Proteomic analysis of Brucella suis under oxygen deficiency reveals flexibility in adaptive expression of various pathways

Proteomics. 2009 Jun;9(11):3011-21. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200800266.

Abstract

Low oxygen tension was proposed to be one of the environmental parameters characteristic of the patho-physiological conditions of natural infections by Brucella suis. We previously showed that various respiratory pathways may be used by B. suis in response to microaerobiosis and anaerobiosis. Here, we compare the whole proteome of B. suis exposed to such low-oxygenated conditions to that obtained from bacteria grown under ambient air using 2-D DIGE. Data showed that the reduction of basal metabolism was in line with low or absence of growth of B. suis. Under both microaerobiosis and anaerobiosis, glycolysis and denitrification were favored. In addition, fatty acid oxidation and possibly citrate fermentation could also contribute to energy production sufficient for survival under anaerobiosis. When oxygen availability changed and became limiting, basic metabolic processes were still functional and variability of respiratory pathways was observed to a degree unexpected for a strictly aerobic microorganism. This highly flexible respiration probably constitutes an advantage for the survival of Brucella under the restricted oxygenation conditions encountered within host tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis
  • Bacterial Proteins / analysis
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Brucella suis / chemistry
  • Brucella suis / genetics
  • Brucella suis / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Glycolysis
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Nitrate Reductase / biosynthesis
  • Nitrate Reductase / genetics
  • Nitrate Reductase / metabolism
  • Oxygen / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Stress, Physiological

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Proteome
  • Nitrate Reductase
  • Oxygen