BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, proteomic analysis was used to identify abundant proteins from total protein extracts. PEG fractionation was used to reveal lower abundant proteins from both high and low proliferation embryogenic lines of oil palm samples in tissue culture. A total of 40 protein spots were found to be significant in abundance and the mRNA levels of 12 of these were assessed using real time PCR. Three proteins namely, triosephosphate isomerase, l-ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to be concordant in their mRNA expression and protein abundance. Triosephosphate isomerase is a key enzyme in glycolysis. Both l-ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase play a role in anti-oxidative scavenging defense systems. These proteins have potential for use as biomarkers to screen for high and low embryogenic oil palm samples.
BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals the compositional details of the venom proteome of Pakistani spectacled cobra (Naja naja). The protein subtypes, proteoforms, and relative abundances of individual proteins were comprehensively revealed in this study, following a venom decomplexing proteomic approach. The Pakistani cobra venom is unique among the rest of the N. naja venom composition reported thus far, as it contains a high abundance of alpha-neurotoxins (predominated by long neurotoxins); these are highly potent post-synaptic neuromuscular blockers that cause paralysis and are principal toxins that account for the high lethality of the venom (LD50=0.2μg/g in mice). In contrast, previous reports showed that the N. naja venoms of India and Sri Lanka had a lower content of neurotoxins and a relatively higher value of LD50. The Pakistani cobra venom demonstrated sufficient immunoreactivity toward three antivenom products manufactured outside Pakistan (including the Indian product VINS), however the potency of antigen binding was the highest toward Naja kaouthia monovalent antivenom, a heterologous antivenom raised against a long neurotoxin-predominated venom of the Thai monocled cobra. From the practical standpoint, the findings indicate that the treatment of N. naja envenomation in Pakistan may be improved by the production of a locale-specific antivenom, in which the antivenom produced contains more antibodies that can target and react more specifically with the highly abundant lethal neurotoxins in the Pakistani N. naja venom.
BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This paper reports the application of comparative proteomic and metabolomic approaches to reveal the molecular basis for important phenotypic changes Leishmania parasites that are deficient in glucose uptake. Leishmania cause a very significant disease burden across the world and there are few effective drugs available for control. This work shows that proteomics and metabolomics can produce complementary data that advance understanding of parasite metabolism and highlight potential new targets for chemotherapy.
SIGNIFICANCE: Plant proteomics study is a rapidly growing area of biological research that is positively impacting plant science. With the recent advances in new technologies, proteomics not only allows us to comprehensively analyses crop proteins, but also help us to understand the functions of the genes. In this review, we highlighted recent proteomic studies in commercial crops and updated the advances in our understanding of the proteomes of these crops. We believe that proteomic-based research will continue to grow and contribute to the improvement of crops.
BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Comprehensive venom proteomes of D. russelii from different locales will facilitate better understanding of the geographical variability of the venom in both qualitative and quantitative terms. This is essential to provide scientific basis for the interpretation of differences in the clinical presentation of Russell's viper envenomation. The study revealed a unique venom proteome of the Pakistani D. russelii from the wild (Indus Delta), in which PLA2 predominated (~60% of total venom proteins). The finding unveiled remarkable differences in the venom compositions between the wild (present study) and the captive specimens reported previously. The integration of toxicity tests enabled the correlation of the venom proteome with the envenoming pathophysiology, where the venom showed potent lethality mediated through coagulopathic activity. The Indian VINS Polyvalent Antivenom (VPAV) showed binding activity toward the venom protein antigens; however the immunorecognition of small proteins and PLA2-dominating fractions was low to moderate. Consistently, the antivenom neutralized the toxicity of the wild Pakistani Russell's viper venom at moderate efficacies. Our results suggest that it may be possible to enhance the Indian antivenom potency against the Pakistani viper venom by the inclusion of venoms from a wider geographical range including that from Pakistan into the immunogen formulation.
SIGNIFICANCE: A shotgun proteomic approach adopted in this study revealed the compositional details of the venom of common tiger snake from Australia, Notechis scutatus. The proteomic findings provided additional information on the relative abundances of toxins and the detection of proteins of minor expression unreported previously. The potent lethal effect of the venom was neutralized by bioCSL Sea Snake Antivenom, an anticipated finding due to the fact that the Sea Snake Antivenom is actually bivalent in nature, being raised against a mix of venoms of the beaked sea snake (Hydrophis schistosus) and N. scutatus. However, it is surprising to note that bioCSL Sea Snake Antivenom neutralized N. scutatus venom much more effectively compared to the targeted sea snake venom by a marked difference in potency of approximately 6-fold. This phenomenon may be explained by the main difference in the proteomes of the two venoms, where H. schistosus venom is dominated by short-neurotoxins in high abundance - this is a poorly immunogenic toxin group that has been increasingly recognized in the venoms of a few cobras. Further investigations should be directed toward strategies to improve the neutralization of short-neurotoxins, in line with the envisioned production of an effective pan-regional elapid antivenom.