Proteomic analysis of the processes leading to Madurella mycetomatis grain formation in Galleria mellonella larvae.

Mycetoma is a neglected chronic and granulomatous infection primarily associated with the fungal pathogen Madurella mycetomatis. Characteristic of this infection is the formation of grains. However, the processes leading to grain formation are not known. In this study, we employed a proteomic approa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Main Authors: Gerard Sheehan, Mickey Konings, Wilson Lim, Ahmed Fahal, Kevin Kavanagh, Wendy W J van de Sande
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2020
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008190
https://doaj.org/article/449e255320ce4cda84c8ce82bbc665c1
Description
Summary:Mycetoma is a neglected chronic and granulomatous infection primarily associated with the fungal pathogen Madurella mycetomatis. Characteristic of this infection is the formation of grains. However, the processes leading to grain formation are not known. In this study, we employed a proteomic approach to characterise M. mycetomatis grain formation in Galleria mellonella larvae and map the processes leading to grain formation over time. For this, at 1 day, 3 days and 7 days post-inoculation, proteins from grains and hemolymph were extracted and analysed by label-free mass spectrometry. A total of 87, 51 and 48 M. mycetomatis proteins and 713, 997, 18 G. mellonella proteins were found in grains on day 1, 3 and 7 post-inoculation respectively. M. mycetomatis proteins were mainly involved in cellular metabolic processes and numerous enzymes were encountered. G. mellonella proteins were primarily involved in the nodulation process. The proteins identified were linked to nodulation and grain formation and four steps of grain formation were identified. The results of this proteomic approach could in the future be used to design novel strategies to interfere with mycetoma grain formation and to combat this difficult to treat infection.