In infectious diseases, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from a pathogen or pathogen-infected cells can transfer pathogen-derived biomolecules, especially proteins, to target cells and consequently regulate these target cells. For example, malaria is an important tropical infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Previous studies have identified the roles of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell-derived EVs (Pf-EVs) in the pathogenesis, activation, and modulation of host immune responses. This study investigated the proteomic profiles of Pf-EVs isolated from four P. falciparum strains. We also compared the proteomes of EVs from (i) different EV types (microvesicles and exosomes) and (ii) different parasite growth stages (early- and late-stage). The proteomic analyses revealed that the human proteins carried in the Pf-EVs were specific to the type of Pf-EVs. By contrast, most of the P. falciparum proteins carried in Pf-EVs were common across all types of Pf-EVs. As the proteomics results revealed that Pf-EVs contained invasion-associated proteins, the effect of Pf-EVs on parasite invasion was also investigated. Surprisingly, the attenuation of parasite invasion efficiency was found with the addition of Pf-MVs. Moreover, this effect was markedly increased in culture-adapted isolates compared with laboratory reference strains. Our evidence supports the concept that Pf-EVs play a role in quorum sensing, which leads to parasite growth-density regulation.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is cancer of the bile duct and the highest incidence of CCA in the world is reported in Thailand. Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies identified Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) D.C. as a promising candidate for CCA treatment. The present study aimed to examine the molecular targets of action of atractylodin, the bioactive compound isolated from A. lancea, in CCA cell line by applying proteomic and metabolomic approaches. Intra- and extracellular proteins and metabolites were identified by LC-MS/MS following exposure of CL-6, the CCA cell line, to atractylodin for 24 and 48 h. Analysis of the protein functions and pathways involved was performed using a Venn diagram, PANTHER, and STITCH software. Analysis of the metabolite functions and pathways involved, including the correlation between proteins and metabolites identified was performed using MetaboAnalyst software. Results suggested the involvement of atractylodin in various cell biology processes. These include the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, immune response regulation, wound healing, blood vessel development, pyrimidine metabolism, the citrate cycle, purine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Therefore, it was proposed that the action of atractylodin may involve the destruction of the DNA of cancer cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.

Photosynthetic organisms, such as higher plants and algae, require light to survive. However, an excessive amount of light can be harmful due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause cell damage and, if it is not effectively regulated, cell death. The study of plants’ responses to light can aid in the development of methods to improve plants’ growth and productivity. Due to the multicellular nature of plants, there may be variations in the results based on plant age and tissue type. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, has also been used as a model organism to study photosynthesis and photoprotection. Nonetheless, the majority of the research has been conducted with strains that have been consistently utilized in laboratories and originated from the same source. Despite the availability of many field isolates of this species, very few studies have compared the light responses of field isolates. This study examined the responses of two field isolates of Chlamydomonas to high light stress. The light-tolerant strain, CC-4414, managed reactive oxygen species (ROS) slightly better than the sensitive strain, CC-2344, did. The proteomic data of cells subjected to high light revealed cellular modifications of the light-tolerant strain toward membrane proteins. The morphology of cells under light stress revealed that this strain utilized the formation of palmelloid structures and cell aggregation to shield cells from excessive light. As indicated by proteome data, morphological modifications occur simultaneously with the increase in protein degradation and autophagy. By protecting cells from stress, cells are able to continue to upregulate ROS management mechanisms and prevent cell death. This is the first report of palmelloid formation in Chlamydomonas under high light stress.

Nonedible materials such as agricultural wastes can serve as sources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) effective against bacterial plant pathogens. In this study, thirteen agricultural samples were collected and their protein hydrolysates obtained using pepsin. Peptides smaller than 3 kDa were purified by reverse-phase chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, and pI-based fractionation and tested for activity against plant pathogenic bacteria at each step. Active peptides were then analyzed for putative mechanisms using nanoLC–MS/MS and the Mascot program. Ultimately, eight candidate peptides originating from bagasse were selected and chemically synthesized for a comparative study of growth inhibition in plant pathogenic bacteria and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). Three synthesized peptides exhibited a potent activity against plant pathogenic bacteria while also supporting the growth of PGPRs. Proteomics analysis revealed the peptides PQLAVF (Pro-Gln-Leu-Ala-Val-Phe) and MDRFL (Met-Asp-Arg-Phe-Leu) to act against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae via membrane-active mechanisms, while peptide VQLMNSL (Val-Gln-Leu-Met-Asn-Ser-Leu) acted against Pectobacterium carotovorum and Agrobacterium rhizogenes through intracellular-active mechanisms. Further study remains necessary to customize peptides by amino acid substitution not only for a higher effective activity against these and other critical pathogens, but also for a higher stability of peptides in critical condition when applied in industrial processes in the future.

BPH is the most prevalent prostatic condition in aging dogs. Nevertheless, clinical diagnosis and management remain inconsistent. This study employed in-solution digestion coupled with nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to assess serum proteome profiling of dogs with BPH and those dogs after castration. Male dogs were divided into two groups; control and BPH groups. In the BPH group, each dog was evaluated at two time points: Day 0 (BF subgroup) and Day 30 after castration (AT subgroup). In the BF subgroup, three proteins were significantly upregulated and associated with dihydrotestosterone: solute carrier family 5 member 5, tyrosine-protein kinase, and FRAT regulator of WNT signaling pathway 1. Additionally, the overexpression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptors in the BF subgroup hints at its potential as a novel protein linked to the BPH development process. Conversely, alpha-1-B glycoprotein (A1BG) displayed significant downregulation in the BF subgroup, suggesting A1BG’s potential as a predictive protein for canine BPH. Finasteride was associated with increased proteins in the AT subgroup, including apolipoprotein C-I, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein A-II, TAO kinase 1, DnaJ homolog subfamily C member 16, PH domain and leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1, neuregulin 1, and pseudopodium enriched atypical kinase 1. In conclusion, this pilot study highlighted alterations in various serum proteins in canine BPH, reflecting different pathological changes occurring in this condition. These proteins could be a source of potential non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing this disease.