Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate found in high concentrations in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Sulforaphane has received much attention due to the evidence that it inhibits phase I carcinogen-bioactivating enzymes and/or induces phase II antioxidant enzymes as well as metallothioneins (MTs) (Perocco et al., 2006; Clarke et al., 2008; Yeh & Yen, 2009). Since MTs and antioxidant enzymes are involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the question was raised whether sulforaphane can provide protection against increased oxidative stress and if sulforaphane exposure of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, like HepaRG cells, will have a negative impact on phase I and II biotransformation in these cells. Oxidative stress was exogenously induced in HepaRG cells with tert- Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Phase I and phase II biotransformation pathways were assessed with caffeine, paracetamol, aspirin, sodium benzoate, and paraaminobenzoic acid, respectively, as probe substances. Through the use of a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) assay, the biotransformation of caffeine in phase I and the formation of paracetamol, aspirin, sodium benzoate and para-aminobenzoic acid conjugates in phase II were investigated. This involved elucidating the time it took for the whole probe to be completely biotransformed during phase I biotransformation and the unique conjugates formed during phase II biotransformation in HepaRG cells. The optimal t-BHP concentration and exposure time in HepaRG cells were standardized with a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. LC-ESI-MS/MS assays to monitor phase I and phase II biotransformation were optimized and validated. The optimal sulforaphane concentration and exposure time in HepaRG cells were standardized with a MTT assay. To evaluate the possible protective effect of sulforaphane against oxidative stress, HepaRG cells were pre-incubated with sulforaphane followed by the induction of oxidative stress with t-BHP and the quantification of the amount of viable cells with a MTT assay. To investigate the effect of sulforaphane on phase I and phase II biotransformation pathways, HepaRG cells were first pre-incubated with sulforaphane followed by the addition of a specific probe substance and the assessment of the biotransformation of the probe with a LC-ESI-MS/MS assay. The results partially supported the hypothesis of the study that sulforaphane will protect HepaRG cells against oxidative stress without negatively influencing phase I and phase II biotransformation. The results indicated that sulforaphane provided partial protection against t-BHP induced oxidative stress and had no effect on phase II paracetamol biotransformation in HepaRG cells. / Thesis, MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate found in high concentrations in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Sulforaphane has received much attention due to the evidence that it inhibits phase I carcinogen-bioactivating enzymes and/or induces phase II antioxidant enzymes as well as metallothioneins (MTs) (Perocco et al., 2006; Clarke et al., 2008; Yeh & Yen, 2009). Since MTs and antioxidant enzymes are involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the question was raised whether sulforaphane can provide protection against increased oxidative stress and if sulforaphane exposure of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, like HepaRG cells, will have a negative impact on phase I and II biotransformation in these cells. Oxidative stress was exogenously induced in HepaRG cells with tert- Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Phase I and phase II biotransformation pathways were assessed with caffeine, paracetamol, aspirin, sodium benzoate, and paraaminobenzoic acid, respectively, as probe substances. Through the use of a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) assay, the biotransformation of caffeine in phase I and the formation of paracetamol, aspirin, sodium benzoate and para-aminobenzoic acid conjugates in phase II were investigated. This involved elucidating the time it took for the whole probe to be completely biotransformed during phase I biotransformation and the unique conjugates formed during phase II biotransformation in HepaRG cells. The optimal t-BHP concentration and exposure time in HepaRG cells were standardized with a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. LC-ESI-MS/MS