Proteomics inference of genes involved in host adaptation of Mycoplasma gallinarum

Different from most other host-specific mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma gallinarum has been isolated from various hosts, such as poultry, pig, cattle, and sheep. The wide distribution among different hosts, the low pathogenesis, and the weak host immunological responses suggest this mycoplasma has a unique host adaptation mechanism. In this study, we applied two-dimensional liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC–MS/MS) to characterize the protein profiling of M. gallinarum. Our results suggest that M. gallinarum possesses homologs of cytadhesin proteins found in other mycoplasmas lacking an organized tip organelle. Our results showed that there are possibly multiple aminopeptidase gene homologs present in M. gallinarum, which might be involved in nutrient acquisition of M. gallinarum. The information present here would be useful for future studies to identify genes responsible for the colonization and host adaptation properties of M. gallinarum.