A proteomic analysis sheds light on the cyst structure and its immune barrier function in tilapia infected by the parasite Myxobolus bejeranoi.

ABSTRACT: Myxozoa, a unique group of obligate endoparasites within the phylum Cnidaria, can cause emerging diseases in both wild and cultured fish populations. Recently, the myxozoan Myxobolus bejeranoi has been identified as a prevalent pathogen infecting the gills of cultured hybrid tilapia, resulting in considerable mortality rates. M. bejeranoi can infect fish at an early-life stage and demonstrates rapid and efficient proliferation along with modulation of its host immune system. Proliferation is confined within a gramulomata, or termed cyst, that generates a cellular barrier with the attempt to prevent parasite spreading to surrounding tissues. In this study, we employed a proteomic approach to examine the impact of M. bejeranoi infection on fish gills, with a particular emphasis the cyst walls. Enrichment analysis showed increased immune response and oxidative stress within the infected gill tissue, with the most pronounced effects observed at the cyst walls. The intense immune reaction included a consortium of endopeptidase inhibitors, potentially combating the proteases arsenal secreted by the Myxozoa. Analysis of the cysts proteome indicated that cell-cell adhesion molecules via keratin intermediate filaments contribute to the structural integrity of the rigid cysts. However, this barrier confining M. bejeranoi is not impenetrable and the infection will impact the overall gill tissue and eventually in severe cases the effect will be systematic. This research deepens our understanding of the proteomic elements constructing the cysts walls which enable its distinctive nature from rest of the gill tissue at the interface between the host and the myxozoan parasite.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive HF

ORGANISM(S): Danio Rerio (zebrafish) (brachydanio Rerio)

SUBMITTER: Tamar Ziv  

LAB HEAD: Tamar Lotan

PROVIDER: PXD051329 | Pride | 2024-06-23

REPOSITORIES: Pride