title: Identification of immunodominant proteins of the microalgae Prototheca by proteomic analysis.
abstract: Prototheca zopfii associated with bovine mastitis and human protothecosis exists as two genotypes, of which genotype 1 is considered as non-infectious and genotype 2 as infectious. The mechanism of infection has not yet been described. The present study was aimed to identify genotype 2-specific immunodominant proteins. Prototheca proteins were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Subsequent western blotting with rabbit hyperimmune serum revealed 28 protein spots. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis resulted in the identification of 15 proteins including malate dehydrogenase, elongation factor 1-alpha, heat shock protein 70, and 14-3-3 protein, which were previously described as immunogenic proteins of other eukaryotic pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irrgang
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weise
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murugaiyan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Centre for Infection Medicine, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Roesler
keywords: Bovine mastitis; MALDI-TOF MS; Prototheca; immunodominant proteins; proteomics; western blotting