Martin Hubalek

An integrated mass spectrometric and computational framework for the analysis of protein interaction networks

Biological systems are controlled by protein complexes that associate into dynamic protein interaction networks. We describe a strategy that analyzes protein complexes through the integration of label-free, quantitative mass spectrometry and computational analysis. By evaluating peptide intensity profiles throughout the sequential dilution of samples, the MasterMap system identifies specific interaction partners, detects changes in the composition of protein complexes and reveals variations in the phosphorylation states of components of protein complexes. We use the complexes containing the human forkhead transcription factor FoxO3A to demonstrate the validity and performance of this technology. Our analysis identifies previously known and unknown interactions of FoxO3A with 14-3-3 proteins, in addition to identifying FoxO3A phosphorylation sites and detecting reduced 14-3-3 binding following inhibition of phosphoinositide-3 kinase. By improving specificity and sensitivity of interaction networks, assessing post-translational modifications and providing dynamic interaction profiles, the MasterMap system addresses several limitations of current approaches for protein complexes.

Detection and Identification of Coxiella burnetii Based on the Mass Spectrometric Analyses of the Extracted Proteins

Rapid and reliable detection, identification, and typing of bacterial species are necessary in response to natural or terrorist-caused outbreaks of infectious diseases and play crucial roles in diagnosis and efficient treatment. We report here two proteomic approaches with a high potential in the detection and identification of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. The first of them starts with the acetonitrile (ACN) and trichloroacetic acid extractions of inactivated C. burnetii cells followed by the detection of extracted molecules and ions derived from the inactivated cells by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In the second approach, identification of the proteins extracted by ACN is accomplished after enzymatic digestion by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry coupled to a nanoscale ultraperformance liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS). In order to observe morphological differences on the surface structures upon extraction, the inactivated and treated cells of the bacterium were examined by electron microscopy. The LC-MS/MS approach has allowed identification of 20 proteins in the ACN extracts of C. burnetii strain RSA 493 that were observed in more than 3 out of 10 experiments.

Membrane rafts: a potential gateway for bacterial entry into host cells

Pathogenic bacteria have developed various mechanisms to evade host immune defense systems. Invasion of pathogenic bacteria requires interaction of the pathogen with host receptors, followed by activation of signal transduction pathways and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton to facilitate bacterial entry. Numerous bacteria exploit specialized plasma membrane microdomains, commonly called membrane rafts, which are rich in cholesterol, sphingolipids and a special set of signaling molecules which allow entry to host cells and establishment of a protected niche within the host. This review focuses on the current understanding of the raft hypothesis and the means by which pathogenic bacteria subvert membrane microdomains to promote infection.

Epitope mapping of allergen ovalbumin using biofunctionalized magnetic beads packed in microfluidic channels The first step towards epitope-based vaccines.

Specific allergen immunotherapy is frequently associated with adverse reactions. Several strategies are being developed to reduce the allergenicity while maintaining the therapeutic benefits. Peptide immunotherapy is one such approach. Methods for the simple and rapid identification of immunogenic epitopes of allergens (i.e. allergenic epitopes) are ongoing and could potentially lead to peptide-based vaccines. An epitope extraction technique, based on biofunctionalized magnetic microspheres self-organized under a magnetic field in a channel of a simple microfluidic device fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane, was applied in the isolation and identification of prospective allergenic epitopes. Similarly to chromatographic column separations, the easily replaceable plug of self-organized beads in the channel benefits especially from an even larger surface-to-volume ratio and an enhanced interaction of the surfaces with passing samples. Ovalbumin, the major protein of egg white and a typical representative of food allergens, was selected as the model molecule. Highly resistant ovalbumin was at first efficiently digested by a magnetic proteolytic reactor with trypsin treated with l-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone and the second step, i.e. capture of allergenic epitopes from the mixture of peptides, was performed by a magnetic immunoaffinity carrier with orientedly immobilized rabbit anti-ovalbumin IgG molecules. Captured peptides were released with 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid. The elution fractions were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The peptide fragment of ovalbumin HIATNAVLFFGR (m/z: 1345.75, position: 371-382) was identified as a relevant allergenic epitope in this way. Such a microfluidic magnetic force-based epitope extraction technique applied in the epitope mapping of ovalbumin has the potential to be a significant step towards developing safe and cost-effective epitope-based vaccines.