assays to monitor phase I and phase II biotransformation were optimized and validated. The optimal sulforaphane concentration and exposure time in HepaRG cells were standardized with a MTT assay. To evaluate the possible protective effect of sulforaphane against oxidative stress, HepaRG cells were pre-incubated with sulforaphane followed by the induction of oxidative stress with t-BHP and the quantification of the amount of viable cells with a MTT assay. To investigate the effect of sulforaphane on phase I and phase II biotransformation pathways, HepaRG cells were first pre-incubated with sulforaphane followed by the addition of a specific probe substance and the assessment of the biotransformation of the probe with a LC-ESI-MS/MS assay. The results partially supported the hypothesis of the study that sulforaphane will protect HepaRG cells against oxidative stress without negatively influencing phase I and phase II biotransformation. The results indicated that sulforaphane provided partial protection against t-BHP induced oxidative stress and had no effect on phase II paracetamol biotransformation in HepaRG cells. / Thesis, MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

De nombreuses études dans la seconde moitié du 20ème siècle, ont mis en évidence que des génotoxiques cancérogènes réagissent avec l'ADN pour former par liaison covalente des adduits qui sont impliqués dans le processus cancérigène. Bien qu’il existe des preuves convaincantes de la présence de multiples adduits à l'ADN dans les poumons de sujets exposés au tabagisme ou en milieu professionnel à un aldéhyde donné, il est évident que c'est un domaine dans lequel des recherches supplémentaires ont été nécessaires. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est d’établir des profils d’adduits exocycliques à l'ADN induits par le mélange d’aldéhydes, qui pourraient à terme être considérés comme un marqueur génotoxique de l’exposition aux aldéhydes, tant endogène qu’environnemental. Pour cette raison, nous avons validé une méthode en UHPLC-MS/MS rapide, sensible et précise en utilisant la dilution isotopique, pour la quantification à l’état de trace de 9 adduits exocycliques à l’ADN dérivés de 8 principaux aldéhydes exogènes et endogènes, notamment le formaldéhyde, l’acétaldéhyde, l’acroléine, le crotonaldéhyde, le malondialdéhyde, le 4-hydroxy-2-nonénal, le glyoxal et le méthylglyoxal. Ces adduits ont été synthétisés et purifiés ainsi que leurs homologues marqués au 13C10, 15N5, identifiés et quantifiés par le biais des courbes d'étalonnage allant de 0,25 à 250 ng/mL d'adduits dans l'eau et l'ADN afin de décrire les effets matrice. Des échantillons de contrôle qualité ont été préparés et analysés afin de vérifier l'exactitude et la précision de la méthode dans des situations de répétabilité et de fidélité intermédiaire. L'absence de contamination croisée a également été démontrée. La méthode est capable de différencier les 9 analytes d'intérêt et leurs étalons internes en utilisant pour chaque analyte une transition de quantification et une seconde de confirmation. Cette méthode a été validée selon les recommandations de l'Agence Européenne des Médicaments concernant les méthodes bioanalytiques. Elle répond à tous les critères essentiels pour garantir l'acceptabilité des performances et la fiabilité des résultats d'analyse. Cette méthode est la toute première validée et peut être utilisée en adductomique dans le cadre d'études sur l'exposome. En plus, nous avons simultanément mesuré par une approche in vitro les 9 adduits exocycliques dans de l’ADN de thymus de veau exposé à de différentes concentrations de chaque aldéhyde seul ou en mélanges équimolaires. Cette approche nous a permis d’établir des relations dose-dépendantes pour tous les aldéhydes à l’exception du malondialdéhyde et du méthylglyoxal. Une relation dose-réponse a également été observée avec les mélanges équimolaires d’aldéhydes. Elle a permis de définir des réactivités différentes des aldéhydes en mélange vis-à-vis de l’ADN. Les profils de ces adduits exocycliques ont été également déterminés dans l'ADN de sang de fumeurs et de non-fumeurs. La fumée de cigarette contient plusieurs aldéhydes connus de se lier par covalence aux bases de l’ADN, ainsi l’adduit à l’ADN peut être considéré comme biomarqueur d’exposition au tabac. Des différences significatives dans les niveaux d’adduits ont été obtenues entre l’ADN des fumeurs et celui des non-fumeurs à l’exception de