Proteomic Analysis Reveal Differential Protein Expressions of Bacillus cereus Spore Under Electrolyzed Water Treatment

Abstract

In order to uncover the molecular regulatory mechanisms of spore inactivation under electrolyzed water (EW), the overall regulation of proteins of Bacillus cereus spores was investigated by the data-independent-acquisition method. It was found that there was a remarkable difference in the expression of 164 proteins in 30 min after exposure to 30 ppm acid electrolyzed water, including 131 downregulated and 33 upregulated proteins. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were mainly enriched in the cytoplasm and the cytoplasmic membrane. Besides, the protein expressions related to a series of crucial biomolecular processes were influenced by electrolyzed water, including carbohydrate metabolism, transportation, and energy metabolism. DEPs involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle were 18 downregulated after EW treatment, including the key enzymes. Moreover, the ability of both carbohydrate catabolism and energy production of spores decreased after EW treatment. Key proteins of the phosphotransferase system were upregulated, indicating that EW enhanced carbohydrate transportation and phosphorylation. These results presented novel insights into the interactions between electrolyzed water conversion and cellular metabolism at the pathway and network levels. This work focused on the molecular mechanisms of the B. cereus spores under EW stress, clarified the key proteins that played a critical role in spores under environmental stress, and revealed the inactivation mechanism of EW to B. cereus spores.