Differential proteome profile of skin mucus of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) after probiotic intake and/or overcrowding stress

• A comparative study based on 2-DE followed by LC–MS/MS was performed in skin mucus.
• Skin mucus proteome was altered by Pdp11 intake and/or overcrowding stress in S. aurata.
• Structural, metabolic, immune and stress proteins were identified.
• Pdp11 probiotic promotes the over-expression of most of the proteins in skin mucus.
• Lysozyme is up-regulated and over-expressed in skin and skin mucus, respectively.

Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) is the major cultured fish species in the Mediterranean area. High density stocking causes stress and increases the impact of diseases leading to economic losses. Probiotics could represent a solution to prevent diseases through several mechanisms such as improving the immune status and/or mucosal microbiota or competing with pathogens. The probiotic Shewanella putrefaciens, also known as Pdp11, was firstly isolated from the skin of healthy gilthead seabream. Our study focuses on the skin mucus proteome after dietary probiotic Pdp11 intake in fish maintained under normal or overcrowding conditions. 2-DE of skin mucus followed by LC–MS/MS analysis was done for each experimental group and differentially expressed proteins were identified. The results showed differentially expressed proteins especially involved in immune processes, such as lysozyme, complement C3, natural killer cell enhancing factor and nonspecific cytotoxic cell receptor protein 1, whose transcript profiles were studied by qPCR. A consistency between lysozyme protein levels in the mucus and lysozyme mRNA levels in skin was found. Further research is necessary to unravel the implications of skin mucosal immunity on fish welfare and disease.Biological significanceThe present work reveals the proteomic changes, which are taking place in the skin mucus of stressed and non-stressed gilthead seabream after Pdp11 probiotic intake. The study contributes to improving the knowledge on skin mucosal immunology of this relevant farmed fish species. Furthermore, the paper shows for the first time how a suitable proteomic methodology, in this case 2-DE followed by LC–MS/MS is useful to perform a comparative study with a non-invasive technique of skin mucus of gilthead seabream.

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