Correlation between Phylogroups and Intracellular Proteomes ofPropionibacterium acnesand Differences in the Protein Expression Profiles between Anaerobically and Aerobically Grown Cells

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes is one of the dominant commensals on the human skin and also an opportunistic pathogen in relation to acne, sarcoidosis, prostate cancer, and various infections. Recent investigations using housekeeping and virulence genes have revealed that the species consists of three major evolutionary clades (types I, II, and III). In order to investigate protein expression differences between these phylogroups, proteomic profiles of 21 strains of P. acnes were investigated. The proteins extracted from cells cultured under anaerobic and aerobic conditions were analysed using a SELDI-TOF mass spectrometer, high-resolution capillary gel electrophoresis, and LC-MS/ MS. The SELDI spectral profiles were visualised as a heat map and a dendrogram, which resulted in four proteomic groups. Strains belonging to type I were represented in the proteome Group A, while Group B contained type III strains. Groups C and D contained mixtures of types I and II. Each of these groups was not influenced by differences in culture conditions. Under anoxic growth conditions, a type IB strain yielded high expressions of some proteins, such as methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase and the Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen (CAMP) factor. The present study revealed good congruence between genomic and proteomic data suggesting that the microenvironment of each subtype may influence protein expression.

Typing ofPropionibacterium acnes: a review of methods and comparative analysis

“…successfully differentiated type IA, IB, IC, II and III P. acnes by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry. Using a surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization–time of flight approach, Dekio et al . classified their strains into four different mass spectrometry groups, each of which contained strains from one or more MLST phylotypes.…”

“…Nagy et al 24 successfully differentiated type IA, IB, IC, II and III P. acnes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Using a surfaceenhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight approach, Dekio et al 25 classified their strains into four different mass spectrometry groups, each of which contained strains from one or more MLST phylotypes. This study also found significant differences between aerobically and anaerobically grown cultures, underscoring the utility of mass spectrometry for detecting major differences within P. acnes, but also the increased difficulty in standardizing typing assays using this method.…”

Propionibacterium acnes infection associated with cancerous prostate hypertrophy

“…The production of hyaluronidase 2 (more than 20 proteins produced during biofilm formation and planktonic growth, of which the ABC transporter protein has a highly immunogenic nature) 3 may drive cancer growth of the prostate gland cells, whereas the expression levels of certain proteins (eg, the methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase and Christie-AtkinsMunch-Petersen factor) may be related to the effect of the microenvironment on the development of P. acnes. 9 Studies conducted on animal models and in vitro experiments confirmed the inductive effect…”

Recent progress in the research about Propionibacterium acnes strain diversity and acne: pathogen or bystander?

“…Based on these findings, conclusions can be drawn that there are clear differences between P. acnes subtypes for their abilities stimulating innate immunity. A recent study further demonstrated that each subtype expresses different proteomic profiles, and these were categorized into four main proteomic groups . In the mass spectra generated from protein samples, strains belonging to type I were represented in the proteome group A, while group B contained type III, and groups C and D contained mixtures of types I and II.…”