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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315237
Title: Protein expression profiling of Rathayibacter toxicus using mass spectrometry

Author
item Fennessey, Christine
item BLANC, JACLYN - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item Sechler, Aaron
item McMahon, Michael - Mike
item Garrett, Wesley
item Luster, Douglas - Doug
item Schneider, William

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2015
Publication Date: 11/1/2015
Citation: Fennessey, C.M., Blanc, J., Sechler, A.J., Mcmahon, M.B., Garrett, W.M., Luster, D.G., Schneider, W.L. 2015. Protein expression profiling of Rathayibacter toxicus using mass spectrometry. Phytopathology. 105:S4:43.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is a frequently fatal disease that primarily affects livestock in southern and Western Australia. The causative agent of the disease is RATHAYIBACTER TOXICUS, a bacterium that often contaminates the indigenous grasses used for grazing and hay-making. R. TOXICUS produces a tunicamycin-like toxin under certain conditions, causing extreme hepatic and neurological damage in livestock that consume contaminated grass. Despite the significant toll exacted on infected livestock and its ever-increasing geographical prevalence, little is known about this pathogen. Mass spectrometry (MS) proteomic analysis was performed on bacterial lysates and supernatants under various growth conditions in an effort to elucidate protein expression patterns. This approach provides insight into the basic expression profile of RATHAYIBACTER under benign vs. toxin-producing conditions, as well as facilitating the identification of proteins which may be utilized to generate diagnostic assays, allowing for rapid detection of R. TOXICUS prior to livestock ingestion. The initial MS analysis of cultured R. TOXICUS identified 290 expressed proteins, representing the typical biological categories, with the largest number of proteins related to protein synthesis. Bioinformatic analysis identified 9 unique proteins that were viable candidates for antibody production. These results are a significant first step toward a comprehensive evaluation of the R. TOXICUS proteome.