Lepidopteran genus Ostrinia in Europe and throughout Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China. The odorants are recognized, bound, and solubilized by odorant‐binding protein (OBP) in the initial biochemical recognition steps in olfaction that transport them across the sensillum lymph to initiate behavioral response. In the present study, we examine the odorant‐binding effects on thermal stability of McinOBP2, McinOBP3, and their mutant form that lacks the third disulfide bonds. Real‐time PCR experiments indicate that these two are expressed mainly in adult antennae, with expression levels differing by sex. Odorant‐binding affinities of aldehydes, terpenoids, and aliphatic alcohols were measured with circular dichroism spectroscopy based on changes in the thermal stability of the proteins upon their affinities to odorants. The obtained results reveal higher affinity of trans‐caryophelle, farnesene, and cis‐3‐Hexen‐1‐ol exhibits to both wild and mutant McinOBP2 and McinOBP3. Although conformational flexibility of the mutants and shape of binding cavity make differences in odorant affinity between the wild‐type and mutant, it suggested that lacking the third disulfide bond in mutant proteins may have chance to incorrect folded structures that reduced the affinity to these odorants. In addition, CD spectra clearly indicate proteins enriched with α‐helical content.     

Two‐dimensional proteome reference maps for the human pathogenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus has become the most important airborne fungal pathogen causing life‐threatening infections in immunosuppressed patients. We established a 2‐D reference map for A. fumigatus. Using MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS, we identified 381 spots representing 334 proteins. Proteins involved in cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, transport processes and cell cycle were most abundant. Furthermore, we established a protocol for the isolation of mitochondria of A. fumigatus and developed a mitochondrial proteome reference map. 147 proteins represented by 234 spots were identified.     

A comparative protein profile of accessory glands of virgin and mated Leucinodes orbonalis males

Male accessory gland (MAG) secretory proteins affect female reproductive physiology and behaviour when they are delivered to the female at the time of mating along with sperm. In our study, proteomic approaches were used to identify MAG proteins of Leucinodes orbonalis, a monophagous and destructive pest of brinjal. A set of 117 and 186 MAG spots were observed in virgin and mated males, respectively, using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D‐GE). Among the identified spots, 49 are unique to the virgin, whereas 118 are unique to mated MAGs, with 68 spots found to be common. The differentially expressed MAG proteins, 14 are up‐regulated, and 16 are down‐regulated in virgin after mating. We used matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)–mass spectrometry (MS) to identify the 13 unique proteins in the MAG of virgin L. orbonalis and analysed the data of the Swiss‐Prot database using the Mascot search engine. The proteins were identified as proteolysis regulators, lipid transporters, olfactory proteins, metabolism‐related proteins, DNA‐binding proteins, and hexamerins. This is the first report on the gel‐based protein analysis of L. orbonalis MAGs.