Proteomics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: the increasing role of post-translational modifications

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen widely involved in human infections. The high occurrence of this bacterial species in the clinical field is due to its high ability to adapt to detrimental environments, in particular its strong inherent antibiotic resistance, its ability to form biofilms and to produce virulence factors. The application of proteomics to clinical microbiology is probably one of the most innovative strategies of the last decades to understand complex microbial systems, by providing individual proteome charts of pathogens.

Areas covered: In the last decade, proteomic advances have allowed in high-throughput the screening of proteins modified by diverse co- and post-translational modifications in P. aeruginosa. This review will present the current state of the art for the characterization of PTMs in P. aeruginosa by proteomics approaches. We will then discuss on the involvement of PTMs in P. aeruginosa physiology.

Expert commentary: Modified proteins and enzymes involved in the addition/removal of modifications will surely constitute targets of interest to develop new therapeutic drugs to fight against P. aeruginosa.