l’adduit induit par le malondialdéhyde. Des corrélations ont été établies entre chaque adduit et les marqueurs de la consommation tabagique sans aucune corrélation significative de la totalité des adduits avec un marqueur spécifique. Par ailleurs, nous avons montré que l’exposition au formaldéhyde, au butanal et au benzaldéhyde a eu un effet sur les concentrations du MDA urinaire mesurées chez les policiers libanais stationnés au carrefour pendant 7 h par jour et après exposition de 5 jours aux émissions du trafic routier. Une augmentation du MDA plasmatique a été décrite ; les années de travail avaient une incidence sur les concentrations de ce biomarqueur. / Many studies in the second half of the 20th century have shown that genotoxic carcinogens, either directly or after metabolic activation, react with DNA to form covalently bonded adducts that are absolutely central in the carcinogenic process. Although there is compelling evidence of the presence of multiple DNA adducts in the lungs of subjects exposed to smoking or occupational exposure to a given aldehyde, it is clear that this is an area in which further research has been necessary. The aim of this thesis is to establish exocyclic DNA adducts profiles induced by the mixture of aldehydes, which could eventually be considered as a genotoxic marker of aldehyde exposure, both endogenous environmental. For this reason, we have validated a fast, sensitive and precise method on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem mode (UHPLC-MS/MS) using isotopic dilution, for trace quantification of 9 exocyclic DNA adducts derived from 8 major exogenous and endogenous aldehydes, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, glyoxal and methylglyoxal. These adducts were synthesized and purified as well as their labeled homologues, identified and quantified through standard curves ranging from 0.25 (LLOQ) to 250 ng/mL (ULOQ) adducts in water and in DNA to describe the matrix effects. Quality control (QC) samples were prepared and analyzed to verify the accuracy and precision of the method in repeatability and intermediate fidelity situations. The absence of cross-contamination has also been demonstrated. The method is able to differentiate the 9 analytes of interest and their internal standards using for each analyte a quantification transition and a confirmation transition. This method has been validated according to the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concerning bioanalytical methods. It meets all the essential criteria to guarantee the acceptability of the performances and the reliability of the analysis results. This method is the very first validated and can be used in adductomics in the context of studies on the exposome. In addition, the exocyclic adducts were simultaneously measured by an in vitro approach in calf thymus DNA exposed to different concentrations of each aldehyde apart or in equimolar mixtures. This approach allowed us to establish dose-dependent relationships for all aldehydes with the exception of malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal. A dose-response relationship was also observed with equimolar mixtures of aldehydes. It made it possible to define different reactivities of aldehydes in mixture versus DNA. The profiles of these exocyclic adducts were also determined in the blood DNA of smokers and non-smokers. Cigarette smoke contains several aldehydes known to covalently bind to DNA bases, so the DNA adduct may be considered as biomarker of tobacco exposure. Significant differences in adducts levels were obtained between smokers and non-smokers DNA with the exception of malondialdehyde-induced DNA adduct. Correlations were established between each adduct and smoking-related markers without any significant correlation of all adducts with a specific marker. Furthermore, we have shown that exposure to formaldehyde, butanal and benzaldehyde had an effect on the concentrations of urinary MDA measured in Lebanese police stationed at the intersection for 7 hours a day and after 5-day exposure to road traffic. An increase in plasma MDA has been described; years of work had an impact on the concentrations of this biomarker. These results are promising and it would be interesting to validate in population the profile of 9 exocyclic adducts as biomarkers of exposure to both exogenous and endogenous aldehydes as part of an adductomic approach to understand the carcinogenic risk in relation to aldehydes exposures in urban areas.

