Lysine Succinylation and Acetylation in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multi-drug-resistant human opportunistic pathogen largely involved in nosocomial infections. Unfortunately, effective antibacterial agents are lacking. Exploring its physiology at the post-translational modifications (PTMs) level may contribute to the renewal of combat tactics. Recently, lysine succinylation was discovered in bacteria and seems to be an interesting PTM. We present the first succinylome and acetylome of P. aeruginosa PA14 cultured in the presence of four different carbon sources using a 2D immunoaffinity approach coupled to nanoliquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 1520 succinylated (612 proteins) and 1102 acetylated (522 proteins) lysine residues were characterized. Citrate was the carbon source in which we identified the higher number of modified proteins. Interestingly, 622 lysine residues (312 proteins) were observed either acetylated or succinylated. Some of these proteins, were involved in virulence, adaptation, resistance, and so on. A label-free quantification points out the existence of different protein forms for a same protein (unmodified, succinylated or acetylated) and suggests different abundance as a function of the carbon sources. This work is a promising starting point for further investigations on the biological role of lysine succinylation in P. aeruginosa.