Response to oxidative stress in Paracoccidioides yeast cells as determined by proteomic analysis

An efficient oxidative stress response is important to the fungal pathogen Paracoccidioides to survive within the human host. In this study, oxidative stress was mimicked by exposure of yeast cells to hydrogen peroxide (2 mM H₂O₂). To investigate the effect of H₂O₂ on the proteome of Paracoccidioides, we used a large scale 2-DE protein gel electrophoresis approach to analyze differentially expressed proteins/isoforms that were detected in early (2 h) and in late (6 h) oxidative stress treatments. All proteins/isoforms were grouped based on their functional categories that revealed a global activation of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, cytochrome C peroxidase and thioredoxin. A view of the metabolic cell profile, as determined by proteomics, depicted a shift in the yeast cells metabolism as suggested by the activation of the pentose phosphate pathway, a great source of cellular reducing power in the form of NADPH. Additionally, in silico analyzes depicted 34 oxidoreductases proteins/isoforms putatively involved with defense against oxidative stress. Confirmatory assays of enzymatic activity, flow cytometry, transcript levels and NADPH measurements, produced data in agreement with proteomic analysis.