no / Prostanoids modulate the activity of human pregnant myometrium and their functional role can be appreciated through characterisation of prostanoid receptors and tissue concentration of prostanoids. We have applied a lipidomic approach to elucidate the profile of prostanoids in human non-labouring and labouring myometrium. We have identified a total of nineteen prostanoids including prostacyclin, thromboxanes, prostaglandins and dihydro-prostaglandins. Prostacyclin was the predominant prostanoid in both non-labouring and labouring myometria, with PGD2 and PGF2¿ being the second most abundant. Although the total amount of prostanoids was increased in the labouring tissue, PGE2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 were the only prostanoids to increase significantly at early and late labour (p¿0.001). Our data suggest that PGF2¿ plays an important role in parturition, whilst the increase in PGE2 could occur to facilitate cervical dilation and relaxation of the lower myometrium during labour. Although the elevation in TXA2 was less marked than expected, in terms of translation to function even a relatively small increase in the level of this potent spasmogen may have significant effects.

Chronic, noncommunicable diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis) are rapidly becoming a worldwide epidemic that profoundly affects public health and productivity. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by severe and debilitating fatigue and although its etiology is still unknown, recent studies have found considerable evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress might be responsible for the underlying energy deficit in these patients. Adenine and pyridine nucleotides could be used as potential biomarkers for energy related disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome because of their various functions in the energy and redox pathways. The first part of this study focussed on developing a liquid chromatography electrosprayionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the quantification of these nucleotides in blood samples. Due to the instability of nucleotides in biological matrices it was also necessary to find a suitable extraction method that would be able to stop enzymatic activity via protein precipitation. Out of the four extraction methods investigated during this study, deproteinisation of whole blood samples with perchloric acid produced the highest nucleotide abundances. Although nucleotide standards were found to be stable in perchloric acid, nucleotide levels in blood samples were not stabilised by addition of perchloric acid. The second part of this study consisted of measuring the nucleotide levels in blood samples of controls and possible CFS patients in order to test the proof of concept of the new LCESI- MS/MS method. Despite changes in the nucleotide levels due to perchloric acid and problems with nucleotide instability, it was still possible to distinguish between the two groups based on the results obtained with the new LC-ESI-MS/MS method. The newly developed LC-ESI-MS/MS method proved to be reliable and adequate for nucleotide quantification in whole blood samples, thus the aim of this study was achieved. / MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei is a biotroph pathogen that causes powdery mildew disease in barley. In this study, Pallas01 and Pallas03 barley lines having Mla1, Ml (Al2) and Mla6, Mla14 R-genes were inoculated with Bgh103(64/01) race of the Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei having avirulence and virulence to Pallas01 and Pallas03, respectively. The proteins were isolated from the three biological replicates of 12, 24, and 48 hpi samples following the method in Rampitsch et al., 2006. These there biological replicates of three time points together with the mock inoculated plant proteins were separated on 2D-PAGE using IPG strips of 4-7 pH values as three technical replicates, resulting 108 gels. The gels were analyzed using PdQuest (Bio Rad) in order to assess up- or down-regulated protein spots by comparing against controls and the samples having resistance or susceptible responses with each other. According to the analysis, 36 proteins were found to be differentiated and among them 18 proteins were found up-regulated and 8 proteins were found down-regulated. The spots were manually v excised and subjected to the nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis (Proteome Factory, Germany). The MASCOT algorithm was used for identification of the possible proteins. The experimental pI and MW values were used for selecting the differentiated proteins from the mass results. The relative abundance of each of the 38 identified polypeptides was calculated in terms of spot intensity. The majority of the most abundant proteins were found to be carbohydrate metabolism related. The relative distribution of the proteins into four main functional categories was taken into consideration. Statistical tests (Students&amp / #8223 / T-test) were carried among the identified proteins in order to reveal statistically significant proteins throughout the study. By making a WoLF PSORT search, subcellular localization of the proteins was predicted. Accordingly, most of the proteins were found to be located in cytoplasm or chloroplast.

