Proteomic profiling of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 and Malaysian isolated clinical strain AB-13 using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Abstract

Aims: Acinetobacter baumannii has been identified as one of the six most pathogenic bacteria that is the cause of most hospital bacterial infections according to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). These nosocomial pathogens are notorious worldwide due to its ability in causing lethal infections among immunocompromised patients and its resistance to many strong antibiotics. This study aims to compare the expressed proteins of two A. baumannii strain, ATCC 19606 and a pathogenic clinically isolated strain known as AB-13. Methodology and results: AB-13 clinically strain was isolated from the lower respiratory tract of a patient with pneumonia. In this study, the proteomic profile of both ATCC 19606 and AB-13 are produced using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The total protein contents were extracted, quantified and separated using 2-DE with a pH range of 4-7 to acquire the proteomic profile for comparison. The final analytical gel was analysed using Delta2D software and among the 324 protein spots successfully resolved, 10 spots exhibited signs of differential expression with 7 spots found to be downregulated and 3 spots upregulated (p< 0.01). These differences could signify the evolution AB-13 has undergone as it acquires traits ultimately aiding in its survivability, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity within varied environments especially during infections. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings support the presence of variation in AB-13 from a proteomic perspective, highlighting the pathogen's evolution improving survivability and pathogenicity, warranting indepth exploration towards understanding A. baumannii virulence and pathogenicity.