Secretome analysis of an environmental isolate Enterobacter sp. S-33 identifies proteins related to pathogenicity

Enterobacter species are responsible for causing infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, meninges, etc. Proteins secreted by these species may act as determinants of host-pathogen interaction and play a role in virulence. Among the secreted proteins, the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) acts as a molecular nanomachine to deliver many effector proteins directly into prey cells in a contact-dependent manner. The secreted proteins may provide an idea for the interaction of bacteria to their environment and an understanding of the role of these proteins for their role in bacterial physiology and behaviour. Therefore, aim of this study was to characterize the secreted proteins in the culture supernatant by a T6SS bacterium Enterobacter sp. S-33 using nano-LC-MS/MS tool. Using a combined mass spectrometry and bioinformatics approach, we identified a total of 736 proteins in the secretome. Bioinformatics analysis predicting subcellular localization identified 110 of the secreted proteins possessed signal sequences. By gene ontology analysis, more than 80 proteins of the secretome were classified into biological or molecular functions. More than 20 percent of secretome proteins were virulence proteins including T6SS proteins, proteins involved in adherence and fimbriae formation, molecular chaperones, outer membrane proteins, serine proteases, antimicrobial, biofilm, exotoxins, etc. In summary, the results of the present study of the S-33 secretome provide a basis for understanding the possible pathogenic mechanisms and future investigation by detailed experimental approach will provide a confirmation of secreted virulence proteins in the exact role of virulence using the in vivo model.

Automated summary

In this study, the secreted proteins of Enterobacter sp. S-33 were characterized using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. It was found that these proteins included various virulence factors and may play a role in the pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria.