The Enrichment of Histomonas meleagridis and Its Pathogen-Specific Protein Analysis: A First Step to Shed Light on Its Virulence.
Since the discovery of Histomonas meleagridis in 1893, the necessity of isolating pure H. meleagridis has been highlighted over the years in the battle against histomonosis. Insights into the molecular characteristics of this protozoon open possibilities to proper treatment. Axenization of H. meleagridis in vitro cultures cocultured with bacteria has been unsuccessful. Numerous unsuccessful attempts at culturing H. meleagridis axenically have reinforced the assumption that the protozoa had an obligate relationship with certain bacteria originating from the host ceca. Within these perspectives, we enriched H. meleagridis cells from a mono-eukaryotic culture copropagated with host cecal bacteria by flow cytometry. The enrichment of histomonads was confirmed through transmission electron microscopy and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. For the first time several protein spots were successfully identified. The majority of spots were annotated as cytoskeletal proteins. Actin microfilaments are known to be a key player in cell spreading, cell adhesion, phagocytosis, signal transduction, and several other processes. Together with the identification of superoxide dismutase, the information generated from protein analysis of H. meleagridis may serve as a very first step toward understanding its pathogenesis and virulence.
A Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Immunology and Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Anh Dao Nguyen
AD
Pham
B Electron Microscopy Unit, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, CODA-CERVA, Groeselenberg 99, 1180 Ukkel, Belgium.
Jan
J
Mast
C Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Stefan
S
Magez
A Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Immunology and Genetics, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Bruno Maria
BM
Goddeeris
D Division of Crop Biotechnics, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.|E SYBIOMA: Facility for Systems Biology Based Mass Spectrometry, Herestraat 49 O&N2 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Sebastien C
SC
Carpentier
D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / Q000662:veterinary; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000469:parasitology*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016834:Trichomonadida / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*; D014422:Turkeys; D014774:Virulence
D015800:Protozoan Proteins
Histomonas meleagridis; blackhead disease; culture; flow-cytometry; histomonosis; poultry; protein analysis