Tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomic analysis of rohu intestine against Edwardsiella tarda

Abstract

In fish, the intestine acts as a multifunctional organ, especially a single layer of epithelial cells that play a major role in osmoregulation, absorption of nutrients, and protection against invading microbes. India and other Southeast Asian countries are major carp producers, including Labeo rohita, often known as rohu. Disease outbreaks have led to a decline in aquaculture productivity. Edwardsiella tarda, a gram-negative bacteria, can cause severe intestinal diseases in fish and has zoonotic potential. Edwardsiella tarda predominantly infects the mucosal lining of the host intestine. To gain deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms following infection with E. tarda, a quantitative tandem mass tagging (TMT)-based proteomics was conducted to assess the protein expression in the rohu intestine. A total of 1839 proteins, with at least one unique peptide, were identified. Following quantitative analysis, 63 proteins were differentially abundant in response to E. tarda infection. Among differentially abundant proteins (DAPs), 35 were classified as highly abundant, while 28 were classified as low abundant in E. tarda infection. Metascape analysis was used for the gene ontology of DAPs and genes were involved in the lysosome (tinagl1, tpp1), neutrophil degranulation (bin2, nbeal2), biosynthesis of cofactors (ugt1a1, ugt2b5), extracellular matrix (ECM), and receptor interaction and basement membrane (lama4, tnca, vwa1). This study is the first to report on the rohu intestine using TMT-based proteomics after E. tarda infection. The results from the current intestinal proteome contribute to an in-depth understanding of the disease mechanisms and resilience in aquaculture.