Comparative proteomic analysis provides insight into the key proteins as potential targets underlying the effect of malachite green against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Abstract

Target identification is important for drug discovery. Unfortunately, no drug targets have been found in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis until now and further limited development of the novel drug for Ichthyophthiriasis. In this study, an iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomic analysis was used to find the target of malachite green (MG), exhibiting greater efficacy than the existing drugs, against I. multifiliis trophonts in situ. We also verified the proteomic results by RT‐qPCR, TEM and cell apoptosis assay. Our results showed that major variations in protein abundance were found among many of the ribosome proteins, indicating ribosome might be a candidate target. Furthermore, GO and KEGG pathway analyses of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) revealed that ribosome and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathway were remarkably enriched. Taken together, the above DEPs were also verified by RT‐qPCR and morphological observations. This study provides insights into the key proteins enriched in PI3K‐Akt signal pathway and ribosome pathway as potential targets of MG killing I. multifiliis, which could be served as targets for other less toxic drugs and be tested as potential treatments for I. multifiliis.

In Vitro Assessment of Berberine against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in Goldfish

“…Furthermore, our TEM results demonstrated that berberine treatment resulted in the damage of organelles and cytomembranes, reflected in the reduction in the number of ribosomes, the rupturing of the inner membrane of mitochondria, and mitochondrial swelling. This is similar to the results of Qu′s and Ruider′s studies [ 7 , 32 ]. Ribosomes are critical in protein production in all cells, and the I. multifiliis is no exception.…”

“…Our results suggested that berberine causes structural alterations in parasite cells, particularly severe disruption to the inner membrane of mitochondria. These effects are similar to those achieved by the treatment with malachite green [ 7 , 32 ] and 10-gingerol [ 39 ]. In Fu’s study, 10-gingerol reduced ATP ase activities, leading to the accumulation of free radicals, which further led to the destruction of cell membranes and organelles.…”

Investigation of the Alternations in the Muscle Quality of Swimming Crab (Ovalipes punctatus) during Cold-Chain Transportation Using Physicochemical and TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis

“…Specifically, the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathways might be attributed to the oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses, which could initiate apoptosis as an adaptive mechanism for oxidative stress in crabs . As previously discussed, the ribosome is essential for protein synthesis in cells . Oxidative phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the oxidative stress in mitochondria and apoptosis in cells .…”

“…76 As previously discussed, the ribosome is essential for protein synthesis in cells. 77 Oxidative phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the oxidative stress in mitochondria and apoptosis in cells. 78 Additionally, the TCA cycle enhanced the immune response in crabs, indicating the activation of immune and antioxidation functions in crabs during the first stage of transportation.…”

Honokiol induces apoptosis-like death in Cryptocaryon irritans Tomont

“…In recent years, apoptosis has provided a new treatment for many diseases, such as inflammation, cancer, leishmaniasis, malaria, and toxoplasmosis [ 7 – 14 ]. The apoptosis-like death pathway has also been found in many protozoa, such as Leishmania, Plasmodium falciparum , Tetrahymena thermophila , Trypanosoma cruzi , Blastocystis hominis , Toxoplasma gondii , and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis [ 12 – 21 ], providing a new way to treat parasitic diseases. Many apoptosis-related genes of C. irritans have been found via transcriptome analysis [ 22 – 26 ], which indicates that C. irritans might have an apoptosis-like death pathway.…”