title: Proteomic profiling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AES-1R, PAO1 and PA14 reveals potential virulence determinants associated with a transmissible cystic fibrosis-associated strain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). While most CF patients are thought to acquire P. aeruginosa from the environment, person-person transmissible strains have been identified in CF clinics worldwide. The molecular basis for transmissibility and colonization of the CF lung remains poorly understood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A dual proteomics approach consisting of gel-based and gel-free comparisons were undertaken to analyse protein profiles in a transmissible, early (acute) isolate of the Australian epidemic strain 1 (AES-1R), the virulent burns/wound isolate PA14, and the poorly virulent, laboratory-associated strain PAO1. Over 1700 P. aeruginosa proteins were confidently identified. AES-1R protein profiles revealed elevated abundance of proteins associated with virulence and siderophore biosynthesis and acquisition, antibiotic resistance and lipopolysaccharide and fatty acid biosynthesis. The most abundant protein in AES-1R was confirmed as a previously hypothetical protein with sequence similarity to carbohydrate-binding proteins and database search revealed this gene is only found in the CF-associated strain PA2192. The link with CF infection may suggest that transmissible strains have acquired an ability to rapidly interact with host mucosal glycoproteins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that AES-1R expresses higher levels of proteins, such as those involved in antibiotic resistance, iron acquisition and virulence that may provide a competitive advantage during early infection in the CF lung. Identification of novel proteins associated with transmissibility and acute infection may aid in deciphering new strategies for intervention to limit P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hare
authors.forename: Nestor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solis
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harmer
authors.forename: N Bishara
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Marzook
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harbour
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crossett
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manos
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cordwell
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D020543:Proteome; D037521:Virulence Factors