title: Identification of the most abundant proteins in equine amniotic fluid by a proteomic approach.
abstract: Characterisation of the physiologic equine amniotic fluid (AF) proteome is a prerequisite to study its changes during diseases and discover new biomarkers. The aim of this study was to identify by a proteomic approach the most abundant proteins of equine AF. AF samples were collected at parturition from 24 healthy mares that delivered healthy foals. All samples were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) on 4-12% gels. A pool of the 24 samples, after SDS-PAGE, was cut in 25 slices, trypsin-digested and analysed by mass spectrometry (MS) for protein identification. Mean AF protein concentration was 1.96±1.12g/L. Thirty-four proteins were successfully identified by MS and subsequently categorised according to Gene Ontology (GO). Twelve proteins (e.g. fibronectin, lumican, thrombospondin and fibulin) belonged to or interacted with the extracellular matrix (ECM) playing an important role in the development of foetal tissues. Most of the remaining proteins were classified as transport (e.g. albumin, major allergen Equ c1 and alpha-fetoprotein) delivering nutrients, ions and lipids essential for foetal growth and development. Among these proteins, major allergen Equ c1 is widely studied in human medicine because it induces Ig-E mediated type I allergic reaction. The absence of immunoglobulins in equine AF was also confirmed.
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano, Italy.
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Isani
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano, Italy. Electronic address: enea.ferlizza2@unibo.it.
authors: Enea
authors: E
authors: Ferlizza
authors: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors: Aurora
authors: A
authors: Cuoghi
authors: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Bellei
authors: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors: Emanuela
authors: E
authors: Monari
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano, Italy.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Bianchin Butina
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano, Italy.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Castagnetti
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins
keywords: Electrophoresis; Horse; Pregnancy; Proteome