Tularemia induces different biochemical responses in BALB/c mice and common voles

BackgroundBoth BALB/c mice and common voles (Microtus arvalis) are considered highly susceptible to tularemia. However, the common vole is reported to harbour Francisella tularensis in European habitats as well as to survive longer with chronic shedding of the bacterium. The purpose of the present study was to compare the response of these two rodents to a wild Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain infection.MethodsRodents were evaluated for differences in the total antioxidant capacity derived from low-molecular-weight antioxidants, biochemistry including lipid metabolism, tissue bacterial burdens and histopathology following experimental intraperitoneal infection with 160 colony forming units (CFU) pro toto.ResultsBacterial burdens in common voles started to develop later post-exposure and amounted to lower levels than in BALB/c mice. Elevation of liver function enzymes was more pronounced in mice than common voles and there were marked differences in lipid metabolism in the course of tularemia in these two species. Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia developed in mice, while physiologically higher levels of triglycerides and cholesterol showed a decreasing tendency in common voles.On the other hand, the total plasma antioxidant capacity gradually dropped to 81.5% in mice on day 5 post-infection, while it increased to 130% on day 6 post-infection in common voles. Significant correlations between tissue bacterial burdens and several biochemical parameters were found.ConclusionAs differences in lipid metabolism and the total antioxidant capacity of highly susceptible rodent species were demonstrated, the role of triglycerides, cholesterol and antioxidants in tularemic sepsis should be further investigated.

Piezoelectric Biosensor for a Simple Serological Diagnosis of Tularemia in Infected European Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus)

Piezoelectric biosensor was used for diagnosis of infection by Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in European brown hares. Two kinds of experiments were performed in this study. First, sera from experimentally infected European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) were assayed by piezoelectric biosensor and the seventh day post infection was found as the first one when statistically significant diagnosis of tularemia was possible; all other sera collected from hares later than on day 7 following the infection were found tularemia positive. Typing to classify the field strain of F. tularensis used for the experimental infection was confirmed by proteome study. Second, sera from 35 European brown hare specimens sampled at hunting grounds and tested as tularemia positive by slow agglutination allowed diagnosis of tularemia by the piezoelectric biosensor. All these sera of naturally infected hares were found as tularemia positive, too. Efficacy of the piezoelectric biosensor for the serological diagnosis of tularemia is discussed.

A community proposal to integrate proteomics activities in ELIXIR.

Computational approaches have been major drivers behind the progress of proteomics in recent years. The aim of this white paper is to provide a framework for integrating computational proteomics into ELIXIR in the near future, and thus to broaden the portfolio of omics technologies supported by this European distributed infrastructure. This white paper is the direct result of a strategy meeting on ‘The Future of Proteomics in ELIXIR’ that took place in March 2017 in Tübingen (Germany), and involved representatives of eleven ELIXIR nodes. These discussions led to a list of priority areas in computational proteomics that would complement existing activities and close gaps in the portfolio of tools and services offered by ELIXIR so far. We provide some suggestions on how these activities could be integrated into ELIXIR’s existing platforms, and how it could lead to a new ELIXIR use case in proteomics. We also highlight connections to the related field of metabolomics, where similar activities are ongoing. This white paper could thus serve as a starting point for the integration of computational proteomics into ELIXIR. Over the next few months we will be working closely with all stakeholders involved, and in particular with other representatives of the proteomics community, to further refine this paper.

Membrane rafts: a potential gateway for bacterial entry into host cells: Membrane rafts & host-pathogen interactions

Pathogenic bacteria have developed various mechanisms to evade host immune defense systems. Invasion of pathogenic bacteria requires interaction of the pathogen with host receptors, followed by activation of signal transduction pathways and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton to facilitate bacterial entry. Numerous bacteria exploit specialized plasma membrane microdomains, commonly called membrane rafts, which are rich in cholesterol, sphingolipids and a special set of signaling molecules which allow entry to host cells and establishment of a protected niche within the host. This review focuses on the current understanding of the raft hypothesis and the means by which pathogenic bacteria subvert membrane microdomains to promote infection.