iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SJTD-1: A global response to n-octadecane induced stress

• We use iTRAQ-LC–MS/MS strategy for quantification of proteins in response to the stimuli of C18 alkane.
• A global response is generated to support pseudomonads adapt to alkanes.
• Alkane hydroxylase AlkB2 and a putative novel AlmA-like monooxygenase are contributed to alkane hydroxylation.
• A full range of chemotaxic proteins are differentially expressed in alkane-grown cells.
• We delineated an overall network of alkane bio-degradation.

N-octadecane, the shortest solid-state alkane, was efficiently consumed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa SJTD-1. To reveal its mechanism, the iTRAQ-LC–MS/MS strategy was applied for quantification of proteins in response to alkane. As a result, 383 alkane-responsive proteins were identified and these proteins could be linked to multiple biochemical pathways. Above all, the level of alkane hydroxylase AlkB2 has been significantly higher in alkane condition. Also, the presence of a putative novel AlmA-like monooxygenase and its role on alkane hydroxylation were firstly proposed in Pseudomonas. In addition, other proteins for chemotaxic, β-oxidation, glyoxylate bypass, alkane uptake, cross membrane transport, enzymatic steps and the carbon flow may have important roles in the cellular response to alkane. Most of those differently expressed proteins were functionally mapped into pathways of alkane degradation or metabolism thereof. In this sense, findings in this study provide critical clues to reveal biodegradation of long chain n-alkanes and rationally be important for potent biocatalyst for bioremediation in future.Biological significanceWe use iTRAQ strategy firstly to compare the proteomes of Pseudomonas SJTD-1 degrading alkane. Changes in protein clearly provide a comprehensive overview on alkane hydroxylation of SJTD-1, including those proteins for chemotaxis, alkane uptake, cross membrane transport, enzymatic steps and the carbon flow. AlkB2 and a putative novel AlmA-like monooxygenase have been highlighted for their outstanding contribution to alkane use. We found that several chemotaxic proteins were altered in abundance in alkane-grown cells. These results may be helpful for understanding alkane use for Pseudomonas.

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