Chronic, noncommunicable diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis) are rapidly becoming a worldwide epidemic that profoundly affects public health and productivity. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by severe and debilitating fatigue and although its etiology is still unknown, recent studies have found considerable evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress might be responsible for the underlying energy deficit in these patients. Adenine and pyridine nucleotides could be used as potential biomarkers for energy related disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome because of their various functions in the energy and redox pathways. The first part of this study focussed on developing a liquid chromatography electrosprayionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the quantification of these nucleotides in blood samples. Due to the instability of nucleotides in biological matrices it was also necessary to find a suitable extraction method that would be able to stop enzymatic activity via protein precipitation. Out of the four extraction methods investigated during this study, deproteinisation of whole blood samples with perchloric acid produced the highest nucleotide abundances. Although nucleotide standards were found to be stable in perchloric acid, nucleotide levels in blood samples were not stabilised by addition of perchloric acid. The second part of this study consisted of measuring the nucleotide levels in blood samples of controls and possible CFS patients in order to test the proof of concept of the new LCESI- MS/MS method. Despite changes in the nucleotide levels due to perchloric acid and problems with nucleotide instability, it was still possible to distinguish between the two groups based on the results obtained with the new LC-ESI-MS/MS method. The newly developed LC-ESI-MS/MS method proved to be reliable and adequate for nucleotide quantification in whole blood samples, thus the aim of this study was achieved. / MSc (Biochemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O feijÃo-de-corda tem grande importÃncia socioeconÃmica no Nordeste brasileiro. Entretanto, sua produÃÃo à baixa devido a diversos fatores biÃticos, como, por exemplo, o vÃrus do mosaico severo do caupà (CPSMV, gÃnero Comovirus), que apresenta grande destaque, por causar a virose que mais acomete essa cultura no paÃs. No estudo da interaÃÃo planta-vÃrus, diversos trabalhos mostram que o tratamento de sementes com o etil metanosulfonato (EMS, mutagÃnico quÃmico) resulta no fenÃtipo de resistÃncia em plantas que, anteriormente, apresentavam susceptibilidade à infecÃÃo por vÃrus do gÃnero Potyvirus. Por essa razÃo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar as respostas de defesa bioquÃmicas e fisiolÃgicas das plantas de feijÃo-de-corda do genÃtipo (CE-31) susceptÃvel ao CPSMV (CPI) a partir de sementes tratadas com EMS (0,04% v/v), e avaliar se as plantas mutagenizadas (MCPI), produzidas a partir dessas sementes se tornaram resistentes ao CPSMV. Duas diferentes abordagens foram utilizadas neste trabalho: 1) anÃlises bioquÃmicas (enzimas antioxidantes e conteÃdo de H2O2, PR-proteÃnas e compostos secundÃrios) e fisiolÃgicas (parÃmetros fotossintÃticos e teor de clorofila); 2) abordagem proteÃmica quantitativa (LC-ESI-MS/MS), livre de marcaÃÃo, para identificar proteÃnas responsivas à infecÃÃo viral. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que as plantas MCPI sÃo capazes de induzir respostas bioquÃmicas (aumento de H2O2, induÃÃo de PR-proteÃnas e aumento no conteÃdo de compostos secundÃrios) e alteraÃÃes nos parÃmetros fisiolÃgicos (alta taxa fotossintÃtica e teor de clorofila) que, aparentemente, tÃm relaÃÃo com o fenÃtipo de resistÃncia das plantas mutagenizadas ao CPSMV. Na anÃlise proteÃmica, 99 proteÃnas foram identificadas como sendo diferenciais, das quais 68 aumentaram e 31 diminuÃram em abundÃncia nas plantas MCPI em relaÃÃo as plantas CPI. A anÃlise proteÃmica, mostrou diversas vias metabÃlicas (Metabolismo Redox, Energia e Metabolismo, FotossÃntese, Metabolismo de RNA e Defesa) envolvidas nas respostas de defesa das plantas MCPI frente a infecÃÃo viral. O tratamento das sementes com o EMS, resultou em plantas de feijÃo-de-corda com fenÃtipo de resistÃncia capazes de acionar mecanismos de defesa para impedir a infeÃÃo viral / Cowpea is an important crop that makes major nutritional contributions as a source of proteins and carbohydrates in the diet of many people worldwide. However, its production is impaired due to various stresses including those of biotic origins. Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CPSMV) infects cowpeas leading to severe symptoms and low productivity. Several studies of plant-virus interaction show that seed treatment with Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS, chemical mutagen), results in a resistant phenotype in plants, which was previously susceptibility, to virus infection of the Potyvirus genus. The aim of this study was to investigate some physiological and biochemical parameters of a susceptible cowpea cultivar (CPI) (CE-31, sin. Pitiuba) in comparison with its derived resistant mutagenized (MCPI), both infected with CPSMV. MCPI plantlets were obtained after treatment of CE-31 seeds with 0.04% EMS. Two different approaches were used in this study: 1) biochemical (antioxidant enzymes and H2O2 content, PR-proteins and secondary metabolites) and physiological analysis (photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll content); and 2) Label free quantitative proteomic approach (LC-ESI-MS / MS) to identify proteins responsive to viral infection. Our results showed that MCPI had no symptoms of CPSMV infection and biochemical (high H2O2, PR-proteins and secondary compounds [phenolic and lignin]) and physiological responses (High photosynthesis index and chlorophyll content) is activated in MCPI plantlets after CPSMV inoculation. With regard to proteomic analysis, 99 proteins were differentially represented, where these 68 are up- and 31 down represented in MCPI compared to CPI. Regardless whether to CPI (susceptible) or MCPI (mutagenized resistant) plantlets, CPSMV induce changes in proteome profile that involve several biological process (energy and metabolism, photosynthesis, response to stress, oxidative burst, and scavenging). Moreover, these results suggest that the CPSMV responsive proteins in the MCPI represent a complex network involving in resistant mechanisms to CPSMV. Treatment of the susceptible CE-31 genotype seeds with the mutagenic agent EMS induced genomic alterations generating a cowpea mutagenized resistant to CPSMV by apparently inducing classical biochemical and physiological responses against infection

The catfish industry suffers losses primarily due to enteric septicemia of catfish and columnaris disease caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium columnare, respectively. Understanding the host-pathogen interactions is vital for prevention and eradication of these diseases. Hence, the overall objective of this study was to analyze whole cell proteomes of these two bacteria, and to determine the changes in E. ictaluri protein expression against in vitro iron-restriction and host serum treatment. High-throughput proteomic analysis of these bacteria was conducted using two-dimensional liquid chromatography followed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (2-D LC ESI MS/MS) and two-dimentional gel electrophoresis coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-oflight mass spectrometry (2-DE MALDI TOF/TOF). Identified proteins were clustered into functional groups using clusters of orthologous groups, and subcellular locations as well as possible functional relationships were determined. A total of 788 unique E. ictaluri and 621 unique F. columnare proteins were identified, which represented 12 and 28 pathways, respectively. Vertebrate hosts tend to chelate free iron of their body and make the environment hostile for bacteria. Hence, reduced availability of iron may cause significant stress for pathogens and is considered a signal that leads to alteration in virulent gene expression. Similarly, E. ictaluri might use the catfish blood stream effectively for quick systemic invasion. Hence, exposure to catfish serum components might reveal the ability of E. ictaluri to protect against host defense mechanisms. Using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, responses of E. ictaluri due to in vitro iron-restriction and host serum treatment were determined. A total of 50 and 19 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed due to in vitro iron-restriction and catfish serum treatment, respectively. Among the differentially expressed proteins, several putative virulent determinants, immunogenic proteins, chaperones, and housekeeping genes were noted. To initiate functional studies, four differentially expressed E. ictaluri genes (lamB, glyS, malE, and sdhA) were mutated by inrame deletion. Results from this study provided experimental evidence for many predicted proteins. In addition, identification of differentially expressed proteins provided targets for further functional analysis, which could help elucidate pathogenic mechanisms of E. ictaluri.